Nissan just revealed the Hyper Force, an all-electric sports car with 1,341 hp (1,000 kW) and a whole lot of GT-R DNA, although the company playfully refrains from directly mentioning it, you can see it everywhere, even in the pixelated illuminated badge.
The concept features Nissan’s e-4ORCE all-wheel control technology, lightweight construction, and a solid-state battery. It’s the finale of a weeks-long string of concept reveals from Nissan and it’s clearly the firework of the bunch.
According to the automaker, this concept intends to appeal to racing enthusiasts and gamers alike. While Nissan doesn’t provide very deep details or specs about the Hyper Force, it was clear about a few key points. It benefits from “optimal weight balance” and light-weight carbon construction including carbon fiber wheels. It even features a pair of modes, GT for Grand Touring and R for racing (get it?).
Nissan president and CEO Makoto Uchida says that “All five concept cars showcased today are symbols of the future and embody our founding spirit of ‘daring to do what others don’t’. We have advanced our EV innovations, moving beyond mobility to create a more sustainable world. The EVs symbolize our future of creating a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive world for everybody without compromising on passions and dreams. Through the power of innovation, Nissan is creating a future where everyone can enjoy the excitement of mobility.”
The Hyper Force also gets a few super-futuristic features to help set it apart from the rest of the render-only concept crowd. That includes active aero in the form of canards, a front lip, a rear spoiler, and fender vents. Nissan even boasts a “newly developed plasma actuator” that suppresses air detachment to minimize inner-wheel lift during cornering.
A Gamers Interior
The cabin isn’t any less wild. An adaptive infotainment display looks like it’s straight out of a video game and it should. It was developed in partnership with Gran Turismo developer Polyphony Digital. In R mode, the Hyper Force brightens up the cabin with red ambient light, and panels on the dash extend toward the driver to provide vital racing data.
In GT mode, many of those panels fade into the background, the cabin turns blue, and a much more simple set of displays does the heavy lifting. The driver still gets full access to climate controls, audio, suspension, and stabilizer settings.
When the car is parked, drivers can use a special helmet to compete in virtual racing experiences while using the real (if they ever become that) steering wheel and pedals. That’s not the only gamification in the Hyper Force though. Nissan combines skeleton visors and augmented reality in the car to project digital ghosts on circuits for drivers to attempt to keep up with or beat on track.
The Next GT-R?
While Nissan isn’t saying anything about this being the future design language of the next-gen GT-R, it’s not NOT saying that either. In fact, there are a number of hints that it might indeed influence the next super sports car.
First of all, there’s no mistaking those tail lights as a signature of the ‘Godzilla’ dating back multiple generations. Secondly, that pixelated badge on the front sure is familiar. Finally, the company did acknowledge that the design pays “homage to Nissan’s high-performance cars.” We say bring it on if it means that the next GT-R will start with over 1,000 hp.
This is the Lexus LF-ZL and it is one of two important EV concepts unveiled by the marque at the Japan Mobility Show. Like the LF-ZC, it may preview a forthcoming production model, albeit one that could be positioned above it as a future flagship luxury model.
Whereas the LF-ZC is an intriguing cross between a sedan and an estate, the LF-ZL is a slightly more traditional SUV, although it does have many elements to distinguish it from any current SUV that Lexus currently builds. Much like the LF-ZC, it is underpinned by an innovative new module structure formed through gigacasting that splits the vehicle into front, center, and rear parts. It will also move down the assembly line autonomously by driving with just its battery, motor, tires, and wireless controllers.
The Lexus LF-ZL Concept is big. It is 5,300 mm (208.6 inches) long, 2,020 mm (75.9 inches) wide, and sits 1,700 mm (66.9 inches) tall with a massive 3,350 mm (131.8-inch) wheelbase. It has been designed with a completely flat floor and has a tech-laden interior to keep occupants entertained. Found in the driver’s half of the cabin is a yoke steering wheel with a small vertical display on the left to operate the shifter and the various human-driven and self-driving modes. A similar screen is then positioned to the right of the wheel and houses media controls. Positioned at the very base of the windshield is a digital instrument cluster.
