News

Mid-size pickup trucks are having a moment. After the segment’s stalwarts started to become stale in recent years, it appears the stars have aligned as Ford, GM, and Toyota all have recently introduced new generations of their respective mid-sizers. So far, we’ve only had the opportunity to drive the 2023 Chevy Colorado and ’23 GMC Canyon. We’ve also seen reveals of the 2024 Ford Ranger and 2024 Toyota Tacoma. While we wait for our chance to get behind the wheel of the latter two trucks, Ford has an online configurator for the Ranger on its consumer website, so we set our crack team of car nerds loose and asked each to build their ideal versions.It’s worth noting the optional 310-hp turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 currently isn’t available to order on the Ranger, so all of the models we configured—with the obvious exception of the 405-hp Raptor—are equipped with the standard 270-hp turbo 2.3-liter four-cylinder, which pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear- or four-wheel drive.Austin Irwin’s $39,290 Ranger XL This is how I’d spec the 2024 Ford Ranger for my dad. He hung drywall for 35 years, and there’s nothing like the Jewel Green 1991 F-150 custom cab that pops used to hang, tape, and mud nearly every Michigan home north of the 45th parallel with. It was stolen, recovered, and hit by a Consumers Energy service semi all in the same winter. It wasn’t just a work truck, it played a pivotal role in every fishing trip, camping adventure, and hockey game throughout my childhood. My dad’s sheetrock days have all but dried up, but you can’t mask the love of trucks from a guy that listened to Alan Jackson’s Mercury Blues back when it was considered a new release.I’d keep it basic with the lowest XL Ranger trim. That comes standard with the 270-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a few nice-to-haves, like the 10.0-inch infotainment screen (don’t worry, Dad, it plays both country and western music), keyless entry, and LED headlights. The seats at this trim level are black cloth, but they’re manually adjustable, which I know my dad prefers over the slow-going powered chairs. I’d add four-wheel drive ($3645) and the $495 Trailer Tow package, which includes a class IV hitch receiver and wiring harness. The Ranger’s 7500-pound towing capacity will have no problem handling his pop-up camper or 14-foot fishing boat. I’m sure he could build one himself with $25 and a trip to the lumberyard, but I’d add the spray-in bedliner too. This $39,290 pickup is more than enough truck for dad, plus, should the inevitable patch and repair job creep up, the Ranger’s five-foot bed can fit a stack of four-foot sheets of gypsum. Here’s hoping the Hot Pepper Red paint ($495) keeps the Consumer’s Energy trucks away.Joey Caparrella’s $41,175 Ranger XLTMy goal was to configure the least expensive Ranger with the optional twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6, but unfortunately that engine won’t be available until late fall of this year. It’s therefore not yet included on the configurator, but I still went for the XLT trim because that’s the lowest model that will eventually be available with the V-6 (the base XL only comes with the turbo 2.3-liter inline-four). I only added a few options to my truck. With four-wheel drive, a spray-in bedliner, and Ford’s nifty keyless entry keypad, my Ranger comes out to $41,175. I opted for the subdued Cactus Gray paint and a black interior.Eric Stafford’s $44,905 Ranger XLT FX4While it’s easy to drool over the rip-roaring Raptor version, I wanted to spec the most affordable off-road-capable Ranger. That meant leapfrogging the base-level XL for the XLT, which is the entry point to the FX4 Off-Road package. The rear-drive XLT starts at $37,100, but that price jumps to $41,880 after adding four-wheel drive and FX4 goodies that include knobbier 31-inch tires on black 17-inch wheels, copious underbody armor, unique shock absorbers, and trail-oriented driving modes.That’s a decent deal for an extra-capable pickup truck, and I could’ve—maybe should’ve?