New Nissan 400Z Spied With Hood Up
In photos obtained by japanesenstalgiccar.com, the Nissan 400Z prototype is seen with its hood propped open, and there it is, a 400 horsepower, twin-IHI turbocharged, VR30DDTT V6 engine. First available in the Infiniti Q50 sedan, a year later in 2016 it was also in the Q60 coupe in 300 and 400 HP versions.
Can 2022 Nissan Frontier Once Again Be in the Mix?
Sixty-two years ago, Nissan, then known as Datsun, introduced the first compact pickup in the U.S. For 2o22, an all-new Frontier looks to reestablish its leadership in the mid-size ranks.
Buy/Drive/Burn: Affordable Subcompact Crossovers in 2021, Round Three
After we covered American and Japanese trios of $25,000 subcompact crossovers, round three means it’s time for the Korean offerings. But there are only two Korean brands in North America, so today we cover both of their entries and another from Japan.
2022 Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing: Hold That EV Order
Last week, GM announced plans to go 100 percent EV with its light-duty vehicle fleet in less than 15 years. Tonight, Cadillac took the wraps off two high-performance luxury sport sedans that probably won’t pass too many gas pumps.
Talk about whiplash.
Ford to Offer Chinese Version of Mustang Mach-E
Ford announced that a Chinese version of the Mustang Mach-E, also known by some of us cynical scribes as the Mustang Mock-E, will be built in China by Changan Ford.
Mini Has Minor Updates in Store for 2022
Sorry folks, that headline isn’t some coded reference to the return of a Morris Minor.
No, Mini has unveiled updates from 2022 that the brand calls “significant” but in actuality fall under what we cynical scribes would categorize as a minor refresh.
Adventures in Marketing: BMW Says "OK Boomer" to Its Own Flagship Vehicles
BMW published a four-minute and change ad a couple weeks ago for the start of the virtual CES 2021 show. Though this would not normally be a subject worth covering, this particular ad seems to indicate BMW believes their own E65 7-Series is for ridiculous out of touch Boomers.
Marketing departments always know what they’re doing, right?
Opinion: It's a Bleak Future for Mitsubishi Cars in North America
Mitsubishi has an important product debut coming up: the all-new 2022 Outlander three-row crossover. In what will be the fourth-generation Outlander since 2001, the 2022 model ditches Mitsubishi’s ancient GS platform the Outlander has used since 2007 and sees a migration over to the same platform as the Nissan Rogue.
I think this is the beginning of the end for Mitsubishi in North America.
Buy/Drive/Burn: Affordable American Subcompact Crossovers in 2021
They’re small and space efficient because they’re hatchbacks, and they sell well because they’re called crossovers. Which small American CUV is worth buying with real money if you’ve got a $25,000 budget?
Deliveries of Mach-E Stall
According to macheclub.com, the arrival of your Ford mock ‘Stang may be delayed, although no reason had been given until now, when the enthusiast site reached out to Ford for comment.
QOTD: Hybrid Versus Conventional Drivetrains
Which drivetrain would you prefer: The hybrid two-motor setup that Toyota has paired with their 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder that puts out 245 horsepower or Kia’s conventional V6 that produces 294 HP?
Kia Carnival Sails to the U.S. This Summer
The Kia Carnival will arrive on our shores sometime this summer as a 2022 model, according to a story this morning from Autoblog. As we posted back in June, Kia is positioning it as a grand utility vehicle (GUV), lest you think it’s merely another minivan.
2021 NACTOY Winners Announced, Ford Takes Two of Three
Every year before 2020, automotive journalists descended on Detroit for the North American International Auto Show at this time in January. Bleary-eyed scribes shook off their hangovers from Sunday’s pre-show parties and new-model unveilings and rolled into Cobo (now TCF) Center early on Monday morning to hear which vehicles won the North American Car and Truck Of the Year vote.
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee: L is for Large
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is full-sized luxo SUVing at its best, loaded with as many features as this class will allow, plus for the first time, three-row seating.
Ford Bronco Production Delay Update: May 3 is Target Date
Late last year we reported that thanks to the coronavirus and its impact on suppliers, Ford Bronco production would be delayed, saying “customers will receive a delivery window in May 2021. First customer deliveries will now begin in summer 2021 instead of spring 2021.”
