Motor News

Kindred Motorworks is turning revered classics like the Volkswagen Microbus, Ford Bronco, and Chevrolet Camaro into fully electric restorations.With a background in traditional restomod design, the company continues to offer its classic internal-combustion-vehicle upgrades while shifting its focus toward model-unique EV drivetrain development.Pricing ranges from low-end Camaros for $149,000 to top-of-the-line VW Microbuses for $199,000 and includes a guaranteed 200-mile range. Production won’t start until 2024.Electric vehicles are largely regarded as modern items, even if the technology has been implemented over decades of automotive manufacturing. Twentieth-century gas crises and environmental science sparked demand for the large-scale EV production that aspires to dominate the automotive market in the years to come. Battery production technology and vehicle engineering have progressed so significantly that a current byproduct of this EV boom is a culture of retrofitting. From classic motorcycles to Porsche 911s, the possibilities seem endless for anyone willing to re-engineer a decades-old chassis.

Exemplifying this trend and demonstrating that seemingly anything can be done is Kindred Motorworks, a California company dedicated to reviving classic but tired chassis. Most recently, the company had dedicated itself to a line of EVs, ranging from an electric classic Volkswagen Transporter to Ford Broncos and ’69 Camaros. It’s important to note that Kindred is not solely an EV company, given that the Bronco and Camaro restomodels are available with internal-combustion engines as well.

Louie Gonzalez

Speaking on the choice to offer EV powertrains, “It’s a natural evolution informed by consumer choice and availability in the marketplace,” said Kindred CEO Rob Howard. “At Kindred Motorworks, we’ve taken the customer’s formerly irrational desire for a vintage car and make it completely justifiable.”Officially launched at Monterey Car Week, the restored models are available for pre-order with a claimed production start of 2024 and no clear delivery estimate. The Kindred VW Bus marks the top of the price range, starting at $199,000, while the Bronco holds up the midrange at $169,000. Camaro models start at $149,000 and can range up to $199,000.

Louie Gonzalez

What Do You Get for Your Money? It depends on what model you choose, but a number of electric powertrains are offered. The original air-cooled drivetrain of the VW Bus is replaced with a 294-hp direct drive electric motor and a 74.0-kWh battery. Independent rear suspension and unequal-length-control-arm front suspension on coil-overs, and a necessary set of four-wheel disc brakes, round out the mechanical changes to the bus. Kindred’s electric system is still in development, but the company claims all EV models will have 200 miles of range with a 6.6-kWh onboard charger and a 120V adapter. The company has shared very few details about the Camaro and Bronco EV drivetrains, but we know what’s under the hood of the conventional ICE models.

Louie Gonzalez

Between the LS and LT Camaro offerings, a 490-hp LS376 or a 700-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 are available, with a six-speed T56 manual transmission standard on the more expensive LT version. An 8-speed automatic is available as an upgrade to the LT model, while the 6-speed manual found in the LT can replace the LS trim’s 6-speed automatic. Heavy duty six-piston disc brakes all around and a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 2 or Falken Azenis FK510 tires should make this 53-year-old brute stop and turn at rates previously inconceivable.The Ford Bronco retrofit includes a 460-hp 5.0-liter Coyote V-8, hydroboost four-wheel disc brakes, and 33-inch BFGoodrich off-road tires. Three packages are offered for the Bronco, allowing it to be tailored for different needs. For instance, the family package includes a roll cage, rear seats, and three-point retractable seatbelts, while the off-road package adds a winch, air-locking differentials, and damage-accepting impact bumpers front and rear.

Louie Gonzalez

The interiors include modern features like backup cameras, cupholders, and surround-sound audio systems. That’s to say these restorations are complete, if pricey. Kindred’s press materials suggest this cost comes with peace of mind, knowing that every last bolt has been redone and that the vehicle’s body is the only original thing remaining. And an important part of accelerating this philosophy was going electric, according to the company’s website. While an electric ’69 Camaro may be antithetical to the car’s upbringing, the choice to go electric is actually in line with the overarching goal of some restomod projects: infinite reliability and refinement. Of course, Kindred needs to iron out its EV systems, and the engineering and production of these models pose large hurdles. But once these models become available to consumers, the market will reveal if there’s true demand for retrofits. More

