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Acura revealed its Electric Vision concept during Monterey Car Week.The show car was designed in-house at Acura’s California design studio.The concept appears to preview an EV supercar—could it be an early look at a future NSX?After unveiling its first production EV, the 2024 ZDX, during Monterey Car Week, Acura pulled the sheet off a second electric vehicle, this Electric Vision Concept.Whereas the ZDX is a fairly standard-style SUV, which will see deliveries early next year, the Electric Vision design study takes the shape of a supercar. The proportions are ultra-low, and the design language is curvaceous rather than angular. Exterior lighting is used as a design element and is color-changing. While the ZDX rides on a General Motors platform (the same one that underpins the Cadillac Lyriq), the concept is not believed to have been designed around a specific production-ready platform.Related StoriesInstead,Acura design chief Dave Marek describes it as a high-performance model that “is inspiring everyone in our studio to push the boundaries.” He did not describe it as a first step toward a next-generation NSX, but we’re free to speculate. After all, Acura head honcho Jon Ikeda has been quoted as saying, “There’s gonna be another one.” And with Acura transitioning to an EV brand, well, a third-gen NSX necessarily would be electric. So, this very well could be the starting point on that journey. Do you like where Acura is headed?Deputy Editor, Reviews and FeaturesJoe Lorio has been obsessed with cars since his Matchbox days, and he got his first subscription to Car and Driver at age 11. Joe started his career at Automobile Magazine under David E. Davis Jr., and his work has also appeared on websites including Amazon Autos, Autoblog, AutoTrader, Hagerty, Hemmings, KBB, and TrueCar. More

Ford has revealed a very special version of the Mustang called the GTD.It has a supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 engine, active aerodynamics, and numerous other track-oriented modifications.It will cost around $300,000 and will be built in limited quantities starting next year.After seeing the clay model of the Ford Mustang GT3 race car in the design studio, Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley decided the Blue Oval needed to turn it into a road car. Built from a desire to win Le Mans with a Mustang, the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD is essentially the street-legal version of Ford’s upcoming racer that is due to debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona before heading to Le Mans. Unhindered by racing rules, the GTD street car will have more power (approximately 800 horsepower) and active aerodynamic features that are illegal in the series Ford will race the Mustang GT3 in. Ford plans to build the street-legal GTD in limited numbers and it intends for this super ’Stang to take on the best track cars in the world. As Farley puts it, “It’s for AMG Black, Aston Martin, Porsche GT3 RS. We want to beat it [the GT3 RS] at Le Mans, but we [also] want to beat it as a street car.”Ford Performance + Multimatic = Mustang GTDDesigned and engineered by Ford Performance and Multimatic, the GTD starts life as a body-in-white run-of-the-mill Mustang that leaves the model’s Flat Rock, Michigan plant and heads north toward Multimatic’s factory in the Canadian province of Ontario. From there, the rear of the Mustang shell undergoes surgery to fit the GTD’s transaxle, which contains a Tremec eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle. A transaxle cooler mounted onto the trunk lid chills the gearbox. Ford tells us there’s still some trunk space under the transaxle-cooler’s ducting and radiator, but we didn’t get to see it.Fitting a transaxle that connects to the front-mounted engine via a carbon-fiber prop shaft shifts the balance of weight rearward. Ford claims the GTD has a nearly 50/50 front-rear balance, which compares quite favorably to the Mustang Shelby GT500’s 56.6/43.4 percent distribution. More Racy MustangsThe automaker is keeping the GTD’s final weight under wraps for the time being. With the exception of aluminum door skins, carbon-fiber forms the rest of the bodywork. Before you ask, exposed carbon-fiber panels (as on the GT supercar) are under consideration. However, such an option may ultimately prove too complicated and expensive. The Secretariat of Ford MustangsNo doubt, the GTD will be quick. Motivation comes courtesy of a slightly modified version of the Shelby GT500’s supercharged 5.2-liter V-8. In GTD guise, the blown bent eight ought to make around 800 horsepower—up from the GT500’s 760 horsepower—and redline at 7500 rpm. A dry-sump oil system should allow the engine to keep all eight cylinders sufficiently lubricated on the track. Even with this addition, the engine maintains the same mounting position as the GT500. An available titanium exhaust made by Akrapovic blows hot air out of two large pipes that protrude from the rear fascia. We assume the GTD includes a launch-control system so it can make the most of the traction provided by the mammoth 