Motor News

Our friends at Road & Track have a ton of new events coming up, and they (and we) want you to join in. Among them is their first one-day rally through the heart of Texas Hill Country, with stops at the Trois Estate, Marble Falls, and the iconic Blue Bonnet Café. It’s all going down June 25, 2021. We can’t wait.
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Here’s where to go for more information and to apply.Along the drive, we’ll be taking in the the flora, fauna, and natural beauty of what is dubbed the Peach Loop as country peach orchards, wildflowers, bluebonnets, and orange poppies brighten the roadsides. You’ll be able to tour and trail through Enchanted Rock, known for its mystical batholiths loaded with historical mystery and folklore, before stopping for a catered lunch at Trois Estate, a charming B&B stylized and inspired by San Miguel de Allende.We also plan for a pit stop at Marble Falls for award-winning pie, accompanied by tours of historical landmarks like Lake Marble Falls and Dead Man’s Hole. The day will wind down with a scenic drive back to Austin, with stunning views at every turn. The Texas Hill Country just outside Austin is home to a number of brilliant, flowing two-lanes that make an excellent test for even the finest sports cars. And their drivers. It’ll all be topped off with farewell remarks and a gift. If you’re interested, head on over to our dedicated experiences site for more information and to apply. Registration is open to Track Club Founders only right now, but stay tuned for public registration. Want priority access to all R&T events? We recommend signing up to join The Track Club today.

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Porsche has created a special edition of the 911 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Porsche Design, which sells luxury Porsche accessories. The 911 Edition 50 Years Porsche Design is based on the Targa 4 GTS and will come exclusively in black with Satin Platinum accents.The special edition will cost $197,200, and each car will be sold with an accompanying special edition watch.2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Porsche Design, the German brand’s product design studio which will sell you everything from a custom “Porsche Design” television to a $2000 leather jacket. The studio was originally founded by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche—best known for penning the 911—and put out its first product, the Porsche Design Chronograph 1 watch, in 1972. Now five decades later, Porsche is celebrating the anniversary with a special version of the 911 Targa called the Edition 50 Years Porsche Design. [image id=’11185ea1-a595-47f9-8d7b-ef9a9b0eece3′ mediaId=’5d783b92-971a-4dd4-a331-571c01583c7a’ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’16×9′][/image]Using the 911 Targa 4 GTS as its base, every Edition 50 Years Porsche Design is painted black, referencing the Porsche Design Chronograph 1, which Porsche says was the first all-black watch. The special edition rides on staggered 20/21-inch 911 Turbo S wheels finished in Satin Platinum, with the same shade decorating the targa bar and the Porsche Design logos on the doors. The brakes are painted gloss black, while a “50 Years Porsche Design” emblem adorns the engine grille. Inside, F.A. Porsche’s signature is emblazoned on the center console lid and a silver, numbered badge signifies the limited edition’s rarity. The 50 Years Porsche Design logo appears on the headrests of the black and Cool Grey Sport-Tex seats, and the center marker on the GT Sport steering wheel and seatbelts are Slate Grey. The special edition also gets 18-way adaptive seats and the Sport Chrono package as standard. [editoriallinks id=’bcbf44cb-c289-47d4-8e5a-edd22f524d64′ align=’left’][/editoriallinks]The 911 Targa 4 GTS’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six is unchanged. Only 750 units of the 2022 Porsche 911 Edition 50 Years Porsche Design will be produced, and each unit will be sold with an accompanying watch, called the Chronograph 1–911 50 Years of Porsche Design, priced at $197,200 when it arrives at dealerships this spring. [poll id=’7aae15e6-d6c8-4870-b27f-6a5b0660d006_e4822c0d9c36e’ type=’text’ question=’Is the 911 50 Years of Porsche Design worth $197,200?’ answer1=’No way.’ answer2=’Yeah, it comes with a fancy watch!’][/poll]

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Winnebago unveiled the electric e-RV camper van concept at the Florida RV SuperShow.The e-RV concept uses the existing Ford Transit base vehicle but swaps its gasoline powertrain for an electric motor and an 86.0-kWh battery pack.Not only does the battery provide up to 125 miles of range it also provides power to run the concept’s interior appliances.Recreational vehicles rounded the corner into the electric era today with the unveiling of the Winnebago e-RV concept at the Florida RV SuperShow. Using a Ford Transit van as the basis of the concept, Winnebago and its powertrain partner, Lightning e Motors, swapped in an an electric motor and an 86.0-kWh battery pack.

