Ask Nathan: Is Mitsubishi Building a PHEV Pickup Truck and Is Audi Still Beautiful?

By

Nathan Adlen

-

July 21, 2024

In this week’s post:

Will the Mitsubishi PHEV pickup truck be here soon?
Is Audi love waning?

The first question comes from fan who wants to know how close are we to getting a Mitsubishi PHEV pickup truck.

The 2004 Mitsubishi Sport Truck Concept had innovations, like a folding external seating section and a big V8. (Image: Mitsubishi)

Q (AskNathan@TFL.com) RE: Mitsubishi PHEV Pickup truck coming stateside.

You answered my question (last week) which is amazing! Thank you! Now I wanted to see if you have an update of the Mitsubishi PHEV pickup truck. I know people give Mitsubishi a lot of hell in the United States, which isn’t fair. My brother has very good luck with his and has had a Mitsubishi car like the Lancer, Eclipse and now his Outlander PHEV last for a long time.

I think they give people a good bang for the buck and I know you agree with me. I like that you have owned many inexpensive cars and many Mitsubishis. What was the last one you owned?

Can you give us more information about the Mitsubishi PHEV pickup truck?

Thanks for keeping it real!

– All_Hike98

A: Hi! Another great question,

There hasn’t been much stated since Nissan and Mitsubishi have agreed to work together on updated their fleets (together) co-developing EVs and PHEV (plugin hybrid electric vehicles). Yes, they did indicate that pickup trucks were part of the plan, but neglected to mention any details whatsoever. We’re pretty sure the PHEV (be it Nissan, Mitsubishi or both) will be built in Mexico. It could be an affordable alternative that can bring the trucks to a worldwide market.

Here are some quotes:

Makoto Uchida, Nissan president and CEO said: “Through exciting vehicles and technologies, Nissan is building a smart ecosystem that expands both the possibilities of mobility for people and the potential of society. We want to help solve regional issues and create future-centered cities through new mobility services and energy management. MC shares our motivation, and together we will study a robust and sustainable business model.”

Katsuya Nakanishi, Mitsubishi Corporation president and CEO said: “As the mobility sector undergoes significant transformation due to technological innovation and decarbonization, MC, through its EX-DX integrated approach outlined in its mid-term management strategy, MC Shared Value 2024, aims to work with Nissan to explore the creation of sustainable business models that address Japan’s societal challenges.”

I think we’re going to see concepts within the year, before a production vehicle in the next two or three years. We know that Mitsubishi has experience with hybrid technology, and Nissan has experience with EVs. This combination could become a serious challenge throughout the industry. Considering the recent push to build more hybrids and PHEVs, this partnership makes sense.

Honestly, it’s hard to say what type of powertrain(s) the automakers are considering for a pickup truck. Some insiders say they the new pickup may replace the Nissan Frontier, but I’m not so sure. It’s possible that this pickup could be a smaller, Ford Maverick-sized vehicle that’s based on a lightweight platform.

We should have more news soon!

— N

The next question comes from a viewer who thinks people are shunning the Audi brand.

Q: (Via: NathanAdlen@Twitter/X) Taking all things into consideration, I think Audi’s image is in trouble in the United States.

It’s kind of a sad day for me. I just sold my 2009 A5 Quattro. After 157,000 miles, it was time. It hurts. What a beautiful car.

Living in Texas for four decades, I drove all over the state opting to use my personal car for my job rather than the dreary Altimas and Sonatas my employer offered. In exchange, they paid for my fuel, insurance and basic upkeep. They acted like they made bank on my decision. I was the one who reaped the benefits because I enjoyed every minute behind the wheel.

I remember you said you would own a 2.0 Quattro with a manual, if you lived in California. Well now you do and I’m wondering if it’s something you would still consider? Even though I had the V6, I still averaged about 24 mpg with all the highway driving I did. Reliability was good with only a few visits to the dealership.

