by Gabrielle DeSantis

Competition between heavy-duty trucks is about to really heat up. Someone tell the 2022 Ford F-250 to watch out because the 2022 Ram 2500 is coming with impressive upgrades. The Ram 2500 even could get the new Allison Transmission. 

The 2022 Ram 2500 could gain the new Allison Transmission 

2022 Ram 2500 | Ram

Tons of upgrades are coming to the 2022 Ram 2500, but we hope one rumor becomes a reality. According to Pickup Truck News, the Ram 2500 could get a brand-new 10-speed Allison Automatic Transmission. 

Including a new Allison Transmission would provide the most notable upgrade for the model year. But you may be wondering what’s so great about an Allison Transmission? First of all, it’s a beautiful name. 

Allison Transmission was founded in 1915 by James A. Allison and is now the largest designer, developer, manufacturer, and distributor of medium and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems in the world. 

The Allison fully automatic transmissions are engineered to last. They are durable, reliable, and have a lower cost to operate than competitively equipped vehicles. They have fewer maintenance requirements leading to less downtime and lower costs. 

There are no power interruptions during shift changes, meaning more horsepower and torque is sent to the wheels for faster trips, superior acceleration, and seamless full-powershifts. The driveline is protected, plus you get a smooth and comfortable ride. 

What to expect with the Ram 2500 

RELATED: What’s the Difference Between the Ram 1500 and the Ram 2500?

We hope the 2022 Ram 2500 gets a new Allison Transmission, but we’ll have to wait and see. What we do know is that the Ram 2500 is getting attractive new looks. It will have a sharper exterior design with more defined lines. It will also have a larger split grille and narrower LED headlights. 

It’s safe to expect tons of customization among multiple trim levels with a few special editions. For example, the Limited Night Edition sports black accents for a more confident attitude. It rides on 20-inch wheels and includes tons of matte black accents. 

The interior is being refreshed to enhance its utility and comfort. It should borrow features from the Ram 1500, including more high-quality materials such as wood and chrome accents for a premium feel. You’ll probably find the large 12-inch touchscreen, the next-gen Uconnect5 infotainment system, and more standard driver assistance features too. 

How powerful is the 2500? 

2022 Ram 2500 interior
2022 Ram 2500 interior | Ram

The 2022 Ram 2500 is expected to carry over two engine options. The 6.4-liter V8 gasoline engine provides 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. The 6.7-liter V6 turbo diesel Cummins engine pumps out 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque. The 2022MY may increase its torque. 

When properly equipped, the 2021 Ram 2500 can tow up to 19,680 lbs and carry a payload of up to 4,010 lbs. There are several additional towing features to help you confidently haul your loads too. 

For example, you can opt for the 12,000 lbs Warn ZEON-12 winch, surround-view camera with trailer reverse guidance view, trailer tire pressure monitoring system, auto-level rear air suspension with bed lowering mode, Bilstein gas-charged monotube shocks, front and rear locking differentials, and an electronic front sway bar. 

The Ram 2500 begins around $35,000 and isn’t expected to rise much in price. The 2022 model should be available toward the end of 2021, and we can’t wait to learn more. We will keep you updated about the Allison Transmission.

The post The 2022 Ram 2500 Needs the Beefy Allison Transmission Upgrade appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you haven’t heard of CNC Motors in Upland, California, consider yourself lucky. At some point, this consignment car dealership decided to stop paying sellers for vehicles that owners had consigned. But the drama doesn’t end there. CNC Motors is known to keep some exotic supercars like McLarens, Ferraris, Porsches, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, Lotuses, Rolls Royces, and Mercedes on the lot, in addition to some random older vehicles and upgraded Jeeps. While CNC offers promises that the vehicles are in tip-top shape, it becomes clear soon after that most of these supercars are not mechanically sound.

CNC Motors Consignment supercar dealership…Ponzi scheme

CNC motors, supercar dealership Ponzi scheme | CNC Motors, Yelp

There are a variety of reviews across platforms that reference alleged recent dealings with CNC Motors. It also appears to go by Lotus of Upland, which is shown on some customer-provided purchase orders. The CNC Motors Yelp page shows as claimed, which means that the business has verified the information on the page. Yelp reviews are sometimes unreliable, so take that into account. However, there are pages and pages of reviews that mention issues consigning a vehicle.

CNC Motors allegedly took cars on consignment and sold said cars, like the Ferraris photographed above, to unsuspecting buyers. The original co-signers complained that once CNC allegedly sold the car, CNC rendered no payment. Many of the Yelp reviews mention outstanding balances and issues getting ahold of anyone to discuss payment.

As of right now, the CNC Motors website is down. However, a website called CNC Motors Lawsuit is up. The website was created in March of 2021 and requested information from other people impacted by the situation. The Better Business Bureau lists CNC Motors Inc as a “used car dealer” that is not BBB accredited. There are 12 one-star reviews currently. Another website is dedicated to Clayton Thom, with a simple header stating “Liar, Con Artist, and Thief.”

Doug DeMuro has publicly denounced Thom and has tried to separate himself from the supercar dealership, though that might be too little too late.

