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Filling the VoidPagani is known for creating the most exquisite super and hypercars, blending form and function. The Zonda was the car that launched Pagani to where it is now and held on for a long time through various iterations, but it eventually needed replacement. Filling the shoes of something as loved and revered as the Zonda is not easy, and Pagani went all out when they introduced the successor, the Huayra, back in 2011. Stephen Fogel God of WindThe name came from the Huayra-tata, the Andean God of Wind. Most people described it as a fusion of art and engineering. A key aspect of the Huayra's game-changing features includes active aerodynamics, a new chassis material mix of carbon fiber and titanium (carbotanium), and, for the first time, a twin-turbo V12. Its engine came once again from longtime partner Mercedes-Benz, but it was just a 6.0-liter that pumped out 730 horsepower in base form and 737 lb-ft of torque. It was to be a true driver's car, and the powertrain was paired to a 7-speed sequential transmission. Inside, Pagani had a steampunked theme, with exposed mechanical linkages, milled aluminum, and leather. It was initially offered as a Roadster back in 2011, a very rare breed with only 100 units ever produced. One of the few has just broken a new auction record at the recently concluded Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach event. With just 2,331 miles and finished in the iconic Gray Clement with exposed blue carbon fiber, this car went for a staggering $3,190,000. It's officially the most expensive car sold at a Palm Beach auction. The Earlier the BetterOne reason this particular Pagani Huayra went for that price is the exclusivity and the rarity of the early Huayra specification. It has become highly sought after for collectors to go for the earlier Coupe model. Pagani is known for extending the lifespan of a specific model, and it shows. Succeeding the Coupe was the roadster (lighter, removable roof), the track-focused Huayra BC, and the track-only Huayra R/R Evo. In 2022, a special-edition Codalunga was built with a more streamlined, elongated rear, harkening back to 1960s Le Mans racers. More recently, in celebration of Horacio Pagani's 70th birthday, they released the limited Huayra 70 Trionfo. Pagani View the full article

Splitting the DreamCar prices are climbing everywhere, and Japan is feeling the squeeze just like the rest of us. The headlines usually focus on the US, but sticker shock is alive and well in Tokyo and Osaka. Even so, Gen Z drivers aren’t letting that stop them. They’re still finding ways to chase after cars most people would call impossible dreams – think a Ferrari or a Porsche. Here’s the twist: these young buyers aren’t suddenly earning more, and supercars aren’t getting any cheaper in Japan. Instead, they’re turning to services like Rendez-Vous, which basically lets you and your friends “split the bill” on a dream car. The idea is straightforward: gather a group – usually five people – and you all share a car for a year. It’s not full-on ownership, but it’s close enough to scratch the itch. The real draw is how this setup suddenly puts cars that used to be out of reach within striking distance. It’s a clever workaround that shows just how far Gen Z is willing to go for a shot at driving something special. How the Numbers WorkWith Rendez-Vous, the company buys a pre-owned car and matches it to a group, Nikkei Asia reports. Each person gets up to 50 days behind the wheel every year – enough to make it feel like your own, but without the headaches that come with full ownership. The costs are built around how much value the car loses over a year. Say a car is bought for 20 million yen ($126,000) and drops to 17 million yen ($107,000) after twelve months – the group covers that 3 million yen ($18,900) difference. Split five ways, that’s about 600,000 yen ($3,800) per person for the year, before you add in things like parking, insurance, taxes, and maintenance. Even after you factor in those extras, it’s still a lot more doable than buying a car outright. For example, getting into a Porsche 911 only takes a modest upfront payment and a monthly fee that feels more like a premium subscription than a car loan. Other options are catching on, too. Peer-to-peer platforms like DriveShare let you rent cars straight from owners, sometimes at prices that are easier to swallow than you’d expect. Want to try a Porsche Panamera? You can rent one for a day and get a taste of the high-end life, no strings attached. Porsche A Different Kind of OwnershipThere’s a bigger shift at play. Surveys in Japan show more and more young adults just aren’t interested in owning cars, mostly because of the high prices and the hassle of keeping them running. With car prices creeping up year after year, it’s easy to see why they’re thinking twice. But that doesn’t mean the passion for cars is fading. It’s just showing up in new ways. For a lot of Gen Z, owning a car isn’t the main goal anymore – it’s all about having access when you want it. Services like Rendez-Vous blur the line between owning and subscribing, while rental apps fill in the gaps for those one-off drives. Put together, they make it possible to drive your dream car without worrying about your bank balance – what matters now is flexibility. It’s a practical fix, but it says a lot about where things are headed. For Gen Z in Japan, owning a car outright just isn’t as important as it used to be. What really counts is getting the experience – even if it means passing the keys around. Bring a Trailer View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The Most Powerful Dark HorseFord has officially revealed power specifications for its upcoming Mustang Dark Horse SC, a supercharged version of the high-performance Dark Horse. We knew the SC would use the same 5.2-liter supercharged Predator V8 that was previously found under the hood of the Shelby GT500 (and is currently used in the Mustang GTD), but the new Dark Horse will produce more power: 795 horsepower and 660 pound-feet of torque, to be exact. Adam Lynton/Autoblog Like the GT500, power is routed to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch from Tremec. This differs from the Tremec DCT in the GTD, which has eight gears. "Developing the Mustang Dark Horse SC alongside the Mustang GTD and our Mustang GT3 race car allowed us to create a direct pipeline of innovation," said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Racing. A Horsepower Bargain The Mustang Dark Horse SC starts at $103,490 before destination, and goes up to $139,990 with the optional Track Pack. Buyers who want the optional Track Pack Special Edition will pay $170,970. Even at that top price, the Dark Horse SC remains a "bargain" compared to the race-derived Mustang GTD, which starts around $328,000. If you do some basic math, the Dark Horse SC delivers 97% of the GTD's power for just one-third the price. Even the Track Pack Special Edition is only around half the price of the most basic, zero-option GTD. Of course, the GTD has incredible suspension technlogy that you won't get on the Dark Horse, which allowed it to beat the Corvette ZR1's record-breaking lap time on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Adam Lynton/Autoblog View the full article

