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It’s time for a couple of weeks of off-road racing across Johnson Valley California at King of the Hammers 2026. We’ve got the livestream rocking right here the whole time, so make sure you tune in and keep up. We’re starting off with the motorcycle racing and will continue with all the four wheel classes as well. What was once called King of the Hammers week is now an event that is officially lasts January 24th through February 8th, for a total of 15 days. That of course doesn’t take into account the days and days that it takes to get Hammertown setup and torn down. This is dubbed as the fastest growing city in the world each and every year of the event, and if you have ever been then you believe it. We will share all the livestreams, from the various races coming during King of the Hammers 2025, right here on BANGshift.com. The post King Of The Hammers Livestream 2026: Watch Every Day Of King Of The Hammers Right Here! The Baddest Of The Bad Attacking Johnson Valley Starts Now! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Pro Mod racers at the U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission made history Friday night at Bradenton Motorsports Park as the bump spot fell to a 3.597-second pass, establishing the first-ever all-3.50-second 32-car field. Though numerous drivers improved during the two Friday qualifying sessions, Thursday’s provisional No. 1 qualifier Jimmy Taylor held on to the top spot with his 3.555-second pass at 224.77 mph from Thursday’s opening session. Pro Mod will run one more qualifying session Saturday morning to set the field for Saturday evening’s first round of eliminations at the second of three races in the Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service. Friday qualifying at the U.S. Street Nationals also featured two qualifying sessions for the FuelTech Radial Outlaws Racing Series drag radial classes – Pro 275, Limited Drag Radial, X275, and Ultra Street – and Pro 10.5. True 10.5 ran one shakedown session as well to prepare for Saturday’s first round. Taylor, who’s no stranger to setting records, is confident in his ability to hold on to the top spot through Saturday’s final qualifying session. After his leading 3.555 at 224.77 in the opening session on Thursday, he added two more 3.50-second passes on Friday – a 3.583 at 216.83 and a 3.570 at 222.77 in his twin-turbocharged Xtreme Racing Engines ’69 Camaro tuned by 2018 World Series of Pro Mod champion Carl Stevens Jr. “Carl’s got this car where it’s very consistent right now,” Taylor said. “I mean, we ran so many .50s passes here this weekend; we haven’t had anything but .50s passes. We learned a lot today in the heat on the first run. I feel pretty good. With Carl in my corner, I feel like we’ve got as good a shot as any of them at going all the way.” Should Taylor maintain his No. 1 spot, he will derail Jason Harris’s attempt at the Jerry Bickel Clean Sweep Challenge. As the No. 1 qualifier at the opening race of the Winter Series, the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks, Harris is the only driver contending for the Clean Sweep Challenge, which will award Harris a brand-new Pro Mod rolling chassis if he qualifies No. 1 at all three Winter Series events. Harris is currently breathing down Taylor’s neck in the No. 2 spot with a 3.556 at 211.33 in his Harts Charger-boosted “Party Time” ’69 Camaro. As the winner of the Snowbirds, Harris is also contending for the Elite Motorsports Million, which offers an unprecedented $1 million bonus to any Pro Mod driver who wins all three Winter Series races. “We definitely came into this race knowing that we’re going to have a big target on our back, but we came in with the same outlook and the same mindset we did for the last one – just qualify good and take each round,” Harris said. “And with the way it qualifies, the chip draw is the game changer. You could have a lot of easy draws or you can have a lot of hard draws, but I think if you get in this field, you’re a real tough competitor, and you deserve to be here. Everybody that qualifies is going to be gunning for each other, no matter where you’re at, one to 32. You’ve just got to take it round by round.” Eighth-mile doorslammer veteran Randy Weatherford made one of the biggest moves of the day when he threw down a 3.558 at 211.16 in his Harts Charger-boosted WS Construction ’69 Camaro to jump up to the No. 3 spot. Eric Gustafson in his ProCharged Coast Packing Company “Lard Machine” ’69 Camaro matched Weatherford’s E.T. but at 211.06 to move into fourth. Justin Bond, driving Scott Tidwell’s Harts Charger-equipped ’69 Camaro, sits fifth with his 3.563 at 211.83 from Thursday. Over the course of four Pro 10.5 qualifying sessions, newcomer Carson Baker steadily improved in his ProCharged Polaris Offroad ’24 Camaro, ultimately taking over the No. 1 position in the final session. Tuned by Jamie Miller and racing out of the Fireball Racing camp, Baker powered to a 3.884 at 195.79. Thanks to the random chip draw format, he’ll take on No. 2 qualifier Jerry Morgano in the opening round of eliminations. “I haven’t been doing this that long, so it’s freaking amazing,” said Baker, who earned a custom No. 1 qualifier baseball bat from Victus Sports. “I started out at NPK [No Prep Kings]. This is the biggest event I’ve ever been at. I’ve watched it the last two years from home. Now, next thing you know, we’re racing it. This is the greatest event I’ve ever been to. This is awesome. It’s just so much fun.” Morgano, who now calls Bradenton his home track, ended up No. 2 behind Baker with his 3.894 at 207.05 in his turbocharged, small-block “Copperhead” ’02 Cobra. Fletcher Cox, who recently retired from a Hall of Fame career with the Philadelphia Eagles, locked in the No. 3 spot after leading the first three sessions with a 3.895 at 189.36 in his nitrous-assisted “Training Day” ’69 Camaro. The FuelTech Radial Outlaws Series No. 1 qualifier awards went to Lyle Barnett in Pro 275, Jamie Stanton in Limited Drag Radial, DJ McCain in X275, and Steve Romeo in Ultra Street, who all went to the top spots in the first session and held them through four sessions. Barnett, who’s also competing in Pro Mod, ran a 3.678 at 206.54 in Tommy Youmans’ Harts Charger-boosted “Salvage Title” Mustang. Stanton, who made the trip down from New York, held off a series of 3.80-second players to keep the No. 1 spot in LDR with a 3.876 at 191.27 in his ProCharged ’02 Camaro. McCain, who earned the 2025 Radial Outlaws X275 season championship, continued to be a class leader in his nitrous-fed “Vecna” C6 Corvette with a 4.116 at 173.43. Romeo stayed consistent in his impressive ProCharged ’67 Chevelle, but it was his 4.402 at 158.52 from Thursday that kept him on top of the Ultra Street sheet. The U.S. Street Nationals will continue Saturday starting with Pro Mod final qualifying at 9 a.m. Radial classes eliminations are set to begin at 11 a.m. Pro Mod, Pro 10.5, and True 10.5 will kick off eliminations at 5 p.m. Eliminations will continue Sunday. General admission tickets are available for $40 on Saturday and $35 on Sunday. Active military and children ages 12 and under get in free. VIP packages are also available. Fans can watch the race through the official event livestream on www.FloRacing.com. For a detailed schedule, tickets, and other event info, visit www.RaceBMP.com. This story was originally published on January 23, 2026. The post Jimmy Taylor Stays No. 1 as U.S. Street Nationals Records First All-3.50-Second 32-Car Pro Mod Field first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

