Tag Archives: featured

Let us preface our inaugural Hot Take by exclaiming we love pickup trucks! The commanding driving position and rugged finger-tingle driving a big truck make owning one a no-brainer, not to mention the obvious advantages in off-road shenanigans or IKEA hauls. Whether you need one or not, trucks are cool. Say it. Trucks. Are. Cool. There’s a reason almost everyone in the great Red-White-And-Blue owns one. We built our world around them. But, and it’s a fair “but,” there needs to be some sort of change on the horizon.

Pickup trucks aren’t going anywhere, and attempting to demonize them is counterintuitive. However, the dramatic increase in pedestrian fatalities warrants a conversation about these oversized pickups. The environmental impact and worsening traffic congestion necessitate it. The problems are real and need practical solutions. There is also a larger conversation around transport infrastructure and personal responsibility.

The Chicken Tax

Well, wait. Why is this even an issue? Don’t we have small trucks? Or at least we used to, right? So where did the small truck go? Look decades into the past to the age of Vietnam on national news and Ken Miles tearing up circuits behind the wheel of a Ford.

It’s 1960, and European Farmers have a problem. U.S. farmers have mastered the art of breeding chickens and are now exporting their surplus to Europe. European countries need to protect their farmers. So, West Germany and France implemented tariffs, preventing American chicken from being priced lower than their chicken. 

Negotiations between the two parties failed, and in 1964, U.S. President at the time, Lyndon Johnson, placed a 25% “Chicken Tax” tariff on certain imported goods in response to European tariffs on American poultry, including foreign pickup trucks. This tax does three things:

• Gives American truck companies a pseudo-monopoly on the pickup truck market.
• Priced small Japanese trucks out of the market.
• Classifies American pickup trucks as “light trucks,” exempting them from safety standards

This essentially killed any market for import trucks save for the minuscule, not-so-truckish trucks, like the Subaru BRAT, meant to dodge the tax by being classified as “passenger vehicles” instead of light trucks.

Americans killed the small pickup truck.

Car manufacturers live and die by consumer demand. In 2018, Ford announced it would stop production of all its cars except the Mustang in favor of better-selling SUVs and pickup trucks.

It isn’t an “American problem,” either. The Chinese auto market is in a similar phase to the American market in the 1980s. Most vehicles sold in China are Long-Wheelbase luxury vehicles or SUVs. The modern Chinese car buyer craves to be seen as successful. The modern American seeks utility, ruggedness, and, most importantly, road presence, which a small pickup truck can rarely, if ever, provide.

The Pedestrian Safety Crisis

That brings us to the next point. The Chicken tax meant that American car manufacturers were free to make whatever trucks they desired, and with it came a rise in pedestrian fatalities.

From 2009 to 2019, fatalities increased by 50%. If you find that number alarming, congratulations. You’re not a psychopath. Still, there was a further 18% rise in pedestrian fatalities from 2019 to 2023. Mind you, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) decreased by around 430.2 billion miles in 2020. 

The rise in pickup truck sales is a contributing factor to the increase in pandemic pedestrian fatalities. It is not the sole cause. The NHTSA found that many drivers who remained on the roads during the pandemic drove riskier than normal. 

Crash compatibility

In 2003, Senator John McCain called a hearing to discuss SUV and pickup truck safety. Vehicle safety advocates, Joan Claybrook and Dr. Jeffery Runge, found that if a car collided head-on with a pickup truck, the car occupants were over six times more likely to die. Side impact fatalities are even deadlier at 26 times more.

Even with those facts, another item in this hearing would be the focus: rollovers. In 2011, new legislation would mean manufacturers would need to fit all new pickup trucks with electronic stability control (ESC). This would be to prevent rollovers caused by the higher center of gravity. No new crash compatibility regulations would be implemented.

Nobody wants to be in a car accident. Still, around 40,000 Americans will lose their lives this next year in this way. To reduce this number, manufacturers have to meet certain safety standards. It sounds obvious, right? Safety features absent from pickup trucks include:

• Crumple zones
• Pedestrian collision protection
• Frame force dissipation

Now, I’m no physics professor, but the idea behind crash protection is to prevent damage to vehicle occupants. Forgoing these features increases the risk of serious injury or death… Not that we need more of that nowadays.

“The purpose of crumple zones is to minimize bounce by dissipating kinetic energy to thermal energy and to reduce collision force by extending the distance over which that dissipation work is done,” says Lawrence Davis, Associate Professor of Science at Umpqua Community College, in his book, Body Physics 2.0. “Rigid frames bounce more than crumple zones, which further increases the force on occupants.”

As much as pickup trucks are a bane to pedestrian safety, they are also anti-people in a way. If you’re more likely to die as a driver or passenger of a pickup, an occupant of another vehicle, or as a pedestrian, then the truck exists to protect itself.

Poor Visibility and Maneuverability

Nobody enjoys mowing down their kids in the driveway on the way to work. Turns out, that might be what you get with your Ford Maverick. Pickup trucks have much poorer visibility than cars. At this point, you’re riding a small tank around. A modern pickup truck is bigger than a WW2 British Sherman tank. 

It is possible you don’t have kids and like driving a tank through downtown New York. We’re not judging! But one thing we know you don’t like is lawsuits. Technologies like Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) will help prevent a parking lot accident, but they will not prevent collisions at medium-to-high speeds. In fact, if you read the fine print in the advertising for AEB or any ADAS feature, you’ll find this:

“Driver assistants are not a substitute for driver focus.”

This is one of the first things you learn when taking the written driver’s test: defensive driving. You’re supposed to drive to foresee, avoid potential obstacles, and always be aware of your environment. Again, pickup trucks go against a fundamental principle of driving. You should not be on the road if you can’t perceive your environment or make it difficult for others to judge theirs.

Pickup trucks’ correlation to climate concerns

The consensus is that we must tackle climate change with consumer and corporate changes. Driving a 4,000-pound truck takes a toll on your wallet and the environment.

Where you would get 53 mpg in a Toyota Corolla Hybrid, you get 43 mpg in a Ford Maverick Hybrid. The utility of a truck bed makes it worth sacrificing ten mpg and the better deal. However, the Ford Maverick lacks one climate-saving feature: resource efficiency.

In a perfect world, they make your truck, you drive it around, and then, when it is no longer useful, its components are recycled. A circular economy. For a hybrid vehicle, energy comes from electricity and petrol. You need to use some of the fuel to get to your destination. If you’re hitting 43 mpg to carry only yourself, that’s an inefficient use of resources.

America alone uses 369 million gallons per day. 166 million pickup trucks are registered, and the average commuting distance is 41 miles. Assuming the perfect conditions (every pickup on the road every day hitting the Maverick’s golden 43 mpg), pickup trucks would make up around 45% of that fuel usage. Increasing access to public transport by even 5% would make a significant dent in fossil fuel use and carbon emissions.

Pickup trucks are not the enemy

I know you expected a grand waffling about how great public transport is, and after all the effort to point out every flaw in pickup trucks. But nope. Once more, we iterate that trucks are cool and trucks are useful. They’re just flawed. And that’s not necessarily all to blame on the products alone.

Pickup trucks are symptoms of a larger problem. 

Most people don’t buy products solely on efficiency or merit. Personal preference and marketing play a huge role. “Big truck strong.” It’s simple. Currently, there is no active deterrent to purchasing or manufacturing pickup trucks. Road infrastructure is car-centric. Pickup trucks are exempt from safety standards, which saves manufacturing costs.

Our country is built for cars and not people.

Now that we’ve established the problem, how can we find its solution? Is it even worth building a people-centric country? 

Reduction in pedestrian fatalities

This is the most obvious one. Low-density roads can become walking areas and green zones. Reducing the number of lanes in medium-density areas can make way for cycle lanes, trees, and larger sidewalks. Most pedestrian fatalities are disabled, older people, children, or otherwise impaired folks. Allow for zones where larger vehicles, like pickup trucks, are not allowed.

Quality of life improvements

Of course, there will be a natural reduction in carbon emissions with fewer vehicles on the road. The real kicker will be a major noise, air pollution, and smog reduction. Californian cities rank among the highest for poor air quality, exacerbating health issues like asthma. Taking the eight to ten-lane highways away and reducing road traffic will improve the quality of life for millions of Americans (and also open the roadways for the casual enthusiast’s Sunday cruise).

Lead fuels were once thought to be irreplaceable. Robust legislation in the 1970s meant that by the 1990s, leaded fuel was gone. People-centric American cities could be a reality.

People-centric pickup trucks

Yes, it is possible, and it starts by further bolstering the mid-size pickup. Check out these pickups that aren’t sold in the U.S.:

• Nissan NP200
• Chevrolet Ute
• Toyota Hilux
• Isuzu D-Max
• Mitsubishi Triton
• Mazda BT-50
• Volkswagen Amarok

Bringing these vehicles to the U.S. is not a pipe dream either. In 2019, Ford brought back the Ranger pickup, which was pulled from the U.S. market in 2011. The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon have entered new generations too, and don’t forget the Honda Ridgeline! All were positively received for bringing car-like dynamics and comfort to the world of utility vehicles. We’re not hurting for Hiluxes either, as the ye ol’ Toyota Tacoma never left us. Although these vehicles are still large compared to cars, they offer much better visibility and efficiency.

Pickup trucks and E-Fuels

The European Union will ban the production of new gasoline vehicles in 2035, but there is space in this legislation for synthetic fuels. Synthetic fuels or E-fuels are made from carbon captured in the atmosphere and are produced with renewable energy. In fact, Porsche aims to become a leading producer of these carbon-neutral e-fuels, having begun development and implementing them in their race cars.

We love trucks and don’t want the gasoline engine to die. Hearing a big pickup go brrrr or a Porsche 911 RSR whizz by gives you a feeling that electric vehicles just don’t, as much as we admire the technology. There’s a charm to these big, burly bricks that E-fuels will allow us to keep the way the gods intended. 

The enjoyment of driving is people-centric.

Work trucks for the working folk

Of course, we must insert that we don’t necessarily wish to abolish all trucks from roadways. After all, there is a glaringly obvious demographic for half-tons and heavy-duty leviathans. What, you thought a Maverick Hybrid would yank that stump from the ground or move that RV toy hauler across the Mojave? Sheesh, we’re not that sadistic.

A Hot Take like this must also be followed up with the statement that it’s perfectly fine for fleets and tradesmen to have their goliaths. They literally cannot work without them. It’s simply a matter of not having excess vehicle wasting space on our roads when your usual haul is a hundred pounds of mulch, or your work site is the sixth-floor office.

The electric pickup truck will not save the pickup truck

Unfortunately, another scenario is very plausible. Synthetic fuels fail, and all gasoline vehicles are banned in a panic. You are forced to buy an electric pickup truck because corporate lobbying meant that people-centric infrastructure never came to fruition.

The truth is we are at a crossroads. If we choose the path of a pickup-truck-centric world, we may experience a dystopian reality not imaginable today. If we choose a people-centric world, we may avert this crisis and be able to enjoy our world for centuries to come.

A huge thank you to Myles Russell (@FreckleEars) for the great conversation and the truck visibility graphic. And to Derek Bradley (@Dellboy) for international info on taxes and pickup trucks and for being an amazing source of ideas.

As the Formula 1 summer break draws to an end, there is still plenty of time to get another beach read in or tackle another book on your Goodreads challenge. If this is your first F1 break and you’re a newer fan, this is a great time to dive in with some of my favorite racing books.

Something you will realize quite quickly is how intertwined all these stories are within this industry and how everyone plays a part in the others’ stories, so to speak. 

1) Surviving to Drive – Guenther Steiner

Why not start with the most recent entry? Guenther Steiner, the lovable foul-mouthed team principal of Haas, gives you a play-by-play of a full F1 season in this book. What’s especially interesting about Guenther’s encounters are all he had to deal with in the timeframe he’s writing about: managing a smaller team, guiding a rookie with a very famous last name, navigating the politics of having a Russian driver, maintaining momentum during a pandemic, and keeping your sanity at 140MPH. This book is very much laid out like diary entries if the diary is that of a surly 58-year-old Italian running a $710 million motorsports team. 

As you would expect, if you’ve seen a presser with Guenther, he’s blunt, funny, and always real, which you have to appreciate running the smallest teams on the grid. He references several big moments from his perspective in this book. Rewatch the last Driver to Survive in tandem with this. It’s quite a tall tale.  

2) How To Be An F1 Driver – Jenson Button

This is hands down my favorite of all of the books. Yes, I have mentioned Jenson Button many times, but I truly believe his How to Be an F1 Driver is an amazing primer for even the most casual of fans. Jenson is so unbelievably cheeky and charming, which comes through in every chapter. Dare I say this book made me love him even more? 

