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Ford has revealed a new EV model for Europe called the Explorer.This compact SUV will be built in Germany and is based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform.There is also an Explorer EV slated for the U.S., but it will likely be considerably larger than this one.Ford has promised that an electric version of the familiar Explorer three-row SUV is coming to the U.S. sometime soon, but this is not that car. Instead, this Ford Explorer is a new, smaller electric crossover built in Germany that’s exclusively for the European market. It uses Volkswagen’s MEB platform as part of a partnership between Ford and VW and is set to go on sale later this year.More on Ford EV SUVsFord hasn’t provided exact dimensions for this Explorer EV, but to us it looks like a compact SUV in the vein of the Escape or Bronco Sport that we get in the U.S. It has a modern-looking grille-less face, a relatively low-slung but still boxy shape, and interesting details including a slatted design element on the C-pillar and chunky wheel patterns. Inside, it has a large 14.6-inch vertical touchscreen and a digital gauge cluster, plus a spacious center console and a lockable compartment behind the screen. It’s a two-row setup with five seats, and Ford claims 17 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat.We don’t know the powertrain specs on the Explorer yet, either, but we figure it will have similarly sized battery packs as the Volkswagen ID.4, which offers 58.0-kWh and 77.0-kWh battery packs. Ford says it will offer rear- and all-wheel drive versions, so we figure outputs will range from under 200 hp for the base version up to over 300 hp for the top models.Ford will produce the Explorer in Cologne, Germany, and it’s slated only for Europe at this point. Pricing starts at the equivalent of $48,000 and Ford is taking reservations now. We doubt we’ll see this model come to the U.S., but it could give us an idea of how the Blue Oval’s future electric SUV models will look. A second larger MEB-based Ford electric crossover is set to arrive in Europe next year, and we’ve previously speculated that that one could end up in the U.S.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 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

Polestar has added a limited-run BST edition 230 to the 2023 Polestar 2 lineup. The BST edition 230 shares the same chassis modifications as the earlier BST edition 270 and produces 469 horsepower.The new BST edition will be limited to 230 examples for the European and North American markets. Polestar introduced another limited-run version of the performance-inspired BST edition and is assuming buyers wont mind its lack of substantive changes. While a regular Polestar 2 equipped with the Performance pack is quick on its feet, it’s hardly a thoroughbred racer. The BST edition 230 fixes that, but just in the same way that the BST edition 270 before it did.PolestarLast June, the company announced a specialized performance version of the Polestar 2. The special edition would be called the BST edition 270 and would aptly be limited to 270 units worldwide. This 2 came with chassis modifications and extra power at a hefty premium over lesser editions.According to Polestar, the BST edition 230 “puts more focus on the performance design details.” The edition 230 comes in Space Black or a new exclusive Green Nebula exterior paint with the option to add a full-length racing stripe over either color. The unique design elements inside the car are finished in microsuede, with steering wheel inserts made from partly recycled nubuck leather.PolestarPolestarCompared to the standard dual-motor setup, the BST edition 230 adds 67 horsepower and 15 pound-feet of torque for a total of 469 horsepower and 502 pound-feet. Those figures put the new version toe to toe with the BST edition 270 from last year, which had the exact same figures. The shared specs don’t end there. Underneath the bodywork, the two BST editions have identical chassis modifications. Ride height for both is nearly an inch lower than stock, the suspension springs are 20 percent stiffer, and a front strut bar has been added. The specially tuned Öhlins dampers from the edition 270 are back for the edition 230, as are the Pirelli P Zero tires that Polestar says are specifically designed for the BST editions. In other words, these are basically the same car.Owners of the Polestar 2 BST edition 270 may be tempted to complain since the production numbers of the limited-edition car they bought have effectively doubled. (It has happened before in the world of collector’s editions.) On the other hand, the new edition 230 starts at $80,900—$4000 more than the former. 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

