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Mazda announced that it will stop selling the MX-30 electric SUV in the United States after the 2023 model year.The company says it is instead focusing in plug-in hybrids such as the new CX-90 and upcoming CX-70.The MX-30 lives on overseas with an R-EV range-extender variant that recharges the battery with a rotary engine. The Mazda MX-30 has met its demise in the United States after just two model years. Mazda has announced that it will discontinue the MX-30—the company’s first electric vehicle in the American market—after 2023, although the tiny SUV will continue to be sold in Japan and Europe.Doomed from the StartAlthough the MX-30 wore a stylish bodywork and featured neat eco-friendly materials inside, the quirky EV was almost entirely doomed from the start due to its paltry 100-mile EPA-estimated range. The MX-30’s battery is tiny at approximately 32.0 kWh, and the single front-mounted motor’s 143 hp meant an 8.7-second trudge to 60 mph from a stop. The MX-30 was further hamstrung by being sold exclusively in California, and as a result very few have found homes. Mazda sold 181 MX-30s in 2021, while 324 were purchased in 2022. Through June of this year, only 66 were sold. Instead of fully electric vehicles, Mazda says it’s currently strategy in the U.S. is focusing on plug-in hybrids. The CX-90 PHEV launched earlier this year with a 26-mile electric range, and a smaller CX-70 with a plug-in variant will arrive within the next year.The MX-30 Lives on ElsewhereThe MX-30 lives on abroad not only as an EV but also as a plug-in hybrid called the R-EV with a rotary engine that acts as a range extender. While a smaller 17.8-kWh battery gives the R-EV an even shorter 53-mile range, the 830cc rotary engine acts as a generator to provide juice to the electric motor. The MX-30 is the first new Mazda with a rotary since the RX-8 sports car, but it only produces 167 horsepower and is about on par with the EV’s lethargic performance.Mazda initially said it would bring a rotary hybrid version of the MX-30 to the U.S. in early 2021, but the MX-30 R-EV is currently only available in Japan and Europe, where sales are much stronger. But Mazda North America CEO Jeff Guyton told Automotive News in February that “it doesn’t mean it’s a no for the U.S.” so it is possible that the MX-30 name could return, just not as an EV.Remembering the MX-30This 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

More and more borrowers—well, would-be borrowers—are being declined as they shop for a new car.The Federal Reserve found the overall rejection rate for auto loans was 14.2 percent in June, the highest level since the Fed started collecting this kind of data in 2013.Lenders are getting pickier about whom they give money to for many reasons, including inflation and a recent increase in delinquencies and defaults.The supply of new cars, trucks, and SUVs on dealer lots isn’t as sparse as it was a few years ago, but there’s an important sign in the consumer data that shows vehicle shopping in the U.S. isn’t as easy as it could be. The culprit? Credit problems.Financial AdviceThe Federal Reserve tracks loan application data, including how often lenders turn borrowers down. The Fed recently released a new batch of information that found that the overall rejection rate for loan applications was 21.8 percent. It’s bad—but not quite as bad—for auto loans, which hit 14.2 percent in June, up from 9.1 percent in February. That 5 percent jump puts auto loan rejection rates at their highest level since the Fed started collecting this data in 2013.Loans of All Types Are Looking BadWould-be-borrowers saw their applications for other loan types rejected at an increased rate, too: 21.5 percent of credit card applications were rejected, for example, along with 30.7 percent of credit card limit increase requests, 13.2 percent of mortgages, and 20.8 percent of mortgage refinance applications. The Fed said that the overall rejection rate for all credit applicants was almost 22 percent in June, the highest level in five years. The Fed said all age groups saw an increase in rejections, but the highest rejection rates were among people with sub-680 credit scores.The reasons for the increased rejections can be found in the broader economy, especially the inflation of the last few years and the fact that rising interest rates have increased the amount of debt people have. Lenders are worried about borrowers being unable to pay, with good reason. Analysts at Cox Automotive noted last month that “auto loan performance resumed deteriorating in May as delinquencies and defaults both increased for the first time in three