Motor News

General Motors is recalling 5.9 million of its SUVs and pickups from 2007–2014 model years over defective airbag inflators.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) denied a GM petition to avoid the recall and gave GM 30 days to come up with a plan to notify owners and replace the inflators.
GM had said that the recall isn’t necessary because the Takata-made airbag inflators in these vehicles aren’t subject to the same deterioration as they are in other vehicles involved in a massive worldwide recall.
General Motors is recalling 5.9 million vehicles over defective Takata-built airbag inflators after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) denied GM’s petition to avoid the recall. The vehicles include SUVs and pickups with model years between 2007 and 2014, including the the Cadillac Escalade; Chevrolet 1500, 2500, and 3500; Chevy Suburban and Tahoe; GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, and 3500; and the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL.
“NHTSA concluded that the GM inflators in question are at risk of the same type of explosion after long-term exposure to high heat and humidity as other recalled Takata inflators,” the regulatory agency said in a statement to C/D. “Such explosions have caused injuries and deaths.”

Takata Airbag Recall: Everything You Need to Know

GM contested this decision, saying that it doesn’t believe that the airbags in these vehicles with Takata inflators were subject to the same deterioration as those in the other vehicles that have been recalled. “Based on data generated through independent scientific evaluation conducted over several years, we disagree with NHTSA’s position,” GM said in a statement. “However, we will abide by NHTSA’s decision and begin taking the necessary steps.”
NHTSA’s decision document said that GM claimed that the specific inflators which went into these now-recalled vehicles had a lower risk of rupture as a result of unique design differences. The automaker also claimed that the actual environment in these vehicles, which share a platform internally referred to as GMT900, “better protects the front-passenger inflator from the extreme temperature cycling that can cause inflator rupture.”
In its securities filings, according to Reuters, GM said that it would cost $1.2 billion to address this recall if it did come to fruition. The Takata recall, by far the largest the auto industry has ever seen, affects 19 different manufacturers and includes roughly 63 million airbags in the U.S. and tens of millions of vehicles.
These Takata airbags have an ammonium-nitrate-based propellant that can deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures or moisture, or simply due to aging. Once they deteriorate, if deployed, they can send metal fragments into the cabin of a vehicle. There have been 18 deaths as a result of these airbags, although none in a GM-made vehicle.
NHTSA gave GM 30 days to provide the agency with a plan on how the automaker will notify owners and fix this recall. Owners of vehicles that may be affected should check the NHTSA recalls website for more information in the coming months.
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The new 2021 Kia Sorento starts at $30,560, a significant increase from last year’s model.
The hybrid model, a new addition to the lineup, starts at $34,760 and is rated at 37 mpg.
The 2021 Sorento is on sale now at dealerships.
Kia’s new Sorento has arrived, and we now have pricing for the redesigned mid-size SUV. The 2021 Kia Sorento starts at $30,560 for the base LX model, representing an increase of $2450 compared with the 2020 model’s base price. Because the previous Sorento’s lowest-priced L trim level is no longer part of the lineup, though, prices for equivalent models are more in line with last year’s. The new Sorento hybrid starts at $34,760 and the top SX Prestige X-Line model with AWD and a more powerful turbocharged engine is $43,760.

2021 Kia Sorento Has New X-Line, Hybrid Models

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The 2021 Sorento’s lower models, the LX and the S ($33,060), come standard with front-wheel drive and a 2.5-liter inline-four with 191 horsepower. The EX ($36,160) has a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four with 281 horsepower, as does the top SX ($39,160). All-wheel drive is an $1800 option on all of these models, and the SX model offers a $2600 Prestige package with desirable features such as cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an upgraded audio system. The SX also offers a rugged-looking X-Line appearance package on AWD models.

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Kia

A hybrid version of the Sorento is new for 2021, and it starts at $34,760 for the S trim level and $37,760 for the better equipped EX. It’s offered only with front-wheel drive and is rated to deliver 37 mpg combined by the EPA.
All 2021 Sorentos come standard with a third row of seats; the seven-passenger LX and S have a second-row bench, while the six-passenger EX and SX have second-row captain’s chairs. All Sorento hybrids have the captain’s chairs.
2021 Kia Sorentos have already begun arriving at dealerships and are on sale now.
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You can win the first U.S.-market 2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition in a raffle on the fundraising platform Omaze.
Proceeds will go to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, a charity that supports historically Black colleges and universities.
If you win, you can drive that Type R Limited Edition home and will also get a track driving experience with Honda’s IndyCar driver, Colton Herta.
The new 2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition is on its way, and you can win the first one imported to the U.S. This Type R, sporting serial plate 001, is being awarded on the fundraising platform Omaze through a donation to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, a charity that supports historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU).

