Motor News

Good things come from the Hawaiian islands: chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, surfing, and winning racers. Danny Ongais, who raced everything from Top Fuel to F1; John DeSoto, motocross legend; and Roland Leong, famed Funny Car tuner, share more than their island birthplace: as of August 2022, they are now the only wheeled inductees in the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame. We’d say they were the only motorsports representatives at all, but that would leave out Thomas Gentry, powerboat racer. Leong is the most recent inductee, officially joining the list in 2020, but due to COVID only celebrating the honor on August 25, 2022, when the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame finally held its much postponed banquet. We were on hand to cheer as Leong took the stage, introduced by his first driver, Don “the Snake” Prudhomme. It was the first time the two men had been in Hawaii together since they met in 1964. Street Racing on OahuLeong grew up on Oahu, racing cars on the streets, much to the dismay of his parents. “My dad had a master’s degree from Harvard. My mother was also a college graduate, very rare for a woman in the ’30s. They were respected businesspeople. I didn’t graduate high school and I wanted to be a drag racer. They weren’t pleased.”Leong’s dad didn’t talk to him for years, but his mother came around and supported him as he moved from street racing to running a dragster at the island’s only track, Kahuku Dragstrip. Leong held the gas dragster record of 8.50 at 180 mph when he met Prudhomme, who was piloting the Greer, Black, Prudhomme nitro dragster, shipped over to make exhibition runs on the island’s new, bigger dragstrip. The two hit it off, despite the fact that Prudhomme could barely understand Leong’s mix of Hawaiian slang and accented English. It didn’t matter; talking cars was a common language. Later that year, Leong was in California, working for a chassis shop and building a top fueler of his own. The first drive didn’t go well. “I guess I was supposed to only go half track? I didn’t know that,” says Leong, with the easy cadence of a much-told tale. “I didn’t know where the parachute handle was, and by the time I found it, I’d driven off the dragstrip. [Engine builder] Keith Black wasn’t pleased. He said he couldn’t support me if I drove, because he didn’t want to tell my parents I’d been killed in a car.” Elana ScherrBlack recommended Prudhomme, as their partner in the G-B-P car was calling it quits. Prudhomme started driving for Leong and took the new car, appropriately named “The Hawaiian,” to victories at the NHRA Pomona Winternationals and the Indy U.S. Nats along with countless match race rounds. “I always tell Prudhomme he’s lucky I wasn’t worth shit as a driver or he wouldn’t have had a career,” says Leong. “Sometimes I think of how odd we must have looked in ’65, on the road across America, a Chinese-Hawaiian and a Black guy, often the only ones in a restaurant. We never had any trouble, though. I guess people liked the car too much to worry about who was with it.”Prudhomme left Leong the next year, a decision he says he regretted as he watched the Hawaiian repeat victories at the Winternationals and the U.S. Nats with a different driver behind the wheel. Leong would become infamous for his changing roster of hotshoes. “Not everyone had the same desire to win as I did,” he says with a shrug. “The Hawaiian”Hawaii Sports Hall of FameIn 1969, he built a Funny Car, noting that the bodied fuel cars were more popular with the fans and had more opportunities to match race than the long, naked rails. Leong’s “Hawaiian” cars won regularly, including the famous Bakersfield March Meet in ’67 and ’83, and another U.S. Nationals win in 1991 with a car that would later set a record as the first Funny Car over 290 mph. His last year as a team owner was 1993, but he continued working as a hired crew chief, including rejoining his old buddy, the Snake, to tune the Copenhagen Funny Car with a young driver named Ron Capps behind the wheel. They finished second by a narrow margin to John Force in the championship in 1997.More Drag RacingOne might consider that a solid career, but Leong continued to tune nitro cars after leaving the NHRA “big show,” working for nostalgia racers running in the NHRA’s heritage series. Through it all, Leong has stayed friends with many of his teammates, including Prudhomme. Now 78 and 81 respectively, the Hawaiian and the Snake still act like they’re in their early twenties as they were when they met, pointing out hot cars and ribbing each other about their various failings. “You know, Snake and I would have lunch every day in Van Nuys,” said Leong. “He was working at a paint shop, and I convinced him to go on the road with me in ’65, so he quit, and he hasn’t had a real job since.” That’s one way to describe Prudhomme’s 389-round winning career, but then, Leong has known him since before he was a big shot, back when they were both just kids talking cars in Hawaii, never imagining they’d be back for a Hall of Fame induction nearly 60 years later. Elana ScherrElana ScherrLeong was inducted as part of the 2020 class, along with surfer Ben Aipa and racquetball champion Egan Inoue. The 2021 inductees, honored at the same celebration, included volleyball champ Reydan “Tita” Ahuna and sports promoter Larry Price. The Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame is a state-run museum recording the accomplishments of Hawaii’s athletes in all forms of sport. 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 Rivian R1T is one of the most exciting electric cars on sale today. One owner decided to push the boundaries of that excitement by driving their EV right into Bear Lake in Idaho in order to launch their boat. The owner of this particular Rivian R1T is youtuber Rivvit . blog, who uploaded a video of the aquatic adventure alongside a description of the events. According to the owner, this idea of driving their Rivian into Bear Lake was a goal of theirs since they pre-ordered the EV back in February of 2020. Bear Lake is located right on the border of Idaho and Utah, with half of the freshwater lake belonging to either state. There are only a handful of public boat launches surrounding the lake, which are reportedly often jammed up with traffic. Boaters can launch directly off the beach if their vehicle is capable of surviving the plunge, with the video description noting that many locals utilize heavily modified vehicles to skip the lines.
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Thanks to a few key factors, this R1T owner felt his truck could take on the challenging launch in stock form. Firstly, the beach surrounding the lake itself is composed of a relatively compacted sand, which the truck doesn’t seem to displace much of while on land or in the water. Secondly, the beach also gradually falls off after you’ve entered the drink, creating somewhat of a natural boat launch beneath the surface. Combine those factors with the fact the Rivian is capable of fording through over 43-inches of water, and things seemed relatively straightforward to this boating family.

