Motor News

Revealed tonight, the 2023 Ford Super Duty pickup trucks have been redesigned and benefit from updated exterior and interior styling. The Super Duty now offers tech such as an onboard generator, new trailering assists, a head-up display, and access to a 5G wireless network. Ford’s heavy-duty lineup also adds new and improved powertrains, including a newly standard gas-fed 6.8-liter V-8 and an enhanced Power Stroke diesel.The 2023 Ford Super Duty is redesigned with fresh styling elements, updated powertrains, and new technology. While the F-250, F-350, and F-450 are still primarily heavy-duty workhorses, Ford enhances them with features aimed at taking the trucks to another level of capability and functionality. They’ll square off, as always, against Chevrolet Silverado HD and Ram HD models that are also freshening up this time of year.New Mugs, Nicer InteriorsThe 2023 Super Duty lineup rolls out with seven different grille designs, which vary among the trim levels and available appearance packages. The most notable visual update is the truck’s C-shaped lighting elements. All models can now be fitted with LED headlights, too. The addition of long side vents is said to improve the trucks’ aerodynamics. Super Duty trucks can also be dressed up with new design packages that offer unique trim, rim, and paint combinations. The new XL Off-Road package specifically includes 33-inch all-terrain tires, skid plates, an electronic locking rear diff, and more and is only available on the single-rear-axle, four-wheel-drive F-250 and F-350.Inside the F-350 Lariat.FordInside, the Super Duty trucks receive an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s standard starting on the XL model. Higher trim levels are equipped with a 12.0-inch unit. Audiophiles can choose from a 640-watt, eight-speaker B&O sound system or a more powerful 1080-watt, 18-speaker B&O setup. Other desirable interior features that are available include a configurable 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster, a wireless charging pad, and a slot on the center console that’s designed to hold a table upright. Those looking to relax will appreciate the Super Duty’s optional Max Recline Seats that fold nearly flat and incorporate a lower cushion that rises to create an even more comfortable position.Updated Powertrain OptionsFor 2023, the standard engine on the Super Duty is a new gas-fed 6.8-liter V-8. It pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission just like all the other available engines. Also like all the other engines, Ford isn’t saying how much horsepower or torque any of them make, but we expect them to meet or beat their previous outputs. That includes the gas-burning 7.3-liter V-8, which receives revised tuning and an improved air intake. The Power Stroke diesel 6.7-liter V-8 remains a staple of the Super Duty lineup, and there’s a new high-output version with updated tuning, a unique turbocharger, and revised exhaust manifolds. Ford estimates the enhancements will make it the most powerful diesel truck in its class. Also new for 2023, all models starting with the XLT come standard with four-wheel drive.View PhotosL-R: F-250 Tremor, F-350 Limited, F-350 Lariat, XL STX.FordTech GiantsPerhaps the most notable updates to the 2023 Super Duty trucks are their myriad new tech-focused features. It’s the first time they’re available with a 5G wireless connection that helps the infotainment system perform quicker, and it accepts over-the-air updates and allows up to 10 devices to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot. Plus, Ford makes its mightiest trucks available with its 2.0-kW onboard generator (a.k.a. ProPower Onboard). The Super Duty can also be equipped with a head-up display for the first time, and there are new driver-assist features, too. The list includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality as well as lane-centering assist. The addition of front and rear emergency braking helps prevent the giant pickups from colliding with objects at low speeds.When it comes to towing, the Ford Super Duty is not only prepared for pulling massive loads, but now it boasts high-tech assists that make jobs easier. The introduction of onboard scales gives users an estimated cargo weight to make sure they don’t exceed the truck’s payload. The feature also helps guide people on how to evenly distribute the trailer’s tongue weight. Along with a blind-spot monitor for fifth-wheel and gooseneck towing, the Super Duty is now available with a 360-degree camera system specifically designed for trailers. Another cool new feature is navigation that shows routes that best accommodate a trailer’s specific dimensions and weight to help the driver avoid headaches. Anyone who has backed up with the tailgate down has undoubtedly bemoaned the fact that the traditional backup camera becomes useless. Ford addresses that by adding a camera in the top of the tailgate. This, along with the integrated parking sensors, is intended to make the act of backing up with the tailgate down easier than ever.Ford hasn’t yet released pricing for the 2023 Super Duty lineup. However, the company says it’ll release those figures closer to the time the trucks enter production, which should be sometime early next year.