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Toyota is framing its move to the North American Charging Standard as a full ownership upgrade rather than a simple connector swap. The company says the real work sits behind the port, because drivers only feel the benefit when access, payment, and reliability are handled smoothly across different charging networks. What Changes For Drivers In 2026Toyota says its 2026 battery electric models will come with a factory NACS inlet, starting with the 2026 Toyota bZ and the 2026 Lexus RZ. For earlier models, Toyota says 2023 through 2025 bZ4X and 2023 through 2025 Lexus RZ owners can use a CCS to NACS adapter for DC fast charging. Toyota also says it is including adapters so drivers can use both CCS and NACS fast chargers, while still staying compatible with J1772 for Level 2 charging through a separate adapter, which keeps home and public charging flexible as the market remains mixed. Toyota View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Access And Payment Are The Bigger StoryToyota’s main claim is that NACS migration is about making charging simpler in practice, and that means more than reaching new plugs. The brand says the switch adds access to more than 27,500 Tesla Superchargers in the US, which it describes as more than doubling the number of public DC fast charging locations available to Toyota and Lexus battery electric drivers. Toyota also emphasises app integration, because the Toyota app is meant to show compatible Supercharger sites and manage session start and payment, and Toyota says Plug and Charge support is enabled through a one time enrolment in the app on 2026 models, with Tesla described as the first supported Plug and Charge network and others planned to follow. This focus on how the driver experiences the car fits the company’s broader habit of sweating small details, even when the subject is not charging. Toyota also says it did not want to rely on generic adapters and charging hardware, so it co developed Toyota and Lexus specific parts and created its own durability standards. The company says it tested adapters through extreme temperature exposure, repeated connection cycles, drops while frozen, muddy saltwater exposure, and real world abuse scenarios like cable trips, and it even describes an adapter surviving being run over by a roughly two ton battery electric vehicle. Toyota also highlights a patent pending interlocking mechanism on its CCS to NACS adapter, which is intended to keep the connection secure between the vehicle, adapter, and charger. Where This Fits In Toyota’s Wider LineupToyota’s NACS effort sits alongside a product strategy that still spans multiple buyer types, from mainstream sedans to enthusiast models, and that matters because charging improvements help battery electric owners without changing what most Toyota shoppers are cross shopping day to day, or payment focused decisions around cars like the Toyota GR86. View the full article

With over 2.2 million vehicles sold last year in the United States, a 6% increase, Ford doesn’t immediately seem like a brand in need of new products. Its truck and SUV ranges continue to do the heavy lifting, with strong 2025 sales. But dealers feel that there are at least two key models missing from Ford’s local lineup. Both are at the affordable end of the price spectrum, one being a sedan and one being a smaller SUV. Dealers believe rivals are seeing enough success in these categories to justify alternative offerings from Ford. Related: With the Ford Escape Gone, Dealers Fear Losing Massive Chunk of Customers Cheaper Sedan and SUV Are Needed Ford Although larger SUVs perform well in the United States—the Ford Explorer was the best-selling three-row crossover in America last year—a number of small sedans and SUVs continue to sell in high numbers. This group includes the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Trax, and Subaru Crosstrek. All made the list of the top 20 best-selling models in the U.S. last year, and Ford has nothing to rival them. "As Ford dealers, we know that our truck lineup, our commercial vehicle lineup and our SUV lineup is the envy of the industry," said Steve Blasing, chairman of the Ford National Dealer Council, in an interview with Automotive News. "Everybody would love to have that lineup. But with that said, all the dealers will love to see an affordable SUV and a sedan that competes with the imports. So actually two." Presently, Ford doesn’t have any truly affordable subcompacts on sale. It ended production of the Escape late last year and the EcoSport has been gone for several years, which means its cheapest SUV is now the Bronco Sport with a starting price of $31,845—that’s a lot more than the subcompact Trax and Crosstrek. The automaker has no sedans, either, but Ford CEO Jim Farley said earlier this month that rising car prices mean the brand won’t rule out the return of the three-box body style. The Kia K4 and new Nissan Sentra demonstrate that there’s still very much demand for affordable small sedans. Five Affordable Fords On The Way Ford Late last year, Ford said it was working on launching five affordable models by 2030. One of these will be an electric pickup truck that’s expected to be priced at around the $30,000 mark. The Blue Oval’s new Universal EV platform could spawn other styles of cheaper EVs, too. If five new models are coming, we can safely assume at least two will be SUVs of some kind. But Ford isn’t limiting itself to affordable EVs. The brand also plans to release more hybrids, as it has fallen far behind its Korean and Japanese rivals in this category. It currently has nothing to compete with the likes of the Civic Hybrid or Corolla Cross Hybrid. Related: Ford Updates Plans: 5 New Affordable Vehicles by 2030 The New-Car Affordability Crisis Ford Late last year, the average price of a new car in America again topped the $50,000 mark. Consumers are taking out longer car loans and grappling with higher interest rates, and the dearth of cars below the $25k mark is exacerbating the problem—just recently, the cheapest sedan in America, Nissan’s Versa, was discontinued. Expensive, highly specified pickup trucks continue to sell in large numbers, raising the average price of new cars. But some brands are responding, as Kia launched a new K4 Hatchback that starts at under $25,000. Ford’s brand presence remains strong, and a new sedan and crossover at under $30k could be exactly what it needs to stay relevant for buyers with tiger budgets. View the full article

