It was just last week ago when Jeep teased the Wagoneer S but now the electric SUV bares it all in official images. What gives? The person handling the automaker’s social media accounts made a faux pas by accidentally posting photos of the first US-bound EV. These were taken down not long after, but someone acted fast and downloaded the images before vanishing from Facebook.

The folks from Mopar Insiders got a hold of these photos depicting the Wagoneer S from one of their readers, showing the electric SUV in production guise. It appears to be a spitting image of the namesake concept from 2022 and dare we say it sends a strong Range Rover Velar vibe. In case you don’t remember the concept, we’ve attached a photo gallery at the bottom of the article.

Jeep intends to sell the Wagoneer S only as an electric vehicle, with the US to get the posh zero-emission SUV this fall. It won’t be exclusive to North America since other markets are getting this fifth Wagoneer flavor. In the US, it’ll sit alongside the gas-powered Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, both of which are optionally offered with a longer wheelbase.

The 2025 Wagoneer S will be sold with all-wheel drive as standard, meaning it’s going to have a pair of electric motors. With a confirmed combined output of 600 horsepower and what we can assume will be copious amounts of instant torque, the silent SUV will hit 60 mph from a standstill in just three and a half seconds.

A few days ago, Jeep’s parent company Stellantis disclosed comprehensive details of its new STLA Large Platform. Logic tells us that the Wagoneer S is going to use this architecture, especially since the automotive conglomerate claims the first models are due to be rolled out in 2024. In fact, it explicitly says Jeep and Dodge will lead the way and these initial models will be launched in North America first. Eight EVs across five brands are scheduled to hit the market by 2026.

STLA Large has been engineered in 400- and 800-volt configurations with battery packs varying in capacity from 85 to 118 kWh. Sedans will deliver up to 500 miles (800 kilometers) of range but with SUVs being inherently heavier, the efficiency is likely to be lower in the case of the Wagoneer S. Vehicles underpinned by this platform will be 187.6 – 201.8 inches (4764 – 5126 millimeters) long, 74.7 – 79.9 in (1897 – 2030 mm) wide, and with a wheelbase of 113 – 121.1 inches (2870 – 3075 mm).

Expect Jeep’s electric SUV to get even quicker since Stellantis promises upgraded “propulsion system performance” courtesy of over-the-air updates. Although the Wagoneer S will be EV-only, the STLA Large platform intended for models in the D and E segments is going to support combustion engines and hybrid powertrains.

There’s a cliche in the automotive world that refers to particularly hardcore track-focused machines as a “race cars for the road.” This is seldom true, of course. The classic Porsche 911s from British company Lanzante are closer than most, though, as they’re powered by race-used McLaren TAG turbo V6 Formula One engines.

Lanzante has slowly been building these F1-powered 911s for a few years, but the one in this video is exceptionally cool. O’Gara Coach in Beverly Hills, California was responsible for the commission, enlisting Former F1 racer Stefan Johansson to give the car a custom paint scheme, as it uses the engine from his McLaren at the 1987 Austrian Grand Prix, where he finished in seventh place. The pairing makes sense, as he’s become an artist with a studio in Santa Monica since retiring from racing.

Lanzante reportedly charges $1.45 million for each of these builds. The powerplants, sourced straight from McLaren, had branding from the company Techniques d’Avant Garde (TAG) – best known for the TAG-Heuer watch brand. However, Porsche actually developed the powerplant in-house.

Cosworth assisted in revising the F1 engine so that it would work in a road car. The tweaks included smaller turbos, decreased boost pressure, and an adjusted air-fuel ratio. The result was a powerplant reportedly making around 503 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. In race trim, the mill would have made about 900 hp and roughly 1,200 hp during qualifying.

Johansson raced with a helmet featuring three leaves in different shades of dark green. He included these colors on this art car while also including blue, yellow, and red hues. Beyond the design, driving Lanzante’s 911 looks thrilling. The modified engine revs to 9,000 rpm and sounds terrific. Plus, flames shoot out of the exhaust. Modified Porsches are hardly rare, but packing a race-used F1 engine makes this one particularly special.

Jeep announced Thursday it plans to launch its first US-bound electric vehicle, the Wagoneer S, in the fall of 2024. To go along with the announcement, the brand released a short teaser video, a single image of the car, and a couple of impressive stats: 600 horsepower and a 0-60 time of “around” 3.5 seconds.

The Wagoneer S is exclusively a battery-electric vehicle, says Jeep. It’ll come with Jeep’s 4xe-branded all-wheel drive as standard, along with the company’s all-terrain management system.

