Motor News

Lexus has revealed the latest Inspiration Series, a new limited-edition run for the 2024 LC500 coupe and convertible. The special edition adds front bumper canards, a limited-slip differential, and rear performance dampers to help with performance. Production will be limited to just 125 units for North America, with pricing starting at $116,700 for the coupe and $121,900 for the convertible. Lexus just announced the latest Inspiration Series for the 2024 LC500 coupe and convertible models—sorry LC500h hybrid, better luck next time. This special-edition Inspiration Series will be limited to just 125 cars for North America, including 33 coupes and 92 convertibles. Unsurprisingly, the special-edition cars carry a hefty premium over the standard production siblings, with pricing starting at $116,700 for the coupe and $121,900 for the convertible. LexusBoth the coupe and convertible add canards to the front bumper, which are meant to balance front-end lift at higher speeds. The Inspiration Series coupe also adds a carbon-fiber fixed rear wing to keep the rear end planted. On top of that, both models gain a standard Torsen limited-slip differential along with rear performance dampers—both items from the LC’s optional Sport package. The coupe version also incorporates the convertible’s front and rear underfloor braces, and, as a bonus comes with a standard carbon-fiber roof. LexusMore on the LC500In addition to the performance upgrades, the Inspiration Series cars also get unique styling details. The coupe models get a combination of Polar Surge Satin white exterior paint with Deep Blue upholstery for the interior, marking the first time this color pairing is available for the LC. The convertible comes with the same color scheme, but goes a step further with the blue scheme and comes equipped with a blue fabric soft top. According to Lexus, the Inspiration Series should begin arriving at dealerships early this fall. 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 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

Faraday Future, an EV startup based in California, has announced that it has delivered its first FF 91 2.0 Futurist Alliance, a 1050-hp electric crossover.The automaker has had a troubled past, with years of financial challenges delaying deliveries as Faraday Future sought more funding.The company says it is “actively signing purchase agreements” with more potential customers for the $309,000 SUV.Faraday Future has faced constant struggles since unveiling its electric FF 91 crossover at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2017. There were lawsuits from suppliers and a factory in Las Vegas that never materialized, and the company’s founder filed for bankruptcy in 2019. But Faraday Future reemerged in 2021 by going public on the Nasdaq stock exchange, and the embattled startup now says it has finally delivered its first production vehicle, handing over an FF 91 2.0 Futurist Alliance at a recent event.Deliveries of the FF 91 were originally slated to begin in 2018, but financial troubles continually delayed the car. Faraday Future acquired its factory—a former Pirelli tire plant—in Hanford, California, in late 2017 and claimed to have built its first “production intent” prototype in February 2022. But the initially delivery target of late 2022 was pushed back yet again as the company sought additional funding. Now it appears that Faraday Future finally has solid footing, securing enough money earlier this month to start deliveries of road-ready FF 91s.Faraday FutureFaraday Future provided a photo of the smiling customers with their new machine and said this first owner is affiliated with Private Collection Motors, a luxury car dealership in Costa Mesa, California. However, Faraday Future’s delivery process is shrouded in marketing jargon, with the company describing itself as “the pioneer of the Ultimate Intelligent TechLuxury ultra spire market in the intelligent EV era” and referencing its prospective customers as “spire users” and “Developer Co-Creators.” First Owner or First User?The choice of the word “user” instead of “owner” in Faraday Future’s press release make us question whether this initial FF 91 was paid for or is being gifted or loaned. The so-called “Developer Co-Creator” title appears to involve turning the customers into partners to boost the value of the company, granting early access to the car in return for “consulting, branding, and other arrangements with FF in exchange for fees ranging from approximately $225,000 to $475,000,” according to the company.More EV Startup NewsThe first FF 91 to be delivered was a special edition model called the 2.0 Futurist Alliance, which costs $309,000 before the destination charge. The FF 91’s 142.0-kWh battery pack is rated for an EPA-estimated 381 miles of range and feeds three motors that churn out 1050 horsepower, rocketing the FF 91 to 60 mph in a claimed 2.3 seconds.Faraday Future says it is “actively signing purchase agreements” with more customers and says each of its “spire users” will receive “unique and unparalleled . . . customized delivery ceremonies.” We will continue to keep a close eye on Faraday Future as the automaker continues its slow rollout of the FF 91, and we hope to get our hands on an example soon.