• Lamborghini will build only 15 examples of the Fenomeno Roadster.
• A 6.5-liter V12 and three electric motors deliver a combined 1,065 hp.
• Paint scheme references the 1968 Miura Roadster and Bologna’s colors.

Some anniversaries get a cake. Lamborghini’s gets a 1,065 hp roadster. The company is celebrating 63 years since Ferruccio Lamborghini founded it in 1963, a number that lands with extra meaning at Sant’Agata since the last digits match the founding year. To mark the occasion, the automaker has built its most powerful open-top car to date, the Fenomeno Roadster.

It follows the closed-roof Fenomeno that broke cover in August 2025, but Lamborghini is making the Roadster even more exclusive. Production is capped at 15 cars, half the run of the 30 already-sold Fenomeno coupes.

More: Lamborghini Built The Most Customizable Urus Ever And Capped It At 630 Units

There’s no retractable hardtop, no removable panel, no targa cleverness. The Fenomeno Roadster is permanently open, and Lamborghini’s designers used that freedom to do things they couldn’t with the coupe.

The side windows have been “chopped” for a more aggressive profile, a small carbon spoiler sits on the trailing edge of the windshield to manage airflow over the cabin, and the redesigned engine cover sprouts two aerodynamic humps behind the headrests that double as rollover protection.

According to Lamborghini, careful work on the car’s “upper functional surfaces” and a fresh set of aero elements have allowed the Roadster to match the coupe’s downforce, stability, balance, and cooling figures. The brand also claims the weight penalty for going topless has been kept to “only a few kilograms.”

The launch model wears a Blu Cepheus paint job offset by Rosso Mars accents and a heavy dose of exposed carbon fiber, a color combination that pays tribute to Bologna’s civic red and blue and echoes the 1968 Miura Roadster, the original open-top Lamborghini.

Inside, the cabin follows a black-and-red theme with Y-shaped graphic details and intricate contrast stitching, all very much in line with the brand’s current design language.

Electrified Power

Like the regular Fenomeno, the Roadster is built around a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and powered by the most potent V12 in Lamborghini’s history. The naturally aspirated 6.5-liter engine puts out 824 hp (614 kW / 835 PS) and 535 lb-ft (725 Nm) of torque, paired with three electric motors. Two sit up front on the axle, while the third is integrated into the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, all drawing power from a 7 kWh battery pack.

Lamborghini

The combined output is 1,065 hp (794 kW / 1,080 PS), surpassing the 1,001 hp (747 kW / 1,015 PS) of the Revuelto. Performance is nearly identical to the Fenomeno coupe, with 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 2.4 seconds and 0-200 km/h (0-124 mph) in 6.8 seconds, only 0.1 seconds slower. As for top speed, it is in excess of 340 km/h (211 mph), compared to 350 km/h (217 mph) for the coupe.

Another Special Roadster

While pricing for the 15 units hasn’t been officially disclosed, the Fenomeno Roadster follows in the footsteps of the ultra-exclusive Reventon, Veneno, Centenario, and Sián Roadsters as a highly sought-after collectible.

It remains to be seen whether the open-roof treatment will be applied to the series-production Revuelto in the near future. What we know for sure is that Lamborghini is currently working on a Temerario Spyder, with a retractable hardtop and a plug-in hybrid V8 setup.

• A 2019 Tesla Model 3 hit 380,000 miles on its original battery pack.
• Range took a serious hit, the kind most owners would call alarming.
• Even so, it still cleared triple-digit highway miles in real-world testing.

Electric vehicles have plenty of advantages over combustion cars but all of them have an uncomfortable truth sitting under the sheet metal. Engines wear out over time, but the size of their gas tank doesn’t shrink. EVs will suffer battery and range degradation no matter what. The only question is how bad it’ll get before the battery fails. One seven-year-old Tesla still running on its original battery is providing some insight.

At over 380,000 miles (610,000 km), one Tesla Model 3 owned by the YouTube channel Drive Protected is going strong long after most vehicles (combustion or EV) are long dead. When new, it offered 240 miles of range. Today, a full charge shows 158 miles. That’s an 82-mile drop, or about 34.2 percent gone. There’s really no sugarcoating it. That’s substantial degradation and puts the battery well below 70 percent of its original capacity.

Read: Tesla’s Longest Range EV Is Here But Not For You

That said, it’s not quite the death sentence you might expect. The car was put through a real-world highway test at a steady 68 mph, returning 138.3 miles before hitting zero. That’s not impressive on paper, but it’s far from unusable. For shorter commutes or city duty, it’s still very much a functioning vehicle.

The numbers back that up. Over the test, it consumed 32.4 kWh. That’s well below the roughly 49 kWh it would have had when new. That aligns with the reduced range estimate and confirms the degradation isn’t just theoretical.

Still, despite losing over a third of its capacity, nothing else about the car appears fundamentally broken. No catastrophic failure, no sudden shutdowns. It’s just a steady erosion of range over time, and about double the miles of most cars when they head to the scrap yard.

In a way, this car is making a case for and against EVs. Yes, battery degradation is real, measurable, and significant. Making batteries cheaper and easier to replace in the near future is key to EV sustainability and longevity. But it also shows that even after mileage that would retire most vehicles, an EV can keep going, albeit with a shorter range.

• The Corolla Cross served as a base for a beach-inspired build.
• It gets tailgate seating and custom upholstery inside the cabin.
• The concept was created by Japanese supplier Hayashi Telempu.

The Toyota Corolla Cross plays second fiddle to the RAV4 in most markets, but it remains a global volume seller, and Japanese interior supplier Hayashi Telempu just turned one into a beachside hangout on wheels. Called the Weekend Coast, the concept targets young families and pet owners who treat their crossover like basecamp.

If you haven’t heard the name before, Hayashi Telempu is a leading automotive supplier focused on interior trim, floor carpets, and soundproofing. Its products are used by almost every major automaker including Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Subaru, while its global arm supplies American and European OEMs such as Ford, GM, and Stellantis.

More: Toyota’s Corolla Gets A Farewell Tour In Bronze Gold Accents Before 2027 Reset

For the Weekend Coast concept, the company took advantage of its expertise to redesign the interior, adding new materials and improving functionality for outdoor use. The highlight is a set of retractable seats and a footrest in the cargo area, offering a similar experience to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan’s Viewing Suite package.

Coastal Vibes Inside and Out

The tailgate seating is combined with fresh upholstery inside the cabin, featuring blue and white shades with patterns inspired by the sea breeze. There is also custom ambient lighting on the door cards, a panoramic sunroof, and white upholstery on the dashboard.

More: Toyota’s Next Corolla Cross Is Growing Up, And The RAV4 Should Be Worried

The single photo of the exterior reveals a two-tone finish with light blue and white shades mirroring the interior theme. The concept is not expected to have any mechanical upgrades over the Japanese-spec Corolla Cross and is likely fitted with the stock self-charging hybrid powertrain.

Hayashi Telempu will exhibit the Weekend Coast concept at the Field Style Tokyo Show in Japan on May 9-10. The goal is to gather feedback from young families with an outdoor-oriented lifestyle and pet owners. The insights will be used as a reference for future product proposals, meaning similar aftermarket solutions could eventually reach the market.

• Chevrolet Brazil auctioned three classics to mark the brand’s centenary.
• The Opala SS gains fuel injection plus a five-speed manual gearbox.
• Bilstein shocks give the restored coupe a sharper, more planted feel.

Chevrolet’s heritage push in Brazil isn’t slowing down. After kicking things off with a restored Omega sedan last year, the brand is now rolling out its second batch of Vintage projects, and this time it’s bringing muscle car vibes and rally history along for the ride.

The latest trio includes two restomod versions of the classic Chevrolet Opala and a competition-bred Chevrolet S10 that once tackled one of South America’s toughest off-road events. All three went to auction at the Carde Museum in Campos do Jordão, with part of the proceeds going to charity.

Related: The US Got A New Chevy Colorado, Brazil Got The Old One With A Lift Kit Instead

Let’s start with the Opalas, since they’re arguably the stars of the show. Chevrolet picked one 1976 model and another from 1979, both in the SS trim reserved for the most performance-focused Opalas of the time. Painted yellow and green respectively in homage to Brazil’s national flag, they look mostly stock, but don’t be fooled.

The factory 4.1 liter inline six in each car has been modified with modern electronic fuel injection and paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension and braking have also been upgraded with Bilstein shocks and performance rotors, making these cars far more usable today while still feeling like proper vintage machines.

Inside, it’s a similar story. You’ll find leather trim, improved safety with three-point belts, and subtle tech like Bluetooth audio and modern air conditioning. Unfortunately, no interior pics have been released yet, but it sounds like it’s all been done carefully so the original character isn’t lost, just refined.

S10 Truck With Racing Pedigree

But with the 2004 S10 Rally, Chevy’s engineers stuck closer to the original blueprints, even going so far as to retain some of the wear and tear. That patina was earned while the truck won one of South America’s toughest races in the early 2000s, Rally dos Sertões, and competed in multiple other similar events.

The truck still features the original FIA-mandated roll cage, bucket seats and five-point harnesses, but the paint was refreshed and there was one important modification made to the powertrain. In competition-spec the 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine cranked out more than 300 hp (304 PS), but it was too highly strung for road use, so engineers detuned it slightly to make it friendlier for the street.

No power figure is given, but with 362 lb-ft (491 Nm) on hand at just 2,000 rpm, it should move along reasonably briskly. GM says just finding the truck was a challenge, but when they finally unearthed it, it was in the same condition as when it last turned a wheel in anger.

GM’s Brazilian arm sent the trio under the hammer at the Carde Museum in Campos do Jordão, and the prices delivered. The green 1979 Opala pulled more than 25 bids and the yellow 1976 car drew at least 30, with each coupe hammering at R$500,000 (US$102,000) for a combined R$1 million (US$204,000). The S10 Rally added R$450,000 (US$92,000), all topping the R$437,000 (US$89,000) the restored Omega managed last December.

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The new Opala owners get a fitting perk too: delivery at the original São Caetano do Sul plant where the coupes first rolled off the line. Proceeds go to GM Institute social projects.With more cars in the pipeline from Brazil’s Chevrolet Vintage program, we’re looking forward to seeing what the team turns its wrenches to next.

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• Data suggests that the average used EV costs just ~$1,000 more than a used ICE car.
• Analysts warn that there are some hidden costs of running an EV that need to be considered.
• Components, accident repairs, and insurance cost more on average for EVs than for ICE vehicles.

In the past, used EVs may have been considered a bit of a gamble, especially if they were packing a few years under their belt. But things are changing. A report from Cox Automotive says that used EV sales in March were up 27.7% compared with the previous year.

Even more telling was that the March figures were a whopping 53.9% higher than February’s. There are several reasons driving the change, but according to CNBC, experts warn that while cheap EVs may look attractive, there are a few hidden considerations buyers should still be wary of.

An Influx Of Used EVs

One reason is the simple fact that as more people buy new EVs, more used EVs end up at dealer lots as their leases end. According to Joseph Yoon, a Consumer Insights Analyst at Edmunds, “Where we had the highest concentration of leasing happen was between the tail end of 2022 and all the way through 2023, and since most leases are three years long, all those cars… are coming back to dealer lots in droves.”

Read: America’s Used EV Market Is Heating Up For One Simple Reason

This means that much of the depreciation has already occurred, translating into some attractive deals for those looking at the used market. In fact, 44% of those EVs sold in March of this year were priced below the $25,000 mark.

More Choices & Price Parity

Whereas previously electric vehicles were offered by only a handful of manufacturers, nowadays there’s a veritable smorgasbord of options coming into the used market. And with more options comes lower prices as well. The average price of a used EV in March was $34,653, according to Cox Automotive. Contrast that with the average price of a used gas car being $33,641, and price parity isn’t far off.

With used EVs no longer bearing price premiums over their gas-powered equivalents, they are now more accessible to buyers who have long aspired to jump on the EV bandwagon but were unable to in the past. But it’s not just lower purchase prices that are seen as appealing. Promises of cheap running costs are just as enticing.

Costs To Consider

Charging an EV, especially if you use a home charger, can be pretty cheap, according to a Kelley Blue Book report. Taking into account a 1,015-mile monthly average, home-charging an EV worked out to an average of $59.66. But not everyone has the ability to install one of those. If you’re forced to use public fast charging exclusively, then things are a little different. That cost rises to $169, which is higher (albeit not by much) than the $147.24 gas bill that an average gas-powered vehicle with a 30mpg fuel efficiency figure would cost you.

See Also: The Average New Car Costs $50K, So Americans Are Emptying Used Car Lots

Another of the biggest benefits that EV makers regularly promote is their relative lack of maintenance. It’s true that you don’t need to spend money on engine oil changes and filters because an EV doesn’t have a gasoline engine. Also, since EVs use regenerative braking to recover energy under deceleration, their brake pads also benefit from longer lifespans. However, there is one consumable component that EVs go through faster than gas cars, and that’s tires. According to Consumer Reports, this is primarily due to the higher curb weight of EVs contributing to accelerated tread wear.

Components’ Costs

EVs also have some pretty expensive components that can run you a pretty sum if they go wrong outside of warranty. Chief among these is the traction battery, where replacement costs can range from $5,000 to $15,000. That’s why the advice from experts is to seek out a used EV that still has warranty coverage remaining. Generally, EV batteries come with an eight- or ten-year warranty, and in most cases these are transferable to a subsequent owner.

Collision repairs are another area where EVs tend to cost more. In 2025, fully battery-powered cars cost an average of $6,395 to repair after a collision, compared with $5,105 for gas-powered vehicles, according to Mitchell International, which specializes in claims and collision technology.

Insurance is similarly pricier. The average annual cost of insuring an EV runs to $4,058, versus $2,732 for a comparable gas car, according to a 2025 report from insurance website Insurify. That said, the actual figure varies considerably by model, insurer, and location, and a used EV will generally cost less to insure than a new one.

CONS ›› Needs AWD, dodgy brake feel

Estates are an increasingly rare option nowadays, but as we’ve seen throughout history, European brands can build an estate better than most. The Cupra Leon Sportstourer is one such example, being sold alongside a smaller hatchback version, but offering more practicality and arguably even more style.

Cupra has come a long way in recent years and has been selling its own version of the Seat Leon for a few years. This already sleek and aggressive-looking model was recently updated to be even more striking, and we recently had the chance to live with it in VZe guise.

Read: Cupra’s Raval Rivals The Alpine A290, And Comes With A Trick Differential

While the model we tested had the same powertrain as the Cupra Terramar VZe I also recently lived with, the Leon actually revealed itself to be a better all-round package, free from some of the SUV’s issues. If a VW or a Skoda isn’t stylish enough for you, then the Leon Sportstourer may make sense.

QUICK FACTS

› Model: 2026 Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZe › Starting Price: AU$69,990 (US$50,050) plus on-road costs › Dimensions: 183.3 L x 73.3 W x 58.2 in H (4,656 x 1,863 x 1,480 mm) › Wheelbase: 105.5 in (2,682 mm) › Curb Weight: 1,755 kg (3,869 lbs) › Powertrain: 1.5 turbo four-cylinder, electric motor › Output: 268 hp (200 kW) / 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) › 0-62 mph 7.2 seconds (0-100 km/h) › Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch › Efficiency: 5.5 l/100 km (42.7 US mpg) as tested › On Sale: Now

There are currently three versions of the Cupra Leon on sale in Australia, with two other variants launching soon. Sitting at the base of the range is the Leon Hatch S, starting at AU$46,990 (equal to US$33,600 at current exchange rates), while sitting above it is the potent Leon Hatch VZe, equipped with a 221 kW (296 hp) turbo-four and starting at AU$64,990 (US$46,500).

While the Leon Sportstourer VZe doesn’t quite match the performance specifications of the VZx, it’s more expensive, starting at AU$69,990 (US$50,000), because it offers a more complex hybrid powertrain. Later this year, the Leon Sportstourer VZx will launch with the same 245 kW (329 hp) powertrain as the Golf R, carving out a niche of its own.

Sleek And Sporty

There’s no denying that the cabin of the Leon Sportstourer is a very nice place to spend time, and it certainly feels more special than a similar VW or Skoda, even though it does share many familiar parts with the rest of the VW Group family.