If you've driven I-80 during storms like this before, you already know how fast the road can shut down. The National Weather Service has upgraded its earlier watches to full Winter Storm Warnings across the major Sierra corridors. The window runs from Tuesday morning through Wednesday evening, and three NWS offices are coordinating on this one: Sacramento, Reno, and Hanford. That Didn't Take LongEarlier Monday the Sierra was under Winter Storm Watches, with forecasters flagging up to 18 inches of snow and an upgrade likely. That upgrade came through later in the morning. Totals ticked higher after that. Snow in the high terrain now pushes toward 24 inches, and Hanford is calling for crest gusts to 75 mph in the southern Sierra. Sacramento's product explicitly lists I-80 and Highway 50 in the impact zone. Donner, Echo, and the Roads Nobody Wants to Drive on TuesdayI-80 over Donner Pass sits at roughly 7,000 feet. The Sacramento office names I-80 directly in the warning text, which isn't always the case. With a foot to a foot and a half forecast at pass level and gusts near 50 mph, chain controls are nearly certain from Tuesday morning onward. Photo by Mario Tama on Getty Images The Sierra storm two weekends ago closed I-80 in both directions after spinouts on Donner Summit. A repeat isn't guaranteed, but the setup is similar, and it can unravel fast. The warning expires Wednesday evening, but that doesn't mean the road is clear. Twelve to eighteen inches of snow doesn't come off a mountain highway in a few hours. US 50 over Echo Summit (7,382 feet) is the southern route to South Lake Tahoe. Also named in the Sacramento warning. Highway 50 has fewer plowing resources than I-80, and when both routes tighten at the same time, there's no realistic alternative across the central range. US 395 runs the east side from Bridgeport through Mammoth Lakes to Bishop. You won't see the same totals right on the highway, but the Mono County warning extends to highway elevations, and the side roads into Mammoth and June Mountain will be treacherous. Then there are the smaller routes like CA 88 over Carson Pass, CA 4 through Ebbetts Pass, and CA 168 toward Shaver Lake. These are all exposed, and all have limited plowing. If I-80 and US 50 go to chain controls, don't count on these as a backup. Why This One Sticks AroundThe bigger issue isn't just the snow totals. It's how long the system sticks around. An upper low is pushing inland late Monday into Tuesday, and because it's moving slowly, it parks over the region long enough to keep snow falling for roughly 36 hours. Snow levels start around 6,000 to 7,000 feet Monday night and could crash to 4,500 to 5,500 feet by Wednesday. That's the part that tends to surprise people. Pavement that was bare and warm all weekend is about to get snow at elevations where it hasn't snowed in weeks, and it lands on surfaces that refreeze overnight into black ice on every bridge and overpass. The heaviest snow comes Tuesday afternoon and evening, landing right on the Tuesday evening commute, with rates around an inch or two an hour. If You Still Have to DriveCaltrans will require chains on most vehicles above 4,000 to 5,000 feet during active controls. AWD doesn't exempt you from R 3 restrictions. Bring chains even if conditions look clear at departure, and carry the usual kit: blanket, flashlight, phone charger, water, food, shovel, traction sand, full tank of fuel. If you get stranded, stay with the vehicle. Check Caltrans QuickMap for live road conditions, cameras, and chain controls, or dial 511. Nevada drivers can use NVRoads.com. View the full article

The ninth round of the 2026 NASCAR Cup season was a surprising one, partly due to how clean it was. There were no incidents until a single-car spin on the penultimate lap completely changed the complexion of the finish. And the finish itself was incredible, with Reddick once again prevailing after a last-lap pass on Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin losing out after dominating half the ...Keep readingView the full article

Once upon a time, the most affordable cars on the market were also the least secure, crumbling under the pressure of a serious crash, but the 2026 Nissan Sentra has proved that those days are long behind us. Despite a starting price of $22,600, the sedan achieved a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, its highest honor. To get there, vehicles have to pass all three IIHS crash tests with a rating of "Good" (the highest score possible). These tests include the small overlap front crash test, the moderate overlap front crash test, and the side impact crash test. But what exactly are these tests all about? How the IIHS Tests Vehicles Nissan The IIHS uses a four-point scale to rate vehicles: Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor, and this scale is applied after replicating several scenarios. The updated moderate overlap front crash test replicates a head-on collision at 40 mph, and the IIHS evaluates cars, not only on how well they can deal with the impact, but also how well the seats keep a dummy in the second row from sliding under the belt and hitting the seat in front of them. The small overlap front test (depicted above) is one of the most difficult to score well in, as this simulates a crash where the front of the car hits an unmoving object, but not head-on. At 40 mph, only one corner of the front end (25 percent of the vehicle's width) makes contact with a fixed object (a five-foot-tall rigid barrier), recreating a crash where one hits a tree or pole. The IIHS does this on both sides of the car, ensuring that both frame rails and impact absorption structures are evaluated. In a badly designed car, this test pushes a front wheel into the footwell, which can move the steering column and its airbag away from the driver or collapse the passenger compartment. Related: Nissan Is Getting Serious About Bringing the Silvia Back Finally, the side test uses a barrier weighing some 4,200 pounds to simulate an SUV or pickup hitting the vehicle in a T-bone collision at 37 mph. Over the years, this test has been updated to increase weight because cars are getting heavier, and the fact that the IIHS says the Sentra can handle such a collision is impressive, especially since it weighs under 3,200 lbs itself. Nissan's Cheap Sedan Can Also See Better Nissan Nissan says it achieved such a fine rating by passing the above tests, but also by providing the Sentra with 10 airbags as standard, among other things. These include a new advanced driver assistance system suite that is better at avoiding crashes in the first place, through a new 4K front camera and front radar. These systems, coupled with new software, are said to be capable of identifying obstacles earlier and with greater accuracy. Those potential obstacles now include bicyclists and motorcyclists, and thanks to standard LED headlights on all trims, the Sentra makes it easier for drivers to see in the dark, too. While the previous-gen Sentra had light-scattering halogen headlights as standard, with LEDs optional, the 2026 Sentra's clusters each have two LED projectors for low beams, with an extra projector on each side for high-beam functions. These create a stronger, more precise light beam, thus minimizing glare for oncoming traffic while improving visibility for the driver. While the IIHS tested the Sentra SV, one trim up from the base S model, all 2026 Sentra models get the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, with Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (autonomous emergency braking), pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, high-beam assist, rear automatic braking, and lane depature warning, along with the aforementioned airbags and things that all new American cars get, like a rearview camera, anti-lock brakes, and stability control. Nissan View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The tenth round of the 2026 NASCAR Cup season takes place at Talladega Superspeedway -- the biggest oval on the NASCAR schedule. In this guide, you can find all the information you need to be ready for 500 miles of racing at the iconic Alabama track. The History and Track Dimensions for Talladega Superspeedway Talladega Superspeedway Billboard Photo by: Logan Riely / Getty ...Keep readingView the full article

