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Tesla has launched its unsupervised robotaxi service in Dallas and Houston over the weekend, but catching a ride wasn’t a walk in the park for some users—and the few that did were in for some unwanted surprises. First off, the problem is the service area in each city is small—30 square miles in Dallas and 25 square miles in Houston. That means Tesla’s self-driving car service covers less than 10 percent of Dallas, which has an area of 385 square miles, and less than 4 percent of Houston (approximately 650 square miles). And that’s not all. According to a third-party robotaxi tracker, Tesla only has one Model Y robotaxi in each city, and each car has logged less than 10 rides at the time of writing. No wonder people had a difficult time finding cars on the Tesla Robotaxi ride-hailing app. This Dallas Trip Was a Glitch Fest😞 Tesla @robotaxi in Dallas fails to read the sign correctly and refuses to turn on red 😖 Angry driver honks 4 times and finally goes around! 🤬🤬🤬 It turned on red at other lights but I think this sign confused it 😭 pic.twitter.com/eB3GPVMnR6 — TexasTSLA (@TexasTSLA) April 19, 2026 Dallas resident Chris Ramos told Business Insider he waited almost two hours for a ride, and when he finally got one, it was a pretty wild one. While the self-driving Model Y handled city driving smoothly, it did have some difficulty reading signals; for example, it failed to realize that it could turn right at a red light, being repeatedly honked at by other drivers. The real problems started when the robotaxi missed an exit and entered a highway. It picked up speed to keep up with traffic, which was going at 80 to 90 mph, but then it suddenly started to slow down looking for a spot to pull over. Welcome to Dallas bud 😅😅🤣 Dear @Tesla FSD users have said multiple times nav and map data is 🥔 and needs to be improved @robotaxi misses its exit! ROBOTAXI DRIVES ON THE HIGHWAY and freaks out!! THEN TRIES TO PULL OVER AS TRAFFIC IS FLYING BY 80-90mph!!! Rider… pic.twitter.com/MNBTlarMlP — TexasTSLA (@TexasTSLA) April 19, 2026 One of the videos Chris (@TexasTSLA) posted on X.com shows the vehicle screen displaying the following message: “Vehicle is finding a safe location to pull over.” That’s not something you want to see when you’re on the highway, and that made the passenger feel unsafe. Then suddenly a Tesla support agent chimes in to assist the rider, only for the connection to break seconds later. Is Tesla Beta Testing Its Robotaxi Service on Real People?Guess @robotaxi in Dallas needs a map update like the rest of us FSD users 😅😅 It tried to drop me off 2.6 miles away from my destination and got stuck in an infinite loop but thankfully rider support took over 🕹️😀 ✌️❤️ pic.twitter.com/4QpH0XFwNn — TexasTSLA (@TexasTSLA) April 19, 2026 But wait, there’s more. Another video shared by the same user shows the robotaxi trying to drop him off 2.6 miles away from his destination and getting stuck in an infinite loop, circling a hotel five times. Rider support took over and tried to steer the car to the correct location, but that took several minutes. Furthermore, the discussion between the operator and the passenger is quite telling of the fact that the service is definitely not ripe for public consumption. At one point, the operator asks the passenger if he has the ability to change the destination in the main screen; that really sounds like Tesla is using paying passengers to beta test its robotaxi service. Screen on my @robotaxi in Dallas malfunctioned as well 😭😅 Screen got stuck and kept telling me to EXIT SAFELY as we were driving 40MPH 🤣🤣💀 I couldn’t watch any videos, listen to any music, check out the map, adjust the air or anything 😣 pic.twitter.com/2rl9WghKYQ — TexasTSLA (@TexasTSLA) April 19, 2026 Imagine if a crash happened and someone got hurt. Actually, had the passenger listened to the instructions on the screen, which at one point got stuck displaying the message “Please exit safely” as the vehicle was traveling at 40 mph, a tragedy would have almost certainly happened. In the end, the self-driving Tesla Model Y took 54 minutes to cover about 11 miles, costing the user around $18. Overall, the glitchy trip may have been exciting for a Tesla fan like Chris, but he said he would not recommend the service to his grandmother. View the full article

