• Nissan Wants In On The Off-Road Game With A New Xterra

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    Nissan Wants In On The Off-Road Game With A New Xterra

    2015 Nissan Xterra

    2015 Nissan Xterra
    Image: Nissan

    The rugged, off-road segment is exploding; every truck or crossover now seems to have some sort of either legit off-road trim, or at least one appearance package inspired by ruggedness. From Chevy’s Activ trims to Ford’s Raptors and Toyota’s TRD-Off and upcoming Trailhunter trims, it’s a booming business. Not everyone has been cashing in on the off-road boom. Nissan has been one of those brands, but according to Autoblog, the Japanese automaker wants in.

    While you can get the Nissan Frontier in 4X4 trims and add NISMO accessories, there’s no legit, full-blown, off-road trim. That may soon change. Nissan is said to be considering a revival of the Xterra so it can play around off the beaten path, too. Autoblog spoke with Nissan Americas Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer Ponz Pandikuthira, who detailed what a new Xterra would have to have to be taken seriously: legitimate off-road chops and an affordable price.

    One of the chief criteria he listed was that “it’s got to be authentic,” and that it has to be a “serious truck.” Basically, it can’t be just a Rogue with all-terrain tires, but something with real truck capability. He also noted that it would both need to be relatively inexpensive, as well as incorporate some modern design details.

    Both of those sound refreshing in a world of extremely expensive and retro-styled off-road rigs. Furthermore, that would seem to line up with something that Nissan’s Senior Vice President for Global Design Alfonso Albaisa told us about how he sees the opportunity now to have retro designs that are more subtle and allude to past design cues without being restricted by them.

    Nissan Hyper Adventure Concept

    Nissan Hyper Adventure Concept
    Image: Nissan

    To be clear, nothing has been confirmed; Nissan is just really thinking about it. But that’s better than nothing.

    While Nissan has shown some off-road concepts the past few years — like the Hyper Adventure Concept from late 2023 — the brand has been without a dedicated model since the Xterra was discontinued in 2015. The model had built a following as a true, reliable off-road vehicle that could easily be modified. With the Xterra having shared a platform with the Frontier, the basis for a new one is already there. All Nissan needs to do now is approve it. It’ll sell a ton of them.

  • Upcoming Solar Eclipse Could Lead To Spike In Fatal Car Crashes

    A photo of a sign pointing to an eclipse information station.

    Don’t get too carried away out there.
    Photo: VW Pics/Universal Images Group (Getty Images)

    It’s an exciting time for moon worshipers, as the Earth’s natural satellite is about to get its time in the spotlight with a total eclipse that’s set to be visible from vast portions of America on April 8th. While the lunar phenomenon is exciting, it turns out it can also mark a dangerous time for motorists, as one study warned that fatal car crashes could be about to spike.

    The total solar eclipse will be visible across America on April 8th when the moon passes in front of the sun, temporarily blocking its light from reaching Earth. When that happens, a new paper has warned that there could be an uptick in fatal car crashes across the country, reports Space.com.

    According to the site, the 2017 eclipse in America resulted in a spike in deaths on the country’s roads, and now experts are warning the same could happen during the eclipse next month. As Space.com explains:

    The surge in crashes wasn’t tied to the daytime darkness caused by the eclipse. Actually, “we see a significant decrease during the single hour that involves the eclipse,” said co-author Dr. Donald Redelmeier, a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and a staff physician at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

    “The problem is the surrounding hours, when people are traveling to their place of observation and especially afterwards,” Redelmeier told Live Science. “We’re especially concerned about the drive home.”

    So while we’re sure you all know to turn your lights on and take care when you’re driving in the dark, we’d like to take this time to remind you not to get too excited about the eclipse.

    We know, it’s novel for it to go dark during the day, but that doesn’t mean you should drive like a maniac to get the best view of the moon as it passes in front of the sun.

    Stay safe out there, kids. And remember, don’t look an eclipse directly in the eye.

  • کشتی باری که به پل بالتیمور سقوط کرده است حامل 764 تن مواد خطرناک است: NTSB

    کشتی باری دالی پس از برخورد و سقوط به پل فرانسیس اسکات کی در 26 مارس 2024 در بالتیمور، مریلند، در آب می نشیند.

    عکس: تاسوس کاتوپودیس (گتی ایماژ)

    این پل فرانسیس اسکات کی که در بالتیمور، مریلند اوایل صبح سه شنبه پس از کشتی باری MV سقوط کرد دالی با یکی از پل ها برخورد کرد پایه های پشتیبانی. اکنون، گزارش‌های هیئت ملی ایمنی حمل‌ونقل تأیید کرده است که 56 کانتینر در آن کشتی حامل مواد خطرناک بودند. برخی از آن ظروف شکسته شده اند، در حالی که برخی دیگر در آب افتاده اند. بیزینس اینسایدر گزارش ها.

