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Performance Truck MadnessIn the mid-2000s, Dodge released a full-size pickup truck powered by the V10 from arguably the brand's most iconic sports car, the Viper. Dubbed the Dodge Ram SRT-10, the street-performance truck was the fastest of its kind at the time, even earning a Guinness World Record after reaching an average speed of 248 km/h (154 mph). The automaker built just around 10,000 units during its three-year production run, and one is currently listed for sale on Cars & Bids. This particular 2004 Dodge Ram has been modified since leaving the factory, most notably with a Paxton Novi 2000 supercharger – effectively defying the naturally aspirated philosophy of the Viper-derived engine. The exact horsepower figure isn’t disclosed, as the listing does not include a dyno sheet, though the stock 8.3-liter V10 produced 500 horsepower in its original form. This example is a regular cab, meaning it comes with the 6-speed manual transmission rather than the 4-speed automatic offered in the quad-cab version. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a limited-slip differential. Cars & Bids Turning Up the BoostThe pickup – which has 41,600 miles on the odometer – also receives several additional performance upgrades, including a BBK Performance Power Plus throttle body, a custom exhaust system, CalTracs traction bars, drilled and slotted brake rotors, and Wilwood rear brake calipers. It also features an aftermarket radiator, upgraded coolant pipes, and a cold-air intake to support the increased airflow demands of the belt-driven forced-induction setup. Beyond the performance upgrades, the vehicle has also been repainted in white with blue stripes and fitted with aftermarket headlights, taillights, front grilles, badges, and decals. The interior has also been updated with aftermarket auxiliary gauges, a shifter, seat handles, and an Alpine head unit. The seller notes some exterior scratches and creases on the seats, though the truck comes with an accident-free Carfax report. Due to its large-displacement V10 and aftermarket supercharged setup, it may not pass emissions regulations in some states. Cars & Bids The Auction Block AwaitsThis 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 is set to be auctioned on March 17, with the current bid standing at $31,255. The seller has added only 600 miles since acquiring it in January 2022. With Ram making it clear that a Ram SRT-10 revival isn’t happening anytime soon, this listing could suit buyers who want a fun vehicle that can still handle workhorse duties. Since the model ended production, Dodge and Ram have split into separate brands, with the latter focusing exclusively on trucks. Ram’s current performance halo in this space is the 1500 TRX, which has been brought back from extinction with 777 horsepower – outmuscling the Ford F-150 Raptor R by 57 horsepower. Cars & Bids View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

When Power Meets a Troubled ReputationBMW’s N63 V8 landed in 2008 with a lot to prove. This 4.4-liter twin-turbo brought the brand’s first “hot-V” layout, tucking the turbos right inside the engine’s V for sharper response and tighter packaging. The result? Strong performance, a smooth surge of power, and that deep, unmistakable exhaust note you expect from a proper turbo V8. Depending on the version, the N63 put out anywhere from 402 to 500 horsepower. It found its way into just about every big BMW of the era – the 5, 6, and 7 Series, plus the X5 and X6. Even a few Land Rovers ended up with their own spin on this engine. But for all its promise, the early N63 quickly earned a reputation as one of BMW’s most headache-inducing engines. Owners complained about everything from heavy oil thirst and failing turbos to leaky valve stem seals, coolant leaks, injector drama, and timing chain woes. The issues piled up so fast that BMW had to roll out special support programs just to keep owners on the road. BMW did try to fix things with later N63TU “Technical Update” versions, which ironed out some of the worst flaws. Still, the original N63 is infamous among mechanics and enthusiasts alike – especially when you find one like this, pulled from a well-used 5er with over 100,000 miles on the clock. A 2012 BMW 550i GT Engine AutopsyThis particular teardown engine came from a 2012 BMW 550i GT with about 141,000 miles, which was incredible considering this V8's reputation. At that point, replacing the engine would have cost more than the car was worth, so it was sent to the scrapyard – and the engine was pulled for a closer look. At first, the engine didn’t look totally neglected. A few hoses and parts had been swapped out, hinting at past repair attempts. The turbos looked original but still spun without complaint. But the real story only came out once the teardown began. The first big clue showed up with the spark plugs – one had been hammered flat by a piston. Pulling the heads revealed the real carnage: one cylinder was missing its piston entirely, with bits scattered everywhere. Another piston was cracked and had gouged the cylinder walls, while a third looked like it had slammed into the head after a bearing let go. Things got uglier at the bottom end, with the oil pan full of broken rods, shredded bearings, piston chunks, and bits of aluminum. Some pieces were jammed right into the block. Aside from a few odds and ends, almost everything inside was a total loss. I Do Cars/YouTube View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The Problem with the N63Teardowns like this usually trace back to the N63’s Achilles’ heel: the oiling system and rod bearings. Lose oil pressure, and the bearings wear out fast. Once that happens, the rods start to wobble, pistons shatter, and the whole bottom end self-destructs. Add in the usual suspects – valve stem seal wear, turbo heat soak, carbon buildup from direct injection, and injector failures – and you’ve got a recipe for trouble. Later updates fixed a lot, but ask any owner or tech and they’ll tell you: keeping an N63 alive comes down to maintenance. Frequent oil changes – think every 5,000 miles, not the factory interval – are a must. Stay on top of leaks, clean out carbon, and keep an eye on the high-pressure fuel pump and water pump to avoid bigger headaches down the road. I Do Cars/YouTube View the full article

Midway through 2025, the 2026 Ram 2500 Black Express and Warlock trims were introduced for the company’s heavy-duty lineup. Prioritizing affordability (both trims are based on the entry-level Tradesman) and rugged capability while adding a sporty look, the two derivatives have turned out to be a big hit. At the recent unveiling of the 2027 Ram ProMaster City Van in Detroit, Ram said these pickups received a year’s worth of orders in only the first month, according to Carscoops. To cope with the demand, the company has had to increase production capacity. Ram 2500 Warlock and Black Express Features Ram Orders for these two Ram 2500 HD pickups opened late in June 2025, before they began arriving at dealers in the third quarter of last year. Ram sold 169,920 heavy-duty pickups last year, a 9% drop relative to 2024. However, based on Ram’s recent comments, these numbers could have been higher if it was able to meet the number of orders for the 2500 Warlock and Black Express. One customer who ordered a new 2500 Warlock in July 2025 was told by the dealer to expect a three-month wait. Based on that, many of the trims ordered in the fourth quarter of last year would not have been reflected in 2025’s sales figures. At $53,070, the Black Express is the cheaper of the two pickups and comes with these extras, among others: Sport performance hood20-inch black wheelsTrailer tow mirrorsCrew Cab with long or short bed Ram The Warlock is the more capable of the two, with a $56,400 starting price and the following extras: 4x4 only34-inch Goodyear Duratrac A/T tiresTransfer case skidplateBilstein shocksAnti-spin rear differentialHill descent controlBoth are available with either the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 405 horsepower or the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel with 430 hp and a mighty 1,075 lb-ft of torque. All variations of the pickup have an eight-speed automatic transmission. “The Ram 2500 Black Express and Warlock offer an attractive price with custom appearance, while building on our sport truck leadership position,” said Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis at the time of the trucks’ reveal. Related: Ford & Chevy Won't Be Happy With Ram's New Heavy Duty Pickup What It Means Stellantis Of the nine 2026 Ram 2500 trims available, more than half start at over $60,000. The Black Express and Warlock’s popularity shows the demand for more affordable but still capable trim levels in the market right now. This trend has been reflected across multiple brands and vehicle segments. Sales of cheaper Ford Maverick and Ranger pickups have been strong in recent months, while Honda even decided to increase the output of lower-priced non-hybrid models as demand for those models rises. Ram’s 1500 is now one of the oldest pickups in the full-size segment, but high-value trims like these two—along with the return of the Hemi V8—are keeping it in contention with GM and Ford rivals. Related: As New Car Prices Top $50,000, Buyers Shift to Base Models View the full article

