Motor News

It’s not easy keeping city passenger buses up and running, especially in cold climates. Swap out the diesel for electrons, and you’ve got a new set of challenges, like reduced range and slower charging times.Juneau was the first city in Alaska to buy an EV for its bus fleet, but repeated problems with a wiring harness have often kept it sidelined. Manufacturer Proterra said it is working on a more robust harness for the city’s bus.Even with this EV speed bump, Juneau has ordered another seven electric buses. This time, though, they will be made by Proterra competitor Gillig.Colder climates can be a challenge for many electric vehicles to perform well in, but it’s not just the temperature causing problems for Juneau’s public transit system. The Alaskan capital announced in 2021 that it would add a 40-foot, all-electric passenger bus to its fleet, but the zero-emission model has recurring mechanical problems that force Capital Transit to park the bus in the garage for weeks on end.This version of Proterra’s electric bus is going to the city of Victoria, British Columbia.ProterraThe issue is a faulty wiring harness that the transit agency has repeatedly tried to fix but sometimes still disables one of the bus’s two motors. Alaska Public Media (APM) reports that the bus’s manufacturer, Proterra, still needs to supply Juneau with a replacement part. Still, electric buses are coming to Alaska. While Juneau was the first to purchase an EV for its bus fleet, the city of Anchorage tested an electric bus in 2018. Smaller municipalities including Ketchikan and Metlakatla have also announced plans to add electric buses to their fleets.Range Dropped with the TemperatureWhen Juneau’s lone electric bus was able to ferry passengers around town, drivers and city managers sang its praises. As might sound familiar to electric passenger-car drivers, bus drivers liked the quieter ride, and the bus needed less maintenance. In frigid weather, though, the 440-kilowatt hour (kWh) battery’s 210-mile range dropped to 100 miles, and the battery took longer to charge. Capital Transit superintendent Rich Ross told APM that the faulty harness and other issues aren’t putting Juneau’s transit authority off electric buses. “There’s going to be learning curves along the way,” Ross said. “So while this bus has been a lemon—somewhat of a lemon—we also understand the technology is improving in leaps and bounds as time goes on.”Proterra agrees.”With the introduction of any new technology, we expect there to be some learning curves along the way,” the company told Car and Driver. “These learnings allow us to improve products. In this case, we are working to design and source a more robust harness to support Juneau’s bus.”We Checked It Out Juneau’s faulty bus is a 2020 model, and in 2022 Proterra announced that its 40-foot ZX5 electric transit bus could be equipped with a 738.0-kWh battery. “This newer product is now the preferred choice for municipalities in northern climates to buffer against the additional heating requirements of extreme cold-weather days,” Proterra said. Gillig electric bus.GilligCapital Transit has already ordered seven more electric buses, but this time they will come from one of Proterra’s competitors, Gillig. Gillig also manufactured the 17 diesel buses used in Juneau’s fleet. Gillig’s electric buses are already in use in places with intense winter weather, like Missoula, Montana. The company announced last month that it had received the highest-ever score for a battery electric bus, 89.5, at the Federal Transit Administration’s Bus Test Program in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Basically acing that reliability test meant that Gillig’s e-buses could qualify for purchase with federal funding dollars. Gillig has also announced that 45 transit agencies across the country would use money provided in part by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to purchase Gillig’s low- and no-emission buses. The Proterra bus remains in Juneau’s fleet.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