Dominating the passenger side of the cabin is an expansive touchscreen display. This screen will house all of the vehicle’s entertainment systems and other vehicle controls. Small circular screens have also been added to the center console. As this is a concept, the front seats are quite radical and will inevitably be changed for production. Nevertheless, it’s obvious that those up front will have plenty of space to stretch their legs and enjoy the expansive cabin.
It is a similar story in the rear. Lexus has designed the LF-ZL Concept as a four-seater and those sitting in the rear have reclined lounge-style chairs with leg rests and a small bamboo partition between them. Like the LF-ZC, the LF-ZL also uses a new operating system dubbed Arene that learns and anticipates a driver’s needs and personalizes the mobility experience for them.
Powering the LF-ZL concept are advanced high-performance batteries with a prismatic structure. Lexus says these batteries achieve superb energy density by simplifying and compacting the battery structure. These batteries will also for vastly improved range over a traditional EV.
Unlike the LF-ZC which Lexus says will spawn a production model in 2026, the car manufacturer has not confirmed if the LF-ZL will reach production, referring it as a “glimpse into a future where mobility, people, and society are seamlessly connected.”
Few things in life are assured besides death and taxes, but three-row crossovers are virtually guaranteed to print money. However, that’s not always the case as the Lexus RX L failed to entice buyers and was quickly discontinued.
Lexus has now gone back to the drawing board and created their first purpose-built model for North America. It’s the 2024 TX and it fills a sizable gap in the company’s lineup.
Lexus Goes Large
Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
Consumers have adopted a bigger is better attitude and Lexus embraced that idea wholeheartedly as the TX measures up to 203.5 inches (5,169 mm) long and has a wheelbase that spans 116.1 inches (2,949 mm). That means the crossover is larger than the body-on-frame Lexus LX as well as competitors such as the Audi Q7, Acura MDX, and Infiniti QX60.
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Besides being big, the TX is notable for having a “Unified Spindle” front end that sees the traditional spindle grille relegated to the history books. In its place is a partially enclosed grille that features razor-like bars. It will take some getting used to, but Lexus says the aerodynamically optimized grille provides “excellent cooling performance” as well as a “sense of mass.”
The grille isn’t the only change as there’s a “functional crevasse” beneath the aluminum hood. It houses air intakes as well as a millimeter wave radar.
Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
The rest of the crossover is more conventional as it sports LED lighting units, rain-sensing wipers, and aluminum roof rails. They’re joined by flowing bodywork, an expansive greenhouse, and blacked out rear pillars. Buyers will also find a slender rear light bar and a power liftgate with a kick sensor. 20-inch wheels come standard, while the 500h and 550h+ ride on massive 22-inchers.
Speaking of the 500h, it’s available exclusively in F Sport guise and is distinguished by sportier bumpers, dark chrome trim, and black roof rails. They’re accompanied by gloss black mirrors and F Sport badges on the front fenders.
A Spacious And Well-Equipped Interior
Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
Three-row crossovers are all about the cabin and the TX puts its size to good use. First-row occupants will find tons of head- and legroom, and it’s easy to get comfortable in the standard eight-way power heated front seats.
The good news continues in the second row, which offers an impressive 39.5 inches (1,003 mm) of legroom. Bench seats come standard, but captain’s chairs are available on higher-end variants. Regardless of which is selected, both types of seats slide, fold, and recline.
The real star of the show is the third row, which is adult-friendly and easily accommodated this 6’2” reviewer. There’s plenty of headroom and legroom is good at 33.5 inches (851 mm). To put that number into perspective, the Infiniti QX60 only has 28 inches (711 mm) of room. The Audi Q7, Acura MDX, and Lincoln Aviator all have around 29.2 inches (742 mm), while the Volvo XC90 comes closest at 31.9 inches (810 mm).
The model also bests the BMW X7, which has 33.3 inches (846 mm) of third-row legroom. That being said, the TX falls short of the Mercedes GLS and its 34.6 inches (879 mm) of space. However, neither model competes with the Lexus as they’re nearly $30,000 more expensive.
