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It’s time for more IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series racing action baby! They are back at it, coming to you from IHRA Darana Dragway National Trail in Ohio, where racers are going to be battling it out for big money in all classes. I can’t wait to see who’s going to take the money home this weekend and you can watch all the action right here on the livestream below. We’re talking Pro Am sportsman drag racing, Nitro and door slammer Pro classes, and so much more! The post FREE IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series Spring Nationals LIVESTREAM – Pro Am Time Trials & Qualifying From Darana Raceway appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

The majority of models in Subaru’s U.S. lineup have been implicated in a new class action lawsuit for a persistent battery drain problem. Despite many owners replacing their batteries, the lawsuit claims the issue will simply return due to a larger defect within the electric systems of the vehicle, resulting in parasitic drain. Plaintiffs claim that they’ve had to spend extra cash on diagnostic costs, roadside assistance, and complete battery replacements, besides the inconvenience of being left stranded by cars that won’t start. Here’s everything we know. Subaru Battery Class Action Lawsuit Subaru The lawsuit’s multiple plaintiffs hail from New York, New Jersey, California, and Texas. All have had problems with their cars either being unable to start or shutting down/stalling in traffic due to issues with the battery and electric system. The lawsuit, shared by Car Complaints, alleges that power consumption is inadequately managed by the electric system when the vehicle is off, with at least one electronic control module failing to put the vehicle into the correct low power sleep mode. This leads to parasitic battery drain that can happen at any time. The following Subaru models have been mentioned in the lawsuit: 2021-2022 Subaru Outback2021-2024 Subaru Forester2021-2023 Subaru Legacy2021-2023 Subaru WRX2021-2022 Subaru Ascent2019-2023 Subaru Crosstrek2019-2024 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid2022-2025 Subaru Forester Wilderness2019-2023 Subaru ImprezaThe Forester and Crosstrek are some of Subaru’s best-selling models in the country, so there are potentially a very large number of affected vehicles. Christina Taylor, the plaintiff from New York, purchased a 2021 Subaru Forester and first ran into trouble with starting the vehicle at 36,705 miles. She replaced the battery for $326 initially, but it failed again at 72,678 miles. The dealer replaced it for free but she claims that rough starts are still an issue. Other plaintiffs have had similar experiences and have had to replace batteries for up to $434. Not The First Lawsuit For Subaru Batteries Subaru More than one lawsuit has been filed for the battery issue in Subarus. In 2022, a settlement was reached between the automaker and a separate group of plaintiffs. In it, Subaru insisted the vehicles were fine, but in the proposed settlement, the automaker agreed to pay 100% of the first battery replacement for up to five years or 60,000 miles. That doesn’t directly resolve the issue of continued parasitic drain, which eventually affects new batteries, too. In the 2026 lawsuit, the owner of a 2024 Outback had a larger replacement battery and bracket installed, indicating that the original was inadequate. In October 2025, Subaru issued a bulletin on how to correctly test for parasitic battery drain, with the aim to address “the tendency of technicians to prematurely attribute parasitic draw to the Data Communication Module.” We visited the NHTSA and Car Complaints and found numerous complaints from customers who have had battery issues. For the Subaru Outback, the single most reported problem is for dead batteries on 2017 Outbacks, a model not even included in this latest lawsuit. This suggests there is an underlying electrical flaw. Related: Toyota and Subaru Sued as EV Owners Claim Batteries Fail in Just Months What It Means Subaru Whereas an issue like a defective airbag often results in an immediate recall—due to not meeting federal safety standards—the Subaru battery issue is more challenging to resolve. The automaker’s findings of there being no underlying flaw conflicts sharply with the experiences of many customers, who have had repeated battery failures. While some lawsuits can unfortunately take months or years to reach a resolution, there’s hope for owners that legal pressure will compel Subaru to initiate a recall. Until that happens, many may have to grapple with more frequent battery replacements. View the full article

The first outing of Aprilia's 850cc MotoGP prototype at Jerez signals a major shift in racing philosophy. View the full article

The new AGV K7 motorcycle helmet delivers wide vision, comfort, and stability in a package that feels a little too convincing. View the full article