Before the attempt began, the owner disconnected the truck’s trailer lights and engaged the Rivian’s Deep Sand drive mode. As the video starts, we watch as the R1T silently drives nose first into Bear Lake. The truck then manages to flip around, positioning the boat trailer for the most effective launch. The boat in question is a 2004 Malibu 23 LSV, which requires around 36 inches of water to float off the trailer. Once the boat is operating as intended, the truck simply pulls back out of the lake without any trouble. It’s a wild scene to behold, and not exactly the sort of ending we’re used to seeing when heavy trucks take on the beach. That said, the owner of this truck repeated this process several more times over the course of their visit to Bear Lake. The process reportedly only got easier to handle, though we have to imagine there was always some anxiety involved. That’s especially true when it came time to load up at the end of the day. Rivian likely didn’t test the R1T’s abilities as a standalone boat launch, but we’re glad to see some owners embracing the outdoorsy image the brand has crafted for itself. I wouldn’t suggest trying something like this without some real knowledge of your local beaches and their rules, but I can’t imagine this is the last aquatic Rivian we’ll encounter.

Rivvit . blog on YouTube More

The legendary Mercedes SL roadster has reached its seventh generation, and there are big changes in store for the 2022 SL55 and SL63 models. For one, they’re exclusively offered as AMG models, and the old model’s retractable hardtop has given way to a softtop. Positioned as a competitor to the Porsche 911, the new SL is far more expensive than before, so we figured we’d take to the online configurator tool to determine our favorite ways to spec the new car. Here are our builds, from the “base” model to nearly $200,000.

Drew Dorian’s $151,700 SL55

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz

I’d start my build with the SL55 in the base Touring trim. The 55’s 469-hp version of the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 is plenty of power for me, especially since we estimate this model will hit 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. With the money I’d save by skipping the more expensive SL63, I’d load up my new Mercedes with tasty options such as the Burmester stereo system, a microfiber headliner, and a set of handsome 21-inch wheels. I’d go with the Moonlight White metallic exterior paint, and the optional red softtop helps my SL stand out. I’m disappointed that I can’t choose the red Nappa leather with the red roof, but the black interior is classy so I’ll make that concession. Lastly, I’d splurge on the optional head-up display, the driver-assistance package, and the performance steering wheel with Nappa leather and microfiber wrap. My SL55 carries a price of $151,700, a lofty sum, certainly, but one that’s nearly $40,000 cheaper than an identically outfitted SL63.Joey Capparella’s $184,950 SL63

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz

The SL makes the most sense to me as a cushy cruiser, so I’m not entirely sold on the idea that AMG has taken over the latest generation and turned it into a sportier, more performance-focused model. That said, I think the new model looks fantastic. Even though I don’t want the sportiest model possible, I still want power in a vehicle like this, so I’d splurge for the 577-hp SL63. Opting for the Performance trim doesn’t mean what you think, as the 63 model has most of the performance goodies standard anyway; instead, this version adds a front-axle lift system that I think would be useful. The only other options I chose were the subtle $3250 Monza Gray Magno paint and the $750 Dark Shadow interior trim. I stuck with the base 20-inch wheels for the sake of ride quality. My car totals out at $184,950, which is 911 Turbo territory. Hmm.Caleb Miller’s $194,660 SL63

