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The 2024 Ford Ranger grows in width, interior quality, engine choices, and storage space. $58,555 Ranger Raptor gains a 405-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6, 33-inch tires, and similar hardware as the Bronco Raptor. Both trucks are assembled in Michigan and will be available near the end of summer 2023.The 2024 Ford Ranger and 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor continue the much-needed revitalization of the mid-size-truck segment. One might argue they were first to the party, having been revealed globally a few years ago. While we knew we weren’t getting the turbo-diesel engine or manual transmission, we wondered how otherwise the U.S.-spec truck would shape up. Now we’ve now been up close, sat inside, and learned more about the inner workings of both trucks.Adios, Extended Cab and Long Bed Like the Jeep Gladiator and new Chevrolet Colorado, the 2024 Ranger has eschewed different cab and bed sizes, as it’s available only with a four-door crew cab and a five-foot bed. Riding on an upgraded version of Ford T6 platform that also underpins the Bronco, the wheelbase has grown 1.9 inches, but overall length is basically unchanged (technically, it shrunk by 0.2 inch). In effect the front wheels have moved closer to the front bumper, reducing its overhang by 1.9 inches and improving approach angle. The rear suspension remains leaf springs on the Ranger (see Raptor details below), but the shocks have moved outboard closer to the wheels, making them less prone to encountering trail debris. Overall width is up 2.3 inches, netting improvements in cab space and bed storage, which can now accommodate a four-foot sheet of drywall between the wheelhouses. More Speed, Please We don’t recall complaining about the previous generation’s powertrain. Last we tested it, the turbo-four and 10-speed automatic pairing netted 60 mph acceleration in 6.4 seconds. Apparently, Ford thinks that simply isn’t good enough, and we can’t argue with that kind of thinking. While the entry-level XL ($35,755) retains the 2.3-liter four with 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, the XLT and Lariat offer the twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6 from the Bronco and F-150. Here, the V-6 is good for 315 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, which is similar to the Bronco’s rating on regular fuel. Regardless of the engine, the transmission remains a 10-speed automatic. Two- and four-wheel drive systems are available, but the latter doesn’t come with a locking rear differential. We wouldn’t be surprised to see that offered on an upcoming, yet unannounced, Tremor variant. Big Storage, Bigger Screens The 2024 Ranger’s interior introduces welcome improvements and upgrades. The size of the base center screen has increased from eight inches to 10.1 inches, and a large, vertically orientated 12.4-inch screen is available. The instrument cluster is digital as well, sized at either 8.0 inches, like the Bronco, or 12.4 inches. While we had little time to use the screens, they looked attractive and responded quickly. The large center touchscreen even had games, like Sudoku. Increases in height and width have netted larger interior dimensions, as total passenger volume has increased 0.7 cubic feet. There’s generally more headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in both rows than last year. While most Rangers have a mechanical shifter, the Lariat 4×4 and Raptor have a small and short-throw electronic shifter that enables driver aids including trailer backup and an automated parallel and perpendicular parking system. Also available are a 360-degree exterior camera, over-the-air updates, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and Ford’s Zone Lighting system that lets owners selectively illuminate exterior lighting when parked. Rangers equipped with the FX4 off-road package gain Ford’s Trail Control off-road cruise control system. Storage options are more plentiful. There’s a spot under the touchscreen that can hold a phone, and that area becomes a wireless charger on XLT and above. A shelf above the glove box can fit a phone or a wallet, and above that is a small secondary glovebox. A significant improvement over the previous generation is the addition of functional storage space in the rear seats. Lifting the seat bottoms reveals two small cubbies that could fit items like jumper cables or a first-aid kit. The rear seatback also folds down flat, creating an even load surface for larger items you don’t want to put in the bed. Tow the Line The max tow rating remains 7500 pounds with the available Trailer Tow package, which also includes an integrated trailer brake controller. As with the F-150, owners can check trailer lights using a phone app. The damped tailgate drops softly and, similar to the F-150, features a ruler that stretches end to end and pockets for C-clamps. For tailgating, there’s a bottle opener on the passenger side along with 12-volt and 120-volt outlets in the bed that can supply 400 watts of power. Maximum payload has increased versus the previous-generation crew cab to 1805 pounds for two-wheel-drive Rangers and 1711 pounds for four-wheel-drive models. The Ranger Raptor While one might think of the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor as a downsized F-150 Raptor, a more accurate description would be a Bronco Raptor without the 37-inch tires. The Ranger Raptor employs a slightly less powerful version of the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 from that Bronco, at 405 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. And as with the Bronco, the engine is connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel-drive system that features locking front rear differentials as well as a low range and 4A all-wheel-drive mode. Even the crawl ratio is the same, at 67.88:1. But instead of the 37s, the Ranger uses 33-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO3s wrapped around 17-inch wheels that will accept a beadlock ring from Ford’s accessory department. While not wide enough to mandate marker lamps like the Bronco, the Ranger Raptor’s wheel and tire combo increases track width by 3.5 inches while the enlarged fenders swell overall width by 4.3 inches versus the regular Ranger. Exterior clearances improve throughout, though the Raptor’s 33-degree approach angle is unlikely to generate envy among owners of the Jeep Gladiator Mojave (44.7 degrees) or Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 (38.7 degrees). Ditto for its 10.7-inch ground clearance, which is 0.9 inch less than the Mojave and matches the ZR2’s. But, at 26.4 degrees, the Raptor has a stronger departure angle than the other trucks (25.1 and 25.5 degrees, respectively). Sizing Up the CompetitionThe Raptor’s desert racing intentions bias it more toward suspension control than clearances demanded by rock crawlers. To that end, underneath the Raptor’s enlarged fenders are coil-overs with adaptive Fox Live Valve dampers sized 2.5 inches up front. Joining the adaptive Fox dampers and coil-overs in the back are trailing arms and a Watts-link setup that replaces the regular Ranger’s leaf springs. Right behind the beefy-looking rear-axle is a full-size spare. The Ranger Raptor otherwise offers similar hardware as the Bronco, from the exhaust’s X-pipe and dual outlets to the suite of off-road driving equipment, including a plethora of drive modes along with Ford’s Trail Control and Trail Turn Assist, which brakes the inside rear wheel during a turn at low speeds to tighten the turning radius. Unlike the standard Bronco, the Ranger Raptor is not available with a bumper that supports a winch. Interior upgrades include seats with improved lateral bolstering, upfitter switches near the rearview mirror that make satisfying clicks when you flip them, and plenty of brightly colored details. As with the Bronco Raptor, switches on the steering wheel adjust dampers, steering, and exhaust separately from the drive mode. You’ll find large shift paddles, too. The exhaust, by the way, tops out in Baja mode, a setting that’s paired with a warning in the gauge cluster that reads “off-road use only”—uh-huh, sure. As with the Bronco Raptor, this setting keeps the turbos spinning for a few seconds after the driver releases pressure from the gas pedal so that boost remains available when it’s time to accelerate again. Versus the regular Ranger, the changes reduce max payload to 1411 pounds, which is still 211 to 260 pounds more than the Gladiator Mojave and Colorado ZR2, respectively. But the 5150-pound max tow rating falls just under the 6000-pound max ratings of the other trucks. The Raptor’s starting price, at $58,555 with destination, also stretches higher than the Gladiator Mojave and Colorado ZR2. Neither of which, as Raptor fans will surely point out, have more than 400 horsepower. 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

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.Porsche confirmed in 2021 that the next-generation 718 would be fully electric. Since then we’ve seen plenty of spy shots of the engine-less roadster out testing. Now, we get to see it on the move for the first time thanks to this spy video from the Nürburgring. CarSpyMedia on YouTube caught this 718 Boxster prototype lapping the Nordschleife during a recent industry test pool session. As with previous test mules, we can see updated front and rear fascias and a lack of side air intakes, indicating this is very likely the upcoming electric 718 under wraps. Another obvious indicator is the sound, or lack thereof. There’s no engine noise coming from this prototype, only the desperate squeals from the tires as the test driver pushes the car to its limits around the Green Hell. Any engine noise heard in the video above comes from other vehicles passing by the camera. Open GalleryPorsche has yet to release any data or performance specs on its upcoming electric 718, so there’s no telling how much heavier the batteries will make the car, or how much the electric motors will improve performance. The company says it plans to unleash the car in the “middle of the decade,” so we shouldn’t have to wait long to learn more. More Details and SpecsRoad & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing. More

