More stories

  • in

    Honda Prologue E-SUV Revealed – 450km Range, AWD, 288bhp

    Honda Prologue E-SUVWhile single motor FWD layout’s performance figures are not revealed, Honda Prologue AWD dual motor version packs 288 bhp and 450 NmAfter unveiling Acura ZDX E-SUV, Honda has taken the wraps off Prologue E-SUV. Like Acura ZDX, Prologue sources its platform from General Motors as well. It features Honda’s new design language similar to Accord sedan. It packs FWD or AWD layouts with around 450 km (280 miles) of range. Bookings in USA will likely go live by the end of 2023, with deliveries in 2024.Honda Prologue E-SUV – Shares platform with GM EVsThis is Honda’s second EV for USA. On paper, it is better than the first. Of course, we’re talking about Honda Clarity EV. With just 89 miles (143 km) range, it didn’t lend enough clarity for buyers to invest in. Now, Honda has sourced General Motors’ scalable Ultium EV platform for both Prologue and Acura ZDX.Honda Prologue is an interesting-looking vehicle, with greater width than height. The black body cladding reduces visual bulk significantly. Couple that with a 4876 mm length and 3093 mm wheelbase, Prologue slightly radiates station wagon appeal. Due to the long wheelbase, there are very short front and rear overhangs. Honda has kept the design neat and simple, radiating understated elegance.In USA, there are three trims on offer – base EX trim, mid-spec Touring and top-spec Elite. While EX and Touring trims get AWD option, Elite gets AWD as standard. There are up to 7 colours on offer, depending on trim levels. Top-spec Elite boasts 21-inch alloy wheels that look swanky. LED headlights, LED DRL and tail light signatures are safe and appealing.Honda Prologue DashboardOn the inside, Honda has given heated and ventilated front seats, a powered driver’s seat with memory settings, auto-dimming IRVM, perforated leather upholstery, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, a heated steering wheel, HUD, an 11-inch fully digital and configurable digital instrument screen, 11.3-inch infotainment screen, panoramic sunroof and more.Infotainment screen has Google software and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims will bring multiple ADAS features as well. Gear selector is mounted on steering column, lending an uncluttered centre console. Climate control has rotary dials and buttons, which is appreciated. There’s no frunk, but Honda Prologue E-SUV packs a 707L boot, expandable to 1642L.Specs, performance, rangeHonda Prologue E-SUV gets a single-motor FWD layout and 85 kWh battery as standard. Performance figures for FWD layout are still unknown, but similarly specced Chevrolet Equinox EV has 210 bhp and 329 Nm. AWD model with dual motors boasts 288 bhp and 451 Nm. Range is not revealed by Honda yet and around 280 miles (450 km) from a single charge can be speculated.Honda Prologue RearDue to the high voltage architecture, Honda Prologue E-SUV supports fast DC charging up to 155 kW. This way, the car can scoop 65 mile range (104 km) in 10 minutes. That said, an 11.5 kW home charger and a 7.6 kW portable charger are available too. Pricing for Honda Prologue could range between USD 45,000 and USD 60,000 (Rs. 37.42 lakh and Rs. 50 lakh). Prologue is less likely to launch in India. We expect an electrified version of Elevate SUV. More

