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Lexus Has Reimagined What the LS MeansAt the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, Lexus made it obvious they weren’t just planning another four-door LS sedan. Instead, they showed off two concepts that looked nothing like the LS we’ve known for decades: one was a huge six-wheeled luxury van, the other a coupe-inspired crossover. Neither concept could be farther from the LS that’s been around since 1989, but Lexus made it clear there’s a bigger change coming. CALTY president Ian Cartabiano called the LS a 'family of flagships' now, not just a single sedan. Lexus even redefined the LS as 'Luxury Space,' hinting that the name will cover more than just one type of car going forward. Here’s where it gets interesting. Reports out of Japan say Lexus has already greenlit an LS SUV, with some rumors pointing to a launch as early as next year. If that’s accurate, the coupe crossover concept from Tokyo was more than just a showpiece. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The Rumor Has Some Real Context Behind ItThe rumor started with this month’s issue of the Japanese magazine Best Car, which, though Creative Trend, claims the next LS will drop the sedan shape completely and go all-in on a luxury SUV or crossover. They say it could roll out globally by 2027 or 2028, but there’s talk that development might move faster than that. Of course, Best Car’s track record with future models is hit or miss, and Lexus hasn’t confirmed anything yet. Still, this round of speculation feels more grounded than usual. The concepts at the Japan Mobility Show set the stage for a very different LS lineup. Lexus was upfront about how sedan demand is dropping, especially in places where luxury SUVs now lead the market. The coupe crossover concept also looked close to production, with realistic proportions and details. The publication also says the next LS could come as a plug-in hybrid or a full EV, possibly sharing tech and positioning with the Century SUV. Names like LS600h+ or LS800e have been floated, but those are just rumors for now. Lexus The Timeline Actually Makes SenseEven without the rumors, the timing makes sense. The current LS has been around since 2017, making it one of the oldest models in the Lexus lineup. Updates have come and gone, but the sedan never really got back the buzz it had in its early days. Luxury buyers have moved toward SUVs, and the competition followed. The BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and Range Rover now fill the spot where big sedans used to rule. Lexus has the LX, but that’s more about off-road ability than pure luxury. An LS crossover could give Lexus a model that sits between classic flagship comfort and the everyday practicality buyers want from an SUV. Whether longtime LS fans will go for it is still up in the air. But after seeing what Lexus brought to Tokyo, it’s clear where the brand is headed. The LS name will probably stick around, just not in the form anyone expected. View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Porsche may revisit one of the most beloved chapters in its history. A recently uncovered patent reveals a new engine cooling concept that takes inspiration from the air-cooled era of the 911, before water-cooled engines took over in the late 1990s. Albeit not entirely air-cooled, it combines the old-school design with a dash of modern engineering in a way only Porsche really can. Reviving The Spirit Of The Air-Cooled 911 Cars and Bids For decades, air-cooled engines defined the identity of the 911. The 993 was the final 911 generation to use an air-cooled flat-six before the water-cooled 996 arrived in 1997. Although the switch upset many enthusiasts at the time, it ultimately allowed Porsche to meet stricter emissions and noise regulations while dramatically improving performance. Without that transition, modern performance icons like the 701-hp 992 Turbo S would never have existed. According to the patent, Porsche’s new setup surrounds the engine with a dedicated airflow housing while a large fan pulls air across cooling fins mounted to the engine. The system still uses liquid cooling, but far less extensively than today’s engines. Porsche also intends to cool components like the exhaust system and turbochargers using airflow, potentially allowing for smaller radiators and reduced drag, improving aerodynamics. Refining The Formula Instead Of Reinventing It German Patent and Trademark Office At first glance, it may look as if the 911 hasn't evolved much from the original car launched 63 years ago, but Porsche has always focused on refining the details instead of overhauling everything. Recent examples include the brand’s new electrically assisted turbocharger technology found in the 911 GTS T-Hybrid. This patent feels like another extension of that same philosophy. Beyond nostalgia, the design could bring genuine advantages, apart from catering to Porsche purists. Smaller cooling systems would reduce the need for large front-mounted radiators while improving airflow management. The patent drawings also show the setup working with both rear and mid-engine layouts, making the 911 and a potential ICE-powered 718 successor likely candidates if the technology ever reaches production. Porsche's ICE and EV Future Porsche After selling its share in Bugatti and cutting more than 500 jobs, Porsche is rethinking its strategy. The German carmaker is putting renewed focus on its own lineup of ICE-powered products. That said, Porsche is still giving EVs a serious chance despite softer demand in some markets. The upcoming Cayenne Electric remains an important model, and the Taycan Turbo GT recently claimed a new Nurburgring production EV lap record. Whether this cooling system reaches production or not, the patent shows Porsche is still searching for ways to preserve its heritage while adapting to modern performance and efficiency demands. View the full article

Hot Off the Presses Mazda has come under fire in a class-action lawsuit alleging that the brand's seat heaters in its Mazda6, CX-9, CX-30, CX-50, and CX-5 models are defective, causing occupants to get burned when in use. Five owners have come together to file this lawsuit against the Japanese automaker. Car Complaints picked up on the story and said that the class action provides a "reasonable estimate" of the cost to repair, which could mean Mazda will have to pay at least $662,492,128.17 to repair 301,549 vehicles. Averaged out, that's about $2,200 per car. Volkswagen is also another brand that came under fire with a similar issue. Mazda's case is different, however, as it involves more than one and potentially thousands more cars with seat heating features. Mazda Things are Heating Up (A Little Too Much) One of the plaintiffs, Micah Prochaska, purchased a used 2017 Mazda CX-9, and after seven years on the road, the plaintiff alleged that the seat heater overheated and burned a jacket left on the seat, leaving a large hole in the upholstery. There was also smoke coming from the seat on the drive home. Another plaintiff, Sharmee Anderson, complained that she was burned while using the seat heater function in her 2023 Mazda CX-5, which caused "a half-dollar-sized blister on her left leg." The resulting injury was classified as a second-degree burn. Another plaintiff, Patrick Sandoval, purchased his 2018 Mazda6 brand new. Due to his neuropathy, a condition in which sensation is limited, he was unable to feel the excessive heat coming from his seat while using the heater function. This plaintiff alleges that the defective feature aggravated a prior spinal injury. The same plaintiff, Sandoval, then sold the Mazda6 to purchase a 2023 CX-50. However, Sandoval was already aware of the prior issue and noticed that the CX-50 also had the same issue as the Mazda6 he had just sold. Finally, Russell Quinn owns a 2016 Mazda CX-9. Nine years later, this plaintiff spotted smoke coming from the heated passenger seat. According to him, he requested that it be repaired for free, but the repair was denied, citing that the vehicle was already nine years old by the time he requested the repair. Instead of repairing the function, Quinn was "incredibly charged' $650 to disconnect the seat heating system. James Riswick Mazda in the Hot Seat Covering models as old as 2016, the class action includes Mazda models with seat heater functions. The plaintiffs state that Mazda manufactured, marketed, and sold vehicles with defective seat heaters that can cause injury and pose a fire risk to owners. 2016 to 2017 Mazda CX-9 2018 Mazda6 2024 Mazda CX-302023 Mazda CX-50 2023 Mazda CX-5 The lawsuit also alleges that Mazda knew about the seat heater issue but failed to warn its consumers of the risk of bodily injury and property damage. Mazda View the full article

Storm Clouds Over JLRLand Rover has long been associated with reliability concerns, and those issues appear to be weighing on Jaguar Land Rover’s finances. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, JLR reported higher warranty costs, which, along with U.S. tariffs on imported vehicles and last year’s cyberattack, pushed the company to target £1.7 billion, or about $2.3 billion at current exchange rates, in spending cuts over the next two years. Automotive News reported that JLR posted an annual after-tax loss of £244 million, or about $325 million. Annual wholesales to dealers fell 23% to 307,915 vehicles, pushing the company below its break-even point. Warranty costs alone were £105 million, or about $139 million, higher in the fourth quarter than in the same period a year earlier. “Warranty costs remain stubborn despite our efforts,” JLR CFO Richard Molyneux said. Land Rover Stateside PressureJLR did not specify which models generated the highest warranty costs, though the company admitted the issue was more pronounced in the U.S. market. Because JLR lacks a domestic production line stateside, its imported vehicles – including models such as the Land Rover Range Rover – are exposed to tariffs, with the Trump administration even threatening to raise duties on European imports to 25%. For reference, JLR imports vehicles for the U.S. market from its plants in the U.K. and Slovakia. As mentioned, the cyberattack also contributed to the spending cuts. The incident, which halted production for five weeks before operations resumed in October 2025, reportedly cost JLR more than £1 billion, or about $1.33 billion, in revenue. The automaker also issued a recall through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covering more than 170,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to a DC-to-DC converter module issue affecting mild-hybrid models, adding to its repair-related costs. Land Rover Charging AheadDespite the setback, Land Rover will continue launching new models, including the all-electric Range Rover. Jaguar, meanwhile, is moving ahead with its electric transition and its first model under the revitalized lineup, the Type 01, which is reportedly available with a tri-motor setup producing more than 1,000 horsepower. That could make it a potential rival to the Lucid Air Sapphire. But with tariffs, the more apparent EV slowdown in the U.S., and possible further challenges if reliability issues are not sorted out, it will be interesting to see how JLR navigates the uncertainty ahead. Land Rover View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

2027 Will be Big for BrabusFounded by Bodo Buschmann and Klaus Brackmann in 1977, Brabus started out as a tuner primarily for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Today, it's a manufacturer of high-performance vehicles, building some of the wildest and fastest cars ever made. By next year, the company will celebrate its 50th anniversary, and the party is already getting started this year. Brabus has revealed the Bodo, and it's named after its late co-founder, who passed away in 2018. Had Buschman been around, he'd definitely approve of the car's insane specs and claims. With his son, Constantin, at the helm of the company, it's safe to say that Brabus' future still aligns with the original vision from nearly 50 years ago. Brabus It's Not Based on a Mercedes-BenzWhile we'd typically associate Brabus with Mercedes-Benz vehicles from the past and present, it has opened its doors to other brands in recent years. Has tuned Smart models before, but it now also transforms Bentleys, Porsches, Land Rovers, Lamborghinis (with the Urus, of all things), and even Aston Martins (through Startech) into ultra-luxury rockets. It's even dipped its toes into the world of motorcycles. So, one would think