2021

Christopher Bell Becomes the First to Win Three Straight Since 2021

Christopher Bell has had a fantastic start to the NASCAR Cup Series this year. He has managed three consecutive wins in a row. This makes him the first driver to achieve this since Kyle Larson’s winning streak back in 2021. So let’s take a look at these races and what’s next for the driver.  Recent years have seen Christopher Bell become a prominent figure in the NASCAR Cup series. His achievements on the track have made Bell one of the most talked about drivers in the sport. His recent years driving for Joe Gibbs Racing has helped the American driver establish himself as a top NASCAR driver.  Bell’s winning streak  It all began at the Ambetter Health 400 on February 23. This

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2021-2024 Ford Bronco Recall for Rear Shock Absorbers

Ford Motor Company has issued a safety recall for approximately 149,449 Bronco SUVs due to a potential defect in the rear shock absorbers. The recall affects 2021-2024 model year Broncos equipped with the Badlands trim or Sasquatch package. The Issue The long flange rear shock absorbers in affected vehicles may experience corrosion between the external reservoir, mounting flange, and damper body. This corrosion can lead to the separation of the external reservoir from the shock absorber. If the external reservoir detaches, it could create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford estimates that approximately 30% of the recalled vehicles may have this defect. Affected Models Model Year Trim/Package Wheel Base 2021-2024 Badlands Short 2021-2024

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2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Yes, It’s A (Great) Mustang!

Introduced slightly more than two years ago, The Ford Mustang Mach-E, a battery-electric compact crossover SUV, went on sale a year later to a resounding, universal reaction: that’s a Mustang? Mustang purists scoffed at the 2021 debut model describing it as automotive sacrilege. Other car buyers viewed the BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) as innovative: what’s this new Mustang all about? Key Takeaways Test car: the 2021 Mustang Mach-E GT with all-wheel drive. $59,900 MSRP and $69,600 with all options. 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque in the standard GT, with 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. 270-mile EPA range for the GT (260 for the Performance Edition); the review quotes Ford’s earlier 250 and 235. Driving: Driving the crossover feels

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2021 Ford Escape PHEV delivers as new SUV option

Following global semiconductor delays, the long-promised 2021 Ford Escape PHEV debuted a few months ago, adding to the longstanding sport utility vehicle’s lineup. It’s a strong addition to the always-expanding segment of family-oriented vehicles. Sales of SUVs are nearing 50 percent of yearly vehicle sales in the United States. With the new Escape, buyers can combine the utility of a family and small business vehicle with the economy of electricity for short excursions. It also continues Ford‘s early entry into the hybrid SUV marketplace, an option that began in 2005. Key Takeaways Test car: the top-line Titanium trim of the 2021 Escape PHEV, front-wheel drive with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, 200 horsepower and a CVT. $34,320 to

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#212, 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost named Car of the Year

Early in 2021, a teenage boy witnessed a colleague and me exit a 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost at a local sandwich shop. He approached us, looked at my friend and said: “Excuse me, sir. What kind of job do I need to get to afford a car like that?” A few hours later while waiting in the Ghost at a stoplight two men in a vehicle to my right that may not have made it to its destination, caught my attention. Before the light changed, they uncorked a jubilant dance of synchronized hand signs and body gestures. I didn’t know what the display meant, but I’m certain it was a good thing. Far more expensive vehicles exist. But the Ghost, with

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2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Review: Beautiful, Expensive Beast

Not too many years ago, the term “four-door sports car” rattled automotive purists. It’s now part of the accepted lexicon only to be replaced with the latest oddity, “supercar luxury family sports sedan.” A few abound including the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S. The addition to the German stalwart manufacturer began as a 2016 model as a two-seat coupe. But a convertible and four-door sedan are now offered. The niche of niche segments also includes the Audi S7 and RS 7, BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe and M8 Gran Coupe and the Porsche Panamera. Key Takeaways Test car: 2021 AMG GT 63 S with a bi-turbo V8, 630 horsepower, a nine-speed automatic, all-wheel drive and a selectable rear-wheel-drive mode. $161,900

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#208, 2021 LA Auto Show debrief, hydrogen woes, new RV

After a 10-day public run and a two-day media preview, the LA Auto Show ended Nov. 28. It was the industry’s first major show since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Weekly Driver Podcast was on site to take in the sights and sounds. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I drove from Sacramento to Los Angeles round-trip in a 2020 Hyundai Nexo. Despite being two years old, the hydrogen-propelled SUV had been driven only about 1,500 miles. We added another 900 miles, give or take a few miles. In this episode of the podcast, we review the highlights and lowlights of the show. We discuss our experiences in the Nexo. And we abruptly switch topics in the second half of

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#205, 2021 LA Auto Show back with electric vibe

After one delay and one cancellation, the LA Auto Show is back for the first time in two years. Like many businesses, the automotive industry has suffered. But its first major auto show since the Covid-19 pandemic began will be held Nov. 19-28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. David Fortin, Head of Consumer Marketing for the event, is our guest on Episode #205 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Fortin the pending show and the expected highlights. It’s Back Founded in 1907, the LA Auto Show has built its reputation as one of the world’s most prestigious auto shows. It hasn’t been held since November 2019. As it did two years ago

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Start a Car Rental Business in 2021: Beginner Model Car Kit