The 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown is the first of seven “Last Call” special editions.It features black and red stripes and interior upholstery inspired by the 2016 Dodge Shakedown Challenger concept car.Only 1000 Shakedown editions will be split between the 485-hp R/T Scat Pack and its Widebody twin, likely priced between $55k–$65k when orders open this fall. By now, you’ve probably heard that Dodge will say goodbye to the current-generation Challenger and Charger after the 2023 model year. The automaker also announced that it will say sayonara to its beloved muscle cars with a series of seven “Last Call” special editions, the first of which will be the 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown. The new Challenger Shakedown is inspired by the concept car of the same name that appeared at the 2016 SEMA show. While the concept was a 1971 Challenger retrofitted with parts from a then-new 2017 model, the 2023 Shakedown mainly cribs its exterior and interior styling bits. The latter includes a set of stripes that run the entire length of the car, with three black lines of different widths and a single red line. All examples also have red “392” fender badges, red Brembo brake calipers, and a unique spoiler graphic.

Dodge

Inside, the Shakedown edition features black Nappa leather seats with microsuede accents and red contrast stitching. The red stitching also extends to the steering wheel and dashboard, where there’s also a “Shakedown” badge. The interior comes dressed with Demonic Red seatbelts, too. Likewise, all Shakedown models include options such as carbon-fiber and microsuede interior trim, the Technology package (adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers), the Plus package (heated steering wheel and power-adjustable steering column), and more.

Not only does the 2023 Challenger Shakedown have a distinct appearance, but Dodge says it only plans to build 1000 examples total. That will include 500 copies based on the Challenger R/T Scat Pack and 500 of the R/T Scat Pack Widebody . Both variants are only sold with the 485-hp 6.4-liter V-8 and either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.Dodge hasn’t released pricing for the 2023 Challenger Shakedown, but the company said that information along with specific dealership allotments will be announced when orders open later this fall. With all the options that are included with the Shakedown edition, the 2022 Challenger R/T Scat Pack starts around $52,000 and a similarly equipped Widebody variant adds roughly another $10k. We’d wager the 2023 Shakedowns start a few thousand dollars higher than both, so in the $55k–$65k range.
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Lots of automakers hide easter eggs throughout their cars, but Porsche generally isn’t the type to do that sort of thing. That made it all the more surprising when Andreas Preuninger, head of GT cars at Porsche, showed us a tiny easter egg on the new 911 GT3 RS.

There’s a tiny vent just above the rear reflector, but the shape of the bodywork—which creates an air channel with a flap that sits behind the rear wheel—in combination with the reflector necessitated a piece that’s blocked off. A lot of automakers use fake vents purely for styling purposes, and Preuninger didn’t want to be accused of doing the same. “There’s this crazy people online [who say], ‘It’s not a real vent! It’s a fake vent!'” For those people, Preuninger made sure the little plastic piece was stamped with the words “no vent.”
You’ll have to get down on the ground to actually see the “no vent” embossing, and if your eyesight’s bad, you’ll need glasses to see it. The piece is so small, one wonders if anyone would ever notice there’s something even resembling a fake vent down there. But, Porsche takes a lot of pride in the fact that its cars don’t have any exterior elements there only for style. The folks there take this stuff seriously.Not so seriously that they don’t have a little fun, though. Preuninger is a Porsche-world celebrity as much for his big personality as the quality of the cars his department creates. He’s also very proud, hence a desire to not be lumped in with the many automakers who use fake vents. Every piece on the GT3 RS has a function. Even the one that looks like it doesn’t. More