that the Bodo (the car, not the person) would be based on a Mercedes. Surprisingly, Brabus chose the Aston Martin Vanquish as the basis for its tribute car. It then proceeded to thoroughly re-engineer the grand tourer to a point that the base vehicle is almost unrecognizable - not that we're complaining. Brabus Cranked to 11The car's bones are from Aston Martin, but everything else is from Brabus. Its exterior is completely redesigned, with its skin replaced by carbon fiber, resulting in a stunning shape that's both sinister and elegant. As for the interior, some parts may look Aston Martin, but there are more than enough changes to make it look different enough. Extensive changes were also made to the suspension, featuring double-wishbone and multi-link arrangements developed with KW. It's going to need it, as the engine has been modified to kingdom come. The 5.2-liter Aston Martin V12 gets a whole slew of upgrades to raise its power from 824 hp and 737 lb-ft to a staggering 986 hp and 885 lb-ft. Now is a good time to remind everyone that the Bodo, like the Vanquish, is rear-drive only. With that much power, stopping is perhaps even more important than going in the Bodo, so braking is provided by a set of carbon ceramic discs measuring 16.1 inches at the front and 14.1 inches at the rear. It also gets a deployable rear wing that props up at about 90 mph. Brabus Epic NumbersBrabus claims that the Bodo can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3 seconds flat, which means its 0 to 60 times are likely a shade under that. Of course, that's achievable provided the driver doesn't end up roasting those rear tires in the first place. It can then hit 300 km/h (186 mph) in 23.9 seconds, and top speed is limited to 223 mph. We're genuinely curious how fast the car can actually go without restrictions. Just 77 of these cars will ever be made, and they are on a per-order basis. The number refers to the year Brabus was founded, 1977. Then we get to the price, which starts at €1,000,000, or about $1,162,700 at current exchange rates. All things considered, that's not half bad for something that will most definitely appreciate. Brabus Brabus View the 8 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Fuel Economy FlexWith electrification ramping up, several automakers have expanded not only their battery-electric vehicle lineups, but also their hybrid offerings, many of which deliver significantly better fuel economy than their gasoline-only counterparts. The Toyota Prius remains the benchmark in the non-plug-in hybrid segment with up to 57 mpg, with popular models such as the Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Corolla Hybrid not far behind. But over at Brigham Young University in Utah, a team of 20 students has built a vehicle that beats anything on the market right now in terms of fuel efficiency, at least in a controlled competition setting. KSL-TV reported that the vehicle is capable of delivering 2,145 mpg, enough to take first place in the Shell Eco-marathon competition last month. However, it is not quite as straightforward as it sounds. Built Like A Science ProjectThe “Supermileage” vehicle is stripped of several features, including air conditioning. That weight-cutting measure, along with the use of a carbon-fiber body, helps improve fuel efficiency, as heavier vehicles force powertrains to work harder and consume more fuel. The vehicle weighs just 108 pounds overall, roughly the same as a full set of four alloy wheels. Other trade-offs include a top speed of just 23 mph and driver limitations, including a maximum height of 5-foot-4 and a weight limit of 120 pounds. The run was conducted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of famed races such as the Indy 500. The vehicle was fitted with a fuel tank consisting of a 30-milliliter ethanol container, though the report noted that, at its achieved efficiency, it could theoretically travel from Provo, Utah, to New York City on just one gallon of fuel. BYU Real-World Limits Kick InDespite the staggering mpg figure, the vehicle is nowhere close to being a practical solution, particularly for buyers looking for a daily driver. Still, it shows how far fuel-efficiency technology can be pushed, especially now that electrification and the industry’s effort to reduce fuel consumption are more important than ever. Poor fuel efficiency can leave automakers exposed to penalties, although a recent EPA proposal seeks to delay stricter emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles by two years, giving combustion-powered vehicles more time before tougher rules take effect. At the moment, plug-in hybrids such as the Toyota RAV4 PHEV offer some of the best efficiency ratings on the market, with figures above 100 MPGe, but their added complexity can also raise reliability concerns. BYU View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

After Two Years Price increases across the industry as several factors affect automakers' bottom line. Tesla chimed in with a price increase for the Model Y, the first time in two years. Reuters picked up on the story after the company posted its new prices on its website. Prospective buyers looking to buy a new Model Y will need to review the latest prices from Tesla. The company posted a price increase across all variants of the Model Y, including Premium Rear-Wheel Drive, Premium All-Wheel Drive, and Performance All-Wheel Drive. Tesla 'Y' though?As for the reason, Tesla hasn't given an answer yet, but it's assumed the current industry landscape hasn't been the best for dealers and car buyers. Pricing is getting out of hand, and in a previous story, we reported how car prices will increase by about $1,000, and Tesla's on the money for this one. Material prices could be to blame. Taking into account not only that parts are getting more expensive, but also that the price of doing business has gone up. Fuel prices aren't making it easy for brands to transport their stock, and it's no easier for businesses to deal with duties and tariffs when importing products. This may be the first time Tesla has increased the Model Y's price since 2024, but it also follows another news story in which Tesla raised prices on its discontinued models. Remaining inventory for Model X and Model S cars also saw a price bump. You could say Tesla can do it, since even used Model Xs are selling quickly on the secondhand market. Tesla Price Increase For the differences, the Tesla Model Y is now up to $1,000 more expensive than before, with the Model Y Premium trims getting a $1,000 bump. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y Performance All-Wheel Drive gets a $500 bump. The new prices for a new Tesla Model Y are as follows: Variant New MSRP Old MSRP Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive $45,990 $44,990 Model Y Premium All-Wheel Drive $49,990 $48,990 Model Y Performance All-Wheel Drive $57,990 $57,490 Tesla View the full article

