Motor News

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.Theoretically, the tenth movie in Universal Studios’ The Fast and the Furious franchise will be the last. Yeah, don’t believe that. As long as Vin Diesel is healthy and these things are profitable, Universal is going to keep churning them out. If putting a Fiero into space isn’t too absurd for The Fast and the Furious, nothing will kill the franchise.That reality leads to this episode of Car and Driver’s oh-so-wacky Window Shop. The challenge this time was to find a car to include in the next F&F film. Or the 30th or the 100th.Join the Zoom-addicted gang as they propose intriguing or stupid (or both) cars to be featured in a series about street racers who stole VCRs in the first film, and are now superheroes who can’t be harmed by mere physics.Leading the show is editor-in-chief Tony Quiroga who also sets the rules, the challenge and the budget. And who, despite those advantages, rarely wins. He’s joined by executive editor K.C. Colwell who has a beard, senior editor Elana Scherr who has the best fingernails, most-favored contributor Jonathon Ramsay who is kind of cuddly, and Road & Track senior editor John Pearley Huffman who just won’t go away.There’s a budget. There are cars. Have some time to blow? Blow it this way.More Window ShoppingThis 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

Pricing for the 2023 Kia Telluride starts at $37,025 and ranges up to $54,120.X-Line and X-Pro packages are new to the lineup, with the latter adding all-terrain tires and a higher tow rating.The updated models will start arriving at dealerships this months, Kia says.The Kia Telluride’s refresh for the 2023 model year brings new features, fresh styling, and additional trim levels, but the updated SUV’s increased pricing means it’s not quite the amazing bargain it once was. The starting price for the base LX model rises $2300 to $37,025, and some trim levels are up by as much as $2900 compared with last year. Several versions of the three-row crossover now top $50,000, including the off-road-oriented X-Pro that’s new for 2023.The X-Pro upgrade, which costs $2395, is available only for the all-wheel-drive SX and SX-Prestige trim levels. It adds 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and increases the tow rating to 5500 pounds. The X-Pro also includes the increased ground clearance and styling tweaks of the more appearance-minded X-Line package that costs $2195 on the EX and $1395 on the SX and SX-Prestige.More on the TellurideFront-wheel drive is standard on all versions of the Telluride except for the $51,725 SX-Prestige, which comes with AWD. The S starts at $38,925, the EX at $42,625, and the SX at $46,825. All-wheel drive is a $2000 option on these trims. A 291-hp 3.8-liter V-6 and eight-speed automatic transmission remain standard across the board. New standard features for 2023 include a larger infotainment screen, a digital gauge cluster, and additional driver-assistance features.Kia says the 2023 Telluride will start arriving at dealerships this month.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 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

If you are anything like my mother, you keep tabs on our masthead. Unfamiliar with the term “masthead”? It is print speak for the list of people who work at a publication and their accompanying responsibilities. Take a look, and you may notice some new names. Allow me to update you on what we’ve been up to since February.One of the best vehicle evaluators I’ve ever known and the staffer who annually volunteers to drive the hairiest and quickest cars at our annual track event, Lightning Lap, 18-year C/D vet K.C. Colwell shifts from being deputy testing director to executive editor. You’ve seen his influence in his new role in the past few issues, as he loves big comparisons and instrumented tests of the latest cars. Colwell excels at staying cool even when receiving a last-minute phone call about the Pagazzini Fasterossa that is stuck in customs, leaving a six-page hole in the magazine. This sort of nightmare is a monthly occurrence, which is something I didn’t share with K.C. until he accepted the position.David Beard.Michael Simari|Car and DriverColwell’s move left a vacancy in the role of senior testing editor. Enter David Beard, whose byline is known by devotees of our testing content. In addition to having tested 800-plus cars over nearly 10 years with C/D, Beard is a natural problem solver who is always prepared for anything. On a comparison test to Death Valley, the Alfa Romeo Giulia threw a check-engine light—big surprise—and went into a limp mode after we used the remote-start feature on the key fob. As we tried to find the nearest Alfa dealer on our phones, Beard pulled an OBD-II scanner from his satchel, plugged it in, diagnosed the code, and reset the Alfa. In addition to curing Italian-car hiccups, there’s no problem C/D has thrown at him that he couldn’t solve. He also holds our records for quickest to 60 mph and the most skidpad g’s. We are counting on Beard to carry on the testing team’s pursuit of technical perfection.Joining Beard is Mike Sutton in his new role of technical editor. One of