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    2024 Jeep Gladiator Becomes a More Advanced Adventure Truck

    The 2024 Jeep Gladiator gets a refresh that brings the same updates as the Wrangler. Along with a new version of the brand’s seven-slot grille, the Gladiator adds a 12.3-inch touchscreen and newly available power-adjustable front seats.Jeep’s truck also adds two top-tier models—Mojave X and Rubicon X—and there are new AEV upfit packages.The Jeep Gladiator is basically the Jeep Wrangler, just with a longer wheelbase and a cargo bed. Earlier this year, the Wrangler received a refresh that was highlighted by a new-look grille and an updated dashboard design, so it was only a matter of time until the pickup truck benefited from the same treatment.Gladiator Glow-UpThe 2024 Gladiator now sports a restyled version of Jeep’s trademark seven-slot grille. Along with being visually slimmer, its textured slots are said to help improve engine cooling. With Jeep discontinuing the optional diesel V-6, that leaves the 285-hp V-6 as the lone powerplant—at least for now, as the Gladiator is destined to get the brand’s 4xe plug-in-hybrid powertrain at some point.The Gladiator’s other exterior changes aren’t as noticeable, but they’ll likely be appreciated. For instance, the antenna is now built into the windshield unlike the old one that could get caught on branches out on the trail or damaged in hands-free carwashes. Seven new wheel designs further help freshen up the truck that’s entering its fourth model year. A new soft-top is also now standard on the entry-level Sport trim.Jeep has revised the Gladiator’s dashboard too. Not only does it now have narrow horizontal vents above the HVAC controls, but there are new soft-touch materials on the instrument panel. We all know Jeep loves Easter eggs, and the Gladiator adds them with markings on all four corners that represent the four cardinal points on a compass. On top of the dash is a bracket for mounting accessories (a feature already found on the Ford Bronco). The Mojave trim level also gets a new steering wheel with thumb contours; the seats have more bolstering too. Without further ado, the crown jewel of the Gladiator’s updated interior is the horizontal 12.3-inch touchscreen. The big display is standard on every model and replaces the previous 7.0 and 8.4-inch units. The new infotainment screen uses UConnect5 software, which comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has improved voice commands and backlight technology that’s said to make the screen easier to see in direct light—like when the Jeep’s top is inevitably dropped. As with the ’24 Wrangler, the Gladiator offers Jeep Adventure Guides that detail 62 trails via the navigation system, and there’s a “Follow Model” that provides trail information such as waypoints in real time. Plus, the subscription-based Trails Offroad add-on allows access to over 3000 trail guides.Gladiator Advancements Designed to take it slow off-road, the Gladiator still has a host of features for keeping occupants safe on the street. For 2024, every model adds side-curtain airbags in both rows. Jeep says it also made structural changes to improve side-impact performance, and the second row has outboard seatbelts. The Sport S and above also now have standard forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control.JeepJeepIt might surprise some, but the Gladiator hasn’t had power-adjustable front seats—until now. A set of 12-way power seats (Jeep says they’ve been tested for water fording) are offered for the first time. They’re included with two new models, the Mojave X and Rubicon X, which are billed as the most capable and luxurious Gladiators. They also have nappa leather to go with steel bumpers, steel rock rails for the bed corners, a full-time transfer case, and an integrated off-road camera. AEV PackagesThe 2024 Gladiator is also available with three upfit packages from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV). The Upcountry and Upcountry+ includes a 2.0-inch suspension lift and 35-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires. While both setups have unique wheels and fender flares, the “+” package gets a beefy front bumper and a non-winch cover plate.Opting for AEV’s Level II package gets more extreme, bringing 37-inch BFGs and a 2.5-inch suspension lift with Bilstein dampers. Other notable measurements include a 57-degree approach angle, a 26-degree breakover angle, and a 34-degree departure angle. The Level II kit also comes with the aforementioned front bumper, a front skid plate, and a Warn Zeon 10-S winch. The AEV upfits have to be placed through local Jeep dealers. While Jeep hasn’t yet announced pricing for the updated Gladiator, we expect slight increases across the lineup, which previously started just under $41K and eclipsed $53K for the top-tier Mojave and Rubicon models. With orders now open, 2024 Gladiators will reach dealerships at the end of the year.This content is imported from poll. 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.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

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    2024 GMC Acadia Grows Significantly, Approaches Yukon Proportions

