What is Kevin Hart’s 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Restomod Hiding?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

This 1959 Chevrolet Corvette was sold earlier in 2021 to Kevin Hart through auction. While most 1959 Chevrolets go up for auction these days are pretty cool, this one is hiding a little secret. Check out Hart’s first-generation Corvette with a ton of upgrades and restoration.

Check out Kevin Hart’s 1959 Chevrolet Corvette

Kevin Hart’s 1959 Chevrolet Corvette | Barrett-Jackson

What makes a restoration different from a restomod? According to MotorTrend, the term “restomod” is just a combination of the words “restoration” and “modified.” The process means that while the restoration is performed, the owner might also modify the vehicle.

“The recipe for a restomod is more restoration than modified, and those non-stock modifications are there strictly to help bring the vehicle up to or near the driving standards of a showroom-fresh performance car,” MotorTrend said.

The benefit of a process like this is that it often makes the car safer. Upgraded brakes, seatbelts, headlights, tires, and other essential safety features can be part of the process. According to Robb Report, Kevin Hart’s new 1959 Chevrolet Corvette is an excellent example of a restomod.

Hart has a group called The Plastic Cup Boyz. The Plastic Cup Boyz performs a comedy show these days, but he used to have an automotive series called Kevin Hart’s Muscle Car Crew. The Plastic Cup Boyz consists of Hart, Joey Wells, Na’im Lynn, and Spank Horton. It sounds like the group is starting a car club, and we want in.

What’s this 1959 Chevrolet Corvette hiding?

This 1959 Chevrolet Corvette sold for $825,000 not that long ago through Barrett-Jackson. The exterior is Fanny Green, and the interior color is Linen. This particular version is a Pro-Touring-style Corvette but what’s under the hood is even more special. This one has a modern Corvette LT1 V8 engine under the hood. It gets 460 hp and 465 ft-lbs of torque.

“Mated to a 4L75E automatic transmission, the C8 V8 is capable of churning out 460 horsepower and 465 ft lbs of torque, which is twice as much power as the 1959 ‘Vette’s base-level mill.”

Robb Report

Offering only 150 miles on the new build, this Corvette has a lot of other upgrades, too. Art Morrison C7 independent front suspension, upgraded suspension, and brake lines. The wheels are EVOD one-off wheels with whitewall added to the modern Nitto tires.

The 1959 Chevrolet Corvette has digital harnesses, LED lighting, and an all-original body. The radio resembled the original 1959 Wonder Bar but offers Bluetooth, subs, an amp, and speakers. The previous owner fully restored the convertible top as well.

Not a bad purchase for his collection

Chevrolet Corvette | Barrett-Jackson

Even with the popularity of the 1959 Chevrolet Corvette, there aren’t many of these vehicles on the road. The custom nature of the Corvette makes it quite valuable, but even with that in mind, $825,000 is a lot of money. This is the second restomod vehicle Hart has purchased recently. According to Robb Report, he also has a custom 1970 Dodge Charger entirely redone in exposed carbon fiber. The “Hellraiser” has a 426 Hemi from the Hellephant crate engine.

Either way, congrats to Kevin Hart on this first-generation Corvette. Hopefully, Hart and the crew take it for a ride sometime soon and put more than 150 miles on it.

RELATED: Used Car Prices: Trading a C8 Corvette for a Honda Civic Type R

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2022 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid Announced

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Kia may not be the most exciting car brand in the world, but they continue to single-handedly take on the major players from Japan and America when it comes to offering affordable “a to b” cars like the Kia Niro. They have come a long way from their low-quality image of the past, and the Kia Telluride has been a top-rated SUV from reviewers like Edmunds for the last two years running.

The Kia Niro is the brand’s attempt at creating an affordable, easy-to-use, easy-to-drive hybrid crossover. The Niro hybrid also serves as a kind of “gateway” car Niro EV. Kia has officially announced that the Niro hybrid will be returning to their lineup for 2022 and have released the pricing and new trim models.

The 2022 Kia Niro plug-in hybrid is mostly the same

2022 Kia Niro PHEV | Kia Motors

The 2022 Kia Niro plug-in hybrid is primarily unchanged from the 2021 model. Depending on your feelings on the 2021 Kia Niro plug-in hybrid, this is either good news or bad. By all rights, the Niro is a vanilla hybrid. Not that there is anything wrong with that. As enthusiasts, it is easy to forget that mass-market cars like the Niro mainly target consumers who are only looking for a nice, new vehicle that can handle their daily commutes.

That is not to say that there are no changes to the 2022 Kia Niro plug-in hybrid versus the new 2022 model. The most significant difference is that the 2022 model is now sporting the redesigned Kia logo on the front grille and wheel center caps. Wait, what? Is that it? Why did Kia put out a press release for this? Alright, well, let’s just treat this as an opportunity to inform you about the 2022 Kia Niro, and then you can come to your own conclusions. 