Putting dimensions aside, third-row entry and egress is relatively easy and aided by a second row that slides forward at the touch of a button. While the third row lacks power on the entry-level trim, all other versions have a power-folding third row with power recline. That’s a nice touch and Lexus put power-folding third-row controls in the cargo area as well as in the second row and even in the first row via the infotainment system.
The TX has 20.2 cubic feet (572 liters) of cargo space behind the third row and that can be increased to a whopping 97 cubic feet (2,747 liters) by folding the second and third row down. That annihilates the competition as the Audi Q7 maxes out at 69.6 cubic feet (1,971 liters), while the Volvo XC90 offers 85.7 cubic feet (2,427 liters).
Besides being roomy, the Lexus TX has an upscale interior that features a 7- or 12.3-inch cluster display as well as a 14-inch infotainment system with cloud-based navigation as well as an intelligent assistant. The latter responds to natural language voice requests and owners can always use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay if preferred.
The entry-level TX comes nicely equipped with NuLuxe upholstery, a power tilt/telescopic steering column, and a wireless smartphone charger. They’re joined by an ambient lighting system, a tri-zone climate control system, and modular cup holders that are removable.
Higher-end variants up the ante with semi-aniline leather seats as well as heating and ventilation in the first two rows. Customers can also get a heated leather steering wheel, a panoramic glass roof, and a digital rearview mirror. Other highlights include a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and a 1,500-watt power outlet in the cargo area of the hybrid.
Speaking of the TX 500h F Sport, the model has aluminum pedals, fancier scuff plates, and a sport steering wheel. Customers will also find sport seats that are so heavily bolstered, they’re uncomfortable for wider folks such as myself. While the seats felt slightly better after prolonged use, they’re overkill in the TX and I’d rather have something less aggressive.
The sport seats aren’t the only problem as the interior is plain and not very luxurious. While material quality is top notch and soft-touch accents are abound, the cabin doesn’t feel particularly special. Part of this can be chalked up to the dull atmosphere, which lacks excitement and visual interest. This has been a Lexus trend as of late and we’re not exactly a fan of the austere aesthetic.
A Powertrain For Everyone
While most competitors only offer one or two engines, the Lexus TX has a powertrain for everyone. Kicking things off is a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 275 hp (205 kW / 279 PS) and 317 lb-ft (429 Nm) of torque.
That’s more than the Toyota Grand Highlander and is enough to beat the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinders found in the Audi Q7, Cadillac XT6, and Volvo XC90. However, it’s a mixed bag when compared to the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60 as both have more horsepower but less torque.
The turbocharged engine doesn’t seem overly refined, but it’s connected to a smooth shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 7.8 seconds, when equipped with the optional all-wheel drive system.
While the performance is nothing to write home about, the TX 350 returns 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined with all-wheel drive. Those numbers are respectable for the segment and the highway ratings standout.
Customers looking for more performance can opt for the TX 500h. It has a hybridized powertrain that consists of a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, a rear eAxle, and a small nickel metal hydride battery. This setup gives the all-wheel drive crossover 366 hp (273 kW / 371 PS) and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque.
That’s more than the Acura MDX Type S and it enables the TX 500h to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 6.1 seconds. Furthermore, the electric motor allows for effortless launches and the hybrid tech barely makes its presence known.
However, you’ll notice it at the pump as the crossover is slated to return 27 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. Those are fantastic numbers for a large three-row crossover, especially one that’s performance-focused.
Last but not least, there’s the TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid. It has a 3.5-liter V6, two electric motors, and an 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This gives the crossover a combined output of 404 hp (301 kW / 410 PS) and an electric-only range of 33 miles (53 km). The plug-in hybrid is also the fastest TX as it can hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.9 seconds.
The driving experience is remarkably similar to the 500h as the crossover is quick and quiet. It’s not quite as sharp as its hybrid sibling, but the weight of the battery pack doesn’t make itself known around town.
While that’s good news, there’s little doubt the model will be tragically overpriced as the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid starts at $70,080. That’s a shame, because the TX 550h+ is an interesting addition to the lineup and has enough electric-only range to handle short commutes.
A Comfortable And Capable Crossover
Like the RX, the TX rides on the GA-K platform and has a suspension that combines MacPherson struts up front with a multi-link rear. This is a winning combination as the crossover has remarkable road manners and a supremely comfortable ride.