Brands Are Chasing Visual IdentityLuxury carmakers are leaning harder than ever on design to stand apart. As electric platforms flatten differences in performance and packaging, styling has become a primary marketing weapon. Audi’s new vertical grille, first shown on the Concept C, sits at the center of that strategy. It is bold, upright, and impossible to ignore. Unsurprisingly, it has already become meme fuel, with online comparisons focusing on its narrow proportions and historically loaded facial resemblance to one of history's most well-documented tyrants, Audi would probably rather not see trending. The move marks a decisive break from the wide Singleframe grille that defined Audi for nearly two decades. That design was also mocked when it first appeared, yet it eventually became Audi’s visual calling card. Now the brand is willing to reset its identity again, even if it invites ridicule. In a crowded luxury market, Audi seems to believe recognition matters more than consensus approval. Controversy Is Better Than ApathyAudi design chief Massimo Frascella has made it clear that brand identity is the priority. Speaking to German publication Auto Motor und Sport, Frascella said Audi wants its vehicles recognized as Audi before anything else. “Every car needs its own character,” he explained, adding that this comes from proportions, surface treatment, and especially the face and lighting signature. That thinking helps explain Audi’s willingness to push a polarizing new grille across its lineup. Recognition, not universal approval, is the goal. Frascella has also signaled a broader shift in philosophy inside the cabin. He has openly criticized the industry’s reliance on oversized interior screens, describing them as technology added for its own sake. According to Frascella, large displays can distract from the driving experience rather than enhance it. Future Audis will focus on better balance, cleaner layouts, and more physical controls. Audi Audi Helped Start the Big Grille EraThere is a clear irony in the backlash Audi is facing. The brand helped normalize oversized grilles in the modern luxury era. When Audi introduced the Singleframe grille in the mid-2000s, critics dismissed it as excessive and overly aggressive. Many said it dominated the front end and upset the car’s proportions. Audi stayed the course, and over time the look became accepted, then influential. That influence reshaped the segment. Large grilles became the norm rather than the exception. BMW dramatically expanded its kidney grilles. Lexus committed fully to the spindle design. Other luxury brands followed with increasingly bold front ends to establish instant identity. In key markets like China, as BMW would attest, where visual presence is closely tied to perceived luxury, these designs sell. Audi’s new vertical grille fits directly into that lineage, even if its proportions currently draw sharper jokes than most. If history is any guide, the current backlash may fade, leaving behind a design approach that once again reshapes expectations in the luxury segment. View the full article

The new 2026 Polaris RZR Pro R Ultra Edition introduces the brand's new DYNAMIX DVS suspension setup, which has smart locking and unlocking sway bar link technology for the ultimate RZR model. View the full article

In 2024, Rolls-Royce achieved remarkably strong sales for its first all-electric product, the Spectre, and it made sense for Goodwood to pursue another EV. Sales have fallen sharply since then, with the company's CEO saying customers are more interested in V12-powered products that are heavily personalized. But this downturn isn't stopping the Spirit of Ecstasy from wafting its way down Electric Avenue, and the second, as-yet unnamed EV from Rolls-Royce, an SUV, has been spotted winter testing in Sweden wearing what appear to be near-production body panels and lighting systems. Initially expected to replace the popular Cullinan, our spies now report that this EV will grow the lineup. Older Platform, Newer Batteries for the RR SUV SH Proshots/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The SUV will be underpinned by the Architecture of Luxury platform that is found beneath all existing Rolls-Royce products, from the all-electric Spectre coupe to the V12-powered Phantom sedan. But there will be newness, with parent BMW Group's sixth-generation EV technology said to be integrated, potentially including the motors and batteries used in the impressive new iX3. That could mean up to 600 kilometers of range, or roughly 373 miles, though Rolls-Royce may offer less range since this new SUV will aim to compete with Bentley's upcoming Urban Luxury SUV, designed for well-heeled city dwellers. BMW's essence will find its way to the user experience, too. Our spies are told that several features will be touch-activated, like opening the hood or tailgate, and BMW has previously said its self-branded Neue Klasse vehicles will be capable of operating most functions via touch or voice, so the German automaker's influence in this new Rolls will be strong. Styling: Blending Trends and Tradition SH Proshots/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The overall shape of this prototype closely matches that of the Cullinan, with a long hood, sharp shoulder and roof lines, and upright fascias front and rear. At the back, its taillights are dead ringers for those on the combustion-powered SUV, but the front is most intriguing. This features what appears to be a full-width LED strip within which numerous individual light accents add texture. Unlike a Cullinan, the outer extremities of the lighting design have a curve that looks almost Ford F-150 Lightning-like in these images, with square headlight clusters lower down. Related: BMW Wants to Make Bentley Jealous With Its Next SUV Some of this strange look can be attributed to the camouflage, and we can surely expect an interpretation of the Pantheon grille to help convey the EV's Goodwood origins, but we'll have to wait for the camo to come off before we can be sure how much of a departure this SUV's styling will represent. The Spectre looks very similar to other Rolls-Royce products despite being an EV, but perhaps the company wants to evolve its look further. Hopefully, we'll know more soon, and not just about this SUV — our spies concluded their report by noting that an electric sedan expected to replace the Phantom in 2028 is likely to begin testing in the wild soon. View the full article

