Motor News

Honda isn’t quite ready to give up on stick shifts for good, but the company is realistic about how the dawning EV era likely spells the end of the manual transmission as we know it. During a roundtable interview with Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe and head of electrification Shinji Aoyama, both executives expressed doubt to C/D that Honda would pursue any sort of simulated or artificial manual transmissions for its upcoming EVs, not even for the electric sports cars that are part of its already confirmed future lineup.”Artificially, we can do it. Mechanically, it is not easy,” said Aoyama, referring to the idea of a simulated manual as “like an extension of active sound control.” He personally does not like the idea of an artificial solution like this and said that Honda would pursue other ways of making its EVs fun to drive. Both executives said they see battery technology, as well as the packaging, programming, and overall engineering of electric motors and direct-drive units, as important differentiating factors for electric vehicles and how they feel on the road. Mibe said that it’s important for Honda’s EVs to be “edgy” and distinct from competitors in terms of the driving experience, but added, “I’m not sure if we can replace the manual transmission.” HondaThis stance is in direct contrast to Toyota’s outlook, as Honda’s chief rival is seemingly embracing the idea of a manual-transmission alternative. It recently patented a system for EVs that includes a clutch, a gear shifter, and “virtual” gear ratios, and Lexus president Koji Sato also expressed a desire for the brand’s upcoming EV supercar to have some sort of simulated manual. Even prior to this, Toyota’s GR HV Sports concept car from 2017 also incorporated a sort of simulated manual: Its hybrid powertrain used an automatic gearbox but featured a shift lever meant to mimic a six-speed manual transmission’s H-pattern gate.More on Manual TransmissionsEven if Honda doesn’t plan to adopt similar solutions, fans of the clutch pedal need not panic that Honda’s transition to an all-EV lineup will wipe out the stick shifts overnight. The company plans to phase in electric vehicles—including hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles—in stages. It aims for EVs to make up 40 percent of sales by 2030, 80 percent by 2035, and 100 percent by 2040. In the meantime, a few different manual-transmission vehicles remain in Honda and Acura’s U.S. lineups. Multiple versions of the Civic—the base hatchback, the Civic Si, and the Civic Type R—plus the Acura Integra offer six-speed manuals, and these don’t appear to be going away anytime soon.HondaHondaAs EVs do eventually take over at Honda, the company assures us that there will continue to be vehicles with enthusiast appeal. Honda has promised two electric sports cars, one described as a “flagship” and the other as a “specialty” model. Teaser images show that both have low-slung proportions, and the flagship model would likely serve as the Acura NSX’s replacement. We look forward to seeing how Honda can win us over with this new generation of performance vehicles—even if they won’t have manual transmissions or any approximation of one.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

Porsche is adding a new appearance package to the 718 Boxster and Cayman called the Style Edition.It adds color-coordinated exterior elements and a few interior extras.We don’t have a final cost for the package, but it will be available to U.S. customers starting in 2023.CLARIFICATION 11/2/22: Porsche confirmed that the 718 Boxster and Cayman Style Editions will be coming to the U.S. for the 2024 model year.Porsche’s long list of individual options offers all sorts of ways to customize the look of your car, but certain styling packages like the new Style Edition versions of the 2024 718 Boxster and Cayman are like a shortcut. With a specially selected set of visual upgrades, these packages tie things together nicely, especially when combined with an eye-catching new exterior color like the Ruby Star Neo paint seen here on the Boxster.PorscheThe standard version of the Style Edition features black 20-inch wheels from the Boxster Spyder with colored center crests and black sport tailpipes. Inside, it adds a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, floor mats with Chalk stitching, Porsche crests embossed on the headrests, and illuminated side sills. If you pay a bit more, you can also add black or white hood stripes and side graphics that match with either black or white wheels.More on the 718sPorsche has yet to reveal U.S. pricing for these packages, but we reckon they will cost a few thousand dollars extra on top of base prices of $64,850 for the Cayman and $66,950 for the Boxster. They will be available for the base Boxster and Cayman, which come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four with 300 horsepower and either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission. They’ll be available to order sometime in early 2023 and arrive at U.S. dealerships later in the year.PorschePorscheThis 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 is adding a new appearance package to the 718 Boxster and Cayman called the Style Edition.It adds color-coordinated