Hyundai has unveiled the Ioniq 3, the smallest member of its all-electric model family, at the Milan Design Week in Italy today. Dubbed an “Aero Hatch,” the Ioniq 3 is said to combine aerodynamic efficiency—the targeted drag coefficient is a class-leading 0.263—with generous interior space for a compact car. As with the most recent models from the brand, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 adopts the ‘Art of Steel’ design philosophy and draws inspiration from last year’s Concept Three show car. Less Sporty Than Concept Three, But Still Striking Hyundai Motor Europe While the striking design study was lower and sportier, the Ioniq 3 looks like a mix between a hatchback and a crossover due to the jacked-up, taller body and the black wheel arches, side sills and lower bumpers, at least in the sporty N Line trim pictured here. Design highlights include the low, sleek front-end, the sloping roofline that merges with the rear spoiler, the helmet visor-like glasshouse, and the signature pixel lighting front and rear. Oh, and if you wonder what’s with the four central dots, they reference the letter “H” in Morse code. Customers will be able to choose from 11 exterior colors, multiple interior schemes, and wheels sized from 16- to 19-inch. Interior Offers Hyundai's Pleos Connect Infotainment and Room for Five Adults Hyundai Motor Europe Thanks to the long wheelbase and flat-floor layout, as well as the “Furnished Space” interior packaging where elements are arranged like furniture, the five-seat cabin is said to offer upper-segment roominess, with the three adults in the rear benefitting from “notable headroom and improved comfort.” Up front, Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect infotainment system based on Android Automotive OS (AAOS) makes its debut in Europe with a central touchscreen that comes in two sizes—12.9 inches or 14.6 inches—and features physical buttons at the bottom for key vehicle functions. Hyundai Motor Europe The trunk has a cargo volume of 441 liters (15.6 cubic feet) and is complemented by a Megabox concealed storage space under the floor. Depending on specification, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 offers features like Relaxation Seats, heated and ventilated seating, and textile materials inspired by natural landscapes and 1970s Italian furniture design. A Bose premium sound system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and ambient lighting round off the interior. Up to 308 Miles of Range but No Dual-Motor Option Hyundai Motor Europe As with the Kia EV3, the Ioniq 3 is built on Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) with a 400-volt electrical architecture. It offers two battery options with projected WLTP ranges of 344 km (214 miles) for the Standard Range pack and 496 km (308 miles) for the Long Range pack. Hyundai mentions only a single-motor front-wheel-drive variant that delivers 145 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. In this configuration, the Ioniq 3 is capable of reaching a top speed of 105 mph. Charging the battery at a DC fast charger from 10 to 80% takes around 29 minutes, with the Ioniq 3 also offering AC charging capability of up to 22 kW. Hyundai Motor Europe On the tech front, the compact EV gets the Hyundai SmartSense ADAS suite including Highway Driving Assist 2, Remote Smart Parking Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Memory Reverse Assist, and Surround View Monitor. The Hyundai Digital Key 2 enables keyless access via smartphone or wearable devices, with Plug & Charge, an integrated EV route planner, and interior and exterior Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality also on offer. Built at Hyundai’s Izmit plant in Turkey, the Ioniq 3 will be available across Europe and has also been confirmed for Australia. The US market will not get it, but Americans will be able to buy the Kia EV3 platform sibling soon. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BR1LB8nMQO0 View the full article

Tesla has launched its unsupervised robotaxi service in Dallas and Houston over the weekend, but catching a ride wasn’t a walk in the park for some users—and the few that did were in for some unwanted surprises. First off, the problem is the service area in each city is small—30 square miles in Dallas and 25 square miles in Houston. That means Tesla’s self-driving car service covers less than 10 percent of Dallas, which has an area of 385 square miles, and less than 4 percent of Houston (approximately 650 square miles). And that’s not all. According to a third-party robotaxi tracker, Tesla only has one Model Y robotaxi in each city, and each car has logged less than 10 rides at the time of writing. No wonder people had a difficult time finding cars on the Tesla Robotaxi ride-hailing app. This Dallas Trip Was a Glitch Fest😞 Tesla @robotaxi in Dallas fails to read the sign correctly and refuses to turn on red 😖 Angry driver honks 4 times and finally goes around! 🤬🤬🤬 It turned on red at other lights but I think this sign confused it 😭 pic.twitter.com/eB3GPVMnR6 — TexasTSLA (@TexasTSLA) April 19, 2026 Dallas resident Chris Ramos told Business Insider he waited almost two hours for a ride, and when he finally got one, it was a pretty wild one. While the self-driving Model Y handled city driving smoothly, it did have some difficulty reading signals; for example, it failed to realize that it could turn right at a red light, being repeatedly honked at by other drivers. The real problems started when the robotaxi missed an exit and entered a highway. It picked up speed to keep up with traffic, which was going at 80 to 90 mph, but then it suddenly started to slow down looking for a spot to pull over. Welcome to Dallas bud 😅😅🤣 Dear @Tesla FSD users have said multiple times nav and map data is 🥔 and needs to be improved @robotaxi misses its exit! ROBOTAXI DRIVES ON THE HIGHWAY and freaks out!! THEN TRIES TO PULL OVER AS TRAFFIC IS FLYING BY 80-90mph!!! Rider… pic.twitter.com/MNBTlarMlP — TexasTSLA (@TexasTSLA) April 19, 2026 One of the videos Chris (@TexasTSLA) posted on X.com shows the vehicle screen displaying the following message: “Vehicle is finding a safe location to pull over.” That’s not something you want to see when you’re on the highway, and that made the passenger feel unsafe. Then suddenly a Tesla support agent chimes in to assist the rider, only for the connection to break seconds later. Is Tesla Beta Testing Its Robotaxi Service on Real People?Guess @robotaxi in Dallas needs a map update like the rest of us FSD users 😅😅 It tried to drop me off 2.6 miles away from my destination and got stuck in an infinite loop but thankfully rider support took over 🕹️😀 ✌️❤️ pic.twitter.com/4QpH0XFwNn — TexasTSLA (@TexasTSLA) April 19, 2026 But wait, there’s more. Another video shared by the same user shows the robotaxi trying to drop him off 2.6 miles away from his destination and getting stuck in an infinite loop, circling a hotel five times. Rider support took over and tried to steer the car to the correct location, but that took several minutes. Furthermore, the discussion between the operator and the passenger is quite telling of the fact that the service is definitely not ripe for public consumption. At one point, the operator asks the passenger if he has the ability to change the destination in the main screen; that really sounds like Tesla is using paying passengers to beta test its robotaxi service. Screen on my @robotaxi in Dallas malfunctioned as well 😭😅 Screen got stuck and kept telling me to EXIT SAFELY as we were driving 40MPH 🤣🤣💀 I couldn’t watch any videos, listen to any music, check out the map, adjust the air or anything 😣 pic.twitter.com/2rl9WghKYQ — TexasTSLA (@TexasTSLA) April 19, 2026 Imagine if a crash happened and someone got hurt. Actually, had the passenger listened to the instructions on the screen, which at one point got stuck displaying the message “Please exit safely” as the vehicle was traveling at 40 mph, a tragedy would have almost certainly happened. In the end, the self-driving Tesla Model Y took 54 minutes to cover about 11 miles, costing the user around $18. Overall, the glitchy trip may have been exciting for a Tesla fan like Chris, but he said he would not recommend the service to his grandmother. View the full article

Cleetus McFarland (Garrett Mitchell) made his NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) debut at Rockingham Speedway, driving the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. He started 35th and finished 32nd, finishing the race despite several slides and one full spin. Originally, he planned to make his second NOAPS start at Talladega, but NASCAR did not approve him for the larger tracks on the ...Keep readingView the full article