He gives a lot of admirable life advice anyone could benefit from, not just the best drivers in the world. And again, their stories are all intertwined. His old karting partner was Sophie Kumpen… Max Verstappen’s mom. He talks about being dragged into covering for Fernando Alonso in 2017 at the Monaco GP, where the famous “Yenson, my friend!” quote comes from.

In a playful way, Jenson gives you an especially real look inside what it’s like to be a Championship driver in an ever-changing landscape of technology, rules, and relationships.

If you follow Jenson online, you can tell something is brewing. This man is poised for a comeback on some circuit beyond the occasional NASCAR spin and driving the Garage 56 car around the world. I, for one, would love to see more of Jenson behind the wheel. Overall, it’s a funny, quick, and insightful read. It’s the ideal summer book. 

3) Racing Green – Kit Chapman

I’m just at the tail-end of finishing this book, and while there were times when my brain was challenged on the technical aspects of lithium batteries, its teachings were quite comprehensive. This is a book you need to read if you’ve ever had an interest in Formula E or just electric technology in the automotive space (check out our EVs Explained series, wink, wink).

Kit Chapman makes some otherwise nonsensical technical jargon far more palatable for us mere mortals not into physics or aerodynamics. There’s love and humor that comes from him as he retells the history of the cars and people in this space. Focusing on some notable moments in motorsports, Chapman weaves the old and new ways together.

This book also serves as a travel diary, further proving how global the minds and hands dedicated to motorsports are. The technological advances made within motorsports are far-reaching, and the findings can improve many aspects of our lives.

This book is, in fact quite hilarious, so don’t let the big-brained concepts scare you off. You’ll be able to drop some fun historical racing historical factoids to your friends after reading as well.

4) How To Build A Car – Adrian Newey

If you want to know the nitty-gritty process of building an F1 car, this is the book from the man who has designed for champions. Adrian Newey is a Red Bull engineer who knows his stuff. He’s the guy in the room everyone looks to when there’s a problem. Being one of the most prolific engineers in the sport commands a heightened level of respect and delivers a perspective others don’t have, and this book breaks down years of his designs and thinking. It’s quite technical at times, but even if you don’t understand every facet of its teachings, it still makes a gorgeous coffee table book with beautifully detailed diagrams and graphics. This book will make you look cooler and smarter to your non-racing pals.

5) Max Verstappen (2022 Edition) – James Gray

I am a Max fan. But if you aren’t, this book could make you one. It doesn’t shy away from Max’s messy parts or controversies. He was brash and arrogant when he entered the scene, for sure. The crashes, the attitude, the abuse. It’s all there. It humanizes him and his experiences, especially with his father. His mother, Sophie Kumpe, is honestly the source of his talent, and understanding the inner workings of his family explains more than you’d think. For instance, I actually didn’t know the lion on his helmet was designed by his sister!

The timeline of everyone entering each other’s lives and how young they all were is fascinating. Learning about the first interactions with Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, and Daniel Riccardo is compelling. And yes, “Just an inchidet” is addressed.

That being said, this updated edition does include the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021. And reading the iconic Toto Wolff radio message, “No, Michael, no, no, Michael! That was so not right!” still absolutely hits, even in written form.

@kartworthy

#stitch with @Dr. Sable | Orthodontist So Lewis led most of the race and looked on course to win…. 🏎️😭 Ps. I am in my booth at FlameCon 😂 #formula1 #f1tiktok #f1edits #formulaone #formula1meme #motorsports #f1memes #lewishamilton #maxverstappen #abudhabi2021gp #mercedesf1 #redbullracing

♬ original sound – Sheilah 🏎️💎💖

The 2028 Lamborghini Lanzador concept tells no new story. At least not new to us. It seems once in a generation, a famed marque embarks on yet another cash-grab quest to line their pockets with fresh moolah to fund their next generation of sports cars, and that’s exactly what Lamborghini must have planned for this all-electric, four-seat leviathan. Behold their latest vision and enter a new age for the artisans at Sant’Agata Bolognese as they ford new waters and enter the EV arena.

Weight? I don’t know. Range? Good Question. Okay, performance? Beats me. But it’ll surely be as quick as a Lamborghini and certainly look like one too.

Little hard facts are known about the Lanzador, and even less is known about what production model will spawn from it. But knowing Lamborghini’s trend with concept cars over the past decade or so, it’s safe to say this will be a clear look at what’s their take on a mass-market, all-electric Lambo, with swagger and speed to match. 

Lamborghini Lanzador price & specs

There’s so much up in the air for the Lanzador, a concept still in gestation that isn’t due until 2028. But one thing is certain: It will be a ferociously quick luxury charm, with asphalt-tearing, rear-end-puckering speed and acceleration.

Price	TBA: $200,000 – $300,000 USD est.
Battery Capacity	TBA: 80 kWh – 100 kWh est.
Electric range	TBA: 300 – 400 miles est.
0-60 acceleration	TBA: quick enough
Horsepower	TBA: 1,340 horsepower (concept)

The concept car presented during this year’s Monterey Car Week boasts 1,340 horsepower. For anyone coming from our EVs Explained corner of the house, that’s 1,000 kW or one whole-ass megawatt. That far exceeds the output of the Lucid Air Sapphire, Porsche Taycan Turbo S, or Tesla Model S Plaid, and matches the Koenigsegg Agera One:1.

Being of that maniacal breed of mega EV, it wouldn’t be delusional to believe the production Lazandor can easily clock a 300-mile range, minimum. Maybe 400 with a special long-range model while managing zero-to-sixty times of three seconds or below. Also, expect MPGe to be fairly average given its expected size and weight but charging rates to be rapid like other premium Volkswagen Group electric vehicles.

If Lamborghini’s current money-maker, the Urus SUV, is anything to go by, expect a production Lanzador to hover between $230,000 and $300,000, depending on trim and motor/battery configuration. Lamborghini’s exuberant collection of option packages will easily add tens of thousands of dollars on top of that.

Lamborghini Lanzador interior and tech

We know little about the tech Lamborghini will implement, but we can easily speculate what sort of ultra-fast, ultra-luxurious electro barge will come.

“With the fourth model concept, we are opening a new car segment: the Ultra GT. This will offer customers a new, unparalleled Lamborghini driving experience thanks to pioneering technologies,” claims CEO and Chairman, Stephan Winkelmann.

Expect the production Lanzador to be as opulent and well-appointed as any Lamborghini. The concept appears a bit ergonomically questionable, but what concept car isn’t? Think heated and vented bucket seats with multi-function steering wheels and digital displays galore. There will likely be a push-button starter with a red fighter jet-style flip cover, a digital gauge cluster, and a suite of simple safety goodies, from parking sensors to adaptive cruise and semi-autonomous driving. 

The concept bears no centralized touch screen like the Huracan, Aventador, Urus, or all-new Revuelto. But expect the production version to follow suit and incorporate some sort of interface into the Lanzadaor’s interior design language. Given the relatively cavernous interior layout, something that will easily carry over could be the concept’s passenger display screen and the multi-color ambient lighting that turns the Lanzador from a sports sedan to a VIP nightclub. 

An interior fit for the badge

The Lanzador Concept is poised as a “2+2 Gran Turismo” and the brand’s “Ultra GT,” with two massive doors and four thin but elegantly styled buckets. While I expect the four seats to remain, if not replace the rears with a three-across arrangement, the final product will most likely be a sedan, much like the now-15-year-old Estoque concept car of 2008. 

The concept sports copious trunk space and a decent frunk. All of that grocery-getting capability will be afforded by a typical skateboard-type battery pack comprising the Lanzador’s floor. This design seems to have worked, as you can now store, uh, not one but two Lamborghini-branded designer luggage sets in the ass end. Can’t say that about the Revuelto.

If this formula sounds familiar, well, that’s because it is. Lamborghini is ready to join the pantheon of luxury EVs, hoping that affluent commuters will fund their future projects. As such, it’s unsurprising that the Lanzador Concept follows this now-common practice, albeit a new frontier for the brand itself. However, it can still differentiate itself from its peers by capitalizing on the tricks Lamborghini knows best.

One. Whole. Megawatt.

Tricks like speed! Power! Rage!

However, is this level of performance really that surprising in an age where Rimac exists? Perhaps not, but the fact you can let your kids experience black-out g-forces on the way to school is still one hell of a flex and the kind of batshittery that will undoubtedly be expected of the production Lanzador. Chances are that kind of speed won’t be that old in 2028.

The concept has been snatching headlines for its still-impressive 1,340 horsepower, which equates to one megawatt of power, a feat matched or beaten by few cars. Trims will also vary in performance for the production car, but we all know Lambo doesn’t know slow. Expect base models to push 500 or even 600 horsepower, with neck-snapping torque to match. All models will certainly have some degree of ultra-high-performance pretense, so expect dual motors as standard with tri or quad-motor setups in the highest tiers.

Leave it to Italy to build a driver’s EV

Further differentiating the Lanzador will be proper handling chops, at least for its size and weight, which we expect will be on the portlier side, perhaps rivaling or exceeding the Urus. It shouldn’t be a difficult feat for the brand, given their experience with magnetic suspension and active aero, which the Lanzador will certainly receive, as well as the battery’s low center of gravity and the electric motors’ infinitely adjustable torque vectoring.

One thing Lamborghini seeks to pride itself on will be the immense amount of sensors and actuators going into the Lanzador. They seek to make this tremendous level of hardware and tuning capable of delivering a more precise driving experience, broaden the range of characteristics between drive mode presets and individual modes, and improve driver feedback.

With beauty and grace (sort of)

Secondly, you can’t put off that punch-in-the-face Lamborghini styling. Visual swagger and all that’s dapper is the Raging Bull’s signature.

Well, you know. Naturally aspirated screamers would be the other, but strip that away from the Lazandor, and you must take the other half of the brand’s soul and run away with it. Whether you love or hate the concept, it’s certainly worth talking about. 

The two-door design will likely give way to a four-door sedan, but the concept certainly radiates lifted Koenigsegg Gemera vibes. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if Lamborghini kept it and sought to emulate such a design with Italian flair. As with the interior, the exterior is a wonderful blend of extroverted excess, straddling the line between gaudy and really gaudy. The 23-inch wheels are a bit much, but they contribute to the raised height, elevating this EV’s appeal on battered highways, steep driveways, and dirt roads near the winter cabin. 

The overall design is a hodgepodge of Lamborghini and (insert miscellaneous EVs). The ride height and black cladding are plucked straight from the Huracán Sterrato and vaguely remind me of a Polestar 2. The profile resembles a concept sketch of the offspring between a Huracán and a Cybertruck with a bed cap. And the taillights are definite callouts to the Sian and Aventador.

Is the Lanzador actually coming?

Yes. The Lanzador will soon grace the garages of rich people, even if it bears a new name or face. This concept is very much a serious announcement of the direction Lamborghini will take for electrifying the lineup, culminating in a mass-produced production car in 2028. 

By then, the Revuelto will likely be due for a mid-cycle refresh, and we’ll have had the Huracán successor for a few years. And the purists can cry all they want, but they’d be missing the point.

While the supercars carry the torch for high-revving tomfoolery, it will be the Lanzador EV and the Urus – if it’s still around – that will draw maximum profits and fuel development for potential hybrid powertrains to keep their naturally aspirated engines on life support. Even if you disagree with its existence, the Lanzador will contribute heavily to ensuring a future for Lamborghini supercars as we know them and for the company as a whole.

The Ford Mustang, America’s athletic, boorish, and rowdy son since 1964. A frequent patron of the Woodward Dream Cruise and GRIDLIFE time attack. Your neighbor has one. Your classmate has one. Your cool relative has one. The 83,195 hypebeast high schoolers at the local nighttime car meet each have one. The Mustang is as synonymous with Americarna as Route 66, Smokey and the Bandit, or the Rascal Flatts cover of “Life is a Highway.” There’s a Mustang on every block. And no matter your taste, there’s certainly a Mustang for you.

Six decades and countless revisions, engine changes, and suspension overhauls later, we arrive at the new 2024 Ford Mustang – the S650 generation, an evolution in Ford’s muscle car-turned-sports car. From a glance, not much has changed from the S550 generation that ran from 2015 to 2023, but this new Mustang takes pride in all the minute changes Ford made. A little more power here. A bit more chassis composure there. Ford’s definitely taken a “don’t mess with success” stance. That is, unless you have supercar money to blow.

Following a virtual announcement on August 17, 2023, the Mustang GTD made its public debut at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance car show in California the next day. The carbon-bodied beast sits on an eight-speed transaxle, giving it a nearly 50:50 weight distribution. A few weeks later, we had the chance to see the ‘Stang for ourselves at the Detroit Auto Show. With a price tag well into the six figures, however, most people will never see a Mustang GTD in real life, let alone afford one themselves.