Rather than featuring an unconventional column shifter like the Terramar, the Leon retains an electronic shifter in the transmission tunnel, allowing Cupra to fit conventional – albeit cheap – plastic stalks. However, this isn’t the highlight of the cabin; rather, it’s the sporty steering wheel with copper-colored accents and the large 12.9-inch infotainment screen.

Read: Cupra’s Top Terramar Is A More Exciting Tiguan That’s Slower Than The One Below It

Perched atop the dashboard, the screen doesn’t look particularly stylish, but it functions well and has little to no learning curve. It includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and houses all the important vehicle controls, includng climate control. Joining the central screen is a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that offers a wide range of gauge displays and ample configurability.

The console includes a circular button to turn off traction control, though I mistook it for the engine start/stop button on a couple of occasions. Elsewhere, there are plastic paddle shifts, soft-touch black leather on the dashboard with copper stitching, and a metallic pattern running along the dash.

Given the Sportstourer is an estate, rather than an SUV, it’s possible to position the driver’s seat nice and low in the cockpit. The seat itself is decent enough, complete with solid side bolsters, but I found the seat base quite firm during longer trips. Like the Audi SQ6 e-tron I tested last year, there’s also a curved ambient lighting strip swooping around at the base of the windshield, doubling as a bling sport alert system, so that’s a nice touch.

Other important features include a 12-speaker Sennheiser premium audio system, which I found slightly better than the system in the Terramar, although it’s certainly not exceptional.

In terms of practicality, the Leon Sportstourer excels. The second row is spacious enough for adults, while the trunk can swallow up to 470 liters (16.6 cubic feet) of cargo with the seats upright, or 1,045 liters (36.9 cubic feet) with them folded down. It’s also nice that there’s a small ski hatch in the center rear seat that can be folded down separately.

Estates Are Great, But What About This Hybrid?

As with the Terramar VZe, the Leon Sportstourer VZe uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder driving the front wheels, and is complemented by a single electric motor and a 25.8 kWh battery pack. In total, it delivers 200 kW (268 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque.

This powertrain isn’t the most exciting, but there’s no arguing with its efficiency. Thanks to the fairly sizeable battery pack, Cupra claims it can sip just 0.4 l/100 km (588 US mpg) of petrol and return 16.9 kWh/100 km from the battery when operating in hybrid mode and favoring battery power. Admittedly, the fuel efficiency claim is only relevant if the battery is frequently charged.

Operating solely as an EV, the Leon Sportstourer VZe can travel up to 121 km (75 miles) on a charge, which is more than enough for the average person’s daily commute. Using the battery in conjunction with the engine, we averaged a touch over 4.0 l/100 km (59 US mpg) during our time with the car, but that didn’t charge the battery at all, eventually fully draining it. With both the engine and electric motor providing power, the car averages 5.2 l/100 km (45.2 US mpg).

I was disappointed with how the Terramar VZe’s plug-in hybrid powertrain performed in the real world, as it suffered from absurd levels of torque steer and it just wasn’t very refined. The Leon proved itself to be more adept.

While it still had some torque steer, which is to be expected for a car with this level of power and front-wheel drive, the low-slung estate is much more composed than its SUV sibling. It also doesn’t suffer from the car jitters off the line, deploying the instant torque of the electric motor in a slightly more refined way, making it an altogether more enjoyable car to drive.

Performance is respectable, with the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint taking 7.2 seconds. It feels the most rapid when driven in Cupra mode, as power from the electric motor is available as soon as you hit the throttle. Annoyingly, Cupra mode does plumb in some awful fake engine sounds, so I primarily drove in the Individual mode with the powertrain in Cupra mode, but the fake sounds turned off.

But it’s not in a straight line where the Leon Sportstourer excels, but rather it’s in the corners. It’s equipped with the Dynamic Chassis Control Pro suspension that offers a wide range of adjustments, from plush yet sporty to downright rigid. I mostly kept it in the softest setting, as the roads around where I live are particularly awful.

Regardless of how the suspension is configured, the Sporstourer VZe performs extraordinarily well around corners. Shod with 235/35 Bridgestone Potenza S005 tires, it offers plenty of mid-corner grip and feels glued to the road. A notable downside of these tires is that they’re loud on coarse surfaces and don’t have a great reputation for longevity. The Terramar handles well, but the Leon is much better, no doubt owing to the lower center of gravity. The steering is also excellent, providing direct responses, while weighting up during cornering nicely.

Somewhat undermining the car’s performance credentials is the braking, just like the Terramar VZe. Cupra simply hasn’t done a good job of calibrating braking feel, and the transmission between the regenerative brakes and the friction brakes can be quite abrupt. Braking alone is not a deal-breaker, but I suspect some prospective buyers will be turned off by it.

Verdict

The Leon Sportstourer VZe probably isn’t the best variant in the line-up, carrying a relatively high sticker price and, because of the hybrid powertrain’s complexities, lacking some of the polish of non-electrified alternatives. With that being said, the estate body style makes it even more appealing, not only improving the design but also adding practicality that matches some of Cupra’s SUVs.

It’s infinitely more stylish than an equivalent model from VW or Skoda and backs up the aggressive design with a sporty and well-equipped cabin. It’s also quite enjoyable to drive and is efficient, particularly when making the most of the plug-in capabilities. Sadly, Americans won’t be able to enjoy Cupra models like this anytime soon.

• Camaro owner potentially made $36k flipping ZL1 bought weeks earlier.
• He registered the unused MY24 coupe in March and sold it with 370 miles.
• Rumored Camaro revival is renewing interest in the badge axed in late ’23.

Turns out the smartest Camaro investment strategy wasn’t modifying one, restoring a barn-find, or parking one in your garage for 37 years and waiting patiently for it to finally appreciate. It was to simply buy one of the last ever made, drive around for a couple of months and then flip it for an enormous profit.

That’s what seems to have happened in the case of this 2024 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which was bought new in March of this year, more than two years after production ended. We don’t know exactly how much the seller paid for it it – it could have been over list – but we do know from the window sticker that it was ordered with the hardcore 1LE Extreme Track Performance Package and a six-speed manual transmission, and had a with-options MSRP of $86,775.

Related: The Pontiac That Chevy Never Built Comes With Burt Reynolds’ Signature

Fast forward to May and the car hit the virtual auction block at Cars & Bids looking basically factory fresh, and with ‘around’ 370 miles (595 km) on the clock, according to the listing (the auction images show 361 miles / 581 km).

Bidding climbed to $118,000 before the reserve stopped the show, but the story didn’t end there. Shortly after the auction closed, the seller accepted a post-auction offer worth $122,500 from the original highest bidder who had previously written in the comments insisting that “I’m not going any higher.”

So if the seller did pay MSRP for the Camaro in March, he would have pocketed roughly $35,700 before fees after only a few hundred miles of occasional use. That is some flip, the kind of money that would buy him a brand new EcoBoost Mustang to fill the void in his garage, though we admit that with half the power, the 315 hp (319 PS), four-cylinder Ford would struggle to provide the same kicks.

650 HP And Manual-Equipped

Because under the ZL1’s hood sits a supercharged 6.2-liter GM V8 pumping out 650 hp (659 PS) and 650 lb-ft of torque (881 Nm). Combined with the six-speed manual gearbox, DSSV dampers, sticky rubber, and aggressive aero package, the ZL1 1LE is a genuine track weapon.

The low mileage definitely helped here. The car reportedly hadn’t even needed its first service yet and still came with the window sticker, duffel bag, owner’s manual, and both keys. Basically, it was showroom stock with a tiny bit of tire wear. But maybe talk of a Camaro comeback is helping renew interest in Chevy’s deceased pony car.

Reports suggest GM’s approved a new Camaro for 2028, and it’s not the crossover most of us were expecting. Sources say it rides on an updated rear-wheel-drive Alpha platform shared with Cadillac’s next CT5 and a new Buick sedan, and might feature four doors for the first time.

Photos Cars & Bids, H/t to Auto Evolution

• Residents can anonymously report unsafe riding activity to Parker Police.
• Police say electric motorcycles follow the same laws as regular motorcycles.
• The system is meant to target illegal riding on streets, trails, and parks.

Police departments across the U.S. are struggling to figure out what to do with the explosion of electric motorcycles, Sur-Rons, dirt bikes, and high-powered e-bikes flooding suburban streets and trails. Now, one Colorado town is taking a new approach. It’s asking residents to report riders directly to police through an anonymous online portal.

The Parker Police Department in south Denver recently launched its “E-Bike, Dirt Bike, & E-Motorcycle Safety Reporting” tool, allowing residents to submit locations, rider descriptions, and details about allegedly unsafe behavior. The form includes options like “stunt riding,” “unsafe lane changes,” “running stop signs,” and even “no dangerous actions/just riding.”

More: Colorado Police Lost Most Of The Dirt Bike Pack And Still Managed To Start A Bigger Fight

Importantly, police are making the important distinction between genuine e-bikes, the ones made for commuting, trail use, and recreation, and electric motorcycles that are often nearly inoperable with the pedals alone. According to the department, many riders are allegedly operating without licenses, insurance, or registration while also damaging parks, trails, and private property. States nationwide have seen an uptick in illegal electric motorcycle use and abuse.

Parker Police also pointed to a recent California case where a mother was charged with involuntary manslaughter after her 14-year-old son allegedly struck and killed an 81-year-old man while riding an electric motorcycle. Officials say the incident highlights the potential dangers associated with improperly used high-powered electric bikes.

That all said, the new system effectively creates a crowdsourced enforcement network where residents can anonymously report riders without any direct interaction with law enforcement. While supporters will likely argue it improves public safety, critics may see it as another example of expanding surveillance culture creeping into everyday transportation.

One local tells Carscoops, “This isn’t an e-bike or e-motorcycle issue. It’s a person issue. If kids are running from the police, it’s a parenting issue. Either way, it’s about the person riding and not the mode of transportation.”

Whether Parker’s new reporting system becomes a model for other cities or a flashpoint in the growing debate over surveillance and micromobility remains to be seen. What’s clear is that towns and police departments are rapidly losing patience with high-powered electric motorcycles operating in legally gray areas, especially as crashes, complaints, and viral social media videos continue piling up.

Credit: Parker Police Department

• The S7 rocks a 7.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8 with 550 hp.
• Despite this Saleen’s age, it’s been driven just 1,880 miles.
• The naturally-aspirated S7 has a claimed top speed of 220 mph.

Built between 2000 and 2009, the Saleen S7 was one of the few mid-engined supercars to come out of America and actually make a dent in international motorsport, including the FIA GT Championship. Now one of those rare cars is up for sale, and it has a Hollywood pedigree to match its racing bloodline.

The late Paul Walker once owned this 2003 Saleen S7. How long it stayed in his collection isn’t clear, and despite his well-documented love of driving, the odometer suggests he didn’t put many miles on it himself. The car shows just 1,880 miles (3,025 km) today, which is a remarkable figure for a 23-year-old American supercar.

Read: 1-Of-3 Saleen S7 LM Might Be The Ultimate American Supercar

While low mileage is generally favored by car collectors, it does carry risks. Vehicles that sit idle for extended periods have parts that can degrade over time, and things can be particularly bad if it’s only been driven for short, infrequent trips, with sludge potentially building up on the engine. The listing also fails to mention what kind of routine maintenance the car has undergone.

A Time Capsule

With this being said, given that it was owned by Walker and likely other car enthusiasts since him, there’s a good chance it’s been maintained. It certainly looks pristine, with the silver paint showing no obvious wear or imperfections. It’s a similar story in the interior, which also looks fresh, while admittedly looking rather antiquated and basic.

Of course, no one will buy an S7 for the fit and finish of the cabin. Instead, this car is all about performance. Powering the base model is a 7.0-liter naturally aspirated Ford V8 churning out 550 hp, enough for a claimed top speed of 220 mph (354 km/h). With a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, it’s bound to be an absolute hoot to drive quickly.

Early-2000s supercars had a habit of feeling completely unfiltered, and the S7 still comes across like a Le Mans car that accidentally ended up with license plates. Add the Paul Walker connection, and this thing was never going to stay obscure. Check out the listing here.

• Toyota and Lexus lack a proper competitor to Super Cruise and Blue Cruise.
• The companies offered a Teammate system, but seemingly abandoned it.
• Both brands now offer less advanced driver assistance systems than rivals.

Autonomous driving technology is a key selling point for an increasing number of vehicles and subscriptions represent a goldmine of future revenue. However, one major automaker has largely been absent from the conversation.

We’re talking about Toyota and Lexus, which have effectively waved the white flag. While the brands did offer a Teammate system on the Mirai and LS, the latter model is dead. Toyota also appears to have dropped Teammate from their hydrogen-powered sedan after the 2023 model year.

Review: We Go Hands-Free In A 2022 Lexus LS 500h Prototype With Teammate

This has left the brands without a proper rival to GM’s Super Cruise, Ford’s Blue Cruise, and Stellantis’ Hands-Free Active Driving Assist. Besides competition from the Big Three, there’s Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist, Mercedes’ MB.Drive Assist Pro, Tesla’s FSD, Rivian’s Autonomy+, and BMW’s Highway Assistant.

That’s a pretty extensive list and the absence of a competing system from Toyota and Lexus is a glaring omission. That problem will likely get even worse over time.

The redesigned ES has the Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 suite of driver assistance systems, which includes relatively basic features such as adaptive cruise control and lane centering. Higher-end variants have Traffic Jam Assist and Lane Change Assist, but they’re a far cry from a proper hands-free driving system.

While it might be excusable for the $48,895 ES to eschew a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system, you won’t find one on the LX either and that starts at $108,550 and climbs to $142,950 in Ultra Luxury guise. Despite the hefty price tag, the luxury SUV has an older Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 that eschews Lane Change Assist.

For comparison, the Cadillac Escalade starts at $91,100 and can be equipped with Super Cruise for an additional $3,000. The $92,745 Lincoln Navigator comes standard with Blue Cruise, while the $112,195 Infiniti QX80 Autograph has ProPILOT Assist 2.1.

With all that being said, are Toyota and Lexus making a mistake by not embracing autonomous driving technology? Furthermore, would the lack of a system encourage you to shop competitors that offer hands-free driving tech?

• Hong Kong is considering banning EVs with only electronic door handles.
• China will require manual door releases on all new cars from 2027.
• Officials say physical handles improve safety after crashes or power failures.

Electronic door handles have become one of the defining design trends of the EV era. They look futuristic, shave a bit of drag off the bodywork, and give cars like the Tesla Model S and Model Y their clean, button-free profiles. But now, Hong Kong is signaling it’s ready to follow China’s lead and shut the door on them.

Specifically, officials there say they’re preparing to ban new EVs equipped solely with electronic door handles. The move comes not long after mainland China’s decision to require physical mechanical releases on all new vehicles beginning in 2027. While Hong Kong is part of China, it maintains its own vehicle regulations and legal framework under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, meaning those rules don’t automatically apply there.

Read: China Is Banning Tesla-Style Door Handles

According to the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said the government is reviewing the mainland’s newly published GB 48001-2026 standard, which focuses specifically on automotive door-handle safety.

Chan said the Transport Department has already consulted the industry about adopting similar local standards and reminded importers last year that all vehicles must include manual door releases. Somewhat perplexingly, it only applies to EVs, so combustion cars can continue on with hide-away or electric handles.

That said, the EV door handle rule would require both interior and exterior mechanical door handles on future vehicles. The reasoning is simple after you’ve seen videos of EVs catching on fire quickly. Electronic systems can fail after a crash, during a fire, or if a vehicle loses power, potentially trapping occupants inside or slowing emergency responders trying to get in.

Chan said the China’s standard specifically focuses on “addressing issues such as failure in operating door handles after accidents.”

In some vehicles, the emergency mechanical release is hidden, difficult to access, or works differently from what occupants expect in a panic situation. That’s become a bigger concern as automakers increasingly replace traditional hardware with powered systems. Some modern EVs don’t just use electronic exterior handles but also electronic interior door-open buttons, with backup releases tucked away in less intuitive locations.

