Auto Industry News: SCORE Results, Stricter Fuel Economy Standards, & LOTS of New Vehicles
Big news coming down from top brass this week. NHTSA delivered on its promised stricter emissions rules – and they are not playing around. Automakers have some serious restrictions to content with, not to mention penalties three times as harsh if fleets do not comply. In the meantime, however, these OEMs continue to churn out new vehicles based on existing guidelines, and with the New York Auto Show around the corner, it’s been a debut-fest of buzzy new rides. The Engine Block has a rundown of what will hit the market this year and next, as well as news of an interesting aftermarket acquisition that might interest those eyeing up suspension mods.
But first… the dirt is done flinging in sunny Mexico and a new SCORE champ has been named! Keep reading and learn which two off-road giants battled it out to the end.
35th SCORE San Felipe 250 Results
This week’s San Felipe 250 in Baja California marked the first race of the 2022 SCORE season, and it did not disappoint. Running 277 miles in a single loop through the grueling desert landscape near the beautiful Sea of Cortez, an impressive 273 competitors from 29 U.S. states and 8 countries battled it out in trucks, buggies, bikes and UTVs. Only 199 racers finished, and only one roared his way to victory: San Diego native and third-generation off-road racer, Luke McMillin.
While competitors are given 15 hours to complete the brutal course, the best-of-the-best finish in under five. McMillin roared his No. 83 Mason-built all-wheel drive Chevy 1500 to the finish line in a remarkable four hours, 25 minutes and 21 seconds at an average speed of 62.63 miles per hour.
He did not go unchallenged, though, with top qualifier and last year’s champ Bryce Menzies putting up a fight for first place for nearly 100 miles. McMillin finally got past Menzies when the latter’s Mason-built AWD Ford Raptor stopped to repair its second flat tire of the race.
McMillin, who lost to Menzies by a scant 15.54 seconds last year, finished yesterday’s race with a victory margin of two minutes, nine seconds. This is Luke McMillin’s first SCORE Trophy Truck win in San Felipe, which he adds to two SCORE Baja 1000 victories – one in 2020, co-piloted with Larry Roeseler, and one in 2021 with Rob MacCachren.
Next on the schedule is the BFGoodrich Tires 54th SCORE Baja 500, June 1-5, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
Did you know…?
After years of will-they-or-won’t-they, Formula 1 is finally adding a grand prix in Las Vegas to its 2023 calendar. The race will see drivers ripping 50 laps around a 3.8-mile street track at night, illuminated by the neon lights of the iconic Strip. Learn more here.
Mecum Houston
Mecum Houston wrapped this weekend, as well, with some particularly fine specimens of mid-century metal crossing the block. Roughly 1,000 vehicles were in attendance, but it was the eclectic mix of nearly 180 American classics, muscle cars, Corvettes, trucks, customs, motorcycles and replica movie cars from The Triple J Ranch Auto Collection at No Reserve that really had folks standing at attention.
Two darlings of the event were a pair of 1969 Pontiacs – a GTO Judge and Trans Am – which each sold for $99,000 hammer prices. A trio of Fords also headlined the lineup, including a meticulously restored 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback (sold for $253,000!), a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Fastback (sold for $68,200) and a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback (sold for $49,500).
One interesting top seller of the event included this 1967 Pontiac Monkee Mobile Replica whose hammer price reached an unbelievable $242,000! Can’t put a price on nostalgia, eh?
Glendale Update
We knew Mecum’s last event in Glendale was a success, but the numbers are finally in to prove it. According to the auction house, it marked the most successful iteration yet, raking in $66.3 million in overall sales. That total is a 53% increase over last year’s run, with attendance jumping 37%. Sell-through reached a very impressive 78%.
Next up for Mecum is one you won’t want to miss. The annual flagship event – the Original Spring Classic in Indy – will see more than 3,000 classic and collector cars crossing the block over nine auction days.