Two "Eco" Boosted EnginesFord may label them them as "EcoBoost" engines, but there's nothing economical about the engines in the 2026 Ford Explorer perform. The base motor is a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which pumps out 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels (a rare configuration in this segment) or optional four-wheel-drive. Compared to competitive three-row SUVs that still use non-turbo V6 engines, Ford's four-pot produces a bit more power and heaps more torque, resulting in a zero to sixty mph time around six seconds. That's around a second quicker than many of its rivals. Most drivers will find the four-cylinders more than adequate, but Ford offers another engine that you won't find in competitors: a twin-turbocharged V6. This is the same 3.0-liter unit you'll find in the Bronco Raptor and the Lincoln Aviator, and it delivers a brawny 400 hp and 415 lb-ft. With a RaceBox data recorder, we timed a 2026 Explorer Tremor hitting 60 mph in just 5.24 seconds when equipped with this engine. For comparison, the outgoing 2025 Kia Telluride with its V6 engine needed 7.75 seconds. Two V6 Flavors View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Buyers could previously opt for the EcoBoost V6 in the luxurious Explorer Platinum, stealthily ordering a loaded family SUV with Lincoln-level luxury for a much lower price. That trim is now four-cylinder-only for for 2026, leaving the Tremor and ST as the only Explorer variants available with the V6. The ST is the sportiest version of the Explorer, so it comes with the V6 standard in either RWD or 4WD for $2,000. The Tremor replaces the Timberline as the rugged Explorer. Buyers of this trim will need to add the V6, and it's not exactly a cheap option at $11,850. That hefty sum includes more than just the engine, you also get what Ford calls the Tremor Ultimate Package. This brings the following: BlueCruise hands-free driving, 14-speaker B&O audio system (replacing a 10-speaker system), panoramic glass roof, rain-sensing wipers, massaging memory seats, power third-row seats, power-folding mirrors, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Expanding The Tremor Lineup View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The Tremor name first appeared back in 2002 on a Ranger pickup truck, but it only recently became a household name when Ford revived it in 2020 as an off-road package for the Super Duty. Tremor quickly became a popular option, expanding to become a trim level on other vehicles such as the F-150, Expedition, and now the Explorer. It may not be the most capable SUV in the segment or even in Ford's lineup, but the Explorer Tremor is built to take families further off the pavement than they could previously go in models like the Timberline. This trim features all-terrain tires, a one-inch suspension lift, and underbody protection. 8.7 inches ground clearance is pretty decent for the segment, besting the Honda Pilot Trailsport (8.3 inches) but falling short of the Kia Telluride X-Pro (9.1 inches). 400-Horsepower Value The 2026 Explorer Tremor starts at $48,965 with the four-cylinder engine, but if you go for the Tremor Ultimate Package, the price jumps to $60,815. That's actually more than you'll spend on the sporty Explorer ST, which starts at $54,905, but doesn't come with standard 4WD or standard features like the panoramic roof, 14-speaker B&O audio system, and BlueCruise. Even if you add those options, the Explorer shapes up as a unique value in the three-row SUV segment. Nothing else in the competitive set approaches this level of performance. The Mazda CX-90 with its inline-six (340 hp) and the Toyota Grand Highlander (362 hp) with its Hybrid Max powertrain get the closest, but both fall significantly short. If you're looking for luxury amenities and luxury performance but want to pay a mainstream price, the Ford Explorer is the way to have your cake and eat it too. View the full article

The Future Is More Than Four WheelsCars have long been seen as a means of getting from point A to point B. But as technology advances, vehicles are becoming more capable than ever, and a report from Automotive News suggests that the adoption of AI agents could push that even further, particularly in voice recognition. AI agents are expected to let users handle not only in-vehicle functions, such as adjusting the climate settings, but also tasks outside the car, including scheduling meetings or booking vehicle service. Pedro Pacheco, Gartner’s vice president of research, said, “If properly done, this can become a game changer, as it will allow the car to expand the amount of value it delivers to its occupants.” Mercedes-Benz The Business of Talking CarsThat potential is reflected in the market outlook as well. A report from GM Insights projects the global automotive voice-recognition market to reach $9.9 billion by 2034, up from $3.7 billion in 2024. The technology is also being refined to become more intuitive and better at understanding human context using large language models (LLMs). Some systems are even capable of adjusting their responses based on passengers’ emotions. In addition to convenience, improvements in automotive AI assistants could help enhance safety by reducing some forms of distracted driving. But as with any advancement, the technology could also add costs. Smart features rely heavily on semiconductor chips, which face potential shortages as demand rises for AI-driven systems, according to S&P Global. Tesla The AI Personality WarFor automakers competing for market share, the report said the approaches may differ. Mercedes-Benz is leaning into the idea of a “digital companion” capable of natural dialogue and expressing four emotional states. Tesla, by contrast, is seen as taking a different route with the deployment of the Grok chatbot from xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company, offering more conversational depth and a more rebellious tone. As current AI platforms like ChatGPT have shown, people often have distinct preferences in how they want responses delivered, which could make this an important area of differentiation for automakers. Looking further ahead, automotive AI assistants could work hand in hand with SAE Level 4 autonomy systems to further enhance convenience, potentially transforming vehicles into more intelligent, service-oriented environments rather than simple means of transportation. Whether that ultimately proves to be a good or bad thing remains up for debate. Mercedes-Benz View the full article

Following insensitive comments made against IndyCar star David Malukas on a whatnot livestream, Daniel Dye was suspended from NASCAR until he completed sensitivity training. He also lost his full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ride with the Kaulig Racing Ram team. Since being reinstated, Dye made his return this past weekend, finishing second in the ARCA Menards Series race at Kansas ...Keep readingView the full article

When Toyota opened orders for its new bZ7 electric sedan in China, the response was almost violent. Over 3,100 reservations came in within the first hour. That kind of demand happens when a company builds something extraordinary, prices it aggressively, and drops it into one of the most cutthroat EV markets on the planet. The bZ7 is Toyota's flagship electric vehicle in China, developed through its GAC-Toyota joint venture. It is, by any measure, a big deal, and it is almost certainly never coming to the United States. If it did, you can be sure that it would have gotten way more than 3,100 orders in an hour, thanks to the US market being starved for affordable EVs. GAC Toyota View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article A Flagship That Punches Well Below Its WeightOn paper, the bZ7 makes a mockery of Western pricing logic. At 202 inches long with a 118.9-inch wheelbase, it is physically larger than a Tesla Model S. Yet it starts at just $21,500, topping at $29,000. The Model 3, a smaller car from Tesla, starts at roughly $34,500 in China. The bZ7 undercuts it by over $13,000. GAC Toyota With 278 horsepower, performance may be called modest, but its range is not. The larger 88 kWh LFP battery pack offers up to 440 miles of claimed range, and fast charging can recover 186 miles in just 10 minutes. Inside, buyers get zero-gravity front seats with heating, ventilation and massage, a floating 15.6-inch center display running Huawei's HarmonyOS, Xiaomi smart-home integration, and an optional driver assistance suite built around roof-mounted lidar, five millimeter-wave radars, 11 HD cameras, and 10 ultrasonic sensors, making for 27 sensors in total. The Toyota bZ7 is by no means a bargain bin product; it’s a proper flagship with features to match, just at prices that don’t seem to line up. How the bZ7 Is So Affordable in ChinaThe Toyota bZ7 is so affordable primarily because it is built in China, for China. Local battery supply chains, domestic tech partnerships with Huawei and Xiaomi, and fierce competition from rivals like BYD all drive costs down in ways that simply do not exist in the American manufacturing context. Toyota Toyota has given no indication the bZ7 will ever arrive in the US, but even if it did, import tariffs, regulatory compliance costs, and American labour expenses would almost certainly push the price past $40,000, possibly higher. Even if someone wanted to import one in and deal with the 100 percent tariffs, it just isn’t possible. It is a car engineered for a market that rewards value above almost everything else. In America, where Toyota sells Tundras and Sequoias at enormous margins, that equation is very different. View the full article

