England’s Morgan Motors has announced that it will travel to the Goodwood Festival of Speed to introduce a new concept called EV3.
The EV3 will preview the long-rumored all-electric version of the 3 Wheeler. Although full technical details won’t be published until next Thursday, Morgan hints its second battery-powered model will be powered by a 100-horsepower electric motor mounted over the rear wheel, and it will be able to drive for up to 150 miles on a single charge.

Where the pack is located is up in the air. The automaker explains the motor weighs less than the regular 3 Wheeler’s V-twin engine, which helps offset the weight added by the bulky battery.

The teaser image shows that the EV3′s rear end is almost identical to the 3 Wheeler’s, but pictures of the front end are being kept under wraps until the start of the Goodwood show. The 3 Wheeler’s flat-twin engine is mounted at the very front so Morgan has presumably re-designed the entire front end.

The EV3 is not just a design study, and a battery-powered 3 Wheeler will join the Morgan lineup before the end of next year. It will only be available on a built-to-order basis, meaning production figures will depend on how buyers like the idea of a retro-styled electric trike. How much of a premium it will carry over the regular model is up in the air.

Images of a facelifted Lexus LX 570 have leaked ahead of the SUV’s official August debut.

The initial image of a golden LX was published in Japan’s automotive tabloid Best Car Magazine, depicting just the front three-quarters view. Most noticeably, a massive spindle grille replaces the quasi-spindle grille and bisecting bumper bar, bringing the top-of-the-lineup SUV in sync with the rest of the offerings in the luxury marque’s portfolio.

Furthermore, formerly wide foglamp coves are now replaced with angular slivers. Headlights, too, are slimmer but a row of LED driving lights remain along the bottom edge in a fishhook shape.

The latest round of leaks comes from the Facebook page of Baniya Cars, a Middle Eastern automotive enthusiast site. Perhaps most surprising about the renderings, labeled “Prototype” in the official Lexus typeface, is that even the C-Pillar has been redesigned to feature the arrowhead kink seen on other Lexus vehicles. The already massive fenders and haunches appear even more pronounced. From the rear , the taillights have been reshaped into L-motif forms as well.

The interior has been redone as well, with a new dashboard that cuts a wide swath from the instrument cluster to the passenger-side door. Gone is chunky center console tower that dominated the dash before. The new look, with contrasting accents taking prime real estate, gives off a more luxurious and modern vibe.

No details about the drivetrain have been given, but the LX will almost certainly continue to share a platform with the go-anywhere Land Cruiser, whose next design was also recently leaked.

Honda is reportedly developing a second mid-engined sports car that will slot below the upcoming Acura NSX.

Referred to as the “baby NSX,” it will compete with the Porsche Cayman and Alfa Romeo 4C. According to Auto Express, the hybrid sports car will produce around 400hp and Honda is “close to green-lighting” it. The unnamed source also revealed that the engine will be the an tuned version of turbocharged VTEC four that will power the upcoming Civic Type R but tuned to generate approximately 330hp. The remaining 70hp would come from a version of the hybrid all-wheel-drive system found in its big brother. Power would be put down through a 9-speed dual clutch transmission.

The report also claims that the body will resemble that of a scaled down NSX. That would appear to confirm the recently discovered patent drawings that appear to show a smaller mid-engined sports car. The body would employ an aluminum frame and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) to keep weight below 3,085 lbs.

Furthermore, the baby NSX is said to share production along with its big brother in Ohio. However, it would be sold as Honda in North America and not as an Acura. The price tag is estimated at GBP60,000, which translates to $95,286 at current exchange rates, but typically the actual cost in US dollars is significantly less. The estimated launch date is sometime in 2018.

Renault has introduced the Duster Oroch, its first-ever regular-production pickup, at the Buenos Aires Motor Show.
The truck was previewed by the Duster Oroch concept that bowed in Brazil late last year. As its name implies, it’s based on the Renault Duster, a compact crossover that’s sold as a Dacia throughout most of Europe. Like the concept, the pickup is nearly identical to the Duster from tip of the front bumper to the C-pillar but it boasts a generously-sized cargo box and a much longer rear overhang.

