2023 GMC Canyon revealed, build your dream Z, Lambo SUV pounds to Pikes Peak record

GMC gussies up the Colorado, this time with an AT4X twist

Intake: Hot on the heels of its more egalitarian sibling, the Colorado, GMC has unveiled the all-new 2023 Canyon. The similarities and shared components between the familial mid-sizers are legion, but in typical GMC fashion, a bit of added interior poshness will be the main attraction over the Colorado. All Canyons will benefit from a new chassis that moves the front axle forward a few inches; Elevation, AT4, and Denali trims get a standard 2-inch factory lift to bolster ground clearance to an impressive 9.6 inches.

The Canyon AT4X, a first for GMC’s mid-sizer, will headline this third-generation show with the same bevy of off-road goodies that you’ll find on the venerable Colorado ZR2—think front and rear electronic-locking diffs, Multimatic DSSV dampers, underbody protection, and chunky 33-inch tires. Those dampers and rubber will give the Canyon AT4X an even more impressive 10.7 inches of ground clearance and a stout 36.9-degree approach angle. Like its Bowtie brethren, the new Canyon will employ a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine exclusively, good for a GM-estimated 430 lb-ft of torque in high-end applications such as the AT4X and the Denali trucks. Those two trims also get an 11-inch digital instrument cluster in place of the 8-inch unit found on more modestly equipped Canyons (and all Colorados). At launch, a special Edition 1 version of the Canyon AT4X will be offered that includes extra off-road gear such as a winch, an off-road bumper with a safari bar, 30-inch front light bar, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, and a special front skid plate. The cost of such a beast: $63,350, to start—reservations are open now. Elsewhere in the lineup, GMC says pricing for other Canyon trims will start around $40,000. Expect the 2023 Canyon to arrive early next year, with the AT4X specifically showing up in the spring of 2023.

Exhaust: Figure that the non-Edition 1 versions of GMC’s Canyon AT4X will start around the mid-$50,000 mark. That’s no small sum for a mid-size truck, but such is the plight of being the premium nameplate—comparably equipped GMCs always outstrip Chevys at the register. The new styling is certainly more expressive than that of the outgoing model, which is not a bad thing. While we’re a bit sad to see the 2.8-liter diesel engine exit stage left, there’s no arguing that the inbound 2.7-liter unit is the right match; it delivers more torque than the diesel and more horsepower than the outgoing 3.6-liter V-6 as well. Our money still votes ZR2 over AT4X, but we suspect there are plenty of well-to-do buyers ready to plunk down a bit extra for a few hints of luxury in their trail-stompers. —Nathan Petroelje

Royal Rolls-Royce needs a new (stately) home

Intake: A 1980 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II once owned by Princes Margaret is looking for a regal new residence on Collecting Cars. The Roller’s Cardinal Red metallic paint contrasts with a black Everflex roof and comes complete with a royal crest mount and blue light for emergencies. Inside there’s finely-woven cloth in pale green, deep green carpets, and floor rests where Her Royal Highness could put her feet up after a long day of duty. This Rolls was a real favorite, staying in the Windsor family until 2002 when it performed a final sombre role carrying Princess Margaret’s children to her funeral. The Rolls comes with a history as long as old England’s, HRH’s private number plate 3 GXM, and a recent overhaul and service. With three days left on the auction, bidding stands just shy of $25,000.

Exhaust: This Royal Wraith previously went to auction in 2020 but failed to sell. More recently, however, a 2013 Bentley Mulsanne owned by Margaret’s big sister Queen Elizabeth II sold for $250,000, proving that monarch motoring commands a major markup. The Wraith does have some competition, as a Ford Escort RS Turbo driven by Princess Diana will also be up for sale shortly. —Nik Berg

Build your dream Z-car on Nissan’s configurator

Intake: The wait is finally over for brand loyalists, modern performance junkies, and anyone looking for some fun alongside a factory warranty: Nissan opened up the online configurator for the all-new Z-car. Visit the configurator to see how much you get for the Sport model’s $41,015 starting price, at the Performance’s $51,015 sticker (with goodies like a leather interior, limited slip differential, beefier brakes, BOSE audio, and Rays Engineering wheels), and the $54,015 figure for the limited edition “Proto,” whose exclusive color combination is limited to 240 units nationwide.

Exhaust: Nissan’s configurator has generally shown the brand to be heavy on standard features, focusing options on items that are more like dealer-installed accessories and less like the option packages available on a Mustang. The ideal package for enthusiasts is the Performance model, as you cannot upgrade the brakes or differential on the base Sport. Which is a shame as a Sport with cloth seats and no spoiler sounds like the best platform to go fast. Who knows, maybe that’ll happen next year. In the meantime build your Z and find a dealership who will sell it to you for sticker price with no hassle. Good luck with that. —Sajeev Mehta

Lamborghini Urus sets SUV lap record at Pikes Peak

Intake: Lamborghini hasn’t yet unveiled the 2023 Urus, yet it just captured the production SUV record at Pikes Peak. Pirelli test driver Simone Faggioli was behind the wheel as the Urus hustled up the 12.42-mile course during a special event and clocked in a 10:32.064 time. That time bested the previous production SUV record of 10:49.902 set by Rhys Millen in a Bentley Bentayga in 2018. The twin-turbo V-8 Urus used “an evolution of the Urus’ Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R” tire that should be offered when the Urus goes on sale shortly. Besides the addition of a roll cage, six-point harness, and a fire suppression system, Faggioli’s Urus racer was unmodified.

Exhaust: Even though the previous record holder was Rhys Millen’s Bentley Bentayga, which shares the Urus platform, this next-gen Lambo took off a significant 17.838 seconds. Claiming it’s the “fastest SUV” sounds like a big caveat, but the 10:32.064 time puts it between the current front-wheel drive record of 10:48.094 set in 2018 by Nick Robinson in a modified, 500-hp 2018 Acura TLX A-Spec and the 10:18.488 set by Rhys Millen in a 2019 Bentley Continental GT, which is the current Time Attack 2 (production) record holder. SUV or not, that’s fast. —Brandan Gillogly