Ringo Lee Yiu-pui of the Hong Kong, China Automobile Association added that first responders often still lack an exterior mechanical way to access the vehicle during emergencies. He also warned that sales staff frequently fail to explain how emergency releases actually work.

Interestingly, these regulations could very well have a worldwide ripple effect. Automakers rarely engineer market-specific door systems if they can avoid it, meaning these rules could eventually influence vehicles sold in Europe, North America, and elsewhere.

Credit: Geely/BYD

• Audi Tradition commissioned a recreation of 1935 record breaker.
• Original car hit nearly 203 mph on Italian public road in period.
• New 520-hp V16 evocation will run at this year’s Festival of Speed.

Audi has just revived one of its craziest pre-war machines from the days when it was locked in a speed battle with Mercedes’ Silver Arrows, and there were no spoilsport speed limiters to get in the way.

It’s called Lucca, named after a town in Italy close to the site where a specially clothed version of Auto Union’s Type A racer achieved an incredible 203 mph (327 kmh), toppling the 197mph (317 kmh) record set previously by Rudolf Caracciola in a Benz several months earlier.

Related: Audi’s 1995 TTS Concept Finally Exists, And Audi Had Nothing To Do With It

Those are still big numbers today – a 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S tops out at 200 mph (322 kmh) – but back in 1935, when the average car struggled to hit 50 mph (80 kmh), they must have seemed mind-blowing, and so would the 338 hp (343 PS) output of the massive 5.0-liter, 16-cylinder engine.

No one knows what happened to the original car, but we do know that many Auto Union competition vehicles disappeared behind the Iron Curtain into communist Russia during the war, never to be seen again. So it fell to UK classic motorsport specialists Crossthwaite and Gardiner to recreate Lucca from scratch, just as they’d done before on other projects like the Type 52 for Audi Tradition, the heritage division of the German carmaker.

And this wasn’t a case of scanning some old blueprints into modern CAD software and pressing GO. C&G had some documents from Audi’s vaults, but relied heavily on a series of original photographs during the three-year build process.

The result is spectacular, even by modern hypercar standards. The body looks sculpted by the wind itself, with covered wheels, a smooth canopy, and a tail that tapers into a sharp point. Most road car designs didn’t really fully embrace aerodynamic science until the 1980s, but every fraction of a Cd counted when you were on a mission to take a speed record in the 1930s.

Although the finished car is very close to the original, the build does incorporate a few subtle changes using parts and design ideas adapted from later Auto Unions. There’s an improved ventilation system to prevent the body from getting too hot, something Auto Union’s engineers introduced at the AVUS race in Berlin in May 1935, for example, and an upgraded engine to 6.0-liters and 513 hp (520 PS) for improved reliability. That’s a great excuse we can all feed our significant others the next time they ask why we’re blowing $3,000 on a hybrid turbo or some throttle bodies.

In theory, then, the 960 kg (2,116 lbs) Lucca should be faster than ever, though Audi has no plans to find out. But it will be putting the silver one-off through its paces at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

• Brembo’s Sensify braking system has gone into production.
• It replaces hydraulics with electric actuators and software.
• System is coming to “hundreds of thousands” of vehicles soon.

Braking technology hasn’t changed much in the past few decades until now. Brembo has put their ground-breaking Sensify system into large-scale production. It will be used by an undisclosed automaker, which is simply being described as a “global leading manufacturer” at this point.

Brembo is keeping details under wraps, but said Sensify sets a “new standard in intelligent braking” and will come standard on the mystery model. It uses a “fluid-free architecture” and eschews the hydraulics that have been a mainstay of braking systems for over a century.

More: Brembo Buys Suspension Specialist Öhlins In $405 Million Deal

Instead, Sensify is an electromechanical braking system that leans on state-of-the-art hardware and software. This allows for “accurate and continuous modulation of braking forces, supporting stable and controlled vehicle behavior in complex and highly variable driving conditions.”

Sensify technology can independently apply braking force to individual wheels. This stands in contrast to traditional braking systems, which apply the same pressure to all four wheels simultaneously.

Instead of hydraulics, the system uses electric signals and actuators to control braking. As a result, it combines familiar braking components – such as calipers and discs – with software, algorithms, and electrical actuators that apply pressure as needed.

Brembo says the system provides a number of benefits, including less maintenance as you don’t have to worry about fluid changes or leaks. The company added, “Even on seemingly uniform roads, the level of grip between the tires and the asphalt is not always evenly distributed across all four wheels. For this reason, controlling the braking action on each wheel, as Sensify does, not only allows for optimal use of the available grip, but also positively impacts vehicle stability and handling, preventing yaw or, when cornering, the classic understeer under braking.”

We can expect to learn more once the mystery model is introduced, but Brembo noted other vehicles are also on the horizon. This means “hundreds of thousands of vehicles per year” will have a Sensify braking system in the not-too-distant future.

• Lego has launched a new 292-piece model of the F&F Toyota Supra.
• A more complex Lego Technic model is also available for $59.99.
• One of the sets includes a tiny model of Brian O’Conner.

The bright orange Toyota Supra that the late Paul Walker drove in the original Fast and Furious is one of the most recognizable cars in movie history, and Lego has finally given fans a way to park one on the shelf.

A scale model of the legendary movie car has just been added to the Lego Speed Champions series and will be absolutely perfect for the F&F enthusiast in your life. You could argue that Lego is about 25 years late to this party. The kids who lined up for the first F&F in 2001 are now in their late thirties and forties, well past the age when parents are buying them brick sets. That said, there are still plenty of adults who enjoy Lego. Heck, I’m one of them.

Read: This Will Be The Last Fast & Furious Movie, For Real This Time. Probably

The Lego Speed Champions model features 292 pieces and is available directly from Lego for $29.99. It does a good job of replicating the legendary paint scheme of the film car, including the green side graphics that were so prevalent during this era of car tuning.

The scale model also includes a tiny figurine of Brian O’Conner himself and offers an open-top experience for the little guy. See-through panels at the rear reveal a pair of orange-and-blue NOS bottles, much like the ones found in the real F&F car.

Lego Technic’s Model

For those looking for something a little more advanced, a Lego Technic version of the Fast and Furious Supra is also available. It’s a little more expensive at $59.99 and includes 810 pieces.

Included in this model is an opening hood that reveals a tiny replica of the Supra’s legendary 2JZ straight-six engine. A black knob protruding from the roof can be used to control steering. It’s also possible to open the doors and the rear hatch, which is fitted with a pair of NOS bottles.

• Chrysler is already lowering prices for the 2027 Pacifica lineup.
• Just a month after its debut, some trims are cheaper by up to $2,060.
• Even after the cuts, the minivan still costs more than the old Voyager.

Following its debut at the New York Auto Show, Chrysler has announced reduced pricing for the 2027 Pacifica. The facelifted minivan starts at $41,495 before a $1,995 destination charge.

That’s the same as originally announced in April, but it’s a $100 increase over the recently discontinued Voyager LX. It’s also worth noting the model eschews both the 2021 and 2027 facelifts as it looks straight out of 2017.

More: Chrysler Could Put The Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept Into Production

Like most consumers, we’ll ignore it and move onto the Pacifica Select that begins at $43,545. This version was originally slated to start at $44,545, which was $100 more than the 2026 model that started at $44,445.

Math gymnastics aside, Select and above trims adopt an all-new front fascia with an illuminated grille as well as vertical LED headlights. Buyers will also find an updated rear light bar appliqué and the brand’s new logo.

Besides the light refresh, the minivan comes with an acoustic windshield, power sliding doors, and a power liftgate. They’re joined by rain-sensing wipers and 17- or 18-inch wheels.

The interior feels like a step back in time as there are analog gauges that are separated by a 7-inch cluster display. The model also sports a relatively small 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system.

Other highlights include heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an eight-way power driver seat. Buyers will also find Caprice leatherette upholstery, second-row Stow ’n Go bucket seats, and a Stow ’n Go third-row bench.

Rounding out the highlights are an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a tri-zone automatic climate control system, and second-row sunshades. The Select also has a six-speaker audio system and a universal garage door opener.

An assortment of driver assistance systems come standard including Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Lane Departure Warning, and Blind-Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path detection. The model also has Automatic Emergency Braking and ParkSense rear.

Pacifica Limited

The Pacifica Limited begins at $47,995, which is $1,710 less than the original starting price of $49,705 and $1,610 less than the 2026 model. It sports a new height-adjustable power liftgate as well as additional equipment including power-folding side mirrors, a dual-pane panoramic roof, and standard 18-inch wheels.

The cabin gets a notable upgrade thanks to heated and ventilated Nappa leather front seats, heated second-row seats, and a premium console. Other niceties include additional lighting, GPS navigation, and a 13-speaker Alpine premium audio system.

Pacifica Pinnacle

Last but not least, the range-topping Pinnacle trim begins at $54,910. That’s the same price as originally announced, but a considerable savings over the 2026 model that started at $56,095.

It sports a lightly revised exterior with chrome accents, 20-inch wheels, and hands-free power-sliding doors. Bigger changes occur inside thanks to the addition of quilted sepia Nappa leather seats, an ultra console, and an integrated vacuum cleaner. The model also sports second-row captain’s chairs and a power-folding third-row.

The upgrades don’t end there as the luxurious minivan has second-row lumbar pillows and sunshades in the back two rows. They’re accompanied by a 115-volt outlet and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

Chrysler also throws in a handful of additional driver assistance systems including turn signal-activated blind-spot view and front/rear ParkSense assist with stop. Other extras include a 360-degree surround view camera system and “camera activation” technology, which detects objects and automatically shows the camera view containing them.

Regardless of which trim is selected, all Pacificas have a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 pumping out 287 hp (214 kW / 291 PS) and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque. It’s connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission, which can be paired to an optional all-wheel drive system.

The 2027 Pacifica is now shipping to dealers and Chrysler CEO Matt McAlear said its new lower pricing will help make the minivan a trusted member of the family.

2027 Chrysler Pacifica Pricing

Trim Original Price Price Decrease  New MSRP  LX FWD $41,495 – $41,495   Select FWD $44,545 $1,000 $43,545  Select AWD $47,890 $1,350 $46,540  Limited FWD  $49,705 $1,710 $47,995 Limited AWD $53,050 $2,060 $50,990   Pinnacle FWD  $54,910 – $54,910  Pinnacle AWD $58,255 $350 $57,905 

Prices exclude a $1,995 destination charge

• A Connecticut judge rejected diversion for the rider in the case.
• Prosecutors say 88 posted clips showed speeds from 100 to 200 mph.
• His channel still shows risky public-road riding after the arrest.

Just over a year ago, we told you about a motorcyclist busted by police for allegedly going 190 mph on the highway. Officers didn’t catch him in the act; they used the evidence he posted of his offenses on YouTube. We couldn’t confirm for sure that the individual was Brice Bennett of the S1KRocket channel. Now, we know it was him and that a judge just denied him a chance at a lenient penalty.

According to prosecutors, 22-year-old Bennett allegedly spent years filming and uploading videos of himself racing through Connecticut traffic at triple-digit speeds. Authorities claim some clips showed the bike traveling beyond 180 mph and even touching 200 mph on public roads.

Read: Police Troll Biker Who Filmed His Own 130 MPH Chase

The case became part of NBC Connecticut’s “Reckless On Our Roads” investigation after state police reportedly tracked Bennett through dozens of videos posted online. Prosecutors told the court he uploaded 88 separate clips showing dangerous riding behavior and monetized at least some of the content through YouTube.

“That bike was being operated at speeds from 100 to 200 miles an hour in any given video,” assistant state’s attorney Owen Kivela said during proceedings.

Bennett’s attorney argued that the arrest fundamentally changed his behavior. Since being charged, he reportedly completed driver education courses, attended therapy, and moved to Tennessee. He also apologized directly to the court, calling his actions “incredibly stupid.”

Of course, he continues to run the channel where he often features, some might even say glorifies, what appears to be reckless riding on public roads around everyday traffic.

Superior Court Judge Paul Doyle ultimately ruled that accelerated rehabilitation, Connecticut’s diversionary program for first-time offenders, was not appropriate because of the sheer scale and repetition of the alleged conduct. “The court just finds the AR program… it cannot satisfy the terms of the AR program because of the quantity, the risk,” Doyle said.

For now, Bennett is awaiting another meeting with the judge to discuss a plea agreement. His latest videos feature a speedometer that has stickers on it, which makes it impossible to see. Covering the speedometer may make the exact number harder to read at a glance, but it doesn’t necessarily make the riding impossible to analyze.

Internet investigators and law enforcement agencies have increasingly used roadside landmarks, lane markings, sign spacing, and timing calculations to estimate vehicle speeds from video footage. Whether he realizes it or not, Bennett might be posting additional evidence against himself with every upload.

• Maybach confirms strong US interest for its V12 powertrain.
• The flagship Mercedes-Maybach S680 delivers 621 hp.
• Europe doesn’t get the V12 anymore due to regulations.

Maybach is making it clear that the twelve-cylinder engine isn’t going anywhere in the U.S., even as the rest of the industry races toward electrification and downsizing. The heavily revised Mercedes-Maybach S-Class sedan lost its V12 option in Europe with the latest update, but North America, China, Japan, South Korea, and the Middle East all keep the flagship powerplant on the menu.

More: Maybach Is Building The Ultra-Luxury Vehicle Rolls-Royce Will Never Make

Maybach boss Markus Bauer addressed the strategy at a media roundtable tied to the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, a film in which the brand’s vehicles play a prominent supporting role. Bauer told reporters he’s pleased Maybach can keep offering the twelve in what he called the “strongest V12 market” in the world, which is the United States.

As reported by Road and Track, Bauer explained the buyer math behind the decision. Once a Maybach customer wants a V12, it is “hard to convince them to buy a V8”. He also admitted that the V12 and Maybach “go very well together”, adding that their ambition is “always to offer the V12”.

The Geographic Split

One might assume emissions regulations are what finally killed the V12 in Europe, but that’s only part of the story. Bauer acknowledged that European customers simply aren’t as fixated on cylinder count, with demand running well below what Maybach sees in North America.

More: Mercedes-AMG Is Bringing Back The Noise, The Drama, And The V8

The twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine continues to power the flagship Maybach S680 in many markets around the world, delivering as much as 621 hp (463 kW / 630 PS) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque in North America.

In regions with stricter emission regulations in place, the company offers a 603 hp (450 kW / 612 PS) version of the V12. The European-spec S680 matches this exact output, albeit with a mild-hybrid V8.

The lineup of the luxury sedan also includes the S580, which is fitted with a less powerful version of the mild-hybrid twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. Finally, the S580e has a plug-in hybrid system centered around a turbo 3.0-liter inline six engine.

• Nissan continues its cost cutting mission, this time in Europe.
• Reports suggest that around 900 people could soon be out of a job.
• The company is also cutting one production line in the UK.

Nissan is trying to get back on solid financial footing and this has seen the automaker make a series of steep cuts. Factory closures have been a part of this as the automaker tries to reduce excess capacity.

The cuts are now spreading to Europe as the Financial Times is reporting the automaker will slash its workforce on the continent by approximately 10%. This means roughly 900 employees could find themselves without a job.

More: Nissan Shutting Down Another Plant, Ending Infiniti SUV Production

Details are hazy, but the publication said a parts warehouse in Barcelona will be downsized, while the automaker will also “restructure its distribution operations in Nordic markets.” White collar jobs are also believed to be on the chopping block in the United Kingdom.

Sticking in the UK, the company’s Sunderland plant will reportedly be reduced to one line. This isn’t terribly surprising as the facility is said to be running at 50% capacity, so it doesn’t make much sense to have two lines running.

The future of the second line remains up in the air, but previous reports have indicated Nissan is talking to Chinese automakers – including Chery – about using part of the plant. The company acknowledged this possibility as they told the publication they’re exploring “opportunities with third parties to maximize plant utilization.”

The Japanese firm went on to say the overall efforts are “essential to protect Nissan’s future in Europe, safeguard jobs in the long term, and ensure we can profitably compete in Europe.”

Through the first four months of the year, Nissan has only managed to sell 28,389 vehicles in the United Kingdom. That’s down 13.3% from last year and the automaker is barely beating Chinese rivals BYD (26,396) and Jaecoo (22,789).

