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Ferrari’s newest front-engine V12 hasn’t even had time to cool off, and flippers are already treating it like a royal asset. A 2025 Ferrari 12Cilindri coupe showing just 274 miles sold for for just under $700,000 via duPont Registry, revealing how the market values Maranello’s latest 12-cylinder flagship. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article A Delivery-Mile 12Cilindri In All The “Right” OptionsThis example is finished in Rosso Mugello with Nero accents over a Cuoio leather and Alcantara interior. It wears satin 21-inch forged wheels, Giallo calipers over carbon-ceramic brakes, hand-painted Scuderia shields and black ceramic exhaust tips, with full paint-protection film already applied. It is essentially a launch-spec car with the boxes most collectors want ticked. Under the long hood sits the F140-series 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12, now tuned to the 12Cilindri’s 800-plus horsepower range and revving deep into five figures, driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Four-wheel steering, a heavily reworked aero package and modern driver aids make it quicker and more approachable than the outgoing 812 Superfast, even if the basic recipe is familiar. The shape leans hard into Ferrari’s GT history, it has a long nose, cab-backward stance and a fastback tail that nods to the Daytona era. This is very much a grand tourer with luggage space and day-to-day usability, not a stripped-out track special. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Part Of A Long Front-Engine V12 Money TrailPrices like this only make sense if you see the 12Cilindri as one more link in a long chain of front-engine Ferrari V12s that have turned into serious financial instruments. At the very top of that chain sits the 250 GTO. Far closer to earth, you can see the pattern in cars like a clean 1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello. That car was once just a used GT; now, good manuals with history are treated as long-term holds. The same thing is happening with rarer mid-engined V8s, like a 360 Challenge Stradale. This 12Cilindri has been playing the same game since day one. It’s an early model with plenty of options, coming at a time when the future of large, naturally aspirated V12 engines is uncertain. For buyers who think this might be one of the last pure, non-hybrid front-engine Ferraris of its kind, spending significantly more than the list price for a car with just 274 miles seems less like a luxury and more like a smart investment. View the full article

Lewis Hamilton had a truly terrible first season with Ferrari in Formula 1. So much so, that the GOAT bought a KTM dirt bike and turned off his phone. We can relate.View the full article

Ford is preparing to do something that we thought was impossible in today’s EV market – undercut Chinese vehicles. The brand is targeting a starting figure of around $30,000 for its next electric pickup. For context, the best-selling electric truck of 2025, the discontinued Ford F-150 Lightning, started at roughly $55,000. Rivian’s R1T and the TeslaCybertruck sit even higher, comfortably north of $70,000. So how does Ford plan to pull that off? According to an exclusive interview with MotorTrend, the answer lies in what the company believes will be the cheapest electric motor in the world. The Motor That Could Change Ford’s Electric Future Cole Attisha Using Midjourney 7.0 & Gemini 2.5 Flash Image According to Ford’s head of EVs, Doug Field, the company is developing what it claims will be the cheapest electric motors in the world, even in China. That is no small claim in an industry where China dominates through scale, ruthless efficiency, and affordability, hence why they're projected to be the best-selling car nation in the world. But instead of just finding the cheapest materials to make the electric motors, Ford assembled a team of 500 brilliant engineers, many recruited from outside companies like Rivian, Tesla, and Apple. With this tactic, Ford wants its clever design to beat sheer manufacturing scale, at least for now. In the interview, Ford goes on to say that its next electric pickup will offer both rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive options, along with multiple battery choices. Cheaper Starts with Smarter Engineering Ford Much like Tesla did with the "Standard" range, Ford is stripping their new electric truck down to its essentials and rethinking the production process. According to MotorTrend, in comparison to a Mustang Mach-E, the next-generation truck uses 25% fewer fasteners and a wiring harness that's 22 lbs lighter and 4,000 feet shorter. Yet, the $30,000 electric pickup will have eyes-off self-driving. But it doesn't stop at the design. The goal is not automation, but rather to remove unnecessary steps altogether. At the Louisville plant, the number of workstations is set to drop by 40%, allowing the truck to move through production faster and at lower cost. Why This Could Reshape The EV Market Cole Attisha Using Midjourney 7.0 & Gemini 2.5 Flash Image If this plan works, the ripple effects will be huge. A $30,000 electric pickup would put pressure on rivals who have grown comfortable selling EVs as premium products. It would also force competitors to rethink how much complexity is really necessary in a modern vehicle. People will start looking at electric trucks as practical tools again, instead of status symbols. And if Ford pulls this off, this way of thinking will trickle down the rest of their lineup, making all their other products more competitively priced than rivals like Chevrolet and GMC. Maybe the day of having affordable cars once again is on the horizon, thanks to Ford – sounds familiar, doesn't it? View the full article

