Porsche has started testing its new LMDh prototype set to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, confirming that it sports a twin-turbocharged V8.

All entrants in the WEC’s ‘Hypercar’ class must feature a hybrid powertrain that produces no more than 680 PS (670 hp) but competitors can choose what kind of combustion engine they use. For example, the Toyota GR010 has a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. Porsche has kept many details relating to twin-turbo V8 under wraps, other than confirming that it will be a “large-capacity” engine that’s designed to run on renewable fuels.

Read Also: This Is Our First Glimpse Of Porsche’s 2023 LMDh Prototype

The German car manufacturer has confirmed the race car will also feature a battery supplied by Williams Advanced Engineering, a motor-generator unit and control electronics from Bosch, and a transmission sourced from Xtrac. The chassis will come from Multimatic. To comply with regulations, the engine must weigh a minimum of 180 kg (397 lbs), including the air supply and exhaust system, as well as all cooling components.

“We were spoiled for choice with the engine for our LMDh prototype, because the product range offers several promising baseline units,” Porsche Motorsport vice president Thomas Laudenbach said. “We decided on the V8-biturbo, which we feel offers the best combination of performance characteristics, weight and costs. The kick-off to the active test programme was an important step for the project.”

“The rollout of the LMDh racing car was also the first track outing for Porsche Penske Motorsport,” added overall project manager LMDh at Porsche Motorsport, Urs Kuratle. “The squad worked well together right from the start. This shows a high level of professionalism in all areas. After all, the operational requirements for the safe running of a hybrid vehicle are very high. In the next outings we will focus on going deeper into the required processes and procedures. During these first test days at Weissach, the V8-biturbo impressed us in every respect. We’re convinced that we’ve chosen precisely the right unit.”

These images, as well as recent teaser photos, reveal that Porsche’s new LMDh prototype has a bold exterior design that incorporates a large aerodynamic shark fin, a pronounced roof scoop, and a large rear wing with thin LED lights.

The car is scheduled to make its racing debut at the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona next January.

#PorschePenskeMotorsport – The brand-new #Porsche LMDh prototype turned it's first laps at Weissach with works driver @FredMako1 behind the wheel. How do you like our car for the 2023 @FIAWEC and @IMSA championships?#PorscheLMDh @Team_Penske @24hoursoflemans pic.twitter.com/HrVIqXTvMe

— Porsche Motorsport (@PorscheRaces) January 14, 2022

This story contains independently made renders for a tuned 2022 Toyota GR 86  by Jon Sibal who is neither related to nor endorse by Toyota. 

Just like its predecessor, the new Toyota GR 86 is bound to prove popular in the aftermarket scene and these renderings depict how it could look with a particularly bold bodykit.

These wild renderings are the work of Jon Sibal, an absolute master in the art of renderings and digital design. No stone has been left unturned in overhauling the sports car and making it look unlike any other.

Read Also: Veilside’s New VFS90R Is One Thic Toyota GR Supra

The transformation starts at the front end where there is a distinctive bumper with an enlarged grille finished in black. The sports car then features a massive carbon fiber splitter that would be hugely impractical in real-world use but certainly looks the part and would be perfect for a show car.

Elsewhere, Jon Sibal has rendered the Toyota with an aftermarket hood complete with pronounced air vents. The wheel arches have also been flared and those at the front have carbon fiber louvers to help extract air from the wheel well. Other changes made along the sides of the sports car include extended skirts, bespoke wing mirrors, aftermarket wheels and a big set of brakes.

As bold as the front and sides of the car are, it is perhaps the rear that is even more outlandish. For starters, there is a towering wing stretching out from the trunklid. Sibal has also designed a complex carbon fiber diffuser for the car to help stick it to the pavement.

While we’re unsure if anyone will build a GR 86 that looks exactly like this, we fully expect to see a host of tuners release widebody kits for Toyota’s new compact sports car.

Nissan is recalling 2014-2016 Rogues due to an issue that could lead to a fire and other faults. Fortunately, the problem is unique to the Rogue but 688,946 vehicles are potentially involved in this recall.

The issue stems from a connector that can become corroded in the cabin. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, if water and salt collect in the driver’s side footwell, it can wick up the dash side harness tape and enter into the relevant connector.

If that happens, electric current may flow unintentionally between the connector terminals, which could potentially cause the driver’s power seat or window to fail, could cause the AWD warning light to illuminate, could cause the battery to discharge, and, in a worst-case scenario, could lead to a fire.

