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Cody Roberts, the snowmobiler who ran over a wolf and then paraded in a local Wyoming bar, wants his felony case dismissed after the House of Representatives moved to delist wolves from the ESA. View the full article

This one here is something special. Sure, there have been plenty of turbo 4 cylinder Dodge Caravans and Plymouth Voyagers over the years, but this van is so mint that it defies description. Just wait until you see it! If the SRT4 Neon agrees to run, and to give up it’s drivetrain, this little van is going to be something special once the swap, tune, and some upgrades goes down. I can’t wait to take a ride in it! Video Description: TURBO SLEEPER MINIVAN – Let’s GOOO! This week on Stay Tuned, Tony Angelo and the Stay Tuned dudes get their donor car for the sleeper minivan swap, complete with turbo power! After sitting for 13+ years, the dudes work on the turbo Neon to get it up and running again. This van is going to be so gnarly, stay tuned for an epic, kid-haulin swap! The post Swapping SRT4 TURBO POWER Into A MINT 1985 Dodge Minivan!! Building an EPIC Family Hauler With A Crusty SRT4. appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

The 2025 World Rally Championship season was something special and like any good WRC event, the drama and action were plentiful. We’re excited to see the season ending highlights that all the racing organizations put out this time of year, and if you like Rally racing of any kind you’ll be excited to see the action in this highlight video below. There is no shortage of action during any stage of a WRC event, so you can imagine how hard it was to choose the Top 5 for the whole season! We love it and know you will too. Let us know which one of these stages is your favorite! Here are the Top 5 Wildest Stages of the 2025 WRC Season. The post 2025’s Wildest World Rally Championship Stages: Dirt, Tarmac, Rain, Snow, And More! It Was An Exciting Year Of Racing! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Brayden Davis may have seemed like an overnight success story to casual drag racing fans when he burst onto the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series scene as the rider of Vance & Hines Motorsports’ rental bike in Pro Stock Motorcycle this season. But anyone who follows motorcycle drag racing knows Davis has been training for this opportunity since he was old enough to consider the possibility of someday competing in a professional class. Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #197, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November/December 2025. Growing up, Brayden’s grandfather, John Davis, and his father, Travis Davis, raced motorcycles, so it seemed natural that the third generation would eventually follow in their footsteps. Brayden started his career in Jr. Dragsters, where he earned the 2017 PDRA Top Jr. Dragster world championship to join his father, a four-time PDRA Pro Extreme/Pro Nitrous Motorcycle world champion, on the championship stage that year. Davis continued competing in the PDRA’s Jr. Dragster ranks, eventually aging up to the Pro Jr. Dragster class. He also started riding his dad’s Pro Mod-style motorcycle in index classes with considerable success. When Travis felt confident that his son was ready to compete with more horsepower in a heads-up format, he conceded his championship-winning motorcycle to Brayden to allow him to make his PDRA Pro Nitrous Motorcycle debut at the season-opening 2023 PDRA East Coast Nationals at GALOT Motorsports Park. Brayden proved he was ready, as he went on to win the event in both Pro Nitrous Motorcycle and Pro Jr. Dragster, making him the first competitor in series history – and possibly drag racing history – to win in a professional class and a Jr. Dragster class at the same event. Proving it wasn’t a fluke, Davis repeated the double-up two races later, giving Travis a dream Father’s Day weekend at the North vs. South Shootout. “They work hard at this,” Davis said of his parents, Travis and Brandy, at the time. “It takes a lot of confidence for him to put his son on a bike that has won multiple championships and is fast. He’s such a great rider and I just dream of being like him.” Davis went on to win the Pro Jr. Dragster world championship that season. His two Pro Nitrous Motorcycle victories put him in the championship conversation there as well, but he ultimately finished third behind 2019 DI 30 Under 30 honoree Chris Garner-Jones and Meshal Al-Saber. The next year, Davis repeated his Maryland win and finished third again in Pro Extreme Motorcycle points. Last year, Davis decided it was time to start getting serious about pursuing his childhood dream of racing in NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle. He started his licensing process after the Virginia Nationals and completed his licensing runs during preseason testing leading up to the 2025 NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. Riding a White Alligator Racing entry as a teammate to 2023 DI 30 Under 30 honoree Chase Van Sant, Davis qualified No. 14 and went out in the first round at Gainesville. But he’d made it to motorcycle drag racing’s biggest stage. “Pro Stock Motorcycle is where a lot of people go when they have a lot of money to work with, and for someone like me, an outlaw racer, you watch the TV and you’re like, ‘Man, I want to do that.’ You just don’t know how,” Davis says. “The Pro Mod bike was a stepping stone situation that really helped me get there. A lot of people saw that if I could handle a bike like that, I should have no problem handling a Pro Stock Motorcycle.” Just like he was on the nitrous-assisted Pro Mod bike, Davis was a quick study on the Pro Stock Motorcycle, though he admits even he was taken aback by the challenge that is adapting to the new riding style. Where Davis had to “wrestle” the Pro Mod down the track to eighth-mile passes well into the 3.90-second range, his new ride requires finesse to reach the quarter-mile finish line in 6.70 seconds or quicker. “Coming into it, I had never even ridden a bike with a clutch, so throwing the clutch and just having to be so smooth and consistent on these motorcycles was an adjustment,” Davis says. “I don’t think a lot of people realize that any slight movement or getting out from behind the windscreen can affect you two to five hundredths. It’s unbelievable just how much you have to do to make that motorcycle run at the top.” With expanded support from Powertrain Inc. and owners Terry and Angela Durrence, Davis hopped on to the Vance & Hines rental entry for the Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway and the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. He qualified No. 1 at both races and lost in the semifinals to teammate and 2023 DI 30 Under 30 honoree Gaige Herrera. He also won the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at Virginia. Realizing Davis was on to something, the Durrences re-upped their deal with Davis and Vance & Hines to include the prestigious U.S. Nationals, the final race of the NHRA regular season. A runner-up finish to Herrera at the Big Go gave Davis a spot in the Countdown for the Championship, so Powertrain Inc. once again expanded their partnership to allow Davis to run the six-race Countdown playoffs. As of this writing, David advanced to the final round at two of the six Countdown races, lining up a mid-pack finish in the points standings. He was also in the conversation for NHRA Rookie of the Year honors. Though his early success suggests that Davis was more than prepared to join the class, he points out that he progressed significantly as a rider as the season went on. He attributes that progression to the guidance he received from his teammates, Herrera and Richard Gadson, but also tuners Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec, who won a collective 10 world championships in the class as riders before hanging up the leathers. “Those guys give me total confidence,” Davis says. “They’re straightforward with you. You’re working with people who didn’t just do one side or the other. They rode their bikes and they tuned them, so they know every little way to get all the E.T. out of a motorcycle. When these guys talk to you or try to help you, it’s best you listen because they’ve won a lot of championships and a lot of races. They’re good at what they do, and I really don’t feel like my riding would have progressed as much as it has if it wasn’t for them.” Davis, 19, is determined to make his mark on Pro Stock Motorcycle through full-time participation. He’s actively seeking partners to support his 2026 campaign, which he hopes will include the new NHRA national event at his home track, South Georgia Motorsports Park. “I really feel like that win is coming soon,” says Davis, who thanked his parents, as well as Terry and Angela Durrence with Powertrain Inc., Anvil Trailers, Joel Fulghum, and his Vance & Hines teammates. “It just takes consistency and lining up on the right side of the ladder. But really, neither side of the ladder is easy. You’re going to have to face Gaige or Richard or Matt [Smith]. There’s no easy path to the final, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. If I’m going to win, I want to have to earn it.” The post DI 30 Under 30 2025: Brayden Davis first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

