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Volkswagen had previously confirmed the demise of the Passat by the end of the decade but has now announced 2022 as the final model year for the Passat.The Passat adds a Limited Edition model with unique details referencing Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the Passat has been built for the past decade.Only 1973 Limited Editions will be built, priced starting at $31,290. Of those, 423 units will come with the Atlas SUV’s Racing Green Metallic paint, not normally available on the Passat.Last year we reported that Volkswagen would kill off the Passat at some point before the end of the decade so the brand could focus on selling the Atlas and electric ID.4 crossovers. That day has now come, with Volkswagen announcing that the Passat will be discontinued in the United States after the 2022 model year, and the automaker also revealed a Passat Limited Edition that commemorates the Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant that has built the Passat since 2011.

Changes to the Passat Limited Edition are minimal. The exterior features unique 15-spoke, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels and black mirror caps, while the interior includes special seat tags. One reads “1 of 1973″—the number of Limited Editions VW will build—and the other says “VW Chattanooga since 2011.” The bottom of the cupholders features an aerial map of the city of Chattanooga and a blueprint of the factory. The Limited Edition is also decked out with niceties including heated leather power seats for both the driver and passenger and tech extras like park assist.

Volkswagen

The 1973-unit run for the Passat Limited Edition references the first year of Passat production in Germany. The specific number of units produced for each of the four color combos are meant to be meaningful, which sounds more like something you’d expect from a special-edition McLaren than from a mainstream sedan. 411 Limited Editions will be sprayed in Aurora Red Metallic with a Titan Black interior; 411 was the production code for the Passat’s predecessor. Then 423 units—for the Chattanooga area code—will borrow the Racing Green Metallic paint found on the Atlas SUV (and on the old B5 Passat) and pair it with a Mauro Brown interior. Pure White paint with a Mauro Brown interior will be found on 524 units, honoring the opening date of the Chattanooga factory on May 24, 2011. Lastly, VW will produce 615 Limited Editions in Platinum Gray Metallic with a Titan Black interior, which VW says stands for six generations of Passat in the U.S., one generation assembled in Chattanooga, and five decades of U.S. Passat sales.

Volkswagen

The 2022 Passat Limited Edition will start at $31,290, with Aurora Red costing an extra $395. The Passat has been sold in the United States since 1974, although it was called the Dasher until 1982 and then the Quantum until 1990. U.S. production of the Passat began in Chattanooga in 2011 when VW introduced a unique version for the North American market. With the Passat on its way out, the Chattanooga plant will now transition to assembling electric vehicles.
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Porsche announced the 2022 Macan crossover’s lineup, and the Turbo model is replaced by the GTS. The base Macan uses a 261-hp turbo four-cylinder, the S has the previous GTS model’s 375-hp twin-turbo V-6, and the GTS is powered by the old Turbo’s 434-hp twin-turbo V-6. The 2022 Macan will arrive in early 2022 starting at $56,250, and the S and GTS will be on sale a couple months later.Porsche will soon offer an electric version of its best-selling Macan crossover, but ahead of its arrival in 2023, the German automaker is rearranging the gas-powered Macan’s trim levels and engine lineup for the 2022 model year. This updated Macan will arrive early next year and eventually be sold alongside the electric model, which promises more range than the Taycan electric sedan as well as unique looks compared to the gas version.
Base Macans continue to use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that now produces 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, increases of 13 horsepower and 22 pound-feet. Porsche claims a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 144 mph. The Macan S also gets more powerful because the previous-generation Macan GTS’s 375-hp twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 engine is now under the hood. The new GTS model replaces the Turbo as the top-of-the-line Macan for 2022, and it uses the old Turbo’s 434-hp version of the twin-turbo V-6. We expect that one to match the 3.5-second run to 60 mph we got in a 2020 Macan Turbo and Porsche says it has a top speed of 169 mph. All Macans have all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Porsche’s adaptive dampers and Sport suspension are standard on the Macan S. Macan GTS models come equipped with Porsche’s tungsten-carbide-coated brakes, first seen on the Cayenne SUV, plus air springs that make the GTS sit 0.4-inch lower than the other Macans. An available GTS sport package adds a launch control function, a torque-vectoring rear axle, Pirelli P Zero Corsa summer tires, sport seats, and more black exterior trim. Exterior differences on the 2022 Macan are subtle with an updated front end and a larger black rear diffuser. There are seven new wheels to choose from, and standard sizes vary from 19 to 21 inches based on which model you select. GTS models get new satin black 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, clear LED headlights, and a sport exhaust system with black tips.
The Macan’s button-filled center console is replaced with haptic buttons on the 2022 model, much like the Cayenne, and it has a shorter gear selector. The touchscreen still measures 10.9 inches and comes standard with a navigation system and Apple CarPlay capability (sorry, still no Android Auto). The new Macan also gets the 992-generation 911’s steering wheel. The 2022 Porsche Macan will arrive early in 2022 year starting at $56,250. The S and GTS models won’t arrive until spring 2022, and they cost $66,750 and $81,250 to start.
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Although pre-orders have been open since March, Volvo has now released pricing information for the C40 Recharge, and it will start at $59,845.This makes it more costly than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach E, both of which provide more range than the C40 Recharge.Production of the C40 Recharge is due to begin in the fall with deliveries starting in the fourth quarter of 2021.Back in March Volvo showed off the C40 Recharge, an electric crossover based on the XC40 Recharge but with a sleeker, more coupe-like roofline. Pre-orders began when the C40 was revealed, with potential customers putting down a $500 deposit to reserve one, but the full price was not yet known. Now Volvo has announced that the 2022 C40 Recharge will start at $59,845, excluding any federal tax credits for electric vehicles that buyers might qualify for.

