Autos

During the recent opening of Tesla‘s Giga Texas factory, Elon Musk took the stage to present the production model of the Cybertruck. Announced back in 2019, the Cybertruck was originally set for release in 2021, but after a delay, the vehicle is now set to launch sometime in 2023. Musk also issued an apology for the delay of the highly-anticipated Cybertruck. The look at the production model reveals that much of the car’s concept is retained but the handles have been removed, settling on an automatic opening system. The Tesla Cybertruck will be manufactured at the Texas Gigafactory, which is now expected to become the “highest volume” car factory in America. Musk went on to note plans to open more Gigafactories around the world to scale up production, to a scale tha...

It seems that the Lexus LFA might be the next “it” modern-classic supercar, as yet another example of this rare Japanese machine has landed on the auction site Bring a Trailer. In recent months, the LFA has appeared and sold in various forms — from a $1.6M USD Nürburgring Package iteration to the $808,000 USD sale of this standard version. Like those that came before it, this LFA has very low milage, just 850 in fact. With that in mind, it means the car’s naturally-aspirated 4.8-liter V10 has barely been run in, meaning the car’s 552 HP and 354 lb-ft of torque should be on tap as if it were brand new. All of this power is sent to the rear wheels via an Aisin six-speed single-clutch Automated Sequential Gearbox and a Torsen limited-slip differential, while soun...

It goes without saying that the MKIV Toyota Supra is a formidable JDM sports car and one of the most coveted modern Japanese classics around, but fans of the Supra will often claim that the best examples are fitted with a manual gearbox. Yet despite this, it seems the love for the Supra is as strong as ever, as a clean automatic version has just sold via Bring a Trailer. This particular example is finished in white over black leather and packs the quintessential twin-turbocharged three-liter inline-six, but it is rather controversially mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Despite this, all the signatures remain — chrome rims, a large rear spoiler, a chrome single-tip exhaust, coveted 15th-anniversary commemorative badging, and a body-color removable targa top. Furthermore, t...

Daimler‘s ​Smart has unveiled its all-new model #1  SUV, a compact full-electric vehicle that builds upon the niche urban practicality of its predecessors to provide a more all-rounded experience with a larger profile, added performance, and new tech upgrades. Departing from the ultra-compact cars the company is typically known for, Smart #1 arrives with much more interior space accompanied by a revamped futuristic design language. Exteriors display smooth liquid lines, frameless doors, retractable door handles, and a “floating halo” panoramic glass roof. Stepping inside, the cabin is equipped with a 12.8-inch infotainment screen, Beats sound system, 10-inch heads-up display, 3D interface controllable through voice commands, and a digital key option to share access with f...

With automakers almost unanimously transitioning into electric vehicles and looking for sustainable solutions in manufacturing and production, the world’s leading tire companies such as Goodyear and Michelin are making their own push to find innovative solutions for the betterment of the planet. Goodyear’s latest project aims to use the roots of a species of dandelion called Taraxacum kok-saghyz, or “TK” in short, to produce a new kind of natural rubber. While traditional rubber trees can only be grown in tropical climates and take around seven years to harvest, the dandelion can be harvested every six months and are much more resilient to different temperatures and environments. 90% of the world’s natural rubber is currently sourced from rubber trees, which h...

Bernhard Langer is a golfing legend, and now the veteran sportsman has been honored by Mercedes-Benz with his own G 550 art car. Mercedes-Benz enlisted the tape art artist Leah Abucayan who covered the G-Wagon in her distinctive designs, bringing works together to celebrate 40 years of Langer’s appearance at the Master’s Tournament. Langer has won twice: first in 1985 and his second in 1993, and now his legacy has been recreated in tape over a white G 550, exploring notable moments from his career. “This is how we honor two icons — Bernhard Langer and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class,” says Bettina Fetzer, Head of Communications and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz AG. “Bernhard Langer and the G-Class have been shaping the spirit of the time for more than 40 years and are ...

The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport was announced last year, and now the first customer orders are being delivered — including this incredibly special Sur Mesure example titled “Vagues de Lumière.” Featuring a unique blue and orange hand-painted color scheme that mimics the way lights reflect off Chiron Super Sport’s curved panels, the car has been given a true one-off overhaul by the geniuses at the brand’s Molsheim Atelier, resulting in a Chiron SS that stands out even among other Bugatti models. The lines sculpt and curve around the body aerodynamically, showing the shapes that allow the car to pierce through the air at astronomical speeds in all their glory. Everything from the badging to the wheels, the “38” horseshoe grille, engine bay coloring, and the...

The Hodinkee founder Ben Clymer has taken to Bring a Trailer to auction off his 1990 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Coupe five-speed for a good cause, donating 10% of the sale’s proceeds to UNICEF in light of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Clymer’s car in question is a Rest of the World (RoW) example made for the German market and sold in Japan, before being imported to the United States five years ago. As such, the “Silver Metallic” over “Marine Blue” partial-leather upholstery with multi-color “Studio Check” cloth seating 911 is fitted with desirable options such as 17″ Carrera Cup wheels, RS-style front brake cooling ducts, aero-style mirrors, and a Porsche Classic Radio with Apple CarPlay connectivity. View this post on Instagram A post shar...

Tesla‘s influence on the automotive industry has been more than just convincing us that electrification is the future, as its minimal interior design, touchscreen user interfaces, and over-the-air updates have become the norm for many luxury cars today. Now, it seems the controversial yoke steering wheel from its Model S Plaid is starting to influence the likes of Lexus, as the luxury Japanese automaker has revealed its new RZ 450e will come with a yoke steering wheel too. The image released by Lexus shows a slightly more complex yoke shape than what Tesla offers in the Model S Plaid, complete with both touch and tactile buttons on either side of the central horn and airbag component. Elsewhere in the cabin, a digital driver’s display is complemented by another digital infotain...

Continuing their longstanding partnership, General Motors and Honda have now announced plans to co-develop electric vehicles for mass production by 2027. As you’d expect, the new plans will rely on shared EV infrastructure, utilizing a common architecture built around GM’s current Ultium batteries. The two companies intend to produce EVs across all sectors but have also specifically mentioned compact crossovers, which according to them is the largest automotive category in the market, accounting for more than 13 million car sales every year. Aside from standardizing equipment and development processes, the two companies are also looking to further discuss potential collaboration on designing and creating their own batteries which will significantly reduce cost, translating to m...

Mercedes-AMG has revealed its entry-level SL 43, coming only five months after we first saw the flagship SL 55 and SL 63 V8 models. While the SL 43 is positioned as the base model, this doesn’t mean it’s going to be any less of a performance-focused sports car, as it features Formula 1-derived technology and looks the part too. Powered by a two-liter four-cylinder engine, Mercedes-AMG introduces more power thanks to the inclusion of a 48-volt-supported electric exhaust gas turbocharger, resulting in 381 HP, 480 Nm of torque, and a small 14 HP boost that is deployed depending on the driving situation. The volt technology also allows the car to operate as a mild hybrid, offering Mercedes-Benz EQ drive capabilities such as gliding mode and energy recovery. Pairing this with a nine...

DeLorean has finally announced the reveal date for its highly anticipated EV concept car. The project, which was created in partnership with Italdesign, was first teased back in February along with a shadowy look at the vehicle’s silhouette, but now DMC has unveiled a detailed shot at the rear of the concept car along with its unveiling date: August 18. The global premiere will arrive just days before the actual car itself is due for its physical debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a luxurious automotive charity event held annually in California. For now, not much is known about the concept car except that it seems to feature gullwing doors and that it’ll run on an electric powertrain. “The long-awaited concept car is the culmination of a 40+ year history...