Street News Anchor

Gone is the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 previously found in the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. In fact, gone is everything you might have previously associated with the fast, sleek, sloping sedan, as the AMG GT 4-Door is now an EV with a monstrous 1,153 horsepower (during launch control) and 1,475 lb-ft of torque from a Formula One-derived 800-volt battery featuring directly cooled cylindrical cells that promise repeatable and sustained power delivery. The platform also allows for 600+ kW charging, enabling a recharge from 10-80 percent in as little as 11 minutes. Once full, the battery will deliver roughly 460 kilometers/285 miles of range, though that estimate is on the WLTP cycle, which is more forgiving than the EPA's tests here in the U.S. As the styling suggests, this is the production version of the AMG GT XX concept, and plenty of next-gen tech has made its way to the real world. Let's take a closer look. AMG.EA Architecture Makes for One Impressive EV Mercedes-AMG The AMG.EA platform under this new AMG GT 63 4-Door features a trio of axial flux motors (two on the rear axle and one on the front), making this the first series production EV with the advanced motors. They spin at over 13,000 rpm and top speed, and the result is 0-60 mph in 2.0 seconds flat and 0-124 mph in 6.4 seconds. These figures will be slightly worse with the AMG GT 55 4-Door Coupe, which has "only" 805 hp. Opt for the AMG Performance Package, and the top speed is limited to 186 mph, or only 11 mph less than its combustion-powered predecessor. And if you still miss the sound of a V8, the AMGFORCE Sport+ drive program may have a weird name, but Mercedes says it "delivers a highly authentic, signature AMG V8 sound" derived from the C 190 AMG GT R. The mode also provides "an immersive haptic experience" by interrupting progress with simulated gear changes, much like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, and the setting provides a unique driver display. Launch Control, Boost, and Showtime modes feature sounds inspired by the AMG ONE hypercar, too. Mercedes-AMG Active aero is a similarly big part of the new EV, with optional active AEROKINETICS venturi flow elements for the underbody and an active AEROKINETICS rear diffuser also available, deploying at speeds of 75 and 87 mph, respectively. The car is also 1.6 inches lower than its gas forebear, despite having a battery in the floor. With the GT 55, AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension is standard with triple-adjustable air springs, while the GT 63 gets access to ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL, which adds active roll stabilization that should work no matter how hard you push the car, thanks to an 8.2-liter pressure reservoir. Whichever system you have, the car hunkers down at speed, and multi-link suspension appears at each end of the car, with everything at the front but the tie rod made of forged aluminum, and everything but the rear aluminum spring links made of steel. Speaking of the rear end, rear-axle steering also features to increase low-speed agility and high-speed stability. When it's time to come to a stop, carbon-ceramic brake discs up front work with steel brakes on the rear, and of course, there's brake energy recuperation, too. AMG GT 4-Doo Looks Wild Inside and Out Mercedes-AMG Illumination is all the rage for automakers trying to stand out at night, and the AMG GT 4-Door's vertical slats can be lit up. An illuminated Mercedes star and the star-shaped daytime running lights reinforce the brand identity further, which is probably necessary on something that looks this different than other AMGs. To be fair, the front of the car with its splitter and gaping grille looks fairly similar to the AMG GT Coupe (the real coupe, with two doors), and the shape of the body is arguably normal, even with flush door handles, but at the rear, the concept-inspired design is totally new. Three circular taillights sit on each side of the rear fascia, which features a grille-like set of strakes across it, and this black element is framed by more (optional) LEDs swooping around in a semi-circular shape beneath the retractable rear spoiler, which deploys above 50 mph at different angles depending on whether the car is chasing stability or speed. Lower down, the sculptural diffuser panel has elements that look almost like square AMG exhaust tips, and buyers can choose from 20-/21-inch forged wheels, including a 21-inch design that increases WLTP range by up to 14 km/8.7 miles. There's also a panoramic roof that can be fitted with SKY CONTROL illuminations. Related: Mercedes-AMG GT XX Breaks Multiple EV Distance Records With 3,405 Miles in 24 Hours AMG GT 4-Door Drive Programs: Comfort: Gentle throttle response, regular ride heightSport: Permanent all-wheel drive, lower ride height, firmer suspensionAMGFORCE Sport+: AMG V8 sounds, simulated gear changesRACE: Access to Drift Mode, Drag Race, or Track Race settingsSlippery: Understeer-oriented handling, low steering effort, gentle accelerator response, normal ride heightEco: Maximum efficiency, rear-wheel drive, lower performance and top speed, lower ride height, certain features deactivated to save energyIndividual: Customizable to the driver's preferences, with settings for sound, throttle response, suspension setup, ride height, rear spoiler position, and electronic stability programInside, the driver gets a 10.2-inch display connected to a 14-inch infotainment display, which is angled toward the driver. On the other side of the GT 4-Door cabin, another 14-inch display appears for the front passenger, and this is standard. Typical Mercedes round climate control vents with a turbine design also appear on the dash, glowing in sync with the ambient lighting system, while the center console adds physical rotary controls in a similar design. The front seats are also new, with optional AMG Performance seats featuring openings in the backrest, much like BMW's M Carbon seats. We should also talk about the steering wheel, which can be finished in leather, carbon fiber, or microfiber suede. This has paddles for control energy recuperation under deceleration, as well as two AMG DRIVE UNIT buttons for adjusting various vehicle settings. As a so-called coupe, the rear-seat experience is less lush, but as a dedicated four-seater, it's not bad. Sure, you can spec a three-passenger rear seat, but making the most of the legroom recesses in the floor would be tougher. Either way, the backrests can fold down. Mercedes-AMG Mercedes has not yet revealed pricing, but the AMG GT 55 arrives in U.S. dealerships later in 2026, and the GT 63 will launch in early 2027. Both will have native NACS ports to make charging easier, and both will surely be pricy, but will they be successful? Is the typical AMG GT 4-Door customer attached to a V8, or will the EV experience be an exciting new way of going fast in something that looks unique? Time will tell, but Mercedes can make the car better if responses aren't warm, with AMG saying up to 1,300 hp is possible, and potentially over 700 km/435 miles of WLTP range. Mercedes-AMG View the full article

