reporter

CFMoto has hired a chief chassis designer from Ducati and a WorldSSP rider to further develop its V4 SR-RR prototype. All signs point to WSBK entry soon.View the full article

On Monday, Rick Ware Racing (RWR) confirmed that they will change manufacturers, moving from Ford to Chevrolet ahead of the 2026 NASCAR Cup season. One of the few one-car teams remaining with a charter, RWR will also form a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing and ECR engines. It is reportedly a multi-year partnership. Ware's team finished last in points among charters teams this ...Keep readingView the full article

Kove revealed it'll launch two enduro models using its MX platform. Specs are scarce, but here's everything we know so far—there's a Dakar-spec engine involved.View the full article

The Red Line Synthetic Oil Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) announced today its seven-race 2026 schedule, coming off another successful campaign through the 2025 calendar year. The series will return to four familiar racetracks from last season along with a return to Darlington Dragway in South Carolina, which serves as the season opener for the first time. “Coming out of the World Finals, we knew some changes were imminent,” said Tyler Crossnoe, series director. “Change is inevitable in life – whether it is in personal, business, or your hobbies – in time, change occurs. We have decided to make a few shifts in our schedule for 2026 to adapt to the ever-changing motorsports scope in hopes to see more teams be able to compete for a full season championship. “In 2026, our goal is to put racers in a better position to chase a full season championship with the PDRA,” Crossnoe continued. “We understand the costs of the sport are not cheap and after weeks of back-and-forth discussions internally, we settled on only doing seven races this season to allow for better spacing in between events and for the hopes of an extremely competitive season.” The 2026 Red Line Oil PDRA season will kick off at Darlington Dragway in Hartsville, South Carolina, on March 25-28 – a return to a facility that has seen numerous PDRA races throughout the years will now serve as the kickoff event on tour next season. Darana Motorsports Park – Benson, NC will serve as the second stop on schedule on April 16-18 – a popular and familiar stop for the PDRA faithful will see their first of two stops in mid-April. Virginia Motorsports Park will play host to the third race on tour on Memorial Day weekend, May 21-23. Maryland International Raceway will serve as the fourth race on tour as in years past on June 25-27. After taking the month of July off for a summer break of sorts, the series will return to action at Bristol Dragway on August 6-8, returning to Thunder Valley with more exciting news to come later about this event. Darana Motorsports Park – Benson, NC will see its second event of the season on August 27-29, which will set the stage for the Brian Olson Memorial World Finals. The PDRA will yet again start the World Finals with the Summit Racing ProStars all-star race on Thursday afternoon to highlight the top eight points earners in the free entry shootout that pays over $65,000 out to the classes in contention and starts the World Finals weekend off with a bang. September 17-20 will mark the final race on the 2026 calendar, and this race will be held at Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie, Virginia, which has become a customary finishing point for the Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series. “I am excited to get going again in 2026! The racer’s support is by far the inspiration for this series to continue growing,” said Tommy Franklin, series owner. “We continue to have the best-in-class racers, and the on-track performance shows that to be true race after race. I cannot wait for the BEST racing in the world to continue to prove itself over and over!” PDRA officials will be on hand during the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show, December 11-13, in Indianapolis, Indiana, along with the crowning of the series champions during the Red Line Oil PDRA Night of Champions on Friday, December 12 at the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott. 2026 PDRA Schedule March 25-28 – Darlington Dragway – Hartsville, SC April 16-18 – Darana Motorsports Park (NC) – Benson, NC May 21-23 – Virginia Motorsports Park – Dinwiddie, VA June 25-27 – Maryland International Raceway – Mechanicsville, MD August 6-8 – Bristol Dragway – Bristol, TN August 27-29 – Darana Motorsports Park (NC) – Benson, NC September 17-20 – Virginia Motorsports Park – Dinwiddie, VA The post Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series Announces Schedule for 2026 first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

In a unexpected announcement on Monday morning, Nick Sanchez revealed that he will not return to the No. 48 Big Machine Racing Chevrolet in 2026. "Over the weekend, I was informed hat I will not be driving the No. 48 for Big Machine Racing in 2026," Sanchez said in a statement. "I'm grateful to Scott Borchetta, Patrick Donahue, everyone at Chevrolet and the whole team. I am proud of all we have ...Keep readingView the full article

