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The M4 CSL’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six makes 543 horsepower, some 40 hp more than the M4 Competition, and the car is also lighter than its counterpart by 240 pounds.The handling is more track-day focused thanks to a lower stance, standard high-performance tires and carbon brakes, and more aggressive suspension tuning. This special-edition M4 CSL will be limited to 1000 units worldwide and costs $140,895.BMW’s new 2023 M4 CSL is a focused track-day special edition that is optimized for those who are willing to give up a chunk of daily-driver livability for substantially enhanced performance. CSL stands for Competition Sports Lightweight, and the specs show this to be more than a mere marketing term. They also show that this car will almost certainly be a brute that won’t appeal to everyone.It’s powered by the same twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six that powers the M4 Competition, but the CSL’s peak turbo boost has been raised from 24.7 psi to 30.5 psi, a 24 percent increase. The dual-circuit cooling system has been upgraded to suit not merely the extra power, but also the rigors of track use. The result is 543 horsepower, some 40 hp more than the Competition, with the same power peak of 6250 rpm. Maximum torque is also unchanged at 479 pound-feet, which means the eight-speed automatic transmission and driveline from the Competition can be used as before, right down to the automatic’s internal ratios and the final-drive ratio inside the M Sport differential. The shift points have been performance-optimized, however, and the engine and transmission mounts have been substantially stiffened. There should be far less slack and windup in the power delivery, but an increase in cabin vibration is almost certain to be a side effect.

The effects of this extra power are magnified by a massive 240 pound weight reduction. Each of the M4 Competition’s horsepower has 7.7 pounds to move around, but the extra power and lighter weight of the CSL drops that significantly to 6.7 pounds per pony. BMW claims that it will get to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, compared with the Competition’s claimed 3.8 seconds, but we think it’ll do better. The CSL is a two-seater that sheds its rear seat and seatbelts to save 46 pounds right off the top. Beyond that, its one-piece carbon front buckets save 53 pounds, but you can choose to add 32 pounds back if you order adjustable carbon seats. Another 33 pounds in savings comes from the use of lightweight sound insulation—and quite possibly less of it—in certain areas. More carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is used inside and out, including for the center console that saves 9 pounds. At the tail end of the exhaust, another 9 pound savings comes from the use of a titanium silencer that’s tuned so it “can be fully appreciated inside the cabin where it provides the driver with accurate acoustic feedback in response to movements of the accelerator and clearly conveys the engine’s performance characteristics.” Which is a roundabout way of saying it’s louder.
The CSL comes standard with the 275/35ZR-19 front and 285/30ZR-20 rear high-performance tire combination that’s optional on the Competition, but the wheels are mounted on CSL-exclusive forged alloys with slender spokes that shave off more weight. Carbon-ceramic brakes that are optional on other M4s are standard here, and the wheels, brakes, and certain lightweight suspension components add up to another 46 pounds saved, with much of this being unsprung weight.The suspension squats some 0.3 inch lower than the Competition, and it has been recalibrated with CSL-optimized springs, adaptive damper valving and software, and altered stabilizer-bar tuning. Also notable is the use of additional monoball joints in certain rear suspension links instead of rubber bushings in the interest of more precision when on the track. This last tidbit reminds us of similar suspension changes made to the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS, which delivered stellar handling as a result, as well as questionable livability.All signs point to a much more capable and raw BMW M4 that will indeed be a more potent track-day weapon. There’s a single-minded approach at work here, and it should absolutely appeal to those who want to put their M4 on the track. How many BMW fans are looking for what the M4 CSL has to offer? We’ll see once we know how long it takes the 1000 units—each priced at $140,895—to sell out.
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Mercedes only ever built two copies of the 300SLR, and they became known as the Uhlenhaut coupes because of their association with legendary engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut.The two vehicles have sat in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Collection for over half a century, and the sale was so secret and exclusive that the automaker is only announcing that it happened now, two weeks after an auction was held in Stuttgart.The bidding topped out at $143 million, which more than doubles the previous record holder for most valuable car.A little spring cleaning over at Mercedes-Benz has resulted in a new record for most valuable car in the world. The automaker has confirmed that it has sold one of its two incredibly rare 300SLR Uhlenhaut coupes to a private collector for a whopping $143 million (135 million euros) at a private auction run by RM Sotheby’s at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart on May 5.
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The previous record holder for most expensive car was a 1963 Ferrari 250GTO that was purchased for a reported $70 million in 2018 by WeatherTech founder and CEO David MacNeil. Only a small number of wealthy individuals were invited to participate in the auction for the hardtop version of Mercedes’s mighty Silver Arrow, and Mercedes is not revealing the name of the purchaser of the 300SLR, but Hagerty reports that the buyer is “a well-known figure from Britain’s automotive industry and a longstanding collector of specialist cars.” Mercedes did say that the buyer agreed to make the car available to the public on special occasions.

