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Kia revealed the first exterior photos of the production-ready PV5 electric passenger and cargo vans. The PV5 will be offered in three body styles and multiple interior configurations, although the main versions will be passenger and cargo vans.Kia says that interior photos and a more detailed technical breakdown will become available by the end of the month. With the introduction of the production-ready PV5 electric van, Kia just shoved its drink into Volkswagen’s hand and said “Hold my beer.” The modular electric van joins Kia’s lineup as a competitor to the ID.Buzz van from VW. The PV5 was first shown at last year’s CES show. Now revealed in production form, it looks virtually identical to the original concept. The mid-size van will be available in three body styles and “several” configurations, starting with passenger and cargo versions and adding specialized conversion models down the line. From the exterior images Kia has released, we can tell that both the passenger and cargo versions have a simple front end, with a tall, flat profile that is sure to offer gobs of headroom. KiaThe passenger version uses huge glass windows that stretch to the back of the van, while the cargo version blocks out those panels. Speaking of the back of the van, the passenger version features a lift-up tailgate, while the cargo model uses twin side-opening doors. Powertrain details haven’t been revealed yet, but we know that Kia developed the PV5 from the ground up as an EV. We’re also waiting on photos of the interior, but from what we can see in these photos, the dash has separate screens for infotainment and the gauge cluster. KiaKiaKia is scheduled to reveal more about the new van on February 24, with interior and powertrain details scheduled to be released three days later. Unfortunately, due to current tariff laws, it’s unlikely the PV5 lineup will make its way to the United States, so this is one vehicle we’ll have to enjoy from afar. Related StoriesJack 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 Yugo is coming back! Maybe. Eventually. Probably not to America, though.Progress so far includes trademark rights and sketches of what a modern Yugo hatchback might look like.Keeping the price low will again be the goal, and underpinnings are likely to be sourced from another manufacturer.Did the Yugo stick around long enough to go from being the butt of jokes to laughing together with its detractors? At least a few did, judging from the way low-mileage examples of these little underpowered cars fetch far more at auction than they cost new off the showroom floor. The Yugo was unapologetically inexpensive, a double-edged sword, and while it actually sold pretty well, by 1992 it was gone from the U.S. market. But get your punchlines ready, because the Yugo could be coming back.YugoProperly, the original car’s full name was the Zastava Yugo GV, Zastava being an automaker with a long history in the former Yugoslavia. GV was meant to stand for Good Value, and at $3990 to start with a $389 destination charge, the Yugo was at least the least expensive car you could buy. Looking around at the average price of new cars these days, perhaps a little of that cheap and cheerful spirit wouldn’t go amiss.University Professor Doctor Aleksandar Bjelić certainly seems to think so, as he is the driving force behind the potential resurrection of Yugo. As first reported by The Autopian, he has acquired the rights and trademarks to the Yugo brand. Bjelić lives in Germany but has Serbian roots, and he recently hired Darko Marčeta, a Serbian designer, to sketch out what a new Yugo might look like.YugoDetails are slim, as development is still very much in the concept phase. However, the plan is to reveal a running prototype at the Belgrade Expo in 2027, and a model of the car at the end of this year. The original Yugo was based heavily on the Fiat 127, and Bjelić has indicated that this new car will have underpinnings sourced from another, as-yet-unnamed manufacturer.The obvious choice would be Fiat again, as the former Yugo factory did in fact build the late Fiat 500L. Low price will again be the goal here, so a new Yugo is likely to get a small combustion engine rather than an EV skateboard platform.As to whether thrifty U.S. buyers will be able to once again park something unintentionally hilarious in their driveways, that’s unlikely. The Yugo’s reputation was badly damaged by quality issues when it was new, and while there’s certainly a cult following for them, there’s probably not a business case to sell them to the general public.YugoIn Eastern Europe, however, the Yugo (called the Koral there) was really quite popular, closing out