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The National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC) came under fire last month when it was discovered that the hybridized Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray would be banned from competing or participating at its sponsored events and shows. Following a significant amount of backlash from the Corvette community itself, NCCC has released a new statement acknowledging another adjusted rule set that allows the E-Ray to compete. Much More on the E-RayThe outcry from fans came after Section 1.8.1 item 14 of the NCCC rulebook made its way around the internet last month. The rule specifically made it clear that hybrids and pure EVs are not welcome to share the lawn or track with other, more traditional Corvettes. Those types of cars were slated to be parked at least 30 feet away from other vehicles, which was an effort by the NCCC to reduce fire risks. The rule read as follows: Electric Vehicles/Hybrids using lithium type battery packs are prohibited in competitive events. If driven to NCCC events, they should be parked 30 feet minimum from structures or other vehicles.GM DESIGNThe E-Ray features a single electric motor mounted above the front axle, which gives the Corvette AWD capabilities for the first time. A minuscule battery located in the center spine of the chassis supplies the juice, while the 6.2-liter LT2 V-8 from the Stingray sits out back. For comparison, the pure-electric Hummer EV’s battery pack is 212.0 kWh. Together the powertrain is good for 655 horsepower. Thanks to the added grip, the E-Ray will get to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. Keep your foot in it and the electrified sports car will rip off a 10.5-second quarter-mile run. Those figures make the E-Ray the quickest Corvette ever, surpassing even the mighty Z06, which makes 15 hp more. Following the media storm, NCCC president Deb Murphy said that we all misunderstood the original rule. More specifically, Murphy states that hybrid vehicles were never meant to get caught up in the ban, but rather just pure electric vehicles. GM DESIGN”I would like to clarify the discussion at the November meeting compared to what has appeared across the media: Discussion concerned the electric cars (plug-in kind) that have caught fire,” Murphy said in a statement. “We did not include hybrid cars in that discussion. Hybrids are allowed at our competitions and E-Rays will be welcomed at our events.”While the rulebook listed by NCCC still doesn’t back up Murphy’s claims about that initial ruling, this is a win for E-Ray buyers. Whether or not they have a battery onboard, the E-Ray was designed for track work like every other C8. Murphy stated that the rulebook will ultimately be adjusted to reflect the group’s position on the matter. Whether or not NCCC softens up to all-electric cars, a pure EV Corvette doesn’t seem that far off at this point. GM DESIGNSo Much More E-RayBorn and raised in Metro Detroit, associate editor Lucas Bell has spent his entire life surrounded by the automotive industry. He may daily drive an aging Mustang, but his Porsche 944 and NB Miata both take up most of his free time.  More

From the May 2023 issue of Car and Driver.Many of the world’s leading luxury marques built their names around two-door coupes or convertibles—”halo cars,” if you will—that loudly broadcast the brand’s ethos even if they didn’t sell in huge numbers. Genesis has been doing a good job of establishing itself as a bona fide luxury player without one, but that could change soon. The company has been toying with a range-topping two-door and finally appears ready to take the plunge. Over the past few years, the automaker has released what it calls a trilogy of concept cars that wear the Genesis X moniker: an elegantly proportioned coupe, then a fascinating shooting-brake design study called the Speedium Coupe, and lastly a beautifully rendered convertible.More on Genesis ConceptsAs much as we’d like to see a production version of the Speedium, we’d bet on the coupe and convertible making it to showrooms for real. Genesis chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke reportedly already confirmed the convertible’s existence to dealers, and a coupe companion would be logical. It could wear the name GT90 to align it with the flagship G90 sedan (Genesis has already trademarked this moniker in the U.S., along with GT70 and GT80). Oh, and Genesis will offer this model solely as an EV.GenesisGiven that Genesis was able to get a decent 365 horsepower and 282 miles of range out of the Electrified G80, a gas-engine sedan retrofitted with EV hardware, we assume the company’s next-gen EV platforms will offer considerably more of both. The