The IncidentBack in January, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a report of a Waymo vehicle that struck a child in a school zone. The incident occurred on January 23, 2026, and Waymo sent its required report to NHTSA on January 28, 2026. Parents reading this can breathe a sigh of relief. Considering the nature of the accident, the child, reportedly, sustained minor injuries. No injuries would have been ideal, but this situation could've been much worse. Per the report, "the child ran across the street from behind a double-parked SUV towards the school and was struck by the Waymo AV." Waymo Opening the InvestigationWith that, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) unit will be taking a closer look at the factors that caused the accident. Given that the incident involved a child, it's an extremely serious matter, and the ODI will see if the autonomous system acted and reacted properly at the time of said incident. On top of that, the ODI will investigate the behavior of Waymo's autonomous taxis in school zones and neighboring areas, especially during school pick-up and drop-off times. The Waymo vehicle involved was using the company's 5th Generation Automated Driving System, and there was no safety driver in the taxi. Waymo Bugs and Glitches?With autonomous driving tech still relatively new, there will likely be a few things that still need to be ironed out. Waymo is no exception to that, and there have been a couple of incidents recorded since its operation. There have been reports of fender benders and an instance of cars being confused in certain situations. 3,000 taxis were also recalled after it was found that some of them were failing to stop for school buses. Statistically, these autonomous taxis are safer, but they've been involved in high-profile incidents that blunt their safety record. But accidents such as this should make them even safer down the line, as findings of the investigation should serve as a lesson for all involved in autonomous mobility. It's just fortunate that the outcome in this case didn't end in tragedy. Getty Images View the full article

While Japanese luxury brands like Infiniti struggle to recapture their former glory, due in part to a slow rate of electrification, Lexus soared once again on the sales charts last year. Throughout 2025, Lexus sold 882,231 vehicles globally, a new annual record for the manufacturer. Last year’s sales were up by 4% over 2024, and contributed to the Toyota Group being the world’s best-selling automaker for the sixth consecutive year, with a total of 10.3 million vehicles sold. Once again, North America proved to be the biggest market for Lexus, and all but one major region saw growth for the brand. Related: The Streak Continues: Toyota Is 2025's World’s Best-Selling Automaker Lexus On a Roll Lexus North America led the way for Lexus, with 408,070 vehicles sold in the region in 2025—in the United States alone, 370,260 Lexus models were sold. The other biggest regions for Lexus were Asia (237,946 sales), Japan (87,418), and Europe (80,686). All markets grew besides Europe, where sales declined by 2.3% relative to 2024. Lexus attributed strong sales in North America to SUVs like the RX, NX, and TX. The former two have been around for a few years now, but continue to thrive, while the TX finally gave Lexus a strong three-row crossover contender. In the U.S., sales of the TX increased by over 100% in 2025, with 57,346 units sold. The tough GX also saw growth of over 20% here. Strong SUV sales helped account for declining sedan sales, as Lexus sedans were down 6% in the U.S. in 2025. However, the all-new Lexus ES should change this. Set to go on sale in March 2026, it will be available with both hybrid and fully electric powertrains. Related: First Look at the 2026 Lexus ES With Sleeker Design and Hybrid, EV Powertrains How Do Lexus Sales Compare To The Germans? 2026 BMW X3 BMW View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article While Lexus is popular in North America, it doesn’t have the same level of global appeal as its German rivals. Excluding Mini and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group sold 2,169,761 vehicles in 2025, more than double what Lexus managed. However, this was a 1.4% decline, so the two brands were a little closer last year than in 2024. The Mercedes-Benz Group, meanwhile, sold 2,160,000 cars and vans in 2025. However, a more accurate figure for comparison is the number of Mercedes cars sold, which totaled 1,800,800 units (-9%), still well clear of Lexus. Finally, Audi delivered 1.6 million vehicles globally, a decline of 3% but still ahead of Lexus. Lexus may not have the global numbers of these brands, but it was the only one to see sales growth last year. Related: BMW Had a Great 2025 by Breaking Yet Another US Sales Record What’s Next For Lexus? Lexus Besides the arrival of the important ES, which will be available as an EV for the first time, Lexus is also working on creating more exciting EVs. The new RZ 600 e F Sport Performance is a sporty, 420-horsepower SUV, and the kind of vehicle that could significantly boost the perception of the brand’s EVs in North America. The LFA Concept revealed late last year also points to a new production flagship for Lexus, above the beautiful but dated LC. As with the RZ 600 e F Sport Performance, this is another chance for Lexus to cater to a more enthusiast-minded clientele. The 2026 model year marks the last for the LS sedan, which means the LX SUV takes over as the exclusive flagship for Lexus in the United States. With its core SUV lineup providing a strong foundation, Lexus has the freedom to explore more high-performance models in niches it hasn’t explored in years, while continuing to electrify its lineup. View the full article