Last week, Ram resurrected the ProMaster City van to help fill a niche that has been shrinking, and now the Stellantis product planners have come up with another new vehicle that should have broad appeal. It's called the 2026 Ram 1500 BackCountry, and it sits between the affordable entry-level Warlock and the more premium Rebel variants, offering some useful off-road upgrades and a touch of extra style without breaking the bank. The new BackCountry is based on the Big Horn 4x4 Crew Cab and is essentially an off-road package with a few styling differences, so let's take a closer look at what a little over $62,000 buys you. 2026 Ram 1500 BackCountry Gets Several Upgrades Stellantis The new BackCountry package is for the Ram 1500 Big Horn 4x4 Crew Cab with the Level 1 or Level 2 equipment group specifications and comes with a choice of either the usual 5.7-liter Hemi V8 eTorque powertrain or the 3.0-liter inline-six Standard Output version of the Hurricane twin-turbo engine, adding a one-inch suspension lift with heavy-duty shock absorbers, skid plates for the front underbody, power steering rack, transfer case, and fuel tank, and a rear electronic locking differential that functions as anti-spin when disengaged. One of the highlights of the package is a set of Satin Black 18-inch aluminum five-spoke wheels wrapped in 32-inch off-road rubber, and the BackCountry also benefits from tow hooks and a body-color grille surround on the front end, black fender flares on the sides, and a satin black BackCountry emblem on the tailgate. More black highlights are found on the lower body and bumpers, which are finished in Diamond Black Crystal Pearl Coat, and on the satin black badges and lighting bezels. 2026 Ram 1500 BackCountry Adds Comfort for a Price Stellantis Inside, the BackCountry is enhanced with another satin black BackCountry emblem on the instrument panel, vinyl bucket seats with alloy printed mesh inserts, and all-weather rubber floor mats. A MOLLE panel seatback storage system is also included. As for those Level 1 and Level 2 equipment groups mentioned earlier, the former adds heated front seats, a heated leather steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, and in-floor storage bins for the second row, as well as auto-dimming side mirrors with power fold and heating functions and a rear power sliding window with defrosting. The latter group adds a seven-inch driver display, a 12-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen in the center of the dash, configurable drive modes, a 10-way power driver seat with lumbar, dual wireless charging pads (which no other vehicle in the class offers), dual-zone climate control, a power tailgate-release, and a nine-speaker sound system. Related: The Next Ram 1500 Could Look Nothing Like Today’s Trucks Orders are already open as of this publishing, with BackCountry starting at $62,410 if you opt for the Big Horn Level 1 Equipment Group. That's a little more than $10,000 more than the Warlock (starting at $52,685), but still less than the Rebel, which costs at least $65,345. For the record, a regular Big Horn starts at $47,575. Hopefully, these will be joined by a 2027 TRX sooner rather than later. View the full article

Ram's off-road lineup currently runs from the Warlock all the way up to the RHO, which starts north of $75,000 and comes with enough suspension hardware to make a Baja racer blush. That's great if the budget allows for it. But for the buyer who wants to hit a fire road on Saturday without explaining a five-figure truck package to a spouse on Sunday, the options have been thinner than they should be. The 2026 Ram 1500 BackCountry is Ram's answer to that gap, and at $2,995 over a Big Horn 4x4 Crew Cab, it might be the most sensible off-road package in the full-size truck segment right now. Ram What you get for three grandThe BackCountry package builds on the Big Horn trim and bundles together hardware that would cost considerably more if optioned individually. The headline items are a 1-inch suspension lift with heavy-duty shocks, a full set of underbody skid plates covering the front suspension, power steering rack, transfer case, and fuel tank, plus a rear electronic locking differential. Add in 32-inch off-road tires on 18-inch Satin Black wheels, front tow hooks, and Selec-Speed off-road cruise control, and you have a truck that can handle unpaved terrain with genuine confidence rather than just cosmetic swagger. The exterior treatment leans heavily into the blacked-out aesthetic: contrast black fender flares, Diamond Black Crystal Pearl-Coat lower body and bumpers, body-color grille surround, and Satin Black badging throughout. It looks purposeful without screaming for attention, which is a difficult line to walk in a segment where most "off-road" packages seem designed primarily to look good in a dealership parking lot. Inside, Ram went practical over plush. Black vinyl bucket seats with alloy printed mesh inserts won't win any luxury awards, but they'll survive muddy boots and wet dogs without complaint. The MOLLE panel seatback storage system is a genuinely useful touch for anyone who actually carries gear into the backcountry, and standard all-weather rubber floor mats in both rows suggest Ram expects this truck to get dirty. Where it sits in the lineupPositioning matters here. The Warlock, which starts around $52,865, offers a similar off-road foundation with four-wheel drive, a 1-inch lift, all-terrain tires, and a locking rear differential. The Rebel, starting around $60,000 before options, steps up to 33-inch tires, a more aggressive suspension, and a noticeably more styled interior with red accents. The RHO, at roughly $75,000 and up, is essentially a pre-runner with 35-inch tires and a Bilstein adaptive shock system. The BackCountry slots in at $62,410 to start, including destination and the Level 1 Equipment Group. That undercuts the Rebel while delivering most of the functional hardware that matters for moderate trail use. It won't match the Rebel's 33-inch tires or the RHO's Bilstein shocks, but for logging roads, gravel, and the kind of off-roading that most truck owners actually do, the 32-inch rubber and heavy-duty shocks are more than adequate. Buyers can choose between the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with eTorque mild-hybrid assist (395 horsepower, 410 lb-ft) or the 3.0-liter Hurricane Twin Turbo inline-six (420 horsepower, 469 lb-ft). The Hurricane delivers more power and torque for less money, making it the rational choice. The HEMI costs $1,200 more and delivers less on paper, but Ram brought it back for 2026 because roughly 40% of their customers said they'd switch brands without it. Sound and soul are hard to quantify on a spec sheet, but they matter to the people writing the checks. What it doesn't doThe BackCountry is not a Rebel, and it definitely isn't pretending to be an RHO. There's no adaptive suspension, no 33-inch or 35-inch rubber, and the interior is vinyl, not leather. The Level 1 Equipment Group adds heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, but if you want the 12-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, configurable drive modes, and dual wireless charging, you'll need to step up to the Level 2 Equipment Group, which raises the price. There's also no bed utility group bundled in this time around, unlike the 2022 BackCountry, which included a spray-in bed liner, tonneau cover, and deployable bed step. Those are now separate options. The verdictThe 2026 Ram 1500 BackCountry does something rare in the off-road truck market: it offers real, functional capability without demanding a luxury-tier price. For $2,995 over a Big Horn, buyers get skid plates, a locking differential, a suspension lift, proper off-road tires, and styling that doesn't apologize for being a work truck. It won't satisfy the hardcore trail crowd chasing Moab rock crawls, and it shouldn't. That's what the RHO and the returning TRX are for. But for the much larger group of truck owners who occasionally need to get somewhere the pavement doesn't reach, the BackCountry delivers the essentials without the financial guilt. In a lineup that now stretches from $42,000 to $90,000, this package quietly makes one of the strongest cases for value Ram has offered in years. View the full article