    رئیس NTSB جنیفر هومندی به خبرنگاران تایید کرد که یک بازرس ارشد hazmat سوار کشتی شد و تایید کرد که 764 تن مواد خطرناک در کشتی در زمان سقوط بوده است. این ظروف شامل همه چیز از “خورنده ها، مواد قابل اشتعال و برخی مواد خطرناک متفرقه” تا مواد “کلاس نه” است که می تواند شامل باتری های لیتیوم یونی باشد. با این حال، NTSB هنوز نتوانسته است انواع دقیق مواد خطرناک موجود در کشتی را تأیید کند، و همچنین قادر به تعیین نوع یا مقدار موادی که ممکن است در آب رودخانه پاتاپسکو ریخته شده باشد، نیست.

    از آنجایی که هنوز مشخص نیست در مورد چه موادی دخیل است، در حال حاضر نمی توان حدس زد که چه نوع خطری برای مردم ایجاد می شود. هومندی گفت که مقامات “درخششی در آبراه دیده اند”. مشخص نیست چه ماده ای باعث این درخشش شده است.

    در حالی که 764 تن مواد خطرناک ممکن است زیاد به نظر برسد، دالی خود حدود 95000 تن محموله را در زمان سقوط خود در صبح سه شنبه حمل می کرد. فروریختن پل کی یک وضعیت اضطراری مرتبط با مواد شیمیایی اعلام نشده است، با این حال، با دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر در مورد مواد خطرناک در کشتی، ممکن است تغییر کند. وجود احتمالی مواد خطرناک، دسترسی NTSB را به مناطق خاصی از کشتی محدود کرده است.

    تاثیر کامل فروریختن پل Key هنوز مشخص نیست، اما می‌توان انتظار داشت که این فروریختگی قابل توجه باشد. بندر بالتیمور نهمین بندر شلوغ ایالات متحده برای بارهای بین المللی است و یک مرکز مهم برای تجارت خودرو است. با شروع عملیات جستجو، نجات، تحقیق و پاکسازی، این بندر برای آینده قابل پیش‌بینی بسته شده است. هومندی تخمین می زند که بررسی کامل خرابی های کشتی ممکن است بین 12 تا 24 ماه طول بکشد، اما این زمان اضافی را که ممکن است برای بازسازی یا پاکسازی لازم باشد، در نظر نمی گیرد.

  • I Finally Have A 'Real Job' And Need A Fun, Yet Practical Car For The Commute! What Should I Buy?

    Scott lives in Baltimore and after working various gigs including a few stints on cruise ships he has what he calls a “real job” as a software engineer. However, he hasn’t driven a car in a long time and wants something fun, but not too challenging. With a $25,000 budget, what car should he buy?

    (Welcome back to What Car Should You Buy? Where we give real people real advice about buying cars. Do you want us to help you find a car? Submit your story on our form.)

    Here is the scenario.

    Quick Facts:

    I finally landed a “real job” as a software engineer after years of not driving (I lived in Brooklyn for 3 years and on cruise ships for 6 year; in both places I was a theater tech). That’s not to say I’m a bad driver, but I am a little rusty and would like something that’s fun to drive but not too challenging. The only other car I’ve ever had was a 1994 Acura Legend in high school and college. I’ll need to commute and run errands and move into an apartment, so flexibility is key.

    Not to feel like I’m totally selling out? Something that is economical to own, reasonable amounts of cargo space, but also something that can accelerate. And something that looks a tiny bit aggressive, where after a long day of meetings and coding, I would see it in the parking lot and go, yeah, that’s my car.

    I like Acuras and Hondas, so something similar to a Civic might work

    While I don’t want something too big, I am 6 ft tall so I need ample legroom, and I have to have CarPlay. OTher than that I’m not super picky. My budget is about $25,000

    Budget:  $25,000

    Location: Baltimore, MD

    Daily Driver: Yes

    Wants: Fun to drive, “aggressive looking,” good pickup

    Doesn’t want: Something too big

    Expert 1: Tom McParland – Four Rings Fancy

    Black Audi A3

    Image: Autotrader.com

    Congratulations on the new gig, Scott. While you probably won’t find the same selection of pizza in Baltimore as compared to Brooklyn, Charm City does have its upsides. If you are looking for a ride to zoom around, you will also want something easy to park. You mentioned something like a Honda Civic, and wile that would certainly be a safe choice, I think you desire a little more punch under the hood.

