Motor News

General Motors is starting up a new EV First Responder Training program to go along with its expanding lineup of electric vehicles that includes the Chevrolet Bolt EV, GMC Hummer EV, and Cadillac Lyriq. The new training materials are being made available online as well as through in-person sessions throughout the U.S. and Canada. Anyone who works as a first responder will be able to get a completion certificate from the Illinois Fire Service Institute when they pass the session.The National Fire Protection Association, which is assisting GM in this new project, already has EV and alternative-fuel safety materials from more than 60 vehicle manufacturers available on its website. And Tesla also has emergency-response manuals for all of its models. Much has been made of the massive battery pack in the GMC Hummer EV. After all, that pack weighs 2923 pounds, nearly as much as an entire small car—say, a 2018 Honda Fit, which has a curb weight of 2595 pounds. With that kind of heft, the amount of energy potentially contained in the Hummer’s battery pack could be a source of concern for first responders approaching the scene of an incident involving one of these new electric vehicles. GM says its OnStar system already has the ability to tell first responders know if an EV is involved in an incident. To give those first responders confidence that they know how to handle such a situation, General Motors announced this week that it is expanding efforts to train emergency personnel in the U.S. and Canada to better deal with EV emergencies.

Illustration of battery pack in the Chevrolet Bolt EV, from emergency guide.
General Motors

GM has released a new EV First Responder Training program that not only provides vital information on the technology inside of an electric vehicle but also details industry best practices for dealing with EVs—and electrified vehicles like hybrids—in all kinds of potentially difficult situations. GM will train people using the program not only with live presentations but also presentations from experts, videos, and virtual demonstrations, the company said. GM is scheduling four-hour safety presentations in various cities through its gmEVFirstResponderTraining.com website and is offering certificates through the Illinois Fire Service Institute to those who successfully complete the sessions.

“The best way for the public and private vehicle fleet owners to rapidly adopt EVs is to train firefighters and emergency responders on how to handle incidents involving battery powered vehicles,” Andrew Klock of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) said in a statement. “The fire service has had more than 100 years to gain the knowledge needed to respond to internal-combustion engine fires, and it is critical that they are now educated on EV safety.”

From the GMC Hummer EV emergency guide.
General Motors

Guides for EV EmergenciesGM is, of course, not the first or only automaker to provide these kinds of educational materials to first responders. Tesla has a website devoted to “helping fire departments and first responders safely handle emergency situations involving all Tesla products,” including all of the company’s EVs as well as Superchargers and solar roof panels. The NFPA hosts a collection of Emergency Response Guides from more than 60 alternative-fuel-vehicle manufacturers, ranging from small companies like Lucid to large truck builders like Freightliner. The NFPA has been working with alternative-fuel automakers since 2010 on making these kinds of guides free and easy to access.

From the Tesla Model S emergency guide.
Tesla

In announcing its new program, GM said learning about safe ways to deal with an EV in an emergency situation can also benefit owners. If you’re an EV owner, it might be worth clicking around to find a first responder guide for your own car and think of it as beach reading this summer.
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There are increasing numbers of new car buyers who are financing their purchases and paying more than $1000 a month. Data from Edmunds revealed that 12.7 percent of all new-car loans came with four-digit payment plans in June 2022.You can probably guess the reasons: inflation and limited new-vehicle supply have led to high new-car prices, which result in these higher monthly payments.To deal with the high cost of new cars, car shoppers are taking out longer loans and accepting higher annual percentage rates.As average prices of new cars just keep moving on up, up, up, the number of people accepting monthly payments of over $1000 a month is also going up. It’s shocking, but it’s not surprising.This tidbit comes to us from a data analysis of the month of June just released from Edmunds, which found that a record 12.7 percent of new car buyers took out vehicle loans with monthly payments over $1000. Edmunds said this is the highest level it has ever recorded, with the percentages of four-digit payments in previous Junes hitting 7.3 percent in 2021, 4.6 percent in 2019, and just 2.1 percent in 2010.