With chief engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut.
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz

When rumors of this sale first started circulating earlier this month, one of the big questions was why Mercedes-Benz would sell an irreplaceable car from its Classic Collection with a deep history for just a small portion of the company’s annual budget. In today’s announcement about the sale, Mercedes said the money would be used to establish the “Mercedes-Benz Fund,” which will be used to “provide educational and research scholarships in the areas of environmental science and decarbonization for young people” around the world. The Mercedes-Benz Fund will support college students working on environmental science projects as well as younger pupils focused on local environmental projects in their communities. Mercedes will announce more details on the fund later this year.

Mercedes-Benz

“The 300SLR Uhlenhaut coupes are milestones in sports-car development and key historical elements that have shaped our brand,” Mercedes-Benz Group CEO Ola Källenius said in a statement. “The decision to sell one of these two unique sports cars was taken with very sound reasoning—to benefit a good cause . . . With the Mercedes-Benz Fund we would like to encourage a new generation to follow in Rudolf Uhlenhaut’s innovative footsteps and develop amazing new technologies, particularly those that support the critical goal of decarbonization and resource preservation. At the same time, achieving the highest price ever paid for a vehicle is extraordinary and humbling.”

The two 300SLR Uhlenhaut coupe prototypes in the Mercedes collection were both built by and named after their creator and chief engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut. The company only built two hardtop versions of the 300SLR racer, and the cars, from 1955, were used by Uhlenhaut and other Mercedes engineers to push racing technology forward. Mercedes-Benz’s Classic still has more than 1100 automobiles in its collection, including the second original 300SLR coupe, going all the way back to the invention of the automobile in 1886 and up through today.
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Mercedes has presented the Vision AMG, a concept that signals its performance brand’s desire to shift towards electric propulsion in the coming decade.The sleek body is draped across a long wheelbase, providing dramatic proportions.The headlights echo the Mercedes three-pointed star logo while the taillights look like the afterburners on a fighter jet.Mercedes-AMG, the German brand’s performance-focused arm, has begun a drastic transformation, shifting away from the large-displacement engines that solidified its reputation for face-melting driving shenanigans towards downsized powertrains and hybridization. The next C63 AMG is set to trade its predecessor’s turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 for a turbo 2.0-liter inline-four hybrid. But before too long, AMG will begin to transition away from gas engines entirely, and the Vision AMG concept unveiled today provides a glimpse at AMG’s all-electric future, which Mercedes says will start in 2025.

Mercedes-AMG

The Vision AMG features an elegant body, with smooth, aerodynamic surfaces and a long wheelbase. The rear and side windows have been painted the same Alubeam silver color as the rest of the car, emphasizing the sleek look while reducing the windows ability to be, well, windows. The overall shape follows in the footsteps of the EQXX concept and Mercedes says there is an active rear spoiler, although none of the photos show it raised. Mercedes revealed very little about what propels the Vision AMG, other than that it is electric, rides on a new platform called AMG.EA, and has a high-performance, high-voltage battery and the compact and lightweight axial flux motors also found in the EQXX.