• This 1995 Lexus SC400 has us seriously considering a new daily driver.• Not only does it have a silken 4.0-liter V-8 and a comfortable ride, the graceful styling hasn’t aged a day in the nearly 30 years since it rolled off the lot. • This well-cared-for example has just under 120,000 miles, with the no-reserve auction over on Bring a Trailer going until Thursday, January 26. This 1995 Lexus SC400 up for auction on Bring a Trailer has us pondering what it takes for a work to be classified as fine art. Clearly the Mona Lisa makes the cut, and no one who has seen Starry Night would argue it doesn’t make the cut—but what about a V-8 sports coupe? Surely the elegant lines of the SC400, because the car has utility? Even as the performance lags behind modern cars, the superb styling of the SC400 looks as good today as when it launched in 1992. We’re no art critics here, but we do have strong opinions on automobile styling— and this 1995 SC400 has us considering our next daily driver. More on the SC400The coupe for sale on BaT right now comes in a boring beige option, but even that isn’t enough to darken our thoughts on this car. It spent most of its life in Virginia, and was sold for $7400 on Bring a Trailer to the current owner in June, 2022. The 4.0-liter 1UZ-FE V8 was rated at 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque when new. The car has recorded just under 120,000 miles, and oil change was performed in preparation for the sale.Bring a TrailerBring a TrailerIt isn’t just a looker; it’s fun to drive, and had impressive performance for its time. It’s all in the name “sports coupe.” Nearly all new cars today can put up better figures, but the 6.7-second launch to 60 mph and 145-mph top speed are more than adequate performance for a daily driver. We recorded 0.86 g of lateral grip when we first tested the SC in 1991. The modern Hankook Ventus V2 tires, mounted in April 2022 would likely improve on the already impressive grip. Bring a TrailerIn terms of amenities, the cabin has heated and power-adjustable front seats upholstered in beige leather, while bird’s-eye maple wood trim accents the dashboard and door panels. Automatic climate control, cruise control, power accessories, and a trunk-mounted Nakamichi premium audio system with a 12-disc CD changer round out the equipment. The listing refers to paint blemishes, which can be seen up close. They may ruin this car’s shot at any future concours, but they do little to detract from its overall beauty. 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 Nissan Z could be getting a nose job, at least the Japanese version. The automaker first teased a new split-grille design on a custom Fairlady Z prototype that was shown at the 2022 Tokyo auto salon, and a report yesterday by Japanese Nostalgic Car claims the alternate front-end treatment is set to become a dealer-installed option in Japan sometime in the middle of this year.NissanNissanDepending on your opinion of the Z’s regular nose, this could be great news. At the very least, we think it gives the Z’s face more defined features compared with the current car’s gaping front orifice. However, it might not matter what we Americans think, as the split-grille option could be reserved for the Japan market. When asked to confirm the report that the alternative grille would enter production in Japan, a spokesperson from Nissan’s North American team said the company has yet to announce anything. Technically, that leaves the door open for the U.S. version of the Z to receive a new nose, but we’ll just have to wait and see.Brian Williams|Car and DriverFor Americans who aren’t satisfied with the Z’s standard grille—or those who find its performance lacking—all hope isn’t lost. Our spy photos of a track-focused Nismo prototype not only appear to promise a sharper-handling model, but also one with some cosmetic surgery up front.Nissan Z: Tested and ComparedThis 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

General Motors has designed a two-door, electric, compact pickup truck, as reported by Automotive News.The truck would compete with the Ford Maverick and would slot in beneath the Chevy Silverado EV, pictured above.The EV truck would start under $30,000, but there are no concrete plans for production as GM is still evaluating the feasibility of the new model.Both full-size and mid-size pickups have swelled in size in recent years, and Ford found an opening in the truck market when it introduced the truly compact Maverick in 2022. The company sold all 74,000 units it could build last year and already sold out of the 2023 model year. It appears that crosstown rival General Motors has taken notice, with Automotive News reporting that the automaker has created preliminary designs for a compact, two-door truck.AN says it saw images of the pickup at a GM design studio in Warren, Michigan on Wednesday. The proposed truck would be even smaller than the Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which both come only with four doors. The truck would also be electric, with a bed measuring between 4.0 and 4.5 feet long. Pricing would start under $30,000, and although no brand or model name is yet associated with the truck, it’s hard to imagine it being anything but a Chevrolet.More EV Trucks from GMGeneral Motors is currently researching what customers might want in a small truck. AN reports that Michael Pevovar, director of Chevrolet affordable EV and crossover design, said, “We’re creating these to get a reaction and then to try to modify it or move on.” Affordability is the focus of the project, and Pevovar acknowledged that the two-door body style might be too small for the four-door-dominated U.S. market. No production timeline was mentioned, but if GM receives positive feedback, we expect the electric compact truck to arrive before the end of the decade. 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

