Having produced the last 300C earlier this month, Chrysler is right down to a single product. And the Pacifica is getting up there. The minivan went on sale again in 2016 and obtained its final main facelift in 2020 with the brand new all-wheel-drive model. Now lastly, one other replace is coming.
Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell introduced a “mid-cycle action plan for the Pacifica,” in an interview. She went on to say “it will be more than just a moderate refresh. It will be pretty significant.” Although she declined to say when it will go on sale, the pinnacle honcho revealed it’s going to come back out after Chrysler’s first EV.
Although Audi has produced its share of high-performance machines in its greater than 100 years in enterprise, the 4 interlocking rings are usually not the primary badge that involves thoughts when the topic of unique automobiles comes up. Until the early 2000s, Audi centered largely on cranking out reliable sedans, coupes, and wagons whereas additionally dedicating vital assets to its motorsports program.
That started to alter in 1998 when the Volkswagen Group paid greater than $100 million to amass Lamborghini. Soon after, Audi sought to capitalize on its success at Le Mans by introducing the Le Mans Quattro idea automobile on the 2003 Frankfurt Auto Show. That idea merged with the R8 race automobile that had gained the 24 Hours of Le Mans yearly from 2000 via 2002; the brand new mannequin debuted on the 2006 Paris Auto Show.
Little was modified between the idea Le Mans Quattro and the manufacturing model R8, besides that the idea automobile’s twin-turbo V10 engine was swapped out for a naturally aspirated 4.2 liter V8 that put out 414 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The 2007 R8 may go from zero-to-60 mph in 4.3 seconds and had a high velocity of 187 mph.
In 2009, Audi added these two cylinders again to the R8’s engine, changing the V8 with a 5.2-liter V10 that shaved almost a half second off the R8’s zero-to-60 time and boosted the highest velocity to 196 mph. A lighter and extra highly effective R8 got here in 2011, and Audi launched a GT version in 2023 with a 602 horsepower engine, rear-wheel drive, and a seven-speed automated transmission.
In August 1935, Toyota manufactured its very first vehicle, the G1 pickup truck. This truck was assembled by the automotive production division of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works. Initially, the company was focused on producing automatic looms and was founded in 1926. However, in 1937, the car production division became a separate entity known as the Toyota Motor Corporation. Interestingly, Toyota Industries still produces automatic looms in 2023.
Now, fast forward to today, where Toyota is celebrating a significant milestone in its history. After 88 years since the production of its first truck, Toyota proudly announces the production of 300 million cars. Although the announcement was made today, this impressive accomplishment was actually achieved by the end of September.
The most valuable iteration of the Toyota Supra is the fourth generation, which was in production from 1993 to 2002. When it was first released in 1998, it carried a price tag of under $31,000. However, over the years, its value has appreciated significantly. Today, depending on its condition, a 1998 Supra can fetch anywhere between $35,000 and $65,000, with some exceptional examples selling for over $100,000 each.
The fourth generation Supra boasted a twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six engine that churned out 312 horsepower and 315 pounds-feet of torque. With this power, the 3,265-pound coupe could race from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 177 mph. Additionally, buyers had the option to choose a model with a removable targa top. The 18.5-gallon fuel tank and the highway fuel mileage of 22 mpg offered a cruising range of over 400 miles.
Despite these impressive features, the declining popularity of two-door coupes in the U.S. market as the 21st century began led to the discontinuation of the Supra after the 2002 model year. The nameplate remained dormant until 2019, when the Supra returned in its current iteration.
Welcome to episode eight of the Autocar Business Change Makers Podcast, produced in partnership with car subscription software platform Tomorrow’s Journey.
Hosted by Chris Kirby, CEO of Tomorrow’s Journey, and Felix Page, news editor at Autocar, each episode explores how agile and disruptive companies in the UK are reshaping the automotive landscape. They have unprecedented access to the executives and thought leaders driving this change.
On episode eight, we have a conversation with Rob Buckland, chief sales officer at GRIDSERVE, about the future of second-life EVs, industry concerns, and GRIDSERVE’s innovative Sun-to-Wheel ecosystem.
We also discuss how GRIDSERVE is encouraging EV adoption, the role of solar power in the future of EV charging, and how GRIDSERVE is revolutionizing EV leasing. To find out more, listen to episode eight below.
