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Motor Trend
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 GR Sport PHEV Isn't the First Ultra-Sporty RAV4
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 lineup is wider than ever, with so-called "core" models forming the backbone of the bestselling compact SUV's family, and a new Woodland off-road trim joining an equally new GR Sport trim level on the fringes. While there are other "sport" themed RAV4s available, namely an XSE model, the zestiest of the bunch is that GR Sport. 0:00 / 0:00 It combines the new RAV4's most powerful powertrain—a 320-hp plug-in hybrid setup—with a lowered suspension, sticky summer tires, and heavily bolstered seats. Sounds wild, right? Well, it's not the first time Toyota's gotten weird with the RAV4, which has otherwise been an exemplar of the mainstream since its 1996 introduction. New Sport, Same as the Old Sport? The Sport trim level has been offered with RAV4s on and off for decades, but the GR Sport isn't the first one with huge power underhood. The last-generation RAV4's Prime (later Plug-In Hybrid) version offered up a stout 302 ponies and came only in Toyota's sportier XSE trim level. Before that, the only other RAV4 that qualified as "powerful" is the only RAV4 ever to offer V-6 power, the third-generation model sold between 2006 and 2012. It was larger than the dinkier first- and second-gen versions, so much so it even offered a (tiny) third-row seat option. But the headliner was that optional 3.5-liter V-6 that Toyota stuffed between its front wheels. While most third-gen RAV4s were sold with a 2.4-liter inline-four sending 166 hp through a four-speed automatic transmission, the optional V-6—available across the lineup, from the entry-level version with unadorned steel wheels to the Sport to the top-tier Limited variant—was where the real action was at. The 3.5-liter V-6 borrowed from the larger Avalon sedan pushed out a mighty 269 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque and enjoyed an extra forward ratio in its five-speed auto. For a time, V-6-powered RAV4s were the quickest new Toyotas you could buy; MotorTrend tested one that reached 60 mph in only 6.3 seconds. Nothing else in the compact SUV segment at the time even came close to the Toyota's muscle, which was deployed most effectively in the firmed-up, big-wheel RAV4 Sport model. Well, there was one SUV with the power to challenge the V-6 RAV4: The electric one. Yep, from 2012 to 2014, at the tail end of the RAV4's third generation and well into the fourth-gen RAV4's tenure, Toyota sold an EV version based on the 2006–2012 RAV4. Believe it or not, but the third-generation RAV4 was actually not the first RAV4 to offer an all-electric variant (there was a second-generation spin-off first), and the 2012 version came loaded with an early Tesla powertrain (!) and a 42-kWh battery good for a mere 100 miles of driving range. Power output from the single motor (derived from one in the Model S but significantly detuned) stood at 154 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, routed to the front wheels via a single-speed transmission. This was good for a seven-second 0–60-mph time, according to Toyota, when the RAV4 EV was placed in its Sport drive mode. (The regular setting lengthened acceleration time to 8.6 seconds.) These were only offered in certain states, and can be picked out by their lack of an external spare tire, body-color grille delete panel (with goofy large "EV" lettering beneath the Toyota lettering), blue-tinged badges, and unique headlight internals. Actually, Sort Of! In a way, the 320-hp plug-in hybrid RAV4 GR Sport is an amalgamation of the third-generation RAV4's most powerful powertrain options. Today, four-cylinder engines have largely supplanted six-cylinder options in the compact and midsize vehicle segments, so the GR Sport PHEV's system being anchored by a heavily electrified four-cylinder engine not only follows that trend, but its e-motor support recalls the oddball Tesla-powered RAV4, as well. Like other plug-in-hybrid 2026 RAV4s, the GR Sport's system is 18-hp more powerful than the last-generation RAV4 PHEV. It combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a planetary-type continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to power the front axle, along with a third electric motor that lives on the rear axle and spins the rear tires for on-demand all-wheel drive. The onboard battery can be charged at up to 11 kW on an AC home charger, but strangely, the GR Sport does not offer the same CCS-style DC fast-charging port as the lesser RAV4 XSE and Woodland PHEV trim levels. So, while the GR Sport is likely to be among the quicker RAV4s on sale later this year, that'll only apply to its straight-line speed—not its on-the-go charging speeds. Where the 2006–2012 RAV4 Sport featured cool 18-inch wheels and meaty, relatively low-profiled (for the time) all-season tires along with a