As expected, the Oroch concept’s futuristic cockpit has not made the transition to production and the interior is standard Duster fare. Technical details have not been published yet but the Oroch is expected to use gasoline-burning 1.6- and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines pulled straight out of the Renault parts bin. A manual transmission will come standard, and both two- and four-wheel drive models will be available.

The Duster Oroch will go on sale in Argentina and in a number of neighboring countries before the end of the month, but Renault is not planning on selling it in Europe for reasons that remain a little murky.

What’s next?

Renault is currently developing a bigger body-on-frame pickup that will share the bulk of its mechanical components with the new Nissan Navara. Set to go on sale all around the globe, it will be aimed squarely at the Volkswagen Amarok, the Mitsubishi Triton and the Toyota Hilux.

Renault’s Latin American division has traveled to the Buenos Aires Motor Show to introduce a pint-sized hot hatch dubbed Sandero R.S.
Based on the run-of-the-mill Sandero, an economy hatchback positioned at the bottom of the Renault lineup, the R.S. is powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes nearly 150 horsepower, 65 ponies more than the stock model. The four-banger spins the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

Performance specifications have not been published yet, but Renault promises the R.S. is much more engaging to drive than the standard Sandero thanks in part to a lowered and stiffened suspension setup as well as disc brakes on all four corners.

Like nearly all RenaultSport-tuned members of the Renault lineup, the Sandero R.S. gets mesh inserts in the grille, a Formula 1-inspired air blade integrated into the front bumper and a pair of horizontal daytime running lights. The rear end features an air diffuser integrated into the bumper, clear tail lamps and a discreet roof-mounted spoiler. Model-specific five-spoke alloy wheels wrapped by Continental tires add a finishing touch to the look.

The motorsport-inspired treatment continues on the inside with aluminum pedal caps and red stitching on the seats as well as on the shift knob. A touch screen-based infotainment system comes standard, and the Sandero is compatible with Renault’s smartphone-based R.S. Monitor application.

The Renault Sandero R.S. will go on sale in Argentina and in a host of neighboring countries before the end of the year. It will become the first R.S.-badged model built outside of Europe, and Renault is not currently planning on selling a Dacia-badged version of it on the Old Continent.

This is the 2015 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack and we’ve been here before. But while we’ve sampled the Dodge Challenger Scat Pack before, there’s on crucial question we’ve never really addressed — can it replace your mid-size sedan?
At first blush that might seem like a silly question, but it’s a concept that might actually have some legs. After all, the Challenger is essentially a two-door take on Charger sedan, and that’s a solid jumping point in terms of both cabin and cargo space.

So with that question seared in our minds, we set about treating the Challenger Scat Pack like any other ordinary sedan for an entire week.

The test subject
For our evaluation Dodge sent us the latest version of its 2015 Challenger Scat Pack complete with a retro-inspired Shaker hood. The Scat Pack Shaker Package includes a long list of add-ons, including heated and ventilated front seats, heated and power-adjustable steering wheel, leather upholstery and, of course, a 6.4L HEMI V8 sticking through the hood. Further extras on our test car included an upgraded 9-speaker stereo and an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation.

Like all Scat Pack models, our B5 Blue example was powered by a 485 horsepower, 475 lb-ft of torque version of Dodge’s 392 V8. Spec’d like a proper muscle car, our tester came equipped with a six-speed manual.

The obvious shortcomings
As far as we can see, there are three major barriers to entry if you’re considering ditching your Camry or Accord for the Challenger Scat Pack Shaker.

The first and most obvious is literally a barrier to entry — the Challenger only has two doors, which is exactly two fewer than you’ll find on any sedan alternative, so accessing the rear seat does take a little bit of extra effort.

The second is price. As seen here the Challenger Scat Pack will set you back nearly $46,000. In comparison, a fully-loaded Honda Accord Plug-in tops out at about $40,000, and the Accord includes a bevy of very expensive and very complicated electronics. Stick to the conventionally-powered mid-size sedans and you’ll struggle to cross the $35,000 mark. It should be noted, however, that a bare bones Scat Pack model lists from $39,000 while a lesser Challenger R/T can be had for $32,000, so it becomes a more apples-to-apples price comparison the further down the spec sheet you go.

