The Chevy Trax And Buick Encore Will (Unsurprisingly) Die After 2022: Report

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March 18, 2022

Chevy Trax and Buick Encore discontinued in 2022 - news

Sometimes automakers catch us by surprise, but not here.

The list of cars rolling off into the automotive history books this year continues to grow — and we can add two more to the list. Unlike some other cullings, though, these two are probably the least surprising: the Buick Encore and the Chevy Trax. Per a GM Authority report, both will end their production run at GM Korea’s Bupyeong plant in the third quarter of 2022.

Why are they both going away? It’s a trend that seems to be getting more common among these small crossovers. Launch a newly-styled, slightly larger, similarly priced model as an existing subcompact, then phase out the old model. It happened with the Mazda CX-30 replacing the CX-3, and it may well happen with the Toyota C-HR as well now that the Corolla Cross is on sale. In GM’s case, you have the new Buick Encore GX, as well as the remarkably good Chevy Trailblazer.

At this point, the automaker has not outright confirmed it will discontinue either the original Encore or the Trax just yet. The entry-level Encore has been around since 2013 and the Chevy Trax hit our shores in 2015, but both only saw minor updates over the past couple years. Americans also tend to shy away from subcompact crossovers on the whole, with GM’s tiny tikes sales figures dropping between 50 and 60% in 2021.

The Encore GX, Trailblazer will be the new entry points into their brands

As you’d expect, the report mentions no direct replacement for either SUV. There’s a bit more to the story with Chevrolet, however, since the equally tiny Spark will accompany the Trax into the sunset after this model year. That means the Chevy Trailblazer and the Buick Encore GX will be the entry points into their respective brands.

We do think the Trailblazer/Encore GX are just better all around than the models they replace — especially since they ride on a new platform (GM’s Vehicle Set Strategy or ‘VSS’ platform) and have updated powertrains, as well as fresher tech.

Check out what Nathan thinks about the new Trailblazer below:

The Audi A6 Avant e-tron Concept Brings Another Sharp EV Wagon to the Party

By

Zach Butler

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March 17, 2022

Audi A6 Avant e-tron EV concept — Which would you want more — this or the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo? (Images: Audi)

This Audi A6 Avant e-tron may be an “Allroad” model in the US, if it comes here at all.

I’ve been saying it over the past few years, and I’ll say it again here — we here at TFL love, love, love us some wagons. That’s why we were happy to see the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo emerge, and it appears Audi could bring in an A6 Avant e-tron to follow that up. If you saw the A6 e-tron concept Audi debuted last year, than some of this styling (especially at the front) will look familiar. This one brings in the long roofline, though, as well as an overall footprint close to the current A6 wagons we get right now.

Normally, I’d ride a journalistic fence here and mention that looks are subjective. But you know what? This Audi A6 Avant e-tron is just better than the sedan. There’s a stateliness to this concept’s design, not to mention the extra practicality you get from a wagon without losing as much in terms of driving dynamics that you would with a crossover. You can argue me on that if you’d like, but I’m definitely digging the look Audi’s designers have brought to light here.

Should we actually see it in production form on our shores, it would also be an alternative (of sorts) to the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. This car rides on Volkswagen Group’s scalable PPE platform, unlike the current Taycan, but Audi’s concept also has an 800-volt electrical architecture. Audi says it carries up to 270 kW of DC fast-charging capability, which should replenish 186 miles of range in 10 minutes. Charging up from 5 to 80% state-of-charge should take just under 25 minutes. A 100-kWh battery may offer up to around 435 miles of range, at least according to WLTP standards.

What about performance?

The PPE platform supports both single and dual-motor models, and we may ultimately see both from a production Audi A6 Avant e-tron. the dual-motor version puts out 469 horsepower (350 kW) and 590 lb-ft of torque (800 N-m). Audi says the quickest electric A6 Avant will make the 0-62 mph sprint in just under four seconds. Even base models, though, should manage that run in about seven seconds with the rear-mounted motor. Those figures fall in line with the sort of performance you’d expect from a modern EV, even if we’re not talking about neck-snapping acceleration.

Apart from those figures, this concept brings some more touches like 22-inch wheels and pillar-mounted cameras in place of the door mirrors. We’ll likely lose those should Audi launch the A6 Avant e-tron in our market — they’re still illegal here, after all. That said, we should actually see the company’s matrix OLED tech (finally), and small high-resolution LED projectors can even display warning symbols to other folks around the car. For example, it can tell cyclists that someone is about to open the door.