In a major disappointment for budget-conscious American buyers, Volvo has officially pulled the plug on the highly anticipated EX30 in the US. Volvo says, however, that an affordable alternative to the EX30 for the American market is already in the works, promising it will be specifically designed to cater to American tastes. What Happened?Why did a car with so much promise disappear so fast? It comes down to basic math and bad timing. Stiff new tariffs on Chinese-built EVs inflated that appealing $35k sticker price by nearly $10,000. Add in a recent, high-profile battery recall over fire risks, and the compact EX30 simply stopped making financial sense for the US market. Volvo But don't count Volvo out of the affordable EV race just yet. For Americans who are still looking for a compact and efficient runabout, Luis Rezende, President of Volvo Cars America, during an interview with reporters while discussing the brand new EX60, confirmed that a spiritual successor to the EX30 is already in the pipeline for 2027. While it might not match the original $35,000 price tag to the penny, Rezende promised it would be "very similar." Even better? He noted the new model will offer "a bigger space" while remaining incredibly fun to drive—a welcome upgrade for American families who often find subcompact EVs a bit too cramped for everyday life. EX30 AlternativesIf you can't wait until 2027, Volvo is currently rolling out the all-new EX60. The catch? It starts at $59,795, placing it squarely in luxury SUV territory. To broaden its appeal, Volvo is also planning to utilize its factory in South Carolina to build larger, family-oriented vehicles using a "multi-fuel" approach instead of going exclusively electric from day one. Volvo Building an EV that is both desirable and truly affordable in the US is a massive hurdle right now, heavily complicated by international trade tensions. However, Volvo's commitment to delivering a roomier, cost-effective electric option by 2027 proves they know exactly what American drivers are looking for: practical space, reliable range, and a price tag that doesn't require a second mortgage. View the full article

Coming Soon: The Next-Gen BMW X5As it is, the current X5 is already approaching its seventh year in production. For those familiar with BMW's life cycles, that means the next-generation model is just around the corner. The crossover had been spied before, and an alleged leaked photo of it is currently floating around the web. The 2027 range was also leaked a few months ago, and the redesigned X5 appears to be part of it. Further hinting that its world premiere is drawing closer is the fact that the car has been undergoing numerous shakedown runs on the Nürburgring. One can say that BMW has been very busy lately and will be for the next couple of years. SH Proshots/Autoblog See How it RunsLast time out, we saw the M3 EV/iM3 and the gas-fed 3 Series (likely an M350) do hot laps around the demanding track. This time around, it's the turn of the midsize crossover. Seen testing in both electric and ICE guises, we can now make out more of its shape as its world debut comes closer and closer. Obviously, the quiet one is the electric version, while the gas-powered tester sounds like it's packing a six-cylinder engine. Of course, we can say that the six-cylinder is a sure model, as the leaked file from earlier stated that it is an sDrive40 model. As for the way these heavyweights move, it's not bad at all considering these are expected to blow well past the two-ton mark. We also have to admit that the ICE version is a little on the hushed side, and it's still unknown if a V8 will live for this generation. Subtle DifferencesBased on what we saw in the video, both gas and electric X5s appear to have the same body. Both employ the Neue Klasse design language, and we see elements from the iX3 present. This likely means BMW SUV models will feature a taller grille, while the sedans and wagons will have a shorter grille, like the i3. It seems that the iX5 sits slightly lower to the ground. It's not as low as, say, a 5 Series Touring would be, but the difference is noticeable once you see the ICE version. We also noticed that the iX5 has a different set of front and rear bumpers, likely to aid aero efficiency. As for the gas X5, it appears to have more clearance and leans a little more in the corners. The bumpers also have more cooling elements. Little by little, we're starting to see the final shape of the 2027 X5. That said, it's interesting to see that the gas and electric models don't ride on different architectures like the 3 Series and i3, and the X3 and iX3. Perhaps BMW is still developing it for larger models that will come after these. SH Proshots/Autoblog View the full article

Heated & Ventilated ClothCloth seats are exceedingly rare in luxury vehicles, but in a bid to be environmentally friendly and kind to animals, Volvo started offering wool interiors in its cars a few years ago. Americans generally prefer leather in their luxury vehicles, and there's one big problem with cloth seats as they pertain to feature content: you can't have heating and ventilation (typically). Plenty of new vehicles are available with heated cloth seats, but hardly any have ever been sold in the US with heating and ventilation. Volvo is about to add one to the list. Volvo View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The 2028 Volvo EX60 Cross Country arrives next year and will offer a heated and ventilated tailored knit textile interior. This material is technically a woven fabric, but Autoblog had a chance to see it in person at the EX60 First Drive in Spain, and it feels breathable like cloth not smooth like leather. Volvo will even offer it in a cool new indigo blue color that looks fantastic, and pairs beautifully with the weathered grey ash trim that's exclusive to the Cross Country. Current & Past Examples Nissan View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article In my time as an automotive journalist, I've only tested two vehicles with "cloth" seats that offered heating and ventilation: the Nissan 370Z Convertible and Maserati Ghibli. The 370Z featured mesh inserts for the ventilated air, while the Ghibli was available with Ermenegildo Zegna silk inserts, a form of textile that could be classified as cloth (also available in other Maserati models). Aside from these rare examples, we can't think of any other vehicles that were sold in the US with cloth seats that offered both heat and ventilation. Even Volvo's previous wool and cloth seats only came with heating elements, as cooling is far more difficult to integrate into fabric. The BMW 7 Series and i7 may be the only new vehicles on sale with some form of ventilated cloth, a cashmere fabric, in their case. If you are one of the rare buyers who has been waiting for a car that offers a non-leather seat with both heating and ventilation, the EX60 Cross Country will soon answer the call. View the full article

More Americans than ever say they want an electric vehicle. A recent JD Power survey found that 26 percent of car shoppers were "very likely" to consider buying one, a three-point jump from the month before. And yet EV sales in the US have plateaued. People want EVs, especially in the wake of rising gas prices, but they aren't buying them. The gap between intent and action comes down to three things sitting in the buyer's head: cost, charging, and range. At least two of those three are largely built on outdated assumptions, according to the experts at JD Power. The information exists, but it has not reached the showroom floor, where dealers have quietly pulled back on EV education since federal tax credits expired. Tesla The EV Myths That Don’t Add UpNearly three-quarters of the most resistant EV shoppers say they need at least 500 miles of range before they would consider going electric. That number sounds reasonable until you look at how people actually drive. JD Power's research shows the average American takes two to three road trips a year, and most of those cover 200 to 300 miles. Most modern EVs handle that on a single charge with room to spare. In which case, the 500-mile expectation is not a real need; it’s unfounded range anxiety dressed up as a specification. Getty Another common concern is that public chargers are too far apart to make EV ownership practical. Many shoppers say they would need chargers within 50 miles of each other. That charging network density is already met across a large portion of the country, something most people simply do not know. Where the Hesitation Is Actually FairPurchase price has climbed to the second most commonly cited reason for rejecting an EV among shoppers who say they are unlikely to consider one, moving up from third place. More than half of the most resistant buyers say they would not pay any premium at all for an electric car over an internal combustion car, a figure that becomes harder to work around now that the federal tax credit is gone. Getty Images Resale value on EVs does remain shakier than comparable petrol cars, and the used electric vehicle market has not fully stabilised. Charging costs are genuinely higher for drivers without home setups, since public fast-charging rates can rival or exceed what you would spend on gas. Now those are real considerations worth factoring in, not fears to be dismissed. The EV conversation has matured enough that buyers no longer need to be sold on the idea. They just need better information than they are currently getting, and that is a much easier problem to solve. View the full article

Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Larry Phillips will soon be enshrined into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. On Tuesday, members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met for an in-person closed session at the Charlotte Convention Center to debate upon the 15 nominees. This Class of 2027 was determined by votes cast from the 50-member panel. The panel includes current living members of the Hall of ...Keep readingView the full article

You might think of Nissan as a well-established brand in America, one that is perhaps as big as it can be, but if last year's financial results are any indication, Nissan is still growing, and fast. The automaker has announced that it finished its 2025 fiscal year (April 1-March 31) as "the fastest-growing mainstream automotive brand in the U.S. over the past 12 months, thanks to 12 consecutive months of sales growth." It's attracted a 19.6 percent year-on-year increase in retail market share, with figures up by more than 43,000 vehicles compared to the year before. Which vehicles drove this growth? SUVs and a pickup; cars are not finding many buyers right now. Nissan's Big Winners: Armada, Pathfinder, Rogue, Frontier Nissan View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Nissan Americas chairman Christian Meunier attributes these strong results to putting "the customer experience and brand strength first," instead of selling more vehicles through lower-margin fleet buyers, and the vehicles that led the charge were the Armada, with sales up 72 percent, the Pathfinder, with sales up 44 percent, the Rogue, with sales up 17 percent, and the Frontier, with sales up 15 percent. Nissan Americas should be able to maintain or build on this growth despite challenges like tariffs, thanks to its efforts in 2025, which included increasing localization from 44 percent to a peak of 65 percent. The goal is to increase localized production to 80 percent, said the automaker, and the arrival of the Rogue Hybrid e-POWER, revealed in April, is expected to help retain buyers' interest, as will the recently revealed Frontier Sport, which just debuted for 2027. Related: Nissan Frontier PRO-4X Turns Into the Ultimate Overland Build for 2026 Nissan is giving buyers of its best-sellers more options, and not just in the near term, either. Nissan is also reportedly working on a cheap sedan and will be bringing e-POWER technology to more U.S. models, potentially including the Kicks. If that goes well, Nissan could soon be in a position to add to its sports car lineup. Nissan Has Big Plans for Fun Cars Ideogram/Sebastian Cenizo The positive sentiment evident at Nissan Americas is reflected by the whole company, and that could be good news for enthusiast cars. With Nissan cutting up to 11 models to streamline its portfolio, the company will only get more efficient, potentially enabling the return of the Silvia nameplate and the introduction of a Z Convertible. Nissan USA product planning boss Ponz Pandikuthira has said that if the company is very successful over the next two years, it could be in a position to launch these fun new cars after the relatively affordable (sub-$40k is the target) new body-on-frame Xterra. In a nutshell, Nissan has pulled itself out of immediate danger since Ivan Espinosa took over as CEO, buyers are responding, and the automaker seems well prepared to weather storms in America and abroad, with several new iterations and new products in the pipeline. View the full article

The Nürburgring Nordschleife has a new SUV king, and it comes from Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi. The Xiaomi YU7 GT has beaten the Audi RS Q8 by a significant margin to take the title of the world’s quickest production SUV round the Nürburgring with a lap time of 7 minutes 34.931 seconds. That’s nearly two seconds quicker than the Audi RS Q8’s previous record of 7:36:69 set in 2024. Interestingly, there’s still room for improvement, as Xiaomi Auto noted that the YU7 GT previously set a lap time of 7 minutes and 32 seconds during Nürburgring Nordschleife testing, according to CarNewsChina. That speaks volumes about the electric SUV’s chassis tuning and high-speed stability. Xiaomi's Electric Performance SUV Has a Top Speed of 186 MPHThe YU7 GT is the performance version of the Xiaomi YU7 and it is currently arriving in dealerships across China. Pitched by Xiaomi Auto as a “sports car-level SUV suitable for long-distance travel,” the YU7 GT features a dual-motor AWD system with a combined output of 990 horsepower (738 kilowatts). Power comes from a 101.7-kWh ternary lithium battery pack that enables a range of 438 miles on China’s CLTC cycle. The Xiaomi YU7 GT is built on an 800-volt electrical platform and can charge from 10% to 80% in 12 minutes, according to the manufacturer. MIIT As you can see in the video above, the onboard footage of the record lap looks spectacular, if a bit too quiet given the YU7 GT’s electric powertrain. It would have been nice if Xiaomi had also shown the range indicator on the screen, which we assume showed a dramatic drop as the electric SUV almost topped out at 298 km/h (185 mph) on Döttinger Höhe, the track’s longest straight. Still, we’re happy to get a speed indicator along with accelerator and brake graphics in the video. Record-Setting Vehicle Featured a Track Pack Specification Xiaomi Auto It’s worth noting that the record-setting YU7 GT featured a Track Pack, which includes Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, ultra-wide 21-inch alloys wrapped in high-performance Michelin tires, and upgrades to the suspension software, active ride stability, and traction control calibration. In addition, the Track Pack brings a more aggressive aero kit consisting of a deep front splitter, an upgraded front bumper, broader wheel arches, a chunky diffuser, and a ducktail spoiler to increase downforce at high speeds. Xiaomi Auto The YU7 GT’s record lap was achieved by Xiaomi chief test driver, Ren Zhoucan, who became the first Chinese national to receive official Nürburgring lap certification. The Xiaomi YU7 GT is going on sale on May 21 in China, when pricing information will be released. The electric performance SUV's base price is expected to range between 450,000 and 500,000 yuan (roughly $66,000 to $73,500). Xiaomi only sells two EV models in China, the YU7 SUV and the highly popular SU7 sedan. MIIT View the full article

Dale Earnhardt Jr. largely enjoyed the All Star Race on Sunday afternoon at Dover Motor Speedway but largely as a standard race and not as part of the lineage it represented. To that end, the Hall of Famer and winner of the 2000 running of ‘The Winston’ has his own ideas with what to do with the event. “We’re doing too much,” Earnhardt said on his Dale Jr. Download podcast on ...Keep readingView the full article

Natalie Decker is back in the news after her recent NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at Dover. Earlier this year, she received criticism for arriving late to a wreck in the NASCAR O'Reilly season-opener at Daytona, but this situation was different. After being penalized by NASCAR for changing lanes before the start, and later told she was not meeting minimum speed, she got very upset on the ...Keep readingView the full article

