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    Hyundai, Nissan Roll Out Services to Make It Easier to Own an EV

    Hyundai Home is a new online service the automaker is providing to electric-vehicle customers to help them find local contractors to install EV home chargers, solar panels, and maybe a home battery.Nissan also announced EV Carefree+ at the L.A. auto show. This is a collection of services including free public charging and roadside assistance to reduce anxiety in new EV drivers.Automakers have been experimenting with different ways of encouraging EV adoption with projects like this. GM, for example, will pay to have L2 home chargers installed when someone buys a new Bolt, and many automakers work with Qmerit to find reliable local contractors.Hyundai is working on making it easier for car buyers to choose a plug-in vehicle with a new program called Hyundai Home. The new website, which was announced today at the Los Angeles auto show, acts like an intermediary between someone who just purchased a new Hyundai EV and the boring nuts and bolts of getting a home charger permitted and installed and maybe filing for some local government or utility incentives.What to Plug InThe Hyundai Home Marketplace uses your home address to find EV-related services available there. In my case, I was able to see options for rooftop solar and home battery storage, but the EV home charger section was not yet operational. Requesting information about rooftop solar brings up a personalized but auto-generated estimate of the lifetime savings of installing solar panels. The home energy storage tab works similarly, providing an estimate of how much it would cost you to install enough batteries to power your home for a week. All of these estimates get refined by an actual installer or contractor once you complete the forms on the website, and the marketplace ends up providing customers with three bids for each project they might be interested in.Some of what’s on Hyundai’s menu. HyundaiHyundai Home also offers human Energy Advisors who can answer questions about the technologies involved. Hyundai first announced the Hyundai Home project at the 2021 L.A. show and has partnered with Electrum to make it operational. The site currently works in 16 states, but nationwide operation is “coming soon.”Other Companies at Work on EV LogisticsHyundai has company when it comes to offering EV shoppers help getting set up for home charging. GM will cover the installation of Level 2 charging outlet for new Bolt EV or Bolt EUV customers, for example, and works with Qmerit to find verified installers. Automakers including Audi, BMW, and Cadillac all work with Qmerit to find local electricians for their customers, and Qmerit also offers home charger installation help for people who didn’t just buy their EV at a dealership.Nissan EVsAnother new EV benefits program was announced alongside the Hyundai House at the L.A. show. Nissan announced a “care initiative” called EV Carefree+ that will provide EV transition assistance to Ariya and Leaf buyers, as well as customers of future Nissan electric vehicles. EV Carefree+ is the branded name for some services Nissan was already offering, like an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty and roadside assistance, along with some complimentary public charging with EVgo and included scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. Nissan also partners with Qmerit for home charger installations.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

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    2024 Subaru Impreza Goes Hatchback Only, Adds a 182-HP RS Model

