Latest news with #electric sedan
Motor Trend
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Chrysler's Iconic 300 Is Coming Back in 2029, With a Twist
What It Is We're hearing that Chrysler is working on a full-size electric family sedan reprising the '300' name, taking design elements and tech from the stunning Halcyon concept. The previous 300 (pictured below and in the gallery) was notable for its muscular elegance that was also culturally cool. It was powerful, with an available Hemi V-8 engine. For an idea of its importance, when Chrysler was on the brink of bankruptcy in 2008 and removing lightbulbs from empty Detroit offices to cut its electricity bill, the next-generation 300 was one of the few vehicles that continued development. The Halcyon, while futuristic, signals Chrysler's continued belief in the viability of an elegant sedan, but with functionality, perhaps courtesy of next-generation Stow 'n Go seats. (The concept's seats retracted into the rear trunk area.) Why It Matters Chrysler's thin portfolio would get a big boost from a sedan that harks back to the seemingly timeless 300, dubbed the poor man's Bentley. The Chrysler 300 full-size sedan was discontinued in December 2023 when Stellantis shuttered the Brampton, Ontario, Canada, plant for retooling to pivot to an electric future. Plans were to replace it with an EV based on the Chrysler Airflow concept in 2025. That concept has been revised many times, as has the corporate strategy and timelines for a new Chrysler model. Stellantis is now looking at 2027 for a crossover and later than that for a potential revival of a sedan. Platform and Powertrain Chrysler revived the nameplate with the front-wheel-drive 300M in 1999 and in 2004 returned it to rear-wheel drive with the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8-powered 300C, which was the 2025 MotorTrend Car of the Year. Returning on the STLA Large platform means it can accommodate all drivetrains: internal combustion engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, extended-range hybrids, and battery electric vehicles. Initial plans were for all future Chrysler models to be electric-only, but a hybrid could be an option as consumers are still slow to embrace pure EVs. And while the Hemi is hugely famous, the latest Hurricane 3.0-liter turbocharged I-6 engines are smoother and more in keeping with the premium status the car will aspire to while also providing more power. Another option is the eTorque powertrain from the Ram 1500 that pairs the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with a hybrid battery system. The sedan is expected to be all-wheel drive. STLA Large provides both 400- and 800-volt electrical architecture, with a range of up to 400 miles. The 300 will also use the STLA Smart Cockpit, STLA Brain for connectivity and software-defined-vehicle capability, and STLA AutoDrive for autonomous driving capability. The platform can also accommodate all body styles in case Chrysler balks and opts for a coupeish crossover instead of a sedan. Estimated Price $65,000 Expected On-Sale Date Fall 2028
Auto Blog
06-08-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
2026 Infiniti QX80 Arrives With Blacked-Out Sport Trim, Bigger Price Tag
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. 'I have had several tire inflators over the years and this one is the best.' Genesis quietly ends US sales of its only electric sedan, the G80 Electrified, after poor demand and just 77 units sold in the first half of 2025. View post: Genesis Quietly Kills Its Only Electric Sedan in the U.S. After Dismal Sales The 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV gets more power and tech—but with higher prices, is it smarter to grab a discounted 2025 model while stocks last? Infiniti gives its top SUV more swagger for 2026 Infiniti finally introduced a new flagship SUV for the 2025 model year in the form of the new QX80. It comprehensively trumps its predecessor, which had become outdated with its thirsty V8 and below-average driving dynamics. The 2026 Infiniti QX80 has now been introduced, and although there are no major under-the-skin changes, it does have a new Sport trim that sits close to the top of the range. This trim replaces the Sensory, and its introduction coincides with a price increase for the range. Here's a look at all the details for Infiniti's Cadillac Escalade rival. 0:02 / 0:09 2025 Audi S3 VS 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35: Which one comes out on top? Watch More Sport Gets Darker Appearance But Same Performance The Sport trim—the first of its kind for the QX80 SUV—gets an almost full house of features, as it sits below only the Autograph in the lineup. Primarily, it's a cosmetic makeover, giving Infiniti's top SUV a blacked-out makeover. The changes to the QX80 Sport start in front, where it gains a new grille and a tweaked bumper design. The roof rails, emblems, lower bumper finishers, and mirror caps all get the black treatment, and it rides on 22-inch wheels. This trim can be had in one of four colors: Mineral Black, Radiant White, Grand Blue, and Dynamic Metal. A Black Obsidian roof is available with the last three colors for those who like the contrasting look. What hasn't changed is the engine, which is still a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. All models have a nine-speed automatic, while the Sport is one of two trims to get standard four-wheel drive. No apparent changes have been made to the suspension, which is a bit of a pity, as we did note that the body-on-frame SUV doesn't have a very settled ride when we drove a 2025 version. If you want an even sportier Japanese full-size SUV, consider Nissan's even more powerful Armada Nismo. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The Dark Look Continues Inside Open the door, and the Infiniti QX80 Sport greets you with a luxurious interior finished in a Dusk Blue color scheme. There are black/blue seat inserts and diamond-pattern perforations on the seats, while graphite has been used for the pillars and headliner. Open pore wood trim and dark matter chrome accents are applied strategically. Overall, the Dusk Blue is a more unique choice than the all-black look that typically accompanies such trims. Since it is positioned below only the Autograph, the Sport is highly specified with the following items: Semi-aniline leather for the first two rows Biometric cooling 24-speaker Klipsch sound system Massaging front seats Frameless smart rearview mirror Features shared with the cheaper Luxe trim include an electronic air suspension, seating for eight, a head-up display, dual 14.3-inch screens, and heated seats in the first two rows. This is a practical vehicle, with 22 cubic feet of space behind the third row and just under 60 cubic feet when the third row is folded flat. Pricing Goes Up For 2026 Source: Infiniti For the new model year, the Infiniti QX80 starts at $83,750 for the Pure trim with rear-wheel drive, which is $1,300 more than the 2025 equivalent. Pricing for the 2026 range is as follows: Pure RWD: $83,750 Pure 4WD: $86,850 Luxe RWD: $90,850 Luxe 4WD: $93,950 Sport 4WD: $101,950 Autograph 4WD: $111,500 All prices exclude a destination and handling charge of $2,190. This is still a cheaper vehicle than the Cadillac Escalade, which starts at $90,700 for the 2025 model year. The equivalent Escalade to the QX80 Sport is the Escalade Sport 4WD, which costs $103,500, but that doesn't feel like an enormous price gap as the Cadillac still offers a more luxurious experience and better badge cachet. The previous-gen QX80 was also a lot cheaper, but not nearly as good as the new one. 'A year after its dramatic introduction, the Infiniti QX80 continues to elevate the standard in luxury SUVs, thrilling Infiniti clients with bold design and technology, while propelling strong sales at Infiniti retailers,' said Tiago Castro, vice president, Infiniti Americas. 'We know that luxury drivers are looking to make a bold entrance wherever they go, so for 2026 we are dramatically amplifying QX80's Artistry in Motion styling with a Sport grade offering a sleek, darkened appearance.' The 2026 QX80 will arrive in showrooms in late summer 2025. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
