Motor News

This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.The sign at the start of Memory Lane advertises, “This Way to Kinder, Gentler Times!” What the marketers of nostalgia never tell you is that Memory Lane has some side streets and alleys that, like a Tijuana for the mind, contain reminiscences that should have been condemned and razed, their earth salted for the safety of future generations.The Internet won’t let that happen.This week’s Window Shop challenge started as an innocent, whimsical search for the strangest car commercial. Our esteemed panelists explored the bizarre and outlandish from Spain to Saturday Night Live. Just the kind of gentle, wacky fun our committed clique of viewers knows to expect.Then editor-in-chief Tony Quiroga introduced everyone to the dark side of strange—the mystifying, freakish kind. Does anyone remember when automotive marketers decided to combine Edgar Burrows’ science fiction and William Burroughs’ psychedelic enhancers to advertise a milquetoast Chevrolet sedan? Is anyone surprised that Quiroga remembered?Well, he gave it to us, which means we’re now giving it to you. Tune in to watch C/D feature maestros K.C. Colwell and Elana Scherr, Most Favored Nation contributor Jonathon Ramsey, and Road & Track’s resident Svengali John Pearley Huffman have their innocence taken from them. More Window Shopping More

Toyota has announced pricing for the 2023 Prius Prime, which starts $3580 higher than the outgoing Prime at $33,445.The top XSE Premium trim now starts above $40,000, representing a $4620 increase over the 2022 Limited model.Toyota is also estimating a 44-mile range for the base SE, versus the old model’s 25-mile range.The debut of the fifth-generation Toyota Prius in November brought flashy new bodywork, with the plug-in Prime model packing a beefier 220-hp powertrain. This week Toyota revealed pricing for the 2023 Prius Prime, with the improved performance and sharp styling coming at a significant price increase.The added power—which shaves the sprint to 60 mph from a 10-second trudge down to a claimed 6.6 seconds—sees the Prime rebranded as the sportier model, swapping the LE, XLE, and Limited nameplates for SE, XSE, and XSE Premium trims. The base SE now starts at $33,445, a $3580 bump over the outgoing base Prius Prime. Stepping up to XSE brings a $36,695 price tag, a whopping $5050 more than the previous XLE trim. The top of the lineup sees the Prius Prime crest $40,000, a $4620 hike over the 2022 Limited. More Toyota NewsAlong with pricing, Toyota revealed estimates for the 2023 Prius Prime’s all-electric range. Although Toyota’s original estimate was 38 miles, Toyota now says the Prime’s new battery pack—nearly double the size of the outgoing model’s unit—will net a 44 mile range for the SE model. Even the slightly lower 39-mile range Toyota claims for the top two trims is an impressive increase over the 2022 Prius Prime’s 25-mile figure. The XSE and XSE Premium grades sacrifice those 5 miles of range for 19-inch wheels, while the SE comes standard with 17-inch wheels. The first examples of the Prius Prime are supposed to reach dealers in May.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News 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

