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Last week, the covers came off the Vision BMW Alpina, an 8 Series-like concept that previews the design direction and Bentley-esque luxury of the Alpina brand, and now we have official confirmation that the first real Alpina product under BMW's stewardship will be based on the 7 Series, filling the small gap between that luxury sedan and the Rolls-Royce Ghost with a new B7, though it's unclear if that name will survive. Speaking with Top Gear, BMW Alpina boss Oliver Viellechner said Alpina is all about V8 power, and that power won't need any help from an electric motor. "A combustion engine and also a V8 is a core pillar of our offering," he said, adding, "A pure V8 without a plug." Alpina Will Still Make More Power Than BMW ChatGPT/Sebastian Cenizo Alpina's roots lie in tuning BMWs, and that won't be changing in its new era, with Viellechner saying that "the engine of an Alpina can't be the same engine in a base model 7 Series." While the V8 isn't available in a base model 7 Series (that gets a straight-six), it seems that BMW Alpina's boss is hinting at a modified version of the 4.4-liter V8, which will already be getting more power for 2027. Alpina will be differentiating its vehicle through differences in "powertrain, chassis, driving, and so on," according to the executive. BMW Alpina models will have unique outputs, handling characteristics, and drive modes, with 'Comfort+' as the default setting (one-upping 'Comfort' in a normal BMW), followed by 'Speed' and 'Speed+' instead of 'Sport' and 'Sport+.' Viellechner explained that Alpina will not talk about volumes or price, aiming to take the brand in a more exclusive direction than BMW and closer to Rolls-Royce territory, but the Alpina brand will no longer be limited by geography, with the cars set to be offered globally without making the cars intentionally rare. To achieve global desirability, it's no surprise that there will eventually be EVs, too. Related: 2027 BMW 7 Series Vs. 2026 BMW 7 Series: What Actually Changed? Bentley is working on one, Jaguar is aiming at Bentley with one, and Rolls-Royce has started on its second. Even Ferrari knows ultra-wealthy buyers may someday want or need an EV in their climate-controlled garages. Viellechner explained the decision: "We believe we will need non-combustion variants going forward. It will not be so relevant at the beginning, but we will also find it difficult to launch a combustion-only brand these days. If you look to markets like China, for example, I could not see that as the right strategy." Smaller Alpina Models Won't Fit the BillWhen quizzed about models like the 3 Series-based B3 or the 5 Series-based B5, Viellechner indicated that they may find their place someday, but with the vibe and sense of status that Alpina is targeting, that day is not near. "Definitely not at the start," he said. "I think, long-term, the brand has the potential to [offer smaller cars], but it will be wrong to do that at the start. And not as the immediate second step either, because it's quite a stretch." So while markets like Germany and Japan may be willing to pony up for an expensive 3er or 5er, it doesn't make sense in building the image Alpina wants. Instead, BMW Alpina wants the sort of buyers seen in the U.S., who will pay $200,000 for big sedans and SUVs, and it wants people to see the brand as a symbol of opulence. It wants customers to visit only the finest selected BMW dealerships, spend more on the base car than they would have on the most expensive Bimmer, but less than the entry-level Rolls-Royce, and then spend some more on customization. It wants them to choose Alpina over Bentley. This is why V8s make sense, small cars don't, and Alpina is "much more separate from BMW than M is," according to Viellechner. Whether they do so on a sedan or a coupe like the Vision concept remains to be seen, but we'll know next year. Note: The images used in this article, excluding the embedded YouTube video, are AI-generated renders and should not be considered genuine BMW Alpina concepts. View the full article

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Audi for defective water pumps in a range of Audi models. All implicated Audi models make use of a V6 from the EA839 engine family, including both 2.9-liter and 3.0-liter units. The plaintiffs claim they’ve been hit with exorbitant repair bills for failing water pumps and related components when the cars were out of warranty, even though Audi allegedly knew about the defect since November 2018. Many problems related to cooling systems can incur high repair costs and/or extensive engine damage, so let’s take a closer look at this lawsuit. Audi Water Pump Lawsuit Audi The plaintiffs in this case are Doug Larr from California and Kaelin Crawford from New Jersey. They’ve named the following Audi models in the lawsuit: 2018-2024 Audi A42018-2024 Audi A52018-2024 Audi S5 Cabriolet2018-2024 Audi S5 Sportback2018-2024 Audi RS 52018-2024 Audi SQ52019-2024 Audi A62019-2024 Audi A72019-2024 Audi A82019-2024 Audi Q82019 and 2021-2024 Audi RS 5 Sportback2020-2024 Audi A6 Allroad2020-2024 Audi S62020-2024 Audi S72020-2024 Audi Q72020-2021 Audi A8 e quattro2021-2024 Audi SQ5 SportbackThe lawsuit, shared by Car Complaints, states that the coolant module in these models is defective due to seals, housing, and internal components that wear out prematurely. This happens when the engine is operating at normal temperatures. Ultimately, coolant leaks into the vacuum system, contaminating it, and can lead to overheating and even turbocharger problems. Larr owns a 2019 Audi A6 and Crawford has a 2021 Audi SQ5. Both ran into these issues and needed to fork out $6,000 and $1,460, respectively. In Larr’s case, the water pump, PCV valve, and vacuum hose system had to be replaced. Crawford was initially quoted $2,800 for a fix from Audi, but managed to get the job done independently for around half that price. While both plaintiffs’ cars were out of warranty, the lawsuit claims that Audi dealers are pushing water pump replacement costs onto customers even if their warranties remain valid. Related: VW and Audi’s 2.0L Turbo Engine Hit With U.S. Lawsuit Over Oil Consumption Complaints Pile Up For EA839 Engines Audi We visited the NHTSA’s website and quickly found other complaints from Audi owners relating to failed water pumps. One Texas customer said their 2019 Audi A6’s water pump failed at just 49,000 miles, and Audi said it’s not covered by the extended warranty. Another owner of a 2019 Q8 was quoted $5,519 for a pump and coolant system repair, with that model on only 41,831 miles. Many complaints listed show failures occurring at under 50,000 miles. Interestingly, the EA839 engine is also found in numerous Porsche models, but none of them were mentioned in this lawsuit. Audi has released technical service bulletins related to the issue, including one dated December 1, 2025. That bulletin concerns many of the models listed in the lawsuit, and notes coolant loss/leaks, along with the presence of illuminated coolant warning and engine warning lights for some customers. The lawyers involved in this lawsuit have already filed and settled two water pump class actions; one 2022 case involved Audi models as far back as the 2013 model year, before the EA839 even went into production. What It Means Audi The EA839 engine is widely used across Audi’s lineup, making a design defect particularly challenging to deal with. The latest lawsuit will further dent the reputation of what is otherwise a powerful and refined engine; sadly, it joins a long list of German car engines that suffer from coolant system failures. It doesn’t help that many customers have run into trouble with the water pump just outside the warranty period. We advise any owner with one of these models to carefully monitor the cooling system in their vehicles, as identifying a leak early could save you thousands of dollars down the line. You should also stop driving the vehicle immediately if any cooling system or engine warning light is triggered. View the full article

