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    2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV Aims at the Heart of the Market

    Chevy says the entry-level Equinox EV will start at “around” $30,000 and have an estimated 250 miles of range.Other trim levels will offer 280 to 300 miles of range and hands-free driver assistance.The Equinox EV goes on sale in fall 2023.Following the Silverado EV and Blazer EV, the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV continues to fill out the automaker’s ranks with all-electric alternatives. For the Equinox EV, that means a compact SUV that Chevy says will be priced starting at around $30,000. More expensive trim levels offer GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving, 300 miles of range, and a 19.2-kW onboard charger. The Equinox EV offers two battery sizes. Chevy hasn’t said the capacity of either, but only the entry-level 1LT trim comes with the small battery, hence its estimated range of 250 miles. Chevy estimates the large battery that powers all other trim levels to offer 300 miles of range for front-drive Equinox EVs and 280 miles when equipped with all-wheel drive. Front-drive models have 210 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque, while all-wheel drive versions offer 290 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque. The Equinox EV is built on a similar platform as the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyriq, though the Equinox EV is smaller than those vehicles. Versus the gas-powered Equinox, the EV has a longer wheelbase and overall length. Its wheels are pushed close to the front and rear bumpers, creating shorter overhangs that generally make for generous interior space and more attractive exteriors. Alas, the only Equinox EV’s lower roofline impacts cargo volume. At 57 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, it has a little less space on paper than its gasoline counterpart, though we look forward to loading it with our standard size carry-ons to see if the difference is meaningful. One highlight is that the cargo floor has two height settings, like the Honda CR-V. Unlike some other electric vehicles, the Equinox EV does not have a storage area under the hood. Chevy reps said frunks are both costly to implement and don’t test well with its focus groups. Inside, all Equinox EVs come with an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster, and an impressive 17.7-inch center touchscreen is available on most trim levels. It’s the same screen as you’ll see in the Blazer EV and Silverado EV, and while the screens in the car we sat in weren’t interactive, the graphics appeared crisp and easily readable. Interior storage options appear to be numerous and well thought out. The center console has a generously sized opening under the cupholders and the tray where you set your phone, proving enough room for a large handbag. All manner of Chevy driving assistance will be available, from adaptive cruise control to a head-up display to a rear-view camera, and so on. Most impressive though is GM’s hands-free Super Cruise system, which is available on all trim levels except for the base. As for charging, most Equinox EV models have an 11.5-kW Level 2 onboard charger, which Chevy estimates can add 34 miles of range per hour. The priciest RS trim level offers a 19.2-kW charger, increasing Chevy’s estimate to 51 miles of range per hour. All Equinox EVs support 150-kW DC fast-charging. The Equinox EV goes on sale in the fall of 2023. 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

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    2024 Jeep Recon, Mid-Size Wagoneer S Are Brand's First U.S.-Bound EVs

    The 2024 Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S are two new EV models and the brand’s first for the U.S. market.The Recon shares traits with the Wrangler, and the mid-size Wagoneer EV is different than the full-size, gas-fed Wagoneers.Jeep also revealed the Avenger, an electric subcompact SUV that won’t be sold in America.Jeep is venturing deeper into uncharted territory as it transitions into the EV era. It started with the plug-in-hybrid Wrangler 4xe and was followed by a 4xe version of the Grand Cherokee. Now, the company is introducing two new fully electric models that are set to arrive in the U.S. in 2024. Enter the Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S.Jeep’s Going ElectricRecon Inspired by WranglerJeep says the mid-size Recon inherits characteristics from the Wrangler. Not only does it have removable doors and glass but, the company says, it has “impressive” approach, departure, and break-over angles. The Recon also shares the Wrangler’s boxy shape and rear-mounted spare tire, but its square headlights and traditional fenders are obvious differences. While Jeep hasn’t revealed any specific powertrain details or exterior dimensions, it did say the 2024 Recon will have electronic locking diffs, off-road-rated tires, and underbody protection. We fully expect it to have dual electric motors, too, providing all-wheel drive. Based on the photos, we can see its retractable roof and tan-colored interior.JeepJeepA New Mid-Size Electric WagoneerWhile the electric Wagoneer S shares a nameplate with the full-size, gasoline-powered Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, it actually has smaller dimensions that Jeep says make it a mid-size model. That makes us think it’s more like an electric Grand Cherokee. The S is also merely a placeholder until the company presumably decides on a permanent name. As with the Recon, we didn’t get many specific details about the Wagoneer EV other than claims that it’ll have 600 horsepower and an estimated range of 400 miles. One thing we can say for sure is that its exterior styling is much prettier than the full-size Wagoneers, with an illuminated seven-slot grille, sleek bodywork, and rear spoiler that’s nicely integrated into the design. Judging by the photos, it looks like the Wagoneer S will only have two-row seating.Jeep Avenger Isn’t for AmericansEarlier this year, Jeep announced it was going to introduce its first EV, which at the time we thought would be a small SUV the size of the compact Compass based on images of a little yellow ute. As it turns out, that model is the brand’s first EV, and it’s called the Avenger, but it won’t be sold in America. The Jeep Avenger is also smaller than we realized. In fact, the company says it’s smaller than the subcompact Renegade.JeepWhile the Avenger will be built in Poland and is expected to hit the streets overseas sometime early next year, the Recon and Wagoneer EV will both be built in America. However, they’ll also be sold in Europe and other markets around the world. Jeep says orders for the 2024 Recon and 2024 Wagoneer S will open early next year, with production expected to start sometime 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

