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Ram is launching a new safety recall affecting over 72,000 2025 and 2026 model year vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, certain vehicles were fitted with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster that can intermittently go blank, taking key safety indicators down with it. This recall comes only days after another recall for airbags that could send metal fragments into the cabin. The Issue and Its Importance Stellantis The NHTSA's Safety Recall Report explains that the digital cluster in some 2025–2026 Ram trucks can lose its display at startup or while driving. On the surface, a faulty infotainment system sounds like nothing more than an inconvenience, but when the screen goes blank, critical information disappears with it. Drivers lose the brake warning light and the gear position indicator, both of which are required under federal safety regulations. The problem traces back to software loaded onto 12-inch panels supplied by Marelli North America. These units were used from early October 2023 until Ram phased in updated components in 2025. Ram Models Affected Ram Ram Stellantis The recall includes 72,509 trucks in total, covering several of Ram’s most important light-duty and heavy-duty models. The list includes 2025–2026 Ram 1500 pickups (43,427 units), Ram 2500 pickups (19,670 units), Ram 3500 pickups (8,967 units), and smaller numbers of the Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 Cab Chassis models. The small handful built in the same timeframe but excluded from the recall either used a different screen supplier, lacked the 12-inch panel entirely, or were assembled outside the suspect production period. Some trucks may illuminate a malfunction indicator light before the display cuts out, but in most cases, owners will encounter a blank screen with no clear warning. What Owners Should Do Stellantis Owners can already look up their VIN to see if their truck is included. Dealers were notified on December 4, and owner letters are scheduled to go out on January 8. Once repairs begin, technicians will either reprogram the instrument cluster or replace it entirely, depending on the vehicle. As always, the work will be performed at no charge. Ram owners have it tough nowadays. Two recalls in one week, adding to the overall decline in the brand’s quality. View the full article

After weeks of waiting, the rebuilt front shocks finally arrived from the shop. The original ones had worn out and lost their firmness, making rides rough and unstable. With the new parts ready, the goal was to restore the bike’s handling and bring it back to a steady, reliable feel. The rebuild marked a big step toward getting the project back on the road. Once the forks and wheel were installed, the bike could finally be lowered to the ground for the […] The post Rebuilt Forks and the Moment of Truth for KZ750 Café Racer appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers. View the full article

There is something really satisfying about showing up to a race and running career bests right off the trailer. Hell, running a career best anytime during an event is greatness. But when you show up with a new car AND you run career bests, that’s pretty special indeed. Check out the behind the scenes action from Kye Kelley and his team at Bradenton’s Snowbird Outlaw Nationals to see just how quick and fast he really went! Video Description: It’s Snowbirds Time Again! Testing and the First day of Qualifying went Great! Thanks for watching! Be sure to Subscribe to the Channel and leave a like and comment on the video, it helps us grow! Find me on social media also! The post Kye Kelley Runs His Quickest & Fastest Pass EVER on Both Big AND Small Slick Tires At Bradenton’s Snowbird Outlaw Nationals appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

