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Powered by a hybridized inline-six, this latest Mercedes is the first Maybach-badged car that can be plugged in.This Maybach is essentially a more luxurious version of the Mercedes S-Class, and it builds on the S580e’s well-tuned powertrain with added length and luxury.So far this car is only earmarked for Asia and Europe, and we’re not sure it will reach the U.S.Seven years after showing off the all-electric Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the ultra-luxury division is only now launching its first plug-in-hybrid production model. That model, the just-introduced S580e, will be rolled out in a conservative fashion, first made available in China, then Thailand, then Europe. Electrification is coming to Mercedes-Maybach, but with the slow deliberation of one of the World War I dirigibles that the company’s engines once powered.Those engines were inline-sixes and, in a nice echo, such is the case here. The Mercedes-Maybach S580e is closely related to the standard S-class plug-in hybrid. A 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six engine provides 367 horsepower and is paired with a 150-hp electric motor. Total system output is 510 horsepower along with 553 pound-feet of torque, and nearly 60 percent of that twist is available with the light-switch response of the electric motor.Mercedes-AMGShould you wish to splatter rear-seat occupants with caviar and champagne, this new Mercedes-Maybach will sprint to highway speeds with most of the same vigor as its V-8– and V-12–powered cousins. But that sort of disrespectful behavior will get you in trouble, or, given the power wielded by the sort of people who can afford a Maybach, perhaps fired.No, a Mercedes-Maybach is for serene, airship-like gliding, which the S580e promises to do par excellence. For one thing, with all due respect to rapper Rick Ross, true Maybach music is measured in near silence. A V-8–powered Maybach murmurs at just 64 decibels of in-cabin noise at 70 mph. Capable of running purely on electrons, the S580e will be even more discreet.On a full charge, Mercedes says the Maybach S580e will run to a top speed of just under 87 mph on battery power and have a maximum range of 62 miles (per the optimistic global WLTP standard, at least). Versus a normal S-class, the Maybach variant is some seven inches longer for greater rear-seat room and can be optioned with all sorts of opulent goodies, including a rear-seat refrigerator and branded champagne glasses.Fuel economy is probably of little concern to the average Mercedes-Maybach customer, who likely has a private jet to fill up, but CO2 ratings are. The S580e treads lightly in terms of localized pollution and is thus ideal for low-emissions urban areas such as London’s expanding Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ).Before you’ll see a Mercedes-Maybach S580e there, the cars will arrive in China, where more than half of worldwide Maybach production ends up. In 2022, China snapped up some 1100 Mercedes-Maybachs every month.Having fumbled the previous Maybach relaunch with the ill-fated 57 and 62 of the early 2000s, Mercedes is playing the long game here. It might seem overcautious compared to the way EVs are being pushed into the mainstream globally, but note that 2022 marks the second year of record sales growth for the division. A dirigible does not turn quickly, but it doesn’t need to. More

Volkswagen unveiled refreshed 2024 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs at the 2023 Chicago auto show.The five- and seven-seater crossovers have been given a styling makeover that includes updated exterior designs, new wheels, and a more upscale cabin.Gone is the optional 3.6-liter V-6 engine. In its place is a 269-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which will be the only powertrain available.Everything You Ever Wanted to KnowVolkswagen’s three-row Atlas SUV has been refreshed before. It debuted for the 2018 model year and was given a light restyling in 2021 to align its appearance with the two-row Atlas Cross Sport that bowed for the 2020 model year. But this time around, VW’s designers have used a much heavier hand in updating the company’s largest SUV. Check the ‘fit. Both the Atlas and the Atlas Cross Sport wear more modern looks, with updated grilles, C-shaped headlamps, and full-width taillamps. All but the base models come with an illuminated front VW logo and a light bar that stretches across the top of the grille. New wheel designs—in sizes ranging from 18 to 21 inches—grace all four corners of the SUV, and a larger rear spoiler has been added to help give the Atlas a more swept-back roofline.VolkswagenVolkswagenBut bigger changes await inside, where Volkswagen has improved the passenger experience with nicer materials and more convenience features. The dashboard and center console are wrapped in faux-leather upholstery, and wide swaths of decorative plastic or wood trim extend all the way onto the door panels. A new ambient lighting system is added to the options sheet, including a cool backlit portion of the dashboard.VolkswagenVolkswagenA larger 12.0-inch infotainment display is standard across the lineup, and all models also come with a 10.3-inch digital gauge display; a head-up display is optional. The infotainment system features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and all Atlases feature a wireless smartphone charging