As for the rest of us, does the 2024 Mustang work? Or has Ford’s march of modernity muddied its latest pony car? Let’s take a look.

Skip to section:

• Price and trim
• Exterior colors
• Interior colors
• Interior and tech
• Dimensions
• Fuel economy and range
• Engine, transmissions, and performance
• Review round-up
• Race cars galore!
• GTD
• FAQS

2024 Ford Mustang price and trim levels

When Ford says there’s a Mustang for everyone, that’s no exaggeration. This unwavering truth is evident in everything from the options packages to the engine choices and that eye-popping disparity in pricing between the least and most expensive models.

2024 Ford Mustang: see inventory near me

Mustang EcoBoost

• Starting Price: $30,920 (Fastback), $39,020 (Convertible)
• EcoBoost Standard Features:
  • 2.3L EcoBoost I4
  • 10-speed automatic
  • 3.15 final drive ratio
  • Split-screen interior dash design
  • 12.4-inch LCD cluster
  • 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment w/ SYNC 4
  • Ford Co-Pilot 360 Technology w/ lane keep assist, lane keep alert, and blind-spot monitoring
  • Rearview camera w/ parking sensors
  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Auto high-beams
  • Pre-collision warning w/ auto braking
  • 6-speaker stereo

Mustang EcoBoost Premium

• Starting Price: $36,445 (Fastback), $41,945 (Convertible)
• EcoBoost Standard Features (on top of base):
  • Connected single-screen dash design
  • Heated/cooled leather seats
  • Heated leather steering wheel w/ chrome bezel
  • Multi-color ambient lighting
  • Remote start for 10-speed auto transmission
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • 9-speaker stereo system
  • Wireless charging pad
  • Aluminum pedals
  • Universal garage opener

Mustang GT

• Starting Price: $42,495
• GT Standard Features:
  • 5.0L Coyote V8
  • Getrag 6-speed manual
  • 3.55 final drive ratio
  • Split-screen interior dash design
  • 12.4-inch LCD cluster
  • 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment w/ SYNC 4
  • Ford Co-Pilot 360 Technology w/ lane keep assist, lane keep alert, and blind-spot monitoring
  • Rearview camera w/ parking sensors
  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Auto high-beams
  • Pre-collision warning w/ auto braking
  • 6-speaker stereo

Mustang GT Premium

• Starting Price: $47,015 (Fastback), $52,515 (Convertible)
• Premium Standard Features (on top of base):
  • Connected single-screen dash design
  • Heated/cooled leather seats
  • Heated leather steering wheel w/ chrome bezel
  • Multi-color ambient lighting
  • Remote start for 10-speed auto transmission
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • 9-speaker stereo system
  • Wireless charging pad
  • Aluminum pedals
  • Universal garage opener

Mustang Dark Horse

• Starting Price: $59,270
• Dark Horse Standard Features:
  • 5.0L Coyote V8 w/ revised manifold
  • Tremec 6-speed manual w/ titanium shift knob
  • Engine oil, transmission, and differential coolers
  • Torsen rear differential w/ 3.73 final drive ratio
  • Revised suspension and electronic assist tuning
  • 12.4-inch LCD cluster
  • 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment w/ SYNC 4
  • Ford Co-Pilot 360 Technology w/ lane keep assist, lane keep alert, and blind-spot monitoring
  • Rearview camera w/ parking sensors
  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Auto high-beams
  • Pre-collision warning w/ auto braking
  • Vinyl/cloth seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Multi-color ambient lighting
  • Remote start for 10-speed auto transmission
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • 9-speaker stereo system
  • Wireless charging pad
  • Universal garage opener

Mustang Dark Horse Premium

• Starting Price: $63,265
• Premium Standard Features (on top of base):
  • Heated/cooled leather seats
  • Aluminum pedals
  • Universal garage opener

Mustang GTD

• Starting Price: TBA; approx. $300,000
• GTD Standard Features:
  • 5.2L supercharged V8
  • 8-speed dual-clutch transaxle
  • Multimatic DSSV dampers
  • Pushrod rear suspension
  • Active aerodynamics
  • Carbon fiber bodywork inspired by Mustang GT3

2024 Ford Mustang exterior color options

Mustang EcoBoost/GT

• Shadow Black
• Oxford White
• Iconic Silver
• Race Red
• Rapid Red Metallic (+495)
• Atlas Blue Metallic
• Grabber Blue Metallic
• Dark Matter Gray Metallic
• Vapor Blue Metallic
• Carbonized Gray Metallic
• Yellow Splash Metallic (+995)

Mustang Dark Horse

• Shadow Black
• Oxford White
• Race Red
• Atlas Blue Metallic
• Grabber Blue Metallic
• Dark Matter Gray Metallic
• Vapor Blue Metallic
• Carbonized Gray Metallic
• Blue Ember Metallic (+1,500, Dark Horse Premium only)

Mustang GTD

• TBA; possibly paint-to-sample

2024 Ford Mustang interior color options

Mustang non-Premium

• Black Onyx
• Space Gray

Mustang Premium

• Black Onyx
• Space Gray
• Emerglo
• Carmine Red

Mustang Dark Horse/Dark Horse Premium

• Deep Indigo

Mustang GTD

• TBA

Interior and tech

Through interior comfort and technology, the Mustang asserts itself as the do-everything sports car for the masses. Carry luggage? There’s a cavernous trunk with split-folding rear seats for that. Or, if you wish, you can use the rear seats to transport real, breathing adult humans – kind of important, that breathing part – in a pinch. The fastback roofline may not permit above-average-height people, but two or two-and-a-half Kevin Harts will do. The current crop of Mustangs sports plenty of cabin space for, uh, let’s say big-boned Americans, meaning taking a GT on an actual grand tour won’t be an exercise in keeping your claustrophobia under wraps. As a fun touch, the steering wheel now rocks a sleek flat-bottom design with pronounced thumb bolsters.

As you can see, tech is where the S650 Mustang sees the most transformative revolution. Whereas the exterior appears to be an alternate facelift of the first 2015 cars, the interior could pass as something from BMW. Or Hyundai. Or Kia. Or Honda.

Huh. I’m starting to see a pattern with these present-day cars.

Okay, so it’s a little derivative, and perhaps that’ll date it heavily in the future unlike limited runs crafted from the ground up to be timeless, like the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. But unlike an exotic supercar, the Mustang is here and now. It’s meant to be driven. Not only to cars and coffee or the track, but to the supermarket, doctor’s appointments, and long road trips with the fam. In keeping with modern trends, its clean, efficient, and upscale appearance is warranted.

Whether you embrace it or condemn it to burn at the stake, the high-mounted display-centric dashboard is here to stay for the S650 Mustang. That move appreciably elevates lower-trim cars to new heights, no longer forcing buyers to cope with the Texas Instruments calculators that adorned the prior-gen base models. The new screen location brings information closer to your sightlines, meaning less looking down at the center stack, and enables wannabe racers to run those badass billet short shifters without obstructing the screen. SYNC 4 is standard across the board, as is CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford safety assists, a rearview camera with parking sensors, and digital gauges.

Speaking of, yes, that oh-so goofy Fox Body gauge mode for the digital gauges is very much real and available across all models, Premium or not. It’s a touching bit of nostalgia for the younger hoonigans who know Fox Bodies from Need For Speed or elder millennials finally admitting their mid-life crisis. More new cars need harmless gimmicks like this. 

Adjustable drive modes are now available to all, whereas prior models only featured them on Premium trims. New for the S650 is the addition of individual presets for tailoring the steering, throttle, brakes-by-wire feel, and, if equipped, MagneRide and active exhaust.

With all this head-spinning adjustment and an expansive safety net of nannies, the S650 Mustang can easily make itself at home on the commute as it can on the circuit. Set everything to full-kill Track Mode and let those rear tires howl. Or slap everything in Slippery or Normal and let it transform from a steroidal sports coupe to a lazy boulevard cruiser at the tap of a screen. Perhaps the only criticism one can have of all this control is most of it is accessible only through the screen, including climate controls, which are thankfully always visible on a strip located at the bottom of the screen display. 

Oh, and if you’re an especially childish goober with more whimsy than a McDonald’s PlayPlace, 10-speed auto cars feature a Remote Rev function. Yes, this is exactly as it sounds. You can remotely rev your Mustang while parked via the key fob up to 5,000 rpm. A neat party trick for the next family reunion or Oakland sideshow.

Dimensions

Exterior dimensions:

• Length: 189.4 inches
• Width: 75.4 inches
• Width w/ mirrors: 81.9 inches
• Wheelbase: 107 inches

Interior space:

• Passenger volume: 79.2 cu. ft. (convertible), 82.8 cu. ft. (fastback)
• Seating: 4
• Front headroom: 37.6 inches
• Rear headroom: 34.8 inches
• Front shoulder room: 56.3 inches
• Rear shoulder room: 52.2 inches
• Front legroom: 44.5 inches
• Rear legroom: 29.0 inches
• Cargo volume: 11.4 cu. Ft. (convertible), 13.5 cu. ft. (fastback)

Fuel economy and range

Economy, eh? On a Mustang? Alrighty, then. 

Paired with the sole choice, the 10-speed auto, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost returns a solid 22 mpg city, 33 highway, and 26 combined. That equates to a total highway range of 528 miles. Interestingly, opting for the Performance Package EcoBoost drops the ratings to 21 city, 29 highway, and 24 combined, likely due to the stickier summer tires and shorter final drive. But who needs fuel economy when you have faster lap times? No? Okay, fine.

GTs, at best with the 10-speed, manage 15 city, 24 highway, and 18 combined. Six-speed manuals drop each figure by one across the board, meaning the most miserly Mustangs barely eke out 384 miles on the interstate. Due to their slightly more aggressive aero and stickier rubber options, Dark Horses with either transmission manage one less mile per gallon on the highway, earning a rating of 22 mpg and dropping range to 352 miles. The lead-footed will likely not come close to any of these numbers.

The ultra-rare and ultra-violent GTD and its supercharged V8 are too far out to receive any fuel economy information. If the GT500 is anything to go off of, it’ll most likely be abysmal. Let’s just say it will at least get one mpg. Not certain, but maybe. 

• City Economy: 21 to 22 mpg (EcoBoost), 14 to 15 mpg (GT, Dark Horse), TBA (GTD)
• Highway Economy: 29 to 33 mpg (EcoBoost), 23 to 24 mpg (GT), 22 mpg (Dark Horse), TBA (GTD)
• Combined Economy: 24 to 26 mpg (EcoBoost), 17 to 18 mpg (GT), 17 mpg (Dark Horse), TBA (GTD)
• Maximum Range: 464 to 528 miles (EcoBoost), 368 to 384 miles (GT), 352 miles (Dark Horse), TBA (GTD)
• Fuel Capacity: 16.0 gallons

Engines, transmissions, and performance

Ah, yes. The section for spec sheet drag racers and couch potato canyon carvers. Performance is why buyers choose Mustangs and other pony cars over Nissan Zs or Subaru BRZs. Asphalt-shredding performance and thundering engines are the soul of the Mustang lineage, and the S650 generation carries that torch with pride and faithfulness. 

The Little Four-Banger That Could flexes a healthy 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, the same torque level but up five horses over the old car. While no outlet has launched any instrumented tests at the time of writing, I imagine that’ll yield straight-line acceleration on par with the outgoing model. However, GTs and Dark Horses are a different story, now wielding the fourth generation of the acclaimed free-breathing, high-revving 5.0-liter Coyote V8. Now, with a wee bit more displacement and a dual intake system, the mighty Coyote belches out a healthy 480 horsepower or 486 with the freer-flowing active exhaust and 418 pound-feet. Dark Horses use strengthened internals and revised tuning to generate 500 horses.

All “plebeian” spec Mustangs can mate powertrains to the now-famed 10-speed automatic, acclaimed for its snappy gearing, effectiveness in drag racing, and clever programming but sometimes knocked for iffy paddle shifter response at anything but full-tilt. However, the brawny V8s receive offers to join the Save The Manuals club, as the embarrassingly low take rate for manual EcoBoosts killed that powertrain combo entirely. GTs work with the controversial Getrag MT-82 six-speed manual, which is now as slick and accurate as ever, but pundits and Mustang fans alike have expressed concerns over longevity and how this new iteration will fair compared to older ones. Dark Horses rock the even-slicker and far more stout Tremec six-speed, previously featured in the Mach 1 and Shelby GT350 and now topped with an almost JDM tuner-like titanium knob.