How Nissan’s e-Power Works (And Why It’s Different From a Hybrid)For a company that brought to market the first mainstream EV, the 2011 Leaf, Nissan has been surprisingly slow to expand its line-up of electrified vehicles. But the coming year is a big one for Japan’s second largest automaker. Not only does it have the third-generation Leaf, and a plug-in hybrid version of its best-selling Rogue crossover, but it will in 2026 finally introduce its e-Power technology into the U.S. market. Already available in Europe and Japan, among other markets, e-Power offers a unique approach to delivering the advantages of an all-electric vehicle while eliminating some of the key drawbacks. Forget about range anxiety, for one thing, and don’t worry about finding a place to plug in. To get a sense of what e-Power technology is all about, we spent a day down near Nissan headquarters in Nashville driving a pre-production prototype that made it clear the automaker is onto something that could have significant appeal in the U.S. What’s e-Power?The name might leave you scratching your head. And for good reason. There’s a growing list of electrified technologies coming to market, on top of familiar powertrain systems like conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles. We’ll soon start seeing E-REVs and REEVs, for one thing, And now comes the Nissan, e-Power system. Think of its as a cross between a PHEV and an EV. Unlike an all-electric vehicle, there’s an internal combustion engine onboard and as long as there’s fuel in the gas tank you’ll be able to keep going. That might sound like a plug-in hybrid but its not. With a PHEV, such as the new version of the Rogue, the ICE side of the powertrain serves a variety of different functions. For one thing, it can provide torque to the wheels, along with whatever power comes out of the Rogue Plug-In’s electric motor. That version of the crossover can get an estimated 38 miles range in all-electric mode. Then the gas motor can charge up the battery pack when it runs down. With the Rogue e-Power system, the internal combustion engine never sends torque to the wheels – which are solely driven by a pair of electric motors, one on each axle. The gas engine has just one dedicated purpose: it serves as a generator, constantly keeping the crossover’s 2.1 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack charged up. If you’re wondering what the advantage is, that’s simple: you eliminate the complex transmission system needed to blend power coming from two different sources. And the internal combustion engine itself can be made simpler since it doesn’t have to rev up and down very much, operating in the “sweet spot” where it’s most energy efficient, explained Ponz Pandikuthira, the chief product and planning officer for Nissan Americas. Another difference: you’ll never plug in the e-Power Rogue, unlike the PHEV package which requires 7.5 hours connected to a 240-volt Level 2 charger. How the e-Power Rogue Actually DrivesNissan offered Autoblog a chance to check out the new e-Power system during a drive through the scenic Tennessee countryside. Unfortunately, the automaker didn’t have a version of the next-generation Rogue fitted with the new system yet. Instead, we got to try it out in the Nissan Qashqai. That’s European version of what used to be known in the U.S. as the Nissan Rogue Sport. It’s a bit smaller than the current American crossover. And, more immediately, its e-Power system was equipped with a single motor which translated into a lower-powered front-wheel-drive package. That said, the Qashqai’s electrified drivetrain proved surprisingly sprite, more responsive and torquey than today’s gas-powered Rogue. The system felt entirely intuitive, with none of the lag and motorboating one often experiences with conventional and plug-in hybrids. It also was exceedingly quiet. Though the internal combustion engine ran almost all the time – the 2.1 kWh battery pack not providing any significant all-electric range. Yet, I seldom noticed any noise from under the hood. The Qashqai was nearly as quiet as I would have imagined had Nissan gone all-electric. Nissan isn’t ready to reveal specs for the Rogue e-Power. The Qashqai I drove made 188 horsepower from its single electric motor, enough to launch from 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) in about 7.9 seconds. We’ll have to wait to find out if the twin-motor Rogue matches the 248 hp and 332 lb-ft from the new Rogue Plug-in Hybrid. But Pandikuthira said the Rogue package has been specifically tuned for the U.S. market. Where Qashqai “is set up for dense traffic conditions,” the Rogue package will be better tuned for the sort of highway driving Americans are used to. Should You Buy the e-Power Rogue When It Arrives?The bottom line: while the Nissan e-Power system still requires an internal combustion engine sucking gasoline, it appears to be particularly fuel-efficient, even compared to a comparable hybrid or PHEV package. The European package gets as much as 53 miles per gallon. Even the single-motor package provides smooth, quiet and quick acceleration more in line with an EV, but without a motorist having to worry about running down the battery pack or having to charge up. And, based on what we see with the Qashqai e-Power in Europe the upcoming Nissan Rogue e-Power should be reasonable affordable – likely much more so than the new plug-in model which carries a base price of $32,600 before delivery fees. Nissan is confident enough about the Rogue E-Power package that, “We think this will eventually evolve to be 100% of (the Rogues) we sell” in the U.S., said the product planning chief. View the full article

