Motor News

Alfa Romeo has shown updated versions of the Giulia and Stelvio.They feature new headlights and taillights and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster inside.We expect these changes to arrive in the U.S. for the 2024 model year.You might think that Alfa Romeo’s Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV would be due for a redesign soon, given that they’ve both been out for around for five-plus years with few changes. But it appears that the 2024 editions of these models will feature minor changes, as previewed by these Europe-market updates. An Alfa Romeo spokesperson told C/D that U.S.-specific information about the 2024 Giulia and Stelvio will be coming in the middle of next year.Alfa RomeoNew headlights and taillights highlight the exterior changes, and the headlights feature LED matrix technology. The “3+3” accent lights are meant to tie these models in with the new Tonale crossover’s lighting signature. The taillights, meanwhile, have rearranged LED elements. The interior benefits from a new 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with three display modes: Evolved, Relax, and Heritage.Alfa RomeoAlfa RomeoMore on Alfa RomeoThere aren’t any changes to the cars’ base powertrain, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 280 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Alfa hasn’t made any announcements about changes to the Quadrifoglio performance variants, which feature a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 with 505 hp.Look for these updated Alfa Romeos to arrive in the U.S. late in 2023, with base prices slightly higher than the current versions which start at $45,875 for the 2023 Giulia and $48,170 for the 2023 Stelvio.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

Porsche tested two 911 prototypes with jacked-up suspensions and off-road tires on the side of a volcano.The prototypes were heavily modified versions of the 911 Carrera 4S, which has all-wheel drive and 443 horsepower.Along with stripped-down interiors and safari-esque styling, the prototypes scaled the volcano with an enhanced drivetrain and a handy winch. The Ojo del Salado in Chile is the highest volcano in the world. With slopes made of treacherous terrain and areas where temperatures are well below freezing, it’s the last place anyone would expect to see a Porsche 911. Well, look again, because as these photos show, Porsche has literally taken its iconic sports car to new heights by testing a pair of safari-style 911 prototypes on the side of a volcano. Are they a sneak peek at the rumored Dakar version? It kinda seems that way.PorscheNot Your Lawyer’s 911Obviously, the two prototypes involved in this wild experiment aren’t ordinary 911s. While they’re both based on the 443-hp all-wheel-drive Carrera 4S, the 992-generation coupes have been heavily modified. Porsche did keep their original seven-speed manual gearboxes, though. Bravo! On the other hand, the rest of the cars are barely recognizable with their extensive exterior alterations that include flared fenders, meaty off-road tires, rooftop cargo racks, and custom liveries. One of the latter’s color schemes is the same as Porsche’s 963 LMDh race car and the other features a 911 theme created by Weissach designers. PorscheVolcano-Scaling HardwareFitted with heavy-duty portal axles, the 911 prototypes have a towering 13.7 inches of ground clearance. That’s a half-inch more than the Ford Bronco Raptor. The high-riding Porsches also feature lower gear ratios for improved crawling ability at low speeds and manual locking diffs for max traction. The 911s have underbody protection made of tough heat-resistant synthetic fibers, too. We’re not sure if it can protect against lava, but the Ojo del Salado is a dormant volcano—so we’re told.PorschePorscheIt’s not clear what type of suspension the 911 prototypes are using, other than it’s clearly not a stock setup. It buoys a quartet of 12.2-inch-wide tires, all of which are mechanically linked by a device that Porsche calls a “warp connector.” We’re told it’s designed to maintain maximum traction during extreme wheel articulation. Should either of the lifted 911s get stuck (as seen below), both have a front-mounted winch to yank ’em out. PorscheHow’s the Weather Up There? The team that tested the Dakar-esque 911 prototypes was led by adrenaline junkie, er, adventurer and endurance racer Romain Dumas. He took the jacked-up sports cars as high as 19,708 feet. Not only were temperatures said to be around -22 degrees Fahrenheit, but the air was paper thin. The journey included such obstacles as boulder-strewn slopes, ice fields, and walls of snow. You know, typical stuff that 911 drivers encounter. However, Porsche says Dumas and his team accomplished their mission. Porsche”This was a truly memorable and special moment in a place that’s both beautiful and brutal at the same time, ” said Dumas. “I guess the only machines anywhere in the world higher than us today were aircraft!”