Enlarge / How did one of the rarest 911s end up becoming a Transformer? (credit: Stef Schrader)

"I didn't know what car Mirage was going to be at first," said Steven Caple Jr., director of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. "Where I'm from, in Cleveland, Ohio, I'd never even been in a Porsche before," he continued. "My actual first introduction to Porsche was Bad Boys I, so shout out to Michael Bay—that's all I really had."

Caple admitted in a panel during Austin's South by Southwest festival that the star car of the beloved action film Bad Boys inspired him to make Mirage a classic Porsche in the upcoming film. Mirage is a bit of a rebel himself, and the callback to the classic buddy-cop movie just felt right.

Fortunately, extraterrestrial Autobots won't be tempted to pull over in any sketchy places to debate the merits of in-car snacking, but this does mean they have bigger nemeses that necessitate transforming into giant robots to handle. It can be more complicated than you'd expect to make a cool Porsche into an Autobot film star, though—in fact, Porsche has a whole team that helps Hollywood studios get just the right car on the silver screen. Here's how it all comes together.

Enlarge / North America was denied the extra-special GR Yaris, but Toyota has remedied that with a GR Corolla, which starts at a rather reasonable $36,995. (credit: Bradley Iger)

After decades of being the brand known for sensible, inoffensive motoring—as spearheaded by models like the Camry and Prius—Toyota has been going through a bit of a reinvention as of late. The brand's roots in motorsport date back to the early 1970s with their rally efforts, and recently the company has been keen to recapture some of that racing spirit.

The first evidence came by way of its joint partnership with Subaru to develop the Scion FR-S (later known as the Toyota 86, and now, in its second generation, the GR86) as well as its more recent collaboration with BMW to produce the Supra and its Bavarian counterpart, the Z4. Now, after building the sensational GR Yaris the gearheads at Toyota's performance-focused Gazoo Racing division have turned their attention to the Corolla, and the result is something that's a far cry from the staid machine that we've come to associate with the name.

The slightly larger Corolla is much better suited to our roads than the Yaris would be. (credit: Bradley Iger)

Lowered, widened, boosted, and packing a sophisticated all-wheel drive system to go along with a raft of other performance features, the GR Corolla is a nod to Toyota's glory days in the World Rally Championship, and it takes square aim at hot hatches like the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R. To celebrate its introduction, Toyota also introduced two special-edition models: The Circuit Edition—which includes performance hardware that's optional on the Core base model as well as a forged carbon roof, heat extractors on the hood, and some aesthetic upgrades—and this, the Morizo Edition.

Enlarge / United has chosen its hometown of Chicago for the country's first commercial eVTOL route. (credit: Archer Aviation)

In 2025, United Airlines will fly an air taxi service between the downtown Vertiport Chicago and O'Hare International Airport, using electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft it is purchasing from Archer Aviation. The Archer Midnight eVTOL aircraft will complete the route in about 10 minutes; according to local resident and Ars Managing Editor Eric Bangeman, that journey by car can take over an hour due to road construction.

"Both Archer and United are committed to decarbonizing air travel and leveraging innovative technologies to deliver on the promise of the electrification of the aviation industry," said Michael Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures. "Once operational, we're excited to offer our customers a more sustainable, convenient, and cost-effective mode of transportation during their commutes to the airport."

United placed an order for 200 eVTOL aircraft from Archer back in 2021 at a cost of $1 billion. The startup has also raised money from the automaker Stellantis, which has been helping the company with making carbon fiber composites.

Enlarge / In-car subscription services are being pushed on a hesitant customer base, according to a new survey. (credit: Getty Images)

The last decade or so has seen the creeping techification of the auto industry. Executives will tell you the trend is being driven by consumers, starry-eyed at their smartphones and tablets, although the 2018 backup camera law is the main reason there's a display in every new car.

But automakers have been trying to adopt more than just shiny gadgets and iterating software releases. They also want some of that lucrative "recurring revenue" that so pleases tech investors but makes the rest of us feel nickeled and dimed. Now we have some concrete data on just how much car buyers are asking for this stuff, courtesy of a new survey from AutoPacific. The answer is "very little."

AutoPacific asked people looking to buy a new vehicle about their interest in 11 different in-car connected features, starting with a data plan for the car for a hypothetical price of $15/month.

Enlarge / Ford is tripling the production rate of the F-150 Lightning EV this year. (credit: Ford)

There's no doubt that Ford is embracing electrification. It was first to market with an electric pickup truck for the US market, and a darn good one at that. It has a solid midsize electric crossover that's becoming more and more common on the road, even if it does still upset the occasional Mustangophile. And there's an electric Transit van for the trades. But its electric vehicle division will lose $3 billion this year as it continues to build new factories and buy raw materials.

