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Jeep showed off two new teasers ahead of the 2023 Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.The brand uses the event, now in its 57th year, as a showcase for new concept vehicles.The company released the first two “trail markers” hinting at what it will bring to the event scheduled for April 1–9, 2023.Jeep Nation rejoice! The Easter Jeep Safari is nearly upon us. This year will mark the 57th Safari, and true to form, Jeep has started hinting at the wild concepts it will bring. The first two teasers—or “trail markers,” as Jeep is calling them—were released today. Rather than images or renderings, the company showed off two eye-catching sketches. The first sketch shows what looks to be a muscled-up two-door version of the Gladiator truck wearing a wide set of knobby off-road-ready tires hiding under what look to be the largest fenders we’ve ever spotted on a Jeep. From what we can tell by squinting through the blinding green haze of the sketch, the driver’s-side mirror has migrated from the A-pillar and now rests directly in front of the enlarged front fender. Jeep/StellantisThe second sketch has a bit more muted color scheme, which seems to be Jeep’s way of showing off the blue-trimmed 4xe font. This concept looks like a more straightforward Wrangler Rubicon off-roader, and we can once again spot enlarged fenders. Unlike in the Green Giant sketch, the mirror placement in this sketch look standard. One element that’s not standard is that the doors have been replaced by tube half-doors, while the rear windows are replaced by some sort of Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) utility rack. Last year Jeep brought a whopping seven concept vehicles to the event. We think it’s a safe bet that they will bring at least that many this year as well. Two more each week between now and the start of the Easter Jeep Safari would bring the total to eight, topping last year’s figure. 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

The inner 10-year-old in all of us certainly appreciated Ford shoving a 700-horsepower supercharged V-8 under the hood of the F-150 Raptor to make the Raptor R. But exactly what did Ford need to change to accommodate the heavier powertrain? In our latest suspension test video, Dan Edmunds finds out by exploring underneath the front and rear of a 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R. He also puts it through our Ramp Travel Index test to compare the Raptor R’s flex to other Raptor variants and, of course, the Ram 1500 TRX. As it turns out, the additional weight didn’t require comprehensive changes to the design of the suspension. The front spring rates are stiffer, but fundamentally the suspension package is the same as other Raptors. We also see the weight for the mounted 37-inch wheels.In the rear, Edmunds explains the benefits of the Raptor’s independent suspension and its inverted shocks. We learn how the active Fox Live Valve Shocks work, and we see how the middle of the Panhard rod has been flattened to make room for the 37-inch spare tire.The RTI test highlights the Raptor R’s 33.1-degree approach angle. But you might be surprised to see that the Raptor R has a lower score than not only the Ram 1500 TRX, but also every other Raptor variant. What gives? Watch to learn.More on Raptor and TRXThis 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.Deputy Editor, VideoFrom selling them to testing them, Carlos Lago has spent his entire adult life consumed by cars. He currently drives the creative behind Car and Driver video. More

Alfa Romeo is planning a large electric SUV flagship that could arrive in 2028, per a report by Auto Express.After interviewing Alfa CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato, the British outlet believes the brand will build an EV SUV the size of a BMW iX before the decade’s end.Imparato also told AE that Alfa plans to introduce an electric sedan in 2027 that’ll be even bigger than the upcoming 2025 Giulia EV.Before the end of the decade, Alfa Romeo plans to build a large electric SUV that’s similar in size to the BMW iX. At least that’s what British car magazine Auto Express reported today after an interview with Alfa CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato.Alfa’s Future EV FlagshipImparato told the British car magazine that sometime in 2027 the brand will introduce an electric sedan that’s suited for North America. It’ll be in the same size category as the Audi A6 and BMW 5-series, so it’ll be bigger than the upcoming 2025 Giulia EV. Following the debut of the size-up sedan, Imparato mentioned introducing a “built-up model in 2028”. AE believes this to be a large electric SUV that’ll be Alfa’s future flagship, which makes sense considering the company has previously discussed building bigger and smaller SUVs to surround the current compact-sized Stelvio. So far, the company has only introduced the subcompact Tonale plug-in hybrid.Alfa Romeo TimelinesAnother STLA Large AdopterThe speculation is that the bigger electric sedan and SUV will be based on the Stellantis Group’s STLA Large platform. It’s the same one that’ll underpin the Giulia EV, offering an 800-volt electrical architecture with rapid-charging capability. Regarding the bigger future sedan, Imparato told AE it’ll be able to recharge 80 percent of its battery in 18 minutes and aim for over 400 miles of driving range. He also said Alfa’s design language is set through 2027, so that includes the time frame for the sedan but not the SUV. While AE’s article includes a rendering of what it thinks Alfa’s future flagship could look like, we’ll likely have to wait quite awhile until we get an official glimpse of the big-bodied ute. For now, we’ll just have to use what we know about the Italian automaker’s current aesthetic to fuel our imagination.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

The 2023 Tesla Model S and Model X add a $3000 Ultra Red paint option, which replaces the previous $2K red paint. Both Teslas also add a newly designed glass roof that’s said to weigh less and let in more light, albeit with the same UV protection.Plaid models add new brake pads that have a higher thermal capacity than before—they’re also still without the carbon-ceramic kit Tesla promised.For folks who want the prettiest red paint on their 2023 Tesla Model S or Model X, they’ll have to shell out $3000. That’s the price of the new Ultra Red paint option that Tesla offers on its two largest models.The new red paint replaces the $2000 Red Multi-Coat option that’s still available on the Model 3 and the Model Y. The higher-priced color on the Model S and X arrives just days after Tesla marked down each by about $5000 and $10K, respectively. However, Tesla gives both of them minor updates too.Is It Getting Hot in Here?Outside of the new prettier-but-pricier paint, the Model S and X add a newly designed glass roof that’s said to weigh less than the one it replaces. Shaving weight off the top could help lower the two Teslas’ center of gravity, which in turn could improve their handling.On the other hand, we we’re not thrilled with the idea of a glass roof that’s said to allow five-times more light into the cabin. Tesla claims it provides the the same amount of UV protection as the old one, so we’ll just have to wait to sit in one on a piping-hot sunny day to find out.Give Us a BrakeOn the bright side (pun intended), the high-performance Plaid variants of the Model S and Model X now have improved brake pads. Tesla claims the new pads offer a higher thermal capacity than the old ones.TeslaFrom what we can decipher off of Tesla’s Twitter, the update only affects the brake pads, leaving the standard rotors and calipers unchanged. We’ve criticized the stock brakes on the Model S Plaid before, so we’re happy to see improvements (no matter how minor). Still, it’s worth noting Tesla has yet to introduce the track-capable carbon-ceramic brake option the company promised is on the way.Tesla Price ChangesThis 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