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The Lexus LF-ZL large electric SUV concept looks set to become brand’s flagship.The Tokyo auto show concept is similar size to a Lincoln Navigator. Details like sliding rear doors are unlikely to make production.Lexus unveiled two electric vehicles at the 2023 Tokyo auto show. Most attention went to the low, sleek LF-ZC which is set to go into production in 2026, but the larger and considerably grander LF-ZL SUV looks to be previewing the brand’s luxury flagship as it moves towards full electrification.Although officially presented as a future-looking concept rather than confirmation of a production model, you don’t need to look too hard at the LF-ZL to see the production SUV that we believe sits underneath. And while many of the concept’s more exotic details doubtless won’t make the journey to reality, the basics all seem viable presuming that consumers’ appetite for grand luxury SUVs survives the transition to electrification.The exotic details are certainly fun. The LF-ZL’s sliding rear doors open with an elaborate theatricality far removed from the sort of sliders more commonly associated with minivans, moving outwards as they roll back to improve access to the rear of the cabin—without B-pillars to get in the way. Lexus designers refused to rule out the possibility of something similar making production, although in our experience outlandish door mechanisms tend to be one of the most frequently lost details between concept and reality. But the promise the ZL’s reclining rear seats, and bamboo-detailed cabin, seem much more realistic.Mike Duff|Car and DriverThe ZL’s size also suggests a production version would sit right at the top of the Lexus hierarchy. Lexus says it is 208.7 inches long, just shorter than a Lincoln Navigator, although with the lack of the need for engine accommodation allowing a slightly cab-forward stance to maximize interior room. The claimed 66.9 inch height makes it exactly as tall as the current BMW X6, although it would seem likely any production version would gain height-adjusting air springs. Regardless, the concept’s floor was impressively low, intended to illustrate the virtues of the ultra-compact battery cells Toyota will soon shift to, helping it to also deliver the most vertical as well as horizontal space.The ZL is also demonstrating the future power of the new Toyota-Lexus Arene OS, demonstrating features including an augmented-reality system dubbed Interactive Reality in Motion which will overlay information about passing points of interest when an occupant points at the them. As with the ZC, the ZL features a yoke-type steering wheel and—in production form—would use the same steer-by-wire system.Presuming Lexus can deliver sufficient quantities of performance and range, with confirmation yesterday that the ZC is targeting 620 miles from a full charge, the LF-ZL could become a flagship for Lexus’s electric revolution.More on LexusSenior European CorrespondentOur man on the other side of the pond, Mike Duff lives in Britain but reports from across Europe, sometimes beyond. He has previously held staff roles on UK titles including CAR, Autocar and evo, but his own automotive tastes tend towards the Germanic, owning both a troublesome 987-generation Porsche Cayman S and a Mercedes 190E 2.5-16. More

Kia has revealed an updated version of the K5 mid-size sedan in Korea.The front and rear ends are restyled, and the interior receives new features including a rotary shifter and a digital gauge cluster.We expect to see the refreshed K5 arrive in the U.S. for the 2025 model year.Kia is sharpening the looks of its K5 mid-size sedan for the upcoming model year if this updated Korea-market version is any indication. The facelifted 2025 Kia K5 adopts new headlights and taillights, plus a heavily revised interior, and will likely reach the U.S. market within the next few months.The restyled front end incorporates more prominent daytime running lights with an interesting zig-zag pattern, while the taillights are larger than before and feature LED accent lights that extend downward into the fenders. We can also spot cool-looking new wheel designs and a possible blackout styling package shown in some of the images.KiaKiaChanges to the interior appear significant as well, with a new digital gauge cluster now integrated in a single panel with a larger central infotainment screen. There are also new touch controls for climate and navigation functions, and a rotary shifter on the center console that appears to free up more storage space. The steering wheel is new and there appears to now be a brown leather upholstery option.KiaWe’re not expecting any significant changes to the K5’s available turbocharged four-cylinder engines, as the related 2024 Hyundai Sonata sedan features a mostly carryover powertrain lineup. The turbo 1.6-liter four in the base models should still be available with either front- or all-wheel drive, while the more powerful 2.5T engine in the K5 GT is likely to offer the same 291 horsepower as before.Look for more specific U.S. information on the 2025 K5 to come soon as we find out which of these changes will be making their way stateside.More on the K5This 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