China's Knocking Chinese automakers have been making huge leaps in recent years. Whether we're talking tech, manufacturing, or global sales (whether manufactured or not), the sheer number of models that come from the East on a near-daily basis. The growth of the Chinese auto industry is a case study in itself. We're currently living in a time when people are being pushed toward cost-effective and efficient vehicles due to several factors. Chinese-made vehicles come in at attractive price points, and consumers are taking notice around the world, except the U.S., where tariffs and laws are keeping them out of the country, at least for now. Xie Guiming/VCG via Getty Images Letter Sent The five auto groups that sent the letter, dated Thursday, March 12, 2026, came from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the National Automobile Dealers Association, Autos Drive America, the American Automotive Policy Council, and MEMA, the Vehicle Suppliers Association. Reuters reports on the letter that was sent to the President of the United States. The five groups that represent automakers, car dealers, and parts manufacturers wrote: "serious concerns about China's ongoing efforts to dominate global automotive manufacturing and gain access to the U.S. market. These actions pose a direct threat to America's global competitiveness, national security, and automotive industrial base." The request is also timely since President Trump will be attending a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss relations and maintain stability. President Trump is expected to visit China from March 31, 2026. Stellantis Protecting U.S. industryA 2025 cybersecurity regulation from China's Commerce Department is effectively keeping nearly all Chinese vehicles out of the U.S. auto market. The groups even criticized Canada's announcement that it would allow some Chinese vehicles into its market, which was also detailed in the letter. The groups want to protect U.S. auto manufacturing. Chinese manufacturers have been pushing for overseas plants. "We also strongly urge the Administration to reject any attempt by Chinese manufacturers to circumvent these existing restrictions by establishing production facilities in the U.S." "The market distortions and risks to the auto industry in the U.S. are fundamentally the same whether these vehicles are imported or produced domestically." However, President Trump also expressed in January 2026 that "if they want to come in and build a plant and hire you and hire your friends and your neighbors, that's great, I love that," to the Detroit Economic Club. On the flip side, the President also slammed Canada's decision to allow Chinese brands into North America. Getty China's RepliesIt goes both ways between the U.S. and China. President Trump imposed steep tariffs on Chinese products, effectively blocking BYD from gaining access. It was enough for BYD to sue the U.S. Government, alleging that the tariffs exceeded the authority granted to the President under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Reuters also reported that the U.S.-Chinese Embassy rejected the criticism, stating that Chinese-made cars are popular globally "not by using so-called 'unfair practices' but by emerging from the fierce market competition with technological innovation and superb quality." Furthermore, "China's door has been open to global auto companies, including U.S. auto companies, who have fully shared in the dividends of China's big market." This also extends into vehicle development, as is the case with some U.S. automakers – such as Ford – collaborating with brands like BYD on future electrified products and establishing manufacturing facilities in the United States. Whether or not the letter will affect the summit remains to be seen. We're likely to see more developments in April this year. Some brands are taking the "if you can't beat them, join them" approach, while others are still looking to protect their interests by lobbying to bar them altogether. Common ground may yet be found between the two largest economies in the world, and the U.S. remains an untapped market for Chinese automakers, at least for now. VCG/VCG via Getty Images View the full article

General Motors made the bold decision to introduce a 2.7-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine in the full-size Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 several years ago. Initially known as the L3B, it was renamed ‘TurboMax’ for the 2024 model year and is the only standard four-cylinder mill in a pickup of this size. Already impressive for its mix of high torque and reasonable economy, the four-cylinder TurboMax engine is set to get a boost in power and torque for the 2027 models of these GM pickups, which will enter a new generation soon. Related: Next-Gen Chevy Silverado Is Arriving This Year — Here’s What It Could Look Like Silverado and Sierra TurboMax Engine Updates The Fast Lane Truck/YouTube The current TurboMax mill has already silenced many doubters who don’t believe a four-cylinder engine suffices in a full-size pickup. It produces 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque; that torque figure is easily more than the 383 lb-ft from GM’s own 5.3-liter V8. It also exceeds the 410 lb-ft from the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 used in certain Ford F-150 variants. According to GM Authority sources, the 2027 GM pickups will get an improved version of the TurboMax with more horsepower and torque, although the exact figures are unknown. Any increase will give pickup buyers another reason to consider one of these GM trucks over its traditional rivals, though. The TurboMax engine is developing a solid reliability reputation already, with few major problems experienced by owners. It was affected by fuel injector issues on earlier models, but the four-pot has not experienced anything as catastrophic as GM’s 6.2-liter V8 mill's problems. This powerful V8 has been hit with multiple lawsuits for outright engine failure, which dents the general perception that larger, naturally aspirated V8s are more reliable than smaller, boosted four-cylinder units. What It Means GMC The fact that GM is doubling down on enhancing its TurboMax engine for 2027 shows the confidence it has in the four-cylinder unit. Many owners have had only good things to say about the TurboMax, so an even more potent version will further eat into the dominance of V8s. That doesn’t mean the TurboMax will replace the V8s entirely, though—Ram already found out the hard way that a V8 engine option still has its place in a full-size pickup. The new Silverado and Sierra are expected to be revealed later in 2026. Not only will the TurboMax be improved, but a new V8 engine and likely hybrid options are also on the menu. We expect a fresh but familiar exterior look and a more refined interior for the GM twins, which will put pressure on full-size rivals from Ram and Ford. View the full article

