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A Billion-Dollar AgreementJeep's parent company, Stellantis, and Chinese automaker Dongfeng signed a strategic cooperation agreement on May 15, 2026, to expand production capacity for brands like Peugeot and Jeep's new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China. The partnership will start in 2027, according to a report by a Chinese news source, CLS. So what will Jeep do with the $1.18 billion investment? According to the agreement, Jeep-branded off-road vehicles will be produced at the Dongfeng Wuhan plant. These units will be slated for export to global markets. Alongside, Peugeot will join Jeep at the Dongfeng Wuhan plant, with production heading for local Chinese and international markets. On a separate note, Stellantis and Dongfeng also signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding that will see both companies sharing and cooperating on research and development and manufacturing. (C) 2025 Doug Berger | DBPics Jeep's Back in China A brand that's famous for its legendary off-roaders and its iconic styling, Jeep's been banking on its American image for most of its life. Iconic styling, rugged off-road performance, and returning to China in 2027. Dongfeng plant will start making new Jeep SUVs in Wuhan. The operative term here is NEVs, which means electrified powertrains are to be expected from this deal. Two new Jeep off-road NEVs are planned for production at the Wuhan plant. For now, no specific models have yet been disclosed from the report. The units produced will head to international markets outside China, according to the source. News of this might contradict or complement, depending on which models are involved, another news story we covered, which states that Jeep is going to use Toyota's hybrid technology in its Cherokee. Dongfeng is a new partner for Stellantis, following the auto group's end of its deal with GAC Motor in 2022. Now, Stellantis is back in China, and it may also end up using Dongfeng technologies in its future models, according to Car New China. Stellantis is also paying attention to the other Chinese new EV brands. This year alone saw a ton of new model releases that push the boundaries of what an electrified off-roader can do. Considering that some Chinese brands like GWM are making over 800 horsepower available to consumers in an SUV is something that we might see from the Dongfeng Stellantis venture. Antonio Filosa, Stellantis' CEO, said that the project would combine "cutting-edge EV technologies with what the conglomerate already has on hand with its brands. Earlier this year, Stellantis refocused its efforts to just four brands:Fiat, Peugeot, Ram, and, of course, Jeep. Stellantis Peugeot in the Mix Also part of the deal is Chinese Peugeot production, which will include NEVs produced at the Dongfeng Wuhan plant. Under the Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile (DPCA) joint venture, two new NEVs from Peugeot are expected, both for local Chinese and International markets. This venture follows the DPCA's plan of "China production, global sales" strategy, a phrase mentioned by the joint venture's general manager, Lu Haitao, at the recently concluded 2026 Beijing Auto Show. Peugeot is also expected to develop NEVs with Dongfeng for both the local Chinese and international export markets. In the near future, we can also expect models to take inspiration from the brand's latest concepts unveiled in China this year. Stellantis View the full article

If you find the BMW XM Label challenging to look at, you may want to avert your gaze. The German automaker has just revealed the XM Label Soundmachine, turning its wildest SUV into a rolling DJ stage for the likes of Carl Cox to perform from. Built by five apprentices at the BMW Group plant in Dingolfing, the monstrous creation is fully functional and makes its world premiere at the Electric Mountain Festival in Sölden, Austria, with a fully functional Pioneer DJ deck and a dBTechnologies sound system. As brutish as the XM is, it needed some upgrades to accommodate the weight of this setup. BMW Modifies the XM to Be a Mobile Event Location BMW The apprentices upgraded the roof to handle the extra weight of all the extra equipment, which includes a 6 m² double-sided LED screen behind the DJ booth. There are also four fog machines in the wheel arches, underbody lighting to make the smoke show dazzling, and a number of other fixed and moving stage lights. To ensure it has the capacity to entertain large crowds, the sound system includes four VIO C12 active speakers and four VIO S118R subwoofers, controlled via a Pioneer DJM V10 mixer and two CDJ 3000X players. This takes a lot of juice to run, but the XM Label's hybrid system can power the screen, sound, and lighting systems for up to an hour without any external power. As impressive as that is, the changes have doubled the vehicle's weight, adding 3,086 pounds for a total of roughly 6,173 lbs. Related: BMW's Outgoing CEO Teases New 3 Series Touring for Wagon Lovers As you can imagine, all this weight and bulk has taken its toll on performance. Despite the hybridized twin-turbo V8 developing 738 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque - enough to get to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and up to a top speed of up to 175 mph with the M Driver's Package in a regular XM - this super SUV will be overtaken by cyclists, with this so-called Soundmachine now only able to do 15 kph, or less than 10 mph. BMW's Biggest Creation Yet Will Tour BMW View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article As noted earlier, this bizarre SUV first appeared at a music festival in Austria, and this weekend, it'll be at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. After that, it'll head to France for the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 13, before returning to Austria for the Spielberg MotoGP race on 19 September. While the one-off build clearly has no bearing on real-world vehicles, BMW may put the expansive 31-inch Theater Screen from the 7 Series in the XM, though the X7 seems a more likely candidate. View the full article

Historical SignificanceBrands with as rich a history as Maserati have produced some truly iconic race cars and sports cars over the many decades. In modern times, Maserati has acknowledged these iconic cars by introducing the Maserati Classiche heritage department. Not just a restorer or preserver of Maserati classics, Classiche is also there to certify some of the forgotten icons that are slowly making their way back to the limelight. One very rare model has just been certified, joining an exclusive club. Stellantis View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article One of ThirtyThe car in question is a 1957 Maserati 200S, built as a sports race car to compete in racing as well. This example is finished in the iconic Maserati red and was built using aluminum between 1955 and 1957. It is chassis number 2406 and is responsible for the Classiche department reaching an important milestone: 100 certified cars since the department's establishment. Another reason chassis 2406 is important is that back in the 1980s, it was rediscovered and restored by a highly revered member of the Maserati community, Ermanno Cozza. Cozza joined the company in 1951 and was part of the Experimental Department and the Technical Office, and later contributed to the creation of the Maserati Historical Archive. He continues to visit the company and even supported the team during the 200S's certification process. Like most icons, the 200S was born as an answer to the competition; Ferrari's 500 Mondial was dominating 1950s racing, making the Maserati A6GCS obsolete. The Trident brand built a new challenger using the 4CF2 engine, developed from 1952 for Formula 2, and evolved into the 200S project. It made its racing debut during the Trofeo Supercortemaggiore on 24 June 1956; although luck was not on the team's side, the car performed well enough for them to enter it into production. Stellantis View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article ClassicheThe 1957 200S, now certified by Classiche, had to undergo a rigorous certification checklist with 300 technical verification points. Part of the process is Classiche matching parts and components with official records from the Maserati Historical Archive. After passing the certification process, these cars are given a high-value Certificate of Authenticity, a personalized enamel emblem, and a bespoke dossier book. Stellantis View the full article