We’ve got more fun junkyard inventory from our friend Chad Ehrlich at Nobody Else’s Auto in Great Bend Kansas. This week Chad is sharing this awesome 1963 Custom Cab Ford pickup. These trucks are something special and I love the look. But does this Custom Cab check all the boxes? Let’s see what Chad has to say about it. Video Description: If you like old cars, trucks, and automobilia, be sure to check out all of my other videos! Please subscribe so you can keep up with the new videos as I post them! If you have questions about vehicles or parts, the only way to get a hold of me is to call me, 8 AM-8 PM CST, no texts, no e-mails, no messenger, no smoke signals, calls only. 620-786-4428 If I don’t answer, I’m probably on the phone with someone else and if you don’t leave me a message, I just assume you’re another telemarketer trying to sell me an extended warranty! LOL! I am located in Great Bend, KS and I am not open to the public, so if you show up without calling and making an appointment, don’t expect me to be available. Shipping is available. If you comment, message, text, e-mail, etc., don’t expect me to find it and don’t expect an answer. Thanks for watching, Chad 620-786-4428 The post New Junkyard Inventory! This 1963 Ford Custom Cab Pickup Is Cool! But Does It Check All The Boxes for a Custom Cab? appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

We’ve been fans of the Dakar Rally for decades, and we love to share coverage from the race here whenever possible. It’s been an interesting journey for the Dakar Rally in the last 10 years or so and it just keeps getting more and more competitive. It’s a challenge for drivers, cars, crew, and teams, and we love watching all the action. But when we saw that the Dakar Rally organizers were livestreaming the 2027 Route Announcements, we knew we should share. So here you go, the livestream replay for you to enjoy is below. Check it out and see what the route is going to be and how it compares to 2026. The post The 2027 Dakar Rally Route Has Been Announced! Check Out Where It’s Going Below! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

The Harley-Davidson Sportster was a fan favorite, but the company killed it after taking a loss on every single motorcycle. But now, with a new CEO, he's bringing it back, along with an entry-level motorcycle that's priced under $10,000. View the full article

I am willing to bet that there probably isn’t anyone who’s cut more stuff off of Freiburger’s Muscle Truck than I have. Since I was there for the original build, as part of our CarJunkieTV website, I can tell you a lot about what it took to build this thing the first time so we could drive it cross country and show it off at the LSX Shootout in Memphis in 2008. There is a ton that has gone into this truck over the years, but one of the funniest things that I remember was the perfect floors. When we cleaned out the interior the paint on the floors was nicer than any paint on the rest of the truck. It was nuts. And we didn’t want to scratch it all up. But we did want to cut up the rest of it. This is one of the earlier LS Swaps in a C10 that most people had heard about, and boy has this thing been fun. Check out the story from Freiburger, and if you guys want to hear more let me know and maybe I’ll do one of my own. Video Description: Get OG MUSCLE TRUCK T-shirts here: https://shop.davidfreiburger.com/ The OG Muscle Truck from Roadkill and Hot Rod Magazine has been in my fleet since perhaps as long ago as late 2006, and I never would have thought that a simple LS swap and a shrieking exhaust sound would turn this beater into one of the best known Squarebody C10s on Earth. Here’s the complete story, from the day I bought the truck for $1500, through every episode of Roadkill and Roadkill Garage, and into the plans for what’s next.—D/F Thanks to Amir Saidi for the thumbnail pic. The post Here’s The Story Of Freiburger’s Original Muscle Truck, And How We Helped Make This Awesome Squarebody A Thing! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

This 1967 Mercury Comet is a really cool Nostalgia Super Stocker that brings back memories of some cool Mercury drag cars I grew up with at Fremont Dragstrip in Northern California. One of my favorites was the Team Smokey Bear 1964 Mercury Comet. It was a Super Stock M Automatic car, so was small block powered, but it was still a fun car to watch. Check out this cool vintage hot rod as Evan gives us all the details and shares some fun action video of it going down track. Video Description: Dan Parson Jr. tells REVan Evan about his winning 1967 Mercury Comet 202 with a monster FE under the fiberglass hood! See all our videos from the recent FE Race and Reunion here on the REVan Evan channel. The post Drag Race Feature: This 900HP, 511 Cubic Inch FE Powered, 1967 Mercury Comet Nostalgia Super Stocker Runs 9s! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Master your charging system: calculate true idle amp draw, respect the 18,000 RPM limit, and ensure a perfect engine ground.View the full article

