Motor News

Sony and Honda are following up on their earlier announcement of an electric-vehicle partnership, saying the first EV from this deal will go on sale in the U.S. first and then in Japan.The two companies have now officially established Sony Honda Mobility, which has a stated mission to “move people through the pursuit of innovation with diverse inspirations.”U.S. customers will be able to order the cars online in early 2025 for spring 2026 delivery.Honda’s big electric-vehicle news week continues with a buzzword-filled announcement that the automaker and electronics giant Sony have officially established Sony Honda Mobility Inc. (SHM), which will become a software-oriented mobility tech company, to sell a new electric vehicle in the U.S. and Japan in the coming years. As Reuters pointed out, it’s very likely that some features will be subscription based, meaning owners will pay monthly fees to get some of the entertainment or tech choices available on the EV.SHM, which claims its purpose is to “move people through the pursuit of innovation with diverse inspirations,” will start taking pre-orders for its EV in the first half of 2025. The EV will go on sale by the end of that year, with a focus on online transactions. The first deliveries of SHM’s EV will take place in the U.S. in the spring of 2026 and in Japan in the second half of the year.Both companies are moving separately toward building EVs. Honda is fresh from showing off its latest zero-emission concept, the 2024 Prologue. Sony revealed a new EV concept called the Vision-S 02 at CES in January (that’s its interior in the photo above). Honda and Sony publicly joined forces in an EV effort in March 2022 with a memorandum of understanding that they would create a 50/50 strategic alliance for mobility. In June 2022, the companies signed a joint venture agreement that they would establish SHM. The new announcement said SHM will be “actively building partnerships with other companies” as it works on its new EV. Seeking Honda LoyalistsHonda has previously said it will rely on its loyal fans to stick with it as it shifts to electric vehicles. SHM said its target audience for the new EV will be similarly connected to the brand, even if they don’t own the car. Sony Honda Mobility did not provide any technical or design details about its first EV, but did say that the concept would be defined by 3 As, which are Autonomy, Augmentation, and Affinity. SHM chairman and CEO Yasuhide Mizuno told reporters the future EV would be priced at “a reasonable amount.”Understanding the FutureAdding some sort of autonomous technology to an EV launching in 2025 seems like table stakes at this point. To that end, SHM will develop Level 3 automated driving tech that works under “limited conditions” and will use Level 2+ driver-assistance features in situations, like urban driving, where the L3 tech can’t operate. SHM plans to use a system on a chip that’s capable of more than 800 tera operations per second (TOPS) to process these self-driving features. SHM is introducing something new when it comes to the augmentation and affinity aspects of this new EV. The early augmentation features build on tech available today, including cloud-based personalized information that will offer “entertainment beyond driving” that takes place in an “emotional space.” Again, details are sparse, but SHM is already talking about using “digital innovations such as the metaverse” as it adds augmentation to its electric vehicles. Finally, the affinity aspect expands the emotional side of the new SHM EV. Sony Honda Mobility said it wants to move not just your physical body, but your emotions, as well. The upcoming electric vehicle could one day use digital tools to bridge the driving experience with the metaverse, whatever that means.Potentially tying the SHM announcement to Honda’s big electric-vehicle plans in Ohio this week, SHM said it plans to manufacture its EV at a Honda factory in North America. Honda currently operates 12 vehicle and component plants in the U.S. and this week announced it is building a new production EV facility in Ohio with LG Energy Solution. The EV plant is expected to be completed by the end of 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. Sebastian Blanco has been writing about electric vehicles, hybrids, and hydrogen cars since 2006. His articles and car reviews have appeared in the New York Times, Automotive News, Reuters, SAE, Autoblog, InsideEVs, Trucks.com, Car Talk, and other outlets. His first green-car media event was the launch of the Tesla Roadster, and since then he has been tracking the shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles and discovering the new technology’s importance not just for the auto industry, but for the world as a whole. Throw in the recent shift to autonomous vehicles, and there are more interesting changes happening now than most people can wrap their heads around. You can find him on Twitter or, on good days, behind the wheel of a new EV. 