exterior elements and a few interior extras.We don’t have a final cost for the package, but it will be available to U.S. customers starting in 2023.Porsche’s long list of individual options offers all sorts of ways to customize the look of your car, but certain styling packages like the new Style Edition versions of the 2023 718 Boxster and Cayman are like a shortcut. With a specially selected set of visual upgrades, these packages tie things together nicely, especially when combined with an eye-catching new exterior color like the Ruby Star Neo paint seen here on the Boxster.PorscheThe standard version of the Style Edition features black 20-inch wheels from the Boxster Spyder with colored center crests, black sport tailpipes. Inside, it adds a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, floor mats with Chalk stitching, Porsche crests embossed on the headrests, and illuminated side sills. If you pay a bit more, you can also add black or white hood stripes and side graphics that match with either black or white wheels.More on the 718sPorsche has yet to reveal U.S. pricing for these packages, but we reckon they will cost a few thousand dollars extra on top of base prices of $64,850 for the Cayman and $66,950 for the Boxster. They will be available for the base Boxster and Cayman, which come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four with 300 horsepower and either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission. They’ll be available to order sometime in early 2023, and will arrive at U.S. dealerships later in the year.PorschePorscheThis 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

Enyo, the latest creation from Ringbrothers, is based on a 1948 Chevy half-ton truck.A giant 8.4-liter V-8 that makes 1000 horsepower on 110-octane race gas powers this beast.Ringbrothers includes both street and race tires for Enyo.Ringbrothers is at it again. The Wisconsin-based parts manufacturer and custom vehicle builder is once again using the SEMA show in Las Vegas to show off its latest crazy creations, the craziest of which is arguably a 1948 Chevrolet half-ton pickup christened Enyo. It’s one of four vehicles the shop shipped to Vegas for the 2022 show (the others are Bully, a ’72 Chevy K5 Blazer; Strode, a ’69 Chevy Camaro; and Patriarc, a ’69 Ford Mustang Mach 1).More from SEMAAdmittedly, calling this tricked-out truck a ’48 Chevy half-ton is a bit of a stretch, as Enyo only shares its steel passenger compartment with the near-75-year-old pickup. And even those pieces are anything but stock, as Ringbrothers narrowed and chopped the cab by four inches and lengthened it by two. The rest of Enyo’s body features custom carbon-fiber pieces.RingbrothersGone is the original truck’s ladder frame. Instead, Enyo pins its bodywork atop a special one-off chassis. With no fenders, a wide track, and a low stance, Enyo looks less like a custom ’48 Chevy truck and more like the love child of a post-war Chevy truck and an open-wheel race car.Its powertrain reflects this. As Enyo’s exposed Kinsler-built eight-stack fuel injection system denotes, this truck trades its original straight-six engine for a giant 8.4-liter V-8 powerplant that produces 1000 horsepower on 110-octane race fuel. (Ringbrothers refrained from sharing the engine’s output on 91- or 93-octane pump gas.) A Bowler Performance–sourced four-speed automatic gearbox for a Corvette sends that power to the rear wheels. RingbrothersRingbrothers amplifies Enyo’s dual-purpose nature by offering it with both track and street rubber. Both wrap around a set of HRE-built center-lock wheels for a Porsche 911. In its track setup, Enyo wears staggered 18-inch Goodyear Eagle G-19 tires at all four corners. Switch to the street setup, and the truck rides on a pair of 18-inch Michelin Pilot Sports up front and a duo of 19-inch Bridgestone Potenzas at the rear. No doubt, Enyo’s body writes a check its chassis and powertrain are eager to cash. Even so, the exterior design of Enyo is what truly draws us to this creation. The Mythic Battle Green truck’s outrageous styling gives it the look of a Hot Wheels car come to life. It’s the sort of vehicle today’s kids may hang an image of on their bedroom wall, and the kind of ludicrous concept only the siren’s song of the SEMA show can encourage a custom car builder to create.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 Trailhunter concept revealed today at the 2022 SEMA show previews a new factory-built overland variant of the Toyota Tundra.The Trailhunter concept has third-party add-ons available through Toyota’s newly announced Associated Accessory Products.Along with the new third-party accessories, the Trailhunter trim will also be offered on other Toyota models—presumably the 4Runner, Tacoma, and Sequoia.While Ford and Ram are preoccupied with naming their high-performance pickup trucks after prehistoric monsters, Toyota is about to name a Tundra model after . . . something that hunts trails? To be fair, the Toyota Tundra Trailhunter concept revealed today at the 2022 SEMA show isn’t intended to be an off-road beast; instead, it previews a new factory-built overland variant. Still, we think Trailslayer or Trailthrasher would’ve sounded cooler. Car and DriverToyota says the Trailhunter