Motor News

For the Ram 1500 TRX’s second model year, Ram is adding a limited Ignition Edition that finished the 702-hp off-road pickup in a bright orange with unique bedside graphics. It’s reserved for 875 trucks, and it includes the highly equipped level 2 equipment package and orange trim in the interior. The 2022 1500 TRX Ignition Edition will be on sale at the end of the year starting at $93,280. The Ram 1500 TRX is entering its second model year with a new Ignition Edition package that gives the 702-hp off-road pickup a blazing new orange paint job and other citrus-colored accents.

Ram

These Ram 1500 TRX trucks come equipped with the TRX’s level 2 equipment package, a $7,920 option that includes things such as a leather and suede flat-bottom steering wheel, cooled front- and second-row seats, and other niceties. The Ignition Edition trucks are finished in Ignition orange with unique bedside graphics and equipped with 18-inch machine face black wheels. Their interior features Copperhead orange stitching, copper carbon-fiber accents, an orange center console badge, and orange Ram logos on the floor mats. The TRX in the driver’s screen is also finished in Ignition orange.

A Hellcat supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 powers the 1500 TRX, and it produces 702 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. In Car and Driver testing, the TRX reached 60 mph in 3.7 seconds on its way to a 12.3-second quarter mile at 110 mph, making it the quickest pickup truck we’ve ever tested. The 2022 1500 TRX Ignition Edition is limited to just 875 trucks, and Ram says they’ll be on sale starting at the end of the year. Pricing starts at $93,280, which is nearly $20,000 more than the TRX’s base price.
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Porsche is about to turn the 718 into a fully electric sports car that will go on sale in the U.S. in 2025.There will be a lot more overlap with the 911, but since the cars will have fundamentally different propulsion technologies, Porsche is not concerned about cannibalization. More powerful versions of this future 718 will have a front motor, making the electric 718 the first all-wheel-drive version of the nameplate. A few months ago, we speculated on Porsche’s plans to turn the 718 into a fully electric car. Now we have gathered additional material from different sources within and outside the company. Not only did we get confirmation that it will be a full battery-electric vehicle, we also gathered that it will be fundamentally detached from the 911—which, we learned, will retain its combustion engine beyond 2030 and may not even become hybridized.

The 718 will continue to be sold in both Boxster and Cayman form. And while the last word has not been spoken, it is almost 100 percent certain that the Boxster will retain its fabric top instead of moving to a fixed-roof solution. Its body style will remain relatively close to the current models, but it will feature Porsche’s new “electric front” with wider headlights, just like on the Taycan. The next 718’s design has just been previewed by the Mission R concept car at the Munich IAA auto show. Without the wild aero, and scaled down in its aggressive demeanor, the Mission R gives a good idea of what a production 718 Cayman could look like.We haven’t seen the interior yet, but we are assured it will be the brand’s most futuristic yet, more forward-looking than the Taycan and a massive leap from the conservatively styled current 718 cockpit. In designing the user interface, Porsche is keeping the customer base in mind: In China, the most important market, the average age of a 718 buyer is just 31. We are told, “This will be the most modern Porsche.”Sports-car fans have been concerned that an electric 718 could become excessively heavy; a Taycan, after all, comes in between 4568 pounds for the entry-level model with the small battery and 5199 pounds for the Turbo S Cross Turismo, despite its not-exactly-spacious package. The 718, on the other hand, will be almost a miracle of lightweight technology: The internal target weight is under 3650 pounds.

Porsche Mission R concept.
Porsche

Porsche achieves this by putting the 718 onto a newly developed sports-car platform that is said to be far more than a shortened version of the PPE platform. Economies of scale will be realized with electronics and invisible components, but a lot of components related to dynamics remain unique. Power ratings are still up in the air, but we have learned that the entry-level versions, priced to significantly undercut the 911 and stay within reach of the current 718, will have a rear motor. Higher-powered versions will add a front motor, making the electric 718 the first all-wheel-drive iteration of the nameplate. Like the Mission R concept and unlike the Taycan, the next 718 will get a single-speed drive.Inadequate range is the elephant in the room for EVs, and this is especially true of pleasure machines like the 718. We are told that 250 miles of range is the acceptable minimum and that “more is better.” And Porsche is working hard on increasing both range and charging performance.

