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Hacks, a TV show on HBO Max, features several electric cars.The only problem is, we can hear these EVs making gasoline-engine sounds in several scenes.The Chevy Bolt EV, Audi e-tron, and first-generation Nissan Leaf each appear in various episodes.Electric cars are becoming more and more of a thing each day, and the new HBO Max show Hacks is full of them. The Chevy Bolt, Audi e-tron, and first-generation Nissan Leaf each make appearances in multiple episodes. But it seems that the show’s sound mixers are unaware that EVs don’t make the same sounds as gasoline cars.

The biggest misstep comes in episode seven, when the character Ava, played by Hannah Einbinder, chauffeurs DJ (Kaitlin Olson) and her fiancé to a drive-through wedding chapel in her gray Chevy Bolt EV. At one point, Ava accidentally puts her foot on the gas in park and a loud engine roar briefly interrupts the proceedings. But in reality, tapping the accelerator in a Bolt would do nothing of the sort, as there’s no gasoline engine under the hood, and its quiet electric motor wouldn’t be capable of producing such an interruption, especially not while parked.

HBO Max

A similar problem arises again in episode eight, when the character Marcus, played by Carl Clemons-Hopkins, goes to the valet to fetch his Audi e-tron. Again, we hear the distinct soundtrack of a gasoline engine as the electric SUV drives up. Many EVs, including the e-tron, play a distinctive sound at lower speeds to alert pedestrians of their presence, but it sounds more like a spaceship than an internal-combustion engine.And while we’re on the subject, we can also point out another scene in episode eight involving a gasoline car—an Infiniti QX50. When Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, starts to drive recklessly in a parking lot, we hear a roar that sounds distinctly like a V-8, when in fact the Infiniti is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder that doesn’t make nearly the same burble.While there’s much to enjoy in this dark comedy series about a well-established comedian with a residency in Las Vegas (Smart) who begrudgingly hires a young writer (Einbender) to help out, these kinds of errors take car enthusiasts like us out of the fantasy. Perhaps we can help serve as car consultants on Season 2? In the meantime, you can catch all 10 episodes of the first season of Hacks streaming on HBO Max.
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Tesla has increased the price of the new Model S Plaid ahead of deliveries that start tonight, which it will livestream here.The price was increased after Tesla canceled the more powerful Model S Plaid+, and now the Plaid costs $131,190. The Model S Plaid uses a tri-motor setup to produce 1020 horsepower, and Tesla claims it’ll reach 60 mph in 2.0 seconds. Tesla will livestream a delivery event for its anticipated Model S Plaid tonight at 10 p.m. ET at its plant in Fremont, California. Ahead of the event this week, CEO Elon Musk tweeted that it canceled the Model S Plaid+ variant, and now the Plaid’s price has increased to $131,190. The increase won’t affect those who have already placed orders, a customer service representative on Tesla’s website told us.
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Musk commented on Twitter that there was no need for the even higher-performance Plaid+ model because the Plaid is sufficient. The $10,000 price increase could be because there is now only one model (the Plaid+ was priced at $151,190), or due to the semiconductor shortage, which Musk says has been affecting Tesla. Its prices have been steadily increasing recently. The Model S Long Range currently costs $88,190, nearly $18,000 more than the 2020–2021 Long Range Plus.Tesla is claiming that the Model S Plaid will reach 60 mph in 2.0 seconds and run through the quarter-mile in 9.2 seconds at 155 mph. Jay Leno recently said on Spike’s Car Radio that, in the Plaid, he posted a 9.247-second quarter mile at 152 mph, and the drag slip was posted on Twitter. Those times would make the Plaid by far the quickest car we’ve ever tested, and we’ll find out for sure when we do. It’s also said to have a 200-mph top speed, but only with a special wheel-and-tire setup that won’t be available until the fall.

Tesla Model S Plaid platform.
Tesla

The Plaid model has three electric motors producing 1020 horsepower, Tesla says. The Plaid+ previously boasted 1100 horsepower. Tesla estimates that the Plaid will achieve EPA range figures of 350 or 390 miles on a single charge, depending on which wheel-and-tire combination the car is wearing. Previously, Tesla said that the now canceled Model S Plaid + would have a 520-plus-mile range. Tesla recently gave the Model S a redesign, including a refreshed interior with a yoke-style steering wheel, and the Plaid models don’t look significantly different. They are available with a set of 19- or 21-inch wheels.We’ll see more of the highest-performance Tesla soon and will run it through our instrumented testing when we get our hands on one.
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The production version of the new Nissan Z, likely called the 400Z, will debut on August 17, 2021.It’ll be powered by a twin-turbo V-6 engine, and we’ll know all the performance specs at the reveal. It should make around 400 horsepower.The 2022 400Z is expected to arrive by the end of the year starting at around $40,000. Nissan revealed the Z Proto (pictured) last fall as a production-intent prototype. That car was meant to give us an idea of what’ll be sold in the States, likely as the 400Z. Nearly a year after it showed the prototype car, Nissan will finally reveal the production version of the new Z on August 17, 2021 on its YouTube channel.

Nissan Z Proto
Nissan

Images of what appear to be the production car have already leaked, and they showed that it won’t be far off from the Z Proto we saw last fall. The cars, finished in dark gray and silver, had chrome trim integrated into the grille, slightly larger headlights, different wheels, and a rear decklid spoiler. The Z badge on the C-pillar will also make it to production.

