Aurelia Butler

The Yugo is coming back! Maybe. Eventually. Probably not to America, though.Progress so far includes trademark rights and sketches of what a modern Yugo hatchback might look like.Keeping the price low will again be the goal, and underpinnings are likely to be sourced from another manufacturer.Did the Yugo stick around long enough to go from being the butt of jokes to laughing together with its detractors? At least a few did, judging from the way low-mileage examples of these little underpowered cars fetch far more at auction than they cost new off the showroom floor. The Yugo was unapologetically inexpensive, a double-edged sword, and while it actually sold pretty well, by 1992 it was gone from the U.S. market. But get your punchlines ready, because the Yugo could be coming back.YugoProperly, the original car’s full name was the Zastava Yugo GV, Zastava being an automaker with a long history in the former Yugoslavia. GV was meant to stand for Good Value, and at $3990 to start with a $389 destination charge, the Yugo was at least the least expensive car you could buy. Looking around at the average price of new cars these days, perhaps a little of that cheap and cheerful spirit wouldn’t go amiss.University Professor Doctor Aleksandar Bjelić certainly seems to think so, as he is the driving force behind the potential resurrection of Yugo. As first reported by The Autopian, he has acquired the rights and trademarks to the Yugo brand. Bjelić lives in Germany but has Serbian roots, and he recently hired Darko Marčeta, a Serbian designer, to sketch out what a new Yugo might look like.YugoDetails are slim, as development is still very much in the concept phase. However, the plan is to reveal a running prototype at the Belgrade Expo in 2027, and a model of the car at the end of this year. The original Yugo was based heavily on the Fiat 127, and Bjelić has indicated that this new car will have underpinnings sourced from another, as-yet-unnamed manufacturer.The obvious choice would be Fiat again, as the former Yugo factory did in fact build the late Fiat 500L. Low price will again be the goal here, so a new Yugo is likely to get a small combustion engine rather than an EV skateboard platform.As to whether thrifty U.S. buyers will be able to once again park something unintentionally hilarious in their driveways, that’s unlikely. The Yugo’s reputation was badly damaged by quality issues when it was new, and while there’s certainly a cult following for them, there’s probably not a business case to sell them to the general public.YugoIn Eastern Europe, however, the Yugo (called the Koral there) was really quite popular, closing out its production run with a respectable 800,000 cars built. A Serbian-built rival to something such as the Dacia Sandero could be quite successful, especially to those who remember the Zastava nameplate more fondly.To burnish this image, one of Yugo’s first PR stunts is going to be driving several classic Zastava models from Kragujevac in Serbia all the way to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The 6300-mile route is basically the same followed by a group of five Zastava 101s that performed the trek in 1975, as a showcase for durability. If the modern expedition can pull it off, it’ll be a shot in the arm for brand credibility.Meanwhile, the Nissan Versa is currently the least expensive new car sold in the United States. It comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission for just $18,330. Adjusted for inflation, the original Yugo’s price tag is only slightly more than half that price. Then again, nobody jokes about why the Versa has a rear window heater (for the Yugo, it was to keep your hands warm while you push).Related StoriesBrendan 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 18th edition of Car and Driver’s annual Lightning Lap—an event designed to distill a car’s performance at VIR’s challenging 4.1-mile Grand Course—featured 13 production cars and a wide spectrum of price points. The Hyundai Elantra N, with an as-tested price of $35,320, was this year’s least expensive car, while the $729,458 Lamborghini Revuelto cost over 20 times that much. As we compared lap times and prices, which dictate the LL1–LL5 classes, a handful of us decided to spec our ideal version from this year’s roster of track cars.Matthew Skwarczek’s Mazda MX-5 Miata Club (LL1)MazdaMazdaI’m no Lightning Lapper, but in the handful of times I’ve driven on a racetrack, one car has stood out: the ND Mazda Miata. Sure, with 181 hp, it’s certainly not the fastest way around a track. But that’s also what makes it one of, if not the best, ways to learn how to drive effectively on a track. Solid steering, a communicative and forgiving chassis, superb balance, and a sub-2500-pound curb weight certainly don’t hurt, either.For maximum driving fun, I went with the Club trim and its asymmetric limited-slip differential. The $4900 Brembo BBS Recaro package was a no-brainer addition for eponymous reasons. As for the color, while I contend Mazda’s Soul Red is the best color in the business, I miss my 10th Anniversary Edition NB Miata dearly. So, as an homage, I selected Deep Crystal Blue Mica (which also saved