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The most American-Made cars and more autos stories

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 13:07:53 -0400

Welcome to the Fox News Autos Newsletter. To receive this newsletter in your email, subscribe here.

MADE IN USA: Tesla swept the top spots in the Cars.com American-Made Index of cars and trucks. Continue reading here

HIT THE ROAD…STER: New kit blows the doors off the Ford Bronco. Continue reading here

SHOCKER: Cadillac reveals a first look at the electric Escalade IQ and the date of its debut. Continue reading here

INTELLIGENT DESIGN: Toyota is using AI to meld the design and engineering of its new models. Continue reading here

BIG NEWS ABOUT SMALL TRUCKS: Here's why Chevy doesn't sell a compact pickup in the U.S. Continue reading here

FLYING HIGH: Classic 1970 Plymouth Superbird soars at auction. Continue reading here

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Here's how to turn the Ford Bronco into a 'no-door' roadster

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 08:57:49 -0400

When the original Ford Bronco was launched in 1966, it was available as a two-door or a no-door.

The Bronco Roadster was built without doors or a roof, making it the ultimate open-top SUV.

The body was updated to create a signature swoop line around the door opening.

The lost functionality was not popular with customers, however, and only about 5,000 were sold before it was discontinued in 1968.

TEST DRIVE: THE 2023 FORD BRONCO EVERGLADES IS A WATER HORSE

Predictably, when the Bronco returned in 2021 it was only offered in two-door and four-door models, although their doors are removable. But now, there is a way to give them that Roadster style.

Aftermarket body parts specialist Anderson Composites is now offering a set of Roadster-style doors that replace the stock parts.

The fiberglass parts are actually functional swing-out doors this time but offer a take on the original Bronco's cutaway styling. They weigh just 14.8 pounds compared to the Bronco's 52.5-pound doors.

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They are currently only available for the four-door Bronco priced at $1,099 per front and rear pair, but a two-door set is coming later this year.

If that seems like a lot to pay for less, Ford has its own take on the open door policy with a set of tube doors that are priced nearly the same at $2,250.

Anderson Composities advertises the doors for off-road use only, but it is legal to drive a Bronco with the doors off in most states, but there are often regulations about having side mirrors in place when you do.

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That is no problem with the new Bronco as it was designed with door mirrors attached to the body, rather than the doors, for this exact reason. What is not possible is removing the modern roll cage to create the full Roadster experience.

Tesla sweeps the 2023 Cars.com American-Made Index

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 10:48:41 -0400

Tesla has taken the four top spots in the Cars.com American-Made Index study.

The annual report ranks models based on several factors, including the final manufacturing location of the vehicle and its parts, plus the number of American jobs created by its production.

Components that come from Canada are included, as they fall under the criteria of the American Automobile Labeling Act, but U.S. assembly of transmissions and engines is weighted to compensate.

The Tesla Model Y has placed in the number one position for the second year in a row followed by the Model 3, Model X and Model S.

AMERICAN CARS? YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW THESE MODELS ARE MADE IN THE USA

All the vehicles Tesla sells in the U.S. are manufactured at its Fremont, California, and Austin, Texas, factories.

The Alabama-built Honda Passport rounded out the top five and was followed in the top 10 by the Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUV from Tennessee, the Honda Odyssey minivan (Alabama), the Acura MDX (Ohio), Honda Ridgeline (Alabama), and Acura RDX (Ohio).

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The highest-ranked model from an American brand other than Tesla was the Lincoln Corsair, which is made in Kentucky and was third on the 2022 list, while the Chevrolet Corvette, which is also assembled in the state, was the highest-ranked General Motors model in 19th.

Among the high-profile vehicles that did not make the list of 100 were the Illinois-built Rivian R1T pickup and RIS SUV, in part because they are both classified as heavy-duty vehicles and are not subject to requirements reporting the sourcing of all of their parts.

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The Cars.com American-Made Index uses different criteria than the Kogod Made in America Index, the most recent of which had the Lincoln Corsair at the top.

Toyota is using AI to design better cars faster

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 08:19:36 -0400

Toyota is brining artificial intelligence deeper into the car design process.

The automaker has developed a new algorithm that can help develop new vehicle designs quicker than traditional processes.

The system allows engineers and designers to upload sketches, then use text-based prompts to ask the system to optimize them within various engineering constraints.

"Generative AI tools are often used as inspiration for designers, but cannot handle the complex engineering and safety considerations that go into actual car design," explained Avinash Balachandran, director of the Toyota Research Institute's (TRI) Human Interactive Driving division.

CALIFORNIA'S LIGHTNING MOTORCYCLES IS BUILDING ‘ORGANIC’ BIKES WITH AI

"This technique combines Toyota’s traditional engineering strengths with the state-of-the-art capabilities of modern generative AI."