Vergotz Racing has announced the expansion of its program with the addition of a second race car, as Drag Illustrated 30 Under 30 alumnus John Vergotz Jr. has acquired a 1941 Willys from Blake Housley. Vergotz Jr., who has been active in the racing scene since the age of eight, has been preparing for this next step while tuning the team’s 1969 Camaro, “The Dark Knight.” During recent testing at Dragway 42 in Ohio, Vergotz hopped behind the wheel of the Dark Knight to get some runs under his belt, where he recorded a personal best of 3.768 at 186 mph. The team plans to debut the newly acquired Pro Mod entry at Milan Dragway during the monthly Heads-Up Series on May 1. The event will serve as a shakedown ahead of a planned campaign in both PDRA Pro Nitrous and IHRA Pro Mod competition later this season. Originally built in 2020, the 1941 Willys is powered by a Pat Musi Racing Engines 959 and paired with a Rossler Transmissions Turbo 400 three-speed transmission. “Following in my dad’s footsteps has been a dream of mine since I started racing Jr. Dragsters at eight years old,” said Vergotz Jr. “Over the years, I’ve focused on learning the technical side of the sport, eventually stepping into a tuning role on ‘The Dark Knight,’ where we’ve run as quick as 3.65. Last year, my dad encouraged me to get behind the wheel and gain experience in the Pro Mod category. When this opportunity came along through Blake, we knew it was time to go all in.” Vergotz Jr. expressed gratitude to those who have supported his journey: “First and foremost, all glory goes to God. “I would first like to thank my parents. My dad, John Vergotz, has inspired me since day one to be involved in racing the way he is. None of this would be possible without him and his support. My mom, Tina Vergotz, I can’t thank her enough for all of her love and support of our racing program through the years. My mom and dad have inspired and supported me since day one so that I could chase this dream of mine. “Next, my girlfriend, Ashley Strauss. I can’t thank her enough for all of her love and support. She is my racing partner in crime and we’re excited to see where this new journey takes us. I love you babe! “Shane McLaughlin, my brother and right-hand man. A lot of this would not be possible without all of his help. He is always one phone call away from anything and everything I could possibly need. I couldn’t do this without him. “Lewie Wortman, my brother-in-law but has always treated me like a brother. He has been by my side since the beginning and has helped me grow to become a better racer and person. “Blake Housley, for everything he has done for me throughout this process and in years prior. Blake has helped me to become a better tuner and has helped me grow in the racing world in general. I couldn’t be more honored to be in the driver’s seat of the first car he has ever built. “Also would like to shoutout all of my siblings for their love and support through the years, Shane, Meagan, & Sarah along with my older brother Chase watching from above. I would also like to shoutout Keith Kelling & Kelling Equipment Repair, Jalen Burbage & JBR Solutions, Kyle Christ & Straight Line Media, Kameron Koch, Kyle & Cole Rokosky, Ryan Kerchevall, Jordyn Bradby (Weebo Motorsports) and all of the friends and family that have supported me throughout the years! “Thank you to all of the partners we are going to have on board, I couldn’t be more excited to strap into the seat!” This story was originally published on April 20, 2026. The post Vergotz Racing Expands Program with Acquisition of Pro Mod Willys first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Fuel additives are some of the most criticized products you’ll see at an auto parts store. Most people feel that fuel and oil additives are a lot of snake oil, and honestly it’s understandable. Without being able to see what they do, and without real test results, normal people are skeptical and when you see the claims that many of these make it’s no wonder. The more outrageous the claims, the harder it is to believe, but then it also makes people skeptical of all of them. So what kind of scientific testing do you need to either think they aren’t worth having, or to decide they do something good? Check out the video below from the Motor Oil Geek to see why he says dieself fuel additives aren’t all they are cracked up to be. Video Description: Thanks to the help of Andrew ‪@RepairGeek‬ , we tested 7 more popular diesel fuel additives: 2 Cycle Oil, ATF, Marvel Mystery Oil, Howe’s, Amsoil 4-in-1, Lucas Cetane Booster and Motorcraft. Let’s find out if they actually work—or if you’re wasting your money. We ran controlled lab testing on: Lubricity (ASTM D6079) Cetane number (ASTM D613) Fuel cleanliness (ISO particle count) Then we added a surprise candidate – Premium Diesel Fuel. Let’s see the results! All of these products improved the lubricity of the fuel, but not all of them increased the cetane of the diesel fuel. Some brought along unwanted tradeoffs for that performance enhancement. In the end, the results made it clear that not all diesel fuel additives are created equal. Some work better than others, and there’s actually a better alternative. We’ve previously covered 6 other diesel fuel additives, so here’s the link to that video ( • EXPOSED: The TRUTH About Diesel Additives ). Let’s get into the science behind these diesel fuel additives. To learn more about the new TopTier fuel specs, check out this link: https://www.toptiergas.com/wp-content… To learn more about used oil analysis, check out https://www.speediagnostix.com For a deeper dive into the science of lubrication, check out my good friend Rafe Britton’s channel ‪@LubricationExplained‬ The post Should You STOP Buying Diesel Fuel Additives? Here’s What The Motor Oil Geek Has To Say About It! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Lone Star Roundup is one of those car shows that is a destination for hot rodders all over the world. I know several folks who regularly drive down for the Roundup from Canada, and from all corners of the United States, plus folks from all over the world. It brings a huge crowd to Austin Texas each year and has been for decades. Check out our friend John Jackson from Not Stock Photography as he takes in the show. Video Description: #LonestarRoundup #carshow #austin I hadn’t brought the corvair van to Lonestar Roundup since 2012, and I had forgotten how awesome this show can be when you just cruise and hangout with friends. I decided this year to not be an old “fuddy duddy” and hit up as many parties and hangouts as I could. I wound up making three separate videos of the parties I went to, and still didn’t make ones of the Friday shop crawl,the HopUp Party, and Austin Speed Shops open house . That’s what is great with this show is with all the side events, and Austin at your fingertips you’d be hard pressed to find a HotRod/Custom car show that offers you more. This video is just cars from the show, and me just wandering around per usual checking stuff out. The corvair got picked to be one of the feature vehicles up on the hill for the first time ever, and can’t thank the Kontinentals enough for the hospitality. Thanks for Watching JJ ‪@NotStockPhoto‬ The post “The Lonestar Roundup Rod & Kustom Show” Just Like Bob Wills, It’s Still the King in Texas And This Traditional Hot Rod Show Never Disappoints appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

A year ago, Blake Denton earned his first career win in Pro Street at the Summit Racing Equipment PDRA East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech. Now in his second full season in the class, Denton is eager to pursue a Pro Street world championship to go along with his 2023 season title in Super Street. He put his first win of the season on the scoreboard Saturday night at Darana Motorsports Park – Benson, NC, delivering a meaningful birthday victory for engine builder Pat Musi behind the wheel of the same Musi-powered “Bonnie” ’69 Camaro that Musi’s late daughter, Lizzy, drove in No Prep Kings competition. Denton tied low E.T. of eliminations with his 3.943 at 201.76 in his final-round win over rookie Andy Mac, who finished with a 4.056 at 185.77. It was a double-up for the Tommy Franklin Motorsports team, as Franklin, Denton’s father-in-law, won in Pro Nitrous. “This one’s for Pat,” said Denton, who thanked Tommy and Judy Franklin, Pat and Liz Musi, wife Amber Denton, crew members “Big Brown” and “AT,” his parents, Pat Musi Racing Engines, Weld Racing, Lincoln Electric, Stroud Safety, Red Line Oil, and Menscer Motorsports. “I can’t thank our guys enough. They bust their tails out here. It’s been a hot weekend and they haven’t given up on us. They had to swap a motor last round for the finals [on Franklin’s Pro Nitrous entry]. They’ve been killing it this weekend and I just can’t thank them enough for it.” Denton showed promise in the opening round, where he ran a 4.045 at 191.81 to get past newcomer Graham Hayes. He recorded a 4.059 at 190.94 in the second round to defeat fellow young gun Joel Wensley Jr. and his 4.099. The 2023 Super Street world champion then showed his driving chops in the semifinals as he left on class E.T. record holder Richard Reagan and powered to a 3.984 at 192.52 to beat Reagan’s 3.943 at 195.79 on a holeshot. The East Coast Nationals was a major points weekend for Denton, who is now the points leader going into the Mid-Atlantic Showdown presented by Classic Graphix, May 21-23, at Virginia Motorsports Park. He went out in the semifinals of the season-opening Carolina Nationals, which started at Darlington Dragway in March and wrapped up Thursday evening at Darana, while Fletcher Cox went on to win that race. But Cox stepped out of his nitrous-fed, Musi-powered “Training Day” ’69 Camaro after the win to focus on his new Pro Boost ride and handed the wheel over to Andy Mac. Since the points go with the driver, not the car, in PDRA, Denton is now one full race ahead of Mac and one of the strongest cars in the class right now. “I was still in the Darlington race and had an unfortunate mishap in the semifinal round and I got pushed off [the starting line], so that kind of set me back,” Denton said. “To get a clean slate for the weekend and come out with the win…it’s good for me because it gives me the confidence going into the rest of the season that I’ve got a little bit of edge up on everyone else.” This story was originally published on April 20, 2026. The post Blake Denton Earns Back-to-Back PDRA East Coast Nationals Victories in Pro Street first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

