Vehicles 136

It’s no exaggeration to say the new Passport is the most rugged Honda SUV ever built. And its all-new TrailSport edition is the toughest, most capable expression of this strength. Car and Driver agrees, proclaiming, “The TrailSport prepares the crossover for off-road duties.” It’s exactly the type of vehicle you would expect from a company like Honda that has deep roots in off-road performance and fun, with decades of experience making dirt bikes and off-road vehicles.

The bold upgrades start on the surface: The redesigned front hood and fenders give the Passport TrailSport a tougher, more muscular look perfectly matched to its all-terrain attitude. The restyled rear accentuates the SUV’s 8.1 inches of ground clearance, while sporty dual exhaust finishers raise the bar for style. New all-season tires add to the aggressive looks, while striking 18-inch alloy wheels create a smooth ride over rough terrain. But the changes don’t stop there.

When it comes to versatile performance, the Passport TrailSport checks all the boxes, then asks for more. Its 9-speed automatic transmission has an innovative shift-management system that allows for multiple-gear downshifts, while its paddle shifters allow you to take control. Check. A powerful V-6 engine comes standard with 280-horsepower[1] and 262 pound-feet of torque[2], and its 4-wheel fully independent suspension provides excellent maneuverability even on rocky roads. Check and check. In need of AWD capability? The i-VTM4^®  all-wheel-drive system, standard on the TrailSport, includes an Intelligent Traction Management feature that includes Snow, Mud and Sand modes[3] to help you keep your grip—and confidence—in adverse conditions. Check, check and check.

Can rugged be comfortable? Absolutely. The Passport seats up to five adults comfortably with standard heated front seats, while its rear seats offer nearly as much legroom, shoulder room and hip room as the front seats. “It also pampers occupants,” tells U.S. News & World Report, “with a wealth of standard convenience, tech, and safety features.” And since the Passport is designed for adventure, it also includes underfloor storage and ample cargo space for weekend getaways and weeklong way-out-theres.

Capabilities abound for daily driving, too. The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™[4] that comes standard on the TrailSport features 3-D renderings of terrain, buildings and road signs, as well as lane guidance. And because it uses a preloaded map database and satellite connectivity, this navigation system even works in off-the-grid areas where the TrailSport can go. When taking the Passport this far, you’ll appreciate the available wireless phone charger[5] as well as Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto™ integration[6]. An 8-inch Display Audio with high-resolution touch-screen puts your music, apps and settings within easy reach. Throw in multiple 12-volt power outlets and an available 115-volt power outlet that accommodates a standard electrical plug, and the Passport can give you everything you need to stay connected while getting away from it all.

Thirsty for even more adventure? Whether you ride trails, slopes or waves, the Passport offers a full range of Honda Genuine Accessories for rooftop carrying. These include attachments for your bike, skis, snowboards, a surfboard or a kayak. And with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds[7], it will also haul your boat, motorcycles, off-road vehicles or trailer without breaking a sweat.

The relentless spirit of determination fuels every vehicle, every update and every feature in every Honda, so you can expect to see the rugged TrailSport edition making an appearance in the upcoming Pilot, too. Stay tuned as the adventure continues.

• Maserati will launch an electric version of the GranTurismo called Folgore.
• It claims 1200 horsepower from three electric motors and a top speed of 186 mph.
• Folgore EV versions of other Maserati models will arrive within the next few years.

Maserati will launch a range of electric models that will wear the Folgore name—the Italian word for lightning. To emphasize these EVs’ focus on performance, Maserati says that the upcoming GranTurismo Folgore will offer over 1200 horsepower from three electric motors and claims it will accelerate to 62 mph in less than 3.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 186 mph. A photo of a camouflaged GranTurismo prototype shows the four-seat coupe’s styling ahead of its official reveal that will take place later this year.

There will also be Folgore versions of the upcoming Grecale SUV and the MC20 supercar coming within the next year, along with a convertible GranCabrio version of the GranTurismo. The next generation Quattroporte sedan and Levante SUV will be offered only as EVs and are slated to arrive in 2025. Maserati did not mention the Ghibli sedan as part of its future-product plan and confirmed that it will eventually disappear from the lineup after this generation runs its course.

These Folgore models will ride on various platforms and not all of these upcoming EVs will adopt parent company Stellantis’ range of new EV-specific platforms. The Grecale, for instance, rides on the same Giorgio platform as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and the electric Folgore model will use a modified version of this architecture.

By 2030, all Maserati models will be electric and gasoline engines will no longer be part of the lineup. The new GranTurismo, though, will still offer a gasoline version. Look for more details to come soon on these future models, as the Grecale and Grecale Folgore will debut next week.

• This 2012 Lexus LFA is low on miles and has a $70,000 Nürburgring package; few copies of the already rare Japanese supercar were sold this way.

• The Nürburgring package bumped total power output of the Yamaha co-developed V-10 engine to 563 horsepower and added carbon-fiber goodies plus special wheels and tires, among other extras.

• According to the vehicle’s Carfax report, this 2000-mile LFA was delivered to Massachusetts in 2012 but would later transfer ownership to Florida and Montana, and it eventually found a home in California where it’s listed today.