A late-season Pacific trough is dropping operational Winter Storm Warnings across southern Wyoming and Winter Storm Watches across the Colorado high country today, Sunday May 17, 2026, with up to 2 feet of snow forecast for the Snowy Range and gusts to 40 mph stacking against the I-80 Summit between Cheyenne and Laramie. NWS Cheyenne upgraded its Watches to Warnings at 150 AM MDT this morning, and NWS Boulder is expected to follow with operational Warning text for the Colorado high country before the storm window opens this evening. Peak Driving Danger WindowSunday evening through Monday morning carries the worst risk along both corridors, with the I-80 Summit between Cheyenne and Laramie facing 6 to 10 inches of heavy wet snow as the warning window opens at 6 PM MDT and Colorado's I-70 chokepoints seeing snow levels crash through Eisenhower Tunnel, Loveland Pass, and Vail Pass overnight. What to ExpectWyoming peak snow totals: 10 to 20 inches in the Snowy Range and North Laramie Range above 8,500 feet, including Centennial, Albany, and Garrett; 6 to 10 inches at the South Laramie Range including the I-80 Summit (Buford, Vedauwoo, Pumpkin Vine).Colorado peak snow totals: Up to 14 inches at the highest elevations of the Front Range and Western Slope above 9,000 feet, with 3 to 6 inches across mid-elevation foothills.Peak wind gusts: 30 to 40 mph at exposed passes per NWS Cheyenne, with potential for slightly higher at Colorado's Continental Divide passes including Eisenhower Tunnel and Berthoud Pass.Worst corridors: I-80 Summit between Cheyenne and Laramie, I-70 through Eisenhower Tunnel, Loveland Pass, and Vail Pass, US 40 over Berthoud Pass, US 285 across Kenosha Pass.The setup is a deep upper-level Pacific trough digging across the West, the same system that produced the 16-inch Wyoming Winter Storm Warning along I-80 in central Wyoming on Saturday. As the trough drops south and east, snow levels fall toward 8,500 feet across the Snowy Range and 9,000 feet across the Colorado high country. The NWS Cheyenne bulletin explicitly tells drivers along the I-80 Summit that "persons should delay all travel if possible." Road ConditionsThe I-80 Summit between Cheyenne and Laramie at 8,640 feet is a notorious winter weather chokepoint and is now under operational Winter Storm Warning. WYDOT closures here routinely run hours during spring storms, and heavy wet snow plus 30 to 40 mph gusts is the high-profile vehicle rollover scenario. Drivers crossing I-80 between 6 PM Sunday and 6 PM Monday MDT should bookmark wyoroad.info or dial 511 for live conditions and closure status. I-70 across the Colorado Continental Divide is the southern arm of the same event. Eisenhower Tunnel at 11,158 feet, Loveland Pass on US 6 at 11,991 feet, and Vail Pass at 10,662 feet are all inside the watch footprint and will likely fall under operational Warning text by midday Sunday. Colorado's Traction Law typically activates ahead of these events, and AWD alone does not exempt drivers from the Passenger Vehicle Chain Law once it activates. 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. Cross-Border Travel and the Monday Mountain CommuteDrivers connecting Wyoming and Colorado via I-25 will encounter the heaviest snow stacked across the Snowy Range to the west and the Cameron Pass and Rocky Mountain National Park zone to the south. The Monday morning commute is the highest-risk window for both states, with mountain town residents from Centennial, Wyoming through Estes Park and Idaho Springs, Colorado expecting slick conditions before sunrise. Recreational traffic heading west out of Denver or Cheyenne Monday afternoon will encounter chain controls and deteriorating conditions through the storm's peak window Monday night into early Tuesday. Arapahoe Basin remains in late-season operations on the Colorado side and may extend its closing window into Memorial Day on the back of this snowfall. 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. Colorado's Passenger Vehicle Traction Law requires at least 3/16 of an inch (roughly 6/32) when active. Our roundup of the best snow tires covers Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) options.Tire pressure: Pressure drops about 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 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.Chain readiness: Carry chains regardless of drive type when crossing the I-80 Summit or any Colorado Continental Divide pass during the warning window. AWD does not exempt you from the Colorado Passenger Vehicle Chain Law once activated.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 live Wyoming road conditions, use wyoroad.info; for Colorado conditions and chain control status, use COtrip.org. TimingThe Wyoming Winter Storm Warning window opens 6 PM Sunday May 17 and runs through 6 PM Monday May 18, 2026 MDT. NWS Boulder is expected to upgrade its Colorado Watches to Winter Storm Warnings later today, with peak snow Monday night into Tuesday morning across the I-70 corridor. The storm clears the West by Wednesday May 20, 2026, leaving the long Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) mostly clear for high-country travel. We'll update this article as conditions evolve. View the full article

For the third time in just under two months, Rajah Caruth left a NASCAR O’Reilly Series race feeling as though Jesse Love had valid reasons to be frustrated with him. This time at Dover, racing for the lead on Lap 100, Caruth bobbled under Love and they both ended up in the wall. It significantly damaged the Richard Childress Racing No. 2 and Love could only drive it to a 23rd place ...Keep readingView the full article