Acceleration from the few outlets who ran the new GT and Dark Horse against the clock is only marginally quicker than the cars they replace, despite the notable increase in power. But that still equates to being faster than you’ll ever need on the street and most tracks. Handling Package-equipped Dark Horses manage to out-handle their forebearers, thanks to specially formulated 180-treadwear semi-slicks. However, the GT’s handling, while reportedly sharper than ever, also trails slightly in grip. This mild step down is likely due to their Premium test cars weighing roughly 100 pounds heavier than non-Premium trims and the outgoing generation GTs, as well as Ford’s odd decision to move away from their well-received Michelin tires to Pirellis PZeros. 

Or, as my generation loves to say to write off flukes: “Ha, skill issue.”

Stats

• Engine: 2.3L EcoBoost I4 (EcoBoost), 5.0L Coyote V8 (GT, Dark Horse), 5.2L supercharged V8 (GTD)
• Transmission: 10-speed automatic, Getrag 6-speed manual (GT), Tremec 6-speed manual (Dark Horse), 8-speed dual-clutch transaxle (GTD)
• Drivetrain: rear-wheel drive
• HP: 315 horsepower (EcoBoost), 480 horsepower (GT), 486 horsepower (GT w/ active exhaust), 500 horsepower (Dark Horse), approx. 800 horsepower (GTD)
• Torque: 350 lb-ft (EcoBoost), 418 lb-ft (GT, Dark Horse), 730 lb-ft (GTD)
• Redline: 6,400 rpm (EcoBoost), 7,500 rpm (GT, Dark Horse), TBA; approx. 7,400 rpm (GTD)
• Weight: approx. 3,600 pounds (EcoBoost), approx. 3,820 pounds (non-Premium GT/Dark Horse), approx. 3,920 (Premium GT, Dark Horse), TBA; approx. 3,400 pounds (GTD)
• 0 – 60 mph: approx. 5.0 seconds (EcoBoost), approx. 3.8 to 4.1 seconds (GT), approx. 3.7 to 4.0 (Dark Horse), approx. 3.2 (GTD)
• ¼-mile: approx. 13.5 seconds (EcoBoost), approx. 12.0 to 12.5 seconds (GT), approx. 11.8 to 12.3 seconds (Dark Horse), approx. 10.8 seconds (GTD)

Note that our figures are mere approximations based on existing instrumented tests of current and prior Mustangs, as you’ll see in our review round-up. Not all variants of the new S650 Mustang have been running against the clock, but their similarities with their forebearers lay a fairly trustworthy groundwork off which we can estimate. 

2024 Ford Mustang review round-up

Sadly, no one on the Acceleramota payroll has been graced by the Blue Oval’s generosity with a seat in an S650… Yet. But! There are plenty of legacy mags and veteran journos who have, and they sure as hell have had plenty to say!

From traffic-packed commuting to canyon ripping, the optional MagneRide suspension dampers cover ground with a synthesis of plushness and stability. In their firmest setting, undulating pavement can agitate the car, but not in an overly stiff or punishing way. Comfort pervades in the softest mode, without ceding poise for cutting a corner off the boulevard. Long highway cruises prove their touring aptitude, and on twisting two-lanes they return a sophisticated connection with the pavement. These are key to the 2024 Mustang’s great breadth of capability.

Alex Leanse, Motor Trend

First and foremost, the top-tier Mustang [Dark Horse] may weigh nearly 4,000 pounds, but it wears its weight well. Instead of attempting to squeeze into whatever’s on the rack at H&M, it’s comfortably slipping into athletic-cut threads at the big and tall store. This was especially true of its brakes; they never softened up or lost bite. Every time I’d dive into an incredibly late apex to enter the track’s infield, the brakes felt amply powerful and had no indication of ever fading away. Their ease of modulation and excellent pedal feel made slicing through a smorgasbord of early, late, and double-apexes both fun and trivial for any driver, no matter the skill level.

Peter Nelson, The Drive

While the Mustang EcoBoost doesn’t exactly feel at home on tight twisty roads, it’s not a sloppy mess, either. The electronically assisted steering is lacking feel but a quicker ratio over the last-gen car means hand-shuffling happens far less. The chassis is set up for safety, so the front wheels will always give up before the rear. You can make it rotate with enough patience, but just under 3,600 pounds to lug around means cars like the Mazda MX-5 Miata or Toyota GR86 are far better choices if your commute has a bunch of fun corners. The payoff is, of course, a set of semi-usable back seats and a decently-sized trunk. If twisties are your thing and you absolutely must have a four-cylinder Mustang, we recommend opting for the Performance Package, as it gets you a Torsen limited-slip differential, 19-inch wheels with summer tires, bigger Brembo brakes, and a strut tower brace.

Brian Silvestro, Road & Track

Run ragged on some of the best canyon roads Los Angeles County has to offer, the new Mustang GT is shockingly poised and well balanced. Instead of bucking through bends, the new Mustang dives in and carves through, with speeds and confidence previously only exhibited by Shelby-badged cars. Although we wish a touch more road chatter was transmitted through the new steering rack, its effort and weighting are bang on, as is the suspension tuning. As to the latter, Sport and Track noticeably stiffen things up while still allowing enough compliance to avoid upsetting the car over midcorner impacts.

Christian Seabaugh, Motor Trend

In short, it’s more of the same, but that’s a good thing if nothing groundbreaking. A better Mustang than ever before while being notably sharper and a smidge quicker, yes. Unsurprising, as reporters spout those same words with every new iteration of Mustang, but it’s a breath of fresh air nonetheless to have a car that breathes without an inhaler, shifts by your command, and sings to the high heavens with a voice unmuffled by turbo or electrified nonsense.

Well, you know. At least that’s the case for the naturally aspirated V8. Hey, nothing wrong with a Mach-E or the EcoBoost either!

The fresh interior tech works quite well, even if it raised a few eyebrows. The revised steering rack may have taken two steps forward and two steps back, trading weight and feedback for speed and accuracy. However, some journos do enjoy the lighter weighting. Driving experiences are highly subjective matters to discuss, after all. But most agree the Mustang is a worthy successor, a perfect homage to Mustangs of the past, and a decent enough improvement in most aspects of driving dynamics.

Could it be even faster? Even sharper? Of course it can! It’s a Mustang, duh! Ford knows that, and the aftermarket knows that, and the latter has already been foaming at the mouth with what they can do. Skeptics should stay tuned for that.

Race cars galore!

Nuh-uh. You aren’t leaving this page without me shoving this down your throat. 

Since the days of the S197-generation Boss 302, Ford has doubled down on its efforts positioning the Mustang to challenge the world. And what better place to do that than the circuit? The last generation saw variants based heavily upon the Shelby GT350, but now Ford aims to expand even further beyond with increasingly manic race trims of the famed nameplate. 

At the bottom rung sit the Dark Horse S and the Dark Horse R, stripped-down and relatively tame track-only editions of the Dark Horse road car. Little is known about the S other than being the less aggressive stablemate to the R. The latter comes ready to race out of the box, with road car-based aero, a traditional six-speed stick, and a virtually unchanged 5.0-liter Coyote V8, which even uses the same factory airboxes. It appears like a lightly modified Dark Horse road car from a distance – psst, if you really want the wheels, they’ll soon be a Ford Performance catalog part. A neat party piece to the R is the shim-based camber plates, which adjust by removing or adding shims to tweak the camber to the driver’s liking while being far less likely to come out of alignment than tightening down some bolts. Get ready to see these tear it up at advanced track days, club racing events, and the soon-to-launch Mustang Challenge series.

The Mustang GT4 ups the game with a legit wing setup pulled straight from Forza Motorsport and a more hardcore sequential gearbox. Like the Dark Horse R, there’s no Looney Toons widebody or ultra-bespoke motor. It’s still built to be a close representation of the street car, even sporting the same 5.0-liter V8. Except now, the transmission is a pneumatic dog-ring unit, and the suspension rocks dynamic spool-valve dampers by renowned builder, Multimatic, the same folks behind the dampers of the Camaro Z/28 and ZL1 1LE who helped bring the most recent Ford GT supercar to life.

Now we’re getting somewhere with the Mustang V8 Supercar built for, you guessed it, the Australian V8 Supercars series. It’s like NASCAR… But Aussie. The body is wider. The engine is horsepower-er. And the car is right-hand-drive-er. Yes, these are words now. Not much is known other than its speculated 600 horsepower output from a Coyote-based 5.4-liter V8 that breathes through a single throttle body instead of the dual design. Interestingly, it seems to be the only Ford Performance racing effort not to have any relation to the Dark Horse or Mustang road cars in general and is the only one to feature styling cues from the GT instead. Not a bad looker, either, as the last iteration was, uh, pretty damn hideous.

Atop the food chain sits the king, the one to lead the Mustang name into international motorsports stardom. The Mustang GT3 garnered acclaim and excitement for enabling the Mustang name to take on the world’s fastest, succeeding the venerable Ford GT LM GTE-Pro. There’s a carbon fiber widebody dotted with enough slots and holes to be mistaken for a Jack The Ripper victim, with the C-pillar-mounted swan neck wing acting as the cherry on top. Beneath the hood sits a unique 5.4-liter V8 co-developed with M-Sport, which, along with the V8 Supercar’s mill, are the first 5.4-liter V8s in any Mustang, race or street, since the 2012 Shelby GT500. Best of all, the groundwork set by Multimatic and the GT3 will give way to a monstrous storm brewing in the Blue Oval’s street car department.

The GTD: The storm that is approaching

Ah, lastly, we can’t forget about this. I can see it now. 

“Hey, I like your c-”

“More than you can afford, pal.”

“Huh?”

“Ford.”

“Dude, what?”

“Forget about it, cuh.”

Following much hype surrounding a possible GT3 road car, Ford debuted the flagship GTD track special, a limited-edition supercar among pony cars built in conjunction with Multimatic. And you thought all those stats I threw earlier were nonsense filler.

The Mustang GTD exercises the full brunt of what Ford can do with the S650 Mustang platform, starting by sending a body-in-white to Multimatic to receive goodies such as the stunning carbon fiber GT3-inspired widebody. However, being a road car, gave Ford and Multimatic greater liberty to exercise more high-performance muscles in their pursuit of taking on the world’s fastest. This Mustang utilizes electronically height-adjustable suspension with pushrod rear suspension, active aerodynamics, serving platter-sized carbon ceramic brakes, and tires wide enough to fluster drag racers. All this supercar mumbo jumbo works to reign in a beastly supercharged 5.2-liter V8 targeting 800 horsepower and breathing through a titanium Akrapovic exhaust. Someone’s clearly a Euro fanboy on the engineering team.

Yes. It will be fast. No, you probably can’t have one, as Ford plans to implement an application process akin to the Ford GT to allocate the 1,000 to 2,000 cars they intend to build. That is if you can swing the $300,000 expected price. That’s 911 GT3 RS money, yes, but Ford has its hopes up that it can take the RS’ lunch money while making a hell of a lot more noise. 

FAQs

Can I take a 2024 Mustang to the race track?

Of course you can. It’s America’s sports car, and part of being the car to do everything for everyone means being capable when hunting apexes or chasing the end of drag strips. Base Mustangs are competent enough for the casual driver, but the GT and EcoBoost Performance Package adds larger brakes, retuned suspensions and electronic assists, bigger wheels with wider summer tires, and additional cooling to better withstand prolonged spirited driving. For real hardcore track rats, I’d consider the sharper Dark Horse, the successor to the GT350, Mach 1, and Boss 302.

How is the aftermarket support for the 2024 Mustang?

Scarce as of now, as the new Mustang has only recently come on sale. But expect support to ramp up rapidly and spread like wildfire as R&D gets underway with popular aftermarket brands. Some companies were quick to snag up test cars to begin dyno runs and wheel fitment checks, and Ford Performance’s new best bud, RTR, has already unveiled a complete upgrade package. For now, expect the only major challenge to be tuning, as the locked ECU and the dual intake’s dual MAF sensors pose quite a hurdle for tuners. The workarounds won’t be impossible. Tuners have long proven that many “untunable” platforms. But they won’t come soon.

Can I daily a 2024 Mustang?

Ford Mustangs are splendid everyday sports cars. In their softest settings, they’re tame, relaxed pussycats with unobtrusive road noise and suspension that can be firm but never harsh, even in the most hardcore models. Expect the 2024 cars to be quite familiar, albeit with maybe a hint more compliance from the new generation of (optional) MagneRide shocks. The new level of tech in the S650 will make it far more appealing to use as a single car and in heavy traffic. While derivative, the screen-centric dash design enables drivers to see whatever they need to see without looking low down on the center stack like older Mustangs.

This is a year of milestones for motorsports. 75 years of NASCAR, McLaren’s 60th anniversary, and of course, the centenary of the Le Mans 24 Hour. Le Mans is a special race for many reasons, and this year was no exception. Ferrari’s return to the podium, the intrigue of Garage 56, and 75 years of Porsche. 