Wanting For MoreOne segment that has been hit hard by the ever-changing times is the muscle car. With the advent of EV tech, emissions standards, fuel prices, and general need for practicality, pony cars have been neutered and, in some cases, killed off as a sign of the times. Some brands continue to persevere; we have Ford still backing heavily into the Mustang nameplate (and soldiering on), and then we have Stellantis group's Dodge, which flip-flopped with the idea of an EV-only muscle car, but eventually relented and last year released an ICE-powered Charger model, called the Sixpack with a twin-turbo V6. While some rejoiced, others still felt that it didn't capture the essence or performance of a true V8 can. A Replacement for Displacement?Performance modifications are very much part of the muscle car lifestyle, and as such, any gains to be made on the stock output of the Charger Sixpack would be beneficial to any owner. Thankfully, there are already tuning firms and companies that have developed ready-to-use mods for the Sixpack; one of them (Burger Motorsports) recently posted a video highlighting the gains they got. What makes this video interesting is the simplicity of the mod; Burger Motorsports has its own proprietary bolt-on piggyback tuning kit just for the Charger Sixpack. This kit doesn't require replacing the ECU, can be modified on the fly through an app you can download, and connects to the module via Bluetooth. In other words, it's a minimally invasive type of kit for those not keen on replacing stock parts just yet. In terms of gains, the folks at Burger Motorsports first set a benchmark run of the unmodified Sixpack on the dyno. It registered a respectable 470 horsepower and 486 ft-lb of torque. It wasn't specifically mentioned what variant the Charger they tuned is, though, based on the video, the Scat Pack logo can be found on the front fenders. We also have to take into account that while the declared power of the Scat Pack is 550 hp, the dyno numbers display true wheel horsepower after drivetrain losses. Burger Motorsports/YouTube View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Beyond the Tuning KitBurger Motorsports then installed the JB4 module tuning kit on the Charger. The first run after installation already yielded decent gains, with a 20 hp increase and almost 100 lb-ft of torque. The mapping parameters were set to 2 levels, with runs starting with 91 octane fuel and progressing to Ethanol. The most output they got on 91 octane and engine mapping 2 was 506 wheel hp. Using 93 octane and mapping 2 showed 513 wheel hp, and finally using ethanol and mapping 3 got the highest output of 529 wheel hp. Considering that the JB4 is a plug-and-play kit, it's impressive how much power simple tuning and fuel mods can deliver to the Sixpack engine. Anything beyond 500 wheel hp is well into the V8 power range. However, Burger Motorsports also offers bolt-on parts that can further enhance performance when combined with the JB4 system. Burger Motorsports/YouTube View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Not Your Ordinary EscaladeWhen Cadillac first released the Escalade in 1998, little did GM know that it would become one of its biggest hits. Turns out, many people wanted a Cadillac SUV, and its popularity exploded when the second-generation model came about in 2004. In some way, it's the modern interpretation of the company's land yachts from the '60s and '70s. Today, Escalades are pretty much everywhere, even in markets where these aren't officially sold. It's huge and hugely desirable, and for those outside the U.S, it's a big chunk of Americana on wheels. It's even a presidential car in some countries. Oddly enough, it's never been transported by the President of the United States, that is, until now. Meet the Camp Package, and it's the President's ride for when The Beast couldn't get to places with rougher terrain. It actually debuted during the 56th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, but the Secret Service is sharing a little more detail about it now. U.S Secret Service/Youtube The Beast's Off-Roading SiblingOr rather, should we say siblings? There are two of these presidential Cadillac SUVs, which comes as no surprise, as there are also a couple of backups for The Beast in service. Now, this isn't the first presidential limo, as the Secret Service has used Suburbans to shuttle the President around when the going gets a little bumpy. The Secret Service isn't telling us how fortified the 'Camp Package' Escalades are, but we're pretty sure it's armored to the nines. If those reinforced window frames aren't enough of a clue that it's no ordinary conversion, then the beefed-up eight-lug wheels would be another indicator. Civilians can't get heavy-duty versions of the Suburban, let alone other models based on it. U.S Secret Service/Youtube The Tricky PartIn case you haven't noticed, the new SUVs resemble the previous-generation Escalade and not the current ones. It doesn't even look like the pre-facelift versions of the present model. So, what gives? In the Secret Service's own words, this is a 'full-size sport utility vehicle with Cadillac branding.' There's the possibility that these are reskinned Suburbans rather than all-new vehicles. After all, exterior parts are easily swappable since they all ride on the same platform and share the same exterior hard points. The Government agency did say there are also Cadillac emblems inside the Camp Package vehicles, but those, too, could have been changed from Chevrolet badges. Of course, we could ask the Secret Service, but we probably won't see the light of day if we do find out the answer. U.S Secret Service/Youtube View the full article

Crossing the finish line on Sunday, Denny Hamlin said ‘old dogs can still hunt,’ and that might have enough legs to become the slogan for his 2026 season. There were a lot of reasons to expect that maybe this old dog might start to get a little bit sluggish. For one, he went through absolute hell over the winter, with the death of his father in a house fire, that also hospitalized mother ...Keep readingView the full article

No one is really making a dent in Tyler Reddick's impressive points lead, which remains +61 points after the fifth race of the year at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He has led the standings since winning the season-opening Daytona 500 last month. His 23XI Racing teammate, Bubba Wallace,is back in the runner-up spot, jumping ahead of Blaney after the Penske driver got caught out by an ill-timed ...Keep readingView the full article

Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez spent the last four years as teammates at Trackhouse Racing, but they aren't teammates any longer. Suarez now drives for Spire Motorsports after being let go from Trackhouse, and he has had a solid start to the 2026 season. But on Sunday, Suarez and Chastain were running at the backend of the top 20. Battling for 17th, Chastain passed Suarez to the outside with ...Keep readingView the full article

Last fall, Denny Hamlin earned a milestone 60th career at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, dedicating the win to his father. Since then, Hamlin suffered a bitter defeat in the title race, and lost his ailing father in an off-season house fire. But on Sunday, he returned to Victory Lane at Vegas for his 61st career win, and his first of the 2026 season. "This is a family sport, and my family ...Keep readingView the full article

Denny Hamlin captured the checkered flag at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, earning his 61st career win -- all as the driver of the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing machine. Toyotas have now won four of the first five races to open the new season. He was followed by two Hendrick Motorsports drivers with Chase Elliott second and William Byron third. The margin of victory was just over half-a-second. Hamlin's ...Keep readingView the full article

Ford’s Best-Seller Doesn’t Sell In Europe The Ford F-150 is pretty much a symbol of the American automotive industry at this point. The full-sized pickup truck is a pillar in its segment, being a best-selling model, a default choice, or simply just a great all-rounder. Fourteen generations on, and it’s still going strong, but not every market is lucky enough to be graced by its availability. In Europe, the only Raptor pickup truck that you can get across the pond is the Ranger Raptor, and that comes with up to a 3.0-liter V6 engine, which is already plenty of fun. However, that pales in comparison to the F-150 Raptor, which has more power and torque and a whole lot more mass on its wheels, which is both a blessing and a curse. For a multitude of reasons, the Ford F-150, even the base trims, never officially made it to European markets. The Ford Ranger is the more appropriately sized pickup truck because towns and city streets aren’t big enough to accommodate the F-150. Hollmann No F-150 for EU According to a number of Reddit threads, the F-150 Raptor, in particular, is a “rare sight.” It may be a bit too big for the streets of Europe, but just right for the highways. Another Reddit user asked how “painful it will be” to move his 2022 Raptor over to France. One commenter said to sell it and buy a Ranger Raptor because it’s way too big. However, that hasn’t stopped some European car buyers from buying these pickups through third parties. The Ford F-150 is an import in Europe. No Ford dealer carries them, so you will have to go to a third-party importer to get the American-sized truck on European soil. Apparently, there are several modifications that you need to do and duties and taxes that have to be paid, so in terms of cost, you’re going to be looking at pretty much double the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) to get it on a boat. Either that or you can look for someone who’s willing to part ways with his truck in Europe, but that may be few and far between. Americans can enjoy the F-150 in all its trims, with a starting MSRP of about $40,000 for the Base XL trim. With options, add-ons, and features, you could go as high as the Lariat trim level, which goes for roughly $60,000. Either that, or you can get the ultimate – the biggest and baddest – Raptor, which will set you back almost $80,000 when fully specced out. Importing an F-150 Raptor to Europe will essentially bump the price up to perhaps about $160,000 or more, as we see in this Hollmann’s listing for a brand-new Ford F-150 Raptor. Hollmann Factory FreshWith only 50 kilometers (31 miles) on the clock, this F-150 Raptor in Shelter Green comes with all the bells and whistles that you would expect from an F-150. It comes with the 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine that delivers 450 horsepower, and the listing even states that it is Euro 6 emissions-compliant. The vehicle is currently listed in Germany at €135,422. Converted to U.S. dollars, that’s $155,241.01 based on current exchange rates. So the question is, would you buy a brand-new F-150 Raptor at this price? It’s funny to think that the F-150 Raptor can be classified as an exotic in Europe, parked alongside G-Wagons and Ferraris in the same showroom. The unit in the Hollmann Showroom in Germany is quite fetching. Brand-new inside and out, the Shelter Green paint is also another uncommon color for an "uncommon" car. Hollmann View the 24 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Rewriting the Rule BookThe Bugatti Veyron ushered in the era of the hypercar, creating a whole new class of automobiles that pushed the very limits of what we believed was possible on four wheels. A brainchild of the then Volkswagen Group Supremo Ferdinand Piech, he was extremely meticulous about the Veyron achieving hyperspeed while staying classy and comfortable. This pushed the team to create the standard Veyron, already capable of a staggering 250 mph top speed. Wanting more, they eventually introduced the record-breaking Super Sport variant, which clocked a top speed of 267 mph. A pre-production model was used as a test bed, and a display car that circumnavigated the globe on press tours and test drives. Bugatti View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Rebirth by La Maison Pur SangThat very car has just been reworked and restored by the in-house heritage department, La Maison Pur Sang. This group is in charge of ensuring the older Bugatti models can still be enjoyed and driven, preserving the brand's storied back catalogue of cars. As mentioned, this Veyron Super Sport served as a multi-purpose car for the brand. Apart from serving as the display car for press tours, it was also designated as a test bed for refining the systems that would make it into the full production model. This unique role gives this Super Sport a story like no other Veyron could tell. Since 2010, it's clocked almost 44,000 miles on the odometer, making it somewhat of a high-miler among Veyrons. It was sent to the La Maison Pur Sangs team in Molsheim, where it underwent a six-month restoration to return it to its original specs. Interior work was intensive, with a full restoration of the seats to return the original form and comfort they would've had when new. The steering wheel was also fully reconditioned, along with all stitching and panels inside. Bugatti One Lucky CollectorSince the exterior of the Super Sport was adorned with exposed carbon fiber, it was paramount that it be redone properly; a new clear coat was applied, and the contrasting orange paint was repainted. Finally, some powertrain components were updated to bring the car to full production specifications and ensure true reliability. After this extensive restoration project done by La Maison Pur Sang, the Super Sport will be given to a very lucky collector, not just anyone, but a loyal brand collector at that. Along with the car itself, this person will receive a certification book that documents the vehicle's very unique history. Bugatti View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

