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This content is imported from youTube. 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.The ability of a car to get from rest to 60 mph has long been one of the most popular performance benchmarks, establishing hierarchies between rivals and—more important—giving owners something to boast about. But while the quickest road cars are now in the low-two-second range (the fastest we have experienced being the two seconds flat of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale), a group of students in Switzerland have just posted a sub-one-second time in a purpose-built lightweight EV, claiming a new record in the process.A team of members of the Academic Motorsports Club of Zurich (AMZ) from two universities, ETH Zurich and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, created a tiny EV specifically designed to beat the benchmark. Pride was at stake; AMZ has set the record twice in the past, but last September it was bested by another student team from Stuttgart, Germany, which managed a time of just 1.461 seconds and therefore took the title.A Purpose-Built 309-Pound CarThe new car, named Mythen, was purpose built for the record and uses four hub-mounted electric motors to produce a combined total of 322 horsepower. Which might not sound like much, but thanks to a carbon-fiber and aluminum honeycomb structure, the car itself weighed in at just 309 pounds. Even with driver Kate Maggetti on board, it weighed just 396 pounds. Traction was helped by both a rear wing and what the team describes as a “kind of vacuum cleaner that holds the car to the ground by suction,” something which sounds like the fan-assisted system used by the McMurty Spéirling that set a course record at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2022. Alessandro Della Bella/ETH ZürichOn a test track in Duebendort, Switzerland, Mythen accelerated from zero to 62 mph, which represents the Euro-friendly 100-km/h mark, in just 0.956 second, reaching that speed in just over 40 feet. By our reckoning, that means Maggetti experienced an average of 2.96 g’s of longitudinal acceleration over the course of the run, but the peak would doubtless have been higher. Those figures are similar to those experienced by a fighter pilot being launched from an aircraft carrier’s steam catapult. The new time has officially been recognized by self-appointed arbiter of such things, Guinness World Records. But although a hugely impressive achievement, and likely an outright benchmark for an electric-powered vehicle, the new record is not close to the outright fastest acceleration of any wheel-powered vehicle. A Top Fuel dragster will hit 60 mph around 0.4-second after launch. Having taken the record for the third time, the Swiss team are confident of holding onto it, saying, “Now the world record is back in Swiss hands, and the ETH Zurich students are confident they will not relinquish it again anytime soon.”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.Record SettersSenior 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

Ford is updating the F-150 Raptor for 2024 with new headlights and a few new features.The V-6–powered Raptor and supercharged V-8–powered Raptor R models continue.Pricing will be available closer to the 2024 model’s on-sale date early next year.The 2024 Ford F-150 benefits from some changes for the new model year including a new face and additional features, and the off-road Raptor model also gets upgraded. It has a revised headlight design and adds options including new shocks and a modular front bumper, along with a new exterior color and revised graphics. Ford also hinted that the Raptor R, with its supercharged 5.2-liter V-8, may gain a bit of power compared with the outgoing version’s 700 hp, but the company hasn’t yet released full specs.Compared with the previous single-valve Fox shocks, the new units are meant to improve rebound control, which Ford says will help with high-speed desert running and on-road ride quality. The modular bumper, meanwhile, offers better mounting points for lighting accessories and also offers stronger tow hooks.All the good new features are available on all Raptor models with 37-inch tires. When so equipped, the 2024 Raptor comes standard with the dual-valve shocks and is offers the modular bumper as an option, but the base V-6 Raptor with 35-inch tires (the 37-inch tires are standard on the R and part of an optional Performance package on the V-6) does without these extras.The color palette expands to include Shelter Green, and there are new hood graphics available as well. Ford hasn’t detailed any interior changes for the Raptor, as it already came standard with the larger screens that are now newly standard on the lower-trim trucks.Ford has yet to announce pricing for the 2024 F-150 Raptor, but we expect it to rise somewhat from the current model’s starting prices of $78,720 for the standard Raptor and $109,295 for the Raptor R.More on the RaptorSenior 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 Ford F-150 is getting a refresh for 2024, bringing