Beauty is a moving target in the car world. Ask ten gearheads to name the ugliest car ever, and you'll get ten different answers – though the Pontiac Aztek and SsangYong Rodius are always in the running. But nothing quite owns the title of awkward styling like the original Fiat Multipla.

When Fiat dropped the Multipla in 1998, jaws hit the floor. The tall greenhouse, stubby nose, bulbous body, and that infamous second row of "eyebrow" headlights made it look like nothing else on the road. Over time, its weirdness turned it into a legend.

Now, it looks like the Multipla’s spirit has been reincarnated. Meet the Wuling Cloud EV, or Baojun Yunduo if you’re from China. It’s not a straight-up copy of the Fiat, but if you squint a little, you’ll be able to spot the resemblance.

A Familiar Shape on the Streets of Indonesia

I was wandering the streets of Indonesia when I saw the Wuling Cloud EV parked quietly, and I had to do a double-take. From certain angles, it’s basically the Multipla’s long-lost cousin – just filtered through the world of modern EVs.

The Cloud EV has a clean, almost egg-like shape with a tall roof, stubby hood, and lots of glass – almost like a minivan that maximizes cabin space. Up front, skinny LED daytime running lights stretch across the nose, while the main headlights lurk lower in the bumper – giving it a split-light face that’s pure Multipla déjà vu.

On the sides, the Multipla vibes get even louder. The rounded body, almost upright tailgate, smooth flanks, and massive cabin scream one-box design. Even the aero wheels and flush door handles double down on the minimalist EV look instead of hiding its practical roots.

Unlike the Fiat, though, the Wuling actually feels more polished. Clean lines, blacked-out pillars, and subtle details give it a modern edge, even if most brands have ditched this kind of shape.

Not a Bad EV, Actually

Beyond the controversial looks, the Wuling Cloud EV is actually a pretty solid family hauler. With a 106.3-inch wheelbase packed into a body just 169.1 inches long, it’s clear Wuling prioritizes interior space over looks. Inside, you get a massive 15.6-inch infotainment screen, digital gauges, and a lounge-style seat configuration. The rear bench even reclines up to 135 degrees.

Under the hood – or, well, under the floor – you get a front-mounted electric motor with 134 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, hooked up to a 50.6-kWh LFP battery. Wuling claims up to 286 miles of range on the CLTC cycle, and DC fast charging gets you from 30 to 80 percent in about half an hour. Sure, it’s an easy punchline for its looks, but underneath, it’s a practical EV with real-world specs and enough space to win over anyone who cares more about comfort than curb appeal.

Close Ties With GM

The Wuling Cloud EV isn’t just another random startup car. It’s the product of SAIC-GM-Wuling – a joint venture between SAIC Motor, General Motors, and Liuzhou Wuling Motors. Wuling does its own thing, but GM has been in the mix for years, especially when it comes to building affordable EVs for the world.

That partnership is already going global. Earlier this year, GM took the Wuling Baojun Yep Plus, slapped a Chevy badge on it, and called it the Chevrolet Spark EUV for places like Brazil. Joint venture cars are popping up under the Chevrolet name outside China more and more.

The Cloud EV hasn’t gotten the Chevy badge, at least not yet. Whether you think it’s Multipla 2.0 in a good way or a bad way is up to you, but one thing’s clear: weird family cars aren’t extinct. They’ve just plugged in.

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In a shocking move, the Department of Commerce has barred Polestar from selling cars in the U.S. starting with the 2027 model year. The decision was made under a rule targeting connected-vehicle manufacturers and technology tied to China or Russia, which the government fears could be used to collect data on U.S. drivers.

However, a report from the Detroit Free Press details how Polestar intends to respond to the ban. Polestar Detroit, one of the automaker’s 32 U.S. dealerships, said it will continue supporting customers by honoring warranties, providing service and repairs, supplying parts, and delivering over-the-air software updates. This stands in contrast to brands such as Fisker, whose bankruptcy left customers uncertain about continued support.

Playing the Long Game

But the decision isn’t simply an act of goodwill. Polestar, which is majority-owned by Chinese automaker Geely, still hopes regulatory or technical changes will eventually allow it to sell EVs in the U.S. again. After all, corporate sibling Volvo received authorization from the Department of Commerce to continue selling vehicles despite also being owned by Geely.

In the meantime, the company is offering discounts of up to $25,000 on cash purchases. For instance, the rear-wheel-drive Polestar 4 normally starts at $56,400 but can now be had for $31,400 after the incentive. Meanwhile, the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version, which produces twice the power at 544 horsepower, effectively starts at $37,900, down from $62,900. The Tesla Model Y rival is also available to lease from $499 per month for 39 months.

Given the brand’s assurance that it will continue serving customers, taking advantage of these staggering incentives may feel less risky. However, doing due diligence remains important.

Not Leaving Owners in the Cold

Greg Ostrowski, manager of Polestar Detroit in Royal Oak, said, “If you have questions, please reach out.” He added, “If you need help several states away, we can help. We still want you in the LaFontaine family.” LaFontaine Automotive Group is a Michigan-based dealership network selling vehicles from numerous brands, including Chevrolet and Toyota.

The impending ban follows the U.S. government’s continued pushback against the growing presence of Chinese automakers. Canada recently agreed to lower tariffs on a limited number of Chinese-made EVs, drawing criticism from U.S. officials. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said those vehicles won’t be allowed across the border.

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Toyota, Honda and Hyundai are winning because they never asked buyers to change. While much of the auto industry tried convincing drivers to adopt new habits, these three brands built cars that fit seamlessly into existing ones. Judging by hybrid sales, buyers have rewarded that strategy. According to CNBC analysis, Toyota, Honda and Hyundai now account for roughly 86 percent of the US hybrid market. When three brands control nearly nine out of every ten hybrid sales, that's no longer a trend. It's a shift in where buyers see value. More importantly, their success is reshaping where automakers will spend billions developing future powertrains. Companies invest where demand exists, and right now that demand is for hybrids.

The Industry Bet On EVs, Buyers Chose Something Else

For years, automakers pitched hybrids as a stepping stone to fully electric cars. The assumption was that once charging networks improved and battery prices fell, buyers would naturally skip straight to EVs. Instead, many have settled on something in between now. Most buyers don't care whether a car plugs in or fills up with gasoline. They care about monthly running costs, reliability and whether the car fits into their daily routine. A hybrid delivers much of the fuel-saving benefit of an EV without asking owners to install a home charger, hunt for public charging on road trips or wonder how cold weather might affect range. That helps explain why hybrid sales continue climbing even as overall EV growth has cooled.

Toyota Never Stopped Believing Hybrids Were Enough

Toyota spent two decades perfecting a technology competitors increasingly viewed as a stopgap. That patience now looks less like caution and more like one of the industry's smartest strategic bets. While several rivals shifted engineering budgets almost entirely toward battery-electric vehicles, Toyota kept expanding its hybrid lineup, from the Corolla and Camry to the RAV4 and Grand Highlander. Honda has followed with hybrid versions of its best-selling CR-V and Civic, while Hyundai has steadily added efficient hybrid options across SUVs and sedans. The result is a portfolio that doesn't force buyers into an all-or-nothing decision. 

Hybrid systems look deceptively simple, but decades of calibration, battery management and manufacturing experience separate the best from everyone else. That's why rivals can't simply announce a hybrid strategy and expect decades of experience to appear overnight.

Final Thoughts 

Battery-electric vehicles will continue to grow, particularly as charging infrastructure expands and prices fall. What the hybrid resurgence really shows is that convenience remains one of the most powerful selling features in the auto industry. Most people simply want a car that handles the daily commute and the occasional road trip without thinking twice. Right now, hybrids happen to solve those problems better than almost anything else. Buyers didn't reject the electric future. They simply chose the version of it that fit into their lives today.

The Chevrolet Equinox EV is one of the most popular electric vehicles in the U.S. It helped General Motors rank second in EV sales last year behind – well, Tesla, which likely won’t be beaten anytime soon. Still, that was an impressive feat amid growing competition. The reality, however, is that the Equinox EV is starting to lose ground to rivals such as the Toyota bZ and Hyundai Ioniq 5, both of which sold more units during the first half of this year.

Nevertheless, Chevrolet isn’t quitting on the Equinox EV yet, at least according to GM Authority, which reported that the model is set for a major overhaul. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the report says the next-generation model could arrive late in the 2028 calendar year or in early 2029 as a 2029 model.

The Value Formula Takes a Hit

The Equinox EV first arrived in 2024 and became one of the most affordable electric-car options in the U.S. After the $7,500 federal EV tax creditexpired last year, that affordability advantage may have been compromised. GM also reintroduced the Bolt EV, which may have drawn away some of its budget-conscious buyers.

Even the Ford Mustang Mach-E managed to outsell the Equinox EV during the second quarter of this year while posting a 30.9% year-over-year decline – roughly half the Equinox EV’s 61.8% drop, according to Cox Automotive.

If this downward trend continues, the best hope is that the next-gen Equinox EV will turn the tide. The model is expected to use a new platform called the BEV-N architecture, an EV platform currently under development that will succeed the BEV3 architecture – the same one underpinning models such as the Chevy Blazer EV and Cadillac Optiq. The overhauled version is expected to debut the new platform, likely with improved capabilities over the current version.

What Buyers Get Right Now

While those details are still up in the air, the 2026 Equinox EV currently starts at $34,995, excluding destination charges, putting it roughly on par with the Toyota bZ and Hyundai Ioniq 5. It offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 319 miles on a full charge.

Production currently takes place at GM’s Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico, even as the gas-powered Equinox is expected to add production at Fairfax Assembly in Kansas beginning in mid-2027.

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Canada and Mexico have opened their markets, to varying degrees, to Chinese automakers, but the U.S. remains reluctant. If that changes, American legacy brands could face stiffer competition – and potentially lose market share – to Chinese automakers offering affordable vehicles without sacrificing too much in features and technology.

Over in Europe, something similar is already happening. Ford recently announced a joint venture with Geely centered on the Blue Oval brand’s Valencia plant in Spain. Ford will gain a cheaper and more sustainable way to keep the factory running, while Geely will expand its presence in the region.

Knowing What’s at Stake

Ford CEO Jim Farley previously said allowing Chinese automakers into the U.S. would be “devastating” to American manufacturing. Even if Ford does not partner with a Chinese automaker in the U.S., rival legacy brands could eventually do so, disrupting the competitive landscape and potentially pressuring others to respond.

That possibility is hinted at by the Ford-Geely joint venture, which is designed to help both companies compete more effectively in Europe. Under the proposed ownership structure, Ford will hold 66%, while Geely will own the remaining 34%. The partnership plans to produce a new multi-energy crossover designed by Ford and co-developed with Geely. Additionally, the plant will build a new member of the Bronco family and two electric Geely SUVs, while continuing to assemble the Kuga, known as the Escape in the U.S.

Pending regulatory approval, the joint venture is expected to begin operations in the first half of 2027, while the first new vehicles are scheduled to roll off the line in 2028.

Built in Europe, for Europe

Despite partnering with a Chinese automaker, Ford says the joint venture “keeps production, investment, and jobs in Europe, at a European plant, with European workers.” Jim Baumbick, president of Ford Europe, also weighed in, saying, “Together we can fully utilize a best-in-class plant with a great workforce and match the industry’s new cost benchmark.”

Based on the latest developments, a similar scenario remains far from happening in the U.S. Polestar is even set to be barred from selling new vehicles in the country beginning with the 2027 model year under federal connected-vehicle rules targeting technology and automakers linked to China. Still, it will be interesting to see whether Chinese automakers continue expanding their global presence enough to pressure U.S. legacy brands into pursuing new and potentially bolder strategies.

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RAV4 All-Wheel Drive Setup

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid uses a highly unconventional AWD setup. You will not find a traditional driveshaft connecting the front engine to the rear wheels. Instead, a gasoline engine and electric motor power the front, while a completely separate electric motor drives the rear axle. Total system output sits at 236 horsepower. However, that rear motor only provides 54 horsepower. If the front end loses traction, you rely entirely on those 54 horses to save you.

During controlled slip tests on steel rollers, this hardware limitation became glaringly obvious. When the RAV4 was subjected to a three-wheel slip scenario where only one tire had grip, it struggled significantly and failed the test. The on-board off-road system spins the wheels aggressively, but the computer cannot send enough torque to the single grounded tire to generate forward momentum. Odd considering the flexibility that separate motors afford. The truth is, the RAV4 failed to get itself out of the slip situation because of a combination of factors: First, the RAV4 features an open differential, which means the engine delivers power to the wheels experiencing the least resistance. And second, the underpowered 54 horsepower e-axle in the rear could not provide the brute force required. Serious off-roading requires serious equipment, it seems.

The Woodland in the Woods

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Lab tests do not always translate to the trail. Out in the actual dirt trenches, the RAV4 Woodland Edition paints a completely different picture - Toyota gives the Woodland 8.5 inches of ground clearance and authentic 18-inch Dunlop GrandTrek tires for the example used in the video, avoiding the trap of using standard street rubber. When you engage Trail Mode, the software finally wakes up. The traction control system clamps down on slipping wheels immediately, transferring crucial hybrid power to the tires with actual grip. Traversing deep ruts requires only half throttle, proving the electric AWD system can handle uneven terrain when properly configured.

Verdict

Make no mistake, the driving dynamics are aggressively front-biased. You feel the vehicle pulling you up the hill rather than pushing you. It lacks the mechanical lockers and low range gears of a true utility vehicle like a 4Runner or a Wrangler. The RAV4 is still more of a commuter than either of those two vehicles, and far less of an off-roader than they are. Is the 2026 RAV4 a serious rock crawler? No. But if your weekend plans involve navigating washed-out dirt roads to reach an off-grid American campsite, this crossover fits the bill.

When you think about open-top driving, the images that you have in mind are mostly two-door sports cars, sometimes called a Cabriolet. However, when it comes to SUVs and the off-roading segment, open-tops are also part of the appeal, allowing you to take in the great outdoors by removing the roof.

Classic examples are the Jeep Wranglers, the old-school Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Series 1, and even the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon (G-Class). The latter is one of the few on that list that has retained its original form (more or less), thus making it easier for the automaker to bring back the iconic removable roof.