Uber is set to become the next ride-sharing service to launch driverless robotaxis, announcing plans to partner with tech developer Nuro and EV maker Lucid at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show. For its part, Lucid doesn’t want things to end there. In a meeting with a handful of journalists at CEO in Las Vegas, Interim CEO Marc Winterhoff revealed his company will soon start ramping up the capabilities of its advanced driver assistance systems of its retails products using Nuro technology. By next year, Winterhoff said, some Lucid models will be capable of “Level 2++” driving, meaning hands-free operation not only on limited-access highways, but even in crowded urban areas. The ultimate goal, he added, is to introduce a Level 4 system that could operate completely without a driver by 2029. Related: Lucid Built Twice as Many EVs in 2025, But Can It Sell Them All? “Almost There”The three partners “are collectively building an experience like no other,” Kay Stepper, the executive overseeing Lucid’s autonomous vehicle efforts, said earlier this week. Early robotaxi prototypes are already in real-world testing and the plan is to launch the first for retail service in the San Francisco Bay Area late this year. If anything, Uber and Nuro “were pushing for even earlier dates,” said Winterhoff. The robocab project is moving forward even as Lucid accelerates development of autonomous technology for its retail vehicles. What he describes as Level 2++ capabilities are “almost there,” and should be in place within the coming year for the Gravity SUV. Shifting FocusGoing forward, however, Lucid’s program will shift focus from Gravity to the new midsize line-up set to begin rolling out in 2027. By starting from scratch, Lucid was able to build in a more sophisticated computing system, while also designing the mainstream models to seamlessly hide the extensive suite of cameras, radar and Lidar sensors more advanced levels of autonomy will require, company officials explained. A number of obvious, if subtle, modifications had to made to retrofit those devices into the Gravity robocabs, noted Lucid design chief Derek Jenkins. Most obvious are the tweaks to the “tiara,” the roof rack-like package on the vehicle’s roof. Among other things, it contains a number of Lidar units and other sensors, as well as several digital displays to greet passengers. Lucid has yet to offer much detail about the new midsize line-up, expected to be named "Earth," though Winterhoff this week confirmed three distinct models will be built off the new platform. A teaser image suggests the first will adopt a relatively conventional SUV-like shape which, industry insiders anticipate, will directly take on the Tesla Model Y. It will launch in early 2027 and be followed a year later by a second EV. A third model will take 18 more months to develop and could adopt a more radical design language, Winterhoff hinted. Autonomous Timetable The rollout of autonomous vehicle technologies has accelerated rapidly across the auto industry over the last several years. Most manufacturers today offer some degree of ADAS, advanced driver assistance systems, that, at the very least, can automatically maintain the traffic flow and help drivers remain centered in their lane. A growing number of brands have added hands-free driving capabilities – such as General Motors’ Super Cruise and Ford’s Blue Cruise. These “Level 2+” technologies are typically limited in terms of the roads they can operate on and require motorists to remain vigilant, ready to retake control at a moment’s notice in an emergency. Lucid will next move to expand the range in which its ADAS system can operate, its Level 2++ technology. But that’s just the start, he added. “The plan is to go Level 3 by 2028 and Level 4 by 2029.” Level 3 systems will allow “hands-free, eyes-off” operation – meaning drivers safely could do things like texting or watching videos, though they’d still need to be ready to quickly retake control. Level 4 will yield the same driverless capabilities as the Uber/Lucid version of Gravity. The new midsize models – expected to be called “Earth” – will come first in terms of adding these capabilities, Winterhoff explained, though the plan is to then upgrade the capabilities of the Gravity SUV. He left open the possibility that Lucid’s original product line, the Air sedan, will also have its capabilities upgraded. That will require completely updating its electrical architecture and onboard computing system which would be an expensive project for a vehicle generating relatively low sales numbers. Related: No Model 3 Rival: Lucid Says Sedans Aren’t Part of Its EV Future A Fix Coming Lucid’s grand plans have generated more than a little bit of skepticism considering the company’s ongoing problems with far less sophisticated technology. It has faced a series of electronic gremlins with its navigation system and other functions, including faulty digital keyfobs that aren’t always recognized by the vehicle. The company has been addressing these with a series of software updates and Winterhoff said he has completely replaced the tech team responsible for getting things fixed. “We absolutely know this was an issue,” he said. With an upcoming software release “we will be over the hump in January, latest in March,” if a second update is needed, he promised at CES. That’s not the only challenge facing the company, though. Lucid has been burning through cash at a rapid rate, worsened by the slow launch of the Gravity SUV. Since Winterhoff came in as interim replacement for Lucid founder Peter Rawlinson last February, it has since been able to build some much-needed momentum. It produced 8,412 vehicles – most of them the Gravity – during the final three months of 2025, doubling the previous quarter’s output. Deliveries, meanwhile, were up 55% during the same period. “That was quite an achievement,” Winterhoff boasted, noting that in a period that’s been called the “EV Winter,” Lucid was “the only EV manufacturer that increased deliveries during the fourth quarter” in the U.S. market. View the full article

