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Lambretta Monotubo Ferdinando Innocenti commissioned aeronautical engineer Corradino D’Ascanio to design a cheap and clean two-wheeled vehicle to provide post-war transport for the domestic Italian market. Carradino devised a stamped steel spar-framed machine that possibly took inspiration from the Cushman scooters used by American troops during the war. Integrated leg shields, an open centre section […] The post “Like racing a demented ball bearing” – Lambretta Monotubo appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Marc Alexander appointed CEO of Savic Motorcycles Savic Motorcycles has announced the appointment of Marc Alexander as Chief Executive Officer, with founder Dennis Savic remaining involved in the business as a member of the Board of Directors. The Melbourne-based electric motorcycle manufacturer confirmed the leadership change following the completion of a $2 million strategic funding […] The post Marc Alexander appointed CEO of Savic Motorcycles as company secures $2m funding appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Ixon Arma Jacket Summer riding should feel like freedom, not a furnace. That’s why the Ixon Arma Jacket is your ultimate warm-weather companion – blending cutting-edge protection with breezy comfort and sleek roadster style. Designed for riders who refuse to compromise, the Arma is ultra-lightweight and built from four-way stretch mesh, delivering unbeatable ventilation on […] The post Stay cool and protected with the Ixon Arma Jacket appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Move comes as Wagener stretches the German automaker’s design languageAfter nearly three decades shaping the look and identity of Mercedes-Benz, Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener is stepping aside, closing a chapter that helped redefine one of the world’s most storied automakers. Wagener will step down from the role on Jan. 31, 2026, a move the company described in a press release as being made at his own request and by mutual agreement. "Over many years, he has made a decisive contribution ensuring that our innovative products are synonymous with unique aesthetics worldwide," said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, in a press statement. "His creativity and his sense for the future of automotive design have sustainably enriched Mercedes-Benz." The executive, 56, joined Mercedes in 1997 and has overseen the company’s global design operations since 2008 at the age of 39, becoming the youngest design chief in the industry. His tenure saw him undertake a sweeping transformation of the brand’s visual identity, which he named Sensual Purity. Wagener will be succeeded by Bastian Baudy, who currently leads design for Mercedes’ high-performance AMG division, according to the company. Wagener’s tenureWagener, who spent 28 years at the company and rose to become its design chief, was more than a stylist. He was a strategic force at a moment when design became a competitive weapon, influencing everything from brand perception to pricing power. His departure raises a familiar question in corporate succession: what happens when a company loses not just an executive, but a point of view? When Wagener took over Mercedes-Benz design, they were grappling with reconciling the company’s storied engineering heritage and contemporary design expectations. His predecessor, Peter Pfeiffer, had favored a traditional, technically-driven aesthetic, which led to questions about the brand’s resonance with younger, design-conscious buyers. Wagener’s finest design is widely seen as the AMG GT, which he himself describes as his most enduring work. His expressive Mercedes-Benz concept cars, culminating in the Vision Iconic, preview a design language that will be used on forthcoming 2026 and 2027 models. Whether that aesthetic direction remains intact, or is reworked, will be an early test for Mr. Baudy and a closely watched signal of how much strategic continuity the company is willing to risk. Design overreach?Wagener’s departure follows roughly five years of sustained criticism over the design and market reception of the Mercedes-Benz EQ lineup, a period during which the company struggled to translate its electrification strategy into broad consumer appeal. More recently, concerns have intensified among analysts and dealers over the brand’s pivot toward fashion-forward, high-gloss luxury aesthetics, most notably embodied in the Mercedes-Benz CLA Concept and the Mercedes-Maybach SL 680, a shift some investors view as diluting Mercedes-Benz’s core design identity at a time of heightened competitive pressure and uneven demand. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz Style became a platform for expanding the brand into helicopters, luxury yachts, furniture, and high-end residential projects in Dubai, Miami, and other markets. While the initiative reinforced the company’s ambition to position Mercedes-Benz as a luxury lifestyle brand, it led to questions over whether these design efforts distracted from core automotive priorities. Wagener also oversaw a sweeping, centralized redesign of customer-facing touchpoints, from trade show presentations and corporate identity to showrooms and brand centers, consolidating creative control. Final thoughtsMercedes-Benz has experienced a wave of management turnover over the past six months, as several senior members of its Board of Management retired. The company is also part of a broader industry trend in which automakers reassess ambitious design strategies that some stakeholders insist have tested brand boundaries. Mr. Wagener’s departure places him alongside figures such as Gerry McGovern, who left JaguarLand Rover earlier this year amid reported concerns that design experimentation had outpaced consumer acceptance, although JLR has cited unrelated sexual harassment allegations as the official reason. Jaguar via Top Gear The reshuffling is not limited to Europe’s luxury brands. In the United States, Todd Willing assumed the role of Ford Motor Company’s design chief in August 2024, while Bryan Nesbitt took over as head of GM Global Design on July 1, 2025, following the retirement of Michael Simcoe after a 42-year stint. Collectively, these moves underscore a strategic recalibration across the industry, as companies weigh the tension among innovation, brand identity, and the risk of overreach in an increasingly unforgiving market. View the full article

FTI has a new 10R80 torque converter for Coyote applications. This weld together torque converter is made for big horsepower. View the full article