Mercedes-AMG

While the Vision AMG’s body looks like a polished stone, the graphical elements add plenty of pizzazz. The nose features a panel that mimics that traditional AMG Panamericana grille, with LED light strips echoing the vertical slats from the gas-powered models. A thin light bar connects the main headlight units, styled to recall the iconic Mercedes three-pointed star logo. The taillights, meanwhile, feature three cylindrical tubes that looks like the glowing afterburners of a fighter jet and sit below an aggressive rear diffuser.

Mercedes linked the Vision AMG concept to its successful Formula 1 team with the silver paint, aqua accents, and faint star pattern on the rear half of the car reminiscent of the race car’s livery. The concept’s 22-inch wheels also feature a closed-off, aerodynamic design, similar to the wheel covers introduced for the 2022 Formula 1 season. Mercedes hasn’t confirmed that the concept directly previews a future AMG model, but we expect to see many of the design cues carry over when AMG starts to go electric in 2025.
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Kia wants to become a leader in electric commercial vehicles and is teasing a slew of “purpose built” vans that will start arriving in 2025 when a new factory gets up and running.The first electric van, code-named SW, is described as mid-size, and it will be followed by smaller and larger vans, with the teasers showing distinctive lighting elements and clean surfacing. Kia launched the Niro Plus, a purpose-built taxi and ride-hailing vehicle, last month for the Korean market.Last month, Kia showed off the Niro Plus, a taller, stretched version of the first-generation Niro that will serve as a purpose-built taxi and ride-hailing commercial vehicle in Kia’s home market of South Korea. The Niro Plus is part of Kia’s push to become a global pioneer in electric purpose-built vehicles by 2030, and now Kia has revealed plans and teasers for a series of electric vans that it hopes will end up dominating this space.

Kia

Kia will begin building a new factory exclusively for purpose-built vehicles at its Hwaseong manufacturing site in Korea next year, and aims to start production in the second half of 2025. While the Niro Plus is adapted from an existing car, this new factory will assemble dedicated purpose-built vehicles, the first of which will be “mid-size” and is presumably the van with the L-shaped lights pictured above. The teaser shows a clean, angular look with geometric wheel designs. Kia says the model, code-named SW, will ride on Kia’s new scalable eS electric skateboard platform.

After the SW, Kia plans to introduce unmanned “micro size” vehicles, as well as larger shuttles and vehicles that can be turned into mobile offices or shops. The teaser images also show a puny, boxlike vehicle and a larger van with C-shaped lights. Kia says that plant will at first be capable of producing 100,00 of the vehicles a year, with the ability to scale up to 150,000 units. It’s not yet clear which, if any, of these vehicles will make it to the United States, but we’re looking forward to seeing Kia’s foray into vehicles designed around specific markets.
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The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X has been transformed into a custom-built overland truck.The overland version of the AT4X features 33-inch tires, a flatbed with a canopy, and rear-mounted air springs.The stock AT4X starts at $77,395 and has electronic locking front and rear diffs as well as Multimatic spool-valve dampers.The overlanding scene has become wildly popular—some might even say oversaturated—but sometimes there are builds that catch our eye and are based on an interesting new model. Enter this 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X that’s been transformed into an awesome overland truck. It was assembled with an assortment of aftermarket parts and debuted today at the Overland Expo west in Flagstaff, Arizona.

At the core of the build, which was completed by Mule Expedition Outfitters, is the Sierra AT4X. GMC touts the newly introduced model as the pinnacle of the half-ton truck’s off-road capabilities. Essentially an enhanced version of the regular AT4, the X-rated version has exclusive equipment such as electronic locking front and rear differentials, extra underbody protection, longer suspension travel, and trick Multimatic spool-valve dampers. We recently drove the AT4X around the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in southern California and saw what it can do first-hand.
While the truck’s leather-lined and tech-laden interior is basically stock, as is its 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8 and 10-speed automatic transmission, its back half has been retrofitted with features that make the AT4X almost unrecognizable. The transformation starts with the 6.4-foot flatbed that replaces the truck’s standard 5.8-foot cargo bed. Behind the cab is a 3-foot canopy (a.k.a. a dog box) that contains a camp kitchen and a shower with a heater. There’s also a fridge inside and solar panels mounted on top.