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. 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BMW has revealed the new 2023 XM, a performance SUV with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain.It features a twin-turbo V-8 and an electric motor that combine to produce 644 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque.The XM starts at $159,995 and will go on sale in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2023.BMW M is best known for sports sedans like the M3 and M5. But the performance division is going in many new directions as of late, and the new 2023 XM combines many of these fresh elements in a single vehicle—fitting, as this is meant to be M’s new flagship. As an SUV that’s available exclusively as an M, the XM also introduces a new plug-in-hybrid powertrain that’s the first hybrid ever to wear the M badge. The concept version of the XM proved controversial when it made its debut last year, and now we have all the details on the production version that’s slated to go on sale in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2023.The XM’s powertrain consists of a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 combined with an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. There’s also a 25.7-kWh battery pack that enables an estimated electric driving range of 30 miles. Total output sits at 644 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, and there will be an even more powerful Label Red version coming later on with a claimed 735 hp and 735 pound-feet. This makes the XM the most powerful current production BMW—and it’ll need all that grunt to move around its 6062 pound mass.More on the XMWere it not an M exclusive, the XM might otherwise wear the X8 designation. It’s considerably larger than both the X5 and X6, but smaller than the three-row X7, much like the relationship between Audi’s Q7 and Q8 SUVs. The XM is a two-row model with five seats, and its interior features many of the wilder design elements seen on the concept version. A two-tone blue and brown leather color scheme is available, and the brown “vintage” leather is meant to look aged. There’s also an interesting pattern in the headliner that’s accompanied by LED lighting elements that pulse when you receive a phone call or try to open the door when an object is sensed outside.The exterior design is more angular and imposing than many of BMW’s other SUVs. The large kidney grilles up front are flanked by split headlights like those on the latest X7. A strong, accented character line rises along the side and kicks up at the rear doors as a nod to the classic BMW Hofmeister kink. There are BMW logos engraved into each upper corner of the rear window, and the aggressive-looking taillights wrap around the sides. Quad exhaust tips and diffuser elements give the rear bumper a racy look. 23-inch wheels are standard, but 22-inchers are optional, and BMW says the smaller size saves weight.Adaptive dampers are standard equipment, as is an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential and a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system. 48-volt active anti-roll bars are a feature new to BMW M, although the XM uses traditional steel springs rather than an air suspension. Our initial drive of a prototype XM earlier this year revealed a surprisingly engaging driving experience, largely thanks to the steering tuning, so we look forward to sampling the final version to see if the spry handling is preserved.The XM will compete with other high-po SUVs such as the Audi RS Q8 and Mercedes-AMG GLE63, and is even aiming for higher targets including the Aston Martin DBX and Lamborghini Urus. It will start at $159,995, but options should add a considerable sum to that total, and the more powerful Label Red model will carry a sticker price of over $185,000. Like it or not, this super-SUV now represents the pinnacle of the M lineup, and it’ll start arriving at U.S. dealerships early next year.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 BMW Z4 gets a slightly more aggressive look in this mid-third-generation refresh.Among smaller changes, one addition is that the Sport body trim, already standard on the M40i, is now added to the sDrive 30i.The 2023 Z4 will be out in November, priced at $53,795 for the sDrive 30i and $66,295 for the M40i. Props to BMW for sticking around with its roadster: the segment has been shrinking continuously, but a few convertibles are still around. One of them is the BMW Z4, which entered its third model generation (the fourth, if you count the Z3) just two years ago. Surprisingly, it is already up for an update, although this is less of a mid-cycle refresh (at least we hope we aren’t there yet) and more of a streamlining.From the C/D ArchiveThe Z4 is one of our favorites because it is a serious sports car, and we suspect that is not least the case because of Toyota’s input in this joint project, which led both to the Z4 and the Supra. We understand that BMW was content with a roadster that would improve on the qualities of the predecessor, while Toyota had its sights set on the Porsche Cayman. Tellingly, the joint project only took off after Herbert Diess left BMW for the pastures of Wolfsburg; he had been interested in jointly developing