Lucid has launched its first factory-backed used-car program, and the pricing on its own site says as much about EV depreciation as it does about warranties and inspections. The scheme, called Lucid Recharged, wraps certified pre-owned treatment around the Air sedan (and eventually the Gravity SUV), but the real story is how sharply nearly new cars are being discounted compared with their original sticker prices. For a brand recently named the best luxury EV brand for 2025, the numbers are blunt. How Lucid Recharged WorksLucid Recharged is structured like a modern luxury CPO program. Eligible cars must be single-owner examples with fewer than 62,000 miles. They go through a 160-plus-point inspection that covers cosmetic condition, suspension and brakes, high-voltage hardware, charging equipment, and software. Any issues are addressed with Lucid-approved parts before the car is listed. Each Recharged car keeps whatever is left of the original 4-year/50,000-mile new-vehicle warranty and gains an additional 12-month/12,000-mile limited warranty on top, along with roadside assistance for the full covered period. Lucid also includes a clean-title check, a history report, and the inspection summary to show what was fixed or replaced. On some cars, buyers can even add DreamDrive Pro driver-assistance hardware and features as part of the process, which lets a used Air pick up tech that may have been optional when it was new. The Big Drops in Year OneThe headline is in the pricing, as Lucid’s Recharged inventory shows nearly new Airs listed at tens of thousands of dollars below their original MSRP. A 2023 Air Pure with around 20,000 miles can appear in the mid-$40,000 range, against a new Air Pure that starts just under $71,000. A 2024 Air Touring with similar mileage may sit in the high $50,000s versus a current new price close to $80,000. In both cases, roughly 30 percent of the value disappears in about one or two years, and higher trims that started north of six figures can fall even harder. That matches what shoppers already see in the broader used market, where two- or three-year-old Lucid Airs sometimes trade for around half of their original MSRP. It also sits against a backdrop where expensive repairs can be part of the ownership discussion. Lucid Motors Turning the Depreciation Into a PitchLucid Recharged tries to turn those realities into an argument for being the second owner instead of the first. From a buyer’s point of view, you get a heavily discounted Air that has already taken its biggest depreciation hit, plus extra factory-backed warranty coverage and a documented inspection. That makes the car easier to justify next to more established luxury options, and next to large electric SUVs that target similar customers. For Lucid, the program does double duty. It creates a controlled channel for pre-owned cars that might otherwise filter through auction lanes and independent dealers at fire-sale prices, and it generates additional revenue from vehicles the company has already built. At the same time, it is an implicit acknowledgment that early adopters who paid full MSRP have absorbed very heavy losses in a short period. View the full article

Buying one of Cadillac’s $400,000 Celestiq ultra-luxury EVs is no easy task. Firstly, there’s the not-so-small matter of being able to afford one. From there, you’ll need to submit a special purchase inquiry so you may be confirmed as an eligible customer. After that, there’s the long wait for the handcrafted car, which is built at a glacial rate of only two units per day. But one of the first known Celestiqs has become available for public sale via a California dealership. Loaded with options, this bespoke model could be the quickest way to get your hands on this opulent EV. Related: 2026 Cadillac Celestiq Now Costs More Than Rolls-Royce Spectre Low Miles, Sky-High Price 2025 Cadillac Celestiq Cadillac of Beverly Hills View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article This 2025 Cadillac Celestiq has covered just three miles, so it’s essentially brand new. This one is listed for a jaw-dropping $418,575 by Cadillac of Beverly Hills, making it one of the most expensive cars in the world. This one has the following optional equipment: $15,900 Abalone White Tricoat paint$8,000 matte finish$8,910 bespoke interior$4,000 Uranus recycled paper wood ornamental finish$1,525 Cadillac Crest headstone ornament 2025 Cadillac Celestiq Cadillac of Beverly Hills View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article The white paint does nothing to mask the massive size of the Celestiq, which stretches 217.2 inches in length. It’s 81.9 inches wide (not including the mirrors) but sits at a relatively low height of 57.2 inches. This one is so new that its floor mats still have their plastic covers, and it's likely that the owner purchased this Celestiq before its 2026 price hike. Originally, the car started at around $340,000. With $38,335 in options, this one's value when new would have been around $378,335, so the seller stands to make a significant profit if it sells at the current listed price. Related: Americans Are Now Paying More for Cadillacs Than BMWs and Mercedes A True Rolls-Royce Rival Cadillac Besides the exquisite craftsmanship in every Celestiq, a car that costs more than a Rolls-Royce Spectre has to do more than pamper occupants. It does just that, with the dual electric motors producing 655 horsepower and 646 lb-ft of torque combined. All-wheel-drive grip helps to send this shockingly heavy EV to 60 mph in only 3.7 seconds. It’s got a substantial 111-kWh battery, too, so it can cover 303 miles on a full charge. The technology is Cadillac’s best. This exclusive Caddy gets an active air suspension, magnetic ride control, and active roll control to keep the body stable and occupants as comfortable as possible. It’s got a segment-first four-zone smart glass roof, five HD interactive displays, and an industry-first ClimateSense Individual four-zone microclimate system. Joel Stocksdale As with a Bentley or Rolls-Royce, the customization potential of the Celestiq is nearly infinite, with a personal Cadillac design concierge taking you through the meticulous process of creating your bespoke sedan. This 2025 model for sale represents the quickest opportunity to drive off in the ultimate expression of American luxury—for those who can afford it, of course. View the full article

Vortech returns to the twin-screw market with a modernized Lysholm-based supercharger designed for OEM-level fitment and 1,000 HP support.View the full article

