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Having joined the race to zero emissions, Mercedes-Benz, like other European carmakers, has committed itself to a fully electric future. As quickly as they all joined the race, though, it seems they are just as quickly easing themselves out of it. This is not because the environment is healing, but rather because even America’s best-selling EV manufacturer has dealerships full of unsold inventory. One could conclude, then, that while there is demand for EVs, the supply of EVs in the American mar

Stopping the Buck Since 2024, Mercedes-Benz has experienced a slow but steady decline in sales. It dipped by 4 percent that year and fell by another 9 percent in 2025. Not wanting to see those numbers reach double-digits, the company is changing its strategy yet again. The solution? Appeal to the masses by going for the 'mainstream premium' crowd. Granted, Mercedes-Benz was always mainstream, but according to Car Magazine, the company nearly abandoned the entry-level luxury market. Back in 2022,

If you're looking for a small sedan with raucous performance and a manual transmission, your choices are about to get slimmer. Orders for the Cadillac CT4 range, including the high-performance CT4-V Blackwing derivative, are set to close on April 20, according to GM Authority, leaving enthusiasts one less option and likely marking the end of an era, as no CT4 replacement has been announced. With the XT4 already gone, this means sub-$40,000 Caddies will cease to exist, but at least the CT4's bigg

$275K Can Go a Long Way At $275,000, the EMC 620GE enters pricing territory that rivals flagship luxury SUVs. A brand-new Range Rover SV starts at a similar level, while a well-optioned Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 delivers far more technology, refinement, and everyday usability. On paper, this vintage military truck should not even be in the same conversation. Yet here it is, commanding the same money with none of the conventional benchmarks buyers expect at this price point. That disconnect is pr

Ford rates the Mustang Dark Horse at 500 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque at the crank. That's the figure on the spec sheet, but crank horsepower is measured at the engine, before drivetrain losses to friction. What actually matters to the person behind the wheel is wheel horsepower, and that's where things usually get interesting. Based on typical drivetrain loss figures, most people expected the Dark Horse to land somewhere around 440 wheel horsepower. A reasonable assumption, and one that t

The combination of an AMG badge and a small four-cylinder engine with a massive turbo and electric assistance hasn't been particularly well received by Mercedes fans, and according to a new report, the German automaker will be replacing the SL 43 with a new, straight-six-powered SL 53. Auto Motor und Sport reports that the M139 four-pot will be replaced by the M256 Evo mild-hybrid powertrain, with the entry-level AMG SL gaining a new name to signify its upgrade, but this change isn't purely beca

All Senses Engaged The roar of an internal combustion engine has been an intrinsic part of the driving experience until now. As the shift to electric mobility accelerates, engine noise is being replaced by near-silent performance, much to the dismay of enthusiasts. Toyota, however, believes that cars are to be experienced with all five senses, and is paying special attention to EV sound design in an effort to keep drivers engaged by engineering a complete sensory experience. 

Texas-based Hennessey has never been a stranger to speed, modifying and racing several cars and trucks since its inception in 1991, along with introducing an all-American hypercar. In celebration of its 35th anniversary in 2026, the company has revealed an ultra-limited take on the Ford Mustang GT with 70 percent more power, special graphics and badges, and some carbon fiber. This 35th Anniversary Super Venom will be limited to just 35 units, and further down the road, it will be joined by a new

America’s most popular vehicles, the full-size pickup trucks from Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, may be banned from Europe in a move that has angered US carmakers. According to Financial Times, US automakers are accusing the European Union of planning to keep trucks like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ram 1500 off European roads by enforcing new safety rules that would exempt them from the trade deal between the EU and the US. US Automakers Sold 7,000 Pickups and SUVs in Euro

Copycats Crowding the Off-Road Space Jeep isn’t backing off as more brands flood the market with rugged styling cues seemingly taken from their vehicles. Instead, it is leaning further into its identity. Speaking to Australian media at the Easter Jeep Safari, Jeep Vice President of Exterior Design Vince Galante told Car Expert that the rise of copycat design cues is motivating the brand internally. He noted that elements once unique to Jeep are now everywhere, but that only reinforces what Jeep

The Chevrolet Malibu reached the end of the line last year, but the now-discontinued affordable midsize sedan isn't out of GM's hair just yet. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, General Motors is recalling the Malibu because of a common problem: its rearview camera doesn't work properly. The problem affects 2023-2025 models, impacting some 271,770 examples of the sedan that were built between May 26, 2022, and July 18, 2024. Unlike several similar rearview camera fa

True Enthusiast Any true Petrol Head will claim that any involvement with the car is part of the lifestyle. Car guys like to fettle and tinker with their vehicles, getting to know them in depth, including their quirks and features. This is admittedly easier to do with older vehicles; the lack of technology and simpler engines lead to DIY moments. Modern cars are built differently and often require specialists for repairs and tuning (unless absolutely necessary), but sometimes rare opportunities

Better than a BYD Blade Geely has a new battery technology that charges faster than BYD's Blade 2.0, and it's called the "Energee Golden Brick." A new kind of race has been brewing lately, and it's not happening at a race track, but at charging stations. Automakers have been quite showy about how fast their cars can power up, with BYD leading the charge – pun intended. As reported by Car News China, Lynk and Co, a brand under the Geely group, claims that its 95 kWh battery pack can charge from