—stopped there, but I got suckered into spending another $3K on niceties. It’s just hard to pass on the $1445 XLT High Equipment Group, as it includes dual-zone climate control, heated and power-adjustable front seats, and a 12-inch digital gauge cluster to pair with the standard vertically oriented 12.4-inch touchscreen. I also turned the interior from drab to fab by selecting the no-cost Sandstone cloth upholstery over the all-black getup. I think the sand-colored seats pair nicely with the eye-catching $495 Hot Pepper Red metallic paint. Add in the spray-in bedliner ($495), keyless entry pad ($95), and the towing package ($495) and my Ranger XLT with the FX4 kit stickers for $44,905. Michael Simari $59,485 Ranger RaptorDespite sharing essentially the same twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6, the new 405-hp Ranger Raptor starts around $30K less than the 418-hp Bronco Raptor. With this in mind, the Ranger version is a great deal for an off-road-capable mid-size pickup truck. Whether you’re an avid off-roader or someone who lives in an area with horrible roads like those of us in southeast Michigan, the Raptor models offer impressive ride quality that can be enjoyed in everyday use.The Ranger Raptor comes loaded out of the box, so there aren’t many individual options to choose from. That means my decisions mainly came down to color, wheels, and a couple of accessories. I chose to go with the newly introduced Shelter Green metallic paint, added the 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels ($1495), a spray-in bedliner for durability and protection ($495), and the cargo management rails ($535). This brings the total to $59,485. Unless you really want a Bronco, the Raptorized Ranger is a deal that will save you quite a bit of money that can be put towards off-roading and aftermarket accessories that fit your style.Danger Ranger!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 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 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

Rock and Roll icon Tina Turner died yesterday at her home in Switzerland at age 83, but the legacy she leaves behind is bigger than her epic music career. She was an auto enthusiast too, owning and loving cars throughout her life. Turner famously owned a Jaguar XJ6 and an XK-E, the latter gifted to her by her ex-husband and musical collaborator Ike Turner. The XK-E, pictured below, wore a “1 Tina” license plate and became a point of contention during the couple’s divorce in 1978. This content is imported from twitter. 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.Oh no. RIP Tina Turner, the charismatic ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, one of the greatest voices of our generation, who has died peacefully today, aged 83. 📷 Tina with her beloved silver 1973 Jaguar E Type / XKE. (Bob Gruen, 1975).#RIPTinaTurner pic.twitter.com/z2dKoK3BFa— Stars and Cars (@Superstar_Cars) May 24, 2023″To my relief, the judge ruled in my favor,” Turner wrote in her 2018 autobiography, My Love Story. “So I walked out of that courtroom with just my name. Oh, and two Jaguars—cars that had been given to me personally.”Following the divorce, Turner reinvented herself and her career out of necessity. In 1984, her album Private Dancer was released and became a huge commercial success, selling 10 million copies globally. Turner became a regular name on the pop music charts with songs like “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “Better Be Good to Me,” and “Private Dancer.”With her star on the rise and three new Grammy awards in her trophy case, Turner starred alongside Mel Gibson in the third installment of the post-apocalyptic Mad Max film series, Mad Max beyond Thunderdome. She recorded two new songs for the film, one of which netted her a fourth solo Grammy award. She would ultimately win eight over the course of her career, with one early in her career shared with Ike for their hit song “Proud Mary.”As her musical and film success pushed her star ever higher, Plymouth tapped Turner for a series of television commercials for its lineup of cars, including the Acclaim sedan and the Laser sports coupe, a car that won a 10Best award from Car and Driver in 1989. 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.While not exactly Jaguars, Turner’s love for the cars and her on-camera joie de vivre made for some compelling marketing for Plymouth. In her trademark purr, she’s pictured in the rear seat of an Acclaim saying: “Now this car is built for comfort. I wonder what else we have in common.”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.Turner lived her life out loud and used music to share her personal struggles, making her a relatable rock star unlike any other. Her automotive enthusiasm is something we’re glad she shared too, even though she’ll be remembered mostly for her contributions to the entertainment industry.”It may sound silly, but one of my favorite escapes, and a secret pleasure, was driving my Jaguar,” she wrote in her autobiography.It doesn’t sound silly to us at all. Managing Editor, Buyer’s GuideDrew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.       More