the most experienced and conscientious C/D staffers, Sutton brings many years of editing and writing experience to the testing team. A lover of performance cars and off-road trucks and SUVs in near-equal measure, Sutton owns an ’05 Pontiac GTO but is always quick to sign out our long-term Ram TRX and any Ford Raptor that passes through our office. In his 15 years at C/D, he’s learned how to strap the test gear to cars and finesse them to get the best possible times. Now he’ll be doing it like his job depends on it, because it does.In the past three years, Austin Irwin has done stints in the art department, the features department, and most recently the online buyer’s guide department. Yup, he’s our utility infielder, or maybe he’s going for a Car and Driver EGOT. An Upper Peninsula native who is impervious to Southeast Michigan winters, Irwin is blessed with a wit and smart attitude that spill over into his writing. A fan of ’80s Nissan 300ZXs—the squared-off ones with pop-up headlights—Irwin is resurrecting his own 1986 300ZX Turbo. Godspeed.Earlier this year, Eric Stafford joined the news department as a senior associate editor to help them stay on top of everything from new-car introductions to Ford’s swollen-lug-nut problem. Perpetually game to jump headfirst into tough assignments, Stafford appears to enjoy tackling major projects, which explains the ’97 Chevrolet Camaro SS parked behind the office. Few assignments are tougher or more important than helping new C/D staffers get up to speed on our particular ways, and we rely on his experience for just that.Frankie Cruz and Jack Fitzgerald.Michael Simari|Car and DriverSpeaking of new people, Jack Fitzgerald is fresh from earning his sheepskin at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in political science and journalism. As an associate news editor, he keeps up with the daily churn of the automotive world. His love of racing and Formula 1 is infectious, and that passion for all things automotive has fast-tracked his education in the ins and outs of testing and reviewing cars. First car? A tired 1997 Jeep Cherokee that is probably the dynamic opposite of Fitzgerald’s current favorite car, the Porsche Cayman GTS.To help our existing copy team keep our prose sparkling and free of mistakes, we added copy editor Meredith Conrow. She’s new to dissecting automotive writing but an avowed manual-transmission driver and advocate since cutting her teeth on a 1986 Mazda 323. Meredith’s dream car garage includes a Ford Mustang GT convertible, a Mini Cooper, and a Mazda Miata. Her biggest copy-editing annoyances? Split infinitives, a series without Oxford commas, and when people add apostrophes for plurals. I’d have to agree that all those things constitute gross misconduct, and I can’t wait to see her red pen all over the place. Matthew Skwarczek and Meredith Conrow.Michael Simari|Car and DriverFew things delight our C/D readers more than uncovering an error. Our last line of defense is our research editor, known colloquially as a fact checker. Matthew Skwarczek is our search engine minus the sponsored ads, false leads from Russia, and WebMD diagnoses—my itchy arm is cancer? Skwarczek is diligent, patient, willing to fix other people’s mistakes, and remarkably cool for someone occupying one of the most stressful positions on staff. All of these qualities make him the perfect Fiat 500 Abarth owner.If the magazine and website look cleaner and easier to read, you might thank deputy design director Nicole Lazarus (pictured at top, far right). After seven years working in the art department at Automobile Magazine, Lazarus spent 14 years making National Geographic beautiful, but we managed to lure her back since Nat Geo doesn’t use nearly enough spider graphs. If you really want to get to Lazarus, be sure to email your complaints about fonts, photos, and layouts in italicized Comic Sans.Which brings us to Frankie Cruz, our newest buyer’s guide editor. When Cruz pulled up to his interview dinner in a new Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, I donned a poker face, but I couldn’t contain my jaw when I learned that the Cadillac had replaced a 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE. He’s a C/D reader since childhood, and the other 10 cars Cruz has owned—multiple Chevy Cobalt SSs, a Subaru WRX STI S209—shows he absorbed what he read. We made him an immediate offer. His love of great driver’s cars will undoubtedly lead to more and more enthusiast-oriented assignments.Please congratulate K.C., Dave, Mike, Eric, and Austin and give a warm welcome to Jack, Meredith, Matthew, Nicole, and Frankie. We’re looking to hire a few more experienced and talented people in the coming months. If you think you’ve got the right stuff, check out careers.hearst.com for the latest opportunities. 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