Joel Wensley Jr. was 14 when he began going to the track with his father, Joel Sr., to help his uncle, Bill Stetz, campaign his drag bike. He was enthralled by the entire experience, from the revving engines to the racing excitement, and he was immediately inspired to immerse himself in the magnetizing world of motorsports. Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #197, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November/December 2025. He was given the opportunity to dive in deeper when his father began racing a 1968 Camaro in Outlaw 10.5 followed by a 2014 Camaro in Pro Mod. When Wensley Jr. turned 16 in 2013, he purchased a 1985 S10 with a 406-cubic-inch small-block Chevrolet engine and started racing in bracket categories at Darana Dragway, formerly Milan Dragway, in Michigan. “I won my first race on my first weekend out,” says Wensley, of Dearborn, Michigan. “I did well in the S10, but we sold it in 2016 to start building the 2014 Camaro I have now as a scrap titled car because I wanted to be able to race at the same races as my father. I also wanted to go faster and experience an even bigger adrenaline rush.” Wensley and some of his friends removed from the car unneeded components and took the car to Team Z Motorsports in Taylor, Michigan, where Dave Zimmerman and his team built the complete chassis. “When Team Z Motorsports was done with the chassis and all of the fabricating work, we installed the 4.8 Hemi engine and twin Bullseye turbos, and we did the wiring and plumbing,” says Wensley. “We also installed a Liberty’s Gears 5-speed. The car was completed in 2019, and we debuted it at a heads-up race at Darana Dragway, where I entered Outlaw 10.5. “I left the gas cap off, got gas under the tires during the Thursday test session, and stuffed the car into the wall,” he continues. “It was mostly cosmetic, but I was shaken up because I had poured my heart and soul into the car. I had just about everyone in Outlaw 10.5 helping me put the car back together so I could make qualifying, including Tim Essick and Jerry Morgano, whose daughter, Amanda Morgano, is now my fiancée.” After all of the on-site repairs, Wensley was able to get some laps under his belt in his new car that weekend before moving on to Pro 275 at various tracks, and ultimately, PDRA Liberty’s Gears Pro Street presented by Menscer Motorsports, with a new 4.9 Hemi and ProCharger supercharger for power. “My first exposure to Pro Street was three years ago, and I immediately loved the organization and the people within the organization,” says Wensley. “I also felt at home in Pro Street, and that first year, we finished sixth in points. Then last year, we finished fourth in points and in 2025, we finished 12th in points, which was not as well as I would have liked, because we were trying some new things to go faster and keep up with the class.” Wensley is preparing to step into the role of CEO of Mechanical Heating and Cooling, as his father recently retired from the successful family business. On the track, he has his sights set on a win, and he is taking things one step at a time to get there.“I feel like I did pretty well in bracket racing, and I have come so close to winning in Pro Street, but the stars have just not aligned yet and I am so motivated to make that happen that I can taste it,” says Wensley, who has steady support at the races from his father, brother-in-law Josh Shellman, and other family members and friends. “I just have to keep at it, but it definitely helps to feel so at home in Pro Street, and there is not a better group of guys to race with. Each would take the shirt off of their back to help the other without thinking twice, and that means I am in a really good place.” The post DI 30 Under 30 2025: Joel Wensley Jr. first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

A wearable motorcycle riding jacket for people who prefer function, restraint, and a bit of anonymity, the Peregrine Bexley is just that.View the full article

From middleweight adventure bikes to urban scooters, the latest updates from Piaggio's brands focus on refinement, electronics, and rider experience.View the full article