Many comment sections, out there in the infinite web of the internet, quickly devolve. So if you scroll deep into the comments of the Bring a Trailer listing for this nearly new Lexus LFA, you won’t be surprised to see things get a bit emotional. “The only two-pedal car I lust after,” one comment adds. “OMG, I just wet myself,” another reveals. “Makes my heart beat way too fast this early in the morning,” says a third reader. All of them can be forgiven, however; they’re salivating over this 563-hp LFA, a car built to do battle against Ferraris that cost nearly double its price. It came with a 4.8-liter V-10 co-developed with Yamaha that could scream to 9000 rpm. And when it screamed, it sang. This 2000-mile example on Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—is far from ordinary. All emotion inspired by it is legitimate.

Of the 500 cars produced during the LFA’s two-year production run, only 64 were built with the Nürburgring package, and very few of those were delivered to the U.S. The $70,000 package added 10 horsepower, different wheels, more aggressive performance tires, carbon-fiber spoilers, and a lighter battery. The six-speed automated sequential transmission was also tuned for quicker shifts. It was offered in Whitest White, Black, Matte Black, and this listing’s cheddar-colored Orange paint color. The interior was given extra carbon-fiber treatment, and Lexus went as far as removing the floor mats—an immediate safety requirement for any track day.

Why not the Tokyo Expressway Edition, or the Mark Levinson Bass Boost Custom? Because the German track’s 12.9-mile loop is where the LFA was developed. And it didn’t hurt that the pre-production LFA won first in its class during the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in 2010, beating out race-car versions of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage and Rapide, as well as entries like the Audi R8 and Chevy Corvette.

Lexus stamped a 7:14.64 production time with the Nürburgring Package LFA at Nürburgring Nordschleife. That’s quicker than cars like the Ferrari 488 GTB, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS (997), and just a second slower than an attempt with the $847,975 Porsche 918 Spyder.

The quickest LFA we’ve tested achieved 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, continuing to a quarter-mile in just 11.7 seconds at 125 mph. That’s quicker than the 612-hp Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano we compared it against.

Every LFA purchase came with a pair of Tumi carbon-fiber suitcases, a carbon-fiber key, and two normal keys that look like they belong to the family’s 1995 Lexus ES. That’s all included in this auction, as well as a copy of service receipts and the original window sticker.

With the auction set to end on Friday, March 18, bidding is up to to $1.6 million. That’s more than triple the car’s original $445,000 MSRP, and still more than twice as much after calculating for inflation. There are five days left for that bid to climb before No. 349 of 500 gets a new home. And we’re sure the emotional pitch of the comments section will only get more interesting as the auction continues.

Acura’s revived Integra is nearly ready for primetime, as the production model has now been revealed and will be reaching dealerships this spring. The reservation site for the 2023 Integra includes many details about the trims and color combinations that will be available at launch, so we decided to delve into the various configurations to see what’s available on each model.

Acura says the Integra will start at around $30,000, and for that sum you’ll get the standard model that comes with a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four, front-wheel drive, and a CVT automatic. A sunroof, a digital gauge cluster, faux leather upholstery, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen are key standard features. 17-inch wheels are wrapped in 215-series tires. Only A-Spec models will be available to reserve initially, but the base models should be available later this year.

The A-Spec is an appearance package that includes larger 18-inch wheels and wider 235-series tires, along with different front and rear fasciae and a rear lip spoiler. Acura has yet to release a price for the A-Spec upgrade but we think it will reside somewhere in the mid-$30,000 range.

Opting for the Technology package on A-Spec models includes a lot more equipment and—most importantly—unlocks the option for the six-speed manual transmission. Additional goodies include a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen, adaptive dampers, ambient lighting, a 16-speaker premium audio system, and a head-up display, and microsuede trim.

Acura says that more colors will be available eventually, but those who want to reserve an Integra early will have the choice of four hues: Majestic Black Pearl, Liquid Carbon Metallic, Apex Blue Pearl, and Platinum White Pearl.

• The 2022 Jeep Cherokee adds a new trim level called X that features off-road appearance tweaks.
• The base 2.4-liter inline-four is gone, and the starting price rises significantly, to $35,590 for either the X or the Latitude Lux.
• The Cherokee X will be available later this spring and comes standard with all-wheel drive and the 3.2-liter V-6 engine.

The 2022 Jeep Cherokee gains a new trim level that’s less off-road-capable than the Trailhawk but comes with a similar look. The Cherokee X you see here has a tweaked front fascia and visuals including an “X” badge on the sides, a hood graphic, and retro “Four Wheel Drive” text on the rear, while also benefiting from a 1.0-inch suspension lift and all-terrain tires.

The Cherokee X starts at $35,590 and comes standard with a 271-hp 3.2-liter V-6 and all-wheel drive, although not the Cherokee Trailhawk’s more sophisticated Active Drive II system with a transfer case

Due to other changes to the Cherokee lineup for 2022, the Cherokee X is now the cheapest model you can buy. It has the same starting price as the front-wheel drive Latitude Lux, which also comes standard with the V-6 but unlike the X offers a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four as a $695 option. The base Altitude and Latitude trims from last year are no more, and we won’t miss their underpowered base 2.4-liter inline-four with only 180 horsepower. But this does mean the Cherokee gets a significant price hike, as the X and Latitude Lux are $6105 more expensive than the 2021 Cherokee Altitude FWD.

The 2022 Cherokee Trailhawk starts at $38,640 and the Limited starts at $40,340. Jeep says the Cherokee X will be available later than other 2022 models and that it should start arriving at dealerships sometime in spring.

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