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General Motors submitted a preliminary test document to the EPA revealing a few interesting specs on the 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 pickup. The new electric truck will go 329 miles on a single charge with 212.7 kWh of usable energy and achieve 47 MPGe combined, according to GM’s test data.The Hummer is as heavy as 9063 pounds, and the big battery alone weighs 2923 pounds. CORRECTION 2/15/22: This story has been updated to correct the Hummer EV Edition 1’s price, which is $110,295.When the GMC Hummer EV pickup debuted more than a year ago, General Motors claimed that the electric pickup would travel 350 miles on a single charge of its 200.0-kWh Ultium battery, putting it above the EPA’s estimates for the first electric truck to arrive in the marketplace, the Rivian R1T. Test data that GM filed recently with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now brings those claims into focus and provides a number of other interesting details regarding the 1000-hp, $110,295 Edition 1 electric pickup.

The document shows that the Edition 1 model, the only version available at launch, has an Ultium battery with a usable capacity of 212.7 kWh, which is significantly larger than the Ford F-150 Lightning’s available 131.0-kWh Extended Range battery pack and the Rivian R1T’s 128.9-kWh lithium-ion battery. According to the EPA filings, the Hummer will achieve a 329-mile EPA combined range, consuming electricity at 47 MPGe EPA combined, some 33 percent less than the Rivian’s 70-MPGe rating. It’s important to add that the range figure does better the Rivian’s 314-mile rating—and also Ford’s 300-mile estimate for the Lightning. Also interesting is that the Hummer’s front and rear reduction ratios are nearly 30 percent different (13.3:1 in front, and 10.5:1 in back), so it likely shifts the primary propulsion source to whichever axle will be more efficient during different driving circumstances. A GMC spokesperson told Car and Driver that it will not be displaying the Hummer’s MPGe figures on its window sticker, as vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) above 8500 pounds are not required to. So, here they are: 51 MPGe city, 43 MPGe highway, and the aforementioned 47 MPGe combined. Automakers can always choose to display those figures, as Rivian does with the R1T, which has a GVWR just over 8500 pounds. In real-world usage during our recent test of the Rivian R1T, however, we achieved 35 MPGe, or half of its combined figure, so the Hummer might also do worse in the real world. Obviously weight is a huge factor, and we now know a few more details about that, too. The big battery pack alone weighs 2923 pounds, almost as much as an entire Honda Civic. GMC reports in the EPA document a curb weight of 9063 pounds, which is nearly 2000 pounds heavier than the Rivian R1T Launch Edition we just tested.The data also shows a battery capacity of 617 amp-hours. Multiplied by its 400-volt operating voltage, that yields 246.8 kWh, which should equate with the double-stacked pack’s gross capacity. That would mean its usable capacity is 86 percent of the total, which is a little lower than what we’re seeing in other EVs today, where the ratio is often closer to 90 percent. Perhaps that’s why the Hummer EV’s losses when charging from empty to full on a 240-volt Level 2 outlet, which these documents show at 10 percent, are slightly better than the roughly 12 percent average by other EVs in EPA tests. GMC says that this test is the final certification for the Hummer’s 2022 model year. Cheaper models will arrive in the next few years, including the dual-motor base model in 2024.
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Audi has released U.S. details on the updated 2022 A8 lineup.The S8 is now the only model with a V-8, and the plug-in-hybrid has been dropped.The A8 starts at $87,595 and the S8 starts at $118,995.Audi is slimming down the A8 lineup along with the luxury sedan’s updates for the 2022 model year. The V-6–powered A8 55 and the V-8–powered S8 will now be the only versions available in the U.S., meaning that the previous V-8 and plug-in-hybrid versions of the A8 have been dropped. Fortunately for eight-cylinder diehards, the S8’s base price is significantly lower than before to bring it closer to the previous A8 60’s cost.