its production run with a respectable 800,000 cars built. A Serbian-built rival to something such as the Dacia Sandero could be quite successful, especially to those who remember the Zastava nameplate more fondly.To burnish this image, one of Yugo’s first PR stunts is going to be driving several classic Zastava models from Kragujevac in Serbia all the way to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The 6300-mile route is basically the same followed by a group of five Zastava 101s that performed the trek in 1975, as a showcase for durability. If the modern expedition can pull it off, it’ll be a shot in the arm for brand credibility.Meanwhile, the Nissan Versa is currently the least expensive new car sold in the United States. It comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission for just $18,330. Adjusted for inflation, the original Yugo’s price tag is only slightly more than half that price. Then again, nobody jokes about why the Versa has a rear window heater (for the Yugo, it was to keep your hands warm while you push).Related StoriesBrendan 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 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander receives a mild refresh that makes it look a little better than before.The updates to the compact SUV include visual changes inside and out, a new Yamaha audio system, and a retuned suspension.The front-wheel-drive ES base model starts at $31,140, a $1065 increase over last year.UPDATE 2/20/25: This story has been updated with new photos, additional pricing, and information about the Trail Edition trim.Mitsubishi is sprucing up the 2025 Outlander with visual updates inside and out, plus a few new features including a Yamaha audio system. The Nissan Rogue–based mechanicals don’t change for this compact SUV, but Mitsubishi says it has retuned the suspension and added more sound deadening for a quieter interior. These updates apply to the nonhybrid version, as the plug-in-hybrid Outlander will likely incorporate these changes for the 2026 model year.MitsubishiA revised front grille, slightly different headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs round out the exterior changes. Inside, there’s a revised center-console layout with additional storage, relocated cupholders, and more space for the wireless charging pad. A Yamaha audio system is new and standard across the board, although the base system has eight speakers and higher trim levels receive a more powerful Yamaha setup with 12 speakers.MitsubishiThe 181-hp 2.5-liter inline-four engine and continuously variable automatic transmission don’t change, but Mitsubishi does say it has recalibrated the steering, springs, anti-roll bars, and dampers. We’ll be driving the updated Outlander soon and can report back on whether this retuning—plus the additional sound-deadening material—makes a difference in terms of the experience behind the wheel. Front- and all-wheel-drive versions will remain available.Trail EditionJoey Capparella|Car and DriverJoey Capparella|Car and DriverFollowing the trend of other compact SUV’s off-road-oriented trim levels, Mitsubishi is adding a package called the Trail Edition. It butches up the Outlander’s looks slightly with various stripes and bits of black trim, plus 18-inch wheels with a different design. It doesn’t have a raised suspension or any mechanical changes, and many of the add-ons seen on the pictured model—such as the roof rack and the BF Goodrich Trail Terrain all-terrain tires—are dealer accessories.Mitsubishi hasn’t yet released a price for the Trail Edition, but we know it’s based on the SE trim level and will be offered as an option package. Otherwise, the base price of the 2025 Outlander will be $31,140, an increase of $1065 over last year’s model. That’s for the front-wheel-drive ES, and the lineup continues with the $33,890 SE, the $38,490 SEL, and the $44,640 Platinum Edition.More on the OutlanderThis story was originally published February 10, 2025.Despite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

