Motor News

This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released findings on a set of crash tests that show small passenger cars can’t protect rear-seat occupants as well as front passengers. The IIHS tested five small 2023 model-year cars using its moderate overlap crash test: the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla, the Kia Forte, the Nissan Sentra, and the Subaru Crosstrek. None were able to achieve an overall crash test rating of Good, with only the Civic and the Corolla being marked as Acceptable. The other three were given Poor ratings from the IIHS. IIHSThe lackluster ratings stem from the lack of modern protections afforded to rear-seat occupants. The IIHS found that in all five cars tested, the rear dummy would “submarine” on impact, increasing the risk of fatal injury. Submarining occurs when the lap part of the seatbelt slides up into the abdominal region, making internal injuries more likely in the event of a crash.These findings aren’t the result of diminishing rear-seat occupant safety equipment, but a byproduct of the increasing safety standards given to occupants up front, in the form of more advanced seatbelt and airbag designs. Basically, the IIHS is saying it wants to see this new tech make its way to rear seats too. Despite the results, the IIHS says the rear seats remain the safest place for young children, who can be injured by an inflating front airbag. Crash CourseRoad & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing. More

Car and DriverCarroll Shelby is a legend, but not everything he built was legendary. Case in point: the Series 1 roadster he designed and engineered in the ’90s. The car’s journey to production was riddled with complications and setbacks, with Shelby American eventually churning out just 249 copies. One of them is currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer, which—like Car and Driver—is part of Hearst Autos.Cobra Connection Just because the 1999 Shelby Series 1, pictured here in Centennial Silver with Garnet Red metallic stripes, didn’t quite live up to the ambitious goals set by its iconic creator doesn’t mean it’s still not cool as hell. Just look at the thing. Its resemblance to the original Shelby Cobras is undeniable, and that curvy bodywork is said to be extremely lightweight, as it’s made of carbon fiber and fiberglass. The Series 1 had a claimed curb weight of 2650 pounds. Bring a TrailerThe Playskool-like interior isn’t so attractive. In fact, it’s pretty embarrassing for a car that once cost about the same as a Ferrari 360 Spider when both were new. Close inspection reveals parts from a fourth-generation Pontiac Firebird; one need look no further than the retrofitted gauge cluster, HVAC controls, and door handles to spot the connection. Still, no one who bought a Series 1 likely expected a luxury interior—or apparently one that had any cupholders or storage space whatsoever. The roadster was also notoriously unfriendly to driver’s over six feet tall, as the standard seating positions put the top of the windshield directly in their line of sight. Bring a TrailerPowered by OldsmobileIt’s kind of funny to think a car as expensive and performance-focused as the Shelby Series 1 would share an engine with a front-wheel-drive Oldsmobile Aurora, but that’s exactly where its DOHC 4.0-liter V-8 was sourced from. Without the optional Vortech supercharger, which is said to have been a nearly $20K add-on, the standard engine in the Series 1 produced 320 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. Sending that power to the rear wheels is a six-speed manual transaxle, and the eight-cylinder soundtrack was delivered through a Borla exhaust system with a set of prominent tailpipes poking out the back.Bring a TrailerBack in 2000, Car and Driver icon Brock Yates reviewed a 1999 Shelby Series 1 that looks identical to the example currently up for auction. Despite mechanical snafus during two separate tests, the supercharged roadster shot to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and cleared the quarter-mile in 13.0 seconds at 112 mph. Its Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, size 265/40R18 up front and 315/R18 out back, helped it post 0.92 g of grip on the skidpad. Every Series 1 also had race-car-derived pushrod suspension. Yet its impressive performance and sophisticated chassis weren’t enough to offset its other shortcomings, with Yates summarizing the car like this: “The Shelby Series 1 is essentially a superb concept but remains a work in progress. When all the bugs are worked out, we’re eagerly awaiting another call from the man whose name is on this interesting but still unproved sports car.”Other Shelby BaT PicksThis 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 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 Sierra Club has surveyed