Motor News

Many new cars have automated emergency braking as part of their ADAS driver assistance packages, but now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing that every new passenger vehicle have AEB tech by the end of the decade.The industry started talking about requiring AEB back in 2016, and a series of voluntary pledges and required rules in the U.S. and Europe have led to major automakers already having AEB on more than 90 percent of the cars they sell.Requiring AEB tech would be “a major leap forward,” but the new rules don’t yet require cars to brake for cyclists. Commercial vehicles are also not included in NHTSA’s new rules.In the mid-2010s, automakers really started hyping the fact that all of their latest models, even the entry-level cheapos, would soon come with backup cameras. And these driver-assist devices would be standard. It was great news, and also true. But what the car companies didn’t mention as often was that all those new cameras were being installed because the U.S. Department of Transportation required them with a rule that passed in 2014 and came into effect in early 2018.We mention that bit of history because this week, multiple automakers hyped the fact that many of their vehicles already have automated emergency braking (AEB) systems. GM issued a release that said at least 95 percent of all the vehicles it sells, including all 2023 and newer EVs, have standard AEB technology. A Ford spokesperson said on Twitter that AEB with pedestrian detection is already present on over 96 percent of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs.Which brings us to the news that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing a new rule for the auto industry that all new passenger cars and light trucks will be required to have automatic emergency braking systems with pedestrian detection.What Is AEB?Like other new driver-assistance technologies, AEB technology goes by different names at different companies. Toyota calls its version Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, for example. But whatever the name, the idea is the same: a vehicle will automatically apply the brakes when the driver doesn’t in a situation where the car’s sensor and software suite determines that a crash is imminent. Not all AEB systems on the road today can identify a pedestrian, but the new NHTSA rule would require cars to detect both vehicles and pedestrians. NHTSA said it is “actively conducting research” to determine how well AEB systems can respond to bicycles and motorcycles.In January 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) issued its first National Roadway Safety Strategy in response to the rising numbers of transportation deaths and serious injuries. The DOT promoted AEB as one way to make roads safer. NHTSA has long said AEB systems are a solution to these “significant safety problem[s]” and has been pushing for more AEB systems in more cars for years. Last October, a study conducted by the AAA found that while AEB systems are useful, many still have flaws.A Brief History of the RulesNHTSA is not requiring AEB technology out of the blue. This has been a long process and it will end up being more than a decade between the first discussions about widespread AEB adoption and the rule’s implementation deadlines. If the new NHTSA rule goes into effect, automakers would have at least four years from the date it is implemented to meet all the requirements of adding AEB technology to every new vehicle. Small-volume manufacturers, final-stage manufacturers and alterers have five years.That means it will be 2028 or 2029 before AEB tech is required. The industry has had time to prepare. In 2016, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and NHTSA proposed a voluntary pledge that auto manufacturers could take to make AEB technology better and more widely available. By the end of 2017, four automakers had made AEB tech standard on more than half of their 2017 model year vehicles, and 20 had pledged to put at least low-speed AEB systems on all their new passenger vehicles by September 1, 2022. European regulators passed a rule that made AEB standard starting in 2022.Safety advocates are in favor of NHTSA’s proposed rule. The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement that requiring AEBs would be “a major leap forward for road safety” but that the timeline was too far into the future and that cyclists need to be included in the kinds of road users that AEB can see. The NTSB also said the new AEB rules should apply to commercial vehicles.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