Read Also: U.S. Starts New Investigation Into Hyundai And Kia Fires Dating Back To 2011

If a driver notices any of the above issues or smells burning or sees smoke under the dash, that could be a sign that their vehicle is suffering from the issue.

Nissan is currently studying the problem and will provide a solution as soon as it finds one. It expects the fix to be available in spring 2022 and will send out notifications regarding reimbursement for any owners who have had to pay out of pocket to fix this problem before the recall was issued.

In the meantime, Nissan will notify owners of the safety risk in a letter that is expected to be mailed out on March 2, 2022. A second notice will be mailed out when a solution becomes available. Owners can contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, the number for this recall is R21B9.

Our spies caught up with what is believed to be a prototype of the higher-end AMG GT 63 variant. The following story has been updated with new photos and more information about the range (Updated 1/26/2022).

Mercedes-AMG has been caught working on the new generation of their GT sportscar which will become a sibling to the new SL Roadster. The Porsche 911 rival made its spy debut during testing in the Arctic Cycle looking quite similar to the existing AMG GT in terms of styling. Our spy photographers caught two different prototypes that look like the upcoming 55 and 63 V8-powered variants.

The lightly camouflaged prototypes are wearing the production headlights and taillights sporting a familiar shape – especially at the front. The low-positioned Panamericana grille appears to be slightly larger, flanked by prominent AMG-style intakes on the short front overhang.

See Also: Mercedes-AMG GT Production Could End In December

The proportions are typical of a front-engined rear-wheel-drive model while the bodywork is slightly more sculpted compared to its predecessor. The rear end has changed more than the face, with more modern horizontally-mounted LED taillights, an active rear spoiler, more pronounced rear shoulders, and quad exhaust pipes. What is different between the two variants is the shape of the exhaust outlets which are round in the 55 and squared in the 63, plus the different wheel/tire combinations.

Inside, we expect the new GT to inherit the latest MBUX infotainment technology featuring Mercedes’ new screen layout with an 11.9-inch touchscreen display in portrait mode covering most of the center console just like in the SL. The seating layout could be 2+2, offering more practicality on par with its rivals, or a strict two-seater to differentiate itself more from the SL roadster.

Read Also: 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL: First Reviews Are In, Here’s What They’re Saying

The composite aluminum platform will be shared with the SL, although the air suspension and the chassis setup will likely change supporting the GT’s more driver-focused character. Under the bonnet, we expect the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 in different power outputs. In the SL sibling, the 55 produces 470 hp (350 Nm / 476 PS) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque, while the 63 produces 577 hp (430 kW / 585 PS) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque.

Power will be transmitted to the rear axle through an automatic gearbox, although we’ll have to wait and see if AMG offers the GT with the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. The range is set to expand in the future with lesser V6-powered variants and possibly a plug-in hybrid flagship producing up to 831 hp (620 kW / 843 PS).

The Mercedes-AMG GT is expected to premiere sometime in 2023, although nothing is official with the German brand keeping their cards closed for now. This generation is going to be exclusively available in coupe bodystyle since it has been confirmed that the SL will take the role of the discontinued roadster.

Mercedes-AMG GT 53

Picture credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for Carscoops

Mercedes-AMG GT 63

Picture credits: CarPix for Carscoops

Tesla has impressed the world with its highest-power creation, the Model S Plaid. But now that it has an honest-to-goodness competitor, can it hang on to its quarter-mile crown?

That competitor is, of course, the Lucid Air. Also a four-door sedan focused on having excellent road manners, both happen to have quadruple-digit power figures in their top grades thanks to chunky electric motors.

Seen here in flagship Dream Edition trim, the Lucid Air makes 1,111 hp (1,126 PS/828 kW). That’s more than the Model S Plaid, which makes a claimed 1,020 hp (1,035 PS/761 kW), but it also weighs more than the Tesla. Tipping the scales at 5,236 lbs (2,375 kg), the Air’s name is kind of ironic when compared to the 4,833 lbs (2,192 kg) Model S Plaid.

Both cars are on pretty sticky rubber for this race with the Tesla on Michelin Pilot 4S tires, whereas the Air is on Pirelli P Zero HL tires. The test, though, does take place on a rather cold 48°F day (9°C). Although the Tesla has a preconditioning setting to warm up the battery in preparation for racing that the Lucid does not, the video’s host says they didn’t allow the Model S to do that in order to keep the racing as close as possible.

Read Also: Lucid Air Dream Edition Shows Off Its Chops At The Drag Strip

[Spoilers ahead]

In the end, it didn’t really matter, as the Model S Plaid was able to beat the Air with relative ease. In a previous test on the channel, the Lucid managed to set a quarter-mile time of 10 seconds flat, which is impressive by any measure but not quite enough to beat a Model S on a drag strip, as history has shown.