Expected to start at $245K, the 2024 Aston Martin DB12 debuts as the successor to the outgoing DB11.The DB12 features a 671-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8, and Aston claims it’ll hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds on the way to its 202-mph top speed.Along with countless chassis enhancements, the DB12 has an electronic rear differential and Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 performance tires.Out with the old, in with the new. That’s the gist of Aston Martin’s move to replace the DB11 with a new model, one the company prefers to call a super tourer rather than a grand tourer. Marketing grandeur aside, the 2024 Aston Martin DB12 that has now been revealed to the world is indeed grander than the model it’s replacing.There’s no mistaking the new DB12 for anything but an Aston Martin, and the low and wide two-door’s recognizable design is, well, by design. The grille gets bigger, the swept-back headlights have a new lighting signature, and the frameless side mirrors are smaller. The car’s front and rear tracks are also wider (about 0.2 inch in front and 0.9 inch in back). On the nose of the car is Aston’s recently revised winged logo, with the DB12 being the first production car it has appeared on.Under That Long HoodWelcoming the latest DB model also means saying goodbye to the twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V-12 that was previously available. Now, the sole engine choice—at least until Aston reveals a potential AMR performance variant—is a twin-turbo V-8 with the same 4.0-liters of displacement as before. Also like before, the engine is still a hand-built unit sourced from Mercedes-AMG. However, Aston has unlocked a lot more power mainly by adding larger turbos, revising the compression ratios, and completely overhauling the cooling system.The new-and-improved V-8’s peak output is 671 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 590 pound-feet of torque between 2750 and 6000 rpm. Not only are those figures significantly higher than the prior V-8’s 528 horses and 513 pound-feet, but they’re more than the old V-12 too, which produced 630 ponies and 516 pound-feet. The enhanced 4.o-liter still feeds the rear axle via an eight-speed automatic gearbox that now has a shorter final-drive ratio. Aston says the DB12 will hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and its top speed is a claimed 202 mph.Power to the PavementThe DB12 rides on a newly developed suspension that has firmer anti-roll bars and Aston’s latest adaptive dampers. They support a set of 21-inch wheels inside specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 summer tires, size 275/35R-21 in front and 315/30R-21 out back. The rear rubber is also better controlled by the introduction of an electronic rear differential the company says can almost instantly go from fully open to fully locked.The DB12’s front wheels are directed by an updated electronic steering system that brings a non-isolated steering column that Aston says improves feel. Bringing the car to a stop are a set of standard 15.7-inch front and 14.2-inch rear cast-iron rotors. A new brake booster is said to improve pedal feel, and those who want the ultimate braking experience can opt for the carbon-ceramic set, which is said to save about 60 pounds of unsprung weight. Along with the DB12’s revised chassis, its bonded aluminum structure is said to be 7 percent, a byproduct of improvements made to the car’s underbody braces.Inside the DB12Since the DB12 is intended to be more than a grand tourer—it’s billed as a super tourer, mind you—it must have an interior to match that mission. While we can’t comment on its legroom or headroom, nor can we say how comfortable or uncomfortably the driving position is until we get to climb inside one, but the pictures suggest the cabin will be more livable than before.The expensive materials and endless customization available through Aston’s Q program are a given, but the DB12’s interior also appears to have improved ergonomics. The dashboard design is cleaner, and it looks like there could be more cubby space based on the opening below the center stack. A host of physical switchgear, including rollers for volume and HVAC controls as well as a stubby electronic shifter, is located on the incline between the cupholders and the infotainment system. The latter also looks much improved over the old Mercedes-sourced setup.Aston’s new in-house infotainment system features a 10.3-inch touchscreen and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The onboard navigation features 3-D mapping and an online connection, but we think the smartphone