Yahoo Autos This Week in Cars: a Mach-E, a 'Ring Champ, and a Cummins Diesel
Bad News First
Ford announced late Friday that the Bronco SUV will not launch next Spring, as promised, but will be delayed until Summer 2021 due to issues related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Sasquatch manual-transmission edition won't be available until the 2022 model year. It's not surprising that pandemic-related delays are slowing a vehicle launch, but this delay is particularly tough for Ford given the importance of the Bronco brand and the fact that the bungled launch of the 2019 Explorer is still fresh in our minds.
This Week in Sheetmetal
Ford gave us new details about the GT Performance Edition of the Ford Mach-E. The company confirmed that the sportiest Mach-E (so far) will have 480 horsepower, 21 more than they initially estimated, and will reach 60 mph in less than four seconds. Look for the Mach-E in dealerships next summer.
If that’s still not enough horsepower for you, perhaps Audi’s limited-run R8 Panther Edition (532 horsepower) or the 720-hp Nürburgring production car lap record holder Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series will suit.
Power, of course, is nothing without torque. For that, look to the new Ram 3500 with the 6.7-liter inline-six diesel engine. It has 1075 lb-ft of torque and can tow up to 37,100 pounds when properly outfitted.
Toyota has been late to the EV game, choosing instead to goose its corporate average fuel economy ratings with a succession of hybrids. But now they’re playing along, sort of, with the 2021 Mirai fuel cell car, which will be 20 percent cheaper than the outgoing model and boasts 404 miles of range. All of which you’ll use up in your search for a hydrogen fuel station.
The Mazda CX-30 will have a new 250-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged engine for the 2021 model year, which you’ll be able to spec in place of the standard 186-hp naturally aspirated engine by the end of this year. Coincidentally, we introduced a 2021 CX-30 to our long-term fleet. We didn't get the turbo.
