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The AMC Hornet supplanted the long-serving Rambler at the start of the 1970s.The Sportabout was the wagon version, which offered a dose of extra practicality.This example, however, also adds a measure of Italian design-house chic with its Gucci decor package, a rare option. It’s up for auction until Wednesday, January 17.Plucky little American Motors Corporation never had the R&D money of the big three domestic automakers, so it was forced to be innovative. One avenue it explored was fashion-themed cars, such as the Pierre Cardin Javelin and the Levi’s Gremlin. For its thrifty compact Hornet, there was a tie-up with one of the most noble Italian design houses, the pride of Florence: Gucci. Bring a TrailerThis 1973 Hornet Sportabout wagon is a result of that mashup, andit’s up for auction on Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos. The Hornet was AMC’s mainstay, and but just because it was a workaday model didn’t mean it had to be boring. This one wasn’t, with its V-8 engine (originally a 304-cubic-inch, since replaced with a 360), white body-side stripes, and slotted mag wheels.Bring a TrailerThe good stuff, however, is on the inside, which features Gucci’s tri-color perforated vinyl seats and double-G headliner. Back in 1973, this option package would have tacked on nearly $150 to a car that stickered at $2500. Gucci had made its name selling scarves and bags to the likes of Grace Kelly and other swells, and while it’s doubtful the Princess of Monaco ever cruised the corniches above the Côte d’Azur in a Sportabout, the unlikeliness of the mashup is part of the charm here.Bring a TrailerThe green paint shows well, though there are a few cosmetic issues, the most serious being holes in the plastic filler panel between the rear bumper and body. This would take a bit of fiddly work to repair but is certainly doable, and it sounds like there might be a spare out there that’ll fit. The current owner has replaced the battery, alternator, voltage regulator, rear main seal, oil-pan gasket, timing cover gasket, and dipstick tube.Bring a TrailerThis car was previously sold on Bring a Trailer for $22,000, which is far beyond what a standard Hornet might bring. We’ll see whether buyers this time are as willing to open their wallets (Gucci or otherwise). Despite the Gucci tie-up, this unusual Sportabout is a totally unpretentious way to stand out at your local cars and coffee event. This no-reserve auction ends on January 17.Related StoriesBrendan 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

BMW’s new iDrive 9 infotainment system is adding more third-party apps, including video games that can be played with traditional Bluetooth controllers.The automaker also showed off its developmental remote-controlled valet parking at this year’s CES.BMW previewed other potential future technology too, including augmented-reality glasses.Most people who have played video games on a console in the past 25 years have done so with a full-size controller. Later this year, they’ll be able to do the same in new BMW models with the iDrive 9 infotainment system. We had the opportunity to test that experience at this year’s CES, where BMW had live demonstrations of the soon-to-be-available feature as well as developmental tech that someday might become reality.In-Car Video GamesIt’s currently possible to play video games in several new BMW models with the AirConsole app that was introduced earlier this year. It lets people download games and use their smartphone as a controller—only when the car isn’t moving, of course. Before the end of 2024, BMWs with iDrive 9 will be able to play other video games with full-size controllers, including Bluetooth-enabled PlayStation and Xbox gamepads.We had the chance to play Beach Buggy Racing 2 using a PlayStation 5 controller. While we only spent a few minutes playing during the demo, it was immediately clear that it was just as fun factor as playing on a normal device. The new BMW X1 we were in also had the benefit of an excellent audio system that made the sound experience extra enjoyable. The game can even be played in split-screen mode with a second controller.BMWBMW says the in-car gaming will be available through its ConnectedDrive Store along with a slew of other new third-party apps that are made possible by the Android-based software that’s baked into iDrive 9. Access requires paying for the BMW Digital Premium option, though. New models that aren’t initially available with the controller connection will be able to add it via an over-the-air update.Remote-Controlled Valet ParkingMuch stranger than playing a video game in a car is remotely controlling a real-life car using a driving simulator. That’s what we did at BMW’s outdoor exhibit at CES where we piloted an electric iX SUV