The Future Is More Than Four WheelsCars have long been seen as a means of getting from point A to point B. But as technology advances, vehicles are becoming more capable than ever, and a report from Automotive News suggests that the adoption of AI agents could push that even further, particularly in voice recognition. AI agents are expected to let users handle not only in-vehicle functions, such as adjusting the climate settings, but also tasks outside the car, including scheduling meetings or booking vehicle service. Pedro Pacheco, Gartner’s vice president of research, said, “If properly done, this can become a game changer, as it will allow the car to expand the amount of value it delivers to its occupants.” Mercedes-Benz The Business of Talking CarsThat potential is reflected in the market outlook as well. A report from GM Insights projects the global automotive voice-recognition market to reach $9.9 billion by 2034, up from $3.7 billion in 2024. The technology is also being refined to become more intuitive and better at understanding human context using large language models (LLMs). Some systems are even capable of adjusting their responses based on passengers’ emotions. In addition to convenience, improvements in automotive AI assistants could help enhance safety by reducing some forms of distracted driving. But as with any advancement, the technology could also add costs. Smart features rely heavily on semiconductor chips, which face potential shortages as demand rises for AI-driven systems, according to S&P Global. Tesla The AI Personality WarFor automakers competing for market share, the report said the approaches may differ. Mercedes-Benz is leaning into the idea of a “digital companion” capable of natural dialogue and expressing four emotional states. Tesla, by contrast, is seen as taking a different route with the deployment of the Grok chatbot from xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company, offering more conversational depth and a more rebellious tone. As current AI platforms like ChatGPT have shown, people often have distinct preferences in how they want responses delivered, which could make this an important area of differentiation for automakers. Looking further ahead, automotive AI assistants could work hand in hand with SAE Level 4 autonomy systems to further enhance convenience, potentially transforming vehicles into more intelligent, service-oriented environments rather than simple means of transportation. Whether that ultimately proves to be a good or bad thing remains up for debate. Mercedes-Benz View the full article

Following a 2025 season that resulted in a No. 2 finish in the Super Street points standings, Austin Vincent and the Vincent Performance team went to work over the offseason converting their nitrous-fed ’88 Mustang over to a FuelTech EFI setup. Those efforts paid off this weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment PDRA East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech at Darana Motorsports Park – Benson, NC, where Vincent earned a decisive win over reigning world champion and No. 1 qualifier Connor McGee in the final round. McGee left the line first, but Vincent powered ahead with a 4.517 at 167.01 to McGee’s 4.569 at 156.35. “It took a ton of hard work over the offseason,” said Vincent, who thanked FuelTech, Vincent Performance/Vincent Racing Engines, Ron G. at Afterworks, Nitrous Express, Diamond Pistons, Davis Technologies, Jesel, and the team’s other partners. “We finally made the switch over to EFI, which has been a long time coming, and the second race in and already in the winner’s circle, which is great. We ran really good at the first race. Of course, it got postponed and it kind of threw us for a loop with the different weather, but we were able to get through it and get here, so that was really good. We work – of course, everyone works their butt off – but we really do put in a lot of work and it just shows it’s paying off.” Vincent qualified No. 2 and fired off a 4.622 at 152.97 to dispatch returning fan favorite Brad McBride in the first round. He was uncharacteristically late in his second-round match with Mike Freeman, but Freeman slowed to a 4.901 while Vincent charged to a 4.549 at 167.34. Newcomer Ryan Altman went red by .014 in the semis against Vincent, throwing away a 4.647, but Vincent was ready with his 4.528 at 166.70. The final round was the latest in a series of late-round battles between Vincent and McGee, who were the two contenders for last year’s Super Street world championship. “It’s always a really good race,” said Vincent, who finished second in the championship hunt by around three rounds. “My first win, we ran him in the semis. I know it wasn’t the final, but I won by one ten-thousandth on a holeshot. That was one of the greatest races you’ll see. Then last year I ran him again in the final when I won here. I was perfect on the tree in the final, and he unfortunately went red, but it just shows that we’re always up on it against each other. Right now, we’re the two best teams in the class and it’s always fun getting to race them. What makes it really cool is that Brian [McGee, Connor’s father] and my dad [Samuel] actually used to race together against each other.” Saturday’s performance was validation for Vincent that his team made the right moves over the offseason. Now second in the points standings behind McGee, who won the season opener at Darlington, Vincent is eager to chase another win, starting in about a month at the PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown presented by Classic Graphix, May 21-23, at Virginia Motorsports Park. “You win, it pushes you; you lose, it pushes you,” Vincent said. “That’s the life of all us racers – we always want to do better. We were already talking about when we’re going testing before the next race because we’ve got to find something. I feel really good about our offseason changes. I know it’s only going to get better from here, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season holds.” This story was originally published on April 20, 2026. The post Offseason Changes Lead to PDRA East Coast Nationals Win For Super Street’s Austin Vincent first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Following insensitive comments made against IndyCar star David Malukas on a whatnot livestream, Daniel Dye was suspended from NASCAR until he completed sensitivity training. He also lost his full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ride with the Kaulig Racing Ram team. Since being reinstated, Dye made his return this past weekend, finishing second in the ARCA Menards Series race at Kansas ...Keep readingView the full article

