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Alpha’s New Wolf Electric Pickup Looks Like It Came Back From The Future

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The fourth in the company’s growing range of vehicles, the Alpha Wolf is a small electric pickup truck that can handle more than just tiny jobs.

The design, while following the aesthetic details of the brand’s other electric models, also adds a touch of 1980s with its boxy shape and accessories, bringing to mind Marty McFly’s 1985 Toyota SR5 truck.

The little pickup is based on the same platform as the JAX, which you might remember being unveiled in February. Alpha says the Wolf can be equipped with a 75-85 kWh battery pack earning it an estimated 275 miles of range. Motors can either power the front or all wheels.

More to the point, though, despite being 23-inches (584 mm) shorter than a Ford Ranger at 188 inches (4,775mm) long, 76 inches (1,930 mm) wide and 66 inches (1676 mm) tall, Alpha is aiming for a pretty reasonable towing capacity of 3,000 lbs. It can also hit 60 mph from a standing start in just 6.2 seconds.

With just two seats, the pickup’s bed takes up most of its length and is 65-inches (1,651 mm) long by 59-inches (1,498 mm) wide and 16-inches (406 mm) deep. That won’t hold a 4×8 plywood sheet, but it will net you 34.5 cubic feet of storage in the bed’s truck. If you want some more secure storage, there’s a frunk, too.

Read Also: The Alpha Jax Is A Rugged Electric Coupe That’s Slated To Start At $38,000

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Images show a large solar panel covering the bed of the truck. Although official details on this feature are frustratingly scant, we can presume that it will help charge the battery a bit while you’re trekking out away from the grid.

Inside, the Wolf looks a lot like Alpha’s other creations. The interior is uncluttered but modern and features a tablet-style infotainment screen and a digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. Alpha promises lots of charging ports for your electronics as well as lots of storage for your belongings.

One of the most affordable electric trucks

Prices will start at just $36,000 running up to $46,000 before you even consider federal EV tax credits. That’s less than the JAX CUV, which is priced between $38,000-$48,000, but more than the standard Ace coupe, which starts at just $32,000. In any case, it’s one of the least expensive electric trucks in the North American market.

As with its other models, Alpha is accepting reservations on the Wolf, though exactly when deliveries are expected to start is a little less clear.

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Lexus LFA And Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Are So Different, Yet So Very Special

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The Lexus LFA and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren were two of the finest supercars launched in the 2000s and 2010s respectively, but which is quicker?

To find out, Lovecars recently lined up the duo for a drag race. Only it was no regular SLR McLaren that was featured, but a 722 S Roadster.

First, the figures. Driving the LFA is a screaming 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V10 producing 553 hp at 8,700 rpm and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque at 6,800 rpm. Coupled to this engine is a six-speed semi-automatic transmission powering the rear wheels. By today’s standards, the LFA may seem underpowered but it remains one of the best-sounding production cars ever created.

Watch Also: Lexus LFA Is Still An Amazing Supercar 10 Years Later

By comparison, the 722 S Roadster features a modified version of the SLR McLaren’s 5.4-liter supercharged V8, tweaked to deliver 641 hp at 6,500 rpm and 605 lb-ft (820 Nm) of torque at 4,000 rpm.

The added grunt of the Merc helps it sprint out to an early lead over the LFA and Tiff Needell, who is behind the wheel of the Lexus, is unable to catch up and close the distance. The same result was mimicked in the second race.

While supercars like the Lexus LFA and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster place an emphasis on performance, they are about more than just insane straight-line acceleration. The LFA, for example, is a precision tool perfectly suited to racetracks and flowing mountain roads while the SLR is a seasoned grand tourer that can crush continents. So, which would you rather own?

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The 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo Was A Genuine World-Class Sportscar

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There’s nothing like watching a review from 1994 and hearing words that you’d expect to hear from modern cars today.

Indeed, most of the improvements made to the 1994 Toyota MR2 in this Motorweek Retro Review came in the form of its suspension, which had two-way valve dampers and minor geometry changes. That’s the kind of technology that automakers might celebrate today and it helps explain why John Davis was so positive about the MR2’s handling, as tested at Roebling Raceway.

