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From EV Retrofits to a New Hybrid Setup Horse Powertrain first made waves with a simple but practical idea: let automakers convert their existing EV platforms into hybrids, rather than building new ones from the ground up. Last year, the company showcased compact, all-in-one hybrid modules that could replace a front electric motor, enabling a hybrid version with minimal additional engineering. Now, Horse is back with a new product that aims for bigger efficiency gains from hybrid combustion. Tea

Toyota’s problems with its failing UA80 eight-speed automatic transmissions are far from over. Late last year, a lawsuit was filed in Texas regarding this transmission, and now another one has popped up in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Considering the sheer number of vehicles on the road with the UA80 transmission, this likely isn't the last time Toyota faces legal troubles on the matter. Here’s a look at what’s wrong with this transmission. Premature Transmission Wear

The Flaw in the Charging System The Hyundai Ioniq 5 remains one of the best-selling EVs in the U.S., with 47,039 units sold in 2025, behind the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Chevrolet Equinox EV. For buyers considering the Ioniq 5, however, Consumer Reports highlights one notable issue to keep in mind: potential problems involving the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU). Since Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis operate under the same corporate umbrella and share a wide range of components – including the I

The Volkswagen emissions scandal that rocked the automotive industry over a decade ago continues to be a thorn in the side of the German company. Millions of diesel vehicles with emissions-cheating technologies were implicated—including models like the Jetta and Passat sold in the U.S.—ultimately costing the Volkswagen Group billions of dollars in penalties. Now, the company has been ordered to face a criminal trial in France over Dieselgate, as the scandal came to be known. It adds another chap

Ah the 1990’s, a time that changed the world of hot rodding, custom trucks, muscle cars, and so much more. There are too many big things that happened in the 1980s and 1990s that were impactful to the culture of hot rods and custom cars, but arguably one of the biggest things to come out of the 1990’s for automotive enthusiasts was the HUGE truck scene that exploded during this time period. Mini trucks, sport trucks, custom trucks of all kinds just went nuts. For the first time ever, you could b

As the holiday weekend wraps up, the National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of severe weather slamming into Northern California starting today, Monday, Feb. 16, and running through Wednesday, Feb. 18. The NWS has issued a suite of wind advisories and flood watches for the San Francisco Bay Area, with weather experts warning of a dynamic storm system on track to bring damaging winds and significant rainfall to the region.

While no turbocharged eight-cylinder engine can ever replace the symphony of a naturally aspirated V10 (RIP Huracán), Lamborghini tried very hard by giving the twin-turbo V8 in the Temerario a 10,000-rpm redline and a flat-plane crank. But that still wasn't enough for some, and the fabricators at German outfit Grail Automotive have increased the intensity of the latest baby Lambo by giving it a straight-piped exhaust system. These are the same lunatics who straight-piped a McLaren Senna. The res

A Timeless Design All wheelmakers have a signature look to them. For instance, American Racing has those neat five-spoke Torque Thrusts, BBS is synonymous with the weave design, and Rays Wheels? Well, that would be the Volk TE37. Those wheels have a timeless element to them, and they look great whether it's on an old or a new car. Speaking of which, the TE37 turns 30 this year, and the company is celebrating in a big way. A series of campaigns will be rolled out throughout the year, and yes, the

Nissan has come up with an idea that may enhance the performance, safety, and off-road capability of EVs, so obvious, it's a wonder it hasn't been patented before. A new document filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, first noted by CarBuzz, aims to apply the idea of active engine mounts to the battery pack in an electric vehicle, turning the massive weight disadvantage of an EV from a drawback into a means of better controlling the chassis. EV batteries can weigh thousands of

Making the Bed Work Harder Despite underwhelming sales and waning public interest, the TeslaCybertruck is undeniably a tough and capable electric pickup. Unplugged Performance is now looking to capitalize on the truck’s utilitarian character with a new two-level bed storage slider system designed to be just as rugged, while offering added flexibility without compromise. Unplugged Performance is a California-based shop that specializes in Tesla EVs, producing aftermarket components such as 20-inc

Neither Lamborghini or the German tuning company Mansory are known for products you’d call ‘subtle’ or ‘restrained’, so it’s no surprise that when the two meet, the results aren’t exactly aimed at shrinking violets. That’s once again the case here, as Mansory, not for the first time, has got its hands on Lambo’s latest V12 flagship, the plug-in hybrid Revuelto. This time, though, it’s gone further than sticking some new aero bits and wheels on the supercar – instead, it’s entirely rebodied the c

West Coast Customs At It Again California-based West Coast Customs has built its reputation on headline-grabbing celebrity projects. This time, the Burbank shop took on a twin-SUV commission centered on the supercharged Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The 707-horsepower performance SUV already sits at the top of Jeep’s food chain. In factory form, it blends family-hauler practicality with Hellcat-derived brutality. For Chief Keef, stock was never going to be enough, and West Coast Customs chief 

Upgrade Service Takes Center Stage When Subaru presented its lineup at the Tokyo Auto Salon, enthusiast reaction was mixed. Many expected a major STI announcement. Instead, the more consequential reveal was the expansion of the Subaru Upgrade Service. The program now includes factory-backed hardware retrofits for existing owners, including models from 2015 and earlier. Just last week, Subaru opened pre-orders for three hardware packages first previewed at the show. These follow earlier software

