Motor News

The news emerged in late August: Tesla was offering a chance for electric-car buyers who’d ordered a Model 3 Standard Range+ to get their car sooner. That same month, it emerged that orders placed for less expensive Model 3s wouldn’t be filled until 2022. And the same went as well for Standard Range Tesla Model Y versions. (Last month, Tesla renamed the Standard Range models, which are now simply called Rear Wheel Drive.)The new option would allow Tesla to deliver its least expensive Model 3 cars more quickly, at a penalty of just 10 miles on EPA range ratings: 253 miles vs 263 miles—for the same sticker price. In turn, it could presumably shift more of its traditional battery packs to the hot-selling Model Y compact crossover. Until this summer, all Model 3s and Model Ys sold in North America had been powered by batteries with thousands of small cylindrical cells, using a nickel-cobalt-aluminum (or NCA) chemistry, from Tesla’s Nevada Gigafactory. The new pack not only uses a different chemistry known as lithium-iron-phosphate (or LiFP), but the cells themselves were prismatic—meaning the contents of the battery casing were entirely different.The substitute pack is hardly an unknown quantity. Prismatic-cell battery packs are by far the most predominant in China. As analysts and Tesla owners noted, it’s used in all Standard Range Tesla models built at the company’s Shanghai factory. The China plant also exports lower-range Tesla models to Europe.Tesla had forecast this shift during its Battery Day event in September, at which CEO Elon Musk suggested the company might use LiFP for lower-cost models. As it works to reduce the amount of expensive cobalt in its cells—as GM has done, with 70 percent less cobalt in the upcoming Ultium cells it jointly developed with LG Chem—it will attempt to put more nickel into future chemistry. LiFP cells are less energy-dense than nickel- and cobalt-based cells, though the difference today is lower than it was a few years ago. And offsetting the 4 percent drop in EPA-rated range is the ability to charge LiFP batteries to 100 percent of usable capacity, whereas the recommendation for NCA packs is to recharge to no more than 90 percent under most circumstances. So for many buyers, the trade is pretty much a wash. But aside from delivering more cars sooner, why would Tesla offer a lower-range battery? The company built its reputation out of the box on selling EVs with much longer ranges than other makers. Aside from a Canada-only lower-cost Model 3 with 94 miles of range, only one other Tesla ever sold has had a range lower than 160 miles, and that range was delivered only by a single version of the Model S that proved so unpopular it was dropped within months. The answer lies in the complicated interplay among battery-metal supplies, cell-production constraints, and China’s ambition to dominate sales of electric cars globally.

Cobalt is at the heart of virtually all the battery cells in EVs sold in North America. We require long range, and cobalt cells are simply more energy-dense. Cobalt is also in great demand, increasingly expensive, and comes from some very problematic places. On top of that, China has made a determined effort over 20 years to lock up the largest share of global cobalt—and massive share all of the processing capability that turns cobalt metal into materials that can be used in batteries. A recent two-part series in The New York Times lays out the global politics, the international intrigue, and the surging global demand in useful detail.Iron ore, on the other hand, is far less valuable, found on every continent, and has been a global commodity almost since the start of the Industrial Revolution. Some EV analysts suggest that as all battery chemistries improve in energy density, we’ll see a bifurcation in available batteries: LiFP will be used in lower-range models and lower-cost entries, while more luxurious and longer-range EVs stick with more expensive cobalt chemistries.If that comes to pass, Tesla may prove to be a pioneer in that respect. It is now the first company selling EVs in volume to offer LiFP-powered electric cars in the U.S. But it’ll be far from the last.

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The 2022 Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck entered production in San Antonio, Texas.Only trucks powered with the standard twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 have started production, as the new hybrid powertrain won’t arrive until the spring.Pricing starts at $37,645. Trucks will start arriving at dealerships this week.After nearly 15 years, the Toyota Tundra is officially entering a new generation as the 2022 trucks have started being produced at Toyota’s plant in San Antonio, Texas. They’re already arriving at dealerships this week, Toyota says.

Toyota

The new Tundra is significantly improved for its third generation to compete with domestic trucks from Chevy, Ford, and Ram. A new coil-spring rear suspension setup improves its ride, its more modern interior has an available 14.0-inch touchscreen, and there’s a new iForce MAX hybrid powertrain offering. However, the only trucks that are currently being produced are equipped with the standard twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 engine, as trucks with the hybrid powertrain, including the hybrid-only TRD Pro model, will arrive in the spring of next year.