pad and at least six fast-charging USB-C ports.Latest VW HeadlinesClimate Control by VoiceA heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and a height-adjustable passenger seat are all standard now. And the automatic climate control system is voice activated, a feature that surely makes for great Super Bowl commercial fodder, but that has proven finicky and cringe-inducing in other vehicles with similar functionality.While the outgoing models were available with either a 235-hp turbo four or a 276-hp 3.6-liter V-6, the 2024 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport can be had with just one engine: a new 269-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four. Front-wheel drive is still standard and all-wheel drive is optional on all trims.While the EPA has yet to weigh in on the turbo four’s fuel efficiency, VW says it should be improved over the outgoing model. Towing capacity is unchanged and the Atlas is rated to pull up to 5000 pounds. On Sale Later in the YearVolkswagen says the handsome 2024 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport will go on sale in the third quarter of 2023, but hasn’t announced pricing just yet. Given the upgrades, we’d reckon a slightly increased base price from the 2023 Atlas Cross Sport’s $35,755 entry price. The same goes for the three-row Atlas, which should start a bit higher than the 2023 model’s $36,455.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 Ram 1500 Rev has been confirmed as the name of the company’s first electric pickup truck.The concept version of the truck that was revealed at CES 2023 was originally called the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV.The Rev will go into production next year, and Ram says it’ll share more details this Sunday, Feb. 12.Ram has significantly shortened the official name of its first electric pickup, which is slated to start production next year. While the concept version was originally called the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV, the brand has condensed it down to the Ram 1500 Rev.Other than what we already know about the concept, today’s news is only notable because of the name. Thankfully, the world won’t have to wait too long to learn more details, as Ram says it plans to release more information this Sunday, Feb. 12. Could it be a surprise addition to the slew of Super Bowl commercials? Stay tuned.Rev is most likely short for Revolution, however, it also sounds like the verb used to describe the revolution of an internal-combustion motor. Perhaps it’s a double entendre that pays tribute to both traditional gas-powered Ram trucks from the past as well as the future that’s potentially full electron-fueled pickups. It’s still likely a few months before the Ram 1500 Rev is officially revealed to the world. It’s presence at this year’s Chicago auto show gave us an opportunity to see the concept version up close. Not only is it more immense in person than in photos, but its open-air interior— with its sort-of third-row seats—offers a tantalizing look at potential design and tech features for the production version. Michael SimariMichael SimariSure, the concept’s entirely glass roof, coach doors, and nonexistent B pillar are probably pure fantasy, but we expect the real electric Ram to have more than a few innovative features. Now we just have to wait and see what what they’ll be.More on the Ram 1500 RevThis 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 showed off the upcoming 2024 Mustang Dark Horse fitted with its optional set of carbon-fiber wheels, along with our first glimpse of its interior. The lightweight wheels tip the scales at 20.1 pounds, a figure that equates to roughly 37 percent lighter than the standard Dark Horse aluminum wheels.The Dark Horse’s interior features blue bolstering and stitching on the Recaro seats, along with an anodized blue titanium shift knob.The new 2024 Ford Mustang looks fantastic a set of carbon-fiber dancing shoes. Ford announced today that it will offer a carbon wheel option when the Dark Horse performance model goes on sale later this year. The lightweight wheels tip the scales at 20.1 pounds each, making them approximately 37 percent lighter than Dark Horse aluminum wheels, according to Ford. They were developed in collaboration with Carbon Revolution, and they follow the carbon-fiber wheels that Ford previously offered on the GT supercar and the Mustang Shelby GT350R.Using aerospace engineering inspired technology, Carbon Revolution used a plasma arc spray inside the front wheels to keep them protected from high temperatures caused under braking. The wheels wear 305/30R-19 Trofeo RS performance tires at the front, and 315/30R-19 tires at the rear. The Mustang Dark Horse you see here is also finished in a special exterior paint color called Blue Ember that’s said to shift shades in different lighting.Along with the fancy wheels and special color, Ford gave us our first glimpse of the interior trim that’s exclusive to the Dark Horse. The moody cabin combines a variety of black and blue hues. Bright Indigo Blue stitching is found on the steering wheel, the door panels, the shift boot and the Recaro performance seats. Opting for the Dark Horse Appearance package adds a Deep Indigo Blue finish for the seat bolsters and seatbelts to round out the theme of the interior. The seatbacks are finished in black Dinamica suede, while on the dash the bezels and vents are finished in a dark metallic gloss that replaces the silver shades from lower Mustang trim levels. Carbon-fiber trim spans the front of the instrument and door panels and the three-spoke steering wheel. Customers who opt for the six-speed manual transmission will get to row through the gears with a special anodized blue, lightweight titanium manual shift knob. The shift knob is hollow, which Ford says helps keep it cool in warmer weather. Anyone who chooses the 10-speed automatic transmission is awarded the consolation prize of anodized silver paddle shifters.As a final touch, each Mustang Dark Horse features an instrument panel badge that includes the vehicle’s chassis number. More

