Motor News

Merkur was a failed experiment as far as sales, but the cars were actually pretty cool.The XR4Ti was a sporty coupe aimed at BMW. This example has the stick shift you want, and just 19K miles.At the dawn of the 1980s, a young go-getter Ford executive named Bob Lutz decided that Ford needed to draw a bead on BMW. Theoretically, he knew what would get the job done, having spent three years with BMW as executive vice president of sales. A plan was drawn up: Take the sporty, rear-wheel-drive, Germany-built Ford Sierra XR4i, add in some pure 1980s turbo boost, and rebrand the result a Merkur. BMW execs didn’t lose much sleep.Bring a TrailerA near-perfect example of this short-lived hubris, a 1985 Merkur XR4Ti, is up for sale on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos) with just 19K miles on the odometer. It’s finished in a cheerful red, is equipped with the desirable five-speed manual, and has just 19K miles. It’s a fantastic example of an automotive experiment that didn’t quite work.Bring a Trailer On paper, at least, the formula seemed sound. The Ford Sierra, on which the Merkur X4RTi is based, was hugely successful in Europe and spawned some truly impressive performance variants. The Sierra RS Cosworth of the 1980s was an absolute beast in touring car racing.The XR4Ti landed in Lincoln-Mercury showrooms with a price that’s the equivalent of $50,000 today. That’s pretty steep for four-cylinder power, even with turbocharging and rear-wheel drive.Bring a Trailer Add in a brand that needs to be explained and a model name that reads like a cat running over a keyboard, and the Merkur XR4Ti failed to light up the sales charts. It probably wouldn’t have worked as a sporty Ford product either, not with the V-8 Fox-body Mustang sitting right next to it in the showroom.Still, past audacity makes for a great future collectible, and that’s the case with this car here. The XR4Ti isn’t as swift as a Cosworth Sierra, but it is more comfortable and nicely appointed for its era. It’s also not a car you see around much, in contrast with the E30 BMW 3-series.Bring a Trailer As mentioned, this example has just 19K miles and has spent most of its life with a single owner. It has air conditioning, a cassette stereo, heated seats, and power windows and mirrors—plenty of luxury by 1980s standards. The engine is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with a single overhead cam, turbocharged to 175 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque.Related StoriesMerkur added the Scorpio sedan to the lineup for the 1988 model year, but it was auf wiedersehen for Germanic Fords by the fall of 1989. The XR4Ti failed to beat BMW, but it’s still a really interesting and fun-to-drive machine.The auction ends on September 24. Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More

Steve McQueen is best known for driving Porsches and Mustangs, but he had a fondness for 1950s Americana.This Hudson Wasp, which he drove up until his death in 1980, was a favorite.Having spent time at The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, it’s going up for auction in early October.The name McQueen is most commonly associated with a dark green, V-8-powered Mustang, a Porsche 917 in Gulf orange and blue, or perhaps the curves of a road-going Jaguar XKSS. Then again, if you’re a younger fan, perhaps McQueen to you is a wisecracking red stock car—Ka-Chow! Here’s an unexpected machine that fits into the overlaps of that McQueen Venn Diagram, a car that the late actor drove right up until he died, and one that’s a cousin to the car that helped young Lightning McQueen find his racing mojo.RM Sotheby’sMcQueen’s Favorite MachineComing up for auction early next month at RM Sotheby’s is a special 1950s Hudson. Specifically, it’s a 1952 Hudson Wasp two-door Brougham that used to belong to none other than Steve McQueen. The smaller relative of the NASCAR-winning Hudson Hornet, this little car has plenty of sting under its hood, with a straight-six engine fitted with the “Twin H-Power” package featuring dual intake manifolds and carburetors. The transmission is a four-speed automatic, which is pretty uncommon to see on a ’50s Wasp.RM Sotheby’sSteve McQueen had plenty of racier stuff, from Ferraris to Porsche 911s, and that aforementioned jaw-dropping Jaguar. But he was fond of Hudson’s automobiles and owned several of them, including a 1953 Hornet and a 1950 Custom Commodore Six convertible.This ’52 Wasp was a regular driver, what McQueen called his Sunday-go-to-church car. It’s been loved but clearly used, with a few dents and some paint-crazing here and there. The odometer shows 63,537 miles.RM Sotheby’sRM Sotheby’sSold at McQueen’s estate sale back in 1984, this Wasp has spent the last 19 years tucked away in the collection at The Petersen Automotive Museum. It’s been carefully cataloged and is now looking for a new owner.As a piece of McQueen memorabilia, it’s bound to be far more reasonable than trying to park the Mustang from Bullitt in your garage. The original from the movie sold for $3.74 million five years ago, setting a record for Mustangs.This Hudson Wasp should fetch a much more reasonable mid-five-figure amount when it goes under the hammer. It’s quick, classy, and comes with a great provenance. Just the thing for going to church—or a car show—on Sunday morning. Related Stories➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More