    Subaru unveiled the sixth-generation Impreza with updated styling and changes to the lineup.A new RS model with the 182-hp 2.5-liter engine from the Crosstrek is being added, echoing the 2.5RS model first introduced in 1998. Subaru is dropping the sedan and selling the Impreza only as a hatchback. The 2024 Impreza will hit dealer lots in the spring. The Subaru Impreza is entering its sixth generation with a slimmed-down lineup that pivots in its focus, dropping the Premium and Limited models and adding a new more powerful RS trim that joins the base version and the Sport. The RS receives the 182-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine found in the Crosstrek, giving it an additional 30 horsepower and 33 pound-feet of torque compared with the other Impreza models. The 2024 Impreza’s styling updates the same familiar design. The grille stretches taller and swaps out chrome trim for a more muted black piece. More pronounced rear-wheel arches give a slightly sportier look. Also at the rear, the taillights have been refreshed with a design that does not protrude as much into the rear hatch. The RS model also gets an RS badge to mark its significance. New Features, Hatch OnlyWhen the third-generation WRX made its debut last year, Subaru announced that the WRX would be offered only as a sedan. Now, the company has chosen to make the sixth-generation Impreza exclusively a hatchback, further differentiating the two models. It’s a move that makes logical sense; in 2022, a spokesperson told Car and Driver, the hatchback made up 73 percent of Impreza sales. Subaru has updated its EyeSight driver-assist tech for the Impreza so that it now recognizes cyclists and pedestrians more quickly, as well as widening the field of view. The new Impreza takes a stab at additional comfort with reduced noise in the cabin and front seats that are claimed to be more supportive. Subaru is bringing its 11.6-inch vertical center screen to the Impreza, bringing the car in line with the rest of the lineup. Previously, the largest infotainment screen available on the Impreza was 8.0 inches.No Manual Option The Base and Sport trim levels return with the same 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine again producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Subaru is dropping the five-speed manual transmission, leaving only the CVT. Normally we would lament the passing of a manual gearbox, but the five-speed was so imprecise that it won’t be missed. The Sport and RS trims will receive paddle shifters and a simulated “manual mode” allowing drivers to select eight preset ratios. All-wheel drive is standard and has been upgraded with a new active torque vectoring system. The car also receives a version of the dual-pinion electronic steering rack from the WRX, which should improve steering feel, and Subaru also claims the 2024 Impreza has 10 percent more structural rigidity thanks to a redesigned, lighter inner frame.A Return of the RSIt’s a welcome move that Subaru is bringing back the RS badge and bringing the Crosstrek’s 182-hp 2.5-liter engine to the Impreza. In our testing, that engine accelerated the Crosstrek to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, whereas the Impreza with its 152-hp 2.0-liter takes just shy of nine seconds to reach 60 mph.Apart from more power, the RS gets some styling changes to help distinguish it from the lesser trims. RS badging can be found on the front doors and rear hatch. The RS swaps body-color side mirrors and rocker panel molding for black replacements. The interior has simulated carbon and gunmetal trim pieces. The front seats are finished in black cloth with red bolstering, while the steering wheel and shifter get an upgraded leather finish. The carpeted floor mats feature the RS logo. It’s certainly still no thrill-seeking hot hatch, but thankfully Subaru added a bit more pep to its step. Subaru hasn’t given any pricing details yet, but the 2023 model starts at $20,815 and we expect the newer vehicle will come at a small increase from that. According to Subaru, the 2024 Impreza will go on sale beginning in the spring. 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

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    $290,000 Drako Dragon EV SUV Packs 2000 Horsepower, Gullwing Doors

    The Drako Dragon is the second vehicle from the California-based startup after the GTE electric sedan that was revealed in 2019.The Dragon has four electric motors with a combined output of 2000 horsepower, and Drako claims a 200-mph top speed and a 9.0-second quarter-mile time.Behind the gullwing doors are a leather interior and a massive 17.1-inch touchscreen. The Dragon will cost $290,000 when it reaches customers in 2026. Drako Motors, a startup based in San Jose, California, first teased the Dragon SUV this summer, showing off its dramatic gullwing doors and announcing its wild 2000-horsepower output. The Dragon is Drako’s second vehicle after the Fisker Karma-based GTE electric sedan, and the electric super-SUV has now been revealed in full, showing off an athletic design and touting otherworldly performance figures.DrakoThe Dragon looks like an Extreme E racer blended with a Lotus Eletre because of its aggressive stance and sloping, coupe-like roofline. The trapezoidal grille shape incorporates both cooling vents and a front wing that boosts range and provides downforce, working in conjunction with flying buttresses that stretch from the roof to the rear haunches. The Dragon’s slim LED headlights and taillights are joined by “ultra-bright rally lights integrated into its roof.” The body panels are constructed from sustainable natural fiber composites, decreasing the use of plastics by 70 percent, and wrap around a carbon-fiber chassis.DrakoThe gullwing doors are eye-catching but also allow Drako to remove the B-pillar, easing ingress and egress from the rear seats. The cabin is dominated by a 17.1-inch touchscreen, with a smaller digital instrument cluster behind the flat-bottom steering wheel, which holds all of the Dragon’s physical buttons. The Dragon also uses cameras in lieu of mirrors, displaying the view on small screens integrated into the dashboard. Screens for the rear passengers are mounted in the leather and carbon-fiber front seats, while a panoramic glass roof sits overhead. DrakoLike the GTE, the Dragon uses four electric motors, one controlling each wheel. With 2000 hp and all-wheel drive, Drako claims the Dragon launches from zero to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, runs the quarter-mile in 9.0 seconds, and reaches a top speed of more than 200 mph. With a curb weight of 4969 pounds, 10-piston front calipers and six-piston rear calipers clamp onto carbon-ceramic brake rotors to slow the Dragon down. Drako also claims the Dragon has 50/50 weight distribution, and the SUV measures 199 inches long and 81 inches wide, a smidge shorter and wider than a Lamborghini Urus. The adaptive suspension allows the Dragon to sit as low as 6.4 inches off the ground but can raise to provide 12.4 inches of clearance in its “Overland” mode.More Super SUVsThe battery is apparently designed and built in-house, although Drako doesn’t specify how large the pack is. Still, it must be pretty big since Drako is claiming a 420-mile range, and with a maximum charging rate of 500 kW, Drako says the Dragon can charge to 80 percent in 10 minutes. The Dragon also uses a single operating system to control all of the vehicle’s functions, from the infotainment to the driver-assistance systems to the battery management and traction control system that permits tank turns like a Rivian R1T.Drako says the Dragon will be built in the United States, with plans to eventually build 5000 units each year. Deliveries are supposed to begin in 2026, with the Dragon starting at $290,000, and reservations are open now. 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