345/30ZR-20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R rear tires. Up front, Ford fits the GTD with 325/30ZR-20 rubber, among the widest tires we can recall seeing fit to the front end of a production car. A bespoke suspension makes the most of the rubber’s grip. Multimatic’s adaptive spool-valve (ASV) dampers pair with a new unequal-length control-arm front suspension, while the rear end incorporates a pushrod-style multilink setup that works with inboard-mounted ASV dampers and coil springs.Forged aluminum wheels come standard, but even lighter forged magnesium wheels are optionally available to further reduce unsprung weight. Massive carbon-ceramic brake rotors hide behind the GTD’s wheels. Dedicated cooling ducts help keep the front rotors from overheating. GTD Brings the Wing With the push of a button, the GTD’s body drops approximately 1.6 inches in order to make the most of its aerodynamic package. The massive wing hanging off the C-pillar is an optional extra and it’s due to come with a hydraulically controlled active drag-reduction system (DRS) to increase downforce when necessary. Pressure-reducing vents in the front fenders and hood look like pieces pulled from a dedicated Le Mans racer. For those wanting the most extreme aero package, Ford will offer a carbon-fiber underbody that comes with hydraulically actuated, active front flaps. In person, the GTD is shockingly wide, with aggressive fender sculpting. The four-inch wider track, aggressive stance, and improved proportions of the approximately $300,000 Mustang variant made the Shelby GT500 that Ford parked nearby look like Danny DeVito to the GTD’s Arnold Schwarzenegger. The tinted glass of the prototype vehicle limited our view of the interior. Nevertheless, we caught sight of the latest Mustang’s large gauge cluster and infotainment screens, as well as the racing-style Recaro front seats. There are no rear seats. Befitting its big wing, the GTD’s options menu includes a 3-D–printed rotary shifter and shift paddles made from the titanium parts of a Lockheed Martin F-22.Production of the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD is still more than a year off, with the Blue Oval planning to build between 1000 and 2000 examples of this mighty Mustang. We’re sure Ford will sell every last one. 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.Editor-in-ChiefTony Quiroga is an 18-year-veteran Car and Driver editor, writer, and car reviewer and the 19th editor-in-chief for the magazine since its founding in 1955. He has subscribed to Car and Driver since age six. “Growing up, I read every issue of Car and Driver cover to cover, sometimes three or more times. It’s the place I wanted to work since I could read,” Quiroga says. He moved from Automobile Magazine to an associate editor position at Car and Driver in 2004. Over the years, he has held nearly every editorial position in print and digital, edited several special issues, and also helped produce C/D’s early YouTube efforts. He is also the longest-tenured test driver for Lightning Lap, having lapped Virginia International Raceway’s Grand Course more than 2000 times over 12 years. More

EV startup Fisker has revealed additional details about the Alaska pickup truck that it recently previewed.The Alaska will feature a 4.5-foot bed that can be extended to up to 9.2 feet thanks to fold-down rear seats and a partition at the back of the cabin that folds away.Fisker aims to sell the Alaska for $45,400, with deliveries planned for the first quarter of 2025.After previewing three future models at an event in California, EV startup Fisker has begun providing more details on the vehicles that will constitute its lineup in the coming years. Last week Fisker showed off the Rōnin, a $385,000, 1000-hp four-door convertible. Now the automaker is providing specifics on the Alaska pickup, including performance, range estimates, and expected production dates.While the Alaska’s 208.8-inch length is dimensionally closer to mid-size such as like the Rivian R1T, Fisker claims it will also aim to compete with larger pickups like the Ford F-150 Lightning thanks to its innovative bed design. In its standard configuration, the bed measures 4.5-feet long, equal to the R1T. But a divider—which Fisker called the “Houdini partition”—aft of the rear seats can electronically lower to elongate the bed to 7.5 feet, outdoing the Lightning’s 5.5-footer. Lowering the rear seats provides even more room, extending the horizontal space to 9.2 feet. Panels raise up behind the front seats to protect them from the cargo and there will also be an insulated front trunk.Under the skin, the Alaska will be offered with two battery packs, both of which appear to be the same units offered in the Ocean crossover. Fisker predicts that the smaller pack, with a 75.0-kWh gross capacity, will provide at least a 230-mile range. Fisker quotes the larger pack at 113.0 kWh, and it likely has the same usable capacity of 106.0 kWh as the Ocean’s battery. The maximum range estimate for the larger pack is 340 miles.Fisker says the Alaska will be able to reach 60 mph in 3.9 seconds for the quickest models and 7.2 seconds for the less