At $7 million for a 30-second spot, this year Super Bowl commercials are an expensive proposition.That’s why GM brought in Will Ferrell to introduce the idea that you’re about to see GM EVs all over Netflix shows, but only where it makes sense, so no Bolts in Bridgerton.Kia, Jeep, and Ram will also have commercials in the Big Game, but our first look at them will have to wait until Sunday. We do know that Kia’s has something to do with a pacifier emoji.According to Adweek, a 30-second commercial on this year’s Super Bowl television broadcast costs $7 million. At least three automakers have previewed some ads they believe are worth the money. Here’s what we know about the Super Bowl LVII car commercials appearing on Fox when the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs play Sunday evening. GM + Will Ferrell + NetflixFirst up, an ad that’s about as meta as they come. Will Ferrell plays himself as a spokesperson for GM and Netflix about the streaming giant’s promise to use more of GM’s electric vehicles in upcoming shows. A commercial about other commercials, in other words, ones that aren’t supposed to look like commercials but are now being explicitly called out. GM calls it “Giving EVs the Stage they Deserve.” This content is imported from youTube. 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.Army of the Dead Squid GameBridgerton, and . Will jokes that it wouldn’t make sense to introduces EVs into some of these shows, but at least is guaranteed to feature a GM EV on screen sometime in the next year: a GMC Hummer EV pickup. Netflix also announced that will include a Chevrolet Bolt EUV and that will show a Cadillac Lyriq.Will Ferrell’s time-tested humor keeps things light, even when he’s being bitten by a zombie from or kidnapped like the characters in . We also see him plopped into scenes from Stranger Things,Queer EyeQueer Eye Love Is BlindUnstableStellantis Buys Time for Ram and JeepUnlike GM, Stellantis is keeping previews of the Super Bowl commercials for two of its brands, Jeep and Ram, off the Internet for now. The advertising trade media report that Stellantis has purchased two 60-second commercial spots during the game. A Jeep ad will air during the second quarter, followed by a Ram ad in the fourth quarter. Stellantis did not air any commercials in last year’s game.This content is imported from youTube. 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.Jeep released a short teaser for its spot, showcasing a chameleon in a recording studio and the tagline “Let’s boogie,” followed by a lightning-covered “Freedom is electric.” We’re not sure how that last bit works well with a separate commercial Jeep posted to its YouTube channel this week called “Parking Spot,” which makes fun of electric-vehicle drivers trying to find a charging cable buried in snow. One step forward, two watts back.Kia’s Binky Emoji MysteryKia started off with this bizarre teaser, and at that point we only knew that it had something to do with forgetting babies. KiaToday, the automaker dropped the full commercial.This content is imported from youTube. 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.Binky Dad | The 2023 Kia Telluride X-Pro All-Terrain AWD SUVWatch ona petitionNo, seriously, a major automaker is spending millions of dollars trying to get a pacifier added to the emoji keyboard. It’s like the Ford truck emoji thing but sillier. As of this writing, the petition already has 385 signatures.The spot will be Kia America’s 14th Super Bowl commercial, following the story of a robot dog in love with the EV6 last year. Kia is concurrently trying to get some of that sweet, sweet online engagement through on Change.org. The reason for this astroturfed grassroots effort? To demand a Binky emoji. More

The 2023 Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary editions debuted at the Chicago auto show. The commemorative kit is limited to the plug-in-hybrid 4xe and V-8-powered 392, with a run of 150 even more extreme AEV versions available for between about $21K—$23K extra. The 20th Anniversary editions have a half-inch lift, revised seven-slot grille and more; the 4xe starts at $71,380 and the 392 starts at $92,690.Jeep is celebrating 20 years of the Rubicon nameplate—taken from the legendary off-road trail in California—by revealing a set of special-edition Wranglers today at the Chicago auto show. Available on the 2023 Wrangler Rubicon 4xe plug-in hybrid and the 470-hp V-8-powered 392 models, the 20th Anniversary edition Jeeps feature a slew of cool goodies, including a redesigned seven-slot grille, beadlock-capable wheels, an 83-piece tool kit, a triple-hoop grille guard, steel bumpers, a half-inch suspension lift, and 20th Anniversary decals.Additional equipment on the 4xe 20th