This week, we brought to you automotive news from far and wide, including a long-range Lucid Air, larger Hyundai Ioniq family, and competing adventuring concepts for the Ford Bronco and Jeep Gladiator.
But that’s not everything that was happening in the automotive space.
Change.org Petition Says Ford Should Offer 7-Speed Manual for All Bronco Models
Poor Ford. The automaker has re-introduced the beloved Bronco with an expanded lineup, segment-first technologies, tons of creature comforts, and more accessories than you could ever need and… it still isn’t enough. Less than a month after its debut, a petition is already circulating via Change.org asking (okay, demanding) that Ford offer its brand-new 7-speed manual transmission for all Bronco models.
Currently, that gearbox, whose 7th gear is actually an off-road specific “crawler” mode, is available on four of the Bronco’s seven trim levels and can only be paired with the smaller 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The row-‘em-yourself transmission is not offered at all on the Bronco Sport. In speaking with Ford, they are aware of the consumer pleas. As of this week, the petition has logged more than 10,000 signatures.
Cadillac Super Cruise Switches to Super Subscription After Trial Period Ends
Cadillac Super Cruise is a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance technology first made available on the 2018 Cadillac CT6, standard on Platinum models and a $5,000 package option on Premium Luxury trims. However, per the customer disclosures (aka: the small print), in order to fully utilize Super Cruise, an active subscription and OnStar plan were required.
Cadillac owners who opted in could access Super Cruise’s hands-free driving capability for three years before the plan switches to a subscription basis. Because the first Super Cruise-enabled CT6 models arrived in showrooms in September of 2017, that would mean the trial terminates next month for early adopters. However, Cadillac has added an additional year of complimentary access for those 2018 CT6 owners but did not provide further details regarding what re-upping would eventually cost.
Although launched with Cadillac, Super Cruise is not a brand-exclusive feature as parent company General Motors plans to roll out the system throughout its portfolio, expanding first to the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV. Whatever the price point, it must be within an attainable range in order to attract and benefit all GM customers.
2021 Toyota Sequoia Gets Moody with Nightshade Edition
For 2021, the Toyota Sequoia is yet again a carry-over model but with a couple of distinctive exterior options added to the mix. As previously mentioned, 2021 TRD Pro models receive an exclusive Lunar Rock paint choice, which extends to the Sequoia. Other available colors for the Sequoia TRD Pro include Super White, Magnetic Gray Metallic, and Midnight Black Metallic.
Also new is a Nightshade Edition, which is available on other Toyota vehicles in the SE trim. But for the Sequoia, Nightshade will be offered on the higher-grade Limited trim in combination with either two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The exterior will feature badging, body moldings, and lower grille and fog light surround accents in dark chrome. Paint options are limited to Midnight Black Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, and a color-contrasting Blizzard Pearl exclusive to the Nightshade Special Edition. As for the cabin, expect to be deeper in the shadows thanks to black leather upholstery.
Pricing for the 2021 Toyota Sequoia starts at $50,100 (not including the $1,365 destination charge). Sequoia Nightshade Edition models start at $60,120 and $63,345 for 2WD and 4WD variants, respectively.
2021 Chevrolet Camaro Gets Wild New Appearance Package
On the other side of the color spectrum is the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro’s Wild Cherry Design Package. True to its name, the new appearance kit means the Camaro wants to be seen and is available for all model variants (coupes and convertibles) and trim levels except for the base LS coupe and supercharged ZL1 models.
Offered in two tier levels, the standard Wild Cherry Design Package will cost $2,640 and include 20-inch wheels with a signature Camaro shield center cap, Camaro badging on the fenders, exclusive floor mats, black hash marks on the hood, and its namesake shade of Wild Cherry Tintcoat. The second package option will set you back $6,090 and adds a body kit, carbon fiber-trimmed fuel door, black suede interior upholstery, and a choice of a black or a silver center stripe.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid On its Way
Along with news of the recently announced Hyundai Elantra N Line sedan came this little nugget: a hybrid variant is coming. The 2021 Elantra Hybrid will first arrive in the South Korean domestic market during the third quarter of this year with global markets to follow suit, including the U.S.
The gasoline engine will be a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder while a lithium-ion-polymer battery pack will power the permanent-magnet electric motor that delivers 32 kW. Combined output will be 139 horsepower and up to 195 pound-feet of torque. The 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is anticipated to have an EPA-estimated fuel economy of more than 50 mpg. An electric-only driving mode will provide on-demand torque at low speeds with available power-assist at higher speeds.
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