mirroring will be the default for getting directions for most users. Along with the ability to accept over-the-air software updates, the DB12’s system marks the debut of Aston’s new smartphone app, which provides access to vehicle-specific content as well as subscription services, three of which are free for the first three years.The 2024 Aston Martin DB12 will go on sale in America sometime in the third quarter of this year. While the company hasn’t released official pricing, it did say the coupe body style is expected to start at $245,000. For those familiar with the DB11, that corresponds to a roughly $37K increase over the V-8 coupe. We expect the convertible DB12 Volante to be revealed at some point, and it’ll likely start around $260K.Driving the Old DB11This 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 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

Lotus and Alpine have halted work on their joint electric sports car project, Automotive News Europe has reported.The companies had signed a memorandum of understanding in 2021 to build a new, lightweight electric sports car together. The new vehicle would feature technology from both firms, and serve as the replacement to the internal-combustion (and fantastic) Alpine A110. “Today’s announcement is the first step in what is set to be a hugely rewarding collaboration between our iconic brands,” former Lotus CEO Phil Popham said in a statement at the time. “We are proud to be working with Groupe Renault in this collaboration—sharing Lotus’ technical expertise and abilities, and leveraging our long track record of successful collaborations. Our companies have much in common—from a pioneering pedigree in light-weighting, to championship-winning sports cars which perform as impressively on the road as they do in the motorsports arena. It is a natural fit in many ways and the co-development of an EV sports car is hugely exciting for our companies, our fans and customers around the world.”Lotus and Alpine Past, Present, FutureBut the project is no more. Lotus confirmed to Automotive News Europe that the two companies had decided not to progress in the project, a decision the British company claimed was mutual. It doesn’t mean, however, that the collaboration between the two brands is totally dead.”We have decided not to progress with the joint development of a sports car for Alpine,” Lotus told Road & Track in an email. “This is a mutual decision reached amicably and we will continue to discuss other future opportunities.”A spokesman for Lotus added that “Lotus’s commitment to an EV sports car remains as strong as ever.”Reviews EditorArguably the most fickle member of the Road & Track staff, Reviews Editor Mack Hogan is likely the only person to ever cross shop an ND Miata with an Isuzu Vehicross. He founded the automotive reviews section of CNBC during his sophomore year of college and has been writing about cars ever since. More

Cadillac is making some tweaks to the CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing for 2024.There are new colors available, plus 20th anniversary graphics that celebrate two decades of V-series vehicles.These tweaks also apply to the lower-powered CT4-V and CT5-V models for 2024.Cadillac’s V badge first arrived 20 years ago on the 2004 CTS-V, which was powered by a 400-hp 5.7-liter V-8 engine and got the V-series performance division started with a bang. To celebrate this anniversary, Cadillac is offering a few commemorative tweaks for the 2024 CT4-V and CT5-V models, plus newly available colors and a few other tweaks.Cadillac V Models of the PastAll 2024 CT4-V and CT5-V sedans, including the top-dog Blackwing models, will have a 20th Anniversary graphic on the grille and rocker panels, plus a special startup animation in the digital gauge cluster. Newly available colors include Velocity Red, Cyber Yellow Metallic (pictured at top), Coastal Blue Metallic, and Black Diamond Tricoat. For the 472-hp CT4-V Blackwing and 668-hp CT5-V Blackwing, Cadillac is also adding a “Blackwing” badge below the V logo to further differentiate these more powerful variants from their lesser brethren.CadillacPrices are only up slightly compared with last year. The CT4-V starts at $48,490 and the 360-hp CT5-V at $52,890. The CT4-V Blackwing costs $62,890 to start and the CT5-V Blackwing starts at $94,890. Cadillac’s Super Cruise hands-free driving tech is a new option for the CT5-V Blackwing, and it costs $6785 in total because it requires adding the optional ten-speed automatic transmission plus two driver-assist packages.Our Long-Term BlackwingsSenior 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