The Hyundai i20 N Is the First of Many Hybrid Rally Cars to Come

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Formula E is no longer the only racing series available to electrified race cars. EVs are starting to compete in off-road races, and hybrids are beginning to join in, too. So, if you’re a WRC fan, you’re about to see a whole host of hybrid rally cars drift through the dirt. And the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 will be one of them.

WRC is going hybrid for 2022

2022 Rally1 WRC rally car diagram | World Rally Championship

Although the ARA isn’t taking part, the WRC has been planning to bring in hybrid rally cars for several years. The FIA, the governing body of all automotive racing, first announced the idea back in 2019, Top Gear explains. But it’s only now that we’re getting a closer look at what the new ‘Rally1’ hybrid class entails.

The main competitors in WRC these days are Hyundai, Toyota Gazoo Racing, and Ford M Sport, Evo explains. And for 2022, all three teams are fielding hybrid rally cars built using a standardized formula. That means each racer has a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine combined with a 3.9-kWh battery pack and a 100-kW rear-axle-mounted electric motor/generator, The Drive and Autocar report.

Altogether, the hybrid powertrain generates around 500 hp. And that power goes to all four wheels via AWD and a five-speed sequential transmission. Plus, these hybrid rally cars can operate in electric-only mode. As a result, they can race in cities without breaking noise restrictions or disturbing the residents. And, in certain stages, the cars can activate a special electric boost, Top Gear reports.

However, the hybrid powertrain isn’t the only new thing for the 2022 WRC rally cars. The new racers have reinforced internal roll cages and stronger door bars. The axle and suspension regulations are simpler than in previous years, Evo notes. And going forward, all WRC cars will use a blend of biofuels and synthetic fuels that’s 100% sustainable, Autoblog reports.

The Hyundai i20 N Rally1 gives a glimpse of these hybrid rally cars

The side view of the blue-and-white-camouflaged 2022 Hyundai i20 N Rally1 prototype drifting on a gravel rally stage
2022 Hyundai i20 N Rally1 prototype side | World Rally Championship

RELATED: 40,000-Mile 2019 Hyundai Veloster N Failed to Disappoint

While the COVID-19 pandemic caused some delays, the WRC claims it’s “‘on course'” to unveil the Rally1 cars for the 2022 season. And now, the first images of the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 prototype have hit the Internet.

The Hyundai i20 N is the smaller, non-US-market sibling of the Veloster N. Think ‘Fiesta ST’ to the Veloster N’s ‘Focus ST.’ In standard form, the i20 N has a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 201 hp and 202 lb-ft linked to a six-speed manual, Automobile reports. It also comes with standard downshift rev-matching, multiple driving modes, sportier suspension, stiffer anti-roll bars, larger brakes, and an optional limited-slip differential.

RELATED: The 1986 Ford RS200 Evolution Is a Group B Rally Beast

While the standard Hyundai i20 N isn’t playful as the European-market Fiesta ST, Top Gear notes, it’s in the same spot on the hot hatch tier list. And it’s worth noting that with the current WRC version Hyundai has won two consecutive FIA Constructor’s Championships. The hybrid i20 N WRC rally car, then, has a legacy to live up to.

When and where will the hybrids take to the stage?

RELATED: The 2021 Mini JCW GP Boogies Past the Honda Civic Type R and Hyundai Veloster N

Although all the 2022 WRC hybrid rally cars use the same Compact Dynamics motor and battery, the rest of the setup is automaker-specific. And while the 2022 Hyundai i20 N is the first Rally1 car spotted testing publicly, Ford already unveiled its Rally1 car. Toyota’s racer has yet to be formally seen.

As of this writing, the 2022 WRC schedule isn’t finalized. However, the 2021 season started in January with the Monte Carlo Rally. So, we could see the new hybrid rally cars turn their wheels in anger in as little as eight months from now.

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GM Pickup Trucks Dominate the J.D. Power 2021 Top Rated List

by Gabrielle DeSantis

GM Pickup trucks have been best-sellers for years, so it’s no surprise that their trucks dominate the J.D. Power 2021 Top Rated Trucks list. Between the large pickup trucks (Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra) and the small and midsize pickups (Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon), GM knows what consumers want from their trucks. Here are the top rated GM pickup trucks for 2021.