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.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 Tesla Model S and Model X’s base prices have dropped by $10,000 due to new Standard Range models.The Model S now starts at $79,880, but its EPA-estimated range is 320 miles compared with the pricier 405-mile model.The Model X now starts at $89,880, but its EPA-estimated range is 269 miles versus the more expensive version, which has a 348-mile estimate.The price of new Teslas has been up and down and moving all around. Over the past year or so, the company has adjusted the cost of its four models myriad times, and now the Model S and Model X can be had for $10,000 less than last week following the introduction of new Standard Range models.Model S and X Price DropsTesla yesterday launched shorter-range variants of the Model S and Model X, as reported by Reuters. The Model S Standard Range carries a $79,880 base price, which costs $10K less than the next-level dual-motor model. However, the discounted price comes with a lot less EPA-estimated range—320 versus 405 miles. The tri-motor Model S Plaid currently starts at $109,880 and advertises 396 miles of range.TeslaThe Model X Standard Range starts at $89,880 and has an EPA-estimated range of 269 miles per charge. That’s exactly $10K less than the longer-range model, which has a considerably longer 348-mile estimate. Meanwhile, the tri-motor Model X Plaid currently starts at $109,880 and advertises 333 miles of range.Tesla Price ChangesThis 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

Monterey Car Week has descended upon us once again, gracing our eyes and ears with some of the most extravagant and exclusive offerings from the automotive world. Each year some of the wealthiest automotive enthusiasts from around the globe converge in Monterey, California, for a week of fossil-fueled posturing. The strutting isn’t all for show, though, and the crown of Car Week—the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance—is widely considered the premier car show in the world. Winning a Pebble ribbon means an instant jump in a car’s valuation and marks immense status in the world of collector cars. With very few exceptions, cars accepted to the Concours are not allowed to return within a 10-year period unless they have changed ownership and are freshly restored (or they are an original preservation car).If that all sounds as interesting to you as it does to us, you can still enjoy the show, even without spending hundreds of dollars for a ticket. Like years past, we’ll have reporters on the ground scouting our favorites, and we’ll be liveblogging here on the site. We’ll also be uploading regularly to our Instagram, so make sure to check that out for the best sights and sounds. The options below are also helpful if you’re looking to get information straight from the horse’s mouth.Pebble Beach Motoring Classic (August 7–20)Sure, most of the cars around Monterey Car Week probably see less pavement than that project rotting behind your house, but that won’t be true for the entrants of the Pebble Beach Motoring Classic. Starting August 8, the entrants will depart from Kirkland, Washington, taking a relaxed eight days to drive roughly 1500 miles, before arriving in Monterey, California. Last year’s entrance fee for one car and two people totaled $14,000 and did not include accommodations in Monterey. Unfortunately, this one will be hard to tune in to unless you can get yourself to the route. As the cars are being driven by the owners, they probably won’t be spending their drive uploading to Instagram. Pebble Beach ConcoursRolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (August 16–19)Some of the rarest race cars in history will spend the four days between August 17 and August 20 racing around Laguna Seca Raceway. Some 550 cars were invited, with the main focus this year on the 70th anniversary of the Corvette. In addition to Corvettes of every generation, there’ll be historic Formula 1 cars, Trans Am racers, and IMSA cars from the 1970s. There should be a stream on the Laguna Seca Youtube channel, or follow on social using these tags: #RolexReunion #MontereyCarWeek #WeatherTechRaceway. More Car Week InfoLegends of the Autobahn (August 17)The American clubs for Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz join together every year to host an all-German marque Concours d’Elegance held in Pacific Grove, California. Follow these tags and accounts on Instagram for photos and videos: #legendsoftheautobahn @bmwcca @audiclubna @mercedesbenzclubofamerica.The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering (August 18)The Quail prides itself as being the most glamorous of the Pebble events, even if the main reason everyone’s there—the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance—is