Evelyn Reynolds

You might think a Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge is dark as the ocean floor, its black paint so deep that you see fish beneath the surface of its fenders, volcanic vents behind the coachline, Atlantis in the decklid. But it doesn’t have to be. If all black isn’t your thing, you can order a Black Badge in green, the bright poisonous pop of a rainforest tree frog or the verdancy of a topiary garden, or any hue between or surrounding on an infinite color wheel, including the Burnout Grey of the model we sampled. Slap on the Black Badge and let other Ghost owners know you’ve got a dark edge—and that you’ve outspent them. Rolls-Royce is all about satisfying its customers’ desires, and it says that more than a quarter of them desire to own a version of a rare, expensive car that’s even rarer and more expensive. Also, they like blacked-out trim. It’s not giving in to marketing to say that driving a Rolls-Royce is unlike driving any other automobile. Like its namesake, the Ghost hovers, absolutely wafts down the street, more silent than an electric car, 12 cylinders of combustion barely whispering their presence. It is a car for people who don’t want to be bothered by, or bother with, the outside world. Yet this creates a conundrum for some would-be buyers. One doesn’t drive a Rolls-Royce to be ignored; can’t this thing rumble just a bit—emanate a little less dusty-haunted-mansion and a little more sexy-hunting-vampire? The standard Ghost intimidates by disdaining to acknowledge you. The Ghost Black Badge exudes an active menace. Of course, menace doesn’t come cheap, and the Black Badge package adds $43,850 to the $398,850 starting price of the 2022 Ghost. The car we drove would put a $492,250 dent in your account balance. But we’re talking about a vehicle that offers a $17,000 umbrella option—money as we know it is meaningless.

Rolls-Royce

For the meaningless $44K, Rolls-Royce adds menace to the standard Ghost with darkened chrome trim and unexpected carbon fiber. Blackout and composite may seem like old news to anyone in the tuner or custom scene, but on a Roller with its history of silver ladies, polished trim, and more leather and wood than an English-manor library, such modern materials represent a big change in aesthetic. Smoked brightwork, the result of a chemical process done during the chroming, includes a dark mirror gloss on the grille, emblems, and retractable Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, and Rolls says the finish will not chip or peel. The carbon wheels, composite barrels around a forged aluminum hub, save some pounds but are about as helpful in weight loss as turning down a third piece of pie on Thanksgiving—the car weighs a hefty 5500 pounds. They look good though, accented with a color-keyed pinstripe and always-upright center caps, and make a counterpoint to the Ghost’s prewar-era profile.

Rolls-Royce

Inside, Black Badge cars offer more carbon fiber, here a custom weave of aluminum thread and carbon strand. Interior shiny metals are smoked just like the exterior chrome, although there seems to be some randomness to which pieces go dark and which—like the sill plates in our sample car—remain bright. Like the paint, interior color choices are limited only by imagination. We opened the reflective black doors of one car to find a pumpkin-orange interior, something we should have expected based on the orange coachline down the side and the matching leather-wrapped key. If a Halloween-themed Ghost is too on the nose for you, pick something else—we couldn’t get through all the options in the configurator. Who knew cows came in so many colors? Everything inside the Ghost feels nice: This is what you pay for, a lambswool carpet wasted on those wearing shoes and leather trim even where you barely see it, like on the inside of the B-pillars, a lavish resting place for seatbelt anchors. There is some plastic in the cabin—the spindly turn-signal stalk is a disappointing standout—but most surfaces are decadently soft, smooth, and glittering. Rolls-Royce has moved away from the idea that all its buyers are chauffeured, and the performance aspects of the Black Badge are aimed at increasing driver enjoyment. While the mechanics of the turbocharged 6.7-liter V-12 and all-wheel-drive chassis remain unchanged, the engine tune now offers a 28-hp boost to 591 and a 37-lb-ft increase to 664. It also returns an estimated 14 mpg combined, and that’s the last we’ll say about that. We’ve already established that this isn’t a car to make people like you. Beneath the polished and painted body, the air suspension is stiffer, and while a Sport mode would be uncouth, a Low mode on the gear stalk speeds and tightens up shifts, increases the steering effort from one finger to two, opens baffles in the exhaust, and adjusts the air springs and active anti-roll bars to sacrifice just a smidge of the Ghost’s untroubled float for just a smidge more upright handling in curves. It is black (badge) magic for a car so large and loaded to be even half this maneuverable, although, for a Ghost, it’s a rough and rumbly ride.

Rolls-Royce

While outrageous forward thrust and weighty stability make the Ghost simultaneously thrilling and relaxing on a highway—this is truly a car for a long journey—around town it offers some challenges that hint back to its past as a car to be driven in rather than to drive. Visibility is terrible, all A-pillars and too-wide mirrors in front, nothing but leather-wrapped B-pillars and starry headliner to the rear. The brakes and steering both can be described as soft, pleasant for passengers but requiring more attention from drivers. Parking is saved from nightmare territory by truly excellent cameras, warning not just of curbed carbon-fiber wheels but also of obstacles that might impede the elegant exit of passengers via the rear-hinged doors. It is an amusing car to pilot, but still feels best from the back seat. It’s hard to summon sympathy for car shoppers with half-million-dollar budgets, but imagine for a moment that you’ve made a name for yourself as a rebel, a gangster, proudly one step off from the mainstream, and now here you are, with more money than you can lose on NFTs, trying to hold onto edginess amid the dulling effects of wealth. What a trial it must be to maintain even the slightest hint of counterculture street cred when you’re being massaged under starlight in a car with a little silver lady on the hood. But if the lady were dressed in black? That’s kinda punk rock, right? The 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge aims to satisfy the segment of the customer base who wants to be pampered but is willing to pay more for just a hint of reassurance that they’re still hardcore.

