We also take a look at the 2023 Lexus GX and give you some bad news about the Ford Maverick.
Good morning, and welcome to another installment of your daily automotive news roundup, Cold Start. Since yesterday's report, we've learned that Mazda will increase prices as it aims to become more upmarket, scandalous Nissan Z markups have been uncovered, and a New Zealand-based company has revealed an insane V10-powered track car with over 1,100 horsepower.
But this morning, we're going to focus on the new record that Lamborghini just set with its Urus before talking about the Porsche Taycan Turbo and its recently reclaimed Nurburgring record. We then check out the Mercedes-AMG One as it enters production after we talk about the recently revealed Lexus GX. Finally, we close with bad news about Ford Maverick production.
We've known for some time that Lamborghini is working on a more extreme version of the Urus SUV alongside its first Urus Hybrid. And following a recent Instagram post, we thought that this new hardcore Urus, possibly called the Urus Evo, would be entering the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb next year. Instead, Lamborghini went to the famous hill alone. Well, technically not alone, since the same timekeepers that work at the hill climb event were brought in to see the new Urus take the Fastest SUV title from the Bentley Bentayga. For reference, the Bentayga's record stood at 10:49.902. Lamborghini smashed that time by posting a run of 10:32.064. We hope Sant'Agata's people return for the official event next year to prove that they can cope with the pressure of only one timed run.
When the Porsche Taycan Turbo was first revealed, it quickly headed to the Nurburgring to set a time, and the result was a new record for electric cars. Unfortunately for those in Stuttgart, the Tesla Model S Plaid quickly stole the record, claiming a time of 7:35.579 on the longer, 12.94-mile course and 7:30.909 on the 12.8-mile route. However, when Porsche made its attempt, it was using a "regular" Taycan Turbo. This time, it unleashed the Taycan Turbo S on the 'Ring with a new performance kit that will soon be offered to customers. The result? A long-course time of 7:33.350 - more than two seconds quicker than the Tesla could manage. Your move, Elon.
The 2023 Lexus GX was just revealed, bringing with it the Black Line Special Edition that we first saw last year. Limited to 3,000 units, this truly is a special edition, although we doubt collectors across the country are jumping at the opportunity. Nevertheless, for those of us who do want a big, luxurious SUV, the new GX offers the Mark Levinson Premium Sound system as standard on the top Luxury trim. There are also more colors to choose from, including Eminent White Pearl, which replaces Starfire Pearl. The rest of the SUV has been left largely unaltered, but that's no bad thing.
If history has taught us anything, it's that cars with a long gestation period tend to perform well as future classics. Cars that take too long to arrive but are still pushed through by enthusiasts at an automaker are usually brilliant, and the Mercedes-AMG One could well fall into that category. It took years to complete and now its lucky buyers are finally one step closer to experiencing a true F1 car for the road, as production has now kicked off in Coventry, England. Unfortunately, the AMG One is not road-legal in the US, but we hope to see a couple of examples roaming our roads with Show & Display plates. Manny Khoshbin, don't disappoint us.
Now for some bad news: Production of the 2023 Ford Maverick has been delayed. First, orders banks were supposed to open early this month and were pushed back to September 15. Now, production at Mexico's Hermosillo Assembly plant has been shifted from October 24 to November 14. The reason? Unknown, but it appears that an extension of 2022 Maverick production could be to blame. Then again, materials shortages have impacted other Ford models of late, so the '23 Maverick's delay could be the result of ongoing supply challenges.
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Automobili Pininfarina
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Ineos Automotive
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo
Join The Discussion