For Samuel Peterson, drag racing is the only life he’s ever known. The 24-year-old track prep specialist and event promoter based out of Michigan has been immersed in the sport thanks to a deeply rooted family legacy that stretches across multiple generations of dragstrip operators. Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #197, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November/December 2025. “Before I was born, my mom and dad worked at Rockingham Dragway,” Peterson says. “My grandpa, Steve Earwood, owned that for many years and just recently sold it. So, my earliest memories as a kid are from the tower watching IHRA national events and stuff like that.” When his parents moved north in 2002, the next chapter of their racing journey began. His father accepted the position of general manager, and his mother joined the marketing team, at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park. More than two decades later, the Peterson family still works there, maintaining their deep connection to both the sport and community that has shaped their livelihood. Growing up at the track, Peterson learned the ins and outs of what makes a racing surface fast, safe, and consistent. Over the years, that experience molded him into a meticulous track prep specialist who strives for perfection. His talent is now sought after by promoters across the country and his reputation has grown through dedication, long hours, and hands-on learning from some of the best in the industry. In recent years, Peterson has traveled to major events alongside Sticky Mafia’s Jimmy Bradshaw. Together, they’ve worked everything from the Mid-West Drag Racing Series (MWDRS) to Street Car Takeover and many other large events. Peterson admits each track presents new challenges like weather conditions and differing racing surfaces, but he thrives on the problem-solving skills that his role demands. One of the most rewarding parts of the job has been sharing the staging lanes with racers and teams he grew up idolizing. “One of my memories from Rockingham is being up in the tower and watching Brandon Snider run Pro Extreme back in the day,” Peterson says. “He tunes for Jim Whiteley, and after I started prepping at a MWDRS race, he came up to me on the starting line and said, ‘Man, I’m so glad to see you here.’ I was like, ‘Wow. I used to get excited seeing you at the racetrack and now here you are excited to see me.’ It was kind of a full-circle moment.” Peterson’s grandfather, Steve Earwood, is one of the most respected figures in track management and has played a crucial role in his growth over the years. He has passed down not only his knowledge, but also his perfectionist mentality. “I’m not happy until everyone is going down the racetrack and it’s all going smoothly,” he says. Peterson admits that even with all the advice from his family members over the years, track prep always faces countless variables including weather shifts, large car counts, and inconsistent surfaces that can always throw a wrench into things. “Being on the road has definitely helped me,” Peterson says. “At my track, I know exactly what I need to do to go fast. But I’ll get to another track, and it’s not even close to the same. My job is to make it consistent.” That consistency, he explains, is the key to earning racers’ trust and ensuring events run smoothly. He has also recently expanded his role beyond track prep. In the past year, Peterson promoted two of his own events at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park and he’s planning to double or even triple that number next year. “I’m probably going to do four-to-six events this coming year, scaled up from this past year,” he adds. While his focus is primarily on track operations, Peterson still has the itch to get behind the wheel and drive himself. “I’ve always wanted to work in racing, but now I’m kind of regretting that because I’ve really been wanting to drive lately,” Peterson admits with a laugh. He has driven a variety of race cars already, including a turbo Mustang on 275s, a dragster, and even the well-known Volvo wagon from Drag Week. Most recently, he made his Nostalgia A/Fuel debut in a front-engine nitro car at the Northern Nationals. “It went 7.14 to the quarter and I lifted at about 700 feet,” he says. “Hopefully within a year or two, I’ll get to make another hit in a blown nostalgia Top Fuel car.” Peterson believes his driving experience has made him a better track specialist. By understanding firsthand what drivers need from a racing surface, he can fine-tune his approach to the day’s track prep. His time spent crewing for Joel Wensley during the 2024 Drag Illustrated Winter Series also deepened his understanding of how different classes and car combinations react to varying racing surface conditions. Away from the racetrack, Peterson balances his professional life with his growing family. He and his wife, Bailey, are raising two daughters, Laiken and Claire, and while his racing schedule keeps him busy, he enjoys the time he gets at their recently purchased home. With his family’s unwavering support and a career that continues to accelerate, Peterson remains grateful for the journey he’s on. From his earliest days spectating from the tower at his grandpa’s racetrack to managing and prepping major events, his love for the sport has never faded. “I literally grew up around drag racing my whole life,” he says. “I don’t know how to do anything else.” The post DI 30 Under 30 2025: Samuel Peterson first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Melting Pot for Japan's Best TunersThe past few days have been awash with news coming from the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon. What makes this particular show unique is that it is the perfect mix for all kinds of automotive enthusiasts. Big manufacturers flock to the show and even choose to launch new models there, but the displays are dominated by the extremely unique builds that the Japanese car scene is known for. One of the most unique and well-done examples is what's being called the "Pocket Bunny," a Suzukikei car turned mini-Godzilla. Pocket BunnyThe creators behind this build are Pandem Rocket Bunny and Takahashi Jun. The Pocket Bunny is described as a "Radical Custom Body Swap." The original body came from a Suzuki Twin, a Japanese market Kei car. What they've essentially done is turn the Suzuki into a tiny and cute R32 Skyline, hence the name Pocket Bunny. During the show, the Pocket Bunny was exhibited by TRA Kyoto, a shop that sells body kits, wheels, and other parts from Rocket Bunny Racing and Pandem. In an interview by Kuruma News, the inspiration for the Pocket Bunny was said to be Japanese Manga. Despite how difficult it seemed, they chose to proceed with the project because they felt it would be a "hit" with the public. Oh yes, it does. Not Just a ConceptDoing the conversion is no small task; in fact, the schematics show that considerable cutting and sculpting of the original body are needed to accommodate the kit. The original length is also extended to better fit the new panels. Some panels, like the lights and the bumper, were molded into one singular piece to fit the smaller width of the Suzuki Twin; all of this results in what is undoubtedly a very good example of a shrunken Nissan Skyline GT-R R32. Even better, this Radical Custom Body Swap kit is actually available for sale. Buyers will be able to get the kit unpainted to allow them to customize the color, but as of right now, it is listed as sold out. The kit costs around $4,000 with the current exchange rates. Hypewhip/Instagram View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The Most Extreme Defender That Money Can’t (Yet) BuyLand Rover is back at the Dakar Rally with a machine that doesn’t hold back: the Defender Dakar D7X-R. Built for the new Stock category, this is the most extreme Defender yet – and you can’t buy one, at least not now. It’s a pure competition car, stripped of comfort and loaded for one thing: surviving the toughest terrain Dakar can throw at it. One of the standout features is Flight Mode. Switch it on, and all the driver aids step aside, letting the Defender run with almost no electronic help – exactly what Dakar demands. This isn’t a car built for the daily commute or the school run. It’s all about the rally. And yes, plenty of people already want one. Land Rover sees the demand, and while it won’t be easy, the company's looking at how to make that interest count. Land Rover From Works Racer to Customer DreamAccording to an interview with Defender Managing Director Mark Cameron by PistonHeads, Land Rover’s Dakar involvement is not just about chasing trophies. The brand worked with the FIA and ASO to reshape the Stock category specifically so it could race something that still looks and feels like a Defender. That authenticity matters, especially when thinking about customers. Cameron knows there’s real demand for customer cars and hints at a possible path – maybe even a Road to Dakar program for private teams with deep pockets. But there are roadblocks. Right now, rules cap the price of customer rally cars at about £300,000 (around $40,000), which isn’t enough for Land Rover to build and support a Dakar-ready Defender. There are also bigger questions about emissions, safety, and whether a production version could ever be road legal. But the idea isn’t going away. Land Rover has exclusive Dakar branding for the next three years, which only makes a limited-run road car based on the D7X-R more likely. “There are enough customers around the world that want the best example of what you produce, regardless of how much it costs,” Cameron told PistonHeads. Land Rover Dakar D7X-R vs Defender OCTABeneath the tough exterior, the Defender Dakar D7X-R shares its bones with the Defender OCTA, but that’s where the similarities stop. Both get a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 and an eight-speed automatic, but everything else is built for a different world. Regulations hold the D7X-R to about 390 horsepower, while the OCTA gets 635. Torque stays the same. The rally car uses a shorter final drive and tops out at 106 mph. All the high-tech road systems – like 6D Dynamics suspension, electric steering, and electronic diffs – are gone. Instead, you get mechanical limited-slip differentials, hydraulic steering, and stripped-down electronics built to take Dakar punishment. The D7X-R stands wider, rolls on 35-inch tires, packs a huge 145-gallon fuel tank, and clears up to 14.6 inches off the ground. The OCTA is still a beast on the road, with more comfort and a wider range of abilities. If Land Rover ever builds a customer D7X-R, it’ll be the top dog – leaner, louder, and much rarer than anything else in the lineup. Land Rover View the 7 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Steve Magnante is back at it, at Backyard Auto in New Hampshire to check out another great muscle car shell. This is a 1965 Dodge Coronet 440, and while it didn’t come with a Hemi under the hood, it is the exact body that would have been used to build them in 1965 and that means you could build your own out of this one right here. These are incredibly expensive cars if they are real 990 Race Hemi cars, and we know of one of the finest in the country that is for sale right now for 6 figures. Check this out, as Steve will give all the info you expect. The post Steve Magnante Junkyard Crawl: Here’s A Race Hemi Coronet Ready To Come Alive. This Post Car Could Be Epic! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Back on the LotIn addition to the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee midsize crossover equipped with the new turbocharged inline-four Hurricane engine, the American marque has also begun delivering the all-new Cherokee. One of the first customer-bound units has arrived at Cross Jeep ChryslerFiat in Kentucky, where sales consultant David Figg showcased the compact crossover on his Facebook page. The 2026 Cherokee now rides on Stellantis’ STLA Large architecture, which also underpins other Jeep models such as the Wagoneer S. After a two-year hiatus, the nameplate returns with the KM model code and adopts a noticeably boxier overall design. That squared-off profile reflects a styling trend across today’s crossover and SUV market, as seen with recent redesigns on the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Toyota Land Cruiser. A First Look in the WildThe newly delivered unit at Cross Jeep Chrysler Fiat arrived in Limited trim and was finished in Hydro Blue Pearl. In the lineup, the Limited sits below the flagship Overland trim, while the Cherokee and Laredo trims serve as the more affordable entry-level options. Figg also highlighted that the Cherokee KM is now powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid engine, which employs two electric motors to produce a combined output of 210 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through an eCVT. Jeep estimates that this electrified powertrain is capable of delivering up to 500 miles of total driving range. Stellantis What It CostsPricing for the new Cherokee lineup starts at $35,000 (excluding the $1,995 destination fee) for the base Cherokee trim. At the top of the range, the Overland trim has a $43,000 MSRP and brings exclusive equipment such as 20-inch wheels, all-season performance tires, and a two-tone gloss-black painted roof. Across the lineup, all trims receive a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. This Cherokee’s arrival at a Kentucky dealership signals Stellantis' renewed push into a crowded segment, where rivals such as the Toyota RAV4, Ford Bronco Sport, and Subaru Forester continue to compete. The hybridized model also represents one of Jeep’s latest product launches, alongside the all-new Recon, which marks the brand’s first Trail Rated EV. However, despite the increasing electrification across the portfolio, the company has recently stepped back from plug-in offerings, dropping the 4xe from both the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee as it reshapes its long-term powertrain strategy. Stellantis View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

