Motor News

The available steering yoke on the Tesla Model S and Model X is now a $250 option.Earlier this year, Tesla made a regular steering wheel a no-cost option alongside the controversial yoke, which had been mandatory since a 2021 redesign.The irony is that Tesla CEO Elon Musk once said there’s no chance a traditional steering wheel would return.Tesla’s steering-yoke saga continues. Back in January of this year, the automaker made the decision to once again offer a regular steering wheel on the Model S and Model X. It was a no-cost option that was available along with the yoke-style wheel that had been mandatory on both models since their 2021 redesign. Now, the configurator on Tesla’s website shows the sawed-off steering wheel as a $250 option.TeslaThe steering yoke was controversial from the start, with questions surrounding whether it was even legal. From there, critics and fans quibbled over its safety as well as how well it worked in real-world driving. During Car and Driver’s test of a 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid, we pointed out that the yoke’s main flaw is that the company didn’t pair it with a quicker steering ratio, which at times resulted in awkwardly reaching for the wrong side of it when starting to turn.Of course, the most ironic part of all the yoke hoopla is comments made by Tesla CEO Elon Musk back in July 2021. When directly asked on Twitter whether there was any chance a normal steering wheel would be offered again as an option, Musk tweeted back, “No”.This content is imported from twitter. 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.Well, it looks like the turns have tabled, as not only is a regular steering wheel back, but it comes standard. Plus, now people who like the yoke have to put their money where their mouth is and shell out $250.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

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.This is the first time we’ve seen Hyundai’s “e-Corner” four-wheel independent steering system in action on public roads for the first time, and we’re mesmerized. The system, first shown in January, uses a Hyundai Ioniq 5 as a testbed to show off how it can turn each wheel up to 90 degrees individually, allowing for some truly impressive turning maneuvers and ultra-tight park jobs. More on the Ioniq 5With all four wheels at full 90-degree lock, parallel parking is easy. All the car has to do is pull up to the spot and drive sideways, slotting perfectly into place. The e-Corner system can also perform tight 180-degree pivot turns by adjusting just the back wheels, or pull off a 360-degree tank turn by adjusting all four wheels, all without occupying more than the car’s initial footprint. The e-Corner system, a product of Hyundai’s Mobis parts division, uses in-wheel motors along with bespoke brake-by-wire and steer-by-wire systems. The company hasn’t said whether it plans to develop the system for mass production, though it’s easy to see why it’d be nice to have, especially if you live in a tight urban environment. Road & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing. More

The Shelby Mustang Mach-E GT is the first electric car to be modified by Shelby American, and only 100 units will be available exclusively in Europe.Changes include a carbon fiber hood, grille, and front splitter along with forged aluminum wheels and new springs that lower the crossover by over an inch.Shelby American also added the Borla Active Performance Sound System, which emits internal-combustion noises that correspond with the vehicle’s speed and RPM.Carroll Shelby’s last name rose to fame thanks to V-8-powered muscle cars like the Cobra and Mustang GT500, but now Shelby American is entering a new era with its first electric car, a modified version of the Mustang Mach-E GT. The package follows a concept from the 2021 SEMA show and focuses on weight reduction and improved handling. Only 100 examples will be available, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Carroll Shelby’s birth. A Shelby for Europe OnlyStrangely, the Shelby Mustang Mach-E GT will be exclusively offered in Europe. Shelby American says the decision was based on rapidly rising EV sales and a greater number of public chargers in the Old World compared to the U.S. The package can be added to a new Mach-E GT or retrofitted to an existing vehicle, adding €24,900—the equivalent of $27,483—to the overall price. Shelby AmericanWhile the concept car wore a unique front end, the production Shelby Mach-E keeps the original design intact, but substitutes carbon fiber for the hood, grille, front splitter, mirror caps, and lower door trim in an attempt to shave off a few pounds. The company didn’t specify how much weight was saved, but the carbon elements also give the Mach-E a sinister look, accentuated by the stripe graphics running down the hood and along the side of the electric crossover. Shelby American also fitted the car with lightweight forged aluminum wheels and performance springs that lower the