Street News Anchor

In recent weeks, Ryan Blaney has grown increasingly frustrated with mistakes on pit road and slow stops from the No. 12 Team Penske Ford crew. Crew chief Jonathan Hassler has been fairly open about the problems as well, and the need to improve. Despite winning at Phoenix, he had to overcome multiple issues on pit road during that race, and it was a similar story en route to a runner-up finish ...Keep readingView the full article

Good news! The C9 Audi RS 6, expected to debut later this year for the 2027 model year, will be available as both Avant (station wagon) and sedan for the first time in 15 years, as confirmed by new spy shots. For the record, the last time the RS 6 had a trunk was with the C6 generation, a super sedan with a 571-horsepower 5.0-liter twin-turbocharged V10 distantly related to the naturally aspirated singer of an engine in the R8 and the Lamborghini Gallardo supercars. With the march of time, such monstrous engines are no longer feasible, and even back then, the twin-turbo ten-cylinder was only available for a single generation. That's as far down memory lane as we ought to go, as there's lots to talk about with the impending M5 rival. 2027 Audi RS 6 Sedan: Twin-Turbo Hybrid Power, But How Many Cylinders? SH Proshots/Autoblog View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Our spies say the new RS 6 will likely get a twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid powertrain with around 730 hp, which would be a similar setup to the new RS 5, where it develops 630 ponies, but we disagree with them on this one. Last year, Autocar also reported a figure of 730 hp to make the C9 the most powerful RS 6 yet, but said it would come from a V8, specifically an updated version of the 4.0-liter twin-turbo engine developed by Porsche. This engine is also in use in the Lamborghini Urus SE and several Bentley products, and after Mercedes learned the hard way that AMG customers don't like downsizing, we doubt Audi would make a similar mistake as it tries to draw BMW customers out of their 717-hp sedans and wagons. Related: Audi’s Only U.S. Sales Winners Are Sedans as Sales Drop 30% On the other hand, Audi went to great lengths to extract 503 hp from its 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 as part of the RS 5's powertrain development, and it would no doubt want to use that engine in more products than just one. Either way, with more power than an M5 and a reveal expected before the end of the year, it won't be long before the C9 RS 6 is grabbing headlines. C9 Audi RS 6 Sedan Looks Awesome From Every Angle SH Proshots/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article While this is still a pre-production development mule and therefore subject to change, the bodywork beneath the full vinyl camouflage appears complete. At the front, we see Audi's fancy animated LED running lights either side of an imposing central grille with diamond-shaped mesh. This will undoubtedly be black to help hide the radar and other sensors in the lower section of the grille and to make the license plate holder less obvious. Below each headlight, we see large vertical intakes, which will help direct air to both cooling systems and the front brakes. Moving further backward, swollen arches house gigantic multi-spoke wheels and drilled and slotted brake rotors. As with the RS 5, the front fenders are vented, and the pumped-up rear arches flow from the rear door panels, exacerbating the effect of width and making this super sedan imposing from any angle. SH Proshots/Autoblog View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article At the back, new taillights will be connected by a vanity strip of some sort, likely an illuminated bar, and below each cluster, we see what appear to be fake vents as part of the lighting structure. There's a subtle but noticeable spoiler atop the trunk, and like the RS 5 once more, the tailpipes are simply massive and housed near the center of a large diffuser panel. Finally, yellow decals on each windshield confirm hybrid power. In a nutshell, the new RS 6 will command attention from any angle, and with this test mule being spied around the Nürburgring, it won't be long before more information starts to hit our inbox. View the full article

We’re days away from the world premiere of the all-new electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but the company has given us a taste of what’s to come with a first look at the sedan’s interior. This car will compete directly with the well-received BMW i3, so it has to do well, and that includes how comfortable and upscale the cabin feels. Described as a personal retreat by the automaker, the new C-Class continues Merc’s run of designing the flashiest interiors in the luxury segment—but you better be a fan of screens. Wide MBUX Superscreen and Glitzy Lighting Mercedes-Benz The interior of the electric C-Class is dominated by the MBUX Hyperscreen or Superscreen, which stretches all the way across the dashboard. Whereas the screen in the larger, recently refreshed EQS has large bezels separating the three displays, the C-Class has one continuous display that looks gorgeous at night. It’s a completely different look to the new BMW i3, which has a separate center touchscreen and a smaller driver’s display at the base of the windshield. The two brands have always had unique design philosophies, but this is as different as it gets—BMW now divides displays into two levels, whereas Mercedes puts everything lower down and closer to the driver in one larger display. For reference, the i3's more restrained interior is pictured below. BMW Extravagant lighting has been a feature of modern Mercs, and the C-Class can also be had with a Sky Control panoramic roof with 162 illuminated stars. The overall layout is very similar to that of the electric GLC, but the driving position will be lower and sportier in the sedan. Physical switches are used sparingly, such as for the cruise control and volume on the new steering wheel. A Burmester 3D surround-sound system is available with a new speaker grille design. For anyone finding it a bit too disco-like, there are independently adjustable brightness zones to tone things down if that’s what you prefer. Other tech highlights include Energizing Comfort programs (including seat massaging) and a new climate control system that heats up twice as fast as equivalent systems in a combustion-powered model. Upscale, Sustainable Materials Mercedes-Benz The C-Class interior can be customized with a wide range of colors and materials. There’s a new Twisted Diamond design for the sports seats in Nappa leather. Deep Black, Warm Beech Brown, and Ivory Beige are the standard shades, but many more are expected to be optional. Trim elements can be had in finishes like natural fiber honeycomb, open-pore wood in various shades, and AMG carbon fiber. There’s also an available Vegan Package, which makes the C-Class cabin fully vegan-certified. This option adds soft-touch materials to the seats, headliner, pillars, door panels, and carpeting. Mercedes has also paid great attention to noise isolation, which is crucial in an EV. This starts with a rigid bodyshell and extends to aspects like laminated safety glass and a new, quieter air-conditioning unit. “With the all-new electric C‑Class, we’ve raised everything customers love about this model to the next level,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “The result is a new benchmark for quality, craftsmanship and comfort. It is the most spacious and most intelligent C-Class ever.” Final Thoughts Mercedes-Benz The electric C-Class has a lot going for it. Teased last month, early European impressions (from the passenger seat only, mind you) suggest a big step up in refinement and comfort. Final performance specifications remain unknown, but comfort appears to have been prioritized over explosive performance, at least in the early non-AMG models. The new interior is a complete departure from the one in the current gas-powered C-Class. Tech lovers will drool over it, but we’ll have to assess usability when we get behind the wheel. That will only happen a while after the world premiere on April 20, but we look forward to a heated tussle between this and the BMW i3. View the full article