concept features a unique suspension setup. Based on the photos, the concept appears to sit higher than most Tundra models. We’d wager that its elevated ride height is courtesy of the newly available factory-backed dealer-installed lift kit, which gives the half-ton truck an extra 2.6 inches of ground clearance. If that’s not tall enough to clear all obstacles, the Trailhunter concept’s underside is further protected by skid plates.Third-Party FavorsWhat really sets the Trailhunter apart from other Tundra models is its assortment of third-party accessories. Among those adorning the concept are amber front fog lights, beefy front and rear bumpers, a low-profile roof rack, and a bed-mounted tent. There’s also an ARB refrigerator installed in the cargo box, perfect for keeping refreshing beverages cool after a long day of hunting trails.ToyotaToyotaThe third-party add-ons featured on the Trailhunter concept are part of Toyota’s Associated Accessory Products. The newly announced program, which also applies to Lexus models, is meant to give customers greater customization options in a more streamlined way. Some notable third-party suppliers mentioned include ARB, Yakima, and Rigid Industries.Tundras Put to the TestTrailhunter(s) Coming SoonAlthough Toyota hasn’t said when the Trailhunter trim will join the Tundra lineup, we’re told it’s coming soon. That makes us think it’ll likely be offered as part of the 2023 model year, but we’ll have to wait until the company releases more details next year. We’ll also have to wait to hear which other Toyota models are set to get the Trailhunter treatment. For what it’s worth, the 4Runner, the Tacoma, and the Sequoia feel like no-brainers to add factory-built overland models. 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 is the 1993 Volkswagen Golf A59, a prototype developed when Volkswagen was considering entering the 1994 World Rally Championship.The A59 was powered by a unique turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 275 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque and paired with a six-speed manual and all-wheel drive.Much of the bodywork is made from carbon-fiber and Kevlar, and the A59 features a distinctive hood with three large rectangular vents.Along with a highly modified Jetta GLI and some crossovers with camping gear, Volkswagen brought this silver 1990s Golf to the 2022 SEMA show. But this is no ordinary Golf, as evinced by the bulging wheel arches and hood that looks like someone attacked it with a hole puncher. This is the 1993 Volkwagen Rallye Golf 3 A59 prototype, designed to be a homologation special so that Volkswagen could compete in the 1994 World Rally Championship. But that never happened, and this Golf with an attitude remains a one-off.Michael Aaron|Car and DriverThe A59 prototype was built with help from a German firm Schmidt Motorsport, and took the Mk 3 Golf to the extreme with a specially developed engine, a completely reworked suspension, and swollen bodywork. A bespoke all-aluminum turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder was said to produce 275 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, over a hundred horses higher than even the most powerful Golf GTI production cars of the era. A six-speed manual transmission routed that power to all four wheels via a variable center differential. Michael Aaron|Car and DriverThe 16-inch five-spoke Speedline wheels—shod in 225/45R16 tires—were affixed to a front strut suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers and wider control arms and a multilink rear suspension with Bilstein struts. Brembo brakes with cross-drilled discs took care of stopping the A59.More Wild Stuff from SEMAMany of the exterior body panels were fashioned from carbon fiber and Kevlar, and the revised front bumper, muscular wheel arches, side skirts, rear spoiler, and chunky rear bumper hiding quad exhaust pipes gave the A59 a menacing look. The multiple cutouts in the hood for cooling were a unique touch, while the interior gained Recaro seats, a three-spoke steering wheel, and a digital dashboard. If the A59 had raced, Volkswagen would have been required to build 2500 of these fierce Golfs for the road, but the project was cancelled. That means that this remains the sole Golf A59, although Volkswagen says the powertrain went on to record class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in other vehicles.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 Toyota GR Corolla Rally concept draws inspiration from Toyota’s GR Yaris rally car, with boxy fender flares and a huge rear wing.The Rally concept features 3D-printed vents in the rear quarter panels and a full roll cage in the cabin, which also holds a pair of OMP racing seats and a fire suppression system.White 17-inch OZ Racing wheels complete the rally car look.Toyota returned to the World Rally Championship in 2017 after a nearly 20 year absence, and the rediscovered passion for motorsports has spawned a performance rejuvenation in Toyota’s road car lineup. First came the GR Yaris, a homologation special built so Toyota could race a three-door hatchback body style in the WRC. While the GR Yaris never made it stateside, Toyota answered the pleas of American buyers with the GR Corolla, which packs