In terms of power, the top-level versions will reach well into 911 territory. But Porsche is not concerned about overlap because the choice between the electric 718 and the gasoline-powered 911 will represent fundamentally different technologies. And we expect it to remain that way, since Porsche is not entertaining a scenario in which it would turn the 911 into an EV. Hybrid technology is a no-go for the fully electric new 718, and it is by no means decided for future iterations on the 911, where it would incur a hefty weight penalty. As far as racing is concerned, the Mission R could pave the way for a fully electric racing series, but nothing is decided yet.The next 718, which will most likely keep its name, is slated for a market launch in 2024. It will come to the U.S. as a 2025 model, unless plans are pushed back. The current, gasoline-powered model could be sold alongside the electric one briefly. The duration of its production run will be determined by the upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulation, which could wreak havoc on the further refinement of gasoline engines.
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The Honda Passport has been given a refresh for the 2022 model year, bringing a new front fascia with a bulkier, aggressive grille.The new TrailSport model gets unique bumpers, a smattering of TrailSport badges, and orange stitching throughout the interior.Honda’s suite of driver-assist technology is standard on all models, and all Passports continue to be powered by the 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6.Earlier this month Honda announced that it would launch a new TrailSport trim line focused on off-road performance, and now the first TrailSport model has arrived with the refreshed 2022 Honda Passport. Along with the new all-terrain version, all 2022 Passports gain a revised front fascia, new wheels, and more standard safety tech. The full lineup will be on sale this winter, Honda told Car and Driver.

Honda

Most of the visual changes to the Passport occur ahead of the A-pillars, where the fairly anonymous face of the outgoing model has been replaced by a snarled, bulldog-esque mug that calls to mind the Ridgeline pickup. The rear bumper has been tweaked slightly, and the 2022 Passport will also be available with a HPD accessories package which alters the grille and wheel designs and adds black fender flares and HPD graphics.

Honda

The new Passport TrailSport, the only version of the 2022 Passport that Honda has showed to date, receives a unique grille design, chunky front and rear bumpers, and orange TrailSport badges throughout. The track has been widened by 0.4 inch at the front and rear for increased stability, and the 18-inch wheels are wrapped in TrailSport-specific 245/60R-18 tires. The TrailSport uses Honda’s i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and Intelligent Traction Management systems to tackle unpaved roads. The interior features orange contrast stitching, TrailSport logos, and amber ambient lighting.

All 2022 Passports continue to be powered by the same 3.5-liter V-6, which makes 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The i-VTM4 torque-vectoring system, which is standard on the TrailSport and Elite, is now optionally available on the EX-L as well. Honda says all Passports now have 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and the EX-L and Elite models have a new 20-inch wheel design. Honda says that the Passport TrailSport is the first in a new series of off-road-focused models and that the future could bring bigger upgrades like beefier tires and a revised suspension.In the interior comfort and safety department, there’s a standard 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, plus the Honda Sensing system of driver-assist features, also standard. A rear-seat reminder will tell drivers to check the rear seat for children, pets, and anything else when turning the crossover off, and a rear seatbelt reminder lets the driver know if the rear passengers aren’t strapping in; both warning systems are standard. The Ridgeline pickup truck is likely to be the next Honda to receive the TrailSport treatment, and the badge could potentially expand to the Pilot and CR-V as well. The TrailSport lineup will compete against Ford’s Timberline for the Explorer and Hyundai’s XRT package for the Santa Fe, both of which are expected to migrate across the automakers’ rosters as well.
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Ken Block announced today he has signed on with Audi to help develop the brand’s electric portfolio. The news comes less than a year after the 53-year-old rally driver and Hoonigan exec revealed his split from longtime partner Ford. “Audi is the brand that ignited my passion for motorsport,” Block said in a statement. “I am extremely excited to start this new chapter. Together, we will develop innovative projects and push the boundaries of electric mobility.”