One of the largest Pro Nitrous fields in recent history came down to a unique final round at the Summit Racing Equipment East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech, pitting three-time PDRA Pro Nitrous world champion and series co-owner Tommy Franklin against Keith Haney, who’s the owner of the Mid-West Drag Racing Series as well as a multi-time champion in that series. When the tree dropped Saturday night at Darana Motorsports Park – Benson, NC, it appeared to be Haney’s race as he left first with a .007 reaction time, but a flash of fire out of his hood scoop signaled the end of his day while Franklin drove past with a 3.676 at 206.64 in his Musi-powered “Jungle Rat 3.0” ’69 Camaro. Haney recorded a 3.966 at 148.01 in the runner-up effort. “First off, happy birthday to Pat Musi. He’s a great friend, great engine builder, great guy, period,” said Franklin, who also credited Mark Beatty from Red Line Oil, class sponsors Switzer Dynamics and Jerry Bickel Race Cars, and all the team’s supporters. “My team’s awesome. It’s a busy pit in our pits. There’s a lot of cars over there, but everybody, when we’ve got to do work on anything, they all jump in there. These wins are all big, and we love them all. We struggled a little bit in the heat, but hey, the team overcame. Jeff Pierce is a badass tuner and got this thing back turned around, and we were excellent in the heat today.” Franklin qualified No. 4 and started race day with a 3.714 at 205.10 to get the first-round win over Chris Rini and his 3.774. He lined up against 2015 world champion “Tricky” Rickie Smith in the second round, with a consistent 3.711 at 205.29 taking out Smith’s 3.750. When the sun went down and conditions cooled off, Franklin dipped into the 3.60s with his 3.669 at 205.60 to knock out past Elite Top Sportsman world champion Tim Molnar and his 3.707 in the semifinals. After the win, Franklin reflected on the state of Pro Nitrous, the class he’s called home since before he banded together with a small group of other drivers and team owners to form the PDRA in 2014. It’s currently the only place where nitrous Pro Mods compete against each other without boosted combinations. “Pro Nitrous is an awesome class,” Franklin said. “Twenty cars at Darlington, 21 cars here. There’s more of them out there. This is the class. This is the way the class needs to be built. This is the way that people want to compete. The competition is tight. It’s some badass racing out there. The boosted world has left us, but that doesn’t mean that nitrous cars don’t matter. They do exist and they’re the coolest cars on the planet.” Franklin also highlighted the family aspect of the PDRA and why he feels so strongly about what the series offers. “I think everybody knows we do this as a family. I probably wouldn’t do it if I wasn’t doing it as a family,” Franklin said. “I love coming out here racing with my family. I love the whole aspect of it. I’ve said this multiple times this weekend: PDRA is a family. It’s a tight-knit group. This is not corporate America. It won’t be, and I love what we have. I love the group that races with us, the heart that goes into it. Everybody’s supporting everybody.” The family aspect was on full display in the winner’s circle, as Franklin’s “Jungle Rat 3.0” ’69 Camaro was paired up with the “Bonnie” ’69 Camaro previously driven by the late Lizzy Musi and now piloted by Franklin’s son-in-law, Blake Denton, in tribute to Lizzy. Denton earned the Pro Street win, successfully defending his first career win in the class at last year’s East Coast Nationals. Oldest daughter Amber Denton also competes in Pro Nitrous, and her younger sister, Ashley Franklin, races in Top Dragster. Tommy’s wife, Judy, holds it all together. “To come out here and do it with my family, they put a lot into it,” Franklin said. “Judy, first of all, just for dealing with it. We’re all racing. Amber’s ate up with it. Ashley’s ate up with it, and Blake obviously is ate up with it as well, and he’s wheeling that Pro Street car good. It’s just a good time. We love it, and to be able to double up at anything is awesome. My girl Ash was on fire today and she took it down to the semis and lost by .001. It’s tough racing out here. I love doing it with everyone and one day we’ll get a three-peat. We can’t do four because we’ve got me and Amber in the same class, but we can get three wins in one day.” Adding a win to his No. 1 qualifier award and semifinal exit at the season-opening Carolina Nationals, Franklin is now the Pro Nitrous points leader going into the next stop on the PDRA tour, the Mid-Atlantic Showdown presented by Classic Graphix, May 21-23, at Virginia Motorsports Park. This story was originally published on April 20, 2026. The post Tommy Franklin Takes Pro Nitrous Points Lead With PDRA East Coast Nationals Win first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

When Toyota opened orders for its new bZ7 electric sedan in China, the response was almost violent. Over 3,100 reservations came in within the first hour. That kind of demand happens when a company builds something extraordinary, prices it aggressively, and drops it into one of the most cutthroat EV markets on the planet. The bZ7 is Toyota's flagship electric vehicle in China, developed through its GAC-Toyota joint venture. It is, by any measure, a big deal, and it is almost certainly never coming to the United States. If it did, you can be sure that it would have gotten way more than 3,100 orders in an hour, thanks to the US market being starved for affordable EVs. GAC Toyota View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article A Flagship That Punches Well Below Its WeightOn paper, the bZ7 makes a mockery of Western pricing logic. At 202 inches long with a 118.9-inch wheelbase, it is physically larger than a Tesla Model S. Yet it starts at just $21,500, topping at $29,000. The Model 3, a smaller car from Tesla, starts at roughly $34,500 in China. The bZ7 undercuts it by over $13,000. GAC Toyota With 278 horsepower, performance may be called modest, but its range is not. The larger 88 kWh LFP battery pack offers up to 440 miles of claimed range, and fast charging can recover 186 miles in just 10 minutes. Inside, buyers get zero-gravity front seats with heating, ventilation and massage, a floating 15.6-inch center display running Huawei's HarmonyOS, Xiaomi smart-home integration, and an optional driver assistance suite built around roof-mounted lidar, five millimeter-wave radars, 11 HD cameras, and 10 ultrasonic sensors, making for 27 sensors in total. The Toyota bZ7 is by no means a bargain bin product; it’s a proper flagship with features to match, just at prices that don’t seem to line up. How the bZ7 Is So Affordable in ChinaThe Toyota bZ7 is so affordable primarily because it is built in China, for China. Local battery supply chains, domestic tech partnerships with Huawei and Xiaomi, and fierce competition from rivals like BYD all drive costs down in ways that simply do not exist in the American manufacturing context. Toyota Toyota has given no indication the bZ7 will ever arrive in the US, but even if it did, import tariffs, regulatory compliance costs, and American labour expenses would almost certainly push the price past $40,000, possibly higher. Even if someone wanted to import one in and deal with the 100 percent tariffs, it just isn’t possible. It is a car engineered for a market that rewards value above almost everything else. In America, where Toyota sells Tundras and Sequoias at enormous margins, that equation is very different. View the full article

Gas theft is back again, and it has gotten meaner. With gasoline prices at their highest in four years, thieves have moved on from siphoning off gas to making holes in fuel tanks on parked cars. The method is simple and especially brutal in its aftereffects. A thief needs only an electric drill or a punch in both plastic or metal gas tanks, a few minutes, and something to catch the fuel. The driver, meanwhile, is left with a ruined tank and a repair bill that can run up to $3,000 for a replacement gas tank, if they're not jerry-rigging a sealant-fix together. According to some reports, repair shops are now fixing a gas tank with a hole in it roughly once a week. Before prices climbed, it happened maybe a couple of times a year. That sharp jump in frequency tells you everything about how desperate things have gotten. Unclesteve16/YouTube This Has Happened BeforeIn the 1970s, chronic gas shortages triggered a surge in siphoning. People would drop plastic tubing into the tanks of parked vehicles to drain the fuel. Annoying, but at least it left the car intact. Locking gas caps became common, and awareness went up. The same pattern played out more recently. When inflation peaked at 9.1 percent in June 2022, following pandemic-era supply chain chaos and rounds of stimulus spending, gas prices hit record highs, and theft incidents climbed with them. Each time prices spike, desperation follows. The difference now is that siphoning has largely been engineered out. Newer vehicles have narrow, curved filler necks and internal baffles that make forcing a tube through nearly impossible. So thieves drilled down to find another way in, literally. Do Not Expect Relief Anytime SoonAnyone hoping this is a short-term problem may be waiting a while. Gasoline prices surged 21 percent in March 2026 alone, the largest single-month jump on record. And once gas prices rise, history shows they rarely fall at the same speed they climbed. Economists have drawn comparisons to the late 1970s, when multiple energy shocks prevented inflation from normalizing and forced increasingly aggressive responses. For drivers watching the pump and their parked cars, the uncertainty of how long this will continue is far from comforting. View the full article