Given the focus on comfort, it’s not surprising the electric power steering system is light and predictable. However, you can add heft by putting the crossover into Sport mode or fine-tuning the Custom mode to deliver a sportier driving experience.
The crossover is a capable handler and body roll is largely kept in check. However, if you push things, you’ll be reminded that the TX is a large crossover that weighs up to 5,400 lbs (2,449 kg). That being said, on the right road, the model is capable of delivering a smile or two. This is particularly true in the 500h and 550h+ as their Direct4 all-wheel drive system can send up to 80% of the power to the rear wheels.
Other highlights include a well-mannered braking system and a 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) towing capacity across the board. The latter trails a number of competitors and is left in the dust by the Audi Q7, which can tow up to 7,700 lbs (3,493 kg).
The TX 500h is the sportiest of the bunch and it comes standard with an Adaptive Variable Suspension that adjusts damping based on conditions. That isn’t the crossover’s only party trick as it has a Dynamic Rear Steering system, which can turn the rear wheels four degrees in the same or opposite direction as the front wheels.
This is designed to improve high-speed stability as well as low-speed maneuverability. The latter area is where the system shines as it enables the crossover to be remarkably nimble. We put that to the test during a tight U-turn and were pleasantly surprised to find the TX handled it with ease.
Buyers will also find a suite of standard driver assistance systems that includes All-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist (Lane Centering), and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist. The model also has Road Sign Assist, a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, and a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
The Three-Row Crossover Customers Have Been Waiting For
While Lexus took their sweet time creating a ‘proper’ three-row crossover, the wait was worth it as the TX is comfortable, spacious, and well-equipped.
Pricing isn’t too shabby either as the model starts at $55,050 and comes nearly loaded for $60,950. At the latter price point, you’ll find a heated leather steering wheel and semi-aniline leather seats with heating and ventilation up front. The TX 350 Luxury also has heated second-row seats, a power third row, and a panoramic glass roof, among other things.
Unfortunately, pricing is a double-edged sword as the excellent TX 500h starts at $69,350 and the 550h+ plug-in hybrid will undoubtedly be even more expensive. That isn’t the only issue as the interior isn’t very luxurious and the looks aren’t for everyone. However, if you’re looking for comfort and space, you could do a lot worse.
Deliveries of the new Ford Mustang didn’t start long ago and already, the driver of a bright blue GT has found out that it can be quite an unruly beast at the drag strip if you don’t know how to control it.
The entire incident was captured on tap and promptly shared to TikTok. It shows the driver of the Mustang lining up alongside a modified Cadillac CTS-V and the first half of the run appears to go off without a hitch. Unfortunately, the video initially focuses on the CTS-V and when the Mustang reappears in the frame, it can be seen sliding to the right.
The driver of the Ford was unable to control this slide and the pony car slammed into the crash barrier on the side of the drag strip. It appears to have hit the barrier with such force that it actually smashed through it and then came to a rest on the side of the track after hitting a fence.
It’s immediately apparent that this Mustang will never return to the roads given how much damage it has sustained. Not only has the front end been destroyed by the impact with the barrier but the driver’s side rocker panel has been almost completely torn off. The rear window has also been smashed, the trunk lid crumpled, and much of the passenger-side rear quarter absolutely destroyed.
It’s never nice to watch a lovely car like a new Ford Mustang GT get wrecked in a crash like this. However, we couldn’t help but chuckle when the person filming the video said “I like the interior on this car dude” while assessing the damage it sustained.
A design student in Australia just won a prestigious award for his retrofit kit that could turn combustion cars into hybrids for far less than anything on the market today. He claims that his design allows for a single-day bolt-on installation. Pricing could be as little as $3,200 if REVR (Rapid Electric Vehicle Retrofits) hits all of its targets.
While it’s clear that the automotive industry is making a shift toward electrification there’s still a big problem in terms of reducing carbon emissions. Combustion cars from before and even during the transition to sustainable vehicles aren’t going away anytime soon. REVR would offer owners the chance to electrify their own vehicle for a fraction of what it costs today.