When Does Responsibility Stop?When we buy cars from manufacturers, we expect the product we just spent our hard-earned money on to be complete and well-made. After all, time and time again, we're being told by these brands the huge amounts of money they spend on R&D. Our expectations should be highest in one area, though – safety. Unfortunately, there are instances where it just might not be enough, and tragedy strikes. Case in point: a 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT with malfunctioning seatbelts, resulting in a lawsuit, which just received a surprising update. Seatbelts and HeadroomA report on Car Complaints is shining a light on a curious case circling around a possible defect found on the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT. Back in 2017, Francis Amagasu was driving his personal 3000GT when he tried to overtake another vehicle. He unfortunately lost control of his car, and it rolled over and slammed into some trees. Here's where the complaint comes in: despite wearing his seatbelt during the rollover, he still hit his head on the roof of the car and ended up with serious enough injuries that have left him a quadraplegic. The following year, Amagasu's family filed a lawsuit against Mitsubishi alleging that the seatbelt was defective and that the headroom was too low. Surprisingly, the jury of the case found enough evidence to award the victim's family a staggering $1,009,969,295.32 in damages. This comes after the fact that the car, when sold brand new, passed all safety standards and regulations. Here is a breakdown of the payment according to the report: "$156,488,384.01 in compensatory damages, including for past medical expenses ($925,477.01), future medical expenses ($12,581,723.00), future loss of earning capacity ($2,273,320.00), past non-economic damages ($20,000,000.00) and future non-economic damages ($120,000,000.00), and for loss of consortium ($20,000,000.00). Then the jury awarded $800,000,000.00 in punitive damages meant to punish Mitsubishi for the alleged defects." Verdict ReversalDue to the jury's staggering verdict in the original case, Mitsubishi felt compelled to appeal. The verdict was eventually overturned in a 49-page opinion by the Pennsylvania appeals court, which granted Mitsubishi a new trial because the jury was not given sufficient instructions and was not asked what injuries the victim would have sustained if a safer design had been used. The new opinion of the appeals court claims that: "In a crashworthiness case, the fact finder must consider whether the plaintiff bore his or her burden of specifically identifying the injury that a safer alternative design would have prevented, as well as the compensable injury that was ultimately caused by the alleged design defect. Without a jury instruction directing the jury on exactly how to consider this evidence, the trial court failed to 'educate [the jury] as the points of law' and how they were 'to decide the case by applying the court’s instructions to the evidence presented.'" View the full article

CES As Tech Launchpad for AutomakersThe Consumer Electronics Show (CES) used to be all about gadgets, but in recent years, it’s become a proving ground for the next wave of mobility. Automakers now use the show to roll out new ideas, show off future platforms, and see how the public reacts to concepts that push the envelope. It’s not just American and European brands making noise in Las Vegas anymore – Chinese companies are stepping up, too. At the 2025 show, Chinese automaker Zeekr put its fast-charging battery tech and NVIDIA-powered computing systems front and center. It’s clear that Chinese brands now see CES as a global stage, not just a local one. And if you think that’s where it stops, it doesn’t. According to a newly released press statement, another unfamiliar automaker is preparing to step onto the CES stage in January 2026. The company is called Kosmera, and instead of a single concept car, it plans to unveil two hypercar prototypes. Kosmera Two Hypercars, One Big Performance PromiseKosmera calls its first models “new energy” hypercars, which means hybrid or full electric in China. Judging by the numbers, it’s almost certainly the latter. The company says each wheel delivers up to 350 kW – about 469 horsepower per corner, or 1,877 horsepower in total – assuming they are all-wheel-drive hypercars. Those numbers place these prototypes squarely in modern electric hypercar territory, facing rivals like the Rimac Nevera. But unlike the Croatian hypercar, Kosmera touts a near 1:1 power-to-weight ratio. The company also mentioned aerospace-grade composite materials and extensive use of 3D-printed metal components in its press release. Beyond raw performance, the prototypes are pitched as “dual-mode” machines. The idea is daily comfort paired with real track capability, managed through an active linear motor suspension system. On top of that, Kosmera plans a dual-steering-wheel unlock mechanism and an AI-driven coaching system that uses steer-by-wire tech and an augmented-reality head-up display to guide drivers on track. Sounds snazzy, right? Rimac Who Exactly is Kosmera?What makes this even more interesting is how little anyone knows about Kosmera. The press release didn’t mention where the company is based, and a quick search didn’t reveal much either. There's one totally unrelated YouTube channel I found that bears the same name, but it's a "documentary channel that explains the biggest questions of the universe." There are a few clues, though. The PR manager is Wang Shifu (based on the email address provided), and the CEO, Winter Chen, had this to say about Kosmera’s CES debut: "Our presence at CES is a statement. We are not just showcasing a car—we are introducing a new paradigm for intelligent, high-performance mobility. This prototype embodies our mission to break boundaries, challenging the notion that extreme performance must come at the expense of daily usability and intelligent experience." But perhaps the most significant clue you'll find about Kosmera's origin comes from the US Patent and Trademark Office's online search tool. It shows that Xing Chen Future (Suzhou) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. is the owner of the Kosmera trademark, hailing from China. So, yes, we are not 100% sure that Kosmera is a Chinese company, but there are obvious signs. If you’re just as curious as we are, you can check out its booth at 7067 in West Hall during CES, happening from January 6 to 9, 2026. View the full article