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 Lucid Air electric sedan adds new and revised content via a series of free over-the-air software updates that are now rolling out.The new software is called Lucid UX 2.0 and introduces an instant-on feature, enhanced driver assists, reconfigured controls, and more.Owners will be prompted when to download and install each OTA update; Lucid says the entire process will span the “next several weeks.”Nowadays, many new vehicles allow over-the-air software updates, which are like gifts that keep on giving. Just when your car starts to feel stale—surprise!—a simple download can unlock new features and functionality. That type of fresh content is exactly what Lucid Air owners get with the latest OTA update called Lucid UX 2.0, which the company today announced is starting its initial rollout phase.Read All About It: Lucid AirWith Lucid UX 2.0, the Air learns a lot of new tricks. For example, as soon as the driver sits down and buckles their seatbelt, its myriad digital displays will now instantly turn on, indicating it’s ready to drive. The far-right touchscreen on the enormous display mounted on top of the dashboard also receives a revised layout with the controls for the most popular shortcut buttons—Home, Media, Navigation, and Phone—now positioned for easier access.Other notable improvements include navigation directions that now appear on the screen in front of the driver and a wider variety of voice commands that Amazon Alexa understands, such as adjusting the rear-seat climate controls. Lucid says it’s now easier to browse third-party apps thanks to improved functions like selecting favorites, playing media, and easier menu navigation. Drivers will also get a more accurate range prediction with the new software.Jessica Lynn Walker|Car and DriverThe software update also enhances the Air’s driver-assistance technology, adding what Lucid calls Highway Assist. The feature combines adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, which is something already offered on many other new cars but is useful nonetheless. Air drivers might be less prone to bump into stuff, too, with the new-and-improved visual cues for the parking sensors. The sedan’s fancy headlights are now trained to automatically switch from high to low beams in more situations, and they’ll also automatically level themselves. Dealing with a frosty climate? Well, the new de-ice mode is said to effectively clear the windshield. Lucid also says that the Air will automatically lock and unlock itself in a “simpler, more intuitive, and more responsive way”, but it doesn’t go into detail, so we’re not exactly sure how that process is actually improved.So, how much does the new software cost? It’s free.99—as in zero dollars. The Lucid UX 2.0 is also available on every Air that’s currently roaming the open road. Unfortunately, the over-the-air update won’t be complete overnight. While the company is now starting the first phase, it says the series of updates “will continue over the next several weeks” and that not all of them will be obvious right away. Meanwhile, all owners have to do is wait for a prompt to download and install each update. Bada bing bada boom! 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.Eric Stafford provides detailed car-buying advice by driving every vehicle on the market and analyzing test data and specifications. As a kid, he knew he’d never be a millionaire with a Jay Leno-like car collection, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist. After earning a college degree and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him in 2016.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

One member of a GMC Hummer EV Facebook group announced they were quoted $4040 for a passenger-side taillight, not including the cost of labor. GM lists the price of a replacement taillight at $3045.48 for the part alone. Replacing a set including taxes and labor could be over $7000, depending on your state and dealership. GM confirmed the price to Car and Driver and explained that each taillight houses a microconductor to control animations and in turn, drives the price up.Expensive cars are expensive. We understand that. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t massively taken aback by astronomical repair bills. The GMC Hummer EV SUT, in all its oversize glory and with its bulked-up resale prices, became the most recent vehicle to leave us leaning against a wall with the world spinning around us. The issue? The cost of replacing even a single taillight. One rather unlucky owner in a Hummer EV Facebook group was quoted $4040 to purchase a single taillight—not including labor—as first reported by The Drive, which did the due diligence of finding GM’s list price for the part. As they noted, each individual light is priced at $3045.48. Factor in taxes, labor, and any other miscellaneous fees, and you are well on your way past the $6100 cost of parts. GM confirmed the price of the taillight to Car and Driver and explained the reason: each light has a microconductor in the housing that allows the individual lights to perform their respective animations. We also confirmed that should something go wrong, the taillights are covered for defects under warranty. Unfortunately, backing into the side of your garage would not be included.More on the Hummer EVGM recalled a tiny batch of 10 Hummer EVs in March for a software defect that specifically impacted the taillights of the truck, causing them to stay on or not work at all. Despite the nature of the recall being software, GM replaced the lamp assemblies.The 9640-pound behemoth of a truck may tower over everything short of an 18-wheeler, but should you find yourself in need of replacing a taillight, or worse two, that gets pricey. Maybe that doesn’t sound like an obstacle if you can afford to own a Hummer EV pickup, which starts at $86,645, with the Edition 1 (the only model delivered thus far) starting at $110,000. Some examples have gone for double or triple that price in online auctions. Still, we’ve never met anyone who couldn’t complain about the price of parts. 