Motor News

Lamborghini shows off its new carbon-fiber front crash structure for the upcoming successor to the Aventador.The new car will be stiffer and lighter than the Aventador.An important change is that there’s no more pushrod suspension but instead, upright springs at each corner.The recently retired Aventador was the first Lamborghini road car to use a carbon-fiber structure. Now the Italian supercar maker has shown us the lighter and stronger “monofuselage” that will sit at the heart of the Aventador’s successor, the as yet unnamed model known only by its LB744 engineering code. Coming Soon, Looking BackStay WedgyWhile we need to wait a while longer to see the whole car, images of the new structure make clear that it sticks to the combination of a low roof and the wedgy proportions of its famous predecessors. We would be very surprised if it didn’t. The images also give the chance to see how the new hybridized V-12 and front electric motors will fit into the platform.LamborghiniThe LB744’s chassis will be both lighter and stiffer than the Aventador’s. The structure combines parts made out of hugely strong forged composite—a technology that was pioneered by Lamborghini and the Callaway golf equipment company—as well as carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic parts. The most obvious difference over the Aventador is a new carbon front impact structure ahead of the passenger compartment that is both lighter and tougher than the Aventador’s crash frame. LamborghiniBehind the tub, the LB744 continues to use a aluminum structure to mount its engine, transmission, and rear suspension components. The images also reveal that the new car is going to move away from the Aventador’s supremely elegant pushrod suspension, using more conventional upright springs for the double wishbone suspension at each corner. They also show it rides on Bridgestone Potenza tires. While we don’t have a weight figure for the Monofuselage yet, Lamborghini’s claim of a torsional rigidity of 29,502 pound-feet/degree represents an improvement of 25 percent over the Aventador, and is 100 percent better than the 14,751 pound-feet/degree the company quoted for the Murciélago. Although the LB744’s core structure is lighter than the Aventador’s, we anticipate overall weight will increase due to the mass brought by the hybridized powertrain’s three electric motors and 3.8-kWh battery pack. LamborghiniThe images also show off the straked design of the new car’s roof, which should help to improve headroom compared to the tight-fitting Aventador. We will see the finished car in full, and learn its new name, at the end of the 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.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

The China-market Nissan Sylphy has been a bellwether for the North America–bound Sentra in the past: When the new generation debuted at the 2019 Shanghai auto show, it gave us our first look at what to expect from the 2020 Sentra.The U.S.-market Sentra is definitely due for a facelift.Nissan China has just revealed an updated Sylphy, and for starters, we can see an updated infotainment screen that will likely make it to the 2024 Sentra. Moving into the fifth year of its current generation, the Nissan Sentra is due for a facelift. From the look of things, that update is coming next year in the form of a refreshed interior with an updated infotainment screen. We’re looking at the China-market Nissan Sylphy and picking up hints to predict changes for the Sentra. It worked in 2019, when the Sylphy debuted in Shanghai, and we think it will work just as well today. More NissanIn 2019, the Sylphy and Sentra were both gearing up for brand-new generations. Now, it looks like the Sentra is only due for a mild facelift. We spotted a 12.3-inch HD infotainment touchscreen and what looks like a row of haptic control buttons running along the bottom. The new display is considerably larger than the 7.0- and 8.0-inch screens available in the current Sentra. We’re hoping the addition of the new screen signifies Nissan may be making Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless, which they aren’t in the current Sentra.Nissan ChinaBased on the Sylphy photos, the rest of the interior will be refreshed as well. The gear selector has been restyled from the standard grab-handle shifter mounted on the transmission tunnel, to a low-profile shifter in the same place. Interior ambient lighting has been added to the front doors, center armrest, and front A/C vents. The changes look quite minimal, but compared to the 2023 model, which arrived unchanged from the year before, any update is welcome. 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

Porsche confirmed that an electric version of the Cayenne is on its way in a press conference today.The Cayenne EV will come after the electric 718 sports cars that are due in 2025, and is expected to ride on the PPE platform.An update on the gas-powered Cayenne will be launched this year and will include three plug-in hybrid versions with improved all-electric range.Porsche laid out its plans for upcoming models at a press conference this morning, but the future vehicles won’t take the form of a new sports car. Instead, Porsche’s announcement focuses on the continued expansion of its crossover lineup, confirming an electric version of the Cayenne for the first time, which will slot below a new flagship electric SUV that Porsche confirmed last year.The revised gas-powered Cayenne arrives this year.PorscheA Growing Electric LineupNo further details were provided on the Cayenne EV, which has been rumored since 2021, but the electric crossover is expected to share the same PPE platform as the upcoming Macan EV. Porsche will, however, continue to offer the Cayenne with an internal combustion engine, with a “new version of the third generation” launching this year. This update will bring three plug-in hybrid models promising increased electric range.Porsche did provide a few new specifics on the electric flagship SUV. While the automaker had previously said it would use technology developed on the 2021 Mission R concept, Porsche has now announced that it will ride on SSP Sport, a variant of the Volkswagen Group’s Scalable Systems Platform. Porsche insists that the EV will have “strong performance” and will be fitted with “automated driving functions.”The Cayman GT4 ePerformance previews the electric 718 sports cars.PorscheWhat’s Coming for the 718?Porsche also reaffirmed that deliveries of the electric Macan will commence in 2024, with an electric version of the 718 sports cars coming the following year. At first it will exist in parallel to the gas-powered Boxster and Cayman, but Porsche announced that “in the medium term” it will be exclusively available as an EV. More Porsche EV NewsIn a media roundtable, CEO Oliver Blume said that while it will depend on the region and the local regulations, the gas-powered variants have approximately two years left before their demise once the EV is launched, with a similar timeline for the Macan and Cayenne. But, he maintained, the electric 718 “will be a fantastic car in terms of sportiness and in terms of driver experience and in terms of agility.”Lastly, Porsche is doubling down on its Sonderwunsch program, which crafts exclusive one-off vehicles for the brand’s luckiest—and wealthiest—clientele. Porsche aims to expand the customization department in the future, so look forward to more unique creations like the 911 Classic Club Coupe or Le Mans-inspired 911 GT3.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

