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There is a reason why that cool car has Montana license platesWhen I attended my first few collector car shows and cars and coffee events as a curious, camera-wielding car enthusiast, one of the things I first noticed besides the sheer volume of Ferraris, Porsches and Lamborghinis was that a considerable portion came with Montana plates screwed into their licence plate holders. When I made this observation known to a friend, he brought me aside and told me that there were two rules when it comes to talking to strangers about their cool cars. One was to never inquire about the age of their wives, girlfriends or partners, and the other was to never ask what the name of their Montana-registered LLC is. That second rule might sound strange if you don’t know much about the nuances of car culture or if you don’t go out to shows and/or cars and coffee pretty regularly. However, there is a good chance that the cool Lamborghini or the pristine vintage Porsche getting valet parked at your local high-end upscale joint has a Montana license plate. Although it may look like that the owners of these cars may be on a heck of a road trip from Billings or Bozeman, chances are that the hypothetical scenario may be the furthest from the truth. James Ochoa What you may be seeing is someone utilizing something called the "Montana Loophole:” a method that lets exotic and collector car enthusiasts completely sidestep sales taxes, registration fees, and emissions inspections in the state they actually live in by registering their vehicles in Big Sky Country through a Limited Liability Company based in the state. However, recent news may have spoiled it for some. On March 6, California state officials announced that it was taking action against those who took advantage, as California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the state charged 14 people for allegedly evading over $1.8 million in vehicle taxes, including those on a Ferrari F12tdf worth $1.26 million, a Porsche 918 Spyder worth $1.5 million and a McLaren Elva worth $1.8 million. So why do expensive exotic and collector car owners run the risk of a serious run-in with the law? To understand the appeal, you first need to understand what car buying entails and the fees that go along with it. Spencer Platt/Getty Images How the “Montana Loophole” actually worksEverybody hates a surprise at the dealer, but one of the additional fees that are usually tacked onto the final purchase price of a particular vehicle are vehicle sales taxes. No matter what kind of car you buy, whether it be a $30,000 Honda or a $300,000 Lamborghini, you are responsible for your state’s sales tax if you intend to register and drive it in the state where you live. Although these fees may be a smaller sum when applied to the $30,000 Honda, these fees could be exorbitant for those looking to purchase a $300,000 Lamborghini, McLaren or Porsche. Vehicle sales taxes vary widely from state to state. In my native New Jersey, car buyers face a 6.625% sales tax on vehicles, while the same sales tax can run up to 8.25% in Texas. However, in California, it can top 10%, which means that buyers there are on the hook for a $30,000 tax bill for a $300,000 vehicle. But that's just the beginning. Some states have additional taxes and registration fees on top of the sales tax. On top of the 6.625% sales tax on dealer vehicle purchases in New Jersey, the state tacks on an additional 0.4% luxury surcharge on top if your car is valued over $45,000. This means that if you plan on buying a $300,000 exotic within the Garden State, you’ll be looking at over $21,000 before you've even touched registration. Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images Other states have their own fees. In Georgia, there is a one-time "Title Ad Valorem Tax" (TAVT) of 7% of the vehicle's fair market value, while California also charges an annual "Vehicle License Fee" (VLF) based on the car's value. All things considered; the registration fees, safety inspections, and emissions testing on top of that, the bureaucratic and financial toll of owning a high-end machine becomes real. However, Montana has no sales tax, no vehicle safety inspections, and no emissions testing requirements. There are no use or excise taxes either, and for vehicles 11 years or older, you can even get a permanent registration with no renewals necessary. Normally, you’d need to be a Montana resident to title and register a vehicle there, but that is where the LLC comes in as the provider of the “loophole.” These owners would register a Limited Liability Company in Montana, purchase and register the vehicle under said LLC, and then they have a "company car" wearing Montana plates potentially saving tens of thousands of dollars in the process. The car never needs to physically touch Montana, and additionally, Montana LLCs don't have to operate as an actual ‘business;’ you could form one solely to register a car and register multiple vehicles under the same LLC. This phenomenon is so widespread, there's an entire industry in Montana built to help out-of-staters navigate this process. Dozens of firms that act as “resident agents” or “registered agents” and help with the paperwork and vehicle registration for a relatively small fee. According to a 2023 report by The Missoulian, 30,000 LLCs were registered in Montana in 2021 alone. Similarly, as a result, this has created a huge imbalance between registered vehicles and registered drivers in the state. According to an analysis of Federal Highway Administration data from Bloomberg Tax, 2.3 million registered vehicles call Montana home, while it contains just 879,000 licensed drivers. James Ochoa The problems and pitfallsFrom a 20,000 foot high perspective, the arrangement seems like a win-win solution for Montana’s DMV. The state gets registration revenue from cars that it may never see on its roads and exotic car owners get their car registered while avoiding hefty fees. On top of that, they may even opt to get a cool, stealthy black-and-white license plate, which will be a cool feature on their posh, new cars. However, most other states see it very differently; especially the home states of where these out-of-state registrants actually live. The fundamental legal issue is this: in most states, once a vehicle has been within its borders for a certain amount of days, it's legally required to be registered there, meaning that you paid the appropriate taxes, fees, and all. Using a Montana LLC to dodge that is, in the eyes of your home state, tax evasion. California has been particularly aggressive. According to California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) data cited by Bloomberg Tax, over 10,000 vehicles worth nearly $2 billion had been sold by California dealers to Montana LLCs since 2022; which means millions of dollars of lost revenue annually to residents registering vehicles out-of-state. James Ochoa In its release on March 6, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) and DMV said that in its newly-launched investigation, it will examine “all sales made to Montana purchasers, not just those involving LLCs,” stating that “close to 500 California dealers” were “involved in more than 2,500 sales since 2023” to supposed Montana customers, which cost the state “more than $10 million a year in lost tax revenue.” “When bad actors abuse legal loopholes and submit fraudulent documents to evade their obligations, the California Department of Justice will not stand idly by,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a separate statement. “Every dollar of unpaid taxes is a dollar taken from California’s roads, schools, and the vital services our communities rely on. Schemes that defraud the government of millions in taxpayer money will not be tolerated.” But while some politicos in Montana defend this practice, the scheme has created headaches in the state, as clerks in smaller counties have been overwhelmed by floods of non-resident registrations. Ben Krakowka, the county attorney in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County; a county with less than 10,000 people, told The Missoulian that the county courthouse was overworked with out-of-state registrations, while Missoula County employs a full-time staffer just to process non-resident vehicle registrations. Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Is it even worth the risk?It is not surprising as to why the Montana LLC scheme has become so popular among exotic car owners. After all, finding tax loopholes is a national pastime for the business-savvy in the United States; ask any corporate accountant why Delaware is a special place. However, the stakes are rising, as California and other states like Florida have been vigilant. In the end, the short-term financial gain is increasingly being weighed against the serious legal risks, which may include hefty fines and possible criminal charges. The so-called Montana Loophole isn't going away anytime soon, and for the right buyer in the right circumstances, it may still offer legitimate purchase advantages. But as enforcement ramps up and the scheme becomes ever more well-known, the days of Montana plates being a foolproof workaround are increasingly numbered. If your posh sports car has a Montana plate, as a precaution, you'd might want to keep the name of your LLC to yourself at the next car show. View the full article