    The 2024 GMC Acadia is bigger than before, with its wheelbase and overall length growing by 8.4 and 10.6 inches, respectively.The Acadia’s growth spurt translates to a roomier interior, which gets ritzier with a new design that includes a standard verical 15.0-inch touchscreen.Every model now has a 328-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and can tow 5000 pounds with either front- or all-wheel drive.Entering its third generation, the 2024 GMC Acadia becomes an even bigger three-row mid-size SUV. Not only is it longer, taller, and wider than its predecessor, but the new Acadia has a boxier exterior that makes it look more trucklike—a trend that’s echoed by new competitors as well as its corporate cousin, the recently redesigned Chevy Traverse.Inside ScoopThe new Acadia’s interior materials don’t look or feel truly luxurious—even on the deluxe Denali model—but the space is still much ritzier than before. The center console has more storage space thanks to the awkward shift buttons being moved to a column-mounted shifter, and there’s also more room underneath the console.Along with the crisply rendered 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster, the dashboard is dominated by a vertically oriented 15.0-inch touchscreen. Both features are standard, and the Google-based infotainment system includes customizable screens and available apps. The bottom of the center display also has static HVAC controls with a mix of touch functions and toggle switches.Every Acadia has a host of driver-assistance technology, and now almost all of it comes standard. Along with popular aids such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring, there are also detection systems for bicyclists and pedestrians, automated emergency braking that works at intersections, and up to nine exterior camera views. The new Acadia is available with Super Cruise too, GM’s hands-free driver-assist system, which is available on the Elevation and AT4 trims for the first time. A GMC Growth SpurtAfter growing 10.6 inches overall, the Acadia now measures 204 inches from stem to stern. That makes the mid-sizer a half-foot shorter than the full-size GMC Yukon, and now the two have an identical 120.9-inch wheelbase, after the Acadia’s was stretched by 8.6 inches. The result is a roomier interior that should better serve all passengers onboard. The base-level Elevation trim has a second-row bench seat and can fit eight passengers; the AT4 and Denali have captain’s chairs that cap seating to seven.The new Acadia’s increased size also contributes to more cargo area. GMC claims there’s now almost 80 percent more space behind the third row and roughly 36 percent more space with the rearmost seats stowed. While the company hasn’t released exact figures, we estimate the new generation will have about 23 cubic feet behind the third row and about 56 cubes behind the second row. Underneath the load floor is a large storage bin, and there’s a spare tire below that.A Turbo Four for AllPreviously, the Acadia’s engine lineup included a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 3.6-liter V-6. The four-pot was good for 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V-6 pumped out 310 horses and 270 pound-feet. Now, every Acadia has a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that’s considerably mightier. It makes 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet. GMC hasn’t yet released fuel-economy estimates for the Acadia’s new powertrain.An eight-speed automatic transmission replaces the old nine-speed unit, but the Acadia still offers front- or all-wheel drive. Either configuration can tow up to 5000 pounds, which is between 1000 and 1700 pounds more than before. The off-road-oriented AT4 model also has an exclusive all-wheel-drive system with a twin-clutch rear axle.The AT4 stands about an inch taller than other Acadias, which are already 3.4 inches taller than their predecessors. Other unique AT4 hardware includes 18-inch wheels mounted on Goodyear Wrangler Territory all-terrain tires and a specially tuned suspension. The most rugged Acadia can also be identified by its red front tow hooks, lower front skid plate, and plastic overfenders with orange reflectors at the top.No one will have trouble spotting the Denali version of the Acadia. Not only does it boast glossy black lower body trim and a flashy grille (now satin instead of chrome), but it can be had with big 22-inch wheels—20s were previously the biggest opton. Inside, the Acadia Denali has leather upholstery, laser-etched wood trim, chrome accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. A 12-speaker Bose stereo is standard, but a 16-speaker version is optional. The same goes for the massive panoramic sunroof and second-row heated seats. GMC hasn’t said how much the 2024 Acadia will cost, but pricing will be announced sometime before it becomes available early next year. If we had to wager a guess, we’d say the base-level Elevation will start just under $40K, with the top-of-the-line Denali cresting the $50,000 mark.This content is imported from poll. 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.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

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    2025 Cadillac CT5 Sedan Adds Sleek 33-Inch Screen, New Headlights

