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Brad McBride has dialed up the looks and performance of his 1963 VW Type 3 Fastback. McBride is ready for PDRA Super Street in 2026.View the full article

The Locked-In Drag Racing Series kicked off its 2026 campaign January 10–11 with a two-day season opener at Famoso Dragstrip, where sunshine and cool high-50-degree temperatures delivered classic winter racing conditions in California’s Central Valley. The stable air and well-prepped surface allowed racers to lean on their combinations as qualifying and eliminations unfolded across a wide range of bracket, index, and heads-up categories. Local racers made an immediate impact in the bracket ranks, as Bakersfield’s Jan Vanderpool claimed the Bracket 1 No Box victory, while Dave Rudd secured the win in Bracket 2 Box, using consistency and sharp reaction times to stay ahead of the competition. Heads-up racing took center stage as the weekend progressed, highlighted by a competitive Outlaw Small Tire field. Rich Hoyle emerged on top after a string of strong passes on a surface prepped by track specialist Jim Black, who delivered a notably sticky racing lane that rewarded aggressive setups and confident driving. The high-traction conditions played a key role throughout eliminations, particularly in the power-heavy categories. In additional heads-up action, Ron McCoy captured the win in N/A 10.5, while Bakersfield’s Danny Crownover added a hometown victory in the Truck class. Matt Marron rounded out the steel-bodied categories with a win in Real Steel, continuing the theme of tight racing and clean finishes. Index competition proved just as competitive, with Xavier Mendoza taking top honors in 5.35 Index, Dan Jordan earning the 5.80 Index victory, and Matt Flud of Shafter claiming the 6.50 Index win. The weekend wrapped up with Mike Consolo scoring the victory in Modern Muscle, closing out a successful opening round for the series. With Round 1 complete, the Locked-In Drag Racing Series established early momentum at Famoso Dragstrip, setting the tone for a season built around strong car counts, diverse classes, and a racing surface capable of supporting everything from bracket cars to serious heads-up contenders. This story was originally published on January 13, 2026. The post PHOTO GALLERY: Locked-In Drag Racing Series Launches 2026 With Strong Showing at Famoso first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Heading into the 2025/2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service at Bradenton Motorsports Park, few – if any – drivers had more hype surrounding them than Jimmy Taylor. In the months leading up to the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks, the first race of the DI Winter Series, Taylor and tuner Carl Stevens set social media ablaze when they powered Taylor’s twin-turbo Xtreme Racing Engines ’69 Camaro to a record-breaking 3.387-second pass at 240.29 mph during private testing at Maryland International Raceway. Never short on confidence, Taylor was also one of the few drivers willing to discuss going for both the Elite Motorsports Million ( $1,000,000 for winning all three Winter Series events) and Jerry Bickel Clean Sweep Challenge (a brand-new Pro Mod chassis for qualifying No. 1 at all three races), two of the toughest feats in all of drag racing. Unfortunately, he fell just short of each goal, qualifying No. 2 with a 3.567 at 223.36 mph and falling in round two to event winner Jason Harris. Taylor currently sits ninth in points heading into the second race of the Winter Series, the U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission January 23-25. While there were a lot of positives to take from the Snowbirds, Taylor admitted it fell short of his expectations. “It was a good weekend, but we were definitely disappointed,” Taylor said. “I mean, I wasn’t happy with it at all. We’ve been doing a lot of work on the car – we’ve redone a bunch of stuff on it to make it a little faster and hook up a little bit better. Our biggest thing was we just didn’t have enough data for our new converter, so Neal Chance has done some stuff for us to help it lock up softer. I think we’ll be ready to go next weekend.” Fans may be seeing the beginning of a budding rivalry between Taylor and Harris as well, although Taylor is quick to mention the two are friends. Not only did Harris knock out Taylor in eliminations, he also took the No. 1 qualifying spot with a 3.560 – just seven thousandths of a second ahead of Taylor. With Harris now the only driver eligible for both the Elite Motorsports Million and Jerry Bickel Clean Sweep, Taylor would love nothing more than to foil those plans. “Me and Jason are friends, don’t get me wrong,” said Taylor. “I’d love to see him win it if he could, but I’m definitely not going to lay up to give him an opportunity. We’re gonna bring everything we’ve got – we’re gonna shoot for number one, we’re gonna shoot for the win, and I’m going to do everything I can to take it from him.” It’s not just Harris that Taylor needs to look out for, however. The Snowbirds featured an incredible 80 cars on the qualifying sheet, with numerous big-name drivers not even making the show. Competition for the U.S. Street Nationals plans to be just as tough, but Taylor has someone in his corner that gives him a ton of confidence – Carl Stevens. “He’s the man, no doubt,” Taylor said. “There’s not a better tuner out there than Carl, especially when you get him on a turbo car. He’s done a bunch of stuff to the car to make it more consistent. All the key elements are there for us to put this car in the winner’s circle. We’ve just got to execute and do it. I feel like we’re as confident as anybody is to win it, but when you’re up against 80 or 100 of the baddest guys in the world, you can’t make any mistakes. Everything has to work and be executed perfectly, or you’re going on the trailer.” With that mindset, Taylor is coming to Bradenton with a ton of confidence. He knows he has a record-setting car and an elite tuner – and his lofty goals for the event reflect that confidence. “We’ve been getting the car ready and we’re bringing our A-game,” said Taylor. “I feel pretty good about it, I really do. I’ll tell you what – anything other than a top two finish and a number one qualifier, I’m going to be heartbroken. That’s our goal. That’s what we’re striving for.” This story was originally published on January 13, 2026. The post Back From The Drawing Board, Jimmy Taylor Is Ready For Upcoming U.S. Street Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Dubbin Motorsports will return to NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster competition in 2026 with driver Kirk Wolf, marking his fourth season in the team’s A/Fuel Dragster. The Minnesota-based team will run nine NHRA Lucas Oil Series National Events and one Lucas Oil Series Regional Event, with the possibility of adding additional regional races depending on championship points standings. The team continues its approach of incorporating new venues into the schedule to broaden competitive experience across multiple track environments. Team owner Dean Dubbin emphasized the value of expanding the schedule. “We make it a point every season to add a new venue to our schedule to keep things new and exciting. For 2026, we chose to add the Great Lakes Nationals to the schedule. We hear good things about US 131 from people who have raced there for many years.” Dubbin added that the team’s multi-track approach has strengthened the team’s overall performance. “I like racing at different tracks, the time and effort we put into going to the different tracks has made us better. There is no substitute for experience in this sport and you have to learn to adapt quickly to different conditions. We pride ourselves in being able to race, compete, and win at any track.” Wolf enters the 2026 season following a #12 finish in Lucas Oil Series national points, despite running three races short of a full points slate. Now based in Danville, Indiana, he expressed confidence in the program’s direction. “I am excited about this year. I think we have all the bugs worked out that caused problems at inopportune times for us last year. Few teams in this class have the kind of continuity and chemistry we have. Dean has put together a great program, and I have a lot of confidence in the performance of this car and everyone around it.” Clay and Chase Copeland will return to lead tuning duties, with longtime crew member, clutch specialist, and Car Chief, Trevor Jelinski, continuing to expand his involvement in the tuning program. Dubbin noted the team’s internal development. “One thing I like about our program is the development of everyone involved. We have been together as a team for many years now. Everyone here is capable of stepping into multiple roles, and the team doesn’t miss a beat.” The Dubbin team will open its 2026 campaign at the NHRA season‑opening AMALIE Motor Oil Gatornationals, March 5–8 at Gainesville Raceway. Racer.Media Creative This story was originally published on January 13, 2026. The post Kirk Wolf Back With Dubbin Motorsports For Nine-Race National Event Schedule first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Moto News Weekly Wrap January 13, 2026 What’s New: Dakar Rally 2026 Update – After Stage Nine Luke Clout tops Sunday at ADAC Supercross Dortmund 2026 Monster Energy SMX Playoffs and Final location reveal Jack Holder reigns supreme at Mildura and Gillman Keynan Rew tops Oceania Speedway Championship 2026 AMA Supercross Round One Wrap 2026 […] The post Moto News Weekly | Speedway | Dakar | SX | SMX appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