    I would suggest considering something in the lightly used luxury space, like the Audi A3. This compact sedan is basically a “fancy” GTI with four doors instead of five. Under the hood is the same turbocharged motor that cranks out about 220 horsepower; plenty of zip for moving through traffic. These can also be had with all-wheel drive which can come in handy on those bad weather days. Standard equipment includes CarPlay and other upgraded tech that make the commute a bit easier. And while this is a “compact” car it should be roomy enough on the inside to fit your frame comfortably.

    But unlike the GTI which tends to go for a premium in the pre-owned market, the A3 has the typical luxury car depreciation making it a better value for your dollar. Here is a 2020 model with only 21,000 miles right in your budget zone.

    Expert 2: Lawrence Hodge – Serious Performance For Cheap

    2017 Ford Focus RS

    Image: Bob Bell Chevrolet

    Scott should celebrate your “real job” by getting yourself something that’s a bit more than just a fun commuter. You need something that you’ll look forward to driving everyday. Something that people will see and know that not only do you love to drive, but that you’re an enthusiast as well. Personally, I think that car is the Ford Focus RS.

    It ticks all the “fun” boxes: A torque vectoring all wheel drive system, six-speed manual transmission, turbocharged 2.3-liter engine with 350 hp. All in a hatchback that you can easily daily. It even gets decent gas mileage for being a performance hatch at 25 mpg combined. The best part of all though is the price. These things are old enough now that you can pick one up on the cheap if you’re OK with higher miles. I found this 2017 at a Chevy dealer in Bel Air, Maryland. Yea it has just under 87,000 miles, but it’ll only set you back $22,999. That’s a performance bargain you can’t ignore.

    Expert 3: Collin Woodard – A Nice Little Red Convertible

    1994 Dodge Viper

    Photo: CarGurus

    After six years on a cruise ship, you definitely deserve to reward yourself, Scott. And what better way is there for an American to reward themselves than with a nice little red convertible? Just think about how happy you would be enjoying the wind in your hair as you shift through the gears on your manual transmission, free to go anywhere you want without regard for what port your ship is docked in or when you need to be back on board to avoid getting left behind.

    Even better, after a long day of meeting about computer codes, you’ll definitely be able to walk out into the parking lot and go, “Yeah, that’s my car,” when you see it. We do like the Honda Civic quite a lot here at Jalopnik, but all of your fellow nerds will be driving Civics and, like, Teslas or whatever. You’ll almost definitely be the only one with a nice little red convertible.

    Take, for example, this one that I found in North Carolina. It’s just a short plane ride away, giving you the opportunity to road trip it back home to Baltimore and really fall in love with your new car. Technically, it does have a salvage title, and it’s about $7,500 more than you were hoping to spend, but those are more minor inconveniences than anything else. Also, it doesn’t have Apple CarPlay, but you can always add that after you buy it.

    Trust me, Scott. What you really want is a nice little convertible like the 1994 Dodge Viper. Even if it doesn’t offer everything you want, it has everything you need to be happy. And you want to be happy, don’t you Scott?

    Expert 4: Owen Bellwood – Plug-In Fancy

    A photo of a silver BMW 5 Series.

    Photo: BMW

    It sounds like you’re becoming the grownup you always wanted to be, nice one Scott!

    In 2024 every real grownup needs one thing, and that’s a car with a plug to keep their gas payments down and protect the planet. You know, real grownup concerns. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can still get a fun, good looking car that also comes with a plug on the side under your budget. So Scott, I think it’s time for you to become a BMW grownup and get a plug-in 5 Series.

    Rather surprisingly, there are a few good options on the market not too far from you. If you want to be sensible, you could go for this lower mileage one that comes with a crisp black exterior and matching interior. But you want fun to drive, so instead get this one with the M Sport pack, all-wheel-drive and an eight-speed auto. You’ll be happy in the knowledge that you’re the proud owner of one of the last good-looking BMWs, and will have an extra $5,000 in your pocket for when the repair bills start arriving.

  • Redesigned 2025 Toyota 4Runner teased

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    Redesigned 2025 Toyota 4Runner teased

    Toyota has provided the first evidence that a redesigned 4Runner is coming soon.

    The automaker took to Instagram on Thursday to post a series of photos of each generation of the 4Runner.

    The final photo in the series showed a portion of the redesigned 4Runner, the nameplate’s sixth generation.

    Included with the photos was a challenge for fans to guess the model year each time the 4Runner was redesigned.