Porsche revealed the 718 Spyder RS, the most aggressive Boxster model to date. The new Spyder RS will share the illustrious 4.0-liter six-cylinder from the 911 GT3 and 718 Cayman GT4 RS and will produce 493 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque.The Spyder RS will carry a starting price tag of $162,150 when it begins arriving at dealerships in the spring of 2024.Get your earplugs ready, then think better and throw them out, because Porsche has just announced the 2024 718 Spyder RS, the most aggressive Boxster model ever. Sourcing its 4.0-liter flat-six engine straight out of the 911 GT3 and 718 Cayman GT4 RS, the Spyder RS will be a naturally aspirated symphony. Open Air, 9000 RPM, 493 HPWe’ve been hearing rumors about a GT4 RS equivalent for some time, but now Porsche has confirmed it. In addition to the Spyder RS being a droptop, there are a few key differences, but Porsche assures in its press materials that the powertrains are identical. The 4.0-liter six-cylinder revs up to 9000 rpm and produces 493 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. That gives it a 79-hp advantage over the already powerful 718 Spyder. Like every other modern Porsche with the RS designation, the Spyder RS will only be available with Porsche’s seven-speed PDK automatic transmission. Just like in the Cayman, the ratios have been shortened to improve acceleration. According to Porsche, the new RS will match the Cayman’s on-paper claim of a 3.2-second time to 60 mph. We reckon those are conservative estimates and think the new RS will manage closer to the 2.8-second time we recorded in our testing of the GT4 RS last spring. The chassis of the new RS is a blend between the Cayman GT4 RS and the 718 Spyder. It comes standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management along with sport calibration, and has been lowered by 1.2 inches. It features a mechanical limited-slip differential at the rear, as well as ball-jointed suspension mountings and 20-inch center locking forged alloy wheels. Compared to the GT4 RS, the spring and damper rates have been reduced, something that will likely hurt lap times, but it’s also what Porsche describes as “a more relaxed, characteristically convertible-style setup.”More Porsche RSThe front end of the new RS is designed to be nearly identical to the front of the GT4 RS with a slightly shorter carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic splitter at the front to account for the lack of a wing at the rear. Instead, an enlarged and reshaped ducktail spoiler helps with downforce at the rear. Upgrading to the Weissach package leads to even more weight savings. The front hood, door mirror caps, upper and lower side air intakes, and Gurney flap on the duckbill are all swapped for carbon-fiber replacements. The Weissach package also includes a titanium exhaust Porsche says is inspired by the limited-edition 935 from 2018. Intentional Weight Savings As this is an RS model, Porsche was keenly focused on saving weight. That means fabric door straps instead of interior handles. Furthermore, when the weather gets nice and drivers want to enjoy their Spyder RS correctly (with the top down), they need to manually lower the soft top. Of course, weather non-permitting, that means getting out of the car and scurrying to and fro to get it secured in place again. The whole top weighs just over 40 pounds and shaves 16 pounds compared with the weight of the standard Spyder. Once it begins arriving at dealerships in spring 2024, the new Spyder RS will carry a starting price tag of $162,150. Porsche plans to hold the public premiere for the car at a celebration in June before it makes an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. That’s a roughly $20,000 premium over the starting price of the Cayman GT4 RS equivalent, though Porsche has always been good at getting customers to pay more for less. 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 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

Fisker has revealed the Ocean Force E, a brawny off-road version of its electric crossover.The Force E wears 33-inch all-terrain tires on its 20-inch three-spoke wheels and features revised bumpers and unique dampers.Fisker is supposed to start delivering the Ocean to U.S. customers in June and promises the Force E will arrive by the end of the year.Fisker just delivered its first electric Ocean SUV last week to a customer in Denmark, after kicking off production in November 2022. But the EV startup is already plotting expansions to its model lineup and has revealed the first images of the Ocean Force E today. This new version of Ocean takes the electric crossover to the extreme with a cornucopia of off-road goodies. Fisker promises to start deliveries in the final quarter this year.FiskerNot many details have revealed about the the Force E just yet, but the images show that it will benefit from loads of extra ground clearance, partly thanks to the 33-inch all-terrain tires. This burly rubber wraps around 20-inch three-spoke wheels sporting an industrial design. Fisker says the Force E is fitted with unique dampers and produces 550 horsepower, the same as other top-spec dual-motor all-wheel drive Oceans. The Force E package can also be retrofitted to any all-wheel-drive Ocean Extreme or Ocean Ultra.The images also show a revised front bumper packing tow hooks and auxiliary lights, plastic cladding around the wheel wells, and a beefier rear bumper with its own tow hook and reinforced skid plate. A full-length underbody titanium plate shields the battery. An optional roof rack sits atop the Force E in these images, while an optional interior package will add rubber floors, extra grab handles, and tie downs.More on FiskerDeliveries Possible Starting in JuneFisker still hasn’t started deliveries of the Ocean in the United States, stuck in regulatory limbo as it undergoes the homologation process. The company expects to receive approvals from the EPA and CARB later this month, with deliveries beginning in June. Fisker plans to produce between 32,000 and 36,000 units of the Ocean, which will start around $39,000, over the course of 2023.