The Tables Have TurnedIf we told you that BMW M would draw parallels with Hyundai N five years ago, you'd probably laugh at the idea. But here we are now with the upcoming electric M3 that will apparently come with simulated gearshifts...like the Ioniq 5 N. Not to worry, a gas-fed M3 will also be made, but a feature first seen on a Hyundai making its way to a BMW shows how far the Koreans have come in a relatively short time. Of course, it's no secret that Hyundai poached Albert Biermann from BMW M. He's been retired for quite some time now, but it appears his influence is making an impact over there. BMW Simulated Gearshifts Alone Do Not Make an M CarWhile the simulated gearshifts are a welcome bit of news, that alone doesn't turn any EV into a performance car. Thankfully, BMW does say its electric M3 will have a couple more tricks up its sleeve. For instance, each wheel has a compact electric motor, so it's packing a quad-motor system. BMW adds that electric M cars will benefit from this kind of arrangement, along with an M-specific control software of the Heart of Joy system. Heart of Joy was first applied to the all-new iX3, and it could be a potential game changer when it comes to EV driving dynamics. BMW Of Course, You Can Make it SlideWhile it does come with a clever all-wheel drive system (and that's oversimplifying it), the M3 EV can be put in 2WD mode for some sideways action. Okay, it's not the first BMW M product to get that, but it's nice to know that it'll be applied here too. Switching to 2WD mode also increases range, the company says. Other highlights? Well, BMW isn't mentioning any power figures yet, but at least 500 horsepower and truckloads of torque. While we don't know that yet, what is confirmed is a large battery pack with over 100 kWh. It'll also have the same tech applied in the Neue Klasse iX3 to give it a decent amount of range. Granted, we're not expecting the M3 EV to have the same range as the practical family crossover, but hopefully it's more than enough to enjoy a track day and make it home without plugging in. BMW BMW View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

He’s won a slew of trophies and championships, but Vaughn Gittin Jr. says his “dream” has only now come true. He’s teamed up with Ford to roll out a pair of factory-made performance machines designed to his specifications. The first, the Mustang RTR, was introduced last year. The next in line makes its debut this week and the 2027 Ford Bronco RTR is “unapologetically cool,” Gittin boasted during a sneak preview at the automaker’s new world headquarters. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Slotting in-between the familiar Badlands and Raptor packages, the RTR delivers a long list of features customers typically ask for when they take their own Broncos to Gittin’s RTR Vehicles for customization. The good news, he told Autoblog is that the price tag will be “massively” less, and the package rolling off Ford’s own assembly line will get a full factory warranty. Hitching Their Horses TogetherThe Formula Drift champion is quick to point out that he’s only raced Fords on track and out on the sands. His RTR Vehicles has plenty of work modifying Broncos and Mustangs. But the obvious next step was to work directly with the Detroit automaker to deliver factory-made special editions. In the case of the latest package, “Our mission was to develop the hottest performance version of Bronco ever,” said Ed Krenz, Bronco’s chief program engineer. What they’ve come up with, he adds, “checks all the boxes” when it comes to the sort of features RTR’s customized Bronco buyers typically choose. That said, the Bronco RTR is designed to allow for more add-ons. There’s a bank of switches, already wired up, for example, that can be used to toggle accessories like an off-road light-bar. SasquatchThere will be two versions of the Bronco RTR, both getting a number of easy-to-spot updates. For one thing, they’ll feature a wider stance and higher ground clearance. Add distinctive Hyper Lime accents on the 17-inch beadlock-capable RTR Evo 6 wheels and other design details. And there will be topographical map appliques of Johnson Valley on the SUV’s hood and sides. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article All versions of the RTR feature that high ground clearance suspension, and the trim’s “base” package gets 33-inch rugged-terrain tires – the first time that combination has been offered on a factory-built Bronco. This is the first time for this combination on a factory-built Bronco. For those who want to step things up, there’s an optional Sasquatch package which gets 35-inch Goodyear rugged-terrain tires as well as the HOSS 3.0 system with Fox internal bypass shocks which, until now, were only available on the Bronco Badlands. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Dominating the DirtWhichever package you opt for, “Bronco RTR is built to dominate the dirt, whether you’re in Johnson Valley or on a backwoods trail,” said Gittin. “We gave it the suspension tech to handle the hits, but we also sweat the details that matter to drivers. We reinforced the steering, added anti-lag turbo tech and share high-power cooling fan hardware from the Bronco Raptor to help keep Bronco RTR cool during extended trail time and playing in sand.” Related: Ford Bronco Celebrates 60 Years With A Rugged Retro Makeover One other feature being introduced on Bronco RTR could give serious drivers a competitive edge. A potential drawback of relying on turbochargers is the lag that you face when first slamming on the throttle. The new Baja Mode is designed to limit that problem. Like the SUV’s other Terrain Mode settings, switching to Baja revises a variety of vehicle settings, such as transmission shifts and steering. It also changes engine software controls so that the turbo boost for the 2.3-liter inline-four engine stays high for up to about five seconds, even when a driver briefly lifts their foot off the throttle, say, when entering a tight corner or when facing particularly rough track conditions. “Access to power is critical” when off-road racing, said Krenz. The Baja Mode fix keeps things “at the limits when you need it,” quickly added Gittin. Related: Ford Says More Raptor Models Are on the Way Living the DreamGittins is a self-described “professional fun-haver,” and he says the partnership with Ford is a dream come true. Now that he’s got his fingerprints all over the new factory Mustang and Bronco models, might other RTR packages follow? “Clearly that is a dream of mine (and there could be) an opportunity to do more youthful models throughout the Ford line,” Gittin said – though we’ll have to wait to see what might follow. For now, we’ll have to wait until closer to when the Bronco reaches showroom next autumn to find out hard details, such as horsepower, torque, as well as ground clearance and pricing. The good news is that the Bronco RTR will be “massively” cheaper than what it previously would have cost to have RTR Vehicles customize the same package. That said, it won’t be cheap. Expect the 2027 SUV to land somewhere between the Ford Bronco Badlands package, which starts at $51,580, and the $81,990 Raptor. View the 1 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