    Instagram post by Toyota made on March 28, 2024

    Instagram post by Toyota made on March 28, 2024

    Toyota hasn’t said anything about the vehicle but like previous generations, it should be twinned with the Tacoma midsize pickup truck which itself was redesigned for the 2024 model year around Toyota’s TNGA-F body-on-frame platform shared with the full-size Tundra and Sequoia SUV. Considering Toyota has started the teaser campaign for the new 4Runner, we’ll likely see the SUV arrive for the 2025 model year, meaning a debut later this year is likely.

    The current 4Runner is available for the 2024 model year and comes exclusively with a 4.0-liter V-6 rated at 270 hp and paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the grade, it comes with rear-wheel drive or available four-wheel drive.

    Given all the options available on the new Tacoma, it’s likely the new 4Runner will have more to offer than the current generation. In the case of the Tacoma, there’s a 2.4-liter turbo-4 that has three power ratings, depending on the grade. The engine is also available in a hybrid configuration. Nearly every Tacoma comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission, but a 6-speed manual transmission with rev-matching is available on the base SR trim.

    Expect the current 4Runner’s various grades to continue for the new generations, including the multiple TRD off-road grades. The starting price might see an uptick from the current $41,850 sticker, though.

  • See If You Can Spot The Difference In Lamborghini's New Logo

    It’s a big day for people whose passion is graphic design, as Italian supercar maker Lamborghini has just rolled out its first logo refresh in almost 20 years. Don’t worry though, as it’s nothing too revolutionary. Instead, the new logo is merely a refinement of the bull badge that the firm first introduced in the 1960s.

    For its new emblem, Lamborghini took a page out of the same design book several automakers have already used to refresh their brands with new badges. Lambo opted for a simplified, flattened version of its old logo, similar to the design refreshes from brands like Skoda, Nissan and Lamborghini’s own parent company, Volkswagen.

    As a result is a two-dimensional image of the bull, in the middle of a gold and black shield. The Lamborghini font up top remains, in the same soft-gold hue, which Lamborghini describes as “minimal yet bold.”

    It’s a smart and understated rework of the Lambo logo, and will soon start appearing on corporate materials shared by the brand. What’s more, Lamborghini said in its unveiling that the bull at the center of its badge could soon appear alone, and free from its shield prison going forward.

    Don’t worry about the signature Lamborghini text in the badge, though, as the brand says it developed a bespoke Lamborghini typeface that’ll be used across its products and communications going forward. Just what that means for Lamborghini owners, though, remains to be seen. Here’s hoping it means we can soon start sending out wedding invites in the Lamborghini font though.

    See If You Can Spot The Difference In Lamborghini's New LogoSee If You Can Spot The Difference In Lamborghini's New Logo

    Photo: Lamborghini

    What do you think of the new emblem? You can see it side by side with the outgoing badge in the slider above. Unlike some other redesigns we’ve seen recently, it does remain unmistakably Lamborghini despite the changes, and it’s a more thorough rebrand that the one Porsche recently rolled out.

    The athletic straining of the bull is something that’s been present on Lambos for decades. Sure, the outgoing logo has only been appearing on the Italian cars since 1998, but the bull imagery traces its origins back to 1963.

    Back then, Lamborghini used a red shield with a black bull as its badge. This was replaced by the first black and gold shield in the 1970s, before a black and white badges was used between 1974 and 1998.

  • Fun-sized hatch heats up EV waters

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    Fun-sized hatch heats up EV waters

    The 2025 Volvo EX30 is several things all at once. The small electric crossover represents a new entry point to the brand; it’s one of the few affordable electric cars starting at $35,000; it makes an eco-conscious statement in a luxury leather world; and its dual-motor performance model fuels rallycross dreams.

    The last bit might be the most surprising thing about Volvo’s newest vehicle: it’s a hoot to drive, especially on a frozen lake in the Swedish Lapland near the Arctic Circle. With 20-inch studded snow tires on both the dual-motor and single-motor EX30, Volvo’s return to a rear-wheel-drive car for the first time in 25 years doesn’t sacrifice its reputation for safety and safe handling. 

    A 2.3-mile loop track was cleared on a frozen lake, the surrounding birch and pine trees frosted in snow. The snow fell light but constant, the quality of light so flat that it was nearly impossible to discern the ashy ice track from its windswept boundaries. Red rubber sticks marked the slaloming apexes of a course that lacked even the shortest straight. 