After four consecutive starts from the No. 1 position, seeing Greg Anderson’s name in the No. 4 spot after final qualifying for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals may have come as a bit of a surprise. But for the most winning driver in the history of the class, the position is insignificant heading into raceday. Six-time Pro Stock world champion Anderson is fully focused on going the distance in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro as he pursues the 114th victory of his career, regardless of where he is on the ladder. That being said, the challenge will begin early as he is set to square off with son Cody. The first round in Chicago will mark the second time this season that father and son have met on Sunday. At the season-opener in Gainesville, Cody won his first round of eliminations over Pro Stock veteran Greg Stanfield, but then it was Dear Old Dad that got the nod in round two. “Obviously, we want this to happen in the final round, but we’ll just have to get a couple of these out of the way before we get to find our way to a final together,” said Anderson. “The bottom line is that we were both a little off in qualifying, and that’s why we ended up stuck together first round. That’s just what happens when you don’t do a good job in qualifying, you have to race someone you really don’t want to. We’re going to have fun with it, but don’t get me wrong – I want to kick his butt and he wants to kick mine. There are no games.” Anderson opened his Chicago qualifying bid with a 6.575-second pass at 209.56 to initially step into the No. 6 spot. In the later session on Friday, he raced to a 6.553, 209.88 that bumped him up two positions to fourth. Saturday’s two qualifying sessions took place in air that was weighted with water after morning showers at Route 66 Raceway, and in the early session, the naturally aspirated factory hot rods showed the impact as few improvements were made. Anderson put up a 6.604 and did not move from the No. 4 spot, and although his 6.553 in the final qualifying round was best of the lot, it wasn’t enough to move him out of fourth. “We were struggling with the starting line out here; it’s just different than what we’ve been on all year, but that is no excuse,” said Anderson. “We certainly have plenty of experience here, plenty of notes, but we still struggled. By the final session, we were better, but tomorrow we need to be better yet.” Anderson’s history in Chicago includes possession of the track record for speed thanks to a 212.39 mph pass made in 2019. He’s also a two-time winner at Route 66 Raceway, with trophies earned in 2011 and 2016. So far this season, the HendrickCars.com Chevy has appeared in two finals and claimed victory at the Lucas Oil Winternationals in Pomona. In addition to strong Sunday performances, Anderson has been picking up bonus qualifying points along the way. He’s currently No. 2 in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Pro Stock standings, 76 marks behind reigning world champ Dallas Glenn. It’s early yet, but making up ground on Glenn – while also holding the competition at arm’s length – would certainly be beneficial to Anderson’s cause. “Right now, our Achilles heel is low gear, and we’re working to get that better for tomorrow,” said Anderson. “That’s what it’s going to take to win. It all comes down to those first 60 feet.” Eliminations for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals are scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. Sunday at Route 66 Raceway. The post Greg Anderson Isn’t Singing the Blues; He’s on a Mission Heading Into Raceday in Chicago first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Alexis DeJoria, the driver of the Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car, earned a victory for John Force Racing (JFR) today at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK. DeJoria won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, a specialty race that takes place during qualifying on Saturday. DeJoria defeated J.R. Todd and her teammate Jordan Vandergriff on her way to victory. This is DeJoria’s first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win this season and her second overall. DeJoria’s qualifying pass of 3.994 seconds at 329.42 mph on Friday secured her place in the field so the talented Funny Car pilot could turn her focus to competition on Saturday. In a repeat of the semifinals two weeks ago in Georgia, DeJoria lined up against Todd. Track conditions were tricky but crew chiefs Mike Neff and Jonnie Lindberg expertly tuned the Bandero Café Funny Car to a pass of 4.015 at 323.35 to turn on the win light while Todd ran into tire smoke early in the other lane. In an all-JFR final, DeJoria lined up against Vandergriff, who made a great pass earlier in the day, so fans were excited to watch a close side-by-side final between the two competitors. Fate, however, had other plans. After Vandergriff’s burnout, his clutch wouldn’t engage, causing him to shut off and cede the triumph to DeJoria, who experienced intense tire shake after leaving the starting line. Nevertheless, the Bandero Café Funny Car team got it done, picking up a cash prize and valuable bonus points in the process. “We’re finally back to winning,” remarked DeJoria. “It came at the cost of my teammate and it was a lackluster final. But we got the ‘W’ and that’s all that matters. I just had a feeling we were going to win it today. I knew it in my heart. I definitely didn’t expect to win like that. We’ve been really consistent. That last pass was the only time we didn’t get down the track. Getting to bring a win to JFR is huge. Working with John Force is just a dream come true. After going to the finals in Gainesville (at the season opener), I thought for sure we would get a win soon after that, but it took a little longer. We’ve had some ups and downs. Some of the tracks have been pretty tricky. We’ve had to do some pedal jobs. Sometimes you come out on the good side and sometimes you don’t. That’s the challenge of this class and part of what I love about it. We’re just getting started and we’ve got a lot left to show.” When competition in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins tomorrow, DeJoria will start eliminations from the 12th spot on the ladder and will face the No. 5 qualifier, Spencer Hyde, in the opening round. The