There’s no word on battery size, trims, motor tech, or pricing for the Wagoneer S right now. We suspect Jeep will trickle out more details as the fall 2024 on-sale date approaches. The SUV will go on sale in the US first before hitting “key markets around the world” later on.

Jeep says the design of the Wagoneer S has been “driven by aerodynamic efficiency.” The lone teaser photo shows a head-on shot of a more streamlined, less blocky structure than we’d normally see on a Jeep. The two blade-like side inlets on either side of the lower bumper remind us of the items found on another upcoming, US-built electric SUV, the Lucid Gravity. The company’s signature seven-slot grille is LED-lit, while the rear end will likely feature a solid LED light bar, if the brief glimpses shown in the teaser video are anything to go on. In fact, the car seems to look near identical to the concept Jeep showed back in 2022:

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The Wagoneer S is the first of two electric Jeep planned for 2024, with the smaller Recon also expected to enter production sometime this year. The two vehicles are the first steps in a plan to reshape Jeep’s portfolio, joining the company’s first electric vehicle, the Avenger, that launched in Europe in 2022.

The original Defender came in multiple flavors, but its modern-day equivalent is limited to the 90, 110, and the larger 110. The lineup not only lacks a pickup truck, but Land Rover has also refrained from producing another convertible. For those seeking open-top thrills, there’s good news – Dutch coachbuilder Heritage Customs has done away with the off-roader’s roof.

Derived from the Defender 90, the Valiance Convertible features a folding fabric top that contrasts with its Sunbeam Yellow body. This marks the company’s second conversion, following a different build introduced nearly a year ago with glorious white steel wheels. The latest iteration boasts a flashier appearance, showcasing bigger two-tone alloys, including a spare one attached to the fifth door.

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Heritage Customs went beyond simply removing the fixed hardtop to make way for an electrically folding roof; they also added a full roll cage for extra strength and safety. The cabin received a makeover with yellow stitching to complement the vivid exterior. The coachbuilder enhanced the seats with black quilted leather upholstery. Moreover, the dashboard is adorned with 3D inlays made from etched aluminum. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that this Defender 90 features the optional central front seat.

Heritage Customs doesn’t keep Defender Valiance Convertibles in stock. These made-to-order vehicles take at least three months to complete and cost from €82,500 (nearly $90,000), plus the donor car and any applicable taxes. Production has been scaled up, and the coachbuilder is set to reveal another Valiance Convertible build soon. 

In 2024, SUV convertibles are few and far between, and soon we’ll be crossing one off the list. Volkswagen recently announced that the T-Roc Convertible will bow out after the first and only generation runs its course.

Some will remember that aside from the old Defender, Land Rover had another cabrio-SUV mashup in its portfolio. We’re talking about the short-lived Evoque Convertible.

Bugatti made 450 Veyrons, but this isn’t one of them. Replicas are typically constructed by removing the original body panels from existing cars and replacing them with custom that mimic the real deal. This process often results in some odd proportions that betray the car’s true identity. However, this supercar impersonator takes a different approach, featuring a bespoke chassis.

To the untrained eye, and without getting really close to the car, this (kinda) looks like a Veyron. It even features a 3D-printed engine cover faithfully replicating the W16, based on a 3D scan of an actual quad-turbo 8.0-liter engine. However, underneath, it houses a twin-turbo 4.2-liter V8 from a first-generation Audi RS6 (C5). It delivers 444 hp and 428 lb-ft (580 Nm), which is less than half of what the original Veyron had.

One component directly borrowed from a Veyron is the slightly cracked windshield, sourced from one of the vehicles built in Molsheim, France. While the exterior makes a decent effort at replicating Bugatti’s EB110 successor, the same cannot be said for the cabin. A Veyron’s interior is adorned with the finest leather the Volkswagen Group could source, but this one features its fair share of hard plastics.

The oversized EB logo on the steering wheel is tacky, while the gear selector and some of the switchgear come from a plebian Audi. The climate controls also trace their roots to a 2000s car carrying the Four Rings, and the aftermarket JVC radio is not up to snuff. The attempt to mimic a Veyron’s shape also brought some downsides to the driving experience, as there are some worrying blind spots, and outward visibility through that original Veyron windscreen is less than ideal.

However, this is an overall decent build considering it was a one-man effort over seven years, during which he spent £350,000 or about $444,000 at current exchange rates. It is now said to be worth £150,000, which equates to $190,000. For that amount of money, one could purchase a genuine supercar, such as a low-mileage Audi R8.