At the recent Samson International Smart Mobility Summit in Tel Aviv, Tesla CEO Elon Musk delivered a familiar statement: unsupervised "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) will be "widespread in the US by the end of this year." However, a closer look at the company's current footprint and historical track record suggests this ambitious timeline is on a collision course with reality. The Gap Between Rhetoric and RealityDespite the promise of a nationwide rollout within seven months, Tesla currently operates a meager fleet of roughly 30 unsupervised robotaxis, entirely confined to three Texas cities: Austin, Dallas, and Houston, with promises to expand to an additional two cities. Scaling such a limited pilot program to a "widespread" national presence by December defies the company's current rate of technological and geographical expansion. Tesla This latest prediction fits neatly into a decade-long pattern of missed deadlines. For over a decade, Musk has routinely heralded imminent breakthroughs in autonomous driving, amongst other claims that ultimately fail to materialize on schedule. Contradictory Messaging and Flawed DataFurther complicating Musk's narrative are his contradictory claims regarding vehicle safety. At the mobility summit, he carefully framed FSD as being on a "path" to becoming safer than human drivers. Yet, when addressing his followers on social media just weeks prior, he definitively declared the system is already "10X safer" than a human behind the wheel. These bold safety assertions rely on methodologies that analysts and safety advocates have heavily criticized: Mismatched Road Types: Tesla routinely compares its highway-heavy FSD mileage—which occurs on statistically safer, predictable roads—against national averages that include chaotic city streets and complex rural routes.Skewed Crash Definitions: The company compares its severe, airbag-deployment crashes against all police-reported crashes nationwide, the vast majority of which are minor fender benders.By relying on mismatched crash definitions and road types, the data is artificially skewed to flatter Tesla's technology. Tesla The Road AheadIf Tesla's unsupervised FSD is to achieve true mainstream adoption, the path forward requires more than lofty conference predictions. Until the company can align its aggressive timelines with its physical fleet size and publish transparent, peer-reviewable safety data, claims of a "widespread" rollout will remain just another recurring entry in a long history of unfulfilled promises. View the full article

NASCAR on Prime Video is back! As the Cup Series heads to streaming for the next five weeks, the popular trackside coverage that featured lengthy post-race shows is back. Alongside Danielle Trotta and Corey LaJoie, who will be there every week, the panel will have a rotating cast of NASCAR legends for each of the five races the streaming platform will broadcast. NASCAR Hall of Famer Carl ...Keep readingView the full article

When a seasoned mechanic tells you the best Toyota you can buy right now is also one of the simplest, it's worth paying attention. The Car Care Nut, an experienced mechanic on YouTube, recently laid out his case for the 2026 Corolla Hybrid. His reasoning cuts through the noise of modern automotive marketing and lands somewhere surprisingly refreshing. In a market obsessed with turbos, direct injection, and screens that do everything except drive the car, the Corolla Hybrid quietly does the opposite. For a 2026 vehicle, it is almost aggressively uncomplicated. Toyota View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article A Modern Hybrid With An Old-School EngineToyota made a significant move when it switched the Corolla Hybrid to the fifth-generation hybrid system in 2023. What they did not change is equally telling. The 1.8-litre 2ZR-FXE engine underneath has been around since roughly 2009, and Toyota has left it largely untouched. It runs port injection rather than direct injection, which keeps carbon buildup off the intake valves, a problem that plagues a huge number of modern engines, quietly killing engine life. There’s also no turbocharger to add a potential point of failure. It uses a single VVT-i and a design philosophy that prioritises longevity over headline figures. The same engine has powered the Prius, the C-HR Hybrid, and the Lexus CT200h, accumulating hundreds of thousands of real-world miles across multiple model lines. While there are no EGR problems to speak of yet with this engine, the EGR valve itself is now easier to access and replace on this updated model. Where Simple Becomes SmartThe fifth-gen hybrid system in the 2026 Corolla Hybrid brings real-world improvements. Longer electric range, smoother transitions, better battery utilisation, and a lithium-ion battery that makes the whole setup feel more refined. While not the quickest transmission, the e-CVT fitted is one of Toyota's finest transmissions. According to mechanics who work on these cars, it barely needs fixing. The shifter is also cable-operated, not electronic, which means you can still shift to neutral even if the battery dies completely. Some of the other changes are not likely to ever be noticed by buyers, but contribute to the overall longevity of the car. Like the fact that the catalytic converter sits in a less rust-prone position now. Adding to the list of why this seasoned service technician thinks it’s the best car Toyota makes in 2026, the Corolla Hybrid’s fuel economy sits close to 60mpg, while the interior keeps things honest with zero gimmicks. In an industry obsessed with reinventing the automobile every three years, the Corolla Hybrid succeeds by refining what already worked. View the full article

The New Cost of Going GreenThe days of receiving giant government checks just for buying a battery-powered vehicle are officially over. After abolishing federal EV tax credits last year, lawmakers are now aggressively shifting from promotion to taxation. According to Reuters, a new bipartisan proposal in the U.S. House, introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair and Republican, Sam Graves, and Democrat Rick Larsen, aims to levy a flat $130 annual fee on electric vehicles to fund road repairs. Plug-in hybrids would not escape the dragnet either, as they face a lesser $35 annual charge. This legislation is part of a massive five-year highway reauthorization bill seeking $580 billion ahead of the September expiration of current funding laws. The rationale behind the move rests on the highway trust fund, which depends on fossil fuels. Most federal money for road repairs is currently raised through diesel and gasoline taxes. Because electric car owners never pull up to a conventional gas pump, they bypass this entire revenue loop while still putting miles on the tarmac. Under the new proposal, the government plans to dial up the pain by adding a $5 annual hike starting in 2029. This mechanism will eventually cap out at a hefty $150 yearly fee for pure EVs and $50 for plug-in models. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/Getty Images From Flat Fees to Tracked MilesWashington has long eyed battery electric drivers as an untapped reservoir for infrastructure cash. Some radical factions previously floated far more aggressive ideas to curb the shortfall. Republican senators proposed a staggering $1,000 annual EV tax to shock drivers into paying their share. Environmental groups like the Sierra Club have already weaponized their press teams against this latest bill. They argue that the policy is an irresponsible tax that simultaneously strips critical funding away from developing charging networks. Even advocacy groups like the Electrification Coalition point out that the average gas-powered vehicle contributes only around $88 annually in federal fuel taxes, making a flat fee fundamentally unbalanced. The conversation is also shifting toward alternative methods for monitoring and taxing vehicle usage. Rather than assessing a predictable flat fee, multiple states have toyed with transitioning to a pay-per-mile tax system. This distance-based taxation framework requires motorists to report their odometer readings or install tracking devices to pay for actual road usage. The U.S. Department of Transportation is also using this highway bill to target autonomous commercial operations. The legislation orders new performance-based safety standards for self-driving trucks and buses within two years. It establishes strict federal oversight that overrides state rules and mandates that autonomous school buses must retain a human operator. Kristen Brown Mixed SignalsThe automotive landscape has reached a frustrating tipping point for green mobility. Ever since federal tax credits were deleted, regional governments have tried and failed to preserve buyer incentives. California recently reversed its public pledge to revive state-level EV tax credits due to a bruising budget deficit. Governor Gavin Newsom blamed federal rollbacks but ultimately directed remaining funds into infrastructure rather than consumer pockets. This flip signposted a grim reality for automakers who relied on government subsidies to close the pricing gap with internal combustion cars. This nationwide policy pivot will inevitably slow the adoption of electric vehicles. Stripping away the carrot of tax credits and replacing it with the stick of mandatory annual fees destroys the financial incentive to go green. Consumers are highly price-sensitive, and rising ownership costs will push mainstream buyers back toward traditional combustion engines. The dream of affordable zero-emission transportation is dying a slow death under the weight of bureaucratic cash grabs. We are rapidly sliding backward into the old days when electric mobility was nothing more than an expensive luxury. View the full article