The revived Czech manufacturer, Jawa, launched two lightweight models in France as part of its expanding European push. View the full article

Lotus Backing Down From All-EV PushNot that long ago, Lotus sounded fully committed to an electric-only future. That plan has already gone kaput as global EV demand cools and hybrid powertrains regain favor. The British marque, now under majority ownership of China's Geely, is shifting strategy, putting its all-electric ambitions into low gear rather than abandoning them outright. The first visible result is a plug-in hybrid version of the Eletre SUV. Details surfaced through regulatory filings with China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), courtesy of Autohome, offering an early look at the model under the alias "For-Me." While the name will definitely not stick, Lotus is clearly in the plug-in hybrid game, starting with its largest and formerly fully electric SUV. China's MIIT Same Design, Different Setup UnderneathAt the core of the Eletre PHEV is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 279 horsepower, paired with a still-undisclosed electric motor setup. Combined output is rumored to reach as high as 952 horsepower, putting it firmly in super-SUV territory. Acceleration claims suggest a 0-62 mph sprint in roughly three seconds, though Lotus has yet to confirm final figures. Battery options are expected to include 50 kWh and 70 kWh packs, part of a 900-volt electrical architecture shared with other Geely-backed projects. Total range could exceed 620 miles when combining electric and fuel power, making the Eletre PHEV more flexible for markets where charging infrastructure remains uneven. Externally, the PHEV mirrors the all-electric Eletre. Dimensions are unchanged, and active aerodynamic features carry over, including a deployable rear spoiler and low drag coefficient. A retractable LiDAR unit also appears, likely improving both airflow and driver-assistance capability. China's MIIT What Comes Next for LotusInterior details remain limited, but the Eletre PHEV is expected to retain the EV's tech-heavy cabin layout with large displays, advanced driver aids, and a premium materials mix. The addition of hybrid hardware is unlikely to compromise passenger space, given the vehicle's size, but we'll know when it officially arrives, reportedly happening in January 2026. Lotus' "Super Hybrid" strategy points to more plug-in models following the Eletre, potentially including the Emeya. The Emira will remain internal combustion-only for now, serving as a bridge between Lotus's past and its increasingly hybridized future. Another plug-in hybrid model will also be reportedly introduced, to slot under the Eletre in the lineup. China's MIIT View the full article

Very few helmets meet the new FIM FRHP-he02 homologation standards for 2026, but at least Arai will have a player in the game.View the full article

Jordan Takes NASCAR to CourtWhen Michael Jordan entered a federal courtroom this week, it was a pivotal moment for NASCAR. The six-time NBA champion and owner of 23XI Racing is leading an antitrust lawsuit against the sport’s governing body, claiming NASCAR’s proposed 2025 charter agreement unfairly limits team control and long-term financial stability. Alongside Front Row Motorsports, Jordan argues that the system, originally designed to give teams business security, has evolved into one that consolidates NASCAR’s power and restricts competition, CNN reports. Since launching 23XI Racing in 2020 with support from Toyota and partner Denny Hamlin, Jordan has invested heavily in the team’s growth. The Toyota Camry XSE his team fields reflects NASCAR’s enduring “race on Sunday, sell on Monday” philosophy, where track performance drives consumer interest. That same philosophy fuels rivals like the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 from Hendrick Motorsports and the Ford Mustang Dark Horse from Team Penske, proving that competition in NASCAR remains closely tied to automotive innovation and brand loyalty. Nascar Inside the Lawsuit“Someone had to step forward and challenge the entity,” the soft-spoken Jordan told the jury. “I sat in those meetings with longtime owners who were brow-beaten for so many years trying to make change. I was a new person, I wasn’t afraid. I felt I could challenge NASCAR as a whole. I felt as far as the sport, it needed to be looked at from a different view.” His statement captures the heart of the dispute over NASCAR’s proposed 2025 charter agreement, which teams claim removes the possibility of permanent charters and pressures them to sign under threat of losing guaranteed race entries. Jordan argues that this approach endangers millions in investment, limits a team’s ability to plan for the future, and gives NASCAR excessive control as both regulator and commercial operator in the sport’s financial ecosystem. Jordan’s participation brings unprecedented visibility and credibility to the case. His 23XI Racing organization, featuring drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, has already proven it can compete with and beat established teams. That success makes his challenge even more significant, showing that this is not a battle of survival but a stand for structural reform. His presence forces NASCAR to confront questions about fairness that many owners have raised privately for years. Nascar What's Next?What began as a surprising headline has become one of the defining business stories in modern motorsports. Jordan is not fighting for personal gain but for a model that values fairness, accountability, and equal opportunity among teams. If this case rules in favor of Jordan, leading to permanent charters, clearer revenue structures, and stronger collaboration between NASCAR and its teams, it could redefine the future of the sport. The Camry XSE, Mustang Dark Horse, and Camaro ZL1 may continue to symbolize speed and competition. Still, after this case, they could also represent a more equitable and sustainable NASCAR for generations to come. View the full article