Heads of State, Your Ride is HereFor decades, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has long been associated with being a car for heads of state, movers and shakers aside, of course. Granted, SUVs have also crept into that space, but you're guaranteed to still see a couple of S-Class in presidential fleets in some countries. The company is well aware of that, hence the S-Class Guard models. With the launch of the heavily updated S-Class, it's inevitable that there will be a Guard version. We just weren't expecting it to debut at the same time as the standard models. So, presidents, prime ministers, royalty, and plutocrats, say hello to the new S680 Guard. Mercedes-Benz Defense is its Best OffenseWe'll go right to the main highlight of the S680 Guard, and that's its armoring. Mercedes-Benz claims it's the only vehicle of its type to come out of the factory with the highest civilian protection level of VR10. That means it's designed to withstand armor-piercing and incendiary rounds, as well as high-caliber bullets such as a 30-06, and to some extent, .50 caliber rounds. Not only that, but VR10-rated vehicles can also survive blasts from grenades. Of course, Mercedes-Benz didn't mention how it armored the S680. It's fair to say that there are layers upon layers of ballistic panels, drums' worth of Kevlar, and glass thick enough to plink off small bullets like they were BB rounds. The company calls the collective protective measures its Integrated Protection System. Mercedes-Benz Options to ConsiderIf that's still not sufficient protection, one can install a fire-suppression system in the S680 Guard. There's also an emergency fresh air system to keep the vehicle's occupants unharmed in case of a chemical attack. One can also add a PA system, servo-assisted front and rear doors (we think it's worth ticking that option), and something called a Threat Alarm System. S680 Guards are also tailor-made to suit the exact needs of their users. Lights and sirens can be added, as well as document storage compartments and flag holders, to name a few. The Guard team that will build the car will be in close communication with the customer throughout the whole assembly of the vehicle. Mercedes-Benz What Else Does It Have?It's still an S-Class, albeit a heavily armored one. That means it still has all the luxury trappings one expects from a plutocrat sedan. There are acres of leather, wood, and high-end materials in there, along with other tech features already seen in the standard S-Class. Mercedes-Benz is rather proud of the fact that it comes with the MBUX rear seat entertainment system that includes a teleconferencing function, likely for world leaders to touch base. With all that weight piled on by the necessary protection enhancements, it'll need an engine to move all that mass. The S680 Guard gets the biturbo 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 604 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque. That power is then coursed to all four wheels via 4Matic all-wheel drive. Don't expect it to be a rocketship, though, but it should be enough to get out of its own way and, more importantly, out of danger. The price? It wasn't disclosed yet, but it'll surely be more than a Mercedes-Maybach S680. Based on the starting price of the pre-facelift S680 Guard, we're looking at about €450,000 €550,000 sans other upgrades. Still, at least this model showed us what a non-AMG Line S-Class looks like, and we have to say it still looks pretty neat. Mercedes-Benz View the full article

Limited Drag Radial, aka LDR, is one of the best door car classes in drag radial racing. With a maximum tire size of 295/65/15 they look like a normal car and are identifiable. In fact, the rules are very particular on the body of these cars, requiring stock quarter panels, all factory body lines, and more. Composite panels are allowed for some of the body parts, but they must have the stock shape and size for the body being used. They can’t have wheelie bars, must use stock front frame rails, and are required to stay with stock wheelbase, +/- 1 inch. Competitors are allowed a variety of engine combos, with the power adders of their choice, and all engine and power adder combos have minimum weights in the rules. This class has been around for a long time, and the rules are very well scienced out. In the video below you’ll see some LDR racing action from the US Street Nationals at Bradenton Motorsports Park, along with some of the resulting carnage. Ouch. The post LDR Madness at the US Street Nationals! Check Out The Carnage and Racing Right Here! Limited Drag Radial Racing Action. appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Rivian patents a telemetry-based virtual off-road coach that could change how trucks, ATVs, and UTVs tackle trails. View the full article

Nissan Entered the Year with High ExpectationsNissan began 2026 expecting a rebound. After a turbulent 2025, management aimed to stabilize performance and rebuild momentum. A central part of that narrative was the decision to sell the Yokohama headquarters in a sale-and-leaseback transaction worth about $610 million. It also cut seven plants and about 20,000 jobs to reduce costs and bolster its coffers. The company presented the move as a way to strengthen its balance sheet while continuing to invest in future technologies and product development. Investors and analysts initially saw the sale as pragmatic. Nissan needed liquidity after reporting significant operating losses and declining global unit sales. The cash from the asset sale was meant to support restructuring and future growth initiatives. Yet the deal also sent an unintended signal: Nissan’s need to monetize core assets pointed to deeper issues rather than confidence in a strong market rebound. Cole Attisha New Products Arrive, But Demand Is Weak in JapanNissan’s product slate in Japan was expected to drive renewed demand. The redesigned Leaf EV entered the market with a longer range and a new body style. The Ariya crossover was updated. The X-Trail e-POWER underwent a refresh, and the Skyline sedan received revisions. Dealers were counted on to convert interest into orders and help restart Nissan’s volume growth. Instead, early order data in Japan tells a starkly different story. According to a report by the Japanese publication Creative Trend, the updated Ariya registered zero confirmed orders at launch. Dealers cited weak customer interest and pricing that made sales difficult. The redesigned Leaf has offered some orders but not at the pace Nissan hoped for, with buyers often waiting for lower-priced trims. Even the Skyline shows little traction in a market shifting away from sedans. This underwhelming intake is a disappointment given the importance of Japan to Nissan’s brand and wholesale volumes. Top Gear Rivals Are Making Gains While Nissan StumblesAs Nissan struggles to turn its product momentum into sales, competitors are capitalizing. According to Nikkei Asia, Toyota recently overtook Nissan in quarterly EV sales in Japan for the first time. Toyota’s efforts with models such as the bZ4X and other electrified vehicles have resonated with buyers, eroding Nissan’s long-held advantage in EV leadership. Toyota’s ascent in EV sales adds to the pressure on Nissan. It once dominated Japan’s plug-in market with the Leaf. Losing that top spot reflects not just one quarter’s performance but a broader challenge the automaker now faces in aligning product appeal, pricing, and marketing execution. Nissan still has strong global name recognition and a loyal customer base, but its competitors are moving quickly. Unless it accelerates changes to pricing, incentives, and product relevance, its weak start to the year risks defining its performance for 2026. Nissan View the full article