Between that video and this one, Lucid got in touch with the channel to give it some tips on how best to launch the Air but it wasn’t enough to improve the drag time and the best it could manage during this test was another 10-flat.

The Model S Plaid, meanwhile, managed a best time of 9.6 seconds through the quarter-mile. Neither was setting its best times in the cold weather and the high winds but it’s clear from these drag races (and the roll race) that the Tesla has more high-end grunt than the Air.

Losing to a Model S Plaid is nothing to be ashamed of and the Lucid Air is clearly a very fast car, but this may serve as a point of pride for Tesla fans.

When you hear the word Raptor, the first thing that comes to mind is the rugged variants of the F-150, the Ranger or the newly unveiled Bronco by Ford. The Raptor Japan that was exhibited at the Tokyo Auto Salon however is a different story, as it is based on the fourth generation Toyota RAV4.

In fact, the company behind the concept is called Raptor and specializes in protective coating. In that context, the Raptor Japan was created to showcase the durability of its urethane paint liner. The entire body is covered in a rough-textured dark gray paint which protects it from rust and scratches, allowing the driver to have more confidence while off-roading. This applies not only to the bodywork but also to the plastic parts including the bumpers, fenders, mirror covers, pillars, etc.

See Also: Make Your Toyota RAV4 Look Like A Lambo Urus With This Bodykit

As a finishing touch, the RAV4 got bespoke graphics on the sides looking like scratches from an actual Raptor dinosaur, plus Raptor decals on the bonnet and on the rear skid plate.

Besides the cool livery, the RAV4 got a new set of KMC wheels shod in Monsta Mud Warrior tires, combined with a 2-inch lift for the suspension. The vehicle on the press photos and videos is fitted with a bull bar and an aftermarket rear bumper while the one that was exhibited in the show also got a redesigned front bumper from Albamo, for a grille-less and de-badged look. There are no reported changes under the bonnet, where the stock 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 169 hp (126 kW / 171 PS) and 203 Nm (150 lb-ft) of torque, mated to a CVT gearbox.

While you can’t really buy a Raptor Japan, you can apply the protective coating to a vehicle of your choice. Guess Ford won’t be losing sleep (or suing for copyright) any time soon, then.

H/T to dressup-navi.net, and  TAS for the photos

Thought drag racing was an easy endeavor that simply requires you to pin the throttle and hold the steering wheel straight? Well, this video proves that’s not the case, particularly when you’re dealing with an extremely powerful vehicle.

This clip was recently filmed during the GT-R World Cup, a drag racing event featuring the world’s quickest Nissan GT-Rs held at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida. While it was mostly GT-Rs competing, there were a number of other vehicles being put through their paces down the quarter-mile. This included a matte black Lamborghini Huracan.

The Huracan in question has been modified extensively and now features a pair of turbochargers strapped to the 5.2-liter V10 engine. We’re sure that a number of other mechanical upgrades have been made to the car, likely including some additional engine and transmission work. Throughout the event, the Huracan set multiple runs in the low 8-second range – until disaster struck during a run at dusk.

Watch Also: This 2,000 HP, 7-Second Twin-Turbo Lamborghini Huracan Is The World’s Fastest

After getting off the line well, the mid-engined supercar quickly builds up speed and storms towards the quarter-mile marker. However, it appears that it briefly loses traction and kicks to the right. Taking into account the small puff of smoke that can be seen exiting out of the engine bay at the same time, it appears possible it suffered some kind of mechanical issue.

Whatever the cause, the driver was unable to control the slide and spins 180 degrees, slamming into the concrete barrier on the right side of the drag strip. The car then bounces off the barrier and skids into the left-hand barrier before finally coming to a stop.

Thankfully, the driver can be seen quickly exiting the vehicle, seemingly without any injuries. The Huracan, on the other hand, appears to have suffered extensive damage.

Land Rover today announced that the plug-in hybrid variant of the 2023 Range Rover will be able to go 70 miles (113 km) on electric power alone, rather than the 62 miles (100 km) it predicted when it announced the model last year.

“[The] new Range Rover is the most desirable, elegant, and capable luxury SUV in the world,” said Nick Collins, the executive director of vehicle programs at Jaguar Land Rover. “Our efficient new Extended-Range Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrains elevate the driving experience with a fine balance of performance, refinement, and efficiency, enabling owners to complete whisper-quiet zero-emissions journeys of up to 70 miles.”