a hybrid with Toyota, but the Japanese insisted on a purist approach. What emerged were two cars—the Z4 and the Supra—that are extremely competent in their own right, with marked differences.Two Engine ChoicesIn many other markets, the Z4 is available as the sDrive 20i, with an 194-hp entry-level 2.0-liter four and a six-speed manual, but the U.S. portfolio begins with a more powerful version of the same four-banger, the 255-hp sDrive 30i. The range is topped by a second model, the straight-six 382-hp M40i. Both engines are mated to the ubiquitous ZF-sourced 8HP torque-converter-type automatic.To reach a “new maximum of sportiness,” as the press release gushes, the formerly optional M Sport body trim, which has always been standard on the M40i, now becomes standard equipment on the sDrive 30i as well. The more chiseled and aggressive look will no doubt please the attention-seeking crowd, although we never had a problem with the cleaner look of the now-deleted Sport Line look that the brand had identified as “Classic BMW Design.” Experts will still be able to tell the two models apart: The M40i comes with mirror caps in the bronze-ish Cerium Gray and larger, angular exhaust tips.BMWBMWThere’s a minor nose job, too: Both variants get a restyled front kidney grille which loses the vertically positioned dots in favor of horizontally oriented décor that is designed to “add to the impression of width at the front.” Three “rich” new metallic colors, a new optional 19-inch wheel design and optional black trim for the headlights top off the rather modest list of changes, which thankfully does not include the curved dashboard that is currently trickling down from the iX electric SUV to most of BMW’s other models.The new model year launches in November, with prices starting at $53,795 for the sDrive 30i and $66,295 for the M40i, which is only a couple hundred dollars above 2022 prices. We’re glad the Z4 carries on, and we hope it does so for many more years. The mild enhancements should give it a boost in the market until we see more substantial changes a few years down the road—which, if we were granted a wish, would include a manual transmission on the glorious straight-six like the Supra now offers.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

Dodge has revealed six out of the seven “Last Call” send-offs for the Charger and Challenger, but has now announced the final debut has been pushed back.Dodge cited “product and supply challenges” and said the reveal will be rescheduled.We’re not sure what form this Last Call model will take, but we can be fairly certain that it will be powered by a V-8 with at least six liters of displacement.So far, Dodge has shown six out of the seven Last Call special editions that spell the end of the line for the Charger and Challenger as we know them. The muscle cars are set to be replaced by electric versions in the near future, as previewed by the Charger Daytona SRT concept. The final Last Call vehicle was supposed to be revealed at the 2022 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, Nevada this November, but Dodge is now announcing that the debut has been delayed.The 2023 Dodge Charger King Daytona.DodgeDodge cites “product and supply challenges,” stating that once those issues have been ironed out, the unveiling will be rescheduled. Dodge has yet to provide any hints as to what this final Last Call car might be. So far, Dodge has shown three Chargers and three Challengers, so the odds on which model will constitute the remaining special edition are equal, but we would guess it will be the flashier Challenger coupe.The 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown.DodgeMore Dodge “Last Call” EditionsWe also don’t know what will motivate this Last Call model, but so far all of the special editions have come with either the Hellcat supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 or the Scat Pack 6.4-liter V-8. Perhaps the last car will up the ante with the Demon version of the 6.2-liter with upward of 800 horsepower. Some of the Last Call models have also revived classic Dodge names, such as Swinger or Super Bee, while others have honored historic vehicles, like the Black Ghost or King Daytona. We wouldn’t be surprised to see another name from the past reappear whenever the concluding Last Call Dodge is revealed.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 entry-level 2023 QX50 starts at $41,495, which is a $1320 increase over the previous model year. All 2023 QX50s will receive a frameless rearview mirror, heated exterior mirrors, and a wireless charging pad as standard. In addition to new standard features, the QX50 is gaining a midlevel trim option labeled Sport with a starting price of $49,695.Infiniti released updated and increased pricing on the QX50. Jumping $1320 over the previous model year, the 2023 QX50 carries a starting price of $41,495. That’s not quite as bad as the $2520 increase on the larger QX60, but it does show another example of a manufacturer hiking starting prices for the 2023 model year. Interestingly, the lowest price increase is felt on the top-of-the-line Autograph trim, which now starts at $58,545. As well as increasing the starting price, Infiniti has added a new Sport trim level and updated the