    Cadillac has revealed an updated 2025 Cadillac CT5 at the Detroit auto show that will go on sale in spring 2024.The 2025 CT5’s new front end features a wider grille and more complex LED headlights, and there are also two new paint colors available.A 33-inch screen dominates the cabin, and the CT5 will also offer a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot and has Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant built in.Cadillac is trending toward a future centered around electric SUVs, revealing an electric Escalade iQ last month that will join the Lyriq EV at dealerships next summer. But the American luxury automaker is still giving its old-school gasoline-powered sedan, the CT5, one more update before its likely demise. Revealed today at the Detroit auto show, the 2025 CT5 sports a fresh new face and a more modern interior with a massive 33-inch screen.CadillacThe CT5’s new look brings it in line with the recent refresh for the XT4, Cadillac’s smallest crossover. The squinty horizontal headlights are now conjoined with the vertical LED elements. The main headlight housing is nestled in the crook of these two LED strips, and it connects with a vent below to create a triangle cutout in the bodywork. On CT5 Sport models, the trim is blacked out and the grille is fitted with black mesh. Two new colors join the palette for 2025: Deep Space Metallic and Typhoon Metallic.CadillacThe biggest change is in the cabin, where a new 33-inch LED screen spans the dash. As seen in the XT4, Lyriq, and gas-powered Escalade, the screen is bent slightly towards the driver and features touch capability on either side of the steering wheel. Keeping the 2025 CT5 up to date is an optional 5G Wi-Fi hotspot and a suite of Google applications built into the infotainment, including Google Maps and Assistant. Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant is also integrated into the system.The CT5 also gains more standard driver-assistance features for 2025, adding blind zone steering assist—designed to prevent collisions when changing lanes—and intersection automated emergency braking. Traffic sign recognition is now available, and buyers can also purchase Super Cruise, General Motors’ hands-free highway driving system.CadillacThe CT5’s powertrains carry over unchanged. The base turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while upgrading to the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 brings 335 horsepower and 405 pound-feet. The CT5 is still rear-wheel drive as standard but offers all-wheel drive and routes power through a 10-speed automatic transmission.The 2025 CT5 will be assembled at the Lansing Grand River plant in Michigan starting in the spring of 2024. Cadillac says pricing will arrive later, and we expect the new CT5 to start just north of $40,000. Cadillac also hinted that refreshed versions of the performance-oriented CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing will be revealed later.More New CadillacsThis content is imported from poll. 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.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

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    0 to 62 MPH in under One Second? Swiss Students Say They’ve Done It

    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.The ability of a car to get from rest to 60 mph has long been one of the most popular performance benchmarks, establishing hierarchies between rivals and—more important—giving owners something to boast about. But while the quickest road cars are now in the low-two-second range (the fastest we have experienced being the two seconds flat of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale), a group of students in Switzerland have just posted a sub-one-second time in a purpose-built lightweight EV, claiming a new record in the process.A team of members of the Academic Motorsports Club of Zurich (AMZ) from two universities, ETH Zurich and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, created a tiny EV specifically designed to beat the benchmark. Pride was at stake; AMZ has set the record twice in the past, but last September it was bested by another student team from Stuttgart, Germany, which managed a time of just 1.461 seconds and therefore took the title.A Purpose-Built 309-Pound CarThe new car, named Mythen, was purpose built for the record and uses four hub-mounted electric motors to produce a combined total of 322 horsepower. Which might not sound like much, but thanks to a carbon-fiber and aluminum honeycomb structure, the car itself weighed in at just 309 pounds. Even with driver Kate Maggetti on board, it weighed just 396 pounds. Traction was helped by both a rear wing and what the team describes as a “kind of vacuum cleaner that holds the car to the ground by suction,” something which sounds like the fan-assisted system used by the McMurty Spéirling that set a course record at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2022. Alessandro Della Bella/ETH ZürichOn a test track in Duebendort, Switzerland, Mythen accelerated from zero to 62 mph, which represents the Euro-friendly 100-km/h mark, in just 0.956 second, reaching that speed in just over 40 feet. By our reckoning, that means Maggetti experienced an average of 2.96 g’s of longitudinal acceleration over the course of the run, but the peak would doubtless have been higher. Those figures are similar to those experienced by a fighter pilot being launched from an aircraft carrier’s steam catapult. The new time has officially been recognized by self-appointed arbiter of such things, Guinness World Records. But although a hugely impressive achievement, and likely an outright benchmark for an electric-powered vehicle, the new record is not close to the outright fastest acceleration of any wheel-powered vehicle. A Top Fuel dragster will hit 60 mph around 0.4-second after launch. Having taken the record for the third time, the Swiss team are confident of holding onto it, saying, “Now the world record is back in Swiss hands, and the ETH Zurich students are confident they will not relinquish it again anytime soon.”This content is imported from poll. 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.Record SettersSenior European CorrespondentOur man on the other side of the pond, Mike Duff lives in Britain but reports from across Europe, sometimes beyond. He has previously held staff roles on UK titles including CAR, Autocar and evo, but his own automotive tastes tend towards the Germanic, owning both a troublesome 987-generation Porsche Cayman S and a Mercedes 190E 2.5-16. More

