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Hyundai has revealed the Grandeur, a new sedan for Korea and other global markets.This is the evolution of Hyundai’s large sedan that was previously sold in the U.S. as the Azera.Its stunning design and posh interior look appropriate for for a Genesis luxury model.Hyundai doesn’t think that flagships should be exclusive to luxury brands, as that’s what the company is calling its seventh-generation Grandeur large sedan—and this newly redesigned model appears to have the presence to live up to the title. The Grandeur has been around in Korea for decades, but only two generations were sold in the U.S., where it was called the Azera and sold from 2006 until 2017. We don’t think it will be making its return to our market anytime soon, but the new model’s design makes us wish it was coming here.Few mechanical details are available at this point, but we assume that the Grandeur continues to use a transverse-engine, front-wheel-drive platform, surprising considering its dash-to-axle ratio and elegant proportions that look distinctly rear-wheel drive and premium. The slim, full-width headlight and taillight LED bars are reminiscent of other Hyundai models such as the Staria van and look modern and high-tech. The most interesting design element is the B-pillar treatment that incorporates a rear quarter window in a nod to the original 1980s Grandeur, which Hyundai recently celebrated with a restomod EV treatment. The interior looks to have a distinctly lounge-like feel, with cushy-looking seats and a minimally intrusive, flat dashboard that creates an airy cabin atmosphere.We’d guess that the new Grandeur will share its powertrains with the related Kia K8 large sedan, which offers a 296-hp 3.5-liter V-6 along with smaller 2.5-liter and turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four engines. All-wheel drive will likely be available.The Grandeur is not likely to come to the U.S., as the large sedan segment has all but died out here. But if Hyundai wants a competitor to the new Toyota Crown, a new Grandeur/Azera would surely find at least a few interested customers—as long as it doesn’t encroach too much on Genesis’ territory.More Large SedansThis 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 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

The 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T is intended to be an affordable, performance-minded model focused on driver engagement. The 911 T only comes as a rear-drive coupe with a back-seat delete, standard manual gearbox, and features not offered on the base Carrera. The 2023 Carrera T starts at $118,050, and opting for the PDK dual-clutch automatic or having the rear seat re-installed doesn’t cost extra.Just because someone’s rich enough to afford a Porsche 911 doesn’t automatically mean they have enough money in the bank to buy a nearly quarter-million-dollar track special like the GT3 RS. Of course, the folks who’d want such a wild, winged thing in the first place are likely the same driving enthusiasts who will get in line for the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T, which returns for the 992 generation as the most cost-effective way (relatively speaking) to get a performance-focused 911.The Price Is Righ(T)Starting at $118,050, the new 911 T’s price is right between the base ’23 Carrera ($107,550) and Carrera S ($124,450). Both of those prices are for the coupe because that’s the only body style the T is offered with; there’s no all-wheel-drive option, either. The Carrera T is rear-drive only, and its back seats are removed along with some sound insulation to reduce mass. Don’t worry, though, if you do want the 911’s mostly pointless rear jump seats, Porsche will re-install them free of charge.Remembering the Previous 911 TThe Carrera T’s other weight-saving traits include thinner glass, a smaller battery, and a standard seven-speed manual transmission, all of which Porsche says contribute to the T being 100 pounds lighter than the regular Carrera that’s only offered with the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic (PDK). As with the rear-seat delete, the PDK can be had at no extra cost. Better Parts Than the Base Car Either gearbox pairs with the same twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six that’s mounted in the rear of the regular Carrera. Both make 379 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. Porsche estimates the 911 T will go from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds (manual) or 3.8 seconds (automatic) on their way to a claimed top speed of 181 mph. We think both acceleration times are conservative, especially since we’ve seen a 2020 911 Carrera with the PDK hit 60 in just 3.2 ticks.Compared with the regular Carrera, the T has performance hardware that’s not even offered on the base coupe. For instance, every 911 T has a mechanical limited-slip differential with Porsche’s torque-vectoring system. It also comes standard with the brand’s active suspension (a.k.a. PASM) with specially tuned dampers. Another feature that’s not available on the Carrera but is optional on the T is rear-axle steering. A set of grey 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels are also inherited from the Carrera S, with the fronts wearing 245-section-width tires and the backs wearing wide 305s.Peer Inside the Purist’s 911The 911 T’s interior isn’t anything to write home about. In