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Civic Type R Limited Edition Starts at $44,950

Winning this Type R Limited Edition also means that you get a track driving experience in it with Honda’s IndyCar driver, Colton Herta, and then you can drive it home. This limited-edition Type R, sporting a Phoenix Yellow paint job, will be the first of 600 examples scheduled to reach the U.S.
“Historically Black colleges and universities have been greatly impacted by COVID-19, and many of our students don’t have a safety net,” Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of the Marshall fund, said in a release. “This initiative to give away a Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition will help us continue to provide much-needed assistance to our students and schools.”

Honda

The 2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition was unveiled in February. This version of the Type R sheds 46 pounds through different wheels and a lack of rear heating ducts, rear wiper blade, among other miscellaneous items. The lighter, aluminum BBS wheels are wrapped exclusively with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber, and the suspension and steering have also been uniquely tuned in the Type R Limited Edition.
The Type R, along with the Limited Edition, is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque; that power reaches those summer tires by the way of a six-speed manual transmission. The 2021 Civic Type R starts at $38,450 and the Type R Limited Edition starts at $44,950.
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Audi is adding a new base model to the 2021 Q3 lineup.
It’s called the 40 TFSI and it comes with a less powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine than the existing 45 TFSI.
The 40 TFSI starts at $35,095, while the 45 TFSI starts at $37,095.
The Audi Q3 is getting a lower base price for 2021 due to the addition of a less powerful 40 TFSI model. It now starts at $35,095, a $600 drop from last year’s base price, and is offered in both Premium and Premium Plus trim levels. The existing 45 TFSI model continues on with its more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four; it starts at $37,095 and now comes standard with the S-Line appearance package.

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The 40 TFSI’s version of the turbo 2.0-liter inline-four makes 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, 44 hp and 37 lb-ft fewer than the 45 TFSI. It still comes standard with all-wheel drive and the same eight-speed automatic transmission. The EPA estimates that the 40 TFSI will get better fuel economy, as it’s rated at 25 mpg combined to the 45 TFSI S-Line model’s 23 mpg combined.
While we haven’t yet tested one, the 40 TFSI model will almost certainly be slower than its more powerful counterpart. Audi quotes a laggard zero to 60 mph time of 8.6 seconds. For reference, our test of a 2019 Q3 with the more powerful 228-hp engine recorded a 7.3 second sprint to 60 mph.
The 40 TFSI is also available in a better equipped Premium Plus trim level, which starts at $38,395. The 45 TFSI’s top Prestige trim level has been dropped, meaning its top version is now the 45 TFSI Premium Plus, starting at $40,395.
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Over the last four episodes of Quick Spin, the Autoweek team has reviewed a diverse collection of cars from the inside out: the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, Ram TRX, Porsche 718 Cayman T, and a Lamborghini Huracán that featured Blondie’s guitar player Tommy Kessler. In case you missed any of ’em, we’ve bundled them together here for your listening pleasure.
Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are played!
The Lamborghini Huracán Evo Is Rockstar Ready

Lamborghini

The Lamborghini Huracán Evo is no stranger to Quick Spin. It already appeared in one of the show’s first episodes. This V10-powered Italian supercar makes 610 horsepower in rear-wheel-drive trim and 630 hp in its all-wheel-drive configuration, or enough power to safely make a trip to your local store. The updated Lamborghini also features some styling enhancements adding more visual impact to emphasize that this is the evolution model.
On this episode of Quick Spin, this Lamborghini is reviewed by Blondie guitarist and sports car enthusiast Tommy Kessler. Kessler takes you into this Lambo with a walk around and then brings you along with him while he takes it for a spin. Kessler then joins host Wesley Wren and Robin Warner in the studio to flesh out his feelings about the Italian machine.
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The 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman T Is a Budget Brawler

