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Since we started Lightning Lap back in 2006, the LL3 pricing class has always been the sweet spot of performance, the best bang for the buck. LL2 often has more contestants, but it doesn’t quite have the firepower of LL3: German, Japanese, and American cars that seat two, four, or five. Coupes. SUVs. Sedans. LL3 has it all. And LL3 now has a new high mark in the form of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and its 2:38.6 lap.Lots More DetailWe say the best bang for the buck because European and Japanese cars have to compete with the American metal that almost always undercuts the overseas competition. Corvettes compete with Camaros, Ford Mustang GT500s, Cadillac Vs, some AMG 63s, BMW Ms, and more. We adjusted the class breakdowns this year, so LL3 now covers cars with a base price between $75,000 and $139,999. And no, we didn’t set that upper limit based on the Z06’s pricing. (Reminder, when we discuss base price in Lightning Lap stories, that price includes performance-enhancing options.)An American has always held the crown of LL3 champ. A C6 Z06 was the first (2006 model) and second (2007 model) LL3 champ, with times at Lightning Lap 1 and 2 of 3:01.1 and 2:58.6, respectively. Next to hold the belt was a Dodge Viper SRT10 in a one-off test where it dropped the LL3 time by 1.2 seconds. But then came the third Lightning Lap installment. If you aren’t familiar, check it out. There were some heavy hitters at that one, including the Nissan GT-R (LL3), Ferrari 430 Scuderia (LL5), Mosler MT900S (LL5), and the second-generation Cadillac CTS-V (LL2). Also in the group was the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR (LL3) that turned a 2:48.6, a 10.0-second improvement in LL3 cars. A sub 2:50 at that time was pretty nuts and the only thing faster was the Mosler (2:45.9). In part because that was such a big jump, the ACR remained the LL3 target until the ninth Lightning Lap, where the 650-hp Corvette Z06 (a C7) turned a 2:44.6. At Lightning Lap 14, a Mustang Shelby GT500 would exactly match it. Which brings us back to the incredible lap laid down by the new Corvette Z06. The Corvette went to a mid-engine layout so it could perform better on racetracks. Its 2:38.6 isn’t only a new LL3 record, it is the fastest lap by a car with a naturally aspirated engine and the fifth fastest in Lightning Lap history. Everything else faster is in the LL5 class and costs at least twice as much. That alone is enough for celebration. More

Lightning Lap 2023 is here, and we know you have questions. Why did certain cars not make the cut? How many tires do we consume over the course of three days? Who makes the best pour-over coffee, and why is it Carlos Lago? We’re here to tackle all your most pressing queries—and ones about the minivan—on Reddit this Wednesday, February 8.At noon ET on Wednesday, our latest Ask Me Anything (AMA) will kick off in Reddit’s r/cars community. There’s already been a healthy bit of Lightning Lap 16 discussion over there, and we want to provide you with all the insight we couldn’t fit into the feature. Expect some healthy discussions about the RS3’s Pirelli Trofeo R tires, the emotional toll of pursuing the perfect lap time, and why you think you can beat Jack Fitzgerald’s on-foot time despite not running since high-school cross country.Lightning Laps New and OldDuring the AMA, you’ll get the chance to ask questions to editor-in-chief Tony Quiroga, executive editor K.C. Colwell, testing director Dave VanderWerp, senior technical editor David Beard, technical editor Dan Edmunds, and deputy editor for video Carlos Lago. If this is your first Lightning Lap, welcome! This is our 16th time running the event, which takes place at Virginia International Raceway on its 4.1-mile Grand Course configuration. It is a true measure of a car’s limits, testing everything from cornering to braking to whether or not the shift knob will break free from its moorings mid-lap. Don’t forget to take a look at this year’s results to get those inquisitive juices flowing ahead of tomorrow’s AMA. More