Pininfarina has just revealed its newest design project to be none other than the ZX5 Zamboni.Yes, that Zamboni. The ice-cleaning one. Initial production of the new resurfacer will feature a lithium-ion-powered electric powertrain.Currently, Zamboni (the company) offers gasoline and electric powertrains for its ice resurfacers (Zambonis).In a lateral move away from its usual high-end automotive designs of vehicles like the Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari Enzo, or Lancia 037, the Italian design house Pininfarina just announced its newest design: the ZX5 Zamboni. Yep, that’s correct. Pininfarina and Zamboni paired up for the creation. Why would Pininfarina choose to design a Zamboni? As The Great One once said, “you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Italian-Designed Zamboni If you’ve ever seen Happy Gilmore, or perhaps spent time of your own at an ice rink, you certainly know what an ice resurfacer looks like. Much like Band-Aid or Google, Frank Zamboni’s creation became ubiquitous with the product and now everyone refers to ice resurfacers as Zambonis. ZamboniWhen the winter-sports brand decided it was time to produce a new-generation Zamboni, it partnered with the Italian design house Pininfarina. The initial production of the ZX5 will feature a lithium-ion-powered electric powertrain. The dual-propulsion motors for the ZX5 combine to produce a meager 27 horsepower. Pininfarina’s design is a more modern take on what is basically still a box on wheels, but the addition of lights at the front helps to liven up the look. According to Zamboni, the new resurfacer features new tech to reduce inconsistency between operators, as well as save time, labor, and water. There’s also a newly optional onboard edger and quick-blade-change system, which the company says improves safety. The ZX5 is the first Zamboni product to be designed by a third-party outfit, and with Frank Zamboni emigrating from Italy, Pininfarina was a fitting choice to design. We’re not as up to speed with the ice-resurfacing world as we are with the automobile industry, but we do think this thing looks pretty badass. That Time We Drove a ZamboniThis 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

Subaru revealed an electric sports car concept at the Tokyo auto show called the Sports Mobility.The Sports Mobility concept features an upright, muscular design with bulging wheel arches and a blocky front end.Subaru didn’t provide many details or show an interior, leading us to believe this concept is merely a flight of fancy and not production bound.This year’s Tokyo auto show has been overrun by electric sports car concepts, a welcome surprise in a world increasingly dominated by crossovers. Toyota showed off the angular FT-Se, Mazda presented the sleek Iconic SP with a rotary range-extender, Honda revived the Prelude name, and Nissan hinted at a future GT-R. Not to be outdone, Subaru showed off its own concept, the brawny Sport Mobility concept seen here, complete with boxy wheel arches and vivid blue accents.SubaruSubaru was mum on the details, but did state that the concept was powered by electrons and that it “evokes the evolution of the Subaru Sport values,” so we presume the theoretical powertrain would be fairly punchy. Subaru said the driver is capable of “controlling all four wheels at will,” implying some degree of all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering. Although it is hard to judge the size without a direct comparison, the Sport Mobility appears to be fairly compact.SubaruThe concept sports muscular looks, with a squared-off front and and boxy fenders giving the Sport Mobility an assertive stance. The blue accents peak out from behind the grey bodywork, highlighting the rectangular front intake, front hood vent, and fenders that sit separate from the body, similar to the look seen on the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP. SubaruThe front bumper, rear bumper, side sills, and aero wheel covers are finished in forged carbon fiber that adds visual pizzazz, and the slim headlights end with hexagonal housings reminiscent of the auxiliary lights found on rally cars, a field Subaru is quite experienced in. The rear end mimics the front with narrow taillights and features illuminated “Subaru” badging. Subaru showed one interior photo that looks surprisingly production ready, with a rectilinear steering wheel, a pair of conventional looking screens, and plenty of physical buttons.Unfortunately, the Subaru Sports Mobility’s chances at production are low, but it shows that Subaru is at least weighing how to approach the electric performance cars. With an electric STI model coming by the end of the decade, perhaps some of the concept’s styling elements could carry over into future fast Subarus.More EV Sports CarsThis 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

After teasing the vehicle earlier this month, Mitsubishi revealed the D:X concept van.The stubby little MPV features wraparound glass, a plug-in-hybrid powertrain, and panoramic seating for up to six. The D:X concept alludes to the future of the beloved Delica van, introducing an electric four-wheel-drive system. The grass is always greener on the other side. unfortunately for us, the other side is across the Pacific Ocean. That’s because after releasing a teaser earlier this month, Mitsubishi has fully revealed the new D:X concept van. According to the manufacturer, the new concept is “designed to hint at the Delica of the future.” Future DelicaThe teaser earlier in the month left a lot to the imagination, only really displaying a dust-covered, rear-three-quarters view of the concept. Now we can see the endearing concept in all its chunky glory. Outward visibility is fantastic thanks to wraparound glass from the windshield to the D pillar, along with a front-mounted camera that provides a virtual “see-through” hood. The latter display extends from the base of the windshield to show information like road conditions (or off-road conditions) and turn angle for the front tires. MitsubishiThe D:X combines off-roader characteristics like a raised suspension, short front and rear overhangs, and all-wheel drive with more classic minivan or MPV traits like sliding doors and seating for six. Inside, the D:X features a 2+2+2 layout with panoramic seats that can rotate as well as move up and down. Front and rear skid plates and side-step protectors should offer protection for a bit of off-road performance as well. Without Getting SpecificMitsubishi didn’t delve into the specifics of the powertrain, save confirmation that the D:X features an electric four-wheel-drive system and is propelled by a plug-in-hybrid powertrain. The company also confirmed that the van can be used in an EV mode for short daily commutes or a hybrid mode for longer distances.MitsubishiAs things stand right now, Mitsubishi’s North American lineup is fairly scant and does not include the Delica van this concept alludes to. No matter how much we pine for it, we really don’t expect Mitsu to bring the new version stateside when it eventually goes into production. What a shame. 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