In 1993 the MR2 made a leap forward. As Car and Driver wrote, “Early [MR2s] favor the bold—beware of snap oversteer — but Toyota corrected that in 1993 with a revised suspension and larger wheels and tires.”

Read Also: Guy Buys 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo Garage Find With 1,461 Miles For Just $500!

Everything about later MR2s stands out, especially the price according to Motorweek. Indeed, the fully kitted-out car they had on the show cost $32,411. Although that might not sound like much today, inflation means it’s the equivalent of about $56,000 in 2021.

More to the point, the MR2 cost only about three grand less than an M3 in 1994. By comparison, Miata prices at the time started at around $17,000, making the Toyota significantly more expensive. With 200 hp coming from its 2.0-liter turbo, though, the MR2 was way more powerful than the Miata of the day. That said, the MR2 was down on power compared to the M3, which in US-spec made 240 hp.

Despite the price, we’re glad Toyota found a way to keep producing this world-class sports car for another five years.

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Whether Or Not The 2021 Genesis G80 Can Take Down The E-Class, It’ll Go Down Swinging

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When the 2021 G80 premiered a little less than a year ago, it launched to wide acclaim. The car that started Genesis had finally become a real competitor for the Germans.

How does it stack up all this time later? Driven by Throttle House, the new luxury sedan makes a strong impression and one that’s worthwhile. But the Germans, especially those at Mercedes, probably won’t lose sleep.

Whatever it does achieve, it would be hard to argue that it isn’t a desirable car. Between its attention-grabbing looks, its dedication to spec, and its modern tech, it handles the business of being a premium car with exceeding acumen.

Also Read: Kia, Hyundai, And Genesis All Spied Testing EVs Together In The Snow

Powered by a 3.5-liter V6 making 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque (or a 2.5-liter four that makes 300 hp) it has an adequate if not shocking amount of horsepower. Its real advantage comes when you remember that Albert Biermann, the architect of some of BMW’s best, was behind this car.

And it shows. According to host Thomas Holland, it’s more fun to drive than an M5 Competition. A bold claim that he accepts will lead to bolder disagreements, but one that’s indicative of the car’s charm.

So, should you buy one instead of a German rival? Well, that’s complicated. The G80 certainly earns its place in the conversation and not just because it undercuts the competition substantially in terms of price. But whether or not it will be a true competitor for brand-anxious luxury car buyers is another question entirely.

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McLaren 720S Tries Its Best, But The 765LT Is Just Too Much To Handle

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Recent tests have proven that the McLaren 765LT is much quicker than a 720S in a straight-line, but now we get another chance to see the two go toe-to-toe at a drag strip with two experienced drivers behind the wheel.

The Napier Green 765LT featured is owned by YouTuber DragTimes and in addition to holding the world record quarter-mile time for a stock 765LT, a recent dyno run indicated that it is pumping out well over 800 hp. The result is a car that can leave a stock 720S for dead in a sprint down the quarter-mile.

Watch Also: See A Stock McLaren 765LT Record A 9.3-Second Quarter-Mile

Prior to hitting the drag strip, the YouTuber fitted a set of Toyo R888R tires to both cars to level out the playing field as much as possible. Even so, the duo did encounter some issues in putting their power to the ground without spinning up their rear tires, but the 765LT was generally about 0.4 seconds quicker than the 720S. While that may not sound like much, it is an age down the quarter-mile and proves once again that no other car manufacturer is currently building supercars as quick as those from McLaren.

In January, the YouTuber took his 765LT to the drag strip for the first time and when rolling on a set of R888R tires, recorded a best run of 9.338 seconds at 150.87 mph (242.8 km/h). The best run also saw the supercar hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in a mere 2.1 seconds.

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Horse & Buggy Wheels On A Dodge Challenger Hellcat? This Should Be Interesting

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YouTuber WhistlinDiesel is certainly no stranger to doing insane things with their vehicles, and this is no different, as they managed to get the wheels from a horse and buggy and fit them onto a Dodge Challenger Hellcat.

They got the custom wheels from a specialty shop, and welded hubs onto them to get them to fit on the Challenger. They mention that they’ve tried this on their truck before with wooden wheels, so they figure that these aluminum ones can both hold the weight of the Challenger, as well as withstand its 707 horsepower.

