Alfa Romeo Tonale: First Look at Alfa's Electric Future

 

Alfa-Romeo have finally revealed their new Tonale sport, and it is thoroughly impressive in many ways. First, it features 3 hybrid powertrain options. This is a massive step for Alfa to move into the future, which is increasingly certainly electric-focused. The Italian brand is promising a fully electric lineup by 2027, and the Tonale having a hybrid option is definitely a step in the right direction. Another sucess of the Tonale is its design. It is wonderfully artistic and sporty and is easily the best-looking compact luxury crossover in the world, at least in my opinion. The wheels are absolutely killer, and the fascia is connected and undeniably Italian.  

Every Tonale to roll off the factory features an exclusive NFT to manage vehicle data. Once the crossover is delivered to a customer, the NFT continually updates to manage variables such as mileage, service history, and accident history. 

The pricing for the Alfa Romeo has not been released, but my guess is that the base model will start around $35-37K, the Tonale Ti at $42-43K, and the Tonale Veloce at roughly $45K. 

Holy Smokes! - Aston Martin DBX 707 Debuts With 697 HP.

 

Aston Martin has, somehow, made the gorgeous DBX performance crossover even hotter. The English firm has been teasing a more powerful DBX for a while now, and here we have it. The brand has claimed that the DBX 707 will be the quickest performance SUV on the market, and that would mean it would need to beat the Tesla Model X (2.3 secs to 60 mph) the Lamborghini KT Urus S (2.7 secs), the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Hybrid (3.2 secs) and others. CEO Tobias Moers is looking to prove his claim with both 0-60 mph and Nurburgring tests. The DBX 707 has received a substantial boost over the "normal" DBX, with the 707 now having 697 hp which comes out of a 4.0L AMG V-8 engine. That horsepower figure easily bests the previously mentioned hyper-SUVs. 

The visual distinctions include a larger front end, larger grille, and incredible sport seats. Mercedes Benz tech is used heavily on the 707, (Remember, Aston is sort of broke) , but they say a move to 100% Aston parts is coming. All things considered, the only thing undesirable about the beautiful Aston Martin DBX 707 is the price ($235,086), but even that is a bargain compared to other monster crossovers. 

-Josiah Peters, MoreThanTransport

Looking Good: Acura Integra Interior Revealed

 

Acura have recently shown us the interior of the new Integra, alongside other new products like the RDX A-Spec, TLX Type-S, and MDX Type-S. The interior, like the exterior, shares heavily with the Honda Civic Si. However, Acura did well differentiating the two, and the Integra boasts an artistic and professional looking cockpit. The tan contrasts well with the gray dashboard and wheel, and there looks to be plenty of space.

It is expected that the new Integra will share a powertrain with the Civic Si, and will feature a Turbo 1.5L Inline 4 Cylinder with above 200 hp. And A-Spec or Type-S variants that come later will likely upgrade to the Civic Type-R setup. We'll hear more details about the highly anticipated Integra later on this year. Stay tuned to MTT for more of that.

-Josiah Peters

BMW, What Have You Done..... 2023 X2 Is A Dazzling Mess

 

BMW have came out with yet another highly questionable design, with their 2023 X2 Edition GoldPlay. They went for a far from classy San Remo Green - Galvanic Gold color scheme. Apart from the design differences, the crossover is mostly unchanged.  It carries over most of the M Sport goodies, including the lower drive height, bucket seats, bigger air intakes, an aero package, and gloss black trim. Although I think the graphics on the doors, grille outlines, and mirrors are cheesy and unattractive, the wheels are some of the best I've ever seen, right up there with the likes of the Genesis G90, Alfa Romeo 8C, or Mercedes SL. All things considered, the new BMW X2 Edition GoldPlay isn't anything particularly amazing, but it does have some interesting quirks.

Josiah Peters, MoreThanTransport

3 Outstanding Car Designs of 2021/22

 One of the most important elements to a car, especially higher-priced ones, is style. People want to have a car that reflects their personality and makes a statement. Here I have compiled the 3 car designs of the last year or so that impress me the most. 

1: Maserati MC20

An absolute stunner from every angle, Maserati's latest and greatest supercar has it all. The design flows well and the entirety of the design is well connected. It has an unmistakable Italian feel to it, something that of course is a major factor to many supercar customers. 