Specifications

Specifications
2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black BadgeVehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4- or 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base: $442,700
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 48-valve V-12, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injectionDisplacement: 412 in3, 6749 cm3Power: 591 hp @ 5250 rpmTorque: 664 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 129.7 inLength: 218.8 inWidth: 77.9 inHeight: 61.9 inTrunk Volume: 18 ft3Curb Weight (C/D est): 5500 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 4.2 sec100 mph: 10.3 sec
Top Speed: 155 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 14/12/19 mpg

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[image id=’b88d453b-a60f-43ef-a8dc-b0e7858b6ca0′ mediaId=’f2697b6d-76a0-485b-b062-124c671eb3b9′ align=’center’ size=’large’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]From the January 2022 issue of Car and Driver.”Basically, our product plan is stolen from Spaceballs,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk said with a smirk when unveiling the 1020-hp Model S Plaid, referring to the 1987 film parody of Star Wars. In that movie, the fastest faster-than-light speed is called ludicrous speed. When the ship Spaceball I reaches that speed, it appears plaid, leading a character to remark in wide-eyed awe, “They’ve gone to plaid.” Both Ludicrous and Plaid have been names for modes in the swiftest Model S variants.[editoriallinks id=’676ff7e5-d65c-4745-95e6-59e60d664781′ align=’left’][/editoriallinks]Teslas have always been quick, and the company, led by its nerd-in-chief, seems almost equally proficient at pushing inside-joke boundaries and making serious, industry-shifting moves. The Plaid is the result of both, and it absolutely delivers on taking Tesla’s performance to new ridiculous heights. It’s the first Tesla powered by three electric motors, two at the rear and a third at the front axle, all of them now permanent-magnet synchronous AC machines. New in the Plaid are carbon-fiber-sleeved rotors (just like it sounds, that’s the spinning part of the motor). The carbon-fiber shell holds each rotor together to enable rotational speeds of up to 20,000 rpm, about 25 percent faster than before. Because of the dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion between carbon and copper, Tesla says the motor’s copper wire must be wound at extremely high tension, resulting in a very efficient electromagnetic field. Furthermore, the Plaid addresses the EV shortcoming (particularly in those that employ a direct-drive transmission, like Teslas) that power falls off dramatically with speed. Tesla claims that the Plaid continues to make 1000 of its 1020 horsepower all the way to its 200-mph top speed. Despite the extra motor, the Plaid weighed in at 4828 pounds, 175 pounds lighter than the last Model S Performance we tested.[image id=’16638ef9-ff8e-4000-9a32-18b3dbba7493′ mediaId=’4e0813d6-b16f-41b8-b529-5cf639ab55d2′ align=’center’ size=’large’ share=’false’ caption=’The latest Model S’s instrument panel is simpler than before and shifts the 17.0-inch touchscreen orientation from vertical to horizontal. The audio system features 22 speakers and 960 watts of power.’ expand=” crop=’original’][/image][pullquote align=’center’]HIGHS: Insanely responsive and swift powertrain, plenty refined for everyday use, impressive range.[/pullquote]To unlock maximum acceleration, select Drag Strip mode, which heats the battery to the optimum temperature, then mash and hold the brake and accelerator pedals for about 10 seconds to signal the air springs to lower the front end. The front tires tuck into the fenders in what Tesla calls a cheetah stance (without the waiting, we found it to be just 0.1 second slower to 60 mph and through the quarter-mile). The initial launch hit isn’t the gut punch you might expect, as the power must be ramped in judiciously to maintain traction. The shocking bit is after the Plaid’s 2.1-second flash to 60 mph, when it’s accelerating so quickly that your surroundings start to mimic the silly plaid animation on the dash screen. The VBox test equipment recorded 4.3 seconds to 100 mph and a 9.4-second quarter-mile, a tie with the Bugatti Chiron Sport for the quickest quarter we’ve ever measured.If you’ve been following Tesla, you know that performance tapers off quickly after more than one or two acceleration runs on a full charge. No longer. The Plaid’s radiator is twice as large as before, and our test car ran eight consecutive consistent passes, the last one at an 80 percent state of charge.[image id=’ee4b9879-d4dd-4e16-8411-74f9c11c4531′ mediaId=’da44ae61-1652-41c3-9bed-7d8aeaa43091′ align=’center’ size=’large’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’6×4′][/image]The Plaid is certainly the least ostentatious car that can run nines in the quarter-mile. It doesn’t draw envious looks or adulation on the road. All its new tricks are hidden beneath familiar, decade-old sheetmetal. But for a large four-door that seats five, rides comfortably, and starts at $131,440 to mix it up with multimillion-dollar exotics is an amazing accomplishment. The Plaid actually blows the quickest exotics away in our passing tests, where it shot from 30 to 50 mph in 0.9 second and from 50 to 70 mph in 1.0 flat. Those are the quickest times our test gear has ever witnessed, more than twice as quick as the Chiron and about a 30 percent improvement over last year’s Model S Performance and the Porsche Taycan Turbo S.[pullquote align=’center’]LOWS: High-speed wandering, poorly integrated steering yoke, no at-the-limit feel.[/pullquote]But it wouldn’t be Tesla if it didn’t overpromise, and the Plaid can’t get anywhere near the company’s 200-mph claims. Our test car topped out at a governed 162 mph, no faster than last year’s Model S Performance. Tesla is perpetually a few software releases—and new vehicles and assembly plants—away from delivering on its claims, and it of course swears that an update will unlock the true Plaid speed.[image id=’43c283d8-6be3-4a37-bb52-0e56c50aaca6′ mediaId=’f5015b84-b16e-4e04-b8a5-92c0f0ab97d4′ align=’center’ size=’large’ share=’false’ caption=’For $137,440, you get part of a steering wheel. The Plaid offers three interior colors; this one is black.’ expand=” crop=’original’][/image]But, trust us, you don’t want to do 200 mph in this car. Even 162 mph was terrifying, wandering and nervous to the point that we were concerned about our ability to shepherd it between lane lines. The steering doesn’t firm up enough with speed, making the task more difficult. At similar velocities, a Taycan is resolutely stable. Another reason to fear a 200-mph speed is brakes that got soft during our testing. Although our braking regimen isn’t nearly as severe as what a racetrack demands, a warning message reporting the brakes’ demise popped up on the dash. Between the flappability at high speeds and the iffy brakes, our helmets are way off to former FIA GT racing driver Andreas Simonsen, who piloted the Plaid to what must have been a harrowing 7:35 Nürburgring lap.The Plaid’s huge improvement in cornering grip likely played a part in that ‘Ring time. On the skidpad, the Tesla delivered a Corvette-beating 1.08 g’s, up from 0.92 g. The Plaid-spec Michelin Pilot 4S tires are 30 millimeters wider than before with perhaps some Cup 2 magic sprinkled in.[image id=’7d8a43ea-3109-4cb9-ad48-1d0b4e97ae57′ mediaId=’0fcd152b-c80f-400e-9a23-7061274881ef’ align=’center’ size=’large’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]Now it’s time for your regular reminder that there’s more to the driving experience than numbers, a drum we beat regularly when we explain why a clear objective champ didn’t win a comparison test. The Plaid is a zombie at the limit, with nothing coming up through the two girthy grips at the end of the steering yoke. Getting that staggering skidpad number took far more runs than is typical because of the car’s unpredictability. Turning right, it would walk itself into oversteer, which would then result in a heavy-handed smackdown from the stability control. Tesla touts that the Plaid’s dual rear motors enable torque vectoring, but there’s none to be had near the limit because of the undefeatable safety net. A Model 3 Performance with the variable (and defeatable) Track-mode settings is far more satisfying and fun.[pullquote align=’center’]VERDICT: There’s more to greatness than quickness.[/pullquote][image id=’ff487da9-cc00-4d0a-bd38-ba5b772d8768′ mediaId=’e91bdec8-934b-4abb-8fec-18b7ce096585′ align=’center’ size=’large’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]There’s also that steering yoke, something that doesn’t have to be a terrible idea but becomes one when a manufacturer neglects to pair it with a quicker steering ratio. At speed it works fine, and we quickly acclimated to the touch-sensitive turn signals and other ancillary controls. Plus, the unobstructed view forward is an improvement. But the Plaid and its 2.3 lock-to-lock turns violate the first rule of yokes, which is that you never want to have to turn one past about 180 degrees. This quickly created bad habits, such as reaching across to grab the wrong side of the yoke when initiating a turn that would have otherwise required hand-over-hand confusion.The yoke garners most of the attention inside, overshadowing a much-needed comprehensive overhaul of the Model S’s interior that uses far richer materials. There’s a 17.0-inch center screen that’s now horizontal, a 22-speaker stereo system, and thicker acoustic glass that makes the interior significantly quieter than before.[image id=’e0e9ea58-3242-432c-bec4-3313e17eb69d’ mediaId=’e5345be7-28d2-40dc-a830-2d3d36f29baf’ align=’center’ size=’large’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]Tesla loyalists will notice that the Mercedes-Benz-sourced shift and turn-signal stalks and window switches are gone. Shifting into gear is done with a swipe of the touchscreen. That strikes us as a questionable idea, since an infotainment-screen meltdown is not a rare event, for Tesla or any other automaker. At least Tesla has built in a workaround to shift via the center console when that happens.[image id=’6fc0240c-0f5c-491e-abce-205e88c0915d’ mediaId=’1fd67093-37f0-4bed-80b7-4dc1b35a341b’ align=’left’ size=’small’ share=’false’ caption=’Sign up for our new weekly EV newsletter, State of Charge. SIGN UP’ expand=” crop=’1×1′][/image]Despite the added performance equipment, our test car delivered an impressive 280 miles of range in our 75-mph highway test. That’s 80 percent of its 348-mile EPA range, a higher proportion than we’ve seen in our other Tesla tests. Some credit should go to the Plaid’s heat pump, which Tesla claims uses 50 percent less energy to warm the cabin. The Plaid went farther than every other EV we’ve tested except the more efficiency-minded Model S Long Range Plus. Which, considering the Plaid’s speed and sticky tires, is monumentally impressive. The car also delivered on Tesla’s promise of substantially faster recharging ability, nabbing the highest average charge rate we’ve measured.”We have to show that an electric car is the best car, hands down,” Musk said regarding the Plaid’s importance. He cites acceptance of electric vehicles as critical to the future of sustainable transportation. While the Plaid is amazing in many ways, it’s not the best. Among other things, are there flaws more fatal than no power oversteer in a 1020-hp sledgehammer?[mediaosvideo align=’center’ embedId=’97028704-c6f8-4abb-8192-a1a10683ed2d’ mediaId=’df83750c-c33a-40ff-bcda-3925c893661d’ size=’large’][/mediaosvideo]DialogueI expected a launch-control start in this power-crazed Tesla to blow my synapses (it did). I didn’t expect what it was like the rest of the time. A stab of the accelerator at 20 mph or 100 mph—it didn’t matter—caused it to blast off with such instant, cartoon-like, reality-bending ferocity that my neck muscles strained mightily to keep my head level. Whoa! I wish I could give every EV hater a ride in this thing. Its ability to blow minds might also change a few. —Rich CepposThe yoke might be fine when you’re cruising down a straight highway, but a wheel works in that scenario too. Try parking or turning around in the Plaid and you gain a new appreciation for a steering wheel’s rim. Compared with the yoke, the new digital gear selector works fairly well. Although there are times when the system doesn’t understand that you want drive and not reverse, a quick corrective swipe on the left side of the display gets you moving in the right direction. —Drew Dorian [image id=’7f7adac1-ff53-4ba5-ae5f-c0d668bcaea2′ mediaId=’5f696f47-9108-40c5-be11-5d9f8091c696′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image][vehicle type=’specpanel’ vehicle-body-style=” vehicle-make=” vehicle-model=” vehicle-model-category=” vehicle-submodel=” vehicle-year=”][/vehicle][image id=’bf222a99-967e-406f-a4d3-886f2d33b440′ mediaId=’31283575-d630-47d3-9dfb-be31bbebaf07′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=’A car-lover’s community for ultimate access & unrivaled experiences. JOIN NOW’ expand=” crop=’original’][/image] More