A Tornado Emergency, the highest-tier warning the NWS (National Weather Service) issues, is active across central Mississippi tonight, Thursday, May 7, 2026, after a confirmed violent tornado tracked east of Meadville at 50 mph and a second tornado developed near Brookhaven along I-55. The squall line is sweeping east into Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas overnight as part of a multi-day severe weather outbreak across Dixie Alley. Peak Driving Danger WindowThe greatest risk runs from this evening through the overnight hours along I-55 between Jackson and McComb and along I-20 east into Meridian, where supercells are tracking at 35 to 50 mph and NWS Jackson has explicitly told drivers not to travel the interstate as cells pass. What to ExpectTornado risk: Two confirmed large tornadoes already on the ground in Mississippi, with additional supercells capable of all hazards forecast overnight.Wind gusts: Damaging gusts to 70 mph within the warm sector, supported by 850-mb southwesterly flow at 35 to 40 knots.Hail and rain: Mixed-layer CAPE near 2,500 J/kg supports large hail; up to 4 inches of rainfall expected through Monday May 11.Worst corridors: I-55 (Jackson to McComb), I-20 (Jackson to Meridian), I-65 (Birmingham to Montgomery) and I-85 into Atlanta overnight.The setup is driven by the same massive cold front that produced Colorado snow earlier this week. Mid-60s to lower-70s dewpoints south of the front and strong shear aloft are sustaining long-track supercells overnight, per the Storm Prediction Center. Road ConditionsI-55 was directly in the path of the Brookhaven tornado, and Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves activated state Search and Rescue. With supercell tracks crossing I-20 and I-65 into Birmingham and Atlanta overnight, expect unannounced closures, debris on the roadway, and cells reaching Upstate South Carolina by sunrise. Hail to 2 inches or larger is plausible within the strongest cells, and any vehicle parked in the open is exposed to serious damage. Our breakdown of whether car insurance covers storm damage covers comprehensive versus liability before claims pile up. The Mississippi DOT traffic map tracks active closures. Flash Flood Risk Across the Lower Mississippi ValleyHeavy to excessive rainfall is producing flash flooding from the Lower Mississippi Valley into the southern Appalachians, per the WPC. Multiple flood watches are active across Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and northern Georgia, with up to 4 inches of rain through Monday May 11 as storm rounds train over the same ground. Drivers on I-10, I-20 and I-65 should expect ponding, hydroplaning, and barricaded low-water crossings. Flooded vehicles often resurface on used-car lots months later, our guide to spotting flood-damaged vehicles is worth bookmarking before any post-storm shopping. Severe Storm Driving TipsIf you are caught on the road with a tornado approaching, do not try to outrun it. Tornadoes change direction faster than highway speeds and debris fields extend well beyond the visible funnel. Pull off, exit the vehicle, and shelter in a sturdy structure or low ditch. Underpasses are not shelter, they create wind tunnels that accelerate debris. Even storm chasers with armored vehicles get overrun, our piece on how stormchasers drive inside a tornado is a useful reality check. For flash flooding, the NWS Turn Around Don't Drown rule applies: 6 inches of moving water can knock down an adult, 12 inches can carry away a small car, and 18 to 24 inches sweeps away most SUVs and trucks. Check tire tread (4/32 minimum for heavy rain), top off washer fluid, and disengage cruise control once rain starts. TimingTornado risk peaks tonight across central and eastern Mississippi, shifting into Alabama and Georgia overnight. Friday May 8 carries continued severe potential along the central Gulf Coast and into the Carolinas. Saturday May 9 a new SPC-flagged severe weather setup targets Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas as the next shortwave trough fires Plains storms. We'll update this article as conditions evolve. View the full article