Big Power There was a time not long ago when manufacturers were one-upping each other in power. It seemed like every new model would offer a performance variant that trumps the competition. Those days have slowly faded as the market shifts toward a more fuel-efficient focus, but there are still dedicated models that will keep the power-hungry enthusiast happy. You wouldn't think of big SUVs as prime candidates for performance upgrades, but surprisingly, this segment still soldiers on with the li

Circumstances The past few years have been tough for the EV industry; some of the causes stem from the removal of government incentives, leading to a gradual decline in sales and to major EV plans being paused or, in some cases, stopped altogether. An unforeseen event has somewhat tipped the scales back in favor of EV mobility. Circumstances dictated by the sudden, sharp rise in fuel prices brought about by the Middle East conflict are prompting people to crunch the numbers.

No Top Safety Pick for Minivans Considering that minivans are geared towards families, it's rather shocking to learn that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety didn't include a single one on its Top Safety Pick roster. There were affordable compacts in the list, as well as SUVs of varying shapes and sizes, but family shuttles were noticeably absent. So, what gives? Following the Institute's new, tougher testing guidelines for moderate overlap crashes, all the minivans it tested simply didn'

It’s time for more IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series racing action baby! They are back at it, coming to you from IHRA Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie Virginia, where racers are going to be battling it out for big money in all classes. I can’t wait to see who’s going to take the money home this weekend and you can watch all the action right here on the livestream below. We’re talking Pro Am sportsman drag racing, Nitro and door slammer Pro classes, and so much more!   The post FREE LIVESTRE

The first quarter of 2026 was a really bad one for Stellantis EV sales in the United States amid the EV retreat in the market. Electric vehicle sales declined across the board particularly after the third quarter of 2025 when the EV federal tax credit was axed, and the trend continued in Q1 this year, with Stellantis seeing some dramatic declines. While the report notes that the automaker’s overall sales rose 4% over the first quarter of 2025, the Dodge Charger Daytona, Jeep Wagoneer S and Fiat

Speed Has Its Limits The Chevrolet C8 Corvette ZR1 is undeniably one of the most extreme Corvettes ever built, with 1,064 horsepower on tap. But like any high-performance car, it still has to be kept in check on public roads. One NBA player learned that the hard way after allegedly being caught speeding in a white Corvette ZR1 at more than 100 mph. According to Action News 5, Brandon Clarke, the Memphis Grizzlies’ No. 15 power forward, was arrested last week in Cross County, Arkansas. He reporte

An Icon May Be Rewritten A report from GM Authority states that General Motors has approved a replacement for the Chevrolet Camaro. Few details have been disclosed, but the next-generation model is reportedly expected to ride on the Alpha platform, which also underpins the Cadillac CT5 and other rear-drive sedans. With that said, the Camaro, if the reports are accurate, would enter its seventh generation and likely avoid returning as a crossover, a body type some may expect, given the strong dem

(Photos by Mike Brooks) The Run to the Sun car show in Myrtle Beach South Carolina celebrated it’s 37th anniversary this year and as usual had a sellout crowd. This show sells out every year, and features some awesome Pre-1990 muscle cars, hot rods, street machines, and trucks. It’s a special event, that’s for sure, and when the weather is great like this year it is hard to beat. Longtime contributor Mike Brooks was on hand and snapping photos to share with all you BANGshifters, and you can chec

Airbags save thousands of lives per year in car crashes, with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reporting that 4,330 lives were saved by frontal airbags in 2019 alone. So, when airbags are found to be faulty, a recall typically follows quickly. That’s the case for two Ford models—the Bronco Sport SUV and Maverick pickup truck—which have been found to have potentially faulty front passenger airbags. The issue appears to be with a series of sensors rather than the airbag unit itsel

Resolved Hyundai Motor recently recalled the 2026 Palisade due to a power seat issue that resulted in the death of a two-year-old girl. The issue also affects the Palisade's Kia counterpart, the Telluride. Sales were halted in mid-March when Hyundai recalled 68,500 units in North America following the fatal accident. Reuters reported that the South Korean automaker has finalized a software update for the 2026 model year of the Palisade and Palisade Hybrid vehicles, which feature second- and thi

Here’s our final gallery of IHRA Outlaw Nitro photos from Galot, but if you missed any of the previous photos we’ve got a link to them below. (Photos by David Whealon) If you live under a rock and haven’t realized how huge of a splash the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series made in 2025, then are you in for a treat! With amazing events, huge purses, icons of the sport and new stars alike, this is a racing series that is really doing some awesome things in 2026 and beyond. We’re excited for the 2026 season

Toyota introduced the downsized Land Cruiser in the U.S. for the 2024 model year, and it’s now ready for a few gentle updates for 2027. A lot smaller and more efficient than the old one, the latest Land Cruiser is still a formidable off-roader. Sales are down by 47.6% in 2026 so far, though, so Toyota will be hoping that some new features for 2027 can attract buyers to this Ford Bronco competitor. A small price increase accompanies the updates, but Toyota has retained the simple two-trim lineup.