happening two days later. This year’s featured themes include the 50th Anniversary of the 1973 RS Carrera, Porsche 959s, the Bentley 1950s R-Type Coupe, and Eyes on Italian Design. Keep tabs with #thequail on August 18.Adam Swords/The QuailConcorso Italiano (August 19)Italian cars strike directly to the heart of the automotive world, and Concorso Italiano is focused on as many as 1000 Italian cars and motorcycles. Follow @concorsoitaliano and #concorsoitaliano for more information. Concours d’Lemons California (August 19)If reading about all of these obscenely rich owners of classic and exotic cars has you feeling sick about the single wrinkly dollar bill in your wallet, unwind with the deliberately wacky Concours d’Lemons. Follow @concoursdlemons and #concoursdlemons on August 19, or check out the Lemons website for more info and a recap video.Eddie AltermanPebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (August 20)If your bank account looks anything like ours, you probably don’t have the cash to shell out $525 per ticket and lots more on hotels and food. Thankfully, you can stream the Concours d’Elegance on August 20. Bookmark the official Pebble Beach livestream and make yourself a nice cocktail with your best liquor. It’ll still be cheaper than the drinks on the lawn in California, and no one will judge you for incorrectly tying your bowtie. Associate 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

The arrival of an open-topped DB12 is no surprise but still a welcome addition.The DB12 Volante’s power-operated fabric roof folds in just 14 seconds.With the roof up, the 671-hp V-8 gives a 202-mph top speed.As night follows day, so the open-topped version of an Aston sports car arrives shortly after the coupe. In this case, that means the entirely predictable, yet also entirely beautiful, DB12 Volante, which is the convertible version of the regular DB12 we drove for the first time last month in Europe.As with the coupe, Aston is describing the Volante as a “super tourer,” intended to combine the performance of a high-end sports car with the grand-touring capabilities of a traditional Aston Martin. Mechanically it is unchanged from the fixed-roof version, using the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter AMG-sourced V-8 engine making peaks of 671 horsepower and 590 pound-feet. The option of a V-12 engine is no longer available; Aston is reserving that for the forthcoming replacement for the DBS Superleggera. Full Details and SpecsYet even with only four liters of capacity and eight cylinders to call on, the DB12 Volante will still be toweringly fast. Aston claims it will be capable of a 3.6-second zero-to-60-mph time, which is just one-tenth slower than the corresponding time for the coupe. Both versions of the DB12 have identical 202-mph top speeds, although the Volante will only be able to hit that peak with the roof in place. According to Aston’s figures, the convertible is 240 pounds heavier than the coupe, meaning it should be around 4350 pounds when we get it on the scales.That RoofThe Volante’s roof is an eight-layer fabric top that hides entirely beneath the rear deck once lowered. Toplessness suits the DB12 particularly well, especially for those who aren’t especially fond of the black trim that extends rearward from the coupe’s greenhouse. The Volante loses that entirely, and the roof-down profile is compelling in its simplicity. Four convertible-top fabric colors will be available: black, red, blue, and black/silver. Aston says that the roof takes just 14 seconds to open and 16 seconds to close, with this possible at speeds of up to 31 mph.The Volante will be offered solely with an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive, with reactions sharpened by an electronically controlled locking differential at the rear. Adaptive dampers are standard and claimed to have a 500 percent increase in “bandwidth of force distribution” compared to the ones used by the DB11 Volante. The new Volante will be softer than the coupe, having different rear springs and what Aston describes as a “dedicated damper tune”; it is also claimed to have 5 percent better torsional rigidity than the DB11 Volante. The most significant change for the DB12 Volante is the same as on the coupe, the arrival of a redesigned and higher-quality cabin featuring both improved ergonomics but also the use of a touchscreen interface rather than the cumbersome turn-and-click controller of the DB11. While the mechanical and structural transformation between DB11 and DB12 is effectively a heavy facelift, this is one area where the new Volante should feel like an entirely new car.The DB12 Volante will make its debut during Monterey Car Week this week and will go into production in time for the first buyers to take delivery before the end of the year. Official pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but we’re told to expect it to be somewhere around the $265,000 mark in the U.S. That’s a relatively modest increase over the $236,000 DB11 Volante, one that looks justified given the scale of the improvements that have been wrought. Senior European CorrespondentOur man on the other side of the pond, Mike Duff lives in Britain but reports from across Europe, sometimes beyond. He has previously held staff roles on UK titles including CAR, Autocar and evo, but his own automotive tastes tend towards the Germanic, owning both a troublesome 987-generation Porsche Cayman S and a Mercedes 190E 2.5-16. More