The Suzuki Jimny, praised for its compact size and off-road capabilities, has become a favorite canvas for tuning companies seeking to create unique and eye-catching designs. Examples include several Jimnys dressed as G-Classes and most recently, two crossovers channeling the spirits of two rally legends from the past. However, a new project has emerged from an unexpected source, showcasing the ingenuity of students from the Nippon Automobile College, or NATS, at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Meet the NATS Shakotan Jimny J1, a distinctive creation that catches the eye with its resemblance to the Toyota Mega Cruiser, often dubbed as Japan’s Hummer. What sets this project apart is not its affiliation with a tuning company but rather its origin as a student-built endeavor.

The NATS team took an unconventional approach by combining the chassis of the Suzuki Escudo SUV with the first-generation Suzuki Jimny. More precisely, two first-gen Jimnys. The result is a unique combination that features a low-riding profile and the Escudo’s V6 gasoline engine under the hood. 

The exterior of the unusual build is particularly intriguing, crafted by seamlessly merging two Jimny units with the accompanying four headlights at the front. The utilization of air suspension ensures the body-dropped chassis hugs the ground. The attention-grabbing aesthetic is further enhanced by Toyo-branded tires and custom wheels from iMLA.

As mentioned, power comes from a 2.5-liter V6 engine and, as far as we know, it’s left unmodified. This means it still generates around 160 horsepower but considering the vehicle’s ride height, power is probably not that important. In terms of interior, the students kept the cabin mostly unchanged but the trunk space has been repurposed to house a powerful sound system from Diecock, featuring a total of 12 speakers and two substantial bass speakers. 

Americans had to settle for an inferior product considering the last Passat sold in the United States was not as sophisticated as the namesake European model. China also got the better iteration in 2018 as the Magotan, and now, it’s transitioning to the next generation. The midsize sedan has made an early appearance in images published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).  

The 2025 Magotan is basically the new Volkswagen Passat Sedan that won’t be sold anywhere else except in China. In Europe and other regions, the Passat is now exclusively a wagon. However, the mechanically related Skoda Superb is still available as a five-door liftback alongside the long-roof model. These revealing images show VW has made substantial changes to the car’s design compared to the global wagon, presumably to better cater to Chinese tastes.

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That said, it’s still not the most exciting design and could use a bit more pizzazz but to each his own. Compared to the European Passat, the Magotan looks boxier and has a traditional trunk lid compared to the Superb’s more practical tailgate. The taillight design with an extended light bar appears to take after VW’s electric ID. models. All versions depicted here have the exhaust tip tucked away underneath the bumper.

The car featuring matte black/grey paint appears to be the most expensive of the bunch and it seemingly has a “Flagship” script on the front doors, below the side mirrors. It rides on two-tone wheels and has an assortment of glossy black accents. Those looking for a more daring look will be able to get the Magotan with a purple paint job.

Accompanying the images are specs pertaining to size and engine. The new family sedan is 196.4 inches (4990 millimeters) long, 73 in (1854 mm) wide, and 58.5 in (1487 mm) tall, with a wheelbase of 113 in (2871 mm). It tips the scales at 3,712 pounds (1,684 kilograms) and is offered with wheels varying in size from 17 to 19 inches. Motivation is provided by a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine rated at 217 hp.

Keep in mind that the Magotan isn’t the largest sedan Volkswagen sells in China. Serving as an indirect successor to the long-defunct Phaeton, the luxurious Phideon holds the position of the company’s flagship saloon in the country. Volkswagen offers a diverse range of sedans in China, including the Lamando L, Lavida, Sagitar, CC, Santana, Bora, Passat, Magotan, and Phideon.

This rich variety underscores the ongoing relevance of the traditional sedan body style in 2024 in China, even as global demand has diminished in recent decades due to the surge in popularity of SUVs.

Cadillac has pledged to go purely electric by 2030 but there’s still time for a few more vehicles equipped with combustion engines. The XT5 happens to be one of them, and later this year, it’ll transition to the second generation. Ahead of its official premiere, the luxury crossover has been outed in China by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology as part of the homologation process.

Having been around since 2016, the outgoing XT5 is getting a bit long in the tooth. Thankfully, its successor is right around the corner with a somewhat fresh look. It’s obvious we’re dealing with evolutionary styling in keeping with Cadillac’s latest design language. It gets the familiar upper slim strip of horizontal lights along with a vertical bar extending downward to form an upside-down “L” at both ends of the vehicle.