All this time, I'd thought PWCs were like sea scooters, but I was wrong. What are they? A prime way to take in sights you might not see otherwise, and this Sea-Doo is one of the best. View the full article

Rally Roots RebootedFord has announced that is planning to introduce five new passenger models in Europe by 2029, all of which are said to draw inspiration from the brand’s rally heritage. That appears to be a deliberate nostalgia play referencing classics tied to Ford’s strong motorsport history, though enthusiasts could also see it as a sign that the brand is not fully abandoning driver-focused cars for EVs. Ford may be known as a truck brand in the U.S., thanks to models like the F-150, but in Europe, the Blue Oval has a much stronger rally identity. The automaker has won more than 90 World Rally Championship events, and it continues to compete in the top-tier WRC series through M-Sport against Toyota and Hyundai. That gives the reported new models a more legitimate foundation than retro appeal alone, making the rally-inspired direction feel less like a gimmick and more like a return to Ford’s rally roots, while still strategically aligning with current industry trends through multi-energy platforms. Ford Rally Cars For The Electrified EraTwo rally-inspired crossover models will reportedly be underpinned by multi-energy platforms, meaning plug-in hybrid variants could be on the cards. These two models could arrive by 2029 following the potential launch of two Renault-collaborated EVs: a small hatchback and an urban-focused compact SUV. Perhaps the most significant new model is a Bronco-inspired compact SUV capable of supporting different powertrain types. It could stay true to the Bronco formula while incorporating tweaks suited to European tastes and being positioned as a volume seller. Ford Ford Promises AuthenticityNot a lot of details have been disclosed, but Ford Europe boss Jim Baumbick noted that the vehicles will undeniably remain Fords despite potentially being developed with other brands, saying, “To a customer, it's the things that [you] see, touch and feel that need to be different to make it authentically a Ford.” In the U.S., rally-adjacent nameplates like the Puma and Focus are not available as Ford shifted its focus toward larger vehicles. Still, the automaker offers several off-road-ready models, including the Raptor versions of the Ranger, F-150, and Bronco. There is also a dedicated rally-focused trim sitting at the top of the Mustang Mach-E lineup. Ford View the full article

We’ve got a few days until the start of the Indy 500, but there is plenty of practice and qualifying action to watch until then! We’ve got live streaming video from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500, where INDYCAR Series racers are making laps and testing setups in an effort to get their rides ready for the 2026 edition of the Indy 500. Check it all out below. THE LATEST VIDEO AS AT THE TOP The post FREE LIVESTREAM: 2026 Indy 500 Testing And Qualifying Is On! Watch It All Live Here! INDYCAR SERIES appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