One day after qualifying No. 1 in the quickest 32-car field in Pro Modified history, Jason Harris continued his dominant performance by winning the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks Saturday night at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The four-time PDRA world champion drove his Harts Charger-boosted “Party Time” Harold Denton tribute ’69 Camaro to a 3.561-second pass at 211.06 mph in the $50,000 final round to defeat Brazil’s Sidnei Frigo, who ran a 3.570 at 211.33. By winning the first of three races in the 2025/2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service, Harris is now the only driver eligible to win the inaugural Elite Motorsports Million, a $1,000,000 bonus for winning all three races: the Snowbirds, the U.S. Street Nationals in January 2026, and the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod in February 2026. As the Snowbirds No. 1 qualifier, he’s also the only competitor contending for the Jerry Bickel Race Cars Clean Sweep Challenge. If he qualifies No. 1 at the next two races, he’ll win a brand-new Pro Mod rolling chassis from JBRC. “This is my pinnacle,” Harris said in his top-end interview with FloRacing’s Courtney Enders. “I’ve been coming down here for years. I won it years ago in a nitrous car, but this right here is the baddest racers on the planet, and I just qualified No. 1 and won the race, so I can get the million and the Jerry Bickel car, but I’m telling you, I’ve gotta thank everybody. Harold Denton, thank you, Lord. He’s been riding with me all day. It was God’s will that this car was gonna make it. I can’t thank everybody enough.” Along with Harris, winners at the Snowbirds included Bill Lutz in Pro 10.5, Larry Larson in True 10.5 N/T, Tommy Hoskinson in Lil Gangstas, Brian Weddle in Limited Drag Radial, Joel Greathouse in Ultra Street, Hunter Patton in Super Pro, Malcolm Ricks in 6.50 Index, Peyton Shook in 7.50 Index, and Jeff Jones in 4.60 Bikes. PRO MOD Jason Harris rolled into the 2025/2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service on a mission to win one of the big-money Pro Mod races after multiple late-round finishes at the World Series of Pro Mod. He entered the series with a special new look paying tribute to the late Pro Stock racer Harold Denton inspired by his “Party Time” cars, as well as a new Harts Charger combination between the frame rails in his Brandon Stroud-tuned ’69 Camaro. The Party Time Racing team worked through some challenges in pre-race testing before jumping to the top of the qualifying order in Thursday’s second qualifying session. Harris’ 3.560 at 211.20 held up as the top performance through two more sessions on Friday, giving him the $5,000 Jerry Bickel Race Cars No. 1 Qualifier Bonus. The No. 1 qualifier position would typically come with the benefit of facing the No. 32 qualifier in the first round of eliminations, but the Winter Series races use random chip draws to determine pairings on race day. Harris’ bad luck in the chip draws continued when he paired up with Mark Micke, who qualified No. 1 at all three Winter Series events last winter. Harris came prepared for Micke, running the second-quickest pass of the opening round, a 3.579 at 210.64, to get past Micke, who lifted to a 4.345 at 121.29. Harris then drew Jimmy Taylor, who set new doorslammer world records for eighth-mile and quarter-mile elapsed times before the Snowbirds. Like Micke, Taylor had to lift to a 4.365 at 149.02, while Harris rolled on with a 3.607 at 209.79. Harris set low E.T. of the next two rounds, using a 3.584 at 210.28 to defeat Randy Weatherford’s 3.598 at 210.11 and a 3.576 at 210.44 to eliminate Kevin Rivenbark and his 3.658 at 205.47 in the semifinals. Harris met up with Brazilian drag racing veteran Sidnei Frigo in the $50,000 final round. The North Carolina native left the line first and led the whole way, winning with a 3.561 at 211.06 to Frigo’s 3.570 at 211.33. “Truthfully, it was tighter than I thought it was,” Harris said. “I knew he was there and I wasn’t sure if I took the win or not because the car wheelstood a little bit and I was trying to pay attention, but I got on the radio and nobody said anything to me. When I turned the corner, I saw Courtney [Enders] walking to me, so I guess I knew I won. It was just a relief. “We’ve worked really hard this weekend,” Harris continued. “We had a bad test session the first couple of days, but it just fell together and my team is so great. We’ve been doing this a long time. We know how to win. The people that stand behind me – Harts, Pro Line, TKM, Carbon Watch Company, Southern Diamond Company, LAT Oils, Hoosier Race Tires – they know if I get my act together and my team’s here, we can win every race we go to.” The Snowbirds victory is the latest headline-grabbing accomplishment for Harris, whose drag racing career began at North Carolina’s small-town dragstrips. He had a dominant season to win the first-ever PDRA Pro Nitrous world championship in 2014. He won another Pro Nitrous title in 2018 before moving to Pro Boost, where he won back-to-back world championships in 2023 and 2024. His next target is winning the Winter Series championship. “To me it’s like winning the World Series if you were a baseball player or winning the Super Bowl in football,” Harris said. “This is the biggest stage we’ve got for our sport, and this felt like the World Series of Pro Mod. To qualify No. 1 amongst this group of guys is just phenomenal, but to win against this group of guys, it’s unbelievable. I didn’t have easy pickings. I had Micke, Jimmy Taylor, Randy, Rivenbark, and Frigo in the finals. These guys work really hard and they’ve got the best equipment there is. It’s just absolutely amazing that somebody like me can do this.” It was a meaningful win for Harris in more ways than one, as he got to pay tribute to a family friend, mentor, and drag racing pioneer. “I’m just so happy and thankful that we got the win and I could do it for Harold Denton in tribute and put the ‘Party Time’ car back in the winner’s circle,” Harris said. Frigo, driver of the screw-blown Artivinco Racing ’23 Camaro, qualified No. 23 with a 3.607 at 210.08. With tuning by the Killin’ Time Racing brain trust led by Jeff Pierce and Stevie “Fast” Jackson, Frigo then started a consistent charge through eliminations. He ran a 3.620 at 209.46 to get past Isaias Rojas’ 3.630 at 208.20 in the opening round before facing three of the heaviest hitters in the Winter Series. His 3.627 at 209.20 beat 2025 World Series of Pro Mod champion Steve King’s 5.106 at 95.77, then he stepped up to a 3.607 at 210.08 to knock down defending event champion Kye Kelley and his 3.608 at 208.14 in a side-by-side quarterfinal match. To complete the trifecta and earn a spot in the final, Frigo threw down a 3.594 at 210.54 in the semis to beat the 3.601 at 207.69 of Ken Quartuccio, who won the 2025 U.S. Street Nationals and the 2024/2025 Winter Series championship. PRO 10.5 After competing at the World Series of Pro Mod for the past two seasons, Pro 10.5 joined the full three-race Winter Series lineup. Ohio-based doorslammer veteran Bill Lutz entered the series with something to prove, and he did just that with a decisive win over Super Bowl champion Fletcher Cox in the $10,000 final round. “We’ve had a car to win here multiple years and either the driver messes up or something happened to the car,” said Lutz, who thanked his team led by son Kenny and tuner Patrick Miller. “The car was just phenomenal from the day we unloaded it, and I told them after the first run, I was like, ‘This is our weekend. We’re going to win this damn thing,’ and here we are.” After qualifying No. 3 in his screw-blown “Big Boost” ’67 Camaro, Lutz set low E.T. of the opening round with a 3.935 at 192.66 to defeat Jerry Morgano and his 3.966 at 195.79. He coasted to the finish line on a quarterfinal bye run, then posted a 3.969 at 183.24 over Nick Agostino’s 4.077 at 176.42 in the semis. In the final round, Cox left the starting line first in his nitrous-assisted “Training Day” ’69 Camaro, but Lutz powered to a 3.886 at 193.88 to get around Cox’s 3.951 at 182.11. “To race somebody of his caliber, obviously an elite athlete, and I don’t care what anybody says, that all transfers over into this type of deal,” Lutz said. “He’s felt pressure, he knows pressure, and I have too. I’ve raced in every type of racing you can do and I feel we can excel at anything, so I never let pressure get to me, but to beat a guy that is quite possibly one of the best NFL linemen ever, it means more than just outrunning a typical guy.” TRUE 10.5 N/T Chassis builder Larry Larson has made his mark in multiple corners of the sport, from drag-and-drive to No Prep Kings. His latest venture into 28×10.5 slick-tire no-time racing, which included a $75,000 win at the King of the South race at Shadyside Dragway in May, continued Saturday night with the $40,000 True 10.5 N/T win at the Snowbirds. He raced past Ryan Martin, Ryan Hendrickson, and Memphis Raines before getting a semifinal bye run when Cole Pesz couldn’t make the call. Larson then defeated Russell Stone in the final round. “It was just a good day,” Larson said. “There’s some fast, fast cars out here. People would be astonished how fast you can go on that little bitty tire, but it’s a cool class. I think it’s going to be the up-and-coming thing. It’s cool. I think we proved that the King of the South wasn’t a fluke.” LIL GANGSTAS A pair of young guns with strong backgrounds in their own respective niches within the sport met up in the $20,000 Lil Gangstas final round. In Lil Gangstas, no times are shown, but drivers can’t run quicker than 5.30 seconds in the eighth mile. The drivers who handled that challenge the best on Saturday night were Ohio’s Tommy Hoskinson and Florida’s Gage Burch. Hoskinson in his Gen 2 Garage Ford Falcon and Burch in the Motion Raceworks “El Toro” Mustang raced down the track side-by-side until the win light popped up in Hoskinson’s lane. “You don’t want to go out first round, but we made an awesome pass first round, took out a really tough competitor, and then it was just a domino effect,” Hoskinson said. “I didn’t lose on the tree a single time this weekend. The car did exactly what I told it to do all weekend. We were jiving. I expected my win light to come on every pass. I didn’t think anybody could beat me, and the confidence was just through the roof. We felt like underdogs a little bit, but we’ve won some races locally at home, some 5.30 races, all year. We went a lot of rounds and I felt like this was a big stage, I felt like I deserved to be here, and I felt like we did a really good job of proving it.” LIMITED DRAG RADIAL After setting a class E.T. record and winning in PDRA Pro Street on 33×10.5 slicks, Brian Weddle made the switch to Limited Drag Radial this season and quickly found the winner’s circle at the Snowbirds. Weddle’s screw-blown “La Flama” ’67 Camaro was locked into the 3.90s throughout race day, sending him into the final round with lane choice. There, he left first against past LDR season champion Shane Stack and fired off a 3.932 at 186.87 to get a decisive $7,500 win over Stack, who lifted to a 4.960 at 101.28 in his turbocharged “Thrillbilly” ’86 Monte Carlo. ULTRA STREET Ultra Street finalists Joel Greathouse and Brian Keep seemed evenly paired after their semifinal victories, but Greathouse pulled ahead in the $7,500 final round. Driving Davey Hull’s turbocharged ’90 Mustang, Greathouse left the line just ahead of Keep before running a 4.460 at 153.72 to defeat Keep’s 4.565 at 154.65 in his ProCharged ’98 Camaro. The 2025/2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service will continue Jan. 22-25, 2026, with the U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission at Bradenton Motorsports Park. This story was originally published on December 7, 2025. The post Jason Harris Sweeps Snowbird Outlaw Nationals With $50,000 Pro Mod Victory first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

