Month: April 2022

2022 Volvo S90 B6 AWD R-Design review by Ben Lewis

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Volvo used to be famous for sedans (and wagons). But if you ask today’s buyer, it’s probably all about the SUV XC models like the XC40, XC60 and XC90. They also have some gorgeous wagons if you are interested. And while they don’t always get the prime-time headlines, Volvo makes some very appealing sedans. Case in point, our 2022 S90 sedan. In fact, it may just be one our favorite Volvo’s! Big, Bold, Beautiful The first thing that grabs you is the sheer size of the Swedish sedan. It’s as long as many 3-row SUV’s and its sharp lines really …

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Bentley Teases Brand New Mystery Model, Will Debut It On May 10th

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Bentley is coming off the heels of a strong sales year with the British automaker delivering over 14,000 vehicles to customers last year. That’s a 31 percent increase and the company revealed that it’s just getting started in its long-term plans with a new teaser pointing at an all-new model which will make its debut on May 10th.   A Mystery For Now But More Luxury Is A Plus Bentley also released a lone teaser image in its announcement and it appears to be a shadowy look at the driver’s side door panel. Warm purple-hued ambient lights highlight the door …

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Climbing Machine

Chevy’s 2022 Colorado ZR2 is Still Great!

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2022 Chevy Colorado ZR2: End of a Generation Chevy needs to update the Colorado, and they know that. The 2022 Colorado ZR2 is the last year of this generation before the newer, more efficient, more powerful version arrives. Outside the 2022 Colorado ZR2 In an automotive world that mostly exists in grayscale, and red, this Bright Blue Metallic ZR2 pops. From any angle a ZR2 is easily distinguished from other Colorado and Canyon trim levels. From the front, the bumper has very large clearance cuts so the tires have better access to the terrain. This also takes away the mounting …

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2023 Toyota Supra Gets Manual Transmission, Will Be A 3.0 Liter Exclusive

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It wasn’t too long ago that Toyota revealed that the 2023 Supra would finally receive the option for a manual transmission even in the face of a rapid decline in demand for a shift it yourself option as a whole. However, the company didn’t release too many details beyond the initial confirmation, but that changed earlier today when the company pulled back the curtain on what buyers can expect.   Manual Limited To 3.0 Liter Model Only A prominent caveat here is that while the manual is indeed coming to the Supra, it will be limited to models equipped with …

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2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Launches Into Production, Three Things You Should Know

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The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning has had a long road going through development, but at last, Ford has formally begun production of the F-150 Lightning and celebrated the occasion with a massive launch event at the company’s hometown of Dearborn, Michigan. The Lightning promises to bring some innovations to consumers, and here are three key things you should know about the Ford F-150 Lightning.   F-150 Lightning Supercharging Ford’s EV Plans The F-150 Lightning will begin production at Ford’s all-new Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, located within the massive Rouge plant complex. The Electric Vehicle Center took 19 months for Ford …

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Nissan Z Launch Delayed To Summer, Parts Shortage To Blame

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The 2023 Nissan Z is one of the most hotly anticipated Nissan entries in recent memory. Replacing the long-running and aging 370Z, the rebooted Z will bring the moniker back to its roots while also renewing its focus on sporty driving. When we last heard about the Z, the company appeared to confirm that the car would begin arriving in dealerships in late spring. However, COVID-19 and the ensuing part shortages have played their hand again, and Nissan revealed that it will be pushing the timetable back on the car’s official launch.   Parts Shortage A Long-Running Spectre The announcement …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Toyota Highlander Bronze Edition – Does Art Make The Highlander Better?