We shared some of Shannon Campbell’s history at King of the Hammers the other day, and you can use the link below to check that out, but here are Shannon’s Daily Updates from the Lakebed at King of the Hammers 2026. He and Jess are putting out daily videos, so make sure you check back each day to see just what’s going on. We’ll be sharing the King of the Hammers livestream as well, so if you are in the mood for amazing desert racing, rocks, and more, you are going to love King of the Hammers. CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME OF SHANNON’S HISTORY AT KING OF THE HAMMERS Check it out. The newest video is on top, oldest at the bottom. Video Description: Day 2 at King of the Hammers is in full swing! We kick off the day on the lakebed with some important shock tuning, dialing things in and making sure everything feels right as race week continues to ramp up. Once the work is done, it’s time to slow things down and enjoy what King of the Hammers is really about—good food, great friends, and lakebed nights done right. Jess takes care of taco night (because priorities ), friends swing by The Coop, and we hang out around the fire pit soaking in another unforgettable evening in Hammertown. This is life on the lakebed—work hard, eat well, and enjoy the people around you. Video Description: Day 1 at King of the Hammers is officially underway! This video kicks off our daily King of the Hammers series as we wrap up the final last-minute shop prep before heading out to Hammertown. Once we hit the road, it’s all about getting settled on the lakebed—setting up camp, unloading the trailer, and turning our setup into the Mobile Coop that we’ll be calling home for the next two weeks. Living on the lakebed means comfort matters, and we’re getting everything dialed in so we can focus on race week, friends, and the incredible KOH atmosphere. The day wraps up the best way possible—with friends stopping by, laughs all around, and soaking in the start of another unforgettable King of the Hammers adventure. The post Shannon Campbell’s King of the Hammers Daily Adventures 2026: Watch All Of Shannon’s King of the Hammers 2026 Videos Right Here! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

The guys at the UK's premiere supercharging moto candy factory TTS Performance are at it again, and this GSX1400 has been bulking up.View the full article

New developments in the car world are always closely guarded secrets, but in a world where a social media presence is essential to the sustained growth of a brand, mistakes are made relatively frequently. Presumably meant to be published later in the year, a now-revised post on LinkedIn appears to have accidentally leaked the news that the all-new Audi RS 5 will debut this year with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, as first reported by Motor1. The same post also revealed that the Ingolstadt-based brand will unveil a new "entry" EV sometime before 2026 comes to a close. All mention of either of these vehicles has since been removed from Audi's social media, but the announcements will likely be remade not too long from now. What to Expect from the New RS 5 Audi The post on LinkedIn read as follows: "The new Audi RS 5 is also nearing its debut and will be our first performance plug-in hybrid. Furthermore, we will unveil a new electric entry model. Stay tuned to our channels so you don't miss any news." This doesn't tell us very much, but we already know a few things, including that this new RS 5 won't be offered in coupe format. It will likely be available in both Sportback (sedan-aping hatchback) and Avant (station wagon) forms, though America will almost certainly miss out on the latter unless there is immense demand. Both variants are expected to feature the B9 generation's 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6, and combined with an electric motor, more than 600 horsepower is possible. Related: First-Ever Hybrid BMW M3 Spied With Big Bulges Spy shots reveal that the RS 5 Sportback will have vents behind the front wheels like the most recent RS 3, as well as a small wing on the edge of its tailgate. At the front, a large Singleframe grille with diamond-shaped mesh will be flanked by a pair of upright grilles for cooling the brakes, among other components. Flush door handles are also evident, as we can see in the video below, and large, oval tailpipes in a pronounced diffuser will help identify the M3 competitor, as will blistered rear fenders. An Affordable Audi EV?As for the other part of the announcement, little is known, but it seems that Audi was hinting at something that will slot in below the Q4 e-tron, its current smallest EV. Roughly two years ago, Audi mentioned that a new Q2 would arrive in 2027, and Audi's announcement blunder comes at the right point for that timeline target to be achieved. A version of the Volkswagen Group's MEB platform makes the most sense for this new entry-level EV. This architecture already underpins the Q4 e-tron, while the MEB+ platform will find a home beneath the hotly anticipated Volkswagen ID. Polo. Thus, one can't help but think that this new EV might even be a new take on the Audi A1. Either way, a small, relatively attainable Audi e-tron EV is unlikely to reach U.S. shores, but we'll have to wait for an official announcement (that Audi doesn't subsequently delete) to know more. Volkswagen View the full article