Toyota Trademarks Grand Highlander Nameplate
According to a report by gr86.org, Grand Highlander is the name Toyota has filed a trademark application for in the U.S. and Canada.
Report: 2021 Jeep Wrangler 392 Rubicon Priced at Nearly $80K
We know the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 392 Rubicon and its 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque is on its way to market. Now we have an inkling on price.
In the Market for a New Russian SUV? You May Be In Luck
Russian SUV maker UAZ, and Bremach, Inc., an American automotive manufacturer in Southern California, are introducing the Bremach 2022 Taos 4X4 mid-sized SUV. It matters little that you’ve not heard of UAZ or Bremach, they are collaborating to bring the Russian SUV and other vehicles to the U.S.
Mustang Mach-E Launch Brings Forth New Ford Online Buying System
The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is finally here. We’ve even driven it.
Along with the arrival of the car comes a new online buying process, one that seems likely to spread across the Ford lineup – it should be set for use with the Bronco, as well.
It’s a process that could mostly eliminate the worst parts of dealing with the sales department at a new-car dealership.
The Auto Enthusiast's Realistic Christmas Wish List for the North American Auto Industry in 2020
French hot hatches. Affordable full-size wagons. Manual-shift rear-wheel-drive sports sedans under $30,000. Production versions of the Chevrolet Code 130R, Dodge Hornet, and Ford Start. The reincarnation of Isuzu’s VehiCROSS and Trooper. Standard-of-the-world Cadillac sedans and ordinary BMWs that drive as well as modern Cadillacs. A hiatus on coupe funerals.
My unrealistic auto writer’s Christmas wish list could go on forever. Much of it is based on nostalgia. Some of it simply isn’t cognizant of current market trends. A healthy portion of it simply denies the lack of performance-oriented interest among 2020’s car buyers. The remainder shows a lack of gratitude for the spectacular automotive era in which we live.
But what about realistic hopes of what could be gifted to the auto enthusiast community in the new decade?
This is my realistic Christmas wish list for 2020, not for me personally but rather for the North American auto industry as a whole.
2021 Mercedes-Benz Elevates S-Class Standards and Pricing
The all-new 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the flagship of the line, will arrive in US dealerships in the first half of 2021. Boosting greater comfort, safety, and the overall experience for driver and passengers, the S-Class embodies not only the brand’s flagship, but a 12.9 percent increase from the 2020 S 450 4Matic Sedan, to the 2021 S 500 4Matic Sedan’s starting price of $109,800.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E First Drive: Tesla Model Y Challenger
“Is the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E a proper Mustang?”
It’s a fair question, and one that I’m not sure I can answer. For many of you, a Mustang is a two-door, rear-drive car powered by a V8. If that’s the case, then this is NOT a Mustang. But if you are looking for a car that’s probably more fun than it needs to be, with decent storage and practicality, then the Mustang Mach-E might be something you want to look at. If you extend the Mustang definition to mean “a fun car,” then the Mach-E delivers.
South African Crash Test for Dummies
The Steed 5 pickup, Haval H1 five-door SUV, and the Renault Kwid five-door compact, all achieved poor levels of adult and child protection in crash tests conducted by Global NCAP and AA South Africa yesterday.
2021 Ford Bronco Delayed Until Summer 2021
The automotive world’s most anticipated product is now delayed again. No, not the All-New Ford EcoSport. In a communication to dealerships, Ford confirmed that the 2021 Ford Bronco would be delayed until Summer 2021. The rollout change was forced by COVID-19 challenges that some of Ford’s suppliers are facing. In a communication sent to dealers that a tipster provided to TTAC, Ford also provided an update on some Bronco options.
Opinion: Infiniti is Headed Nowhere Fast, and Needs an Entirely Different Approach
After teasing, promises, and COVID-related delays, the Infiniti QX55 debuted a few weeks ago, as Infiniti eagerly drew direct comparisons between their new “classy” successor and the departed FX35/45. You might remember that shapely SUV headed to its demise in 2017 after it was left to rot for a few years, then renamed QX70. Infiniti chose to ignore its final QX70 name in the press materials and call it FX instead, which says something about their branding strategy, doesn’t it?