That twin-turbo V-6 engine replaces the old generation’s 5.7-liter V-8 and produces 348 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque in the base SR model and 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque in the higher trim levels. Tundras can tow up to 12,000 pounds, which is 1800 more than the previous-generation truck, and its max payload is rated at 1940 pounds. Rear- or four-wheel-drive models are available in either crew- or extended-cab configurations with the choice of 5.5-, 6.5-, or 8.1-foot beds. Pricing starts at $37,645 for the base SR model, and SR5, Limited, Platinum, and 1794 models are also available now. You can see how a few Car and Driver editors would spec their new Tundra here.
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Honda has announced a recall of 724,826 Passport, Pilot, and Ridgeline vehicles over a problem with the hood that could cause it to open unexpectedly during driving.The 2019 Passport, 2016–2019 Pilot, and 2017–2020 Ridgeline are affected, but no accidents or injuries have been reported to date. Owners will be notified starting in mid-January to take their truck or SUV in for a fix.Honda has announced that it will recall 724,826 trucks and SUVs to fix a problem with the hood. In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Honda said the hood latch’s striker “may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.” Honda issued a statement saying that a gap between the closed hood of a vehicle and its upper grille may incorrectly be “too large to allow full contact” between the hood and the rubber seal, which is intended to reduce vibration and prevent airflow between hood and grille. This may cause the hood to move more than was intended, in which case the hood striker and possibly the hood itself could become damaged, and the hood could come open while the vehicle is in motion. Honda specifically said the problem could occur “over time with high-speed highway driving.” However, there have been no injuries or accidents reported as a result of the issue.The automaker’s chronology statement explains that Honda opened a technical service bulletin on the issue in late 2017 and confirmed the cause earlier in 2021. Honda stated it has made adjustments to production settings for the hood latch and the hood and grille seal, and the recall involves vehicles built before production changes were made.Honda issued a stop-sale order to dealers on November 30, asking them to check and reinforce the hood latch or in some cases replace the hood on vehicles not yet sold. Owners of recalled vehicles will get notifications by mail in mid-January, and Honda will examine and repair vehicles at no charge. Dealers will check and reinforce the hood striker area and, if they find related hood damage, may replace the entire hood. The recall includes 557,309 Pilot, 148,813 Ridgeline, and 18,704 Passport vehicles. To find out whether a vehicle is subject to the recall, owners can check the NHTSA recalls website or Honda’s own recall site.

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Toyota teased the upcoming GR Corolla hot hatch with an image shared on Instagram that featured hidden clues detailing the new model. The GR Corolla will be powered by the same turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine as the global GR Yaris. The GR Corolla is expected to debut sometime next year and go on sale as a 2022 model in the U.S.UPDATE 12/3/21: Toyota posted another teaser image (pictured above) of the GR Corolla hatch on Instagram showing a slightly better look at a camouflaged prototype hiding behind a blue Corolla XSE.
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Ever since Toyota debuted the GR Yaris hot hatch and said that it wouldn’t be sold in the United States, we’ve been itching for a version of one that we could buy here. After all, Toyota needs something to compete with the likes of the Honda Civic Type R, Volkswagen Golf R, and Hyundai Veloster N. Good thing Toyota isn’t leaving us behind, because we’re getting a GR Corolla soon. The company just dropped a teaser image on its Instagram account that give some hints of the new raucous hot hatch.
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Naturally, the users over on the GR Corolla forum were quick to point out all the hints, which are scattered around an image of a standard Corolla’s interior like a game of I Spy. GR stands for Gazoo Racing and is used on the Supra and the new GR86 sports car. The time indicated on the gauge cluster is G:16, which refers to the G16E-GTS turbocharged three-cylinder engine that’s used in the GR Yaris. The 268-hp output of that powerful engine’s Japanese version is found on the climate controls in the teaser image. European versions make 268 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, and the engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

That’s not all. There’s even a camouflaged GR Corolla hatchback in the background of the image (we tried to zoom in; you can’t see much, sadly). There’s a GR Four road in the navigation system, which refers to the advanced all-wheel-drive system that has Torsen limited-slip differentials in the front and the rear and an electronically controlled center differential. Look for more details on the new GR Corolla soon, as Toyota is sure to trickle out details about the new hot hatch before its reveal, likely next year, since it released almost all the details on the new Tundra pickup before its official debut. This story was originally published on 11/23/21.
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Nissan has revealed the Ariya Single Seater concept, a vision for a future electric race car.The concept looks similar to the current Formula E race cars, including the “halo” safety device protecting the driver’s head.The Ariya Single Seater also includes Nissan’s V-Motion grille and a similar copper and black look as seen on the Ariya crossover.After releasing a slew of EV concept cars earlier this week, Nissan is back with a new vision for its electric future, the Ariya Single Seater concept. While this dramatically styled concept looks nothing like the upcoming Ariya electric crossover, Nissan says the concept uses the same powertrain as the roadgoing crossover, showing the possibilities for a sporty Nissan EV in the coming years.

Nissan

Considering its name, the Ariya Single Seater unsurprisingly takes the form of a one-seat race car. It bears a strong resemblance to the second-generation Formula E cars—a series in which Nissan has competed since 2018—with its covered wheels and exposed suspension elements. There is even a “halo,” a safety device introduced by the FIA in open-cockpit race cars to protect drivers’ heads, protruding from the bodywork.