The Autocar Change Makers Podcast is a must-listen for industry professionals interested in the future of the automotive industry. To listen now, subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts,
or your preferred podcast platform.
Tomorrow’s Journey has launched JRNY, a revolutionary Vehicle-as-a-service platform that makes accessing vehicles easier than ever. JRNY offers subscriptions, rentals, test drives, courtesy cars, and pool cars, giving fleet owners a comprehensive toolbox to create personalized customer experiences and automate operations. To learn more about how JRNY can work for you, click here.
The Koenigsegg Jesko is incredibly exclusive, with only 125 models being produced and a starting price of approximately $3,000,000.
The Jesko is a heartfelt tribute to the CEO’s father, Jesko Von Koenigsegg, and is expected to develop a legacy similar to other cars named after company founders.
The Jesko is a technological marvel, with features such as the Smart Wheel and a striking interior design that balances comfort and a high-tech racing feel.
Throughout the 21st Century, the legacy of the super has continued to grow and grow, being spearheaded by the highest-level manufacturers. As well as the likes of Bugatti, Ferrari and Pagani, one of the most notable automakers in the supercar scene is Koenigsegg. Founded in 1994, the Swedish outfit has continued to break records in such a short amount of time, with the recent Koenigsegg Jesko embodying everything that makes a super/hypercar so special. Coming out in front of such tough competition, here’s why the Jesko is the ultimate supercar.
This article about why the Koenigsegg Jesko is the ultimate supercar was compiled using data from Koenigsegg’s website, along with outlets such as Car and Driver and Hotcars to provide accurate information and first-hand perspectives.
All of the top-end supercars are massively sought after, as they are universally seen as the modern pinnacle of the automotive industry. Besides the performance only these cars can produce, the huge price tags are what makes them so hard to add to your collection. The Jesko is no different, starting at approximately $3,000,000.
As well as the price, only 125 Jesko’s will be produced. By producing such a limited amount of models, the Jesko can’t help but become one of the most exclusive supercars in the world. With only 125 people getting to experience the groundbreaking, mind-blowing capabilities of the Jesko, the price of these cars will be sure to increase. Even if Koenigsegg produce a faster model, the Jesko name will always have a distinct, prestigious meaning in the automotive industry.
9A Heartfelt Tribute
Koenigsegg
At the heart of the Swedish manufacturer is its CEO, Christian Von Koenigsegg. His passion and expertise for the industry have led to his company being one of the most respected, and renowned throughout the industry in the last 30 years. With the brand sharing his last name and it being so personal to Christian, it’s only fitting for their best car yet to be named after his father, Jesko Von Koenigsegg.
Although Koenigsegg has produced some spectacular cars in the past, it’s clear that Christian wanted to wait for the defining car in the company’s lineup to be named after his father. There have been defining cars from other manufacturers that have been named after the ‘fathers’ of the companies, such as the Ferrari Enzo, a car that still has such a respected legacy 21 years after its release. With the Jesko, a similar legacy is sure to develop over the next couple of decades.
8A Technological Marvel
Koenigsegg
One thing that makes Koenigsegg, so special is how they continue to raise the bar not just with performance, but in the technological department as well. Cars that are focused solely on performance don’t tend to put too much thought into the cabin experience, however, Koenigsegg made sure that the Jesko was just as impressive inside as it is outside.
Apart from the ultra-modern interior design, one of the car’s best features is the Smart Wheel. Mainly used as a speedometer, the steering wheel has a built-in screen, that’s gyroscopic. Alongside the main screen, Jesko’s wheel has two smaller screens on the sides of the wheel that can control the display with a simple swipe or tap. Not only does it look great, it makes things much easier in a car you’ll spend most of the time focusing on the mind-blowing driving experience.
Koenigsegg’s have always had a distinct body style, with most cars continuing to develop on the design of the first ever Koenigsegg, the CC8S. The cars continued to grow more extreme, but none have ever been as wonderfully striking as the Jesko.
A streamlined, stuck-to-the-ground supercar full of connecting curves, the Jesko embodies just about everything that makes the Koenigsegg design special, and then some. The car is as intimidating as you’d expect the faster supercar in the world to be, but up close, the amount of detail in every area of the Jesko is what makes the car look so special.