Only last year the Genesis G80 was all-new from the ground up. With a choice of two punchy turbo powertrains and the latest iteration of the Genesis design language, we found much to like in the Korean automaker’s third-generation luxury mid-size sedan. All we wanted was a touch more athleticism. Apparently, we rubbed the right lamp, because for 2022 our wish has been granted in the form of the new G80 Sport. More responsive handling leads the list of enhancements. In the Prestige trim, which we drove, the adaptive suspension gains a unique tuning that stiffens the front and rear dampers by 4 percent and 12 percent, respectively. And with the newly available summer-tire option ($500), the Sport is indeed livelier. Blitzing through tree-lined curvy roads just inland of the Central California coast, we appreciated its newfound agility through the corners.

Credit also goes to the Sport Prestige model’s rear-wheel steering, which turns the wheels in phase above 37 mph to enable more stable handling. Below that speed, they’ll turn in the opposite direction by up to 2 degrees. The turning radius is nearly two feet tighter as a result, with a full circle complete in a relatively trim 36.2 feet. One change we didn’t wish for: All-wheel drive is now standard on every G80 Sport. And since every V-6-powered G80 is now a G80 Sport, that means if you want rear-wheel drive, you’ll have to settle for the 300-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder model. Rather unsportsmanlike, if you ask us. But genies are known for loose interpretations.
At least the 375-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 remains a powerful and willing accomplice. Its peak torque of 391 lb-ft is available from 1300 to 4500 rpm, delivering a reassuring amount of thrust in practically any situation. Midrange passing is where it truly excels, providing a punch of seamless power on demand accompanied by a pleasing, muted growl. The engine note is electronically enhanced through the speakers, and we appreciate the ability to turn it off completely. Take note, BMW.While we lament the loss of a true rear-wheel-drive model, at least the AWD system can shuttle 100 percent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels. The eight-speed automatic is also quick to respond, though the tiny shift paddles require a long reach and will have you wishing for longer fingers. Exclusive to the Prestige trim is a Sport+ mode that features an aggressively quick shift pattern, a true manual mode, and a more permissive stability control. Those chasing pink slips on Friday nights will appreciate the addition of launch control. Choose your opponents wisely, however. In our previous testing, a 4321-pound 2021 G80 with rear-wheel drive managed only a 4.9-second sprint to 60.
The handsome sheetmetal receives a mild steroidal injection at each end. Up front, the lower valance now tucks up on either side toward the center for a more muscular look. The rear bumper is equally as sculpted, featuring beefy cutouts for a glimpse of the tire contact patches. A saucier color palette includes Siberian Ice and Cavendish Red, a hue reportedly inspired by the rubicund mud of Prince Edward Island.Inside, bolder colors and materials continue this sportier theme. Metal-finished pedals add bling beneath your feet. Aluminum or carbon-fiber trim replaces wood throughout the cabin, while a new steering wheel has three spokes instead of two. The herringbone pattern on the seats has been dialed up to 11, with sharply ribbed diagonal lines converging in a V-shaped exclamation point. When decked out in red or black with contrasting stitching, the look exudes retro alienlike form that fans of the 1983 miniseries V will appreciate. The “ergo motion” seats trade the pokes and prods of traditional massage for subtle, constant movements meant to gently activate the back muscles. We found the touch-sensitive seat controls to be surprisingly useful: Just grazing a fingertip over a switch reveals its corresponding function on the 14.5-inch touchscreen.
And while that display remains a bit of a reach for casual inputs, the console-mounted rotary knob is easy to master. We find it curious that wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is still absent, considering its prolific availability on lower-end Hyundai models. Elsewhere, previously optional amenities are now standard, including heating for the steering wheel and rear seats, a surround-view camera, and the superb 21-speaker Lexicon audio system.These upgrades, however minor, might seem fruitless in a market increasingly dominated by SUVs. In their short time on the scene, the GV70 and GV80 have already commanded roughly 60 percent of Genesis sales. But reps for Genesis insist that the SUVs have also provided a halo effect for the rest of the lineup, luring in buyers new to the brand. Offering a viable sedan alternative is an important part of the portfolio, they claim, and justifies such an investment in the G80 only one year after its launch. The new G80 Sport adds spark to an already impressive package. And with its starting price of $64,495, we think the G80 Sport is a viable competitor to the six-cylinder offerings from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes.

Specifications

Specifications
2022 Genesis G80 SportVehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base: $64,495
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injectionDisplacement: 212 in3, 3470 cm3Power: 375 hp @ 5800 rpmTorque: 391 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 118.5 inLength: 196.7 inWidth: 75.8 inHeight: 57.7 inPassenger Volume: 104–108 ft3Trunk Volume: 13 ft3Curb Weight (C/D est): 4500 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 4.8 sec100 mph: 11.9 sec1/4-Mile: 13.5 secTop Speed: 155 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 20/17/26 mpg

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Electric cars are supposed to be quiet, but this one isn’t. This very loud EV is the Mission R, a 1073-hp one-of-one concept/racer that provides a look at a potential future for customer sports-car racing, a niche that Porsche usually feeds with 911s. While the Mission R might not sound like any race car we’ve ever driven, the same advice applies: Wear earplugs. From inside it sounds like you’re sitting next to a washing machine with a bad bearing as it kills itself during a spin cycle. Credit the two straight-cut reduction gears (one front and one rear) that transmit power to mechanical limited-slip differentials.Hitting the brakes really makes the thing scream. Like every EV, the Mission R’s two electric motors work to convert speed into electricity through regenerative braking. As the motors fight against the car’s inertia, the noise cavitates your eardrums. As a result of the aggressive regen, the friction brakes are barely stressed. Porsche doesn’t even fit dedicated brake ducts. A full 60 percent of the braking in front is done by the motor, and all the rear braking is handled by the motor—Porsche suggests starting with the battery charged to 85 percent so that regen is always available. The brake pedal is race-car firm and easy to modulate, which is good because there’s no ABS.

Properly slowed, the Mission R turns in instantly with a small movement from the yoke. In goes the nose and then it tucks into the bend. Suddenly, the straightaway calls and it’s time to send the battery’s juice to the motors. The two motors thrust the horizon into the foreground and strain your neck in a way that will lead to a funny conversation with your physical therapist. The 1073 horsepower is available in Qualifying mode, but in Race mode (the one we ran in) peak power is 671 horses. Porsche claims a top speed of more than 186 mph, but this prototype is governed to 62 mph to protect Porsche’s $10 million investment. The Mission R maxes out in a couple of places on the track, but the course at the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles (PECLA) is tight enough to make us feel like we’re not missing out on much. Accelerating to 62 mph from a stop is claimed to happen in less than 2.5 seconds.

