Motor News

Buick has introduced a new generation of the LaCrosse large sedan for China.This new model features a modern exterior design and a decked-out interior with many luxury-grade features.The LaCrosse exited the U.S. market years ago and isn’t likely to return here.It’s been many years since Buick sold a big, cushy sedan in America, but the brand’s full-size LaCrosse is still going strong in China. In fact, GM just revealed a new China-market LaCrosse that looks surprisingly upscale inside and out and offers features that we’ve yet to see on any U.S.-market Buicks.The new LaCrosse’s front end incorporates a similar lighting design as other recent Buick models such as the Encore GX and Envista, and Buick’s new tri-shield logo is prominently displayed on the hood. It’s pictured here in its top Avenir trim level, which includes matrix headlights, LED taillights, and can perform a welcome illumination sequence as you approach the car.BuickThe interior, too, goes well beyond any current Buicks that we get here in the States in terms of tech presentation thanks to its huge 30.0-inch array of screens stretching across two thirds of the dashboard. The electric Buick Electra E5 crossover has a similar screen setup, and that model might be the one to bring this new infotainment system to the U.S. The LaCrosse also has heated, cooled, and massaging front and rear seats as standard equipment.Buick hasn’t released any mechanical details, but the China-market LaCrosse previously used a 237-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission.More on BuickThis 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

Tesla says it will offer a Track package for the Model S Plaid starting in June, meaning the car now claims to hit a top speed of 200 mph.The package adds carbon-ceramic brakes, new 20-inch aluminum wheels, and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires.The extra goodies cost $20,000, but the carbon-ceramic brakes can also be ordered on their own.Tesla is introducing a long-promised Track package for the Model S Plaid, vowing to finally unlock the electric sedan’s full performance capacity. The Tesla Model S Plaid sprinted to 60 mph in just 2.1 seconds in Car and Driver testing in 2021 but had been restricted from hitting its 200-mph top speed due to weak brakes, instead topping out at 162 mph. The addition of upgraded brakes follows the arrival of a Track mode last year that allowed adjustment of the stability control and improved cooling, among other changes.Tesla had promised a carbon-ceramic brake package since the Plaid’s launch in 2021 and claimed the package would be available last summer, although it’s unclear if Tesla ever installed the more powerful brakes on any cars. Now the upgrade is officially here, adding six-piston forged front calipers and four-piston forged rear calipers with high-performance pads. These clamp onto 16.1-inch carbon-silicon carbide front and rear rotors. Tesla also says the package includes “track-ready” brake fluid, and the carbon-ceramic brake kit can also be bought separately from the rest of the Track pack.More Tesla NewsAlong with brakes, the package adds new wheels and tires. The new aluminum forged wheels, which Tesla calls “Zero-G,” are wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires measuring 285/35R20 up front and 305/30R20 in the rear. The new brakes are also compatible with the 21-inch “Arachnid” wheels but not the 19-inch “Tempest” rollers.The price is listed by Tesla as “$15,000-$20,000.” We believe that the $15,000 tag nets you the carbon-ceramic brake kit on its own, while handing over the full $20,000 brings the full Track package including the wheels and tires, but Tesla hasn’t clarified. The Model S Plaid Track package will become available in June 2023, and can be retrofitted to 2021 and newer Plaid models.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

GMC has released a new special-edition version of the Hummer EV truck and SUV called the Omega edition.It has matte-blue paint and other visual tweaks and is based on the EV3X versions with the Extreme Off-Road package.The SUV starts at $139,995 and the pickup starts at $149,995, and they’ll only be available to current Hummer reservation holders at first.Now that the hubbub around the Hummer EV Edition 1 has faded, GMC is trying to drum up hype once again with a special edition for 2024 called the Omega. This appearance package is available for both the pickup and SUV models and includes an exclusive paint color, a few interesting exterior graphics, and standard equipment including the Extreme Off-Road Package and other goodies.Neptune Blue Matte paint is standard, and the Omega also has black badges, black 18-inch beadlock-capable wheels, and clear roof panels. Inside, there are different carpeted flooring inserts. The SUV’s spare-tire cover has a space-themed graphic, and the pickup gets a tailgate speaker.These special editions are based on the EV3X versions of the Hummer EV pickup and SUV. That means a three-motor powertrain with 1000-horsepower, and the Omega also comes standard with the Extreme Off-Road package that adds 35-inch tires, skid plates, assist steps, and underbody cameras. Hummer recently revealed range estimates for these new powertrain and chassis configurations, with the pickup estimated to go 329 miles on a charge and the SUV estimated to go 298 miles on a charge when equipped with the off-road pack.These trucks don’t come cheap, with the Omega SUV starting at $139,995 and the pickup at $149,995. That’s a whole lot more than the Hummer EV3X SUV with the Edition 1 package and the Extreme Off-Road package, which costs $110,595. If you’re willing to shell out for one of these Omega models, you’ll need to have an existing reservation for a Hummer EV—at least at first. GMC says that deliveries will start in the first half of 2024.More on the Hummer EVThis 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

