After a seven-year production run, Rolls-Royce officially pulled the plug on the Dawn, its Ghost-based four-seater convertible aimed to replace the old Phantom DropheadCoupe.
The Rolls-Royce Dawn is closely related to the Wraith Coupe, which also ceased production as of the 2023 model year.
At the moment, the Dawn has no direct replacement, though we may see a new convertible (perhaps related to the electric Spectre) in due time.
It’s the end of the road for Rolls-Royce’s luxurious Dawn convertible.
On Tuesday, the automaker officially announced the end of the line for its successor to the popular Phantom Drophead Coupe. The Rolls-Royce Dawn first rolled onto the scene back in 2015, bringing common styling cues (including its rear-hinged doors) from its two-door, Ghost-based coupe, the Wraith.
As Rolls-Royce pivots toward its next generation of vehicles, including the fully electric Spectre, its twelve-cylinder droptop will join its coupe sibling (which also ended production in recent months) in the history books. In fact, order books for the Dawn and Wraith actually closed in March 2022, but the company kept production rolling through the end of last year to meet demand. At the moment, the Dawn is Rolls-Royce’s best-selling convertible ever.
Like the Wraith and the Ghost, the Rolls-Royce dawn packed a 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine. It put out 563 horsepower in standard tune, or you could get up to 593 horsepower if you sprung for the ‘Black Badge’ model, which first emerged in 2017. Rather than opt for a hardtop convertible, Rolls-Royce also decided to keep a fabric roof blended with composite materials to give it more of a classic feel. With its noise isolation, the company dubbed this car “the world’s quietest convertible”.
For the time being, there’s no direct replacement in sight. Rolls-Royce is mum on what’s coming down the pipeline, but considering the Dawn’s success, it’s unlikely we’ll live in a world without a convertible Roller for too long. The Spectre EV seems like a perfect candidate for the droptop treatment, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens.
It’s been a little while since we dug into a full-on Cheap Jeep project, so we were itching to take another crack at it. This time around, though, we’re going even more old-school classic Jeep with a half-century-old Willys CJ-5. This 1961 model comes courtesy of one of Toby, our go-to mechanic for any cheap vehicle series and owner of German Auto Services in Boulder, Colorado. It’s certainly a work in progress — just check out the state of the tires in our reveal video below — but Toby’s done plenty of work to this rig to make it a (hopefully) strong contender in the upcoming series (stay tuned for more on that soon).
In the earlier years of the CJ-5’s three-decade production run, this car came with a 75-horsepower, 2.2-liter Willys Hurricane inline-four, while Kaiser (then owner of the Jeep brand, before Kaiser Jeep sold to AMC in 1970) eventually fitted the far more potent 3.7-liter/225 cubic inch Dauntless V6 under license from General Motors. More engines were available throughout its lifespan, from a 3.1-liter (192 cubic inch) British-made Perkins diesel engine to AMC’s straight-six engines (3.8-liter and 4.2 liter) and even a 5.0-liter, 304 cubic inch V8.
As it sits, this example is a whopping 61 years old, and represents what is probably the most iconic Jeep generation to date. Even better, this is not the only Jeep we’ll have in the upcoming series!
Where this jeep fits into the next challenge
While Tommy will be driving the CJ-5 in this challenge, the goal here is for Andre and Nathan to join in on the fun as well. They’ll each bring their own inexpensive (under $10,000) Jeep to the party to pitch against this old warhorse in a host of challenges.
For the $6,000 we spent on this CJ-5, we wonder if it’d be worthwhile to find and install that big V8 to give this car the grunt it deserves…though that would probably take some more serious modification to make it work given the Jeep’s age and current state.
Check out the video below for more details on the work that’s been done so far. Comment what you think would be the best upgrades (new tires are a given, obviously) and check out what’s coming up in this year’s Cheap Jeep challenge.
Toyota is reportedly charging full steam ahead with its GR development under new CEO Koji Sato.
After a couple fairly dull decades preceding the last few years, Toyota is really getting into an awesome stride with its new GR models. Not only did we get a new Supra (regardless of the misgivings about its development…I won’t beat that dead horse anymore here), but we also have a new GR 86and a GR Corolla hot hatch. According to a recent Autocar interview chatting with new company boss and former Lexus head Koji Sato, the Gazoo brand will bring more models to our doorstep — and faster than you might think.
Of course, the brand’s been mum on exactly what’s coming down the pike since the GR Corolla hit the scene last year. We’ve gotten a few glimpses of what may emerge in the near future under the Gazoo Racing banner, including a two-seater electric sports coupe as something to possibly rival the imminent Porsche 718 EV coming mid-decade. We could also see a sporty version of the bZ4X crossover, or perhaps the company will jazz up one of its existing models. A Toyota GR Prius or a GR Sienna would be a properly wacky move for a brand that’s spent way too long churning out relatively conservative updates lo these many years.