After months of hyping up its reveal, Dodge finally announced the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170.The Demon 170 carries a starting price of $100,361 after destination fees and the federal gas-guzzler tax.Dodge is only planning to make around 3000 Demon 170s between production starting in July, and the curtain closing on V-8 Hellcat engines in December.It’s been roughly seven months since Dodge announced the first of the “Last Call” Chargers and Challengers, and the company finally revealed the seventh—along with its pricing. Dodge couldn’t help itself when deciding on pricing for the Demon, which carries a base price of $96,666 (get it?), before destination fees and the gas-guzzler tax are accounted for. Add $1595 for shipping, and the $2100 gas-guzzler tax brings the actual base price of the new Demon to $100,361. If you recoiled at the thought of spending $100,000 on a Challenger, you probably aren’t alone, but the new Demon makes up for the high price with a four-figure horsepower rating and the necessary chops to go racing. Dodge did a lot of tinkering with the Hellcat during production, and accidentally blew up seven engines, according to CEO Tim Kuniskis. The work paid off, with the new Demon making 1025 horsepower and 945 pound-feet of torque in the correct setup. Freeing up the full capability of the Demon 170 requires a mixture of E85 flex fuel, but the Demon produces an impressive 900 horsepower and 810 pound-feet on standard pump gasoline. DodgeDespite carrying such a large price tag, the Demon 170 has options. Just like the old Demon, the 170 comes standard with a single, cloth-covered driver’s seat. Adding a passenger seat in the former ran $1. The car we sat in ahead of its reveal had two front bucket seats, both covered in available nappa leather, while the rest of the interior mirrored every other standard Hellcat Challenger. An $11,495 set of aluminum and carbon-fiber wheels is available. The upgraded wheels share the same design as the standard set but save a combined 25 pounds. We know that Dodge has a street-tire package available as well, but we don’t have pricing for it. Production is scheduled to begin this July, and will be limited to some figure under 3300. Dodge hopes to build up to 3000 for the U.S. and 300 for Canada before production ends on December 31.More on Demons and HellcatsThis 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 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is a 1025-hp street-legal drag-strip special that signals the end of the brand’s V-8 muscle cars.Its four-digit horsepower figure requires E85 gasoline, and with that Dodge claims a quarter-mile time of 8.91 seconds at 151 mph on a prepared surface.The Demon 170 will cost $100,361 when production starts this July, but only 2500 to 3000 U.S. copies are planned through December 31. It’s curtains on V-8 Hellcats after that.Dodge doesn’t believe in the words of Ricky Bobby’s daddy: “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” The storied muscle-car maker has chased taillights throughout its 100-plus-year history. Dodge introduced the original 1970 Challenger well after the 1964.5 Ford Mustang and 1967 Chevy Camaro got the pony-car party started. Compared with those two, the Challenger’s production life was cut short. The first generation only lasted until 1974. The second existed from 1978 to 1983, but it was a rebadged Mitsubishi Galant that Mopar purists prefer to forget. The Challenger’s third go-around came in 2008, when it was reinvented with retro styling and a contemporary Hemi V-8. While it initially kept pace with similarly themed Camaros and Mustangs of the day, Dodge fell behind as Chevy and Ford kept investing in their respective machines, making them more modern and better at racing around a track. DodgeWith the big-bodied Challenger in danger of being resigned to last place, Dodge did an about-face and embraced a different performance philosophy. The brand focused on its rich heritage, doubling down on old-school priorities such as huge horsepower numbers and quick quarter-mile times.A History of HellraisersDodge’s diabolical plan began with the 2015 Challenger SRT Hellcat. Packing a headline-grabbing 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, it instantly hijacked the power crown from its mightiest crosstown rivals: the 580-hp Camaro ZL1 and the 662-hp Mustang Shelby GT500. In our hands, the blown Challenger hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and raced 1320 feet in 11.6 ticks at 126 mph. Starting at roughly $60,000, its hypercar-rivaling horsepower was a relative bargain. Its arrival also coincided with a thorough refresh for all Challengers that included cosmetic tweaks, updated powertrains, and an improved interior. Most notably, the Hellcat set the stage for even crazier SRT variants.2018 Demon.DodgeThe 2018 Demon came next. Limited to a one-year production run of 3300 copies, it was purpose-built for drag racing. It could also be driven on the street and included a factory warranty—all for basically $86K. Not only did its enhanced Hellcat V-8 make 840 hp when burning 100-octane race fuel, but the thing could pop a friggin’ wheelie. Dodge claimed a quarter-mile time of 9.65 seconds at 140 mph on a perfectly prepped surface. This led to an NHRA ban that Dodge eagerly publicized.The Hellcat Redeye arrived for 2019, offering Charger and Challenger variants. While the engine inherited parts from the Demon, its race-fuel intolerance and reduced airflow capped output at 797 horsepower. The Challenger version we tested hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and ran the quarter-mile in 11.8 ticks at 125 mph. However, both metrics mirrored non-Redeyes that cost $11,000 less—proof that tires can only do so much.2019 Hellcat Redeye.Car and Driver2021 Super Stock.DodgeIn 2020, Dodge introduced the 807-hp Super Stock, essentially the Demon reincarnated (minus the transmission brake and race-fuel tune). It featured four 315-section-width Nitto NTO5R drag radials and a suspension set up for rear load transfer. The SS stickered for $82,790, with Dodge claiming a