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The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E is getting a battery upgrade for the standard range models, swapping out the lithium-ion units for new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) units.The new 70.0-kWh batteries add a few extra miles of range, with rear-wheel drive models targeting a 250-mile EPA estimate and all-wheel drive versions improving to 226 miles.The Mach-E is now cheaper as well, with the base Select trim start $3000 less and the Premium trim seeing a $4000 cut.Major updates are coming to the Ford Mustang Mach-E for the second half of 2023. New batteries for the standard-range models promise increased EPA range estimates and extra power for all-wheel-drive models, while all Mach-Es will now have BlueCruise capability. The changes also come with cheaper prices across the board.All standard range Mach-Es trade the existing lithium-ion batteries for new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which Ford is currently purchasing from Chinese battery maker CATL. A dedicated factory will open in Michigan in 2026 and will build CATL’s LFP batteries under license. The new packs in the standard range Mach-Es still have a 70.0-kWh capacity, but the new chemistry unlocks a few extra miles of range. Rear-wheel-drive models increase from 247 miles to a targeted 250-mile EPA estimate, while all-wheel-drive standard range Mach-Es see a bump from 224 to 226 miles. The new batteries also lead to a 45-horsepower boost for all-wheel-drive standard range Mach-Es. Andi Hedrick|Car and DriverFord also says that standard range models will now be able to fully recharge more often when using AC home charging, while five minutes was shaved off the DC fast-charging time. Ford now estimates that standard range Mach-Es will take just 33 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent charge. Extended range versions of the Mach-E are unaffected by the updates, continuing to use the same 91.0-kWh lithium-ion battery packs. All Mach-Es are also now assembled with the required hardware for BlueCruise, Ford’s hands-free highway driving system. Customers will receive a free 90-day trial, with the option to activate the system as a subscription later on. A three-year subscription can also be added with initial purchase of the vehicle. The latest version of BlueCruise sees hands-free lane changes when the driver activates the turn signal, and the Mach-E will also adjust its position within lanes to give larger vehicles like semi-trucks a wider berth.More Ford EV NewsThe upgrades at the Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico plant where Mach-Es are built will see an increase in production, allowing Ford to reopen the order books for the popular electric crossover which sold nearly 40,000 units last year. Prices are down across the lineup, with the Select trim dropping by $3000, starting at $44,795, and Premium models costing $4000 less, opening at $48,795. Adding the extended battery for Premium trim is still a $7000 upgrade, but the extended range California Route 1 edition is $1000 cheaper at $58,795 and the high-performance GT model is $4000 more affordable at $61,795. Adding the Performance Edition package to the Mach-E GT now costs $5000, $1000 less than before. The upgraded Mach-Es are still 2023 model year cars—owners will be able to identify which battery they have using the owner’s manual or their vehicle’s VIN.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

Mansory revealed a new P900 version of the Mercedes-AMG G63 with an exclusive Desert Sand Gloss paint option.As the name implies, Mansory’s P900 version of the G63 brings output to 900 horsepower.Like all of Mansory’s creations, both the interior and exterior of the G63 have been completely overhauled. Even in stock form, the Mercedes-AMG G63, or G-wagen, turns heads. Mansory is famous for taking that formula and increasing attention by any means necessary. The newest creation/modification project from Mansory is a version of the P900 finished in an exclusive Desert Sand Gloss paint with lots of forged carbon-fiber pieces. MansoryThe German tuners are back with another over-the-top creation for the G63. While the G63’s styling is already quite bold, the Mansory version takes it up multiple notches. A monstrosity of a f0rged carbon-fiber hood with a massive hood scoop replaces the standard hood, while even more forged carbon replaces every piece of exterior trim. The huge SUV rides on a new set of 24-inch forged wheels. A new forged carbon wing is placed at the back of the car, though it feels a bit like a bandage on a bullet wound situation in terms of added downforce. A pair of light bars are set at the front of the car for the one Mansory customer who actually takes their P900 off-road. The interior theme matches the ostentatious nature of the exterior. Tan diamond stitch leather wraps the majority of the interior, with forged carbon covering the remaining surfaces. Mansory decided for some reason that a second engine start/stop button is necessary on the roofline, but they deemed it unnecessary to remove the factory-installed button. The Mercedes logos are all gone from the headrests, replaced by Mansory’s own logo, lest you forget what you paid for. MansoryLike the name implies, the 577-hp V-8 from the standard G63 is cranked up to 900 horsepower in the P900. According to Mansory, the zero-to-62-mph time is brought down to around 3.3 seconds, with the car reaching a top speed of around 155 mph. As absurd as the new P900 is, it is relatively subtle as far as Mansory-built cars are concerned. The basic G63 shape remains intact, and the body is mostly one color, as opposed to the Bentley shown below. Mansory VehiclesThis 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