Stricter Fuel Economy Standards Finalized
On the legislative side of the auto biz, NHTSA dropped its new fuel economy standards on Friday.
The agency said it expects the rules to increase fuel efficiency by 8% per year for cars and light trucks in the 2024 and 2025 model years, and by 10% for 2026. Altogether, the new standards will require an industrywide fleet average of about 49 mpg in the 2026 model year. NHTSA expects U.S. gasoline consumption to drop by more than 200 billion gallons through 2050 as a result.
For comparison, Trump-era rules (which rolled back regulations) required only a 1.5% annual increase in efficiency through 2026. Under Obama, it was 5%.
Notably, this month, the EPA also reinstated California’s ability to set its own car emission standards and lifted the rule prohibiting other states from following suit. Already, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill ending the sale of new ICE-powered vehicles in 2030. (He previously vetoed a similar bill last year because it came packaged with an amendment for a road usage charge. This version does not.)
Bigger Punishments
In what undoubtedly came as a harsh blow to manufacturers, NHTSA also reissued severe penalties for automakers who do not comply. In fact, it increased them further.
According to Reuters, for the 2019-2021 model years, the fine is now $14 for each tenth of a mile per gallon that an automaker’s performance falls short of required fuel-economy standards, multiplied by the number of noncomplying vehicles in its fleet. For the 2022 model year, this rises to $15. Currently, manufacturers pay $5.50 for every 0.1 mile per gallon per vehicle that their corporate fleet falls short of the CAFE rules. The new change would come out to roughly a three-times-higher increase.
The new rules will be a tough ask for those automakers who spent the last few years tossing efficient passenger vehicles on the scrap heap in order to pump out SUVs with fat profit margins. Jeep and RAM parent company, Stellantis, estimated their increase in CAFE penalties could result in $572 million in fines this year alone. As for the overall industry? The Alliance for Automotive Innovation estimates industry compliance costs will jump by at least $1 billion annually.
To absolutely no one’s surprise, legislators’ reactions run the gamut. Some argue the rules are too strict and will hurt consumer wallets most in the end. Others applaud the efforts, and others still complain they are too soft in the war against climate change.
Do as I say, not as I do?
The U.S. Postal Service comes under fire for planning to buy as many as 148,000 gas-guzzling mail delivery trucks from Oshkosh Defense. The “next generation delivery vehicles,” which get a measly 8.6 mpg, will cost the post office as much as $11.3 billion over the next decade. With only 10% of the new trucks estimated to be electric, it’s safe to say the agency will fall short of White House goals to have an all-EV federal civilian fleet by 2035. As a result, the House’s Oversight and Reform Committee will hold a hearing on April 5 to grill senior U.S. Postal Service officials about the decision.
New Vehicle Debuts
As the New York Auto Show readies itself for a return to regular programming after two years of cancellations, automakers deliver an onslaught of new product.
2023 Honda HR-V
Honda’s redesigned small SUV debuted today, April 4, wearing a new platform (shared with the Civic), a new powertrain (no details yet) and a sportier new body design (see for yourself in the video below).
According to Honda, the second-gen HR-V is larger than its predecessor, with a longer wheelbase and wider stance. It also now features an independent rear suspension and “more responsive engine.” (Civic’s 180-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four perhaps?) Rumors of an upcoming hybrid version are swirling as well.
The 2023 HR-V will go on sale this summer. It is the first of three redesigned utility vehicles Honda plans to unveil this year.
2023 Toyota GR Corolla
Toyota comes in hot with a new hatchback. The first-ever GR Corolla uses the same 1.6-liter, turbocharged 3-cylinder engine as the GR Yaris, but manages to squeeze out 32 more ponies to deliver an impressive 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. To do so, Toyota uses a unique triple exhaust that’s designed to reduce backpressure for maximum power delivery.