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    1996 Renault Twingo Is Today's Bring a Trailer Auction Pick

    • Here’s a tiny, friendly-faced city hatchback with an outsize personality.• A masterpiece of packaging, the Twingo is roomy and comfortable, and the enormous canvas roof provides open-air motoring on demand.• This car represents a highlight of French motoring whimsy. It’s currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer.For a country so given to Gallic shrugs and black-and-white movies crammed with ennui, France really does know how to have fun on the road. English cars have a tweedy character, Italian exotics can be fierce, but the French do a sort of wheeled quirkiness that’s positively fizzing with zest. As they say, if it’s not from the Champagne region, it’s merely a sparkling hatchback.Related StoriesUp for auction this week on Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—is a cheery green example of the peak of mid-’90s French design. It’s a 1996 Twingo, Renault’s city-car replacement for the venerable Renault 4. Just look at this car’s cherubic amphibian face, brimming with delight and ready to go careening around the streets of Paris like a motorized pinball. Doesn’t it look fun?In a world where every new SUV grimaces like a murderous electric shaver, the Twingo is a throwback to a more lighthearted era of design. It wouldn’t be out of place in one of Hayao Miyazaki’s movies. In fact, Japan’s most beloved animator was and is partial to French motoring, having owned a series of Citroën 2CVs for decades.Bring a TrailerWhile the Twingo is a Renault rather than a Citroën, it can be argued that it’s the true everyman follow-up to France’s beloved tin snail. Conceived as a tiny van that maximized a stamp-sized parking footprint, the Twingo was full of clever design ideas, including flat-folding seats, a simple control layout, and wheels pushed to the absolute corners of the car. It embodies some of the best elements of the original Mini, the first-generation Honda Fit, and a host of other small but charming city cars.This one is a 1996 model with about 103,000 kilometers (64,000 miles) on the odometer. Power comes from a thrifty 1.2-liter engine that puts 75 horsepowe through a five-speed manual transmission to the front wheels. On paper, the Twingo posts some leisurely acceleration times. Display a little elbows-out French driving élan, and it’s an absolute rocket.Or at least it will feel like one from behind the wheel, what with that characteristic soft suspension and light steering. The Twingo is the sort of car that responds like an eager puppy when you pitch it into a corner, sawing at the wheel like Marcel Marceau miming steering a sinking pirate ship.Bring a TrailerFurther delight can be found in the large retractable canvas roof, which is a bit like the one you get in a 2CV. A fairly tasteful aftermarket three-spoke wheel has been fitted, though the original factory two-spoke is also included in the sale. We say keep the three-spoke and pretend to be a budget-restricted René Arnoux.Bring a TrailerThe only drawback to this Twingo is that it is not street-legal in every state. If you live in California, désolé, but the Twingo is not for you. The car is currently registered in Connecticut.Should this pocket-size French import be legal to park in your driveway, make all haste to bid. With seven days left, bidding stands at just $2911. Miss out, and you’ll end up crying into your ratatouille while an accordion plays a mournful dirge.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

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    Fiat's Iconic 500 City Car to Return to U.S. in 2024 as an EV