Powertrain, trim, and features

2022 Kia Niro plug-in hybrid in blue parked outside of a building.
2022 Kia Niro PHEV | Kia Motors

We will take a page from Doug DeMuro and talk about the features a buyer can expect from the 2022 Kia Niro. We’re not going to get into quirks, though, sorry. The Kia Niro plug-in hybrid has just one available powertrain option: a 1.6-liter engine paired with an electric motor (obviously). The gas engine and electric motor combination is good for 139 horsepower and 195 ft-lbs of torque. Feeding the electric motor is an onboard 8.9 kWh lithium-ion polymer hybrid battery.

If the driver needed to run purely on battery power, that is possible with the Kia Niro hybrid. However, the EPA-estimated All-Electric Range is just 26 miles. Owners should expect to continue their regular visits to the gas pump, albeit less frequently than a non-hybrid car. There are three trims available: LXS, EX, and EX premium. 

All three trims come standard with forward collision avoidance (car and pedestrian), Blindspot collision warning, lane following assist, high beam assist, “smart” cruise control with stop and go, and driver attention warning with lead vehicle departure alert. 

Navigation-based “smart” cruise control, parking distance warning, and highway driving assist are standard on the EX Premium trim.

The 2022 Kia Niro plug-in hybrid pricing starts at $29,590 for the LXS trim. The EX has an MSRP of $33,390. The top of the line EX Premium goes for $36,490. Kia claims that the Niro qualifies for the $4,543 Federal tax credit and applicable state and local incentives. 

After the math, that means buyers can have this humble hybrid for as little as $25,047. While the car itself may not be that exciting, the price certainly is. 

RELATED: A Compact SUV Sized Kia Carnival Might Be Coming

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MotorTrend Imagines the Future 2023 Jeep Wagoneer Trailhawk

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The auto world is getting hit by nostalgia, and many models that got the boot are now being brought back from the grave, better than ever. Originally produced from 1963-1993, the Jeep Wagoneer is making a comeback, and critics are already raving. MotorTrend is already dreaming of a Trailhawk version, but is that reality, or just a great idea that hasn’t come to fruition yet?

Meet the new Jeep Wagoneer

The Jeep Wagoneer model and lettering | FCA US LLC.

While 2021 has been rough, one good thing has come out of it. Jeep announced that the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer would soon be released. It’s a three-row SUV that can sit up to 8 people, which is very attractive for growing families.  

Jeep has also decided to step into the luxury end of the auto pool with the Grand Wagoneer for those who want something a little more upscale. Like the Grand Cherokee, it goes the extra mile to make drivers and passengers feel spoiled. It costs more, of course, but that’s the price you pay for a luxury vehicle.

Either way, both versions of the Jeep Wagoneer are getting rave reviews and have critics taking notice. Jeep has decided to take things to the next level while it has such good press and plans to make the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer and the Grand Wagoneer even better than the 2022 model.

A Jeep Wagoneer Trailhawk?

The main problem with the Wagoneer, for the most part, is that it’s not trail rated. This doesn’t mean you can’t take it for a spin off-road because you can. In fact, it does quite well off-road, according to MotorTrend. However, the review site hopes Jeep will take the Wagoneer to the next level with a Trailhawk version.

MotorTrend reports, “An off-road variant of Jeep’s largest offering would be based on the more mainstream Wagoneer and not the ultra-luxurious Grand Wagoneer. Following the strategy of Jeep’s existing Trailhawk lineup, we expect enhancements to the base vehicle’s capabilities and hardware: more aggressive tires on the Wagoneer’s 18-inch wheels and more robust underbody protection, along with some sort of rock rail/step combination to protect the rockers.”

This is all supposition, of course. Jeep hasn’t officially announced a Trailhawk version of the Wagoneer. We’re not even sure it will be known as the Trailhawk if it should happen since the Wagoneer doesn’t technically wear the Jeep badge. There are a few things we know for certain.

Just the facts on the Wagoneer

MotorTrend reports it has it on good authority that Jeep lovers will soon be treated to a long-wheelbase version. For those who dream of a greener world, there will also be a PHEV version. It may not be fully electric, but some people prefer hybrids since you aren’t completely reliant on finding an electric charging station while on a road trip.

The 2022 model will offer an adjustable air suspension, 18-inch wheels, skid plates, tow hooks, and a traction management system. The Wagoneer comes with a 5.7-liter V-8, while the Grand Wagoneer has a 6.4-liter. The ride is fairly nice on both models, and MotorTrend even states that the Wagoneer drives more like a crossover than a full-sized SUV.

The 2022 model of the Wagoneer will have a base price of $59,995. The 2023 model will cost a little more, starting at $69,995, so it’s far out of the price range for most consumers. Even so, there are doubtless former Wagoneer fans who will try their best to purchase one, even if they have to wait to buy one used. 

RELATED: The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer Gives the Chevy Tahoe Serious Competition

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New vs. Classic: 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and W140 Luxury Battle

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In the world of luxury cars, used is sometimes almost as good as new. And that even applies to some Mercedes-Benz models. But what about a brand-new car vs. its classic forebear? More specifically, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the German brand’s luxury flagship, vs. the classic W140 S-Class? That’s the question YouTube team Throttle House posed in its latest video. And as it turns out, the answer is more complicated than you might think.