Mazda has announced pricing for the 2024 CX-90, with the base trim for the least powerful 3.3 Turbo model starting at $40,970.The plug-in-hybrid model starts at $48,820 for the Preferred trim, with the $54,275 Premium model bringing a 3500-pound towing capacity.The most powerful 3.3 Turbo S model opens at $53,125, with the highest Premium Plus model going for $61,325 before options.Last week Mazda revealed the 2024 CX-90, a stylish new three-row SUV set to go on sale this spring. Now the Japanese automaker has announced pricing estimates for the CX-90, which is the first Mazda to offer a plug-in-hybrid powertrain. The base 3.3 Turbo Select model starts at $40,970, with the top-of-the-line 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus going for $61,325 before options.Engine SpecsThe CX-90 offers a wide variety of trims and engine options. The standard Turbo model, which uses a detuned 280-hp version of the 3.3-liter inline-six, is available in five trim levels. Above the Select sits the Preferred ($44,820) and the Preferred Plus ($47,275), which have second-row captain’s chairs as a no-cost option and a 5000-pound towing capacity for the Plus. The Premium ($50,275) and the Premium Plus ($54,325) add those thrones as standard, along with other goodies like a power panoramic sunroof, Bose 12-speaker sound system, and, in the Plus, a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The base CX-90 3.3 Turbo Select.MazdaThe headlining act is the new plug-in setup, which starts at $48,820 for the Preferred model. Stepping up to the Premium will cost you $54,275, adding a 3500-pound towing capacity, while the Premium Plus boosts the price to $58,325. Equipment changes between the trims largely mirror those on the 3.3 Turbo.At the top of the range is the more powerful 340-hp Turbo S motor, which commands a $53,125 starting price. That rises to $57,825 for the Premium and $61,325 for the Premium Plus, which have a six-seat layout as standard, optional on the base Turbo S. All Turbo S models have the maximum towing capacity, and the Premium adds customizable driver settings that can be automatically applied through facial recognition. The Plus brings richer materials throughout the cabin, with ventilated seats in the first two rows and heated second-row captain’s chairs.More Mazda NewsThe base pricing for the CX-90 is slightly higher than the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade twins—at $37,255 and $36,885, respectively—but is on par with the Honda Pilot ($40,495) and undercuts the Jeep Grand Cherokee L ($44,830). The upper echelon of the CX-90 lineup is far more expensive than the Korean three-rows and the Pilot, which all top out in the low $50,000 range, putting the pricier Mazdas more in line with the opulent Grand Cherokee Summit at $65,505. The CX-90 starts only $945 higher than the CX-9 that it effectively replaces, but goes significantly beyond the CX-9’s $49,735 Signature when it comes to luxury.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. More

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 will be offered with two output levels for its turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six.Both engine variants will achieve the same EPA-estimated 28 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined, with small differences in city fuel economy.EPA figures for the plug-in hybrid have not yet been revealed.Last week, Mazda unveiled the 2024 CX-90, a smooth new three-row SUV with equal doses of creature comforts and style. At the time, the automaker left a number of questions about the powertrain unanswered, but now, it’s time to shine a little more light under the hood.The 2024 Mazda CX-90 will debut with not one, but two variants of its turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine. Models with a Turbo designation will put out 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque using the recommended regular gasoline. If you want to swap that swill for the good stuff, output will likely rise, but Mazda declined to say by how much. MazdaCX-90s carrying the 3.3 Turbo S moniker will see figures rise to 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet. Premium fuel is recommended here; regular fuel can be substituted in exchange for some power and torque, but again, Mazda didn’t delve into specifics. It’s also unclear at this time if the difference between these two engines lies solely in software, or if there are some additional hardware tweaks. No matter how much power the inline-six makes, it bolts to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.Get Your CX-90 FixEfficiency is nearly even between the two engines. The CX-90 Turbo and its lower output receives an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 24 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Moving up to the burlier Turbo S variants will incur a 1-mpg penalty in the city, but the figures are the same otherwise.And then there’s the PHEV. Net output remains at 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet when using the recommended premium gasoline, and Mazda has not yet stated what it makes on 87 octane. More frustratingly, EPA efficiency figures remain a mystery. Considering models start arriving at dealerships in the spring, those estimates should be public in the near future. More