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.Jack Fitzgerald’s early obsession with cars lay dormant for years before he was reintroduced to Formula 1 at age 14. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world. He has managed to combine his loves of cars and writing by landing a job with Car and Driver. Jack loves anything with an accelerator and an engine but is partial to cars with three pedals.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

This is the final Lamborghini Aventador, an LP780-4 Ultimae Edition roadster finished in Azzuro Flake.It was delivered to a customer in Switzerland. Lamborghini originally planned to build 350 Ultimae coupes and 250 roadsters.This car rolled off the production line in July, Lamborghini says.Things didn’t exactly go according to plan for the final production run of the V-12–powered Lamborghini Aventador supercar. Lamborghini originally announced an exclusive Ultimae special edition to mark the end of the line, with 350 LP780-4 Ultimae coupes and 250 roadsters planned. But 15 of those cars were lost on the Felicity Ace cargo ship when it sunk earlier this year, meaning that some suppliers had to restart production in order to build replacements for those U.S. customers. The true final Aventador is the special Ultimae roadster you see here. It rolled off the production line in July, Lamborghini confirmed to C/D, and has now been delivered to a customer in Switzerland.Finished in a color called Azzuro Flake, this particular Aventador was part of Lamborghini’s Ad Personam customization program and is meant to be an homage to a one-off Miura P400 roadster shown at the Brussels motor show in 1968. The Aventador’s white leather interior also matches the Miura’s, as do its silver wheels and black trim pieces. There are also special Miura badges inside, on the dashboard and the side sills.LamborghiniMore on LamborghiniThe Aventador Ultimae LP780-4 is powered by a 6.5-liter V-12 engine with 769 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard, and the transmission is a seven-speed single-clutch unit. With its naturally aspirated engine and lack of hybrid assistance, it’s likely to be the last of its kind, as the Aventador’s replacement is rumored to be a plug-in hybrid.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.Joey Capparella cultivated an unhealthy obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville and his college years at Rice University, which led to a professional auto-writing career that began when he moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2013. He joined the Car and Driver team in 2016 and has a soft spot for 1990s Japanese economy cars.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’ve ever had to travel to a racetrack, you’ll know it’s not easy. Most tracks are located out in the middle of nowhere, several hours from the nearest major city. Do you risk driving your temperamental car to the track, or fork out for a trailer and a rig? The trip is always a hassle. But what if the track days came to you? That’s the idea behind this massive property in northwestern Arkansas, complete with a mansion, endless room for car storage, and its own racetrack. 1691 S. Dead Horse Mountain Road is a 393-acre property that sits nestled on the outskirts of Fayetteville, a town near the border between Arkansas and Oklahoma. Surrounding the gigantic 7764-square-foot home is a 1.2-mile paved asphalt racetrack that features three big right-hand sweepers, switchbacks, and a couple of hairpins. The layout reminds us a lot of Lime Rock Park. Fast TrackThe five-bedroom, six-bath house, which sits on the back straight, is stuffed with amenities including a gym, a theater, a bar, and a massive kitchen. At the end of said straight is a pull-out road that leads to a gigantic storage facility, complete with two-post lifts and enough space to store as many race cars, trailers, and RVs as your heart desires. There’s also a fully separate guest house. The entire property is powered by solar panels, making it the largest privately owned solar complex in the region, according to the listing. The estate is currently listed on Realtor.com with an asking price of $6.7 million. Sure, it might be smack-dab in the middle of the country, but we still think you’re getting a lot for your money. How many people can say they wake up and go 10/10ths on their own private track before breakfast? Not many. 