Trucks and SUVs may dominate U.S. car sales, but a small sedan is generally much more affordable to buy and run. They’re also lighter on gas, a key consideration as gas prices have jumped substantially in 2026. That brings us to the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Mazda 3, three of the most reliable Japanese sedans on sale. But which one of these three is the safest if the worst happens? Based on the 2026 ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, we’ll compare these three cars based on crash worthiness and crash prevention. Related: Honda CR-V Vs. Nissan Rogue Vs. Hyundai Tucson: Which SUV Is The Safest? Crashworthiness: Mazda Takes The LeadIn the crashworthiness category, the IIHS runs three different crash tests. In the small overlap front, a collision with the front corner of the vehicle is tested. The moderate overlap front involves an offset crash between two cars, while the side impact tests evaluate the structural integrity of the side of a vehicle. Ratings of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor are assigned for each test. Mazda 3 Honda Civic Toyota Corolla Small Overlap Front Good Good Good Moderate Overlap Front Good Acceptable Not Tested Side Good Good Not Tested The Corolla wasn’t evaluated for two of the three tests, while the Civic was marked down in the moderate overlap front test for issues with the rear passenger restraints and dummy kinetics. Only the Mazda achieved Good ratings in all three tests. It’s also the only one of these three to attain the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, which indicates high safety scores in all key tests. Related: Honda Civic vs. Accord vs. CR-V: Which Is Safest? Crash Prevention: Toyota Shines Toyota The only thing better than a car that protects you in a crash is one that can help you avoid a crash in the first place. These tests evaluate crash prevention between two cars and between a car and pedestrian. A headlight rating is also provided. Mazda 3 Honda Civic Toyota Corolla Headlights Good and Acceptable (trim-dependent) Good Good Front Crash Prevention (Vehicle-to-Vehicle) Acceptable Acceptable Good Front Crash Prevention (Pedestrian) Good Acceptable Good The Honda is the newest car between these three, so it’s surprising that the others outperformed it in crash-prevention tests. It was also the only car with a Marginal rating for the seatbelt reminder system. The Corolla was the best, with a spread of only Good ratings. It was the only car here to avoid a collision with another vehicle at all tested speeds. The Mazda’s standard headlights were rated as Acceptable; you need to spend a lot more on a top trim if you want Good-rated headlights. The others have Good ratings for their headlights, regardless of trim. Final Verdict: Mazda Wins, Honda Trails Mazda All three cars provide a level of crash protection and prevention that’s now expected from a modern vehicle—even a small, light sedan. The Mazda is the best at protecting occupants in a crash, while the Toyota leads for crash prevention. The Honda didn’t win in any category, so there’s room for improvement. Overall safety goes to Mazda for now, as it’s the only model here with a Top Safety Pick+ award. However, if the Corolla aces its remaining crash tests, it will also qualify for this award. Related: Mazda Just Took Volvo’s Safety Crown, Says Consumer Reports View the full article

The age-old question, “Can a car be an investment?” The answer, of course, is yes, it can be, if you choose well and time it right. Having mentioned the timing, we take a look at five modern classics that have appreciated over five years, and we predict that they will continue to appreciate in the foreseeable future. Explaining the MarketThe market for classic cars, specifically, and used cars in general, has seen record performance in recent years, and one could argue that this is due to the homogeneity of newer cars. Within the American automobile market today, the sheer volume of bloated, overly complex, and electronically numb appliances masquerading as cars is staggering. Automakers are spending more of their R&D budgets on infotainment screens, emissions compliance, and autonomous lane-keep assists than they are on driving dynamics. Leaving enthusiasts with no optimism for the future, making them look backward, modern classics are the darling segment of investment-class cars in 2026, combining visceral charm with modern usability. As the supply of clean and original examples of modern classics dries up across the United States, the value curves on select cars haven't just flattened—they are moving significantly upward. We aren't talking about million-dollar garage queens. We are talking about accessible classics you can buy today, experience, and sell for a profit in five years. Here are five future classics currently trading in the American market that are primed for a steady appreciation - all valuation data is from Bring A Trailer. Mazda MX-5 / Miata - NA Generation Mazda Five years ago, clean examples of the first-generation NA Mazda Miata (1989-1997) could be had for around the $5,000 mark. Between then and now, prices have almost doubled, now stable around the $10,000 level for stock clean examples, while fully built cars, including LS-swapped projects, trade at over $30,000. Hardly surprising considering the overall investment return on popular JDM sportscars such as Mk4 Toyota Supras or really any generation of Nissan GT-R. The Miata offers the kind of distilled and pure driving experience that no modern vehicle, aside from its great-grandchild, the Mazda MX-5 ND, can match. From its agile dynamics to its reputation for being reliable and well built, the NA Mazda Miata is sure to continue this upward trajectory simply due to the fact that there will always be demand for an honest driver’s car. Nissan Z32 300ZX Nissan The Nissan Z32 300ZX seems to have missed out on the hype that gripped cars like its cousin, the Nissan GT-R, the Toyota Supra, and other JDM icons. For no good reason though, because with its VG30 6-cylinder architecture, assisted by cutting edge (for the time) electronics, dual overhead cams and a twin-turbo variant, the 300ZX was way ahead of its time, making 300 hp in the USDM variants, and 283 lb-ft of torque, even being offered from the factory with limited-slip differentials, produced between 1989 and 2000. Prices for the Z32 300ZX have doubled in the last five years, with clean twin-turbo examples going from a benchmark of $15,000 - $20,000 to now trading at around $40,000 for similar examples. Being that it is still possible to find a good deal in the mid-to-high $20,000s, and with upward potential for the foreseeable future, the 300ZX may not be the easiest to work on and maintain, with its cramped engine bay and being from the era of early electronics, however it offers an incredibly rewarding driving experience, and it shares its headlights with the Lamborghini Diablo, which is always cool. BMW E36 3-Series BMW When we assess the market for more mainstream vehicles, which were produced in larger numbers, the ones to look out for are the higher power, higher spec, and more unique variants of these cars. Older BMW 3-Series models, specifically the E36 generation, is the poster child of the modern-classic movement. Models like the M3, the 328is, and the 325is offer precision engineering and immense driver involvement at friendly prices. Five years ago, an E36 BMW six-cylinder variant would sell for comfortably under the $7,500 mark. Today, however, clean examples of sedan E36 six-cylinder models are trading at over $10,000. With the E36 fanbase growing and E30-generation BMWs getting expensive, the E36 may take a while to significantly appreciate. They make for enjoyable cars that are not difficult to take care of, by German car standards. Jeep Cherokee XJ Stellantis Off-roading and overlanding are two of the fastest-growing subcultures in the car world. A direct consequence of this is the increasing values of popular SUVs like Land-Cruisers and classic G-wagens. However, those cars now cost a pretty penny, and if we are trying to identify a good deal on a capable 4x4, we settle on the Jeep Cherokee XJ. Unlike other 4x4s of the time, the XJ utilized a unibody construction with integrated frame rails. This made it incredibly light—weighing between 3,000 and 3,400 pounds—giving it an excellent power-to-weight ratio and making it highly maneuverable on the trail. Offered with four and six-cylinder motors, the one to get is the legendary 4.0-liter Straight 6, known to be reliable and torquey. Prices for like-for-like variants of the Jeep Cherokee XJ have approximately doubled in the last 5 years, and being that they can still regularly be had for well under $10,000, they make for quite the bargain if you’re looking for a capable, reliable, and cool 4x4. Porsche 928 Porsche Everybody knows that the 911 is the most recognizable Porsche, but for people who were around when the 928 and 968 were launched, they remember them as being some of the most iconic, futuristic cars of their time. For the purpose of this article, we will only consider the 928. The all-aluminium SOHC 4.5-liter M28, Porsche’s first V8 engine, built in 1978, made 219 horsepower in the US models when the 928 was introduced. When the M28 eventually ended its service in the 928 in 1995, it was also available as a 5.7-liter DOHC V8. The desirable 5-speed manual examples used to sell for well under $20,000 in 2021; today, equivalent examples sell for around $40,000, double the price. Designed to replace the 911, as a powerful grand tourer, the 928 may have failed at creating a niche, but it is now set for significant appreciation. The era of accessible fun cars may be closing its doors, but it hasn't shut completely. The automotive market is loudly telegraphing what it values: repairability, engagement, and a true mechanical heartbeat. The question isn't whether these five cars will appreciate; the question is whether you'll buy one before you're completely priced out. View the full article