In 2019, the wife of a US State Department official drove on the wrong side of the road when she hit and killed a UK motorcyclist. A cascade of failures happened in the months and years following the incident, a new report found.View the full article

A Crucial Model We called the soon-to-be-outgoing model a baby seven-seater done right. Okay, it didn't have the most cavernous third-row area, but as far as entry-level luxury crossovers went, it didn't feel like a bog-standard small crossover with a fancy badge for the sake of owning something with a three-pointed star. Now, Mercedes-Benz has rolled out the all-new GLB. It's the biggest of the front-drive models, and the first to benefit from the comprehensively redesigned CLA's platform. That means there's a mix of gas-fed and EV models, but in a more practical package. The Launch ModelsAs you read this, the compact seven-seater is now available for sale in Germany. It's the electric models that roll out first in GLB 250+ with EQ Technology and GLB 350 4MATIC, effectively replacing the EQB. The name's a mouthful, but one way to differentiate them from the hybrid models is the closed grille. Both are available in either 5 or 7-seat configurations. Both use an 800V architecture like the CLA, allowing for faster charging capabilities. Entry-level trims use a 58 kWh battery, while an 85 kWh pack is available. The 250+ models put out 268hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the 350 4Matic makes 359 hp and 380 lb-ft. Pretty solid figures for a mini family bus, particularly in the 350 4Matic. As for range, Mercedes-Benz claims up to 392 miles for the 250+ equipped with the 85 kWh battery. Meanwhile, the punchier all-wheel drive version can get up to 382 miles on a single full charge. The company also boasts that a 10-minute charge can add nearly 160 miles to the range. What About the Hybrids?The hybrid models will make their way to German showrooms a few months after the sales of the EV versions start. So far, we only know of one trim, namely the GLB 220, but it's expected to have three power outputs, much like the hybrid CLAs that commenced sales in Europe not that long ago. All use a 1.5-liter turbo engine, and the base model puts out 156 hp. Mid-spec GLBs, likely to have the 200 designation, make 184 hp. As for the 220, it's good for 211 hp. Most are available with 4Matic all-wheel drive, and front-wheel drive is the standard drivetrain. Like the EV version, it can be specified with 5 or 7 seats. Interior and TechScreens, screens, and more screens. That's the theme of the all-new GLB's cabin, especially for those who opt for the MBUX Superscreen. It features a 10.25-inch driver's display, a 14-inch infotainment screen, and a 14-inch front passenger screen. In terms of appearance, it's similar to the CLA, and it also gets a high-set center console and some physical controls on the steering wheel. The second-generation GLB benefits from an in-house developed operating system. It's AI-enhanced and connected to the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud to enable over-the-air updates. Google integration is also present, as well as ChatGPT4o for navigation and concierge services. With larger exterior dimensions, Mercedes-Benz says there's more room inside the all-new GLB. Improvements were made to the second and third-row areas, as well as the cargo room. EV models get a frunk to boost practicality, while five-seater versions get hidden underfloor storage. Mercedes-Benz Other HighlightsA fixed panoramic sunroof is fitted standard, and the glass can 'frost' itself opaque to keep the cabin cool. The company is also proud of the fact that there are ISOFIX child seat mounts in the third-row seats for those who go for the seven-seat version. Downloadable applications, including Disney+ and Ridevu, provide on-board entertainment. Drive modes are, of course, standard, and 4Matic-equipped GLBs get an additional Terrain Mode. Granted, it won't turn it into a G-Class, but it should help in tricky situations. Distronic adaptive cruise control is fitted standard, at least for the European market. More advanced assists are available, including level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities and autonomous parking assists. Mercedes-Benz View the 10 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The