News

Land Rover has revealed the 2024 Range Rover Sport SV, which arrives as a replacement for the current Range Rover Sport SVR.A BMW-sourced 4.4-liter V-8 replaces the outgoing 5.0-liter, the new version boasting an impressive 626 horsepower. The first model year, 2024, is exclusive to invited customers and has already been sold out. The new Range Rover Sport SV has arrived with a little less bravado and a lot more horsepower. The 575-hp 5.0-liter V-8 from the current SVR is out, with the BMW-sourced 4.4-liter V-8 from the recently revealed Range Rover SV taking its place. Despite its smaller size, the 4.4-liter engine brings a lot to the table. First and foremost, the V-8 era lives on, even if it is a hybridized twin-turbo. The new engine boasts 626 horsepower, good to motivate the big SUV to 60 mph in a claimed 3.6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 180 mph.In an attempt to shed some weight from the behemoth SVR frame, Land Rover added an optional set of 23-inch carbon wheels that shave off 78 pounds. Optional carbon-ceramic brakes shed a further 75 pounds of unsprung mass over the standard brakes. So enamored with the idea of reducing weight for the new model, Land Rover even dropped the “R” designation from the current Range Rover Sport SVR, ushering in the 2024 Range Rover Sport SV. All New EverythingThe suspension has been completely overhauled with Range Rover’s new 6D Dynamics suspension system. The new suspension setup features height-adjustable air springs and hydraulically cross-linked dampers to reduce pitch and roll while cornering or accelerating. Depending on drive mode, the new SC rides between 0.4 and 1.0 inch lower than other Range Rover Sport models. Along with the trick suspension and revised subframe, Land Rover also fit the new SV with 305-section rear tires, all of which come together to provide a claimed 1.1 g of lateral acceleration even while fitted with all-season tires—an impressive figure for a vehicle this size. For comparison, the figure marks a 22 percent increase in roadholding over the outgoing SVR. For further context, in Car and Driver’s testing of a 2023 BMW M3 Competition xDrive, we managed 1.03 g on our skidpad.Related StoriesNot to be left out, the plug-in hybrid Range Rover Sport is updated as well. The plug-in gets a new transmission and electric motor setup and now produces a combined 542 horsepower, granting a name change from P440e to P550e. The updated hybrid system now allows for an estimated electric only range of 51 miles on a full charge. Like all other new Range Rovers, the new SV also comes with the company’s latest version of the Pivi Pro infotainment system with controls for the volume and climate control on a new sliding sidebar. According to Land Rover, 80 percent of functions can be completed within two taps of the screen, and Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant is now built in.Invite OnlyPricing hasn’t been revealed for the new SV yet, though the las model started around $120,000. With Land Rover’s push to market this as the ultimate Range Rover Sport, we imagine the new version will start closer to the $140,000 mark. The first year of production for the new SV is exclusive to selected customers through an invitation. The entire model year will be limited to a special SV Edition One specification with unique branding on the front splitter, center console, treadplates and puddle lamps. Whether that constraint is production induced or merely a marketing scheme is unclear, but every SV Edition One has already been allocated. 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

Meet the Fiat Topolino, a charming little electric runabout that does away with doors and includes a canvas convertible top. The Topolino name comes from the original Fiat 500 introduced in 1936, but the new Topolino is more reminiscent of the Fiat Jolly beach cars of the 1960s.Based on the Citroën Ami, the Topolino should be capable of a 47-mile electric range and a top speed just under 28 mph.Fiat is reviving the classic Topolino moniker for its latest electric city car, and the result is predictably adorable. Based on the Citroën Ami, a two-passenger pod that entered production in 2020, the Topolino brings back the endearing nickname (which means “little mouse” in Italian) bestowed on the original Fiat 500 built from 1936 to 1955. Fiat only shared one image of the new Topolino, displaying the car in a pleasant pastel shade of seafoam green. Calling the cheerful little bubble a “car” is actually a bit generous, since the Topolino and its Ami sibling are technically considered quadricycles in Europe and can be driven without a license in certain countries. The Topolino’s front end is noticeably different from the Ami’s, with a softer look, silver trim that emulates an old-school bumper, and silver circular elements around the headlights.The original Fiat 500 “Topolino.”FiatAlthough the name comes from the original 500, the new Topolino calls to mind the beach-roaming Jollys popular