The Kit Car rental business is popular worldwide. The tourism sector is slowly picking up after the pandemic. Commute restrictions have also been loosened. People are more likely to start taking leisure road trips or commuting to work. This is the right time to invest in this profitable start-up. The global car rental market size was valued at $98.14 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.6 percent between 2021 and 2028. Make the most of this predicted industry growth to help your business flourish. But you need to take careful and calculated steps to stay afloat and earn the desired revenue in the long run. Leading model makers like Premier Car Models offer beginner

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Versatile 2021 Ford F-150 has PowerBoost hybrid engine option

The 3.5-liter PowerBoost hybrid engine is offered as an option in the 2021 Ford F-150 and changes the game for V-6 engines in pickup trucks. The combination of a V-6 and a pickup truck was once relegated to use as service vehicles and for supervisors to drive. Ford’s creation of the hybrid PowerBoost has raised the V-6 to a new level of functionality and usefulness. The PowerBoost performs at the level of a V-8, uses less gasoline, and takes advantage of proven technology to handle wear and tear once reserved for V-8 engines. An Overview of the Ford 3.5-liter PowerBoost The Ford 3.5-liter PowerBoost is a hybrid currently used in the manufacturer’s F-series of full-sized pickups starting in 2021. It’s

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2021 Ford F-150 4×4 SuperCrew Lariat Hybrid Electrifying

The Ford F-Series of pickup trucks has been at the top of the automotive world so long, the manufacturer could slide along for a few years without worry. But that hasn’t happened. Trucks dominate yearly sales figures and Ford likes its perch. As such, the carmaker adds and tweaks its trucks, offers variations of variations. It keeps ahead of rivals and their continued attempts to outdo the industry stalwart. Ford hasn’t flinched. Key Takeaways Powertrain: a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 325 horsepower, a 47-horsepower electric motor, a 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery and a 10-speed automatic. 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque combined, the highest output in the current F-150 lineup. 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds for the four-wheel-drive Lariat. 24

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2021 Honda Ridgeline updated, future seems grim

Seventeen years ago, Honda introduced the Ridgeline to challenge the mainstream pickup truck empire. The Ridgeline was something. It had the industry’s first lockable in-bed storage trunk. It had a fully independent suspension. The truck’s dual-action tailgate could be opened to the side or down. The 2006 Honda Ridgeline (made in Canada beginning in March 2005) also had an unusual exterior design, a unibody frame. It had a 3.5-liter V6 transverse-mounted engine a five-speed automatic transmission and 247 horsepower. Its towing capacity was (and remains) 5,000 pounds. Accolades arrived quickly, including the Ridgeline’s selection as Motor Trend’s 2006 Truck of the Year. It was also named Car and Driver’s top mid-size truck for 2006. The Ridgeline combined truck capabilities with

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2021 Mercedes-AMG A35 Review: A worthy double life

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG A35 4MATIC, a compact luxury sedan, is positioned in a wickedly competitive segment. It defines automotive industry rivalry at its best. Several BMW and Audi models are top German counterpart competitors. The Cadillac CT4, Infiniti Q50, Lexus IS and Volvo S60 are also long-time stalwarts. More recent additions include the Kia Stinger, Genesis G70 and Volkswagen Arteon, expanding the all-worthy list to more than a dozen choices. Pick one and rejoice in your good choice. Key Takeaways Powertrain: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 302 horsepower and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, with 4MATIC all-wheel drive. 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds for the 3,153-pound sedan. 22 mpg city and 29 highway (EPA). $45,850 MSRP and $57,890 as

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NEW TRUCK REVIEW: 2021 Ford F-250 rocks power

Fifty years into its unequaled success, Ford decided it needed more from its lightweight pickup trucks. The Super Duty lineup, including the F-250, was introduced. The family of haulers comprises the country’s best-selling vehicles, and it’s been that way for decades. Key Takeaways Trim: The F-250 in the Lariat trim, one of six varieties offered, includes leather-trimmed seats, dual-zone climate control, an eight-inch infotainment display screen and an 11-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. 385 horsepower from the 6.2-liter V8 in the 4×4 Super Duty. Just under $64,000 with its full complement of equipment. Parking: Forget using regularly sized parking spots or any notion of negotiating nimble U-turns. Ride: The automatic transmission shifts are smooth; the overall ride quality is

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2021 Jeep Wrangler (hybrid!) still best off-road

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, the new hybrid trim, is available as a four-door in three high-end offerings: the premium Sahara, more premium High Altitude, and Rubicon, geared toward off-road excursions. The 4xe (pronounced “four by E”), engine combines a 270 horsepower turbocharged inline-four-cylinder with a 44-horsepower motor connected through a front-end accessory belt. A 134-horsepower motor replaces the transmission’s back-end torque converter. Key Takeaways Test car: the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe four-door, a plug-in hybrid with a 270-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, two electric motors and an eight-speed automatic. $47,955 MSRP and $54,240 as reviewed. 14.0-kWh battery under the rear seats, with 22 miles of electric-only range and 370 miles total. 20 mpg combined on gas and 49 MPGe. Charging:

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Cheapest of the cheap cars? 2021 Chevrolet Spark LS

The average price of a new car in the United States is now more than $40,000. But it wasn’t too many years ago when $30,000 was the entry-level for a luxury car and $20,000 was enough to buy various new cars. It’s now what cheap cars cost. As recent as a decade ago, one new car could be purchased for $10,000. It was the Hyundai Accent 3-door and it was the last year a new vehicle in the U.S., without government rebates, had a base price of less than $10,000. A lot has changed in 10 years. Five years ago, the Accent reached its peak in yearly U.S. sales at 79,766. In 2020, the lowly Hyundai’s sales stumble to 15,975.

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