Motor News

The new Toyota Prius is one of the most transformational redesigns in recent automotive history. In one year, it’s gone from one of the ugliest cars on sale to one of the slickest-looking Toyotas ever. The stunning new model is also more efficient, an order of magnitude better to drive, a stunning value, and already fetching interest from a younger, broader crowd. Dealers are already talking about five-figure markups. Toyota, though, still doesn’t expect much sales growth.Everything about the New PriusToyota U.S. Vice President of Marketing Lisa Materazzo told Road & Track that the company is expecting annual sales of around 35,000 units for the non-Prime, standard Prius. That’s an improvement over the last full-year figure, but only barely. Toyota sold 33,968 Prius hybrids in 2021, despite the product’s age and Toyota’s considerable supply-chain constraints. With long-term gas price concerns at an all-time high, recession fears in the water, and a far more compelling product, the time seems right for a Prius resurgence. A 1000-unit improvement over one of the marque’s worst years in history sounds remarkably conservative. That’s especially true when you look at the Prius’s two best years, 2012 and 2013, which both saw sales top 230,000 units. “There could definitely be an upside on that 35,000 estimate that we have, and we will make all that we can if the demand is there,” Materazzo told R&T. That figure, then, isn’t the result of expected supply issues so much as a real look at the market. “We don’t have a crystal ball, so it’s hard to say what supply chain interruptions we could have in the short term . . . We’ve been dealing with that for a while and we’ll continue to manage through that. I do think it’s reasonable that there could be upside potential, but ultimately the market will decide that.”Even in the best-case scenario, though, Toyota doesn’t expect to ever come close to the high-water mark for Prius sales. While stronger-than-predicted demand could materialize—and reported dealer markups for first allocations suggest it may—the six-figure sales volumes of 2005–2017 era are likely gone for good. “I do think it’s important to keep in mind that we have more hybrids and more electrified vehicles across our lineup. So there are simply more options for buyers than there were back in 2011, associated with that sales plan,” Materazzo said. Back then, customers looking for a fuel-efficient hybrid were mostly stuck with the Camry or Prius. Today, they can get a RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime, Prius Prime, hybrid Tundra, or an all-electric BZ4x. A pie cut into that many pieces leaves little room for such a sales standout. Add in the stunning number of hybrid, plug-in, and battery-electric options from rivals—almost none of which existed in 2012—and it’s hard to see how any hybrid could recapture the second- and third-generation Prius’s chart-topping success. A fantastic design and a newfound focus on performance are both huge improvements, but even Toyota knows they won’t be enough to change the way the wind is blowing. 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

Ford has announced official power figures for the new 2024 Mustang.The base 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder makes 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.The optional 5.0-liter V-8 ranges from 480 hp in the base GT up to 500 hp in the Dark Horse performance model.Ford is turning up the wick on the Coyote V-8 in the new 2024 Mustang, with the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter engine set to produce between 480 hp and 500 hp in the redesigned pony car. The 500-hp figure is for the top Dark Horse performance model, but even the base 480-hp 2024 Mustang GT will make more power than the previous Mach 1, which was rated at 470 hp for 2023 (it was initially rated at 480 hp for 2021).View PhotosMustang Dark HorseRoy Ritchie|Car and DriverThe revised V-8 makes 480 horsepower and 415 pound-feet in the base Mustang GT, a healthy upgrade compared with 450 hp for the previous base GT. Adding the optional performance exhaust increases those figures to 486 hp and 418 pound-feet. The V-8 in the Dark Horse benefits from a different crankshaft and forged piston connecting rods, and its output sits at 500 hp and 418 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard on the GT, with a ten-speed automatic optional.More on the MustangMeanwhile, the base EcoBoost four-cylinder engine doesn’t change much from before. It now produces 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. That’s 5 hp more than the previous base Mustang, but less power than the previous EcoBoost Performance Package’s 330 hp. Disappointingly, the EcoBoost Mustang also won’t be available with a manual transmission, meaning the four-cylinder car will come only with the ten-speed auto.We still don’t yet know pricing for the 2024 Mustang, but production for both coupe and convertible models will start in the summer of 2023.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