standard features for all trim levels. More on InfinitiInfiniti is adding a host of new standard features for the QX50 to help offset the increased cost. Heated exterior mirrors, a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror, a remote start engine, rear door alert, and a wireless phone charging pad are all standard across trim levels. Like all 2023 Infinitis, the QX50 will also benefit from three years or 36,000 miles of scheduled maintenence; including inspections, oil changes and tire rotations. InfinitiThe new Sport trim level is a mid-tier option that slots in between the Luxe and the Sensory. It features a unique front fascia and gloss-black exterior trim. It also receives 20-inch machine finished wheels in lieu of the 19-inch wheels offered on the cheaper Pure and Luxe trim levels. Pricing for the Sport starts at $49,695. Opting for all-wheel drive rather than the standard front-wheel drive requires an additional $2000 on all but the range-topping Autograph trim, where AWD is standard. 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 2023 Corvette Z06 returns to its naturally aspirated roots with a 670-hp 5.5-liter V-8 that uses a flat-plane crankshaft and revs to 8600 rpm. Chevy says it’ll pull 1.22 g’s on the skidpad, and we look forward to confirming that.The Blazer, which gets a light refresh with a restyled front end and new wheels, looks nothing like the sleek new 2024 Blazer EV, which packs as much as 557 horsepower and 648 pound-feet of torque in SS trim. Pricing starts at $44,995, and there are front-drive, rear-drive, and all-wheel-drive options. Best memorize its headlight signature, because there will be a police version too.While the Blazer targets the middle of the market, the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV aim to undercut competitors via big price reductions. Compared with 2022 models, the 2023 Bolt gets a $5900 price drop, and the EUV’s price falls by $6300.The redesigned Colorado offers a modernized interior along with an overhauled powertrain. GM’s turbo 2.7-liter four is now the sole engine, albeit in several different tunes—from 237 horsepower in base models up to 310 ponies. There’s a Trail Boss model that splits the difference between Z71 and ZR2 off-road editions, as well as a Desert Boss ZR2 variant.New Truck ModelsThe Silverado ZR2 that Chevy introduced for 2022 gets a Bison variant fitted with various bolt-on goodies from American Expedition Vehicles. The Suburban and Tahoe offer optional SuperCruise and a black grille with “Chevrolet” lettering rather than the bow-tie badge. The Trailblazer, Equinox, and Traverse carry over mainly unchanged. There are some exterior and interior updates for the Silverado HD. As for our old friend the Camaro, we expect some news for 2023, but we’ll just have to wait on that. The Silverado EV and Equinox EV are also scheduled to arrive as 2024 models.Oh, and this is our annual reminder that the Express van still exists. It’s available with a 401-hp 6.6-liter V-8 engine. Write us a letter if you ever see a new one.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

Faraday Future has earned an official EPA range figure for its first vehicle, the FF 91, and showed the certification letter to Car and Driver to prove it.The FF 91 is rated at 381 miles of range, an increase over the initial 378-mile estimate thanks to a larger 142.0-kWh battery than the original 130.0-kWh unit.The FF 91 was first revealed in 2017, and the top-spec Futurist model could cost around $200,000.When EV startup Faraday Future revealed a “production intent” version of its first vehicle, the FF 91, earlier this year and announced that production was set to start in the third quarter of 2022, we were skeptical. Faraday Future has struggled to get the FF 91 onto the road since first unveiling the crossover in 2017, and in July the company stated that it would yet again need to push back deliveries as it sought to raise more capital. But now the California-based automaker is one step closer to getting its FF 91 into the hands of customers, receiving an official EPA range rating for its electric crossover. Faraday FutureThe FF 91, which now seems on track to be sold for the 2023 or 2024 model year, is rated at 381 miles of range. This is higher than the previous 378-mile estimate that Faraday Future had quoted, but the company also told us that the range figure was achieved with a 142.0-kWh battery; previously the FF 91 was said to employ a 130.0-kWh battery. This also bests what will be its closest competitors should the FF 91 reach production, with the Tesla Model X topping out at 348 miles of range. Faraday FutureFaraday Future’s press release also specifies that the rating only applies to the FF 91 Futurist, which will represent the top of the model line and could crest $200,000, according to the company. While the range rating is not yet visible on the public EPA fuel economy website, Faraday Future provided Car and Driver with a copy of the certification letter sent by the government agency.More EV StartupsAccording to the letter, the range rating will only apply to vehicles built before January 1, 2024, and if the FF 91 is further delayed, the startup will have to get it re-certified. The FF 91 is powered by three electric motors—one up front and two at the rear—good for a combined 1050 horsepower, providing a claimed sprint to 60 mph in less than 2.4 seconds. At 206.9 inches long, the FF 91 is just a hair shorter than a Mercedes-Benz S-class, and it features a futuristic interior design. The company still needs to raise more funds before the FF 91 can begin production at Faraday Future’s plant in Hanford, California, but the EPA certification shows the automaker is moving forward and could convince potential investors to fork over that much-needed cash.