In anticipation of the deal’s announcement, Block paid a visit to Audi HQ to drive an Audi Sport Quattro S1, a DTM Audi V8 Quattro, and the Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo, according to DirtFish. “It’s also about performance,” said Block. “I love anything that makes me go faster. Electric cars can do that. And as far as sound goes, I have kids who don’t care about that. They think that the sound of electric cars is just as cool as the sound of internal combustion.”

Audi Motorsport Communications

Neither Audi nor Block have revealed any specifics regarding the projects they plan to work on together, but considering the Head Hoonigan is involved, we expect exciting things. “Electrification is a game changer, just like Quattro drive once was,” Audi Sport managing director Julius Seebach said in a statement. “With Ken Block, we’ve got exciting things in store that go perfectly with our strategy.”

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The Acura RDX is restyled for 2022 to share exterior design elements with MDX.The A-Spec appearance package is now available with the top-level Advance package.A limited-edition RDX PMC Edition borrows its Long Beach Blue Pearl paint from the NSX Type S.Acura says its customers for the 2022 RDX wanted more. More, and less. More features, and less outside noise and vibration, so the focus on the 2022 refresh was on added standard features for all trims and increased attention to a quiet cabin, especially on models equipped with option packages. The exterior refresh borrows design elements from the larger MDX, such as the textured grille and wider air intake in the front, and rectangular exhaust tips in the rear on all but the sporty A-Spec, which gets round gloss-black tips. Wheel sizes go up an inch, to 19-inch 10-spokes as standard, while the RDX A-Spec offers new 20-inch designs. New colors are on the option list too. Liquid Carbon Metallic is available for all 2022 models, while models equipped with the Technology and Advanced packages offer Phantom Violet Pearl, and the limited-edition PMC edition comes in the flashy bright metallic Long Beach Blue Pearl.

Under the hood, the RDX’s engine remains unchanged from the 2021 model, continuing to use a 272-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive remains standard and SH-AWD is an option. While Acura made no changes to the drivetrain for 2022, the company says the driving modes have been retuned for a more noticeable range between the Comfort and Sport settings. The previous RDX got high marks from us on handling feel but notes were made about an inconsistent brake pedal. For 2022, the RDX has a retuned electronic brake booster, so we look forward to testing the improvement.
Previous RDX models failed to impress us with their interior design, and here the 2022 RDX steps it up with a mix of interesting materials and colors. Aluminum trim is standard on all models, and Advance package cars get open-pore wood and Milano leather. More tech comes standard, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard safety tech includes blind-spot monitoring and a lane-change assist feature as well as AcuraWatch which has been upgraded to use a camera for traffic-sign recognition and more accurate speed limit information. Rear seatbelts better protect in a crash with pre-tensioning technology, and additional side structure in the doors meets new crash testing requirements. Like the 2021 model, there will be a limited-edition RDX built at the Acura Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) on the same assembly line as Acura’s supercar, the NSX. The RDX PMC edition comes only in Long Beach Blue Pearl with a two-tone cream (Acura calls it Orchid) and black interior. The PMC editions will all be the fully loaded Advance A-Spec trim and only 200 will be built, so if you want to get a matching set of NSX and RDX, get orders in now.
Pricing and EPA fuel economy ratings have yet to be released, but Acura says entry-level will start under $40,000. With no real drivetrain changes, we expect mpg numbers to be similar to the 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for the FWD versions, with a slight drop for AWD and A-Spec models. The 2022 RDX goes on sale in early November.
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Ford confirmed that a Raptor version of the Bronco off-road SUV is coming.A teaser photo shows the Bronco Raptor’s grille, which has the same Ford lettering from the F-150 Raptor pickup.The Bronco Raptor will debut sometime next year and is likely to be a 2023 model.The high-performance version of the Ford Bronco will indeed use the Raptor name from the F-150 pickup, Ford CEO Jim Farley confirmed in a tweet with a teaser video showing a glimpse of the new off-roader. This more powerful variant of the SUV will debut sometime next year, Ford says, and is likely to feature suspension upgrades and a more aggressive look to go along with its name.
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The idea of a badder Bronco has existed for a while now, and we had previously heard rumors that it would use the Warthog name. But it makes sense for Ford to keep it in the Raptor family, as the latest F-150 just debuted its Raptor variant recently and the next-generation Ranger mid-size pickup will reportedly add a Raptor model for the U.S. at some point in the near future.Along with the different grille we can see here, it’s likely to have a wider stance, chunkier tires, uprated shocks, and a more powerful engine, likely some sort of turbocharged V-6. We should have more information about the Bronco Raptor in the coming months as Ford starts to trickle out some details about its various upgrades.
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Audi has announced pricing and U.S. specs for the Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback.The base price is $44,995 for the rear-wheel-drive model, while the all-wheel-drive version starts at $50,995.These models are available for ordering now and will arrive in the U.S. by the end of the year.Audi is expanding its EV lineup to include the smaller and cheaper Q4 e-tron, and we now have full U.S. details on this electric crossover. The 2022 Q4 e-tron will start at $44,995, which is less than the gas-powered Q5 crossover and only a few thousand dollars more than its downmarket sibling, the VW ID.4.

