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Early ViralityIf you were a petrol head in the early 10s, you know that one of the first YouTube viral video sensations was Ken Block's Gymkhana showcases. Block, who was a fairly decent rally driver and drifter, showcased his masterclass in car control through death-defying driving stunts. Equally as famous as Block himself are the various cars he used in these videos, heavily modified rally/drift racers. He started off with an Impreza WRX, and gradually went for Ford models. One of his last Gymkhana cars, an MK2 Ford Escort, is now on sale. Bring A Trailer View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Star Spangled EscortNow listed on Bring A Trailer is a star of one of the Gymkhana videos, a 1978 Ford Escort MK2. This particular car was converted to left-hand drive, given that the Escort was a British model. It was bought by Ken Block and his Hoonigan Racing team back in 2008 for a short stint as a tarmac rally car. It was then converted into a pure Gymkhana competition car, with Block saying it was the "ultimate rear wheel drive Gymkhana car." Most of the conversion and modification work was done by Quick Motorsport, where the chassis was reinforced, and the suspension was modified. They also installed the 2.5-liter DOHC Millington Diamond inline-four linked to a Sadev six-speed sequential manual gearbox and a Ford Motorsport 9” rear end. Power is rated at a very respectable 333 hp, with the redline tapping out at a screaming 9,000 rpm. When the car was returned to the United States, a tasteful Rocket Bunny kit complemented by a carbon fibre hood painted in the iconic American flag, and rims from Fifteen52. Other mods include Geartronics flatshift system, an upright handbrake lever, AP Racing disc brakes, Reiger three-way adjustable dampers, and a WRC-style independent rear end. Inside is a completely stripped interior that only has the essential bits for driving, Recaro carbon fibre bucket seats, Sparco steering wheel, and a roll cage. Bring A Trailer View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Collectors ItemThis particular car was actually displayed in the Petersen Automotive Museum, which is an achievement for any car. It was acquired by the current seller back in 2021, and it'll be sold with a lot of accompanying extras like collection of memorabilia will accompany the car along with a binder of records, multiple sets of wheels and tires. Currently, the top bid is at a cool $215,000 with bidding ending in 5 days. Whoever ends up with the car will own a piece of modern automotive history from a man who moved the needle forward for the Gymkhana discipline. Bring A Trailer View the full article

Unbreakable TrustThe relationship between a dealer and an owner is special – one that's built on trust. If the dealer earns the customers' trust, it also gains their loyalty, ensuring that all service and repair work, as well as future model purchases, remain at the same place. In the customer's case, having a trustworthy dealer removes headaches when certain parts or repairs need to be addressed; the customer expects the dealer to return the same level of trust with proper repairs and zero shady business. However, we can't always say everything turns out well and good, as incidents put dealerships – particularly Mercedes-Benz of Collierville – in a bad light. From Customer Car to Dealership MobileThe incident was reported by WREG, in which a dealership employee used a customer's personal Mercedes-Benz C-Class to go to a bar. This incident highlights two transgressions by the dealership: taking the car out without the owner's permission and taking it to a bar. The car was in the dealership after being filled up with bad gas. Kimberly Porter is the owner, and she said she found out about this through the GPS monitoring systems installed in cars nowadays. It alerted her that her C-class was being brought to a local bar past midnight. It all took place on the evening of January 16. She first received an alert that her car was on the go at 7 pm, then another at 8:30 pm showing the car at a restaurant, and finally the midnight alert showing the car in a bar. It was after the last alert that Porter decided to take her loaner car to the bar, and that's when she saw her own car parked in the lot. She called the police, thinking her car had been stolen from the dealership. When the cops arrived, they found Derrick Nguyen's I.D., who works at the Mercedes-Benz dealership. They soon found Nguyen in the bar and spoke to him. He claims that he had permission to drive the car. It was soon refuted by Porter, who spoke with a dealership service manager who said the opposite. Plot TwistNguyen was immediately arrested at the bar and taken to jail for theft of property. Adding insult to injury was the fact that WREG obtained records that showed Nguyen was intoxicated when he was brought in. But wait, there's more – the very next day, Porter was called by the dealership to say her car was ready (after a month of repairs). She says that the dealership was being aggressive and told her that if the loaner car wasn't returned by 6 pm, they would report it stolen. Furthermore, Porter claims that she was advised by a dealership executive to drop the case because Nguyen was a good kid. Lastly, the general sales manager said that she signed the repair orders, which allow technicians to drive the car to diagnose problems. Porter is holding strong and continues her civil suit against Nguyen and the dealership. WREG News Channel 3 Memphis View the full article