Sato gives a wink and a nod toward former CEO Akio Toyoda as a mastermind for upcoming GR projects.
Mr. Toyoda was the “Master Driver” and he’s long had a penchant for sports cars. “Our Master Driver was also president of the company at the same time as he had a steering wheel in his hand for Gazoo. Now he is only chairman maybe he will have a lot more time to develop sports cars for them?”
Hmm…Well, color me interested. If Toyota launches another GR model that’s even just as good as the GR Corolla, then we’ll be in for a hell of a good lineup in the next few years as the company hammers out its electrification strategy.
At any rate, it sounds like we’re in for a fun year, so stay tuned for more updates!
Second Place – Rohan Seiber, 10th Grade, Portola Valley, California
In this week’s Ask Nathan:
Will they build a Ram Rampage PHEV to compete with the Maverick hybrid?
Nathan hates Nissan!
What is the best deal for an affordable EV?
A fan wants to know if Stellantis will build something like a small Ram Rampage PHEV pickup to combat the Ford Maverick hybrid.
2023 Drive for Design first-place sketch from contest winner Rocco Morales, 12th grade, Northville, Michigan
Q: (Via:AskNathan@TFL.com) I think they should build something like the Ram Rampage PHEV and take the fight to the Maverick.
Do you like the idea of this Ram Rampage PHEV? I think it’s more realistic than the return of the Dakota. I have seen many sketches recently from Ram and it got me thinking. This is my first time sending you a note, but I’ve been a fan for about five years. My family has been all about Mopar for three generations.
My mom’s Dodge Journey is one of the most hated cars in the USA. I don’t care, because it just passed 150,000 without any big problems! Dad and my brother both have Ram 1500s and I have a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. We are all happy with our vehicles and I have high hopes that Stellantees figures out how to leave American vehicles to the American designers.
After Tommy’s disasterous Hornet video, I think that many fans are concerned. It got me thinking about how the power train can be shared the way 4-xE systems are in so many Jeeps. You’ve even mentioned it. That power train would be pretty awesome in a small pickup. And I think the one in the Hornet would be pretty cool in a very small truck.
Let’s bring back the Ram Rampage in a package that will be a real competitor to the Ford Maverick hybrid! What do you think Nathan?
– Debby KD – Iowa
A: Thanks for the email Debby!
I think you’re on to something, and I totally agree that Ram could/should be the first to the punch with a PHEV pickup truck of some sort. The idea of a plugin hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that’s rugged enough to be used in a pickup has already been exploited by Stellantis. The popular Jeep Wrangler 4xe is proof that this type of setup can work with a heavy 4×4. It weighs over 5,000-lbs, which is about 1,300-lbs more than a Maverick hybrid.
There’s a lot more to it, including the engineering of such a pickup truck, and the return on investment for Stellantis. The sketches I included are from the first and second place winners from the Drive for Design contest. This is an annual contest for young designers, sponsored by Stellantis.
Still, the fact that Ram is the only player without any midsize pickup in this class is a shame. To me, the Gladiator doesn’t count as it sits at a premium that is far higher than most of its competition. With that being said, I find it odd that Jeep has yet to debut their Gladiator 4xe. We know it’s in the works, and they said it was coming. Odd.
Anyway, we do know that Stellantis is interested in the small and midsize segment, we know that there are many irons in the fire. Sadly, we are still waiting to hear what they are going to officially build.
Stay tuned!
– N
The next batch of questions/comments comes from YouTube, Twitter and AskNathan@TFL.com… there are a few people who feel I dislike Nissan.
Image: Nissan
Q: (Via: YouTube, Twitter@NathanAdlen, AskNathan@Tfl.com) Best next-gen truck is Nissan Frontier and you don’t even mention it. Such losers.
I’m sure Chevy gave it to them for the propaganda as does Toyota with their last generation pretending to be new! – Bill Washburn, via Twitter
Nathan, you obviously hate all Nissans if all you ever do is cry about their CVTs! – Marcus JJ73, via Twitter
I never have seen a The Fast Lane people own a single Nissan car or truck. I think we know the reason! – Tuck3R
There are a few more, but you get the idea.
A: Whatever you guys are smoking, it isn’t helping.
Before I defend myself, you may have missed the videos I produced about my beloved and missed Nissan Pathfinder. It was a third generation that I owned for three years. I absolutely loved it, until it was totaled.
