Row Your Ohms: Toyota (!) Wants To Save Manual Transmissions for EVs

If you see a riveted travel trailer that resembles an Airstream but isn't, it may be a Bowlus. That's assuming you're extremely lucky, too—there simply aren't many of these rare, upscale campers out there, so spotting one is like peeping Bigfoot.The company roots trace back to an aircraft builder named Hawley Bowlus, creator of a riveted, polished metal travel trailer back in 1934 to transport flight crews to remote locations. The brand has since been reinvented by Geneva Long, CEO of modern-day Bowlus. Characterized by an upright rounded front that tapers into an upside-down canoe-shaped rear, Bowlus trailers appear quite distinct in their Streamline Moderne design, almost steampunk-like in detail and complexity. Now, those Bowlus models—the Terra Firma, Endless Highways Performance Edition, and the Endless Highways Edition—are joined by a new model, called the Volterra, that takes the classic format and fully electrifies it for a new era.EV Trailerin'Bowlus makes some pretty bold claims regarding its brand-new, all-electric 2023 Volterra model, including that it is the first production RV to be 100-percent electric; the first to apply AeroSolar; the first with high-speed satellite internet; and the first to offer an induction cooktop. We'll work through these aspects one by one.The Volterra is all-electric, meaning it's devoid of a generator or propane fuel, the common power sources for running appliances while boondocking and figuratively (and literally) keeping the lights on. It has 17 kwh of lithium iron phosphate batteries (for a 100-percent increase in battery capacity over its Terra Firma model). It has 20-amp outlets to give an EV tow vehicle a little bit of juice in the case of an emergency, and the EV (or, we suspect, a hybrid with substantial power generation capabilities such as an F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid—can likewise recharge the Bowlus while driving.Bowlus is proud of its AeroSolar setup that has up to 480 watts of solar power absorption. Compared to aluminum-framed glass panels, the AeroSolar panels feature monocrystalline cells with PERC technology that make the cells more efficient and the panels lightweight and durable. They're paired with a smart MPPT solar controller that coordinates the flow of vital juice. The solar panels fit the roof perfectly, and there are two optional suitcase panels for extra solar.Want to do some remote streaming or download some giant files to your mobile office in the middle of nowhere? The Bowlus Volterra has Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet for fast and reliable internet in most places. Starlink for RVs is relatively new and can be expected to hit a bounty of nomadic setups in the near future.Whereas most (if not all) trailers normally have propane stoves, the Bowlus Volterra has an induction cooktop, excelling in energy efficiency while providing precise temperature and cooking control. One could argue induction cooktops are safer, too, as the surface works with a magnetic field rather than physically getting hot, which also means you don't necessarily heat up the whole trailer while cooking dinner. The downsides of induction tops are that they require induction-ready cookware, and they're simply more expensive.The Volterra sleeps and dines four inside the fully vegan, limited-edition interior theme that's been named "La Cumbre," for the name of a mountain peak behind Santa Barbara, California. "Ynez" seating with "Rafael" accent piping recreate a beautiful California sunset. Black and old rose striped 100-percent linen duvet covers, blankets, and throw pillows are included.The Bowlus Volterra measures just over 27 feet long and has a base weight of 3,250 pounds (4,000-pound GVWR), indicating it's pretty lightweight. It has a 50-gallon freshwater tank, which Bowlus considers "perfect for extended off-grid time or longer showers." We'd like to see double that amount of fresh water—but that would exceed the GVWR in water alone. A cool feature when it comes to navigating into tight camping spots is its 120-degree color backup camera that's rechargeable, waterproof, and compatible with all iOS and Android devices.Getting into a Bowlus Volterra will set owners back at least $310,000. That's hard to wrap your mind around, right? This helps explain why you don't see very many in the wild. To put this into perspective, the most expensive Airstream, the 33-foot Classic, starts at $206,500. If you ever see a Bowlus, it's okay to stare.

Ever since spy shots of the flare-fendered, camouflaged 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor started hitting the airwaves, the internet has been buzzing as to whether it would be powered by an EcoBoost V-6 (and if so, which one?) or a Coyote V-8. Folks were clearly crossing their fingers for the latter, to relive those Bill Stroppe Baja fantasies. Now that the Bronco Raptor has dropped, we know we're getting the 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost six, and hearing the reasons why, we don't begrudge the decision. So read on for the answer to "Why no Bronco V-8?" and to learn how you will be able to buy a Bronco V-8 from Ford—sort of.Just Not a Good FitAs we've noted extensively, the Bronco is based on next-generation Ranger architecture, which involves a noticeably narrower frame than the one used by the F-150. Further tightening the engine compartment are shock towers that are elevated to provide the added suspension travel crucial to the Bronco Raptor's desert-blitzing capabilities. These taller towers prevent turbos and cylinder heads from being able to hang over the main frame rails. Such package constraints conspire against fitting a V-8 or even the wider 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 in a Bronco Raptor engine bay.So when some aftermarket tuner comes along with an Bronco V-8 transplant, inevitably wearing Poppy Red, white, and blue livery, you'll likely learn that that specific Bronco didn't start life as a Raptor (and you may rightly fret about its cooling performance and durability).Nose Heavy?Extra weight on the nose of a desert racer is never a good thing. It overworks the springs and dampers, causes the front end to plow, adds wear to the front tires, and more. And although the overall weight of the Coyote V-8 isn't that much different from that of the EcoBoost V-6 engines (turbos weigh more than pistons!), the V-8 is longer, moving the engine's center of mass forward. This would have the effect of adding weight to the nose of a Bronco V-8.Out of CharacterThis most extreme example of the "Born Wild" Bronco cries out for the broad, flat torque curve that comes with a twin-turbo engine. Naturally aspirated V-8s can't typically match this torque-everywhere character that a twin-turbo EcoBoost engine provides. And in any case, if our estimates of power and weight are correct, the Bronco Raptor should roughly hit the weight-to-power and hence 0-60-mph acceleration of the similarly tired Ford F-150 Raptor 37.You CAN Have a Bronco V-8!Wait, what? That's right, Ford is building a Bronco with a V-8. You simply won't be able to drive it to your local cars and coffee, or on public roads in general, but maybe you could live out your Stroppe fantasies and win the SCORE Baja 1000 race in it. We're talking about the 2023 Ford Bronco DR, a not-street-legal off-road-racing Bronco available to privateer racers.Buy one of these, and you'd also be living out a "Rod Hall and Larry Minor" fantasy—they won the Baja 1000 overall in a stock Bronco V-8 in 1969. This tube-frame racing truck faces none of packaging dilemmas that plague the production truck, so it will run a V-8. It'll also package the radiator behind the driver. Oh, and it'll cost in the mid-$200,000s when it goes on sale this fall. How badly do you want a Bronco V-8?

With the retirement of the third-generation 6 sedan, just two car models remain in Mazda's 2022 lineup, the MX-5 Miata roadster and 3 compact (and really, it's more like three cars since the 3 comes in both sedan and hatchback varieties). Model year updates for each include new exterior colors, interior materials, drivetrain technology, and even a new trim for the 3.The 6 is gone, but that might be only for now. There's a promise of something wearing the 6 badge on the horizon. Keep reading for more about that future sedan as well as what's new and different with every 2022 Mazda car.