the plug-in-vehicle shopping landscape and found that we still have a long way to go to make more EVs available in more areas.In 2022, you could only find an EV at 34 percent of all the auto dealers in the U.S., and less than half of those who didn’t have one were interested in selling one if they could get it.In ZEV states, where laws are in place to force higher levels of EV sales in the coming years, more dealers there want EVs to sell than elsewhere. Looks like the laws are slowly working.To the surprise of absolutely no one who’s been shopping for an electric vehicle the past few months, there aren’t all that many EVs out there. We now have data to back up the stream of anecdotes about five-figure dealer adjustments and people selling their spots in line on the near-endless waiting lists for some models. The Sierra Club released a report this week called “A Nationwide Study of the Electric Vehicle Shopping Experience,” and, well, things could be better out there.To learn about the EV landscape for the new study, Sierra Club staff and volunteers contacted more than 800 dealerships across the U.S. between June and November 2022. They determined that only 34 percent of car dealerships in the U.S. had any EVs for sale during the survey period in 2022. Of course, supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic made shopping for all kinds of products challenging these past few years, and new cars were certainly affected. Despite that, less than half (44 percent) of the 66 percent of dealers who did not have an EV for sale said they would sell EVs if they could get any.Tesla dealer in Florida.UCG|Getty ImagesBroad Definition of “EV”Before we go on, for this study, the Sierra Club counts both battery-electric and plug-in hybrids as EVs. While we usually differentiate between those powertrains, we will use EV as a catch-all for this article to refer to both types. The shopping experience survey is a follow-up to the Sierra Club’s 2019 report called “Rev Up.” Shopping ListEV availability varies by region, of course, and there’s an interesting thing happening in California and the 15 states that have adopted California’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandates. The ZEV states differ in how they will implement their versions of the various rules, but the important part here is that these laws set clear targets for future EV sales levels. States that follow California’s Advanced Clean Cars II program, an August 2022 update to the ZEV rules, for example, require 100 percent EV sales by 2035. The ZEV states, therefore, already are and can be expected to continue to be leaders in the shift to electrification. But when the Sierra Club broke down its findings, it found that the dealer landscape was almost precisely the same in ZEV states and those without these future mandates. The nationwide number of dealers with an EV was 34 percent. In ZEV states, it was 35 percent.What Do Dealers Think of Selling EVs? Where the ZEV states differ is how dealers feel about selling EVs. Dealers with no plug-in vehicles to sell were likelier to wish they did in ZEV states than others. While the national average was 44 percent, it was 52 percent in ZEV states and just 41 in the non-ZEV states. In other words, while the supply chain and production constraints affected dealers nationwide, the people it mattered to were in states that said they will force more EV sales in the coming years.Solutions to the EV drought have to come from the companies that build the cars, the Sierra Club said. Despite the many, many billions that have already been pledged to shift the bulk of new-car sales to electrified vehicles in the next decade or so, it’s not enough, apparently. “It is the responsibility of manufacturers to deliver more EVs to all dealers,” the report said. “The ultimate conclusion is that automakers must invest more in EV production to match consumer demand that is at a record high.”This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Contributing EditorSebastian Blanco has been writing about electric vehicles, hybrids, and hydrogen cars since 2006. His articles and car reviews have appeared in the New York Times, Automotive News, Reuters, SAE, Autoblog, InsideEVs, Trucks.com, Car Talk, and other outlets. His first green-car media event was the launch of the Tesla Roadster, and since then he has been tracking the shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles and discovering the new technology’s importance not just for the auto industry, but for the world as a whole. Throw in the recent shift to autonomous vehicles, and there are more interesting changes happening now than most people can wrap their heads around. You can find him on Twitter or, on good days, behind the wheel of a new EV.  More

