Motor News

The BMW iX5 hydrogen fuel-cell SUV is now entering low-volume production and will begin testing in select regions next spring.Based on the regular BMW X5, the iX5 is retrofitted with a fuel-cell stack, an electric motor and battery, and a new floor to fit its hydrogen tanks. BMW believes both electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles are necessary to combat climate change, with the iX5 a potential precursor to future models.Along with a growing number of automakers, BMW says it’s committed to combatting global climate change and aims to be carbon neutral by 2050. Unlike many automakers, however, the German brand believes hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will play a big role in reaching that goal, alongside battery-electric vehicles, of course. Leading the charge is the hydrogen-powered BMW iX5 SUV that has just begun low-volume production. It was first previewed a few years ago by the i Hydrogen Next concept that appeared at the 2019 Frankfurt auto show. Starting sometime next spring (2023), the small batch of iX5s that BMW is now building will hit the streets in select regions around the world for testing purposes.BMWBased on the regular BMW X5, which is built in the company’s factory in Spartansburg, South Carolina, the iX5 is assembled at BMW’s Research and Innovation Center in Munich, Germany. The transformation from X5 to iX5 includes swapping in an entirely new floor to fit the fuel-cell system’s two hydrogen tanks that are located under the mid-size SUV’s central tunnel and rear seats. The tanks have a total capacity of about 16 pounds and feed an underhood fuel-cell stack paired with a rear-mounted electric motor and battery.BMWBMW says the iX5’s entire fuel-cell-electric system makes a combined 374 horsepower. The company also says its curb weight is comparable to the plug-in-hybrid X5, which weighed 5627 pounds on our scales. BMW claims the iX5 can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in under seven seconds and has a top speed of 118 mph. It also has an estimated driving range of around 310 miles, although that claim is based on the optimistic European WLTP cycle.BMWBMW believes that fuel-cell powertrains will provide a carbon-free alternative to customers with needs that can’t be met by EVs, such as those who need to refuel quickly and don’t have fast-charging access. The company also thinks hydrogen power will help offset the challenges that electrification faces, especially with medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Other issues the technology is said to address include regions with constraints on electrical-grid capacity and renewable resources. Plus, BMW says more than 40 countries worldwide currently have a strategy regarding hydrogen power and cites the continuous build-up of hydrogen refueling stations since 2020.More About Hydrogen PowerFor now, the BMW iX5 is being produced merely as a pilot program, but it could lay the groundwork for future BMW fuel-cell vehicles. In similar news, Honda recently announced plans to build a hydrogen-powered CR-V, which would make it just the third hydrogen model sold in the United States. Only time will tell if fuel-cell technology will be as viable as BMW hopes.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.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.The United States, consistently rated one of the top three countries in North America, is a nation built around motor vehicles. We depend on cars and trucks to get us back and forth to work, to move our families between bonding activities, and to go where we eat many of our meals. What Americans need in their moving machines is reliability.But Americans need it on the cheap too. So, what’s a good, reliable, and American car for under $10,000? That’s the premise of this episode of Car and Driver’s hit sitcom, Window Shop. In this hijinks-filled misadventure of mish-mashed miscommunication, the goony editors and writers come up with vehicles ranging in age from about 20 to almost 95 years old. Is it early-onset dementia? Or is it too late for early-onset anything?In a daring strategic decision, editor in chief Tony Quiroga has expanded the panel to six members. They are, in addition to Quiroga himself, executive editor K.C. Colwell, senior editors Elana Scherr and Joey Capparella, free-floating decimal point Jonathon Ramsey, and some guy named John Pearley Huffman who would never be hired by C/D.No, Toyotas, Hondas and other foreign brands assembled in America were not eligible for this challenge. Only vehicles built by manufacturers native to the continent were allowed. That meant no Camrys and no Accords. And a tempting invitation to find a clean late-model Buick from an estate sale. But things took a turn for the goofball this time.So, sit back or don’t sit back. What do we care? Just take the time to watch this masterpiece of Zoom art on YouTube. Then like it, and subscribe to the channel. Please.More Window ShoppingThis 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. More

