Motor News

The 2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport receives updates for the new model year.The Discovery Sport’s interior is the biggest beneficiary, adding a curved 11.4-inch touchscreen and other newly standard features.Subtle changes freshen up the Disco Sport’s exterior, including a new gloss-black grille as well as different 19- and 21-inch wheels.It’s easy to forget about the Land Rover Discovery Sport, but the luxury off-roader gets a few updates for the 2024 model year that help bring attention to the SUV. While there are some light styling changes, the most notable updates occur in the cabin, where a curved 11.4-inch touchscreen now serves as the centerpiece.A Big New ScreenThe new infotainment screen runs the latest version of the company’s Pivi Pro software. For those who aren’t familiar with the setup, there are static bars on both sides of the screen that always allow users to instantly access certain menus and functions. The large floating glass display also includes standard Amazon Alexa voice compatibility along with wireless Apple CarPlay; Android Auto is also part of the deal. The 2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport receives a revised center console and center stack too. A stubby shifter replaces the old tall, narrow lever, and it’s surrounded by a smoother and more attractive surface. Below the Pivi Pro screen is extra storage space instead of the HVAC control panel with its physical knobs. There’s a newly standard wireless charging pad and two USB-C ports. The SUV adds a new three-spoke steering wheel with rearranged controls and shift paddles, and every ’24 Discovery Sport comes standard with a fully digital gauge cluster.Fresher Styling, Higher PriceThe Disco Sport’s exterior updates aren’t significant enough to be noticed by most people. However, Land Rover says the base S trim adds a new gloss-black grille, color-matching rocker panels, and silver skid plates. The Dynamic variant features a gloss-black roof and other matching exterior details. It also has three strakes on the front bumper’s air inlets for a more distinctive look. Varesine Blue is a new paint color, and customers can chose from newly designed 19- and 21-inch wheels.The 2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport is currently on sale in America, with a starting price of $50,075. That’s for the base S trim, and it’s a sizable $5600 more than the 2023 model. Of course, the SUV does add a host of new standard features. The Dynamic SE starts at $54,275—$4600 more than before. Every model still features all-wheel drive and the P250 powertrain, which is a 246-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.Past Disco Sport 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.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

The Z11 option package was a one-year-only offering that brought aluminum body panels and other weight-saving features.It’s believed that 57 full-size ’63 Chevys were so equipped.This example was originally campaigned by drag racer Terry Prince.Car and DriverThis 1963 Impala is one of the most muscular full-size Chevys ever made, rare and bristling with aggression. In period, it rolled up to the Christmas tree and then blitzed down the dragstrip, angry dinosaur noises roaring out of its 427-cubic-inch big-block V-8. Now, this rare Impala is up for auction on Bring a Trailer, which like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos. Bring a TrailerMore Impala goodnessThe early 1960s were a golden age for drag racing, and Chevrolet’s executives wanted to beat Ford. For 1963, they introduced a special-order option package, Regular Production Order (RPO) code Z11, which bestowed Chevrolet’s full-size Impala with something very special. It was an astronomically expensive option—at $1240, it added almost a third to the price of the car—and buyers got less for their money. Specifically, the radio, heater, and front sway bar were deleted. Many steel parts were replaced with aluminum, for a total weight savings of around 300 pounds.Bring a TrailerChevy had introduced the Super Sport (SS) option in 1961, with a 409-cubic-inch V-8 good for around 360 horsepower. For the Z11, that engine was punched up to 427 cubic inches, fitted with 13.5:1 compression pistons, and crowned with a high-rise intake and twin four-barrel carbs. The factory rating was 430 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque. The manual transmission was a four-speed BorgWarner T-10. Power is sent rearward to a 4.11:1 Positraction rear axle.Bring a TrailerThis example was bought new by Terry Prince, whose name it wears on its flanks. Prince ran the performance shop at Service Chevrolet in Pasadena, California, and ordered it specially. He competed in the 1963 NHRA Winternationals, and through the rest of the year. The car is accompanied by photos of the Impala in competition, as well as the original purchase order for $4102.32. The car was restored from a dissembled state in the late 1990s.Get your footwork right and this big red sled would scoot to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and flash through the quarter-mile traps at over 120 mph. A ferocious beast from a long-ago age, this Chevy has no seatbelts, drum brakes, and firepower like the USS Missouri. It’s a holy grail for Impala enthusiasts. The auction runs through June 17.Car and driverCar and driver Lettermark logoContributing 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