Gas theft is back again, and it has gotten meaner. With gasoline prices at their highest in four years, thieves have moved on from siphoning off gas to making holes in fuel tanks on parked cars. The method is simple and especially brutal in its aftereffects. A thief needs only an electric drill or a punch in both plastic or metal gas tanks, a few minutes, and something to catch the fuel. The driver, meanwhile, is left with a ruined tank and a repair bill that can run up to $3,000 for a replacement gas tank, if they're not jerry-rigging a sealant-fix together. According to some reports, repair shops are now fixing a gas tank with a hole in it roughly once a week. Before prices climbed, it happened maybe a couple of times a year. That sharp jump in frequency tells you everything about how desperate things have gotten. Unclesteve16/YouTube This Has Happened BeforeIn the 1970s, chronic gas shortages triggered a surge in siphoning. People would drop plastic tubing into the tanks of parked vehicles to drain the fuel. Annoying, but at least it left the car intact. Locking gas caps became common, and awareness went up. The same pattern played out more recently. When inflation peaked at 9.1 percent in June 2022, following pandemic-era supply chain chaos and rounds of stimulus spending, gas prices hit record highs, and theft incidents climbed with them. Each time prices spike, desperation follows. The difference now is that siphoning has largely been engineered out. Newer vehicles have narrow, curved filler necks and internal baffles that make forcing a tube through nearly impossible. So thieves drilled down to find another way in, literally. Do Not Expect Relief Anytime SoonAnyone hoping this is a short-term problem may be waiting a while. Gasoline prices surged 21 percent in March 2026 alone, the largest single-month jump on record. And once gas prices rise, history shows they rarely fall at the same speed they climbed. Economists have drawn comparisons to the late 1970s, when multiple energy shocks prevented inflation from normalizing and forced increasingly aggressive responses. For drivers watching the pump and their parked cars, the uncertainty of how long this will continue is far from comforting. View the full article

After an extended period of turmoil, Nissan is finally showing signs of a comeback, cutting underperforming models and launching new ones that should hold strong appeal. Among them is a new Xterra SUV, and Nissan has confirmed it will cost less than $40,000, making it a serious contender in the space occupied by the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. According to CarBuzz, Nissan Americas boss Christian Meunier said, "We're at a time when the average transaction price in the U.S. is $48,000, and it's non-sustainable... [Nissan is] going to bring an Xterra below $40,000." So how will Nissan pull this off? Several ideas will be implemented, some of which the likes of Ford and Jeep have already implemented to great effect. How Nissan's New Xterra Will Be Affordable: Simplicity and Siblings, Including Infiniti SUV Nissan/LinkedIn The Nissan Americas CEO said the company has lost its way by putting a lot of technology into cars just for the sake of it, "adding a lot of features and cost" for little return, but with the Xterra, things will be different. "We're going to stop doing [that]," said Meunier. "And Xterra, I think, is going to be the symbol of this... [Nissan is] going to bring an Xterra with everything you need, nothing you don't, which is the slogan that was used in 2002, which we believe is right for the brand." The Jeep Wrangler has maintained its status as an icon by focusing on only the elements its customers want, not overcomplicating the vehicle with high-tech features that most may never even use. But this simplistic approach is not the only strategy Nissan will employ to keep Xterra costs down. Related: Nissan Is Getting Serious About Bringing the Silvia Back Just as the Ford Bronco shares its body-on-frame platform with the Ranger and Everest, Nissan's body-on-frame platform will underpin as many as four other SUVs, with V6 and V6 hybrid powertrains helping boost appeal against the four-cylinder Toyota 4Runner. One of the new vehicles expected on this architecture will be a new Infiniti off-roader, revealed Nissan Americas Chief Product and Planning Officer Ponz Pandikuthira: "So at this point, all we can say is, if Xterra, which has a clear position already in the marketplace of a rugged everything-you-need-nothing-you-don't-type SUV for Nissan, the Infiniti version will have to be separated from it, much like QX80 is separated from Armada." Autoblog's Take on Nissan's Affordable SUV Plans Nissan Nissan's new Xterra is only due in 2028, and plenty can change between now and then, but looking at the pricing of the SUV's would-be rivals today, Nissan could have a popular hit on its hands if all goes to plan. The Toyota 4Runner starts at $41,870, the Ford Bronco at $39,995, and the Jeep Wrangler at $39,040. If Nissan can launch its "badass" SUV in the same ballpark, it will be able to entice former buyers back to the brand and foster a new generation of enthusiasts. This new body-on-frame SUV, new sports cars, and new sedans could be the catalysts Nissan needs to mount a real challenge to its rivals in the U.S. But the automaker will need to work harder than ever—even Hyundai is working on rugged SUVs, and Kia is launching a midsize pickup in America too, which will almost definitely be complemented by an SUV at some stage. View the full article