The news came in a peek into Ford's financials released this morning. As we reported last year, Ford has split its passenger vehicle operations into two divisions. Electric vehicles fall under Ford Model e, with internal combustion engine-powered Fords (including hybrids and plug-in hybrids) falling under Ford Blue. The move was in large part to placate investors and analysts, no doubt starry-eyed during a time when any EV-related stock was booming.

"We've essentially 'refounded' Ford, with business segments that provide new degrees of strategic clarity, insight, and accountability to the Ford+ plan for growth and value," said Ford CFO John Lawler. "It's not only about changing how we report financial results; we're transforming how we think, make decisions and run the company, and allocate capital for highest returns."

Enlarge / Volkswagen is one of a number of automakers that have migrated to Android Automotive as their infotainment OS. But how long can you expect that OS to be patched and safe? (credit: Volkswagen)

Android is doing a pretty good job of colonizing the in-car infotainment ecosystem. At first, Google's operating system started showing up in new vehicles as custom installations, but more recently the company developed Android Automotive, which you can find in new cars from General Motors, Polestar, Volvo, Honda, and soon, both BMW and Volkswagen Group.

A perennial question that has accompanied the spread of Android Automotive has been the question of support. A car has a much longer expected service life than a smartphone, especially an Android smartphone, and with infotainment systems so integral to a car's operations now, how long can we reasonably expect those infotainment systems to be supported?

So far, a bit more than seven years is the longest any Android phone has received support, before unsupported chips finally called time on the Fairphone. I'm not sure anyone would be OK with having their car sent to the scrap heap after just seven years, however.

Enlarge / When is a Dodge not a Dodge? When it's also an Alfa Romeo, in this case. (credit: Jonathan Gitlin)

ASHEVILLE, N.C.—A day after Dodge revealed the last of its Hemi V8-powered muscle cars, the company also lifted the embargo on driving impressions for its next car, the Hornet crossover. It's a far cry from the 1,025-hp Challenger—a much more sensible compact crossover that includes a plug-in hybrid version starting at a competitive $40,000. Ars spent a day driving the Hornet around the outskirts of Asheville and found a lot to like about this handsome crossover.

But first, a few words on its origin story.

Last February, the world got its first look at an attractive new crossover from Alfa Romeo. It was given the unfortunate name of Tonale, and more than a few of us raised an eyebrow thanks to the news that the car would include an NFT that acted as a permanent record for the car, from production through lifetime maintenance.

Enlarge / The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 makes its wheels-up debut run at the Dodge Last Call Powered by Roadkill Nights Vegas performance festival at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 20, 2023. (credit: Dodge)

Dodge has been on something of a farewell tour for its Hemi V8 muscle cars. It has built a series of "last call" versions of the Charger and Challenger, limited editions with callback paint colors and retro liveries that refer to muscle-packed Dodges of old. Now it really is getting ready to end the car design and is doing so with a bang, via the 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170, a production car so fast it can even show a Tesla Model S Plaid a clean pair of shoes with a 1.66 second 0-60 mph time.

Dodge's engineers have performed quite a bit of work under that bulging "Air-Grabber" hood compared to lesser Demons. There's a new supercharger with a larger throttle body and a pulley that increases boost pressure by 40 percent compared to the Challenger Hellcat Redeye Widebody.

You'll get the best results by feeding it E85 (a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline); on this fuel, the Demon 170 generates an enormous 1,025 hp (764 kW) and 945 lb-ft (1,281 Nm). On the more common E10 fuel, the engine will generate a slightly milder 900 hp (671 kW) and 810 lb-ft (1,098 Nm).

Enlarge / There's certainly no ignoring the BMW XM's styling. But don't let it distract you from a competent chassis and powertrain. (credit: BMW)

There was a time when "M" cars were lauded not only for the dynamic capability bestowed upon them by BMW's motorsport division but also for their measured aesthetic. Models like the E39-generation M5 epitomized the "if you know, you know" design philosophy, a balanced approach that won the hearts of enthusiasts and mostly flew under the radar for everyone else. But as the new XM plug-in hybrid clearly illustrates, the M Division is undergoing a sea change.

It has been more than four decades since BMW produced the last M1, the only other road-going machine developed exclusively by the company's storied performance arm. And much like the M1, the XM serves as a statement of purpose.

But this is not a limited-production, mid-engine supercar, nor is it a stripped-down homologation specially built to satisfy the stipulations of a racing series, as the first M3 was. Instead, the XM was designed to represent the pinnacle. Not the pinnacle of performance, but the pinnacle of the modern BMW experience. And it resoundingly succeeds in that mission.

Enlarge

It's apt that a brand named Genesis looks at each step forward as a new beginning. The young brand has been the new kid on the luxury automaker block, contending with the challenge of competing with 100-year-old legacy manufacturers who have long set the bar for extravagance while trying to distinguish itself as something unique.