According to its creator, Alexander Burton of RMIT University, his custom pancake-style axial flux motor is the key. It bolts onto the wheel hub and has a rotating plate that sandwiches between the brake rotor and wheel. Burton says that each motor can produce 50 kW (67 hp) but he doesn’t have a functional prototype just yet.
Nevertheless, he’s thought through a great deal of the technical challenges that lay ahead. The motors bolt onto the rear wheels in the case of his test car, a Toyota Corolla, and the 15kWh “off-the-shelf battery” sits where the spare tire normally would. Evidently, that combination is good for about 100 km (62 miles) of all-electric range at city driving speeds.
The system wouldn’t connect to the combustion engine at all but both could run simultaneously to reduce the fuel burnt by the engine. When in full EV mode, the system would keep the 12-volt battery charged up and power the lights, fan, and so on. Still, Burton needs to finalize parts of the design.
He hasn’t fully determined how the accelerator pedal will work and he needs to finish other electric components like a brake booster, steering booster, and climate control. Despite having some hurdles to tackle, his design just won Australia’s James Dyson (the vacuum cleaner guy) National Award.
With the notoriety gained from that victory, Burton hopes to finish his first prototype, begin a Kickstarter, and have a kit available by the third quarter of 2024. Pricing will likely start out at around $5,400 USD but should the product gain traction, he hopes to reduce that price to just $3,200 USD not long after.
Intuitive eating can be an alluring option if you want to tune into your body, release your food rules, and reduce the stress around your food choices. While being able to eat what you want without being tied to food guilt, feeling the “perfect” level of fullness after eating, or having a good relationship with exercise all sound very attractive are all hallmarks of the practice, all the intuitive eating advice you’ve received doesn’t describe this way of eating completely.
In fact, it’s not based on perfection at all—instead, it’s based on curiosity and learning about your body and what it needs on a larger scale. It’s about seeing each meal as an opportunity to tune into your body to experiment with how you can best feed yourself in the moment. Sometimes we honor these needs and desires better than others, and that’s all part of the learning process.
Intuitive eating is about working with your body, not against it, like diet culture proclaims. For instance, in diet culture, feeling hungry may be seen as a sign of weakness. We may have false beliefs about hunger, such as thinking that hunger between meals is a bad thing, or that you shouldn’t “still” feel hungry right after you finish a meal or snack. Understanding what is normal and physiological is very empowering and can help explain many of these sensations.
So, here are 5 pieces of intuitive eating advice I could have used when I was steeped in diet culture
1. It’s okay to eat outside of hunger
A good relationship with food means understanding that hunger varies each day, and that your needs are distinctive from anyone else’s. You have permission to eat for reasons outside of hunger, such as for social connection, handling emotions, nostalgic reasons, taste hunger, or even eating before you feel hungry if you won’t be able to eat later (a form of hunger called practical hunger). Intuitive eating recognizes that there are forms of hunger that may quench other needs, not just our physical desire to eat.
2. Your weight is dictated by more than what you eat
Your weight is just a number, your relationship to gravity if you will. This number leaves out so much about your health. For example, it doesn’t reflect your muscle mass, what medications you take, your health history, how much you eat, and so much more. Furthermore, things like stress, medications, genetics, hydration status, and other social constructs can also impact your weight too. Spending mental energy stressing about the number on the scale is only worsening your health and well-being.
3. Food can be joyous and more than calories
Diet culture teaches us to view food robotically. Rather than seeing food as pleasurable and satisfying, food and meals are seen as numbers, or viewed as high- or low-calorie or guilt-free. We stress ourselves out by rigidly counting calories instead of tuning in to what our bodies really need. We’re “good” if we eat the “slimming salad,” and “bad” if we go for dessert. Changing this mindset can not only provide empowerment, but also give you the necessary permission to eat for enjoyment and reasons outside of nutrition sometimes.
