Aurelia Butler

It’s no surprise Ford wants to sell as many vehicles as possible this year, and today the company detailed plans to strongly increase production of several models that are in high demand. The most notable of which is the F-150 Lightning, which Ford says it’s on track to build triple the amount compared with last year.The plans comes on the heels of Lighting production being halted for multiple weeks due to a battery issue. Ford has since fixed the problem and said production will resume on March 13. With assembly back in motion, the company hopes to start building 150,000 Lightnings annually by the end of this year. In 2022, Ford said it sold 15,617 copies of the electric F-150.Car and DriverOf course, the Lightning is just one of the Ford models that are said to be in high demand. Others that will see their production ramped up include the compact-sized Bronco Sport SUV and the Maverick pickup truck. To meet demand in North and South America, the company plans to increase production by more than 80,000 units in 2023.More Ford StoriesEarlier this year, we learned that Ford planned to increase production of the Mustang Mach-E by nearly 67 percent, from 78,000 units last year to 130k in 2023. That is said to already be underway, and today the company said changes at the production plant will help towards nearly doubling hourly production of the Mach-E. Ford said it’s targeting annual manufacturing rate of 210K by the end of this year.With Ford also saying it’s adding more workers in April at the Kansas City assembly plant where the Transit van and its electric counterpart are built, the company aims to increase annual production of those by 38,000.FordWhile Ford didn’t announce specific plans to increase production of other popular models, the company did mention it’s trying to find ways to build more gas-burning and hybrid F-150s, which are built at the Dearborn, Michigan plant. Ford is also preparing to introduce new or updated versions of the Escape, the Mustang, the Super Duty trucks, and the Ranger. The latter will be built on the same assembly line as the full-size Bronco, and the launch of the new-generation Ranger could be why Ford didn’t say it would increase Bronco production.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

A homologation special built for rallying, Renault’s R5 Turbo is a widebody, mid-engined, turbocharged dose of insanity.This example comes from the collection at the Lane Motor Museum and is serviced and ready for its next driver.With five days to go, bidding sits at $75,000.Car and DriverIntroduced in January 1972, the original Renault 5 was a cleverly designed and stylish little compact, and it sold by the thousands. Or at least it did in Europe. Renault brought its Cinq across the Atlantic as the Le Car, to which the U.S. buying public responded how ’bout Re-no-thanks. Perhaps as punishment, Renault declined to officially bring over its craziest version. As with their wine, the French kept the best to themselves—though this R5 Turbo II is not so much a Beaujolais as it is a Molotov cocktail.Bring a TrailerToday’s auction pick from Bring a Trailer, part of Hearst Autos along with Car and Driver, is a 1985 Renault R5 Turbo II, and it is absolutely bonkers. Built for homologation in Group B rallying, the R5 Turbo offers an experts-only driving experience that is unlike anything else. If the Citroën DS is the essence of effortless Gallic cool, then the R5 Turbo is Napoleon Bonaparte on bath salts. It’s fantastic.For French-Car FansThe standard R5 made about 50 horsepower, though every Parisian thrashed them around the Arc de Triomphe like they were René Arnoux setting a F1 qualifying lap. Renault tripled the power with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, stuffed the powerplant where the rear seats used to be, and then hired the guy who drew the Lamborghini Miura to give this mutant creation hips like one of the moms in a Pixar movie.As the most powerful French production car of its time, the Renault R5 Turbo could beat up on six-cylinder BMWs all day long. However, turbo lag being what it was in the 1980s, make a mistake behind the wheel and the R5 Turbo would fire you into a ditch without so much as a “Désolé.” It was based on an economy car, but it had the haughty demeanor of a Porsche 930.Bring a TrailerOnscreen, this made it the perfect car of choice for the villainous Fatima Blush in 1983’s James Bond film Never Say Never Again. Sean Connery’s motorcycle was no match for a crimson R5 Turbo’s speed and agility.IncroyableThis Turbo II is one of the later models, which were slightly less expensive, thanks to fewer aluminum components used in construction. It has 43,000 miles on the odometer and a set of custom HRE wheels, and it was formerly part of the collection at the Lane Motor Museum in Tennessee. If you’ve not been, the Lane Museum boasts a treasure trove of automotive oddballs like this delightfully deranged Renault.Further, the Lane Museum is the sort of place that expects its cars to be functional rather than mere exhibits. This example has had some recent servicing and is ready to go—although the horn is listed as nonfunctional, which should probably be addressed. No self-respecting French driver could go more than 12 seconds without honking at someone perceived as being in their way.With five days to go, bidding has reached $75,000, which is no small sum for a car that started out as a French economy car. Ah, but a Renault R5 Turbo II is the type of car in which emotion overcomes rational thought. What could be more French than that? Car and driverCar and driver Lettermark logoContributing EditorBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More