Another odd part of the experience is the lack of gear shifts. Chasing a new 911 Turbo S around the track, you notice how much the 911 is upshifting and downshifting because the Mission R is a direct-drive setup. There’s no need to reach for a wooden shift knob or a paddle, there’s no tachometer to monitor, no shift lights, and you don’t need to think about keeping the engine near its torque peak. The arresting thrust of the motors is there no matter how fast you’re going, a seemingly endless rush of power. To ensure that the power out of the motors doesn’t taper off, Porsche bathes the motor windings in oil to keep things cool. The battery cooling strategy involves a fluid bath too. Porsche promises that the Mission R’s 82-kWh battery makes a 30-minute track session possible.
Based very loosely on a production car—the floorpan is lifted from the current 982 Cayman—the roughly 3300-pound racer is 170.3 inches long, a couple of inches shorter than a Cayman. At only 46.9 inches high and styled to kill, the Mission R looks like a Le Mans prototype left in the dryer a little too long. Inside, the concept has a 3D-printed race seat and some switchgear that does nothing more than look good on the auto-show floor. Clear polycarbonate roof panels let the light shine in. Compact and mean looking, aside from the shrieking drivetrain, the Mission R is easy to drive quickly. There are no tricky handling characteristics, the 40/60 front-to-rear balance isn’t easily upset, and the race slicks hang on tight.
Provided the pits have a fast-charging hookup, the onboard charger can swallow 350 kilowatts, allowing the 900-volt battery to go from five to 80 percent in a claimed 15 minutes. The connection is at the back and the battery isn’t far away, mounted transversely behind the driver. As a proof of concept, the Mission R works. It’s fun and fast and shows us what electrification will be like on a track. The sounds it makes aren’t particularly pleasant, and from outside all you hear is what sounds like gear whine. In terms of mechanical music, a ripping flat-six will always outplay an electric motor. We imagine that fans of piston aircraft felt the same sort of way as roaring turbines began to invade their airspace. We’re at the beginning of a similar shift, but at least early jets sounded like really loud blowtorches and not dying appliances.

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Contrary to the expectations of some traditionalists, the world didn’t suddenly end when BMW quietly introduced front-wheel-drive models a few years ago. The X1, X2, and 2-series Gran Coupe all ride on the company’s UKL platform, shared with bigger Minis, bringing the combination of transversely mounted engines and drivetrains that pull rather than push. While all are offered with the option of xDrive in the U.S., the base “28i” versions are all front-wheel drive.Given the marketing BMW used to put behind the dynamic purity of rear-wheel drive, it isn’t surprising these models’ wrong-wheel-drive configuration is barely mentioned—the configurator website features a prominent tab promoting the xDrive upgrade. But in Europe things are different. There, BMW has used the same mechanical package to create the 128ti, a front-drive hot hatch, one that positively celebrates the new driveline configuration.

The “ti” suffix is drawn deep from BMW’s past. The original TI (with capital letters) was launched in 1963 as a performance version of the “Neue Klasse” sedan. The designation stood for Turismo Internazionale and brought a collection of mechanical tweaks engineered by what was then a little-known tuner called Alpina, including a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with dual carburetors and an output of 110 horsepower. A lower-case ti version of the 2002 coupe followed, with the later fuel-injected version becoming, with Germanic logic, the tii. After a long lapse, ti branding was brought back for the chopped-tail variant of the E36 (and, in Europe, E46) 3-series, precursors to the first 1-series hatchback.Today’s F40-generation 1-series hatchback is effectively the 2-series Gran Coupe’s utilitarian sibling: shorter in length, taller, and less fashion-conscious. The design shares the Gran Coupe’s goofy front overhang and aggressively angled headlights, but the rear hatchback appears both simpler and more elegant than the four-door coupe’s baroque derriere. Whereas the range-topping M135i xDrive uses the same 301-hp four-cylinder engine and front-biased all-wheel-drive system as our M235i xDrive Gran Coupe, the 128ti variant you see here features a less powerful (261-hp) version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and just two driven wheels. It would be sweet if European exceptionalism had also given the 128ti a manual gearbox—more basic versions of the F40 are still available with a stick—but sadly the only transmission option is an eight-speed torque-converter automatic.
Despite that, the driving experience is impressively raw and unfiltered. Fears that BMW might try to disguise which axle is driven are disproved by the first dose of full throttle, as the 128ti scrambles for traction when launched hard. Bumpy surfaces also produce the unmistakable sensation of torque affecting the steering, although in an exciting rather than a wayward way. A limited-slip differential and quick-acting traction control ensure the driven wheels fight for a common cause rather than battle each other. The steering delivers keen response and a level of feedback unfamiliar in a modern BMW outside of those that wear an M badge.Although 19-inch wheels are optional, our sample car rode on the standard 18-inch alloy rims shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, which generated impressive grip on cold, greasy British asphalt. The 128ti’s chassis has been given a sense of fun, its cornering line readily influenced by accelerator position. It fights understeer gamely, but excessive speed in slower, tighter corners sees the front tires run short on adhesion first. Easing off the accelerator persuades the car to rotate and tighten its line neatly, and snapping the throttle shut with enough lateral load can even bring modest oversteer. The factory-stated curb weight of 3350 pounds is hefty for a front-drive hot hatchback, but it’s 100 pounds lighter than the M135i xDrive.
Unlike the junior M car, the 128ti doesn’t get adaptive dampers, and on rougher roads the suspension setup is definitely on the firm side of comfortable. There was also noticeably more road roar in the cabin than would be experienced in the better-insulated and more pliant 228i Gran Coupe. Yet it’s hard to criticize any hot hatch for prioritizing performance over refinement. The turbocharged engine sounds good when being worked hard, pulling strongly through its muscular midrange and only starts to fall off when closing in on its 6500-rpm redline. BMW’s claimed 6.1-second zero-to-62-mph time makes the 128ti 1.3 seconds slower than the M135i xDrive, but much of the difference is likely due to the all-wheel-drive model’s greater traction off the line. The front-drive car certainly never feels slow or boring. The eight-speed automatic swaps among its tightly packed ratios smartly and snappily in Drive, and although manual shifts never feel dual-clutch fast, the engine’s flat torque curve helps mask the delay between requesting a new gear and it being delivered.
We were disappointed by the plastic shift paddles’ lack of weight and resistance, though. And other areas in the cabin suffer what seem like nonpremium materials. The shiny black plastic around the gearshift—shared with the 2-series Gran Coupe—feels particularly cheap. Visually, we also felt a little shortchanged. The 128ti gets a bigger front air dam than the standard 1-series, plus some colored inserts and a small “ti” graphic on the liftgate but lacks the sporty aesthetics that normally characterize hot hatches. The 128ti is competitively positioned in the European market. Based on U.K. pricing, the 128ti’s pretax base price ($35,600) makes it significantly cheaper than the equivalent DSG-equipped Volkswagen GTI ($39,400), and it slightly undercuts the faster and more exciting Honda Civic Type R ($36,050).The combination of front-wheel-drive feel and a BMW badge still seems incongruous, but the 128ti has made a virtue of its new powertrain—it is more entertaining to drive hard than many of the company’s more potent rear- and all-wheel-drive models. BMW’s first front-drive hot hatch is certainly good enough to deserve an encore, one it would be nice if American buyers could also experience.