Up to three feet of snow could blanket the Eastern Alaska Range backcountry this weekend while 90 mph gusts hammer the Alaska Peninsula, putting the Richardson Highway corridor in the path of a multi-day winter assault. The National Weather Service Anchorage office issued a Winter Storm Watch today, Thursday May 7, 2026, layered atop active Winter Weather Advisories and High Wind Warnings that stretch from Bristol Bay through the eastern Aleutians. Peak Driving Danger WindowSunday morning through Monday afternoon delivers the worst conditions for the Richardson Highway between Glennallen and Delta Junction, when 12 to 18 inches of new snow will combine with steep grades and refreeze on shaded passes above 2,500 feet. What to ExpectSnow totals: 12 to 18 inches at highway level in the Eastern Alaska Range; 24 to 36 inches possible in higher backcountry terrainLower Kuskokwim Valley: 9 to 13 inches expected through Sunday morningBristol Bay north of King Salmon: 8 to 12 inches expected through Sunday morningWind gusts: 90 mph in Alaska Peninsula channels, 80 mph across the eastern Aleutians and Pribilof Islands, 75 mph on the Kuskokwim Delta CoastWorst corridors: Richardson Highway (AK-4), Tok Cutoff (AK-1), and Glenn Highway approaches near Eureka SummitThe setup is a textbook late-season Bering Sea storm: a deep low off the Aleutians dragging Pacific moisture northeast, then riding upslope into the Alaska Range where orographic lift wrings out the heaviest totals. Road ConditionsThe Richardson Highway is the most exposed paved corridor of the weekend. The stretch from Glennallen north through Isabel Pass routinely sees the worst conditions of any road in the state during spring upslope events, and AKDOT&PF maintenance windows tighten quickly when warning-level snow lands above 2,500 feet. Drivers should check Alaska 511 for chain advisories, closures, and live camera feeds before departure. AWD alone will not save you on glaze ice; review our AWD vs 4WD breakdown before committing to a long-haul drive. Winter Driving TipsTread depth matters more than tire badge. Confirm your snow tires read at least 4/32 inches across the contact patch; below that you are driving on summer rubber regardless of the sidewall stamp. Cold air drops tire pressure roughly 1 to 2 PSI per 10 degree Fahrenheit drop, so check pressures before leaving a heated garage. On packed snow, plan for triple your normal stopping distance. For long Interior runs, see our winter driving practices guide and best vehicles for snow roundup, and review NWS winter weather safety before departure. TimingWinter Weather Advisories and High Wind Warnings run tonight through Sunday morning. The Winter Storm Watch covers Sunday morning through Monday afternoon, with peak Richardson Highway impacts Sunday night into Monday morning. NWS Anchorage discussions flag a second Bering Sea low queued for midweek that could re-energize the same corridors. We'll update this article as conditions evolve. View the full article

RZ, Meet Your Bigger BrotherWhile Toyota isn't exactly going all in on electric vehicles, it's still churning these out from time to time. That said, its luxury division has only one EV offering: the RZ. Well, that changes today as Lexus has just introduced the TZ, a larger, three-row battery-powered crossover. In many ways, it complements the fuel-fed TX and serves as an option for Lexus loyalists who have been wishing for a larger EV crossover from the company. At the same time, the TZ has two main competitors it has set its sights on: the Cadillac Vistiq and the Volvo EX90. Lexus 2027 Lexus TZ: The BasicsTo oversimplify the TZ, it's the luxury version of the new-generation Highlander, itself going EV-only, leaving hybrid powertrains to the larger Grand Highlander. At the same time, it shares the same platform as the Subaru Getaway, which was revealed at the New York Auto Show. For dimensions, the TZ measures 200.8 inches long, 78.3 inches wide, and 67.1 inches tall, and rides on a lengthy 120.1-inch wheelbase. It's over an inch longer than the Highlander EV, and ever so slightly lower, although width and wheelbase are exactly the same. Behind the third-row seats, Lexus claims a cargo capacity of 13.8 cu. ft. As for powertrain options, there are two battery sizes available. In this case, there's a choice between 76.96 kWh and 95.82 kWh. It's still unclear whether two power output options will be offered. The company did reveal that the model it presented makes 402 hp and it lays it down via a DIRECT4 all-wheel drive system. The estimated range is rated at 300 miles. Lexus What Else Does it Offer?Lexus says the TZ is built around its Driving Lounge Concept. In other words, there are acres of space, soothing earth tones in the cabin, and heaps of comfort. The brand is quite proud of using bamboo for its interior trim and of its panoramic sunroof, which stretches all the way to the third row to let even more light into the cabin. What Lexus showed was a six-seater version with the middle row consisting of captain's chairs. It's possible that a seven-seater might be offered for lower trims. Also thrown in as standard is Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, which comes with the usual array of advanced driver assists, plus emergency steering assist, intersection turn assist, and a degree of semi-autonomous driving capabilities. As for infotainment, it features the brand's latest software, which also includes 5G connectivity. Improvements include more personalization, EV charge management options, and enhanced processing power. Lexus Other HighlightsOne of the interesting options for the TZ is four-wheel steering. It can turn the rear wheels by up to 4 degrees, and changes angle depending on speed. Another worthwhile option is the power captain's chairs that also include ventilation. Additional entertainment features are also available, including SiriusXM with 360L and integrated Spotify streaming. The TZ can also pipe in sounds if things get a little too silent inside. Dubbed Active Sound Control, it can channel 'musical chord sequences' or even the V10 wail from the LFA...in a family crossover. This luxury EV also goes beyond the usual drive modes by coming with what's called Rear Comfort Mode. In essence, it puts the accelerator on a more relaxed setting, and the electronically-controlled dampers work overtime to keep those seated at the back as detached from any road harshness as possible. Pricing has yet to be revealed, and so too are the trims. We'll know the full story once Lexus publishes these, and the 2027 will reach showrooms by late 2026. Lexus View the 7 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

