Motor News

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.”

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 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.
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

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.
This content is imported from Twitter. 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.

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.
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

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.
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

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.
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 has announced pricing for the hatchback version of the 2022 Civic.It starts at $23,915, and the various trim levels cost $1000–$1900 more than the equivalent sedan models.The Civic hatch is reaching dealerships starting today.Honda’s new Civic appears to be an enticing package in hatchback form, as this new body style has more cargo space than the sedan and offers a manual transmission on certain models. We now have pricing for the slightly more practical Civic, and it starts at $23,915 for the base LX model and ranges up to $30,415 for the Sport Touring. Those price are between $1000 and $1900 higher than the equivalent sedan models, which are only available with an automatic transmission.

The hatchback comes with the same two engine options as the sedan, either a 2.0-liter inline-four or a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four, and comes standard with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The naturally aspirated 158-hp engine comes on the LX and Sport ($25,115), and on the latter it offers a six-speed manual transmission as a no-cost option. The more powerful 180-hp turbocharged engine comes standard on the EX-L hatch ($27,615) with a CVT and is also standard on the loaded Sport Touring ($30,415). Honda offers a manual with this engine, too, as it’s a no-cost option on the Sport Touring with the 1.5T.Apart from the available manual and the price premium, another key difference between the hatchback lineup and the sedan lineup is that the hatchback offers an EX-L trim with leather upholstery. The sedan is available as an EX with cloth seats, meaning you have to step up to the top Touring trim to get the upgraded upholstery.Honda says the Civic hatchback is arriving at U.S. dealerships starting this week.
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

Chevrolet will start replacing the batteries in the Bolt EV in October, the automaker announced this afternoon.GM started to recall the Bolt nearly a year ago over the potential for battery fire, later expanding the recall to every Bolt EV made to date and adding the Bolt EUV crossover as well, for a total of more than 140,000 vehicles.Along with replacing batteries, GM will install new diagnostic software to be installed in every Bolt to closely monitor batteries for anomalies.General Motors said Monday it will start replacing battery modules in its Chevrolet Bolt EV electric cars as soon as next month, now that its battery supplier LG is again producing the necessary cells and modules. The company will first prioritize 2017–2019 Bolts built during times it believes defective cells were most likely to have been produced.

The replacements are the first long-term fix to address a recall underway since last November, when GM first identified 50,000 Bolt EVs from those model years that could have defective cells. The recall ultimately expanded to every Bolt EV and EUV made, a total of roughly 141,000 cars. Drivers of those cars have been advised to limit their charging, how deeply they discharge their batteries, and where and how they park their cars [see sidebar]. Owner discontent has surged, to the point that some Bolt EVs have been bought back by the company. Now, a fix is in sight. GM said LG only resumed production of its cells and modules after it “implemented new manufacturing processes” in its plants in the Michigan cities of Holland and Hazel Park to eliminate two different defects in the cells, a torn anode tab and a folded separator, that could cause fires in the rare instance that both flaws occur in the same cell. The companies didn’t provide further details about how the defects occurred or what specific changes to build processes had been made to eliminate them. But Tim Grewe, GM global electrification and battery systems director, confirmed during a media call that “interaction between the two [defects] is what causes the issue.”