  • in

    Bajaj Sales Breakup August 2023 – Pulsar, Dominar, Platina, Boxer

    Export-spec Bajaj Dominar 200Bajaj Auto had the Pulsar as the most sold model in domestic markets while Boxer grabbed a great deal of attention globallyBajaj Auto has reported a deep decline in domestic sales in August 2023. However, the company’s exports were more positive. Bajaj Auto Limited sold a total of 2,73,230 units in August 2023, a sharp drop from 3,41,474 units sold in August 2022. Total domestic sales fell by 33.72 percent YoY to 1,52,115 units in August 2023, down 77,397 units when compared to 2,29,512 units sold in August 2022.Bajaj 2W Domestic Sales August 2023However, exports saw an improvement of 8.18 percent to 1,21,115 units in the past month as compared to 1,11,962 units shipped in August 2022. Earlier this week and just ahead of the festive season, the company introduced the new Pulsar N150. It is set to capture the attention of buyers in the country due to its aggressive styling, host of segment-first features and affordable pricing.Bajaj Pulsar saw the highest sales in August 2023 though it related to a YoY de-growth. Sales of the Pulsar stood at 90,685 units, down 6.64 percent from 97,135 units sold in August 2022. The Pulsar currently commands a 59.62 percent share on the list. In the Pulsar range it was the Pulsar 125cc that saw highest sales at 52,129 units while the Pulsar 150cc sales were at 17,111 units last month with both posting a YoY decline.Pulsar 200cc sales increased to 17,140 units along with sales of Pulsar 250cc that improved 559 percent to 4,305 units from 653 units sold in August 2022. Sales of Bajaj Platina also dipped 59.30 percent YoY to 40,693 units in August 2023 from 99,294 units sold in the same month last year.Bajaj Domestic SalesA significant decline in sales was also reported for the Bajaj CT, sales of which dipped by 61.53 percent to 9,270 as against 24,094 units sold in August 2022. However, the company has noted outstanding growth in demand for the Bajaj Chetak which reached 8,023 unit sales last month, up 190.80 percent over 2,762 units sold in August 2022.Sales de-growth was also seen for the Bajaj Avenger (1,848 units) and Dominar (1,587 units) range by 52.95 percent and 1.18 percent respectively. In the Dominar range, it was the 250cc model that saw sales growth of 19.91 percent while Dominar 500cc sales dipped 14.90 percent YoY.Bajaj Exports Improve in August 2023Bajaj Auto saw its exports grow by 8.18 percent YoY to 1,21,115 units with the Boxer and Pulsar drawing in the most demand. Boxer exports stood at 67,548 units in the past month, a YoY growth of 47.91 percent over 45,668 units sold in August 2022. The Boxer currently commands a 55.77 percent share on the company’s export list.Bajaj Exports SalesIt was the Boxer 110cc that received most demand to 50,646 units relating to a 79.54 percent YoY growth. Boxer 150cc sales also improved by 105.02 percent to 6,156 units while Boxer 150cc exports dipped by 25.68 percent to 10,746 units. Exports of the Bajaj Pulsar also grew by 60.15 percent to 34,400 units last month from 21,480 units exported in August 2022.In this range, it was the Pulsar 200cc that drew in the most sales at 20,185 units, a 65.79 percent YoY growth in exports over 12,175 units sold in August 2022. Thereafter, the company saw a dip in demand for the CT (10,002 units), Discover (3,936 units), Dominar (3,573 units), Platina (984 units) and Avenger (672 units). More

