Motor News

Tesla has increased the price of the new Model S Plaid ahead of deliveries that start tonight, which it will livestream here.The price was increased after Tesla canceled the more powerful Model S Plaid+, and now the Plaid costs $131,190. The Model S Plaid uses a tri-motor setup to produce 1020 horsepower, and Tesla claims it’ll reach 60 mph in 2.0 seconds. Tesla will livestream a delivery event for its anticipated Model S Plaid tonight at 10 p.m. ET at its plant in Fremont, California. Ahead of the event this week, CEO Elon Musk tweeted that it canceled the Model S Plaid+ variant, and now the Plaid’s price has increased to $131,190. The increase won’t affect those who have already placed orders, a customer service representative on Tesla’s website told us.
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Musk commented on Twitter that there was no need for the even higher-performance Plaid+ model because the Plaid is sufficient. The $10,000 price increase could be because there is now only one model (the Plaid+ was priced at $151,190), or due to the semiconductor shortage, which Musk says has been affecting Tesla. Its prices have been steadily increasing recently. The Model S Long Range currently costs $88,190, nearly $18,000 more than the 2020–2021 Long Range Plus.Tesla is claiming that the Model S Plaid will reach 60 mph in 2.0 seconds and run through the quarter-mile in 9.2 seconds at 155 mph. Jay Leno recently said on Spike’s Car Radio that, in the Plaid, he posted a 9.247-second quarter mile at 152 mph, and the drag slip was posted on Twitter. Those times would make the Plaid by far the quickest car we’ve ever tested, and we’ll find out for sure when we do. It’s also said to have a 200-mph top speed, but only with a special wheel-and-tire setup that won’t be available until the fall.

Tesla Model S Plaid platform.
Tesla

The Plaid model has three electric motors producing 1020 horsepower, Tesla says. The Plaid+ previously boasted 1100 horsepower. Tesla estimates that the Plaid will achieve EPA range figures of 350 or 390 miles on a single charge, depending on which wheel-and-tire combination the car is wearing. Previously, Tesla said that the now canceled Model S Plaid + would have a 520-plus-mile range. Tesla recently gave the Model S a redesign, including a refreshed interior with a yoke-style steering wheel, and the Plaid models don’t look significantly different. They are available with a set of 19- or 21-inch wheels.We’ll see more of the highest-performance Tesla soon and will run it through our instrumented testing when we get our hands on one.
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The production version of the new Nissan Z, likely called the 400Z, will debut on August 17, 2021.It’ll be powered by a twin-turbo V-6 engine, and we’ll know all the performance specs at the reveal. It should make around 400 horsepower.The 2022 400Z is expected to arrive by the end of the year starting at around $40,000. Nissan revealed the Z Proto (pictured) last fall as a production-intent prototype. That car was meant to give us an idea of what’ll be sold in the States, likely as the 400Z. Nearly a year after it showed the prototype car, Nissan will finally reveal the production version of the new Z on August 17, 2021 on its YouTube channel.

Nissan Z Proto
Nissan

Images of what appear to be the production car have already leaked, and they showed that it won’t be far off from the Z Proto we saw last fall. The cars, finished in dark gray and silver, had chrome trim integrated into the grille, slightly larger headlights, different wheels, and a rear decklid spoiler. The Z badge on the C-pillar will also make it to production.

The new Z will use a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine, and although Nissan hasn’t said anything about its output, we expect it to offer around 400 horsepower. It’s a modified version of the engine found in the Infiniti Q50 and Q60. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but there’s also an optional automatic gearbox.We’ll know the full details in a few months, including all the performance specs, which should create a compelling matchup against the 382-hp Toyota Supra. The 2022 Nissan 400Z should be on sale by the end of the year starting at around $40,000.
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Airstream is launching the Interstate 24X camper van aimed at adventure-seeking nomads.Built atop a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis cab, the Interstate 24X features standard four-wheel drive and an air suspension to make getting to off-grid camping sites easier.A host of luxury features are offered, including 5G connectivity, solar panels, and an onboard generator, which is good because this go-anywhere beast starts at $213,850.There are endless YouTube videos and Instagram posts that detail all the best ways to custom-build a camper out of a new or used commercial van, and those talented influencers are great at making it look easy. But unless you’re handy and have a host of specialized tools on hand, buying a premade rig to live your best #VanLife may be a better way to go, and Airstream’s new Interstate 24X camper van is tailored for people who want a turnkey vehicle ready for their next adventure.
Built on a four-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, the Interstate 24X comes with all-terrain tires, a height-adjustable air suspension, and enough off-grid equipment to let users venture way off the beaten path while still delivering modern conveniences. Both an onboard generator and a host of solar panels ensure electrical service for the van’s lighting, kitchen, and entertainment systems. The 13,500 BTU air conditioner provides enough cooling to turn the Interstate 24X into a welcome oasis when camping in warm weather; a furnace and water heater are also standard.