FIM WSX 2025 Round Four – Stockholm, Sweden SX1 Race One – Sprint Joey Savatgy smoked the field in both Qualifying and Superpole, and then carried that speed over into the opening Sprint of the night in Stockholm, where the Quad Lock Honda rider overhauled early race leader Jason Anderson before stretching away to a […] The post Blow by blow race recap from penultimate FIM WSX round in Sweden appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Don Nelson has confirmed that rising nitro standout Eily Stafford will take over the controls of his California Hustler Nitro Funny Car for the 2026 NHRA Heritage Series season. “The team we have assembled now is setting the tone for a standout season in the NHRA Heritage Series. We are already running 5.60 elapsed times and look to be solidly in the 5.50s as we focus on winning in 2026. I think Eily has exactly the right attitude and determination to help us get there—this should be an exciting year,” said owner Nelson. Stafford’s path to this moment began early. On her 16th birthday, the San Diego native enrolled in Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School. Since then, she has logged laps in 7.0 Pro dragsters, injected altereds, and competition coupes. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when she captured her first major title at the Good Vibrations March Meet, winning the Nitro Pro Comp crown in Mark Borjon’s Top Fuel dragster. “I’m very honored to be named the driver for the California Hustler team. I cannot thank Don enough for this opportunity,” Stafford said. “I’m looking forward to working with Don, Dale, and the entire team next season. Getting a full-time nitro ride has been a dream of mine since I was 12 years old—the goal I’ve been working toward for the last 22 years of my racing career. I’m beyond excited for this opportunity.” Nelson debuted his first nitro Funny Car in 2006, and the team—powered in recent seasons by crew chief Dale Murray—made notable strides in 2025. For 2026, the California Hustler will retain its familiar 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am body. Pending final licensing, Stafford will make her official debut in the car at the upcoming Good Vibrations March Meet, March 5–8, 2026. The post Don Nelson Racing Secures New Driver for the California Hustler Nitro Funny Car appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

2026 Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship Dunlop has thrown down the gauntlet for next year’s 2026 Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, with the new Dunlop Sportmax Award offering almost $10,000 AUD (¥1,000,000) in prize money for ASB1000 competitors who set a new lap record at designated circuits during the season. In addition, an […] The post $10,000 award for each new ARRC lap record set in 2026 appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship Talya Relph confirmed for 2026 Tayla Relph has secured a WCR berth for 2026 with Full Throttle Racing, marking her third full season in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship, after finishing 2025 in ninth overall. The Victorian-based rider delivered her career best Superpole result of P5, a […] The post Tayla Relph confirmed on 2026 WCR grid appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

It’s time for some off-road racing action in the California desert, with the M.O.R.E. ProAm Desert Championships race in Barstow. The Mojave Off-Road Racing Enthusiasts have been putting on events for years, with several series and tons of classes that provide racers and fans an awesome experience. Their motto is Real Racing, Real Money, and Real Fun and we don’t know anyone who would argue with that. Here is the livestream from the season ending ProAm Desert Championships in Barstow, California. The post M.O.R.E. ProAm Desert Championships Free Livestream- Off-Road Racing Action From The Desert In BARSTOW, CA – DAY 1 appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Things are moving quickly in the automotive worldEach day, we'll bring you the biggest news stories, live on AutoBlog right now. Today's includes a few big reveals, as well as some new announcements from both the Trump Administration and Tesla. Tesla announces you can text and drive, but it's definitely still illegal Tesla Elon Musk has confirmed that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) will allow you to text and drive depending on "the context of surrounding traffic." In a post on his social media site X (Twitter) yesterday, Musk answered a question about whether the latest v14.2.1 update to the software would allow for it. The problem is, it's largely illegal in most US states. Likely, Teslas will be relaxing their monitoring of the behavior in some situations, like in stop-and-go traffic or at red lights. Of course, it's a legally perilous move, not to mention one that will no doubt put drivers and pedestrians alike in danger. Subaru's quickest car starts at under $40,000 Speaking of electric cars, Subaru has announced pricing for its Trailseeker EV. The Premium starts at $39,995. Move up to the Limited, and you'll pay a base price of $43,995. As for the Touring, the top-spec model goes for $46,555. Trailseeker models all come standard with a 14-inch Subaru Multimedia System with wireless phone connectivity, dual wireless charging pads, heated front seats, a power tailgate, EyeSight driver assist tech, and X-Mode Dual-Mode all-wheel drive, among other features. This is also Subaru's first large EV, again developed alongside Toyota (the equivalent is the brand's own BZ Woodland). Toyota and Subaru co-developed the vehicles together, and all Trailseekers use a 74.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack with all-wheel drive and up to 280 miles of range. Toyota unveils a new V8 supercar based on a GT3 racer Toyota Toyota's new GR GT is based on its GR GT3 race car, powered by a twin-turbo hybrid V8 making 641 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via a transaxle gearbox. All the usual racecar tricks are at play here, from limited-slip diffs to conical gearsets and carbon fiber torque tubes. The road car is based on one that'll go on to compete on track, and the spec sheet backs it up. With a body shaped by aerodynamics alone, the car should rocket to nearly 200 mph, and its massive carbon ceramic brakes are sure to provide plenty of stopping power, helped by grip from the monstrous 325-section rear tires. It'll go on sale sometime in or beyond 2027. Trump unveils a plan to gut US fuel economy standards Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images “Today, my administration is taking historic action to lower costs for American consumers, protect American auto jobs, and make buying a car much more affordable for countless American families, and also safer,” Trump said in an announcement today. In attempting to roll back CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) requirements for cars and light trucks, the administration says it can save American consumers some $1,000 a year. The administration called them "ridiculously burdensome," and will no doubt be welcomed by automakers that have reneged on EVs as policy continues to shift away from previous Biden administration standards. View the full article

The Swagger WagonWho can remember the Swagger Wagon commercial for the third-generation Toyota Sienna? It was first shown in May 2010, and it could be said that it's one of the earliest viral commercials out there. Remember, YouTube was just five years old when that commercial was first uploaded to the site. Gen-Xers would certainly recall it. After all, most were at that age where something more sensible and practical was needed — especially parents. The Sienna was already a hot seller by then, so we couldn't say for sure if the ad further boosted sales. It did somewhat help lift the minivan's image, though. T The Concept That Inspired ItBut before the third-gen Sienna was revealed at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, there was a preview of it of sorts way back in 2006. It was called the F3R Concept, and that one was displayed during that year's North American International Auto Show. Need more proof that the two are related? Here's an excerpt from the Toyota Motor North America general manager, Bob Carter. "The third-generation Sienna was influenced by the Calty-designed F3R concept vehicle we showed in 2006. Aimed at young buyers, it represented a new direction in expressive design with a living room-like interior." We can certainly see some elements of the concept in the eventual production version. Most prominent is that grille and headlight arrangement, albeit toned down for the showroom model. We can also see how the tail lights evolved from concept to production, the latter adapting a larger wraparound look. As for the shape, the road-going version has far smoother corners than the F3R. T Other HighlightsAs mentioned, the F3R came from Calty, Toyota's American design studios. That shouldn't be much of a surprise given that the Sienna is primarily a North American model. Toyota doesn't sell this model in Japan and the company already has a whole other range of minivans in its home market. Inside, the driver’s seat reclines and swivels, while the front passenger seat can also double as a bench for conference-style seating when stationary. Rear entertainment was provided by track-mounted flat-panel video screens. The L-shaped rear seat gives near-infinite levels of legroom, but we're pretty sure regulators would've frowned upon that had it reached production. It's also interesting to point out that there were already plans to give the Sienna a hybrid powertrain at that time. The F3R Concept was envisioned to be electrified, but the road version ultimately stuck with a 3.5-liter V6, although a four-cylinder was (very) briefly offered. That plan eventually came to fruition in the current generation, which was revealed in 2020. Toyota The Sienna TodayThere aren't a lot of choices for minivans today, but it's still a hotly contested segment in the market. At the moment, it's the Chrysler Pacifica in the lead, but the Sienna is just lurking in the background, ready to reclaim the lead. The Toyota posted a 50% growth in sales volume as of the third quarter of 2025, so the minivan sales race will surely go down to the wire. But whether it finishes in first or second, the Sienna will always be one of the no-brainer choices in the minivan class. Toyota Toyota View the 10 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

A Precedent Automakers Should Be Wary OfCanada has officially served Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, with a notice of default after the automaker relocated planned Jeep Compass production from its Brampton, Ontario facility to Illinois. This marks the first time a G7 nation has used contract law against a multinational corporation adjusting operations to avoid tariffs. Canada committed over $500 million (USD $358 million) to Stellantis through agreements linked to maintaining manufacturing in Brampton and Windsor. Now, the government is formally putting the company on notice for breach of contract after Stellantis shifted the Jeep Compass line to the United States as part of a $13 billion American investment commitment. A Lose-Lose Situation for StellantisThe government secured commitments from Stellantis to maintain its Canadian footprint in exchange for substantial taxpayer-backed support, including backing for NextStar Energy, a battery plant joint venture in Windsor. Approximately 3,000 unionized workers remain furloughed at the Brampton facility, initially laid off while the company prepared the plant for new production that has been paused since February. Stellantis faces competing pressures in America that make compliance nearly impossible. President Trump's aggressive tariff policy threatens 25% duties on automotive imports that could cost the company an estimated $1.74 billion. Relocating production to American soil offers the only path to avoiding these charges. Stellantis Are We Watching History in The Making? Looking back through recent history to find parallels, the Foxconn debacle in Wisconsin offers a cautionary precedent. Wisconsin initially promised the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer up to $4.8 billion for a $10 billion factory creating 13,000 jobs. When Foxconn drastically scaled back plans and missed hiring targets, the state denied subsidy payments but struggled to recover infrastructure costs. Wisconsin eventually renegotiated the deal down from nearly $3 billion to just $80 million, surrendering most of its leverage without aggressive legal action. In this case, the critical difference is that Canada appears willing to escalate beyond simply denying future payments. By formally declaring default and initiating arbitration, Canada signals it may pursue full repayment of funds already disbursed. Whether Canada will follow through with litigation and successfully recover taxpayer dollars remains uncertain, but the threat alone should keep Stellantis, and other companies considering similar relocations on their toes. View the full article

It’s race day at the 2025 Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The historic event serves as the opening race of the second annual Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service, a three-race Pro Mod series paying out more than $275,000 to race winners and the series champion. The event also includes Pro 10.5, True 10.5 N/T, Lil Gangstas, Limited Drag Radial, Ultra Street and more. Eliminations results will be posted below when they’re available from race control. Find Friday qualifying results here. Tune in to the official event livestream on FloRacing here: https://flosports.link/46edcdu PRO MOD FIRST-ROUND ELIMINATIONS This story was originally published on December 6, 2025. The post Saturday Eliminations Results – 2025 Snowbird Outlaw Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

The Ford Escape PHEV was recently recalled for a fire risk, and now the non-electrified Escape faces a recall. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Escape crossovers are being recalled for detaching trim. Something similar happened to the Expedition and F-150, among other vehicles, not long ago. In that case, the issue was related to trim falling away from the moonroof; in this case, the problem lies with the tailgate hinges, whose covers may not have been properly secured. Interestingly, the issue affects 2020-2022 models and also newer 2025 versions, but apparently not the year models in between. In total, 108,762 vehicles are potentially affected. What's Wrong With The Escape Ford According to the NHTSA recall report, the Dual Lock retention patches may have been improperly adhered to the affected vehicles, or not fully engaged during vehicle assembly, leaving them in an over-flush condition (they stick out, basically). This creates potential contact between the liftgate and hinge covers when the liftgate is opened. The issue only affects Escape models that have the panoramic glass roof option, and customers may notice that the hinge cover isn't fully seated or flush with the roof, potentially creating wind noise or a rattle during driving. If the hinge cover detaches from the crossover while on the move, it "can create a distraction and/or road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash," says the NHTSA. Related: Ford Uses 1,000 Bouncy Balls to Show How Brutal Parts Shipping Really Is The problem been deemed a supplier quality issue, but Ford has known about it for a long time, concluding in July 2021 that it "did not present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety." As of November 21, 2025, Ford knows of 1,835 warranty claims related to the problem. Dealers have been informed of the recall and owners will be notified from January 15-22, 2026, with new covers to be installed at no cost to owners. Regular Recalls Are Proving Problematic for Ford Ford We've reported on several recalls this year, and the issue has become so persistent and so frustrating for customers that the Blue Oval has quietly introduced a new owner retention program, offering disgruntled customers who have indicated that they might move to another brand discounts on new vehicles, even if they don't get rid of the one they currently own. With Ford having more recalls this year than any other automaker yet again, it's past time for the automaker to improve quality control issues. Sure, older models may continue to have problems, but with the 2025 Escape also mentioned in this recall, one can't help but wonder how much more irritated customers will be willing to take. View the full article

Reviving a LegendThe recently unveiled all-electric Lexus LFA Concept is joining the growing roster of performance EVs with fake engine noise. Project manager Takashi Doi confirmed this to The Drive with a casual “of course,” adding that “sound creation and development is very important.” Why spend resources on something that isn’t mechanically real? Automakers are still trying to counter the long-standing perception that EVs are “boring.” One of the current approaches is to add emotional cues back into the driving experience, including fake engine sounds and simulated gear shifts. EVs don’t normally shift at all, since most use a single-speed setup, with rare exceptions such as the Porsche Taycan’s 2-speed rear motor. Lexus All For a More Emotional DriveOn the simulated shifts topic, however, Doi was more cautious. He acknowledged that fun and emotion matter during development, but not at the expense of performance. If artificial shifts reduce capability — as the simulated gears in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N slightly slow its real-world acceleration — then the feature may not make it into the production version. But to be fair, the Ioniq 5 N is hardly a slouch. Porsche’s Frank Moser even praised the car’s capabilities, especially when it’s in N Grin Boost (temporary overboost) mode. With that kind of credibility behind Hyundai’s approach, Lexus may well draw inspiration from it when shaping its own performance-focused EV. Artificial sound does make some sense for a car, following the legacy of the original Lexus LFA, which is often praised as one of the best-sounding cars ever built, mentioned alongside icons like the Porsche Carrera GT and Mazda 787B. Its 4.8-liter 1LR-GUE V10, co-developed with Yamaha specifically with acoustics in mind, became central to its appeal — helping elevate the LFA from an initial sales struggle into a cult-status halo car. Lexus Echoes of the PastDespite the V10’s legendary reputation, the engineering team might avoid pure nostalgia and instead develop a new sound identity for the electric era. As Doi put it, “Whether we try to follow traditional engine sounds or start with something new, it’s something to decide.” He also noted that the project’s sound development was a “directive of Morizo,” the racing alter ego of Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation. The discipline of EV sound design has grown so much that automakers like BMW have even collaborated with multi-Grammy winner Hans Zimmer to craft acceleration audio for models like the i4. Lexus hasn’t announced a production timeline for the electric LFA. Still, it has been confirmed that the concept is being developed on a core aluminum performance architecture connected to the GR GT and GR GT3 programs. Lexus View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Every year without fail, Mopar releases a selection of festive-themed gifts for the automotive enthusiast. In keeping with the Christmas theme, these gifts will include things like socks and sweaters, but while those items are available again this year, Mopar has also provided apparel for the off-roader with what it calls "Ugly Sweater" trail armor, sold by MEK Magnet. This is only available for the current-gen Jeep Wrangler four-door and allows buyers to turn their SUVs into holiday-themed machines without resorting to the trend of fitting Christmas lights to their cars and potentially damaging the paint. The panels are washable and reusable and are selling for $648 on the Mopar store. Other Mopar Automotive Gifts Available Stellantis Although not specific to the season, other gifts available on the Mopar store include splash guards (from $82), wheel locks (from $92), and all-weather floor mats (from $170). For those willing to spend a little more, side steps and running boards for the Ram 1500 and other vehicles start at $571 and trailer hitches at $287. Something any practically minded person would appreciate is the Jeep multifunction tool, which is a 10-in-1 folding gadget made with a red anodized body that fits into a belt pouch. This costs just $55, while a full 83-piece Jeep-branded tool kit in a heavy-duty roll costs $380. Stellantis View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article There's also a roadside safety kit for $170 with jumper cables, a flashlight, screwdrivers, pliers, electrical tape, a safety triangle, a blanket, a bungee cord with gloves, and a black canvas bag to hold it all together. Finally, there's a nifty tire table ($185) that looks perfect for the camping crowd and can hold up to 50 pounds, so it's strong enough for pots and cookers. Non-Automotive Mopar Gifts Stellantis View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article While some of the following items might seem a little tacky, isn't that the point of Christmas clothing? Holiday fuzzy socks cost $13.95, while a unisex festive holiday sweater is priced at $49.95, and a men's sweater knit fleece vest costs $64.95. There's also a men's Carhartt thermal-lined duck active jacket for $169.95, and for the golfers in your life, a driver cover for $74.95. Last but not least, Mopar sells a HEMI-branded 20-ounce YETI Rambler orange stainless-steel mug that is priced at $49.95. If any of these items appeal, orders of more than $100 placed by 31 December can qualify for free shipping within the continental U.S. (sorry, Hawaiians) with the code DECRE25. Stellantis View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

