Nother CarGuy

Electric car startups are going all-in with their latest products, with the latest one to grace our screens - for now - being the Sondors. The crowdfunded company is present at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show with a 3-wheel, fully electric prototype called Model Sondors, which was funded back in January and completed seven months later. It has a 3-seat layout, two at the front and one at the rear, and it promises to become the most affordable, attractive, and practical EV ever, with an anticipated starting price of $10,000. If all that reminds you of Elio and it's three-wheeler, you're right, but at least for now, Sondors isn't going through the problems of the former. The zero-emission Model can be equipped with various lithium-ion battery packs, which can be charged from 110V or 240V outlets. It's estimated that it will be able to travel for up to 75, 150, and 200 miles (120, 240, 320 km), respectively, between charges, and take from 5 to 8 seconds for the 0-6...

With this year's Essen Motor Show about to have its preview day on Friday, December 1st, ABT Sportsline has prepared a few treats for all car enthusiasts to enjoy. Not only will they be presenting a 500 PS RS3, but a '1 of 10' SQ7 SUV will also be on deck, as will the tuner's Golf VII R, boasting 400 PS of its own. Furthermore, the ABT Power Monitor, which provides a live overview of the power boost, among many other features, is also making its world premiere at Germany's largest annual vehicle exhibition, now having its 50th anniversary. Now let's talking about the cars. With the RS3, the tuning package costs €16,900 ($20k), and the price for the complete vehicle is €74,390 ($88,500). All that money gets you a 500 PS (493 HP) engine, custom springs, anti-roll bars, brake upgrade kit and a special damper setup. Not only does ABT's RS3 supposedly ride and handle great, it also sounds more aggressive thanks to the tuner's exhaust sy...

In order to celebrate winning the 2017 IMSA Manufacturer, Driver, Team and Endurance titles, Cadillac has put together a new Championship Edition spec for its three high-performance models. Prices start from $72,190 for the Championship Edition ATS-V Sedan, while the Coupe costs upwards of $74,390. Meanwhile, the larger CTS-V is priced from $105,730. So whether you choose the 2018 ATS-V or the 2018 CTS-V, you can now get them with either a Black Raven or Crystal White tri-coat exterior paint, plus Cadillac V-Performance graphics on the hood and rear spoiler. Other notable aesthetic additions are the Red Obsession side-view mirror caps, DPi-V.R graphic on the quarter windows, red Brembo brake calipers and the V-Series wheels (19" for the CTS-V and 18" for the ATS-V) with Midnight Silver painted pockets. Inside, the cars feature a Performance Data Recorder with Cosworth Toolbox, a sunroof, rear camera mirror and the Morello Red detail package, which inclu...

Toyota has revealed the Future Toyota Adventure Concept (FT-AC) at the LA Auto Show, a design study aiming at people looking for a proper rugged crossover. Described as a design study for now, the new Toyota FT-AC is imagined as a gasoline-powered SUV with an advanced torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, and the company adding that it could switch to a next-generation hybrid system. “FT-AC is perfect for those outdoor enthusiasts who want to dial up the adventure on their weekend getaways,” said Jack Hollis, group vice president and general manager, Toyota division. “No matter the roads, the activities, or the people, FT-AC sparks authentic fun and conversation.” The new concept comes with chunky tires, wide fender extensions and a generous ground clearance, and if that’s not enough, a big roof rack with LED lights on it along with twin recovery hooks and skidplates both front and rear are there to showcase the off-road character of Toyota’s latest creation. ...

The EPA has finally detailed the official range of the Tesla Model 3, the electric automaker’s first affordable EV. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the long-range variant of the Model 3 has a combined range of 310 miles (499 km), exactly the same figure as quoted by Tesla at the vehicle’s delivery event in July. In the city, Model 3 Long Range owners can expect to travel 321.9 miles (518 km) on a single charge and 295.5 miles (476 km) on the highway. Alongside confirming the vehicle’s range, the EPA has given the range-topping Model 3 a combined 126 MPGe rating, calculated from 131 MPGe in the city and 120 MPGe on the highway. This places the Model S Long Range below the 136 MPGe of the Hyundai Ioniq Electric but above the 119 MPGe of the Chevrolet Bolt and the 118 MPGe of the BMW i3. Carscoops