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 Pro announced a new camper van version of the Transit van and named it the Transit Trail.The announcement came in the form of a tweet from Ford Pro CEO Ted Cannis. The Transit Trail will be produced at the Kansas City production facility with more information to be available in November. Ford has teased the imminent arrival of a factory camper version of its workaday Transit van. The CEO of Ford’s Pro division released a tweet with a teaser video showing a Transit van parked in what appears to be a forest setting at dawn. This content is imported from twitter. 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.”On the road of van life, a few simple lessons can lead to many big adventures,” the video reads. “Get ready for the new 2023 Ford Transit Trail.” Camper-van conversions made headlines throughout COVID-19 lockdowns with third-party outfitters popping up to offer their take on conversions. Despite most COVID restrictions having lifted around the country, buying a full-size van and converting it into some form of adventure-mobile still seems quite popular in the Instagram age. Many conversions feature things like murphy beds, modular storage spaces, and sometimes even flushable toilets and running water. Ford’s Upfits department already refers people to outside firms to convert the Transit, but the Transit Trail will allow customers to skip shopping around for the best outfitter and instead order directly from the factory. The video shows off a set of what appears to be knobby all-terain tires, making excursions off the beaten path a more reasonable request. Apart from a few exterior accessory lights visible in the short clip, there are no real giveaways as to what changes Ford Pro will make from the factory. The Transit is available with either a naturally aspirated V-6 producing 275 horsepower or a turbocharged V-6 making 310 hp. Both pair to a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the Transit available in rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations and in three comfort levels: cargo, cargo crew, and passenger. The standard Transit cargo van starts at $41,665 for 2022, with the passenger-van version starting at $48,240, and we expect the Trail version to cost considerably more. The Transit Trail will be built at Ford’s Kansas City production facility alongside the Transit and E-Transit vans. Ford promises to announce more details concerning the Transit Trail sometime in November. 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 Chevy Trax is new for 2024 and looks completely different from the model it replaces.It comes only with front-wheel drive and a turbocharged inline-three engine with 137 horsepower.The Trax starts at $21,495 for the base LS and ranges up to $24,995 for the Activ and RS trim levels.Chevy is replacing the old Trax subcompact SUV with a new model for 2024 that’s larger, less expensive, and more attractive inside and out. The redesigned 2024 Trax starts at under $22,000 and will go on sale in the spring of 2023 serving as Chevy’s new entry-level model now that the tiny Spark hatchback is gone.With a significantly longer wheelbase and overall length and a lower roof height, the new Trax’s proportions are quite different from the stubby, tall model it replaces. Chevy says it has more rear legroom and cargo capacity than its predecessor. The new Trax is actually slightly larger than the Trailblazer, Chevy’s other subcompact SUV, but it’s positioned as the cheaper option, as the Trailblazer starts at $23,295 and offers more powertrain options including all-wheel drive; the Trax is front-wheel-drive only.The 2024 Trax comes only with a single engine choice, a turbocharged 1.2-liter inline-three with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic is standard. This is also the Trailblazer’s base engine, but it offers a more powerful 1.3-liter turbo-three with 155 horsepower.With its starting price of $21,495, the base Trax LS will be one of the cheapest SUVs on the market. Standard equipment includes an 8.0-inch infotainment screen and driver-assistance features including lane-keep assist and automatic high beams. Other trim levels include the $23,195 1RS, the $23,395 LT, the $24,995 RS with a sportier appearance including 19-inch wheels, and the $24,995 Activ that has a faux skid plate and chrome accents. Options on the higher trim levels include a larger 11.0-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, a sunroof, and a power driver’s seat.More Chevy CrossoversThe Trax looks similar to the Seeker crossover that GM sells in overseas markets, and Chevy says it will be built in Korea. The old model ended production after the 2022 model year, and there will be no 2023 Trax. Look for the 2024 model to reach U.S. dealerships in the spring of 2023.