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs. 1997 W140 S-Class is a battle of features and build quality

2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 4Matic S-Class | Mercedes-Benz
Spec 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 4Matic 1997 Mercedes-Benz S320
Engine 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged mild-hybrid V8 3.2-liter inline-six
Power 496 hp 228 hp
Torque 516 lb-ft 232 lb-ft
Transmission Nine-speed automatic Five-speed automatic
Drive type AWD RWD

As the specs above indicate, there’s a significant gap between the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the earlier W140. And the drivetrain details only show part of that gap. That’s to be expected, given that the S-Class is what Mercedes uses to show off new luxury and safety tech.

In that regard, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, especially in non-Maybach range-topping S580 trim, is a luxury tour de force. The latest S-Class comes standard with air suspension, Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated massaging front seats, power sunshades, and a cabin fragrance system. It also comes with Mercedes’ latest MBUX infotainment system, a 12.3” digital gauge cluster, a 12.8” center touchscreen, adjustable multi-color ambient lighting, and navigation. Plus, a full advanced driver-assistance system suite, wireless charging, and a Burmester 3D Surround Sound system.

The rear view of the tan Nappa leather interior of a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 S-Class
2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 4Matic S-Class interior rear view | Mercedes-Benz

All of this and we haven’t even gotten to the options. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offers an optional Burmester High-End 4D Surround Sound system, a 3D instrument cluster, rear-seat wireless charging, extra screens, and augmented-reality navigation, MotorTrend reports. You can also augment the air suspension with hydraulic ‘E-Active Body Control’ dampers and rear-wheel steering for tighter turns.

The W140 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a different take on luxury

The side view of a black W140 Mercedes-Benz 600SEL S-Class
W140 Mercedes-Benz 600SEL S-Class side | Mercedes-Benz

However, there’s a reason Autotrader and MotorTrend consider the W140 to be one of, if not the best S-Class generations. True, it doesn’t have all of the S580’s bells and whistles. But it’s arguably one of the last ‘cost is no object’ Mercedes, along with the W124 and R129 SL. And while it’s not as powerful or tech-heavy as the 2021 S-Class, the W140 has some modern-style features.

For example, like the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the W140 has navigation, soft-close doors, and voice commands. It doesn’t have parking sensors, but it does have two metal sticks that deploy when you reverse to serve as edge finders. And it has leather upholstery, electronic stability control, wood trim, double-glazed windows, a power-operated rearview mirror, and emergency-braking assist. Plus, it was the first production car to offer four-zone climate control, Car and Driver reports. And you could order it with a built-in fax machine.

Also, the W140 offered something you can only get in the Maybach S680 version of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Admittedly, it’s not available in the 1997 S320 that Throttle House drove. But the W140 S600/600SEL, though, came with a 402-hp 6.0-liter V12.

Is a classic W140 Mercedes-Benz S-Class as luxurious as the 2021 S580?

Besides more power and tech, there’s something else the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has that the W140 does not: 20” wheels. However, they’re something the Throttle House hosts would rather go without. That’s because, as is often the case with large wheels, they introduce more road noise and ride harshness. As a result, the W140 S-Class has a noticeably comfier and smoother ride.

It’s worth noting that the 2021 S580 Throttle House drove didn’t come with the E-Active Body Control. But it did have the 4.5° version of the rear-wheel steering system, which genuinely makes the sedan feel nimble, MotorTrend says. Plus, unlike the W140, the modern S-Class has multiple driving modes, including a Sport Mode. As a result, while the S580 isn’t a sports sedan per se, it is easy to drive, Throttle House reports.

In addition, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has comfier seats than the W140, Throttle House notes. But that might be partially due to this 1997 S320’s age, which also shows in some minor power-window quirkiness. And the W140 isn’t as sporty or as quick as the S580, nor is it quite as quiet. However, when to comes to ‘wafting’ down the road, the W140 feels “like a big luxury boat,” Throttle House says—in a good way. Plus, for those who aren’t fans of touchscreen-heavy controls, the older car is all analog.

In short, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class benefits from technological and material improvements. But that doesn’t mean the W140 has nothing to offer when it comes to luxury.

How much do these luxury sedans cost?

The W140 Mercedes-Benz S-Class does have one more significant advantage over the 2021 S-Class: price. For 2021, the S580 4Matic starts at $116,300 before options. And speaking of, the padded headrests Throttle House praised in the video cost extra.

In contrast, the 1997 S320 in the video cost just over $5500 at the time of writing. But even an excellent-condition six-cylinder W140 costs less than $17K, Hagerty says. And an excellent-condition V12 example typically costs about $22.5K, Hagerty notes.

True, the average new S-Class buyer isn’t cross-shopping classic models. However, if you want to experience what the S-Class name stands for, going vintage is a cheaper option. It all depends on how much you want or need the latest tech.

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