News

EV startups are struggling across the board, but a new entrant to the marketplace could capitalize on America’s pickup truck obsession.The brand, Telo Trucks, is promising hand-built, compact-size pickup truck–capable EVs from its San Carlos, California, headquarters.With 500 horsepower, a 60-inch pickup bed, and 350 miles of range, the starting price of $50,000 seems like a pretty good deal, though the company has yet to produce a unit.Another EV startup is stepping up to the plate—a brave move during choppy sales seas. And the origin story behind this one is predictable, with its founders Jason Marks and Forrest North defecting from autonomous tech consulting agency National Instruments and Tesla plus Mission Motors, respectively. But the company, known as Telo Trucks, might have a trick up its sleeve: a good product.Plug-In PickupsInstead of producing the next iteration of the luxury sedan or trying to compete with Ford for electric pickup-truck supremacy, Telo Trucks is following in the footsteps of Japanese manufacturers decades ago, as it reveals its first pint-sized electric MT1 pickup. Akin to the much-hyped kei trucks, the Telo MT1 truck is only 152 inches long, matching a four-door Mini Cooper in dimensions.Better yet, the MT1 features a 60-inch bed and room for a squished five passengers through its four-door design. That’s the same bed length as a 2024 Toyota Tacoma and only an inch shorter than a Chevrolet Colorado, as the model has a specially designed mid-partition that folds down into the passenger compartment. In other words, the MT1 bed is big enough for four-by-eight-foot sheets of plywood, long ladders, and even a nine-foot surfboard with the tailgate closed. It achieves such a packaging feat by scrunching the usable passenger cabin into the size of a compact car, though a cropped front overhang helps improve driver leg room.”By focusing on the design and placement of the battery pack within the truck’s chassis,we are able to not only create a roomier crew cab, but also develop a vehicle that ispractical for its users,” said Forrest North, CTO and co-founder. “Our patent-pendingbattery packs are space-optimized to provide an impressive 350-mile range in betweencharges in our small footprint, while being highly manufacturable.”That’s quite a bit of range out of a supposedly urban-centric truck, but the company could be padding its range numbers with the likelihood of heavy machinery getting tossed in the back. Additionally, this 350-mile range is not an EPA-certified estimate, and Telo has yet to specify who will supply the battery and what size the battery will be. As a result, it’s hard to verify the claim that the Telo Truck will be able to charge from 20 to 80 percent in 20 minutes. 500 HorsepowerOn a more exciting note, the compact truck is said to make 500 horsepower thanks to its undisclosed battery and a pair of electric motors, neatly creating the model’s four-wheel-drive system. With a curb weight of 4400 pounds, the MT1 has a claimed zero-to-6o-mph sprint of four seconds flat, though that much horsepower is probably put to better use hauling mulch. Notably, the early release materials’ use of the term 4WD, as opposed to all-wheel drive, indicates the possibility of a switchable drivetrain for increased range or low-traction situations.Designed by Yves Béhar, whose previous work is featured through brands like Herman Miller, Samsung, SodaStream, and Prada, the boxy, matte-finished EV takes on an almost commercial look. Aimed at city dwellers who see themselves as outdoorsy weekend warriors, the truck frankly looks more like a modern Renault EV than a burly Rivian truck, a characteristic Béhar seemingly wanted to avoid. Even so, the dimensions of the MT1 are hard to deny, as it stands shorter than a Toyota RAV4.$152 Deposits Being Accepted NowIf this conceptual EV is calling out to you, it’s worth jumping on it for the low price of a refundable $152 deposit ahead of the $50,000 price point, even if the MT1 doesn’t make it to production until 2025. The company says the first 500 units will be hand-built for 2025, with mass deliveries from its San Carlos, California, facility said to be starting in 2026. With the potential for federal and local EV tax credits included, Telo makes a case for itself on price alone, as long as the company can gain traction within an increasingly tough EV startup market.Associate EditorA New York transplant hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Emmet White has a passion for anything that goes: cars, bicycles, planes, and motorcycles. After learning to ride at 17, Emmet worked in the motorcycle industry before joining Autoweek in 2022. The woes of alternate side parking have kept his fleet moderate, with a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta GLI and a 2003 Honda Nighthawk 750 street parked in his South Brooklyn community. More