And that brings us to the last issue — economy. Or rather lack thereof. While most mid-sizers will flirt with 40 mpg on the highway, the EPA says the Challenger’s 6.4L V8 is good for just 23 mpg out on the open road. Worse yet, the Challenger and its HEMI V8 will hit you up for premium grade at the pumps.

Day-to-day life
If you’re one of those people that commutes to work solo or with just one passenger, living with the Challenger won’t have a major impact on your daily routine.

Although the cabin of the Challenger Scat Pack is designed to be on the sporty side, it’s not done annoyingly so. For example, the Challenger Scat Pack’s front buckets are bolstered, but not to the point that it’s difficult to get into or out of it. And those sports seats aren’t aren’t just a thin layer of fabric over a rigid shell like you’ll find in some performance cars; the Challenger offers the same kind of honest-to-goodness comfort you’d expect from a big American sedan.

Anyone stepping out of a mid-size sedan and into the Challenger should also be pleased with the coupe’s materials. Soft touch plastics grace the doors and dash, and we’re really fond of the faux metal trim that adorns the center console. And, unlike the last Challenger Scat Pack we tested, our Shaker tester came fitted with full leather seats rather than a leather/suede hybrid, which should prove more durable and easier to clean over the long haul. That’s a plus if you routinely haul around the kids or a dog.

The interior design of the Challenger might be a little radical for your average Camry driver, but everything is actually well laid out and straightforward to use. The Challenger’s 8.4-inch UConnect touchscreen is mounted high on the dash and angled toward the driver, making it easier to read and use while behind the wheel. HVAC control are mounted farther down, but chunky buttons and a large dial make changing temperature settings a breeze. We’re not sure if Dodge designed it this way, but the volume control is an easy finger’s reach when your hand is on the shift knob in first gear, making muting the radio while at a stop extremely easy.

On an equipment level, we doubt anyone would have any qualms about leaving a mid-size sedan for a Challenger. Just about anything you can order on a Ford Fusion or Nissan Altima you’ll find here, including Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot and heated and ventilated front seats. Adaptive cruise control can be fitted to automatic cars, but you’ll have to make do, as we did, with standard cruise control if you get the six-speed manual.

Trunk space isn’t an issue for the Challenger, with the two-door offering the kind of boot space you’d expect from a full-size sedan. Two golf bags or a week’s worth of groceries will fit with plenty of room to spare.

But while the Challenger checks many of the same boxes as your average mid-size sedan, there are, of course, a few disadvantages.

While the front two seats of the Challenger offer plenty of room for people, there isn’t a lot of room for their things. Storage is pretty much limited to a small-ish center console and the glovebox. And if you order a manual gearbox, the Challenger’s cup holders are pretty much useless.

The Challenger’s backseat actually provides a livable amount of head and leg room, but claustrophobia could be an issue. The Challenger’s thick C-pillars create a cocoon-like environment that could be uncomfortable for some. Those C-pillars also make it difficult to reverse out of a driveway or parking spot. Luckily the Challenger comes with an available backup camera and rear traffic alert system, because you’ll need it.

In order to really put the Challenger to the test, we spent the week ferrying around a two-year-old in a forward-facing car seat. The Challenger’s deep back bench made it a little tricky to get Junior in his seat, but there’s plenty of room back there for the seat and a pair of dangling legs. All the appropriate LATCH and seat anchors are present and readily accessible.

The last time we tested the Challenger we were still in rear-facing mode, and that made things a lot more difficult. So if you have really little ones, it might be best to ignore this whole premise and keep the sedan.

We’d also be remiss not to mention a few other things we’ve noticed while testing the Challenger over the years. It’s not exactly a secret, but the Challenger’s rear drive and big power make it a handful in inclement weather, particularly when the mercury starts dipping into the freezing range.

Icy conditions can also make it difficult to even get in the Challenger. Like a lot of other coupes on the market, the Challenger’s frameless side windows drop slightly when you open the door and then roll back up when you close the door. If ice jams the window you can still open the door with some force, but it won’t seal properly when you close it, meaning you’ll either have to drive around with a draft or thoroughly de-ice the window seal.

