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    Alleged drug trafficker’s seized sports car collection up for auction

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    An amazing car collection with a notorious past is up for auction in Massachusetts.

    The sports cars were seized by the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office in 2020 following the arrest of Cory Taylor, who police found with 138 pounds of marijuana in a van he was driving during a routine traffic stop. 

    This 1993 Supra has just 8,169 on the odometer. (Stanley J. Paine Auctioneers)

    A follow-up investigation turned up evidence suggesting that Taylor, 41, was running a massive drug trafficking operation and had used the proceeds to purchase over two dozen classic sports cars from the 1990s and early 2000s. Weapons and over $4 million in cash were also discovered at two properties he owned in New Salem and Holyoke.

    Bids on this 1997 Supra have reached $155,000. (Stanley J. Paine Auctioneers)

    Taylor posted bail, but skipped an arraignment and disappeared until his body was found several weeks later in an abandoned building. The cause of death was officially listed as “undetermined” and the Holyoak clerk’s office has confirmed to Fox News Autos that remains true today.

    Twenty-nine of the 37 cars that were discovered have now made their way to Stanley J. Paine Auctioneers, which handles many of the district attorney’s seized vehicle auctions.

    This 1996 Supra has a top bid of $170,000 with weeks to go before the final sale.” src=”https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/05/640/320/taylor-3-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1″>

    This 1996 Supra has a top bid of $170,000 with weeks to go before the final sale. (Stanley J. Paine Auctions)

    Among them are 13 examples of the fourth-generation Toyota Supra, which was made famous by “The Fast and the Furious” film franchise and has risen in value dramatically in recent years.

    One custom Supra that was used in the film was auctioned last year for $550,000 and a customer Supra with 7,000 miles on it was auctioned a few weeks later for a non-film car record $200,000.

    Some of Taylors cars were found in this converted firehouse in Holyoke. (Google Street View)

    Online bidding is currently open on the seized cars ahead of an on-site event at the Orange, Massachusetts, municipal airport on June 4, and the early bidding suggests new records could be set.

    A 1996 model with 22,962 on the odometer has seen a flurry of activity pushing the high bid up to $170,000, as of this writing, while a 1997 car was at $155,000 and offers on a 1993 car that’s been driven just 8,169 miles had reached $130,000. Stanley Paine told Fox News Autos that bidders must provide a $5,000 deposit to show they are serious.

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    The Supras are the most highly-sought after cars at the auction, but there are also several BMW M3s and a pair each of the Honda S2000, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Nissan 350Z.

    Here’s why a used Honda sports car sold for record $200,000

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    Everyone knows used Hondas hold their value, but this is ridiculous.

    A 2009 Honda S2000 sports car has been auctioned on the Bring a Trailer website for $200,000, setting an all-time record for the model.

    The S2000 Club Racer is a track-focused version of the sports car. (Honda)

    The yellow and black car wasn’t a run-of-the-mill S2000, however. It was a rare, limited edition Club Racer model with just 123 miles on the odometer.

    The car had just 123 miles on the odometer at the time of the auction. (Bring a Trailer)

    The Club Racer is a track-focused version of the S2000 with a 237 hp four-cylinder engine, a modified chassis and bodywork, plus other updates to improve its performance.

    The S2000 Club Racer is powered by a 237 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. (Bring a Trailer)

    The car was offered for sale by Graham Rahal Performance, which is owned by the IndyCar driver of the same name. It had a single owner in Florida before it was recently acquired by the sports car dealer.

    Forty-one bids were placed on what enthusiasts of the model consider a holy grail example before the auctioned ended with the $200,000 bid.

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    The next highest price paid for an S2000 at a public auction is believed to be in the $125,000 range.

    Test drive: The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback is a throwback

    The Honda Civic Hatchback has been around for half a century and not much has changed over the years.

    The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback is all new. (Honda)

    OK, a lot has changed, but the eleventh generation Civic does share a few traits with its ancestor that almost seem quaint.

    It isn’t a hybrid or electric. Instead, the Civic hatchback is powered by a four-cylinder engine and still comes with a manual transmission in the Sport and top of the line Sport Touring trims.

    The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback is offered with a six-speed manual transmission in Sport and Sport Touring trim. (Hona)

    The base engine in the entry level $24,365 LX and Sport is a 158 hp 2.0-liter while the EX-L and Sport Touring a 180 hp 1.5-liter. A continuously variable automatic transmission is available and improves the combined fuel economy rating on the $31,260 Sport Touring that I tested from 31 mpg to 33 mpg, at the expense of do-it-yourself fun.

    The new Civic hatch is only offered as a four-door and slightly shorter in length than the one it replaces, but has a longer wheelbase and the most rear legroom the model has ever offered. It’s technically a compact, but measures up against some midsize cars.