What's the deal with midsize sedans?Whether or not you have seen an episode or two of the iconic 90's sitcom that bears his last name, or have been a fan of his stand-up comedy, you probably know comedian and TV icon Jerry Seinfeld as a well-versed car enthusiast. One of the most public showcases of his affinity for cars was through the popular web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, where he took notable figures like former President Barack Obama and fellow comedians such as Jimmy Fallon and Hasan Minhaj on journeys to cafes and eateries behind the wheel of a diverse array of iconic classics and supercars. However, on the surface, Seinfeld's actual car collection might indicate that he is one of particularly highbrow tastes, as he is known among enthusiasts for his hyperfixation with Porsche cars. Although he has been slowly thinning his collection in recent years, Seinfeld is known for his extensive Porsche collection, which included gems like a Carrera GT, a 959, and at one point, the very Porsche 917K that Steve McQueen owned and drove in the 1971 movie Le Mans. Seinfeld: "I've always liked this brand."Despite his high profile and high-dollar Porsche obsession, the comedian recently revealed during an appearance on a new episode of Spike Car Radio podcast that he was a fan of the Honda Accord, where he shared praise for its design and went as far as recommending it to "ordinary" car buyers. Amid a discussion about Japanese cars at around the 30:42 mark in the episode, Seinfeld countered a conversation about classics like the Toyota 2000GT and Mazda Cosmo to bring up the new Accord, much to the surprise of hosts Spike Feresten and Paul Zuckerman. "[...] I really want a Honda Accord, [...] a new one," he said, to the hosts' fascination. Despite surprised statements, including a quick quip from Zuckerman, who compared the Accord's front end to that of the Chevrolet Citation, Seinfeld argued that the Accord is one "ordinary" car that stands out to him in particular because of its design. Honda "[...] in a car universe, I'm talking to car people, there are ordinary things that can be appealing," he said. "And for some reason, I love the panel below the headlights. I find it interesting." Further, Seinfeld argued that the Accord stood out as an example of Honda exercising a type of restraint that made its vehicles particularly stand out among its competitors, which he feels are designed carelessly. "I just I've always liked this brand [Honda]. They seem honest. Styling it, it is kind of funky," he said. "I really like it [the Accord], but I just feel [if] you're a regular person and you need a regular car. I feel like Honda always brings a certain, slight, elegant restraint to their design. Some of this stuff, you know, it really looks like nobody cared about it at all." It's hard to argue against Seinfeld's light-hearted recommendation. In a release published last month, Honda noted that the new 2026 model will feature some minor updates; the most significant of which is that it will come with a larger nine-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a wireless phone charger standard on all trims. Though the MSRP has increased by $100, the 2026 Accord remains at a reasonable $28,395 before tax and destination. Honda Despite Accord praise, Jerry isn't a fan of all Honda designsHowever, despite his praise for the new Accord, as well as for prior Accord and Civic models for their 'elegantly restrained' design, his compliments do not transfer one-to-one to other models in Honda's product lineup. When asked about and shown a picture of the Honda Civic Type R, he showed a different expression than in his prior praise of another Honda model. "I don't like the Civic," he said. "This [the Type R] is very ungainainely. The front is bulbous." Recently, Honda announced during its official 2026 US business outlook that the Civic Type R will receive updates this year, including changes to both exterior and interior styling, following styling updates on non-Type-R models. Despite recognizing the Civic Type R's performance potential, Seinfeld reiterated that he wasn't a fan of the hatchback's styling cues, particularly its front fascia. "I hear they're fantastic cars. I would love to drive one, but that is an awful proportion. And look at how many different horizontal lines there are in the front aspect and incongruous angles, and oof," he stated with a grimaced face. Final thoughtsThis isn't the first time that Seinfeld has expressed praise for cars from a seemingly "pedestrian" Japanese automotive brand. During an appearance on The Smoking Tire podcast last year, Seinfeld revealed that he’s been the proud owner of a few Subarus throughout his career; specifically, hotter, rarer, high-performance versions of the Impreza, specifically the WRX STI Type RA and an S209. But whether you find Jerry Seinfeld’s comedy to be funny or not, his praise for "humble" cars like the Accord shows that his interest and car enthusiasm is one that is based in appreciation that is skin-deep in passion. With the new partnership between Honda and the Aston Martin F1 team underway prior to the 2026 Formula 1 season, hopefully, the potential halo car that could result from their collaboration would be something that even a man like Seinfeld could sing praise for. View the full article