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.Attention, gamers: The release date for the new Forza Motorsport is October 10, with an opportunity to preorder special editions and get five days of early access ahead of launch. Forza Motorsport is available for Xbox Series S, Series X, and PC. The game is also included as part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service. This newest iteration of Forza will launch with more than 500 cars, 20 tracks, and a fancy new physics and graphics system that allows for gameplay at 4K resolution at 60 frames per second on Xbox Series X and PCs with suitable hardware. The 100th Le Mans, a new Detroit Grand Prix city circuit, and the upcoming Formula 1 race down the Las Vegas Strip have all contributed to an especially exciting year of motorsport spectatorship—and Turn 10 Studio’s all-new Forza Motorsport promises to keep the party going. Stuffed within the two-hour-long Xbox Games Showcase was this Forza Motorsport official trailer that highlighted new cars, tracks, and Xbox’s highly anticipated next-generation answer to Sony’s exclusive Gran Turismo 7. Pre-orders are open now, but the new Forza Motorsport has been confirmed as included in Xbox Game Pass when it launches on October 10. Get your game onThe DetailsHere’s what we know so far: Forza Motorsport is bringing more than 500 cars with it on launch day. There are 20 tracks that each have numerous layouts, and five of those tracks are brand new to the series. Every track in the game will have a range of times of day and a choice of different weather environments, with the ability for the track surface to collect rubber and varying grip levels dependent on surface temperature. Some of our own favorites, such as Virginia International Raceway and the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, make their return in more detail than ever before. TURN 10 STUDIOSMore Powertrain Swapping, More ChallengesPart of Forza’s long-standing charm has been the ability to swap powertrains and drivetrains to create some wild automotive cocktails. That’s back, and so are 800 other performance upgrades for its swath of vehicles to challenge the imagination. A single-player campaign mode, Builders Cup Career mode, and online multiplayer all return to the stage this year, each with its own challenges and progression system that are designed to keep you in the driver’s seat. Turn 10 says the AI has been revamped to add a smarter and more competitive level of difficulty, and if that’s not enough for ya, they’ve thrown tire and fuel strategy into the mix.Forza Motorsport Standard EditionForza Motorsport Standard EditionForza fans can preorder to get early access to Forza Motorsport, beginning October 5, and play either on Xbox Series X, Series S, or PC. PC gamers who prefer Steam to the Xbox store can wish-list the new Forza to be notified when it’s available for preorder on that platform. There are also multiple special editions that have come with their own perks for an extra cost. The Premium Edition ($99) brings five days of early access, a Race Day Car Pack, a Car Pass (one new car awarded weekly for 30 weeks), VIP membership, and a welcome pack. The Deluxe Edition ($89) gets everything the Premium Edition includes, short of the early access. The Standard Edition ($69) is the cheapest way to purchase the new Forza Motorsport, but if you’re already subscribed to Xbox Game Pass, you’ll be able to play on launch day. 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 EditorYes, he’s still working on the 1986 Nissan 300ZX Turbo project car he started in high school, and no, it’s not for sale yet. Austin Irwin was born and raised in Michigan, and, despite getting shelled by hockey pucks during a not-so-successful goaltending career through high school and college, still has all of his teeth. He loves cars from the 1980s and Bleu, his Great Pyrenees, and is an active member of the Buffalo Wild Wings community. When Austin isn’t working on his own cars, he’s likely on the side of the highway helping someone else fix theirs. More