possible GT90 would need somewhere north of 500 horsepower and 300 miles of range in order to be competitive. We expect it to be more of a plush four-seat grand tourer than a performance machine, since Genesis vehicles so far have shied away from chasing the Ms and AMGs of the world and instead focused on serene cabins, composed ride quality, and smooth powertrains.In terms of the competition, Mercedes has the SL, BMW has the 8-series, and Lexus has the LC, but Genesis is setting its targets even higher. Genesis seemingly claims that the company aims to chase Bentley Continental GT customers with this new model. That may be the goal, but we doubt Genesis will try to charge anywhere near the Conti’s nearly $240,000 base price. Still, it could be the first Genesis model with a starting cost above $100,000. And if that doesn’t signify its arrival as a luxury brand, we don’t know what does.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

New Toyota CEO Koji Sato has implied more GR performance models are coming, per an interview with Autocar.Sato implied the Gazoo Racing brand’s expansion will be led by his predecessor, Akio Toyoda, who is now the company’s chairman.While details about future GR-branded Toyota models are scarce, we’ve heard rumors about a lightweight sports car.If there’s one thing we here at Car and Driver love, it’s performance cars. It’s why we’re so smitten with Toyota and its enthusiast-focused renaissance, as seen by the recent release of multiple Gazoo Racing models, from the tossable GR86 and terrific GR Supra sports cars to the thrilling GR Corolla hot hatch. So it’s with happy hearts that we’ve heard from across the pond that the company will reportedly give us more of a good thing.New Toyota CEO Koji Sato spoke with British publication Autocar and said there will be future GR-branded models. He also suggested their development could be sped up, implying that his predecessor, Akio Toyoda, who is now the company’s chairman, could be the one to lead the way.”Our Master Driver was also president of the company at the same time as he had a steering wheel in his hand for Gazoo. Now he is only chairman maybe he will have a lot more time to develop cars for them?” Sato told Autocar.While Toyota’s plans to expand the GR brand may sound like a no-brainer, it’s still good to hear Sato say it aloud. After all, the company’s recent reorganization and revised product strategy will include a bigger commitment to electrification, which could have an impact on enthusiast models like those from Gazoo Racing.ToyotaThere currently aren’t any details on what these new GR models will be. We’ve heard rumors that Toyota and Suzuki are working together on a new lightweight gas-powered sports car, which has been linked to the Toyota Sports EV pictured above. There has also been talk of a the electric Toyota bZ4X SUV getting the GR performance treatment. It sounds like a GR Camry also isn’t out of the realm of possibility.GR Toyotas Tested!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.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

From the May 2023 Issue of Car and Driver.The STI badge has been conspicuously absent from Subaru’s lineup ever since the latest WRX hit the scene, but rest assured, this high-performance nameplate isn’t gone for good. Subaru says it’s working on some sort of electrified version of the top WRX, which could mean a hybrid or battery-electric powertrain. This likely won’t arrive until the current generation of the gas-powered WRX runs its course. That model may last until late in the decade, so we’re in for a long wait.All of Subaru’s hybrid and EV efforts have so far been tied in with Toyota, as the Crosstrek plug-in hybrid used components from the Prius, and the Solterra electric SUV is a twin to Toyota’s bZ4X. We could see this collaboration continue to the next-gen WRX and WRX STI, as the Solterra’s platform, called e-Subaru Global Platform, was developed with Toyota.More That Are Worth the WaitIt will need significant modifications to work for a high-performance car like a WRX STI, as we’d expect at least 400 horsepower from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup—around double what the most powerful Solterra offers. We also think the next WRX will stray even further from its Impreza roots, and we’d love to see the hatchback body style return. To differentiate the WRX STI’s all-wheel-drive system from other dual-motor EVs, Subaru will also likely come up with some special software, possibly with torque vectoring. And of course, the big question is whether loyalists will accept a WRX STI without the distinctive blat of a turbocharged flat-four.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