Anniversary edition includes 33-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires on 17-by-7.5-inch beadlock-capable wheels. The interior features red and black leather. An integrated off-road camera at the front and heavy-duty steel rock sliders add to the off-road capability of the anniversary Wrangler. The 392 20th Anniversary edition also comes with the Xtreme Recon package, netting a slightly larger set of 35-inch K02 tires, 17-by-8.0-inch wheels, a 4.56 rear axle ratio, an onboard air compressor (the first offered from the factory), as well as a collection of other upgrades from Mopar. Additionally, the Jeep team enlisted American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) for an optional upfitting—limited to 150 units—that adds 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires (the largest rubber Jeep has ever offered). It also features an AEV-specific suspension (with a 2.5-inch lift), bumpers, skid plate, off-road lights, and more.All that extra height increases ground clearance to 14.2 inches and allows the Jeep to ford 37.1 inches of water, while also giving it a 50-degree approach angle, 33-degree breakover angle, and 43-degree departure angle. The AEV upfit runs $22,978 for the 4xe and $21,130 for the 392. Those AEV upcharge figures are on top of the base prices for the 20th Anniversary models, which start at $71,380 for the 4xe and $92,690 for the 392. Tack on the AEV packages and those prices rise to $94,358 and $113,820 (!), respectively. The limited-run commemorative Jeeps are set to go on sale later this month. Both models will enter production at the Toledo Assembly Complex sometime this quarter, with vehicles arriving in dealerships in Q2 of 2023.More on WranglerThis 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

Subaru has revealed the U.S. version of the new 2024 Crosstrek.It has a 152-hp 2.0-liter engine as standard and a 182-hp 2.5-liter engine as an option, just like the previous model. There’s no more manual transmission.Pricing starts at $26,290 and ranges up to $32,190, and it goes on sale this spring.The third generation of Subaru’s popular Crosstrek offers much of what we’ve come to expect from this lifted version of the Impreza hatchback. The 2024 model has carryover engines and maintains a similar aesthetic, but Subaru says it features a stiffer chassis, and its standard-features list grows. The only thing missing is the previous model’s manual transmission, which is dropped for the lineup, leaving a CVT as the only transmission. As such, the base price rises from $24,870 to $26,290, although the equivalent automatic-transmission base model doesn’t see a price increase.SubaruTrim levels include base, Premium, Sport and Limited. Like the previous Crosstrek, the lower two trims have a 152-hp 2.0-liter flat-four, while the $30,290 Sport and $32,190 Limited have a more powerful 182-hp 2.5-liter flat-four. A CVT and all-wheel drive are standard across the board. Subaru says it has made improvements to the AWD system to make it quicker to respond, and the X-Mode off-road driving mode is said to offer increased capability.More on New SubarusThe Crosstrek has a similar shape but amps up the rugged look with even more black plastic body cladding; the Sport also has yellow accents inside and out for more color contrast. 17-inch wheels are standard, with 18-inchers optional, and the Crosstrek has 8.7 inches of ground clearance.A 7.0-inch touchscreen is standard equipment, but all but the base model have Subaru’s large vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen. Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance features are standard equipment on all trims.Crosstreks equipped with the 2.5L engine will now be built in the U.S., at Subaru’s plant in Indiana, while 2.0L cars will still be built in Japan. There’s no word yet on a new version of the Crosstrek plug-in hybrid. Subaru says the new 2024 Crosstrek will start arriving at dealerships this spring.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 Toyota Grand Highlander is bigger and roomier than the regular Highlander, but it has more to offer than that.The Grand Highlander has three powertrain options, including an 362-hp hybrid setup from the Toyota Crown quasi-sedan.To improve interior packaging and ride comfort versus the regular version, the Grand Highlander features a redesigned rear suspension.Toyota will have to forgive folks who think the newly introduced Grand Highlander is simply an XL version of the regular Highlander. The new entry goes beyond just being bigger, but size-based assumptions are bound to happen when an adjective like grand is plopped into a popular nameplate—and the Highlander has proved pretty popular.Making the Highlander More PopularOver the past two years, Toyota has sold nearly 487,000 Highlanders, making the three-row mid-sizer its second-best-selling SUV in the U.S. behind only the compact RAV4. However, the brand believes there’s more meat on the bone, so it’s introducing the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander to satiate customers who crave a big interior without an overly bulky body. Basically, Toyota expects the Grand Highlander to fill the space between the full-size Sequoia and the regular Highlander. Dimensionally, it does just that. At 201.4 inches front to back, the Grand Highlander is 6.5 inches longer than its smaller sibling and roughly 7 inches shorter than the Sequoia. The Grand