Indulge your Supernatural fantasies with this big Chevy hardtop, done up as a clone of the hero car from the TV series, which is now up for auction on the Bring a Trailer website.With bench seating, a two-speed Powerglide transmission, and a burbling 283-cubic-inch engine, this is an ideal weekend cruiser that makes all the right sounds.Repainted black and fitted with chrome 15-inch five-spoke wheels, this Impala will be instantly familiar to a demographic far younger than your usual muscle-car enthusiast. Running over 15 seasons since it debuted in 2005, Supernatural was one of the longest-running, most successful fantasy TV series ever. Focusing on fictional twin brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they roved around the country fighting demons and ghosts, it was sort of a cross between a traditional Western and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And in a Western, you need a faithful horse.Impala Lore from the C/D ArchiveDean Winchester had Baby, his beloved Impala. Originally, the show was supposed to feature the more obvious choice of a mid-1960s Ford Mustang, but the decision was made to go for something a little rougher around the edges. A black pillarless-hardtop Impala offered the necessary air of menace: low and rumbling and with the implication that there was plenty of space in the trunk for a body or two. Up for auction on the website Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—is a clone with all the charm of the Supernatural hero car. With the auction set to end on Tuesday, December 6, bidding sits at just $5200.Bring a TrailerThe cultural impact of this show was probably a bit bewildering for dads of a certain age, asking their teenage daughters what kind of car they might like and receiving the prompt answer, “A black 1967 Chevy Impala four-door hardtop.” For a generation, Baby was more famous than the Dukes of Hazzard’s General Lee. Which is as it should be, since the former was inspired by the latter.Perhaps though, the Supernatural Impala is a bit more like the Back to the Future DeLorean, in that the show has ended up inadvertently saving a bunch of old four-door Impalas. Without its celebrity status, a classic Chevy sedan wouldn’t be as popular as a coupe. Happily, this car, which started out white, with some previous body damage noted, has been brought back to life with a refurbished interior and 15-inch wheels with fresh BFGoodrich Radial T/A rubber.Bring a TrailerMechanically, this Impala is nothing special, with a 283-cubic-inch V-8 and a two-speed Powerglide slushbox. It’s fine if you just want to cruise around all summer, but the oil pan gasket needs resealing next oil change.Bring a TrailerHaving had a chance to get up close with the actual Impala used as the hero car in Supernatural, anyone interested in this car might want to start putting together a shopping list. In person, Baby is no princess. She’s a demon-shredding rottweiler. Under the hood of the real Supernatural Impala is a built-up 500-cubic-inch big block Chevy V-8, which lopes at idle like a bowling ball in an industrial dryer. The suspension is comprehensively upgraded with components from Hotchkiss, and the brakes are upgraded as well. Now in the possession of actor Jensen Ackles, who played Dean Winchester, the hero Impala is kept at his home in Texas. He put air conditioning in it but kept all the onscreen patina the same. So, two options here. One, an easy-riding weekend cruiser that looks like the one on your favorite show. Two, haul it into the garage and build out a truly badass sedan, worthy of any Winchester. Just don’t turn your back and walk away. Sam and Dean would never.This content is imported from OpenWeb. 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

Canoo, an EV startup that is aiming to sell a pod-shaped van to the public in 2023, has modified one of its upcoming pickup trucks for the United States Army.The U.S. Army awarded Canoo a contract to test one of its vehicles in July, and now the division will use the Light Tactical Vehicle prototype for “analysis and demonstration.”The LTV features all-wheel drive and a 600-hp powertrain as well as air springs, a raised suspension, and 32-inch all-terrain tires.EV startup Canoo has yet to start full-scale production of its pod-shaped Lifestyle Vehicle, but in July the fledgling automaker signed two major contracts. The first was an agreement to supply Walmart with 4500 delivery vans, planning to deliver the fleet after production begins at its plant in Oklahoma for 2023. The second contract was with the United States Army to provide an EV for analysis and demonstration, and now Canoo has announced that it has delivered its Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV) to the U.S. Army. The LTV appears to be a modified version of Canoo’s pickup truck variant that shares its front end with the Lifestyle Vehicle. Canoo says that the LTV uses carbon Kevlar to increase the strength of the vehicle while reducing weight, and Canoo also touts the LTV’s adaptability, explaining that it can be converted from a pickup to a flatbed truck, a cargo vehicle, or other configurations. More on CanooThe LTV is all-wheel drive, and Canon says it produces up to 600 horsepower. The LTV also rides on a raised suspension, air springs, and 32-inch all-terrain tires to help it travel over more challenging terrain. Canoo also says the LTV has a modular attachment setup that also for the easy installment of accessories like racks, storage boxes, ramps, and tactical systems and also claims the LTV can use its flatbed to easily carry plywood and other construction materials. Now the army will begin its testing of the LTV as it considers whether an electric pickup can properly serve the military.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.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