Regarding the latter, Genesis bets on its core principles of being audacious, progressive, and distinctly Korean to give its offering enough pop in contrast to the traditionally stuffy European fare. The GV70 Electrified is the latest move to that end, delivering a battery-electric vehicle version of its bold-styled crossover vehicle that's no mere drivetrain swap. The EV stands out on its own with unique styling and driving character while also having the distinction of being the first US-made Genesis vehicle ever.

Despite its name alluding to a hybrid system, the GV70 Electrified is the full battery-electric iteration of Genesis' luxury crossover. There are a handful of notable differences between the two versions, not the least of which is their points of origin. As mentioned, the GV70 Electrified is the first Genesis brand vehicle to roll off the assembly line at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama or HMMA, the parent company's plant located in Montgomery, Alabama. Importantly, this means the GV70 Electrified is eligible for the full $7,500 IRS clean vehicle tax credit, at least until the implementation of the domestic battery content requirements.

Enlarge / 7Charge is the nation's newest EV charging network, courtesy of 7-Eleven. (credit: 7-Eleven)

7-Eleven is starting its own charging network. The chain of convenience stores has launched 7Charge, which it says "delivers a convenient and reliable fast-charging experience at select 7-Eleven stores in the US, and is coming soon to Canada." There's already a smartphone app in Apple's and Google's stores, but we don't know how many chargers 7-Eleven plans to deploy or a timeline for when that might happen.

"For over 95 years, 7‑Eleven has innovated to meet our customers' needs—delivering convenience where, when and how they want it," said Joe DePinto, president and CEO of 7‑Eleven. "Now, we are innovating once again to meet our customers where they are by expanding our business to provide EV drivers convenience of the future... today."

7-Eleven says its proprietary network will "offer new levels of convenience and coordination to customers looking for a seamless charging and payment experience." That may mean it will include "plug and charge," the ISO 15118 protocol that handles billing after the car handshakes with the charger, but plug and charge is far from universally implemented in new EVs. After playing with the app for a few minutes, it appears you can also pay by scanning a QR code on the charger.

Enlarge / Ars drove an early front-wheel drive Ariya last year, but now the all-wheel drive version is finally ready for these shores. (credit: Stephen Edelstein)

The 2023 Nissan Ariya was meant to be Nissan's EV comeback, regaining ground the automaker lost after delaying a follow-up to the pioneering Leaf by expanding into the popular crossover SUV segment. But Nissan has left what may be the Ariya's key feature on the table until now.

When US Ariya deliveries began in late 2022, Nissan only shipped front-wheel drive models, leaving the launch of its new e-4ORCE dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain until a later date. Now the Ariya e-4ORCE is finally here, with cars scheduled to reach dealerships in the coming weeks. It's billed as not only providing the all-wheel drive option important to any crossover, but also a greater focus on handling quality than most rivals.

Adding a second motor powering the rear axle in addition to the standard front motor—both motors are of identical design—the Ariya e-4ORCE is rated at 389 hp (290 kW) and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque, compared to 238 hp (177 kW) and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) in the front-wheel drive Ariya.

Enlarge / This is a prototype of the new Kia EV9 electric SUV, which goes on sale in the latter half of 2023. (credit: Kia)

SEOUL, KOREA—In 2021, Kia used that year's Los Angeles Auto Show to debut a new electric concept called the EV9. Today, Kia took the wraps off the production version, which goes on sale in the second half of this year. The production EV9 is definitely an evolution of the show car but with some of the concept's more outrageous design details toned down a bit.

It's a large three-row SUV that uses Kia and Hyundai's advanced new electric vehicle platform called E-GMP, which has already impressed us and many others in new EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia's EV6. Those two are smaller crossovers, but the EV9 is bringing that 800 V technology to a larger vehicle, one that should be well-suited to North American tastes.

• 

  The production EV9 has much less scalloped doors than the concept we saw in 2021. It's a little shorter than the Kia Telluride but with a much longer wheelbase. [credit: Kia ]

"The journey over the last couple of years to get to where we are now in terms of design could only happen when designers and brands work together, and this design philosophy—opposites united—is very much based on that idea of movement and richness through movement," explained Karim Habib, head of Kia Global Design. "It's about the juxtaposition of [a] man-made structure in nature and how that contrast actually can be very beautiful or even within nature itself."

Enlarge (credit: Getty Images)

Today, the federal government's Joint Office of Energy and Transportation opened up applications for a $2.5 billion program to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved communities. The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program was authorized along with the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

For starters, the Joint Office is making $700 million available for EV chargers—but also other alternative fuels including hydrogen and natural gas.

The CFI program actually encompasses two discrete $1.25 billion grant programs. The first is for community charging and fueling grants in both urban and rural areas, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods as well as neighborhoods with a low ratio of private parking.