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General Motors’ luxury brand has opted for a slightly boxier look and plans to offer the XT5 is multiple flavors. Eagle-eyed readers will notice the images posted on the MIIT website show at least a couple of trim levels, each offered with several alloy wheel designs, one paired with red brake calipers. The interior has yet to be revealed, although we won’t be too surprised if it has the 33-inch screen setup seen in recent Cadillac models such as the CT5.

Accompanying these images are some initial technical specifications. We get to find out China’s 2025 XT5 is 192.4 inches (4888 millimeters) long, 77 in (1957 mm) wide, and 66.7 in (1694 mm) tall. That makes it slightly larger in all directions than its predecessor, along with a slightly longer wheelbase of 112.7 in (2863 mm).

The new XT5 for the world’s second-most populous country will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine making 227 hp. Front-wheel drive is going to be standard but Cadillac intends to sell more expensive variants in China with AWD.

The key question remains whether Cadillac intends to introduce the next-gen XT5 to the United States. During the GM Investor Day in 2022, GM President Mark Reuss stated that the new crossover would be exclusive to the Chinese market. However, a report from GM Authority in late 2023 suggested a potential change of plans, indicating that the revamped model might, in fact, make its way to North America after all.

Mazda made a big splash at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon where it strongly hinted at the return of the rotary sports car. In addition, it brought a pair of tricked-out concepts under the Mazda Spirit Racing banner. While customized cars are a dime a dozen at TAS – it is Japan’s SEMA after all – there’s more to the story.

The Mazda Spirit Racing RS and Spirit Racing 3 are actually going into production. The former is based on the MX-5 Miata sold locally as the Roadster while the latter is the Mazda3 hatchback. Although full details have yet to be announced, the new goodies are currently in development and will be sold under the Mazda Spirit Racing brand.

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The intent is to roll out track-focused cars with suspension and aerodynamic enhancements that use lessons learned from the Super Taikyu Series. In addition, the Miata and 3 have been subjected to some cosmetic changes on the inside but there’s sadly no word about a power boost for either. Previously, MX-5 Program Manager Shigeki Saito announced “very cool special editions” are on the way for the lovable roadster, although that doesn’t necessarily mean more potent engines are planned.

Meanwhile, both these concepts share the Mazda Spirit Racing logo and ride on Rays wheels with Bridgestone Potenza tires. Based on the recently launched ND3, the Miata has a pair of Recaro bucket seats with a racing harness and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with a red 12 o’clock mark. It also flaunts a body kit with decals, enlarged exhaust tip (instead of two smaller ones), Brembo brakes, and blacked out badges.

The Mazda3 has an unusually large front splitter, enlarged side skirts, and a carbon fiber rear spoiler. It too has bigger exhaust tips and darkened badges, along with Brembo brakes and what looks like a stiffer suspension judging by the lower ride height. Body-hugging Recaro seats, red stitching, and Alcantara details spruce up the otherwise standard cabin.

We’re getting the impression Mazda Spirit Racing is evolving into an indirect revival of Mazdaspeed. Hopefully, the rotary sports car previewed by the Iconic SP concept will sit at the top of the lineup.

Lexus already prepped the new GX 550 for light off-road duty with the Overtrail trims. However, the aftermarket scene is full of even more options, and the automaker highlighted some of those goodies through a collaboration with JAOS, a company that has been developing and selling four-wheel-drive upgrades since 1985.

The pair partnered to modify and add even more toughness to the all-new GX SUV that goes beyond a simple visual makeover. Underneath the beast is a new 4.0-millimeter-thick (0.16-inch) aluminum skid plate to protect the vital bits and a suspension lift. Fender flares with a matte-black finish and black tube-style steel side steps help protect the body.

The SUV rides on lightweight 18-inch wheels from the aftermarket company, matching Lexus’s stock size that features 33s. Other improvements include a front bumper guard made from lightweight and rigid ABS resin, black mudguards with an aluminum plate, and a black aluminum roof rack. The trim’s standard crawl control and downhill assist control will also assist it in its off-road duties. 

Lexus didn’t mention any powertrain upgrades. The standard GX 550 features the twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine that produces 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. That’s plenty of power to conquer almost any trail. Toyota pairs it with a 10-speed automatic gearbox that allows the SUV to tow up to 8,000 pounds.

The new GX has a full-time four-wheel drive system and an electronically controlled transfer case as standard. Toyota also offers the SUV with a lockable Torsen limited-slip center differential, while the Overtrail models stand out with an additional locking rear diff. 

The upgraded Lexus GX 550 Overtrail with the JAOS upgrades is on display at this year’s Toyota Auto Salon in Hall 7. The 2024 GX goes on sale early this year with a $64,250 starting price, which includes the $1,350 destination charge.