Toyota confirmed today that the 2024 Tacoma will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission.No other details were provided, but we expect it to be a modified version of the six-speed stick shift in the outgoing model.The 2024 Tacoma should debut within the next few months.Toyota continued its lengthy teaser campaign for the upcoming 2024 Tacoma today. Although the Japanese automaker still hasn’t divulged when we will see the next-generation mid-size pickup, the teaser confirmed that the new Tacoma will keep enthusiasts happy by retaining an available manual transmission.The image doesn’t reveal much, simply showing the three pedals that will reside in the 2024 Tacoma’s footwell. Toyota did say that the row-it-yourself transmission will feature six forward gears, but was tight-lipped on other details. We expect the manual gearbox to be an updated version of the six-speed stick shift in the outgoing Tacoma rather than an all-new unit, but we’re just glad Toyota is still committed to saving the manual transmission. More on the Next TacomaWe expect the Tacoma to debut at some point this summer, and we already have a few hints of what to expect. Toyota started off in April by teasing the tailgate of a hard-core off-road TRD Pro model, showing an iForce Max badge that suggests that the Tacoma may receive a hybrid powertrain like its Tundra big sibling. Toyota also announced that the Tacoma will add a new trim called Trailhunter, a name Toyota first teased with a Tundra concept at the 2022 SEMA show. The Tacoma Trailhunter is expected to focus on overlanding, with the teaser image showing an ARB rear bumper and a large frame-mounted tow hook. Most recently, an image of the TRD Pro’s rear wheel revealed that it will wear rear disc brakes for the first time. Toyota also teased the TRD Pro’s rugged suspension, which will feature a Fox QS3 coil-over and keep the signature TRD Pro red spring. More information will arrive with the full reveal in the coming months. 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 National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC) came under fire last month when it was discovered that the hybridized Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray would be banned from competing or participating at its sponsored events and shows. Following a significant amount of backlash from the Corvette community itself, NCCC has released a new statement acknowledging another adjusted rule set that allows the E-Ray to compete. Much More on the E-RayThe outcry from fans came after Section 1.8.1 item 14 of the NCCC rulebook made its way around the internet last month. The rule specifically made it clear that hybrids and pure EVs are not welcome to share the lawn or track with other, more traditional Corvettes. Those types of cars were slated to be parked at least 30 feet away from other vehicles, which was an effort by the NCCC to reduce fire risks. The rule read as follows: Electric Vehicles/Hybrids using lithium type battery packs are prohibited in competitive events. If driven to NCCC events, they should be parked 30 feet minimum from structures or other vehicles.GM DESIGNThe E-Ray features a single electric motor mounted above the front axle, which gives the Corvette AWD capabilities for the first time. A minuscule battery located in the center spine of the chassis supplies the juice, while the 6.2-liter LT2 V-8 from the Stingray sits out back. For comparison, the pure-electric Hummer EV’s battery pack is 212.0 kWh. Together the powertrain is good for 655 horsepower. Thanks to the added grip, the E-Ray will get to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. Keep your foot in it and the electrified sports car will rip off a 10.5-second quarter-mile run. Those figures make the E-Ray the quickest Corvette ever, surpassing even the mighty Z06, which makes 15 hp more. Following the media storm, NCCC president Deb Murphy said that we all misunderstood the original rule. More specifically, Murphy states that hybrid vehicles were never meant to get caught up in the ban, but rather just pure electric vehicles. GM DESIGN”I would like to clarify the discussion at the November meeting compared to what has appeared across the media: Discussion concerned the electric cars (plug-in kind) that have caught fire,” Murphy said in a statement. “We did not include hybrid cars in that discussion. Hybrids are allowed at our competitions and E-Rays will be welcomed at our events.”While the rulebook listed by NCCC still doesn’t back up Murphy’s claims about that initial ruling, this is a win for E-Ray buyers. Whether or not they have a battery onboard, the E-Ray was designed for track work like every other C8. Murphy stated that the rulebook will ultimately be adjusted to reflect the group’s position on the matter. Whether or not NCCC softens up to all-electric cars, a pure EV Corvette doesn’t seem that far off at this point. GM DESIGNSo Much More E-RayBorn and raised in Metro Detroit, associate editor Lucas Bell has spent his entire life surrounded by the automotive industry. He may daily drive an aging Mustang, but his Porsche 944 and NB Miata both take up most of his free time.  More