Toyota confirmed the existence of the new Grand Highlander SUV, which it plans to fully reveal at the Chicago Auto Show on February 8.The three-row SUV will likely fill the gap between the mid-size three-row Highlander and the larger, body-on-frame full-size Sequoia.Notably, the Grand Highlander is wearing the same Hybrid Max badge as the top-spec Crown sedan, which suggests a 340-horsepower setup. It looks like Toyota wants to join in on the excitement surrounding enlarged versions of SUVs like the Grand Cherokee L and Grand Wagoneer L by making its own super-sized version of the Highlander called . . . you guessed it, the Grand Highlander. While the current Highlander boasts impressive fuel economy in hybrid form, it can’t compete with the third-row space of competitors including the Kia Telluride, Volkswagen Atlas, and Chevy Traverse. Toyota describes the Grand Highlander as “the ultimate road-trip vehicle,” implying increased legroom and cargo space. The first teaser shot of the new three-row SUV gives us a glimpse at what the rear will look like. We’re particularly excited about the Hybrid Max badge, which indicates the Grand Highlander Platinum will receive the same potent powertrain as the top-spec Crown sedan. In that car, the hybrid setup with a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four gas engine produces a combined 340 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. Toyota didn’t give any information about the Grand Highlander’s available powertrains, but it’s likely the standard 265-horsepower turbo-four from the base Highlander will carry over to this new model as well. More On The Highlander FamilyWe managed to pull back some of the shadows layered over the photo to expose a bit more of the car. The increased visibility shows similar squared-off styling to the current Highlander, but also includes a pair of round exhaust tips not found on the standard version. The taillights take on a “C” shape, and a new light bar spans the spoiler. We don’t have any other info on pricing or when we’ll actually start seeing the Grand Highlander on the road, but we do know that Toyota is planning to do a full reveal of the SUV at the Chicago Auto Show on February 8. 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.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

Chevy and GMC have announced pricing for the new 2023 Colorado and Canyon pickup trucks.The Colorado starts at $30,695 and the Canyon starts at $38,095.There’s a special AT4X Edition 1 version of the Canyon that costs a ridiculous $66,290.Although Chevy and GMC have both simplified their mid-size pickup lineups along with the Colorado and Canyon’s redesigns for 2023, there’s still a wide pricing spread ranging from $30,695 all the way up to over $66,000. Both trucks now come only as a crew cab and with a turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four as the sole engine choice—the old 3.6-liter V-6 and 2.8-liter turbo-diesel are gone—but many trim levels remain, including off-road variants such as the Chevy’s ZR2 and the Canyon’s new AT4X.The 2023 Colorado is the cheaper of the two, as it offers a Work Truck trim level starting at $30,695. This model comes with rear-wheel drive and the lower-output, 237-hp version of the turbo-four engine. The 2023 Canyon, meanwhile, starts at $38,095 for the Elevation trim level and comes standard with the high-output, 310-hp version of the 2.7L engine. The Colorado’s lower trim levels offer the high-output engine upgrade as a standalone option.More on Colorado and CanyonOff-roaders will want to check out the Colorado’s Trail Boss trim level, starting at $38,495, or the more extreme Colorado ZR2 ($48,295) and Canyon AT4X ($56,995) models. The most absurdly priced of all these trucks is the Canyon AT4X with the Edition 1 package that costs $66,290. Its extra equipment includes a light bar, beadlock-capable wheels, skid plates, a winch, different bumpers, and special badges.Chevy and GMC say these new trucks will go on sale in early 2023, and dealerships are currently taking reservations for the AT4X Edition 1.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.