The late-season Pacific trough that closed more than 200 miles of I-80 across southern Wyoming on Monday is now reloading over the Colorado Rockies, with the Weather Prediction Center describing heavy wet snow across the Central Rockies before the main band tapers off tonight and a secondary round of moisture continuing through Thursday morning. The I-70 corridor and the West Slope are at risk, with Continental Divide totals running 12 to 18 inches in the expected scenario and 18 to 24 inches across the highest peaks. The high-end NWS forecast pushes Longs Peak and Mount Blue Sky toward 24 to 30 inches, and Mountain-Forecast modeling stretches Longs Peak to nearly 49 inches through Thursday night. Peak Driving Danger WindowTuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. The Eisenhower Tunnel approach, Vail Pass, and Berthoud Pass face combined heavy snow, drifting, and overnight lows in the teens above 10,000 feet. What to ExpectIf this storm pans out as expected, snow rates are heaviest along and just north of I-70, with the Park Range above Steamboat Springs and the higher terrain of Rocky Mountain National Park seeing the deepest totals. Continental Divide expected snowfall: 12 to 18 inches through Thursday morning, locally 18 to 24 inches across Mount Blue Sky and the Park RangeHigh-end (10 percent): 24 to 30 inches on the highest peaks, with private models suggesting 43 to 49 inches on Longs Peak through Thursday nightWet, clingy snow loading on already-leafed trees raises power outage risk near I-70 ski townsBehind the storm, NWS Grand Junction has a Freeze Warning re-issued for the Yampa River Basin (Craig, Hayden, Meeker, Rangely) for Wednesday morning with lows near 22 degrees, and NWS Boulder has a Frost Advisory active for the Northeast Colorado plains from Fort Collins through Greeley, Loveland, Sterling, Akron, and Fort MorganRoad ConditionsI-70 over the Continental Divide is the central corridor at risk. Chain controls and intermittent multi-hour closures are likely Tuesday into Wednesday, with the Eisenhower Tunnel at 11,158 feet acting as the usual choke point. Berthoud Pass on US-40 runs higher and reaches winter conditions first. Vail Pass and Loveland Pass sit inside the highest accumulation zone. Other named corridors crossing the warning area include US-40 over Rabbit Ears Pass between Kremmling and Steamboat, US-285 over Kenosha Pass and Hoosier Pass, and US-34 across Trail Ridge Road inside Rocky Mountain National Park. WYDOT's staged reopening of I-80 across southern Wyoming is targeted between 6 and 8 AM MDT Tuesday, but high-profile vehicle restrictions are likely to continue into the day across the I-80 Summit between Cheyenne and Laramie. For live Colorado road status and chain control activation, use COtrip.org. Trail Ridge Road and the Memorial Day WindowThe National Park Service has been actively plowing Trail Ridge Road since late April, and the May 5 through 7 system already reloaded the snowpack across the 11-mile stretch above 11,500 feet. This second event puts the road's Memorial Day weekend (May 23 through 25) opening at clear risk. Last year Trail Ridge opened on May 30, the earliest opening on record was May 7, 2002, and the latest was June 26, 1943. Winter Driving TipsThe snow stacking up across I-70 is the heavy, wet, late-spring variety that packs into tread blocks. Tire setup and approach speed matter more than drivetrain. Autoblog's roundup of the best cars and SUVs for snow and winter driving ranks options by AWD system, ground clearance, and snow-mode tuning, and our winter driving fundamentals guide covers technique. Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) tires with at least 4/32 inch tread are the floor for any Continental Divide pass during the warning windowCarry chains regardless of drivetrain. Colorado's Passenger Vehicle Chain Law applies to AWD and 4WD once activatedDrop tire pressure 1 to 2 PSI for every 10-degree temperature drop between Denver and the tunnel approachTriple your following distance on snowpack and slush, and never use cruise control in winter conditionsBehind the storm, watch for black ice on bridges and overpasses Wednesday morning, including in the foothills and along the Front Range where overnight lows fall back near freezingTimingThis storm runs Wednesday afternoon across most of the Colorado high country, with NWS Grand Junction's West Slope warnings extending into Wednesday evening across the San Juans and the Park Range. Light wraparound moisture lingers into Thursday morning across the Northern Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park. View the full article

If you are new around there then you might not know that we seriously dig Formula Off-Road racing here at BANGshift.com. This is high flying, loud, and intense racing that involves what look to be impossible hillclimbs, usually on giant courses made from pea gravel or something similar. It’s intense, the cars often end up upside down or rolling over down a hill. They end up rightside up on their own sometimes, but regardless the action is fun and kind of nuts. These drivers do some stuff that I’m not sure most people could. Check it out below. Video Description: Formula Offroad Iceland, Hella 2026! Track 3 – All cars and action from Track 3 in first race of the season. This year Unlimited and Modified class race together but different points. Great action in Track 3 – Hope you like it FORMULA OFFROAD, One of the most extreme motorsport in the world, The Vikings are extreme crazy when comes to Formula Offroad. Formula Off road competitions have always been a great part of the Icelandic motor-sport and is well known all over the world. Formula Offroad begins in Iceland May 2nd 1965. It started with Willys jeeps and now we have these extreme special built Offroad cars that can climb almost everything. In 1990 Formula Offroad started in other nordic countries. Today we have races in Iceland, Norway and Sweden Hope you will enjoy this extreme motorsport that Formula Offroad is. Extreme Hill Climbing, hydroplaning, rollovers and jumps. Enjoy! Thank you. Jakob C – www.facebook.com/jakobcoffroad Jakob C – www.instagram/jakobcoffroad High-powered machines tackle steep, rocky terrain in this intense competition. Drivers push their customized vehicles to the limit against gravity and challenging obstacles. The post HIGH FLYING FORMULA OFFROAD RACING FROM ICELAND’s HELLA 2026! COURSE 3 RACING ACTION appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Shayne Johnson's 1970 Nova is a work of art. This 2,700 horsepower race car just happens to have the looks of a show car.View the full article