10/10

2: Acura TLX Type-S

Even as Acura evolves into more of a luxury brand opposed to being focused on low cost sporty cars, their brand DNA remains clear with each new model. The TLX Type-S is, for me, one of the most impressive designs for me personally in recent years. It has an aggressive and mean look without being over styled, something that is increasingly rare nowadays. The highlight of the design for me is the headlights, which are wonderfully crisp and sleek, matching with the overall design. The wheels are also very cool, and the black details contrast delightfully with the royal blue on this particular model.  

9.2/10

3: Honda Civic Si

I just think it's wonderful that ordinary cars like the Honda Civic can look so sleek and up-scale while remaining in a reasonable price range. It's not just the Civic, mainstream sedans like the Kia K5, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, etc... have all upped their style game recently, and the current generations of all of those sedans are knockouts. I picked the Civic because Honda have been killing it for a while now, and the Civic Si is only the latest example of that. With a gorgeous profile and wonderfully flowing lines, I am really impressed by what Honda have done here.

9.8/10

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Josiah Peters, MoreThanTransport

No Longer Old As The Trees: New Toyota Seqouia Gets Stunning Update

 

 

 The new generation of the Toyota Sequoia has been released, and it's a stunner. It has a new hybrid powertrain and nearly everything inside and out has been changed. It better be, because the current generation of the Sequoia has been the same for nearly 13 years. That one was an anonymous mess, but the new version we are seeing has potential to be a terrific SUV. One of the primary reasons for that is the sleek and muscular exterior design. You can see Toyota's design language clearly, especially with the details on the side profile as well as the headlights and taillights that can also be found on the Tundra and Tacoma trucks. The well-defined curves under the C-Pillar give the design an unmistakable personality, while the black tires are a nice contrast to the white. 

The new Sequoia has more than just rugged looks to it, though. It will tow an impressive 9,000 lbs., a massive 22% increase over the prior generation, even though the new one doesn't have a V8. It instead uses a V6 paired with a hybrid powertrain, a configuration that is used on the majority of performance cars these days (Think: McLaren P1, Lexus LC). 

Safety, like all modern Toyotas, is world-class in the Seqouia. Collision detection, automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and correction, automatic high beams, blind spot monitor, and parking assistance are all featured. 

The Sequoia will be built at the San Antonio plant in Texas that also assembles the mechanically similar Tundra truck.  Pricing and fuel economy will be released as the SUV nears production.

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Finally! Toyota Teases Refresh For Ancient Sequoia SUV

 

The Sequoia, practically old as the mountains, is getting a much-needed update. The current gen has been around since 2007 without any significant changes, which has seen it fall way behind the competitors. Although Toyota have only given us just a glance at the next generation of the Sequoia, it looks modern with crisp taillights and some interesting side profile lines. Also, the C-Pillar features a blackened panel that makes the design look more connected. Most exciting, if you look close enough, there seems to be homage paid to previous generations, something that will surely resonate with Toyota purists. All things considered, it's encouraging that the Japanese automaker didn't give up on their legendary SUV, and it seems from what we can see that they did it justice. 

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For more news about the Toyota Sequoia, as well as news encompassing the entire car industry, be sure to follow MTT.

For Real This Time: Hyundai Ioniq 6 Set to Rival Tesla's Model 3

 

Hyundai have a new car on the way, and it may well be their most important yet. Turning away from the frustration-inducting tactics of rival companies, Hyundai aren't debuting something that will come in 3-4 years, as the sleek-looking Ioniq 6 sedan is slated to arrive sometime this year. It joins the Ioniq, the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 5, and Ioniq 7 in Hyundai's EV lineup. This may well be the most mainstream of them all, and it will provide stiff competition for the wildly succesful Tesla Model 3. The picture above is from Car&Driver, who managed to get a peek at what is likely to be Hyundai's top selling car in the near future. Keep posted to MTT for more updates on all the good stuff coming from Hyundai, as well as other notable news.

Why You Shouldn't Buy The New Acura Integra

 

The legendary Acura Integra is back, baby! Except there is not actually much to be excited about with this one. The biggest reason is that it is essentially a Civic Si with slightly fancier body panels and a generally sportier design, although that sportiness is only skin deep. Also, many have pointed out that if recent history continues, the new Integra will receive performance tuning that will effectively make the car less capable handling at higher speeds. All this to say, even as the massive Integra superfan I am, there is little to make this a car that you should spend an est. $32K on. You could spend around $4K less and end up with the same car, the 2022 Honda Civic Si, or could opt for the more interesting and capable Acura TLX Type-S, or go outside of the brand with something like the Genesis G70, Hyundai Elantra N, or Kia K5 GT-Line. Just a thought.

