Motor News

Tesla surprised Europeans tonight with the reveal of the refreshed Model 3 electric sedan.Sleeker exterior styling, a luxed-up cabin, and more standard features are all coming to the popular electric car.While European buyers are said to be receiving the first deliveries in October, Tesla buyers in the U.S. are likely to see the revamped Model 3 appear on the company’s ordering website next.Consider this the summer the Tesla Model 3 turned pretty. The 2024 Model 3 has made its debut in Europe, and it’s sporting a sleeker front end, a quieter cabin with fancier materials, and desirable new features. Gone is the fish-like front end. In its place is a pair of squintier headlamps and a smoothed-out front bumper that’s free of foglamps. TeslaThe rear end receives updated taillamps with bright LED elements, and the Model 3’s wheel designs are all-new as well. While the changes aren’t drastic—this is a mid-cycle refresh, not an entirely new design—the improvement in the styling is noticeable. On the InsideInterior changes are more thorough and include a redesigned dashboard with integrated ambient lighting, a full-length vent tucked into the center, and a revised steering wheel that has dropped the blinker and transmission stalks. A minimalist mindset was again taken in the redesign of the cabin, but the interior material quality is said to be better than before. Tesla has also added more sound-deadening materials throughout the cabin and has introduced more acoustic glass, both of which should keep out more road noise.Check out the 2024 Tesla Model 3’s updated interior design.’ Two smartphone charging pads have been squeezed into the center console design and the 14-speaker stereo that came on last year’s model has been swapped for a 17-speaker one. The faux-leather upholstery has been upgraded throughout the cabin too, and now features perforations in the material; heated and ventilated front seats are now offered as standard.The Latest Tesla NewsThe central infotainment/gauge display screen remains the focal point of the cabin, but a smaller, 8.0-inch touchscreen has been added to the back of the center console for rear-seat passengers. That screen allows those in the back to make changes to the climate control and entertainment system and also can double as a screen for watching movies.TeslaWhere’s the Performance Model?Both a single-motor rear-wheel drive model and a dual-motor all-wheel drive variant are listed on Tesla’s European consumer website while the Performance model that’s currently offered stateside is suspiciously missing. Despite the changes to the Model 3’s styling and interior features, the Model 3’s driving range is expected to be the same as last year’s model. That would mean 272 miles for the single-motor rear-wheel-drive version and 333 miles for the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version. TeslaSince Tesla has not announced the vehicle for the U.S. market yet, we may have to wait to find out exactly when production will start and how much the refreshed Model 3 will cost. Tesla is known for being unpredictable with changes to its lineup, but we’re guessing we’ll see a U.S.-spec version debut before the end of 2023, with deliveries starting sometime in early 2024. What’s more, this could signal a coming redesign for the Model 3’s SUV sibling, the Model Y.Managing Editor, Buyer’s GuideDrew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.       More

Fisker promises small and large battery options, estimating 180-mile and 320-mile ranges.The production-intent Pear will be on display at the IAA show in Munich this September.The Pear will start at $29,900 before incentives.Fisker’s upcoming Pear electric subcompact SUV won’t enter production until the middle of 2025, but it’s clear the automaker is intent on getting the hype train to full speed ahead well before that point. Fisker announced a whole bunch of new facts and figures about the 2026 Pear, which is slated to begin U.S. manufacturing in July. As it promised before, the company believes it will offer the Pear with a starting price of $29,900 before incentives. Before that, we’ll see a production-intent Pear next month, when it will put one on display at its Fisker Lounge store in Munich.Official specs are still a ways away, but Fisker promises the Pear will be offered with both short- and long-range battery options. These batteries are aiming for WLTP range estimates of 180 and 320 miles, respectively. Since Europe’s WLTP range calculations are often higher than what the EPA does here in the U.S., those numbers could be a little lower for stateside Pears. It should be available in both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations, too, with the base model reaching 60 mph in a manufacturer-estimated 6.3 seconds. If that’s not enough vim for you, Fisker is also promising a Pear Extreme, which will focus exclusively on outright performance.Full Details and SpecsLounge ModeAs we learned before, the Pear will be offered in both five- and six-passenger layouts, the latter coming by way of a front bench seat that replaces individual buckets. There’ll be a Lounge