The long-awaited U.S.-market VW ID.Buzz has the extended wheelbase, which makes room for a third row, and seating for seven. It’ll be available with a choice of 282-hp single-motor rear-wheel-drive or 330-hp dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrains. Bright color combos inside and out call back to the ’60s, but with a contemporary spin and fully modern tech.While some buyers of the 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz will be trying to revisit their time in 1960s Haight-Ashbury—or at least their fantasies of having been there—you don’t have to have been a counterculture hippie to feel nostalgia for Volkswagen’s Type 2 Microbus. The VW people hauler is a cultural icon that represents a lifestyle of playing guitars around a beach campfire, road trips with family, and gentle rebellion against the status quo. It was appealing then and it’s appealing now, even more so with an electric powertrain and a host of comfort and safety options. VW announced a return of the bus back in 2022. The first U.S. versions of the electric ID.Buzz should be on their way to a dealer near you by June of 2024. Long Way to Go, Short Time to Get ThereThe European version of the ID.Buzz is a two-row machine with a shorter wheelbase than what we’ll get here in the States. The U.S.-spec bus is stretched 10 inches, for a 127.5-inch wheelbase, so it keeps those short overhangs and uses all of that extra space for interior room. The added length allows for a third row, which means seating for seven. While it’s considerably larger than an original Type 2 bus (they were called Microbus for a reason), the ID.Buzz offers plenty of visual cues connecting it to its ancestor. It’s not quite as flat in front, but it does have a similar boxy, yet rounded, profile, throwback “vent” details on the D-pillar, giant front badge just aching to be replaced with a peace sign, and cheerful, two-tone paint options. Some of the colors are familiar from previous showings of the bus, like Energetic Orange, Pomelo Yellow, and Mahi Green, but others are new, like the oceany Cabana Blue, Metro Silver, and Indium Gray. Don’t get a gray bus when you can get a blue or orange one, we beg you. The original Type 2 was charming in its looks, but also a useful way to carry friends and gear. The 2025 ID.Buzz looks to carry on those traditions. Dual power-sliding rear doors that go all the way back to the third row make it easy to get people in and out. The horizontally sliding windows are also powered, as are the heated side mirrors and the tailgate. Other modern exterior details include 20-inch wheels. Power PlayCustomers will have the option to choose between a single-motor, one-speed transmission, rear-drive powertrain or a more powerful dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup. Rear-wheel-drive buses make 282 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor version puts out about 330 horsepower. The ID.Buzz rides on VW’s Modular Electric Drive (MEB) “skateboard” platform, so the battery is mounted low in the floor. We get a larger battery than Europe, with a usable capacity of 86.0 kWh. Volkswagen hasn’t released range estimates yet, but based on other VW electric offerings we’re expecting to see mileage numbers around 260 and charging times of around 30 minutes to take a 10 percent battery to 80 percent at a DC fast-charger. The bump in power is due to use of stronger permanent magnets in the motor with improved heat management. With the new motor, the ID.Buzz has a top speed of an electronically limited 99 mph compared to the two-row’s 90 mph, and an original Type 2’s . . . walking speed. What’s InsideThe same play of retro design and contemporary tech that makes the exterior of the ID.Buzz unique is also found in the interior. Several design schemes are available, from a deep shadowy blue with dark wood to a bright coastal peach and silver. All interiors use non-leather seat covers and trim. The interiors are playful, and designed for convenience, with adjustable small compartments in the removable console, rubber-lined shelving along the dash, and wide door pockets. Standard features include ambient lighting; 12-way adjustable front seats that are heated, vented, and massaging; and a heated second row. An optional 67.4-inch-long electrochromic sunroof can go dark with the swipe of a finger. With the standard second-row bench, the ID.Buzz seats seven, and with the optional captain’s chairs in its place, it’s a slightly roomier ride for six. The second row folds in a 60:40 split and can be slid forward or back by almost eight inches. The rear row folds 50:50 and can be removed completely for more cargo room. All three rows get climate control vents, a welcome upgrade.A small digital dash and a 12.9-inch infotainment screen handle all the data needs, with standard wireless phone connectivity, wireless charging, eight USB-C ports, a 110V outlet, and a 12-volt