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The Drako Dragon is the second vehicle from the California-based startup after the GTE electric sedan that was revealed in 2019.The Dragon has four electric motors with a combined output of 2000 horsepower, and Drako claims a 200-mph top speed and a 9.0-second quarter-mile time.Behind the gullwing doors are a leather interior and a massive 17.1-inch touchscreen. The Dragon will cost $290,000 when it reaches customers in 2026. Drako Motors, a startup based in San Jose, California, first teased the Dragon SUV this summer, showing off its dramatic gullwing doors and announcing its wild 2000-horsepower output. The Dragon is Drako’s second vehicle after the Fisker Karma-based GTE electric sedan, and the electric super-SUV has now been revealed in full, showing off an athletic design and touting otherworldly performance figures.DrakoThe Dragon looks like an Extreme E racer blended with a Lotus Eletre because of its aggressive stance and sloping, coupe-like roofline. The trapezoidal grille shape incorporates both cooling vents and a front wing that boosts range and provides downforce, working in conjunction with flying buttresses that stretch from the roof to the rear haunches. The Dragon’s slim LED headlights and taillights are joined by “ultra-bright rally lights integrated into its roof.” The body panels are constructed from sustainable natural fiber composites, decreasing the use of plastics by 70 percent, and wrap around a carbon-fiber chassis.DrakoThe gullwing doors are eye-catching but also allow Drako to remove the B-pillar, easing ingress and egress from the rear seats. The cabin is dominated by a 17.1-inch touchscreen, with a smaller digital instrument cluster behind the flat-bottom steering wheel, which holds all of the Dragon’s physical buttons. The Dragon also uses cameras in lieu of mirrors, displaying the view on small screens integrated into the dashboard. Screens for the rear passengers are mounted in the leather and carbon-fiber front seats, while a panoramic glass roof sits overhead. DrakoLike the GTE, the Dragon uses four electric motors, one controlling each wheel. With 2000 hp and all-wheel drive, Drako claims the Dragon launches from zero to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, runs the quarter-mile in 9.0 seconds, and reaches a top speed of more than 200 mph. With a curb weight of 4969 pounds, 10-piston front calipers and six-piston rear calipers clamp onto carbon-ceramic brake rotors to slow the Dragon down. Drako also claims the Dragon has 50/50 weight distribution, and the SUV measures 199 inches long and 81 inches wide, a smidge shorter and wider than a Lamborghini Urus. The adaptive suspension allows the Dragon to sit as low as 6.4 inches off the ground but can raise to provide 12.4 inches of clearance in its “Overland” mode.More Super SUVsThe battery is apparently designed and built in-house, although Drako doesn’t specify how large the pack is. Still, it must be pretty big since Drako is claiming a 420-mile range, and with a maximum charging rate of 500 kW, Drako says the Dragon can charge to 80 percent in 10 minutes. The Dragon also uses a single operating system to control all of the vehicle’s functions, from the infotainment to the driver-assistance systems to the battery management and traction control system that permits tank turns like a Rivian R1T.Drako says the Dragon will be built in the United States, with plans to eventually build 5000 units each year. Deliveries are supposed to begin in 2026, with the Dragon starting at $290,000, and reservations are open 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.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

• Here’s a tiny, friendly-faced city hatchback with an outsize personality.• A masterpiece of packaging, the Twingo is roomy and comfortable, and the enormous canvas roof provides open-air motoring on demand.• This car represents a highlight of French motoring whimsy. It’s currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer.For a country so given to Gallic shrugs and black-and-white movies crammed with ennui, France really does know how to have fun on the road. English cars have a tweedy character, Italian exotics can be fierce, but the French do a sort of wheeled quirkiness that’s positively fizzing with zest. As they say, if it’s not from the Champagne region, it’s merely a sparkling hatchback.Related StoriesUp for auction this week on Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—is a cheery green example of the peak of mid-’90s French design. It’s a 1996 Twingo, Renault’s city-car replacement for the venerable Renault 4. Just look at this car’s cherubic amphibian face, brimming with delight and ready to go careening around the streets of Paris like a motorized pinball. Doesn’t it look fun?In a world where every new SUV grimaces like a murderous electric shaver, the Twingo is a throwback to a more lighthearted era of design. It wouldn’t be out of place in one of Hayao Miyazaki’s movies. In fact, Japan’s most beloved animator was and is partial to French motoring, having owned a series of Citroën 2CVs for decades.Bring a TrailerWhile the Twingo is a Renault rather than a Citroën, it can be argued that it’s the true everyman follow-up to France’s beloved tin snail. Conceived as a tiny van that maximized a stamp-sized parking footprint, the Twingo was full of clever design ideas, including flat-folding seats, a simple control layout, and wheels pushed to the absolute corners of the car. It embodies some of the best elements of the original Mini, the first-generation Honda Fit, and a host of other small but charming city cars.This one is a 1996 model with about 103,000 kilometers (64,000 miles) on the odometer. Power comes from a thrifty 1.2-liter engine that puts 75 horsepowe through a five-speed manual transmission to the front wheels. On paper, the Twingo posts some leisurely acceleration times. Display a little elbows-out French driving