boxier looks and a host of new features.The hybrid model will become more prevalent in 2024 and will now cost the same amount as at the 3.5-liter EcoBoost gas model.Ford has designed a new tailgate for easy access when towing and will offer the F-150 with a head-up display for the first time.The 2024 Ford F-150 doesn’t represent a new generation for America’s bestselling vehicle, but major changes are coming to the truck when sales kick off in early 2024. Ford has reconfigured the engine lineup, spruced up the cabin with more technology, and added several new features that aim to make the F-150 a more versatile vehicle. The high-performance Raptor and Raptor R models also receive their fair share of upgrades for 2024, covered separately.The styling alterations are subtle but significant. On pricier trims, the headlights are bordered by new LED running lights that combine with the boxy grille for a square-jawed look. The lower-end models have a “coast to coast” grille that fully envelops the headlights in a wide rectangular unit. A similar look is seen on the Tremor model, albeit adorned with orange lipstick. The taillights and bumpers were also redesigned, and an appearance package that blacks out the trim is now offered on more variants. The F-150 also wears a revised version of the classic Blue Oval, simplified with bigger and bolder white lettering.The LatestHybrid TakeoverUnder the hood, the F-150 ditches the base 3.3-liter V-6, which made 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Instead, the EcoBoost 2.7-liter V-6 becomes the entry-level engine, the twin-turbocharged motor upping output for base-model F-150s with a potent 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. For traditionalists, Ford continues to offer the truck with a 5.0-liter V-8 that pumps out 400 ponies.Ford is repositioning the PowerBoost for 2024, bringing the hybrid model into the spotlight. Currently hybrids comprise 10 percent of F-150 sales, but the automaker aims to double the production mix of the 430-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 hybrid. And although Ford hasn’t officially released pricing yet, the company announced that the PowerBoost will now start at the same price as the gas-only 400-hp EcoBoost 3.5-liter engine. With 570 pound-feet of torque, the hybrid has the highest horsepower and torque figures in the lineup—apart from the Raptor models, of course. PowerBoost-equipped F-150s also come standard with Pro Power Onboard, a 2.4-kW inverter in the bed that can supply juice to everything from cooking accessories to power tools. Ford now touts the fact that buyers won’t have to pay more for extra power and Pro Power Onboard; we wonder how many shoppers will forgo those features for the gas-only 3.5-liter.For 2024, Ford also said that Pro Power Onboard will provide a revised interface on the center screen or in Ford’s phone app that displays a clearer depiction of the vehicle’s power supply. As before, buyers can upgrade to a 7.2-kW unit for more professional powering needs, while gas-only trucks can be had with a 2.0-kW inverter.Modernizing the IconThe layout in the cabin is largely the same, but all F-150s now come with a 12-inch touchscreen and 12-inch digital gauge cluster as standard. For the first time the F-150 will be offered with a head-up display, which includes custom screens for BlueCruise, towing, and off-road drive modes. The head-up display will be offered on the Lariat and higher trims. Out back, Ford has fitted the new Pro Access tailgate, which rivals the multi-functional tailgate gizmos offered by Chevrolet and Ram. This optional new setup features a gate in the center that can open independently to three preset angles: 37 degrees, which is just shy of most trailer jacks, 70 degrees, and a full 100 degrees. The new setup allows quick access to the bed without having to lean over the open tailgate. Combined with a widened bumper step, the gate also allows for quick and easy access to the tailgate even with towing, opening on the driver’s side for added convenience. Most classic tailgates will also be available, with the Pro Access tailgate standard on the King Ranch and Platinum and optional on the Lariat and Tremor.Once in the bed, you’ll find a new storage box behind the right rear wheel well with a one gallon capacity. This hidey-hole could stash tie-down straps, emergency kits, or gloves. On trucks without Pro Power Onboard, storage boxes will be fitted on both sides of the bed.Help behind the WheelThe F-150 comes with 10 standard driver assistance features, with updated versions of pre-collision assist with emergency braking, lane-keeping, and blind-spot warning. For 2024, Ford is introducing an optional “exit warning” feature that alerts you to approaching vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists when you are about to step out of the truck. Ford is also implementing a new safety feature, designed for when you’re not driving. Stolen Vehicle Services (SVS) will notify owners via the phone app if there is an unauthorized attempt to access their vehicle, and if the owner believes