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Articles by Rory Carroll
The Best Automotive Tech at CES 2025
This year’s CES saw a number of major automakers skip the show amidst a disappointing market for tech-forward products and a political climate that could see that market worsen. It’s not unusual for automakers to pull back on major expenses like exhibiting at a trade show in response to “uncertainty,” and when it comes to the future of the U.S. car business, there’s plenty of that to go around. But even in a light year for mobility, we managed to find some cool stuff. Here are our highlights.
Honda’s Wild 0 Series EVs Slated for 2026
At last year’s CES, Honda introduced the wild, wedge-shaped 0 Series EV concept. Last fall, North American journalists traveled to Japan to see how Honda was progressing toward bringing the car to market. Surely, we all thought, Honda would tone down the car’s styling before it hits dealer lots—`there’s no way that design will make it to production. We were half right, as this week at CES, Honda revealed two 0 (said as “zero”) Series prototypes that look even wilder.
Toyota’s 'Woven City' Is Coming Together
Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda appeared at CES today to announce progress on the company’s Woven City project which, true to its name, is an actual city where Toyota and other companies hope to invent and validate new technologies. The first phase of construction is complete, and the first companies who will participate in the project have been named. If you’re wondering, the “woven” thing is because, before it made cars, Toyota made weaving looms.
2025 Honda Odyssey Is The Superior Road Trip Solution
A couple of weeks ago, I trucked the whole family up to Michigan’s weird-ass Upper Peninsula so they could goof around in the woods while I helped crew for an ARA Rally Team, Blind Deer Rally Sport.
A Pink Cadillac Won Petit-LeMans In The Dark With No Headlights And That Wasn't Even The Best Thing About It
A pink Cadillac going 170 mph in the dark with no headlights won Petit Le Mans this past weekend.
Honda’s 0 Series EV Looks Like An Ambitious Entry Into A Frosty EV Market
Just when Honda’s restrained approach to the EV rush of the early 2020s was more or less vindicated, the company showed a wild looking pair of EV concepts at last year’s CES. The company said at the time that the 0 Series cars represented a rebirth, or a fresh start for the company; a Honda 2.0, shall we say. Last week in Japan, I saw that Honda intends more than just concept car fluff for the Saloon and Space-Hub — it is actually on track to build at least one of them.
A Tiny Part Failure Killed My Hyundai Elantra N On What Was Already The Worst Day Of My Life Original
The headline is hyperbole, granted. I’m 54 years old. I’ve had a lot of bad days. Was this one the worst? Impossible to say. Can I name a worse one off the top of my head? Now that I think about it, no! But we’ll get to that. Suggested Reading 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe | First Look Suggested Reading Let’s talk about the car first.
Here's A Massive Gallery From The Goodwood Revival, The World's Best Car Event
Yeah, this is a little late, but the photos are still really good. We may earn a commission from links on this page. The Goodwood Revival is known as “the period clothes one” and it is that. But, more importantly, it’s the best car event on the planet. The racing is phenomenal, with big name drivers piloting bigger-name cars around Goodwood’s high-speed road course but it’s much more than that.
Here's How My Honda-Powered Lada With A BRZ Chassis Made It To The Empire Hill Climb Original
According to Peter’s text records, the call to pull the engine was made at 2AM on race day. I’d slept a few hours on Wednesday, one hour on Thursday and was about to get a nice round zero before piloting a car that had never been driven —by anyone — up a narrow road course in the woods. We’d been talking about Steve Albini, so we put Terraform on the shop stereo.
The Tired Podcast Is A Car Podcast For People Who Understand That Cars Are Bad Original
Cars: Are they good, or bad? Well, I like my cars, I like your cars, I like race cars, and driving. But, as far as building a society around cars, well, that’s not so good. Suggested Reading The Plymouth Prowler Is Deserving Of Love | Jalopinions Suggested Reading That’s basically the premise of a new podcast being launched by Matty Riley, Peter Hughes of Mountain Goats fame, and me, one of the guys who works at the Jalopnik website, though this is not an official Jalopnik project.