    2025 Volvo EX30 RWD

    2025 Volvo EX30 RWD

    The challenge while turning constantly was to stay on course at speeds of no more than about 37 mph; don’t hit the red sticks, don’t plow into a bank, don’t get stuck. It wasn’t so easy. Anyone who has laced up skates knows ice makes everything faster. 

    An adjacent slalom course highlighted more technical urgency: maintain the line on both the narrow and wide courses, slam on the brakes into the red-stick gate before a mass of sticks meant to represent a moose, whip around the moose, correct through the finish, nose forward. At 50 mph, it was an impossibility. Miss the moose, kill some sticks.

    The point of all this? To test the limits of the motors and the traction control systems in Volvo’s newest, smallest car.

    The takeaway? You don’t need all-wheel drive to have good grip and reassuring safety in the Volvo EX30. 

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    EX30’s rear-wheel-drive triumphant return

    For decades, front-wheel-drive cars have overtaken rear-drive cars as a safer, more practical, and more cost effective approach to single-axle power. The electric age has subverted that thinking. 

    The heaviest single element of the EX30—its 69-kwh battery pack—sits in the floor between the axles, creating a more even weight distribution and a lower center of gravity than a combustion car. With the steering and climate systems up front, a drive unit mounted at the rear axle balances the weight even more without the plowing when turning that’s common in FWD cars.

    The difference between the RWD and AWD EX30 models largely comes down to software in the stability control unit. Some chassis adjustments to the spring rates and roll bars were necessary to account for the 282-pound weight difference (3,858 pounds for the EX30 RWD), but Volvo designed the EX30 to operate and react the same whether its dual- or single-motor. 

    The 200-kw rear motor makes 268 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. Volvo claims it can hit 60 mph in 5.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 112 mph. Not on ice. Even with the studded winter tires, the wheel slip from a stop effectively cut power to the accelerator until the stability control system determined it had a grip. It’s a lot of torque all at once. On wet country roads, the pert burst of power tapered off around 30 mph, but it was still sudden enough to get a giggle. 

    2025 Volvo EX30 RWD

    2025 Volvo EX30 RWD

    2025 Volvo EX30 RWD

    2025 Volvo EX30 RWD

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    On the ice course, I played with turning on and off one-pedal driving, as well as turning the stability control on and off. It’s never fully off, because that’s the Volvo way. Even minimizing the stability control is meant not for performance fun but to dig yourself out of a snowbank or sticky situation demanding more traction. With it limited, the rear end slid out much more freely, unencumbered by anti-lock brake corrections. To keep it on line, it required a dance between the accelerator and the brake. 

    Even with one-pedal driving off, the regen brake system uses the motor, with the friction brake only coming on with a hard press of the brake pedal. A tap of the brake into a serpentine induced some rotation, then a stab of the accelerator carried it through and back around. The electronically assisted steering rack didn’t require much force, but it wasn’t overly sensitive. The flat top and bottom of the steering wheel gave it some presence in my hands, and it was one of the more pleasant surprises of the EX30 ice experience.

    Too much of the brake, throttle, or steering greeted me with a snowy slide and no chance to pull out because of the dead throttle pedal. With ESC off, it gives you a bit more freedom. The snow that both defined and hid the track nearly matched the 7.0 inches of ground clearance on the EX30. 

    With one-pedal driving and ESC active, as most Volvo drivers would operate, it kept the hatchback in check without needing to do the brake tap. I could control the little SUV even at fun speeds mostly by getting off and on the accelerator pedal. The studded tires enabled remarkable control, and when we drove to the frozen lake through early morning snow, I never questioned or doubted the RWD traction on snow-drifted roads. This will be reassuring to EX30 drivers who don’t fantasize about a rallycross ice spectacle. 

    The downside was that changing the driving dynamics required several button presses in the EX30’s sole interface, a 12.3-inch touchscreen that even controls a small glove box door. It incorporates the instrument cluster, infotainment system, climate controls—all to keep the recycled material dash clean and spartan. To access the modes, press the car icon, press the settings icon, press the drive control submenu, and one more press gets you there. It’s best to leave that open when switching between modes. 

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    The upside is that the next generation of Volvo’s Google built-in operating system and its layered display operates much more intuitively and visibly. Instead of the four-stack display that would require a push of a real button to bring up the climate controls, the HVAC always sticks on the bottom bar.  

    Keeping costs down can be pretty after all. Volvo offers four different interior themes, or “decors”. Breeze uses recycled window frames in a speckled dash that reminded me of the cafeteria countertops from my gradeschool. I preferred Mist for the eco vibe, with its wool-like upholstery and fibrous dash and door panels made of flax.     