it’s a true threat, SVS will work with local authorities to track and find the vehicle and can remotely prevent the thief from disabling location services. For those who need to tow—which Ford says is 75 percent of F-150 customers—Ford continues to offer Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, and onboard scales that measure payload to ensure you don’t overload the truck. Towing capacity remains at a maximum of 13,500 pounds, depending on spec, with payload topping out at 2455 pounds. These figures are down slightly because Ford has standardized the 36-gallon fuel tank across the lineup.On the Tremor and Raptor models, Ford has crafted a new optional modular front bumper, designed to fit either a factory-accessory light bar or a dealer-installed Ford Performance Winch Kit with a WARN 12,000-pound winch. The bumper includes extra cameras and sensors, since installing the light bar or winch can block the standard front-facing sensing equipment. The bumper is finished in either Tarnished Dark Anodized and Carbon Black colors.Ford also upgraded BlueCruise, their hands-free highway driving tech. Version 1.2 introduces lane change assist, with the vehicle executing lane changes when the occupant presses the turn signal and the path is clear. There is also a new in-lane repositioning feature that can move the vehicle within the lines—to give more space when alongside a semi truck, for example. Ford also modernized the F-150 by fitting a 5G LTE modem (through AT&T) that can provide Wi-Fi hotspots for up to ten people and faster mapping.More New FordsFord hasn’t said when exactly the 2024 F-150 will go on sale, but we expect it to start arriving in dealerships early next year. Prices should rise slightly, with the XL currently starting at $35,830 and the top-dog Limited, which will be replaced by a trim called Platinum Plus, opening at $84,115. 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

Ford’s latest iteration of the F-150 arrives with a new version of the classic Blue Oval logo adorning its grille.The logo now features white accents in place of chrome, and the inner oval border is gone, allowing the “Ford” script to be enlarged.The F-150 is the first vehicle to sport the new emblem, which should roll out across the lineup over the next couple of years.Ford just unveiled a refreshed version of its popular F-150 pickup for the 2024 model year. Among the changes, Ford subtly introduced a redesigned version of the iconic Blue Oval logo on the restyled truck.All the Details and SpecsThe new emblem is simpler than before, with Ford removing the thin silver oval outline that sat inside the badge. The “Ford” script has now grown bigger to fill the space. The chrome border around the outside and the script are now finished in white, giving a slightly retro appearance. The updated logo also looks more two-dimensional than before.FordStrangely, Ford didn’t mention the new logo anywhere in its press materials for the new F-150, and we aren’t aware of the revised Blue Oval appearing on any previous Ford models. At a media event for the 2024 F-150, Ford’s senior designer for colors and materials, Rob Brancheau, confirmed to Car and Driver that the logo is in fact new. We’re not sure exactly when the new logo will make its appearance across the rest of the Ford lineup, but we imagine it will arrive as other models undergo facelifts or generation change-overs.More Updated LogosAlong with the new badge, the 2024 F-150 wears revised styling, features two standard 12-inch screens and an optional head-up display inside, and comes loaded with new tech features, from the upgraded BlueCruise hands-free driving system to a new tailgate with an independently opening central door. Sales kick off early next year.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

The United Auto Workers union is poised to go on strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis—the traditional “Big Three”—later this week.The strike deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 14.The first impact on consumers could be an end to incentives, with inventory shortages and rising used-car prices following soon after.It’s been four years almost to the day since the last United Auto Workers strike, when nearly 50,000 General Motors workers walked out for a period of six weeks. Today another impasse is looming, one that’s shaping up to be broader in scope and lengthier in duration.The UAW’s current contract with Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis expires on September 14. The UAW has demanded numerous changes, including a 40-plus-percent wage hike over the next four years and a shortened, 32-hour work week. Ford, GM, and Stellantis have made counteroffers, but in an online broadcast, UAW president Shawn Fain characterized all three as literal garbage.”There is almost a certainty that a strike will occur at this point,” Ambrose Conroy said. He’s an auto supply chain expert and founder of Seraph Consulting. “The big questions are which OEMs will be impacted, and will it be a limited tactical strike to extend the UAW strike fund.”Brandon