Enter Horrific World Of YouTube Car Content For Kids
If you’ve got kids, they’ve likely been exposed to YouTube via grandma’s iPad more than once. If they like cars, the algorithm is very likely serving them some weird, bootleg car content that gives me the absolute creeps to watch. Keeping an eye on kids and providing them with enriching, meaningful experiences is a lot of work, especially if you’re working a job or two. It’s not really for me to blame people for how they make it work.
I've Spent Every Spare Hour On This Lada Project But I Still Think I'm Screwed Original
Haha, well it looks like the last time I updated you on the K-swapped, chassis swapped Lada build it was October. That can’t be right, can it? The good news is that I’ve been working on it. The bad news is that somehow over the last ten months I went from confidently checking things off my list to panicked thrash ahead of a rapidly approaching deadline. This is of course, entirely predictable and entirely my fault. Suggested Reading I'm Getting Rid Of My Honda Pilot And Want To Electric | WCSYB?
The Acura Integra Type-S HRC Prototype Looks So Good Original
We’ve been pretty clear about our love for the Integra Type-S. It’s an incredible car that really strikes a perfect balance between daily usability and pure driving experience. The prototype shown above is meant to demonstrate what would happen if that balance was shifted—heavily—toward performance.
Give Me A Break With The Fake Engine Noises Original
Dodge is out this week with a clip of the new Charger making some kind of noise, Hyundai was pretty widely praised for adding a selection of synthesized engine noises to the Ionic 5 N’s list of beloved attributes and automakers the world over are trying to work out just what an electric car should sound like, emotionally. It’s all deeply embarrassing. They should just sound like electric cars.
Driving The 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail Convinced Me It Was Time To Sell My Old GX 470 Original
Last spring, I drove several different Lexus and Toyota crossovers and SUVs, seemingly in anticipation of the arrival of a GX 550 Overtrail+. I’d been thinking it might be time to move on from my own GX, and driving the new one would be a big push in that direction. Suggested Reading The New Lexus GX Is Not A Great-Looking Lexus Suggested Reading It rules. 10/10, perfectly executed product. No notes.
1,064-Horsepower 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Is A Shock To The Supercar System Original
I don’t know what I was expecting to hear — I was pretty bleary from a monster EV road trip. But when the Chevrolet engineer said “1,064 horsepower,” the words “holy shit” escaped my mouth. I really try not to give that kind of feedback, but the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 warrants it.
Here Are Some Incredible Photos From The 2024 Goodwood Festival Of Speed Original
Thank you Michael Shaffer. We love you, Michael Shaffer We may earn a commission from links on this page. I hate to say it, but I’ve been to a lot of car events and nothing compares to the cars I’ve seen at Goodwood. Getting there from here is hard but if you ever get the chance, make sure you take it. The Festival of Speed and the Revival really make Monterey Car Week feel like a weeknight Culver’s show and shine.
Swim In The Pain Of Retrieving A Lost Drill Bit From Deep Inside A Mini
You probably know this feeling. You drop something, a fastener, a socket, a shotgun shell into your engine bay. First you look. Can you see it? No. Then you stick one of those little magnet retriever things down where you think the object may have gone. It sticks to everything else, but you can’t pull your object back out. Shit. You look under the car. Did it bounce out? It did not. At this point, you have to ask,“Is it near anything that would be damaged by it? Can I just...Leave it in there?” You can’t.
Dang, Listen To This VR6-Powered Boat
It’s probably pretty miserable outside where you are. If you’re smart, you’re online, looking to purchase a cheap boat to have trouble free fun with this summer. Powerboats are fun, but we all know the addition of an engine makes everything a little more complicated and potentially stressful. Luckily, we all know engine problems are easy to fix with a quick engine swap. Our friend Reed here knows, which is why he found a way to mount a mighty and mighty wonderful sounding VR6 in his old ass boat.
What's The Most Dad-Coded Car? Original
It should be understood that anyone can be a Dad. It’s a state of mind thing, sometimes you’re a Dad just for a few minutes while you’re using a pocket knife, saying “I’m going to count to three and...” or digging through the trash looking for your keys. Cars are like this, too. Some cars are just for Dads, for Dad activities. Restomodded EMC Mercedes 250GD Wolf Do you get what I’m saying?