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz

For my 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL, I started off by choosing the more powerful SL63 model, which produces 108 more horsepower than the SL55. I then selected the Performance trim, which adds a front-axle lift system—necessary on Michigan’s pockmarked roads—for $1800. To spice up the already gorgeous roadster’s looks, I splurged on the vibrant Hyper Blue metallic paint for $1750 and 21-inch silver 10-spoke “Y-design” wheels for $1100. I also added the AMG Aerodynamics package for $2850, which includes an active carbon-fiber underbody element that increases downforce on the front wheels above 50 mph. Inside, I thought the Sage Gray and black Nappa leather combination matched the exterior well, and I went for the carbon-fiber trim for an extra $2850. I also chose the AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather and microfiber ($500) and front and rear floor mats for when winter hits ($160). My final excessive add-on was the Burmester surround sound system, which costs an insane $4500. All told, my SL63 rang in at $194,660.
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• This 2009 Aston Martin DBS currently up for sale on Bring a Trailer looks like the perfect grand tourer to drive into the electric era.• It features a 5.9-liter V-12 paired to a six-speed manual transmission, and it produces 510 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. • Despite 46,000 miles logged on the odometer, this DBS seems well cared for and includes recent services including fresh tires. Bidding ends Thursday, September 8.Grand touring cars should look great, offer top-notch luxury, and provide incredible performance. The best grand tourers offer manual gearboxes and high-cylinder-count engines as well. The Aston Martin DBS shown here, and for sale now on Bring a Trailer (which like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos), has all of the above. Looks are subjective, but I would argue strongly in favor of the DBS as one of the most heart-wrenchingly beautiful cars in the modern age. The body lines flow smoothly from the iconic front end over squatting hips at the rear. The DBS looks akin to a jaguar waiting patiently in the weeds, ready to pounce.

By modern standards, of course the DBS falls behind. The car is over 10 years old, leading the infotainment to look a bit too much like your first flip phone. But infotainment isn’t why you buy a rear-wheel-drive, six-speed GT car with a 5.9-liter V-12 ready to roar through its gears. Neither is the Aston Martin–branded umbrella, but it would be fun to show off at a Saturday Cars and Coffee.

Bring a Trailer

The V-12 here may have 46,000 miles on the clock, and repairs probably run near the cost of a few vital organs, but this DBS does seem well cared for. Perhaps you recognize the DBS from Casino Royale, in which freshly minted Bond Daniel Craig flips his DBS so as not to run over his lady love. High mileage can be scary, especially with a supercar, but if it were my money, I’d take the risk.

Bring a Trailer

We may have given the edge to a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano in a 2008 comparison test, but that was before I got here—and anyway, the author referred to the DBS as “mighty fine.” Those sparkling words of praise, DIY shifting, and a raucous V-12 should convince any prospective bidders who are on the fence—assuming they can afford the six figures it is likely to go for. With six days left before bidding ends on Thursday, September 8, the high offer is at $80,000 and sure to go way up from there.
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Ariel, a small British carmaker responsible for the iconic Atom and Nomad, revealed its newest car Thursday, simply called the Hipercar. A big departure from the exoskeleton-like vehicles normally associated with the brand, the Hipercar is an all-electric sports car with a real(-ish) interior and body panels. Even crazier than the absurd bodywork is the option for a turbine range extender. Hipercar isn’t just a clever name. It stands for High Performance Carbon Reduction. The chassis and subframes are aluminum, while the frankly ridiculous body structure—which is expected to go into production unchanged—is made from carbon fiber.

Power comes from a Cosworth-supplied 62.0-kWh battery pack that runs on an 800-volt architecture. Buyers can opt for rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with a 290-hp Equipmake APM electric motor at each wheel. Total output for the all-wheel-drive variant is 1163 horsepower and 1327 pound-feet of torque, while the rear-drive version gets 581 hp and 664 pound-feet.
The most fascinating part of the Hipercar isn’t its weird body, it’s the optional range extender. Instead of opting for a conventional piston engine or even a rotary like Mazda, Ariel decided to use Cosworth’s CatGen turbine engine as a range extender. It makes about 47 hp and turns on to charge the batteries while on the move. The Hipercar you see here is Ariel’s first production-intent prototype. The company hasn’t said how much the car will cost or when deliveries will begin, though we’re expecting to learn more later in the year. More

Subaru posted a video online that teases a new SUV model that’ll be revealed on September 15.The 15-second clip shows several shrouded shots of the upcoming ute, which looks a lot like the next-gen Crosstrek.We’re surprised Subaru would reveal a new Crosstrek before a new Impreza since they’re one and the same, but maybe it means the small car is on borrowed time. The next generation of the Subaru Crosstrek could be on the way. At least that’s our takeaway after watching a video Subaru posted online today that teases a new SUV model, which the company plans to reveal September 15.