A dangerous line of severe thunderstorms is pushing east across the Mid-South today, and the National Weather Service in Memphis is not mincing words about the road threat. A Tornado Watch is active across portions of Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Missouri through Sunday evening. The NWS Memphis office confirmed wind gusts up to 45 MPH are already being recorded ahead of the line, with the main squall expected to produce gusts reaching 70 MPH as it sweeps east this afternoon and evening. The primary threats are damaging straight-line winds, brief tornadoes, and large hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter. According to the Storm Prediction Center, the greatest tornado and wind threat is concentrated from the Arkansas-Louisiana-Mississippi corridor through the Lower Ohio Valley, with the worst window running from roughly 4 PM to midnight CDT. The System Extends Into MondayThis isn't a brief afternoon storm. The Weather Prediction Center forecasts the cold front to continue pushing east through Monday morning, carrying the severe weather threat into the Ohio Valley, Tennessee Valley, and Deep South. By early Monday, the highest risk shifts to the Mid-Atlantic corridor. More than 200 million Americans are in some portion of the storm's path between Sunday afternoon and Monday night. Behind the front, temperatures are forecast to crash by 20 to 30 degrees, raising the possibility of a flash freeze on wet roadways across Tennessee and Kentucky overnight. Highways in the CrosshairsThe storm corridor cuts directly across three of the most heavily traveled freight and passenger corridors in the country. I-55 between Memphis and St. Louis sits squarely in the highest-risk zone. I-40 across western and central Tennessee is expected to see the squall line between 6 PM and 9 PM CDT. I-65 through Nashville faces wind and tornado risk through the overnight hours as the system continues east. Isolated tornado touchdowns near highways are a documented risk with this setup. The NWS Memphis forecast office notes that low-level helicity values are high enough to support strong, brief tornadoes if discrete supercell development occurs ahead of the main line. What Drivers Should KnowIf you are driving any of the affected corridors today, the most important rule is simple: get off the road before the line arrives. A squall line with 70 MPH wind gusts moves fast -- often 40 to 55 MPH itself -- leaving almost no reaction time once it's on radar near your location. If severe weather catches you on the highway, never shelter under an overpass. Wind speeds actually accelerate through the narrow channel beneath a bridge, and you lose debris protection entirely. Pull well off the road, angle your vehicle away from the direction of the storm, keep your seatbelt on, and stay below window level if a tornado appears imminent. Turn off cruise control as soon as rain begins. At highway speeds, cruise control can prevent your vehicle from reacting to sudden traction loss during heavy rain, increasing the risk of hydroplaning. Drop your speed by at least 10 MPH below the posted limit in heavy rain, and increase your following distance to a minimum of six seconds on wet pavement. What Drivers Need to KnowGet off the road before the line arrives, a squall line moving at 40 to 55 MPH leaves almost no reaction time. Never shelter under an overpass; wind accelerates through that channel, and a tractor-trailer on I-45 learned exactly how fast that happens. Turn off cruise control the moment rain starts, reduce speed at least 10 MPH below the limit, and increase your following distance to six seconds on wet pavement; hydroplaning starts as low as 35 MPH on worn tires. High-profile vehicles like trucks, SUVs, and RVs are especially vulnerable to 70 MPH lateral gusts on bridges and overpasses, a Silverado caught in a Texas tornado learned that the hard way. After the storm, watch for highway debris before crews can clear it. View the full article

A Drift Icon Goes Off-RoadThe Nissan Silvia 240SX, known as the Silvia S14 in Japan, is one of the most respected cars in the tuning scene, arriving in the 1990s – a time widely considered the heyday of JDM modification culture. Today, it still enjoys a cult following, especially among enthusiasts who build the coupe for drifting. One owner, however, took a completely different approach, transforming the car into an off-roader – not just any off-roader, but a trophy truck built to tackle brutal desert terrain. The owner of the heavily modified Silvia 240SX is Jake O'Donnell, who shared the development process with Turnpike. Perhaps the only recognizable element left is the headlight design, as even the rear half of the vehicle was reworked to create a proper truck bed. But according to the report, this Frankenstein build wasn’t originally intended to turn out this way. The Plan Took a Wild TurnO'Donnell initially wanted only the 5.3-liter LS V8 swapped into the S14, which at the time was being built to Pro-Am drift-car specifications. However, to get the engine, he had to buy the entire project. Instead of continuing with the drift build, he pivoted to creating a trophy truck, despite having little prior welding experience. While parts such as the firewall, floor, and doors remain stock, the vehicle now sits on a custom rectangular tube frame that enabled the transformation of the rear half, complete with reshaped Ford Ranger fiberglass bedside panels. It also features components like Camburg trailing arms, a full trophy truck-spec rear axle with 24 inches of suspension travel, revised spring rates and shock valving, and an upgraded power steering system with a larger reservoir, dedicated cooler, and race-grade pump. However, the 5.3-liter LS V8 was later replaced by a 6.0-liter turbocharged LS engine built by Millennium Motorsports. Featuring an iron-block construction, the engine is capable of producing up to 1,000 horsepower, though it was detuned to around 700 horsepower to prioritize longevity and reliability. @jake_n_bake127/Instagram Built to Take a BeatingDespite the conservative approach under the hood, the owner is said to push the vehicle hard in its natural habitat – something many S14 owners probably couldn’t even imagine. The S14 ended production in 1998 before being succeeded by the S15, which is widely regarded as the most refined iteration of the nameplate. By the early 2000s, Nissan’s performance lineup included models like the 350Z and the Skyline GT-R. Speaking of the 350Z, O'Donnell also owns one that, instead of being turned into a trophy truck, features a low-slung widebody setup with cambered wheels. @jake_n_bake127/Instagram View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

