Motor News

The Lo-Res Car, created by the United Nude footwear company, takes inspiration from an abstract, low-resolution version of the Lamborghini Countach and is up for auction on Bring a Trailer.The body is composed of 12 tinted clear polycarbonate panels and sits on a steel-tube frame, with power coming from a 5-kilowatt electric motor.The Lo-Res Car is being offered for sale by the Petersen Automotive Museum, and half of the proceeds will be donated to an environmental nonprofit.While the vehicle you see here looks like a smaller, car-like sibling to Tesla’s radically styled Cybertruck, this futuristic wedge is actually the creation of footwear company United Nude. Christened the Lo-Res Car, this wacky vehicle was originally sketched by United Nude founder Rem D. Koolhaas, drawing inspiration from an abstract, low-resolution version of the Lamborghini Countach. While it’s tricky to spot the Countach heritage, the Lo-Res Car’s design is certainly stunning and now it can be yours, with United Nude’s vision up for sale on auction site Bring a Trailer.

Bring a Trailer

Four prototypes of the Lo-Res Car were created for promotional purposes, with the initial version winning a Wallpaper Magazine Design Award in 2016 and later prototypes appearing in music videos. This example, chassis number three, is built on a steel tube-frame chassis with a body made from 12 tinted clear polycarbonate panels. There are simple rectangular light bars in the front and rear, as well as illuminated United Nude logos. A KDS 5-kilowatt electric motor powers the Lo-Res Car through the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission, and it uses front disc brakes to come to a stop—although it likely never gets going very fast to begin with.

Bring a Trailer

To get inside, the remote-control clamshell bodywork raises to reveal fixed tandem seating made from polished metal with ribbed black upholstery. On either side of the seats are several light bars and the driver’s control panel—which includes an ignition switch, battery charge indicator, and other switches—sits to the right. The driver navigates via a chrome, hexagonal steering wheel, and there are simplistic digital displays positioned behind the wheel.

This unusual creation is being sold by the Petersen Automotive Museum, which previously featured the car in its Disruptors exhibit in 2019 after acquiring it around three years ago. The Lo-Res Car’s mileage is unknown and it is not titled or registered for street driving. The Petersen says that 50 percent of the proceeds will be used to maintain the museum’s vast collection, with the other 50 percent being donated to an environmental non-profit called Energy Independence Now. Bids for the Lo-Res Car currently sit at $45,000, and the listing ends on Friday, October 15.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

Lexus has created a special off-road version of the new LX600 SUV, but it’s only for Japan.It comes standard with locking front, center, and rear differentials and 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.We can only hope that Lexus will bring something like this to the U.S. eventually.The new LX600 is Lexus’s latest version of the legendary Land Cruiser, and Toyota’s luxury division is trying to get in on the off-road fun with a special version of the luxury SUV that’s exclusive to the Japan market. Called the LX600 Offroad, it features a few modifications that we hope will make their way to the U.S. market eventually.

The main mechanical difference is the off-road model’s three locking differentials: one in the front, one in the center, and one in the rear, just like a Mercedes-Benz G-wagen. It also comes standard with matte-grey 18-inch wheels, compared with the standard model’s available 20- and 22-inch wheels, and different tires. Otherwise, it has the same four-wheel-drive system with a low range, height-adjustable suspension, and twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 engine as the other LX600 models.

Lexus

The Offroad also features black plastic cladding on the fenders and a different grille treatment than the Premium, Ultra Luxury, and F Sport models that have been confirmed for the U.S. Lexus says that the LX600 Offroad is only for Japan for now, but we wouldn’t be shocked if it eventually offers some sort of off-road package for the U.S.-market car.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

Lexus has revealed the new version of the LX, which is called the LX600.It is a more luxurious version of the 300-series Land Cruiser and has the same twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 with 409 horsepower.The 2022 LX600 will go on sale in the U.S. starting next year.The Land Cruiser nameplate may be gone from the U.S. market, but Lexus is keeping the flame alive with the new 2022 LX600. The latest LX continues to be a spiffed-up version of Toyota’s iconic SUV with different exterior styling and a ritzier interior but the same hardware underneath. Given how close in price the previous Land Cruiser and LX models were, we can’t really argue with the company’s decision to have the Lexus be the only version of the latest 300-series model that’s available in America.

The basics haven’t changed much, as the LX600 retains its body-on-frame construction, but it migrates onto the new platform shared with the Tundra and Land Cruiser and loses a claimed 441 pounds compared with the old model. Four-wheel drive with a low range is again standard, and the only powertrain for now is a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 engine with 409 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers beat the old naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V-8 on both counts. A ten-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment.
The new LX has the same blocky shape as before, but we like the more modern detailing and the spindle grille is better-integrated into the front-end design while still remaining imposing. Lettering that spells “LEXUS” replaces the “L” badge in the rear. An F Sport model is available with a blacked-out grille and 22-inch wheels, and it also adds a Torsen limited-slip differential in the rear and different tuning for the dampers.Lexus says that the approach and departure angles are the same as before, and an adjustable-height suspension offers three different levels. There’s a Multi-Terrain Select system with different drive modes, and various off-road camera views are available including a new angle that can show the ground under the rear of the vehicle.