Alpine, which was revived by Renault in 2017, is aiming to launch a pair of electric crossovers in the United States in 2027 or 2028. (Pictured above is the Alpine Alpenglow concept from the 2022 Paris auto show.)CEO Laurent Rossi compared the crossovers to the Porsche Macan and Cayenne Coupe, and said that they will be a significant part of Alpine’s goals of reaching 150,000 sales by 2030.Alpine is also launching three cars in the coming years for Europe, including an electric version of the A110 sports car and a performance variant of the upcoming electric Renault 5 hatch.Alpine was founded in 1955 and rose to prominence in the 1970s after being acquired by Renault, scooping up rally victories with its A110 sports car and triumphing at Le Mans in 1978. Renault revived the brand, now part of Groupe Renault, in 2017 with a new lightweight A110. The nimble sports car has remained forbidden fruit in the United States, but now it appears that Alpine may be coming to the U.S. within the decade. According to a report today by Automotive News, CEO Laurent Rossi revealed in a recent call that two new models are being developed with the American market in mind. Unfortunately, the future U.S.-bound Alpines do not include a low-slung sports car. Instead, they will be a mid-size electric crossover and a larger EV SUV, targeted for 2027 or 2028. Rossi explained that “the U.S. is the main destination for these cars” and compared the crossovers to the Porsche Macan and Cayenne coupe in terms of how they are positioned in the market.RenaultRossi said he sees the U.S. as crucial for boosting Alpine’s volume. Right now Alpine only sells the A110, with 3,546 total sales in 2022. The goal is to surpass 150,000 annual sales by 2030, and Rossi said that entering the U.S market “will create the bulk of the extra volume.” He said Alpine is still debating what platforms the EV crossovers will ride on; along with Renault’s partner Nissan, the company is considering using platforms from Geely’s premium brands, which include Volvo, Polestar, and Zeekr.More Fun French CarsBefore those Alpines reach U.S. shores, the French automaker will debut three exciting EVs for the Europe market. First will be a performance version of the upcoming Renault 5 electric hatchback. This will be followed by a sporty compact crossover, currently referred to as the GT, which will bring torque vectoring, more powerful motors, and unique battery chemistry to differentiate it from more mainstream Renaults. Finally, an electric successor to the A110 is coming by 2027, developed in collaboration with Lotus. It will still be several years before Alpine’s American expansion begins, and promises to return to the U.S. by other French carmakers have yet to materialize. But if Alpine meets its 2027 timeline, it will mark the the first time since the early 1990s that Renault will have a presence in the United States. And even if the dynamic A110 never reaches our shores, we are still excited to see what Alpine can deliver at the tail end of the 2020s.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

Porsche has expanded its factory-approved touchscreen infotrainment support for the 997 911 (2005–2008), 987 Boxster and Cayman (2005–2008), and first-generation Cayenne (2003–2008).The touchscreen infotainment systems allow owners of older Porsches to utilize SiriusXM radio, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto on the 7.0-inch touchscreen. The new unit is available for order at Porsche dealerships for about $1475. In the 911, Boxster and Cayman, several features can be saved to the unit, including personal settings lights, windshield wipers, climate controls, and locking. Porsche introduced touchscreen infotainment options for vintage 911s in 2020, giving owners of air-cooled classics access to digital maps and music inside a vintage housing. The factory-approved retrofit units come in a 3.5-inch configuration referred to as Porsche Classic Communication Management (PCCM), with a screen so small that owners may be squinting to read words from more than a Planck unit away, or a larger 7.0-inch configuration referred to as Porsche Classic Communication Management Plus (PCCM Plus), allowing owners to move their heads back by a few micrometers. Depending on the vehicle being retrofit, it’s offered for 911s from the ’60s, all the way through the 996 generation. More on Vintage PorscheNow Porsche Classic is expanding touchscreen support to include the 997 911 (2005–2008), 987 Boxster and Cayman (2005–2008), and first-generation Cayenne (2003–2008). The expanded lineup gives owners of qualifying Porsches access to USB connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM radio, plus AppleCarPlay and Android Auto funtionality. The new lineup will only be available in the larger 7.0-inch double DIN size. According to Porsche, in the 911, Boxster, and Cayman, the system can store personal settings for the lights, windshield wipers, climate controls, and locking for the car. The new PCCM Plus units, like the ones announced earlier, are designed to fit right into the dashboard. The look and feel are based on components like climate control already installed in the car, in an effort to give owners a modern experience without taking away from the generational feel of the car. Both PCCM and PCCM Plus units are available for order from Porsche dealerships, with the PCCM Plus unit retailling for about $1475. 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

