Motor News

Toyota has built an electric sports car prototype with a manual transmission and a clutch, per a report by Automotive News.Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda revealed the details after driving the prototype, and he also mentioned hearing engine noise in the cabin.Lexus—Toyota’s luxury division—has already experimented with a simulated manual, so it’s something the brands think could make EVs more engaging.It seems inevitable that one day, possibly not many years from now, all new performance cars will be electric. That’s a sad thought for enthusiasts who love the extra engagement that manual transmission’s provide, as there currently aren’t any EVs in production that feature a shift-for-yourself setup. However, Toyota is working on an electric sports car that could change that, according to comments the company’s chairman, Akio Toyoda, recently made to Automotive News.More Manual NewsSpeaking to the news outlet during the 24 Hours of Le Mans last weekend, Toyoda said he had driven a prototype built by Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s motorsport division. “You hear the engine noise inside the car and you have a manual transmission with a clutch,” he’s quoted as saying. “You truly do not notice you are driving an electric car—the only thing missing is the smell of gasoline.”ToyotaWhile Toyota hasn’t officially announced a new electric sports car, it has revealed a concept called the Sports EV (pictured above). Meanwhile, Lexus is planning an electric successor to the LFA supercar, and it has already experimented with a manual gearbox that simulates the feel of a traditional stick shift that might make an EV feel more engaging. There’s also the Lexus UX300e that the company retrofitted with a fake manual shifter and clutch.It tracks that a similar setup is the one Toyoda experienced in the prototype. As for the engine noise inside the cabin that he mentioned, it’s unclear if that’s fake sound mimicking an internal-combustion engine or audio amplified from the car’s electric motors, like we heard in Porsche’s 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance race car. Either way, it’ll be interesting to see whether Toyota can create a fake manual transmission for EVs that’s not purely theatrical.Electric Sports Cars and Fake ManualsThis 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

Acura is no stranger to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, as the automaker has been participating in the annual event for the past 12 years. This year marks its 13th consecutive entry, and the new high-performance 2024 Acura Integra Type S will get the chance to race to the clouds along with three other models from the brand’s portfolio.Integra Type S RacerA race-prepped version of the Integra Type S will compete in the Exhibition division. The hot hatch is equipped with a unique hood, front splitter, and swan-neck rear wing. A Borla exhaust and 19-inch Titan wheels wrapped with Yokohama Advan A005 tires are among the other upgrades. The Honda Performance Development (HPD) Integra Type S will be driven by Loni Unser and features a livery inspired by the anime racing show Chiaki’s Journey.AcuraIntegra RacerThe regular Acura Integra hatchback will also compete. The Pikes Peak entry was built by Honda of America Racing Team (HART) and will be driven by Acura engineer Paul Hubers. The car’s suspension is enhanced with a kit from HPD as well as Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs. A Borla exhaust, Cusco Racing limited-slip differential, and HPD billet engine mounts are also part of the upgrades, as are forged 18-inch HRE wheels with Yokohama Advan A005 rubber.AcuraTLX Type S RacerPikes Peak will see another HART-built Acura in the form of a TLX Type S driven by Jordan Guitar, another one of the automaker’s engineers. Along with myriad aero bits, the hi-po sedan’s turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 is upgraded with a larger turbo and improved cooling. It also pairs with retuned versions of the 10-speed automatic transmission and super-handling all-wheel-drive system (SH-AWD). The suspension has been lowered 1 inch, race-compound brake pads have been added, and Acura says 600 pounds have also been shaved off the car’s curb weight. A set of forged 19-inch HRE wheels and Yokohama Advan A005 tires are also part of the setup.AcuraAn NSX Named “Yamabiko”While Acura no longer builds the NSX supercar, a skunkworks division of HART called Crazy New is using a 2022 NSX Type S as a canvas for a special project. It revolves around max aerodynamic performance, with the supercar donning custom carbon-fiber bodywork that’s designed to maintain downforce and reduce drag. It’s also fitted with a special rear wing that actively adjusts itself for reduced drag at higher speeds or to create an air brake to help slow the car down. This modified NSX is nicknamed “Yamabiko,” which is said to be a mythical mountain god in Japanese folklore. Driven by Honda engineer James Robinson, Yamabiko will compete in the Time Attack 1 division.AcuraThe 101st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will take place on June 25, 2023. An Acura TLX Type S PMC Edition will serve as the pace car for this year’s event, and it’ll be driven by IndyCar driver David Malukas.Acura and Pikes PeakThis 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

