Motor News

The 2023 Lexus RX’s front end is teased ahead of the new generation’s debut later this month.Lexus today announced the new RX will debut at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 31.We speculate that the ’23 RX will introduce a plug-in-hybrid model, possibly called RX500h+. The world will get its first look at the 2023 Lexus RX at the end of the month. Lexus today posted a teaser image of its most popular model and announced that the new generation of the SUV will debut at 8 p.m. EST on Tuesday, May 31.

The image released by Lexus provides an up-close look at the new RX’s front end. The brand’s spindle grille is still alive and well, with the latest rendition mixing a mostly black mesh design with a partly-blocked-off white panel at the very top. The reshaped headlights feature a familiar check-mark lighting signature, but the headlights themselves are shrouded in darkness. The prominent intake vent on the edge of the front bumper suggests this teaser image could be of an F Sport variant.

Lexus

Lexus

Since Lexus only released this one photo, we’re left in the dark about what the rest of the next-gen RX will look like as well as what features and powertrains will be offered. Still, we can make some educated guesses about the latter two. The ’23 will surely be offered with the huge 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that debuted on the 2022 Lexus NX and will be available on the upcoming electric Lexus RZ. While the current generation of the RX is available with two or three rows of seats, we’re not sure whether or not its replacement will also offer both configurations.As for what’s under the hood, we expect the entry-level RX350 model to have the turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four that also powers the NX350. In that application, the engine is rated at 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque and pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission. We also expect a hybrid variant wearing the RX450h moniker. Finally, we think the RX lineup will welcome a plug-in hybrid. Toyota applied for the RX500h trademark about two years ago, and since Lexus’ PHEV models are denoted with a “+” at the end, we think the plug-in variant could be called RX500h+.
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Ken Block has raced just about everywhere you can take a high-powered all-wheel-drive car. He’s even run the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb once, all the way back in 2005 in a Group N rally car. But he’s never fought for the overall title, the single most prestigious win in American point-to-point racing. He intends to change that this year, and, being Ken Block, he intends to do it in a car built for the occasion.

This is the Hoonipigasus, the dream creation of Hoonigan Racing Division and BBi Autosports. Like the other cars BBi has raced at Pikes Peak in the past, it’s a Porsche. Unlike those modified modern cars, however, this one is a ground-up creation resembling a vintage 911. It’s in the style of an early 911, yes, but it’s a mid-engine AWD car boasting some 1400 horsepower from a 4.0-liter flat-six. If all of that is somehow underwhelming, it also weighs just 2200 pounds.

Hoonigan

Hoonipigasus gets some of its wordplay from the livery. Street artist “Trouble” Trevor Andrew designed the scheme, a tribute to the 1971 917/20 known as the Pink Pig. The rest comes from a partnership with Mobil 1, which lends oil expertise and a Pegasus logo in its traditional place on the side of a vintage Porsche body.LOVE RALLY? SIGN UP FOR THE UPCOMING ROAD & TRACK EXPERIENCE, RALLY-ULast year, the overall win at Pikes Peak went to a Wolf GB08 prototype by a margin of over 30 seconds on a shortened course. Block will also be chasing the all-time course record, 7:57.148 in the all-electric Volkswagen ID. R, but that run was so quick that it may be safe for another year.The 2022 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will be held on June 26. Block and the Hoonipigasus will be among the favorites for the overall win.

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The new Car Show! podcast hosted by longtime Car and Driver editor Eddie Alterman debuts today.The podcast features stories about vital cars and how they changed how we drive and live.New episodes arrive every Wednesday and are available wherever you get your podcasts.Eddie Alterman, our former editor-in-chief here at Car and Driver and the current Hearst Autos Chief Brand Officer, has had an illustrious career as an automotive journalist. Now, Alterman is taking his years of industry experience and love of cars to the airwaves as the host of his new Car Show! podcast, which today debuted its first two episodes.