Toyota plans to build a three-row electric SUV in the U.S. starting sometime in 2025.The company also plans to introduce 10 EVs globally by 2026, with these next-gen electric models to have double the driving range.A mysterious new Lexus EV was also teased during today’s press conference that featured several prominent executives.Toyota appears to be working overtime to make up ground in the race to electrify its lineup. During a press conference today in Japan, the company’s executive leadership said the latest plan includes introducing 10 new EVs around the globe by 2026. Among them is a three-row electric SUV that’s slated to start production in the U.S. sometime in 2025.Built in AmericaBesides the fact it’ll be built in America—with batteries to be assembled in North Carolina—no other details were revealed about the brand’s future EV SUV. However, it could be similar to the three-row Toyota bZ5X concept that was shown back in 2021. The bZ5X debuted alongside myriad other Toyota and Lexus concepts and coincided with their announcement about plans to offer 30 electric models by 2030.toyotaSince then, Koji Sato has replaced Akio Toyoda as Toyota’s president and CEO. The move marked a change of direction for the automaker, who had been criticized over its general resistance to EV adoption. In February, Sato tapped Lexus to lead the charge in the company’s reformed plans to prioritize EVs.Doubling Electric RangeThe announcement also mentioned the introduction of a next-generation electric platform planned for around 2026, and today Toyota Executive Vice President Hiroki Nakajima said the company plans to double the driving range of its next-gen EVs. Unfortunately, it wasn’t detailed exactly how the range will double, other than Nakajima’s vague comment that it’ll be accomplished through “far greater efficiency.” Currently, the longest EPA-estimated range is 252 miles for the Toyota bZ4X; the Lexus RZ450e tops out at 220 miles of estimated range. That suggest future models will have between roughly 440 and 500 miles of range per charge.Toyota’s Future EV PlansNew Lexus EV TeasedWhile it wasn’t directly addressed during the presentation, one of the slides showed a mysterious electric Lexus model. The side profile teased a sharp angles and a rakish roofline, with a small Lexus badge located above the rear wheel arch. The design suggests something between a sedan, a hatchback, and a crossover.ToyotaWhatever the new Lexus EV may be (real or otherwise), it will surely be based on the next-gen platform. It could also feature an interesting new idea that was brought up by Nakajima regarding the ability for drivers to customize “ride feel” in the future. This was described as preferences around how the vehicle runs, turns, and stops. He went on to say this is part of the Toyota’s plans to “create cars that are more fun to drive in terms of both hardware and software.”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 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

Tesla dropped the price of the Model 3 sedan by $1000 on Thursday.The Long Range and Performance versions of the Model Y also received a $2000 price cut, with the base Model Y officially joining the lineup.The price reductions come as the $7500 tax credit for the base Model 3 will be halved on April 18.If you’ve been on the fence about buying a Tesla Model 3, now’s the time to decide. In anticipation of a reduced federal tax credit starting later this month, the company reduced the price of the single-motor rear-drive sedan by $1000 on Thursday.”Based on new IRS guidance, the $7,500 credit will be reduced for Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive on April 18 to $3,750,” the automaker said on a Federal Tax Incentives section of its website. More Tesla and EV storiesThe reduction comes because the lithium-iron-phosphate battery used in the base model 3 is the only battery from Tesla’s U.S. lineup that sources its cells from China. For a vehicle to qualify under the Inflation Reduction Act, it must be assembled in the U.S. even to be considered for qualification. On top of that, a percentage of its battery minerals must be sourced from a specific list of free-trade partners (not including China), and lastly, its battery cells must be assembled in North America. That means that from now until April 18, the Model 3 has a starting price of $43,630 and qualifies for the full $7500 credit. After that, the credit will be cut in half. As to what Tesla will do with Model 3 pricing—your guess is as good as ours. TeslaIn other Tesla pricing news, the Long Range and Performance versions of the Model Y also received a $2000 price cut on Thursday and now start at $54,630 and $58,630, respectively. Additionally, a base version of the Model Y with 279 miles of range was added to the lineup on Tesla’s website. The base model comes with a small discount to the Long Range model, and starts at $51,630. It was previously limited to inventory models and wasn’t listed next to the Long Range and Performance Models on the website, with Tesla opting for more of an In-N-Out secret menu approach. Tesla notes on its website that all versions of the Model Y will remain eligible for the full credit beyond April 18.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-class will be revealed on April 25.Mercedes first showed the next-generation E-class’s futuristic dashboard earlier this year.The new E-class should arrive with hybrid powertrains but looks to retain more classic sedan proportions compared with the brand’s jellybean-like EVs.Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz provided a first glimpse at the upcoming 2024 E-class by revealing the luxury sedan’s tech-laden interior. Mercedes has now officially announced the next-generation E-class will debut on April 25 and teasing the model with a shadowy image of its profile.Mercedes-BenzWhile Mercedes-Benz’s electric sedans have taken on a smooth, jellybean-like shape, the 2024 E-class appears to retain more traditional sedan proportions, with a longer hood and more upright front end. The side view also reveals a crisp, full-length character line running from the headlights to the taillights. There’s also a sloping roofline.More Mercedes NewsThe new E-class’s interior will feature Mercedes’s optional Hyperscreen, which adds a second display facing the front passenger for streaming and gaming on the move. The content will be obscured if eye-tracking cameras notice the driver looking over at the passenger’s entertainment. When parked, the car will allow you to browse the internet and even join Zoom meetings thanks to a built-in camera on the dashboard.We expect the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-class to offer hybrid powertrains, but the company has yet to hint at any performance details. Other specific information will come when the 2024 E-class is revealed in full later this month.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News 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