Earlier this month, we noted that the average monthly payment for new cars was somewhere around $650 to $700 in the U.S., which could be expected considering that the average price of a new car hit $47,148 in May, according to KBB. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show that new-car prices have risen 12.6 percent in just the past year.There are other indications of changes to our car-buying habits due to the industry’s high prices in the Edmunds data. In the second quarter of 2022, the average annual percentage rate (APR) on new financed vehicles hit 5 percent. It hadn’t been that high sincethe first quarter of 2020. Another indicator is that more new-car shoppers (36.1 percent) are choosing longer loan terms of 73 to 84 months than the 32.8 percent who did so in June 2021.Also, the average total amount that new-car buyers are financing also hit near-record highs last quarter, climbing to $40,602, compared with the $39,726 average in the first quarter of this year and $36,215 in the second quarter of 2021. Edmunds said that the only other time when the average was over $40,000 was in the fourth quarter of 2021 and at that time, the average APR was 4.1 percent. Higher APRs mean a larger total repayment amount. Edmunds said that with a 72-month car loan for $40,000, going from a 4 percent APR to 5 percent raises the total cost by $1324, while signing up for a 6 percent APR (compared to 4 percent) means you’ll pay $2672 more over the course of the loan.
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• This 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata on Bring a Trailer is the recipient of a LS1 engine sourced from a fourth-gen Chevy Camaro.• The 5.7-liter V-8 has been heavily modified and sounds menacing, as heard in a video of it running (included below).• This LS1-swapped NA Miata auction ends on Tuesday, July 5.Ever since the LS1 V-8 debuted in the 1997 Chevy Corvette, people have been stuffing versions of the third-gen small-block into machines that originally had fewer cylinders and much less displacement. One such recipient of the popular LS1 transplant is this 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata that’s currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos.

The first-generation (a.k.a. NA) Miata offered a naturally aspirated 1.6- and 1.8-liter four-cylinder during its production run that spanned the 1990 through 1997 model years. The bigger engine arrived in 1994. We tested one, and its 128 horses sent the 2330-pound, rear-drive roadster with a five-speed manual to 60 mph in a lackadaisical 8.8 seconds. Not great, Bob! For comparison, the aluminum-block 5.7-liter LS1 rocketed the 1999 Chevy Camaro Z/28 we tested to 60 mph in 5.2 ticks, and that thing probably weighed around 3400 pounds. The donor motor for the BaT Miata is said to be sourced from a fourth-gen Camaro and was rated at between 305–325 horses and 345 pound-feet of torque in stock form. Needless to say, a lightweight Miata plus a LS1 equals endless entertainment—and likely lots of wheelspin.

Bring a Trailer

Unlike the Tremec T56 six-speed manual available on fourth-gen Camaros, this Miata swaps cogs via a Tremec T5 five-speed unit. The gearbox feeds a Ford 8.8-inch IRS rear end with a limited-slip diff that has the difficult job of keeping the 225/45R-17 Hankook Ventus R-S4 summer tires from spinning into oblivion. Interestingly, the front tires are different (225/45R-17 BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S). This Miata rides on a coil-over suspension that pairs with several other chassis modifications including a much-needed brake upgrade, with a set of larger 11-inch front rotors with Wilwood calipers replacing the stock setup. Those will probably come in handy.

Bring a Trailer

While we don’t know exact power figures, based on its myriad modifications, it’s safe to assume the LS1 in this Miata is making more than 305 ponies. The motor is said to have an aftermarket camshaft, forged connecting rods, LS6 cylinder heads, and headers connected to a 2.5-inch exhaust system exiting a center-mounted muffler. As someone who’s owned multiple Chevy small-blocks with custom exhausts, they can make beautiful music, even if it annoys the neighbors and scares their kids. The seller of this Miata wisely uploaded several videos featuring the modded LS1’s pushrod symphony. We included one below of it angrily idling for your viewing pleasure.
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Some might say swapping an LS motor into a Miata is blasphemous. That it muddies the easy-to-control, fun-to-drive nature that’s made the tiny sports car so popular for so long. Those people are probably a lot of fun at parties. I’d love to add this demonic Miata to my garage. Hell, I wish I could get my hands on the 525-hp LS3 version by Flyin’ Miata that we tested a few years back. Alas, that’s out of my price range, but this modded ’95 Miata is likely to be more attainable. The auction ends on Tuesday, July 5.