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 De Tomaso P900 packs a 900-horsepower 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V-12 and weighs around 2000 pounds.The company claims that the V-12 is being developed to run on carbon-neutral synthetic fuels, and a Judd-built V-10 will be available for those who don’t want to wait for the V-12.Just 18 P900s will be built, and the wild-looking hypercar will cost $3 million.The storied De Tomaso name—most well-known for the wedge-shaped Pantera supercar powered by Ford V-8s and famously owned by Elvis Presley—was revived in 2019 with the curvaceous, retro-inspired P72. Now the Italian automaker has revealed a more extreme, track-only hypercar, the P900, that builds on the P72’s design but brings a new powertrain and chassis.The P900—named for its dry weight of 900 kilograms (1984 pounds)—trades the P72’s supercharged 5.0-liter Ford Coyote V-8 for a 6.2-liter V-12 that pumps out 900 horsepower and revs to a 12,300 rpm redline. While De Tomaso calls the engine bespoke, it also says that it comes from Germany, making us wonder if it’s related to the 6.3-liter LaFerrari-derived V-12 developed by German race team HWA and used in the Apollo Intensa Emozione, which shares its underpinnings and designer with the P72.De Tomaso says that its “focus remains solely on creating longevity for the naturally aspirated, soulful, internal combustion engines,” so it is designing the P900’s V-12 to run on carbon-neutral synthetic fuels, a strategy also being explored by Porsche and Formula 1. De Tomaso also claims that this engine will be the lightest and shortest V-12 ever. However, the V-12 won’t be fully ready until late 2024, so for the restless billionaires who need their P900 now, De Tomato will also offer a V-10 built by Judd Power, which is apparently a descendent of the engine from the Benetton B197 that competed in the 1997 F1 season. De Tomaso is remaining tight-lipped about the P900’s performance figures, but the massive amount of power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels through an Xtrac sequential gearbox. Despite bearing a familial resemblance to the P72, De Tomaso says that the P900 is built around a unique carbon chassis, and it features far more extreme bodywork than the V-8-powered model. An enormous rear wing wraps around the circular taillights and muscular rear fenders and incorporates active aerodynamics. A ultra-wide diffuser also contributes downforce, as does a protruding front splitter. The sultry, voluptuous bodywork has gaping air intakes and brake-cooling vents carved into it and wraps around a spaceship-like cockpit, although De Tomaso has yet to show off the interior design. More Wild HypercarsDe Tomaso plans to build just 18 P900s, each customized to the owner’s liking with a starting price of $3 million. De Tomaso will also run a racing series for the P900, called De Tomaso Competizione, which will include motorsports tutoring and the chance for owners to race their P900s on tracks around the world with support from a team of mechanics and engineers. De Tomaso is also offering to provide storage and maintenance at its facilities at the Nürburgring in Germany. The first P900s will arrive in the second quarter of 2023, presumably with the Judd V-10, with the V-12 variant arriving the following year. 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.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

Honda is adding a slew of new features to its driver-assistance system known as Sensing 360 as part of a goal to eliminate fatal traffic collisions involving Honda by 2050. According to Honda, nearly 7 million vehicles on the road today are equipped with Honda Sensing 360 and its twin AcuraWatch. Honda’s new plan would make the technology standard on all models by 2030.The next generation of Honda Sensing will begin appearing in China in 2024 and the U.S. a year or more later.;Honda is preparing for a major overhaul to its driver-assist technology known as Sensing 360. It first introduced the Sensing 360 technology to the U.S. in 2014 by adding it to the 2015 CR-V and by giving the 2015 Acura TLX its own version called AcuraWatch. Honda today announced a plan to expand the technology throughout the Honda ecosystem. The next generation of Sensing 360 will begin appearing in China in 2024 and in the U.S. sometime in the second half of the decade, before becoming standard on all models by 2030. HondaWatching for “Abnormal Conditions”In April 2021, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe announced a goal for Honda to achieve zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda vehicles by 2050. The new Sensing 360 technology increases the sensor range surrounding the vehicle. It will also feature new tech which will detect abnormal conditions occurring to the driver or the vehicle’s surroundings, kicking in when necessary to avoid a collision. The system will also be able to bring the vehicle to a stop if a driver is unresponsive to a takeover request when the car is in hands-free driving mode. Much like other automated systems, if the driver does not respond to repeated warnings, the vehicle will flash its lights and honk while bringing itself to a halt in its lane. HondaThe company is also coming out with next-generation Sensing Elite technology, which will use artificial intelligence (AI) for hands-free driving and such tasks as automatic parking or getting the car out of a home garage. Honda has not given any details on the release of the upgraded Sensing Elite but has said that the AI grows and learns from experiences to improve over time. 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.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