Auto Industry News: NHRA Champs, Recall Repair Legislation, and SO MANY VEHICLE DEBUTS
March Madness extends to hot rods and drag racing, as the 2021 NHRA season serves up some much-needed automotive excitement. For the first time in the racing organization’s 70-year history, Gainesville Raceway served as season-opener. (Spoiler Alert: It did not disappoint.) We rounded up the major winners below.
As automakers flood the market with fresh metal, we thought a quick rundown of buzzy debuts was in order. From impressive to truly jaw-dropping, to straight-up confusing, there’s a little something there for everyone. Plus, this week we unpack some recent consumer advocacy legislation concerning mandatory recall repairs. The issue has crossed more than a few desks over the years, so why is it back in the news? Find out below.
NHRA Gatornationals Results
A thrilling few days of racing went down in Florida this past weekend, as the 52nd annual Gatornationals officially kicked off the 2021 NHRA season. As usual, the high-octane event saw records made, dreams fulfilled, and more than a few hopes dashed.
Here are the final results.
Ocala native Josh Hart made history, nabbing a Wally in his Top Fuel debut. The rookie driver defeated three-time defending champion Steve Torrence during eliminations, and sailed past Shawn Langdon in the championship heat. Cruising to victory at a cool 323 miles per hour, he crossed the line in 3.82 seconds.
J.R. Todd took home the Funny Car Wally, celebrating his 19th career nitro title and first victory at Gainesville. The 2018 NHRA Funny Car champion stopped three-time champ Robert Hight in the final round. “No offense to anyone else in Funny Car,” said Todd, “but Robert Hight is the best out here. That team sets the benchmark for the rest of us.”
In the Pro Stock final, Greg Anderson beat Troy Coughlin Jr. to taking home a Gatornats trophy on his 60th birthday. We’d say that’s a pretty sweet present! The victory also marked Anderson’s 95th career Pro Stock victory in Gainesville. The four-time world champ is now on the verge of becoming Pro Stock’s all-time wins leader.
Four-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion, Matt Smith earned the 27th title of his career on Sunday when he stopped Ryan Oehler in the final round. Smith has now won back-to-back Gainesville titles, but this marks the first time he’s left the first race of the season as the points leader.
All in all, it was a fantastic show in Florida. For a full list of the weekend’s winners, CLICK HERE. And don’t forget to tune in April 9-11 for the next showdown at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California.
Did you know…?
The Mint 400 will be adding an all-new electric vehicle class. According to race organizers, the move is in response to requests by EV truck makers and owners who are eager to compete at the event. Learn more over at The SHOP.
New Vehicle Releases Flood Market
According to Bank of America “Car Wars” Study, automakers are launching a virtual onslaught of new product over the next few years. In fact, John Murphy, lead analyst on the report, expects consumers will see around 250 new models by 2024 alone! You can bank on nearly half of those vehicles to be crossovers, making it, “by definition, the most crowded segment in history,” says Murphy. He also predicts a near 50/50 split on ICE versus alternative powertrains during that timeline. So, whether you like ‘em or hate ‘em, EVs will have prime real estate on the menu.
As far as we can see, automakers are keeping the pace – supply chain hiccups be damned. Here are some buzzy new releases that you may find interesting.
Official Jeep Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer Finally Revealed
Enormous, luxurious, and packing V-8 power, production versions of the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer have finally arrived. Positioned to compete with big swanky SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, the newly-revived nameplate features the same exterior styling and plush interior we peeped on the concept back in September. However, we now get a look under the hood – and I spy with my little eye some impressive power.
The Grand Wagoneer launches with a 6.4-liter V-8 engine pushing out 471 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. The regular ol’ Wagoneer offers a 5.7-liter V-8 with the eTorque 48-volt starter-generator motor similar to the Ram 1500. It makes 392 horsepower and 404 pound-feet of torque. Both are coupled to an eight-speed automatic.
Bronco Warthog Spied Testing
Speaking of spying, an interesting prototype of the Bronco Warthog is out roaming the streets – and this model appears to sport high-voltage cables on the undercarriage. Such equipment could suggest a hybrid setup. Maybe an electric variant of the twin-turbo 3.0L EcoBoost V-6 expected in the regular Warthog? This configuration in the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring is good for 494 hp and 630 lb.-ft.
Expected to hit dealerships in 2022, we’ll be watching for more news on this release.
Toyota Teases All-New “X Prologue” EV
If you’ve ever wished your vehicle was just a little more “extra,” Toyota might have you covered. The Japanese giant gave fans a sneak-peek last week of its all-new EV. Wearing the exceptionally dramatic name of “X-Prologue,” the all-electric model is expected to be a zero-emission SUV built on the e-TNGA platform that was co-developed in partnership with Subaru.
Like most teasers, the image tells us virtually nothing. However, the automaker’s debut is set for this Tuesday, March 17. We’ll learn more about this mystery ride, including whether or not it will hit American shores.