Canada has agreed to sharply roll back its 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, striking a trade-off that signals a broader reset in its relationship with Beijing and a notable divergence from Washington. But its impact will be felt well beyond Canada’s borders. After two days of high-level meetings in China, Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Ottawa would allow a limited, but steadily growing, number of Chinese-made electric vehicles into the Canadian market in exchange for substantial tariff relief on Canadian agricultural exports after years of strained relations. “We are forging a new strategic partnership that builds on the best of our past, reflects the world as it is today, and benefits the people of both our nations,” Carney said. SCreenshot The move comes even as Mexico initiated tariffs of up to 50 percent on Chinese cars and auto parts starting January 1 to defend its domestic industry from subsidized, low-priced Chinese imports. Related: California Quietly Adds Hundreds In Fees That Inflate Traffic Tickets The Mechanics of the DealUnder the arrangement, Canada will slash its tariff, currently 100%, to 6.1%, and allow Chinese electric vehicle imports of 49,000 units, rising to 70,000 over five years. Half of the annual quota is slotted for EVs costing less than CA$35,000. Beijing will also make a “considerable investment” in Canada’s auto sector over the next three years, Mr. Carney said. In return, China will slash its tariff on canola seed, one of Canada’s most important agricultural exports, from roughly 84 percent to about 15 percent. The agreement reflects a pragmatic calculus on both sides. Canada gains renewed access to a crucial export market for its farmers, while China secures a foothold in North America for its fast-growing electric vehicle industry. It also sets Ottawa apart from Washington, which has aggressively blocked Chinese EVs with steep tariffs and other trade barriers. Related: 2026 Chevy Trax vs. 2026 Nissan Kicks: Which Affordable Crossover Should You Buy? Winners and LosersChina currently accounts for roughly 70 percent of global electric vehicle production, and its vehicles are among the most affordable and energy-efficient in the world. Allowing Chinese EVs back into Canada is expected to lower prices for consumers and accelerate adoption, creating new dynamics for major players including Tesla, Volvo, Polestar and Lotus, while presenting challenges for General Motors. Lotus Lotus Technology, the British sports car maker majority-owned by Geely, projects an even more dramatic impact. The company said the CA$313,500 price of its Wuhan-produced Eletre SUV will drop by roughly 50 percent as a result of Canada’s reduced tariffs. Lotus expects the change to have an immediate and meaningful effect on demand, with wholesale deliveries of the Eletre projected to see “exponential growth” as the tariff benefits flow through. Volvo With established brand recognition, regulatory familiarity, and dealer networks in Canada, Geely-controlled brands Volvo and Polestar are well positioned to reintroduce Chinese-produced vehicles to the market. Both companies had paused imports of Chinese-built models, including the Volvo EX30 and Polestar 2, after the 2024 tariffs were imposed. The new agreement restores the profitability of these imports. Tesla Tesla appears particularly well positioned. In 2023, Tesla imported more than 44,000 EVs into Canada from China, the last full year before Canada’s 100 percent tariff imposed in 2024 forced the company to pivot supply to its U.S. and Berlin factories, according to a Reuters report. Even as the deal is framed as opening the door to Chinese automakers, Tesla already produces a substantial number of vehicles in China. In 2023, the company had configured its Shanghai Gigafactory to produce a Canada-specific Model Y, driving a 460 percent year-over-year surge in China-built auto imports through Vancouver. With tariffs now sharply reduced, Tesla could resume exports from China to Canada, regaining a first-mover advantage in a market hungry for more affordable EVs. Related: Toyota Is Still Selling Cars Designed Decades Ago And Reuters reports that Volkswagen is looking to export cars developed and manufactured in China, in an effort to compete with the Chinese in foreign markets. GM China/Baojun/Wuling By contrast, General Motors is unlikely to benefit from the new framework. The company’s Chinese-market Wuling and Baojun brand EVs are engineered for cost-sensitive consumers in China and do not meet North American safety or regulatory standards, requiring extensive redesign before they could be sold in Canada, making near-term market entry impractical. Unlike Lotus, Volvo, Polestar, or Tesla, GM cannot quickly leverage the deal to expand its presence in Canada’s growing EV market. Getty Images Other legacy automakers with plants in Ontario, including Ford, Honda, Toyota and Stellantis, could be undercut by Chinese-government-subsidized Chinese imports. It also could lead to U.S. market access for Canadian-built Chinese vehicles, although that remains to be seen. James Ochoa Final ThoughtsThe Canada-China trade deal represents a significant trade recalibration, one that underscores the shifting dynamics of global commerce in an era of fractured alliances and unpredictable tariffs. Canada hopes the deal encourages Chinese manufacturers to invest in local production, creating jobs and building a stronger Canadian EV supply chain using Canadian critical minerals. Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via Getty Images But since the deal provides Chinese EV manufacturers with a much-needed gateway into the Canadian market previously blocked by high tariffs, it will also increase the challenge faced by Western EV makers by introducing lower-priced Chinese models, accelerating Chinese EV adoption in Canada. The net result is the U.S. triggering a self-inflicted wound, as another foreign market in danger of becoming dominated by China. View the full article

Buddy Hull, owner and Funny Car driver announced today that Red Line Oil has joined Hull Racing as an official partner for the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, beginning with the historic NHRA Gatornationals. Red Line Oil, known worldwide for its industry-leading synthetic lubricants and unmatched performance in the most demanding motorsports environments, brings a proven legacy of reliability, innovation and winning results to the Hull Racing program. “It’s impossible to not love the energy Buddy brings in everything he does,” said Mark Beatty, Brand Director for Red Line Oil. “Having Buddy on #teamredlineoil makes us better, stronger, and faster!” As part of the partnership, Red Line Oil branding will be featured across Hull Racing assets throughout the NHRA season and select specialty events. The team will rely on Red Line’s advanced lubricants to support top performance under extreme race conditions. Hull has been a featured driver on and off the track including the Stampede of Speed at Texas Motorplex and as host of the award-winning television show, Talkin’ Funny Cars with Buddy Hull, which will return for its third season in 2026. This partnership represents a shared focus on precision, power and professionalism as Hull Racing prepares for an aggressive and competitive 2026 NHRA campaign. “Red Line Oil is a brand that racers trust at the absolute highest level,” said Buddy Hull, team owner of Hull Racing. “Their commitment to performance, durability, and engineering excellence aligns perfectly with how we operate as a team. We’re excited to have them onboard for 2026.” This story was originally published on January 23, 2026. The post Red Line Oil Joins Hull Racing For 2026 Season first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

From a new Hyundai recall covering blank radio screens, to Chevy's not-so-long-term plans for the latest Bolt, to the pseudo-return of BMW icons, things aren’t the way they were yesterday. Here, we’ll round up the biggest news stories of the last 24 hours on AutoBlog and divvy them up into bite-sized chunks that get right to the heart of the story, allowing you to go deeper if you want. Chevy reiterates that the Bolt's time is limited ND Adlen The Chevy Bolt was never going to last long. Its production was always going to be limited, the result of a blip in consumer demand that Chevrolet, perhaps foolishly, or perhaps wisely, believes will go away. No matter what, that means things will come to a close just as soon as they've begun for the small EV. “When we revealed Bolt in October, we said it’d be a limited-run model, which we are bringing back due to strong customer demand,” a Chevrolet spokesperson told Inside EVs. “We also said it would account for the majority of EV volume for Chevrolet in 2026, alongside the Chevrolet Equinox EV. We reiterate that today.” To read our full coverage on the future of the EV, check the link below. Read More: America’s Cheapest New EV Is Already on Borrowed Time Hyundai tells Genesis owners to leave their radio be Genesis USA Hyundai, which owns Genesis, is recalling a number of the brand's luxury vehicles from the 2025 and 2026 model years, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), because their instrument cluster displays can intermittently reboot and go blank, potentially for 5-10 seconds. The issue sounds relatively minor, but the NHTSA and Hyundai have opted to go ahead and issue the recall because the blank display may deprive drivers of essential information and potentially increase the risk of a crash. Six models have been recalled - to find out if yours is on the list, continue reading at the link below. Read More: Hyundai Tells 84,000 Genesis Owners to Stop Using the Radio Stellantis aims to cut new car costs Stellantis Stellantis, the corporate umbrella under which brands like Dodge, Jeep, and more nest, believes that the new car market is becoming a little top-heavy. New cars are cresting the $50,000 mark on average for the first time in history. Driven by inflation, record tariffs, and the ever-increasing competition between automakers to provide the most car to their buyers, prices have soared. With new strains on the market, Stellantis says it is working on "a combination of value proposition with being competitive in the price offer," according to CEO Antonio Filosa. To read more on Stellantis' plan, click below. Read More: Stellantis Wants to Bring New-Car Prices Back Under $40,000 BMW's electric M3 will use fake sounds from its best engines BMW BMW will attempt to recreate the engines it was known for in the aggregate. Like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the latest electric M product will employ fake engine noise to give nostalgic drivers something to cling to - and to hopefully get butts in seats as the M brand transitions further and further from the iconic naturally-aspirated engines it was known for in the past few decades. Engines like the S85 V10, and more, will be played synthetically through the speakers in conjunction with simulated gearshifts. To read more on the upcoming M3, continue below. Read More: BMW M’s Legendary V10 Scream Is Coming Back—Just Not How You Expect View the full article

