Tag: 2021

2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Plug-In Hybrid First Look

Post author By axelrin
Post date September 5, 2020

eep continues to expand its Wrangler SUV’s powertrain lineup with the arrival of a plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid option for 2021. Dubbed the 4xe (that’s pronounced “four-by-E”), the Wrangler’s latest powerplant joins the model’s 285-hp 3.6-liter V-6, 270-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and 260-hp turbo-diesel 3.0-liter V-6. As with the latter engine, Jeep limits the 4xe kit strictly to four-door Wrangler models.

Thanks to the combined effects of its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and two electric motors, (one 44-hp starter-generator in the engine bay—dubbed eTorque by Jeep—and a second 134-hp unit integrated within the eight-speed automatic transmission), the 4xe produces a peak 375 hp, or 90 more than the Wrangler’s next most powerful engine option. Torque, meanwhile, peaks at a plentiful 470 lb-ft. That’s an additional 28 lb-ft of twist relative to the available diesel engine—impressive indeed.

Tags 2021, hybrid, jeep, jeep-wrangler

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2021 Honda Odyssey First Drive Review

Post author By axelrin
Post date September 5, 2020

By: Brett T. Evans – Motor1

Updates for 2021 make Honda’s already excellent family hauler slightly better.

In spite of my penchant for dad jokes, I am not in the target demographic for the 2021 Honda Odyssey – as an unmarried, childless, 31-year-old male, my automotive tastes currently skew toward three-letter abbreviations like WRX, SRT, and AMG. But still, I sort of, maybe, someday, possibly hope life will put me in a position where a minivan would make more sense as a daily driver than my two-seat BMW Z4.

If that modern-day Family Truckster is the 2021 Odyssey, at least I won’t have to sacrifice too much driving fun for school-dropoff convenience. For context, the day Honda dropped the Elite-trim minivan in my driveway, I had access to both my personal roadster, my boyfriend’s E90-generation 330i, and a Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 (review coming soon). To my surprise, I found myself enjoying the spacious, comfortable, smooth, and light-on-its-feet Odyssey about 70 percent as much as any of those far sportier steeds. All that in a vehicle that also offers a built-in vacuum.

Tags 2021, Honda, honda-odyssey

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2021 Polestar 2 First Test: How Does it Stack up Against its Tesla Rivals?

Post author By axelrin
Post date August 26, 2020

By Frank Markus – MotorTrend

Take equal parts Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, add a splash of Volvo flair, and have lots of Google inside.

The automotive establishment’s answer to Tesla’s mainstream-budget electric-vehicle offerings, the Model 3 and Model Y, is about to hit the market in the form of the 2021 Polestar 2.

Tags 2021, electric, polestar, polestar-2, Reviews

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2021 Polestar 2 First Drive Review: An Electrifying Second Act

Post author By axelrin
Post date August 16, 2020

By: Kyle Conner – Motor1

Polestar’s second vehicle brings style, speed.

It’s not a Volvo. At least not according to the badge on the front. Two opposing V-shaped accents on the hood signify a new brand: Polestar. Actually, though, Polestar isn’t even a new brand. It’s been around for decades as an aftermarket arm for Volvo vehicles, before the bigger company acquired the little to make in-house hot Swede machines, and now it’s a standalone car company under Chinese automaker Geely’s ownership.

Its first car was the Polestar 1, a rare, carbon-bodied, plug-in hybrid coupe with just 150 copies allocated for the United States per year. But the brand’s second car, the unimaginatively named Polestar 2, should be much more common. Thanks to its parent company, Polestar can take the best of Volvo’s technology to implement into their vehicles. This leaves the Polestar team free to tackle the important bits such as chassis dynamics, body design, and infotainment.

Tags 2021, electric, polestar, Reviews

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2021 Mercedes S-Class Interior Fully Revealed In 80+ Photos

Post author By axelrin
Post date August 16, 2020

By: Adrian Padeanu – Motor1

Forget about the five screens, the real magic is in the back.

Mercedes has previewed the new S–Class’ interior a couple of times already, and yet we still don’t have the whole picture. That all changes today as we were able to find fully revealing images of the luxurious cabin prior to the official premiere set for September 2. While the three-pointed star has so far focused on the five-screen setup, intricate ambient lighting, and front airbags for rear passengers, the full interior was actually hiding in plain sight on the company’s media website.

The luxury cocoon is being featured here in Benz format as the Maybach version will have even greater legroom courtesy of a stretched wheelbase. Mercedes will step up its game yet again in the premium segment by offering heated cushions for the rear headrests as well as heating the area above the already heated armrests on the door cards. Speaking of newly added features the naked eye can’t see, Mercedes has added more acoustic foam than ever to keep the cabin nice and quiet.