There are very few remaining V12-powered cars in the world, and even fewer that are not two-seaters like the Pagani Huayra, Ferrari 12Cilindri, Lamborghini Revuelto, GMA T.50, and Aston Martin Vanquish. When it comes to four-doors, the list includes the Ferrari Purosangue, a handful of Rolls-Royce products, and the Mercedes-Maybach S680. Sadly for some, S680 won't necessarily mean V12 power everywhere, though it will in the U.S. Mercedes confirmed to Motor1 that it is discontinuing its 621-horsepower M279 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 in Europe because Euro 7 regulations that are about to go into effect will deem the monstrous motor noncompliant. As a result, the S680 badge will mean different things in different countries. Mercedes Explains Where the V12 Will Live On Mercedes-Benz In a statement, Mercedes said that it is constantly reviewing its range, updating its engine offerings, and ensuring its cars "meticulously comply with all applicable standards, including EU7." Thus, says Mercedes, "in the European and CoC markets"—countries that follow the European Certificate of Conformity standards—"as well as in some other markets such as India, the updated [603-hp] V8 is the new top engine." This applies to countries like Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, while China, the United States, and the Middle East will still enjoy the sultry-smooth V12. Related: America’s Love for V8s Is Keeping BMW’s Biggest Engines Alive With similar output, countries whose Maybach offerings are topped by V8s won't be losing much in the way of performance, but that's not what those who buy V12 luxury limos care about most anyway. Supercar owners love the sound of a highly-strung naturally aspirated V12, and in something like the Aston Martin Vanquish, a turbocharged V12 makes for the ultimate GT experience. In the case of Maybach buyers, those extra four cylinders give owners additional bragging rights over the proletariat, along with a kind of effortless torque and smooth power delivery that a V8 simply can't match. Maybach and Rolls-Royce Are in a Class of Their Own Mercedes-Benz View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article In the U.S., only the Mercedes-Maybach S680 and the Rolls-Royce Ghost, Cullinan, and Phantom offer access to a V12 and four seats in a single package. The BMW 7 Series no longer offers the 12-cylinder engine, despite the 6.75-liter motor still being produced for Rolls-Royce, and Volkswagen Group products like the Bentley Flying Spur, Volkswagen Phaeton, and Audi A8 either no longer exist or have dropped their W12 mills. Americans with more money than they can spend will revel in an added sense of superiority, knowing that even those across the pond who can afford a $250,000+ Maybach can no longer get 12 cylinders in the Sonderklasse, and given this country's love for big engines—the new Corvette Grand Sport with its 6.7-liter V8 is a prime example that there's still no replacement for displacement in the "land of the free"—we don't see them disappearing from our shores anytime soon. View the full article

Toyota is not a company that panics. This is the company that gave the world Just-in-Time manufacturing, a production philosophy so influential it reshaped industries beyond automotive. It gave us Kaizen, the discipline of relentless, incremental improvement that became a management mantra. For decades, a Toyota on your driveway was a statement of faith in quality and longevity. However, Toyota’s reputation for bulletproof simplicity has been harder to maintain in an era of software-heavy platforms, the very thing Chinese automakers seem to be getting right, rewriting the rules on how quickly, cheaply, and packed full of tech cars can be built. So when Toyota CEO Koji Sato stood before 484 suppliers recently and declared, "Unless things change, we will not survive," the world took notice. Toyota View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article What China Is Actually Doing to the IndustryThe threat isn't theoretical. Chinese brands, led by BYD, have fundamentally disrupted the economics of car production. BYD has built a vertically integrated machine that manufactures its own batteries, chips, and motors, squeezing out costs at every step. The result is feature-rich electric vehicles at prices Western and Japanese manufacturers struggle to match even on paper. But Chinese automakers are not just competing on cost. They are competing on a fundamentally different definition of what “finished” looks like, striving not for perfection, but for ‘good enough’. The Chinese playbook is simple: build fast, price low, iterate quickly. The quality side of things is a little more complicated. BYD, for example, has faced a cascade of recalls in 2024 and 2025, covering everything from fire-risk steering control defects to battery sealing failures, with over 210,000 vehicles recalled in 2025 alone. Yet despite these stumbles, the momentum is undeniable. Getty Images What Toyota Is Now Asking Its Suppliers to DoSato's message to suppliers was pointed. The system that once made Toyota unbeatable is now slowing it down. Under its previous system, Toyota would routinely scrap steering wheels with barely perceptible resin wrinkles and reject wire harness components by the tens of thousands for minor discoloration. None of these flaws would ever be seen or felt by a customer. Getty Images Toyota’s new approach, called Smart Standard Activity, strips back over-engineered quality thresholds that add cost without adding value. The goal is leaner production, lower component prices, and a supply chain agile enough to compete with Chinese automakers. For decades, the global auto industry tried to become more like Toyota. Now, Toyota is being forced to become more like China. That reversal may end up being the most important shift the industry has seen in a long time. View the full article