in touristy coastal towns by eschewing doors for a rope barrier like you might find at the front of the line for an amusement park ride. The Topolino wears retro-style white wheels, features a striped pattern on the dashboard, and appears to include a canvas convertible top.Fiat didn’t release any specifications for the Topolino, but we imagine it will share its powertrain with the Ami, which pairs a 5.5-kWh battery with an 8-hp electric motor motivating the front wheels. The Ami is good for a claimed range of 47 miles and tops out just under 28 mph. The same numbers should apply to the Topolino, and we imagine it will be a hit in towns along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Unfortunately, its diminutive size makes the Topolino unfeasible for the United States, so it will likely remain a European exclusive.More Cute European EVsThis 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 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison debuts as a more beefed-up, jacked-up version of the regular ZR2 model.Along with 35-inch off-road tires, the Bison has Multimatic hydraulic bump stops designed to help cushion hard landings.The bovine-themed truck also has AEV steel bumpers, wider fender flares, and a bed-mounted spare-tire carrier.We’re calling it. The golden age of pickup trucks is right now. Not only are there an unprecedented amount of choices—from compact trucks to electric trucks to luxury trucks—but automakers are also going all out on off-road-focused variants. The mid-size segment is arguably the most hotly contested, with Ford, GM, and Toyota all recently revealing new generations of their respective entries. Chevy has already rolled out the 2023 Colorado lineup, and we’ve driven the desert-pounding ZR2, but before the dust has settled, the bow-tie brand is unleashing a bigger, badder version: the 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison. Bison Is a Beefier ZR2When it comes to bovine-themed Colorados, this isn’t Chevy’s first rodeo. The previous-generation ZR2 also came in Bison guise, which had trim-specific bits such as unique wheels and badging as well as steel bumpers and skid plates all from aftermarket supplier American Expedition Vehicles (AEV).The ’24 Colorado ZR2 Bison still gets exclusive AEV add-ons such as wider fender flares, a full-width steel front bumper with a winch accommodation, and a rear bumper with steel corner plates. Underneath the truck are five skid plates made of Boron steel (the regular ZR2 has three aluminum plates). The Bison’s additional protection covers the fuel tank and the rear differential, giving drivers more peace of mind on rocky terrain. A set of steel rock rails is also standard. The Bison’s hooves are the real stars of the show. Its Goodyear Wrangler Territory Mud-Terrain tires are sized LT315/70R-17, which Chevy rounds up to 35 inches. Apart from the heavy-duty Silverado 2500HD ZR2, the Colorado ZR2 Bison is the only other truck with a bow-tie badge that features factory-installed 35s. No other mid-size truck offers tires that big, either, with the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor and 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro riding on 33-inchers, same as the regular ZR2.To make room for the 35s, Chevy had to modify the ZR2’s front fenders by enlarging the wheel openings. Moving the third-gen Colorado’s front axle 3.1 inches forward also allowed for the bigger tires, and a company spokesperson told Car and Driver that fitting 35s was the main reason behind the stretch. The Bison’s 66.3-inch front and rear tracks are almost an inch wider than the regular ZR2’s. Thanks largely to the taller tires, the Bison stands 1.5 inches higher than its counterpart, with a slight suspension lift playing part too.A Bison That Can JumpThe Bison benefits from the same type of Multimatic spool-valve dampers found on the regular ZR2, however, here they’ve been retuned to account for the truck’s added mass. The Bison is just over 300 pounds heavier, according to Chevy. Its suspension also has the same 9.9 inches of front travel and 11.6 inches of rear travel, despite what we thought when we saw a prototype in the Nevada desert.Compared with the standard ZR2, the Bison has an extra 1.5 inches of ground clearance at 12.2 inches. While the AEV bumper drops its approach angle from 38.6 to 38.2 degrees, the Bison has a better breakover angle (26.9 versus 24.8 degrees) and departure angle (26.0 versus 25.2 degrees). To see how the standard ZR2 stacks up against the Ranger Raptor and the Tacoma TRD Pro, read our spec comparison. What really takes the Colorado ZR2 Bison to the next level of off-road lunacy is that has hydraulic front and rear bump stops, which are also supplied by Multimatic. Chevy calls them “Jounce Control Dampers,” and they’re built to better withstand the abuse of aggressive off-road driving. While bison can’t jump, the ZR2 version certainly can, and its upgraded bump stops will help soften hard landings should drivers be goaded