Not Your Typical Steering WheelDespite the famous saying, many have reinvented the wheel – examples include the fixed-hub design in the Bugatti Tourbillon and the yoke-style steering layout in EVs, such as the Tesla Model S. BMW is also taking a step in this direction with a new steering wheel featuring two vertical spokes, introduced in its Neue Klasse EVs, including the iX3 and the recently unveiled i3. While some have criticized the design, in part because it breaks from the brand’s traditional three-spoke layout, BMW Design Director Adrian van Hooydonk has explained the reasoning behind it. According to BMW Blog, van Hooydonk approved the design to minimize obstruction of Panoramic Vision, the wide display mounted at the base of the windshield that replaces the traditional instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. The challenge was eliminating the horizontal spokes, and the solution, at least on the drawing board, was to orient them vertically instead. BMW Designed Around the ScreenThe design chief explained, “In order to see that display, we needed to open up the sightline.” Acknowledging the debate around the vertical spokes, he added, “The thing you’ve been arguing about online is, in a very literal sense, a byproduct of where BMW put the screen.” The design also led some to think it was a four-spoke steering wheel. However, the sections that house the controls are not physically connected to the rim, giving the setup a floating appearance. Van Hooydonk said this was taken into account from a usability standpoint, explaining, “We move those switches in a position where you can operate them with your thumbs easily.” It’s worth noting, however, that despite some automakers like Volkswagen returning to physical buttons, BMW’s two-spoke steering wheel uses haptic controls. BMW More Than Just a Design ExerciseVan Hooydonk also addressed concerns about the driving experience – particularly during drifting – by taking the car onto a skid pad and testing it himself. In the European-spec iX3, the two-spoke steering wheel, with vertical spokes at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions, comes standard, though buyers can opt for a white finish for an additional £225, or about $300 at current exchange rates. The all-electric crossover is expected to arrive in the U.S. in summer 2026 with a starting price of around $60,000. Meanwhile, its sedan counterpart, the i3, is set to begin production in August, with U.S. availability to follow in 2027. BMW View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Plug-In Pickups Are Already Out ThereElectrified pickups are slowly gaining ground, but plug-in hybrid versions are still a rare sight in the U.S. In other parts of the world, though, they’re already much more common. Ford has rolled out the Ranger PHEV, while China’s BYD is pushing the Shark plug-in hybrid pickup in markets like Mexico, Asia, and Australia. Nissan has also introduced a plug-in version of the Frontier overseas. Toyota has also been pushing electrification in its pickups, but mostly outside America, with the company showing off a battery-electric Hilux. But the Tacoma, Toyota’s main midsize pickup in the US, still doesn’t have a plug-in version. That may be something the Japanese automaker is studying. Two recently published patent applications, first spotted by CarBuzz, describe a plug-in hybrid pickup truck configuration designed around battery placement and packaging. Filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office in August 2025 (patent numbers 20260061820 and 20260061819 if you want to check), these documents were published in March. USPTO View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Toyota’s Patent Focuses on Where the Batteries GoThe patents aren’t about launching a new truck just yet. Instead, they tackle a practical question: where do you put a big battery in a body-on-frame pickup? Pickups aren’t like passenger cars underneath. The engine, transmission, driveshaft, exhaust, and suspension all fight for space below the floor. That leaves little room for the kind of big battery pack a plug-in hybrid needs. One patent shows a single main battery mounted under the cargo bed floor, tucked between the rear wheels and above the frame rails. The bed floor sits a bit higher to make space, but the cab floor stays mostly the same. The other patent takes a different approach by splitting the battery system into two packs. One battery is located under the rear passenger area, while the other is beneath the cargo bed. Together, they power the electric motor while spreading the weight across the truck. Both designs are meant to keep the pickup’s usual strengths. The bed stays usable, the cabin feels familiar, and all the important drivetrain parts still fit inside the frame. USPTO View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Could This Be for a Plug-In Tacoma?Since these patents were filed and published in the US, it’s fair to assume Toyota is considering options for the American market. That brings up the obvious question: could a plug-in hybrid Tacoma be on the way? Toyota already sells the Tacoma with the i-Force Max hybrid, but a plug-in would take electric driving a step further. The setups in these patents could let Toyota add a larger battery without sacrificing the Tacoma’s off-road chops or cargo space. Of course, patents don’t guarantee a new model. Automakers file plenty of ideas that never see the light of day. These filings just give us a peek at what Toyota’s engineers are working on behind the scenes. However, the timing is interesting since more electrified pickups are hitting the market worldwide. Toyota seems to be testing ways to bring plug-in tech to its trucks – whether that means a plug-in Tacoma is coming is anyone’s guess. USPTO View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Built for the ExtremeArizona is known for its extreme heat, making it an ideal place to push vehicles to their limits. AZ Family recently visited Toyota’s proving grounds in the Grand Canyon State, where the Japanese automaker has invested $50 million in upgrades to test cars under harsh conditions and identify potential issues ahead of time. The investment includes a 5.5-mile oval track and new technology upgrades for its R&D program. These enhancements are aimed at testing the cars’ noise and weather impact, while the improved handling capabilities also support Toyota’s growing Gazoo Racing brand, the automaker’s performance division behind models like the GR Corolla and the outgoing GR Supra. Secrets in the SandOne of the most interesting moments during the visit was seeing the so-called hide shed, which was built to conceal cars from competitors trying to get a sneak peek, including those in low-flying aircraft. In such cases, drivers would be radioed to pull into the shed. Bob Ditner, senior manager at the proving ground, emphasized how discreet the site is, saying, “It’s 12,000 acres, and it’s our little slice of confidential heaven.” The sun-drenched conditions allow Toyota to test components such as paint finishes and seat materials. However, despite the heat, the R&D facility can also recreate snow-covered surfaces, making it ideal for evaluating how braking systems perform on slippery roads. It also has off-road areas where the team can further improve the ruggedness and durability of its vehicles. In fact, the automaker even tested and built a Sequoia into a first-responder vehicle equipped with upgrades such as a suspension lift and off-road tires. Toyota Breaking Cars Before Customers DoToyota also noted that, depending on the type of test, a vehicle can rack up around 100,000 miles in a year. To put that into perspective, the average American drives about 13,000 miles annually. The brand has been doing this since the early 1990s, when its luxury division, Lexus, was still in its early years. Now, the new investment is seen as a long-term commitment that will help keep the facility operating in the years ahead. Other automakers also have their own proving grounds, with homegrown brands like Ford typically maintaining facilities in Michigan. For Toyota, having a site in Arizona helps ensure its vehicles are tested in extreme real-world conditions long before they make it into customers’ driveways. Toyota View the full article