The 2022 A8, with its 335-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine, now starts at $87,595. That’s a $50 increase from last year and significantly less than the equivalent Mercedes S-class, the $112,150 S500. The S8 comes with the same 563-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 as before and starts at $118,995, a whopping $14,250 decrease from last year.The U.S.-market A8 and S8 receive the same visual updates that we saw on the Europe-market car a few months back. The interior is largely carryover, but the S8 does receive a few new options including a $5900 package that converts the rear seat to a two-seat layout with a center console and fold-out tables.

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Stellantis is recalling 16,741 of its Pacifica Hybrid plug-in-hybrid minivans from the 2017 and 2018 model years over a risk of fire.In a Safety Recall Report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the automaker says it does not know what the source of the problem is.Owners are being told not to park near a home or in a garage, to keep them away from other vehicles, and not to charge the vehicles.Stellantis will recall 16,741 of its Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid plug-in-hybrid minivans over a problem with potential fires. It’s possible for a fire to happen even when the ignition is off, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The documents did not give details about where the fire might be located but did say Stellantis repurchased two vehicles last fall to investigate fires and that the company is aware of 10 additional fires in the minivans. The recall only affects hybrid versions of the minivan.

FCA US

The automaker said the “root cause is unknown” and the “remedy is under development.” The Safety Recall Report also says the issue can arise without any warning. However, there have been no reports of accidents or injuries, the report said.Owners will be notified starting April 2 of arrangements for the recall. In the meantime, NHTSA advises that owners should not charge the vehicles or park them in a garage, near a home, or near other vehicles. Owners of potentially affected Pacifica minivans can check the NHTSA recalls site for more details.

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The Polestar 5, a production version of the gorgeous Precept concept, will feature a newly created platform.The platform will be made from bonded aluminum to maximize lightness and rigidity.The automaker bills the Polestar 5 as a “performance four-door GT.” It will arrive in 2024.Last fall, Swedish electric-car maker Polestar revealed that the stunning Precept concept, first unveiled in early 2020, would reach production in 2024 and carry the name Polestar 5. Now Polestar has announced that the 5, which will serve as the brand’s flagship model, will ride on a brand-new bespoke platform.

The original 2020 Precept concept.
Polestar

This platform will be made from bonded aluminum, which should make it lightweight and, Polestar says, provide “torsional rigidity superior to that of a traditional two-seat sports- or supercar.” Polestar says that building bonded aluminum chassis has proven labor-intensive and difficult for mass production in the past, but the company says it has created a new manufacturing process that is faster and “develops both body and platform in unison.”

While the Precept concept had a 122.4-inch wheelbase (slightly shorter than that of an Audi A8), Polestar claims that the platform and body combined will “weigh less than that of cars in smaller segments.” If Polestar’s lightweight projections come true, the 5 could end up with exceptional efficiency, range, and handling for a large EV. The Polestar 5 is being developed by the firm’s U.K-based engineering team, which will add more than 200 employees this year to reach 500 engineers total. Very little is known about the powertrain of the 5, which Polestar calls a “performance 4-door GT,” but expect more information to trickle out as Polestar continues its prolonged tease of the production Precept on YouTube.
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This 2010 Honda Element EX, always a practical (and pet-friendly) choice, includes washable floorboards, moisture-resistant seating fabric, and a low and flat load floor that provides vanlike utility.The Honda Element was sold from 2003 to 2011 and shared its basic underpinnings with the second-generation CR-V.Bidding on this low-mileage, one-owner Element with no reserve ends on February 17.We love an underdog, which is why we continue to have a soft spot for Honda’s slow-selling Element. Sharing its basic underpinnings with the second-generation Honda CR-V, the Element’s bold and boxy, though not particularly pretty, design helped it stand in stark contrast to its more mundane compact-SUV kin. If you missed the chance to get one, the Bring a Trailer auction site—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—has a 45,000-mile Element from late in the SUV’s run, in an online auction that ends Thursday, February 17.