through a parking lot course while seated about 100 feet away. BMWFacing a multiplex of screens and seated in a racing chair, we grabbed the steering wheel and placed our feet on the pedals. A video feed from the forward-facing camera was our primary view, but it didn’t provide a sense of spatial awareness. A secondary screen to our right showed an overhead view that helped us navigate between the cones and the gates that served as checkpoints.We’re not strangers to driving simulators, but remotely driving the iX with one was a much different experience due to the delays between our inputs and the actual acceleration and braking. Getting the EV SUV to go required flattening the accelerator pedal and waiting a few seconds before the vehicle started to move. Even then, its top speed was limited to 15 mph, which is also the posted speed limit for most parking lots and parking garages.Just like a production model, our iX RC car is able to park itself in certain situations. BMW—which developed the remote-controlled valet with the help of Valeo, a mobility-focused tech company—said the idea is for drivers to leave their vehicle at a designated dropoff spot and then for it to automatically search for an open spot and return to the pickup point when summoned. Of course, the Level 4 automated parking system can also be remotely controlled in the way that we experienced. Someday, this technology could be used for events big and small as well as by logistics companies.AR In a CarWhile we didn’t have time to experience them, BMW also held live demonstrations of its augmented-reality glasses. Called “XREAL Air 2,” the AR lenses are designed to provide the driver and passengers with information that’s supplementary to the vehicle’s standard displays.BMWThe demonstration is described as a trip through Las Vegas where navigation, hazard information, points of interest, and entertainment content are shown via the AR glasses. BMW believes this technology will become more common in the coming years, and it has been following the development as far back as 2008. In 2015, the company previewed an augmented-reality system with the Mini Augmented Vision project. More recently, this author drove a real-life BMW M2 around a racetrack wearing a virtual-reality headset. Clearly, BMW is invested in this tech, which suggests it might be closer to reality than fantasy.The Future of BMWEric 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 journalism 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

Just over two years after announcing plans to purchase 100,000 Teslas and another 65,000 electric cars from Polestar for its rental fleets, Hertz is planning to sell off 20,000 of its EVs, according to a federal regulatory filing posted Thursday. The rental company noted the high cost of collision repairs and lower demand from consumers as the primary drivers for the EV divestment. Hertz, in turn, plans to use some of the income from those sales to purchase more new gas-powered vehicles. The electric-car rental demand issue may have less to do with the cars themselves and more to do with the unique traits of EVs. An average renter is looking for a car that will get them around over the course of a trip rather than a compelling experience in that car. For those customers, the complexities of an EV may prove to be more of a frustration than a charm. Smart ShoppersRenting a Tesla Model 3, for instance, comes with all the frustrations of the screen-heavy Tesla user interface without any of the time to get used to those adjustments that a buyer would have. Charging is an even bigger issue: Not only do consumers without EV experience who rent a Polestar 2 or a Tesla Model 3 have to figure out how to charge a car while on the road, they also have to figure out two completely different charging ecosystems depending on which car they get. Even though Hertz plans to offload much of its electric fleet, the company says it “will continue to execute its strategy around EV mobility and offer customers a wide selection of vehicles,” according to the filing. Hertz says it will grow its charging infrastructure, work closer with electric car manufacturers to lower parts and labor costs, and continue to help educate customers about EVs.Hertz currently lists 548 Tesla Model 3s and zero Polestar models on its direct sales website. The most affordable Teslas are currently selling for just over $20,000, but screenshots shared by Electrek on Wednesday suggest that other Model 3s have previously been listed for as low as $17,700 before a potential tax credit for used EVs. More