It’s been a long time coming, but Tesla has finally made good on its promise to make Steam video games playable on some of its vehicles. The addition of Steam, which is an online store and library consisting of thousands of games, is part of Tesla’s “Holiday Update.” It also includes Apple Music, a new in-cabin camera view, updated light-show features, and more.Tesla recently announced on Twitter details of the update, specifying that owners of “new” Model S and Model X vehicles will now be able to play thousands of games through Steam. The company wasn’t exactly clear on what “new” means, but it likely refers to Plaid models released last year, which utilize AMD RDNA 2 GPUs in their infotainment systems. The hardware is powerful enough to run taxing games like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, two games the company has mentioned in the past. This content is imported from twitter. 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.Tesla’s system is also compatible with wireless controllers, allowing owners to use the Bluetooth controllers from their home systems in their vehicles. Having the ability to boot up your favorite PC games in your Tesla will likely help negate some possible boredom during longer charging stints at public chargers. Certainly loading up Forza Motorsport is more fun than people watching in the grocery store parking lot. TeslaTesla wasn’t entirely clear in its Twitter thread about the boundaries surrounding when owners can actually play video games in their vehicles, but we expect they’ll only be operable while the vehicle is parked. Still, the company came under fire last year for allowing games to be played in moving vehicles. Eventually, Tesla issued an over-the-air update to lock the function. Presumably, that lockout remains in place, keeping drivers and passengers alike from engaging in distracted driving habits while their vehicle is moving. This content is imported from twitter. 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 twitter. 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

There’s a good chance Chevy will slap a Camaro badge on an electric SUV within the next few years. We’re not just pulling that out of our you-know-whats, either. Following reports of an upcoming Chevy Corvette subbrand, we’ve heard that GM is planning other spinoffs of popular nameplates in its sizable portfolio, including Chevrolet’s iconic pony car, the Camaro.If you’re upset the Camaro is likely taking the same route the Mustang took with the Mach-E, we’re sorry. Please direct your outrage to the comment section below or send angry letters to our editor. However, if the thought of a Camaro EV SUV—possibly called E/28?—excites you, our rendering predicts what that machine might look like. Unlike the Mustang Mach-E, the lifted electric Camaro in our illustration doesn’t have many obvious ties to the current coupe and convertible. Arguably the biggest similarity is its two-door body style, which an inside source at GM told us is definitely under consideration for a possible crossover model, along with a more traditional four-door configuration. The two-door version in our rendering also shares a rear quarter window that kicks up just like on the regular Camaro, and their shoulder lines are similar, too. The side surfacing also looks a lot cleaner than the Blazer’s busy bodywork. A set of massive 10-spoke rims mounted on Continental tires nicely fill out the ute’s wheel arches, and the whole aesthetic combines for a sporty stance. Meanwhile, the hypothetical Camaro’s mug draws heavily from the design of the upcoming Chevy Blazer EV. The elements around the headlights do draw comparisons with the LED accents around the current-gen Camaro, but the rest of its face is considerably different.Regular Ol’ Camaro ReviewsFor those who hate the idea of a Chevy Camaro EV SUV (those who are still reading, anyway), don’t think that this means the end of the Camaro as you know it. Our GM source told us the future plans for an eventual subbrand include a 2+2 coupe and convertible. However, these are said to be fully electric. In that case, you may return to your regularly scheduled tirade.