Monster Trucks are awesome machines, and the things they are capable of doing are mind boggling at times. But as fast, and crazy, and high flying as they are, top speed is not the thing you think of when you think Monster Trucks. No, you think jumps and slap wheelies and back flips, hell even front flips, but even the famed Cyclones that they do in them aren’t all that fast. So when you see one go out and try to set a new world speed record for a monster truck, it is kind of special. I can tell you that last year at Moparty in Bowling Green Kentucky we had every intention of setting a new Monster Truck ET and speed record on the dragstrip, but the horsepower gods had other ideas. Regardless, it was impressive as hell to see this thing leave the starting line and carry the front wheels a bit. I was impressed for sure. But seeing on scream, and I mean scream, down the straight at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was something else. You have to see this record setting run. I can’t believe it went this straight! Video Description: Camden Murphy set the Monster Truck World Speed Record during PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying Weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, topping out at 103 MPH! The post Camden Murphy Sets Monster Truck World Speed Record at Monster Jam at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Randy Pobst can wheel a race car, and on too many occasions to count we’ve seen him do it. But he also enjoys a quick and fast street car which means that upgrades are often in order. In this video series we’ll see his 1977 Pontiac Trans Am get some suspension love. But don’t think that this is some old original worn out machine that is getting the upgrades so they can show a huge improvement. No, this car has had a bunch of work done to it to get it into ship shape, and now it’s time for more. More grip, more control, more adjustability, and above all else, more fun. CLICK HERE IF YOU MISSED AN EPISODE VIDEO DESCRIPTION: In episode three of our series with Randy’s Randit Trans Am, we get down into the weeds of what makes our complete suspension systems so transformative. When installed on classic cars, they dramatically improve handling and one of the key ways they do that is in the alignment department. While having upgraded suspension components on your car is always great, sometimes performance gains can be lost in translation if you don’t have the proper alignment to take advantage of what you’ve just installed. When it comes to an alignment, street cars have a different mission and purpose than a car that is setup to excel on the track. Randy and Blane dive into the finer points of setting up an alignment for either purpose, discussing the concepts between camber, caster, and toe. Enjoy and stay tuned for episode four, where we head back to the same track and put the car through it’s paces with the Ridetech suspension in place to measure the felt improvement behind the wheel and how much quicker it can negotiate our autocross short course! The post Randy Pobst’s Randit Suspension Overhaul: Episode 3 of 5 – What’s Wizardry Is Going Into This Beast? The Science Behind Better Handling appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Five Australian Royal Enfield dealers were handed a Shotgun 650 and six months to build something unique for Season III of Busted Knuckles Build-Off. The post Five Aussie Royal Enfield dealers go wild with Shotgun 650 customs appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Marianne Nelson left her Rawlins home at 5:15 a.m. Monday for what should have been a 10-minute drive to her job at the Wyoming State Penitentiary. By 11 a.m. she had been stuck on Interstate 80 for nearly six hours. "I've got three semitrucks parked in front of me," Nelson told Cowboy State Daily. "I guess there's a tow truck somewhere, but he's stuck, too. I can't see anything, and I only have a quarter of a tank of gas." Nelson's morning was the lived experience of what the Wyoming Department of Transportation map showed at the same hour: more than 200 miles of I-80 closed across southern Wyoming, from Rock Springs east to Cheyenne. By late Monday evening WYDOT estimated reopening between 6 and 8 a.m. MDT Tuesday for the Rawlins-to-Laramie segment, with Rawlins-to-Rock Springs targeted for late Monday night through midnight Tuesday. The First Blizzard Warning in Over Two YearsThe National Weather Service office in Cheyenne upgraded its Winter Storm Warning for the Arlington area to a Blizzard Warning Monday morning, citing whiteout conditions. According to Wyoming News Now, it was the first Blizzard Warning issued anywhere in Wyoming in over two years. Blizzard Warning criteria are strict: sustained winds above 35 mph, visibility below a quarter mile, for at least three consecutive hours. The NWS Cheyenne bulletin was unambiguous: "Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle." WYDOT was clearing four-foot drifts by noon. Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day reported as much as 30 inches of snow in the Snowy Range, with 10 inches in some places directly along the interstate. What WYDOT SaidWYDOT Deputy Public Affairs Officer Jordan Young told Wyoming News Now the storm overwhelmed the agency: "So our crews in Rawlins are reporting a lot of snow that came in really fast. And then power outages have resulted from that, which has made it hard for the plows to get fuel." The snow comes fast, knocks out power, the loss of power strands the plows that need fuel to clear the snow. Cowboy State Daily also reported at least one accident involving a WYDOT plow truck. Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken posted on Facebook Monday about "prolonged power outages and limited transport capability across Rawlins and central Carbon County." Courtesy Marianne Nelson via cowboystatedaily.com View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article What Drivers Need to KnowIf you are departing Tuesday before 8 a.m., assume I-80 westbound between Cheyenne and Rawlins is still closed and check the WYDOT road conditions page before leaving. When the corridor reopens, all the traffic that built up overnight funnels onto a single open interstate at once. For high-profile vehicles, the Cooper Cove to Quealy Dome blow-over zone between Arlington and Laramie remains the segment to think twice about. Even when WYDOT lifts the formal closure, that stretch is where crosswinds catch tall vehicles broadside. Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) tires are the industry standard for spring-storm conditions like these. If you do get stuck, our guide on how to get a car out of deep snow in under five minutes walks through the technique. NWS Cheyenne issued Freeze Warnings overnight into Tuesday with overnight lows as low as 12°F in Carbon County. Any pavement wet from Monday's snow could refreeze into black ice for the Tuesday morning commute, even after WYDOT reopens the interstate. This story will be updated as WYDOT reopens the I-80 corridor and as NWS Cheyenne publishes storm totals View the full article