Here’s my question: do you think Americans are falling out of love with Audi? You and Roman rightfully called BS on Audi for fake exhaust ports and design. Even though I bought a new Q5, I think the design is kind of boring. It’s a good car. I needed something new and better passenger space. It’s not that exciting externally. Do you think Audi’s are still beautiful?

Do you think people are getting sick of Audi in general? This is where people stand at my office. They are mostly all in on Tesla. And many have Mercedes and BMWs. I’m one of the few with an Audi and it got me thinking about how they are perceived here.

All the best to you and the team. I love watching your videos and reading your posts!

J.D.

A: Thanks for your patronage, and for the thoughtful question!

Actually, Audi sales have been pretty strong over the past few years. The Q5 and Q7 have been a hit for them, and the e-Tron sales are getting stronger as well. Like everything in this industry, it’s all a question of optics. There are issues with some of Audi’s design choices, but they are staying with something they consider to be successful.

I think Audi-tech has a ton of potential, and they know how to assemble a quality vehicle. Their interiors are top-shelf, and their drivetrains are well sorted. They can perform with the best of them, and set a pretty high bar for many to follow. On the other hand, I find their lack of progress (with design) a bit of a bummer.

Innovative design, like the sexy-as-hell e-Tron GT is kind of a one-off in my book. It kind of points the way back to vehicles like the R8, rather than pointing the way forward. I hope I’m wrong – Audi has so much potential.

As for rocking a 2.0-liter A5 here in L.A… oh hell yes. Maybe a used one, after I mentally graduate to adulthood.

All in all, I think they are doing well, but they could be doing better. Some of their cars are attractive, but the beautification of past designs has mellowed. I am rather curious about their future offerings. We’ll see which direction they go soon enough!

N

The 2025 Bentley Flying Spur Offers Up the Continental GT’s PHEV V8 With Two Extra Doors

By

Zach Butler

-

July 21, 2024

2025 Bentley Flying Spur — (Images: Bentley)

The new Bentley Flying Spur is getting the same scale of overhaul as its grand tourer sibling.

I hope you had a chance to pour one out for Bentley’s long-running 6.0-liter W12 engine, as the next model in the brand’s lineup is getting a heart transplant. Of course, we’ve already seen the revamped Continental GT with its new setup: a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged, plug-in hybrid V8 setup. The automaker announced that same powertrain will make its way into the four-door Flying Spur, offering up a healthy performance boost and even more torque, as if the old twelve-cylinder unit ever struggled on that front.

This update, along with the styling changes, will be the first time the Flying Spur’s seen a redesign since 2019.

While the 584-horsepower V8 on its own doesn’t quite match the output of the larger displacement engine it replaces, the 187-horsepower electric motor sandwiched between the engine and the Flying Spur’s 8-speed automatic transmission makes up the difference. Together, the powertrain puts out 771 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, which puts it in the same ether (though not quite as potent) as the plug-in hybrid Lamborghini Urus SE with the same setup.

Apart from the headline figures, one of the ideas behind switching Bentley’s cars to a smaller-displacement PHEV setup is some all-electric driving capability. Here, the electric motor draws energy from a decently substantial 25.9-kWh battery pack. On electricity alone, Bentley says the new Flying Spur will drive at least 45 miles, though that is using the European WLTP cycle. Once we get EPA figures for a U.S.-market version, it’s likely that number will fall to somewhere around 30 miles on a charge.

For the moment, the 2025 Bentley Flying Spur has only gotten this front-end teaser, while we’ll have to wait for more details “in due course”.

Chrysler Recalls 2017 – 2021 Pacifica Hybrid Minivans Due to Battery Fire Risk

By

Zach Butler

-

July 19, 2024

This recall affects earlier Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid models — 2022 and newer models are not included.

On Thursday, Stellantis (Chrysler’s parent company) recalled 19,516 U.S.-market plug-in hybrid minivans due to a fire risk with their high-voltage battery packs. The company specifically mentions in its release that they may be “a rare abnormality in individual cells of the model’s [battery pack].” At the moment, we do not know exactly when the affected vans were built, but this voluntary safety recall does span the 2017 through 2021 model years.