élan, and it’s an absolute rocket.Or at least it will feel like one from behind the wheel, what with that characteristic soft suspension and light steering. The Twingo is the sort of car that responds like an eager puppy when you pitch it into a corner, sawing at the wheel like Marcel Marceau miming steering a sinking pirate ship.Bring a TrailerFurther delight can be found in the large retractable canvas roof, which is a bit like the one you get in a 2CV. A fairly tasteful aftermarket three-spoke wheel has been fitted, though the original factory two-spoke is also included in the sale. We say keep the three-spoke and pretend to be a budget-restricted René Arnoux.Bring a TrailerThe only drawback to this Twingo is that it is not street-legal in every state. If you live in California, désolé, but the Twingo is not for you. The car is currently registered in Connecticut.Should this pocket-size French import be legal to park in your driveway, make all haste to bid. With seven days left, bidding stands at just $2911. Miss out, and you’ll end up crying into your ratatouille while an accordion plays a mournful dirge.This content is imported from OpenWeb. 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

Fiat announced today that its adorable 500 minicar will return to the North America market after a four-year absence.Unlike the previous-generation car, the 500 will be sold here only as the electric 500e.The new 500e is already on sale in Europe and comes with an estimated driving range of up to 199 miles on Europe’s very optimistic WLTP cycle.After Fiat discontinued of the 500 and 500L models in North America a few years back, we’ve been skeptical about the future of the brand. The 500X SUV is the only Fiat currently sold on our shores, but now a completely redesigned 500e electric hatchback is on the way to give Fiat a boost in the U.S. market.Based on the 500 city car that’s sold in Europe already, the 500e will go on sale here as a 2024 model, but Fiat has so far been tight-lipped on details about U.S. specs for its electric powertrain and battery pack. We suspect it will port over exactly as it is sold in Europe, with the larger of the two available battery packs, a 37.3-kWh unit, and an electric motor driving the front wheels that can provide up to 117 horsepower. More on the Original 500eWith this larger battery, the 500e carries a range estimate of 199 miles on the European WLTP cycle. But unless Fiat somehow squeezes a larger battery pack into the U.S. variant, we expect to see a significantly lower EPA range estimate, likely around 160 miles per charge.The 500e appears to be coming to the U.S. in both hardtop hatchback and softtop convertible body styles, although there’s no word yet on if the European version’s 3+1 door configuration will make the leap. With help from Italian fashion houses Armani and Bulgari as well as contemporary furniture design firm Kartell, Fiat has shown three one-off concept cars at the 2022 Los Angeles auto show that highlight the car’s fashionable styling. FiatFiatThe Armani 500e, for example, features a special exterior paint treatment with a laser-etched chevron pattern meant to make it look like fabric. The Kartell version uses sustainable plastics to dress up the car’s interior, and the Bulgari model sports an upscale appearance inside and out with colorful embroidered upholstery and a matching mural on the dashboard. That version also features a removable brooch with inset amethyst, topaz, and citrine gemstones mounted at the center of the steering wheel. We don’t expect such an option to make it to production, sadly.Those in the know will remember that 500e version of the previous-gen car was sold here back through 2019 model year, although its availability was limited to California and Oregon. That model was a big money loser for the brand, with former Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne famously telling Reuters in 2014 that he hoped not too many people would buy it because his company lost about $14,000 on each one.FiatFiatThis time around, the 500e is poised to present a better business case. For starters, it’ll likely be offered in for sale in more states, and we expect it will carry a higher starting price than the 2019 version, which retailed for around $34,000. The 500e will be among the first EVs to reach the U.S. from Fiat’s parent company, Stellantis. While rivals such as General Motors, Ford, and Volkswagen have rapidly launched EV models, Stellantis has lagged. The company has shown flashy concepts such as the Chrysler Airflow and the Dodge Charger Daytona, but those cars are still in the concept stage. Since the 500e is already on sale in other parts of the world, it may beat those vehicles to production.Fiat says the production version of the 500e will debut next year at the 2023 Los Angeles auto show, and by then we’ll likely know more about the car’s powertrain, battery, and driving range. 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.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 pulled the wraps off its most unique 911 model at the 2022 Los Angeles auto show.The 2023 911 Dakar is a lifted, off-road-capable variant of its famed 911 sports car, complete with a roof rack, all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, and more rally-ready mods.Behind the rear axle is a 473-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six engine borrowed from the 911 Carrera GTS and the 911 Dakar is offered only with Porsche’s eight-speed PDK automatic transmission.Porsche’s 911 sports car is an icon in its own right and one of the many things we like about it is its broad range of available models, from basic Carrera coupes all the way up to the fire-breathing GT3 RS. One thing the 911 lineup hasn’t had is perhaps something we never thought to ask for: an off-roader. That changes for 2023 with the introduction of this, the 911 Dakar, which is named for the Paris-Dakar rally race that began in 1978.Although we caught a