    Fiat announced today that its adorable 500 minicar will return to the North America market after a four-year absence.Unlike the previous-generation car, the 500 will be sold here only as the electric 500e.The new 500e is already on sale in Europe and comes with an estimated driving range of up to 199 miles on Europe’s very optimistic WLTP cycle.After Fiat discontinued of the 500 and 500L models in North America a few years back, we’ve been skeptical about the future of the brand. The 500X SUV is the only Fiat currently sold on our shores, but now a completely redesigned 500e electric hatchback is on the way to give Fiat a boost in the U.S. market.Based on the 500 city car that’s sold in Europe already, the 500e will go on sale here as a 2024 model, but Fiat has so far been tight-lipped on details about U.S. specs for its electric powertrain and battery pack. We suspect it will port over exactly as it is sold in Europe, with the larger of the two available battery packs, a 37.3-kWh unit, and an electric motor driving the front wheels that can provide up to 117 horsepower. More on the Original 500eWith this larger battery, the 500e carries a range estimate of 199 miles on the European WLTP cycle. But unless Fiat somehow squeezes a larger battery pack into the U.S. variant, we expect to see a significantly lower EPA range estimate, likely around 160 miles per charge.The 500e appears to be coming to the U.S. in both hardtop hatchback and softtop convertible body styles, although there’s no word yet on if the European version’s 3+1 door configuration will make the leap. With help from Italian fashion houses Armani and Bulgari as well as contemporary furniture design firm Kartell, Fiat has shown three one-off concept cars at the 2022 Los Angeles auto show that highlight the car’s fashionable styling. FiatFiatThe Armani 500e, for example, features a special exterior paint treatment with a laser-etched chevron pattern meant to make it look like fabric. The Kartell version uses sustainable plastics to dress up the car’s interior, and the Bulgari model sports an upscale appearance inside and out with colorful embroidered upholstery and a matching mural on the dashboard. That version also features a removable brooch with inset amethyst, topaz, and citrine gemstones mounted at the center of the steering wheel. We don’t expect such an option to make it to production, sadly.Those in the know will remember that 500e version of the previous-gen car was sold here back through 2019 model year, although its availability was limited to California and Oregon. That model was a big money loser for the brand, with former Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne famously telling Reuters in 2014 that he hoped not too many people would buy it because his company lost about $14,000 on each one.FiatFiatThis time around, the 500e is poised to present a better business case. For starters, it’ll likely be offered in for sale in more states, and we expect it will carry a higher starting price than the 2019 version, which retailed for around $34,000. The 500e will be among the first EVs to reach the U.S. from Fiat’s parent company, Stellantis. While rivals such as General Motors, Ford, and Volkswagen have rapidly launched EV models, Stellantis has lagged. The company has shown flashy concepts such as the Chrysler Airflow and the Dodge Charger Daytona, but those cars are still in the concept stage. Since the 500e is already on sale in other parts of the world, it may beat those vehicles to production.Fiat says the production version of the 500e will debut next year at the 2023 Los Angeles auto show, and by then we’ll likely know more about the car’s powertrain, battery, and driving range. 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

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    2023 Porsche 911 Dakar is Rad and Rally Prepped