Those same new manufacturing processes will be rolled out to all LG plants that supply cells to GM, the company said. GM will increase its frequency of individual cell checking, and work closely with LG to share manufacturing expertise in areas that apply to cell fabrication and assembly processes. It will also work with LG to “review and enhance its quality-assurance programs” as part of an effort to “provide confidence in its batteries” in the future.GM said it is aware of 13 Bolt fires suspected to be linked to defective cells in the battery packs. No injuries or deaths are attributed to those fires, but all 141,000 Bolt EVs and EUVs built since December 2016 are being recalled. Meanwhile, GM has directed Bolt owners to follow specific recharging, usage, and parking protocols to reduce risk until their cars can be updated.Production of both the Bolt EV and the new, larger Bolt EUV model was suspended last month. GM confirmed the Orion Assembly Plant’s lines will remain idle at least through the week of October 11 but didn’t give a date for resumption of Bolt production.New Modules and Software ComingAs cell production under LG’s revised processes ramps up, GM will start to replace battery modules in existing Bolt vehicles. The company said it would “prioritize Chevy Bolt EV and EUV customers whose batteries were manufactured during specific build time frames” in which the company believes “the defects appear to be clustered.”Affected Bolt EVs will receive a full set of new battery modules. Owners of 2017–2019 Bolt EVs whose modules are replaced will see the rated range of their cars rise from 238 to 259 miles. That comes from replacing the cars’ original cells with a newer and more energy-dense cell, boosting pack capacity from 60.0 to 65.0 kWh.GM did not offer any estimates on how many vehicles it believed would require battery replacement, or how long the replacement of all affected Bolt modules would take. Chevrolet will notify “affected customers,” which is to say owners of existing Bolts, when new modules are available for their batteries.Monitoring Batteries More CloselyNow that LG will be starting to supply replacement battery hardware, GM will also roll out new diagnostic software to be installed in every Bolt that monitors an expanded set of battery performance data. The goal is to look at more indicators than the existing software does, so the cars can alert drivers of any unusual readings in its battery’s electrical performance.The program will detect “specific abnormalities that might indicate a damaged battery” and, GM says, will let the company prioritize damaged modules for replacement. Getting that software installed in a Bolt will require a visit to the Chevrolet dealership, however. Customers can start to schedule those visits in roughly 60 days, during the second half of November. Meanwhile, the new software will limit charging to 80 percent of rated capacity until it has fully analyzed the behavior of all modules. After that, future diagnostic software to come will gradually increase the charge percentage as the pack continues to perform appropriately, with the final goal being to offer recharges up to 100 percent of capacity once again. LG’s resumption of cell and module production under new, presumably defect-free, protocols may be the first shred of good news around the Bolt battery recall in quite some time. Since August 20, when the company expanded the recall to cover every Bolt built since 2016, Bloomberg reported that GM told some owners their Bolts should be parked at least 50 feet from other vehicles. That guidance has now been modified to “ample distance,” though how owners choose to interpret the advice will likely vary quite a lot based on their parking circumstances. Automotive News published an editorial suggesting the only way for GM to restore public confidence in its EVs would be to provide entirely new battery packs for all Bolts that are based on the newer Ultium cell technology GM and LG have jointly developed. That would be a remarkably lengthy and ambitious undertaking, given Ultium’s different cell size and shape, different module design, and entirely different battery-management system. Meanwhile, Bolt drivers have at least two months to wait before both new hardware and new software will be available for installation. What Should Bolt Owners Do?GM has not changed its guidance on how Bolt owners should park, charge, and use their electric vehicles. Until replacement modules can be installed, it said, Bolt drivers should continue to: Use Target Charge Level mode to set vehicle to limit recharging to 90 percent of battery capacity. If customers can’t make change that setting, or aren’t comfortable doing so, they should visit their Chevrolet dealer to have these adjustments made; Charge more frequently and avoid depleting the battery below roughly 70 miles of range remaining, whenever possible; Never leave a vehicle charging overnight while indoors;Park the car outside immediately after charging; and Leave “ample space” around the parked vehicle where possible.Bolt EV customers can visit Chevrolet’s Bolt recall site or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalls site for more details about the recall.