Rarer than a Porsche but more affordable than a Ferrari, the Lotus Esprit offers thrilling performance and exotic looks.This one has just over 21,000 miles on its odometer and has had a thorough recent servicing.With three days to go before the auction ends on August 15, bidding on the Bring a Trailer online auction is at $41,111.Car and DriverThe desire for a Porsche or a Ferrari is both broad and deep, but to lust after a Lotus is to throw logic and reason out the occasionally malfunctioning power window. To paraphrase Shakespeare, love is not love which bends with the tow-truck driver to remove; with a Lotus, periodic interruption of service is worth the way the cars get under your skin. Want reliable? Get a Camry. Want passion? Take a gander at this gorgeous wedge of English beauty, an all-black Lotus Esprit powered by a twin-turbocharged mid-engine V-8.Today’s pick from Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—is a 1998 Lotus Esprit V-8 with just over 20,000 miles on the odometer (it’s a Canadian car, so that reading is actually 35,000 kilometers. Sorry). Bring a TrailerThe World’s Sexiest DoorstopThe original, wedge-shaped Esprit arrived in the late 1970s as the world’s sexiest doorstop, and received only two major refreshes over a 28-year production run. This mid-1990s version is fairly rare—in Canada, Lotus only managed to sell four of these in 1998; in the U.S. market, just 155 found homes—making it a far more exotic option than something like a 911 Turbo, but with performance that’ll have you nipping at the Porsche’s heels.From the C/D ArchiveWhen Car and Driver reviewed the Esprit V-8 in 1998 (linked above), John Phillips knocked the car for a balky shift action and heavy clutch and couldn’t help but note the aging platform. Still, there was no arguing with the performance supplied by the 350-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-8.Though the new V-8 may not sound Ferrari-esque, it certainly inspires the Esprit to supercar velocities. Sixty mph now manifests in a spine-straightening 4.1 seconds—three-tenths quicker than the old four-cylinder Esprit S4S and seven-tenths sooner than the still-older Esprit Turbo SE. In fact, that zero-to-60 time places this Lotus only a tenth of a second behind a Viper GTS, which, of course, has the advantage of two more cylinders and 100 extra horse­power. The Esprit V-8 decimates the quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds at 112 mph—three-tenths and 4 mph better than the old S4S. And it rushes to 150 mph 10.3 sec­onds sooner than the S4S, placing this Lotus only one second shy of the 0-to-150-mph time of, say, a Ferrari 355. Bring a TrailerBring a TrailerAnd also, just look at it. This black on black with a nicely contrasting tan interior is like something Batman might drive. Assuming among his gadgets he also had a Bat Flatdeck and didn’t mind occasionally showing up to the Bat Signal half an hour late to find Commissioner Gordon pointedly looking at his wristwatch.Affairs of the HeartAll joking about wonky reliability aside, what a Lotus really offers what most British sports cars bring to the table: true ownership involvement. If the shift linkage of an Esprit needs finessing, and if the V-8’s lack of low-rpm power requires throttle management, then that’s just part of the driving experience. A Lotus needs you back, and on the right day and the right road, the driving experience is absolute bliss.Bring a TrailerThere’s really no way to explain the appeal further: if you know, you know. And if you know, this is an extremely desirable example of the irresistible appeal of a proper sporting Lotus. With four days to go, bidding is at $41,111. Click on over to Bring a Trailer to bid with your heart, not your head. Contributing EditorBrendan 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

REI and Airstream collaborated on an environmentally minded camper trailer last year called the REI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp.That model added eco touches to the standard Basecamp trailer, but, at first, Airstream only offered it as a 16-foot model.This year, Airstream has added a 20-foot REI trailer to its Basecamp lineup, which already includes a Basecamp 20 model that starts at $54,400. The EI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp 20X starts at $62,400.Camping and sustainability should go hand in hand, but sometimes it helps to make the connection explicit. That’s what REI Co-op and Airstream did last year when they introduced a special-edition camping trailer filled with post-consumer recycled materials