vehicle by over an inch. The cabin features custom Shelby-branded floor mats, while a Shelby badge on the tailgate and a serialized plaque on the dashboard serve as reminders that you bought the exclusive Shelby version of Ford’s performance EV.A Controversial EV “Exhaust”The most controversial feature of the Shelby Mach-E, however, is the Borla Active Performance Sound System. We got a taste of the system at the 2022 SEMA show, and Shelby’s new Mach-E GT is the first production vehicle to be fitted with the kit, which matches the vehicles speed and RPM with a “hyper-realistic ICE soundtrack.”The SEMA system included three options that mimicked different V-8s, and Borla had said it was working on EV-specific sounds, although Shelby didn’t specify which tones the Mach-E GT would be capable of. Shelby American describes sound as “an important visceral component to motoring for enthusiasts,” but it remains to be seen whether the car-obsessed will approve of artificial noises that are beginning to proliferate across the EV market. Shelby AmericanShelby American left the powertrain untouched, meaning the all-wheel-drive performance SUV still puts out up to 480 horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque. In Car and Driver testing, a 2021 GT Performance Edition ripped to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and completed a quarter-mile run in 12.7 seconds at 101 mph. While the Shelby Mach-E GT will remain forbidden fruit for now, we hope Shelby American starts exploring the U.S. market soon and manages to eke some extra performance out of whatever EV it modifies next.More Fun EVsThis 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

The Mercedes-Benz EQE350 and EQS450 can gain power and reduce acceleration times via an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Available on both sedan and SUV models, the EQE350 adds 60 hp and the EQS450 adds 80 hp; their zero-to-60-mph claims also drop between 0.8 and 1.0 second. A one-time fee costs $1950 on the EQE and $2950 on the EQS, however, monthly/yearly subscriptions cost $60/$600 and $90/$900, respectively.Many people are familiar with paying a subscription fee for a gym membership or a streaming service, but most people have never paid a monthly or yearly fee to unlock increased performance from their automobile. As we detailed last November, Mercedes is introducing a new over-the-air (OTA) software update to do exactly that. Now we know exactly how much the automaker plans to charge subscribers and what options are available to them.What Does It Do?Called the “Acceleration Increase,” it can be purchased through Mercedes me Connect services. Initially, it’ll be available on the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQE350 and EQS450 for both their sedan and SUV body styles. The dual-motor EQE350 models make 288 horsepower standard, while the dual-motor EQS450 produces 355 horses out of the box. Opting for the OTA power upgrade raises the EQE’s figures by 60 to 348 horsepower and the EQS’s by 80 to 435 horsepower. Mercedes also claims the added power will lower each vehicle’s zero-to-60-mph acceleration times. The mightier EQE350 sedan and SUV are expected to hit 60 mph in 5.1 and 5.2 seconds, respectively, which are between 0.9 and 1.0 second quicker. The mightier EQS450 sedan and SUV are expected to hit 60 in 4.5 and 4.9 seconds, respectively, which are between 0.8 and 0.9 second quicker.EQE350 SUVMercedes-BenzHow Much Is It?So, what will this new-age performance upgrade cost customers? The EQE350 models can add it for $60 per month or $600 per year. The EQS450 models can add it for $90 per month or $900 per year. Most notably, however, is that Mercedes will let people avoid the potentially annoying subscription fees and instead pay a one-time fee. That price is $1950 for the EQEs and $2950 for the EQSs.Other Mercedes EQ StoriesThis 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

Land Rover released pricing for the 2024 Defender lineup.The four-cylinder Defender 90 starts at $57,875, while a new Outbound trim for the Defender 130 starts at $85,975.The 130 can be had with a new 493-hp supercharged V-8 ($118,075), with the 519-hp V-8 Defender 110 exceeding $120K.Land Rover has released pricing for the 2024 Defender lineup, ranging from the relatively inexpensive four-cylinder 90 to the much pricier V8 offerings at the top. The company is also shaking things up for the Defender 130 this year by adding a new 493-hp supercharged V-8 option. There’s also a new-for-2024 Outbound trim, which is exclusive to the 130. Like before, the Defender 90 comes standard with a 296-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Pricing increases slightly for the new year, as it now starts at $57,875. Bumping the cylinder count to six and horsepower to 395 adds an additional $12,000 to the price. JLRIf the four- and six-cylinder options don’t offer the power you want from your Defender, or you just want the grunt of a V-8, Land Rover has you covered with two options. A new 493-hp