Motor News

Honda has released the first images of the 2024 Prologue’s interior and exterior design.This new EV crossover is a collaboration with General Motors and shares components with the Chevy Blazer EV.The Prologue will go on sale in 2024 and will be followed by other Honda EVs in 2026 and 2027.If you’re interested in the new Chevy Blazer EV but aren’t a fan of the styling, Honda will offer an alternative in the form of the 2024 Prologue. The two mid-size EV SUVs share underpinnings, powertrains, and battery packs but will feature different designs inside and out, with the Honda presenting a cleaner look compared with the Blazer’s as evidenced by these new photos of the electric crossover’s exterior and interior.Finished in a new color called North Shore Pearl, the Prologue looks clean and modern and should fit in well with the rest of Honda’s SUV lineup. It’s larger than the compact CR-V and similar in size to the mid-size, two-row Passport. Its relationship to the Blazer are only obvious in terms of the proportions, as the Honda appears to have the same short rear overhang, long wheelbase, and a similar window line as the Chevy.Inside, the Prologue will feature two large screens: an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen. We’re pleased to see what appear to be physical HVAC buttons and knobs below the screen rather than touch-sensitive controls. Eagle-eyed readers familiar with the GM lineup may recognize certain components pulled from the corporate parts bin, including the start button and door handles, but that’s no surprise given the collaboration between the two automakers.The Prologue’s powertrain is likely to mirror the Blazer EV’s, which is available in many different configurations including front-, rear-, and all-wheel-drive variants. All Honda has announced so far is that the Prologue will be offered with all-wheel drive, meaning that some sort of dual-motor setup will be offered. We’d guess that the Prologue will offer a single-motor, front-wheel-drive setup as standard, with a dual-motor powertrain optional. Range figures should fall somewhere between 250 miles and 320 miles based on the Blazer’s estimates.More Future ModelsLook for more information to come within the next few months as Honda releases more specs about the Prologue. There’s no official word on when production will start, but it’s looking like the Blazer EV will begin deliveries considerably earlier than its Honda, as Chevy claims it will arrive in summer 2023 and the Prologue is slated to arrive in 2024.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 R35 Nissan GT-R reshaped the supercar world when it arrived on the scene back in 2009. Twin-turbocharged, all-wheel drive and packing a quick-shifting dual-clutch, the GT-R would become a blueprint that almost every supercar manufacturer would copy moving into the current decade. Thankfully for die-hard Godzilla fans, you now have a chance to own a pristine example of the rarest variant produced during that run: a 2021 Nissan GT-R50. The GT-R50 first arrived as a concept vehicle back in 2018, marking the dual 50th anniversaries of the GT-R nameplate, as well as the design house Italdesign before 2019. The concept merged the R35’s technical ability with some design influences from the days-gone-by of the auto industry, borrowing heavily from Italy in the process. The concept was met with such excitement that Nissan actually committed to building a limited run of the cars, with production volume officially capped at 50 units. Production was slowed as a result of COVID, but the automaker closed the order books in July of this year. Legendary Motorcar CompanyThis particular example is number 11 in the run, though the listing sellers at Legendary Motor Car claim that only 19 examples were ever produced. Considering it took the automaker so long to close the order books, it is possible that demand never reached that 50-unit goal. Regardless of the true production figures, the car’s $1,165,000 base price certainly ensured only the most fanatical of R35 customers would have a chance to own one. That’s a ton of cash, but the work done by both Nissan and Italdesign is extensive and impressive. Starting under the hood, the GT-R50 packs a modified variant of the familiar 3.8-liter VR38DETT V-6. Upgraded turbos are pulled right off the GT3 racer and combined with higher-flow injectors, larger intercoolers, and a reworked intake to provide more power. An updated crankshaft, pistons, and connecting rods bolster high-horsepower engine health. The end result is 710 hp and 585 pound-feet of torque, significantly more than the range-topping NISMO’s 600 hp and 481-pound-foot rating. Power is sent to the wheels via a reworked six-speed dual-clutch transmission, while adaptive Bilstein dampers handle the suspension duties.Legendary Motorcar CompanyThis particular example has also been outfitted with the optional hydraulic rear wing, which provides some active aero elements for maximum performance on track. Not that this car has ever seen the track, as it has arrived for sale with delivery mileage on the clock. The Italdesign bodywork certainly won’t be for everyone, but the shape is far more unique than you’d typically find from a Nissan product. The paint is also a unique hue, which cost the first owner nearly $30,000 to spec from the factory. It looks great with the red NISMO accents, though we hope that initial investment doesn’t require a significant price bump for any prospective buyers.Legendary Motorcar hasn’t published any pricing information about this particular GT-R, following the age-old adage about anything of great expense. Either way, here’s hoping that the next owner of this modern coachbuilt sports car actually decides to use the thing for its intended purpose. 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