There are a lot of differences between your average body shop paint and bodywork and something that someone like Kevin Tetz would do for a high end project. Sometimes projects don’t require, or deserve, insanely perfect bodywork and paint. But even if your project isn’t super high end there is some merit in making sure your body panel gaps are good. They don’t have to be tiny like a car that would come out of Hollywood Hot Rods, Rad Rides by Troy, or Chip Foose’s shop, but that doesnt’ mean you can’t make them consistent. Consistency is the key with body panel gaps, as a wide or tight gap somewhere will look super out of place and then everyone will notice it when they take a look at your car or truck. To find out some tips and tricks on how to get your panel gaps great, watch this video with our friend Kevin Tetz. And, if you want more info on how to do great bodywork and paint, you can learn it all from his Paintucation course. Check them out at the link below. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON KEVIN’S PAINTUCATION COURSES Video Description: This is STILL a great How-To on gapping sheet-metal… Just different than our original intent. let me say, that We’ve gotten over it an learned more about the gear, and won’t make the same mistake twice… I formatted the card outside of the camera, and that’s a mistake. it was “probably” the cause of the card being corrupted and we lost hours of footage. Bummer! We’re STILL stoked about the ‪@autometaldirect‬ sheet metal almost ( with a slight shove) falling into place… We STILL got you a great episode… just not as much of it. Don’t forget to subscribe! Don’t forget to LIKE us!!! If you’re looking for videos that show you how to restore cars… go here! https://paintucationu.com/ If you’re looking for videos that show you how to restore cars… go here! https://paintucationu.com/ ‪@ViceGripGarage‬ is already split-bumper-sexy! with our ‪@AmericanPowertrain‬ drivetrain, ‪@FiTechEFImedia‬ induction and ECU, ‪@Lsxceleration‬ LS engine components installed by John Bouchard Performance, This car is going to WIN!!!! This is the last post this year…. We’ll give you a recap round up next weekend and show you what we’ve spent on this beast! Happy New Year!!! Get your “GAP IT” tool from https://strangemotion.com/shop You need one! We proudly use‪@detroitspeed‬ parts on this build! Our boost system comes from @hydratechperformance and we install it all with the help of ‪@MilwaukeeTool‬ products. @eastwoodco Makes Excellent shop equipment and supplies! Get 10% off by using TETZ10 code at ‪@eastwoodco‬ The post Bodywork 101: Fixing BAD Panel Gaps! Tightening Up Your Gaps Can Make A HUGE Difference In Your Finished Project appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