While Winnebago did not release an estimated horsepower rating for the e-RV camper van concept, it did say that estimated driving range would be 125 miles per charge, which is significantly shorter than today’s EV passenger vehicles. But the Winnebago has a bed, a kitchenette, and wet bath with a shower, all home-style amenities you won’t find in a Tesla.

Speaking of amenities, Winnebago says the interior is decked out in sustainable materials, including rubberized cork for the flooring and wool wall trim that serves double duty as extra insulation. A high-speed Wi-Fi network is also incorporated into the e-RV’s design, which Winnebago says provides high data-streaming levels. Luxury travel trailer Bowlus offers a similar electric concept with its Road Chief line, but unlike the Winnebago e-RV, that camping trailer doesn’t run under its own power. Instead, the Road Chief’s on-board battery pack is utilized as a source of power for off-grid camping.For right now, the e-RV is merely a concept and Winnebago says that as battery technology evolves there’s a potential for additional range. The e-RV concept has an onboard charger that is capable of juicing the battery at an owner’s home, at public high-speed charging ports, or while plugged into shore power at a campground. According to Winnebago, the e-RV can charge up in about 45 minutes using a high-speed public charging station. Pricing for the e-RV hasn’t been announced but we expect the all-electric powertrain will increase the price beyond that of a traditional gas-powered Winnebago camper van when it eventually reaches dealerships.
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Lexus recently released the online configurator for the new 2022 LX600, so naturally we set out to build our ideal versions of this luxury version of the 300-series Land Cruiser. Although there’s only one powertrain available, the LX600 is offered in a variety of trim levels and configurations ranging from the two-row base model to the F Sport to the four-seat Ultra Luxury model. While each of our editors chose different trim levels for various reasons, you’ll notice that two of them gravitated to the same distinctive exterior color. Let us know how you’d spec your own personal LX600 in the comments below.

Dan Edmunds’ $97,860 LX600 Premium

Lexus

Lexus

I won’t buy an off-road vehicle unless going off-road is part of the plan. I’m gutted we’re not getting the new 300-series Land Cruiser, but the LX600 can be had in a similar configuration. I’ve chosen the Premium model, the second tier in the five-rung price ladder. This trim lacks Automatic Height Control, which gets in the way of aftermarket suspension mods, and it also offers the $1295 Appearance package that blacks out the exterior trim and that massive grille. Crucially, this package is a prerequisite for the no-cost 18-inch wheels and tires I’d want for the benefit of having actual sidewalls. I’ve chosen Nori Green because I’m in the “anything but monochrome” camp, and I skipped the Interior Upgrade package. The standard leather and open-pore wood setup is attractive, and I’d rather have a center console than a Cool Box. Add another $220 for all-weather mats, and my spec comes out to $97,860. My only regret: I wish I could have added these options to the base model, because its two-row seating offers more cargo capacity than the three-row Premium.Caleb Miller’s $107,745 LX600 F Sport

Lexus

Lexus

For my 2022 LX600, I started out by choosing the F Sport Handling trim, which starts at $102,345 and adds a Torsen limited-slip differential, stealthy dark gray 22-inch wheels, and most importantly, blacks out the gaping grille. I chose the $595 Manganese Luster paint to match the rims and went for the black semi-aniline leather interior, since the Circuit Red option clashed with the subtle exterior. I rarely drive without listening to music so I added the 25-speaker, 2,400-watt Mark Levinson surround sound system for $2660. I also selected Active Height Control for $1300 to ease ingress and egress from this behemoth of an SUV. I also threw in an all-weather cargo mat ($175) and all-weather floor liners ($220) to keep the interior clean in the Michigan winter, when you invariably end up tracking snow, salt, and other grime into your car. I also splurged on illuminated cargo sills, because I’ll admit I’m a sucker for light-up gimmicks. Paint protection film by 3M for $450 rounded out the options, bringing my LX600 F Sport Handling trim to a total of $107,745.Connor Hoffman’s $88,245 LX600 base