mode, which will fold all the seats flat for resting and relaxing, and an optional 17.1-inch rotating display will provide the entertainment.One of the wilder parts of the Pear is the EV’s unique storage options. The front trunk can be insulated for temperature-sensitive storage, but the real theater is around back, where a traditional liftgate makes way for a retractable trunk panel. We’ve already seen it in action, but Fisker promises its operation will be even faster when the car reaches production. The Pear’s exterior camera mirrors are “still under review,” according to Fisker.FiskerFiskerThe Pear made its in-person debut in early August as part of a larger Fisker event detailing the automaker’s future product lineup. The Pear will be built on a lightweight, low-cost platform that the automaker promises will feature a 35-percent parts reduction versus traditional manufacturing. But there’s a lot that can happen between now and 2025.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 EditorCars are Andrew Krok’s jam, along with boysenberry. After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009, Andrew cut his teeth writing freelance magazine features, and now he has a decade of full-time review experience under his belt. A Chicagoan by birth, he has been a Detroit resident since 2015. Maybe one day he’ll do something about that half-finished engineering degree. More

When the electric Ford F-150 Lightning debuted a couple years ago, we opined that it was a missed opportunity for the Blue Oval to create a high-performance sport truck à la the original F-150 SVT Lightning. Now it looks like Ford will correct that perceived misstep with a street-performance version of the soon-to-be-refreshed 2024 F-150. Of course, that’s if a report published last Saturday by Ford Authority turns out to be true.Introducing the F-150 LoboFor those who don’t know, the Ford F-150 is known as the Lobo in Mexico, where the half-ton pickup truck has used that moniker since the 1990s. With the Lightning name now attached to the F-150 EV, Ford can’t simply slap that onto a hi-po version of its gas- and hybrid-powered trucks without creating a marketing nightmare and confusing the heck out of people. Instead, the company will reportedly bring the Lobo name to the U.S. market. Ford Performance recently released a rowdy supercharger package for the F-150 that pairs the truck’s available 5.0-liter V-8 with a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger to generate a combined 700 horsepower. While we don’t expect the F-150 Lobo to have that much power out of the box—although it’d be sweet if it’s compatible with that package—Ford Authority’s sources claim the sport truck will have a lowered ride height and a unique appearance.Ford PerformanceWhile powertrain details weren’t mentioned in the report, it sounds like the Lobo variant will be similar to the off-road-oriented Tremor treatment, which is a standalone model that’s currently offered on most Ford pickup trucks, from the compact Maverick to the full-size F-150 to the HD Super Duty.With the refreshed F-150 set to debut at the Detroit auto show in the coming weeks, we should find out soon if Ford is reviving a hi-po pickup truck like the OG SVT Lightning or if we just got all excited for nothing. Stay tuned.SVT Lightning ReadingThis 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

Hyundai has given the Sonata a facelift for 2024, with a distinctive, expressive new front end and a revised powertrain lineup.The turbocharged 1.6-liter engine is no longer available, and the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder can now be paired with all-wheel drive, a first for the Sonata.The cabin is upgraded with a pair of standard 12.3-inch screens and a clean new design with lots of straight lines.We first saw the refreshed Hyundai Sonata back in March when the South Korean automaker revealed the updated sedan for its home market. Now Hyundai is launching the 2024 Sonata in the United States with a sharp new look, bigger screens inside, and optional all-wheel drive for the first time.New-Look SonataThe U.S.-spec Sonata appears basically identical to the Korean model, sporting a piercing new front end dominated by a full-width LED strip mounted above a chiseled bumper. The rear light bar has also been redesigned with the LEDs forming an “H,” visually linking the sedan with the new 2024 Santa Fe. The N Line also gains a rear lip spoiler and oval exhaust tips, and there are new wheel designs across the lineup.While the striking visual revisions are the most obvious updates, there have also been major changes under the skin. While the base 191-hp naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four sticks around, the 180-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder that came with the pricier SEL and Limited trims has been dropped. The biggest news, however, is that the the 2.5-liter engine can now be paired with all-whee drive, a first for the Sonata. The front-biased system will allow Hyundai to compete for sales with the likes of the all-wheel-drive Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Legacy. The