Uh Oh, Google's New AI Overview is Giving Out Wrong Information
Remember when you could just search for the information you needed on the internet and be reasonably certain the internet would provide you with a useful answer? Google, has a new idea: What if there was a way to spend billions of dollars on a system that provides users with incorrect and or useless information? If you’ve been using Google lately, you know that that future is already here.
Google's New AI Overview Says You Might Need To Change Your Blinker Fluid Original
Remember when you could just search for the information you needed on the internet and be reasonably certain the internet would provide you with a useful answer? Google, has a new idea: What if there was a way to spend billions of dollars on a system that provides users with incorrect and or useless information? What's The Best Navigational App? | Jalopinions If you’ve been using Google lately, you know that that future is already here.
The 2024 Ford Ranger Is More American Than Ever Original
First things first, I’m a Ford Ranger guy. I’ve never owned one, and I can’t really point to what it is about the Ranger, maybe just the idea of a Ranger that I love, but I will admit I had high hopes for this one and for the Ranger Raptor, which I will tell you about later this week. Ford wanted me to come to the Beehive State to check this new 2024 Ranger out. They paid for my flight and lodging and were cool to me the whole time.
Dirtfish Rally School Was The Most Fun I've Ever Had Driving Original
I’ve wanted to get out to the Dirtfish rally school in Snoqualmie, WA for probably a decade. For about as long, I’ve been listening to my degenerate amateur rally driver and co-driver friends warning me that rally school would punch a little hole in my heart that could only be filled with more time in a rally car. Earlier this week, I finally made it happen and now there is a hole in my heart that can only be filled with more time in a rally car.
Even The Geneva Auto Show Was Kind Of A Bummer Original
Last week the 2024 edition of the Geneva International Motor Show took place in the halls of Palexpo, like it has for a 120 year-plus history. Except this time the show was fundamentally different. 200,000 visitors were expected over the course of the 2024 show. A few short years ago in 2019 roughly 600,000 visitors passed through its hallowed halls. COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the 2020-2022 shows, and everyone thought it was over.
The 2024 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport Can Go Up A Hill -- Even In The Snow Original
A few weeks ago, I learned that most trucks get hopelessly stuck when they encounter snow, especially if they aren’t equipped with dedicated snow tires. As someone who has driven all kinds of cars, equipped with all kinds of tires in some pretty serious snow for decades, this came as something of a surprise. But, I am always open to learning from my betters in the automotive media business, and from the smartest people in history, guys who pay money to use X, The Everything App.
The 2024 Chevy Trax Didn't Have To Be This Good Original
I just gave back the Chevrolet Trax I’d been borrowing for the last week. I didn’t put a ton of miles on it because it was equipped with all-season tires and it was blizzarding pretty much the whole time I had it. Plus, we’ve already reviewed the Trax at least twice, and Andy did a video about it last week. A Next-Gen Bolt EV Is On The Way From Chevrolet But I did crawl all over it, and drove it as conditions allowed.
What Car Has The Most Misleading Name?
Look, the Ford Aspire was a lot of things, some of them good. But one thing it was not, was aspirational. Unless your aspiration was to own literally any car. Sometimes it seems like carmakers are stretching to name a new model, sometimes it seems like they drew a name out of a hat, but often the result is a name that writes checks the car itself cannot cash.
What Car Has The Most Misleading Name?
Look, the Ford Aspire was a lot of things, some of them good. But one thing it was not, was aspirational. Unless your aspiration was to own literally any car. Sometimes it seems like carmakers are stretching to name a new model, sometimes it seems like they drew a name out of a hat, but often the result is a name that writes checks the car itself cannot cash. So, we have the Aspire, but what other car name oversells, or even undersells the actual car to which the badge is attached?
2024 Acura TLX Type S Is A Different Kind Of AWD Sport Sedan Original
The Acura TLX Type S is lightly refreshed for 2024 with mostly cosmetic upgrades. This is a car that Brad drove in 2021, so I wasn’t expecting a massively different car. What I was hoping for was some time with the TLX Type S in low-grip conditions where I could feel around for how the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) works. The Future of Acura's Supercar Factory Full Disclosure: Acura wanted me to drive the TLX Type S, so they dropped one off at my house for a week with a full tank of gas.