• Finalists for the truck’s name include Orca, Outrider, and Bushwalker.
• Whoever guesses the winning name will get the first example of the ute.
• Chery’s truck launches first as a diesel plug-in hybrid with a 2.5-liter four.

Chery is taking the fight to BYD, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu, and others with its new mid-size pickup truck, previewed earlier this year. The show car was known as the KP31, but that codename is changing for production, and the automaker has whittled down a long list of potential names to a shortlist of nine.

After opening submissions to Australian fans in recent weeks, Chery received more than 20,000 entries. Ultimately, those on the shortlist have been selected because they all have links to Australia, though some are stronger than others.

Read: The Chinese Pickup Taking On Ford’s Ranger Just Got An Interior Worth Talking About

The first name is Outrider, apparently in reference to someone who rides out to scout unknown territory. Another name is Orca, also known as the killer whale to many. Other names include Ironbark, inspired by local eucalyptus trees, Bushwalker, Stockman, Longreach, and Ridgeback.

Another name shortlisted is Terra, which would work well for a vehicle like Chery’s rugged pickup truck. However, that name is already reserved for Scout’s pickup truck, which is due to arrive as a 2028 model and may be offered in Australia. The last finalist is Mate, a popular Aussie term, but not one we’re sure works particularly well for a pickup truck’s name.

What Can We Expect From The New Chery?

Fans can now vote on their favorite of these names. The person who originally submitted the winning name will be handed the keys to the very first Chery pickup when it lands on local shores later this year.

Chery has confirmed the model will initially hit the market as a plug-in hybrid diesel with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Although power figures are being kept under wraps, Chery says the model will have a towing capacity of 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) and a payload of up to 1,000 kg (2,204 lbs). A petrol-powered plug-in hybrid will be added to the range at a later date.

• The 2027 Rezvani Fortress will be unveiled next month.
• It’s an off-road focused pickup that offers optional armoring.
• Model has a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 producing up to 850 hp.

Rezvani Motors has teased their all-new Fortress, which is being billed as a tactical truck “engineered to deliver uncompromising utility, maximum security, and world-class off-road capability.” It debuts next month and could be based on the Ford F-150 Raptor R.

The company isn’t saying much at this point, but teaser images suggest the model will have an aggressive front end that echoes the Vengeance. As you can see, the truck sports a bulging ventilated hood and three slender lights. They’re joined by a roof-mounted light bar and meaty tires that extend beyond the fenders.

More: Rezvani’s Armored Escalade Is Built For The End Of The World And Dressed For Dinner

Moving down the sides, the angular bodywork looks like the result of a drunken one night stand between a Chevrolet Avalanche and Tesla Cybertruck. We can also see a 5.5 foot bed and linear LED taillights, which give off a Lamborghini vibe.

Powertrain details remain scarce, but Rezvani mentioned a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine producing up to 850 hp (634 kW / 862 PS). That would be a sizable increase over the F-150 Raptor R, which already develops 720 hp (537 kW / 730 PS) and 640 lb-ft (867 Nm) of torque. However, Ford Performance has already shown the engine is capable of producing over 900 hp (671 kW / 913 PS) by adding their 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger kit.

Buyers will also find four-wheel drive as well as an assortment of options including armoring as well as “advanced security and protection features.” The company is currently accepting reservations for a $500 deposit, but it’s worth noting the model will likely cost at least $200,000.

• Audi’s next RS6 crashed during testing at the Nurburgring.
• Prototype understeered into a tire barrier on a right-hand corner.
• A 771-hp plug-in V8 from Bentley remains a real possibility.

Audi Sport models have come a long way in recent years, largely banishing their reputation for understeer thanks to the advanced rear torque splitter first introduced in the 2022 RS3. One of the company’s most exciting new models will be the next RS6, but it looks like some extra work is needed to get rid of the tendency to push wide during hard cornering.

Several prototypes of the new RS6 have been spotted out and about in recent months, including at the Nurburgring. While very few owners of the new RS6 will ever take their cars to a track, the circuit provides Audi with the perfect place to iron out any issues before releasing it to the public.

Read: Audi’s New RS6 Could Steal Its V8 From A Very Different Brand

During the most recent round of testing, a test driver pushed the car a little too hard, understeering around a right-hand corner and smashing into a tire barrier. Fortunately, the tires appear to have cushioned some of the impact, but some suspension damage was likely done to the car. Shortly after the impact, the driver can be seen talking on his handheld radio, no doubt informing the Audi team of his embarrassing faux pas.  

While it’d be easy to point fingers and laugh at the crash as being triggered by the kind of understeer Audi models of old experienced, it’s impossible to know if Audi was testing certain systems at the time that may have impacted the car’s handling. Based on early reports on how the latest-generation RS5 handles, we are confident that any understeer gremlins will be sorted before the car hits the market.

What Powers It?

Technical specifications remain uncertain, and it’s not yet known if Audi will downsize the RS6 from a V8 to a V6, potentially using the same plug-in hybrid 2.9-liter as the RS5. A more exciting proposition is for it to use the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 plug-in hybrid as the Bentley Continental GT Speed, currently rated at 771 hp and 738 lb-ft, giving the car more than enough grunt to rival the BMW M5.

The drop was driven largely by weaker SUV demand across much of the lineup. The CX-90 fell 39.2 percent in April, while the CX-70 dropped 42.6 percent. The CX-30 was down 35 percent, and the CX-5 declined 18.9 percent. There were a few exceptions. The CX-50 posted a 5.8 percent gain and recorded its best April for hybrid sales. Certified pre-owned sales also increased 3.3 percent compared to last year.

Ultimately, though, it’s cars that are giving Mazda the best performance so far. The Mazda3 is down 0.3 percent for the year but managed to stay perfectly flat for April. The MX-5 Miata is the real success story, though. While it’s down 9.9 percent year over year through the first four months, it was up 60 percent in April. That includes a 44.8 percent bump for the soft top and a whopping 81 percent increase in RF sales.

It’s a small-volume win in the context of Mazda’s overall business, but it stands out given the direction of everything else. The Miata remains one of the few vehicles in the segment that prioritizes low weight, rear-wheel drive, and a manual-first driving experience. These are attributes that continue to resonate with a specific group of buyers.

Zoom out, and April’s results highlight a split within Mazda’s lineup. The vehicles responsible for most of the brand’s volume are under pressure, while one of its most niche products is growing at a rapid pace. Other manufacturers, like Ford, have seen the same sort of start to the year with its performance car, the Mustang, looking a lot healthier than just about everything else.

Month-To-Date Year-To-Date April April YOY % % MTD April April YOY % % MTD 2026 2025 Change DSR 2026 2025 Change DSR Mazda3 3,235 3,236 (0.0) % (0.0) % 12,544 12,587 (0.3) % 1.6 % Mazda 3 Sdn 2,086 2,377 (12.2) % (12.2) % 6953 9,083 (23.5) % (21.9) % Mazda 3 HB 1,149 859 33.8 % 33.8 % 5591 3,504 59.6 % 62.7 % Mazda6 0 0 – – 0 0 – – MX-5 Miata 1,163 727 60.0 % 60.0 % 2,858 3,173 (9.9) % (8.1) % MX-5  611 422 44.8 % 44.8 % 1358 1,568 (13.4) % (11.7) % MXR 552 305 81.0 % 81.0 % 1500 1,605 (6.5) % (4.7) % CX-3 – 0 – – – 0 – – CX-30 4,067 6,261 (35.0) % (35.0) % 11965 27,293 (56.2) % (55.3) % CX-5 10,206 12,590 (18.9) % (18.9) % 45198 47,000 (3.8) % (1.9) % CX-9 0 0 0.0 % 0.0 % 0 0 0.0 % 0.0 % CX-50 TTL 8,201 7,753 5.8 % 5.8 % 37,235 31,055 19.9 % 22.3 % MX-30 0 0 – – 0 0 0.0 % 0.0 % C70 650 1,256 (48.2) % (48.2) % 2660 4,752 (44.0) % (42.9) % C7P 320 435 (26.4) % (26.4) % 776 1,561 (50.3) % (49.3) % CX-70 TTL 970 1,691 (42.6) % (42.6) % 3436 6313 (45.6) % – CX-90 TTL 3,286 5,402 (39.2) % (39.2) % 12365 20555 (39.8) % (38.7) % CARS 4,398 3,963 11.0 % 11.0 % 15,402 15,760 (2.3) % (0.3) % TRUCKS 26,730 33,697 (20.7) % (20.7) % 110,199 132,216 (16.7) % (15.0) % TOTAL 31,128 37,660 (17.3) % (17.3) % 125,601 147,976 (15.1) % (13.4) % *Selling Days 26 26 101 103

• BMW plans EV and ICE M3 pricing parity despite massive performance gap.
• Electric version could hit 800-1,000 hp, gas model will make less than 600.
• Manual gearbox and RWD options may disappear from combustion M3.

BMW is about to do something unusual with its most famous sports sedan. When the next-generation M3 arrives, buyers will get two very different machines wearing essentially the same badge and, crucially, roughly the same price.

According to a new report, BMW intends to sell the electric and combustion M3 side by side in the same price bracket. That might sound straightforward, but it gets interesting once you look at what each version actually delivers.

Related: BMW’s Electric M3 Tries To Simulate Everything It Just Replaced

The electric M3 could deliver close to 1,000 hp (1,014 PS) from its quad-motor setup, though base models are likely to deliver 700-800 hp (710-811 PS) at launch. Meanwhile, the combustion model will stick with an evolved twin-turbo straight-six boosted by mild hybrid tech to somewhere around 552 hp (560 PS).

Visually, the two cars won’t stray far from each other either. BMW wants them to feel like siblings, not alternatives from different worlds. Expect shared design cues inspired by the Neue Klasse look, even though they’re based on entirely different platforms, the combustion car sticking with an updated version of today’s M3’s CLAR platform.

Panoramic iDrive

Inside, both should follow the same minimalist, screen-heavy direction. That means fewer physical buttons and a more digital-first cabin, incorporating BMW’s Panoramic iDrive tech, which may divide opinion just as much as the powertrain choices.

Combustion M3

Sylvia Neubauer, BMW M’s sales boss, is adamant that both cars will deliver what buyers expect. “It’s not only about acceleration and power, it’s about drivability, manoeuvrability and that level of trust and connection between the driver, car and road,” she told Autocar.

She also made it clear BMW knows not everyone will jump ship to electric overnight. “Obviously we will not convince 100 percent out of the petrolhead target group to buy an all electric BMW M3,” she admitted. “But out of 100 people that try it, we will be able to convince some.”

That explains why the combustion version isn’t going anywhere just yet, though some elements of it might be. Reports suggest the manual gearbox option, currently only available on the non-Competition version of the M3, might be retired. If that happens, even the petrol M3 edges further away from its analog roots.

• Rivian says the R2 costs about 50% less to build than the R1 lineup.
• Simplified design cuts parts count dramatically across key systems.
• R2’s smaller footprint and higher volume targets also reduce cost.

Rivian broke the mold by bringing the R1T, an electric pickup truck, to market before anyone else. Now, it’s trying to gain a far more stable foothold in the industry with its all-new R2. A new report sheds light on how Rivian cut costs but evidently not quality in this new SUV. According to the brand, it costs around half as much to build as the R1S despite keeping the performance and utility that fans love.

At the core of the R2’s cost-cutting approach is ruthless simplification. Rivian says its new zonal electrical architecture slashes wiring complexity, trimming 2.3 miles of harness length and reducing connectors by 60%. High-voltage cabling is down 70% thanks to consolidating multiple power modules into a single unit.

The same philosophy carries over to the powertrain. Rivian’s new “Maximus” drive unit uses 41% fewer parts than the Enduro units found in the R1 lineup. By integrating the inverter directly into the drive unit and even using its housing as a mounting structure, Rivian cuts both material cost and assembly time.

Read: Rivian Lost $416 Million Last Quarter And Just Bet Bigger On Georgia

According to InsideEVs, even the sensors got a rethink. Swapping ultrasonic sensors for corner radars yields a claimed 50% cost reduction, a move that reflects a broader trend toward fewer, more capable components. In theory, that could help Rivian reduce repair costs, a known concern for the brand.

The front suspension ditches the more complex double-wishbone setup used in the R1 for a simpler MacPherson strut design, cutting costs by 70%. Large die-cast sections reduce underbody part count by 90%, while rear doors shed 65% of their complexity.

There’s also a less glamorous but equally important factor: scale. When Rivian launched the R1T and R1S, it was a newcomer building expensive, low-volume vehicles. Now, with higher production targets in sight, it can negotiate better supplier pricing.

Something as basic as a windshield reportedly costs half as much on the R2 compared to the R1. Add in the fact that the R2 is simply smaller, and therefore uses fewer raw materials, and the math starts to make sense. At this point, all that’s left is to see how Rivian executes on production and sales.

• CHP handed out 11,767 speeding tickets in just one enforcement push.
• 200 drivers were caught exceeding 100 mph during the operation.
• California is doubling down on speed enforcement with harsher consequences.

If you drove through California last Monday with a heavy right foot, there’s a decent chance you’re now holding a ticket. The California Highway Patrol just wrapped a 24-hour Maximum Enforcement Period that produced 11,767 citations statewide, and 200 of those drivers were clocked above 100 mph (160 km/h), fast enough that they could lose their license before they ever see a courtroom.

Importantly, this wasn’t a small increase in patrols. The special enforcement window ran from 6 a.m. April 28 through 5:59 a.m. the following day, with officers saturating highways across the state. The most important violation, according to CHP, is speeding, and as such, it was one of the main things officers looked for during the day.

More: Florida Sheriff Preaching Zero Speed Tolerance Caught Speeding In Supercar

In total CHP reported 23,087 “enforcement actions,” with 19,564 citations issued. Let’s do a little math because the breakdown is kinda wild. That citation figure means that police issued 815 tickets every hour on average. Put another way, every minute of the day during the enforcement period, it issued 13.5 tickets on average. Of those 19,564 tickets, 11,567 were for speeding at under 100 mph (160 km/h).

That’s 481.9 tickets on average every hour for speeding or eight tickets every minute. Thankfully, those citations dwarf the 200 folks caught allegedly going over 100 mph. Each and every one of those folks could end up losing their license, and they won’t necessarily need to go to court to see that happen either. A new law in the state allows the DMV to revoke licenses in cases of extreme speed or reckless driving.

CHP urges drivers to slow down to avoid tickets and worse consequences. No doubt, higher speeds reduce reaction time, increase forces, and make slowing to a stop all the more difficult. Speeding also happens to be one of the easiest things police enforce since it’s a simple black and white yes or no to whether a driver was above or below the limit itself. That helps explain why CHP didn’t emphasize other safety dangers like reckless driving, driving too slow for conditions, or tailgating.

• Sales for four major automakers in the US dropped 3.8 percent last month.
• Kia’s sales slipped 3 percent in April, but are up 2 percent year-to-date.
• Sales at Mazda plummeted 17.3% in April, while Lexus’s were down 19.9%.

Several major car manufacturers, including Hyundai, Kia, Honda, and Toyota, reported year-over-year sales declines in April in the US compared to the spike experienced this time last year, before the Trump administration’s controversial ‘reciprocal’ tariffs were announced.

At Hyundai, sales slipped 2 percent, from 81,503 in April 2025 to 80,157 in April 2026. Year-to-date, its sales remain slightly in the green, sitting at 285,545 compared to 285,057. Sales of new Kia models were down 3 percent from 74,805 last April to 72,703 this year. Despite this fall, sales through the first four months of the year are up 2 percent to 279,718, a new year-to-date sales record for the brand.

Read: US Auto Sales On Track To Fall 6.3% In Q1, With One Detroit Brand Posting The Ugliest Numbers

Models performing well for Hyundai included the Elantra, with April sales up 13 percent to 14,778, as well as the Palisade (+8 percent), the Sonata (+18 percent), and the Venue (+6 percent). Vehicles that experienced a significant dip in sales included the Ioniq 6, down 82 percent; the Kona, down 15 percent; and the Santa Cruz and Santa Fe, down 24 percent and 27 percent, respectively.