Specifications

Specifications
2022 BMW 128tiVehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE
Base (U.K.): $35,600
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injectionDisplacement: 122 in3, 1998 cm3Power: 261 hp @ 6500 rpmTorque: 295 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.1 inLength: 170.0 inWidth: 70.8 inHeight: 56.5 inCargo Volume: 13 ft3Curb Weight (C/D est): 3350 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 5.6 sec1/4-Mile: 14.0 secTop Speed: 155 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 27/24/33 mpg

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Hyundai’s N performance subbrand is not big on concept cars, at least not in the traditional sense. Rather than the superficial glitz of auto show mockups, the group prefers its science projects to have the substance of rolling development platforms. Witness the evolution of its RM prototypes, which the company has utilized since 2012 to refine its performance ethos and flesh out new technologies, largely with a focus on mid-mounted internal-combustion powertrains. But to show how its RM program relates to an automotive world that is quickly going electric, Hyundai invited us to drive its latest version, the 799-hp RM20e—on a challenging racetrack no less.Seeing as we were already at California’s undulating Sonoma Raceway for the launch of the 276-hp 2022 Elantra N sedan, the timing of our drive was convenient. But it also was significant: Hyundai has numerous EVs in its product pipeline, including at least one dedicated performance model, and the company has struck up a significant development partnership with Croatian EV startup Rimac, maker of the impressively powerful Nevera hypercar.

In Hyundai-speak, RM stands for a rear-midship powertrain placement, which lends these prototypes a favorable weight distribution and agile handling. They’ve historically used Veloster hatchback body shells with adjustable control-arm rear suspensions and transverse four-bangers stuffed into where the rear seat and cargo area used to be. Recent iterations have taken the form of captive competition vehicles; the RM19 we previously drove is a modified version of the company’s TCR race car, featuring a 390-hp turbo four mated to a six-speed sequential manual. But the RM program has been instrumental in developing new production components, including active exhaust systems, electronically controlled limited-slip differentials, and the current eight-speed dual-clutch automatic found in a few Hyundai Motor Group vehicles.The RM20e is the first electric RM model. Based on the RM19 and its EV counterpart that competes in the burgeoning ETCR racing series, the RM20e is a bundle of flared fenders, carbon fiber, and roll-cage tubing, decked out with aerodynamic appendages and a livery inspired by wiring diagrams. It is unmistakably a race car, complete with harnessed sport seats and a fixed competition steering wheel. Yet, it shares many interior bits with the Veloster N, even its pedals. Big six-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers are metered by a motorsports-grade ABS system. And instead of slick tires, the 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels are wrapped with DOT-approved Pirelli P Zero rubber, sized 265/35ZR-19 and 305/30ZR-20, respectively.
Peer through the rear hatch and you can make out the Rimac label affixed to the rather small (60.0-kWh gross capacity) battery sitting atop the rear axle. With a stout 800-volt output, the lithium-ion pack feeds four motors that are mounted in pairs to power each rear wheel independently, allowing torque-vectoring capability. Maximum output is 799 horsepower and 708 pound-feet of torque, with the battery capable of being recharged from zero to 80 percent in a claimed 30 minutes. At more than 4100 pounds, the RM20e weighs half a ton more than the RM19, yet we have little reason to doubt Hyundai’s claims that it can hit 60 mph in less than three seconds and 124 mph in under 10.The RM20e is noisy for an electric vehicle, and we mean that as a compliment. In addition to the whine from its direct-drive gearboxes with straight-cut gears, an array of speakers and amplifiers mounted both inside and outside the car can emit several sound-and-vibration profiles, from the authentic whir of an electric motor to a deeper, V-8-inspired thrum. The latter will never be confused with the rumble of a small-block, but it does give the car the effect of having a lumpy idle when parked. Toe into the surprisingly progressive accelerator, and the sound builds to a high-pitched warble, joining a chorus of go-fast noises from the cargo area. Fully programmable and adding some welcome entertainment to the often-dull vibe of driving an EV—Hyundai says the system can even simulate gear changes for additional theater—it’s a fitting technology from the maker of some of the best-sounding four-cylinder engines extant.
The RM20e is 5.3 inches wider than a Veloster N, yet its axles are only about an inch farther apart, at 105.2 inches. With its squat footprint and rear-weight bias, it’s not the easiest car to drive quickly. Trail-brake into a corner or disrespect the accelerator and it will bite, breaking loose in a pronounced yet controllable slide—even with the power turned down and the multi-stage traction control fully activated via buttons on the steering wheel. But once acclimated to how easily this car rotates around its center axis, it feels balanced and responsive, with laser-sharp steering and absolutely zero body roll. Our confidence grew as we progressed from a warm-up on an autocross course to laps of Sonoma’s big track. The full hit of the RM20e’s instant torque squishes you into the seatback and erases short straightaways in a blink, with the noise from the audio system elevating the excitement to what we expect from something with 799 horsepower. The greatest challenges came from toying with the various levels of regen under braking (effectively changing the brake balance) and adjusting to the seemingly endless powerband with no gears to shift through.Hyundai’s engineers were obviously eager to talk about the next N model, even if they remained tightlipped regarding specifics, only hinting at an N drift mode and promising more details soon. Also of continued interest is the company’s commitment to hydrogen fuel cells, which has spawned both the portable fuel-cell generator that was on hand to charge the RM20e and the recent 671-hp Vision FK concept sports car that was co-developed with Rimac. That technology is likely further down the product pipeline, but experiencing the RM program firsthand left us excited for the future of Hyundai’s performance cars, regardless of what powers their wheels.

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It would be an understatement to say that the Porsche Taycan has been a raging success. In just two years, this svelte four-door electric sport sedan has already begun to outsell the vaunted Porsche 911, the iconic heart and soul of the brand. It has also proven wildly successful even when compared to Tesla, the established EV juggernaut. Through the first three quarters of 2021, Taycan sales far outstripped those of the Model S and Model X combined. Porsche is keeping up the pressure by introducing the new-for-’22 Taycan GTS, a stunning driver-focused variant that neatly slots into a price and performance gap in the Taycan lineup.Until now, the step up from the dual-motor all-wheel-drive Taycan 4S to the Turbo has been a humongous one. The price gap is nearly $42,000 after you equip the 4S with the 83.7-kWh Performance Battery Plus option that’s standard on the Turbo, but your big-battery 4S will still give up 108 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque to the Turbo’s 670 horsepower and 626 pound-feet of maximum output. This leaves a lot of white space for the Taycan GTS, which slots in about midway between the two in price while delivering a stout 590 horsepower and a Turbo-matching 626 pound-feet. Range figures are not yet available, but Porsche hinted that the GTS could better the 227-mile range of the 2021 4S. But the best part may be what happens—or doesn’t—when jawing with folks at your local Cars & Coffee. No one is going to be needling you about the word Turbo on the ass end of your electric Porsche.