Porsche has dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning its first race in 1970 with 18 more victories to follow. After seeing Hagerty’s documentary, Racing With Giants: Porsche at Le Mans, I had the chance to speak with Patrick Long – the only American to become a factory driver for Porsche since the German manufacturer was founded nearly a century ago. His track record speaks for itself, having won Le Mans twice and podiumed five times in the 16 times he’s completed what is famously one of the most demanding races in the world.

Given his pedigree as a linchpin in Porsche’s dominating presence at Le Mans for over a decade, it was a no-brainer to have the charming Californian share some of his secrets with the Acceleramota readership. And because I’m me, I started our conversation by bringing up Jenson Button, who raced Le Mans with Garage 56 this year. In his book, How to Be an F1 Driver, Jenson, a good friend of Long’s, explains the vast differences between the preparations for this race and a race in Formula 1.

“I’ve known Jenson for over 25 years, he’s always been at the top of his game physically but this is a different kind of physicality. “Mentally, it is a long, sustained burn. You’re in a constant state of reset, reset, reset,” Long told me.

A team in the 24 Hour of Le Mans consists of three drivers, each of whom must race for at least six hours, but no more than 14. If that sounds intimidating, that’s sort of the point. Long drove Le Mans 15 consecutive times, and it wasn’t until the later years that he began to enjoy it.

Every minute matters. If you’ve seen Ford v Ferrari, you have an idea just how high the stakes can be. So precious is the price of perfection at Le Mans. “One small slip up and you aren’t even near the podium,” Long explained. The clock is always ticking.

Le Mans is and always will be a race of innovation. Long couldn’t stress this enough. “The technology of the cars changed a lot,” he said. For the manufacturer, the effects of making the best car possible are two-fold: Sure, with victory, there’s honor and glory, but the outcome of a race has a consequential influence over the next generation of road cars. What works on the track won’t always translate seamlessly to your Cayman or 911, but the ideas trickle down.

“I’m proud to say when I first went, it was H-pattern, three pedals… old school,” Long said. And that has to be rewarding in its own right, experiencing technological advancement as it transcended. Learning and growing with the times.

“I’ll tell you my physicality probably went down a notch, but my mental stress went up when we got air conditioning,” Long admitted. “It depletes you in such a different way when you’re pounding the car ten-tenths every lap.” 

20 years ago, you’d have the time to break and fix things on the fly without compromising your position to win. Not so much anymore. As cars become more capable and more resilient, drivers have to make do with fewer stops along the way.

“I’ll tell you what, the cars can really take a beating now; the floors, the suspension, hitting the curbs and just leaning on the cars.” The unfathomable force that propels the drivers of Le Mans is not to be underestimated, especially at speeds over 200mph.

Tires have come a long way as well. “They can take so much more impact and you can run them so hard for the entire stint without drop off,” Long points out.

Le Mans is still a race of fortified mental strength, however, even with the upgraded gear. “I do enjoy the older stuff a bit more as it makes this a thinking man’s race, strategic.”

Herculean endurance conditions aside, what sets Le Mans apart from other high-profile races, particularly in the United States, is the cultural diversity. “Racing with American teams, German teams, French teams … can all be so different in communication style, but in the end, the objective is international.” Living proof that a winning mentality is its own universal language.

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It’s in the downtime that these distinctions become more readily apparent. In his book, Jenson wasn’t exaggerating when he mentioned that while racing with Italians, the espresso machines were working overtime. “The height of the coffee is how you knew who was from where,” Long joked.

“Where there is a language barrier, it can be very frustrating,” he added, going on to describe the importance of bringing in interpreters to disseminate pertinent information not easily communicated between team members with varying native tongues. “Talk to the team, they run the show. Get me that answer quickly or vice-versa.” 

This came in handy when Long started racing with actor (and now professional racing driver) Patrick Dempsey, who had a lot he could learn from more seasoned drivers. “I raced [at Le Mans] three years in a row with Dempsey – communication is so important at high speeds. It’s high stress.”

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And Dempsey isn’t alone. In fact, celebrity actors are having a moment in motorsports. Michael Fassbender raced with Proton this year, driving a Porsche 911 no less. Nicholas Hoult recently participated in Ferrari’s Challenge racing series. And Frankie Muniz now drives full-time in the ARCA Menards Series for Rette Jones Racing.

But while some are approaching motor racing from a place of genuine passion, just as many celebrities and multi-millionaires are jumping on the bandwagon because they can, and have the deep pockets to do so. 

“There has always been a love affair between Hollywood and Le Mans.” Dempsey grew up aspiring to this race, it was a life goal. Like climbing Everest or running the New York Marathon. It’s the ultimate challenge to get there. 

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“Yes, it takes money, but it takes qualification.” There is a certain level of humbling that happens for many celebrities who set out to achieve the same level of prestige in racing as they have in Hollywood. Doing so takes commitment. “Putting in the hours to get you to a place where you aren’t a danger to yourself or others is true dedication.” 

In their first year racing together, Long emphasized Dempsey’s initial trepidation with performance driving, even with the proper training. “I was so on edge and not comfortable with his driving.” But Dempsey didn’t relent. He gave Long full control over his training regiment and often covered the cost of resources. “He was so trusting of me and engaged. I believe that’s why he’s been more successful where others have not been.”

Dempsey finished second in his class in 2015, harkening back to Paul Newman who finished second overall in 1979. “What Patrick achieved in the modern day is nothing short of brilliant,” Long commended.

It was fascinating seeing the two Patricks cross paths, as Long was at the pinnacle of his career at the time. “I was in a factory car, with all factory drivers, racing in my home country when I got the call.” Dempsey wouldn’t take no for an answer. Long recalled Dempsey’s agent telling him, “You’re the only guy he’ll accept to do this.” Long’s initial uncertainty turned into success at unforeseen levels. “It probably did more for me than staying put where I was.”

“This was certainly one of the proudest moments in my career, emotionally and we came [in] second.” It’s not often you hear a driver say how fulfilling a second-place finish is. “What I saw in him was a true life achievement. That is pretty frickin’ special.”

The relief of crossing the finish line at Le Mans is a feat in its own right, let alone coming in just behind the frontrunner. “We went through so much in those three years, and fair play to Porsche, too, for investing in him.” 

Dempsey, who has a reputation for being likable on and off the track, naturally attracted new racing fans. “The engagement numbers Dempsey was pulling in were higher than Audi. His following in France was incredible.”

The experience resulted in an unexpected friendship. Even with his newfound dual-celebrity status, Dempsey remained gracious, polite, and patient, and he certainly didn’t mind the first-class treatment on an international scale.

To see a documentary like Racing with Giants come together alongside this comradery was endearing. Long is a producer as well as a historian, rife with a deep, encyclopedic knowledge of Porsche history, which he himself has helped shape. “There are some great people in this film. It was so nice to bring Patrick [Dempsey] into this project,” Long reflects.

Le Mans is a cornerstone of racing culture, a place where stories of triumph and tenacity are penned in tire tracks and echoed in roaring engines. Porsche, with stalwarts like Patrick Long at the helm, has authored some of the most exhilarating chapters in a 100-year-old spectacle that continues to draw new crowds from exceptional drivers. As automotive technology advances, making motorsports more accessible than ever, time will tell who celebrity protégés like Dempsey will inspire to the podium next.

Jump to:

• Price and release date
• Specs and performance
• Design
• Interior and tech
• What to buy instead
• Alfa Romeo depreciation

On a livestream previously thought to be an announcement for a new 6C, Alfa Romeo unveiled, well, something not that far off. Based on the old 33 Stradale from the ’60s, which itself was based on the Tipo 33 Alfa racing prototype, the 2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is a mid-engine, two-seat Italian supercar that’s also available as an EV, making it the first true Alfa Romeo electric car, for the purists who don’t count plug-in hybrids.

I know what you’re thinking, “Hell yeah, brother! Sign me up!” However, I regret to inform you the new Stradale sold out before it was even announced. Oh, and only 33 of them will be made. Ever. Then again, if you think about it glass half full, that’s a 3200% increase over the production volume of the single Giulia SWB Zagato Alfa sold to a German car collector in late 2022. But unlike the Giulia Zagato, all 33 customers who purchased the 2024 Stradale were pre-selected by Alfa Romeo to create their own personalized renditions of the car in collaboration with an internal team of designers. For that reason, no two Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale will be exactly alike. Because consistency is the enemy of Italian engineering.

While the novelty of reviving a classic sports car from half a century ago with today’s tech is an attractive premise, the 33 Stradale is little more than a concept car for billionaires to hold hostage in a garage and never drive. Or maybe I’m just jealous. Who can say? Whatever the case may be, Alfa says more like this is on the way. I can only hope that means more high-performance sports coupes with timeless interiors, mid-mounted engine layouts, and a low center of gravity – not just more limited-run special editions for the uber-rich and SUVs for everyone else. At least with the proliferation of EVs, those last two bits are all but guaranteed.

2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale price and release date

Prior to the reveal of the 33 Stradale, Alfa confirmed in an email to Acceleramota that all 33 units had already been sold. To be more precise, they were sold at the end of 2022. The affluent 33 Stradale customers paid more than €1.5 million (roughly $1.6 million USD) apiece, according to Automotive News Europe. Alfa says 2-3 units will be produced every month, with the first delivery slated for December 17, 2024. That just so happens to be the 57th anniversary of the 1967 car of the same name.

See Alfa Romeo inventory near you on CarGurus

Model	Starting price
2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio	$81,855 USD
2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio	$87,770 USD
2024 Maserati GranTurismo Modena	$174,000 USD
2024 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore	$205,000 – $215,000 USD (estimated)
2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (ICE)	$1.6 million USD (estimated)
2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (EV)	$1.6 million USD (estimated)

2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale specs and performance

If we’re being honest, though, the purpose of the Stradale isn’t to profit from its sales directly but to raise Alfa Romeo’s profile and sell more cars at the dealership. It’s a glorified concept car for a select few members of the wealthy elite, so that you, too, will covet an Alfa Romeo. The Giulia, Stelvio, and Tonale – the only three Alfa Romeo sells in the United States – share similar styling to the 33 Stradale, and the Quadrifoglio (QV) models even have a more potent version of the same engine.

While, in many other ways, the 33 Stradale has a lot more in common with the 2024 Maserati GranTurismo, the Stradale powertrain is based on the Giulia QV’s Ferrari-derived 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6, according to Motor1.com, as opposed to Maserati’s Nettuno engine. Still, the displacement is about the same and both twin-turbo V6 engines are found in supercars from Italian brands owned by the same company. The comparable spec sheets are no strange coincidence.

Model	Powertrain	Performance output	Transmission	0-60	Top speed	Weight / Dimensions	Chassis	Wheels
2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio	2.9L twin-turbocharged V6	505 hp, 443 lb-ft torque	8-speed automatic (ZF)	3.8 seconds	191 mph	182.6x 73.8x 56.1″ (LWH); 3,806 lbs	Double wishbone suspension (front), five-link suspension (rear), anti-roll bars, anti-roll bars (front and rear), cast iron Brembo brakes	245/35ZR19 (front), 285/30ZR19 (rear); 111.0″ wheelbase
2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio	2.9L twin-turbocharged V6	505 hp, 443 lb-ft torque	8-speed automatic (ZF)	3.6 seconds	191 mph	110.9×77.0x66.3″ (LWH); 4,309 lbs	Double wishbone suspension (front), five-link suspension (rear), anti-roll bars, anti-roll bars (front and rear), cast steel Brembo brakes	255/40ZR20 (front), 285/35ZR20 (rear); 110.9″ wheelbase
2024 Maserati GranTurismo	3.0L twin-turbocharged V6	542 hp, 538 lb-ft torque	8-speed DCT automatic transmission (ZF)	3.8 seconds	202 mph	195.2–195.5×77.0x53.3″ (LWH); 3,844 lbs	Double wishbone suspension (front, five-link suspension (rear), anti-roll bars (front and rear), steel Brembo brakes	245/35ZR20 (front), 285/35ZR20 (rear); 115.3″ wheelbase
2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (ICE)	2.9L twin-turbocharged V6	612 hp, torque TBD	8-speed DCT automatic transmission (ZF)	<3 seconds	206 mph	<3,307 lbs	Full double wishbone suspension, virtual steering axle, anti-roll bars, carbon ceramic Brembo brakes	245/35R20 (front), 305/30R20 (rear); 106.3″ wheelbase

The same goes for the battery-electric version of the 33 Stradale, which houses the same tri-motor configuration as the GranTurismo Folgore while making about the same power. At any rate, if you’ve got deep pockets but not, like, $1.9 million deep, the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore is right around the corner – for a lot less money if the $205,000 – $215,000 estimates turn out to be true.