Car Show! features stories about some pretty epic cars. Of course, the stories aren’t just about automobiles with huge horsepower figures or impressive miles per gallon. Instead, the stories highlight the transcendent vehicles that changed how we drive and live. Launched in tandem, the first episode focuses on Jeep and how the brand’s vehicular anachronisms remain so popular, while the follow-up episode tells the tale of the iconic E39 M5.

Eddie Alterman.

A self-proclaimed car freak, Alterman believes all cars are great, even the not-so-great ones. He also believes that cars sit at the middle of everything, from design and engineering to manufacturing and marketing. “But when you get right down to it, the most fascinating thing about cars is what they say about us, what they say about our culture,” Alterman says in a short audio introduction to his podcast. “Cars are rolling anthropology.”Along with being a longtime editor at Car and Driver, including a decade spent between 2009 and 2019 as the magazine’s fearless leader, Alterman’s voice and opinion on cars have appeared in GQ, Men’s Journal, and the New York Times. Car Show! is a weekly podcast from Pushkin Industries with new episodes available every Wednesday wherever you get your podcasts.
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• This 1969 Nissan Skyline GT-R is a rare first-year model.• The Japanese domestic market Skyline was imported to the U.S. in 2013.• Bidding on this premium listing auction ends on May 26.

Bring a Trailer, which like Car and Driver is part of Hearst Autos, has auctioned 141 Nissan GT-Rs and Skyline GT-Rs, but it has never had an example from the debut model year. Which means this 1969 Nissan Skyline GT-R marks a rare—and very cool—opportunity.To be clear, the Skyline nameplate actually predates Nissan. The Prince motor company built Skyline sedans and wagons before Nissan acquired it in the mid-1960s. The Skyline officially became a Nissan in 1969, and the high-performance GT-R was introduced the same year.

Bring a Trailer

The first-year Nissan Skyline GT-R was sold as a sedan only. It’s believed that only 832 examples of the C10-generation Skyline GT-R sedan were built before the body style was supplanted by the coupe in 1970.

Bring a Trailer

Bring a Trailer

This car retains its fender-mounted mirrors and is fitted with 14-inch black-painted Watanabe wheels. The body has its share of bruises, the paint has numerous flaws, and the chrome trim is pitted. Somehow, that only enhances the appeal, as it’s clear this JDM legend is no garage queen.

Bring a Trailer

The C10 GT-R is powered by an S20 2.0-liter 24-valve DOHC inline-six fed by triple Mikuni-Solex side-draft carburetors (which have been rebuilt). Boasting a 7500-rpm redline, the engine was factory rated at 160 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a five-speed manual transmission, and a week second-gear synchro is noted. Other mechanical highlights of the first-gen GT-R include front disc brakes and a four-wheel independent suspension.

Bring a Traler

The right-hand-drive interior has some modifications, such as a fixed-back racing-style driver’s seat, a Nardi steering wheel, and a partial roll cage.The last C10 Skyline to sell on BaT was a modified 1971 coupe that went for $129,000 in January. Another ’71 coupe sold for $95,959 back in August. It will be interesting to see whether JDM enthusiasts value this first-year sedan more highly.

