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    2024 Ford Bronco Drops Base Model, Now Starts over $41K

    The base Ford Bronco is no more, with the 2024 lineup now starting with the $41,025 Big Bend model.Aside from the Big Bend, prices are up across the lineup by at least $1000 on most models.The Bronco Raptor, which adds a new Code Orange accent package, now costs $91,730, a significant $3255 increase over the 2023 model.Ford will no longer sell you a new Bronco for less than $40,000. As the burly off-road SUV enters its fourth year on sale, the Blue Oval has modified the lineup, removing the $36,785 base model and in turn transforming the $41,025 Big Bend into the Bronco’s entry point. There are also slight price increases across the board and a few new pieces of equipment.We Test the Base BroncoThe 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend.FordThe Big Bend is the only Bronco trim that doesn’t see a price hike. The Black Diamond model now costs $1130 more at $44,525, while the 2024 Bronco Outer Banks starts at $49,835, a $1590 increase. The Badlands—which improves upon the Black Diamond’s off-road hardware—is now $51,290 and the Wildtrak, which comes standard with the twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6, opens at $61,920, both up by $1250.The trail-ready Everglades—which packs a factory-installed WARN winch, snorkel, and 35-inch mud-terrain tires—is now $57,415, only $875 more than the 2023 model. The top-dog Bronco Raptor and its 418-hp twin-turbo V-6 is a whopping $3255 more expensive than last year, starting at $91,730. The retro-themed Heritage Edition and Heritage Limited Edition are also slightly up, at $49,750 and $71,580, respectively.Besides the price tags, there are a few minor changes across the Bronco lineup for 2024. Ford bids farewell to the base 8.0-inch infotainment screen, with all Broncos now outfitted with the 12.0-inch screen as standard. The Badlands model now sports a heavy-duty bumper as standard, while the Bronco Raptor comes with a new Code Orange package that adds vivid accents, body-colored fenders, and two new paint colors. More New FordsOrder books for the 2024 Bronco opened yesterday. With the changes to the lineup, Ford no longer has a true competitor to the cheapest Jeep Wrangler, the $33,690 Sport trim. The now-entry-level Big Bend lines up against the Wrangler’s $41,190 Willys model. 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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    2024 Acura ZDX Revealed with Spicy 500-HP Type S Variant

    The 2024 Acura ZDX debuts as the brand’s first EV, and the mid-size SUV is based on GM’s Ultium battery platform.Along with rear- or all-wheel-drive powertrains, the ZDX will offer up to 325 miles of EPA-estimated range and a performance-oriented 500-hp Type S model.With the first deliveries set to arrive early next year, the 2024 ZDX will start around $60,000; the Type S opens around $70K.The 2024 Acura ZDX remixes the brand’s “Precision Crafted Performance” formula. While the new mid-size SUV’s electric powertrain is an obvious departure from the decades of internal-combustion engines that came before, the fact a performance-minded Type S variant remains in the mix should interest Acura fans who appreciate fun-to-drive models.Acura’s First EVFor anyone caught off guard by the ZDX’s reveal today, here’s a quick recap. Not only is the nameplate resurrected from the coupe-like-SUV thingamabob that debuted in 2009, but it’s Acura’s first EV too. The exterior design of the production-ready 2024 ZDX seen in these photos was also previewed last year by the Precision EV concept. Oh, and this Acura is built on GM’s Ultium scalable battery platform, and it shares a lot with the Cadillac Lyriq. Like the Caddy, the ZDX has an identical 121.8-inch wheelbase. The Acura is slightly taller but slightly slimmer, measuring 64.4 and 77.0 inches, respectively. Plus, it’s over an inch longer at 197.7 inches from tip to tail. Of course, the ZDX’s styling stands on its own, with a face featuring the latest rendition of Acura’s “Jewel Eye” LED headlights and a pentagonal faux grille with a three-dimensional embossed surface and an illuminated outline. A “floating” roof design sits above mostly smooth bodywork that’s especially vivid in the new Double Apex Blue Pearl paint that’s exclusive to the Type S (the goldish Tiger Eye Pearl is also offered). While the A-Spec wears 20-inch wheels, the Type S rolls on 22s. A pair of slinky taillights round out the rear styling.A-Spec and Type S ModelsThe ZDX is available with a single-motor rear-drive powertrain or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration. The rear-drive A-Spec is good for 340 horsepower. An all-wheel-drive version is also offered, but Acura isn’t yet releasing that setup’s output. Meanwhile, the spicy ZDX Type S features specially tuned dual motors that funnel 500 horses to all four wheels. Regardless of their powertrain, both models are rated to tow up to 3500 pounds.Every ZDX has a 102.0-kWh battery pack that allows a peak charging rate of 190 kW using a DC fast-charger. Acura claims that in about 10 minutes this connection can add an estimated 81 miles of range to the single-motor A-Spec. That same model is expected to have an EPA-estimated range of 325 miles per charge (315 with all-wheel drive). The Type S is expected to have a 288-mile range.Every ZDX has a fully independent suspension, but the A-Spec uses coil springs whereas the Type S features adaptive dampers and air bags that enable an adjustable ride height. The hi-po ZDX also has upgraded brakes with larger 15.6-inch front rotors pinched by Brembo six-piston calipers. To further prove its sporty nature, Acura even offers the electric Type S with grippier summer tires.A Look Inside the ZDXThe ZDX’s interior design isn’t much different from what people will find in other Acura models. The trim on the dash and doors flows into each other, and many of the soft-looking surfaces have contrast stitching. The center console includes a flat storage tray along with cupholders and a wireless charging slot. Beneath the upper section is an open area that’s useful for storing bulkier items like purses or hand bags.We’re happy to see that Acura didn’t go to the dark side and switch to mostly touch controls, as there are knobs and buttons for the HVAC system as well as a volume knob for the stereo. Speaking of the sound system, every ZDX has a high-end 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen unit. An 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard. The infotainment system is powered by Android and includes Google’s voice assistance, maps, and app store.The ZDX’s suite of driver assists includes the usual tech, but it also introduces rear cross-traffic braking and a rear pedestrian alert. Most notably, AcuraWatch 360+ debuts as the brand’s version of GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system, meaning the ZDX can essentially drive itself on over 400,000 miles of mapped roadways split between the U.S. and Canada.The 2024 Acura ZDX A-Spec will have a base price around $60,000. The sportier Type S will start in the neighborhood of $70K. While pre-orders are slated to open later this year, customer deliveries aren’t expected until early 2024. Acura also says dealers will still be involved in every ZDX sale, but that’ll be done online—at either a dealership or from the comfort of home.Extra ZDX 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