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    2024 Ford F-150 Raptor Has a Fresh Look and Cool New Shocks

    Ford is updating the F-150 Raptor for 2024 with new headlights and a few new features.The V-6–powered Raptor and supercharged V-8–powered Raptor R models continue.Pricing will be available closer to the 2024 model’s on-sale date early next year.The 2024 Ford F-150 benefits from some changes for the new model year including a new face and additional features, and the off-road Raptor model also gets upgraded. It has a revised headlight design and adds options including new shocks and a modular front bumper, along with a new exterior color and revised graphics. Ford also hinted that the Raptor R, with its supercharged 5.2-liter V-8, may gain a bit of power compared with the outgoing version’s 700 hp, but the company hasn’t yet released full specs.Compared with the previous single-valve Fox shocks, the new units are meant to improve rebound control, which Ford says will help with high-speed desert running and on-road ride quality. The modular bumper, meanwhile, offers better mounting points for lighting accessories and also offers stronger tow hooks.All the good new features are available on all Raptor models with 37-inch tires. When so equipped, the 2024 Raptor comes standard with the dual-valve shocks and is offers the modular bumper as an option, but the base V-6 Raptor with 35-inch tires (the 37-inch tires are standard on the R and part of an optional Performance package on the V-6) does without these extras.The color palette expands to include Shelter Green, and there are new hood graphics available as well. Ford hasn’t detailed any interior changes for the Raptor, as it already came standard with the larger screens that are now newly standard on the lower-trim trucks.Ford has yet to announce pricing for the 2024 F-150 Raptor, but we expect it to rise somewhat from the current model’s starting prices of $78,720 for the standard Raptor and $109,295 for the Raptor R.More on the RaptorSenior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

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    2024 Ford F-150 Pickup Updated to Focus on Hybrids and Tech