Dodge revealed its vision for “future muscle” on Wednesday night, giving us our first look at the Charger Daytona SRT. A radical concept with retro style and futuristic tech, there was one feature that stuck out: A simulated exhaust sound. The Daytona SRT is electric, you see, so Dodge added a fake internal-combustion exhaust note to quell EV doubters. And we’re not sure how we feel about it.During the car’s premiere, published above, Dodge started the car to let it run, even giving the crowd a few revs. The feature, called the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust, uses an amplifier near the rear of the car to produce a 126-decibel “exhaust” sound. Dodge says this sound is supposed to replicate a Hellcat’s supercharged 6.2-liter V-8. We’ll let you listen and decide whether it actually does or not. Stellantis head designer Ralph Gilles published a clip of the car’s sound to Instagram, in case you need a better video.
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The fake exhaust noise isn’t the only radical piece of tech onboard the Charger Daytona SRT concept. There’s also what Dodge calls the eRupt transmission. It’s a multi-speed unit that allows the driver to shift themselves via an “electro-mechanical” connection. Whether that means the driver is actually shifting gears in the transmission or gear shifting is simulated electronically, we don’t know yet.
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Hyundai is recalling 245,030 Palisades and Kia is recalling 36,417 Tellurides—all 2020–2022 models—due to a fire risk. Both automakers are also ordering a stop-sale on affected models, according to a NHTSA consumer alert.The fire risk stems from a possible electrical short circuit caused by debris or moisture accumulating inside the tow-hitch harness module. Hyundai and Kia are still finalizing repair plans, but until the issue is resolved, owners are asked to park outside and away from buildings.Over 280,000 Hyundai Palisades and Kia Tellurides from the 2020—2022 model years are being recalled due to potentially faulty tow-hitch harnesses that can cause a fire while the SUVs are parked or driving. Hyundai and Kia today also issued a stop-sale on affected models at dealers and processing centers that haven’t been sold, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).According to separate filings yesterday with NHTSA, Hyundai reported that about 245,030 Palisades are affected, and Kia reported that about 36,417 Tellurides are affected. Both reports indicate the fire risk stems from an electrical short circuit that can happen when debris or moisture accumulates on the printed circuit board for the tow-hitch harness module. The harness may have been installed as original equipment or as an accessory through a dealer. Hyundai confirmed details of the recall to Car and Driver, but Kia hasn’t yet responded to a request for comment.

Kia

Hyundai and Kia are still currently finalizing plans for the fix. In the meantime, both automakers are advising owners of affected vehicles to park outside and away from buildings until the recall is addressed. In its NHTSA report, Hyundai states that owners can continue driving their Palisades and describes plans to remove the fuse for the tow-hitch module as an extra measure of protection.So far, Hyundai hasn’t reported any fires, crashes, or injuries in the U.S. related to the recall. However, it has confirmed eight cases where melting has occurred. Likewise, Kia hasn’t reported any crashes or injuries, but it did confirm five cases of melting and one fire.Hyundai plans to notify dealers and owners on October 17, 2022. Kia plans to notify dealers about the recall on October 10, 2022, and it plans to notify owners on October 14, 2022. More

Shelby American announced a limited production run of a 1300-horsepower variant of the Ford Mustang GT500, named the GT500 Code Red.Shelby will build 30 total examples of the Code Red, 10 for each of the 2020 through 2022 model years. The Code Red will not be street legal and is designed with straight-line speed in mind. Prices start at $209,995 before factoring in the required donor car. Shelby American unveiled the GT500 Code Red at the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit this past weekend. The limited-production model is based on the current-generation Mustang GT500, but Sthelby pulled the supercharger off the 5.2-liter V8- and replaced it with a pair of turbochargers. The engine was re-engineered by Nelson’s Racing Engines and fitted with a dual-feed fuel system, allowing blends of racing fuel when needed. Engine cooling capacity was increased to handle the extra heat. When driving the Code Red using 93-octane gas from the pump, it will produce over 1000 horsepower and 780 pound-feet of torque. When using E85, the Code Red’s will make as much as 1300 horsepower with torque moving up over 1000 pound-feet.

Shelby American

Shelby American was up front about the performance of the Code Red, saying: “While not street legal, it’s very capable at moderate speeds in most any curve. But when the turbos spool up, the car is best enjoyed moving straight ahead.” Further modifications include a stronger transmission to hold the increased power, a one-piece driveshaft, Shelby/Baer brakes and rotors, and 20-inch wheels in front with Pirelli P Zero tires and Nitto NY555R drag radials in back.