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    Ford Bronco Buyers Spend an Average of $1700 on Ford Accessories

    The Ford Bronco and its smaller Bronco Sport sibling have captured a massive fan base since their market debut. Of course now that we are starting to see these things around regularly, owners are embracing the accessory market. In fact, customers of the full-size Bronco are reportedly spending an average of $1700 on official Ford parts, with more than one million accessories sold between the two models. According to an Automotive News report, Ford executives say that the Bronco is currently the most customized product in the automaker’s portfolio. The Bronco Sport isn’t far behind, as its customers spend an average of $800 on parts from Ford’s own catalog. That figure puts the Bronco Sport right in line with the all-mighty F-150 as far as customization dollars are concerned. Warn, Yakima, Others Supplying the Goodies It can’t hurt that Ford has tailored a massive collection of parts for the Bronco and Bronco Sport with help from some of the biggest names in the automotive aftermarket. The automaker knew how important modifications are to the off-road community, and it worked with well-known companies like Warn and Yakima to create these components before the trucks even debuted. Customers can even spec the accessories they’d like to have on their truck right from the dealer before the truck arrives. This has created something of a lucrative business model for certain dealerships. Take Steve Olliges’s Team Ford dealership in Las Vegas, for example. Customers at this dealership spend an average of $4000 to $5000 on Bronco accessories with every purchase. The most popular parts that customers order across the board are the modular front bumper, winches, and off-road lighting elements. FordTested by C/D”It’s core to the success of Bronco,” Ford consumer marketing manager Mark Grueber told AN. “For dealers it’s a great opportunity not only from a profit standpoint but also long-term engagement with customers. It’s a great proof point of what Ford can do and how big this opportunity is going forward.”The success of the Bronco accessories program is multifaceted. First, the SUV was designed to enter a segment rife with customization needs and featured its own parts development cycle running concurrently with vehicle development. Second, Ford reworked its entire accessories distribution network to better serve dealer needs. By changing up the companies involved in the distribution, Ford has been able to cut back on wait times and improve inventory content. With more Bronco models continuing to roll out, one can expect the parts catalog to continue to grow as well. Not that anyone seems to be complaining about the current offerings. FordThis 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

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    Honda Sports Car Spied, Looks Like a Baby NSX