2026 North West 200 Wednesday Report The North West 200 got off to a cautious start today in less-than-ideal conditions, with many competitors gingerly lapping the seaside circuit to bank qualifying laps, rather than going for fast times. It was the kind of day when experience won through and it was the elder statesmen on […] The post Brookes tops wet Wednesday in Superstock at North West 200 appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

The Rivian R2 has the potential to become an even bigger thing for the company than everyone expected. It goes without saying that the midsize electric SUV will target a much larger demographic than the existing high-end R1S and R1T, but it looks like the growth potential of the R2 will be even more significant. That’s because Rivian is reportedly developing additional variants of the R2 that it hasn’t disclosed previously. While Rivian recently began volume production of the R2 at its Illinois plant, CEO RJ Scaringe told Reuters the new Georgia plant is being built to support multiple versions of the R2 platform, allowing flexibility as the EV maker ramps up production. Rivian R2 Pickup and R2X Performance Model Not Ruled Out Rivian While Scaringe did not get into details, he did suggest R2 versions may include pickup or performance models. "There are other variants of R2, which we haven't shown,” Scaringe said in an interview with the news agency when asked about a pickup variant of the R2. “What we're building in Georgia allows for different variations,” he added. Rivian previously said the R2 midsize platform would also underpin a smaller R3 crossover and the R3X performance variant further down the line, but it looks like an R2X performance model is also in the cards. "So clearly there could be an R2X," Scaringe said. "There's going to be combinations. I want to be careful not to announce the program.” While that’s great news, Rivian needs to nail the R2 rollout first, as deliveries of the new model are expected to start around June. In March, the company has announced various trims of the R2 SUV, including a $58,000 R2 Performance Launch Edition model, a $53,990 R2 Premium trim coming before the end of the year, and the $48,490 R2 Standard arriving in the first half of 2027. Mind you, the long-awaited $45,000 entry-level R2 trim will become available by late 2027. Expected to offer over 275 miles of range, the base Rivian R2 is likely to significantly expand the company’s customer base. The R2 Is Expected to Boost Rivian Deliveries by 53% This Year Rivian Rivian expects deliveries to jump 53% this year driven by the launch of the R2. Assuming a smooth production ramp and steady demand, the company expects to deliver roughly 22,000-23,000 R2s, contributing to a significant increase in Rivian’s EV market share. Initially, the R2 is being built at the existing plant in Normal, Illinois. But the midsize electric SUV will also be built at the new factory in Georgia, which is expected to start production in 2028; the smaller R3 and R3X will also be made at the site. Rivian has been awarded a $4.5 billion loan from the Department of Energy to build the plant, and the company will begin to access the loan next year. Initially, the loan was supposed to amount to $6.57 billion, but on April 30 Rivian announced that it renegotiated the terms in order to draw on the loan sooner and have greater initial production. As a result, the Georgia plant is now projected to have an annual output of 300,000 vehicles given the uncertain demand for all-electric vehicles, down from an initial projected capacity of 400,000. Rivian’s new factory will also build the 10,000 autonomous R2 robotaxis contracted by Uber as part of a $1.25 billion deal. Rivian View the full article

