Motor News

This 1991 BMW 325i convertible includes the rare Sport Appearance package.It’s currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer with no reserve.Bidding ends early on Friday, April 14.If you were a yuppie attempting to survive in the decade of M.C. Hammer time, then you likely yearned for an E30 BMW 3-series convertible like this 1991 example currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer, which like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos. Related StoriesIt’s a 325i, which means its original owner shelled out the extra coin to skip over the entry-level 318i’s wheezy four-cylinder in order to enjoy the smooth operation of BMW’s legendary inline-six engine. It’s also equipped with the Special Appearance package, which combined the racy M3-inspired looks of the M-Technic package but kept the tamer suspension and smaller wheel and tire package of the standard 325i convertible. In other words, Special Appearance package-equipped 325i convertibles were for those who favored form over function. It’s why we actually dig the fact this example is not one of the rarer five-speed models. Sure, BMW’s four-speed automatic neuters the 168-hp 2.5-liter six-cylinder’s straight-line acceleration, but it also completely jives with this car’s ethos of strictly looking sportier than the average 325i ’vert.Bring a TrailerYes, the run-of-the-mill 325i convertible was also available with a five-speed manual, but if you’re a yuppie trying to make it in the ’90s, then you need your right hand free to hold your built-in car phone. Manually swapping cogs just isn’t in the cards.These 325i convertibles with the Special Appearance package are a rare breed. BMW reportedly produced fewer than 1000 examples of its compact convertible with this option. All wore either white or black paint.Bring a TrailerAlthough this E30 droptop’s relative rarity adds value, it’s still no E30 M3. Whereas solid examples of E30 M3s typically sell for north of $50,000, the last 325i convertible with the Special Appearance package to cross Bring a Trailer’s virtual auction block sold for $23,100 in October of last year. That prior car also showed nearly 30,000 fewer miles on its odometer and didn’t appear to suffer from any notable rust, unlike this 325i, which reportedly has rust in its left door jamb. A number of repainted areas, a top that’s slow to close, and wear on the seats are other issues that affect this 3-series.Bring a TrailerStill, this car still seems to be in good shape for its age, even if it’s not exactly in concours condition. Plus, the seller includes plenty of service documentation, indicating this 3-series was mechanically well-cared for. E30 325i convertibles with the Special Appearance package may not be the most sought-after variants of that 3-series. However, if you’re looking to cosplay as a yuppie in a low-mileage, ready-to-drive late-1980s or early-1990s BMW 3-series, then this rare example is likely an affordable and interesting way to do so.Senior EditorDespite their shared last name, Greg Fink is not related to Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s infamous Rat Fink. Both Finks, however, are known for their love of cars, car culture, and—strangely—monogrammed one-piece bathing suits. Greg’s career in the media industry goes back more than a decade. His previous experience includes stints as an editor at publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, Motor1.com, and MotorTrend. More

From the May 2023 Issue of Car and Driver.When the eighth-generation Corvette Stingray arrived for the 2020 model year with its engine behind the passengers and the proportions of a mid-engine Ferrari, a host of rumors rumbled down the road behind it. The Stingray, we heard, would ultimately go for the throat of Lamborghinis, McLarens, or anything with the word “hypercar” or “exotic” in its dating profile. Those whispers will become a reality in the next couple of years with the arrival of two ultra-high-performance Corvettes: the ZR-1 and the Zora.The foundational elements of both cars are currently hiding in plain sight in the 2023 Z06 and the upcoming 2024 E-Ray hybrid. The ZR-1 and Zora both use much of the brilliant Z06 as a starting point, including a majority of its structure and its flatplane-crank V-8, wider body, huge tires, and carbon-ceramic brakes. Beyond that, though, the powertrains, performance, and purpose of the ZR-1 and Zora diverge.The ZR-1The ZR-1, which we expect to see as a ’25 model, takes those basics and adds firepower in the form of a twin-turbo version of the Z06’s 5.5-liter V-8, supposedly a stonker that belts out well over 800 horsepower.Much More CorvetteLike the Z06, the ZR-1 will remain a rear-driver. It will probably incorporate active aerodynamic elements, such as a rear wing and a front splitter, and offer a Z07-style track package. Though its weight will presumably rise by about 200 pounds over a Z06 due to its new turbo componentry and greater powertrain-cooling requirements, we predict that the additional sting in its tail will enable it to lunge to 60 mph in about 2.5 seconds or