As gas edges toward $4 a gallon, the math around buying a car is changing. According to Bloomberg, that's roughly the point at which the total cost of owning an electric vehicle drops below that of a gas-powered car. Consider what $4 gas actually costs week to week. The average American drives around 230 miles per week. In a typical car getting 28 miles per gallon, that's roughly 8.2 gallons, or about $33 a week just in fuel. Over a year, you're looking at spending $1,700 at the pump. Charge that same 230 miles in an EV at the national average electricity rate of around 16 cents per kWh, and you're spending closer to $370 for the year. That's a difference of over $1,300, every single year, that you save by going electric. Kia View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Why Gas Prices Probably Aren't Coming Back DownGas prices after a major shock, whether it's a war, a supply disruption, or a geopolitical rupture, have a stubborn habit of not fully recovering. The 1970s oil shocks rewired consumer behavior for a generation. The Ukraine invasion in 2022 briefly pushed prices past $5 and permanently shifted how a lot of people think about fuel costs. The latest price surge is being driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, alongside supply constraints, which have pushed the national average to $3.88 as of mid-March, nearly a dollar higher than when the conflict began. History suggests we should plan for this new floor, not hope for the old ceiling to return. Brandon Bell/Getty Images The Catch-22 That Keeps Getting IgnoredUnfortunately, the people hit hardest by $4 gas are the ones least positioned to escape it. Low-income households spend a disproportionate share of their income on fuel, and yet a new EV, even with the price gap narrowing, still carries a premium most of them can't absorb, especially after last year's gutting of EV tax credits. Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images But there's a window opening. The used EV market now shows only a $1,334 price gap compared to used gas vehicles, with 18 of 26 brands averaging below their gas-powered equivalents. Even better, off-lease EVs are flooding into the secondhand market and bringing prices down fast. For a regular commuter driving that 230-mile week, a used Chevy Bolt or Nissan Leaf for under $20,000 isn’t really a luxury. It's just financial sense. View the full article

Popularity Breeds LongevityThe previous Toyota FJ Cruiser was probably one of the longest-running models ever produced by the brand. It was produced and sold from 2006 to 2022, a full 16-year production run featuring very small updates in between, yet retaining the platform's much-loved purity throughout. A lot of people were sad when it was killed off in 2022, but Toyota was quick to point out that an all-new model was on the horizon. A short three-year hiatus later, here we are with the all-new model now out in select regions. Meridian ConceptOne key highlight that Toyota was eager to point out about the new FJ is that it'll be a customizable platform, just as any off-roader would need to be. To showcase this, a video has surfaced coming from Toyota Thailand, one of the first markets to get the new FJ. In it, the car is shown driving around various terrains with key features being highlighted. One of the cars shown in the video is a curious-looking Meridian Concept. In the Meridian Concept, the scene immediately shifts from the wide-open desert to a tighter, denser jungle. It could mean this particular version of the FJ is tuned and geared for the more hardcore off-roaders. This "Go Anywhere" concept, based on looks alone, has a more purposeful stance and looks menacing despite its small proportions. The video doesn't specify what makes the Meridian different from the other concepts, but looking carefully through the video, we can see that there are some major changes. First are the tires, it rides on bigger, chunkier all-terrain tires, then you notice that it also has a snorkel, and a roof rack with a lightbar. It comes in black paint with some trail-themed decals, which don't look out of place. Toyota Motor Thailand/YouTube View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article The More The MerrierThe Meridian Concept wasn't the only special model in the video; there are four distinct builds. Accompanying the Meridian were the Street Cruiser, Nature Explorer, and the Legendary Concept. Each concept seems to cater to a specific demographic: the Street Cruiser is for the modern and young crowd, the Nature Explorer is more of an overlanding model, and the Legendary is an homage model to the original FJ. As these cars are labeled as concepts, we aren't sure if they'll be on sale as special edition variants, but it is likely that they serve as design studies that owners could use as inspiration. Toyota Motor Thailand/YouTube View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Grand Sport ReturnsAfter months of speculation, Chevrolet has officially confirmed that the C8 Corvette will receive a Grand Sport trim. The announcement, reported by Hagerty, took place during the 12 Hours of Sebring, where the new C8 variant was showcased alongside previous Grand Sport models. As seen in previous spy shots, the new C8 Corvette Grand Sport features the Admiral Blue paint traditionally associated with the trim, along with the signature dual red hash marks. For the first time, however, those accents have been moved from the front to the rear quarter panel – likely reflecting the Corvette’s shift to a mid-engine layout. Facebook user Steve Boulter shared a photo of the car at the track in the C8 Corvette Owners Facebook group (see photo above). The full details haven't been disclosed, but the report did confirm that the vehicle is getting a new V8. @njp_moto/Instagram A Bigger V8 Could Be ComingBased on earlier rumors, the new trim could receive a new naturally aspirated small-block V8 bearing the LS6 designation, a name historically associated with high-performance engine variants. The engine could feature a 6.7-liter displacement, making it larger than the base Corvette Stingray’s naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LT2 V8. Given that the Grand Sport is expected to slot above the Stingray, it will likely produce more than the base model’s 495 horsepower. It is also expected to retain a rear-wheel-drive layout, unlike the all-wheel-drive system used in the Corvette E-Ray. Speaking of the Corvette E-Ray, reports suggest Chevrolet may rename the hybrid trim the Grand Sport X. The current E-Ray badge appears to cause some confusion, as some buyers assume the “E” means the car is fully electric, which could potentially affect buyer perception. Adopting the Grand Sport name would give the model a more familiar badge. Chevrolet Expanding the LineupThe upcoming Corvette Grand Sport could emerge as a volume leader, serving as a “sweet spot” between the base Stingray and the more track-focused Z06. Above it sit more extreme variants like the ZR1 and ZR1X, with the latter featuring an AWD system and a hybrid setup producing a combined 1,250 horsepower. The 12 Hours of Sebring, where the new Corvette trim was unveiled, is the second race of the 2026 IMSA SportsCar Championship season. The report also noted that Grand Sport models from various generations hit the track for a parade lap before the race began on Saturday. View the full article

While Kyle Larson dominated most of the race, it was Justin Allgaier who won Saturday's NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Pars Series race. It was his second win of the 2026 season and the 30th of his career. "All of these guys right here," said Allgaier, gesturing his team when he asked how he pulled off this latest victory. "We have not been the best on pit road all year, but these guys have never quit ...Keep readingView the full article