The 2026 U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission at Bradenton Motorsports Park continues Friday with more qualifying. It’s the second of three races in the 2025/2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service, along with the season opener for the FuelTech Radial Outlaws Racing Series. Friday’s schedule includes two qualifying sessions for Pro Mod, Pro 10.5, and the Radial Outlaws classes – Pro 275, Limited Drag Radial, X275, and Ultra Street. True 10.5 will also run one shakedown session, though it isn’t a qualified class. Watch the official event livestream on FloRacing.com. PRO MOD PRO 10.5 PRO 275 LIMITED DRAG RADIAL X275 ULTRA STREET This story was originally published on January 23, 2026. The post Friday Qualifying Results – 2026 U.S. Street Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Hendrick Motorsports says its all-new 35,000 square-foot training center rivals those seen in some of the top athletic colleges at professional sports team, and the pictures and videos released of the inside appear to support that claim. They scouted several complexes for inspiration, including Clemson, Auburn and Alabama, as well as the MLS' Charlotte FC and even Fort Bragg. In partnership ...Keep readingView the full article

The Seatbelt Legacy ContinuesIn 1959, Volvo introduced the three-point safety belt, which would go on to save an estimated one million lives and counting. The Swedish manufacturer’s history of making the safest cars on the road was based on a simple promise: its passengers would walk away in the event of a crash. Volvo's so committed to that promise that it comes up with its own crash tests that go above and beyond standardized test procedures around the world. The newly revealed EX60 electric crossover reinforces that legacy with its multi-adaptive safety belts that adapt for each passenger to provide the best protection. Recent crash-test footage shows the vehicle slamming pole-first at 37 mph after a simulated road departure. The structure behaves exactly as intended: the front end crumples progressively, the A-pillars remain intact, and the windshield survives. It’s safety engineering at its best, but there is a design choice that clashes with the brand’s safety-first philosophy: hidden door handles. The Tesla-Style Hidden Door Handle ContradictionThe EX60 features electronically operated, sensor-based door handles, which it calls wing-grip door handles that sit at the top of the frameless doors. Electronic door release handles are becoming common among manufacturers who view them as an advantage in terms of style and aerodynamics. However, they raise significant concerns regarding occupant safety. One of the primary risks of electronically controlled door handles is that if a collision disables the vehicle's electronics, the doors cannot be opened manually, and the occupants can become trapped inside the vehicle. Volvo View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article It is unclear at this point whether Volvo has installed any fail-safes to mechanically open the doors in the event of an electronic system failure in the EX60. However, in the United States, the proposed SAFE Exit Act seeks to limit electronic-only door releases following the deaths of several individuals who were unable to safely exit their vehicles due to failed door mechanisms. In addition, China has already banned retractable door handles, effective January 2027, and all future models sold in that country will be required to include a mechanical emergency door release. Regulators in Europe are currently considering similar bans. Why Volvo Chose This PathVolvo's safety-first approach to vehicle design is not simply a marketing slogan. After introducing the three-point safety belt, Volvo continued to push the boundaries of safety in its vehicles by adding such features as rear headrests, side impact protection, blind spot monitoring, and pedestrian detection with automatic braking. More recently, Volvo's vehicles have shared real-time hazard data with each other via a cloud-based network. The EX60 continues along this path by utilizing advanced sensors and structurally integrating the batteries to help anticipate and mitigate crashes prior to driver intervention. Volvo So why would Volvo go down the electronic door handle path that's known to be problematic? Platform sharing within the Geely group likely played a role, as did pressure to match the flush look popularized by Tesla. Volvo built its reputation by favoring mechanical certainty over fragile complexity. Adopting door handles now facing regulatory extinction feels like a departure from the values that once defined the brand. View the full article

Zeekr’s Largest and Most Ambitious SUV YetThe Zeekr 8X has officially debuted in China, giving the brand a new flagship plug-in hybrid SUV focused on size, presence, and electric capability. Measuring more than 16 feet long, 6 feet wide, and about 6 feet tall, the 8X firmly lands in the full-size luxury SUV category. It is only a few inches shorter than a BMW X7 and nearly identical in width, placing it squarely among established large luxury rivals. A 10-foot wheelbase allows Zeekr to offer both five- and six-seat configurations, underscoring the 8X’s role as a true flagship rather than a niche electrified model. The size alone signals Zeekr’s ambitions, as the 8X is designed to compete directly with premium SUVs from legacy luxury brands rather than smaller electrified crossovers. Zeekr New Plug-In Hybrid System Targets EV-Level RangeThe Zeekr 8X’s most significant headline is its electric driving capability. Zeekr claims the SUV can travel up to 204 miles on electric power alone, a figure that dramatically exceeds what plug-in hybrid competitors currently offer. For context, many luxury PHEVs deliver fewer than 60 miles of electric range, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC PHEV, which tops out at 54 mi. Of note, the 8X's pure electric range approaches the territory of full battery-electric vehicles, such as the new Nissan Leaf. Powered by a tri-motor plug-in hybrid system, buyers will be offered a 70 kWh battery, described as the largest ever fitted to a production hybrid, or a smaller 55.1 kWh pack still capable of delivering up to 159 miles of electric range. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 205 kW (275 horsepower) supports the system. In the closely related Zeekr 9X, this architecture produces up to 1,381 horsepower, suggesting the 8X will deliver serious performance once final specifications are announced. Zeekr Will We See This Stateside? Design plays a major role in the 8X’s flagship positioning. Matrix LED headlights flank a large chrome waterfall grille, while electronic side steps, a one-piece hood, and a full-width rear light bar reinforce its luxury credentials. Visually, the Zeekr 8X leans hard into ultra-luxury territory, looking like a Rolls-Royce Cullinan that’s been having a quiet extramarital affair with a Bentley Bentayga, filtered through Zeekr’s modern, EV-first design language. The larger question is where the Zeekr 8X could eventually be sold. Zeekr is owned by Geely, the automotive group behind Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus. Geely has publicly confirmed plans to enter the U.S. market, signaling broader global ambitions for its brands. While Zeekr has not confirmed U.S. availability for the 8X, its size, electric range, and luxury positioning make it a logical candidate should the brand expand stateside. If that happens, the Zeekr 8X would arrive as a serious challenger rather than a novelty. Zeekr View the full article

