Over the weekend at the Tokyo Auto Salon show, Toyota unveiled two new sustainable takes on its beloved AE86 series cars. Remixing the classics with sustainability in mind, the first is a Toyota Corolla Levin which has been converted into a BEV Concept and the second is a Toyota Sprinter Trueno H2 Concept powered by a hydrogen system taken from the Toyota Mirai. Both vehicles appear in their original black-and-white paint colors and come with a manual transmission, remaining largely unchanged aside from the addition of special-edition decals and new Bride racing seats. The real changes are found under the hood with the BEV concept utilizing the engine from the Tundra Hybrid Truck, a Prius PHEV battery, and other battery tech from Toyota and Lexus. The AE86 H2 Concept features the Sprinter ...
For Hypebeast’s newest series, Garage Visits, we profiled Caleb Sok and his Sayber Design shop. Sok and his custom auto shop specialize in aerodynamic body kit development, which have designed special carbon fiber hoods, fenders, front lips and more for cars like the Toyota Supra. Sok and his team’s latest project, however, was a special kit for the new Toyota GR86 which debuted at this year’s SEMA in collaboration with DRVNmind, a motorsports themed content producer and community. As a lifelong car enthusiast and Toyota fan, Sok was an undeniable pick for our latest Garage Visits, as we not only took a closer look inside Sayber Design but also the Toyota 2023 GR86 through the eyes and experience of Sok himself. The 2023 Toyota GR86 ticks all the boxes when it comes to look, feel and all-a...
Nissan has officially revealed its 2024 GT-R lineup, showcasing a new facelift and rear designs which enhance the legendary sports car’s aerodynamic performance. This year sees the return of the GT-R T-Spec trim which joins Premium and NISMO models, as well as the revival of exclusive Millennium Jade and Midnight Purple paint colors that pay homage to some of the rarest R34 GT-R models. The 2024 GT-R Premium and T-Spec are rated at 565 horsepower while the 600 horsepower GT-R NISMO delivers exceptional performance drawn from motorsports applications. Enhancements visible from the exterior include redesigned front and rear fascias, a revised grille, reshaped rear wings, and optimized bumper sides. The modifications allow for an unchanged drag coefficient while delivering an increase i...
Suzuki‘s subsidiary Maruti Suzuki, has officially revealed its all-new Jimny 5-Door at Auto Expo 2023 taking place in Delhi, India. The new model, which features a longer wheelbase and two extra doors when compared to the cult classic Jimny 3-Door mini SUV, will be initially sold exclusively in overseas markets including India, Africa, and Latin America. Based on the original 3-Door Suzuki Jimny available globally, the new model is 100kg heavier and 13.4 inches longer. Powering the off-roader is a familiar 1.5-liter petrol engine featuring Suzuki’s AllGrip Pro AWD system which produces 103 horsepower with both manual and automatic gearbox options. Maintaining more or less than the same design, the car benefits from the practicality of more ground clearance and added entry points whil...
Jaguar has officially revealed its last-ever F-TYPE which coincides with the 75th anniversary of Jaguar’s sports car lineage. Customers can choose between the F-TYPE 75 or F-TYPE R 75 special edition models which are powered by Jaguar’s supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine outputting 444 and 567 horsepower respectively in Coupé and Convertible body styles. The quicker of the two is the F-Type R 75 with a quoted 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph. Available in a unique Giola Green metallic paint option with 20-inch wheels standard on all models, the 2024 F-Types will be the last combustion engine sports car offering from the manufacturer before Jaguar becomes an all-electric brand in 2025. “For 75 years Jaguar has been renowned for producing extraordinary ...
Audi’s RS 3 sports car already packed some impressive specs from hitting 60 mph in 3.6 seconds to boasting 401 horsepower. But even with this powerful punch in a small body, MANHART still wanted to beef up the model. That’s where MANHART’s new S 400 comes into play. With the S 400, the German performance automaker tunes up the RS 3 to 405 horsepower and 515 Nm of torque, which is powered by Audi’s turbocharged two-liter four-cylinder engine. However, MANHART has updated the engine with its Wagner-made Intercooler, its Carbon Air Intake and its ECU remapping. Alongside the engine updates is a new stainless steel exhaust system. Outside of the hood, the car is done up in a sleek charcoal gray with red and black detailing. Additionally, the car features a lower suspens...