Sony and Honda’s joint venture, Afeela, has revealed an updated version of its electric sedan concept at CES 2024.The revised Afeela features production-ready cues like traditional sideview mirrors instead of cameras and more substantial headlights.Afeela also released specifications, with the sedan packing a 241-hp electric motor on each axle and DC charging at speeds up to 150 kW.At CES 2023 last year, Sony and Honda surprised the automotive world with a new EV brand called Afeela, the product of a joint venture called Sony Honda Mobility that will unleash an electric sedan on American roads in 2026. Now Afeela is showing an updated version of its prototype at CES 2024, with the four-door EV looking far more production ready, and has released a slew of new powertrain information.Sony Honda MobilityListed at 193.5 inches long, the latest Afeela prototype is about two inches shy of a 2024 Honda Accord, but with a nearly seven-inch-longer wheelbase. Compared with the original prototype shown last year, there are some noticeable changes. The thin cameras sprouting from the A-pillar have been replaced by traditional side-view mirrors, and the headlights and grille trim piece are also thicker than before. The charging port door on the front fender has grown in size, and the indentation along the rocker panels and the rear bumper have also been restyled.The cabin appears largely the same as the original prototype, but the center console is a bit larger and the steering wheel and rearview mirror have been slightly redesigned. There are also two wireless phone chargers and what appears to be an inward-facing camera perched atop the full-width screen. Sony Honda MobilityAfeela has also published drivetrain specifications for the sedan, which were absent from the reveal last year. The Afeela will be all-wheel drive, with permanent-magnet synchronous motors at the front and rear. Each is rated at 241 horsepower, but Afeela doesn’t provide a combined horsepower rating, and calculating total output typically isn’t as simple as adding the horsepower from each motor together. Range? Not YetThe lithium-ion battery has a listed capacity of 91.0 kWh, but Afeela has yet to publish range figures. Afeela says the sedan is capable of DC charging at up to 150 kW, with AC charging maxing out at 11 kW. The air suspension is supported by unequal-length control arms up front and a multi-link setup at the rear. The front tires measure 245/40 and the rear rubber is listed at 275/35, with the Afeela riding on 21-inch wheels all around. Sony Honda MobilityOrders for the Afeela sedan, which has yet to be given a specific model name, will open in 2025, with U.S. sales set to begin in 2026. Little else is known about the company’s plans, but we expect the Afeela to start around $45,000. The sedan is also set to be added to the Gran Turismo 7 video game later this year, allowing anyone to drive it virtually two years before the Afeela hits the road. More from CES 2024Caleb 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

VW revealed a camouflaged version of the updated Golf GTI hatchback.We spotted different headlights and taillights, plus a larger screen inside.We expect this to arrive in the U.S. for the 2025 model year. Sadly, there will be no manual transmission offered, as VW confirmed 2024 would be the last year for the three-pedal GTI.An updated version of the Volkswagen Golf GTI is coming soon, as indicated by this camouflaged prototype revealed as part of CES 2024. Several changes are coming to the hot hatchback for the 2025 model year, including revised headlights and taillights and a significantly larger touchscreen infotainment system inside that offers updated software that uses a ChatGPT-powered voice assistant.One change we’re not so pleased about is the discontinuation of the six-speed manual transmission. VW already confirmed that the 2024 Golf GTI 380 special edition would commemorate the last year of production for the stick-shift versions of the Golf GTI and Golf R. That means the 2025 GTI will likely only offer the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four; perhaps VW will offer a bit more horsepower than the current GTI’s 241-hp output to soften the blow a bit.While the eye-catching camouflage on this prototype obscures the new front and rear-end designs, we think the updated GTI will look a bit more modern than before. That carries on inside, as it features a significantly larger touchscreen; it looks like the 15.0-inch screen found in the new ID.7, which would offer many more pixels than the current GTI’s optional 10.0-inch screen. We also spotted new steering-wheel controls that do away with the frustrating touch-capacitive sliders in favor of real buttons, which is a nice upgrade.We’re expecting similar changes to come to the more powerful Golf R hot hatchback as well. These two variants are the only Golf models sold in the U.S. since VW dropped the standard Golf hatchbacks from its North American lineup when the Mk 8 model first arrived here for the 2022 model year. Look for more information to come on the 2025 Golf GTI and Golf R models within the next few months.More on the GolfDespite 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