For Kia, the EV9 was a standout with April sales rising from just 232 last year to 1,349 this year. Sales of the K5 also rose to 6,537 units, Seltos sales jumped from 4,051 to 5,335, and the Telluride rose from 10,860 to 12,577.

Industry Impacts

At American Honda, including the Acura and Honda brands, April sales slipped 0.2 percent to 137,405. This was triggered by a 15.6 percent decline in Acura sales, which fell from 14,019 to 11,834.

Things were particularly bad for Mazda, with its April sales slipping 17.3 percent from 37,660 to 31,128. Subaru sales also declined 5.9 percent to 52,733, Lexus sales dropped 19.9 percent to 28,187, and Toyota sales fell 1.8 percent to 194,191. Combined, total sales from American Honda, Hyundai-Kia, Mazda, Subaru, and Toyota were down 3.8 percent to 602,860.

• Skoda has teased the interior of the fully electric Epiq crossover.
• It sports a 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 13-inch display.
• The affordable model debuts May 19 and will have three powertrains.

Skoda has teased the interior of the all-new Epiq and revealed the crossover will be unveiled on May 19. Billed as the “first series-production model to fully implement all aspects of the Modern Solid design language,” the cabin embraces a horizontal architecture as well as a minimalistic aesthetic. While few details were shared, we can see a tiered dashboard with an upholstered lower section as well as rectangular air vents.

More: Skoda’s Smallest EV Has One Big-Car Surprise

Drivers sit behind a two-spoke steering wheel and find themselves looking at a hexagonal 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It’s joined by a freestanding infotainment system that spans 13 inches.

Beneath the large screen is slender air vents and a row of “haptic shortcuts,” which resemble buttons. The model also sports an open storage compartment, which has a wireless smartphone charger in the center.

Rounding out the highlights are a slender center console and an ambient lighting system, which creates a “welcoming, cozy atmosphere.” Skoda also noted the model will incorporate sustainable materials including “100% recycled PES for the seat textiles.”

The cargo compartment holds 16.8 cubic feet (475 liters) of luggage, but that can be expanded to 47.5 cubic feet (1,344 liters) by folding the rear seats down.

Three Powertrains And Up To 267 Miles Of Range

Like the Cupra Raval and Volkswagen ID. Polo, the model rides on the MEB+ platform. The entry-level Epiq 35 has a 38.5 kWh battery pack that feeds a front-mounted motor developing 114 hp (85 kW / 116 PS) and 197 lb-ft (267 Nm) of torque. It enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in a leisurely 11 seconds and have a range of 196 miles (315 km).

The mid-level Epiq 40 has the same LFP battery and range as the 35, but sports a more powerful motor developing 133 hp (99 kW / 135 PS) and 197 lb-ft (267 Nm) of torque. Thanks to the extra oomph, the dash to 62 mph (100 km/h) falls to 9.8 seconds.

The range-topping Epiq 55 is notable for featuring a larger 55 kWh NMC battery pack as well as a beefier motor producing 208 hp (155 kW / 211 PS) and 214 lb-ft (290 Nm) of torque. 62 mph (100 km/h) comes in 7.4 seconds, while the top speed of 99 mph (160 km/h) is 6 mph (10 km/h) faster than the other variants. Drivers can also expect to travel up to 267 miles (430 km) between charges.

Production will be handled in Spain, and Skoda has previously indicated pricing will open around €26,000 ($30,400), or about the same as its Kamiq gasoline equivalent.

• Acura and Honda are extending the lifecycles of several vehicles.
• A number of popular models won’t be redesigned until next decade.
• Move comes after automaker lost billions betting on electric vehicles.

Honda’s big bet on electric vehicles was a bust and the company ended up killing an assortment of models at the last minute. Among the casualties was the Acura RSX, Afeela 1, and Honda 0 sedan and SUV.

As part of the bloodbath, Honda took a 2.5 trillion yen ($15.9 billion) hit. That’s a staggering figure and the automaker is scrambling to find ways to save money.

More: Honda’s EV Pivot Just Wiped Out The Entire Afeela Brand

They’ve found one surefire way to do it, but consumers won’t like it as the company will extend the lifecycle of several popular models. According to a supplier memo seen by Automotive News, the next-generation Odyssey minivan has been pushed back at least three years and is now scheduled to arrive in March of 2030.

The current Accord is also sticking around for an extra year and will be produced through March of 2030. The document didn’t mention the next-generation sedan, but the publication suggested it could go hybrid-only.

The HR-V, which was Honda’s second best-selling crossover last month, will stick around in its current form for at least two additional years. This means the fourth-generation model might not arrive until 2032.

Acura’s Ghost Town

Acura is already in bad shape as the TLX and ZDX are dead, while the RDX will be going on a temporary hiatus. The company is now pouring salt in those wounds by extending the runs of the current Integra and MDX.

The former will stick around until at least March of 2032. The model will be nearly a decade old at that point, suggesting it will mirror the ILX. That’s not exactly a formula you want to replicate as that sedan got stale despite multiple facelifts.

Likewise, the next-generation MDX has been pushed back to early 2031. It will be a decade old at that point, which is risky considering the crossover is Acura’s best-seller by a wide margin.

Honda spokesperson Jessica Fini confirmed the authenticity of the letter in a statement to the publication and said the company is “very confident in our future product strategy, including our previously announced plans to advance our award-winning hybrid technology to more models.”

• Mazda has filed a U.S. trademark for a new model called the CX-40.
• A CX-40 would slot between the existing CX-30 and the larger CX-50.
• It has separately trademarked CX-10, hinting at a much smaller SUV.

If you thought Mazda’s crossover lineup was already a numerical maze, brace yourself. A fresh trademark filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office shows the brand has staked a claim to the CX-40 name. Shockingly, it may even be working on additional models like the CX-10 and CX-20.

In the US, Mazda already sells several SUVs, including the CX-30, CX-5, CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90, while in other markets it also offers the CX-3, CX-6e, CX-60, and CX-80. Most of them look very similar, and it can be difficult to differentiate one from the other. Evidently, Mazda appears to be doubling down on its strategy of offering a different SUV in every conceivable niche.

Read: A Fresh Face Is Coming To Replace Mazda’s Aging Small SUV

The recent filing for CX-40 with the US Patent and Trademark Office was registered on February 27 and spotted by Autoblog. It’s safe to presume that a model with this nameplate would slot between the CX-30 and the CX-5 / CX-50, although it’s unclear what platform it would be based on and which engines it would borrow from other Mazda models.

An SUV Coupe?

One possibility would be for it to adopt a lower profile and roofline, similar to the old CX-4 that Mazda introduced in 2016 exclusively for the Chinese market. That vehicle looked like an intriguing cross between an SUV and an estate, and there’s certainly room in Mazda’s current line-up for a vehicle like this.

This might not be the only new SUV Mazda is working on. The brand has also filed to trademark the CX-10 nameplate, which could conceivably be used by a pint-sized model, perhaps similar in scale to the Hyundai Casper Electric, also known as the Inster in some markets. Mazda also trademarked the CX-20 badge back in 2020 and is hard at work on this new model, developing it as a successor to the aging CX-3.

• South Carolina drivers may soon face deductibles for windshield repairs.
• New bill would also bar insurers from using income or race in setting rates.
• These changes could begin January 1, 2027, affecting the insurance market.

A quirk of South Carolina insurance law that has saved drivers a lot of money over the years is on the chopping block. The state is one of just three in the country, alongside Florida and Kentucky, where insurers are barred from applying a deductible to windshield claims, which means a cracked or shattered windshield gets repaired or replaced at no out-of-pocket cost to the policyholder. That arrangement could soon end.

A handful of other states including Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York require insurers to offer optional zero-deductible glass coverage, but they don’t mandate it the way SC, FL, and KY do.

There’s now a new insurance bill moving through the South Carolina General Assembly that would keep this system in place through December 31, but change it starting January 1, 2027. After that date, insurers would no longer be required to automatically offer zero-deductible windshield coverage, and could instead make it optional.

Read: He Braked Hard Once, Then His Insurance Jumped $100 A Month

In practical terms, drivers may soon have to choose this coverage, and it may not come cheap. Insurers would likely use the policy shift to introduce a deductible for windshield repairs or replacements. As a result, the cost of fixing a damaged windshield could vary widely depending on the details of each policy.

As noted by U.S. Dep. Nancy Mace who is running for the Governor of South Carolina, “South Carolina drivers will likely have to pay an extra premium to keep their zero-deductible windshield coverage, or they will be subject to their standard comprehensive deductible (often $500 or $1,000) when a rock, from the large 18-wheelers or bad road conditions (not your fault) cracks your windshield.”

This Isn’t The Only Change

As reported by WLTX,the bill has passed the House and now moves to the Senate. In addition to the Insurance Rate Reduction and Policyholder Protection Act (H.4817), which addresses vehicle windshield coverage, it includes provisions related to roof contractors and wider insurance fraud across the industry.

The bill also aims to prevent insurers from raising rates or canceling coverage after an accident unless the driver is found at fault. It would further prohibit the use of income level, location within the state, and race when setting auto insurance rates or determining eligibility.

• Cupra is ditching bright colors to maintain a specific brand identity.
• Color palette of future models will include moody matte tones.
• Brand’s creative boss says they will leave reds and yellows to Ferrari.

There was a time when ordering a Cupra in a bright yellow felt like the whole point. Those days are over. The VW Group’s mainstream performance brand has decided its future cars will arrive only in a tightly curated palette of moodier shades, a move chosen to put more distance between Cupra and its Seat origins.

Before it became a standalone brand in 2018, Cupra used to be the go-to badge for sporty variants of Seat models. Early hot hatches based on the Ibiza and the Leon were offered in vibrant yellow shades that eventually became synonymous with the Cupra name.

Review: Cupra’s Top Terramar Is A More Exciting Tiguan That’s Slower Than The One Below It

However, the company has taken a different route in recent years, introducing copper accents as a signature trait and gradually transitioning to a more muted color palette.

No More Red And Yellow

Francesca Sangalli, Head of Color and Trim at Seat and Cupra, spoke to Autocar about their strategy: “Cupra is about neutral color with a twist, and this is why we give much more importance to matte finishes and the very oily treatment of color.”

More: Cupra’s Raval Rivals The Alpine A290, And Comes With A Trick Differential

A red or yellow Cupra, she confirmed, is not coming back. “We will leave that to Ferrari or other brands with strong colors. This is linked to their brand identity, but for us, this doesn’t fit”.

Buyer pushback does not appear to worry her. The thinking is that the people drawn to the brand are drawn to what the brand already is, and the restricted swatch book comes with the territory.

Almost Ready For The Switch

While the Terramar was launched with a Desire red option, the rest of the Cupra lineup is already consistent with the new rule. In fact, the Manganese Green Matte of the new Raval and the Dark Forest of the facelifted Born are among the few non-grayscale colors with sophisticated names.

More: Seat Just Gave Its Two Best Sellers A More Premium Glow Up

Seat, meanwhile, is doing the opposite. The refreshed Ibiza and Arona can be had in Liminar Red, Hypnotic Yellow, and Fiord Blue, the sort of names Cupra has now sworn off entirely.

Cupra is not alone in taking colour seriously as a strategic question. Fiat made its own announcement back in 2023, declaring it would stop selling grey cars in the interest of livelier roads.

• Chery’s latest model features electrically-driven propellers.
• On the road, the off-roader has 892 hp and 837 lb-ft of torque.
• The Jetour G700 features a 31.4 kWh CATL battery pack.

A couple of summers back, BYD’s YangWang division broke the internet by floating its U8 SUV across a body of water as if it were a pleasure craft. Now, fellow Chinese brand Jetour has shown that its new G700 can do just the same, and arguably in even more impressive fashion.

Jetour, one of the newer offshoots from Chery, did not stop at making the G700 buoyant. The amphibious version, sensibly named the Ark Edition, runs a modified powertrain that turns the SUV into something closer to a boat than a barge with delusions.

Read: The Chinese Pickup Taking On Ford’s Ranger Just Got An Interior Worth Talking About

When the G700 hits the water, the 2.0-liter turbocharged plug-in hybrid four-cylinder and two electric motors stop powering the wheels, and instead drive a set of propellers. It also includes an advanced gyroscopic stability system to ensure it remains level on the water, and was shown crossing the Yanqi Lake north of Beijing last week.

Seeing the big SUV cross the lake is quite a remarkable sight and exemplifies just how far some Chinese brands are pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible. Importantly, Jetour has only developed the G700’s water-wading capabilities for emergency use, such as crossing floodwaters, but we have little doubt that owners will be heading into water just for the fun of it.

How Much Power Does It Have?

The Jetour G700 is roughly the same size as a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series and will be exported to global markets. The standard model delivers an impressive 892 hp and 837 lb-ft (1,135 Nm) of torque, allowing it to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.6 seconds. Impressively, it also comes with three locking differentials, so it certainly has all the right ingredients to be a solid off-roader.

Also: American Influencers Are Reviewing Chinese Cars That Are Illegal To Own Here, And It’s Not By Accident

In addition, the G700 uses a sizeable 31.4 kWh CATL battery pack, providing an all-electric driving range of 150 km (93 miles). It’s possible to plug this battery in and charge it from 20-80 percent in 10 minutes.

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• Nearly new Wagoneer S changed hands for huge discount.
• 500 hp SUV sold for the price of a base, RWD Tesla Model Y.
• Jeep’s maiden EV skips MY26, returns in 2027 with upgrades.

We knew Jeep’s first American EV was having a tough time, but this is something else. A nearly new Wagoneer S Limited 4xe just sold on Bring a Trailer for $38,500 after covering only 91 miles (147 km). That’s roughly $30,000 below its original sticker, and a sharp reminder that EV depreciation can be brutal.

On paper, the deal looks fantastic. The Wagoneer S packs dual motors, all-wheel drive, and a factory-rated output of 500 hp (507 PS) and 524 lb-ft (710 Nm) of torque. The quoted 294-mile (473 km) range from the 100 kWh battery isn’t amazing, but it’s tolerable, and the tailpipe-free Wagoneer is roomy enough for family duty and loaded with kit, making the auction result look like bargain-hunter gold.

Related: Wagoneer S Lost 93% Of Its Buyers, And Gas Charger Outsold Its Electric Twin 7 To 1

This example was a Limited trim finished in white with Jeep’s Dark Appearance package. The Limited stickered at $67,195 including destination and before options, and this one came with a panoramic roof, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, surround-view cameras, adaptive cruise control, wireless smartphone mirroring, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and an Alpine nine-speaker audio system.

So it’s not exactly a stripped rental special, even if it is a rung below the 600 hp (608 PS), $72,195 Launch Edition.

So why the huge value crash? Because the Wagoneer S has struggled badly since launch. It arrived when automakers believed premium EV demand in America would keep climbing. Instead, the market cooled, incentives changed, and shoppers became more selective about price, charging access, and brand trust.

No More Tax Credits

The biggest blow came when the $7,500 federal EV tax credit disappeared last September. Before that, Jeep reportedly moved more than 10,000 Wagoneer S models across three quarters with the help of some big discounts. In the two quarters after the credit ended, sales fell to just 613 units.

Jeep’s response has been telling. The brand won’t build a 2026 Wagoneer S at all, instead skipping straight to a 2027 model. Stellantis says the pause will allow upgrades to battery performance, software, capability, and interior quality. It’ll also gain a NACS charging port for easier access to Tesla’s growing Supercharger network.

A better Wagoneer S is coming, but we still think whoever bought this one got an absolute bargain. If he can live with uncertain resale and a model facing reboot status, $38,500 bought him a barely driven 500-hp electric SUV with lots of equipment. That’s hard to ignore, even if the first owner probably wishes they had.

• Ontario banned the speed cameras shortly after the new processing center opened.
• Internal documents show the city may have paid millions above its own appraisal.
• The city insists the building can still serve other municipal functions going forward.

Years ago, the city of Brampton, Ontario, Canada, spent over CA$75 million or roughly US$55 million at current rates on a new facility to help manage speed cameras and process the tickets they write. There’s just one big problem: the province recently banned those same cameras. Now, not only does the city have a facility without a purpose, but it’s asking for another CA$27 million (US$20 million) for additional road safety measures.