On the road
Sporty cars typically offer the same kind of ride comfort as falling down a flight of stairs, but the Challenger Scat Pack is surprisingly comfy. In reality, the Challenger’s ride isn’t much stiffer than the one you’d get in a Toyota Camry SE. And while it certainly isn’t a sports car, the Challenger carries its weight well and can hold its own in the bends, which isn’t something that can’t be said about every mid-size sedan.

The Challenger is a bit wider than a typical mid-sized four-door, so navigating tight quarters can be a little trickier. You’ll also have to be conscious of the Scat Pack’s chin spoiler, which could easily be dinged up by a tall curb.

One thing you definitely won’t find in the mid-size sedan segment is a stonking V8 engine paired with a six-speed manual. Yes, the Hellcat’s 707-horsepower makes the Scat Pack’s 485 horsepower rating look somewhat puny, but nearly 500 ponies is more than enough for public roadways.

The 6.4L V8 has plenty of grunt down low, but it’s also a bit of a screamer in the upper range. Keep your right foot buried and the Challenger’s growl transforms into a visceral roar, with the tach needle leaping toward the redline like a hungry cheetah chasing a gazelle. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again; the 392 reminds us a lot of Mercedes’ old 6.2L V8, and that is pretty high praise. The Challenger may not be the best handling car out there, but we challenge you to find a car that’s more fun on a highway on-ramp.

The steering weight in the Challenger Scat Pack is pretty much bang on for everyday driving, with a Sport mode available if you prefer things a little heavier. The six-speed manual has a good feel and the clutch pedal isn’t too heavy. We also like the Challenger’s optional eight-speed, so we could see selecting that gearbox if your daily commute involves any kind of stop and go traffic.

Styling
Thanks to the 2010 Hyundai Sonata, the entire mid-size sedan segment has evolved from humdrum to couture chic. But even so, nothing in the segment that stands out quite like the Dodge Challenger.

There is just something about the styling of the Challenger that makes it, and subsequently you, feel special. It’s almost as if someone actually made that giant Hot Wheels car you dreamed about as a kid. It’s impossible to walk up to the Challenger Scat Pack Shaker and not have a big, dumb grin smeared across your face. And life is just better with an engine sticking out of the hood. It just is.

But that being said, there are one or two drawbacks to the Challenger’s unique looks. One is that you’ll get attention everywhere you go, particularly from the kind of people that believe the mullet is still in vogue. It’s also difficult to pull up the valet of a nice restaurant or make a school run in the Challenger without feeling a little juvenile. You might as well step out wearing a backwards hat a Spiderman T-shirt. But those are just small prices to pay for driving around something so cool.

The verdict
So after spending an entire week driving to daycare, to the grocery store, to softball, to Home Depot, to the playground and everywhere between, what’s the verdict on the Challenger as a mid-size sedan alternative?

For a good number of people out there, we could certainly see the Challenger taking the place of a typical sedan. The Challenger ticks many of the same boxes as an average mid-sizer — like a comfortable ride, advanced tech features and a spacious trunk — and it has the added benefits of retro-good-looks and an available V8 engine. And the Challenger just makes you feel like you’re driving something special. When was the last time you got that sensation from a Chevy Malibu?

But if you routinely use your backseat for adult passengers, giving up a sedan for the Challenger could be a bit of an issue. The second row is just fine for kids (and in fact, we didn’t even really mind using the Challenger with a car seat) but we certainly wouldn’t want to be stuck back there for any length of time.

It may not be perfect, but the Challenger is one of the few coupes out there that could handle the workload of a mid-size sedan.

2015 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Shaker base price, $37,895. As tested, $45,780.
Scat Pack Shaker Package, $4,600; Sound Group II, $595; 8.4-inch Uconnect with Navigation, $695; Gas Guzzler Tax, $1,000; Destination, $995.

Photos by Drew Johnson.