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 is looking to increase pricing at a rate “limited by customer expectations” pertaining to individual models, Automotive News reported.The expected increases are coming after the company experienced regional operating losses in its fiscal year which ended in September.The price increases are also expected in Europe, where the company also experienced regional quarterly losses. Death, taxes, and rising car prices: three unending guarantees. Following quarterly regional losses and sharply increasing input costs, Automotive News reports, Toyota is planning to pass rising costs down to the consumer. The paper reports that Toyota executives just need to decide exactly how significant the increases will be. A Toyota spokesperson contacted by Car and Driver declined comment.”We are really racking our brains trying to come up with the appropriate pricing level,” chief communications officer Jun Nagata said at Toyota’s November 1 quarterly earnings announcement. “We have begun to reflect those higher prices into the vehicle as much as possible.”More on PricingIt’s common for new-vehicle MSRPs to increase by amounts at least by a few hundred dollars every year, and in some years, to see an increase midyear. One solution Toyota is looking into, according to the report from Automotive News, is increasing the frequency of price jumps. Another method of raising prices that a lot of automakers, including Toyota, have been using recently is to drop base models, effectively raising the price of entry. Just last month, the company dropped the base L sedan from its Corolla lineup, resulting in an $1125 higher starting price . Pricing for the hatchback Corolla jumped by $1800 on the SE, and $2315 on the XSE—although Toyota also cut the starting price of the Corolla hybrid by $1250. Dropping the base option generally means losing the car with the lowest profit margin for manufacturers. It also effectively raises the floor of ownership for buyers. According to the report, consumers’ expectations of pricing is one of the factors Toyota executives are using to gauge increases. The warning of impending price increases came during a quarterly earnings announcement on November 1. According to the report, the company needs to make adjustments to offset regional operating losses for the North American arm of the company. Automotive News Europe notes that Toyota is also considering price increases are also in Europe, and for similar reasons.The automaker has revised its annual production target downward, with purchasing chief Kazunari Kumakura partly blaming an ongoing semiconductor-chip shortage and commenting, “I don’t know when the chip shortage will be resolved.” 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

Subaru has teased the next-generation 2024 Impreza, showing off its hatchback roofline in a darkened image.Only a hatchback is shown in the image, so the sedan model may not be returning for 2024.The new Impreza will make its debut at the Los Angeles auto show, which starts November 17.Many automakers have abandoned their compact cars in favor of pint-sized SUVs. The Ford Focus has been dead since 2018, and Volkswagen now only offers the Golf in GTI and R performance trims in the United States. Subaru could easily follow a similar path, with the Crosstrek vastly outselling the Impreza hatchback upon which its based—128,979 units versus 25,490 units, respectively, through October 2022. But Subaru remains committed to its compact car, releasing a teaser for the next generation 2024 Impreza which will make its full debut at the 2022 Los Angeles auto show. The teaser doesn’t show much, with only the roofline visible in the dark expanse. The illustration shows a hatchback body style. While a sedan version of the Impreza could debut later, it’s also possible that the sedan won’t be returning for the 2024 model year and the Impreza will come exclusively with a hatch. 2024 Subaru CrosstrekSubaruMore Subaru NewsSince we have already seen the next generation Crosstrek, we have a pretty solid idea of what to expect from the 2024 Impreza. The design should mirror the new Crosstrek—squinty headlights, chunky taillights, and sharp bodywork—minus the plastic body cladding around the wheel arches and on the bumpers. We expect the 152-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder to carry over, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Crosstrek’s plug-in hybrid setup migrate to the hatchback as well. We’re also praying that the five-speed manual returns, hopefully mated to the Crosstrek’s 182-hp 2.5-liter four-pot. More details on the Impreza’s future will be unveiled when the Los Angeles auto show kicks off on November 17.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 U.S. Justice Department yesterday said it busted a nationwide crime network responsible for stealing countless catalytic converters.The theft ring is said to have made tens of millions of dollars off of the stolen catalytic converters.The feds have arrested 21 people in five states and are seeking over $545 million in forfeitures. If you’re one of the people who recently had their catalytic converter ripped out and stolen from underneath their car, the feds might have just busted the criminals who did it. That’s because the U.S. Justice Department yesterday announced that it took down a nationwide catalytic converter theft ring.What’s a catalytic converter? It’s essentially an anti-pollution device that’s part of a vehicle’s exhaust system, and it contains precious metals that can be sold for a lot of money. If you’re wondering how much money, the FBI said the network of thieves, dealers, and processors made tens of millions of dollars off the stolen parts.Dude, Where’s My Cat?As part of the takedown that involved law enforcement officers at the local, state, and federal levels, 21 people in five states have been arrested and charged in two separate indictments. Federal grand juries in California and Oklahoma have filed separate charges for conspiracy to transport stolen catalytic converters and conspiracy to commit money laundering, among other similar chargers. In total, the U.S. government is seeking over $545 million in forfeitures.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