performance-focused variants. No other powertrain details were provided, but we expect the pickup to be offered with single or dual motor setups powering either just the front wheels or all four, with 20- or 22-inch wheels available. The Alaska’s cabin will focus on practicality. The center armrest will include storage space for small objects like flashlights and pens, while the front passenger will get a tray with a tablet holder and there will also be a storage cubby for work gloves. A couple of quirkier ideas include a “big gulp” cupholder that Fisker claims to be the largest in the world and a dedicated “cowboy hat holder.”More on FiskerFisker says it aims to start production of the Alaska in the first quarter of 2025, with pricing expected to start at $45,400. Fisker also says the Alaska will be built in the U.S., although it didn’t specify where, and reservations are already open. 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

Infiniti is showing a new concept car called the QX Monograph.It appears to preview the next-generation QX80 full-size luxury SUV, which should arrive within the next year.The concept uses Infiniti’s new three-dimensional logo and incorporates a new design language.Infiniti’s biggest SUV, the QX80, is poised for an imminent redesign if this new concept car is any indication. Called the QX Monograph concept, this design study being revealed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance appears to be a close preview of what the next-generation QX80 will look like.With its huge front grille and distinctive lighting elements, the new design follows the trend of other big luxury SUVs such as the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. Infiniti says that the grille texture is meant to resemble a bamboo forest, while the LED daytime running lights are reminiscent of “digital piano keys.” Interestingly, the actual headlights are separate from these DRLs, mounted lower down on the fascia. Infiniti’s new 3-D logo is prominently displayed in the center of the grille.Out back, the taillights are a full-width LED unit with a vertical hash pattern meant to mirror the DRLs up front. The concept is finished in a paint color called Akane, meaning “deep red” in Japanese, that’s meant to change colors in different lighting, while the windows are subtly tinted red and the roof is finished in gloss black. The 12-spoke wheels also have red accents.There aren’t too many concept-car flights of fancy in play here, so we don’t think the eventual production model will look too different from this. The QX Monograph concept doesn’t have an interior, but we expect it to feature numerous upgrades over the current QX80’s somewhat dated cabin, such as nicer materials and more modern infotainment displays.Look for more information to come soon on the next-generation QX80, which could arrive as soon as the 2025 model year in the U.S.More on the QX80Senior 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

This 85 percent scale replica of original 1929 Blower is a Bentley-sanctioned product.It has a 20-hp electric motor and a 25 mph top speed, as it’s classified as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle.It’s produced in the U.K. by Little Car Company (LCC) and is set to carry a six-figure price tag.When Bentley built a “continuation” run of its famous 1920s ‘Blower’ it charged $2.1 million for each and limited production to just 12 cars, all of which were sold well before the program was officially announced. Now here is a chance for anybody who missed out on that allocation to get a very slightly downsized version of the same car in EV form: the Bentley Blower Junior.Freshly unveiled at Monterey Car Week, the Blower Junior is another product from the Little Car Company in the U.K. This is the same outfit responsible for the Bugatti Baby II as well as other downsized and electrified classics including an Aston Martin DB5, Ferrari Testa Rossa and Jaguar E-Type—plus the forthcoming upsized Tamiya Wild One Max we told you about last month. But the Blower Junior is the most ambitious classic evocation so far, being both bigger—an 85 percent scale version of the original car—and also boasting what will be the novelty of street legality on both sides of the Atlantic.BentleyNot that it will be suited to relaxed long distance touring. In Europe, the Blower Junior’s rear-mounted 20-hp electric motor will give it a top speed of 45 mph and allow it to be sold as an ‘L7e quadricycle’ that can be used on most roads except high-speed highways. But in the U.S., tougher legislation means the Junior will be regarded as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle, limited to 25 mph and, in most states, unable to legally travel on any road with a posted speed limit higher than 35 mph. This means few American buyers are likely to ever test the claim that the Blower Junior will be able to manage around 65 miles of range under Europe’s WLTP testing methodology.Bentley Past and PresentRegardless of the modest potential for speed, the Blower Junior is a beautiful thing. LCC employed many of the construction techniques used for the original car, including the