firmed-up suspension and blacked-out trim, the 2026 RAV4 GR Sport goes ham sandwich on apparent track-readiness. It wears Dunlop Sportmaxx summer tires wrapped around 20-inch wheels that fill more of the fenders—their offset is wider than regular RAV4 wheels—and beefy brakes with red-painted calipers. The GR Sport's face is entirely different from the headlights down relative to other 2026 RAV4s, with a gaping lower intake and huge vents at each front corner. Out back, a wild spoiler sprouts from the top of the tailgate, and the lower bumper incorporates as much black trim as the nose. Inside there is a black-and-red color scheme, with red contrast stitching, sporty aluminum pedals, and heavily bolstered front seats not shared with other RAV4s. Will this GR Sport be the quickest factory RAV4 ever? Last year's RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid was capable of a relatively quick 5.5-second zero-to-60-mph time. With the GR Sport's stickier tires, hotter chassis setup, and the same 18-hp bump shared by other plug-in-hybrid 2026 RAV4s, we anticipate it will be. But just remember—it wouldn't be the first time the RAV4 delivered unexpected power and performance, even if we won't ever see a V-6 (or a Tesla-sourced motor) under the hood again.
Auto Car
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
French sports car brand reveals its Porsche Macan challenger, with THREE motors
New SUV will arrive in the UK next year with focus on drive engagement Open gallery Close Alpine is going up against the Porsche Macan Electric and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N with its first SUV, the A390. The French performance brand's third model line – joining the A110 coupé and A290 hot hatch – is a sleek, striking crossover-coupé that remains largely true to the A390 Beta concept revealed at the Paris motor show last year. Due to start from around £60,000 when UK orders open in November, the A390 will play a significant role in broadening the market reach of Alpine's product portfolio. Its dimensions place it right at the heart of Europe's most popular car class and it has a more overt focus on daily usability than the brand's dedicated sports cars. It measures 4.6m long by 1.5m tall and has a 532-litre boot, which makes it a close match for the likes of the Cupra Tavascan and Tesla Model Y. But with up to 464bhp and a drivetrain that has been engineered with a rigid focus on driver engagement, the A390 is pitched more directly at the dedicated performance SUV segment. The A390 shares its basic Ampr Medium architecture with the Renault Scenic and Nissan Ariya. However, it uses a bespoke tri-motor powertrain – two at the rear and one at the front – to give rear-biased all-wheel drive and torque vectoring to boost agility and responsiveness. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief recently told Autocar that this arrangement will play a key role in instilling the A390 with a 'perceived lightness' that helps to mitigate the inherent weight penalty associated with an electric SUV. 'You can generate a quite immediate response time. It's like the behaviour of a light car,' said Krief of the tri-motor powertrain, which is capable of overspeeding the outside wheels in a bend, rather than simply braking the inside wheels. Alpine says this gives a 'much smoother, delicate feeling of control', while also allowing for easily controllable powerslides. Producing 395bhp in standard GT guise and 464bhp in the top-rung, circa-£70k GTS – and with a peak torque output of 596lb ft – this powertrain can send the A390 from 0-62mph in as little as 3.9sec. That matches the stripped-out A110 R, which weighs around a tonne less. A cheaper variant with a more conventional dual-motor arrangement is understood to be on the cards, but it has not yet been officially given the green light. The A390 is powered by an 89kWh battery that enables a maximum WLTP range of 342 miles and can be rapid-charged at speeds of up to 190kW. Inside, the A390 is more closely related to its Renault Group siblings, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen angled towards the driver and a host of physical controls on the steering wheel and centre console. It follows the A290 in gaining a race-inspired adjustment dial on the steering wheel for the brake regen and an overtake lever that liberates the full-power reserves for short periods. Unlike the Ioniq 5 N, the A390 does not feature a simulated gearbox, but it does offer the option of a synthetic 'Alpine drive sound', which is said to be inspired by the A110's four-cylinder petrol engine. The A390 is the second of seven electric cars that Alpine plans to launch in the coming years. Due next is an electric successor to the A110, which will be offered as a coupé and a cabriolet. After that, the brand will reveal the A310, a four-door fastback to rival the Polestar 4. Two larger E-segment models – including a Porsche Cayenne competitor – were set to arrive after the A310 as part of the brand's push into the US market. However, president Donald Trump's new car import tariffs have prompted Alpine to put its Stateside ambitions on ice and it remains to be seen whether those cars will see the light of day. Today's A110, launched in 2017 as the first Alpine model in more than three decades, will be withdrawn from sale next year. Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you'll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here. Next Prev In partnership with