Geely is setting an unusually bold marker for the rest of the decade, with a stated goal of exceeding 6.5 million vehicle sales a year by 2030 and pushing into the top five automakers worldwide, as per Reuters. The plan also calls for revenue above RMB 1 trillion (143,614,000,000 USD) annually and a lineup that tilts heavily toward electrification, a clear signal that Geely sees scale and new energy vehicles as the only way to compete in a market where Chinese brands are expanding fast. The 2030 Targets And What They ShowThe headline target is more than 6.5 million annual sales across passenger and commercial vehicles by 2030, paired with a revenue goal above RMB 1 trillion (143,614,000,000 USD). Just as important is the mix shift, with new energy vehicles targeted to make up about 75 percent of total sales by the end of the decade. Geely is also aiming for overseas markets to account for more than one third of its total volume, which turns international expansion into a core requirement. How Geely Plans To Build Scale FasterGeely says the route to that volume runs through fewer architectures, shorter development cycles, and lower cost per model. The company is talking about world class new energy vehicle platforms that can span multiple vehicle sizes, and it is targeting more than a 30 percent reduction in overall cost per model while also cutting average research and development cycle time. This approach is designed to make product launches faster and manufacturing more efficient, which matters when price pressure is intense and buyers are comparing features and tech across a growing list of new brands. If Geely executes, the company is effectively betting that speed and cost discipline will create enough room to compete globally while keeping margins intact. Why It Matters Outside ChinaGeely already has a wide footprint through its brands and partnerships, and its technology sharing strategy is part of how it expects to scale without reinventing everything for each badge. That model is increasingly visible in products tied to Geely’s ecosystem, and the broader implication is that Chinese automakers are no longer just exporting cars, they are exporting development speed and cost structure, which reinforces the idea that your next car could be Chinese. View the full article

Few motorcycle companies pour as much energy into the custom motorcycle scene as Royal Enfield. The Indian marque farms a staggering number of bikes out to the world's best customizers each year—and the creations that come back act as rolling advertisements for whichever model the brand is focusing ... View the full article

The advent of digital displays has brought with it several benefits, including the ability to show drivers more information, from power usage to navigation, but a new recall from the Hyundai Motor Group proves that digitalization can have drawbacks. The automaker is recalling numerous Genesis luxury vehicles from the 2025 and 2026 model years, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, because their instrument cluster displays can intermittently reboot and go blank, potentially for 5-10 seconds, depriving drivers of essential information and potentially increasing the risk of a crash. Six different models are named in the recall, with almost 84,000 vehicles affected. Genesis Luxury Sedans and SUVs Recalled Genesis Worldwide According to the NHTSA recall report, this issue causes the affected Genesis products to fail certain requirements in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #101, for Controls and Displays. The recalled models, 83,877 of them, are as follows: 2025-2026 Genesis G802026 Genesis G80 Electrified2026 Genesis GV602026 Genesis GV702026 Genesis GV70 Electrified2025-2026 Genesis GV80Often, a recall issued by an automotive manufacturing group like the Hyundai Motor Group impacts numerous brands, but in this case, only Genesis products have been recalled. The problem, identified earlier this month, was traced to the affected vehicles' head unit and integrated monitor. Both HD and analog radio data are written to the same single memory storage location due to overlapping routines in the software. This can result in a data overwrite error, preventing the cluster and display from receiving output signals and eventually leading to a reboot. As of the filing of the report, Hyundai is aware of 237 reports received from September 2024, but no crashes have been reported in the U.S. What Genesis Owners Need to Know Genesis USA View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Customers can search their VINs on nhtsa.gov, but a remedy is only expected around the middle of March, at which time customers can either go to the dealer for a software update or perform one over the air. In the meantime, Hyundai recommends that owners disable the HD radio feature while driving. It's an unusual recall, but Genesis has suffered worse; last month, Genesis recalled the G90 for automatically braking when there was no obstacle to avoid colliding with. In that case, it turned out that the Highway Driving Assist feature would falsely detect an object entering the car's lane, with the issue most common on vehicles painted Savile Silver. In both cases, technology meant to simplify drivers' lives has added complications, but we're too far down the rabbit hole to go back, and recalls like these help improve the next generation. View the full article

Toyota Gazoo Racing is adding another collectors-only twist to the GR Yaris story, unveiling the GR Yaris Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition and confirming that buyers will not be able to simply walk into a dealer and order one. For Japan, Toyota says the car will be offered only through a purchase lottery, turning the special edition into a chance-based prize rather than a traditional limited run allocation. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article A Tribute That Will Be Hard To BuyToyota revealed a prototype of the Ogier edition at the WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo and framed it as a celebration of Sébastien Ogier’s ninth world championship, which ties the all-time record in the series. The company says the edition is based on the GR Yaris Aero Performance Package, then adds Ogier-specific hardware, styling, and software changes that are meant to reflect his preferences and rally experience. Toyota also says Japan will receive 100 units and applications will open in spring 2026 through Toyota’s official GR app, with winners earning the right to purchase. Toyota also says another 100 units are planned for certain European markets, and it has not announced pricing yet, noting the car is still under development and specifications may change. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article What Makes The Ogier Edition DifferentThe biggest functional change is a new 4WD control setting called SEB. mode, replacing the standard Track mode. Toyota says it uses a 40:60 front to rear torque split and is designed to maintain front-end response while delivering a more rear-driven feel at speed. The mode appears in the full TFT cluster alongside Morizo mode, reinforcing that this is meant to be a driver-focused variation rather than a cosmetic package. Toyota also lists a long set of identifying details. The exterior is offered in a unique Black Gravite color, with matte black wheels, blue brake calipers carrying Ogier’s signature theme, and a tricolor grille accent that nods to the French flag. There are also unique side graphics, a special emblem on the rear door, and an autographed windshield element tied to Morizo. Inside, Toyota highlights a leather-wrapped vertical parking brake lever, tricolor stitching on the steering wheel, a serial-number plate, and a motorsport-inspired steering wheel design with a smaller diameter and revised switch layout. Why Toyota Is Doing This NowThis kind of attention-grabbing special edition fits Toyota’s broader pattern of using performance identity to lift its mainstream brand story. While the company’s volume success still comes from practical models and smart powertrain decisions, Gazoo Racing has become a separate pillar that helps Toyota project enthusiasm and credibility beyond just fuel economy. The difference also matters because Toyota’s core lineup is increasingly about smart, mainstream choices. The Ogier edition sits at the opposite end, a rare, rally-linked collectible that Toyota is making even harder to get by requiring a lottery rather than a waiting list. View the full article