Reconfigurable is the name of the game with the Interstate 24X’s interior layout, with a number of different bed configuration choices and a modular table system that allows users to move the van’s dining table to one of four different places, including one that turns it into a standing desk for remote workers. The two front seats swivel around and can be configured with the table so it can be used as a seated desk. Speaking of remote workers, Airstream has provided pre-wiring for the company’s Airstream Connected system, which includes a 5G cellular antenna.The interior is lined with Airstream’s signature silver trim, and there are clever storage solutions such as a reconfigurable system that lets campers rearrange tie-downs to store their gear. An overhead storage shelf features heavy-duty netting to keep things in place when the van is moving.
A small bathroom is located behind the driver’s seat and across the aisle from the van’s sliding side door and the galley. The galley features a sink, a two-burner stovetop, a small microwave, and enough counter space to prep a meal, but if you’re really camping shouldn’t you be grilling outdoors anyway?The Interstate 24X is available to order now with deliveries starting in just a few weeks, right on schedule for people seeking a new summer home on wheels. The 5000-pound towing capacity should be more than enough for a trailer full of ATVs, a pair of Jet Skis, or even one of Airstream’s rugged Basecamp travel trailers in case you need more room for additional campers. Be prepared to shell out some dough, though, as the van carries a starting price of $213,850. For only about $30,000 more, buyers can put themselves into the more upscale Atlas motor coach but that model lacks the off-road capability of the Interstate 24X.
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Audi has shared a glimpse of the next RS3 sedan, which will arrive for 2022.The numbers on the side refer to the firing order of its turbo five-cylinder engine.We expect the new RS3 to produce even more than its predecessor, which made 394 hp and 354 pound-feet of torque.The next Audi RS3 will continue on with its party piece: Audi’s unconventional—and delightful—turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. This confirmation comes courtesy of a new photo showing a camouflaged version of the new model with a 1-2-4-5-3 graphic on the side that refers to the five-cylinder’s firing order.

We assume that the new turbo-five will be upgraded compared with the outgoing RS3, which offers up 394 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. That got an RS3 to 60 mph in a scant 3.4 seconds in our testing, so the new model could be even quicker. It will likely use a dual-clutch automatic transmission and should come standard with Quattro all-wheel drive.The photo also hints at the RS3’s visual upgrades compared with the standard A3, which was recently redesigned. It has a subtle body kit, a rear diffuser, a lip spoiler on the trunklid, and larger wheels and tires. The U.S. market will get the RS3 only in sedan form, although there will be a hatchback model offered globally.Look out for more official information about the RS3 to come soon. The standard 2022 A3 is expected to arrive in the U.S. later this year, and the RS model should follow a few months after that.
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The new 2022 Honda Civic hatchback will debut June 23.Unlike the recently revealed sedan, the hatch will offer a six-speed manual transmission.Honda is also moving hatchback production from the U.K. to its plant in Indiana.Honda is nearly ready to show us the hatchback version of the new 2022 Civic. Along with a teaser image of the new body style that debuts June 23, Honda also confirmed some great news: the hatch will continue to offer a six-speed manual like its predecessor.

We expect the hatch to come standard with the 180-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four that’s optional on the 2022 Civic sedan, as that model’s base 2.0-liter inline-four likely won’t be offered here. LX, Sport, and EX trim levels are sure to be part of the lineup. Along with the manual transmission, a continuously variable automatic will be available.You can’t see much in this dark, blurry image, but we know that the new hatchback will adopt the same design as the clean and attractive sedan. The key differences will be seen aft of the B-pillar, as the hatchback will have a different greenhouse and more cargo space in back.Once the hatchback is revealed, we’ll still be waiting to see the new Civic’s performance variants, the Si and Type R. We’re thinking that the new Type R will once again come only as a hatchback, while the Si will surely come standard as a sedan—although a hatchback Si would be an interesting addition.Look for more information to come about the 2022 Civic hatchback, which will make its live-stream debut on Honda’s YouTube channel on June 23 at 6 p.m. Eastern time.
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Ford has confirmed the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor’s power and torque figures, and they’re the same as the previous generation. The twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 produces 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. The new F-150 Raptor will be available to order tomorrow, June 10, starting at $65,840.The Ford F-150 Raptor is now in its third generation, and it continues to use a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 from the previous generation. We expected the carryover engine to make slightly more power than before, but now Ford has confirmed the numbers, and they’re unchanged. But don’t forget that the Raptor R is coming next year.