    The Ford F-150 is getting a refresh for 2024, bringing boxier looks and a host of new features.The hybrid model will become more prevalent in 2024 and will now cost the same amount as at the 3.5-liter EcoBoost gas model.Ford has designed a new tailgate for easy access when towing and will offer the F-150 with a head-up display for the first time.The 2024 Ford F-150 doesn’t represent a new generation for America’s bestselling vehicle, but major changes are coming to the truck when sales kick off in early 2024. Ford has reconfigured the engine lineup, spruced up the cabin with more technology, and added several new features that aim to make the F-150 a more versatile vehicle. The high-performance Raptor and Raptor R models also receive their fair share of upgrades for 2024, covered separately.The styling alterations are subtle but significant. On pricier trims, the headlights are bordered by new LED running lights that combine with the boxy grille for a square-jawed look. The lower-end models have a “coast to coast” grille that fully envelops the headlights in a wide rectangular unit. A similar look is seen on the Tremor model, albeit adorned with orange lipstick. The taillights and bumpers were also redesigned, and an appearance package that blacks out the trim is now offered on more variants. The F-150 also wears a revised version of the classic Blue Oval, simplified with bigger and bolder white lettering.The LatestHybrid TakeoverUnder the hood, the F-150 ditches the base 3.3-liter V-6, which made 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Instead, the EcoBoost 2.7-liter V-6 becomes the entry-level engine, the twin-turbocharged motor upping output for base-model F-150s with a potent 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. For traditionalists, Ford continues to offer the truck with a 5.0-liter V-8 that pumps out 400 ponies.Ford is repositioning the PowerBoost for 2024, bringing the hybrid model into the spotlight. Currently hybrids comprise 10 percent of F-150 sales, but the automaker aims to double the production mix of the 430-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 hybrid. And although Ford hasn’t officially released pricing yet, the company announced that the PowerBoost will now start at the same price as the gas-only 400-hp EcoBoost 3.5-liter engine. With 570 pound-feet of torque, the hybrid has the highest horsepower and torque figures in the lineup—apart from the Raptor models, of course. PowerBoost-equipped F-150s also come standard with Pro Power Onboard, a 2.4-kW inverter in the bed that can supply juice to everything from cooking accessories to power tools. Ford now touts the fact that buyers won’t have to pay more for extra power and Pro Power Onboard; we wonder how many shoppers will forgo those features for the gas-only 3.5-liter.For 2024, Ford also said that Pro Power Onboard will provide a revised interface on the center screen or in Ford’s phone app that displays a clearer depiction of the vehicle’s power supply. As before, buyers can upgrade to a 7.2-kW unit for more professional powering needs, while gas-only trucks can be had with a 2.0-kW inverter.Modernizing the IconThe layout in the cabin is largely the same, but all F-150s now come with a 12-inch touchscreen and 12-inch digital gauge cluster as standard. For the first time the F-150 will be offered with a head-up display, which includes custom screens for BlueCruise, towing, and off-road drive modes. The head-up display will be offered on the Lariat and higher trims. Out back, Ford has fitted the new Pro Access tailgate, which rivals the multi-functional tailgate gizmos offered by Chevrolet and Ram. This optional new setup features a gate in the center that can open independently to three preset angles: 37 degrees, which is just shy of most trailer jacks, 70 degrees, and a full 100 degrees. The new setup allows quick access to the bed without having to lean over the open tailgate. Combined with a widened bumper step, the gate also allows for quick and easy access to the tailgate even with towing, opening on the driver’s side for added convenience. Most classic tailgates will also be available, with the Pro Access tailgate standard on the King Ranch and Platinum and optional on the Lariat and Tremor.Once in the bed, you’ll find a new storage box behind the right rear wheel well with a one gallon capacity. This hidey-hole could stash tie-down straps, emergency kits, or gloves. On trucks without Pro Power Onboard, storage boxes will be fitted on both sides of the bed.Help behind the WheelThe F-150 comes with 10 standard driver assistance features, with updated versions of pre-collision assist with emergency braking, lane-keeping, and blind-spot warning. For 2024, Ford is introducing an optional “exit warning” feature that alerts you to approaching vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists when you are about to step out of the truck. Ford is also implementing a new safety feature, designed for when you’re not driving. Stolen Vehicle Services (SVS) will notify owners via the phone app if there is an unauthorized attempt to access their vehicle, and if the owner believes it’s a true threat, SVS will work with local authorities to track and find the vehicle and can remotely prevent the thief from disabling location services. For those who need to tow—which Ford says is 75 percent of F-150 customers—Ford continues to offer Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, and onboard scales that measure payload to ensure you don’t overload the truck. Towing capacity remains at a maximum of 13,500 pounds, depending on spec, with payload topping out at 2455 pounds. These figures are down slightly because Ford has standardized the 36-gallon fuel tank across the lineup.On the Tremor and Raptor models, Ford has crafted a new optional modular front bumper, designed to fit either a factory-accessory light bar or a dealer-installed Ford Performance Winch Kit with a WARN 12,000-pound winch. The bumper includes extra cameras and sensors, since installing the light bar or winch can block the standard front-facing sensing equipment. The bumper is finished in either Tarnished Dark Anodized and Carbon Black colors.Ford also upgraded BlueCruise, their hands-free highway driving tech. Version 1.2 introduces lane change assist, with the vehicle executing lane changes when the occupant presses the turn signal and the path is clear. There is also a new in-lane repositioning feature that can move the vehicle within the lines—to give more space when alongside a semi truck, for example. Ford also modernized the F-150 by fitting a 5G LTE modem (through AT&T) that can provide Wi-Fi hotspots for up to ten people and faster mapping.More New FordsFord hasn’t said when exactly the 2024 F-150 will go on sale, but we expect it to start arriving in dealerships early next year. Prices should rise slightly, with the XL currently starting at $35,830 and the top-dog Limited, which will be replaced by a trim called Platinum Plus, opening at $84,115. This content is imported from poll. 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.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

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    Ford Blue Oval Logo Has Changed—F-150 Debuts a Simplified Version