  • in

    Honda Goldwing Tour Launched – 39.2 Lakh, 6-Cyl Engine, 7DCT, Airbag

    Honda Goldwing Tour launchedThe flat 1833cc 6-cylinder 24V liquid-cooled SOHC engine on Honda Goldwing Tour churns out 125 bhp and 170 Nm, mated to a 7-speed DCTGoldwing range from Honda is one of the grotesque where luxury touring motorcycles are concerned. Having characteristics of both tourer and bagger-style motorcycles, Goldwing Tour is the full-fat version of Goldwing range. Because HMSI is bringing it to India via CBU route, Honda Goldwing Tour price is full-fat too at Rs. 39.2 lakh (ex-sh).Honda Goldwing Tour launched in IndiaEven though Goldwing range has characteristics of a bagger, Honda never called it one. The company refers to them as luxury tourers and Goldwing Tour is the most luxurious of the range. India only gets Goldwing Tour and it is apt for riders aspiring for luxurious cross-continent touring. Honda is offering a sole Graphite Black colour.Bookings have commenced and this big bike is available at all BigWing dealerships. Goldwing Tour offers attributes like a top box, a pillion armchair, a taller windscreen and heated seats as standard over regular Goldwing. Said windscreen is electrically adjustable from left handlebar. Goldwing Tour packs a single airbag for rider safety, which comes in handy at times.The overall proportions are massive. We’re talking about 2615 mm length, 905 mm width, 1430 mm height and a 1695mm wheelbase. Seat height is accessible at 745 mm and the ground clearance is 130 mm. With the 7-speed dual clutch transmission, Honda Goldwing Tour weighs a hefty 390 kg! One upside to this weight is stability, which has been second nature with Goldwing motorcycles.Honda Goldwing Tour with airbagIn terms of design, Goldwing Tour has its own charm. It looks massive and has an impeccable road presence. Big fairing will protect riders of most sizes. LED headlights along with LED fog lights are very helpful. Leather seats look intricate and the luggage compartments including 61L trunk have unison with overall aesthetics. Turn indicators on ORVMs and the huge protruding powertrain grab eyeballs.Powertrain, performance, range, featuresSpeaking of engines, this is a big one. We’re talking about an 1833cc flat 6-cylinder 24V (4 valves per cylinder) liquid-cooled SOHC engine that churns out around 125 bhp at 5500 RPM and 170 Nm at 4500 RPM. This engine takes 5.6L of oil and the 21.1L fuel tank ensures a tank range between 350 and 400 km.Power is sent to rear wheel via a 7-speed DCT and then a shaft drive, like a car. Speaking of resemblance with cars, Honda Goldwing Tour has a double wishbone front suspension and a Pro-Link rear setup. Twin discs at the front and single disc rotors with top-notch braking hardware (6-piston front and 3-piston rear) ensure good stopping power.Honda Goldwing Tour 7-inch infotainment screen130/70R18 front and 200/55R16 rear tyres ensure optimum grip and stability. Features include TBW (Throttle By Wire) and cruise control. There is a 7-inch infotainment screen that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with navigation. Analog speedo and tacho flank this central display. There is a premium audio system with speakers as well.Features like Bluetooth, TPMS, USB-C ports, creep and reverse function are notable elements too. Rivals include usual suspects like BMW K1600 GTL, Indian Roadmaster and Indian Chieftain Limited, Harley-Davidson Road Glide and the likes.Honda Goldwing Tour electrical windscreenWords from the ma nufacturerIntroducing Honda’s flagship offering, Mr. Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “We are pleased to launch the new Gold Wing Tour in India. Over the years, the Honda Gold Wing has redefined the concept of luxury touring on two-wheels with its hi-tech features and ultra-comfortable riding experience. HMSI is certain that the new Gold Wing Tour will excite the travel enthusiasts and raise the level of their touring experience by several notches.”Commenting on the launch of the new Gold Wing Tour, Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “Honda’s legendary Gold Wing Tour continues to set new standards in the modern touring category with class-leading luxury, comfort, performance and safety. We are happy to announce that the bookings for new Gold Wing Tour are now open and customer deliveries of this flagship luxury tourer will begin in India from October 2023 onwards.” More

  • in

    New Honda EV Hatch and Scooter Concepts Evoke Motocompo and City

    In the 1980s, Honda packaged a folding scooter with its City subcompact car. Now, here’s that same concept updated for the EV era.Both vehicles are proof-of-concept for a new easily recyclable acrylic construction.Details on power and range are thin, but the want factor is high.Honda’s Motocompo was a folding scooter designed to fit in the trunk of the company’s City subcompact car. It’s such a fun and quirky machine that it’s become highly collectible, and Hot Wheels even made a scale-sized City Turbo II with a couple of plastic Motocompos tucked in back. Now Honda is teasing an all-electric return of this well-loved accessory.Honda has shared images of a new small EV concept for the 2023 Tokyo auto show, and the electric scooter that goes with it. (Honda also plans to show off a new EV sports car, perhaps a potential replacement for the NSX, but that won’t be revealed for a few more weeks.)First, the car, which is called the SUSTAINA-C. Built from an acrylic that’s designed to be easily recycled, it’s a fun and friendly looking little two-door hatchback. While this is only a concept, it’s hard not to wish for roads full of happy little cars like this rather than the modern sea of angry-looking crossovers.HondaThe scooter is even better, and we especially love the name. It’s called the Honda Pocket, and it’s likewise made out of the same recyclable acrylic. There are no details on powertrains for either vehicle, but the thought of parking a zippy little Honda hatchback, popping a scooter out of the trunk, and zipping off to your favorite urban ramen joint is an appealing one. Obviously this combo would work better in parking-starved Tokyo than Los Angeles, but as urban centers get denser, the idea of onboard last-mile mobility makes more sense.HondaHonda is also showing a scooter that is much more pragmatic: the SC e concept. This fairly conventional-looking scooter is fitted with two of Honda’s swappable Mobile Power Packs, and it would be a game-changer for Tokyo traffic. Scooters are already a popular mass mobility option, and the ability to swap batteries at a charging station would open up EV ownership for apartment dwellers.Look for more information still to come within the next few weeks about Honda’s reveals for the Tokyo auto show.More on the City and MotocompoContributing 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