The Fight Over Driving DataThe court has ruled that the lawsuit against General Motors over alleged data privacy violations involving OnStar can proceed. Car Complaints reported that about 30 class actions were consolidated into a single lawsuit, though some claims were dismissed. For context, GM is being sued for allegedly collecting vehicle and driver data through OnStar and selling it to third parties, including insurance companies. OnStar is a connected service that provides functions such as smartphone controls and vehicle diagnostics, which came free with every vehicle purchase in 2015. The issue, according to the plaintiffs, is that GM failed to adequately disclose that part of the subscription involved gathering driver data. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Driving Data Has ValueSome of that data reportedly includes instances of “hard braking, hard acceleration, driving without a seat belt, driving over 80 miles per hour, and late-night driving.” Insurance companies could use this information to increase rates or deny coverage based on a car owner’s driving behavior. There is also the cybersecurity concern, especially if that data is hacked and leaked. In response, General Motors argued that vehicle owners consented to data collection by using OnStar, and that the terms of service still applied even if customers did not read them. Moreover, the Michigan-based automaker claimed it did not violate privacy because OnStar subscribers were driving in public rather than “in seclusion.” Nonetheless, the court reportedly allowed more than 40 claims against GM to proceed, including allegations involving the Stored Communications Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and Federal Wiretap Act. Chevrolet The Tradeoff of Modern TechnologyThis case is similar to a lawsuit against Toyota, in which a 2021 RAV4 owner accused the Japanese automaker of selling driver data to third-party companies through Connected Services, which works much like OnStar. The issue raises broader privacy concerns, especially as more vehicles rely on data to enable smart features such as advanced driver-assistance systems, which use cameras and sensors to detect potential hazards. Perhaps the dispute could force automakers to be clearer about consent, especially as connected-car features are undeniably useful in making car ownership more convenient. In fact, OnStar’s top bundle includes Super Cruise, which allows GM vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe to use hands-free driver assistance technology that can help reduce driver fatigue. But for interested customers, it is worth noting that the Federal Trade Commission has already finalized an order banning GM and OnStar from sharing geolocation and driver behavior data with consumer reporting agencies for five years. It also requires the company to provide greater transparency to customers. Buick View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The FR Sub-Brand Zeekr, a brand under the Geely group, wants to take a stab at the performance EV market, aiming to challenge Porsche. The FR sub-brand is similar to BMW's M, Mercedes' AMG, and Toyota's GR divisions. putting performance at the forefront of the driving experience of its products. The Geely group's portfolio of EVs and concepts is already quite impressive. In recent news, the Lynk and Co Time To Shine concept showed the world what a performance EV from the Geely group could look like. On top of that, not only does the group hold the current record for fastest charging at the time of writing, but it also has a lineup of electric vehicles that are insanely quick on their own, like the Zeekr 7X, which already has over 600 horsepower at its highest trim level. Zeekr High Performance is key Mars Chen, Zeekr's vice president, told members of the Australian motoring media that "for the Zeekr brand, we need to move upwards. How do we go up? In two directions, performance and super luxury." Chen continued by saying, "For further information, I’m really sorry I cannot share with you. But I want you to note: the ambition is always there," and that ambition is "to be a comprehensive carmaker. But after the 'One Geely' strategy, we need to aim at Porsche... focus on the real premium luxury segment." Currently, Geely's Zeekr may offer some of the most technologically advanced cars on the market today; however, Chen stated, "We (Zeekr) are not a luxury brand yet, we are humble." “But we are also confident. We do have luxury products in-house, but to be a better accepted luxury brand, you need to prove yourself. We cannot call ourselves a successful brand yet,” Chen stated. Zeekr Zeekr FR v Porsche? Here we have another performance brand. It's similar to what M means to BMW, AMG to Mercedes, GR to Toyota, and Nismo to Nissan, among many other sub-brands. Now, even if you've followed Chinese brands closely in the past two years (maybe in hopes of one day owning one), you might know about Zeekr, but not FR. Turns out, the sub-brand has been quiet for the last three years, with the last car launch happening in 2023: The Zeekr 001 FR. The 001 is already a well-specced car on its own, but after Zeekr slapped on the FR brand on the model name, it went up to a whole other level of crazy. It boasts 1,247 horsepower, a 0 to 62 mph time of about 2.02 seconds (with rollout subtracted), a 0 to 100 mph time of under 6.29 seconds (6.29 seconds 0 to 200 kph), and a top speed of 174 miles per hour. It has 944 lb-ft of torque, and former F1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen is blessing the car with a co-developed driving mode that'll boost power to up to 1,300 horsepower. While the brand has been quiet for a time, we might see it again very soon. There are rumors of a more powerful and even more exciting 001 FR model coming soon as well. Zeekr View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Going for AlternativesThe conflict in the Middle East has definitely been the biggest catalyst for change in automotive buying habits. What used to be a fairly evenly distributed industry in terms of buyer preference has seemingly shifted over the past few months. Data now shows that buyers are choosing hybrids as the primary option when considering new car purchases. So much has been sold so far that inventory across the United States has dipped as demand for hybrids and EVs surges. Honda Demand = SalesAccording to a report by Automotive News, new-car inventory for May has fallen to just 2.85 million units. The surge in fuel prices has driven customers to seek out electrified vehicles such as hybrids and electric cars. Data analytics firm Catalyst IQ's numbers show that the latest total light-vehicle inventory dropped 2.7% from the start of April, and the previous 80 days of supply have fallen to just 76 days this May. Hybrids account for only 1 of 5 vehicles marketed for sale, yet according to the data, they are the fastest-selling type of car right now. On average, hybrids spent only 59 days on car lots, compared to 75 days for gasoline-powered cars and 114 days for EVs. Small and medium-sized sedans had the tightest days' supply, according to the data, with a big dip in inventory for larger pickups. What is usually a well-stocked segment due to its popularity is now lower than small, medium, and full-sized SUVs. Hybrid FutureHybrids have steadily risen in demand over the years, but the recent rise in fuel prices has increased demand even more this year. Hyundai and Kia have gone on to say that demand has risen by 57.8% year-on-year, which is also bolstering a bigger share of the market. Hybrids now account for 16.3% compared to EVs 8.6%, 8.6%. Some EV owners have also jumped ship to hybrids. Leading the charge seems to be Toyota with the RAV4, which accounts for half of all new hybrid registrations in the U.S. Following Toyota are Honda, Hyundai, and Kia, which are benefiting from the new demand surge. Hyundai View the full article