Watch: Yes, Putting Four-Foot Wheel Spacers On A Silverado IS A Stupid Idea

They then jack it up, and fit the buggy wheels on, along with some massive spacers to clear the wheel wells. After the installation, they fire up the Hellcat, and we must say, it’s quite comical to hear that kind of noise come out of a car that now looks like it has rubber bands for tires. The wheels are actually so thin that the fronts stay locked as the car drives out onto the snowy driveway, and the rears manage to break traction at just a touch above idle.

After a few minutes of laughter, the guys decide to take the car out for a spin. They hit up a bunch of different places, such as an auto parts store, a drive-through, and even a Dodge dealership to see people’s reaction to their creation, and to no one’s surprise, there are plenty of onlookers.

See Also: Here’s Concrete Evidence The Ford F-350’s Aluminum Bed Can Take 13,000 Pounds

At around the 11 minute 10 second mark, we get to what we’ve all been waiting for: the buggy-wheeled burnout. Before they begin, they turn off traction control, although we don’t think it would do much even if left on. Predictably, the Hellcat effortlessly overpowers the narrow wheels, leaving plumes of smoke and pencil-width tire tracks in its wake. In less than 2 minutes of somewhat light tire-spinning, they strip the wheels down to just metal, and eventually call it quits after realizing they’ve sawed their way through the asphalt.

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Take A Tour Of The Only Factory Bulletproof Porsche 911 In The World

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The 996 generation of Porsche’s iconic 911 is probably the least favorite among fans and customers alike. Maybe it’s the “fried egg” headlights, the reliability, or the fact that it’s not air-cooled like its predecessors. Whatever the reason, it typically gets the least love out of all the 911s. But this one is different than all the rest.

That’s because it’s bulletproof straight from the factory. Built as a one-off by Porsche in the mid-1990s after a customer requested an armored car, this unique 996 Carrera survives to this day as part of the Porsche Museum’s collection.

Read More: Porsche Takes A Look Back At The Original Boxster Concept

To make the bulletproof 911, Porsche started with an early 996 Carrera finished in Dragonfly Turquoise Metallic that they took right off the production line. They then added 20mm thick reinforced glass all around that was specially created and supplied for this car. As a result of this custom work, the rear windshield is even able to keep its heating element. The only thing giving away the new glass is the 2-inch-thick back border around the windows.

An unintended result of all that bulletproofing is that the cabin is dead silent. Despite the extensive modifications made to the exterior, the interior remains exactly the same, minus a sunroof for obvious reasons. That being said, this car did have almost every interior option you would’ve wanted at the time, with a high-end sound system, electrically-adjustable heated seats, and cruise control.

Watch: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 With Akrapovic Exhaust Is Out For 911 Blood

For the bodywork, Porsche strayed away from the obvious choice of heavy-duty steel in favor of something a bit more durable. They chose Dyneema, an energy-absorbing composite that weighs the same as steel, only it’s fifteen times stronger. Again, none of this armoring is outwardly visible, which is one of its best tricks. To the unsuspecting eye, this looks like a normal 996 911 Carrera.

And in case you were wondering, this reinforcement isn’t just theoretical. Porsche has tested it, claiming that in most places the body can withstand the fire of a 9 mm handgun as well as a .44 Magnum revolver.

See Also: Porsche Bringing Entry-Level Taycan Stateside, Starts Under $80,000

However, all this comes at the cost of extra weight. While a normal 996 Carrera weighs 2,904 lbs (1,317 kg), this one tips the scales at a hefty 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg). And despite the weight gain, it’s still powered by the original 3.4-liter flat-six engine making 296 hp (300 PS / 221 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque.

Eventually, this project remained a one-off for a simple reason: the cost was far too high and the demand was way too low.

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Battle Of The V10s: Audi R8 Spyder Drag Races Lamborghini Huracan

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The Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracan may share platforms and engines, but does that mean they have similar performance? YouTube channel Lovecars decided to find out by having the two face each other in a drag race.

Both the R8 and the Huracan are powered by a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine producing 602 hp (610 PS / 449 kW). The Audi has 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) of torque compared to the Lamborghini’s 413 lb-ft (560 Nm), and both cars come with all-wheel drive, ensuring their launches will be sufficiently quick.