    The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback’s interior is inspired by the original’s. (Honda)

    The design of the dash has a throwback 1970s vibe that’s somewhat inspired by the original Civic’s and trimmed with a metal grate that hides the air vents. Three knobs and physical for the climate control system are a welcome departure from the clunky touchpad systems used in many cars today, but there is a touchscreen infotainment system with a physical volume knob and new interface that’s far better than Honda’s past efforts. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is included, but only the Sport Touring gets the wirelessly connected version.

    A metal grate hides the Honda Civic Hatchback’s air vents. (Honda)

    The Honda Sensing suite of electronic driver aids including automatic emergency braking, lane-centering and adaptive cruise control is standard on all trims, but only the turbos have blind spot monitoring systems. One nice feature is that you can use the very effective lane-centering and cruise control independently. Some other cars require the latter to make the former work.

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    The Sport Touring isn’t a rocket, but its lively and the manual transmission is a joy to use. You won’t find a better stick at any price and the clutch is light and engages smoothly.

    The Honda Civic Hatchback’s cargo area has over 24 cubic feet of space. (Honda)

    The ride quality is premium and near perfect even if the road isn’t. It’ll gobble up pockmarked pavement, but feels like a slot car when the surface is smooth. The Civic hatch glides down the road when you’re cruising a long and in the curves reminds you what driving is all about. After a few miles, you’ll start to reconsider the whole SUV thing. The Civic still has it.

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    And not just compared to those, it’s the class of the dwindling field of mainstream compact hatchbacks, which aren’t even offered by any American brands anymore. Coincidentally, the Civic hatch is being built in the U.S.A. for the first time in its history.

    How things change.

    ———-

    2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

    Base price: $24,365

    As tested: $31,260

    Type: 5-passenger 4-door front-wheel-drive hatchback

    Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder

    Power: 180 hp, 177 lb-ft

    Transmission: 6-speed manual

    Fuel economy: 28 city/37 hwy

    2022 Honda Passport revealed with more truck-like styling

    Test drive: 2021 Honda Ridgeline

    The Honda Ridgeline has been redesigned for 2021 to make it look more like a traditional pickup, but Fox News Autos Editor Gary Gastelu says it remains a unique option in the midsize class.

    Honda redesigned the Ridgeline pickup this year to make it look less like the Pilot and Passport SUVs that it is based on, but now it’s gone and made the Passport look like the pickup.

    (Honda)

    The midsize 2022 Passport features the upright grille and tall hood of the Ridgeline to further set it apart from the three-row Pilot and better position it as the mild off-road vehicle it is designed to be.

    The current Passport more closely resembles the Pilot. (Honda)

    It is also the first to debut Honda’s new TrailSport trim level which brings rugged styling including unique bumpers and grille, a wider stance and 18-inch wheels with knobby-looking tires.

    Honda plans to offer an even more capable TrailSport in the future and has previewed just how extreme the Passport can be with the Rugged Roads concept equipped with a lift kit, all-terrain tires and all sorts of off-road accessories.

    (Honda)

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    In the meantime, all of the Passports get the new profile, but  will carry over their 280 hp V6  powertrain, available all-wheel-drive system and interior layout when they arrive at dealers this winter.

    2022 Honda Passport revealed with more truck-like styling

    Test drive: 2021 Honda Ridgeline

    The Honda Ridgeline has been redesigned for 2021 to make it look more like a traditional pickup, but Fox News Autos Editor Gary Gastelu says it remains a unique option in the midsize class.

    Honda redesigned the Ridgeline pickup this year to make it look less like the Pilot and Passport SUVs that it is based on, but now it’s gone and made the Passport look like the pickup.

    (Honda)

    The midsize 2022 Passport features the upright grille and tall hood of the Ridgeline to further set it apart from the three-row Pilot and better position it as the mild off-road vehicle it is designed to be.

    The current Passport more closely resembles the Pilot. (Honda)

    It is also the first to debut Honda’s new TrailSport trim level which brings rugged styling including unique bumpers and grille, a wider stance and 18-inch wheels with knobby-looking tires.

    Honda plans to offer an even more capable TrailSport in the future and has previewed just how extreme the Passport can be with the Rugged Roads concept equipped with a lift kit, all-terrain tires and all sorts of off-road accessories.

    (Honda)

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    In the meantime, all of the Passports get the new profile, but  will carry over their 280 hp V6  powertrain, available all-wheel-drive system and interior layout when they arrive at dealers this winter.

    Test drive: The 2021 Honda Ridgeline pickup gets a new disguise

    Test drive: 2021 Honda Ridgeline

    The Honda Ridgeline has been redesigned for 2021 to make it look more like a traditional pickup, but Fox News Autos Editor Gary Gastelu says it remains a unique option in the midsize class.