hand-formed louvers in the center-hinged aluminum hood held in place by leather straps. The lack of an engine up front meant it was possible to see some non-prototypical daylight through these gaps when we saw the prototype version, but LCC says it is looking at ways to use the space for luggage accommodation—in other words, a very elegant frunk. The prototype already has a small amount of storage space within the carefully modeled fuel tank at the back of the car; without the need to carry gasoline, this hinges open to offer a lockable trunk. The 10.8-kWh, 48-volt battery pack sits beneath the floor and is recharged by a socket integrated into the cast ‘supercharger’ at the front of the car.As with its earlier mini recreations, LCC has tried to keep the new Bentley chassis components similar to those of the original car, with elliptical springs and circular friction dampers at each corner. But in the interests of safety, the braking system is upgraded with hydraulic actuation for front discs and rear drums. The braking capability of the ‘continuation’ Blower was the least modern thing about it when we drove it two years ago, and the Junior will also have a conventional layout for its brake and accelerator pedals (the original car pre-dated standardization and had the brake on the right).BentleyBeyond the electric drivetrain, some other details have been changed. The Blower Junior’s rear body is made from carbon fiber rather than a timber frame, although this is still surfaced in 1920s-spec impregnated fabric. The reduced dimensions of the new car also mean it adopts an unusual seating layout with the passenger offset to the right behind the driver. The need to meet safety standards for road use has also brought inelegant pillars for three-point seatbelts. The Junior’s polished aluminum dashboard is necessarily smaller than that of the original Blower, with fewer dials, but period details such as the use of domestic light switches have survived. And we love the string-wrapped steering wheel.Junior drivers will have no need to try and deal with a recalcitrant pre-sychromesh ‘crash’ gearbox like those of the full-sized cars, as you merely have to choose between Drive and Reverse. There are also three power modes, selected by the spherical wooden handle tha, in the original car, was for the fuel pump. Comfort restricts the output to 2.7 hp, Bentley raises it to 10.7 hp, and Sport brings the full fury of 20hp. With that pitted against an occupant-free weight of around 1200 pounds, acceleration will likely be leisurely. BentleyWhile considerably cheaper than the Continuation Blower, the Bentley Blower Junior is definitely not going to actually be cheap. LCC says that the limited-to-99 First Edition—all in British Racing Green with Union Jack flag on the side—will cost £90,000, or $115,000 at current exchange rates. That is serious coin for a car that can only do 25 mph, but not for a vintage Bentley.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 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

The base Ford Bronco is no more, with the 2024 lineup now starting with the $41,025 Big Bend model.Aside from the Big Bend, prices are up across the lineup by at least $1000 on most models.The Bronco Raptor, which adds a new Code Orange accent package, now costs $91,730, a significant $3255 increase over the 2023 model.Ford will no longer sell you a new Bronco for less than $40,000. As the burly off-road SUV enters its fourth year on sale, the Blue Oval has modified the lineup, removing the $36,785 base model and in turn transforming the $41,025 Big Bend into the Bronco’s entry point. There are also slight price increases across the board and a few new pieces of equipment.We Test the Base BroncoThe 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend.FordThe Big Bend is the only Bronco trim that doesn’t see a price hike. The Black Diamond model now costs $1130 more at $44,525, while the 2024 Bronco Outer Banks starts at $49,835, a $1590 increase. The Badlands—which improves upon the Black Diamond’s off-road hardware—is now $51,290 and the Wildtrak, which comes standard with the twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6, opens at $61,920, both up by $1250.The trail-ready Everglades—which packs a factory-installed WARN winch, snorkel, and 35-inch mud-terrain tires—is now $57,415, only $875 more than the 2023 model. The top-dog Bronco Raptor and its 418-hp twin-turbo V-6 is a whopping $3255 more expensive than last year, starting at $91,730. The retro-themed Heritage Edition and Heritage Limited Edition are also slightly up, at $49,750 and $71,580, respectively.Besides the price tags, there are a few minor changes across the Bronco lineup for 2024. Ford bids farewell to the base 8.0-inch infotainment screen, with all Broncos now outfitted with the 12.0-inch screen as standard. The Badlands model now sports a heavy-duty bumper as standard, while the Bronco Raptor comes with a new Code Orange package that adds vivid accents, body-colored fenders, and two new paint colors. More New FordsOrder books for the 2024 Bronco opened yesterday. With the changes to the lineup, Ford no longer has a true competitor to the cheapest Jeep Wrangler, the $33,690 Sport trim. The now-entry-level Big Bend lines up against the Wrangler’s $41,190 Willys 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