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Tweaking The Recipe

In a teaser post on its official Instagram Page, Mercedes-Benz showcased a series of videos and photos of the upcoming G-Class Cabriolet. Yes, the open-top lifestyle is making a return to Mercedes-Benz's legendary off-roading SUV. The teaser video makes it clear that it retains the automatic retractable canvas roof that neatly folds into the rear.

Another major update is that this new G-Class Cabriolet will be switching up the body style; for the first time ever, it will be offered in a four-door layout, as opposed to the classic two-door. Details are still sparse at the moment; there's no word yet if it'll be available in both two- and four-door layouts, but the four-door does bring a whole new aspect to the iconic design. Powering the G-Class will likely be a V8, with a U.S. market introduction already announced.

40 Decades Of History

Back in 1979, the original G-Wagon Cabriolet was launched as a simple utilitarian variant of the SUV. It had a manual canvas roof and minimal creature comforts; in fact, it even had removable plastic windows. Originally, it was intended for use in agricultural or military applications.

By the 1990s, the identity switched, with Mercedes-Benz wanting to make it more of a luxury offering; the Cabriolet was refined up until its final production model back in 2013. The interior was made plusher, and the retractable roof was now hydraulic instead of manual.

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Many passionate sports car fanatics call the BMW M2 the ultimate modern M car because of its small size. This billing is even more true of the hardcore M2 Competition Sport version, which was the only rear-drive CS model up until recently. It may produce less power than its M3 CS and M4 CS counterparts, and the lack of xDrives means it's slower to 60 mph, but the M2 CS is a car that demands respect. This is no "baby" M car.

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Power comes from an uprated 3.0-liter S58 twin-turbocharged inline-six producing 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, the most ever put in an M2. BMW says the M2 CS can use its eight-speed automatic transmission to light those rear wheels up from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, a time that we matched exactly in our testing. The M2 CS's xDrive siblings are known to do the 60 mph sprint in under three seconds, so if you want a car for the drag strip, there is an AWD M2 coming.

You buy a CS car because it's lighter and more track-focused than a standard M car. The M2 CS is 97 pounds lighter than the base M2 thanks to a carbon fiber trunk, roof, mirrors, and forged alloy wheels. BMW even deleted the cupholder to save an unspecified amount of weight by installing carbon fiber center console. Perhaps skipping the sugary Starbucks drinks will also save some weight.

Setting It Right

BMW lets you deactivate its xDrive system, but it requires the dynamic stability control to be turned off. In the M2 CS, controlling the rear end is your job. On the street, this car's limits are difficult to approach without breaking a long list of laws. The M2 CS feels relatively tame in its Comfort and Sport settings, which are available for the engine, chassis, steering, and brakes. It's only when you enter Sport Plus, available for the engine and chassis, that this car starts to get manic.

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Setting the M2 CS up for its most aggressive configuration on the street is a recipe for an uncomfortable drive. The transmission has three shift speed settings for automatic and manual modes, the most aggressive of which is nearly impossible to regulate smoothly in stop-and-go traffic. It feels like the M2 CS is constantly egging you on to go full throttle, and the car bucks like an angry horse if you fail to comply. On a track, it's fine; on the road, it's outright scary.

Getting the settings right for your drive is crucial, but if you succeed, the M2 CS can be a delight. Once you get it set up how you like, you can save those settings on either the M1 or M2 buttons on the steering wheel for quick access. BMW's CS cars make the standard M cars feel tame by comparison. The engine is buzzier, the engine mounts are stiffer, the throttle response is sharper, and the steering is more pinpoint. We've been begging BMW to bring a taste of the CS cars to the regular M models, and in a roundabout way, the German automaker actually listened.

A Manual CS

Just a few months ago, BMW introduced the second RWD CS model: the M3 CS Handschalter. Built solely for the North American market, the Handschalter takes the Lightweight CS formula and makes it even purer by giving it a manual transmission.

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Due to the limitations of BMW's six-speed manual, the car is limited to the base M3's output, 473 hp and 406 lb-ft. Without the quick-shifting Steptronic automatic, it's also a bit slower to 60 mph at just 4.1 seconds (3.8 seconds with a one-foot rollout). In all honesty, you probably won't notice those few tenths because you will be having too much fun shifting gears.

BMW, Make An M2 CS Handschalter

The M3 CS Handschalter may go down as one of the ultimate modern M cars, but with only 800-900 units expected to be produced, it won't be easy to get one. BMW dealers are already asking for markups on the Handschalter, proving there is intense demand for a manual CS car. So what should BMW do in response? Take the Porsche approach and introduce another model to satisfy demand; build an M2 CS Handschalter.

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Enthusiasts already agree the M2 is the best platform to make a CS car due to its small size, but this current G87 version missed out on a few key features (such as the yellow daytime running lights) to keep it under a $100,000 starting price. The M3 CS Handschalter is actually cheaper than the previous M3 CS ($107,100 versus $118,700) on account of its lower power output.

If BMW could lower the M2 CS's price by a similar amount, that would leave room to put in features like the yellow DRLs and possibly even a few other goodies, like the BMW Individual colors offered on the M3 Handschalter. We think this would be a near-perfect recipe, and not building it would be a travesty.

The latest Hankook Tire Gauge Index, released this July, indicates that a staggering 64% of U.S. drivers are interested in taking an all-terrain trip. That’s nearly double the 34% who expressed similar interests just one year ago. Whether it's driven by post-pandemic wanderlust or simply a desire to push automotive boundaries, the study shows that hitting the trails is quickly becoming the new American pastime.

Who is Driving Who and Where

So, who exactly is leading this charge into the wilderness? Younger generations are taking the wheel, with nearly three-quarters of Gen Z (74%) and Millennials (72%) eager to hit the dirt. However, the older crowd isn't sitting this out entirely. More than half of Gen X drivers (57%) are down for the adventure, and even 42% of Boomers are ready to test their mettle away from civilization. When it comes to the destination, wooded trails absolutely dominate. A solid 45% of respondents favor forest routes, leaving desert driving in the dust at just 17%.

Vehicle choice is also telling a very specific story. Over half of the drivers surveyed (52%) would choose an SUV for their excursion, compared to just 36% who prefer a traditional pickup truck. Even mainstream brands are noticing this shift, with companies like Hyundai joining in to capture the adventurous family market. Additionally, gas power still reigns supreme for these escapes. A massive 79% of SUV fans and 87% of truck devotees prefer combustion engines for trail use.

While automakers like Toyota are busy figuring out off-road EV solutions, range anxiety still keeps most enthusiasts tied to gas. Unsurprisingly, tire choice is critical for these drivers. For 42% of respondents, traction control across varying surfaces is the ultimate priority.

Hypercars Getting In on the Action

From my vantage point behind the wheel, this surge in off-roading enthusiasm isn't just a fad; it's a massive shift in car culture. We aren't just seeing Wranglers and Broncos hitting the trails anymore. The market is getting wilder by the minute, to the point where we even have off-road hypercars tearing up the dirt. Automakers are scrambling to slap all-terrain tires and skid plates on just about everything they build.

Ultimately, people are tired of traffic, screens, and the mundane grind of highway driving. They want capable machines that promise absolute freedom. The fact that nearly two-thirds of American drivers are craving this experience proves that the automotive industry needs to keep leaning into capability. As long as we keep seeking the great outdoors, manufacturers will keep building the rugged, terrain-conquering toys we demand.

Admittedly, it's the electric models that are making headlines over at Mercedes-AMG. The GT Four-Door attracted all sorts of attention good and bad, and more recently, the CLA ditched its turbo-four and turned it into an electric pocket rocket. But off to the side are the new flat-plane crank V8s that have found a home under the hoods of the GLE and GLS.

AMG committed to bringing back more V8s in its lineup, and while it's a slow roll, it is happening. Not only that, even the six cylinders are coming back to models that deserved it in the first place. So while the electric models aren't everyone's cup of tea, it could still be said that AMG is healing.

What About a C63 and E63?

While that's great news and all, there are two models that people are looking for, namely the C63 and E63. As we all know, the four-cylinder plug-in hybrid C63 has become a cautionary tale of how not to continue a model line. It was clear from the start that power wasn't the issue, but rather, the idea of an electrified turbo-four replacing a V8. To say that Mercedes misjudged that would be an understatement.

As for the E63, this generation of E-Class doesn't get it. The best you can get is an E53 powered by a turbo inline-six mated to a plug-in hybrid system. At least Mercedes didn't badge it as E63 as it's safe to say there could've been an uproar. It laid down good power, but it's no '63' model.

Since the new flat-plane crank V8 is here, is Mercedes ever sticking one in the bodies of the C-Class and E-Class? Mercedes-Benz board member Mathias Geinsen spoke to Road and Track about that, and it just so happens he also handles sales and customer experience for the company.

And the Answer is...

The executive told the publication, "Stay tuned," followed by "One step after the other. First we have to make sure we have a very nice and sophisticated V8, and of course we now look into market demand and have some plans of where else to use it." At the very least, AMG is giving it serious thought. Besides, the engine is there already, and the upcoming CLE Mythos should be a preview of things to come.

Not only that, the updated AMG S63 has also been spied, and it wouldn't be a huge shock if it used the same V8 already found in the GLE 63 and GLS 63 as well. The signs are promising towards a proper C63 and E63 comeback, but don't expect it right away. Still, it's better than nothing, and we'd love to see the C63 redeem itself with a V8 under its hood.

While it's good that Subaru's gamble to turn the Outback into a more SUV-like vehicle is paying off, that meant there's no more high-riding wagon in the North American lineup. If anything, the original Legacy-based Outbacks were instrumental to the company's success in North America, so it's a little sad that the model had somewhat strayed from its roots.

Meanwhile, in Japan, Subaru has a model called the Levorg Layback. While based on the Impreza, it's effectively the spiritual successor of the original Outback by being, you guessed it, a high-riding wagon. It was recently updated, adding a much-needed hybrid model.

A Reasonably-Priced Tall Wagon

After premiering the car a few months ago, Subaru Japan has released the full specs and pricing for the updated Levorg Layback hybrid. The lineup is simple, with just two on offer, namely the Premium Black and Premium. Oddly enough, the 'black edition' model is actually the entry model.

The price? It's well below $30,000. Granted, cars in Japan are comparatively more affordable than in the U.S, but it goes to show that you can still get a lot of car for the money elsewhere. Prices for the Levorg Layback hybrid start at ¥4,246,000 for the Premium Black, while the Premium is ¥4,521,000. Convert that to U.S dollars, and that's just around $26,000 to $28,000.

The non-hybrid is even cheaper, starting at ¥4,059,000 for the Limited EX and tops out at ¥4,246,000 for the Black Selection. That's a hair under $25,000 to just over $26,000.

It's Well-Equipped, Too

The Levorg Layback's equipment list isn't too shabby, either. Of course, it already comes with EyeSight tech, and it's the full suite, not just the basics. Heated seats are also standard, as is a heated steering wheel, wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power tailgate, power seats with memory, and connected services.

Powering this wagon on stilts is a 2.5-liter boxer mated to a single motor and a compact battery. It's the same arrangement as the Forester hybrid, meaning 194 hp combined, while the electric motor is good for 199 lb-ft. Meanwhile, the non-hybrid version uses a 1.8-liter turbo making 174 hp and 221 lb-ft. Of course, all-wheel drive is standard.

It would be nice if this model were sold in the U.S, but ultimately, it'll be difficult to position it. In Japan, it fills in the gap between the Crosstrek and Forester, although its base price is higher than that of the latter. The hybrid does come out cheaper than the electrified Forester, but if it were offered in America, it might be priced too close to other models in the lineup. That said, Japan still has a lot of love for wagons, which is probably why it's the only market that has it.

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Ever daydreamed about parking a brand-new Range Rover SV Ultra next to a matching, old-school Range Rover Classic in your garage? Sounds like something only the most die-hard collectors would even dare to imagine, but Range Rover has actually made it happen.

Just in time for Monterey Car Week, Range Rover has dropped a one-off 1993 Classic that’s been restored to look and feel just like the latest SV Ultra. This isn’t your average restomod job – the Classic division went all-in, treating it as a full-on bespoke commission.

The result? Both the restored Classic and the first US-market Range Rover SV Ultra are hitting the auction block as a matched set at RM Sotheby’s during Monterey Car Week. It’s a double feature that puts Range Rover’s heritage and modern craftsmanship on full display.

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Modern Luxury Meets Classic Design

The link between these two SUVs starts with the paint. The 1993 Classic rocks Titan Silver, the same shade that debuted on the SV Ultra. Thanks to fine aluminum flakes and some high-tech pigments, the finish looks like liquid metal – suddenly, this 33-year-old SUV feels right at home in 2024.

The Classic doesn’t just stop at paint, either. It rolls on 16-inch three-spoke wheels in Satin Platinum Atlas with diamond-turned rims, sports the new SV Ultra hood lettering, and ditches the old side trim for a sleeker look. Pop the hood, and you’ll spot a plaque marking it as the very first bespoke matched-pair build.

Step inside and the story keeps going. This is the first Classic to get Ultrafabrics, decked out in the same Orchid White and Cinder Grey combo as the SV Ultra. The dash, steering wheel, seats, and door panels all borrow cues from the new flagship, right down to the laser-cut seat patterns and mosaic perforations. Brushed aluminum, matching speaker covers, and perfectly coordinated trim tie it all together – without erasing the Classic’s original vibe.

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A faithful restoration headed to auction

Sure, the looks are modern, but under the skin, it’s all old-school. The donor started out as a US-spec County Edition with a 3.9-liter V8 and a four-speed auto. Range Rover’s Classic team poured about 2,000 hours into the restoration – fabrication, paint, upholstery, engineering, the works.

Engine, transmission, suspension, steering, brakes – you name it, they rebuilt it. The goal was to keep the authentic driving feel.

Collectors won't be able to purchase the Classic by itself. Instead, it will cross the block as part of a matched pair with the new Range Rover SV Ultra during RM Sotheby's Monterey auction on August 14. Public previews begin on August 12 at the Monterey Conference Center. Range Rover hasn't disclosed an estimated selling price, meaning the final bid will determine just how much this two-generation collector's set is worth.