The manual BMW’s days are numbered. BMW M’s head of development Dirk Hacker confirmed as much in an interview with Top Gear, saying the M2 will likely be the last car from the brand to offer a stick shift and three pedals. “It’s not only a decision of BMW, it’s also a decision of the suppliers,” Hacker told Top Gear when asked whether the manual will die with the current M2. “If you take a look around, you will see the future for manual gearbox suppliers will decrease. So I’m not sure we will have the possibility in the future—but in the future means six, seven years in forecast.” UWE FISCHER/BMWOther manufacturers are taking a different path, bringing the manual experience into the electric era using synthetic gear shifts and engine sounds. Toyota confirmed this morning it’s developing a performance EV with a manual transmission. But Hacker isn’t keen on the idea for BMW. “I think it could be done, but we will not do that,” he told Top Gear. Read the ManualsThis news jibes with what BMW M boss Frank van Meel said at an event last year, where he confirmed BMW would offer the stick shift until the end of the decade. A BMW North America spokesperson declined to comment on Hacker’s plans, saying that the manual would continue to be offered on the current M2, M3, and M4. Hacker also said the dual-clutch transmission is a thing of the past for BMW M cars, touting the superior performance found in the eight-speed torque converter automatic from ZF. “The double clutch, from BMW M’s point of view these days, it’s gone,” he told Top Gear. “It’s now manual or automatic, and automatic electrified for the future . . . the automatic is better performing than the double clutch. In the M4 CSL it’s faster-shifting and on the other side, we also use this automatic in the new M4 GTR race car.”Road & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing. More

Toyota has built an electric sports car prototype with a manual transmission and a clutch, per a report by Automotive News.Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda revealed the details after driving the prototype, and he also mentioned hearing engine noise in the cabin.Lexus—Toyota’s luxury division—has already experimented with a simulated manual, so it’s something the brands think could make EVs more engaging.It seems inevitable that one day, possibly not many years from now, all new performance cars will be electric. That’s a sad thought for enthusiasts who love the extra engagement that manual transmission’s provide, as there currently aren’t any EVs in production that feature a shift-for-yourself setup. However, Toyota is working on an electric sports car that could change that, according to comments the company’s chairman, Akio Toyoda, recently made to Automotive News.More Manual NewsSpeaking to the news outlet during the 24 Hours of Le Mans last weekend, Toyoda said he had driven a prototype built by Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s motorsport division. “You hear the engine noise inside the car and you have a manual transmission with a clutch,” he’s quoted as saying. “You truly do not notice you are driving an electric car—the only thing missing is the smell of gasoline.”ToyotaWhile Toyota hasn’t officially announced a new electric sports car, it has revealed a concept called the Sports EV (pictured above). Meanwhile, Lexus is planning an electric successor to the LFA supercar, and it has already experimented with a manual gearbox that simulates the feel of a traditional stick shift that might make an EV feel more engaging. There’s also the Lexus UX300e that the company retrofitted with a fake manual shifter and clutch.It tracks that a similar setup is the one Toyoda experienced in the prototype. As for the engine noise inside the cabin that he mentioned, it’s unclear if that’s fake sound mimicking an internal-combustion engine or audio amplified from the car’s electric motors, like we heard in Porsche’s 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance race car. Either way, it’ll be interesting to see whether Toyota can create a fake manual transmission for EVs that’s not purely theatrical.Electric Sports Cars and Fake ManualsThis 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