Divco stands for Detroit Industrial Vehicle Company.With snub-nosed styling that changed little from the 1930s right through to the 1980s, this little delivery truck has toon-town charm in spades.This 1955 example has been refurbished by a marque specialist in Arizona, and with three days left before the auction ends on Sunday, June 18, the high bid is at $12,000.Car and DriverBefore Amazon, FedEx, and UPS trucks became ubiquitous on neighborhood streets, the most commonly seen delivery trucks were those that plied a regular route, typically delivering milk and other staples. And while it’s hard to imagine anyone will be nostalgic for today’s FedEx trucks years from now, a 1950s delivery van like this 1955 Divco has plenty of charm. This restored example is up for auction on Bring a Trailer, which, like Car and Driver is part of Hearst Autos. It’s a vehicular blast from the past that may be more evocative than any Corvette or T-Bird.Bring a TrailerModern-Day Delivery TrucksThe Detroit Industrial Vehicle Company had a pretty unusual start. Founder George Bacon was the lead engineer at the Detroit Electric Vehicle Company, a pioneer in EVs as far back as 1907. Bacon’s bright idea was to build a gasoline-powered version of a Detroit Electric, the better to handle cold weather and longer-distance driving. Detroit Electric’s execs didn’t think the whole combustion-engine thing was going to work out, so off George went, setting up Divco in the 1920s.Divco survived some tumultuous times through the Great Depression and by 1937 was cranking out the delivery trucks that would become such a familiar sight. Fleets of these happy-looking little trucks emerged from a huge new plant in Detroit, ready for their sides to be painted with the brightly colored company names of local dairies, bakeries, laundries, and just about any other company making multiple-stop deliveries.Bring a TrailerThis example is a 1955 Model 11, which rides on a 100.8-inch wheelbase. It’s powered by a 2.7-liter engine rated at 49 horsepower at a leisurely 2640 rpm. Somewhat hilariously, the speedometer reads up to 120 mph. Keep dreaming about drinking the milk at the Indy 500, Mr. Milkman.Bring a TrailerThe interior layout is basic, with a three-speed column shifter, and a seat that looks designed by Dr. Seuss. Freshly restored and ready to roll up its sleeves, this truck is the ideal blank canvas to be a rolling advertisement for an independent coffee roastery or similar. Or just take it to your local food truck show and sell organic ice cream out of the side. It’s such a fun-looking little thing, it makes you want to come up with a small business just as an excuse to buy it. With no reserve, this Divco is going home to some lucky entrepreneur. The auction ends June 18.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

The Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven is a futuristic concept with a design inspired by the classic C111 prototypes.The One-Eleven packs an axial-flux electric motor that Mercedes says is lighter and more compact than equally powerful radial-flux motors used in today’s EVs.The cabin features an unusual LED pixel dashboard, an unorthodox rectangular steering wheel, and flashy silver seats.The Mercedes-Benz C111 prototypes of the ’60s and ’70s served as test beds for emerging powertrain technologies, fitted with an array of turbo-diesel and Wankel rotary engines. Now, as the automotive industry shifts away from combustion engines towards electric power, Mercedes has unveiled the Vision One-Eleven concept, which like its forebear, acts as a predictor for the how the brand will adapt to changing automotive landscape. The Vision One-Eleven’s sleek supercar looks are clearly inspired by the original C111 prototype, painted a vibrant shade of orange and fitted with dramatic gullwing doors. The concept’s silhouette features one line running in a shallow curve from front to rear, echoing the cab-forward aerodynamic designs of Mercedes’s current EV offerings like the EQS and EQE. At its peak the roof measures just 46 inches tall, and the design is grounded by chunky black side skirts, a front splitter, and a cavernous rear diffuser with blue backlighting. Mercedes says this makes the One-Eleven look like it is “fused with the road surface,” and it also references the C111’s black accents.Instead of a grille, the One-Eleven’s front end features an oval panel with pixelated LEDs that mimic the C111’s fog lights and can also display messages to pedestrians and other drivers. A similar panel is found on the rear end and a similar pixelated pattern appears on the opaque windows, a feature we’ve seen on other Mercedes concepts like the Vision AMG. The intricate design of the massive wheels is meant to emulate the windings inside of electric motors.Surprisingly Spacious InteriorAlthough the One-Eleven’s exterior screams high-performance supercar, the cabin can transform into a lounge, a common theme among future-gazing electric concepts. The interior is spacious considering the low-slung body, with loads of room for the seats to recline rearward since there is no engine taking up space behind the driver. A “race” mode sees the seat backs raise to an upright position.The distinctive orange hue appears inside the One-Eleven as well, with the brightly colored leather—which Mercedes says was tanned using coffee bean husks—contrasting with the white dashboard material, made from recycled polyester. That dashboard is simplistic, with a full-width LED pixel display meant to recall old-school news tickers that displays important information like speed. It also shows QR codes that link to digital art pieces that will then appear on the touchscreen; don’t ask us why. The shiny silver seats look reminiscent of retro astronaut suits and are complemented by polished aluminum on the dials and switches as well as the accelerator and brake pedals. The leather-wrapped steering wheel, in an unusual rectangle shape, features a small touchscreen sprouting off the steering column and angled toward the driver. Mercedes also mentioned an augmented-reality headset that turns the entire interior into the user interface, with 3D controls, icons, and maps for navigation. The AR system will also make the A-pillars and hood of the One-Eleven appear transparent, improving outward visibility.Motor and Battery Details Powering the One-Eleven concept is an axial-flux motor that Mercedes vaguely describes as “exceptionally powerful” and is built by a British battery company called YASA that the automaker completely purchased in 2021. Mercedes says this technology is being developed for its next generation of EVs, explaining that axial-flux motors weigh one-third as much as an equally powerful radial-flux unit, the motors currently used by most EVs. It also takes up one-third the amount of space. The battery is composed of “liquid-cooled cylindrical cells with a novel cell chemistry” that Mercedes says drew on learnings from Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrain, which is responsible for the power units in the company’s Formula 1 racers. While the Vision One-Eleven certainly isn’t bound for production, the snazzy design should inspire future Mercedes cars, and we expect the axial-flux motors to find their way into the brand’s EVs within the next several years.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

Volkswagen announced that the short-lived Arteon is heading for the chopping block as the company realigns its focus on higher-volume models.Sales figures for the Arteon have been on a downward trend in recent years, with Volkswagen selling 5537 in 2021 and only 1742 in 2022.The manufacturer confirmed to Car and Driver that 2024 will be the final model year for the Arteon. Volkswagen will soon be short one large hatchback. The manufacturer announced today that the short-lived Arteon four-door is scheduled for a visit to the gallows, and confirmed to Car and Driver that 2024 will be the final model year.The announcement comes in conjunction with Volkswagen’s Accelerate Forward program, which sees the company refocusing its efforts on becoming a more efficient and more profitable company. According to Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer, that means focusing on a smaller number of high-volume vehicles, while removing low-volume vehicles such as the Arteon.Marc Urbano|Car and DriverDebuting in the U.S. in 2019, the Arteon has never enjoyed big sales figures in our market. A general lack of enthusiasm by American shoppers has all but killed the full-size sedan segment domestically, with only a few competitors remaining. According to sales figures from VW, the Arteon has been on steep downward spiral for the last two years. The manufacturer sold just 5537 Arteons in 2021 and only 1742 in 2022. Compare those figures to the over 375,000 and 300,000 total vehicles sold by Volkswagen in the U.S. for each respective year, and the decision to discontinue the model becomes crystal clear.More on the ArteonAt this point, Volkswagen hasn’t announced any direct replacement for the Arteon. We know the electric ID.7 is headed for the U.S., and that could be viewed as a sort of replacement for both the Arteon and the discontinued Passat mid-size sedan. Despite its high sticker price, we’ve always held the Arteon in good light. On top of that, we’ll simply be sad to see the full-size sedan market shrink even further. 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

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