New Chevrolet Equinox Revealed, Looks Fantastic

 

The next generation of the hot-selling Chevrolet Equinox has been revealed, and, unlike the current gen that we have been bored with for years, this one looks super sleek and attractive, with staunch proportions and free flowing lines not seen on a mainstream Chevrolet in years. The stylish crossover will start around a reasonable $30,000, making direct competition with the likes of the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia Niro, and will effectively kill the sales of the Chevrolet Bolt EV, a vastly underselling electric hatchback. The Equinox EV is scheduled to start shipping out to customers in the fall of 2023. All though this means we will be stuck with Chevrolet's current mediocrity for another year and half, at least they have some interesting products on the way. Of course, they also debuted 3 different Silverado EV models this week as well, you can check that out here: Chevrolet Silverado EV Trim Levels: Trail Boss Coming, Among Others (motor1.com)

Honda Files Trademark for ADX, Hints at Future Acura Electric SUV

 

   It seems the Honda franchise is finally making steps towards mainstream electric vehicles, as they have filed a trademark for "ADX" which is expected to be the name of an Acura EV SUV. Although it seems the ADX will be an electric, based on past comments on upcoming Acura EVs, it is also possible that it finds it's way to a Honda HR-V based crossover. Honda has struck a deal with General Motors that will mean that the powertrain will be developed by GM. It is likely that the ADX, electric or not, will share parts with the Acura RDX and MDX. Additional details and a full reveal are expected in the coming weeks and months. 

Next-Gen Mini Cooper Leaked - First Look Reactions

 

    

While the overall car isn't drastically different from the current Mini Cooper, there are quite a few stylish elements that add a lot to the complete look, which I think makes this a 9/10 in exterior styling. It still has the iconic shape, but adds sleek taillights, a cool grille outline, and nice illuminated headlight outlines. Let me know in the comments what you think of the new Mini! Is it a hit? A Miss? Something in between?

Coolest Interiors for 2022

 A lot of people fret about the exterior designs, and I'm not going to dispute that, but, in reality, the interior is where you spend the time, and if you have a well-done one, then driving will be a lot more enjoyable. Let's hop into 5 of the coolest interiors for 2022. 

#5 - GMC Hummer ev

The gorgeous chrome-white-black 3-tone interior was always going to find itself on such lists, and with the Hummer EV, General Motors have likely created their most luxurious and comfortable vehicle ever, and the sleek interior contrasts well with the tough/futuristic off-road oriented exterior. 

#4 - bmw m3

Switching over to a dedicated sports car, the BMW M3 has a incredibly well-done interior with terrific seats, a better-than-average infotainment screen, a well-designed while uncluttered wheel, beautiful blue leather, and, oh yes, a manual. I'm sure we all know what the M3 looks like on the outside, with a super controversial gaping grille covering the fascia, but there is no denying the interior is one of the best.

#3 - Porsche Taycan 4s

Germany is the home of automotive luxury, and that is no exception in 2022. The likes of Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and others continue to astound us with their impressively appointed interiors, and the tech found on the infotainment systems are also a high point. Porsche does all this wonderfully, and the electric Taycan 4S is a prime example. 

#2 - Acura rdx a-spec

By almost $100K, this is the cheapest car on the list, but it still hold it's own remarkably well. The Honda-sourced tech is solid as usual, the transmission incorporation is well-done, the gorgeous red seats are comfortable and stylish, and there is an abundance of space, something that many other sports crossovers can boast. 

#1 - Kia k900

If you haven't consumed much car media in the last 3 or 4 years, I have some news for you: Kia has gotten quite a bit better. As in, probably the best brand in the world. The exterior designs are sleek and attractive, and the interior are insanely luxurious for the price, with some of the best tech in the industry found in the likes of the Kia K900. Kia has always been a value-based brand, but never so much as now. This car you see on the left is only $51K and can compete with 6-figure Audis with no significant differences in quality. The whole lineup is able to do such feats, so the top spot goes to Kia. 