Well folks, the rumors that someone is buying Memphis are finally true! For the last 15 years I’ve heard rumor after rumor that someone was coming in to buy the race track formerly known as Memphis Motorsports Park, and Memphis International Raceway, and now it is actually true. It’s a purchase that excites many folks in the south, but that also is a head scratcher for many given the condition of the facility, the events that have previously been held, and more. With that said, the infectious energy that has everyone excited about the International Hot Rod Association is legit and we can’t wait to see what is in store! Here’s what IHRA had to say in their announcement. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Fairfield, OH — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has officially completed the acquisition of the historic motorsports facility in Millington, Tennessee, formerly known as Memphis International Raceway and Memphis Motorsports Park, closing on the property on December 23, 2025. Originally opened in the late 1980s, the facility has played a significant role in American motorsports history. It has hosted major drag racing events and national touring series and was, at one point, sanctioned by IHRA, hosting IHRA-sanctioned drag racing events during that time. With the property now under IHRA ownership, the acquisition represents a full-circle moment that reconnects the track’s past with a renewed vision for its future. The facility has long contributed to tourism and economic activity in Millington and Shelby County. Under IHRA ownership, it will operate as a multi-use destination supporting drag racing, stock car competition, grassroots motorsports, and other large-scale events that engage the broader community and region. “This investment honors the legacy of Memphis Motorsports Park while positioning it for a strong future. IHRA’s acquisition reflects confidence in our region and creates new opportunities for tourism, local businesses, and fan experiences.” said Mayor Paul Young, City of Memphis. “As the Commissioner for District 1, I am thrilled about IHRA’s acquisition of Memphis Motorsports Park. This investment strengthens our local economy, puts world-class racing back on solid ground, and gives our families and young people a safe, exciting place to create memories for years to come. Having a national organization like IHRA committed to the long-term success of this historic facility is exactly the kind of partnership Shelby County needs.” said Amber Mills, Shelby County Commissioner, District 1, Shelby County Government. “Memphis Motorsports Park has long contributed to tourism and economic activity in Millington and Shelby County, and IHRA’s acquisition represents a positive step forward for the facility and the community. This investment supports the continued use of the track as a regional destination while creating opportunities for local businesses and future growth. The Millington Area Chamber of Commerce looks forward to working with IHRA as this next chapter takes shape.” said Chris Thomas, Executive Director, Millington Area Chamber of Commerce. “This is a special place in American motorsports,” said Darryl Cuttell, CEO of IHRA. “This facility has a deep history in drag racing and stock car competition, and our goal is to honor that legacy while building a strong, sustainable future. We are committed to bringing meaningful racing back to this property while expanding its role as a destination for a wide range of events that serve racers, fans, and the surrounding community.” “This acquisition represents more than reopening a racetrack,” said Leah Martin, President of IHRA. “It is about restoring opportunity for racers, families, and the community. This facility aligns with IHRA’s racer-first vision and our commitment to grassroots motorsports, while also allowing the property to support diverse uses that strengthen its year-round impact.” “Memphis Motorsports Park holds a special place in our hearts,” said Daniel Horton, Assistant Director of the IHRA Stock Car Series. “Bobby Hamilton won the 2004 Craftsman Truck Series race here in a truck built by Tim and with Danny as the crew chief. With the facility now under the IHRA umbrella, we can give grassroots racers a chance to compete where legendary drivers such as Kevin Harvick, Randy LaJoie, and the late Greg Biffle have won. We are extremely excited to bring stock car racing back to Memphis and continue the legacy of this iconic track.” In the coming days, IHRA will begin facility improvements and operational preparations. Fans and community members are encouraged to follow IHRA across its social media platforms for updates and behind-the-scenes coverage as revitalization efforts get underway. Further announcements regarding schedules and programming will be released in the near future. To stay informed on the latest news from IHRA, CLICK HERE! The post IHRA Acquires Historic Memphis Motorsports Park In Millington Tennessee. Big Race Weekend’s Planned For 2026! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Even Tesla Has Adapted in ChinaDespite serious competition from homegrown brands, Tesla is doing well for itself in China. In terms of specs, the Chinese-built models are identical to the ones for the rest of the world, but the company made its first big step into adapting to local tastes. It's not by adding more tech or giving it a larger battery pack. Instead, it's the Model Y receiving more space between the wheels to make it nearly as long as a Model X. Dubbed the Tesla Model Y L, it was launched in mid-2025 with a six-inch wheelbase stretch and seven inches longer than the standard version. Oh, and it gets an additional row of seats, too. A True Three-Row Crossover?The extra row made us genuinely curious about it, although access to one isn't as easy as it is only sold in China for now. Thankfully, there are some videos of it floating around YouTube, and the channel ChineseCarGuy checks out the space inside. It's worth pointing out that the Chinese Model Y L has seats for six, not seven. The second row ditches a bench for a pair of captain's chairs. Still, the extra length means more room for those in the middle, but what about the third? Well, it's a bit of a split decision, as ChineseCarGuy points out. While the additional seats are welcome, it's not what anyone would call commodious. The presenter stands at 5 feet and 9 inches, but even then, he had to be in a fetal position of sorts to really fit. There's really not much space under the second row for feet to slide underneath, but at least one leg can stretch out because of the free space in the middle from the captain's chairs. Also, heads will come very close to the tailgate, and its position means scalps will get a little warm in the summer. All in all, it's a typical three-row crossover; it's best for short adults and children. Tesla There are Good Points, ThoughIt's far from the ultimate people carrier, but the body stretch does have its benefits. Aside from more room for second-row occupants, there are massive gains in the cargo area. The more bubble-like profile of the Model Y L also means more vertical space for taller items. Couple that with the massive underfloor storage area, and you end up with what's possibly the most practical version of this EV crossover. Also, the Model Y L benefits from a larger battery as it gets the long-range model's 82 kWh pack. Tesla China claims a range of up to 466 miles, although China's testing methods are more forgiving. A more realistic figure would be around 330 miles on a full charge. Power figures are identical to the version sold in the rest of the world before the Performance variant, meaning 384 hp and 376 lb-ft. The price? In China, the Model Y L starts at 339,000 yuan, or just over $48,000 at current conversion rates. That's about the same as the Premium AWD model sitting in showrooms at the moment, so it's a pretty sound value proposition (if that pricing sticks, but we doubt that). That said, expect it to cost more should it make its way to America, but there seems to be no plans to offer it stateside for now. T View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