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Steve Fecht for Chevrolet

Chevy has shown an engineering prototype for the upcoming Silverado EV.The new EV pickup is shown testing at GM’s Milford Proving Grounds in Michigan. Deliveries of the new truck are set to begin in the fall of 2023. While Chevy’s initial photos of the 2024 Silverado EV showed the truck its top-trim form in an eye-catching, shiny shade of blue, we’re now getting a more rough-and-tumble look at the upcoming electric pickup. GM released photos of an engineering prototype of the new EV testing at the company’s Milford Proving Grounds. CEO Mary Barra said that prototypes will begin testing on public roads around Michigan within the next month.
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The Silverado EV seen here has a black, unpainted body, smaller wheels and tires, and all sorts of unfinished pieces such as the headlights, taillights, and fender surrounds signifying it as a test mule.The new truck is set to arrive for the 2024 model year, with the first deliveries said to begin in fall 2023. The Silverado EV uses GM’s Ultium battery platform and claims an estimated range of up to 400 miles. DC fast-charging capability will also be standard. The Silverado’s most direct competitor, the Ford F-150 Lighting, currently offers a maximum EPA-rated range of 320 miles.

Steve Fecht for Chevrolet

Chevy also said the full-size pickup will offer a towing capacity of up to 10,000 pounds of towing. The electric Silverado is expected to start around $42,000 for the base WT trim, and around $107,000 for the line topping RST trim. For comparison, the Lightning starts at $41,769 at its base and $92,669 for its highest trim.

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST
Chevrolet

While the name may be familiar, the electric pickup offers different styling to set it apart from the current gas-powered truck. The front end features narrower headlights and a new front grille.Look for more information to come on the 2024 Silverado EV as Chevrolet readies this new truck for production and prepares to hand it over to the first buyers.

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It’s an art that needs to be learned. The tender dance of clutch, shifter and human being that is operating a manual transmission. For those of us burdened with teaching this subtle activity, the first challenge is finding the perfect training ground. That is, a vehicle with a manual transmission that is perfect for a beginner on which to earn mastery.That’s the challenge of this week’s Window Shop episode on the minor miracle that is YouTube. It’s Car and Driver’s somewhat-weekly, sometimes-not-so-weekly game show where those in the orbit of this media mélange get together on a Zoom call and duke it out in utter violence. Blood, guts and all sorts of gore! Or, maybe not.The budget this week to find the perfect manual-transmission training ground was $40,000. Of course, no actual purchases were made because that’s the sort of commitment we all avoid. But it’s always (okay, sometimes) edifying to see what the hangers-on hang up on when they scour the Internet.This week’s contestants are John Pearley Huffman, on loan from C/D’s Hearst Autos brother Road & Track, newly installed executive editor (he rose as most people do here, by assassination) K.C. Colwell, senior editor Joey Capparella, and longtime fugitive from the crushing authority of the Hardin County, Kentucky public library system, contributor Jonathon Ramsey. Hosting duties are handled by epaulet owning martinet and editor in chief Tony Quiroga.What did the group find? Watch the damn thing and find out. Large Ram trucks, an Acura, a Mazda, a Toyota and a Honda are involved. The show is presented in living color.And if you don’t know how to drive a manual transmission, learn now before they’re all gone.

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The Hyundai Veloster N will not return for the 2023 model year, the company announced today.Hyundai said the decision is due to the introduction of the Elantra N and Kona N.The Accent subcompact sedan is also getting the axe after the 2022 model year.It’s a sad day for driving enthusiasts everywhere as we all learn of the passing of the Hyundai Veloster N. Well, after the 2022 model year, that is. Hyundai today announced that the fun and funky three-door hot hatchback will not return for 2023.

The decision to kill off the Veloster N is due to the introduction of the new Elantra N and Kona N, says Hyundai. Despite our fondness for those new N models, the Veloster version will always have a special place in our hearts, especially after we spent an unforgettable 40,000 miles with a 2019 model. And remember that time we pitted it against the Honda Civic Type R? The Veloster N didn’t pull off the upset, but it proved Hyundai could build a legit performance car, and it set the stage for its replacements.

Marc Urbano

While we hate to see one of our favorite hot hatches head to the graveyard, the writing was on the wall after the non-N Veloster was discontinued last year. That’s not the only casualty, either, as Hyundai is also dropping the Accent subcompact sedan after the 2022 model year. The Korean automaker says that decision is to make way for its subcompact SUV, the Venue, which takes over as its least expensive model.