quarter-mile time of 10.5 seconds at 131 mph—again, on a prepped surface. Fast forward to 2023. It’s the year Dodge fanatics have been dreading, as it marks the end of the brand’s era of excess. Sadly, the Hellcat V-8 will be laid to rest after nearly a decade of duty in many memorable Chargers and Challengers. Both models also reach the end of the production line after this year to make way for electric muscle cars. During the death march, Dodge has been saying goodbye to its beloved beasts with a seven-part “Last Call” series of special editions that began last August. Now the seventh and final car is revealed, and it’s the craziest street-legal creation ever to come out of the SRT lab. Not only is it outrageous, but it’s also a metaphorical middle finger to critics who’ve called Dodge’s Hellcats one-dimensional.1-0-2-5 Horsepower For the brand that rewrote the book on muscle-car horsepower, it would’ve been a disappointment if the pinnacle of the Hellcat V-8 didn’t crack four digits. Thankfully, when it comes to power figures, Dodge isn’t in the business of disappointing. That’s also why for the grand finale it resurrected the Demon moniker and built the ultimate streetable dragster.Enter the 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170. It summons an otherworldly 1025 horsepower and 945 pound-feet of torque from its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8. Unlocking the new Demon’s full fury requires E85 gasoline, and that 170-proof ethanol fuel mixture inspires its name. Even when burning 91 octane, the new engine makes 900 horsepower and 810 pound-feet of torque.As with its predecessor, the new Demon is a numbers car. It’s also a car that isn’t afraid to be offensive. An inscription at the entrance of its enormous hood scoop reads Alcohol Injected. If that doesn’t make you bristle, the 170’s rageful exhaust sound should. With E85 in the tank and on a fully prepped surface under perfect conditions, Dodge claims the Demon 170 clocked a quarter-mile run of 8.61 seconds at 151 mph and hit 60 mph in just 1.66 seconds. Of course, it won’t be that quick on the street.Obviously, the 170 had to one-up the old Demon. Naturally, the new one can still do a wheelie—as seen in numerous press photos and video clips Dodge has released. The 170 can also be outfitted with a parachute through Direct Connection, the place for the brand’s factory-backed performance parts. What a time to be alive.All about the Hardware Several weeks ago, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis told a group of auto journalists that while developing the Demon 170, they blew up several engines. Not only did this delay the reveal date, but Kuniskis said it led them to invest even more money than expected into the project. His comments give credence to the assertion that the team did a lot more than simply modify the previous Demon V-8. Sure, the two share an iron block with the same 376-cubic-inch displacement, but the 170’s mill has new internals. The only significant engine part that carries over is the camshaft. The steroidal V-8 is stronger from the crank to the connecting rods to the main and rod bearings. Steel studs now help clamp the cylinder heads, and the cylinders themselves can handle considerably higher pressure (up to 2500 psi on E85).The new Demon engine also sucks air through a bigger 105 mm throttle body. At up to 164 gallons per hour, Dodge says the new injectors can flow more fuel than a typical shower head can dispense water. A modified version of the supercharger from Dodge’s Hellephant crate engine is mounted on top. That larger 3.0-liter unit generates a whopping 21.3 psi of boost pressure, significantly more than the 14.5 psi made by the old Demon’s 2.7-liter supercharger.To handle the Demon 170’s monumental power, Dodge fortified the driveline, making the driveshaft 30 percent stronger and the rear axle housing 53 percent stronger. The differential is also stuffed with larger ring and pinion gears. The transmission remains an eight-speed automatic, but it now pairs with an improved transmission brake. For those who forgot, the innovative drag-race feature made its production-car debut on the original Demon.Dodge says the new TransBrake 2.0 enables more configurable launch settings, including the ability to manipulate the torque curve to match surface conditions. It allows more torque at the rear wheels for harder launches too. Earth-shattering take-offs should further improve thanks to a retuned suspension said to be 50 percent firmer in the rear to reduce front-end lift. Stopping is handled by the same brake setup as the old Demon. Of course, a proper drag car needs proper drag radials. For that, Dodge turned to Mickey Thompson. The tire maker supplies a set of ET Street R rubber, size 245/55R-18 front and 315/50R-17 rear, which are said to provide an advantage over the previous Nittos. And since Dodge no longer sells a separate Demon crate with the equipment necessary for the quickest quarter-mile trips, the 170 is ready to rip down the strip right out of the box. A $100K Grand FinaleThe new Demon still comes with options. The priciest upgrade is the available two-piece wheels made of aluminum and carbon fiber. They have the same design as the stock set but save a combined 25 pounds. They also cost $11,495. All 170s shed 16 pounds after Dodge ditched the old Demon’s front fender flares. Overall, the two weigh about the same, with the new car claimed to weigh 4275 