A Long-Teased Performance FlagshipAfter more than a year of teasers and concepts, Genesis has finally pulled the wraps off the GV60 Magma. This is the first production model under the new Magma performance line, and it’s not just about chasing lap times. The GV60 Magma is aimed at buyers who want outright performance, but also care about comfort and refinement. There’s only one trim, and it’s fully loaded. The GV60 Magma sits at the top of the GV60 lineup, showing where Genesis wants to take performance in the years ahead. It shares its hardware with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, but the approach is different. While Hyundai goes for all-out aggression, Genesis keeps things more polished and comfort-focused. The result is a calmer, more composed kind of speed. Genesis Power Combined with PoshUnder the skin, the GV60 Magma uses the same dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup as the Ioniq 5 N, putting out 601 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque. Hit Boost Mode, and you get a short burst up to 641 hp and 583 lb-ft for about 15 seconds. Genesis says it’ll do 0 to 124 mph in around 10.9 seconds, with a top speed of 164 mph. That makes it the most powerful electric Genesis so far. Power comes from an 84 kWh battery, good for an estimated 215 miles of range per charge on Korean test cycles. Genesis put a lot of effort into thermal management, beefing up motor cooling and battery conditioning so the Magma can keep performing even when pushed hard, again and again. And yes, simulated gear shifts and sounds are part of the package, just like the Ioniq 5 N. Apart from the model-exclusive Magma Orange paint, the GV60 Magma gets other visual enhancements over the standard GV60. The body is about 2 inches wider and sits just under an inch lower, and it rides on 21-inch wheels with wide summer tires. Aerodynamic tweaks like real air breathers, a wing-style rear spoiler, and Magma-specific details give it presence, but nothing feels over-the-top. Inside, the GV60 Magma goes all-in on sport-luxury, albeit Genesis failed to provide images in the release (images below are from the prototype). There’s suede-like material, quilted trim, contrast stitching, and unique Magma accents throughout. The power-adjustable bucket seats come with ventilation, memory, and extra bolstering. Genesis also added more sound insulation and active noise cancellation to keep things quiet, even when you’re moving fast. Cole Attisha Perks for Early BuyersGenesis isn’t just putting the GV60 Magma in showrooms. Starting mid-January, you’ll find it on display for about two months at Genesis Studio Hanam, along with Magma-only scents, sounds, performance parts, and lifestyle gear. The same setup will pop up at Genesis Studios Suji and Cheongju, then move on to Gangnam and Anseong. Buyers also get a shot at motorsport access. If you buy a GV60 Magma between January 13 and April 30, you can enter a lottery. Two teams will be picked to attend the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, with race tickets, airfare, hotel, and meals all covered. In South Korea, the GV60 Magma starts at 96.57 million won, or about $72,000 at today’s rates. Of note, pricing could look very different if (or when) it comes to the US. That said, global availability wasn’t mentioned in the release, but given that this is a performance flagship for Genesis, it will likely arrive in major markets to boost the brand. Cole Attisha View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The largest overlanding event in the world will be coming back to California in just a few months. Join overlanders from all over the world in Costa Mesa, California to get educated, equipped, and inspired to continue your overlanding adventures. Over the next few weeks, we’ll have more news about the deals you can expect, educational opportunities, the special events happening throughout the weekend, and much more. In the meantime, we wanted to share the exciting list of sponsors, exhibitors, and partners already lined up for Overland Expo SoCal 2026. Among the brands listed here, you’ll notice plenty of familiar faces and some new names bringing innovative products to the overlanding world. You can find the full list of current exhibitors below. ExHibitor list Title Sponsors We’re excited to work with some of the best in the business as our Title Sponsors for Overland Expo SoCal 2026. Each of our sponsoring companies is helping Overland Expo SoCal 2026 be one of the largest overland gatherings in the world, with more to offer attendees than ever before. Thanks to AlphaRexUSA, ARB 4×4 Accessories, Baja Designs, Classic Overland, Kumho Tires, ROA OFF-ROAD, Subaru, Toyota, and Wanderbox for their support. Supporting Sponsors Our Supporting Sponsors include two exciting names – Play.do that manufactures an innovative line of lightweight, inflatable roof top tents and accessories that make camp set up easier than ever, and our friends at pFriem, who will also be our craft beer sponsor this year. If you like a good brew, you owe it to yourself to try one at the event. Special Area & Event Sponsors Throughout the weekend, you can come by the Oasis Bar and Food Court, sponsored this year by Nokian Tyres. There you can find a great selection of food and drinks, a perfect spot to enjoy a meal, and catch some great programming happening throughout the weekend. This will also be the location for Saturday night’s Happy Hour, sponsored by Toyo Tires. Come and hang out with fellow overlanders from 3 – 5 pm, make some new friends, and enjoy a cold beverage while sharing your favorite new gear finds, tips from a class, or perhaps a favorite trail that may inspire someone’s next adventure. On Sunday, join us for the Women Who Wander Networking brunch sponsored by Maxxis Tires, where you will find women-centered programming and discussion that’s open to everyone. More details about this popular part of the event will be released soon. We’ll have a wide range of topics being taught throughout the weekend in our education area, thanks to our special area sponsors. imCAMPER is sponsoring the perennially popular Backcountry and Culinary Pavilion, where you can level up your camp cooking skills or focus on other skills that make your time in the wilderness safer or more enjoyable. Vortex Optics will be sponsoring our Overland Essentials Area, where classes will focus on the wide set of fundamental skills needed for overlanding, ranging from trip planning to communications to map reading, and many more subjects. FOX will be sponsoring The Learning Lab, where you can find a wide variety of overland-centered topics to explore. The Women Who Wander Pavilion will also be returning, supported by a sponsorship from Kelderman Manufacturing. There you will find women-oriented classes going on all weekend long. Stay tuned as classes for each of these areas are announced soon. When you need a break during the day, you can relax in one of our three bivvys featuring comfortable camp chairs and a place to recharge your electronics. In particular, come visit the bivvy sponsored by Hankook Tire to get some R&R before getting back to the hustle and bustle of the event. Media Partners We’re also excited to work with a great Media Partners team that will cover Overland Expo SoCal during and after the event. Be on the lookout for coverage from Expedition Portal, OVR: Outdoor Vehicle Recreation magazine, Overland Journal, and Off-Road Travel TV on their respective outlets. Don’t miss out on the action! With all of these incredible sponsors, exhibitors, classes, and evening events, be sure to get your tickets for Overland Expo SoCal happening in Costa Mesa, California, March 14-15, 2026, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center. BUY TICKETS NOW View the full article