The Audi A6 Avant e-tron arrives in 2024, so we should have much more information on the production version before too long. Whether we’ll only see it as a lifted “Allroad” model or whether there will be a high-performance RS variant remains to be seen. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that this arrives in America in some form, though.

Toyota Slashes Global Production in April By 150,000 Vehicles: We’re Not Out of the Woods Yet

By

Zach Butler

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March 17, 2022

Toyota Manufacturing — news — (Images: Toyota)

Automakers still face challenges ramping production back up, including Toyota.

On Thursday, the company announced its production target of 750,000 vehicles in April 2022. Supply chain issues related to the ongoing semiconductor shortage and the COVID-19 pandemic continue to tamp down expectations, even in a period when automakers are making every effort to raise manufacturing output and alleviate low dealer inventories.

Depending on how the situation evolves, Toyota said last week it could cut global production in May and June as well. According to a Reuters report, it would scale back its efforts by up to 20% in each of those months to relieve the strain on its suppliers. The company’s previous production target for April 2022 was 900,000 vehicles, so this cut amounts to nearly 17%.

TMMK Georgetown, Kentucky Photo by Joseph Rey Au Monday June 28, 2021

“It is still difficult to foresee the situation several months ahead, and there is a possibility the current plan will be revised downward,” Toyota said in its statement. At the moment, however, the automaker is confident it will only be slightly down from its estimates earlier in the year as we roll into May and June.

Manufacturers industry-wide are still navigating several challenging factors, any of which can exacerbate an already tight new car market. Per Automotive News reports, world events including the war in Ukraine and a recent earthquake in Japan will hamper global production estimates through 2022, and possibly 2023. We’ll have a better idea of how those challenges have impacted sales when companies release their quarterly sales results in early April.

It’s the End of an Era: See the Aston Martin V12 Vantage In All Its Limited-Run Glory

By

Zach Butler

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March 16, 2022

**Here we are — the last Aston Martin V12 Vantage we’ll ever see.**

This isn’t the first time Aston’s packed a massive twelve-cylinder engine into its smallest car, as we saw it with the last-generation Vantage — and that was an awesome package. Now, it’s time for the follow-up, and we finally have a current-generation Vantage with the familiar 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 from the DB11 and DBS (not to mention the V12 Speedster). This time is a special occasion, though, as this will be the last Aston Martin V12 Vantage we’ll ever see.

As an enthusiast, that’s a bit painful to swallow. However, there’s plenty to be excited about if you’re one of the folks getting your hands on one of the 333 examples. Yep, I say “getting” because all those cars (and that’s Aston’s global allocation) are already spoken for. Needless to say, pricing is completely irrelevant here.

Still, it’s fun to dream, so let’s do that with the newly debuted V12 Vantage. What you see here is a car tuned similarly to the V12 Speedster. That means its engine kicks out a whopping 690 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. As a result, this new V12 Vantage packs a 200 mph top speed, as well as a 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds, according to Aston Martin. Is it the absolute last word in acceleration or speed? Perhaps not, but the point here has always been that you’re getting all that power (and all that aero) in a small, nimble package.

Carbon fiber everywhere!

To that end, there is a huge amount of carbon fiber, all in pursuit of saving weight. That’s not the only reason it’s there, of course, as those wide fenders accommodate the car’s wider track and properly wide tires (275-mm at the front and 315-mm at the back). The spoiler, side skirts, rear wing and large diffuser also work to provide up to 450 pounds of downforce at high speeds. As you’d expect, Aston also stiffened the car’s chassis, and the adaptive suspension plays into making this feel far more hardcore than your run-of-the-mill Vantage. To help bring it all to a halt, carbon ceramic brakes with 6-piston front calipers and 4-piston rear calipers come standard.

Inside, the new Aston Martin V12 Vantage largely mirros what you’ll see with the V8 model. However, you get standard Sport Plus seats here, as well as an option for lightweight carbon fiber seats. Naturally, that theme continues with the steering wheel, shift paddles and accent pieces — and those who landed one of these cars can take it further with extra-cost customization choices.

Production for the V12 Vantage begins this quarter, with deliveries set to start in spring 2023. The order books may already be closed, but it’s still pretty awesome just to know this car exists, especially as we say goodbye to the V12 and usher in the electric performance car era.

Lotus Emira First Edition Packs AMG Power, Plus An $85,900 Price Tag

By

Zach Butler

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March 16, 2022

The Emira is Lotus’ last gasoline-powered car — and it’s certainly one hell of a sendoff. (Image: Lotus)

The AMG-powered Lotus Emira First Edition has landed.