wonders of the Chinese marketThe auto industry is valued at over $3 billion, and expected to be worth twice as much in 10 years. In 2024, about 67 million passenger vehicles were produced, with major automakers like Toyota accounting for nearly 11 million. To that, making 500,000 cars in a year and a half might not seem like a significant feat, but it is - especially when you’re an upstart brand with limited reach. Xiaomi, a brand most often associated with manufacturing smartphones and other personal electronics, is now making cars. It began making EVs in April 2024 and set a sales goal of 350,000 for 2025. It blew past that in a big way, and has announced it has already shipped 500,000 EVs since its first rolled off the production line. Xiaomi Xiaomi the moneyXiaomi (pronounced “show me”) says its November deliveries exceeded 40,000 units, a massive feat given its average monthly target of 29,166. As an automaker, Xiaomi says it has already produced and shipped over 500,000 units since April 2024, when it began producing its YU7 crossover. Xiaomi has two plants: Phase 1, a smaller facility, and Phase 2, a larger plant capable of producing cars in large numbers. The YU7 quickly became so popular that Xiaomi had to relocate production to its Phase 2 factory. YU7 is seen by many as a competitor to the Tesla Model Y, though Xiaomi hasn’t quite matched Tesla’s prowess in EV manufacturing. Buyers originally had to wait up to 62 weeks for a YU7, and the current wait time is about 36 weeks. Still, the Xiaomi YU7 is beating the Tesla Model Y in China, selling 33,662 units in October 2025, while the Tesla Model Y saw only 26,100 sales, according to the China Passenger Car Association. Xiaomi Group’s third-quarter profit is 113.1 billion yuan, or $16 billion, a 22% increase over Q3 2024. Net profit was also up 81% to $1.6 billion. Total revenue from EVs and AI (Xiaomi lumps these items together on its earnings sheets) was $4.1 billion in Q3 2025. In its recent earnings call, Xiaomi revised its total 2025 EV production to 400,000 units and said it will ship EVs internationally in 2027. The issue with XiaomiWhen Xiaomi made its first smartphone, the Mi 1, it was primarily seen as a clone of Apple’s iPhone. Its hardware, software, aesthetics, and marketing were eerily similar to Apple’s efforts. Because of this, Xiaomi never came stateside as it was widely believed that if Xiaomi did sell phones in the U.S., Apple would sue the company into oblivion. You still can’t officially buy a Xiaomi smartphone in the United States. Xiaomi plans to sell EVs outside of China in 2027, but says it will focus on the European market. Given its history, and that its YU7 is stylistically very close to a Model Y - not to mention the Xiaomi SU7 sedan is head-scratchingly similar to a Tesla Model 3 aesthetically - it’s safe to assume Xiaomi EVs will never make it stateside. Xiaomi Final thoughtsChina’s EV market is booming, and Xiaomi is a Chinese company. It’s easy to see why the brand is so popular in China, and how it exceeded expectations for EV deliveries. Think of it like the “Apple Car” that never was. If Apple had followed through on making an actual EV, people would have bought it just because of Apple’s brand halo of quality. Xiaomi has a similar effect in China. View the full article

Archie McDonald to ride Joe Rascal Harley in Bagger World Cup Archie McDonald’s rise through the Australian ranks was already a compelling story by the time he started splitting his 2024 season between Europe and the ASBK paddock. That year served as his first real taste of life as a rider trying to carry momentum […] The post Archie McDonald in Baggers World Cup with Joe Rascal in 2026! appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Interview with James Tonna Joe Rascal Harley-Davidson and Ducati The motorcycle retail landscape in Victoria shifted dramatically when the Joe Rascal Group stepped in to take over Harley Heaven Dandenong, Harley Heaven Ringwood, Harley Heaven Melbourne and Peter Stevens Ducati South Melbourne. It was one of the most significant multi-dealership acquisitions in recent years, instantly […] The post Joe Rascal hit the ground running but say they’re only just getting started… appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