Read : 2023 Range Rover Lands With BMW V8 And Noise-Cancelling Headrests

That estimate was made on the WLTP test cycle and Land Rover expects that it will translate to a range of 54 miles (88 km) of real-world driving. In all, that’s a 13 percent increase over its initial expectations and, according to the company, should allow owners to complete 75 percent of their journeys with electric power alone when the battery is fully charged.

That shouldn’t be difficult to do because the Range Rover is one of the few PHEVs with 50kW DC rapid charging capability. That means that it can charge up to 80 percent in less than an hour. That, says the automaker, makes it one of the fastest charging PHEVs on the market.

Offered in two trims, the 434 hp (440 PS/324 kW) P440e and the 503 hp (510 PS/375 kW) P510e, it combines a 38kWh lithium-ion battery with a 105kW electric motor and a 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine. The more powerful model can get from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in just 5.3 seconds.

The new Range Rover is also available with a selection of internal combustion engines, including both gas and diesel units, as well as a 523 hp twin-turbo V8. An all-electric model is expected to arrive in 2024.

Land Rover says that since it introduced the new Range Rover in October 2021, its online configurator has been used more than 2 million times.

In the UK, where both models are available to order, prices for the plug-in hybrid version of the Range Rover start at £103,485 OTR ($139,841 USD at current exchange rates) for the P440e, while for the flagship SV, they range from £146,200 to £173,200 OTR (equal to $196,850 and $233,300).

While you’re probably most familiar with the Mach 1 badge from the Ford Mustang, the American car manufacturer also used it for a potent variant of the Thunderbird back in the day – and a pristine example is currently up for sale.

The Thunderbird in question is a 1988 Turbo Coupe Mach 1 thought to be one of just 500 examples that were ever built. It has been exceptionally well maintained over the decades and the eBay listing reveals that it has been driven just 1,251 miles (2,013 km).

Read Also: Restored 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Has Its Original 428 Cubic-Inch V8

Adorning the exterior of the car is a simple shade of red contrasted by black accents across the lower half of the body. The car is also rocking 16-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in the original Goodyear tires. Other notable aspects of the car’s design include pronounced hood scoops, black wing mirrors, and a prominent rear lip spoiler.

Much like the outside, the interior of the Thunderbird is immaculate. It features power-adjustable bucket seats, rear bench seating, 3-point seat belts, gray cloth upholstery, an AM/FM/Cassette radio, and a two-spoke steering wheel.

Power comes courtesy of a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with electronic fuel injection that’s mated to a Borg Warner T5 five-speed manual transmission and a Ford 8.8-inch rear end with 3.55:1 gears and a limited-slip differential. The Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Mach 1 also has disc brakes at all wheels.

Given how well-maintained the car is, it comes as no surprise that it has an asking price of $44,900. Is it worth it? We’ll let you be the judge.

Spy photographers have snapped the Mercedes CLE Convertible on numerous occasions and now we’re getting our first glimpse at an upcoming AMG variant.

While the prototype doesn’t look too remarkable at first glance, there are a couple of telltale clues this is a performance variant. The most obvious are the bulging fenders, which are significantly wider than those found on previous prototypes.

A closer inspection also reveals a larger intake and what appears to be a reduced ride height. The model also sports a temporary dual exhaust system, unlike previous prototypes where the tips weren’t visible.

Also Read: 2023 Mercedes CLE Convertible Begins Cold Weather Testing

Spy photographers believe this is the range-topping 63 variant and that makes sense given its aggressive looks. However, the prototype doesn’t appear to have a charging port and this is notable as the CLE was expected to share powertrains with the redesigned C-Class.

While it’s possible the port is just hidden from view, there’s also the possibility that this is the milder 43 or 53 variant. If that’s the case, the convertible presumably has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

Of course, if this is indeed the CLE 63, it could have the same plug-in hybrid powertrain as the upcoming C63. Mercedes has already confirmed that model will have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a 6.1 kWh battery pack, and a rear-mounted electric motor that produces up to 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS). This setup will allow for outputs in excess of 644 hp (480 kW / 653 PS).

It’s also possible the prototype is using something else altogether as details about the CLE are still a bit hazy. That being said, the C- and E-Class Coupes and Convertibles are expected to be merged into one model, known as the CLE.

Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for CarScoops

If you needed another reason to keep up with your oil changes, Ram is providing it in Canada by not covering an engine replacement for a truck that was still under warranty.

Bowmanville, Ontario’s Moses Fosuo says he will have to scrap his 2018 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel after its engine seized while he was driving it on the highway. Although “a bit of skilled driving” allowed him to pull over at an off-ramp, he says Ram won’t cover the engine replacement that the truck now needs.