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 2024 Polestar 3 is the third model from the Swedish electric performance brand, and it offers up to 671 pound-feet of torque.With a 107.0-kWh battery, Polestar is targeting a range of 300 miles on the EPA test cycle, or 270 miles with the Performance pack. The 2024 Polestar 3 will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2023 with a starting price of $85,300, with the Pilot package and the Plus package included for the first model year.Polestar finally joins the lucrative SUV party with the 2024 Polestar 3, revealed today at an event in Copenhagen. Volvo’s electric performance spinoff initially launched with the 1, a stunning plug-in-hybrid coupe, followed by the 2, a raised liftback that competes with Tesla’s popular Model 3. Now the Polestar 3 takes the Swedish automaker into higher-riding territory and packs a hearty punch thanks to a dual-motor setup pushing out up to 517 horsepower and 671 pound-feet of torque. Powertrain and PerformanceThose impressive figures require the Performance package, but even the standard dual-motor 3 has a stout 489 hp and 620 pound-feet. Polestar claims that is enough oomph to shoot the crossover to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with the Performance pack slicing another 0.3 seconds off that time. Top speed is a claimed 130 mph. The dual-motor setup means standard all-wheel-drive, and Polestar says the system has a rear bias. Dual-clutch torque vectoring for the rear motor should also liven up the handling.The two permanent-magnet synchronous electric motors are hooked up to a lithium-ion battery pack with a 107.0-kWh usable capacity. The battery is built by CATL, a Chinese firm that also supplies batteries to companies including Tesla, BMW, and Ford. Polestar is targeting an EPA range of 300 miles, with the Performance pack dropping that estimate to 270 miles. Adjustable one-pedal driving is enabled by regenerative braking, and the 3 can also disconnect the rear motor to save battery power. When the temperature drops, a standard mechanical heat pump will precondition the battery before setting off to help maintain range. Polestar claims the 400-volt system can recharge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes on a DC fast charger at up to 250 kW. The 3 is also set up for bidirectional charging, where the vehicle can return power to the grid.Size and DesignPolestar had already shown most of the 3’s sleek design, but now we know that the slippery, minimalist bodywork results in a solid 0.29 coefficient of drag. While it’s slightly shorter than a Porsche Cayenne at 193 inches, the 117.5-inch wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than that of the Cayenne. Polestar says the 3 crossover will weigh between 5696 and 5886 pounds depending on the specification, and the 3 will also be capable of towing 3500 pounds, although doing so will likely eat significantly into range. The Polestar 3 will ride on 21-inch wheels. Its suspension setup incorporates unequal-length control arms up front, air springs, and adaptive dampers. Braking power comes via four-piston Brembos up front and single-piston calipers in the rear. Every 3 is also outfitted with a panoramic glass roof, LED lightning inside and out, and retractable door handles. Features and OptionsFor the first model year, Polestar’s crossover comes with the Plus pack and Pilot pack as standard. The former adds a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, soft-close doors, a heated steering wheel, and an electrically adjustable steering column. It also includes heated rear seats, heated wipers, and an interior upholstered in either wool or a suede-like textile derived from recycled polyester. A Nappa leather interior will also be available.The Pilot pack brings a heads-up display, parking assist, and Polestar’s Pilot Assist system that helps control acceleration, braking, steering up to 80 mph. Starting in the second quarter of 2023, another Pilot package will bring lidar, with three extra cameras and four ultrasonic sensors that can create a 3D scan of the car’s surroundings, which Polestar says will “prepare the car for autonomous driving.”Along with boosting the power output, the Performance pack includes 22-inch black wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires, a retuned chassis, and gold accents inside and out. The standard 3 wears Michelin Pilot Sport 4 EV rubber.A 14.5-inch infotainment screen dominates the pared-back but classy cabin and runs an Android Automotive operating system, related to the setup seen on the Polestar 2. Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play Store apps are built in. The interior also features radar sensors that can pick up sub-millimeter movements, designed to help you avoid absent-mindedly leaving kids or pets behind, and Polestar says the system also connects to the climate control to help prevent heat stroke or hypothermia. An eye-tracker will warn drivers who are distracted or drowsy before activating an emergency stop procedure if repeatedly ignored.More Polestar NewsDeliveries of the Polestar 3 will commence in the fourth quarter of next year, with production initially coming from a plant in Chengdu, China. Starting in the middle of 2024, Polestar 3s meant for the North American market will originate in Volvo’s Ridgeville, South Carolina factory. The 2024 Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor will start at $85,300, with the Pilot pack and Plus pack included and the Performance pack running an extra $6000. 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