months.”Delinquency Rate Worst in Almost 20 YearsThe May severe delinquency rate for auto loans—1.7 percent, while the subprime car loan rate hit 6.5 percent—was the worst since 2006, Cox said, and the default was almost back to the highs of 2019.It may take a while before things get better. The Fed’s recent numbers say that the average reported probability that an applicant will be rejected for an auto loan in the next twelve months is almost 31 percent. That’s the highest level since October 2014, when the expected rejection rate hit just over 28 percent. Expected auto loan rejections are in line with other loan types the Fed thinks will also be regularly rejected in the next year: credit card applications ( 32.8 percent), credit limit increase requests (42.4 percent), mortgages (46.1 percent), and mortgage refinance applications (29.6 percent).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.Contributing EditorSebastian Blanco has been writing about electric vehicles, hybrids, and hydrogen cars since 2006. His articles and car reviews have appeared in the New York Times, Automotive News, Reuters, SAE, Autoblog, InsideEVs, Trucks.com, Car Talk, and other outlets. His first green-car media event was the launch of the Tesla Roadster, and since then he has been tracking the shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles and discovering the new technology’s importance not just for the auto industry, but for the world as a whole. Throw in the recent shift to autonomous vehicles, and there are more interesting changes happening now than most people can wrap their heads around. You can find him on Twitter or, on good days, behind the wheel of a new EV.  More

Future Hyundai N products will come equipped with lightweight carbon-fiber wheels. In a partnership with Dymag Wheels, maker of lightweight wheels, Hyundai plans to develop new carbon-hybrid-wheel technology for its N division.A prototype shown at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed features a carbon-fiber-composite outer rim with a forged-metal centerpiece.For as long as they’ve been around, carbon-fiber wheels have been a luxury far out of reach for most of us. They’ve been on dedicated race cars or uber-expensive hypercars from manufacturers like Koenigsegg for years, and they’ve recently started to pop up on more accessible cars like the current Corvette Z06 or upcoming Mustang Dark Horse. Now Dymag Wheels has announced a new partnership that will see carbon-hybrid wheels become available on future Hyundai N division products. Official production specifications have not been shared, nor has Hyundai given a statement on which vehicles these potential carbon-hybrid wheels will be available on. However, a prototype wheel featuring a carbon-fiber-composite outer rim with a forged-metallic centerpiece was shown alongside the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Weight Savings of 40 to 50 percentAccording to Dymag, weight savings over a traditional alloy wheel measure between 40 and 50 percent, while also improving stiffness and strength. As well as reducing unsprung mass, the lighter wheels should also send more feedback to the driver, improving steering feel. When can we expect these wheels to begin appearing on Hyundai N cars? It’s hard to say, but considering the prototype wheel was displayed alongside the Ioniq 5 N, we think it could one of the first models to be available with carbon-fiber wheels. The Ioniq 6 N that’s sure to be in the pipeline is also a prime candidate. Of course, cheaper N division offerings like the current Elantra N and Kona N might be a bit too far down-market to warrant the costly option, but we’ll have to wait and see.More Hyundai NThis 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

Porsche opens first branded luxury charging hub in Germany, featuring six 300-kW DC fast-charging stalls and four 22-kW AC charging points. Entry to the lounge is designed to be activated by an automatic license plate recognition system, or by using the MyPorsche app, with food and drinks inside.The automaker plans additional hubs in Austria and Switzerland in the near future as more electric vehicles are added to its lineup.After Audi’s early success with reservations-only charging hubs, we knew it wouldn’t be long before another VW Group brand offered a similar experience. Porsche inaugurated a new luxury Charging Lounge this month in Bingen am Rhein, Germany, offering its own take on the EV experience.The lounge, offering six 300-kW DC fast-charging stalls in addition to four 22-kW AC charging points, is the first of its type, with the brand set to expand the concept to other countries in Europe fairly