 

Greatest Single-Generation Improvements: Part 4 - Toyota Camry

 7th generation

The 7th generation of the Toyota Camry was a very disappointing car. It looked like it was 5 years older than it is, and the tech and powertrain were also dated and unimpressive. Toyota debuted it promising a "comfort, safety, reliability, and efficiency, with an engaging driving experience". Time has proven that the Camry hasn't in fact excelled in any of those areas.

8th generation

Within just one generation, the infamous Toyota Camry went from incredibly incompetent to segment challenger, and that happened by Toyota completely starting with a blank slate. The first thing they did to improve the Camry was the most noticeable: the exterior design. It is now crisp, sleek, and artistic, opposed to anonymous and uninteresting. The engine was also changed, switching over to a 2.5 L 4 Cylinder that transformed the Camry from a mere transportation device into a surprisingly fun sedan.

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Greatest Single-Generation Improvements: Part 3, Honda CR-V

 4th Generation

The 4th generation Honda CR-V wasn't a bad crossover by any measure, but it was still a way off from the segment leaders, many of which had better tech, cargo space, and handling. It was also not a very attractive vehicle, and looked dull compared to the Mada CX-5 and Nissan Murano, its biggest competitors. It was never mentioned in any automotive awards, as many criticized its interior design, among other issues. 

5th generation

And BAM, there we go! The current generation CR-V is a wonder, and, despite not having been refreshed in 4 years, it is still very likely the best mid-size crossover in the world. It has won Motor Trend's SUV of the year award, which is a big deal, considering what it beat (Alfa-Romeo Stelvio, Land Rover Discovery, Volvo XC60, etc...) and has picked up several CarandDriver 10Best awards as well. Everything that was unimpressive about the previous gen was fixed, most notably the exterior styling and infotainment, and the recognition came along with the sucess.  

THANKSGIVING SPECIAL: 2 New Cars I'm Thankful Are Here to Stay, and 2 That I Welcome Their Exit

 It's that time again: Families and friends gather together to remember their blessings and give thanks. And for us, car nerds, we give thanks for fun cars and remember great auto memories. This year, we have been blessed with a ton of new cars, so let's pick out a few that the car community is thankful for. 

Nissan z

After the Nissan Z had gone a decade without a proper refresh, Nissan finally gave us a new generation, and boy, is it terrific. It has arguably the best design of any Nissan in years, and the engine and powertrain configuration were picked with the enthusiast in mind. It should be able to hang with the likes of the BMW M2, Porsche 718, and Toyota Supra. The Z starts at roughly $40K

Kia Ev6

The outrageously stylish EV6 is the performance Kia EV no one knew they needed. Kia's first bespoke EV is a winner in every competition it competes in, as this little hatchback can beat literal supercars in a drag race, as the higher performance variants only takes 3.5 seconds to go to 60 mph. It also has excellent technology, cargo space, phenomenal charging capabilities, and killer looks. I've said it before, I'll say it again: Kia is likely the best brand in the world. You might bring up names like Honda, Audi, or Mazda, but it really isn't even close: the majority of the good cars at the moment are Kias (or Hyundais, Genesis, which are corporate siblings with Kia). 

 

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Honda clarity - discontinued

The Honda Clarity doesn't make sense. If it is focused on the EV aspect, it fails, as it has way below average range. If it is supposed to be a comfortable sedan, then it makes no reason why someone would pick it over an Accord or Insight. If it was supposed to be an experiment with styling and powertrain technology, then both are unsuccessful. The Clarity is one of the most polarizing cars in the history of Honda, and the powertrain is barely adequate. 

BMw i3 - discontinued 

Like the Honda Clarity, the BMW i3 is a horrifically designed electric car, with the inside and out of the car occupied by questionable features. It wouldn't be too awful if it were around $30K, but this poorly engineered compact car demands a cool $44K at base price. The i3 is easily the worst BMW in decades, as it doesn't make a case for its existence, and subsequently has been eliminated from the fold. 

2023 Ford Escape Spotted in Light Camo Wrap

 

The refreshed Ford Escape has been spotted on the road, and while it isn't that different, there are a couple noticeable changes, mostly regarding the fascia. The grille and headlights appear to be revisited, and the overall front suggests a more aggressive look, compared to the rather anonymous previous generation. The headlights are thinner and feature a different LED makeup. At this early point, there isn't much info regarding the interior, or any upgraded tech or powertrains. This update is glaringly necessary, as the current Escape is not an impressive crossover by any measure. Stay tuned to MTT for more news on Ford, as well as the entire car industry.