Motor News

The inner 10-year-old in all of us certainly appreciated Ford shoving a 700-horsepower supercharged V-8 under the hood of the F-150 Raptor to make the Raptor R. But exactly what did Ford need to change to accommodate the heavier powertrain? In our latest suspension test video, Dan Edmunds finds out by exploring underneath the front and rear of a 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R. He also puts it through our Ramp Travel Index test to compare the Raptor R’s flex to other Raptor variants and, of course, the Ram 1500 TRX. As it turns out, the additional weight didn’t require comprehensive changes to the design of the suspension. The front spring rates are stiffer, but fundamentally the suspension package is the same as other Raptors. We also see the weight for the mounted 37-inch wheels.In the rear, Edmunds explains the benefits of the Raptor’s independent suspension and its inverted shocks. We learn how the active Fox Live Valve Shocks work, and we see how the middle of the Panhard rod has been flattened to make room for the 37-inch spare tire.The RTI test highlights the Raptor R’s 33.1-degree approach angle. But you might be surprised to see that the Raptor R has a lower score than not only the Ram 1500 TRX, but also every other Raptor variant. What gives? Watch to learn.More on Raptor and TRXThis 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.Deputy Editor, VideoFrom selling them to testing them, Carlos Lago has spent his entire adult life consumed by cars. He currently drives the creative behind Car and Driver video. More

Alfa Romeo is planning a large electric SUV flagship that could arrive in 2028, per a report by Auto Express.After interviewing Alfa CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato, the British outlet believes the brand will build an EV SUV the size of a BMW iX before the decade’s end.Imparato also told AE that Alfa plans to introduce an electric sedan in 2027 that’ll be even bigger than the upcoming 2025 Giulia EV.Before the end of the decade, Alfa Romeo plans to build a large electric SUV that’s similar in size to the BMW iX. At least that’s what British car magazine Auto Express reported today after an interview with Alfa CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato.Alfa’s Future EV FlagshipImparato told the British car magazine that sometime in 2027 the brand will introduce an electric sedan that’s suited for North America. It’ll be in the same size category as the Audi A6 and BMW 5-series, so it’ll be bigger than the upcoming 2025 Giulia EV. Following the debut of the size-up sedan, Imparato mentioned introducing a “built-up model in 2028”. AE believes this to be a large electric SUV that’ll be Alfa’s future flagship, which makes sense considering the company has previously discussed building bigger and smaller SUVs to surround the current compact-sized Stelvio. So far, the company has only introduced the subcompact Tonale plug-in hybrid.Alfa Romeo TimelinesAnother STLA Large AdopterThe speculation is that the bigger electric sedan and SUV will be based on the Stellantis Group’s STLA Large platform. It’s the same one that’ll underpin the Giulia EV, offering an 800-volt electrical architecture with rapid-charging capability. Regarding the bigger future sedan, Imparato told AE it’ll be able to recharge 80 percent of its battery in 18 minutes and aim for over 400 miles of driving range. He also said Alfa’s design language is set through 2027, so that includes the time frame for the sedan but not the SUV. While AE’s article includes a rendering of what it thinks Alfa’s future flagship could look like, we’ll likely have to wait quite awhile until we get an official glimpse of the big-bodied ute. For now, we’ll just have to use what we know about the Italian automaker’s current aesthetic to fuel our imagination.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