and sustainably grown wood used to make the components. The duo has now introduced a 20-foot version of the special edition Basecamp travel trailer for those who thought the original 16-foot model wasn’t large enough.Called the REI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp 20X, the new, larger trailer can sleep four instead of just two. The extra room comes from the larger, 20-foot chassis and a front dinette set that converts into the bed. The bigger trailer also has larger holding tanks.The original REI Basecamp trailer was designed to answer the stream of requests that Airstream told Car and Driver it received from potential customers for an Airstream camper that could fit larger families and groups in the backcountry. Airstream did not provide C/D any sales numbers, but a company press release called the first REI Airstream “successful.””While we initially introduced the 16-foot version of the REI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp to gauge interest and gather insights, our long-term vision always included the introduction of a larger model,” an Airstream spokesperson told Car and Driver. “We wanted to establish a strong foundation with the initial release, allowing us to fine-tune the design and gather valuable feedback.”This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.The REI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp 20X starts at $62,400; that’s $9500 more than the 16-foot model. The non-REI Basecamp 20 starts at $54,400.REI and Airstream gathered feedback on what a partnership trailer should look like before the 16-foot trailer was announced. The result was a trailer with a rear door to make loading outdoor toys like kayaks, bikes and fishing gear easier than a traditional side door. The REI trailers also use sustainable materials including birch plywood and recycled polyester to minimize environmental impact. The trailers provide off-grid capabilities like a UV-LED and pre-filter water purification system of potable water and an optional composting toilet.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.Contributing EditorSebastian Blanco has been writing about electric vehicles, hybrids, and hydrogen cars since 2006. His articles and car reviews have appeared in the New York Times, Automotive News, Reuters, SAE, Autoblog, InsideEVs, Trucks.com, Car Talk, and other outlets. His first green-car media event was the launch of the Tesla Roadster, and since then he has been tracking the shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles and discovering the new technology’s importance not just for the auto industry, but for the world as a whole. Throw in the recent shift to autonomous vehicles, and there are more interesting changes happening now than most people can wrap their heads around. You can find him on Twitter or, on good days, behind the wheel of a new EV.  More

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator adds the limited-production Rubicon FarOut edition that signals the end of the truck’s diesel engine.Jeep will only sell 1000 FarOut editions, each with upgraded features and unique decals but also a hefty $71,790 price tag.With the diesel 3.0-liter V-6 ending after the 2023 model year, the Gladiator is poised to add a 4xe plug-in-hybrid powertrain.The Jeep Gladiator’s torque-rich diesel 3.0-liter V-6 will end production after the 2023 model year. To commemorate the engine’s run, Jeep has introduced a limited-production FarOut edition, which is based on the top-of-the-line Rubicon.FarOut, ManThe Gladiator Rubicon comes standard with copious off-road hardware. The FarOut edition has all that and a host of optional upgrades, including the Cold Weather package (heated steering wheel and front seats), leather interior, LED lighting package, trailering package, and myriad driver assists. Visually, the truck has body-color fenders and “FarOut” and “3.0 D” badges on the tailgate as well as black side decals and a “Diesel 3.0L” hood graphic. Jeep says it will only sell 1000 copies of the Rubicon FarOut edition. The 2023 Rubicon with the diesel starts at $59,690, but the FarOut treatment adds $12,100, which pushes the special edition’s starting price to a lofty $71,790.The 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon EcoDiesel we tested wasn’t especially quick, but we appreciated its 442 pound-feet of torque and impressive fuel efficiency. On our 75-mph real-world highway route, the diesel model returned 27 mpg—6 better than the standard gas-fed 3.6-liter V-6. While the latter is currently the only other engine available on the Gladiator, the diesel’s demise paves the way for Jeep to give its pickup the 4xe plug-in-hybrid powertrain that’s available on the Wrangler. We expect the Gladiator to get that option for the 2024 model year.Meanwhile, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon FarOut edition is now available to order through the end of September, with deliveries expected sometime in the months ahead.More Gladiator 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