by Gabrielle DeSantis

Six 1993 Chevy Z/28 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Cars have been discovered and will soon be auctioned off. Three of them even sport their original window stickers. Though not the most collectible Camaro, the unique Pace Car package and mileage ranging from 18 to 79 miles make them very collectible. 

These Camaro Pace Cars come from former Houston Rockets owner Charlie Thomas

1993 Camaro Z/28 Indy Pace Car edition | Mecum

None of these Camaros have ever been registered. They come from the estate of the former Houston Rockets owner Charlie Thomas. Over the past 20-plus years, he has acquired hundreds of collectible cars, including these six Z/28 Camaros. These were cosmetically exactly like the Camaro that paced the 1993 Indy 500. 

Mecum Auctions will hit the gavel for the six in Indianapolis at the end of this month, with no reserve. Back in 2012, Thomas auctioned off 175 cars from his vast collection. We don’t know whether these six Camaros were acquired after that or if Thomas kept them back? 

Chevy made 645 Indy Pace Cars in 1993, including these six

1993 Camaro Z/28 Indy Pace Car edition interior
1993 Camaro Z/28 Indy Pace Car edition | Mecum

What we do know is that these six Camaros are from a total production of 645 produced. They all feature 4L60 four-speed automatic transmissions, and distinctive multi-colored graphics. All six also come with the Indy 500 lettering still in the trunk. You can opt to apply it or leave the exterior plain if you could call the graphics package plain. 

Three of the six have their original T-Top removable glass panels. And, of course, all of the interiors have fabric that matches the exterior graphics. Engines are the optional 5.7-liter MFI V8 packing 275 hp. 

The 1993 Indy Pace Car package was only $995

1993 Camaro Z/28 Indy Pace Car edition engine
1993 Camaro Z/28 Indy Pace Car edition | Mecum

The 1993 Indy 500 Pace Car package was just under $1,000. It included the above-mentioned options plus power steering and brakes, air conditioning, a tilt steering column, power windows, locks and mirrors, and those white aluminum wheels. 

1993 was the first year for the fourth-gen Camaros. And 1993 was also the fourth time that a Camaro paced the Indy 500. Mecum is anticipating the gavel falling at between $30,000 and $40,000 for each one. That is considerably more than their MSRP of just under $22,000. 

RELATED: 2021 Camaro Sales So Bad Chevy Kills Planned Z/28 Return

The post 6 Brand New 4th-Gen Z/28 Camaro Pace Cars Found-Now For Sale appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car insurance doesn’t have to break the bank. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of car insurance companies out there that offer affordable rates. Whether you have a clean driving record or were recently in an accident, the following are the cheapest car insurance companies for just about every type of driver.

What is the cheapest car insurance company?

When it comes to the cheapest car insurance company overall, U.S. News & World Report found that three companies consistently offered the lowest rates of the nine major insurance providers included in its annual study. Those companies included USAA, Geico, and State Farm.

U.S. News isn’t the only organization to highlight the cheapest car insurance companies either. In its study, Bankrate determined that USAA, Amica, Erie, and Geico are among the most affordable car insurance companies. Meanwhile, NerdWallet determined that the cheapest car insurance companies include Geico, State Farm, Progressive, Farmers, and Allstate.

The cheapest car insurance companies if you have a clean driving record

Cars driving. | Montinique Monroe/Getty Images

If you have a clean driving record, finding cheap auto insurance shouldn’t be all that difficult. In fact, according to U.S. News, Geico is one of the most affordable car insurance companies if you have a clean driving record. 

“Geico’s annual rate of $1,100 represents a savings of about 17% compared with the national average of $1,321. Geico is also one of the best insurance companies in our rankings, with great reviews from actual Geico customers,” U.S. News added.

Bankrate also identified the cheapest car insurance companies if you have a clean driving record. As a matter of fact, the publication determined that the cheapest auto insurance companies for good drivers include companies like USAA, Erie, Geico, Auto-Owners, and Amica.  

The cheapest auto insurance for military members and veterans

An elderly veteran behind the wheel of a red pickup truck with a service dog beside him, USAA is one of the best car insurance companies for military members
A veteran driving. | JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images

Say you’re both a good driver and are a current military member or veteran. Chances are, you’re asking yourself which company offers the cheapest auto insurance for military members? The good news is that USAA is the cheapest car insurance company for military members and veterans. Don’t just take our word for it either. U.S. News, Bankrate, and NerdWallet all came to the same conclusion.