The supercar sales slowed at CNC Motors when the news spread

The San Bernardino County Sentinel claims the dealership is holding $7.25 million in consignment proceeds.

“An Upland-based high-end vehicle dealer has defrauded more than three dozen individuals on both ends of the transactions his company has been involved in over the last 12 months, diverting an estimated $7.25 million in the process from the sellers and title owners of the cars in question to accounts unknown.”

Mark Gutglueck | San Bernardino County Sentinel

The Sentinel says the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and the Upland Police Department have been receiving complaints about the dealership for months. Thom, the owner of CNC Motors, is the one name constantly brought up. He has allegedly been facilitating the sales of supercars valued at over $100,000 and then never delivering the title to the new buyer.

Thom gets to keep the money and focuses on leading owners and sellers on a wild goose chase. At the end of the day, Thom (allegedly) does not have the money in his possession to pay the seller. Various excuses are offered, such as the company checkbook is missing, the bank closed early, the internet is down. No matter the excuse, the money is not provided to the rightful seller. No matter the case, Thom doesn’t seem to have the title himself to offer the buyer. The buyer never gets the title, the seller (presumably) cuts insurance for the vehicle, and the rest is a convoluted history.

The police and California DMV are involved now

The piece of the puzzle that has allowed this to go on for so long is that the seller of the cars generally has no way to contact the new owner. CNC Motors was no help. The owner has no idea of the issues until a title is requested, and even then, the excuses sometimes prolong the issue becoming an issue. The new owner cannot register and insure the vehicle, while the seller is likely still paying for some piece of the car.

“So, in addition to the owner yet making payments on a car he no longer possesses, he finds himself in the position of having to pay for insurance on the vehicle as well.” And so it continues. However, it seems the jig is finally up. The police handed over the information provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Additionally, The Drive spoke to someone in Florida that filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. There are countless instances of this bait-and-switch happening across the country.

Like many industries, coronavirus (COVID-19) also hit the supercar sales industry pretty hard during coronavirus woes. This made it harder for Thom to keep paying off those he owed with the newly tricked money, also known as a Ponzi scheme.

CNC Motors supercar dealership is done for now

Based on unverified sources, it seems the supercar dealership is now empty, and Thom’s home was raided earlier this week. Some of the homes in Thom’s name were listed on Zillow sold in early April. It appears the walls finally closed in on Thom, but what becomes of all the vehicles caught up in this mess? What about all of the money owed? Thom is allegedly in jail now, but that has not been confirmed.

Comments on every publication posted about this show that people are worried Thom might get out of fail and jump ship. Many people seem to be missing cars still, in addition to many missing checks for cars. The official information has not been released yet, likely because the case is still being investigated because the web of deceit is so large…Will Clayton Thom wiggle out of this mess, too?

RELATED: What Are the Most Underrated Supercars?

The post Sketchy CNC Motors Consignment Supercar Dealership was a Ponzi scheme? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The imminent arrival of the 2022 Toyota Tundra is quite exciting for a few main reasons. The first is that we haven’t gotten a new generation of this Toyota truck in well over a decade. The second is that the current engine lineup is far from the most powerful or efficient. As a result, a brand new version with an updated powertrain could provide some serious benefits. While there have been plenty of rumors guessing what will power this new truck, the Japanese carmaker just gave us a huge clue.

The video we’ll be covering today was posted by Toyota just a few hours ago and revealed plenty of important details. Given the arrival of this teaser, the truck’s full unveiling is likely closer than you’d think.

What engine will the 2022 Toyota Tundra have?

Since the biggest question surrounding the 2022 Toyota Tundra is what will power it, let’s break down this latest video. For starters, we’ve got an iForce Max badge on top of an engine cover. While this doesn’t immediately give anything away, looking past the badge certainly does. That’s because you’ll notice three groves to the right of the emblem, almost mimicking three cylinders on either side of the engine.

According to Motor1, this would line up perfectly with previous rumors that have suggested that the all-new Tundra will feature a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6. This would make sense seeing as a turbocharged engine will likely provide greater power and efficiency.

One thing that stands out is how the word “Max” is outlined in blue, a design choice that has previously denoted hybrid models within Toyota’s lineup, such as the Prius, Camry, and Corolla. As a result, there may be room for an electrified variant.

How much power will this new truck develop?

2022 Toyota Tundra teaser | Toyota

Regardless of which engine powers it, it seems the 2022 Toyota Tundra will get a serious performance boost. According to Motor1, Bob Carter, Vice President of Sales for Toyota North America, already confirmed that even the base engine option would surpass the current generation’s 5.7-liter V8. For context, the current Tundra develops 381 hp and 401 lb-ft.

This upgrade in performance would fall perfectly in line with what some of its fiercest competitors, such as the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado, can offer up from their most powerful powertrains. However, the most important aspect of this newest truck will be whether or not Toyota can retain the incredible reliability this platform is well known for.

When will the 2022 Toyota Tundra arrive?