A hardcore new take on the Aston Martin Vantage has been spied on and around the Nürburgring in Germany, and it's the wildest version of the automaker's smallest offering so far, with as many exhaust pipes as it has cylinders: eight. The only other car in recent times to have so many outlets is the Bugatti Tourbillon with the Équipe Pur Sang option, and that's a multi-million dollar hypercar with a V16 engine. So what is Aston Martin up to? Well, our spies say this may be a new Vantage RS or Vantage AMR, potentially with upgrades developed in racing. Let's take a closer look. Hardcore Aston Martin Vantage Prototype Has a Long Way to Go SH Proshots/Autoblog This is our first sighting of this hardcore Vantage, and the matte black development mule looks far from finished. The outer exhaust tips are seemingly unchanged from those on the regular Vantage, and those in the center of the diffuser don't have the same finishers. Higher up, the large wing on the rear decklid is too crude for a production car. While we see carbon fiber here, the bolts on this wing are simply ugly. In addition, the shape of the wing is very similar to that of the previous-generation Vantage GT4, being far less sculptural than Gaydon's current race car. All of these factors indicate that this Vantage is at the early stages of on-road development, and we expect prettier looks for its final form. SH Proshots/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article As for the rest of the vehicle, the only other clue to suggest this is not a standard Vantage is the front splitter, which is deeper and slightly more aggressive. As our first sighting, we don't yet have any rumors to share, but we suspect that Aston Martin won't be going quite this wild for the final production model. Sure, a new splitter and rear wing will feature, but we highly doubt the automaker will offer a car with eight tips. Instead, we suspect that Aston Martin is either working on a new central exhaust system for the hardcore Vantage, making the outer tips redundant, or it's added the center tips just to generate a buzz. The former option seems more viable. New Aston Martin Vantage V12? It's Not Impossible SH Proshots/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Last year, CarBuzz spoke with Aston Martin about its future Vantage plans, and while the British automaker was not willing to share in-depth details, it did say that not only would more hardcore variants be coming, but also that the twin-turbocharged V12 used in the Vanquish could theoretically fit in the Vantage's engine bay. Our spies would have said something if they heard the note of anything but a V8, so this prototype is doubtless the former, a more extreme Vantage with a tweaked engine, and a V12 variant would likely only follow nearer the end of this Vantage's life cycle. We'll report back once we know more. SH Proshots/Autoblog SH Proshots/Autoblog SH Proshots/Autoblog SH Proshots/Autoblog SH Proshots/Autoblog SH Proshots/Autoblog View the full article

The golden bowtie is out, and a new monochromatic one is in at Chevrolet. The automaker's updated global logo has appeared for the first time on a teaser of the 2027 Chevy Sonic RS, which will debut in Brazil next month, but it will be applied to other new Chevys soon, starting with the 2027 model year. Why fix what isn't broken? Does Chevy feel left behind in a world where Ford has a new Blue Oval, German automaker BMW has updated its roundel, and Mazda has flattened its wings? Maybe, but the official answer is that it makes sense given how the design of new cars is evolving. Chevy Explains Why It Has a New Logo, But the Changes Are Subtle General Motors Alexandre Ameri, Head of Design at GM South America, says that the sixth generation of the bowtie logo has appeared, not because of some connection to EVs, but because of how front fascias are changing, saying, "The change follows the trend of slimmer headlight and grilles due to the evolution of lighting, propulsion, and even manufacturing resources. All of this is connected to the brand's new global identity." If you can't immediately identify the changes beyond color, we don't blame you, but look closer and compare the previous and new logos side by side, and you'll see that the bowtie is a little more horizontal, creating a sleeker, more modern look. Not only will this change allow Chevy to jump on the illuminated logo bandwagon, but it will also make the logo look more homogenous with cars painted in any color. Sure, a monochromatic look may make the logo less obvious from a distance, but the illumination will help with that, and since other automakers are doing similar things, it feels like a necessary change, particularly for nighttime brand presence. Sonic RS Is the First Chevy of a New Era Adam Lynton/Autoblog The new logo will appear on the 2027 Sonic crossover's upper front grille, tailgate, 17-inch wheel center caps, and, of course, the middle of the steering wheel. While North America won't get this affordable machine, we expect the logo to appear on things like the 2027 Silverado, the next-generation Camaro, and the affordable EV GM is working on, and we've already seen black bowties on some North American vehicles like the Stars & Steel Silverado. What remains to be seen is if this change will also affect the 2027 Corvette because, just as a Mustang doesn't outwardly display Ford logos, only pony logos, so 'Vettes only show the bowtie within the Corvette logo to reinforce the idea that it's a separate, performance-focused brand. Time will tell, but for now, let us know how you feel about the new look in the comments below. View the full article

Texas resident Joshua Brown was behind the wheel of his Tesla with FSD engaged when he pulled up to a level crossing. The gates were already down when, without warning, his Tesla reportedly accelerated forward on its own. It happened fast. The lowered crossing gate slammed into his driver's side window, and Brown had a split second to react. He told Storyful, along with onboard video from his Tesla, ”Years of racing have drilled the old adage into me: when in doubt, throttle out." So instead of braking, he floored it, bursting through to the other side of the tracks, mere seconds away from collision with the train. Moments later, after he had come to a stop, a notification pops up on the screen informing him that FSD had disengaged. The incident, once again, highlights why Tesla’s FSD is being investigated by the NHTSA and why drivers must not mistake the technology as being fully autonomous at this point in time. Storyful View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Latest In A Growing Pattern of Close CallsThis is not the first time Tesla's FSD has found itself in trouble near railroad infrastructure. There have been multiple documented incidents across the United States where the system has struggled with level crossings, unexpected acceleration, and failures to respond correctly to physical barriers. Regulators and safety advocates have long pointed to these near-misses as evidence that the technology is being rolled out faster than it can be validated. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened several investigations into Tesla's driver assistance systems in recent years, and the broader conversation around autonomous driving has grown increasingly cautious. Brown himself had logged over 40,000 miles using FSD without a serious incident before this day, which makes the failure all the more striking. Tesla View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The Update That Came the Day AfterOne day after Brown's incident, Tesla released a new version of FSD Supervised. It promises 20 percent faster reaction times and a range of other safety improvements. Whether that update was directly connected to the Texas incident is unknown. The timing, though, is hard to ignore. Tesla has consistently maintained that FSD Supervised is far safer than human driving, citing internal data showing one major crash every 5.3 million miles compared to one per 660,000 miles for average drivers. Tesla But Elon Musk himself acknowledged in January that truly reliable full autonomy is still several years away. Despite its name, Full Self-Driving does not mean fully autonomous. Tesla instructs drivers to remain alert and keep their hands on the wheel, and it’s a good thing this driver’s instincts took over where FSD failed. View the full article

A Playful Return, With Something We All MissedThe new Juke EV doesn’t stray far from what made the original stand out. It’s still a bit polarizing, still quirky, and definitely not built to chase mainstream approval. You see it right away in the design. The yellow-green paint, the sharp lines and creases, and the wildly styled LED graphics give it more of an origami vibe than a typical crossover. It leans so far into the concept-car look that you might wonder if it’s actually headed for production. Nissan But it is. Look closer, and you’ll spot things like parking sensors – small clues that this isn’t just a design exercise. It’s a real preview of what’s coming. However, hidden in all that visual noise is a detail most people missed. Nissan slipped in something deliberate – the Juke EV is, quite literally, sending a message. Dots, Dashes, and a Charging PortApparently, Nissan worked Morse code into the Juke EV’s presentation, but not in a way that jumps out at you. The first clue appears at the very start of the reveal video (see above). It’s just a sequence of flashing signals – easy to miss unless you’re looking for it. But the pattern matches Morse code, with short and long pulses forming letters. The second clue is built into the car itself. On the charging port cover, you’ll find small indentations arranged in the same dot-and-dash sequence. It looks like a design flourish, but it’s actually the same coded message. Both details feel intentional, not just decorative. It’s not styling for its own sake – it’s Nissan doubling down on the Juke’s habit of doing things differently. Nissan “I Am Me,” Still AppliesOnce decoded, the message reads: “I am me, Juke.” The code on the charging port reads “Juke,” too. It’s a simple message, but it fits. The Juke has always been about standing out, for better or worse. This just puts that idea in plain sight. What’s interesting is how that theme carries over as the Juke goes electric. Under the bold design, it’s expected to use the same CMF-EV platform as Nissan’s other electric models. So while it looks unconventional, the basics are familiar. For now, Nissan’s focus is on Europe, with production set to be in the UK. There’s no word yet on a wider rollout, and markets like the US are still up in the air, especially since the more conventional second-generation Kicks is already out. Nissan View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

