Author: Tabitha
As an adjunct to the current X7 model will come the 2023 XM, which arrives in late 2022. Along with unique body sculpting, the XM will be a plug-in hybrid. The powertrain consists of a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 with electric-motor assist. Output is 750 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque, which would make the XM one of the most powerful production BMW models ever. The automaker points out that the XM’s numbers are also greater than those of competing premium utility vehicles, including the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S and the Lamborghini Urus. BMW estimates the XM’s battery will provide a…
The automaker is realigning its lineup for 2022 to focus more on crossovers. The latest is the CX-50, which joins the CX-30, CX-5, CX-9 and the battery-electric MX-30. The small CX-3 crossover and Mazda6 sedan are gone, leaving the Mazda3 (sedan and hatchback) and the MX-5 as the sole cars. The all-wheel-drive somewhat CX-50 resembles the CX-5, except the CX-50 rides higher and there’s extra protective cladding around fenders and bumpers, and faux skid plates for that plays-in-the-rough appearance. The CX-50 also gets a more modern-looking interior with Off-Road and Towing modes added to the driver-selectable settings. Both nonturbo and…
Porsche claims it has no plans for an electric version of its iconic 911 sports car, but that isn’t stopping the automaker from developing a hybrid version. Various rumors suggest the rear-engine model will be of the plug-in variety, providing a decent amount (25-plus miles) of electric-only range. The assisting motor would be integrated with the internal-combustion engine, thus adding weight over the rear wheels. Also likely is an eight-speed automatic transmission patterned after the one in the Porsche Panamera hybrid. The 911 hybrid could hit the streets by mid-to late-2023 as a 2024 model. The Porsche 911 is expected…
As a global vehicle, Ford’s midsize pickup was well into its life cycle when it arrived in North America for the 2019 model year. That means instead of a makeover, there’s pretty much a full-on redesign coming in 2022 for the 2023 model year. The Ranger will get a modified chassis that’s also used for the Ford Bronco utility vehicle, which makes for a slightly larger footprint. This likely means the Ranger will offer the current turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and the Bronco’s optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6. Also expected is an available plug-in hybrid model plus a Ranger Raptor off-roader…
The automaker known for its decades-long hybrid-vehicle history with the Prius will introduce several battery-electrics under the bZ brand. First up is the 2023 bZ4X hatchback wagon that’s scheduled to arrive by mid-2022, and is about the same size as the Toyota RAV4. The base bZ4X gets front-wheel-drive and a 201-horsepower motor connected to a 64.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack. A two-motor all-wheel-drive version with a net output of 215 horsepower will also be available. Maximum range is estimated at 230 miles. Pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but The Sleuth believes that somewhere in the upper-$30,000 to low-$40,000 range is likely. Speculation is…
The top-of-the-line Range Rover’s classy new look began with a new platform and aluminum body panels that are cleanly shaped and practically devoid of creases. The interior is equally clutter-free, except for the digital gauges plus a mid-dashboard touch-screen. For the first time, buyers can order a third-row seat for the Range Rover. The base SE trim gets a 395-horsepower turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with 48-volt electric assist. A BMW-supplied twin-turbo 523-horsepower V-8 comes with the Autobiography and First Edition Range Rovers. Plug-in hybrid and fully electric Range Rovers are expected a year or two after launch. The new Land…
Actually, the official name is Mercedes-AMG SL since the automaker’s tuner division is responsible for the new model. The back-to-its-roots SL no longer comes with a retractable hardtop, but like earlier SL models it has a folding soft top. Also returning is the 2+2 seating arrangement, so the SL loses its long-standing roadster status. The all-wheel-drive SL 55 gets a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 worth 469 horsepower, while the more potent SL 63 gets a 577-horsepower version. Both are connected to nine-speed automatic transmissions. With the addition of a small rear seat, the Mercedes-AMG SL is bound to find more customers.…
Ahead of the 2023-model-year electric GMC Hummer launch, General Motors’ truck division is updating its light-duty pickup. Changes for 2022 include a restyled grille/headlights and an updated cabin with a larger optional 13.4-inch touch-screen. Along with a new off-road-focused AT4X trim, Sierra buyers can select the Denali Ultimate luxury model that adds a premium-leather-and-wood-trimmed interior with 16-way power-adjustable front seats (with massage function), a carbon-fiber bed and unique 22-inch wheels. The Ultimate also gets GM’s semi-autonomous Super Cruise system that works on more than 200,000 miles of mapped North American roads. Both the AT4X and Denali Ultimate come with a…
As it has in previous years, Honda has rolled out new versions of its compact car over several months, starting with the Civic sedan that launched in spring. The hatchback followed a few months later and now it’s the sporty Si’s turn. Sadly, the coupe version is gone, but the front-wheel-drive Si sedan gets a 205-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. That’s 25 more horses than the regular Civic’s optional turbo engine, but five less than the outgoing Si. Torque is unchanged at 192 pound-feet. As before, a six-speed manual transmission is standard, but it gets a rev-matching downshift feature originally…
The makers of the Jumpi 3-in-1 Jumpstarter claim it will do more than bring a dead car battery back to life. You can also recharge your portable devices and the battery pack comes with a vacuum attachment that can clean larger surfaces or get into crevices with the supplied nozzle. The battery charger/booster is rated by the company at 700 amps, which is enough juice to jump “almost any car or truck battery on its own.” The company says you’ll get up to 10 jumps per charge. The device weighs 0.7 pounds, or 1.7 with the vacuum attached. Jumpi 3-in-1…