The new Z will use a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine, and although Nissan hasn’t said anything about its output, we expect it to offer around 400 horsepower. It’s a modified version of the engine found in the Infiniti Q50 and Q60. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but there’s also an optional automatic gearbox.We’ll know the full details in a few months, including all the performance specs, which should create a compelling matchup against the 382-hp Toyota Supra. The 2022 Nissan 400Z should be on sale by the end of the year starting at around $40,000.
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Airstream is launching the Interstate 24X camper van aimed at adventure-seeking nomads.Built atop a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis cab, the Interstate 24X features standard four-wheel drive and an air suspension to make getting to off-grid camping sites easier.A host of luxury features are offered, including 5G connectivity, solar panels, and an onboard generator, which is good because this go-anywhere beast starts at $213,850.There are endless YouTube videos and Instagram posts that detail all the best ways to custom-build a camper out of a new or used commercial van, and those talented influencers are great at making it look easy. But unless you’re handy and have a host of specialized tools on hand, buying a premade rig to live your best #VanLife may be a better way to go, and Airstream’s new Interstate 24X camper van is tailored for people who want a turnkey vehicle ready for their next adventure.
Built on a four-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, the Interstate 24X comes with all-terrain tires, a height-adjustable air suspension, and enough off-grid equipment to let users venture way off the beaten path while still delivering modern conveniences. Both an onboard generator and a host of solar panels ensure electrical service for the van’s lighting, kitchen, and entertainment systems. The 13,500 BTU air conditioner provides enough cooling to turn the Interstate 24X into a welcome oasis when camping in warm weather; a furnace and water heater are also standard.

Reconfigurable is the name of the game with the Interstate 24X’s interior layout, with a number of different bed configuration choices and a modular table system that allows users to move the van’s dining table to one of four different places, including one that turns it into a standing desk for remote workers. The two front seats swivel around and can be configured with the table so it can be used as a seated desk. Speaking of remote workers, Airstream has provided pre-wiring for the company’s Airstream Connected system, which includes a 5G cellular antenna.The interior is lined with Airstream’s signature silver trim, and there are clever storage solutions such as a reconfigurable system that lets campers rearrange tie-downs to store their gear. An overhead storage shelf features heavy-duty netting to keep things in place when the van is moving.
A small bathroom is located behind the driver’s seat and across the aisle from the van’s sliding side door and the galley. The galley features a sink, a two-burner stovetop, a small microwave, and enough counter space to prep a meal, but if you’re really camping shouldn’t you be grilling outdoors anyway?The Interstate 24X is available to order now with deliveries starting in just a few weeks, right on schedule for people seeking a new summer home on wheels. The 5000-pound towing capacity should be more than enough for a trailer full of ATVs, a pair of Jet Skis, or even one of Airstream’s rugged Basecamp travel trailers in case you need more room for additional campers. Be prepared to shell out some dough, though, as the van carries a starting price of $213,850. For only about $30,000 more, buyers can put themselves into the more upscale Atlas motor coach but that model lacks the off-road capability of the Interstate 24X.
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Audi has shared a glimpse of the next RS3 sedan, which will arrive for 2022.The numbers on the side refer to the firing order of its turbo five-cylinder engine.We expect the new RS3 to produce even more than its predecessor, which made 394 hp and 354 pound-feet of torque.The next Audi RS3 will continue on with its party piece: Audi’s unconventional—and delightful—turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. This confirmation comes courtesy of a new photo showing a camouflaged version of the new model with a 1-2-4-5-3 graphic on the side that refers to the five-cylinder’s firing order.

We assume that the new turbo-five will be upgraded compared with the outgoing RS3, which offers up 394 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. That got an RS3 to 60 mph in a scant 3.4 seconds in our testing, so the new model could be even quicker. It will likely use a dual-clutch automatic transmission and should come standard with Quattro all-wheel drive.The photo also hints at the RS3’s visual upgrades compared with the standard A3, which was recently redesigned. It has a subtle body kit, a rear diffuser, a lip spoiler on the trunklid, and larger wheels and tires. The U.S. market will get the RS3 only in sedan form, although there will be a hatchback model offered globally.Look out for more official information about the RS3 to come soon. The standard 2022 A3 is expected to arrive in the U.S. later this year, and the RS model should follow a few months after that.
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The new 2022 Honda Civic hatchback will debut June 23.Unlike the recently revealed sedan, the hatch will offer a six-speed manual transmission.Honda is also moving hatchback production from the U.K. to its plant in Indiana.Honda is nearly ready to show us the hatchback version of the new 2022 Civic. Along with a teaser image of the new body style that debuts June 23, Honda also confirmed some great news: the hatch will continue to offer a six-speed manual like its predecessor.

We expect the hatch to come standard with the 180-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four that’s optional on the 2022 Civic sedan, as that model’s base 2.0-liter inline-four likely won’t be offered here. LX, Sport, and EX trim levels are sure to be part of the lineup. Along with the manual transmission, a continuously variable automatic will be available.You can’t see much in this dark, blurry image, but we know that the new hatchback will adopt the same design as the clean and attractive sedan. The key differences will be seen aft of the B-pillar, as the hatchback will have a different greenhouse and more cargo space in back.Once the hatchback is revealed, we’ll still be waiting to see the new Civic’s performance variants, the Si and Type R. We’re thinking that the new Type R will once again come only as a hatchback, while the Si will surely come standard as a sedan—although a hatchback Si would be an interesting addition.Look for more information to come about the 2022 Civic hatchback, which will make its live-stream debut on Honda’s YouTube channel on June 23 at 6 p.m. Eastern time.
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