Porsche

While the 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman T doesn’t have a flat-six mounted behind the rear axle like its iconic big brother, it delivers one of the best driving experiences you can get for the money. This mid-engine, turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four-powered coupe makes hopping into a Porsche slightly more accessible than the pricier 911. This Cayman T model also sports some weight-saving measures like mechanically adjustable seats and fabric door pulls.
On this episode of Quick Spin, editor Wes Raynal puts this Porsche through its paces and brings you along for the ride. Raynal evaluates how the car drives, how it feels, and how it sits in the Porsche lineup. He guides you through the car’s features in a brief walk around of the Cayman T before taking you along while he reviews the car. In between those pre-recorded sections, Raynal expands his thoughts in a discussion with host Wesley Wren.

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The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Rides Off into the Sunset
The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 is one of the coolest Mustangs to ever leave a Ford factory. Powered by a 5.2-liter, naturally aspirated, flat-plane-crank V-8, this Mustang changed the perception of Ford’s legend. This high-performance Mustang pushed the coupe further into the direction of a true-blue sports car. Mated to a six-speed manual transmission and revving to an ear-splitting 8250 rpm, this Mustang is an enthusiast’s dream. Unfortunately, nothing can last forever and this Shelby is going out to pasture after the 2020 model year.
In this episode of Quick Spin, managing editor Robin Warner takes you along for a ride in this Shelby Mustang while he evaluates it. Robin shows you how the car handles, how it sounds, and relays how it feels while he puts it to the test. Mixed between those sections, he elaborates and adds context to the Mustang with host Wesley Wren.
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The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Snarls at the Competition

FCA

It’s been a long time coming for a true competitor for Ford’s F-150 Raptor pickup, which has been largely unchallenged in the world of trophy truck inspired pickups. Well, Ram debuted a concept four years ago, which is finally ready for the public. Dubbed the Ram 1500 TRX, this Hellcat-powered pickup sends 702 horsepower through the eight-speed automatic transmission and then to all four wheels. Add to that, that this truck is suspended by a serious set of shocks and springs and has a host of other desert-racing goodies: This might be the current king of showroom off-roaders.
In this episode of Quick Spin, Mark Vaughn takes the TRX’s reins during the truck’s launch event to give listeners some insights. Vaughn captures the truck’s exhaust note from the outside of the rig while it’s at full song. He also captures the experience of launching the high-horsepower hauler with some off-road honing thrown in for good measure. In the studio, Vaughn talks with host Wesley Wren about the truck’s ability to jump and drive on roads.
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To hear more episodes of Quick Spin, head over to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are played.

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When Helen Witty’s 16-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk and drugged driver, in her grief she found some comfort in a single word: crash. While most of those around her were referring to her daughter’s death as an accident, Witty says that one word—crash—helped her change her perception and heal.
The word was “empowering,” she says, after her daughter, Helen Marie, went Rollerblading in 2000 and never came home. “It was a bright, sunny afternoon. She went to the end of our driveway, blew me a kiss, and said, ‘I’ll be right back. I’ll stay on the sidewalk. I’ll cross at the crosswalks. I love you.’ And I never saw her again.”
A 17-year-old girl who had spent the afternoon drinking and smoking pot with friends got behind the wheel of her car, got on the phone, and lost control of her vehicle, striking and killing Helen Marie. The word “accident,” Witty says, implies there wasn’t a cause. “A drunk-driving death or injury is 100 percent preventable,” says Witty. “There was a cause. Somebody was at fault.” Witty, now the president of Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD), believes language matters. And “crash” is a word, she says, that ” that goes straight to your heart.”