Designers can enter commands like "show me futuristic sleek variations of my design while minimizing drag" and get several iterations in a fraction of the amount of time it would usually take to apply "optimization theory."

"Reducing drag is critical for improving the aerodynamics of BEVs to maximize their range," said Takero Kato, Toyota's battery electric vehicle factory president.

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Virtually any performance metric or constraint can be set for optimization, including chassis and cabin dimensions. Designers use the feedback to massage the final shape of the vehicle.

"TRI is harnessing the creative power of AI to amplify automobile designers and engineers," said Charlene Wu, senior director of TRI’s Human-Centered AI Division.

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Toyota released two technical papers through Cornell University that explain how the system can be used in further detail.

Shock: Electric Cadillac Escalade revealed in first images ahead of August debut

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 10:00:18 -0400

Feast your eyes on the Escalade IQ.

Cadillac has released new images of the upcoming electric version of its best-selling model.

The Escalade IQ is entirely different from the internal combustion engine-powered SUV that is currently on sale.

It is designed around the same Ultium electric vehicle platform as the GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup and will be built alongside them at General Motors' Factory Zero Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center in Michigan.

HERE'S HOW CADILLAC'S SEMI-AUTONOMOUS CELESTIQ WILL WORK

A teaser video launched on Tuesday does not show the Escalade IQ in full, but offers a few glimpses of it, including a shadowy view of the front of the full-size truck.

It features an illuminated faux grille and Cadillac badge and a vertical front lighting design similar to those on the Lyriq midsize SUV and upcoming $300,000 Celestiq car. Cadillac has chosen IQ as the suffix for the names of all of its electric models, but added it separately to Escalade to preserve the equity of its top model's name.

The wheels are also similar to the Celestiq's and a peek through the sunroof suggests that the Escalade IQ also shares the car's full-width digital dashboard screen.

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The graphic on the display announces the date when the Escalade IQ will debut, which will be on Aug. 9 at noon at an event in New York City.

"Escalade IQ represents the reinvention of Cadillac’s most iconic nameplate," the automaker said in a press release.

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Cadillac has not offered any hints about pricing and power for the Escalade IQ, but the Escalade-V, its top gas-fueled model today, has a 682 hp supercharged V8 and starts at $152,490.

The Escalade IQ is expected to go on sale next year as a 2025 model.

Here's why you can't buy a compact Chevy pickup in the USA

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 12:52:36 -0400

Compact trucks are big business these days.

The recently introduced Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz compact pickups are both strong-sellers for the brands and have reopened a segment that has been dormant in the U.S. for years.

Ram may soon get into the game with a version of the new Rampage it unveiled this month in Brazil, with reports saying it is being prepped to enter the American market later this year.

A Ram spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the company could not comment on the rumors, but Ram CEO Mike Koval has said the brand is looking into possibly adding a small truck to the U.S. lineup.

THE TELO IS A TEENY TINY ELECTRIC TRUCK

One automaker that does not appear to be doing the same is General Motors.

GM offers compact pickups in other countries, but the automaker explained to Muscle Cars and Trucks why it does not do the same in the U.S.

"We think customers are best served with a body-on-frame pickup truck, Mike MacPhee, director of Chevrolet truck marketing in a conversation, told the outlet.

All the pickups mentioned above are based on unibody chassis like those used for cars or crossover SUVs, rather than the ladder frames that underpin models like the Ford Ranger and F-Series.

"We think that gives the capability, the ability to modify it simply, the off-road capability, and durability that’s inherent of a body-on-frame chassis," MacPhee said.

GM has launched the all-new midsize Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize trucks this year, both of which are larger than the Maverick and Santa Cruz and built with body-on-frame construction.

GM is also investing in a next-generation of full-size trucks, both with internal combustion engines and electric power.

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Howerver, while GM is not planning to bring a compact truck to the U.S., it could soon be selling something even smaller.

It has designed a mini, two-door electric pickup with a four to 4.5-foot bed that is collecting feedback on from potential customers.

"The input may come back that it's just too small, and that's OK," Michael Pevovar, director of Chevrolet affordable EV and crossover design said.

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"Maybe [it won't be] right for what this architecture can provide, but does it have legs for different architecture where it might need to be a little bigger?"

'The most original' 1970 Plymouth Superbird muscle car sold for a small fortune

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 12:11:20 -0400

A 1970 Plymouth Superbird muscle car owned by the same family for 48 years has been auctioned for quite a bit more than they paid for it.

The iconic model was designed to help Plymouth's NASCAR program and features a signature streamlined body with an iconic nosecone and high rear wing.

Fewer than 2,000 production cars were built as it wasn't a particularly popular street vehicle, and many of them fell into disrepair as they were unloved in the decades that followed.

Things have turned around in the 21s century, however, and the survivors now rank among the most valuable collector cars.