After an extended period of turmoil, Nissan is finally showing signs of a comeback, cutting underperforming models and launching new ones that should hold strong appeal. Among them is a new Xterra SUV, and Nissan has confirmed it will cost less than $40,000, making it a serious contender in the space occupied by the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. According to CarBuzz, Nissan Americas boss Christian Meunier said, "We're at a time when the average transaction price in the U.S. is $48,000, and it's non-sustainable... [Nissan is] going to bring an Xterra below $40,000." So how will Nissan pull this off? Several ideas will be implemented, some of which the likes of Ford and Jeep have already implemented to great effect. How Nissan's New Xterra Will Be Affordable: Simplicity and Siblings, Including Infiniti SUV Nissan/LinkedIn The Nissan Americas CEO said the company has lost its way by putting a lot of technology into cars just for the sake of it, "adding a lot of features and cost" for little return, but with the Xterra, things will be different. "We're going to stop doing [that]," said Meunier. "And Xterra, I think, is going to be the symbol of this... [Nissan is] going to bring an Xterra with everything you need, nothing you don't, which is the slogan that was used in 2002, which we believe is right for the brand." The Jeep Wrangler has maintained its status as an icon by focusing on only the elements its customers want, not overcomplicating the vehicle with high-tech features that most may never even use. But this simplistic approach is not the only strategy Nissan will employ to keep Xterra costs down. Related: Nissan Is Getting Serious About Bringing the Silvia Back Just as the Ford Bronco shares its body-on-frame platform with the Ranger and Everest, Nissan's body-on-frame platform will underpin as many as four other SUVs, with V6 and V6 hybrid powertrains helping boost appeal against the four-cylinder Toyota 4Runner. One of the new vehicles expected on this architecture will be a new Infiniti off-roader, revealed Nissan Americas Chief Product and Planning Officer Ponz Pandikuthira: "So at this point, all we can say is, if Xterra, which has a clear position already in the marketplace of a rugged everything-you-need-nothing-you-don't-type SUV for Nissan, the Infiniti version will have to be separated from it, much like QX80 is separated from Armada." Autoblog's Take on Nissan's Affordable SUV Plans Nissan Nissan's new Xterra is only due in 2028, and plenty can change between now and then, but looking at the pricing of the SUV's would-be rivals today, Nissan could have a popular hit on its hands if all goes to plan. The Toyota 4Runner starts at $41,870, the Ford Bronco at $39,995, and the Jeep Wrangler at $39,040. If Nissan can launch its "badass" SUV in the same ballpark, it will be able to entice former buyers back to the brand and foster a new generation of enthusiasts. This new body-on-frame SUV, new sports cars, and new sedans could be the catalysts Nissan needs to mount a real challenge to its rivals in the U.S. But the automaker will need to work harder than ever—even Hyundai is working on rugged SUVs, and Kia is launching a midsize pickup in America too, which will almost definitely be complemented by an SUV at some stage. View the full article

A study across the last 14 years, after Michigan repealed its own motorcycle helmet laws, found that there was a 26% increase in death and injury among motorcyclists since the repeal. View the full article

A Virginia driver stared death in the face as her minivan exploded after she attempted to light a cigarette while driving with a propane tank in the vehicle. As if that did not constitute a major red flag in of itself, the propane tank had a small leak, which led to gas buildup in the Chrysler Pacifica minivan and an inevitable explosion that shook up the entire neighborhood in Burke, Virginia, in the morning of April 9. It's a Miracle That the Driver Escaped with Minor InjuriesMiraculously, the driver escaped with non-life-threatening injuries and no one got killed in the massive explosion that turned the minivan into a pile of scrap metal as the roof was blasted off and landed in the middle of the road, the windows were blown out, and the door panels split into pieces. The blast was so powerful that it shook homes nearby, with residents reporting pictures falling off walls and objects breaking. NBC4 Washington reported that firefighters arrived at the scene and quickly put out the burning car. The woman driving the minivan was found with burns on her arms and shaking uncontrollably after the explosion; she was able to walk as the ambulance arrived and she got rushed to the hospital for treatment. NBC4 Washington / YouTube A local resident told the news outlet that he saw the driver sitting on a curb in front of his home after the explosion. "A woman was comforting her. She was just shaking uncontrollably. She had burns on her arms. You know, it was like red — deep sunburn,” Alan Caramella said. Another resident said he was “in awe that nobody was killed,” noting that the blast sounded like a sonic boom and shook the townhouses. “Pictures fell off the wall and stuff broke,” Julian Hart said. The report cites Fairfax County police as saying that the woman did not know about the leak in the propane tank. Investigators believe that the driver probably had the windows rolled up as temperatures were in the 30s at the time of the incident, which enabled the Pacifica's cabin to get filled with gas. When she lit her cigarette, the car exploded. How You Should Transport a Propane Tank in Your Vehicle Propane.com Propane is commonly used as a fuel for heating and grills, but it is extremely flammable and needs to be handled with great care. Propane provide AmeriGas recommends carrying a propane tank wedged tightly between the front seat and the back seat in a vehicle, always in an upright position and firmly secured. If you transport it in the trunk, you’ll need to support it so that it stays upright during the drive. More importantly, you should never keep a filled propane cylinder inside a hot vehicle and you should always transport it in a well-ventilated area of the vehicle. Additionally, you should always close the cylinder valve, even if the cylinder is empty, and seal it with a plug. Once you get going, you should always proceed right to your destination and remove the tank from your vehicle immediately as you arrive. Finally, it goes without saying that you should never smoke while carrying a propane tank in your vehicle. View the full article

When you think about the quickest motorcycles on the planet, you likely don't think they'll be powered by steam. You should probably check your biases, as there's a new king of speed and it's powered by the same stuff that powered the Titanic. View the full article

There’s something undeniably right about taking an ‘80s sportbike and stripping it back to its raw essentials—and this 1985 Kawasaki GPz750 wears that philosophy well. Reimagined under previous ownership, the bike now leans fully into cafe racer territory with a cohesive blend of vintage aggression and modern touches. The transformation starts up top, where clip-on handlebars sit low beneath the triple clamp, paired with bar-end mirrors for that classic racer stance. A custom diamond-stitched bump seat flows neatly into a […] The post Bike Of The Day: 1985 Kawasaki GPz750 Cafe Racer appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers. View the full article

The Timeline Takes ShapeWith the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 reportedly arriving for the 2027 model year, production is also nearing. A report from GM Authority claims that, citing sources familiar with the matter, the two new full-size pickup trucks are expected to enter production in October 2026. This claim could prove useful for shoppers looking for a fresh truck on the market. However, despite production reportedly starting in about six months, not much is known about the upcoming models. Still, a few leaks and findings offer an early idea of what to expect once General Motors reveals more information. Chevrolet/USPTO A New Identity FormsOne of the most talked-about changes so far is the design, which came to light after leaked design patents surfaced. Up front, the trucks appear to feature slim daytime running lights above C-shaped headlights, while the grille and hood adopt a more squared-off look. The front-end styling resembles that of the Mitsubishi Triton, a midsize pickup not available in the U.S., giving it a more rugged appeal. Reports suggest that the next-gen Chevy Silverado could get a massaging front seat function for the first time, a feature long offered in its more premium alternative, the GMC Sierra. Both upcoming trucks are expected to ride on an updated version of the GM T1 platform, codenamed T1-2. Powertrain options could include updated versions of the 2.7-liter L3B turbocharged inline-four and 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six, along with the automaker's new Gen 6 small-block V8 architecture, which is also slated for the new Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport. AutoYa/YouTube The Plants Powering ProductionThe report noted that the start of regular production remains tentative, meaning it could change at any time. Both the Silverado and Sierra are currently built at GM’s Fort Wayne plant in Indiana and Silao plant in Mexico, while the Chevy truck is also produced at GM’s Oshawa plant in Canada, which helps meet strong demand in North America. The segment’s top rival, the Ford F-150, is also due for a full redesign, though it likely won’t arrive until 2029. Meanwhile, the Ram 1500 received a mid-cycle update for the 2025 model year and is expected to add a range-extender variant, which has faced delays amid market uncertainties around EVs. Chevrolet/USPTO View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