The last naturally aspirated V-6 NSXs sold in small quantities but today are highly collectible.In bright Imola Orange over Onyx black leather, this example, up for auction on Bring a Trailer until May 15, is rare and striking to look at.Simpler than the second-generation cars, this era of NSX represents Honda/Acura at its best. The Acura NSX debuted at the 1989 Chicago auto show to the surprise and delight of attendees, and perhaps the chagrin of the competition. (Was Pope Leo XIV in the crowd? Probably not, but it’s fun to think about.) It was a groundbreaking machine when new, but 15 years after production first began it was more expensive than a Porsche 911 and not any quicker. If you got the options right, however, it could set your heart racing just standing still.Car and DriverToday’s choice from Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos) is a last-of-breed example, and whoever spec’d it out should be given a medal. One of only eight NSX-Ts with Imola Orange over black leather interior built between 2002 and 2005, it’s exceedingly rare and attention-getting. In the comparison between 911 and NSX, there are many arguments in the latter’s favor: mid-engined balance, high-revving purity of experience. This one plonks a thumb on the scale by being absolutely stunning.2005 was the last production year for the NSX, though a handful went unsold in the U.S. until 2006 and 2007. In some ways, you could consider these late cars Acura’s version of the Lexus LFA, in that buyers didn’t really show much interest when new, but as time has passed, the cars have aged like the proverbial fine wine.The NSX got a performance bump with a 290-hp 3.2-liter V-6 in 1997, paired with a six-speed manual transmission or an optional automatic. Then, in 2002, we saw the pop-up headlights disappear in favor of fixed xenon HIDs. The suspension was revised and the bodywork slightly tweaked. The wheels are 17-inch forged aluminum, wearing slightly wider tires than fitted to pre-2002 cars.Bring a TrailerIf the exterior is lovely, the interior of this car is a welcome respite from the screen-addled nonsense we have to put up with these days. This is a driver’s car for, you know, driving, so it’s uncluttered and simple, offering excellent forward visibility. Here’s a fun little tidbit: Gordon Murray drove an NSX while developing the McLaren F1, and he was so impressed by Acura’s automatic climate control that he used it as a benchmark for that in the F1.Besides being a rare hue, this example has just 13,000 miles on the odometer and minimal modifications. The suspension has been very slightly lowered, and there’s a Pride performance exhaust so you can better hear that V-6 hit VTEC and sing.Bring a TrailerAnyone putting together a collection of the greatest Japanese sports cars would have to add something like this NSX-T to the mix. Or, as a single special-occasion car, you could hardly do better. Certainly it’s a lot more exciting than some contemporary silver 911 Carrera 4. The NSX is on hiatus again these days, and we might be waiting a while for the next one. But Acura’ll probably never again build something quite so special as this.The auction ends May 15.More Recent Auctions from Bring a TrailerBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More

Starting July 5, Ford will officially start raising prices on three Mexico-built models as a result of the Trump administration’s tariffs.The raised prices will hit the Bronco Sport, Maverick (pictured above), and Mustang Mach-E, all three of which Ford builds in Mexico.A Ford spokesperson confirmed the news to Car and Driver but also said that the automaker isn’t passing the full cost of the tariffs on to customers. Ford will raise prices on three Mexico-made cars as a result of the Trump administration’s tariff on vehicles built outside the United States, according to a report from Reuters. A spokesperson from Ford confirmed the news to Car and Driver and said that the increases will affect vehicles built after May 2 but won’t go into effect until after July 4. Following the holiday, Ford is planning to sunset its current “From America, For America” employee pricing program, which opens employee pricing