All across the country and the globe, gas prices are high, so much so that Ford is now offering gas incentives to U.S. buyers, and many drivers are considering switching to EVs. But buying a new car is the last thing most of us need right now, and there's a new AI-driven tool that may be able to help. As reported by The Drive, a tool originally designed by two engineers to track beer prices takes advantage of user-submitted data, crowdsourced photos, and robocalls (not all information is available on the internet) to find the lowest gas prices in a given area. With average prices well past $4 a gallon, this is a brilliant initiative. The Gas Index Can Help Save Money on Gas Photo by Grace Cary on Getty Images The tool was built by Matt Cortland and Jon Fleming and is called The Gas Index. While it began in Ireland with the name "Guinndex," helping pubgoers find the cheapest pint of stout, the engineers have turned their idea into a complex but simple-to-use tool for U.S. drivers. All the user has to do is add their vehicles and location to an account, and then the tool works out where the cheapest gas price is, how far you have to drive to get to that station, how much fuel your car/s use, and what octane you need. The tool can also compare the average price of a full tank before the war in Iran began on February 28 and now. This information can then be used to tell you how many gallons of milk, rolls of toilet paper, or whatever else you could have bought with the additional money you now have to spend on gas. Naturally, the more users this tool attracts, the more accurate it will be, but it's already better than Google at monitoring fluctuations. AI-Powered Gas Index Is More Useful Than Google for Gas Prices Getty Images Google Maps only keeps track of gas price trends at under 50 percent of gas stations countrywide, and while The Gas Index does leverage Google data for big chains, gas stations in less densely populated parts of the country and those owned independently require a little more info. To get it, the tool uses conversational AI agents to call gas stations for gas prices (though New Jersey is a challenge because Wawa refuses to share prices over the phone), but the community using this app can be just as helpful, if not more so. Users can snap a photo of the pricing board, send it to the site, and the AI can figure out the rest and turn that into useful information for everyone else. According to The Drive, the tool had already polled over 170,000 gas stations across the country at the beginning of April, 19,000 of which were reached by its phone calls. Remarkably, only one gas station in every 700 was unhelpful in answering the AI's questions, so this tool is working. If you want to compare pricing and see how you can save on gas, visit gasindex.ai. View the full article

A Tank with 865 horsepower With only 500 units, the GWM Tank 500 Black Warrior is a limited-edition release from the Chinese brand Great Wall Motor, priced at ¥365,000 CNY. With today's exchange rates, that's roughly $50,600, as Car News China reports. The "Black Warrior" in the name is a nod to GWM's special factory-developed package, which includes black accents throughout the vehicle. The Tank 500 is a large SUV that's positioned as a luxury vehicle that's also off-road capable. It comes standard as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), where it receives most of its grunt from electric motors. GWM hasn't posted any numbers regarding its 0-60 mph times, but the fact that it features over 800 horsepower is mind-boggling. If you think about it, that's about the same horsepower that a Lamborghini Urus makes. GWM Murdered-OutThe Black Warrior edition is not the only murdered-out variant of the Tank 500 to come out. While the Black Warrior is the 500-unit limited model, there are Black Edition variants out in countries like Malaysia. From the factory, the GWM Tank 500 Black Warrior edition features a fully murdered-out exterior look package, with the headlamps, grille, wheels, side steps, roof rails, and trim pieces all painted in black. The exception is the large brake calipers painted red. More splashes of red were used in the interior, with a half-black, half-red color scheme complemented by chrome accents. A large 14.6-inch display dominates the dashboard as well as several other screens and details that promise riders a luxurious experience, at least by GWM standards. GWM A Tower of Power You'd be forgiven for thinking that GWM's twin-turbo V8 is responsible for making all that power. Instead, power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a bunch of batteries. Powering the massive 16-plus-foot SUV is a plug-in system that can be configured with one or two electric motors. As a single-motor variant, it comes with a 9-speed hybrid transmission, a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, a 37.1 kWh battery, and a maximum output of 402 horsepower. All of the power goes into a non-decoupled four-wheel-drive system. Meanwhile, the big daddy of the two powertrain options for the GWM Tank 500 Black Warrior Edition comes with the same 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, but it is paired with a dual-motor setup featuring a 3-speed DHT system, a 59.05 kWh battery pack, and a total output of 865 horsepower. This Plug In Hybrid SUV makes 865 Horsepower GWM View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Driving the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and future NASCAR Hall of Famer Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series star Tyler Reddick has had a dream start to the 2026 season. He won the season-opening Daytona 500 with a dramatic last-lap pass and went on to win the opening three races of the season -- something no other driver in NASCAR Cup history had previously ...Keep readingView the full article

One of the most affordable SUVs in America has just become $1,000 cheaper, but there’s a caveat. Mitsubishi Motors North America is offering a $1,000 discount on any new 2025 and 2026 Outlander Sport SUV, but only for Tennessee residents. The Outlander Sport is the brand’s most affordable model with a starting price of $24,995 (excluding a $1,795 destination charge). The discount makes it even more affordable, lowering the base price to $23,995 before shipping costs. Only Tennessee Residents Can Claim the $1,000 Discount Mitsubishi Motors North America The special local purchase incentive is available to qualified buyers across the state of Tennessee, and the offer will run through the Memorial Day weekend, closing on May 31, 2026. But why is this offer limited to Tennessee residents? Well, it’s Mitsubishi’s way of giving back to the state that has been its home since December 2019, when the company moved its US headquarters office from Cypress, California, to Franklin, Tennessee, on the outskirts of Nashville. Mitsubishi Motors North America “We said on day-one upon arrival that we wanted to give back to the people who welcomed us, and we've done so with our charitable giving focused directly in the area around our office,” the automaker said in a press release. “Now we want to help spread the joy across the entire state of Tennessee, with a special $1,000 incentive on the purchase of a 2025 or 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, our least expensive entry-point into the brand.” The automaker noted that the special Tennessee-resident incentive can be stacked on other available purchase incentives to build further discounts. Mitsubishi Motors works with eight dealers across the state of Tennessee, located in Memphis, Johnson City, Kingsport, Chattanooga, Oak Ridge, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, and Nashville. What You Get for $24K Mitsubishi Motors North America The Outlander Sport’s standard equipment consists of several safety and convenience features. Those include an 8-inch Smartphone Link Display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay mirroring capability, automatic climate control, Forward Collision Mitigation with pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Warning and Active Stability Control, among other features. The Outlander Sport also comes with a a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, seven-year/100,000-mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty, two-year/30,000-mile limited maintenance program, and five-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance program. Despite being one of the oldest vehicles on sale in America—the first-generation Outlander Sport debuted for the 2011 model year—the subcompact SUV is still popular, racking up over 12,000 sales across the US in the first quarter of 2026, up 75% year-over-year. The price is no doubt the main driver of that growth in a market where the average new car price topped $50,000 in late 2025. Mitsubishi Motors North America View the full article