Lexus

Lexus

Have you ever seen a Lexus LX set up for overlanding? If you haven’t, head over to Google and search it. I’ve spent hours daydreaming about LX builds, so I’d get a base model because I don’t need adaptive dampers, luxurious interior features, or 22-inch wheels. I’ll be cutting off the bumpers, redoing the suspension setup, adding wheels and tires, and opting for all the rest of the off-grid accessories anyway. That leaves me at the LX600’s starting price of $88,245, and it’s staying there since I’m only choosing Nori Green Pearl paint and black leather interior. Picture something like this as the finished product, but in green.

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Ford announced it’s teaming with the ADT security company in a new joint venture that will offer vehicle security systems as an aftermarket product, starting with the F-150 Lightning and E-Transit.Called Canopy, the new venture will use ADT security monitoring technology teamed with video cameras found in Ford vehicles.In a video clip similar to those used to promote Ring doorbell security systems, a would-be thief is scared away by an owner who sees the interloper via cellphone and yells at him.In 2020, the FBI estimated that auto theft and things stolen out of vehicles cost Americans more than $7.4 billion. Seeking to improve the security picture, Ford announced today that it is teaming up with security firm ADT to launch a new joint venture called Canopy, which will use ADT’s monitoring systems and Ford’s video camera technology to boost in-car security.

Ford

Ford said the Canopy system will use acoustic sensors, onboard cameras, radar, and GPS to help stop theft. An onboard camera will point at the pickup’s bed or van’s cargo area, and the system will use artificial intelligence to recognize and report threats while minimizing false alarms. Customers will be able to view a livestream video feed on the Canopy app, and potential threats will cause a notification to appear on the owner’s smartphone. A two-way audio feature will allow owners to let thieves know they are under surveillance and, hopefully, scare them off. ADT’s security monitoring team will also be notified if the system sees suspicious activity near the vehicle.
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The first Canopy systems will be rolled out as an aftermarket accessory for Ford’s trucks and vans—including the new electric F-150 Lightning and E-Transit—that owners will be able to easily install starting early next year. Canopy also aims to integrate camera security systems in Ford vehicles starting next year, and will eventually try to integrate the technology into vehicles from other manufacturers. Canopy’s systems will be sold through dealerships, major retailers, and online. In the meantime, the new Canopy venture is running a waiting list, as seems to be the trend these days for new automotive products.
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Toyota shared the first image of the new Sequoia full-size SUV. It’s expected to use the same new twin-turbo V-6 engine as the 2022 Tundra pickup and also offer the new iForce MAX hybrid powertrain that makes 437 horsepower. The new Sequoia should make its debut soon and arrive by the end of the year. Toyota’s ancient full-size SUV will soon get its first new generation in more than 10 years just like the Tundra, as the company shared the first teaser image of the new Sequoia’s right rear quarter. Like the previous two generations, the big SUV will be closely related to the Tundra pickup, and it will effectively replace the Land Cruiser in Toyota’s U.S. lineup.

The Sequoia will be built on Toyota’s new TNGA-F body-on-frame platform that underpins the Tundra and the global Land Cruiser. Those two trucks use a solid rear axle (the Tundra now has rear coil springs), but the Sequoia, like the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition, will continue to have an independent rear suspension. This teaser image shows a thin taillight and chrome window trim, door handles, and wheels. Expect various improvements carried over from the Tundra such as the large 14.0-inch touchscreen, digital gauge cluster, and various TRD packages including an off-road-oriented TRD Pro model. A twin-turbocharged V-6 that produces either 348 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque or 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque in the Tundra will likely replace the current Sequoia’s 381-hp V-8. Toyota’s new iForce MAX twin-turbo V-6 hybrid, which makes 437 horsepower, should also be available in the SUV. Look for more information on the new Sequoia to trickle out in the coming months as we expect this to be the first of many teasers Toyota drops before its full debut.
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Microlino 2.0 production is slated to start in March 2022 in Turin, Italy, with the first deliveries expected in April or May.The bubble car will go on sale in Switzerland first, before spreading to other western European markets.With an estimated top range of 143 miles when equipped with a 14.0-kWh battery, the Microlino 2.0 could prove to be a popular alternative to other small EVs as well as scooters and e-bikes.The bubble-shaped Microlino 2.0 is headed into production in a matter of weeks, despite delays and disruptions prompted by the pandemic. Micro Mobility Systems has revealed that production will begin in March 2022, following the model’s favorable debut at the Munich IAA Mobility show last fall.The Isetta-styled EV, designed and engineered by a Swiss company, is slated to be produced in Turin, Italy, and to go on sale in Switzerland later this year before a wider rollout in Europe. The two-seater will feature a 25-hp engine drawing power from a choice of three batteries, offering 6.0-, 10.5-, and 14.0-kWh capacities, which are expected to be good for 60, 109, and 143 miles of range, respectively.