to everyone. Ford2025 Ford Bronco Sport.Prices on the Bronco Sport, Maverick, and Mustang Mach-E, all three of which Ford builds in Mexico, will see increases. The Ford spokesperson said the price hikes are part of the brand’s “usual” mid-year pricing changes, “combined with some tariffs we are facing. We have not passed on the full cost of tariffs to our customers.” As the price changes don’t affect vehicles built before May 2, they shouldn’t have an impact on the price of cars already on dealer lots. Ford2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E.The extent of the price increases isn’t totally clear yet. According to the Reuters report, an internal dealer memo reflects price increases as much as $2000, though the report doesn’t make it clear which model will see that change. The Ford representative who spoke with Car and Driver referenced smaller changes and pointed to a $600 price hike for the Bronco Sport Heritage as well as a $700 price hike for the Maverick XLT AWD. More on FordJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

Volvo is recalling over 413,000 models due to a faulty backup camera, which can be fixed with a software update. The massive recall involves pre-2026 Volvo models, including the S60, S90, V60, V90, XC40, XC60, and XC90, with Google built-in software.Every Polestar 2 is also involved in a similar recall, which also requires a software update.A boatload of newer Volvo models could have a problem with their backup cameras, specifically that they won’t display a rearview image when put into reverse. The remedy requires a simple software update, however, that still means that 413,151 Volvo owners will have to visit their dealers. Polestar 2 owners are also on the hook.Michael Simari|Car and DriverVolvo says the backup-camera problem affects all pre-2026 models with Google built-in infotainment software. That’s according to recall documents Volvo submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of course, the exact model years differ between each vehicle based on when they adopted the Google interface. The list below provides specifics:2023–2025 Volvo S602022–2025 Volvo S902023–2025 Volvo V60/V60 Cross Country2022 Volvo V90/2022–2025 V90 Cross Country2021–2025 Volvo XC402022–2025 Volvo XC602023–2025 Volvo XC90Marc Urbano|Car and DriverWhile Volvo has stopped funding Polestar, the two Swedish brands are still collaborating. The Polestar 2 EV is also currently involved in a backup-camera-related recall, though the recall documents Polestar submitted to the NHTSA don’t specify if it’s related to the same Google software. Instead, Polestar chalks it up to a “synchronization error” between the camera and the video display. As a result, every Polestar 2 sold in the United States (27,816 models) is being recalled. Polestar has also ended production of the 2, making 2025 its final model year.Related StoriesEric 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

Lego is displaying its 1:1 scale Ferrari F1 race car at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.Built by Brickvision, the replica is made exclusively from Lego bricks, including the logos and wheels.You can get your own Lego F1 car in a more portable size.The last patents on Lego’s interlocking bricks finally ran out back in 2011, but that didn’t throw a chicane in the company’s growth curve. Faced with the challenge of differentiating itself from would-be imitators, Lego leveraged brand tie-ins to become the juggernaut of the toy-brick world, forming partnerships with intellectual properties such as Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, and Formula 1.As part of that last team-up, Lego is displaying a full-sized model of the Ferrari SF-24 that competed in last year’s F1 series at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend. Even if you’re a certified Lego maniac, building something this intricate should give you pause. It’s comprised of more than half a million bricks and took 1200 hours to build.BrickvisionThe Lego-F1 partnership is a smart move for both brands. It gives Lego access to a host of fans who will eagerly snap up sets of their favorite team, and it provides a pit-lane on-ramp for a new generation of F1 fans. And also, never mind the brand synergies, it’s just fun. Look! The tiny minifig Max Verstappen is yelling at everyone again.The 1:1-scale SF-24 was designed by Lego expert Riccardo Zangelmi, an Italian whose back catalogue includes building a full-size Ducati Panigale V4 R. While the Ducati had real wheels and tires, the Ferrari F1 car is entirely made of tiny bricks, something that must have required incredible patience. However, the version that appeared in Miami was outfitted with real wheels and tires. BrickvisionBrickvisionIf you want your own Lego SF-24, then the good news is it’s also available in a more bookshelf-friendly size. The highly detailed 1:8 scale model intended for older Lego fans is wonderfully detailed, with a rotating V-6 engine and a gearbox that works (albeit with just two gears). Or you can bag a minifig-scale S-24 from the Speed Champions series, which happens to feature all 10 teams running in F1 this year.Even if the price of a ticket for the Miami GP is out of reach, the cost of a Lego Ferrari for zooming around your desk is just under $27. That’s not much for something that makes you feel like you won both the driver’s and the constructor’s championship.Related StoriesBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More