Pricing details are now available across the entire Emira lineup — the last gasoline-powered Lotus before the brand transitions to a purely electric portfolio. Two powertrain options are available, including a supercharged 3.5-liter Toyota V6 or a 2.0-liter Mercedes-AMG M139 turbocharged four-cylinder. Now, though, Lotus has also shared pricing for its special First Edition model, which starts at $85,900.

At its heart, the M139 engine makes 360 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. While it’s 40 horsepower from the larger V6, it actually packs a bit more torque, so the performance figures are nearly identical. At least, that’s the case on paper: The V6-powered Emira sprints from 0-60 in 4.2 seconds. The four-cylinder will do it in 4.3 seconds. Top speed? That will be 180 for the V6, and 176 mph for the AMG-powered model. That engine is mid-mounted in this application, of course, and comes with AMG’s 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.

If you spec the V6 version, you’ll have the option of either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.

What makes the First Edition special (and a few caveats)

Head over to the Lotus Emira configurator site, and you’ll see more information on what sets the First Edition apart from the base edition. Like the V6 First Edition, the First Edition includes 20-inch V-spoke forged alloy wheels, two-piece brake discs with painted calipers (in black, red, silver or yellow), and a host of premium upgrades. A 10-channel KEF audio system, parking sensors, 12-way adjustable seating and Nappa leather trim are some of those extra features. Beyond that, you can lean toward a sports chassis setup with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires (through the Driver’s Pack), or a touring setup with Goodyear Eagle F1 tires.

Now, if you do want the four-cylinder versions, you will be in for a bit of a wait. Customers in the UK can order the M139-powered First Edition on April 8, and Lotus says deliveries will begin by the end of the year. For folks in the US, though, that version won’t arrive until the winter of 2023-2024.

If you want an Emira earlier than that, the V6 First Edition will arrive this fall, so that will be the one you’ll see before anything else. From there, the $82,900 entry-level V6 will launch in January 2023.

More details on the full V6 specs and options will be available this summer. Online reservations for US customers are set to start at the same time.

Meet The Lotus Emira — One Last Gasoline Hurrah Before Lotus Goes All-Electric: News

Mercedes-Benz Builds Up For New Electric SUV Production With Alabama Battery Plant

By

Zach Butler

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March 15, 2022

Mercedes-Benz Alabama battery plant — This new plant complements the automaker’s existing factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Images: Mercedes-Benz)

Mercedes’ new battery plant will support the company’s all-electric ‘EQ’ vehicle production.

Back in 1997, Mercedes-Benz opened its SUV plant in Alabama. Now, as it aims to gear up production for the EQS and EQE SUVs, the automaker announced the opening of a new factory in Bibb County, neighboring its existing facility. This American leg of Mercedes’ EV manufacturing is just part of a global push to build electric models at seven different locations spanning three continents.

“The opening of our new battery plant in Alabama is a major milestone on our way to going all-electric,” said Mercedes-Benz Group AG chairman Ola Källenius. “We’re proud to create new, future-proof jobs to build all-electric SUVs ‘Made in the USA’ at a plant that is such an established part of our production family since 25 years.”

In providing battery packs for the EQS SUV and EQE SUV, Mercedes expects to create 600 jobs at the facility, while the company says it also manages carbon-neutral production when it comes to actually manufacturing the packs.

Over the past two-plus decades, Mercedes has invested $7 billion into its Alabama manufacturing footprint, with $1 billion of that going into the Bibb County battery plant. In addition to powering the facility entirely by renewable energy by 2024, the automaker aims to take Tuscaloosa production fully electric by the end of the decade. To reach that goal, the company plans to leverage partnerships — it’s partnering with Envision AESC to supply high-performance battery modules for Alabama-built vehicles — to build eight cell factories. In total, Mercedes says its production capacity will eventually total 200 Gigawatt-hours by 2030.

While we’re still waiting for the all-electric SUVs, check out the EQS sedan below:

Tesla Hikes Its Prices (Yes, Again) — This Time On All Its Vehicles

By

Zach Butler

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March 15, 2022

Tesla price hike — news — The least expensive Tesla starts at nearly $50,000, while the top end cars like this Model S Plaid costs more than $140,000 — at least for now. (Images: Tesla)

Tesla enacts its second price hike in a week.

On March 9, the EV manufacturer raised pricing on its Model 3 and Model Y in the U.S. Now, we’re seeing another increase, this time affecting every car from the Model 3 to the most expensive Model X. As the new pricing is effective on Tesla’s website, CEO Elon Musk noted sharp increases in “raw materials & logistics” costs in a tweet, suggesting that’s the reason for the hike.