Fosuo says he was quoted CA$19,000 (equal to US$15,063 at current exchange rates) for the work that he thought would be covered by his 100,000 km (62,137-mile) warranty because his truck had only traveled 91,000 km (56,545 miles). He was disappointed, though, when his dealer told him that they wouldn’t be covering the work.

Read Also: Stellantis Will Reportedly Plead Guilty In Dirty EcoDiesel Case, Pay Massive Fine

“When I asked them why it was not covered under warranty, they mentioned at 50,000 kilometers [31,068 miles] the oil switch came on and I didn’t get an oil change done right away,” he told CTV News.

Fosuo claims that when he had his oil changed at a third-party shop, they said the truck could go 24,000 km (~15,000 miles) between oil changes. He also said that the truck was sold without a physical owner’s manual and that the information he needed could be only found in a digital owner’s manual contained within the infotainment system.

Stellantis denied warranty claim

A Stellantis spokesperson told CTV News that the warranty claim had, indeed, been denied “due to a lack of vehicle maintenance.” They added that the onboard owner’s manual states that “under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed 16,000 km [9,942 miles] or 12 months, whichever comes first.” It says that the dealer reported that said maintenance had not been performed to these parameters.

“There is no hesitancy on our part to comply with the provisions of a warranty, as long as they apply to a factory defect,” the spokesperson said. “Damage or failures attributed to any other source are the owner’s responsibility.”

That’s bad news for both Fosuo and the truck: “Unfortunately, that vehicle will have to go to scrap. I can’t afford something like that,” he told the Canadian broadcaster.

Today is a big day for Mazda as the 2023 CX-50 has gone into production at the new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama.

The first model was driven off the assembly line by Mazda North American Operations President and CEO Jeff Guyton, who remarked it was an “exciting day” and noted “production of the CX-50 here signifies the importance of the North American market to Mazda and our commitment to investing in the U.S.”

It’s also a return to form for Mazda as the company built an assortment of models in the United States at what is now known as Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant. However, the plant ceased production of the Mazda 6 in 2012 and the company turned to imports for the U.S. market.

Also Read: 2023 Mazda CX-50 Debuts As CX-5’s More Rugged Cousin

Getting back to the CX-50, Mazda bills it as a “rugged and capable crossover” that was designed specifically for the North American market. The Mazda Toyota Manufacturing facility has the capacity to produce up to 300,000 vehicles annually, but that will be split 50/50 between the CX-50 and the unrelated Toyota Corolla Cross.

Mazda hasn’t revealed many details about the crossover, but has already confirmed the CX-50 will be offered with naturally aspirated and turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines that are paired to six-speed automatic transmissions. They’ll be followed by electrified powertrains including a “traditional hybrid model.”

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is slated to arrive at dealerships this spring and will come standard with an i-Activ all-wheel drive system as well as selectable drive modes that “enhance off-road and sport driving.”

Fiat’s revival is picking up steam as spy photographers have snapped a new crossover undergoing cold weather testing.

While the model is heavily disguised, it resembles the Opel Mokka and appears to share lighting units with the crossover.

However, spy photographers believe this is actually a mule for an upcoming Fiat. That remains unconfirmed, but they suggest the model will ride on the CMP platform that underpins the Mokka as well as an assortment of other models including the DS3 Crossback and Peugeot 2008.

Also Read: New Fiat B-Segment Vehicle Coming In 2023, Will Be Based On PSA-Sourced Platform

This makes sense as Stellantis has already announced Fiat will launch a new B-Segment model in 2023 and said it will become the brand’s first vehicle based on a “common platform.” Officials didn’t say much about it, but indicated the model would be offered with hybrid powertrains.

While the vehicle was originally believed to be a Punto successor, a crossover would make a lot more sense given consumer preferences. It’s also believed the vehicle could eschew the Punto name and adopt the classic Uno moniker. If that’s the case, Fiat would be reviving an iconic name that dates back to the 1980’s and was most recently used on Brazil’s Novo Uno which recently went out of production.

Of course, it’s too early to say anything definitive and we’ll likely learn more in the coming months.

Picture credits: CarPix for CarScoops

Bentley has unveiled their new Five-in-Five plan, which calls on the automaker to introduce five electric vehicles in five years starting in 2025.

One EV will be introduced each year, but Bentley is staying tight-lipped about their future portfolio. However, previous reports have indicated their first electric vehicle will be a crossover based on Audi’s Artemis Project.