Today I’m here to tell you this “new car” is a perfect example of exactly what’s wrong at Infiniti, and the changes needed years ago, not sometime in the future.
Speed On: 178 MPH Jaguar F-PACE SVR for 2021 Rolls Out
Zero to sixty in 3.8 seconds, or 0.3 seconds faster than the outgoing version, the 2021 Jaguar F-PACE SVR is also said to be 2 mph faster, with a top speed of 178 mph. The real question is where outside of Iredell County, North Carolina, scene of NASCAR racer Kyle Busch’s infamous 2011 speeding ticket (128 mph in a 45 mph zone), could you get anywhere near those limits?
Volkswagen Passat Receives Date of Execution; VW Shifts Production Power Away From Lame Sedan
It’s been five weeks since I opined VW should cancel the Arteon and the North American Passat, and replace both with the European Passat instead.
Late last week, Volkswagen complied with part of my request. They must read TTAC!
2021 Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus First Drive - Maturing Gracefully
In my mid-20s I had a boss who once said to me “We all gotta grow up sometime”.
I don’t remember the specifics of why he said that, other than he wasn’t chewing me out or anything like that. I think maybe we were talking generally about post-college life and the responsibilities of adulthood.
The specifics don’t matter. What does, at least for the purposes of this post, is that the Mazda 3 is learning that lesson. With Mazdaspeed more or less shelved and the manufacturer trying to move the 3 upscale, away from its spunky past, while not leaving the “zoom-zoom” reputation fully behind, the 3 is supposed to be all grown up yet still cool.
2022 Subaru BRZ Makes Evolutionary Changes, Gets a Power Bump
The new 2022 Subaru BRZ is here, and it’s …. not all that different.
Ford Unveils the 2022 E-Transit With 126 Miles of Range for $45,000
Ford’s $11.5 billion investment (through 2022) into electrification has birthed its first in a series of planned work vehicles. The E-Transit takes everything that was good about the gasoline-powered Transit van and makes a few sacrifices in the name of progress while also offering a handful of useful features made possible by its 67 kWh battery.
One of the biggest items being surrendered is range. Ford estimates the E-Transit to have an operating area of roughly 126 miles between charges, which isn’t great. However, the company claimed this would be sufficient for the kind of applications it envisioned customers would be using it for and noted that reduced range helped the vehicle come in just under $45,000. Longer-range versions are planned, as well as an all-wheel-drive variant, and Ford has added a few features to the E-Transit not available on the gasoline-driven unit.
2022 Honda Civic Will Debut on Twitch
I’ve long resisted being the kind of person who could have The Simpsons “old man yells at cloud” jpeg thrown at me. Figuratively speaking, of course, since you can’t really throw a jpeg.
My reaction to the announcement that the unveiling of the 2022 Honda Civic will take place on Twitch is dangerously close to putting me at risk of having that meme used against me. If I had a lawn, and you were on it, I might start to form the words “get off.”
Ford's Upcoming E-Transit is Kansas City Resident, Means $100M Plant Investment
As we reported a couple of weeks ago, Ford is set to debut its new E-Transit electric van tomorrow. An announcement was made yesterday regarding the Transit’s production location. And the new van brings along some cash, and jobs as well.
Detroit OEMs Apparently Not Involved in Joe Biden Acceptance Speech
Car Twitter was abuzz on Saturday, as eagle-eyed automotive journalists noticed a bunch of brand-new vehicles, mostly Jeeps, in the front row of the socially-distanced acceptance speech by Joe Biden that marked his being voted president-elect of the United States
2021 Land Rover Discovery - British Refreshment
I don’t much care for tea, unless I am sick.
Some folks find it refreshing, though. And tea time is a thing in Britain.
Speaking of British things, the 2021 Land Rover Discovery is refreshed.
Report: Land Rover Considering More Oomph for Defender
The rumor mill is always, always churning. Some stuff turns out to be true, some not, but some reports catch my eye more than others.
Dropping eight cylinders of fury into the two-door version of the Land Rover Defender 90 is something that gets me to perk up. Even if it’s an unconfirmed rumor as of now.