Following its redesign last year, the C-class sedan gets the AMG treatment for 2023. The new C43 four-door trades its predecessor’s 385-hp twin-turbo V-6 for a 402-hp turbo 2.0-liter four. Its 48-volt hybrid system powers a 13-hp starter-generator and an electric motor within the turbo, which combats lag. The upcoming C63, which is a 2024 model, trades its V-8 for a 671-hp plug-in-hybrid version of this powertrain. The previous-gen coupe and convertible live on as the Benz-badged C300 and AMG-fettled C43 and C63.New ModelsThe GLC-class is freshly redesigned for 2023. For now, it comes strictly as a 255-hp four-cylinder GLC300, though a more powerful AMG variant and a plug-in-hybrid powertrain are also due to join the lineup.The fastback GLC Coupe is as yet untouched by the redesign, though a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is now standard across the line.On the electric front, the new EQB now marks Benz’s entry point for EVs. It comes with a 66.5-kWh battery and 225 horsepower at the 300 4Matic level or 288 horses in the 350 4Matic. The EQB250+ is the least powerful (188 horses) but has the longest range. A trio of new models rounds out the growing lineup of EVs: the EQE sedan, EQE SUV, and EQS SUV.Mercedes-Benz EQBMercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz EQS SUVMercedes-BenzWhile Mercedes has revealed little about the EQE SUV, we know more about the new EQS SUV. Like the flagship EQS hatchback, the SUV has a 107.8-kWh battery and comes in rear-drive 355-hp EQS450+ and all-wheel-drive EQS450 4Matic guise, as well as in 536-hp EQS580 4Matic form. A third row of seats is optional. Sportier AMG and ultra-luxe Maybach models are sure to come.The Metris van sunsets after 2023, but the bigger Sprinter gets a number of mechanical revisions, including a new turbo-diesel four-cylinder in 168-hp and 208-hp states of tune. They replace last year’s less powerful four- and six-cylinder diesels. The 188-hp gas-fed turbo four sticks around. A nine-speed automatic transmission steps in for the old seven-speed unit. Rear-drive remains standard, but a new all-wheel-drive system capable of splitting torque evenly between the axles replaces last year’s rear-biased setup.This year also is the last for the E-class’s 603-hp E63 S sedan and wagon; the noir-inspired, matte-gray E63 S Final Edition marks the occasion.In G-class news: A 585-hp twin-turbo V-8 powers the G63 4×4². Like the G550 4×4² before it, this model sports flared fenders, a light bar, and a set of portal axles that add more than four inches of ground clearance. Changes to the rest of Mercedes’s extensive model line are minimal, with the CLA-class, GLA-class, and GLB-class carrying over unchanged. The CLS-class, GLE-class, GLS-class, S-class, SL-class, and GT 4-Door all receive minor adjustments to color palettes and trim and feature content. The 800-plus-hp GT 4-Door hybrid is still a year away, and the two-door GT is dead, but we expect it to return as a hardtop companion to the SL droptop. Lastly, the long-delayed, F1-inspired, 1000-plus-hp AMG One supercar will finally be delivered to overseas customers in late 2022.Future MercedesThis 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

With the shift away from internal-combustion engines to electrification and the march toward automated and autonomous vehicles, we’re in the most transformative moment in automotive history. Audi is one of the earliest adopters of new technology, and as engineering evolves, so does design. Rather than creating radically different designs for its initial e-tron EV offerings, Audi opts for more traditional styling that creates a bridge between the past and future, but that’s only the first step.We sat down with Oliver Hoffmann, Audi’s chief development officer, and head of design Marc Lichte in Audi’s Malibu, California, Design Loft to hear their thoughts on Audi’s next steps.As Lichte points out, having design studios in both California and Beijing allows designers to draw inspiration from Audi’s most important markets. There are different sensibilities related to each, but appearances must still remain unmistakably Audi. As he describes it, “A Coke bottle is recognizable anywhere in the world, but the tastes vary slightly depending on the region.”With the advent of EV architecture’s “skateboard” chassis, designers have newfound freedom with fewer of the constraints found with internal-combustion drivelines. That’s not to say battles between designers and engineers are a thing of the past. Hoffman quips that there are still discussions on millimeter scales, usually in regard to vehicle height.Design technology is also evolving. Upon entering the Malibu Design Loft, there’s no scent of clay or markers. Everything is now digital and incorporates 3D VR modeling for a more seamless and efficient workflow that spans continents. As a result, Audi has been creating concepts at a rapid pace. Reinventing the SUV?Audi christened the Design Loft last year with a rollout of the Skysphere variable-wheelbase concept. The “sphere” nomenclature refers to the interior space, which receives priority over exterior styling at first. China responded with the Urbansphere minivan-esque vehicle, which gives us a glimpse of how automated driving will affect interiors since the driver will be freed from driving duties. Audi’s Activesphere concept is coming in early 2023.AudiNext up is the forthcoming Activesphere concept, which Lichte says will integrate automated driving and represent the next big step in Audi’s design direction. He hints that even the definition of an SUV will evolve as vehicles will have reduced ride heights to maximize aerodynamic efficiencies. His enthusiasm for this next concept is palpable, and we’re admittedly excited to see how Audi adapts and evolves to this changing landscape. One thing is certain: the future will look very different.