Stellantis says it is aware of seven fires related to the problem. Of those, four customers reported symptoms consistent with smoke inhalation, and all the fires occurred when the vehicles were turned off. Some occurred while recharging, but again the automaker did not specify how many. No accidents related to this condition were reported.

The recall population includes vehicles that may have undergone the software update from an earlier recall. Later models — 2022 and newer — “benefit from an improved manufacturing process and account for the majority of Pacifica Hybrid production”, according to the company’s statement. It further says fire risk is reduced when the battery charge level is depleted.

To that end, Stellantis is urging its customers not to recharge their vans until repairs are completed, and to park away from structures and other vehicles.

Engineers are working to validate a fix, which includes a software update to detect an abnormality in the battery pack. If it fines one, the automaker will replace the vehicle’s high-voltage battery with a new one, free of charge.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet published its own documents related to this recall. However, Stellantis says customers can check its recall site or checktoprotect.org for more information after Thursday, July 24. The company will also send out notices to owners via first-class mail.

Of the total 19,516-unit recall population, this campaign does include approximately 2,912 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans sold in Canada, as well as 1,683 sold in markets outside North America.

2025 Infiniti QX60 Drops V6 Engine For VC-Turbo Four-Cylinder

By

Zach Butler

-

July 19, 2024

The 2025 Infiniti QX60 carries on for a new year with one major change: the powertrain.

If you’ve followed Nissan and Infiniti’s SUVs over the years, you’ll know the VQ-series 3.5-liter V6 has been a mainstay since the early 2000s. On the Infiniti side, however, that is changing for the 2025 QX60: It will instead use the company’s new turbocharged variable-compression (VC-Turbo) engine. Beyond the powertrain change, there’s also a new Black Edition for this year, which is the first time we’ve seen it on the QX60.

Instead of the old 3.5-liter mill, you will now get the same 2.0-liter VC-Turbo unit that’s in the QX50 and QX55. The new engine makes 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque, which is 22 hp down but 16 lb-ft up from before. Unlike the QX50/55 siblings, though, the QX60 does not make the transition back to a CVT — it still (thankfully) has that 9-speed automatic shifting it along. As before, the 2025 Infiniti QX60 will still tow up to 6,000 pounds when properly equipped with all-wheel drive and the towing package available on Sensory and standard on Autograph models.

One up side of the smaller powerplant is better fuel economy, at least on paper. Against the old V6’s 21 City / 26 Highway / 23 Combined mpg figures, the VC-Turbo-equipped QX60 manages 22 City / 28 Highway / 24 Combined mpg. Not a game-changing improvement, granted, but it is at least a little better considering there’s no hybrid option on tap.

All 2025 Infiniti QX60s get a new key fob with an optional automatic lock and unlock feature. Otherwise the trims carry over more or less unchanged, including the Pure, Luxe, Sensory and Autograph. There is a new $1,900 Black Edition package for Luxe models, which adds in gloss black pieces including the grille surround, wheels and exterior badging (but not the door handles or brightwork around the windows, weirdly). You also get a black headliner, special appraoch lighting and illuminated kick plates on the door sills.

Pricing for the 2025 Infiniti QX60 lineup starts at $51,550 including destination: All-wheel drive is a $2,000 upgrade on every trim level except the Autograph (where it comes standard). The Luxe starts at $58,150, the Sensory starts at $60,450 and the Autograph tops out the range at $67,500.

2025 Infiniti QX60 models will hit showrooms in the coming weeks.

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Under Recall Because Dual-Clutch Transmissions Can Break, Cause Vehicle to Roll Away

By

Zach Butler

-

July 18, 2024

More than 12,000 new Santa Fe SUVs are under recall for a potentially damaging transmission issue.

