Motor News

Mazda today teased a sports car concept called the “Vision Study Model” that we hope hints at a future Miata EV. The beautiful coupe concept features butterfly doors, bulging fenders, and proportions that appear Miata-esque. The “Vision Study Model” was shown as part of Mazda’s presentation on its updated electrification plans through 2030.The thought of an all-electric Mazda Miata might peeve purists, but there will surely come a day when it’s a reality. While it’s still too soon to say when the first MX-5 EV will arrive, Mazda today revealed a three-phase strategy that prioritizes electrification leading up to 2030. Along with its updated plans, the company teased the “Vision Study Model,” a stunning coupe concept that we hope previews the future design of the iconic two-seater sports car.MazdaLast year, Mazda confirmed to Car and Driver that the next-generation Miata will be electrified in some way. We expect that to mean some sort of hybrid setup, which corresponds with part of the company’s second phase. However, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a fully electric Miata by the end of the decade. We also wouldn’t be shocked to see an EV version that looks similar to the concept shown in press images as well as in clips of the video on Mazda’s official YouTube channel (the concept first appears at the 34:55 mark).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.中期経営計画のアップデートおよび2030年の経営方針についてWatch onIn the minutes leading up to the concept’s first appearance, we see numerous shots of people happily driving different Miata generations, which further fuels our speculation that there’s a connection between past MX-5s and the Vision Study Model. Our first look at the concept is viewed through an iPhone screen, with its exposed chassis featuring what appears to be a T-shaped battery pack. The car’s body then drops on top and we see its passenger-side butterfly door open up.MazdaWhile the crazy doors are one of the concept’s defining features, we don’t expect them to be part of a production model. We do expect future Miatas to maintain a convertible body style, although a fixed-roof variant like the concept wouldn’t be a first, as Mazda did offer the rare JDM-only NB-generation coupe. The rest of the imaginary sports car looks doable, albeit ultra-dramatic. Its wide hips, peaked front fenders, and low cowl are all exaggerated traits of the current ND Miata. The illuminated Mazda logo mounted low on the concept’s nose and the slim, protruding front lighting elements are other neat touches.MazdaMazdaOf course, we realize Mazda’s Vision Study Model might not preview a future Miata EV at all. We have flashbacks of the visually arresting four-door Vision Coupe concept the company revealed back in 2017 that has not come to fruition. However, its aspirational styling did go on to influence the brand’s design language, so perhaps the Miata-esque concept will do the same. At least we can dare to dream.More on the Mazda MiataThis 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.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. More

The 2023 Honda Pilot is all new for its fourth generation, bringing a 285-hp 3.5-liter V-6 and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Styling has been updated inside and out, modernizing the cabin while also giving the overall shape of the car a more muscular look. Honda announced pricing for the 2023 Pilot, with the cheapest front-wheel-drive sport version starting at $40,445, and the brand-new TrailSport starting at $49,645.Earlier this month, after months of teasing images and hints about the upcoming model, Honda pulled the sheet off the fourth-generation Pilot, showing off an overhauled design and upgraded performance. Now the company has released pricing info for the bulked-up SUV. As could probably be expected, the Pilot has risen slightly in price, now starting at $40,445, which is $1070 more than the last version. The price goes up across the lineup as well, with the EX-L and Touring both increasing by about $1500, to $43,245 and $47,745 respectively. More on the PilotThe updated pricing brings the top-of-the-line Elite trim to a starting price of $53,325 and the new TrailSport to $49,645. It’s not the first Pilot to wear the TrailSport nameplate, but it is the first one that’s capable of putting its money where its mouth is. (We drove a prototype earlier this year.)All models in the 2023 lineup, including the base Sport model, receive the 285-hp 3.5-liter V-6 as well as the 10-speed automatic transmission that Honda swapped out for the former nine-speed. The wheelbase and front and rear tracks have all grown, giving it a broader stance. The revamped TrailSport gets a 1.0-inch lift, a front bash plate, knobby A/T tires, and even a full-size spare. Honda is also adding a Honda Performance Development (HPD) special options package for the Pilot. Available on any trim for $2950, the HPD package adds fender flares, bronze- or black-colored wheels, and special HPD graphics. The updated Pilot will begin arriving at dealerships in December.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