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The Toyota Highlander is an SUV entry that largely follows the same script that has come to define many others in its segment. It’s large, has the ability to haul up to three rows of passengers, and has doubled down on its attempts to be a fuel miser with an available hybrid equipped four-cylinder. These things individually are all good traits, but we won’t be shocked if they failed to make the Highlander ring a bell in your memory bank. The Japanese auto giant thinks it might have just the thing with the all-new Highlander Bronze Edition, but is this …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Genesis GV70 Sport Prestige, Filling Out Genesis’s Luxury Utility Footprint

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When we had our chance to drive the Genesis GV80 awhile back, it appeared to signal a shift in Genesis’s plans for the luxury market, with the Korean upstart focusing more on utilities and crossovers after initially starting its launch with two sedan models. The GV80 is still a very good luxury SUV, but Genesis knows that it has to gradually move towards smaller segments and embraces a sportier lifestyle in order to expand its sales footprint. The 2022 GV70 is a step towards this goal, but is it the perfect complement to the GV80?   Sharper GV70 Styling Points …

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Chevrolet Corvette Goes Green, AWD Hybrid And EV Models Coming Next Year

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Speculation, spy photos, and even an inadvertent slip of the tongue by the U.S. President all painted the picture that GM was preparing the C8 Chevrolet Corvette for a green motoring future. GM would typically not budge on its strict code of silence regarding these Vette variants. However, all of that changed today, with GM president Mark Reuss confirming that not only is an all-electric Vette coming but that an AWD hybrid version is coming too.   A Massive Shift In Corvette History The confirmation came from GM President Mark Reuss who revealed the news in a long post on …

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2022 S580

2022 Mercedes-Benz S580 Review: Why Full Size Sedans Are King

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2022 S580: The World Standard Sedans have fallen out of favor in the US market, the 2022 S580 proves this is a major mistake on the consumers’ part. Read on to find out why! Outside Approaching from the front the 2022 S580 has all the right proportions. With the exception of the hood badge and hood ornament, it is an understated design. The front end is low, wide, and incredibly well sculpted. AMG body lines on the bumper tie in well with the slight bulges and creases in the hood. The Grill is massive with a noticeable portion being used …

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Lincoln’s Star Concept Is Wild Preview Of Lincolns Future, Promises To Shock The World

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Luxury is usually an early sign of where technology, comfort, and even culture is heading with many luxury brands usually being the first to embrace new technology and trends. That said, Lincoln’s all gasoline lineup might seem like a jarring counter blow especially since Cadillac is preparing to launch the first wave of Lyriq EVs into the marketplace. Lincoln is looking to change all that though and has unveiled a sneak preview into these plans, the Lincoln Star Concept Lincoln Star Has Showcar Flair The exterior styling of the Star is a pure show car, and while the Aviator resemblance …

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Lexus Shoots For The All-Electric Future With All-New 2023 RZ 450e Luxury CUV

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Lexus was one of the early pioneers in the world of green technology and made a massive profit on its early gamble of embracing hybrid technology for many of its models. However, progress is always marching forward, and Lexus is hoping to catch lightning in a bottle twice and has formally unveiled the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e crossover.   The Third Piece In Toyota’s Triple Play The RZ joins the already unveiled Toyota BZ4x and the Subaru Solterra in the ranks, and while the UX300e is technically the first all-electric Lexus offering, the RZ 450e is the first EV that …

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Subaru Releases 2023 BRZ Pricing, Now Starts At $29,615

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The 2023 Subaru BRZ is looking to build on some of the early success that the first generation enjoyed when it arrived on the scene a few years ago and while we learned alot about the performance and even some of the updates that make this iteration of the BRZ special. The one thing that was missing was pricing, with Subaru keeping a tight lid on that particular slice of information. But Subaru has changed that narrative and has now finally unveiled the pricing ladder for the second-generation BRZ family.   It’s Still The Premium Focused One With its sibling …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid FWD – Shifting The Green Balance In Mid-Size Pickups

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Ford’s bold plan of being a pure SUV and pickup company (Mustang excluded, of course) generated its fair share of criticism and faced a test courtesy of surging gas prices. But despite all of this, Ford is still generating massive profits and is rocketing towards an all-electric future. The Ford F-150 and the Ranger pickups are two vital cogs in the company’s broader sales machine. However, the family still had room for a smaller offering, and Ford has delivered the goods with the all-new Ford Maverick. But can the Maverick be the urban-entric truck offering that will allow the company …

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Ram 1500 BEV Concept To Appear Later This Year, Promises To Shakeup Segment

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The Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, and the GMC Hummer EV have all made their way to the marketplace for consumers. However, a continuing absence has been the Ram BEV pickup. We have seen our fair share of teaser images and an elaborate EV day hosted by Stellantis revealed some preliminary details about the truck. However, we have not seen a physical representation of the model in the flesh as of yet, but that’s changing according to a new report.   Ram BEV To Make Concept Appearance Later This Year The report follows up on an interview that Automotive News …

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2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Will Be A Darling Of Summer, What Buyers Can Expect?