NASCAR drivers are naturally some of the best drifters in motorsport, so jaw-dropping moments tend to stand out even more when they happen. Early on in the NASCAR Cup race at Las Vegas, Shane van Gisbergen did just that, holding an epic drift and somehow avoiding a crash after making contact with two other cars. Pushing up the track, SVG made light contact with Erik Jones, sending him into a ...Keep readingView the full article

Tracing the Roots of 'ReVolvolution'It was in the '80s when Volvo began exploring a more adventurous side, fitting turbochargers into its engines. First, it was the 240 that got a healthy amount of boost, even spawning a touring car version that actually proved successful in motorsport. Not content with that, Volvo proceeded to do the same thing for the 900 Series with the 940 Turbo, better known as the 940 SE in the U.S. Into the '90s, the 850 gained a T-5 model that further enhanced the brand's sporting credentials. It was subsequently joined by even more powerful iterations with the T-5 R and 850R, and even saw a fair bit of success on the track. As for design, the company was entering a bold new direction. Previewed by the ECC concept car from 1992, it looked nothing like the boxy models from that time and presented a sleeker, swoopier design language from the typically conservative Swedes. That all came to fruition in 1998 when Volvo released the S80, followed by the S60/V70 in 2001, and the XC90 in 2002. It was a ReVolvolution, indeed, as the old ads say. Volvo 'Let's Stick a V8 in it'By the mid-2000s, Volvo had pretty much changed its image but not its identity. The cars looked more contemporary, and even though Volvo didn't (and still doesn't) compete directly with the Germans, it was proving to be a very viable alternative to the usual suspects. 'Where do we go from here?" said the Swedes, and the answer was the very American solution of shoving V8s in its flagship models. Meet the B8444S, and it's not just a collection of alphanumerics. B stands for benzene or gas/petrol, 8 is for its cylinder count, 44 stands for its 4.4-liter displacement, the other 4 meant four valves per cylinder, and the S stands for standard or naturally-aspirated. Contrary to popular belief, the B8444S is not related to any Ford engine from the same era. It's a pure Volvo design in collaboration with Yamaha. That's the part that made some folks think it was an upsized version of the Taurus SHO's 3.4-liter V8. Volvo Why Volvo Made itThe Yamaha-built V8 first appeared in the XC90 in late 2004 for the 2005 model year. The reason why this whole thing happened in the first place? Hans Wilkman, then Volvo's vice president for the large car line, explained, "An SUV in the premium segment needs a V8, especially on the North American market where we sell about 60 percent of all the XC90s we make." The 4.4-liter V8 produced 311 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque, competitive figures at the time. For comparison, the BMW X5 4.4i put out 315 hp and 330 lb-ft, while the Mercedes-Benz ML500 had 306 hp and 299 lb-ft. The Volvo was in the right company. At the time, Volvo said it was tailor-fit for the XC90, but there was more to come. Volvo Finally, a V8 SedanThe second-generation Volvo S80 made its world premiere in 2006 for the 2007 model year. It had the usual range of engines, consisting of turbocharged four-, five-, and six-cylinders, with a mix of gas and diesel. But the Swedes dropped a bombshell when it was introduced, and it too became available with the same 4.4-liter V8 from the XC90. Power figures were exactly the same, but the S80's lighter body meant it got to 60 mph about half a second quicker and knocked the time down from 7.0 seconds to 6.5. It also got the same Haldex all-wheel drive system from its SUV sibling. That said, it was more about reducing torque steer than giving it a sharper, more dynamic edge. Volvo Smooth OperatorsThe thing about the V8 Volvos is that these were never marketed as sporty or outright exciting. The company's press release even went so far as to say these were clean and environmentally friendly V8s, and while there was mention of the Four-C suspension system, Volvo pitched it more as a selectable drive mode to adapt to conditions rather than as something that would turn the XC90 or S80 into corner carvers. So, these cars weren't sporty, and their designs reflected that, too. At most, you get a V8 badge on the grille and another at the back. They're virtually indistinguishable from their lower-powered counterparts, especially if you take out the badges. The V8-powered XC90 and S80 were smoother, capable cruisers with vast power reserves from the understressed engine. In the case of the S80, it's basically the result of telling Volvo to build a Swedish Crown Victoria. We do wish it had kept the same engine in the V70 wagon, though. Volvo The Party Didn't Last LongUnfortunately for Volvo, it was in trouble by the late 2010s. The global financial crisis meant Ford, which owned the company at the time, had to tighten its belt. Either way, Ford's Premiere Auto Group experiment had failed by then, so it had to sell off Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Land Rover, along with Volvo, to survive. Aston Martin was sold off to a consortium, Jaguar and Land Rover ended up with Tata Motors, and Volvo went to Geely. Under new management, Volvo streamlined its powertrain department by building on just one engine. In this case, it was with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, and the company still does this today. The inline-fives were dropped, so were the straight-sixes, and yes, even the V8. In the end, an overwhelming majority of eight-cylinder engines wound up in XC90s, although a fair number did reside under the hoods of S80s. Volvo stopped putting the B8444S in its road cars in 2010, but it lived on in the Noble M600 with a unique engine management system and two turbos strapped to it. A bored-out 5.0-liter version was also used in Volvo's short but triumphant career in Australia's V8 Supercars championship for the S60 V8, with Scott McLaughlin wringing out the best from it. There's no chance of Volvo ever revisiting V8 power, given its push towards electrification, but the brief period it offered eight cylinders is always worth revisiting. At least it hasn't stopped building sleepers, as the XC90 T8, XC60 T8, and V60 T8 of today offer genuine sports car-rivaling acceleration times in the lap of comfort. Volvo Volvo View the 9 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

New Model, New Charging Standard “Ready in five 5, full in 9, cold add 3,” that’s the breakthrough that’s coming to Europe next month with the Denza Z9GT. This will be the first time that BYD’s Flash Charging makes an appearance. Charging will be almost as fast as fueling up with this technology – with the right charger, of course. The new model is set to launch at Paris’ Palais Garnier opera house on April 8, 2026, and there’s more to it than just another premium electric vehicle (EV). Denza The Flagship: Denza Z9GTThe vehicle for introducing the new Flash Charging standard is the Denza Z9 GT, a five-door shooting brake Grand Tourer that rides on a bespoke Denza e3 platform. It comes with the Blade Battery 2.0 tech from BYD and has a 122 kWh capacity, which can go about 500 miles (800 kilometers) on a single charge in the rear-wheel-drive variant. The Z9 GT has 947 horsepower in the triple-motor version, and the brand claims it can go from 0-60mph in less than 3 seconds. Its exterior is a marriage of BYD design and European influence, but as a premium brand, Denza comes with a few more luxury features. For starters, the French audio specialist, Devialet, lent its expertise to Denza to help create an “opera-house entertainment experience.” Dolby Atmos audio technology fills the cabin with pinpoint surround sound, ensuring that the content you watch is as immersive as can be. BYD Fans via CarNewsChina News Flash! However, I don’t think you’ll be consuming much content while you’re out there charging if you end up at a 1,500 kWh charger. On top of debuting an all-new model, Denza is also using the Z9GT to introduce one of the fastest charging standards in the world: Flash Charging. Going back to the Flash Charging tagline, “Ready in Five, Full in Nine, Cold Add Three,” more specifically: charging from 10 to 70 percent will only take five minutes, charging from 10 to 97 percent will take nine minutes, and if conditions are as cold as -30°C, just add three minutes on top of a full charge (12 minutes). For safety, the charging standard is designed to cut off at a 97 percent state of charge. BYD Fans via CarNewsChina 20 Minutes Is So Last YearCharging speeds for EVs have shot through the roof as of late. Earlier this month, we reported that BYD was just testing its 1,500 kW Flash Charging standard, and to put things into perspective, that’s about three times faster than Tesla’s V4 Supercharger, which is capable of up to 500 kW in the Tesla Cybertruck. Prior to this, DC fast-chargers could bring your car back up to “ready” in just 20 minutes. Now that number has shrunk to a measly five minutes, which is essentially half a YouTube video or a bit of scrolling through social media. In fact, that’s essentially about as fast as a standard fill-up at a gas station. BYD Fans via CarNewsChina What Will Flash Charging Stations Look Like?In China, BYD’s Flash Charging station shares a layout similar to traditional gasoline stations, using overhead plugs to connect to vehicles. BYD is looking to set up 4,000 self-operated Flash Charge stations in China, which will then rise to 15,000 when factoring in BYD’s partner locations and operators. With the launch of the Denza Z9 GT, the brand will also roll out Flash Chargers in Europe. However, no further details have been shared, and it’s likely that we’ll find out more about this closer to or on the April 8, 2026, launch date. D View the full article

