Nother CarGuy

Honda has just unveiled the brand new 11th-generation Civic Sedan. Packed full of fresh tech, like a digital instrument panel, Bose sound system, and revised looks inside and out, the new Civic will look to continue its record as one of the best-selling cars in America over the last 48 years. Honda has tried to simplify the appearance of the Civic inside and out. To do that, it returned to the original design philosophy that made the Civics of the ’70s such a success: Man Maximum/Machine Minimum. The M/M maxim has led to a “thin and light” body design according to Honda. They worked hard to simplify the car, which has few design lines, while also making it look more premium. To do that, they did things like move the bottom of the windshield pillars back two inches. That makes the hood look longer, giving it more classic proportions. Where the team kept design lines, they did so intentionally. The sharp character line that cuts across the Civic’s bodywork connects the front and the back...

Volkswagen has given the ID.4 electric SUV a 91 hp power boost and resurrected an old badge for its sportiest ID model yet. The 295hp ID.4 GTX sits above the 201 hp ID.4 that’s just arrived in showrooms, and can sprint from zero to 62mph more than 2 seconds faster. This extra punch hasn’t come from simply up-sizing the rear motor. While the standard ID.4 gets by with a single 201 hp motor driving the rear wheels, the GTX gets the same setup, but adds a second motor to the front axle for a total of 295hp (Volkswagen doesn’t specify a torque figure). In addition to dropping the 62mph time from 8.5 seconds to 6.2 seconds, VW has also raised the electronic speed limiter from 99mph to 112mph. Neither of those figures is going to give a Golf R sleepless nights, but they do instantly answer one of our biggest ID.4 gripes: it’s big on sensible, but short on sizzle next to rivals like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y. Entry-level ID.4s in some markets get a 58 kWh battery, but the GTX ...

Hyundai’s N sub-brand has been a hit with enthusiasts, but its appeal has been limited due to a lineup that consists of the i20 N, i 30 N and Veloster N. All three are cars and consumers want crossovers. Hyundai is now acknowledging the obvious as they’ve taken the wraps off the all-new Kona N. Set to become the first N crossover, the model promises to provide a “winning combination of versatility, spirited acceleration, agility and racetrack readiness.” Given its intentions, we’ll start under the hood where buyers will find a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 276 hp (206 kW / 280 PS) and 289 lb-ft (392 Nm) of torque. However, this can temporarily be increased to 286 hp (213 kW / 290 PS) by using the N Grin Shift function. The engine is connected to an eight-speed dual clutch transmission, which features a wet design as well as numerous modifications for high-performance use. Among the changes are specially-tuned gear ratios and a uniquely calibrated control unit that ...

Cadillac is transitioning to an electric-only brand and that process is underway as the company has unveiled the 2023 Lyriq. Previewed by last year’s thinly-veiled concept, the production model is the “culmination of a century of innovation and the beginning of a great new era.” As you can see, the 2023 Lyriq closely echoes the concept as it features a black crystal grille with an illuminated emblem as well as lights that activate in choreographed sequences. The model also has “slim-line” LED headlights and a lightly revised front bumper. Moving further back, we can see flush-mounted door handles and conventional side mirrors. While the latter is a change from the concept, the production model retains distinctive taillights which wraparound the side of the vehicle and continue up the rear pillar. The model also comes standard with 20-inch wheels, but 22-inchers will be optional. The Lyriq measures 196.7 inches (4996 mm) long, 77.8 inches (1977 mm) wide and 63.9 inches (1623 mm) tall wi...

