Nother CarGuy

Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled their latest interpretation of the C-Class. One of the company’s most valued models, the C-Class, has long been the junior-executive class’s champion, with 10.5 million units sold since 1982. For several years, it was the entry-point to Mercedes-Benz ownership, to which many aspired. Nowadays, with multiple “A” and “B” models, the C-Class is no longer an entry-level product. However, it remains a pillar of Mercedes’ brand strategy, along with other legacy nameplates such as the E-Class and S-Class. The new C-Class Sedan brings with it some noticeable changes to the C philosophy. The concept of downsizing has been embraced, with all six-cylinder and V8 power plants shown the door. For the first time, all C-Classes will feature electrified four-cylinder drivetrains. The exterior design is kept relatively conventional, but the interior design has received heavy influence from the S-Class, albeit with a few tweaks to make it feel unique. Other markets will h...

Hyundai has revealed the new Ioniq 5, the carmaker’s all-new electric mid-size crossover and the first model to be branded under the new ‘Ioniq’ electric sub-brand. The new Hyundai Ioniq 5 rides on the dedicated Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which blends the traditional skateboard design with an elongated wheelbase for attractively styled and practical EVs. Hyundai’s new electric crossover also features both 400- and 800-volt charging thanks to the new platform. When plugged into a 350kW charger, the Ioniq 5 can recharge from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes, with the carmaker claiming that five minutes of charging is enough to get 62 miles of range on the WLTP cycle. The new Ioniq 5 will be available with two battery pack sizes, 58kWh and 72.6 kWh, as well as single- and dual-motor layouts. The most powerful model is the dual-motor variant with the 72.6 kWh pack, offering a combined 302 HP and 446 lb-ft (605 Nm) of torque, and a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.2 seconds. If yo...

When it was updated for the 2021 model year, people accused the IS 350 F Sport of needing a little more engine. Well, Lexus has listened. The brand announced that it is stuffing its naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 under the hood of its smallest (North American) sedan and calling it the IS 500 F Sport Performance. Needless to say, this mechanical set-up is a dying breed in the age of smaller, force-fed or even electrified engines, and if anything, Lexus deserves our praise for giving it what could very well turn out to be a last hurrah. So strained is the IS to contain the engine’s heft that the hood has been raised two inches to accommodate it. Despite making 160 more horses than the V6, though, the 3,891-pound IS 500 weighs just 143 lbs more than the IS 350. The engine, which you may recognize from the RC F, makes 472 HP at 7,100 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. That’s around about the same amount as the base M3, which gets 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque out of its twin-turb...

Nissan has unveiled the all-new Qashqai, the third generation of Europe’s best-selling crossover, which now introduces new electrified powertrains and a new styling direction for the Japanese carmaker. Nissan’s latest crossover model comes with a more muscular and sharp exterior design, featuring a bigger V-Motion front grille, as well as slim LED matrix headlamps with new ‘boomerang’ daylight running lights. The athletic stance of the new Qashqai is amplified by the strong shoulder line that runs across the length of the vehicle while for the first time in the model’s history, Nissan will offer the option of 20-inch alloy wheels. The new Nissan Qashqai is slightly bigger than the model it replaces, being longer by 35 mm, wider by 32 mm, taller by 25 mm, while the wheelbase is extended by 20mm. Customers will get to choose between 11 colors, and five two-tone combinations,  for a total of 16 variations to choose from. One of the biggest upgrades can be found inside, with the new Ni...

Honda has pulled the wraps off the new HR-V in Europe and Japan, where it is known as the Vezel. The subcompact crossover boasts a more modern look that Honda describes as a “coupe-inspired design” and the latest technology gear inside. It will launch in Europe in late 2021 exclusively with a single hybrid powertrain ditching the outgoing model’s plain diesel and gasoline engines. It’s still unknown when we will get a new HR-V in North America, where Honda has already confirmed that it will be a different model “designed to meet the distinct needs of U.S. customers, and will differ from the Honda Vezel/HR-V that will be introduced in other regions”. However, it might arrive for the 2022 model year. The global-spec model features a much cleaner face than today’s HR-V, with a big grille with horizontal slats that blends in nicely with the bumper and slender headlights on each side, though truth to be told, it could easily be mistaken for something that came out of Mazda’s lineup or even ...

Tasked with the challenge of creating a production hybrid supercar that can bring the brand into an increasingly electrified future, McLaren’s engineers have been working overtime. And what they’ve come up with looks like it could balance the needs of the future with the expectations established by the brand’s other supercars. The result is the Artura, a 671 hp, mid-engined plug-in hybrid supercar that weighs about 3,300 lbs (1,496 kg) and can hit 60 mph in just three seconds. But to enumerate those figures so quickly doesn’t do this car justice – they need to be put in the correct context. That curb weight that would make a Lamborghini Aventador suck its gut in is achieved despite the Artura also lugging around a battery pack and an electric motor. These allow the McLaren to go 19 miles on electric power alone and help it achieve 50 mpg. Comparing it to the ICE-only Aventador’s 11 mpg would simply be unfair for the Lambo. McLaren managed to cut all that weight through obsessive attent...

This is it, one of the most anticipated sports car launched of the year, the all-new 2022 Porsche 911 GT3. Porsche has finally revealed the 992-based GT3 following years of camouflaged test cars spotted testing on race tracks and public roads. Let’s get the headline figures out of the way first; the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine that can rev up to 9,000 rpm and produce 502 HP and 346 lb-ft (469 Nm) of torque. As standard, every new 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 will be fitted with a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission, but the six-speed manual will still be an option. 0-60 mph (96 km/h) comes in just 3.2 seconds for the PDK-equipped 911 GT3 (0-100 km/h in 3.4), with the top speed set at 197 mph (317 km/h). Models fitted with the manual transmission require 3.7 seconds from 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h in 3.9), but offer a slightly higher top speed, at 199 mph (320 km/h). The engine is virtually identical to the one found in the new 911 GT3 Cup r...

General Motor’s electric vehicle offensive is kicking into high gear as the company has introduced the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV. Featuring bold designs, affordable prices tags and ranges of at least 250 miles (402 km), the Bolts are part of GM’s plan to launch 30 new electric vehicles by 2025.  While they’re not as flashy as the Cadillac Lyriq or GMC Hummer EV, they have an important role to play in company push for a zero emissions future. Since its introduction in 2017, the Bolt has been a modest success as the company has sold over 100,000 units globally. More importantly, 75% of buyers are first time GM customers. Chevrolet is looking to build on that success by giving the electric hatchback a futuristic facelift. As part of the makeover, the model has been given an all-new front fascia that features new headlights and “high-eye” daytime running lights. Designers also dropped the faux grille, while adding a more distinctive hood. The changes continue out back as there’s...