Moto News Weekly Wrap May 19, 2026 What’s New: Australian Senior Dirt Track Champs this weekend! Aussie line-up confirmed for 100th ISDE Aussie SON2 selection for Prague revealed Quad Lock Honda recaps successful AMA SX season Gajser and Lata headline Italian Prestige MX at Fermo Baylor tops Powerline Park GNCC Trial World Championship kicks off […] The post Moto News | SX | MX | GNCC | TrialGP | Enduro | AFT appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

International Hot Rod Association officials announced today that the IHRA Triple Crown event scheduled for May 22-24 at Maple Grove Raceway has been postponed due to a weather forecast dominated by rain throughout the weekend. After reviewing the latest forecast and evaluating the potential impact on racers, fans, teams, track personnel, and event operations, IHRA officials made the proactive decision to postpone the event rather than risk an interrupted or incomplete race weekend. The Maple Grove Raceway event was set to open the three-race IHRA Triple Crown schedule, a new premier program featuring Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Mod, Pro Stock, and Mountain Motor Pro Stock. Those five professional categories will each have a $1 million bonus on the line for any driver who can sweep all three Triple Crown events. In addition to the five featured classes, the weekend lineup included a number of sportsman and specialty categories, along with a full slate of off-track entertainment. Scheduled festivities included a pit party, a concert featuring Jake Owen and Dwight Yoakam, and “Bulls & Burnouts” featuring bullriding, bull games, and freestyle bull fighting. “While this is never the decision we want to make, we believe it is the right one for our racers, fans, partners, and everyone involved in producing this event,” IHRA officials said. “The forecast gives us little confidence that we could deliver the full Triple Crown experience that racers and fans deserve. Rather than ask everyone to travel and invest in a weekend facing significant weather challenges, we felt it was best to make this decision proactively.” IHRA officials are currently working with Maple Grove Raceway and event partners to secure a new date for the Triple Crown event. Additional details regarding the rescheduled event, ticketing, racer entries, and weekend activities will be announced as they become available. “We appreciate the patience and support of our racers, fans, sponsors, vendors, and the Maple Grove Raceway team,” IHRA officials added. “The excitement surrounding the Triple Crown has been tremendous, and our goal remains to deliver the kind of high-level, full-scale event this program was built to showcase. Even though we have a full schedule of activities planned, we are working on rescheduling this race into our schedule so that this date merges into a smooth program.” Updates will be posted through IHRA’s official channels as soon as more information is available. This story was originally published on May 18, 2026. The post IHRA Postpones Triple Crown Event at Maple Grove Raceway Due to Weather Forecast first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Wil Ruprecht continued his unbeaten 2026 AusEnduro run at Queensland Moto Park, winning Pro Enduro and E2 on both days as Jye Dickson and Korey McMahon led the KTM challenge. The post Ruprecht keeps perfect AusEnduro run alive at QMP appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Pedro Acosta topped the rain-hit Catalunya MotoGP Test as teams made their final official 1000 cc development runs before attention turns towards the 850 cc/Pirelli era. The post Acosta quickest as Catalunya MotoGP Test marks end of 1000 cc development era appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Volvo’s 2030 EV Goal Suddenly Looks More RealVolvo’s initial plan to become a fully electric automaker by 2030 once seemed overly ambitious, especially in markets like the United States, where gas-powered SUVs still dominate sales. But comments from Volvo's chief engineering and technology officer, Anders Bell, suggest the company has already moved much further away from internal combustion than many expected. Speaking with CarBuzz, Bell revealed that Volvo no longer operates factories dedicated to producing combustion engines. Bell said combustion engines are “not part of our core technology anymore,” adding that former engine plants have either been sold or converted to produce electric motors. The statement reinforces Volvo’s earlier decision to stop investing in new combustion engine development. Even though the automaker still sells hybrids and gasoline-powered models today, its manufacturing strategy now appears heavily centered around EVs. Volvo Volvo Stays Committed Despite Europe’s EV UncertaintyVolvo’s comments come as several European automakers push for softer emissions rules and adjustments to the European Union’s planned 2035 combustion-engine ban. Slowing EV demand and concerns about charging infrastructure have caused some manufacturers to reconsider how quickly they can transition away from gasoline-powered vehicles. Volvo, however, seems committed to staying the course. Bell acknowledged that combustion-powered vehicles will remain necessary in the U.S. for the near future, but he said future Volvo hybrids will deliver a more EV-like driving experience. He also confirmed Volvo is willing to rely on outside partners for combustion engine technology rather than restarting internal ICE development programs. Volvo The LowdownEuropean automakers have increasingly warned regulators that forcing a rapid EV transition could hurt competitiveness. Still, some countries already show how quickly the shift can happen. Norway recently reached roughly 96 percent EV adoption in new-vehicle sales, effectively making gasoline-powered cars a shrinking niche. Volvo appears convinced that global markets will eventually follow that direction. The company is not only reducing investment in combustion engines but actively restructuring factories and engineering teams around electrification. That confidence also explains why Volvo leadership has expressed openness to building lower-cost Chinese-developed EVs in the United States if market conditions make sense. While many automakers continue to balance gasoline, hybrid, and EV programs, Volvo increasingly looks like one of the few traditional brands fully committed to an electric future. Mansory View the full article