C40 (left) and XC40 Recharge (right)
Volvo

Although its boxier 2022 XC40 Recharge sibling will come in both Plus and Ultimate trims, the C40 will only be available as the more luxurious Ultimate model. It features a panoramic moonroof, premium audio system, 360-degree camera, and other standard goodies. All of Volvo’s 2022 EVs arrive with 250.0 kWh of free charging via Electrify America’s network which must be used within the first three years of ownership. Customers are then eligible to have Volvo cover the membership fees of Electrify America’s Pass+ program for one year.

The C40 Recharge is set to compete against EVs like the Tesla Model Y and the Ford Mustang Mach E, the winner of our EV of the Year award. The Tesla has the most range, with the EPA estimating between 303 and 326 miles depending on the battery, while the Mach E gets between 211 and 305 miles of range. The C40 lags behind a bit on range, only coming with a 75.0-kWh battery pack good for a claimed range of 210 miles. The C40 Recharge will also be pricier than its competitors, with the cheapest Model Y coming in at $53,190 and the Mach E starting at $43,995.Production of the C40 Recharge will start in the fall at Volvo’s factory in Ghent, Belgium, with the company targeting deliveries to American customers during the fourth quarter of this year.
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We tested a 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and it rocketed to 60 mph in 2.0 seconds and eviscerated the quarter-mile in 9.5 seconds at 148 mph. The 887-hp 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder’s 2.1-second sprint to 60 mph held the title for seven years. The SF90 Stradale starts at $511,250 and is powered by three electric motors and a 769-hp twin-turbo V-8.All champions eventually meet their makers. The Porsche 918 Spyder set an otherworldly 60-mph acceleration time of 2.1 seconds in May of 2014—a record that hasn’t been broken for seven years and two months. We’ve tested over 1000 vehicles since, and yet not a single vehicle has been able to breach its brutal acceleration time. Until now. The 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale is here to show you that there’s quick, and then there’s hold my Barolo and watch this.

The Ferrari features a similar plug-in-hybrid powertrain as the 918, but where the Porsche relied on a single electric motor to drive the front wheels, the SF90 utilizes two 133-hp motors on the front axle. But that’s not all. Wedged between the manic 769-hp twin-turbo V-8 and the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox is another 201-hp electric motor. The components work together to provide a goosebump-inducing 986 horsepower. Yes, that’s nine hundred eighty six.Launching the SF90 could not be easier: Engage Qualifying mode with the press of the haptic button on the F1-inspired steering wheel, set the transmission to manual mode and activate PS with the center-console toggles. With the slightest amount of brake pressure and the throttle pressed against the firewall, the engine readies itself with a 3500 rpm gurgle. Release the brake and hold on tight.