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’s slick new Prius hybrid starts at $28,545 for the base LE trim, an increase of $2375 over the previous generation’s L Eco base model.The redesigned hybrid hatchback will be offered in three trim levels: LE, XLE, and Limited.All-wheel drive is available as an option over all three of the Prius’s trim levels for $1400.We’ve been fawning over the 2023 Toyota Prius since its debut at the L.A. auto show last month—which is something we never thought we’d write—and we now know how much the redesigned hybrid will cost. It’s no surprise, but Toyota has increased the base price of the Prius hatchback by $2375 for 2023, essentially by eliminating the former L Eco base model.While it’s possible that the new Prius will gain special-edition models such as Nightshade in the future, for now the hybrid will be offered only in LE, XLE, and Limited trims. All three of those can be had in either front- or all-wheel-drive configurations. Opting for AWD adds $1400 to the bottom line. More Info on the Sleek new HybridThe new base model will be the LE trim, which starts at $28,545. This value leader also offers the highest fuel-economy estimates, according to Toyota, at 57 mpg combined. The XLE and Limited models are good for 52 mpg combined. The LE comes standard with features including 17-inch wheels, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlamps, and adaptive cruise control with lane centering. In the middle of the Prius lineup is the XLE, which starts at $31,990 and adds 19-inch wheels, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. The XLE can be ordered with a larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen for $610 and a fixed-glass roof for $1000.The top-of-the-line Limited starts at $35,560 and comes with all manner of luxuries including the larger touchscreen, the glass roof, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a JBL audio system, a power liftgate, and a digital key system. For $1085, you can add the Premium package, which includes a 360-degree camera system and a self-parking feature. A digital rearview mirror is available for $200, and heated rear seats cost an extra $350. We don’t have word on how much the new plug-in-hybrid Prius Prime will cost quite yet, but we should get that information soon. The new Prius and its alluring new styling will appear in Toyota dealerships soon. The company says deliveries are expected to start in early winter of 2023, so that could mean as soon as January.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 has released more detailed specs on the new 2023 Prius hybrid.Its dimensions have changed significantly, meaning there’s less interior space than before.A new powertrain with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine means more power and better fuel efficiency than before.Now that we’ve all reacted to the 2023 Toyota Prius hybrid’s surprising new design, it’s finally time to dig into the details of what’s underneath the redesigned body. Toyota has released full specifications covering the powertrain, dimensions, interior space, and—perhaps most importantly of all—fuel-economy ratings.More MPGsThe most efficient version of the new Prius is the LE with front-wheel drive, which is rated at 57 mpg combined. Adding all-wheel drive drops that number to 54 mpg, and opting for the higher XLE and Limited trim levels—with their larger wheels and tires and extra equipment—pushes the combined figure down to 52 mpg with front-wheel drive and 49 mpg with all-wheel drive.These numbers aren’t too different from the old model, which was rated at 56 mpg combined for the Eco trim, 52 mpg combined for FWD models, and 49 mpg combined for AWD models. In our 75-mph real-world highway fuel economy test, we previously achieved a result of 46 mpg for a 2017 Prius FWD and 47 mpg for a 2019 Prius AWD. We look forward to testing the new model on this same test to see what it can do. More on the New PriusExtra PowerThe new, larger-displacement inline-four gasoline engine is mostly the reason for the new Prius’s greatly increased power output. The engine itself produces 150 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque, while the old Prius’ gasoline engine couldn’t even crest the 100-hp mark, rated at 96 hp. The main electric motor that serves as a motor-generator and powers the front wheels is also more powerful than before, at 111 hp, and the additional rear electric motor that powers the rear wheels in AWD models now makes 40 hp.The drivetrain’s combined output sits at 194 hp for FWD models and 196 hp for AWD models. (The plug-in-hybrid Prius Prime is even more powerful, at 220 hp, but we don’t have full specs on that model quite yet.)Interior and Exterior DimensionsIf you were wondering