The Element’s brash looks failed to translate to any sort of sales success, with Honda moving a peak of 67,478 Elements in 2003—less than half the number of CR-Vs it sold in the same year. It’s not as though Honda left the Element out to dry, either. Sure, the brand could have done more to correct the SUV’s course, but it nonetheless continued to tweak the Element throughout the vehicle’s nine model years.

Bring a Trailer

Due to this, the 2010 Element is arguably among the model’s best vintages, as it marks the final year the vehicle was available in racy-looking SC trim or with an optional in-dash navigation system (2010 also saw the debut of the quirky $995 Dog Friendly package that included items such as a ramp, a cargo-area-mounted kennel and bed, a water bowl, and a small electric fan to keep Fido cool in warmer weather), all while benefiting from the powertrain and styling improvements introduced for the 2007 and 2009 model years, respectively. In the case of the former, this meant the car’s 2.4-liter inline-four produced 166 horsepower—up from the engine’s prior 160-hp rating—and the automatic transmission included five gears, as opposed to the 2003–2006 Element’s four. Although we still prefer the five-speed manual transmission offered in 2003–2009 Elements, we think this Element’s automatic transmission is far from a deal breaker. After all, with a curb weight of 3648 pounds, this navigation-equipped all-wheel-drive Element lacks the tossable dynamics to truly take advantage of the visceral thrill of manually swapping cogs.

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When we tested an all-wheel-drive 2010 Element EX more than a decade ago, we noted that the square-shaped SUV failed to accelerate with much gusto, suffered from a high center of gravity, and its slab sides made it susceptible to crosswinds. In other words, the Element’s dynamic competence is far from its biggest selling point. Arguably this SUV’s draw is its funky looks and versatile cabin. With its split tailgate, lack of B-pillars due to its rear-hinged back doors, and aforementioned flat load floor, the Element’s insides are essentially a blank slate. Need a reliable and reasonably fuel-efficient cargo hauler, or a camping vehicle with the chops to handle the occasional gravel or snow-covered trail? Look no further than the Element.

Bring a Trailer

The fact that this silver Element is a well-maintained one-owner vehicle with less than 45,000 miles on its odometer practically ensures this little SUV is truly in its element when partaking in such tasks. Even better, this Element’s an EX model, which means it packs the likes of trim-specific 16-inch wheels, a center console replete with a removable cooler, and the previously noted in-dash navigation system, which also brought along kit such as a backup camera and a dedicated USB port. Admittedly, you probably won’t want to rely exclusively on the navigation system’s outdated maps for directions. That said, it’s still nice to have the setup on-board in the off chance your smartphone gives up the ghost in a foreign locale.

Bring a Trailer

Yet, the real feather in the Element’s proverbial cap may be its relatively strong aftermarket support—particularly in the camping community. Want to really take advantage of the Element’s flexible and easy-to-clean interior? Then save up a few grand to fit the SUV with a pop-up camper, in the manner of classic Volkswagen vans of yore.

Although it went largely unappreciated when new, Honda’s Element is no longer the underdog it once was; many of today’s consumers seem to treasure the funky compact SUV. The last one up for BaT auction was a 55,000-mile 2010 Element EX with all-wheel drive and two prior owners. Based on the $21,300 final bid that one fetched, this one-owner model with fewer miles, offered with no reserve, is sure to break the $20,000 mark by the time this auction ends later this week.
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Porsche released a lighthearted video today in honor of Valentine’s Day, but really as a way to show the automaker’s love for the V-8 engine.Porsche introduced a V-8 in the 928 in 1977. Back then, the engine produced 240 horsepower. The V-8 in the 2021 Panamera Turbo spits out up to 620 hp.It may be Valentine’s Day, but apparently Porsche is not expressing its feelings for all-electric powertrains or V-6s. Nope, today Porsche is in love with V-8 engines. And to prove it, the company has released a short video gushing over its own special history with V-8 engines. Just wait until Porsche learns that the V-8 doesn’t have any monogamous feelings toward Porsche.
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The video explains how Porsche has been using V-8 engines for 45 years, starting with the 928 in 1977. “Eight cylinders, 90 degrees from one another in the form of a V,” the video says. “It was love at first sight.” The video then runs through a bit of Porsche V-8 history, from the Cayenne to the Panamera to racing on the Nürburgring to that time the V-8 went to college and experimented with electric power in the 918 Spyder. That vehicle “made us fall in love all over again,” the narrator says. “Now, on to a new challenge and a new era combining ideas old and new as our hybrid V-8s take to the track.”