soon.Positioned just a couple of minutes from the busy A60/A61 junction, the Charging Lounge is designed to be open 24/7, offering a spacious and luxurious interior stocked with snacks and soft drinks.A Porsche ID is required to enter the lounge itself, but there’s an automated system for that as well. If a given Porsche’s license plate is stored in the computer, an automatic license plate recognition system will let the car in. And even if the license plate isn’t stored in the system, drivers can use the MyPorsche app to access the station, or scan a QR code or use the Porsche Charging Card to access the station. The interior of the charging lounge is not too dissimilar from an airline lounge, with snacks and drinks inside.PorscheThe station generates some of its own electricity thanks to solar cells on the roof of the building, but the majority of the power comes from a dedicated grid connection. Speaking of power, the station itself features 300-kW chargers produced by South Tyrolean specialist Alpitronic. And in the future, Porsche anticipates even faster charging speeds will be afforded by 400-kW chargers. This would also drastically reduce the amount of time one will have to spend in one of these lounges, so perhaps there wouldn’t really be time for a physical workout in front of a smart mirror, which is yet another item currently offered by the lounge.The entire concept of an airport-style charging network isn’t new per se, with a number of automakers having explored the idea in the early years of EVs. But Porsche is one of the first to commit to building several lounges of this type, with a number planned for Austria and Switzerland, in addition to more sites in Germany.More on EV ChargingThe station draws some of its power from solar cells on the roof, but the fast-chargers require a grid connection, as with Audi’s charging hubs.PorscheWill we ever see a charging lounge like this in North America?At the moment that’s hard to say, with just one battery-electric Porsche model currently on the market. But even when the variety of electric Porsche models begins to outnumber internal-combustion vehicles, there would still have to be a business case behind it. There are certainly some cities in the U.S. where the number of electric Porsche models could make the idea worthwhile. Depending on how popular the charging lounges become in Europe in the next few years, we wouldn’t rule out seeing a handful open stateside by the end of the decade. And given the recent collaborative announcement from seven automakers for a vast new charging network across the U.S., some earmarked as “flagship” locations with certain amenities, this idea could start catching on here regardless of what Porsche decides to do. 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.Jay Ramey grew up around very strange European cars, and instead of seeking out something reliable and comfortable for his own personal use he has been drawn to the more adventurous side of the dependability spectrum. Despite being followed around by French cars for the past decade, he has somehow been able to avoid Citroën ownership, judging them too commonplace, and is currently looking at cars from the former Czechoslovakia. Jay has been with Autoweek since 2013.  More

Ford Performance has announced a new track-only version of the Mustang Dark Horse.Called the Dark Horse R, the new race car slots between the street-legal Dark Horse and the more intense GT3 and GT4 racers. Carrying a starting price of $146,595, the Dark Horse R will race in a spec-series sanctioned by IMSA. There are race cars aplenty over at Ford Performance this summer, and the manufacturer has announced its third Mustang Dark Horse-derived vehicle of the summer. Carrying the Dark Horse R moniker, the newest race car fills the gap between the road-going Dark Horse and the more intense GT3 and GT4 variants. Race-Ready StangThe Dark Horse R is a turn-key race car, meaning you won’t be seeing any Dark Horse R badges on your local thoroughfares. The new car will compete in the new Mustang Challenge spec-racing series sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). As the name implies, the Mustang Challenge will consist entirely of Dark Horse Rs when it launches for the 2024 season. 