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 confirmed to Car and Driver that the F-150 Lightning will see an additional price hike for the 2023 model year.The base Pro model will now start at $53,769, including the $1795 destination fee, while the top Platinum model will reach north of $97,000.Ford says the price increase is the result of supply chain issues and higher material costs, likely for the metals used to make the electric truck’s battery.UPDATE 10/6/22, 4:45 pm: Ford announced the official pricing figures for the 2023 Lightning, with the Pro starting at $53,769 and the top Platinum trim going for $98,669. The XLT now opens at $61,269, with the Extended Range version reaching $82,769. The Lariat now costs $76,269, with the Lariat Extended Range priced at $87,769.Ford is yet again jacking up the price of the F-150 Lightning. The electric pickup truck saw a substantial price increase in August for the 2023 model year, but now the cost to purchase a Lightning has risen even higher, as first reported by CNBC. The base Lightning Pro, which originally started at $41,769 for the 2022 model year, will now start north of $50,000. John Roe|Car and DriverFord wouldn’t specify the new prices. However, CNBC reported today that the Pro model will start at $51,974, although that is believed not to include the $1795 destination fee. The approximately $5000 increase is expected to affect the entire range, putting the top-dog Platinum trim over $97,000. More Ford NewsIn a statement to Car and Driver, Ford confirmed the price hike, attributing the changes to “ongoing supply-chain constraints, rising material costs, and other market factors.” The coronavirus pandemic, and subsequent supply chain complications, saw the prices of raw materials skyrocket, including cobalt, nickel, and lithium that are used extensively in electric vehicles’ batteries. Supply-chain disruptions are exacerbating the problem, with Ford estimating it will log around $1 billion in unexpected supplier costs in the third quarter. Several automakers have boosted prices, including General Motors, Lucid Motors, Tesla, and Rivian. Ford also added $3000 to $8100, depending on the trim level, to the Mustang Mach-E’s price in August. Ford said that customers who have already ordered the truck and are awaiting delivery, as well as commercial and government order holders, will not be subject to the price increase. This means the new price will only apply to new orders of the Lightning, and Ford also said that the company will “continue to monitor pricing across the model year,” leaving open the possibility of a decrease should raw material costs drop and supply-chain issues get ironed out, although we wouldn’t recommend holding out hope. 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 OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

The new seventh-generation 2024 Ford Mustang will spawn several racing variants, including the Gen3 Supercar seen here.The Mustang GT was homologated for race duty by Dick Johnson Racing and will compete in the 2023 Australian Supercars Championship.Along with race-spec sheetmetal and a big rear wing, the Gen3 Supercar has a 600-plus-hp version of the regular Mustang GT’s new Coyote 5.0-liter V-8.The new Ford Mustang GT Gen3 Supercar is a different kind of racehorse. It’s based on the new S650-generation Mustang that was recently revealed, but the V-8–powered coupe has been specifically built for racing, with its competitive debut set for the 2023 Australian Supercar Championship.More on the New StangFord showed CGI images of several upcoming race-prepped Mustangs shortly after the street-legal lineup was unveiled. At the time, the company also announced plans to enter the pony car in multiple racing series that also include GT3 and GT4 sports car racing, NASCAR Cup Series, and NHRA. However, the Mustang GT Gen3 Supercar is the first of those race-ready steeds to be seen in living color.Last night, the Gen3 Mustang Supercar was revealed (video of the event can be seen below), and we were told it was homologated for race duty by Dick Johnson Racing, with an assist from Ford Performance. While it bears a strong resemblance to the regular Mustang GT, its sheetmetal has obviously been revised and tattooed with Ford, Mustang, and other graphics. Its primarily white paint is complemented by blue accents that outline the bottom edges of the car, and there’s no missing the giant wing on its hindquarters.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.2023 Gen3 Ford Mustang REVEALED – Repco Bathurst 1000 | Supercars 2022Watch onUnder the hood is the 2024 Mustang GT’s Coyote 5.0-liter V-8. It now features dual throttle bodies fed by dual air intakes, and the engine gets other improvements, too. Ford still hasn’t said exactly how much power the latest Coyote mill makes in street form, but we expect it to exceed its predecessor’s max output of 480 horses and 420 pound-feet of torque. In the Supercar Stang, the production-based Coyote has been modified to make more than 600 horsepower.FordFordNot many other details about Ford’s Gen3 Supercar were released, but the car will make its first on-track appearance during the events surrounding this weekend’s Bathurst 1000 in Australia. It’ll essentially be a parade lap with driver Dick Johnson behind the wheel.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 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