    • This Honda-badged sports car was spied.• Proportions suggest a mid-mounted engine (or motor).• Could it be a smaller successor to the Acura NSX?A new father’s bleary-eyed late-night run for baby supplies suddenly becomes more interesting when something catches his eye in the lighted window of a darkened office park. He swings into the lot for a closer look and discovers this: a Honda-badged sports car that looks like a shrunken Acura NSX. But what is it?Greg Fink|Car and DriverGreg Fink|Car and DriverA few months ago, Honda revealed that it is preparing two electric sports cars and showed teaser images of both. But this office-park discovery doesn’t seem to match the shape of either of the cars under the sheet. The front-end styling, the appearance of the large side air intakes, and the location of the cockpit within the body all appear similar to another unidentified Honda sports car, a roofless roadster that surfaced on the internet in 2017.Greg Fink|Car and DriverGreg Fink|Car and DriverThis time, the car is a glass-canopied coupe. Behind the glass canopy, we can see exoskeleton-like A-pillars. The car is left-hand drive, and the passenger compartment appears sized strictly for two. An ultra-short nose looks largely taken up with cooling apparatus, strongly suggesting a mid-engine—or is that mid-motor?—layout.It could be a successor to the mid-engine S660 sports car, which at one time was rumored to be headed to the United States. And that could take the form of an EV, aligning with the brand’s announcement earlier this year. With the Acura NSX now bowing out, the time is ripe for a new Honda sports car, and we’d love to see this one in the light of day.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

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    2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Starts at $105,550 and Crests $133K

    The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS450+ SUV starts at $105,550, which is only $100 more than its sedan counterpart.The SUV’s all-wheel-drive models, the EQS450 4Matic and EQS580 4Matic, start at $108,550 and $127,100, respectively.The 2023 EQS580 4Matic SUV in the fanciest Pinnacle trim level crests the $133k mark. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has a base price of $105,550. Surprisingly, that’s only $100 more than the starting price of its EQS450+ sedan counterpart, which opens at $105,450 for the 2023 model year.

    That $100 price difference continues to separate the 2023 EQS SUV and sedan for each of their available powertrains, which include the aforementioned rear-drive EQS450+ as well as the all-wheel-drive EQS450 4Matic and the EQS580 4Matic. The SUV version of each starts at $108,550 and $127,100, respectively.

    Mercedes-Benz

    As with the sedan, the EQS SUV and its three powertrains are available in three trim levels: Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle. All the prices listed above are for the Premium, which represents the entry-level trim and comes standard with heated and ventilated front seats, leather interior upholstery, a Burmester sound system, rear-axle steering, and a boatload of driver assists.

    Mercedes-Benz

    The Exclusive trim adds a head-up display, four-zone climate control, massaging front seats, and more. With dual motors and all-wheel drive, the 355-hp EQS450 4Matic costs $112,800, and the 536-hp EQS580 4Matic costs $131,350. The Pinnacle trim essentially upgrades the second-row seats with an Executive package, an MBUX tablet and wireless charging in the middle armrest, and more comfortable headrests. The EQS450 4Matic costs $114,800, whereas the EQS580 4Matic crests $133k, with a starting price of $133,350.The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV goes on sale this fall, meaning it should reach dealerships any day now.
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    Listen to the Ferrari Purosangue's Exhaust before Its September 13 Reveal

    Ferrari has confirmed that it will unveil the Purosangue SUV next Tuesday, September 13.In this just-released teaser image, Ferrari shows a front-facing silhouette of the car in semi-darkness. We originally speculated the Purosangue would debut as a 2022 model, but it’s now looking more likely to be a 2023 model.Heresy or not, Ferrari is plunging into the super-SUV fray with the Purosangue. The newest prancing horse will take on a growing list of ultra-high-performance models that includes the Lamborghini Urus, Aston Martin DBX 707, and Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT. In a post to the Ferrari Twitter account, the Maranello-based automaker announced a reveal date of September 13 and offered up a short teaser of the exhaust note. Ferrari’s not calling this new model an SUV or even a crossover, instead referring to the Purosangue as a Ferrari Utility Vehicle (FUV).
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    The teaser video shows off the same sloping figure, this time giving us a look at a set of angled headlights. Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna confirmed in May that the Purosangue will be powered by a naturally aspirated V-12. While the company has not confirmed a V-8 version of the vehicle, it could also get the same twin-turbo V-8 seen elsewhere in the Ferrari stable. Unlike some of the other high-performance SUVs in the class, the Purosangue is thought to be heavily focused on roadgoing performance. Expect off-road options and performance upgrades to be pretty scant. We don’t know yet what the power output will be, but the Porsche offers 631 horsepower, the Urus offers 641 or 657 horsepower, and the Aston comes with 697 hp. Our colleagues at Road & Track think the Purosangue may share its V-12 with the 819-hp 812 Competizione, which could put the Ferrari at the top of the heap. Whatever the exact figure is, it is sure to provide serious performance for an SUV, and we’d expect handling to match.With the full reveal only a week away, there is not long to wait now for more information on what is arguably the most significant Ferrari in recent memory.
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    Ford Mustang GT Performance Badge Teased ahead of Next-Gen Model's Debut