'Overly Sensitive' Brake AssistIf you own a GM product with Super Cruise and have been experiencing overly sensitive automatic braking, there's currently an issue with the Integrated Brake Assist. The company issued a technical service bulletin for it back in November 2025, targeting 'Unwanted Integrated Brake Assist.' Several models are affected by the issue. GM Authority listed a couple of Cadillac models: Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, and the Vistiq. The Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, as well as the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, were also mentioned. Cadillac On HoldSeveral months have passed since the service bulletin was issued, but GM has just said the fix for the sensitive brake assist has been put on hold for select vehicles. Per GM Authority, there was no explanation given as to why it has been put on hold, nor when the company will start accepting cars for the specific repair again. It's worth noting that the fixes are suspended for 2026 model-year vehicles equipped with Super Cruise. The affected models include 2026 versions of the Cadillac CT5, Chevrolet Equinox EV and Silverado EV, and GMC Sierra EV. For those who have an older model, you may still head to your nearest dealer to get the service done. The full-size SUVs mentioned above are not affected by the suspension. Cadillac The ProblemBased on the service bulletin, the root cause of the problem is a software glitch that trips up the system, sending it into a 'panic'. That causes the aggressive intervention of the brake assist and, at worst, triggers a phantom-braking situation that could lead to an accident. GM Authority says the fix will take about an hour of labor to complete. The system will be reprogrammed to adjust its sensitivity and prevent further unwanted brake assist instances. For those with Super Cruise-equipped vehicles that are not affected by the temporary suspension of repairs, it's best to have the reprogrammed system installed as soon as possible. Chevrolet View the full article

A Virginia driver stared death in the face as her minivan exploded after she attempted to light a cigarette while driving with a propane tank in the vehicle. As if that did not constitute a major red flag in of itself, the propane tank had a small leak, which led to gas buildup in the Chrysler Pacifica minivan and an inevitable explosion that shook up the entire neighborhood in Burke, Virginia, in the morning of April 9. It's a Miracle That the Driver Escaped with Minor InjuriesMiraculously, the driver escaped with non-life-threatening injuries and no one got killed in the massive explosion that turned the minivan into a pile of scrap metal as the roof was blasted off and landed in the middle of the road, the windows were blown out, and the door panels split into pieces. The blast was so powerful that it shook homes nearby, with residents reporting pictures falling off walls and objects breaking. NBC4 Washington reported that firefighters arrived at the scene and quickly put out the burning car. The woman driving the minivan was found with burns on her arms and shaking uncontrollably after the explosion; she was able to walk as the ambulance arrived and she got rushed to the hospital for treatment. NBC4 Washington / YouTube A local resident told the news outlet that he saw the driver sitting on a curb in front of his home after the explosion. "A woman was comforting her. She was just shaking uncontrollably. She had burns on her arms. You know, it was like red — deep sunburn,” Alan Caramella said. Another resident said he was “in awe that nobody was killed,” noting that the blast sounded like a sonic boom and shook the townhouses. “Pictures fell off the wall and stuff broke,” Julian Hart said. The report cites Fairfax County police as saying that the woman did not know about the leak in the propane tank. Investigators believe that the driver probably had the windows rolled up as temperatures were in the 30s at the time of the incident, which enabled the Pacifica's cabin to get filled with gas. When she lit her cigarette, the car exploded. How You Should Transport a Propane Tank in Your Vehicle Propane.com Propane is commonly used as a fuel for heating and grills, but it is extremely flammable and needs to be handled with great care. Propane provide AmeriGas recommends carrying a propane tank wedged tightly between the front seat and the back seat in a vehicle, always in an upright position and firmly secured. If you transport it in the trunk, you’ll need to support it so that it stays upright during the drive. More importantly, you should never keep a filled propane cylinder inside a hot vehicle and you should always transport it in a well-ventilated area of the vehicle. Additionally, you should always close the cylinder valve, even if the cylinder is empty, and seal it with a plug. Once you get going, you should always proceed right to your destination and remove the tank from your vehicle immediately as you arrive. Finally, it goes without saying that you should never smoke while carrying a propane tank in your vehicle. View the full article

A Warmer Welcome in Japan Than ElsewhereThe Honda Prelude’s comeback has landed differently depending on where you are. In the US, most enthusiasts are still on the fence about a hybrid coupe wearing the Prelude badge. In Japan, though, demand has been strong from the start. Honda may have underestimated just how much weight the Prelude name still carries at home. That early demand led to the first special model, the Honda ON Limited Edition (with black roof and other niceties), which sold out quickly. Buyers had to move fast to get one, showing that supply couldn’t keep up. Now, with interest still high, Honda looks ready to roll out a second limited-edition version for Japan. Honda A More Distinctive Take on the PreludeDetails are still coming together, but this second special edition seems focused on looks rather than performance. According to Creative Trend, a website known for dealer-level info on upcoming JDM units, the main change is the color: instead of the usual options, this one is expected to wear Premium Crystal Garnet Metallic, a deeper, more mature red closer to maroon. It’s closer to the Premium Crystal Garnet Metallic available to Japan’s ZR-V (see image below) than to the Radiant Red Metallic available in America. The red theme reportedly continues in the cabin. Instead of the current blue-accented interior, this edition could get a full red treatment, but in a darker, more understated shade. It’s a clear shift from the launch model’s blue-and-white look, hinting that Honda is aiming for a different kind of buyer. Expect the exterior accents to change, too. The standard car’s blue highlights, especially up front, could be replaced with red, and even the brake calipers might match. It’s less about a traditional limited edition and more about pushing the Prelude’s look closer to a sportier, Type R-inspired style, even though the hardware stays the same with the 2.0-liter hybrid setup. Honda Questionable PricingIf the rumors are accurate, pricing could be the sticking point. Estimates put the special edition at 6.6-6.7 million yen before options, with actual prices possibly topping 7 million yen (around $44,000). That’s a big jump over the standard model, especially if most changes are just cosmetic. The special edition will reportedly debut as soon as summer 2026, which would be a quick follow-up to the last one. Whether buyers will jump in again at this price is still up in the air, but early signs suggest the Japanese market remains interested. There’s no sign this version will be sold outside Japan. Honda seems to be taking a careful approach to rebuilding the Prelude name, picking its markets. For America, this special edition is probably something to watch from afar, not expect in showrooms. Kristen Brown View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Shady DealingsBuying a car is a very complicated process, a filled experience; it isn't as straightforward as walking into a dealership, choosing, and buying the car of your choice. In reality, it requires a lot of back-and-forth between the dealership and the customer to obtain all necessary approvals and documents. Sometimes, without anyone's knowledge or consent, some of the people who work for the dealership engage in dubious sales practices to trick buyers into overspending or to cheat them out of what they actually paid for. Jeep Buyers BewareAutomotive News reports that a lawsuit has been filed by a customer named Louis Huertas, who recently had a bad sales experience at a Jeep dealership. Huertas' complaint details that the Riverdale Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram dealership in the Bronx, New York, offered to buy his old Cherokee at 20% above market value and also offered him a 2025 Grand Cherokee L with just 13 miles. After accepting the offer for the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Huertas says he signed the documents with a wet signature but wasn't given a copy. Things took a turn when the financial services contacted him, saying his "new" Grand Cherokee L had falsified mileage; the 13 miles were actually 6,216 miles, as confirmed by the odometer. After discovering the discrepancy, he immediately alerted the lender about the dealer's misrepresentation. Furthermore, it seems that not only was the mileage false, but he also ended up paying more for the car itself. The agreed-upon sale price was $49,000, but after Huertas reviewed the sales contract, he saw that the final listed sale price was bumped up by $2,400 to $51,400. Other added costs he didn't sign up for were included in the contract, such as the $3,882 service contract and the $1,000 tire-and-rim contract. Jeep FalsifiedHuertas' lawsuit claims he discovered these additional charges in the sales contract, which he alleges contained a forged version of his signature. Huertas says he documents that he signed the credit application with a digital signature; everything else was signed by hand. The complaint alleges that the dealership routinely hides the true cost of borrowing from customers by failing to disclose price increases and by including unwanted, undisclosed products. The lawsuit is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in relation to fraud and violations of the Truth in Lending Act, Odometer Act, New York’s motor vehicle and deceptive practices laws. Jeep View the full article