Renault revealed another version of the 4Ever Trophy concept, this time in Île-de-France Blue paint, a nod to the original Renault 4.The concept was first revealed at the Paris auto show last year, but that one wore silver paint.The newest concept will take the stage at the 2023 French Open, which begins later this month.Renault first revealed the 4Ever Trophy concept at the Paris auto show last year, as both an homage to the original Renault 4 and as a look into the upcoming relaunch of the vehicle. The company just revealed an updated version of the concept, this time finished in Ile-de-France Blue paint, complete with neon accents. RenaultAccording to Renault, the livery of the new concept is meant to represent the “iconic tennis balls of the French Open,” which is exactly where the company plans to debut the car. That seems a bit of a stretch, but either way, we love the look of the concept. The electric crossover sits on a set of all-terrain tires, with rugged panels running along the bottom half of the car while a spare is strapped down to a roof rack. Off-roading accessories like traction boards and a shovel are strapped to the rear windshield to help in the event that the little 4 gets itself stuck off-roading. Passé ComposéThe Île-de-France Blue of the new version is inspired by the launch color for the original Renault 4L, back when it launched in 1962. It’s been over 30 years since the original car left production, and now Renault is planning to bring it back in the form of an small EV crossover.RenaultAccording to a report from Top Gear magazine, Renault’s chief of advanced and concept design Sandeep Bhambra says the concept is “very close” to the production version. Of course, we won’t get the updated 4 in North America, but that won’t stop us from fawning over the images. Despite carrying a lower number designation, the new 4 is said to be sized and priced above the 5, which will be much closer to the original city-going 4. 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 Honda e:Ny1 revealed today is an electric SUV that will soon go on sale in Europe.The e:Ny1 appears to be related to the European-market HR-V, with a clean, stylish exterior design and a new interior with a 15.1-inch touchscreen.The 201-hp motor powers the front wheels, and Honda says the e:Ny1 will go 256 miles on a charge on Europe’s WLTP test cycle. Honda’s first dedicated electric vehicle for the United States, the Prologue SUV, doesn’t arrive until 2024, but over in Europe the brand has just revealed its second EV. The Honda e:Ny1 follows the adorable Honda e hatchback, but swaps the retro styling for a more modern, clean look. The e:Ny1 is closely related to the e:NS1 and e:NP1 SUVs sold in China; the e:NS1 is sold by Honda’s joint venture with Dongfeng while the e:NP1 is sold via Honda’s partnership with GAC.HondaThe e:Ny1’s exterior design is clearly based on the European-market Honda HR-V, a smaller but more stylish SUV than the HR-V sold in the U.S. The grille is blanked-off and the front bumper has also been simplified, likely to improve the e:Ny1’s aerodynamics. The crossover wears white Honda badges to indicate its electric powertrain, a new branding move by Honda The cabin, however, is significantly different than that of the HR-V. The redesigned dashboard is dominated by a massive 15.1-inch vertically oriented touchscreen which controls nearly every function, and the digital gauge cluster is also revised into a simpler rectangular shape. Ambient lighting lines the doors, and Honda says the electric powertrain’s integrated drive unit, electric motor, and gearbox allows for efficient packaging, bringing added interior space. HondaThat electric motor sends 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, enough shove to be competitive in the European market. The 68.8-kWh lithium-ion battery provides 256 miles of range on Europe’s more lenient WLTP test cycle, and Honda says the DC fast-charge capability will boost the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 45 minutes. The e:Ny1 is not expected to make it stateside, with Honda instead working closely with General Motors on its American-market EVs. The Prologue and its Acura counterpart, the ZDX, will ride on GM’s Ultium platform. Honda is also partnering with Sony on a new EV brand called Afeela that will launch in 2026. Over in Europe, Honda hopes to find more success with the e:Ny1 after disappointing sales for the Honda e in its first two years on the market.More Honda EV NewsThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

