Motor News

The BMW XM Label Red set a class record for hybrid-electric SUVs at the Pikes Peak hill climb course in Colorado Springs.After crashing during the June hill climb event, Matt Mullins returned in September to make the run in an officially certified time of 10:48:60.The new time set by Mullins beats the 2018 Bentley Bentayga’s race-day record by nearly 1.5 seconds.On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, Matt Mullins lined up for the 101st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb competition. His chariot? The first-ever BMW XM Label Red. The new SUV is BMW’s most powerful production vehicle ever, producing 738 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. That’s more than enough to conquer the 156 turns on the hill climb course. Unfortunately for BMW—and for Matt Mullins—his first attempt ended with him going off the track and hitting a tree. That put an end to BMW’s hopes of setting a new official race-day record with the Label Red. Second ChancesIn September, BMW and Mullins returned to the course to set a new official record for hybrid-electric SUVs. Mullins raced the Label Red up the nearly 5000 feet of elevation gain in a new best time of 10:48:60. Reminiscent of the camouflaged Lamborghini Urus Performante that posted a time of 10:32.064 in August 2022, Mullins’ second run was made after the official hill climb. Therefore it won’t count towards the race-day records, but it still counts as an officially certified course run.BMWThe new time means the Label Red is nearly 1.5 seconds quicker than the 2018 Bentley Bentayga that currently holds the race-day, production-SUV record with a time of 10:49.902. To see behind the scenes of a competition like Pikes Peak, BMW sent a camera crew to document Mullins and the team throughout the attempts. The result is a two-part documentary that follows the initial heartbreak of Mullins’ crash in June, followed by the ecstasy of achieving their shared goal in September. The first and second parts can be found on the BMW USA YouTube channel. More BMW XMThis 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

The 2024 Acura RDX no longer comes standard with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is now obligatory.Without FWD, the RDX’s base price rises from $42,945 last year to $45,245. That’s a $2300 price hike.The mid-tier Technology and A-Spec trims now cost $2700 more, while the top-spec Advance trim costs $500 more.All-wheel drive is a popular option on new cars that offer it. However, when front-wheel drive comes standard, it usually provides a decent discount. Take, for example, the 2023 Acura RDX that started at $42,945 with FWD, which provided a $2200 savings versus opting for the brand’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). Now, RDX shoppers have no choice except to accept the latter system and pay a couple thousand dollars more.RDX Now AWD OnlyWith all-wheel-drive models most likely making up the vast majority of RDX sales, it makes sense for Acura to ditch the front-drive configuration. However, there’s no doubt that the decision diminishes the luxury compact SUV’s value proposition, which helped it stand out versus ritzier rivals such as the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-class.The entry-level RDX with AWD now starts at $45,245, which is $2300 more than before. An extra $2700 is added to the base price of the Technology and A-Spec trims; they start at $47,895 and $50,895, respectively. The top-of-the-line Advanced only costs $500 more than before, starting at $53,045. Of course, it was previously only offered with AWD.The 2024 Acura RDX still only features a single powertrain, a 272-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. We tested a 2022 model with SH-AWD, and it scampered to 60 mph in a tidy 6.2 seconds. It also returned 26 mpg on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, matching its EPA highway estimate. We’ve never tested a front-drive RDX from the current generation.Extra Acura RDX ReadingThis 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.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 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

The 2023 Audi TT will cruise into the sunset after this model year, but the brand says goodbye with a Final Edition roadster.The Audi TT Final Edition features Goodwood Green pearl paint, a Palomino Brown interior, and a gray cloth convertible top.The Final Edition is currently on sale, but only 50 copies will come to the U.S. priced at $68,895 apiece.It’s always sad to see sports cars get sent to the retirement home, which is where the Audi TT is heading after the 2023 model year. While the final inventory currently sits on dealer lots, waiting to find new homes, Audi has introduced a special edition that says bye-bye following the TT’s three-generation run that began back in 1999.The Audi TT Final EditionThe limited-production Audi TT Final Edition roadster is coated in gorgeous Goodwood Green pearl paint, which was previously offered on the first generation. It pairs with Palomino Brown upholstery that’s highlighted by baseball stitching on myriad surfaces like the original had. Not only does every Final Edition roadster feature that beautiful color combination, but each has exclusively curated content not offered on other models.AudiAlong with a leather package that covers part of the door panels and the center console in Palomino Brown, passengers plant their feet on one-of-a-kind floor mats. The cabin is further decorated with carbon-fiber trim, and the steering wheel cover and gauge-cluster hood are wrapped in black leather.Complementing the TT’s pearl green paint are silver multispoke 20-inch forged wheels that are buoyed by adaptive dampers. The front bumper is dressed up with matte gray accents that are mirrored on the side skirts and rear bumper. Raising the roadster’s roof reveals a gray cloth top that really pops.AudiThe 2023 Audi TT Final Edition roadster is currently on sale. However, only 50 copies are allocated for the U.S. market, and each of them is priced at $68,895.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.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 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