The 2023 Tesla Model S and Model X add a $3000 Ultra Red paint option, which replaces the previous $2K red paint. Both Teslas also add a newly designed glass roof that’s said to weigh less and let in more light, albeit with the same UV protection.Plaid models add new brake pads that have a higher thermal capacity than before—they’re also still without the carbon-ceramic kit Tesla promised.For folks who want the prettiest red paint on their 2023 Tesla Model S or Model X, they’ll have to shell out $3000. That’s the price of the new Ultra Red paint option that Tesla offers on its two largest models.The new red paint replaces the $2000 Red Multi-Coat option that’s still available on the Model 3 and the Model Y. The higher-priced color on the Model S and X arrives just days after Tesla marked down each by about $5000 and $10K, respectively. However, Tesla gives both of them minor updates too.Is It Getting Hot in Here?Outside of the new prettier-but-pricier paint, the Model S and X add a newly designed glass roof that’s said to weigh less than the one it replaces. Shaving weight off the top could help lower the two Teslas’ center of gravity, which in turn could improve their handling.On the other hand, we we’re not thrilled with the idea of a glass roof that’s said to allow five-times more light into the cabin. Tesla claims it provides the the same amount of UV protection as the old one, so we’ll just have to wait to sit in one on a piping-hot sunny day to find out.Give Us a BrakeOn the bright side (pun intended), the high-performance Plaid variants of the Model S and Model X now have improved brake pads. Tesla claims the new pads offer a higher thermal capacity than the old ones.TeslaFrom what we can decipher off of Tesla’s Twitter, the update only affects the brake pads, leaving the standard rotors and calipers unchanged. We’ve criticized the stock brakes on the Model S Plaid before, so we’re happy to see improvements (no matter how minor). Still, it’s worth noting Tesla has yet to introduce the track-capable carbon-ceramic brake option the company promised is on the way.Tesla Price ChangesThis 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into Tesla on Wednesday after receiving reports of Model Y steering wheels detaching from their respective columns. Documents published on Wednesday by NHTSA say that it’s aware of two separate incidents involving 2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles where the steering wheel detached completely from the steering column while the cars were being driven. In both instances, the Model Ys in question were delivered without the retaining bolt necessary for securing the wheel to the column. The documents say that both incidents occurred at low vehicle mileage. NHTSA says its investigation, formally launched March 4, applies to an estimated 120,000-plus vehicles.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.One of the complaints noted in the NHTSA document, according to the Associated Press, can be traced back to a now-viral tweet that shows video of the detached wheel and the vehicle getting towed. The owner was originally charged $103.96 to repair the wheel before Tesla removed the charge. The owner was issued a new Model Y shortly after, The Verge reports.Previous RecallsThe investigation comes just a few weeks after Tesla was forced to recall 362,000 cars over its faulty self-driving beta system, which NHTSA determined could increase the risk of a crash when in use. That’s just the latest in a long line of Tesla recalls that span all the way back to the 2012 model year. Road & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing. More

Mercedes revealed pricing for the upcoming 2023 GLC-class SUV, with prices ranging from $48,250 to $54,600.Despite having nearly identical looks to the outgoing model, the 2023 GLC is all new underneath.A turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with a 48-volt hybrid system will be the only U.S. powertrain option at launch, with Mercedes planning to bring a plug-in-hybrid model later. The arrival of spring ushers in a new generation for the GLC-class. Mercedes has released pricing ahead of the crossover’s imminent arrival. The base GLC300 now starts at $48,200 in a rear-drive format, and upgrading to Merc’s 4Matic all-wheel drive tacks an additional $2000 onto that price. More on Mercedes-BenzFollowing in the footsteps of the C-class, the GLC adds two new trim levels with the new generation. The Exclusive trim starts at $50,500 and adds amenities like a Burmester sound system, navigation, a 360-degree camera, and illuminated doorsills. Upgrading to the Pinnacle trim brings all the standard features and those from the Exclusive trim, such as augmented video for navigation and a head-up display.Mercedes-BenzAlong with its slightly larger price, the GLC-class has grown physically for its new generation. From nose to tail, the new GLC is 2.4 inches longer than its predecessor. The wheelbase has also expanded by 0.6 inch, allowing rear legroom to increase by a meager 0.1 inch. More obvious is the growth in luggage capacity, with the new car’s 22 cubic feet being three cubic feet more than the old model.When the GLC first reaches showroom floors, it will be equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine working in conjunction with a 48-volt hybrid system through an integrated starter-generator. Similar to the C300 sedan, this engine delivers peaks of 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Buyers will have the choice of the standard rear-drive setup or Mercedes’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. A plug-in hybrid and AMG models are set to follow some time after the standard GLC is launched. 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