    Even with the single digital interface, the cost-cutting is subtle on the interior. The console can slide out from the armrest to access the cupholders, and at the edge of the armrest is a single module that controls the door locks and windows, instead of putting a switch on each door. The power seat controls consist of one knob on the seat bottom, and pressing the button within the knob activates three different functions, such as adjusting the lumbar, or separately, raising or lowering or sliding the seat. 

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    The EX30 dual-motor difference

    Another button in the touchscreen appears in the dual-motor model: Performance mode. It locks the 200-kw rear motor with the 115-kw front motor so the full 422 hp and 400 lb-ft is always available. Without it, it takes a beat for the system to detect slip or to acknowledge the pedal is floored and to engage the front motor. 

    With it on, Volvo quotes a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds. It’s a gut-dropper on open roads and an unusual surge of power from a Volvo.

    On the ice, the extra power and greater grip had an instant effect. Off the line, there wasn’t the slip and pause of the RWD model. It nosed confidently ahead and it was easier to maintain speed on the course’s intended line. It turned the safety exercise into a gauntlet of fun. I would spend the $6,000 extra just for that.

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    But I wouldn’t recommend it to the normal EX30 shopper, who might be a young couple eventually growing into a family or a downsizing empty nester. The single-motor-RWD unit does such a good job in terms of traction that I’m not sure the dual-motor AWD unit is the safer play. It is, by virtue of the extra weight and the quicker responses, but if you lived in a snowy climate, chances are you’re putting snow tires on any car, and that might have a bigger impact on grip than the extra motor. 

    The dual-motor is the fun play.

    Size matters: EX30 vs XC40

    At the event, Volvo had a dual-motor version of the 2024 XC40 Recharge, which will be renamed the EX40 for the 2025 model year in North America. The name change aligns with Volvo’s global branding and drops the “Recharge” confusion; Recharge models will exclusively be plug-in hybrids now. 

    For 2024, Volvo added a rear-wheel-drive option to the XC40, but in back-to-back testing the agility of the EX30 made the EX40 feel like a large crossover. It’s not. 

    At 174.8 inches, it’s 8.1 inches longer than the EX30 with a wheelbase that’s 2.1 inches longer. It’s 1.4 inches wider, 3.8 inches taller, and has significantly more rear legroom and cargo space with the seats down (46.9 cubic feet vs 31.9 in the EX30). 

    There’s enough room under the cargo cover in the EX30 for four rollaboards, and a hidden floor gives it more depth, but it’s tight back there. Likewise, 6-footers won’t want to sit in back for long, with just 32.9 inches of legroom, though headroom is decent. A longer and more rugged variant arrives next year in the EX30 Cross Country.

    The EX40 dual-motor is about 500 pounds heavier, too. You feel all of it. By comparison it felt cumbersome and ponderous to negotiate the slalom course. It’s older, too, and I suspect its multi-energy platform that can be used with a gas engine and plug-in hybrid hurts its handling characteristics. The EX30 rides on a dedicated electric vehicle platform developed in partnership with parent company Geely and used in other EVs by Zeekr and Polestar.

    The EX30 is a fun-sized Volvo, but that hasn’t served many automakers in North America.

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    2025 Volvo EX30

    Price matters: The $6,000 question

    Volvo’s big bet on its new entry-level SUV answers the new question: Who’s going to sell an affordable electric car? Chevy rested the Bolt EV for a year, the Nissan Leaf is too old, and every EV maker appears to be chasing Tesla’s price cuts to the Model Y. 

    The 2025 EX30 rear-wheel-drive base Core model starts at $36,245, with destination. Both the RWD and AWD models are sold in Plus ($40,195) and Ultra ($41,895) grades. Adding $6,000 for the Dual-Motor performance model puts the price on par with any number of electric vehicles, most of them larger inside. 

    The estimated dual-motor range of 265 miles is in line with other EVs with a battery pack below 70 kwh, as is a DC fast-charge estimate of 26.5 minutes from 10-80% at 153 kw. Made in China for now and Belgium next year, it won’t qualify for the $7,500 tax credit. 

    Yet, its price appeals to the oft-overlooked demographics of the downsized and the urban, and it makes the Model Y look like it has indigestion. The EX30 wears its eco-consciousness on its recycled sleeve, yet it retains the safety and styling hallmarks of a Volvo. Its fun-sized packaging and handling give it something Volvo hasn’t had for a while. 

    Volvo paid for travel expenses for Motor Authority to present this first drive of the 2025 EX30.