BMW issued an urgent “Do Not Drive” warning for 90,000 vehicles built between 2000 and 2006, that fall under a recall for defective Takata air bags.The recall affects the 3-series and 5-series, including the M3 and M5, as well as the first-generation X5.Drivers are urged not to use affected vehicles until a fix is implemented, as the airbags can become dangerous even in minor crashes.BMW has issued an urgent “Do Not Drive” warning for owners of roughly 90,000 vehicles built between 2000 and 2006. The affected vehicles are outfitted with defective Takata airbags, which have a high likelihood of failure in the event of a crash. The recall affects 3-series models built from 2000-2006, including the E46-generation M3, and 5-series sedans built from 2000-2003, including the E39 M5, as well as X5 SUVs built from 2000-2004. In the event of a crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says the airbags have “an extremely high probability of failure.” If the inflators rupture, metal fragments may eject towards the driver and cause serious harm. “These inflators are two decades old now and, with every day that passes, they become even more dangerous as they can rupture even in a minor crash,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman.More on Takata AirbagsBMW is asking owners to immediately check if their vehicle has an open Takata recall, (which they can do here) and to stop driving their vehicle if it does. The replacement parts are available, and owners of defective vehicles are being urged to contact their dealership immediately for a free repair, and free towing or mobile repair. 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

Caterham is working on a new two-seat electric sports car, according to a report by Autocar.According to the report, the new sports car is completely unrelated to the Seven, though it will share a lot of the same characteristics. The car is being designed by Anthony Jannarelly, a designer best known for the W Motors Lykan HyperSport.Caterham is only months away from revealing a new two-seat electric sports car, according to a report by Autocar. The British publication spoke with Caterham’s lead designer, Anthony Jannarelly, who is best known for the his work on the W Motors Lykan HyperSport.The project has advanced quickly, with Autocar reporting that it was “just an idea in people’s heads” in September and that now a design reveal is imminent. Switching from a front-mounted internal combustion engine to an electric powertrain opens the door for Caterham to evolve, something Jannarelly emphasized to Autocar. As he put it, the intent is to “please the existing Caterham fans while also trying to reach another type of audience.””The principle is always lightness,” Jannarelly explained. “And the driving pleasure is a consequence of this lightness. The key words are always simplicity, lightness, and driving joy.”CaterhamExpect a Fresh LookAccording to Autocar, Caterham CEO Bob Laishley previously confirmed the new EV will hit the manufacturer’s ideological pillars but will also distinguish itself from the Seven. That means that besides the cars sharing the basic two-seat design and simple cabin, we shouldn’t expect too many other similarities. Switching to an EV powertrain will allow for new styling cues, and possibly a more compact structure. One thing we do know for sure (because Jannarelly confirmed it to Autocar) is that the unnamed future car will not feature the same elongated hood design that the Seven uses, and it could take on a more traditional sports-car shape.Laishley also got into a bit more detail on the construction of the new car, even hinting at a potential roof. “Like the Seven, it will have a steel spaceframe—but a different one—because they’re easy to modify in production if you need to,” he said to Autocar. More on Caterham”A Pure EV from the Start”It will have a six-panel enveloping body in aluminium or carbon fiber: two sills, two doors, plus clamshell openings front and rear. It will be prettier and more modern than a Seven—those will be big points of distinction—and maybe it will have a roof. We’re designing it as a pure EV from the start, with rear drive only.”Caterham hasn’t given any firm notion of when we should expect to learn more, but according to this report, a production version could come as soon as 2026 with design concepts and prototypes being shown in as little as a few months. Caterham generally doesn’t list its prices online, but we feel confident in saying that the EV will run a premium over the Seven lineup. 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 Ford Mustang with the optional V-8 will cost more than originally claimed, as first reported by Motor Authority.The V-8 models’ price increases are primarily due to gas-guzzler taxes that add an extra $1000 to $1300.The Mustang GT coupe now starts at $44,090 (up $1000), and the 500-hp Dark Horse now starts $60,895 (up $1300).Folks planning to buy a 2024 Ford Mustang fitted with the revised 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 will have to pay at least $1000 more than previously expected. The price increase is a result of the new seventh-generation pony car getting hit with a gas-guzzler tax, which applies to vehicles that don’t meet federal fuel-economy standards.Originally, the manual-equipped Mustang GT coupe had a base MSRP of $43,090, but now that jumps to $44,090 after adding the $1000 gas-guzzler tax. This also affects the GT Premium coupe and convertible models, which see their starting prices rise to $48,610 and $54,110, respectively.Michael Simari|Car and DriverThe Mustang Dark Horse, which features an enhanced version of the Coyote V-8 and makes 500 horsepower versus GT’s 480—486 ponies, gets hit with an even higher $1300 gas-guzzler tax. That boosts the newly introduced performance model’s base MSRP to $60,895. A Ford spokesperson also told Car and Driver that the base price of the Dark Horse Premium has risen $1400 “due to strong demand.” It now starts at $64,860.Several of the Dark Horse’s available options will also cost more than originally planned. The list includes the Appearance package (up $250 to $1500), the Handling package (up $495 to $4995), and the carbon-fiber wheels (up $500 to $8995). The 2024 Ford Mustang is slated to go on sale sometime this summer.More Mustang ReadingThis 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