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Earlier this month, a deadly heat wave swept across much of the U.S., disrupting Fourth of July celebrations marking the country’s 250th anniversary, during which several automakers also released special-edition vehicles commemorating the milestone. Coincidentally, General Motors launched a new program addressing a Cadillac Optiq windshield foam-seal problem linked to high temperatures.

Customer Satisfaction Program N252534680 was sent to dealerships with instructions for inspecting and repairing the issue. While the Optiq was Cadillac’s best-selling electric vehicle in the second quarter of this year – surpassing the Lyriq – the program noted that only a small number of affected 2025–2026 model-year examples are expected to need the fix.

How GM Plans To Fix It

Under the program, dealers are asked to inspect the windshield foam seal for delamination; Optiqs without the problem won’t require further work. For those with the defect, the instrument panel extension and foam seal will be removed before the adhesive is cleaned from the surface using isopropyl alcohol.

After removing any adhesive residue, dust, and debris, a new foam seal will be installed. A roller will be used to apply pressure and activate the adhesive, ensuring the replacement seal is properly positioned and adhered. The repair concludes with the reinstallation of the instrument panel extension.

The replacement, including the inspection, is expected to take around 1.4 hours, or one hour and 24 minutes. Affected units requiring only an inspection because their foam seals remain intact should take just 0.1 hours, or about six minutes.

What Owners Should Know

The service will be performed at no charge to Cadillac Optiq owners, with the program running through August 31, 2028. After that date, any applicable warranty coverage will apply. The program noted that the repair must be completed at an authorized EV dealer by a technician who has completed the applicable technical training, so it would be wise for owners to confirm that their chosen dealership is EV-certified before scheduling an appointment.

While only MY2025 and MY2026 Optiqs are involved in this program, the 2027 model is already available to order. Serving as the brand’s entry-level EV, the Optiq starts at $50,900, before destination charges, and can go up to around $89,000 for the performance-oriented Optiq-V loaded with options.

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Mercedes-Benz has over 100 years of heritage; this, of course, also means that the German automaker has produced multiple iconic and legendary models, each coveted by specific fans of the brand.

When it comes to the brand's ultimate icon, though, the G-Class is unmatched. Why? Out of all the Mercedes-Benz models, this has changed the least, keeping the same overall design and ingredients since it was first launched decades ago, while its popularity remains strong. Some of the older examples are increasing in value on the classic car market; one of the rarest models has just sold at auction.

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One of Just 446

Back in the 90s, Mercedes-Benz and AMG were still two separate entities that only collaborated on higher-performance models. Apart from the run-of-the-mill sports cars and fast sedans, both companies were also working on the G-Class 500 GE V8 AMG, which was introduced in 1993 and only had a limited production run of 446 units. The 500 GE V8 AMG was the first G-Class actually to feature an AMG-tuned engine. The official power figure is listed at 237 hp.

One of these rare AMG G-Class cars just sold at auction on RM Sotheby's for a high sum of $143,000. Apart from its rarity, this particular car has had an interesting life thus far; it was first bought by Saudi Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who had very specific requests from the factory. This car was chassis number 1669 and was completed on July 28, 1993; its first official registration was in February of 1994 when it was finally delivered to the Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia.

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Beyond Rarity

Despite already being part of a limited production run, the first owner had his own special requests that made this G-Class even rarer. First is the paint, choosing the Avantgarde Green paint, which, according to the car's official records, is listed as a special add-on. There were also some technical changes to the original specification; the Crown Prince opted for bigger fender flares and a wider track.

In 2025, the car was comprehensively reworked by Obsessive Car Workshop, a Jeddah-based workshop. Most of the work was concentrated on the brake fluid, a front axle oil leak, the climate control system, the fuel pump, and the differential.

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The BMW iX3 has already established itself as quite the range champion. Not only does it back up the manufacturer claims, but it can also actually eke out a little bit more out of its battery packs. While having large batteries does help, it's the energy efficiency that's worth commending here.

Per the EPA, the iX3 50 xDrive can go as far as 434 miles on a single charge. However, an independent real-world test managed to beat that by going 485 miles. If anything, BMW can be proud of its EVs and be glad that it didn't immediately jump into the EV rush of the early 2020s.

Meanwhile in China

Over in China, the iX3 is a little different. It looks the same and has the same architecture, but there are a couple of things that should make it more appealing to Chinese customers. For starters, it's been stretched, as that market values rear legroom, and it has conventional door handles as required there. It even has its own infotainment system different from the rest of the world.

The powertrain of the Chinese iX3 is exactly the same as the one offered worldwide, though. The iX3 50L xDrive has two motors that put out 469 hp and 476 lb-ft, sending power to all four wheels. Its 800v architecture allows for fast charging, allowing it to recoup about 250 miles after 10 minutes. As for the battery capacity, it's rated at 108 kWh.

An Even Longer Range

Cars in China are required to have their respective specs listed before going out on sale, allowing us to see the details before it reaches (Chinese) showrooms. With that, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has its range and energy consumption figures, and it's pretty impressive.

The Chinese MIIT lists the iX3 50L xDrive range at 919 km, along with an energy consumption rate of 13.6 kWh/100 km. Convert those numbers to imperial, and it's 571 miles of range and 154 MPGe. For reference, the U.S-spec model does 434 miles with a full charge and up to 105 MPGe.

Overly Optimistic?

Those are amazing numbers, indeed. The skepticism is understandable, though, as it's pretty far ahead of EPA ratings. So, what gives? Well, Chinese testing cycles are on the optimistic side, hence the seemingly inflated numbers. Mind you, the cars are actually tested, but what you're looking at is the best-possible case scenario in the most ideal conditions. Achievable, yes, but incredibly difficult to replicate in the real world.

Still, over 500 miles of range is impressive even if you factor in real-world driving. But given that the specs are identical to the global iX3, we're happy with that version. If there's one thing we'd like from the Chinese model, it would be the conventional door handles.

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Anti-theft devices such as engine immobilizers have helped curb car theft, with Ford even offering a more advanced remote start-blocking feature called Start Inhibit. But despite these efforts, vehicle theft is far from eliminated, especially as thieves continue finding new and smarter ways to break in.

In an ironic twist, a new study from the University of California San Diego found that at least 2.2 million vehicles could be more vulnerable to theft because of a dealer-installed anti-theft device. Researchers found that an attacker within Bluetooth range could connect to affected devices and unlock the doors. Owners may be able to identify one by looking for the words “KARR” or “SWDS” on the driver’s-side window.

The Key to the Problem

All KARR-SWDS devices reportedly rely on the same authentication key, explaining why millions of vehicles are affected. Most were installed by dealerships in Southern California, but owners elsewhere should also take notice, as affected vehicles have been resold across the U.S., Canada, and even Japan.

Most of the affected vehicles were bought from Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Ford, and Jeep dealerships in Southern California from 2017 onward. Researchers have avoided fully disclosing how they conducted the attacks to prevent thieves from replicating them.

Acrisure, the company behind the KARR-SWDS devices, released a firmware update addressing the vulnerability on July 20. Owners must install the update through the KARR app. Similar devices made by Rockledge may also be vulnerable, although they are reportedly harder to attack. Researchers could not validate those findings because Rockledge had not responded to their disclosure.

Check Before It’s Too Late

Dealers typically install these devices to manage inventory and prevent theft before marketing them to customers as paid upgrades with smartphone connectivity. Even when a buyer declines the upgrade, the device may remain active and vulnerable. Owners are therefore advised to check their vehicles for “KARR” or “SWDS” branding and install the update to reduce the risk of theft. Connected-vehicle technology has also faced legal scrutiny, with a separate proposed class action alleging that Toyota collected and shared drivers’ data without their consent.

This does not mean such devices are inherently flawed. They can still provide benefits such as real-time security alerts, GPS-based theft recovery, and smartphone controls. However, the study shows that manufacturers may need stronger security measures to prevent attackers from exploiting these features.

The researchers will share more details at DEF CON in Las Vegas on August 9 and the USENIX Security Symposium in Baltimore, Maryland, on August 12.

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While the Australian government forces manufacturers to adopt active safety technologies, United States regulators remain stalled. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently postponed its own regulatory overhaul. Because federal regulators delayed updates to national crash-testing protocols, automakers face an environment where a vehicle deemed fully compliant in the US might soon be illegal to sell overseas.

Safer Down Under?

According to a report from Drive, the Australian mandate will roll out in phases. Newly introduced vehicle models must comply starting March 1, 2028, before the rule encompasses all new imports the following year. Government projections indicate this requirement could reduce fatal light-vehicle crashes by nearly 12%, potentially saving thousands of lives over the coming decades.

The legislation does include specific exemptions for heavier utility vehicles. Heavy-duty trucks and vans exceeding a 3.5-tonne Gross Vehicle Mass, such as the Ram 1500, will only require passive lane departure warnings rather than active steering intervention. Used cars and vehicles imported prior to the 2029 deadline remain completely unaffected by the retroactive mandate.

Meeting these strict parameters requires flawless software execution, an area where manufacturers currently display mixed results. Recent testing shows stark contrasts in autonomous reliability; while the Tesla Model Yexcelled in ADAS evaluations, competitors are stumbling. Notably, BYD's automated systems continue to experience critical software failures, highlighting the massive engineering challenges of mandatory active steering.

Smarter Car, Lesser Driver

The divergence between Australian proactivity and US regulatory delays raises serious questions about the practical application of ADAS. Automakers are essentially engineering vehicles to digitally correct human error, but aggressive lane-keeping systems frequently intervene with abrupt, unexpected steering inputs. This technological safety net can breed complacency, quietly shifting the burden of road attention from the human operator to the vehicle’s onboard sensor suite.

As manufacturers rush to meet foreign mandates, the influx of automated intervention yields unintended consequences for everyday motorists. Industry safety experts are actively questioning whether these mandatory safety enhancements degrade fundamental driving abilities over time. Until active safety systems function flawlessly across all real-world environments, relying entirely on silicon rather than human competence remains a contentious and potentially dangerous strategy.

There is a growing number of car enthusiasts who are delving into aftermarket customizations. Customization is a reflection of one's personality, but is also a very time-consuming and tedious activity with a lot of time spent sourcing the right parts from all places.

Ford has taken notice of this, especially within its own community; according to them, over half of the brand's customers are customizing their cars in various ways. To help the community, Ford is investing heavily in boosting that aspect of its business.

Make It Yours

The brand is announcing that it is spending more to boost and scale up its factory-made aftermarket parts and accessories. This is where Ford Customization comes in; this is the department that is responsible for catering to those special needs through a combined effort from Ford Racing Parts, Ford Accessories, and Ford Custom Garage.

According to the brand, most Ford genuine accessories are built and developed alongside the models they are offered for, meaning that after someone purchases a brand-new Ford, there are already a number of accessories available for the car. Ford Racing Parts takes care of those owners who want to get the most performance from their vehicles. This department has a plethora of performance-enhancing upgrades like superchargers, calibration upgrades, and suspension kits. All of these parts have also undergone the same R&D and reliability testing as the vehicles they were made for.

The Custom Garage

Ford's Custom Garage is the latest upgrade program by Ford, which allows customers to access complete limited-edition vehicle upgrade packages through an authorized dealership. Even better, Custom Garage gives owners the opportunity to purchase pre-engineered turnkey performance upgrades that are covered by the brand's 3-year/36,000-mile factory warranty, addressing a key pain point: the usual voided warranty issue after replacing factory parts with third-party performance goodies.

A number of packages already exist for some models, like the Ford Mustang FP800S, which offers Mustang GT owners a Whipple Supercharger pushing power to a massive 810 hp, all compatible with the current manual transmission. If you're into trucks, you can opt for the F-150 FP700S, a 700 hp supercharged F-150, or the Maverick SV300T, which gets a Mustang-derived turbocharger giving it over 300 hp.

There's one criticism of electric vehicles that seems to come up in nearly every conversation: "EVs seem fine, but the infrastructure just isn't there if you want to drive across the country." I've heard this line so many times, it's become a cliché. Though it was far from a cross-country pilgrimage, this month gave me an excellent opportunity to put the EV condemnation with two trips to visit my in-laws in South Florida.

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My wife and I needed to drive down to her parent's house, a distance of around 200 miles from where we live in Central Florida, twice in the month of July. For the first trip, we drove down in a 2026 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro, a twin-turbo V6 hybrid, theoretically easy because it can be refueled at any gas station. The second time, we took a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss, an electric truck with a 205 kWh battery.

Only one of these vehicles gave me range anxiety, and it wasn't the EV.

A Gas-Guzzling Hybrid

The third-generation Toyota Sequoia replaces the outgoing model's ancient and thirsty V8 with a hybridized twin-turbo V6 that's supposed to be more powerful and more fuel efficient. Well, it's definitely more powerful. The i-Force Max powertrain produces 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, obliterating the outgoing V8's 381 hp and 401 lb-ft ratings. A $2,299 TRD Performance Package boosts the Sequoia further to 466 hp. We were able to hit 60 mph in just 6.14 seconds with the performance package.

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There's no disputing the i-Force Max's performance; it's a force to be reckoned with, and the louder exhaust on the TRD Pro lets everyone else know it too. Fuel economy is less impressive though, as I averaged just 18.5 mpg on my trip down South. The EPA says the Sequoia should get 19/22/20 mpg city/highway/combined, but perhaps those numbers don't account for the the TRD Pro's roof rack dragging it at highway speeds. For reference, the old V8's EPA numbers are 13/17/14 mpg.

My relatively easy trip to South Florida drained the Sequoia's tank to around one-quarter indicated. Though I wasn't in danger of running out of gas, there is something comical about a hybrid SUV needing a fuel stop after a 200-mile road trip. Based on its 22.5-gallon tank, the Sequoia should travel about 450 miles between fill ups, but in my experience, you will be lucky to eke out 300 miles from the TRD Pro version.

Note: To make this a more fair comparison, a Tundra TRD Pro has a 32.2 gallon tank and would go much further, but it would also cost more to fill up.

A Big Battery EV

While the Sequoia arrived in South Florida with just one-quarter of its fuel tank remaining, the Silverado EV needed only 45% of its gargantuan battery to make the journey. Chevy says the Trail Boss version will go 478 miles on the Max Battery, second only to the Work Truck trim, which can go 493 miles. To get that range, you'd likely have to drive below 70 mph on the highway, which is like asking to be honked at in Florida.