GMC teased a version of the Canyon AT4X that appears to be equivalent to the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison that was also teased recently.This will be a collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV).We expect the Canyon AT4X AEV, which is still unnamed, to arrive later this year.It appears that the GMC Canyon will be getting an equivalent model to its Chevy Colorado sibling’s ZR2 Bison off-road package. GMC teased the new outfitted pickup truck under a cover and showed its AEV badge that confirms a further collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles. The Canyon’s AT4X trim, new for 2023, is already roughly equivalent to the Colorado’s ZR2 package, and both represent the mid-size pickup’s most off-road-ready configuration. The AEV models take things even further, and based on what we’ve seen from Chevy’s tease of the ZR2 Bison prototype, this new version will be even more hard-core. We spotted huge 35-inch tires, a lifted suspension, beadlock-capable wheels, and more on the Bison—and this GMC version looked similar. We don’t yet know what this trim will be called, but it’s possible GMC will just refer to it as the “AEV Edition” like it does for the Sierra 1500.Joey Capparella|Car and DriverMore on Off-Road PickupsThis modified version of the Canyon AT4X may also offer a more powerful version of the high-output turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four engine that’s standard on all versions of the GMC truck. That engine produces 310 horsepower and 430-pound feet of torque, and those numbers could be juiced a bit for the AEV spinoff.Look for more information to come on these highest expressions of the off-road ideal that GM’s mid-size pickups offer.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

The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD AT4X and Extreme AEV Edition debut as the most off-road-capable models in the brand’s heavy-duty lineup.The AT4X boasts 35-inch mud-terrain tires, protective skid plates, and a jacked-up suspension with sophisticated spool-valve dampers.The Extreme AEV Edition’s add-ons come from aftermarket supplier AEV and include exclusive 18-inch wheels, stronger skid plates, and unique steel bumpers.All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. That is unless Jack drives a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD AT4X or an Extreme AEV Edition, which together debut as the most off-road-focused models in the brand’s heavy-duty lineup. Able to tow up to 18,500 pounds and haul a payload of up to nearly 3300 pounds, the new AT4X and its AEV-enhanced counterpart are as capable as most other three-quarter-ton Sierras, but they also come with the necessary equipment to warrant some added fun when the workday is done.An Off-Road Semi TruckWhile the 2024 model year marks the first time GMC’s AT4X badge has appeared on a Sierra HD, the dirt-oriented model was introduced on the 2022 Sierra 1500. Previously, the heavy-duty pickup truck’s top off-road option was the regular AT4, which is offered on both the 2500HD and 3500HD. The new AT4X is only available on the 2500HD configured with the crew-cab body style and the standard-length cargo bed.View PhotosNothing to see here. Just a Sierra AT4X towing in the mountains.GMCThe Sierra 2500HD AT4X is outfitted similar to the recently revealed 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500HD ZR2. Both feature black 18-inch wheels wrapped with chunky 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory M/T tires. The AT4X’s suspension is raised 1.5 inches, and the truck is buoyed by sophisticated Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers. Also found on professional race cars and trucks, these fancy shocks feature three separate spool valves that better help on-road composure and withstand off-road abuse.Other bits exclusive to the 2024 Sierra 2500HD AT4X include a revised front suspension with enhanced steering knuckles as well as unique upper and lower control arms. The bottom of the truck is also better protected from taking a beating thanks to the addition of an aluminum front bash plate and a larger steel skid plate for the transfer case. An electronically locking rear differential is part of the AT4X kit too, as is an Off-Road drive mode to help tackle tough obstacles.While four-wheel drive and an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission are mandatory, customers can choose between two powertrains: the standard 401-hp gas-fed 6.6-liter V-8 or the optional Duramax diesel 6.6-liter V-8, which makes 470 horsepower and an impressive 975 pound-feet of torque. An Extra Extreme AT4XWhat the AT4X and lesser heavy-duty Sierras don’t have is hardcore hardware that can only be found on the