That facility wasn’t some side project. It was built to support a massive expansion of Brampton’s automated speed enforcement program. The city scaled from about 50 cameras to 185, mainly in school zones, aiming to slow drivers and handle a surge of tickets in-house.

Read: Ontario Bans Speed Cameras And Pays For Bumps Instead

According to Insauga, the numbers suggest that it worked. Speeds dropped by an average of over 9 km/h (5.8 mph), with some areas seeing reductions exceeding 25 km/h (15.5 mph). But critics, including Doug Ford, argued the system was more about revenue than safety. The province ultimately agreed, moving to ban speed cameras just as Brampton’s new processing center came online.

Adding to the controversy, the city paid CA$77.9 million (US$57 million) for the property, well above one internal valuation, and far more than the CA$32.5 million (US$24 million ) it sold for just three years earlier. Now, with cameras sidelined, Brampton is pivoting toward speed bumps, new signage, and other costly alternatives.

In the past, we’ve covered how speed limits themselves aren’t the most effective way to control actual speed. Road design plays a much larger role than a number on a sign, regardless of how big it is. Who knows? Perhaps the creative ideas on the table will be more successful than they sound. As for the multi-million dollar building? Officials have an idea on that front as well.

Brampton South MPP Hardeep Grewal had some harsh words for those concerned about the costs of the building. After saying it’s now a real estate asset, he told the Brampton Guardian, “cover these costs by insisting that speed camera operators do so or by making use of the tens of millions of dollars that you have taken from hard-working people through these speed camera programs over the last several years.”

To its credit, the city is already pivoting. Officials say the building can support other municipal functions like IT services, recreation, and fleet storage. That said, none of this looks like a very well-organized situation. Hopefully other cities and states in North America can learn from this lesson rather than having to go through it themselves.

• The design mixes 1970s muscle cues with a sharp cyberpunk edge.
• It stands as the most powerful Jaguar EV yet, with at least 1,000 hp.
• Jaguar is now chasing Bentley and Rolls-Royce buyers, not BMW.

Automakers rarely take a wrecking ball to their own portfolio, yet that is precisely what Jaguar has done. The British luxury marque has hit the reset button in a bid to radically transition and compete with Bentley and Rolls-Royce. 

Spearheading the charge is an all-electric large sedan tentatively called the ‘GT’. It’s Jaguar’s shot across the bow, a moment to get people to stand up and take notice. Previewed by the Type 00 Concept, it will also be the most powerful Jag ever to grace our roads. The final design was selected from 17 full-size clay models before the public had seen any official previews.

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Curious? Read on as we’ve peeled back the prototype camouflage and compiled all there is to know about Coventry’s biggest bet ever.

The Bold And The Controversial

Unlike Jaguars of old, the GT takes a stunning new direction with monolithic surfaces, hard-edged lines, and proportions that betray its EV underpinnings. Forget curves, this thing brings a blend of 70s muscle and Cyberpunk 2077 futurism.

The front is blunt, upright and imposing. Slim matrix LED headlamps flank a faux rectangular grille panel, and secondary DRLs are placed above the active cooling shutters to add visual width. The hood (or frunk, if you want to call it) is very flat, with only a chamfered leading edge providing any real shape. 

In profile, it’s the proportions that really catch your gaze. Unlike most EVs, the GT has an axle-to-dash ratio that could accommodate a V12; utterly absurd, but it works. The greenhouse is low and frameless, while the front fender houses the largest charge port door we’ve ever seen. Out back, it takes a leaf from the Polestar 5’s design book with a sudden hard cut to the rear and eschews a traditional rear window.

Retro Opulence

Unlike the opposition over at Crewe, Jaguar has given the GT a minimalist, avant-garde cabin awash with 80s geometric lines and curved OLED screens. Visibility is bunker-like, with thick pillars and a camera-based system that gets around the rear’s tiny hatch.

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A three-spoke steering wheel features touch-capacitive button pads and a linear lower inlay that almost looks like a speaker grille. There’s no console-mount drive selector; it’s been moved to the steering column. Recycled luxury materials and splashes of rose gold can be found throughout, while rear seat passengers will have more legroom thanks to its generous 3.2 meter (126-in.) wheelbase.

Punching Above Its Weight

Based on Jaguar’s electric vehicle architecture, the GT weighs a lot at 5,962 lbs (2.7 tons). It sports a cleverly designed 120 kWh battery pack, enabling occupants in the 5,235 mm (206-in.) long, 2,220 mm (87-in.) wide and 1,395 mm (55-in.) tall behemoth to sit lower than in a traditional EV. The battery layout departs from the usual skateboard format, splitting into multiple sections to lower seating positions and improve cabin packaging.

Range is tipped to be around the 430 miles mark (692 km) under the WLTP cycle, while 50:50 weight distribution and clever torque vectoring add sharpness to the big cat’s claws.

Helping it move is a tri-motor all-wheel-drive setup producing over 1,000 horsepower and 959 lb-ft (1,300 Nm) of torque. These figures were recently revised upward from a previously stated +986 hp. Power is delivered by one motor up front and two at the rear, with the latter managing torque distribution far more quickly than a traditional system. The sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) is expected in 3.3 seconds, while top speed will stand at 155 mph (250 km/h).

More: Jaguar Cancelled Three New Cars In Development To Make Room For One EV

Huge power numbers indeed, but don’t expect it to re-arrange your internals the same way a Plaid does, as Jaguar has paid great attention to ensure acceleration is progressively linear, as opposed to the cannon-shot effect some other EVs have. Those who still find that excessive can expect lower-powered variants to follow.

Rivals And Reveal 

Previously, Jaguar had BMW and Mercedes-Benz in its crosshairs, but the GT signals a change into more opulent territory occupied by the Bentley Flying Spur, Rolls-Royce Ghost and Cadillac Celestiq. UK pricing is expected to open above £120,000 ($160,000), with the launch edition starting at £140,000 ($187,000). Stateside numbers should land in similar territory. That’s significantly more than the old XJ it indirectly replaces.

The world will see an official debut later this summer, with deliveries commencing early next year. What do you think of Jaguar’s radical new styling direction? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

• Mitsubishi has issued just 150 US recalls since its 1987 NHTSA debut.
• Ford filed 153 recall actions last year alone, an all-time industry record.
• Only eight Mitsubishi recalls have been issued since the start of 2022.

Ford owners have started checking NHTSA the way other people check the weather. Anything with a Blue Oval and four wheels seems to qualify these days. That got us wondering about the other end of the table. After writing up Mitsubishi’s latest action this week and noticing it was the first in months, we went digging.

Pull up four decades of NHTSA paperwork and one mass-market brand keeps failing to turn up. Mitsubishi’s American recall record is unusually thin. Counting from its first filing in 1987, five years after it split from Chrysler to operate as its own entity in the States, the tally sits at just 150 actions covering roughly 7.6 million vehicles. No other mainstream brand that has been selling here the whole time comes close. Put another way, 150 recall actions in four decades, against the 153 Ford managed last year alone.

More: Ford Recalled More Cars Than The Next 9 Brands Combined In 2025

A few caveats here. Suzuki logged most of its 112 actions before its 2012 exit from America, with a few more since for vehicles still on the road. Tesla sits at 90, though across barely a decade as a recall-issuing entity, which pushes its annualized rate past several legacy luxury brands.

Sparse Recall Record

For Mitsubishi, some years pass without a single recall, 2024 being the most recent example, while others barely register on the agency’s radar. Even the busy years are quiet by industry standards. The peak came in 2000, with just over one million vehicles affected, though that figure is skewed by a single 567,432-unit lower ball joint boot recall. Strip that out, and the year looks fairly unremarkable.

The brand’s only sustained busy stretch came between 2014 and 2018, when Mitsubishi averaged eight recalls a year for five straight years. Since then, all we hear is crickets. Mitsubishi has issued just eight recalls since the start of 2022, and only 16 since January 2020.

Its two most recent actions relate to the liftgate gas springs (2026 and 2025), while the two before those, one in 2025 and another in 2023, were tied to rearview camera failures. The brand’s most recent powertrain-related recall came in August 2022 over a software error causing engines to stall. The busiest year of the current decade was 2020, with five recalls covering more than 361,000 vehicles.

Top 3 Most Recalled US Automakers 1987-2026

Manufacturer Recall Actions Vehicles Affected Ford 1,285 186,836,824 General Motors 1,238 153,490,426 Stellantis (Chrysler/FCA) 1,046 131,903,517

Ford, on the other hand, operates on an entirely different scale, with a record 153 actions logged in 2025, the most ever issued by any automaker in a single calendar year. Yes, the Blue Oval currently sells around 22 times as many vehicles in the US as Mitsubishi, but sales volume explains how many vehicles are affected, not how often recalls are issued. Ford filed more recall actions in 2025 alone than Mitsubishi has issued across the past 40 years combined.

During the same 40-year stretch, from 1987 through late April this year, the order is what you’d expect. Ford leads the scoreboard 1,285 recall actions and 186,836,824 vehicles affected. GM is right behind on 1,238 actions and 153,490,426 vehicles. Stellantis, in its various Chrysler and FCA corporate forms, rounds out the podium with 1,046 actions covering 131,903,517 cars.

Mitsubishi US Recalls 1990-2026

Year Recall Actions Vehicles Affected 2026 1 108,046 2025 2 320,469 2024 0 0 2023 1 89,907 2022 4 152,069 2021 3 19,083 2020 5 361,322 2019 2 28,124 2018 8 626,692 2017 7 419,972 2016 9 622,482 2015 8 719,588 2014 9 260,746 2013 7 23,627 2012 3 16,377 2011 0 0 2010 3 129,864 2009 4 76,498 2008 6 269,821 2007 0 0 2006 3 7,647 2005 5 74,427 2004 7 190,203 2003 4 92,130 2002 3 22,263 2001 7 379,919 2000 10 1,060,116 1999 5 436,727 1998 6 193,931 1997 4 54,503 1996 2 98,731 1995 3 662,877 1994 3 37,283 1993 2 3,454 1992 0 0 1991 0 0 1990 3 1,602 1989 0 0 1988 0 0 1987 1 187 TOTAL 150 7,560,687

Source NHTSA

• Dealership service departments are losing share to lube shops.
• Faster price hikes at dealers believed to be driving customers away.
• Lube shops growing share despite greater number of EVs in US.

For years, dealerships counted on service bays as reliable profit centers, not to mention a way to get drivers to take a look at their newest wares. Now, more drivers are taking their cars elsewhere, and the humble oil-change chain is emerging as one of the biggest winners.

New research from Ducker Carlisle suggests dealership service departments are losing customers to quick lube operators, tire chains, and independent repair shops. The biggest reason appears to be simple enough for anyone who’s stared at a repair invoice lately: price.

More: $120 For An Oil Change? No Thanks, I’ll Do It Myself For $6,000

According to the report, service pricing at dealerships has risen faster than in competing sectors. That’s making quick lube outlets look increasingly attractive, especially for routine jobs where customers value convenience and cost over fancy espresso machines in the waiting room.

“The quick lubes are what everybody should be worried about,” Nate Chenenko of Ducker Carlisle told AutoNews. He added that dealerships earned less in 2025 than in 2024, while quick lube businesses improved their results.

The market-share picture backs that up. From January 2025 to January 2026, independent repairers, tire chains, and quick lube stores all gained ground, largely at dealers’ expense. Transaction counts were down across the industry, but dealerships saw a steeper drop than several rivals, and that’s a worry for dealers. Selling a new vehicle can bring thin margins, but regular maintenance, warranty work, and repeat visits help keep the lights on.

Free Services Aren’t Working

Perhaps the most surprising detail involves newer vehicles. Many automakers include complimentary maintenance for the first ownership period, meaning customers should have a built-in reason to return to the dealer.

“Almost every vehicle 0 to 2 years old has free maintenance paid for by the OEM,” Chenenko said. Even then, he noted dealers appear to be struggling to hold onto those owners. That’s not a great sign.

For dealerships, the pricing lesson may be uncomfortable but obvious. But lube shop owners should probably not get too smug. Ten or 15 years from now, when EVs are much more common, and fewer drivers need oil changes, they might be the ones struggling to hold onto customers, while tire shops and official automaker dealers fare better.

Jiffy Lube

In many ways, it’s quite surprising that it’s taken Kia this long to enter the pickup space. Perhaps more surprising is the fact that the newcomer has opted to enter the space not with a cautious car-like unibody offering ala Honda Ridgeline, but with a full-blown ladder-chassis creation.

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For a brand that was once known as a budget alternative and has spent the best part of a decade trying to convince consumers otherwise, this is still a market that won’t be won easily. The Ute-faithful are famously territorial.

QUICK FACTS

› Model: Kia Tasman X-Pro Dual Cab 4×4 › Starting Price AU$42,990 › Dimensions: 212.9 L x 76.0 W x 75.6 in H (5,410 x 1,930 x 1,920 mm) › Wheelbase: 128.7 in (3,270 mm) › Curb Weight: 5,070 lbs (2,300 kg) › Powertrain: 2.2L Turbocharged In-Line 4 Diesel / Part-Time 4-Wheel Drive › Output: 207 HP (154 kW) / 441 Nm (325 lb-ft) › Suspension Independent Double Wishbone with Coil Spring Front / Rigid Axle with Leaf Springs Rear › On Sale: Now

But, rather than play it safe, you have to give kudos to Kia for going bold and brash with the Tasman. I’m guessing this was part of the plan. Rather than imitating the herd, Kia apparently decided to confuse it. Which leads us to our first point.

Does It Actually Look As Ugly As It Does In Photos?

In a word, yes. But it does so not quite in a hideously appalling SsangYoung Rodius way. The rest of the car is actually well-proportioned. That face though… There’s no getting around it. If you’re familiar with pareidolia, the psychological phenomenon in which humans instinctively see faces in inanimate objects, you can see why the Tasman is so unsettling to most.

People’s brains are subconsciously looking for a face in car design. With the Tasman, you find something that’s missing eyes, with the headlights not only smoked, but integrated into the front fender flares. Turning the DRLs on helps marginally, but it’s a band-aid over something that could have been made more appeasing.

More: Kia Shoots Down Tasman Facelift Rumors After AI Renders Go Viral

If you look past the front end, though, the rest of the Tasman doesn’t look half bad to us. Its boxy, squarish cab lends itself to the pickup aesthetic more naturally than the high-wasted, upswept beltlines we see on most competitors.

This, the South Asia-market model, oddly doesn’t feature the 6.3-liter rear fender storage option found in the Australian market, and even its top-spec trim, the X-Pro, omits the sunroof. The X-Pro does, however, get the 17-inch wheels (one inch smaller than the slightly lower-positioned X-Line), which feature taller 265/70 Hankook A/T tires.

Okay, Let’s Assume I Can Get Past The Looks. What Else Does The Tasman Do Different?

The interior is the real star of the package. Step inside the Tasman, and the first thing that hits you is how little it feels like a truck. Kia has clearly raided the parts bin of its SUV lineup here, and honestly, that’s not a criticism. The materials are genuinely impressive for the segment. This isn’t the usual “hose it down and forget about it” approach that ute buyers have had to accept for decades.

The centerpiece is the panoramic display housing twin 12.3-inch screens, which feels more EV9 than it does workhorse. However, it has to be said, the touch-heavy climate controls are one area where the Kia’s modernity works against it. Having VW-esque touchpads for shortcuts to the home screen, maps, etc, is, in a word, annoying, and no amount of premium aesthetics makes that forgivable. This goes against the rest of the interior ethos, which features a pleasing number of physical buttons that let you access various off-road features, such as the locking diff, 4×4 controls, and off-road modes, as well as more basic functions like your HVAC controls.

On the other hand, small victories: the fold-out center console table is exactly the kind of lateral thinking that makes you appreciate what Kia has done with the Tasman. Meanwhile, whoever signed off on the interior door handles deserves a raise, as they’re among the most satisfying to operate of any vehicle I’ve tested, truck or otherwise.

We tested the 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel, producing 210 hp ( 207 PS / 154kW) and 440Nm (325 lb-ft) of torque, numbers that put it ahead of the Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi Triton on paper, though short of the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok’s optional six-cylinder outputs. On paper, it’s competitive. In practice, it’s better than that. The torque arrives early and with real conviction, and that will doubtless prove its worth when there’s a loaded trailer behind you. Paired to the eight-speed automatic, the whole package feels unhurried and deliberate, which suits the Tasman’s character well.