6Two Variants – One For The Track, One For Outright Speed
Koenigsegg
Knowing that the goal was to produce the fastest supercar ever made, Koenigsegg made sure that they would break the record by developing two different versions of the Jesko, with the ‘Absolut’ being expertly fined-tuned to smash the current top speed record. Designed with significantly lower drag, the Absolut is aimed at breaking the famous 300 MPH barrier. Due to the low-drag setup, the Absolut strongly resembles the Regera model, another top-speed-focused car.
The model that’s been at the forefront of the Jesko’s promotion is the ‘Attack’ model, designed to effortlessly carve through corners at equally impressive speeds. With the massive rear wing and splitter increasing the downforce, the Attack version will most likely be the more popular model as a car for roads around the world.
5Simple Yet Striking Interior
Koenigsegg
While the interior may not be as eye-catching, it’s by no means any less special in its own way. Aside from manufacturers such as Pagani, supercars tend to put most of their focus on the exterior, with the interior being a practical hub for the driver to experience the speed the car underneath them can produce. The Jesko does follow that philosophy to an extent but takes it to its own level.
The Jesko interior utilizes different a carefully selected group of materials to give the interior just as much of a futuristic, speed-focused look as the exterior. The carbon fiber encasing the center console and the bottom of the steering wheel is what you notice first, providing a high-tech, stripped-back feel. The Alcantara and leather used for the dash and seats soften the interior, creating a perfect balance between comfortability and the racing feel that’s infused in the DNA of every Koenigsegg.
The majority of the hype for the Jesko has come from the 300+ top speed the car can produce, but the downforce that comes with the speed is definitely something to take note of and something that makes the Jesko all the more intimidating to its rivals.
Producing over 1,000 kilograms of downforce, the Jesko is an absolute track monster. The car obviously has the power to blast down the straights, but by having the ability to be stable and just as effective through the corners assures that the Jesko can deliver the all-round supercar experience of the future, rather than just have a high top speed that will rarely ever be achieved on the road.
3The Defining Koenigsegg
Koenigsegg
Throughout most manufacturer’s time in the industry, the automakers at the top end of the industry have a car that’s become synonymous with the brand. Due to the Jesko embodying everything special about the Swedish automaker’s previous models and still delivering a unique touch that’s never been seen before gives us all the confidence that the Jesko will quickly become the defining Koenigsegg.
It has the highest speed of any Koenigsegg thus far, paired with incredible aerodynamics to provide the ultimate supercar driving experience. Considering that the company has only been producing cars for just over 20 years, achieving such a monumental achievement in the Jesko is without a doubt model that proves Koenigsegg is one of the best in the business.
2Jaw-Dropping Horsepower
Koenigsegg
With the record-shattering top speed of the Jesko, it comes as no surprise that the car has an equally astonishing amount of horsepower. The Jesko manages to produce 1280 horsepower (moving up to 1600 HP on E85 on some markets) from its twin-turbocharged V-8, an engine that has been significantly improved for the Jesko from the Agera that the car replaces.
While other Koenigseggs like the CC850 and the upcoming Gemera have more horsepower, it does not take anything away from the capabilities of the Jesko’s engine. The aerodynamics and weight in combination with the engine means that the Jesko doesn’t require as much horsepower and torque to propel the car to the front of the market, with the V-8 engine being a massive contributor to the overall balance of the car.
Despite Koenigsegg constantly releasing models that compete at the top end of the industry, no car has made the strides that the Jesko has managed to make. Prior modes may have been as anticipated and the best supercar at their time, however, the level of competition in the scene today is at an all-time high. Koenigsegg still managed to produce a car capable of out-performing just about everyone.
Whether it’s through performance or visuals, the Jesko will always be remembered as one of the supercars that took the industry to new heights. Moving forward for both Koenigsegg and its competitors, the Jesko has set a new benchmark for everyone to chase, a hugely exciting prospect for gearheads around the world.
Welcome to episode seven of the new Autocar Business Change Makers Podcast, produced in partnership with car subscription software platform Tomorrow’s Journey.
The podcast, hosted by Chris Kirby, CEO of Tomorrow’s Journey, and Felix Page, news editor at Autocar, aims to explore the innovative and disruptive companies that are transforming the automotive industry. Each episode provides unprecedented access to industry executives and thought leaders who are driving this change.