The Niagara Following a concept unveiling in 2023, Renault is moving forward with a new nameplate for its lineup. Dubbed the Niagara, it's part of the French automaker's futureREady strategic plan, which also involves launching 14 more new models outside of Europe by 2030. With the Niagara name, Renault seeks to convey strength, resilience, and an ability to withstand the elements. It also serves as an invitation to explore the great outdoors, says the brand. Sylvia dos Santos, Head of Naming Strategy at Renault, explained the name, stating that "Niagara is of Native American origin. It refers to the thundering sound of the water and to the immensity of the land. It suggests the grandeur, power, and robust strength of the elements while also inviting us to explore the great outdoors. It conveys the promise of a vehicle designed for both everyday use and trips away." Renault Debuting on September 10, 2026The new truck will be ready for launch soon. Targeted for a September launch, "the new pick-up consolidates our Renault range in Latin American countries. Versatile, spacious, and comfortable with strong styling, this pick-up will meet the needs of all our customers," said Jan Ptacek, Vice President of Renault's LCV Business Unit. For now, the brand is keeping quiet about its powertrain. Based on the 2023 concept, the Niagara was said to feature a 48-Volt Mild Hybrid system, but that remains unconfirmed at this point. Considering Renault's futureREady strategy, the company plans to rely on hybrid and electric powertrains moving forward, so possible candidates include Renault's mild hybrid, E-Tech hybrid, or E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid. In addition, Renault announced that the Niagara will be assembled at the Córdoba plant in Argentina, with availability in Latin America expected in late 2026. Renault More Details Apart from what Renault mentioned, the brand released a 10-second teaser video that reveals two details of the new pick-up's rear end. The first is a side shot of the taillights, featuring a geometric pattern lit by LEDs. Following that, a garnish joins the taillights together, and the shot ends with a debossed Niagara logo under the new Renault logo. On top of that, it appears that Renault will offer a matte paint job in the lineup. You can expect a design that's close to the concept. Several features match up, save for the light bar that stretches across the tailgate. Renault View the full article

Volvo Says the EX60 Won’t Repeat Past MistakesThe Volvo EX60 is finally making its presence felt in the US, and the starting price is aggressive – lower than the BMW iX3 and not far off a regular gas XC60. However, after the software issues with the EX30 and EX90, we won’t be surprised if you’re wary. Volvo insists things will be different this time. Speaking to Drive, Volvo executives openly admitted the company struggled during the rollout of its earlier electric models. Lorina Gewargis, Product Manager for the EX60, said Volvo learned “tremendously much” from the EX90 and EX30, adding that the EX60’s software has been developed with far more stability and quality control in mind. The EX60 sits on Volvo’s new SPA3 platform, with overhauled electrical systems and Google Gemini AI baked in. Volvo says this setup lets the car’s systems and infotainment actually talk to each other, which should cut down on the bugs and hiccups that tripped up earlier models. Gewargis also pointed out that winning back customer trust is now a top priority. Volvo What Went Wrong With the EX30 and EX90Volvo’s last couple of EV launches were rocky. The EX30 drew flak for buggy infotainment, spotty keycard access, and some issues with the electric motor. The EX90 had it even worse, with software delays pushing the launch back by as much as nine months in some markets. According to Volvo’s Head of Product and Connected Experience, Anders Lindbom, the company simply underestimated how difficult the transition to becoming a software-defined car maker would be. He admitted Volvo “was not completely there in the first phase,” but said the company has since evolved its testing and validation process significantly. Volvo says it’s now running a much bigger automated software testing setup to catch bugs and integration problems earlier in the process. Lindbom explained that they’ve worked on making sure the car’s main systems and infotainment actually play nice together – something that clearly tripped them up with the EX30 and EX90. Volvo knows its reputation is at stake here. Lindbom said they’re being extra careful with the EX60, since earning back customer confidence is key if they want to keep growing EV sales worldwide. Volvo What Americans Can Expect From the EX60Volvo expects the EX60 to attract both loyal XC60 owners ready to go electric and newcomers who’ve been waiting for an EV in this size and price range. For a lot of buyers, the EX30 was just too small and the EX90 too pricey – so the EX60 could be the Goldilocks option. Volvo is also zeroing in on the three things that still make buyers hesitate about EVs: range, charging speed, and price.ty. Unlike some of Volvo’s other EVs that come from China, the EX60 is set to be built in Sweden. That could make a difference for American buyers who care about where their car comes from. As for whether the software finally delivers on Volvo’s promises, that’s something only real-world owners will be able to say. But at least this time, Volvo seems ready to own up to its past missteps. Volvo View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The Driver Data BusinessAutomakers have long sold driver data to third parties for profit, though the practice has only recently come under greater scrutiny through lawsuits involving brands such as Toyota and General Motors. But it appears the approach may not continue, not only because of regulatory hurdles and growing backlash, but also since automakers are barely making meaningful profits from it anyway. For those hearing this for the first time, automakers argue that subscribing to their connected services means agreeing to the terms and conditions, which may include the sale or sharing of user data. Connected services include features such as navigation, location tracking, and vehicle diagnostics, all of which need data to function. That data is allegedly sold or shared with third parties, such as data brokers and insurance-related companies, potentially allowing insurers to raise or lower rates based on a car owner’s driving behavior. Chevy Not Exactly a Gold MineNow, Automotive News, citing Omdia’s latest Software-Defined Vehicle Survey, suggested that automakers are not seeing significant gains from selling customer data. Between 2020 and 2024, Honda reportedly earned just 26 cents per vehicle from driver data sales, while Hyundai generated about 61 cents per vehicle from 2018 to 2024. Instead of selling the data, the survey – which gathered responses from 559 auto industry professionals across seven markets, including the U.S. – suggested that automakers could see greater value by using it internally, particularly to improve advanced driver assistance features such as lane-keeping assist. That argument may hold up, as even affordable cars like the Nissan Sentra, which starts at around $22,000, already offer advanced driver-assistance features. Predictive maintenance is also seen as a strong source of after-sales revenue while helping improve customer loyalty. Chevrolet Connected Cars Aren’t Going AwayAmid the privacy concerns, General Motors and its connected service, OnStar, were prohibited by the Federal Trade Commission from sharing certain data with consumer reporting agencies for five years. However, the automaker continues to offer data-driven features, including Super Cruise, which provides functions such as hands-free driving. As cars become more advanced, with models like the Tesla Model 3 often described as software-defined vehicles, more data will inevitably be processed. The question now is how that data can be used properly without violating privacy rights. Lawmakers have even proposed systems that could prevent cars from starting if they detect that the driver is drunk. But if anything, this survey suggests that automakers may be heading in the right direction by using vehicle data to improve systems instead. Kyle Edward View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The Final Evo It was a sad day for enthusiasts when Mitsubishi discontinued the Lancer Evolution, and it was even sadder when the automaker announced it would focus only on crossovers and more practical pursuits. The dream may still be alive, but the Japanese automaker hasn't been making any announcements, at least not yet. It's been more than a decade since the last Lancer Evolution rolled off American showrooms, and prices for the rally-bred sedan have noticeably increased. Chalk it up to nostalgia, or the sheer collector value of these cars. In any case, here is a 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Final Edition with only 722 miles on the clock. Bring a Trailer View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article One of 1,600 Bring a Trailer lists this 10th-generation Lancer Evolution on its website, and the current bid at the time of writing is $39,700. The car is tastefully modified and has a clean title. With so little mileage on the clock, this is essentially a brand-new vehicle that traveled through time and into the future, ready for a collector or owner who wants an Evo as fresh as this. Numbered 949 out of 1,600, this Final Edition Evolution was part of a last batch of cars destined for the U.S. market back in the 2010s. What made the Evolution 10 different from its predecessors was the brand's decision to ditch the legendary 4G63T in favor of the 4B11T. The engine is a 2.0-liter turbo that produces around 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, and it is mated to a five-speed manual transmission with Mitsubishi's all-wheel drive system. I'd say that this car's lightly and tastefully modified with some choice parts. It has 18-inch XXR wheels in a decent spec, Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, Brembo brakes, a Manzo exhaust system, an AMS Performance front-mount intercooler, an AMS downpipe, a Tial blow-off valve, an aftermarket intake, an Eonon head unit, and a pair of Evo-X-sourced Recaro front seats in black. Bring a Trailer View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article History and Sale The current bid is close to $40,000, which is about the same price the owner paid brand new. For now, it's a rather fair price, because not only do you get a car that looks like it's been preserved really well, but also that 722 miles on the clock is rare to see. The sticker of this car pins it at an MSRP of $39,195. Giving this a CarFax check, the report states it is free of accidents but shows at least one open recall. On top of that, the 8944 lucky buyer of this time capsule will also receive all stock parts, including the 18-inch stock Enkei alloy wheels, stock front seats, stock head unit, and all other factory components from when the car was new. If you're a fan of Evos, check this one out. At the time of writing, the auction is still live, but you have less than three days before it heads to its new owner. There's no telling how high this listing will go, but some estimates suggest it could reach as high as $70,000. Other generations of the Evo have gone for far more in the past, over the six-figure range. Bring a Trailer View the full article