less. It will be the quickest Corvette around a racetrack while remaining as comfortable on the street as a Z06. Its performance will put it in contention with everything from the McLaren 750S to the Porsche 911 Turbo S. But its base price—we estimate it at $150,000—will undercut competitors by tens or even hundreds of thousands.The New Top DogFittingly, Chevy will name its new top-dog Corvette the Zora, after its most famous chief engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov. He was pivotal in dragging the Corvette out of the dark ages in the ’50s by blending high-tech features of the day—disc brakes, fuel injection, an independent rear suspension—with red-blooded American V-8 power. That’s exactly what the Zora will do.The all-wheel-drive Zora targets acceleration records.Illustration By BradBuilds|Car and DriverToday’s new tech is electrification, and the Zora is a mashup of the ZR-1’s mechanicals and the 160-hp electric motor snuggled under the E-Ray’s nose. Add the E-Ray’s electric power to the ZR-1 engine’s output, and the Zora will be flirting with 1000 horsepower. It could weigh 4200 pounds, but with all-wheel drive aiding the launch, it’ll be the Top Fuel dragster of the Corvette lineup; we expect it to hit 60 mph in about 1.9 seconds and blaze through the quarter-mile in under 10 seconds at about 150 mph.The Zora won’t be aimed at tearing around road courses, though; it’ll be a smartly dressed speed demon with a full complement of luxury features and a ride comfy enough for cross-country treks. It’ll deliver typical-for-Corvette value, starting at around $200,000. Its power and performance, however, will have it soaring in the hypercar stratosphere with more expensive hybrid rockets like the forthcoming electrified Lamborghini Aventador replacement and the Ferrari SF90 Stradale. A fine way to honor the real Zora’s legacy.The LegendGetty ImagesZora Arkus-Duntov is often credited with making the Corvette a world-class sports car. In his 22 years with GM, he worked almost exclusively on the Corvette, becoming the car’s chief engineer in 1967. Arkus-Duntov brought the independent rear suspension, disc brakes, and limited-slip differential to the Corvette. An avid racer, Arkus-Duntov won his class at Le Mans in 1954 and ’55 and set a Pikes Peak record that stood for 13 years in a pre-production ’56 Chevy four-door hardtop.Director, Buyer’s GuideRich Ceppos has evaluated automobiles and automotive technology during a career that has encompassed 10 years at General Motors, two stints at Car and Driver totaling 19 years, and thousands of miles logged in racing cars. He was in music school when he realized what he really wanted to do in life and, somehow, it’s worked out. In between his two C/D postings he served as executive editor of Automobile Magazine; was an executive vice president at Campbell Marketing & Communications; worked in GM’s product-development area; and became publisher of Autoweek. He has raced continuously since college, held SCCA and IMSA pro racing licenses, and has competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona. He currently ministers to a 1999 Miata and a 1965 Corvette convertible and appreciates that none of his younger colleagues have yet uttered “Okay, Boomer” when he tells one of his stories about the crazy old days at C/D. More

From the May 2023 issue of Car and Driver.After decades of epic sports-car battles between Chevrolet Corvettes and Porsche 911s, Chevy is queuing up a new rivalry against Stuttgart’s highest-performing SUVs. Rather than expend resources to designate a new lineup of high-test sport-utility vehicles, Chevrolet will call its subbrand a name synonymous with performance: Corvette. It’s shocking General Motors took this long to add a true performance SUV to one of its model lines. After all, Porsche’s high-roof five-seaters—the Macan and Cayenne—continue to be its bestsellers year after year. Their high profit margins fund insanity such as the 718 GT4 RS and the 911 GT3 RS.General Motors designed its Alpha platform to underpin the best driving machines around. To date, the only model of the five built on it not to make our 10Best list at least once is the Cadillac ATS.Remove any previous expectations that the Corvette SUV will be electrified, at least not at first. The SUV will be built on the celebrated Alpha platform that underpins the Camaro and the spectacular Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwings. The platform alone suggests the Corvette SUV will be both entertaining to drive and potentially sold in two sizes. Again, think Macan and Cayenne. The Alpha platform allows access to GM’s vast powertrain catalog. If Chevy builds a Macan competitor, we’d expect a 300-plus-hp turbo four to serve as the base engine and a twin-turbo V-6 with 400 or so horsepower at the top. To challenge the Cayenne, the larger SUV will get that twin-turbo V-6, while the nearly 500-hp 6.2-liter V-8 will belt out its American song in the higher trims. Expect the Vette SUV to come standard with all-wheel drive and a 10-speed automatic across the board, with magnetorheological