Cadillac Latest Developing LeMans Prototypes

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Two great things are happening right now in endurance racing. The World Endurance Championship is picking up both new teams and manufacturers. And Cadillac is jumping back into it starting in 2023. It’s developing an LMDh prototype race car now. 

Cadillac is building the race car for the LMDh prototype hybrid class 

Cadillac LMDh prototype | GM

The LMDh class is LeMans/Daytona hypercars. Now, these prototypes will be able to race across IMSA-, ACO-, and FIA-sanctioned races. With this new class starting in 2023 a new group of manufacturers is signing up including Cadillac.

Called the Cadillac LMDh-V.R, it is a co-production of both Cadillac and Dallara Racing Chassis.  This is the second pairing of the two companies. Together, they fielded cars that won IMSA in 2017 and 2018.

BMW, Acura, Audi, and Porsche have all signed on. Lamborghini is rumored to be readying a car also. And beyond Lambo, more are expected to join in. 

The LMDh class means unique bodies and engines which should enthuse fans

Cadillac's LMDh prototype concept for 2023
Cadillac’s LMDh prototype concept for 2023 | GM

So, what is the LMDh class? A standard chassis and spec hybrid power setup are used throughout the series. But engines and bodywork can be unique. This is great because it will give fans something to root for, and a visual to identify with. 

Chip Ganassi Racing and Action Express Racing have been chosen for the Cadillac teams. Besides the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the cars can run the World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of LeMans.

In the past, the expense and manpower to run differently-configured cars for different prototype sanctioning bodies were too much. Manufacturers started dropping out one by one. Now, a single car can run any of these three sanctioning body races. 

With no spec engines, Cadillac is cooking up something all-new

Cadillac's LeMans prototype V8 engine from 2017
Cadillac’s LeMans prototype V8 engine from 2017 | GM

Cadillac is working on a mystery engine for the cars. The minimum weight is a hair over 2,270 lbs. Maximum power is capped at 670 hp. The electric motor makes 67 hp and the rest is up to Cadillac’s ingenuity. It will be a combined effort of GM design, Ganassi, and Dallara, so the finished product should be a contender out of the gate. 

We love these first images of what the car might look like. If it comes close to this it will be fun to watch and root for. We can’t wait. 

RELATED: 10 of the Greatest Cars to Ever Race at Le Mans

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Is the New 2022 Nissan Z More Nissan 370z Than Z Car?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2022 Nissan Z is the hot new sports car. JDM car enthusiasts, no, enthusiasts as a whole, have been waiting for a new Z since the last one debuted in 2002. Now, it’s here, and the people can’t get enough of it. The Z badge is a staple of the enthusiast car segment, and now the new one is here to satiate the Nissan Fairlady fanbase. However, is the new coupe resting on old JDM laurels? Nissan may be hard up for cash, but will that financial strain translate to an all-too-familiar driving experience?

The new Nissan Z has a lot of old Nissan 370z

Nissan’s last Z was a smash hit | Nissan

Let’s talk about the Nissan FM platform. It’s the chassis architecture that underpins everything from the Nissan 370z, to the 350z, to the Infiniti G35. Hell, there’s even some Infiniti QX SUVs that fit on it. In short, the Japanese brand uses it for everything. Moreover, it’s common practice in the automotive industry to use a new car to make an old one. Think Toyota’s 2022 GR 86. VW has also been doing this forever with the MQB platform.

And that’s exactly what the new 2022 Nissan Z rides on; Nissan’s FM platform. Recently, it’s drawn some criticism on the internet for using an old platform on what’s supposed to be the new Nissan halo car. However, publications like MotorTrend have traditionally praised the FM platform for producing some great, fun-to-drive sports cars. Basically, the internet is complaining about the new 2022 Nissan Z taking too much from the Nissan 370z. Go figure.