RARE ‘MOULIN ROUGE’ PINK PLYMOUTH 'CUDA MUSCLE CAR HEADING TO AUCTION

Examples in great condition often go for over $500,000, and a perfectly restored car with a 426 Hemi V8 engine was auctioned last year for a record $1.65 million.

The auction car was purchased from the family in 2018 by Soneff’s Master Garage, a classic car specialist in Denver.

Owner Jay Soneff described it to Fox News Digital as "1,000% original, possibly the most original Superbird left in the world."

The "Vitamin C Orange" coupe has 57,178 miles on the odometer, a few scrapes and dents and the paint on its fender-top vents is faded, but its 440 cubic-inch "Six Barrel" V8 runs fine. It's original price when new was around $5,000.

Soneff kept and drove it for a few years, but never restored it given its time capsule condition. He decided to put it up for sale this month through VanDerBrink Auctions along with several other cars as he trimmed his collection.

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Its original price was just around $5,000 when it was new, but bidding on the auction quickly shot into the six-figure range with the winner coming in at $203,000.

After fees were added the buyer ended up paying $221,720.

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While that seems like a pretty good return on an investment, according to S&P Global Ratings, a $5,000 in the S&P 500 in 1970 would be worth just over $1 million today.

The Telo is a teeny tiny electric truck

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 18:10:06 -0400

The popular Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz have ushered in a new era of small trucks in America, but they might look big pretty soon.

California startup electric vehicle company Telo has unveiled a miniature electric pickup that's as small as a Mini Cooper.

But it can haul.

The 152-inch pickup is being developed around a 500 hp dual-motor all-wheel-drive system and can accelerate to 60 mph in a sports car-like four seconds, according to the company. Its top speed is listed at 125 mph.

HERE'S HOW FAR THE ELECTRIC FORD F-150 LIGHTNING CAN REALLY HAUL A LOAD, ACCORDING TO AAA

The four-door also has a reconfigurable design with a drop-down wall between the cabin and the bed that can extend the cargo floor over the fold-down rear and front passenger seats. There's also a storage space that runs under the bed from side to side, similar to the Rivian R1T pickup's Gear Tunnel.

The Telo can be converted into a three-row SUV by adding a cap over the bed, which has a third row of rumble-style seats in the floor.

The vehicle was designed with input from Yves Behar, who has previously worked on a variety of products, including Bluetooth headphones and laptops.

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Telo expects the vehicle to have a range of 350 miles per charge, thanks to its 106 kWh battery pack, which is very large for a vehicle this size. So is the price, which is $49,999.

The company is currently accepting reservations with a $152 deposit and hopes to hand-build 500 vehicles before its mechanized assembly line is ready to increase output in 2026.

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A prototype will be publicly demonstrated this summer.

The Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven is a look into the future

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 13:30:33 -0400

Mercedes-Benz's newest supercar concept salutes the brand's past.

The Vision One-Eleven's name was inspired by the famous C-111 experimental cars of the 1970s.

The series of iconic gull wing coupes were used to develop and showcase new technologies.

One was able to hit the then-astonishing speed of 251 mph on a test track.

MERCEDES-BENZ IS ADDING CHATGPT TO ITS CARS … RIGHT NOW

The Vision One-Eleven follows in the C-111's tire tracks with an all-electric, next generation powertrain.

The car is equipped with axial-flux electric motors made by Mercedes-Benz-owned YASA that are a third the size and weight of the more common radial-flux motors used in most electric cars today.

The liquid-cooled battery pack also uses technology derived from Mercedes-Benz's hybrid Formula One cars.

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The Vision One-Eleven features a modern take on the 1970s-era wedge styling and has a luxury interior with a full-width digital display.

"Our goal at Mercedes-Benz is not to do styling – our goal is to create icons," Mercedes-Benz chief design officer Gorden Wagener said.

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There are no plans to put the One-Eleven into production as is, but elements from it could find their way into future showroom models.

A drag racing Dragonsnake and more autos stories

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 09:31:12 -0400

Welcome to the Fox News Autos Newsletter. To receive this newsletter in your email, subscribe here.

DRAGGIN' DRAGON: Shelby is selling 5 new classic Cobras for an astonishing price. Continue reading here

BRIGHT IDEA: Cars this color hold their value the best. Continue reading here

RACY RANGER: Ford is taking on the Dakar Rally with a Ranger pickup. Continue reading here

COMEBACK KID: The Toyota Land Cruiser is returning to the USA. Continue reading here

AI BIKES: Lightning Motorcycles is using artificial intelligence to build ‘organic’ motorcycles. Continue reading here

RIDE LIKE THE WIND: Ford's new wind tunnel can reach 200 mph. Continue reading here

CHARGING AHEAD: Kias and Lucids can beat Teslas at this. Continue reading here

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Ford Ranger Dakar Rally raider revealed

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 09:11:12 -0400

The Ford Ranger is getting ready to race.

Ford has revealed the Ranger pickup-based competition truck it will enter the grueling Dakar Rally with next year.