Not Your Typical Ferrari ExperienceStepping inside the Ferrari 12Cilindri would probably be a dream for many, not just because of the brand’s prestige, but also because it retains a traditional naturally aspirated V12 engine at a time when the industry is rapidly moving toward electrification, something many enthusiasts appreciate. So perhaps this new and unique 12Cilindri experience may be the closest most of us will ever get to being up close with the supercar, albeit with a major twist. Ferrari unveiled a one-off, 1:1-scale 12Cilindri Spider built from 554,767 bricks, making it the largest Lego Ferrari ever created. Located at Legoland New York Resort, the model allows guests to open the doors, climb inside, and take a seat. The twist, however, is that this Lego car does not drive, unlike other Lego builds such as the enthusiast-built Volvo V70 wagon or the Formula 1 cars used at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. Ferrari Built Brick by BrickThe Lego Ferrari began with a structural frame as its foundation, after which Lego Master Model Builders added finer details, including functional headlamps and red brake calipers. Completing the 1:1-scale model took 2,300 hours, and at nearly 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs), it is heavier than most sedans, including the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, while coming in roughly on par with the road-going 12Cilindri itself. That shows how automakers work to keep performance cars as light as possible to maximize the power-to-weight ratio. For reference, the 12Cilindri Spider has a dry weight of 3,571 lbs, excluding fluids such as fuel and coolant, and an NA V12 producing 819 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. The supercar can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 2.95 seconds, something Legoland guests will not experience with the record-breaking Lego Ferrari, though it still offers a different kind of fun. Ferrari A Playground for Ferrari FansThe 1:1-scale 12Cilindri Spider is part of the Ferrari Build & Race attraction, which features several themed zones, including a Build and Test area. There, guests can create their own Ferrari-inspired cars using Lego bricks and pit them against other guests’ creations on a series of ramps. The Race Track zone also allows those builds to be scanned and brought into a digital world, where they can be raced virtually. While Ferrari has not indicated any plans to sell the Lego 12Cilindri Spider, the road-going fixed-roof coupe starts at a little over $460,000. The 12Cilindri remains one of the few V12-powered cars still available in the U.S. market, including models such as the Lamborghini Revuelto and its SUV sibling, the Purosangue. Ferrari View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Nine minutes to fully charge an EV and drive 600 miles isn't a marketing exaggeration. It required BYD to rebuild nearly everything to bring EV charging on par with the time taken to fuel up an internal combustion engine vehicle. The foundation of BYD's Flash Charging is a 1,000V electrical architecture that lets the system push enormous power without the current climbing to dangerous levels. Nothing about this was off-the-shelf. BYD had to manufacture components that simply didn't exist. There's a new generation of silicon carbide power chips rated to 1,500 volts, redesigned electric motors, reworked motor controllers, and even a new HVAC system built to handle the thermal consequences of dumping a megawatt into a battery. The chargers themselves, now rated at up to 1,360 kW, suspend cables from overhead towers so drivers don't wrestle with the weight of cables thick enough to carry that kind of load. The Chemistry Change That Makes Speed SafeAt the cell level of the Blade Battery 2.0, BYD shifted from standard lithium iron phosphate to lithium manganese iron phosphate, picking up roughly 5 per cent more energy density while holding onto LFP's thermal stability. What makes fast charging dangerous is heat, specifically the heat generated when ions move rapidly through a battery's internal resistance. BYD's FlashPass ion transport system cuts the internal resistance of its LFP cells by 50 per cent, which directly reduces heat buildup during charging, letting the pack accept far higher currents than before. The electrodes, electrolytes, and separators have all been redesigned around this goal. The result is a cell that can sustain a charge rate of 10C, more than double what the fastest American EVs manage at peak. Denza View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Heat Management Is Where This Either Works or Doesn’tAccepting a megawatt without cooking the battery is the actual hard problem. BYD's answer is a direct refrigerant cooling system that keeps cell temperatures in check even during the most aggressive charging window. The company claims the reworked Blade Battery 2.0 delivers a 35 per cent improvement in high-temperature lifespan, which is a meaningful claim if it holds up under independent testing. The warranty terms are reportedly unchanged from the original Blade Battery. That's a promise that will be tested hard once real-world users start fast charging this way daily. Of course, widespread coverage will take time, considering everything that's been re-engineered to make EV charging as quick as fuelling up a gas car, but the promise it brings is worth it. View the full article

Ferrari is once again pushing the boundaries of what a combustion engine can be. Just when we thought its oval-piston concept was radical, a newly surfaced patent reveals that it was only the tip of the iceberg. This time, the brand is rethinking the V12 from the ground up to ensure its survival in an electrified future. Rewriting the V12 Rulebook USPTO USPTO In essence, the new twelve-cylinder replaces one large engine with two smaller inline-six units, each with its own electric motor, positioned in a V-like layout but operating independently. Since these are not mechanically linked to their own crankshafts, the engines can run either synchronously or asynchronously, meaning they can spin at different speeds depending on demand. By decoupling the engines from a traditional drivetrain layout, Ferrari can mount them at wider, unconventional angles that better follow the car’s body shape. The result is a wider, shorter powertrain that will allow for improved aerodynamic efficiency, a lower center of gravity, and a lack of bulky transmission components. In theory, this could lead to a tighter, stiffer chassis. But are the pros enough to outweigh the cons? No Mechanical Link to the Wheels USPTO USPTO The biggest departure from Ferrari tradition is how power is delivered. In this setup, the combustion engines don't drive the wheels whatsoever. Instead, they function as generators, supplying energy to an electric drivetrain that ultimately powers the car. In effect, this turns whatever supercar it'll live in into a high-performance extended-range electric vehicle (EREV). Not very Ferrari, is it? There is one sliver of good news, though. Because the engines don't power the wheels and operate on their own, Ferrari can control their behavior more freely – adjusting revs, load, and sound regardless of vehicle speed. In other words, the two inline-six engines will still make noise and give you the illusion of gear shifts. Still, some noise is better than no noise, albeit synthetically generated. Still Worthy of The Prancing Horse Emblem? Bring a Trailer Cars and Bids We've seen hybrid Ferraris like the SF90 and 296 GTB before – they're not what you'd typically associate with Maranello's finest, but not completely sacrilegious creations, either. An EREV Ferrari, on the other hand? That's a hard pill to swallow, especially considering fans already aren't very fond of the idea of an all-electric Ferrari. Although we're delighted Ferrari isn't abandoning the V12 as a whole, we're not sure digitizing it will be sufficient to match the current 12 Cilindri's 6.5-liter unit's scream, and whether the "virtual" gearbox will be enough to meet Ferrari fanatics' standards, especially since it won't power the wheels at all. From an engineering perspective, the patent is innovative and promising, but it might be a step too far from the brand we all know and used to love. View the full article