    Porsche has pulled the wraps off its most unique 911 model at the 2022 Los Angeles auto show.The 2023 911 Dakar is a lifted, off-road-capable variant of its famed 911 sports car, complete with a roof rack, all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, and more rally-ready mods.Behind the rear axle is a 473-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six engine borrowed from the 911 Carrera GTS and the 911 Dakar is offered only with Porsche’s eight-speed PDK automatic transmission.Porsche’s 911 sports car is an icon in its own right and one of the many things we like about it is its broad range of available models, from basic Carrera coupes all the way up to the fire-breathing GT3 RS. One thing the 911 lineup hasn’t had is perhaps something we never thought to ask for: an off-roader. That changes for 2023 with the introduction of this, the 911 Dakar, which is named for the Paris-Dakar rally race that began in 1978.Although we caught a glimpse of it already via teaser images of it completing its testing at all corners of the earth, the 911 Dakar has now been shown in production form and we know all about its all-terrain modifications. The 911 Dakar is essentially a Carrera 4 GTS coupe modified for rally duty, and as such is equipped with a 473-hp twin-turbo flat-six and all-wheel drive. Rally ModsThe suspension has been raised by 50 millimeters and features a standard lift system that can give it 30 millimeters more ground clearance when needed. Unlike off-road systems that allow for a higher level of adjustability for low-speed maneuvering, Porsche has set up the lift system to allow the 911 Dakar to ride at its maximum height at speeds up to 105 mph. Set the car to its new Off-Road driving mode, and it automatically raises itself to this height.Lifted Porsches Old and NewLike other 911 models, the Dakar rides on a staggered wheel setup with 19-inch rollers in the front and 20 inchers in the back. What makes the Dakar unique is that wrapped around those aluminum wheels are Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus tires that have been specially developed to be more resistant to puncture thanks to a dual-carcass construction method.Ok, so the paint might get scuffed surely, but the 911 Dakar is made for high-speed off-road endeavors. Porsche has added under-body protection to give the 911 Dakar the ability to blast down rutted roads and scale grassy knolls without terrorizing the car’s low-hanging mechanicals. Stainless steel skid plates and side protectors have been added and the car’s front overhang has been slightly shortened to provide a better approach angle. Still a 911Despite all the modifications, Porsche says the 911 Dakar is only 16 pounds heavier than a 911 Carrera 4 GTS with an automatic transmission. Weight-saving measures have been taken to keep the car’s mass in check, for example, the rear seats have been removed and lightweight window glass has been used.The 911 Dakar’s engineers raided the 911 parts bin, installing the GT3’s carbon-fiber hood, the Carrera S brakes, and the cooling system from the Turbo S. Porsche says the 911 Dakar can hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds—an estimate we think is a little conservative given that a rear-wheel drive 911 Carrera GTS with the PDK dashed to 60 in just 2.8 seconds during our testing. The interior is spacious for two adults and nicely put together just like a normal 911. A pair of aggressively-bolstered sport seats are standard, buyers can opt for more comfortable standard 911 seats if they wish. An exterior livery package that pays tribute to the 1984 Paris-Dakar winning 911 is optional too and it looks rad with its Fuchs-style white wheels, racing stripes, and racing number decal.Additionally, the 911 Dakar can be ordered with a cool roof-mounted cargo basket that features floodlights integrated into the leading edge. If you want to camp atop the 911 Dakar, Porsche says their rooftop tent will also fit.The 911 Dakar’s starting price is a lofty $223,450, but we expect that won’t deter moneyed Porsche buyers, especially when the car is this unique. But if all this performance and rally-bred engineering appeals to you, call your Porsche dealer immediately. Only 2500 will be made, and Porsche is cagey about whether a second run of limited-edition Dakar models will be made available in future model years. 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

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    Sharp-Looking bZ Compact SUV Concept Previews Toyota’s EV Expansion

    Toyota has revealed the bZ Compact SUV concept at the 2022 Los Angeles auto show, previewing a future electric crossover.The bZ Compact SUV has crisp, modern styling and is six inches shorter but 1.1 inches wider than the bZ4X electric crossover Toyota currently sells.No powertrain details were revealed, but the interior includes sustainable materials and a virtual voice-command assistant named “Yui.”While Toyota remains committed to hybrids—and has just revealed a new generation of the iconic Prius—the Japanese automaker is also dipping its toes into the emerging EV market, launching its first dedicated electric vehicle, the bZ4X, for 2023. Now Toyota has revealed a new concept at the Los Angeles auto show, which it is simply referring to as the bZ Compact SUV. This one previews a smaller electric crossover that should join Toyota’s lineup in the coming years. The concept appears to be a more finished version of the rendering shown late last year when Toyota released a slew of electric concepts.The bZ Compact SUV features sharp styling cues and a more athletic stance than the larger bZ4X electric crossover currently on sale. At 178.6 inches long, the concept is six inches shorter than the bZ4X, and the 108-inch wheelbase is four inches shy of the bZ4X’s. While the bZ Compact SUV stands 3.6 inches less tall than the bZ4X, it stretches 1.1 inches wider. With the wheels pushed out to the corners of the vehicle and crisp creases across the bodywork, the concept has a purposeful stance.The interior is simplistic and straightforward, with a yoke steering wheel and two rectangular screens that curve upward from the dashboard. The seats are built from plant-based and recycled materials, and ambient lighting adds a bit of pizazz to the grayscale cabin. The bZ Compact SUV also features a virtual assistant named “Yui” that responds to verbal commands. More Toyota NewsToyota isn’t providing any details on the bZ Compact SUV’s powertrain, other than confirming that it’s fully electric and claiming that it will bring “fun to drive, exhilarating performance.” Toyota says that it has plans to introduce around 30 dedicated electric vehicles globally, with five of those wearing the bZ (which stands for “Beyond Zero”) branding. The bZ Compact SUV concept is likely to be one of the five, and we expect it to arrive in the next couple of years bearing the name bZ3X. 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