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It wasn’t too long ago that we traveled out to Arizona to check out the 2022 Hummer EV Edition 1. But amid all the festivities, we were also given a glimpse into the future, with GMC reps providing an early glimpse of the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X. The AT4X will be breaking new ground for GMC in the mid-size segment, but what can buyers expect when this rugged Canyon makes its way to showrooms?   Rugged Styling But Turned Up A Notch GMC has so far only released one teaser image of the Canyon AT4X for now, but it does …

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2022 Kia Sorento PHEV SX-Prestige AWD review by Ben Lewis

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Like we’ve noted before, the Kia Sorento has one big problem – it lives in the shadow of its big brother the Telluride. Ok, the Telly does deserve the acclaim it’s a great 3-row SUV that looks, goes and performs just how you’d want a big SUV to. But the Sorento has a lot going for it, too. In fact, while it’s smaller, it still serves up 3 rows of seats, and we’d argue it’s a more advanced vehicle, first being offered in a Hybrid model, and now with a new for ’22 PHEV plug-in hybrid variant. And with the …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz – Hyundai’s First Pickup Goes For The Lifestyle Crowd

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Hyundai, making pickup trucks? When Hyundai announced that it was making a pickup entry, we were admittedly skeptical, especially considering that the Korean car giant had never made a conventional pickup offering up to this point. Hyundai thinks it’s on to something with the Santa Cruz, and when we had the chance to briefly sample it in Ann Arbor, it certainly made an excellent first impression. But how would it do with more prolonged exposure? We were keen to find out.   Sport Adventure Vehicle Motif Defines Santa Cruz We called out Hyundai back then for asserting that the Santa …

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First Ride – VinFast VF 8 – Does It Live Up To The Hype?

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VinFast has rapidly become the new darling of the EV segment. This is thanks partly to the strong support from the VinGroup parent company and some of the automotive talent that the company has managed to recruit to its ranks. But can VinFast do what Chinese firms failed to do and bring an affordable EV alternative to consumers? We were eager to find out and made our way to the EV Test Track at the New York Auto Show to go for a ride inside the VF 8 to get a small taste of what’s in store for consumers when …

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Equinox RS

2022 Chevy Equinox RS Drive and Off-Pavement Review

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2022 Chevy Equinox RS The Chevy Equinox RS is a new trim for 2022. Chevy introduced the RS  in the Camaro in the late 1960’s. RS stands for Rally Sport, and debuted as an appearance package that could be added onto any other trim level Camaro. It included hideaway headlights, reverse lights, and other trim pieces. Following that history, the Equinox RS is very much an appearance trim without any performance upgrades. However, instead of a standalone package it is a separate trim level. Outside the Equinox RS Separating the RS from other trim levels are some unique features. It …

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First Ride – INDI EV Indi One – Is It The Ultimate Gamer Station?

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When INDI EV was founded back in 2017, the basic formula seemed to be a very promising one: make a futuristic EV that would deliver the goods on mileage and enhance connectivity. INDI made a splash this week when they kicked off pre-ordering for the Indi One during NYIAS press days. But is it worth the sum of its parts?   First Ride Gives Mixed Impression To find out, we made the trek down to the EV test track (after a brief stop at INDI’s booth) to have our chance to ride in the futuristic crossover. The exterior styling of …

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VinFast Reveals VF 9 and VF 8 Pricing, Details Battery Lease Plans