The Aston Martin DBX 707 is the official medical car of the 2023 Formula 1 season.The 707-hp SUV is fitted with myriad emergency gear as well as FIA-approved racing seats and harnesses. The ’23 F1 World Championship season starts this weekend on Sunday, March 5, where the medic-equipped DBX 707 will debut too.Not a single Formula 1 driver wants to get into an accident this upcoming 2023 season. However, when crashes inevitably happen, medical responders will be raced to the scene in a 707-hp SUV—the Aston Martin DBX 707, to be exact.The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) today announced that it has named the DBX 707 as the official medical car of the ’23 F1 season, which will kick off with the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend on Sunday, March 5.This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.What it takes to be the Official Medical Car of Formula 1 | Aston Martin DBX707Watch onYouTube IconYouTube IconPainted Aston Martin Racing Green and fitted with emergency lights on top, the medic version of the DBX 707 features myriad safety gear and other equipment needed to respond to an accident. As one expects, that list includes fire extinguishers and a defibrillator, but its passengers can also hear race control communications and access biometric data from the drivers. This helps medical responders assess the accident before they arrive. To ensure that the emergency personnel get to racetrack crash sites as quickly and as safely as possible, Aston’s high-powered SUV is driven by a professional driver. All passengers are also strapped in place by a set of FIA-approved racing seats with six-point harnesses.Photog Max EareyDuring the past two F1 seasons, the FIA has used the regular 542-hp DBX as the official medical car. However, it’s much less powerful than the 707 variant, which is also enhanced with track-ready hardware such as carbon-ceramic brakes and a nine-speed automatic transmission with a wet-clutch pack. In our testing, the DBX 707 hit 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and ripped through the quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds and 119 mph. Not too shabby for a 5128-pound SUV. And in the hands of a pro hotshoe, the official FIA version will make sure that when F1 drivers are in danger they get the medical attention they need ASAP.Extra DBX 707 ReadingThis content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

The Postal Service announced it has ordered 9250 Ford E-Transit vans.The order is part of an electrification initiative announced in December.The USPS is also having 14,000 charging stations installed at post offices and related facilities.The renewal of the Postal Service’s extensive fleet of mail trucks has been mired in controversy. Today’s familiar mail trucks, Grumman LLVs, are old, rickety, (and on occasion combustible), gas-guzzlers. The process of soliciting designs and bids for a new-generation delivery vehicle has been long and drawn out, dating back to 2015. The eventual winner, Oshkosh’s New Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV), has been criticized not for its dorky looks but because the gas-powered NGDV is nearly as fuel-thirsty as the old Grummans. The EPA requested that the Postal Service reconsider, but the USPS basically told the EPA to pound sand.Related StoriesPerhaps in a move to blunt some of that criticism, the Postal Service also back in December announced it would be putting some 66,000 EVs into its fleet. We now have the first specifics of that EV effort, with the word coming that the Ford E-Transit van will be suiting up for mail duty. The E-Transit features a 266-hp electric motor, rear-wheel drive, and a 126-mile range. The Postal Service has ordered 9250 of the Fords and points out that they’re built in Kansas City, Missouri. They’re scheduled to be deployed in December.In order to recharge those vans, the USPS has also ordered 14,000 charging stations to be located at its various facilities, with the equipment coming from three unnamed suppliers. None of this means the Postal Service is turning its back on gas-powered vehicles, however. In fact, the USPS also announced it was purchasing a similar number (9250) of gas-engine vehicles, this time from Stellantis. Those vehicles were not identified, but it’s a fair bet that they’re Ram ProMaster vans. Or, maybe, they’re Hellcat-powered Chargers and Challengers—that might not please the EPA, but it could really speed up mail delivery.Deputy Editor, Reviews and FeaturesJoe Lorio has been obsessed with cars since his Matchbox days, and he got his first subscription to Car and Driver at age 11. Joe started his career at Automobile Magazine under David E. Davis Jr., and his work has also appeared on websites including Amazon Autos, Autoblog, AutoTrader, Hagerty, Hemmings, KBB, and TrueCar. More