GMC Sierra AT4 | Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado is the number one top rated large pickup truck, and it’s no surprise why. With four engine options (a 4.3-liter V6, 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8s, and a 2.7-liter turbo I4), and an array of transmissions to choose from, the Silverado has no shortage of drivetrain configurations. The Silverado also has four-wheel and rear-wheel drive, gets 23/33 mpg and can carry up to 2,280 lbs. The 3.0 liter diesel can tow up to 9,500 lbs. and has superb towing safety tools.

The Silverado has so many cab and bed configurations you can build your dream truck. It also has eight trim options ranging from the budget-friendly Work Truck to the premium High Country. 

Related: Why Trucks Are Called Pickup Trucks

2021 GMC Sierra

The 2021 GMC Sierra is number three on the J.D. Power Top Rated Truck list, with consumers calling the driving experience “Great.” The Sierra offers a smooth ride and a solid infotainment system, but doesn’t have the same high-end appeal as some of its other top rated competitors.

U.S. News reports that the Sierra’s engine options include a V6, a turbo-four, a turbodiesel, and two V8s (a 5.3-liter and a 6.2-liter) to choose from. There are also six trim options available, and three cab configurations. The 2021 Sierra has expansive leg room in the long cab option.

2021 Chevy Colorado

The 2021 Chevy Colorado is number three on the J.D. Power Top Rated midsize truck list. Consumers weren’t impressed with the Colorado’s Driving Experience (it scored just a 69/100), but they did love its reliability and resale value. The Chevrolet Colorado comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine and 308 hp and gets 17/24 mpg. While it handles better than most trucks, its lack of technology and its cheap plastic interior could be improved.

The Colorado does offer options such as a power-opening tailgate, motorized running boards and heated front seats, which may make up for its otherwise inferior interior. 

2021 GMC Canyon

The 2021 GMC Canyon is ranked number one on J.D. Power’s top rated small pickup trucks. It’s a compact pickup with engine options of a 2.5-liter, 200 hp, a 3.6-liter V6 with 308 hp, and a 2.8-liter turbocharged diesel with 181 hp. The Canyon gets 13/26 mpg and has rear-wheel drive. It can trailer up to 7,000 lbs. with its gas engine and 7,700 with the diesel. 

U.S. News called the Canyon an “easy-to-drive truck” but also lamented its lack of a luxury interior and its low safety rating in the compact truck class. The Canyon’s seats are stiff and uncomfortable, though its small size makes it simple to maneuver through traffic and a breeze to park.

With so many GM pickup trucks on the top rated list, it shouldn’t be hard to find one you like. Let this list be a starting point to finding the pickup you need (and the motorized running boards you want).

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Mark Wahlberg Owns RV and GM Dealerships Thanks to His Burger Chain

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When you think of Mark Wahlberg, you might envision his 1990s rap career as Marky Mark or his decades as a movie actor. However, you might be less likely to picture car dealerships. Though celebrities and dealerships don’t seem like they’d go together, Wahlberg’s foray into the automotive industry has been incredibly successful. And it all began because of his burger business.

Mark Wahlberg’s long Hollywood career

RELATED: Mark Wahlberg Admitted the Bugatti in ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ Was Off-Limits

Mark Wahlberg’s career in showbiz began in the early 1990s, when he performed as the lead in the rap group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. According to IMDb, he then appeared as a Calvin Klein model in 1992.

Throughout the ’90s, he guest-starred on several TV shows and video shorts, including The Ben Stiller Show, The Substitute, and Out All Night.

In the late ’90s and early 2000s, he made a highly successful shift into film, a career he continues today. He has appeared in various well-known movies, including Ted, The Departed, Planet of the Apes, and two Transformers sequels.

A shift in focus

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Although Wahlberg has enjoyed immense success in Hollywood, he has since expanded into other areas as well. He told the Detroit Free Press last year: “No matter how much success I achieve, I’m still as hungry and driven as I was when I started out.”

Perhaps it’s this hunger that drove Wahlberg to establish a chain of restaurants known as Wahlburgers. The successful business employs 185 people in Michigan alone.

