Don’t let the 2021 Lexus IS300 AWD’s name deceive you, because unlike the rear-drive IS300, which starts at $40,025 and relies on a 241-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 for motivation, the $42,025 all-wheel-drive IS300 does not. Instead (despite using the same name), the IS300 AWD uses a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, which it shares with the pricier IS350 F Sport that stickers for $43,925 in two-wheel-drive guise and $45,925 with AWD.
There’s a “but” in there, though, as the IS300 AWD’s 3.5-liter V-6 makes just 260 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, figures down 51 horses and 44 lb-ft from its IS350 stablemate. But the lesser IS model’s V-6 sure doesn’t feel detuned. Consider that an IS300 AWD needs the same 5.7 seconds to scoot from 0-to-60 mph as a 100-pounds-lighter rear-drive IS350 did in our testing. Similarly, the IS300 AWD’s 14.3-second quarter mile sprint is but 0.1 second behind that of its lighter and more [...]
Fact: The United States of America’s various infrastructure systems are slowly crumbling, and massive investment is required to bring our country into the modern era. How the country acquires the funds to fix such issues has long been a matter of debate.
Nevertheless, the current occupant of the White House, President Joseph R. Biden, is putting forward a proposal to solve this critical issue (as well as many others): the American Jobs Plan. The bill proposes $2 trillion in spending put toward various infrastructure- and job-related issues. This includes money earmarked to update and improve the country’s highways, transit systems, and electrical grid.
Below are key parts of the American Jobs Plan that pertain to motorists and commuters. In other words, MotorTrend readers. Remember, the American Jobs Plan is merely a proposal at the moment, and it still needs a stamp of approval from Congress before it has a chance at becoming law.
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Kia continues to bolster its role in the electric vehicle space with the reveal of the new EV6 crossover. Although the EV6 is not the first battery-electric vehicle from the Korean automaker, it is the first model to strictly rely on electricity for power. Other Kia electrics, such as the Soul EV and Niro EV, are also available with gasoline- or gasoline-electric hybrid powertrains.
Like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV, the Kia EV6 rides on Hyundai Motor Company’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (or E-GMP), which allows the EV6 to come in either rear- and all-wheel-drive variants. Power to the rear-mounted or available front- and rear-mounted electric motors comes courtesy of either a 58-kWh or 77-kWh battery pack. The latter affords the rear-drive EV6 up to 316 miles of estimated driving range on Europe’s WLTP combined cycle. Expect a sub-300-mile figure on the more conservative EPA cycle.
Charging PowerOpt for the small battery pack and rear-wheel [...]
This weekend, the first official 2021 Ford Bronco, the SUV with VIN 001, was auctioned to the highest bidder by Barrett-Jackson—for $1,075,000. Of course, the proceeds are going to charity, specifically in support of the National Forest Foundation and Outward Bound. Both charities are geared toward spreading understanding of the outdoors and a sense of conservation—perfect, given how a new Bronco is sure to be best enjoyed way off the beaten bath.
But wait a second, you might be thinking—someone just took home a new Bronco, and we’re all down here waiting to do the same while initial production is delayed, so what gives? Not so fast. No, the Bronco isn’t available yet, and no, the winning bidder at Barrett-Jackson isn’t driving home right now in a brand-spankin’ new two-door Bronco First Edition.
Mercedes-Benz has been testing and teasing its Tesla Model S-fighting EQS all-electric luxury sedan for a long time now, and in a final step ahead of the full unveil has pulled the sheet off the wild new interior. Yes, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS will have a dashboard-spanning “Hyperscreen” display, but that’s just one of many special options and features of this new EV flagship.
The so-called Hyperscreen (of which we have a deep dive you should read if you haven’t), a 56-inch wide concave glass panel with three integrated OLED screens making up the entire dashboard, is the showstopper, but it’s not the only option. It’s actually an optional upgrade and you get a lot for your money—which is good because even though we don’t know the price yet, it can’t be cheap. The digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel portion measures [...]