The US Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency are promoting a proposal that aims to slash emissions from medium- and heavy-duty commercial trucks.
The agencies want fuel consumption reductions of up to 24 percent for large trucks by 2027, while medium-duty trucks would face a lower target of 16 percent during the same period.

If the proposed goals are reached, the DoT claims the reductions will result in $170 billion in saved fuel, one billion metric tons of avoided CO2 emissions and 1.8 billion fewer barrels of oil consumed.

“Once upon a time, to be pro-environment you had to be anti-big-vehicles. This rule will change that,” US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx wrote in a blog post. “In fact, these efficiency standards are good for the environment – and the economy. When trucks use less fuel, shipping costs go down. It’s good news all around.”

The agencies further argue that the proposed standards would achieve $10 in benefits for every dollar invested in fuel-efficient technology. The buyer of a long-haul truck in 2027 would recoup the additional costs of fuel-efficient technology in two years of operation, Foxx claims.

Officials will likely continue to promote the proposal before attempting to formally establish the new regulations as law.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has decided to publish accident reports involving autonomous vehicles.
The agency last year began requiring automakers to submit reports for any crashes involving self-driving technology, however the records were not made available to the public.

Under pressure from critics interested in scrutinizing the safety of autonomous vehicles, the DMV has changed course and decided to release the records. Details of the accident scenarios is included in the public reports, but personal identifying information, such as drivers’ names or VINs, remains redacted to protect the privacy of involved parties.

“It took too long, but the DMV is now getting right,” said Consumer Watchdog privacy director John M. Simpson in a blog post. “The robot cars are being tested on public roads and people have a right to know as much as possible about what goes wrong.”

Google’s fleet of self-driving vehicles has been involved in a dozen accidents, but none have been at fault when operating autonomously. The search giant has logged more than a million miles in its modified Lexus crossovers, and its tiny two-seaters are now testing on public roads around Mountain View, California.

Volkswagen Group of America CEO Michael Horn said the company expects only “limited” growth until the German automaker can bring new SUV and CUV models to market in the coming years.
In an interview with Reuters, Horn called VW’s ambitious goal of 800,000 annual U.S. sales “a relevant objective” but downplayed its importance in terms of Volkswagen’s long-term strategy in the U.S. market. In the interim, VW will focus on defending its existing market share in the United States.

“[I]f you just focus on one year and one number you would do crazy things, so the most important thing is to have a long-term strategy,” he told the German wire service.

Volkswagen has been widely criticized for failing to anticipate America’s shift back toward larger vehicles in the climate of economic recovery, but new product is in the pipeline. As many as five new CUV/SUV offerings are on the way, and they are expected to give the automaker’s North American arm a much-needed boost.

Scheduled to land next year, the first crossover will be a seven-seater model that will stretch nearly 200 inches long. It will essentially be a toned-down version of the CrossBlue concept that was presented to the public at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show.

A five-seater version of the CrossBlue will follow shortly after. Inspired by the CrossBlue Coupe that was presented in Shanghai two years ago, the crossover will cater to buyers who want a sportier and less utilitarian-looking large crossover. It will ride on Volkswagen’s MQB platform, and it will share the bulk of its engines with its seven-seater counterpart.

Moving down, the next-gen Tiguan will be about ten inches longer than the current model but about a foot shorter than the five-seater CrossBlue. A sportier-looking version of the Tiguan will join the lineup shortly after the regular model bows in 2017, but details are currently vague at best.

At the bottom end of the spectrum, Volkswagen will build a Polo-sized crossover aimed right at the Nissan Juke, Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V, among others. Whether this tiny CUV will make it to the United States is still a matter of speculation.

The two big crossovers will be built alongside the Passat in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Tiguan will be assembled in Puebla, Mexico. Both facilities are being overhauled to increase capacity.

Volkswagen’s Chattanooga factory expansion could create approximately 9,800 jobs in Tennessee, according to a study forecasting potential direct and indirect economic impacts in the state.

The company will add more than a half million square feet to the existing plant, with major expansion of the assembly, body and paint shops. A new warehouse will also be built on the site. The investment required to complete the expansion will top $1 billion. Construction began in February.

CrossBlue photos by Chris Doane. GTE Cross Coupe photos by Brian Williams.