Listen To In-Car Audio Of Racing Engines While You Work
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Listen To In-Car Audio Of Racing Engines While You Work Original
If you follow racing in the U.S., you probably already know about the excellent Marshall Pruett podcast. Most of the episodes are too much of a distraction to put on as background noise while you work, but a couple of recent entries in his Sounds of Racing series have been working incredibly well for me.
Lucasfilm Is Suing A Car Wash In Chile
Chilean car wash owner Matias Jara is being sued by Disney’s Lucasfilm movie studio, which claims its name and branding could mislead people into believing the car wash is somehow affiliated with the studio. According to a report by Reuters, Jara received the suit while trying to file the Star Wash name with Chilean patent authorities.
The 2024 Subaru WRX TR Is Unexpectedly Appealing Original
If you read our BRZ tS review, you know I was just in Sicily driving some Subarus. As you’ve no doubt gathered by now, the other car was the Subaru WRX TR. With the demise of the U.S.-market STI at the hands of America’s goofy emissions regime, the WRX TR assumes the mantle of Subaru’s most performance oriented car. It’s also the last all-wheel-drive sedan you can get with a manual transmission in America.
The 2024 Subaru BRZ tS Is Still The One You Want, Even If You Aren't On The Targa Florio Original
The Targa Florio is easy enough to read about, you’ve probably come across plenty of photos of Porsches and Ferraris there. When you see a blue Porsche 908/3 with a big orange arrow running down the drivers side, you probably think “Targa Florio.” I certainly have for as long as I can remember. But having just come back from running the actual course in its largest configuration in the new Subaru BRZ tS and WRX tR, I have to admit I had no clue what the race was really about.
If Dealers Don't Want To Sell EVs, Let Manufacturers Sell Them Direct To Consumers Original
A lot of car dealers don’t have much interest in selling EVs; some are politically opposed to the idea on its face, some just don’t want to make the massive investment their brands are demanding to update their stores to EV readiness and some are just philosophically opposed to learning anything about products and would rather lose a sale than look anything up. (None of this applies to my guy Gage at Betten Baker Honda, he took great care of my Mom and her new CR-V last week.
If Dealers Don't Want To Sell EVs, Let Manufacturers Sell Them Direct To Consumers
Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty (Getty Images) Two-thirds of car dealers don’t have any EVs on their lots, new or used, according to a Sierra Club survey of dealers earlier this year. And it’s not supply chain issues—45 percent said they would not sell EVs even if there were loads of them available to sell. Their resistance may seem unreasonable, but car dealers do have a point: If consumers in their areas don’t want EVs, why should they be burdened with the task of trying to sell them.
George Santos' Expulsion From Congress Was Our Fault And We Regret It [Update: He's Back!] Original
Update, Friday, March 8, 2024 11:20 a.m. EST: Our friend George Santos is back, folks! That’s right, during President Biden’s State of the Union Address, Santos gave his own little SOTU. He posted on social media that he’d once again be running for the House of Representatives, challenging follow Republican Nick Lalota for the privilege of representing the good people of eastern Long Island (read: The Hamptons).
These Are The Coolest Car Companies
We asked readers to tell us what car company deserves to be called the coolest, and the majority of you responded with esoteric automakers. Good. There was a healthy dose of automakers known to those outside the cognoscenti, such as Mazda, which is beloved by many. Also good. But not one mention of cool British automaker Bristol? Really? Anyway, here are the companies readers think are the coolest: They prove time and time again, ICE was no where near it’s potential.
Slate Asks: 'Why Would An Automaker Manufacture A Car With So Much Engine Power That It Requires An Eight-Speed Transmission?'
I came across a bit of commentary on the website Slate.com that was mostly about last week’s Bentley crash at the Rainbow Bridge, and it contained the following: “Why would an automaker manufacture a car with so much engine power that it requires an eight-speed transmission? The obvious answer is: because people pay a lot of money for it.” That is not the obvious answer. It is not the answer at all.