The Indian Motorcycle sale to private equity is already reshaping the company, as the Osceola plant closure, and subsequent layoffs, show how fast the consequences can hit. View the full article

One of the claims automakers continually made as they began launching electric vehicles and hybrids was that, as these vehicles aged, they would be capable of adopting the latest technologies through over-the-air (OTA) updates, and one of the brands making the most noise in this department was Volvo. As it turns out, the Swedes are sticking to their promise, reports Autocar, with the company preparing to give cars from 2020 and later "one of the biggest over-the-air updates in the history of the world." Cars like the XC40 Recharge, now called the EX40, will benefit from the new Volvo Car UX (user experience), just like in the EX30, the EX90, and the recently unveiled EX60. Volvo's Big Update Is Good News for Owners of Older Cars Volvo Essentially, this means that 2020 and newer Volvos will have almost identical displays and infotainment features as the latest cars, and this includes the new, more conversational Google Gemini AI-powered system, replacing the last-generation Google in-car assistant. Of course, your 2020 EX40 Recharge won't have an identical infotainment system to an EX90 because of older silicon processing chips and smaller displays (so don't necessarily expect the EX90's Abbey Road Studios Mode), but it'll still feel like being in a much newer car without any hardware changes. Volvo says that users will be able to "talk naturally to craft messages, translate them into another language before sending, ask questions from the car's user manual, or learn specific details about your destination." The automaker highlighted that this can help reduce distractions, allowing one to stay focused on driving. That's on-brand for a company as obsessed with road safety as Volvo. Volvo's Big OTA Update for Older Cars Is Coming Soon Volvo As for when owners can expect to sample the upgrade, Volvo chief technology officer Anders Bell says the update is "in the final stages of testing validation," so we can expect it to reach customers in the next few months. That is, of course, assuming that the update faces no further delays; Volvo intended to roll out the upgrade last year before pushing it back for further improvement. Whenever it arrives, it's encouraging to see that Volvo is aiming to continually improve even older cars through remote updates, much like Tesla does, and while physical components can make such updates challenging, we hope Volvo is just the first of many to offer the latest tech in its older cars. After all, new cars are not cheap, and the longer one can keep their car without feeling the need to upgrade, the better for the environment, the customer's bank balance, and the reputation of the brand selling the car in the first place. View the full article

BMW’s largest vehicle in the United States is the X7, a three-row crossover that competes with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. But, despite the X7’s substantial footprint, it’s not as monumentally massive as American full-size SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. Kirk Cordill, chairman of the BMW National Dealer Forum, wants BMW to launch a competitor in this space. If it happens, it’ll be the largest BMW production model ever—and it will likely come with a price tag to match. Potential X9 On The Cards B Speaking to Automotive News, Cordill believes a larger three-row BMW SUV could capture a decent piece of the mega full-size SUV market. Cadillac sold nearly 50,000 Escalades here last year, so there’s a clear demand for vehicles in this category, despite their lofty prices. A suggestion put forward by Cordill is to launch the new SUV under the new BMW Alpina brand, since Alpina is now under BMW's ownership. For many years, Alpina has put its special touches on some of BMW’s best (and biggest) models, including the 7 Series and X7. The Alpina XB7 is as close as we’ve ever gotten to an X7 M, so the Alpina team certainly has the expertise to get the most out of a big BMW. Although BMW hasn’t announced an official Escalade rival, such a vehicle would very likely be called the X9, but even if the project gets the green light, it won’t be soon. “We did get a chance to see some of the new ALPINA product that is coming, and I’ll say that I think people will be really impressed with it," said Cordill. "It’s a little further out, but it’s beautiful. The X9, I think we’d do extremely well with.” A larger X9 will give BMW a truly opulent three-row SUV, as the X7 is rather cramped for adults in the third row. With this model, BMW can also go all out with technology, meticulous craftsmanship, and performance. Escalade Won’t Be The Only Rival Cadillac Escalade General Motors View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Although the Escalade is perceived as the class leader in the large luxury SUV segment, it’s not the only hurdle a potential BMW X9 would need to overcome. The Lincoln Navigator is another strong contender, and both these vehicles are offered in long-wheelbase form to maximize cargo space. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer is also worth a mention. By leveraging the BMW Alpina brand, the X9 could be positioned as an alternative to top-tier Escalade and Navigator models, such as the Escalade-V and Navigator Black Label. These American SUVs represent the peak of luxury and performance. Related: The 2028 BMW X7 Could Be BMW’s Cleanest Big SUV Yet What It Means B While Americans won’t be accustomed to German vehicles in the ultra-large SUV space, it would hardly be BMW’s wildest idea. Massive SUVs continue to thrive on the sales charts, so why wouldn’t BMW want a piece of that pie? Besides, the X7 once seemed like a bold idea for BMW, as did the original X6, which popularized the coupe-SUV concept. There's also a history of the Germans stealing market share from American brands. While American sedans were still dominant leading up until the oil crisis in 1973, the tide began to turn after that. Today, German full-size sedans vastly outnumber American ones. The same domination is unlikely in the SUV space, but for a long time, American brands have had this segment of towering SUVs all to itself. If BMW and the other Germans decide to compete, this reign could come to an end. All we can be sure of is that if you want an X9, you’d better start saving now. View the full article