Several different seating arrangements are available, starting with the base trim that has a two-row setup that seats five. The Premium, Luxury, and F Sport models have a three-row setup with seven seats, and the third row now folds flat in the floor unlike the old model which had seats that would fold up to the sides of the cargo area. And there’s a new Ultra Luxury version with an interesting four-seat setup with two opulent chairs in the rear that recline up to 48 degrees and offer a footrest.
A dual-screen infotainment setup uses the latest Lexus Interface software, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen up top and a smaller 7.0-inch touchscreen that controls the HVAC system and the Multi-Terrain Select modes. There’s also an 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster. Many driver-assistance features are standard equipment, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.Lexus says that the LX600 will arrive in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2022, and we expect it to start around $90,000 with the Ultra Luxury version reaching into the six-figure range.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

Honda is showing a range of concept cars that preview its upcoming EV lineup for China.The cars will be badged e:N and the concepts preview three different models including an SUV, a sedan, and a coupe-y hatchback.Honda’s first EV in the U.S. will be called the Prologue and will be based on GM’s Ultium battery platform.Honda won’t launch its first EV in the U.S. for a few more years, but things are progressing more quickly in China. The company is detailing its upcoming China-market EV lineup with a range of concept cars that preview upcoming models that will fit under a new subbrand called e:N. While we’re unlikely to see these models on our shores, they could provide some indication of Honda’s design direction for future EVs that we’ll eventually see in our market.The three e:N concept cars include a sedan called the e:N GT, an SUV called the e:N SUV, and a sporty-looking hatchback called the e:N Coupe. Honda says it will start selling these models in China within the next five years. All have angular styling with an interesting lighting setup that includes horizontal and vertical light strips on the front end.

Honda

Honda says it will begin production of these EV models in China by 2024, and the company also plans to created dedicated e:N dealerships in certain major cities. Eventually, e:N models will be exported globally, although we don’t know if that means they’ll reach the U.S. market. So far, all we’ve heard about Honda’s U.S. EV plans is that the company will launch an SUV model called the Prologue, along with an Acura variant, in 2024. These initial models will use GM’s Ultium battery packs, but Honda plans further EV models in the future as it works towards its goal of selling only electric and fuel-cell vehicles by 2040.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

The 2021 Ford-F150 crew-cab and extended-cab models have been given a Top Safety Pick award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.The big change came from the headlights; the 2021 F-150 now has optional LED setups that received Good and Acceptable ratings.The presence of the basic halogen lights on lower trim models, which received a Poor rating, prevented the F-150 from elevating to the highest Top Safety Pick+ award.Automakers covet the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick awards, plastering them across advertisements and name-dropping them in TV spots to entice buyers into their latest offerings. While Ford probably doesn’t need any help selling the F-150 pickup truck—already the bestselling vehicle in the United States by a healthy margin—the Blue Oval now has another tool to promote its popular truck, with the IIHS announcing that the 2021 F-150 crew-cab and extended-cab models have received a Top Safety Pick award.

The 2020 F-150 had missed out on the accolade, but changes to the truck’s headlight offerings for 2021 have promoted it to a Top Safety Pick. In order to qualify for a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle has to earn a Good rating in all six of the IIHS crashworthiness tests, as well as come fitted with a front crash prevention system that receives either Advanced or Superior ratings. A vehicle also must be available with at least one Good or Acceptable headlight system. To achieve a Top Safety Pick+ award, however, requires that headlights with a Good or Acceptable rating be standard across all trims, which they aren’t on the 2021 F-150.The 2020 F-150 had received Poor ratings for every available headlight system, but for 2021 some trim levels have gained headlights that were granted Good or Acceptable ratings, qualifying the truck for the Top Safety Pick award. However, since the base halogen headlights that come on lower trims are still classified as Poor, the Top Safety Pick+ award was out of reach for Ford’s bestseller. The F-150 joins the Ram 1500 as the only large pickup trucks receiving a IIHS award for 2021. The award is only for trucks built after June of this year that come with the adaptive LED projector headlights, which received a Good rating, or the LED reflector headlights, which were rated as Acceptable.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

The 2022 Ford Mustang’s optional V-8 engine will make less power and torque than before.The output is reduced by 10 horsepower and 10 pound-feet of torque in GT and Mach 1 models.The 2022 Mustang also gains some new appearance packages including a Stealth Edition for the four-cylinder EcoBoost car.Ford is reducing the output of the 2022 Mustang’s V-8 engine, as first reported by Ford Authority and confirmed to C/D by a Ford spokesperson. The 5.0-liter Coyote engine will make 10 fewer horsepower and 10 fewer pound-feet of torque in both GT and Mach 1 models, regardless of transmission. Ford hasn’t shared the exact modifications that led to this decrease in power and torque, but it’s rumored that stricter emissions requirements are a factor.