Micro Mobility Systems says that it is already producing pre-production examples for testing and process optimization, despite some component shortages. The company projects that the first customer examples will be delivered in April or May. The configurator is expected to go live in February, with the company reporting more than 24,000 reservations in fall 2021.”Our goal was to deliver the first vehicles to customers within the end of the year [2021], but the worldwide supply-chain chaos is affecting us like many other carmakers,” the company indicated. “Despite our preparations to order crucial parts way in advance, the situation has gotten much worse and is now affecting more and more parts. Now, even commodity parts like simple connectors for the wiring harness have become scarce and have lead times of up to 50 weeks!”The company has shared short videos, including the prototype drive below and a clip revealing some of the production hardware for the Microlino, including a stamping press and assembly robots.
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The bubble car won’t actually be classified as a car in the EU but rather as a quadricycle, allowing for more liberal licensing, but its 56-mph top speed will also keep it off the autoroutes. With a starting price of around $14,000, the Microlino 2.0 could be a popular alternative to other low-ranged EVs and electric scooters, as well as some actual electric cars with similar ranges.For example, the longest-range 143-mile trim level could eclipse the ranges of some larger EVs like the Mini Cooper SE and the Mazda MX-30, but it will be far cheaper to purchase and use for in-town driving, while taking up far less parking space than even something relatively small, like a Volkswagen ID.3. These range numbers are unofficial for now, but given its modest power requirements, a small and light vehicle can stretch its range past larger EVs even with a smaller battery.”The long-anticipated online configurator is almost ready and will be launched in February, with the first test drive events following soon afterwards,” the company added. “Apart from the three editions Urban, Dolce, and Competizione that we already unveiled, we will introduce the exclusive limited-edition for the first 500 Microlinos ever produced, called Pioneer Series.”Micro Mobility Systems does not have plans to offer the Microlino 2.0 in the U.S. at the moment, and given the reception that small electric hatches have received, that may seem quite logical. The main constraint for its maker at the moment is production capacity in Turin, given the demand in Europe. It will be quite some time before the Microlino could be ready for other global markets, ones friendlier to small EVs, with the company prioritizing western Europe first.

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Ford revealed the new Mondeo at its China Design Center in Shanghai today, calling the sedan’s look “a bold new design language for China.”The new model will go on sale in China this year.If things were different and Ford hadn’t chosen to concentrate on SUVs and trucks in the U.S., this could have been the next Fusion for us.Ford killed off the Fusion mid-size sedan along with all of its other passenger cars in the U.S., but the four-door lives on in other markets. Now Ford has unveiled the new Mondeo for the China market, and it gives us an idea of what the next Fusion could have been in an alternate universe.The Mondeo follows Ford’s design language, which is also seen on the Evos and other China-market products, with a somewhat angular front end. The proportions are conventional mid-size-sedan fare, and the rear end takes cues from the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover.

Ford

Ford

Ford hasn’t released mechanical details on the new Mondeo, but we reckon it’s front-wheel drive and powered by a turbo four-cylinder gas engine of some kind. The related Lincoln Zephyr sedan, also for China, has a turbo 2.0-liter four, but the Mondeo will likely offer smaller-displacement engines as well.

Ford

There’s no chance we’ll see the Mondeo on our shores anytime soon, as Ford is committed to its SUV and truck strategy in the States. But there have been rumors of a Fusion Active lifted wagon for a while, so it’s possible that model could be related to this Mondeo if it ever comes to fruition.
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