Here’s a great example of the classic MG motoring experience.MGs and other postwar sports cars offered high-quality driving at affordable prices.Check out the auction, which ends on March 14, on Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos.Car and DriverMorris Garages started life as sporting specials, lightweight bodies perched on the chassis of heavier Morris cars. Early MGs were lively handlers and helped spur the postwar sportscar craze on both sides of the Atlantic. Up for auction this week is a lovely slice of vintage MG life.From the C/D ArchiveThis 1954 MG TF 1500 is essentially an updated version of an idea that started in the 1920s. It followed the MG TD, which was preceded by the TC, and it by the TB. The MGA that immediately followed it in 1955 was the first modern MG, and it gave rise to a breed of cars that would create a new generation of enthusiasts.Bring a TrailerBring a TrailerReturning GIs brought a few MGs back from England’s green and pleasant land, and MG also had success as an exporter. They weren’t Jaguars or Austin-Healeys, but they were more affordable to buy and relatively simple to work on. That simplicity is necessary, as owning a vintage British car requires a certain mechanical aptitude—and an even deeper knowledge of creative vulgarities. This TF example wears a little more chrome than may be acceptable in collector circles, but it is well restored and has the desirable 1.5-liter engine. The twin-carburetor four-cylinder is good for 62 horsepower, which makes the octagonal, 105-mph speedometer seem a trifle optimistic.Cars the likes of the TF weren’t built for interstate drudgery. They were made for zipping around on country lanes at a pace that feels criminal but won’t raise concern with the constabulary.Bring a TrailerBring a TrailerIt’s the wind in your hair, bugs in your teeth, what’s-that-funny-smell, sheer exhilaration of motoring that has kept these vehicles popular into the current day. An MG T-series feels more alive at 30 mph than a Porsche Boxster does at 70.MG left the U.S. market with the rubber-bumper MGB, which had a crash-test-mandated ride height like a Porsche 911 Dakar. The MG brand is currently part of Chinese manufacturer SAIC’s portfolio, and its U.K.-market electric MG4 crossover is reportedly pleasant to drive and comes in at about three-quarters the price of a VW ID.4. But the present is not the past, and while the future of the U.K. auto industry has glimmers of optimism, experiencing an MG T-series like this one will take you back to the brand’s golden age.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

Jeep showed off two new teasers ahead of the 2023 Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.The brand uses the event, now in its 57th year, as a showcase for new concept vehicles.The company released the first two “trail markers” hinting at what it will bring to the event scheduled for April 1–9, 2023.Jeep Nation rejoice! The Easter Jeep Safari is nearly upon us. This year will mark the 57th Safari, and true to form, Jeep has started hinting at the wild concepts it will bring. The first two teasers—or “trail markers,” as Jeep is calling them—were released today. Rather than images or renderings, the company showed off two eye-catching sketches. The first sketch shows what looks to be a muscled-up two-door version of the Gladiator truck wearing a wide set of knobby off-road-ready tires hiding under what look to be the largest fenders we’ve ever spotted on a Jeep. From what we can tell by squinting through the blinding green haze of the sketch, the driver’s-side mirror has migrated from the A-pillar and now rests directly in front of the enlarged front fender. Jeep/StellantisThe second sketch has a bit more muted color scheme, which seems to be Jeep’s way of showing off the blue-trimmed 4xe font. This concept looks like a more straightforward Wrangler Rubicon off-roader, and we can once again spot enlarged fenders. Unlike in the Green Giant sketch, the mirror placement in this sketch look standard. One element that’s not standard is that the doors have been replaced by tube half-doors, while the rear windows are replaced by some sort of Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) utility rack. Last year Jeep brought a whopping seven concept vehicles to the event. We think it’s a safe bet that they will bring at least that many this year as well. Two more each week between now and the start of the Easter Jeep Safari would bring the total to eight, topping last year’s figure. 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 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