Reviving The Spirit of NismoNissan is looking to reignite excitement around its Nismo performance division through a series of expansion initiatives. These include widening the market availability of Nismo-branded vehicles, investing further in heritage restoration programs, and increasing its involvement in motorsports. The timing appears deliberate. Nissan’s longtime flagship, the GT-R Nismo, had reached the end of its lifecycle and was discontinued earlier this year, leaving the Z as the brand’s primary performance-oriented sports car. This comes as rival Toyota prepares to launch a new twin-turbo V8 hybrid halo car called the GR GT. At the same time, German competitors BMW and Mercedes-Benz continue to roll out compelling performance models through their M and AMG divisions, respectively. Nissan Expansion Across Several AreasTo remain competitive, Nissan aims to increase annual Nismo vehicle shipments from 100,000 units to 150,000 units by 2028, with overseas sales rising from approximately 40% to 60%. While Japan offers Nismo versions of models such as the Note and Aura, the U.S. lineup is currently limited to the Armada and Z Nismo. Nissan also plans to capitalize on the growing car restoration market. According to the company, this segment – currently valued at around 500 billion yen (approximately $3.2 billion) – could expand to as much as 1.2 trillion yen ($7.7 billion) by 2032. As part of this effort, Nissan will expand its heritage restoration activities for the Skyline GT-R R32, R33, and R34 – arguably three of the most iconic models in its portfolio. On the motorsports front, Nissan intends to further elevate the Nismo brand by exploring new forms of racing. The automaker already competes in racing series such as Super GT, Super Taikyu, and Formula E. This mirrors Toyota’s Gazoo Racing strategy, which enters series such as the FIA World Endurance Championship and the World Rally Championship, and will become the title sponsor of the Haas Formula 1 team from the 2026 season. Nissan also plans to introduce new prototype race vehicles starting in fiscal year 2026, using motorsports as a development platform to gather data and apply what it learns to its road cars. Nissan A Bigger Bet on PerformanceCommenting on the planned expansion, Yutaka Sanada, President and CEO of Nissan Motorsports & Customization Co., Ltd. (NMC), said: “Nismo continues to elevate the excitement and innovation of Nissan vehicles. Moving forward, we aim to infuse our passion and driven excitement into Nissan’s other product lines.” In addition, Japan’s Kuruma reported that engineers who worked on the development of the GT-R and Fairlady Z will undergo additional training at Nismo. While the initiative has yet to fully materialize, it is an encouraging sign for enthusiasts to see Nissan allocate more resources to its performance division, particularly as the company works through financial challenges in recent years. Nissan View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Mercedes-Benz is rethinking how it bolts its cars together, and the change starts in places you would not normally notice. As part of a new circularity program, the company is redesigning components so they can be taken apart and repaired instead of being glued into a single throwaway unit. Headlights, interior panels and plastic trim are all being reworked to use screws, reversible fasteners and mono-material parts, with the goal of improving long-term quality while cutting embedded CO2. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Headlights That Can be Opened, Not BinnedModern LED headlights are some of the most expensive parts on a car, in part because they are built as sealed assemblies. The lens, housing, trim and electronics are bonded together with permanent adhesives, which is good for watertightness but bad for repairability. If a stone cracks the lens, owners often end up paying for a complete unit rather than a simple cover. Under the new approach, Mercedes is designing future lamps to be screwed together instead of glued. The lens and housing are held by mechanical fasteners, and internal modules are laid out so technicians can remove the front cover, swap a damaged lens or failed control unit and then reseal the headlight. On the sustainability side, the company is pushing for each major piece to be a single type of plastic, which makes sorting and recycling far easier when the car is finally scrapped. The brand says that could almost double the share of recycled material in a headlamp and cut the component’s CO2 footprint by around half, without changing its basic function. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Interior Panels and Plastics Built for a Second LifeThe “screws not glue” idea extends into the cabin. Interior door panels that were previously welded or bonded into a single lump are being redesigned with reversible plastic rivets and clips so that fabric, foam and backing boards can be separated again. New “mono-sandwich” PET parts use recycled plastic in a layered structure that is lighter than conventional trim but can still be recycled as PET at the end of its life. Other components, such as washer tanks and underbody panels, are shifting toward higher recycled content and simpler material mixes. There is also experimentation with unusual feedstocks. Mercedes is already trialing plastics derived from old tires and airbag housings for parts like synthetic leather surfaces, engine mounts and brackets. The idea is that the same cars that benefit from better repairability today can eventually feed the raw materials for later generations, instead of being shredded into mixed waste that is hard to reuse. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Quality, Tech and the Long GameFor owners, the immediate upside is about making expensive parts less disposable. A headlight that can be opened and serviced should last longer and cost less to keep on the road, which matters more as cars load up with sensors, LED modules and complex light signatures. It fits with the way Mercedes is trying to frame its next wave of products as both more high-tech and more durable, from entry models like the new CLA to top-end sedans. The company is increasingly relying on software and updates to make existing cars last longer. In the physical world, they’re also focusing on mechanical changes like screw-together headlights and reversible trim. These efforts aim to keep cars in tip-top shape for longer and cut down on the amount of hardware that needs to be discarded when just one part goes kaput. View the full article

Blackbird Performance is taking on Gen 3 HEMI valvetrain problems. Blackbird's new Solid camshaft valvetrain is designed to make big power. View the full article

If you listen to music, chances are you may have come across a certain DJ Khaled. Although now known for his rather extravagant lifestyle, flaunting cars, cash, and excess, the media personality wasn’t exactly born into extraordinary wealth. As he often points out, the man had humble beginnings, and his most recent Instagram upload reaffirmed things after being reminded of his hustle days while celebrating his 50th birthday. In the video, Lenny Santiago, a veteran of the music business and a close friend, can be seen gifting DJ Khaled a model car at first and later the life-sized version itself. The car? A red 1991 BMW M3. As it turns out, the E30 homologation special was a birthday gift from Lenny S. and famed hip-hop artist, Jay-Z. The car holds a special place in his heart, as he points to some of the photos shared by Lenny, reminding him of his struggles during the early days of his career. In the words of Mr Khaled himself, “In the ‘90s I had an M3, hustlin.’… I bought an M3, and this M3, I put a system in it. I was like, 15, 16, and I put a system in it, and the whole car caught on fire.” Perhaps not the ending we had in mind, but things turned out for the best, shall we say. A red E30 M3 is part of the Khaled family again, sharing space with some of the finest the automotive world has to offer. Oh, and it’s running the vanity plate “WTB-M3.” DJ Khaled/Instagram Recalling the hustle and grind, DJ Khaled quickly switched to the motivational speaker in him, saying, “Listen, the vision was so clear. We used to do parties, rent out halls and we used to charge $5 at the door, and the flyers were graffiti. … I was selling Pelle Pelles out the back of the trunk, mixtapes, I used to sell alligator shoes out the back of this trunk.“ One thing we’re certain is that this car won't be as ill-fated as his previous E30 M3. This particular BMW means a lot to the artist-turned-entrepreneur, and having it gifted on his 50th birthday after achieving all that he has makes the whole exercise feel pure and heartwarming. View the full article

