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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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With the introduction of the Hike 100, Winnebago brings big outdoor camping to the small, towable trailer set. Seven feet wide, 16 feet long, and 10 feet tall, the Trailer is suitable for a couple or small family.Winnebago emphasizes the exterior with the Hike 100, offering a roof rack, rear hitch (for a bike rack or something similar), and two awnings that can provide up to 200 square feet of covered space. The induction stovetop can also be used outside the trailer. No MSRP was announced.Winnebago is showing off the Hike 100 on its new Winnebago Insider digital portal, which also highlights five other, larger campers.The rise in remote work possibilities and people just wanting to go somewhere where others aren’t during a pandemic has resulted in an uptick in the #VanLife curious. Winnebago recently introduced six new RVs and trailers, including a small trailer called the Hike 100 that, dare we say it, brings a welcome dose of cute to the lineup.

Winnebago

Winnebago

With a dry weight of just 2700 pounds and a seven-foot-nine-inch width, the Hike 100 will be towable by some small SUVs (note that the official GVWR is 4200 pounds). The trailer is almost 16 feet long and just over 10 feet tall. Despite the small size, Winnebago made sure to include as much practicality as possible. The rear of the trailer opens up to store outdoor gear you might not want in the trailer’s main space. There is also a Thule-compatible roof-rack system for things such as kayaks or surfboards on top and a two-inch hitch on the back for a bike rack or similar accessory. A 190-watt solar panel is standard, and you can add on another for more off-grid power. A compact shower, toilet and sink—and a 31-gallon freshwater tank—let you conduct daily business without too much hassle.

Winnebago

There are five different floor plan options for the Hike 100, and lots of customizable entertainment and cooking options, including an induction stovetop that can be used on the outside of the camper when the weather cooperates—or when it doesn’t, thanks to a powered size awning over the door and what Winnebago calls a “bat wing” awning that extends over the rear and non-door side of the trailer for up to 200 square feet of covered space outside. Pricing for the Hike 100 was not announced.

Other new Winnebago models the company recently announced include the Micro Minnie FLX, a step up in size from the Hike 100 that the company said is the only towable camper on the market that “combines five new energy- and cost-efficient technologies that enable users to enjoy time off grid for up to five days.” The new Winnebago Roam was designed to offer wheelchair users the chance to enjoy a purpose-built camper, while the new Class C coach camper, the new Ekko, was “strategically designed for increased livability in the footprint of a camper van.”

Winnebago

Winnebago calls the new Solis Pocket its “most affordable camper van,” and it packs a lot of camping functionality onto a Ram ProMaster chassis. Finally, there are the new Class A coaches, the Vista and the Sunstar 33K, for campers who want a larger vehicle as refuge while in the great outdoors.
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Winnebago used these new models to highlight its just-launched customer portal, Winnebago Insider. This new digital platform is a place for the company to place virtual tours of Winnebago brand products and other approved marketing messages, like “expert commentary about models [and] user testimonials.”
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Our friends at the auction site Bring a Trailer have listed another irresistible car. This time, it’s a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series that’s up for online auction.With only 11,000 miles on its odometer, this car—which has midrange acceleration we once likened to “a religious experience”—should fetch a record price.If you’re interested, BaT’s auction ends on Monday, October 18. Bidding is already up to $255,000 as of October 8. Over the course of seven—soon to be eight—generations, the Mercedes-Benz SL has had its share of high-performance variants, but the completely over-the-top SL65 AMG Black Series stands far above them all. Arriving in the waning days of the R230 generation, the SL65 AMG Black Series followed the barely streetable CLK63 Black Series as a one-year-only offering for the 2009 model year. Just 350 were built, with half of those sent to the United States, so opportunities to buy this ultimate SL don’t come along very often. That’s evident by the bidding on this 2009 SL65 AMG Black Series currently on Bring a Trailer, which has already soared past the totals realized in the site’s previous auctions of this model. And there are still several days to go.