The compact-yet-powerful engine is paired with a rally-tuned AWD drivetrain that gives drivers a choice of 60-40, 50-50 or 30-70 power distribution to the front and rear wheels. GR Corolla will be offered exclusively in a manual transmission, staying true to its hands-on rally racing roots.
The hot hatch will come in two grades, Core and a limited-run Circuit Edition.
2023 Ford F-150 Rattler
Those who prefer a different kind of on-road capability, may be interested in meeting the new F-150 Rattler. Developed as a way to bring new customers to the Ford truck line, the Rattler is an off-road focused base model.
The entry-level pickup delivers a rugged exterior and some inspiring 4×4 equipment, including skid plates, hill descent control, specially tuned off-road shock absorbers and an electronic rear-locking differential. Also standard are 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and a dual exhaust. The interior is modest but comfortable, offering Onyx seats with bronze accents and unique stitching.
Altogether, the new Rattler should come in under $40k – marking a viable entry point for budget-conscious truck shoppers.
Meet the N-FAB ROAN. This must-have accessory combines the look of traditional cab-length running boards with extra-large, traction-targeted step plates that ensure your foot finds support when you need it – in all weather conditions.
2023 Chevrolet Silverado Police Pursuit Vehicle
Sticking with the world of new trucks, Chevy just introduced its first pursuit-rated Silverado. Based on the crew-cab, short-bed model, the 355-hp Silverado PPV will join the Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle that the company has produced for 25 years.
The new truck shares the Tahoe’s 5.3-liter V-8 linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, as well as black 20-inch rims wearing Goodyear all-terrain tires and huge 16.0-inch front rotors. Unlike the Tahoe, however, the Silverado PPV has a 2.0-inch-lift option and a beefier tow rating, which maxes out at 9300 pounds. Off-road gear includes the Z71 package with Rancho shocks, locking rear diff and skid plate. A no-nonsense, bare-bones interior suits its application.
According to Michigan State Police tests, the Silverado PPV reaches 60 mph in 7.65 seconds with rear-wheel drive, 7.95 seconds with all-wheel drive. Those numbers are comparable to the Ford Police Interceptor Utility, which holds a good chunk of the police vehicle market in the United States.
Alfa Romeo Estrema
Alfa Romeo just rolled out the first globally available limited-edition Estrema trim for the Giulia sports sedan and Stelvio compact SUV. The new models are built on the premium Veloce trim, but add in a few performance-enhancing features.
Both wear a 280-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder paired to an eight-speed automatic with a limited-slip rear differential. While Stelvio Estrema sees AWD as standard, the drivetrain is an option for Guilia. The real value is in the Alfa Active Suspension with selectable damping modes. Similar to the Quadrifoglio’s suspension, the system can adjust shock valving to maintain handling and driving dynamics.
As for styling, Estrema models wear carbon fiber veneers on the front grille and mirror caps, as well as gloss-black side accents and alloy wheels. Inside, black leather and carbon fiber accents abound.
The two new models help fill a gap in the Alfa portfolio, slotting in between the Veloce and Quadrifoglio trims which can have almost a $30k split in pricing. The Estrema models should wear a price tag in the high $50,000s.
Wheel Pros Acquires TeraFlex
As is becoming the name of the game these days, two more big aftermarket brands join forces. Wheel Pros announced last week its purchase of off-road suspension titan, TeraFlex. While no financial terms were disclosed, the move comes on the heels of several big and buzzy acquisitions made by Wheel Pros.
Backed by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., the company has been on a bit of a shopping spree. Last fall, it scooped up lifestyle brand Hoonigan and Atlanta-based designer/online retailer Driven Lighting Group – all within a two-week period. In January, Wheel Pros acquired throtl, an aftermarket e-commerce platform for automotive and off-roading enthusiasts, while the previous month it purchased TSW Alloy Wheels, a leading designer and distributor of proprietary aftermarket custom wheels focused on the luxury and off-road markets.
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 a one-on-one with Valvoline. We unpack everything you need to know about automatic transmission fluid.
