News

The 911 GT3 R Rennsport debuted at the 2023 Rennsport Reunion in Monterey, California. It will be a limited edition of 77 cars. The naturally aspirated six-cylinder revs to 9400 rpm and makes 611 hp. Only the hood and roof are shared with the standard GT3 R. Redefining the idea of a track toy, Porsche has released a version of its 911 GT3 R that has so much power and downforce, it’s illegal. Well, it’s illegal by FIA competition rules. The competition 911 GT3 that the Rennsport is based on was designed specifically to be raced in FIA or IMSA events like Le Mans or the Daytona 24, where strict rules govern the “Balance of Power” as to how light a car can be, what gearing it can use, and how much horsepower and aero is permitted. The 911 GT3 Rennsport asks, “What if those rules didn’t apply?”Designed by Grant Larson and Thorsten Klein from the Style Porsche team—which heads up many of Porsche’s one-off and special-edition projects, the 911 GT3 Rennsport is low and long. The hood and roof are shared with the standard GT3 R, but all other body panels are different from the homologated race car’s. All the air intakes and ground effects are also specific to the GT3 R Rennsport. Even the mirrors are gone, replaced with a three-camera system that shows the driver traffic via a monitor in the cockpit.By traffic, of course, we mean only other racers. The GT3 R Rennsport is about as not–street legal as you can get, and you’re unlikely to go unnoticed if you try to take it through a fast-food window. If you did, though, there’s plenty of room to rest your lunch on the massive rear wing, which is based on the Brumos Porsche 935/77, which won the 1978 24 Hours of Daytona. The wing works as more than a picnic bench. Downforce is so extreme that Porsche had to add additional supports to hold it up. You’ll be eating alone, though: like the GT3 R, the Rennsport model is a single seater, with most of the interior taken up by a roll cage. PorscheUnderneath, the GT3 R Rennsport is almost the same as the GT3 R. The car rides on a bespoke Michelin tire. The front suspension has unequal-length control arms and the rear is a multilink setup. The KW Shocks are five-way adjustable and Porsche Motorsport delivers the car with the chassis already tuned for general performance. Additional fine-tuning can be done using available shims. The AP brakes are aluminum monoblocks, with titanium backing plates behind the pads which reduce unsprung weight by a little more than two pounds. The fuel tank is lighter too, by about the same amount. There’s no air conditioning. The driver is cooled by a ventilated seat. The planned curb weight is 2734 pounds. You can get your GT3 Rennsport in seven different colors. The standard is Agate Grey and raw carbon, but if you’d prefer Ruby Star—as you should—it’s possible. Three liveries based on Porsche history will also be available, one designed around the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca, one in classic Porsche Motorsport red and white, and one in various shades of blue. All GT3 Rennsports sit on 18-inch BBS wheels which do meet the tech requirements of a center-locking competition wheel, even if the car they are bolted to is a right-ole cheater. PorscheOne of the major limitations in FIA competition is power, and the GT3 R Rennsport doesn’t play by those rules. The Rennsport uses the 4.2-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine from the standard GT3 R, but rather than a limited 557 hp, the special edition makes 611 hp and the direct injection is specifically tuned to run on E25 bioethonol and eFuel, although it can also run on conventional gasoline. All that power goes to the rear wheels via a sequential six-speed gearbox. Paddles on the wheel control the shifts, and the transmission ratio has a different sixth gear, making the GT3 R Rennsport 12 mph faster than the GT3 R on the top end. If you want to hear it, an unmuffled version is available, but for those who might ever want to hear something else—or run at a track with decibel limits—two muffled and catalytic convertor versions are also on the order sheet. Get your orders in now, as Porsche is only making 77 examples of the $1,046,000 GT3 R Rennsport. More 911 GT3sThis 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 Editor, FeaturesLike a sleeper agent activated late in the game, Elana Scherr didn’t know her calling at a young age. Like many girls, she planned to be a vet-astronaut-artist, and came closest to that last one by attending UCLA art school. She painted images of cars, but did not own one. Elana reluctantly got a driver’s license at age 21 and discovered that she not only loved cars and wanted to drive them, but that other people loved cars and wanted to read about them, which meant somebody had to write about them. Since receiving activation codes, Elana has written for numerous car magazines and websites, covering classics, car culture, technology, motorsports, and new-car reviews.     More