Car and Driver
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Bentley Teases New Bentayga Performance Variant with a Drift Mode
Bentley is teasing a new variant of the Bentayga SUV, and we think it's a successor to the W-12-powered Bentayga Speed that was last sold in 2023. Bentley says this new SUV model will have a nonhybrid twin-turbocharged V-8 that makes more power than the old W-12's 626 ponies. A new dynamic stability-control mode will allow the Bentayga to drift, while a special sports exhaust should emit a raucous engine note. The Bentley Bentayga is known for large-displacement and potent engines, richly upholstered interiors, and an ostentatious design. What the British automaker's only SUV is not synonymous with is sliding sideways through a corner, with the rear tires spinning up a cloud of smoke. But Bentley is teasing a new performance-focused variant of the Bentayga, set to be revealed on Monday, June 2, that promises to be capable of performing dramatic drifts. Bentley didn't provide a name for this new Bentayga model, but the luxury SUV has been without a Speed trim since the 2023 model year, so we wouldn't be surprised if this hi-po model carries that moniker. Bentley has revealed that this new version of the Bentayga will pack a twin-turbocharged, non-hybrid V-8 engine. Bentley says it will have more power than the W-12 engine found in the previous Bentayga Speed, further reinforcing the idea that this one is a new iteration of the Speed nameplate. Bentley The new V-8-powered Bentayga model is a replacement for the pre-refresh W-12-powered Bentayga Speed, seen here. That claim would mean the new Bentayga Speed will produce more than 626 horsepower. Currently, the Bentayga is only offered with a 443-hp hybrid powertrain consisting of a turbocharged V-6 and an electric motor, as well as a 542-hp twin-turbocharged V-8. This suggests the new model will have at least 85 more horses than the most potent Bentayga currently for sale. Interestingly, Bentley isn't slotting in the new 771-hp hybrid powertrain found in the latest Continental GT Speed and Flying Spur Speed into the Bentayga, at least not yet. Bentley divulged a few other details about this new Bentayga ahead of its unveiling. The SUV will pack a new sports exhaust with two elliptical tailpipes that protrude from the rear diffuser, as seen in the teaser photo. Bentley also said there will be a new ESC Dynamic (stability control) mode that will "permit exhilarating drift angles." That sounds promising, and we look forward to performing comedically lurid slides in the 5600-pound-plus behemoth. The latest Bentayga variant will be revealed at 7:30 a.m. ET on June 2. Caleb Miller Associate News Editor Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
Motor 1
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
New Alfa Romeo Stelvio: Everything We Know
The new Alfa Romeo Stelvio is one of the most highly anticipated new vehicles of the next few years. Between the many teasers and patent images, and the imminent debut date—which should be late this year or early in 2026—the next iteration of Alfa's mid-size SUV is on the minds of enthusiasts everywhere. And how could it not be? The next Stelvio aims to give Alfa Romeo a fresh start, an heir to an SUV that, frankly, was never as successful as its German counterparts, like the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC. With this new generation, though, that could change. Before the new Stelvio debuts, though, here's everything we know about the upcoming Italian SUV. What Will It Look Like? Photo by: Patent images gave us an early look at the next Alfa Romeo Stelvio, but they should still be taken with a grain of salt. Those images may not be entirely indicative of what the final production version could look like, even though they are well-detailed. The new Stelvio will remain fairly faithful to the design of the current generation, with a standard roof shape sloping gently towards the rear. Don't worry, this won't be a "coupe SUV." The rear is characterized by a unique triangular lighting signature that connects to the lower part of the tailgate. This element is similar to the first teaser published at the end of 2024. Photo by: Alfa Romeo Photo by: Alfa Romeo That triangular theme also extends to the front of the vehicle. Unlike previous renderings , the classic Alfa Romeo shield should remain in place, with an upper trim piece that connects the slim light