When the guys at Iron Trap Garage pick up a new project, they sometimes find themselves with stuff that most people wouldn’t try to save. They have an eye for what something can become and, because they try to build everything to be period correct, they aren’t afraid to cut things up and fix repairs or modifications that have been done over the years. It isn’t always the easy way, but it is the right way and they are good at it. In this video they are taking a drag chassis from one of their projects and fixing some pretty specific damage and mods. Take a look and let us know what you think. The post Cutting Up A Real 1932 Ford Frame? Iron Trap Garage Is Using Parts From This One To Fix Another! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

2026 Dakar Rally Stage Seven – Riyadh to Wadi Ad Dawasir Stage Seven of the 2026 Dakar Rally saw Australia’s Daniel Sanders drop down the stage finishers, but extend his overall lead, in a trade-off he’s likely to be happy with, especially considering he was left to open the later stages of the course. His […] The post Sanders extends lead as Benavides wins Dakar Stage Seven appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

The IHRA announced its 2026 event and championship payouts for 2026, including three big-money specialty races.View the full article

2026 Dakar Rally Rest Stage – Riyadh Having reached the halfway mark of the 2026 Dakar Rally, and with a day of rest providing a breather, we can take a look at the first week of Dakar, through which 244 entries of the original 317 have survived. That includes 93 riders, 11 in the RallyGP […] The post Dakar Week One Recap from the Rest Stage appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Tupac Shakur’s taste in cars was anything but subtle, and few vehicles capture that better than his customised 1996 Hummer H1. The four door hard top pickup, widely described as the last vehicle he ever bought before his death in September 1996, is returning to the block with Bonhams Cars at its Scottsdale sale on 23 January 2026. For hip hop and truck fans alike, it is a time capsule from the final weeks of his life and is expected to fetch up to $450,000. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The Hummer Tupac Built For HimselfOn paper, it is a 1996 Hummer H1 with a 6.5 litre turbo diesel V8, four speed automatic and full time 4WD. In reality, this truck is all attitude. Tupac’s spec includes oversized off road tyres, custom wheels, heavy duty diamond plate bumpers, a front brush guard with extra lights, a 12,000 pound winch and a roof mounted spotlight. Inside, there is cream leather over a surprisingly plush cabin, upgraded audio with a period Clarion head unit and CD changer, plus a Sony navigation system and even a PA with sirens and loudspeaker. He bought it new in August 1996, roughly a month before he was shot in Las Vegas, and it was recorded in his estate as the last vehicle he purchased. That proximity to his death is a big part of why it has been treated as a rolling artefact of ’90s hip hop history ever since. This is not the first time the truck has gone under the hammer. Back in 2016 it crossed the block at RR Auction and made headlines with a six figure result. Since then it has remained low mileage, with the odometer still showing only a little over ten thousand miles. Bonhams is marketing it as a one of one slice of pop culture with factory documents, history and a clear chain of ownership, and is guiding it into the mid to high six figure range. For context, that is collector Ferrari money for what started life as a military derived off roader. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article From Desert War Rig To Silent SupertruckWhat makes this H1 even more interesting today is how different it feels from the Hummer badge now. GM has resurrected the name on an all electric, four figure horsepower supertruck; drive the new model, as we did, and you get CrabWalk, Watts to Freedom launch control and near silent torque instead of rattly diesel clatter. Tupac’s truck is the complete opposite: loud, crude, and unapologetically of its time. It is a snapshot of a very specific moment, when the original H1 and one of rap’s biggest stars were both at full volume. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