Tesla & SpaceX are seeing significant recent inflation pressure in raw materials & logistics
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 14, 2022

Here’s what every Tesla car costs (at least right now)

While last week’s price change moved the bar by $1,000, as of March 15 the base Tesla Model 3 starts at $46,990. That relatively minor $500 increase does not translate across the entire range, however. The Model 3 Long Range now starts at $54,490 (up $1,000). At the top of the Model 3 range, the Performance now costs $61,990 (up $3,000 from last week).

As Tesla aims to expand its manufacturing capacity, it’s citing rising material costs as the reasoning for across-the-board price hikes.

Price changes for the Model Y follow a similar pattern. The Long Range model is up $1,000 to $62,990. As for the Model Y Performance, you’ll now pay $3,000 more, with that version starting at $67,990.

If you’re looking into the Tesla Model S sedan, you can still get the base version for under $100,000 — but only just. That model costs $99,990. The triple-motor Model S Plaid, currently the performance halo for the brand, now kicks off at $135,990.

As of March 15, the Tesla Model X starts off at $114,990 for the base (dual-motor) model. The triple-motor, all-wheel drive Model X Plaid is currently the most expensive Tesla car, with a starting price of $138,990 before options including paint and wheels. Build one out with the 22-inch “Turbine” wheels, anything other than a black interior, Red Multi-coat paint and Full Self-Driving Capability, and current pricing rises to $160,990.

Volvo Boosts the Range & Performance of Its Larger Recharge Plug-in Hybrid Models

By

Zach Butler

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March 14, 2022

2022 Volvo XC60 Recharge — (Images: Volvo)

A larger battery offers a more competitive range for most Volvo Recharge models.

Of course, every automaker is working toward a full electric lineup — including Volvo. As it stands, the Swedish automaker aims to become a “fully electric car company” by the end of this decade. In the meantime, though, it does still need its internal combustion lineup to make sales, so it falls to the company’s Recharge plug-in hybrid lineup to split the difference. There’s been just one problem: Volvo’s PHEV offerings like the XC90 Recharge offer relatively poor all-electric range.

There’s finally an answer for the 2022 model year by way of a larger battery pack. Volvo announced Monday a bigger 18.8-kWh unit with another layer of cells (up from 11.6-kWh) across most of its Recharge lineup. Specifically, all ‘T8’ models, including the S60 and S90 sedans, as well as the V60 Polestar Engineered, the XC60 and XC90 SUVs.

Now, the crossovers manage up to 35 miles of all-electric range, while the passenger cars offer anywhere between 38 and 41 miles. That at least helps cover most folks’ work commute, and gives Volvo more of a competitive edge against the PHEV competition.

Another benefit: More power

Fortunately, a larger battery isn’t the only thing Volvo changed for its T8 models. They also get a more powerful 143 horsepower, rear-mounted electric motor. While the 2.0-liter supercharged and turbocharged engine also sees some tweaks for better efficiency and low-end power delivery, the combined horsepower and torque figures rise to 455 hp and 523 lb-ft, respectively. That makes this range Volvo’s most potent yet.

On the XC60 and S90 models, you’ll also see one-pedal driving capability, so you can drive the Recharge more like a full-electric vehicle.

All T8 Recharge models now qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit in the U.S. as well. You can configure these models now over on Volvo’s configurator site (though it does not mention specific pricing).

T8 AWD model	All-electric range (miles)	Gas-only MPG
S60 Recharge	41	31 MPG
V60 Polestar Engineered	41	31 MPG
XC60 Recharge	35	28 MPG
XC60 Polestar Engineered	35	28 MPG
S90 Recharge	38	29 MPG
XC90 Recharge	35	26 MPG

Sometimes automakers catch us by surprise, but not here.

The Encore GX, Trailblazer will be the new entry points into their brands

This Audi A6 Avant e-tron may be an “Allroad” model in the US, if it comes here at all.

What about performance?

Automakers still face challenges ramping production back up, including Toyota.

Here we are — the last Aston Martin V12 Vantage we’ll ever see.

Carbon fiber everywhere!

The AMG-powered Lotus Emira First Edition has landed.

What makes the First Edition special (and a few caveats)

Mercedes’ new battery plant will support the company’s all-electric ‘EQ’ vehicle production.

Tesla enacts its second price hike in a week.

Here’s what every Tesla car costs (at least right now)

A larger battery offers a more competitive range for most Volvo Recharge models.

Another benefit: More power

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**Here we are — the last Aston Martin V12 Vantage we’ll ever see.**