Why RHD to LHD Conversions are a Thing Depending on where you live, your home country may treat right-hand-drive (RHD) imports differently. For some, it’s allowable with vehicles that meet certain conditions. In Japan, it’s legal to own, register, and drive a left-hand-drive (LHD) car as long as it passes local inspection, whereas in other countries, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Philippines (both LHD countries), it’s illegal to drive an RHD vehicle. Because of this, vehicle importers or exporters convert RHD vehicles to enable registration and sale in the destination country. Aside from legality, another reason importers or exporters convert RHD vehicles is that they can sell them at affordable prices in the destination country. The other is collector’s value because, as you might know, at one point in time, Japan tended to keep the best specs and models for itself. Examples include specific nameplates from the golden era of Japanese performance cars, which have become classics in their own right and are known to command high prices at auctions, especially for limited models. Earl Lee/Autoblog Why Did Conversions Start?At first, it wasn’t just about the collector’s value. In fact, it was a way to save money. Instead of buying a brand-new vehicle from a local dealer, converted vehicles can be purchased at bargain prices. This is the case in developing countries like the Philippines, where small businesses could save on a new car by getting a converted second-hand vehicle from Japan. Case in point, the Mitsubishi Delica, which has been produced in Japan since 1968. In countries like the Philippines, where a van can be both a family hauler and a business tool, many units were imported and used on the road, enough for the local Mitsubishi outfit to produce a model of its own: the Mitsubishi L300. Also, commercial vehicles like the Isuzu Elf were imported from Japan and converted in the Philippines to get to work and contribute to the economy at a fraction of the cost of a brand-new unit. Conversions were done out of necessity, to get models that weren’t available in that specific market and/or to meet a certain price point. It wasn’t about passion and enthusiasm at first, but a cost-saving measure to get a working car for a working man’s price. Wikimedia Commons Are Converted Cars Safe? As with anything in the world of car modification, it all depends on how it’s done. While it is possible to come out of an RHD conversion with a safe vehicle to drive, if done improperly, the consequences can range from mild panic to a full-on train wreck. It’s easy to forget that by converting a car, you’re essentially changing the layout of the vehicle and part of its structure. On top of that, parts for RHD vehicles aren’t a flip-and-skip type of deal. To convert from the right to the left, you need (very important) parts like an LHD steering rack to replace the RHD one, because, as far as I’m concerned, those two won’t be similar. On top of that, the firewall must be cut out or replaced with a model-specific LHD version. Also, you need to mate the steering wheel to the column and steering rack, which requires a laser alignment machine to get everything absolutely spot-on. You also have to transfer the brake master cylinder, power steering pump, and, in manual variants, the clutch master cylinder. All of these parts need to be securely placed on the other side of the car, and their lines properly rerouted. Other components in the way may include the air conditioning blower and condenser, and these two components need to be relocated to make room for the steering column. In a nutshell, it has to be done correctly to be “safe.” Getting your controls sorted is priority number one, which means getting the appropriate steering rack, a proper set of mounts and lines for your accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals, and also the right guy for the job. Once primary safety is out of the way, you may have to kiss secondary safety features goodbye, like airbags. Durability is also a concern, which is why component and work quality must be top priorities when converting cars. Earl Lee/Autoblog We’re Not Done Once the steering wheel is on the left, you will have to deal with the dashboard. The best way to get that problem sorted is to find an OEM or aftermarket LHD dashboard for your vehicle and slap it on. However, if you cannot source one or if the car never came in LHD, you might have to cut into the existing dashboard to mirror it for the left side, or resort to the aftermarket, which will be costly. Cutting up the dashboard also won't guarantee proper steering wheel alignment without the right tools, so keep that in mind as well. After the dashboard is flipped over, you will notice that the rest of the car didn’t follow. The maddening part about converted cars is that all the driver's controls will be on the other side, like the window switches, hood latch, hand brake, trunk release, and gas flap release, among a plethora of other things. The most annoying part about converted cars is that the light and wiper stalks are flipped, so you will have to adapt to this, or just deal with it. Wait, there’s more. RHD vehicles have their wipers flipped, so you will also have to source or fabricate a cowl and motor setup to get the wipers to wipe towards the driver’s side. When darkness falls, the headlights are also aimed differently, and you could blind oncoming traffic with your low beams. Additionally, the fuse box should be in the driver’s footwell, and even little things like that beeping sound that reminds you to take your key out of the ignition will be coded to the other side of the car, unless you get in there and rewire things. The best way to convert an RHD car is to use an LHD version as a “donor car.” Either that, or you can do what most enthusiasts have been doing for a while now: swap over all the parts you want from the RHD unit into the LHD one, which is the case for a lot of Nissan 240SX or Honda Civic owners out there. However, if a car is only available in RHD, your options will be limited, and you will have to get more creative. Earl Lee/Autoblog My Proof in the PuddingLiving in the Philippines, I’ve seen a number of converted cars; in fact, my daily driver is a converted 1998 Nissan Silvia (S14) that was legally imported, registered, and tax paid. As a Japanese import, before it received any documentation in my home country, the importer had to convert it from RHD to LHD. As far as safety is concerned, this is a late-2000s to early-2010s import, so importers and technicians more or less knew what they were doing with Silvias by that time; enough to convert them safely with the steering wheel aligned and all controls close to their original positions. Even then, it’s not perfect, as several elements are RHD-specific, such as the grab handle, dead pedal, and handbrake placements. However, the car's fundamentals are all sorted. The steering is direct and true, the brake and clutch masters are relocated and reliable, and all essential components formerly on the left are now on the right. The car wouldn’t have lasted this long on the road if things weren’t done right. Earl Lee/Autoblog When is it Acceptable to Convert a Car? In my opinion, converting a car is a long and laborious process that’s still a gamble. Again, you have to get the right guy and the right parts for the job or else things could go haywire – figuratively and literally. If your country has laws that allow an RHD vehicle to be legally driven on the road anyway, then conversion is too much work and not worth the hassle. If RHD vehicles are illegal in your country, and if conversion is the only way to get the car that you really want, then what choice do you have? In countries like the UAE, where RHD-only models like the Skyline GT-Rs or S15 Silvias command a premium, to be allowed for sale, import houses must ensure that the vehicles are properly converted to LHD and pass inspection to be registered and sold. To answer the question, it's acceptable if it is done right and if the circumstances leave you with no choice. If you can live with RHD legally, keeping the car in original-hand drive is ideal in the short term and the long run. Earl Lee/Autoblog View the full article

Doing its PartPerhaps it was inevitable, but a 3 Series without a Touring version sounds heretical. Granted, it was the i3 that was shown first, but BMW assured the world that even that is getting a station wagon version. After all, it's pretty much a crime not to offer the more practical version in Europe. During the launch of the i3 Sedan, BMW CEO Oliver Zipse said there will be more variations of the car, with the Touring being the first of its kind. A shadowy figure of the long-roof model was also shown during the electric 3 Series' world. There was a glimpse of its side profile and tail lights, and that was pretty much it. Bringing it to LifeOf course, it didn't take long before digital artists fired up Photoshop to predict the look of the real deal. One such artist is Theottle, and thanks to a whole barrage of press photos, we have to say the render is a good indicator of the showroom version. For this render, Theottle took the rear roof section of the iX3 and grafted it onto the i3 sedan. The virtual tuner then molded and reshaped some of the crossover's bits to follow the sleeker and more rakish lines of the sedan, and the result is what you see here now. If you want to see the whole process, check out the quick video below. Extending the EV Neue Klasse FamilyAs mentioned, BMW said it will be making more body styles of the i3. This leads us to believe that the company is staying true to its promise that the 4 Series will live on in some form. The folks from Munich are already winding down production of the current i4, indicating that something big is happening soon. In a previous report, BMW's R&D boss Joachim Post said he is well aware of the 4 Series' popularity in both ICE and EV guises. He was quoted as saying, "The 4 Series is an important car for us. It’s more sporty, and BMW is a sporty brand which has a clear heritage also on the performance side. It will play an important role also for the future." With that in mind, we could see a new generation of the i4 sporting the same four-door liftback design from the outgoing model. We are, however, curious if there will be a two-door i4 or even a convertible. In the meantime, we wait to see if those models will indeed reach production, along with the ICE versions of the new-generation 3 Series. Theottle/YouTube View the full article