    Ford’s latest iteration of the F-150 arrives with a new version of the classic Blue Oval logo adorning its grille.The logo now features white accents in place of chrome, and the inner oval border is gone, allowing the “Ford” script to be enlarged.The F-150 is the first vehicle to sport the new emblem, which should roll out across the lineup over the next couple of years.Ford just unveiled a refreshed version of its popular F-150 pickup for the 2024 model year. Among the changes, Ford subtly introduced a redesigned version of the iconic Blue Oval logo on the restyled truck.All the Details and SpecsThe new emblem is simpler than before, with Ford removing the thin silver oval outline that sat inside the badge. The “Ford” script has now grown bigger to fill the space. The chrome border around the outside and the script are now finished in white, giving a slightly retro appearance. The updated logo also looks more two-dimensional than before.FordStrangely, Ford didn’t mention the new logo anywhere in its press materials for the new F-150, and we aren’t aware of the revised Blue Oval appearing on any previous Ford models. At a media event for the 2024 F-150, Ford’s senior designer for colors and materials, Rob Brancheau, confirmed to Car and Driver that the logo is in fact new. We’re not sure exactly when the new logo will make its appearance across the rest of the Ford lineup, but we imagine it will arrive as other models undergo facelifts or generation change-overs.More Updated LogosAlong with the new badge, the 2024 F-150 wears revised styling, features two standard 12-inch screens and an optional head-up display inside, and comes loaded with new tech features, from the upgraded BlueCruise hands-free driving system to a new tailgate with an independently opening central door. Sales kick off early next year.This content is imported from poll. 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.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

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    What a UAW Strike Could Mean for Your Ability to Find a Car to Buy

    The United Auto Workers union is poised to go on strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis—the traditional “Big Three”—later this week.The strike deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 14.The first impact on consumers could be an end to incentives, with inventory shortages and rising used-car prices following soon after.It’s been four years almost to the day since the last United Auto Workers strike, when nearly 50,000 General Motors workers walked out for a period of six weeks. Today another impasse is looming, one that’s shaping up to be broader in scope and lengthier in duration.The UAW’s current contract with Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis expires on September 14. The UAW has demanded numerous changes, including a 40-plus-percent wage hike over the next four years and a shortened, 32-hour work week. Ford, GM, and Stellantis have made counteroffers, but in an online broadcast, UAW president Shawn Fain characterized all three as literal garbage.”There is almost a certainty that a strike will occur at this point,” Ambrose Conroy said. He’s an auto supply chain expert and founder of Seraph Consulting. “The big questions are which OEMs will be impacted, and will it be a limited tactical strike to extend the UAW strike fund.”Brandon Bell|Getty ImagesConroy says that the UAW’s $825 million strike fund could last approximately 90 days. However, if the UAW takes the “tactical” approach, only closing key factories like those that build engines and transmissions, a strike could extend far longer. This potential action comes at a time when manufacturers are just beginning to get momentum around dealer inventory and production. Though some supply-chain issues linger, used-car prices are returning to normal and new-car incentives have begun to reappear. “With increased inventory we are seeing the increase in incentives: 5.2 percent of MSRP in August,” says Alex Yurchenko, senior vice president and chief data science officer at industry analyst Black Book, which focuses its research heavily on used-car prices. “It is still way below pre-pandemic levels (about 10.5 percent of MSRP) but much higher than last year (about 2.5 percent of MSRP).”According to Cox Automotive’s most recent new-vehicle inventory findings, the average supply of new, unsold vehicles in dealer inventory currently sits at 58 days. That’s 46 percent higher than a year ago. How Are Automakers Preparing?Stellantis and Ford declined to provide any context around dealer inventories and whether they’ve been actively stocking up to fend off the risk of a strike. However, GM’s director of finance and sales communications, David Caldwell, called GM’s U.S. inventory “consistent,” only up about 4 percent compared to the first quarter. Regarding the Cox data, Caldwell said: “That comparison industry-wide is off an historically low level, based on the supply-chain disruptions in recent years. This year, those conditions are improved, meaning higher production and better availability for customers compared to the past couple of years.”Steve Koss/FordWhile current inventory levels may temper a strike’s impact on new-vehicle sales, parts shortages could be more pressing. An August Detroit Free Press report indicates that Ford hopes to staff its parts depots with salaried workers, plans put in motion as early as July.Efforts like this could help keep more current cars on the road, but this move in particular wasn’t well received by the UAW.”I saw reports of Ford taking out big loans and prepping scabs to work if we go on strike,” UAW’s Shawn Fain said on Friday. “They’re getting ready. So we’re getting ready.”Earlier in 2023 . . .What Will Happen to Incentives?The UAW declined to comment on the likelihood of a strike or indeed whether it would be broad or targeted. Regardless, Seraph’s Ambrose Conroy believes the impacts to buyers could be near-immediate. “Incentives will disappear very soon after a strike is called, so consumers looking for a deal should buy now. Choices will become limited as automakers will again focus production on the highest-profit vehicles they can make, and the on-hand inventory will likely sell quickly,” he said.When that runs dry, shortages will again impact the rest of the market. “A strike that lasts beyond 30 days will likely drive used-car prices higher,” Conroy said.In other words: If a strike runs long, get ready for secondhand price insanity all over again. More