The automaker is launching an all-new Ranger in the U.S. this year that includes a high performance off-road Raptor model.

The Dakar truck will wear the body of the last-generation global Ranger in 2024 before switching to the new one for the 2025 race.

FORD'S 200 MPH WIND TUNNEL WAS DESIGNED TO BLOW THE COMPETITION AWAY

The two-week-long Dakar rally covers over 3,000 miles of Saudi Arabian desert.

The purpose-built vehicle was developed in collaboration with M-Sport and Neil Woolridge Motorsport and will compete in the top T1 class for the overall win.

It is built on a tube-frame chassis and powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine.

Its suspension provides nearly 14-inches of wheel travel and can handle big jumps at high speeds.

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"Our first time in Dakar will be a learning adventure that will help inform how we compete in the future," said Ford Performance Motorsports global director Mark Rushbrook.

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"But as with all racing, we’re not just racing to win, we’re also racing to help build better products for our customers."

To that end, a production-based race version of the new 2024 Ranger that completed last year's Baja 1000 race during its development recently won the Finke Desert Race in Alice Springs, Australia.

The Dakar entry is the latest move by Ford into major international racing, which will also include a return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year with the Mustang GT3.

Mercedes-Benz is adding ChatGPT to its cars... right now

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:26:28 -0400

Mercedes-Benz vehicles are known for their quiet cabins, but things are going to get a little louder in them soon.

The luxury automaker has announced that it is launching a software update that will bring ChatGPT into its vehicles through a collaboration with the Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service., starting on June 16.

The feature will be integrated into the MBUX infotainment system, which already offers a wide array of voice commands through the "Hey, Mercedes" voice assistant feature.

ChatGPT will allow occupants to have "conversations with natural dialogues and follow-up questions" with the generative artificial intelligence platform.

CAR TALK: AI CHAT CAPABILITY IS RACING INTO NEW VEHICLES

"Participants who ask the Voice Assistant for details about their destination, to suggest a new dinner recipe, or to answer a complex question, will receive a more comprehensive answer – while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road," Mercedes-Benz said.

The feature will be available as a beta program to the 900,000 customers who currently have an MBUX-equipped vehicle.

"The integration of ChatGPT with Microsoft in our controlled cloud environment is a milestone on our way to making our cars the center of our customers' digital lives. Our beta program boosts the existing Hey Mercedes functions such as navigation queries, weather requests and others with the capabilities of ChatGPT," Markus Schäfer, member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, chief technology officer, Development and Procurement, said.

The beta program is scheduled to run for three months and the interactions will be used to further refine the system.

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Mercedes-Benz said it will retain control of all the collected data, which will be anonymized.

"Customers know at all times what information is collected and for what purpose, and they are free to make their own decisions. Mercedes-Benz protects all customer data from manipulation and misuse," Mercedes-Benz said.

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Owners can tell the voice assistant, "Hey Mercedes, I want to join the beta program," on Friday if they are interested in opting in, or sign up through the Mercedes me app.

Mercedes-Benz is the first automaker to launch a ChatGPT-based system, while several others, including General Motors, have said they are looking into developing similar features.

Ford's 200 mph wind tunnel was designed to blow the competition away

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 11:58:28 -0400

The 2024 Ford Mustang was designed to ride like the wind. And into it.

Ford has unveiled the new wind tunnel it has installed at its Allen Park, Michigan, development center, where the Mustang and other new models are tested.

It's the first rolling road wind tunnel that can generate wind speeds up to 200 mph.

The facility features five treadmill-like belts that allow a vehicle's four wheels to turn during testing while the fifth rolls under the center of the vehicle to simulate driving down the road better than a wind tunnel with a fixed floor can.

THE FORD MUSTANG GT3 RACE CAR WILL TAKE ON ‘EVERYONE' AROUND THE WORLD

"The closer we can get to reality in the lab, the better and faster we can create more energy efficient vehicles with great on-road and track stability," said John Toth, Ford's North America Wind Tunnels engineering supervisor.

"Testing while the wheels and tires move is instrumental to improving aerodynamics for track-ready vehicles, like Mustang Dark Horse, which has to balance both aerodynamic drags and downforce."

The 500 hp Mustang Dark Horse will be the highest performance version of the model when deliveries begin later this year.

"We spent approximately 250 hours in the wind tunnel developing the 2024 Ford Mustang, which includes Dark Horse," said Jonathan Gesek, program aerodynamicist for Mustang and Bronco.

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The tunnel's 26-foot tall, 7,000 horsepower turbine is capable of moving enough air to fill a 250-foot-long blimp in just five seconds.

Ford isn't claiming the Mustang Dark Horse can reach 200 mph in the real world, but it has build a few cars that can, including the 2013 Mustang Shelby GT500, which had a claimed top speed of 202 mph, and the 2017 Ford GT, which can hit 216 mph, according to Ford.