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    2023 Pebble Beach and Monterey Car Week Live Blog

    It is Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance time again, when the most expensive cars in the world migrate to the coastal town of Monterey, California, accompanied by their owners, and followed by those who dream of owning them. The week leading up to the concours is a rush of themed shows, from little tiny autos to powerful racetrack legends. Flitting about like the monarchs the area is famous for are streams of classics and exotics sporting one-of-a-kind bodywork and rare engine options. It is, without a doubt, the most jaw-dropping car-spotting of the year. Michael Simari|Car and DriverWe’ve sent a few of our lucky editors to brave the traffic and the funny-colored trousers to bring you the best of Monterey Car Week. Check back from now through the weekend for updates leading up to the Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, August 20.Michael Simari|Car and DriverWednesday: The ArrivalsThursday tends to be the busiest day on the highway from Los Angeles to Monterey, but we set out in the wee hours this Wednesday morning in order to make it to a few of the earlier events. On the way up you can always tell who, as Lenny Kravitz says, is gonna go your way. Car and DriverElana Scherr|Car and DriverThe Little Car ShowMonterey Car Week is all about big numbers, from auction results to hotel room tabs, but the festivities start off small, at the Pacific Grove Little Car Show. Pacific Grove neighbors Monterey, but it’s more suburban, with a charming main drag that’s perfect for lining up wee machines and taking a sunny stroll. 2023 marks the 13th year of the Little Car Show (with one year off during 2020), and there were so many itty-bitty cars that the show spilled out into the surrounding streets, with Peels, Messerschmitts, and MGs parked all over the neighborhood.If you’re curious as to how little a little car has to be, it’s really a little engine show, with a recently raised cap of 1800 cc (that’s almost two soda bottles’ worth of power, pals). “We considered doing it by wheelbase,” an organizer told me, “But nobody knows their car’s wheelbase.” I suggested taking a page out of the airline carry-on book and having a “Car Must Fit in This Space” template that participants must drive through. So maybe that will be next year. I’ll report back, as I’m hoping to sneak my 2.0L Opel GT in despite its cheater engine.Follow Along from Home More

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    Danish Automaker Zenvo’s Latest Supercar Is the V-12 Hybrid Aurora

