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Alpine, which was revived by Renault in 2017, is aiming to launch a pair of electric crossovers in the United States in 2027 or 2028. (Pictured above is the Alpine Alpenglow concept from the 2022 Paris auto show.)CEO Laurent Rossi compared the crossovers to the Porsche Macan and Cayenne Coupe, and said that they will be a significant part of Alpine’s goals of reaching 150,000 sales by 2030.Alpine is also launching three cars in the coming years for Europe, including an electric version of the A110 sports car and a performance variant of the upcoming electric Renault 5 hatch.Alpine was founded in 1955 and rose to prominence in the 1970s after being acquired by Renault, scooping up rally victories with its A110 sports car and triumphing at Le Mans in 1978. Renault revived the brand, now part of Groupe Renault, in 2017 with a new lightweight A110. The nimble sports car has remained forbidden fruit in the United States, but now it appears that Alpine may be coming to the U.S. within the decade. According to a report today by Automotive News, CEO Laurent Rossi revealed in a recent call that two new models are being developed with the American market in mind. Unfortunately, the future U.S.-bound Alpines do not include a low-slung sports car. Instead, they will be a mid-size electric crossover and a larger EV SUV, targeted for 2027 or 2028. Rossi explained that “the U.S. is the main destination for these cars” and compared the crossovers to the Porsche Macan and Cayenne coupe in terms of how they are positioned in the market.RenaultRossi said he sees the U.S. as crucial for boosting Alpine’s volume. Right now Alpine only sells the A110, with 3,546 total sales in 2022. The goal is to surpass 150,000 annual sales by 2030, and Rossi said that entering the U.S market “will create the bulk of the extra volume.” He said Alpine is still debating what platforms the EV crossovers will ride on; along with Renault’s partner Nissan, the company is considering using platforms from Geely’s premium brands, which include Volvo, Polestar, and Zeekr.More Fun French CarsBefore those Alpines reach U.S. shores, the French automaker will debut three exciting EVs for the Europe market. First will be a performance version of the upcoming Renault 5 electric hatchback. This will be followed by a sporty compact crossover, currently referred to as the GT, which will bring torque vectoring, more powerful motors, and unique battery chemistry to differentiate it from more mainstream Renaults. Finally, an electric successor to the A110 is coming by 2027, developed in collaboration with Lotus. It will still be several years before Alpine’s American expansion begins, and promises to return to the U.S. by other French carmakers have yet to materialize. But if Alpine meets its 2027 timeline, it will mark the the first time since the early 1990s that Renault will have a presence in the United States. And even if the dynamic A110 never reaches our shores, we are still excited to see what Alpine can deliver at the tail end of the 2020s.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. More

Porsche has expanded its factory-approved touchscreen infotrainment support for the 997 911 (2005–2008), 987 Boxster and Cayman (2005–2008), and first-generation Cayenne (2003–2008).The touchscreen infotainment systems allow owners of older Porsches to utilize SiriusXM radio, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto on the 7.0-inch touchscreen. The new unit is available for order at Porsche dealerships for about $1475. In the 911, Boxster and Cayman, several features can be saved to the unit, including personal settings lights, windshield wipers, climate controls, and locking. Porsche introduced touchscreen infotainment options for vintage 911s in 2020, giving owners of air-cooled classics access to digital maps and music inside a vintage housing. The factory-approved retrofit units come in a 3.5-inch configuration referred to as Porsche Classic Communication Management (PCCM), with a screen so small that owners may be squinting to read words from more than a Planck unit away, or a larger 7.0-inch configuration referred to as Porsche Classic Communication Management Plus (PCCM Plus), allowing owners to move their heads back by a few micrometers. Depending on the vehicle being retrofit, it’s offered for 911s from the ’60s, all the way through the 996 generation. More on Vintage PorscheNow Porsche Classic is expanding touchscreen support to include the 997 911 (2005–2008), 987 Boxster and Cayman (2005–2008), and first-generation Cayenne (2003–2008). The expanded lineup gives owners of qualifying Porsches access to USB connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM radio, plus AppleCarPlay and Android Auto funtionality. The new lineup will only be available in the larger 7.0-inch double DIN size. According to Porsche, in the 911, Boxster, and Cayman, the system can store personal settings for the lights, windshield wipers, climate controls, and locking for the car. The new PCCM Plus units, like the ones announced earlier, are designed to fit right into the dashboard. The look and feel are based on components like climate control already installed in the car, in an effort to give owners a modern experience without taking away from the generational feel of the car. Both PCCM and PCCM Plus units are available for order from Porsche dealerships, with the PCCM Plus unit retailling for about $1475. 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. More

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.With Ken Block’s passing, the future of Hoonigan is being worked out. The team there—people we know and people we like—will surely return to producing things that entertain, amuse, and inspire us. But not right now.They have a lot of things to sort out. And grief can’t be rushed.Brian Scotto and his crew issued this nearly 11-minute-long video that puts the sadness of Block’s passing up front, and then celebrates the joy of his life for the majority of the time. That’s six minutes of clearly and cleverly edited clips that celebrate Block as an athlete, driver, entertainer, entrepreneur, and, most of all, father. It’s a sad moment, but such a happy life.There’s a lot left to come from the Hoonigan squad, including possibly a public L.A.-area event to celebrate Block. But the future will be different than what has come before. Different even as it carries Ken Block’s inspiration forward.Remembering Block More

Shelby American is producing a limited run of 100 Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Ford Mustangs in celebration of what would have been Carroll Shelby’s 100th birthday this month.Using the 2023 Ford Mustang GT as a base, the Centennial Edition honors its founder with specialty badging throughout the car, while cranking power output from the stock 450 horsepower to an impressive 750 horsepower.All 100 of the limited-run Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Mustangs have been reserved at $49,995 on top of the price of the car.Shelby American is commemorating the 100th anniversary of its founder’s birth in the most Carroll Shelby way it can. That means a hot-rod version of the 2023 Mustang GT, supercharged to make 750 horsepower, barking exhaust fumes out of the Borla cat-back exhaust system. Fittingly, Shelby American is only planning to make 100 of the centennial edition. Unfortunately they’ve all sold out in the four days since a prototype was displayed in Gardena, California. The Shelby American team isn’t being too strict with this one. Want a fastback? Sure. Convertible? You got it. Manual transmission? Sign here. Automatic transmission? If you say so. What it won’t stand for is non-stock Mustang colors, the Mach 1, or the California Special. Basically, as long as the badging reads “GT” and the title says 2023, you’re in the clear. More on ShelbyShelby American is adamant that the upgrades are more than just a boost in horsepower figures. The front fenders are wider, the stock wheels replaced with 20 x 11 Shelby wheels, and the stock rubber swapped for 305/30/20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S performance tires, providing much more stick. The Shelby vented hood increases airflow, while the Shelby Performance Radiator handles cooling. The suspension is redone, adding performance anti-roll bars and springs, as well as adjustable camber and caster plates. Additionally, donor cars that show up without the Ford Performance Pack get Performance Pack brakes for the front axle.Shelby American Visually, Shelby American left no stone unturned. The Shelby name adorns each wheel, the upper grille, both doorsill plates, the floor mats, top of the hood, etc. Shelby’s hatted sillhouette can be found in equally as many places. Hood? Check. Headrests? Check. Rear badge? You betcha. If that’s not enough Shelby, the 100 customers who were quick enough to place an order also get a special black Stetson hat and a copy of the Shelby Centennial Book publised by Team Shelby. The package price started at $49,995, which doesn’t include the price of a donor car. A fitting way to honor the late legend. More