You’re all packed and ready to explore the BC coast, just you and your truck. Getting into the trails, you're stoked on life out in the wilderness. And then you hear it — the snap of a CV, the pop of a tire, the indescribable rattling of your engine as the truck just stops. Now, without the appropriate tools to repair your truck, you would be left completely stranded. I have had my fair share of break-downs and broken parts. Thankfully I've always been prepared with the right tools to get home on my own, and with experience, I've been able to put together a tool kit that hasn't let me down yet. What tools should you always take with you when off-roading with your Toyota? Let’s take a look! Tool Kit First, you need somewhere to store everything. I've personally used the Blue Ridge Overland tool bag, which has room for all my tools and then some. It also fits nicely behind the rear seat of the Tacoma. It is expensive, but I've definitely enjoyed having it. Recently, we've also developed our own Overland Outfitters Toyota Off Road Complete Tool Kit, which can be purchased with all of the tools you need or without the tools if you're already fully stocked. Breaker Bar A lot of people will go out on the trail, and only realize that they don’t have the right equipment to get their wheels on and off after they get a flat tire. After swapping to new wheels or tires, a breaker bar with the right size socket for the lug nut key is essential to get your wheels off. Typically the stock lug nuts and tools won't work on your new wheels, so you want to make sure you always have the right sizes for your lug nuts and sockets before you head out — you don’t want to get caught on the side of the road with the wrong ones. Sockets If you ever snap a CV axle, you’ll want to carry a 35mm socket for your axle nut. It's a bit hard, if not impossible to get at with just a big crescent wrench, so definitely pick one of them up. Generally, you’ll also want to keep both deep and shallow sockets in your tool kit. Toyota trucks use metric sizes, not standard, so you don't have to double up with a standard set as well if you want to keep it light. I also keep an extra spark plug socket just in case. Not common, but if you ever get a bit too zesty and hydrolock your truck, a sparkplug socket might come in handy. Metric Wrenches When it comes to Toyota trucks, you only need to carry metric wrenches with you. I like to carry a variety of sizes with me just in case, but the majority of bolts on a Toyota will be 10,12,14,17,19,21mm. One of the most important wrenches to keep with you is a 10mm flare nut wrench. If you ever blow a brake line, you’ll need one of these or else you'll likely round that nut off. These are just a few of the most important tools I keep in my kit when off-roading, but you can find a comprehensive list below. Full List of Tools Tool kit Work gloves Breaker bar 35 mil socket Pry bar, small and big Paper towels Brake clean Ratchets — normal 3/8ths, stubby 3/8ths and 1/4 inch with extensions Sockets in metric sizing Extra spark plug socket Sledgehammer Punches Vice grips/pliers Channel locks Screwdrivers — flat head, Phillips head, torx + a multi-bit Round file for your chainsaw Crescent wrench Metric wrenches — from a tiny 8 mil to a 24 mil Flare nut wrench in 10 mil Wire brush Pipe wrench Allen keys Lock tight Knife blades Exacto knife A bag of various bolts (in case a bolt breaks) Bailing wire Penetrating lube Electrical components, like butt connectors and wire Think I missed something? Are there any tools more important than the ones I mentioned? Hit me up in the comments! View the full article

States Challenge Suspension of Biden-Era EV ProgramsA total of 16 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of unlawfully withholding billions of dollars approved by Congress for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, targets the Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration for freezing two major grant programs created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. At the center of the dispute are roughly $2.5 billion from the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program and about $350 million from the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator. State attorneys general argue that USDOT has refused to approve new funding obligations, effectively “impounding” money already authorized by Congress. California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the move unconstitutional, saying it violates the separation of powers by overriding bipartisan spending decisions. Getty Images California Leads a Multi-State Legal PushCalifornia, Washington, and Colorado lead the lawsuit, joined by attorneys general from Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. California alone stands to lose nearly $180 million earmarked for charger construction, repair, and freight corridor electrification, according to state officials. Bonta said the suspension threatens dozens of state and local projects already in motion, including efforts to fix broken chargers and expand fast-charging access along major freight routes. “This is just another reckless attempt that will stall the fight against air pollution and climate change, slow innovation, thwart green job creation, and leave communities without access to clean, affordable transportation,” he said. According to the report from Reuters, the USDOT did not immediately respond to comment. Matt Cardy/Getty Images Part of a Broader Trump EV RollbackThe legal fight is the latest flashpoint in President Donald Trump’s broader rollback of EV-friendly policies enacted under former President Joe Biden. Since returning to the office, Trump has moved to end the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, proposed weakening fuel economy and tailpipe emissions standards, and signed measures blocking California’s plan to phase out gasoline-only vehicle sales by 2035. In February, the administration also suspended the separate $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, prompting an earlier lawsuit from many of the same states. A federal judge later ordered the release of much of that funding, setting a precedent the states hope will apply again. Trump has repeatedly criticized federal EV investments, claiming that charging programs have wasted billions for minimal results. Industry Impact and What’s at StakeThe lawsuit comes as EV adoption in the U.S. shows signs of slowing, with consumers citing charging availability and higher prices as key concerns. According to Kelley Blue Book, new EVs still transact at a significant premium compared with the broader market, making reliable public charging even more critical for mainstream buyers. Automakers such as Ford and Honda have recently scaled back aggressive EV expansion plans in favor of hybrids and more efficient gasoline models. State officials argue that freezing charging funds only worsens those challenges, creating a self-fulfilling slowdown in EV demand. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state is prepared to fight, calling the lawsuit essential to protecting both climate goals and economic growth. For now, the case adds another chapter to an escalating legal battle over the future of U.S. transportation policy and who ultimately controls the nation’s shift toward electrification. Kia View the full article

AFCO has the perfect struts for 1979-2004 Mustang owners. These struts are great for any drag racing application. View the full article

Not Your Usual Kind of RecallJeep is no stranger to recalls this year in the US, but this one seems the most odd. Chrysler (China) Automotive Sales Co., Ltd. has filed a recall covering a small batch of imported Jeep Cherokees sold in China between 2012 and 2015, citing non-compliance with updated lighting regulations. The recall affects 3,565 vehicles built between October 29, 2012, and January 29, 2015, all imported to China before the GAC Fiat Chrysler production partnership. It’s an unusual recall not tied to mechanical failure or electronics, but to something as basic and bureaucratic as where a reversing light sits off the ground. Jeep Recall Details and FixAccording to the filing, reported by Chinese publication Autohome, the issue stems from vehicles fitted with a lifting suspension kit that raises the reversing lights above the height allowed under current Chinese national standards. That positioning technically violates lighting regulations and, more importantly, poses a safety risk by reducing visibility for other road users when reversing. Rather than lowering the suspension or relocating the lights, Chrysler China’s solution is as unconventional as this recall. The original reversing lights will be disabled free of charge, while the right rear fog light will be replaced with a unit that incorporates reversing light functionality. The body control module will then be reprogrammed to support the change. Seems simple enough, but we can't ignore the fact that the recall is actually targeting over-a-decade-old models over a violation of a more advanced regulation. If the position wasn't up to par with the country's regulations back then, why were they sold in the first place? It's a weird retroactive recall, to say the least. Jeep Which Cherokee Is Being Recalled?The recalled vehicles are early Jeep Cherokee KL models imported before local production began in China. Globally, the KL-generation Cherokee marked a turning point for Jeep when it debuted in the mid-2010s, replacing the boxy Liberty with a crossover-style SUV riding on a unibody platform. Independent suspension, available all-wheel-drive systems, and a relatively refined cabin positioned the Cherokee closer to mainstream crossovers than hardcore off-roaders. That balance worked reasonably well in North America, but in China, where buyers increasingly favored local brands with fresher tech and sharper pricing, the Cherokee never became a volume hit. Of note, Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company, officially exited local Jeep production in China this year after years of weak sales and mounting losses. While the recall itself is routine regulatory housekeeping, it arrives just as Jeep’s long and ultimately unprofitable China experiment draws to a close. Jeep View the full article