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Even while keeping up with traffic, the Silverado turned up to my destination with plenty of battery to spare. I could have even made it back to Central Florida on the same charge, if I didn't need to do any driving in South Florida. Since my in-laws do not have an EV charger, and trickle charging the Silverado would be a trivial pursuit, I took it to the closest Tesla Supercharger about 15 minutes away, stopping for a coffee on the way there.

The entire stop took about an hour, including grabbing drinks for my wife and me and a 20-minute charging session, but it got us to 80% battery, enough to drive around and make it home.

Hybrid Vs EV Cost

These two vehicles may not be the same body style, but they serve similar functions and they are very close on price. The 2026 Sequoia TRD Pro rings in at $82,465 and our tester had a few options that brought the final price to $88,486. As for the Silverado EV, you will pay $89,195 for the Trail Boss Max Battery and our tester had an MSRP of $93,185 equipped. The Tundra TRD Pro is significantly cheaper than the Sequoia, starting at just $72,565.

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Factoring our fuel stops, the Sequoia requires premium gasoline with the TRD Performance Package, so the fill-up cost $65.26. By comparison, my Supercharger stop cost $34.12 for 58.84 kWh, taking it to 80% battery and hitting a 190 kW peak. These numbers are not apples-to-apples, since the Sequoias pit stop filled its tank completely, but the cheaper charging session gave me plenty of juice to get home with over 20% charge remaining.

More EV SUVs And EREVs

The Silverado EV was an excellent vehicle to use for this test thanks to its massive battery, but the Cadillac Escalade IQ would have been superior. It has an EPA-rated 460 miles of range, but some outlets have squeezed over 500 miles out of it. The extended Escalade IQ L offers more space, and is actually the longest SUV on sale today at 228.5 inches. General Motors seems to be backing off its electrification push, but we would love to see a less expensive Suburban or Yukon EV built on this platform.

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For shoppers who still won't be convinced by my little anecdotal experience, extended range electric vehicles (EREVs) could bridge the gap between hybrids like the Sequoia and EVs like the Silverado and Escalade IQ. EREVs are propelled by electric motors with smaller (but still sizable batteries) that deliver around 150 miles of range. Owners will charge them up and drive them around as EVs most of the time, but EREVs also have a gasoline generator under the hood that can deliver additional range on-the-fly.

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The upcoming Scout Terra and Traveler Harvester models will go 150 miles on electric power, then a four-cylinder will add another 350 miles of range. The Ram 1500 REV uses a 92 kWh battery to go 145 miles with a 3.6-liter V6 contributing up to 690 miles of total range. Lastly, the upcoming Ford F-150 Lightning promises over 700 miles of total range, a lofty goal that should keep up with even a big-tank diesel truck.

Automotive manufacturing is serious business; not only is it the backbone of every major automaker, but most brands' successes are made or broken on the manufacturing floor. Given its importance, the bigger groups invest heavily in keeping their manufacturing infrastructure updated and capable of meeting the ever-changing and growing demands.

General Motors (GM) has just announced that it's investing heavily in its major production plants to keep up with the competition and better ensure quality across the board.

$430 million upgrades

In its announcement, GM just laid out its plans for dual investments in two major manufacturing plants in the U.S. Specifically, $157 million for Wentzville Assembly in Missouri and $275 million across the Spring Hill manufacturing complex in Tennessee. The combined $430 million investment was made to improve American manufacturing and innovation.

Wentzville is an important production center for GM, as it builds some of the brand's best-selling products in the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, not to mention the Chevrolet Express and the GMC Savana vans. In total, Wentzville is said to be the beneficiary of a 28,000-square-foot expansion and refurbishment of the existing paint shop. Wentzville alone already accounts for 4,000 employees, signifying its importance to the GM production arm.

Meanwhile, Spring Hills' $275 million will be allocated to the production of the recently announced Cadillac XT6 and to support the production of the 2.7-liter engine program. Once completed, Spring Hill will become a facility capable of producing 5 models.

Billion Dollar Upgrades

For 2026 alone, GM has been spending big on its manufacturing and R&D capabilities. It is estimated that $9 billion will be spent across its U.S. manufacturing facilities for upgrades, while an equally sizeable $7 billion was allocated just for research and development.

Mike Trevorrow, Senior Vice President of Global Manufacturing, said the investments reflect GM's commitment to long-term manufacturing sites that can meet today's demands while also supporting future product launches.

Rivian recently got a $5 billion injection thanks to a new joint venture agreement with Volkswagen, and that's great news for the electric automaker. With the agreement finalized on June 26, 2026, VW will aid Rivian in a slowing EV market by providing a lifeline for the brand moving forward.

That's great news for Rivian, but not so great news for two former VW engineers who took advantage of their position for profit. These two former employees were arrested by federal prosecutors for insider trading.

Okay Google, What's Insider Trading?

Reported by Auto News, the feds released an indictment on July 24, 2026, charging Michael Stamp and Michael Plank, the two former Volkswagen engineers who had insider info about the deal and acted upon it accordingly. Prosecutors stated that after Volkswagen and Rivian cemented their agreement, Stamp made $250,000 after Rivian's stock price went up by 23%. As for the other, Plank was able to make $50,000 and is also accused of giving information to one of his family members, who made $12,000 thanks to Plank's tip.

Prosecutors also found out that these two former VW engineers searched "statute of limitations insider trading" on Google eight days before the joint venture was announced. On top of that, Plank's family member also searched "how is insider trading prosecuted" after the announcement.

That search helped seal the deal for prosecutors against the two former VW engineers. The two Michaels were implicated in an indictment released on July 24, 2026, by the feds.

Nabbed via Browser History

"When people misuse confidential information for their own financial gain, they undermine the principles that allow our markets to function fairly and efficiently," said Jay Clayton, a Manhattan U.S. Attorney. He continued: "Insider trading is a crime that New Yorkers want pursued with vigor."

As such, Stamp, now 31 years old, and Plank, now 45 years old, both living in San Jose, California, were both charged with conspiracy and securities fraud. If convicted, they can face up to 25 years in prison for this Rivian deal.

Because robotaxis don’t have drivers, some passengers might feel they have a little more freedom. This may have contributed to the growing number of passenger-related problems, with riders falling asleep, spilling drinks, dropping food, vomiting, and experiencing medical emergencies – including giving birth. Making matters worse, first responders are sometimes called to incidents that turn out not to require medical treatment.

Automotive News reported that these types of incidents have been recorded in Austin, Texas, where Waymo had been operating for nine months at the time of the report. Austin recorded 99 calls involving sleeping passengers, which police and firefighters have nicknamed “sleepers.” Robotaxis have interior cameras and remote staff who can communicate with passengers, but if they cannot wake a rider or determine whether the person is breathing, company protocols may require them to call 911.

The Price of Making a Mess

This problem has prompted robotaxi companies to impose fees. Tesla, for instance, charges $50 for moderate messes and $150 for smoking or leaving biohazards such as vomit inside its vehicles. If a passenger falls asleep, first responders may treat the situation as a potential heart attack. However, only about 3% of such calls have required transporting the passenger to a hospital. The remaining incidents still tie up emergency personnel who might be needed elsewhere.

Does this mean that a business built around non-human drivers is set up to fail? Well, not necessarily.

David Margines, Waymo’s director of product management, said robotaxis could provide a safer response during emergencies than traditional taxis or ride-sharing vehicles, whose drivers may not know how to react. The California-based robotaxi company's vehicles also return to depots for cleaning, while workers reportedly receive extra pay for shifts involving biohazards.

A Little Courtesy Goes a Long Way

The robotaxi business is still fairly young, and regulations surrounding it continue to evolve, particularly when it comes to liability. Passengers can help the service improve by properly following the rules. After all, Waymo passenger Sarah Vasile once stepped in dog poop before entering her ride but wasn’t charged a cleaning fee because she reported it immediately. The company even thanked her.

More robotaxis are coming. Waymo has begun testing a growing fleet of Hyundai Ioniq 5s, supplementing its Jaguar I-Pace-based fleet. Tesla, meanwhile, plans to add the two-seat Cybercab – which was designed without a steering wheel or pedals – to its Robotaxi fleet, currently composed of Model Ys.

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Two Teenagers May Have Changed The Game

Rohan Kapoor and Jack Reichert, both 18, have developed the Go Green Filter, an innovative tailpipe attachment that uses living microalgae, water, and light to convert harmful exhaust gases into oxygen. Inspired by research from an MIT professor, the pair spent nearly a year refining the concept before building a working prototype.

The filter reportedly costs around $50 to manufacture and achieved a remarkable 74% reduction in vehicle emissions during testing. Even more impressively, the students believe fitting the device to every vehicle worldwide could reduce global carbon emissions by more than 16%. Although that figure remains theoretical, it demonstrates just how great an impact an inexpensive solution could have if it reaches mass production.

Automakers Are Fighting The Same Battle

The Go Green Filter joins a growing list of technologies designed to extend the life of the internal combustion engine while reducing its environmental impact. Mazda has developed its Mobile Carbon Capture system, which aims to remove carbon dioxide directly from a vehicle's exhaust while driving. BMW, Toyota, and Lamborghini are also exploring renewable gasoline as another way to reduce emissions without abandoning combustion engines.

Engine downsizing has become the industry norm. Mercedes-Benz infamously replaced the C 63's twin-turbocharged V8 with a turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid – fortunately, the V8 will return in the near future. Lamborghini also retired the naturally aspirated V10-powered Huracán in favor of the twin-turbo V8-powered Temerario.

But the worst of the bunch is Ferrari. Although the Italian marque still offers a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 in the 12Cilindri, it has fallen victim to the dark side and recently unveiled its very first EV, the Luce. Together, these changes show just how far manufacturers are willing to go to meet tightening emissions regulations in pursuit of preserving performance.

Cleaner Engines Could Keep Performance Cars Alive

Although electric vehicle adoption has been slower than many expected, automakers continue investing heavily in cleaner combustion engines that use less fuel and produce fewer emissions. However, moving away from electrification altogether to meet buyer demand alone would be difficult to justify, as EVs could prevent over 100,000 deaths by 2050, linked to vehicle pollution.

Interestingly, the EPA has proposed delaying Tier 4 vehicle emissions standards until the 2029 model year, giving manufacturers more time at the drawing board. Whether the future belongs to electric vehicles, renewable fuels, advanced carbon capture, or a combination of all three remains to be seen. Fortunately, innovative ideas like the Go Green Filter give enthusiasts a sliver of hope that there is a place for combustion cars in the future.

Pickup trucks are built to be utilitarian, so automakers try to get creative. Rivian, for example, once offered an optional Camp Kitchen that could slide out of the R1T’s Gear Tunnel. General Motors, meanwhile, is exploring a simpler creation: a seat built into the tailgate.

First spotted byGM Authority, the patent application was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on January 13, 2025, and published on July 16, 2026, under publication number US 2026/0200380 A1. For longtime pickup owners, this may sound a little absurd, given that tailgates have long been used as seats. What sets this design apart, however, is that it includes a backrest, armrests with cupholders, and even a footrest, providing a more complete seating experience.

The Price of Sitting Pretty

Sure, that could make the tailgate more comfortable, especially during sporting events, concerts, picnics, camping trips, work breaks, and tailgate parties. However, it would likely add to the cost of GM trucks such as the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Even if offered as an option, it could introduce more failure points and result in added repair costs when conventional tailgates may already suffice for most owners.

To use the tailgate seat, the tailgate must first be lowered before a hidden back panel is raised. As it rises, a folding support structure underneath unfolds and locks into place to keep it sturdy. Armrests fold outward from either side of the backrest, with each one providing a cupholder. Meanwhile, the footrest is deployed by rotating its base downward from a recess in the tailgate and folding the foot plate outward.

The design also ensures that the backrest, armrests, and footrest fold flat with the tailgate, allowing cargo to slide into and out of the bed without getting caught.

No Build Date Attached

Again, this is only a patent application, which does not guarantee that production plans are in place. Automakers may file patent applications to protect ideas from competitors or potentially license the technology.

With the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra already unveiled, built-in tailgate seating could appeal to certain buyers, particularly those who enjoy off-roading and camping. After all, interest in off-roading has grown in recent years, with Toyota even exploring using drones to help drivers navigate trails.

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Performance brands find ways to differentiate models from one another; sometimes it's as obvious as a badge, paint scheme, or even livery. In some cases, brands choose to be more subtle, requiring a little bit more observation on the part of the enthusiast and owner.

Nissan falls into the latter; throughout its history, it has had multiple Z and GT-R models, yet it isn't just a Nismo distinction or Spec-V that sets them apart; apparently, even the color of the brake calipers has different meanings.

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Brake Caliper Colors

According to the Japanese automaker, they have intentionally used different-colored brake calipers over the years to indicate the performance capabilities of certain models. They say it's one way to signify performance for both enthusiasts and average drivers. Its origins can be traced to the GT-R, where the colored calipers were first used as a sign of performance. Currently, Nissan offers silver, red, and bright red for the Z, as well as red calipers on the Armada NISMO. Recently, it featured yellow and gold calipers on other Z models and the last GT-R models.

Thankfully, Nissan explains the key differences between the colors; silver calipers are most commonly found across the lineup. It represents braking systems that have been optimized for daily driving, without a specific high-performance connection. Red calipers are the first to indicate a higher-performance vehicle, like the one found in the 2027 Nissan Z performance grade variant. The red calipers are part of an upgraded Akebono four-piston front, two-piston rear setup made of aluminum compared to the sport variants' cast iron calipers.

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Looking Back In Time

While the red Akebono-branded brakes are the new normal for Nissan performance vehicles, back in the day, there were also different colored calipers. Starting back in 1999, the iconic R34 GT-R was the first to debut the gold Brembo calipers. Gold calipers quickly became Nissan's performance calling card, even featuring on the 350 Z and the new R35 GT-R launched in 2007.

Last but not least are the rarest and highest-performing calipers, the yellow color. These braking systems were designed for tremendous fade resistance over multiple intense track laps and are made from carbon-ceramic material for better stopping power. These were last used on the outgoing Nissan GT-R Nismo and Track Edition.