The 18th edition of Car and Driver’s annual Lightning Lap—an event designed to distill a car’s performance at VIR’s challenging 4.1-mile Grand Course—featured 13 production cars and a wide spectrum of price points. The Hyundai Elantra N, with an as-tested price of $35,320, was this year’s least expensive car, while the $729,458 Lamborghini Revuelto cost over 20 times that much. As we compared lap times and prices, which dictate the LL1–LL5 classes, a handful of us decided to spec our ideal version from this year’s roster of track cars.Matthew Skwarczek’s Mazda MX-5 Miata Club (LL1)MazdaMazdaI’m no Lightning Lapper, but in the handful of times I’ve driven on a racetrack, one car has stood out: the ND Mazda Miata. Sure, with 181 hp, it’s certainly not the fastest way around a track. But that’s also what makes it one of, if not the best, ways to learn how to drive effectively on a track. Solid steering, a communicative and forgiving chassis, superb balance, and a sub-2500-pound curb weight certainly don’t hurt, either.For maximum driving fun, I went with the Club trim and its asymmetric limited-slip differential. The $4900 Brembo BBS Recaro package was a no-brainer addition for eponymous reasons. As for the color, while I contend Mazda’s Soul Red is the best color in the business, I miss my 10th Anniversary Edition NB Miata dearly. So, as an homage, I selected Deep Crystal Blue Mica (which also saved me $595).To keep that paint a bit more pristine, I added front and rear splash guards ($180 each). From experience with the NB, I know an overhead light isn’t always enough to spot whatever you’ve dropped. The $380 footwell illumination kit should help with that—and add a bit more subtle style. And though a two-seater convertible won’t ever be truly practical, the $60 cargo net and $225 Weather package’s floor liners and cargo tray do make the Miata a bit more usable. All told, my Miata build comes in at just under $40,000. That’s not exactly cheap, but it’s still less than the average new car these days. And the grin I’ll have as I zoom-zoom around VIR or my local roads will be worth every penny. –Matthew Skwarczek Read About the Miata Club’s LapEric Stafford’s Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (LL3)CadillacCadillacCadillac’s supersedan is a living legend. And since the life expectancy of a V-8-powered new car with three pedals might not be much longer than the 2:47.9 lap it turned at this year’s event, the CT5-V Blackwing is at the top of my wish list. The car that posted that impressive time was fitted with the $18,000 Precision package, which includes carbon-ceramic brakes, grippier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, and myriad suspension upgrades that helped make it 1.5 seconds faster around VIR than a version we previously lapped without the kit. I love that Cadillac went all-out to make the CT5 even more heroic on a racetrack, but I’d skip that expensive option and focus on making my Blackwing a delightful daily driver that can embarrass pricier sports cars during the occasional track day. I’m a green-paint guy, and the Caddy’s available Typhoon Metallic is my kind of color. It’s only a $625 upcharge, but I think it looks fantastic paired with the $1500 bronze 19-inch wheels (matching brake calipers cost an extra $595 but complete the look). While I think the CT5’s face looked better before the recent refresh, the interior greatly benefits from the new 33-inch dashboard display. I don’t prefer digital gauges over analog ones, but the pre-facelifted car already had a digitized instrument panel, and the overall dash layout didn’t look great. It’s better now, more cohesive. The only interior option I’d choose is the $8090 black-and-tan color scheme. Along with more supportive competition front seats, it includes nicer leather and puts it in more places. This is still a luxury sedan, after all. Since I’m sticking with the standard six-speed manual, I can’t option the hands-free Super Cruise system, which would’ve also cost me $5875, so I’m not mad. Instead, I’d get the $1600 PDR to record and analyze my lap times. That’s it. My ideal CT5-V Blackwing rings up at $109,900. Not bad for a 668-hp four-door with rear-wheel drive and a back seat that won’t make my in-laws think I’m trying to punish them. Although they might get the hint after a few glorious full-throttle runs. –Eric Stafford Read About the CT5-V Blackwing’s LapJack Fitzgerald’s Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Manthey Racing (LL4)PorschePorscheLook, there’s really only one correct answer here and it’s the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS with the Manthey kit. I’m dealing with hypothetical money, so that means I get to turn my nose up at drivel like the Miata, both Subarus, and both Hyundais. All fine cars any other week, but what I’m after is the wail of Porsche’s eardrum-rattling 4.0-liter flat-six as it crests 9000 rpm. Mine will be coated in the $14,750 Paint to Sample Ultraviolet purple, thank you very much. For $15,640, I’m tacking on a set of silver forged magnesium wheels. Wait, add another $13,250 to my tab because the mag wheels require selecting the Weissach package. A further $2170 is set aside for the Race-Tex and leather interior. Of course, I’ll also be spending $540 for the heated seats. I want a track car, but what kind of monster do you take me for? The $3040 front-axle-lift system