4. Food doesn’t have to be labeled as “healthy” or “not healthy”
Before finding intuitive eating, I categorized foods as dichotomous: healthy or unhealthy. However, looking at food beyond this lens is transformational for having a good relationship with food, and this is coming from a registered dietitian. All foods truly can fit into a healthy lifestyle, and understanding how these foods make you feel goes a long way. While some of your food choices may be spontaneous, there is usually some intentionality that goes into it. For instance, you may really want a giant bakery cookie and apple for lunch, but you know that your body will feel more energized and satisfied with a well-balanced lunch, such as a sandwich alongside a piece of fruit or salad. Saving that cookie for after or later may be a better option. Neither option is “right” or “wrong,” but one may lead you to feeling better the rest of the day.
5. Thinking about food constantly is usually a sign of under-eating
If you find yourself constantly browsing drool-worthy Pinterest recipes that you’ll never make, or using precious brain space to think about food incessantly, this hyperfocus is usually a sign that your brain and body want more energy. Food deprivation can manifest through food obsessions, slowed metabolism, high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, exhaustion, and even sleep disturbances. While intuitive eating may not be the immediate cure-all for every one of these symptoms, learning how much food your body needs, how certain foods make you feel, and practicing flexibility around your food choices is a step in the right direction.
If you’ve ever had to replace the key for a modern vehicle, you know that it’s shockingly expensive. A Maryland dealership knows that better than anyone after having had to pay over $100,000 to buy a new key for every car on its lot.
That’s because AMKO Auto in Temple Hills, Maryland, recently had every single car key in its possession stolen by thieves. Fortunately, it was able to recover enough in 24 hours to sell vehicles, and stay afloat.
However, that’s just the latest crime that it has been the victim of, per Fox5. According to the dealership‘s financial director, Leon, fraudsters keep targeting the business with increasingly sophisticated schemes.
“Just this past week, a customer came in, wanted to buy a car, did the deal, and we give him the down payment, and he gives us a fake cashier’s check,” Leon said.
Thanks to surveillance video from inside the dealership, a suspect in the case has been arrested, Prince George County police say. However, Leon explains that it feels like people keep coming up with new ways to rip the dealership off.
“When I say they’re getting creative, I mean super creative,” he said. “They will sit in the parking lot and someone will be in the car with a printer in the backseat – they’ll print bank statements, pay stubs, cashier’s checks, any documents they need, it’ll be printed right there.”
Leon said that the recent crimes have jaded him, and other employees. He says that now he’s suspicious of everyone who comes into the dealership, even people who turn out to be honest.
Investigators say that businesses and individuals have lost more than $10 million in financial crimes so far this year. Lieutenant Joseph Bellino of the Prince George County police explained that check fraud is the most common strategy, and that churches, funeral homes, mortgage companies, banks HOAs, and auto dealerships are among the most commonly defrauded companies. In an effort to help, the police and the FBI will be at a free fraud prevention seminar on November 4.
Once you decide on a particular hotel for a trip, you still need to determine how to best book your stay. Perhaps you compare room rates booked through a couple of different sites. You might even use our award calculator to evaluate whether using points would provide solid value.
However, one aspect you may forget to consider is the value provided by your hotel elite status when you book directly. In this guide, we’ll consider the value Marriott Bonvoy elite status provides when you book a qualifying stay at a Marriott hotel or resort.
What value does Marriott status provide?
A Grand Luxe bedroom at The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya in Mexico. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY
Marriott elite status provides benefits in two primary areas: earnings and on-site perks. Estimating how much value you’ll get from your perks is difficult since the value will differ for each Marriott Bonvoy member and stay. However, you can consider the elite status perks you plan to use during a particular stay and estimate the value those perks will likely provide when deciding how to book.
If you spend an average of $150 per night on eligible purchases ($195 per night for Ambassador Elite members), we estimate Marriott Bonvoy elite status is worth about the following:
Silver Elite: $3 per night Gold Elite: $27 per night Platinum Elite: $42 per night Titanium Elite: $52 per night Ambassador Elite: $54 per night
You may initially scoff at these valuations, but let’s consider the valuation of Platinum Elite status at about $42 per night. As a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, you’ll enjoy a 50% points bonus on stays, guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout (subject to availability at resort and convention hotels), lounge access, space-available upgrades, breakfast for two at most brands and more.