Model	Powertrain	Performance output	0-60	Top speed	Electric range	Battery capacity	Weight	Dimensions	Chassis
2024 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore	3 electric motors	761 hp, 995.7 lb-ft torque	2.7 seconds	202 mph	240 miles (est.)	83 kWh	4,982 lb	195.2-195.5 x 77.0 x 53.3 in (LWH);	255/35ZR20 (front), 295/30ZR20 (rear)
2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (EV)	3 electric motors	750 hp, torque TBD	<3 seconds	192+ mph	280 miles	90 kWh	<4,630 lbs	182.6 x 77.4-85.5 x 49.8 inches (LWH)	245/35R20 (front), 305/30R20 (rear); 106.3″ wheelbase

2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale design

As I noted earlier, the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale takes us back to a simpler time, 1967, when the world treated our global fuel supply as if it were endless. Gas prices were of no concern, and we didn’t yet fully understand the environmental impact of slapping a naturally aspirated V8 on just about anything with a chassis.

Nevertheless, on the outside, the 33 Stradale stays true to its roots, with sharp yet functional styling, minimal body lines, and an Italian design ethos that is distinctly Alfa Romeo. And it wouldn’t be an Alfa without the scudetto grille prominently on display, as every model has done since the 6C 2500 in the late 1930s. Because of its low center of gravity and wide stance, it should be able to cut through wind, generating enough downforce to corner at speeds that would lift most cars off the ground. Thanks to its active shock absorbers, the 2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale’s double-arm suspension automatically adjusts to the terrain, making it as comfortable to drive on the road as it is on the track. In fact, that’s where its name comes from: ‘stradale’ translates from Italian to ‘road-going’ or ‘street-legal’.

Although the original Stradale weighed merely 1,543 pounds, modern safety and CAFE standards, as well as the inclusion of electronic luxuries in every vehicle have seen to it that even the lightest sports cars exceed 3,000 pounds. It’s probably for the best, though. Imagine pushing 612 horses in a 0.75-ton car with no modern safety features. No thanks!

Known for its unique, vibrant paint colors, it comes as no surprise that Alfa gave 2024 Stradale customers a decent-sized palette to choose from, most of which won’t be found on Alfa’s other current cars. The three standard options are Villa d’Este (tinted clearcoat red), a refashioned Royal Blue, and the classic Rosso Alfa (Alfa Red). Alternatively, nostalgic 33 Stradale buyers had the choice to outfit their ride in a white and red livery, a retro throwback to the Tipo 33 design.

2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale interior and tech

Here’s where the Stradale will be polarizing among people who weren’t the target demographic anyway: the interior isn’t quite as high-tech as many consumers have grown accustomed to. You won’t find a giant tablet in the center stack as you would in a Tesla Model X, nor does it claim any sort of ‘auto-pilot’ mode. Inside, it’s more Bugatti Chiron than Mercedes EQS.

As I’ve quoted countless times, and I’ll continue to quote countless times more, Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato has gone on record saying, “I don’t sell an iPad with a car around it, I sell an Alfa Romeo.” Still one of the most badass things the head of a car company has said since Enzo Ferrari argued, “The client is not always right.” (Although, Fiat discontinuing the color gray because it’s boring is a strong contender.)

The Stradale is intended as a true driver’s car, unencumbered by a dizzying array of touch screens and scroll wheels. There’s a digital instrument cluster behind the wheel, a small UConnect-based infotainment display, and an aluminum control panel in the center console. Above the rotary gear shift are a mishmash of knobs and dials for changing drive modes, adjusting the suspension, and even controlling the sound of the exhaust – you know, so you can tone it down a bit while your neighbors are sleeping. From the photos, you’ll notice a set of extra physical controls positioned along the center of the car’s interior roof. Unfortunately, the only one I can see is the hazard light switch. I’ve reached out to Alfa Romeo for clarification on the other overhead inputs.

The best Alfa Romeo cars you can actually buy, used and new

Don’t have $2 million and a time machine?

Because it’s impossible to buy a Stradale, not to mention prohibitively expensive for most people to begin with, those interested in driving a modern Alfa Romeo might want to take a peek at used listings on CarGurus. While the 2024 Giulia‘s 505-horsepower Quadrifoglio (QV) trim sells for north of $80K, you can pick up a lightly driven one for less than $50,000 if you’re willing to travel for it. I should know – back in May, I drove six hours each way to trade in my BMW 4 Series for a 2018 Alfa Red Giulia QV and haven’t looked back.

After putting another 5,000 miles on the odometer, so far the only major problem I’ve had was when one of my blinkers went out and I had to replace the headlight. Granted, that was an expensive and time-consuming fix that resulted in me taking it to the dealer, but so long as you opt for a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty, you’re golden (I recommend Mopar Maximum Care, which covers my Gabagiulia for up to 96,000 miles).

Though it’s not quite the same as pushing a relatively lightweight-for-2023, four-door super sedan with a low center of gravity, you can squeeze the about same power out of a Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV, the only way to get a QV with all-wheel-drive. In some cases, the Stelvio is even cheaper. Even if it still handles more like an SUV than a sports car, it’s just as fast off the line as the Giulia QV – both can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds.

Not all Alfas are equal, though. Some models are less about performance and more about making that timeless Alfista style and handling to the everyday driver. Maybe you don’t need 505 horsepower and you’d rather have better fuel mileage and save some money on your lease. In that case, you can find a secondhand Alfa Romeo Giulia without the Ferrari V6 for less than a new Nissan Altima, and it’s probably just as reliable, if not more so because CVT. Plus, unlike the Quadrifoglio trim, which is built for the track, the

You can also get an Alfa Romeo Stelvio with a 2-liter turbocharged four-banger. It’s basically the same thing as the four-cylinder Giulia except it’s an SUV. Not to sound like a broken record, but if you are considering a new Stelvio, I strongly encourage you to at least test drive an Alfa Romeo Tonale. I know it’s a lame mom car or whatever and the Dodge Hornet is the same thing but cheaper if you don’t buy the PHEV and make false equivalencies between trim levels – but trust me on this! The torque hits different in a hybrid.

Why do Alfa Romeos depreciate so much?

Truth be told, the answer is complicated. No, they’re not as unreliable as the haters make them out to be. Or at least no less reliable than their German counterparts. Before 2014, when the mid-engine 4C was released, Alfa Romeo had been absent in the United States since 1995. Sure, there was the Alfa 8C in 2008, but between the Competizione grand tourer and the Spider convertible, only 125 units made it stateside. So even though Alfa led the pack in JD Power’s initial quality survey in June 2023, repairs and maintenance are mostly relegated to a limited network of dealers.

Although its sales and service presence has grown 40% since its reintroduction to the States almost a decade ago, there are still only 130 dealerships open across the entire country, according to ScrapeHero, an online data collection and aggregation service. That includes the 107 Fiat and three Maserati dealerships that also sell Alfas. All 130 are spread across just nine states, the vast majority of which are concentrated in major metropolitan areas in states like Florida, California, and Texas. 18 of these locations are within 100 miles of where I live in New York City.

See Alfa Romeo inventory near you on CarGurus

Regardless of badge or nameplate, cars today are more difficult than ever to service yourself. This is due in part to the sheer number of components required to increase performance while simultaneously reducing emissions. As a result, carmakers are forced to get creative with the engine bay layout, adding things like turbochargers to keep improving performance despite housing fewer (or no) cylinders. Moreover, the technology we now take for granted – built-in navigation, backup cameras, parking sensors, and heated seats – are all nice to have, but it also means more parts to break… parts that can obstruct other parts, making it harder to replace them yourself.

Take your Alfa to an independent repair shop, and most mechanics will look at you puzzled for a minute before sending you back to the dealership. And when you only have 130 to choose from, chances are you’ll have to travel. Even here in Manhattan, the Maserati dealership where I would’ve gotten my Alfas serviced closed the same month I bought the Giulia. Fortunately, there are about eight others I can reach in an hour or less by car. But I’m in the minority. The next time you see a suspiciously good deal on a Giulia in Nebraska, bear in mind that in a state with 1.9 million people scattered across nearly 80,000 square miles, there is only one Alfa Romeo dealer.

Back to the question, for those asking whether an Alfa Romeo is worth it after seeing the 33 Stradale in all its glory, remember, you can’t be a “true petrolhead” without having owned one. Just kidding.

Earlier this week, Ford invited Acceleramota down to Brooklyn for an early look at a blacked-out special edition of the Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum trim. Naturally, it’s called the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Black, and it offers little more over the regular Platinum model than a few edgier styling choices, including a matte black wrap, standard 22-inch black wheels, black badges, 10 black Bang & Olufsen speakers – you get the idea.

When deliveries start in early 2024, the Lightning Platinum Black will be first production truck with a matte black wrap in Ford’s history. Special edition ‘Blacked-out’ trims of existing models are nothing new for car companies, or even trucks for that matter. Stellantis sells a ‘Night Edition’ Ram 1500, GM has ‘Midnight’ versions of both the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra Denali, and there’s even a ‘Midnight Edition’ Nissan Frontier.

2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum vs Lightning Platinum Black

Feature	2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum (w/ no additional options)	2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Black
Exterior paint	Oxford White	Matte Black
Wheels	20-inch polished aluminum	22-inch polished aluminum
Badging	Platinum	Platinum Black
Interior	Light Slate Gray leather	Black Onyx leather
Other features	Panoramic sunroof, Bang & Olufsen 8-speaker audio system, 360-degree camera system, Panoramic sunroof, Bang & Olufsen audio system, 360-degree camera system	Exclusive Platinum Black interior accents, Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker audio system w/ subwoofer

Ford F-150 Lightning: see prices at CarGurus

The overlap between well-to-do pickup truck drivers and goths, I imagine, is pretty small. Still, Ford believes enough exist to make 2,000 of ’em at $99,990 apiece – nearly six grand more than the Lightning Platinum without the brooding blackout accouterments. Not counting the base “Pro” model, which is “currently unavailable” on the Ford website and has been since before I launched Acceleramota. The average MSRP of an F-150 Lightning across trim levels is $79, 243 – nearly $30K more than that of the mid-size Ford Ranger pickup; the Lightning is $12,000 more than the gas-powered F-150 as well.

As our own Nathan Meyer reported in his must-read coverage of the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq, the average price of a new electric vehicle (roughly $67K) is much closer to that of a luxury car ($74K) than new vehicles overall ($48K). For The American Prospect last month, columnist Harold Meyerson argued, that the reason Ford’s bleeding money on EVs is not because Americans aren’t interested, but because car companies have strategically positioned EVs as a “premium” option.

“The big problem for EVs from a price standpoint is that the whole industry has decided that the only way to cater to American tastes is to make their EV fleet out of trucks and SUVs, eliminating the economical sedans that might be affordable.”

Harold Meyerson, The American Prospect

Unlike the Lightning, the base model internal combustion engine (ICE) F-150 XL starts at $33,835. Not only will Ford dot com tell you where you can get one, but you can order your truck piecemeal, allowing you to choose your creature comforts – and forego the features you don’t need. In the case of the F-150, up until 2023, the base model was about as barebones as you could get: seat adjustments, locks, and even windows all lacked electronic power inputs. (Yes, manual windows were only discontinued this year!) While it does have an infotainment system, the display was less prominent than that of higher trims.

Sure, I imagine most Americans want a vehicle with power windows and locks. But, believe me when I say that some don’t. My grandfather, for example, literally lives on his farm. Where he lives, in the rural sprawl of the Eastern Shore, Maryland, you have to drive about half a mile down the street to make a phone call. Ostensibly, he is the target audience for a new pickup. Even the Lightning, which Ford describes as a “true, purpose-built work truck.”

Yet, rather than shell out for inessential frills, my grandfather owns a current-generation base model F-150 with rear-wheel drive (RWD), and I think that’s great! In fact, most workers you see on farms today are still rocking old Chevy C/Ks, F-150s, and Toyota Pickups from the 90s and early 2000s, back when they were small! While Ford’s marketing will have you convinced the F-150 Lightning is built for the American working class, the real starting price tells a different story, and the new, even more prohibitively expensive Platinum Black raises the ceiling without lowering the floor. Putting aside for a moment Ford is a corporation that values high margins over affordability, this fun little side project is a waste of resources when lower-cost trims are still hard to find. Not to mention it makes Forcd seem out of touch with its intended base.