There are a few notable exceptions that Nissan has made over the years for certain models. In 2020, the GT-R 50 by Italdesign used red Brembo calipers as opposed to the usual gold. Most recently, in 2023, the Z Proto Spec featured Yellow Akebono calipers that weren't as high-performing as the ones found on the Nismo and Track Edition GT-Rs.

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While Stellantis does operate several car museums in Europe—such as the Stellantis Heritage Hub and Alfa Romeo Museum in Italy and the Peugeot museum in France—it does not have a similar museum in the U.S. focused on its American brands.

Thankfully, that may change in the near future as Stellantis is reportedly considering finalizing older plans to transform a former Dodge Viper plant into a car museum.

Conner Center Could Finally Open Up to the Public

The Detroit News has learned about this possibility from Tim Kuniskis, Stellantis’ Head of American Brands for North America Marketing and Retail Strategy.

"We have a pretty cool car collection in Detroit that we've had many debates about," Kuniskis recently told the paper. "Should we be opening that up to the public and things like that? TBD if we're going to do that, but I'm pretty sure people would (come).”

Kuniskis was referring to the former Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, which built Viper sports cars until 2017. Long used to store many cherished cars from the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands, the site is not open to the public—although it sometimes hosts events like new-vehicle presentations for the media.

Kuniskis added: ”Can you imagine if (Conner Center) was full of all of the stuff that we have?” As an example, he said the carmaker has “beyond hundreds” of Easter Jeep Safari vehicles built over the years spread in various locations. “I think people would love to see those all in one place at one time,” the executive argued.

Stellantis Design Boss Does Not Want It to look Like a Traditional Car Museum

Stellantis’ Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles had hinted at a similar plan last month and was more direct about it on a media tour of the automaker's North American headquarters in Auburn Hills. 

"There's a few details we have to fix with the building for fire code, because it was set up as a plant, not a public space," Gilles told reporters. "So we're doing that this summer, and we're hoping to obviously have select events to start the process of opening it.”

He added that the current collection parked in rows inside the largest part of the plant would be expanded with more vehicles, noting that he doesn’t want it to look like a traditional museum.

Mind you, Stellantis later issued a more general statement that did not include specifics of the plan to open up Conner Center to the public. "We are actively exploring opportunities to welcome visitors to our Conner Center in the future and hope to share more details as our plan evolves," company spokesperson Dale Jewett said in a statement to The Detroit News.

The vehicles currently in storage at the former Viper plant are varied and include classics such as a 1948 Chrysler Town & Country and 1951 New Yorker, an IndyCar pace car, movie cars like the Jeep Wrangler from "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” and even the automaker’s late-CEO Sergio Marchionne’s personal Dodge Challenger SRT Demon.

In total, there are currently over 400 vehicles in storage at Conner Center, about 85 of which are on display.

Kyalami Makes Guinness World Record History

South Africa has claimed a new Guinness World Record after an extraordinary collection of 243 supercars and hypercars filled the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. The achievement came during the Supercar Rhino Run, organised by the Ferris Hope Foundation in support of Rhino Connect.

Hundreds of exotic cars first gathered at FNB Stadium before travelling to Kyalami in a police-escorted convoy, where Guinness World Records adjudicator Mbali Nkosi carefully verified every eligible vehicle. While countless cars were displayed, 243 met all the qualifying criteria, comfortably surpassing the previous record of 179 vehicles. That benchmark had been set by Gumball 3000 and Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism on 17 September 2024.

Africa's Rarest Supercars Turn Out

The record-breaking lineup featured an extraordinary mix of rare and desirable performance cars. Among the biggest attractions was Africa's only Lamborghini Murciélago SV, joined by other Lamborghinis including an iconic Countach and some Temerarios. Other highlights included a Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series, Audi R8 GT, Liberty Walk Nissan GT-R, Noble M12, Ferrari 250 SWB and the track-focused McLaren 620R.

There was also an entire sea of Porsches, ranging from standard 911 Carrera models to multiple GT3 RSs, as well as a bespoke TechArt GTstreet RS.

While major international events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed regularly attract hundreds of supercars, none has attempted this particular Guinness World Record. One of the key requirements is that every qualifying vehicle must be parked together in a single display area, making the challenge far more demanding than merely assembling a large number of exotic cars.

Saving Rhinos

Although the Guinness World Record grabbed the headlines, the event's true purpose was to support rhino conservation. Funds raised during the Supercar Rhino Run will help Rhino Connect protect South Africa's rhino population while supporting communities affected by poaching. The combination of a meaningful cause and one of the country's greatest displays of automotive excellence made for an unforgettable day. With the new benchmark now standing at 243 qualifying supercars and hypercars, anyone hoping to claim the record will have to assemble more than a quarter of a thousand supercars.

Selling a majority stake usually means a company is looking for the exit. Volkswagen's India deal suggests the opposite. The world's fastest-growing major car market has become so valuable that Volkswagen would rather surrender control than surrender its place in line. Instead of scaling back, Bloomberg reports its handing majority control of its Indian operations to JSW Group, one of the country's largest industrial conglomerates. India isn't a niche market anymore. It's now the world's third-largest car market behind China and the United States. Yet car ownership remains only about 30–35 vehicles per 1,000 people, compared with roughly 800 in America, leaving enormous room for growth that mature markets simply don't have.

Why Volkswagen Needs JSW More Than JSW Needs Volkswagen

On paper, Volkswagen should have been one of the winners. It has spent decades building factories, engineering cars specifically for India and selling models from Volkswagen and Skoda. Yet its combined market share remains in the single digits, dwarfed by local leaders such as Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors and Mahindra. Unlike in the U.S., India's market has long favored inexpensive, highly localized vehicles backed by vast dealer networks and low-cost servicing, areas where domestic manufacturers have held a significant advantage.

That's where JSW enters the picture. Imagine if Nucor or U.S. Steel suddenly became one of America's most influential car companies. Best known globally as one of India's largest steelmakers, the conglomerate has quietly become a serious automotive player. It already helped reshape MG Motor India after becoming a strategic investor, giving MG deeper local roots at a time when foreign automakers were finding it harder to go alone. Winning increasingly requires local ownership, local suppliers and local political and industrial relationships.

Final Thoughts

This isn't just an India story. For decades, global automakers expanded overseas by taking control of local operations and expecting those markets to adapt to them. Today, the opposite is happening. Volkswagen has already relied on Chinese partners to accelerate EV development, and now it appears willing to surrender control in India to remain competitive.

And that's the real takeaway. If one of the world's largest automakers concludes that its best chance of success is letting a local company take the wheel, it says as much about the future of the global auto industry as it does about Volkswagen itself.

Earlier this year, Lamborghini was rumored to be planning several new iterations of its existing models, and more of them are now surfacing. These include a Roadster version of the Fenomeno and the more potent Urus SE Performante, which produces 801 horsepower. One rumor yet to materialize is a Miura Edition of the Revuelto, though a new leak adds weight to it.

The Supercar Blog reported that the Lamborghini Revuelto Miura Edition leaked online ahead of its official unveiling – potentially during the Monterey Car Week in California in August – with Lamborghini Club Russia claiming that production would be limited to 99 units. That figure may come as a surprise, given that previous estimates suggested 60 units to match the Miura’s 60th anniversary this year.

The Original Exotic

For the uninitiated, the Miura is widely considered the world’s first supercar. It debuted in 1966, well before iconic supercars such as the Ferrari F40 and Porsche 959. Lamborghini celebrated the Miura’s 50th anniversary in 2016 with a special edition of the Revuelto’s predecessor, the Aventador Miura Homage, which was limited to 50 units.

Based on a leaked image, the rumored special edition features a Miura-inspired two-tone finish, gold-painted side skirts, a gold front bumper lip, and matching wheels. A “Miura 60” badge has also leaked, featuring a bull design with a tail finished in the colors of the Italian flag.

Power is expected to come from the same hybrid powertrain as the standard Revuelto. It combines a 6.5-liter V12 with three electric motors to produce 1,001 horsepower.

A Small Club With Big Checks

Since 12 examples of the Aventador Miura Homage were reportedly built for the U.S., some of the 99 rumored Revuelto units could also make their way stateside. Pricing has yet to be announced, though the standard model already starts at more than $600,000.

Aside from this tribute, the Italian marque is reportedly considering more off-road-oriented, Porsche 911 Dakar-rivaling Sterrato models, a line that began with the Huracán – the Temerario’s predecessor. A fourth model could also be in the pipeline. According to the company, it will no longer be an all-electric vehicle as originally planned but a plug-in-hybrid grand tourer offering more everyday space than the Revuelto and Temerario, though not as much as the Urus.

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The Audi Q9 will be one of the brand’s most important releases, helping it meet demand for large SUVs in the U.S. while reinforcing its position in the luxury segment. That positioning has raised questions about a potential Horch variant, which would give the automaker a direct competitor to the Mercedes-Maybach GLS.

In a previous interviewม Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said there were no plans to develop a Horch-badged Q9. However, a spy shot shared by Mr. Grey on Instagram shows what appears to be a camouflaged Q9 with different design cues from prototypes seen earlier. The car spotter captioned the post, “2027 [Audi] Q9 Horch.”

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The Clues Are Up Front

Right off the bat, the front end features a vertical-slat grille, giving it a more luxurious look than the honeycomb grille seen on earlier prototypes. It is finished in black, however, which also adds some sporty appeal. This particular prototype also receives a revised lower bumper without the honeycomb pattern, though the multispoke wheels appear to be the same.

Given Döllner’s statement, this may not be a Horch variant, as the car spotter indicated. It is worth noting, however, that the Ingolstadt-based automaker applied to trademark the “SQ9” name earlier this year. In the brand's naming convention, “S” is used for performance-oriented models, which could better complement this prototype’s blacked-out finish than the chrome typically associated with ultra-luxury SUVs such as the Mercedes-Maybach GLS.

If this ends up being a performance-oriented model, it could instead compete against the likes of the BMW X7-based Alpina XB7 and Mercedes-AMG GLS 63.

America Before Everyone Else

More details should arrive soon, as the Q9 is just around the corner. The all-new nameplate will make its world premiere in the U.S. first this summer. Because it will be produced at the Volkswagen Group plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, it will be subject to U.S. import tariffs.

The German marque is also reportedly considering further expanding its SUV lineup with a body-on-frame model, possibly based on Scout Motor’s platform. That would give the company a rival to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender, a segment BMW is also reportedly exploring. Whether a four-ring-badged body-on-frame SUV will come to fruition remains to be seen, but such a model could help Audi become more competitive as it continues to trail BMW and Mercedes-Benz in U.S. sales.

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The Americans and the Japanese practically own the pickup truck space. It's not just in the U.S, either, as the same sentiment can be applied worldwide. Sure, there are some Chinese marques giving it a crack, but the pickup market isn't easily swayed by newcomers. If anything, it's difficult to even break through it in the first place.

Case in point: the Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Hyundai and Kia, hasn't found much success in the pickup field. The Santa Cruz has been soundly beaten by the Ford Maverick in sales, leading Hyundai to phase it out. On the other hand, the Kia Tasman has barely made a blip in the global pickup sales race, with the Toyota Hilux being unbothered by it.

Not Giving Up

Still, Hyundai in general can't give up on that segment, as it's a proven sales driver. The company is currently developing yet another pickup, and it'll utilize a body -on-frame design. It could be revealed by 2027 for the 2028 model year.

Interestingly, Hyundai isn't denying the rumors of a more luxurious Genesis version of the future pickup. Australian publication Carsales recently reported that Hyundai Australia's chief operating officer isn't ruling it out.

'Never Say Never'

"I think you don't rule out anything, and it's got to meet the luxury level to what it is," said Hyundai Motor Group Australia COO, Gavin Donaldson. The executive added, "If there's an opportunity that it's going to be able to create, build the brand, support the brand, build that luxury image, then you would look at what it is."

Donaldson does admit that the likelihood of it actually pushing through is unknown, but the seed has been planted for that idea. That said, Hyundai needs to build up its future pickup first before exploring the possibility of going for a posher, Genesis-badged version.

The future pickup may be a collaborative effort between Hyundai and General Motors. The company could also use the chassis already used in the Kia Tasman. Either way, the South Korean automaker would like some form of electrified powertrain, be it a hybrid or a range extender.

The Mercedes-AMG GT is expected to receive several changes for the 2027 model year, including a facelift for the two-door coupe. Ahead of its launch, however, the model suffered a setback after a prototype caught fire during a road test in Spain’s Sierra Nevada region.

The car was wrapped in camouflage when it caught fire, but its shape and design details indicate that it is a Mercedes-AMG GT facelift prototype. This model boasts a front-mid-engine layout, which can provide better weight distribution. Looking at the incident, the front of the car appears largely undamaged at first, while the rear bore the brunt of the fire. That could draw attention to the electrified components of the E Performance plug-in hybrid system positioned at the rear, although the exact cause of the blaze remains unknown.

Where the Heat May Have Started

This PHEV system combines a lightweight AMG high-performance battery and an electric motor with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 to produce 805 horsepower. Compared with the equivalent non-E Performance GT 63, the PHEV system adds about 228 horsepower. More components can mean more potential failure points, but this incident alone does not establish that the hybrid system was responsible. The uploader, kikisnevada_pgarage on Instagram, claimed that portable fire extinguishers were unable to stop the blaze.

To give the model the benefit of the doubt, this was a prototype, meaning the German marque could have been testing different components from various suppliers before bringing them to production. The silver lining is that the vehicle failed during testing rather than after being delivered to a customer, giving engineers an opportunity to identify any potential issues.

More importantly, no one was reportedly injured.

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The Battery Fire Reality

At least the vehicle involved was not the new four-door Mercedes-AMG GT, which is fully electric for the 2027 model year. Its 106-kWh battery is substantially larger than the 6.1-kWh pack in the E Performance model, and high-voltage battery fires can be difficult to control. If the cells enter thermal runaway, they can continue generating heat and may reignite after appearing to have been extinguished.

While Mercedes has yet to pull the wraps off the facelifted two-door coupe, the 2027 four-door EV has already been unveiled, looking a lot like the radical-looking Concept AMG GT XX. The GT 55 starts at €154,700 – about $176,000 at current exchange rates – in Germany, though U.S. pricing has yet to be disclosed.