Stricter = FailureThe Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is one of the most respected and trustworthy independent safety rating agencies in the world. In America, any IIHS rating can usually make or break a car in terms of sales, with more Americans taking their safety on the road more seriously. 2026 saw the IIHS update some of its grading and scoring criteria, which has divided the industry. Some brands and models have shown just how safety-oriented they are, while others have dropped down the order. The 2026 Toyota Corolla, a usually highly rated safe car, narrowly misses out on the Top Safety Pick award. It Only Takes OneOverall, the 2026 Toyota Corolla scored highly across almost all IIHS categories. The highest rating given by the agency is "Good," and the Corolla was able to score it for the Small Overlap Front Test, Side Updated Test, Headlights, Front Crash Prevention Vehicle-to-Vehicle, Front Crash Prevention Pedestrian, and finally the Seatbelts and Child Restraints. The IIHS points out that these new safety ratings apply to the 2020-2026 Corolla Sedan because the model was updated from the previous 2019 model. Where the current Corolla model fell short was in the Moderate Overlap Front Updated Test, where the rear passenger's chest and rear passenger restraints scored only a "Marginal" rating, one level higher than a "Poor" rating. As a result, the overall evaluation of that criterion was rated "Marginal," which means the 2026 Corolla is unable to earn the IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Looking at the other results, during the Side Impact test, the Corolla received an "Average" rating for Torso safety for both the driver and the passenger. Despite this, the overall rating given was still a Good. YouTube/IIHS View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Crash Avoidance Crash avoidance for both cars and pedestrians is the main consideration in the IIHS's new grading system, and the Corolla scored Good across all driving conditions. Toyota's built-in collision mitigation system was effective at detecting cars and pedestrians at various speeds and under various conditions. YouTube/IIHS View the full article

If you've used an OBDII device to make your car or truck more powerful by circumventing its emissions devices, you may soon be in big trouble. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has subpoenaed Apple and Google, ordering them to provide information on at least 100,000 users of the EZ Lynk Auto Agent app, reports Forbes. While this is intended as a means of ensuring there are consequences for those who break the law, albeit now only a civil violation rather than a criminal one, the DOJ's order raises privacy concerns. Two Sides to the EZ Lynk and DOJ Story Ford According to Forbes, a joint letter from EZ Lynk and the DOJ to the court argues the legality of releasing user data. EZ Lynk disputes the validity of the subpoenas sent to Apple and Google, from whose app stores the software was downloaded, and Walmart and Amazon, from where the OBDII dongles were purchased. Meanwhile, the DOJ says it needs access because its lawyers want to interview users about how they used EZ Lynk products so it can take matters further. "These requests for potentially hundreds of thousands of people's PII [Personally Identifiable Information] go well beyond the needs of this case and create serious privacy concerns," wrote EZ Lynk's lawyers. "Investigating this claim does not require identifying each person who has used the product." Related: Trump’s Gas Price Plan Could Help Drivers, But Not By Much Or For Long In retort, the DOJ's legal team claims that, by accepting EZ Lynk's terms and conditions, these users "no longer have a cognizable privacy interest as to that information." If the DOJ gets its way, it will get the identities, addresses, and purchase histories of all EZ Lynk buyers and users. Herein lies the biggest problem. DOJ Could Get Data of Innocent Users Ford While it's unlikely that a user would not know that it is illegal to activate emissions defeat protocols using EZ Lynk's technology, not all of its users have done so, and their data would be released to the DOJ, too. And as noted by The Drive, it's also puzzling that this is even a priority for the DOJ following the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to delay Tier 4 emissions standards until model year 2029, making good on Trump's commitment to less stringent fuel economy rules. Trump also pardoned a diesel tuner who was convicted of removing emission-regulation components from trucks, so asking for information on users who may or may not have done the same thing seems very odd indeed. View the full article