Domino’s will start delivering pizzas using Chevy Bolt EVs this month, with the fleet expanding to more than 800 Bolts in 2023.Domino’s says advantages are zero tailpipe emissions, reduced maintenance costs, and the ability to add delivery drivers who don’t own a personal vehicle.The Bolt EV has a 259-mile EPA-estimated range, and the 200-hp powertrain provides punchy acceleration for in-town driving.Back in 2015, Domino’s introduced the DXP, a Chevy Spark modified specifically for pizza-delivery duty with a built-in oven. In 2017, we pitted the DXP against the former staple of pizza transportation, a ratty Mitsubishi Eclipse with faded flame decals, and the DXP handily won. But the times they are a-changing, and Domino’s is preparing for the future, announcing that it’ll begin using 2023 Chevy Bolt EVs to deliver pizzas across the country, with more than 100 Domino’s-branded Bolts reaching stores this month.Domino’sAnother 700 Bolts will arrive in the coming months, which Domino’s says will make it the largest electric pizza-delivery fleet in the country, although we’re not sure how much competition there is for that title. With more than 6000 stores in the U.S., not every location will get a Bolt, but it’s a significant step up from the 155 DXPs that were built back in 2015. The Bolt EVs that Domino’s will use appear to have ditched the built-in oven from the DXP, reducing costs and complexity—converting the Spark into a DXP added around $9000 to the price. More on the BoltAlong with eliminating tailpipe emissions, Domino’s anticipates the major benefits being the lower average maintenance costs and not having to shell out for expensive gas. Domino’s says it expects the battery life to potentially last for “days of deliveries,” with the Bolt EV achieving a 259-mile range estimate from the EPA. Domino’s also hopes the fleet vehicles will bring in more delivery drivers who don’t own their own car, as many locations still require drivers to provide their own transportation. The Bolt EV features a quiet and comfortable cabin—hopefully leading to happier, more relaxed drivers—and the 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque make the electric hatchback feel zippy around town, so the time between ordering your pizza and shoveling it down your esophagus should be reduced. That sounds like a win-win to us. For the most dedicated Domino’s fans, the pizza company has created an interactive map to keep track of how many Bolt EVs are in each state, meaning they can calculate the chances the next pizza they order is delivered via electric power.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

Mercedes will soon let owners of its electric EQ models unlock quicker acceleration as part of a $1200-plus annual subscription, as first reported by The Drive.Purchased through “Mercedes me connect” services, the subscription is said to drop zero-to-60-mph times by as much as a full second. The subscription also increases the max output from the electric motors by between 60 and 87 horsepower, depending on the model.Improved performance always has a price when it comes to new cars, whether it’s shelling out extra money for a mightier engine option or paying a yearly fee to hit 60 mph a second sooner. Wait, what? That’s right, Mercedes will soon offer an annual subscription to owners of its electric EQ models that lets them unlock additional power and quicker acceleration. It only costs $1200 plus tax. Every year. Welcome to the future.The practice of automakers instituting a subscription model for popular features has been a growing trend. It’s largely a byproduct of more and more new cars utilizing technology that allows over-the-air updates. Of course, charging consumers monthly or yearly subscription fees for content that is otherwise standard can tick people off, as BMW learned the hard way with its Apple CarPlay snafu. Still, these on-demand options don’t appear to be going away anytime soon, and everyone will likely have an opinion on Mercedes’s soon-to-be-released “Acceleration Increase,” which is currently listed on the company’s online store.So, what exactly does Mercedes’ $1200-plus-per-year performance upgrade get you? Depending on the model, it’s said to reduce the EV’s zero-to-60-mph time between 0.8 and 1.0 second. The only models the company lists are the all-wheel-drive EQE350 4Matic and EQS450 4Matic in both sedan and SUV configurations. Along with quicker acceleration, Mercedes says the Acceleration Increase package increases the maximum output of the electric motors. Along with more torque, the EQE350 models gain 60 horsepower (349 total), and EQS450 models add 87 horsepower (443 total). Mercedes EQ ReviewsIt’s currently not clear if the subscription-based performance upgrade is available on models other than the sedan and SUV versions of the EQE350 and EQS450. The Mercedes site also doesn’t state when the feature can be purchased and activated and whether or not it simply requires an over-the-air software update or something hardware-related that owners will need to have a dealer handle. We reached out to Mercedes directly for clarification, and we’ll update this story once we hear back. 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