This Reventón, one of just 20 sold, is a rare blend of Lamborghini’s past and present.Combining stealth-fighter styling and a lusty V-12 powertrain, this flagship Lamborghini led the way for the creation of the Aventador.Bidding has already gone into seven figures with six days to go on the online auction at Bring a Trailer.Car and DriverDirectly inspired by the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, the Lamborghini Reventón did anything but fly under the radar. A highly limited edition based on the V-12–powered Murciélago LP640, it featured unique carbon-fiber bodywork in a flat gray that enhanced the stealth fighter looks. The Reventón made its debut in 2007, and all 20 cars were snapped up by collectors before the public even saw them (one additional car was reserved for the Lamborghini museum). This one is now up for auction on Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—and it’s an opportunity to own a Reventón for anyone who missed out the first time around. Fair warning: It won’t be cheap. With six days to go, bidding on this special Lamborghini has reached $1.4 million, the first Lamborghini product to crack the million-dollar barrier on the site. Then again, an F-22 Raptor costs roughly $143 million. This thing’s a bargain!Bring a TrailerIf you’re thinking there were a lot of hints at the then-upcoming Aventador’s styling in the Reventón, you’re right. In many ways, it was a roadgoing concept car, showing the way forward for Lamborghini’s V-12 machines.Here, that V-12 displaces 6.5 liters and produces 641 horsepower at 8000 rpm, slightly more than in the Murciélago. Note that this was one of the last examples of the first-generation Lamborghini V-12, which could stretch its bloodline all the way back to the birth of the company, and the handiwork of Giotto Bizzarinni.Bring a TrailerAnd, at the same time, the Reventón smashed any neo-retro nostalgia Lamborghini’s designers might have been toying with. One year before this all-angular car emerged, the 2006 Miura concept hinted at the potential for Lamborghini to look to its past for inspiration. The customer and public response to the Reventón helped Lamborghini hit the afterburners on an ever-wilder, knife-edged design.You can see the next evolution of that design in the just-released Revuelto, Lamborghini’s hybridized replacement for the Aventador. Many details on the Revuelto can be traced back to the limited-run Sián, which followed in the Reventón’s hoofprints in helping Lamborghini bridge the gap between models.Bring a TrailerBring a TrailerThis example is more artwork than car, with just 457 miles on the odometer. Car number five of the 20, it has been driven sparingly but maintained, and includes the military-style bag that came with the car on its original delivery to customers.Being that there are only 20 cars out there (plus 15 roadster versions that followed), the opportunity to own a Reventón doesn’t come along every day. As Lamborghini moves towards an ever more electrified future, this combustion-powered, combat-aircraft-inspired machine seems destined to only grow in value, even if the next owner puts a few more miles on it. Here’s your chance to take it out for a sortie while you still can. The auction ends on Wednesday, April 12.Car and driverCar and driver Lettermark logoContributing EditorBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More

The Japanese version of the 2024 Mazda 3 receives updates that are also expected to reach U.S. models.For 2024, the Mazda 3’s infotainment screen grows from 8.8 to 10.3 inches, a setup already available on the Mazda CX-50.Other new features include a ceramic paint color, a lighted USB-C port, wireless charging, and expanded driver assists.The 2024 Mazda 3 will feature a bigger infotainment screen when the new model year eventually reaches U.S dealerships. At least that’s what we expect after Mazda revealed updates to 2024 models for the Japanese market.Currently, the Mazda 3 hatchback and sedan come with an 8.8-inch display integrated into the top of their dashboards. That screen size is destined to increase to 10.3 inches, however, it’s unclear if the smaller setup will still be standard or replaced entirely. For instance, the Mazda CX-50 offers both sizes.MazdaMazda’s Japanese press release also states the 2024 Mazda 3 will add an illuminated USB-C port and a wireless charging pad. Both are also likely to be added to the U.S. lineup. The same goes for the expanded driver assists, which in Japan now include a driver-attention monitor as well as front and rear pedestrian detection. Other possible new features include a ceramic-colored paint option. There’s also the ability to remotely start the car using the MyMazda smartphone app, which could add a function seemingly designed for parents that sends alerts about vehicle speed, driving time, and the area where the vehicle is driving.More Mazda 3 ReadingSince the company hasn’t yet announced any updates to the 2024 Mazda 3 that’ll be sold in America, it’s possible there could be more or less changes in store. Car and Driver reached out to a Mazda spokesperson who declined to confirm details about the U.S. models but said the company will release that information sometime later this year. 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 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