also stands 2 inches taller and spans 2.3 inches wider than the regular Highlander. With about 116 inches between its axles, the bigger Highlander’s wheelbase is approximately 4 inches longer than its counterpart.Obviously, the Grand Highlander’s increased exterior proportions translate to a roomier interior, particularly in the cargo area and third row. Compared with the regular Highlander, the Grand’s rearmost row gains 5.5 inches of legroom (33.5 versus 28 inches). There’s also an extra inch of headroom and over 2 inches of additional shoulder space. This 5’10” author sat in the enlarged third row and found it to be genuinely comfortable, even with the second-row captain’s chairs slid all the way back. It’s also nice that Toyota includes a USB-C port and dual cupholders for outboard passengers back there. Unlike the regular Highlander, the Grand offers ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, but only on the top-spec Platinum trim. The XLE and Limited are the only other models; both are available with a second-row bench seat that unlocks an extra spot for an eighth passenger. ToyotaToyotaWith either seven or eight people onboard, the Grand Highlander boasts 21 cubic feet of cargo volume behind its third row (five more than the smaller version). Stowing the seats in the back two rows opens up 98 cubes of storage space, which is 14 more than the regular Highlander.Grand Gets More than a Bigger BodyThe Grand Highlander is built on the same TNGA-K platform that underpins the regular Highlander. Of course, Toyota did more than just stretch its proportions. We’re told the Grand’s structure is more rigid overall due to extra spot welds and additional adhesives, which are also expected to help reduce noise, vibration, and harshness levels.Along with improved NVH, the Grand Highlander’s interior packaging and ride comfort are said to benefit from a redesigned rear suspension. Toyota says structural changes to the multilink setup on the bigger Highlander were designed to maximize the space in the third row and cargo area as well as make the ride more comfortable.Arguably the biggest difference between the two Highlanders is the Grand’s exclusive hybrid powertrain (dubbed “Hybrid Max”) that’s cribbed from Toyota’s quasi-sedan, the high-riding Crown. While it’s retuned for use in the Grand Highlander—namely to support its 5000-pound max towing capacity—the hybrid setup is otherwise said to be similar.Toyota hasn’t released many technical specs about the Grand Highlander’s Hybrid Max powertrain, except that it makes 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. Still, the SUV should continue to pair a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors. One of them exclusively powers the rear axle (resulting in all-wheel drive), and the other goes between the gas engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Multiple Powertrains and Mature LooksAs with the regular Highlander, the Grand is available with a gas-only turbo four and a less powerful hybrid option, giving customers a total of three choices. Toyota hasn’t released outputs for either powertrain, but we’re told both are essentially the same—besides the obligatory tuning changes, of course. In the smaller Highlander, that means a 265-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter four-pot with an eight-speed automatic and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a CVT and two electric motors that combine for 243 hp. Toyota estimates the latter will earn up to 34 mpg combined. Both powertrains are available with front- or all-wheel drive on the Grand.While the regular Highlander has a rather distinctive look with prominent side surfacing, we think the Grand appears more mature. It has a boxier profile that’s spearheaded by an assertive mug—and people say BMW’s grilles are oversized? The rest of the design is requisite of most modern SUVs: a high beltline, lower body cladding, and available 20-inch wheels.Inside, the Grand Highlander Platinum we saw first-hand gave off Lexus vibes with its attractive materials and soft-touch surfaces. While only the top-of-the-line trim has a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display, it shares a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with the rung-below Limited. Both trims also have standard leather-trimmed upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats.All three of the Grand Highlander’s trims have a crisp 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. They all have a big center console with a wireless charging pad below the physical controls for the HVAC unit. We also appreciate the sliding cover for the large center-console bin, which Toyota says is big enough to hold a tablet. As is the case with all Toyotas, every Grand Highlander has a host of standard driver-assistance technology that includes adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and even blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Platinum alone has a 360-degree camera system.Toyota has yet to say how much the 2023 Grand Highlander will cost or when it will go on sale. Those details are expected to be announced sometime the coming months. If we had to guess, we’d expect the new XL version to range somewhere between $43K and $56K. That would make it a little pricier than the regular Highlander, but don’t forget the Grand is more than just a size up.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