base form, its cabin is trimmed with a mix of dark grey, matte black, and glossy black accents (yawn). Its standard front seats only offer four basic adjustments. Thankfully, these buckets can be upgraded to add 18-way adjustments. If those are too luxurious for a car that’s committed to lightness, Porsche offers a set of carbon-fiber seats that can’t be had if you want back seats because of what we just talked about.For those who do want a fancier interior for their Carrera T, there are options to do so. They include a package that adds stitched upholstery, 911 logos on the headrests, and seat belts in Slate Gray or spicy Lizard Green; either of those colors can be applied to stripes on the seat inserts, too. There’s also an option to get grey or green logos and stitching on the floor mats as well as a leather wrap on the dash, doors, and center console. Porsche hasn’t said how much any of these extras cost, however. One other notable thing about the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T is that it’s the first one that can be customized with the company’s cool Paint to Sample program, which includes another 110 paint options. The coupe is slated to start hitting dealer showrooms in the U.S. in the spring of next year.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 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

The 2023 Toyota Corolla has a revised hybrid powertrain that now makes 134 hp (up 13) and 156 pound-feet of torque (up 51).The hybrid Corolla’s newfound power hurts its fuel economy, with combined EPA ratings that are between 5 and 7 mpg lower.While the hybrid now starts at $1250 cheaper than before, the rest of the 2023 Corolla lineup’s base prices rise by as much as $2315.It appears the 2023 Toyota Corolla hybrid has been hitting the gym. Its fuel-efficient hybrid drivetrain that uses an Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine has been revised to pump out a combined 134 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque. Those figures are still relatively puny, but they represent an extra 13 horses and a whopping 51 pound-feet more than 2022 hybrid models. Unfortunately for hypermilers, the penalty for the hybrid Coralla’s newfound power might be felt at the fuel pump.Required Corolla ReadingToyota earlier this year announced a bunch of updates to the 2023 Corolla family, including subtle visual tweaks and the debut of an optional all-wheel-drive system on hybrid models. However, the company has now revealed the hybrid Corolla’s EPA-rated fuel-economy estimates along with its official engine output, which is the same for front- and all-wheel-drive variants. What’s not the same are their mpg ratings. Let’s discuss.Powered Up but Hit at the PumpPreviously, the front-drive-only Corolla hybrid earned 53 mpg in the city and 52 mpg on the highway, netting an impressive combined EPA rating of 52 mpg. For 2023, the front-drive model now sees its combined EPA rating drop by 5 mpg to 47 mpg; its city and highway estimates also drop to 50 and 43, respectively. The new all-wheel-drive hybrid has even lower fuel-economy figures of 47 mpg city, 41 highway, and 44 combined. This means that the hybrid Corolla is expected to get between 5–7 mpg less in combined driving, per the EPA.While it’s a pity that the ’23 Corolla hybrid apparently isn’t as good at being a hybrid, at least it’s quicker, relatively speaking. We tested a hybrid 2023 Corolla SE with all-wheel drive that hit 60 mph in 9.0 seconds. That’s still slow, but it’s a notable 1.7 seconds ahead of a front-drive 2020 Corolla LE hybrid that took a comparatively glacial 10.7 ticks to get to 60. The all-wheel-drive hybrid also returned 40 mpg on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, just 1 mpg shy of its EPA estimate. Then again, the ’20 LE hybrid we put through the same test beat its highway rating by 4 with a result of 56 mpg highway.A Hybrid Discount But Mostly Higher PricesAlong with lower EPA ratings, the hybrid (offered only as a sedan) has a lower starting price for 2023. Toyota discounts the entry-level LE model by $1250, putting its base price at $23,895. That’s also $1250 less than the opening price of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra hybrid. The newly introduced Corolla SE hybrid starts at $26,295, and the XLE hybrid at $27,695. All-wheel drive is also available on the LE and SE models for another $1400. The other news for the hybrid variant is the debut of a special appearance package called the Infrared Edition. It adds dark-colored 18-inch wheels and racy red accents inside and out.New hybrid Corolla SE Infrared Edition.ToyotaWe also now have pricing details on the rest of the nonhybrid 2023 Corolla lineup, which loses the base L sedan and drops the previous 1.8-liter base engine. The more powerful 169-hp 2.0-liter inline-four is now standard across the board. As a result, the least expensive Corolla becomes the LE sedan that starts at $22,645—an $1125 increase over the L. The SE sedan now starts at $25,045 (up $1075); the hatchback version is up $1800 to $24,060. The XSE sedan now starts at $27,795 (up $375); the hatchback version is up $2315 to $27,525. The latter price gap is especially large since Toyota no longer offers a six-speed manual transmission on any Corolla. Well, except for the crazy Gazoo Racing version.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 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