Subaru BRZ Launch Date Revealed
We’ve already reported that a new Subaru BRZ is on the way. Now we have a date for the unveil.
2022 Volkswagen Golf R - Hail the Halo Car
Volkswagen’s Golf R has always sat among the top of the hot-hatch class, along with the Subaru WRX STI and Honda Civic Type R.
And it’s re-done for 2022.
Buy/Drive/Burn: $65,000 European Luxury Sedans for 2020
In the last edition of Buy/Drive/Burn, we discussed three large European wagons with a $65,000 price point. The Buy vote was a toss-up between the E-Class and the A6 allroad.
Today we cover the sedan variants of the same three cars, at the exact same price point. Think you’ll choose differently?
Carvana Seeks Growth of Its Inventory, as Pandemic Causes Used Car Contraction
As other used car retail outfits like Shift go public in an attempt to grow their number of stores and break into the (lucrative?) used-only dealership market, established player Carvana has a different issue on its hands: There just aren’t enough used cars to buy these days.
Porsche Has Prolific Plans
A VIN decoder that has hit one of our parent company’s forums suggests that Porsche has prolific plans for 2021.
2021 Jaguar E-Pace Gets the Knife
The Jaguar E-Pace (which is not the electric one, that’s the I-Pace) gets a refresh for 2021.
Yeah, that’s right. It’s another mild refresh story!
2021 Dodge Challenger to Get More Wide-Booty Bodies
The next Dodge Challenger will have a bit more junk in the trunk, at least in terms of available wide-body options.
No Donut Doors for 2021 Ford Bronco, According to Report
You’ve seen those two-door 2021 Ford Broncos with doors that have a cutout in the middle. They’re called donut doors, because, well, they look like a donut, kind of. They look cool. Unfortunately, they won’t make production for safety reasons, according to a report.
Holiday Gift Idea: The 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600
Mercedes-Benz has been committed to building many of its vehicles in North America for some time, and has bestowed an important and ultra expensive new version of the GLS upon its plant in Alabama. At around $200,000, it will be the most expensive passenger vehicle produced in the United States. It’s an on-trend holiday gift for your spouse in The Current Year!
QOTD: What's Your Take on the Hummer?
It’s been Hummer week around these parts, as the GMC Hummer EV finally made its debut on Tuesday night. We’ve had a whole slew of stories up — but I wanted to get a sense of what you, the B and B, think of it.
One Mini Special Edition Points to Heritage, Another Aims for Value
No brand is immune from putting out special editions to honor its heritage, and so it is with Mini. The company is launching two – the 2021 Mini Cooper 1499 GT and 2021 Mini Countryman Oxford Edition.
The former is meant to be a homage to the classic Mini 1275 GT, while the latter does not, as far as we know, come with a tweed blazer with elbow patches.
GMC Has No Hummer EV Test Mules Yet
You likely know that lead times in the automotive industry are long when it comes to developing new or significantly redesigned models.
You also likely know that one of the reasons for the long lead times is that automakers spend a lot of time testing prototypes, putting untold numbers of miles on test mules on public roads, at dedicated proving grounds, and in harsh weather environments.
Yet, the newly introduced GMC Hummer EV is just beginning to undergo testing.
Hummer Edition 1 Already Gone
So, you liked that new GMC Hummer EV you saw last night, either on these pages or during the World Series. You want one, and you’ve got the scratch to plunk down over $110K and the patience to wait for the first builds a year from now.
Well, if you’re planning to reserve a Hummer EV Edition 1, if you snoozed, you lost.
Killer Instinct: The Toyota Camry's Positive Post-shutdown Pandemic Performance in a Segment That's Still Dying a Little Bit on the Inside
The Toyota Camry may well go down as one of the ultimate soldiers in the American automotive marketplace: shooting straight despite distractions, marching forward undeterred by the terrain, somehow finding small victories when the losses are mounting, always ready to carry new recruits on its shoulders.
Somehow, amidst all of the recent economic turmoil and political unrest, and healthcare crises, the Toyota Camry’s U.S. sales trendline is outperforming the market at large while also embarrassing its direct rivals.
In one sense, the Camry’s just doing what the Camry’s always done. Winning.