Naturally, the choice to luxury-wash EVs only intensifies the air of skepticism felt by half the U.S. population. Of course, as emission regulations tighten and states like California – if it were a country, the fifth largest economy in the world – pledge to ban gas-powered cars by 2035, affordable EVs aren’t a matter of if but when. In the meantime, color-swapping an EV version of America’s favorite truck that costs damn-near-$100K isn’t the flex Ford thinks it is. If anything, publicity stunts like the Platinum Black (let’s be honest, that’s what this is) further sour the blue-collar ethos it claims to uphold.

Ford isn’t the only, or even the worst, offender when it comes to the “luxification” of EVs. As with many trends in this segment, Tesla started it with the Model S and everyone else followed suit. But, knowing I could buy a slightly used Ferrari California for around the same price as the F-150 Lightning Platinum Black, I have two words of advice for the Ford executive looking down at this blog from their ivory tower: crank windows.

Earlier this month, we were somehow entrusted with media credentials for Electrify Expo at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, just East of New York City (not too far from where we hold NYCars & Coffee each week). This little EV-focused festival was less New York International Auto Show and more CES, minus all the boring stuff from CES that doesn’t sit on four wheels. Unlike a traditional media expo full of idle concept cars designed to drum up headlines, Electrify Expo gave us the chance to drive cars that are already out, but without the anxiety-inducing pressures that come with test-driving at a dealer.

Although we didn’t have time to take every car on display out for a spin, we at least had the opportunity to get up close and personal with a few notable models from top carmakers like Lexus, Ford, Volvo, and Tesla. Without getting too in the weeds, I do have Some Opinions on the cars we saw. No, that doesn’t include the Ford Lightning. I did drive it, but I’ll save those thoughts for another day. Maybe when I’ve moved on mentally from the Fisker Alaska.

1. Mustang Mach-E GT

I unabashedly love the GT version of the Mach-E. The base Mach-E is whatever, but Electrify Expo flawlessly demonstrated why the Mach-E GT deserves a second look. For one, they hired a professional drifter to burn those tires bald, and that was a feat to behold. My car can do 0-60 in about 3.5 seconds, but 3.8 hits different when you’ve got instant torque. That it can handle like this while looking like that is a testament to the potential for fun driving in EVs and crossover SUVs alike when a carmaker cares about delivering an engaging experience for the driver rather than another cookie-cutter commuter car.

Whenever Ford is inevitably forced to turn off the lights on the Dark Horse, the Mach-E GT has established a solid enough baseline for what we can expect from the next generation of Mustang sports coupes.

Mustang Mach-E GT: see local prices near you

2. Lexus RZ

The Lexus RZ has stirred up controversy recently, not only for its steer-by-wire system but Toyota’s also taken a page out of Tesla’s book and decided normal people need F1-style steering yokes. While I sadly didn’t get the chance to drive the yoke-equipped model, I did drive an RZ with a regular steering wheel and it was just as unremarkable as I anticipated given its shared DNA with the underwhelming Toyota bZ4X. Just get a Prius, and if that’s not lavish enough, meet the Toyota Crown.

Lexus RZ: see local prices near you

3. BMW i5

I said it in the newsletter, and it’s even truer now that I’ve seen it showcased next to the repulsive BMW iX: the new 5 Series looks fire, and the BMW i5 M60 is the best of the bunch. I’ve gone on record saying the BMW i4 M50 is the best EV I’ve driven, and that still holds true today.

At least as far as design goes, the electric 5 Series M takes all the positive qualities of the i4 M50 – 500+ horsepower with a sub-4 second 0-60 speed on a rear-biased AWD platform – and pairs them with a front end I hate a little less. It also helps that on its other side was the BMW i7, which I lamented as my worst driving experience in recent memory.

BMW i5: see local prices near you

4. Volvo EX30

Mark my words: No matter how this little crossover SUV turns out, the Volvo EX30 will print money. I came this close (imagine my thumb and pointer finger very close together) to reserving one before my wife told me not to because she wanted the Alfa Romeo Tonale.

She made the right call, however, since 1) We needed a car and the EX30 doesn’t come out until next summer and 2) I don’t fully trust Geely with a Chinese-made Volvo. Not necessarily because it’s made in China – hell, the MacBook Pro I’m typing on was, too – but because most other Volvo models are still manufactured in Sweden. This was clearly a move to cut costs. Whether that means cutting corners remains to be seen.

Volvo EX30: see our full preview

5. Ford Eluminator concept truck

Did you know you can buy a Mach-E motor from Ford’s website and swap it into any vehicle it fits? I didn’t either until I saw the Ford Eluminator concept truck, which is less of a truck and more of an overarching concept. For a little over four grand, Ford is saying you can put an electric motor with 480-horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque in a 1978 F-Series pickup, sure. But you can also do your best RDJ impression and get a little more creative. For instance, if you’re mad about the Mach-E because it’s an SUV and not a proper Mustang, why not build your own electric muscle car? Show Ford how it’s done.

Browse local new and used inventory at CarGurus

Honorable mention: Tesla Model X

“It’s not a recession,” they say. Stop blowing your paychecks on avocado toast and someday you, too, can afford to live in a Tesla Model X.

Tesla Model X: see local inventory near you

The U.S. electric pickup truck market is the latest automotive gold rush, and Fisker – whose Ocean SUV has only reached 22 customers so far – wants in. But even with a sharp focus on sustainability (similar to the Polestar 4), practical power, and the world’s biggest cupholder, the Fisker Alaska EV pickup has its work cut out for it.

Seriously, the competition is fierce. The 2024 Chevy Silverado EV is around the corner and the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T are just waiting for another unworthy rival to overshadow. Then again, judging by its exterior styling in the high-quality renderings Fisker provided to Acceleramota, the Fisker Alaska wants to be more Huracan Sterrato than Silverado.

Don’t be fooled by its exotic appearance, though. The Fisker Alaska is being manufactured from the in the U.S. of A. There’s still a chance to beat Tesla to the punch. After all, the Fisker Alaska has reached the same number of customers as the long-delayed Cybertruck.

What’s even better than all that though? Everything about it was built in the U.S. of A. The Fisker Alaska will be built right in the country of its namesake. Fisker is also committed to producing this one at scale, so you won’t have to wait three years to buy it, allegedly.

2025 Fisker Alaska price and specs

Pricing for the 2025 Fisker Alaska starts at $45,400 before tax incentives. The real kicker here is that you get large pickup storage in a mid-size truck.

• Price: $45,400
• Battery capacity: 75 kWh and 113 kWh
• Electric range: 230 to 340 miles
• 0-60 speed: 3.9–7.2 seconds (depending on trim)
• HP: horsepower and other performance metrics TBA

2025 Fisker Alaska interior and tech

The Fisker Alaska appears to be full of character, inside and out. Suede inserts with noir leather give it hunting-trip-with-dad vibes. A big cowboy hat holder on the roof in the rear is stunning and brave, and the flat rear glass not only improves rear visibility, but it also helps the cabin feel roomier. This cozy lounge feel carries over to the front with wood inserts, a giant center screen, and soft-touch surfaces.

The longest bed in its class

What would you do with a 9.2-foot truck bed? That’s what you’ll get when the powered liftgate is down on the 2025 Fisker Alaska. The rear wall and window come down in what Fisker calls the “Houdini door,” allowing the whole rear cabin space to be used for larger items. If you’re a camper, this means more sleeping space, and for surfers, a lot more room for your buds and boards.

The world’s biggest cupholder

Americans like BIG things. BIG Gulps, BIG trucks, and even BIGGER hospital bills. So a massive cup holder is a no-brainer. The largest Mcdonald’s cup is 32 ounces. Venturing even further into soft drink heaven, the Team Gulp from 7-Eleven is 128 oz. Henrik Fisker drank from what looked to be a 128-ounce water bottle. That said, this mega cupholder can be removed if you want to use smaller cups, like a chud.

Practical storage

Fisker looks to be taking a page out of the Rivian handbook when it comes to cargo space. The Alaska has cockpit storage for work gloves, a large center armrest for flashlights and pens, and a passenger tray with a tablet holder. If the mega cupholder is any indication, plenty of optional accessories and Fisker-themed doo-dads will be sold alongside the Alaska.

2025 Fisker Alaska range and charging

Data on the charging capabilities of the Fisker Alaska has yet to be announced. For some reference, you can look at our EV explainer to get an idea of what you can realistically expect based on present standards.

Fisker is currently partnering with CATL to supply its Ocean SUV batteries. We expect similar usage of the NMC cells for the lower spec Alaska and the LiFePO4 cells for the top trim. CATL are world-leaders in EV battery tech and works with most of the top EV makers.

The Fisker Alaska will be manufactured in the U.S.

Details are scarce, but Fisker says it will manufacture U.S. models of the Alaska domestically in its home country. Magna Steyr will partner with Fisker to produce Euro-spec models. The Alaska is being produced alongside the Pear, its other electric SUV, at its refurbished Lordstown, Ohio plant.

Stop! Shut up for a sec. About this Hyundai Elantra N, you’re telling me the same company that made shitpile Sonatas back in the day is now selling a near-300-horsepower rocket sled with a stick or dual-clutch, handling to shame a 3 Series, and over 30 mpg on the freeway for under thirty-five grand?

Nuh-uh!

But such is the 2023 Hyundai Elantra N. Once again, we receive yet another wonderfully unexpected gift from South Korea, like spa-grade skin care products and squid ink corndogs. We know it’s going to be good. Downright grand, even, especially given the now-defunct Veloster N, whose heart plus some bones were transplanted here. But just how good are we talking? Because in this segment, it doesn’t just pay to be merely good. 

For some time now, the sport compact breed has been an endangered species, a category of driver’s cars occupied by pan flashes of greatness and slivers of hope for the blue-collar enthusiast. Hyundai’s continued participation is nothing short of a breath of fresh air. But it takes serious performance cred to make an impact nowadays, something the Elantra N’s forebearer had no issue with doing. With the Veloster gone, the Elantra carries the torch as Hyundai’s champion in the category and all the expectations that go with it.

Thankfully, the Elantra N, with all that weight on its shoulders, was eager to show its true colors during three days of SoCal adventuring. This Hyundai had a lot to prove. And boy, were there some things to show for it.

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• Specs
• Design
• Colors
• Price
• Interior and tech
• Daily driving
• Performance driving

2023 Elantra N price and specs

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Lo and behold! The Elantra N does indeed boasts fairly admirable numbers. To summarize in one sentence, the N occupies a niche directly beneath Civic Type R, Volkswagen Golf R, GR Corolla, and the deceased Focus RS, but its stats are within a breath, if not on par, with all of them. 

Hyundai Elantra N: see local prices near you

• Base price: $32,900
• As-tested price: $34,465
• Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four
• Transmission: 8-speed DCT (as-tested) // 6-speed manual
• Drivetrain: front-wheel drive
• HP: 276 horsepower (286 with overboost) @ 6,000 rpm
• Torque: 289 pound-feet @ 2,100 rpm
• Redline: 6,700 rpm
• Weight: approx. 3,300 pounds (8DCT) //  approx. 3,200 pounds (6MT)
• 0 – 60 mph: 4.8 seconds (8DCT) //  5.1 seconds (6MT)
• ¼-mile: 13.4 seconds @ 106 mph (8DCT) // 13.8 seconds @ 103 mph (6MT)
• MPG: 20 city, 30 highway, 23 combined (8DCT) // 22 city, 31 highway, 25 combined (6MT)
• Observed MPG: 30.4 mpg
• Fuel Capacity: 12.4 gallons

(Author’s Note: Performance numbers were pulled from Car and Driver, recorded in its review from July 2023)

2023 Hyundai Elantra N design

Yes, yes, yes, I get it. It’s a little ugly. It’d be a Catfish Camaro if witches hexed the Alpha-platform cars into being compact sports sedans. The Legend of Zorro body lines are love-it-or-hate-it. Oh, and the ZL1 called and asked for its pedestal spoiler back. However, that face is quite pretty if you sit it next to, let’s say,  a G80 BMW M3. 

But I’ll give them this. It’s interesting.

The Elantra N and I suppose the Elantra, as a whole, is a more aggressive and eye-catching shape than most econoboxes, hotted-up or not. And I wouldn’t say it’s egregious either, just strange in an almost-concept car sort of way. The 2024 model does clean up the face and is right around the corner.

With the Hyundai N touches, including the red accents and sharp wheels that appear as though they were plucked right off an Audi S7, this Elantra does look at home on canyon roads or sitting pretty at a Donut Media pop-up meet.

2023 Hyundai Elantra N colors

Right. Colors. Welp, you get a whopping five. Hyundai offered an extroverted shade of red but discontinued the color.

There aren’t any tasteless or gaudy hues, but they’re not exciting either. Although, it does match the mature and modern aesthetic of the Elantra N, especially when contrasting against the red on the badging, brake calipers, and side skirts. The white on my test car was the understated-yet-handsome choice, but Performance Blue is the definite power move.