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.With Ken Block’s passing, the future of Hoonigan is being worked out. The team there—people we know and people we like—will surely return to producing things that entertain, amuse, and inspire us. But not right now.They have a lot of things to sort out. And grief can’t be rushed.Brian Scotto and his crew issued this nearly 11-minute-long video that puts the sadness of Block’s passing up front, and then celebrates the joy of his life for the majority of the time. That’s six minutes of clearly and cleverly edited clips that celebrate Block as an athlete, driver, entertainer, entrepreneur, and, most of all, father. It’s a sad moment, but such a happy life.There’s a lot left to come from the Hoonigan squad, including possibly a public L.A.-area event to celebrate Block. But the future will be different than what has come before. Different even as it carries Ken Block’s inspiration forward.Remembering Block More

Shelby American is producing a limited run of 100 Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Ford Mustangs in celebration of what would have been Carroll Shelby’s 100th birthday this month.Using the 2023 Ford Mustang GT as a base, the Centennial Edition honors its founder with specialty badging throughout the car, while cranking power output from the stock 450 horsepower to an impressive 750 horsepower.All 100 of the limited-run Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Mustangs have been reserved at $49,995 on top of the price of the car.Shelby American is commemorating the 100th anniversary of its founder’s birth in the most Carroll Shelby way it can. That means a hot-rod version of the 2023 Mustang GT, supercharged to make 750 horsepower, barking exhaust fumes out of the Borla cat-back exhaust system. Fittingly, Shelby American is only planning to make 100 of the centennial edition. Unfortunately they’ve all sold out in the four days since a prototype was displayed in Gardena, California. The Shelby American team isn’t being too strict with this one. Want a fastback? Sure. Convertible? You got it. Manual transmission? Sign here. Automatic transmission? If you say so. What it won’t stand for is non-stock Mustang colors, the Mach 1, or the California Special. Basically, as long as the badging reads “GT” and the title says 2023, you’re in the clear. More on ShelbyShelby American is adamant that the upgrades are more than just a boost in horsepower figures. The front fenders are wider, the stock wheels replaced with 20 x 11 Shelby wheels, and the stock rubber swapped for 305/30/20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S performance tires, providing much more stick. The Shelby vented hood increases airflow, while the Shelby Performance Radiator handles cooling. The suspension is redone, adding performance anti-roll bars and springs, as well as adjustable camber and caster plates. Additionally, donor cars that show up without the Ford Performance Pack get Performance Pack brakes for the front axle.Shelby American Visually, Shelby American left no stone unturned. The Shelby name adorns each wheel, the upper grille, both doorsill plates, the floor mats, top of the hood, etc. Shelby’s hatted sillhouette can be found in equally as many places. Hood? Check. Headrests? Check. Rear badge? You betcha. If that’s not enough Shelby, the 100 customers who were quick enough to place an order also get a special black Stetson hat and a copy of the Shelby Centennial Book publised by Team Shelby. The package price started at $49,995, which doesn’t include the price of a donor car. A fitting way to honor the late legend. More