glimpse of it already via teaser images of it completing its testing at all corners of the earth, the 911 Dakar has now been shown in production form and we know all about its all-terrain modifications. The 911 Dakar is essentially a Carrera 4 GTS coupe modified for rally duty, and as such is equipped with a 473-hp twin-turbo flat-six and all-wheel drive. Rally ModsThe suspension has been raised by 50 millimeters and features a standard lift system that can give it 30 millimeters more ground clearance when needed. Unlike off-road systems that allow for a higher level of adjustability for low-speed maneuvering, Porsche has set up the lift system to allow the 911 Dakar to ride at its maximum height at speeds up to 105 mph. Set the car to its new Off-Road driving mode, and it automatically raises itself to this height.Lifted Porsches Old and NewLike other 911 models, the Dakar rides on a staggered wheel setup with 19-inch rollers in the front and 20 inchers in the back. What makes the Dakar unique is that wrapped around those aluminum wheels are Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus tires that have been specially developed to be more resistant to puncture thanks to a dual-carcass construction method.Ok, so the paint might get scuffed surely, but the 911 Dakar is made for high-speed off-road endeavors. Porsche has added under-body protection to give the 911 Dakar the ability to blast down rutted roads and scale grassy knolls without terrorizing the car’s low-hanging mechanicals. Stainless steel skid plates and side protectors have been added and the car’s front overhang has been slightly shortened to provide a better approach angle. Still a 911Despite all the modifications, Porsche says the 911 Dakar is only 16 pounds heavier than a 911 Carrera 4 GTS with an automatic transmission. Weight-saving measures have been taken to keep the car’s mass in check, for example, the rear seats have been removed and lightweight window glass has been used.The 911 Dakar’s engineers raided the 911 parts bin, installing the GT3’s carbon-fiber hood, the Carrera S brakes, and the cooling system from the Turbo S. Porsche says the 911 Dakar can hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds—an estimate we think is a little conservative given that a rear-wheel drive 911 Carrera GTS with the PDK dashed to 60 in just 2.8 seconds during our testing. The interior is spacious for two adults and nicely put together just like a normal 911. A pair of aggressively-bolstered sport seats are standard, buyers can opt for more comfortable standard 911 seats if they wish. An exterior livery package that pays tribute to the 1984 Paris-Dakar winning 911 is optional too and it looks rad with its Fuchs-style white wheels, racing stripes, and racing number decal.Additionally, the 911 Dakar can be ordered with a cool roof-mounted cargo basket that features floodlights integrated into the leading edge. If you want to camp atop the 911 Dakar, Porsche says their rooftop tent will also fit.The 911 Dakar’s starting price is a lofty $223,450, but we expect that won’t deter moneyed Porsche buyers, especially when the car is this unique. But if all this performance and rally-bred engineering appeals to you, call your Porsche dealer immediately. Only 2500 will be made, and Porsche is cagey about whether a second run of limited-edition Dakar models will be made available in future model years. 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.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

Toyota has revealed the bZ Compact SUV concept at the 2022 Los Angeles auto show, previewing a future electric crossover.The bZ Compact SUV has crisp, modern styling and is six inches shorter but 1.1 inches wider than the bZ4X electric crossover Toyota currently sells.No powertrain details were revealed, but the interior includes sustainable materials and a virtual voice-command assistant named “Yui.”While Toyota remains committed to hybrids—and has just revealed a new generation of the iconic Prius—the Japanese automaker is also dipping its toes into the emerging EV market, launching its first dedicated electric vehicle, the bZ4X, for 2023. Now Toyota has revealed a new concept at the Los Angeles auto show, which it is simply referring to as the bZ Compact SUV. This one previews a smaller electric crossover that should join Toyota’s lineup in the coming years. The concept appears to be a more finished version of the rendering shown late last year when Toyota released a slew of electric concepts.The bZ Compact SUV features sharp styling cues and a more athletic stance than the larger bZ4X electric crossover currently on sale. At 178.6 inches long, the concept is six inches shorter than the bZ4X, and the 108-inch wheelbase is four inches shy of the bZ4X’s. While the bZ Compact SUV stands 3.6 inches less tall than the bZ4X, it stretches 1.1 inches wider. With the wheels pushed out to the corners of the vehicle and crisp creases across the bodywork, the concept has a purposeful stance.The interior is simplistic and straightforward, with a yoke steering wheel and two rectangular screens that curve upward from the dashboard. The seats are built from plant-based and recycled materials, and ambient lighting adds a bit of pizazz to the grayscale cabin. The bZ Compact SUV also features a virtual assistant named “Yui” that responds to verbal commands. More Toyota NewsToyota isn’t providing any details on the bZ Compact SUV’s powertrain, other than confirming that it’s fully electric and claiming that it will bring “fun to drive, exhilarating performance.” Toyota says that it has plans to introduce around 30 dedicated electric vehicles globally, with five of those wearing the bZ (which stands for “Beyond Zero”) branding. The bZ Compact SUV concept is likely to be one of the five, and we expect it to arrive in the next couple of years bearing the name bZ3X. 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.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