Although the Marriott elite breakfast benefit can be confusing, breakfast for two will provide at least $42 in value per night at some hotels. I’ve also gotten excellent value from upgrades and lounge access at many Marriott hotels and resorts, especially when traveling outside the U.S. I also love knowing I’ll get guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout at most properties as this can be valuable before a late-night flight. But there are certainly some stays where Platinum Elite members are unlikely to get $42 of value from their status per night.
A decent chunk of the value we attribute to each status tier per night is based on the bonus points you’ll earn. Marriott members earn at varying rates based on brand for qualifying stays, and Marriott elite members get a 10% to 75% points bonus. Here’s a look at the earning rates for Marriott stays based on the brand and your elite status.
Marriott Executive Apartments Homes & Villas by Marriott, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Element, Protea Hotels and City Express Other Marriott properties
Member
2.5 points per dollar
5 points per dollar
10 points per dollar
Silver Elite
2.75 points per dollar
5.5 points per dollar
11 points per dollar
Gold Elite
3.125 points per dollar
6.25 points per dollar
12.5 points per dollar
Platinum Elite
3.75 points per dollar
7.5 points per dollar
15 points per dollar
Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite
4.375 points per dollar
8.75 points per dollar
17.5 points per dollar
If you frequently redeem Marriott points for stays instead of booking paid rates, you may find our estimated values for each status tier are too high. Head over to our Marriott elite status guide and remove or adjust the bonus points in our calculation if you usually redeem points for your stays or spend significantly more or less per night. If you remove bonus points from the calculation entirely, our value of Platinum Elite status drops to $35 per night, and our value of Titanium Elite status drops to $43 per night.
Value of points earned
It’s worth considering how much the Marriott points you’ll earn are worth if you book a qualifying rate directly. Different Marriott brands earn at different rates, as we discussed above.
For simplicity, let’s assume you’re staying at one of the many Marriott properties where members without elite status earn 10 points per dollar, Silver Elite members earn 11 points per dollar, Gold Elite members earn 12.5 points per dollar, Platinum Elite members earn 15 points per dollar and Titanium Elite members and higher earn 17.5 points per dollar.
Based on TPG’s valuations, points are worth about 0.84 cents each. This means that on $100 in purchases for a stay, Marriott members would earn as follows:
So, consider the value of the points you’ll earn when deciding how to book your stay, even if you don’t care about elite status perks or earning toward status.
The Moxy Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in France. ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
You must book and stay on a qualifying rate to get elite benefits and earnings on your Marriott stays. If your stay is directly billed to a company that has arranged payment, you may get benefits and earnings if the stay isn’t associated with a convention or group meeting.
You can earn points for up to three guest rooms with the same check-in and checkout date if you stay in one of the rooms and pay a qualifying rate or redeem points for all the rooms. However, you can only get earnings and benefits for stays at one participating property per night.
The rate a Member pays for a Stay in a guest room at a Participating Property which qualifies to earn Points or Miles. Qualifying Rates include most business and leisure rates, such as rates found on Marriott.com without an application of a discount code, Standard and Premium Retail rates, Advanced Purchase rates, Corporate negotiated rates, and national/regional/local Government rates. Unless otherwise specifically stated, Members will receive their membership tier benefits during stays on Qualifying Rates.
However, the terms and conditions define a non-qualifying rate as “a rate a Member pays for a Stay in a guest room at a Participating Property which does not qualify to earn Points or Miles, as well as membership tier benefits.” The Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions define non-qualifying rates as bookings that are:
Made through a tour operator, online travel channel or other third-party channel (Expedia, Hotwire, Priceline, Orbitz, Booking.com and Travelocity are explicitly noted as non-qualifying)
Part of an event, meeting, conference or organized tour where you don’t directly pay the hotel or resort for your room
Tour operator, wholesaler or crew room rate or package (organized tours and package bookings are explicitly noted as non-qualifying)
When the room was complimentary or booked using a voucher or third-party award
All Marriott members are at least members. But if you want to earn Marriott elite status, here are the requirements you must meet each calendar year:
Silver Elite status: 10 nights Gold Elite status: 25 nights Platinum Elite status: 50 nights Titanium Elite status: 75 nights Ambassador Elite status: 100 nights and $23,000 in qualifying spending
Each calendar year you meet the above requirements, you’ll earn Marriott elite status for the rest of the calendar year in which you’ve earned it, the entire next year and two months into the following year.