Only two weeks have passed since the UAW called a strike on Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, but the action has already had significant effect. Beyond the non-stop international media attention, the strike has spread to 38 new production facilities, been visited by one former and one current American president, and caused multiple auto suppliers to announce layoffs. More on the StrikeWhat Has HappenedThe initial strike on September 15 called for roughly 13,000 UAW members to stop work at three plants. Ford’s Michigan Assembly in Wayne, Michigan, was the first, where the company currently builds the Bronco and Ranger. GM’s Wentzville Assembly in Wentzville, Missouri, was the second, which currently builds the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, among others. Finally, the Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio, was the third, which builds the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator. A week later, 5600 workers walked out of 38 General Motors and Stellantis facilities in 20 states. UAW president Shawn Fain said that Ford dodged additional stoppages because it is “serious about reaching a deal.” The other two, however, were “a different story,” and so were punished by a further wave of the UAW’s Stand Up Strike.What’s NextAs the strike enters its third week of negotiations with the Big Three, the UAW’s scope of action looks set to expand, and we’re likely to see more action soon. On Tuesday, UAW president Shawn Fain pledged that, should negotiations not make any significant headway, he was ready to “amp up the pressure.” Fain is expected to announce an expansion of the UAW’s rolling Stand Up Strike via Facebook Live on Friday September 29 at 10 a.m. Eastern time.This time, it seems unlikely that Ford will escape further escalation. “Ford will likely be pulled back into the strike escalation,” says Ambrose Conroy, an auto supply chain expert and founder of Seraph Consulting. “The UAW gave them some time to try and get a deal done, but it did not happen. We expect the pressure to be turned up on Ford.”Scott Olson|Getty ImagesAs to what will happen, that is unclear. “The UAW may lift the strike on the first plants and choose to impact the Big Three in other places,” Conroy says. “Bringing workers back to the original plants will restore their pay and allow UAW membership to share the suffering; taking down new plants will spread chaos and pain within the OEMs.”Suppliers, however, are already affected. CIE Newcor, a manufacturer of components and subassemblies, and Dana, a supplier mainly focused on powertrains, have warned that hundreds of layoffs are coming in the wake of the ongoing strike.Those impacts will only increase should this strike lingers. “This is a game of chicken where the participants may not have that much to gain,” Conroy says. “Hyundai, Tesla, Rivian, and Toyota all stand to gain while the Big 3 and union labor lose out on market share and jobs if this continues for too long.”President Biden VisitFain took the initial strike expansion as an opportunity to invite President Biden to join the picket lines. Biden did just that on September 26. Speaking at GM’s Willow Run Redistribution Center in Belleville, Michigan, Biden said: “You saved the automobile industry back in 2008 and before, made a lot of sacrifices, gave up a lot, and the companies were in trouble. But now they’re doing incredibly well, and guess what, you should be doing incredibly well, too.”This visit made Biden the first modern sitting U.S. president to join a picket line, according to the AP, a contrast to previous presidential union relations, like Ronald Reagan’s firing of 11,000 striking members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization in 1981.JIM WATSON|Getty ImagesFormer president Donald Trump, on the campaign trail for the 2024 election, was quick to follow Biden. Trump spoke at Drake Enterprises in Clinton Township, Michigan, curiously a non-union outfit. But, rather than rally the UAW members against big corporations, he instead used the platform to decry the industry’s shift toward electric vehicles, saying: “It doesn’t make a damn bit of difference what you get because in two years you’re all going to be out of business.” More

Toyota has dropped the base L trim for the 2024 Highlander SUV. The LE is the new cheapest version the mid-size SUV and marks a $2500 price increase over last year’s base model. The manufacturer is also bringing the Nightshade Edition to the Hybrid versions of the Highlander LE and XLE. Toyota is shaking up the 2024 Highlander lineup by adding a Nightshade Edition and dropping the former entry-level L trim. The removal comes as another example of a manufacturer dropping a base version, while subsequently raising the barrier of entry for the vehicle.That means for 2024, the cheapest Toyota Highlander will set you back $40,515—a $2500 increase over last year’s base model. It should be noted, however, that the price of the LE trim has only increased by $100 for the new model year. Upgrading to the hybrid version will run you an extra $1600, as will the upgrade to all-wheel drive from the standard front-drive configuration.Toyota also decided to end the Highlander Bronze Edition trim, deeming it instead time to add a Nightshade Edition for the family SUV. The package is only available on the hybrid versions of the LE and XLE trim and runs $1000. Like with other Nightshade Editions, the Highlander comes with black trim on the grille, mirror caps, door handles, and special badging. Both the LE and XLE roll on a set of black 18-inch five spoke wheels, and the XLE version gets a set of black roof rails. ToyotaThe interior features black seats finished in either cloth or two-tone Softex, depending on trim level. The XLE also comes with 10-way power-adjustable heated front seats and second row captain’s chairs. Exterior paint options on the Nightshade include Cement, Wind Chill Pearl, Midnight Black Metallic, or Ruby Flare Pearl. The front-drive version of the LE Nightshade will run you $43,115, while the