In another sense, the Camry’s doing the unexpected. It’s winning at a point in time when everyone else seems to be losing, at least to some degree, and it’s winning in a major way just as its specific category approaches an inflection point. Is the midsize sedan segment, broadly speaking, on its last legs? Or is a post-shutdown pandemic performance like the Camry’s indicative of a midsize-sedan segment that’s finally set to round the corner?
2022 GMC Hummer EV: This is It [UPDATED]
It’s been teased, it’s been leaked, and now it’s here.
The 2022 GMC Hummer EV is no longer cloaked under wraps.
Oops: Hummer Leaks Just Hours Before Reveal
Tonight’s a big night for baseball fans — it marks game one of the World Series. This particular WS is one many thought might not happen. GMC is taking advantage of the spotlight on the sport to take the wraps off of the new Hummer EV tonight.
Except an online ad has spilled the beans.
Whoops.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Production Resumes, Gold-Chain Set Relieved
Last week, we told you a parts shortage had halted production of the Chevrolet Corvette C8.
Report: Next Ford Raptor to Be SuperCrew Only
Ford’s Raptor is one tough truck, and it has new competition, thanks to the Ram TRX. Not only that, but the F-150 on which it’s based is new for 2021. So it figures, then, that a new Raptor is on the way.
And this one might be available only in a SuperCrew configuration. Maybe not for the entirety of the model run, but perhaps at least at first.
Volkswagen Throws Down in Bid to Buy Navistar, Create Heavy Truck Giant
When they’re not preparing to sell an ultra luxury super car brand or creating a new line of electric vehicles, they’re planning a big time merger for a larger piece of the heavy-duty truck market.
It’s only gonna cost them a few billion dollars.
Hide Your Kicks, Hide Your Wife: Nissan's Credit Branch in Hot Water Over Illegal Repossessions
Nissan’s credit arm landed in some big trouble this week. It turned out that there are literally some rules around repossessing a car from a consumer. Apparently Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. didn’t read those rules, and now they’ll have to pony up.
2021 Honda Accord Pricing: Under $25K to Start
Hi gang! My name is Tim Healey, I am the managing editor of this here site, and I done goofed. Or may have, anyway.
Eclipse Crossing - Here's the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Sorry, sports-car fans with nostalgia for a certain era – Mitsubishi still insists on using the Eclipse name on a crossover. One that’s now restyled.
A plug-in hybrid version will be offered overseas, but not here. The next Eclipse Cross will go on sale in the States in the first quarter of 2021, following launches in Australia and New Zealand.
Acura MDX Prototype: A Glimpse Into the Near Future
The fourth-generation Acura MDX is here. Sort of.
Acura hasn’t actually launched the next MDX, but it has taken the cover off a prototype that previews the upcoming re-done crossover. There is a lot new, as we teased before, but the looks remain relatively familiar.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Pricing Announced, Could Have Been Worse
Enthusiasts are up in arms about the departing Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 because they already know its Mach 1 replacement won’t be able to compete with it on a racetrack. This was by design, however. Ford wants something a little more street friendly and easier on people’s wallets. It can also save on production costs by utilizing components that helped make the GT350 an engineering marvel, without relying on its pricey V8 with the flat-plane crankshaft. The Mach 1 gets the same 5.0-liter V8 found inside GT models, tweaked to deliver 480 hp and 420 pound-feet of torque.
On the 73rd anniversary of Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier (aka Mach 1) in the Bell X-1 “Glamorous Glennis,” Ford decided to tell us how much the upcoming model will cost so it could begin taking orders. The automaker has settled on $52,915 (including destination), placing the Mach 1 a healthy $4,000 above the Bullitt Mustang and nearly ten grand below the outgoing GT350.
2022 Volkswagen Taos - VW Fills Another Crossover Niche
We already mentioned how Volkswagen is being added to the list of automakers using a tourist town in the Southwest to name a crossover and/or SUV. Now we have the full details on the 2022 Volkswagen Taos.
In addition to the Taos, there’s the Dodge Durango, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson, others I am almost certainly forgetting at the moment, and now, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos.
The Audi Albuquerque or Dodge Denver can’t be far behind.
Recent Comments