There’s Nissan news from A to Z. Well, primarily A and Z. The electric Ariya and the sporty Z are the new babies for 2023, sitting at opposite ends of the motoring spectrum. The first is an upscale electric SUV and the second a raw, gas-burning, stick-shift, rear-drive tire spinner. Choose your fighter.2023 Nissan NewsElsewhere, the Leaf gets a refresh with some styling tweaks, new wheels, and a lineup trimmed from five choices to just two: base S and long-range SV Plus. The Altima gets interior and exterior revisions and new safety features. The Rogue and Frontier offer Midnight Editions with blacked-out wheels and trim. The Pathfinder can find more paths, with a rugged-looking Rock Creek Edition that has a suspension tuned for unpaved adventures. The carryover Maxima will soon be minimized, as 2023 is its last model year. The Rogue Sport meets its end, too.The Versa and Sentra are due for a light refresh, while the GT-R, Titan, Murano, Armada, and Kicks all continue unchanged.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 Ford GT LM Edition is a final sendoff for Ford’s 660-horsepower supercar.The LM honors Ford’s successes in endurance racing with a choice of blue or red carbon fiber on the exterior and blue or red accents in the interior.Just 20 will be built, and the GT LM Edition will be delivered this fall before production concludes at the end of 2022.The Ford GT’s story began in the early 1960s when Ford challenged Ferrari for top honors at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the GT40, sweeping the podium in 1966. Ford revived the nameplate in 2005 and then brought the moniker back in in 2016 for both a roadgoing supercar and a race car, which miraculously secured a class victory at Le Mans on the fiftieth anniversary of Ford’s first win. Now the Ford GT’s second generation is coming to an end, and Ford has revealed the 2022 GT LM Edition as a sendoff for the race-bred supercar.FordFordThe LM sees the carbon-fiber body painted in Liquid Silver, with either red- or blue-tinted carbon-fiber accents to honor the 2016 No. 68 Le Mans class winner. This tinted look appears on the front splitter, side sills, mirror stalks, rear diffuser, and engine bay louvres. The 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels also feature the colored highlights, and black Brembo brake calipers. FordThe GT LM Edition also has a 3D-printed titanium dual exhaust, which sits below a 3D-printed GT LM logo. The interior is decked out with Alcantara-wrapped carbon fiber seats, with the driver’s seat in either red or blue and the Ebony-colored passenger seat featuring matching red or blue stitching. The color of the start button also matches the driver’s bucket, and the rest of the interior is upholstered in Ebony leather or Alcantara with plenty of carbon trim. FordFordThe final version of the GT also has a unique badge on the dashboard that ties the vehicle back to its racing roots. Ford took the engine from the No. 69 GT race car that placed third at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, which had been disassembled and put in storage, and ground the crankshaft into a powder. What remained of the crankshaft was then used to create a bespoke alloy that was 3D-printed to create the plaque.More Special Edition Ford GTsOnly 20 examples of this final edition will be built, with deliveries starting this fall before production comes to an end before 2023. Ford hasn’t revealed a price, but it’s likely a substantial amount more than the $500,000 cost of the “standard” GT supercar. 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 Alpine A110 R is shaves 75 pounds off of the standard version of the French sports car.While output remains at 300 hp, the R should be more deft on the race track thanks to a retuned suspension and a new carbon-fiber aero package that includes a larger rear diffuser.The interior is decked out with Sabelt seats fashioned from carbon fiber, with six-point harnesses instead of standard belts. There’s no shortage of sports cars available in the United States, from the razor-sharp Porsche 718 twins to the rowdy Subaru BRZ and the iconic Ford Mustang. But that doesn’t mean we still don’t lust after one of Europe’s finest coupes, the mid-engined Alpine A110, which has received heaps of praise for its lively handling, communicative steering, and compliant ride. Now Alpine has revealed a new motorsports-inspired version of the four-cylinder sports car, the A110 R, featuring more extreme styling and revisions geared towards track driving.While the A110 was already a featherweight by modern standards, Alpine shaved another 75 pounds off to drop the curb weight to 2385 pounds, several hundred pounds lighter than the Boxster and Cayman. The carbon-fiber hood, redesigned with vents that improve aerodynamic efficiency, saves 6.4 pounds, while unique