After going on sale this spring, the new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe faces its first major recall due to a transmission software logic error. Specifically, Santa Fe models equipped with the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission are affected. Hyundai told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that up to 12,349 vehicles’ DCTs could “become damaged during normal operation due to Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software logic that could inadvertently disengage the clutches and damage the transmission case and/or allow for the vehicle to roll away while in Park.”

Two Transmission Control Units supplied for the Santa Fe by manufacturer Transys Korea are the source of this problem, which Hyundai first identified on June 18. The company’s safety office says it noticed a trend of reports indicating “unintended vehicle movement” involving 2024 Santa Fe models on June 18. It narrowed the problem down to the TCU on June 2, before deciding to formally conduct a safety recall of the impacted vehicles in the U.S. in Canada.

According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, affected 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe models were built at its Alabama assembly plant between April 23, 2024 and July 2, 2024.

Hyundai notes there are some possible warning signs of the issue, including parking pawl noise when parked; an inability to shift into park or back into gear, unintended vehicle movement or unintended parking gear selection during operation — all emphatic signs of transmission housing damage.

What’s the fix?

All 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe owners under this recall should receive a notice by mail no later than September 9, 2024. Those notifications will instruct owners to take their vehicles to their local dealer to update the TCU software. In the event a vehicle’s dual-clutch transmission was damaged, Hyundai says it will replace the entire transmission, free of charge.

Owners shouldn’t have needed to pay for repairs out of pocket, since these vehicles should all still be under warranty. However, for those who did end up paying out-of-pocket expenses to repair the issue, the automaker is offering reimbursement under its latest plan submitted to the NHTSA in February.

More information is available on the NHTSA’s website — the recall number in the agency’s system is 24V-529. Hyundai’s recall site should also have more information, which you can attain by plugging in your VIN on their recall site or using the reference number 263.

This is the second recall to hit the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe so far this year. 18,206 vehicles are under recall because the rearview camera image may be obstructed by a trailer parking assist message.

On top of today’s Santa Fe recall, the automaker is also recalling 54,647 vehicles for potential loss of drive power due to fuel pump failure, including the Hyundai Elantra N, Kona N and Veloster N, as well as the Genesis G70.

Fisker Gets Green Light to Liquidate Its Remaining Ocean SUV Fleet For $46.25 Million

By

Zach Butler

-

July 18, 2024

A bankruptcy judge approved Fisker’s plan to sell more than 3,000 vehicles to a leasing company.

In a hearing Tuesday afternoon, Judge Brendan L. Shannon, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Delaware, formally gave the green light to Fisker Inc. to liquidate its remaining inventory to American Lease. The deal originally came to light earlier this month as part of the EV company’s court proceedings as it navigates bankruptcy proceedings. However, the Department of Justice’s office of the U.S. Trustee objected to the sale, arguing Fisker’s lawyers and John DiDonato, the company’s chief restructuring officer, hadn’t done their due diligence to find the best possible bid.

DiDonato refuted that point in a Tuesday morning filing, saying Fisker contacted “hundreds” of potential buyers to sell its stockpile of Ocean SUVs, that initially retailed for between $41,437 and $63,937. The only promising lead in that search was New York-based Uber lessor American Lease, which offered $46.25 million to buy the entire inventory at an average of $14,000 per car. A committee of unsecured creditors also found an interested buyer, but DiDonato mentioned that buyer had withdrawn their offer last week, leaving the American Lease deal as the only pending deal moving forward.

Judge Shannon sided with Fisker in this week’s hearing, green-lighting the sale to go through, satisfied the company had done enough to find the best possible buyer, given the situation. It’s worth, as Shannon did, that they are not just buying the cars lock, stock and barrel. Rather, they will receive the cars in waves, as Fisker is keeping some employees on their payroll to complete four pending recall repairs before turning all 3,321 cars to American Lease.

With the court’s approval, Fisker will sell nearly 1,000 vehicles to American Lease in the coming days, receiving around $14 million of the agreed upon sum. Another 500 may be handed over next week, netting another $6 million, while the company will continue paying what few employees it has left to repair the remaining cars and successfully complete the deal.