Following the unveiling of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler at the LA Auto Show, head of Jeep, Mike Manley, has confirmed that the new Wrangler will be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain in 2020. Unfortunately, the automaker has failed to provide any specifics about the model, including any possible fuel economy numbers. We don’t even know if the model will launch for the 2020 model year or during the 2020 calendar year. If we were to have a guess, we’d be inclined to say that the Wrangler’s hybrid system will probably share components with Fiat Chrysler’s only other plug-in hybrid, a fuel-efficient variant of the Chrysler Pacifica. That vehicle features a 16 kWh battery and has a combined rating of 84 mpg. Beyond the hybrid setup, another impending powertrain for the latest-generation Wrangler will be a 3.0-liter V6 diesel. It will return approximately 30 mpg on the highway and arrive shortly after sales of the 2.0-liter turbo and 3.6-liter V6 models commence. Carscoops

Toyota has Lexus. Nissan has Infiniti. Honda has Acura. But for Mazda, this is as high-end as it gets. Feast your eyes on the updated Mazda6, revealed at the LA Auto Show – where it may not be the most exciting vehicle on display, but we dare say one of the best-looking. The Zoom-Zoom brand's rival to the likes of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord (to name just two), the Mazda6 competes in one of the most hotly contested segments in the industry. And the revisions ought to go a long way towards increasing Mazda's share of that pie. An extensive facelift of the existing model, the new 6 adopts Mazda's latest design language, foreshadowed by the Vision Coupe concept unveiled in Tokyo – which is a good thing, especially in the automaker's signature Soul Red Crystal paint. But what Mazda is touting most about its new flagship sedan is its upscale accoutrements. Citing the popularity of the higher-spec versions of the new CX-9 – 55 percent of which are...

There's a saying that less is more and Lexus is hoping that rings true as the company has unveiled a five-seat version of the 2018 LX 570 in Los Angeles. Billed as a more cargo-friendly version of the luxury SUV, the elimination of the third row allows the model to carry 50.5 cubic feet (1,430 liters) of luggage behind the second row. For comparison, the seven-seat variant can only hold 44.7 cubic feet (1,265 liters) of cargo behind its middle seats. The difference is minor but the five-seat model starts at $84,980 which is $5,000 less than the seven-seat variant. Despite being slightly more affordable, the model comes nicely equipped with leather seats, a four-zone automatic climate control system, and a power moonroof. Other niceties include a power tailgate and 20-inch alloy wheels. Power is provided by a familiar 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces 383 hp (285 kW) and 403 lb-ft (545 Nm) of torque. It is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission which sends power...

Lexus has pulled the wraps off their new RX L, a three-row version of their popular luxury SUV that can hold up to seven passengers. The addition of the third row was made possible by extending the rear of the body by 4.3 inches (110mm) with Lexus also using a steeper tailgate window angle in order to ensure good headroom for third-row passengers. As standard, the 2018 Lexus RX L will come with seven seats and a 40/20/40 split bench-type second row seat. The optional six-seat setup comes with second-row captain’s chairs that allow for easier access to the third row. Standard features include a power-folding third-row bench, power tailgate and leather upholstery for the first and second rows. A tri-zone climate system gives third-row passengers separate heating and air-conditioning vents. The longer Lexus RX L is available in petrol RX 350L form, powered by a 290hp 3.5-liter V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and in the hybrid and AWD RX 450hL v...

BMW is writing the next chapter of its flagship hybrid sports car with the reveal today not only of the new i8 Roadster, but an upgraded version of the i8 coupe as well. The basic parameters are the same: plug-in hybrid powertrain, housed an aluminum chassis with a carbon-fiber monotub. But the battery boasts a higher capacity, and the hybrid powertrain more muscle to take the i8 even further (and faster). The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine now produces 231 horsepower (up from 228), and the electric motor 143 hp (up from 131 hp) for a combined output of 374 hp to rocket the i8 coupe from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, and the roadster in 4.4 as they rocket towards their electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. With a battery pack upgraded from 20 Ah to 34 Ah and from 7.1 kWh to 11.6, it'll also travel on electric power alone at speeds of up to 65 mph (instead of just 43 mph) – or 75 mph in eDrive mode. All-electric range is up to 34 miles...