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The 2023 BMW 3-series gets updated styling, with an angular front bumper and slimmer LED headlights.The interior gets a curved display that combines a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen.The engine lineup carries over, with the 330i using a four-cylinder, the 330e pairing the four-pot with an electric motor, and the M340i powered by an inline-six.The 3-series used to be BMW’s bread and butter, and while it has been surpassed by the X3 and X5 crossovers in overall sales, the 3-series is still BMW’s bestselling car and a significant barometer for the brand’s direction. Now, after four model years, BMW is giving the 3 series a makeover, bringing sleeker styling and an updated interior while carrying over the engine lineup.
The visual changes are subtle but create a sharper, more geometric design. The kidney grille has less rounded edges, while the headlights feature redesigned LED signatures and do away with the little indent along the bottom. The bumper has a boxier lower grille sandwiched by L-shaped vents, and the rear bumper features a similarly angular look. The standard 18-inch wheels also have a new design, while a new Skyscraper Grey paint color is available across the lineup. The M340i adds a new Brooklyn Grey hue, which can also be specced with the M Sport package, as seen here, on the 330i and 330e. BMW notes that these images show the European model, but we expect the U.S.-market vehicle to look the same. The M Sport package also adds interior trim, an M leather steering wheel, variable sport steering, unique 19-inch wheels, and on the 330i, M Sport suspension, which can be swapped for adaptive M suspension with electronic damping. The latter is also a stand-alone option on the 330i and 330e and part of the Dynamic Handling package. The M340i also gets its own styling cues, featuring a mesh kidney grille, new 18-inch wheels (with an optional 19-inch upgrade), trapezoidal exhaust pipes, and a body-color rear spoiler. The 2023 M340i will also be offered with the BMW Motorsport badge to honor M’s 50th anniversary.
Inside, the 3-series gets a new curved display that combines a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen. BMW says the number of buttons and controls has been reduced thanks to more reliance on touch and voice controls. The air vents and some trim pieces have also been redesigned, while the gear knob has been replaced by a small lever. The iDrive infotainment system runs the latest BMW operating system and includes the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system and a more adept Intelligent Personal Assistant that responds to voice commands.

The 3-series engine lineup remains the same as the 2022 model year. The base 330i uses a 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, while the 330e plug-in hybrid adds an electric motor to that engine to produce 288 horsepower and 23 miles of all-electric range. The M340i is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 48-volt hybrid technology and 382 horses. All engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic and are available with optional all-wheel-drive. BMW says the new 2023 3-series will launch in the United States in July of this year, and pricing details and images of the American-market car should become available closer to the on-sale date.
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Porsche has shown off the 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance, a test bed for an electric race car expected to go on sale in 2025.The ePerformance, like the Mission R concept, pushes out 1073 horsepower in qualifying mode. Based on the chassis of a Cayman GT4 Clubsport, the ePerformance measures 5.5 inches wider, with a body featuring renewable materials including flax fiber and balsa wood for non-structural components.Porsche signaled its push toward electric sports cars and customer racing last fall with the Mission R concept, a chiseled, futuristic take on its classic mid-engine sports cars that traded internal combustion for 1073 horsepower worth of furious electrons. The concept, a running prototype, was said to preview a race car coming in 2025. Now Porsche has revealed the 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance, which will act as a test bed for that future electric race car and likely previews the next generation of the 718 Boxster and Cayman, which are also set to get an electric powertrain.

Porsche

The GT4 ePerformance is similar underneath to the Mission R, based on the chassis of a 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport and featuring an electric motor on each axle for all-wheel drive. The ePerformance pushes out a bonkers 1073 horsepower in qualifying mode and 604 ponies for up to 30 minutes in race mode. Porsche says the ePerformance matches the current 911 GT3 Cup car when it comes to lap times and a top speed around 186 mph. The test car features the same 82-kWh battery as the Mission R, and the 900-volt electric architecture allows it to charge at up to 350 kW, going from five to 80 percent in a claimed 15 minutes.

Approximately 6000 parts on the GT4 ePerformance were designed from scratch, and the electric racer measures 5.5 inches wider than the GT4 Clubsport upon which it is based. The body itself is constructed from a natural fiber composite, which Porsche says reduces emissions during the production process. The GT4 ePerformance will make its real-world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in late June, where it will tackle the 1.2-mile hillclimb track.
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U.S. sales have started for Genesis’s new GV60 electric compact crossover, with deliveries initially limited to California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.The entry-level Advanced AWD model produces a total of 314 horsepower and starts at $59,980.The uplevel Performance AWD model has a combined 429 horses (483 in Boost mode) and costs $68,980 to start. Limited sales of Genesis’s new 2023 GV60 electric compact crossover, which shares its E-GMP platform and various powertrains with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 yet brings a more luxurious interior, have officially commenced.