VW Reveals ID.4
Sticking with electric drivetrains, Volkswagen launched its ID.4 in America this month. The all-new model is the automaker’s first all-electric SUV and the brand’s first global EV. While 302-hp AWD models will join the lineup later this year, single-motor 201-hp RWD models will launch first. The vehicle’s MEB architecture takes VW back to its roots, shifting the electric motor to the rear just in front of the centerline wheels.
For now, the ID.4 Pro and loaded 1st Edition models serve as launch trims. Starting price is a skoosh above $40k.
KIA Carnival Reimagines Minivan
Debuting last month, the brand-new KIA Carnival proves minivans can be… maybe cool? Sleek and sporty, the cleverly marketed “multi-purpose vehicle” wears styling reminiscent of the automaker’s Telluride and Sorento SUVs.
Jam-packed with the storage, seating, and abundance of cup holders you expect to find in a traditional minivan, the 2022 Carnival offers a single powertrain. The 290-hp, 262 lb-ft 3.5-liter V-6 drives the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The reimagined minivan hits dealerships next quarter.
Upgrades All-Around
Existing models are set to get the new launch treatment, with several buzzy refreshes on the docket.
2022 KIA Stinger
Despite an unstable and challenging luxury sports sedan market, KIA plans to double down on the success of its Stinger 5-door fastback in 2022. While sales for the original Stinger were always underwhelming, (selling only 12,556 last year), the vehicle boasts impressive performance at a fair price point.
While the upgraded Stinger will get a power boost, compliments of a new 300-hp engine, it will also get a price increase. Several styling updates on the docket are intended to push the vehicle upmarket.
2021 F-150 Raptor
The fully redesigned F-150 Raptor dropped last month, sporting an all-new five-link rear suspension, newly available 37-inch tires, and interior upgrades borrowed from its less off-roadie sibling, the 2021 F-150. Only available in a crew-cab body style, pricing should begin just shy of $60k when it goes on sale this summer.
Ford’s twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 is still under the hood, though the Shelby GT500’s 760-hp supercharged V-8 is rumored to be making an appearance in the upcoming Raptor R.
Next-Gen Mercedes-AMG SL
The iconic AMG SL is getting a major revamp. Solely developed by Mercedes AMG arm, the next-gen SL will come with all-wheel drive for the first time and feature 2-plus-2 configuration. The goal was to return the SL back to its “sporting roots,” and a rumored twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 under the hood will help it happen.
Likely to arrive as a 2022 model, more details should be available in the coming weeks. According to AMG, the prototypes are on their final round of winter testing.
Consumer Advocates Call for Mandatory Recall Repair Rule
Let’s talk legislation for a moment. We all know that U.S. law requires auto manufacturers to alert owners when a vehicle has a recall. Dealerships perform the fix free of charge, and everyone moves on their merry way.
Unfortunately, there’s no real legislation requiring vehicle owners to actually follow through and have defects repaired. This becomes an issue when that owner sells the vehicle to a used car dealer – because legally, the dealer is not required to fix the issue either.
Consumer advocates have long raised alarm on this issue. And they have good reason. According to a new investigation by Consumers’ Checkbook and the Consumer Federation of America, at least 40% of all used vehicles sold at retail have at least one unrepaired recall problem. True, an emissions control software update might not have you biting your nails. But if you discovered your newly-purchased preowned vehicle had a major braking or steering system recall? You’d likely be upset.
Despite the lack of laws, it appears the majority of Americans support some sort of mandatory recall fix. The problem becomes where to place the burden.
For now, the onus appears to be landing on dealers.
In 2019, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) introduced the Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act. The bill requires used car dealers to repair any outstanding safety recalls in used automobiles prior to selling, leasing, or loaning them to consumers. Checkbook’s recent investigation reignited interest.
While Blumenthal calls the proposed legislation, “a no-brainer measure to protect American consumers and our roads from unsafe cars,” dealers disagree. The National Automobile Dealers Association stated in September 2020 that such a law would “cripple the used vehicle market.”
They argue it will tack on unfair costs, which ultimately will be passed onto the consumer. NADA stressed dealers support a “100% recall completion rate,” but said many recalls are simply too minor to justify the legislation.
Additionally, as The Detroit Bureau points out, independent dealers are not typically notified by OEMs about recalls. “That means a used-car dealer would have to look up and check, one at a time, every car purchased for retailing.”
These dealers would also have to send the vehicles to franchise dealers for the repairs – “putting money in the pockets of their competition,” the publication writes. “That could lead to franchise dealers deliberately doing recall repair work slowly as a way of gaining an advantage over the competition.”
As always, the situation is more nuanced than a first glance would suggest. What do you think? Are you for mandatory recall repair laws? Let us know in the comments.
The Engine Block is your one-stop source for any and all auto industry news. Keep an eye on our weekly round-up of enthusiast coverage, product reviews, vehicle spotlights, auto show/expo features, and more. Be sure to check back Wednesday for some Daily Driver Rehab. Learn how to show your old gal some TLC with new upgrades.