an upgraded version of the GR Yaris’ turbo three-cylinder, a six-speed manual, and a trick all-wheel-drive system. Now, before the GR Corolla arrives at dealerships in 2023, Toyota is showing off a customized version of the hot hatch that takes inspiration from the Yaris rally car at the 2022 SEMA show.ToyotaThe GR Corolla Rally concept stands out, literally, thanks to a wide body kit with protruding three-inch fender flares and integrated carbon composite side skirts. Those boxy fender extensions are open in the rear to channel dirty air coming off of the wheels, while a carbon composite front splitter and an elephantine carbon-fiber rear wing glue the Corolla to the road. The rear quarter windows have also sprouted 3D-printed vents that feed cool air to the oil and transmission coolers mounted in the cabin behind the seats. ToyotaToyotaThe Rally concept rides on 17-inch OZ Racing wheels for that classic rally look, with the tires wrapped in 215/60R17 Continental VikingContact 7 tires. The stock brake setup has been complimented by an extra set of rear calipers, with the Wilwood turning brakes helping rotate the car on a gravel rally course. The suspension includes fully adjustable TEIN Gravel Rally coilovers and while the turbo-three remains unchanged, it gains a custom exhaust.ToyotaMore from 2022 SEMAThe interior has been stripped down to the racing essentials, with OMP racing seats with harnesses, a fire suppression system, and a full roll cage, which is mounted around the now useless rear seats. There is also an intercom system to allow the driver and navigator to communicate on the rally stage, plus a spare tire and jack, while Toyota says the six-speed manual’s shifter was slightly repositioned for better ergonomics. For now this modified, motorsport-derived GR Corolla remains a concept, but maybe one day Toyota will take its exciting new hot hatch racing.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 today revealed custom versions of the Tundra half-ton pickup and Sequoia full-size SUV at the SEMA show. These Tundra and Sequoia models were built for overlanding, which is a mix between camping and off-roading.The SEMA builds include a Tundra that doubles as a film studio and a lifted Sequoia with a vintage jet ski mounted on the back. Love it or hate it, overlanding is arguably at the peak of its popularity right now. For anyone who’s unfamiliar with the term, overlanding essentially combines camping and off-roading. Obviously, that combo requires a vehicle outfitted with equipment to accomplish both of those goals. With that in mind, Toyota today revealed several customized Tundra and Sequoia models at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show (now known as just SEMA).”Orion” Tundra by X OverlandToyotaBased on a 2022 Toyota Tundra Limited, this “Orion” truck was built by X Overland. Not only is it intended for traditional overlanding duties with its modified suspension and countless bolt-ons, but it also serves as a go-anywhere film studio. The “Orion” Tundra even put its capabilities to the test with an 8000-mile trek through Nordic country where its water-fording skills were on display (as seen below). In addition to the off-road hardware, X Overland outfitted the truck with a rooftop camper, a heating system, a 13.2-gallon water tank, and more.Toyota”Simba” Sequoia by X OverlandToyotaX Overland also built a custom version of the Toyota Sequoia Limited TRD Off-Road, which it dubbed “Simba”. It features an upgraded suspension designed to support the added weight of the gear onboard and maximize the SUV’s trail-worthiness. Called Icon Vehicle Dynamics 3.0, and utilizing a compression-damping electronic valve, it’s said to be the system’s first appearance on a Sequoia. Along with a Warn winch and a steel rear bumper, it rolls on 18-inch wheels with General Grabber X3 tires. The “Simba” Sequoia also has a rooftop tent with a hard shell as well as a dual-band transceiver radio. Toyota”Adventurer” Sequoia TRD Pro by Wescott Designs ToyotaBased on a 2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro, this “Adventurer” SUV was built by Wescott Designs. Its simple custom white paint job is accented by tasteful Toyota heritage graphics, and it rolls on flashy 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels paired with chunky 37-inch Nitto Recon Grappler all-terrain tires. The Adventurer’s suspension setup includes a 3.0-inch lift up front and a 1.8-inch lift in the back. Of course, it wouldn’t be fit for overlanding if it didn’t have add-ons such as a rooftop tent and a roof rack. The coolest thing about this Sequoia might be the vintage Kawasaki stand-up jet ski that sits on its hitch-mounted rack. Toyota”Ultimate Overlanding” Sequoia TRD Off-RoadToyotaThis 2023 Toyota Sequoia Limited TRD Off-Road was created by the publishers of 4WD Toyota Owner Magazine, in collaboration with CBI Offroad Fabrication. They wanted to build the most off-road-capable Sequoia, so they outfitted the big SUV with a 3.0-inch suspension lift, 34.1-inch Toyo Open Country mud-terrain tires, and a Warn winch. When it comes time to camp, the “Ultimate Overlanding” Sequoia features a rooftop tent and a 45-liter onboard refrigerator. ToyotaThis 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