into “sending it.”If the Bison gets a flat tire, there’s a full-size, 35-inch spare mounted in the cargo bed. Unlike its predecessor, which also featured a bed-mounted spare tire, the new truck’s carrier is mounted at the front of the five-foot-two-inch box instead of smack dab in the middle. Sure, it doesn’t look as cool, but the new location maintains most of the truck bed’s usable space. It also doesn’t fully block the rearview mirror, and an aftermarket cab topper can be installed without interference.Still a ZR2 at HeartSadly, the Bison treatment doesn’t bring any powertrain upgrades. It features the same high-output turbocharged 2.7-liter four-pot as the regular ZR2, which makes 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque (on 87-octane fuel, mind you). An eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, and electronic locking front and rear differentials are also mandatory. The Bison’s tow rating is capped at 5500 pounds (500 less than the ZR2), and its payload capacity is 230 less at 1050 pounds.For the 2024 model year, both the ZR2 and the Bison add launch control that can be activated in Baja mode. Simply select the setting with the rotary knob on the center console, press the brake pedal, pin the throttle, and release the brake for take off. Chevy says the launch mode also automatically adjusts to different surface conditions, so the system will detect if the truck is on dirt, gravel, or sand. Michael Simari|Car and DriverInside, the Bison looks almost identical to the regular ZR2. The only differences are the AEV-branded floor mats and embroidered headrests. Otherwise the two trucks share a fully digital gauge cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard driver assists include automated emergency braking, automatic high-beams, and lane-keeping assist; adaptive cruise control is also available but costs extra.The 2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison is slated to start production sometime in the third quarter of this year, with orders opening this fall. While Chevy says it’ll release pricing closer to the truck’s on-sale date, we fully expect the Bison to break the $60K barrier.Meet the New ColoradoThis 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

Volvo has shown more images of the EX30 before its reveal next week, revealing that the cabin will feature just a single 12.3-inch center screen.The cabin will also include a sound bar spanning the entire dashboard, freeing up space on the doors for extra storage.The interior will be decked out in renewable materials, from flax to wool to recycled denim.The Volvo EX30, first teased earlier this month, is set to be unveiled next week and will occupy the smaller end of Volvo’s increasingly electrified lineup. Ahead of the full reveal, Volvo has offered a few more tastes of what to expect from the new electric crossover, showing glimpses of the exterior and interior design. VolvoThe new images show sharply creased bodywork and distinctive LED lights, with the headlights adopting Volvo’s established “Thor’s hammer” look as seen on the EX90. The taillights also echo the larger electric SUV, with a C-shaped section beneath a vertical element. The interior looks minimalist, with a mostly empty dashboard centered around a single screen, measuring 12.3 inches. A “calm” mode will see the screen display only the most important information, and the infotainment system will include built-in voice commands via Google Assistant and navigation from Google Maps. However, the EX30 will also become the first Volvo with wireless Apple CarPlay, and the system will be capable of 5G connectivity. VolvoThe interior will feature a sound bar inspired by the type you might find in your living room, stretching across the width of the dashboard. The sound bar can be paired with an upgraded Harmon Kardon system and Volvo says that by putting multiple speakers within one housing, they’ve cut back on the amount of wiring and other materials used. The sound bar also means there aren’t speakers in the doors, allowing for extra storage space, while the window switches also migrate from the doors to the center console. The glovebox has moved, now slotting in below the center screen, and the cupholders will also retract to free up space. The rear passengers get access to a sliding storage bin as well, while Volvo says a guide integrated into the tailgate shows what sizes of cargo will fit in the trunk. More Future VolvosVolvo is touting the use of recycled and renewable materials, and calls the different interior themes “rooms.” One cabin theme will center around denim, using waste from the denim recycling process, and other materials will include flax and a wool blend that features 70 percent recycled polyester. Recycled plastic will also be used throughout, including Nordico, a material that comes from PET water bottles. The EX30 will debut on June 7, with U.S. reservations opening up the same day. Sales should kick off 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