“USAA earns top ratings from its customers, and it has the lowest annual rates for drivers with a clean driving record or poor credit history. USAA also has the lowest car insurance premiums if you have a speeding ticket or an accident on your driving record,” U.S. News added.

What’s important to note, however, is that not everyone is eligible for USAA. To be eligible for USAA auto insurance, you must be a current or former military member. Spouses and children qualify for USAA too.

The cheapest car insurance companies for speeding tickets, accidents, and DUIs

An iPhone sitting on top of a desk with the StateFarm logo shown on the screen, StateFarm is one of the cheapest car insurance companies
StateFarm | Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

While maintaining a clean driving record can help secure you a lower auto insurance rate, life doesn’t always go as planned. Meaning, if you’ve been found at fault for an accident, have been given a speeding ticket, or have been convicted of a DUI, you can expect to pay more for auto insurance, Bankrate reports. 

The good news is that if you’ve had one speeding ticket, Bankrate’s data shows that Erie, Auto-Owners, and USAA offer the lowest rates. In fact, the national average insurance rate for driver’s with one speeding ticket on their record is $172. However, Erie, Auto-Owners, and USAA all offer insurance rates that are significantly lower than that.

U.S. News offers another cheap option for drivers with one speeding ticket. In fact, according to the organization, StateFarm’s average rate of $1,299 per year for drivers with one speeding ticket will save you 19% compared with the $1,603 national average. And if you’ve been convicted of a DUI or have been in an accident? StateFarm continues to be the cheapest car insurance company, U.S. News reports.

How to find cheap auto insurance

If you’re shopping for cheap auto insurance, Bankrate recommends shopping around for the most affordable rates possible. While doing so can be tedious, it could save you money in the long run. To get the best rate possible, it’s also important to understand your coverage needs, and be aware of any discounts that might apply to your situation.  

RELATED: The Cheapest New Cars You’ll Actually Want to Buy

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

You can already get your hands on the GMC Sierra AT4, which serves as an excellent off-roading truck. However, soon you can take crank up the heat with the 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X. We aren’t sure what the X stands for, but it could feature extreme upgrades. 

The beefier 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X is coming 

2021 GMC Sierra AT4 | GMC

Who is excited about new off-roading trucks? We are! The 2022 GMC sierra AT4X will launch beside its cousin, the Chevy Silverado Z2R soon. They will arrive for the 2022i model year, as long as the global semiconductor chip shortage gets under control. 

Both the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra will arrive with a fresh redesign later in the year. Along with a more confident exterior and modern interior, you can expect upgraded off-roading equipment. But both trucks will feature unique details. 

What to expect with the AT4X 

The 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X is expected to be better equipped for off-roading than the already tough and capable AT4 model. The equipment group for the AT4 is 4SB, but the AT4X has group number 4SG. 

The Sierra 1500 AT4X will feature multimatic DSSV dampers, a two-inch lift, electronic locking front, and rear differentials, unique chassis tuning, skid plates, enhanced departure, and approach angles compared to the AT4, and unique exterior and interior badging. 

Based on rumors and spy shots, the AT4X is expected to sit on 33-inch tires, like the Z2R. But it wouldn’t be a surprise if 35-inch tires became an option. Also, it could gain a long-travel front suspension and four-leaf-springs instead of three. 

Like the Chevy Silverado Z2R, the Sierra AT4X could have a wider stance. However, the Sierra will be more refined and luxurious compared to the Silverado. It may feature more premium interior materials. 

How much power will the Sierra 1500 AT4X have? 

A black 2021 GMC Sierra AT4 in muddy water
2021 GMC Sierra AT4 | GMC

The 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X might only have carry-over engine options. The 4.3-liter V6 engine features 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. The 2.7-liter turbocharged option generates 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to the 5.3-liter V8 engine for 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. 

Plus, the 6.2-liter V8 engine cranks out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. You can also go diesel with the 3.0-liter turbo for 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. We hope this truck has a diesel option. According to GM Authority, the 2022 GMC Sierra AT4 will come standard with the 3.0-liter inline-six turbo-diesel engine. 