Accent 
Hyundai

Venue
Hyundai

The Accent didn’t leave the same mark as the Veloster N, but it has been a staple on our annual Editors’ Choice lists thanks to its handsome looks, solid driving dynamics, and excellent fuel economy. It’s also always been incredibly affordable. The 2022 model starts at $17,740, which is about $2500 less than the 2022 Venue. Alas, we bid adieu to one of Hyundai’s best values and one of its greatest hits.
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The Drako Dragon has been announced as the second vehicle from the San Jose, California, startup, following the GTE that was revealed in 2019.The Dragon produces a claimed 2000 horsepower, and Drako says it can hit 60 mph in 1.9 seconds on its way to a top speed over 200 mph.The teaser images give a good look at the design, which will be unveiled in full later this year. The Drako GTE, unveiled at the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, is a 1200-horsepower electric supersedan built on the bones of the gorgeous but ill-fated Fisker Karma. Drako Motors, based in San Jose, California, aimed to build just 25 examples of the GTE at a cool $1.3 million starting price. The company claims that it is “in full swing building and delivering GTE to customers and investment partners,” but it is already prepared to announce its next model. The Drako Dragon, teased here in a series of shadowy images, is due for a reveal later this year as the startup expands into the world of super SUVs.

Drako

Drako

The Dragon will be all-electric, and Drako is making some bold claims about the vehicle’s performance abilities. The top speed is touted at over 200 mph, while the sprint to 60 mph is said to take 1.9 seconds with the quarter-mile supposedly arriving in 9.0 seconds. These mind-blowing numbers will be delivered via a 2000-hp quad-motor setup and an in-house-developed battery. Drako says there will be an adaptive “three-stage” suspension and individual control of each wheel’s torque.

Drako

While the engineering work for the Dragon is taking place in Silicon Valley, the design was penned in Italy by Lowie Vermeersch, who previously acted as design director at Pininfarina and styled the GTE. The teaser images are quite revealing, showing gullwing doors, flying buttresses, and a large scoop on the hood. Diagonal LED lines appear in both the headlights and taillights, and the Dragon appears to have curvy bodywork and an athletic stance.

Drako says the interior will be wrapped in “Europe’s finest, most sumptuous leather” and will seat five. Carbon fiber will feature heavily in the Dragon’s construction, and Drako says it will be “priced competitively to the existing super-SUV segment.” Although no competitors were named, we imagine it will target vehicles at or above the $200,000 range including the Lamborghini Urus, Aston Martin DBX 707, and upcoming Ferrari Purosangue. Drako says that reservations will open soon ahead of the reveal later in 2022.
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Kia released images of the updated Seltos for the Korean market. We expect this refresh to come to the U.S. for the 2024 model year.Images show an updated exterior with a slightly larger front grille, and new taillights.The interior of the Seltos shows off a wide screen on the dash paired with a head-up display. Kia released images of the Seltos for the Korean market which show off an updated exterior and a refreshed interior. Though we don’t have U.S. specifics yet, we’re confident that similar changes will be coming to North America in the near future. Kia has already provided details on the mostly carryover 2023 Seltos, so we think these updates will come to our shores for 2024.The visual changes to the subcompact SUV, which shares a platform with the Hyundai Kona, look appealing to our eye. Pictured here in a two-tone exterior scheme with a light blue body and a black roof, the new look features reshaped daytime running lights and a slightly taller grille. The rear now has an attractive light bar spanning the width of the car, and the taillights are updated as well.

Kia

Interior improvements include a new set of display screens that look similar to what’s found in many other newer Kia models. A digital gauge cluster on the left sits in the same unit as the infotainment screen on the right, and we spotted what looks like a head-up display, too. The brown leather shown here may join the list of upholstery colors, and ambient lighting could be a new option as well. A rotary-style shifter replaces the traditional gear lever, but we’re not sure if that will make it to the U.S. version.

Kia

While we wait for the updated 2024 model to reach the U.S., the 2023 Seltos benefits from what Kia says is improved sound deadening and added safety features. Pricing for the 2023 Seltos starts at $24,185, and the 2024 may see a small increase when it arrives. Currently, the Seltos offers either a base naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four with 146 hp or an optional turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four with 175 horsepower. In our testing, the turbo Seltos achieved 30 mpg on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test. We aren’t sure if the 2024 model will see any powertrain changes, but Kia should release more information within the next few months.
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