This Mercedes Unimog camper conversion is the work of two professional engineers. The custom rig even underwent a five-month shakedown test in the Arctic.Bidding closes on Monday, May 8.Engineered as a farming tool to help rebuild Germany after World War II, the Unimog has spent more than 75 years crawling inexorably across the most punishing terrain on the planet. The Unimog is neither quick nor light on its feet, but in terms of off-road capability, this big rig makes the G-class seem like an S-class. But what does a Unimog driver do when they finally traverse the toughest terrain? Well, if you’re in this 1987 Mercedes-Benz U1300L that’s up for auction on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is a part of the Hearst Autos group), you simply relax since you already have the comforts of home with you.Related StoriesCredit a state-of-the-art camping setup that’s as pleasing to look at as it is well-designed. Those looking to avoid the grid will appreciate this truck’s solar panels, water-filtration system, and plentiful interior storage space. Beyond the appeal of its Tonka-truck-like looks, this Unimog stands out for its quality craftsmanship. A pair of married aerospace engineers built this rig as a personal vehicle, adding thoughtful touches to the living area, as well as giving the Unimog’s mechanicals comprehensive sorting. The couple even drove this truck through the Arctic for five months in 2019, so it’s been thoroughly vetted.Bring a TrailerPart of what makes Unimogs so capable is the excellent clearance afforded by their portal axles. The chunky Continental MPT 81s on this ’87 give it sufficient height to go wading through swampy muskeg, or pretty much any other obstacle. This Unimog features higher-speed gearing and upgrades to the front portal axles to reduce oil consumption and make the highway drive to the trailhead less of a slog. It’ll reportedly cruise happily at 60 mph. The cabin features extra sound-deadening material and suspension seats to make long drives more bearable. A stovetop, refrigerator, sink, composting toilet, 30 gallons of freshwater storage (plus nearly the same again in jerry cans), 600 watts worth of solar panels, and a 48-inch by 75-inch memory-foam mattress round things out. Throw a dart at a map, fire up the 6.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six, and this Unimog will take you on any planned or unplanned adventure you want.Bring a TrailerYou could hardly do worse than taking this rig on a thorough tour of the Oregon (where this Unimog is currently located) backcountry, then stopping off at the annual NorthWest MogFest, which is exactly what it sounds like. The event is usually held in August and features all manner of off-road activities and a backhoe operating contest. 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

Along with teasing the 2024 Toyota Tacoma’s different body styles, the company announced it’ll be revealed on May 19.Based on four silhouette images, the next-gen Taco will offer an extended cab, a crew cab, as well as short and long wheelbases.One silhouette teases the low-profile roof rack and prominent sport bar that will be featured on the new Trailhunter model.Whereas mid-size alternatives such as the recently redesigned Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon are only available in a one-size-fits-all body style, the upcoming 2024 Toyota Tacoma will continue to be offered in multiple configurations. These latest details are confirmed by four silhouettes Toyota today released as part of its onslaught of teasers leading up to the next-gen pickup truck’s upcoming reveal, which we now know will take place on May 19. Extended cab with long bed.ToyotaCrew cab with short bed.ToyotaThe outgoing Tacoma generation is available with an extended (a.k.a. Access) cab and a six-foot cargo bed, as well as a crew (a.k.a. Double) cab with either a five- or six-foot bed. While we can’t confirm the bed lengths will be exactly the same, we can tell by the images of the new Tacoma’s side profile that there will be two cab styles and two bed lengths forming some combination of short and long wheelbases.The TRD Pro.ToyotaThe quartet of silhouettes appears to show a TRD Pro model (seen above), with its identity given away by its elevated ride height. Previously, Toyota teased the popular off-road model’s newly added disc brakes and suspension, the latter of which will feature Fox QS3 coil-overs with Toyota’s signature red springs. Like the outgoing TRD Pro, we expect it’ll only be offered with the crew cab and the short bed. Toyota also gives the world a better look at the new Trailhunter model (seen below), which is configured with a crew cab and the longer box. This combination gives it the longest wheelbase of the bunch. Also visible from the Trailhunter’s silhouette is a low-profile roof rack and a prominent sport bar, both of which could be supplied by ARB. The aftermarket company will also supply the Trailhunter’s rear bumper and red tow hooks, as we learned in an earlier teaser.The Trailhunter.ToyotaWith the 2024 Tacoma’s official reveal only a couple of weeks away, we fully expect Toyota to keep rolling out teasers. Besides the ones already mentioned, we’ve learned the next-gen truck will be offered with a hybrid powertrain and that it will continue to be available with a six-speed manual transmission.Next-Gen Tacoma TeasersThis 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