all-wheel-drive version is $44,715. Stepping up to the front-drive version of the XLE cost $46,265, and the addition of all-wheel drive brings that total to $47,660.More on the Highlander LineupAssociate 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 Honda Prologue debuts as the brand’s second EV for the United States, and the mid-size SUV will start between $45K and $50K.With an estimated range of up to 300 miles, the Prologue offers front- or all-wheel-drive powertrains; the latter produces 288 horses and 333 pound-feet of torque.Based on GM’s Ultium platform, the Prologue’s handsome exterior and smart interior are courtesy of Honda’s Los Angeles-based designers.Who remembers the Honda Clarity EV? Most people probably don’t. The funky-looking sedan was the brand’s most recent attempt at selling an electric car in the United States, but it was ultimately doomed by a measly 89-mile range estimate, not to mention it was only available for lease and only in California and Oregon. Now, with the help of GM’s scalable Ultium battery platform, Honda gets back into the American EV game with the 2024 Prologue.Prologue PreviewSpanning 192 inches long, the Prologue is just over seven inches longer than the compact Honda CR-V and about three inches longer than the mid-size Honda Passport. The electric SUV also has a lengthy 121.8-inch wheelbase (the same as the recently revealed Acura ZDX), which helps provide ample passenger space. Since the Prologue is wider than it is tall (64.7 inches), it gives off station-wagon vibes à la the now-defunct Ford Flex.Honda’s Los Angeles design team penned the Prologue’s design, which features smooth exterior surfaces and short overhangs. While its minimalist appearance is plain compared with anything new wearing a Kia or Hyundai badge, we think it looks handsome. A set of 21-inch wheels on the top-of-the-line model complement its proportions.The Prologue’s interior also looks attractive, with its simple layout and restrained mix of materials. Along with preserving physical buttons and knobs on the dash, we applaud the column-mounted shifter and versatile center console, which has huge cupholders that accept 32-ounce containers as well as oodles of cubby space between the upper and lower levels. We had the chance to sit in the Prologue, and we can report that there’s lots of legroom in both rows. However, taller rear-seat passengers will have to deal with limited headroom, especially on models with the panoramic sunroof. The back seats do slightly recline, and behind them there’s 25 cubic feet of space. Dropping the seatbacks expands that space to 58 cubes. Under the cargo floor is an additional cube of storage. Unfortunately, due to the packaging of the front electric motor, there’s no frunk.Prologue Battery and PowertrainsThe Prologue comes with either a single-motor front-wheel-drive setup or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration. The latter generates an estimated 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque. Honda hasn’t released power output for the single electric motor, but judging by its platform mate—the front-drive Chevy Equinox EV—we think the Prologue will produce somewhere around 210 horses and 243 pound-feet. Regardless of the powertrain, acceleration and deceleration is expressed with simulated sounds, but it remains to be seen whether they make the driving experience better or worse. With an 85.0-kWh battery pack, Honda estimates the front-drive Prologue will have a maximum driving range of 300 miles. While there’s no estimate for the all-wheel-drive models, we think it’ll be similar to the Equinox EV, which has a 280-mile estimate.With a 155-kW max charging rate when connected to a DC fast-charger, the Prologue’s battery is expected to add 65 miles of range in 10 minutes. Customers can also select from one of three different charging packages. They include an 11.5-kW home charger or a 7.6-kW portable charging kit (both with a $100 public charging credit and a $500 installation incentive). A $750 public charging credit is the third option. Prologue Features and PricingThe Prologue comes in three trim levels: EX, Touring, and Elite. Even the base model is well-equipped, as it comes standard with heated front seats, a power-operated driver’s seat with lumbar adjustments, dual-zone climate control, and a wireless smartphone charger. Stepping up to the Touring swaps cloth upholstery for leather and adds memory seat settings, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. The Elite includes perforated leather in more colors, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a head-up display. An 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster and a horizontal 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system are standard on all models. The latter features Google software, including myriad apps, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition to all that tech, every Prologue has a host of driver assists, which include blind-spot steering assist, and rear cross-traffic braking, and rear pedestrian detection.Honda hasn’t yet released full pricing for the 2024 Prologue, but the EX is expected to start somewhere between $45,000 and $50,000. We’d wager the top-tier Elite will tack on another $10K or so. The EV SUV will be available to order before the end of the year, with deliveries set to start early in 2024.More Prologue NewsThis 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 journalism 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