The Importance of TiresTires are a vital part of every car; most drivers overlook them as simple rubber that allows the car to move on the road. The fact is, they affect your car more than you know, and using the right kind of tire can actually benefit your driving and ownership experience for the better. One major aspect of tire performance can be traced to efficiency and performance. EVs rely heavily on their tires to eke out as many miles of range as possible. Michelin recognizes this and has launched a new line for more efficiency and another line for performance EVs. Michelin Primacy 5 Energy The French tiremaker wants to capitalize on the increase in EV mobility, and the new technology found in the Primacy 5 Energy caters to those seeking to get the most out of their tires across the board. For starters, this new version is graded A for wet braking performance, and it stops 8% shorter than its predecessor when new and worn up to the 2mm tread depth. Backing up the new tire is the Energy Passive 2.0 technology, which uses functionalized elastomers, a new architecture, and resins to help it last longer. According to Michelin, independent testing has confirmed that the Primacy 5 Energy lasts 40% longer than most competitors. Lastly, the new Primacy 5 Energy also offers improvements in efficiency. Testing has shown it can achieve up to a 6% reduction in fuel consumption and 10% more range for EVs. Michelin Pilot Sport Energy 5The Pilot Sport line from Michelin has been a go-to for those seeking performance-level grip and a dynamic driving feel. Part of Michelin's new push has been to give the Pilot Sport a new dimension of efficiency, introducing the Pilot Sport Energy 5. It was developed using the brand's motorsport background and expertise, resulting in the Dynamic Response Technology and a new Adaptive Grip Compound to deliver improved grip in wet and dry conditions. Rolling resistance is the main enemy of fuel efficiency, so this new tire uses an Energy Passive compound, reducing rolling resistance to levels not usually seen for a sport tire. Finally, sports tires usually wear out more when used on track, but the new Max Touch technology ensures longevity through more even tire wear. Michelin View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

British luxury brand Jaguar built its final combustion car in December last year, but it didn't necessarily have to be that way. In fact, the company had four new, next-generation cars in the pipeline before it decided to cancel all of them in favor of exclusively producing six-figure EVs. The revelation came through iconic former Jag designer Ian Callum, who worked for the automaker from 1999 to 2019 and was credited with evolving the brand from a company that made BMW and Mercedes alternatives that looked old-school on the day they were released to fresh but distinctive 3 Series and E-Class alternatives that looked modern without losing their sense of tradition. Four Next-Gen Jags Lost As "What-Ifs" We'll Likely Never See Michael Harley/Autoblog Jaguar's last new model was launched in 2018, a year before Callum left, and he wasn't idle in that year. Speaking on the Road to Success podcast, Callum said that he and his successor, Julian Thomson (who left in 2021, for the record), "created quite a lot of new Jaguars before I left" that were "all taken away." What were those, you ask? You can probably guess: replacements for the XF sedan (3 Series fighter), the XJ (S-Class alternative), and the brand's bestseller, the F-Pace SUV. Proof that Jaguar was fairly far along with these can still be found on X (formerly Twitter), where a split headlight design that looked very cat-like was being prepared for the XJ. It's been said that the stillborn electric XJ's platform found its way to the controversial Type 00, and that trying to update this for Jaguar's new goals is part of why it's been so heavily delayed. So the stillborn X360 Jaguar ‘XJ-E’ has leaked. I’m still after the studio launch photos… pic.twitter.com/TrtdnCuOLt — Richard Seddon (@RikSed) November 17, 2024 For those of you keeping count, we've only mentioned three Jags that faced the chopping block. The fourth Jaguar model that was canned was a new F-Type sports car, which was adored by all who drove it, despite its tiny trunk. The cars weren't just being considered by being developed, explained the designer, saying they "were all in the cards, they were all being done." Callum also indicated that he knows why they were dropped in favor of the EV-only plan, but didn't elaborate. "That was all stopped. Just like that," Callum said. Jaguar's Electric Future Is Set in Stone, Callum Likes the Look (Kinda) Jaguar via Top Gear When asked what he thinks about the Type 00, which has only been revealed in concept form (camouflaged prototypes have also been spotted testing), Callum said, "It's a handsome car, it's bold, it's brave, and it's got a lot of good design attributes about it. But it's not beautiful, and Jaguars need to be beautiful." The legendary designer added that it's "just too retro," but regardless of what he or anyone else thinks, Jaguar is plowing ahead, not just with the unusual look, but also with an all-electric powertrain. Rumors of a range-extender powertrain have been shut down by the brand, and despite Jaguar dealers questioning the strategy, there's no adjustment on the horizon. There's also uncertainty in today's Jaguar design department. Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern was supposedly fired from the role last year, and when asked about this rumor, Jaguar responded that his employment had not been terminated, yet did not confirm that he still held the same position. Given that the Type 00 has not been well received by most and that EVs are not as popular as expected, one can't help but wonder if those four stillborn cars should be on sale right now. View the full article

Tesla never ran traditional ads. It didn't need to. For years, a sprawling army of YouTube creators, Twitter evangelists, and forum regulars did the job for free, driven by genuine belief in what the company was building. That grassroots marketing engine was arguably worth billions. Now it's breaking down, and the people powering it are the ones pulling the plug. Content creators who spent years defending Tesla in comment sections, filming road trip videos, and convincing their audiences to make the switch are stepping back. Some are doing it quietly. Others are being very vocal about why. Tesla Europe & Middle East on X Musk's Politics Changed the MathFor a lot of these influencers, the product and the founder used to feel inseparable in a good way. Elon Musk was the visionary, Tesla was the mission, and supporting one meant supporting the other. That equation no longer holds. Musk's increasingly aggressive presence on X, his political positioning, and the controversy that follows him everywhere have made brand association feel costly in ways it never did before. Influencers aren't activists. But their audiences are paying attention, and being seen as a Tesla booster now carries political undertones that many creators never signed up for. Harassment from both sides has become common. The personal cost of staying loyal has simply gotten too high. Tesla’s FSD Burned CredibilityThen there's FSD. Musk has been promising that true autonomy was right around the corner for nearly a decade. Influencers repeated those promises to their audiences. The technology has improved, but it still requires constant driver supervision and remains, technically, a Level 2 assist system. The name alone is misleading. For creators who staked their reputations on Musk's timelines, years of missed predictions left them looking naive, or, complicit, depending on how you view the situation. Tesla Tesla recently sparked fresh outrage by quietly amending its FSD transfer agreement in ways many customers felt were a bait-and-switch. Each broken promise chips away a little more. With real competition now arriving from Hyundai, Rivian, and others, disillusioned fans have somewhere else to go. And they're taking their audiences with them. View the full article