If you own a recently manufactured German luxury sedan or its Japanese sports car sibling, you want to pay close attention. This is not a minor software glitch or an annoying rattling trim piece. The federal safety agency is warning about a mechanical defect that could spark a devastating fire in your driveway.

What's Behind the Recall

According to the official NHTSA recall report, a staggering 318,495 vehicles are impacted across the entire country. This sweeping federal action includes the 2023 through 2024 Toyota Supra models, specifically involving 270 units, alongside a truly massive fleet of BMWs. The extensive roster of affected German metal includes the popular 2, 3, 4, 5 Series, X3, X4, and Z4 models manufactured between 2021 and 2025.

The mechanical root of this headache lies within the engine starter mechanism. Unexpected severe wear on an internal component can cause the starter motor to malfunction entirely. In a best-case scenario, this frustrating issue merely leaves unfortunate drivers stranded with a premium engine that refuses to turn over. However, the worst-case scenario is what prompted the federal safety agency to step in immediately.

Safety regulators explicitly warn that repeated starting attempts with this severely worn component could easily cause a highly dangerous thermal event. This underlying manufacturing defect can suddenly start a catastrophic vehicle fire when firing up the engine, or even while the vehicle is running down the highway. The official remedy mandates that authorized dealership technicians completely replace the faulty starter at absolutely no cost.

A Headache That Just Won't Go Away

This shared platform development strategy keeps exposing overlapping vulnerabilities that frustrate loyal consumers. We previously covered the BMW starter recall affecting tens of thousands of earlier production units, alongside the alarming recent Supra recall explicitly advising terrified drivers to park outdoors. Seeing this exact same critical failure point expand to encompass over three hundred thousand more cars is frankly an embarrassing operational disaster for these esteemed global automotive giants.

Diehard driving enthusiasts initially forgave the controversial corporate partnership because the resulting production cars were undeniably brilliant to drive. But consumer patience wears dangerously thin when loyal owners face recurring safety threats. Recalling the frustrating older brake issue that plagued these exact same platform siblings years ago, it makes you wonder about the long-term reliability of this mechanical marriage. Buyers pay premium prices because they deserve high-performance sports cars that burn rubber, not their own engine bays.

We've known for a while that the Mitsubishi Pajero is plotting its comeback. Mitsubishi has already promised the legendary SUV will return after years in the wilderness. But the big question has always been: when do we actually get to lay a glimpse of it?

Up until now, all we had was a vague promise of a launch sometime this year. But that might be about to change, thanks to some fresh news out of Japan.

Word from Japanese dealers, via Best Car, is that Mitsubishi is gearing up for a global Pajero reveal on September 2. Mark your calendars, but don't expect to drive one home just yet – this is the big debut, not the start of deliveries.

What We Know About the New Pajero So Far

Earlier this year, Mitsubishi quietly let slip the Pajero's cabin at an event, giving us our first real peek inside, showing a plush light-colored cabin for at least one of the upcoming variants.

A proper low-range transfer case is also expected to make a comeback. Pair that with Mitsubishi's Super Select four-wheel-drive system and a digital, three-pronged clinometer, and it looks like the next Pajero is sticking to its off-road roots instead of turning into just another mall crawler.

Underneath, the SUV is expected to ride on the same ladder-frame bones as the latest Triton pickup. That means more durability, plus a helping of the truck's newer tech and powertrains.

Pricing is still a mystery, but the event should finally pull the covers off the Pajero's exterior, interior, trim levels, and all the headline features. If you're itching to reserve one (and if you’re in Japan), you'll have to wait until after the big reveal.

Will America Get It?

That's still the big question for North American fans. Japan, Australia, and most of Asia are all but guaranteed to get the new Pajero or Montero first. As for the US, it might be a longer wait before Mitsubishi gives the green light.

But there's hope. Reports say Mitsubishi dealers in the US have already gotten a secret sneak peek at the SUV, which means the brand is at least thinking about bringing it stateside. Will that turn into a full American launch? Too soon to tell, but the Pajero, or Montero, is definitely on Mitsubishi's radar.

With the world premiere now reportedly just around the corner, September 2 should give us a much clearer picture of where the new Pajero is headed next – and whether American buyers will eventually get their turn.

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Ford Keeps Improving: First Impressions And Quality

Ford continues to suffer from large recalls, and while these recalls still place Ford at the top of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's charts, things are improving in every facet. The company has a program to help enthusiasts of the aftermarket build their dream cars with the help of dealer-installed upgrades that won't void the factory warranty, saving the hassle of fitting them at home or paying a third party to do it and potentially causing damage. Not only does this increase appeal from the moment an enthusiast walks onto the dealer floor, but the fact that Ford is willing to offer modifications that increase horsepower by large percentages speaks to the faith it has in its cars' quality, and this new APEAL study isn't the only evidence that Ford is improving its image.

Related: Apple Maps Will Help Power Ford’s Next Electric Truck

The 2026 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study ranked Ford as the highest-quality mass-market brand for the first time in 16 years, and given how much effort the Blue Oval has made, it's well-deserved. Daily engine teardowns and other extreme durability tests have been implemented, and while all these efforts have cost a fortune, these awards show that the money is being well spent.

The Cars Driving Ford's Appeal

The Ford Mustang was named the most appealing offering in the Sporty Car category for the second year running, while the Ford Super Duty was deemed the most appealing in the Large Heavy-Duty Pickup category for the third consecutive year. In total, Ford earned four top-three finishes in 10 award categories, including the two wins. With the combination of an Initial Quality Study win and this study's focus on how well design ages after three months of regular use, it seems that Ford is on the up. With the likes of BMW completely reinventing the car cabin for its 2027 and newer models, it remains to be seen if the German brand will continue to scoop awards, but we'll have to wait even longer for Ford's most innovative new products to appear. Customers seem to be happy with the current Ford experience; hopefully, the next-gen vehicles currently in development do the same.

The homologation special built to allow Maserati to compete in the FIA GT Championship and American Le Mans Series was a stunning machine both from a styling and technical point of view, as it shared underpinnings with the Ferrari Enzo—including a modified version of the mighty 6.0-liter V12, the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated engine at the time.

But with only 50 road-going units built, the Maserati MC12 is pure unobtainium nowadays for most collectors. That said, a prominent Taiwanese collector found a way around that by having Maserati build him a one-off GT2 Stradale that pays tribute to the MC12.

The Tri-Color Livery Is a Nod to the Vitaphone Racing Team MC12 GT1

Designed by the Maserati Fuoriserie bespoke customization program, the GT2 Stradale "Tribute to MC12" was unveiled and handed over to its owner in Modena, Italy this week. The vehicle’s elaborate configuration combines Maserati’s racing heritage, styling refinement, and Italian craftsmanship into a delightful package.

The thing that stands out first is the Leggenda livery, introduced on the 2024 Maserati MC20 Leggenda special series, but with even more nods to the MC12. Combining Matte Digital Mint with Nero Essenza, the livery is accented by Giallo Avia Pervia finishes. These are the iconic colors of the Vitaphone Racing Team MC12 GT1 race car, which won the legendary 24 Hours of Spa endurance race three times (2005, 2006, and 2008).

Other unique exterior details include the gloss yellow Tridents and the rear Maserati badge, while the Maserati Fuoriserie logo on the rear fenders has the same Digital Mint hue as the livery. In addition, the massive carbon-fiber wing features the Maserati signature in Giallo Avia Pervia in another nod to the car’s racing DNA.

The gloss-finished carbon-fiber aero elements are a first for the GT2 Stradale, highlighting the exclusivity of the GT2 Stradale “Tribute to MC12”. Rounding off the exterior tweaks are the carbon-ceramic brakes with yellow calipers, center-lock wheels in an anodized black finish, and the Performance Plus package.

The Motorsport-Inspired Design Carries Over Inside The Cabin

Moving to the interior, the one-off GT2 Stradale sports black Alcantara racing seats with a yellow embroidered Trident on the headrests and matching four-point harnesses, as well as yellow contrast stitching across the steering wheel, dashboard, center tunnel, and door panels.

There’s also a carbon-fiber interior package and a dedicated “Tribute to MC12” badge—a special request from the customer and a reminder of the unique character of this GT2 Stradale.

No modifications were made to the 3.0-liter twin-turbo 'Nettuno' engine, which delivers a healthy 632 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough to enable to GT2 Stradale to sprint from zero to 62 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed in excess of 199 mph.

Credit for this kind of performance also goes to the GT2 Stradale’s significant weight reduction, track-developed aerodynamics, and motorsport-derived technical solutions that make it the most performance-focused road-going Maserati ever built.

There's currently a lot of buzz surrounding BMW's electric Neue Klasse models. The iX3 is already proving a success over in Europe, and more markets are starting to get it. Meanwhile, the i3 introduced earlier this year is already seeing a deluge of orders and reservations, forcing BMW to open the books early for it.

Of course, more models are to be expected, such as the i1, and while it doesn't utilize the Neue Klasse platform, the reception towards the iX5 has been fairly positive. But there's one model that might arrive sooner. That would be the iX4, and it was recently snapped casually cruising along Munich roads.

From X4 to iX4

By the looks of it, the X4 is gone for good, but its spirit will live on with the iX4. As its name suggests, it will be electric and will have a swoopier and more rakish rear end. Once it hits production, it'll be the first 'sports activity coupe' to be battery-powered in the BMW lineup.

The iX4 has the internal designation of NA7, and will be built at the Debrechen plant in Hungary. The coupe-crossover is expected to be revealed by Fall 2026 for the 2027 model year. Spotted by Wilcoblok, it's still heavily camouflaged, but it's fair to assume that it'll have design elements from the iX3.

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What to Expect

Based on the short clip, the iX4 follows the usual format of BMW's crossover-coupes. The rear end is predictably swept back, and no amount of camouflage could hide that. As for the front end, expect it to share the same look as the iX3, but possibly with different front bumpers for the sake of distinction.

Powertrains are also likely to be shared with the iX3, as well as the i3. We could see the 50 xDrive model with 463 hp and 473 lb-ft from a dual-motor arrangement, and eventually a lower-spec 40 model without all-wheel drive, and the single motor from the other BMW EVs produces 315 hp and 369 lb-ft. Interiors may be carried over from the iX3, but it's safe to say that the 'Heart of Joy' central control unit will be fitted.

2027 BMW X5 40 xDrive Configurator Has Loads Of Choices

As standard, the 2027 X5 40 xDrive comes with a Sport package featuring 21-inch wheels, Satin Aluminum roof rails, and some Shadowline exterior trim. You can make it sportier with the M Sport package ($3,250), adding a different wheel design, gloss black roof rails, M Sport brakes with blue calipers, Adaptive M Suspension, and an M Sport steering wheel, but we selected the M Sport Professional package ($4,550), which adds more gloss black elements to the styling, 22-inch wheels, red brake calipers, and all the goodies from the regular M Sport upgrade. The M Sport treatment, regular or Professional, also includes unique bumpers that make the X5 look more athletic, with a lower intake featuring another massive dual-kidney design that gets subtler but looks bigger with the extra black accents.

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In terms of colors, Alpine White is free and looks pretty decent, but all the others will cost you. Mineral White Metallic, Space Silver Metallic (stunning in the metal), Carbon Black Metallic, Black Sapphire Metallic, Vancouver Green Metallic, and Grey Pine Metallic (a beige-like hue) cost $650 each, while BMW Individual Tanzanite Blue II Metallic costs $1,950. We'd love to see a red added to the palette at some point, and some more blue or a splash of yellow could be interesting too; more variety will surely be offered later in the X5's life cycle. As for wheels, four no-cost options are available as part of the M Sport Pro pack, but there's also one Individual 23-inch staggered option with summer tires called the 1122, and it costs a thousand bucks. It's the largest factory-fitted wheel ever offered on an X5, but beware the potential road noise.

2027 BMW X5 Interior Also Offers Plenty Of Options

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Inside, there are Contemporary, BMW M, and Individual themes available. Under Contemporary, which is no-cost, buyers can choose from either Copper Brown, Black, or Silverstone, but the latter isn't available with our chosen configuration. Neither is Black/Atlas Grey II under the BMW M selection, but regular Black/Atlas Grey is. The interiors that cost you money fall under the Individual group, and these include Merino Leather in Black, Vintage Coffee, Tartufo, Smoke White, and Adelaide Grey options, each priced at $2,600. That's not all, though, as these require an Anthracite Alcantara headliner (no cost) and the Climate Package ($2,800), so the real total for adding fancy leather is $5,400. To contrast with the blue exterior, we chose Smoke White, though this wouldn't be practical for families with young kids. At this point, the bill is only $85,650, so it's time to look at the small options that take the X5 into the next bracket.

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The Luxury Package ($3,100) adds a passenger screen for the person riding shotgun, automatic doors, and glass controls (removing some lesser fittings to save $650), but you also need to add the $1,450 Technology Package here, with a so-called "Ceremonial Light Carpet," a Bowers and Wilkins Surround Sound system, and manual rear window shades, so the price is bumped up by $3,900. The Parking Assistance package ($750) adds automatic parking and a 3D camera for when you want to park by yourself, while the Driving Assistance Professional package ($2,500) allows for hands-free driving on suitable highway roads at up to 85 mph. Because our interior is white, we can order a Digital White Individual steering wheel ($250) despite the M Sport Pro package, while outside, the options list bingo card is completed by a trailer hitch for $750. Finally, the BMW Ultimate Care+ 4 package ($7,649) offers additional maintenance coverage for a total of 7 years or 125,000 miles. With the destination and handling charge added ($1,350), the total works out to $102,799. Too much? That total will climb even further once the full X5 range is unlocked; a V8 model is coming...

When Volvo pulled the wraps off the all-electric EX60 earlier this year, range was the headline act. The Swedes promised up to 400 miles on a charge – eventually, once a higher-spec version lands. For now, though, early adopters looking at the launch model, the EX60 P10 AWD, were told to expect 322 miles before hunting for a plug.

Now the official EPA figures have arrived, and the numbers are a touch better than Volvo first guessed. The 2027 EX60 P10 AWD officially clocks in at 330 miles on a full charge with 20- or 21-inch wheels – eight miles more than the original estimate, or about a 2.5% bump. Not a game-changer, but hey, every mile counts.