A Short-Lived ComebackGeneral Motors’ plan for an 18-month production run of the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV to 18 months seems disappointing, especially at a time when the market needs more affordable electric car options. With that in mind, The Drive asked Mandi Damman, the Bolt EV’s executive chief engineer, whether it would be possible to extend the model’s production timeline – only to receive a vague reply. Damman told the publication, “In theory, yes.” However, she reiterated two key factors behind the Bolt EV’s return to the lineup: affordability and customer loyalty. The latter is even considered greater than that seen among Corvette owners. For context, the Corvette is one of Chevrolet’s longest-running nameplates, alongside the Suburban and Camaro, though the Camaro ended production after the 2024 model year. Chevrolet The Bolt EV’s Biggest AdvantageIn terms of affordability, the returning Bolt EV starts at $27,600, excluding destination charges, undercutting the Nissan Leaf by about $2,000. That makes it the cheapest EV in the U.S., with other relatively affordable options, such as the Toyota C-HR, already priced above $35,000. Despite its attainable price tag, Chevrolet explained that the Bolt EV isn’t a stripped-down offering, with the lower cost achieved by leveraging existing technologies across the broader General Motors portfolio. Beyond the aforementioned factors, the Bolt EV’s limited production run is also intended to make room for the next-generation Buick Envision at GM’s Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City. The Envision – a compact crossover rivaling the BMW X3 – is currently built in China, exposing it to the import tax imposed by the current administration. chargepozitive/Instagram Production Plans ShiftChevrolet may not be staying in the affordable EV segment, at least for now, but more automakers are beginning to tap into this space. One of them is Ford, which has vowed to offer an all-electric pickup truck priced around $30,000. EV startup Slate Auto is also considering introducing an electric truck in the mid-$20,000 range, which was originally promised to start below $20,000 before the $7,500 federal tax credit ended last year. If the automaker sticks to its current plans for the Bolt EV, buyers looking for an affordable entry into EV ownership may want to take advantage while it lasts. The model began shipping to dealerships earlier this year, with production currently expected to end in mid-2027. General Motors View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