The stick-shift may be doing some heavy lifting

The interior of Nissan's new Z, complete with Carplay and stick shift
Is a manual transmission enough to sway the public? | Nissan

However, one carryover from the Nissan 370z the internet can’t get enough of is the inclusion of a manual transmission. You’ll no longer have to ask “Will the new Nissan Z have a manual?” It will. I didn’t sit here and Photoshop in a six-speed just for the clicks. However, that stick shift is going to have to do a lot of heavy lifting. The new Z car will influence the brand’s reputation for some time. If the chassis feels old, that had better be one hell of a gearbox to keep customers coming into dealerships.

Then there’s the motor. Nissan has given the 3.0-liter, 400 hp V6 a new name, but it’s still old-school tech. The Nissan 370z had a divisive powerplant, to say the least; some people loved the VQ motor and some hated it. On paper, the new Z car’s powerplant is more of the same, albeit with two turbos slapped on there. Again, if this part of the 2022 Nissan Z is found lacking, that stick shift will have to make up for it.

Can Nissan make the new Nissan Z feel unique?

The 300ZX-inspired rear lights on the new Z
Retro cues abound in the new Z | Stanislav Kogiku via Getty Images

All this to say the new Z car needs to feel wholly different from the Nissan 370z without altering the formula so much it upsets hardcore devotees. Effectively, Nissan has to walk the automotive tightrope and please everyone. Moreover, the brand needs to do that in the middle of a historic downturn for the auto industry. That said if there’s any car that can endure it’s the Datsun Z car. Wait, no, the Nissan Z car. Or is it Nissan 400Z? Either way, I have faith in Nissan.

RELATED: Nissan Leaf Owners Just Made an Insane Amount of Money

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Bridgestone Recalls 21,000 Tires to Find 8 With a Possible Defect

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s no secret that tires are essential to the safe and reliable performance of all cars. Besides being round and full of air, a tire literally connects your vehicle to the road. If you have recently purchased Bridgestone tires, or own a vehicle that has them, there’s some urgent news you should know about below.

Recall affecting Bridgestone Dueler, Ecopia, Alenza, Turanza, and Destination tires

Bridgestone Logo | Chesnot via Getty Images

Bridgestone has issued a voluntary recall for the following models and sizes:

  1. Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia in size P245/60R18 with DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) Code 7X VD 423 2821
  2. Dueler H/L Alenza in size 275/55R20 with DOT TIN Code 7X Y1 DH7 2821
  3. Turanza EL440 in size 235/60R18 with DOT TIN Code 7X 45 JB2 2821
  4. Ecopia H/L 422 Plus in size 235/55R20 with DOT TIN Code 7X 8A EC1 2821
  5. Destination LE3 in size 225/65R17 with DOT TIN 17X 2Y LE32 2821

The company states that eight tires manufactured in the period from July 11-17, 2021, could have a small hole in the outside sidewall. The defects are reportedly visible near the tire’s outward-facing sidewall close to the TIN Date Code’s first digit. If it’s deep enough, the puncture could compromise the inner liner of the tire.

The resulting a slow leak could increase the risk of a crash, if not addressed. If you have any of the tires and sizes listed above, it’s best to have them inspected by your local Bridgestone / Firestone dealer, just to be safe. It’s worth noting that Destination LE3 and Ecopia H/L tires have been recalled before for a similar defect in 2020.

What is a Tire Idenfification Number (TIN)?

Bridgestone Ecopia tires
ABridgestone Ecopia tires | Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP via Getty Images

According to TireIndustry.org, on the sidewall of each tire is a code, appearing after the letters DOT. The first four letters are the unique ID mark of your tire manufacturer. The second group of two characters can be used to reference the tire size, possibly using internal nomenclature.

The third group represents the type of tire, and the last group the date they were built. The first two numbers in the last group indicate the specific week, and the last two the year of manufacture. For example, a tire with the date stamp 3521 was made in the 35th week of the year 2021.

Better safe than sorry

Bridgestone Formula One Racing Tires
Bridgestone Formula One Racing Tires | John Marsh/EMPICS via Getty Images

Bridgstone estimates that only eight defective tires made it to market, and there haven’t been any known injuries or accidents so far. That said, the firm says the tires might not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) or similar standards in Canada (CMVSS). For that reason, if you have any of the tires listed above, it’s best to have them professionally inspected for your own safety.

