Retro-modern Porsche 968 chops top, ’22 Bronco orders open Wednesday, Benz resurrects ’60s Gullwing gray

A man named Kar designed this retro-modern Porsche 968 art car

Intake: Founder of Paris fashion label L’Art De L’Automobile Arthur Kar has given the Porsche 968 a retro-modern makeover. Displayed at Paris fashion week, the 968 L’ART celebrates the 968’s 30th anniversary by resculpting it into a sleek speedster. The roof has been removed, the original pop-up lights have been replaced by LEDs, and the tail lamps switched for a wild light bar. Inside the streetwear brand has collaborated with TAG Heuer, who created a one-off stopwatch for the dashboard, while Recaro seats and a powerful Bose audio system has also been installed. Kar has a long history with Porsche as his first job was as a mechanic in a Porsche Center. He went on to run his own restoration business before moving into fashion in 2017. He also owns a Carrera GT.

Exhaust: You can’t buy the 968 L’ART but you can order a L’ART air freshener or a range L’ART x Porsche clothing from the Porsche online store.

In two days, you can order a “Mansquatch” Bronco

Intake: Ford has announced on its owner resources page that orders for the 2022 model year Broncos will open on Wednesday, October 13. Along with the previously announced new paint colors (Eruption Green and Hot Pepper Red), the Bronco’s second model year ushers in a coveted combination: the seven-speed manual transmission (available only with the smaller engine, the 2.3-liter turbo four) and Sasquatch package. This bundle of gnarly off-road goodies includes 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain rubber, bead-lock capable 17-inch wheels, electronically-locking Dana axles both front and rear, a two-inch-wider track, and beefed-up Bilstein suspension. It’s available on any and all Bronco trims, from base to Badlands, though it’s automatically included on the Wildtrak. 2021 order holders (specifically, anyone who hasn’t yet received a build date) who want to reap the benefits of the delays by speccing ’22 MY goodies must resubmit their orders once the books open and the configurator is live.

Exhaust: We knew that the “Mansquatch” package (translation: manual Sasquatch) was on its way for 2022—a year later than initially planned, thanks to a barrage of production delays—but we didn’t know exactly when the order books would open. Once again, Ford is a bit late to the party but still making good on its promises.

Mercedes caters to “individual” tastes with top-drawer Manufaktur label

Intake: Taking a page from the already successful “G manufaktur” customization program for G wagon aficionados, Mercedes-Benz now offers unique exterior colors and interior trimmings for other, range-topping models in its lineup. (Think Maybach, S-Class, CLS-Class, etc.) A unique steering wheel, ambient lighting with animation, bespoke seat/parcel shelf stitching, and the Manufaktur logo emblazoned on the center console are included with whatever you choose to, um, manufacture to your specifications. And for those who recall the custom-ish Mercedes designo models, do note that Manufaktur officially replaces that program.

Exhaust: What rolls off the tongue better, designo or Manufaktur? Either way, neither Mercedes-Benz offering matches up with the ”almost unlimited possibilities” of the BMW Individual program. Or the similarly named Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, for that matter. But anything is better than the boring seas of gray, silver, and tan exterior colors laden with black, gray or tan interiors—with the notable exception of the original SL Gullwing’s Graphite Grey, which makes a 21st-century return under the Manufaktur label. We hope customers splash the cash to make the boldly designed Benz of their dreams.

Facelifted ’22 Forte tries very hard to look aggressive

Intake: Now midway through its third generation, Kia’s Civic-fighter is receiving an exterior makeover and an interior tech upgrade for the 2022 model year. In addition to wearing Kia’s swoopy, black-oval-less new logo, the 2022 Forte wears a more aggressive front end design, with squintier headlamps integrated into a narrower grill above a more chiseled air dam festooned with LED fog lights on the GT-line trim. The rear taillights adopt a linear signature, rather than the kinked inner elements of the 2021 model. Inside, the cabin is essentially unchanged except for the 10.25-inch touchscreen that replaces the 8-incher on GT and GT-line trims. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, however, is now standard across all Fortes. The top-tier EX trim is now gone, leaving just four trims: FE, LSX, GT-Line, and GT. All but the last receive the rather snoozy 147-hp inline-four engine, though a manual gearbox is still available, mated with the same 201-hp turbo0four, on the GT model.

Exhaust: The Forte doesn’t look as mature as its recently updated competitor, the ’22 Civic, but it does boast a stickshift—which Honda removed for the 11th-gen sedan—and 21 more ponies from the top-tier turbo engine.

Make your escape with this original Prisoner Mini Moke

Intake: One of two surviving Mini Mokes made for the quirky classic British TV show The Prisoner could soon be yours. Wood & Pickett converted four cars in 1966, including uprating their original 850 cc motors to 998 cc Cooper specification. The Mokes were then sent to Portmeirion in Wales where shooting took place with Patrick McGoohan and a Lotus Seven. After the show was completed the cars were sold on, with just two believed to have escaped the crusher since. This particular model, built in 1965, is the only one that indisputably starred as its number plate HLT 709C was glimpsed in one episode. It was discovered in a barn in Holland in 2015 and then completely restored in the U.K. by enthusiasts Phil Caunt and Jeremy Guy who acid dipped the shell, rebuilt the engine and re-trimmed the interior. “Given the state of the car, it would have been easier to buy a new shell, but that would have undermined the authenticity of the car,” says Caunt. It is up for sale at Silverstone Auctions November 13 sale.

Exhaust: Who wouldn’t want to drive about in this marvelous Moke shouting, “I am not a number, I am a free man!”? So far no numbers have been attached to the cost of this screen star, but it will no doubt fetch rather more than a #1 (concours) condition car, which Hagerty values at $51,800.