Check out this modern take on the Chevy K5 Blazer from Flat Out Autos. Under the skin is a 2023 Chevy Silverado regular cab with a 22-inch shorter chassis, a long-travel suspension, and 37-inch tires. Featuring a supercharged Chevy small-block, the KR2 conversion costs a $202,000.Off-roaders and 4x4s are all the rage these days, with pretty much every automaker producing at least one dirt-bound SUV. Last year, Flat Out Autos, an Arkansas-based restomod company, converted a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 into a Jimmy SUV for the 21st century. For this year’s SEMA show, the same company tried its hand at a modern-day Chevy K5 Blazer. K5 Blazer RebornFlat Out Autos named the new version the KR2—a clever mashup between the iconic K5 name and Chevy’s newer off-road-focused ZR2 moniker. On the surface, the KR2 looks like a shortened and widened version of a 2023 Silverado because it is. Under the skin, the KR2 is a 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT regular cab.Flat Out AutosFor its custom build, Flat Out Autos shortened the chassis by 22 inches and cut the back of the cab open to produce an open-aired back seat. Custom rear quarter-panels were fitted to the bedsides and a carbon-fiber cover was added to complete the K5 transformation. The inside of the truck is completely overhauled from the bare-bones nature of the donor truck. Instead of the standard cloth coverings, the front and rear seats are now wrapped in red Katzkin leather. The KR2’s Hardcore HardwareThe KR2’s track width is also widened by seven inches, putting it on par with the factory ZR2 Silverado. Along with a long-travel suspension kit by Dirt King, there’s are coil-overs with remote reservoirs from Fox Racing. The custom 4×4 also rides on a chunky set of 37-inch Nitto Trail Grappler mud-terrain tires.Flat Out AutosA 5.3-liter V-8 from the stock Silverado sits under the hood, and that Chevy small-block is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. For $14,950, Flat Out Autos will also bolt on a Whipple supercharger and dial up the tune. The supercharged version is claimed to produces 467 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque at the rear wheels. The dream of owning a modern K5 is not a cheap one. With no options, the converted KR2 comes in at $178,000. Specced out with the supercharger, spare tire, and bed cover like you see here brings the total price to $202,000 out the door. We love the stubby SUV look, but for $202,000? Yikes. SEMA Trucks 2023This 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

A new Subaru model is coming to the 2023 L.A. auto show, and we think it’s the new 2025 Forester.The compact SUV was last redesigned for 2019, meaning it’s due for a new generation.We expect it to feature new styling and an upgraded interior.Subaru is teasing a new model that’s slated to debut at the 2023 Los Angeles auto show in a few weeks. Based on the fact that it’s one of the oldest models in the automaker’s lineup and hasn’t been redesigned for several years, we think it’s the 2025 Subaru Forester compact SUV.From what we can see from the teaser image, it looks like the new Forester will have a new wheel design and different body panels—of course with the requisite black plastic cladding that makes a Subaru a Subaru. As for what’s underneath, we don’t anticipate it will move to a new platform, meaning the basic dimensions and mechanical components aren’t likely to change much.Look for Subaru’s venerable 2.5-liter flat-four engine to carry over, with standard all-wheel drive, natch. We’d love for Subaru to bring back the turbocharged Forester XT model, but we haven’t heard any rumors suggesting it will return. The off-road-oriented Forester Wilderness model is a sure bet to continue, though, with its extra ground clearance and more rugged look. Interior upgrades will likely include a larger infotainment screen, additional driver-assistance features as part of Subaru’s EyeSight system, and new upholstery and trim options.More information on the new Forester will come soon, as the L.A. auto show press day will take place November 16.More on SubaruSenior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

Toyota is recalling nearly 1.9 million RAV4 models over an increased fire risk. The affected RAV4s span from the 2013 through the 2018 model years. The increased fire risk stems from replacement 12-volt batteries, and the company is currently preparing a solution. Toyota will recall 1,854,000 RAV4 models from the 2013–2018 model years due to a potential fire risk. Owners of affected models should visit the NHTSA recall website and enter their VIN or license plate information to see if their vehicle is involved in the voluntary recall, which Toyota announced yesterday, November 1. The recall stems from an increased fire risk from the 12-volt battery. According to the automaker, the dimensions of the top of some replacement 12-volt batteries are too small. If a replacement battery is too small and the hold-down clamp is not tightened correctly, the driver is at increased risk of the battery moving during aggressive cornering. The movement can then cause the positive battery terminal to contact the hold-down clamp and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.Michael Simari|Car and DriverAs things stand now, Toyota is not issuing a stop-drive warning, nor is it asking owners to park their vehicles away from structures and other vehicles. The company is currently working on a solution. Once the fix is available, Toyota dealers will replace the battery hold-down clamp, battery tray, and positive terminal cover with improved versions for free. Toyota will notify customers with affected vehicles by late December 2023.Recent RecallsAssociate 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

The 2024 Acura TLX gets a simplified model lineup, meaning more features on models from the entry-level TLX Technology to the hi-po Type S.The redesigned front fascia is the biggest news for this model year.There’s also a quieter cabin and larger dash and infotainment displays.The second-generation TLX compact luxury sedan gets a mild redesign for its halfway point, with a focus on what Acura says its customers like most: the sedan’s big, elegant exterior design and well-stocked larder of interior features. While the overall profile of the TLX remains unchanged—why fix what was gorgeously unbroken?—the 2024 models get new, even more sparkling frameless grilles, additional color options, and, in a case of less is more, a streamlined model lineup. A Simpler TLX LineupIn 2023, there were nearly two hands’ worth of available trims, from the rather paltry entry-level base model to the limited Type S PMC Edition. Then there were choices about front- or all-wheel drive, and performance packages, and it’s no wonder customers asked Acura to simplify. For 2024, the Technology package is now standard, available only with front-wheel drive. A-Spec and Type S models round out the offerings, both with all-wheel drive. The new grille for the base and A-Spec TLX (above) features a glittering wider diamond mesh pattern, a sort of spiderweb covered in dew, while the Type S (top) gets a tighter pattern. Both grilles are done in gloss black. Unseen, but sure to be useful, is a new radar behind the Acura logo. Type S also has a full surround camera. The TLX and A-Spec get a 19-inch split five-spoke wheel in dark gray, while the Type S gets 20-inch wheels in shiny black. Both cars were shown on all-season rubber, but the TLX Type S is available with high-performance summer tires, on copper 20-inch wheels. Around the back, the A-Spec gets a new diffuser and round exhaust tips. The Type S, already with a more aggressive diffuser and quad tips, remains unchanged, although a carbon-fiber option is available for the spoiler. Two fresh paint colors make their way to the TLX: a new shade, Urban Gray Pearl (for A-Spec and Type S only), and the darker Liquid Carbon Metallic, which we first saw on the MDX (for TLX with Technology package only).Nothin’ New Under the Hood Don’t expect any major performance changes from any of the TLX models. The Technology and A-Spec use the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque as in 2023, although you’ll find it quieter in the A-Spec, which now has thicker carpets, more noise-cushioning padding, and acoustic glass in the front doors. Over at the Type S, it keeps its turbo 3.0-liter V-6, making 355 horses and 354 pound-feet of torque, but with the modes tweaked for quicker throttle response in the sporty settings. Both engine options are backed by a 10-speed automatic transmission. Step into the cabin, after you choose either a red or black leather interior—the Type S additionally offers Pearly Orchid—and you’ll find a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a matching 12.3-inch center screen—that’s 20 percent more screen than the 2023 models; more important, it’s faster to respond to inputs. Phone connectivity is standard, and TLX now offers Amazon Alexa Built-In. Rear-seat passengers now get charging ports, and a wireless charging pad is standard on all models.Shoppers looking for a glamorous alternative to the usual German sporty sedans can look for the TLX at an Acura dealer in late November.More Acuras for 2024Senior Editor, FeaturesLike a sleeper agent activated late in the game, Elana Scherr didn’t know her calling at a young age. Like many girls, she planned to be a vet-astronaut-artist, and came closest to that last one by attending UCLA art school. She painted images of cars, but did not own one. Elana reluctantly got a driver’s license at age 21 and discovered that she not only loved cars and wanted to drive them, but that other people loved cars and wanted to read about them, which meant somebody had to write about them. Since receiving activation codes, Elana has written for numerous car magazines and websites, covering classics, car culture, technology, motorsports, and new-car reviews.     More