In a tricky qualifying session at Darlington Raceway, Tyler Reddick went fastest of all with a 29.072s lap, even while hitting the wall at the exit of Turn 4. The closest driver to the championship leader in qualifying was the same driver closest to him in the championship standings -- 23XI Racing teammate Bubba Wallace, who ended the session 0.126s behind the pole-sitter. "Gosh, I came off ...Keep readingView the full article

Xiaomi’s EV Play Is No Longer a Side ProjectNot long ago, Xiaomi’s move into cars looked like a side project for a company better known for phones and smart home gadgets. That changed fast– the original SU7 sold really well. The high-performance Ultra version even made headlines by beating established hypercars in controlled tests. Xiaomi has moved past the experimental phase and is now refining what already worked. The new-generation SU7 has been introduced in China, sticking to the same formula – a sleek, tech-focused electric sedan – but adds more performance, smarter features, and a bigger push into premium territory. Xiaomi calls the updated SU7 a “driver’s car for a new era,” with upgrades in safety, driving feel, and cabin comfort. It’s a big claim, but early demand shows buyers are at least interested. Xiaomi 15,000 Units Sold in 34 MinutesXiaomi says it secured 15,000 pre-orders within just 34 minutes of opening reservations. That level of demand isn’t common, even in China’s crowded EV market. It shows Xiaomi’s brand has real pull, and the SU7 already has a following. The new version didn’t need much introduction. The new SU7 starts at 219,900 yuan ($32,000) and tops out at 303,900 yuan ($44,000). That puts it in the premium-but-still-attainable range for buyers looking at high-spec EV sedans. Xiaomi What’s Actually New This TimeThe changes employed on the new-generation model are significant on paper. The Max variant now makes up to 690 horsepower, and range is up across the board – up to 560 miles (CLTC) for the Pro. Charging is faster as well, with up to 416 miles of range added in 15 minutes if conditions are right. Under the skin, Smart Chassis 2.0 now brings dual-chamber air suspension and adaptive damping to more versions, not just the top model. This widens the gap between trims without leaving the base car feeling bare. Inside, Xiaomi has pushed further into the luxury space, with more soft-touch materials, seats with greater adjustability, better sound insulation, and a quieter cabin overall. Details like ambient lighting and a new console design help move the SU7 upmarket. Every model now gets a 700 TOPS computing platform, lidar as standard, and Xiaomi’s latest assisted driving system. Advanced driver assistance is now standard, not just a premium extra. One detail worth noting: Xiaomi dropped the electronic pop-up door system in favor of a setup with built-in redundancy and a mechanical backup. This change is directly linked to ongoing safety concerns. Xiaomi The Controversies Behind the HeadlinesDespite the upgrades, the SU7 arrives with some baggage. Xiaomi has faced scrutiny after reports of a fatal crash involving an earlier model, where electronic door releases reportedly failed. Investigations highlighted the risks of relying on electronic door systems, especially in serious crashes. It’s not just a Xiaomi issue, but the brand has been put under the microscope because of it. The new SU7 aims to fix that. Xiaomi says it now uses a triple-redundant door handle system with a mechanical backup and its own power supply, so doors can still open after a serious crash. There are other safety upgrades as well: stronger 2,200 MPa steel, nine standard airbags, and better battery protection. Xiaomi View the 8 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Darlington is the latest race to feature some inspection issues at the start of the weekend. Ahead of NASCAR Cup practice and qualifying, three Cup teams failed inspection twice, resulting in some penalties. They were the #9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet of Chase Elliott, the #17 RFK Racing Ford of Chris Buescher, and the lone open entry in the field -- the #66 Garage 66 Ford of Timmy ...Keep readingView the full article

In this moment, Denny Hamlin has a contract with Joe Gibbs Racing that has him in the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE through the 2027 season. That’s 67 more points races remaining to score as many wins as possible and challenge for that elusive NASCAR Cup Series championship. On Monday, he predicted that he would reach 67 career victories after reaching 61 on Sunday at Las Vegas. Why that number? ...Keep readingView the full article

Carson Hocevar wants you to understand he doesn’t think he is Dale Earnhardt but he really appreciates the history of NASCAR and doesn’t shy away from embodying some of those character traits either. He idolizes the late great Driver No. 3. To wit, he really appreciated that primary sponsor Chili’s Bar & Grill wanted to sponsor the spring race at Darlington even if it wasn’t an ...Keep readingView the full article

From Model to Brand IconThere are very few cars that started off as humble models of a brand that would eventually become so iconic as to become the brand itself. Mini represents that status, having been a mainstay of motoring culture since the '60s. It gained fame as a symbol of practical motoring, but also because its simplicity and driving dynamics made it a capable race car, with multiple runs and wins at the Monte Carlo Rally. It was acquired by BMW back in the late '90s, and they decided to revamp the brand and bring it into the new millennium. Mini, as we know it today, is celebrating 25 years, having debuted the next generation in 2001. Mini Rebirth Leads to SuccessIt's a tall order to turn an already iconic brand and model into a whole new brand, but BMW pulled it off, giving the Mini a whole new generation of fans and enthusiasts worldwide. Apart from the rebirth, the model line was also expanded. Through the years, we've seen the Mini in various shapes and forms, from 2-door to 3-door, and even 5-door crossovers. Part of the celebrations is that Mini USA is also marking the brand's 24 years of operations. Prior to the USA launch, the brand staged one of the most memorable publicity stunts in motoring history. In August of 1999, classic Mini owners packed 25 people into the original Mini, setting a new world record for how many people could fit inside the car. The new brand and the Mini officially made their public debuts at the 2001 North American International Auto Show. The past 24 years in America have proved fruitful for Mini; it has sold over 1 million cars since the official start of sales in March of 2002. The very first Mini sold in America was in the Boston area, and it went to a car collector who was captivated by it after seeing it in person. Mini Mini of Today Today, Mini enjoys still relative success as an enthusiast's brand, building cars for a specific set of people who want a piece of that legacy. It has also diversified into EVs using the iconic design and "go-kart" like philosophy to promote electrified models. The brand plans to explore going all-electric by 2030 but reiterates the importance of the internal combustion engine for the foreseeable future. 2025 was also a good year for the automaker in terms of sales, despite a challenging year for most; Mini grew 9.3% compared to 2024. Mini View the full article