Ford

The high-output 3.5 EcoBoost engine produces 450 horsepower at 5850 rpm and 510 pound-feet of torque at 3000 rpm. The previous model made peak power at 5000 rpm and peak torque at 3500. The low-end torque helps the Raptor tow and haul more with both payload and towing capacities increasing by 200 pounds to 1400 pounds and 8200 pounds. The new model has an equal-length exhaust system with muffler bypass valves that’ll provide for a much better sound.

Ford has also confirmed that a more powerful Raptor R is on the way, and we’ve heard it testing a few times. It’s expected to have more than 700 horsepower from a version of the Predator supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 that makes 760 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque in the Mustang Shelby GT500. It should look more aggressive, too, and it’ll have its sights set on the 702-hp Ram 1500 TRX. Orders for the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor will open tomorrow, June 10, and pricing starts at $65,840. That’s $10,690 more expensive than before because it’s now only available as a four-door SuperCrew model.
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Toyota has revealed the new 300-series generation of the Land Cruiser SUV.It has new engines including a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and a 3.3-liter turbodiesel V-6.We won’t get this new model in the U.S., but we may get something similar as the next-gen Lexus LX.Toyota doesn’t redesign the Land Cruiser too often, so the arrival of this new 300-series model is a big deal. Compared with the outgoing 200-series iteration, this new Land Cruiser is lighter, more powerful, and has a far more modern interior. It’ll go on sale in global markets but likely won’t reach the U.S.—at least not in this form. After the Land Cruiser’s recent discontinuation, the prevailing rumor is that America will only get the Lexus version of this new model, as the next-generation LX.

While we wait to see what Toyota does with this new model on our shores, we can dive into the specs. It weighs a claimed 440 pounds less than its predecessor and uses two new engines: a gasoline twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 with 409 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque or a turbodiesel twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6 with 304 hp and 516 pound-feet of torque. A ten-speed automatic transmission and—naturally—four-wheel drive are standard across the board.The new design doesn’t look radically different from the current model, but the front end has a more prominent grille and a snazzier lighting setup, while the rear has new taillights and a reshaped tailgate. Inside, the cabin benefits from a significant upgrade with a large tablet-style infotainment screen and a cleaner dashboard layout. Three rows of seats will be available, and the third row appears to fold into the floor—a change from the current model, which requires you to flip and fold the wayback seats up towards the windows for more cargo capacity.
We should hear more about Toyota’s future plans for the Land Cruiser soon, and we’re curious to see what happens—if anything—with the nameplate in the U.S.
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Nissan has announced pricing for the new 2022 Pathfinder.It starts at $34,560 for a base front-wheel-drive S and ranges up to $49,240 for an all-wheel-drive Platinum model.All Pathfinder models come with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and a nine-speed automatic.The new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is a worthy upgrade over its predecessor, and it’s priced higher accordingly. With a starting price of $34,560, the redesigned three-row SUV is $1430 more dear than the 2020 model (Nissan skipped the 2021 model year). This base price is more expensive than the Kia Telluride’s and Ford Explorer’s but lower than the Toyota Highlander’s.The S trim sits at the bottom end of the lineup and comes standard with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is a $1900 option on all trim levels, and one of the 2022 Pathfinder’s key upgrades is a new nine-speed automatic transmission that replaces the previous model’s CVT.

The SV starts at $37,350 and adds notable features including adaptive cruise control, a power driver’s seat, and blind-spot monitoring. The SL starts at $40,740 and includes leather seats, navigation, and a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay. For $47,340, the top-of-the-line Pathfinder Platinum features a digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, and nicer interior trim.Nissan says the 2022 Pathfinder will be arriving at U.S. dealerships this summer.
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