For decades, birders, hunters, naturalists, and explorers have had two ways to magnify what we want to observe more closely. Binoculars are convenient to carry and provide moderate magnification, generally between seven and ten power—any more and they become increasingly difficult to hold steady. When more power is needed for distant objects or extremely detailed views of nearer things—a maddeningly difficult-to-identify Empidonax flycatcher, for example—we use a spotting scope, which provides significantly higher magnification: 20, 30, 40 power or more. But the scope must be mounted on a tripod to provide a stable image at those levels. Until now. We just spent a week with Swarovski’s astonishing AT Balance 18-45x65 spotting scope, which incorporates an internal stabilizing mechanism that allows rock-steady handheld viewing at any setting—leave the tripod home. The Balance scopes come in two models: the AT Balance we tested has an angled eyepiece, a 65mm objective lens, and a zoom range of 18 to 45 power; the ST Balance has a straight-through eyepiece, a 50mm objective lens, and a zoom range of 14 to 35 power. The former weighs 52 ounces, the latter 46. And since you’re already wondering, retail on the AT Balance is $3,999; the ST is $3,349. How does it work? From Swarovski’s site: The AT/ST Balance spotting scopes incorporate a moving lens that is adjusted by an electric motor (voice coil motor) to offset movements. These motors work particularly quickly, very precisely, and with low friction – the pushing and pulling movements are smooth and continuous. They are also used in applications such as camera autofocus systems. The integrated gyroscope sensor measures the current movement of the spotting scope. Based on this, a calculation is made to determine which lens movement is necessary to compensate for the motion to result in a stable image. With the stabilization concept of the AT/ST Balance also in movement there is no perceptible “floating” or “after-image,” which is key to the unique natural sense of vision. Automatic locking of the moving lens in the event of a fall or a sudden interruption in the power supply protects the lens while also ensuring the best optical quality by keeping the lens in the central position. Each scope is powered by a 3.6-volt, 1860mHa rechargeable lithium-ion battery, claimed to last 12 hours of normal use between charges (via an external USB-C charger). The scope will enter a “time-out” mode after five minutes of non-use; tilting the scope (as if to focus on something) re-awakens it. However, there is no auto-off mode—you must turn it on and off manually via the switch under the eyepiece. That’s how it works. How well does it work? Superbly—with just a bit of a learning curve. On a recent clear morning Roseann slung the scope over her shoulder via the included strap and we bicycled up into the forest service land near our house. Before long we spotted a distant raptor perched on an agave stalk, not quite identifiable through my 10x42EL Swarovski binoculars. I turned on the scope (a two-second press on the switch), rotated the eyepiece to its lowest, 18X setting, and moved it to my eye. At that setting I easily confirmed the raptor as a red-tailed hawk—but more importantly as a motionless red-tailed hawk: the image was steadier than it was through the binoculars despite the nearly double magnification. The learning curve resulted from the fact that it was a bit challenging to hold the scope while keeping my eye at the correct distance from the eyepiece to ensure a full field of view. However, I quickly found that by lightly bracing the outer edge of the eyepiece against my eyebrow and the bone beneath, I could easily stabilize the eye relief to maintain a full view. Roseann employed her thumb as a brace to do the same thing. We both remarked on how much faster the stabilized scope was to deploy than a standard spotting scope on a tripod—it’s nearly as fast as a binocular, and the ST with its straight-through view would undoubtedly be even faster. For rarely still subjects while birding the advantages of this cannot be overstated. More learning: at 18X the 65mm objective lens of the AT provides a comfortably wide 3.6mm exit pupil. Bumping the power all the way up to 45X brought the hawk leaping even closer, but shrank the exit pupil to just 1.45mm, requiring careful positioning of my eye to avoid vignetting. (Note that this is true of any scope or binocular; the exit pupil is a function of objective diameter divided by magnification, no matter what you’re looking through.) Later figuring revealed that the exit pupil of the ST Balance 14-35x50 is virtually identical to the AT at its respective lowest and highest power. Of course the larger objective lens of the AT gathers more light so it is brighter at any setting. More viewing convinced me that the sweet spot of the AT 18-45x65 resides between 18x and 30x for most use, with that 45X setting reserved for really challenging, distant subjects in good light. I suspect, but have yet to confirm, that the AT’s similar strength would lie between 14x and 25x. Lest I neglect other aspects of the AT 18-45x65, I should note that the optics appeared to be every bit the match for our non-stabilized Swarovski ATX95 spotting scope, with allowance of course for the smaller objective lens of the stabilized model. Sharpness and color fidelity were simply above reproach. Despite the complex electronics, both stabilized models are weatherproof to IP68 standards, i.e. completely dust-proof and immune to heavy rain or even immersion. Both scopes incorporate a safety function that locks the moveable lens in place instantly in the event the gyroscopic sensor detects that the scope has been dropped. Also note that both scopes will work perfectly with a flat or missing battery; you just won’t have the stabilization and will need a tripod. Full disclosure: I wondered at first if the AT/ST scopes were a solution to a problem that didn’t exist. After watching Roseann carrying this one slung comfortably over a shoulder while riding a bicycle, then enjoying perfectly stable handheld long-distance views of wildlife, I changed my mind. But my final thought came totally out of left field. As I was reluctantly packing up the AT Balance to ship it back to Swarovski, I looked at it and abruptly thought, Jack Aubrey would have swooned to look through this thing from the deck of HMS Surprise. View the full article

MotoGP 2026 Prima Pramac Yamaha Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP has formally launched its 2026 MotoGP campaign in Siena, marking the team’s second season as Yamaha’s satellite factory operation and a significant transition year for both riders and machinery. The launch also coincides with two milestones for the organisation: celebrating 25 years of competition in MotoGP […] The post Jack and Toprak unveil 2026 colours at Prima Pramac Yamaha Team Launch appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Valcourt, Quebec, January 13, 2026 – In his first Dakar Rally campaign, Can-Am Factory racer Kyle Chaney scored a monumental career-first win on stage five of the rally, establishing his position as a front-runner at the pinnacle of Rally Raid. Chaney and his navigator, Jacob Argubright piloted their Can-Am Maverick R to the stage win through sheer pace, clean navigation, tire management, and sharp decision-making, deep into a demanding marathon stage. After nine stages of racing, Chaney’s determination and consistency are paying off, as he sits in second position in the overall rankings. “The longer I’m here, the more it sets in how big and prestigious this race is,” said Chaney on his inaugural Dakar effort. “The stage win definitely feels good, but it doesn’t overtake the time we lost on the previous stage. I knew it was going to be critical to have a good day. It was fun having a good car that worked well and not having any issues. It was an experience, for sure!” Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli Chaney’s Can-Am Factory Racing teammates also found strong pace as the 2026 Dakar Rally passed its midpoint. Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli notched an impressive stage win on stage seven, while Kyle Chaney and Joao Monteiro completed a podium sweep for Can-Am factory racing. “It was a really good day for us, I’m happy to find out at the finish that we won the stage,” said Ferioli after his win on stage seven. “It was a clean day, we had to overtake cars because we’d had problems in stage 6, but we did it and now we’re ecstatic. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow, the Dakar has no easy stages.” Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez On stage nine, three-time Dakar Rally champion Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez put together an outstanding drive to win the stage. Lopez was followed by Hunter Miller and Kyle Chaney in third and fourth place on the stage, respectively. The Can-Am Factory team continues to move up in the overall rankings, with Chaney and Monteiro running second and third position, respectively, after nine stages. Looking ahead, the team is in the middle of the second Marathon Refuge stage of the 2026 Dakar Rally. With no team assistance available overnight, stage ten will play a crucial role in the overall rankings of the rally. Overall Standings After Nine Stages 2nd: Kyle Chaney 3rd: Joao Monteiro 5th: Chaleco Lopez 6th: Manu Andujar 7th: Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli Key Highlights Dakar Rally rookie Kyle Chaney scored his first stage win on stage five, and is second overall in the standings after nine stages of racing. Can-Am Factory Racing swept the podium on stage seven, with Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli taking the win, followed by Chaney and Monteiro. Multi-time Dakar Rally champion Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez notched a stage win on stage nine. The Can-Am Maverick R thrived in the Saudi Arabian desert, claiming five of the top seven overall positions in the standings after nine stages of racing. The post Dakar Rally Rookie Kyle Chaney Earns First Career Stage Win and Sits Second Overall After Nine Stages appeared first on UTV Guide. View the full article