Harmless Fun?If you've ever come across those videos on various social media platforms of large crowds and cars doing donuts and showboating on public roads, then you've seen what a street takeover is. It's not a legal event by any means, and it poses a lot of safety issues, but street takeovers are usually easily dispersed once authorities arrive. A recent street takeover has gone viral for taking things too far. What started as a celebration of a special day turned into a violent takeover, ending in multiple arrests and some injuries. Violent 314 Day314 day is a unique but special day in the city of St. Louis, celebrated every March 14 (3/14), which is also the city's area code, hence the celebration. Started in 2006, it was officially recognized by city officials in 2022. 2026 was supposed to be special as it marked the 20th anniversary of 314 days, though things quickly turned grisly. One of the first incidents was reported to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The callers reported that along Gravois Avenue and MorganFord Road, people were lighting fireworks, blocking traffic with a street takeover, and partaking in reckless driving. Police arrived and found multiple cars blocking the road, but their unmarked car was surrounded by a crowd, impeding their progress. It was also reported that a woman who was hanging out of a moving car was eventually thrown off, but suffered no life-threatening injuries. In an even more shocking turn of events, in other parts of the city, gunshots were fired, which led to an actual firefight. A video from a dashcam has made it to the news, which shows two individuals who were carrying automatic weapons and engaged in a shootout. What makes the video scary is that there were innocent bystanders all around; in fact, the car that provided the dashcam footage was hit by a stray bullet. Both men in the video have been apprehended and charged. KMOV St. Louis/YouTube View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Juvenile MadnessAccording to authorities, multiple street takeovers were popping up across the city, prompting drastic measures to calm the situation. There were even reports of flame throwers in operation in some areas. Police had to use spike strips to help them apprehend over 50 cars in total. During a press conference, a police representative said that most of the people found during the takeovers were juveniles without their parents. As such, the city has implemented a curfew on juveniles for the time being. KMOV St. Louis/YouTube View the full article

Not the Upgrade Toyota Had in MindOne of the biggest complaints about the previous-generation Toyota 86 was its modest factory output of around 200 horsepower. Toyota addressed that with the launch of the second-generation GR86 for the 2022 model year, equipping it with Subaru’s 2.4-liter FA24 boxer engine, which makes 228 horsepower in U.S.-spec form. However, one owner decided to swap it out anyway, replacing it with something a little different – a Honda engine. More specifically, this 2023 GR86 was swapped with a 2.4-liter Honda K24 inline-four. The K-series is well known in the tuning world as a reliable and relatively affordable platform for making more power. According to MA-Motorsports, the shop behind the swap, the decision came after the factory FA24 suffered internal damage when its harmonic balancer broke off. The builder said it wanted to stick with a Japanese replacement engine, but made one thing clear: “No more Subaru.” Bridging Two WorldsThe K24 was installed using a swap kit originally designed for the 86, though the shop said it had to be slightly modified to fit the GR86. The kit also included engine mounts, a fabricated oil pan, and an adapter plate that allowed the car to retain its factory 6-speed manual transmission. Meanwhile, the stock ABS was replaced with a BMW Mk60 from an E46 M3. This build is claimed to produce 240 wheel horsepower, which would translate to a higher figure at the crank. More importantly, it already surpasses the stock output. The vehicle was bought exclusively to serve as a track car, which is obvious from the interior layout. The stripped-out cabin retains only the driver’s seat – an OMP unit – along with a Momo steering wheel and a custom aluminum dashboard. Other equipment includes an ECUMaster PMU-16, a Link CAN keypad, a Link 7-inch display, and an AiM Solo 2 for recording lap times. MA-Motorsports/YouTube The Swap That Makes Sense on PaperMA-Motorsports explained that the K24 was the ideal choice due to a specific horsepower target for a particular class. Beyond that, the K-series is such a popular swap platform that it benefits from far broader aftermarket support – similar to General Motors’ LS engines – compared to sticking with or rebuilding the FA24. The total cost of the build wasn’t disclosed. For context, a brand-new GR86 with the FA24 – shared with the Subaru BRZ – starts at $31,200 in the U.S., excluding destination fees. MA-Motorsports/YouTube View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The all-new BMW i3 electric sedan is arguably the most important car launch of the year so far. Whether you like the design or not, the fact that BMW will now sell you an all-electric sports sedan that it deems worthy of the 3 Series nameplate is a pivotal moment for the automaker in particular and for luxury car brands in general. The 3 Series is BMW’s core model that best embodies the brand’s ‘Joy of Driving’ philosophy, and if the new i3 manages to convince die-hard fans that it’s a true 3 Series, BMW will have a big winner on its hands. We’ll just have to wait for the first reviews to come out to see if that’s the case, but until then, here’s an interesting tidbit of information regarding the i3’s design, which could have ended up quite different up front and arguably more controversial. BMW i3 "Looked Too Retro" with Vertical Kidneys BMW Motor1 has learned that the BMW design team explored the possibility of giving the i3 vertical kidney grilles similar to the iX3 electric SUV, the other member of BMW’s Neue Klasse (New Class) of all-electric vehicles. During a recent roundtable interview, BMW Group’s design director, Adrian van Hooydonk, said the experiment did not have the desired result. “We tried [the iX3’s grille] on the 3 Series as well. But we felt that for the 3 Series… if we had put the vertical grille on there, it would have maybe looked too retro, and it wouldn't have been as sporty as it looks today. So we felt that for a sporty [sedan], the horizontal grill fit the character of a 3 Series better,” van Hooydonk said. BMW This will probably come as a relief for many BMW fans, as the Bavarian brand has made some controversial moves in recent years as far as the design of its cars is concerned, particularly when it comes to the shape and size of its kidney grilles. BMW enthusiasts can’t possibly forget the “beaver tooth” kidney grilles fitted to the G80 M3, G82 M4 and the 4 Series, as they were polarizing when they debuted, to put it mildly. Still, while BMW’s design department caught a lot of flak because of that decision, the automaker said the controversy actually was part of the plan and sales remained strong. The BMW iX3 Has Been Criticized Far More Than the i3 for Its Looks BMW Now, when it comes to the BMW iX3 SUV, the vertical kidney grilles are far smaller than on the M3/M4 and 4 Series, so they’re easier to “digest,” although the iX3 has generated its fair share of criticism. Former BMW designer Frank Stephenson, for example, described the grille as “too pinched" and "almost puckered up,” according to BMW Blog. The skinny kidney grilles were also criticized by Car Magazine, which likened them to “Bugs Bunny teeth.” Finally, the rear end of the new BMW iX3 is considered by many as too generic and lacking in BMW character. BMW Of course, all of these comments are subjective, and what matters more is how the market will receive the iX3; so far, things are looking great as BMW recently announced receiving over 50,000 orders in the first 6 months, which is why the Debrecen plant in Hungary is adding a second shift to ramp up production. As for the new BMW i3, it has received far less criticism than the iX3 for its looks, and no one seems to have a problem with the horizontal kidney grilles. The general consensus seems to be that it looks like a BMW should and it’s an attractive-looking sedan. Whether that will be enough to convince traditional 3 Series buyers to go all-electric is a discussion for another time. BMW View the full article

