Author: Sofia

Which automaker revealed this week that some of its front-wheel-drive EVs are going rear-wheel-drive? Which charging network did Shell announce plans to buy? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at DriftBreath Reports—for the week ending January 20, 2023. The 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the king of the plug-in hybrid off-roaders for practicality. And in a recent test drive, while we found it’s easy to rack up the electric miles, it’s also hard to keep the gas engine off with plenty of charge, amid blizzard conditions.  Volvo has announced the return of rear-wheel drive, in…

Icon is known for its FJ Toyota Land Cruiser restomods, and the California company is showcasing another impressive build based on the legendary Toyota off-roader. Called the FJ43 Bandeirante, the vehicle is actually one of Icon’s earliest builds and is based on a model that is a rare sight on U.S. roads. Icon built this vehicle for a customer more than 20 years ago and recently reacquired it. As the name implies, the FJ43 Bandeirante uses the body of the Toyota Bandeirante, the unique version of the Land Cruiser made exclusively for the Brazilian market from 1968-2001. Icon founder and…

Hertz has big plans to deploy EVs to U.S. cities. Nikola is making hydrogen refueling mobile. And GM is considering a small electric truck. This and more, here at DriftBreath Reports.  GM is considering the addition of a $30,000 compact electric pickup to its lineup. The project is reportedly part of a design-based project to examine future affordable EVs.  Nikola announced Wednesday that it’s developed a trailer-mounted mobile hydrogen fueling rig for fuel-cell trucks. It’s a stopgap solution as Nikola delivers more trucks but before more hydrogen stations arrive, and the company plans to show it next week. The rental…

Mercedes-Benz AMG Formula 1 team boss and part owner Toto Wolff is once again offloading cars from his supercar collection. The latest is a Ferrari F40 that’s currently listed for sale by Tom Hartley Jr., the same U.K. dealership that in 2021 sold Wolff’s Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta, Ferrari Enzo, and Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 65 Black Series. At the time, Wolff, an avid race driver himself, said he was selling the cars as he simply didn’t have the time to drive them. Given the 23 rounds on the 2023 F1 calendar, it’s likely a lack of time is also the reason…

Quick Facts About Horsepower and Torque Have you ever wondered why your car may or may not go from 0 to 60 mph in 2 seconds? Well, it has everything to do with the torque and horsepower on your car. These two features essentially determine the speed of your vehicle. The higher the torque and horsepower, the faster you go. This is why car commercials love to boast about how much horsepower and torque their respective cars can produce. But, what do these things actually do, and how are they different? We provide all the answers to your speed-related questions…

Fast Facts 2022 Jeep Wagoneer Series II 4×4 Fast Facts Powertrain 5.7-liter V8 with belt-starter/generator (392 horsepower @ 5,600 RPM, 404 lb-ft @ 3,950 RPM) Transmission/Drive Wheels Eight-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive Fuel Economy, U.S. 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined (EPA Rating, MPG) Fuel Economy, Canada 15.6 city / 11.7 highway / 13.8 combined. (NRCan Rating, L/100km) Base Price $71,845 (U.S.) / $81,495 (Canada) As-Tested Price $82,820 (U.S.) / $94,470 (Canada) Prices include $2,000 destination charge in the United States and $1,995 to $2,695 for freight, PDI, and A/C tax in Canada and, because of cross-border equipment…

Aston Martin this week revealed the DBS 770 Ultimate, which is confirmed as the final DBS, at least for the time being. The car sports a 759-hp version of the automaker’s twin-turbo V-12, and is limited to 499 units, all of which are sold. 2024 Aston Martin DB11 facelift spy shots – Photo credit: Baldauf Another Aston Martin in the headlines this week was the DB11, which is set to receive a new look inside and out. A prototype for the updated grand tourer was spotted ahead of an expected debut later this year. 2024 Lincoln Aviator facelift spy shots…

BERLIN — Porsche is considering fully integrating Google software into its car cockpit, a source close to the company said on Thursday, marking a shift in strategy for the newly listed carmaker. The deal, which is only being considered for the Porsche brand and not the Volkswagen Group more widely, would enable Porsche customers access to Google applications like Google Maps and Google Assistant without needing to connect the car to an Android phone. Spokespeople for Porsche and Google were not immediately available for comment. A spokesperson for Volkswagen software unit Cariad declined to comment. Porsche Chief Financial Officer Lutz…

A prototype for a redesigned Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been spotted testing again, this time in sedan guise. The current E-Class arrived for the 2017 model year and was given a mid-cycle update for 2021. In Mercedes tradition, the redesigned E-Class should arrive in 2023 as a 2024 model. It appears the design is taking on a more dynamic look, as the roof line looks a little more sloped at the rear than on the current model. With rumors that both the CLS-Class and GT 4-Door Coupe aren’t getting replacements, perhaps designers were free to make the E-Class look a bit…

COLUMNSEditor’s Letter: The SetupCustomizing a car’s controls is probably best left to the engineers, but sometimes I can’t resist.By Tony QuirogaEzra Dyer: The Automotive Wisdom of the CrowdBy rigorously observing my fellow drivers, I’ve learned a bunch of new tricks that help me every time I get behind the wheel.By Ezra Dyer Elana Scherr: The Perfect Line of Code for DriversAre autonomous-vehicle engineers the enemies of driving enthusiasts, or can we share the road and the track?By Elana ScherrFEATURESToyota⬆︎2023 Toyota Prius Amazes with a Hot New Body and 220 HorsepowerEven the base Prius hybrid now has a healthy 194 hp,…