sporty N Line model carries over for 2024, still pumping out 290 hp from a 2.5-liter turbo four and sending that oomph to the front wheels only. The hybrid model is also unchanged for 2024, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder pairing with an electric motor for a total of 192 hp. Hyundai says that the hybrid now comes with paddle shifters and a regenerative-braking mode. The horsepower figures for all three powertrains haven’t been confirmed yet, but we don’t expect any changes compared to the outgoing model.Revised InteriorThere are also significant updates inside, with the standard 8.0-inch touchscreen replaced by a 12.3-inch unit, which is mounted in a curved display next to the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, formerly an optional extra in the Convenience package. The new screens are part of a larger overhaul, with a long rectangular air vent stretching across most of the dashboard, a new three-spoke steering wheel, and the gearshift now protruding from the steering column instead of living in the center console.Hyundai claims the optional 12-speaker Bose sound system has been retuned, and wireless Apply CarPlay and Android Auto—previously only available on SE models that were not equipped with navigation—is now available on every 2024 model. Hyundai also claims that the refreshed Sonata is the first vehicle in its class to offer a power-operated trunk.The 2024 Sonata will hit the dealerships this winter. We expect a slight price increase, which should see the base SE start around $27,000 and the N Line model opening around $36,000. Official pricing should be released sometime this fall.More Hyundai NewsThis 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

The 2024 Ram 1500 TRX is the last of the 702-hp off-road pickup truck as we know it, as production concludes at the end of this year.Fittingly, Ram will offer a Final Edition with exclusive styling options and a hefty $119,620 starting price.Ram plans to sell 4000 Final Editions worldwide alongside the regular TRX models.Just like the prehistoric monster it was named after, the half-ton Ram TRX is going extinct. Production of the 702-hp off-road pickup truck is slated to stop at the end of 2023, and Ram is sending it into the sunset with a literal Final Edition.2024 Ram 1500 TRX Final EditionFor its final model year, the 2024 Ram 1500 TRX lineup will include a Final Edition, which offers a selection of unique styling options. Among its eight available paint colors are the exclusive Delmonico Red, Night Edge Blue, and Harvest Sunrise. The Final Edition also offers Satin Titanium beadlock-capable wheels that come with a color-matched hood badge and bedside graphic.StellantisInside, several surfaces are dressed up with Patina contrast stitching and a “TRX” embroidery on the seat cushions, none of which will be found on any other TRX models. Likewise, “Final Edition” appears in the gauge cluster and a badge with the specific truck’s build number is hosted on the center console. Other interior touches include a dashboard badge with a Satin Titanium finish, special faux-suede on the door panels, and an interesting matte carbon-fiber weave throughout the cabin. StellantisPricing and Fond MemoriesRam plans to sell 4000 examples around the globe of the ’24 TRX Final Edition. The company says it will still sell the regular TRX too, which started at just over $87K for the previous model year. Those looking to buy a Final Edition when they become available sometime in the last quarter of this year will have to shell out at least $119,620. That hefty price does include a boatload of standard features, from the 19-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system to a head-up display to myriad driver-assistance features.While we’re sad to see a high-performance V-8 pickup truck like the TRX leave this world, we’ll never forget the first time we tested (and jumped) one. We’re also lucky to have spent so much quality time with a TRX during our 40,000-mile long-term test. We’ll also think back fondly on the time we pitted it against its archival, the Ford F-150 Raptor. Despite its looming death, we can only hope Ram will consider a high-flying, widebody version of the upcoming REV electric truck, or perhaps the TRX will return with a mightier version of the Hurricane engine, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six that’s already capable of making more than 500 horsepower. Only time will tell. Until then, we bid the TRX farewell.Other Special TRXsThis 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

The Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R will no longer be offered with a manual transmission after the 2024 model year. The 2024 GTI 380 is a special package that all manual GTIs will be fitted with for their final year of production.The 380 will be offered with an exclusive paint color, black 19-inch wheels from the Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition, and standard adaptive dampers on all trims.2024 will mark the final year for the manual-transmission Volkswagen Golf GTI. The German automaker revealed a special edition of the hot hatch today called the Golf GTI 380, announcing that this package will be fitted to every 2024 stick-shift GTI as a send-off to the do-it-yourself gearbox. This will also be the last year for the manual transmission in the 315-hp Golf R.VolkswagenThe changes to the GTI 380—which borrows the number from the eighth-generation GTI’s internal model code—are fairly subtle. Along with the normal range of paint options, the GTI 380 will be available in a unique hue called Graphite Gray Metallic. The black 19-inch wheels are swiped from the Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition and come wrapped in summer performance rubber as standard. Mirroring the wheels are a blacked-out roof and side-view mirrors, and the adaptive dampers from the top-tier Autobahn model are now standard on all manual 2024 GTIs. Volkswagen didn’t make any changes to the cabin of the GTI 380, and all GTIs continue to be motivated by the same turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. VolkswagenVolkswagen didn’t specify why the manual transmission was going the way of the dodo, but it was likely a confluence of factors. Emissions regulations in Europe are getting significantly stricter, and as Autocar reported earlier this year, the manual GTI pumps out slightly more carbon dioxide than the automatic version, enough to affect VW’s overall fleet emissions. Although these regulations don’t directly affect the United States, keeping the stick shift around for just one market—especially one where only 8423 GTIs and Golf Rs, automatic or manual, were sold in 2022—likely doesn’t make financial sense. By removing the manual option, Volkswagen can streamline the GTI’s assembly line, saving money. Volkswagen says the GTI and Golf R will continue to be sold with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The 2024 GTI 380 goes on sale this fall, starting at $32,485 for the S model. The SE will ring in at $37,285 while the Autobahn will go for $40,625. These prices do not include the destination fee, which Volkswagen has yet to publish for the 2024 Golf GTI.All about the GTIThis 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

The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale will be limited to a total of 33 examples.Alfa’s employing coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera to handle 33 Stradale production.The 33 Stradale cribs its name and likeness from the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale sports car of the late 1960s.Alfa Romeo is pulling from its past in order to prepare for the future. The latest halo car from the 113-year-old brand shares its name and likeness with the 33 Stradale mid-engine sports car of the late 1960s. That car served as the road-going counterpart to the automaker’s Tipo 33 race car. Though the reimagined 33 Stradale lacks a direct connection to any modern Alfa Romeo race car, the new 33 is no less lustworthy than its forebear. Just 18 examples of the original 33 Stradale left the factory. Alfa’s Halo CarThis time around Alfa’s expanding the reach of the 33 Stradale by adding an extra 15 units to the production run. Want one? Too late, all 33 spots for the surely close to—if not more than—seven-figure halo car are spoken for. These lucky (and wealthy) customers span the globe, per Alfa, including North America.The design of the 33 Stradale—with its low-slung looks, flowing lines, butterfly doors, and airy glass canopy—is arguably its pièce de résistance, and its retro-modern styling bridges the gap between Alfa’s past and its future. This applies to the art deco interior that mimics the cockpit of a jet airplane as well. Physical switchgear pockmarks the cabin, with the 33 Stradale integrating physical controls to engage the likes of its front-axle lift, launch-control system, and drive-mode selector, which offers the driver two settings to choose from: the default Strada mode that favors on-road comfort or the track-oriented Pista setting. Maserati Mechanical ConnectionLike Alfa’s last halo car, the front-engine 8C Competizione coupe and 8C Spider convertible of the late 2000s, the 33 Stradale pulls much of its mechanical hardware from the Maserati parts bin. This includes integral chassis components from the MC20. The two Italian sports cars even share the same wheelbase, and both gas-powered models’ powertrains consist of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that produces north of 620 horsepower and an eight-speed dual-clutch automated transmission.But internal-combustion engines are the powertrain of yesterday. Electricity will power many of tomorrow’s cars, and the 33 Stradale acknowledges this by way of its available battery-electric powertrain. Alfa Romeo is mum on specifics, but it claims the setup makes more than 750 horsepower and ought to provide around 240 miles of driving range on a full charge. Regardless, Alfa Romeo expects the battery-powered 33 Stradale to pack an extra half-ton of weight compared to the sub-3300-pound gas model. That additional mass ought to have little effect on off-the-line acceleration, though, as the automaker estimates both powertrains