fixtures at either corner. As with the Junior, the Alfa Romeo logo will be on the hood. As for the interior—we have no clue. But expect a clear leap forward compared to the current model, perhaps similar to what we've seen in the new Jeep Wagoneer S , with which the Stelvio will share its platform. That should include a large center touchscreen, a screen for the passenger, and plenty of other tech. What's Under The Hood? New Alfa Romeo Stelvio Prototype Photo by: Alfa Romeo The big news for 2026 is that the Stelvio will adopt the Stellantis STLA Large platform used by the aforementioned Wagoneer S and Dodge Charger. Alfa will have an "electric first" philosophy—that is, initially focusing on EVs before moving on to hybrids—with plenty of room for pure gas engines still. Alfa Romeo initially planned to focus exclusively on EVs, but due to market uncertainty, the automaker has had to shift to hybrid and gas engine production for the new Stelvio. That will delay the SUV by a few months, potentially pushing it from a 2026 model year to a 2027. Alfa Romeo has not confirmed the delay, but the company did release a statement reaffirming its commitment to the new Stelvio. As mentioned, there will be the electric version, a first for the Stelvio. But we don't know all the details. The Wagoneer S is powered by two motors with a total output of 600 horsepower and 617 pound-feet of torque, with a 100.5 kilowatt-hour, 400-volt battery pack. The electric Charger, meanwhile, is available with up to 670 hp. What About The Quadrifoglio? Photo by: Alfa Romeo We know that the STLA Large platform can accommodate batteries with a 118.0-kilowatt-hour capacity and an 800-volt architecture. The company is reportedly even hard at work on solid-state batteries . With that technology in tow, Stellantis has claimed performance figures of 1,000 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 2.0 seconds, which would make sense for a Quadrifoglio model. An electric version with a range extender can't be ruled out either, with a gas engine used to recharge the batteries. As for the electrified engines, there will almost certainly be mild-hybrid and plug-in options, with the turbo 2.0-liter gas engine among the main candidates under the hood. Pure gas engines could be used exclusively in the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, which, as CEO Santo Ficili told us, " Will surprise you. " How Much Will It Cost? Of course, it's still too early to talk about pricing for the next Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The company will certainly increase pricing over the current model, which starts at $47,545 for the base Sprint model in the US for 2025. The new version could start at around $50,000, with the electric models at the top of the pricing list. More From Alfa Romeo The Current Alfa Romeo Giulia Will Survive Through 2026 in the US Alfa Romeo Says Goodbye to Its Quadrifoglio Models With a Special Edition Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volvo Cars to slash 3,000 workers amid global trade uncertainty
Sweden-based automaker Volvo Cars said it is eliminating 3,000 white-collar jobs at operations around the world as the automotive industry faces supply chain and tariff-related disruptions. The layoffs represent around 15% of Volvo Cars' office staff, with about 2,200 job losses expected to occur in Sweden and the rest in the company's global operations. Volvo Cars has not said where the other workforce reductions will take place. The job cuts announced Monday are part of a $1.88 billion action plan to bolster the company's long-term profitability, officials said.'The automotive industry is in the middle of a challenging period,' Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Cars, said in a news release. 'To address this, we must improve our cash flow generation and structurally lower our costs.' Volvo Cars said the layoffs will be completed by the end of fall. As of the first quarter, the automaker had 42,600 full-time employees, with white-collar staff making up more than 40% of its workforce, according to its earnings report. Volvo Cars' head office, product development, marketing and administration functions are mainly located in company's car production plants are in Gothenburg; Ghent, Belgium; Charleston, South Carolina; and Chengdu, Daqing and Taizhou, China. The company also has research and development and design centers in Gothenburg and Shanghai. The latest round of layoffs comes after Volvo announced plans to eliminate 5% of its workforce, about 125 workers, at the Charleston factory, according to Reuters. The factory produces the company's EX90 SUV. Volvo Cars is majority-owned by China's Geely Holding. It was sold by Ford Motor Co. to Geely in 2010 for $1.8 billion. Volvo Cars and Volvo Trucks North America are separate entities. The post Volvo Cars to slash 3,000 workers amid global trade uncertainty appeared first on FreightWaves. Sign in to access your portfolio