Like many, some of you are reacting to me (or us) not constantly fawning over a vehicle you like. Better still, some are upset that we neglected to mention their favorite vehicle during a video. As such, that simply means I hate it – right? In addition, if I reiterate that a component is a weakness for the automaker – that makes me a “hater.”
While I would normally argue that you’re being narrow-minded, I’ll simply say that you’re right.
When I wrote the story complimenting the Nissan Kicks (which has a CVT), it was a lie. I obviously hated it. I mean, that’s what you’re saying. On top of that, all of the accolades I’ve thrown towards the new Nissan Frontier… well, that was a clever deception by me. By saying it’s an excellent truck – I was actually saying it wasn’t. Right?
The paragraph above was sarcasm. In case you didn’t understand.
Give me strength. Better still, get your heads out of your nether regions.
– N
The last question comes from a neighbor regarding an inexpensive EV.
Q: (Paraphrased) I am thinking about replacing my old commuter with an inexpensive EV. Are there any deals?
I have an old Scion xB that is on its last legs. It seems like a good idea to switch to an electric car for my 40 mile round trip commute. We have a newer Expedition that is good for road trips. So that’s not an issue. We just want something that will be cheap to buy and cheap to run.
– Nice neighbor who walks her Jack Russell terrier
A: That’s a good question and I have two answers for you.
If you’re looking at a brand new electric vehicle, I recommend the Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV. They are about to be discontinued, and are a bargain. Some dealers may want to get rid of them sooner, rather than later. They also could qualify for a clean vehicle Federal tax credit.
I’m not a fan of the looks, but the range and capability of both EVs is impressive.
The other recommendation is a used Nissan Leaf. As long as it has a battery that’s larger than 30 kWh, it should provide a very inexpensive buy. One of the best things about these Nissan Leafs is their easy care, and inexpensive maintenance.
The Hyundai Kona Electric also makes a good used electric choice, but they’re hard to find.
The old Honda Accord only managed a ‘Marginal’ rating in the IIHS side crash test.
For 2023, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is upping the ante for new models to earn the coveted Top Safety Pick accolades. To qualify for the Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award, vehicles must have ‘Acceptable’ or ‘Good’ scores in the headlight test, but there’s another caveat: They must also score a high rating in the updated side crash test. The 2023 Honda Accord has no worries there, though, as the organization notes it aced the new tests.
As a point of reference, the 2022 Honda Accord managed ‘Marginal’ — the second worst score — in the side crash test. The IIHS noted elevated risks of torso and pelvic injuries to the driver and passenger, while the new model fared far better.
Technically, a car can win Top Safety Pick (without the plus) with just an Acceptable rating in the new side crash test. This year’s version uses a heavier test rig crashing into cars at a higher speed, so those vehicles need to effectively mitigate the added forces while preventing injuries to the occupants. To get a “plus” rating, cars must score a Good rating, which the new Accord did.
New 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick criteria also includes a high rating in nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention. The 2023 Honda Accord scored an ‘Advanced’ rating in that area, the middle of three evaluation tiers. Vehicles can still earn Top Safety Pick without earning the nighttime rating and just getting an Advanced or the top ‘Superior’ rating in the daytime tests.
At the moment, the only other midsize sedan to manage a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ rating is the Toyota Camry. The Hyundai Sonata and Subaru Legacy do manage Top Safety Pick (scoring Acceptable in the updated side crash test), though the Subaru Outback nets a Top Safety Pick+ nod from the organization.
A newly filed EPA certification document signals the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will in fact have a wagon variant in the U.S. market.
While the automaker revealed the sedan earlier this week, there was only mention of the sedan, so it was unclear whether this generation would drop the wagon model.
This document suggests we’ll still only get the ‘All-Terrain’ version.
There’s been no mention of a new AMG E-Class (even in sedan form) just yet, so there’s no information on a new E 63 wagon just yet.
The rumored Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class, a replacement for the C/E-Class coupes and convertibles, also appears in the document.
Wagons may not be explosively popular, but the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will still offer an option.
A new filing by Mercedes-Benz to the EPA certifying engines throughout its 2024 model year lineup gives us a bit more information on what’s coming down the pike. Most of the news isn’t surprising, like the new Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E-Performance or the host of electric models, with everything in between. One item that Car and Driver noticed in this filing, though, is a nugget we didn’t have when the new E-Class debuted earlier this week: It will most likely spawn a wagon variant for U.S. buyers.
That’s great news for folks like me, who stubbornly hang onto the notion that wagons are welcome respite from the landslide of samey, uninspired crossovers. Yes, I still like hot hatchbacks and I still like wagons and I’m not ashamed to admit either fascination. To that end, when it does make its way into U.S. showrooms, it appears the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon will strictly come in its off-road-themed All-Terrain guise.