Stellantis has issued a statement asking customers to stop driving 2005 through 2010 Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Magnum and Chrysler 300 cars that haven’t yet had their old Takata airbags replaced.The automaker said there are about 276,000 vehicles on the road that meet that description, even though Takata airbags have been under active recall for several years.The company said it has “sufficient inventory” of replacement airbags to service all those that need the recall.Stellantis, maker of Dodge and Chrysler vehicles, has issued a strong statement urging owners of older cars to stop driving them if they have not yet had their Takata airbags replaced. Issuing the statement under former corporate name FCA, the automaker said this affects 2005 through 2010 models of the Dodge Challenger and Charger and the Magnum, as well as the same model years of the Chrysler 300 sedan.The stop-drive announcement was issued as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a statement today saying two people have died this year in separate crashes where the Takata driver’s-side airbag in 2010 Dodge Chargers exploded. These are the only FCA models that are under the new stop-drive order, a spokesperson told Car and Driver.The TimelineTakata airbags have been an industry-wide problem since 2013, with millions of cars from dozens of brands being recalled worldwide over danger they could explode in a crash. FCA discontinued using the problematic airbags in 2010 for these models, the spokesperson said. The automaker started issuing recalls and offering free replacement airbags in 2015, and, it said in a statement today, has been “aggressive” about trying to get them replaced in its vehicles in the U.S., including “millions” of letters, phone calls, and home visits to potentially affected vehicle owners.However, according to the statement, there are still more than a quarter-million cars that have not had the defective airbags replaced.FCA says owners of potentially affected vehicles should stop driving them and contact the NHTSA recalls website or the automaker’s own Mopar Recalls site for more information.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 is zhuzhing up the staid Transit van lineup for 2023 with the Transit Trail, a purpose-built base that is ready to be upfitted for camper duty.The Transit Trail comes with several camper-specific features such as an onboard inverter and a fuse panel which allows DIY vanning enthusiasts to get right to work on the fun parts of building a home on wheels. A growing number of upfitting companies will also be able to customize the Transit Trail to your desired specifications, but Ford’s engineering of the mechanical bits means those items are covered under the factory warranty and serviced at any Ford service center.Ford’s commercial vans have always been a bit of a blank slate, even back when they were called Econoline, which over the years spawned countless variants and provided customizers a canvas on which to craft whatever vehicle suited their needs. The modern-day Transit is no different, and Ford is making it easier for buyers wandering down the path of nomadic van life with the 2023 Transit Trail.Nomadic InspirationEssentially a factory-built camper van base, the Transit Trail comes with key elements that vanning aficionados want, such as swiveling front seats, an onboard AC inverter, an over-cab storage compartment, dual alternators, and a fuse panel, all backed by Ford’s warranty.Ford says these are the mechanical bits that DIY van-lifers may not want to deal with, and offering these items right from the factory can serve to accelerate their build, allowing them to focus on the fun stuff, such as outfitting the interior with their Instagram-worthy touches.Of course, not everyone is up for an interior buildout, either, which is why Ford is also allocating some of the Transit Trail’s production run to businesses in the growing cottage industry of van upfitting and customization. The one shown here has been outfitted by Van-Do-It of Kansas City and features a cozy-looking bed, overhead storage cabinets, and a kitchenette with a sink. To provide adventure seekers with additional capability, the Transit Trail features a lifted suspension and 30.5-inch all-terrain tires which together raise the van’s ride height by 3.5 inches. That additional ground clearance should come in handy for getting to more out-of-the-way campsites, and all Transit Trail models will come standard with all-wheel drive as well. For 2023, the Transit van lineup can be ordered with an optional 12.0-inch infotainment touchscreen instead of the 8.0-inch display that was the upgraded display on last year’s model. Ford’s latest Sync 4 infotainment software joins the party too. While the larger 12.0-inch screen is optional on base Transit models, the Transit Trail gets it as standard. The camper-prepped van also comes with driver-assistance features integrated into the design, including blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control.While the regular Transit van is also offered with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6, the Trail will come only with the turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, which makes 310 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque; a 10-speed automatic serves as the