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Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and a Final Four of automakers | Autoblog Podcast #723

In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski. We start out with news on the Lotus Eletre and Ferrari Purosangue. These two high-end crossovers are followed by discussions about the new inline-six engines from Stellantis and an overabundance of Hummer EV orders. Next we try something we've never tried before: ranking automaker blue bloods. We took inspiration from the current NCAA tournament, which features Duke, North Carolina, Villanova and Kansas — very much traditional blue-blood basketball programs — to name our Final Four automakers. Let us know if you agree or disagree with our picks and what your definition of a blue blood car brand is. We wrap up with a discussion about the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk that Jeremy's been driving all week. Send us your questions for the Mailbag and Spend My Money at: Podcast@Autoblog.com. Autoblog Podcast #723 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Lotus Eletre Ferrari Purosangue Stellantis inline-six Hummer EV orders Cars we're driving Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Green Podcasts Ferrari Hummer Jeep Lotus Crossover SUV Electric Luxury Off-Road Vehicles Performance

Ferrari V6 hybrid said to arrive in May with as much as 723 horsepower

Ferrari has five debuts planned this year, one of which we've seen in the F8 Tributo. The next four will add to and update the mid-engined sports car range as well as the front-engined GT range. Car magazine thinks it has a bead on the long-awaited Ferrari six-cylinder engine that will sit in the middle of some new sports car definitely not named Dino. According to Car's sources, the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 works up 610 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque by itself. Given plug-in hybrid assistance and an e-motor between the engine and transmission, the numbers grow to 723 hp and almost 800 lb-ft. The magazine says there's also room for an e-motor powering the front axle "at a later stage." Since Ferrari CEO Louis Camillieri nixed the Dino name, it's said the moniker 486 could get a call-up when Ferrari reveals the powerplant, expected to happen in May. We just need to see where that engine is going to go, since the carmaker's V8 hybrid is also due this year, and also rumored for a May reveal. The V8 hybrid will fit inside a new flexible platform and power a mid-engined model above the 710-hp F8 Tributo in the range and more profitable than the 812Superfast. The F8 Tributo sits on a heavily updated version of the 488 platform, which itself was a heavily updated version of the 458 platform from 2009. The new mid-engined model will focus on track performance. Ferrari has confirmed that its new mid-mounted platform will be able to adopt the V6 family. The brand's SVP of commercial and marketing, Enrico Galliera, told Australia's WhichCar, "So the technology we are going to have, V12, V8, V6 turbo. Hybrid will give us the possibility to have a platform that we can mix to achieve emissions targets." Since the other three Ferrari debuts are predicted to be in the GT and ultra-luxe categories, it's possible the V6 will introduce an entry-level option for a model like the Portofino. Or it could grace a new, more traditional model. There's a new "front-engine hybrid architecture for host of new cars, including Purosangue SUV," the SUV not due now until 2022. Galliera also told WhichCar, "We are developing some products that are designed to give the same emotion as a Ferrari." They will be sports cars, "but with this design that it is more elegant that is more for everyday driving in order to attract those people that maybe are not considering to buy a Ferrari, because they are not willing to have a highly sporty car.

Marchionne could become Ferrari CEO

Don't think that just because FCA is spinning off Ferrari into a separate company that Sergio Marchionne is giving up any control. Not only is he already chairman of the Prancing Horse, but he might also become its next CEO after Amedeo Felisa steps down, anonymous insiders claim according to Automotive News Europe. The dual roles would put the sportscar brand's future in Marchionne's hands, while he continues to run FCA. Rumors of Felisa stepping down emerged in July, but Ferrari never made an official announcement. The reports suggested that he could leave in September. Execs at the Prancing Horse are now working to decide on a replacement, but there's nothing official in place yet, according to Automotive News Europe. Felisa might maintain an advisory role after retiring, as well. If Marchionne takes charge, the move would come just as Ferrari becomes a newly independent entity. The Prancing Horse's necessary paperwork is already filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and the IPO is expected in October. Marchionne took over as Ferrari's chairman last year after Luca di Montezemolo's resignation. As boss, he intends to increase production to 10,000 units a year from 7,000 annually under Montezemolo. Among the projects in development is a revived Dino. Related Video: