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The 1967 Corvette is arguably one of the most popular Corvette’s in history, and is certainly the most popular mid-year model as it was the final year for this body style and the one with the highest horsepower thanks to the famed 435 horsepower, tri-power equipped, 427 cubic inch Big Block. This particular ’67 that the guys at Horsepower Depot are putting together will have considerably more power than that, so let’s see how it’s coming along so far and we’ll keep updates coming. Video Description: We make some progress on our 67 corvette race car. Mocking up the front end, front frame, and the main hoop. Pretty excited to be back on this thing. The post Building a 1967 Corvette Racecar! Horsepower Depot Is Outfitting It With A 25.2 Chassis and 2500+HP! This Thing Will Be FAST! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Oh what fun it is to ride in a lots of horsepowers open sleigh! Westin Champlin is one goofy dude, and he’s a riot to be around, so it should come as no surprise to anyone that he’d build a V8 powered sleigh. I love it, and love the enthusiasm. Check it out and let us know what you think. Do you approve of the build? How would you build a V8 powered sleigh? And should we build one next year and have some kind of sleigh shootout? Perhaps. Let us know. The post Westin Champlin Built a V8 Powered Sleigh to Deliver Presents! Santa Might Have Some Competition! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

This rollback has had an interesting life, and after a fire and some other drama, this one has got a new to it engine and transmission. The fire wasn’t on this truck. The fire was on the truck that donated the engine and trans. And to make matters even better, Derek traded the labor to do the swap on this thing for the old engine and trans that was in it. There is a whole story behind it, and we’ll let Derek tell you all about it. Check it out. Video Description: This Chevrolet squarebody has a chevron roll back bed on it. It was originally equipped with a carbureted 454 big block and a Sm465 manual transmission. It’s now been swapped for a Tonawanda TBI 454 and 4L80E automatic transmission. There’s been other improvements to the truck as well. This will be it’s first big test – hauling another vehicle for hours. We’ll either break it in, or it’ll break down. Let’s find out! The post Vice Grip Garage Christmas Extras: This BIG BLOCK Swapped Squarebody ROLLBACK Is Going On A Road Trip! Break In or Break Down? appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

TeamMoto Motorcycles Turns Up the Volume with the Boxing Day Parts and Accessories Sale Boxing Day is known for big crowds and bigger bargains, but this year TeamMoto Motorcycles is giving riders a reason to get in early and get excited. For four days only from Saturday, 27 December, TeamMoto is rolling out its Boxing […] The post TeamMoto Turns Up the Volume: Boxing Day Parts and Accessories Sale appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

(Words and Photos by Darr Hawthorne) • The 2025 MOONEYES Christmas Party Show & Drag rolled into Pomona’s historic In-N-Out Burger Drag Strip, and it kicked off exactly how you’d expect in December—under a thick fog bank that made everything feel a little eerie. Thankfully, the marine layer didn’t last long, and before midday it burned off into one of those perfect Southern California days that make you forget it’s almost Christmas. Once again, Chico Kodama and the MOONEYES crew answered the call and delivered the ultimate year-end car show and holiday get-together. The Pomona Fairplex was packed with thousands of hot rods, customs, gassers, low-riders, bombers, beaters—if it had wheels and personality, it was probably there too, with Big Jim Dunn’s MOONEYES funny car and Land Speed racers and bikes on display. The variety alone made this a show you couldn’t cover in a single lap. With past venue Irwindale Raceway shuttered earlier this year, Pomona now stands as the last spot in the Los Angeles area still cable of hosting 1/8-mile drag racing at a major event like this, and that fact wasn’t lost on anyone in attendance. Throw in the Pinup Girl Contest, pinstriping demos, vendors, live music, and nonstop action, and the MOONEYES Christmas Party once again proved why it remains one of the best ways to close out the SoCal car culture season for thousands of fans. CHECK OUT OUR FIRST GALLERY FROM THE MOONEYES CHRISTMAS PARTY The post 2025 MOONEYES Christmas Party Show & Drag At Pomona! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Volkswagen is giving its China-market mid-size sedan a serious electrified upgrade. The new Passat plug-in hybrid, badged Passat ePro, debuts as a China-only model with a bigger battery, much longer EV range and the kind of tech-heavy cabin Chinese buyers now expect. It’s also an important piece of VW’s local new-energy strategy at a time when its global finances are under real pressure. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article 150+ Km EV Range, 1,300 Km TotalBuilt by SAIC-Volkswagen, the Passat ePro sits on a new plug-in-specific architecture and uses a hybrid system built around a 1.5-liter TSI EVO II turbo four and a 145-kW drive motor. A 22-kWh battery lives under the floor, delivering a claimed CLTC pure-electric range of more than 150 kilometers (about 93 miles). Combine that with the gas engine and VW quotes roughly 1,300 kilometers (around 808 miles) of total range on the same optimistic test cycle. That’s a big step up from earlier Chinese Passat PHEVs that topped out at roughly half that EV distance. It also shows how quickly plug-in tech is evolving alongside dedicated EVs like the ID.4. In China, though, VW clearly thinks there’s still strong demand for long-leg plug-in sedans that can run electric during the week and petrol on holiday trips. View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article Familiar Shape, Much More Tech InsideOn the outside, the ePro looks like a stretched, sharpened evolution of the latest Passat Pro. The sedan measures just over 5 meters long with a 2,871-mm wheelbase and leans on clean surfacing, slim LED headlights with a full-width light bar and matching through-type LED tail lights. It reads more upmarket and tech-forward than earlier Chinese Passats while staying conservative enough for corporate buyers. The cabin follows the same pattern. A horizontal, wraparound dashboard mounts a 12.9-inch central touchscreen, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a separate passenger-side display, backed by updated software and connectivity. Underneath, a MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension are retuned to cope with the battery mass while preserving the soft, business-sedan ride that keeps the Passat near the top of China’s joint-venture sales charts. Why China Gets It FirstThe Passat ePro also lands at a delicate moment for Volkswagen globally. And in the U.S., a sharp 67% collapse in profits has already led VW to warn that buyers should not expect the same level of discounts and incentives. Against that backdrop, China remains VW’s most critical volume and profit base. A long-range plug-in Passat tailored specifically for that market is both a defensive move and a signal: even as the brand struggles elsewhere, it is still willing to invest in region-specific hybrids that sit alongside full EVs rather than replacing them. U.S. buyers may never see this car, but if the ePro lands well with Chinese commuters, its powertrain recipe and packaging could easily influence VW’s next generation of electrified sedans outside China. View the full article

Touchscreen ConcernsA detailed study presented at the 38th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology is now offering compelling evidence for something that most of us already know — that trying to interact with a touchscreen while driving is extremely distracting and can be downright dangerous. With physical buttons and knobs having been all but replaced by large, flat screens that lack any tactile features, researchers from the University of Washington and the Toyota Research Institute decided to quantify how this affects a driver’s cognitive load and ability to maintain focus. BMW Simulated TestsThe researchers monitored pupil dilation and electrodermal activity — established means to measure cognitive load, as well as precise eye and hand movements of 16 volunteers as they navigated a virtual urban environment in a highly-detailed and realistic driving simulator equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen. The test subjects were then asked to complete routine tasks that one may attempt while driving, while concurrently undertaking a simple memory test. Substantial Drop in Driver Performance The results of this experiment are hard to ignore. Drivers were drifting out of their lane 42 percent more often when asked to complete simple tasks on the touchscreen, with 26.3 percent shorter glances at the screen when under high cognitive load. Sensors also recorded a 58 percent drop in speed and accuracy in touchscreen operation when driving, with a further 17 percent drop when the driver was put under high cognitive load. These findings establish that not only did car control suffer when drivers attempted to use the touchscreen, but also that their screen usage got really sloppy when behind the wheel. Even increasing the size of the target areas on the screens showed no appreciable improvement in performance. The Future of Design and SafetyThis study highlights that touchscreen interfaces demand more of a driver’s eyes and mind than physical tactile controls. These findings pose a significant challenge for automotive interior design, which has, over the last decade, truly embraced the sleek aesthetic and versatility of touchscreen controls. Well, screens aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, so it is essential that a middle ground that balances the technology with real-world safety and usability is found. Smarter interface designs with the integration of physical knobs and buttons for frequently used functions could be a plausible way forward. A better understanding of how drivers interact with new tech, features, and interfaces, and the impact of these interactions on attention and car control, will be crucial in improving road safety in the years ahead. View the full article

It's that time of the year again. We've scoured our stats, done the sums, and compiled the 2025 edition of the notorious Bike EXIF Top 10.For the second year running, we've considered data from the start of December last year until the end of November this year, which means that any bikes that poppe... View the full article

A Rotary Revival Aims for the SkiesA report from CarNewsChina says Changan, via its Harbin Dongan Auto Engine subsidiary, has completed the first ignition of the R05E – China’s first high-power rotary engine prototype – on December 19. The milestone underscores China’s broader push to capitalize on the low-altitude economy, a sector projected to be worth as much as 3.5 trillion yuan (roughly $490 billion) by 2035. The low-altitude economy refers to commercial activity and services conducted in airspace below about 1,000 meters (approximately 3,281 feet), enabled by technologies such as eVTOL aircraft. Several automakers have already expressed interest in this space. Hyundai, for instance, explored advanced air mobility projects through Supernal, while Toyota has gone a step further by investing roughly $894 million in U.S.-based air taxi developer Joby Aviation. Now, Changan—one of China’s so-called “Big Four” state-owned automakers (along with SAIC, FAW, and Dongfeng)—expects to mass-produce the R05E rotary engine by 2027. XPeng Small, Light, and Built to RevSo why a rotary engine? Compared with conventional piston engines, rotary engines are typically more compact and lighter, while delivering a higher power-to-weight ratio. They are also known for smoother operation and favorable NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) characteristics—key advantages for aviation applications—though long-term reliability can remain a challenge, particularly when it comes to sealing. According to the report, the R05E produces 53 kW (71 horsepower) and is capable of revving up to 6,500 rpm. Interestingly, the project is notable given Changan’s ongoing joint venture with Mazda, a brand synonymous with rotary engines thanks to icons like the RX-7 and the Le Mans-winning 787B, though Mazda does not appear to have any technical involvement in the R05E program. Technically, the R05E features a cast aluminum casing and employs an NDC (nanodiamond composite) anti-friction coating to reduce energy loss. The engine uses a curved-edge triangular rotor, paired with a low-mass eccentric shaft and dedicated balancing system—aimed at ensuring stable operation during flight. Changan Laying the GroundworkThe R05E, however, is just one part of Dongan’s broader development roadmap. The Changan subsidiary is also working on naturally aspirated and turbocharged rotary engines intended for medium- and high-altitude applications in partnership with companies like ARIDGE, XPeng's flying car division. These projects could eventually support a wider range of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), including drones used for logistics and aerial surveillance. While many developers are currently focused on large-scale air-taxi fleets, others are pursuing consumer-oriented personal aviation. California-based startup Pivotal Aero, for example, recently conducted a test flight in Northampton County, North Carolina, for its single-seat Helix, which starts at $190,000. Efforts like these highlight the direction the mobility industry appears to be heading in the coming years. Changan View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Even with its cutting-edge hybrid system combining twin-turbo power and an electric motor, the 2026 Corvette ZR1X cannot escape Washington's fuel economy rules. The car carries a gas guzzler tax of $2,600, pushing the starting price beyond $210,000. With dealers adding markups and buyers already spending six figures, the federal penalty amounts to little more than a rounding error. Remember, GM maintains a one-year no-flip policy, though that hasn’t stopped some owners from listing theirs for well over $100,000 over sticker price, which really makes the Corvette’s gas guzzler tax seem like a mere afterthought. Chevrolet The Fastest Corvette Gets The Least TaxThe federal government imposes this penalty on new passenger cars falling below specific fuel economy thresholds. The ZR1X pushes 1,250 horsepower through its electrified all-wheel drive system, yet is rated for approximately 15 mpg combined. Interestingly, the hybrid ZR1X receives a lower penalty than its pure gas sibling. The standard ZR1 faces a $3,000 gas guzzler charge due to its roughly 14 mpg combined fuel economy. Buyers choosing the hybrid save $400 despite gaining nearly 200 additional horsepower. The Corvette Z06 with standard aerodynamics carries a $2,600 penalty matching the ZR1X, while Z06 models with aggressive carbon aero packages jump to $3,000 due to increased drag. Chevrolet How The Gas Guzzler Tax Works Congress established the gas guzzler tax in 1978 through the Energy Tax Act, following the 1970s energy crisis. The current structure has remained unchanged since 1991, establishing twelve penalty tiers ranging from $1,000 for vehicles achieving between 21.5 and 22.5 mpg to a maximum of $7,700 for cars rated below 12.5 mpg combined. The EPA determines ratings using unadjusted fuel economy numbers, which typically yield figures about 25 percent higher than adjusted window sticker numbers. This means vehicles that achieve roughly 16 mpg on window stickers avoid the penalty. The tax applies exclusively to passenger cars, exempting trucks, SUVs, minivans, and crossovers regardless of fuel consumption. It could be argued that some trucks and SUVs should fall under the ambit of the gas guzzler tax, but considering these vehicles weren't popular for non-commercial purposes when the Energy Tax Act was drafted decades back, they escape. Ford Might As Well Call It The ‘Performance Tax’High-performance cars are natural penalty targets, considering trucks and SUVs are exempt from the gas guzzler tax. For buyers spending $200,000 or more, an additional $2,600 barely registers. However, more accessible performance vehicles feel the impact differently. The Ford Mustang GT carries a $1,000 penalty with a starting price around $50,000. For mainstream muscle cars, the gas guzzler tax represents a more significant percentage of purchase price, though it hardly dissuades buyers. View the full article

So now we have carmakers jacking up prices of new cars in ways that can only be termed egregious. This might come across as surprising, but OEMs are increasing the destination and delivery charges, inflating the actual window sticker, otherwise called the vehicle’s sticker price or its MSRP. The information comes courtesy of the Detroit Free Press, stating that Chevrolet, Ford and Ram have all increased their destination charge from $1,995 last year to $2,595 for most of their 2025 and 2026 lineup. Apparently, hiking the destination charge instead of the MSRP means the dealer shoulders the brunt of the tariff load more than the automaker. We are in a time when volatility and uncertainty are at their peak. You have fears of a recession looming and a potential AI bubble, with tech companies burning through cash like dry leaves in a wildfire. Think about fuel prices and living costs—everything has been going bananas for the last year or so. On top of all that, you have carmakers finding devious ways to squeeze more money from your wallet. Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images Sam Abuelsamid, vice president of market research at Telemetry, was reported saying, "They are hiding some of the tariff costs in the destination charge, because you can’t opt out of the delivery charge even if you live next to the factory and pick your vehicle at the gate.” Ivan Drury, director of insights at Edmunds, told the Detroit Free Press that, "I have seen those destination fee increases that are out of the norm versus the typical annual adjustments. Almost everyone is guilty in part on some level because of tariff/inflation and hedging their bets.” Getty Images According to Edmunds, a 2023 Ford F-150 carried a destination charge of $1,795, which rose to $1,995 for MY24 and $2,595 for MY25. A similar trend can be seen with the Chevy Silverado 1500, as MY23 saw a destination charge of $1,895, which became $1,995 for MY24 and $2,195 for MY25. Drury also went on to say that the Detroit giants were the ones increasing the most among mass market automakers, with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen having the lowest destination charges across the industry. View the full article

A Verdict With Real TractionA New Mexico jury has ordered Michelin North America to pay $220 million in a wrongful-death lawsuit stemming from a tire blowout involving a Ford Excursion. Per Car Complaints, the plaintiffs, including vehicle owner Mr. Eleazar Marin, alleged that the tire in question – an all-season Michelin LTX M/S2 – was defective at the time it left the factory. The incident occurred in Gaines County, Texas, in 2021, when the front-left tire of the Excursion allegedly suffered a blowout, causing the full-size SUV to cross into oncoming traffic. The vehicle collided with another heavy-duty vehicle towing a trailer, resulting in a fatal crash that killed three of Marin’s family members: his wife, Rosalva Marin, daughter Laura Marin Zamarippa, and granddaughter Alexis Zamarippa. Michelin Inside the Alleged DefectsAccording to the lawsuit, the Michelin LTX M/S2 allegedly experienced a tread separation caused by multiple design and manufacturing defects, including improper adhesion between the steel belts, an inadequate belt-edge protection package, and an inferior belt system. The complaint further alleged the tire lacked sufficient antioxidants and proper belt-width-to-tread proportions, and exhibited various belting anomalies such as offset belts, improper splices, and irregular wire spacing. The tire involved in the crash was reportedly manufactured in Alabama around June 2014, though the exact purchase date was not disclosed in court filings. Reports indicate the tire was approximately seven years old at the time of the accident and had accumulated roughly 70,000 miles of use. As a general guideline, tires are typically recommended to be replaced every six to 10 years or 50,000 to 80,000 miles, depending on wear and overall condition. Ford The Jury Wasn’t Buying ItWhile those figures suggest the tire was still within commonly cited replacement windows, Michelin reportedly argued during the trial that evidence showed the tire had already sustained damage. Despite that defense, the jury ultimately assigned 100% of the blame to Michelin, resulting in the $220 million verdict. The tire manufacturer will likely seek a reversal. The LTX M/S2 product line remains on sale today, marketed for use on light trucks and SUVs, as well as electric vehicles – think along the lines of the Rivian R1T. Michelin, which has been manufacturing tires since the 19th century, also maintains an active presence in global motorsports and currently participates in top-tier programs such as America’s endurance racing series, the IMSA SportsCar Championship. Michelin View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Every year the message is pretty similar, and on behalf of the Reynolds family, along with our amazing BangShift.com sponsors, I’d like to wish all of our friends and readers a very Merry Christmas. We also send a hearty Season’s Greetings from all the BangShift Contributors, who have given their weekends and evenings to us in pursuit of great content and coverage. But I’d also like to remind everyone out there that with all the stress, anger, and hatred we see in our daily lives nowadays, it is even more important than ever to remember what matters most. And what matters folks is family and friends. The rest is just stuff. So remember to be a good human, have fun, and enjoy your time with them this year. Out here in Texas we’re getting our bacon on this Christmas thanks to the guys at American Powertrain, who hooked us up with kick ass Benton’s Bacon. You can get yours still during their BACONshift sale, don’t forget. McTaggart will be hanging around with the family and enjoying some good food served up potluck-style. Meanwhile I’ll be enjoying Christmas in the new shop with family and friends. We’ve decorated, are cooking up a feast, and welcoming Santa with open arms. We hope that you too will be enjoying great food and drink with family and friends. After all, that’s what the holidays are all about. We’re going to assume that, since you are BangShifters, you’ve been both naughty and nice this year, but in a recent conversation with Santa, he told me that you just needed to be mostly nice and that even Santa was naughty every once in a while according to Mrs. Claus. Last year we encouraged you to start, or carry on, a family tradition. Our favorite is the Christmas Burnout tradition, and we’re hoping you’ll send us links to the videos again this year. To those members of the armed services defending our country and protecting the freedoms that we hold so dear, we also wish you and yours the best on this Christmas. Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed by us, and the wonderful readers here at BangShift.com. We hope that wherever you are you feel our gratitude and respect. For those of you who have lost a loved one this year, remind those around you to take full advantage of those that are still with us. Family is the most important thing, and we consider each of our dedicated readers to be part of the BangShift family. Your well wishes this holiday season mean the world to us. Thank you. Have a very Merry Christmas! The post Merry Christmas From BANGshift! We Hope You Enjoy Christmas With Your Loved Ones And That Santa Is Good To All Of You! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

The Ford Raptor family currently comprises three models: the F-150 Raptor, the Bronco Raptor, and the Ranger Raptor. But that is likely to change in the not-too-distant future, and for the better. EVs are proving so unpopular that Ford has walked away from multi-billion-dollar deals to minimize further financial losses, while enthusiast-focused vehicles like those in the Raptor line have been immensely popular and profitable, so Ford will be leaning into what its buyers want with more fun cars. As reported by Ford Authority, Ford CFO Sherry House, speaking at the 2025 Barclays Global Auto and Mobility Tech Conference, said, "I know that some people in the audience here just had a wonderful ride in some of our Raptors, and that's a product that I think that we're going to be doing a bit more of as as well." Raptors Aren't the Only Fun Fords We Could Get Ford "We're going to be leaning into these products that are just passion products," continued House. "I mean, these are vehicles that people love." The 900-horsepower Raptor R shown at SEMA falls into that category, though it's not yet confirmed for production, but the "passion products" House refers to will likely not only encompass Raptor vehicles, either. A new Mustang Shelby GT500 is expected to arrive before long, likely sometime in 2026, and there have long been rumblings of a Ford Mustang sedan, potentially with the name Mach 4. Related: Before the Mustang Turbo, Ford Built This Wild Capri Instead On top of that, Ford CEO Jim Farley has said that the Blue Oval is considering a 1,000-horsepower off-road supercar, and the automaker has announced that an "all-new Ford Racing production road car" will be unveiled ahead of the 2026 Detroit Auto Show in January. This might be a new Ford GT supercar, or it could be another high-performance Mustang, like the aforementioned GT. Whatever it is, it's clear that Ford is leaning into exciting vehicles. Even EVs Could Become More Exciting at Ford Christopher Stevens/Ford At Monterey Car Week in August, Jim Farley revealed that he thinks there remains a "huge market" for sedans, adding that they're very aerodynamically efficient, and this is good for EVs. With that in mind, he said that his vision for a new Ford sedan would be fast, send its power to the rear wheels, offer high performance, and be affordable. Considering that the Mustang lent its name to the Mach-E crossover, it's not a stretch to imagine that the rumor of a Mustang sedan could be realized by a new EV. Hopefully, we'll learn more in Detroit. View the full article

Spoold Media was on hand at the Christmas Tree Drags at Bradenton, and we’ve got their video right here. We’ve already shared the video from 1320Video and KSR, but this one is different and fun too, so check it out. If you missed the others, use the link below to check them out too. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE OTHER CHRISTMAS TREE DRAGS COVERAGE Video Description: There’s nothing more festive in my opinion than Christmas trees going 6 seconds in the quarter mile at 180-200+mph!!!!! Bradenton Motorsports opened their gates for the annual Christmas Tree Drags and we got the opportunity to ride along with a racer and bring you this vlog style video of the event!!! The post CHRISTMAS TREES GOING 6 SECONDS IN THE 1/4?!?!? MORE CHRISTMAS TREE DRAGS FROM BRADENTON!!!! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

The Mooneyes Christmas Party is always one of our favorite events of the year, and I really do miss it now that I live in Texas. It was one of those annual shows that we really looked forward to each year. It was at Irwindale Speedway for many years, and was limited in size because of it, but now that it has moved to Pomona there is a lot more room which means even more hot rods, race cars, and customs. Plus lots of bikes, models, and vendors as well. It was one of our favorite places to Christmas shop too! In the video below from FunWithLopez you’ll get to see what the 2025 edition, a celebration of 75 years of Mooneyes, was like. Let us know what your favorite hot rod, custom, and model were from the show in the comments below. Video Description: The Mooneyes Christmas Party Show & Drag 2025 at the Pomona Fairplex delivered an unforgettable celebration of Kustom Kulture and high-octane drag racing. Held on December 20, 2025, this legendary Southern California car show marked a historic milestone as Mooneyes celebrated its 75th Anniversary at its brand-new venue, the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, following the closure of Irwindale Speedway. The atmosphere was electric, with the scent of nitro and the thunderous roar of engines filling the air from sunrise to sunset. We captured the complete Mooneyes 2025 experience, showcasing an elite collection of hot rods, custom builds, lowriders, and rat rods. A major highlight of our coverage included the stunning models and pin-up girls posing alongside these rolling works of art, perfectly capturing the timeless “eyes” aesthetic. Seeing these talented models bring the classic rockabilly style to life in front of the world-class builds added an incredible layer of authenticity to the show. We had the opportunity to say hello to the beautiful Georjah Erin. On the legendary strip, the 1/8 mile drag racing action was relentless, featuring classic gassers and vintage dragsters. The festivities continued with a glamorous Pin-up Girl Contest, intricate pinstriping demos, and live sets from The Rockets and The Outlaw Daddies. As one of the most anticipated 2025 car shows, this year-end festival honored the legacy of Dean Moon in spectacular fashion. The post MOONEYES Christmas Party 2025 Video: Classic Cars, Hot Rods & Models Together Celebrating 75 Years Of Mooneyes! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

A 911 S/T Story for the History BooksPorsche has apologized to two 911 S/T owners after a production mix-up left both cars bearing the same “1,724 of 1,963” limited-edition badge. The owners appear to have accepted the apology after visiting the automaker’s Zuffenhausen facility in Germany, where the numbering error was officially corrected and documented. To recall, Porsche introduced the S/T in 2023 as a 60th-anniversary tribute to its iconic sports car. Production was capped at 1,963 units, referencing the year the original 911 debuted. As deliveries of these cars continue around the world, two examples were produced with identical number plaques, an error the automaker later described as an accident. Porsche Mistake Turns Into MemorabiliaSo here's what happened: One of the affected owners is Suzan Taher, whose 911 S/T was originally assigned the number “1,742.” The other owner, Pedro Solís Klussmann, specifically requested “1,724,” a number with personal significance. He chose the number because he, his mother, and his grandmother all celebrate their birthdays on the 17th, while the number 24 refers to his father’s birthday. To resolve the situation, the incorrect plaque was formally handed over to Porsche for archiving. Klussmann, who also serves as president of the Porsche Club Guatemala, and Taher each received official documentation, including a photograph of both cars now wearing their correct limited-edition numbers. The automaker also presented the owners with an “elegant” box containing samples of their cars’ respective interior and exterior materials. Klussmann’s 911 S/T was specified with Porsche’s Heritage Design package, highlighted by an exclusive Shore Blue Metallic exterior finish. Inside, the car features seats trimmed in Classic Cognac fabric with black pinstripes. Taher’s example, meanwhile, was commissioned through Porsche’s Sonderwunsch program, the brand’s in-house bespoke division comparable to Lamborghini’s Ad Personam. Her car was finished in Paint to Sample Plus shade called Rose Red, with the interior receiving a matching Guards Red treatment. Porsche said the Rose Red color – originally offered on models in the 1970s, including the iconic Carrera RS 2.7 – will officially join the regular Paint to Sample program starting in the 2026 model year. The 911 S/T is effectively positioned between the GT3 Touring and the track-focused GT3 RS. As such, the anniversary model retains the 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine, producing 518 horsepower and revving to 9,000 rpm. Key mechanical highlights include a six-speed manual transmission, extensive weight-reduction measures, and a chassis explicitly tuned for agility and driver engagement. Porsche Even the Best SlipAddressing the incident, Karl-Heinz Volz, Director of Porsche’s bespoke program, acknowledged the error in an official press release: “There is a lot of specialized manual work involved in manufacturing, and human involvement means that mistakes can happen. The important thing is how you deal with them. It was very important to us to apologise to our customers appropriately and to correct the error.” Despite the production lapse, both vehicles retained their unique VINs, meaning the issue was ultimately cosmetic. With the correction complete, Porsche said that the incident now stands as a documented anecdote in the history of Sonderwunsch. Porsche View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

This thing is cool! Well it looks cool anyway, even though I’m not a big fan of the 6.2 liter diesel under the hood. And before all you 6.2 and 6.5 fans start bitching, know that I grew up with a 6.2 liter diesel swapped squarebody Suburban, and I own another 6.2l powered squarebody Suburban right now. Can they be reliable? Sure. Do they make big power? No. Do they get great mileage? Not really. Can you count on them actually staying reliable? Ehh, that kind of depends on how they have been treated. So will this one be reliable enough to make it home to Tennessee for Derek? Or will it leave him stranded along the way? Video Description: I bought this Old GMC Diesel Squarebody sight unseen off the innerwebs. I flew to pick it up with zero tools or parts. Now, let’s see if it will road trip 600+ miles back home to Tennessee! The post Vice Grip Garage Christmas Extras: DETROIT DIESEL Dually Squarebody! Will It Make It 600 Miles Home or Leave Him Stranded? appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Polestar has secured another bailout-sized cash injection, landing $300 million in new equity while major shareholder Geely converts a similar amount of debt into stock. It’s the latest step in a string of rescue moves meant to keep the EV brand liquid long enough for the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 launches to gain traction. New Equity Deal Brings In BBVA And NatixisThe fresh money arrives via a private placement of new Class A shares to two banking heavyweights, BBVA and Natixis, which are investing $150 million each. The shares are being sold at a price tied to Polestar’s recent average trading levels, and no single investor will be allowed to end up with more than 10% of the company once the deal closes. Polestar says the proceeds will be used to strengthen liquidity and the balance sheet as it ramps production and sales, that includes scaling up the Polestar 3. The new equity is meant to help underpin that push while the company works toward its existing revenue and margin targets. Geely Converts Debt And Extends More CreditAlongside the $300 million cash raise, Geely Sweden Holdings is converting roughly $300 million of existing shareholder loans, plus some accrued interest, into equity. That move cuts Polestar’s debt load and should trim annual interest expense by tens of millions of dollars, at the cost of further dilution for existing shareholders. The latest package also sits on top of a previously announced loan facility of up to $600 million from a Geely unit, giving Polestar a sizeable, if heavily related-party, safety net. There’s an added backstop baked into the structure too: the new bank investors get the option to sell their shares back to a Geely-owned entity at a defined return after a few years. In practice, Geely is quietly underwriting the risk and signaling it still intends to keep Polestar afloat. Buying Time For Polestar 3, 4 And 5Taken together, the equity infusion, debt-for-equity swap and loan facility amount to roughly $1.2 billion in support agreed in a single month. It’s less a growth round than an emergency recapitalization designed to buy time for Polestar’s product plan. Beyond the 3, the brand is counting on the sleeker Polestar 4, which we’ve already sampled in Texas, and the upcoming Polestar 5. The question now isn’t whether Polestar has enough short-term funding; on paper, it does. The real test will be whether the brand can turn that runway into sustained demand and margins in a crowded premium EV segment. If the 3 and 4 can convert attention into sales, this latest lifeline could look like a smart bridge. If not, it’ll be remembered as another expensive attempt to keep a struggling EV badge in the air a little longer. View the full article

Have you ever been driving down the road and had a backseat or passenger seat driver telling you how you should be doing it better? Or telling you straight up that you are doing it wrong? Worse yet is the passive aggressive backseat driver. If you have driven with this person then you have probably, at some point, said something along the lines of “If you think you can do a better job, then you drive!”. Well what happens when a Rally driver decides that they are tired of listening to their navigator/co-driver and gives them a chance behind the wheel? Let’s see how this works out. Can a rally co-pilot actually drive? Video Description: What happens when a rally co-driver takes the wheel? Find out as we take you exclusively behind the scenes as Martijn Wydaghe puts down the pace notes and swaps sitting next to Thierry Neuville in the co-driver’s seat for the driver’s seat at the 2025 Rallye du Pays Vençois in France! The Belgian took the wheel of a Hyundai i20 N Rally2 and impressed the crowds with his commitment and pace, winning his first-ever rally stage in the process How did you think he got on? The post Stop Telling Me How To Drive! They Might Be Good At Instructions, But What Happens When a Rally Co-Driver Takes the Wheel? appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

The K4’s Place in the MarketThe Kia K4 enters the 2026 model year with a modest price bump, now starting at $22,190 MSRP – an increase of just $200 over the previous year. Still, the K4 remains among the most affordable new cars available in the U.S. market, a position that stands out even more as the roughly $20,000 Nissan Versa is getting axed after the 2025 model year. In this lower-cost space, the K4 overlaps with a handful of budget-friendly alternatives, including the Hyundai Venue and Chevrolet Trax, which start at $20,550 and $21,700, respectively. Within the compact sedan segment specifically, the Toyota Corolla carries a base price of $22,725, while the Honda Civic opens at a noticeably higher $24,595. Kia What's New For 2026For 2026, Kia carries over the same trim structure for the K4, consisting of the LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line, and GT-Line Turbo, though some pricing adjustments vary. The mid-range K4 EX sees the largest increase at $400, while the flagship GT-Line Turbo, powered exclusively by a 190-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, only receives a $200 hike. All other K4 trims are equipped with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), the brand's in-house CVT, whereas the GT-Line Turbo is fitted with a more traditional 8-speed automatic transmission. Updates for the 2026 model year are relatively limited. SynTex upholstery is now standard on the EX and GT-Line trims, with the EX also gaining heated front seats and a rear folding armrest. Certain GT-Line packages further add a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster running Kia’s ccNC interface, along with a heated steering wheel. Kia Pricing OverviewBelow is the full list of MSRP pricing for the 2026 Kia K4: Trim 2026 Pricing 2025 Pricing K4 LX $22,190 $21,990 K4 LXS $23,290 $22,990 K4 EX $24,390 $23,990 K4 GT-Line $25,390 $25,190 K4 GT-Line Turbo $28,290 $28,090 In addition to the sedan, the all-new K4 Hatchback is also slated for sale in the U.S. as a 2026 model, albeit at a higher starting MSRP of $24,890. Even so, both K4 body styles continue to provide relatively attainable options in a market increasingly dominated by crossovers and SUVs, a point made more relevant as the average transaction price of new vehicles stateside hovers around $50,000. Kia View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

A Supercar With a Serious MissionA New Jersey police department is making headlines for an innovative approach to community outreach that combines high-octane excitement with a life-saving message. The Garfield Police Department in Bergen County has teamed up with Lamborghini Paramus to unveil “Outrun Opioids,” a community initiative that uses a 2023 Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato to raise awareness of opioid addiction and recovery resources. Instead of chasing suspects, this supercar’s mission is to chase conversations by helping residents better understand the pathways to treatment and recovery in their own community. Dressed in official Garfield Police graphics and topped with a blue light bar, the off-road-capable Huracán Sterrato is designed to command attention wherever it goes. That visibility is no accident. With its 602-horsepower engine, off-road capability, and unmistakable silhouette, the vehicle has quickly become a centerpiece for discussions around substance use and stigma. The car made its debut at the 37th Annual PBA Toy Drive in Closter, where it attracted crowds eager to learn about its unexpected purpose. Police officials say the Lamborghini is not a symbol of enforcement but of empathy, a striking reminder that help is available and recovery is possible. Turning Attention Into Access to HelpBeyond the spectacle, the “Outrun Opioids” campaign has a practical and potentially life-changing component. Prominently featured on the Lamborghini’s livery is a QR code linking directly to The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources. Scanning it connects users with a 24/7 live navigator who provides confidential assistance, treatment referrals, and guidance for individuals or families struggling with addiction. It’s an innovative way to bridge the gap between awareness and action, ensuring that the attention the car draws translates into access to real support. Garfield police officials say the Lamborghini will continue to appear at youth programs, public events, and educational initiatives throughout the region. Each outing is an opportunity to start conversations that could lead to intervention before tragedy strikes. The department emphasizes that the Huracán Sterrato won’t be used for patrols or emergencies; it’s purely an educational tool. No Cost to Taxpayers, Maximum Community ImpactWhile the project’s glitzy exterior might raise questions, city leaders are quick to stress that the initiative carries no financial burden for Garfield residents. The nearly $310,000 Lamborghini remains the property of Lamborghini Paramus and is being loaned to the department free of charge. Officials say that the partnership model allows the city to make a big impact without spending a dime of taxpayer money, a point that has helped the campaign earn broad public support. The Huracán Sterrato will remain wrapped in Garfield Police livery through June of next year, then return to its original form after a “Chief for a Day” community celebration. Until then, police hope the car continues to draw crowds and conversations that lead to healing. View the full article