Hyundai’s experiment with a compact lifestyle pickup appears to be heading for an earlier-than-expected conclusion. The Santa Cruz, launched to tap into demand for smaller, more city-friendly trucks, is now reportedly set to exit production sooner than originally planned as sales continue to trail expectations. While the model helped Hyundai break into the pickup segment, the Korean automaker is already shifting its focus toward something bigger and far more traditional. Santa Cruz Set for an Early Exit Hyundai According to Automotive News, Hyundai is preparing to discontinue the Santa Cruz ahead of its originally planned second-quarter 2027 end date. Although Hyundai has publicly maintained that the model’s “life-cycle plans remain unchanged,” the report suggests internal timelines are being accelerated due to weak demand and elevated inventory levels. The Santa Cruz arrived for the 2022 model year alongside the Ford Maverick, with both targeting buyers who wanted pickup utility without the bulk of a mid-size truck. Early momentum suggested promise, but the gap between the two quickly became impossible to ignore. Hyundai sold 32,033 Santa Cruz units in 2025, while Fordmoved 155,051 Mavericks during the same period – about 5 times more than the Hyundai pickup. The sales flop becomes even more apparent when you consider this is Hyundai's fifth consecutive year of record sales, proving just how isolated the Santa Cruz’s struggles have been. Hyundai's Glass Half-Full Outlook Hyundai In a statement provided to Motor1, Hyundai stopped short of directly addressing the Santa Cruz’s reported early exit, instead pointing to broader planning considerations. The company said its product decisions are “guided by many factors, including consumer demand and overall market trends”, adding that it does not comment on future product speculation. Hyundai also framed the Santa Cruz as a learning exercise, noting that the model helped the brand gain valuable experience in the open-bed segment. That experience appears especially important as the pickup market becomes more competitive. Established players are not standing still, with General Motors preparing to launch all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models this year, including updated V8 engines and new hybrid options. While some may argue that the Santa Cruz’s underwhelming performance was the result of a subpar product, the fiercely competitive segment it fought in didn't make it an easy battle either. A Bigger Pickup Is On The Way Hyundai While the Santa Cruz looks set to bow out early, Hyundai is not abandoning pickups altogether. The automaker has already confirmed plans for a mid-size, body-on-frame truck that will take aim at stalwarts like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger, and should arrive before 2030. But that's not all. Hyundai also wants to use that platform to build a new SUV that will take aim at the Toyota 4Runner. While all of this sounds promising, Hyundai will face an uphill battle to deal with new US tariffs on South Korean imports. Looking at the bigger picture, it seems as if the Santa Cruz is merely a stepping stone for Hyundai. The Santa Cruz may be leaving earlier than planned, but it appears to have laid the groundwork for two of Hyundai’s most promising family vehicles yet. View the full article

Meet the Micrabusa, the unholy custom spawn of a Suzuki Hayabusa and a second-gen Nissan Micra hatchback, and it's a treat to see come to life.View the full article

Steve Pearce, President Trump's nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management, has a horrendous record of advocating for public land sell-offs. And his appointment would mean the death sentence to your public land trails. View the full article

With a new year, automakers often like to offer new paint colors, and for the 2027 Chevrolet Corvette, there will reportedly be two. The HorsePower Obsessed YouTube channel recently revealed that a leak from GM's ordering system shows two new codes: GEC and GTR. The former refers to a brand-new color called Pitch Metallic, which sounds like a grey or black hue, while the latter is listed as Opulent Blue Metallic. This one is of particular interest. If neither description is familiar, it's because these are internal names, but you may know the latter as Admiral Blue, a color we've previously seen on a variant that hasn't made its way to the C8 Corvette, the Grand Sport. At least, not yet. Admiral Blue Could Be More Confirmation of a C8 Grand Sport Chevrolet Admiral Blue was previously applied to the C7 Corvette Grand Sport, and the C4 Grand Sport before that. Therefore, the reappearance of this color seems to be yet another sign pointing to the return of the Grand Sport nameplate, after an audio clip last month was said to tease the sound of its engine and a separate GM Parts Book leak seemingly confirmed a new LS6 V8 engine with both direct and port injection, dual overhead cams, and a monstrous 6.7-liter capacity. Of course, it's entirely possible that GM could offer Admiral Blue on the Stingray, or the Z06, or even the ZR1 twins, but that would be like finishing a Mustang in Dark Highland Green paint and not calling it "Bullitt." As advanced as the C8 Corvette is, nostalgia is important, too. And as pointed out by Corvette Blogger, another RPO code uncovered at the end of December applied to the Z15 Grand Sport Heritage Package. Related: Chevy Is Letting Buyers Build Corvette Engines Again, But Only for Top Trims This was previously offered with the 2017 C7 Corvette, adding fender hash mark graphics and center stripes. Put all these facets together, and a C8 Grand Sport is all but confirmed. As for the other new color, Pitch Metallic, the only thing we can be certain of is that it will vary from the one-off Dark Satin Steel ZR1X that recently sold for $2.6 million. In with the New, Out with the Old Chevrolet Chevy has given with one hand and taken away with the other, as these new colors won't add to the overall count of colors for the Corvette. Riptide Blue, a lighter hue, is leaving this year, as is the attention-grabbing Hysteria Purple. For the record, the 2026 Corvette's other available colors are Arctic White, Black, Torch Red, Blade Silver Metallic, Roswell Green Metallic ($500), Competition Yellow Tintcoat Metallic ($995), Sebring Orange Tintcoat ($995), and Red Mist Metallic Tintcoat ($995). View the full article