Right now, electric cargo vans are a fringe market, but Mercedes-Benz says that starting in 2025, all new Benz vans will be electric. Along with the electric Rivian Amazon vans and the Ford E-Transit, the 2024 e-Sprinter is on the leading edge of stealth delivery vehicles. Imagine the GMC Vandura A-Team van, but completely opposite.While some of Benz’s EQ models err on the side of freaky futurism, the e-Sprinter mission statement is “like a Sprinter, but electric.” So it looks conventional and offers the same trademark commodious and versatile interior that has caused many a tradesman to trade in their Econoline and join the high-roof Euro-van movement. Which is distinct from the Volkswagen Eurovan movement, in that it tends to involve upfitting from Knapheide rather than Houseplant.The Benz star hides the charge port.Car and DriverWhile other markets will have much smaller batteries available, including a 56.0-kWh pack and an 81.0-kWh setup, we’ll only get the largest battery—the 113.0-kWh pack that enabled Benz to complete a 295-mile highway trip during a test run in Germany. Granted, that was at a maximum speed of about 60 mph, but nonetheless a big improvement over whatever range the prior eSprinter could manage with its 47.0-kWh battery. (Why, yes, there already was an eSprinter, but you’ll forgive them for not making a big deal out of it and its 116 hp.)Practically enough room to live in there, down by the river.Car and DriverOur eSprinters will be available with either 134 or 201 horsepower and “up to” 295 pound-feet of torque. Top speed is limited to 75 mph, but if you’ve ever driven a Sprinter high-roof model on a windy highway you’ll probably be fine with that. Fortunately, the eSprinter includes Benz’s Crosswinds Assist system, which applies the brakes on the upwind side of the van as necessary above 50 mph to help steer a straight course. A van with a rear-mounted motor? Bunch of hippies over there at Mercedes, it seems.Ezra Dyer|Car and DriverOur eSprinter will launch in the U.S. and Canada in the second half of 2023 as a long-wheelbase cargo van with the high roof. The North American vans will be built in Charleston, South Carolina, but there are two other factories in Germany. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but the destination charge has, and it’s a hefty $2295—cue the outrage from eco-minded plumbers in Charleston, SC.Benz foresees eSprinters belonging to businesses that mostly ply their trade around town during the day and then park and charge at night; hence not a lot of attention was paid to fast-charging capability. The standard onboard AC charger offers a decent 9.6-kW charge rate, but the standard 50-kW DC fast-charging capability isn’t very competitive unless the competition is a 2011 Nissan Leaf. The DC charging capability can be upped to a still-not-great 115 kW for owners who might venture across a state line on occasion.The Sprinter went from six cylinders to four cylinders to no cylinders.Car and DriverWith a max payload of 2624 pounds and as much as 488 cubic feet of cargo volume, the eSprinter should be ready for the same sort of grunt work that an internal-combustion model could handle, minus the easy fillups and ability to cover mega miles nonstop. Not a vehicle for fledgling bands on tour, the eSprinter. But for a successful mobile dog-washing service it could be just the thing. A lot of dogs hate baths, but they’ll never hear it coming. More

Can’t swing the $223,450 for a Porsche 911 Dakar? Here’s an off-road-ready Porsche with seating for the whole family.Only 285 Transsyberia Cayennes were built worldwide, and this is one of only three North American versions with a manual transmission.With five days before the Bring a Trailer auction ends on Friday, February 10, bidding is at $36,500 for this highly collectible, highly capable Porsche.Car and DriverPorsche says it has no intention of entering its new 911 Dakar in competition, but a decade ago, it did just that with a special edition of the Cayenne S. Up for sale this week at Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos) is a rare Cayenne, one of a few built to celebrate Porsche’s wins at the 2007 Transsyberia rally. If you were holding out on that new Dakar because of its lack of rear seats, here’s some rally-prepped Porsche for the whole family.Bring a TrailerThe Transsyberia rally runs more than 4000 miles from Moscow right across Mongolia. Porsche swept the podium in 2007 with a trio of Cayennes, then decided to showcase the capability of its all-conquering SUV with a civilian-spec version. This is one of those 285 special editions built.Bring a TrailerJust as the 911 Dakar is basically a 911 GTS underneath, so too is the Cayenne Transsyberia based on the Cayenne GTS. Power comes from a 4.8-liter V-8 making 405 horsepower at 6500 rpm, and the interior features a luxurious blend of leather and Alcantara.Car and DriverCar and DriverBut, as the orange accents throughout hint, this is no mall-crawler Porsche SUV. The Transsyberia also gets adjustable-height air suspension, 18-inch wheels designed to wear chunky off-road tires, and skidplating underneath. Transsyberias also came with the Cayenne’s rarely optioned off-road package, which includes specific programming for the Porsche stability and traction control.New and OldAs if all of that wasn’t enough potential fun in the dirt, have a peek between the front seats: that’s an honest-to-goodness manual transmission. Only three manual-equipped Transsyberias are known to have been delivered to North American, all of them originally sold into Canada. Which makes sense, considering that many parts of Canada are a bit like Siberia, and those Canucks love their stickhandling.Bring a TrailerThis Transsyberia is currently located in Vancouver, British Columbia, but can easily be imported into the United States. With 133,000 kms on the odometer—roughly 83,000 miles—this is not a Porsche that needs to stay parked to retain its value. Yet it is something of a collector item. The previous owner removed the admittedly garish orange Transsyberia decals, but those are available from Porsche and should be reapplied for resale. A thorough blasting of the undercarriage and applying protection coating should be on the to-do list.Bring a TrailerWith these tasks done, one lucky bidder will have a mighty V-8–powered Porsche that’s just as capable as any dune-surfing 911 variant, but with enough room for a family of five (or a bunch of friends to help push you out of the sand if you get stuck). Being so rare, it’s bound to appreciate in value as well. With five days to go, bidding sits at $36,500. That’s a bargain by off-road Porsche standards; don’t miss your chance. More