A Quiet Exit, Finally ConfirmedAfter months of silence, JaguarLand Rover has finally confirmed what many suspected. Gerry McGovern, the company’s longtime design chief, will step down at the end of March, Automotive News reports. His two-decade run helped define the look and feel of both Jaguar and Land Rover. Late last year, rumors already circulated that McGovern was out, but JLR kept quiet. Now, the company says he’s leaving on his own terms and will be starting his own creative consultancy. JLR CEO PB Balaji credited McGovern’s influence across the brands, pointing to his role in elevating design as a central pillar of the company’s positioning. McGovern himself described his time at JLR as a privilege, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the company’s output over the years. Of note, Jaguar is in the middle of a major reset, aiming to return as an all-electric luxury brand. McGovern helped set that direction, including work on the Type 00 concept, but he won’t be there when the next generation of Jaguar EVs hits the road. Jaguar Land Rover The Previous ConfusionThis new clarity is a sharp contrast to the confusion just a few months back. In December, reports claimed McGovern had been let go suddenly, with some even saying he was escorted out. The supposed shakeup was linked to changes at the top after Balaji took over as CEO. JLR’s response at the time was short and didn’t offer much. The company denied that McGovern had been fired, but didn’t explain further, which only fueled more speculation about what was really happening inside the company. With so little detail, theories started to spread. Some pointed to internal restructuring, others to creative disagreements, and a few to the mixed reactions to Jaguar’s new design direction. None of these were ever confirmed. Jaguar A Long Legacy, and an Unanswered GapNo matter what happened behind closed doors, McGovern’s influence on JLR is clear. He played a big role in expanding the Range Rover lineup and giving Land Rover a new look, with models like the Evoque and Velar attracting a new set of buyers. His work on the modern Defender stands out. He managed to balance classic Land Rover cues with a more refined, upscale feel. The result was a product that became central to the brand’s image and bottom line. He also helped steer Jaguar toward its next chapter, even if he won’t be there for the launch. The Type 00 concept, which split opinions, marked a clear break from Jaguar’s old design language and pointed to what’s coming next. What’s still unknown is how much of McGovern’s vision will stick. Now that he’s officially out, the focus turns to who steps in next and whether Jaguar and Land Rover will stay the course or make changes as they move further into the EV era. Jaguar View the 12 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Jared George traded in his Mercedes-AMG GT for a used but barely-driven 2024 Corvette Z06 with just over 3,000 miles on the clock. Less than a week later, he took it to a Texas dealership for its first oil change. He drove home, noticed an oil drip on his garage floor, and brought it straight back. While the staff was trying to place the car on a lift to diagnose the leak, it slipped. Photos shared to a Corvette owner's Facebook group show the Arctic White Z06 tilted at a steep angle on a two-post lift, its rear end angled toward the floor while the body leaned heavily to one side. With damage extending past the visual of broken fiberglass panels and gouges in the chassis, this $110,000+ Corvette Z06 is likely written off, thanks to a routine workshop visit. Jared Adrian George/Facebook View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The Wrong Tool for the JobA two-post lift was the wrong call here. With the C8's mid-engine layout pushing roughly 60 percent of the weight over the rear axle, placing it on a two-post lift demands precise positioning and specific lift pad adapters. Get it even slightly wrong, and the physics are unforgiving. Four-post ramp lifts are far more forgiving for this kind of weight distribution, since the car simply drives onto the ramps and sits there stably. Several C8s have already fallen off lifts because of the heavily weighted rear, and yet two-post setups remain the default in most service bays. The C8 also has frame cutouts that an inexperienced technician might mistakenly identify as jacking points when they are actually tie-down slots used during transport. That confusion, combined with a rear-heavy platform most GM techs have never worked on before, is a disaster waiting to happen. CorvetteBlogger View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article A Pattern That Keeps RepeatingIn 2020, a red C8 Stingray fell off a lift after being improperly jacked up, and a blue Corvette suffered the same fate a year later in 2021. Then, in September 2023, a red Z06 slipped during a pre-delivery inspection. Now this. Four incidents (that we know of) in five years involving the same platform and the same failure. Enthusiast forums have been warning about this since the C8 launched. Chevrolet The fix isn't complicated. Jacking pucks that clip into the correct frame slots make the lift points immediately obvious, and several forum veterans recommend leaving them on the car permanently so any technician can see exactly where to go. Some owners have even suggested GM should mark the spots with high-visibility indicators from the factory. The C8 is not a difficult car to lift safely. It just requires a technician who actually knows what they're doing, and dealerships, it seems, haven't gotten that message yet. View the full article

Not the First, But Easily the WildestThis isn’t the first time we’ve seen an SUV that tries to double as a pickup. Chery had a concept that blended both, aiming to offer a bit of lifestyle and utility in one package. The Deepal E07 Multitruck takes that formula and adds a few more tricks. The E07 is a full-size electric vehicle, about 16.4 feet long, with a design that leans toward the premium side. What sets it apart is the rear section: with a button or voice command, it opens up into a practical truck bed, complete with a retractable glass roof and tailgate. It comes across as more than just a showpiece; this is a concept that could actually work for daily use. Mazda seems to think so, too. Deepal Mazda Isn’t Saying NoDeepal is owned by Changan, which also happens to be Mazda’s joint venture partner in China. That connection makes this more than just a passing curiosity. Speaking to Carsales, Hiroshi Ozawa of the Changan Mazda technical center described the E07 as “a very interesting vehicle,” adding that it’s something he personally likes and believes could resonate in markets like Australia. Mazda hasn’t made any official announcements, but the fact that it’s not dismissing the idea is worth noting. Mazda doesn’t have its own pickup; the BT-50 is based on the Isuzu D-Max and mainly sold in Southeast Asia. If Mazda were to badge an E07-based model, it wouldn’t replace the BT-50, but it would add something new to their lineup. Performance-wise, the E07 Multitruck’s dual-motor setup delivers up to 591 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque, with a 0–62 mph time of 3.9 seconds. The 90 kWh battery is good for an estimated 317 to 342 miles of range, thanks to its 800-volt system. At about 3,300 pounds, the towing capacity is lower than what most traditional truck buyers might expect. Deepal Mazda’s China Strategy Is Already in MotionEven if Mazda never puts its badge on the E07, the idea fits with Mazda’s current direction. The company is already working with Changan to speed up EV development, with models like the CX-6e SUV and Mazda 6e sedan already making their way to Europe. This approach makes sense for Mazda. Developing EVs is costly, and partnering with a Chinese manufacturer helps Mazda stay competitive without going it alone. A shape-shifting SUV-truck might seem like a niche idea, but it could give Mazda a way to broaden its lineup and meet tougher emissions standards. For now, it’s just a possibility, but it’s one that makes sense. Deepal View the 10 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article