However, there are also other ways to obtain Marriott elite status. For example, you can earn Marriott elite status as a benefit of the following travel rewards cards (enrollment may be required):
If you have Marriott Bonvoy elite status or are striving to earn Marriott elite status, you’ll likely want to book qualifying rates for most of your Marriott stays. Between the elite earnings and on-site benefits, you’ll usually find it beneficial to book directly.
Even if you don’t stay frequently with Marriott, it could still make sense to open a hotel credit card. Many hotel credit cards offer complimentary elite status, an annual free night award and other perks that can pay for themselves after just a few stays each year.
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is about to get some competition as Honda is bringing back the Civic Hybrid.
Set to arrive next year, the 2025 Civic Hybrid will be offered as a Canadian-made sedan as well as an American built-hatchback.
The sedan will be the first to arrive as production is slated to begin in the spring of 2024 at Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario. It will then be followed by the hatchback, which will be built in Greensburg, Indiana.
Honda is keeping details under wraps, but confirmed the model will have a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and a two-motor hybrid system. It’s also expected to be popular as Honda believes more than 40% of Civics will be hybrid. That’s a sizable chunk and the company said the model is “another key step” in their electrification strategy, which calls for “equipping its core models with hybrid-electric systems.”
We’ll learn more details closer to launch, but the hybrid powertrain is expected to echo the one found in the Accord and CR-V. As a result, we can expect a combined output of around 204 hp (152 kW / 207 PS).
Of course, fuel economy numbers are what matter most and we can expect good news on that front as the Accord Hybrid returns up to 51 mpg city, 44 mpg highway, and 48 mpg combined. Those numbers best the old Civic Hybrid, which was rated at 43 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, and 44 mpg combined for the 2015 model year.
Amazon has become something of a capitalist villain in recent years, yet it remains undeterred in its unrelenting pursuit of results. Such is the pressure that Amazon puts on its employees that some of its drivers have reportedly taken to urinating in bottles to meet the e-commerce giant’s expectations. One documentarian decided to put a little more focus on what that meant about the company’s priorities.
Oobah Butler is a journalist and documentarian, who has gained notoriety for large scale stunts. His latest was to collect bottles of urine from the company’s drivers and then sell them on Amazon. Moreover, he wanted to make the product a number one seller on the online marketplace.
So, he went out to an Amazon Fulfillment Center in the U.K. to collect urine from drivers, he says in a recent article for Vice. Then, with the help of some friends, he created a bottle and branding for his new product: Release Energy.
Even Butler seems to have some qualms about his stunt, because he first categorizes it as a “refillable pump dispenser.” However, Amazon allegedly moved it to the energy drink category automatically, without requiring any proof from the seller that it was safe for consumption.
A spokesperson for Amazon told Wired that the company as “industry-leading tools to prevent genuinely unsafe products from being listed,” and referred to Butler’s actions as a “crude stunt.”
Emboldened, Butler then petitioned the company to categorize Release Energy as a (less popular) bitter lemon drink, to improve its odds of reaching the top of its chart. After asking all of his friends to buy the product, he saw that some strangers had actually started buying it.
Up and away to the top of the charts
Although he canceled all of the orders to people he didn’t know, he says he still managed to get to the top of the charts, with a bottle of urine collected from Amazon’s own drivers. It’s all a darkly amusing commentary on the massive company’s policies and the depths it will plumb for profits, and it all comes on the back of real human suffering.
In fact, Butler opens his article for Vice with a moving, and troubling interview with a driver called Christian. A former professional soccer player from El Salvador, he said that the relentless pace and the heat of driving for Amazon in Los Angeles in the summer was actually more physically taxing than being an athlete. He also called having to pee in bottles as “degrading.”
“I only do this because I have no other options,” said the driver. “Other people who go slower just end up getting fired.”
You can see more about the Release Energy stunt as part of a documentary called ‘The Great Amazon Heist’ that premieres on the U.K.’s Channel 4 on October 19.