plug in the cargo area supporting any other charging needs. Lights in the dash illuminate to tell you the car is waiting for commands, or to give updates on navigation and battery status. The Buzz comes with VW’s IQ.Drive driver assistance package standard, which includes adaptive cruise control.Everything Old Is New AgainThe ID.Buzz is sure to be a standout in the school drop-off line and turn heads in the early-morning coastal fog as you unload surfboards. VW’s new bus is friendly and attractive, and now ID.Buzz also offers safety tech, comfort, and fume-free electric upgrades that make it an excellent choice for the modern free spirit. Senior Editor, FeaturesLike a sleeper agent activated late in the game, Elana Scherr didn’t know her calling at a young age. Like many girls, she planned to be a vet-astronaut-artist, and came closest to that last one by attending UCLA art school. She painted images of cars, but did not own one. Elana reluctantly got a driver’s license at age 21 and discovered that she not only loved cars and wanted to drive them, but that other people loved cars and wanted to read about them, which meant somebody had to write about them. Since receiving activation codes, Elana has written for numerous car magazines and websites, covering classics, car culture, technology, motorsports, and new-car reviews.     More

Porsche has revealed a redesign for its iconic crest.Changes to the logo include a smoother finish for the bronze areas and a new honeycomb pattern for the red sections. The updated logo will begin showing up on vehicles at the end of 2023.You may need to pull out your reading glasses to spot the differences, but Porsche just revealed the latest version of its iconic crest badge. The historic badge remains immediately recognizable, and hasn’t changed in any shape-altering ways, but there are a few revisions that jump out.PorscheThe bronze knurling of the crest has been smoothed completely. The smooth backing helps to show off the word “PORSCHE” emblazoned across the top, and “STUTTGART” (now written in black) in the center of the crest. The knurling behind the red striping is also gone, though it wasn’t smoothed in the same way as the bronze knurling. Instead, Porsche decided to include a honeycomb pattern, reminiscent of a carbon-fiber weave. A Brief HistoryThe redesign comes as the brand celebrates reaching the 75 year mark of Porsche sports cars. The company has used some version of the crest on its vehicles since it was first introduced in 1952. The trademarked logo has been updated five times since then, with the most recent changes coming in 2008. Logo ManiaLike most automaker logos, the Porsche crest celebrates a lot of the brand’s early history, and the area that it’s from. Both the bucking horse and the shape on which it is stamped come directly from the seal of the city of Stuttgart. In a similar vein, the black and red colors, as well as the antlers pressed to opposing corners, come from the German state Württemberg-Hohenzollern (now Baden-Württemberg) and celebrate the home of the famed German automaker. The changes are subtle, but Porsche fans will surely make note of the new badge, and the first cars it appears on. According to Porsche, the updated logo will begin appearing on vehicles at the end of 2023. 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

Fisker’s first production vehicle, the Ocean SUV, is finally setting sail in the U.S. market with deliveries finally happening this month.Reservation holders who selected the top-spec Extreme model with 20-inch wheels will be pleased with a 360-mile EPA range estimate.That long-range driving estimate tops the Ocean’s rivals in the electric-SUV category, setting Fisker up for a win as long as there are no additional production roadblocks.Skeptics be damned, the Fisker Ocean electric SUV is finally set to make its splash in America. The handsomely designed compact crossover will also boast a generous 360-mile driving range, according to the EPA. That number bests that of rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Nissan Ariya, and even the Tesla Model Y.The top-spec Extreme trim level with 20-inch wheels is the one with that big range number, due to its big 113.0-kWh battery pack, while lower-end models or Extreme trims with larger wheel diameters will, presumably, offer fewer miles per charge.We’re looking forward to getting an Ocean Extreme into our office for testing. When we do, we’ll take the SUV on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route to see how its range estimate stands up to real-world driving. In our experience, EVs generally do not deliver their EPA estimated ranges in normal driving, but a 360-mile starting point should still put the Ocean at an advantage over