Street News

Ever the Enthusiast Akio Toyoda is known for many things, and being a car nut is most definitely one of them. The kin of the world's biggest automaker isn't just an executive; he lives and breathes cars. A dyed-in-the-wool car enthusiast, he doesn't just appreciate the cars that bear his family's name, but also the ones from rivals around the world. Toyoda-san, also known as Morizo, isn't shy about showing his appreciation for other brands. If there's any need for more proof, the Toyota Automobi

The C800 Package Cicio Performance has a new package for the Corvette Z06 that trades its natural aspiration for boosted performance. The stock 5.5-liter LT6 V8 engine that powers the Corvette Z06 already makes 670 horsepower. The flat-plane crank allows it to reach a high redline of 8,600 rpm, and Cicio Performance's package boosts it even higher. "The C800 package was engineered to unlock the untapped potential of the C8 Z06 while maintaining the drivability, reliability, and refinement expec

Nissan enthusiasts have long dreamed of seeing a modern Z with T-top roof panels, and now one mechanically inclined fan is turning that idea into reality. Nick Scherr, better known online as Nismo Nick, has announced plans to build a T-top version of the latest Nissan Z (RZ34) as the centerpiece of a new collection of open-air Nissan projects. Inspired by classic Z models such as the 280ZX and 300ZX, the build aims to reintroduce one of the nameplate's most recognizable features to Nissan's late

Not Your Typical Theft Case Because of advancements in surveillance networks and in-car security technology, car theft has become increasingly difficult, contributing to a decline in theft rates. So when a Koenigsegg One:1 was allegedly stolen earlier this year, it made for a fascinating story, though subsequent reports suggest the theft claim was false. Nonetheless, the story adds another layer of intrigue to the sale of this 2015 Koenigsegg One:1, which is believed to have been at the center o

The Unique Anatomy of an EV Fire The rapid acceleration of electric vehicle adoption brings a steep learning curve for first responders and consumers alike. A recent instructional video from the YouTube channel StacheD Training highlights exactly why treating a lithium-ion battery fire like a standard combustion-engine blaze is a recipe for disaster. The expert host points out that using traditional smothering tools like standard foam or simple dry chemicals fails entirely to stop the underlying

The Hybrid Question Automakers such as Toyota and Hyundai have already expanded their hybrid lineups in the U.S., where demand remains strong following a slowdown in electric vehicle adoption. That trend raises the question of why Volkswagen, one of the world's largest mass-market automakers, still does not offer a single hybrid model in the U.S. today. According to Automotive News, Volkswagen wants to introduce hybrid models to American buyers, but it is currently facing several hurdles, primar

What's Yours Isn't Mine Despite the automotive industry's global diversity, there are still some models exclusive to specific countries. That's because different countries have different market needs and trends. For reference, think of one of the most recognizable nameplates in the world, the Toyota Hilux. You'd think there'd be a market for it across the globe, but in the U.S., the Hilux doesn't exist; instead, it gets the Tacoma. The same can be said for Japan; some Japanese-branded cars aren'

Chasing Every Mile Needless to say, range is one of the most important factors when choosing an electric vehicle. That is especially true for buyers who may use an EV for specific purposes, such as city driving only, where a lower-priced, shorter-range model like the Nissan Leaf could suffice. That is why real-world range tests are useful, and one of the latest was conducted by the Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF). Based on the test conducted during the Norwegian summer, the BMW iX3 topped

Wrongful Death Lee Griffin, 55, died of carbon monoxide poisoning in 2022 after he left his Toyota Tacoma running in the garage, pumping emissions throughout the house. The plaintiff, Lee's wife, argued that Toyota's smart key system was defective, which caused the death of her husband. Toyota argued that the incident was caused by Griffin, but the plaintiff asserted that the 2017 Toyota Tacoma had design defects because it didn't shut off on its own after her husband left it running in the gar