Escalade-V Disappears Mid-Transit, Lawsuit FiledA Nevada dealership has filed suit after a 2024 Cadillac Escalade-V valued at $131,877 vanished during transport to Florida. According to a report from Automotive News, BMW of Henderson arranged shipment through Acertus, which connected the job to McCollister’s Global Services. The carrier reportedly had difficulty securing transport before Orlandi’s Towing picked up the SUV with a valid bill of lading and standard documentation. The situation unraveled after the Escalade-V was delivered not to a transfer hub but to a residential address in North Las Vegas. According to the complaint, the drop-off followed text instructions from someone posing as a McCollister’s representative. The vehicle was then removed by unknown parties and never reached AutoNation Cadillac West Palm Beach. The dealership is now seeking damages under multiple claims, including negligence and violation of the Carmack Amendment, a law that dictates who pays when goods are lost or damaged during interstate transport. Cadillac Not an Isolated Case in a Vulnerable SystemThis is not the first high-profile disappearance tied to vehicle transport. A similar case involved a missing Mercedes-Benz G-Class reportedly worth around $600,000, which also vanished during delivery. These incidents point to a pattern where breakdowns in verification protocols create opportunities for fraud within the logistics chain. Despite recent reports that overall auto theft is declining, certain models remain frequent targets. The Cadillac Escalade has consistently appeared on lists of theft-prone vehicles and was also linked to prior litigation over vulnerabilities in keyless entry systems. That context adds another layer to this case, where both physical transport risk and digital security concerns intersect in a high-value segment. Cadillac Chain of Custody Is the Real Weak PointThe failure here is not just a missing vehicle. It is a failure of process discipline across multiple parties. A residential drop-off based on text instructions should have triggered escalation protocols. In high-value transport, verification cannot rely on informal communication channels or assumed authority. This case should force logistics providers and dealerships to tighten controls. Multi-factor verification, secure dispatch platforms, and stricter custody checkpoints are no longer optional. If the industry continues to treat six-figure vehicles as routine cargo, these losses will continue. The technology exists to prevent this. The gap is in execution. Cadillac/Dave Burnett, Puppyknuckles View the full article

Tariff Reversal The United States Government will begin accepting tariff refund applications by April 20, 2026. The U.S. Supreme Court declared Donald Trump's tariffs illegal in February, effectively negating price hikes on imported goods. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency announced that it will start processing the first phase of the refund program. President Donald Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) resulted in the collection of about $170 billion in tariffs. Not only did consumers feel the burn of this act, but so too did businesses, as Automotive News reports: About 3,000 businesses filed lawsuits seeking refunds from the IEEPA. "Unconstitutional" Back in February, the U.S. Supreme Court effectively struck down President Donald Trump's import duties and taxes imposed under the IEEPA. The reversal was decided in February 2026. By that time, more than 53 million import entries that had those tariffs had already been affected. The numbers are piling up. With over 53 million products affected, and $170 billion for refunds in the first phase alone, this could be one of the biggest repayments in U.S. Government history. Several automakers, such as Volkswagen, reported massive losses and significant shifts in brand strategy going forward. Not only are foreign brands (also Korean brands like Hyundai and Kia), but also local brands like Buick, have noted a slide in sales, profitability, and the ability to simply sell cars at a competitive price. Of course, this is all on top of the gas crisis that all existing car owners are feeling right now. Hyundai The First Phase The Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool will be the vehicle with which the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will process applications for refunds. However, this tool will be limited to straightforward, recent import entries that were hit by the tariffs. More complicated cases will be handled on a later date. The Court of International Trade has ordered the government to refund about $170 billion plus interest, paid to roughly 330,000 importers. "Phase 1 is limited to certain unliquidated entries and certain entries within 80 days of liquidation," said the CBP in a statement on its website. For the refunds, applications will be limited to the official importer-of-record or their customs broker. The filers must already have an account with the CBP's Automated Commercial Environment, and importers must also have an enrolled back account in a separate ACE portal to receive the refund electronically. While businesses with "simple" cases can receive the refund this way, more complex cases may have to wait a bit. For more complex cases, the CBP will roll out additional functionality in its system. Procedures are expected to roll out as soon as they're ready. According to the report, more than 300,000 companies are believed to have paid IEEPA tariffs and are possibly eligible for refunds. Getty Refunds For Automakers and Suppliers According to another report from Automotive News, the U.S. Auto industry can begin seeking refunds through CBP's portal as well. Up to $20 billion in tariff payments were made to the U.S. Government. Because of the tariffs, automakers saw a steep rise in prices for new vehicles and parts. This has led to little to no profits and even losses for the industry, as well as higher prices for consumers. Due to the relationship between suppliers and OEMs, the refund process could be more complicated. It might be a while before prices stabilize all the way down the supply chain and to the consumer. While we won't see the immediate effect of this refund as consumers, at least it is on the way. As for the timeline of refunds, there is no set calendar for now, Trump did declare, in response to the Supreme Court's ruling, that refunds could "get litigated for the next two years." Getty Images View the full article

It's Really HappeningFor the longest time, Nissan kept mentioning the return of the Xterra. Since then, many renders of the SUV have been made, including from us, and we've been waiting for the day the company shows us at least a snippet or two. It finally happened during the global launch of the all-new Rogue and Juke. On screen was a small section of its front end, giving us the glimpse we've all been waiting for. Safe to say we haven't been this excited about a Nissan product for so long, and it's a simple, honest-to-goodness body-on-frame SUV. Nissan/Youtube But Wait, There's MoreAt the time of the announcement, Nissan showed just one part of the upcoming SUV. There were even more bits of the future Skyline/Q50 shown during the presentation that gave us a better idea of what the sport sedan might look like. Still, that one photo was more than enough to get everyone's attention. But for those wanting a few more views of the Xterra, we have Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier to thank. Meunier posted a different teaser photo of the SUV on his LinkedIn profile, one that wasn't shown during the event and not yet posted on any of the company's press sites or social networking sites. The executive called it a "badass," and finally, we know its shape. Nissan Look Out, Bronco and 4Runner?Now, we tried to enhance the photo to see if we can pry more details out of it. Perhaps Nissan figured that many would try to do the same, and blacked out significant details of the revived Xterra. Oh well. Still, we see a boxy profile with straight and honest lines. It looks like it has good approach and departure angles, too, a must for off-roaders. Fingers crossed that's a chunky roof rack up there, and we're hoping the 'kick-up' roof makes a return here. Interestingly, the spare tire is mounted on the tailgate, which wasn't present in previous models. Christian Meunier/LinkedIn First of ManyNissan has committed to expanding its SUV/pickup range with a new ladder frame platform that will underpin more models. The Xterra will be the first of four models that will ride on this new chassis. The next-generation Frontier will ride on this frame, as well as the reportedly more off-road-oriented version of the future Pathfinder. There will also be an Infiniti version. For powertrains, it has been confirmed that Nissan won't take the downsized turbo-four route with the Xterra. Instead, it'll be a V6 that'll reside under its hood, though its displacement remains unknown. Of course, Nissan is aware that there are some folks out there who'd like an electrified version; hence, a V6 hybrid has also been touted. Nissan calls the Xterra "A Heartbeat model for the U.S, offering an adventurous spirit, body-on-frame strength and purpose-driven design." Given all the buzz and hype surrounding it, we're inclined to agree. As for the debut, it'll likely be sometime in 2027, and the SUV will be for the 2028 model year. Nissan View the full article