Ever get confused by all the numbers telling you the specs and dimensions for the wheels on your truck? Adding to the confusion of all the different terms is the fact that both wheels and tires use the silliest combination of metric and standard for their measurements. So let's clear things up! For wheels, you have four main measurements: diameter, width, backspace and offset. What are they? Why are they important? In this post, we're going to take a look and discuss how they affect both the look and performance of your truck, specifically for Toyotas. Buckle in! Diameter Diameter is pretty simple: it's how large the wheel is across the circumference. The larger the wheel, the shorter the tire sidewall will be. So the first question is, how short do you want your sidewall? For off-road, you want a larger tire sidewall to allow the tire to wrap around obstacles and give more traction. For street, you want a shorter sidewall so you get better handling as the tire won't deflect as much around corners. You also need to pay attention to what size wheel will fit your vehicle as brakes can come into contact with wheels that are too small. As we work mostly on off-road Toyotas in our shop, we typically install 17” rims on Tacomas and 4Runners. Some 16” rims can fit the Tacoma, but not the 4Runner. Width Width is probably even simpler than diameter. It’s the measurement of how wide the rim is. You want to select a rim width depending on what size tire you're installing. If your rim is too wide for your tire, then the bead (the part that boa bra bra) can pop off really easily. On the other hand, if your rim is too narrow, then that will change your tire profile and give worse traction and bad wear patterns. Keeping with our Toyota theme, we typically recommend a rim around 8.5” that will fit most 33s and most 35s. Backspace Backspace is the measurement from the wheel mounting surface to the inside edge of the rim. This is important because if your backspace is too high (wheel further into the wheel well), then you can rub on the UCA, spindle or frame, depending on your tire size. A low backspace on the other hand will make the wheel “poke” out of the wheel well, which might be a cool look but is going to affect the scrub radius and cause the tire to rub on the fenders or firewall. Backspace is affected by how wide the rim is. So if you’re running an 8.5” wide wheel with a 4.5” backspace, then the wheel will be 4” outside of the wheel mounting surface. Of course, where and how much your tire rubs depends on what size tire you’re running. I typically recommend somewhere between a 4 to 4.75” backspace. However, some people like lower backspace to get that staaaaaaaance. Offset Our final measurement is offset, which is linked directly to backspace. Basically, offset refers to how far the wheel mounting surface is to the wheel’s centreline. This is the only spec that is in MILLIMETRES for NO REASON. A lower offset means a lower backspace. Common offsets for off-road people are 0 or -10. However, I’ve seen people who want lots of poke who go all the way down to -38. Personally, I prefer to use backspace over offset because it makes more sense to me, but offset is very similar. Everybody has their preference, but people that prefer offset are just a little weird. Summary That's a wrap! That's the basics on wheel fitment. Hopefully that helped to clear some of the cobwebs and make sense of a topic that's been way overcomplicated. I’d love to hear from you. What size wheel do you run? Do you prefer offset over backspace? (Why????) Do you like a bunch of poke or prefer a more conservative stance? Let me know below in the comments and make sure you check our YouTube channel where we share more useful content like this. Or if you're looking for wheels yourself, be sure to check out what we offer! View the full article

A few months ago, Porsche revealed the 992.2 911 Turbo S with a staggering 701 hp, and as always, certain styling cues that differentiate it from a regular 911. But what if you don't want that much power and that much attention? Well, it seems that Stuttgart is about to have you covered, as spy shots of a new prototype on the Nürburgring hint at the first 911 Turbo Touring. The development mule has a deployable rear spoiler rather than the fixed wing found on the regular GT3 and Turbo models, hence the supposition that this is a Turbo Touring, but it's also got a sleeker body, with the side intake scoops taped over. This presents a puzzle for us to solve. 911 Turbo Touring or Non-S Turbo Variant? SH Proshots/Autoblog On the one hand, the smoother body might be a way of Porsche offering customers the same performance as the raucous Turbo S, with the full 701 horses, in a sleeker 'Touring' body. On the other, taping up those side intakes in preparation for a smoother form in production could be an indication that Porsche is aiming to differentiate the non-S Turbo, which will doubtless have less power. With less strain on the engine, perhaps the 911 Turbo doesn't need as much cooling capacity. But this is Porsche, and that means we need to be cognizant of a third, similarly plausible possibility: This might be a special edition. Related: This Limited Edition Porsche Is A Personal Tribute To The Inventor Of The 911 Porsche already introduced 992.1 Turbo-based 50 Years and Sport Classic special editions, and while a third limited variant might seem like overkill, it would be the first based on the 992.2 update. Porsche has a rich heritage from which to draw inspiration, and if this is a special edition, it would surely be quickly snapped up by collectors. Still, fingers crossed that this is a Touring. The 911 Turbo S Platform Delivers Plenty of Innovation SH Proshots/Autoblog Using a similar T-Hybrid setup to that of the 911 GTS, the recently revealed Turbo S features two turbochargers with electrified turbines connected to a 3.6-liter flat-six boxer engine. There's also an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. The result is 701 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque that can be accessed almost instantly, almost anywhere in the rev range; the electric turbines practically eliminate lag. 0-60 mph takes just 2.4 seconds, and in a lap around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the 992.2 Turbo S is a massive 14 seconds quicker than its predecessor. In a nutshell, this car has bombastic performance, and we can certainly see the case for a slightly less ballistic alternative. We'll just have to wait for the new year to see what form this prototype finally takes and how much power Porsche will deliver. SH Proshots/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Meziere Enterprises has added to its suspension components offering. These new Titanium parts save weight and add strength. View the full article

Smoked Garage turns the TVS Apache RR 310 single-cylinder sportbike into a fluid neo-retro café racer.The TVS Apache RR 310 might be small, but it's a firecracker. Its 312 cc single-cylinder mill makes 37.5 hp and 29 Nm, and comes with a six-speed transmission, a quick-shifter, and a suite of electr... View the full article