Acura is no stranger to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, as the automaker has been participating in the annual event for the past 12 years. This year marks its 13th consecutive entry, and the new high-performance 2024 Acura Integra Type S will get the chance to race to the clouds along with three other models from the brand’s portfolio.Integra Type S RacerA race-prepped version of the Integra Type S will compete in the Exhibition division. The hot hatch is equipped with a unique hood, front splitter, and swan-neck rear wing. A Borla exhaust and 19-inch Titan wheels wrapped with Yokohama Advan A005 tires are among the other upgrades. The Honda Performance Development (HPD) Integra Type S will be driven by Loni Unser and features a livery inspired by the anime racing show Chiaki’s Journey.AcuraIntegra RacerThe regular Acura Integra hatchback will also compete. The Pikes Peak entry was built by Honda of America Racing Team (HART) and will be driven by Acura engineer Paul Hubers. The car’s suspension is enhanced with a kit from HPD as well as Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs. A Borla exhaust, Cusco Racing limited-slip differential, and HPD billet engine mounts are also part of the upgrades, as are forged 18-inch HRE wheels with Yokohama Advan A005 rubber.AcuraTLX Type S RacerPikes Peak will see another HART-built Acura in the form of a TLX Type S driven by Jordan Guitar, another one of the automaker’s engineers. Along with myriad aero bits, the hi-po sedan’s turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 is upgraded with a larger turbo and improved cooling. It also pairs with retuned versions of the 10-speed automatic transmission and super-handling all-wheel-drive system (SH-AWD). The suspension has been lowered 1 inch, race-compound brake pads have been added, and Acura says 600 pounds have also been shaved off the car’s curb weight. A set of forged 19-inch HRE wheels and Yokohama Advan A005 tires are also part of the setup.AcuraAn NSX Named “Yamabiko”While Acura no longer builds the NSX supercar, a skunkworks division of HART called Crazy New is using a 2022 NSX Type S as a canvas for a special project. It revolves around max aerodynamic performance, with the supercar donning custom carbon-fiber bodywork that’s designed to maintain downforce and reduce drag. It’s also fitted with a special rear wing that actively adjusts itself for reduced drag at higher speeds or to create an air brake to help slow the car down. This modified NSX is nicknamed “Yamabiko,” which is said to be a mythical mountain god in Japanese folklore. Driven by Honda engineer James Robinson, Yamabiko will compete in the Time Attack 1 division.AcuraThe 101st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will take place on June 25, 2023. An Acura TLX Type S PMC Edition will serve as the pace car for this year’s event, and it’ll be driven by IndyCar driver David Malukas.Acura and Pikes PeakThis 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

Divco stands for Detroit Industrial Vehicle Company.With snub-nosed styling that changed little from the 1930s right through to the 1980s, this little delivery truck has toon-town charm in spades.This 1955 example has been refurbished by a marque specialist in Arizona, and with three days left before the auction ends on Sunday, June 18, the high bid is at $12,000.Car and DriverBefore Amazon, FedEx, and UPS trucks became ubiquitous on neighborhood streets, the most commonly seen delivery trucks were those that plied a regular route, typically delivering milk and other staples. And while it’s hard to imagine anyone will be nostalgic for today’s FedEx trucks years from now, a 1950s delivery van like this 1955 Divco has plenty of charm. This restored example is up for auction on Bring a Trailer, which, like Car and Driver is part of Hearst Autos. It’s a vehicular blast from the past that may be more evocative than any Corvette or T-Bird.Bring a TrailerModern-Day Delivery TrucksThe Detroit Industrial Vehicle Company had a pretty unusual start. Founder George Bacon was the lead engineer at the Detroit Electric Vehicle Company, a pioneer in EVs as far back as 1907. Bacon’s bright idea was to build a gasoline-powered version of a Detroit Electric, the better to handle cold weather and longer-distance driving. Detroit Electric’s execs didn’t think the whole combustion-engine thing was going to work out, so off George went, setting up Divco in the 1920s.Divco survived some tumultuous times through the Great Depression and by 1937 was cranking out the delivery trucks that would become such a familiar sight. Fleets of these happy-looking little trucks emerged from a huge new plant in Detroit, ready for their sides to be painted with the brightly colored company names of local dairies, bakeries, laundries, and just about any other company making multiple-stop deliveries.Bring a TrailerThis example is a 1955 Model 11, which rides on a 100.8-inch wheelbase. It’s powered by a 2.7-liter engine rated at 49 horsepower at a leisurely 2640 rpm. Somewhat hilariously, the speedometer reads up to 120 mph. Keep dreaming about drinking the milk at the Indy 500, Mr. Milkman.Bring a TrailerThe interior layout is basic, with a three-speed column shifter, and a seat that looks designed by Dr. Seuss. Freshly restored and ready to roll up its sleeves, this truck is the ideal blank canvas to be a rolling advertisement for an independent coffee roastery or similar. Or just take it to your local food truck show and sell organic ice cream out of the side. It’s such a fun-looking little thing, it makes you want to come up with a small business just as an excuse to buy it. With no reserve, this Divco is going home to some lucky entrepreneur. The auction ends June 18.Car and driverCar and driver Lettermark logoContributing 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

The Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven is a futuristic concept with a design inspired by the classic C111 prototypes.The One-Eleven packs an axial-flux electric motor that Mercedes says is lighter and more compact than equally powerful radial-flux motors used in today’s EVs.The cabin features an unusual LED pixel dashboard, an unorthodox rectangular steering wheel, and flashy silver seats.The Mercedes-Benz C111 prototypes of the ’60s and ’70s served as test beds for emerging powertrain technologies, fitted with an array of turbo-diesel and Wankel rotary engines. Now, as the automotive industry shifts away from combustion engines towards electric power, Mercedes has unveiled the Vision One-Eleven concept, which like its forebear, acts as a predictor for the how the brand will adapt to changing automotive landscape. The Vision One-Eleven’s sleek supercar looks are clearly inspired by the original C111 prototype, painted a vibrant shade of orange and fitted with dramatic gullwing doors. The concept’s silhouette features one line running in a shallow curve from front to rear, echoing the cab-forward aerodynamic designs of Mercedes’s current EV offerings like the EQS and EQE. At its peak the roof measures just 46 inches tall, and the design is grounded by chunky black side skirts, a front splitter, and a cavernous rear diffuser with blue backlighting. Mercedes says this makes the One-Eleven look like it is “fused with the road surface,” and it also references the C111’s black accents.Instead of a grille, the One-Eleven’s front end features an oval panel with pixelated LEDs that mimic the C111’s fog lights and can also display messages to pedestrians and other drivers. A similar panel is found on the rear end and a similar pixelated pattern appears on the opaque windows, a feature we’ve seen on other Mercedes concepts like the Vision AMG. The intricate design of the massive wheels is meant to emulate the windings inside of electric motors.Surprisingly Spacious InteriorAlthough the One-Eleven’s exterior screams high-performance supercar, the cabin can transform into a lounge, a common theme among future-gazing electric concepts. The interior is spacious considering the low-slung body, with loads of room for the seats to recline rearward since there is no engine taking up space behind the driver. A “race” mode sees the seat backs raise to an upright position.The distinctive orange hue appears inside the One-Eleven as well, with the brightly colored leather—which Mercedes says was tanned using coffee bean husks—contrasting with the white dashboard material, made from recycled polyester. That dashboard is simplistic, with a full-width LED pixel display meant to recall old-school news tickers that displays important information like speed. It also shows QR codes that link to digital art pieces that will then appear on the touchscreen; don’t ask us why. The shiny silver seats look reminiscent of retro astronaut suits and are complemented by polished aluminum on the dials and switches as well as the accelerator and brake pedals. The leather-wrapped steering wheel, in an unusual rectangle shape, features a small touchscreen sprouting off the steering column and angled toward the driver. Mercedes also mentioned an augmented-reality headset that turns the entire interior into the user interface, with 3D controls, icons, and maps for navigation. The AR system will also make the A-pillars and hood of the One-Eleven appear transparent, improving outward visibility.Motor and Battery Details Powering the One-Eleven concept is an axial-flux motor that Mercedes vaguely describes as “exceptionally powerful” and is built by a British battery company called YASA that the automaker completely purchased in 2021. Mercedes says this technology is being developed for its next generation of EVs, explaining that axial-flux motors weigh one-third as much as an equally powerful radial-flux unit, the motors currently used by most EVs. It also takes up one-third the amount of space. The battery is composed of “liquid-cooled cylindrical cells with a novel cell chemistry” that Mercedes says drew on learnings from Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrain, which is responsible for the power units in the company’s Formula 1 racers. While the Vision One-Eleven certainly isn’t bound for production, the snazzy design should inspire future Mercedes cars, and we expect the axial-flux motors to find their way into the brand’s EVs within the next several years.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