A Presidential Crush Meets a Pocket 4×4By now, you've probably heard about President Donald J. Trump confessing his newfound love for kei cars – you know, the diminutive machines in Japan meant for tax breaks and tight city streets. He liked them enough to openly wonder what they'd be like on American roads and even hinted at pushing regulators to allow them in. That sounds swell if you're one of the many fans still holding out hope for a Suzuki Jimny (formerly known as the Samurai) comeback in the US. The idea gets even more interesting when you remember that the Jimny already exists in true kei form in Japan. It's smaller than the global model, narrower through the hips, and powered by a tiny engine that fits neatly within Japan's regulations. On paper, that feels like exactly the kind of car Trump was talking about. In practice, things get messy fast. Suzuki The Jimny, Shrunk to Kei ProportionsIn Japan, Suzuki sells two flavors of Jimny. The one enthusiasts outside the country usually know is the Jimny Sierra, with its flared fenders and 1.5-liter engine. The one playing by kei rules is something else entirely. The kei Jimny ditches the wide arches, squeezes its body to measures just under 11.1 feet long, about 4.8 feet wide, and roughly 5.7 feet tall. It's powered by a turbocharged 40-cubic-inch (0.66-liter) three-cylinder engine producing 63 horsepower, paired with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Despite the smaller size and power, the kei Jimny still rides on a ladder frame, still uses a proper part-time 4WD system, and still looks unapologetically boxy. It's charming, capable, and very Japanese in how precisely it's tailored to its domestic ruleset. Recent updates added better safety tech and a more modern infotainment option, but visually and mechanically, it sticks to the same honest formula that's kept demand high since 2018. Suzuki Why America Is Still a StretchEven with Trump's apparent enthusiasm, the Jimny faces long odds in the US. Safety regulations remain the biggest obstacle. Size, crash structures, and pedestrian protection standards all work against a short, narrow, body-on-frame vehicle. The Jimny's new driver-assist tech helps, but it doesn't change the physics. There's also the cultural side. Kei cars thrive in dense cities built around them, not in a market dominated by pickups, SUVs, and long-distance driving. Add import costs, left-hand-drive conversion, and Suzuki's absence from the US market, and the math quickly stops working. A kei Jimny in America sounds fun, and it always has. For now, it still feels more like a political curiosity than an approaching reality. Hagerty View the full article

Past, Present, and FutureToyota is showcasing its flagship sports car lineage in a short, dramatic commercial filmed on a banked oval, starring the 2000GT, the Lexus LFA, and the upcoming GR GT. The sequence highlights the evolution of Toyota performance machines, punctuated by each car’s distinct sound, building to the all-new model's unprecedented twin-turbo hybrid V8. Expected to launch in 2027, the GR GT is projected to make 641 horsepower, putting it squarely in Porsche 911 Turbo territory. Toyota says these early figures may still improve by the time the production version arrives. Beyond raw output, the hybrid system’s single electric motor helps the car meet tightening emissions regulations. A Lineage Built on SpeedThe Toyota 2000GT’s 150 horsepower may seem modest next to the GR GT’s projected 641 hp, but in its era, the 2000GT was a breakthrough. Powered by a 2.0-liter inline-six, it set three world records and 13 international endurance marks, including a 206.18 km/h (128 mph) average over 72 hours in 1966. The car most enthusiasts recognize, the Lexus LFA, appeared in its Nürburgring Package spec – the same configuration that secured a 7:14.64 lap at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2011, the fastest production-legal run of its day. Power comes from a 4.8-liter 1LR-GUE V10, widely regarded as one of the best-sounding engines ever built. Passing the Torch of PerformanceToyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda described the trio as an expression of “Shikinen Sengu,” the philosophy of periodic renewal. Shot using a high-speed drone, the commercial opens with the 2000GT, followed by the LFA sweeping past on the outside. The GR GT then makes the final overtake, after which all three cars are captured together in a closing aerial shot. While absent from the shoot, Toyota also recently revealed the GR GT3 and the Lexus LFA Concept. The former is the GR GT’s GT3-homologated race version, while the latter previews a potential all-electric successor promising fake engine sounds to retain emotional engagement. Bring a Trailer View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Watch a video of me testing Cardo's Beyond GTS in a wind tunnel at 74 mph and listen to my thoughts on the product.View the full article