Production HistoryIt's hard to trace the production history of cars, even with things like VIN numbers and production records. This is especially difficult for cars that weren't limited-edition models; some can reach hundreds, thousands, and more. However, in the off chance that a special car comes up for sale and the auction house runs its background check, interesting details come to light. A very special Ferrari is now listed for sale, and it has a very unique distinction. AAtelier M View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The First EverListed now on AAtelier M is a 2007 Ferrari 430 Scuderia, and according to the auction house, this model is (based on their research) the first ever production model. This is chassis number 155217, and, incredibly, it predates even the cars displayed at the launch of the Frankfurt Motor Show. It is believed the car was owned by Ferrari and kept for use by top-brand executives, who at the time were led by iconic Luca di Montezemolo. It was sold to a private collector in 2008 and has remained in that collection since, but maintenance and upkeep have been regularly handled by Ferrari. Specs-wise, this 430 Scuderia is a special one, finished in Blu Scozia with Corsa racing stripes and paired with a light Grigio Alcantara interior, a combination barely seen in other 430 Scuderias. It has only traveled 23,000 kilometers, and the front paint and exterior are protected by Paint Protection Film. There is no listed price for this 430, but we can expect that it'll be highly sought after. Historically, 430 Scuderias fetch between $200,000 and $600,000 at auction, depending on condition. AAtelier M View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Legendary DevelopmentWhat makes the 430 and 430 Scuderia even more impressive is that they were developed with direct input and feedback from 7-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher. It was powered by a 4.3-liter naturally aspirated 90-degree V8 that made 503 hp, and it also had the revolutionary (but tricky) 6-speed "Superfast2" single-clutch automated manual that could change gears in just 60 milliseconds. AAtelier M View the full article

Charging Speeds are Getting Out of HandAt the time of writing, Geely and BYD are leading the charge in terms of, err, charging speeds. The two Chinese EV makers are pushing the limits of current battery technology. We're seeing Megawatt chargers that can deliver charging speeds as fast as 5 minutes or less with over 1,000 kW of charging power. With the right outlet, owners of these ultra-fast charging EVs are essentially getting a refill at the pumps. It's not advised for EV owners to constantly use fast chargers, lest they risk premature battery degradation. The heat and the strain put into the battery as a result of 300 kW, 500 kW, 800 kW, or megawatt charging can lead to lower ranges in the long run, or a trip to the dealer for a replacement. Though what if AI could help mitigate battery degradation? Would you take advantage of it? Chalmers University Up to 23% More Life Researchers at Chalmers University have developed an AI that manages electric vehicle batteries, netting 23% more battery life with no sacrifice in charging speed. Theoretically, the AI-based charging system adapts the battery's charging behavior to the current state of charge, battery chemistry, and battery health to deliver a fast charge that improves long-term battery health by up to 23%. The AI model was trained on reinforcement learning. The researchers dropped it into an environment using some of the most common electric vehicle batteries on the market and simulated charging parameters that affect charging time and battery health. However, at the time of writing, further physical testing is required. The question is: what if charging speeds are increased further, what if more heat builds up, and what if the environment becomes less-than-ideal for charging an EV quickly? In simpler terms, the AI model adapts to the current state of the battery, minimizing unwanted electrochemical reactions while maintaining charge speeds and maximizing battery health. BYD Just a Software Update The new AI-based charging software should be easy to implement, as it could be delivered via a software update. However, as stated previously, further testing is needed. With so many battery technologies and chemistries out there, not to mention the impending arrival of solid-state batteries in future EVs, the system will need to learn and adapt to different systems. However, once the next steps are implemented and the system learns beyond simulations, it could make EV ownership more efficient in the long run. Not only that, but it could also serve the second-hand market for these cars in the future, allowing car-buyers additional peace of mind knowing that the original factory-installed battery can go just a bit further. It will be interesting to see how this technology progresses in the industry if automakers ever give it the green light. The question is, with further testing, will opening up battery health management to AI make a big impact? More longitudinal studies are needed for this; in other words, it will take some time. Chalmers University View the full article

Courting America’s Auto GiantsItaldesign has long been a prominent name in the automotive industry thanks to its iconic car designs, but this time, the company is strengthening its presence in the U.S. According to Car and Driver, Italdesign is investing $20 million over the next five years to expand its U.S. operations while aiming to deepen ties with the Big Three: Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. This would not be the first time Italdesign has worked with Detroit automakers. The company created the Giugiaro Ford Mustang in 2006, named after founder Giorgetto Giugiaro, as well as the Chevrolet Corvette Moray in 2003. Other notable Italdesign creations include the Volkswagen Golf, DMC DeLorean, BMW M1, and Hyundai Pony – the latter serving as inspiration for the Ioniq 5 EV. Italdesign Detroit And BeyondItaldesign was blunt about the reason for wanting to work with the Big Three. Fabrizio Mina, CEO of Italdesign-Giugiaro USA, told the publication, “We want to have a long-lasting relationship with the big players.” However, the firm is not closing its doors to startups and niche brands, which could benefit newer players, especially those looking to develop EVs. Given the popularity of the Big Three in the U.S., Italdesign could definitely benefit from the momentum to land more big-ticket projects. The company appears to have become less publicly visible in recent years, with the Nissan GT-R50 – a special-edition GT-R R35 commemorating the 50th anniversaries of both the GT-R and the Italian design firm – standing as one of its most notable modern projects. In addition to its design department, Italdesign also plans to contribute to the engineering side of development, even demonstrating its New Concept Lab, which provides simulated vehicle interiors for testing and validation. Italdesign The New Rules Of Car DesignItaldesign operates from an office in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, which opened in 2024. Having operations across different time zones allows the company to work more efficiently while still benefiting from access to its headquarters near Turin, Italy, which is staffed by a team of around 1,300 employees. This venture is a good sign for the industry, especially as many automotive design houses appear less prominent today than they were before the 21st century. That is likely because more automakers have brought design in-house through global design studios, while modern cars have become more engineering-constrained due to stricter crash requirements that limit design freedom. As for Italdesign, the company says it can deliver around 500 pre-production vehicles per year. Italdesign View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