From iPhones to EVs Taiwan’s contract manufacturing giant Foxconn has formally entered the EV spotlight with the launch of the Bria EV through Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, its joint venture with Yulon Motor. Best known globally as Apple’s primary iPhone assembler, Foxconn is now using Foxtron as its automotive spearhead. The Bria EV, unveiled in Taipei, becomes the first EV made in Taiwan specifically for global export, taking the partnership out of the conceptual stage. The Bria will initially be offered in three variants priced between roughly $28,600 and $36,540 (when directly converted), Reuters reports. More importantly, it arrives amid Foxtron’s recent agreement to acquire Yulon’s Luxgen passenger-car brand outright, including its sales subsidiaries, retail outlets, and workforce. That deal hands Foxtron full operational control across development, sales, and after-sales service, creating an end-to-end EV value chain anchored in Taiwan. For Foxconn, which owns 45.6 percent of Foxtron, the Bria is less about volume today and more about proving it can translate its electronics manufacturing dominance into the far more demanding automotive sector. Foxconn Tried Hard This YearThe Bria EV is the most visible result yet of Foxconn’s increasingly aggressive push into automotive manufacturing over the past year. Rather than positioning itself as a traditional car brand, Foxconn has been clear about its intention to replicate its contract manufacturing model from consumer electronics. Through Foxtron, it offers design, engineering, and large-scale production services to automakers seeking faster, cheaper paths to electrification without building everything in-house. That strategy has brought Foxconn into the orbit of legacy automakers under pressure, most notably Nissan. Reports suggest Nissan has explored potential cooperation with Foxconn as it looks to stabilize factory utilization and chart its next EV moves following stalled partnerships elsewhere. Foxconn has also signaled that it plans to announce additional Japanese auto partners. Anadolu/Getty Images Today Taiwan, Tomorrow The World?Details about the Bria EV are scarce at this point, but we know that Foxconn plans to bring the Bria overseas through its acquisition of Yulon's Luxgen brand, spinning it off as Bria and positioning it as a globally exportable product rather than a regional niche model. That opens the door to markets across Asia, Europe, and potentially North America, where Foxconn could test whether its manufacturing-driven approach translates into real consumer demand. If the Bria reaches the U.S., it would likely arrive aggressively priced, leaning on Foxconn’s scale and supply-chain leverage to appeal to buyers looking for an alternative to higher-priced EV incumbents like Tesla. The bigger question is whether Foxconn ultimately aims to go head-on with China’s EV heavyweights, particularly BYD and Geely, which now dominate much of the global EV conversation outside the U.S. BYD has mastered vertical integration and cost control, while Geely has built a sprawling global portfolio spanning mass-market to premium brands. Tesla View the full article

Hyundai’s Cash Cow in the SpotlightThe Hyundai Tucson is the Korean marque’s best-selling model in the US, with 188,275 units sold as of October 2025. Since the latest generation landed for 2022, it’s been turning heads for its sharp looks, roomy interior, and tech-heavy cabin – making it a go-to for families and daily drivers. But being a crowd favorite doesn’t make the Tucson recall-proof. It’s already been called back once for a fire risk, and now there’s another recall – this time for a different issue. The latest one targets certain 2022–2024 Tucsons fitted with the optional trailer wiring harness. The number of confirmed cases is low, but the problem is serious enough that Hyundai and regulators aren’t taking any chances. Three Fire-Related Incidents ConfirmedAccording to the safety recall report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 51,587 Hyundai Tucsons could be affected, all tied to an optional trailer wiring harness control module that isn’t sealed as well as it should be. That leaves the door open for water to sneak in and cause electrical problems. The fallout ranges from annoying to potentially dangerous. If water gets in, your trailer or brake lights might stop working, which ups the risk of a crash. In rare cases, an electrical short could cause overheating, melting, or even a fire. So far, Hyundai has confirmed three fire-related incidents in the US, but no injuries or crashes. Not every Tucson is in the crosshairs here. Only those with the optional harness, installed at the port or dealership, are affected. What Owners Should DoHyundai says you can keep driving your Tucson, but it recommends parking it outside and away from buildings until the fix is done. The solution is straightforward: swap out the old module for a better-sealed one, free of charge. Letters will start going out in February 2026, but you can already check if your VIN is affected. The last Tucson recall was also fire-related – affecting 2023 model-year units – due to an electric oil pump that could overheat and, in some cases, start an engine fire. That one also came with the same advice: park outside, just in case. View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