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The Mustang Dark Horse's development was focused more on reducing front end lift, improving downforce and optimizing engine and brake cooling, but the tunnel will also be used to design energy efficient electric vehicles.

California's Lightning Motorcycle is building 'organic' bikes with AI

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 02:00:26 -0400

Lightning Motorcycle is speeding up the design of its bikes with the help of artificial intelligence.

The San Jose, California-based, electric motorcycle builder has started using the new Fusion 360 computer-aided design software system from Autodesk that leverages AI-based generative design to develop complex components in a fraction of the time it would take engineers to do it using standard methods.

"It really allows our engineers to draw on a much greater database of ideas," Lightning Motorcycles CEO Richard Hatfield told Fox News Digital.

"Where we would typically be limited by the engineers’ experience, we can now draw on the generative design software’s database of options."

AI-POWERED ROBOTIRE CAN CHANGE 4 TIRES TWICE AS FAST AS HUMAN

A pilot project focused on a suspension swingarm for an upcoming, higher performance version of the Lightning LS-218 superbike. The current model has a 244 hp electric motor, can accelerate to 60 mph in less than two seconds and costs $38,988.

The goal was to make it lighter and stronger, and the result is what Hatfield called an "organic" matrix that weighs 20% less than the traditional swingarm.

"We use the generative AI software to target a part we want to optimize, and then it’s an interaction between the engineers and the software in looking at the iterations and choosing the best design," Hatfield said.

It’s also constructed of less metal, which is another goal of shifting to the tech.

"It reduces development costs and material costs by optimizing strength over weight," Hatfield said.

"We supplied the outside parameters – the length, where the wheel is, the shock mount pivot location and other key points – and the software produced several iterations."

The first version took a couple of months to design, but the process has already been cut down to a matter of days.

The prototype was constructed with a lost wax casting process that utilized 3D printing, but the initial production parts will be handcrafted from tubing. Metal forging is being looked at for future applications.

Hatfield said the software is trained on the first principles of engineering, rather than existing products, so there isn't any concern about violating intellectual property.

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The first bikes with the swingarm are expected to be on sale by the end of this year. Lightning is a small manufacturer that doesn’t release sales figures, but a report from Revzilla estimated that it delivered about two dozen of them in 2022.

Hatfield said the company is so pleased with how things are going so far that it is planning to expand the use of the generative AI system.

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"From a structural, mechanical engineering perspective, this is probably about 80 to 90% of how we’ll be developing them in a few years."

This story has been updated with clarifications from Autodesk

Kias and Lucids are faster than Teslas at this

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 10:07:35 -0400

Race car drivers know time spent in the pits is wasted, and that also applies to electric car owners.

Slow charging times continue to be one of the top reasons people choose not to buy an electric vehicle, but things are speeding up.

While most still need at least 40 minutes to replenish their batteries to 80% at a DC fast charging station, Tesla, Porsche, Kia, Hyundai and Lucid all have models that can do quicker than that.

But which one is the quickest?

FORD IS ADDING TESLA CHARGING TECH TO ITS ELECTRIC VEHICLES

The P3 Group consulting firm has put some top models to the test to determine how many miles worth of electricity they can replenish during 10- and 20-minute charging sessions, which is much closer to the typical five-minute refueling stop for internal combustion engine cars than a 40-minute charge.

Electric vehicles go through a "charging curve" that typically sees them recharge the fastest early in a session, then slow down to avoid damaging the battery as it begins to fill. The results take into account the resulting level of the battery charge and energy efficiency of the vehicle.

The test found that the Kia EV6 with rear-wheel-drive and a long range battery had the best 10-minute performance with a 127-mile charge, followed by the Lucid Air GT at 124 miles and the Tesla Model S Plaid at 123 miles.

The slowest of the vehicles tested was the Ford F-150 Lightning with extended range battery, which was only able to pick up 59 miles, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E with extended range battery and rear-wheel drive at 62 miles.

Over 20 minutes, the Lucid Air GT pulled ahead for a total of 208 miles, followed by the Tesla Model S Plaid at 193 miles and the Kia EV6 at 191 miles.

The Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E finished with 109 and 110 miles, respectively.

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Automotive marketplace Edmunds will begin working with P3 Group to incorporate efficiency data into its vehicle tests.

"As more Americans consider an EV for their next vehicle purchase, range and charging efficiency will remain key concerns," Edmunds’ vice president of editorial, Alistair Weaver, said.

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"Through this partnership, Edmunds continues to empower and guide car shoppers with valuable insights. We look forward to sharing more in the months ahead."

The 2024 Buick Envision is a hands-free SUV

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 07:48:21 -0400

Buick is ready to take the wheel… some of the time.

The brand has unveiled its updated 2024 Envision, which will be the first Buick available with GM's hands-free Super Cruise highway driving feature.