whether the Prius’s low-slung shape would affect interior space negatively, you might be disappointed—or vindicated—to find out that the new model has less passenger and cargo volume than before. Toyota claims 91 cubic feet of passenger space, down from 93 cubic feet for the old model, and just 20 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up in XLE and Limited models. The LE has a bit more space back there, but even its 24 cubic feet of space is less than the old car’s 27 cubic feet. We’ll have to see how many carryon suitcases we can fit inside the new model, but it’s safe to assume that it’ll accommodate less than the 6 suitcases we fit in the old Prius with the seats up.Perhaps surprisingly, the new Prius is not more aerodynamic than the old one. Toyota claims a drag coefficient of 0.27 compared with the old car’s 0.24. Dimensionally, it’s 1.1 inch longer, 0.9 inch wider, and between 1.8–2 inches lower than before, depending on trim level. The wheelbase has grown by 2 inches, which helps rear legroom increase by an inch. But headroom is down for both front- and rear-seat passengers. The Prius isn’t exactly meant for off-roading, but those with treacherous driveways will be glad to know that ground clearance is up by between 0.5 and 0.7 inch. 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

The 2023 Toyota Prius isn’t just prettier than its predecessor; its straight-line performance is also considerably better.The new front-wheel-drive Prius we tested hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, making it 3.4 seconds quicker than its older equivalent.The Prius’s improved acceleration comes with an enhanced hybrid powertrain that produces a lot more horsepower.Welcome to Car and Driver’s Testing Hub, where we zoom in on the test numbers. We’ve been pushing vehicles to their limits since 1956 to provide objective data to bolster our subjective impressions (you can see how we test here). A more comprehensive review of the 2023 Toyota Prius can be found here.In what world is a hybrid’s straight-line performance important? Welcome to Car and Driver! Thanks for stopping by. For those who haven’t heard, the new fifth-generation Toyota Prius is preparing to hit the streets, and we’ve already subjected it to our signature series of track tests. The results speak volumes: Toyota’s proverbial hybrid is not only a lot prettier, but it’s a lot quicker, too. The 2023 Prius hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds—a noteworthy 3.4 ticks ahead of its predecessor, which took a pitifully slow 10.5 seconds to hit that mark.Prius Palate CleanserBefore we compare the rest of the new Prius’s test numbers with those of the old one, let’s reset the deck. The 2023 Toyota Prius kickstarts a new generation with a makeover that most people with two working eyes would call attractive at worst and drop-dead gorgeous at best. (The latter likely applies to owners of one or more of the previous generations). While the hybrid hatchback’s visual shift from dorky to sexy is a hot topic of conversation, here at Car and Driver, we like to offset subjective musing with objective testing.Previewing the New PriusUnderneath the Prius’s hot new bod is an enhanced hybrid powertrain. As with the outgoing versions, the incoming ones are still available with front- or all-wheel drive. Along with switching from a nickel-metal-hydride battery to a lithium-ion pack, the Prius’s gas-fed engine goes from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder to a larger 2.0-liter four-pot.The growth spurt in engine displacement brings a big bump in horsepower too, with output rising from 121 total horses to between 194 and 196 combined ponies for the front- and all-wheel-drive models, respectively. There’s also a new plug-in-hybrid Prius Prime that headlines with 220 horsepower (also up from 121 hp), but we haven’t yet had the chance to test one.Quickest Prius We’ve Ever Tested (So Far)The only 2023 Prius we’ve strapped our test gear to so far is a top-spec Limited trim with front-wheel drive. For comparison’s sake, that setup most closely corresponds with the 2017 Prius Three (same front-drive configuration) we tested several years back.Despite some increased dimensions and the addition of upgraded equipment, the new Prius isn’t much heavier than before. The 2023 example tipped our scales at 3199 pounds, a reasonable 86 pounds more than the 3113-pound 2017 version. The new Prius still carries about 60 percent of its curb weight up front.2017 Prius Three.As we revealed earlier, the new Prius hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. That’s an unremarkable time when taken out of context. However, compared