Now that the new seventh-generation Subaru Outback has fully transformed from a quasi-station wagon to a mid-size SUV, it joins an entirely new set of rivals. However, unlike most of its newfound competition, the Outback is only offered with two rows of seats, which shrinks its competitive set to a handful of utes. Arguably its closest analog is the new 2026 Honda Passport, which comes standard with all-wheel drive and a rugged aesthetic. Since off-road-oriented trims on new SUVs are about as popular as Beanie Babies in their heyday, we’re going to compare the Outback’s Wilderness model with the Passport’s TrailSport variant. Beyond their body cladding and outdoorsy namesakes, how do these two-row mid-sizers stack up? Let’s take a look. Off-Road Gear and PowertrainThe 2022 Subaru Outback first debuted the brand’s Wilderness treatment, and it was more than just extra plastic body cladding and bright copper-colored accents. For 2026, the Outback Wilderness once again has a higher ride height with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires mounted on black 17-inch wheels, reinforced underbody protection, and various off-road drive modes.The Passport TrailSport has chunkier 31-inch all-terrain tires on larger 18-inch wheels designed to protect the rim and valve stem from damage. The Honda also has front tow hooks that are easy to access, and while it has steel skid plates to protect its belly, its 8.3 inches of ground clearance is less than the Subie’s. The TrailSport has greater approach and departure angles; its 23 degrees front and back best the Wilderness’s 20 and 22.5 degrees, respectively.SubaruHondaPop their hoods and you’ll find two notably different engines. The Passport is powered by a 285-hp naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6, whereas the Outback Wilderness features a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four. The Subaru uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and the Honda uses a traditional 10-speed automatic. Both SUVs have all-wheel drive, with the Outback utilizing the latest iteration of Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD, and the Passport’s AWD setup enhanced with a torque-vectoring rear differential. With the TrailSport trim, the Passport gets an EPA-rated 20 mpg combined. Subaru hasn’t yet released the Outback’s fuel economy, but we’d bet it’s around the last-gen Wilderness’s 23 mpg combined.Size and StylingThe redesigned Honda Passport is bigger and boxier than its predecessor. While we’ll probably need a carpenter’s square to decide whether the Outback or the Passport has more right angles, the Honda is the larger and taller of the two. The Outback is a couple of inches longer than before, and it stands about two inches taller too, but we’re still waiting on official dimensions. The Passport TrailSport isn’t 80 inches wide, so it’s not legally required to have five amber lights on its hood or roof, but since Honda’s designers clearly think amber lighting looks cool, the TrailSport headlights have daytime running lights in that color. Both of these SUVs have bold design details. For instance, the Passport has a fake hood vent and its name stamped on the front bumper, and the Wilderness-spec Outback has a Ford Raptor–esque grille with “SUBARU” prominently displayed—not to mention flashy fog lights and a matte-black hood decal. These unibody crossovers both definitely look brutish, and no one will accuse them of blending into a crowd. The Outback’s smooth tailgate and tall rear window provide ample space for the bumper stickers that Subaru owners seem to love. The Passport’s rear end has its own distinctive design detail, with its Jansport-inspired “backpack” sections that cover the roof edges with a scratch-resistant material. Interior and CargoBoth of these recently redesigned SUVs have digital gauge clusters and large touchscreens (14.0 inches in the Subaru and 12.3 inches in the Honda), but they also have a satisfying amount of physical knobs and buttons for their respective stereos and HVAC systems. While the Passport has more spots to stow knick-knacks, we do