Good morning and welcome to our weekly digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
GR 86 Becomes GR86 As Toyota Bows To The Power Of The Hashtag
Toyota’s new 2022 sports car, the GR 86, came with an number of changes, including a punchy 2.4L engine and a name change to fall in line with the brand’s Gazoo Racing performance sub-brand, but the automaker’s marketing team has found a tiny detai that may very well affect its global reach: the way the car is spelled. Thus, the company has removed the space between the letters and numbers from ‘GR 86’ to ‘GR86’ in an effort to improve its SEO.
Ferrari Daytona SP3 Is A Limited Run Hypercar With “Pop-Up” Headlights And An 829-HP V12
Ferrari pulled the covers off their latest project, the Daytona SP3, a limited edition hypercar that features a roaring 6.5L V12 producing 829hp. The beautifully crafted Ferrari is the third member of the Icona Series after the Monza SP1 and SP2 and was designed to honor Ferarri’s exceptional performance in the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1967. Thanks to the way the Italian automaker selects owners, the limited-run SP3 is effectively already sold out.
2022 Ford Ranger Steps Onto Global Stage, Previews America’s Next Mid-Size Pickup
Ford has officially introduced the world to its 2022 Ranger, calling it the “smartest, most versatile and most capable Ranger ever.” The redesigned pickup truck looks more in line with its F-150 big brother, with a futuristic design, high-tech cockpit, and an extensive list of features that make it the ideal worker’s vehicle. Production of the new Ranger is said to take place at their plants in Thailand and South Africa next year. A U.S. model is yet to be revealed, while the 2023 Ranger Raptor will emerge early next year.
Refreshed 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Confirmed, North American Reveal In Coming Weeks
Mazda has confirmed that there will be a refreshed version of the MX-5 for 2022. While some headlines may have led you to believe that the ND MX-5 was dying, Mazda’s US PR division confirmed to CarScoops that an updated 2022 model will be announced soon. However, with Mazda looking to electrify its eclectic lineup by 2030, there’s a chance the ND could be the last Miata to sport a pure ICE powertrain.
The Secret Agreement Ensuring BMW Has No Problem Using Citroen’s XM Badge On Super-SUV
BMW’s obsession with massive grilles was made evident yet again after they teased the front of the upcoming super SUV. Still, those who remember Citroens from the 1990s couldn’t help but wonder how the 700hp SUV got a badge from a French sedan from the past. Citroen, however, revealed that the two companies have come to a mutual agreement allowing each company to borrow their nameplate.
2023 Kia Niro Swaps Out Conservative Looks For A Quirky HabaNiro Outfit
Kia officially unveiled its new Niro at the 2021 Seoul Mobility Show. Inspired by the 2019 HabaNiro concept, the crossover features an exterior and interior design created to strike the perfect balance between simplistic and futuristic. Kia has also revealed that the Niro will be offered in hybrid-electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and pure electric guise starting from next year.
2022 Suzuki S-Cross Gets Chunky New Look, More Safety Kit
In comparison to its predecessor, the 2022 S-Cross comes across as a more serious SUV. The new-gen S-Cross certainly looks like a bigger car than before, but looks can be deceiving. Coming in at 4,300 mm (169.3 inches) long, the SUV is no bigger on the outside, but Suzuki promised a ‘bigger feeling’ car from inside. The S-Cross will commence sales in Europe before Christmas.
Consumer Reports Reveals Most And Least Reliable Cars And Brands For 2021
Consumer Reports has ranked the most reliable vehicles for 2021 based on information gathered by current owners. Unsurprisingly, Japanese manufacturers came out ahead, with Lexus, Mazda, and Toyota on top, but local brands like Ford, Chevy, and Buick have done well for themselves too, with models from their lineup being deemed some of the most reliable U.S.-manufactured vehicles for this year.
Subaru Unveils WRX S4 and Levorg STI Sport R And Levorg STI Sport R
Subaru had an eventful week in Japan as they finally released the 2022 WRX S4 after a long teaser campaign. While much of the media was immersed in the release of the range-topping WRX S4 STI Sport R EX, Subaru also dropped an STI Sport R trim for the Levorg, which inherits the same 2.4L turbocharged boxer engine as its sibling. The current generation Levorg was introduced in 2020, and its design will stay the same, although the STI-badged versions will receive a bit more power and slightly sportier accents.
Chevy Bandit Truck Really Hauls, And Not Just Ass
When Burt Reynolds cranked up his Firebird Trans-am in the movie Smokey and the Bandit, the movie star and his 200hp stallion seemed untouchable. Legendary Concepts and Saleen have decided to bring back the legend in the form of a Chevy Silverado Crew Cab, only this one will come equipped with a 5.3L V8 making upwards of 700 hp. The aggressively styled Silverado will pay homage to the ’77 Trans Am with gold highlights on black paint along with a “BR” badge to represent Reynolds’ college football alma mater. Pricing isn’t confirmed, but Legendary Concepts plans to begin deliveries in January next year.
What Else Is Making The News?
Apple Reported To Be Launching AR Next Year
Apple’s augmented reality headsets are set to become… well, a reality, with Macworld reporting that analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said one will be launched in Q4 of 2022. It’s described as an independently operated device with no need to tether to an iPhone or Mac. It will boast two 4K OLED microdisplays from Sony and dual processors units.
Tesla Fans Give One Star Reviews To JPMorgan On Yelp
Unhappy over the lawsuit by JPMorgan, fans of Tesla and Elon Musk have flooded the bank’s Yelp page with one-star reviews. According to Business Insider, the barrage of bad ratings was inspired by Musk’s comments to the Wall Street Journal that day about the lawsuit. “If JPMorgan doesn’t withdraw their lawsuit, I will give them a one-star review on Yelp. This is my final warning.”