RAV4 EV? Not Anytime SoonToyota has transformed the RAV4 into a hybrid-only vehicle for the 2026 model year, signaling the possibility of a fully electric version in the future. However, new RAV4 chief engineer Yoshinori Futonagane told Australia’s Drive through an interpreter that going fully electric is not expected to happen, at least in the coming years. Instead, Futonagane-san pointed to Toyota’s multi-powertrain approach, which may have helped the brand deal with changing EV policies, a challenge companies like Stellantis are now confronting. For those who might want a Toyota-badged EV, he championed the bZ (or bZ4X in Australia), an all-electric compact crossover that rivals the likes of the Tesla Model Y. He said, “We haven't given... a lot of deep thought” to an electric RAV4. Toyota Keeping Lanes SeparateIf Toyota aims to expand the reach of its EV lineup, leveraging the RAV4 nameplate would be a logical move right now. However, the Japanese marque wants to maintain a clear distinction between the RAV4 and the bZ. The RAV4 is designed to meet strong demand for SUVs, a key advantage given the segment's continued popularity. By contrast, the bZ is meant to more fully reflect the brand's vision for an EV while also helping the brand deepen its understanding of the segment, rather than diving in headfirst. Still, Toyota is not closing its doors on a possible RAV4 EV. Futonagane-san said, “The technology leads us to a point where we all say: wait, we could do a BEV RAV4. That could happen, so I don't want to say that will never happen. [But] it's not going to happen today.” Toyota Toyota’s Measured EV PushAfter all, the RAV4 shares the TNGA-K platform with the Lexus ES, which now spans both hybrid and fully electric variants. Similar strategies have been adopted elsewhere, with Hyundai applying it to the Kona, while Ford leverages the Mustang nameplate for the all-electric Mustang Mach-E. For now, Toyota remains cautious about going all-electric, offering only the bZ, bZ Woodland, and C-HR in the U.S. RAV4 buyers seeking a plug-in version can instead look to the RAV4 PHEV, which starts at $41,500 before destination fees, nearly $10,000 more than the hybrid version. Meanwhile, the bZ sits in the middle, starting at around $34,900. Toyota View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Both ape hangers and lane filtering are on deck to be outlawed and positioned as legal infractions if you have or engage in either one. Let's dive in.View the full article

A month after BMW revealed the new i3—essentially an electric 3 Series—its great rival has responded with the electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It marks an all-new era for the iconic compact sedans, and the new C-Class has been completely redesigned for the challenge. From its coupe-like profile to a jaw-dropping amount of tech inside and the bold claim that it rides as well as an S-Class, it’s a complete departure from the current gas-powered C-Class. But in order to edge its rival, the C-Class will also have to be a great EV. Has Mercedes nailed it or not? Here’s a first look. Fastback Design Deviates From Traditional Sedan Look 2027 Electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class Mercedes-Benz View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article The new electric C-Class completely reimagines the traditional look of the sedan. In front, there’s a larger iconic grille with optional illumination and a chrome frame. This panel grille features optional animation when the vehicle is opened, closed, or charged. The new headlights have Mercedes star motifs, as we’ve become used to seeing on the latest vehicles from the brand. Digital Light headlamps are optional, and for the first time in the U.S., these will be offered with a partial high beam function. Flush-fitting door handles and that fastback rear define the sleek side view. Those door handles contribute to a drag coefficient of as low as 0.22. Deep red star design taillights also have the star motif. 2027 Electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class Mercedes-Benz View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article In terms of size, the car’s wheelbase is 3.8 inches longer than the combustion-powered C-Class, but the short overhangs mean its body may not be longer. “With the all-new electric C-Class, we have made a profound statement: reinventing classic elegance for the electric age,” said Bastian Baudy, Chief Design Officer, Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “Its distinctive coupe-like silhouette, sculpted with taut surfaces and muscular wheel arches, radiates a powerful emotional appeal.” Interior: Screens Galore, More Space, and Sustainable Materials 2027 Electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class Mercedes-Benz View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Mercedes revealed the interior a few days ago, but now we have a clearer look at it from all angles. The new screen-festooned dashboard catches the eye first, with three different display options: 10.3-inch driver’s display, 14-inch center display, and digitally animated panel (standard equipment)MBUX Superscreen with 10.3-inch driver’s display, 14-inch center display, and 14-inch passenger-side display (optional)MBUX Hyperscreen with continuous 39.1-inch display (optional) Mercedes-Benz The Hyperscreen looks best, as it does away with the bezels of the other two options. Elsewhere, it’s the modern Mercedes interior we expect. There’s extravagant ambient lighting, high-end materials like “Twisted Diamond” design Nappa leather, and plenty of tech, including the available Sky Control panoramic roof with 162 illuminated stars. For the more environmentally-conscious customer, a certified vegan interior option is available. Mercedes-Benz Mercedes has incorporated a number of noise-reducing measures, which includes standard noise-insulating front door glass and a quieter air-conditioning system. The new climate control system heats up twice as fast as the one in a combustion-engined vehicle, further improving comfort. There’s also more space than in the gas-powered C-Class, with greater front legroom and overall headroom. Here are just a few of the advanced features available inside the C-Class: Burmester 4D sound systemMassage function across entire backrest11 high-resolution ambient stylesMBUX Virtual AssistantMBUX Augmented Reality Head-Up DisplayAI integration of ChatGPT4o, Microsoft Bing, and Google GeminiAlthough touchscreen-based controls dominate, Mercedes has incorporated new physical roller switches on the steering wheel for volume control and the cruise control. There’s another row of physical switches lower down for the hazards, driving mode selection, and volume. Overall, it’s a cabin that looks upscale and ultra-modern. Performance, Range, and Charging Mercedes-Benz The first variant of the new C-Class to be available at launch will be the C400 4Matic Electric. Producing 482 horsepower and with standard all-wheel drive, it’s capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.9 seconds. That power comes from the combination of a permanently excited synchronous motor on the rear axle and another motor on the front axle. Under low load, the front motor can be decoupled, which improves efficiency and range. The rear axle features a two-speed transmission, which boosts performance and efficiency, with the second gear designed for power delivery at higher speeds. Depending on the driving mode, the shift points will differ. With 800-volt technology and a 94-kW battery, the C-Class is capable of fast charging and a long range per charge. Mercedes claims a WLTP-rated range of 762 kilometers, which works out to around 473 miles. Expect closer to 400 miles by EPA standards, which means the 440-mile BMW i3 would be ahead in this department. Mercedes-Benz DC fast charging at up to 330 kW is possible in the Mercedes, again slightly down on the BMW’s 400 kW maximum. Still, the Mercedes will be able to add around 200 miles of range in 10 minutes, which is impressive. A standard DC converter enables charging at 400-volt charging stations when needed. Mercedes has made the bold claim that the C-Class delivers levels of comfort and smoothness to match the S-Class on longer journeys. The optional Airmatic air suspension and 4.5-degree rear-axle steering deliver high levels of sportiness and comfort, depending on the driving mode. These capabilities can be unlocked by opting for the Agility & Comfort Package. With this, the car can automatically adjust the damping before encountering a speed bump. The new braking system offers a consistent pedal feel and can bring the car to a stop without you needing to touch the brake pedal, based on the level of recuperation chosen via the steering wheel shift paddles. 
Mercedes-Benz
 Further adding to the elevated driving experience will be City Pro, a point-to-point driving experience that can automatically navigate the car through heavy city traffic. This function will be available at a later stage. “The all-new electric C-Class is redefining the mid-size segment for electric vehicles. Customers will get exactly what they expect from this new version of the beloved model: the perfect blend of performance, comfort, dynamics, and intelligence,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Pricing for the electric C-Class hasn’t been announced yet, but we expect the C400 to start at close to $60,000 when it goes on sale. It arrives at U.S. dealers in the first half of 2027. What It Means Mercedes-Benz The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is no gentle evolution of the current, gas-powered C-Class. It had to be revolutionary, though, as BMW has taken a similarly large leap forward with the i3. With this C-Class, Mercedes is also trying to shed the mediocre reputation of previous EQ-badged EVs. The C-Class has dropped the ‘EQ’ moniker entirely, and it has also moved away from the excessively rounded and polarizing design themes of models like the EQE and EQS. We expect a new gas-powered C-Class to adopt the same look and technologies of the electric sedan you see here. The stage has been set for a heated face-off in the EV segment between BMW and Mercedes next year. View the full article