A Louder Take on a Quiet SellerThe Lexus RZ has always flown under the radar. With just 5,339 units sold in the US as of September 2025, it’s nowhere near the brand’s hybrid offerings. But Lexus isn’t giving up on its first dedicated BEV just yet – instead, it’s dialing up the personality. Enter the new flagship: the RZ 600e F Sport Performance. This one sits above the RZ 550e F Sport and doesn’t shy away from making a statement. Lowered stance, oversized wheels, carbon aero bits, and paint options that look more at home at a tuner meet than a school run – Lexus clearly wants this SUV to stand out. If there’s one thing the electric family SUV crowd could use, it’s a little more drama. Lexus More Power, More AeroThe RZ 550e F Sport already packs 402 horsepower, so it’s no slouch. But the new 600e F Sport Performance bumps that up to 420 hp, thanks to a dual-motor AWD setup. That’s enough to push this 4,700-pound SUV from zero to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds. It won’t outrun a supercar, but for a family hauler with real cargo space, it’s quick – and half a second faster than the 550e. The upgrades go beyond the motors. Ride height is lowered by roughly 0.8 inches, while a collection of carbon-fiber add-ons claims to generate meaningful downforce. That includes a carbon roof, front and rear turning vanes, a carbon hood bulge, and not one but two rear wings. Huge 21-inch Enkei wheels fill the arches, hiding large brake rotors and six-piston front calipers. Lexus is still tweaking its steer-by-wire system, now matched with a yoke-style steering wheel. It even brought in air race pilot Yoshihide Muroya and racing driver Masahiro Sasaki for input. Still, let’s keep things in perspective: this is a battery-powered SUV, but it’s one that’s finally taking performance a bit more seriously. Lexus View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Not Yet Confirmed for AmericaInside, the RZ 600e F Sport Performance keeps things simple: black cabin, blue stitching, and Ultrasuede trim. The sport seats use integrated foam molding for extra support, but Lexus promises you won’t lose out on comfort for daily drives. Range is pegged at about 326 miles on the more forgiving WLTC cycle, thanks to a larger 76.9-kWh battery. That’s a step up from the 550e, so expect more miles between charges. Pricing in Japan starts at around $58,000 for the black-and-gray version, with a small bump for the black-and-Hakugin II finish. Sales kick off in Japan on March 2, 2026. No US launch confirmed yet, but don’t be surprised if this eventually takes over from the 550e F Sport. If the design looks familiar, it should. This version is a close follow-up to the limited-run RZ 450e F Sport Performance shown at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, where only 100 units were made. This time, there’s no mention of a production cap, which makes things a lot more interesting. Lexus View the 12 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Recall Round-Up Kawasaki ZX-6R Recall Recall number – REC-006514 Campaign number – DAM372A Original published date – 19 December 2025 Supplier details – KAWASAKI MOTORS PTY LTD Contact name – Kawasaki Motors Contact email – tsd.support@kawasaki.com.au Contact website – https://www.kawasaki.com.au KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-6R (ZX636J) Year range – 2023-2025 Affected units – 462 Variant applicability – […] The post Recall Round-Up: ZX-6R, CB1000SP, CBR600R, Ducati V2s appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Shark Helmets When it comes to pushing boundaries in motorcycle safety and style, Shark Helmets remain at the cutting edge of design and innovation. The 2025 Shark helmets collection is built for riders who demand performance without compromise, and is now available in Australia. Shark Aeron GP The Pinnacle of Racing Developed alongside MotoGP champions, […] The post Shark Helmets Showcase – 2025 Collection appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Online retail giant Amazon is under political heat after three US Senators raised alarm over used vehicles sold on Amazon Autos that still have open safety recalls. The lawmakers issued a formal letter to CEO Andrew R. Jassy, urging Amazon to pull affected listings from and improve transparency around vehicle safety. Selling new used cars with unrepaired recalls is legal in the United States, but whether it should be is something worth discussing. Senators Demand Amazon Remove Listings That Pose Safety Risks Amazon Senators Richard Blumenthal, Edward Markey, and Elizabeth Warren said they were "extremely troubled" by Amazon offering vehicles with unresolved recalls. In their December 22 letter, they warned that unrepaired defects pose life-threatening danger to drivers, passengers, and anyone sharing the road. They argue that Amazon should not expect customers to check recall status themselves through NHTSA and instead want all cars with active recalls to be taken down or, at a minimum, clearly labeled so buyers know exactly what they’re getting into. A Year of Big Safety Recalls Hyundai Amazon Autos currently features select models from Hyundai and used inventory made available through Ford dealers. The senators pointed to listings such as the Ford Bronco and Hyundai Santa Fe, each having recalls that cover more than 100,000 vehicles. The Senate's letter also considers that Amazon Autos deals with used inventory from Ford dealers; therefore, it mentions another recall-plagued model, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. The number of recalls gets even worse. Ford recently issued a recall affecting more than 200,000 vehicles over a faulty park module that could cause rollaway, and Hyundai issued a monstrous recall relating to more than half a million cars earlier this year. With recall figures like these, inventory can change faster than repairs are done, meaning buyers browsing online could easily come across vehicles with known faults. Lawmakers Push for Immediate Action and Future Legislation Photo by Hu Yousong/Xinhua via Getty Images The senators point out that new vehicles can't legally be sold if they have unaddressed recalls, but no such rule exists for used cars. Their proposed Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act (S.2956) seeks to close that loophole. The Senate's support for prioritising car buyers doesn't stop there either. Recently, they noted growing concern over whether advanced driver assists are necessary considering it's a factor behind why the average new car price edged past the $50,000 mark. While legislation progresses, the trio of senators believe Amazon should act voluntarily by displaying recall status prominently instead of redirecting shoppers to federal databases. Amazon has not yet responded to the letter. View the full article

IHRA has completed acquisition of Memphis Motorsports Park, returning national drag racing to the historic Tennessee facility.View the full article

A Dodge Viper V10 engine turned into a glass-topped coffee table is up for auction on Bring a Trailer, offering Viper fans a way to bring an 8.3-liter centerpiece into their living room without needing a four-car garage. Built from genuine Gen 3 Viper hardware and finished as functional furniture, the piece is being sold at no reserve out of Pompano Beach, Florida. A Gen 3 Viper Heart Turned Into FurnitureThe table is built around the 8.3-liter V10 from a third-generation Dodge Viper (ZB I, roughly 2003–2006), the same family of engines that produced about 500 horsepower when complete and installed in a car. For coffee-table duty, the motor has been stripped of its internal components and reassembled as a display piece, keeping the weight manageable while preserving the unmistakable architecture of the big V10. The block and intake manifold are finished in black, the exhaust manifolds in silver, and the cam covers in red with Viper script, echoing the look of a complete engine bay. The whole unit sits on “piston feet” mounted beneath the block, so the pistons themselves serve as the visible supports. Above it all is a tempered-glass top measuring roughly 44 by 44 inches and standing about 21.5 inches high, with a central cutout that lets the intake plenum rise through the glass as the focal point. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Real Viper Hardware, Built As A One-Off ShowpieceThe seller states the components were cleaned and refinished before assembly in 2025. It’s strictly a display piece, not a running engine, but the detail level is higher than many generic “engine tables” that rely on dummy parts or covers. The table is listed in BaT’s automobilia category with a 10% buyer’s fee paid to the platform and the hammer price going directly to the seller. This kind of repurposed powertrain fits into a broader wave of Viper-specific collectibles. At the high end, some collectors are chasing full cars, from VIN 001 and 002 ultra-rare Hurst-edition Dodge Vipers to highly unusual builds. Preservation-focused examples, show how far some enthusiasts will go to keep their cars untouched. By comparison, this V10 coffee table is more about display than originality. But for someone who wants a genuine Viper engine as the centerpiece of a garage lounge, office, or living room, it may be one of the more practical ways to own a piece of the car’s hardware without buying an entire snake. View the full article

Everyone loves a tasteful, funny vanity plate. At roughly $200 or more for a personalized number plate in Illinois, it pays to make sure yours stands out for the right reasons. Still, the state draws a firm line where creativity turns into something else entirely. A new video from Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias shows exactly where that line landed for 2025, revealing the latest batch of rejected plate requests. Some are juvenile, some are crude, and most are so great that we're disappointed they didn't get approved. Full List of Banned 2025 Plates YouTube @ Illinois Secretary of State YouTube @ Illinois Secretary of State YouTube @ Illinois Secretary of State YouTube @ Illinois Secretary of State Each year, Illinois reviews tens of thousands of vanity and personalized plate requests, and 2025 was no exception. Out of more than 55,000 submissions, just over 550 were denied – about 400 fewer vanity plates that Ohio rejected. While the full Illinois list was not published, Giannoulias highlighted ten memorable rejects in the video: BBL BLUBALN BRICKED TYPESHT IBPOOPN ICUP PRIUSSY SNDNUDZ BDASMOM SYBAUOut of the bunch, our favorite would have to be having "PRIUSSY" on any generation of Toyota Prius. If any of these don't make sense to you, the Secretary of State offered some simple advice in the video: Just Google it. A Fine Line Between Accept and Reject Reddit r/LICENSEPLATES @u/MyNameIsAsterisk Reddit r/LICENSEPLATES @bruhhhlikewhut Reddit r/LICENSEPLATES @u/mrsbrattyb Reddit r/LICENSEPLATES @u/YungStrudel Many of you might argue that these plates mentioned are vague enough not to offend anyone outright, or so clever that you'd let the vulgarity slide. Furthermore, far raunchier plates have slipped through approval systems over the years. To illustrate that gray area, we delved into the r/LICENSEPLATES subreddit that highlights some of the funniest, most creative, and most controversial custom plates ever accepted. Here are some of the highlights: FCKOFFLICENSEOMW2FYBXQQQSMEANL 8OYFA99OTOH4FKSK3ATNA55MICRO PAnd many others we're not allowed to post on here without getting some very strong-worded comments and letters. Yet, they made the cut, even if it was just temporarily. The inconsistency follows suit regarding number plate frames too. Florida, for example, has recently hunkered down on plate decorations by criminalizing license plate covers. Creativity Still WinsUltimately, approval comes down to a small group of people deciding whether your joke belongs on public roads. That is why some drivers lean into cryptic spellings to spruce up a boring-looking license plate, hoping a reviewer will miss what "SYBAU" or "OMW2FYB" actually means. What works in a group chat does not always translate to something appropriate for all ages. That said, creativity is clearly not running dry. Judging by this year’s rejects, though, plenty of drivers will keep trying anyway. View the full article