dampers an optional extra.Illustration By BradBuilds|Car and DriverAt the top of the Corvette SUV lineup is where things should get very interesting. After the initial launch, and to no one’s surprise, the SUV will receive the Z0-something treatment to put the most exotic utility vehicles directly in Chevrolet’s crosshairs. The Cadillac Escalade V’s supercharged 682-hp 6.2-liter V-8 should do it, along with carbon-ceramic brakes and tires as wide as the Mississippi. All of this while still undercutting the competition by tens of thousands of dollars.We expect Chevy to reveal the Corvette SUV later this year and for it to arrive at dealerships in the latter half of 2024 with a starting price of around $60,000.To the FutureSenior Testing EditorDavid Beard studies and reviews automotive related things and pushes fossil-fuel and electric-powered stuff to their limits. His passion for the Ford Pinto began at his conception, which took place in a Pinto. More

The 2024 BMW XM Label Red debuts with a 738-hp plug-in-hybrid powertrain, making it the brand’s mightiest M-badged model. Along with a claimed 60-mph time of 3.7 seconds, the Label Red has an estimated electric driving range of around 30 miles. While BMW hasn’t released pricing, we expect it to cost around $186K after production starts this August. The 2024 BMW XM Label Red is unlike any M car before. Partly because it’s a mammoth plug-in-hybrid SUV, but mostly because it packs more power than any previous M-badged BMW that could legally be driven on the street.Big Bad BimmerWhile similar to the regular 644-hp XM model, the Label Red’s electrified powertrain is beefed up to produce 738 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. Those peak figures are derived from a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 and an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission. That drivetrain combines with a variable, rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, and BMW claims the XM Label Red will hit 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. That’s four-tenths quicker than its counterpart’s estimate. The Label Red’s top speed is limited to 155 mph, but that cap can be lifted to 175 mph with the optional M Driver’s package.Every version comes standard with adaptive dampers, active anti-roll bars, an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, and M compound brakes with fixed six-piston front calipers and floating single-piston rear clampers. While a set of 23-inch wheels are standard, a set of 22-inchers can be swapped for free. Since the regular XM only comes with summer tires, we expect the Label Red to do the same. Electrified and ExtrovertedBMW isn’t yet discussing fuel-economy estimates, but it has released details about the Label Red’s electrical system, which predictably is identical to the lesser XM’s. There’s a 19.2-kWh lithium-ion battery pack under the floor that provides an estimated electric driving range of 30 miles. Connect the 7.4-kW onboard charger and a fully replenished battery is said to take three hours and 15 minutes.Whether plugged in at home or at a Level 2 public charger, the XM Label Red will draw the attention of anyone who walks within shouting distance. Perhaps its the enormous, alien-like front end, which looks especially extroverted with the red rings around its cartoonish kidney grille. Additional red exterior accents are found on its gigantic wheels. The stripe stretching along its flanks and up around its side windows can also be had in Toronto Red. Are we the only ones picking up heavy vibes from the A-Team van?Inside, the Bimmer’s red details continue, albeit on a more traditional canvas. The color can be seen on the dashboard HVAC vents as well as on stitched surfaces throughout the cabin. Standout features include BMW’s curved glass panel that combines a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen with iDrive 8.5 infotainment software.The interior also features a head-up display, a three-dimensional headliner, and myriad M-specific controls. Customers can opt for a 1475-watt Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound system too, if the standard Harman Kardon stereo won’t suffice. Of course, an SUV this luxurious wouldn’t be complete without an array of driver assists that include BMW’s semi-autonomous drive mode that allows hands-free driving at speeds up to 85 mph on certain thoroughfares.The 2024 BMW XM Label Red is slated to start production at the automaker’s Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant this August. Although BMW says it’ll announce pricing closer to that date, we’d wager the highest-performance XM will start around $186K.Extra BMW XM 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 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 is our first look at the next-generation Mini Cooper Hardtop, which will arrive in the United States for the 2025 model year.The design retains the classic Mini cues but now features triangular LED taillights in place of the long-running rectangular shape. The 2025 Cooper hatchback will feature both gas and electric