Both the GMC 2500HD and 3500HD receive updated styling inside and out for the 2024 model year. V-8 Duramax diesel models gain horsepower and torque while the gas-drinking counterparts add a 10-speed automatic transmission. GMC is adding a Denali Ultimate trim to the top of the heavy-duty lineup and announced an off-roading AT4X will join the ranks later in the model year. The heavy-duty GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD are getting a refresh for the 2024 model year, complete with a redesigned front end, a fancier interior, and a new transmission. The addition of two trim levels, one for off-road adventures and the other for a cushier work-truck experience, will give HD truck buyers the luxury of more choices.Increased CapabilitiesGMC is adding to the arms race that is heavy-duty truck power figures by making updates to the 2024 Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD. However, power figures for the 6.6-liter V-8 engine don’t change for 2024; the thumping V-8 continues to produce 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. What does change is that GMC ditched the old six-speed automatic transmission in favor of the 10-speed automatic, which is shared with the diesel; GMC claims the new transmission matches better with the engine’s power curve. The 6.6-liter Duramax V-8 diesel produces 470 horsepower and gets awfully close to 1000 pound-feet of torque, generating 975 pound-feet. Those figures are up from 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet on the outgoing model. According to GMC, the extra power (and efficiency) are thanks to numerous uprades to the engine, including a more efficient turbocharger that helps generate 25 percent more low-end torque than the current-generation truck. Max tow ratings for the 2500HD and 3500HD are 22,500 and 36,000 pounds. Opting for the crew-cab variant of the 2500HD sacrifices 600 pounds of towing capability, bringing the max figure to 21,900. Luxe AccommodationsHeavy-duty work trucks are first and foremost for, well, work. But GMC is known for adding premium touches to help that work along. Whether you are talking about the heavy-duty or half-ton versions, the Sierra has long been a more upscale alternative to its sibling, the Chevy Silverado. The newly added Denali Ultimate rides on exclusive 20-inch machined aluminum wheels with gloss-black accents. Inside, there’s open-pore Paldao wood to accompany the full-grain leather seen throughout and niceties including massaging seats and a power sunroof. Cosmetic touches include a unique grille with GMC badging finished in Vader Chrome, plus special fender badging that features topography of Mount Denali. Slightly more unexpected are the redesigned headlights, which play an animation as the driver approaches the vehicle, turns it on, or uses the turn signal.More on GMC Heavy Duty TrucksThere are six new paint choices as well as new wheel designs for SLE, AT4, and Denali trims. Inside, the heavy-duty Sierras add a larger optional 13.4-inch center display alongside the newly optional 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. All but the base Pro trim level’s infotainment systems integrate Google apps and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. There’s also a new 15-inch multicolor head-up display.The Sierra HD already had the expected safety aids including forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems, but now adds (optionally) rear cross-traffic braking and trailer-side side blind-spot monitoring. More to the point for a heavy-duty truck with this kind of towing ability, there are several new trailering assist features. Cameras help the driver line up a hitch or fifth wheel, and there’s an optional accessory camera for the back of a trailer to give drivers a view behind them. Also new are adaptive cruise control while trailering and an alert to let drivers know if they have exceeded their truck’s gross vehicle weight rating. Fancy Some Off-Roading? Fancy Off-RoadingThe AT4X is something to look forward to, but this off-road-intended Sierra HD model isn’t coming until later in 2024. The rest of the heavy-duty Sierra trucks—Pro, SLE, SLT, AT4 (pictured above), Denali, and Denali Ultimate—are set to begin arriving in dealerships during the first quarter of 2023. GMC doesn’t intend to release any pricing until closer to their release dates, but current Sierra 2500HD models start around the $40,000 mark, with Denali trims climbing well past $70,000. We’d expect the Denali Ultimate to climb well above that number.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 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