me $595).To keep that paint a bit more pristine, I added front and rear splash guards ($180 each). From experience with the NB, I know an overhead light isn’t always enough to spot whatever you’ve dropped. The $380 footwell illumination kit should help with that—and add a bit more subtle style. And though a two-seater convertible won’t ever be truly practical, the $60 cargo net and $225 Weather package’s floor liners and cargo tray do make the Miata a bit more usable. All told, my Miata build comes in at just under $40,000. That’s not exactly cheap, but it’s still less than the average new car these days. And the grin I’ll have as I zoom-zoom around VIR or my local roads will be worth every penny. –Matthew Skwarczek Read About the Miata Club’s LapEric Stafford’s Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (LL3)CadillacCadillacCadillac’s supersedan is a living legend. And since the life expectancy of a V-8-powered new car with three pedals might not be much longer than the 2:47.9 lap it turned at this year’s event, the CT5-V Blackwing is at the top of my wish list. The car that posted that impressive time was fitted with the $18,000 Precision package, which includes carbon-ceramic brakes, grippier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, and myriad suspension upgrades that helped make it 1.5 seconds faster around VIR than a version we previously lapped without the kit. I love that Cadillac went all-out to make the CT5 even more heroic on a racetrack, but I’d skip that expensive option and focus on making my Blackwing a delightful daily driver that can embarrass pricier sports cars during the occasional track day. I’m a green-paint guy, and the Caddy’s available Typhoon Metallic is my kind of color. It’s only a $625 upcharge, but I think it looks fantastic paired with the $1500 bronze 19-inch wheels (matching brake calipers cost an extra $595 but complete the look). While I think the CT5’s face looked better before the recent refresh, the interior greatly benefits from the new 33-inch dashboard display. I don’t prefer digital gauges over analog ones, but the pre-facelifted car already had a digitized instrument panel, and the overall dash layout didn’t look great. It’s better now, more cohesive. The only interior option I’d choose is the $8090 black-and-tan color scheme. Along with more supportive competition front seats, it includes nicer leather and puts it in more places. This is still a luxury sedan, after all. Since I’m sticking with the standard six-speed manual, I can’t option the hands-free Super Cruise system, which would’ve also cost me $5875, so I’m not mad. Instead, I’d get the $1600 PDR to record and analyze my lap times. That’s it. My ideal CT5-V Blackwing rings up at $109,900. Not bad for a 668-hp four-door with rear-wheel drive and a back seat that won’t make my in-laws think I’m trying to punish them. Although they might get the hint after a few glorious full-throttle runs. –Eric Stafford Read About the CT5-V Blackwing’s LapJack Fitzgerald’s Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Manthey Racing (LL4)PorschePorscheLook, there’s really only one correct answer here and it’s the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS with the Manthey kit. I’m dealing with hypothetical money, so that means I get to turn my nose up at drivel like the Miata, both Subarus, and both Hyundais. All fine cars any other week, but what I’m after is the wail of Porsche’s eardrum-rattling 4.0-liter flat-six as it crests 9000 rpm. Mine will be coated in the $14,750 Paint to Sample Ultraviolet purple, thank you very much. For $15,640, I’m tacking on a set of silver forged magnesium wheels. Wait, add another $13,250 to my tab because the mag wheels require selecting the Weissach package. A further $2170 is set aside for the Race-Tex and leather interior. Of course, I’ll also be spending $540 for the heated seats. I want a track car, but what kind of monster do you take me for? The $3040 front-axle-lift system is practically a prerequisite for purchase. Seriously, who spends a quarter-million dollars and decides it’s just too much to bear another $3000 for peace of mind? For maximum stopping power, I want the $8000 carbon-ceramic brakes. Certified Porsche dealers charge $53,946 for the Manthey kit, which puts my spec at a cool $279,131. You may think I’m out of my mind, but I think I’ve acted with quite a lot of restraint. However, I’ll need to put money aside for medical bills after the constant abuse of the flat-six’s 106-decibel song. Unfortunately, Porsche’s configurator doesn’t show the Manthey kit, so you’ll have to use your imagination to see the bitchin’ aero mods—or you can check out Dave Beard’s flying lap. –Jack FitzgeraldRead About the 718 Cayman GT4 RS’s LapCarter Fry’s Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (LL4)PorschePorscheIt is always a pleasure to use Porsche’s online configurator. “Here, pick from almost every color we’ve ever offered on our cars!” says Porsche. I understand why most manufacturers don’t usually offer as many colors as possible (rest in peace Mk 7 Golf Spektrum paint colors), but I certainly wish they would. For my Taycan Turbo GT build, I went straight to the