2025 Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championships Round Six – Chang International Circuit, Thailand ASB 1000 Race One 14 riders fronted the starter for the opening 13-lap Superbike contest, but only ten finished. Cam Dunker was among the non-finishers, as was Joe Francis, Ryo Mizuno and Azroy Hakeem Anuar. The battle for victory was a […] The post Recapping a tense Asia Road Racing Championships finale from Thailand appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Smallest recall ever?Volvo Car USA has issued a safety recall covering just three units of the XC60 crossover SUV built between 2018 and 2025 at the manufacturer’s Torslanda plant in Sweden. The issue stems from front seat bolts that may not have been properly tightened during supplier production. As per the recall documentation filed with the NHTSA, the affected vehicles were assembled on September 25, 2017, July 4, 2024, and September 28, 2025. Seat Supplier Notifies VolvoThe issue came to light when seat supplier Adient discovered inconsistencies in bolt torque application during the manufacturing process and notified Volvo in October 2025. Adient, who supplies seats to a number of carmakers worldwide, reviewed internal production data across a decade to help pinpoint the affected vehicles. Manufacturing Glitch ResponsibleThe root cause of this slip-up has been identified as a hiccup on Adient’s assembly line, where a process interruption caused the system’s abort timer to activate prematurely. As a result, the affected seats only received a pre-torque with a handheld tool, after which the final bolt torque application step was skipped by the system. Adient has since updated the programmable logic controller sequence and signal timing to rectify the issue and ensure that this glitch does not crop up in the future. Volvo Corrective MeasuresXC60 owners can log on to Volvo’s consumer website to check if their VIN is among those affected, and notification letters have already been sent out by the company. Volvo has instructed its dealers to check and tighten the seat bolts to the correct torque spec at no cost to the customer. Additionally, customers who may have previously been charged for this repair will be eligible for reimbursement. View the full article

A Dream Mini Seven Years in the MakingWhen you think of Mini, you think of cheeky little city cars. Which is why 2014’s Superleggera Vision raised some serious eyebrows. Picture a concept that previewed a lightweight sports car that could’ve been Mini’s Miata moment over a decade back. The concept paired gorgeous bodywork, penned by Mini designers and coach builders Touring Superleggera, with a hybrid drivetrain borrowed from the i3. Engineers who got behind the wheel even said it drove like a Porsche. The project took seven years to develop, and Mini actually planned to build it, positioned as an i4 model under the BMW i8. Mini even constructed a running prototype finished in gold paint, which showed production-ready details throughout. Engineers refined the chassis, and designers even added an interior. Then, sadly, it never came to fruition. BMW View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Mini’s Miata, Inspired By Ferrari, With Porsche DynamicsWhat made the Superleggera special wasn't just its gorgeous proportions. The car would’ve packed genuine sports car credentials, going by what we know. The Superleggera Vision was initially pegged to be all-electric but eventually was engineered to use the i3’s 2-cylinder range-extender hybrid powertrain with an electric motor powering the rear wheels, making about 180 horsepower in the process. The inspiration drew from Ferrari's mid-engine philosophy, the same thinking that influenced making the BMW i3 rear-wheel drive. BMW View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article With a Miata-rivalling curb weight of around 2,200 pounds, you can just about imagine what it would’ve been like to drive. Engineers placed 58 percent of the vehicle's weight over the rear axle, creating a balance similar to the Porsche 993 Turbo. That's approaching a 40/60 front-to-rear split, the kind of setup that makes a lightweight sports car dance through corners. Too Complex for ProductionMini never greenlit manufacturing despite having a production-ready prototype. The official explanation was that there were too many model variants already in the lineup. Adding another niche sports car would increase complexity rather than streamline operations. BMW BMW's development chief Herbert Diess tried partnering with KTM for production, but that plan collapsed too. The small sports car was ironically deemed too big a step despite its compact dimensions. All we’re left with is one near-production prototype that shows what could have been. Funnily enough, BMW is resurrecting the idea of range-extender hybrids so maybe it's time to dust off the plans for its sports car too. View the full article