Porsche has expressed its love for the V-8 before, like five years ago for the 40th anniversary. Then, the company explained how this first V-8, part of the 4.5-liter lightweight alloy engine in the 928, was not the first Porsche to use eight cylinders, but it was the first to arrange the cylinders in a new shape. A heart-like V, of course. Porsche said that engine had a “conspicuously low compression ratio of 8.5:1” and could use 91-octane gasoline.Porsche’s original V-8 engine produced 240 horsepower at 5500 rpm, while the second version—found in the 928S in 1979—displaced 4.7 liters and produced 300 hp. Things have come a little way since then. The V-8 in the 2021 Panamera Turbo S produces a maximum of 620 horsepower.Someday, Porsche may be over the V-8. But not today.

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Lego has released other McLaren models and some F1 cars, but this will be the first time we get an official Lego Technic version of a Formula 1 car.Decked out in McLaren’s 2021 livery, the new 1432-piece model features the kinds of Technic touches builders appreciate, like moving pistons in the engine, a working steering wheel, and F1’s DRS spoiler.The new set goes on sale next month at a price of $180.Just in time for McLaren’s reveal of the actual new MCL36 F1 race car with 2022 colors, which happened this week, Lego has taken the wraps off a large new Technic set that showcases the team’s 2021 livery (although the box confusingly calls it McLaren’s 2022 F1 car) while still able to fit on your display shelf.

Lego

McLaren’s drivers for the new MCL36 will be Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo in the upcoming season. The MCL36 is powered by a Mercedes-AMG F1 M13 E Performance engine while the Lego version uses ABS plastic to create details like moving pistons in the V6 engine as well as wheels that can be steered from the cockpit. The 1432-piece model is over five inches tall, 25.5 inches long, and 10.5 inches wide and comes with a sheet of sponsor stickers to complete the authentic feeling. Detailed Lego fans will recognize the F1 car’s massive tires from the official set for Batman’s Tumbler vehicle.

Lego

Lego and McLaren released a short video showing Norris and Ricciardo appreciating the plastic model’s active suspension and the inclusion of the Drag Reduction System spoiler. DRS was introduced in 2011 to make F1 races more exciting by allowing drivers a bit of a speed boost under certain circumstances. Ricciardo also playfully jokes that the toy model is just about the right size for Norris. “I would say everything would fit but your head,” Ricciardo said. Riccirado also said that, while he doesn’t want to brag, he could probably build the model in about six weeks.
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Lego has released at least seven other sets based on McLaren cars, according to fan site Brickset. These have included the Elva, 720S, and Senna as Speed Champion (i.e., smaller, more kid-friendly sets) as well as a more complicated Technic set for the Senna GTR that was released in 2021. Lego has also released over two dozen non-Technic sets based on F1 vehicles, many wearing Ferrari colors or Lego’s fictional Octan company.

LEGO Technic McLaren Senna GTR 42123 Toy Car Model Building Kit; Build and Display an Authentic McLaren Supercar, New 2021 (830 Pieces)

LEGO
amazon.com

$60.93

The McLaren is the first Lego Technic version of a Formula 1 car, but given the work that went into the new set, we expect Lego F1 fans to build their own models based on this design before too long. The new McLaren F1 Lego set will be available March 1 and will cost $179.99 in the U.S.
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