    Zenvo, a small Danish supercar builder, has revealed a new model featuring a hybrid V-12 powertrain called the Aurora at Monterey Car Week.Two hybrid setups are available—one pairs the V-12 with a single motor for 1450 hp while the other adds two additional electric motors on the front axle for 1850 hp.The Agil variant is more focused on lap times, sporting aggressive aerodynamics, while the Tur is designed more for eating up on-road miles.Since 2009, a small Danish firm called Zenvo has assembled a series of dramatic-looking mid-engined supercars powered by massive V-8 engines in extremely limited quantities, including the TSR-S and its bonkers rear wing that pivots both up and down as well as side to side. Now Zenvo has revealed its latest creation at Monterey Car Week, a V-12 hybrid hypercar called the Aurora.Zenvo AutomotiveZenvo says the Aurora—named for the aurora borealis natural light phenomenon—is the lightest and most powerful road car they’ve built, built around a carbon fiber monocoque chassis with a claimed dry weight under 3197 pounds. Behind the cabin sits a quad-turbocharged 6.6-liter V-12 that revs to 9800 rpm and churns out 1250 horsepower. Developed by Mahle Powertrain, 90-degree V-12 uses a “hot-V” configuration with the turbochargers placed between the cylinder banks.The Aurora will be sold in two versions—a tamer, road-focused Tur model and a more aggressive Agil variant—which each pair the V-12 to a different hybrid system. The Agil is rear-wheel drive and uses a single 200-hp electric motor to bump total output to 1450 hp, while the Tur comes with all-wheel drive courtesy of two more 200-hp electric motors at each front wheel. This 1850-hp setup is also offered on the Agil and produces a combined 1254 pound-feet of torque versus the rear-drive setup’s 1033 pound-foot total. Zenvo AutomotiveThe power flows through a seven-speed gearbox that incorporates the rear-mounted electric motor and is controlled by paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. The Tur is tuned for smoother gearshifts while the Agil’s gear changes are said to be more “mechanical.” The transmission also incorporates an electronic differential, while the front electric motors act as a torque-vectoring system. The two models sport distinct looks—the Tur is sleek and streamlined while the Agil is adorned with all manner of aerodynamic doodads. Zenvo says that the Agil, which comes in at 2866 pounds, can rip to 62 mph in an estimated 2.5 seconds and can reach 186 mph in just 10 second en route to a 227 mph top speed. Although the Tur is less focused on track performance and features a richer interior, its slipperier profile helps it hit 60 mph in 2.3 seconds and shave a second off of the sprint to 186 mph, with a claimed top speed of 280 mph.Zenvo AutomotiveThe Agil’s straight-line performance is likely held back by the substantial rear wing that can shift forward to act as an air brake and apply even more downforce when slowing for a corner. Zenvo claims the the Agil’s splitter, diffuser, and wing combine for 1940 pounds of downforce at 155 mph. Inside, the Agil is far more spartan than the Tur, with lightweight upholstery for the seats and doors and glimpses of the carbon-fiber chassis peeking through. The Tur’s cabin looks far more finished and additional sound proofing should help it feel more like a grand tourer than a track toy. Zenvo will build only 50 units for each Aurora model, with production kicking off in 2025 and the first Auroras being delivered to their owners in 2026. There’s no word on price, but the Aurora certainly won’t be cheap given that the 2019 TSR-S cost a cool $1.6 million.More Obscure SupercarsThis 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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    2024 Mercedes-AMG SL63 to Offer Bright Orange Big Sur Special Edition

    Mercedes-AMG will produce a limited number of SL63 Manufaktur Big Sur special editions for 2024.It has Orange Flame Metallic exterior paint and special interior trim.Manufaktur is Mercedes’ customization program that lets buyers select a wider range of exterior and interior color and trim options.Mercedes-AMG has already confirmed that a new AMG GT coupe will debut this week at Pebble Beach, but the SL convertible on which it’s based isn’t being left out of the festivities entirely. This new 2024 SL63 Big Sur special edition is also being revealed, complete with special appearance tweaks meant to highlight the Manufaktur customization program.The SL63 Big Sur is finished in a Manufaktur color called Orange Flame Metallic, and this hue is also found in the cabin adorning the center console and other trim pieces. This particular shade of orange is supposedly meant to evoke Big Sur sunsets. Mercedes also added an additional AMG emblem, embroidered AMG logos in the floor mats, and a “Manufaktur” script on the center console storage compartment lid. The black nappa leather upholstery features orange contrasting stitching and a diamond quilted pattern.Mercedes-AMGThere aren’t any mechanical upgrades to the SL63’s 577-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine, all-wheel-drive system, and nine-speed automatic transmission, but the Big Sur does come fully loaded. Standard equipment includes the front-axle lift system, 21-inch wheels, the Dynamic Plus package, the Active Ride Control suspension, and the Burmester upgraded sound system.AMG hasn’t said exactly how many Big Sur editions it will build, and we also don’t yet know the price—but figure somewhere around $200,000. And if this color combo isn’t exactly to your liking, the 2024 AMG SL will offer three new Manufaktur paint colors and two new interior leather options.Mercedes-AMGMore on the SLSenior 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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    Mitsubishi Mirage Is Reportedly on the Chopping Block

