Motor News

Comedic and character actor John C. Reilly is selling the ’68 Chevy Malibu convertible he’s owned for more than 30 years.Largely original apart from the turquoise repaint, this Malibu is a pure SoCal cruiser with a 307-cubic-inch V-8 and a two-speed Powerglide transmission.The auction ends on Tuesday, June 27.Car and DriverPerhaps best known as the “Shake” to longtime collaborator Will Ferrell’s “Bake” in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, actor John C. Reilly has appeared in dozens of roles since his film debut in 1989. Sometime in 1992, he bought this 1968 Chevrolet Malibu convertible, which he’s owned all through a long and storied career.Bring a TrailerNow, it’s up for auction on Bring A Trailer, which like Car and Driver, is part Hearst Autos. It’s your chance to own both a machine that’s the perfect convertible for cruising slow on California’s highways and has also been anointed with just a touch of celebrity status.Bring a TrailerRelated StoriesNew for 1968, the second-generation Chevelle could be ordered with some serious firepower under the hood. Today, it seems most survivors have a 350-cubic-inch V-8 or even a 396, often with a few performance parts bolted on. This ’68 Malibu convertible, however, is the furthest thing from a would-be dragstrip hero. It still has the base V-8: a 307-cubic-inch engine good for just 200 horsepower paired with a two-speed Powerglide transmission, along with 14-inch steel wheels wearing 205/75 whitewall tires. The paint has been changed from Ash Gold to Tripoli Turquoise (a period-correct Chevrolet color), but this Malibu is basically true to what it was when it was new.Bring a TrailerThis is a pure California car—quite literally, as it was assembled at GM’s Fremont Assembly plant near San Francisco. When Reilly bought this car, he would have already appeared in Days of Thunder and could have been seen on-screen in a supporting role in Hoffa. Unlike the Rolls convertible Reilly drove as team owner Jerry Buss in Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, this Chevrolet convertible has a touch of the understated about it. Drop the top on this classic Chevy, load the soundtrack to Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story into the aftermarket Alpine stereo, and head for the beach to catch the last rays of that California sunset.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

Nikola, the electric truck manufacturer on Friday, reported a fire around its global headquarters in Phoenix.Five electric trucks were burned in the incident, the company confirmed, though no injuries have been reported. The company took to Twitter to announce that it suspects foul play was involved in starting the fire. Commercial electric truck startup Nikola on Friday reported a fire around its Phoenix, Arizona, headquarters. Multiple electric trucks were burned in the fire, though no injuries have been reported from the scene. Following the fire, the company took to its official Twitter account to announce that it suspects foul play took place in the starting of the fire. “Foul play is suspected as a vehicle was seen in the area of the affected trucks just prior to the incident and an investigation is underway,” the company said on Twitter. 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.Early this morning behind our Phoenix headquarters, a fire occurred which affected multiple battery electric trucks. No one has been injured. Foul play is suspected as a vehicle was seen in the area of the affected trucks just prior to the incident and an investigation is…— Nikola Motor Company (@nikolamotor) June 23, 2023A spokesperson for Nikola confirmed the language in the tweet in speaking with Automotive News about the fire. “Once the situation is further assessed, we will have more information,” Nikola spokesperson Nicole Rose told the business publication.More on NikolaAdditionally, the Phoenix Fire Department released a video on Twitter, announcing that hazardous materials crews are at the scene of the fire. The tweet included video from the Nikola headquarters showing at least three of the startup’s trucks were involved in the fire. A company spokesperson confirmed to Car and Driver that a total of five vehicles were involved in the incident. The fire comes as further setback for the young manufacturer, which announced 270 layoffs last week with 150 employees at its European factory and 120 at its Phoenix and Coolidge, Arizona, facilities affected by the layoffs. The company has already had its share of woes, scrapping plans for a consumer-focused electric pickup truck before production began and having a former chairman charged with three counts of criminal fraud by the Department of Justice. NikolaAccording to a report by Reuters, the manufacturer has produced 63 Tre battery-electric trucks, delivering to 31 dealers in the first three months of the year. The company had reportedly paused production at its factory in Coolidge, Arizona, and was set to resume making trucks in July, according to the company’s statements last month. It is unclear if the fire will impact future production for the company. 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