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq adds new trim options, which now include Tech, Luxury, and Sport.Range estimates are slightly lower than last year, moving from 312 miles on a full charge to 308 miles in the rear-wheel-drive version, and 307 miles in the all-wheel-drive version.Cadillac expanded the available colors for the 2024 Lyriq to eight, giving buyers more room to personalize. Cadillac’s luxury electric SUV is entering its second year with a significantly broader lineup. The 2024 Lyriq’s trim levels are revised, with the base model now called Tech, the mid-range trim called Luxury, and a new Sport trim sitting atop the range. More on the LyriqDistinctions between trim levels look to be mostly creature comforts and cosmetics. The base trim gets the same standard safety features as the upper trims, but stepping up to the Luxury trim grants access to features like choreographed exterior lighting, illuminated exterior door handles, rain-sensing wipers, and more. The Sport trim is visually differentiated with blacked-out chrome trim on the front and rear fascias as well as the windows and body moldings. Both the Luxury and Sport trims can also be optioned with 22-inch alloy wheels instead of the standard 20-inch alloys. Exterior paint color options expanded to eight, giving us our first look of the Lyriq in anything other than silver. The base trim is only available with a black two-tone interior color scheme, but both upper trims have four available interior options. CadillacInterestingly, Cadillac downgraded the estimated range for the Lyriq, from 312 miles on the rear-wheel drive model to 308 miles in the RWD version and 307 miles for the AWD version. Our standard EV highway range test on a rear-drive 2023 model brought back a 75-mph range result of 270 miles. Power figures haven’t changed, with 340 horsepower from the single-motor, rear-drive version and 500 hp from the dual-motor AWD version. We still haven’t driven a dual-motor Lyriq, but we launched a rear-wheel drive version to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. That’s pretty quick by SUV standards, but it lags behind a bit in the current era of EV dragsters. Cadillac said more information on the 2024 Lyriq is coming soon, so stay tuned for detailed pricing and specs.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. More

Ford will likely build a high-output F-150 Lighting concept based on a recent teaser, as first reported by Motor Authority. Part of a larger infographic, the specific teaser showed a pickup truck silhouette with “coming soon” in the middle.The mystery truck was surrounded by 1000-plus-hp EV concepts like the seven-motor Mach-E 1400 and the SuperVan 4.Ford believes in the high-performance potential of electric vehicles. Look no further than the seven-motor Mustang Mach-E 1400 race car or the 1972-hp SuperVan 4. Both of those one-off concepts are rolling billboards for the blue-oval brand’s vision of EV performance, and now it appears they’ll be joined by a hi-po version of the Ford F-150 Lightning.Last week, around the time Ford officially announced its return to Formula 1 racing, the company also released an infographic illustrating how some production models influence its race cars and vice versa. One of the graphics (shown below) featured the Lightning’s silhouette with the words “coming soon” in the middle.How do we know it’s the silhouette of the electric F-150? Well, the title says “EV Performance Demonstrators” and the Lightning is currently Ford’s only EV pickup, so we’d say that makes it pretty obvious. We also think the high-powered concepts surrounding the mystery Lightning suggest it could make more than 1000 horsepower. After all, the Mach-E 1400, the SuperVan 4, and the 1400-hp Mustang Cobra Jet electric dragster also shown on the infographic all have four-digit hp figures.Car and DriverCar and DriverWhile it’s true that the 480-hp Ford F-100 Eluminator concept that’s also featured on the infographic fell well short of the 1000-hp mark, let’s not forget how powerful the regular F-150 Lightning already is. In its most potent configuration, the EV pickup’s dual electric motors generate 580 horses combined. Now imagine the Ford Performance team is charged with building an electric F-150 that’ll shock people even more. That’s why we think a 1000-plus-hp Lightning is more than likely.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. More