Bugatti is using the new Tourbillon to reset what a modern hypercar cabin should feel like, and its interior concept goes in a very different direction from the usual wall of touchscreens. Led by Chief Interior Designer Ignacio Martinez, the team leaned into traditional watchmaking, mechanical detail and long-term usability instead of chasing tech trends that will age fast. It is also the stage-setter for Bugatti’s next era. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Analog Over Screens By DesignBugatti’s designers talk about “digital detox” for a reason. Rather than making the dashboard a giant tablet, they kept digital real estate to a minimum. The central display is hidden inside the dash by default and only folds out when the driver actually needs it. The rest of the key controls are physical, with carefully tuned resistance and feel, so you interact with real switches and knobs instead of menus. The basic layout still looks like a Bugatti. The familiar center line and sweeping C-shaped motif from the exterior are carried into the cabin to separate driver and passenger, and a horizontal color split helps define each side. Materials are “car couture” in Bugatti’s words, mixing leather with new tailor-made fabrics in a way that is meant to feel more like high fashion than a typical carbon-and-Alcantara supercar cockpit. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Watchmaking Meets HypercarThe showpiece is the instrument cluster. Bugatti worked with Swiss watchmakers to create a fully mechanical gauge set mounted behind the steering wheel. It uses milled aluminum, skeletonized elements and crystal-like covers so you can see some of the workings, more like a tourbillon watch than a traditional speedometer. The steering wheel itself uses a fixed hub, so the center section with the airbag and hub detail does not move. The rim rotates around it, and the driver looks through the wheel at the cluster, which is always in clear view. Controls and shift paddles are integrated into the rotating outer ring, so you still get modern functionality wrapped around this very analog centerpiece. It is the same mindset that has long driven Bugatti’s special editions. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Built To Last Through The Next Bugatti EraMartinez and design director Frank Heyl keep circling back to one idea: the Tourbillon interior should still look right decades from now. That is part of why they avoided a screen-led look just as Bugatti gets ready for more advanced powertrains, including the work Rimac is doing. Software and displays will keep evolving, but a mechanical cluster, a fixed-hub wheel and rich materials are easier to pass down through generations without feeling old. They also had to package all of this around real-world constraints like airbag placement, seat belt mounts and crash behavior, so the Tourbillon stays a functioning road car rather than a static sculpture. The end result is an interior that tries to make you feel like you are sitting inside a piece of fine watchmaking rather than a rolling smartphone, even as the rest of the brand moves into a more electric and experimental future. View the full article

The Z That Started It AllWhen it comes to Japanese sports cars, the classic Datsun 240Z is considered the benchmark for the Nissan Z line. The long hood, short deck, and clean lines have held up better than most, even now. I’ve always had a soft spot for the 240Z’s shape – enough that I once told myself I’d build one from scratch if I ever had the budget for a true passion project. This route means years spent tracking down parts, dealing with rust, and figuring out how much you want to be honest with its original form. Certain people love that process, but there’s another way: find a car that’s already been restored the right way. That’s exactly what this 240Z is. MZR Roadsports in the UK took it through a full restoration and development program, with the goal of building a classic Z that feels at home on today’s roads. Piston Heads A Carefully Reworked ClassicIt all starts with a clean 1973 shell from California, professionally converted to right-hand drive using genuine Nissan parts. The team stripped it down to bare metal, seam-sealed everything, and finished it in a custom color called MZR Heritage Green (not British Racing Green). The look is nothing showy and true to the era. Re-chromed bumpers, rare factory headlamp covers, and restored mirrors round out the exterior, keeping things authentic without going overboard. Step inside and you’ll see the same balance of old and new. The original dashboard is still there, uncracked, with those classic cowled gauges front and center. But you also get modern touches like a Bluetooth head unit that looks period-correct, inertia-reel seatbelts, and full soundproofing. Black leather and velour seats, Wilton carpets, a Moto-Lita wheel, and a matching gear knob give the cabin a classic feel. Piston Heads New Heart Under the HoodThis restored 240Z is powered by a 2.8-liter inline-six engine, replacing the original 2.4-liter. It’s the kind of upgrade focusing on torque and drivability rather than headline numbers. Power goes through a reconditioned Nissan S13 five-speed manual and an AP Suretrac limited-slip diff with a 3.54:1 ratio, so you get quick response on twisty roads but still have relaxed cruising on the highway. The suspension has been brought up to date with Eibach springs, Tokico dampers, polyurethane bushings, and a stiffer anti-roll bar. Power steering means you won’t struggle with parking or tight turns. Even better, since the rebuild, it’s only covered 5,500 miles. It’s currently listed on Piston Heads. The price? £79,950, or about $101,500, and it’s based in the UK, so you’ll need to factor in import costs. But if you’re after a classic Z that’s already sorted and ready to drive, this one is hard to ignore. Piston Heads View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Alpine is Renault's performance brand, and its long-rumoured arrival in the United States has had a few tariff-related speed bumps along the way. But the idea is far from abandoned. Talk of an Alpine A110 for American buyers, paired with the possibility of a performance SUV, suggests the brand is still serious about crossing the Atlantic. The conversation has shifted from whether Alpine should come to America to what it would need to launch with to actually survive there. The A110 is Alpine's Anchor Alpine Cars In an interview with Auto Express, Alpine CEO Philippe Krief made it clear that any US expansion has to start with the A110. Not because it is the most commercially sensible product, but because it defines what Alpine is. Even as Alpine pivots deeper into electrification, the A110 remains its philosophical north star. Lightweight, focused, and built for drivers rather than spec sheets. That same thinking trickles down to the rest of the lineup, including the A290 electric hot hatch. That said, the A110 also exposes a hard truth. While American enthusiasts have shown increasing interest in distinctive, niche sports cars, that audience alone doesn't always translate into sales. Alpine understands that passion builds credibility, but it does not keep showrooms open. A Performance SUV Makes Sense Alpine If the A110 builds the brand, something else would have to keep it afloat. Krief has acknowledged that Alpine needs a higher-volume product for the US, and history shows that SUVs sell like hotcakes, even ultra-expensive performance SUVs. The issue is size and positioning. Alpine’s current A390 electric crossover is compact by American standards, especially in a market where larger SUVs are the norm. A bigger performance SUV, closer in spirit to an electric Porsche Cayenne than the smaller Macan, would make far more sense. The risk, as Krief told Auto Express, is diluting Alpine’s identity by chasing mass appeal. The balancing act, as Krief told Auto Express, is ensuring such a vehicle does not drift too far from Alpine’s DNA. To make matters even more complicated, demand for EVs has dropped significantly over the year, leading to aging EVs piling up on dealer lots. Alpine's Cautious Roadmap, but Promising Future Alpine Apart from its US arrival, Alpine refuses to get comfortable, with a 1000-hp hybrid supercar arriving in 2028, proving they won't roll over and produce boring cars. Alpine’s American debut, if it happens, will have to be carefully executed. For now, the US remains a little bit of a gamble, especially with them trying to find their feet in the uncharted, cut-throat SUV segment. But if Alpine gets it right, led by the A110 and supported by a carefully conceived SUV, it could carve out a meaningful niche and give established US-beloved sports cars like the affordable Mazda Miata a run for its money. If it gets it wrong, Alpine will continue building quirky, fun-to-drive cars, but they won't reach American roads. View the full article