Infiniti has revealed a redesigned, three-dimensional logo. According to the manufacturer, the new logo puts more emphasis on the “infinite road” and “horizon line” aspects of the logo. The newest version marks the fourth iteration of the Infiniti logo since the brand’s inception in 1989. In the grand scheme of automotive brands, Infiniti hasn’t been around all that long. Despite its young age, in the 34 years since its inception, the Infiniti logo has changed three times. As of this week, the logo enters its fourth generation. According to the manufacturer, the newest design for the logo puts more emphasis on the infinite road and horizon aspects of the logo. “Adding greater emphasis to the point where the infinite road intersects with the horizon, we are showcasing our steadfast commitment to always look forward to the future and to new horizons,” said Sam Xin, global divisional general manager for Infiniti. Where older versions of the logo end in a sharp point, the new version joins two flat lines extending into the background.All four generations of Infiniti logos.INFINITIThe new, three-dimensional logo was created to adorn production vehicles in the future. Infiniti wasn’t clear about which vehicles the new logo would appear on, or when, but with a host of new vehicles planned for next summer, the logo probably won’t debut until then. Logo RedesignsAccording to the brand, the new 3-D aspect of the logo expresses dynamism, motion, and power. The new logo will be illuminated on the hood of new Infiniti models.INFINITIOn top of the redesigned infinite road section of the logo, Infiniti also increased the spacing of the lettering. According to the manufacturer, the change helps to visually accentuate the horizon. Like most automotive logo redesigns, the changes are subtle, and most who pass by the new logo won’t spot the difference. But a new logo can also signify the start of a new era for a brand, and we’re always here for that.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.Infiniti Specs, Details, PhotosAssociate 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 Toyota Land Cruiser SUV is poised to make its return to the U.S. market.We expect the new version to be similar to the recently revealed 2024 Lexus GX.Look for the new Land Cruiser to be revealed sometime in 2024.Bronco, Integra, Supra—reviving a popular yet long-dead nameplate is nothing new in the automotive industry. But Toyota isn’t giving the Land Cruiser name much time to languish. The legendary SUV was only just discontinued in the U.S. following the 2021 model year, and now the automaker has already confirmed that the Land Cruiser will once again grace our amber waves of grain. However, it’s becoming apparent that the upcoming model set to arrive soon won’t share a whole lot with the last version that was sold on our shores.So far, the only official news is that Toyota will bring the Land Cruiser name back to the U.S. market. It’s unlikely, though, that we’ll receive the 300-series LC that other markets get. Instead, the role of “giant luxury off-roader” will probably stay with the Lexus LX, which shares its body-on-frame TNGA-F platform with the 300-series Land Cruiser, as well as the latest versions of the Tundra and Sequoia. Because the Sequoia already exists as a bulky three-row Toyota SUV with available off-road-friendly bits, adding the similarly sized Land Cruiser to the mix wouldn’t make a ton of sense.More on the Land CruiserInstead, we have our eyes fixated on the 2024 Lexus GX to form the basis for the revived Land Cruiser. That would make the U.S.-spec Land Cruiser a little smaller than before, which would certainly aid its ability to navigate tricky terrain. In previous generations, the Lexus GX was the fancier sibling of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, a smaller LC variant that never made it Stateside—at least not as a Toyota. According to an Automotive News report, Toyota may simply ditch the Prado part of the badge and bring the resulting vehicle here as simply the Land Cruiser. Our illustration (top) leans into the Prado report, borrowing a hefty amount of styling from the new GX while adopting a front-end style similar to that of the Compact Cruiser EV concept, which was unveiled in 2021 and bears more than a passing similarity to the 300-series Land Cruiser. (We’re also in love with the idea of a new FJ-style compact off-roader, but one thing at a time here.)Toyota-fying the GX will likely involve a bit of decontenting, as the Land Cruiser’s lower trim levels would logically have less equipment than the Lexus. This could also mean a lower base price, one would hope. But the off-road extras found in the GX’s Overtrail trim, such as its chunky tires and locking differentials, would surely be part of a Land Cruiser TRD Pro trim level.If the new Land Cruiser Prado does cross over to our shores, it’s also likely to share powertrains with the GX. That would mean a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6, perhaps making the same 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque as the Lexus, with a hybrid model to follow later. The new Tacoma’s turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four will probably be reserved for a forthcoming 4Runner replacement.Speaking of 4Runner, the repositioning of the Land Cruiser could have interesting implications for that mid-size model. If the forthcoming Land Cruiser shrinks its footprint to become analogous to the GX, we could see the 4Runner morph into something better targeted at the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. The GX—and possibly the new Land Cruiser—will be offered with a third row of seats, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the next-generation 4Runner get a bit smaller too and drop its optional third row. There’s still plenty of time for speculation. According to AN’s report, the Land Cruiser Prado’s makeover won’t debut until 2024, and it’s unlikely Toyota would jump the gun and reveal a U.S.-specific variant of it first. Nevertheless, there are some big changes for the Land Cruiser just over the horizon, and they could very well have ramifications for other vehicles in Toyota’s lineup, too.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