Nissan worked in design cues from the street-legal crossover, such as the copper and black color combination from the Ariya launch car. Up front, Nissan incorporated the V grille shape seen on its road cars through illuminated strips running down the nose to the front splitter. The bodywork is smooth, with few aerodynamic doodads and a low, simplistic rear wing. Nissan didn’t provide any specifications for the Single Seater concept, but we would assume it has the Ariya crossover’s dual-motor setup, good for 389 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. The Ariya Single Seater will presumably never reach production, but along with the Max-Out concept shown Monday, it suggests that Nissan is seriously contemplating how to create exciting sports cars as the automotive landscape transitions to electric power.
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The Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback gain the same Carbon Edition trim previously offered on the CX-5 and CX-9.It features Polymetal Grey exterior paint and a red leather interior, along with a few other features.The Carbon Edition costs $27,415 for the sedan and $28,415 for the hatchback.

Mazda is expanding the Carbon Edition appearance package to include the 2022 Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback. It was previously available on the CX-5 and CX-9, along with the Mazda 6 sedan that has since been discontinued. It features the same color combo as those other models—a Polymetal Grey exterior with a red leather interior—and is available on front-wheel-drive versions of the 3 with the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four and a six-speed automatic transmission.

Mazda

Mazda

The Carbon Edition has the same equipment as the 3’s Preferred package and also adds a 12-speaker Bose audio system, black 18-inch wheels, and heated side mirrors that are painted black. You’ll pay $1650 extra for the appearance tweaks, as the Carbon Edition starts at $27,415 for the sedan and $28,415 for the hatchback.There aren’t any other changes for the 2022 Mazda 3 lineup except for the addition of a new color called Platinum Quartz Metallic. The sedan starts at $21,815 for the sedan 2.0 with its base 2.0-liter engine and ranges up to $35,415 for the loaded 3 hatchback 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus with all-wheel drive and the more powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four engine. Mazda says the 2022 cars will begin arriving at dealerships this winter.
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Hyundai’s 276-hp Elantra N wears a base price of $32,295.A six-speed manual transmission comes standard.Opting for the dual-clutch automatic transmission adds $1500 to the sticker.Move over Hyundai Veloster N, because there’s a new entry-level N-badged Hyundai in town: the 2022 Elantra N. With a starting sum of $32,295, the Elantra N undercuts the base price of its smaller stablemate by $600. Add another $1500 to the high-performance sedan’s sticker if you want to swap out the standard six-speed manual transmission for the brand’s eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Hyundai

Regardless of transmission, all Elantra Ns rely on a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that produces 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. Both figures top those of the Veloster N, which makes do with 275 horses and 260 pound-feet of torque. If you opt for the Elantra N’s two-pedal gearbox, Hyundai includes its so-called N Grin Shift feature that—when activated—allows the compact sedan’s four-pot to produce 286 hp for up to 20 seconds.

Predictably, the Elantra N’s larger shadow—at 184.1 inches long, it’s 16.2 inches bigger than the Veloster N—nets it a slightly heavier curb weight. At 3106 pounds, the stick shift Elantra N carries 80 extra pounds of mass relative to the three-pedal Veloster N (the difference is only 49 pounds with the dual-clutch transmission).Even with its slight weight penalty, we predict the Elantra N will nearly match the acceleration figures of the Veloster N. The most recent Veloster we tested was a dual-clutch model that hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and crossed the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds with a trap speed of 105 mph. The Veloster, of course, will always have its fans for its lighter weight and more shapely styling.Look for the Elantra N to hit Hyundai dealers by the end of the year.
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Polestar shared the first image of the new 3 luxury electric crossover. Both single- and dual-motor configurations will be available. It will be built at Volvo’s plant in South Carolina and go on sale late next year. Polestar, Volvo’s electric-vehicle subbrand, will soon have additional EV offerings to join the 2 that’s on sale now, as it’s aiming to introduce a new model each year. The Polestar 3 will be the next to arrive, and the Swedish automaker has just shared the first photo of the new luxury electric crossover that will compete with the BMW iX and Jaguar I-Pace.

Polestar

Previously, all we had seen was a covered image (pictured above) of the new two-row EV crossover, which will be built in the brand’s Charleston, South Carolina plant where the Volvo S60 sedan is currently produced. The new 3 will have handsome styling typical of the other two existing Polestar models, and its chunky D pillar gives it a coupe-like appearance.

Powertrain details are scarce, but it will ride on Volvo’s new electric vehicle platform, and Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath confirmed that it will offer single- and dual-motor configurations, like the 2. The Polestar 2 offers up to 265 miles of electric driving range in the single-motor version. Polestar also announced that the 3 will eventually offer autonomous highway driving using lidar technology. We’ll know more about the 3’s features and specs when it makes its official debut sometime next year. The Polestar 3 will go on sale toward the end of 2022, and pricing is expected to start at around $75,000. The brand’s flagship luxury sedan, the Polestar 5, will enter production in 2024, and the Polestar 4, described as an SUV coupe, is due to arrive in 2023.
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