We get a lot of people coming to us wanting to get off road and often, they just want to know where to start when they're building their truck. If this is you, then this post is for you. There are different directions you could go in depending on where you live and what you want to do, so I’m going to share the order I recommend you go in to upgrade your truck so you can get to all of the places you want to go, comfortably and confidently. It’s worth saying that the purpose here isn’t to build a hard-core rock crawler or a go-fast desert racer but a versatile rig that'll get you where you want to go. Let’s get started. 1. What do you want to do the most? Upgrading your truck can be an expensive hobby, so if you're just getting started, I always recommend that you think very practically. What do you want to do? What do you need your truck to do? What makes the most sense for you? Do that first. If it’s camping, then get some sort of tent. Need dry, lockable storage? Then maybe take a look at a tonneau or a canopy. You’ll get the most value out of what you make the most use of, so that’s where you should always start. 2. Tires Tires are one of the most important upgrades you can do to your truck. Tires are your only contact to the ground (hopefully) and they’re the best way to gain ground clearance and traction. There are two things to choose from when you’re looking at tires: what size do you need and what kind. When it comes to the kind of tire, you're looking at all-terrain or mud-terrain depending on how aggressive you are and what kind of terrain you drive on the most. With size, you can go with more a stock size, you can go huge with a 35" if you want to go wheeling, and right in the middle, you could go for something like a 33” which is a good compromise—good on road, good off-road, That’s a decision you want to make right up front so you can get those tires on the ground and build the rest of your truck around the size of tire you want. 3. Sliders/skids Almost as important as tires are sliders and skids. Here in BC, Canada, the trails are tight, there are lots of trees and big rocks. Odds are you’re going to bash your vehicle and you want to protect it. You do that using sliders and skids. Sliders will protect the sides of your vehicle from trees, letting you slide around obstacles. If you land on a rock, they’ll protect you from that too. You can also use them as a Hi-Lift point, which often comes in handy. Skids will make sure you don’t put a hole in your oil pan or rip out your coolant line. Not speaking from personal experience or anything. When you’re going out in the middle of nowhere, It’s important to protect the most vulnerable parts of your vehicle from damage because BCAA's not going to come out to get you. I mean they might but— They’re not coming to get you. 4. Suspension Suspension is one of the most exciting things you can add to your truck. People hear suspension and they think, “Oh I want to get that lift...” To me, it’s not that important. I would rather go for performance and the ability to haul weight so when you start loading stuff on your truck and putting bumpers and sliders on, you’re able to support that weight when you’re going down back roads. Higher performing suspension will also give a much nicer ride off-road and be easier on your vehicle as well as your body. 5. Lockers Lockers will help you go more places than almost any other mod. What lockers do is help transfer power to both wheels by locking the axle to help you climb over obstacles or get through muddy terrain. You want your wheels to always have traction and these new electronic gadgets like A-TRAC work pretty well but won’t give you as much control as a locker will. 6. Bumpers Bumpers are a great upgrade for a bunch of reasons. Obviously, they provide protection for smashing into stuff. But they’re also very useful for providing recovery points on all four corners of your vehicle. Ideally you do your front and rear bumper at the same time, but it’s not necessary. If you can’t, then you’ll have to decide what is more important to you: A front bumper is good for moving forward and can allow the installation of a winch and a lightbar. A rear bumper is good for protection and recovery moving backwards. 7. Winches Nothing will save you like a winch will. If you are starting to go out more alone, or to more difficult terrain, this is a very handy upgrade to have. A winch is ideally installed at the same time as a front bumper to save time and effort. 8. Lights The last thing on my list is lights. I often see people put lights on their vehicle first because it’s a quick, easy and relatively cheap thing you can do. And they are really cool and fun, but for me lights are low-priority. Don’t get me wrong: they're great for seeing at night, especially when you want to back up or look around corners going forward without nailling cross ditches. But they’re not as important as the other stuff on this list in my opinion, especially if you’re looking to build a capable truck that gets you places. What next? So that’s it! At this point, once you get through this list, your vehicle is pretty capable. From here, order isn’t as important anymore and we’re back at what makes sense for you. If you want to pack around a bunch of stuff on your roof, then maybe a roof rack is the right move. Or if you find that you are away camping for several days in a row without seeing another person, a fridge could be a game changer. The biggest thing is to just get out and use what you have. You don’t need all this stuff to go outside and have fun. Sum it up: Whatever you use the most Tires Skids/Sliders Suspension Locker Bumpers Winch Lights A rule of thumb that I used to get my truck to the point it’s at now, was if I couldn’t get to three places I wanted to go because of an upgrade that held me back, then I would do that. This helped us upgrade slowly and still get out exploring. We started out at all the well-known and easy places and as we got more confident and experienced, and the truck became more capable, we started going further and further away to more and more difficult locations. But that’s just what I think. What do you think? What did I miss? Did I forget something obvious? Let me know in the comments! View the full article

Ferrari has made headlines nonstop this year for a wide range of reasons, from oval-shaped piston designs to the controversial 849 Testarossa release. But this week, one of Maranello’s most expensive modern creations made the news for far less glamorous reasons. A stolen Ferrari Purosangue was crashed into a utility pole in Miami’s Brickell district following a brief police pursuit, triggering a power outage and an investigation that’s still unfolding. What began as a routine luxury vehicle transport quickly spiralled into a very public and very expensive mess. Two Super SUVs Gone Missing YouTube @ WSVN-TV Bentley Gold Coast According to NBC6, the incident dates back to Monday, 15 December, when a Miami Beach resident handed over two ultra-luxury SUVs — a dark grey 2024 Ferrari Purosangue and a white 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan — to a third-party transportation company. The vehicles were reportedly being taken off the island to be wrapped, but several hours later, the owner was informed they never arrived. Authorities believe the pair was stolen while in transit, prompting an investigation that eventually narrowed in on the Ferrari via its tracking data. It’s no small loss either. Even lightly used, 2023 Ferrari Purosangue models can command around $580,000, making the 2024 model year even more valuable – unless it's crashed, of course. Add the Cullinan to the mix, and the theft represented about $1 million worth of luxury metal. Short Chase Ends Violently in Miami Just after midnight, City of Miami officers located the Purosangue near Southwest Second Avenue and 17th Street. Police say they watched a suspect enter the Ferrari and drive off, and when officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver fled. The escape was short-lived. Video from the scene suggests the Ferrari may have already sustained front-end damage, with the tyres screeching and the car appearing unsettled as it turned onto Southwest Second Avenue. Moments later, the Purosangue clipped a police cruiser with its rear before accelerating briefly and then losing control entirely, slamming into a power pole with enough force to snap it in half. The impact damaged a transformer, knocking out electricity to nearby buildings and leaving roughly a dozen customers without power while utility crews carried out repairs. For context, the Purosangue is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 producing 715 hp, meaning even the most skillful driver would have spun out regardless. Apprehended NBC6 According to Local10, police identified the driver as 28-year-old DeShawn Prendergast of New York. He reportedly fled the wrecked Ferrari on foot but later surrendered. After being treated at the hospital for minor injuries, he was booked on charges including grand theft and fleeing and eluding police. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported. The damaged Purosangue was recovered at the crash site, while the stolen Rolls-Royce Cullinan was later found unscaved in Miami-Dade County. Between this incident and the recent airplane-versus-Toyota Camry crash, December is shaping up to be an unusually crash-filled holiday season. Stay safe on the roads, and remember that even six-figure SUVs with cutting-edge tech aren’t immune to old-fashioned theft, poor decisions, and human error. View the full article