Ford Performance is set to enter the famed Dakar Rally for the first time ever, which takes place in Saudi Arabia in January 2024. Ford will join with partners M-Sport and Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) to field a T1+-class modified Ford Ranger for 2024. According to Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance, Ford will use 2024 as a learning experience before bringing a Ranger Raptor–based truck and going for a win in 2025. The Ford Motor Company is going racing, and no, this time it isn’t in response to a recent Ferrari victory at Le Mans. Instead, Ford Performance will be taking on the famous and physically demanding Dakar Rally. The Blue Oval will team up with longtime partners M-Sport and Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) to field the required T1+-class truck for the competition. Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance, told Car and Driver some details about Ford’s entry into the famed rally. When it enters the race for the first time in 2024, Ford will run a modified version of the fourth-generation Ranger, built to the Dakar’s T1+ specifications. Current-generation NWM Ford Ranger T1+.FordAccording to Rushbrook, the 2024 race will be a “finish and learn effort” for Ford, because racing the Dakar Rally is grueling on the truck and team alike. He plans to use the race as an opportunity for the team to learn the necessary logistics to mount a strong competition at the race. The team also plans to compete at Spain’s Baja España Aragón and Morocco’s Rally du Maroc rallies in July and October, using both races as a testbed before the Dakar Rally in January. Currently, the NWM-built competition trucks use the same twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine as the F-150 Raptor. The harsh terrain of Saudi Arabia makes suspension a vital part of the truck. On the NWM Ranger, that means suspension making use of 3.0-inch-diameter single dampers on each corner, which provide up to 13.8 inches of wheel travel to cushion the landing when cresting desert dunes. Stopping power is handled through a set of 13.9-inch Brembo disc brakes, complete with water-cooled calipers to handle extreme heat. All-New Truck for the January 2025 RallyUsing what they learn in the 2024 event, Ford and Rushbrook plan to mount the offensive in the following year. “We will prepare and build and test and develop an all new truck through 2024. That we will take back to race in January of 2025, with the intent of competing for the win,” he told C/D.FordMore Ford PerformanceNot only will they be armed with the knowledge and experience of having actually competed in the event, but they also plan to bring a completely new truck. While the fourth-generation Ranger underpins the current NWM T1+ Ranger, the 2025 entry will be built on the newer Ranger Raptor platform. When we asked Rushbrook if that meant the new truck would utilize the Raptor’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 rather than the current 3.5-liter, he instead pointed out that the FIA regulations allow for use of any engine from within the Ford family, but wouldn’t give specifics yet. All this talk of M-Sport–developed vehicles and Ford Performance has us thinking of the 5.4-liter V-8 in the Mustang GT3 that was just revealed . . . perhaps that’s a conversation for next time.More Details and SpecsAssociate 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

Stellantis has issued a recall on 2021 through 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokees over a faulty coil spring.According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem potentially affects about 331,000 2022—2023 Grand Cherokee and 2021–2023 Grand Cherokee L SUVs.Owners of these vehicles will be receiving a letter by July 28, and the issue will be fixed free of charge by the dealer.Owners of 2021 through 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokees may soon receive a recall notice over a problem with the SUVs’ coil springs. According to the automaker, Stellantis, a total of 331,401 Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L models may have incorrectly installed rear coil springs. Included in the recall are 217,099 Grand Cherokee L and 114,302 Grand Cherokee SUVs. Grand Cherokees with the optional air suspension are not involved.The report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) details a “potentially out-of-position rear coil spring” as an issue that occurred during manufacturing in May 2023, making it possible the spring could detach while the vehicle is in motion. The separation could cause loss of control and increase the risk of an accident. As of May 25, the automaker was made aware of two customer assistance records, 17 warranty claims, and two field reports potentially related to the issue. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries directly related to the malfunctioning springs. The recall report estimates that only about 13 percent of the 331,401 recalled vehicles are likely to have the problem, and Grand Cherokees built after May 31 are not involved. Stellantis will send notifications to owners about the current recall by late July. In the meantime, Grand Cherokee owners can check whether their vehicle is affected on the NHTSA recalls website.Recent RecallsCar and driverCar and driver Lettermark logoSummer 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