Ferrari has released the first official images of the hardcore 812 Superfast limited edition model, ahead of its full reveal on May 5. The name of the 812 Superfast’s new version will also be revealed on May 5, during a special live event that will be broadcasted on Ferrari’s social media channels. The hardcore new Ferrari is powered by the latest evolution of their naturally aspirated V12 engine, which here produces 818 HP, making it the most powerful road-car engine the carmaker has ever offered. In addition, this beast of an engine can rev up to an almost unbelievable 9,500 rpm, also making it the highest-revving road-legal Ferrari ever made. The naturally aspirated V12 engine of the hardcore 812 has been upgraded from the ‘regular’ Ferrari 812 Superfast with many redesigned components, as well as a new valve timing mechanism, and a new exhaust system with square tips, in order to offer ‘unprecedented’ performance levels in the V12 segment. In true Ferrari fashion, the chassis has a...

Volkswagen’s Polo is a giant among small cars. In a career spanning almost 50 years it’s shifted over 18 million units, and regularly ranks close to the top of best-seller charts, proving Europeans love competent but dull cars. To ensure it stays there, and to make it slightly less dull, Volkswagen has given it a mid-life refresh, applying a touch of the Mk8 Golf’s design and some tech features more usually seen on cars like the flagship Touareg SUV. This being a facelift rather a ground-up rebuild, the major visual changes are limited to lights and bumpers. LED head and tail lights are standard on every model, the front units connected by an illuminated strip at the base of the radiator grille. Or you can upgrade them to the adaptive Matrix LED technology from the Touareg and Passat. That’s not the only big-car tech the Polo inherits. Volkswagen has bundled various assistance system together and given them the IQ.Drive Travel Assist tag. Those extra cost systems include adaptive cruis...

Hot on the heels of last week’s Q4 e-tron and the e-tron GT from earlier this year, Audi has unveiled the A6 e-tron concept at the 2022 Shanghai Motor show. It’s said that the only thing this concept shares with the “traditional” A6 is its dimensions, measuring 4.96 m (195.3 in) long, 1.96 m (77.2 in) wide, and 1.44 m (56.7 in) high. It’s a bold statement from a company that intends to offer more electric vehicles to US consumers than any other luxury brand by the end of 2021. The A6 e-tron concept previews the first Audi to be built on the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) platform. Others expected to join in 2022 will be the Q5 e-tron and Q6 e-tron. The platform has been developed together with Porsche and will also support the next generation electric Macan. Audi says they will unveil the first production vehicles based on the PPE platform in the second half of 2022. The concept’s design looks like it’ll stick around largely unchanged for a production version. Although this is dubbed ...

Genesis has officially unveiled its 2022 Electrified G80 at the Shanghai Auto Show as the brand’s first all-electric vehicle. Powering the Genesis Electrified G80 (yes, that’s it’s real name) are a pair of electric motors that combine to produce 365 hp and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque, split evenly between the front and rear axles. Genesis claims the all-electric G80 can sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in an impressive 4.9 seconds. Genesis has also equipped the EV with a 400V/800V multi-rapid charging system that allows customers to use various charging infrastructures. The automaker has not yet stated the capacity of the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery but says it will have a range exceeding 500 km (310 miles) on the NEDC cycle and can be charged from 10 per cent 80 per cent in just 22 minutes. The Electrified G80 also features a Disconnector Actuator System (DAS) that can automatically connect or disconnect the motor and drive shaft based on various driving conditions, including vehicle sp...

Mercedes has revealed the new EQB, the all-electric variant of the GLB and seven-seater sibling of the EQA, at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, alongside the flagship EQS electric luxury saloon. The German carmaker is showing off the China-specific version of the EQB, which is going to be produced in Beijing and go on sale later this year. The European version will also be launched in 2021, while US-spec models will arrive stateside in 2022. Global versions of the new EQB will be produced at the carmaker’s factory in Kecskemét, Hungary. The new electric Mercedes SUV will be launched in China in top-of-the-range AMG Line form with an output of 288 HP. Mercedes will offer the new EQB in several configurations, with front- and all-wheel-drive, as well as different power outputs and battery pack sizes, starting from 66.5 kWh. In Europe, the EQB 350 4Matic will offer a driving range of 260 miles (419 km), with Mercedes planning to add “a particularly long-range version” in the near future. The ...