carbon-fiber wheels eliminate another 27.6 pounds. The rear window has also been replaced by a carbon-fiber piece with air intakes to feed the turbocharged 1.8-liter inline-four. More French CarsThat four-pot makes 300 horsepower, the same as the standard A110, and sends those ponies rearwards via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The motor also churns out 251 pound-feet of torque, and Alpine claims the A110 R will hit 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, a few tenths quicker than tamer A110s. The R model sits 0.4 inch lower and can be lowered another 0.4 inch thanks to adjustable shock absorbers, while the anti-roll bars and springs are also stiffer. The A110 R also gets track-ready Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 semi-slick tires, and braking performance is boosted thanks to new Brembo clampers with an upgraded cooling system.The aerodynamics have been reworked to increase downforce while lessening drag, and Alpine claims it utilized the wind-tunnel technology from its Formula 1 team. A wider and more chiseled diffuser built from carbon fiber and fiberglass sprouts vertical endplates on either side, which isolate the diffuser from “dirty” air coming off of the rear wheels. While the rear wing is the same shape as the standard car’s, it’s positioned farther back and on swan-neck mounts that help reduce lift. Carbon-fiber side skirts also help aero efficiency and give the A110 R a more planted look. The rear generates 64 pounds more downforce at top speed compared to the A110 S Aero Kit, but Alpine also says drag is down by five percent, helping the claimed top speed increase to 177 mph. Inside, the A110 R features carbon-fiber Sabelt seats that cut out 11 pounds and strap their passengers in with a six-point harness. The blue color seen on the outside of the car—the same hue used on the Formula 1 racer—decorates the doors, which also feature red door pulls. The rest of the cabin is covered in microfiber and carbon-fiber bits, while the infotainment system packs a telemetry system for analyzing technical data.There’s no word on how much pricier the R model will be, but sadly we won’t be able to buy one anyway, since Alpine has no plans to enter the U.S. market anytime soon. We’ll have to resort to racing the A110 R in our dreams.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

Ford Performance is now offering Bronco owners a kit that adds 30 horsepower and 60 pound-feet of torque to models equipped with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. The tune not only improves power figures, but also claims to improve throttle response and optimize shift points for automatic-transmission Broncos.The Ford Performance tune for the Bronco is available in all 50 States for the 2021 model, but is not available in California for 2022 models. The Ford Performance wizards are offering a tuning kit that increases horsepower and torque figures for the Bronco’s base turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four. Available for 2021 and 2022 models, the $825 tune adds 30 horsepower and 60 pound-feet of torque to the EcoBoost turbo-four, bringing horsepower level with the larger twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6 at 330 hp. Torque lags behind that of the larger engine at 385 pound-feet, and the torque peak arrives at a slightly higher 3500 rpm. Importantly, these power figures are only achievable using premium fuel. Dropping to regular fuel caps power at a reduced 275 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque.More on the BroncoFord PerformanceThe kit also aims to improve throttle response and optimize shift points for automatic-transmission equipped Broncos to go along with the additional power. In manual-transmission Broncos, the kit includes rev-matching functionality for your downshifting pleasure. There’s also the option to modify your base Bronco so it can take tires as large as the 37-inch BFGoodrich KO2 rubber offered on the Bronco Raptor. While the optional 2.7-liter V-6 engine costs $1895 from the factory, this Ford Performance tune offers the same horsepower figure for less than half the price. The tune comes with a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty when it is installed by a Ford dealer or certain certified technicians. 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

It looks like 2023 is the year of the SUV at Honda. The redesigned CR-V is better-looking inside and out and boasts a larger footprint along with plenty of new features. The HR-V is also new and now shares its platform with the Civic, meaning it’s significantly larger than the old Fit-based model. It switches to a 158-hp 2.0-liter inline-four, again with a CVT automatic. The three-row Pilot is next to go under the knife, but Honda has only teased the new model so far. The two-row Passport is unchanged for this year, but we expect a new version to follow the Pilot next year.Despite the focus on its popular sport-utes, Honda hasn’t neglected the fun stuff. The Civic Type R hot hatch is new for 2023 and adopts the latest Civic’s look, though a huge, ostentatious wing is still part of the deal. The Type R’s turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and six-speed manual stick around, but the engine now makes 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.A new Accord is coming early in 2023. Spy photos indicate it will adopt an evolutionary look with slimmer headlights and taillights. The turbocharged 1.5-liter base engine will likely carry over, and we’re hoping that the turbo 2.0-liter does, too. Honda has said the hybrid will become the top powertrain option, as it’s aiming for half of Accord sales to be the gas-electric version.Future HondasIn other hybrid news, the Insight is dead, but a Civic hybrid is slated to replace it. Honda’s most mainstream EV offering to date is coming as well, but won’t arrive until 2024. It’s called the Prologue and will be a mid-size SUV co-developed with GM.The Ridgeline pickup is unchanged, and the Odyssey minivan gets a new Sport trim level with black wheels.