For Uniontown, Ohio’s Scott Chitty, drag racing is not just a pastime, it’s a way of life. Following in the footsteps of his father, Terry Chitty, who ran NMCA Nostalgia Pro Street for many years, Scott began racing Jr. Dragsters at eight years old. From that point forward, he spent countless weekends traveling with his parents, competing, and forming lifelong friendships along the way. Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #197, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November/December 2025. Among his many wins during his Jr. Dragster career, Chitty recalls his victory at the Thunder Valley Challenge in Bristol, Tennessee, when he was just 10 years old as his most memorable. He also notably earned two Summit Motorsports Park track championships, one at just nine years old and another at 17. After aging out of Jr. Dragsters, Chitty transitioned to the Sportsman class driving a 1992 Chevy Camaro, which proved to be a smooth transition thanks to his many years of foot brake experience. He went on to win his first race in the Camaro at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. Over time, he shifted into index racing, where he has since found his groove. “I like index because it’s different from bracket racing. I like the pro tree; I was always good on a pro tree even in Jrs. Plus, it’s new competition and just something different for me.” Chitty says. Now at 30 years old, Chitty competes in the Summit Racing Equipment Index Series at Dragway 42 in the 7.00 class. Since 2020, he has secured five track championships in the 7.00 and 11.50 index classes. When his schedule allows, Chitty also bracket races his LS-powered 2000 Chevy S-10 and travels to various races in the Midwest region. Over two decades of racing, Chitty has collected numerous wins and championships across multiple classes, but a few stand out as career highlights. “Winning my first Ironman was huge,” he says. “I never ran IHRA races in Jrs., so to finally get one in a big car meant a lot.” He’s also proud of his strong performance at Norwalk’s prestigious Night Under Fire event, where the top 32 in each class face off. Chitty runnered up in 2023 and took part in the iconic winner’s parade under a massive fireworks show. “At the end of the race, they drive you up the track and then stop to let everybody come out for autographs,” Chitty says. “It was a pretty cool experience.” Just this past October, Chitty captured another win at Dragway 42, this time behind the wheel of a borrowed 1981 AMC Spirit. After breaking his Camaro at the Bracket Finals for, coincidentally, the second year in a row, he piloted the Spirit to a win in the Box class before defeating No Box winner Mark Frazier in the final round of the Mickey Thompson Tire Run-Off Race. When he’s not at the track, Chitty works full time at Charlie’s Garage, an automotive service shop that his mother, Terri, had scouted out for his dad many years ago. After the passing of his mother in 2014, an opportunity arose for his dad to take a leap of faith and purchase the very shop the couple had often talked about owning together. Nowadays, working side-by-side with his father every day at their shop, located just five minutes from home, is something Chitty never takes for granted. “My mom found this for him when he originally got a job there. A couple years after that, we acquired it. Dad runs the front while I do tires, brakes, and oil changes because I went to school for it all,” he says. “We can work on the car here too. We’re very lucky to have all of this.” Before his mother’s passing, Chitty fondly recalls many years of cherished memories. She would always have the motorhome ready for them to just hop in and go. “We went everywhere. They weren’t afraid to drive anywhere. I was very lucky to experience a lot of things because of Dad and Mom. It was pretty cool,” Chitty says. Beyond his own racing, Chitty also crews for Glenn Butcher’s Top Sportsman Camaro on the PDRA tour. The opportunity, and the years-long friendship that followed, began with a simple act of kindness when his dad helped Glenn’s son with his Jr. Dragster. Now, Chitty wrenches on Butcher’s 959-cubic-inch motor and recently helped him secure a PDRA win in Martin, Michigan. When Ohio’s winter season arrives, Chitty’s competitive spirit doesn’t slow down, it just shifts scale. He’s also a devoted slot car racer, running 1:24 scale replicas of his own drag cars across the Midwest. “When we put the big cars away, it’s slot car season,” he says. Chitty has claimed several big-money victories in Ohio and Pennsylvania, but mostly enjoys travelling with friends like 2019 DI 30 Under 30 honoree Matt Dadas, JP Schuster, and Jaeden Durst during what’s typically considered their offseason. For Chitty, his racing goals are simple. He wants to keep improving, learning, and racing with his friends and family. While he’s focused on another 7.00 index championship, he also hopes to climb higher in both the Top and Sportsman classes. Looking ahead to 2026, his schedule includes a few big-money bracket races and possibly a few IHRA events as he chases down another Ironman trophy. More than anything, though, Chitty most enjoys the camaraderie of the tightknit racing community he’s formed over the years. The post DI 30 Under 30 2025: Scott Chitty first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

I don’t know that most frame shops would even want to repair this thing, or that the condition of the wrecked truck would be worth saving. But that’s what is happening in this video here as ten days of work goes into getting this frame back into shape. Yep, 10 days. It seems kind of impossible to think that it was repaired at all, but when you see the techniques that go into this one you’ll be impressed. This is some old school fix greatness and it’s going down in Russia. The post Is This Even Savable? THE FRAME REPAIR MASTER TACKLES THIS INCREDIBLY COMPLEX MERCEDES TRUCK FRAME REPAIR appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Volkswagen’s newest China-only electric SUV, the ID.Unyx 08, is aiming squarely at domestic rivals with big range numbers and fast-charging tech the brand hasn’t yet rolled out in the U.S. The mid-to-large electric SUV will offer up to 730 kilometers (about 453 miles) of CLTC range and an 800-volt architecture, positioning it as the tech flagship of VW’s ID.UNYX sub-brand. Up To 730 Km Of CLTC Range And 800V Fast ChargingThe ID.Unyx 08 rides on hardware co-developed with Xpeng and uses CATL-supplied LFP battery packs in two sizes, around 82 kWh and 95 kWh. Depending on configuration, Volkswagen is quoting CLTC range figures of 630, 700 and 730 km, which will translate to lower numbers under EPA-style testing but still signal a strong efficiency play for a large SUV. Single-motor rear-wheel-drive versions make about 230 kW (308 horsepower), while a dual-motor all-wheel-drive model adds a front motor for more punch and traction. The 800-volt electrical system is a first for a Volkswagen-branded EV in China and should allow the ID.Unyx 08 to take advantage of very high DC fast-charging rates at compatible stations. It’s a notable step beyond the current ID.4 and ID.7 setups, and it comes as VW works to steady its EV reputation. China-Only Design That Barely Reads As A VWDimensionally, the ID.Unyx 08 stretches to about 5,000 mm in length with a 3,030 mm wheelbase, putting it firmly in the big-SUV camp. The styling pushes far past traditional Volkswagen cues, with a smooth nose, razor-thin LED light bands and a coupe-like roofline that look closer to leading Chinese EVs than to anything wearing a VW badge in Europe or America. Inside, VW is promising a high-end, software-led cockpit with a large central screen, a dedicated AI assistant built on a large-language model and Level 2-plus driver-assistance features, including “parking-to-parking” automated driving in some conditions. Over-the-air updates will cover both infotainment and driving functions, reflecting the way Chinese buyers increasingly expect their EVs to feel like rolling smartphones. What It Means For VW’s Global EV PlansFor now, the ID.Unyx 08 is strictly a China play, built by Volkswagen Anhui under the “In China for China” strategy. But the ingredients are the sort of things enthusiasts and shoppers elsewhere would like to see. Volkswagen has already hinted that it is rethinking the kind of EVs it wants to offer in the U.S., including more affordable, lifestyle-oriented models rather than just conventional crossovers. If the ID.Unyx 08 performs as advertised, it could end up being an early glimpse of what the next generation of Volkswagen EVs might look like outside China. View the full article