Volkswagen Group has increased its stake in Rivian Automotive to 15.9%, becoming its largest shareholder ahead of Amazon, which had been the top investor in the EV maker ever since its 2021 IPO. According to an SEC filing, Volkswagen’s US subsidiary has purchased 62.9 million new shares on April 30 at $15.90 per share, spending a total of approximately $1 billion in the process. You may be aware that Volkswagen Group is not doing great at the moment, and in light of that, the investment may seem out of place, but the fact is the German carmaker was bound by the terms of its joint venture with Rivian to make the investment. VW Group Coughs Up a Further $1 Billion to Buy Rivian Shares R More specifically, the $1 billion share purchase is the latest step under the $5.8 billion investment commitment by 2027 signed by Rivian and VW Group in November 2024. According to the terms of the deal, VW’s investment is structured in $1 billion increments, each triggered by the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies joint venture hitting specific milestones. In this case, Electrek reports that the milestone was the completion of winter testing of the joint venture’s production-intent zonal architecture for first-generation software-defined vehicles, including the ID.Every1 (shown below). Since prototype vehicles from the Volkswagen, Audi and Scout Motors brands all passed the validation, VW had to purchase more Rivian stock. Volkswagen Group So far, VW Group has spent roughly $3.3 billion of its $5.8 billion commitment to Rivian. If it commits to the full $5.8 billion, VW’s stake in Rivian could go well above 20% by 2027. By that point, it will be interesting to see how VW and Rivian’s relationship will evolve seeing as they may have conflicting interests in the U.S. market—the Scout Motors brand is a direct competitor for Rivian. VW’s recent share purchase has relegated Amazon to second place among the largest investors with around 11.8% of the expanded share count; while the tech giant hasn’t sold a single Rivian share, its stake has been diluted from roughly 20% at the IPO. Amazon currently owns 158.4 million Rivian shares. Why the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies Joint Venture Matters Jason Meshnick VW formed the joint venture with Rivian to gain access to the EV maker’s software to use in its global vehicles—much like its agreement with Xpeng is focused on the Chinese market. Following the failure of VW’s Cariad in-house division to develop reliable EV software, VW has had to postpone the launch of its next-generation Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) several times. VW’s SSP unified EV architecture is expected to replace the existing MEB and PPE platforms. It will underpin a wide variety of models, from small cars like the future Golf EV to large SUVs, flagship VW and Audi sedans, and luxury sports cars from the Porsche brand. The first VW vehicles featuring the Rivian-developed software and electrical architecture are expected to launch next year, starting with the €20,000 ID. Every1 electric city car. View the full article