powertrains, with the EV being developed as part of a joint venture with China’s Great Wall Motor.Mini has revealed the first official images of the next-generation Cooper hatchback, due to arrive in the United States for the 2025 model year. The automaker first previewed the new Cooper back in 2021, showing a camouflaged prototype and confirming that the iconic city car would offer both internal-combustion and electric powertrains.MiniMini is remaining tight-lipped on details, but the photos show a sleeker design, with the round headlights smoothly integrated into the body and the wider octagonal grille outline visually lowering the car. The grille is mostly blanked off, with a small opening at the bottom for cooling and a thin black strip at the top that seems to be hiding sensors, but the face is still recognizably Mini. MiniSharp creases on the hood give the Cooper a purposeful stance, and this example, badged as “S,” wears a set of snazzy geometric wheels. The most noticeable change comes at the back, where the rectangular taillights have been swapped out for triangular units with intricate LEDs that still hint at the design of the Union Jack flag. More Mini NewsThe styling appears unchanged from the undisguised prototypes spotted in China back in late 2021, so we’re surprised that its taken this long for the Cooper to finally be revealed. The small grille aperture, green “S” badges, and lack of a visible exhaust pipe leads us to believe that this Cooper is an EV. MiniThe electric Mini will be built in China on a platform developed with Great Wall Motor, while a gas-powered model—which is expected to share its styling with the EV—will arrive on an updated version of the current platform and be assembled in Oxford, England. The internal-combustion version should use the same turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot engines as the outgoing model. More details on the next-generation Cooper should be released soon.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

Pricing is now out for the 2024 Kia Seltos, which increased by over $1000 to start at $25,715.Oddly, all-wheel drive is standard on the S, X-Line, and SX trims but costs $1500 on the S and $2200 on the EX.For 2024, the Seltos lineup also gets refreshed exterior and interior styling.The Kia Seltos subcompact SUV exists to fill the small remaining gaps in the brand’s lineup. Sized and priced above the smaller Soul and below the larger Sportage, the Seltos manages to toe the line without being considered diminutive. Pricing for the 2024 model is out and increases by over $1000, with a starting price of $25,715 for the LX trim. Pricing steadily rises throughout the lineup, with the biggest jump from the $27,115 EX to the $30,015 X-Line. The latter swaps the 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder found on the lesser trims for a turbocharged 1.6-liter version, which is upgraded for 2024. Power is up 20 horses, with the peppy mill now making 195 ponies.Fuel economy for the 2.0-liter is unlikely to change from its EPA-estimated 34 mpg on front-wheel-drive models, but the more powerful 1.6-liter may lose some of its efficiency. All-wheel drive comes standard on the LX, X-Line, and SX trims, but oddly it’s optional on the S and EX trims. Springing for that feature costs $1500 on the S and $2200 on the EX.More Kia Seltos ReadingFor the 2024 model year, the Seltos’s styling is refreshed inside and out. This includes a restyled grille and updated exterior lighting elements. Inside, the infotainment setup is revised, too, with a new optional panel reaching across the dashboard. This serves as a digital gauge cluster and an infotainment touchscreen. 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 Toyota Tacoma will be available in an overlanding-ready Trailhunter trim.Expect plenty of off-road-ready kit, including an ARB rear bumper and big tow hooks.Those features are confirmed in Toyota’s latest teaser, as are the Trailhunter’s branded headlight bezels.Toyota is looking to further appeal to off-roaders with its 2024 Tacoma mid-size pickup. After initially teasing the new truck in hybrid TRD Pro guise, Toyota is now giving us a small peek at the forthcoming Trailhunter trim.Related StoriesThough the Tacoma appears to be the first production vehicle from Toyota to bear the Trailhunter name, it’s not the first time we’ve heard of this new nameplate. That honor goes to the Tundra Trailhunter concept from last year’s SEMA show. Like its full-size concept brethren, the Tacoma Trailhunter has its sights set on the overlanding crowd. What exactly that entails remains to be seen. ToyotaFor now, we can confirm the Tacoma Trailhunter will have an ARB-sourced rear bumper (almost certainly made of steel) and a big frame-mounted tow hook. Additionally, the model sports darkened, Trailhunter-branded headlight bezels, flared fenders, and what look like all-terrain tires. We wager a good deal of what made the Tundra Trailhunter concept (shown below) so special will also separate the Tacoma Trailhunter from its lesser kin. This includes a trim-specific suspension setup, a number of