Shelby American

On top of the numerous performance upgrades, the Code Red will have a widebody kit for bigger tires, a new interior, new badging, and a carbon-fiber hood. Shelby will take up to 10 GT500s from 2020, 2021, and 2022, with production capped at 30 total. If you are interested in owning one of the 30, be prepared to spend. The package starts at $209,995 which does not include the over $80,000 price tag of the donor car.
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GMA showed its T.50 and T.33 supercars for the first time in the U.S. at The Quail during Monterey Car Week, where the T.50 also took a few laps around Laguna Seca with Dario Franchitti at the center helm.While the T.50 won’t be street legal in the U.S., GMA’s second car, the T.33, will be, meeting all emissions and crash standards.Although both cars are sold out, there are two more cars in the pipeline with additional models to follow.According to founder and supercar visionary Gordon Murray, it took a deep breath plus a $33 million investment to make his company’s T.33 supercar meet all requirements to be street legal in the U.S. Its first car, the 641-hp T.50 that revs to a stratospheric 12,100 rpm, isn’t, and it will instead be brought in under the show-or-display provision, just like Murray’s landmark first supercar, the McLaren F1. GMA T.50 at The Quail.Rolex/Tom O’NealThe sizable extra investment means Gordon Murray Automotive’s second car, the marginally less extreme 592-hp T.33, meets all of the lengthy Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), including all crash requirements. Creativity and novel solutions are not rewarded, and the T.50’s center driving position is a no-go, which is why the T.33 has a standard two-seat arrangement. Both versions of the 4.0-liter Cosworth V-12 that power the two cars meet U.S. emissions standards, but drive-by noise and crash requirements are two key areas where the cars differ from a certification perspective, according to CEO Phillip Lee. We talked to Murray and Lee at The Quail, an event during Monterey Car Week where many a supercar purveyor was in attendance to capture the attention of the notoriously wealthy attendees, who might just decide to buy one on a whim. This was the first time the T.50 and T.33 were shown in the U.S., and GMA also announced it is opening a U.S. headquarters in an unspecified location in eastern Florida that will be up and running in 2024.Dave VanderWerp|Car and DriverDave VanderWerp|Car and DriverThat coincides with T.33 deliveries, which will also start in 2024, following a switch to a new production facility that will take place in 2023 after T.50 production has ended. Yes, the company is literally picking up and moving all its equipment from its Dunsfold, U.K., plant just down the road to a new facility in Windlesham, which will be roughly a three-month process.Murray says that the company will limit production on each of its cars to no more than 100, and both the $2.5 million T.50 and $1.9 million T.33 sold out almost immediately. But there will be more opportunity to buy one of Gordon Murray’s wonderfully obsessive supercar creations, as he says they have another two cars in the pipeline, and a product cadence mapped out well into the next decade. How obsessive? In addition to the incredibly light weight, mega revs, and supreme focus on the driving experience, they didn’t stop there. Murray says “every single thing on the motor car of the car is a piece of engineering art, even stuff owners will never see” and then citing an example of spending more than 12 months and £1.3 million ($1.5 million) optimizing the feel of the analog knobs and eradicating slop.Even supercars need to spread out the cost burden, with Murray suggesting that if they had done only the 100 T.50s that the price would need to be £10 million apiece, or nearly five times more expensive.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

BMW M announced it is testing an all-electric high-performance prototype based on the i4.The vehicle has a new all-wheel-drive setup with four electric motors.Virtual testing and bench testing have already taken place, and this new testing will put the prototype through more realistic scenarios on the road.BMW’s M high-performance division is moving further down the path toward electrification, if this i4-based prototype with a new quad-motor drivetrain is any indication. The prototype’s all-wheel-drive setup with four electric motors suggests that future M EVs could be significantly more powerful than the current M-badged electric offerings, the 536-hp i4 M50 and the 610-hp iX M60. Both of these have dual-motor setups.

BMW has not yet said exactly which form a future M EV could take, but the test mule is based on the i4 M50, with widened wheel arches to fit different front and rear axles. It also uses structural components from the M3 and M4 to improve torsional rigidity. Testing began in virtual models and on test benches before being put on the road.Beyond providing more power, BMW says that having a motor at each wheel will also open the door for more precise tuning, with the ability to instantly send power to individual wheels. The four motors are connected to one central control unit which determines where to send power based on factors like pedal position, steering angle, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, and wheel speeds. We don’t know yet exactly when this new powertrain will go into production, but EVs have already begun to disrupt BMW’s performance hierarchy. Although the i4 M50 is not meant to be a full-bore M model on the same level as the M3 and M4, it is already nipping on the heels of its gas-powered siblings in our acceleration testing. The electric i4 M50’s 3.3-second sprint to 60 mph beat the rear-wheel-drive M3 Competition and was only a half a second behind the all-wheel-drive M4 Competition xDrive’s result. So it goes without saying that we’re looking forward to finding out what a quad-motor BMW M EV could be capable.
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