There are 39 entries for the 67th running of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway -- NASCAR's longest race. Of note, with up to 40 cars allowed to take part in every race, this means Katherine Legge will be locked in as she attempts to become the sixth driver in history to run the Indy 500 and the Coke 600 on the same day. With sponsorship from e.l.f. Cosmetics, she will drive the No ...Keep readingView the full article

Bumpers Have Always Been a CompromiseToday’s bumpers have a lot on their plate. They need to shield pricey front-end parts, manage crash forces, and even help protect pedestrians. The problem is, most bumpers are built to react the same way, no matter the impact. Softer bumpers help with minor bumps, but you want something stiffer when things get serious. Ford’s patent looks to blend both approaches into one bumper. Filed in November 2024 (patent no. 20260131749 if you want to check), the design uses what Ford calls a non-linear spring. Instead of staying the same through an impact, the bumper gets tougher to compress the further it moves. Put simply, the bumper starts out soft for light bumps, then firms up as the hit gets harder. That way, it can soak up minor knocks but still stand up to bigger crashes. USPTO A Smarter Way of Managing Impact EnergyMost bumpers use foam, metal beams, and brackets that bend in set ways. Ford’s setup adds spring assemblies between the bumper and the frame, letting the front end react differently depending on how hard it gets hit. Patent drawings show a few setups, with curved metal springs, rods, brackets, and sometimes coil springs. The curved springs flex easily at first, then push back harder as they compress more. One detail that stands out is a force-versus-displacement graph. Unlike a normal spring that gets harder at a steady rate, Ford’s curve ramps up fast as the bumper compresses. The deeper it goes, the tougher it gets to push in. Ford also mentions pedestrian safety, especially for lower-leg impacts in city driving. The softer start could help cut down on injuries, while still keeping the car’s structure safe. It might also help steer crash forces away from expensive parts in smaller accidents. USPTO A Patent Is Still Just a PatentOf course, just because Ford patented this idea doesn’t mean it will show up in showrooms. Car companies file lots of patents that never make it past the drawing board or end up changing a lot before production. Still, this patent shows how the industry is looking for smarter ways to handle crashes. With cars getting heavier and pricier to fix, brands are searching for solutions that do more than just add extra metal. Ford’s approach hints at a future where bumpers can adapt to different types of crashes. Even if this exact system doesn’t make it to production, expect to see more adaptive impact systems as safety rules keep moving forward. View the 10 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car team of Alexis DeJoria carried the John Force Racing banner proudly at Route 66 Raceway on the way to their second runner-up finish of the season in the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK. DeJoria left the starting line a mere six-thousandths-of-a-second behind Chad Green and made a strong run of 3.965 seconds at 328.86 mph but it wasn’t enough to get around Green’s winning run of 3.945 seconds at 324.75 mph. The two teams had met in the final round of this year’s season-opening Gatornationals with the same result. DeJoria has six NHRA Funny Car titles in 18 final-round appearances. It was a mixed day of competition at Route 66 Raceway for the balance of the John Force Racing quartet. Josh Hart and the Speedmaster Top Fuel team earned a semifinals finish. Defending Route 66 Nationals Champion and this year’s No. 1 Qualifier Jack Beckman and the PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car team bowed out in Round 2. Jordan Vandergriff, coming off his and the revamped Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car team’s first career win two weeks ago at the Southern Nationals, lost in the first round for just the first time this season. DeJoria defeated No. 5 qualifier Spencer Hyde in Round 1, running 3.947 seconds at 326.48 mph to Hyde’s tire-spinning 9.969 seconds at 80.24 mph. In Round 2, she took out Dave Richards, who also spun the tires, with a run of 4.005 seconds at 327.98 mph. She then earned her second final round appearance of the season and 26th of her career with a 4.006-second run at 326.56 mph to defeat Matt Hagan’s run of 4.061 seconds at 315.71 mph. “That was awesome. We had a great consistent Bandero Chevy all weekend. We had the most consistent car all weekend, making it down the track all but one time. That says a lot about this team. They just work so hard, and being a part of a multi-car team like John Force Racing is amazing. When one team goes out, everybody else comes up and helps you out and it’s incredible to watch. That’s what a family team is all about. We went to another final, our second this year. I thought we had it. I didn’t see him all the way down. Nothing to hang our head about. had a decent light so we’ll just take this and move on. We got some good points this weekend. And, man, I’m coming for that Route 66 Nationals trophy next year.” Hart had lane choice for his semifinal matchup against Shawn Langdon. He grabbed the holeshot (.047 to .068) and ran 3.823 seconds at 333.16 mph but Langdon beat him to the finish line by 12-thousandths of a second with his run of 3.790 seconds at 332.10 mph. The 2026 Gatornationals winner defeated No. 13 qualifier Justin Ashley in Round 1. Ashley is known as having the best reaction times in the Top Fuel category but it was Hart who grabbed the holeshot (.035 to .044) which made the difference, running 3.790 seconds at 338.26 mph to Ashley’s quicker 3.785 seconds at 322.11 mph. He then eliminated Tony Stewart in Rd. 2, running 3.782 seconds at 330.63 mph to Stewart’s tire-spinning 6.384-second run at 95.98 mph. “It’s like the movie Happy Gilmore over here: the driver learned how to putt again,” said Hart. “This John Force Racing Speedmaster team got our mojo back this weekend and the driver was back to normal. I can’t wait for the new race in Maryland in a couple weeks to get our next shot at another win.” Beckman defeated No. 16 qualifier Chris King in Round 1, running 3.945 seconds at 325.53 mph to King’s 4.233 seconds at 270.64 mph. The PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car had lane choice in Round 2 but smoked the tires right off the starting line, allowing Hagan to take the win with a run of 4.026 seconds at 324.75 mph to Beckman’s 12.291 seconds at 61.86 mph. “I thought we had a fast PEAK hot rod that could go back to back here,” said Beckman. “We really, really, really need to get that first win out of the way and you aren’t going to win multiple races until you win the first one. It’s just been frustrating. We’ve had flashes of brilliance and then go out there and smoke the tires as soon as we step on the throttle. There were a couple other Funny Cars that did the same thing as us but that doesn’t help our situation. On the positive side, we made up some points in qualifying so we’re just going to have to capitalize on when we put ourselves in a position like we did with qualifying here. Everybody’s looking forward to Maryland. Someone’s going to get the inaugural trophy there and I’d sure like it to be us.” Vandergriff didn’t have lane choice in Round 1 against No. 7 qualifier Green, lost the reaction time battle (.068 to Green’s .056), and ran 3.952 seconds at 328.38 mph to Green’s 3.943 seconds at 324.12 mph.“The highs and lows of drag racing, coming off my first win at South Georgia only to go out in the first round in Chicago,” said Vandergriff. “We just had the most trying weekend for our Cornwell Quality Tools team. It was a great effort in Round 1 but it just wasn’t enough. If we had done better in qualifying and if we don’t sacrifice a couple runs, I think we’re in a different position right now. But we know we still have a great race car, so thank you to Cornwell Quality Tools, PEAK, Chevrolet, Bandero, Speedmaster, Burnyzz, HendrickCars.com and everybody else. We will get back at it in Maryland.” This story was originally published on May 18, 2026. The post John Force Racing Recap: DeJoria Runners-up, Hart Earns Semifinal Finish at NHRA Route 66 Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Segway's new Xaber 300 all-electric dirt bike just released to the public, and it comes with one of the best price points for the industry. View the full article