K-Car, not Kei CarIn '80s Japan, the economy was booming. Buying power was sky-high, and the homegrown carmakers knew it. It's one of the reasons why we ended up with such iconic JDM cars. Chrysler wanted to capitalize on that, and they likely believed that they could finally break through the Japanese market with the K-Car – not to be confused with President Trump's newest favorite, the Japanese Kei cars. Its entry was the Dodge Michigan, essentially a rebadged Reliant. More specifically, it was the facelifted 1985 version with a (slightly) rounded-off front end. Minimal changes were made for its trip to Japan in 1986. Dodge What's Changed?Believe us when we tell you that typing Dodge Michigan in the search bar wreaked havoc with our results. Searching for more photos was a near-impossible task, but we're thankful for the loads of brochure scans floating around. Anyway, what's different? Aside from the name, the taillights had amber turn signals. As far as we can tell, those were the only significant changes made for this export model. The JDM K-Car came with a floor shifter, although the left-hand-drive configuration was retained. That said, having a left-hand drive vehicle in Japan is a bit of a status symbol. Reddit - u/Material_Two_2529 Brochure HighlightsTranslated (literally) from Japanese, Dodge called the Michigan a car "Forged on the vast lands of America," and boasted that it had a "friendly design." They were also quite proud of the fact that the Michigan is the Japanese version of the K-car by boldly stating it on the front cover. Curbside Classic did a breakdown of the features, and one highlight we saw was that its three-speed automatic was patronizingly described as 'easy and safe for female drivers,' and that its 2.2-liter EFI engine was easy on fuel. While the latter is true for the U.S, this is a country that already finds 2.0-liter engines pretty big. Power figures are unchanged, meaning 94 hp and 122 lb-ft. Mind you, its rivals in Japan, namely the Honda Accord, Nissan Violet (Stanza in America), and Toyota Camry, made about the same power with smaller displacements. Reddit - u/Material_Two_2529 Trims and PricingSurprisingly, two trims of the Michigan were offered in Japan. It was sold in both two-door and four-door guises, although equipment levels were identical. Also, each purchase of the car included a care kit that threw in a chamois towel, a hand mop, car wax, a feather duster, and even booster cables. It's great that those were thrown in for free, but the Michigan wasn't exactly a cheap car by the time it landed in Japan. The two-door sold for ¥2,950,000, while the four-door carried a base price of ¥2,980,000. Based on exchange rate trends in 1986, the Michigan hovered between $15,000 $17,000, and that didn't include acquisition tax, weight tax, registration, and compulsory insurance fees. In comparison, the Reliant started at about $7,600 in 1986 money, and was a smidge under $9,000 fully-equipped. Adjust that for inflation, and you're looking at nearly $50,000...for a K-car. And just to drive that point home, a contemporary Honda Accord in Japan started at about ¥1,300,000 to just over ¥2,000,000 for the sporty Si model, complete with a twin-cam engine that made 158 hp. Plymouth How Many Left?With Japan's domestic automakers offering similarly-sized models with far better value, it's no surprise that the Michigan fell flat on its face. And, let's be honest here, cars like the Accord, Camry, and Stanza were better-built, better-equipped, and more suited in their home market. Importation costs meant that the Michigan was priced more like a junior luxury car over there, and Japan already had loads of them from home-grown brands. Imagine you're a well-compensated Japanese salaryman in 1986. With about ¥3,000,000 to burn on a brand-new car, would you rather get a K-Car or a Toyota Mark II (aka the Cressida in the U.S.)? We rest our case. Perhaps a better car to bring there was the original Dodge Caravan, as the Japanese went ham with minivans in the '80s, too. There are no exact sales figures for it, but the fact that it only lasted two model years ('86 to '87) would a strong indication that it wasn't a massive hit there. We doubt if there are any survivors, either. As the YouTube channel Corsicar pointed out, its last confirmed sighting was in 2003 when one was sold at an auction. Reddit - u/Material_Two_2529 View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Volkswagen’s latest brand story is not about lap records or Nürburgring times. It is about a C6 quadriplegic racer, a hand-control hot hatch, and how a Golf GTI can become a tool for independence instead of just a weekend toy. Torsten Gross, whose first car was a 1994 GTI, now steers a 2025 Golf GTI adapted with full hand controls as part of his Just Hands Foundation, using it to give other disabled drivers their first real taste of high-performance driving. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article From Diving Accident To Hand-Control Hot LapsGross was 15 when a diving accident in 1994 left him with a C6 spinal cord injury and quadriplegia. He later became a rescue scuba diver, a marathon handcyclist and eventually a race car driver, competing in series like SCCA, WRL and International GT in a hand-control Porsche GT4 Clubsport. On track, he likes to say the car does not care that he uses a wheelchair. That is the feeling he is trying to scale. Through Just Hands Foundation, Gross and his wife organize track days where participants who drive with hand controls can sample proper performance cars in a safe, structured environment. Volkswagen of America has now provided a 2025 Golf GTI to the foundation, which has been fitted with bespoke hand-control hardware and featured in VW’s new short film “Just Hands: For the Love of Racing.” It is a neat full-circle moment for someone whose racing number “94” is a nod to his first-gen GTI. The choice of car matters. VW’s own engineers have admitted that the priciest special editions are not always the sweet spot. Gross leans into that same idea: what counts is an honest, approachable hot hatch that talks to you through the steering and pedals, not a museum piece. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Performance, Purpose And Where VW Goes NextVolkswagen is not just handing over a GTI and a camera crew. The Just Hands collaboration plugs directly into its Driver Access Program, which can reimburse up to $1,000 of the cost of adaptive equipment such as hand controls, lifts or pedal extensions on new or certified pre-owned Volkswagens. Gross is now a formal brand ambassador for that effort, advising on accessibility, speaking at internal events and putting a visible face on a part of the car market that usually stays invisible. There is also a bigger brand context here. Volkswagen is in the middle of rethinking what its halo products should look like. Against that backdrop, a story about a GTI, a racer in a wheelchair and a non-profit might seem small. VW clearly thinks it is the opposite. The company is betting that performance counts more when it has a purpose attached to it, whether that is giving a first-time track driver goosebumps from the passenger seat or making sure someone who uses a wheelchair can actually buy and adapt the same kind of car they just saw on screen. View the full article