Out of the Blue Whenever Kimera is brought up in conversation, the usual topics are its classic Lancia-inspired designs, like the K-37 and K-38. The brand is no stranger to improvement and iteration, as is the case with the Kimera EVO38, whichfeatures a lightweight body, at just over 2,400 lbs, and up to just 650 horsepower. Now I say "just" because Kimera has one-upped itself again with the new Kimera K-39 - Powered by Koenigsegg. Coming in at just under 2,500 pounds and fitted with a Koenigsegg V8 engine, the K-39 makes a "safe" 1,000 horsepower. This is the same Koenigsegg motor that goes into its hypercars like the Regeras and Jeskos. Kimera Automobili View the 8 images of this gallery on the original article "Just" 1,000 Horsepower It's easy to forget just how impressive 1,000 horsepower was in production hypercars back in the day. When everything from supercars to extreme grocery getters is making 600, 700, or 800-plus horsepower, you tend to get numb to the news of a new-most-powerful-production SUV/crossover/sedan or whatever. Christian von Koenigsegg said it himself, "the K-39 is exactly the kind of project that deserves something truly special: independent, emotional, technically ambitious, and built with a clear sense of purpose. We developed a dedicated version of our twin-turbo V8 to match the character Kimera wanted for the K-39, and I am confident that this engine will give the car the performance, response, and reliability it needs to express its full potential. This collaboration is also a strong example of how Koenigsegg technology can support selected projects beyond our own cars, when the values and ambition are right." What's even more impressive is that Koenigsegg Technology Division (KTD) even detuned the twin-turbo V8 because Kimera wanted to "match the character" that the brand wanted for the K-39. While I think that's the case, I wonder if Koenigsegg purposely did this to keep the One:1's reputation with its power-to-weight ratio, because we know that the engine platform is capable of so much more. Kimera Automobili View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Same Values Kimera Automobili's design language hasn't changed in the last three 'K' cars. The K-39 still takes from the classic Lancia designs of Group C machines. As expected from the brand, it delivered on its styling and nods to automotive history. Then they hit us with the phrase, 1,000 horsepower and 8,85lb ft lbs of torque, and our attention was secured. Do note that the car only weighs just over a ton, or about 2,500 lbs, dry, so it's safe to assume that this will be a very exciting drive. Also, with the Koenigsegg engine, owners will also be able to take advantage of Koenigsegg Cloud, a feature that's exclusive to Koenigsegg vehicles to deliver over-the-air updates and calibration for their specific market straight to their cars, which can now be used by Kimera's K-39. The most extreme Kimera model yet still calls back to the brand's other designs, taking cues from the 80s and molding them onto a modern engine and chassis. The brand is also planning to bring a race version of this car to Pikes Peak, and it might actually be one of the fastest cars on the grid. What's more is that the first 10 people who place an order for the K-39 will receive the Pikes Peak configuration, which is also a road-legal specification according to Kimera, and it goes way over the top with its aero kit and its Martini livery. Kimera Automobili View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

A late-season Pacific trough is hammering the Western United States today, Saturday May 16, 2026, with up to 20 inches of snow forecast for the highest elevations of the Wyoming mountains and damaging wind gusts to 70 mph stacking against I-5, US 395, and the Mojave Desert highway grid. NWS Riverton has issued five Winter Storm Warnings for Sunday night into Monday, and the Weather Prediction Center extended discussion flags the trough delivering a round of late-season snow across the higher elevations of Colorado and Wyoming through Friday May 22, 2026. Peak Driving Danger WindowSunday evening through Monday morning carries the worst combined risk, with NWS Riverton calling out the Monday morning commute over South Pass as travel that could be "very difficult" while the Eastern Sierra and Owens Valley simultaneously face their highest wind gusts of the event along US 395. What to ExpectPeak snow totals: 8 to 16 inches in the Wind River Mountains East, with up to 20 inches at the highest elevations of the Tetons through Sunday night, and 7 to 14 inches on Casper Mountain.Peak wind gusts: 70 mph in the Eastern Sierra and Owens Valley along US 395, 60 mph on I-5 at Tejon Pass, 50 mph on I-80 across southern Wyoming.Worst corridors: I-80 East Sweetwater County (Wamsutter), I-5 at Grapevine, US 395 from Bishop to the Nevada border, I-15 across the Mojave, and I-70 across the Colorado high country once warnings issue.States under alert: California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Washington, and Arizona.The setup is a deep upper-level trough digging into the West while an anomalous ridge over the East Coast builds an early-season heat wave. The pressure gradient between them is generating both the heavy mountain snow and the damaging cross-trough winds on the California side. NWS Reno has a High Wind Warning posted for the Bishop and Mono County zones from 11 AM PDT Sunday through 5 AM PDT Monday. Road ConditionsThe I-80 corridor across southern Wyoming is the headline freight artery in the warning footprint. WYDOT closures on the Wamsutter to Rawlins stretch routinely run hours during spring storms, and 50 mph crosswinds plus accumulating snow is the high-profile vehicle rollover scenario. Drivers planning to cross I-80 Sunday night or Monday should bookmark wyoroad.info or dial 511. I-5 over Tejon Pass is the wind story rather than the snow story, with NWS LA/Oxnard expecting 60 mph gusts overnight Saturday into Sunday. The Grapevine is a chronic high-profile rollover zone even in fair weather. If you are weighing whether traction will be enough for the higher passes, our guide on the best cars for snow and winter driving breaks down AWD systems and ground clearance trade-offs. The Wind Story on US 395 and I-5The same trough driving the Wyoming snow is producing a damaging wind event on the California side. The Owens Valley and the wind-prone canyons along US 395 are the highest-gust zone in the country right now, with NWS Reno forecasting gusts to 70 mph from Sunday morning into Monday. I-5 at Tejon Pass, I-10 at San Gorgonio, and I-15 across the Mojave between Los Angeles and Las Vegas all face 55 to 65 mph gusts Sunday into Monday. The risk profile for high-profile vehicles like RVs, box trucks, and anything with a roof rack is lateral blowover; these corridors are not the places to push your luck this weekend. NWS Hanford is simultaneously flagging fire weather concerns across the southern San Joaquin Valley driven by the same pressure gradient. Winter Driving TipsTire tread: 4/32 of an inch is the minimum acceptable depth for snow traction; below 6/32, stopping distances on packed snow lengthen significantly. The Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) designation is the industry mark for severe snow capability, and our roundup of the best snow tires covers current options.Tire pressure: Pressure drops roughly 1 PSI for every 10°F of temperature drop. A tire set at 35 PSI in Denver at 70°F can sit 4 to 6 PSI low at 11,000 feet at Eisenhower Tunnel.Stopping distance: Triple your normal following distance on snow, slush, or ice. Never use cruise control in winter conditions; cruise can accelerate into a skid before you have time to respond.High-profile vehicles: RVs, box trucks, and vehicles carrying roof loads should avoid I-5 over Tejon Pass, I-15 across the Mojave, and US 395 through Owens Valley while High Wind Warnings are in effect. Lateral rollover is the single most common wind-related crash type on these roads.What to drive: Our roundup of the best cars and SUVs for snow and winter driving ranks options by AWD system, ground clearance, and snow-mode tuning.For California live road conditions, use Caltrans QuickMap. Wyoming, Colorado, and Washington each maintain their own state DOT live maps. TimingThe storm window opens Saturday night with peak winds on I-5 and across the Mojave, then transitions to the snow event Sunday night into Monday across Wyoming. Colorado and Utah warnings from NWS Boulder, Grand Junction, and Salt Lake City are expected to issue within 24 hours, putting I-70 through the Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass under the same threat I-80 faces tonight. The system clears the West by Wednesday May 20, 2026, leaving Memorial Day weekend mostly clear for high-country travel. We'll update this article as conditions evolve. View the full article