Though the chain is performing well, the restaurant business isn’t Wahlberg’s passion, but rather that of his chef brother Paul. The actor’s interest outside of Hollywood is in the auto world, thanks to his youth spent as a tow-truck driver and mechanic in Massachusetts.

As luck would have it, Wahlberg’s foray into the restaurant business introduced him to an important automotive connection: car dealer Jay Feldman. Feldman invested in Wahlburgers, and he and Wahlberg “just hit it off right away,” Wahlberg told the Detroit Free Press. This meeting was the first step toward the actor owning his own dealerships.

Wahlberg’s Airstream and GM dealerships

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Wahlberg and Feldman bonded over their strong work ethic and love of cars. According to the Detroit Free Press, Feldman Automotive’s revenues total $1.2 billion. In fact, Feldman’s chain of Chevrolet dealerships is responsible for about 1 percent of all U.S. Chevy sales.

This immense success was a draw for Wahlberg. After getting to know each other through their involvement in Wahlburgers, Feldman and Wahlberg began discussing opening a car dealership. Wahlberg agreed to put his name on the dealership, which Feldman knew would attract customers.

They purchased their first dealership in November 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Wahlberg’s name indeed proved to be an impressive draw. Media coverage of their first dealership was featured on shows such as Good Morning America and Ellen, garnering 475 million views.

Wahlberg now owns four dealerships: Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet of Columbus, Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet of Worthington, Mark Wahlberg Buick GMC, and Mark Wahlberg Airstream & RV. The Detroit Free Press reported that the dealerships will likely make $304 million in 2021. Wahlberg and Feldman are also looking to expand their dealerships to other areas, Automotive News reported.

From ’90s music idol to award-winning actor and businessman, Mark Wahlberg has had a long and unique career. Whether his name is in film credits or on car dealerships, there’s no doubt his brand continues to grow with each new venture.

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Avoid These Pickup Trucks Or Pay More To Drive Them

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Generally, a pickup that launches well when it is first available and provides good initial service to the buyer tends to have fewer issues two and three years down the road. So says We Predict, a company that collects and analyzes vehicle repairs, maintenance, service campaigns, and warranty actions. It collects that data from both dealerships and independent service centers. 

This is a quality analysis for three pickup truck segments

2021 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty | Stellantis

Now We Predict has released its findings for 2021 pickup trucks in all segments with some interesting findings. James Davies, CEO of We Predict says, “It’s likely that in 60 months the Top 3 after 90 days will still be in the Top 3” after 60 months.”  Its findings cover midsize, large, and large heavy-duty pickups in three size categories.

For midsize trucks ranging from $33,000 to $64,000, coming in last is the GMC Canyon. In the large pickup category ranging in price from $51,000 to $144,000, the last place went to Nissan’s Titan pickup. And in the heavy-duty segment with prices ranging from $54,000 to $162,000, the Ram 2500 was ranked last, with the Ram 3500 just ahead of that.

Pickup costs incurred in the first 90 days predict costs over the life of the vehicle

close up of GMC hubcap
A hubcap for a GMC truck | Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

RELATED: How Many Miles Can a Pickup Truck Last?

These rankings generally indicate that whatever costs are incurred in the first 90 days are a good predictor of costs over the life of the vehicle. That cost is 20 times the three-month cost after five years. After three years it is 15 times. So quality doesn’t get better with age. 

“It’s basically everything that’s not the result of a collision,” Davies told Automotive News. “These are actual service interactions, not someone’s perceptions.” So which of these brands scored at the bottom?

At the very bottom was GMC. Moving up the rankings just above GMC is Chevrolet, then Ford, and Mini. The Top 3 for all brands is Honda in first, Hyundai coming in second, and Buick rounding the Top 3. 

Rangers scored well but in brand rankings, Ford was near the bottom

A blue ford f-150 raptor
Ford Ranger Raptor performance pick-up truck | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

So even though the winner in the midsize pickup category was the Ford Ranger, for overall brand ranking Ford was near the bottom. This is almost the same for Ram, which was ranked below average for overall brands. So these rankings can send mixed messages for the consumer.

Overall, we would say stick to the individual rankings when considering a pickup. Also, keep in mind that entirely new or highly revised pickups are just around the corner with the electric F150 being unveiled today, and the 2022 Silverado seeing big changes in both design and interior appointments. 

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