Kia released two teaser images and two videos of the upcoming EV9 SUV.The images leave plenty to the imagination and don’t give away much more than a glimpse of the front lighting scheme and a darkened silhouette. Despite being quite brief, the videos show off much more of the SUV and give a look at a playful animation of the headlights waking up, as well as a rear shot of the taillights. Like every other automaker, Kia is preparing for a future filled with electric vehicles. Next up in Kia’s battery-powered lineup is the EV9 electric SUV, and the manufacturer has just released two new teaser images and two new teaser videos ahead of the model’s debut later this month. play iconThe triangle icon that indicates to playMore on the Kia EV9The images leave a lot to the imagination, but confirm what previous spy shots lead us to believe. One video displays what looks to be a playful startup sequence from the headlights, with the numerous pixelated lights coming to life before the taller LEDs on the outside edge of the fascia light up. The other video shows door handles flattened against the body of the car, likely to aid in aero to boost EV range. KiaKia confirmed it will reveal more of the interior and exterior of the car in the coming weeks, with final production info for the car coming out by the end of the month. Kia claims 300 miles of driving range for the EV9 and says the SUV will also be able to charge on 350-kilowatt fast-charging stations. We don’t quite know yet what size battery pack(s) will be offered, but the EV9 will utilize the brand’s E-GMP platform, which also underpins the current EV6. play iconThe triangle icon that indicates to playA survey sent to current Telluride owners appears to hold some clues as to the EV9 specs. It suggested that pricing for the base version might start around $56,000, with higher trims coming in closer to $75,000. It also suggested range for the EV9 will be between 220 and 290 miles, while powertrain output will go from 200 horses in the base model to 400 ponies in the top trim. This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

This 1993 Volkswagen Corrado SLC has amassed only 47,000 miles over its 30-year life.When it was new, the spunky VW coupe produced 178 horsepower from the 2.8-liter narrow-angle VR6. The seller notes a plethora of presale work done to the car, which is up for auction until Monday, March 6. Car and DriverThe Volkswagen Corrado SLC is a car that simply exudes character. The sharp angles and somewhat unconventional sillhouette lend to its presence on the road. In Car and Driver’s 1993 road test, Frank Markus asked readers to “Think BMW hatchback. Think reliable Alfa GTV6. Don’t think buzzy overpriced VW with boost lag.”Sure, it’s six years older than I am, and compared to modern standards it’s not winning any stoplight drag races—we managed 60 mph in 6.4 seconds back when the Corrado SLC was new. But viewing any 30-year-old car through that lens is a recipe for sadness. Get those rose-tinted glasses on and let the waves of nostalgia wash over you. The naturally aspirated 2.8-liter V-6 develops 178 horsepower at 5800 rpm, and it hums and pops as it spurs you through back road after back road. The engine in this particular SLC is equipped with a Neuspeed P-Flo intake, and according to the seller, the oil was changed and the spark plugs and ignition wires were replaced in December 2022.Bring a TrailerSLC stands for “Sports Luxury Coupe,” and comes with all the bells and whistles you would expect from a vehicle carrying such an important name. The automatic rear spoiler activates when crossing a speed threshold, see? Sporty. Remember automatic seat belts? The SLC has those. That’s luxury settled. How many doors can you count? I see the correct amount for a coupe. Plus, with only 47,000 miles logged, this SLC is in great shape. The interior in particular has aged with a grace not always found on a car this old. The five-spoke 15-inch Speedline wheels are mounted with new 205/50 Yokohama Advan Fleva tires. Like most 30-year-olds, the SLC has garnered a few visual blemishes over its life. Evidence of paintwork is visible on the passenger-side panels, the sunroof doesn’t work, and there is a crack in the left-side fog light. Those blemishes help to tell the story of a car that was first registered in Michigan and later spent time in Colorado, Arizona, Florida, and California before it was acquired by the selling dealer in Washington. Bring a TrailerWe loved the Corrado so much in 1993 that we invited it, along with four other hot coupes, on a head-to-head comparison test. A high price and abrupt oversteer kept the SLC from winning outright, but the torquey VR6 engine and playful steering feel left a feeling of appreciation towards Wolfsburg that had been missing previously. This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More