JaguarLand Rover (JLR) has nothing against the new Freelander brand coming to the UK, the carmaker’s new CEO has said. PB Balaji told Autocar that the Chinese-built SUV that features signature Land Rover design cues won’t affect sales of current Land Rover products if they are sold in the UK and Europe. Longer, wider and taller than the standard wheelbase Range Rover, the Freelander 8 production luxury SUV was unveiled in early May in China as the first in a series of new Freelander-badged vehicles for global markets. JLR Says Freelander 8 Is Not a Competitor to Discovery, Defender Models Freelander Designed by JLR but engineered and built by Chery Auto under the Chery JLR joint venture in China, the Freelander 8 will be followed by a new model every six months for the next five years. The new Freelander brand is pitched as a premium technology EV brand, and its first product clearly demonstrates that. The Freelander 8 features an 800-volt extended-range EV architecture, Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 5.0 intelligent ADAS suite enabled by a 896-channel LiDAR, i-ATS intelligent all-terrain system that uses data from the LiDAR and binocular camera for terrain recognition, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8397 computing architecture, and more. Freelander Add to that the aggressive pricing strategy that Freelander is expected to adopt in overseas markets and the fact that its first product is similarly sized to the Land Rover Defender 110 and Discovery, and it’s a bit surprising that JLR doesn’t seem at all bothered by the prospect of the Freelander 8 landing in the UK and Europe. JLR’s CEO explained that the Freelander brand targets a different audience than its Discovery and Defender models. “The price positioning of Freelander and our price positions are different," PB Balaji told Autocar. "The product offerings are different. So we don't see ourselves competing with each other. We see it as ‘together we should be expanding the market.’” JLR Won't Stop Chery From Bringing Freelander SUVs to UK, Europe China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Freelander 8 sales will kick off later this year in China before the SUV is exported to other regions. The Middle East is expected to become the first export market, but Chery has not ruled out bringing the 8 to Europe and the UK as well. Freelander CEO Wen Fei previously said that if the brands starts exporting vehicles to Europe, those models would be bespoke derivatives tailored to each market’s demands rather than just adapted Chinese-market models. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology While JLR has licensed the Freelander name to Chery, it still owns it and could put a wrench in Chery’s overseas expansion plans if it wanted to. However, it would probably act against its own interest in doing so. Since it's part of the joint venture that makes the Freelander 8, it will likely get proceeds from its sales. Asked if JLR would give Chery its blessing to sell Freelanders in the UK, Balaji said that “it’s Chery’s car” and it's entirely up to them. Freelander View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article “The car will be sold primarily in China to begin with, and then they will have to decide their plans for bringing it out to the rest of the world,” the CEO added. “And from our perspective, our role is ensuring that the design is in sync with what JLR stands for, and thereafter it is completely their baby.” The latter part of the statement is a strong suggestion that Freelander SUVs won’t share showroom floor with Land Rover products or be marketed by JLR in the UK and Europe. Freelander View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