The compact SUV has been redesigned with the Buick family's new styling language, which was inspired by last year's Wildcat concept.

The signature look features slim headlights and a large trapezoidal grille.

THE 2024 BUICK ENVISTA IS THE BRAND'S NEW ‘CHEAP’ SUV

Buick hasn't released an image that shows the entire interior, but a new digital instrument cluster can be seen.

It also shows off the Super Cruise feature, which uses a light bar on the top of the steering wheel to let the driver know when it is active.

Super Cruise uses cameras, sensors and a database of 3D maps covering more than 400,000 miles of North American roads where it can take over the steering as the driver takes their hands and feet off of the controls. The light bar on the wheel is green when it is working, then switches to red when it is approaching a zone that hasn't been certified for the system to work in or if detects an issue with the road ahead and needs the driver to take back control.

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It's capable of staying within a lane and can be set to pass slower cars when the traffic allows, as long as the driver keeps their eyes on the road.

A facial monitoring camera ensures that they are doing that.

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Pricing and full specifications for the 2024 Envision will be released closer to when imports from China begin later this year, but the 2023 model starts at $34,745.

Here's why buying a yellow car might be a bright idea

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 12:51:53 -0400

Yellow cars are solid gold… in the used car market.

A new report from iSeeCars has determined which color vehicles hold their value the best, and the more colorful the better.

Well, usually.

The study looked at 1.3 million transactions of three-year-old cars and trucks sorted by color to determine their depreciation.

THIS FORD TRUCK IS THE VEHICLE MOST LIKELY TO LAST 250,000 MILES

Yellow vehicles lost just 13.5% of their value during the period, compared to an average of 22.5%.

It often tops the list, but not just because people like cheery bright cars.

It's actually the least common car color in the U.S., accounting for just 1% of sales, which makes it a rarity on the used car market.

"Yellow cars continue to represent the greatest disparity between how many are produced and how many people want one," iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer said.

"While not many people want a yellow car, there are clearly more people who want one than exist, which is why yellow performs so well on the secondary market."

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The once-ubiquitous beige finished second on the list at 17.8%, which reflects its recent shift toward becoming a niche color.

It was followed by orange, green and red, while black, brown and actual gold were the three worst performers, the last of which saw an average depreciation of 25.9%.

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"It’s interesting to see how color rankings change across vehicle segments, reflecting the shift in preference based on the type of vehicle someone is buying," Brauer said. "Even more interesting is the consistently low ranking of supposedly popular colors like black and silver."

Call it a comeback: Toyota Land Cruiser returning to USA

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 09:06:50 -0400

You can literally cruise the land in it!

Toyota has announced that the classic Land Cruiser name is returning to its U.S. lineup on an all-new model.

The automaker last offered a Land Cruiser in the U.S. in 2021.

The news comes in the form of a social media post with a video cycling through several of the Land Cruiser badges that have been used since the 1950s.

ALL-NEW 2024 TOYOTA TACOMA REVEALED AS A HYBRID TRAILHUNTER

"Nothing better than a comeback story. The legend returns… #LetsGoPlaces," the caption said.

The Land Cruiser is the brand's longest-running nameplate and the latest version was launched globally in 2022.

It is built on the same truck platform as the Toyota Sequoia and recently unveiled 2024 Lexus GX, and is sized between the current Toyota 4Runner and the Sequoia.

Positioned as a serious, but premium off-roader, the Land Cruiser is so popular that Toyota announced last year it was sold out into 2026.

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Toyota didn't offer any details about the U.S. market model, but the Land Cruiser is offered around the world with a selection of turbocharged V6 engines.

The Lexus GX is launching with a 389 hp V6 and Toyota said an even more powerful hybridized version will be added at a later date.

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The last Land Cruiser offered in the U.S. was only available in high-end trims starting at $86,740.

5 new 1960s Shelby 'Dragonsnake' Cobras for sale at a jaw-dropping price

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 12:20:20 -0400

One of the most legendary American sports cars of the 1960s has returned.

The Shelby "Dragonsnake" Cobra was a version of the iconic roadster that was developed for drag racing.

The V8-powered two-seater first hit the track in 1963 and found great success on the country’s quarter-mile tracks, claiming dozens of victories over the next few years, including titles at the U.S. Nationals and World Championship.

"The 1960s Shelby ‘Dragonsnake’ program began when a small group of young Shelby American production employees developed and drag raced a pair of the roadsters to amazing success," Shelby American president Gary Patterson said.

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"Carroll Shelby was so impressed that he approved three more to be built for customers."

Shelby American has now resurrected the car with the help of Pennsylvania’s Legendary GT, which builds certified "continuation" replicas of the Cobra, which are built to the original specifications and are considered "new" cars.

Five all-new cars will be produced with authentic tube frame chassis and aluminum bodies.