A regional severe-weather outbreak that the Storm Prediction Center flagged at Moderate Risk verified hard across the central Plains and mid-Missouri Valley Monday, leaving 39 NWS tornado warnings, downed timber on feeder routes into I-70 and I-29, and a flash flood threat that carried into today, Tuesday May 19, 2026. Damage surveys are now underway in Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri as the storm engine shifts east toward the Ohio Valley. Peak Driving Danger WindowThe worst window for highway travelers was the 6 to 11 p.m. CDT consolidation phase Monday evening, when discrete supercells across central and northeastern Kansas collapsed into a north-south squall line that swept the I-70 belt with embedded 75 mph gusts and brief QLCS tornadoes across western Missouri and southwestern Iowa. What to ExpectTornado warning count: 39 NWS warnings across IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, and NE on Monday alonePeak wind gusts: Severe gusts over 50 knots measured along the squall line per the SPC mesoscale discussion, with sustained 60 to 75 mph corridors after darkWorst corridors: I-70 in central Kansas, I-29 from Topeka to St. Joseph, I-35 north of Kansas City, I-44 toward Springfield, I-80 across southwestern IowaConfirmed strong tornadoes: A classic stovepipe tornado in Richardson County, Nebraska; a tornado emergency in Pawnee County; structural damage south of Plattsmouth and in Belton, MissouriThe setup combined a sharpening dryline, a triple point in central Kansas, dewpoints in the upper 60s pushing north, and a 55-knot low-level jet feeding instability after dark. NWS Topeka and NWS Pleasant Hill issued back-to-back tornado warnings from mid-afternoon into the late evening as supercells trained over the same I-70 corridor. Road ConditionsHardest-hit segments overnight included Interstate 70 between Salina and Topeka, where an afternoon supercell carried a tornado warning across mile marker 229 east of Lincoln, Kansas. Secondary highways feeding I-29 north of Kansas City saw downed trees and power-line debris, with MoDOT crews clearing US-47 near Warrenton, Missouri before dawn. Drivers should still expect saturated shoulders and reduced visibility on overpass approaches today; check the MoDOT Traveler Information Map and KanDrive before heading out. Severe Storm Driving TipsTread depth matters as much in a downpour as a snowstorm: anything under 4/32" is marginal in flash-flood conditions, and 2/32" is the legal-but-not-safe floor. Hydroplaning can start near 35 mph on a worn tire, and the rear axle breaks loose first. Slow progressively, avoid hard braking, and ease off cruise control. Autoblog's primer on hydroplaning and wet-weather control and our breakdown of all-weather versus all-season tires cover vehicle setup in detail. If a tornado warning posts while you're driving, abandon the vehicle for a low-lying ditch away from the road; never shelter under an overpass. The NWS thunderstorm safety page lays out the specifics. Where the Storm Heads NextThe same frontal system that ignited Monday's outbreak is pivoting across the lower Missouri Valley toward the Ohio River Valley today. The SPC Day 2 outlook places a severe-weather corridor along the cold front from the Great Lakes south through the Ohio Valley and into the southern Plains, with damaging wind gusts and isolated large hail as the primary hazards. The WPC has Slight Risks of excessive rainfall over both the central Texas Hill Country and the Ohio River Valley. For drivers, the corridors to watch through Tuesday evening are I-70 east of St. Louis, I-44 across southern Missouri, I-64 through southern Illinois and Indiana, and I-40 between Little Rock and Memphis, with NWS St. Louis and NWS Paducah likely to drive the warning cadence as the dryline punches east this afternoon. By Wednesday the threat consolidates into a damaging-wind line across the Mid-South. View the full article

Pole Position, LiterallyAuction events are a big moment for many car owners, as all their hard work preparing their lots for sale finally comes to market. Unfortunately, one Ford Mustang Mach 1 owner saw that highly anticipated moment turn into a nightmare after the front end of their pony car was damaged. In a TikTok post by user mopar_keith, who was at Mecum Indy 2026 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, a red 1970 Mustang Mach 1 slammed into a pole with a crowd surrounding the vehicle. No one was injured, but the owner likely had a tough time dealing with the situation, as the damage may have complicated any potential sale. Even if it were still sold, its value would almost certainly be much lower. The Sound Nobody Wanted to HearThere is no clear explanation of exactly what happened. However, people can be heard in the video saying they heard a tire squeal and that the brakes were applied, though it seems to have been to no avail. Some speculated that a stuck throttle may have caused the crash. Jo Daddy's Garage / Facebook This particular example is based on the first-generation Mustang, featuring aggressive styling cues including rear window louvers. It was positioned as a high-performance variant of the nameplate, though still below the more extreme Shelby and Boss models, with the latter sold with a 7.0-liter V8 developed for NASCAR homologation. In terms of pricing, the Mustang Mach 1, like any used car, can vary depending on condition, engine, originality, and provenance. However, some driver-grade examples are listed at around $50,000. With the crash damage from the recent incident, its value could fall even further, even if it were meticulously repaired. That damage would be hard to hide now that the incident has been immortalized on the internet. Ford The Auction World Can Turn FastMecum Indy 2026 already concluded last weekend, with a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder topping the sale at $18,150,000, followed by a 2003 Ferrari Enzo at $10,230,000. As for the 1970 Mustang Mach 1, its true value may remain unknown for now. There is also a newer version of the Mach 1 based on the previous-generation S550, with a roughly similar average used-car price. The current-generation S650 does not offer a Mach 1 variant, though it does feature an expanded Dark Horse family, including the track-focused Mustang Dark Horse R. Ford View the full article

No Excuses For SafetySometimes, car buyers are willing to put up with some compromises when it comes to the car of their choice. From time to time, we can overlook certain things, such as a lack of features, a slightly higher price, or even some quality concerns, as long as they fit our criteria. Safety is never worth the compromise; in this day and age, there is no excuse for a car not built to be able to keep occupants safe. This is even more important for models targeted for families, and it seems Honda missed that memo with the Ridgeline. Poor ScoreLet's first put things into perspective. The Honda Ridgeline has been around for quite some time now. The current model has been in production and sale since 2017, receiving minor updates here and there. Also, the IIHS has just updated its crash test scoring system and criteria for 2026, making them stricter and more stringent in certain aspects of road safety. With that out of the way, let's look at the updated score of the Honda Ridgeline based on IIHS's new safety test protocols. The good news is that, in the small overlap front test, the Ridgeline scored a lot of "G" or Good ratings, which also holds for side impact testing, and it even got a Moderate score for the headlights. That's basically where the positives end. When it comes to the testing of the updated Moderate Overlap Front test, things take a turn for the worse. The driver safety scores remain Good, but the rear passengers' head and chest scores are Poor and Marginal. According to the IIHS, the Moderate Overlap Front test revealed that rear passengers have an increased chance of getting head, neck, and abdominal injuries. YouTube/IIHS View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Poor Crash PreventionAnother aspect of the IIHS tests that was updated for 2026 is the crash-prevention criteria for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian collisions. When it comes to Front Crash Prevention, the Ridgeline's collision mitigation system was given a score of Poor. Even more alarming, it also scored a Poor for front crash prevention for civilians. The results show that the car failed to slow under different testing conditions, including different speeds and high-beam or low-beam usage, which could mean it probably crashed into the test dummy of a child or adult, as the IIHS tests. YouTube/IIHS View the full article