For decades, the standard narrative in Dearborn has been simple: "As goes the F-Series, so goes Ford". The full-size truck is an undisputed revenue engine. Yet, the current industry turmoil reveals a different reality. The F-150 might pay the bills, but the compact Ford Maverick is quietly acting as the structural safeguard preventing Ford's electrification strategy from capsizing. F

Making Audi Distinct Again Audi has been introducing intriguing new designs with the Concept C and Nuvolari, seen as spiritual successors to the TT and the R8. These designs appear to be highly intentional under the leadership of Massimo Frascella, who became Audi’s chief creative officer in 2024. In an interview with the UK’s Car Magazine, Frascella shed light on the brand’s new design direction, which is built around “extreme solidity” and “absolute simplicity.” These principles can be seen in

A Bold New Silhouette Emerges A few months ago, Hyundai sparked significant excitement by teasing two mysterious new vehicles, the Venus and Earth concepts. Automotive enthusiasts eagerly speculated about what these futuristic designs would ultimately entail. Now, spy shots from CarNewsChinagive us a glimpse of the Hyundai Ioniq V, the brand's all-new electric sedan. The vehicle stretches into a dramatic sixteen-foot fastback silhouette that commands attention on the pavement. Striking spy shots

BMW's Hidden Time Capsule BMW has a strong U.S. footprint thanks to its Spartanburg plant, which produces much of the brand’s crossover/SUV lineup and has helped make it the largest automotive exporter by value for more than a decade. But apparently, the Bavarian automaker also has a so-called “secret vault” where several models, including some built at the plant, are preserved. Thanks to the Petersen Automotive Museum, Thomas Plucinsky from BMW Group Classic shared a glimpse of the collection,

More Robotaxis Tesla announced that its robotaxi ride-hailing services will roll out in the Austin Metro area of Texas. Things are speeding up for the electric automaker on the ride-hailing front, and you can now expect to see more of these unsupervised cars doing the rounds in Austin. This is part of a larger shift in Tesla's focus, which began with cars and is now expanding into AI and robotics. "Unsupervised Robotaxi now in the entire Austin Metro area," according to the official X account o

If everything goes according to plan, the first crewed lunar landing since 1972 will take place in early 2028 as part of NASA’s sequential Artemis program. While the trickiest part is getting to the Moon again, one should not underestimate the importance of the lunar rovers for this endeavor, as they will be used not only to explore Earth’s natural satellite but also to help build the Moon Base, “America’s and humanity’s first outpost on another celestial world,” as NASA Administrator Jared Isaa

From California Son of Cobra, run by Paul Lefevre, presents itself as a true artisan shop. Lefevre started with surfboards in his previous job. After learning the craft, he realized that surfboards and lightweight panels share a lot in common. Merging the two, Lefevre opened Son of Cobra, a specialist shop that blends form and function, with an emphasis on lightness and a particular vintage style. Inspired by classic racers, Son of Cobra takes classic design and brings it into the new era. "Vi

Next-Generation Revamp Hitting Pause Needless to say, the Kia Sorento is a big deal for the brand. It’s South Korea’s best-selling passenger vehicle as of May 2026, and it’s also a top-seller in the US. That tells you just how important this midsize SUV is to Kia’s global game plan. The current MQ4 generation is almost seven years old, so a full redesign seemed like the obvious next step. But new sightings in South Korea suggest Kia might be changing course. A Sorento test mule was spotted in Ko

Biological Realities of Car Crashes It might not seem significant, but male and female anatomies are distinctly different. These biological variations warrant entirely different parameters for crash testing. Cars have become dramatically safer recently, but according to a new study from Graz University of Technology proves women are not benefiting equally. Researchers analyzed Austrian crash data from 2012 through 2024 to reconstruct real-world accidents. They found that female occupants face a