Despite earlier indications that a base rear-wheel-drive version may be offered, Genesis says the GV60 will come only in two dual-motor, all-wheel-drive trim levels—Advanced AWD and Performance AWD. U.S. sales will initially be confined to California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. The company directs interested buyers to contact their retailers regarding additional availability. Both models feature a 77.4-kWh battery good for an estimated range of 248 miles (Advanced) or 235 miles (Performance).
The door opens with the well-equipped Advanced, which produces a combined 314 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque and starts at $59,980. For that outlay, you get standard 20-inch wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, a premium Bang & Olufsen stereo, and a litany of active-safety tech. The Performance ups the ante to $68,980 and 429 horses, while also adding 21-inch wheels, adaptive dampers, stronger front brakes, nappa leather upholstery, and a Boost mode that temporarily raises the output to 483 horsepower. Both GV60 variants include Genesis’s new Crystal Sphere shifting mechanism on the center console, as well as facial-recognition and fingerprint-scanning technologies for accessing the vehicle without a key. Speaking of which, Performance models also add the brand’s next-generation Digital Key 2 that syncs with select smart devices and automatically unlocks the vehicle as you approach.
All GV60 buyers will receive three years of complimentary 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America stations. This comes in addition to the brand’s Connected Care service for automatic collision notification, roadside assistance, and over-the-air updates, which will be standard on the GV60 and all 2023 Genesis models going forward, with no expiration.
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The 2023 Toyota Tacoma now offers Chrome and SX packages on its SR5 models.The Chrome package includes polished 18-inch wheels along with other chrome exterior trim.The SX package includes black 18-inch wheels, exterior badging, overfenders, mirror caps, and a unique bed graphic.Taco enthusiasts looking to dress up the 2023 Toyota Tacoma will have new opportunities to do so, provided they’re partial to the SR5 model. That’s because Toyota now offers it with new Chrome and SX appearance packages.

The Chrome package only becomes unlocked when paired with the SR5 crew cab (a.k.a. Double Cab) and the standard 5-foot cargo bed. The truck’s optional 3.5-liter V-6 is also required. With this configuration selected, the Chrome package adds more bling to the Tacoma without having to shell out for the more expensive Limited model. The roster of shiny bits that come with the new kit includes the door handles, exhaust tips, and the Tacoma lettering on the tailgate. Likewise, the SR5’s standard 16-inch wheels are swapped for a set of polished 18-inch rims. The shift knob inside gets a leather wrap, too.

Toyota

Last year, the SX package was available on the SR base model, but now for 2023 it’s offered on the SR5. Unlike with the Chrome package, the only requirement to unlock the SX option is to tick the box for the V-6. That means both cab styles and their respective bed lengths can be paired with the black-out look. Included with the SX package are black exterior badges, mirror caps, and overfenders. Most notably, the standard 16-inch wheels are replaced by black 18-inchers, complete with black lug nuts. The other visual cue with the black pack is a bedside SX decal.

Toyota

Toyota also sprinkles some other new features across the 2023 Tacoma lineup. The TRD Pro is now available with an exclusive paint color called Solar Octane. The Trail Edition is updated with taller coil springs up front that lift the truck’s nose 1.1 inches. Combined with removing the front air dam, the extra lift increases the approach angle by 5 degrees to 34 degrees. The truck’s back end is lifted a half-inch via a spacer placed between the leaf springs and the rear axle housing, slightly increasing the departure angle to 23.6 degrees. The breakover angle also grows by just over 5 degrees to 26.4 degrees. Finally, all V-6-powered SR5 models now come standard with passive entry and push-button start.While Toyota detailed all the new content that’s available on the ’23 Tacoma, the company didn’t announce pricing for the trim levels or the new packages.
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