Besides, there will be far more interesting things than badges to discuss when your GTS is parked, simply because it looks far more purposeful and menacing than any of its siblings. This begins up front with a blacked-out SportDesign chin spoiler and enlarged air-curtain ducts below the black-background headlight buckets. Along the sides, there are blacked-out side-glass surround moldings and deeper SportDesign side skirts with gloss-black inserts replacing body color. The rear diffuser is likewise accented with gloss black instead of body color, and the word Porsche in the translucent taillight band is accented in black. The GTS rolls on satin-black wheels with sizable red calipers peeking through—20-inch Turbo S Aero Design wheels in standard trim or our sample car’s racier 21-inch forged RS Spyder design wheels with massive 265/35R-21 front and 305/30R-21 rear tires. And yes, there’s a Taycan GTS badge on the tail, also in black.
The blacked-out theme continues inside, where you’ll find a GTS interior dominated by black Race-Tex, Porsche’s faux-suede material. It’s the primary treatment on the standard 18-way adaptive sport seats, the headliner, roof pillars, and sun visors. It covers the horizontal design axis below the dash top and the central spine that divides the cockpit. It’s also the grippy wrapping material on the multifunction GT sport steering wheel, which is equipped with a prominent driving mode dial because the Sport Chrono package comes standard on the GTS. The cabin also features red stitching throughout, and dark-finish brushed-aluminum trim—unless you opt for matte-black carbon fiber, as in our car. As an option, there’s a panoramic sunroof with a new Variable Light Control system, an embedded array of nine massive car-spanning LCD segments that can be manipulated using a touchscreen interface.We’ve driven many flavors of the Taycan, and they’ve always impressed. But the GTS takes it to another level, with an intentionally more driver-focused setup that delivers the kind of fierce capability that’s implied by its no-nonsense looks. The same adaptive air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) systems are present, but they’ve been thoroughly recalibrated with the aim of creating a more neutral cornering attitude and better turn-in response. The tweaks extend to the standard Torque Vectoring Plus and Power Steering Plus systems, as well as the optional rear-steer system and PDCC adaptive anti-roll bars. The engineering team has absolutely succeeded, as the front end feels far more responsive when pushed hard in tight bends. The buildup of steering effort in all types of corners is especially authentic because the electric power-steering system utilizes a unique feedback loop that considers the road forces pushing in from the tie-rod ends and tweaks the level of assist according to the GTS playbook.
A good deal of our driving occurred on the Big Willow track at Willow Springs, and here the Taycan GTS proved to be a potent track car with predictable and approachable limits. This venerable track needs repaving, but the cracked surface only served to show how tenacious, unruffled, and downright smooth the GTS can be when pushed hard on a less-than-perfect surface. We nudged the limits of the stability-control system on a tight right-hander that crests a hill, but a one-second press of the Traction Management button toggled the system to Sport mode and expanded the intervention limits enough to get through the same section with our foot hard on the accelerator the next time around. Afterwards, we were fully able to review and break down the game film via the Porsche Track Precision app for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Controlled via the main touchscreen, these apps integrate data streaming from the car’s onboard systems with a smartphone camera or Bluetooth-connected GoPro to produce detailed driving traces that are fully synchronized with video. The Taycan GTS represents the first integration of this app in a Porsche four-door, and it can absolutely produce performance worthy of this level of track-day nerdery.
Once again, Porsche has proven that the GTS trim level is the one that driving enthusiasts should slaver over. The 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS does not have as much ultimate horsepower or straight-line punch as the Turbo and Turbo S, but it’s no slouch, and you can absolutely wring it out when the road turns twisty. It starts at $132,750, but as with any Porsche, you can inflate that quite a bit with options. Our sample car was priced at $180,070. Deliveries are set to begin in early 2022, but the order books are open now. If you have the means, we suggest you get cracking, because Taycans of all stripes are in increasingly high demand. The Taycan GTS will only add more fuel to the fire.

Specifications

Specifications
2022 Porsche Taycan GTSVehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 4- or 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base: $132,750
POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous ACRear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous ACCombined Power: 590 hpCombined Torque: 626 lb-ftBattery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 83.7 kWhOnboard Charger: 9.6 or 19.2 kWTransmissions, F/R: direct-drive/2-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 114.2 inLength: 195.4 inWidth: 77.4 inHeight: 54.4 inPassenger Volume: 88 ft3Cargo Volume: 17 ft3Curb Weight (C/D est): 5100 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 3.1 sec100 mph: 7.8 sec1/4-Mile: 11.4 secTop Speed: 155 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 75/73/78 MPGeRange: 235 mi