Ringbrothers, a Wisconsin-based custom car builder, revealed this beautiful 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, which has a 640-hp General Motors LT4 supercharged V-8 under the hood.The company’s second show car is a stunning burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang convertible, complete with a Ford Performance 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 crate engine producing 460 hp.The most powerful creation was the 1969 Dodge Charger, which was fitted with the 1000-hp Hellephant crate engine built in limited quantities by Mopar.Each year, Wisconsin-based hot-rodders Ringbrothers brings a slew of modified American metal to the SEMA show, but for 2023 they cooked up something different. The custom car builder pulled the covers off “Paramount” yesterday, a gleaming 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II with an American heart.RingbrothersUnlike some of the company’s other creations, with this one Paramount keeps a traditional look. While the original bodywork was stripped to the bare metal to remove any imperfections before being repainted a pristine shade of white, the design was left mostly untouched. “They’re iconic and you don’t have to change things just to change it,” co-founder Mike Ring told Car and Driver. Plus, Ring said, the buyer who commissioned Paramount was already in love with the swooping, elegant styling.RingbrothersThings are different, however, under the skin. While the V-8 engine is still a 6.2-liter unit—like the original Rolls-Royce powertrain—it is now a General Motors–sourced supercharged LT4 pumping out 640 horsepower and 635 pound-feet of torque. This beefy motor is hooked up to a Bowler Tru-Street 10-speed automatic gearbox and a carbon-fiber driveshaft. The decision to stick an American motor into this British behemoth was easy. “We know people in GM,” Mike Ring said. If any issues arise, help is just a phone call away.Jim Ring, Mike’s brother and co-founder of the company, attested to Paramount’s performance credentials. “When you see this car go down the road, you think to yourself, this thing shouldn’t be doing what it’s doing,” he said. They drag raced it against the customer’s new Phantom, and it wasn’t even close. “It just squats and launches.” The Rolls-Royce weighs about 4800 pounds and the body rests on a custom chassis with Fox RS SV coilovers at all four corners. The 18-inch EVOD Industries wheels are shod in Falken Azenis tires and, like on modern Rolls-Royces, the gyro wheel center caps keep the logo facing right side up as the car moves.RingbrothersInside, the wooden dashboard keeps the original layout but gains modern looking gauges and machined billet switch gear. Ringbrothers also fitted a “starlight” headliner, a popular option seen on modern Rolls-Royces. Ringbrothers’ aftermarket version sees over 1000 LED lights hand-sewn into the ceiling. Ringbrothers also freed up more space inside. The original Silver Cloud featured a glass divider at the B-pillar, separating the chauffeur from the passengers.”There was no room,” Mike Ring explained. “You had to be a jockey to drive it.” To give the owner more space Ringbrothers ditched the divider, allowing the front bench seat—which came out of a 1957 Chevrolet—to be shifted rearwards. But the modifiers didn’t forget about the rear passengers, refitting the fold-down tables onto the Chevy-sourced seat’s back.RingbrothersIf you bleed red, white, and blue, don’t worry, because Ringbrothers still brought two American builds to this year’s show. This resplendent burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang convertible is nicknamed “Uncaged,” a follow up to the “Caged” Mustang that Ringbrothers created last year. Unlike the Rolls, which retained the original body, the only original part on Uncaged are the wheel center caps. RingbrothersThe changes to the body aren’t obvious, but this ‘Stang is an inch wider on each side and has redesigned fenders, a custom front bumper, and sleeker side scoops. Modern LEDs have found their way into the classic three-stripe taillights, and even the Mustang logos are restyled with a chiseled, 3D look. The front grille sits two inches deeper, allowing air to reach a Ford Performance 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 crate engine generating 460 hp and 420 pound-feet of torque, linked to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission. “It’s so smooth, it feels like a brand new car,” Mike Ring said.RingbrothersThe Mustang rolls on 18-inch wheels from EVOD Industries, wearing Continental tires and hooked up an independent rear suspension and coilovers from Penske Racing Shocks. The cabin is upholstered in lush leather with brushed metal accents and is full of intricate touches like the bespoke steering wheel and latticework window cranks. RingbrothersThe second American creation is dubbed “Tusk,” a 1969 Dodge Charger that has been completely reengineered with the 1000-hp Hellephant crate engine from Mopar. Just 100 units of that 7.0-liter supercharged V-8 were built, and the motor sends 950 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a Tremec six-speed manual and carbon-fiber driveshaft. More carbon appears on the two-piece hood, and the motor is shifted 2.5 inches rearwards versus the original’s placement to improve the weight distribution. RingbrothersThe Tusk is heavily restyled, with custom front and rear bumpers, a unique chin spoiler, lower rocker panels, and a carbon-fiber grille surround, giving it a low, sleek, and mean look. Gold accents pop against the black paint, particularly the HRE wheels that wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and are attached to Fox RS SV coilovers. The front wheels have actually been shifted forward by two inches, with the extended wheelbase said to improve handling, and the Charger rides on a custom chassis. The cabin is decked out in carbon fiber and features a custom “pistol grip” shifter, a new steering wheel, and modern dials. RingbrothersAll of Ringbrothers’ vehicles are commissioned by the owners, although the hot-rodders are pretty much given free rein over how they approach the build. While Mike and Jim Ring told Car and Driver that they tend to stick with what they know—classic American muscle—the Rolls-Royce process certainly expanded their horizons. “We’re working on a 1971 Aston Martin DBS next,” Mike said, and revealed that there was lots of interest in doing more Rolls-Royces. We can’t wait to see what Ringbrothers cooks up for next year’s SEMA show.More Beastly SEMA CarsAssociate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More