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 Chevy Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD get a facelift, and most models receive a ritzier interior with bigger screens.Gas-fed models now have a 10-speed automatic transmission, and diesel models make 470 horses (up 25) and 975 pound-feet of torque (up 65).The ’24 Silverado HD twins will go into production in the first half of 2023, with the first-ever ZR2 version also eventually joining the lineup.Chevy’s big pickup trucks—the Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD—are getting refreshed for the 2024 model year. Along with new facial features, most trim levels benefit from a flashier interior design that first debuted on the half-ton Silverado about a year ago. The improvements to the 2024 Chevy Silverado HD trucks are more than skin deep, though.More on Chevy’s Heavy-Duty TruckNew Transmission, Mightier DieselSure, the facelift and redesigned cabin help Chevy’s heavy-duty pickups stay looking fresh, but the bottom line is that the Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD are built for work duty. That’s where their updated powertrains come into play. The standard gas-fed 6.6-liter V-8 is unchanged, meaning it makes the same 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque as its predecessor. However, it now pairs with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission instead of a six-speed automatic. Chevy says the gasser’s new gearbox helps the engine make better use of its peak power. For 2024, gas-burning Silverado HDs also have a higher Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), which rises from 24,000 to 26,000 pounds.The optional Duramax diesel 6.6-liter V-8 continues with the same Allison 10-speed automatic, but its output gets a significant uptick. It now makes 470 horsepower (up from 445) and 975 pound-feet of torque (up from 910). Chevy says the increases result from updates to the control architecture, combustion system, and turbocharger, which are also said to help provide up to 25 percent more low-end torque and improve efficiency. However, we don’t know how the updates will affect fuel economy since the trucks are exempt from EPA testing and the company isn’t currently sharing estimates. What we do know is that the 2024 Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD still have max tow ratings of 22,500 and 36,000 pounds, respectively.Fresh Face, Flashier InteriorFor 2024, the supersize Silverados all wear new mugs, from the base-level Work Truck to the top-of-the-line High Country. Along with the newly designed grille and C-shaped LED lighting elements, the LTZ and High Country trim levels feature new dual-projector headlights with animated sequences for when the driver approaches or walks away from the trucks. Chevy also supplies the ’24 Silverado HD with new wheel options, including chrome 20-inch wheels for the LTZ as well as polished 18-inchers and all-terrain tires for the dual-rear-axle 3500HD. Plus, a set of 20-inch off-road tires can now be had with certain packages. The Midnight Edition, a blacked-out appearance package, is also now available on the High Country for the first time.Inside, heavy-duty Silverados adopt a new dashboard design with prominent digital displays. While the updated layout and tech features aren’t offered on the Work Truck or Custom trim levels, they’re standard on the LT model and up. The setup includes a configurable 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen with Google-based software and apps. The updated interior also brings a revised center console with a wireless charger and more space for cupholders. The fanciest Silverado models have real leather-wrapped surfaces and genuine wood accents. Exclusively on the High Country, there’s a new Nightshift Blue interior option with all the top-notch materials.The Silverado HD trucks also benefit from better driver assists. The list includes adaptive cruise control that works while pulling a trailer, and the blind-spot monitor now has an extended range while trailering. Plus, there’s a new alert that lets users know if they exceed the truck’s GCWR, and the available camera view that uses technology to essentially make a trailer transparent has been enhanced to work with fifth-wheel and gooseneck setups. ZR2, Coming to a Silverado HD Near YouThe 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD will go on sale in the first half of 2023. The company says it’ll share pricing closer to their on-sale date. Chevy also today announced that the heavy-duty Silverado will be getting a version of the off-road-ready ZR2 model for the first time ever, but it’ll launch sometime after the regular trucks. 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