From Hard to Smooth BrakingIf you’ve ever ridden in a car with a new driver, you’ll know that he or she might still be getting their footing on the pedals of a car. Braking smoothly is a skill that you pick up over the years through experience and feel, but with today’s tech, that skill may go by the wayside in favor of software-assisted braking. Tesla is rolling out a new feature for its Model Y in Software Update 2026.8, including a new “Comfort Braking” mode. For now, it’s exclusive to the new Juniper Model Y, while other Tesla models will have to wait a bit to get it. Specifically, Juniper-updated models, considered model year 2026 or newer, may include this feature after the update. Tesla Pedal ModulationTesla states: “Your Tesla now provides a smoother feel as you come to a complete stop during routine braking.” As simple as electric vehicles are to use, there is more to braking than most people care to think about. Regenerative braking is a system that works in tandem with traditional brakes to bring the car to a complete stop. Whenever you press the pedal in an EV, two things happen: for lighter braking, the regenerative system captures kinetic energy from the wheels and recharges the battery. A byproduct of that system is a decelerating force. At the same time, or if you press the brake pedal further, the system activates the traditional braking system to slow or bring the vehicle to a stop. The activation timing between the two is governed by the software that the manufacturer codes for the car. Just like throttle-by-wire revolutionized the industry and enabled the addition of driving modes, we’re seeing the same with brake-by-wire, which is becoming more and more commonplace, especially with EVs. Tesla A Better Experience – For PassengersLet’s face it, there’s nothing more jarring than a driver who throws your head back and forth whenever they come to a stop. Every time the “Comfort Braking” feature is active, you can expect the system to modulate the input coming from the pedal to the wheels. Think of it like a more advanced anti-lock braking (ABS) system, but instead of turning off the brakes periodically to avoid a lockup, the system will decelerate more linearly, regardless of the driver’s skill on the pedals. This is only one of many updates that Tesla has rolled out for its cars. Other updates in recent years include enhancements to regenerative braking performance, steer-by-wire systems, self-driving, and even Active Road Noise cancelling. In addition to liberating oneself from gas price fluctuations, the ability to improve the car over-the-air (OTA) is a possible selling point to a number of buyers. We have no word yet on when other Tesla models are ready, or will ever be ready, for the "Comfort Braking" feature. For now, Juniper Model Y owners from 2026 or later can enjoy this feature after the OTA update. View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The E65 Turns 25Believe it or not, the E65 BMW 7 Series is now a quarter-century old. Hugely controversial when it was new, we still remember the headlines and stories surrounding its design. Magazine and internet archives would lead you to believe that the sky was falling over at BMW, and the car was pretty much the chariot of one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. There was a great deal of emotion when the fourth-generation 7 Series was first revealed. BMW diehards at the time weren't just disappointed, they were that and angry. It even reached a point where BMW's design chief at the time, Chris Bangle, was receiving death threats from the brand's fanatics. It's one thing to dislike a design, but threatening the person who didn't even directly pen the car isn't cool. But over the years, the bold and daring choice that BMW made started paying off, and the car itself gained respect. It's still polarizing, but it left a huge impact and a strong legacy that would influence not just BMW's future designs, but a huge chunk of the entire automotive industry. BMW Bangle Didn't Totally Design ItTo say Chris Bangle drew a lot of flak for the E65 is a gross understatement. At the time, it was understandable, but it doesn't justify the violence directed at the man. The E65 succeeded the elegant and timeless lines of the much-loved E38. That generation of the 7 Series was penned by Boyke Boyer under the guidance of Claus Luthe. For the E65, Adrian van Hooydonkwas responsible for the exterior design, and Bangle oversaw the entire project. Of course, Bangle was the one who faced the people as he was the design lead at the time. BMW could've easily thrown him under the bus, and it was reported that sales plummeted by 60 percent in the car's first full year of production. The thing is, Munich backed him as the company wanted a more revolutionary approach to design. BMW Flame SurfacingThe introduction of the E65 marked the end of BMW's conservative (but timeless) redesigns, as it looked absolutely nothing like its predecessor. It was striking, avant-garde, and attention-grabbing on purpose. The complex curves that appeared on the car were dubbed flame surfacing, and it wasn't coined by Chris Bangle. Legend has it that it was actually coined by a motoring journalist. As to who exactly it was remains unknown. At the front, you have those 'spooked' headlights with the turn signals mounted above the 'corona rings' that are better known as 'angel eyes.' The hood surface had strong but subtle lines that led into the kidney grilles, while its flanks had deep character lines. But it was at the back, where all those acute angles intersected, that the most controversy arose. The term 'Bangle Butt' referred to its two-layer rear end, which lacked the hallmarks of traditional BMW design. BMW Wait 'Til You Step InsideBut say you're able to stomach the look at the time, you had to prepare yourself for the shock and awe of the interior. Again, it was a massive departure from the E38, and you now had a dashboard screen. A good chunk of the functions were moved to the iDrive system. Yup, this is where it all began for modern infotainment systems. Another first was the raised center console, and the center stack wasn't angled towards the driver as it had been over the past three generations. Also, the E65 was one of the first production cars to feature an electromechanical gear selector and an electronic parking brake. It freed up more room in the cabin, and coupled with the car's larger dimensions, it was expansive in there. It even had a pop-out keypad for the onboard telephone. At the time, iDrive was criticized for being obtuse and hard to operate. Then again, this was totally new territory, so there was bound to be a learning curve, albeit an extremely steep one. The reason? It was that scroll wheel and the functions on the screen. BMW Course CorrectionSales were initially slow for the fourth-gen 7 Series, but picked up quickly as people got used to it. It was then revamped in March 2005 for the 2026 model year to address the initial criticisms leveled at it. The updated version was the first BMW model to use the term LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) for facelifted models. The front end had a simpler set of headlights, the grille was widened, and the bumpers were reshaped. The sides were still identical to before, but the rear received a major overhaul. Its taillights were extended to fill in the blank spaces on the trunk lid. Apart from the exterior changes, the iDrive system was simplified. It finally received supplementary hard buttons for those who inevitably got lost in the layers of sub-menus in the pre-LCI models. The interface was also enhanced to make it easier to use and interact. BMW Legacy and InfluenceProduction of the E65 7 Series spanned from mid-2001 to late 2008. By then, its rivals, namely the Audi A8 and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, had undergone comprehensive redesigns. The A8 of that era was conservatively styled beside the 7 Series, but Audi had started giving it a bolder look by adding that 'goatee' in 2005. The same year, the S-Class got more intersecting lines on its body for the new generation, and even a more subtle version of the 'Bangle Butt' at the back. The E65's influence had started creeping in by then. Its rivals also ended up with scroll wheels in their respective infotainment systems. More functions started to be integrated into the screen, and even the S-Class adapted a similar electromechanical gear selector. Even Lexus, the brand that shook up the Germans in the first place, started doing its own take on iDrive with the mouse-like Remote Touch system. Several years later, Mazda started putting scroll wheels in its cars, too. It's nearly impossible to find a car without an infotainment system these days, and the system we know today was first seen in the E65. BMW From the mid-2000s through the 2010s, we also started seeing non-luxury marques become bolder and more angular in their designs. The Japanese started getting in on it with cars like the Camry and Accord from 2007 and 2008, respectively. The South Koreans also hopped on the trend, and if you need proof of that, just look at Hyundai's designs from 2010 until now. If anything, the E65 emboldened automakers to take even greater risks with design, inside and out. It set a precedent for many design trends that were formed in the 2000s that eventually made their way into the 2010s. If you look at an E65 today, the design still holds up, especially the LCI versions. The same could be said of other Bangle-era models, such as the E60 by the late Davide Arcangeli and the E90 by Joji Nagashima. BMWs from that time were bold, yet somehow timeless, which is a huge achievement in itself. The company entered an era of relatively conservative designs after that, but then doubled down on bolder and somewhat controversial designs in the last couple of years. As BMW enters a new era with the Neue Klasse models, it's as if history is repeating itself after a quarter century. BMW BMW View the 14 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The Three Cars That Changed Bugatti’s Modern StrategyEdition One-Off – the same channel that brought the secret, most expensive Bugatti collection to the light – is back with another video. This time, it highlights a pivotal moment in the French marque's modern history, revealing how three extraordinary hypercars reshaped the company’s future. According to the video, the record-breaking Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, the track-focused Bugatti Divo, and the ultra-exclusive Bugatti Centodieci collectively laid the groundwork for Bugatti’s current strategy of ultra-limited and bespoke hypercars. Filmed inside the Zeithaus Museum near Wolfsburg, host Markus Korbach and Bugatti Heritage expert Luigi Galli explain how each of these cars represents a different pillar of Bugatti’s modern identity: engineering performance, coachbuilt design, and collector exclusivity. Chiron Super Sport 300+: Pushing the Limits of SpeedThe story begins with the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, the car that cemented Bugatti’s dominance in the world of top-speed records. In 2019, Bugatti test driver Andy Wallace piloted the car to a staggering 304.77 mph, making it the first production-derived vehicle to surpass 300 mph. Reaching those speeds required extensive testing, with Wallace reportedly spending several days driving at extreme velocities simply to adapt to how the car behaved at such speeds. At velocities beyond 300 mph, drivers begin to lose their normal perception of motion, making repeated high-speed runs essential to understand how the car reacts and maintains stability. According to Bugatti engineers, the Chiron Super Sport 300+ was not running out of power during the record attempt. Instead, the limiting factor was the length of the test track itself, suggesting the platform may have been capable of going even faster under the right conditions. Bugatti View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Bugatti Divo: The Start of Modern CoachbuildingWhile the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ demonstrated Bugatti’s engineering capability, the Bugatti Divo signaled the beginning of a new design philosophy for the brand. Named after legendary Bugatti racing driver Albert Divo, the car was developed with a stronger emphasis on agility and cornering performance rather than outright top speed. Unlike the standard Chiron, the Divo received extensive aerodynamic revisions along with changes to its chassis setup to sharpen its handling characteristics. The goal was to create a more agile Bugatti without sacrificing the comfort and luxury expected from the marque. Originally planned as an even smaller production run, the project expanded to 40 units after strong demand from collectors, with the entire allocation selling out quickly. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Centodieci: A Tribute to the EB110The Bugatti Centodieci took exclusivity to an even higher level. Created as a tribute to the iconic Bugatti EB110, the car celebrates Bugatti’s 110th anniversary while reinterpreting key design elements from the 1990s supercar. Designers incorporated distinctive vents and angular styling cues inspired by the EB110 while still packaging Bugatti’s massive quad-turbo W16 engine beneath the bodywork. Integrating that powertrain into a design referencing the sleek original required significant engineering changes. Production was strictly limited to just 10 units, and despite demand exceeding that number, Bugatti maintained the cap to preserve the car’s exclusivity and collector value. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The LowdownTaken together, the Chiron Super Sport 300+, Divo, and Centodieci reveal how Bugatti quietly reshaped its strategy over the past decade. Each car served a different purpose: demonstrating engineering supremacy, reviving the art of coachbuilding, and celebrating the brand’s heritage through ultra-limited collector models. The formula proved so successful that it effectively launched Bugatti’s modern era of one-off and highly exclusive hypercars. Today, the brand’s most desirable creations are about rarity, craftsmanship, and storytelling through design. Patrick Ernzen / RM Sotheby's View the full article