The Reliable V6 That Might Not Be BulletproofSince 2020, the Nissan Frontier has been offered with just one engine: the 3.8-liter VQ38DD. It checks a lot of boxes for buyers looking for a no-nonsense V6, free from complexity and rooted in the well-established VQ family. With 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, it’s competitive for the segment and keeps things refreshingly simple. The VQ38DD brings a familiar formula: all-aluminum construction, direct injection, dual overhead cams, and electronically controlled variable valve timing. It’s widely regarded as one of the more robust engines in its class, with many expecting it to easily reach 200,000 miles or more with proper care. But as with most engines known for reliability, there’s often more to the story. A recent teardown by I Do Cars uncovered a potential weak spot that could turn a minor issue into something much bigger if left unchecked. What Went WrongThe engine examined was pulled from a 2021 Frontier with about 120,000 miles on the clock. It arrived as a core for teardown, so its full history was unknown. Right away, there were hints of trouble: spark plugs showed moisture, and the intake ports had both carbon buildup and visible water on the valves. Once the teardown started, the main problem became obvious. The engine oil had turned milky, a clear sign of coolant contamination. Digging deeper, the culprit was found: the internal water pump had failed. Unlike earlier VQ engines, where a water pump failure usually meant an external leak, this design lets coolant seep into the crankcase if the pump fails from the inside. In this teardown, the pump was badly worn, with damaged bearings and clear signs of failure. Coolant mixed with oil, cutting lubrication, and spreading debris throughout the engine. The result? Widespread internal wear. Bearings were heavily damaged, camshaft journals showed scoring, and metal particles had spread through the system. There was also physical damage near the water pump housing, enough to render the block unusable. While some components, like pistons, appeared salvageable, the engine as a whole was effectively done. I Do Cars/YouTube View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article What This Means for OwnersPerspective matters here. The VQ38DD is still widely seen as a durable engine, and there’s no clear trend of widespread failures. What this teardown shows is how one overlooked part can have outsized consequences if it goes bad. For owners, this makes regular maintenance even more important. Using quality oil and fuel, as recommended for direct-injection engines, is a good baseline. Staying on top of oil changes is especially key, since clean lubrication is what keeps these engines running for the long haul. It’s also worth keeping an eye on the cooling system. If you notice unexplained coolant loss, overheating, or any signs of oil contamination, it’s best to address it right away. Waiting could make things worse in a hurry. The VQ38DD still looks like a solid, long-lived engine. This teardown just showed that the internal water pump could be a weak spot if things go sideways. It’s not a reason to worry, but it is something to keep in mind. Chris McGraw View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The Timeline Takes ShapeWith the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 reportedly arriving for the 2027 model year, production is also nearing. A report from GM Authority claims that, citing sources familiar with the matter, the two new full-size pickup trucks are expected to enter production in October 2026. This claim could prove useful for shoppers looking for a fresh truck on the market. However, despite production reportedly starting in about six months, not much is known about the upcoming models. Still, a few leaks and findings offer an early idea of what to expect once General Motors reveals more information. Chevrolet/USPTO A New Identity FormsOne of the most talked-about changes so far is the design, which came to light after leaked design patents surfaced. Up front, the trucks appear to feature slim daytime running lights above C-shaped headlights, while the grille and hood adopt a more squared-off look. The front-end styling resembles that of the Mitsubishi Triton, a midsize pickup not available in the U.S., giving it a more rugged appeal. Reports suggest that the next-gen Chevy Silverado could get a massaging front seat function for the first time, a feature long offered in its more premium alternative, the GMC Sierra. Both upcoming trucks are expected to ride on an updated version of the GM T1 platform, codenamed T1-2. Powertrain options could include updated versions of the 2.7-liter L3B turbocharged inline-four and 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six, along with the automaker's new Gen 6 small-block V8 architecture, which is also slated for the new Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport. AutoYa/YouTube The Plants Powering ProductionThe report noted that the start of regular production remains tentative, meaning it could change at any time. Both the Silverado and Sierra are currently built at GM’s Fort Wayne plant in Indiana and Silao plant in Mexico, while the Chevy truck is also produced at GM’s Oshawa plant in Canada, which helps meet strong demand in North America. The segment’s top rival, the Ford F-150, is also due for a full redesign, though it likely won’t arrive until 2029. Meanwhile, the Ram 1500 received a mid-cycle update for the 2025 model year and is expected to add a range-extender variant, which has faced delays amid market uncertainties around EVs. Chevrolet/USPTO View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

RAV4 EV? Not Anytime SoonToyota has transformed the RAV4 into a hybrid-only vehicle for the 2026 model year, signaling the possibility of a fully electric version in the future. However, new RAV4 chief engineer Yoshinori Futonagane told Australia’s Drive through an interpreter that going fully electric is not expected to happen, at least in the coming years. Instead, Futonagane-san pointed to Toyota’s multi-powertrain approach, which may have helped the brand deal with changing EV policies, a challenge companies like Stellantis are now confronting. For those who might want a Toyota-badged EV, he championed the bZ (or bZ4X in Australia), an all-electric compact crossover that rivals the likes of the Tesla Model Y. He said, “We haven't given... a lot of deep thought” to an electric RAV4. Toyota Keeping Lanes SeparateIf Toyota aims to expand the reach of its EV lineup, leveraging the RAV4 nameplate would be a logical move right now. However, the Japanese marque wants to maintain a clear distinction between the RAV4 and the bZ. The RAV4 is designed to meet strong demand for SUVs, a key advantage given the segment's continued popularity. By contrast, the bZ is meant to more fully reflect the brand's vision for an EV while also helping the brand deepen its understanding of the segment, rather than diving in headfirst. Still, Toyota is not closing its doors on a possible RAV4 EV. Futonagane-san said, “The technology leads us to a point where we all say: wait, we could do a BEV RAV4. That could happen, so I don't want to say that will never happen. [But] it's not going to happen today.” Toyota Toyota’s Measured EV PushAfter all, the RAV4 shares the TNGA-K platform with the Lexus ES, which now spans both hybrid and fully electric variants. Similar strategies have been adopted elsewhere, with Hyundai applying it to the Kona, while Ford leverages the Mustang nameplate for the all-electric Mustang Mach-E. For now, Toyota remains cautious about going all-electric, offering only the bZ, bZ Woodland, and C-HR in the U.S. RAV4 buyers seeking a plug-in version can instead look to the RAV4 PHEV, which starts at $41,500 before destination fees, nearly $10,000 more than the hybrid version. Meanwhile, the bZ sits in the middle, starting at around $34,900. Toyota View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article