The four remaining models are more mysterious, but Bentley is going electric-only by 2030. As a result, it’s only natural to assume we can expect electric successors to the Continental GT and Flying Spur.

Also Read: Bentley To Become An EV-Only Brand, Petrol Engines To Be Phased Out By 2030

Besides revealing plans for an assortment of new electric vehicles, Bentley announced their first EV will be developed and built in the United Kingdom. The model is slated to go into production in 2025 and “mark a significant moment in Bentley’s long and illustrious history.”

The automaker is also investing £2.5 ($3.4 / €3.0) billion into sustainability over the next decade. This will result in the “complete transformation of Bentley’s entire product portfolio” and turn the company’s Crewe factory into a “world-leading, next generation digital, low environmental impact, high-value advanced manufacturing facility.”

While 2025 is still a few years away, Bentley isn’t waiting to embrace electrification. The automaker said they’re leading the way in the “luxury hybrid car sector and will further cement that position with the release of the Flying Spur PHEV in 2022, as well as five additional derivatives, added to the current Bentayga PHEV.”  This builds on the company’s previously announced plan to only sell plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles by 2026.

BMW has announced a plethora of updates to its range for spring 2022.

Kicking things off will be the availability of the 2-Series Coupe with a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that’s good for 245 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. This engine will be offered in the 230i Coupe variant and is paired with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission and all-wheel drive. It can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds.

Elsewhere, BMW has confirmed that from March 2022, a new 223i xDrive variant of the 2-Series Active Tourer will launch. It pairs the intelligent all-wheel drive system with a four-cylinder engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology to produce 218 hp and hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.9 seconds. Sticking with the 2-Series Active Tourer, it will also be available in a new shade dubbed Piedmont Red and has been updated with a new Driving Assistant Plus package that includes Steering and Lane Guidance Assist.

Read More: 2023 BMW M8 And 8-Series Facelift Light Up With Glowing Grille And New Tech

BMW is also expanding the number of driver assistance systems available with the X3 and X4, adding Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go functionality.

Updates have also been made to the 4-Series family. For example, a new variant dubbed the 430i xDrive Gran Coupe will launch with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivering 245 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque sent to all four wheels. It also sports an 8-speed automatic transmission and hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.1 seconds. Moreover, 4-Series and i4 owners will also be offered more scope for customization from March 2022.

For example, the German automaker has added a handful of new colors, including Brilliant White metallic and Frozen Dark Grey. A new M Carbon exterior package will also be introduced while updated interior spec includes extended BMW Individual Merino leather options. Also new for March 2022 is the availability of Parking Assistant Professional in the iX and an updated My BMW app with expanded functionality that makes it easier to find and use public charging points.

Rounding out BMW’s updates for 2022 are a number of new paint options for the M5, including Sophistco Grey Brilliant Effect metallic, San Remo Green metallic, Skyscraper Grey metallic, and Frozen Deep Grey Metallic. As we covered recently, BMW is also introducing a historic logo to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the M division.

A few major automakers like Toyota or Hyundai are heavily investing in hydrogen alongside battery electric vehicles but for smaller companies, this kind of technology is usually unattainable. This however doesn’t apply to BAC, the manufacturer of the Mono single-seater, which announced the collaboration with Viritech for an FCEV version of their track-focused model.

The goal for UK-based Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) is to make the transition to zero emissions by 2030 when the ICE ban in their home market will force them to discontinue the current offerings. Thus, they joined forces with Viritech, another UK-based company that is developing hydrogen powertrain technologies for the automotive, aerospace, marine, and distributed power industries. The collaborative effort that is described as a “feasibility study into developing a hydrogen powertrain for niche vehicle applications” will be funded by the Office for Zero-Emission Vehicles (OZEV) through the Niche Vehicle Network and supported by Innovate UK.

See Also: All-New BAC Mono Breaks Cover With 332 PS, 0-60 In 2.7 Sec

The BAC Mono FCEV is based on the existing chassis of the Mono but instead of the Ford-sourced Ecoboost petrol engine, it will be fitted with electric motors being powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Teaser photos of the hydrogen-powered Mono reveal a familiar design with a special wrap highlighting the difference under the skin. The company suggests that the Mono FCEV will retain its principles of “uncompromising performance and driver experience”.

Neill Briggs, BAC Co-Founder and Director of Product Development, said that they are delighted to be working with Viritech and added that they will continue exploring “alternative fuels, along with lightweight construction methods” including the Graphene and Niobium materials in order to considerably reduce vehicle emissions without compromising driver engagement.