is practically a prerequisite for purchase. Seriously, who spends a quarter-million dollars and decides it’s just too much to bear another $3000 for peace of mind? For maximum stopping power, I want the $8000 carbon-ceramic brakes. Certified Porsche dealers charge $53,946 for the Manthey kit, which puts my spec at a cool $279,131. You may think I’m out of my mind, but I think I’ve acted with quite a lot of restraint. However, I’ll need to put money aside for medical bills after the constant abuse of the flat-six’s 106-decibel song. Unfortunately, Porsche’s configurator doesn’t show the Manthey kit, so you’ll have to use your imagination to see the bitchin’ aero mods—or you can check out Dave Beard’s flying lap. –Jack FitzgeraldRead About the 718 Cayman GT4 RS’s LapCarter Fry’s Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (LL4)PorschePorscheIt is always a pleasure to use Porsche’s online configurator. “Here, pick from almost every color we’ve ever offered on our cars!” says Porsche. I understand why most manufacturers don’t usually offer as many colors as possible (rest in peace Mk 7 Golf Spektrum paint colors), but I certainly wish they would. For my Taycan Turbo GT build, I went straight to the Paint to Sample colors. The Purple Sky Metallic is free and tempting, but I couldn’t help myself. Speed Yellow ($13,150) is my choice, and I kept the 21-inch Turbo GT wheels but painted them Brilliant Silver for $1290. I painted the side mirrors Speed Yellow ($650) and the model designation on the rear the same hue ($270) then added the illuminated Porsche logo on the light strip for $460. I slapped on the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes for an even $900 and put a bow on my performance upgrades. I gave this car the GT interior with accents in GT Silver for $2020, which includes heated rear seats. Score! Those heating elements might add unnecessary weight, but, hey, it’s either that or cold passengers. I’ll take the former. The Porsche Design Subsecond Clock is an $1120 addition, the fixed panoramic roof adds $1540, and the head-up display is $1670. However, the most important option of all, the Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System, cost me $5810. That brings the total price of my Porsche Taycan Turbo GT to $260,885, so it looks like I’m gonna need to win the lottery. –Carter FryRead About the Taycan Turbo GT’s LapMason Cordell’s McLaren Artura Spider (LL5)McLarenMcLarenI love playing around with car configurators. It’s what got me through Communication Theory my junior year (sorry, Professor Bruni). McLaren’s configurator has always been one of my favorites, and after seeing the Artura in person at Lightning Lap this year, I had to create one for myself.Paint was a tough choice between Belize Blue and Lantana Purple. Both go well with the Azores calipers I chose, but I picked the latter because I love how menacing Artura Spider’s rear end looks with a darker color. It gives me General Grievous vibes. To continue the theme, I went with the 10-spoke Star Forged Alloy wheels in gloss black, which really helps those orange calipers pop. I left the wheels wrapped in the normal Pirelli P Zeros, though, as opposed to the P Zero Corsas because I’d like to survive getting caught in the rain. I had to option the titanium locking wheel bolts too because they reduce unsprung mass by a whopping 400 grams—serious race-car stuff. Finishing off the exterior, I checked the boxes for the sport exhaust with the stealth finish and a satin titanium engine cover. I also opted for body-colored everything. Say what you want, but I’m just not a carbon-fiber guy.For my Vision-spec interior, I continued with the orange accents instead of Flux Green (why only those two options?), which pairs nicely with the McLaren Orange seatbelt. I selected the simpler Clubsport seats, but because my back already feels like I’m 60, I opted for the lumbar support. Another checked box was the Thermal Insulated Windscreen, as it can get pretty toasty on those nine sunny days we get in every year in Michigan. Speaking of the Wolverine state, the final must-have for my ideal Artura is the front-axle-lift system. How much does it all cost? No idea. McLaren doesn’t list prices on its configurator, but the car we lapped at VIR had an as-tested sticker of $388,793. –Mason CordellRead About the Artura Spider’s LapMore Lightning LapEric 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