What happens to Fisker after this deal, and what happens to private owners?

While employee compensation comes off the top of the $46.25 million deal, where the rest of the money goes is still being disputed. Fisker Inc. has one secured creditor, Heights Capital Management, which loaned the automaker $500 million in 2023. Initially, the loans were unsecured by any collateral, but they would instead convert into Fisker stock. Fisker breached one of the terms of its contract with Heights when it filed its third-quarter 2023 earnings report late, leading it to secure the loans by pledging all its remaining assets as collateral.

Heights’ lawyers filed a motion Tuesday to convert Fisker’s Chapter 11 restructuring proceedings into a Chapter 7 liquidation, as it is first in line for any proceeds from the American Lease sale as a secured creditor. One of those lawyers referred to this case as “probably the most telegraphed chapter 7 conversion in history”, as both the firm and a committee of unsecured creditors wanted this sale to go through as efficiently as possible. The unsecured creditors take issue with Heights’ claims to all of Fisker’s assets, however, as repaying that secured creditor would leave nothing left for any remaining unsecured creditors waiting in line.

Heights also submitted a $1 billion claim on the assets of Fisker Austria GmbH, which is in its own insolvency proceedings.

With the American Lease sale now on track, all parties are looking ahead to two upcoming hearings on July 22 and July 29 to continue sorting out who will be paid from the liquidation of Fisker’s assets, including the 3,000-plus Oceans to American Lease.

As for the 2,500-or-so owners who bought into the Ocean SUV before Fisker imploded, the newly formed Fisker Owners Association aims to make parts and software support available to those individuals.

The Lexus LBX Morizo RR Packs a GR Corolla’s Heart, Right Down to the Manual Transmission

By

Zach Butler

-

July 18, 2024

It first emerged as a concept, but the hot LBX Morizo RR has officially gone into production.

Toyota has been on a roll when it comes to enthusiast cars over the past few years, from reviving the Supra to updating the more affordable GR 86 and giving us a new hot hatchback: the GR Corolla. Overseas, though, there’s another contender if you want a hot all-wheel drive pocket rocket with a bit of brand prestige. Meet the Lexus LBX Morizo RR — a Lexus with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. Oh yes.

In fact, the new Lexus LBX Morizo RR sends its power to all four wheels through either the 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. It uses the same 1.6-liter turbocharged heart as the tiny Toyota GR Yaris or the GR Corolla available here in the States, and measures 165 inches bumper-to-bumper, as well as 72.4 inches in width and 60.4 inches in height. Like its brethren, you can really call it more of a hatchback since it’s a full foot shorter than a Lexus UX, but it is technically a hot subcompact crossover.

Lexus says the LBX Morizo RR will make the 0-60 sprint in just over 5 seconds (its 0-100 km/h time is 5.2 seconds), though this sort of car (like Toyota’s GR-branded hatches) isn’t about out-and-out speed. To that end, engineers also overhauled the suspension system with what the company says is the world’s first “Response-Enhancing Damping Structure” on the front lower control arms, as well as fitted larger brakes and high-performance tires wrapped around 19-inch wheels.

Apart from the dynamic changes, the new Lexus LBX Morizo RR has a bespoke body kit, as well as bolstered sport seats for the driver and passenger.

Of course there’s a catch…

The first deliveries will kick off in August, but here’s where the shoe drops: It’s only available in Japan. That’s not terribly surprising since we don’t even get the normal LBX, but we’re definitely not getting this hot version either. Prices for Japanese buyers start at 6.5 million yen, which translates to about $41,425 at today’s exchange rates. Those looking for exclusivity can enter a lottery to be able to buy one of 100 Bespoke Build models, which offers up a wider array of customization options for the exterior and interior.

Even though we can’t buy it, the thought of a turbocharged Lexus with a manual transmission does sound fun. Acura does offer a hot Integra, after all. But hey, at least we can still buy the Toyota GR Corolla.