If you commute Victor to Jackson, haul freight through Togwotee, or planned a late-season ski trip to Grand Targhee this weekend, the next 48 hours are the problem. Everyone else has less to worry about than the warning text suggests. The National Weather Service in Riverton issued its Winter Storm Warning on April 15 for the Absaroka Mountains, the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains and Yellowstone National Park, in effect from 6 PM Wednesday to 6 AM MDT Friday. NWS Billings has a parallel warning on Montana's Absaroka/Beartooth and Crazy Mountains from noon Wednesday through the same Friday cutoff. Snow totals above 8,000 feet could reach 20 inches across the Wyoming ranges, with 12 to 24 inches above 9,000 feet in the Absaroka/Beartooth. Gusts hit 30 to 50 mph, ridges touch 55. Three corridors matter: US-26/287 over Togwotee Pass, WY-22 over Teton Pass, and I-90 through western Montana. Chain law level 1 is close to guaranteed on the Wyoming passes by Wednesday night. Whether WYDOT escalates to level 2 depends on how hard the wind hits Thursday afternoon, and that call often comes with less than an hour's notice. The Stormthe Northern Rockies. It is the same system currently burying the Oregon and Washington Cascades under a Winter Storm Warning of their own, with NWS Portland forecasting up to 22 inches above 2,500 feet through Thursday morning. By Wednesday evening the system reaches Wyoming and Montana, and it slows as it climbs the spine of the Rockies. Snow keeps falling for roughly 36 hours. Snow levels stay above 6,500 feet through most of the event, so valley floors in Jackson, Dubois, Cody and Bozeman mostly see rain or light wet snow. The damage is concentrated at pass level, between 7,500 and 10,000 feet, where ridge-top winds push snow horizontally across exposed highway segments. The heaviest period runs from late Wednesday night through Thursday afternoon. Zone ForecastsThe headline numbers come from two NWS offices. NWS Riverton has 9 to 18 inches across the Absaroka, Teton/Gros Ventre and Yellowstone zones with up to 20 inches at the highest elevations, gusts 30 to 50 mph, and travel impacts specifically called out for Teton Pass and Togwotee Pass. NWS Billings is the heavier side: 12 to 24 inches in the Absaroka/Beartooth with the heaviest totals above 9,000 feet, the same range in the Crazy Mountains, and an explicit note about increased avalanche danger on both. I-90 sits outside the Warning zone but not outside the storm. NWS Missoula has a Winter Weather Advisory covering the interstate from Lookout Pass to Haugan with 6 to 12 inches forecast, and a separate advisory on Bozeman Pass with 2 to 6. Winter Storm Watches extend across the Gallatin and Madison County Mountains with 10 to 15 inches in higher terrain. NWS View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The HighwaysUS-26 and US-287 over Togwotee Pass (9,655 feet). The primary link between Dubois and the Jackson Hole valley, and the most direct route to Grand Teton National Park from eastern Wyoming. With 9 to 18 inches forecast at pass elevation and ridge winds to 55 mph, chain law level 1 should be considered a baseline. Togwotee has a long history of multi-day closures during blizzards. Expect chain requirements Wednesday night with possible closure Thursday. Check status at wyoroad.info. WY-22 over Teton Pass (8,431 feet). Some of the steepest grades of any highway in the continental US, between Wilson and the Idaho state line. The pass reopened on its permanent rebuilt alignment in late June 2025 after the June 2024 Big Fill landslide, and WYDOT has remained aggressive about closures during heavy snow events. The permanent road used lightweight foamed-glass aggregate fill designed to reduce the risk of recurrence, but the pass's steep grades and heavy storm exposure mean it shuts down readily when visibility drops. Expect chain law level 1 starting Wednesday evening and treat the pass as high risk through Friday morning. I-90 through western Montana, including Lookout Pass and Bozeman Pass. The interstate itself is not under a Winter Storm Warning, but advisories are in effect for the Lookout Pass segment (6 to 12 inches forecast) and for the Bozeman Pass area (2 to 6 inches). I-90 has a history of closures between Bozeman and Park City during mountain storms of this intensity, and MDT will likely impose chain requirements and single-lane operations in the worst stretches on Thursday. Live conditions at 511mt.net. I-90 and US-191 approaches to the Absaroka/Beartooth. Routes climbing south from I-90 into the warning zone, including access toward Red Lodge, Cooke City and the north entrance of Yellowstone, run straight into the heaviest accumulation area. Expect significant slowdowns and potential short closures on mountain approach segments. US-212 Beartooth Highway (10,947 feet). Seasonally closed and not a travel option this week. NWS Billings forecasts up to 24 inches of fresh snow at those elevations, which would make it impassable regardless of classification. When to DriveWednesday afternoon is the last clean window — snow levels are still above pass level through late afternoon, and anyone with business on the far side should move now. The storm hits at pass elevations Wednesday evening, and chain law level 1 likely starts on both Wyoming passes by late that night. Thursday is the worst of it: wind gusts peak on exposed ridges, visibility drops toward zero in bursts, and this is when WYDOT closures are most likely on WY-22 and US-26/287. MDT may close I-90 segments between Bozeman and Livingston during the Thursday afternoon peak. Snow eases Thursday night into Friday morning as the system pulls east, but lingering chain requirements and single-lane operations are likely through sunrise. Both warnings expire at 6 AM MDT Friday. Photo by groveb on Getty Images Why This Storm Lands Harder Than the Numbers Suggest A 24-inch spring dump across the Northern Rockies is not itself unusual. What makes this one different is the timing, and the timing is the story. Montana snowpack hit record-low levels across a third of long-standing monitoring sites this month, with some lower-elevation stations completely melted out by April 1. Bridger Bowl closed three weeks ahead of schedule after a mid-March warm spell. Livingston is running its warmest year-to-date since records began in 1948. That is the context this storm drops into: dry soil, early-melting snowpack, a ski season already closed out in several places. 24 inches of fresh snow above 9,000 feet will not reverse that pattern — it reshuffles where the problems land, not whether there are problems. Avalanche risk climbs sharply in terrain that had settled into late-season conditions, and snow dropping onto saturated soil at lower elevations after Friday's warm-up is the kind of combination that produced the Teton Pass Big Fill landslide in June 2024. The second thing worth flagging is the parallel event in the Pacific Northwest. The same Gulf of Alaska trough feeding 10 to 22 inches onto the Oregon and Washington Cascades is what drives this storm. Both regions are under simultaneous Winter Storm Warnings, which is not coincidence — it is the same continental-scale moisture plume clipping both mountain systems. View the full article