Aston Martin has revealed a new series of images showing the upcoming Valhalla hypercar testing at the Silverstone Circuit. The Valhalla sources 998 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged V-8 and a plug-in-hybrid system.Aston Martin will build 999 examples of the Valhalla and it is on pace to enter production in 2024. If you’re a bit confused by all the various hypercar projects coming out of Aston Martin lately, we sympathize. There are only two of them, but they both feature names inspired by Norse mythology, so let us clear things up. There’s the Adrian Newey brainchild called the Valkryie, which was originally called the AM-RB 001. It produces an immense 1139 horsepower from its hybrid V-12 powertrain. Then there’s the upcoming Valhalla you see here, which started life named the AM-RB 003.Aston MartinThink of the Valkryie as Aston Martin’s ultimate vision for what a hypercar can be, and the Valhalla as an (only slightly) more accessible track weapon. The Valhalla has been more or less shrouded in mist until now, though the company just released a new set of images showing the car testing at Silverstone. The images come as Aston Martin begins a more aggressive phase of real-world testing for the upcoming hypercar.The Mercedes-AMG–sourced twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 feeds power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It pairs with a set of three electric motors, including one in the transmission to bring the Valhalla’s combined output to 998 horsepower. Aston MartinAston MartinMore on Aston Martin HypercarsJust like the Valkyrie before it, the Valhalla will be built in limited figures. Aston Martin kept the Valkyrie extremely exclusive, offering only 150 build slots globally. The Valhalla will be more available to the bourgeoisie—well, kinda. There will still only be 999 of them, and pricing is expected to start in the $800,000 range. According to Aston Martin, the Valhalla is still on track to enter production in 2024. Jack 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 Hyundai Kona Electric starts at $34,010. That’s $875 less than the outgoing generation.The new Kona EV’s other two trims are also slightly cheaper, with the SEL and Limited starting at $38,010 and $42,380, respectively. Since the ’24 Kona Electric isn’t currently built in the U.S., it doesn’t qualify for the $7500 federal EV tax credit.Not only has the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric become bigger inside and out as well as added better features, but its base price also costs about $900 less than the outgoing generation. In a day and age when new cars are consistently becoming more expensive year over year, it’s nice to see a new car that actually costs less.New Kona EV PricesRedesigned for 2024, the Kona Electric’s entry-level SE trim starts at $34,010. That’s $875 less than its 2023 predecessor, which started at $34,885. The new generation continues to offer the mid-tier SEL and top-spec Limited. Those start at $38,010 and $42,380, respectively. The former figure is $625 less than before, and the latter constitutes a $505 discount.Hyundai’s decision to lower rather than raise prices of the new Kona Electric isn’t a common practice. However, it might have something to do with offsetting the fact that the subcompact SUV isn’t currently eligible for the $7500 federal tax credit. Since it’s not built in the U.S., it doesn’t qualify under the rules of the Inflation Reduction Act. At least folks interested in leasing a Kona Electric should be able to get the credit.A Hyundai spokesperson told Car and Driver that the company was able to reduce the Kona Electric’s starting price due to the smaller battery pack. Interestingly, higher trims that have the bigger battery have a similarly lower starting price, which we think hurts the base model’s value since it has less power and shorter estimated range. If anything, the electric Kona’s base price should be even cheaper.Every 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric still features a single front-mounted electric motor. Previously, every Kona EV had the same powertrain output and battery capacity, but now the base SE alone has 133 horsepower and a 48.6-kWh battery pack; the SEL and Limited pack 201 ponies and a larger 64.8-kWh battery that the EPA estimates will provide up to 261 miles of range. Hyundai claims a DC fast-charge connection will take either battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 43 minutes.Extra Kona Electric ReadingEric 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 journalism 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