That’s another month in the books, and you know what that means; it’s time to crunch the numbers and see which builds really struck a chord with our readers over the last 30 days. The top performers of November look a bit different than October (namely, the lack of any choppers), but I’m happy to re... View the full article

We run a lot of tool testing videos around here, and love the Torque Test Channel and Project Farm for their scientific style of testing. But we also dig it when our friends decide to do some real world testing, and that is exactly what is going on right now with the DEBOSS GARAGE crew who are putting three cheap Amazon special impact wrenches to the test in their shop. Will they last or suck or do anything good at all? And will they surprise you? Watch to find out. The post How Good are the CHEAPEST Impact Wrenches on Amazon? DeBoss Garage Is Going To Test Them Out In The Real World appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

We’ve got IMSA iRacing LIVE right here to enjoy on this cold and wet Sunday! If you think sim racing has got to be boring, then watch this. Video Description: Round 4 of the IMSA Esports Global Championship – The Michelin 240 at Daytona International Speedway. This race mark the final round in our four round championship. 2025 Esports Global Championship Schedule – iRacing Round 1 – Sunday, November 2nd at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Round 2 – Sunday, November 16th at Sebring International Raceway – Sponsored by AMD Round 3 – Sunday, November 23rd at Long Beach / VIRginia International Raceway Round 4 – Sunday, December 7th at Daytona International Speedway – Sponsored by Michelin The post 2025 IMSA Esports Global Championship | Daytona International Speedway | Round 4 | Michelin 240 appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Tesla Killer? Not for This OwnerLucid burst onto the scene in 2021 and was instantly labeled a “Tesla killer” thanks to its class-leading range, luxury, and engineering claims. But one owner had a very different experience. Jason Fenske, known for his entertaining Engineering Explained YouTube channel, described his first six months with his 2025 Lucid Air Touring as “super disappointing.” Fenske, who has 4.1 million subscribers and a reputation for breaking down complex automotive tech, originally believed Lucid built some of the best-engineered EVs on the market. Instead, the long list of issues he described makes the Air Touring come across like a prototype still working through beta problems. He reported issues in three key areas: hardware failures, software glitches, and software design limitations. High Hopes Collide With Real-World OwnershipOn the hardware side, his Lucid Air's frunk refused to open unless pressed twice, two coolant pumps failed and had to be replaced, and even simple tasks – like opening the charge port or removing a drink from the center cupholder – require excessive force. The software problems were just as frustrating. His infotainment system once showed “Unable to Install Update” while simultaneously claiming it was fully up to date. Audio would randomly cut out, including turn-signal sounds, and Apple CarPlay sometimes switched devices on its own. One of the most alarming glitches? The instrument cluster showed an 85 mph limit when actually, it was 55 mph, a mistake that could easily lead to tickets or worse, safety issues. Then there are the design limitations. Navigation disappears when switching driver profiles. Voice recognition is unintuitive enough to return results in the wrong state. Cross-traffic alerts trigger while sitting at a stoplight. He even said a basic USB CarPlay dongle in his Ford Maverick is easier to use. Engineering Explained/YouTube Here’s the Deal-BreakerHis biggest frustration, however, was the driver-profile system. The biometric scanner meant to identify the driver repeatedly told him to remove objects blocking his face, when the “object” was the steering wheel. And Lucid doesn’t let users switch profiles on the move – something the company says is a safety precaution in case a shorter driver accidentally switches to a taller person’s profile and can’t reach the pedals. To be fair, this is one owner’s experience, and other Lucid drivers may have smoother ownership stories, so consider that when weighing his complaints. For reference, the Air Touring starts around $79,000, while the Gravity SUV is the only other model in Lucid’s lineup. Engineering Explained/YouTube View the full article

The Snowbird Outlaw Nationals kicked off the Drag Illustrated Winter Series. Here's who brought home the wins at Bradenton. View the full article