The first wears the purple paint job and graphics of an original car that was first raced by Bruce Larson and went on to claim the most victories of any Shelby.

"Pennsylvanian Bruce Larson was a rock star in the 1960s with his drag racing Shelby Cobra," said Parker Shepley, business manager at Legendary GT.

"His contributions to the Shelby legend were incredible. We consulted him while developing this car to ensure as much authenticity as possible."

The 2,100-pound car is powered by a 364-cubic-inch Shelby Engine Company Ford-based V8 equipped with Weber carburetors, just like in the old days, that pumps 500 hp to its rear Mickey Thompson drag slicks through a modern five-speed manual transmission.

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The suspension uses the original design, but is equipped with adjustable Penske shocks, and the car features rack and pinion steering and 1963-style disc brakes. A hardtop has been added for improved aerodynamics, just like Larson’s car.

Pricing starts at a jaw-dropping $750,000, but that’s less than you’d have to pay for one of the original five cars. A yellow one that was built in 1965 was auctioned in 2022 for $1,375,000.

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Each car takes about a year to build and a portion of the sale of the price paid for the new car will be donated to the Carroll Shelby Foundation, which helps children facing life-threatening illnesses.

Hondas can now teach your teens how to drive more safely

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 10:12:36 -0400

Honda wants to put big brother in your car.

The good kind of big brother, the one that looks out for you.

The automaker has launched a new Driver Coaching app that can give teens and other new drivers helpful tips to improve their safety skills behind the wheel.

The app is currently only available to Apple iPhone users and displayed on the infotainment system screen through Apple CarPlay smartphone integration.

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"We created the Honda Driver Coaching app to take meaningful action to address a critical issue – that nearly one-third of U.S. traffic fatalities involve drivers under 25 years of age," said MJ Foxley, American Honda's Safety Strategy Leader.

"With schools getting out and summer driving season just around the corner, we hope our new Honda Driver Coaching app can positively influence young drivers and the safety of everyone sharing the road."

The app gives real-time visual and audio feedback to tell drivers if they're braking or accelerating too hard, or steering too abruptly, and keeps track of the data to provide a score at the end of a drive.

It also has a library of instructional videos that it can recommend based on the driver's performance, which can also be browsed and viewed at any time.

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Honda said it was particularly interested in developing this type of technology because it is the No. 1 brand among Gen Z new car buyers and that one-third of vehicle fatalities involve drivers under 25.

The lineup of currently compatible Honda and Acura models is:

Honda Civic (2019-2020)

Honda Insight (2018-2022)

Honda Accord (2018-2020 and 2023 or newer)

Honda HR-V (2023 or newer)

Honda CR-V (2020 or newer)

Honda Pilot (2023 or newer)

Acura Integra (2023 or newer)

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An Android-based version of the app that works through the vehicles' Android Auto smartphone integration is in development and will be available in 2024.

The Ford Mustang GT3 race car will take on 'everyone' around the world

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 13:50:04 -0400

It is a much faster horse.

The Ford Mustang GT3 unveiled in Le Mans, France, on Friday is a competition version of the new seventh-generation pony car that will be entered in racing series around the world next year.

It will also enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it will once again face off against Ferrari, as well as its American rival, the Chevrolet Corvette.

The Mustang GT3 is based on the production car, but has undergone significant modifications to get it ready for the track.

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Under the hood is a 5.4-liter version of the 5.0-liter "Coyote" V8 that powers the street Mustang.

It is connected to a paddle-shifted six-speed transaxle at the rear wheels.

The car's body is constructed of carbon fiber and features unique vents, dive planes, splitters and rocker panels to optimize its aerodynamics for racing. A huge, downforce-generating wing is suspended from two arms at the rear.

"Ford and Le Mans are bound together by history. And now we’re coming back to the most dramatic, most rewarding and most important race in the world. It is not Ford versus Ferrari anymore. It is Ford versus everyone," Ford CEO Jim Farley said.

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The car will be fielded by Ford and customer teams, including Proton Racing, and will be eligible for the World Endurance Championship and the American IMSA series that includes the 24 Hours of Daytona, where it will make its competition debut.

Ford famously won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966 to become the first American automaker to claim victory in the event, as recounted in the film "Ford v Ferrari," and also won the next three years in a row.

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It returned in 2016 to take first in the LMGTE Pro class with the Ford GT supercar on the 50th anniversary of its historic win.

The Toyota Prius is a sleek, sporty car now and more autos stories

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 11:51:57 -0400

Welcome to the Fox News Autos Newsletter. To receive this newsletter in your email, subscribe here.