A Buffer for Big-Money OrderRolls-Royce may be known for attracting some of the wealthiest buyers in the car market, but the British luxury marque does not appear to be leaning into that amid global conflicts and shifting market conditions. According to CarsDirect, a bulletin sent to Rolls-Royce dealerships introduced a new Client Order Rate Guarantee, covering up to a 2-percent APR increase between the time a vehicle is ordered and when it is delivered. Such a program is crucial for Rolls-Royce, as long wait times are common due to the brand’s meticulous build and customization process. Many models are so bespoke that they are produced in ultra-limited numbers and offered by invitation only to select, high-profile clients. It is worth noting, however, that the program applies only to the 2026 Cullinan, Ghost, and Spectre, leaving out the brand’s flagship, the Phantom. Rolls-Royce Not a One-Size-Fits-All ProgramThe bulletin did not explain why the Client Order Rate Guarantee is limited to select models. However, CarsDirect suggested this could be because the Cullinan, Ghost, and Spectre sell better than the Phantom, meaning the automaker may be prioritizing models with higher demand. In 2025, the Cullinan was Rolls-Royce’s best-selling model, accounting for 3,291 of the brand’s 5,664 deliveries. That is hardly surprising given the significant demand for crossovers and SUVs, which has pushed even legacy brands to launch unprecedented models such as the Ferrari Purosangue and the Lamborghini Urus. The all-electric Spectre followed with 1,002 units sold, as the automaker reiterated its commitment to EVs despite softer demand. The Ghost sold 993 units last year, nearly three times as many as the Phantom. Rolls-Royce The Cost of CertaintyIn addition, the Client Order Rate Guarantee caps lease rate increases at 0.00080, equivalent to about 1.92 percent. The report states that the Spectre includes 3.29 percent APR financing for 72 months, while the Cullinan and Ghost are available with 3.49 percent APR for the same term. These initiatives should help reduce uncertainty and encourage earlier orders, at least among an exceptionally small pool of buyers. For reference, Rolls-Royce’s entry-level model, the Ghost, starts at well over $350,000 in the U.S., with pricing said to go up to about $28 million for the Boat Tail, an ultra-limited model of which only three examples were produced. Rolls-Royce View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Ford has spent the better part of a decade stepping away from affordable compact cars like the Fiesta, Focus, and Fusion in favor of larger, higher-margin SUVs. With fuel prices fluctuating and new car costs climbing steadily, there is renewed interest in something simpler, smaller, and more attainable. With Ford planning to introduce a sub-$40,000 four-door car to the US market, the idea of an affordable Ford sedan returning makes perfect sense. A Global Platform Ford Can Actually UseWhen Ford phased out its compact cars, it did so because SUVs and pickups were delivering far stronger returns. That decision paid off, with Ford currently ranking as the third best-selling automaker in the US. Still, the company never completely walked away from sedans on a global level. The Ford Mondeo remains in production in China and has just been updated. It rides on the C2 platform already shared with models like the Bronco Sport and Maverick, which means the groundwork is largely done. Bringing a version of that car to North America wouldn't require starting from scratch, making it far more realistic than many might expect. Sedans Still Sell, Even If SUVs Steal The SpotlightThere’s no denying that SUVs dominate the market, but that doesn’t mean sedans are irrelevant. Brands like Toyota and Nissan continue to prove that point year after year. The Toyota Camry is Toyota's second best-selling model, sitting just behind the Toyota RAV4 – America's best-selling car. Over at Nissan, the Nissan Sentra also secures second place, topped by, you guessed it, the Rogue in overall sales. Sedans may not be the dominant force they once were, but they still appeal to buyers looking for a more traditional driving experience Getty Images Ford CEO Sees A Sedan In The FutureJim Farley has already made it clear that sedans are not off the table. The challenge, as always, is profitability. But it might not be as difficult as you might expect. Using an existing global platform, like the Mondeo, combined with Ford's cost-effective electric powertrain, could allow Ford to re-enter the segment without pricing themselves out of the market. Seeing as Ford loves to rehash past cult models' nameplates, we wouldn't be surprised if it's called the Fusion or Taurus – the Crown Victoria name isn't out of the question, either. Ford’s SUV-heavy lineup isn’t going anywhere, but adding the right sedan back into the mix could create a more balanced lineup. View the full article

More Than Just HorsepowerA report from The Register states that Micron Technology CEO Sanjay Mehrotra predicted on a company earnings call that an SAE Level 4 automated driving system would require more than 300 GB of RAM. That level of capability would help ensure sensors, cameras, and lidar work together to enable near-fully autonomous driving within specific operating conditions. That is a huge amount of memory. Most videos shared online can be edited on a computer with as little as 16 GB of RAM, while more professional workflows may require 32 GB or more. By comparison, today’s vehicles typically use far less memory, with averages around 16 GB. Such a jump in memory demand could drive up costs, especially as AI adoption accelerates, while also putting pressure on global memory supply. The Cost FactorConsidering current market conditions, Level 4 autonomy may still be years away. Even Level 3 systems, which allow eyes-off, hands-off driving in certain conditions, are struggling to justify their costs as demand remains limited. BMW, for example, reportedly dropped its optional Personal Pilot L3 system from the 7 Series. There are already Level 4 vehicles operating on public roads, most notably those used by robotaxi companies such as Waymo. Tesla also plans to enter this segment with its so-called Cybercab, which it says will be a two-seater designed for a fully autonomous robotaxi service. But of course, these companies deploy their vehicles as revenue-generating assets, which helps justify the high cost of Level 4 technology. In mainstream, road-going models, however, that same cost would be harder to absorb and could translate into higher prices for consumers. Getty Images The Rise of Intelligent MachinesIn addition to cars, Micron Technology’s CEO also pointed to robotics as another use case for 300 GB of RAM. If robots become the next major technological breakthrough, they could further strain the global memory supply. Tesla is one automaker already pushing into this sector and, according to recent reports, is discontinuing the Model S and Model X to make room for production of its Optimus humanoid and Cybercab robotaxi. It remains to be seen how this will play out, though it does seem to be where the market is heading. As automation becomes more central to modern vehicles, cars once criticized for lacking driver aids, such as the Dodge Viper, may start to look more appealing to purists. Tesla View the full article

In the entire history of the NASCAR, only 34 of the nearly 3,000 drivers who have started a Cup race have reached that milestone. Brad Keselowski is about to become the 35th at Martinsville Speedway. The 42-year-old champion and RFK Racing co-owner is nursing a leg injury early in the 2026 season, but he's still fully capable of competing at a high level, finishing fifth in the Daytona 500 ...Keep readingView the full article