    The Mitsubishi Mirage will be discontinued in the U.S., per a report by Automotive News.The tiny Mirage hatchback is one of America’s cheapest new cars, with the 2024 model starting at $17,790.The hatchback’s impending death means the same for its slightly pricier sedan counterpart, the Mirage G4. New cars sold in the U.S. that start under $20,000 are on the verge of extinction, and one more is about to get crossed off the list. That’s because the Mitsubishi Mirage—which has a base price of under $18,000—is set to be axed, according to a report yesterday by Automotive News.Mirage DisappearingThe AN article claims the Mirage subcompact hatchback and the Mirage G4 (the sedan version) will see their U.S. production end sometime in late 2025, with no plans for a new generation. However, if that timeline is accurate, it’s possible the nameplate could survive for at least one more model year after 2024, which is currently on sale. Car and Driver reached out to Jeremy Barnes, Mitsubishi’s North American spokesman, who declined to comment on the situation.MitsubishiWith the Mirage set to leave the U.S. market, that will leave very few options for customers seeking a new car around $20,000—let alone under that price. Currently, the Nissan Versa owns the title of cheapest new car, with the 2023 model starting at just over $17K with the standard manual transmission. Then again, judging by the Mirage’s dwindling sales volume, it’s possible it won’t be sorely missed.More on the MirageThis 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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    2023 Ford F-250 Is (Again) the Quickest Diesel Truck We’ve Ever Tested

    A 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty raced to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, making it the quickest diesel truck we’ve ever tested.A 2020 F-250 last held the title, hitting 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, but the newer truck is helped by an extra 150 pound-feet of torque (1200 total).Not only is the ’23 F-250 six-tenths quicker to 60, but it’s also a half-second quicker through the quarter-mile and 1.2 seconds quicker to 90 mph. Heavy-duty pickup trucks are all about bragging rights. One year Ram has the best-in-class towing capacity, for example, the next Chevy or Ford owns the crown—and so on and so forth. When it comes to torque, the 2023 Ford Super Duty lineup is the current king of the hill, with its new high-output Power Stroke diesel V-8 summoning a seismic 1200 pound-feet. That recently helped a F-250 SuperCrew 4×4 hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, earning it the title of quickest diesel-powered truck we’ve ever tested and just impressively swift for anything weighing 8000-plus pounds.F-250 Beats Its Own RecordWhile heavy-duty pickups from different brands are often one-upping each other, this time Ford one-upped itself. That’s because the record the ’23 model broke was held by a 2020 F-250 SuperCrew 4×4 that reached 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. That truck also set the record for the quickest quarter-mile time for a diesel truck, racing 1320 feet in 14.6 seconds at 94 mph.Michael Simari|Car and DriverAs impressive as those milestones were, what’s more impressive is how much quicker the new F-250 accelerates. Not only did it hit 60 mph six-tenths sooner, but its 6.8-second sprint from 5 to 60 mph was nearly a full second quicker than before. In fact, the truck we tested was between three- and nine-tenths quicker than its predecessor in virtually all of our acceleration metrics. Along with finishing the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds at 97 mph, the F-250 hit 90 mph in 11.9 seconds (1.2 ticks quicker than before). Of course, to extract these record-setting times, we did more than just hop behind the wheel and stomp on the go pedal. Car and Driver testing director Dave VanderWerp had to use some right-foot finesse and get tricky with the 10-speed automatic transmission. With the transfer case switched to 4Hi, the quickest times came from a second-gear start with a healthy dose of brake torquing, and then a quick shift back to automatic mode right after launch, as the manual-shift function isn’t responsive enough to count on. Voilà!—achievement unlocked.H/O Power Stroke Is KeyJust like before, the three-quarter-ton Ford’s speediness is a byproduct of its prodigious output, which is now even higher thanks to an upgraded turbo-diesel 6.7-liter V-8. With new stainless-steel manifolds and piping that feeds a single turbo with a liquid-cooled compressor housing, the newly availably H/O Power Stroke can handle higher temperatures and allows more boost. The result is 500 horsepower and 1200 pound-feet of torque, compared with the standard engine’s 475 horses and 1050 pound-feet.Michael Simari|Car and DriverDespite myriad improvements following the 2023 Ford Super Duty’s significant refresh, which include the aforementioned engine upgrade and new tech features, our F-250 Platinum tester weighs almost exactly the same as the earlier F-250 Lariat—the new version’s 8100-pound curb weight is actually 20 pounds lighter. Both trucks were fitted with the off-road-oriented Tremor package that brings unique suspension bits, a limited-slip front differential, an electronic locking rear diff with a 3.55 gear ratio, and chunky 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac all-terrain tires. Those knobby tires probably didn’t help in getting all of the F-250’s prodigious mass slowed down, however, with braking distance from 70 mph of 245 feet at the very lengthy end of any new vehicle.With Ford’s H/O Power Stroke V-8 currently owning the heavy-duty torque crown by a sizable margin, other heavy-duty trucks will be hard-pressed to beat its acceleration times. Meanwhile, we’re still interested to see how much quicker the Super Duty can be. Perhaps a lighter regular-cab F-250 with street-oriented tires and the mightiest diesel engine could shave off a few more tenths.Other Quick Ford TrucksThis 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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    Tesla Launches New Universal Wall Connector Level 2 Charger for Both J1772 and NACS Plugs