A Long-Running Mercedes-Benz Hub Near the Port of Long BeachMercedes-Benz is getting ready to close its Long Beach R&D facility, marking the end of almost 30 years at the California site. Tucked away on Via Oro Avenue near the Port of Long Beach, the facility opened in 1997 and quietly became a key engineering hub for the brand in the US. Over the years, this spot helped create nearly 100 patents, covering everything from powertrains to autonomous driving and in-car tech. The 32,100-square-foot building has been home to engineers, technicians, project managers, and legal teams – about 186 people in all. Now, Mercedes-Benz is moving its operations elsewhere, Long Beach Post reports. According to a WARN notice filed with California, the company will start winding down in July and close the facility by December 2026. The property was listed for sale earlier this year, signaling changes were on the way. This closure ends one of Mercedes-Benz’s oldest engineering outposts on the West Coast, right as automakers everywhere are shifting their US operations to focus on software, EVs, and bigger, centralized research teams. Google Maps Employees Face Relocation or Severance as Atlanta Expansion GrowsMercedes-Benz says this is all part of a bigger plan to bring its US operations closer together. Most of the Long Beach work is headed to a new R&D facility near the company’s North American HQ in Sandy Springs, Georgia, just outside Atlanta. The new Atlanta tech center will take up about 60,000 square feet in the Northyards Business Park near Georgia Tech. State officials put the project at $34 million, with completion set for later this year. About 160 employees will work there. Some of the Long Beach employees have been offered the chance to move to Georgia, Ann Arbor, or other Mercedes-Benz sites in California. Others are only getting severance, depending on what the company needs. At least 72 jobs are directly on the line. Not every Mercedes operation is leaving Long Beach, though. The company’s Classic Center and port-related vehicle processing operations will remain open. Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Wants Bigger Numbers in the USThe Long Beach shutdown is just one piece of a bigger shift at Mercedes-Benz. After years of chasing high-profit, low-volume sales, the company now wants to ramp up its mainstream premium business in the US. Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Adam Chamberlain says the goal is 400,000 US sales a year by 2030. That would put Mercedes head-to-head with BMW and Lexus at a level no other luxury brand has hit in America. To reach that goal, Mercedes-Benz is planning a major product rollout, with bout 30 new or updated models expected for North America in the next few years. Obviously, the Long Beach shutdown isn’t just a one-off. It’s part of a bigger reset for Mercedes-Benz in the US – from where it builds cars to how it develops tech and plans for growth over the next decade. Mercedes-Benz View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Rewriting The RoadmapThe Trump administration continues to roll back electric vehicle-friendly policies, with its latest move proposing a two-year delay to the Biden-era Tier 4 emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles. The stricter rules were originally set to take effect for the 2027 model year and were expected to help accelerate EV adoption, but the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) argued that the timeline should be pushed back to MY2029. Pushing the MY2027 deadline back is projected to save automakers and consumers more than $1.7 billion. Instead of pushing EVs onto consumers, the agency says it wants to give American buyers the “freedom” to choose the cars they want. Keeping the current Tier 3 emissions standards in place would allow more combustion-powered vehicles to remain on the market without major compliance changes. EV Reality CheckAnother reason for the proposal is that EV adoption has not met the growth projections for the 2027 model year, making the Tier 4 emissions standards less practical in the agency’s view. That has been reflected across the auto industry, with automakers losing billions on EV investments and, in Stellantis’ case, taking a major financial hit tied to its EV reset strategy. If the proposal is finalized, the Tier 3 emissions standards are still projected to reduce emissions by up to 80% for MY2027 and MY2028 vehicles. The two-year delay is being positioned as additional time to develop rules that are “better suited” for the Tier 4 standards. With the recent policy changes in the U.S., including the discontinuation of the $7,500 EV tax credit last year, many automakers are shifting toward hybrids. Ford, for instance, has halted production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning in favor of a range-extender version. Meanwhile, the Toyota RAV4, one of the best-selling vehicles in the U.S., is now offered exclusively with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains for the MY2026 lineup. (C) 2026 Doug Berger | DBPics The Choice ArgumentLee Zeldin, who became EPA administrator last year, said, “Freedom is the foundation of this nation, and this includes the freedom to choose the car you drive. The American people have been very clear; they do not want EVs forced upon them.” In addition to this proposal, the EPA has repealed the 2009 Endangerment Finding and all vehicle greenhouse gas regulations. The agency also removed the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) sensor mandate, which was intended to lower emissions but can derate diesel engines when abnormalities are detected, affecting the livelihoods of people who rely on diesel trucks for work. Removing the mandate is projected to save farmers about $4.4 billion annually. These changes may be viewed as anti-EV, though from another lens, they can also be seen as more realistic than rapidly forcing an EV transition. Chevrolet View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Despite all the changes, Dover still largely feels like Dover according to NASCAR Cup Series drivers this weekend. The changes include, primarily, the first race at The Monster Mile, in which the new short track rules package and increased horsepower have been affixed to the NextGen car. Additionally, NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports have applied a light coating of resin across the entire ...Keep readingView the full article

NWS Riverton has issued Winter Storm Warnings for five zones in Wyoming, effective from 6 PM Sunday through 6 PM Monday MDT. Up to 16 inches of snow is forecast for the Wind River Mountains East, and a stretch of Interstate 80 in East Sweetwater County is explicitly named in the impacts. Wind gusts up to 50 mph are expected across the warning zones. The Five Zones Under Winter Storm WarningWind River Mountains East is the heaviest hit, with 8 to 16 inches of snow possible and gusts to 50 mph. The warning specifically calls out impacts to South Pass, the main route over the Continental Divide in central Wyoming. Casper Mountain is forecast to get 7 to 14 inches with gusts to 40 mph, threatening the Monday morning and evening commutes for the Casper metro area (population around 60,000). Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range, including Jeffrey City, are expected to see 6 to 11 inches with gusts to 50 mph. East Sweetwater County, including Wamsutter, is forecast for 3 to 6 inches with gusts to 50 mph. This is the I-80 corridor: the warning text explicitly says travel could be difficult "especially along Interstate 80." Natrona County Lower Elevations, including the city of Casper, are under warning for 3 to 5 inches generally and up to 7 inches between Hiland and Casper, with gusts to 40 mph. What This Means for I-80Interstate 80 is the only year-round east-west interstate in southern Wyoming and one of the busiest freight corridors in the Mountain West. The 100-mile stretch through East Sweetwater County (Wamsutter, Rawlins approach, Continental Divide) routinely closes for winter weather, even in May. With 3 to 6 inches of snow forecast in the warning zone and 50 mph gusts, two factors stack against drivers: reduced visibility from blowing snow, and high-profile vehicle exposure on an open, treeless plain. WYDOT closures on this stretch typically come fast and last hours. If your route Sunday night or Monday takes you across southern Wyoming, plan an alternative or plan to wait it out. What Comes NextThe same storm system is forecast to move south into Colorado on Monday into Tuesday, where the WPC Winter Storm Outlook shows another large probability footprint of warning-criteria snow over the western Colorado mountains. Formal Winter Storm Warnings from NWS Boulder and NWS Grand Junction are expected to follow, putting Interstate 70 through Vail Pass and the Eisenhower Tunnel under the same threat that I-80 faces tonight. Driver Tips for the Wyoming Warning ZoneCheck WYDOT before you go. Live road conditions and closure status are at wyoroad.info or dial 511.High-profile vehicles (RVs, box trucks, anything tall) should avoid I-80 across southern Wyoming Sunday night and Monday. 50 mph crosswinds plus snow is the worst combination for rollovers.South Pass and Togwotee Pass travelers should carry chains, food, water, and a flashlight. South Pass sits at 7,412 feet and has no services for long stretches.The Casper commute Monday will be the most affected population center. Plan extra time or work remotely if possible.This article will be updated as conditions evolve. For the full picture of this late-season Western storm across all ten affected states, see our earlier report. Related: Winter Storm Warning: Up to 20 Inches of Snow and 70 mph Winds Hit I-5 and Western States View the full article

Spire Motorsports pit crew member Donovan Williams suffered minor injuries in a freak accident at Dover during All-Star weekend. The tire carrier for Daniel Suarez's No. 7 Cup car was in front of the heavy cart as they moved downhill towards the pit lane area when it began to roll away. Nearby was NASCAR on FOX reporter Amanda Busick, and Williams threw himself in front of the cart ...Keep readingView the full article

The Mountain West is one of the finest regions in the United States for motorcycle travel, with high-altitude highways, sweeping open terrain, and landscapes that reward every mile ridden. A little advance planning goes a long way because the weather and geography here demand more preparation than most rides. Choose Your Route Three routes stand out as Mountain West essentials. Montana’s Beartooth Highway climbs to nearly 11,000 feet, threading switchbacks and alpine plateaus between Red Lodge and Cooke City; it […] The post Planning a motorcycle trip around the Mountain West appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers. View the full article