Since 2013, the Vision Gran Turismo series has been churning out eye-catching virtual supercars that can only be driven in the video game, and now two more join the roster.The Genesis X Gran Berlinetta is a sleek coupe powered by a hybrid V-6 powertrain churning out a total of 1071 horsepower and 986 pound-feet of torque.The Bulgari Aluminium Vision Gran Turismo draws inspiration from one of the company’s watches and wears a roofless barchetta body reminiscent of 1970s concept cars.Way back in 2013—when Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” was dominating airwaves, Barack Obama was president, and the youths were saying “swag” instead of “drip”—the racing video game Gran Turismo launched a series of virtual supercars designed by real-world automakers that could only be driven within the digital confines of the game. Vision Gran Turismo concepts have continued to trickle out over the years, and now two new entries have been revealed: the Genesis X Gran Berlinetta and a surprising entry from luxury fashion house Bulgari, stylized as the Bvlgari Aluminium Vision Gran Turismo. Genesis’s Sinuous SupercarGran TurismoThe slinky Genesis X Gran Berlinetta feels like a more extreme evolution of the stunning Essentia concept from 2018, with a low and wide stance and the latest version of the company’s “two lines” lighting motif first seen on the 2022 X Speedium Coupe concept. The smooth bodywork is punctuated by aerodynamic slashes and scoops, with the wraparound taillights poking through the ovoid rear fascia that swirls upward into a squat rear wing. Genesis says the X Gran Berlinetta has a drag coefficient of 0.34.Gran TurismoThe cabin is minimalistic, with a screen stretching across the dashboard and just a couple of physical dials that feature the same knurled metal finish seen inside Genesis production cars. A yoke-style steering wheel features a smaller, secondary screen and two dials, one to control the level of traction control and one to tune the amount of ABS intervention. The door panels and center console are wrapped in quilted leather, and the seats have a serious amount of bolstering.Gran TurismoSurprisingly for a car revealed in 2023, the X Gran Berlinetta is not electric. Instead, power is derived from a front-mid-mounted V-6 from Hyundai’s Lambda engine family, mated to a hybrid system. The V-6 is said to rev all the way to 10,000 rpm, pushing out 870 horsepower and 790 pound-feet of torque on its own. An electric motor from a company called YASA, which has seen its motors used in Ferrari’s SF90 Stradale and 296GTB, contributes 201 hp and 196 pound-feet, pushing total output to 1071 ponies and 986 pound-feet. No performance metrics were quoted, but we’d bet it’s pretty darn quick.The Fashionista’s Track ToyGran TurismoThe second new Vision GT concept comes from Bulgari, and yes, that is the same Bulgari known for high-end watches, jewelry, fragrances, and other luxury goods. The company’s first automotive venture, the Bulgari Aluminium Vision Gran Turismo, sports a chunky, wedge-like speedster body that feels reminiscent of 1970s concepts like the Alfa Romeo 33 Spider Cuneo. There’s also a hint of the roofless Pininfarina B95 revealed earlier this year. The design, said to be inspired by the Bulgari Aluminium watch from 1998, features crisp creases and simple shapes to create a bold and assertive look. Gran TurismoTwo thin LED strips flank a single bank of headlights that sit in the middle of the car and appear to be revealed by a fold-down panel, very similar to the setup seen on the Aston Martin Bulldog concept. The wheels feature blocky aerodynamic covers, and the brushed aluminum look gives the concept a DeLorean-like retro-futuristic vibe. The bucket seats and dials wear yellow accents, and aluminum also appears across the dashboard and steering wheel.Gran TurismoNo performance specifications were provided, but given the lack of openings in the Bulgari’s bodywork, we would have to imagine it uses an electric powertrain. The design was a partnership between Bulgari’s product creation executive director, Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, and Fabio Filippini, former design director for Pininfarina who penned vehicles like the Sergio concept (later put into limited production by Ferrari) and another Vision Gran Turismo car, the Fittipaldi EF7.The Genesis X Gran Berlinetta will be added to Gran Turismo 7 in January, while the Bulgari Aluminium Vision Gran Turismo will join the game’s roster later in 2024. The Bulgari is the first Vision Gran Turismo from a non-car company, although two others have been teased in the past. Nike and Jordan have been listed on the Vision Gran Turismo site since 2013, and while a teaser sketch of the Nike exists, these concepts have yet to materialize. More Wild Vision GT CarsAssociate 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