Bell|Getty ImagesConroy says that the UAW’s $825 million strike fund could last approximately 90 days. However, if the UAW takes the “tactical” approach, only closing key factories like those that build engines and transmissions, a strike could extend far longer. This potential action comes at a time when manufacturers are just beginning to get momentum around dealer inventory and production. Though some supply-chain issues linger, used-car prices are returning to normal and new-car incentives have begun to reappear. “With increased inventory we are seeing the increase in incentives: 5.2 percent of MSRP in August,” says Alex Yurchenko, senior vice president and chief data science officer at industry analyst Black Book, which focuses its research heavily on used-car prices. “It is still way below pre-pandemic levels (about 10.5 percent of MSRP) but much higher than last year (about 2.5 percent of MSRP).”According to Cox Automotive’s most recent new-vehicle inventory findings, the average supply of new, unsold vehicles in dealer inventory currently sits at 58 days. That’s 46 percent higher than a year ago. How Are Automakers Preparing?Stellantis and Ford declined to provide any context around dealer inventories and whether they’ve been actively stocking up to fend off the risk of a strike. However, GM’s director of finance and sales communications, David Caldwell, called GM’s U.S. inventory “consistent,” only up about 4 percent compared to the first quarter. Regarding the Cox data, Caldwell said: “That comparison industry-wide is off an historically low level, based on the supply-chain disruptions in recent years. This year, those conditions are improved, meaning higher production and better availability for customers compared to the past couple of years.”Steve Koss/FordWhile current inventory levels may temper a strike’s impact on new-vehicle sales, parts shortages could be more pressing. An August Detroit Free Press report indicates that Ford hopes to staff its parts depots with salaried workers, plans put in motion as early as July.Efforts like this could help keep more current cars on the road, but this move in particular wasn’t well received by the UAW.”I saw reports of Ford taking out big loans and prepping scabs to work if we go on strike,” UAW’s Shawn Fain said on Friday. “They’re getting ready. So we’re getting ready.”Earlier in 2023 . . .What Will Happen to Incentives?The UAW declined to comment on the likelihood of a strike or indeed whether it would be broad or targeted. Regardless, Seraph’s Ambrose Conroy believes the impacts to buyers could be near-immediate. “Incentives will disappear very soon after a strike is called, so consumers looking for a deal should buy now. Choices will become limited as automakers will again focus production on the highest-profit vehicles they can make, and the on-hand inventory will likely sell quickly,” he said.When that runs dry, shortages will again impact the rest of the market. “A strike that lasts beyond 30 days will likely drive used-car prices higher,” Conroy said.In other words: If a strike runs long, get ready for secondhand price insanity all over again. More

If you’re interested in how a mid-size luxury SUV like the Porsche Cayenne harnesses so much performance, this video should clear it all up for you.Car and Driver suspension expert Dan Edmunds explains the details, from the front wing to the details of the rear suspension and steering.You may think, “There’s nothing the Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT can’t do,” but in our testing, we did find one thing. Watch the video to see it happen.The 2024 Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT takes the kitchen-sink approach with performance: How about everything? This two-row SUV with 22-inch wheels boasts 60-mph acceleration of 3.0 seconds and a 189-mph top speed. It also packs carbon-ceramic brakes and an all-wheel-drive system complete with rear-axle steering and torque vectoring. But how does the suspension make all that performance happen? That’s what Car and Driver’s resident suspension guru, Dan Edmunds, explains in this video.More Details and SpecsStarting at the front, we learn why the suspension is considered a multi-link and what a virtual pivot point means. We look at the airflow from the front wing to the braking system, which consists of enormous carbon-ceramic rotors with 10-piston calipers. We also learn why there’s a steel mass damper there as well. Out back, Dan explains how the rear suspension is laid out and how the rear steering system works. After getting weights for the front and rear wheels and tires, Dan attempts to run the Cayenne Turbo GT up our steel ramp to score its suspension flex. Even with the air springs set to their tallest ride height setting, the Cayenne proves unable to climb the ramp without damaging a piece of rubber forward of the front wheel. So maybe that’s one thing this Cayenne can’t do. Deputy Editor, VideoFrom selling them to testing them, Carlos Lago has spent his entire adult life consumed by cars. He currently drives the creative behind Car and Driver video. More