On May 28, 2026, sixteen days before the green flag drops on the 94th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a new museum will open its doors at the main entrance to the Circuit de la Sarthe. It is called M24, the Museum of Motorsport, and it represents the most ambitious attempt ever made to tell the story of racing under one roof. Not just endurance racing. Not just Le Mans. All of it. The museum sits at 9 Place Luigi Chinetti in Le Mans, an address that carries weight for anyone who knows the sport's history. Luigi Chinetti was the Italian-American driver and Ferrari dealer who won Le Mans three times and single-handedly convinced Enzo Ferrari to enter the race. That his name marks the ground where this museum stands is not an accident. What it isM24 is the result of a four-year collaboration between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and the Swiss luxury watchmaker Richard Mille, formalized in 2022 through a joint venture called MACO. The project transforms the former 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum, which first opened in 1961, was renovated in 1991, and came under ACO management in 2017, into something fundamentally different. The original building has been entirely restored and expanded with a new wing designed by architect Frédéric Audevard, bringing the total exhibition area to 8,600 square meters. Where the old museum told the story of Le Mans and only Le Mans, M24 uses the race as a doorway into the wider world of motorsport. The exhibition spans Formula One, IndyCar, rallying, Can-Am, motorcycling, and the engineering, rivalries, and people that connect them. The narrative is structured not as a chronological timeline but as a theatrical reconstruction of a Le Mans race weekend, with visitors moving through themed areas titled Scrutineering, The Start, The Night, and The Victory before the exhibition opens into the broader disciplines. The immersive design was created by Raphaël Daguet and his scenography firm The Immersers, who describe their approach as narrative rather than curatorial: telling stories rather than displaying objects. The collection The cars are why you go. And these cars are extraordinary. M24 houses over 100 vehicles across multiple disciplines, all kept in running order, with an on-site restoration workshop incorporated directly into the visitor experience. The oldest piece is the 1924 Bentley 3 Liter, the earliest surviving Le Mans winner, fresh from a 3,700-hour restoration. From there, the collection arcs through decades of competition: the Porsche 917 LH, the longtail prototype that dominated Le Mans in the early 1970s. The Mazda 787B, the only rotary-engined car to win the 24 Hours and the reason an entire generation of enthusiasts fell in love with a triangle-shaped combustion chamber. The Toyota TS050, the car that finally ended Toyota's decades of Le Mans heartbreak. Michael Schumacher's Ferrari F2002 was the machine that carried him to five consecutive championships. A Lancia Stratos in full Alitalia livery, arguably the most beautiful rally car ever built. A Ferrari 166 MM and Ford GT40 are currently in the workshop, visible to visitors as part of the restoration process. Many of the cars come from Richard Mille's personal collection. "I've been excited about beautiful cars ever since I was a small boy," he said during the project's unveiling at the Rétromobile show. "Today, they deserve to be shared with the greatest number of enthusiasts." The people M24 does not just celebrate machinery. "Champions Alley" pays tribute to 35 figures from across motorsport history, including Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Jacky Ickx, Tom Kristensen (the nine-time Le Mans winner known as "Mr. Le Mans"), Michèle Mouton (the only woman to win a World Rally Championship round), Odette Siko (one of the first women to race at Le Mans, in 1932), and Sébastien Loeb. Senna's actual racing suit is among the artifacts on display. There is also a detail that speaks to the museum's commitment to completeness: 4,800 scale models at 1/43 size document every car that has started the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1923. Every single one. Over a century of competition represented in miniature, which is either a logistical marvel or a collector's fever dream depending on your perspective. Why it matters Motorsport museums exist. Good ones, too. The Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, and the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles are all world-class institutions. But each of them tells the story of a single brand or a single culture. M24 is the first museum that treats motorsport as a whole, connecting Le Mans to Formula One to rally to IndyCar under one narrative, acknowledging that the sport's greatest stories have always crossed disciplines. The timing is deliberate. M24 opens in the 120th anniversary year of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the organization that created the 24 Hours of Le Mans and has governed it since 1923. It also opens at a moment when the sport is evolving faster than at any point in its history: hybrid powertrains, hydrogen prototypes, electric touring cars, and manufacturer lineups that shift yearly. By anchoring the future in a deeply felt presentation of the past, M24 makes the case that understanding where racing came from is essential to caring about where it goes. Before the ACO and Richard Mille began this project, the museum was already drawing 208,500 visitors annually. The target for M24 is 300,000 within two to three years. General admission is €20, with ACO members paying €10. Tickets are already on sale. When do the doors open?Richard Mille, characteristically, put it best. "M24 is a place where these stories will live on. It's where a kid can fall in love with a car and maybe decide one day to be an engineer, designer, or racing driver. If anyone comes out with their eyes sparkling a bit brighter than when they went in, then M24 will have served its purpose." Doors open May 28 at 10 a.m. The 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans begins June 13. If you are going to one, consider going to both. View the full article

All-Star Race qualifying at Dover was far from conventional, and not just because of the unique format. Drivers had to complete three laps, including a four-tire pit stop at the end of the second lap. The qualifying session featured numerous incidents, penalties, and loose wheels. Denny Hamlin, who won the Dover points race last year, secured pole position even after spinning on his warmup ...Keep readingView the full article

If you are a regular reader of Bike EXIF, Winston Yeh’s name requires absolutely no introduction. As Taipei's premier custom builder operating under his world-renowned Rough Crafts banner, Winston has achieved the near-impossible: maintaining a remarkably high annual build volume without ever diluti... View the full article

The More Accessible RivianRivian is one of the quieter EV brands on the market, not really drawing much attention to itself, yet still able to make and sell a decent number of cars. A lineup that used to consist only of the larger R1 model has now expanded to include a smaller, more affordable SUV in the R2. 2025 was an "okay" year sales-wise for Rivian, with sales dipping by 18%, some of which was deliberate to accommodate the R2. With the R2 now in the market, we decided to play around with Rivian's configurator to see just how many optional extras there are. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Performance FirstGoing to Rivian's website and finding the R2 configurator is pretty easy, given how straightforward the layout is. Another thing to note before anything else is how Rivian decided to launch the R2. You'd expect the brand to either launch all variants or release the entry-level first, with the top-end to follow, but no, Rivian has decided to launch the most expensive variant first, with the more affordable ones listed as "coming soon." This makes the starting price of the R2 (as of now) a relatively high $57,990, compared to the $53,990 of the Premium (coming in late 2026) and the $48,490 of the Standard (coming in 2027). The performance is listed with 330 miles of range and a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds, thanks to an output of 656 hp. According to the configurator, the Launch Package, available for free for a limited time, includes Autonomy+, a special key fob, the tow package, and access to the special launch green paint. Also standard on the performance variant is the all-wheel-drive system; the first really costly optional extra is the green launch paint, listed at an additional $2,000. Next up, you can opt for the 20-inch All-Terrain rim-and-tire combo for an additional $1,000. The interior can only be had in black right now, but sometime this year, the coastal cloud signature scheme will be available for an additional $1,000. Rounding out the cost are the additional spare tire ($755), wall charger ($800), and multiple accessories, bringing the total to $64,510. View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article Competitors CheckThe Rivian R2, as mentioned, is the supposed affordable Rivian model, but looking at the price bracket, it still sits well above most of the competition in the base variant. However, once you start comparing the top-of-the-line models, the R2 suddenly comes into play in terms of pricing (without the optional extras). It'll be interesting to see how the market reacts to the R2, but with the current offerings, it isn't priced so badly, and I like how Rivian didn't overload the configurator with too many options. It took me less than 10 minutes to finish my build, compared to BMW's complicated iX3 configurator, which took me more than 30 minutes and exponentially increased the cost. View the full article