After winning the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona in January, Meyer Shank Racing is being penalized for manipulating tire-pressure data sent to IMSA during the race.The team is losing 200 points in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, owner Mike Shank has been put on probation, and one engineer has been suspended indefinitely.However, the team remains the official winner of the race and will be allowed to keep the trophy, with the drivers holding onto the Rolex prize watches.When the green flag flew for the final restart with 27 minutes left in the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona, the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-06 streaked ahead, cruising to victory by just over four seconds. But now the team is coming under fire, with IMSA dishing out substantial penalties after Meyer Shank Racing was found to have manipulated tire-pressure data during the race.Marc Urbano|Car and DriverAfter the race, Honda Performance Development (HPD)—which works closely with teams that run the top-class Acura GTP race cars—noticed discrepancies in the No. 60’s data and launched an investigation. They discovered that Meyer Shank Racing had made “intentional software offsets” in the tire pressures that were reported by the monitoring system—basically, the team was artificially inflating the tire pressure data, so the numbers sent to IMSA were higher than the pressures they were actually running.This allowed Meyer Shank Racing to run its pressures below the prescribed minimums set by Michelin, which provides the tires for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, which could help improve traction under acceleration or in corners.Caleb Miller|Car and DriverAs a result of HPD’s discovery, the team and the drivers of the No. 60—Tom Blomqvist, Colin Braun, Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud—were stripped of 200 of the 350 points earned in the race towards the full-season WeatherTech Championship. They also lost all points that go towards the Michelin Endurance Cup, which includes all races that are at least six hours long.The team and drivers are also being fined $50,000 and will have to return the prize money from winning the 24 Hours of Daytona. Team owner Mike Shank is now on probation through June 30, while engineer Ryan McCarthy is on indefinite suspension and has lost his IMSA credential. More on Endurance RacingHowever, the official race results stand, meaning the No. 60 is still the winner, with the team getting to keep the trophy and the four drivers retaining the Rolex watches that are given out as prizes. In a statement, Meyer Shank Racing said “We accept the series’ decision and have taken responsibility.” The team also stated that “the team member that was responsible is no longer with the organization” and that they “do not want this error to overshadow the tremendous effort that our team, drivers and all of our partners have put for to develop this new LMDh car.” This suggests that McCarthy acted alone in manipulating the data, and that it was not a concerted effort from the team as a whole to break the rules in an attempt to win the race. HPD said in a statement from president David Salters, “We are extremely disappointed in the misconduct of the Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) team” and to have the two-year development of the ARX-06 “put into question is unacceptable.”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