America’s Most Iconic, According to TimeFord Motor Company leadsTime magazine’s inaugural “America’s Most Iconic Companies” list, outranking renowned U.S. brands such as Apple, McDonald's, and Walmart. According to the survey, the Blue Oval not only demonstrated strong commercial success but also played a significant role in shaping American culture and society. To qualify for the ranking, companies had to be founded and headquartered in the United States, with a market presence of at least 10 years. Ford easily exceeds that requirement, having been founded in Michigan in 1903, dating back to the era of the iconic Model T. The survey results were compiled from responses by more than 10,000 members of the U.S. general population, encompassing over 100,000 individual assessments. The rankings were determined using five key evaluation criteria: High Recognition and Familiarity, Cultural Significance and Impact, Emotional Connection, Resilience, and – perhaps most notably – Americanness. Ford A Product That Became a SymbolWithout a doubt, the Ford F-150 played a major role in cementing the company's iconic status. The long-running pickup is offered in a wide range of trims designed to meet diverse customer needs, from no-nonsense workhorse configurations to high-end and off-road-focused variants. It has consistently ranked among the best-selling vehicles in the United States, with rivals such as the Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota RAV4 continuing to battle for the top spot. Speaking of Chevrolet, its parent company, General Motors, also earned a place on the list, ranking seventh, positioned between McDonald’s and Microsoft. Ford, which owns luxury subsidiary Lincoln, continues to expand its reach beyond U.S. borders as well. This includes China, where the automaker operates a joint venture with Changan Automobile to produce models specifically tailored to Chinese consumers. At the same time, the Blue Oval brand continues to invest heavily in motorsports, including its upcoming return to Formula 1, making it one of the few American-branded companies represented in the European-dominated series, alongside Haas. Cole Attisha Built for the PeopleTime explained that Ford’s success stems from its long-standing alignment with American identity, particularly through its focus on producing vehicles accessible to the mass market. The publication also noted that Ford aims to “redefine the future of mobility in the country” through continued investment in self-driving technologies and efforts to reduce electric vehicle prices amid the all-electric F-150 Lightning ending production. Bill Ford, the company's executive chair, said, “We are leveraging our position as the largest hourly auto employer in the U.S. to ensure that the future of transportation is built by American workers for everyday American families.” The top 10 brands on the “America's Most Iconic Companies 2026” list are as follows: Ford Motor CompanyAppleThe Coca-Cola CompanyWalmartAmazonMcDonald'sGeneral MotorsMicrosoftGoogleNike Ford View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Between the end of Jeep and Chrysler's burgeoning hybrid lineup, Ford in the Senate (eventually), and Kia's new EV2, things aren’t the way they were yesterday. Here, we’ll round up the biggest news stories of the last 24 hours on AutoBlog and divvy them up into bite-sized chunks that get right to the heart of the story, allowing you to go deeper if you want. Jeep's hybrids meet their end Jeep Earlier this week, eagle-eyed Jeep fans noticed that the brand’s Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid SUVs disappeared from the manufacturer’s website. Jeep said this was due to a stop-sale while it finds a remedy for a large recall affecting these models. That may have been true, but today, Stellantis (that's who owns Jeep and Chrysler) has announced the end of both brands' hybrid models. Instead, Stellantis is moving towards... hybrids. Sort of. To get the low-down, read on below. Read More: Jeep And Chrysler Hybrids Killed Off In Major Powertrain Shake-Up A mere 7 percent of new car buyers want EVs, says survey Kia Perhaps part of the reason Jeep and Chrysler are moving towards new kinds of electrified vehicles, a new survey claims to have found just 7 percent of car buyers want a fully electric vehicle. Of course, surveys are to be taken with a grain (or twenty) of salt. Deloitte, however, is a pretty massive company with the resources necessary to obtain a broader look at the market. While EV interest is trending upwards, the firm found it still lies in the single digits. Get the full breakdown below. Read More: Study: Just 7% of US Car Buyers Want an EV for Their Next Car Ford's CEO to speak on affordability in front of the Senate... eventually Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images The U.S. Senate wants to know why cars are so expensive, but Ford CEO Jim Farley doesn’t want to testify — not yet, anyway. Senator Ted Cruz planned a congressional hearing with the CEOs of the Detroit Big Three (Ford, Chevrolet, and Stellantis) on January 14, but Farley, through legal counsel, hesitated. Perhaps it has something to do with a bit of politicking - Curise and other senators shot down Ford's plan to continue EV incentives last year. The official reason was due to the CEO's busy calendar, for one, but also the CEO's concerns, citing fairness, stating it’s unfair to expect Detroit CEOs to attend and not others after Tesla CEO Elon Musk was omitted from the invite list. To get the full story, check the link below. Read More: Ford CEO Won’t Answer Senate on Why Cars Are So Expensive — Yet Take a peek at Kia's cheap new EV Kia Meet Kia’s smallest and cheapest EV yet. We say ‘yet’ because it’s called the EV2, suggesting that the South Korean automaker is leaving room for another, smaller vehicle to be introduced somewhere down the line. Regardless, Kia says the EV2 will net a best-in-class range on the WLTP cycle of up to 317 and 448 kilometers, or 197 and 278 miles, respectively, from its two battery options. To read more about Kia's new EV, check out the link below. Read More: Kia’s Smallest and Cheapest EV Debuts in 5 Flavors with Best-in-Class Range View the full article

Germany's One Way Machine takes a break from its usual fare to convert a 2001-model Harley-Davidson Softail Deuce into a chopper for the open road.Julian von Oheimb's signature style is as consistent as it is inimitable. The Harley-Davidson bobbers that roll out of his workshop, One Way Machine, are... View the full article

Two-thirds of Detroit's Big Three have just learned the hard way that over-investing in electric vehicle technology before the market is ripe for selling them — albeit in a bid to get a jump on the competition — is a multi-billion-dollar mistake. After Ford announced a whopping $5.1 billion loss from its EV business alone in 2024, General Motors has posted even worse figures, with the automaker expecting to "take a $6 billion hit as a result of its stalled electric vehicle transition," reports the Financial Times. The loss was disclosed in a regulatory filing on Wednesday, causing share prices to fall by as much as 1.9% in after-hours trading following the disclosure. Why Detroit's Big Three Are Reeling Chevrolet While it's well-known that EV demand from consumers has been steady, growth rates have fallen over the last five years, and after President Trump axed the $7,500 federal EV credit, those who could afford to buy a new EV became an even smaller minority. General Motors' EV sales fell by an eye-popping 43% between the third and fourth quarters (with a total of 169,887 EVs sold in the U.S. in all of 2025), indicating that the tax credit was a big motivator for many buyers. "With the termination of certain consumer tax incentives and the reduction in the stringency of emissions regulations, industry-wide consumer demand for EVs in North America began to slow in 2025," said GM in its filing. "As a result, GM proactively reduced EV capacity." And that's not the only reason that GM CEO Mary Barra will be sweating in shareholder meetings. Related: Porsche: "We Were Wrong" to Replace the Gas Macan with an EV The same filing revealed that General Motors recorded a $1.1 billion service charge relating to the restructuring of its business in China, where local competition has exploded over the last year. In fact, China is projected to become the world's leading auto seller for the first time ever, beating even the mighty Japan. And the pain isn't over just because a new year has started, either. More Losses Expected in 2026 Jeffrey Sauger/Chevrolet GM's filing didn't explicitly blame the EV tax credit's abolition for the company's losses, and it was similarly tactful in revealing that Trump tariffs will continue to negatively impact the business in 2026: "We expect to recognize additional material cash and non-cash charges in 2026 related to continued commercial negotiations with our supply base, which we believe will be significantly less than the EV-related charges incurred in 2025," said the filing. With Chevrolet's new Bolt EV targeting a starting price of less than $29,000 in base LT form, there's still hope for GM to make a success of its EV business. Then again, with that car's battery to be supplied by China's CATL, who knows what the future holds? View the full article