The Corvette's Final Stretch Six years on, the mid-engine Chevy Corvette C8 is clearly in its twilight years. Chevrolet hasn’t given an exact end date, but the 2027 model year brings the biggest shakeup since the C8 first landed in 2020. The biggest news, of course, is the addition of the all-new Corvette Grand Sport and Grand Sport X. The Grand Sport sits between the Stingray and Z06, while the Grand Sport X brings a hybrid powertrain and steps into the shoes left by the E-Ray. And then there’s

The Lancia V4 Engine Was Ahead of Its Time Automotive channel MotoIQ recently showcased a true mechanical masterpiece inside its latest teardown video. They examined a 1968 Lancia Fulvia V4 belonging to automotive journalist and current Vehicle Dynamics Manager for Mazda R&D, Dave Coleman. The Fulvia is one of the brand's iconic vehicles, being one of the first front-wheel-drive cars. This strange Italian motor features an incredibly narrow 12-degree V angle housed under a single cylinder he

Volkswagen believes the shift from internal combustion vehicles to electric cars will happen naturally over time, comparing it to the transition from horses to automobiles more than a century ago. Speaking to Auto Express, Volkswagen sales and marketing boss Martin Sander argued that the industry focuses too heavily on bans and regulations instead of convincing buyers why EVs make sense in the first place. According to him, customers will eventually move to electric vehicles because they see cle

A Quiet Safety Feature Airbags are one of those things most drivers rarely think about until they matter. Sitting alongside seatbelts, they remain one of the most common and effective safety features in modern cars. Save for the deadly Takata inflator scandal, airbags have largely earned their place as a quiet but critical layer of protection in crashes. But here’s the thing: airbags haven’t really changed much over the years. No matter if you’re tall, short, sitting upright, or slouched back, t

The Last Car You'd Call "Bonkers" For decades, the Toyota Camry has been the poster child for sensible cars. No matter where you are, it’s never been the car you’d pick for excitement. But that reputation might be in for a shake-up, at least for now. At the Super Taikyu Fuji 24-Hour Race, Toyota decided to have some fun. Two teams – Akio Toyoda’s GR Gazoo Racing crew and Hiroki Nakajima’s Toyota Racing group – went head-to-head. The mission? Take the North American Camry and turn it into somethi

Subaru Has More Than One Surprise Up Its Sleeve Japan’s Super Taikyu Fuji 24-Hour Race had its share of surprises. While Akio Toyoda rolled out some wild Toyota Camry concepts, Subaru quietly used the event to hint at several new performance projects of its own. Subaru kept the cars themselves under wraps, but confirmed that three new manual-transmission models are in the works. The most intriguing is a five-door hatchback that could end up being the brand’s most interesting enthusiast car in a

More Bang For The Mustang Earlier this year, Fordintroduced the Mustang Dark Horse SC, a factory-backed supercharged version of the Dark Horse that produces 795 horsepower, though it comes with a starting price of more than $100,000. Now, Roush Performance has unveiled a new supercharger package for the MY2026 Mustang GT and Dark Horse at a significantly lower cost. Better yet, the system is 50-state CARB compliant, meaning owners in emissions-strict states such as California can legally take ad

The FIFA World Cup, soccer’s most important and prestigious tournament, begins next weekend in North America, marking the first time the competition is hosted by three nations: Canada, Mexico and the United States. Spectators attending the matches will be in for another premiere, before even reaching their seats. Hyundai-backed Boston Dynamics will reportedly deploy its four-legged robot “dogs” at FIFA World Cup venues in North Texas, according to Dallas Express. Robotic Dogs Will Be Used For Se

What Is Whining Inside Toyota's 8-Speed? Lately, Toyota's once-stellar reputation for reliability has taken a significant hit, and the culprit appears to be its eight-speed automatic transmission. According to a recent teardown and analysis by the YouTube channel The Car Care Nut, the specific transmission in the hot seat is the UA80. It first debuted in 2017 for the Highlander and Sienna, which experienced early teething problems right out of the gate. Fast forward a few years, and the UA80 is