The Lamborghini Huracán is officially sold out. The Italian supercar maker now has enough orders to fill the rest of Huracán production until its replacement, coming at the end of 2024, arrives. Production is expected to end with the off-road-focused Sterrato, though we wouldn’t put it past Lamborghini to release one or two special-edition models to commemorate the end of the Huracán’s life cycle, as it did with the Aventador.The news came as part of Lamborghini’s first-quarter financial report, which shows the brand’s best ever quarterly revenue and profitability numbers. Lamborghini delivered 2623 cars in the first three months of 2023, 1599 of which were Urus SUVs. The other cars were Huracán and Aventador models (while Aventador production ended in 2022, presumably some cars had yet to be delivered before year-end). Expect Lamborghini to keep thriving. Its first production hybrid, the V-12–powered Revuelto, is already sold out for two years following a March debut. In addition to the Huracán’s hybrid successor, the company plans to hybridize the Urus in 2024, with the goal of a fully hybrid lineup by the end of next year. Its first electric car, a 2+2 grand tourer, will debut in 2028, followed by a fully electric Urus replacement in 2029.Into the FutureRoad & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing. More

Mini showed a series of design features for the upcoming Cooper and Countryman lineups.The highlighted elements include a new steering wheel, snazzy wheels, and some swanky seats. For some odd reason, Mini felt the need to highlight a new circular OLED screen but not release photos of it. Mini is undergoing a transitional phase, with multiple models about to be refreshed or enter a whole new generation—or, in the case of the Clubman, disappear altogether. As the new era dawns, the automaker has revealed a few upcoming design highlights set to debut on its new models, including fresh wheel designs.Snazzy RimsMini CooperMini teased us with two new sets of wheels, including a modern-looking six-spoke design with flat silver blades over the spokes. A somewhat busy set of multispoke wheels (shown above) were also displayed, with silver metal accents covering a gloss black finish.Cool Seat StylingMINIMini also showed off some seriously swanky new seats with a colorful cloth pattern on the bolstering. The leather inserts are perforated in a pattern somewhat reminiscent of a diamond-stitch on higher-end cars.Sweet Steering WheelMINIAmong the sneak peeks is a new steering wheel design. An un-pictured standard option comes with two spokes, while the optional wheel (shown above) features a third spoke made of cloth. While it obviously won’t affect actually steering the car, it does look pretty neat. M.I.A. OLED Another new detail coming to Mini models is a modern interpretation of the brand’s iconic circular center display. Previously, we’ve seen blurry spy photos of a new round infotainment screen, and now Mini has revealed it to be an 11.0-inch OLED touchscreen. This was confirmed along with the other details, all of which included a photo. Annoyingly, the company felt compelled to mention it in the press release but decided against showing a single photo of it. Why, Mini? Why?Other New Mini 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 2024 Lexus GX was teased today, providing our first glimpse at the next generation of the brand’s off-road specialist. The images show a brutalist design with lots of sharp creases and hard angles and appear to follow a similar formula to the new-for-2023 Toyota Sequoia.The GX is expected to share its platform with the Sequoia and Tundra pickup truck and use the same hybrid V-6 powertrain.At long last, an all-new Lexus GX is on the way. The Japanese luxury brand teased the 2024 GX for the first time today, and the redesign will mark the first major update for the full-size SUV since the current generation debuted for the 2010 model year. Despite a couple of facelifts over the past decade, the GX has grown stale, and the teaser images hint that the 2024 Lexus GX will sport a sharp new design that will bring the SUV into the 2020s. The two teaser photos show off the GX’s lighting, with the headlights taking on a pointy, angular look. They sit beneath a brawny, sculpted hood that is complemented by a muscular-looking wheel arch. Around back we see the GX will wear a trendy full-width taillight with integrated “Lexus” badging. The traditional Lexus spindle grille shape looks like it remains, and the whole design ethos is reminiscent of the latest Toyota Sequoia. LexusLexus provided zero information alongside the images, simply stating the new SUV is “coming soon.” The GX is expected to use the same TNGA-F platform that underpins the Tundra and Sequoia as well as the Lexus LX and not-for-the-U.S. Toyota Land Cruiser. Like the Tundra and Sequoia, the GX will likely ditch the V-8 engine in favor of a twin-turbo V-6, which may be the hybridized i-Force Max setup found in both of its platform-mates. Even if the 2024 GX downsizes on the engine front, it should retain its body-on-frame construction and serious off-road chops. More Lexus NewsThis 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