2025 Mazda CX-5 Brings the Base S Trim Back, Putting Its Starting Price (Just) Under $30,000

By

Zach Butler

-

July 17, 2024

If you’re looking for a “cheap” 2025 Mazda CX-5, a familiar trim returns.

New car shopping has been a fairly expensive prospect these days, especially if you’re shopping in hotly competitive segments like compact crossovers. Automakers have been removing more affordable base trims from their lineups, effectively hiking the entry-level price tag like the Mazda CX-5 did for the 2024 model year. Yet here we are several months later, and the company is doing an about-face: Reintroducing its S trim (with no special affixes like ‘Select’ or ‘Premium Plus’) for 2025.

Why? Well, when you look at the new $29,990 price tag, the reasoning becomes all too clear. Even with the company’s $1,420 destination fee — which, like the latest CX-50, is up $45 from last year — the 2025 Mazda CX-5 S now starts at $29,990. That rollback pricing lets Mazda market the CX-5 as an option that “starts under $30,000”, although it’s extremely unlikely you’ll ever see one on dealer lots.

That said, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 S does come decently well equipped for the money. You still get radar cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 10.25-inch infotainment display, USB-C ports up front, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support (though it is wired here), LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers, all as standard equipment. As has been Mazda’s way for the past few years, as well, the base S still gets standard all-wheel drive, too.

Even though the entry price is now functionally lower, Mazda is indeed hiking prices across most of the 2025 CX-5 range, with one notable exception. The S Select and Preferred increase by $645 to $31,320 and $32,670 respectively, while the Carbon Edition goes up $695 to $34,020 (this is for the naturally aspirated version). Turbo trims, on the other hand, all go up by $45 to $38,420 for the Carbon Turbo, $39,220 for the Turbo Premium and $42,020 for the top-end Turbo Signature.

The key difference is the trim that’s right smack in the middle: the $36,620 S Premium Plus. It’s the top-end non-turbo model, and it’s actually $1,255 less than it was last year. Mazda did drop the S Premium trim that sat between the Carbon and the Premium Plus, so this price reduction reduces the shock up taking that one step up from the Carbon Edition, while also baking in more features for the money. For 2025, the S Premium Plus gets a 360-degree camera setup and rear parking sensors.

Powertrain options remain the same as ever for the 2025 Mazda CX-5. A 2.5-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder kicks off the lineup, putting out 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Stepping up to the turbocharged version bumps the power up to 256 horsepower and gives you a healthy torque boost, up to 320 lb-ft. Unlike the CX-50, though, no hybrid version is available here. While four premium colors remain available, there are no new options in the palette for 2025, sadly.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is available to configure on the automaker’s retail website right now. Most of our latest CX-5 review applies (you can check that out below), barring the trim changes and the fact that the model is, in fact, still here for 2025:

In this week’s post:

Q (AskNathan@TFL.com) RE: Mitsubishi PHEV Pickup truck coming stateside.

A: Hi! Another great question,

Q: (Via: NathanAdlen@Twitter/X) Taking all things into consideration, I think Audi’s image is in trouble in the United States.

A: Thanks for your patronage, and for the thoughtful question!

The new Bentley Flying Spur is getting the same scale of overhaul as its grand tourer sibling.

This recall affects earlier Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid models — 2022 and newer models are not included.

The 2025 Infiniti QX60 carries on for a new year with one major change: the powertrain.

More than 12,000 new Santa Fe SUVs are under recall for a potentially damaging transmission issue.

What’s the fix?

A bankruptcy judge approved Fisker’s plan to sell more than 3,000 vehicles to a leasing company.

What happens to Fisker after this deal, and what happens to private owners?

It first emerged as a concept, but the hot LBX Morizo RR has officially gone into production.

Of course there’s a catch…

If you’re looking for a “cheap” 2025 Mazda CX-5, a familiar trim returns.

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