GMC

GMC

There are over 20 aftermarket parts and accessories that adorn the Sierra AT4X. Some of the other standout add-ons include five amber LED lights on the roof, a retractable awning, a two-person ground tent, and an onboard air compressor. The latter comes in handy after airing down the truck’s gnarly tires, which replace the stock set with larger 33-inch Firestone Destination M/T2 rubber mounted on unique 17-inch rims (18s are stock). The other notable upgrade on this overland AT4X is the air springs on the rear axle that help manage the weight of all the extra equipment on the back.Before any modifications, the ’22 Sierra 1500 AT4X has a lofty starting price of $77,395. While Overland Expo didn’t disclose the cost of the parts or the installation, we wouldn’t be surprised if this custom-built overland version approached or exceeded six figures.
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The Toyota Sienna celebrates a quarter of a century since its 1998-model-year debut with the 2023 Sienna 25th Anniversary Edition.Based on the XSE, the special edition adds unique badges and floor mats and is offered in Celestial Silver or Wind Chill Pearl.The anniversary model also gets fancy cabin features from the Limited, and Toyota will only build 2525 units for the United States.The Toyota Sienna first hit the market for the 1998 model year and has since sold over 2.2 million units, so Toyota is celebrating with the 2023 Toyota Sienna 25th Anniversary Edition. The special-edition minivan, based on the Sienna XSE, gains unique trim inside and out and also cribs luxury interior features from the more expensive Limited model.
The 25th Anniversary Edition is offered in two colors: the Celestial Silver seen here or Wind Chill Pearl. The exterior badges, mirror caps, and shark-fin antenna are finished in black. The special edition also borrows mirrors with memory, auto-dimming, puddle lights, and power-fold and reverse-tilt-down functionality from the Limited trim. Inside you can find “25 Years”–branded floor mats and more Limited trim goodies like heated and ventilated memory front seats, memory steering column, and illuminated doorsills. The seats are wrapped in black leather with silver stitching, and there’s also a special “25th Anniversary” key-fob cover.

The 25th Anniversary Edition comes in front- or all-wheel-drive versions and features the sporty design elements found on the XSE, such as gray 20-inch wheels and a more assertive mesh lower grille. On top of this, the celebratory model is fitted with the XSE Plus package, adding roof rails, a JBL speaker system, wireless charging, and a 1500-watt converter. Toyota says it will build just 2525 units of the 25th Anniversary Edition for the United States, and there’s no word yet on price, although it will probably fall somewhere in the high-$40,000 range.
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The W204-generation C63 AMG was the last iteration of Mercedes’s compact AMG C63 sedan to offer a naturally aspirated V-8 engine.This 2011 C63 AMG includes the P31 AMG Development package, which nets 481 horsepower—30 more than the standard 2011 C63 AMG.Bidding for this car closes on May 24, 2022.We like Mercedes-AMG’s twin-turbo V-8 as much as the next car enthusiast. Even so, we still hold a spot in our hearts for the brand’s naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engines of yore. Specifically, the 6.2-liter unit AMG installed in the likes of the SLS supercar and W204 generation of the C-class sedan.

From model years 2008 to 2014 (and 2015 if you include the C’s two-door coupe body style), the AMG arm of Mercedes-Benz fit a 451-hp variant of its burly V-8 under the hood of the three-pointed star’s small four-door—with enough grunt to push a 4034-pound example of the model to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds in our testing.