Odd Theft Reports in Australia No country is immune to car thefts, and in the Australian state of Victoria, the most stolen car there is the Holden Commodore. Of course, it's not really a surprise given that it's a hugely popular model. More specifically, it's the 2016 model of the midsize sedan that was stolen the most. Also known as the VF Commodore, America got it as the Chevrolet SS, and as a big sedan with rear-wheel drive, we understand the appeal. Of course, we don't condone stealing a ca

It is Presidents' Day, traditionally a busy travel holiday, but Mother Nature has other plans for a vast swath of the United States today, February 16, 2026. Major weather systems are causing havoc on both coasts and in the deep South, turning highways into hazard zones and grounding flights. For automotive enthusiasts and everyday commuters alike, understanding these conditions means knowing when to park the car and, if you must drive, how your vehicle interacts with the elements. Here is a com

A new supercar has been spied outside the Maranello gates, and it's set to be Ferrari's most hardcore road-going version of the 296 super sports car yet. What's more, it may ditch the hybrid system to lower weight and increase engagement and appeal. In 2021, we got the 296 GTB as the new entry point to Ferrari ownership, and last year, the 296 Speciale arrived. Ferrari normally only produces two versions of a single model, but that may be changing with this, rumored to be called the Ferrari 296

If you’ve driven across the border from St. Louis into Illinois or crossed into the state from Wisconsin, you’ve likely felt the immediate, painful sting of a price hike at the pump. As of mid-February 2026, the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded is hovering around $2.92, but Illinois remains a stubborn outlier. Several data points push the state’s average closer to $3.01, while neighboring states like Missouri and Iowa have prices as low as $2.53 recently. It’s a persistent issue

Halo Products Promote Aspirations Performance divisions aren’t about moving huge volumes. They exist to give brands a bit of an edge – something that signals they know what makes driving fun, even if most buyers never go near the flagship models. Toyota has Gazoo Racing, Nissanhas Nismo, and Hyundai’s N division has built a real following. These sub-brands add credibility to the lineup, showing that the company cares about more than just getting from A to B. Chinese brands have mostly skipped th

GMC recently took to the Texas Motor Speedway to film a rather unusual drag race (embedded at the bottom of this article). The lineup included a Ferrari F8 Tributo, a Ford GT, a Dodge Challenger Hellcat, an Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, and a Porsche Taycan, and as the quartet of high-performance cars left the line in a race from 0-60 mph, our vantage point is that of the camera car. Which would win? Well, none of the above. The camera car is victorious by a big margin, and as the race comes to

From One Courtroom to Another Fresh off a win in court over Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat resale values, FCA US – the American side of Stellantis – is back in the legal hot seat. This time, it’s not about money or market trends. The focus is on a hardware issue that could impact driver and passenger safety. A new class-action lawsuit says FCA and seat supplier Lear Corporation sold over 2 million vehicles with a faulty electric seat-height adjuster. According to the complaint, this part, found in se

Near the end of 2025, Stellantis pulled the plug on 4xe plug-in hybrid versions of both the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The automaker had issued recalls for the PHEVs in 2023 and 2024, plus another in November last year, but a remedy for potential battery fires had not been developed, so dealers were instructed to stop selling the SUVs, and both were pulled from Jeep's website. For those who had already taken delivery of a 4xe Jeep, however, these efforts have not been appreciated, as

Mazda's Touchscreen Era Despite many automakers adopting large touchscreens, Mazda initially stuck with its rotary commander knob – a decision that, compared to newer interiors, made its cabins feel dated. The company has since replaced the knob with a larger touchscreen in the new-gen, 2026 CX-5, while insisting its core design philosophy remains unchanged. In a report by Motor1, Matthew Valbuena, Mazda’s project manager for in-vehicle technologies and human-machine interfaces, said minimizing

The Finnegan’s Garage crew had two cars at Sick Week 2026 in Florida and both of them ran quicker and faster than ever before, so that’s a win! The fact that Finnegan was also giving away his complete drag and drive trailer, full of tools and all, at the end of the week was pretty awesome. There were some adventures, shenanigans, and some carnage but it was a fun and exciting week regardless. Check out Part 1 of their adventures below and we’ll bring you the Part 2 video soon! Video Description

Built Like a Brick The Jeep 4.0-liter inline-six, also known as the AMC 242, may not have been the most powerful engine of its era – especially compared to Toyota’s 4.0-liter V6, which produced around 245 horsepower – but it made up for that with a reputation for durability. However, like most engines, the Jeep 4.0 can develop serious issues if neglected, as shown in this particular example that Eric from I Do Cars tore down. Based on the part numbers for the upper radiator hose and distributor,

Australia’s Mount Panorama Circuit is already one of the toughest, most demanding racetracks in the world, packed with blind corners, huge elevation changes and unforgiving concrete walls. As is so often the case in Australia, though, the wildlife presents an extra layer of danger. In this case, though, it’s not venomous snakes or spiders the drivers need to worry about, but bouncy marsupials. It’s not an unusual sight for a kangaroo to find its way onto the circuit, which sits in the town of Ba