In his first Dakar Rally campaign, Can-Am Factory racer Kyle Chaney scored a monumental career-first win on stage five of the rally, establishing his position as a front-runner at the pinnacle of Rally Raid. Chaney and his navigator Jacob Argubright piloted their Can-Am Maverick R to the stage win through sheer pace, clean navigation, tire management, and sharp decision-making, deep into a demanding marathon stage. After nine stages of racing, Chaney’s determination and consistency are paying off, as he sits in second position in the overall rankings. “The longer I’m here, the more it sets in how big and prestigious this race is,” said Chaney on his inaugural Dakar effort. “The stage win definitely feels good, but it doesn’t overtake the time we lost on the previous stage. I knew it was going to be critical to have a good day. It was fun having a good car that worked well and not having any issues. It was an experience, for sure!” Chaney’s Can-Am Factory Racing teammates also found strong pace as the 2026 Dakar Rally passed its midpoint. Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli notched an impressive stage win on stage seven, while Kyle Chaney and Joao Monteiro completed a podium sweep for Can-Am factory racing. “It was a really good day for us, I’m happy to find out at the finish that we won the stage,” said Ferioli after his win on stage seven. “It was a clean day, we had to overtake cars because we’\ had problems in stage 6, but we did it and now we’re ecstatic. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow, the Dakar has no easy stages.” On stage nine, three-time Dakar Rally champion Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez put together an outstanding drive to win the stage. Lopez was followed by Hunter Miller and Kyle Chaney in third and fourth place on the stage, respectively. The Can-Am Factory team continues to move up in the overall rankings, with Chaney and Monteiro running second and third position respectively after nine stages. Looking ahead, the team is in the middle of the second Marathon Refuge stage of the 2026 Dakar Rally. With no team assistance available overnight, stage ten will play a crucial role in the overall rankings of the rally. Overall Standings After Nine Stages 2nd: Kyle Chaney 3rd: Joao Monteiro 5th: Chaleco Lopez 6th: Manu Andujar 7th: Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli Key Highlights ● Dakar Rally rookie Kyle Chaney scored his first stage win on stage five, and is second overall in the standings after nine stages of racing. ● Can-Am Factory Racing swept the podium on stage seven, with Jeremias Gonzalez Ferioli taking the win, followed by Chaney and Monteiro. ● Multi-time Dakar Rally champion Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez notched a stage win on stage nine. ● The Can-Am Maverick R thrived in the Saudi Arabian desert, claiming five of the top seven overall positions in the standings after nine stages of racing. The post Kyle Chaney gets first Dakar Rally stage win appeared first on UTV Action Magazine. View the full article

Mini wrapped up 2025 with its strongest performance in years, growing global sales and nearly doubling fully electric volume as the brand’s transition away from purely gasoline power gathered pace. Mini EVs Move From Niche To CoreWorldwide deliveries rose 17.7% year-over-year to 288,290 vehicles, but the standout figure was on the electric side: Mini delivered 105,535 fully electric cars in 2025, an 87.9% increase compared with 2024. Roughly one in three Minis sold globally is now a battery-electric model, and in markets such as the Netherlands, Sweden, Turkey, and China, EVs already account for more than half of brand sales. That change has been enabled by a broader, more accessible lineup. Mini’s latest compact crossover is positioned as a more attainable entry point into the brand, and it is available with all-wheel drive rather than restricting buyers to front-drive. Electric powertrains are now spread across core models rather than confined to a single halo car. MINI View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Countryman Volume And JCW Performance Lead The ChargeThe Countryman remains Mini’s volume anchor, as in 2025 it accounted for 93,305 units, a 15.2% gain that left the crossover representing about one-third of global sales. Fully electric Countryman deliveries climbed more than 80%, underscoring how demand for a larger, family-friendly Mini is dovetailing with interest in EVs. Also John Cooper Works models grew 59.5% to 25,630 units in 2025, supported by updates that keep the sub-brand at the sharp end of the hot-hatch segment. The latest two-door JCW maintains the familiar formula of strong acceleration, quick steering, and everyday usability. Together, the Countryman and JCW ranges helped lift total “Mini Cooper family” sales (3-Door, 5-Door, Convertible) to 162,789 units, up just over 10%. What This Means For Mini Buyers In 2026For shoppers, Mini’s strong 2025 shows up as more electric choices alongside gasoline and performance variants, plus a steady flow of style-led special editions. The brand is clearly treating EVs as a core business rather than an experiment, which should translate into broader availability and more tailored trims over the next model year. On the pricing side, current Mini Cooper lease deals give an indication of how monthly payments are evolving as electric and John Cooper Works models take a larger share of the mix. With overall sales rising and more than 100,000 fully electric cars delivered in a single year, Mini’s 2025 results look less like a spike and more like the new baseline for the brand’s small-car, big-character, EV-heavy future. View the full article

General Motors has officially changed its global headquarters to the Hudson’s Detroit complex on Woodward Avenue, moving out of the aging Renaissance Center on the riverfront and back to the street where it first planted its flag in 1911. The new HQ sits in the “Block Building” section of Hudson’s Detroit, a mixed-use development with office space, retail, and a GM showroom at street level. Inside, GM Design leaned on themes from the Eero Saarinen–penned Technical Center in Warren, with clean lines, open floors, heritage displays, and a lot of glass looking out over downtown. The company is taking roughly 200,000 square feet across multiple upper floors, with the lobby used as a rotating showcase for new Chevy, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac models. It is a sharp contrast with the half-empty RenCen towers the company is now working to redevelop with Bedrock, potentially turning parts of that site into apartments, hotel space, and more accessible riverfront. A Bold HQ Move In A Messy Transition EraOpening a glossy new HQ could look like pure victory lap, but GM’s reality is more complicated. On the one hand, 2025 was a banner year for its core brands. That strength is coming largely from trucks and SUVs, and GM is not walking away from them. It recently committed $500 million to upgrade a U.S. factory and double down on gas-powered vehicles. At the same time, the electric side of the business is under pressure. GM has now disclosed a $6 billion loss, a clear sign that Ultium-based products and software-heavy programs like Cruise and Super Cruise are not yet paying off the way the company hoped. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Why Staying In Downtown Detroit Still MattersGM could have quietly retreated to a cheaper suburban campus. Instead, it chose a brand-new skyscraper in the middle of downtown and wrapped the move in language about commitment to Detroit and Michigan, pointing to billions invested in local plants, suppliers, and jobs. The new HQ gives it a more modern face to recruit software engineers and EV talent, puts a fresh GM storefront on Woodward, and shows that the company still wants to be seen as a central pillar of the city’s comeback story, not just a legacy name on a fading riverfront tower. View the full article