A Long Time Coming for the EnvisionThe Buick Envision has been coming to the US from China since 2017, quietly carrying a 25 percent import tariff the whole time. Built under the SAIC-GM partnership, it’s the only Buick in America that gets hit with these extra duties. Most buyers probably never noticed, but that tariff has been baked into the price for years. That’s about to change. GM has confirmed it will start building the Envision’s successor in the US starting in 2028. When that happens, the Envision finally drops its China-built label for American buyers, closing the book on a quirk that’s followed this model for almost ten years. What GM Has Confirmed So Far will shift production of the next-generation Envision to its Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, at least for US-bound models. Versions for other markets may still come out of China. GM hasn’t shared the new model’s official name yet, but it’s clear this is the Envision’s direct replacement. “This decision further strengthens GM's domestic manufacturing footprint and supports US jobs, building on $5.5 billion in new investments announced across our US manufacturing sites in the last year,” the company said in a statement to CBS News. Needless to say, the timing aligns with higher tariffs on most foreign-made cars and parts, including a 25% baseline duty imposed last year. Fairfax Assembly is already a busy factory that’s going to be busier. GM has the next-gen Chevrolet Bolt EV rolling out there, and the Chevrolet Equinox is set to join the line in 2027. An Impending Market ImpactRight now, the 2026 Buick Envision starts at $41,000 before fees. Building it in the US could finally bring that price down, though GM hasn’t said anything official yet. Once the tariffs are gone, we expect the Envision to settle somewhere in the mid-$30,000s, but it’s still unclear how much of that savings will actually reach buyers. Meanwhile, it’s an open question how a lower price might affect demand for the upcoming Envision. Buick moved over 41,000 Envisions last year, which is impressive given the extra cost. If the entry price drops, the Envision could attract even more buyers, especially in a segment where value and reputation count as much as features. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

In the mid-2000s, before turbocharged BMW engines became commonplace, BMW crafted the S85 engine, a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V10 that found a home in the E60 M5 sedan and the E63 and E64 M6 coupe and cabriolet, respectively. Its 8,250-rpm redline produced a sonorous wail, the likes of which have never been repeated in any M car — but that's about to change. The first-ever all-electric BMW M car is fast approaching, and while this, as a concept, is bound to infuriate some purists, the magicians in Munich are working to make the quad-motor driving experience as engaging as possible, and pre-recorded V8, V10, and turbocharged straight-six noises will form part of the company's newly developed soundscape. BMW M Is Ready to Make V10 Noises Again BMW A new video shared by BMW M on YouTube (embedded at the bottom of this article) shows a prototype of the electric BMW M3 (ZA0), as well as a trio of BMW's most exciting M cars of yesteryear in an anechoic chamber, used for recording. The cars in question are the E92 M3 GTS, which boasted a 4.4-liter version of the S65 V8, an E64 M6 with the award-winning S85 V10, and an F82 M4 GTS, which got the S55, a 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six. Related: Here's Everything We Know About The Electric BMW M3 These three cars had microphones fitted to capture the noises of their engines, and BMW intends to use these sounds in the electric M3, blending them with the whir of electric motors to create the aforementioned soundscape. Naturally, we can expect the same sort of treatment for the recently confirmed G84 M4. And that's not the only way M intends to entertain. Electric BMW M3 Will Be a Technological Powerhouse BMW View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article While an electric M3 may grate those who cling to the days when engines had sky-high redlines, turbochargers could be avoided, and cheating on emissions tests was commonplace, the march of progress stops for no automaker, and as EVs slowly begin to find their footing in global markets, BMW cannot afford to be left behind. Thus, the electric M3 will combine these retrofuturistic sound systems with simulated gear shifts, while the ability to decouple the powertrain's front motor pair from that of the rear will sustain the ability to perform lurid drifts. BMW points out that past technological advances were initially criticized but ultimately lauded, and it's right. Not too long ago, the E92 M3 was said to be too luxurious, and the turbos of the F80 were condemned for depriving drivers of linear throttle response. Yet, neither characteristic caused a drop in sales, and through all its evolutions, the M3 has remained the sports sedan benchmark. And if that's still not good enough for you, fret not — the next M3 and M4 will have combustion-powered counterparts, too. View the full article

A $50,000 Market Isn’t Built for EveryoneThe US new-car market just crossed a line few expected: the average price for a new vehicle now sits above $50,000. Ten years ago, that would have sounded impossible. Trucks and SUVs are leading the charge, buyers are picking higher trims, and tech features that used to be optional are now standard. That pricing reality is starting to strain the market. Monthly payments are climbing, loan terms are stretching to 72 or even 84 months, and middle-income buyers are increasingly pushed toward used vehicles or forced to delay purchases altogether. The US government is also now exploring ways to cut costs, including easing emissions regulations that add complexity and expense to modern vehicles. Stellantis is taking a different approach. Instead of following the rest of the industry up the price ladder, the company sees an opportunity to bring buyers back with simpler, more affordable vehicles. Stellantis Filosa Marks a Shift in StrategySpeaking at the Detroit Auto Show, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa made it clear that pricing and product mix are now front and center. In comments to The Detroit News, Filosa said the company is working on “a combination of value proposition with being competitive in the price offer,” adding that the other lever is the lineup itself. Filosa says Stellantis wants to add more models under $40,000, and is even looking at options below $30,000. He pointed to recent Jeep price cuts and new trim levels as the first steps, plus the upcoming Ram Dakota midsize pickup set for next year. That truck matters because Ram dropped the budget-friendly 1500 Classic in 2024, leaving a gap for buyers who want something affordable. Filosa also suggested that earlier plans for low-cost EV-only models are being reconsidered. “Now, multi-energy is more important than mono-energy,” he said, confirming that future affordable vehicles will have a mix of gas, hybrid, and electric powertrains rather than betting solely on EVs. This was also confirmed by a Stellantis spokesperson recently, when the company axed the Jeep 4xes. This is a real change in direction for Stellantis. Not long ago, the company was raising prices and chasing bigger profits. But with US sales down around 3% in 2025, Filosa is now focused on selling more vehicles and rebuilding trust with dealers, suppliers, and unions. How Cheap Is Stellantis Right NowOf note, Stellantis’ most affordable model is the aging 2026 Jeep Compass, which starts at a little over $30,000 with destination. After that, prices climb fast. The Jeep Cherokee starts at about $37,000, and most Dodge and Chrysler models are above $40,000, especially with the Dodge Hornet leaving the lineup this year. That gap between entry-level prices and the market average is what Stellantis says it wants to fix. Not long ago, the company had several models under $30,000, and Filosa’s comments hint at a return to that territory. At this point, it’s still not clear when these cheaper models will actually arrive. For now, Stellantis is talking about affordability more than delivering it. But in a market where $50,000 is the new normal, even the promise of lower-priced vehicles is enough to get noticed. James Riswick View the full article