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    Vietnamese company VinFast is eager to prove that it can do what the Chinese automakers promised but could never deliver (bring affordable EVs to our shores.) The firm is very serious about this and, on the heels of an IPO and confirmation of its first North American plant, has now confirmed pricing for the VF 8 and its corporate sibling, the VF 9.   A VinFast For Any Taste The VF 8 and the VF 9 are very distinctive offerings, and they will make each appeal to unique customer niches. The smaller 8 is, the sportier-looking one and …

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Bigger And Turbocharged, Jeep Unveils Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer L Models

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When we had our chance to get behind the wheel of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, we immediately fell in love with the sheer amount of luxury and capability that this rolling penthouse brought to the table. However, fuel economy was a spectre that prominently hung over it. Jeep has not only addressed that gremlin but also added more space with the all-new Grand Wagoneer and Wagoneer L models.   Stand Back; There’s A Hurricane Coming Through The 2023 Wagoneer family is bringing more to buyers, including a brand new engine. Dubbed the Hurricane, Jeep claims that the new turbocharged inline-six …

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Maserati GranTurismo Folgore Lights Up Rome

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The iconic Maserati GranTurismo is making significant progress in its quest toward production reality. Maserati has released heavily veiled teaser images of it in the past, but a trip through the streets of Rome has given the world its clearest look yet at the all-new GranTurismo Folgore. Italian Style Personified The Folgore part of its name (not to be confused with the similar-sounding character from the Killer Instinct video game series) signifies that it’s an all-electrified model, and it also gives the car a nice ring to it as well. The exterior styling largely follows the same basic script that …

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2023 Nissan Leaf Boasts Light Refresh For New York

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Nissan is once again making headlines in the EV market. Still, this time around, the focus is not on the revolutionary Ariya EV but rather on a grizzled veteran, the 2023 Nissan Leaf, which will make its debut in the Big Apple.   Revised Exterior And Interior Define New Leaf The current generation Leaf’s exterior design was starting to noticeably age compared to some of its rivals, and Nissan designers have made some tweaks to help it stay fresh. The front grille is brand new, and the slick 17-inch wheels get a new Ariya inspired design. A new light-up Nissan badge …

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Lucid Confirms Air Grand Touring Performance Model, Still A Potent Green Machine

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When we last saw the Lucid Air, it was in the range topping Dream Edition model which boasted over 1100 hp and made an appearance at the 2022 NACTOY awards (though it came away empty handed.) Lucid is not letting that little setback stop them though, and the California based EV maker confirmed that it will be releasing the all-new Grand Touring Performance model to consumers.   Still In The 1,000 hp Club While the Grand Touring Performance is not quite as powerful as the limited production Dream Edition, that’s like saying a single jet fighter jet is less powerful …

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2021 Land Rover Defender 90 First Edition Review by Ben Lewis

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So, we road test a lot of different vehicles. And some of them are very expensive, status-y models, and it’s no surprise that you get an interesting range of responses. Often times with the pricey ones, you get pushback, the anti-snobbism. So, it’s interesting when you have a vehicle that’s a luxury brand, loaded with status, yet everyone seems to love it. Case in point – our 2021 Land Rover Defender 90. It’s a charmer. Lovable Looks Well, the first thing that bowls people over is the Defender’s design. Our 2-door 90 model looks like a giant Tonka Toy – …

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Road Test Comparison – 2022 Mazda 3 Hatchback vs 2022 Honda Civic Si – Which Is Better?

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The compact sedan market can be a very interesting place to explore once you have a chance to look at some of the current offerings that are available for consumer consumption. Once relegated to cheap econoboxes that favored thriftiness over performance (hot hatches like the GTI excluded) the segment has rapidly morphed into a different breed with luxury, design, and technology rapidly becoming the key benchmarks as they attempt to stand out against CUVs. The 2022 Mazda 3 and the 2022 Honda Civic Si are two such examples, with both trying to appeal to a broader swath of the market. …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Toyota Venza Limited – A Reboot That Embraces The Green Side Of Life

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When We last saw the Toyota Venza it was a much different offering. Designed to be a comfortable crossover for empty nesters, the Venza’s sales reflected this with that version performing well below Toyota’s expectations of 75,000 to 100,000 sales per year. However, going full circle can sometimes be a good thing and Toyota is aiming to achieve just that with the 2022 Venza. This iteration of the Venza appears to have alot of the core attributes down, but are they all enough to finally make it a sales winner? Venza Styling Goes In Radical But More Aerodynamic Direction The …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor – Is It Still The King Of The Mountain?