Our test didn’t include any meaningful off-road work, so we’ll reserve judgment on that front, but the hardware certainly suggests it’s up to the task. The X-Pro’s suite of off-road tools is extensive: beyond the standard terrain modes — Sand, Mud, Snow, and Rock — you get X-Trek, which functions as a low-speed off-road cruise control, managing throttle and braking inputs on technical terrain without the driver needing to feather the pedal.

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The Ground View Monitor, meanwhile, projects a camera feed of what’s directly beneath the front of the truck onto the infotainment screen, a genuinely useful tool for navigating obstacles you can’t otherwise see from the driver’s seat. It’s the sort of feature that was, until recently, reserved for much more expensive machines, like the Range Rover.

As for the engine note, it’s not silent. Once you climb past idle, there’s a faint diesel thrum that reminds you of what’s under the bonnet. But Kia has packed so much acoustic insulation into this cabin that it never crosses the line into intrusive. The harshness is there if you go looking for it. Most of the time, you won’t bother.

To be honest, that four-pot only really starts making its presence known when you push it outside of its comfort zone. Sadly for the Kia, that zone is slightly hemmed in by virtue of the powerplant, i.e., if there were an option of a V6, things may be very different. I have no doubt that the chassis could take it. And while I am, by and large, happy with the torque on offer from the diesel four-banger, having tested bigger units, both in terms of cubic capacity and cylinder count, you know there will be those yearning for more. And in reality, just a bit more CC or a couple more cylinders (or both) may just make the Tasman near unstoppable. It lacks the outright power to do heavy-duty tasks with a but more hushed aplomb.

We understand that there are some differences under the skin between this South Asian model and the Australian model, which is more widely tested. Without comparing both back to back, it would be hard to discern whether this is all marketing fluff or not, but it does appear that the Tasman we had was incredibly softly sprung. Not to the point where the ride becomes bouncy per se, but rather, compared to some of the competition, it feels much more cosseting.

Dare I say, it’s the most SUV-like pickup I’ve driven? If the rumors that Kia may be looking to make a closed-body adaptation of the Tasman, much like how the Fortuner is to the Hilux, then they’re on the right track.

Okay, But How Practical Is It?

The load bed checks in at 1,173 liters of capacity, which Kia claims bests most rivals. The bed itself is well thought out, with integrated mounting points along the inner perimeter that make accessorizing straightforward, and Kia has a growing list of factory options to bolt on, including a double-deck storage system that sits above the bed floor and creates a lockable upper level. This could be genuinely useful if you’re carrying a mix of gear you want secured and gear you don’t mind getting wet.

Inside the cabin, the practicality story is just as strong. The 33-liter under-seat storage compartment is class-leading, and unlike some rivals, where that space is technically there but awkward to actually use, the Tasman’s implementation is clean and accessible. On higher trims, the rear seat slides and reclines, which is something the Ford Ranger also offers, but which still feels like a genuine luxury compared to the upright, fixed pews you’ll find in a Hilux. Kia also claims best-in-class second-row headroom, shoulder room, and legroom, and while those claims are difficult to verify without a tape measure and a convoy of rivals, the rear seat genuinely feels spacious in a way that makes longer journeys less of an endurance event for back-seat passengers.

The folding center console table has already been mentioned, but it belongs in the practicality conversation too, because this is the kind of feature that a worker doing paperwork on a job site, or a family stopped at a rest area, will actually use every single day.

What rivals still have an edge in is the sheer breadth of their accessory ecosystems. Toyota and Ford have had years to build out aftermarket and factory accessory networks for the Hilux and Ranger, respectively. The Tasman’s accessories catalog is growing, but it’s starting from scratch, and buyers who want a specific canopy, drawer system, or tray configuration may find their options more limited than they’re used to.

Verdict

The Kia Tasman arrives with a lot to prove and, for the most part, proves it. This is a genuinely accomplished first attempt at a segment that has humbled more experienced manufacturers. The interior is class-leading, the diesel engine is refined and torquey in equal measure, and the practicality credentials are hard to argue with. For a debut truck, that’s a remarkable scorecard.

The Tasman tested here was done so in Sri Lanka, where it retails for around LKR 29,000,000 (~$91,000) in X-Pro spec, thanks to taxes. That’s a significant ask. A Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger of equivalent specification will set you back somewhere in the region of LKR 25,000,000 ($79,100) to LKR 27,000,000 ($85,500), which means the Tasman carries a meaningful premium over the established names rather than undercutting them.

Kia will need buyers to be convinced not just that the Tasman is good, but that it’s good enough to justify paying more for an unknown quantity in a segment where the HiLux, in particular, has spent decades building an almost mythological reputation for reliability. Fortunately, as this review has shown, it has plenty of them. Whether that’s enough to overcome the price premium and the badge unfamiliarity is the question only time, and the market, will answer.

• Lambo owners say mismatched DRL colors spoil the Urus front-end look.
• Heat buildup inside first-gen headlights can cause the DRLs to yellow.
• One repair specialist found a fix, though many want both lights to match.

Lamborghini drivers want other people to notice them. Of course, they’re hoping that it’s because of the flashy car as a whole, not a glaring issue with it. That’s what at least one owner is dealing with after a repair improved one headlight only to make the other one look mismatched. Now, the Lamborghini community is debating just how important it is that a six-figure super SUV be aesthetically symmetrical.

According to the repair technician, this all started after a collision damaged the passenger-side DRL on a first-generation Lamborghini Urus. They were able to correct the issue and restore the crisp white glow the headlamp should have had from the factory. The problem is that the driver’s-side light, which wasn’t repaired, now looks noticeably yellow by comparison.

Read: Chevy Delivers New Corvette With Mismatched Seats

That yellowing, the technician says, comes from a known issue inside these headlights. The LED modules sit too close to the guide tube within the housing, and over time, the heat effectively burns the end of that light path. Instead of a clean white DRL signature, the result is a warmer yellow tone that makes the front end look uneven.

This is the kind of thing that might not be a giant deal on something like a commuter car. On a Lamborghini, owners expect better and they made that clear in the comment section where these photos were posted.

“At that Price point, absolutely. On a 2008 Kia beater, not so much,” said one. “On a Lamborghini that cost as much as a entry level home yes id be pretty upset,” said another. From a distance, the mismatch is subtle. Up close, though, it’s enough that the customer reportedly didn’t even like taking photos of the front of the SUV.

The technician says they’d prefer to replace both headlights to ensure everything matches perfectly, but insurance companies tend to draw the line there. With replacement assemblies costing somewhere between $5,000 and $7,000 each, approving both sides isn’t exactly an easy sell. How would you handle this if you were the customer? Let us know below!

Would mismatched headlights bother you after a repair?
by u/NoCorner1482 in lamborghini

• BMW Designworks created ultra-luxury jet cabin for group travel.
• Cabin swaps 200 seats for suites, lounges and high-end tech.
• Shows how automotive design is reshaping luxury beyond cars.

You need to be seriously rich to get a luxury car brand to build you a bespoke car, but BMW is now helping design private jet cabins, and the result makes even the wildest one-off supercar project like the Ferrari SC40 look almost tame.

Working with Lufthansa Technik, BMW’s design arm BMW Designworks has created a new aircraft interior concept called The BOW that it showcased at this month’s Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg. It’s aimed at groups rather than individuals, which already makes it very different from traditional private jets.

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The idea is simple. Take a narrowbody jet like an Airbus A321 or Boeing 737, strip out the usual 185 to 220 seats it usually comes with, and replace them with a mix of private suites, lounge areas, and social spaces. The result carries as few as 28 passengers, but every one of them travels in serious comfort.

Beyond First-Class Lounge

Unlike typical VIP jets that revolve around one ultra important passenger, this setup treats everyone onboard as deserving of luxury treatment. It’s designed for corporate teams, sports squads, or touring artists who need both privacy and shared space during long trips.

The layout is built around a flowing cabin design that runs from nose to tail, giving it a more open and connected feel than most large airplanes. At the front, there’s a reception style area with a bar that sets the tone. Move further in and you’ll find a large lounge that can switch between meeting room, dining area, or just a place to relax.

Behind that sit 14 private suites, each designed for one main passenger and a guest. They can be closed off for privacy or opened up depending on the mood. Storage is generous, too, with room for everything from instruments to sports gear.

BMW’s influence shows up in the details. The design uses soft shapes, clean lines, and premium materials to create what the company calls a more calming and balanced environment. It feels far closer to a luxury living space than a traditional aircraft interior.

Hidden Technology

Tech is deeply integrated but also fairly discreet, so the cabin doesn’t feel like the TV section at Best Buy. Touch controls are hidden in surfaces, lighting adapts to the time of day, and the cabin management system lets passengers control everything from climate to entertainment with minimal effort.

Carmakers have spent decades refining how we experience luxury inside vehicles. Now that thinking is spilling into aviation, where the stakes and the budgets are even higher. So while you might still be debating which color seats to option on your next BMW, the company’s designers are already helping design an entire palace that’ll live at 35,000 feet (10,700 m).

• VW’s China boss admits young buyers now see it as a brand for parents.
• German market share in China fell from 26 percent to 16 percent since 2019.
• BYD overtook VW in 2024, and Geely pushed it to third the year after.

For more than two decades, a German badge in China was shorthand for arrival. That equation no longer holds. China remains one of the most important markets for German automakers. The trouble is they are now struggling to compete with local rivals who have captured the hearts and minds of young buyers.

The boss of VW in China, Robert Cisek, admitted that the rapid change in China’s car market has been “beyond imagination,” and means that now, “some younger customers perceive us as the brand for the parents.” For more than 25 years, VW was the best-selling carmaker in China, but was overtaken by BYD in 2024, and dropped to third in 2025 behind Geely.

Read: China Is Getting A Jetta SUV For Less Than A Used Corolla Costs In America

Automotive consultant Felipe Munoz says German brands “didn’t see this big change coming, and they didn’t see the speed at which it came.” While overall new car sales in China continue to climb, the market share of German brands slipped from 26 percent in 2019 to 16 percent in 2025, when they sold 3.9 million vehicles.

Germans Race To Compete

In times gone by, companies like VW could sell their vehicles in China thanks to their build quality, high-end materials, and strong reputations. However, this is no longer enough, Reuters reports.

To try and claw back some ground, the Volkswagen Group will launch 20 new-energy vehicles in China this year, including several battery-electric models, plug-in hybrids, and EVs. Many of these new models were recently unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show, including the ID. Aura T6, which was built in partnership with FAW, the ID. Unyx 09, created alongside Xpeng, and the all-electric AUDI E7X from the firm’s SAIC joint venture.

It remains to be seen if vehicles like these will be enough. According to a recent survey from AlixPartners, young buyers in China are more likely to avoid German cars, despite the ‘Made in Germany’ tagline holding strong appeal in many other countries.

• The Pack Performance pulls hardware straight from the Quadrifoglio flagship.
• Buyers also get black leather, carbon fiber trim, and red interior accents.
• A 900-watt Harman Kardon system now outperforms what the Intensa offered.

Alfa Romeo has spent the past few years deciding what to do with two cars that are way beyond their prime time. The answer, for now, is to keep adding to them. The Giulia and Stelvio are getting a fresh round of driver-focused hardware and cabin upgrades in Europe, arriving just after Alfa confirmed both would stay in production through 2027 to cover the gap left by their delayed replacements. The new addition is called the Pack Performance, and it bundles chassis and interior changes into a single option.

At its core sits the Synaptic Dynamic Control suspension, an electronically managed setup that talks to the Alfa DNA drive modes. Stellantis describes it as engineered to find the right compromise between comfort, precision, and safety, with electro-hydraulic valves regulating oil flow inside the dampers to adjust their response in real time.

More: Stellantis Just Decided Which Four Brands Actually Matter And Dodge Isn’t One

While the active suspension hardware has been the backbone of the flagship Quadrifoglio since its 2016 debut, its availability on standard models has been inconsistent. The SDC was previously featured in the Estrema, Competizione, and Intensa special editions, and it has been optionally available in the pre-facelifted Veloce and Ti trims.

The Pack Performance reaches inside as well. The Giulia and Stelvio gain black leather with red stitching, genuine carbon fiber trim, and red accents across the dashboard, door cards, and center console. None of all this is revolutionary, but it does tighten the gap between the regular cars and the special editions that have been hoarding the good materials.

More: Opel And Alfa Romeo’s Next EVs May Be Built Around Chinese Tech, Not German Or Italian

There is also a serious audio upgrade. A 900-watt Harman Kardon system with 14 speakers and a 12-channel Class-D amplifier replaces the previous setup. That puts the Sprint and Veloce on equal footing with the Quadrifoglio and ahead of the 470-watt system fitted to the Intensa.

Stellantis has not announced what any of this costs. Expect the Pack Performance to appear on the Sprint and Veloce in European markets, narrowing the distance to the Intensa and Quadrifoglio in both chassis hardware and equipment.

Sticking Around For Longer

The Giulia arrived in 2015 and the Stelvio followed in 2016, with a facelift landing in late 2022. Both should have been replaced by now. Instead, they have been granted a stay of execution through 2027, timed to the return of the V6 Quadrifoglio variants.

More: Alfa Romeo Charged $22,000 Extra For Gold Trim, And Dubai Said Yes

Alfa Romeo is crossing its fingers that the extension will keep fans engaged until the next-generation models arrive, now delayed to 2028 due to challenges tied to electrification. The setback comes after a major strategy change, with the Italian brand stepping back from an EV-only future in favor of a “multi-energy” approach.

Utilizing the STLA Large platform, the new Alfas are being re-engineered to accommodate internal combustion and plug-in hybrid powertrains, potentially including the twin-turbo “Hurricane” inline-six seen from the Dodge Charger.

• Cyclists claim 72-year-old Jerry Ross used his Honda Pilot to hit two riders.
• Cellphone video caught the plate and helped deputies quickly find him.
• Ross now faces charges of aggravated assault, hit-and-run, reckless driving, and more.

Road rage is just objectively one of the dumbest activities one can engage in. Often, though, the result is little more than a spike in blood pressure and perhaps a damaged ego. In this case, it led the driver of a Honda Pilot to jail, facing several serious charges. It also made the cyclists he was allegedly angry at look nearly as reckless in the process.

According to WSBTV, authorities in Cherokee County, Georgia, say 72-year-old Jerry Ross of Woodstock pulled up behind a group of 10 cyclists on Sugar Pike Road, laid on the horn, then aggressively passed them in his Honda Pilot despite having an empty oncoming lane to use. Instead of giving them the legally required room, deputies say he struck two riders and then fled the scene.

Read: Mercedes Driver Road Rages Against Cyclist, Gets Served Justice

One of the cyclists, Scott Hager, summed it up simply, saying, “This guy was angry.” Cellphone video showed the Pilot making contact with at least one rider. More importantly for investigators, it also captured the SUV’s license plate.

Deputies used that to track Ross to his home, where they reportedly found damage on the passenger side consistent with the crash. When offered the video, he allegedly said he didn’t need to see it because he knew he had done nothing wrong.

Video Reddit

That’s not how the law sees it. In Georgia, cyclists have the same right to use the road as motorists, and drivers are required to leave at least three feet of distance when passing. That said, this entire situation feels like one where just about everyone made bad choices.

A few weeks ago, two professional cyclists faced off against what they said were road-raging drivers in California. The big difference there was that they got out of harm’s way to the extent they could during the encounter. But in this case, it appears the cyclists might have believed in strength in numbers, or they simply didn’t have good situational awareness.

Having ridden hundreds if not thousands of miles around traffic myself, when a car is this close, getting away from it isn’t that tough, even with other riders nearby. That all said, there’s no excuse for Ross’ behavior. Hopefully, everyone involved here has learned a valuable lesson. Road rage is purely for the dumb at heart.

Credit: Scott Hager

• The 2026 Mazda2 Hybrid benefits from a series of updates.
• It gains more standard kit across the lineup and new colors.
• The other Mazda2 went off sale in major European markets.