    Ford has posted a short video on social media that teases a new Mustang GT Performance model.The 10-second clip shows a piece of luggage in a trunk before the lid closes to show a chrome “GT Performance” badge.We can’t tell if the badge will adorn a model from the outgoing generation or the new one, but we’ll likely know once the next-gen Mustang is revealed on September 14.With the debut of the next-generation 2024 Mustang just over a week away, Ford has dropped a teaser video online that shows a GT Performance badge on what is clearly a Mustang’s trunk lid.
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    The short clip was posted on September 2 on Ford Performance’s Facebook page along with some of the company’s other social media accounts. The 10-second video opens with a retro-looking piece of luggage with an old-school Mustang logo on it sitting in the trunk of a car. The trunk lid then closes to reveal a chrome “GT Performance” badge. The rest of the video mentions the new Mustang’s reveal date on September 14 as well as the Stampede event that’s set to precede the reveal.

    Whether the GT Performance badge is worn by a new model from the outgoing generation or a new model from the next-gen one is hard to say, but it has us intrigued. It also has us speculating about a potential 60th Anniversary edition, since the badge that was teased has a distinct typeface and chrome plating that recalls Ford Mustang’s of yore.Either way, we’re sure to find out by the time Ford pulls the covers off the next-gen pony car next week. In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more clues and teasers as the week ahead is sure to be full of them.
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    2023 Bentley Flying Spur Speed Comes Exclusively with 6.0-Liter W-12

    The 2023 Bentley Flying Spur Speed is powered by the familiar 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W-12 engine that produces 626 hp and 664 pound-feet of torque. The Speed is set apart by dark trim, unique 22-inch wheels, and lots of speed badges.The W-12 is no longer offered in the base $200,000 Flying Spur, with the new Speed expected to fetch around $80,000 more.Bentley has rounded out the lineup of its sole remaining sedan with the new 2023 Flying Spur Speed, which arrives as a more performance-focused version of the opulent cruiser. It will also become the only way to get a Flying Spur with the W-12 powertrain after production of the standard Flying Spur W-12 ended in May, unless you want to go through Bentley’s even pricier Mulliner customization program.
    The 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W-12 engine is unchanged, still offering 626 horsepower, an 84-hp bump over the V-8-powered S model, with torque coming in at 664 pound-feet. Bentley claims a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.7 seconds, but in Car and Driver testing, a 2020 W-12 did the 60 mph run in 3.5 seconds. Top speed is still a claimed 207 mph. Like other Flying Spurs, the Speed uses a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and comes with all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering as standard. The Speed is also fitted with a brake-based torque vectoring system and Bentley’s Dynamic Ride system, which uses a 48-volt electrical system that adjusts the stiffness of the anti-roll bar to keep the Flying Spur level through corners. Stopping power comes thanks to 16.5-inch iron front brake discs, shared with the Continental GT and the largest in the world according to Bentley. The front calipers are painted red with Bentley branding, but can be finished in black for an extra cost.
    The Speed model is distinguished from lesser Flying Spurs by a dark tint applied to the front grilles, headlights, and taillights. Speed badges adorn the front fender and there are also unique 22-inch wheels, with dark tint, gloss black, and silver finishes available. There is a second 22-inch wheel option offered in Pale Brodgar satin, and the Speed also gets jeweled fuel and oil filler caps.
    The decadent interior uses a material Bentley calls “Dinamica Pure,” said to be made from 73 percent recycled polyester, while the leather color choices jump from five to fifteen options. The trim is Piano Black veneer as standard, but can be swapped out for Crown Cut Walnut, Dark Stained Burr Walnut or Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus for no additional fee. Bentley says there are new performance infotainment graphics inspired by luxury chronograph watches. More Speed logos are found inside, and the badges also appears illuminated on the door sills.

    Bentley says that one in three Flying Spurs in those the United States and Europe are expected to be the Speed. No pricing details were revealed, but it should cost significantly more than the approximately $200,000 base V-8 model, with the Speed models bringing an approximately $80,000 increase for the Continental GT and Bentayga model lineups.
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