formidably named Extreme AEV Edition. With exclusive parts from aftermarket supplier AEV, it’s basically a further fortified version of the AT4X. The more extreme off-roader comes with steel-stamped front and rear bumpers that feature a winch accommodation and recovery points. Tougher underbody armor and a set of AEV-specific gloss-black 18-inch wheels complete the deal.There are some minor technical differences between the AT4X and the Extreme AEV Edition. Both versions have an identical 25.7 degree departure angle, and their ground clearance is virtually the same at 11.6—11.7 inches. However, the AEV has a slightly steeper breakover angle of 22.6 degrees (versus 21.2 degrees). On the other hand, the AT4X has a steeper approach angle (31.6 versus 29.8 degrees). The AEV add-ons also make it heavier, with GMC claiming the gas-fed version weighs 378 pounds more and the oil-burning one weighs 368 pounds more.With GMC giving the 2024 Sierra HD lineup a host of updates, including refreshed styling and a snazzier interior, the AT4X and Extreme AEV Edition reap the benefits. They also come with desirable content such as a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 13.4-inch center touchscreen, and a head-up display. Every model also has legitimate luxury features such as genuine wood interior trim, leather upholstery, massaging front seats, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD AT4X and the Extreme AEV Edition will start production sometime this fall. GMC hasn’t said how much either version will cost, but we expect a base price around $90K, with possibly an $8000 surcharge for the AEV-enhanced model.More on the GMC Sierra HDThis 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

Two fun-looking modified Porsche Cayennes are up for auction on Bring a Trailer this week.For racing fans, a 2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS with a Martini livery wrap looks more than ready for your social media feed.A modified 2008 Cayenne S looks more ready for your updates with a lower auction price. First-generation Porsche Cayennes around the world are enjoying an adventurous retirement from daily commuting as modified off-roaders from Dakar to your local desert-like area. If you’re looking for a way to join the movement with an already-modified 2008 or 2009 Cayenne, we found some options over on the auction site Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos.From the ArchiveUp first is a 2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS that looks like it should be speeding along the dunes. It has been modified with 18-inch OZ racing-style wheels, an aftermarket air suspension, a tubular front bumper, a front skid plate, and a roof rack with recovery gear. Don’t buy this one to blend in. It’s also got a multicolor vinyl wrap of the Martini livery over Crystal Silver Metallic paint, bi-xenon headlights, and a sunroof. The black leather interior uses Alcantara upholstery for the heated front seats. It also has navigation and a Bose surround sound system.Bring a TrailerBring a TrailerThe GTS Cayennes are a great place to start making modifications, but the listing doesn’t detail who made the modifications. The original 4.8-liter V-8 engine, rated at 405 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque at the factory, and a six-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission remain. The Cayenne has all-wheel drive, a dual-range transfer case, and a variable center differential. There are 121,000 miles on the odometer. The auction ends on Wednesday, May 3, and the current bid is just over $18,000.Bring a TrailerA second modified Cayenne currently up for auction is a 2008 Cayenne S, the trim level below the GTS, in Sand White paint. Three inches of lift come from a Eurowise kit with Bilstein shock absorbers, and the car sits on 32-inch Falken tires (without tire-pressure monitors) with 18-inch Sparco Terra wheels. There are also bi-xenon headlights, a roof rack, a rear wiper, and a swing-away rear tire carrier. Bring a TrailerThe 4.8-liter V-8 and six-speed transmission should sound familiar. The interior is covered in Sand Beige leather and Gloss Light wood trim accents with heated front seats, navigation, and a Bose sound system.This vehicle has a few problems, including parking sensors and a windshield washer pump that do not work. There are also some scuffs and blemishes on the exterior. The front tires can rub the fender liners thanks to substantial front-end work. The odometer says the car has 121,000 miles, but it’s unclear how reliable that is. This auction ends on Thursday, May 4, and is currently sitting at $7000.If you’re more into the DIY aspect of modifying a Cayenne for off-road use, a fair number of them are regularly available on BaT. You can see all Cayennes on the auction site here.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