Mazda has announced a series of upgrades for its Toyota-based hatch in Europe, hoping to keep it relevant against the competition while saying goodbye to the regular Mazda2. Yes, there are two of them, one Mazda actually built and one Toyota built for Mazda, and it’s the borrowed one getting the glow-up. The hybrid model gains more standard equipment for 2026, alongside new colors and interior accents in certain grades.

The Mazda2 Hybrid arrived in December 2021 as a rebadged Toyota Yaris, a useful workaround for Europe’s increasingly hostile emissions rules. A facelift followed two years later, bringing a Mazda-specific front bumper with the brand’s grille and body-colored trim joining the taillights.

More: Mazda’s 600 HP Pickup Idea Starts With A Chinese Truck That Doesn’t Behave Like One

The 2026 palette adds three colors: Charcoal Grey, Sky Grey, and Fern Green. Everything else outside is carried over, though the Exclusive-Line trim now wears full-width LED headlights and taillights. The Prime-, Centre-, and Executive-Line grades get body-colored mirror caps, while Homura and Homura Plus stick with black.

The real story for 2026 is the equipment count. Prime-Line, the entry point, now includes heated front seats as standard, a height-adjustable passenger seat, rear power windows, a four-speaker audio upgrade, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

More: Mazda Is Considering The CX-5 It Kept Saying No To Until Now

Furthermore, the standard ADAS suite now includes a new Driver Monitoring System designed to detect fatigue. Finally, the Homura and Homura Plus trims gain gloss black accents on the center console and the door cards.

There are no changes under the skin, with a carry-over self-charging hybrid powertrain derived from Toyota. The setup produces a combined 114 hp (85 kW / 116 PS) from a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor, allowing a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 175 km/h (109 mph).

More: Toyota Yaris Gains A Manual, But Drops A Fancy Trick

It’s worth noting that the Mazda2 Hybrid doesn’t get the more powerful 129 hp (96 kW / 131 PS) hybrid offered by the Toyota Yaris since 2023.

What About The True Mazda2?

According to the company, the mildly updated version of the Mazda2 Hybrid went into production in March 2026 and is gradually arriving in European markets.

As for the unrelated mild-hybrid Mazda2, it has quietly vanished from configurators across most European markets, amid growing talk of a potential discontinuation. Even so, the 12-year-old model continues to soldier on in Japan and in markets such as Thailand and Australia.

More: These Two Mazdas Refused To Die For A Decade, Now Their Time Is Up

Mazda has yet to confirm a successor, although the Vision X-Compact Concept shown at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show could offer a glimpse of what replaces it.

Beyond the Toyota Yaris twin, options in the subcompact class with full-hybrid power are thin on the ground, limited to the Honda Jazz and Renault Clio. Mild-hybrid alternatives remain more plentiful, including the Peugeot 208, Opel Corsa, Lancia Ypsilon, Citroen C3, Fiat Grande Panda, Hyundai i20, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia, and VW Polo.

At the other end, a growing number of EV-only contenders are entering the space, such as the Renault 5 E-Tech, VW ID. Polo, and Hyundai Ioniq 3.

• Volvo is open to building Geely EVs at their South Carolina plant.
• Facility is underutilized as it makes slow-selling EX90 and Polestar 3.
• Geely had previously suggested they want to come to US in 2-3 years.

Volvo had high hopes for their Ridgeville, South Carolina plant, which opened in 2018 to build the S60. Unfortunately, the sedan arrived as consumers were embracing crossovers. The S60 rode off into the sunset six years later and the plant was retooled to build the even slower-selling EX90 and Polestar 3.

This has left the facility underutilized and the automaker will attempt to address that problem by adding the XC60 later this year. However, they might not stop there.

More: Volvo’s Chinese Parent Built A $14K Sedan Americans Can’t Get

In an interview, Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson said the company would consider building Geely vehicles at the plant as they have excess capacity. However, the executive told Business Insider that any such move would require the Chinese firm to successfully navigate a tough regulatory environment.

Long before Trump’s tariffs, politicians were already setting up roadblocks to effectively keep Chinese vehicles out of the United States. In the final days of the Biden administration, the Department of Commerce finalized a rule that would “prohibit the sale and import of connected vehicle hardware and software systems, as well as completed connected vehicles” from China and Russia.

The Biden administration also increased the tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles from 25% to 100% in 2024. At the time, the Department of Commerce said the move was designed to “protect American manufacturers from China’s unfair trade practices” and ensure the “future of the auto industry will be made in America by American workers.”

Building EVs in America should enable Geely to avoid hefty tariffs, but hurdles still remain. However, officials have previously said they want to enter the United States in the next two to three years, and setting up shop in Ridgeville would be one way to do it. Of course, there’s little doubt politicians would likely object to the move and potentially try to establish new roadblocks.

• Mustang GTD puts down 753 wheel horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque on a Dynojet.
• That’s a massive jump over the old Shelby GT500 and proof Ford’s supercharged V8 evolved.
• The improved broad torque curve is one reason Dark Horse SC buyers can be very excited.

Automakers claim all sorts of things as they’re building and marketing their products. Horsepower and torque figures tell us what an engine can make, but they don’t tell us how much of that energy makes it to the tire. Now, we’re learning exactly how much power a Ford Mustang GTD pushed to the wheels, and to put it simply, it’s downright impressive. Perhaps even more notable is that Dark Horse SC buyers are going to get a similarly stellar powertrain.

First, let’s get the headline figures out of the way. Ford says this ultimate, $320,000+ super muscle car will make 815 horsepower (608 kW) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque to the flywheel. Late Model Restoration just put one on its DynoJet dynamometer, and it made 753 horsepower (561 kW) and 609 lb-ft (826 Nm) of torque at the rear wheels.

That’s a drivetrain horsepower loss of 7.6 percent and an 8.3 percent loss in terms of torque. Most performance cars bleed 10 to 25 percent between the flywheel and the wheels, with 15 percent being the commonly accepted average. The GTD comes in at roughly half that. The tested car had just over 1,100 miles on it, and the team completed multiple runs in fifth gear to verify consistency.

Read: Ford Says The Dark Horse Makes 500 HP, Four Dynos Said Four Different Numbers

That output comes from the factory supercharged 5.2-liter V8 paired with a Tremec TR-9080 eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, with pulls completed in fifth gear. What stands out isn’t just peak power, but how that power is delivered.

The GTD makes over 500 lb-ft astonishingly early and carries a thick, flat wave of torque through the midrange before stretching hard all the way to redline. That’s the kind of delivery that makes a car feel violent everywhere, not just during a headline dyno pull. And that’s where the comparison to the old Shelby GT500 gets interesting.

On the same dyno, a Carbon Fiber Track Pack GT500 previously recorded 677.9 rear-wheel horsepower (506 kW) and 566.2 lb-ft (768 Nm) of torque. Even allowing for drivetrain loss corrections, the GTD is still in another league, with roughly 75 more horsepower and 43 more lb-ft at the wheels. 

That gap matters, but the broader torque delivery matters even more. And that’s especially true for Dark Horse SC buyers because they get access to almost the exact same engine as the GTD, but for a lot less cash.

• The 911’s front fascia looks cleaner without its usual headlights.
• A supercharger lifts the 3.4-liter flat-six output to 550 hp here.
• Purple leather and Alcantara cover nearly every surface inside.

A little-known company called Indecent has unveiled its modern interpretation of the Porsche 930 Turbo Slantnose, and it may end up looking even better than the new-age Slantnose that Porsche itself is reportedly developing.

Previewed last year with a pair of renderings, Indecent’s 020 made its physical debut at the Ultrace car show in Düsseldorf, Germany, over the weekend. The stance and presence rival a current 911 GT3 RS, yet the car still pulls clearly from 911s of old.

Read: This 911 Slantnose Throwback Might Be Wilder Than Porsche’s Own Revival

The car started out life as a 991.1-generation 911 Carrera 2 before Indecent crafted a custom body kit for it. No doubt the highlight is the front, where a completely new nose has been fitted, complete with flared arches, aerodynamic louvers, and the removal of the 911’s standard headlights. The lights have been shifted to either side of the grille, somewhat reminding us of the Aston Martin Valour.

White-On-White

Beyond the new front, Indecent has crafted a custom rear for the car that matches the aggression of an RS model but without the large side air intakes. Included at the rear is a bespoke wing with uprights mounted directly to the car’s chassis. The entire car has then been painted in white, including the 20×10-inch front and 20×12-inch rear wheels, which are shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

This modern Slantnose also rocks an upgraded Brembo carbon-ceramic brake setup with six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear. Adjustable Ohlins coilovers have then been added, along with a front axle lift system.

Then there’s the engine. The 3.4-liter flat-six has been upgraded, not with turbochargers but rather a supercharger, allowing it to deliver 550 hp. This engine is mated to a seven-speed manual transmission with an aftermarket shifter and drives the rear wheels. A stainless steel exhaust rounds up the mechanical changes.

While the exterior paint is subtle, the interior finish is anything but. The cabin is dominated by purple leather and Alcantara, with a matching painted roll cage and carbon-fiber-backed bucket seats.

• Lincoln has unveiled a one-off Navigator for Serena Williams.
• Features a Perfect Rose exterior with custom wheels and accents.
• Two-tone cabin sports rose gold flourishes and hand-painted console.

Last year, Lincoln tapped Serena Williams for a high-profile advertising campaign for the 2025 Navigator. The company is now saying thanks by giving the former tennis star a customized luxury SUV.

Created in collaboration with Galpin, the one-off model “reflects Serena’s individuality, strength, and grace.” It will certainly grab attention as the model wears a Perfect Rose paint job that sparkles in sunlight. The unique look is further amplified by a gloss black upper body and custom wheels.

More: Lincoln’s Next SUV Might Ride On A Bronco Frame

They’re joined by Satin Rose Copper and Satin Obsidian accents as well as a special rose symbol on the B-pillar and Split Gate. The latter are a nod to Williams’ love of roses.

The special touches extend to the cabin, which features a Clay Court brown leather interior that contrasts with a lighter tan color called Afterglow. The seats also have a “subtle tennis-ball perforation pattern.”

Other highlights include Rose Gold trim and a hand-painted center console lid featuring the Big and Little Dipper. Opening the door reveals a customized compartment with a hot pink lining.

Elsewhere, there’s a laser-engraved “Keep going” quote in a custom font on the door sill plates. Each plate also has the birth year of Serena or one of her family members. Rounding out the highlights are sheepskin carpeting and a “One of One” badge.

Besides the special touches, the model has a 48-inch panoramic display and a lower 11.1-inch touchscreen. It should also have a familiar twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 developing 440 hp (328 kW / 446 PS) and 510 lb-ft (691 Nm) of torque.

The customized SUV is a nice gift and Lincoln noted Williams is a long-time Navigator fan. In fact, she used the winnings from her first major tournament to purchase a Navigator, which she nicknamed Ginger. She has gone on to own “several” since then and we can now add one more to that list.

• Hyundai increased ICCU warranty coverage to 15 years or 180,000 miles for certain EVs.
• Many Ioniq 5 owners say Hyundai’s VIN lookup tool still shows no ICCU coverage.
• Drivers want proof Hyundai fixed the faulty part and some are swearing off the brand.

Hyundai EV owners just received a little more peace of mind over a part that some say has a 10 percent failure rate. This isn’t a backup camera, a loose windshield wiper, or a missing cotter pin either. It’s a part called the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), and when it fails, it basically strands the car.

The South Korean company has now extended warranty coverage to 15 years or 180,000 miles for some EVs with ICCU issues. That sounds great, but there’s more to the story unfolding right now.

Read: Hyundai Fixed His ICCU Then Let Thieves Total The Rest Before He Even Saw It

As we’ve highlighted both in the past and even this week, ICCU concerns are a big deal for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis owners. The ICCU is one of those parts most owners never think about until it fails. It manages onboard charging and helps keep the 12-volt battery alive. It’s basically the EV equivalent of the old-school alternator’s job. When it dies, the car can lose power, stop charging properly, or simply refuse to start, and plenty of owners have been there.

Recently, Hyundai extended its warranty coverage on affected vehicles in Europe. According to a statement provided by Hyundai Motor America to Torque News, the automaker has approved a warranty extension for the ICCU on certain affected U.S. EVs, stretching coverage to 15 years or 180,000 miles, whichever comes first. That’s a major jump from the previous 10-year/100,000-mile protection. There are a couple of notable caveats to consider, though.

What About Kia And Genesis?

First, there’s no word from Kia or Genesis yet about if they’re also going to extend coverage on affected cars. While it’s highly likely that each will end up extending their coverage, too, an official statement would be nice. Carscoops reached out to both brands but didn’t receive a response at the time of writing. The second concern is how Hyundai’s warranty tool works.

Hyundai says affected owners should check their VIN through Hyundai Motor America’s campaign lookup tool and contact dealers if they see warning lights, charging issues, or reduced power. Sounds simple enough, but when many owners check the site, they get nothing.

Multiple commenters on the original report say they’ve entered VINs for 2022, 2023, and even recently failed 2025 Ioniq 5s, only to see no ICCU campaign listed at all. Finally, there’s reason to wonder if Hyundai has fixed the ICCU issue altogether or if the potential replacement parts will one day fail as well. That’s at the heart of a new lawsuit that Hyundai hasn’t yet responded to. At this point, no one knows, but owners surely hope this isn’t the case.

• More than 70 Democrats have called for a harder stance against Chinese automakers.
• They want tougher tariffs and trade enforcement as well as a production ban.
• Move comes after Trump suggested he was open to Chinese automakers in America.

Bipartisanship is rare in Washington, but there’s one issue that Democrats and Republicans can seemingly agree on. We’re talking about the threat of cheap Chinese cars, which are slowly spreading across the globe.

The Biden and Trump administrations have setup a series of roadblocks including huge tariffs and a ban on connected vehicles, but some in Congress want even more action. As a result, dozens of House Democrats sent President Trump a letter expressing “significant concern” with his remarks “about allowing Chinese automakers access to the United States market.”

More: Chinese Cars Get Cheaper And Better, So U.S. Automakers Want Them Banned Even If They’re Made Here

The letter came in response to a speech Trump made at the Detroit Economic Club in January, where he said if Chinese automakers “want to ​come in and build a plant and hire you and hire your ​friends and ⁠your neighbors, that’s great, I love that.”

While those remarks were made months ago, the letter was apparently sent now because Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next month. Democrats apparently fear the President could give Chinese automakers the green light in exchange for a possible trade deal or agreement.

Getting back to the letter, it urged Trump to “take any and all decisive action necessary” to prevent Chinese automakers from gaining access to the United States. Signers went on to say “any effort to lower barriers for Chinese automobiles or otherwise facilitate their entry into the U.S. market would pose a direct threat to American manufacturing, workers, and national security.”

It went on to claim the American automotive industry supports approximately 10 million jobs and accounts for five percent of the gross domestic product. The letter then said the “Chinese auto industry does not compete on a level playing field” as it is “driven by a state-directed strategy to dominate global markets through government subsidies, below-market financing, and non-market behavior across the supply chain.”

It went onto suggest the entry of Chinese vehicles into Canada and Mexico could create a “backdoor into the United States under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.” The letter added, “Chinese-owned or controlled vehicles, regardless of where they are assembled, must not be permitted to enter our market through USMCA or any other mechanism.”

That’s a little awkward for Polestar and Volvo, but the message called for Trump to “maintain and strengthen existing tariffs and trade enforcement measures on Chinese automakers and automobiles” as well as prevent them from establishing manufacturing operations in America. Democrats went on to ask that vehicles produced by Chinese-owned or controlled entities in Canada or Mexico be explicitly prohibited from qualifying for USMCA benefits or entering the United States. On top of that, they want the government to “accelerate and expand restrictions on Chinese-connected vehicle technologies.”

Reuters reached out to the White House and was told, “While the administration is always working to secure more investment into America’s industrial resurgence, any notion that we would ever ​compromise our national ​security to do so ⁠is baseless and false.”

For their part, the Chinese Embassy called for officials to “stop overstretching the concept of national security, cease discriminatory and exclusionary measures, and provide a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment.”

However, that seems unlikely as fear of Chinese automakers is one thing that almost all politicians can get behind.