Crème de la crème It's not often that some of the most exclusive and beautiful cars ever made are in the same place. Even rarer is when all of them are on display in that same venue, where enthusiasts and aficionados congregate to admire them. Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is often considered the most exclusive and prestigious gathering of cars in the world. Starting in 1929 as a showcase for coachbuilt cars, it ended in 1949 and returned in 1995. For 2026, the list of cars is sure to include the very best from the automotive classic car catalog, but it also includes some modern classics, such as this: the Pagani Zonda 760 Unica Roadster Broad Arrow Hagerty View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article One-Off PaganiHeadlining this year's list of cars slated for the auction part of the show is a 2018 Pagani Zonda 760 Unica Roadster. Zondas are already rare cars, but an Unica model coming from the brand's in-house bespoke Unico division is even rarer. This particular Zonda is a one-off commission and is based on the 760 series, which represents the ultimate evolution of the Zonda model. It was made for the founder of Top Car Design Spain, and was driven by Horacio Pagani himself. The 760 Unica Roadster features the engine and aerodynamics of the Zonda R. It produces 760 hp from the legendary 7.3-liter AMG-derived V12 and is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Pagani is known for its use of carbon fiber, and this car is finished in a special blue with gold accents. Something this rare isn't often driven, so the 1,626-mile odometer reading is no surprise. No estimates for the auction price are available, but something this rare will definitely be expensive; it might even break sales records for Zondas sold at auction. Broad Arrow Hagerty View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The OthersAn event as big as this doesn't limit its auction choices, and the curated list for the 2026 edition is quite the lineup. Also joining the Zonda on the auction block are a 2023 Ferrari 812 Competizione, a 2022 Ferrari SF90, a 2022 Lamborghini Countach, and a Lamborghini Murciélago LP640-4 Coupe. That list alone (apart from the SF90) could sell for upwards of $1 million. The auction is set to take place on May 16-17 at Villa Erba. This year's event will be co-presented by BMW, which is celebrating unique milestones: 90 years of the 328, 60 years of the 02 model, 50 years of the 6 series, and 40 years of the M3. Broad Arrow Hagerty View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Keeping the Legacy IntactTesla fan or not, it is hard to deny that the Model S and Model X helped shape today’s EV landscape. Now, Tesla is giving them a proper send-off with a limited-run Signature Edition and is trying to make sure they stay in the hands of enthusiasts through a “No Resale Agreement” clause. Shared by Not A Tesla App, the agreement enforces several serious penalties for those who might consider reselling their Signature Edition unit within the first year of ownership, including a fine of $50,000 or the value received from the sale or transfer, whichever is greater. It could even lead to the automaker refusing to sell violators any of its future vehicles. Tesla The Final TouchesFor context, Tesla is producing just 350 Signature Edition examples, 250 of which are based on the Model S, with the remaining 100 based on the Model X. The exclusive features are limited to cosmetics, most notably Garnet Red paint and gold accents on the logo and badges, as well as on the Model S brake calipers. They are built on the Plaid versions, which are equipped with three electric motors producing 1,020 horsepower. Tesla allows owners to resell their allocation, though they must prove the reason for the sale is valid. It can be sold back to the automaker or to a third party, but “only after receiving written consent from Tesla.” It is also worth noting that the Signature Edition models – start at around $159,000 – come with the Luxe Package, which includes certain non-transferable perks, including lifetime Full Self-Driving (Supervised), free Supercharging, and Premium Connectivity. Sawyer Merritt/X Clearing the Way ForwardReports say deliveries of the final limited-edition Model S and Model X examples will begin in May 2026. The two nameplates are being discontinued to free up space at the automaker’s Fremont plant in California, which will then be used to produce its Optimus humanoid robots. Given that the Model 3 and Model Y sell far better than the outgoing models, their retirement is not expected to significantly affect the company’s EV sales. But before that happens, Tesla is planning a formal celebration in May to mark the end of Model S and Model X production, spanning 14 years for the former and 11 for the latter – dating back to a time when most mainstream EVs today, like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, had not even been planned. Sawyer Merritt/X View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

A Key Model in BMW’s EV PushSince its introduction, the i4 has been doing a lot of heavy lifting for the BMW EV portfolio. Alongside the iX1, the i4 has been contributing greatly to the company’s electric sales, not just in the U.S but around the world. In Germany, nearly half of the 4 Series models sold there are battery-powered, and it’s the best-selling BMW EV in the U.S. In many ways, the i4 is a crucial model for BMW, and it’s one that deserves a successor down the line. In M50 and M60 forms, it even became the world’s best-selling M product until the arrival of the X3 M50. With that, the G26 is soon headed for retirement after four production years as the new wave of Neue Klasse models comes in. Winding Down ProductionAccording to BMW Blog, production of the G26 i4 will be winding down by either late 2026 or early 2027. It’s mainly to make way for the new and upcoming EV models that BMW will produce, and as the current model doesn’t have any of the Neue Klasse attributes, it won’t be long for this world. In the meantime, it’s the i3 that will inherit the i4’s role as BMW’s electric sport sedan. The range-topping M50 had already been revealed, but we’re also expecting a ‘40’ model down the line to make the range more accessible. It’ll likely follow the same playbook that BMW had applied to the i4, one that proved hugely successful for the brand. BMW/Fabian Kirchbauer Photography Fear Not, There Will Be a New 4 SeriesInevitably, some will prefer the sleeker profile of the 4 Series to the more formal 3 Series. Rest assured, an all-new generation will be released soon, as BMW has said the model will always have a place in its lineup. That said, we haven’t seen any spy shots of the car just yet, so it’s possible that it’ll still be a few years away. Given the success of the 4 Series and i4, it sounds obvious and inevitable. But do note that BMW recently said that some of its halo models are taking a back seat to prioritize its core models. There was also mention of rationalization, meaning some models won’t see successors. Still, we can say with a degree of certainty that both fuel-fed and electric versions of the 4 Series are safe from getting permanently axed. Fabian Kirchbauer Photography A Landmark Model4 to 5 years is a short run in terms of BMW model life cycles. The company typically takes 7 years to roll out an all-new generation. Still, the i4’s run has made a significant impact on the brand, and it’s worth looking back at its capabilities. Having tested it in the past, this writer can say that the i4 was (and still is) a hugely competent and capable sporty EV. While it doesn’t have astronomical range, it still feels like a BMW behind the wheel and pleasingly normal, too. Dare we say it’s a car that deserves to be mentioned as one of the brand’s greatest hits as it proved that BMW can incorporate its DNA in EV models. BMW View the full article

After a suspicious automotive spending spree that included a BMW i8, a Chevrolet Corvette, and a fleet of SUVs, a Miami woman is now facing multiple felony charges. On the surface, it looked like another case of big-money indulgence in a city known for its extravagant car scene and annoying drivers. But authorities claim the entire collection was built on fraudulent financing. 10 Vehicles in Just 8 Days Mercedes-Benz According to 7 News Miami, 38-year-old Dunia Sierra purchased 10 vehicles in October 2023 in just over a week. The garage covered nearly every category. Among the standout purchases were a 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, a 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560, and a 2019 BMW i8. She also added more practical SUVs, including a 2023 Toyota Highlander, 2024 Kia Telluride, 2024 Hyundai Palisade, and 2022 Mazda CX-9. To round things off, she bought three Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Altogether, the total value is estimated to sit close to half a million dollars. Her Abnormally Large Salary The crux of the problem is how the vehicles were financed. Authorities allege the woman falsely claimed to be a restaurant general manager earning over $180,000 per month. In reality, she reportedly worked as a waitress and cashier. According to Indeed, the average waitress in Miami Lakes earns around $3,000 per month, excluding tips – quite the inflated income figure. As a result, the inflated income figure allowed her to secure multiple vehicle loans in rapid succession before lenders could detect the accumulating debt on her credit profile. Charges of Fraud and Grand Theft BMW The case is now being handled by Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Organized Crimes Bureau Auto Crimes Task Force, with the waitress facing multiple felony charges, including organised fraud, vehicle-related fraud, and grand theft. Authorities also suspect the involvement of a wider network, potentially including dealership insiders and brokers. The garage may have looked impressive on paper, but it has come at a far higher cost than any monthly repayment. Sierra was cuffed on the 9th of April 2026 and jailed under a $26,000 bond. View the full article