Labels Matter More Than You ThinkMost people overlook the small sticker on the door jamb, but it matters more than you’d think. That load capacity label tells you how much weight your vehicle can safely handle after the factory adds accessories. It’s not just a suggestion; it’s a safety guideline that affects how your SUV or truck behaves when loaded up. This time, several Toyota and Lexus models rolled out of the factory with labels that don’t match the real numbers. The problem comes down to a miscalculation of how much weight the factory-installed accessories actually add. As a result, the load capacity listed on the sticker might exceed what’s safe. That’s led to a recall for thousands of vehicles in the US, and possibly elsewhere. At first, it sounds minor. It’s just a label. But if you trust that number and load up your vehicle for a road trip or a weekend project, you could end up carrying more than the suspension and brakes were designed to handle. Toyota What’s Affected and What Went WrongAccording to the report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall covers a wide range of models, from full-size trucks to hybrid SUVs. Affected vehicles include the Toyota Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia, RAV4 Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, and Grand Highlander, as well as Lexus models such as the TX, NX, and GX. Production dates span roughly from April 2024 through late 2025, depending on the model. All in, more than 8,000 vehicles are affected, though the numbers vary by model. The Lexus GX550 makes up a big chunk of the recall, while some Lexus TX versions are only involved in small numbers. The root of the problem is a software glitch. The system that calculates the weight of the accessories got it wrong, so the labels showed a higher load capacity than they should. In some cases, the difference is more than 1%. That might sound like a small margin, but it matters. If you follow the label and load up to the limit, you could be pushing the vehicle past what it can safely handle. That means more risk if you need to stop quickly or swerve in an emergency. Toyota Fixing the ProblemThe fix is relatively simple. Owners will be asked to bring their vehicles to a Toyota or Lexus dealer, where the old label will be swapped out for a corrected one, free of charge. Toyota and Lexus plan to send out notification letters between early and mid-May 2026, depending on the model. Once you get the letter, you can book a visit to have the label replaced. For now, there’s no need to park your vehicle, but it’s worth keeping an eye on how much you’re hauling, especially if you often carry heavy loads or lots of passengers. Lexus View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

It's not everyday a 37-year-old Late Model star gets his shot on the national stage in NASCAR, but Lee Pulliam did on Saturday. Making his debut at the secondary level of NASCAR, Pulliam started 12th after qualifying was rained out. He was quiet for the first part of the race, and JR Motorsports team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. was on the No. 9 pit box, coaching him via the radio. The first ...Keep readingView the full article

After taking the lead on a late-race restart, Justin Allgaier held on to win for the 31st time in his NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts (NOAPS) career, and the third time this season. His victory at Martinsville means that JR Motorsports has managed to win the last five consecutive races. Corey Day finished second, Sammy Smith third, Sheldon Creed fourth, and Lee Pulliam fifth in his O'Reilly Series ...Keep readingView the full article

The DauertestOur German readers are most probably familiar with the dauertest performed by Auto Bild. The brief? The publication purchases a car, flogs it for 100,000 kilometers, and dismantles it after the testing period. Granted, 62,000 miles doesn't sound like a lot, but do note that we're talking loads of instrumented testing miles, and even more on the autobahn. Auto Bild has been doing that for decades, and it's not just with regular cars, either. A few years ago, it purchased a G80 BMW M3 for the dauertest, and the results were, erm, surprising. BMW (Almost) Zero FaultsIt probably helped that the magazine purchased the simplest version of the car around. The car tested was a non-Competition model, rear-drive, and came with an honest-to-goodness manual transmission. It managed to rack 100,000 kilometers from October 2021 to November 2023, so that's roughy 4,770 miles per month. The engine teardown showed little to no signs of wear, and even the timing chain guides were in good condition. There were no leaks, hairline cracks, or scratches in the cylinder walls, which is impressive given it was driven hard. It had some heat spots on the clutch, likely due to the standing starts for testing, but it was still good for another 30,000 kilometers (18,461 miles). No glitches were reported in the infotainment system, nor were there any electrical maladies reported. Brakes and suspension components also held up despite repeated track tests. The only fault mentioned was creasing in the seats. BMW Surprisingly Not FragileIn the publication's own words (translated from German), "None of the nearly 200 cars in Auto Bild's long-term tests over the past 30 years have ever completed the test so flawlessly and reliably." Funnily enough, the M3 proved more resilient and reliable compared to the standard 3 Series (320d xDrive Touring) that also underwent the dauertest. Overall, it ranked second in the last 97 cars that were endurance tested since 2014. The only car that beat it was the CNG-powered version of the previous-generation Audi A3. It's worth noting that Auto Bild also tested the last Audi RS 4, but a worn guide rail and a leaking crankshaft seal prevented it from earning a perfect score. BMW Where Are the Usual Reliability Kings?That's a very valid question. Based on the list we saw, Toyota/Lexus and Honda seem to suffer from minor (cosmetic) corrosion issues in Germany. The magazine hasn't tested a Subaru in ages, and the lone entry, a diesel-powered Crosstrek, ranks 96th due to persistent drivetrain and powertrain problems. From what we've seen, it's Mazda and Suzuki that have consistently performed well in the dauertest, consistently outranking similar Toyota and Honda products. We also noticed that Auto Bild seems to favor both generations of the CX-5, putting it way ahead of the Honda CR-V. Of course, experiences vary by customer and country. Location of final assembly is also a factor, as well as the owner's adherence to maintenance and general care. This test doesn't mean the M3 is the most reliable car in the world, but rather shows that it can rack up a good number of miles in a short time with few worries. View the full article