We expected a violent hit off the line, but the SF90’s departure is rather leisurely as the battery unloads itself into the electric motors before the glorious V-8 joins the party. You won’t be able to count to one Mississippi before 30 mph arrives in 0.9 second. Two Mississippi–60 mph is gone followed by a hint of wheelspin as the dual-clutch blinks a two-three shift. Stay in it and the quarter-mile shows itself in 9.5 seconds at 148 mph, 0.2 second and 3 mph quicker than the 918 Spyder. Though the SF90 Stradale sits atop the 60-mph throne, the quarter-mile crown belongs to the Bugatti Chiron Sport’s 9.4-second sprint at an insane 158 mph. To the Tesla fans who have made it this far without scrolling to the comments to inform us how the Model S Plaid is better, listen up. In the time it takes the Tesla to ready its powertrain and squat the chassis in preparation for launch, the SF90 Stradale has completed the quarter mile, silently cruised back to the pits on electric power, and its pilot has brewed the finest of espresso. Until we test a Plaid, the Ferrari is the king.Earning a top spot on the podium doesn’t come cheap. The SF90 Stradale starts at $511,250 and our tester’s $193,679 in options—including the lightweight Assetto Fiorano package—ran that price up to $704,929. But remember this: The 918 Spyder started well over $800K and a Bugatti Chiron Sport commands over $3 million. Ferrari’s SF90 Stradale is more than just a straight-line animal and we’ll be reporting on the rest of its greatness in the days to come.
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Chevrolet shared the first video of the 2023 C8 Corvette Z06’s engine revving and accelerating. It will be powered by a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank V-8 engine that should rev close to 9000 rpm and make more than 600 horsepower. The C8 Corvette Z06 will debut this fall. We’ve seen—and heard—the upcoming C8 Corvette Z06 testing numerous times, and we’re obsessed with its naturally aspirated flat-plane-crank shriek. Chevy will finally unveil the first of the coming high-performance Vettes this fall, and now the company has shared the first official clip of the Z06’s engine revving and accelerating on the street and track.
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The new Corvette Z06 will be powered by a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 engine, and it has a flat-plane crankshaft like a Ferrari V-8. A detuned version of this engine is found in the C8.R race car. In the Z06, it should rev to between 8500 and 9000 rpm, produce more than 600 horsepower, and pair with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. A flat-plane crank results in a smoother and higher-pitched sound than a cross-plane V-8, which the C8 Corvette Stingray uses.

Pictured above is what we think the new Z06 will look like. It will have a wider track and more aggressive aerodynamics, including a larger rear wing. We’ve seen prototypes testing with and without the wing as well as ones with either a center-exit quad-tip exhaust system or two exhaust tips on either corner. Look for more information on the new Corvette Z06 in the coming months. The new car should arrive by the end of next year, priced starting at about $85,000.

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Audi has released the new version of the RS3, based on the new 2022 A3 sedan.It has a turbo 2.5-liter inline-five engine with 401 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.The all-wheel-drive system has a new torque-vectoring setup.Audi’s new A3 lineup is now complete with the official debut of the top-dog RS3 performance version. With a 401-horsepower turbo five-cylinder engine, standard all-wheel drive with torque vectoring, and meaner looks than its predecessor, the 2022 RS3 will again be coming to the U.S. market in sedan form. (An RS3 Sportback hatch is also available in Europe, but we won’t be getting that version.)

The same turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five we liked so much in the previous RS3 continues on, but with a few tweaks that result in more power and torque. The new RS3 now has 401 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, increases of 7 hp and 15 pound-feet over the previous U.S.-spec 2020 RS3. Audi claims it will sprint to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds, but we think it will be quicker than that given that we got a previous-gen RS3 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is again standard across the board, and a variable exhaust should create a distinctive five-cylinder soundtrack.The RS3’s upgraded all-wheel-drive system features torque vectoring for the rear axle. It redirects power differently depending on which driving mode is selected, and there’s a drift mode called RS Torque Rear that can direct torque to a single rear wheel for sliding around on a track.

The new RS3’s track is slightly wider than before, and it’s 0.4 inch lower than the S3. Adaptive dampers will be optional, along with carbon-ceramic rotors for the front brakes. 19-inch wheels are standard.
Looks-wise, the RS3 sets itself apart with a black front grille, a lip spoiler and diffuser in the rear, and special lighting elements in the daytime running lights meant to look like a checkered flag. A black roof is optional, as are matching color inserts for the interior. There’s also plenty of carbon-fiber trim found inside, and the digital gauge cluster is configured to show an interesting runway-style tachometer.Audi has yet to announce pricing for the new RS3, but we reckon it will be a few thousand dollars more expensive than the outgoing 2020 model, which started at $57,195.
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Ford is recalling more than 676,152 Explorer SUVs in North America to fix a problem with the rear suspension.The automaker said the problem is a seized cross-axis ball joint, which could cause a fractured rear suspension toe link and potential reduction of steering control.Ford said there have been six claims of related injuries in North America, and most affected vehicles are located in Salt Belt states. Ford announced today that it will recall 676,152 Explorer SUVs from 2013 through 2017 model years over a ball joint problem. The problem affects vehicles mostly in high-corrosion states—those with cold winters and high road-salt usage. The problem could lead to a loss of steering control, and the automaker said there have been six injury claims in North America because of the issue.Ford explained that the problem is a seized cross-axis ball joint that could cause a fractured rear suspension toe link and said drivers could notice “a clunk noise, unusual handling, or a misaligned rear wheel” as well as reduction of steering control, which could lead to a crash. Ford will notify owners starting August 23. Dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint and replace it and the knuckle if needed, as well as replace the toe links with a different design. In the meantime, owners can check the NHTSA recall site or Ford to see if their vehicle is affected.