Leah Martin isn’t going quietly. A day after being informed her tenure as president of the International Hot Rod Association was over, Martin issued a statement marking the public end of her short run at the top of IHRA – and adding another name to a list that has been growing since the day Darryl Cuttell took ownership of the organization. “Yesterday, I was informed that my time with the IHRA has come to an end,” says Martin. “The conversation and circumstances surrounding it were unexpected, especially after meeting personally with Darryl just a couple of hours earlier with no indication that a change was coming. I was later informed that a meeting had taken place the night before at a hotel room regarding the decision.” Martin was named IHRA president this past December, a hire IHRA promoted heavily at the time as the first instance of a woman leading a major U.S. motorsports sanctioning body. By Sunday afternoon at Thunder On The Beach in Cocoa Beach, Florida, six months later, she was out. Tommy Thomassie has been named the new IHRA president. Andrew Hubble will preside over IHRA’s offshore program going forward. The dismissal landed in the middle of an active race weekend. According to Speed On The Water, Martin’s husband, Justin – IHRA’s own safety director – had the pace boat returned to the pits and disembarked when he learned what had happened, creating a roughly 15-minute delay before the Super V and Extreme race could even start. Among the boats sitting on that start line was Cuttell himself, the IHRA owner whose meeting with Martin hours earlier had given no indication of what was coming. In her statement, Martin took the high road and stayed on it. “As difficult as today has been, I remain incredibly proud of everything we worked to build,” says Martin. “I poured my heart, time, energy, and countless hours into this sport and this organization because I truly believed in the vision and the future of racing. Like many in this industry, those commitments often came at the expense of personal and family time, but I believed the mission was worth it.” She thanked the racers, teams, sponsors, volunteers, fans and industry partners who supported her, and signaled she’s already looking past this. “While this chapter did not end the way I anticipated, I am excited to refocus my efforts on the projects, organizations, and opportunities where I know I can continue making a positive impact,” says Martin. “I genuinely wish everyone involved nothing but success moving forward.” Martin’s departure does not arrive in a vacuum. Since Cuttell purchased IHRA in December 2024, the list of presidents, executives and senior staff who have come and gone has grown to include Kenny Nowling, Rich Schaefer, Christian Byrd, Josh Peake, Scott Woodruff, Alan Reinhart and Brett Underwood, alongside a steady churn of additional team members. As was widely reported earlier this year, Woodruff – the organization’s former Chief Operating Officer of Drag Racing – was fired via text message. Martin is now the most recent name added. For an organization actively selling stability and growth, that is the kind of turnover that becomes the conversation whether the front office wants it there or not. Martin walks out with her composure intact and her statement on the record. IHRA walks back into the same conversation it has been having since December 2024 – with a list that keeps getting longer. This story was originally published on May 18, 2026. The post Leah Martin Breaks Her Silence on IHRA Departure first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article