will push the 33 Stradale to 60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds, with the higher-powered electric variant hitting the mile-a-minute mark just a couple ticks ahead of the gasser. (For what it’s worth, a nearly 3800-pound MC20 needed 3.2 seconds to hit 60 mph under our supervision.)33 for 33Just how many of these hand-built Italian supercars leave Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera’s factory under battery or gas power once production commences in June 2024 ultimately depends on the preference of each individual customer. That said, we hear the majority of buyers are favoring the internal-combustion option.Though there’s always the chance this limited-run sports car does little more than celebrate Alfa Romeo’s past glory, we’re hopeful that the 33 Stradale previews the future design direction, approach to dynamic performance, and general extravagance of the next generation of mass-produced models from the historic Italian marque. More Alfa RomeoThis 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 EditorDespite their shared last name, Greg Fink is not related to Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s infamous Rat Fink. Both Finks, however, are known for their love of cars, car culture, and—strangely—monogrammed one-piece bathing suits. Greg’s career in the media industry goes back more than a decade. His previous experience includes stints as an editor at publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, Motor1.com, and MotorTrend. More

After years of memes, broken promises, and a lot of waiting, evidence is mounting that Tesla’s Cybertruck is actually nearing production. The manufacturer took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce the first Cybertruck was built at the company’s Giga Texas facility on July 15. Internet sleuths have spotted increased sightings of Cybertrucks on public roads, as well as delivery trucks loaded with what appear to be production vehicles.So far it’s been four years of memes, internet arguments, broken promises, and a lot of waiting, but evidence is mounting that the Tesla Cybertruck may actually be nearing full production. Think back to the time before the Cybertruck (unbroken windows and all) rolled onto stage for the first time—we’ll give you a moment. It’s been so long, you’ve probably undergone some major life events such as getting married, going through a divorce, having kids, or, like all of us, living through a global pandemic. Major life events or not, it appears the Cybertruck is rounding the final corners before entering mass production. FREDERIC J. BROWN|Getty ImagesProduction for the Cybertruck was originally planned to start in late 2021. It was later pushed back to begin sometime in 2022, before Musk kicked the can farther down the road to 2023. According to The Verge, Musk confirmed in January that the Cybertruck won’t enter full volume production until sometime in 2024, but early manufacturing efforts were slated to begin this summer. First Truck Built July 15That timeline appears to be the most accurate to date, with the manufacturer announcing on the recently renamed X.com that the first Cybertruck was built at the company’s Giga Texas facility on July 15. This content is imported from twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.The slow ramp-up in production is further corroborated by increased sightings of Cybertrucks on delivery trucks. Internet sleuths and excited Tesla fans have been posting spy photos of delivery trucks laden with multiple Cybertucks. There have also been more sightings of test vehicles seen driving on the road. Unsurprisingly, given the CEO’s track record, one of the test vehicles has been seen with both Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra inspired wraps. Why? Honestly, we don’t know. This content is imported from twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Pricing ChangesBack at the start of the whole Cybertruck saga, Tesla announced the vehicle would carry a starting price of $39,900 in the base single-motor RWD version. The dual-motor AWD truck was planned at $49,000, and the tri-motor AWD was supposed to launch with 500 miles of range and a starting price of $69,900. Unfortunately for a lot of consumers, those figures seem pretty out of reach at this point. The Ford F-150 Lightning, which launched around $40,000, shot up in price by more than $10,000 before falling back down to settle around a $52,000 entry point. The Rivian R1T starts even higher, at $74,800, and the GMC Hummer EV is even more expensive at nearly $87,000. Musk all but confirmed there’ll be a price increase over the initial prediction. According to a report by Forbes, the CEO backed away from the price, saying, “It’s going to be hard to make [it] affordable because it is a new car, a new manufacturing method.” We won’t really know for sure until Tesla itself confirms the initial selling price, but if the last year of price fluctuations are anything to go by, anything shy of a receipt could be wrong. More on Tesla and the CybertruckAssociate News EditorJack 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