Wheel Choice Makes a Difference

The EPA documents also highlight just how much wheel size can influence an EV's driving range. Stick with the 20- or 21-inch wheels, and you get the full 330-mile bragging rights. Go for the flashier 22-inchers, and suddenly you’re down to 312 miles. Style comes at a price.

It’s the same story elsewhere in the lineup. The rear-drive EX60 P6 manages 307 miles with the smaller wheels, but slap on the 22s, and you’re looking at just 295 miles.

Numbers aside, the EX60 now holds the crown as Volvo’s longest-range EV in the States. It rides on the new SPA3 platform with an 800-volt system, which means you can juice up with 165 miles of range in just 10 minutes – if you find the right DC fast charger. Plus, it’s the first Volvo here to come with a built-in NACS port, so you can plug straight into Tesla’s Supercharger network, no adapter needed.

BMW's iX3 Still Raises the Benchmark

But as good as the EX60’s numbers look, BMW’s latest rival is still way out in front. The 2027 iX3 50 xDrive just dropped its EPA-based stats, and the most frugal version can go a wild 434 miles on 20-inch summer tires. Even the less efficient setups are no slouch, clocking in between 383 and 399 miles depending on your wheel and tire pick.

That means BMW has a whopping 104-mile lead over Volvo’s freshly certified 330-mile EX60 P10 AWD when you compare the most efficient versions.

That’s a big gap, especially since both SUVs are gunning for the same premium midsize crowd. Volvo is banking on its usual mix of safety, Scandinavian style, and lightning-fast charging, but BMW is clearly making range the headline act for the Neue Klasse iX3.

But don’t count Volvo out just yet. The brand has already teased a higher-spec EX60 P12 AWD with a claimed 400 miles of range. When that one lands, this electric SUV rivalry could get a whole lot closer.

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Nissan is recalling its Armada SUV because of a tiny sticker in your door jamb. Yes, that's right: Nissan Armada owners are being called back to dealerships to get a sticker replaced on their vehicles.

While a mislabel might seem inconsequential, that sticker is actually the one that you reference whenever you fill your tires with air, load your car with cargo, and then some. I'm talking about the Gross Axle Weight Rating sticker. While it is a small thing, running the wrong pressure or axle load might lead to unnecessary wear and tear. Thankfully, however, no known issues have come about because of this mislabel.

The kicker here is that the recall list includes some year models that are more than a decade old at this point. So essentially, that would mean that some drivers who reference the door jamb religiously could have been running on the wrong tire pressures or the wrong vehicle cargo weights for more than a decade, though that seems a little extreme.

Timeline

In May 2025, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) recall report reads, "during the development phase of a new vehicle model, Nissan identified a discrepancy between the regulatory language specified in FMVSS 110 and the corresponding NHTSA Test Procedure. Nissan initiated an investigation into this potential concern."

"During the Summer of 2025, an initial review indicated that Nissan's engineering standards defined requirements based on the original regulatory statement. Due to the ambiguity in the standard, the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) value was calculated based on the maximum tire pressure as opposed to both the maximum tire pressure and the manufacturer-recommended tire pressure listed on the placard," the report continued.

It took the first half of 2026 to get this sticky situation sorted. In June this year, Nissan conducted a feasibility study of simply replacing the label, and by the end of June, the brand had already pinned down all of the affected models. On July 8, 2026, Nissan conducted the recall for the affected U.S. market vehicles.

Affected Models

Affected models will experience a stop sale on July 16, 2026, and owners of all potentially affected vehicles will be notified at the beginning of September 4, 2026. Owners will be able to search their vehicle identification numbers (VINs) after July 16, 2026.

The 2020 to 2024 and 2025 to 2026 year models of the Nissan Armada are affected by this recall. Conversely, the related 2011 to 2013 Infiniti QX56 is also included in the recall. Finally, the 2014 to 2024 and 2025 to 2026 year models of the Infiniti QX80 are also affected. Interestingly, the QX56 is the oldest model affected in this recall, which suggests that Nissan took more than a decade to remedy the error; the same goes for the 2014 QX80 models.

Now, if you don't want to hassle yourself with a dealer visit just for a sticker, the NHTSA's recall report also stated that Nissan will also conduct mailing services for affected owners. As with all recalls, all "repairs" will be conducted free of charge for parts and labor, and it will take less than half an hour to complete the recall per vehicle. Heck, it might not even take a minute.

JD Power has released the results of its 2026 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, which is a measure of how satisfied owners are with their new vehicles after 90 days of ownership. This year, overall satisfaction has improved across the mass-market and premium categories. 

While brands like Porsche and Lexus performed well and often lead vehicle satisfaction studies, the highest-rated individual models came from BMW. Porsche and Mini were the leading overall brands in the premium and mass-market segments, respectively. Both brands achieved this for the third consecutive year.

BMW 7 Series and X6 Dazzle Owners

The BMW 7 Series luxury sedan and X6 SUV were rated as the highest-ranking individual models in the study in a rare tie. Last year, the X6 was the top-ranked individual model, but it has now been joined by the 7 Series. This study is based on the pre-facelift 7 Series, not the refreshed model revealed earlier this year.

The 2026 study was based on responses from 78,514 owners of 2026 model-year vehicles after 90 days of ownership. It considers 37 attributes of the ownership experience, including seating comfort, performance, technology features, exterior styling, and even the sound the door makes when you close it.

Owners of these BMWs are clearly enamored with their vehicles, and the X6 and 7 Series represented two of six category wins for BMW AG, more than any other automaker. The X2, 2 Series, 5 Series, and Mini Countryman also topped their respective categories. 

Porsche Owners Love Their Cars

While Porsche may not have the top-scoring individual model, it scores the highest as a brand. Its 896 points out of a possible 1,000 secured its number 1 position among premium brands, the third consecutive year Porsche has achieved the feat. The 911 is the top-ranked premium sporty car and the Porsche Panamera is a runner-up in the large premium car segment.

Notably, Tesla was not officially ranked as it does not meet JD Power’s study criteria. However, if the EV maker was eligible, it would be on top, as it scored 920 points—no other brand exceeded 900 points. 

The most disappointing brand in the study was Jeep, which scored just 817 points. Ford, which recently beat all other mass-market brands in JD Power’s initial quality study, also performed well in the APEAL study with an above-average score of 849. The Ford Super Duty and Mustang topped their segments.

Researchers noted that the gap in owner satisfaction between premium and mass-market brands has narrowed. Interior improvements drove the biggest gains overall, while EVs far outperformed gas cars in powertrain satisfaction.

“Automakers have made real progress in reducing problems, but JD Power data makes it clear that quality alone isn’t enough,” said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at JD Power. “Owners are most enthusiastic when their vehicle not only works reliably but also feels thoughtfully designed and offers comfortable interiors, useful storage and technology that’s easy to live with. The brands that get both sides of that equation right see the strongest advocacy from their customers.”

Related: Ford Beat Every Mass-Market Brand In Initial Quality, But Recalls Still Haunt It

What It Means

The overall increase in new-vehicle satisfaction is promising, especially as manufacturers introduce more complex technologies in their cars. One of the most interesting developments is the closing gap between mass-market and premium brands, which suggests owners increasingly judge cars based on execution rather than the badge on the hood.

Porsche’s consistent performance in this study has been remarkable over the last few years, while select BMW models have delivered a highly rewarding experience in the initial months of ownership. In the mass-market segment, the Korean brands are currently outperforming their rivals with more appealing vehicles. The study backs up sales results over the last few years, with Hyundai and Kia breaking records on an almost monthly basis.

While the study gives buyers a real insight into how new vehicles perform, we’d encourage anyone looking for a new car to combine these findings with longer-term reliability studies before making a decision.

Related: Most Reliable Car Brands of 2025-2026, Ranked

The Ford Bronco just can’t catch a break. Hot on the heels of a recall for fender flares that could make a break for freedom on the highway, the legendary off-roader is back in the headlines – this time for something a lot more serious. Forget about parts flying off; now it’s what could be catching fire under the hood that has everyone talking.

Ford’s latest recall covers a whopping 565,691 Broncos from the 2021 to 2026 model years. According to the NHTSA documents, the problem is the wiring harness in the engine bay, which is apparently a little too friendly with its neighbors. If the wires get worn down, they can short out, spark, and potentially turn your Bronco’s engine bay into a bonfire.

How Ford Found the Problem

Ford’s investigation found that the wiring harness likes to rub elbows with nearby engine parts. Without enough abrasion protection, all that movement eventually wears through the harness’s outer layer, leaving the wires inside exposed.

Once those wires are out in the open, they can start shorting out and throwing sparks – enough to set off a fire if there’s anything flammable nearby. If you’re unlucky, you might spot smoke drifting through your air vents or see a warning light before you catch a glimpse of flames swirling up from the passenger side of the engine bay.

Ford’s Critical Concern Group kicked off an investigation in June after a handful of Broncos went up in smoke. Engineers dug through the evidence and found 15 cases where the wiring harness looked guilty. The reports included everything from warranty claims to legal complaints, all happening between October 2024 and June 2026. After poking around more than 80 Broncos, they found a few with telltale signs of harness rubbing. The good news? So far, no crashes or injuries have been linked to this issue.

Free Repair for Owners

To fix things, Ford dealers will wrap the wiring harness in extra abrasion tape and protective sheathing – free of charge. The idea is to stop the harness from getting chewed up again and preserve those wires from sparking any more trouble.

Dealers already got a heads-up, and owners should watch for recall letters hitting mailboxes in August. If you’re impatient, you can now check your Bronco’s VIN online via the lookup tool.

If you’ve got a 2021-2026 Bronco in your driveway, keep an eye on your mailbox and check your VIN. Even if your SUV seems fine, getting this fix done now could save you from a much bigger headache down the road.

It sounds like the blasphemy of blasphemies, but Ford Motor Company has good reason for it. Before you bust out the pitchforks, we still have American V8s in the Ford stable, but Canada is stepping up V8 production, which carries certain implications.

A recently inked agreement with the Unifor labor union, which represents 5,000 Canadian auto workers, has reached a three-year labor agreement that will give Canadian employees a 9% wage bump and increased pension benefits, plus ratification bonuses of $7,090 for full-time employees and $1,419 for temporary workers. That would mean that the plant will remain productive for the next three years. What's interesting is what changes may affect the entirety of Ford's production network.

(North) American V8s

As reported by Carbuzz, the Blue Oval is considering more than just assembling trucks. Aside from the Oakville plant, the American automaker's negotiations also indicate a need for V8 engines in the future. The report also stated that Ford has a renewed commitment to V8 engines, with the brand's forecasts indicating demand for such Ford motors that will be addressed by its Canadian production lines.

The labor contract between Ford and Unifor forecasts a third shift at the Essex Engine Plant, potentially scheduled to start in 2029, which means that Ford is expanding its V8 production capabilities to meet the brand's expected demand. The Essex plant in Canada produces the 5.0-liter Coyote V8, while the Windsor Plant, also in Canada, produces the 6.8-liter V10 and 7.3-liter V8 engines. Ford still makes V8 engines in the United States, but that's the high-performance 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that's found in the Mustang GTD and the F-150 Raptor R, made in Dearborn, Michigan.

Speaking about another plant that turned off in 2022, the Romeo Engine Plant will remain closed, according to Carbuzz's source, Sam Fiorani, an industry analyst. He said that Ford could restart the closed Romeo, Michigan, plant "if tariffs or other trade conditions materially changed the business case," but Fiorani also stated that it seems unlikely. As such, the Essex plant will take charge of all demand for the volume-driving Coyote V8, which is found in the Mustang, GT, Dark Horse, and variants of the Ford F-150 pickup trucks.

More V8s? Aren't EVs a thing now?

To put things into perspective, this news means that Ford still sees V8s in its future, but that doesn't mean that the brand will be forgetting its EV efforts entirely. From the same source, Sam Fiorani also adds that a V8 paired with a high-torque electric motor could serve as a cleaner alternative versus a diesel engine. "A plug-in hybrid Super Duty, for example, could pair a gasoline V8 with high-torque electric motors to deliver the towing capability customers expect while reducing emissions and avoiding the growing cost and complexity of modern diesel emissions systems," Fiorani stated.

The same sentiments can be extended to the F-150s as well; Ford could take a V8 from Canada or a V6 from Lima, Ohio, and turn it into a plug-in hybrid. After typing that down, I have to say that it's quite ironic that the V8 isn't the American-made engine among the two for the Blue Oval.

A refocus to Canada also signals that there could be consequences in other departments. Going on the same train of thought as Fiorani, the analyst stated that an increase in one area may lead to a decrease in others. That would mean the Chihuahua Engine Plant in Mexico, responsible for diesel engines, could see a reduction in production volume.

No pun intended, but Subaru's legacy in performance cars started with the Legacy RS. Known (and detuned) in the U.S. as the Legacy Turbo, it was the Japanese automaker's first serious foray into rallying, while the Impreza WRX eventually cemented it.

From then on, Subaru has offered spicier versions of its road cars, namely the aforementioned Legacy RS and Impreza WRX, along with the WRX STI, Legacy Spec B, Forester XT and STI, and BRZ. Had Subaru not entered motorsport about 35 years ago, the company's image and fate would be totally different today.

What's Next?

Subaru recently established its Product Innovation Division, and within it, the Sports Vehicle Planning Office. That office's task is simple: to build the company's fun cars. Chief technical officer Tetsuo Fujinuki recently spoke to Best Car about the future of Subaru's performance cars.

The executive pointed out that its three upcoming STI-engineered cars show Subaru's commitment in the performance car arena, all of which have manual transmissions. It includes what is likely to be a more powerful version of the WRX (but not a full STI, presumably), a hotter BRZ, and a hot hatch that could carry the name Impreza TX.

Translated from Japanese, Fujinuki said, "We've created a Product Innovation Headquarters and established a Sports Vehicle Planning Office specializing in sports models. We decided to abandon the old way of doing things. Because it's boring. We'd have a confirmation meeting, then another meeting, and they'd bring out similar materials again." The fact that an entirely new division was made is a massive commitment and undertaking in itself, further showing Subaru's serious intentions.