Comedian and noted gearhead Jay Leno was released from a Los Angeles hospital Monday after suffering burns due to a car fire, the hospital said in a statement. Leno, 72, was admitted to the Grossman Burn Center in West Hills, California, earlier this month after suffering burns caused by a sudden car fire at his private storage facility. The former Tonight Show host experienced “serious” injuries to his face, chest, and hands, telling Variety he needed “a week or two” to get back on his feet following the incident. He spent a total of 10 days in the hospital.“I am pleased with Jay’s progress, and I am optimistic that he will make a full recovery,” Dr. Peter Grossman, Leno’s doctor, said in a statement released by the Burn Center. Leno will continue to receive follow-up care for his injuries at the Grossman Outpatient Burn Clinic going forward. The television host was working a 1907 White Model G steam car trying to unclog a fuel leak, causing some fuel to be sprayed onto the comedian’s face and hands, TMZ reports. A spark quickly ignited the fuel, causing the blaze to begin. “Jay would like to let everyone know how thankful he is for the care he received, and is very appreciative of all of the well wishes,” the hospital said in a statement. “He is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his family and friends and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday.” 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

Bradley Cooper has signed a deal to play Frank Bullitt in a reboot of the 1968 film Bullitt, as reported by Deadline.The original movie features a renowned car chase between a Ford Mustang and a Dodge Charger, with the muscle cars jumping through the undulating streets of San Francisco.The new Bullitt film will be co-produced by Cooper and Steven Spielberg, with a script by Oscar winner Josh Singer, but the movie is still likely a few years away.Screeching tires, roaring V-8s, muscle cars leaping over San Francisco’s hilly streets, and Steve McQueen’s chiseled action-star features. These ingredients make the car chase in the 1968 film Bullitt one of the most iconic movie pursuits of all time, as police officer Frank Bullitt, played by McQueen, tears after a Dodge Charger carrying two hit men in his green Ford Mustang. The “Bullitt” moniker has persevered thanks to several special-edition Mustangs over the years, but now the name will return to the silver screen, with Deadline reporting that Bradley Cooper will star in a new Bullitt film produced by Steven Spielberg. 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.[HD] Greatest Hollywood Car Chase of All Time – Bullitt (1968)Watch onCooper, who recently signed a contract with Warner Bros., will also co-produce the film, along with Spielberg’s producing partner Kristie Macosko Krieger. It will be difficult for Cooper to live up to McQueen’s performance, but Cooper has proved himself to be a versatile actor, with leading roles in everything from The Hangover to American Sniper and A Star is Born, as well as starring in The Elephant Man on Broadway in 2015.Steve McQueen’s son, Chad, and granddaughter Molly McQueen will serve as executive producers, while Josh Singer has been chosen to write the screenplay. Singer co-wrote and won an Oscar for the 2015 movie Spotlight and also penned 2017’s The Post and the upcoming film Maestro, which Cooper stars in, directed, co-wrote, and co-produced alongside Spielberg.More on the Mustang BullittThe Bullitt reboot will apparently not be a remake of the 1968 thriller, but instead will feature a new story involving the same Frank Bullitt character. No details are known about the plot, but given the legendary status of the original film’s car chase, the new Bullitt will almost certain see some epic automotive action. We would be surprised if a Mustang is not chosen as the protagonist’s ride. While it’s possible that Cooper’s Bullitt could drive the 2020 Mustang Bullitt, Ford may instead revive the special edition for its recently revealed seventh-generation Mustang to cash in on the film’s debut. With the movie still in development and Cooper just recently signed to a deal, it will probably be a few more years before the Bullitt revival sees the light of day, but we can’t wait to see what Cooper and Spielberg have cooked up.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.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. More