Tags 2021, Mercedes, mercedes-s-class, Reviews

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6 Reasons Why the 2021 Jaguar F-Type Is Better Than Before

Post author By axelrin
Post date August 11, 2020

By Erick Ayapana – Motortrend

After more than six years on the market, the 2021 Jaguar F-Type is getting an updated look, improved technology, and suspension updates. The best part? You can still get it with a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 that now makes a rip-snorting 575 hp in the top spec F-Type R. Here are six reasons why Jag’s handsome F-Type coupe remains as desirable as ever.

Tags 2021, Jaguar, jaguar-f-type, Reviews

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2021 Toyota Camry First Look: Evolving the Formula

Post author By axelrin
Post date July 19, 2020

By Nick Yekikian – MotorTrend

The Toyota Camry family sedan benefits from a mild facelift for the 2021 model year.

The current-generation Camry has been with us for three years, meaning it’s more than halfway into its life cycle. That said, it’s aging rather gracefully. The Camry is one of the best-selling sedans on sale right now, and Toyota wants to keep the ball rolling as it moves into 2021. In order to keep the perennial mid-size sedan fresh, Toyota has made a number of meaningful changes to the Camry for 2021.

Outside, a number of small updates to the Camry’s front fascia better separate LE and XLE models from sportier-looking SE and XSE trims. The L trim is dead, meaning the LE is now the least expensive Camry you can buy. It celebrates this feat with a new set of 17-inch wheels. Likewise, the XLE gets a new 18-inch wheel design. Both trims add a more defined chin to the bottom of the front bumper. Meanwhile, SE and XSE models get small adjustments to the front bumper and feature a new honeycomb grill design.

Tags 2021, Reviews, sedans, Toyota, toyota-camry

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2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS: Make New Trax

Post author By axelrin
Post date July 19, 2020

Chevy’s sub-compact replacement is vastly better to drive and live with.

I would recommend the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer to a friend. That’s a big deal, considering there isn’t a world where I’d suggest the Chevy Trax. If they said to me, “Hey Brandon, should I buy a Trax or try to get to work on the back of this feral donkey?” I’m voting for the ass. While the Trax may be less stubborn than a wild pack animal, at least the donkey wouldn’t cost so much while offering so little.

Chevy’s previous subcompact crossover was too pricey for what it was – when I drove the refreshed 2017 Trax, the as-tested price sat just a smidge under $30,000. And you did not get a lot for your money – a wheezy turbocharged four-cylinder, a shoddy cabin, an ugly exterior, and a ho-hum roster of equipment, the highlight of which was Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Those ills, among others, conspired to produce a deeply unlikable car that, nevertheless, could still manage to do the bare minimum customers would ask of it.

Tags 2021, chevrolet, chevrolet-blazer, Reviews

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2021 Porsche 911 Turbo Arrives With 572 HP For Millionaires On A Budget

Post author By axelrin
Post date July 19, 2020

By Chris Bruce – Motor1

Save $30k over a Turbo S by sacrificing 68 HP.

The 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo coupe and cabriolet arrive to fill the void in the 992-generation lineup between the Carrera S and Turbo S. Prices start at $170,800 for the hardtop and $183,600 for the convertible (plus a $1,350 destination charge for them). They’re available to order now in the US, but American deliveries don’t begin until early 2021.

The 2021 911 Turbo packs a 3.8-liter, twin-turbo flat-six engine making 572 horsepower (427 kilowatts) and 553 pound-feet (750 Newton-meters) of torque. It can reach 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) in 2.7 seconds for the coupe and 2.8 seconds for the convertible. Both have a top speed of 198 mph (319 kph).

Tags 2021, porsche, porsche-911, Reviews

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Ford Bronco Sport: The Cool Little Brother

Post author By axelrin
Post date July 19, 2020

By Frank Markus – Words; Steven Pham– Photos – MotorTrend

Every Jeep model carries a spark of the original flame kindled by the iconic WWII Willys original. This makes it way easier to sell Jeeps, even the ones that don’t still resemble the primordial jeep.

Ford (which incidentally built almost as many original jeeps for the war as Willys) wants in on that action. So it’s reviving its own nostalgic icon—the Bronco—and aiming it squarely at the Wrangler. But only one in four Jeeps sold in the U.S. is a Wrangler, and Ford needs its Bronco-mania to entice a wider audience. Behold the Escape-based 2021 Ford Bronco Sport.