The Pacifica Hybrid's Sudden Engine Shutdown RecallBack in 2023, Chrysler announced a recall for its Pacifica Hybrid. The reason for that was the minivan's risk of shutting down the engine while in motion, potentially leading to an accident. It affects over 67,000 vehicles for the model years 2017 to 2023. Models from 2024 and later are not included. The main issues revolved around an internal transmission wiring connector. That part suffered a short, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown. At the time, Chrysler said it would repair the affected vehicles with a software update that would warn drivers that the engine is about to shut off. It was said that the warning would give enough time to pull over before things got any worse. Afterward, Chrysler rolled out a software update to reflash the inverter module, reducing the risk of an unexpected shutdown. At the time of writing, no accidents have been reported due to the prior fault. Unhappy OwnersA number of owners were unhappy with the company's solution. Car Complaints reports that a class-action lawsuit has been filed against Chrysler, alleging that it's playing "Russian Roulette with the lives of their vehicle occupants." There are 30 plaintiffs involved in the class action lawsuit, and according to the report, "the minivans would not be properly repaired." The plaintiffs want Chrysler to buy back the vehicles, claiming they were "injured" because they overpaid for their Pacifica Hybrids. Not only that, the suit wants the company to buy back over 67,000 affected minivans as a resolution, not just those from those who filed the case. Stellantis What the Judge SaidIn this case, the judge sided with the plaintiffs, citing that they "have suffered an injury in fact." However, the judge said that while the lawsuit can continue, it cannot under the current motion. The judge ruled, "The class action lawsuit will not cover all the vehicles nationwide." Instead, it can continue in "18 state-specific sub-classes." With that, the buyback of over 67,000 Pacificas won't happen. However, Chrysler isn't completely out of the woods yet, and it will be interesting to see how this case unfolds. The minivan itself cannot afford another massive recall, as it remains the company's sole offering, although new models are expected soon. View the full article

A Tiny Dent, A Massive BillA Reddit post has highlighted how a seemingly simple fender bender on a Rivian R1T turned into a $14,000 repair. What appears to be a simple parking-lot mishap quickly escalated because Rivian’s one-piece bedside construction integrates multiple structural elements into a single panel. Instead of a quick fix, the job required extensive teardown, transforming minor damage into a major repair operation. At a Rivian-certified facility, labor rates reportedly reached $125 per hour for body work and $175 per hour for mechanical work, with technicians removing large sections of the truck to access and reshape the damaged area. Even with the owner choosing to repair rather than replace the panel to avoid more invasive work, the process still required full side paint blending and careful reassembly. As Rivian continues to push for tighter technology integration in models like the Rivian R1S, the downside is becoming harder to ignore: even minor accidents can carry massive repair costs. Rivian’s pricing has gone up graduallyRivian has been quietly adjusting pricing across its lineup, even removing early estimates for upcoming models like the Rivian R2. At the same time, quality concerns have not exactly faded into the background. A recent recall tied to a separating toe link joint shows the company is still ironing out foundational issues while pushing forward with new products. And this is not an isolated repair horror story. Previous reports have shown minor collisions on the R1T ballooning into repair bills approaching 40,000 dollars. The common thread is design complexity. Integrated panels, embedded sensors, and extensive teardown requirements mean labor hours stack up quickly. What used to be a body shop's afternoon now becomes a multi-day disassembly process. Reddit: u/JonjakobJinkleHymer View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The Cost of Advanced Technology and DesignThere is no denying that Rivian is building some of the most interesting EVs on the road. The engineering ambition is impressive, but it comes with real-world consequences. When a single panel incorporates structural, aesthetic, and functional elements, repairability takes a back seat. Owners are left to deal with insurance claims that seem disproportionate to the damage. That is a problem Rivian cannot ignore. The company is still burning through cash at an aggressive rate, and recent delivery figures show momentum is not guaranteed. It needs a win, not just in innovation but in ownership experience. Because if a small dent keeps costing money on a used Toyota Corolla, even the most loyal early adopters might start thinking twice. Reddit: u/JonjakobJinkleHymer View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Winter is making one more run at the country this weekend, with active Winter Storm Warnings in Alaska, accumulating snow across the Rockies and a sharp temperature crash heading for the eastern half of the United States. Alaska Bracing for Up to 5 Feet of SnowThe National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings across large stretches of Alaska, where snow totals could reach 58 inches by Monday. In the Eastern Alaska Range south of Trims Camp, the forecast calls for 8 to 16 inches of snow with wind gusts to 40 mph and blowing snow reducing visibility to near zero. The Richardson Highway from milepost 202 to 224 is directly in the path. Along the Yukon Delta Coast, communities including Kotlik, Scammon Bay and Hooper Bay face 5 to 8 inches with gusts reaching 45 mph. The NWS warned that travel could be "very difficult," with wet snow on warm pavement creating refreeze hazards each night. The Winter Storm Watch runs through Monday morning. Cold Storm Hits the RockiesMeanwhile, a late-season Pacific system is delivering what AccuWeather is calling a "cold storm" across the western interior. Conditions feel more like early March than mid-April, with temperatures running 10 to 25 degrees below the historical average. As the storm presses inland through Friday, several inches to a foot of snow will fall at intermediate elevations in Idaho, western Montana and northeastern Utah. Yellowstone National Park is forecast for 4 to 8 inches. Light accumulations are expected in Pocatello and Boise, Idaho, Great Falls, Montana and Salt Lake City. The temperature swings are the real story for drivers. In eastern Wyoming, highs will drop from the 60s and near 70 on Thursday into the upper 20s and lower 30s on Friday. Colorado will spike into the 70s Thursday before crashing into the 30s Friday. Laramie, Cheyenne and Aspen could all see an inch or two of accumulation. Wet roads that freeze overnight are the primary hazard on mountain passes across the region. The Weather Prediction Center is also tracking snow squalls and convective bands across Utah and Wyoming, with the heaviest terrain-focused snow shifting over Colorado through Friday. A follow-up system is expected to reach the West Coast by Sunday, bringing another round of rain and mountain snow. Midwest and Northeast Temperature CrashThe same pattern change will hammer the eastern half of the country. Highs in the 70s, 80s and even 90s that have been baking the East Coast all week will be replaced by readings in the 30s, 40s and 50s within one to two days. In northern New York and northwestern New England, the cold air may arrive quickly enough on Sunday for rain to briefly mix with or change to snow. Late-season light snowfall is also expected over the Upper Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi Valley from Saturday into Sunday. If your vehicle is not set up for a sudden return to winter conditions, Autoblog's winter car readiness checklist is worth reviewing before you head out this weekend. View the full article