Texas-based performance engineering company Hennessey has flipped the switch on the powerful Venom F5 model by turning it into a track-focused animal. Birthing the Venom F5 Revolution the new hypercar still harbors the signature strength of Hennessey’s performance. Leading the charge is a brag-worthy stat of 1,817 horsepower with a twin-turbocharged V8 powertrain competition-ready engine. Even though the Venom F5 was just as fast, the Revolution model has been outfitted with a few new updates to give it an edge over its relative. The range of enhancements includes retuned suspension, a roof-mounted air intake, digital track telemetry, improved agility and re-designed elements for aerodynamics. Another notable alteration is the group’s focus on weight reduction – making it the l...
Mercedes-Benz is stepping up its EV game as much as possible as it works towards its goal to go all-electric by 2030. The German automaker recently announced in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that it has plans to launch its own high-powered EV charging network by the end of this year. Starting in North America, Mercedes-Benz is moving forward with this portion of its all-electric strategy by ensuring effortless and rapid charging for its current and future EV car owners. The plan is to establish more than 10,000 high-power charging stations across the globe, spanning from North America, Europe, China and other main markets. According to a press release, Mercedes-Benz is offering pre-booking options for a charging station straight from their cars. Mercedes-Benz is also foc...
After a number of car owners complained about difficulties in getting used to the yoke butterfly steering wheel, Tesla has now quietly introduced an option for a standard round steering wheel for its Model X and Model S cars. Problems voiced by some in the community regarding the yoke include an awkward feeling at the wheel and difficulty in regaining control after slips on the road. As with Tesla’s original rectangular yoke wheels, functions such as honking, turn signals, and windshield wipers will still be controlled via buttons on the new steering wheel. However, another traditional element of the driving experience, the stalk, will still be excluded in Tesla vehicles. The horn is especially controversial, with many owners finding issues with the small size and offset positioning....
At CES 2023, Chrysler announced the debut of its Synthesis demonstrator, offering a glimpse into the future of the brand’s car interiors. While most concepts often show flashy car exteriors first, Chrysler takes a different approach this time around, demonstrating the possibilities of the cabin experience. The smart cockpit learns to adapt to the driver over time and is equipped with Level 3 autonomous driving allowing for a completely hands-free, eyes-off experience on the road. Stepping into the conceptual two-seater, the design is elegant and futuristic, made with premium, responsibly-sourced materials. A virtual personal assistant greets the driver automatically via biometric recognition and synthesizes multiple aspects of the customer experience including calendars, charge statu...
Automaker Stellantis, the parent company of Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and more, recently unveiled its Ram 1500 Revolution BEV concept. The EV concept is the latest part of the company’s Dare Forward 2030 initiative to reduce its carbon footprint. By the end of the decade, Stellantis plans to have 100 percent of its European sales and half of its United States sales to be of fully-electric vehicles. Set to be available in the year 2024 alongside a Jeep EV, the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV concept shared at CES 2023 is described as “brutiful,” or “brutal yet beautiful.” The car features “grand saloon style” doors, aerodynamic 3D-printed side view mirrors, and a digital “RAM” grille. Raised ...
With their first EV set for pre-order in 2023, Sony and Honda shared the concept for their first model at CES 2023. The electronics and automobile union of Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) unveiled the Afeela prototype EV, revealing a minimalist sedan-like design in a futuristic gray paint. Maintaining an aerodynamic shape, the vehicle expresses a seamless design with simplified front and rear lights. Between the headlights is also a “Media Bar” which can be personalized and provide information. Moving into the interior, Sony stepped in to provide a plethora of screens that will be powered by a partnership with Epic Games that will provide entertainment options. Honda took care of the 45 cameras and sensors that make up the safety system that works in unison with the Qualcomm computer...