Lee Pulliam was making his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts debut on Saturday, driving the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. He was very impressive, leading some laps and restarting second inside 20 laps to go. However, he proceeded to miss a shift from the outside of the front row, triggering a massive chain-reaction crash on the frontstretch. His teammate Carson Kvapil ran directly into the back of ...Keep readingView the full article

Widening PortfoliosVolkswagen Group was once considered the world's largest automotive group, housing some of the most important car brands ever made. As time progressed, the once-pragmatic auto giant took risks and gambles by separating and launching smaller brands to serve specific markets. Cupra is one of the brands. What used to be just a variant or model is now a standalone maker and seller, think of it like the Century for Toyota, or the upcoming Freelander for JLR. However small Cupra is, the brand has big dreams and is eager to make a splash in the American pond. Seat Bringing More Excitement To AmericaThe Cupra name translates to "Cup Racing." As such, when the brand spun off into its own thing, it harnessed that history for its own products, aiming to bring out cars and SUVs that are exciting to look at and, most importantly, drive. In 2024, Cupra announced that a planned U.S. entry by the end of the decade was in the works, and many people were excited. Then came 2025, widely regarded as one of the most challenging and pivotal years in automotive history, posing challenges across the entire industry. These challenges cause Cupra to walk back its planned debut, stating the ongoing challenges as the reason. We can imagine the Middle East conflict is now also putting a damper on Cupra's plans. It seems that Cupra is still eager to establish a U.S. foothold, as a key company executive has announced. Brand CEO Marcus Haupt spoke to Edmunds, saying that despite the delay, Cupra is still of the mind that it'll launch in the U.S. "We see the environment that we are living in, with lots of geopolitical changes from one day to another," said Haupt. This has led them to freeze the U.S. plans in the meantime, opting for a more realistic approach in these uncertain times. Seat Moving Away From EVCupra is one of the many brands moving away from an all-EV lineup, which could prove to be a smart move should it finally land in U.S. showrooms, considering the death of the EV tax credits. It also gives Cupra the chance to showcase the core of its cars, which are bred for performance. Currently, the Cupra lineup is extensive, covering most key segments of the automotive industry. The name Cupra was first associated with the faster versions of SEAT products, celebrating notable wins in touring car racing in the late '90s. Road-going versions were also sold, offering Golf GTI performance at much lower cost. Cupra View the full article

The Lamborghini Urus SE plug-in hybrid super SUV starts at around $263,000, making it one of the most expensive SUVs on sale in America. Obviously, very few Urus vehicles are sold in base configuration, as most customers add tens of thousands of dollars in available options, frequently bumping the price to $300,000-$400,000. But what if you’re not satisfied with the extras Lamborghini has to offer? That's what the aftermarket is for, and UK-based firm Urban Automotive has got your back with the new Urus SE Widetrack widebody conversion that has just launched simultaneously in Milton Keynes, UK, and Las Vegas, USA. Widebody Kit Takes Inspiration from Aventador SVJ and Miura Urban Automotive Donning an attention-grabbing Inozetek Gloss Pearlescent Pearl Marigold Orange premium wrap, the Urus SE Widetrack represents a ground-up reimagining of Lamborghini’s hybrid super SUV that took 10,000 hours to design and develop, according to the customizer. The company says the every exterior surface of the Urban Urus SE Widetrack has been refined and enhanced with bespoke carbon fiber components designed and produced in-house. Urban Automotive The front of the vehicle immediately lets you know this is not a factory vehicle. The Urus SE Widetrack features a three-piece carbon fiber splitter with canard end planes and a carbon fiber replacement hood with an exposed and functional ‘bull nose’ vent design inspired by the Aventador SVJ; the 3D printed vent inlets and outlets are finished in Lamborghini's iconic Hex pattern. As the name of the conversion suggests, the kit includes six-piece carbon fiber Widetrack wheel arch extensions with exposed carbon accents that add 40 mm (1.6 in) to the Lambo SUV’s already generous width. In addition, the profile integrates replacement carbon fiber side panels with 3D printed inlays that feature Urban Automotive’s UA logo within the Lamborghini Hex pattern, as well as exposed carbon fiber sill extensions. The latter incorporate an aero feature that is a nod to the legendary Miura's iconic sill air intake. The Urus SE That Never Skips a Workout Urban Automotive Moving over to the rear of the vehicle, the Urus SE Widetrack sports a replacement carbon fiber rear bumper that includes an exposed carbon, double-vented diffuser and separated canard end planes. Rounding off the muscular body kit is a visual carbon fiber roof spoiler on top of the stock spoiler that creates a ‘double stacked’ aero feature; the additional spoiler also features endplates bearing the UA logo. The list of enhancements also includes quad billet exhausts with outer accent details and wide Urban-Vossen UV-1R wheels designed to fill the broadened wheel wells. Urban Automotive The entire Widetrack conversion is priced at a whopping £51,800 in the UK, which is the equivalent of almost $69,000 at the current exchange rate—over a quarter of an Urus SE's base price. For customers who also want a bespoke interior to match the widebody exterior, Urban Automotive offers a choice of colors and materials to make that possible, but that will obviously add to the tally. “Our Urus SE Widetrack styling programme is by far the most technically sophisticated and visually dramatic Lamborghini build we have ever produced,” said Matthew Welch, Managing Director of Urban Automotive. “Launching simultaneously in the UK and USA feels exactly right for a car like this. It will attract customers from around the world to Urban,” he added. No changes have been made in the powertrain department, with the Urus SE featuring the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 PHEV system that delivers a combined 789 hp and 701 lb-ft of torque. This enables the super SUV to do 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 194 mph. Urban Automotive View the full article