The next Cup Series star in the making is already waiting in the wings, and in stock car racing, the final two steps before the big show on Sunday are the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) Last year, we named Connor Zilisch as our No. 1 prospect, and it should surprise no one that he went on to dominate the season as an Xfinity Series driver ...Keep readingView the full article

Volvo has just reported its annual sales for 2025 in the United States. It was a mixed bag for the Swedish brand last year, with overall sales declining by 2.9% to 121,607 vehicles. Electrified vehicle sales were down significantly, yet EVs alone increased. However, the vehicle with perhaps the most impressive achievement of the year is the XC90 three-row crossover. Despite the second-generation model having been in production for over a decade, the XC90 achieved the nameplate’s best annual sales in this country ever—going all the way back to the original model’s arrival in 2002. It's the kind of late-career sales surge we've seen with Dodge's Durango, too. Aging XC90 Platform Proves Resilient Volvo Volvo sold 40,217 XC90s in 2025, a 2% year-over-year increase. It’s the first time the XC90 managed sales of over 40,000 units in a year, surpassing the previous best figure of 39,920 sales in 2023. The second-generation XC90 originally launched in 2015, but two facelifts have kept it fresh. The most recent one, for the 2025 model year, introduced a redesigned front fascia, along with upgraded interior materials, enhanced sound-deadening materials, and a new 11.2-inch touchscreen interface. While some may have scoffed at Volvo’s decision to keep the second-gen XC90 around for so long, the strategy has clearly worked, given the record sales last year. After the XC90, Volvo sold 41,105 XC60s, a healthier 6% increase. The EX90 registered sales of 3,913 units, a massive 356% increase, while the small EX30 found 5,409 homes, up by 2,154%. A new entry-level, single-motor EX30 at the bottom of the range no double boosted sales, as did the rugged Cross Country introduced for 2026. Related: Volvo’s Secret to Success: Four Million Cars Built on One Game-Changing Platform Other Volvo Models A Mystery Volvo Volvo didn’t report sales statistics for the EX40, XC40, or V60 Cross Country. However, a quick calculation indicates that these three models combined for sales of 30,963 units. We wouldn’t be surprised if the V60 Cross Country was the slowest-selling of the lot, as wagon sales continue their unfortunate decline. Soon, Volvo won’t have a wagon on sale at all, as the V60 Cross Country will go out of production in April 2026. The V60, V90, and V90 Cross Country are all gone already, leaving the V60 Cross Country as the brand’s final longroof model in this market. The reason, as expected, is to focus on more popular SUVs—it’s the same story we’ve heard from multiple automakers over the last couple of years, with many others abandoning the wagon and sedan segments. Final ThoughtsThe XC90’s success last year is a classic case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. For Volvo, there are undoubtedly cost savings in regularly updating the XC90, rather than engineering an all-new model from the ground up. Dodge has experienced much the same success story with the Durango, which managed its best annual sales in 20 years in 2025, despite the current generation of the Durango going on sale way back in 2010. These SUVs have defied the typical life cycle of an individual model, but both are outliers. Elsewhere in its range, Volvo said that decreasing sales of electrified models was due to the federal tax credit falling away. Navigating this challenge will be high on Volvo’s agenda for the rest of the year. View the full article

We’ve been sharing every day’s coverage from the 2026 Dakar Rally and today is no different. Watch the video to see all the Stage 6 action, highlights, and more below! Bodies and vehicles are being put to the test and the carnage and emotions are real! This tough and technical stage was toughernastier than many expected. Dakar Rally 2026 is on! The worlds longest, toughest, and most infamous off-road race has started and we couldn’t be more excited! Famous racers and teams, well known for their prowess in the sand and on Dakar in general, have already been struggling which is just more proof of how gnarly this race really is. There are a lot of new cars and new teams mixed in with proven cars and older teams, but it’s the little things that matter at Dakar. If you don’t take care of your equipment, and keep your teams and people healthy, then you’ll never finish and if you don’t finish you can’t win. This race goes all over Saudi Arabia and will subject drivers and riders to all kinds of sand terrain and more. But the sand is what swallows teams. It’s the most fierce of the challenges. Will 2026 prove to be even tougher than last year? Would you run at Dakar if given the chance? Let us know in the comments section below. CLICK HERE IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE COVERAGE FROM PREVIOUS STAGES! The post Dakar Rally 2026 Coverage: Stage 6 Rally Racing Action! The Saudi Desert Is Fighting Back In This 48th Running of the Dakar Rally! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Genesis did not just hand 2025 Genesis Championship winner Lee Jung-hwan a GV80 and a handshake. It built him a one-of-a-kind GV80 Black that bakes his win into the car itself, turning the brand’s dark-themed flagship SUV into a rolling trophy only one person on earth can own. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Built On The Darkest GV80 You Can BuyThe starting point is the GV80 Black, the most dramatic version of Genesis’s big SUV. It takes the already plush three-row GV80 and strips out the brightwork: grille, window trim, badges, lamp surrounds and even the radar cover are all finished in deep gloss black, with matching 20-inch wheels and a muted rear emblem. The effect is closer to a stealth luxury car than a family SUV, and it plays well with the GV80’s existing strengths. Inside, the Black theme sits on top of one of the best cabins in its class. The regular model already impresses with layered materials, a wide screen layout and neat details like knurled metal controls, as you can see in our closer look at it. In high-spec 3.5T Prestige form it feels properly upmarket in the way it rides and isolates noise, something that stands out even more once you have driven it. Lee’s car uses that Black hardware and adds personalization on top. There are no extra spoilers or power upgrades because that is not the point. The gesture here is about status and story, not lap times. A Cabin That Literally Records The Winning ScoreOpen the driver’s door and the first clue that this is not a normal GV80 Black is on the armrest: a custom metal plate engraved with the year 2025, Lee’s initials, a Genesis Championship trophy icon and the total strokes from his winning 11-under score. It is a quiet, permanent way of saying “this is the champion’s car” without shouting it across the parking lot. The personalization continues across the cabin. Headrests are finished in black Nappa leather and embroidered with the Genesis wings, “2025,” and Lee’s initials. Door sills in both rows carry bespoke engravings referencing the tournament, so every time you step in you literally cross over a reminder of the win. The rest of the interior sticks to the GV80 Black script: quilted leather, dark open-pore trim, subdued metal accents and ambient lighting tuned to highlight shapes rather than color. Taken together, it turns the SUV into a physical record of the tournament. An electrified GV80 is coming soon, with Genesis hinting that the SUV’s next step will feature a fully battery-electric version. In light of this, gifting a home-tour golf champion a truly one-of-a-kind GV80 Black feels fitting. It demonstrates that Genesis is already capable of creating bespoke builds, which will be essential if it aims to stand proudly alongside established ultra-luxury brands. View the full article