If you own a 2025 Volvo EX30, the Swedish automaker wants you to park your subcompact crossover outside due to a fire risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently announced a recall for the EV after it was determined that some examples of the EX30 have high-voltage batteries potentially susceptible to short-circuiting and overheating. Thus, owners are advised to "park outside and away from structures and limit their charge to a maximum of 70% until the recall repair is complete." This comes just a few days after Volvo recalled over 400,000 cars for faulty rearview cameras, but at least this time around, the problem exists in only a handful of vehicles. The Problem with the Volvo EX30 Volvo The NHTSA's recall report says that 40 vehicles are potentially involved in this recall, impacting 2025 models produced between September 6, 2024, and October 25, 2025. These vehicles were produced with high-voltage batteries from the Sunwoda Power Battery Company in China, and the cause of the issue has been attributed to "a process deviation that may result in the formation of lithium plating growth that could also lead to an internal cell short." Volvo was first made aware of the problem in July 2025 in a vehicle outside the U.S., and this led to an investigation that was escalated to a Critical Concern Action Process. Toward the end of December last year, the team in charge of critical concerns issued a safety notification recall. Related: Volvo’s Next Electric SUV Claims Impressive Range and Charges in 10 Minutes The good news is that "Volvo Cars can confirm there are no warranty claims or field or service reports related to this defect in the U.S., but if the issue does rear its head in locally sold cars, owners can expect a battery overheating message to pop up in the driver's display cluster. Volvo's Fix is Coming Next Month Volvo View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The bad news is that, while dealers have already been notified of the problem in preparation for a fix, owners will only be able to search their VINs from January 26, and remedy owner notification letters are only expected to go out on February 23. Unfortunately, it's unclear how Volvo intends to solve this issue. Normally, the recall report will detail either a software update or a component replacement, but no such information is available yet. Presumably, Volvo is trying to determine whether it can get away with avoiding a battery replacement, which would surely be costly and time-consuming. Until then, these few EX30s should be parked far away from anything that could catch fire. View the full article

No Dealers, No ProblemChinese automakers remain effectively absent from the U.S. market due to factors such as ongoing geopolitical tensions. For ultra-wealthy enthusiasts like Richard Skelhorn, however, those obstacles don’t pose much of a barrier. Skelhorn recently brought his BYD Yangwang U9 to Miami, Florida, even claiming that the electric hypercar marked its first-ever appearance on American soil. Before dismissing the BYD Yangwang U9, it is worth noting that the electric hypercar has already built an impressive résumé on paper. The high-performance U9 Xtreme variant is reported to have achieved a claimed top speed of 496.22 km/h (308.33 mph), surpassing benchmark-setting hypercars such as the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+. In addition, the same model is said to be the first production electric sports car to break the seven-minute barrier at the Nürburgring, recording a lap time of 6:59.157 – essentially making it the fastest of its kind. A Tourist Visa for a HypercarAccording to Skelhorn, he purchased the U9 in August before registering the vehicle in Dubai. He described the Chinese-built EV as merely a “tourist,” explaining that it is required to leave the country after a year. He showcased the U9 on Instagram alongside another compelling EV, the TeslaCybertruck. Specs-wise, the BYD U9 Xtreme is equipped with four electric motors producing a combined 3,000 horsepower – roughly 900 horsepower more than the Rimac Nevera R, an all-electric hypercar developed within the same engineering group that oversees Bugatti. Vehicles like these help explain why traditional horsepower wars have become increasingly irrelevant today, though they still show what modern advancements are capable of achieving. @skel100x on Instagram Unapologetic EV AmbitionHowever, some of these innovations may push the envelope a bit too far. The U9, for example, comes equipped with BYD’s DiSus-X suspension system, which allows the EV to physically hop off the ground – a capability Skelhorn demonstrated in his social media post. While the feature is said to be designed to help the car clear obstacles such as potholes, it can also feel more like a technology statement piece meant to get people talking. Its SUV sibling, the Yangwang U8, takes things even further, showcasing the ability to drive through water—an unusual but potentially useful feature during emergency flooding situations. Regardless of how advanced these Chinese EVs become, the American market is unlikely to see them anytime soon, especially now that the current administration has further increased tariffs on imported vehicles. BYD has instead focused its efforts on other regions, including Europe, where models such as the Atto 3 and Dolphin appear to be performing well in terms of sales. The strategy has paid off, with BYD even surpassing Tesla as the world’s best-selling EV manufacturer last year. Yangwang View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Good news! Tesla's seven-seat Model Y has returned and is now available to order in the U.S. The bad news is that it's not the example large families would have liked — unlike the China-only Model Y L, which gets a seven-inch longer wheelbase to comfortably seat six people, the one being sold in America is based on the existing Model Y, which means Tesla has basically just put another pair of seats in the cargo area. As a result, the third row effectively only pays lip service to the idea of more practicality, with legroom suitable only for the smallest human beings and cargo room severely impacted. Just one look at the image below shows that adults couldn't possibly sit in the rearmost seats. Tesla's Model Y Has Been Here Before Tesla The pre-Juniper facelift Model Y got similar treatment, and it was quickly discontinued due to a lack of popularity. It's highly unlikely that things will be any different this time around. As noted by InsideEVs, several comments on Tesla's announcement on X (formerly Twitter) were less than complimentary, with one user calling the option "pointless without the bigger Y L wheelbase," and another saying, "No one wants this version; they want the Model Y L. You're literally wasting your time." On a separate note, another X user pointed out that only the Model Y Premium AWD seats up to seven, with the RWD version not getting access to the option on Tesla's website. It's also worth noting that the seven-seat option is only available in the U.S. That brings us to pricing. Tesla Model Y Seven-Seater PricingModel Y Premium now seats up to 7 Also, all configurations of Premium & Performance now come with black headliner + larger 16" center touchscreen All yours → https://t.co/OtbBOTYTTe pic.twitter.com/YcosQeD34o — Tesla North America (@tesla_na) January 13, 2026 The Tesla Model Y Premium All-Wheel Drive trim carries a base MSRP of $48,990, and the seven-seat option adds $2,500 to the bill, bringing the total to $51,490. Add in the $1,390 destination fee, a $250 order fee, $321 for registration, a $7 tire fee, $37 for title filing, a $344 license fee, and a $5,247 sales tax, and the total is just shy of 60 grand at $59,086. For that money, you could easily purchase a real three-row EV, like the Kia EV9, which starts at $54,900 ($56,545 including $1,645 for destination). To be fair, the EV9 Light RWD only manages 230 miles of EPA-estimated range, while the Model Y achieves 327 miles. The Tesla also has more power, with 375 horses on tap, while the EV9 delivers just 215 hp. Ultimately, buyers will have to decide between power and range or real-world practicality and space, at least until Tesla finally gives Americans the Model Y they deserve. View the full article