Hyundai’s Fake EV GearboxHyundai’s simulated gear shift system has quietly become one of the more influential ideas in the EV space. What started as a quirky feature in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N turned out to be surprisingly convincing, adding fake shifts, simulated revs, and even drivetrain jolts that gave the electric hot hatch a more traditional performance-car feel. The idea worked so well that other brands started taking notes. Hyundai is also looking to bring this tech to more than just its N models, which shows the company sees simulated shifting as more than a party trick. The next step might be here already, thanks to a new patent filing. Filed with the US Patent Office in 2024 (patent no. 12624755 if you want to check), the document describes an 'electronic shift operation apparatus.' To put it simply, it’s a setup that uses sensors, springs, and magnets to copy the feel and movement of a real stick shift – without any actual gears underneath. CarBuzz was first to spot the patent after it went public last week. USPTO Simulated Gears, Physical FeelThe patent describes a shifter capable of moving through defined positions corresponding to gears, including reverse and neutral. Instead of using traditional linkages connected to a transmission, the setup relies on sensors and electronic inputs to determine where the driver intends to shift. Based on the patent, Hyundai has put in the work to make sure that the shifter would feel like an actual manual shifter, with springs, channels, and resistance in place. The goal, of course, is to give drivers the sensation of a real manual, even if the car is still a single-speed EV underneath. Some diagrams show the system can guide or even block certain shifts, depending on drive mode or what the car is doing. There are mentions of shift lockouts, automatic shifting, and software-controlled settings. Of course, just because there’s a patent doesn’t mean this will show up in showrooms. Automakers file plenty of ideas that never leave the drawing board. Sometimes it’s just to stake a claim before someone else does. USPTO Hyundai Isn’t the Only Automaker Thinking About Better EV Driving FeelManual-style controls in EVs are starting to catch on across the industry. Subaru previously explored the idea of fitting an electric vehicle with an actual clutch pedal, even though it wouldn’t operate a conventional gearbox in the traditional sense. Ford, meanwhile, has also patented alternative EV shifter concepts, including one that could control multiple vehicle functions beyond gear selection. That, err, shift says a lot about where things are going. For years, EVs were all about smoothness and simplicity. Now, as the market grows up, brands are seeing that drivers still want some involvement and a bit of old-school drama behind the wheel. Hyundai might be the first to make fake shifting actually fun, not just a gimmick. If this patent leads to a real product, EVs could soon offer a driving feel that’s even closer to the real thing – this time, not through paddles behind the tiller. USPTO View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Last week, the covers came off the Vision BMW Alpina, an 8 Series-like concept that previews the design direction and Bentley-esque luxury of the Alpina brand, and now we have official confirmation that the first real Alpina product under BMW's stewardship will be based on the 7 Series, filling the small gap between that luxury sedan and the Rolls-Royce Ghost with a new B7, though it's unclear if that name will survive. Speaking with Top Gear, BMW Alpina boss Oliver Viellechner said Alpina is all about V8 power, and that power won't need any help from an electric motor. "A combustion engine and also a V8 is a core pillar of our offering," he said, adding, "A pure V8 without a plug." Alpina Will Still Make More Power Than BMW ChatGPT/Sebastian Cenizo Alpina's roots lie in tuning BMWs, and that won't be changing in its new era, with Viellechner saying that "the engine of an Alpina can't be the same engine in a base model 7 Series." While the V8 isn't available in a base model 7 Series (that gets a straight-six), it seems that BMW Alpina's boss is hinting at a modified version of the 4.4-liter V8, which will already be getting more power for 2027. Alpina will be differentiating its vehicle through differences in "powertrain, chassis, driving, and so on," according to the executive. BMW Alpina models will have unique outputs, handling characteristics, and drive modes, with 'Comfort+' as the default setting (one-upping 'Comfort' in a normal BMW), followed by 'Speed' and 'Speed+' instead of 'Sport' and 'Sport+.' Viellechner explained that Alpina will not talk about volumes or price, aiming to take the brand in a more exclusive direction than BMW and closer to Rolls-Royce territory, but the Alpina brand will no longer be limited by geography, with the cars set to be offered globally without making the cars intentionally rare. To achieve global desirability, it's no surprise that there will eventually be EVs, too. Related: 2027 BMW 7 Series Vs. 2026 BMW 7 Series: What Actually Changed? Bentley is working on one, Jaguar is aiming at Bentley with one, and Rolls-Royce has started on its second. Even Ferrari knows ultra-wealthy buyers may someday want or need an EV in their climate-controlled garages. Viellechner explained the decision: "We believe we will need non-combustion variants going forward. It will not be so relevant at the beginning, but we will also find it difficult to launch a combustion-only brand these days. If you look to markets like China, for example, I could not see that as the right strategy." Smaller Alpina Models Won't Fit the BillWhen quizzed about models like the 3 Series-based B3 or the 5 Series-based B5, Viellechner indicated that they may find their place someday, but with the vibe and sense of status that Alpina is targeting, that day is not near. "Definitely not at the start," he said. "I think, long-term, the brand has the potential to [offer smaller cars], but it will be wrong to do that at the start. And not as the immediate second step either, because it's quite a stretch." So while markets like Germany and Japan may be willing to pony up for an expensive 3er or 5er, it doesn't make sense in building the image Alpina wants. Instead, BMW Alpina wants the sort of buyers seen in the U.S., who will pay $200,000 for big sedans and SUVs, and it wants people to see the brand as a symbol of opulence. It wants customers to visit only the finest selected BMW dealerships, spend more on the base car than they would have on the most expensive Bimmer, but less than the entry-level Rolls-Royce, and then spend some more on customization. It wants them to choose Alpina over Bentley. This is why V8s make sense, small cars don't, and Alpina is "much more separate from BMW than M is," according to Viellechner. Whether they do so on a sedan or a coupe like the Vision concept remains to be seen, but we'll know next year. Note: The images used in this article, excluding the embedded YouTube video, are AI-generated renders and should not be considered genuine BMW Alpina concepts. View the full article