with the 10.5 ticks the old Prius needed to reach the mile-per-minute mark, that 3.4-second improvement is cause for celebration—at least among folks who extol the joy of driving.The new Prius proved significantly quicker in our other acceleration tests, too. Its quarter-mile time dropped more than two seconds, from 17.8 seconds at 79 mph to 15.5 seconds at 92 mph. The 2023 model should also reduce any lingering anxiety when executing passes on the highway, as the hybrid now accelerates from 50 to 70 mph in 5 seconds flat (2.1 seconds quicker than before).Marc Urbano|Car and DriverOn the rare occasions a new Prius driver wants to seek speeds in triple-digit territory, it’s remarkable how much quicker they can do it. We hit 100 mph in 18.8 seconds. That’s an incredible 11.7 seconds quicker than its predecessor, which took 30.5 ticks. The old car also needed 43.2 seconds to reach 110 mph; the new one did the deed in 24.4 seconds.More Prius Tests to ComeThe last all-wheel-drive Prius we tested was three-tenths slower to 60 mph (10.8 seconds) than its front-drive counterpart, which suggests the new all-wheel-drive version might not be quicker either. Still, we’ll have to wait until we test one to find out. The same goes for the new Prius Prime; the outgoing example we tested took 10.3 seconds to hit 60 mph.For now, the new front-drive 2023 Prius is the quickest Prius we’ve ever tested. Only time will tell if the hybrid’s newfound speed will require sacrifices at the fuel pump. Toyota claims the new Prius is more efficient than the last, targeting an EPA-rated 57 mpg combined versus the previous high of 56 mpg combined. However, we’ll see if our real-world fuel-economy test says differently. Stay tuned.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.IIHS crash propulsion system still pulling its weightWatch onIIHS has been crashing vehicles into barricades for decades. Until now, the heaviest vehicle the organization has tested was a 6000-pound Audi e-tron.With heavier electric vehicles on the way, like the 9640-pound Hummer EV, IIHS wanted to make sure it could handle bringing something that heavy up to speed in the crash chamber.To that end, an old Ford F-150 was loaded with concrete and steel and successfully smashed. IIHS, of course, provides the video receipts.After a crash, first responders need to approach electric vehicles differently than internal combustion engine vehicles. But even before a collision happens, people who work with crashed cars are changing their approach.That’s what the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has discovered as it gets ready to crash test some incredibly heavy EVs. In a video posted to YouTube, IIHS explains that it acquired a junked Ford F-150 that could still roll and loaded it up until the total weight hit 9500 pounds. The heavy tests aren’t meant to see what happens when an old F-150 loaded with concrete blocks and heavy steel plates hits a wall at 40 miles per hour (spoiler alert, it’s not pretty), but to make sure that IIHS’s test equipment can handle testing, for example, the GMC Hummer EV, which in our testing measured the scales at a whopping 9640 pounds. The heaviest vehicle IIHS has yet tested was an Audi e-tron that almost hit 6000 pounds.”With electric vehicles coming in and that battery weight pushing vehicle mass higher and higher, we want to be able to know that we can conduct the test here,” Raul Arbelaez, vice preside of vehicle research at IIHS, said in the video. “And if we can’t, we need to make some modifications to our crash machine.”More on the IIHSThe machines IIHS uses tow cables connected to the crash machine to bring the vehicles up to speed before they hit the barrier. IIHS has 600 feet of runway, but when you’re trying to get almost five tons of steel and batteries to 40 mph, you need a robust propulsion system. Based on the video IIHS released, the system works just fine. Stand by for slow-motion videos of a giant, zero-emission beast being torn apart.IIHS has studied the effect of vehicle size and weight on occupant safety for decades. In 2003, automakers entered into a “compatibility agreement” that they would work on improving the safety of smaller vehicles when in a crash with a larger one, especially when it came to front-to-front and front-to-side crashes. The agreement was finally adhered to in 2009, and a 2012 paper noted that the reduction in “car crash partner death rates” for SUVs and pickups had dropped, and that intentional safety efforts in specific areas like this one could lead to “a passenger vehicle fleet that is much more compatible in crashes.”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