Manual transmission-equipped vehicles are becoming hard to find but while their numbers are continuing to decrease, buyers still have a diverse array of choices to choose from if they focus on certain segments and vehicle models.
Car Culture
Reports of The Manual Transmission’s Death Greatly Exaggerated, Challenges Remain
Manual transmissions may be fading in popularity, but a new report suggests that while some challenges exist, they are not dead yet.
Headlight News Podcast Talks NY Auto Show Debuts, World Car of the Year and More
Headlight News for the Week of 4-1-24: NY Auto Show Debuts – World Car of the Year – Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 Review – and This Week in Automotive History.
The Past Lane: A Mid-Century Modern Small Car
In an era when Detroit’s Big Three wanted to do nothing but build ever larger cars, Nash Motors had a different idea, on ethat would prove that not everyone thought bigger was better. Read the story at Headlight.News.
Dodge Challenger Nameplate Could Make a Comeback
An all-new Dodge Charger made its official debut on Tuesday and while it hewed closely to the design of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concept introduced in 2022, the muscle car brand had some surprises up its sleeve, announcing that the production version will be offered in both 2- and 4-door versions (as well as all-electric and gas-powered options, as well). That leaves a big question: what happens to the once widely hailed Dodge Challenger?
First Look: All-Electric 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona – And it Gets a Gas-Powered Sibling
Dodge lifted the covers today on the eagerly awaited Charger Daytona. The replacement for the brand’s ancient muscle car line-up made its debut in concept form barely 18 months ago, billed as “the world’s first all-electric muscle car.” But Dodge offered up a few surprises during a media briefing: it will not only offer three distinct performance versions of the Daytona EV but add both 2- and 4-door models. And there’ll also be a Dodge Charger gas model using the new Hurricane engine. More from Headlight.News.
Ford Racing F-150 Lightning Demonstrator at Pikes Peak
Ford is heading to Colorado to summit Pikes Peak with an F-150 Lightning EV demonstrator in June. It’s the second straight year the automaker’s charged up the mountain with an EV, doing so last year in its electric SuperVan. More and more battery-electrics are heading to the top. Find out more at Headlight.News.
California Wants to Require Automakers to Install Speed Limiters
California lawmakers are considering a bill that could require new vehicles to come with an “intelligent speed limiter” that, in most instances, would prevent motorists from driving more than 10 mph above the speed limit. Such devices have also been recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board, though that has gained little traction on a federal level.
Used Tesla Cybertruck Sells for $244,000
It’s anyone’s guess how well the Tesla Cybertruck will do long-term. Even CEO Elon Musk has sent mixed signals about the stainless steel-bodied electric pickup. But, with production ramping up a painfully slow rate, it appears that some of those who truly want the EV will pay a substantial premium to get one – even a used one, with a brief auction resulting in one customer shelling out more than double the sticker price.
High Adventure on the Alcan 5000 Winter Rally
With my own eyes, I saw a large lynx cross the road ahead of us as we rounded a corner, with a sizable hare in its mouth destined to become the cat’s next meal. The lynx was massive, perhaps 40 pounds, and sleek in its ticked white winter coat. Read more at www.headlight.news.
Aston Martin is the Latest to Delay its EV Plans
Aston Martin is following the lead of manufacturers including Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen, responding to slowing growth in the EV market by delaying the launch of its first all-electric model by at least a year. Find out more at Headlight.News.
“Electrified” Vehicles Dominate Consumer Reports’ Top 10 Car Picks
They may still represent only a small share of the new car market but electrified vehicles are becoming increasing desirable, according to Consumer Reports. Hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all-electric models make up seven of the models in the non-profit publication’s 2024 10 Top Cars list. For the first time, that includes a Tesla product, the Model Y, thanks to the automaker’s increasingly ubiquitous Supercharger network. Meanwhile, BMW and Subaru topped the CR Brand Report Card rankings.