The OG Supercar?It's hard to truly nail down what the first supercar is, but it's safe to say that the Lamborghini Miura was a pioneer of that genre. Perhaps it's okay to say that it laid down the formula for supercars in the coming years. To oversimplify it, create a mid-mounted chassis, stick in a powerful motor, and drape it in an exquisite body. The Miura ticked all those boxes, and its world premiere created a lot of buzz 60 years ago. The thing is, it wasn't presented in its final form when it was first rolled out during the 1965 Turin Motor Show. In fact, it didn't have a body at all. Lambo Project L105Before it was called the Miura, it started out as Project L105. It was a light and compact chassis that started development in 1964. Ferruccio Lamborghini was reportedly skeptical, but eventually gave the green light to continue. Giampaolo Dallara, Paolo Stanzani, and test driver Bob Wallace were in charge of developing the chassis. Project L105 was wheeled out to the public on November 3, 1965. The structure was built by Marchesi of Modena, and the bare chassis, sans auxiliaries, weighed just 265 lbs, which was impressive for its era. It then rode on double-wishbone suspension, Girling disc brakes, and Borrani wire wheels. Lambor Putting a Body On ItIt was a bare-naked chassis, but it generated buzz, nonetheless. So much so that some of Italy's biggest coachbuilders went to the Lamborghini booth to see if they could be the ones to drape some sheetmetal on it. The first to step up to the plate was Carrozzeria Touring, but financial difficulties meant collaboration wouldn't happen. Pininfarina was another candidate, but the design house couldn't commit to the project as it was busy with other automakers. Thankfully, Nuccio Bertone dropped by the booth, promising Lamborghini to create "the perfect shoe for this wonderful foot." That quote, by the way, is according to legend. Lamborghini The Perfect ShoeAnd create the perfect shoe, he did. First sketches of the car were drawn up during the Christmas holidays in 1965. Lamborghini, Dallara, and Stanzani saw the first sketches and, according to legend, approved them immediately. The final product made its world premiere at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show. Production started that same year, with 275 of the original P400 chassis cars made. It packed a 4.0-liter V12 that produced 345 horsepower, aided by four triple-barrel Weber carburetors and twin cams. Its light weight (under 2,500 lbs) and strong engine helped it to become the fastest road car of its day. The Miura will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026. Lamborghini will be holding a year-long celebration, along with a special tour at Lamborghini Polo Storico. So if anyone's heading to Italy soon, it's best to include Sant'Agata Bolognese in your itinerary. Lamborghini View the 14 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Adventure-Ready Supercar, Anyone?Three automobile industry stalwarts have joined forces to do something that has never been done before — create an ultra-exclusive, $2 million hypercar that is as capable off-road as it is fast on the tarmac. To be clear, we aren’t talking about something along the lines of a Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato or a Porsche 911 Dakar, which are basically road-going performance cars with taller suspension, all-terrain tyres, undercarriage protection, and body cladding to endow them with off-road chops. We’re talking about a whole new segment altogether: A luxurious, adventure-ready supercar, designed and built from the ground up to take on any terrain. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The TeamThe people behind this endeavor are practically automotive royalty. The project is the brainchild of former Ford Performance Chief Engineer Jamal Hameedi, who is the man behind the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, Ford Fiesta ST, Ford Focus ST, Ford Focus RS, Shelby GT500, and the mid-engined Ford GT. He also led JaguarLand Rover’s SVO performance division, where he helped create the Land Rover Defender OCTA. Hameedi Venturo Hameedi has teamed up with automotive luxury specialist Dr. Andreas Baenziger, co-owner of the R-Universe and the AF Racing Group, and Maximilian Szwaj, an engineer who has worked on the development of cars like the Ferrari LaFerrari, Lotus Eletre, and Aston Martin Valhalla. These three automotive geniuses have gotten together and created the avant-garde automotive startup Hameedi Venturo, in an effort to bring the world its first-ever go-anywhere hypercar. Hameedi Venturo
 View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article What We Know So FarInformation on Hameedi Venturo is rather scarce at the moment, but here’s what we do know, and a few things we can hazard a guess at. The company has been extremely tight-lipped about any details regarding their planned creation — we have no idea what this vehicle will look like or how it will be powered. We do know, however, that it is going to be revealed some time in 2026, be built in extremely limited numbers, and carry a price tag in the region of $2 million. We assume that it will be powered by a hybrid powertrain, put out between 1,000 and 1,500 horsepower, and sport an aerodynamic shape. The company stated that they were creating an “all-terrain hypercar that combines extreme on-road performance with radical go-anywhere capability and comfort.” Considering the names involved in the project, we’re pretty confident that Hameedi Venturo will deliver something really special when the time comes. View the full article

Trump Turns Back Time… Sort OfFederal fuel standards have just been rolled back by Trump. The move reverses stringent Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that had been set by the previous administration, which Trump claims would have forced families into electric vehicles while raising car prices by over $1,000. All in, Trump claims the shift will save Americans $109 billion by simply letting manufacturers build the gas engine vehicles that most customers actually want. Trump said, “The greatest scam in American history, the Green New Scam. And it's a quest to end the gasoline-powered car… And people want the gasoline car. They want everything. They want electric. They want to have lots of alternatives.” Biden had increased CAFE requirements by 8% for 2024 and 2025 models and 10% for 2026 models. Trump's team argues these standards weren't achievable with internal combustion engine technology and effectively mandated a shift toward EVs that most Americans don't really want. Getty What This Means for American DriversAutomakers can now design lineups around what people buy instead of scrambling to meet government mandates favoring electrification. Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said the changes give customers "the freedom to choose the vehicles they want at prices they can afford." That means more trucks, more SUVs, and more affordable sedans without pressure to stuff batteries into every model to meet impossible fleet efficiency averages. Ford CEO Jim Farley praised the move for matching standards with market realities while still allowing progress on emissions. GM supports regulations providing long term stability rather than whiplash policy changes every administration. Getty Images The Future of the American Auto MarketThis shift represents a fundamental statement about what vehicles America will produce and drive for the next decade. One national standard respecting customer choice gives manufacturers certainty for billion-dollar investment decisions. The alternative was a patchwork of state rules led by California's plan to ban gas vehicles by 2035, which Trump has also dismantled. The question is whether this provides the stability automakers claim they need or sets up another reversal if politics shift. Ford, GM, and Stellantis are betting that aligning with consumer demand rather than government preferences keeps American manufacturing competitive. They're building what people want to buy, which remains overwhelmingly gas-powered, and this policy reset lets them do exactly that. View the full article