Tailored for the SpotlightFollowing the unveiling of the new and facelifted Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, the German marque announced that the ultra-luxury sedan will serve as a hero vehicle as part of a global campaign tied to the upcoming sequel to 2006's The Devil Wears Prada. A one-off, film-inspired example has been created and customized through the brand’s Manufaktur program. For the uninitiated, The Devil Wears Prada is set in the world of fashion, with Meryl Streep playing Miranda Priestly, the editor-in-chief of Runway magazine, a character widely seen as inspired by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Given her status, it makes sense for Priestly to be chauffeured in high-end vehicles. Models like the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Bentley Flying Spur would also be strong candidates, but the S-Class appeared in the first film, so using the latest iteration here creates a full-circle moment. Mercedes-Benz The Art of PersonalizationWhile the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class gets exterior updates such as a larger grille with an illuminated surround, the interior will likely be the highlight, as it reflects, to some extent, the kind of customization also seen in fashion. The updated cabin also features more screens, in line with a broader trend in modern cars, while its software runs on MB.OS, enabling next-generation technologies such as a smart Virtual Assistant powered by generative AI. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo M177 Evo V8 has also been revised and now produces 530 horsepower, an increase of more than 30 hp. That cuts the 0–60 mph sprint from 4.7 seconds to 4.3 seconds. Unlike car-centric films such as The Fast and the Furious, however, the movie is unlikely to showcase that performance on the big screen. From a brand-image standpoint, the 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 feels more in line with the kind of traditional luxury and refinement typically associated with Maybach. Mercedes-Benz From Runway to U.S. RoadwaysThe Devil Wears Prada 2 will arrive in theaters on May 1. Also returning for the sequel are Anne Hathaway as Andrea Sachs, Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton, and Stanley Tucci as Nigel. Meanwhile, the facelifted model is expected to arrive in U.S. dealerships in the second half of 2026. Pricing has not yet been disclosed, but for reference, the current 2026 model starts at $207,150. With Mercedes calling the facelift the most extensive update in the model's history, it will likely carry a higher price tag, as is often the case with mid-cycle updates. Mercedes-Benz View the full article

An American Past TimeThe U.S. is a place where sports are a big deal, a country where most of the world's sports are supported and even played. You could say that even motorsports has a big home in America, and NASCAR is part of the very fabric of the nation, as one of the biggest spectator sports locally and internationally. Motorsports takes many forms in the U.S. Apart from NASCAR, we have IndyCar, dirt-track racing, and drag racing. However, some people find that racing is a disruption and too noisy, leading to multiple complaints and even lawsuits from time to time. Visit Kansas City Protecting The TracksIn the state of Kansas, the House of Representatives just unanimously voted 122-0 on House Bill 2416. What makes this bill monumental for the racing world is that it protects official racing venues from lawsuits and noise complaints. This immunity is only provided, of course, if the venue or track was already in place before other neighboring developments popped up. One of the qualifiers for protection under the new law is that the track must have been in continuous operation without a lapse of more than four years. The Kansas Motorsports Venue Protection Act now awaits Governor Laura Kelly's signature to be fully enacted by the state. There are over 20 listed racetracks in Kansas, all catering to different types of racing, but the crown jewel is the Kansas Motor Speedway, which hosts a yearly stint of the NASCAR series calendar. Other states that have already done the same as Kansas include North Carolina (the home of NASCAR), Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Iowa. Another key reason the tracks were protected is their economic impact on the local economy. Hosting a major event like a NASCAR Cup race generates significant revenue and creates many employment opportunities. Honda Global EffortsThe rest of the world is not as accommodating as the U.S., usually enforcing more strict noise regulations. In the U.K., a racetrack can only establish a legal right to make noise if it has done so for 20 years without interruption or objection. Current noise level limits in the U.K. are at 105 decibels. In Western Australia, some tracks are granted a negotiated exemption by the local government rather than blanket immunity. Should the track violate any of the rules, the exemption may be revoked. Even the infamous Nürburgring has a noise mandate during what is considered "tourist drives," vehicles must not exceed 130 decibels. View the full article

For Denny Hamlin, winning another pole on Saturday at Martinsville Speedway, is just another sign that he still as it. It, of course, is the much-discussed pure speed that often fades away in the mid-40s but the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 driver now has two poles in addition to a win while sitting fourth in the championship standings. “Really, with age, the hardest part is actually still ...Keep readingView the full article

James Bond has always had impeccable taste in cars. In Ian Fleming’s novels, he drove a Bentley. The films made Aston Martin iconic. The 1970s flirted with Lotus, and the 1990s handed him the keys to BMW. What remained consistent wasn’t the badge; it was the idea that Bond always drove something aspirational, cutting-edge, and slightly ahead of its time. What it has never been, until now, is Chinese. BYD is changing that with the Denza Z9 GT, a high-performance luxury EV launching in Europe in April, and the company is betting that Daniel Craig's face will do the heavy lifting in making Europeans take it seriously. Denza View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Bond Cars Are Always ExceptionalWhen BMW put Pierce Brosnan’s Bond in a Z3 and later a Z8, it was seen as a commercial pivot rather than a purist choice. In hindsight, it was an early example of the franchise aligning itself with whoever best represented the future of the car industry at that moment. Daniel Craig played Bond across five films, from Casino Royale in 2006 right through to No Time to Die in 2021. During that run, he was closely associated with Aston Martin, driving the timeless DB5, the DBS, the Vantage, and the DB10, a car built almost exclusively for the film. That relationship between Bond and Aston Martin ran so deep that it became shorthand for a certain kind of aspirational British luxury. By recruiting Craig for its newest and most advanced electric vehicle, BYD is sending a very deliberate signal. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article The Denza Z9 GT itself is legitimately impressive on paper. Three electric motors producing a combined 960 horsepower, a 0-62 mph time of under 3 seconds, and a claimed range of 497 miles from a 122 kWh Blade Battery 2.0. BYD's new Flash Charging technology can take the battery from 10 per cent to 70 per cent in five minutes flat, and on to a full charge in a total of nine minutes. On paper, the Denza Z9 GT has the kind of numbers and the trick crab walk feature that would have once been reserved for Q Branch fiction. Denza View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The Irony Worth Sitting WithCraig’s Bond was always less about fantasy gadgets and more about realism and brute effectiveness. That makes him an unusually fitting ambassador for an EV that is selling itself not on romance, but on sheer technical dominance. Not long ago, a "Bond car from a Chinese EV maker" would have sounded like a punchline. But Bond has always been about power, innovation, and whoever defines the cutting edge at a given moment. Right now, BYD is making a case that it deserves that role. View the full article