Factory Five’s new XT-1 kit transforms a 2015–’20 Ford F-150 crew cab 4×4 into a desert pre-runner.Starting at $24,990, the XT-1 replaces the F-150’s standard ladder frame with a full tube frame with a long-travel suspension.Factory Five says the new frame is 100 pounds heavier, and it makes the F-150’s fenders 90 inches wide (the widebody Raptor R has 87-inch hips).Bored with all the factory-built Baja trucks out there like the Raptors and TRXs and ZR2s? Well, you’re in luck, because Factory Five Racing just cooked up a new kit that’ll turn a 2015 to 2020 Ford F-150s into something more akin to a trophy truck than a Raptor. The XT-1 kit brings new meaning to “frame-off restoration,” replacing the F-150’s ladder frame with a full tube-frame setup, complete with new long-travel suspension. All you need is a truck, some can-do mechanical aptitude—and $24,990.Factory FiveDo It YourselfThe XT-1 kit is the first Factory Five design to use a factory interior, and indeed the finished truck looks completely stock inside. Underneath is a different story, with Ford’s frame replaced with a tube-steel monster that Factory Five says weighs 100 pounds more than the stock item but is twice as strong. The new frame pushes the front and rear tracks out so much that an XT-1 is 90 inches wide at the fenders—3 inches wider than a Raptor R, itself not skinny. That additional width requires a lot of new bodywork, including the hood, front end, and front and rear fenders. Body panels are fiberglass, with carbon fiber a $6999 option.The hardware behind 16 inches of front suspension travel.Factory FiveThe suspension, though, is the XT-1’s reason for being. The control-arm independent front suspension (with CV joints and four-wheel drive) includes long-travel Fox remote-reservoir dampers and delivers 16 inches of travel. The rear end is even wilder, replacing the F-150’s leaf-spring design with a four-link coil suspension that stretches for 20 inches of travel. The XT-1 is designed to run 37-inch tires, same as the Raptor R.Factory FiveExtra-Cost ExtrasBesides the carbon body panels, there are a few other options. The $699 tow package restores the F-150’s towing capability with a hitch, panhard bar, and axle-limiting straps. Rear anti-roll bars are $399, but isn’t comical body roll part of the desert-truck experience? A race cage for the cab will be available at some point but isn’t yet priced. Factory FiveAs for the donor-truck starting point, you’ll want a 2015-2020 F-150 crew cab 4×4 with the 26-gallon fuel tank (a 2021 or 2022 model is also compatible but more complicated). Either the EcoBoost twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 or 5.0-liter V-8 engines will work. Say, didn’t Ford just release a 700-horsepower bolt-on kit for that 5.0? Break out your credit card, we have a great idea! The XT-1 kit goes on sale in August, so you can start cleaning out your garage now. Pull in with an F-150 this fall, leap out next spring ready to ignore speed bumps entirely.Read about the F-150 Raptor RThis 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 EditorEzra Dyer is a Car and Driver senior editor and columnist. He’s now based in North Carolina but still remembers how to turn right. He owns a 2009 GEM e4 and once drove 206 mph. Those facts are mutually exclusive. More

More than 11,000 BMW iX xDrive50 and iX M60 from 2022 through 2024 model years are under recall due to a cruise control software error. Documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explain that the driver can inadvertently hit the cruise control button and activate the system. BMW will notify owners starting July 28. BMW of North America has issued a recall for approximately 11,180 iX xDrive50 and iX M60 electric SUVs because of a potential safety concern involving the cruise control.According to BMW, when turning the steering wheel at low speed, the driver is at risk of inadvertently contacting the cruise control button. This complication could lead to unexpected acceleration or deceleration, although the cruise control icon will become visible and the driver can deactivate the system by either braking or pressing the cruise control on/off button. BMWSeparately, more than 14,000 BMW EVs, including about 5000 iX SUVs, were recalled earlier this year over a problem with short-circuiting in the high-voltage battery, as well as a few dozen 2022 iX EVs for a problem with battery manufacturing that could allow debris to enter the battery. In both cases, BMW issued Stop Drive orders until the problems could be fixed under recall.For the current issue, BMW will begin notifying vehicle owners in July about the need for a software update. In the meantime, iX owners can check the NHTSA recalls website to see if their vehicle is included in the recall.Other Recent RecallsSummer Editorial InternAlessandra Kaestner, a Chicago native, has always been interested in journalism. She remembers listening to NPR every day before school with her parents and trying to race her dad to get the New York Times from the front door. Alessandra continued her passion for journalism by working at her university’s newspaper during her first year and into her sophomore year: the Cornell Daily Sun. She is majoring in psychology and philosophy and wants to explore law and journalism. Although she does not have a lot of background in the world of cars, Alessandra is interested in expanding her knowledge and gaining experience. She could not be more excited to work with so many talented people at Car and Driver. More