Watch: Acura NSX Vs Audi R8 V10 Plus Results May Surprise You

That being said, whereas the R8 Spyder is rated at 3,900 lbs (1,770 kg), the Huracan is almost 500 lbs (227 kg) lighter, at 3,423 lbs (1,553 kg).

Moving on to the actual race, the R8 experiences somewhat of a stutter off the line, while the the Huracan wastes no time setting off. Thanks to the drone shots from above the runway, we get to see the Huracan take a considerable lead right off the bat, pulling a few car lengths ahead of the Audi before the race is even halfway done.

See Also: We Bet The Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder Can’t Hold A Candle To The McLaren P1

Unsurprisingly, the Huracan prevails, crossing the finish line in just 11.38 seconds at 115.1 mph (185.2 km/h), with the R8 Spyder coming in 0.39 seconds behind, running an 11.77 second time at 114.5 mph (184.3 km/h). However, it’s worth mentioning that these results could have been slightly different had the R8 gotten a better launch.

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2020 Audi RS4 Avant Quicker At The Track Than The Aston Martin DB11, Mercedes-AMG E63 S And Alfa Giulia QV

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The latest Audi RS4 Avant is not only a great daily driver, but also a proper track tool, as proved in this video that shows it going for a fast lap at a lesser known racetrack in Germany: the Mendig.

At the end of the run, the super estate posted a 1:54.45, which puts it one tenth of a second ahead of the Aston Martin DB11 and almost three tenths of a second in front of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

Other cars that were slower than the 2020 RS4 Avant, according to AutoMotorUndSport’s video description, are the Lotus Exige S, Mercedes-AMG E63 S, Lexus RC F, BMW M2, Alpine A110, Ford Mustang GT, Renault Megane RS Trophy and Alfa Romeo 4C.

Review: The 2020 Audi RS4 Avant Will Rock Your World

The BMW M2 Competition, Jaguar F-Type R and Porsche Boxster Spyder, on the other hand, completed the course a bit quicker than the RS4. The fastest production car on the Mendig is the Ferrari 488 Pista, with 1:41.00, followed by the McLaren 720S and Porsche 911 GT2 RS, with 1:42.10 and 1:42.29 respectively.

The 2020 RS4 Avant uses a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 which drives the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system through an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission. It pumps out 444 HP (450 PS / 331 kW) and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque, enabling a 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) of 4.1 seconds and a 155 mph (250 km/h) top speed, or 174 mph (280 km/h) with the speed limiter removed.

While the RS4 Avant is not available in the States, its bigger and more powerful sibling, the RS6 Avant, is. It starts at $109,000 and packs a 592 HP 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8, and it needs just 3.5 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph (96 km/h).

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Toyota GR Yaris Wipes The Floor With New Honda Civic Type R

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Not only does the (all-wheel drive) Toyota GR Yaris seem to be heaps of fun to drive but the hard data reveals that it can out-perform the current king of front-wheel drive hot hatches, the Honda Civic Type R.

Eager to see just how capable the GR Yaris is, Motor Magazine in Australia lined it up against a 2021 Civic Type R for a series of drag races and a braking test from 62 mph (100 km/h).

Initially, the YouTube channel does some individual acceleration runs in the cars and it is the GR Yaris that proves to be far easier to get off the line, thanks in part to its all-wheel drive system and the short gear ratios. It records a best 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 5.2 seconds and runs through the quarter-mile in a mere 13.3 seconds.

Read Also: Beat The Waiting List With This 70-mile 2021 Toyota GR Yaris, But There’s A Price To Pay

By comparison, the best time recorded by the Honda Civic Type R was a 6.1 second sprint to 100 km/h and a 14.1 second quarter mile. While it is the Honda that has more power than the Toyota, the simple fact that it is front-wheel drive means it struggles to put its power to the ground and requires more skill to get off the line.

As for the head-to-head drag races, it comes as little surprise that it is the GR Yaris that proves to have the advantage. Thanks to its softer suspension system, it squats down nicely when launching off the line and sprints to a significant advantage over the Honda. The results from the three drag races were all the same and went in favor of the Toyota.

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