Final thoughts

Purchasers of the affected tires should also be informed by Bridgestone soon, if not already. But regardless of the tires on your car, it’s smart to be vigilant and inspect them for punctues and wear as often as possible.

RELATED: The Best All-Season Tires for Ultra-High-Performance Driving

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A 1998 Toyota Tacoma Is Selling for Over $17,000

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Used cars are experiencing unprecedented price hikes due to a global semiconductor chip shortage. There are even cases where used cars are currently more expensive than brand new cars. The current state of the automotive industry has caused some consumers to seek out vehicles manufactured during a simpler time. After all, when it comes to certain models, they just don’t make ’em like they used to anymore. A 1998 Toyota Tacoma’s ridiculous $17,000 sale price is proof that consumers are longing to get back to the basics.

1998 Toyota Tacoma sold for $17k after intense bidding war

The 1998 Toyota Tacoma | Via Autoblog YouTube channel

The Toyota Tacoma has built the reputation of being an affordable pickup truck with great off-roading capabilities. As the global pandemic and semiconductor chip shortage have worsened, a demand for older vehicles with off-roading potential like the ‘Taco’ has surged. Thousands of consumers are looking for a reliable SUV or truck that they can enjoy on trails.

According to Motor1, one 1998 Toyota Tacoma was in especially high demand at an auction. The 1998 Toyota Tacoma XtraCab had just 64,000 miles on it and used a manual transmission. Hundreds were in attendance at a Carmax dealer auction as the bidding price rapidly rose.

The opening bid for the 23 year-old truck was $6,000. The Toyota Tacoma ended up selling for $17,000. A brand new 2021 base model Toyota Tacoma starts at $26,400. The dealer that won the auction will likely sell the Taco for a price of over $20,000 to turn a profit after necessary expenses.

This may seem like a bad buy or an overbid to many, but the 23 year-old Taco will get scooped up. Toyota models built in the 90s are famous for their reliability and longevity. A truck this old with mileage under 65k miles is miraculous. This deal was a no-brainer for the dealer that won the auction. Transactions like this are becoming extremely common.

The used car price hike phenomenon

A picture of a used car lot similar to a buy here pay here with numerous cars of various colors in front of a small white building with a blue overhang that says "used cars" with a sticker in a blacked out window that says "We're Dealing."
Used Car Lot | Getty Images

So why are used vehicles selling for prices near or above new vehicle prices? It’s no different than how your high school economics teacher broke down supply and demand. The global semiconductor shortage has strained vehicle supply. As a result, demand for vehicles has increased, and the limited supply is more valuable for the time being.

It is a horrible time to buy a new vehicle an even worse time to buy a used vehicle. Consumers will still go into a buying frenzy and support this price gouging because the heart wants what the heart wants. And in this case, the heart wants Tacos. Toyota Tacomas and similar trucks and SUVs are being converted into overland and off-road builds as Americans struggle to keep happy and healthy during the pandemic.

A niche market for these types of trail-ready vehicles has been created. People have devoted themselves to the off-roading camper lifestyle in older pickup trucks and SUVs because they are cost-effective. YouTubers like Harrison Schoen have tapped into an entire subculture of folks using these vehicles to search for adventure during the global pandemic.

The Toyota Tacoma is still fun 26 years later

A white Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro.
The Toyota Tacoma | Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The Toyota Tacoma came to the U.S. market in 1995. 26 years later, the Taco is still just as fun and relevant. In fact, the Tacoma has gotten even better with trim options like the TRD Off-Road trim. The Taco has built a cult following and Toyota has embraced its unique off-roading capabilities.

Toyota Tacomas don’t provide the smoothest rides. They aren’t the fastest trucks either. Tacos are all about adventure. What they lack in comfort they make up for in awesome trail-tacklin’ capability. As the global semiconductor chip shortage impacts more automakers, fun and reliable oldies like first-generation Tacos will continue to sell like hotcakes.

RELATED: 2021 Toyota Tacoma: Is the TRD Off-Road Worth $5,000 Over the Base SR?

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