In episode seven, the hosts interview Jordan Marie Brompton, CMO at Myenergi. They discuss her journey as an entrepreneur and how Myenergi’s products are revolutionizing renewable power and challenging misconceptions surrounding electric vehicles.
In this episode, they delve into questions such as: Why is energy independence important? What obstacles has Myenergi faced amidst the energy crisis? Why are electric vehicles often negatively portrayed? To find out the answers, tune in to episode seven below.
The Autocar Change Makers Podcast is a must-listen for industry professionals interested in the future of the automotive industry. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts,Spotify,Amazon Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform.
Tomorrow’s Journey has launched JRNY, a revolutionary Vehicle-as-a-service platform that simplifies vehicle access for individuals and businesses. From subscriptions and rentals to test drives, courtesy cars, and pool cars, JRNY offers fleet owners a comprehensive toolbox to create personalized customer experiences while automating administrative tasks. To learn more about how JRNY can benefit you, click here.
The Ford RS200, originally built for Group B rally racing in the 1980s by Ford of Europe, is a rare car with a fascinating history that is not well-known in the United States. Only a few of these cars are known to exist in North America, but recently one of them appeared on an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage.
The 1986 Ford RS200, owned by comedian Tim Allen, is a departure from his usual collection of hot rods and classic muscle cars. However, Allen is a big fan of rally racing because of the high speeds these cars can reach on any type of terrain. He also admires the timeless design of the RS200.
Driving the RS200 is a different experience. The car is equipped with a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Cosworth engine that has a narrow powerband, meaning it generates most of its 240 horsepower in a small range. Allen admits that the car doesn’t perform well on regular roads, especially due to its limited low-end power. However, once off the pavement, the RS200 truly shines. Its all-wheel-drive system can be adjusted to control power distribution between the front and rear wheels.
Surprisingly, Jay Leno finds the RS200 enjoyable to drive on the street. Like many small-displacement engines with large turbos, it really comes alive above 5,000 rpm. Thanks to its decent ground clearance and rally suspension, the car handles potholes and bumpy roads with ease.
During Group B rallying, the RS200 used a more powerful 2.1-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced over 600 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. It competed against other legendary cars like the Audi Quattro, Lancia 037, and Peugeot 205 Turbo 16. The rules for this class stipulated that each car must have an enclosed cabin for two people seated side by side, and each manufacturer had to produce 200 cars for homologation.
Unfortunately, Group B rallying came to a tragic end in 1986. A terrible accident at the Rally Portugal resulted in the injury of 31 spectators and the death of three, leading top teams to withdraw from the event. Henri Toivonen and his co-driver, Sergio Cresto, lost their lives when their car plunged down a ravine during the Tour de Corse. As a result, the FIA decided to suspend Group B rallying after the 1986 season.
Despite the end of Group B, the RS200 continues to have a dedicated following in Europe. With its appearance on Jay Leno’s Garage, this rare car is likely to gain more fans in the United States.
Since Volkswagen introduced the first Transporter, camper versions have been popular among enthusiasts. These compact campers have earned a devoted following. Recently, Volkswagen unveiled the new California camper, based on the latest Multivan, and Top Gear was there to showcase it in a walkaround video.
The new California is referred to as a concept by Volkswagen, but it is actually based on the current T7 Multivan, which was launched in 2022. Unlike its predecessors, the new California features two sliding doors, adding to its versatility. Although the second door takes up some space for the kitchenette, the new model still manages to include a refrigerator, cooktop, foldout table, prep space, and storage in a compact package.
When it comes to performance, the Porsche 911 S/T doesn’t disappoint. By shedding weight, this model boasts impressive performance metrics. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 186 miles per hour. The wheels, measuring 20 inches in the front and 21 inches in the back, are made of lightweight magnesium.
If that’s not enough to entice you, Porsche has an optional Heritage Design Package available. This package includes a unique “Shore Blue Metallic” color, classic Porsche crests, and the ability to customize the car’s racing number.
Porsche
In addition, Porsche is offering buyers the opportunity to purchase a watch with their car. The Chronograph 1 is priced at $13,500. The Porsche 911 S/T itself costs $290,000 (plus $1,650 for delivery). The cars are expected to hit the tracks across the country in the next Spring. Only 1,963 units of the Porsche 911 S/T will be produced, paying homage to the year the 911 was originally introduced. Learn more about the 911’s evolution here.
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