Motor News

The performance version of the Fiat 500e has been revealed, with the Abarth model going electric for the first time.153 horsepower and 173 pound-feet of torque are fed to the front wheels, shooting the tiny hatch to 62 mph in 7.0 seconds.The Abarth 500e also comes with a Sound Generator that produces fake engine noises, but the electric hatchback likely won’t be sold in the United States.At the Los Angeles auto show earlier this month, Fiat announced that it will finally bring the electric 500e, which has been on sale in Europe since 2020, to the United States for 2024. In fact, Fiat CEO Olivier François told Car and Driver that the automaker’s U.S. lineup will consist solely of the 500e, with the 500X SUV not receiving a new generation. Now parent company Stellantis has revealed a new Abarth 500e, bringing zippy performance to the tiny city car, although its unclear if the Abarth version will ever reach American shores.AbarthA single electric motor powers the front wheels of the Abarth 500e, producing 153 horsepower and 173 pound-feet of torque. That’s a decent increase over the standard 500e, which emits 117 horsepower and, in the U.S.-spec car, 162 pound-feet of torque. Abarth claims the hot hatch can reach 62 mph in 7.0 seconds, and Abarth says the electric car was 1.0 second quicker around the Misto Alfa test track at Balocco than the gas-powered Abarth 695 based on the previous 500. The Abarth uses the same lithium-ion battery as the standard 500e, which has a usable capacity of 37.3 kWh, and while no range figure was quoted, the Abarth likely can’t travel as far as its less powerful counterpart. AbarthThe Abarth 500e has three drive modes—Turismo, Scorpion Street, and Scorpion Track. Turismo smooths out power delivery and limits output to 134 hp and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the Scorpion modes unlock the full power and escalate the 500e’s performance. One-pedal driving is available in Turismo and Scorpion Street, and Abarth says that with a maximum charging rate of 85 kW, the 500e can reach 80 percent in 35 minutes. Abarth also touts an “immersive sound experience” for the electric hatch—turning the car on produces a simulated guitar sound, and when you go over 12 mph for the first time after startup, a “strumming guitar” plays. A Sound Generator can also be turned on to reproduce the noise of an Abarth gas engine. AbarthStylistically, not much has changed compared to the standard 500e, with the 500 badging swapped out for a bold “Abarth” font and the scorpion-bearing badge on the nose. The front and rear bumpers have undergone minor revisions, a new “electrified” scorpion logo sits behind the doors, and there is a new wheel design. The version seen here is the fully loaded Scorpionissima launch edition, which will be limited to 1949 units and comes in either Acid Green or Poison Blue. It brings unique side graphics and 18-inch diamond-cut wheels as well as embossed seats, unique steel pedals, and an Alcantara dashboard. More about AbarthWhile Fiat is bringing the 500 back to the United States for the 2024 model year, we don’t expect the Abarth model to return, at least not initially. Fiat has announced that full details of the U.S.-spec 500e will be revealed at the 2023 Los Angeles auto show. 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 reincarnated Lamborghini Countach was recalled last week for an issue relating to the vehicle’s glass engine cover, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filing said.Lamborghini received a field notice from an owner in Qatar on October 10, which noted that one of the Countach’s four glass engine cover panels had separated from the supercar while it was on the move, an NHTSA filing said. Those glass panels sit above an electronically assisted 6.5-liter V-12 engine, which provides a total powertrain output of 803 horsepower and 557 pound-feet of torque.This incident prompted Lamborghini to open an investigation, which ultimately determined that an issue with the part’s supplier was to blame. More specifically, Lamborghini concluded that the fault stems from an issue with the supplier’s bonding of the glass panels, which could result in the panels detaching and leaving the car.LamborghiniThe 2022 Lamborghini Countach is capable of reaching 62 mph from a standstill in just 2.8 seconds, before stretching its legs all the way up to 221 mph. Not exactly the sort of speeds you want involved when ill-affixed bodywork is at play.Lamborghini was unable to determine whether or not other Countach examples would suffer from the same production fault during its initial investigation. On November 10, Lamborghini’s Product Safety Committee voted to launch a proactive recall for the Countach in every global market. That recall impacts nine owners here in the United States, with dealers expected to receive the recall details on January 9, 2023. Customers will receive a notice from Lamborghini later that week. Customer cars will be inspected after that, with replacement glass panels being made available if they are required. Every Countach built during October 2022 will already have the issue addressed in Sant’Agata Bolognese. Owning an exclusive supercar can come with some unique challenges. Thankfully for the Lamborghini faithful, this particular fix should be a straightforward job. If you happen to own one of these, it’s probably a good idea to leave it in the garage for the time being. Not that you were going to pour on the miles, anyway. LamborghiniThis 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

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