Each year in the Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series, new drivers join the series and experienced drivers step up to new classes. This year, though, an uncommonly large – and talented – group of rookie drivers made things interesting in the PDRA’s six heads-up categories. This is a roundup of the most notable rookies that made an impact throughout the 2025 season. Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the PDRA Section of DI #197, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November/December 2025. Amber Denton – Pro Nitrous Amber Denton made the jump up to Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous after securing her second Pro 632 presented by PTC Torque Converters world championship last season. The daughter of three-time Pro Nitrous world champion Tommy Franklin, Denton reached the final round in just her second Pro Nitrous appearance and followed that with an unforgettable first career win at the Northern Nationals. There, she beat her dad in a side-by-side, all-motor final round behind the wheel of her Musi-powered “OG Jungle Rat” ’69 Camaro. Denton even led the points for much of the season, but early exits at the end of the year set her back to third in the final standings. Tim Molnar – Pro Nitrous Numerous seasons driving a big-inch nitrous car in MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman presented by PAR Racing Engines prepared 2021 world champion Tim Molnar for his 2025 move up to Pro Nitrous. He threw out the dial-in board and started the season in a Rickie Smith-tuned ’23 Camaro, which he drove to quarterfinal finishes at the first two races. After debuting a new-to-him, Albert-powered GEM Attachments ’69 Camaro later in the season, Molnar added a runner-up finish at the Thunder Valley Throwdown, which was completed at GALOT. Molnar finished the season ranked No. 6 in the championship points standings. Tim Paap – Pro Nitrous Like Molnar, Paap made the jump to Pro Nitrous from Elite Top Sportsman, where he was the championship runner-up in 2024. With a star-studded team led by multi-time NHRA Top Sportsman world champion Jeffrey Barker and two-time Elite Top Sportsman world champion Donny “Hollywood” Urban, Paap made a statement in his Pro Nitrous debut as he swept the East Coast Nationals at GALOT. He qualified No. 1 and won in his Musi-powered Paap Auto Body ’16 Corvette. He then sat out the next race to attend his son’s wedding, but rather than leave his car at home, he sent it to the Mid-Atlantic Showdown to race with past Pro Nitrous star turned two-time NHRA Pro Mod world champion Stevie “Fast” Jackson as the fill-in driver. Paap later added another No. 1 qualifier award and a semifinal finish at the Northern Nationals before finishing the year ranked eighth. John Doc – Pro Boost After making waves in a variety of classes and formats throughout the Southeast, self-proclaimed “drag vlogger” John Doc made a big step into the Pro Modified ranks, specifically WS Construction Pro Boost presented by P2 Contracting and Ty-Drive. Teamed up with four-time PDRA world champion Jason Harris, Doc made his debut at the season-opening East Coast Nationals at GALOT Motorsports Park in a ProCharged Southern Diamond Company ’67 Mustang. He missed out on the cutthroat 16-car field, as 28 cars attempted to qualify, but he bounced back with semifinal finishes in his next two appearances. Later in the season, he swapped the Mustang for a ’69 Camaro, which finished the season equipped with a new Harts Charger. Doc finished the season in the No. 8 spot. Jay Cox – Pro Boost It seems wrong to include Pro Nitrous veteran Jay Cox on a list of rookies, but he made a big switch since his last appearance in the series as a driver. Cox, who won the 2023 Brian Olson Memorial World Finals before stepping away from driving on a full-time basis, converted his fan-favorite Butner Construction “Pumpkin” ’69 Camaro from its traditional big-inch nitrous powerplant to a twin-turbocharged Pro Line engine to compete on a limited basis in big-money Pro Mod races and Pro Boost. He made his Pro Boost debut at the season opener at his home track, GALOT Motorsports Park, and while his five-race campaign only saw first-round exits and a couple DNQs, he certainly turned heads with some wild wheelstands. Frank Falter IV – Pro Boost Young gun Frank Falter IV spent the last couple seasons getting up to speed in one of the quickest cars in Laris Motorsports Insurance Elite Top Dragster presented by Greenbrier Excavating & Paving, the supercharged “Candy Man” entry. Falter decided he wanted to go quicker and he wanted to do it between doors, so he moved into Pro Boost midway through the season. While he didn’t qualify in his debut at his home race, the North vs. South Shootout at Maryland International Raceway, Falter made it to the first round at the final three races of the season in his screw-blown “Candy Man” ’69 Camaro. Fletcher Cox – Pro Street Retiring from a Hall of Fame career with the Philadelphia Eagles last season freed up Fletcher Cox to pursue a lifelong goal of going drag racing on a high level. After several seasons as a car owner in multiple classes, he got behind the wheel of his nitrous-fed “Training Day” ’69 Camaro and made his Pro Street debut at the second race of the season. With Phil Shuler tuning, Cox reached the semifinals. He then picked up his first of three No. 1 qualifier awards at the Maryland race before earning his first career win at the Thunder Valley Throwdown. Cox ended up third in the final points standings with a win and three semifinal finishes. He also made the quickest run in class history, a 3.829, in Northern Nationals qualifying. Editor’s Note: Cox was named the Pro Rookie of the Year at the PDRA Championship Awards Banquet in Indianapolis on Dec. 12. Mikey Sasina – Pro Street Colorado-based sportsman racer Mikey Sasina found a new home in the PDRA’s Pro Street division, where he brought out a Stevie Jackson and Killin’ Time Racing-prepared, ProCharged ’03 Mustang. He didn’t qualify at the season opener and lost in the opening round at the next two, but he picked up round wins at two of the last three races of the season, ending up just outside the top 10 in points. Carson Hoyle – Pro 632 Carson Hoyle became the latest PDRA Jr. Dragster program graduate to excel immediately upon moving into a “big car” class, as he made his Pro 632 debut at the second race of the season. His stepdad, Pro Nitrous standout Chris Rini, shook down his Musi-powered ATI Performance ’69 Camaro at the season opener before handing over the proverbial keys to Hoyle. The young gun reached the quarterfinals in his first three appearances and went to the semis at the next two before closing out the year with his first career win at the World Finals to finish third in points. Throughout the season, he cut multiple double-oh reaction times and a perfect light. Carson Perry – Super Street North Carolina’s Carson Perry has been around the PDRA since the beginning of the series, but this was his first full season as a driver in Super Street presented by Brian’s Heating & Cooling. Representing Greenbrier Excavating & Paving in a Barry Allen small-block AMC-powered ’00 Camaro, Perry joined a strong group of young guns: eventual world champion Connor McGee, Austin Vincent, and Matt Schalow. He reached the final round at the Mid-Atlantic Showdown, made it the semis at Maryland, then dominated the World Finals weekend, winning the Summit PDRA ProStars, qualifying No. 1, and winning the event. Perry ended up third in the points standings. This story was originally published on December 17, 2025. The post Rookie Drivers Mix It Up in PDRA’s Pro Ranks first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Hardware Fixes and ImmobilizersHyundai and Kia have agreed to retrofit more than 7 million vehicles in the United States to address widespread theft vulnerabilities, closing a multistate investigation led by a bipartisan coalition of 35 attorneys general, Reuters reports. Under the agreement, both automakers will provide free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors for eligible vehicles and commit to equipping all future U.S. models with engine immobilizers, a long-standard anti-theft feature missing from many Hyundai and Kia vehicles built between 2011 and 2022. The settlement also includes up to $9 million in restitution to consumers and states to help cover investigation costs. Owners of eligible vehicles will begin receiving notices in early 2026 and will have until March 2027 to complete the retrofit at authorized dealerships. The deal formally resolves regulatory scrutiny that intensified as thefts surged nationwide and Hyundai and Kia vehicles became frequent targets. Four of America’s Most Stolen Vehicles in 2025 Come From the Two BrandsThe agreement comes as theft data continues to paint an unflattering picture for the two brands. In 2025, four of the 10 most stolen vehicles in the U.S. are either Hyundai or Kia models, underscoring how deeply the issue has penetrated the market. Models such as the Hyundai Elantra and Sonata, along with the Kia Optima and Soul, regularly appear near the top of national theft charts. Unlike traditional auto theft trends, which favor high-value trucks or luxury vehicles, this wave has disproportionately affected mass-market sedans and crossovers. That shift expanded the problem beyond isolated regions, driving up insurance premiums, straining law enforcement resources, and leaving millions of owners exposed to repeated break-ins. Drew Phillips Viral Theft Videos Triggered a Nationwide SpikeThe theft problem accelerated sharply after videos circulated on TikTok and other social platforms showing how certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles without immobilizers could be stolen in minutes. The clips spread rapidly, turning a technical weakness into a widely copied theft method and fueling what became known as the “Kia Challenge.” Regulators previously linked the trend to multiple crashes and fatalities, pushing the issue from a consumer inconvenience into a public safety concern. As thefts mounted, state officials argued that software updates alone were insufficient, increasing pressure on the automakers to pursue a hardware-based solution. Hardware Fixes and Consumer DeadlinesThe settlement requires Hyundai and Kia to install zinc-reinforced sleeves around ignition cylinders, designed to prevent the physical manipulation used in viral thefts. The fix applies even to vehicles that previously only qualified for software updates, significantly expanding the scope of the remedy. Minnesota officials estimate the total cost of installing the hardware could exceed $500 million, making it one of the largest theft-related corrective actions undertaken by automakers in the U.S. Owners must complete the installation within the specified window to receive coverage. Immobilizers Become Non-NegotiableBeyond the immediate retrofit, the agreement cements a major structural shift: all future Hyundai and Kia vehicles sold in the U.S. will now include engine immobilizers as standard equipment. Just three years ago, Hyundai drew backlash after offering to add immobilizers only for a substantial fee. This movefurther angered owners already dealing with rising thefts and insurance costs. This time, the fix applies broadly to affected vehicles at no charge, bringing both brands in line with industry norms and finally closing the loophole that left earlier models easy targets. For Hyundai and Kia, the settlement marks a turning point after years of recalls, lawsuits, and reputational fallout. With their vehicles still overrepresented in theft statistics, regulators, insurers, and consumers alike will closely watch the effectiveness of this fix. View the full article

