Nother CarGuy

The 2021 Ford F-150 has been officially revealed and brings with it a plethora of important updates over the outgoing model. As recent spy shots indicated, the exterior look of the new F-150 isn’t dramatically different than the model we’re all familiar with. With that being said, heaps of obvious changes have been made to both the exterior and interior of the new pickup. The body of the new F-150 is made from military-grade, aluminum alloy and includes new headlights, a power dome hood, and wrap-around bumpers. There are also higher front fenders and larger diameter wheels and tires that better fill out the truck’s arches. F-150 customers will have no less than 11 different front grille options to choose from. Ford says the new F-150 is the most aerodynamic iteration ever thanks to active grille shutters, a new automatically deploying active air dam, and new cab and tailgate geometry that all work together to reduce drag and improve fuel consumption. A multitude of significant changes...

The all-new Opel / Vauxhall Mokka subcompact crossover is finally here and it debuts in all-electric Mokka-e guise. It’s the first-ever model from the Opel and Vauxhall brands to debut with fully-electric propulsion. The second-generation Mokka also debuts Opel and Vauxhall’s new progressive brand face in the form of the Vizor front fascia that will be adopted by all future models; additionally, the crossover becomes the brand’s first model to feature the next-generation Pure Panel fully digital cockpit. Interestingly and not that common in today’s automotive world, the 2021 Mokka is 125 mm (4.9 in) shorter than its predecessor, measuring 4,150 mm (163.4 in) bumper to bumper. Despite that, the wheelbase is 2 mm (0.08 in) longer, which means rear passengers should have at least as much room as in the first-generation Mokka. At 350 liters (12.3 cu ft), the loading space loses only 6 liters (0.2 cu ft) compared to the outgoing model, despite the significant loss in vehicle length. The alt...

Volkswagen has officially unveiled the facelifted Arteon and the all-new Arteon Shooting Brake. Looking instantly recognizable, the updated Arteon has a lightly modified fascia that features a new light strip that visually connects the headlights. Additional changes are limited, but the model has more prominent chrome bars and sportier air intakes.  There are also new taillights, additional chrome trim and a sportier exhaust system which is flanked by a new diffuser. The biggest change is the addition of the new Arteon Shooting Brake. It’s a sporty and practical wagon that can haul up to 57.6 cubic feet (1,632 liters) of luggage when the rear seats are folded down.  That’s 2.6 cubic feet more than (75 liters) more than the standard model. Moving into the cabin, there’s a revised cockpit for an “even greater feeling of exclusivity.”  The changes are modest, but include a new steering wheel and an updated center stack featuring “touch sliders” for the automatic climate cont...

The 2021 Kia Carnival has been officially revealed by the South Korean car manufacturer before sales of the minivan start later this year. The Kia Carnival, also sold as the Kia Sedona in markets such as the U.S., has been in desperate need of an update for many years now. After all, the current model has been in production since 2014 and looks far less dramatic than other more recent Kia models. Kia official refers to the fourth-generation Carnival as a ‘Grand Utility Vehicle’ and its designers worked hard to give the minivan a more dynamic DNA. The brand adds that the new Carnival/Sedona “has been designed to appeal to progressive young families, with a leading combination of innovation, flexibility, and style.” Radical design changes start at the front with a shorter overhang and a longer hood which was made possible by shifting the A-pillar backwards. The new Carnival / Sedona also sports that company’s ‘tiger nose’ front grille as well as angular headlights and incorporated LED da...

The Mercedes-AMG E 63 S family has been updated for the 2021 model year with new looks. Like lesser E-Class models recently updated, the new E 63 S benefits from a raft of visual modifications. These changes start at the front where Mercedes has installed a fresh set of LED headlights, a new bumper, and a revised Panamericana front grille. The front splitter has also been tweaked and is available in Silver Shadow as standard, in high-gloss black as part of the optional AMG Night Package or in carbon fiber through the available AMG Exterior Carbon-Fiber Package I. Alterations continue at the rear with the most obvious change being slimmer and more angular taillights. The taillights of the E 63 S Estate are a touch different and have the same shape as the outgoing model albeit with different inner graphics to mimic those of the sedan. The latest AMG model also comes standard with a lip spoiler available in color-matched paint or in carbon fiber. The interior will be very familiar to curr...

Ford has unveiled a new performance-oriented Mustang in the form of the 2021 Mustang Mach 1. Bridging the gap between Mustang GT and Shelby models, the Mach 1 packs a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine making 480 horsepower, Ford Performance parts from the Shelby GT350 and GT500, as well as a unique design inside and out. You’ll notice that the engine has the same power and torque ratings as the 2020 Mustang Bullitt; namely 480 HP at 7,000 rpm and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm) at 4,600 rpm. While die-hard pony car fans expected more power, they will be very pleased to learn that the standard transmission is the same six-speed Tremec 3160 manual from the Shelby GT350. For the first time, Ford has updated the Tremec gearbox with rev-matching and Mustang GT’s twin-disc clutch and short-throw shifter. The transmission is not the only thing borrowed from the GT350 as the Mach 1’s engine also integrates revised Shelby GT350 components including the intake manifold, oil filter adapter and engine oi...

BMW has officially unveiled the 2021 M5. Echoing the facelifted 5-Series, the high-performance model features a revised grille and restyled headlights. The model has also been equipped with “more dramatic” bumpers, a modified diffuser and new taillights with a three dimensional appearance. Besides the minor styling changes, BMW gave the M5 five new exterior colors including Brands Hatch Grey and Motegi Red Metallic.  There are also newly available 20-inch wheels sourced from the M8. Moving into the cabin, drivers will find a familiar cockpit with a larger 12.3-inch infotainment system which now features Android Auto and cloud-based navigation. The model also has revised upholstery and an updated center console with two new buttons that provide easy access to vehicle settings and the M mode. The M5’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine carries over and continues to produce 592 hp (441 kW / 600 PS) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque. It’s connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission w...

Nissan’s brand new Rogue / X-Trail crossover promises to be safer and more practical than ever before, building on an already successful recipe. The old model actually stood as America’s third best-selling crossover last year in its segment. Still, Nissan knew they couldn’t just do more of the same with this new generation, and they decided to give it a more distinct appearance while also improving interior comfort and modern on-board technology. As expected it comes with a more characterful, less bland exterior that sports a double V-Motion grille flanked by split headlights, a “floating” roof that can be had in a contrasting black shade, and door mounted mirrors. What we didn’t know is that the new Rogue is actually more compact now with a 0.1-inch (2.54 mm) shorter wheelbase, a 2.1 inch (53.3 mm) shorter roof and bumpers that are closer together by 1.7 inches (43.2 mm). Based on a revamped version of Nissan’s CMF-C/D architecture, the new Rogue is clearly more about attracting famil...

The third-generation Lexus IS dates back to 2013, but it’s getting a significant update for 2021. While the model isn’t all-new, the car has been extensively revised and it’s far better looking than its predecessor. Starting up front, there’s a new spindle grille with a “three-dimensional, polyhedral structure.” It’s flanked by new headlights which now feature integrated LED daytime running lights. This gives the car a much more modern and upscale appearance. The styling changes don’t end there as designers gave the IS a fresh silhouette complete with restyled side skirts and larger 18-inch alloy wheels. The model also has restyled door, a sportier greenhouse and lower character lines which flow into sleeker rear fenders. Out back, there’s a new rear end with a curvier trunk. The model also sports a new bumper and restyled taillights which are now connected by a thin illuminated strip. In terms of size, the 2021 IS is slightly larger than its predecessor as it measures 1.18 inches (30 ...