    Sometimes you have to go with the flow.

    The Honda Ridgeline is an outlier in the pickup ‘truck’ world. Instead of being built on a ladder frame, the midsize model shares a unibody platform with Honda’s Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan, so it’s a bit of an odd bird.

    When the latest generation first arrived in 2017, it had a kind of centaur thing going on, with the streamline front of a Pilot combined with a cargo bed.

    Despite receiving excellent reviews for its role as a very light duty pickup, sales weren’t so good, so Honda took it back to the drawing board to toughen it up for 2021.

    (Fox News Autos)

    It’s mechanically the same, but has a much boxier front end with a big grille on it to help it fit in with its more traditional competitors. And it seems to be working.

    Sales of the Ridgeline are up over 70% so far this year despite the front-wheel-drive version being dropped and its high starting price of $37,715.

    (Fox News Autos)

    Some of that may have to do with the lack of inventory at other truck brands due to the ongoing semiconductor shortage that’s been affecting the auto industry, but customers are clearly not shying away from the Ridgeline anymore.

    The Ridgeline is powered by a 280 hp V6 and uses a 9-speed automatic on all trims with a 5,000-pound tow and 21 mpg combined fuel economy rating across the board.

    (Fox News Autos)

    Its interior remains largely the same as before, which means exactly the same as the Pilot’s in the front seating area, but it gets a few fresh trim pieces and an updated infotainment system with a volume knob and a wireless charging pad on some models.

    Honda’s infotainment system interface is one of the most disappointing, but it has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration that make things better. Unfortunately, neither is the latest wirelessly connected type.

    (Fox News Autos)

    The Ridgeline’s rear seats offer less legroom than the Pilot’s, but are more comfortable than any in the midsize class.

    The cargo bed is where things get interesting. It has a payload rating of 1,583 pounds and a 7.3 cubic-foot trunk with a water drain near the rear that’s courtesy of the room provided by the Ridgeline’s independent rear suspension. The tailgate swings out like a door for easy access to it, but also opens flat. The spare tire and jack are stored inside the trunk, however, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when loading the bed if you’re concerned about getting a flat while its full of heavy things. Top RTL-E and Black Edition trims add an audio feature that vibrates the composite flooring, turning it into a giant speaker for when you want to use the tailgate for tailgating.

    (Fox News Autos)

    The suspension pays even greater dividends on the move and helps deliver the smoothest and quietest ride this side of a, well, Pilot SUV. No other pickup can compare on flat roads, but with just 7.64 inches of ground clearance and a non-locking all-wheel-drive system, you’ll want to avoid the roughest stuff.

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    You can make the Ridgeline look even brawnier with a $2,800 HPD (Honda Performance Development) appearance kit that adds blocky protective fender flares, a different grille, gold wheels and a graphics package that might all be a bit much for some.

    On the other hand, the Ridgeline is just right as a daily driver that can handle hauling a couple of motorcycles or a trailer on the weekends. It would be more fun if the dashboard was unique and at least as truck-like as the exterior now is, because you can easily forget what you’re in after a while behind the wheel, but that shouldn’t distract from its overall functionality, which will soon be copied on a smaller scale.

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    The upcoming compact Hyundai Santa Cruz copies the Ridgeline’s unibody-based design right down to the in-bed trunk, but looks just like the Tucson SUV it’s based on.

    (Hyundai)

    Let’s see how long that lasts.

    ———-

    2021 Honda Ridgeline

    Base price:

    As tested:

    Type: 4-door, 5-passenger all-wheel-drive pickup

    Engine: 3.5-liter V6

    Power: 280 hp/262 lb-ft

    Transmission: 9-speed automatic

    MPG: 18 city/24 hwy

    2022 Honda Civic Hatchback revealed with stick shift and sporty styling

    The 2018 Honda Accord Sport is a stirring sedan

    The 2018 Honda Accord Sport is one of a handful of mainstream midsize sedans that you can get with a manual transmission. FoxNews.com Automotive Editor Gary Gastelu takes it for a spin to find out if you should.

    Honda is keeping it real with the 2022 Civic Hatchback.

    The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback will be available with a manual transmission.
    (Honda)

    The all-new model will be the only Civic version available with a manual transmission, but its far from a stripped-out economy car.

    (Honda)

    Four trim levels – EX, Sport, EX-L and Sport Touring – will be offered. As with the Civic sedan, the four-door hatch will be available with either a 158 hp 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder or a 180 hp 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Both come standard with a CVT automatic transmission, but the manual is optional on the Sport and Sport Touring trims.