The AT4 trim will slot under the new AT4X option. This feels similar to the way the new Chevrolet Silverado is expected to feature a Trail Boss trim and a new Z2R off-roading trim. On that note, the GMC Canyon AT4X might become a thing as well. 

Also, what about the new electric truck? General Motors confirmed that another electric truck will be coming out with the GMC Hummer EV. Could it be the AT4X or the Silverado BET? Perhaps the X refers to electric power. 

It looks like we need to keep an eye out for more information, and we will keep you updated. The AT4X is expected to undercut the price of the Ford Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX. The GMC Sierra 1500 Limited will enter production at the GM Silao plant in Mexico on September 20th. The regular cab model will enter production in the GM Fort Wayne Assembly plant about a week later in Indiana.

RELATED: GMC Sierra 1500: The Biggest Reason to Buy Used Instead of New

The post The 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X Is Going Extreme With Off-Roading Upgrades appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As much as some motorheads try to ignore the onslaught of electric vehicles, there’s little doubt EVs and their infrastructure will soon become part of everyday life. With big names like Porsche Taycan, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Audi e-tron, and the various Tesla models, the future of EVs looks sporty indeed. In fact, these models and others were among the contenders for the 2021 Car and Driver EV of the Year award.

And despite disappointing specs for the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S and its failure to win this year’s award, it still delivers an electrifying ride.

Winner of the 2021 Car and Driver EV of the Year

Unless you live someplace with no TV or internet, you’ve probably heard of the Ford Mustang Mach-E. By all accounts, it’s an impressive piece of technology that raises the bar for EV makers. In fact, it’s so good that Car and Driver recently named it the 2021 EV of the Year based on value, fun, and mission fulfillment — the same criteria used for Car and Driver‘s 10Best Cars and Trucks for 2021.

C/D calls the 2021 Mustang Mach-E “fun to drive.” And considering its available all-wheel drive, a big-battery version that produces up to 346 hp, and the ability to hit 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, we’d say it seems impossible for this EV not to be fun. And with an EPA-estimated range of 270 miles on a full charge at 75 mph and an actual Car and Driver-tested 250 miles, the Mach-E’s driving fun will keep going for hours.

The Porsche Taycan 4S is a top-ranked contender

2021 Porsche Taycan 4S | Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

In Car and Driver‘s long-range testing, the Porsche Taycan 4S came in third — behind the Tesla Model S Long Range Plus and the Mach-E — with 220 miles. The Taycan 4S that C/D tested cost $111,730 tipped the scales at 5,128 pounds. Those are unattractive specs, but the 4S wears them well.

It exhibits respectable performance with a 3.4-second 0-60, 11.7-second quarter-mile at 120 mph, and a governor-limited top speed of 155 mph. In addition, the Taycan 4S has impressive traction with its substantial weight, braking from 70-0 mph in 147 feet and holding the road at 1.03g on the 300-foot skidpad.

As stated, the Taycan 4S provides respectable performance, but it really stands out from a driver’s perspective. Car and Driver used phrases like “talkative, perfectly weighted helm” and “the way its controls cocoon the excellent driving position” to describe the driving experience, saying, “Taycan’s essence revolves around its pilot.”

Other contenders for EV of the year

The Tesla Model S Long Range Plus achieved the most miles on a full charge in the 75-mph test with 320 miles, about 80 percent of the EPA-estimated 402 miles. The C/D test model cost $70,620 and weighed in at 4,824 pounds. Performance is good for the price, reaching 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, finishing the quarter-mile in 11.9 seconds at 116 mph, and hitting a governor-limited 159-mph top speed. Traction is good, with the Model S stopping from 70 mph in 172 feet and holding the road at 0.86g on a 300-foot skidpad.

C/D calls the Kia Niro EV “too often overlooked.” Delivering 210 miles in the 75 mph highway test, the Niro has a “reassuringly firm” ride with steering that “feels right,” Car and Driver reports. Though the Niro doesn’t deliver heart-pounding performance — reaching 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, the quarter-mile in 14.9 seconds at 94 mph, and a governor-limited top speed of 107 mph — its $40,265 base price or even the as-tested $47,145 make those numbers seem downright perky.

RELATED: The $80,000 Standard 2021 Porsche Taycan Isn’t Enough to Give You AWD

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