Airstream and Studio F.A. Porsche have shown a concept travel trailer co-designed by the two brands. The collaboration is the result of an idea to create a stylish camping trailer that can be towed by a small SUV or an electric vehicle and be parked inside a garage when not in use.Styling combines elements that are quintessential Airstream, but with thoughtful elements including a pop-top roof to increase interior headroom.A transatlantic partnership between Airstream and Porsche has resulted in a modern-looking travel trailer concept that debuted today at SXSW in Austin, Texas. The trailer is designed to be pulled by a small SUV or an electric vehicle, and it’s meant to serve as a vision of what an urban-inspired camper could look like.”Our customer base is about twice as likely to own an EV than the general population,” said Bob Wheeler, Airstream’s CEO. “Towing a travel trailer cuts down on the range. Weight and aerodynamics play a big part in that.”Airstream has already been toying with the idea of electrification; the company unveiled the eStream concept last year. That trailer featured an electrified powertrain of its own which could be used to slowly adjust the trailer’s location when it was unhitched from the tow vehicle or assist an electric-powered tow vehicle while on the move. And Airstream isn’t the only brand considering what over-the-road travel looks like in an EV future. Rival RV manufacturers Winnebago and Bowlus are both working on eco-friendly travelers as well with electrified options.”We understand this future is coming. It’s already here and it’s continuing to grow,” Wheeler said, about the increasing number of EVs on the road. “We know that our owners do not park in campgrounds for summers or seasons; they’re on the road.”While the Porsche-designed concept you see here does not feature such a powertrain, the design team took great care to maximize the trailer’s aerodynamics. Rather than a rounded rear end like other Airstreams, the concept features a truncated, flat design that’s better for aero but also allows for the inclusion of a hatchback setup that can open the interior of the trailer to the outside. The trailer’s completely flush underside is yet another attempt at making it more aerodynamic. The concept uses composite materials such as carbon fiber to help keep the weight down. Aluminum exterior panels are used here—just as they are on contemporary Airstream products—but the brand’s rivets have been omitted in the name of reducing drag.Electric RVs are ComingPurists might say that a rivetless trailer means it’s not a true Airstream, but from the looks of it, enough of the brand’s design cues have been included in the concept to earn its place in the brand’s history books.”Going into this collaboration, we knew that if we tied Porsche’s hands we’d end up with what we already have,” Wheeler said. “What we ended up with is beautiful, functional, and represents the brand.” The length of the concept is similar to a 16-foot Caravel camper trailer, but the concept is more compact and shorter in height, as it’s intended to fit inside a standard garage when not in use. The trailer itself can be lowered on its suspension to fit through a garage door, while an insulated pop-top roof provides headroom inside the trailer when parked at a campsite. Inside, the concept trailer’s cabin is modern, with clean lines and smartly integrated features. The bathroom features a swivel door to save space, and the entire enclosure is covered by pretty bentwood trim. The kitchenette features a two-burner cooktop and an integrated sink; a flip-up countertop extender can be used when cooking or when more counter space is needed. Airstream/Porsche”The curvature and the softness is the most important thing,” said Steffen Ganz, head of design for Porsche Design of America. The dinette, which also folds into a bed, is situated at the rear of the camper’s cabin and overhead storage bins omit traditional cabinet doors in favor of light-weight webbing. Overall, the interior design is what you’d expect from Porsche Design, and features clean lines, rounded edges, and plenty of chrome and carbon-inspired color schemes. Neither company would say if the concept would eventually head to production, but Airstream’s Wheeler acknowledged that the company is considering it for the future. “We really fell in love with this thing during this process, and we’re actively trying to figure out how we can produce it,” said Wheeler. “We’re challenging ourselves to find out how we can build this effectively, to produce something that’s identical to this or very similar for the customer of the future.”If the trailer does make it past the concept stage, we expect it to wear a premium price tag. Airstream’s current lineup already trades at the higher end of the RV marketplace. The brand’s focus on premium materials and hand-built construction has earned it a reputation for longevity and garnered a fan base that has an expectation for quality—a virtue that those customers are clearly willing to pay for. Managing Editor, Buyer’s GuideDrew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.       More

BMW’s iDrive 8.5 infotainment update is designed to mimic smartphones more than before.The updated operating system’s home screen will allows quicker access to functions and a more configurable layout.This summer, iDrive 8.5 will be available on models that currently have iDrive 8; these include all EVs, the X5 SUV through the new plug-in-hybrid XM, and the 7-series.The first iDrive system that debuted in 2001 on the E65-generation BMW 7-series included a control knob meant to mimic a computer’s mouse. The proliferation of smartphones over the past decade-plus has conditioned many people to pinch, poke, or swipe their fingers on a screen to make things happen. BMW is in the business of giving consumers what they want, which is why the iDrive 8.5 infotainment update the company is releasing this summer will be more smartphone-like than ever. For models that currently have iDrive 8, the revised infotainment software will be available via production or an over-the-air (OTA) update. The list of BMWs includes the 7-series, the electric i4 and iX, the mid-size SUVs (X5, X6, and X7), and also the plug-in-hybrid XM.BMW says iDrive 8.5 will have a home screen that’s designed to make smartphone-users feel more, well, at home. Along with clearly arranged functions, the updated infotainment system is said to have a menu structure that’s akin to, say, an iPhone. People using iDrive 8.5 will have the ability to customize and reconfigure the home screen. The updated interface will also have fewer layers, meaning less menu diving, which should translate to fewer distractions. With iDrive 8.5, there’s a vertical section on the driver’s side of the infotainment screen that allows quick access to functions such as media, navigation, vehicle settings, and more. To return to the home screen, people can simple touch the “home” icon at the bottom of the display.BMWThese newly introduced infotainment features coincide with BMW’s stated mission of prioritizing touch and voice controls. This philosophy further evolves with the introduction of iDrive 9, which will debut on the 2024 BMW X1. Unlike version 8.5, which uses a Linux-based operating system, the ninth installment of iDrive will feature Android software. Unfortunately for those of us who prefer physical controls like those in the E65 7-series, the future of BMW’s iDrive looks knobless.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