When Mercedes-AMG put a four-cylinder hybrid in its C 63, it fell flat with buyers, forcing Affalterbach to ax it earlier than initially planned. Now, Mercedes is working on a new version with a straight-six, taking the fight directly to the BMW M3. Well, not directly - this will reportedly debut with the name C 53, matching the CLE 53, which makes 443 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, considerably less than the 523-hp M3 Touring. The wagon version has just been spied on the Nürburgring, and while what lies beneath the hood will be completely different, the bodywork's changes will be relatively mild. There will also be updates to the cabin designed to make interacting with the car more physical. Let's take a closer look. New C 53 Sees Styling Revisions Front and Rear SH Proshots/Autoblog View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The entire front end of this prototype is covered in camouflage, from the bumper and hood to the fenders, the latter of which will have small fake AMG vent accents. The subtly bulging hood will flow into an updated fascia with a new grille design, either side of which the headlights are expected to gain star-shaped LED daytime running lights. The lower intakes will also be massaged slightly, with the side elements gaining a horizontal strake. Other than that, not much is changing up front. Further back, we see camouflage on the roof, but we don't expect this to herald anything significant, while on the tailgate, camouflage covers the top half of the rear end, including the taillights, which are also expected to gain new LED motifs but otherwise maintain the same shape as before. Lower down, the diffuser will once more feature a quartet of exhaust tips, but there will be no obvious indication of the new powertrain. Finally, the cabin is reportedly being refreshed with a new steering wheel that has more physical buttons than before. This will be paired with an updated MBUX infotainment system. AMG Is Also Building an Electric C 63 SH Proshots/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Last year, our spies also spotted a pre-production development mule of an all-electric C-Class with AMG upgrades. This is expected to develop well over 600 horsepower and could be revealed before the end of 2026, which is also the timeframe in which we expect the combustion-powered model to arrive. Some reports had indicated that the C 63 could be temporarily killed off while Mercedes works on the new six-cylinder model, but this sighting of the C 53 version indicates that development is far along, meaning there won't be a real gap for very long. Will customers react favorably to two more cylinders, or will the craving for a V8 persist, which the CLE Coupe is getting? Time will tell, but we'll bring you more information as we get it. SH Proshots/Autoblog View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Fast And FrugalLexus currently offers four powertrains in its popular RX crossover: a conventional turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine (RX 350), a hybrid (RX 350h), a plug-in hybrid (RX 450h+), and a turbocharged hybrid (RX 500h F Sport Performance). Of these, there's likely an option that everyone will love, but we think the 450h+ PHEV is possible the most interesting of the bunch. Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog It pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and 18.1 kWh battery, combining to deliver 304 total system horsepower, the second most of any RX behind the 500h. Though it isn't particularly sporty in how it delivers power due to its eCVT, technically a planetary gearset and not a true CVT, this powertrain is remarkably smooth no matter if it's running on electricity, gasoline, or a combination of both. Lexus says the RX 450h+ can hit 60 mph in around 6.2 seconds, but it was slightly quicker in our testing, getting to that speed in 6.12 seconds. We also recorded the same acceleration run using only the electric motor (which requires a careful foot as going past kickdown causes the engine to fire up) where the RX PHEV took a leisurely 10.51 seconds. For reference, the RX 500h with 366 hp and 406 lb-ft is quoted to hit 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Explaining The PHEV ModesUnlike the RX 500h, the 450h+ has the ability to run on EV mode for an extended period courtesy of its 18.1 kWh battery. Lexus even lets drivers choose exactly how and when they'd like to deploy their stored electricity, an option not all PHEVs offer. Two buttons behind the shifter control the powertrain modes, and without consulting the owner's manual, it's not immediately apparent how each one functions or why they are divided into separate buttons. Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The "AUTO EV/HV" button cycles between two modes, the full EV mode, and an auto hybrid mode that relies the battery and electric motor first before kicking on the gas engine for heavy acceleration only. In these two modes, you will deplete the car's 37-mile electric range pretty quickly. A second button, "HV EV HOLD CHG," can cycle through one of three functions. It can also turn on EV mode, but it can also active a different hybrid mode that functions more like the RX 350h, relying more on the gas engine to save the battery range for later. A light throttle can keep the car running on just the electric motor in HV mode. Holding this button triggers a charge mode, which uses the engine to refill the battery on-the-go. This hurts fuel economy, though we noticed the effect was smaller than we expected. The RX 450h averaged 34.8 MPG during a two-hour highway drive, and when we did the same trip going in the other direction with charge mode activated, fuel economy dropped to 30 MPG. Charge mode added about seven miles range per hour of driving. Luxury For EV Skeptics The RX 450h+ is the ultimate luxury SUV for EV skeptics. It delivers stellar fuel economy when running on its gasoline engine with the smoothness of an EV. If your daily commute is shorter than 18 miles, or you can charge at work, the 450h+ can drastically lower your monthly fuel cost and give you the flexibility to only use the gasoline engine for longer trips on the weekend. Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article There are other great PHEVs on the market, but few give you the same level of control over the powertrain as the RX. We love having the ability to switch between the Auto HV and HV modes because they serve different purposes. PHEV drivers may not always want their battery range being used. If you are getting on the highway, for example, it could be smart to switch the RX into HV mode, saving the battery for lower speeds where it can be more efficient. Toyota's most recent RAV4 PHEV took away the ability to charge the battery on the go because it wasn't efficient, and Lexus will likely update its vehicles when they receive the fifth generation Toyota Hybrid system. The RX Has Been A HitNot only is the Lexus PHEV powertrain a hit, but the RX is the perfect vehicle to have it in. This is perennially among the bestselling luxury vehicles in America, moving 113,256 units in 2025. Even in a down year for the RX (it sold 118,636 units in 2024), it was still the most popular premium vehicle in the country by a significant gap. The RX beat out its smaller sibling, the NX, by 36,420 units and the BMW X3 was about the same distance behind with 76,546 units sold in 2025. Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Lexus created the luxury crossover segment with the RX back in 1998, and strong brand loyalty like that doesn't go away overnight. Over five generations, the formula has (mostly) stayed the same, delivering high-riding comfort in a right-sized packaged to the American audience. This current RX is the most versatile one yet, adding PHEV and F Sport Performance variants for EV and European car curious buyers who don't want to leave the Lexus brand. Lexus has already sold 29,336 RX units through one Q1 of 2026, an 18.7% increase from last year, so the brand's bestseller shows no signs of slowing down. View the full article