Last August, it was internal-combustion-engined passenger cars. Now it’s diesel-powered HD vehicles that won’t be allowed for sale in California after a future date. In this case, it’s 2036.Some fleets will need to start their transitions next year, but the zero-emission deadlines range from 2035 for last mile and short-haul deliveries, 2039 for things like garbage trucks, and 2042 for sleeper cabs and specialty vehicles.The California Air Resource Board (CARB)’s reasons for targeting the heavy-duty sector can be summed up in two numbers: big trucks comprise only 6 percent of California’s vehicles but emit 25 percent of all on-road greenhouse gas emissions.The Golden State continues to set the pace for clean-vehicle regulation in the U.S. This week, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) unanimously approved a new rule to phase out sales of diesel-powered medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2036. This is the first such combustion-truck sales ban in the world, according to the board.The rules, called Advanced Clean Fleets, will also require fleets that operate medium-duty vehicles, those with a gross vehicle weight rating between 8501 and 14,000 pounds, and heavy-duty vehicles (over 14,000 pounds) to shift to zero-emission powertrains. These MD and HD fleets have different deadlines for when their EV transition needs to be completed.California DreamingDepending on the type of HD vehicle and where it operates, the CARB rules take effect at different times. Last-mile delivery and drayage trucks—the short-haul vehicles that often operate around port locations—must be zero-emissions by 2035. Other categories have later dates: 2039 for local work vehicles like garbage trucks and day cab tractors and 2042 for sleeper cab tractors and specialty vehicles. The rules approved last week also require reduced emissions from train locomotives in California. As with CARB’s passenger-car emissions regulations, other states may adopt California’s new clean air rules. None have yet announced that they will do so.Trucks at the Port of Oakland (CA) in March 2023.Justin Sullivan|Getty ImagesLooking to Make Transition Easier for FleetsCARB has a history, over the decades, of providing financial incentives to make the clean vehicle transition easier, in this case for truck owners and buyers. Some plug-in trucks and buses are eligible for point-of-sale discounts, for example, and there are more local and municipal clean vehicle programs in California than just about anywhere else. CARB also allows for some exemptions when the best technology available for a particular vehicle type points towards upgrading that vehicle with a new, clean engine as the best choice. And the rules do allow fleets to “continue operating existing vehicles through their useful life.”No one who was paying attention to California’s recent greenhouse-gas regulation efforts should have been surprised by Friday’s diesel vote. Recent news about the big picture— how Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to turn all trucks in the state to zero-emission by 2045—and the small details should have clued people in.”Dirty Truck Detector” Days CARB adopted the Advanced Clean Trucks rule in 2020, which set the stage for requirements for manufacturers selling more zero-emission trucks. Last month, the EPA approved the state’s request for a waiver to implement to ban HD diesel vehicles, setting up last week’s vote. Last fall, CARB ran a series of “dirty truck detector” days along popular trucking routes in the state. And, while it’s not directly tied to HD vehicles, CARB voted last August to ban sales of new combustion-engine passenger vehicles in California starting in 2035.Go with the Current California has good reason to focus on dirty emissions from large vehicles. CARB said these heavy trucks are responsible for about 25 percent of on-road greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but only make up six percent of the vehicles on California’s roads. The Advanced Clean Trucks rule aims to reduce California’s GHG emissions by 40 percent and reduce petroleum use by 50 percent by 2030. While there are obvious financial challenges to switching to zero-emission HD vehicles, CARB estimates that reduced truck pollution will result in over $26 billion in health savings while also reducing operating costs for fleet managers and truck owners by $48 billion by 2050. With all of the clean air projects in the works, CARB expects there to be around 1.7 million zero-emission trucks in California by the middle of the century.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