Update 10/25/23: A Honda spokesperson confirmed on social media that the Prelude concept uses a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain and not a battery-electric one. This story has been updated to reflect this.Honda officially calls the reborn Prelude it showed off at this year’s Tokyo show a concept car. Unofficially, we think it’s better to deem this a near-production prototype. We’re not Nostradamus, but we are pretty good at spotting the difference between a definitive concept car that serves as a design study or as a meter for public reaction, and a production car that’s been given the “concept” car treatment. This Prelude concept strikes us as the latter.Why? Look at the body itself. There are cutlines for the front and rear bumper covers, cutlines for the side skirts, rear reflectors, rearview mirrors, and windshield wipers. To paraphrase Justice Potter Stewart, “we know a production car when we see it.”What we don’t know, however, is just about anything about the mechanical bits that make up the surely greenlit production Prelude. We can make some educated guesses, though. For instance, it’s likely the Prelude concept was designed around the modular platform that underpins vehicles such as the Civic and Accord. In this sense, we predict the Prelude will effectively replace the now-discontinued Civic coupe (and, in a way, the Accord coupe) in Honda’s model line.Honda shared that the Prelude concept is a hybrid, but is mum on the powertrain’s specifics. It’s possible the automaker cribs the hybrid setup from the CR-V or Accord (or presumably the upcoming Civic Hybrid) for use in the Prelude. However, there’s also a chance Honda develops a starter-generator “mild-hybrid” system that complements the gas engine of the inevitable production Prelude. Going this route means the company could employ a multi-speed transmission in the Prelude. Mind you, all of this is merely conjecture on our end, and we’re not at all claiming certainty. Still, we’d bet decent money the Prelude concept morphs into a production Prelude. We just hope Honda finds a way to offer some variant of the car with a good old-fashioned manual transmission.More on HondaSenior EditorDespite their shared last name, Greg Fink is not related to Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s infamous Rat Fink. Both Finks, however, are known for their love of cars, car culture, and—strangely—monogrammed one-piece bathing suits. Greg’s career in the media industry goes back more than a decade. His previous experience includes stints as an editor at publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, Motor1.com, and MotorTrend. More

Alongside the eye-catching FT-Se sports car concept, Toyota revealed this futuristic SUV, dubbed the FT-3e concept.The FT-3e looks like an evolution of the Toyota bZ4X crossover, with a similar stance, sloping roofline, and two-piece rear spoiler.The interior is modern and airy, with a plethora of screens situated around the driver.Toyota’s first dedicated electric vehicle, the bZ4X crossover, has so far been a flop. After a recall and stop-sale for wheels that could fall off hampered the initial launch, Toyota reintroduced the bZ4X earlier this year. The dismal real-world driving range, however, means sales have remained low, with just 6486 units sold through September. But Toyota is hard at work on solid-state batteries that promise improved range and charging times, and the FT-3e concept revealed at the Tokyo auto show provides a glimpse into what a bZ4X successor could look like. FT-3e Concept Revealed Toyota didn’t reveal many details about the FT-3e, but described the concept as a “next-generation” electric vehicle that will feature “personalized services powered by innovative technologies.” One of these futuristic cues are the digital displays on each side of the vehicle, running along the doors and curving upwards to meet the beltline. Toyota says these exterior-facing screens will show relevant information as the driver walks towards the FT-3e, such as battery charge levels, onboard temperature, and interior air quality.ToyotaThe overall proportions of the concept are very reminiscent of the bZ4X, with a squat stance and wheels pushed to the outer corners of the vehicle. The features are sharp, with thin light bars stretching across the front and rear of the vehicle and crisp creases on the front end creating an expressive face. The roofline slopes dramatically at the rear and sports a similar two-piece rear spoiler as the bZ4X. Inside the FT-3eThe FT-3e’s interior is full of straight lines, with the center touchscreen and digital instrument panel supplemented by a pair of iPhone-like screens on either side of the steering wheel. There are also two screens on the outer edges of the dashboard, which appear to be displays for sideview-mirror-replacing cameras. Nearly all physical controls appear to have been shunned. The overall aura is airy and light and features a modern mix of interesting materials and textures.ToyotaWith so few specifics, it’s hard to say exactly what the FT-3e will mean for future Toyotas. But we think it likely previews the design direction for Toyota’s next iteration of EVs, which should arrive in 2026 with the new solid-state batteries. Ideas like the exterior displays or interior screen layout could certainly end up on a production vehicle.More Cool Toyota ConceptsThis 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