The 15-second clip was posted on YouTube by Subaru of Japan, and it can also be seen on the Japanese website. Almost all of the shots are shrouded in darkness, with only a few specific details visible. The clearest design elements we can see are the headlights and taillights, which look similar to units on Subaru’s newest models. Illuminating DetailsAlong with the new SUV’s headlights and taillights, we’re able to make out parts of its front end. There appears to be a crossbar connecting the tips of the headlights and running across the upper part of the grille. The Subaru logo is positioned in the middle of the crossbar. The grille itself looks to have a large outline, much bigger than the current Crosstrek. However, the shot of the rear quarter panel shows character lines that appear awfully similar to those on the current Crosstrek.

Subaru

Stubby Subie SpottedWith all the shadowy close-ups and quick cuts, it’s hard to gain perspective on the size of the SUV in the video. Still, there’s one part of the short clip that shows its stubby stature when the Subie enters a dark cave. That shot makes it look wider than it is tall, which aligns with the current Crosstrek’s dimensions, as it measures 63.1 inches high and 71.0 inches wide.

Subaru

Bye, Bye Impreza?We feel confident the SUV teased in the video and the one Subaru plans to reveal on September 15 is the next-generation Crosstrek. If that turns out to be true, it makes us wonder why the company would reveal a new Crosstrek before a new Impreza. After all, they’re one and the same. The Crosstrek evolved from the previous Impreza-based Outback Sport hatchback from several years ago, and it remains a lifted version of the current Impreza hatch, sharing a platform, powertrains, and much of its styling, despite wearing a different nameplate.A look at the sales for both models shows that over the last two years Subaru has sold more than twice as many Crosstreks as Imprezas. That, combined with its higher asking price, makes the SUV model a lot more profitable, and it could signify that the Impreza is on borrowed time in the U.S. market.
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The entry-level 2023 Infiniti QX60 Pure starts at $50,395, which is $2520 more than the previous model year.Price hikes also apply to the $55,250 Luxe (up $1325), the $59,795 Sensory (up $2420), and the $63,795 Autograph (up $2420).For 2023, wireless charging and a frameless rearview mirror become standard, and all models add free scheduled maintenance.When Infiniti released the newest generation of the QX60 just last year, the redesign included a starting price that was $2500 higher than its predecessor. For the 2023 model year, the company is once again raising the mid-size SUV’s base price, this time by $2520 to $50,395.QX60’s Rising Prices

While the entry-level Pure sees the highest price hike, the rest of the lineup also costs more than before. The Luxe gets the smallest increase, with the extra $1325 pushing its starting price to $55,250. Meanwhile, Infiniti adds another $2420 to the bottom lines of both the Sensory and Autograph models, which now start at $59,795 and $63,795, respectively. Adding all-wheel drive remains a $2000 option on all but the top-of-the-line Autograph where it costs $1900. QX60’s New ExtrasOf course, Infiniti does offer some new content to offset the QX60’s increased prices. Most notably, Infiniti now provides free scheduled maintenance with every 2023 model, which includes the QX60. The service spans three years or 36,000 miles and covers inspections, oil changes, and tire rotations.

Infiniti

The ’23 QX60, which is currently on sale, gets a few other updates, too. The Pure model now comes standard with wireless device charging, which previously only came standard on the three higher trims. There are also new accent colors for the lower front bumper on specific trims. The trim now becomes gloss black on the Luxe and dark gray on the Sensory and Autograph. Finally, all models get a frameless rearview mirror.
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Toyota and Lexus have announced a recall of nearly 85,000 Toyota Tundra and Lexus NX250 and NX350 models from the 2022 model year. The recall stems from an issue with the electronic parking brake. It may not engage or disengage properly, leading to the danger that the vehicle will roll away while parked.Toyota said it will notify owners by late October to bring their vehicle in to a dealer.Toyota has announced that it will recall a combined 85,000 Tundra pickups and Lexus NX SUVs over an issue regarding the electronic parking brake. According to the announcement, affected vehicles may not properly engage or disengage the parking brake, which in turn could lead to the vehicle rolling away. The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) recalls website does not show the recall yet, but Toyota and Lexus also announced that owners of affected vehicles will be notified by late October. Toyota and Lexus dealerships will update the skid control ECU software for customers at no charge once the recall gets underway. Meanwhile, owners can check the NHTSA website, the Toyota recalls website, or Lexus’s own recalls site to learn if their vehicle is affected.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