Transit Trail’s transmission. Ford says the Transit Trail can tow up to 6500 pounds and carries a 9000-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).Extras Sold SeparatelyFord isn’t the only company aiming to capitalize on the popular #VanLife movement. RV maker Airstream recently unveiled its new Rangeline camper van, which is based on the Ram Promaster van. Unlike the Ford, the Airstream van comes direct from Airstream’s factory with a fully outfitted interior, and it also costs a pretty penny with a starting price of $150,270. That context makes the Transit Trail look like the deal of the century, but once you include the cost of the interior buildout, the picture looks less rosy. Transit Trail buyers looking to get into vanning on the cheap will likely find themselves going the DIY route, which also comes with endless options for customization—something a turnkey solution like the Airstream or a premade van from an upfitter lack—but even so there are significant costs associated with either method.Buyers can choose from either the Long or Extended body lengths, and the Transit Trail can be had in either mid- or high-roof styles, the latter of which is only available on the Extended body model. The entry price for the Transit Trail is a lofty $67,770, and the total build price goes up from there when you consider the cost of decking out the living space of your nomadic dreams—it would be easy to get into six figures with even basic upfitting. For comparison, the plain 2023 Transit commercial van starts at $45,250.Order books open today for the Transit Trail, and if your vision board calls for a vagabond lifestyle, call your Ford dealer soon. Ford says supplies will be limited for the 2023 Transit Trail and dealers will be fighting for allocation alongside countless RV customizers. 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 exterior of a 1961 Volvo PV544 hides a 415-hp plug-in-hybrid powertrain out of a 2019 Volvo S60 Recharge. Lateiner headed up the build, working with volunteers—both experienced techs and beginner mechanics—over an 18-month period leading up to the 2022 SEMA show. Volvo has been vocal in its goals to increase gender diversity across its workforce, including technicians in dealerships.In the 1940s, women built many of the warplanes and tanks that won World War II, but by the 1950s, the idea of a woman turning a wrench on a car was culturally laughable. Girls weren’t even allowed in the pits at many motorsports events, and new-car advertising tended to showcase women in the passenger seat more often than behind the wheel. The automotive industry has been making strides in diversifying its workforce and its marketing, and the 2022 SEMA show featured numerous female racers and several cars built by all-women teams. None included as many female participants as this Volvo Iron Maven, a restomod PV544 headed up by fabricator and TV host Bogi Lateiner and completed with the help of more than 160 volunteers—all women. Elana Scherr|Car and Driver“This was an amazing experience,” said Lateiner, as the finished car was revealed in the BASF paint booth to a round of applause. “It’s important to bring attention to all the incredible women working in the automotive industry, and to support and promote gender diversity in hiring.”The Iron Maven project started with a stock 1961 Volvo PV544. Lateiner and her team completely stripped the car to bare metal and removed the body from its original underpinnings. At the same time, they took a 2019 S60 Recharge hybrid sedan and fitted the classic body to the modern chassis. If you’re thinking that was a fitment challenge, you’re right. The PV544 had to have its fenders widened while the S60 wheelbase was shortened by 16 inches. Even the seats had to be sectioned and narrowed to fit in the small vintage body. The finished car is painted in a custom BASF color, Rebelberry.Elana Scherr|Car and Driver Throughout the build, women from all over the country came to offer their skills and learn new ones. During the reveal, we spoke with Christy Stainback, a metal artist from North Carolina who was invited to work on the build after sending Lateiner a Stainback Steel Works sticker. “She wrote back and said I should come work on the car,” says Stainback, who initially was reluctant, fearing that she wasn’t qualified or that Lateiner wasn’t serious with the invite. “Finally, my husband said, ‘Say yes, what is there to lose?’ and so I flew to Arizona and did it!” She pointed to a section on the front fender and grinned, “I made that piece!”Elana Scherr|Car and DriverIt’s that kind of confidence that Lateiner wants to encourage in all automotive enthusiasts, but particularly in women, who have historically been discouraged from pursuing STEM and industrial careers. Her Girl Gang Garage in Arizona offers classes and open-house events designed to improve skills for experienced techs and teach skills to interested rookies. Elana Scherr|Car and DriverOther participants on the build included professional mechanics, welders, and painters as well as several Volvo techs. Volvo has been actively pursuing a more balanced workforce, in part from its work with Lateiner on the Iron Maven project. Efforts include more training programs for dealer techs and managerial training for all employees about inclusive workplaces,, and Volvo reports that since 2021, the number of women in its U.S. workforce has risen from 28 percent to 33 percent. Small steps, but in the right direction. 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