competitors.The Latest on Fisker’s Ambitious EV PlansAlthough the Ocean started production in November 2022, the company has not yet been able to fulfill any of its U.S. orders due to a lengthy CARB certification process. Now that’s finally complete, and deliveries are set to begin this month.The Ocean is being assembled in Austria by supplier Magna Steyr alongside high-end models such as the Mercedes-Benz G-class and the Jaguar I-Pace. European deliveries began in May 2023, with the first Ocean going to a buyer in Denmark.Fisker has plans to build cars in the U.S. as well, starting with its Pear small SUV and perhaps eventually the Ronin flagship four-door convertible. The Pear, it’s said, will be manufactured in Lordstown, Ohio by supplier Foxconn.Managing Editor, Buyer’s GuideDrew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.       More

Volkswagen has revealed a new special-edition version of the Golf R hot hatch for Germany.It features a special color and lots of standard equipment, and only 333 units will be produced.Priced at €76,410, or nearly $82,000, the 333 costs nearly twice as much as a standard Golf R in the U.S.How high can the humble Volkswagen Golf reach? VW is testing the limits with a new version of the Golf R hot hatchback only for Germany. Called the Golf R 333 Limited Edition, this exclusive model features a price that will stop you in your tracks: €76,410, or nearly $82,000 at today’s exchange rates. Yes, for a VW Golf.What do you get for that massive sum? Exclusivity, for one, as VW is only building 333 of these special models. And street presence, as the 333 is finished in an eye-catching exterior hue called Lime Yellow metallic. It also has black 19-inch wheels, a black roof, and 333 decals along the sides. Inside, there’s a serialized number badge denoting which number each car is in the series.VolkswagenPerformance-wise, the Golf R 333 has a slightly more powerful version of the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 329 hp; that’s 14 hp more than we get in the U.S. car. A titanium Akrapovic exhaust is standard, as are grippy semi-slick tires. VW claims that it raised the top speed to 168 mph.VolkswagenAdmittedly, the Golf R we get in America is a steal compared to the overseas version. Our car has a base price of just $45,835 compared with the German version that starts at the equivalent of $58,905. But no matter how you look at it, the 333’s price is surprising. Diehard Golf fanatics in Germany can order this special Golf R starting tomorrow, June 2, and deliveries will start in October. We’re still scratching our heads trying to figure out who will be willing to pay this much for this vehicle, but we suppose that VW only has to find 333 of them.More on the Golf RThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorDespite 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

Formula 1 legend Fernando Alonso is planning to sell his Ferrari Enzo at an auction in Monaco in June, with an estimated sale price of over $5 million. Monaco Car Auctions announced Monday plans to sell Enzo “Scocca n.1” (which translates to shell #1) at its L’AstraRossa event happening on June 8, complete with a Ferrari Classiche Red Book to certify its authenticity. The car has only been driven 4800 kilometers (around 3000 miles) since new.Alonso raced for Ferrari from 2010 to 2014, long after the Enzo ended production. It’s unclear when he acquired the car, or why he’s selling it now. Perhaps he doesn’t want to be seen behind the wheel of a competitor automaker, as he’s currently in contention for the F1 championship driving for Aston Martin. Ferrari made just 400 Enzos. An average example now changes hands for over $1 million. This car, being such a low-numbered production version with serious ownership provenance, will likely change hands for much more. Monaco Car Auctions estimates it’ll sell for over 5 million euros (about $5.4 million) during its June 8 event.Road & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing. More

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway says it will replace a car damaged by a flying tire detached from an IndyCar racer during a crash at the Indy 500, reports the Indianapolis Star. A collision between Felix Rosenqvist and Kyle Kirkwood on lap 185 during Sunday’s race resulted in a tire flying over the turn 2 grandstands and into the parking lot, landing on a Chevrolet Cruze owned by racing fan and Indianapolis native Robin Matthews. Video of the aftermath shows the Cruze in a sorry state, with a smashed hood, quarter panel, and headlight. This content is imported from twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.A spokesperson confirmed to the Indianapolis Star that Penske Entertainment, the Speedway’s owner, will provide Matthews with a new vehicle.”I didn’t see it come down,” Matthews told the Indianapolis Star after the incident. “I came down and they said, ‘Robin, it’s your car!’ I thought, ‘No.’ I thought somebody was pranking me. It’s a car. It’s fine.” Miraculously no one was seriously injured, with only one spectator receiving treatment at an infield medical center for minor injuries related to flying debris. “I’ve talked to the Dallara guys, and we’re going to look at it,” IMS owner Roger Penske said to select media this week regarding the detaching tire. “We have tethers on those [wheels] and I’ve never seen a wheel come off of those. That, to me, is the probably the scariest thing, and we’ve got to fix that so it doesn’t happen again. Our technical guys are going to have a look at it.”The ClassicRoad & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing. More

Faraday Future has revealed the FF 91 2.0 Futurist Alliance, which it says will begin reaching customers this summer.The startup asks a $5000 deposit against the total price of $309,000 plus an as yet unnamed destination charge.There are also two other models coming: the Futurist model for about $250,000 and the not-yet-priced FF 91 2.0.The Faraday Future FF 91 has existed in theory longer than some of our younger editors have been members of the working world. And what a trip it’s been since CES 2017, when the company first unveiled its production-intent design. Of course, the production part of that process has proved quite tricky for the EV startup, but deliveries will allegedly begin this year, and there’s a fancy new FF 91 trim to celebrate the occasion. EVs on the Near HorizonFaraday Future this week announced the FF 91 2.0 Futurist Alliance. Limited to just 300 units globally, the Futurist Alliance costs a meaty $309,000 (not counting the typical, yet unmentioned destination fee), starting with a $5000 deposit. The exclusivity extends beyond just the trim name, with three specific paint options, a new set of wheels, and something the company calls “one-on-one bespoke private AI and special tuning.” What doesn’t require buzzword-parsing skills, though, are the Apple Watch and personalized driver training that also come with this lofty price tag.If that’s too rich for your blood, there’s always the $249,000 Futurist model, which only requires a $1500 deposit. The base model, FF 91 2.0, carries a yet-unknown price but the deposit is only $1000.Faraday Future’s Past and Present381 Miles of Range If you’re worried about spending house money on a six-year-old car, worry not—its innards are newer than that. In fact, that’s where the “2.0” comes from; it’s a reference to the fact that the FF 91 has undergone significant revisions since its initial CES debut. A 142.0-kWh battery resides under the floor, powering three motors (two rear, one front) to the tune of a net 1050 horsepower, which is enough for a manufacturer-estimated 2.3-second sprint to 60 mph. This battery is no range slouch, either, with an EPA-estimated 381 miles of range.With EPA figures and post-crash-test approval, the FF 91 seems about as real as a car can get. However, according to the company’s press release, the early delivery process will be a bit dense. It starts with “co-creation delivery for the first industry expert Futurist Product Officers (FPOs).” This is a registration-based spot that, according to FF’s website, grants access to “exclusive experiences with FF products, provide feedbacks [sic], generate creative ideas, and see your ideas turn into reality.” So, if you want the earliest crack possible at the FF 91, not only do you have to pony up six figures of simoleons, it sounds like you also have to give them free ideas to implement in future cars.That’s only the first stage of the delivery process. It’s unclear if the FPOs will actually receive their cars at the planned “co-creation event”—which is not actually on May 31 but instead on June 6—but rather just receive training on the vehicle’s myriad systems, because FF goes on to say that these folks will “take possession of the reserved FF 91 vehicle at the beginning of the second phase of delivery.” The third phase is mentioned nowhere in the release, with the exception of the paragraph confirming a tripartite process.Buckle up. It’s looking like Faraday Future’s Wild Ride still has plenty more track left to travel.Senior EditorCars are Andrew Krok’s jam, along with boysenberry. After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009, Andrew cut his teeth writing freelance magazine features, and now he has a decade of full-time review experience under his belt. A Chicagoan by birth, he has been a Detroit resident since 2015. Maybe one day he’ll do something about that half-finished engineering degree. More