  • 2025 Porsche Panamera, 2025 Defender OCTA: Car News Headlines

    A new generation of the Porsche Panamera starts sales this year, and this week Porsche released pricing information for the current range-topper, the Turbo E-Hybrid. It’s a plug-in hybrid that packs a twin-turbocharged V-8 and a peak output of 670 hp.

    JLR (formerly Jaguar Land Rover) is no stranger to SUVs with beefy engines, and its next will be a hardcore Defender that will introduce the new OCTA designation. We have fresh spy shots and video of a prototype testing ahead of the debut later this year.

    McLaren is working on a new generation of supercars and hypercars, and the automaker has detailed the design language that will shape them. Probably coming as little surprise, the automaker plans to draw on its past for inspiration, with the iconic F1 supercar to play a major role.

    You’ll find these stories and more in today’s car news, right here at Motor Authority.

    2025 Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid arrives with $192,995 price tag

    2025 Defender OCTA spied: Hardcore SUV coming

    McLaren’s new design language draws on racing heritage, F1 supercar

    Review: 2024 Toyota Highlander

    Lamborghini has a new logo, but the differences are hard to spot

    Review: 2024 Genesis GV60 delivers rolling design statement

    Maserati MCXtrema enters final tests ahead of summer launch

    Review: 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5

    Ford readies 60th Anniversary Appearance Package for Mustang

    China takes grievances over Biden EV policy to the WTO

  • اینها بیشترین و کم هزینه ترین ایالت ها برای تعمیر خودرو هستند

    اکنون همه چیز گران تر است و این شامل تعمیر خودرو نیز می شود. کمبود نیروی کار، قطعات و اختلالات زنجیره تامین و تورم با هم برخورد کرده اند و طوفانی کامل از هزینه های نگهداری بالا برای صاحبان خودرو ایجاد کرده اند. NetCreditیک شرکت تامین مالی و وام شخصی، اخیرا یافته‌های خود را در مورد گران‌ترین و کم‌هزینه‌ترین ایالت‌ها برای تعمیرات خودرو منتشر کرده است، و اعداد دلسردکننده هستند، اما چندان هم تعجب‌آور نیستند.

    کالیفرنیا، یکی از گران‌ترین ایالت‌های ایالات متحده در کل، بالاترین هزینه‌های تعمیر را با ۱۲.۱۷ درصد بالاتر از میانگین ملی داشت. ویرجینیای غربی با 18.97 درصد کمتر از حد متوسط، کمترین میزان را داشت.

    10 ایالت گران قیمت برای تعمیر خودرو:

    1. کالیفرنیا: +12.17٪
    2. هاوایی: + 11.89٪
    3. فلوریدا: +8.13٪
    4. مریلند: +7.99٪
    5. نوادا: +6.11٪
    6. نیوجرسی: +5.61٪
    7. آریزونا: +5.32٪
    8. واشنگتن: +3.37٪
    9. ماساچوست: +2.02٪
    10. اوکلاهما: +1.29٪

    10 ایالت کم هزینه برای تعمیر خودرو:

    1. ویرجینیای غربی: -18.97٪
    2. وایومینگ: -18.82٪
    3. ورمونت: -18.49٪
    4. مونتانا: -16.89٪
    5. داکوتای جنوبی: -16.3٪
    6. آلاسکا: -15.88٪
    7. مین: -15.20٪
    8. داکوتای شمالی: -13.76٪
    9. آرکانزاس: -11.13٪
    10. نیومکزیکو: -10.34٪

    جای تعجب نیست که شهرهای کالیفرنیا در لیست گران ترین مناطق شهری برای تعمیر خودرو غالب هستند. دو شهر در تگزاس، آماریلو و لاردو، کم هزینه ترین مناطق بودند.

    اینها بیشترین و کم هزینه ترین ایالت ها برای تعمیر خودرو هستند

    NetCredit اشاره کرد که قیمت خودروهای جدید افزایش یافته است و باعث شده تا خریداران به سمت مدل های قدیمی تر که نیاز به تعمیر بیشتری دارند، گرایش پیدا کنند. در عین حال، خودروهای جدید به طور فزاینده‌ای پیچیده می‌شوند که منجر به هزینه‌های تعمیر بیشتر برای سیستم‌های کمک راننده و سایر ویژگی‌های فنی می‌شود.

    این شرکت از داده ها استفاده کرد RepairPal برای مقایسه هزینه های 10 رایج ترین تعمیرات خودرو برای یک خودروی نمونه هوندا آکورد 2021.