post Alexis DeJoria Wins Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in Chicago first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Last year Jason Dietsch ran the table at Route 66 Raceway winning two national events in the span of 24 hours. Today the veteran driver from Edgerton, Ohio, ran his Ford Mustang Cobra Jet to the No. 1 qualifier position. Dietsch is No. 1 ahead of current points leader Jonathan Allegrucci and championship contender Scott Libersher’s COPO Camaro at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by Peak. Dietsch posted his quickest time of the weekend in the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series in the opening qualifying session with a quickest of the event elapsed time 7.644 seconds at 179.30 mph. “It was a long day,” said Dietsch, who along with the rest of the class had to deal with a schedule adjustment. “I was ready to go for that last qualifier, and we’ll be ready for first round. My son Taylor isn’t here this weekend, so I have all the good parts this weekend. I had to leave him at home, so I could try to get a win.” Through two qualifying sessions Dietsch and the rest of the class had to adjust to changing weather conditions. In the final qualifying session the full field of COPO Camaros, Dodge Drag Paks and Mustang Cobra Jets stepped up their respective performances wowing the packed grandstands. Early in the session David Davies II ran his Dodge Challenger Drag Pak to a solid jump from No. 13 to No. 9 with a quicker 7.751 at 178.78 mph run from his previous quickest of 7.814 seconds at 174.84 mph. Doug Duell and his Dodge Drag Pak stepped up from 7.772 seconds at 172.92 mph to 7.757 at 178.40 mph to go into eliminations as the No. 10 qualifier. Lee Hartman, who is looking for his first race win, matched his quickest time of 7.694 seconds in Q3, which was quickest of the session. In the final pair it was Allegrucci beside Dietsch in a possible preview of a final round match-up. Allegrucci posted an impressive 7.697 seconds at 178.95 mph pass door to door with Dietsch’s 7.699 seconds at 178.54 mph run. “I mean that last run was pretty good,” said Dietsch. “We knew the air wasn’t as good as before, so we weren’t going to run as quick. We went out there and ran almost identical times, so it’s pretty cool. I hope it’s like that in the finals. I need to get a win badly. I want one of those new Diamond Wally’s. They’re pretty sweet.” Kim Shirley will race No. 2 qualifier Allegrucci, who will be trying to defend the $1,000 Flexjet Bounty, in the first round. Allegrucci won the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Charlotte and is looking for his second win in a row and the chance to double the bounty at the next race. The first round of eliminations at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by Peak at Route 66 Raceway will begin Saturday evening with eliminations concluding tomorrow. Fans can follow the racing action at www.nhra.com. The post Defending Event Champion Jason Dietsch Runs to Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown No. 1 at Route 66 Nationals in Chicago first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

The latest Ducati fuel restriction did little to dent the WorldSBK form book at Most, where Nicolo Bulega beat Iker Lecuona in Race 1 and Yari Montella completed a Ducati podium sweep. Valentin Debise won the WorldSSP opener for ZXMOTO, while Matteo Vannucci claimed a dramatic WorldSPB victory. The post Ducati rolls on at Most as Bulega beats Lecuona + WorldSSP/SPB appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Top Fuel points leader – and the sport’s fastest driver – Shawn Langdon picked up his first victory in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge this season on Saturday at Route 66 Raceway, knocking off Justin Ashley in the final round of the bonus event as part of this weekend’s 26th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK. Alexis DeJoria (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, while Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Enders (Pro Stock) and Angie Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all qualified No. 1 at the sixth of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. After struggling through the first three sessions this weekend at Route 66 Raceway, Langdon put together a strong run when he needed it, going 3.770-seconds at 336.57 mph in his 12,000-horsepower Kalitta Air dragster to defeat Ashley. It gave Langdon the specialty race victory and also put the past world champion in a much better position heading into eliminations on Sunday, where he’ll look for his second straight victory this season. “It was more than just going up there and trying to win the Mission (#2Fast2Tasty Challenge) final,” Langdon said. “We needed to make a run down the track, too. We were pretty far down in the qualifying order. We were trying to go about 3.76 and it ran .77, so it was a good run. It responded to what we did. We just had to get it calmed down a little bit. We’re trying to run too fast, too early.” Reigning world champion Doug Kalitta stayed in the No. 1 spot, earning his second straight No. 1 qualifier on the strength of Friday’s 3.720 at 338.17 in his 12,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster. Maddi Gordon took second with a 3.738 at 334.90 and Billy Torrence qualified third after going 3.746 at 336.32 on Friday. Josh Hart, who qualified fourth, broke the track speed record on Saturday with a pass of 341.25. “Getting the number one qualifier today is a good thing,” Kalitta said. “That last session last night was kind of interesting, because everybody was kind of one-upping one another, and it got down to us, and as a driver, you’re sitting there going, ‘Man, I sure hope we can pull this off.’ You try to stage real shallow because that’ll get you the best ET out of it. Anytime you get down to the end, and you know there’s another pair behind you, you’re just hoping to stay ahead. Tomorrow’s going to be a good day for racing, so we’ll just see what it’s got for us.” Alexis DeJoria also claimed her first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge victory of the year in Funny Car, defeating John Force Racing teammate Jordan Vandergriff in the final round of the bonus race. Vandergriff ran into car issues and had to shut the car off on the starting line, handing the win to DeJoria, who smoked the tires almost instantly and went 8.301 at 82.43 in her 12,000-horsepower Bandido Premium Tequila Chevrolet SS. That run notwithstanding, DeJoria has been solid in her debut year with powerhouse John Force Racing, but this was the first triumph of the year for the veteran, who was thrilled with the result as she continues to build into a championship contender. “I’m finally back in a winner’s circle, and that’s good even though it came at the cost of my teammate, and it was a lackluster final. We got the ‘W’ and that’s all that matters. The win went to a JFR car so that’s great,” DeJoria said. “I just had a feeling we were going to win it. I just knew in my heart. It was one of those things. That’s actually the first time we didn’t get down the track. It shook really hard, but we made it three out of four runs.” It was a JFR sweep in Funny Car, too, as defending event winner Jack Beckman stayed atop the field thanks to Friday’s run of 3.913 at 329.99 in his 12,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet SS for John Force Racing. Beckman made another strong run to close the day as he’s currently on the exact same path from last year when he qualified No. 1 and won the race. Ron Capps stayed in second with a 3.916 at 330.31 and back-to-back world champ Austin Prock jumped to third with a pass of 3.920 at 331.94. Beckman opens raceday against Chris King. “I’ve always felt like my job, as a driver, in terms of interacting with crew chiefs, is to let them think consciously a little bit more,” Beckman said. “In other words, when we don’t make a good run, and they’re looking at the numbers, I said, ‘Tell me what you would do differently, knowing what you know now.’ “I think our struggles were more of trying to do things to get more speed out of this car and we took one step back, but three of the four qualifying runs we got great data.” Erica Enders’ strong weekend at Route 66 Raceway continued on Saturday, as the six-time world champion won her first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge of the year, beating teammate Greg Stanfield with a run of 6.563 at 208.75 in her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/R+L Carriers entry for Elite Motorsports. It was a long time coming for Enders, who had struggled in the early part of this season. But this weekend could mark a huge turnaround, as she also qualified No. 1 for the first time in two years thanks to Friday’s standout run of 6.542 at 209.92. That puts her in prime position to make it a clean sweep this weekend and it would come at an ideal point in the season. With a chance to win her 50th career Pro Stock race – at the track where she won her first Pro Stock race – Enders will start eliminations against Derrick Reese. “It’s super exciting. I love racing here at Joliet,” Enders said. “I started racing Super Comp dragsters here back when I was in high school, so I’ve been coming here an awful long time and then to secure our first pro win here back in 2012, it’s just been a special place ever since that time. So, it would be fitting if this was where the tide started to turn and it has so far this weekend, securing the number one spot and then winning the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty deal. It’s a great start to the weekend. Tomorrow’s the day that matters and I really, really want one of those diamond Wallys.” Jeg Coughlin Jr. took second with a 6.543 at 210.21 and Stanfield stayed in the top three after going 6.549 at 210.11. Points leader and defending world champ Dallas Glenn qualified 11th. Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera put together a clutch performance in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, using a big holeshot to hold off Angie Smith and win the bonus race for a second time this season with a run of 6.757 at 200.86 on his RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki. Herrera went .024 on the starting line, which proved to be enough to slip past Smith, who put together the quickest run of the weekend in the class in the matchup. “It was a good final there. I knew I had to try to get any advantage I could on the starting line,” Herrera said. “We pulled out the ‘special tire’… we kind of pulled everything we could, because we knew we needed to. She’s got the bike to beat this weekend and my hat’s off to her. She’s been doing well this year so far and so has Matt and all of team MSR. It’s been making the class much more fun and interesting. It’s going to be a good day of racing tomorrow, for sure.” Smith’s run of 6.726 at 201.70 on her Denso Auto Parts Buell in the final round of the specialty race gave her the No. 1 qualifier for the second time in four races this season. She made the quickest runs in the class on both Friday and Saturday, something she hopes will lead to her first win of 2026. “When you are the number one qualifier and you know you have the machine, the motorcycle that I do, I have to focus on one round at a time, go do my job and the cards will fall how they want to fall,” Smith said. “Hopefully, tomorrow, about 4 o’clock, I have a trophy, and we’re partying in the winner’s circle, but being No. 1 qualifier gives you a lot of confidence, but you can’t let it give you too much confidence. You still have to focus on the job at hand, and you just have to go out there and know what you need to do.” Ryan Oehler qualified second with a 6.744 at 201.31 and Herrera took third with Saturday’s winning run. Eliminations for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK begin at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday at Route 66 Raceway. This story was originally published on May 16, 2026. The post Langdon, DeJoria, Enders, and Herrera Get Wins in Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at Route 66 Raceway first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Alex Marquez claimed the closest MotoGP Sprint victory yet, holding off Pedro Acosta by 0.041 seconds at Catalunya. Jorge Martin crashed again, Pecco Bagnaia recovered from a poor grid slot, while Celestino Vietti took Moto2 pole and Valentin Perrone edged Moto3 qualifying. The post Alex Marquez wins closest-ever MotoGP Sprint as Vietti and Perrone take Catalunya poles appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