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In 2010, Mercedes answered the call for even more power by way of the optional P31 AMG Development package. Thanks to a new tune to the engine management system and connecting rods, pistons, and a crankshaft cribbed from the SLS, the engine’s stable added 30 horses to the mix, bringing output up to 481 horsepower. Not quite the more than 500-hp the big bent-eight produced in other AMG models of the time, but still plenty for a car of this size. In fact, the P31 package’s additional power wasn’t very useful at less than three-digit speeds, as the rear-drive sedan was no quicker to 60 mph with it installed (it was quicker to 100 and 150 mph, though, by 0.1 and 1.1 seconds, respectively). The package’s other features failed to sway us, as well, and we ultimately wrote that we would “forgo” the P31 package when we reviewed a so-equipped C63 AMG in 2010.

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We’re starting to think a bit differently about it in 2022, though. Yes, we stand by the fact that the P31 package’s performance upgrades fail to notably improve the dynamics of the C63 sedan, but we also think there’s a value to the kit from a collector’s standpoint. After all, for a brief period of time, the P31 package marked the peak of C63 AMG performance. That’s why we’re drawn to this 2011 example. Sure, a C63 AMG with the P31 package is not quite the gem of the later Edition 507 (or the coupe-only Black Series), but it still seems just a wee bit more special than your average W204-generation C63 AMG. It certainly helps that this approximately 35,000-mile example’s Quartz Blue paint and 18-inch wheels provide the wide-fendered C63 AMG with a low-key look that fails to call attention to itself while simultaneously enhancing the sedan’s menacing, AMG-specific styling. Though this C63 AMG may do without Mercedes’s latest technology, its naturally aspirated V-8 provides a far different experience from the outgoing W205-generation C63 sedan’s forced-induction unit. The chasm will only grow once Mercedes-AMG unveils the next-generation C63 sedan, which will reportedly adopt a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain centered around a four-cylinder engine.
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A sketch provides our first look at the styling of the 2024 Honda Prologue, an upcoming electric SUV.Honda says the Prologue’s clean design will include a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and “capable tires.”The Prologue was developed in partnership with GM, which is providing Honda with powertrains and battery packs.Judging by a sketch released today by Honda, the company’s upcoming electric SUV won’t have a wild design. Instead, the 2024 Honda Prologue looks to have smooth surfaces with subtle notes of ruggedness.

The sketch represents our first glimpse at what the Prologue might look like, even if some parts are clearly exaggerated for dramatic effect. The color illustration gives off heavy anime vibes. Still, our eyes are drawn to the thin element that spans the top half of the front end and surrounds the slim lighting elements. The chunky grille on the front bumper along with the fog lights, lower cladding, and noticeable roof rails wouldn’t look out of place on a Subaru or really any modern crossover with adventurous aspirations.

Honda

Honda says the Prologue’s design will incorporate a long wheelbase between short overhangs. The company also says the EV SUV will be fitted with a “capable tire.” While a set of Firestone Destination LE 2 all-season tires—like those found on the Honda Passport TrailSport we tested—look aggressive, they definitely don’t have the same low rolling resistance as the rubber on most electric vehicles. Perhaps to offset this, Honda also says it focused on aerodynamics with the Prologue’s styling, with the obvious goal of maximizing efficiency but also reducing interior sound levels, which can be more noticeable when there’s no combustion engine making noise.For anyone who forgot or wasn’t already aware, the 2024 Prologue is part of Honda’s joint venture with General Motors. GM will share its Ultium battery platform, which underpins upcoming models including the Cadillac Lyriq and GMC Hummer EV. Honda will then design the bodies and interiors on vehicles like the Prologue; Acura will also have its own more luxurious version, which has not yet been publicly named.

General Motors

After the Prologue and its Acura counterpart hit the market, Honda will introduce new models based on the company’s own electric platform, which is called e:Architecture. These are slated to start production in 2026. In 2027, Honda and GM will team up again to build and sell a “new series” of affordable, electric compact crossovers. All of it culminates in Honda’s goal of selling 500,000 EVs in North America by 2030 as well as fulfilling its commitment to selling only EVs and fuel-cell vehicles by 2040.
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