EV Strategy ResetSubaru expanded its U.S. electric vehicle lineup with the Uncharted and Trailseeker, which may be a welcome development for EV buyers, but the timing is difficult given Trump’s tariffs. The Japanese marque posted a ¥226.9 billion hit, or about $1.42 billion at current exchange rates, from tariffs alone, forcing it to make adjustments. According to Automotive News, one of those moves is delaying its in-house EV, which was expected to be built independently at Subaru’s Oizumi plant in Japan (scheduled to open around 2028), in favor of internal combustion and hybrid vehicles. That means the current EV lineup – the Solterra, Uncharted, and Trailseeker, all tied to Toyota platforms – will likely remain in the mix for a bit longer. Subaru Built On Toyota BonesThe Solterra and Trailseeker are essentially Subaru’s counterparts to the Toyota bZ and bZ Woodland, respectively, while the Uncharted is closely related to the C-HR+. Collaborating with Toyota likely allowed Subaru to enter the EV market more cost-effectively, avoiding the massive upfront cost of developing a dedicated EV platform alone. Subaru is also set to introduce a three-row EV, the Getaway, which is expected to share ties with Toyota’s electric Highlander, toward the end of 2026. While introducing an in-house EV brings several benefits, such as greater engineering independence, Subaru said it will continue monitoring market conditions, especially in the U.S., where tariffs continue to pressure automakers like Audi that rely heavily on imported vehicles. Aside from the aforementioned tariff hit, Subaru also took an additional ¥57.8 billion ($362 million) charge tied to EV-related write-downs and impairments. Subaru Playing The Long GameThe U.S. is considered Subaru’s biggest and most important market, so the automaker should continue making adjustments to protect profitability, even if that means significantly reducing resources allocated to EV models. In fiscal year 2025, 72% of Subaru’s worldwide sales came from the U.S. market. For the current fiscal year, the company expects operating profit to nearly quadruple to ¥150 billion, or about $939.5 million. Subaru recently saw a 50% increase in U.S. EV registrations in March 2026, though that growth was reportedly achieved with average incentives of $8,651 per vehicle – roughly $6,000 higher than the automaker’s overall average. That likely explains why shifting focus toward internal combustion and hybrid vehicles – segments that continue to perform well over EVs in the U.S. – appears to be the more practical move until market conditions improve and its in-house EV arrives. Other automakers that have doubled down on hybrids include Toyota and Hyundai, while Nissan is set to introduce its e-Power series hybrid system to American buyers. Subaru View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

GM Says Building 30 Chevy Bolts at a Time Makes Them BetterThe all-new Chevrolet Bolt has been getting attention recently for offering affordable EV ownership without feeling cheap. Early reviews have praised the hatchback for its refined ride quality, practical packaging, and solid interior execution. Features like GM’s latest infotainment system, improved range, roomy cargo area, and easy daily drivability have helped make the Bolt one of the more approachable EVs on the market today. GM managed to keep costs low without stripping away the features buyers actually care about, which is a rare balance in today’s increasingly expensive EV market. Now GM says maintaining that quality comes down to a surprisingly simple production strategy. At the General Motors Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, the automaker is building the 2027 Bolt in groups of 30 nearly identical vehicles at a time. Instead of mixing trims, colors, and configurations randomly across the assembly line, Fairfax sends batches of matching Bolt LT and Bolt RS models through production together. GM says the process helps workers stay focused on repeating the same tasks consistently while reducing mistakes and production complexity. Plant managers also say the strategy improves supplier coordination, saves floor space, and cuts paint shop downtime because equipment does not need to be cleaned as often between color changes. Chase Bierenkoven View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article GM’s Toyota-Inspired Production Strategy Is Paying OffFor years, General Motors has openly studied manufacturing methods pioneered by Toyota. The company has long tried to emulate Toyota’s reputation for efficiency and quality control. Much of that influence traces back to the NUMMI joint venture in California, where Toyota famously helped teach GM new production disciplines and lean manufacturing techniques. Those lessons continue to influence how GM approaches vehicle production today, especially as the company pushes for simpler, more repeatable manufacturing systems. The new batch-build system appears to be another step in that direction. GM says quality metrics at Fairfax are already improving through a process called Electrical First-Time Quality, or EFTQ, which measures whether vehicles pass major electrical inspections without requiring rework. The factory also uses “clone” body shells to keep production moving if a vehicle needs to be pulled from the line for inspection. The lessons learned from the Bolt program are expected to carry over to future products like the Chevrolet Equinox and an upcoming Buick compact SUV. Notably, the Equinox has already earned recognition from J.D. Power as one of the more dependable mainstream vehicles on sale today, showing that GM’s quality push may already be paying off. Chase Bierenkoven View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The 2027 Chevy Bolt Might Be The EV Buyers Actually NeedThe 2027 Chevrolet Bolt could not be arriving at a better time. New-vehicle prices continue to climb, and many buyers are struggling to justify the cost of modern EVs. The Bolt’s formula feels refreshingly straightforward. It delivers usable range, modern technology, and everyday practicality at a price point ordinary buyers can still realistically consider. What makes this story more interesting is that GM is not just chasing affordability. The company appears genuinely focused on improving build quality. Building 30 nearly identical vehicles in sequence might sound boring on the surface, but if it results in fewer defects and greater consistency, customers will absolutely notice it over time. For a product meant to bring EV ownership to the masses, getting the fundamentals right matters more than flashy gimmicks. Chase Bierenkoven View the full article