The only choice for interior colors is a dreary black, which makes a slight but appreciable attempt at contrast via bright gauge colors in the digital display and an ambient light bar across the dash.

Exterior paint colors

• White: $450
• Performance Blue: $450
• Intense Blue: $0
• Cyber Gray: $0
• Phantom Black: $0

2023 Hyundai Elantra N price

If gushy first impressions and snazzy shots don’t ruffle your feathers, maybe the price tag will. Amidst Type Rs and Golf Rs deep in the $40K range and even kissing $50K before markup, the Elantra N stickers for an astonishing  $32,900, or a smidge over $34K with handling fees.

For reference, that’s within range of top-shelf trims of the less powerful Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ twins. It’s priced lower than a base Toyota GR Corolla Core but a few thousand more than a base Volkswagen Mk8 Golf GTI. Do with that as you will, but that’s one hell deal given the performance-to-practicality ratio this car delivers, which we’ll ramble about more in just a sec.

Trim levels (before taxes and fees)

• 6-speed manual: $32,900
• 8-speed DCT: $34,400

The cars come loaded and stunningly well-equipped for their class, with only minor accessories available, such as wheel locks and roadside safety kits. The only real option is a good old-fashioned stick or the $1,500 rapid-fire wet dual-clutch.

And if we want to bring the used market into the fray, know that this car directly butts heads with Focus RSs and FK8-generation Civic Type Rs of old.

2024 Hyundai Elantra N interior and tech

Fine decor

Auto journos have praised Korean automakers for some time for how much they’ve advanced themselves in the past decade or so, and the Elantra N has rightfully earned the hype. Seriously, let’s get subjective as hell right now. Look at the posh, modern elegance of Genesis luxo barges, Kia SUVs, or even Hyundai econoboxes, and tell me they can’t hold a candle to a Camry or Accord. The freshly-minted notion that Korea will rule the car market has substance behind it, and it starts with where your booty meets with the bolstering. 

The Elantra N rocks an attractive set of heated bucket seats, with holes for harness straps and an illuminated N badge as the cherry on top. Leather bolsters match the perforated leather on the wonderfully-contoured steering wheel and flank a suede bottom cushion and backrest. Physical dual-zone climate controls and a centrally-mounted radio power and volume knob sit beneath the BMW-esque digital gauge/infotainment screen combo.

Of course, even for nearly $35K as tested, this is still a Hyundai-freaking-Elantra, the diminutive runt of Hyundai’s ranks, or at least not when compared to the Accent or Veloster (rest in peace, little Velo). The N is a compact sedan cut from the same cloth as a Civic, Corolla, or Focus, meaning plenty of hard black plastics, but the Elantra sets itself apart with soft-touch points and materials that at least look premium, even if they aren’t.

The trunk is cavernous enough to hold weekend luggage for a small family, although the red chassis brace means no converting the Elantra N into an awkwardly sleek cargo van. The backseats are plenty spacious with copious legroom, even with the front seats adjusted to accommodate my six-foot passenger. However, the lack of a center armrest and dedicated rear seat climate controls remind occupants of this car’s origins on the Enterprise rental lot. And the roofline and small back door opening raise mild concerns for those with longer torsos. Or bigass foreheads. 

Enough tech to quell the Silicon Valley nerds

Equally as useful is Hyundai’s expansive suite of safety aids. Parking cameras with moving guidance lines and sensors are always a godsend in any car, as are blind-spot monitors that illuminate in the mirrors and with a graphic on the gauge cluster screen.

Adaptive cruise control with lane following is present, although I admit I never quite learned how to enable it as easily as I have in other Hyundais. I blame the two hours of sleep I had the day I took delivery. If it works anything like the Santa Cruz I drove with the same feature, I’d say it’s a mostly intelligent and smooth-operating semi-autonomous system but still requires a watchful eye.

As the cherry on top, there’s even an audible chime and visual notification in the cluster when the lead car departs at an intersection. In case, you know, you’re on your phone reading Acceleramota articles or something. Very neat. Very useful. And very much a sign of our increasingly-inattentive society, and pretty soon, we’ll need a notification to check the notification. But I’ll take it!

How well does it do Elantra things?

A (mostly) premium commuting experience on a budget

As you can imagine, all that tech-ladden goodness in this nameplate from a repentant Korean marque experiencing the glow-up of the century equates to one hell of a 9-to-5 shuttle. And that’s the best compliment I can give to any econobox. 

Strip away the N badge and the sharp-colored accents. Take away the hot engine and the gobs of power and just drive this car for what it is at its core, an Elantra, and you’ll be amazed at how far Hyundai has matured. 

While the steering can be a tad hefty, even in its most sedate mode, it’s still well-acquainted with concrete jungles, and the quick ratio lets you dart between lanes and around parking garages with minimal inputs. The ride is mostly compliant in spite of its high-performance nature until you greet some of LA’s worst potholes. Then the firm dampers and thin tire sidewalls can send a frightening crash through the whole car. But that’s a seldom occasion on only the worst of ill-maintained roads, and the body exhibits no signs of quivers.

Having experienced (and loved) the same tech in a Hyundai Santa Cruz, the tech in the Elantra N expectedly worked without a single hiccup. Wired CarPlay was as brainless as always, but the in-system navigation is no less a piece of cake and features destination searching. The sound system was a literal banger, with the equalizer able to crank out enough bass to earn it a spot at lowrider meets. All sensors and cameras worked flawlessly, and every function within the screen was as intuitive as can be and easy to switch between.

Hey, I said “mostly.”

One minor complaint was that the red illumination of the blind spot monitors in the mirrors was a bit easy to lose in the sun. Thankfully, the gauge cluster notifications more than made up for it and quickly dismissed the need to see the light in the mirrors. 

And not to be that guy, but I will be that guy. Because these bucket seats, as cool as they look and as laterally supportive as they are, kind of suck as a touring seat. I get it. The N is the performance version, but it’s still an Elantra, and its seat comfort is a big strike against its grand touring cred. My local LA friend who accompanied me quipped how he sat in lawn chairs that were more comfortable. Both of us cited the annoying lack of lumbar support or adjustment. 

A slightly nitpickier flop is fuel economy if you go DCT over the stick. You get marginally less fuel mileage despite having more gears. Then again, I’m seriously nitpicking here. And, while you can theoretically hit the EPA-rated 30 mpg, I averaged over 30 during mixed driving of mostly highways, with some city and a wee dash of balls-to-the-wall canyon driving thrown in. Even more fascinating, Car and Driver saw a jaw-dropping 37 during their highway loop. 

So basically, don’t drive like a total dickbag and then complain about gas mileage. Or better yet, opt for the purists’ stick shift and boost your miles per gallon and your smiles per mile. Your call. Either way, you’re still better off than my Mustang, even on a good day.

Owners ought to consider themselves lucky, as it’s rare a car comes along that’s this good at the split-personality act. If you thought its credentials as a 9-to-5 shuttle were impressive, wait until you get the chance to run for the twisties.

How well does it wear that N badge?

Built by N, blessed by M

And run for the twisties, you must in this car. It should be criminal to buy something like this and never experience it the way former M daddy, Albert Biermann, intended. If the students of Todo School in Fourth Stage were present-day patrons of Korea International Circuit, they’d probably be rocking a fleet of these.

No, the N doesn’t quite seem to have the on-track pretentious of a Focus RS or Type R, nor is it as cutthroat. But there’s also no reason to believe it can’t give them a run for their money at local track days. This thing is a real bully in the canyons but in a composed, calculating manner that evokes memories of Germany’s finest. 

The steering and handling are wonderfully reactive, and the Elantra N just braces for every corner with a sense of enthusiasm found in lighter cars. 3,300 pounds doesn’t mean that much when it can hustle this fast around hairpins and sweepers, thanks to the 245-wide Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and Hyundai’s electronic limited-slip differential.

Dancing With the Cars

Did you make a mistake and enter too hot? No worries. Just add more steering. Don’t even be afraid to give it a touch of throttle to power out halfway through the corner. The car just rockets around bends with hardly a lick of understeer. You can even get the tail to wag enough for a few giggles with the right amount of trail braking.

This anti-Jetta GLI inspires great confidence, from its performance to feedback and handling characteristics. Thanks to its level of cornering composure and turbo grunt, I beat back a Camaro SS 1LE and beat down a V8 Vantage into giving me a point-by in the LA canyons.

And of course that’s the truth! What choice do you have in reading this than to believe me? Try for yourself, and you’ll see. Utter brilliance! 

Unlike many rocket sleds from Germany, the Elantra N has somewhat natural steering with a much-appreciated sense of weighting under load, like a real sports car. It’s not what I’d describe as being alive with feel, but you still get a decent sense of the road and how close or far you are from the limits. There are faint wriggles and jitters through the seat and the chassis, letting you know every bit of the road without conveying a sense of harshness or cheapness. It’s genuine communication. Not that much, but it’s there. 

You can preset two custom drive modes to your liking: N Mode and your custom presets can be cycled between using the N buttons on the wheel. I found maximum kill for the powertrain with mid-level suspension and steering to be perfect, with a ride-handling balance that never upset the chassis and steering that never felt heavy to the point where you think the car put on some pounds. Like a BMW M car, it can be overwhelming at first. But then you learn what you like, set it, and forget it.

Brakes were rock solid, superbly easy to modulate in a way few modern performance cars can replicate, and fade-free, even after living out my Initial D fantasies on one of Malibu’s most dangerous and technical canyon roads. Do not attempt at home, kids! But not one complaint in the stopping department!

The little four-banger that could

But I bet you’re waiting to hear how this two-liter turbo engine feels. Well then.

By the numbers, the Elantra is on par with more focused and powerful peers, and it feels every tenth of a second as quick. It’s the perfect in-between for those who enjoy the brutal effectiveness of a German turbo motor but also the playful charm of a Japanese mill. And from one flick of a drive mode switch, it pivots from mundane commuter to wannabe rally car in a heartbeat.

There’s turbo lag that can be a treat to play with if you lug it to feel that power surge, but it’s only a tad bit tucked way down in the rev range. With the snappy, ankle-biting gearing of Hyundai’s dual-clutch, you’ve got to really be searching for lag to ever encounter it on spirited drives. Otherwise, you’re always neck-deep in that deliciously meaty powerband, which delivers its oomph in such a respectably silky manner for a four-banger that it’s easy to smash right into the hard rev limiter.

The party gets plenty more obscene with rpm-adjustable launch control and N Grin Shift (NGS), the latter working as an overboost function for 20 seconds to pump out ten more ponies.

At least the Elantra N lets you do just that, giving you greater control and autonomy over the car’s performance. Manual mode is manual mode. None of this auto-upshift at the fuel cutoff crap. You can lug gears to the absolute last second or send the revs straight to high heaven before grabbing the next via the metal shift paddles, which respond instantly to inputs and react eagerly to rapid successions of downshifts.

In auto, the gearbox does a fantastic job choosing gears, never hunting on the highway or holding gears for too long or too little in the canyons. There’s some real Goldilocks programming here. Porsche 911 PDK good? Nah. But it’ll give Volkswagen’s DSG a run for its money. 

I never sampled the manual Elantra N for those asking, but I did try the near-identical stick-and-turbo combo in a friend’s Veloster N. It’s great. Think of a slightly notchier Fiesta ST, from what I remember. Easy and accurate shifter gates with a friendly clutch. Almost a Honda but not quite.

New Hyundais: see prices at CarGurus

The Hyundai Elantra N is a worthy warrior

Not too shabby for only the second entry into Hyundai’s growing N lineup. It’s a nicer Type R and a more civilized Focus RS. At the same time, it’s more frantic than the comparably sterile Golf R or GTI while being nearly as usable on the daily grind, granted you can get to grips with the bucket seats. Other than some admittedly trivial quirks, there’s no faulting how well this car plays the split-personality role in a way few cars on this side of a Fiesta ST can. 

And, uh, ahem, the Elantra N is a hell of a lot faster than a GTI or Fiesta ST. Dare I say it can run a Type R’s fade in the canyons with the right driver? It feels as punchy as its slightly more muscular foes and nearly as razor-edged, but it wears its bargain rack tuxedo with a little more class. Of course, it’s not perfect, and rivals do accomplish certain goals far better than this car ever could out of the box. But with the utmost confidence, I declare that Korea’s addition to the sports compact pantheon walks the line between sports car godhood and mortal commuter with beauty and grace. 

Now let’s backtrack here. You’re telling me the same company that made shitpile Sonatas back in the day is now selling a near-300-horsepower rocket sled with a stick or dual-clutch, handling to shame a 3-Series, and over 30 mpg on the freeway for under thirty-five grand?

You’re goddamn right.

Hyundai Elantra N: see local prices near you