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.The 500-hp 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 makes its way over from the road car, as do the Tremec six-speed manual transmission and Torsen limited-slip differential and 3.73 final-drive ratio. After ripping out the stock seats (and all the other interior bits), Ford Performance stuffed in a single Recaro FIA racing seat, a quick-release steering wheel, and a racing harness, along with other safety goodies.Ford PerformanceFord PerformanceFurther race-prep comes by way of upgraded oil and cooling systems, a Borla exhaust system, Multimatic dampers, adjustable anti-roll bars, and brake upgrades courtesy of Brembo. As for wheels and tires, the Dark Horse R nets its own 19-by-10.5-inch front and 19- by-11-inch rear flow-formed wheels along with specially made Michelin racing slicks for the Mustang Challenge.Pricey StangPricing comes in quite a bit higher than a run-of-the-mill Ford Mustang, but that’s to be expected for a turn-key race car. The Dark Horse R starts at $146,595, with Ford planning to begin deliveries in preparation for the start of the Mustang Challenge season in 2024. More on MustangThis 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

The oft-maligned 996-generation 911 ushered in a new water-cooled performance era for Porsche’s iconic rear-engine sports car. This manual 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera cabriolet could be an affordable way to experience 911 fun in the sun. The no-reserve Bring a Trailer auction ends on July 31.Car and DriverYou can’t go wrong with a Porsche 911. Whether you want high-rpm, stick-shift canyon slicing, or dignified, luxurious grand touring, there’s a 911 out there for you. And older models are arguably even purer sports cars than the latest version, though not always cheaper. But if you don’t have six figures to drop on a 911, you’re in luck. Today’s pick from Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—is a manual 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera cabriolet. Before we get into the details, though, let’s pause for the inevitable fried egg and intermediate shaft (IMS) jokes. Got it out of your system? Good.From the C/D ArchiveYes, the 996-generation 911 swapped the beloved air-cooled flat-six for a water-cooled one. Yes, that M96 engine is known for its IMS-bearing problems. Yup, Porsche had to do some serious cost-cutting when it launched the 996, hence why it shares quite a few parts with the contemporary Boxster.But guess what? A 996-gen 911 like this Speed Yellow 1999 Carrera cabriolet is still a 911. That means its 3.4-liter flat-six still lives in the back, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual. With 296 horsepower and 258 pound-feet in stock form, it’s more powerful and torquier than the outgoing air-cooled Carrera, too. And there’s virtually no performance penalty with the soft top. In our period testing, a 1999 Carrera cabriolet had the same 4.9-second 0-60 and 13.5-second quarter-mile as the 1999 coupe. Both cars stopped from 70 mph in the same 170 feet, too. And they both had cross-drilled four-wheel disc brakes, like the soft-top example up for auction.Bring a TrailerAdmittedly, our tester recorded slightly lower skidpad numbers for the convertible than the coupe. But handling-wise, we said, “[its] attitude in corners is almost identical to the coupe’s.” This car’s Michelin Pilot Sport tires wrapped around 18-inch wheels will undoubtedly help demonstrate that. And dropping the top means you’ll hear the engine barking through its stainless-steel exhaust pipes more clearly. Though if you do tire of its song, you can play your own through this car’s aftermarket speakers—complete with Rockford Fosgate amplifier—and Pioneer head unit. The factory stereo is included in the sale, by the way, as is the CD changer (if you still treasure physical media).Bring a TrailerAt this point, prospective bidders undoubtedly want to know about the IMS bearing. Good news, a previous owner replaced it with an LN Engineering kit. The top’s cylinders and actuators were also replaced under previous ownership, as were several repair items. This Carrera has also had its spoiler hydraulics rebuilt, its engine cases recoated and honed to accept JE pistons, and an expansion plug crack repaired under previous ownership, too.Bring a TrailerBring a TrailerAccording to the auction page, the seller has only added 100 of this 1999 911 Carrera cabriolet’s indicated 72,895 miles. If you’re the high bidder, we’d encourage you to add considerably more. The auction ends on Monday, July 31. More PorscheResearch EditorAfter discovering car magazines and Fast and Furious movies in high school, Matthew Skwarczek wanted to create cleaner fuels to keep automobiles around. But after a brief engineering career, the Chicagoland native realized he preferred researching and writing about the cars themselves. That’s how he found himself first at MotorBiscuit and then at C/D. Today, when he’s not reading, he’s daydreaming on Bring a Trailer, backpacking, or riding his motorcycle or bicycle. More