Niche ExpertsMaserati, as a brand, conjures up emotions of passion, style, performance, and flair. Typical for any Italian automaker, but Maserati is that little bit more special; it blends the performance heritage, style, and luxury into what is now essentially a niche brand. That niche in particular is style with luxury, and a new special edition model highlights those core strengths: the new Maserati Grecale Cristallo. This new special edition model was debuted by the brand in their hometown and factory, the legendary place of Modena, where Ferrari also builds its cars. The Grecale Cristallo takes inspiration from one of Europe's most famous peaks, the Dolomites. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Natural InspirationAccording to Maserati, the Dolomites are a symbol of purity, and among those peaks, they chose Monte Cristallo, "a place where matter and light meet with almost sculptural precision, creating an aesthetic defined by balance and elegance." Starting off with the exterior, the Grecale Cristallo is finished in a one-off Azzurro Aureo, a Fuoriserie color certified by a dedicated badge on the fender. According to the brand, Azzurro Aureo is a blend of hues and elements, particularly Maserati Blue, which has been tweaked to be cooler and lighter, evoking icy, snowy peaks. It was also enriched with a touch of Golden Mica, recalling the symbolic value of gold medals. Finishing off the exterior are the 21-inch diamond-cut CRIO-designed rims. Blending it all together is an interior that also blends with the alpine motif outside, starting with the premium leather Ghiaccio, a light yet elegant shade. Completing the interior is a full set of Maserati Original Accessories that add a subtle but distinct touch. View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article Debuted at HomeInterestingly, this special edition is available in the Modena, Trofeo, and Folgore variants, each with its own powertrain: the 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo with either 385 or 530 horsepower, and the top-trim BEV with 550 hp. As mentioned, the Maserati Grecale Cristallo was launched at the brand's home in Modena, Italy. Specifically, at the historic factory and HQ on Viale Ciro Minotti, a place that held stage 32 of the Olympic torch relay when it went through Italy. During the launch, the first ten units were also on display. View the full article

The current BMW X6 has been around for a good few years now, but it’s still one of the German brand’s most emotive SUVs. It’s a potent performer, but it’s also got substance—so much so that a 2025 J.D. Power study rated it the most satisfying new car to own in America. The X6 isn’t cheap, though, but BMW is running lease deals on both X6 trims that are worth a look. Here’s everything you need to know. This Month’s BMW X6 Lease Deals BMW The BMW X6 M60i lease price for January is $1,319 per month over 39 months, with $8,189 due at signing. That’s for the M60i with 523 horsepower. The less powerful X6 xDrive40i can be leased from $1,059/month over the same term, with $7,039 down. The BMW X6's leasing deal is based on a $2,000 loyalty credit, applicable to customers who have owned or leased a new BMW over the last 12 months. The deal excludes tax, title, licensing, and registration costs. The mileage allowance is 32,500 miles over the lease period, with a cost of $0.30/mile applying if you exceed this. This offer is available in California until February 2, 2026, but other regions may have their own BMW X6 lease deals, so be sure to check these with your zip code on BMW’s website. If you don’t want to lease a BMW X6, you can buy one. It starts at $77,300 for the xDrive40i and goes up to $98,000 for the M60i. Related: BMW X6 Luggage Test | How much cargo space? Powertrain and Features BMW Starting at the top, the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 in the M60i allows the big SUV to sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. All-wheel drive is standard, as is an eight-speed automatic transmission. The xDrive40i also has AWD and an eight-speed auto, but uses a 375-hp six-cylinder turbo engine instead; it can sprint to 60 in 5.2 seconds. The base X6 has 20-inch alloys, Shadowline trim, and an aerodynamic kit. The quality of interior materials is exemplary, with a Sensafin-covered dashboard, wood trim, and Sensafin seats. The driver faces BMW’s Curved Display with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen interface; at some point in the future, the X6 will likely get the iX3's newer Panoramic display. Standard features include a HiFi sound system, four-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, the Sky Lounge Panoramic Roof, and a power-adjustable steering column, to name a few. Being the top X6 model besides the X6 M, the M60i comes with even more goodies, including a Harman Kardon sound system and ventilated front seats. Final Thoughts The BMW X6 is the ideal SUV for the enthusiast who needs the extra space but doesn’t want to compromise on looks and performance by driving a box on wheels. If you can afford it, go for the wild V8 model—the V8 matches the X6's exuberant style and personality to a tee. This vehicle’s closest rival is the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, which can be leased for $1,099/month over 36 months with $8,513 down this January. The Merc’s monthly effective lease cost works out to $1,335, whereas the BMW’s (over a slightly longer lease term) is $1,528. However, the BMW has a brawny V8 and the Merc has a six-cylinder. The BMW is also quicker (0-60 in 4.2 seconds versus 4.9). This segment is less about efficiency and more about excitement and emotion, so even with its slightly higher lease cost, we’re inclined to favor the BMW. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. View the full article