A Bond-Era Icon, RevisitedThe Lotus Esprit is at a very specific corner of car culture. It's the sharp-edged poster car of the late '70s, the submarine-driving star of James Bond films, and a long-time favorite among eccentric collectors. Values have been increasing for years, and the V8 cars from the late 1990s are already considered the ones to have. If your idea of the perfect Esprit includes carbon fiber bodywork, a thoroughly rebuilt V8, and zero need to make excuses for build quality, Encor thinks it has the answer. Teased in October, the Encor Series 1 is a ground-up remaster of the original Esprit concept, revealed 50 years after that Paris Motor Show debut. It sticks closely to the spirit of the original car while quietly fixing the things time has exposed. At one glance, the Encor Series 1 is definitely aimed squarely at buyers who already worship the Esprit shape – though it elevates everything for those who just want it to feel as capable as it always looked, assuming money is no obstacle. Encor Carbon Fiber, Carefully AppliedEncor began by digitally scanning an original Esprit and refining its surfaces rather than reinventing them. The familiar wedge profile remains, but the old two-piece fiberglass body is replaced by a single autoclaved carbon-fiber shell. The stance is wider to suit modern tires and cooling needs, yet it still reads as unmistakably Esprit from every angle. Pop-up headlights stay, now hiding compact LED projectors, and the wheels reinterpret classic Lotus designs using modern forged construction. The car looks cleaner rather than flashier, which seems intentional. Inside, the Esprit's cockpit layout survives, complete with angled dashboard forms and tartan seat accents. A one-piece billet aluminum instrument binnacle houses a digital display, while modern infotainment and climate systems are integrated discreetly instead of shouting for attention. It's an interior that leans analog, only using screens where they actually make sense. Encor V8 Power and a Very Limited InviteUnder the carbon skin is a restored Lotus Esprit V8 chassis, rebuilt and re-engineered rather than replaced. The mid-mounted 3.5-liter twin-turbo V8 gets forged internals, uprated turbos, modern fuel and cooling systems, and a stainless exhaust. Output is quoted at around 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. With a target curb weight under 2,650 lbs, Colin Chapman would be proud. Encor estimates 0-62 mph in about four seconds and a top speed near 175 mph. A reworked five-speed manual gearbox with Quaife hardware aims to solve one of the Esprit's long-standing complaints. Production is limited to 50 units worldwide. Yes, that's a very tight circle of Esprit-loving individuals, and that's because this restomod isn't cheap at all. Pricing starts at £430,000 (roughly $540,000 at current exchange rates) before taxes, options, and the required donor Esprit V8. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in Q2 2026. Encor View the 7 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

EU Reconsiders Its Zero-Emission DeadlineThe European Union appears to be backing away from its once-firm resolve to completely halt the sale of new internal-combustion cars by 2025. This development marks a major shift in the EU’s long-term strategy to curb emissions from transport in an attempt to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. With German and Italian political leaders and automakers rallying against this rigid timeline, it seems that this once locked-in policy is now under review. Bring a Trailer German Chancellor Pushes for Policy RethinkA turning point of this decision arrived after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pressed European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen to ease the proposed regulation. His request, delivered by way of a formal letter, argued that the 2035 cutoff didn’t account for the possibility of viable technologies emerging that could lower emissions from combustion engines to acceptable levels, in line with the EU’s long-term goals. While no changes have been officially announced yet, it looks like the Commission is weighing options that could leave room for the sale of plug-in hybrids, range-extended EVs, and highly-efficient combustion engines beyond the 2035 deadline. Alternative Fuels May Keep Internal Combustion GoingEU transport officials have acknowledged that developments in alternate fuel technology may also play a part in reworking the emissions strategy. Manufacturers have been working on renewable synthetic fuels and advanced biofuels that may be able to keep combustion engines alive without compromising on emission and climate commitments. Examples of these are BMW’s vegetable-oil-based HVO100 that dramatically cuts emissions in diesels, and the synthetic gasoline alternative that Porsche have been working on since 2022. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article European Commission Set To MeetThe European Commission will gather on December 10 to reevaluate its position and outline proposals aimed at stabilising the increasingly pressured auto sector. While the final announcement of their decisions may come at a later date, it looks like the 2035 ban will not go ahead as previously planned. It seems likely that the Commission will arrive at a more flexible framework designed to preserve innovation, protect manufacturing jobs, and offer a broader route towards cleaner mobility. View the full article

A Relatively Cheaper Successor to the LFARemember when the Lexus LFA came out in 2009? It carried a sticker price of $375,000, which already felt surreal at the time for a Toyota product. Adjust that number for inflation, and you're looking at roughly $563,000 today. That context matters because the new 641-horsepower GR GT is widely viewed as the spiritual successor to the LFA. Like the LFA, it's a flagship project born from motorsport thinking, obsessive engineering, and a desire to push Toyota's performance image forward. The difference this time is that Toyota seems far less interested in turning it into a once-in-a-lifetime collectible priced completely out of reach. Ahead of its planned 2027 arrival, Toyota has stopped well short of confirming any pricing. Still, the company has made it clear that the GR GT won't chase the same ultra-high entry point as the LFA. Instead of throwing out a number, executives have hinted toward a much more grounded frame of reference. Toyota Looking to European Benchmarks for Pricing CluesDuring the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR GT debut in Japan, The Drive asked what many enthusiasts are already wondering: how much this new flagship will actually cost. Rather than dodging the question entirely, GR GT Project Manager Takashi Doi offered a revealing answer. "There's a lot of GT3 cars on the market today, so use that as a reference," he told The Drive when asked about pricing expectations. That single comment narrows the field considerably. According to the publication, Toyota has benchmarked the GR GT against cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 and the Mercedes-AMG GT. Of note, the Porsche 911 GT3 now starts at $230,500, while Mercedes-AMG GT pushes past $200,000 for the top-spec plug-in version. It's likely that the GR GT places above the $200,000 mark at launch, depending on final specifications, production volume, and how aggressively Toyota wants to position it against established European rivals. Toyota appears to be positioning the GR GT as a true peer to Europe's most respected driver-focused GT machines, rather than as a halo car designed to exist more in museums than on roads. Toyota To Be Sold at Lexus dealershipsAnother key detail from The Drive's conversation with Toyota centers on how – or where – the GR GT will be sold in the US. Despite wearing the Gazoo Racing branding, the car won't be sold through standard Toyota dealerships side by side with the GR Corolla. At the same event, a Toyota spokesperson confirmed to the publication that the GR GT will be available for purchase at select Lexus dealerships. That decision makes sense when viewed through the lens of price and ownership experience. The GR GT won't wear a Lexus badge, but its expected cost and complexity demand a level of customer service well beyond what most Toyota dealers are set up to provide. By placing the GR GT within the Lexus retail and service network, Toyota is making sure buyers will receive specialized support and an ownership experience that aligns with the money being spent. So yes, the GR GT may not be as expensive as the LFA, but it's still very much a flagship. Toyota View the 8 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article