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 Speed Edition 12 celebrates Bentley’s W-12 engine and will be offered on the Bentayga, the Continental GT, and the Flying Spur.The special editions have Opalite paint, silver brake calipers, and the W-12’s firing order etched into the dashboard.Only 120 units of the Speed 12 will be built for each model line. Electric Bentleys are imminent, with the British luxury marque promising five EVs by 2030 and the first arriving for 2025. But before the electron-powered brigade debuts, Bentley is celebrating its internal-combustion heritage with new Speed Edition 12 models. These limited-production versions of the Bentayga, Continental GT, and Flying Spur pay tribute to the W-12 motor that has laid at the heart of many of the brand’s opulent cruisers since 2003 before the engine’s production line is shut down in April of next year.Using the more powerful Speed models as a starting point, the Edition 12 adds silver brake calipers—unique to this special edition—and rides on black 22-inch wheels, complemented by black trim and a new pale-green paint color called Opalite. Edition 12 badges are everywhere, appearing on the front fender of the Continental GT and the rear pillar of the Flying Spur and Bentayga, along with an illuminated logo on the door sill and a welcome lamp projected onto the ground. Popping the hood reveals a special engine plaque adorning the 12-cylinder motor.Plenty of other Edition 12 logos appear in the cabin, where the firing sequence for the W-12 engine is also etched into the gloss-black dashboard. The main Beluga black upholstery can be paired with Brunel blue, Cricketball red, Linen or Orange accents, and the special seats are embroidered with the nameplate and contrast-stitched quilting. The same look appears on the door panels, while the air-vent adjusters also feature the number 12.Only 120 Speed Edition 12s will be built for each model line, and owners will also receive an aluminum 15 percent scale model of a Bentley W-12 engine block. Bentley didn’t specify how much extra the Edition 12 versions will cost over the standard Speed models, but if you have to ask, you’ll probably find yourself escorted out of the Bentley dealership by security. The Bentayga Speed will set you back at least $267,325, the Continental GT Speed starts at $291,225, and the Flying Spur Speed opens at $261,425.More on BentleyThis 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

McLaren has confirmed a renewed partnership with longtime engine supplier Ricardo.Under the multi-year contract, Ricardo will produce a new hybrid V-8 for future McLaren supercars.McLaren also confirmed the new engine will power existing and future hybrid supercars in its lineup.McLaren officially announced a renewed partnership with its longtime engine supplier Ricardo—not to be confused with former McLaren F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo. The multi-year contract confirms a new hybrid V-8 will power McLaren’s upcoming supercars.The partnership dates back to the 2011 introduction of the McLaren 12C, with Ricardo producing the car’s V-8. The company also supplies the current V-6 setup in the hybrid McLaren Artura. The full scope of the new contract is unknown, but McLaren has confirmed the new hybrid V-8 will power both current and future supercars in its lineup as part of what McLaren is calling its Future of Performance strategy.McLarenWe already know that a hybrid successor to the 2013 P1 supercar is on the way and is expected to launch sometime in 2026. Around that same time, there are plans for a hybrid replacement for the recently revealed McLaren 750S, a vital switch with the company planning to electrify its entire fleet by the end of 2026. It’s expected that both cars will feature some variation of the new hybrid V-8, although they will surely have different outputs. The 2024 750S isn’t all that different from the 720S it is replacing, but it does share lighter pistons with the 765LT and harness increased boost pressure to raise output to 740 horsepower. We expect the more potent changes will come with the introduction of the new V-8 in 2026. The P1 replacement is sure to be even mightier, as McLaren is bound to build on the 903-hp legacy of the 2014 car. The announcement also inadvertently promises McLaren will not only continue to produce internal-combustion cars beyond 2030, but that it will also continue making V-8s. As part of today’s announcement, Ricardo CEO Graham Ritchie said, “We are extremely pleased to have concluded this new engine supply agreement with McLaren Automotive for their next generation high-performance V-8 powertrain, which extends the long-term relationship between both companies into the next decade.”Hallelujah to that. Required McLaren Supercar 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.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