"We're a Bunch of Oddballs Who Love a Challenge"There are a bunch of questions that can be answered with "why not?" We didn't need to go to the moon, nor did we have to explore the oceans. In Toyota's case, it didn't really have to move the engine of the GR Yaris from the front to the middle. But that's exactly why the folks at Gazoo Racing did. The result of that experiment is the TGRR (Toyota Gazoo Rookie Racing) GR Yaris M Concept, and it was first shown at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon way back in January. Now, it has just made its competition debut in the Super Taikyu series and even managed a podium finish in its class. Toyota Morizo's BlessingTomoya Takahashi, president of Toyota Gazoo Racing, admitted that the company's fun side wouldn't have been reborn without Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo. "In the 2000s, we had what was known as the 'global master plan,' and Toyota had become a company that only built cars that made money. Since midship models don’t sell in large numbers, they naturally fell by the wayside." "If we were the old Toyota, I think the response to this project would have been, 'What are you talking about? Forget it!' But under Chairman Akio Toyoda’s presidency, the company came to embrace new challenges," said Takahashi. Mid-Engine Over Front-Engine Any DayTo oversimplify the reason for making the car mid-engined, Toyota wanted to build an even better race car out of the GR Yaris. It's already an accomplished platform in motorsports — whether on the track or rally stages. Moving the engine towards the rear gives it better balance, sharper turn-in, and more even tire wear at racing speeds. Turns out, the chairman abhors understeer, too. "Morizo describes the moments during cornering when understeer renders the car uncontrollable as 'time to pray to God'," chronicled by Toyota Times, the automaker's official magazine. Toyota An Important Test BedBut aside from the fun part, the mid-engined GR Yaris has a hugely important purpose. It also serves as the test bed for Toyota's new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. Dubbed the G20E, it'll soon make its way to more of the company's products in the coming years. So, what better way to put it through its paces than in endurance racing? Toyota admits that some work still needs to be done. While it has the power, the company says it needs to be a more efficient cooling system to keep it reliable. It's not an easy task, as mid-engined vehicles need a barrage of scoops to suck in as much air as possible. The world's biggest automaker is also looking at the big picture. It aims to commercialize the project in some way. That makes us wonder whether the TGRR GR Yaris is a test mule for a possible MR2 revival. Of course, Toyota is keeping its cards close to its chest at the moment, but the thought of a mid-engined sports car with a turbo-three and all-wheel drive in showrooms is an exciting prospect. Toyota View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Keeping Up With The TimesThe Smart (or smart) car brand, throughout its relatively long history, has been able to capture part of the automotive culture by offering iconic small vehicles, from the Smart Fortwo to the Smart Forfour, and many others. However, the marque, now under the stewardship of China's Geely Group, has already reinvented itself in the electric era, with a current lineup that's in tune with the times. An expansion of that lineup is underway, diversifying the lineup into other size segments, such as crossovers and SUVs. Smart currently offers the crossover Smart #1, a mid-size SUV Smart #3, and the flagship SUV Smart #5. And now, a sedan has joined the Smart lineup – though it looks eerily similar to another Chinese vehicle that's been populating headlines this year. China's MIIT Smart SedanAs reported by Autohome, a new Smart car has been cataloged by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The model in question is the Smart #6 – the automaker's first true sedan. According to reports, the Smart #6 is based on the Zeekr 007 – a luxury sedan from the brand that's also part of the Geely Group. However, the design language screams Xiaomi SU7 without the McLaren-style front fascia that the SU7 is known for. Of note, the SU7 is quite popular, garnering 50,000 orders in less than half an hour in 2023. It's currently Xiaomi's best-selling model. In the #6, the front and rear feature a continuous light bar, decorated by Smart's emblem. The filing stated that it will come with a choice of 19- or 20-inch rims, most likely depending on the trim level. The #6 will be positioned as a midsize sedan, featuring a 1.5-liter plug-in hybrid powertrain that produces 160 horsepower. Other notable features include a LiDAR sensor mounted on the roofline (typical among Chinese-market vehicles) and an automatic rear spoiler that only shows up at higher speeds, tucking away to keep the #6 sleek-looking at lower speeds. China's MIIT Back to BasicsWith a lineup becoming more robust and going into the important segments of the automotive market, Smart is also going back to basics and playing to its strengths. A couple of months ago, we reported that the automaker is set to debut an all-electric #2 model sometime in 2026, which harkens back to the iconic Fortwo layout. If done right, the new #2 could do very well for the automaker, as demand for small city EVs rises. The #6 will cater to a newer set of buyers who are enamored with sedans, as evidenced by the rising popularity of the body type in China. Smart View the full article