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.There’s a new NISMO in town – Introducing the Nissan NISMO ZWatch onYouTube IconYouTube IconThe 2024 Nissan Z NISMO is teased in a video posted today on YouTube.The clip gives us our clearest look yet at the upcoming NISMO Z, and it shows off a new body kit and upgraded Dunlop SP Sport Maxx summer tires. Nissan promises to release more details later this summer, which could mean the car will arrive before the end of the year. The track-oriented 2024 Nissan Z NISMO model is just around the apex. The automaker released a 45-second teaser video, giving us the opportunity to spot a few exciting details about the new car. We’ve seen camouflaged spy photos of the NISMO in the past, but this gives us our best look yet. A Better BodyA new body kit is immediately recognizable in the video. The standard Z is far from introverted, but the NISMO treatment makes the coupe look even more aggressive. Its unique front and rear bumpers have a more angular look, and the now iconic NISMO red stripe returns, tracing the bottom of the car, from the front splitter around to the rear diffuser. The duckbill spoiler is also new and extends over the wheel arches, giving the car a slightly more pronounced stance.NISSANIn the clip, Nissan uses three-time Formula Drift champion Chris Forsberg to hoon the NISMO Z around a racetrack. More important to us are the actual tires he tears up in the video. The NISMO Z ditches the regular model’s Bridgestone Potenza S007s in favor of stickier Dunlop SP Sport Maxx summer tires. That switch alone should help improve the Z’s performance, as we’ve previously bemoaned how its tires can be easily overwhelmed. More Power?It’s possible the NISMO-tuned Z could bring a considerable power increase. Unfortunately there’s no way to be sure until Nissan reveals the full specs later this summer. As things stand now, the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 in the base car makes 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, but rumors suggest the NISMO version could have up to 500 hp. Since the model driven in the video is an automatic (based on the steering-wheel-mounted paddles), we’ll have to wait and see if the regular Z’s six-speed manual transmission is also available.Pricing for the 2024 range of Z’s hasn’t been revealed yet, but the base prices of last year’s lineup ranged from $42,085 to $55,085. With the expected bump in horsepower and the extra performance hardware, we think the NISMO will start in the low-to-mid-$60,000 range. Nissan promises to release more details later this summer, which could signal the Z to join the lineup before the end of the year.More Nissan Z StoriesThis 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

The electric Ford SuperVan 4.2 will compete in the 101st Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.Modified from the 1973-hp SuperVan 4, the 4.2 version features a massive wing and a 1400-plus-hp powertrain that was specifically tuned for the climb.The SuperVan 4.2 will be driven by Romain Dumas when the race takes place this Sunday, June 25.Race cars come in all shapes and sizes. Like, say, an electric van with more horsepower than five Honda Odysseys combined. That describes the Ford SuperVan 4.2, which will use its 1400-plus horsepower to race to the top of Pikes Peak at this year’s event.A Transformed SuperVanThe Ford Pro Electric SuperVan debuted at last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, where its four motors generated 1973 horsepower combined. Developed in a partnership with Ford Performance and STARD, who is based in Austria and specializes in electric race and rally cars, the SuperVan 4 featured a mid-mounted 50.0-kWh liquid-cooled battery and myriad racing modifications. With the 4.2 version, the EV van has been further transformed with one goal in mind: Reach Pikes Peak as quickly as possible.Ford Motor CompanyAlong with a new livery emblazoned with Ford Performance’s updated logo, the most obvious difference between the SuperVan 4.2 and its predecessor is the comically large rear wing. That lightweight carbon-fiber spoiler as well as the other aerodynamic add-ons are said to deliver more than 4400 pounds of downforce at 150 mph. The van’s chassis has also been lightened, but its powertrain receives the other biggest changes.Ford removed one of the SuperVan’s four electric motors, with one now powering the front axle and the other two feeding the rear wheels. Together they make over 1400 horses, and the motors are now juiced by a newly optimized version of the van’s regenerative braking system. Along with carbon-ceramic front rotors, the SuperVan 4.2 features forged wheels with Pirelli P Zero race tires. It also has enhanced driveshafts, a plexiglass windshield, and a stripped-out interior with a roll cage and a single racing seat.Ford Motor CompanyThe Ford SuperVan 4.2 will be driven by Romain Dumas, who has previously participated in the annual event seven times. The 101st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will be held this Sunday, June 25.More Ford EV Race CarsThis 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