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If you keep a list of the most unusual product placements, ready your pencils: Ford announced this week that it has partnered with Nabisco to print a limited-run pack of Oreo Thins cookies labeled as if they were the owner’s manual of a Ford Maverick, ostensibly to camouflage them so the cookies will not be eaten by anyone but the intended snacker. The concept is tortured and relies on anecdotes about the Maverick design team’s love of Oreos. But everyone knows you only need a hiding place if they’re Double Stuf.This Week in Sheetmetal

Formula 1

We’ve had our first look at the 2022 F1 race cars, which will use ground effects—tunnels on the underside of the car used to generate downforce—for the first time in decades, along with other changes intended to minimize the vortex of turbulent air that follows in the wake of the current models. The car that began its life as the Aston Martin Valkyrie concept in 2019 has now reached production in the form of the Valhalla. It’ll be powered by a 937-hp 4.0-liter AMG-sourced twin-turbo V-8 instead of the hybrid V-6 that was hinted at in the concept, and it’s expected to cost $800,000 instead of the initial $1.3 million estimate. But don’t get too excited—deliveries are still at least two years off.Hyundai has confirmed some details about the Elantra N, which we expect in the U.S. next year. It’ll be powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-liter found in the Veloster N and Kona N. The Elantra N will have 286 horsepower and an aggressive, angular design. Also this week, Hyundai announced it will discontinue non-N variants of the Veloster for 2022, which is what we’ve been pretending they did ever since the N launched, anyway.Start It UpAs EV sales start to tick upward, the EV-startup market is producing a seemingly endless stream of strange-looking, high-horsepower concepts. This week, a Detroit-based startup called Hercules showed a 1000-hp EV pickup concept designed by Pininfarina, which it says will be available next year. Vietnam’s first car company, VinFast—another Pininfarina partner—announced plans to enter the U.S. market selling electric crossovers by March 2022. And Pininfarina showed an EV concept of its own in the bizarre, missile-like Teorema, though unless another company signs on to build and sell the car, the Teorema likely won’t ever make it to production.But a sleek design and a big vision do not a car company make, as the folks at Lordstown Motors seem to learn anew every day. Today the company disclosed that it is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice over matters relating to the merger that took the company public last year and the orders it once claimed to have, which it now admits were not binding. The company had already said it is being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission over similar issues. EV truckmaker Rivian hit a much smaller snag this week when it announced it will delay deliveries of its R1T truck until September. They had previously been scheduled to begin shipping this month. Global Supply Chain Disruption, Continued

Various car companies and industry analysts have predicted that the microchip shortage that has upset production schedules for months would begin to ease in the second half of the year. But now that the second half of the year is here, we’re beginning to understand that there’s a difference between “begin to ease” and “resolve entirely.” Volkswagen said this week that it still thinks the chip shortage will improve by the end of the year, but GM has announced new downtime related to the chip shortage for five plants, Nissan has extended downtime at the plant that builds its Altima sedan, and Ford is reportedly considering shipping vehicles with missing microchips to dealers, who would finish and sell the vehicles once chips become available. The plan is not final, but it’s one strategy Ford has in mind to empty its own storage lots, which are currently clogged with tens of thousands of unfinished cars and trucks. Further ReadingOk, so it’s not reading, but we think you should watch the trailer for Stuntman, a documentary from Disney about Eddie Braun, a stuntman chasing his last big feat. The movie will be streaming on July 23.Read about the zipper merge and the fools who oppose it in the New York Times.Or, if you’re partial to the rich-person-on-the-run-from-justice genre, check out Carlos Ghosn’s interview with the BBC, in which he details how he fled from Japan to Lebanon inside a box that was inside a private jet.

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