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    2023 Toyota Prius Amazes with a Hot New Body and 220 Horsepower

    Toyota has revealed the U.S. version of the 2023 Prius hybrid and the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid.The standard model produces either 194 hp or 196 hp, and the Prime has 220 hp.The new Prius will go on sale in the U.S. sometime next year.Every new car aims to be quicker and better-looking than its predecessor, but it wouldn’t have taken much for Toyota to make such claims about the new 2023 Prius. Being slow and ugly has always been the Prius’s thing—and that’s not even meant as a knock against it. Slow and ugly worked for the Prius, which was a sales hit for many years and even won one of our 10Best awards in 2004. But the quintessential mass-market hybrid has fallen out of favor recently, among buyers and C/D staffers alike.The thoroughly reworked fifth-generation Prius appears to be just the right antidote. Significantly more powerful than before, it also offers slightly better fuel economy and adds many new features including solar panels and a hands-free driving feature. And wait, it looks like that?!More on the PriusThe same teardrop shape remains, but the new model’s smooth side surfacing, elegant detailing, and far more athletic proportions make us look back at the previous model and wonder—what happened? If the Prius could have looked like this the entire time, why didn’t it? The front end features scooped-out headlights with a C-shaped LED accent light, while the rear has a full-width LED taillight strip that looks like the new Crown sedan’s. Two inches lower than before and one inch wider, the Prius has a whole new stance—and seemingly a new outlook on life.This extends to the new powertrain that bumps output up to between 194 and 220 horsepower, depending on the configuration. That’s a huge uptick from the previous model’s wheezy 121 hp. Toyota claims the new Prius will accelerate to 60 mph in between 6.6 and 7.2 seconds, which could make it feel like an NHRA dragster compared with the 10-plus-second runs of the previous model.Although Toyota hasn’t released detailed powertrain specs quite yet, one contributor to the newfound muscle is the 2.0-liter inline-four gasoline engine that replaces the previous 1.8-liter unit. All Prii now use a lithium-ion battery pack that’s mounted under the rear seat; the old nickel-metal-hydride pack that was still found in certain versions of the outgoing car is gone. The all-wheel-drive Prius also swaps its induction-style rear-axle-mounted motor to a new permanent-magnet synchronous unit.A 194-hp front-wheel-drive setup is standard, and the all-wheel-drive model adds 2 hp to that total. The FWD-only Prius Prime, meanwhile, tops the range with its 220-hp plug-in setup that includes a larger lithium-ion battery that promises around 38 miles of electric driving range, compared with the previous Prime’s 25-miles rating.View Photos2023 Toyota Prius PrimeMichael Simari|Car and DriverDespite the extra grunt, Toyota also promises an EPA combined rating of 57 mpg for the base front-wheel-drive LE model with its 17-inch wheels. That’s one better than the outgoing 2022 Prius Eco’s 56 mpg rating, although adding AWD and opting for the XLE and Limited models’ larger 19-inch wheels will likely drop that number somewhat.Unlike before, the Prime plug-in doesn’t offer much visual differentiation from the standard car (fortunately, they both look good now). But now that it’s the most powerful Prius, Toyota is pitching it as the sporty one, as it’ll be offered only in SE, XSE, and XSE Premium trim levels. The standard car will have LE, XLE, and Limited models, just like before.While the lower trims aren’t anything fancy—they lack power seats, feature a relatively small 8.0-inch touchscreen, and will likely look dumpier on their 17-inch wheels—the Limited and XSE Premium models introduce some novel tech goodies and convenience features. A huge 12.3-inch touchscreen comes on board in the upper trims, along with a power liftgate, and a digital rearview mirror is optional. The Prime will offer solar panels for its glass roof that juice up the battery while the car is stationary to help power accessory functions and the air conditioning. Also exclusively optional on the Prime is a Traffic Jam Assist function that allows the driver to go hands-free under certain circumstances under 25 mph.We’re expecting Toyota to raise the price somewhat on the Prius, but the base model should still come in under $30,000. Top versions will likely exceed $40,000—but maybe that’s not such a stretch thanks to the Prius’s newfound swiftness, high-end features, and, most of all, its undeniable curb appeal.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