Author: Tabitha
The Sweden-based automaker, which is owned by Geely of China, will introduce electric Recharge versions of the XC60 and XC90 tall wagons for the 2024 and 2025 model years, respectively. The plan is to keep the gasoline-powered variants as alternatives for at least a couple of years following the launch of the Recharge models. The designs will be based on the concept Recharge, which Volvo debuted in 2021. Volvo’s current electric offerings for North America consist of the XC40 Recharge utility vehicle and C40 Recharge hatchback. The design of the Volvo XC60 and XC90 Recharge models will derive inspiration from…
The compact RZ 450e electric hatchback is about the same size as the 2023 Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra. The reason is that all three use the same platform. The Lexus is expected to receive a more robust version of the available front and rear electric motors that combine to make a modest 214 horsepower in the bZ4X. Prototype versions of the RZ have been spotted with a yoke steering wheel instead of a conventional round wheel, but it’s uncertain which version will arrive here. Other Lexus EVs in the works include a high-end two-seat sports car plus a…
The second generation of Honda’s smallest utility vehicle is nearly production ready. As before, the new HR-V uses the same platform as the Honda Civic, which should translate into a slight gain in length and width, plus a modest increase in distance between the front and rear wheels. It’s also expected the HR-V will use the base Civic’s 158-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder in place of the current 141-horsepower 1.8-liter powerplant. Both front- and optional all-wheel-drive will be offered. The 2023 model is expected to go on sale this summer. As was previously the case, the redesigned Honda HR-V is based on…
The British automaker known for producing small and lightweight sports cars will soon launch its largest model to date. The sleekly shaped full-size Eletre, which will be built in China, is expected to go on sale globally in 2023 as a 2024 model. It will offer plenty of luxury accoutrements for up to five passengers, or four if the available second-row bucket seats are selected. The powertrain consists of front and rear electric motors producing a net 600 horses. They’re supported by a 100-kilowatt battery pack that allows the Eletre to travel up to 300-plus miles on a full charge.…
The 829-horsepower Daytona SP3 is the latest limited-edition automotive work of art from the Prancing Horse automaker. Lego’s Technic line has created a highly detailed version of this rarefied limited-production Ferrari supercar. The nearly two-foot-long (1:8-scale) replica comes with functioning scissor-style doors, paddle shifters and moving cylinders for the mid-mounted V-12 engine. But first, of course, you’ll need to assemble the Daytona SP3’s 3,778 pieces. Order the kit for $400 at www.lego.com.
There are a variety of brushes and high-pressure sprayers on the market for washing your vehicle, but the Blaster Brush combines both pieces of cleaning equipment into a single unit. The brush portion is made from soft bristles claimed to not scratch paint. The high-pressure sprayer with its built-in on/off switch attaches to any garden hose. It can be extended from 34.5 inches to 54 inches, so it’s long enough to clean extra-large trucks and sport utility vehicles as well as recreational vehicles. Read all about the Blaster Brush and order for $55 from www.amazon.com.
The ID Buzz has been in gestation ever since the pre-production version was revealed in 2017. Volkswagen recently displayed the real deal — the European real deal — which remains true to the original concept. The Euro ID Buzz will come with two rows of seats and it can accommodate five passengers. The North American model will get six more inches between the front and rear wheels and offer three rows of seats. It will arrive in the spring of 2023 for the 2024 model year. A 201-horsepower electric motor is positioned behind the rear wheels. A camper-van version called…
The luxury brand’s electric offering is now rolling off Cadillac’s Tennessee assembly line. The 2023-model-year luxury hatchback comes with a rear-mounted electric motor (driving the rear wheels) that produces 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. This will be followed by a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version in 2023. After that will come the Celestiq sedan, which is expected to use the same battery-electric propulsion as the Lyriq. Also in the works is an electric Escalade plus a smaller utility vehicle. The rear-wheel-drive Cadillac Lyriq electric vehicle is now rolling off the assembly line. The all-wheel-drive model is coming for 2023.PHOTO:…
Since the mid-1970s, Volkswagen’s replacement for the iconic Beetle found its niche as an affordable little hatchback. Adding the Golf GTI with a stronger engine and a sporty interior for 1983 — called the Rabbit GTI in North America — began a series that existed through seven generations.
The eighth iteration of the front-wheel-drive GTI, along with the hardcore all-wheel-drive Golf R, have arrived here, but without the accompanying basic Golf models tagging along. It would seem that VW buyers in this bracket prefer the somewhat larger Jetta sedan or the new Taos utility vehicle.
If there’s one vehicle that’s synonymous with the Honda brand, without question it would be the Civic.
It was the automaker’s breakthrough model when it first arrived here in the early 1970s. Throughout the ensuing decades, the Civic has remained a strong seller in its class despite the seismic market shift to utility vehicles and pickups, including Honda’s own CR-V and HR-V compact tall wagons.