PRETTY PRIUS: Toyota's iconic hybrid has been redesigned with a sleek new style. Continue reading here

SMOKE SCREEN: This car part can clear the air if you remember to change it. Continue reading here

QUICK CAR: Tesla stole an electric car speed record from Porsche. Continue reading here

LUXE TRUCKS: Lexus reveals its new GX and TX SUVs. Continue reading here

SACRE BLEU!: The Chevrolet Camaro Garage 56 Edition celebrates the model's entry in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Continue reading here

SHORT HAUL: Here's how far the Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup can go with a full load. Continue reading here

SHIFTY: Dodge is bringing back the manual transmission for one last ride. Continue reading here

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Driver slapped with $129,544 speeding fine; Here's why

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 08:31:02 -0400

If time is money, his time had better be worth a lot.

A wealthy Finnish man who was ticketed for driving 20 mph over the speed limit has been issued a $129,544 fine for the infraction.

Anders Wiklöf was caught going 82 kph (51 mph) in a 50 kph (31 mph) zone in the Aaland Islands.

Speeding ticket fines are pegged to a driver's income in Finland, based on their daily estimated disposable income.

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"I really regret the matter," Wiklöf told a local Aaland newspaper.

Wiklöf is the chairman of an eponymous holding company that has a net annual revenue of $375 million, Luxury Launches reported.

The 76-year-old has been cited for speeding before and was fined $68,176 in 2018 and $102,000 in 2013.

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Despite the huge amount Wiklöf paid for the latest ticket, it is far from a world record.

A driver in Switzerland, which has a similar system for calculating fines, was clocked doing 180 mph on a public road and had to pay $1 million.

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The unidentified motorist told police officers that "the speedometer must have been on the blink," according to Swiss Info.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

2024 Lexus GX revealed as serious off-road luxury truck

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 20:00:50 -0400

It's two for Thursday!

Lexus has revealed its new GX and TX SUVs in a double debut.

The 2024 GX marks the model's first full redesign in 14 years.

It's longer, wider and taller than the outgoing version and built on the same body-on-frame platform as the larger Lexus LX that went on sale last year.

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The GX has an upright, utilitarian style to go along with its very legitimate off-road capability.

The GX 550 is powered by a version of the 389 hp turbocharged V6 that's available in the Toyota Tundra and a more powerful hybrid version will be added in the future. A 10-speed automatic transmission drives a full-time 4x4 system with a two-speed transfer case and solid rear axle.

Three grades will be offered, Premium, Overtrail and Luxury. The Overtrail is new to the GX lineup and equipped for the most serious off-pavement driving.

It comes with 33-inch all-terrain tires, an electronic locking rear differential, a 360-degree camera, a low-speed off-road Crawl Control cruise control and the Electro-Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, which can disconnect the sway bars to improve wheel articulation over rough surfaces when needed then reconnect them for control on the road.

The Overtrail and Premium can tow up to 8,000 pounds and the Luxury is rated from 6,780 pounds to 6,990 pounds, depending on options.

The GX comes standard as a five-passenger vehicle and seven-seat options will be available. The TX can also carry up to seven, but is very much built for the street.

The large crossover is based on the Toyota Grand Highlander and is offered with three very different drivetrain options.

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The entry level TX 350 is available with front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive and a 275 hp turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 21 mpg combined, while the all-wheel-drive TX 500h F Sport Performance has all-wheel-drive and a hybridized version of the engine that produces 366 hp and delivers 24 mpg.

The top of the line TX 550h is a 406 hp plug-in hybrid with a turbocharged V6 that offers an estimated 30 mpg and 33 miles of all-electric driving between charges.

The TX has enough cargo space behind the third row to fit seven carry-on bags, one for each passenger.

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Prices have not been announced, but TX deliveries are scheduled to begin this fall and the GX will follow it in early 2024.

Dodge just brought back the stick shift Challenger Hellcat muscle car for the last time

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 13:46:55 -0400

It is the end of the road for rowing your own gears in a Dodge muscle car, but the last one is a beast.

Dodge discontinued offering manual transmission versions of the Challenger SRT Hellcat in 2022 because its 717 hp supercharged V8 engine could only meet tightening emissions standards when equipped with an automatic.

However, with the current V8-powered version of Challenger set to be replaced by the electric Charger SRT Daytona at the end of the year, Dodge's engineers went to work to bring it back one more time.

Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis confirmed its return for the 2023 model year last December, but it took a while to bring it to fruition.

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The team at Dodge has now completed the work and dealers have started taking orders. A post to the Dodge Garage website says the option would not be listed on the regular Dodge website's Build and Price tool.

It says that customers can find a dealer that has an allocation for a Hellcat using the Dodge Horsepower Locator, which lists every single Challenger that will be available before production ends, and specify the manual transmission with their order.

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The option is only offered with the entry-level 717 hp version of the Hellcat engine and not with cars that have the 797 hp, 807 hp and 900 hp engine tunes.

Dodge advises that given the transmission's later than expected return the total production numbers of cars equipped with it will likely be low, "making them a rare collectible going forward."

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Challengers with non-supercharged Hemi V8s have continued to be available with manual transmissions and will be for the rest of the year.