Swiss mountaineer, Jiri Zak, took an EV Stark Varg to the Andes and made a New Guinness World Altitude record that saw him and the motorcycle hit 22,000 feet. View the full article

A major power outage in San Francisco turned Waymo’s driverless fleet into rolling roadblocks, as the company’s autonomous cars encountered dark intersections, stopped, and then mostly refused to move. The vehicles didn’t lose power or crash their software, but they did fall back into such a cautious fail-safe mode that they effectively “bricked” themselves in live traffic, forcing Waymo to suspend service while crews worked to clear the streets. Riley Walz A power outage in San Francisco caused autonomous cars to just freeze wherever they were. Apparently, Waymo engineers never thought to include a basic “pull over and park” fail-safe. 🤦🏽‍♀️ [image or embed] — Aalia Mauro (@aaliamauro.bsky.social) 21 December 2025 at 17:51 View the original article to see embedded media. How A Blackout Turned Robotaxis Into RoadblocksThe chain reaction started when a substation fire triggered a large-scale blackout, knocking out power to traffic lights across big chunks of the city. Waymo’s cars are programmed to treat dark signals like four-way stops and, in some cases, request remote “confirmation” from human supervisors before proceeding. In normal operations, that remote layer is meant to be a safety net. During the outage, thousands of signals went dark at once, generating an enormous spike in requests for human review. The assistance pipeline couldn’t keep up, so cars simply waited, and waited, in intersections and travel lanes for approvals that arrived too slowly or not at all. On the ground, that looked like clusters of driverless Jaguars sitting motionless with their hazard lights on, sometimes stacked nose-to-tail and blocking buses, cross traffic and turning lanes. For nearby drivers and pedestrians, it felt less like cutting-edge AI and more like a fleet of very expensive bollards. Getty Images Waymo’s Explanation Fits A Pattern Of Safety ScrutinyWaymo says the problem wasn’t that the software couldn’t handle a single dark intersection; the company points out its cars did navigate thousands of blackout-affected junctions correctly. Instead, it frames the failure as a systems issue: the outage created too many edge cases at once, overloading remote support and leaving vehicles stuck in conservative fail-safe logic. Waymo has promised software and operational changes so cars can recognize large-scale outages more intelligently and prioritize pulling over rather than sitting in the middle of junctions. The blackout incident lands on top of existing safety scrutiny. Earlier this year, Waymo issued a software recall after its robotaxis had trouble around stopped school buses. There has also been a steady drumbeat of lower-speed scrapes and odd behaviors in San Francisco, from blocked emergency scenes to awkward interactions with cyclists and pets. Getty A Stress Test As Waymo Plans To ExpandThe optics are awkward for a company that is actively pitching robotaxis as a practical replacement for a second car. Waymo has already laid out plans to expand its driverless service to additional markets. The San Francisco blackout exposed a different question: how resilient these systems are when infrastructure fails in ways that affect thousands of intersections at once. Waymo’s response, pausing service, promising fixes, and working with regulators, suggests it understands the stakes. For city officials and riders, the blackout will be remembered as an early stress test of a technology that needs to handle not just everyday traffic, but also rare, messy, city-wide failures without turning into a fleet of stranded obstacles. View the full article

It's been a tough year for automakers, from the loss of federal tax credits causing a greater slump in EV sales to the challenge of tariffs raising prices for everything else, and Ford will be especially happy to see the back of 2025 after achieving the worst recall record in American automotive history - something it managed within the first six months of the year. At the time, it had amassed 89 recalls, and now, at the tail end of December, it's surpassed 150 recalls after five new issues were lodged with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a single day, taking its tally to 152. So far... Ford's Latest Recalls Ford The first recall concerns 87 examples of the 2022-2024 Maverick Hybrid and 2020 Escape Hybrid, whose powertrain control module software may shift the vehicles into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power. The automaker has also been forced to recall 6,897 2025-2026 Maverick pickups over an instrument panel cover that may separate when the airbag deploys, and it's recalled just two examples of the 2022 Transit for a rearview camera that may not work - an issue that has prompted the company to launch a secret owner retention program. Almost comically, 35 examples of the 2021-2022 Bronco were recalled after a previous recall failed to address a problem in which the rearview camera would continue to display after the driver had completed a reversing maneuver. Related: Ford Is Secretly Offering Discounts on New Cars to Keep Frustrated Owners From Leaving The biggest recall on the day impacts 45,047 Mustang Mach-E EVs. Their light driver control modules may fail, preventing the entire headlight assembly from working. That means no turn signals, daytime running lights, low-beam headlights, or high-beam headlights. A Variety of Issues Across the Ford Range Ford Ford has been struck with numerous quality issues this year, from pickups and EVs that could roll away and faulty seatbelt retractor bolts to fuel injectors that could cause a fire and trim pieces that could fly off of tailgates. With the abovementioned Mustang Mach-E headlight problem, the automaker has now reached 152 recalls for the year, and we still have a week before 2025 comes to a close. If it gets just two more, it'll have doubled GM's previous record for the most recalls in a single calendar year (77). Ford is aware of its quality shortcomings and is implementing various changes to its quality control processes in a bid to make better vehicles, but don't expect a miraculous turn of events in 2026. Three years ago, Ford CEO Jim Farley said that it would take "several years" to improve overall quality, and many of the recent recalls we've covered have affected brand-new 2026 models. View the full article