“All this horsepower and no room to gallop!” Jim Carrey exclaims in the 2003 film Bruce Almighty when he encounters traffic in his Saleen S7. That’s exactly how we felt as we sat shotgun in the new 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, crawling forward along New York City’s West Side Highway. The Stang’s naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 purred, begging to be let loose. But while Carrey’s character uses his God-given powers to part the traffic like Moses with the Red Sea and tear off in a cacophony of engine noise, we had to patiently wait for a clearing in the swarm of slow-moving vehicles.When the traffic thinned out, we got a brief taste of the vigorous performance the Dark Horse promises. The Coyote V-8 pumps out 500 horsepower, and when the light turned green, the Dark Horse shot forward with authority, the engine roaring as we merged onto the elevated highway, quickly reaching extra-legal speeds. The Dark Horse was barely breaking a sweat, its performance potential easily exceeding the confines of our environment.Caleb Miller|Car and DriverThe 5.0-liter engine’s 418 pound-feet of torque is sent to the rear wheels through either a standard Tremec six-speed manual or an optional 10-speed automatic transmission. Our car had the manual, and we noticed the rev-match feature working as the driver worked the rounded blue titanium shift knob.Sitting shotgun was fun, but we really can’t wait to get behind the wheel. This performance-focused model acts a middle ground between the outgoing Mach 1 and Shelby variants, so the ride was predictably stiff. You feel every bump inside the cabin, but the MagneRide adaptive dampers did a commendable job of rounding out the impacts, preventing the jolts from feeling too harsh. The damper settings are tied into the drive modes and cannot be individually adjusted, so it’s best to leave the Mustang in the “normal” setting for daily driving—although most Dark Horse models will probably be weekend rides or track toys anyway.Caleb Miller|Car and DriverAs we merged back into traffic, we had some time to explore the 2024 Mustang’s 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster and 13.2-inch touchscreen. The gauge cluster can be customized with several layouts, including one that mimics the instruments on the 1987–1993 Fox-body Mustang. A button with the Mustang logo loads what our driver called the “fun” screen—where the drive modes and other performance settings can be adjusted. The infotainment system’s visuals are powered by the latest iteration of Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, and the video-game inspiration is clear, with flashy graphics highlighting different sections of the car depending on what’s being changed.This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Listen to the new Ford Mustang Dark Horse!Watch onYouTube IconYouTube IconThe exhaust has several options—Quiet mode is tame, allowing for a subdued startup and stealthy exit from the neighborhood in the wee hours of the morning. But put it into Sport mode, and the Coyote V-8 snarls and shouts. A track-specific setting makes the exhaust note even fiercer.More about the New MustangThe Dark Horse we rode in was a pre-production unit, but with the exception of some poorly-fitted plastics on the door, the cabin felt upscale thanks to an extensive use of suede. We also found the heavily bolstered Recaro seats comfortable. The titanium shift knob is 3D-printed and features a lattice core—the reduced mass means it will return to cabin temperature far quicker instead of staying ice cold or scalding hot like many metal shifters.The Dark Horse starts at $59,565, so a high-quality cabin will be important for convincing customers to spend that much coin. But we’re sure the Mustang’s performance will be the main draw, and if this quick taste was any indication, the Dark Horse may deliver. We look forward to finding out for real in the near future.Associate 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