Volvo released a new teaser for the electric ES90 mid-size luxury sedan ahead of its full reveal on March 5.The teaser highlights the ES90’s software and details how the SPA2 architecture it is built on will allow continuous updates. When it arrives, the ES90 will be built on the same platform as the EX90 SUV and will sit alongside the current S90 sedan. Volvo has released a new teaser for the electric ES90 as it prepares to reveal the car in full next month. The mid-size luxury sedan was first teased during an investor-relations meeting last September, but the full reveal is scheduled to be livestreamed on March 5. VolvoThe new info from the automaker focuses on the “Superset tech stack” set of software and hardware modules underpinning the ES90. The sedan is Volvo’s next step in working towards software-defined vehicles. The hope is that the technology will allow for faster and more frequent over-the-air updates that improve the overall customer experience as well as safety. Volvo says that additional connectivity features and improved range are two potential upsides of the technology. The sedan will be the second Volvo built on the brand’s SPA2 architecture, which it shares with the EX90 flagship SUV. Volvo says that another benefit of the Superset stack is that improvements to one car can be concurrent with another. VolvoAs they’ll share a platform, the ES90 will likely use the same 111.0-kWh battery pack as the EX90 SUV, though the sedan will likely edge out the SUV’s 300- to 310-mile range estimate thanks to its smaller size. Previous plans from Volvo will position the ES90 alongside the gas-burning S90 sedan, with the brand selling both models while it transitions to an electric-only future. More information surrounding the pricing, powertrain, and technology should become available when the car is revealed next month. Related StoriesJack 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 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Backcountry is a new limited-edition trim that prioritizes standard tech and off-road-focused features.The Backcountry features the same plug-in-hybrid powertrain as the 4xe Sahara, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.The new Wrangler 4xe Backcountry is limited to 5800 units and costs $66,185.If just having a plug-in-hybrid Jeep Wrangler wasn’t high-tech enough for your off-road excursions, Jeep is introducing a new limited-edition Wrangler 4xe Backcountry trim that is meant to better serve trail-loving technophiles.The New Backcountry WranglerBuilding on the upscale and comfort-oriented plug-in-hybrid 4xe Sahara trim, which comes standard with leather upholstery, heated seats, and an available 12.3-inch touchscreen, the 4xe Backcountry ups its tech quotient while also adding new accessories to make it more capable off-road. JeepAs far as tech goes, the 4xe Backcountry’s new additions include a nine-speaker Alpine audio system and the inclusion of a portable Jeep power box that can draw energy from the Backcountry’s hybrid battery pack and be used to charge devices or power small appliances. Like the 4xe Sahara, the 4xe Backcountry features a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with built-in navigation. To encourage adventure, the infotainment system includes off-road trail guides for 62 Jeep Badge of Honor trails as well as an integrated geocaching app. While some Jeep owners use their Wranglers to get off the grid, the 4xe Backcountry comes with onboard Wi-Fi if you aren’t part of that camp.Outside of the new tech goodies, the Backcountry also gets some significant off-road bits. It wears steel bumpers at both ends, a Mopar grille guard, and rock rails along its door sills to limit damage from any boulder bashing. To prevent bashing from happening in the first place, the Backcountry comes standard with a front trail camera to survey the path ahead. JeepJeepIt also comes standard with unique matte-black 20-inch wheels wrapped in 275/55R-20 General Grabber all-terrain tires for supreme traction on any surface. To help it look the part, it has Backcountry decals on its hood, fenders, and rear swing gate and comes with a removable three-piece body-colored hardtop. A towing package is also included, which adds seven- and four-pin wiring harnesses, auxiliary switches, and a receiver hitch. The Wrangler 4xe Backcountry is limited to 5800 units and retails for $66,185, which is $6595 more than the 4xe Sahara. If you want to hear what an Alpine audio system sounds like echoing through a dense forest, now’s your time to find out.Related StoriesAustin’s car fixation began at a young age and at 1:64 scale. Eventually, Hot Wheels weren’t cutting it anymore, so he developed an obsession with his father’s full-sized 1965 Ford Mustang instead. Desperate to break into the automotive industry, he bartered his way into a job at a local BMW dealership by promising to stop hurling nerdy technical facts at the salesmen who came into the neighboring coffee shop where he worked.