If you're driving across the Sierra on Tuesday or Wednesday this week, the trip is going to look very different from the clear roads of the past ten days. A Pacific trough is dropping snow levels to pass elevation from Tuesday morning onward, and by Tuesday night I-80 and Highway 50 are likely to be in chain controls at the same time, with no practical alternative through the central range. If your timing is flexible, Monday or Thursday are the two clean windows. The National Weather Service office in Reno has a Winter Storm Watch up for the Sierra Nevada from 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 21 through 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, with an upgrade to a Warning likely once confidence firms up. The NWS Weather Prediction Center has the same setup in its national discussion: onshore flow and upper-level impulses driving rain and higher-elevation snow across the Pacific side of the West. The Watch covers the Greater Lake Tahoe Area, the Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra counties, and Mono County. NWS Reno is calling for 4 to 10 inches above 6,500 feet, 12 to 18 inches along the highest peaks, and 1 to 4 inches at lake level, with the west shore most exposed. Ridgetop winds could gust to 90 mph. Separately, a Lake Wind Advisory runs today (Monday, April 20) from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. PDT: southwest winds 10 to 20 mph, gusts to 35, 1 to 3 foot waves on the lake. This Watch lands just over a week after a considerably stronger system dropped 2 to 3 feet on the Sierra and closed I-80 in both directions on April 12. This one is smaller, but it arrives late enough in the season that most people have already swapped to summer tires and put the chains in the garage. California's April 1 snowpack came in at 18 percent of average, the second-lowest April reading on record, with the Northern Sierra at 6 percent. March was the warmest and driest on record statewide. Timing and Highway ImpactSnow levels start Tuesday morning near 6,800 feet. That puts the first chain controls over the top of Donner Summit between Kingvale and Donner Lake. Through the day, steadier snow moves in and levels drop toward 6,000 feet, which pushes controls down to Blue Canyon and Truckee. Tuesday night is where this storm earns the Watch. Snow showers continue, another 1 to 3 inches possible at lake level, much more at pass elevation, and the wind picks up. Wednesday morning is the break. Snow tapers before 11 a.m., roads clear, chain controls come off through midday. Then a second system moves in Wednesday afternoon into the evening, which will likely put controls back up over Donner before clearing out overnight. Thursday: sun, high near 52 at South Lake Tahoe. I-80 over Donner Summit (7,240 ft) is the primary concern. It's the main east-west artery across the Northern Sierra, controls are near-certain Tuesday and probable Wednesday evening. Highway 50 over Echo Summit (7,382 ft) faces the same exposure with fewer plowing resources. When both corridors tighten at once there is no practical alternative through the central range. US-395 along the eastern Sierra gets gusty winds and accumulating snow on the side roads toward Mammoth and June Mountain. Carson Pass on CA-88, CA-89, anything above roughly 7,000 feet, all of it tightens earlier than the Interstates. Road Conditions and What to ExpectThe pattern on a spring Sierra storm like this is not deep snow, it's transitions. Pavement will cycle through wet, slushy, snow-packed, and refrozen inside the same drive. The worst of it tends to land in two places: bridges and overpasses, which ice before anything else, and the last mile or two before each summit, where the grade steepens and snow levels catch up to the roadway quickly. Controls will likely start as R-1 (chains or M+S tires required on commercial vehicles) and escalate to R-2 (chains on everything except 4WD/AWD with M+S tires on all four corners) as accumulation builds Tuesday afternoon and evening. R-3, which requires chains on every vehicle including AWD, is less common but possible overnight Tuesday into Wednesday if winds pick up and visibility collapses. Short closures for spin-outs and over-the-hood drifting are more likely than a full multi-hour shutdown based on current guidance, though the April 12 system did close I-80 in both directions and a smaller one can do the same if the timing lines up badly. AAA Visibility is the part drivers underestimate. Wind-driven snow across open sections of I-80 near Boreal and along the exposed stretches of US-395 can drop visibility to a few car lengths with almost no warning. If you can't see the tail lights of the car ahead, slow down well before you think you need to. Tuesday night is when all of this converges: falling snow, dropping snow levels, picking up wind, and traffic from people who left later than they should have. Before You GoChains are required above 4,000 to 5,000 feet during active controls. AWD is not exempt from R-3 restrictions. The statewide 511 line carries live chain-control status for California; Nevada drivers can dial 511 in state. Carry chains even if it looks clear at departure. Conditions shift fast on the passes. View the full article

Kensei Matsudaira emerged from Road Atlanta with a clean Talent Cup sweep, backing up Saturday’s win with a second Sunday victory, while Australian Sam Drane recovered from a difficult opening race to finish fourth in race two and remain fourth in the standings. The post Road Atlanta Talent Cup Wrap | Matsudaira sweeps, Drane rebounds appeared first on MCNews. View the full article