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UPDATE 11/23/21: This review has been updated with test results.Whatever kind of engine you want, the Jeep Wrangler offers it. Jeep’s lucrative four-wheel-drive anachronism is available with a turbocharged four-cylinder, a naturally aspirated V-6 (with or without 48-volt hybrid assistance), a plug-in hybrid turbo four, or a turbodiesel V-6. And now, rounding out Jeep’s offer-all-the-engines policy, you can get a Wrangler stuffed with a gargantuan 470-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V-8. No, Jeep didn’t use the supercharged Hellcat engine. Nobody has enough life insurance for that.The resulting mutant is the 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 392. It’s Jeep’s G63. A mud-bog Maserati. It’s “hold my beer” with an eye-level hood scoop. While everyone’s fawning over the 2021 Ford Bronco, Jeep is clearing its throat through quad tailpipes and asking for a moment of your attention. You’ve seen the Wrangler, folks, but never like this![image id=’e8c0fede-053d-42f4-b081-4d1e8aa0095f’ mediaId=’a9601834-4917-44a4-8c95-5c27469db13b’ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’6×4′][/image][editoriallinks id=’5e5e8708-56e7-4a9d-924a-347eb044d992′ align=’left’][/editoriallinks]Well, not from a Jeep production line anyway. Aftermarket companies have been cramming V-8s into Wranglers for years. Jeep itself used to offer V-8s in the Wrangler’s distant ancestor, the CJ. But production Wranglers never had more than six cylinders, its V-8-powered specials relegated to Moab Easter Safari teases and SEMA show trucks. It’s not like it’s difficult to fit a Hemi in a Wrangler, so why did Jeep wait more than 30 years to do it? Two reasons. First, until now the brand never had an outside reason to go nuclear with underhood weaponry. You didn’t need a V-8 to compete with the Suzuki Samurai back in 1980s. And for about the past two decades, the Wrangler’s biggest competition has been Jet Skis and divorces. The new Bronco is about to change that.[image id=’7597043d-9038-4479-af2d-df6f8c8136ec’ mediaId=’8c5b27e9-626f-4535-88e1-527da7a8a35f’ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]The second reason pertains to the philosophical matter of fast Wranglers and whether such a thing violates the natural order of the world. A 6.4-liter Wrangler is a rocket-propelled basset hound, an unlimited hydroplane tugboat, a 360-degree rotating rooftop restaurant set to 88 rpm. Have you seen those new speed stilts? No, because there’s no such thing. And yet, Jeep makes this brute.With 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, the Wrangler Rubicon launches from zero to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds. The fun continues through the quarter-mile—12.9 seconds at 104 mph—but doesn’t last much longer than that, with top speed governed at 112 mph, so as not to test the structural integrity of the 35-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires, which are part of the Xtreme Recon package. While the 392 might accelerate like a C6 Corvette, it doesn’t brake or corner like one. Skidpad grip measured a mere 0.70 g, and stopping from 70 mph required 218 feet—significantly longer than the 197 feet posted by the two-door Ford Bronco Sasquatch. If you’re stepping into this from a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454, you’ll feel right at home. [image id=’eddc6dda-2bf6-4d62-a7bf-03d10d282fdc’ mediaId=’19296a61-3777-4e34-8b29-605f48edba8b’ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]The 392’s full-time four-wheel-drive system doesn’t offer a two-wheel-drive mode, and that’s probably for the best since this rig can do four-wheel-drive burnouts if the pavement’s even slightly damp. For launches that feel like they might involve a wheelstand, apply left-foot braking to cue up Torque Reserve, which is basically launch control for dummies. Similar to the Gladiator Mojave, the 392’s Off-Road Plus driving mode lets you lock the rear differential at high speeds, leading us to wonder what Jeep thinks people are going to try to do with this thing. Maybe the better question is: What won’t they try to do?While there’s no 2Hi mode for the transfer case, there is low-range four-wheel drive, plus a new button on the dash that lets you choose between a loud exhaust and Monster Jam Freestyle-loud exhaust. At wide-open throttle, the 392 belts out an 87-decibel cacophony. Under light loads, the V-8’s normally transparent cylinder-deactivation system becomes obvious, as the booming exhaust cuts to a strangled stutter. With EPA estimates of 13 mpg city and 17 highway, the Rubicon 392 needs all the cylinder deactivation it can get.[image id=’fd79e725-60bd-4713-b235-7cb8e1d50104′ mediaId=’10f6193c-8a7f-41c1-be6b-26e9d33f72b7′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]Up front, that hood scoop is functional, and it’s plumbed to an intake that resembles a Dr. Seuss musical instrument. There are twists and turns going thisaway and thataway and a series of drains that prevent water from dripping down the 6.4’s gullet. Jeeps says the main drain within that setup can separate 15 gallons of water per minute from the intake air. And should the hood scoop become clogged with the viscous tears of your enemies, there’s a secondary intake path that can flow enough air to allow the Wrangler to still hit its top speed. We’re not sure what confluence of life decisions would result in a clogged hood scoop and the need to drive 112 mph, but the Rubicon 392 is ready.To accommodate the Hemi engine and the shenanigans it’ll inspire, Jeep strengthened the 392’s frame, fitted a two-inch suspension lift with Fox dampers, and upgraded the rear brakes. Our test vehicle also included the Xtreme Recon package that adds another 1.5 inches of lift, along with the bigger tires. But there’s only so much you can do to cope with this much horsepower in a Wrangler. For instance, Jeep made the bronze-colored 17-inch wheels capable of mating to beadlock rings that can firmly pinch the tire to the rim, a feature often associated with airing down tires for low-speed trail work. But, as we discovered, when you’re roosting sand dunes with 470 horsepower, you might need beadlocks even with the tires fully aired up. When we took the Rubicon 392 to a local tire store to investigate a slow leak, the technicians there wondered at the rubber-to-earth violence that led to sand getting inside a mounted tire. Typical V-6 Wranglers don’t tend to have that particular problem.[image id=’ead5dba1-cf98-444d-9e54-0e57ebe211f1′ mediaId=’dc14800d-ab9d-4df4-839b-c055f8de9f79′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]All this over-the-top performance comes with predictably hyperbolic pricing. The 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 392 Launch Edition started at $74,995. The 2022 model’s basement grew by $1400, and the one we tested rang in at $83,400 thanks in large part to the $3995 Xtreme Recon package. Meanwhile, $53,190 will get you a new plug-in-hybrid Wrangler Rubicon 4xe, which also makes 470 pound-feet of torque and is eligible for a $7500 federal tax credit. That combination of price and performance makes a lot of sense, which is why we doubt that audiences for the 4xe and 392 will overlap even a little bit. The 392 isn’t about making sense. It’s about making noise and stomping Broncos and not necessarily in that order.While a V-8 Wrangler may seem obvious and inevitable, it’s probably for the best that Jeep accrued several decades of chassis development before unleashing one on the public. Still, the Rubicon 392 is a royal handful, a bellowing musclebound clodhopper on 35-inch tires. If it’s your dream Wrangler, thank Jeep for giving it the green light for production—right after you thank Ford for applying the pressure.[vehicle type=’specpanel’ vehicle-body-style=” vehicle-make=” vehicle-model=” vehicle-model-category=” vehicle-submodel=” vehicle-year=”][/vehicle][image id=’bf222a99-967e-406f-a4d3-886f2d33b440′ mediaId=’6f0fdf8c-26c4-4257-a307-1a756bc11b71′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=’A car-lover’s community for ultimate access & unrivaled experiences. JOIN NOW’ expand=” crop=’original’][/image]

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