From a massive six-figure recall on the Hyundai Palisade, to Trump's plan to lure Mercedes-Benz from Europe, to the end of two Tesla EVs, 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. Hyundai recalls 570,000 Palisade SUVs Hyundai USA News Room Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 568,576 Hyundai SUVs have a problem with their third-row side curtain airbags, which may deploy improperly. The issue means Hyundai is forced to issue a recall over the malfunction, which puts the Palisade SUV in violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for occupant ejection mitigation. Curtain airbags help control debris and mitigate the risk of an occupant being thrown from the vehicle in a crash. To read more on the issue, check out our full coverage below. Read More: Almost 570,000 Hyundai Palisades Recalled Over Third-Row Airbag Failure Dead: Tesla Model X and S Tesla View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Tesla's game-changing Model S and its SUV counterpart, the Model X, are dead. The Model S catapulted EVs into the mainstream public consciousness back in 2012 and inarguably set the standard for what people expected from EVs for years to come. Other automakers spent billions trying to catch up to, and in some cases surpass, what Tesla had done. Now, the two are dead. Tesla made the announcement to shareholders before the end of the year. To read more on the abrupt cancellation, follow our coverage below. Read More: DEAD: Tesla Is Killing Off the Model S and Model X GM loses money by cancelling its EVs GM General Motors insists it still believes in an electric future, but its latest letter to shareholders tells a different story. After publishing its full-year results, the automaker confirmed it will significantly cut EV production in 2026, despite electric vehicles bringing nearly 100,000 new customers to the brand last year. They blame their losses on an abundant amount of “EV-related charges”, but most of them were self-inflicted. To read more on GM's future EV plans (or lack thereof), read on below. Read More: GM’s EV Losses Weren’t From Making Cars—They Were From Canceling Them Trump attempted to lure Mercedes out of Germany Chase Bierenkoven Mercedes-Benz Group AG CEO Ola Källenius confirmed that the Trump administration attempted to persuade the automaker to move its global headquarters from Germany to the United States. In an interview with German outlet The Pioneer, Källenius said the proposal came about a year ago through US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The offer included tax relief and other incentives intended to relocate the company’s executive base out of Stuttgart. To read more on Mercedes' big fat "no," click the link below. Read More: Trump Tried to Lure Mercedes Out of Germany—CEO Flatly Said No View the full article

Buddy Hull is ready to focus his endless energy on team ownership. Hull talks about his new role as Funny Car team owner and driver.View the full article

Durability & Performance Without Complicating Your Suspension Setup In this review, I will be covering the main reasons why JBA Standard Upper Control Arms (UCAs) are ideal for daily driven... The post 6 Reasons JBA Standard UCAs Make Sense For Daily-Driven 4Runners appeared first on Trail4R.com - 5th Gen 4Runner Mods. View the full article

Ramdiscontinued the ProMaster City in 2022, leaving a noticeable gap in its commercial lineup. Since then, big trucks like the Ram 1500 have been their bread and butter, while the idea of a compact Ram work van lingered as a "what if". After hinting at the return of a passenger van last year, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis has confirmed the ProMaster City will return. Kuniskis Let The Cat Out Of The Bag Stellantis During an exclusive interview with Mopar Insiders at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show, Kuniskis outlined Ram’s renewed commitment to commercial vehicles. With increased light-duty truck production capacity and greater flexibility in powertrain supply, Ram is once again expanding its focus beyond pickups. “And one of the things we’re going to do is ProMaster City,” Kuniskis said. “I don’t know if we said it publicly, but yeah, we’re bringing back ProMaster City.” Kuniskis never mentioned when it'll return, but the ProMaster City is officially part of Ram’s exciting future plans, which include the return of the HEMI V8 and a rival to the Ford Maverick. Does an EV ProMaster City Make Sense? Seyth Miersma Yes and no. EV demand in the US is declining fast. So much so that Stellantis killed off the all-electric Ram 1500 due to a lack of interest. With that in mind, an all-electric compact van doesn't make sense. But a gasoline, hybrid, or even an EREV does, especially considering the range anxiety many small business owners and delivery drivers will face everyday. So, if you want the efficiency of electrification, without the limited range, an EREV ProMaster City hits the sweet spot. However, this is all speculation. Ram is yet to confirm what powertrain the upcoming Promaster City will utilize. A Gap In The Market Seyth Miersma The compact van space remains underserved. Full-size vans like the Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and Ram ProMaster are often overkill, and the Transit Connect has exited the market, making the need for a compact van even greater. The ProMaster City doesn't even need to dominate; it just needs to exist. Its return fits alongside a three-row Ram SUV due in 2028 and makes Ram's future strategy clear: Balance innovation with demand. Timing remains the final piece of the puzzle. View the full article