Enlarge / The Tesla Model Y earned a good rating in IIHS' rear seat protection crash test. (credit: IIHS)

Only four of 13 midsize SUVs earned good ratings when it came to protecting rear-seat passengers in an impact, according to new crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Of that 13, two were battery-electric vehicles—the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y—and both achieved good ratings, as did the Ford Explorer and Subaru Ascent.

The IIHS has been crash-testing cars at its Vehicle Research Center in Virginia since the early 1990s after noticing that most head-on collisions were offset, something the federal government's crash tests did not account for. Since then, the organization has added several other crash tests that car manufacturers are eager to pass in order to earn a coveted "Top Safety Pick" rating.

The IIHS updated its moderate overlap front crash test in 2022 after becoming frustrated that front-seat safety gains made by the industry have not been shared with those sitting in the back of a car.

Enlarge (credit: Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Electric vehicle-specific navigation is coming to Waze. The map app is rolling out new data beginning today that now includes EV charger location information, which it will use to help EV drivers plan routes.

The new app feature will let you specify your EV type and the relevant charging plug, which you can use to filter just the appropriate charging stations. Waze says that its community will review and update the map data "in real-time to provide the most accurate, comprehensive information to the map."

Waze's addition of EV charger location data now gives EV drivers yet another route-planning tool. Apps like PlugShare and A Better Route Planner are both widely used by EV drivers to find chargers, and both Apple Maps and Google Maps have EV-routing features now as well.

Enlarge / The 1982 TV series Knight Rider featured a car called KITT that a character played by David Hasselhoff (pictured) could talk to. (credit: Getty Images)

In the 1982 TV series Knight Rider, the main character can have a full conversation with his futuristic car. Once science fiction, this type of language interface may soon be one step closer to reality because General Motors is working on bringing a ChatGPT-style AI assistant to its automobiles, according to Semafor and Reuters.

While GM won't be adding Knight Rider-style turbojet engines or crime-fighting weaponry to its vehicles, its cars may eventually talk back to you in an intelligent-sounding way, thanks to a collaboration with Microsoft.

Microsoft has invested heavily in OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT. Now, they're looking for ways to apply chatbot technology to many different fields.

Enlarge (credit: Wayne Eastep/Getty Images)

Women and older people are being failed by our crash test dummies, according to the US Government Accountability Office. The GAO has just published a new report on the topic and is concerned that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not done enough to fill knowledge or research gaps that would make our vehicles safer for those more vulnerable classes of occupants. Consequently, the GAO is recommending that NHTSA create a comprehensive plan to improve that crash test dummy data.

There's no question that cars today are safer than they were even two decades ago. In addition to the crash testing required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FVMSS), programs like NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Picks publicize their test scores, which has forced manufacturers to improve occupant protection to get those all-important safety scores, and now cars have to be designed to deal with offset collisions, side impacts, and rollovers, as well as head-on crashes.

But the benefits of improved in-car safety have been mostly seen by men.

Enlarge / This wheel should not be loose or wobbly. (credit: Jonathan Gitlin)

Nissan is recalling some of its newest Ariya electric SUVs this month. The culprit? Yet another possibly loose steering wheel. As a result, the automaker has also issued a stop sale for the new EV until inventory vehicles can all be inspected and, if necessary, fixed. The recall affects 1,063 Ariyas in total.

The problem arose once the EVs had been imported to the United States from Japan. These cars required some quality control work to be performed at the port once they arrived, work that necessitated the removal of the steering wheels. But in some cases the bolt that holds the steering wheel in place might not have been properly torqued.

Nissan was first alerted to the problem at the end of January, when someone working at a dealership noticed a loose steering wheel on an Ariya. Just over a week later a second dealership reported something similar, and upon investigation, Nissan discovered the steering wheel bolt was missing in this case. Nissan says both cars had been serviced by the same technician at the port.

Enlarge / Ford has gone for a high-tech interior for the next Mustang, and AM radio did not make the cut. (credit: Ford)

You have to hand it to AM radio—it has outlasted the 8-track, the cassette, and the compact disc as a way to deliver audio content to a car. This first-generation radio broadcast technology dates back to the dawn of the last century before it was superseded by FM, which has better sound fidelity and is less likely to suffer from interference.

But good old amplitude modulation joins those shiny CDs and twisted tapes on the scrapheap of history, at least as far as the next Ford Mustang is concerned. When the 2024 Mustang goes on sale this summer, it will do so without an AM radio function, according to Ford Authority.

That will make it the second Ford to lose access to this antique broadcast option. After including it in the first model year 2022 F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks, Ford dropped AM for MY2023 onward. Other electric vehicles have notably dropped AM radio—Tesla moved away from including it in new cars in 2018, as did BMW with its i3 city car, citing the potential for electromagnetic interference (EMI) from the EV powertrain. (AM radio is a feature on plenty of other EVs, so this explanation is unconvincing.)