At the moment, there’s no mention of any AMG E-Class models. We don’t even have any concrete information on the sedan, let alone a new version of the AMG E 63 wagon. It’s not likely we’ll know too much on that front until next year. The E 450, for its part, packs a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine putting out 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Now, the EPA document also confirms what we already know: No E-Class coupe or convertible is coming around in this generation. However, there will be a CLE-Class, which is a new moniker meant to replace the E-Class’ two-door options as well as those for the smaller C-Class. This document sheds light on the CLE 300 making an appearance. That car will likely use the same 2.0-liter engine as the C 300, while there will also be a CLE 450 (with the 3.0-liter from the E 450 mentioned above).
Mercedes does mention an AMG CLE 53 here, which should carry over the engine from the outgoing E 53 model. It makes 429 horsepower in its current iteration, though the CLE may get a boosted version when it arrives for model year 2025.
This Ford recall campaign is relatively small, but your wheel falling off is an obvious safety issue.
If you bought a 2023 Ford Bronco or Ford Ranger pickup, make sure to check your lug nuts are actually tightened down. It’s an issue that impacted 1,434 vehicles during the manufacturing process and could cause the wheels to fall off while driving if the situation isn’t addressed in time. This week, Ford informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that roughly 19% of the recall population have lug nuts that are not properly torqued on the left side. Of that total, Ford includes 992 Broncos and 442 Rangers.
According to a defect report dated April 20, an automated tool used to torque the lug nuts went down at the company’s Wayne, Michigan assembly plant. Plant workers fell back to a manual backup process while the machine was down for repair from February 9 to February 11. However, an internal investigation into reports of loose lug nuts revealed workers may not have torqued them to specification on both the front and left rear wheels.
Ford says that an owner contacted its customer hotline on April 12 with a warranty report of a wheel detachment. The company also noted one instance where a detached wheel actually struck another vehicle, though fortunately there were no injuries as a result.
Owners should not drive their vehicles without torquing the lug nuts to spec
Ford notified its dealers on April 20 of the issue, and will notify customers between May 1 and May 5. There are a few different ways owners can go about fixing the problem. Owners can make arrangements with their dealer for a mobile repair to torque the lug nuts to spec, or Ford will pay to have their vehicle towed to their local dealer at no charge. Dealer technicians will inspect the lug nuts and wheel studs and make any necessary repairs, if they actually suffered any damage from being loose.
Alternatively, Ford will instruct owners with a mechanical inclination what the verified torque spec is to tighten the lug nuts themselves. That instruction is also in the owner’s manuals for affected vehicles, though the automaker mentions the work must be inspected by a Ford or Lincoln dealer to officially close the recall with the NHTSA.
EV tech unlocks new possibilities for how next-gen models can maneuver, including a full 90-degree crab walk.
Parallel parking is such a pain in the butt, isn’t it? It takes practice and space to get a conventional car into a tight space…but not with some new EV technology. Hyundai Mobis — the Korean automaker’s parts and service arm — is developing its new e-Corner module to make frustrating and inconvenient driving tasks a thing of the past. To that end, the company demonstrated where it’s at with this technology on the new Ioniq 5, doing some sci-fi level tricks that could make it to Hyundai Group’s future electric cars.
The test car has four e-Corner modules, one at each wheel. To that, Hyundai Mobis connects an in-wheel motor, so all the suspension, braking and steering is handled at each corner. There aren’t conventional axles, half-shafts or a steering rack that would limit the wheels’ overall mobility, allowing it to rotate up to 90 degrees off dead-center. Not only does that allow this car to crab walk sideways into a tight parking space, but it can also turn around in its own footprint, or a “zero turn”.
The freakiest trick, in my opinion, is the “pivot turn”, where it turns the back wheels to swing the rear end of the car around. Imagine drawing a circle around a center point using a compass and you’ll get the idea (or watch the video below to see how it works in real time). In essence, Hyundai Mobis’ technology allows the vehicle to turn any which way by precisely controlling how each wheel needs to move. To make that happen, the steering system is entirely drive-by-wire, since physically linking the steering wheel to each corner would naturally limit their pivoting ability.
To create this prototype using the Ioniq 5, Hyundai Mobis moved the wheels a bit from where they’d normally be positioned, so it looks a bit weird where they sit compared to the arches and the rest of the body. Nevertheless, the company should work those issues out by the time an actual production unit rolls (or perhaps crab walks) out.
As for when we might be able to buy an e-Corner-equipped vehicle, Hyundai Mobis is aiming to have it ready by 2025. It’s unclear what sort of vehicles Hyundai will pair with this technology, be it a conventional car you can actually drive or something autonomous, like so many of these lounge-on-wheels concepts we’re seeing these days.