From Stormer to SportThe Range Rover Sport was a bit of a surprise when it was first revealed in 2005 for the 2026 model year. It was the first model extension of the Range Rover family, and was actually a bit of a gamble for Land Rover at the time. Well, it's safe to say that it paid off, as the Range Rover, er, range is as wide as ever. But it all began with the Range Stormer Concept from 2004. It was actually Land Rover's first-ever concept vehicle, and its positive reception eventually led to the creation of the Range Rover Sport. While it lost the butterfly doors and gained two extra seats, the final look remained faithful to the Stormer. Land Rover Paying TributeOne can say that the Range Rover Sport owes much of its success to the concept from over 20 years ago. The SUV proved hugely successful, with over 400,000 sold from 2005 to 2013. The second-generation model brought the name to new heights, and by 2021, the SUV had achieved one million sales with the two generations combined. So, for the 20th anniversary of the SUV (technically, 21), Land Rover has released a new model that pays homage to the concept that birthed the Range Rover Sport. Simply dubbed the TWENTY (yes, in all-caps), it commemorates the SUV's first full production year by drawing cues from the Range Stormer and the first-generation model. Land Rover A Familiar ColorFor those old enough to remember, the Range Stormer was finished in a very distinct shade of orange. The eventual production version was introduced in Vesuvius Orange and practically served as its flagship color. With that, the TWENTY can be specified with an identical color, this time called Sanguinello Orange. But that's not the only nod from the past. Before two-tone wheels became commonplace, the Range Rover Sport rode on single-tone alloys with a split five-spoke design. The modern TWENTY version follows that form, this time with 23-inchers from the options catalog instead of the original version's 20-inch wheels. Land Rover Other HighlightsThe special model also features an interior with SV touches, including deeper bucket seats, a black suede headliner, and carbon trim. For powertrains, there's a choice between P530 with its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 523 hp or P550e plug-in hybrid that pairs battery power to a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six making 543 hp. If, for some reason, you don't want the color that literally defined the original Range Rover Sport, there are other colors to choose from, namely Santorini Black and Ostuni White. As for U.S. availability, it hasn't been mentioned yet, but the special model will be offered worldwide. The facelifted model is also coming soon. Land Rover Land Rover View the 10 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Toyota, as it stands, is arguably the world’s most valuable carmaker. In order to get to that position and have stayed there for as long as it has, Toyota has made better decisions than most other manufacturers. Toyota’s EV strategy is no different. After allowing the market to develop over the years through its teething troubles, while taking a hands-off approach to EVs, Toyota accepted criticism as onlookers claimed that they were missing the EV wave. The Big PictureFast forward to the present, at a time when automakers are scaling back their EV ambitions in the wake of a severe decline in EV sales caused by federal tax-credit subsidies being withdrawn, the Toyota bZ is now the best-selling non-Tesla EV in America. Toyota USA Toyota is about to blitz the market with an onslaught of new EV launches aimed at capitalizing on the changing EV landscape while the market weeds out the weak. So how did Toyota, after being so late to the party, not only make an impact but also deliver exactly what the mass market for EVs demanded? Measure Twice, Cut OnceToyota, having cornered the hybrid market as its hedge against foregoing the early EV market, used its hybrid success as the foundation on which to build its EV strategy; after a rather tepid introduction to the market with the bZ4X in 2024, Toyota received feedback from industry researchers, journalists, and its customers. They then distilled this feedback to come to a conclusion of what truly mattered to EV buyers. What they learned is that customers do not want a revolution in their driveway; they want a vehicle that works, that is practical, and that does not break the bank while meeting all their needs. As such, Toyota concluded that the core variables that define EV demand are range, reliability, ease-of-use, and in-car technology. Toyota USA Toyota also learned that by simply watching the market crumble, year after year, as countries rolled back EV subsidies, the market shrank. Noticing the trend, where EV demand was guided by pricing and value, Toyota realized that buyers simply wanted a car that was cheap to run, could haul the family and groceries, and was well equipped; very little else mattered as long as the pricing made sense. An economic explanation would be the fact that cars around the $50,000 mark - which is the only segment of EVs significantly contributing to market share - display demand that is highly price-elastic. This means that demand reacts very sensitively to changes in pricing, and as EV subsidies are being taken away, this pricing shock means these cars offer a less compelling value proposition to buyers. Sticking to Its RootsIf you think about it, Toyota has very rarely created cars that do more than exactly what they are designed to do - the vanilla ice-cream of the automotive world, if you will. Sure, it may not be as exciting as a chocolate chip V8 Mustang, but a vanilla GR86 is fun, practical, efficient, and will last longer at lower maintenance costs; variables that hold weight when it comes to influencing buyers Toyota USA This same approach was applied to the bZ4X, and now, in 2026, can be attributed to the success of Toyota's new electric crossover, the bZ. With range being bumped up to 314 miles, approximately 25 percent more than the bZ4X, the incorporation of Tesla’s NACS for all 2026 models, which effectively doubles the charger network compatibility across America, and a revised interior and exterior design to address ease-of-use complaints from customers of the bZ4X. Toyota has paused, listened to the market, and answered the prayers of EV buyers who just want a car that works, not one that is reinventing the wheel with spaceship looks, a yoke for a steering wheel, and a button that makes the car fly at Mach 3 while cooking you a hot dog. What's Next From Toyota?With Toyota’s onslaught of new EVs, from the compact C-HR EV which targets urban buyers looking for a familiar experience while also wanting to transition to EV ownership, to its recently revealed 2027 Highlander EV offering electric power with three-row family SUV practicality, as well as the bZ and bZ Woodland - Toyota is looking to increase EV market share by offering a range of products, each of different sizes and capabilities, to its diverse consumer base. Toyota USA Having all but single-handedly grown America’s hybrid vehicle market, and owning almost all of the market share, Toyota waited, watched, and when the time was right with the market settling into its post-subsidy state which took out a significant chunk of the competition, with some automakers even reporting up to 60 percent declines in year-on-year EV sales - Toyota took a step back before delivering exactly what the market demanded. Toyota waited, watched, and delivered exactly what today’s EV buyers are asking for. View the full article

Keeping Heritage AliveThere are some automotive brands that have managed to stay alive and somewhat relevant over the years despite remaining small operations. Lotus has had an interesting automotive story, born out of Colin Chapman's desire to build true light sports cars using technology from F1. It has had its ups and downs over the years, but people have always believed in the brand, and it remains recognizable today. In fact, the brand is celebrating a major milestone this year, 77 years since its founding. A local dealer in Japan is using this as an opportunity to offer a one-of-a-kind experience for potential customers. Lotus Cars Immersive ExperienceStarting April 19 up to May 31 2026, Hakko LR an authorized dealer of Lotus is offering a 1-night/2-day premium test drive experience. This offer is valid for people who want to experience modern Lotus products, namely the Eletre, Emeya, and Emira. It will only be offered to three groups of people, for the three models available. Japanese publication S. Response reports that the cost of this package is 770,000 Yen ($4,900 at the current exchange rate), including taxes and service charges. Part of the package is that the full amount is deductible from the vehicle's price if you purchase after the experience, essentially making it a buyer's freebie. The drive itself will take participants from Osaka to Kyoto, where they will stay at the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto Hotel, located on the banks of the Kamo River. The room itself will have a spectacular view facing the river, and for dinner guests can choose between the La Locanda italian resturant or Mizuki a Japanese restaurant that serves four distinct types of cuisine. Both dinner packages will offer wine pairings and a special bespoke dessert featuring the Lotus logo. Lotus Unique TasteThis type of exclusive offer is not surprising for a market like Japan. Considering that Japanese car nuts are among the most particular customers, not to mention that they have unique tastes. Despite the smaller scale of Lotus globally, in car crazy markets like Japan, seeing a Lotus on the road is normal, as smaller niche brands continue to have dedicated followers there. Kyle Edward View the full article