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MADD was the first organization to give a voice to the pain the word “accident” was causing, says Mark Rosekind, the former administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “You’re doing a disservice to our lost family members by pretending somehow this was chance when, in fact, it was a drunk driver, or nowadays a distracted driver, or sleepy driver,” he says. By their very definition, accidents are not intentional, but choices are, and that is where the difference lies, safety advocates say.
“People are intentionally driving over the speed limit,” says Danny Harris, executive director of New York City-based Transportation Alternatives. “People are intentionally on their phone while they are on the highway. People are intentionally drinking or taking drugs, then deciding to operate a motor vehicle. These things are tragic, and they’re not accidents.”
The “accident” vernacular is rooted in our history and ingrained in our speech patterns. “It’s just so automatic, it’s like a verbal tic almost,” says Rosekind. “It’s just unconscious for so many people.” And that, advocates say, was purposeful.
Even 100 years later, safety advocates say the word “accident” remains a tool wielded to victim-blame, under the same umbrella as concepts like “The pedestrian wasn’t wearing light-colored clothing” or “The child ran away from a parent across an intersection.”
“And we start to add these other layers that make these things seem like they are just everyday parts of … life, as opposed to preventable tragedies, which we believe that they are,” says Harris. Transportation Alternatives is the parent of Families for Safe Streets, a national grassroots organization that has pushed terminology changes from New York City to San Francisco.
Rosekind says this simple word change, “can translate directly into action that could bring safer roads,” because causation can lead the car industry, engineers, policymakers, and advocates to research and work on why crashes happen; intervention, in turn, can lead to measures that can save lives and prevent injuries. “That’s a very different mindset and approach to safety,” says Rosekind.
While changing how we describe car-specific incidents that kill or injure was part of the mission MADD set in its founding 40 years ago, the federal government didn’t get behind the concept until 1994. Rosekind says it was Ricardo Martinez, the 10th administrator of NHTSA, who kicked off the campaign “A Crash Is Not an Accident.” Still, not all have followed its lead.
More than half of the state departments of transportation in the U.S. have not set policies to do away with “accident” in favor of “crash.” And so for many, the terminology remains not only imprinted in our brains but preprinted on our paperwork. After all, in thousands of jurisdictions across the country, first responders at the scene of a crash fill out forms titled “Accident Report.”
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Remember the Maserati Shamal? We forgive you if you don’t. Based on the equally forgettable Biturbo, it was sold in extremely low numbers, and wasn’t really ever popular in America. Well, Maserati seems to care about it quite a lot, because it has just introduced a new concept based on the Shamal, with a sprinkle of modern tech and other funky mods.

Revealed this week on Maserati’s “Fuoriserie” Instagram account, the car, dubbed Project Rekall—first spotted by the Pistonheads website—is just a collection of sketches, rather than an actual car. It sports the same body lines and boxed fender flares as the original Shamal, but it subs out the exterior light clusters for more modern sets. There are also some cool throwing-star wheels, a vent on the front bumper, and a thin roof-mounted wing.
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Like the outside, Project Rekall’s interior retains the Shamal’s same general cabin layout, modernized with an super-cool digital gauge cluster and some extremely comfy-looking bucket seats. Thankfully, it looks as if the car’s manual transmission has been retained. Whether Maserati’s concept artists want to keep the Shamal’s original twin-turbo 3.2-liter V-8 under the hood has yet to be seen.
A Maserati spokesperson confirmed to Road & Track that its Fuoriserie Instagram channel is intended to promote customization, showing “the infinite possibilities” with its lineup. While the designs shown on the account are “concepts that customers can bring to a real car through customization,” it’s not a place where Maserati showcases actual cars it intends to build.

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Earlier this week, Honda debuted a near-production-correct concept of the upcoming 2022 Civic. While we like what we see so far, looking at the 11th-generation Civic got us nostalgic for the Civics of the past. So we decided to challenge the Window Shop crew to select and find the best ones of all time.
Window Shop regular and C/D contributor John Pearley Huffman joins us again this week and admits that the Civic is probably his second favorite vehicle after the Toyota Tundra. Despite having owned four different Civics in his life, Huffman has no problem selecting his favorite. Senior Editor Joey Capparella makes an uncharacteristically weird choice, an all-wheel-drive model that you may have forgotten existed. Capparella’s Civic sparks a conversation about steel wheels, for which we apologize. Contributor Jonathon Ramsey proves to be a fan of the fourth gen and presents a clean and unmodified example whose low cowl makes us swoon.
We argue the merits of each choice, have a few laughs, spout some quotable factoids that should end any unwanted conversations, and then finally crown the best Civic—sort of. We should also apologize in advance for Huffman neglecting to turn off his phone during the show, and if you watch until the end, you’ll see that he leaves before we’re wrapped, but we definitely don’t need him around to conclude that the Civic has been a spectacular car for a very long time.
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