A white 2021 Toyota Tundra.
2021 Toyota Tundra | Toyota

RELATED: Study: Most Reliable 2021 Pickup Trucks That’ll Last Over 200,000 Miles

Throughout the bulk of the 2022 Toyota Tundra’s development, the Japanese carmaker has kept a tight lid on secrets and teasers. However, the carmaker has published at least two brand-new teasers in a relatively short amount of time. As a result, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect a full unveil sometime in the near future. If we had to guess, we’ll probably get another big teaser with a full unveil following shortly after.

The post 2022 Toyota Tundra Teaser Shows What Might Be a V6 Under the Hood appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

For many decades, Honda and Subaru have dominated the midsize car segment. With the likes of the Honda Accord and the Subaru Legacy, these automakers are poised to rule this segment for many more years. When it comes to road-tripping, commuting, and running errands, only a handful of midsize cars can beat the Accord and the Legacy. These midsize sedans flaunt an unmatched balance of performance, fuel economy comfort, and space.

Despite both sedans’ much-coveted balance, the Accord beats the Legacy in one key sector.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy is a good midsize car

RELATED: Should you buy a 2021 Subaru Legacy for your teen? 

The 2021 Subaru Legacy is a full redesign of the previous midsize sedan models. Subaru released the seventh generation in 2021 Legacy last year with several improvements. Thus, it beats the compact Impreza and rivals the Subaru Outback, with which it shares a powertrain. Despite the updates, the 2021 Legacy still borrows heavily from its predecessor to the Subaru fans’ delight.

Subaru offers the 2021 Legacy in six trim levels. The Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims’ 2.5-liter flat-four engine yields 182 hp and 176 lb-ft. The Limited XT, and Touring XT trims’ turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine yields 260 hp and 277 lb-ft.

Each 2021 Legacy flaunts a sharp, cozy interior eliciting a premium feel. For instance, the Touring XT trim features ventilated Nappa seats, the most deluxe in the entire midsize sedan segment. Better still, the 2021 Legacy incorporates a host of the industry’s most coveted features.

Despite facing stiff competition from the Toyota Camry and the Nissan Altima, the 2021 Legacy is among the most sought-after midsize sedans. According to Consumer Reports, “the Legacy is sensible, comfortable, quiet, and easy to live with in almost every way, plus it comes with all-wheel drive, a unique standard feature in the class.”

With this unparalleled balance, the 2021 Legacy is getting more and more celebrated among convenience-centric drivers.

The 2021 Honda Accord is a perfect midsize car

The Honda Accord | Yichuan Cao/NurPhoto

Since its 1976 arrival in the U.S., the Honda Accord is arguably the longest-running and best-performing nameplate in the U.S. The sedan’s impeccable driving dynamics, clever packaging, and unmatched value are among the reasons why it is famous among commuters and small families. Remarkably, the 2021 Honda Accord beats its competition in a landslide.

The 2021 Honda Accord is available in six trims; LX Hybrid, Sport, Sport Special Edition, Hybrid EX, and EX-L. Each trim comes standard with Honda Sensing® Safety & Driver-Assistive Technologies. The LX, Sport, Sport Special Edition, and EX-L are fitted with a four-cylinder 1.5-liter engine delivering 192 hp.

The Sport trim can be fitted with a four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine delivering 252 hp. On the other hand, the Hybrid, Hybrid EX, and EX-L trims are fitted with a four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine delivering 212 hp.

The 2021 Honda Accord flaunts a roomy and cozy interior. Each trim features a wide range of the latest technological features including an 8-inch display with a high-resolution electrostatic touch screen, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, Bluetooth Streaming Audio, Speed-Sensitive Volume Compensation (SVC), HondaLink, just to mention a few. 

U.S. News ranked the Accord No. 1 in the ‘2021 Best Midsize Car for Families’ segment owing to its excellent blend of “safety, reliability, space, convenience, and connectivity.” The 2021 Accord was also among the finalists in the ‘2021 Best Midsize Car for the Money’ ranking.

The Accord beats the Legacy in fuel efficiency

Given the competitive nature of the midsize sedan segment, buyers might find it taxing to choose between the Honda Accord and the Subaru Legacy. Both sedans tick many boxes, but the Accord is more environment-conscious. It is greener! A big advantage over the Legacy.

The Legacy’s AWD powertrain boasts of 30 mpg combined efficiency. Yet, the Accord flaunts a fuel economy of between 32-33 mpg, depending on the trim level. Nevertheless, the 2.0-liter turbo engine makes 26 mpg. Unbelievably, the Accord Hybrid delivers up to 48 mpg.

Consumer Reports gives both the Legacy and the Accord an 84 out of 100 overall score but rewarded only the Accord the Green Choice designation. For the uninitiated, the Consumer Reports Green Choice designation “highlights the top 20 percent of vehicles on the market with the cleanest emissions.”

Both the Accord and the Legacy are highly accomplished midsize sedans. But if you are after fuel efficiency and cleaner air, and willing to sacrifice the Legacy’s all-wheel-drive, then the Accord is your best bet! 

RELATED: The Honda Accord Has a History of Being Green and Earning Recommendations

The post The 2021 Honda Accord Has 1 Big Advantage Over the Subaru Legacy appeared first on MotorBiscuit.