The Green Hell Turns 100The Nürburgring turns 100 this year. Known for its punishing 12.9-mile Nordschleife layout, dramatic elevation changes, and unpredictable weather, the famous German circuit has earned a reputation as one of the world's toughest proving grounds. Caterham’s tribute comes in the form of the Seven Nürburgring Edition – a lightweight sports car shaped by the legendary circuit itself. The goal: channel the spirit of the Green Hell, keeping the Seven’s pure formula but adding tweaks for both road and track. Only 100 will be built, and they will be serialized for good reason. Caterham’s history with the Nürburgring runs deep. The brand has tackled endurance races here before, even scoring a class finish at the 24 Hours back in 2002. Fittingly, this special edition will make its first public appearance at the 2026 ADAC 24 Hours Nürburgring. Caterham Nürburgring Details Inside and OutVisually, the Nürburgring Edition stands apart from the usual Seven 420R. Customers get three paint options, each pulled straight from the circuit’s own palette: Verkehrsrot, Achatgrau, and Basaltgrau. As expected, Nürburgring touches are everywhere – decals, grille details, and even the seat embroidery. Outside, there’s a red roll bar ready for track days, carbon front wings and aero whiskers, and LED rear lights. Caterham’s Black Pack darkens the windscreen frame and headlamp bowls, while a 620-style nose cone sharpens up the Seven’s classic lines. Inside, the limited-run Seven has leather seats featuring Nürburgring embroidery and red stitching, while carbon interior panels help maintain the lightweight philosophy. There's also a suede MOMO steering wheel with quick release, plus sequential shift lights and four-point harnesses. Despite its track-focused setup, the Seven Nürburgring Edition can be configured with several touring-oriented options. Buyers can upgrade the standard composite aeroscreen to carbon fiber, swap it for a full windscreen with a hood and side screens, or choose interchangeable aeroscreen packages paired with full weather equipment. Large chassis models can also be fitted with side-screen armrests when equipped with the full weather package, giving the lightweight roadster a bit more day-to-day usability without altering its minimalist character. Caterham Ford Power and Limited AvailabilityOut of the box, the Seven Nürburgring Edition is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter Ford Duratec four-pot mill, good for 210 horsepower. Those numbers are sent to the wheels via a Mazda five-speed manual, though the engine and transmission combo can be changed since the car will be sold as a rolling chassis. Performance figures are listed at a brisk 0-60 mph sprint of just 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 136 mph. For handling, Caterham slaps a custom set of Bilstein suspension, tuned specifically with the infamous 12.9-mile circuit in mind. The track car rides on a set of 13-inch Apollo alloys. Depending on where you are, the Nürburgring Edition rides on the Seven 420R platform. UK pricing starts at £48,995, while the US gets a base price of $56,595. Buyers can choose between standard and large chassis, along with a menu of track and weather options. Caterham View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Corey Day now has two wins in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, winning at Dover on Saturday. Driving the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, he ran down the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet of Justin Allgaier, passing him for the lead as they split the lapped car of Blake Lothian. Day didn't lead a single lap until passing Allgaier with four laps to go, driving away to take the win ...Keep readingView the full article

For nearly six decades, the Ford plant at Broadmeadows in Victoria was the beating heart of Australian car manufacturing. Ford Australia opened the Broadmeadows plant in August 1959, before introducing the first locally-made Ford Falcon the following year. Now, Singapore-based Zerra DC has lodged a planning permit with the Victorian government proposing a six-building data centre campus on the historic site. Australia's auto manufacturing legacy is being rewritten, one server rack at a time. Ford From Assembly Line to Server FarmAt its peak, more than 5,000 workers churned out over 600 cars a day, producing every generation of the Falcon right through to the final FG X, along with the Fairlane, the LTD, and the Falcon-based Territory SUV. It was genuinely one of the most productive auto plants in the Southern Hemisphere. Then, on October 7, 2016, the final vehicle — a Kinetic Blue FG X Falcon XR6 sedan — rolled off the Broadmeadows production line, and an era quietly ended. Ford View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Ford Australia moved its headquarters to the Melbourne suburb of Richmond in 2016 and sold the Broadmeadows plant to the Pelligra Group in 2019. Now the site looks set for its most dramatic transformation yet. It would follow an increasingly familiar pattern in Australia. The former Holden Special Vehicles headquarters in Clayton, which also hosted Volkswagen Beetle manufacturing from 1954 and later served Datsun and Volvo, was demolished in 2025 to make way for a data centre. Why Old Factories Make Perfect Data CentersIt is not just happening in Australia, though. Vantage Data Centers acquired a former Ford engine plant in Bridgend, South Wales, to convert into a data centre campus. It’s a facility that had produced more than 22 million engines for Ford, Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover before closing. The logic is straightforward. Large industrial sites already come with the heavy-duty electrical infrastructure that data centers need, along with the land footprint to build at scale. Brownfield sites like these offer existing connections to high-voltage transmission lines and substations, built-in redundancy, and expansive parcels of land with secure perimeters — ideal for hyperscale or modular data centre campuses. For AI infrastructure developers racing to meet surging demand, a shuttered factory is a head start, not a relic. View the full article

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