The No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota of Denny Hamlin will lead the field to the green flag in Sunday's NASCAR Cup race at Martinsville Speedway. The Virginia native now has five poles at the half-mile short track, and 49 total in his career. "The car is good today," said Hamlin. "We did a lot of really good things in practice. I was hoping to get somewhere in that top eight for qualifying, but ...Keep readingView the full article

BMW was among the European carmakers hit hardest by tariffs in 2025, and its latest financial results make that impact clear. In its annual report, the company revealed a 6.7% drop in group earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), alongside a 15.9% decline in its automotive EBIT margin, a key measure of operating profitability. While BMW avoided putting a precise figure on the damage, analysis from Automotive News helped fill in the gaps. €1.4 Billion Lost to Tariffs BMW Working from BMW’s reported margin decline, Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois estimated that tariffs cost the company around €1.4 billion in 2025. With BMW posting roughly €10.2 billion in profit for the year, that means more than 10% of its earnings were effectively wiped out by tariff-related costs. The two main pressure sources were US import tariffs and European Union anti-subsidy tariffs. And while there is hope that some trade barriers may ease, US tariffs aren't going away any time soon. Since 2025, US auto tariffs alone have already cost the global industry at least $35.4 billion, underlining just how expensive the current trade environment has become. Adapting Without Slowing Down BMW Despite the financial hit, BMW is not backing off on its long-term strategy. Its massive Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, which produces most of its SUVs, helps shield the company from US-specific tariff risks, to an extent. To meet CO2 emission targets, BMW will continue to produce EVs, such as the recently unveiled BMW i3, while its M division is set to introduce 30 new models by 2029 – many of which are expected to incorporate hybrid technology to comply with emissions rules. BMW is also paying closer attention to shifting consumer trends. BMW has identified renewed demand for station wagons in the US, making this a viable model to add to the Spartanburg plant's offering. Tariffs Remain A Heavy Hitter BMW Looking ahead, tariffs remain a major concern not just for BMW, but for the entire industry. The company expects tariff-related pressure to continue into 2026, warning of a further impact of around 1.25 percentage points on its automotive EBIT margin. Unfortunately, if current policies remain in place, automakers may soon have little choice but to pass these costs on to consumers. As a result, that would push the average new car price beyond the current $50,300. View the full article

You know you’re in for something really crazy when internet legends ‘Florida Man’ and ‘Mustang Driver’ collide, all the more so if they are one and the same person. That was the case on Wednesday in Daytona Beach, Florida, when 58-year-old Brian J. Parker crashed his seventh-gen Ford Mustang GT at high speed through a locked and secured gate of the local airport. Suspect Admitted to Alcohol and Drug Use Before Chaotic IncidentHe then drove his blue Mustang across an active runway, nearly hitting a student-training plane on the taxiway. As if this wasn’t reckless or stupid enough, the man then ditched his car and “attempted but was unsuccessful in gaining control of two aircraft,” according to a Daytona Beach International Airport press statement. Fortunately, airport security agents chased the man on foot and managed to immobilize him less than 4 minutes after he crashed broke into the airport's premises, with police detaining him shortly after. It wasn’t a walk in the park, though, as the following excerpt from a Volusia Sheriff’s Office statement reveals. “Witnesses reported Parker's Mustang entered the taxiway and nearly struck an Embry-Riddle plane that was taxiing. Parker then got out of Mustang and tried to enter the occupied plane, but was unsuccessful. As Parker ran to other aircraft in the area, an airport operations technician chased him down, pulled him out of a plane and sat him on his truck's tailgate. However, Parker jumped off the tailgate and ran toward another plane before he was once again apprehended and placed in handcuffs.” The body cam footage shared by Volusia Sheriff’s Office on its Facebook page showed the man was “highly intoxicated,” as he himself admitted at the scene. “I don’t remember. I was at my house, I went to an AA meeting and next thing you know I’m doing cocaine, drinking and smoking pot,” the man said when a police officer asked him what had happened. The man was in such an inebriated state that he uttered “What’s my car doing over there?” just as police hauled him into the back of a patrol car with his hands in cuffs. Arrested on a List of Charges Longer than a Resume Volusia Sheriff's Office / Facebook Byran J. Parker, a resident of Holly Hill, was arrested and booked on several charges, including attempted aircraft piracy, burglary of a conveyance, trespass upon operation area of an airport, exposure of a sexual organ, criminal mischief, DUI property damage, and refusing to submit to testing, according to Volusia Sheriff’s Office. A judge called his actions extreme and denied him bond based on worries about the suspect's mental health, WKMG News6 ClickOrlando reported. Thankfully, no one was hurt during the chaotic incident, authorities said. Needless to say, things could have been way worse had he crashed into the taxiing student-training plane or if a bigger plane had happened to take off or land at that time. “We would like to commend the eyewitnesses who immediately called 911 to report the incident, and the Air Traffic Controller who quickly reported the suspicious vehicle and took action to ensure the safety of airfield operations,” Daytona Beach International Airport wrote in its statement. View the full article