The Q4 shares its powertrain configurations with the Volkswagen, as it comes standard in its 40 trim with a single rear-mounted electric motor that provides 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque. The more powerful Q4 50 e-tron starts at $50,995 and adds all-wheel drive courtesy of an additional front electric motor that increases total power output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. There’s also a swoopier Q4 e-tron Sportback (pictured at top) available, and this comes only in the more powerful 50 configuration and starts at $53,795.Audi has only shared range estimates for the 50 models so far, which sits at 241 miles according to the EPA. We anticipate the 40 model will achieve a slightly higher range number, as the ID.4’s AWD configuration takes a slight range hit compared with its RWD counterpart. We look forward to testing the Q4 e-tron’s range for ourselves and seeing what it can do in the real world.
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Ford has given the Expedition a refresh for 2022, with sharper LED lighting elements and revised grille designs.The Expedition also adds a Timberline model, which focuses on off-road performance with 33-inch all-terrain tires and improved ground clearance.The new Stealth Edition features blacked-out trim pieces, 22-inch wheels, red brake calipers, and a retuned suspension.Earlier this year Ford introduced a more rugged version of the Explorer dubbed the Timberline, and now Ford is expanding the Timberline nameplate to the Expedition as part of the full-size SUV’s refresh for the 2022 model year. The 2022 Expedition also adds a sporty Stealth Edition and more technology across the range.
For 2022, all Expeditions continue to be powered by the EcoBoost twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6. In the base models—the XL, STX, and XLT—the engine churns out 380 horsepower, up five over the 2021 model, and 470 pound-feet of torque. For the Limited, King Ranch, and Premium models, power increases to 400 horses and torque is boosted to 480 pound-feet.

The Timberline model sees the Expedition raised to 10.6 inches of ground clearance, improving the approach angle to 28.5 degrees and the departure angle to 23.7 degrees. Ford also gave the Timberline a wider track, a two-speed transfer case, and underbody cladding from the burly F-150 Raptor. The Trail Turn Assist system found on the Bronco makes an appearance and the off-roading Expedition rides on unique 18-inch wheels shod in 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler AT tires. The Timberline comes powered by the same EcoBoost 3.5-liter V-6, but in this application makes a healthy 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Visually, the Timberline gains a special black grille and Active Orange accents on the exterior and interior. While the Timberline focuses on going off the beaten path, the Stealth Edition Performance package aims to improve on-road driving enjoyment. To that end, the Stealth Edition gets a retuned suspension and the 440-hp version of the EcoBoost V-6. The package is available on the Limited and Limited Max models and adds a gloss-black finish to trim elements including the grille, roof rails, running boards, and headlight housings. Behind the 22-inch black aluminum wheels sit flashy red brake calipers.
The Expedition lineup also gets a technological overhaul for 2022, most importantly adding the option of Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving assist feature. There is also a slew of other safety tech, such as road edge detection, lane centering, and speed sign recognition. Inside, there is now an available 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster and an optional 15.5-inch touchscreen, similar to the one found in the Mustang Mach-E. The Expedition also has an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system with 22 speakers. For those who need to pull a trailer, the Expedition can be had with Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0, and the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow package allows the Expedition to tow up to 9300 pounds. The refreshed Expedition will go on sale in the first quarter of 2022.
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