    Along with its coupe-like roofline and shorter tail, the hatchback features a slightly different front end design than the sedan’s to give it more of its own personality.

    (Honda)

    The cargo area has a 25-cubic-foot capacity with the rear seats up, compared to the 15-cubic-foot trunk on the sedan. Although it is shaped differently, the hatchback has a larger cargo volume than Honda’s HR-V subcompact SUV.

    HONDA DOMINATES AMERICAN-MADE CAR LIST

    The hatchback and sedan passenger compartments are largely the same, as are all of the available technologies, including the standard Honda Sensing package of electronic driver aids with automatic emergency brakes and adaptive cruise control. A 7-inch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible infotainment system display comes on the first three trims and the Sport Touring gets a 9-inch screen.

    (Honda)

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    A delivery date and pricing for the 2022 Civic hatchback hasn’t been announced, but the outgoing 2021 model started at $23,590.

    General Motors and Honda to co-develop electric vehicles

    What electric vehicles does General Motors make?

    General Motors is setting big goals for themselves this decade as they hope to make an impact on the electric vehicle industry. Here are the confirmed EV models that the automaker expects to have on sale in the U.S. in the near future.

    General Motors will work with Honda to design and develop two electric vehicles using GM’s new EV platform, the automakers announced Thursday.

    General Motors reveals its all-new modular platform and battery system, Ultium, Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at the Design Dome on the GM Tech Center campus in Warren, Michigan. (Photo by Steve Fecht for General Motors)

    Details on what type of vehicles they are building were not revealed, but Honda will design the bodies and interiors and expects to start selling them in North America by 2024.

    Honda is already an investor in GM’s Cruise autonomous car division, and they have previously worked together on battery technology. Honda recently discontinued sales of the electric version of its Clarity model, which was the only all-electric car it sold in the U.S.

    GM will be using the platform for several of its own vehicles, including the upcoming Cadillac Lyriq SUV. All will be powered by a new battery GM will produce in-house under the Ultium brand name.

    Despite the recent work stoppages caused by the coronavirus crisis, GM said its electric vehicle projects remain mostly on schedule, with a Hummer EV pickup set to enter production in late 2021, followed by the Lyriq.

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    How much does the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid cost? Not much

    2020 Honda Talon 1000X test drive

    Honda is racing into the sport side-by-side segment with the Talon 1000X. Fox News Autos editor Gary Gastelu hits the dirt to see how it handles the rough stuff.

    The first Honda CR-V Hybrid is hitting showrooms with a bargain-basement price, relatively speaking.

    (Honda)

    The compact all-wheel-drive utility vehicle starts at $28,870, which comes in just under the best-selling $29,220 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid and $30,960 all-wheel-drive hybrid Ford Escape.

    (Honda)

    The CR-V Hybrid powertrain comprises a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor that is rated at 212 hp and 238 lb-ft torque and delivers an EPA fuel economy rating of 38 mpg combined, which compares to 40 mpg for the Toyota and Ford.

    (Honda)

    Along with all-wheel-drive, the CR-V Hybrid comes standard with the Honda Sensing electronic driver aid package that includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

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    The conventional CR-V was the fifth-best-selling vehicle in the U.S. in 2019, behind the Rav4 and full-size pickups from Chevy, Ram and Ford.

    Base prices for the full CR-V Hybrid lineup of trim levels is as follows:

    LX – $28,87

    EX – $31,380

    EX-L – $33,870

    Touring – $37,070

    How much does the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid cost? Not much

    2020 Honda Talon 1000X test drive

    Honda is racing into the sport side-by-side segment with the Talon 1000X. Fox News Autos editor Gary Gastelu hits the dirt to see how it handles the rough stuff.

    The first Honda CR-V Hybrid is hitting showrooms with a bargain-basement price, relatively speaking.

    (Honda)

    The compact all-wheel-drive utility vehicle starts at $28,870, which comes in just under the best-selling $29,220 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid and $30,960 all-wheel-drive hybrid Ford Escape.

    (Honda)

    The CR-V Hybrid powertrain comprises a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor that is rated at 212 hp and 238 lb-ft torque and delivers an EPA fuel economy rating of 38 mpg combined, which compares to 40 mpg for the Toyota and Ford.

    (Honda)

    Along with all-wheel-drive, the CR-V Hybrid comes standard with the Honda Sensing electronic driver aid package that includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

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    The conventional CR-V was the fifth-best-selling vehicle in the U.S. in 2019, behind the Rav4 and full-size pickups from Chevy, Ram and Ford.

    Base prices for the full CR-V Hybrid lineup of trim levels is as follows:

    LX – $28,87

    EX – $31,380

    EX-L – $33,870

    Touring – $37,070