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

Automated emergency braking, known by many names at different automakers, is almost universally standard on new vehicles in the U.S. today, but that doesn’t mean they prevent all types of rear-end collision.Official AEB tests are done at just 12 and 25 miles per hour. AAA decided to see if they worked as well at 30 and 40 mph. They did not.AAA’s results are extremely similar to a test we did three years ago on these systems.Automated emergency braking might sound like a technology that automatically brakes your car in an emergency. Logical, sure, but the AAA just released results of a test that it performed showing that relying on AEB isn’t as predictably safe as drivers might expect. Especially when moving at speeds above 40 mph, AEB’s full functionality dropped to worrying levels, the not-for-profit association said. This came as no surprise to us, as we performed a test of these systems three years ago and found them similarly lacking.Different automakers sometimes call their AEB technology by different names, but they all work similarly. Forward-facing sensors, which can include radar and cameras, scan the road ahead and when they detect something the moving vehicle might crash into, the system applies the brakes in an attempt to, well, not crash.In 2016, the majority of major automakers agreed to make AEB technology standard on their vehicles by 2022. Today, 20 automakers, builders of more than 99 percent of the new vehicles in the U.S., have made AEB standard equipment on all models. AAA and other safety groups acknowledge that AEB works. Last year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released a new study that found rear AEB helped reduce the number of insurance claims more than any other safety technology the group had studied. But preventing rear-end crashes at slower speeds, which is what AEB was originally designed to do, is not the only thing that AEB could be used for. AAA said that, between 2016 and 2020, almost 40 percent of all fatalities involving two passenger vehicles, when the striking vehicle did not lose traction or leave the road before the collision, were T-bones and left turns in front of oncoming vehicles. AEB systems also have difficulty working at night, as IIHS discovered earlier this year. “Automatic emergency braking does well at tackling the limited task it was designed to do,” Greg Brannon, director of AAA’s automotive engineering and industry relations, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, that task was drawn up years ago, and regulators’ slow-speed crash standards haven’t evolved. Testing requirements for this technology, or any vehicle safety system for that matter, must be updated to handle faster, more realistic speeds and scenarios with the greatest safety benefit for drivers.”AAAAAATo figure out how well AEB technologies work at intersections and at higher speeds, AAA decided to conduct a new series of tests using vehicles from four automakers: a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox LT, a 2022 Ford Explorer XLT, a 2022 Honda CR-V Touring and a 2022 Toyota RAV4 LE. Current crash standards require AEB tests to be conducted at 12 and 25 mph, not exactly highway speeds. AAA instead ran tests where a vehicle moving at 30 or 40 mph hit a stationary vehicle. The group also ran T-bone and unprotected-left-turn tests.AEB prevented a rear-end collision 85 percent of the time when tested at 30 mph. This number dropped to just 30 percent for tests at 40 mph. In the intersection tests, AEB completely failed. Crashes occurred in 100 percent of AAA’s tests because “AEB failed to alert the driver, slow the vehicle’s speed, [or] avoid the crash.”It Still Helps in Some WaysDespite these low success rates, AEB is still a valuable technology to have, AAA found, because even if it can’t completely avoid a crash, AEB systems can still slow a car down enough to reduce the severity of a crash. In the 30-mph test, impact speed was reduced by 86 percent; at 40 mph, it was by 62 percent.Automakers have been adjusting their AEB technologies in response to customer complaints about “inadvertent activation” and for other reasons. Test results in hand, AAA is now calling on automakers to get their safety systems “to better handle the types of crashes when injuries and fatalities commonly occur,” including getting AEB to handle intersection-based crash scenarios. Just as important is the message that drivers should not rely on an AEB system working as promised in an emergency.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