  • in

    2000 BMW Z3 2.8 Roadster Is Today’s Bring a Trailer Pick

    BMW’s Z3 roadster appeared in 1996 as a sort of German-accented Miata.The arrival of the six-cylinder engine added greatly to the Z3’s appeal.This Z3 2.8 with just 28K miles is up for auction at no reserve.Car and DriverThe roaring success of the Mazda Miata touched off a roadster mania in the 1990s, with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche all fielding attainable (if not quite Miata-level affordable) two-seaters. BMW’s Z3 arrived in 1996 with a 138-hp 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine under its classically-inspired long hood. It only took a year for the Z3 to more fully reach its potential, with the arrival of a 2.8-liter inline-six bringing an additional 51 horsepower concurrent with a limited-slip rear differential. Swollen rear fenders, necessary to clear a 2.5-inch wider track, nicely balanced the styling.Bring a TrailerThis crisp-looking example currently on Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—is powered by that desirable six, paired, crucially, with BMW’s ultra-slick five-speed manual.Bring a TrailerIn an in-period road test, we clocked a ’97 Z3 2.8 at 6.3 seconds to 60 mph, a result that’s still credible today. For 1999, the 2.8-liter engine saw output nudged to 193 horsepower. This 2000 model also benefits from other running changes including the fitment of side airbags, rollover hoops, and a slightly nicer interior. This car also boasts a power top, heated seats, and leather trim. Bring a TrailerRecent service includes the replacement of the drive belt, a new transmission selector seal, and new rear dampers (last year). The plastic rear window for the top has also been replaced. While there are a few minor paint chips and underbody scuffs noted, but the car overall appears to be in very tidy condition as befits its odometer reading of just 28,000 miles.Bring a TrailerThis car is located in Newburgh, New York, and can’t you just picture flying out and driving it home, flogging it down twisty roads with a contrail of foliage behind you? With New York State’s leaves already changing to an autumnal palette of red and gold, now’s the time to enjoy a classic roadster. Related StoriesAct fast, however, as this no-reserve auction ends October 1.Contributing 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

  • in

    BMW Teases Sleek Second-Generation X2 with In-Your-Face LED Lighting

    BMW is preparing a second-generation X2, after discontinuing the sleeker alternative to the X1 after the 2023 model year.The teaser shows an angular grille lined with LEDs and a more sharply sloping roofline than the previous X2.The 2025 X2 should use the same four-cylinder engines as the X1, with a 241-hp base model and a 312-hp M35i performance variant.BMW pioneered the oxymoronic “SUV coupe” segment when it launched the sloped-back X6 in 2008 as a sportier-looking alternative to the X5 crossover. A slinkier X2 joined the lineup as a counterpart to the subcompact X1 in 2018, but underwent minimal changes before fizzling out after 2023. But BMW is readying a replacement, teasing a second-generation X2 in a recent video. The X2 is shrouded in darkness in the video, but a shot of the silhouette reveals a roofline that dives downward in a more dramatic fashion than the previous X2, capped off by a small lip spoiler. We also catch a glimpse of the front end’s bold LED lighting, which outlines the octagonal kidney grille, mimicking the the look seen on the XM performance SUV. The headlights feature two vertical LED elements with a slight kink in the middle, similar to the refreshed 2024 X5.More BMW NewsBMW didn’t provide any other hints about the next generation X2 but the crossover is expected to ride on the same platform as the latest X1, which debuted for 2023. The X2 should use the same engines as its more practical sibling, with a 241-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four in the base model. The M35i performance model that joins the X1 lineup for 2024 should also make an appearance, with the turbo 2.0-liter tuned to produce 312 hp. BMW is expected to also reveal an electric iX2, but its unclear if this will be offered in the United States since the iX1 has remained an Europe-only affair. The second generation X2 should debut before the end of the year and arrive in the U.S. as a 2025 model.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 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