The reintroduction of the Chevrolet Bolt was a big deal last year, given the popularity of the older model and the lack of attainable EVs. Starting at just $27,600, it’s currently the cheapest new EV you can buy in the country, undercutting the most affordable Nissan Leaf by over $2,000. But the new Bolt won’t be around for long, as GM has already confirmed when the small EV will end production, confirming the manufacturer’s initial statement that this would be a limited-run model. Here’s how long you have left to buy the Bolt. Bolt To Make Way For Gas SUV General Motors Manufactured in Kansas, the Bolt is only expected to stick around until 2028, with a roughly 18-month production run. That’s according to a report from Bloomberg, in which GM said it will convert the Kansas plant to accommodate a gas-powered SUV from Buick. That vehicle is the Envision, which is currently being built in China. Once the Envision moves to the Kansas factory, that’ll be the end of the new Bolt. "When we revealed Bolt in October, we said it'd be a limited-run model, which we are bringing back due to strong customer demand," a Chevrolet spokesperson told Inside EVs. "We also said it would account for the majority of EV volume for Chevrolet in 2026, alongside the Chevrolet Equinox EV. We reiterate that today." Buick sold over 40,000 Envisions in the United States last year. Although that was down by 11%, it’s still a fairly substantial number of SUVs that remain vulnerable to the Trump administration’s tariffs on imported vehicles. Moving production to the U.S. will help Buick navigate this challenge. Related: The Most Expensive 2027 Chevrolet Bolt Costs More Than a Tesla Model Y Other Cheap EVs: Current and Future 2026 Nissan Leaf Cole Attisha View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Once the Bolt disappears (again), the Nissan Leaf will likely be America’s cheapest EV once more. An even more affordable Leaf trim, the Leaf S, is expected to arrive well before the Bolt goes out of production. That model should start at under $27,000; it’ll have 174 horsepower and a smaller 52-kWh battery. Beyond the Leaf, there are precious few affordable EVs on the horizon—and only one with a planned MSRP of below $30,000. Ford’s $30,000 electric pickup is the most significant of these, while Rivian’s retro R3 will arrive in 2027, hopefully with an MSRP of under $40,000. Slate, a new brand that’s building a basic electric pickup, promises a price in the mid-$20,000 range. The Toyota C-HR and Subaru Uncharted are other upcoming electric crossovers, but at around $35k, neither will be as cheap as the Leaf. While the new Bolt’s abbreviated production run is disappointing, the next year and a half should demonstrate consumers’ appetite for low-priced EVs, especially now that the federal tax credit has been scrapped. View the full article

A Short-Lived Entry into a Crowded SegmentThe Dodge Hornet debuted a few years ago as the American brand’s contender in the crowded small SUV market. Under the skin, though, the Hornet shared almost everything with the Alfa Romeo Tonale – same platform, same powertrains, both built in Italy. That close connection ended up hurting the Hornet more than helping it. Last week, Dodge made it official: the Hornet won’t be back for 2026. That wraps up the nameplate after only three years. But the Hornet isn’t gone just yet. Right now, you can still spot new ones sitting on dealer lots, quietly turning into some of the most heavily discounted Dodges you can buy. Stellantis Inventory Units Come With Huge DiscountsA quick search on Cars.com inventory listings shows about 179 new 2025 Dodge Hornets still up for grabs across the country. Most of what’s left are base GT models – around 138 units. There are about 37 R/T plug-in hybrids, but if you’re after a GT Plus or R/T Plus, good luck. Only a handful remain, and they’re basically gone. The real story is in the pricing. The Hornet GT starts at $29,995 before destination, or about $31,600 all-in. But on Cars.com, you’ll find new GTs listed for as little as $23,495, with most sitting between $24,000 and $28,000. That means you’re looking at discounts from $3,500 up to more than $8,000 off sticker price. The R/T plug-in hybrid follows the same trend. Its MSRP is $41,645 before destination, or about $43,200 delivered. Yet most listings land in the mid- to high-$30,000s, with some as low as $37,500. Even the higher trims are seeing $4,000 to $6,000 shaved off the price, which suggests dealers are more eager to clear inventory than to take advantage of any big factory incentives. Why the Hornet Was DiscontinuedThe Hornet’s early exit wasn’t just about slow sales, but that was a big part of it. By late 2024, more than 80 percent of the 2024 Hornet R/Ts were still sitting unsold, which was a red flag long before Dodge pulled the plug. Sales dropped hard last year – just 9,365 units, down 54 percent from the year before. Only 879 sold in the last quarter, an 82 percent plunge. Dodge blamed "shifts in the policy environment," which is code for tariffs hitting Italian-built cars. Add in the slow sales, and the Hornet was an obvious candidate for the chopping block. The good news: Dodge says it will keep supporting current owners. Stellantis View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

This ultra-rare Yamaha YZF-R1 WorldSBK replica costs around $76,000, and only 21 examples exist worldwide. View the full article

Honda’s retro liter bike faces delay as the CB1000 Hornet's piston and oil consumption recall impacts production plans. View the full article

A Gymkhana Star Meets British Ultra-LuxuryAt first glance, Travis Pastrana and Bentley seem like they belong in entirely different automotive universes. Pastrana is synonymous with calculated chaos in gymkhana runs, rally stages, and stunts performed inches from disaster. Bentley, meanwhile, trades in old-world craftsmanship, hand-stitched leather, and refined excess. Yet in Supersports: FULL SEND, the unlikely pairing somehow makes perfect sense. Shot entirely at Bentley’s historic Crewe campus, the film throws Pastrana into the driver’s seat of the new Bentley Supersports and lets him do what he does best: push machinery far beyond expectations. The result is Bentley’s most dynamic film to date, proving that beneath the polished veneer, the brand still has motorsport DNA and a sense of humor about lighting up its own factory grounds with tire smoke. Supersports, Fully UnleashedThe star of the show is Bentley’s new Supersports, a now sold-out, 500-unit model packing 666 PS (650 horsepower) and rear-wheel drive. That combination alone signals a shift in attitude, but seeing the car sustain long slip angles, donuts, and precision drifts is genuinely eye-opening. To make that possible, Bentley engineers subtly modified the car. Pastrana’s model was fitted with a hydraulic handbrake, labeled “Mildred” after the Supersports’ internal project name, and with software tweaks that enabled power braking. Crucially, these mods were integrated cleanly into the car’s systems, preserving the Supersports’ composure while giving Pastrana the tools he needed. It's nimble, fun, and far more capable than expected from a production-based Bentley. Bentley View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article A Rolling Love Letter to Bentley’s Past and FutureBeyond the stunts, FULL SEND doubles as a cinematic tour of Bentley’s heritage and ambitions. Pastrana drifts past icons like the Le Mans–winning Speed 8, Continental GT3 race cars, and pre-war legends led by the priceless 1929 Team Blower. Even the W16-powered Hunaudières concept makes a cameo. The film also hints at what’s next. A camouflaged luxury urban SUV appears mid-run – expected to arrive as the baby Bentley Bentayga – while the final scene gathers every generation of Supersports, spanning a century, outside Bentley’s new paint shop. Production of the new Supersports begins in late 2026, with deliveries in early 2027. Until then, watching Pastrana turn Crewe into “Pymkhana” is a reminder that even the most refined brands can still go full send. Bentley View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article