We don’t have a timeline on the reveal of the BAC Mono FCEV but we suspect we are going to see it in concept form before a possible market launch by 2030.

The new-age Nissan Z is one of the most eagerly-awaited sports cars of recent years and during the recent Tokyo Auto Salon, someone took a pre-production prototype onto a skid pan to show what it is capable of.

Given that this grey Z is rocking display plates, we suspect someone from Nissan itself was behind the wheel, eager to show off the car to those in attendance.

Watch Also: Listen To The 2023 Nissan Z’s Exhaust Note As It Revs In New Video

The Nissan Z is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6. This engine is good for 400 hp and 350 lb-ft (475 Nm) of torque, giving it a slight horsepower advantage over the Toyota Supra 3.0 but a small torque disadvantage. Customers will be able to pair the V6 with either a six-speed manual transmission or a nine-speed automatic ‘box sourced from Mercedes-Benz. Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels.

While the Z doesn’t produce the most tuneful sound and lacks the cracks and pops of the Supra, it is clearly more than capable of spinning up the rear wheels and morph into quite a tail-happy car as the driver is able to easily thread together some nice donuts, producing heaps of tire smoke in the process.

Nissan unveiled the 2023 Z for the U.S. market back in August last year but, so far, it has kept pricing details under wraps. With that being said, Nissan sources have said that it should start at around $40,000 without elaborating further.

As you may be aware, Kevin Hart is something of a car guy and his latest muscle car has just rolled out of the shop. A 1969 Plymouth Road Runner restored and modified by Wisconsin’s Salvaggio Design, the car is inspired by the Halloween movie franchise.

Starting under the hood, the car is powered by a 426ci Hemi V8, a requirement of Hart’s. Described as a cross between a Demon and a Hellephant, the engine features a Winberg crank, CP pistons, the camshaft and ported heads from a Demon, Holley Dominator EFI fuel injection, a Magnaflow exhaust, and a 3.8-liter Whipple supercharger painted Orange Candy satin. Running on California 91-octane fuel, it’s capable of churning out a “dyno-proven”, according to Salvaggio Design, 940 hp (953 PS/701 kW).

Per Hart’s requests, the engine has been hooked up to a Tremec 6060 six-speed manual transmission that was strengthened to handle the engine’s power. It goes to a custom fabricated rear-axle assembly that uses a 9-inch center section and 3.70 gear ratio. The whole car, meanwhile, is based on a customized frame of Salvaggio’s own design, which turned out so well they’ll be offering it as a separate product from now on.

Read Also: Kevin Hart Takes Delivery Of The First Ferrari SF90 Spider In The U.S.

Slowing it all down are 14-inch six-piston Brembo brakes at the front and 13-inch four-piston brakes at the rear. They fit in 18-inch front wheels and 20-inch back wheels from HRE that are designed to look like steelies. Custom hubcaps have been designed to retain the ’60s look and high-performance Michelin tires help keep it all pointing in the right direction.

Like the wheels, the body has been designed to retain the charm of the ’69 Road Runner but extensive work has gone into cleaning it all up. Salvaggio Design says that only the roof, doors, fenders, and rear quarter panels are original. Everything else has either been replaced, revised, or rejuvenated.

That means simple stuff like removing the drip rails, sanding and shaping panels to keep sharp lines, as well as more extensive work, like the custom-designed carbon fiber hood and bumpers that help lighten the car and intensify its appearance.

Elements like the door handles and the mirrors, meanwhile, were fabricated out of billet aluminum and designed to look sharp and feel good in the hand. The grille, too, is made of billet aluminum and it was designed to take the original design and turn it up to 11, per Salvaggio Design.

The billet parts continue inside, too. The steering wheel is made of aluminum, as are the shifter and the instrument panel, which was airbrushed by Randy Russell and features design elements from the Halloween series.

The seats, meanwhile, are Recaros up front and are finished in custom Italian leather. The upholsterers at Gabe’s Custom Interiors also incorporated slasher movie design elements, with the orange splatter effect on the black seats.

When the seats were all done, there was enough leather left over to make Hart a pair of custom Nike sneakers. These were made by Rey Marquez of Reymar Footwear, who also created a belt and a wallet out of the leather (and some carbon fiber) to allow the new owner to match his car.

Designed to look as good stalking in the night as it does stuck in LA traffic, Kevin Hart’s Road Runner is said to be designed to be comfortable and reliable, as well as powerful and sinister.

Photo credits Salvaggio Design

BMW’s M division is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion, it will bring a selection of classic models to the Rolex 24 Daytona race this weekend.