  • in

    2024 Toyota Tundra 1794 Limited Edition Has Lots of Leather and a Lift Kit

    Toyota unveiled a new limited-edition version of the full-size Tundra pickup based on the 1794 trim. The special edition comes with a Fox Shocks 1.1 inch lift kit and a specially designed leather interior. It will be limited to 1500 units when it goes on sale next spring.Toyota’s upwards quest to make a dent in the Big Three’s full-size truck dominance continues. To that end, Toyota announced a new special-edition version of the Tundra called the 1794 Limited Edition complete with a different look inside and out and a lift kit. ToyotaMost of the changes for the 1794 Limited Edition come in the way of visual and material changes, though the special edition does get a small performance boost in the way of 2.5 inch Fox internal bypass shocks with piggyback reservoirs and a 1.1 inch lift. The exterior of the truck distinguishes itself from the rest of the flock with a dark chrome finish for the grille and side moldings, as well as blacked-out accents. The tailgate ditches the standard “TUNDRA” text, and replaces it with a special stamp to further differentiate the truck.The interior sets itself even further apart from other Tundras with the inclusion of copious amounts of brown leather. According to Toyota, the design was developed in conjunction with the Texas based Saddleback Leather Company.ToyotaAs a bonus, Toyota is including a matching set of leather accessories with the truck, including an overnight bag, tool roll, owner’s manual case, key glove, and small bag. The 1794 Limited Edition will be kept to 1500 units and will go on sale some time in spring 2024. We’re not sure on official pricing yet, but we imagine it will come in a few thousand dollars above the standard 1794 trim’s $64,310 starting price. More on the TundraThis 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

  • in

    Porsche Fans Help Track Down Stolen 911

    We all know what it feels like to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. And if cars had feelings, there’s a 964-era Porsche 911 in the Seattle area that would definitely know all about that one. That’s because it happened to be parked in a garage in close proximity to a Polaris Slingshot that thieves had targeted for the Gone in 60 Seconds treatment. Tucked in under a car cover, the Guards Red 964 obviously wasn’t a daily driver and probably wouldn’t immediately be missed. And so the Porsche—freshly painted, with H&R suspension and a Das Sport half cage—joined the Polaris in an unauthorized exit from the garage, and the owner was none the wiser until receiving a call from the police a few weeks later asking, “Do you know where your car is?” He didn’t, but he was about to find out that the Porsche community had already tracked down his car, albeit not unscathed.Auburn Police DepartmentWhy were the police looking for a car that wasn’t reported stolen? Well, as it happens, the thieves didn’t stop their crime spree at grand theft auto, and the red 911 had been spotted near the scene of a homicide. Police in Auburn, Washington, had grainy security camera footage of a red 911 but they couldn’t tell much else about it. So they did the logical thing and tracked down somebody who could, calling boutique Seattle Porsche shop Dobson Stuttgart to ask for help. There, sales and marketing manager Matt Adair took a look at the photos and immediately knew what car to look for—though he didn’t know whose it was.Beat up and covered in fingerprint dust, but recovered.Matt Adair|Car and Driver“I ID’d it as a 1990-ish 964 with aftermarket wheels,” Adair says. “There aren’t a lot of 964s around, so I asked if they wanted me to dig into that. They did, so I hit up my Porsche groups and a few others and got an outpouring of people who saw the car in Northgate, or Tacoma. Apparently it had been making the rounds for a few weeks.”But initially, the sightings from Adair’s Porsche network were strictly past tense, leads gone cold. Within 24 hours, though, a contact in Portland, Oregon, said he found it. “He sent a photo and it was the car,” says Adair. “I called the Auburn PD and the detective I’d talked to wasn’t there.” Thus Adair undertook the strange and awkward task of calling 911 and convincing the dispatcher that police were required at a particular address in Oregon, on account of a stolen red 911 on grey Rotiforms parked outside. “Then they had an officer in Portland call me, since I knew where the car was, and they were there within a half hour and arrested the guy.” Ouch.Matt Adair|Car and DriverThe car was towed back to Dobson Stuttgart covered in black fingerprint dust and wearing the scars of its unfortunate road trip. “The owner called me and said, ‘Now what?’ and I told him that based on my experience with stolen cars, it’ll probably be totaled,” Adair says. The trunk was taped down, since the latch had been pried open with a crowbar. The ignition now started with a flat-blade screwdriver. Underneath, the thieves looked to have hit a speed bump at freeway pace—or gone off-roading—based on dents to the engine case. The Fabspeed exhaust was partially ripped off, the lower bodywork scraped up. More ouch.Matt Adair|Car and DriverA sad result, but at least the car was recovered and its illicit custodian arrested before more mayhem ensued—the search warrant for the car reads “theft of motor vehicle” and “murder in the second degree”. And if the choice of vehicle had been anything more anodyne than a perfect red 964, that suspect might still be at large. Moral: if you’re getting up to crimes, don’t cross the Porsche-heads.More Police ChasesSenior EditorEzra Dyer is a Car and Driver senior editor and columnist. He’s now based in North Carolina but still remembers how to turn right. He owns a 2009 GEM e4 and once drove 206 mph. Those facts are mutually exclusive. More