The 2024 Acura ZDX debuts as the brand’s first EV, and the mid-size SUV is based on GM’s Ultium battery platform.Along with rear- or all-wheel-drive powertrains, the ZDX will offer up to 325 miles of EPA-estimated range and a performance-oriented 500-hp Type S model.With the first deliveries set to arrive early next year, the 2024 ZDX will start around $60,000; the Type S opens around $70K.The 2024 Acura ZDX remixes the brand’s “Precision Crafted Performance” formula. While the new mid-size SUV’s electric powertrain is an obvious departure from the decades of internal-combustion engines that came before, the fact a performance-minded Type S variant remains in the mix should interest Acura fans who appreciate fun-to-drive models.Acura’s First EVFor anyone caught off guard by the ZDX’s reveal today, here’s a quick recap. Not only is the nameplate resurrected from the coupe-like-SUV thingamabob that debuted in 2009, but it’s Acura’s first EV too. The exterior design of the production-ready 2024 ZDX seen in these photos was also previewed last year by the Precision EV concept. Oh, and this Acura is built on GM’s Ultium scalable battery platform, and it shares a lot with the Cadillac Lyriq. Like the Caddy, the ZDX has an identical 121.8-inch wheelbase. The Acura is slightly taller but slightly slimmer, measuring 64.4 and 77.0 inches, respectively. Plus, it’s over an inch longer at 197.7 inches from tip to tail. Of course, the ZDX’s styling stands on its own, with a face featuring the latest rendition of Acura’s “Jewel Eye” LED headlights and a pentagonal faux grille with a three-dimensional embossed surface and an illuminated outline. A “floating” roof design sits above mostly smooth bodywork that’s especially vivid in the new Double Apex Blue Pearl paint that’s exclusive to the Type S (the goldish Tiger Eye Pearl is also offered). While the A-Spec wears 20-inch wheels, the Type S rolls on 22s. A pair of slinky taillights round out the rear styling.A-Spec and Type S ModelsThe ZDX is available with a single-motor rear-drive powertrain or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration. The rear-drive A-Spec is good for 340 horsepower. An all-wheel-drive version is also offered, but Acura isn’t yet releasing that setup’s output. Meanwhile, the spicy ZDX Type S features specially tuned dual motors that funnel 500 horses to all four wheels. Regardless of their powertrain, both models are rated to tow up to 3500 pounds.Every ZDX has a 102.0-kWh battery pack that allows a peak charging rate of 190 kW using a DC fast-charger. Acura claims that in about 10 minutes this connection can add an estimated 81 miles of range to the single-motor A-Spec. That same model is expected to have an EPA-estimated range of 325 miles per charge (315 with all-wheel drive). The Type S is expected to have a 288-mile range.Every ZDX has a fully independent suspension, but the A-Spec uses coil springs whereas the Type S features adaptive dampers and air bags that enable an adjustable ride height. The hi-po ZDX also has upgraded brakes with larger 15.6-inch front rotors pinched by Brembo six-piston calipers. To further prove its sporty nature, Acura even offers the electric Type S with grippier summer tires.A Look Inside the ZDXThe ZDX’s interior design isn’t much different from what people will find in other Acura models. The trim on the dash and doors flows into each other, and many of the soft-looking surfaces have contrast stitching. The center console includes a flat storage tray along with cupholders and a wireless charging slot. Beneath the upper section is an open area that’s useful for storing bulkier items like purses or hand bags.We’re happy to see that Acura didn’t go to the dark side and switch to mostly touch controls, as there are knobs and buttons for the HVAC system as well as a volume knob for the stereo. Speaking of the sound system, every ZDX has a high-end 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen unit. An 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard. The infotainment system is powered by Android and includes Google’s voice assistance, maps, and app store.The ZDX’s suite of driver assists includes the usual tech, but it also introduces rear cross-traffic braking and a rear pedestrian alert. Most notably, AcuraWatch 360+ debuts as the brand’s version of GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system, meaning the ZDX can essentially drive itself on over 400,000 miles of mapped roadways split between the U.S. and Canada.The 2024 Acura ZDX A-Spec will have a base price around $60,000. The sportier Type S will start in the neighborhood of $70K. While pre-orders are slated to open later this year, customer deliveries aren’t expected until early 2024. Acura also says dealers will still be involved in every ZDX sale, but that’ll be done online—at either a dealership or from the comfort of home.Extra ZDX ReadingThis 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