First named BMW Motorsport GmbH, the brand was conceived of by automotive legend Bob Lutz when he was the vice president of global sales and marketing at BMW. It started representing the automaker on racetracks in 1972 and since then, the brand now known as BMW M GmbH has gone on to race around the world and has made some of the most sought-after sports cars on the road. And it will be celebrating that rich history.

Along with sponsoring the shorter four-hour BMW M Endurance Challenge IMSA Michelin Pilot race that’s taking place on Friday, January 28, BMW will bring a selection of classic vehicles to show off at the track throughout the weekend.

Read Also: BMW M4 GT3 Is More Powerful, Drivable And Cost-Efficient Than Old M6 GT3

That includes the first M car, a 1980 BMW M1, as well as a deeply modern 2022 BMW i4 M50. It will also bring three IMSA-winning BMWs from the past, including the 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL, the 2015 BMW Z4 GTLM, and the 2019 BMW M8 GTE that won the Rolex 24.

All will be on display at the Rolex24Heritage Exhibition in the Daytona Fan Zone. A number of BMWs will also be on the track this weekend. They include the M3 and M4 road cars that are serving as safety and pace cars for the BMW M Endurance Challenge and the four M4 GT4 race cars that are being run by three different race teams. In addition, BMW M Team RLL will be running a M4 GT3 at the main event, the Rolex 24 Daytona race.

“Naturally, we are very proud to have played a role in a good portion of the history of BMW Motorsport,” stated Bobby Rahal, BMW M Team RLL Team Principal. “We are super excited about racing the new M4 GT3. Once again introducing a new race car to BMW fans like we have done with the M3, M6, M8, and Z4. We have been fortunate to have success with each of those cars which makes it exciting to embark on this new project and hopefully have more success with this great new chassis in 2022.”

The green flag drops for the 24-hour race at 1:40 PM on Saturday, January 29. The four-hour race, meanwhile, will start at 1:35 PM on Friday, January 28.

Hot on the heels of news of Tesla’s 2021 Sales success in the U.S., where it became the country’s second most popular luxury brand, data from Europe paints an equally grim picture for legacy OEMs.

New figures from Jato Dynamics reveal that Tesla shifted 141,429 Model 3s in Europe in 2021, making it the only EV to climb into the Top 50 best selling models, and giving it 17th place in the overall rankings. Skoda’s Octavia was just ahead at 143,268, and the stalwart VW Golf topped the list with a 205,408 tally, but the Model 3 claimed some very famous ICE scalps.

Tesla’s Model 3 Outsold The BMW 3-Series On Its Own Turf

The electric sedan beat the Peugeot 3008 crossover (140,015), Volkswagen Tiguan (133,558), Mercedes A-class (117,233) and even the mighty BMW 3-Series (116,250), which includes two bodystyles, sedan and the more popular in Western European markets, Touring (station wagon). Ford’s Focus, a European favourite in days gone by, couldn’t even muster 100k.

Related: Volkswagen Doubles EV Sales But Sees Drop In Overall Deliveries

And comparing total marque sales figures for 2020 and 2021 suggests Tesla will figure even higher in the 2022 table due for release 12 months from now. While BMW Group’s sales grew just 1.3 percent, and VW Group’s sales actually fell 3.4 percent, Tesla’s volumes swelled by 70.9 percent. And that’s despite the Model Y SUV not hitting European showrooms until late 2021, and it only now landing in the UK in right-hand drive form.

VW’s Golf Was Europe’s Best Selling Model Overall

Looking again at the table-topping Golf, VW will be alarmed to see that sales of the iconic hatch (and wagon) in 2021 were almost 28 percent lower than their were in 2020, and a worrying 50 percent lower than in 2019. That trend is largely down to the public’s enthusiasm for electric cars and its increasing favour for crossovers. And while VW offers both of those attributes in cars like the ID.3 and T-Cross, it doesn’t offer either of them in the Golf line-up. While the midsize SUV sector (midsize in Europe meaning BMW X3) grew by 42.6 percent versus 2020, the compact car sector dominated by the Golf fell by 13.3 percent.

The Model 3 is, of course, a compact car, but with its electric powertrain, on-trend image and bold interior design, it’s a very different car to the Golf, which has helped make it unarguably the best-selling American-built car ever offered in Europe. Many others have tried and failed to tempt European buyers out of their VWs, Fords and BMWs over the years, including Cadillac with its BLS and Chrysler, with the Sebring. But they were given short shrift by both European road testers and buyers.

The question now is whether demand for Teslas will slow in Europe now that every other major European brand also has, or will soon have, a seat at the EV table.