Bring a Trailer

The Black Series was far more than just a flourish on the already bonkers twin-turbocharged V-12 SL65. The Black Series had a custom body with hugely flared fenders and composed largely of carbon fiber. It also ditched the standard SL’s retractable hard top in favor of a fixed roof, and a massive rear wing sprouted from the decklid. Of course, there were mechanical upgrades. Bigger turbos and better breathing upped the output of the 6.0-liter V-12 from 604 to 661 horsepower along with 738 pound-feet of torque. The engine was mated to a modified five-speed automatic transmission with an additional manual mode and rev matching, and the chassis was similarly upgraded.

Bring a Trailer

Bring a Trailer

In a 2009 Car and Driver comparison test against a Lamborghini Murciélago LP640, a Dodge Viper SRT10, and a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, we called the Black Series “wickedly fast” and likened its midrange acceleration to “a religious experience” (nonetheless, the ZR1 won). This example, with 11,000 miles, is being sold on behalf of the original owner’s widow and comes with service records from new. Previous BaT sales of SL65 AMG Black Series cars have all been under $200,000. An 8000-mile example sold for $174,000 in May 2020, a 10,000-mile car sold for $185,000 in April 2020, and a 13,000-mile car was a no sale at $162,000. At this writing, bidding has just crested the $250,000 mark. Still, at the current bid, the car still could be considered a bargain. After all, the model was $304,350 new.

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We know that prices for renting a car have gone up—way up—during the pandemic, but even with the numbers declining a bit in September, most analysts think they will go back up for the holidays.Some experts think things will calm down in 2022, but others don’t see prices getting back to normal until 2023. “By February and March next year, all bets are off,” one expert told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.There are many problems causing the higher prices, including a lack of new-vehicle production (chip shortage) and a large vehicle sell-off early in the pandemic. Solutions that rental-car companies are taking include keeping their fleet for longer than they used to and trying to move cars around the country so they are available where people want to rent them.Anyone who’s tried to rent a car in the last year or so likely discovered that prices were not what they once were, reaching many hundreds of dollars a day in some areas. Earlier this year, some tourists in Hawaii discovered the joy of saving money by renting a U-Haul truck instead of a standard rental car, for example. As travel starts to pick up again despite COVID’s reach, more people might have to figure out similar alternative rental methods until at least next year.While the costs to rent a car today aren’t quite as high as they were earlier in the year, experts are offering different predictions for when the rental scene in the U.S. will get back to something more normal. Some say it will be at least 2022 before prices come down. Others predict a new spike coming this holiday season, including a spokesperson for Enterprise Holdings, according to the Washington Post. And one told the paper that he doesn’t see things really getting back to normal until 2023. “We’re kind of in a shoulder season with people going back to school and work after Labor Day, but prices are going to spike back up again in Florida as Thanksgiving and Christmas approaches,” the CEO of rental-car price tracker AutoSlash.com, Jonathan Weinberg, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “By February and March next year, all bets are off.”The problem, unsurprisingly, is a lack of rental cars. As we’ve written before, rental-car agencies sold off their excess vehicles during the early days of the pandemic and were caught off guard when demand returned sooner than expected. Now, with the chip shortage and other supply chain issues hampering production of new vehicles, these rental companies are unable to beef up their fleets. Instead, rental companies are changing their policies to keep their cars longer before they cycle them out of the system. Vehicles are being moved away from locations that used to cater to business travel—which is returning, but still not as high as before the pandemic—and into southern vacation hot spots. Also, instead of a 25,000- or 50,000-mile cutoff, some are letting the cars they have reach 90,000 miles on the odometer. Some are also buying used cars at auction to make up for the new vehicles they can’t buy. The Post reports that U.S. car rental companies only purchased around 800,000 new cars in 2020, compared to more than double that amount in 2019. Which all comes together to suggest that rental-car prices will continue to be higher than expected for a while. We may not know exactly for how long, but Yahoo News, citing the online rental company Kayak, said searches for rental cars for the upcoming holiday season are up 230 percent compared to 2019.
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