supercharged V-8 has been added to the Defender 130 lineup. It starts at $118,075. If that’s still not mighty enough, the shorter Defender 90 and 110 models both offer a 518- hp version of the supercharged V-8. This setup starts at $109,675 with the 90 and $112,975 with the 110For $600, Defender 110 customers can add the County Exterior Pack, which adds County graphics along the doors and body, illuminated treadplates with a unique County insignia, as well as a contrasting roof and tailgate.The Outbound trim is new for the 130 lineup this year. For $85,975, it’s intended to maximize storage space and is available exclusively with a five-seat configuration, forgoing the third row in the stretched Defender and offering lots of open storage behind the second row of seats. According to Land Rover, the Defender 110 with the County Exterior Pack as well as the 130 Outbound and 130 V-8 are available to order now, with the other models to follow later in 2023. Even More DefenderThis 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 Land Rover Defender 130 Outbound joins the lineup with a starting price of $85,975.Despite its long wheelbase, the Outbound only seats five and replaces the rearmost side glass with panels.The regular 2024 Defender 130 adds an available 493-hp supercharged V-8, which also arrives as the Defender 110 P500.Land Rover—or should we say the recently rebranded JLR—is hard at work making the Defender SUV appeal to as many people as possible. Along with offering four-, six-, and eight-cylinder powertrains, the fancy off-roader is also available with two- and four-door body styles, including long (110) and longer (130) wheelbases. Now the 2024 Land Rover Defender family gets even bigger with the introduction of the 130 Outbound trim level as well as the expanded availability of V-8 power.Meet the Defender 130 OutboundThe thing about the Defender 130 is that it’s so long—about 16.5 feet overall—to make room for a third row of seats and commensurate cargo capacity. Well, the newly added Outbound variant only offers two rows with seating for five instead of the usual three for eight. The missing third row means there’s now nearly 50 inches of open floor space behind the second row. That open area translates to 47 cubic feet and expands to 89 cubes with the back seats stowed. A rubber floor mat that can be folded over the rear bumper for added scratch protection, extra cubbies and latch points, and (wait for it) a new cargo net are all part of the Outbound experience.JLRThe Defender 130 Outbound in these photos looks like something a Bond villain would take overlanding. However, underneath its rear side-mounted accessories is a color-matched panel that replaces the windows. It’s a unique touch that separates the Outbound from other 130 models. Paint colors are limited to Carpathian Grey, Fuji White, Eiger Gray, and Santorini Black. Land Rover also offers the latter two with a protective satin film for the princely sum of $5500.JLRA set of black 20-inch wheels mounted on Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac All-Terrain tires are standard on the Defender 130 Outbound. All-season rubber is available for no extra cost, and larger 22-inch rollers are optional too, but they cost $2400 and only come with all-seasons. Every Outbound is powered by Land Rover’s 395-hp 3.0-liter straight-six, which features an electric supercharger and a 48-volt hybrid system. The starting price for the new Outbound trim is $85,975.More V-8s and New Retro GraphicsFor 2024, more Land Rover Defenders can be equipped with a V-8. That’s because 130 models are now available with the supercharged 5.0-liter, which pumps out 493 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The engine upgrade does require customers to choose between grey or black paint colors, but it brings exclusive quad exhaust tips too. Of course, it also comes with a hefty price hike, as the V-8 version of the 130 starts at $118,075.As shown on the Defender configurator.JLRFor Defender fans who prefer the shorter 110 model, it also adds the new 493-hp V-8 option, which joins the previously available 518-hp V-8. But we’re more interested in the new County appearance pack that can be had on 2024 Defender 110s. For just $600, customers can add retro graphics as well as contrasting colors on the roof and tailgate that are inspired by the original Defender County models. We’re especially smitten when the County pack is paired with the gloss-white steel wheels.Land Rover Defenders Tested!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

This Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG features a 302-hp 4.3-liter V-8 under its hood.Silver paint and a black interior emphasize this eight-cylinder C-class’s sleeper status.Bidding closes on Monday, May 1, 2023.For the 2024 model year, the Mercedes-AMG C63 loses its predecessor’s V-8 engine in favor of a complex turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. On the plus side, the new C63 still accelerates like a rocket. Alas, it comes at the expense of a hefty curb weight. Today’s pick from the auction site Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is a part of the Hearst Autos group—hearkens back to a simpler time at the three-pointed star. This 1999 C43 AMG marked the first time Mercedes fit a big V-8 into the small C-class sedan.Related StoriesToday, AMG slots neatly into Mercedes’s corporate structure, a neatly polished cog in a vast machine. In late 1997, when the C43 was first shown to the world, AMG Motorenbau und Entwicklungshesellschaft mbH was still its own entity (Mercedes would take a controlling interest in the tuning shop in 1999). Having previously built the six-cylinder C36 to compete with the BMW M3, the company now returned to its favorite activity: stuffing big V-8s in small cars.Bring a TrailerIn the case of the C43, AMG plucked the 4.3-liter V-8 from the Mercedes-Benz E430 mid-size sedan and fit it under the compact C-class’s hood. The folks at AMG hand-assembled each engine (one technician per V-8). Thanks to improvements to the big engine’s oil cooling and intakes, the C43 rolled off the line with a stable of 302 horses—27 more than an E430.The C43 may have lacked the handling grace of an M3. But what it fell short of in lateral dynamics, the little AMG-tuned C-class made up for with its V-8 engine’s melodious soundtrack and plentiful torque. Bring a TrailerThis particular C43 being auctioned off is a 1999 model painted in silver and fitted with a black interior, and it is the epitome of “speak softly and carry a big stick.” The C43 is all about subtlety, but those in the know won’t miss its big—for the era—17-inch monoblock wheels and moderately massaged fascias This example is particularly attractive due to its relatively low miles (a few ticks over 41,000 miles), all of which were put on during the car’s tenure with its original owner. The car also benefits from a clean CarFax report and a well-documented service history.Bring a TrailerFewer than 1500 C43s were produced for the United States over the course of three model years, which makes these AMGs relatively rare finds. In spite of this, these V-8 sedans still trade for relatively reasonable sums, with the most expensive C43 on Bring a Trailer (as of this writing) selling for $33,500. We figure it’s only a matter of time until the prices of W202 C43s rise as more collectors come to appreciate this German muscle car.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 Lotus Emira has only just launched, but work is already advancing on the all-electric model that ultimately will replace it. Currently known only by the internal design code Type 135, the two-seat sports car will be clearly aimed at the bit of the market the British manufacturer is most associated with. Basically, it’s an EV successor to the Elan and Elise.Whereas Lotus plans to engineer its SUVs and sedan in Germany and produce them in China, the brand is developing the Type 135 in the U.K. and intends to produce the model at its longtime home in Hethel, initially alongside the Emira. The sports car will be the first model to use Lotus’s new LEVA platform—that’s Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture—that combines a bonded-aluminum structure with a so-called “chest battery” mounted behind the passenger compartment rather than under the floor. A cast-aluminum subframe behind it serves as the mounting point for the control-arm rear suspension and the motor. Looking Forward at LotusLotus insiders say the Type 135 will use a single axial-flux motor producing up to 470 horsepower and driving the rear wheels. Power will come courtesy of a 66.4-kWh battery pack. The LEVA platform will also support a brawnier twin-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration, but that’s being reserved for a larger and more expensive model. Simplified, with Added LightnessThe Type 135 version will be the lightest and simplest—two classic Lotus qualities. Although the mass of the battery pack means it will weigh more than its gasoline-powered predecessors, the Type 135 is still anticipated to come in at less than 3300 pounds. It will launch as a coupe in 2025, later followed by a roadster. Renault subsidiary Alpine is also planning to use the LEVA platform as the basis for its next-generation electric sports car, one that the company hopes to sell in the States. Philippe Krief, Ferrari’s recently departed R&D boss, will develop that version, so we can experience the same core package in two different guises.As for the name, that could be hiding in plain sight, given the British brand’s need to start every model with the letter E. Add that to LEVA and you get Eleva, which means “to raise” in several Romance languages.Car and driverCar and driver Lettermark logoEuropean EditorMike Duff has been writing about the auto industry for two decades and calls the UK home, although he normally lives life on the road. He loves old cars and adventure in unlikely places, with career highlights including driving to Chernobyl in a Lada. More