Hyundai has released more U.S. details about the 2023 Ioniq 6 electric sedan.The automaker claims a range of 340 miles for the U.S. version, although this isn’t yet an official EPA estimate.The Ioniq 6 will go on sale in America in spring 2023, and pricing is not yet announced.Hyundai showed the new 2023 Ioniq 6 at last week’s L.A. auto show and announced a few more enticing details about the U.S. version of this electric sedan. The biggest deal is the claimed 340 mile range for the single-motor version, which beats its Ioniq 5 sibling by a considerate amount; that model is rated at up to to 303 miles.A 77.4-kWh battery pack is standard on the Ioniq 6, and the version with the longest range is the 225-hp single-motor rear-wheel-drive configuration. The optional 320-hp dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup drops the estimated range to 310 miles. The Ioniq 6 rides on the same E-GMP platform as other Hyundai and Kia EV models but its low 0.22 drag coefficient helps its efficiency and thus its estimated range. Hyundai says it is still waiting for full EPA certification, but these estimates are U.S.-specific so the final numbers aren’t likely to vary much. We look forward to testing the Ioniq 6 on our 75-mph highway range test to see what it can do in the real world.More on the Ioniq 6We don’t yet know trim levels or pricing details on the Ioniq 6, as those should come closer to its U.S. on-sale date in spring 2023. But Hyundai did release the colors options that will be available: for the exterior, the choices include a matte-finish Gravity Gold, Onyx Black Pearl, Serenity White Pearl, Curated Silver metallic, Transmission Blue Pearl, Ultimate Red metallic, and Digital Green Pearl; for the interior, the three options include black, gray, and a two-tone dark green and gray combo.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 and Sony, under the joint venture Sony Honda Mobility, are planning to go into the electric-vehicle business together.Sony Honda Mobility president Izumi Kawanishi made it clear in an interview with the U.K. business paper Financial Times that it is looking to use the Sony entertainment element to fight Tesla in the EV marketplace.Sony’s catalog of content, services and tech will become part of a future EV that’s planned for a 2025 launch, leaving the door open for a PS5-capable car in only a few years. It feels like just two weeks ago that Car and Driver’s Ezra Dyer was suggesting that car companies spice up their electric-car offerings and make things a bit weirder. After all, power and acceleration are easy to come by in the world of EVs, leaving key personality traits as a tempting growth area. Now, Sony Honda Mobility, the joint-venture agreement between the auto manufacturer and tech giant, is talking about opportunities to include Sony’s tech into the company’s vehicles.In an interview with the Financial Times, Sony Honda Mobility president Izumi Kawanishi said: “Sony has content, services and entertainment technologies that move people. We are adapting these assets to mobility, and this is our strength against Tesla.” He also said the company plans to adjust the way the upcoming EV is build and will “develop a car as hardware that will cater to the entertainment and network we would like to offer.” So, no PS5 console on the dashboard, but perhaps PS5 capability, which Kawanishi said is “technologically possible.”Kawanishi took a mild swipe at Tesla, telling the Financial Times that the EV maker “is not providing any content services” when it comes to entertainment.Related StoriesSony is known for producing a wide range of technology, including speakers and displays, making us hopeful for a top-notch infotainment system in future products from the new brand. At the CES technology show in January 2022, Sony showed off its Vision-S 02 concept. The Vision-S 02 is a seven-passenger crossover, sized similarly to the Tesla Model Y, and it allows rear-seat passengers to play PlayStation games through a remote connection with a console at home. If a version of that concept makes it to production as Sony Honda Mobility’s first production car, based on the CEO’s statements it’s certainly possible the company will keep the feature, giving rear passengers access to PS5 games on the road. This wouldn’t be the first time a company has made video games available in its cars. Tesla and Mercedes-Benz have already done that, with both companies eventually choosing to remove the functionality from vehicles while they’re in motion. 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