    در حالی که مسافت پیموده شده شما ممکن است بسته به نوع ماشینی که می‌رانید متفاوت باشد، می‌توانید با چند روش ساده از رفع سردرد خود جلوگیری کنید:

    • اول، با تعمیر و نگهداری معمولی مانند تعویض روغن، چرخش لاستیک و خدمات ترمز همراه باشید. مراقبت منظم می تواند از مشکلات شدیدتر در مسیر جلوگیری کند.
    • به نحوه رانندگی خود توجه کنید و از شتاب گیری و ترمز تهاجمی خودداری کنید.
    • در نهایت، اگرچه درست است که نگه‌داشتن یک خودروی قدیمی در جاده اغلب ارزان‌تر از خرید یک خودروی جدید است، اما باید آماده باشید تا زمانی که هزینه‌های تعمیر به دلیل خراب شدن خودروی قدیمی‌تر افزایش می‌یابد، ضررهای خود را کاهش دهید.
  • Billionaire Planning Titanic II Claims It Will Be Anti-Woke And Vaccine-Free

    For more than a decade, Australian billionaire Clive Palmer, has worked to make a seaworthy replica of the Titanic, known as the Titanic II, a reality. He still has yet to begin construction of the ship, but one of these days, it’s definitely happening for sure. And to make sure Titanic II fares better on its maiden voyage than the original Titanic, it will be equipped with all the latest navigation and safety equipment, including enough lifeboats for all the passengers. He also insists it will be a symbol of “traditional values,” anti-woke and vaccine-free.

    Palmer recently sat down for an interview with Rolling Stone where he talked about his plans for the Titanic II. It’s a long read, but many of the quotes are absolutely incredible. For example, while discussing what originally got him interested in building a second Titanic, Palmer said, “You remember the musicians on the Titanic that stood there at their station, playing “Nearer My God to Thee”? They were more concerned about the people that were with than themselves. We’re running our culture into a self-centered society, so we want to refocus on those things.”

    Read out of context, the man has a point. Large parts of society are incredibly self-centered, and we really should be concerned more about others. Which is why it’s so important to get vaccinated, create a stronger social safety net and ensure society is safe for everyone to live their lives, right? Oh no. Palmer doesn’t want that. In fact, that’s the last thing he would want.

    Palmer managed to keep the mask on for the first couple of questions, but it didn’t take long for the interview to slip into familiar buzzwords. While talking about whether or not he would take outside investment to fun the Titanic II’s construction, he gives this incredible answer:

    I don’t really want to be in control so much, I’m not that sort of person. But I’ve got too much money. So I don’t need any other money. We don’t need to raise any funds. We don’t need to take mums and dads money, if anyone loses any money, it’s (me), and I’m happy to lose money at this age. We can make instant decisions about what we want to do without worrying about the consequences. We haven’t got to have a committee sits here and says, “Oh, should we do this? What will the SEC say?” It’ll be a Covid vaccine-free environment.

    What? Seriously? That’s how he’s going to pivot to being anti-vax? And in case you weren’t 100 percent certain that Palmer is an anti-vax dingbat, you should also know that he spent millions of dollars challenging an Australian mandate that required police and ambulance service workers to get vaccinated. Don’t worry, though, you’ll still be allowed on the COVID cruise if you get your medical advice from actual doctors.

    “Yeah, we’ve got to extend our hand in love and friendship for people being vaccinated despite the side effects,” Palmer told Rolling Stone. “We have to look after them. And they’re all good people. We’re all the same really, like white, green, yellow, whatever it is — to embrace each other.”

    He was also kind enough to explain what he meant previously when he said the Titanic II would represent traditional values and not “woke” values:

    There’s been a concept in society that you can cancel people. I think you know what I mean by “canceled” people, and we think that’s a terrible concept. The United States was founded on the rights of men to be different. The diversity that we’ve had in our economy, in our intellectual development has really meant that’s developed our society to a higher level. I’m talking about Western society in general. So the French Revolution, the American Revolution, all those things were brought about by individuals (claiming) their rights to express an opinion or view. I mean, you should have the right to be wrong.

    What that has to do with a giant boat, we have no idea, but those are certainly some things he said. Sorry if you decided not to buy a ticket to see a show headlined by an artist who wants your friends to die. Not only are you ruining Western society with your cancel culture, but you’re also anti-Titanic II somehow.

    So, uh, best of luck building your boat, buddy. If there’s one thing that can bring the world together, it’s a superspreader ship built for bigots. Just probably not for the reasons Palmer would like to think. We’ve attempted to reach out to the Orca Coalition for a comment on its plans for the Titanic II but were unable to echolocate a representative who could give us a statement prior to publication. Still, if the Titanic II ever becomes a reality and does set sail, we’ll be cheering them on from shore.