More to Come?

With the new performance division, does this mean we can expect more speedy Subarus? "We tried developing it [performance cars] entirely digitally. And it turned out we could do quite a lot. As a result, our development speed increased, and we were able to do more daring things," said Fujinuki.

Now, this doesn't mean that Subaru will transform itself into a purely performance brand. It still needs to sell boatloads of Foresters and Outbacks to fund development. That said, additional digital development makes it easier, and more importantly, less expensive to make more STI-engineered vehicles.

Given the company's investment in the new performance division, one can say that Subaru's sporting spirit will stay alive as the automotive industry becomes more and more electrified. Subaru is also looking into building electrified performance cars, but details are still murky at the time of writing.

Ford's EV journey hasn't been an easy one; while the rest of the automotive world has seemingly been able to transition properly, Ford hasn't. After multiple model launches, with some coming and going and others like the F-150 Lightning, the Blue Oval decided to hit the reset button.

Part of the reset is the introduction of new electrified models set to hit the market starting in 2027. Ford is taking it very seriously by even making their own universal EV platform (UEV), which is now set to get some navigational help from a big tech company.

Integrated Apple Maps

The automaker has announced that they have partnered with Apple to bring the Apple Maps system to the UEV platform by 2027. Specifically, Ford will rework Apple's new MapKit for Automotive system for better in-car integration. Ford's Latitude AI team will use Apple's program to create a seamless hands-free experience.

This new system will allow the brand's new UEV drivers to "turn-by-turn directions using natural language, real-time traffic and incident information, intuitive search featuring detailed place cards, and routing options to help users easily find the best route to their destination."

Furthermore, the program will also have an intelligent EV routing function that includes battery pre-conditioning. Apple has also allowed Ford to use the Maps program to build up its next-generation BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability.

UEV and Next-Gen BlueCruise

The UEV project is currently underway, with the first model already beginning testing throughout the country in both urban and off-road settings. This is because the first UEV-equipped vehicle will be Ford's new $30,000 EV pickup, essentially taking the Lightning's place.

When it comes to BlueCruise, the team behind the project is Ford's own Latitude AI team. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of the brand, with over 600 experts in machine learning, robotics, and software. Part of their project is the Ford Large Driving Model, a self-driving system that uses data from millions of miles of real-world testing.

If there's one thing Jeeploves to brag about, it's how tough the Wrangler and Gladiator are. These rigs are supposed to laugh in the face of boulders, mud pits, and whatever else the wild can throw at them.

But even the most rugged off-roaders can trip up on the basics. Jeep's latest recall targets a select few 2026 Wranglers and Gladiators after it turned out some left the factory with steel wheels (most likely Sport trims) that just weren't up to snuff. The numbers are small, but the risk is big enough that owners should probably keep their adventures on hold until things get fixed.

Thin Wheel Walls Could Lead to Cracking

Only 641 vehicles are in the hot seat: 606 Wranglers built over a single week in November 2025, plus 35 Gladiators from the same time frame. The culprit? Steel wheels with walls so thin, they have no business being fitted on an off-roader.

According to the NHTSA documents, these skinny wheels could crack and even break loose, which is not exactly what you want when you're barreling down a trail. Worse yet, it could happen with zero warning, making things a little too exciting for comfort.

The problem first popped up late last year, kicking off months of detective work by Jeep’s engineers and supplier teams. After plenty of head-scratching, they finally called it: there's a real safety defect here.

What Owners Should Do Next

So far, FCA says there haven't been any complaints, warranty claims, or horror stories tied to these wheels. And before you point fingers at Jeep, the wheels actually came from Maxion Wheels, a US-based supplier.

As for the remedy, dealers will check out the wheels and swap them (and the valve stem) for free if needed. Dealer alerts kick off July 23, 2026, with owner letters following on September 4. If you're worried, you can check your VIN once the lookup tool goes live.

For owners caught up in this, it's a not-so-gentle reminder that even the most trail-ready rigs are only as tough as their weakest part.

Japan’s second-largest automaker described the upcoming truck as its “third-generation” package and promised it will “prioritize features and capabilities.” It may also deliver a big boost to fuel economy, several sources indicate. A hybrid package apparently is in Ridgeline’s future, though it’s unclear if it will be available at launch.

As with the current Ridgeline, Honda confirmed the next package will again be produced at the Honda Alabama Auto Plant where the current model is assembled alongside products including the Pilot and Passport SUVs, as well as the Odyssey minivan.

What’s New

Two months ago, Honda announced that the second-generation Ridgeline would end production late this year. The move was attributed to problems meeting strict California emissions rules with the truck’s V-6 engine. Honda was one of a handful of automakers to reach an agreement with California regulators setting tough emissions mandates. Those remain in effect even after a rollback in federal rules by the Trump administration.

The next-generation Ridgeline will not be entirely new, stressed Sam Fiorani, lead analyst with AutoForecast Solutions. “Honda’s advertising this as an all-new truck, but it’s based on the existing truck,” including its unibody architecture, though he expects it to get a significant update to both its exterior and interior design, along with plenty of new technology and other features.

New Powertrain

Original plans called for Honda to replace the current 3.5-liter iVTEC making 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Payload capacity is 1,500 lbs, with towing capacity rated at 5,000 lbs in the most capable trim package. Fuel economy is 21 mpg combined on most packages. But performance, payload and towing numbers are expected to jump with the new model.

According to internal documents put together in February, said Fiorani, the Ridgeline returning to production in 2028 was originally expected to replace the iVTEC powertrain with another internal combustion package. But plenty has changed at Honda since then. The automaker has now fully abandoned any plan to sell EVs in the U.S. until sometime after 2030. On the other hand, it will rapidly expand its use of hybrids and will now make several models, including Accord, hybrid-only.

Noting the recent shift in electrification plans, Fiorani said, “things may have changed.” Ridgeline was supposed to get a hybrid option, but not until sometime after 2030. As part of the revised electrification program, he added, Honda may move a hybrid into Ridgeline’s plan before the end of the decade.

A Troubled History

Ridgeline could use a helping hand – and considering the rapid growth of the U.S. hybrid segment – which is expected to reach more than 15% of total American sales this year – that could give the truck a much-needed boost.

Honda got into the pickup segment for the 2006 model year, at a time when a number of other players, including FiatChrysler, General Motors and Ford were dropping out – leaving the market to the Nissan Frontier and long-dominant Toyota Ridgeline. Honda bet it could win over buyers by adopting a car-like unibody architecture, rather than the harsher body-on-frame platforms used by the rest of the industry.

But Ridgeline failed to generate much demand. Its quirky styling was one of several factors that actually turned off buyers, forcing Honda to pull Ridgeline from production a first time in early 2015. The automaker came up with an all-new, more traditional truck redesign, launching production of the second-generation Ridgeline in June 2016 as a 2017 model. But demand for the truck has continued to fall short of expectations, dipping to 23,490 for the first half of 2026, down 3.3% from a year ago. In the current market – with Chevrolet, GMC and Ford back in showrooms – Ridgeline was second to last in terms of sales for the period, only GMC posting lower volume.

The next-gen BMW M3 going electric isn’t up for debate anymore. The real question is, which flavor will buyers actually pick? BMW has already spilled the beans: the legendary sports sedan will come as a classic six-cylinder gas-burner or as a full-blown EV riding on the Neue Klasse platform. Both were recently caught tearing up the Nürburgring side by side, just to make things more interesting.

With both versions set to hit showrooms at about the same time, it’s fair to wonder: will one outperform the other? BMW M boss Frank van Meel isn’t shy about picking a side.

BMW Thinks the EV Has the Advantage

Chatting with Autocar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, van Meel admitted BMW is basically going head-to-head with itself this time.

"Now we are fighting against ourselves, because with the all-electric M3 we are attacking our best-selling product," he said.

Forget chasing silly horsepower numbers. BMW says the electric M3 is all about handling. Van Meel claims those four electric motors aren’t just for flexing big power – they’re there to control each wheel on its own, dialing up agility and grip.

BMW’s new control system, called the Heart of Joy, is set to juggle torque between all four wheels, clamp down on individual brakes when needed, and keep the car balanced in corners like no regular drivetrain can. Van Meel thinks this is where the electric M3 will really pull ahead.

"There might be customers who say they want to have a combustion engine because they like the sound... or cannot charge at home. But if you're into racing or driving dynamics, you might say the electric one is the best M3,” he said.

No Fake Engine Sound, But There Will Be Fake Gears

BMW hasn’t forgotten about the emotional side of driving, either. The electric M3 will get fake gear shifts – yes, just like a Hyundai – to make acceleration feel more natural, especially when you’re pushing hard or hitting the track. Van Meel says familiar gear ratios help drivers judge speed and braking without having to stare at the speedo.

One thing BMW won't copy is the sound of its classic M cars. Van Meel revealed that engineers experimented with audio based on the E30's four-cylinder, the high-revving V8 from earlier M3s, and even the V10 from the M5. None felt convincing once transplanted into an electric car, according to van Meel.

Instead, BMW is cooking up a brand-new soundtrack inspired by the electric motors themselves. The goal? Skip the sci-fi noises and give drivers something that still feels connected to the car.

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Fresh Styling Accents and New Colors

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Toyota has barely changed the look of the Crown, which still turns heads with its coupe-like roofline and taller stance than the older Avalon. While the front fascia is largely unchanged, there’s a newly sculpted rear bumper that lends the sedan a slightly more elegant look. Inked, a new black color, has joined the color palette for this model year. 

When launched, one of the most striking aspects of the Crown’s design was its two-tone paint job. Toyota has refined this finish on the Platinum with a body-colored trunk that neatly complements the black roof and upper body. The two-tone finish works especially well when the lower body is finished in red. For the Nightshade trim, there are new black badge overlays.

Additionally, the Platinum now has red brake calipers and a black belt window surround.

Moving inside, the 2027 Crown also gets a new shade. For the Limited trim, there are new Saddle Tan seats, which are also available on the Platinum. If the Bronze Age exterior color is selected, any trim can be had with the Saddle Tan seats.

Staying in the interior, the Limited trim now gains standard tech like a panoramic-view monitor, traffic jam assist, and Digital Key capability. As before, all variants have dual 12.3-inch displays.

Upgraded Hybrid System and New Paddle Shifters

The Toyota Crown launched with hybrid-only powertrains originally, and that’s still the case. The XLE, Limited, and Nightshade trims now gain the fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System, which combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and front/rear electric motors. All-wheel drive is standard and these three models use a CVT. While Toyota did not confirm outputs for this powertrain, they should be similar to the 2026 version’s 236 horsepower combined.

The top Platinum trim keeps its 2.4-liter turbo-four hybrid system, known as the Hybrid Max. With 340 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque combined, it can reach 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. AWD is still standard here, but the CVT is replaced by a direct-shift six-speed automatic.

The lower three trims now have standard paddle shifters. Combined with the upgraded hybrid system, Toyota claims a more responsive driving experience. This is still a comfort-oriented sedan, though.

Related: I Drove the 2025 Toyota Crown, Here's My Honest Review

Pricing and Availability

The 2027 Toyota Crown is more expensive to start, but one trim in particular has been hit with a big price bump. Here’s a comparison between 2027 and 2026 pricing.

The Limited is almost $4,000 more expensive than before, primarily because it receives the most significant feature updates for the new model year. These prices exclude a destination charge of $1,295.

Toyota hasn’t said exactly when the 2027 Crown will be available, but we expect it to arrive at dealers later this quarter.

We’re Glad The Crown Exists

The Toyota Crown is one of the automaker’s slowest-selling vehicles in the U.S., with only 5,152 units sold in the first half of 2026. That’s nowhere near any of the brand’s gas-powered SUVs, and even the electric bZ has outsold the Crown this year so far.

Despite this, we have to admire Toyota’s decision to continue investing in the large sedan segment. So many rivals have killed off their larger sedans, but the Crown offers something distinctive for buyers who don’t need a giant SUV. It’s efficient, surprisingly rapid with the turbocharged engine, and has one of the automaker’s nicest interiors. 

With early sales of the new Lexus ES well below expectations, the Crown is capable of filling the gap for buyers looking to combine premium comfort and reliability.

Related: Toyota’s Hybrids Are Now Outselling Its Gas-Only Cars In America

The Mazda3 and Mazda CX-30 aren't exactly young models anymore. Those cars made their world premieres in late 2018 and 2019, respectively, so these are designs from the previous decade. Despite that, both are still competitive in their respective classes, and still good cars to this day.

New generations for both cars are due eventually, and the second-gen CX-30 will be revealed by 2027. Despite the age, Mazda is still giving updates to its popular models, at least over in Japan. Think of it then as its last batch of upgrades before the redesigned versions.

New Engines Under the Hood

In Japan, the Mazda3 and CX-30 get new engines. It now gets the 2.5-liter mild-hybrid inherited from the Japanese-market CX-5, and it's possible these engines will serve as a transition before the redesigned models arrive, while also complying with Japan's new emissions regulations.

While specs have yet to be revealed, output is likely to be the same as the JDM CX-5. That means 176 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque driving either the front or all wheels, and yes, the Mazda 3 is also available with all-wheel drive over in its home market. Mazda Japan even offers the hatchback with a six-speed manual, surprising given that the Japanese market is predominantly automatic. From the outside, however, you'll be hard-pressed to spot the differences between the updated models and the ones currently sitting in showrooms.

Other Updates

Along with the new hybrid engine, Mazda has added the base engines previously reserved for fleet market sales into the lineup. In the Mazda3, it's a 1.5-liter with 114 hp and 111 lb-ft, while the CX-30's base engine there is a 2.0-liter putting out 155 hp and 148 lb-ft. Not exactly the punchiest powertrains out there, but it does lower the entry point for both considerably.

The advanced driver assists have also been enhanced, gaining features from the CX-60 and CX-80 (not available in the U.S). The blind spot monitoring gains a door exit warning, while the road sign recognition function can now read speed limits. Improvements to the adaptive headlights were also implemented, as well as an autonomous emergency braking system.

Can we expect these changes for the North American models? If Mazda standardizes the new 2.5-liter hybrid worldwide, it's a strong possibility. That said, we're more likely to see the enhancements made to the driver assists in the U.S.