What's The Coolest Car Company? Original
There are companies that make cool cars — Porsche comes to mind immediately. There are successful car companies, like Toyota and Mercedes-Benz. And there are car companies that, despite in many cases being horrifically mismanaged and going through long periods where they struggle mightily to put out decent product, just have the fucking vibe. What Is The Most American Car? | Jalopinions I don’t think of the British as being overly cool as a people, but my go-to companies here are Lotus and Bristol.
Here's Everything I Already Own From Amazon's Prime Day Automotive Section
I generally try to buy tools and car supplies locally rather than wait 5 days for shipping, but I live in a small town and that’s not always practical/possible. So there are some things in my collection that I got on Amazon. Perusing the Prime Day deals today, I actually spotted a few of them. I’d feel bad offering my thoughts on I haven’t tried out myself and I’m going to give you my real unvarnished thoughts about these items.
Here’s Why Trucks Slide Into the Water at Boat Ramps
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A Clean Subaru Bugeye WRX Had To Die So A Rally Car Could Live Original
Jimmy Pelizzari and his co-driver Kate Stevens are recently back from the Lake Superior Performance Rally, their first outing in a new car. They finished, but not as well as they’re used to, having risen through the ARA ranks from novices struggling in a cool but snakebit Mazda 323GTX to regular winners in a GC 2.5RS. The new car was a 2002 Subaru WRX they’d just finished building. Before it was hurtling down a rally stage, it was the nicest Bugeye I’ve seen in years.
Here's Why Trucks Slide Into The Water At Boat Ramps Original
We all love watching videos of trucks being being dragged down into the briny depths while their drivers scramble unsuccessfully to save them. And obviously, those of us who have occasion to launch boats live in fear of becoming one of the poor saps in the videos. But why do boats slide in there, anyway? Can you prevent it? I Need To Replace My Dying Volkswagen | What Car Should You Buy? Turns out, there are a lot of reasons why trucks find themselves in the water.
These Are The Winners Of The 2023 Rebelle Rally
The eighth Rebelle Rally came to its conclusion in the Imperial Sand Dunes just north of the Mexico/California border. This year 65 teams vied for the podium over seven grueling days. They started in Mammoth Mountain, CA with temperatures dropping to 15-degrees some nights as competitors tried to sleep in their tents. Read more…
These Are The Winners Of The 2023 Rebelle Rally Original
The eighth Rebelle Rally came to its conclusion in the Imperial Sand Dunes just north of the Mexico/California border. This year 65 teams vied for the podium over seven grueling days. They started in Mammoth Mountain, CA with temperatures dropping to 15-degrees some nights as competitors tried to sleep in their tents. 2023 Kia EV6 GT | Jalopnik Reviews Course director Jimmy Lewis sent both 4x4 and X-Cross class teams through some of the most spectacular terrain California and Nevada have to offer.
These Are The Winners Of The 2023 Rebelle Rally
The eighth Rebelle Rally came to its conclusion in the Imperial Sand Dunes just north of the Mexico/California border. This year 65 teams vied for the podium over seven grueling days. They started in Mammoth Mountain, CA with temperatures dropping to 15-degrees some nights as competitors tried to sleep in their tents. Course director Jimmy Lewis sent both 4x4 and X-Cross class teams through some of the most spectacular terrain California and Nevada have to offer.
What's Your Biggest Automotive Embarrassment? Original
When I graduated college, I took out a $2500 loan for an Audi 90 Quattro 20v. It was a 15 year old car, and I was at the start of my learning to wrench journey. That was my car through my first couple of jobs, and generally, I wasn’t embarrassed by it. I’d pieced together the fuel system in my rental house driveway so it ran well, and it generally looked OK. It was fun to drive and suited me just fine.
These Are The People Who Make The Rebelle Rally Happen Original
During the grueling 8-day Rebelle Rally, a non-GPS-based off-road map and compass navigation rally, the 65 teams competing aren’t the only ones faced with challenges. The 121 staff members run their own kind of rally. And it’s usually tougher than anything the competitors endure. 2023 Kia EV6 GT | Jalopnik Reviews The folks who set the flags and posts that are the 30-some odd checkpoints for competitors to find each day wake up at four or 4:30am.
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