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The off-road pickup segment has seen a renewed resurgence in recent years both in demand and in performance, with many of these trail-ready offerings offering more performance than ever before. The truck that’s often credited with launching this revolution is the Ford F-150 Raptor. Originally created in borderline secrecy deep in the bowels of the Ford Motor Company, the Raptor has rapidly become one of the strongest sellers in the F-150 family and has rapidly emerged as a potent benchmark for all that came after it. Ford gave the model some updates for the 2021 model year, but with the …

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2022 Lexus NX 350 F SPORT Handling AWD review by Ben Lewis

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We’re always happy to test a new Lexus – but a little like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. Sometimes they are just lovely, refined vehicles that you’d be happy for your grandparents to toddle around town in. But lately, Toyota’s luxury division has been messing with us – throwing some Jalapeno poppers into our box of creamy nougats. The IS 350 and IS 500 are both jaw-droppers – thrilling to drive, stunning to look at, proof that Lexus is ready to take on the world’s best and give them a good stomping. …

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Ford Details 2023 Bronco Raptor’s Digital Cluster, Confirms Drive Mode Animations

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The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor received alot of buzz for injecting a massive amount of fun and capability into the Bronco’s already impressive foundation. But amid all the noise generated by its bigger engine and screengrabs of it jumping the dunes, not too much attention was given to the Raptor model’s digital instrument cluster. Turns out, there’s alot more going on here than we realized, and Ford detailed some of the digital details in a release earlier today.   A New View On Bronco Performance At first glance, the images in the gallery below seem to follow the same typical …

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First Drive Review – 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 Pickup – Supercharging GM’s Ultium Ambitions

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The pages of history are quickly turning at General Motors. It wasn’t too long ago that the idea of a pure EV offering from GM would’ve been seen as laughable never mind one with the Hummer badge dubbed the Edition 1. In those days, Hummer was known for two things, delivering the goods on off-road capability, and laughably low fuel economy. But the times have changed, and GM has brought back the Hummer moniker (as a sub-brand this time) to not only spearhead its assault on the EV market but also storm the pickup segment as the world’s first “supertruck.” …

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GM And Honda Confirm EV Plans, First Model Set For Production In 2027

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Rumors and borderline confirmations circulated for years about GM and Honda potentially teaming up for an ambitious project aimed at creating an affordable EV model. The two have now made it official with both companies confirming the news earlier today.   Honda To Gain Two New SUV Models A key aspect of this partnership is that Honda will be getting two all new EV utility offerings with the Honda side getting the Prologue while Acura gets a currently unnamed model for the luxury market. This announcement though expands on this and confirms that the deal will focus on affordable EVs …

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Volta Confirms First “Volta Hub” Facility, Paves Way For EV Adoption

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Volta Trucks has been making waves in the commercial truck market. While the bulk of their efforts have been mostly confined to Europe, the company is still confident that electrification in the commercial segment will be the new way forward, and has launched the first Volta Service Hub location in Paris, France.   Follows On The Heels Of Volta Zero Trials This latest announcement comes as Volta is preparing for the first consumer evaluations of the Volta Zero which are slated to begin in the middle of next year. These trucks will see duty in a wide variety of settings, but all …

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Toyota Helps Corolla Go Super Saiyan With All New 2023 GR Corolla, 300 hp and Track Ready Tech Are Standard

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With many automakers reducing their involvement in hatchback models to cater to a growing hunger for crossover and utility vehicle sales, it’s still good to see that a few are still tinkering with the iconic hot hatch. Toyota is one such company and has unveiled the all-new 2023 GR Corolla which aims to bring international market performance to American buyers.   GR Corolla Embraces Track Ready Motif When the GR Corolla makes its way to dealerships later this year, it will be offered in two grades (Core and the launch Exclusive Circuit Edition.) Core models represent the budget focused option …

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