The V-8 will now make 450 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque in the GT and 470 horsepower and 410 pound-feet in the Mach 1. These changes don’t affect the base EcoBoost turbo 2.3-liter inline-four, which makes 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque in base form or 330 hp with the optional Performance package. The top-dog Shelby GT500’s supercharged 5.8-liter V-8 will also continue on with the same 760 hp and 625 pound-feet of torque.We don’t have pricing yet for the 2022 Mustang lineup, but we do know that it’s adding a few new appearance packages including an Ice White Edition, a Stealth Edition, and an updated California Special that’s now available with the GT’s Performance package. Ford says that it will open up orders for the 2022 Mustang later this year, with cars set to arrive at the beginning of next year.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

Kia is giving its compact Forte sedan a makeover for 2022 that includes updated exterior styling, new wheel designs, and updated tech.Inside, a larger 10.3-inch infotainment display is now available as an option, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is standard.The 2022 Forte is priced starting just over $20,000 and will be on sale soon, Kia said. Who says small sedans are dead? Not Kia. For 2022, the Korean automaker has freshened its Forte compact car with fresh styling and more tech to keep it in competition with new entrants such as the new 2022 Honda Civic and the updated 2022 Volkswagen Jetta.
Styling updates for the Forte this year include a revised upper grille that’s narrower than before as well as updated exterior lighting elements, reworked front and rear bumpers, new wheel designs, and a newly available trunklid spoiler. On GT and GT-Line trims, new LED fog lamps are recessed into the lower grille; those models also come with unique LED taillights.

Inside, the Forte is upgraded with new center console design that ditches the old manual parking brake for an electronic one, freeing up more space for storage. Faux-leather upholstery is now an option, as is a rear-seat USB port for charging smartphones. An 8.0-inch infotainment system is still standard, but it now includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A larger 10.3-inch display is now optional and comes with in-dash navigation.
The Forte’s safety cred also sees a bit of a bump for 2022 as several of its available driver-assistance features are upgraded this year. Basics such as automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist were already standard but a lane following assist feature joins the spec sheet this year too. The car’s automated emergency braking system has been upgraded to watch for both pedestrians and bicyclists and the rear cross-traffic alert system now can apply the brakes if the driver appears to be backing into an obstacle.A new adaptive cruise control system is now available which uses navigation data to predict upcoming curves in the road and automatically slow the Forte’s speed in preparation. That feature is already in use on some Kia and Hyundai models and also monitors posted speed limits. In addition to this new feature, the Forte also can be ordered with a system that can warn the driver if it’s unsafe to exit the vehicle due to approaching traffic or bicyclists.
Powertrain and chassis components are unchanged. Most models are powered by the familiar 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). With this setup, the Forte delivered a lethargic 8.1-second run to 60 mph at our test track. Thankfully, the GT model remains a part of the lineup. It comes with a 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or a six-speed manual. With the manual transmission, the Forte GT managed a 6.7-second run to 60 mph in our hands. Pricing for the entry-level FE model starts at $20,085, while the midrange LXS and GT-Line will cost $20,585 and $22,285 respectively. The sporty GT trim is set to start at $24,485. The 2022 Kia Forte should be rolling into U.S. dealer inventory soon.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

The 11th-generation Honda Civic will receive the Si treatment soon, and Honda has released a new set of teasers ahead of its debut.The teasers show Honda testing the Civic Si around Thunderhill Raceway, where it will compete in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill in December.The version Honda showed appears decked out for motorsports, with a towering rear wing, sizable front splitter, and air vents in the hood.While the new 11th generation of Honda’s popular Civic looks more grown up than ever before, the more mature styling does not mean that Honda will skip out on performance versions of its newest compact car. As we previously reported, Honda is planning a new Civic Si, as well as a hard-core Type R, and with the Si set to be revealed soon, Honda has released a new batch of teasers for its sporty Civic.

Honda

The teasers show Honda testing the new Si at Thunderhill Raceway in California, and the most striking detail is the ginormous wing strapped to the Civic’s decklid. That aerodynamic aid will likely not appear on the production vehicle. Instead, it will be fitted to a racing version of the new Civic Si that Honda says will compete in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, which will be run December 3–5.

Other than the wing, visual changes to the Si model appear limited, although the camouflage wrap may be masking some details. There’s a chunky front splitter and two large vents in the hood, although these alterations could also be specific to the racing version. The Civic Si is expected to arrive with a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder and a sport-tuned suspension, with a manual transmission at least available as an option. The interior will also likely gain sport seats and other small changes. The Civic Si is expected to be revealed later this month.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More