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- Aston Valkyrie road test, Nissan Kicks, Merc design legend
Aston Valkyrie road test, Nissan Kicks, Merc design legend
2024-09-30
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Releases & Reviews
The Aston Martin Valkyrie is no ordinary road car—it’s a track beast designed by F1 legend Adrian Newey. Tested on real roads under less-than-ideal conditions, it’s surprisingly compliant and stable thanks to its low center of gravity and long wheelbase. While it excels at high speeds, its 1,139-hp V12 and cutting-edge aerodynamics are difficult to contain on public streets.
The 2025 Nissan Kicks ditches its quirky design for a more mature look, boasting a larger size, new tech, and AWD availability. Powered by a 2.0-liter engine with 141 hp, it remains an affordable and practical SUV, though its modest power output leaves room for improvement. Inside, the Kicks now features dual 12.3-inch screens, adding a premium touch.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Toyota is reportedly gearing up for the 2027 release of the S-FR, a sports car aiming to rival the Mazda Miata. Developed with its Daihatsu subsidiary, the S-FR is expected to be a compact, rear-wheel-drive roadster with a turbocharged engine. Slated to slot below the GR86, this could be Toyota’s affordable two-seater answer to the Miata. Get access to Today in Car’s Future Cars List, including this and 30+ other upcoming cars, by referring a friend to the newsletter using your personalized link below.
The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse offers plenty of space with its three-row setup and new 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, but it struggles to stand out in the competitive midsize SUV market. Despite rugged new trims like the Z71 and improved technology, including Super Cruise, its sluggish performance and noisy engine detract from its appeal.
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Car Culture
Bruno Sacco, the iconic Mercedes-Benz design chief who passed away recently, left a legacy of timeless automotive design. Known for masterpieces like the W126 S-Class and the W201 190 Series, Sacco’s philosophy of “Horizontal Affinity” ensured that every Benz model retained its distinct, elegant design across generations. Click through for pictures.
The REEN Concept RSGT, a Porsche 964 fitted with a GT3 engine, aims to combine old-school charm with modern performance. Equipped with adjustable driving modes and sophisticated engineering, this modified 964 feels equally at home on winding roads as it does on a race track, making it a unique hybrid of classic and contemporary Porsche engineering.
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Miscellaneous
The ongoing debate between the Civic Type R and the Elantra N heats up in this latest comparison featuring the Hyundai’s dual-clutch transmission. The Civic still leads in handling and track performance, but the Elantra N holds its own with superior value, boasting a fun-to-drive experience at $10,000 less.
The 2025 BMW Z4 returns with a six-speed manual transmission, making it a rare throwback among modern convertibles. Paired with its 382-hp turbo inline-six, the Z4’s manual offers lively steering and a stiffer suspension, providing an engaging, nostalgic driving experience. However, it lags behind its automatic sibling in acceleration, hitting 60 mph in 3.9 seconds compared to the auto’s 3.5.
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Quick Links
A BMW M3 has been cleverly transformed to look like a 1960s Ford Mustang, complete with vintage styling but still powered by the M3’s V8 engine.
Ford’s CEO plans to phase out models like the Fiesta and Focus to focus on more iconic vehicles like the Mustang and Bronco.
Governor Newsom vetoed a bill that would have required new cars in California to beep when exceeding the speed limit, citing potential conflicts with federal regulations.
Volkswagen lowered its profit outlook again due to weak car demand, particularly in its passenger car division, following similar moves by Mercedes and BMW.
Toyota is dropping the “Prime” name for its plug-in hybrids, opting for simpler names like “RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid” to make powertrain options clearer to consumers.
Pirelli’s new “Cyber Tyres” use Bosch sensors to monitor real-time data like pressure and temperature, optimizing car handling by directly adjusting the vehicle’s stability systems.
Hawaii leads the nation in poor driving habits, with high rates of DUI, speeding, and texting while driving, followed by Oregon and New Mexico.
Mazda and Fiat have recalled over 93,000 vehicles due to software issues that could cause airbags to deploy with too much force, increasing the risk of injury.
Pricing starts at $130,000 and will top an eye-watering $160,000 when fully equipped.
Ford’s updated Expedition, set to debut on October 3, is expected to feature a new front-end design and possibly a rugged Tremor model with off-road enhancements. Click through for pictures.
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