NASCAR has a new championship format for 2026, and the overwhelming reaction has been positive. But what exactly has changed with this latest iteration and why is it such a good thing? Let's take a look: Looking over the format, it is much better in regards to rewarding the best driver during each particular season. The eliminations and multiple rounds/resets are completely gone, replaced by a ...Keep readingView the full article

A 2020 McLaren Senna GTR, chassis #21 of just 75 built, is on the block at Bring a Trailer, offering one of the wildest track-only McLarens you can actually go and bid on rather than just stare at in a collection. The car is listed by Silver Arrow Cars Ltd in Newport Beach, California, and shows only 845 kilometers, or about 525 miles, on its digital odometer. Current bidding is fast approaching $700,000 with six days left of bidding. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article A Track-Only Senna Turned Up To 11The Senna GTR is McLaren’s idea of what happens when you stop worrying about license plates. It uses the MonoCage III carbon-fiber monocoque and a twin-turbocharged 4.0 liter V8 rated at 814 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, driving the rear wheels through a seven speed dual clutch automatic. Dry weight is quoted at 2,619 pounds, already lighter than the road car, but the real story is the aero. Compared with a standard Senna, the GTR has a 3 inch wider front track and a 2.7 inch wider rear track, a far more aggressive front splitter, a deeper rear diffuser and a huge rear wing with a drag reduction system. McLaren says it can generate 2,205 pounds of downforce at 155 miles per hour, about 442 pounds more than the street car at the same speed. That puts it in the same mental space as the factory track specials from Ferrari and Aston Martin rather than normal supercars. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Barely Run, Fully LoadedThis example wears a clean white exterior over a black Alcantara interior. Outside, it has an anti collision radar system with rear cameras, roof scoop, front and side intakes, polycarbonate windshield and windows, and integrated pneumatic air jacks. The 19 inch staggered center lock wheels are wrapped in Pirelli slicks, and the suspension is straight out of McLaren’s GT3 playbook, with double wishbones, four way adjustable Öhlins dampers and adjustable anti roll bars. Inside, you get GTR branded Sabelt fixed back carbon fiber seats with six point harnesses, an integrated roll cage, fire suppression system, titanium nitride pedals, leather door pull straps, air conditioning, a data logger and a pit to car radio. A plaque in the driver side door jamb identifies it as car #21 of 75. The Carfax report shows no accidents or damage, and the listing notes that the current seller acquired it in 2025 and is offering it on a bill of sale, as you would expect for a pure track car. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Where It Sits In The McLaren Food ChainIn McLaren’s world this is near the very top: rarer and more extreme than most road legal models, but still loosely tied to a production car rather than being a pure racing prototype. If you want something slightly more usable and slightly less insane, there are still interesting options. Go further down the ladder and the original carbon tub supercar, the 12C, is even more accessible. The Senna GTR is different though, it is a car you trailer, not commute in, and you spend your money on lap time and rarity rather than convenience. For the right buyer, though, a low mile, documented, numbered GTR like this one is exactly the sort of thing that will not come around often, on Bring a Trailer or anywhere else. View the full article

Another day, another EV. This time, however, it’s a massive range-extender Volkswagen, which is unlikely to find its way out of China. The brainchild of the VW-SAIC joint venture, the ID. Era 9X is a massive six-seater luxury SUV targeting the affluent Chinese, with its Range Rover-like minimalism, glitzy interior, and huge proportions. Volkswagen Aside from VW’s insistence on weird and wacky names, there’s nothing fussy about the 9X overall. “Imposing yet subdued” was perhaps the design brief. Although the designers may have taken the “imposing” aspect a bit too far. The 205-inch-long VW will likely not be mistaken for anything else on the road. Maybe its corporate siblings from Europe, the Audi Q9 or a Bentley Bentayga EWB, are worthy opponents. That is, whenever the Q9 shows its face. Width and height are 78.6 inches and 71.2 inches, respectively, with the 9X riding on a long ​​120.8-inch wheelbase—truly gargantuan proportions for a VW, shall we say. Volkswagen According to Motor1, this Range-extender VW tips the scales at just shy of 6,000 pounds. What may seem underwhelming is that all this mass is put in motion with the help of a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, one or two electric motors, and a 65.2 kWh battery pack. The engine is rated at 141 horsepower, while the combined output for the base rear-wheel drive model is 295 horsepower and 510 for the all-wheel drive variant. Being an EREV, VW reckons the ID. Era 9X is capable of 249 miles of CLTC range from the battery alone, while the total range is expected to be north of 600 miles. Volkswagen Details are scarce about the interior, but an all-screen affair is evident up front, with minimal, if not no, physical buttons at all. From the press photos, it's clear that there is a massive fold-down display for the rear passengers that unlocks a theater-like viewing experience. Although we’re unsure of the screen size, it doesn’t seem to be as large as the 40-inch item inside this ultra-luxury Chinese EV. As you may have guessed, this huge VW isn’t headed to the United States or Europe anytime soon, but a few EREVs of a more palatable size are coming. View the full article

The Lexus ES and Its Identity CrisisThe latest Lexus ES represents the brand’s continued push toward refinement, comfort, and global appeal, but not necessarily excitement. With the newest generation, Lexus traded the flowing, understated elegance of the previous ES for sharper creases and a more modern, upright stance. It’s cleaner and more formal, a look clearly tailored to markets like China where restraint and prestige often matter more than visual drama. For longtime fans, however, the result feels safe to a fault. That sense of visual anonymity is exactly what has opened the door for aftermarket and factory-backed customization specialists. While the ES remains a strong seller thanks to its quiet ride, high-quality cabin, and reputation for reliability, it has struggled to inspire passion in the way sportier rivals, or even Lexus’ own IS, can. In a segment where buyers increasingly want personalization and presence, the ES risks blending into the background. Enter Modellista, Lexus’ in-house tuning and styling arm, with a mission to inject some much-needed personality. Lexus Modellista Lexus ES: Subtle Drama, Japanese StyleUnveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the Modellista kit for the Lexus ES doesn’t attempt to turn the sedan into a full-blown sport sedan, but that’s not the point. Instead, it focuses on clean, deliberate enhancements that sharpen the car’s visuals without compromising its premium character. Up front, a new body-colored splitter subtly extends the bumper, giving the ES a lower and wider appearance. Matte black mirror caps add contrast, breaking up the otherwise monochrome design. Along the sides, extended skirts house the most eye-catching feature of the package: a customizable LED light strip capable of glowing in multiple colors. It’s a bold move for a car as traditionally reserved as the ES, signaling Modellista’s intent to appeal to buyers who want modern flair and nighttime presence. The look is completed by striking 21-inch forged aluminum wheels with a spiral spoke design, arguably the single biggest upgrade over the standard factory wheels. At the rear, a reshaped diffuser section ties the kit together, adding just enough visual weight to balance the front. Modellista View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Personalization May Be the ES’s Saving GraceWhile the Modellista Lexus ES shown in Tokyo remains a prototype, its existence raises important questions about the future of the nameplate. The previous-generation ES offered special editions like a Black Line and even an F Sport variant that added edge and attitude, but Lexus has yet to confirm whether a similar trim will return for the all-new model. If it doesn’t, accessory-driven upgrades like this Modellista kit may become the primary way for buyers to add character to an otherwise conservative sedan. Pricing and global availability of the Modellista kits are still unknown, particularly outside Japan. As Lexus leans into restrained, globally palatable design language, individuality risks being lost in the process. Modellista’s ES package shows how subtle changes, lighting, wheels, and sharper aero details can dramatically shift perception without undermining the car’s core strengths. Modellista View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Garett Mitchell, better known as the popular YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, began his stock car racing career last year in the ARCA Menard's Series. He did so under the guidance of NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, who became close friends with Mitchell over the past 1.5 years. However, Biffle was among seven who lost their lives in December plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina. They were planning ...Keep readingView the full article