The 2024 Nissan Sentra is here with new exterior styling, highlighted by redesigned headlights and a new front fascia. The interior is slightly redesigned for the Sentra, and unlike its Chinese twin the Sylphy, the Sentra sticks to its 7.0- and 8.0-inch infotainment screens.The Sentra now has an engine start-stop feature, which Nissan says will help improve fuel economy figures.Nissan is adding some more visual flair to the 2024 Nissan Sentra while keeping meaningful changes light. Now in its fifth generation, the affordable compact sedan was due for a facelift. We’ve had some idea of what the changes would look like after spotting updates to the Sentra’s China-market twin the Sylphy back in March, though it seems that the U.S.-spec version isn’t exactly the same. The extent of the changes for the Sentra depend on the chosen trim level. All trims have a restyled front fascia and new headlights, along with new 16- and 18-inch wheel designs. Stepping up to the top trim SR adds a restyled rear bumper as well and a new color for the contrasting interior accent stitching.Inside, the changes are less noticeable. Unlike the Sylphy, which gained much larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the 2024 Sentra marches on with the same old 7.0- and 8.0-inch infotainment screens. The Sentra also has a revised CVT automatic that promises smoother faux “shift” patterns. When paired with the new engine start-stop feature, these powertrain improvements should improve on the standard 2.0-liter inline-four engine’s already competitive fuel economy figures. EPA fuel-economy figures aren’t yet available, but the Sentra previously achieved EPA combined ratings of 33 mpg and 32 mpg for the SR trim. The only other change for the 2024 model comes in the way of Nissan adding its Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of safety features as standard. More on the SentraDetails such as pricing won’t be released until closer to the late summer, when Nissan plans to put the refreshed Sentra on sale. With so few changes, we don’t expect the price will change all that much, and it will likely hover around $22,000 to start. 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 2024 Honda CR-V Sport-L toes the line between the Sport and Sport Touring trims.Honda increases the 2024 CR-V’s base price by $1090, with the entry-level LX stickering for $30,795.The Sport-L trim comes standard with front-wheel drive and starts at $37,645. Honda expands the CR-V lineup for 2024 with the addition of the Sport-L trim level. Offered exclusively with the CR-V’s hybrid powertrain, the Sport-L bridges the gap between the cloth-seated CR-V Sport and flagship Sport Touring trims, both of which are also hybrid-only affairs.A New Hybrid CR-V Trim Don’t think of the $37,645 Sport-L as just a CR-V Sport with leather seats, though, as Honda also fits the model with a number of convenience items it previously reserved for the gas-powered EX-L and gas-electric Sport Touring guises. This includes a power-operated tailgate (there’s no kick-to-open feature, though, as Honda reserves that for the Sport Touring), a four-way power passenger seat, front and rear parking sensors, a wireless charging pad, satellite radio, driver’s seat memory, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additionally, the Sport-L comes standard with a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system (2.0 inches larger than the Sport’s) and an eight-speaker audio system that betters the Sport’s six-speaker setup but falls short of the Sport Touring’s Bose-branded 12-speaker system. Andi Hedrick|Car and DriverFrom the outside, the Sport-L looks more like its lesser Sport sibling than the higher-end Sport Touring. Whereas the top-end CR-V Hybrid relies on a set of 19-inch wheels and tires, the Sport-L retains the Sport’s 18-inch units. Likewise, the Sport-L comes standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive adding $1500 to the bill. As is the case with its gas-electric stablemates, the Sport-L comes standard with a 204-hp hybrid powertrain that consists of a four-cylinder gas engine and two electric motors. 2024 CR-V Costs MoreFor 2024, the nonhybrid CR-V LX, EX, and EX-L models continue to make do with a 190-hp 1.5-liter turbo four. In fact, the rest of the sixth-generation CR-V lineup largely carries over for its sophomore year. That said, the model’s cost of entry jumps $1090 for 2024, with the base LX model now stickering for $30,795.Related StoriesSenior EditorDespite their shared last name, Greg Fink is not related to Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s infamous Rat Fink. Both Finks, however, are known for their love of cars, car culture, and—strangely—monogrammed one-piece bathing suits. Greg’s career in the media industry goes back more than a decade. His previous experience includes stints as an editor at publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, Motor1.com, and MotorTrend. More

The Toyota Land Cruiser will return to America, based on posts by the automaker’s U.S. social media accounts.Along with a clip showing photos of past Land Cruiser badges, Toyota of America wrote, “The legend returns.”With Lexus recently revealing a new GX, it’s plausible the next U.S.-bound Land Cruiser could share that SUV’s body-on-frame platform.Like a killer in a slasher flick, the Toyota Land Cruiser that’s sold in America didn’t stay dead. Toyota today posted a short clip showing past Land Cruiser badges on its U.S. social media accounts along with the words, “The legend returns.” While the company didn’t release any other details, it’s clear the Land Cruiser nameplate is officially returning to our shores.Following the 2021 model year, Toyota decided to discontinue the 200-series Land Cruiser in America. Meanwhile, the new 300-series debuted in other markets before making its way to the U.S. in the form of the more upscale Lexus LX. The next Land Cruiser we get isn’t expected to be based on the 300-series, though. Instead, it could possibly share a body-on-frame platform with the new 2024 Lexus GX.The new mid-size GX was conceived as a Lexus from the beginning, but we think it’s entirely possible that it could also provide the basis for the next-gen Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, which is sold globally as a smaller version of the full-size LC as well as the GX’s corporate counterpart. Toyota could then drop “Prado” from the name and sell it in America as just Land Cruiser. This speculation is further backed by a report by Automotive News, who made similar claims citing a person familiar with Toyota’s plan.That’s all we know for now, but stay tuned as more information on the Land Cruiser’s U.S. return is expected to trickle out over the next couple months.The Iconic Land CruiserThis 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