Uses Less Fuel than a MotorcycleGeely now holds a Guinness World Record for thermal efficiency, with its new i-HEV system rated at 48.4%, according to a report from Car News China. That figure represents how much energy from fuel is actually converted into usable power, and at nearly 50%, it places Geely at the very top tier of mass-production internal combustion engineering. Alongside that, the system delivers a claimed 106 mpg under combined conditions, reinforcing just how tightly optimized the entire hybrid setup is. The gains come from a purpose-built hybrid engine, paired with AI-driven energy management and a high-output 230 kW electric drive. But more importantly, this is part of a deliberate strategy. Geely is choosing to refine HEV technology rather than lean fully into PHEVs or EVs, recognizing that smaller 1–2 kWh batteries mean less weight, lower costs, and reduced reliance on raw materials, all while maintaining exceptional efficiency and strong urban drivability. Geely Geely Expands i-HEV Across Core ModelsGeely is set to roll out its new i-HEV system across key high-volume models, including the Geely Preface, Geely Monjaro, Emgrand, and Boyue. The expansion is scheduled for 2026, signaling a broader push to integrate hybrid technology across its mainstream passenger car lineup rather than limiting it to niche variants. Underpinning this rollout is a flexible architecture supporting multiple hybrid-dedicated engines – 1.5L, 1.5TD, and 2.0TD – paired with an integrated 11-in-1 electric drive unit. In real-world figures, the Preface i-HEV is rated at 59 mpg, while the Monjaro i-HEV delivers 50 mpg, reinforcing Geely’s focus on scalable, high-efficiency performance across segments. Autoblog / Leroy Marion Perfect Middle Ground?While Geely pushes new benchmarks, Toyota has long doubled down on hybrids, and the industry may be catching up to that thinking. The Corolla Cross is expected to move toward an all-hybrid lineup by 2028, mirroring the success of the RAV4’s hybrid-heavy mix. It’s a strategy focused on proven efficiency and scalable deployment, rather than going all-in on full electrification. That approach is becoming more relevant as market realities shift. Chinese EV makers are rapidly expanding globally, increasing pressure across segments, while EV demand in some regions is softening. Automakers are beginning to recalibrate, with companies like BMW reportedly scaling back certain EV plans amid slowing sales. Companies such as Geely are recognizing that EV adoption remains uneven, making hybrids the most practical middle ground. Geely The LowdownMore automakers are now expanding their hybrid portfolios, recognizing that HEVs offer a compelling balance of efficiency, affordability, and real-world usability. Plug-in hybrids still promise flexibility, but they also introduce added complexity, effectively combining two powertrains into one, which can mean higher costs and more potential issues over time. Sometimes, the most effective solution is also the most proven. Toyota has spent decades refining hybrid systems into a benchmark for reliability and efficiency, and Geely’s latest achievement only strengthens that case. A near-50% thermal efficiency engine and triple-digit mpg figure highlight how hybrid technology continues to evolve, while remaining one of the most practical paths to mass-market efficiency gains. Geely View the full article

Although many drivers are hit with the odd speeding fine, one Audi Q5 driver in Washington D.C. racked up an extraordinary number of outstanding tickets, valued in excess of $260,000—worth far more than the value of the used Audi. The reckless run of this driver finally came to an end this past week when the D.C. Police Department impounded the vehicle. Although the department shared the news as a win for the rule of the law, one wonders why it took so long to impound a vehicle that was involved in close to 900 violations. The Country’s Most Hazardous Audi DC Police Department/X According to a report by WCNC, the driver of this Q5 racked up 29 fines over the last two months alone. The vehicle, which was towed in D.C. but wears Maryland plates, was reportedly caught speeding at between 11 and 20 miles over the speed limit in the last two months. It’s not known if the 893 outstanding violations are all related to speeding. In Washington D.C., you can be fined up to $200 for exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph. “Repeated disregard of traffic law is unacceptable,” said the police department. “We'll continue to track down scofflaw vehicles to keep DC roadways safe.” Yesterday, MPD's Traffic Enforcement Unit and our partners at @DCDPW impounded a vehicle with 893 outstanding tickets, totaling over $260,000 in fines! Repeated disregard of traffic law is unacceptable. We'll continue to track down scofflaw vehicles to keep DC roadways safe. pic.twitter.com/ugrxMPtJto — DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) April 9, 2026 The case coincides with an increase in crackdowns on drivers with high numbers of unpaid fines in the country’s capital. Drivers with unpaid tickets from out of state are also being targeted. This follows a 2024 law that gave the city greater power to penalize repeat offenders across state lines. In one instance, a driver was ordered to cough up over $77,000 in unpaid fines. In 2025, the first full year when the law went into effect, authorities witnessed a drop in traffic fatalities of 52%. Related: These Are the States with the Fastest Highways D.C. Doubles Down on Cameras Denny Muller/Unsplash According to Washingtonian, D.C. has significantly increased the number of cameras over the last few years. There were just over 100 of them in 2020, rising to 477 in 2024 and 546 currently. That 2026 total is made up of 212 speeding cameras, with the remaining number being red-light and stop-sign cameras and some truck-restriction cameras. There are also over 200 Metrobuses with cameras to catch drivers who block bus lanes. “It seemed like nothing was working, and then all of a sudden we added more traffic cameras and it’s easier than people thought it would be to reduce traffic deaths,” says Ankit Jain, DC’s shadow senator. “I think we’re going in the right direction.” Joshua Hoehne/Unsplash The abundance of cameras in D.C. isn’t reflected in all other states, though. In Texas, for instance, red-light cameras have been banned. One reason was that these cameras caused many drivers to brake hard when the light changed, increasing the number of rear-end collisions. While many motorists dislike D.C.’s cameras, the figures suggest they’re doing their job of reducing fatalities. The authorities now need to find a way to clamp down on repeat offenders more quickly, as nobody should be able to rack up unpaid fines of over $260,000 before their vehicle gets impounded. Related: These New Speed Cameras Still Catch You Even If You Slow Down View the full article

EV Fire is BrutalThere’s a longstanding concern around electric vehicles catching fire, and a recent incident at a BYD facility in China underscores those worries. According to CarNewsChina, BYD’s Pingshan facility in Shenzhen experienced a fire on Tuesday, with dense smoke seen rising from a multi-level parking structure. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident. BYD clarified that the parking area contained only “test and scrapped vehicles,” meaning no customer cars were affected, and that production continued without disruption. Despite the fire, authorities and the Chinese automaker sought to ease public concerns over EV safety, maintaining that the incident was isolated. What Early Reports SayPreliminary investigations, as reported by China Daily, indicate the fire was caused by improper external construction operations, suggesting that building work or welding may have sparked the blaze, rather than the EV batteries themselves. Electric cars are known to experience a phenomenon called thermal runaway, in which high-voltage batteries can overheat to the point that individual cells catch fire. It can occur even when an EV is not in use, as seen with the Volkswagen ID.4, which was recalled in the U.S. earlier this year and owners were advised to park outside to reduce the risk of a fire spreading to a home or nearby structure. If an EV catches fire, it can be more difficult to extinguish because it can trigger a chain reaction in neighboring cells. In a 2022 incident involving a Tesla Model S, the Sacramento Metro Fire District even submerged the vehicle in water to help contain the fire. Jacob Oliva/Autoblog No Need to PanicGiven that improper external construction operations are believed to be the root cause, this incident should not raise significant concerns among BYD owners or prospective buyers. While Chinese automakers remain largely restricted in the U.S., North American neighbors Mexico and Canada have taken different approaches, with the latter allowing an initial quota of up to 49,000 Chinese EVs per year at a lower tariff under a new arrangement. The incident comes as BYD continues to expand its ultra-fast charging infrastructure, known as Flash Charging. It supports charging rates of up to 1,500 kW, enough to take an EV from 10 to 97 percent in as little as nine minutes. The company aims to grow the network to 20,000 Flash Charging stations by year-end, up from around 5,000 currently. Hauke-Christian Dittrich/picture alliance via Getty Images View the full article