That was also around the time when he started writing automotive reviews, news articles, and technical guides for a number of local and international publications. Now at Car and Driver, Austin brings more than 10 years of experience in the automotive industry and an all-so-common love-hate relationship with German engineering to the table. More

Rivian has launched its first special-edition models, the R1T and R1S California Dune Edition.Their exteriors wear a tan paint job, with the option to match the same hue on the 20-inch wheels that come as part of the standard All-Terrain package.The cabin features a two-tone look, with a Black Mountain upper section and a Sandstone lower section.The Rivian R1T truck and R1S SUV received comprehensive updates for the 2025 model year, bringing tweaked exterior styling, a lithium-iron-phosphate chemistry in the standard battery, and a new drive unit in the Tri-Motor and Quad-Motor powertrains. Now, Rivian is enhancing the R1 duo even further with the California Dune Edition, a special version of the R1T and R1S that gets a desert-inspired paint job and standard off-road gear. This marks the first time Rivian has launched a limited-edition variant of its R1 line of vehicles.The special-edition model is differentiated from standard Rivians by an all-new paint color called, unsurprisingly, California Dune. The color was inspired by Southern California’s beautiful dunes. The vehicles also wear an exterior Darkout package to accentuate the contrast between the badging and the tan paint job.Inside, each California Dune Edition sports a hue called Sandstone on the lower section of the cabin with a Black Mountain upper half. The interior also features flooring material that’s supposed to be easy to clean, with Sandstone floor mats to match the seats, center console, and door panels.The California Dune Edition is based around the R1 models’ Tri-Motor setup, which packs three electric motors spitting out a whopping 850 horsepower and 1103 pound-feet of torque. This allows the electric SUV and electric truck to rip from zero to 60 mph in a claimed 2.9 seconds. The Tri-Motor powertrain also features a Soft Sand drive mode, which ties in nicely with the California Dune theme.RivianThe special Rivians also come fitted with the All-Terrain package as standard. Normally a $3700 add-on, the package adds 20-inch wheels, a spare tire, and a reinforced underbody shield. The wheels are offered here with two finishes, either a darkened look or a California Dune paint that matches the rest of the body. The inclusion of the All-Terrain package does knock the Tri-Motor powertrain’s EPA-rated range from 371 miles to 329 miles.The California Dune models also feature a couple of unique accessories. There are black MAXTRAX traction boards that live atop the roof rack, which also get a darkened appearance. On the R1T pickup truck, there is also a standard powered tonneau cover, which got a revised design for 2025.Rivian didn’t say how many examples of the California Dune models will be built, but it did describe the model as limited editions. The special Rivians are available to order now, with the R1T California Dune Edition starting at $99,900 and the R1S California Dune Edition starting at $105,900.Related StoriesCaleb 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

Nikola, the electric-pickup and semi-truck startup manufacturer, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.Court filings show that the company has about $47 million in cash on hand, with liabilities between $1 billion and $10 billion.Despite enjoying early enthusiasm from investors, Nikola struggled to deliver enough vehicles to turn a profit. Nikola, the Phoenix-based EV startup focused on electric and hydrogen commercial trucks, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The news comes after reports earlier this month that the fledgling automaker was running out of money.The company has experienced a rocky 10 years since it was founded in 2014 with a focus on both electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. In 2020, Nikola revealed the Badger, a tough-looking EV pickup with both EV and hydrogen powertrains. Plans looked promising enough for General Motors to sign on to aid in development ahead of a 2022 launch. The company was accused of fraud a short time later, with then-Nikola CEO Trevor Milton found guilty of multiple charges in 2022. After falling out with Milton, Nikola changed course, canceling the Badger and refocusing its efforts on commercial trucks. The company delivered its first electric semi-trucks in 2022, but it has not been able to deliver enough in the intervening years to make a profit. NikolaLate last year, Nikola announced it had $200 million in cash and $270 million in long-term debt. With new reports coming out earlier this month that Nikola was nearing a bankruptcy announcement, the company’s stock price plummeted to under a dollar. In a release confirming the bankruptcy filing on Wednesday, Nikola said it had about $47 million in cash on hand. The company intends to continue with “limited” support for trucks on the road. Court filings confirm that the automaker has liabilities between $1 billion and $10 billion, with the number of creditors it owes between 1000 and 5000. Nikola’s filing makes it the third high-profile EV startup to declare bankruptcy in recent years. Lordstown Motors, another EV pickup startup, sought bankruptcy protection in 2023. A year later, Fisker, the California-based startup headed by Henrik Fisker, went belly up. Related StoriesJack 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