Fernando Alonso has added another ultra-rare machine to his already remarkable car collection, this time taking delivery of a one-of-one Pagani in Monaco. The two-time Formula 1 world champion was recently seen driving his Zonda Roadster Diamante Verde around the streets of the principality, grabbing attention with its exposed green-tinted carbon fiber bodywork and unmistakable V12 soundtrack. A One-Off 6-Speed Manual Zonda Instagram: @mechatronik and @alexpenfold Instagram: @mechatronik and @alexpenfold Instagram: @mechatronik and @alexpenfold Instagram: @mechatronik and @alexpenfold The car in question is a 2017 Pagani Zonda 760 Roadster Diamante Verde, powered by a naturally aspirated 7.3-liter Mercedes-AMG V12 producing 760 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque. In classic hypercar fashion, power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox. One of the Diamante Verde's key features is its hood, shared by the Zonda 760LM. Although Pagani moved on to newer models like the Huayra and Utopia years ago, demand for the Zonda has never slowed down. Limited production numbers, dramatic styling, and its old-school driving experience have helped cement the car as one of the most desirable hypercars ever built. Alonso’s $11.7 Million Monaco DeliveryFernando #Alonso & his new #Pagani Zonda Diamante. pic.twitter.com/5nHdTkx4wK — HyperCar™ (@metroTM33) May 6, 2026 The delivery was handled by Mechatronik, a German specialist known for dealing with some of the rarest performance cars in the world. The company shared the handover on social media, calling the Zonda “automotive royalty” and congratulating Alonso on adding another “unicorn” to his already enviable garage. Reports suggest the custom-built Pagani cost around €10 million ($11.7 million). Alonso’s Car Collection Continues To Grow Instagram: @mechatronik and @alexpenfold Instagram: @mechatronik and @alexpenfold Instagram: @mechatronik and @alexpenfold Instagram: @mechatronik and @alexpenfold Alonso’s passion for high-end performance cars has become almost as well-known as his Formula 1 career. Over the years, he has reportedly owned machines like the Ferrari Enzo, Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, Aston Martin Valkyrie, and Aston Martin DBX S. More recently, one of the 38 Aston Martin Valiants commissioned by Alonso sold for over $3.5 million, highlighting how closely his name is tied to some of the rarest modern performance cars. Even among that lineup, this dark green Zonda still stands out, more than two decades after its debut, due to how much of a driver's car it is. View the full article

Streamline and SimplifyThe Volkswagen Auto Group (VAG) didn't have the best start in the EV game. Some of its first mass-market EVs either failed to meet expectations of critics, consumers, or sales, or all three. Harsh and costly lessons were learned after that, and things might be looking up for Germany's largest automaker. However, that also means a lot of catching up to do, as well as putting out fires in sales, labor, and profitability. Right now, the group is tightening its belt but is actively implementing measures to simplify and streamline production and development processes across all companies under its wing. Volkswagen A New Modular EV PlatformVAG is set to roll out a new EV platform. Dubbed the SSP, it's short for Scalable Systems Platform. According to Automotive News Europe, the platform was delayed to ensure it could be used by most of the brands under VAG's wing. It's said to be used by future EV models from Audi, Cupra, Porsche, Seat, Skoda, and, of course, Volkswagen. Volkswagen chief financial officer Arno Antlitz further highlighted the importance of this platform. Automotive News Europe mentioned that VW will not be able to achieve EV profit margins at the same level as ICE vehicles until the first SSP-based models arrive. He was quoted as saying, "We have to sell more electric cars than the natural demand in Europe. Until this platform [SSP] arrives, we have to make trade-offs between BEV volumes and CO2 fines." It wasn't mentioned what size class SSP is primarily for, but since it's modular, it can go up or down by one class depending on the application. However, what is confirmed is the first brand that will use it. Surprisingly, it won't be Volkswagen, but rather, Audi. That means the initial success of the SSP architecture rests on Ingolstadt. No pressure. Audi Which Audi Model Will Get It First?Of course, company representatives didn't say which Audi model will utilize SSP first. However, the A2 e-tron might be a safe bet, as it's slated for a Fall 2026 reveal for the 2027 model year. VW CEO Thomas Schäfer then said Porsche will be the second brand to use the new platform. With that in mind, it suggests that SSP might be available with different drivetrain options. It's also possible that this platform could be used for compact or subcompact applications, as Audi and Porsche are already using the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture for larger models. Other models within VAG will follow suit, and there was mention of the ID. Golf is coming after the release of the SSP-based Audi and Porsche models. An electric version of the Skoda Octavia is also on the cards, while Cupra and Seat will eventually use the platform. By the looks of things, this is a similar strategy to the one VAG applied about 30 years ago with the PQ34 platform. Audi was the first recipient of the PQ34 platform with the first-generation A3. It then became the basis for the first modern-era Skoda Octavia, and after that, the MK4 Volkswagen Golf. Other derivative models were made, such as the Audi TT, Seat Leon, and VW New Beetle, to name a few. Audi View the full article

The historic tenth season of the MWDRS started with a bang in Tulsa. Shawn Ellington claimed the Pro Mod victory over rookie Ryan Martin.View the full article

Two Dangerous Habits CollideA recent study published by the IIHS has revealed a troubling trend on American roads. The study, based on real-world telematics data received from insurance providers’ safe driving apps, has shown that speeding drivers are more likely to be using their cell phones, and that cell phone usage actually increases as speeds go up. These findings challenge the assumption that drivers tend to use their phones at lower speeds or in slow-moving traffic, demonstrating instead that the opposite behaviour was more common, especially on highways. Real-World DataRather than rely on volunteer groups and roadside observations for data, the IIHS study analysed information gathered by the telematics apps used by insurance companies to gauge how each person drives, so that they can adjust premiums accordingly. These apps track driving behaviour through smartphone sensors, gyroscopes, and GPS data, and record events such as hard acceleration, sudden braking, and phone use. The study covered nearly 600,000 trips across multiple regions in the United States, giving researchers a realistic look at driver behaviour. Getty What the Numbers SayThe study demonstrated a marked increase in phone handling that was more pronounced on higher-speed limited-access freeways than on surface streets. The data revealed a roughly 12 percent increase in phone use for every 5 mph over the speed limit on limited-access highways, with 70-mph-speed-limit stretches showing the strongest correlation between speeding and phone use. Conversely, when using surface streets and arterial roads, drivers demonstrated a smaller 3 percent increase in phone usage for every 5 mph over the speed limit. This is probably down to the fact that intersections, stop signs, and traffic lights force drivers to stay more engaged on these streets. Getty Images Risky Driving Habits Often Go TogetherResearchers have speculated that the overlap between speeding and phone use while driving may be down to risk-taking personalities simply being more likely to engage in both behaviours simultaneously. Traffic conditions may also play a role, with drivers feeling more comfortable reaching for their phones on open highways with lighter traffic and fewer interruptions. The findings of this study arrive as distracted driving continues to be a major road safety issue in the United States. Speeding and cellphone use have been shown to independently affect reaction times and increase crash severity; combining them creates an especially dangerous mix. View the full article

Santa Pod’s 60th anniversary kicks off with two massive race weekends. Drivers from 18 countries bring 11,000 horsepower to the drag strip.View the full article