Return of a Halo CarToyota is preparing to stage the public debut of the GR GT and GR GT3 at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 in Japan next month. The showcase will mark the imminent return of a true flagship sports car from the Japanese automaker, filling a void left since the Lexus LFA, which debuted in 2010. The Toyota GR GT is engineered for road use and will be powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 hybrid powertrain, paired with an all-aluminum chassis designed to deliver weight savings. Both the engine and the frame will be displayed in cut-away form at its booth, giving attendees a rare look at the car’s core mechanical elements. According to the brand, the hybridized V8 is targeted to produce 641 horsepower, a figure that mirrors the output of the Porsche 911 Turbo S before the introduction of the T-Hybrid system in the 992.2 generation. Toyota Built With Racing DNAThe GR GT3, meanwhile, is aimed squarely at GT3-spec competition, positioning it for potential entry into racing series such as the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the U.S. If approved for competition, the track-focused model could share the grid with established GT3 machinery including the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo and Ferrari 296 GT3, while further strengthening Toyota’s motorsports presence alongside its championship-winning GR010 Hybrid hypercar. Both the GR GT and GR GT3 are scheduled to perform their first public demonstration runs during Tokyo Auto Salon 2026. Toyota’s press release also teased the presence of “other vehicles” and concepts, including the under-development GR Yaris MORIZO RR and GR Yaris Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition. Its compact car subsidiary, Daihatsu, will also join the booth. Some GR-branded road-going models may be on display, such as the GR Yaris, a smaller hot hatch that contrasts with the U.S.-market GR Corolla, as well as the GR Supra, which is slated to end production in March 2026 after a seven-year run. Toyota A GR Statement in TokyoBeyond four-wheelers, the booth will feature a selection of car parts, including a 4A-GE cylinder head and block – famously used in the AE86, or Corolla Sport in the U.S. – as part of the brand's GR Heritage Parts Project. Merchandise will also be available, highlighted by 1:43-scale models of the brand’s flagship icons, such as the 2000GT, Lexus LFA, and the upcoming GR GT. Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 is scheduled to run from January 9 to 11, 2026. Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, who personally helped develop vehicles like the Lexus LFA, is expected to attend and participate in talk sessions alongside other Toyota Gazoo Racing drivers. Toyota View the 8 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article