Paint to Sample colors. The Purple Sky Metallic is free and tempting, but I couldn’t help myself. Speed Yellow ($13,150) is my choice, and I kept the 21-inch Turbo GT wheels but painted them Brilliant Silver for $1290. I painted the side mirrors Speed Yellow ($650) and the model designation on the rear the same hue ($270) then added the illuminated Porsche logo on the light strip for $460. I slapped on the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes for an even $900 and put a bow on my performance upgrades. I gave this car the GT interior with accents in GT Silver for $2020, which includes heated rear seats. Score! Those heating elements might add unnecessary weight, but, hey, it’s either that or cold passengers. I’ll take the former. The Porsche Design Subsecond Clock is an $1120 addition, the fixed panoramic roof adds $1540, and the head-up display is $1670. However, the most important option of all, the Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System, cost me $5810. That brings the total price of my Porsche Taycan Turbo GT to $260,885, so it looks like I’m gonna need to win the lottery. –Carter FryRead About the Taycan Turbo GT’s LapMason Cordell’s McLaren Artura Spider (LL5)McLarenMcLarenI love playing around with car configurators. It’s what got me through Communication Theory my junior year (sorry, Professor Bruni). McLaren’s configurator has always been one of my favorites, and after seeing the Artura in person at Lightning Lap this year, I had to create one for myself.Paint was a tough choice between Belize Blue and Lantana Purple. Both go well with the Azores calipers I chose, but I picked the latter because I love how menacing Artura Spider’s rear end looks with a darker color. It gives me General Grievous vibes. To continue the theme, I went with the 10-spoke Star Forged Alloy wheels in gloss black, which really helps those orange calipers pop. I left the wheels wrapped in the normal Pirelli P Zeros, though, as opposed to the P Zero Corsas because I’d like to survive getting caught in the rain. I had to option the titanium locking wheel bolts too because they reduce unsprung mass by a whopping 400 grams—serious race-car stuff. Finishing off the exterior, I checked the boxes for the sport exhaust with the stealth finish and a satin titanium engine cover. I also opted for body-colored everything. Say what you want, but I’m just not a carbon-fiber guy.For my Vision-spec interior, I continued with the orange accents instead of Flux Green (why only those two options?), which pairs nicely with the McLaren Orange seatbelt. I selected the simpler Clubsport seats, but because my back already feels like I’m 60, I opted for the lumbar support. Another checked box was the Thermal Insulated Windscreen, as it can get pretty toasty on those nine sunny days we get in every year in Michigan. Speaking of the Wolverine state, the final must-have for my ideal Artura is the front-axle-lift system. How much does it all cost? No idea. McLaren doesn’t list prices on its configurator, but the car we lapped at VIR had an as-tested sticker of $388,793. –Mason CordellRead About the Artura Spider’s LapMore Lightning LapEric 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 journalism 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

Volvo released a new teaser for the electric ES90 mid-size luxury sedan ahead of its full reveal on March 5.The teaser highlights the ES90’s software and details how the SPA2 architecture it is built on will allow continuous updates. When it arrives, the ES90 will be built on the same platform as the EX90 SUV and will sit alongside the current S90 sedan. Volvo has released a new teaser for the electric ES90 as it prepares to reveal the car in full next month. The mid-size luxury sedan was first teased during an investor-relations meeting last September, but the full reveal is scheduled to be livestreamed on March 5. VolvoThe new info from the automaker focuses on the “Superset tech stack” set of software and hardware modules underpinning the ES90. The sedan is Volvo’s next step in working towards software-defined vehicles. The hope is that the technology will allow for faster and more frequent over-the-air updates that improve the overall customer experience as well as safety. Volvo says that additional connectivity features and improved range are two potential upsides of the technology. The sedan will be the second Volvo built on the brand’s SPA2 architecture, which it shares with the EX90 flagship SUV. Volvo says that another benefit of the Superset stack is that improvements to one car can be concurrent with another. VolvoAs they’ll share a platform, the ES90 will likely use the same 111.0-kWh battery pack as the EX90 SUV, though the sedan will likely edge out the SUV’s 300- to 310-mile range estimate thanks to its smaller size. Previous plans from Volvo will position the ES90 alongside the gas-burning S90 sedan, with the brand selling both models while it transitions to an electric-only future. More information surrounding the pricing, powertrain, and technology should become available when the car is revealed next month. Related StoriesJack 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