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 Toyota Tundra is finally here, and it has a new hybrid option, a coil-spring rear suspension, and a significantly improved interior with a massive 14.0-inch touchscreen to make it more competitive against American pickups.The standard powertrain is a 389-hp twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6, but there’s also an available hybrid powertrain that makes 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. It will go on sale by the end of this year in SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794, and TRD Pro models. The hybrid won’t be available until a few months after, Toyota says. Since the last new Toyota Tundra debuted 15 years ago, Ford redesigned the F-150 three times, Ram separated itself from Dodge as its own brand and released two new generations of its half-ton pickup, and Chevy redid the Silverado three times. All three of those American pickups have long outsold the Tundra by a wide margin, but now Toyota is finally launching a new generation of its full-size pickup that looks to be more competitive in this hugely important segment.
The new Tundra is built on Toyota’s TNGA-F body-on-frame platform, which will also underpin the next Tacoma mid-size pickup and Sequoia and 4Runner SUVs. Like the Ram 1500, the Tundra now employs coil springs, which should improve ride and drivability compared to the old truck’s leaf springs—a setup that the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado still use. Electronically controlled adaptive dampers are now available, as is a set of air springs on the rear axle that can raise the truck for low speed off-road driving or lower it to make loading the bed or hooking up a trailer easier. The off-road-focused TRD Pro model is fitted with 2.5-inch Fox dampers with internal-bypass chambers and remote reservoirs and 33-inch Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires.

A new twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 engine replaces the previous model’s 5.7-liter V-8 engine and produces 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, increases of 8 horsepower and 78 pound-feet over the V-8. It’s paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. To compete with Ford’s new F-150 PowerBoost hybrid, Toyota is offering a hybrid version of the V-6 called iForce MAX, and this powertrain comes standard on the TRD Pro. It has a low-speed EV mode and uses an electric motor sandwiched between the twin-turbo 3.4-liter and 10-speed that’s powered by a roughly 1.5-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Its output is higher than the Ford’s, making 437 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2400 rpm, but unlike the F-150 there’s no built-in generator. Toyota says it will announce fuel economy estimates in the coming months, and the aim is to beat the PowerBoost’s 25 mpg EPA rating.
This content is imported from YouTube. 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.

Tundras can tow up to 12,000 pounds, 1800 more than the previous-generation truck, but that’s still less than what some versions of the Chevy, Ford, and Ram half-tons are capable of. Max payload is rated at 1940 pounds, also less than the domestic trucks max ratings. An available 360-degree camera can help while towing, and an integrated trailer brake controller can detect the blind spot of whatever is hooked up. Every Tundra’s tailgate can be released by a button on the key fob, and crew-cab models come with either a 5.5- or 6.5-foot bed, while the extended cab configurations can be equipped with a 6.5- or 8.1-foot bed. Both rear- and four-wheel-drive Tundras are available. That colossal grille looks like it might be able to swallow a Prius, and different styles are available depending on trims and options. TRD Pro models have “Toyota” script across the top with an integrated LED light bar below that’s toggled by a button below the dash when the high beams are on. Toyota went for a more modern and jagged design with the Tundra’s third generation, and it’s drastically different than the previous truck. We’ll let the truck’s sales numbers determine if the new look is more attractive than the other half-ton pickups.
Interior improvements are significant compared with the old truck’s cabin, which featured many hard plastics and a small and dated infotainment system. To one-up Ford and Ram’s 12.0-inch screens and Chevy’s new 13.4-inch unit, the Tundra has an available 14.0-inch touchscreen (an 8.0-inch screen is standard). It’s the first Toyota to use its new Audio Multimedia interface, and its crisp graphics and simplified design are easy to use. Say “Hey, Toyota”, and it can give directions or pull up the standard wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto along with other commands. An analog gauge cluster comes standard on the base models, but a 12.3-inch digital screen is available on the higher trims and displays five different national parks upon start. A mobile app can save driver settings and remote start the truck.
A TRD off-road package is available (pictured above) and adds either 18- or 20-inch black TRD wheels, a TRD grille, Bilstein dampers, skid plates, mud guards, and a TRD leather shifter. Four-wheel-drive models with the TRD off-road package get an electronically controlled rear locking differential, MTS, and off-road cruise control. The TRD Sport package is exclusive to the SR5 model and adds 20-inch black TRD wheels, a TRD grille, lowered suspension, and the TRD shifter.The 2022 Toyota Tundra will be on sale by the end of the year in SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794, and TRD Pro models, and Toyota says trucks with the iForce MAX will arrive a few months after. Pricing, along with fuel economy estimates, will be announced closer to its arrival. It will be built at Toyota’s factory in San Antonio, Texas.
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