pounds.Dodge will sell a street-tire package for people who want to road-trip their Demon and increase their chances of making it home unscathed. We don’t yet know how much the kit will cost, just like we don’t know how much it is to add a passenger seat. In the past, it was $1. Otherwise, the 170 comes standard with only a cloth driver’s seat. The model we sat in had both front buckets wrapped in available nappa leather. The rest of the interior looked like every other Hellcat Challenger since 2015. When orders open sometime this spring, the 2023 Demon 170 will start at $100,361 (cue complaints about the dealer markups we’re almost certain to see). Production will be limited, but an exact number isn’t set. Dodge hopes to build up to 3000 copies for the U.S. and another 300 for Canada between the start of production this July and when the last one rolls off the assembly line on December 31.New Year’s Eve marks the end of the Hellcat V-8 and the dawn of a new age for Dodge. While it hurts to say goodbye, it’s been one helluva ride. More on Demons and HellcatsThis 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

Lego has created a miniature version of the iconic Defender 90 to celebrate Land Rover’s 75th anniversary.The 2336-piece set is highly customizable, coming with numerous add-ons that make the Defender even more off-road ready, like traction boards and a working winch.The Lego Defender goes on sale online in early April for $239.99.When Land Rover launched a new Defender for 2020, it transformed the crude but capable workhorse into a slick luxury machine that combines off-road dexterity with a comfortable demeanor well suited to the suburban lifestyle. Still, the original Defender 90, with its honest character and gung-ho go-anywhere attitude, holds a special place in our hearts, so the latest automotive creation from Lego has instantly landed on our wish list. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Land Rover, Lego is honoring the Defender with a new 2336-piece set, and it looks spectacular.LEGOThe Lego Defender 90 comes in an appropriately outdoorsy sage green color and can be built with a more street-friendly look before you inevitably decide to deck it out with all of the essentials for tackling a tricky off-road trail. The Lego Defender wears spare tires on the hood and rear door, while a snorkel sprouts from the hood to help the Land Rover wade through rivers. The beefy front bumper carries a working winch and auxiliary lights, while the roof rack packs jerrycans, traction boards, a jack, and a toolbox. LEGOLEGOA pickaxe, hammer, axe, and fire extinguisher can also be found strapped to the Defender. The set measures 12.5 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 6 inches high without the accessories, and includes fully functioning steering and suspension. More Cool Lego CarsThe doors open up to reveal an accurately modeled interior, and Lego says there are two engine options that can be fit under the hood. The Lego Defender will go on sale online in early April for $239.99, so start saving your allowance—or your paycheck—now.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

Kia has revealed the EV5 concept, which previews a future electric compact SUV.The EV5 has similar styling as the EV9, which is a three-row EV SUV slated to go on sale soon.Kia says that the production EV5 will go on sale in China initially, but we expect it to come to the U.S. too.If you like the look of the new Kia EV9 three-row electric SUV, you’ll be equally dazzled by its new little sibling, the EV5. Revealed in concept form, this smaller EV crossover shares its blocky, modern styling with the EV9 and previews a production model that will go on sale in China later this year. Kia hasn’t yet announced plans for the U.S., but we expect the EV5 to reach our market at some point in the near future.In these images, the EV5 doesn’t look all that much smaller than the EV9, and Kia has yet to reveal dimensions for this model. Its wheelbase does look shorter and it has two rows of seats compared with the EV9’s three-row layout. Nomenclature-wise, the EV5 name also suggests that it will slot in below the EV6, which is a mid-size crossover with a more low-slung profile, in terms of size and price.Specifications aren’t out yet, but we’re assuming that the EV5 rides on the same E-GMP platform as Kia’s other new EV models. This should enable fast charging thanks to its 800-volt electrical architecture, and multiple battery-pack options and single- and dual-motor configurations may be offered.More on Kia EVsThe EV5 concept’s futuristic interior will likely be toned down for production, as it features wide-opening rear-hinged rear doors, a highly minimalistic dashboard layout, and wild-looking front and rear seats. The cargo area features a useful-looking platform that can serve as a table for tailgating, and the seats also swivel in a multitude of ways. This may be more than a flight of fancy, however, as the production EV9 does have swiveling rear seat and something of the sort could make its way into the final version of the EV5 as well.We should learn more about the EV5 in the coming months as Kia prepares the production model for the Chinese market. Kia’s announcement says that details for other global markets will come “in due course” so a U.S. announcement may be on the horizon as well.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 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