underbody skid plates, roof racks, and off-road driving lamps. toyotaThe Tundra Trailhunter concept also included a bed rack with a roof-top tent mounted to it, a refrigerator, and custom in-bed storage features to make living off the grid a little more bearable. Frankly, we’d be shocked if Toyota didn’t at least offer these bits as optional accessory items. That said, we won’t hold our breath on such items making it to the production model’s standard features list. Toyota is mum on much else regarding the 2024 Tacoma and its less off-road-focused models. Nonetheless, mid-size-truck buyers looking for a hybrid-powered off-road pickup or a factory-built overlander will surely want to give the 2024 Tacoma a look. When exactly Toyota plans to let us see the truck in its entirety, however, is anyone’s guess.Senior EditorDespite their shared last name, Greg Fink is not related to Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s infamous Rat Fink. Both Finks, however, are known for their love of cars, car culture, and—strangely—monogrammed one-piece bathing suits. Greg’s career in the media industry goes back more than a decade. His previous experience includes stints as an editor at publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, Motor1.com, and MotorTrend. More

Acura has revealed the 2024 Integra Type S in its final production form. It has similar specs as the Honda Civic Type R, but with slightly more horsepower from its turbo 2.0-liter engine. The Type S will go on sale in the U.S. in June, and we’re eager to find out how much it will cost compared to the base Integra and the Civic Type R.The Acura Integra you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived. While the base model didn’t necessarily meet everyone’s expectations for the revived nameplate, this new 320-hp 2024 Type S performance model ensures that the Integra remains part of the sport-compact conversation.Like the standard Integra, the Type S borrows many ingredients from the Honda Civic—but in this case, those components come from the red-hot Civic Type R hatchback. That includes its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine, which in the Acura pumps out 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. That’s an extra 5 horsepower compared with the Civic, which Acura says is thanks to the Integra’s unique exhaust system. The power differential could also be for bragging rights, but we think the two cars’ acceleration performance will be similar given that the Acura’s claimed curb weight is around 30 pounds higher than the Civic Type R’s. A six-speed manual transmission with a rev-matching function is the only gearbox on offer in the Type S, and a limited-slip differential is standard equipment.More on the Integra Type SAll the expected chassis upgrades are in store too. The front and rear tracks are wider, and the Integra has the same dual-axis front suspension setup as the Civic Type R that’s meant to quell torque steer. Adaptive dampers, also available in the Integra A-Spec, adjust based on the drive-mode selection, which in the Type S comprises Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. The brakes are upgraded with larger rotors front and rear, and the lightweight 19-inch wheels are wrapped in 265-series Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires.The Integra will attempt to appeal to a different fanbase than the Civic, with looks that are slightly toned-down compared with the street-racer Type R. The Type S still has widened fenders and an appropriately aggressive stance, but it does without the Civic’s giant rear wing, and its air intakes, front splitter, and rear diffuser look more subtle. The Integra’s active exhaust, however, promises to sound even more special than the Civic’s, with plenty of pops and bangs in Sport+ mode. Seven colors will be offered, including blue, white, and the striking gold Tiger Eye Pearl hue available on the TLX and MDX Type S models.AcuraInside, the Type S offers front seats with a bit of extra bolstering that are trimmed in a leather and suede upholstery combination available in either red, black, or white. There are some features that aren’t available on the Civic Type R, such as a head-up display and a 16-speaker ELS audio system. The front seats are heated, and the driver’s seat is power-adjustable and has an adjustable lumbar support. The Type S gives up its center rear seating position, meaning it’s a four-seater. The 9.0-inch touchscreen display has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.Acura hasn’t priced the Integra Type R yet, and this tidbit will be crucial for understanding its positioning. We’re hoping it comes in under $50,000, which would put it a few thousand dollars more than the Civic Type R and in the neighborhood of German rivals such as the Audi S3 and BMW M235i Gran Coupe. We should know more soon, as the Type R will start reaching U.S. dealerships in June after making its debut this weekend at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.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 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