A Steady Year for Mercedes-Benz in AmericaMercedes-Benz concluded 2025 with 303,200 passenger cars sold in the US, just a hair higher than the previous year by 1 percent. Add the 40,000 vans delivered, and the total US tally lands at 343,200 units. As expected, SUVs carried most of the weight, showing exactly where American premium vehicle buyers are putting their money. The Mercedes-Benz GLE, built in Alabama, just had its best sales year ever, up 14 percent over 2024. A strong finish in the fourth quarter helped, with demand climbing 12 percent in those last months. The GLC wasn’t far off either, ending the year with a 20 percent jump. Both models kept Mercedes-Benz firmly in the lead when it comes to premium SUVs. Not everything was headed upward, though. Vans finished the year down 14 percent from 2024, even with a small lift in the last quarter. Passenger car growth stayed modest, especially as competitors rolled out more incentives and updated models. Mercedes-Benz Performance Models and a Familiar RivalryAt the top end, Mercedes-Benz still found plenty of takers. Mercedes-AMG sales climbed 12 percent, setting a new record. The G-Class did even better with a 26 percent increase over last year – also marking its best year yet. Some core models picked up speed, too. The CLE jumped 53 percent year-over-year, and entry-level options like the GLA grew 21 percent. Those gains helped offset slower sellers in the rest of the lineup. Even so, Mercedes-Benz wasn’t the biggest winner in US luxury sales for 2025. BMW set another all-time record, showing just how fierce the competition is. Mercedes’ numbers look steadier than spectacular, relying on strong SUV demand instead of big leaps in total volume. Mercedes-Benz A Bigger Picture GloballyOn the global front, Mercedes-Benz Group moved 2,160,000 cars and vans in 2025, which is 10 percent lower than last year. The fourth quarter was the highlight, with 558,400 units sold and a 6 percent bump over Q3, making it the strongest stretch of the year. AMG deliveries were up 7 percent worldwide, and the G-Class hit another global sales record. Mercedes-Benz leadership says 2025 kicked off their most ambitious product and tech push yet, with new electric platforms and software-focused models paving the way for 2026. An update to the S-Class flagship is also on the way, so that’s something to watch out for this year. Mercedes-Benz View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Every so often, a factory-built car shows up at a drag strip and completely resets expectations. Not nudges them forward. Not “pretty quick for a street car.” Completely rewrites the conversation. That’s exactly what happened when Chevrolet rolled the new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X onto the starting line at US 131 Motorsports Park. The result? An 8.675-second quarter-mile at 159.5 mph – in a street-legal, production-spec Corvette that anyone with the means can order. That number alone is staggering. But the context behind it makes it even more jaw-dropping. Built With the Drag Strip in Mind From the outset, GM engineers weren’t coy about the mission. The ZR1X wasn’t just designed to be the quickest Corvette ever – it was engineered to be the quickest production vehicle General Motors has ever produced, period. At the heart of the car is a twin-turbocharged, mid-mounted V8 paired with an electric motor driving the front axle. Combined output: 1,250 horsepower. More importantly for drag racers, the platform was engineered for violent acceleration, repeatability, and traction – the three pillars of real quarter-mile performance. This wasn’t a dyno queen or a marketing prototype. GM brought the car to a public drag strip, the same surface where weekend racers test their own cars. The goal wasn’t just to post a hero number – it was to prove the performance could be backed up, run after run. Deep 8s… From the Factory Anyone remotely familiar with drag racing understands the significance of running in the 8-second zone. 10-second cars are fast. 9-second cars are special. 8-second cars are serious race cars. Breaking into the mid-8s is territory typically reserved for purpose-built drag machines or seven-figure hypercars with limited real-world usability. And yet here was a Corvette – on pump gas, factory calibration, factory aero, and street tires – ripping off multiple passes in the 8.7s before finally laying down an 8.675. Even more impressive? GM didn’t get there by turning the car loose once and packing up. Engineers made incremental calibration changes throughout the day, adjusting torque delivery to the front axle, managing heat soak, and refining launch parameters. The car remained consistent despite being run hard in real-world conditions. That consistency is what separates a stunt from a statement. The Numbers That Drag Racers Can Appreciate Let’s talk about what really jumps off the timeslip: Quarter-mile: 8.675 seconds Trap speed: 159.5 mph 60-foot: 1.37 seconds Acceleration: roughly 1.5-1.75 g through first and second gear There are plenty of lifelong drag racers with purpose-built machines that’d be thrilled with a 1.37-second short time – to see those kind of numbers from a production vehicle on 21-inch wheels borders on unbelievable. And this wasn’t a one-off. GM recorded multiple runs in the 8.6s and a string of passes in the 8.7s, validating that the performance is repeatable and production-ready. Street Car. Real Track. No Excuses. One of the most compelling parts of the ZR1X story is where it happened. US 131 Motorsports Park isn’t a private proving ground. It’s a public drag strip – the kind of place where Corvette owners actually go to race. GM made a point to emphasize that what ran down the track is what will go into production. No special engines. No trick parts. No one-off tuning. In other words, this wasn’t a theoretical number. It was a real one, printed on a real timeslip, on a real drag strip. Even when GM swapped to an unprepped surface and fitted the optional ZTK performance package, the ZR1X still clicked off an 8.99-second quarter-mile. That’s still deep into territory that most “built” street cars never reach. Why This Matters to Drag Racing For drag racers, the ZR1X represents something bigger than just another fast production car. It proves that OEM engineering has officially crossed into territory once dominated exclusively by race cars. The idea that a showroom-floor vehicle can run mid-8s, back it up, and do it reliably is almost hard to process – especially for anyone who grew up when an 8-second time slip required a trailer, slicks, and a rulebook. The ZR1X doesn’t just flirt with that line. It obliterates it. A New Benchmark When GM engineers finally packed up after two full days of testing, the verdict was clear: mission accomplished. The Corvette ZR1X is now officially the quickest Corvette ever, the quickest GM production vehicle ever, and one of the quickest street-legal production cars the world has ever seen. For drag racing fans, it’s a reminder that straight-line performance still matters – and that the quarter-mile remains the ultimate truth serum. Because no matter how advanced the technology gets, the scoreboard never lies. This story was originally published on January 13, 2026. The post Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Goes Deep Into the 8s, Redefines What a Production Car Can Do at the Drag Strip first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article