    Tesla has introduced a new Universal Wall Connector with a built-in adapter for both Tesla (NACS) and J1772 plugs for EV charging.The Universal unit also allows control and monitoring of charging history and energy use via the Tesla app, a feature new to the Wall Connector.Its $595 price is slightly higher than the current Wall Connector, it’s available for order now, and Tesla says it will start shipping in October.Today Tesla announced a new Universal Wall Connector, a Level 2 EV charger that’s intended for home use as well as in Tesla’s 40,000-strong public Level 2 chargers it refers to as destination charging. This means that owners of any non-Tesla EVs will be able to use this latest Tesla charging equipment without a separate adapter.With a critical mass of automakers recently announcing that they will be switching from the J1772 plug to Tesla’s NACS receptacle in the 2025 timeframe, this isn’t a surprising move. Now Tesla stands not only to benefit from non-Tesla owners paying to charge at its Superchargers, but also will potentially sell a lot more home-charging units. Meanwhile, the other big players in home charging, such as ChargePoint, are rushing to add Tesla’s NACS plug to their offerings. What’s DifferentThe new unit looks almost identical to its third-generation Wall Connector that is currently on sale, and all the specs carry over as well, with two key differences. The first is a built-in adapter to allow seamless switching between plugging in to a vehicle with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug, which is currently found only on Teslas, and the round, J1772 plug that is used to charge nearly every other EV in the U.S. This is similar to the so-called Magic Dock adapter the company has built into some of its latest Supercharger stations to be able to be able to fast charge non-Tesla EVs. The other major change is that, through the Tesla app, users will be able to schedule or stop and start charging and view charging history and energy usage for the first time. TeslaThe current Wall Connector already has Wi-Fi connectivity for firmware updates and to be able to network multiple units together to share power from the same circuit without exceeding a peak programable power draw. While Tesla owners can monitor their charging history through the car and a third-party app such as TeslaFi, there’s currently no option for non-Tesla owners to track their charging, something that has kept the Wall Connector from being our top pick in our EV charging test.TeslaTeslaCost and When You Can Get OneTesla currently sells Wall Connectors with either the NACS ($475) or J1772 ($550) plugs, while the price of the new Universal unit is up slightly, to $595. Both the current and new Universal Wall Connector have a maximum output of 11.5 kW, a 24-foot cable that is thinner than those of the competition, and come only as a hardwire option.More on ChargingThe Universal Wall Connector is available to order now, and while Tesla says the app functionality won’t launch until late August or early September, that shouldn’t matter, as the company says the new units will start shipping in October. Tesla is sending us one to try, so we’ll be back with a review soon.Director, Vehicle TestingDave VanderWerp has spent more than 20 years in the automotive industry, in varied roles from engineering to product consulting, and now leading Car and Driver’s vehicle-testing efforts. Dave got his very lucky start at C/D by happening to submit an unsolicited resume at just the right time to land a part-time road warrior job when he was a student at the University of Michigan, where he immediately became enthralled with the world of automotive journalism. More