appreciate Subaru’s commitment to a user-friendly shift lever. On the other hand, Honda chose to stick with the push-button setup. Tsk, tsk. Both trail-ready SUVs come standard with synthetic interior materials that are advertised as easy to clean. Then again, both also offer the option of a nicer but perhaps more vulnerable leather option, with the Wilderness available with nappa leather and TrailSport Elite trim coming standard with leather upholstery. When it comes to hauling cargo, the larger Passport has the advantage. It boasts 44 cubic feet of space behind the back seats, and if those are stowed, the space grows to as much as 84 cubes. Subaru only lists the Outback’s standard cargo capacity, which is 35 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks up. We’ll have to wait for Subaru to share the max cargo room with the back seats folded, but it’s unlikely to meet or exceed the Passport’s space. For those who want to tow a trailer with whatever cargo, the Subie can handle up to 3500 pounds versus the Honda’s 5000-pound max. PriceYou’ll need at least $49,900 to own the regular TrailSport version of the 2026 Honda Passport. That starting price climbs to $53,900 should you opt for the better-equipped TrailSport Elite. While the Passport is currently on sale, the Outback won’t reach Subaru dealers until sometime this summer. Meanwhile, the Outback Wilderness will require an even longer wait, as it’s not launching until early 2026. When it finally goes on sale, we expect it to start at around $50,000.More to the StoryEric 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

Lego’s partnership with Formula 1 racing now sees all 10 teams represented at the Minifig level.For the grownups, there are also highly detailed 1:8 scale sets from Technic that cost more than $200 each.Lego has also launched an online F1 portal with explainers about the racing and the teams.Formula 1 entering into a partnership with the world’s largest tire manufacturer is something you expect. Not so obvious is the fact that the tiremaker in question is Lego. It’s true: producing about 300 million tiny rubber wheels each year makes Lego the leader in tires. Now the toy legend is rolling out a huge number of scale-sized Formula 1 cars this year.LEGO LEGO Speed Champions Ultimate Formula 1 Collector’s Pack – Contains 10 Sets in 1 – Includes Exclusive Poster – Collectible F1 Model Car Kit – Exciting Gift for Adults and Racing Enthusiasts – 66802There’ve been many Lego racing sets over the years, including a partnership with Ferrari that produced a scale model of the F310 F1 car back in 1998. More recently, the Speed Champions series brought everything from Mustangs to Countachs to Lego’s Minifig scale, complete with steely-eyed little drivers.The new Speed Champions series of F1 cars includes scale models from all 10 teams, including the Red Bull RB20, Ferrari SF-24, Aston Martin AMR24, Mercedes-AMG W15, and even cars from Haas and Alpine. These are really fun sets for the budding F1 enthusiast, built for play rather than display, and with fun little details.LEGO LEGO Technic Ferrari SF-24 F1 Model Car Kit – Building Set for Adults, Ages 18+ with Realistic Features – Ferrari F1 DIY Craft for Display – Gift Idea for F1 Fans – 42207For the adult Lego fan, there are currently two new sets in the range at the 1:8 scale: the Ferrari SF-24 and the Red Bull RB20. Both are under Lego’s Technic line and include built-in features like functional steering and suspension, working DRS, and even a two-speed gearbox. It’s a display model you build yourself, marveling at how Lego’s designers manage to turn little plastic bricks into a working F1 power unit with moving pistons.Also worth a mention, though not part of the new release, are the two Icons display sets featuring Ayrton Senna’s MP4/4 and Nigel Mansell’s Williams FW14B. Look! Little Lego minifig Mansell moustache! Gotta have that for the bookshelf.Beyond the sets, Lego will also be present at 13 races throughout this year’s calendar, offering young fans the chance to build at the track. There’s also a virtual component, where kids can log on to practice their own racing skills or learn about the F1 teams through the eyes of Lego world. It’s kind of like Lego Star Wars, but for Formula 1.This partnership leverages two of the most well-known brands on the planet, and grows both of them. Lego gets to appeal to F1 fans both young and old, and F1 gets to open even more access to fans who might be new to the sport. There are more sets coming in the pipeline, but right now, if you want to play out this season’s racing between Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari at the Minifig level on your desk, it’s just a couple of clicks away.The Excitement Is BuildingBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More