In 1935, a car called the Auto Union Lucca screamed down a stretch of Italian autostrada near the Tuscan city of Lucca and hit 203 mph. Driver Hans Stuck set a new record for the fastest car on a public road, and the machine that made it possible promptly disappeared into history. Both Lucca Silver Arrow prototypes that were ever built raced at the AVUS Ring in May 1935, failed to finish, and were eventually lost altogether. For nearly 90 years, Audi — the company that grew directly from Auto Union's roots — had nothing to show for it. That gap has now been filled. Audi Tradition recently unveiled a complete, hand-crafted recreation of the Lucca, built over three years by British specialists Crosthwaite & Gardiner, and unveiled it in the very Italian town that gave the car its name. Audi View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Sixteen Cylinders, No SynchromeshThe recreation is powered by a mid-mounted 6.0-litre supercharged V16 motor, driving the rear wheels through a five-speed, non-synchronised manual gearbox. It’s the kind of setup that demands full commitment from the driver, with no synchromesh to smooth out clumsy shifts. The bodywork is hand-beaten aluminium, keeping weight down to around 2,116 pounds in the spirit of the original. Crosthwaite & Gardiner have built the same engine configuration for other Auto Union recreations, where it produces around 520 horsepower on 50 percent methanol. Audi View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The Road to AudiTo understand why this car matters so much to Audi, you have to go back to 1932. Germany was deep in the Great Depression, and four automakers — Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer — were all losing money. They merged in 1932 to form Auto Union AG, immediately becoming Germany's second-largest car manufacturer. Each brand kept its name and its market segment, but engineering resources were pooled under one roof. The four interlocking rings that symbolised their union are still on every Audi today. After World War II, the company rebuilt itself in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, eventually being taken over by Volkswagen in 1964 and formally reborn as Audi in 1968. Audi The Race For The Fastest Car in The WorldThe Lucca wasn't built purely for sport. It was built to win a propaganda battle. Mercedes-Benz had set a public road speed record in Hungary in late 1934, and Auto Union needed it back. The two German manufacturers spent the mid-1930s locked in a ferocious rivalry — not just on the Grand Prix circuit but in annual "record weeks" on newly built autobahn stretches, each trying to outrun the other. Stuck's 203 mph run in 1935 was the opening shot. The duel escalated rapidly, with Caracciola and Bernd Rosemeyer trading records at over 250 mph before Rosemeyer was killed in a crash in 1938. Audi Auto Union's public road record eventually fell as speeds climbed through the late 1930s. Today, the outright world land speed record stands at 763 mph, set by the jet-powered ThrustSSC in 1997. The Lucca's rebuilt recreation will make its dynamic debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed this July, ninety years after the original blazed the way. View the full article

After hearing arguments from all parties during a telephonic hearing on Tuesday afternoon, the judge overseeing the Joe Gibbs Racing v Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports lawsuits has scheduled the trial to take place in January. This is later than the November timeframe requested by the plaintiffs and earlier than the May timeline requested by the defendants. From the order: “The ...Keep readingView the full article

Relying on Hydraulic Brake Systems Since Time ImmemorialBraking systems have stuck to the same playbook for a very long time. Step on the pedal, hydraulic fluid travels through lines, pressure builds, and the calipers bite down on the rotors. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving a city hatchback, a big SUV, or a supercar – the basics haven’t really changed. Braking tech has definitely moved forward – drums gave way to discs, ABS and brake force distribution arrived, and now we have regenerative braking and stability systems. But underneath all that, cars still depend on hydraulics to actually bring things to a halt. That could finally be changing. Brembo just confirmed that its Sensify intelligent braking system is now in large-scale production. It’s one of the strongest signals yet that fully by-wire brakes are about to go mainstream. A Brake System Without Hydraulic FluidBrembo says Sensify uses a fluid-free setup, ditching the usual hydraulic circuits and central actuators. Instead, each wheel gets its own electronic brain, so braking force is managed by software, not just hardware. Put simply, pressing the brake pedal doesn’t push fluid through lines anymore. Instead, your input is read electronically and each wheel gets its own dose of braking force. That means much finer control. Brembo claims the system can constantly adjust braking force based on road conditions, how the car is moving, and how much grip you have. Brembo also sees Sensify as a big step toward software-defined cars. New EVs and next-gen vehicles are built around central software, where updates and even driving feel can change with a download. Sensify fits right in, especially for advanced driver aids and future self-driving tech. Interestingly, Brembo said that Sensify will be standard on every car in this unnamed production run. So this isn’t just a one-off supercar experiment – we’re talking real volume, with contracts for hundreds of thousands of units each year already in place. Brembo So Which Automaker Is Using It?That’s the big question. Brembo just calls the customer a “leading global vehicle manufacturer” and won’t say which one. Some brands have played with steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire in concept cars, especially among premium EVs. But rolling out a fully fluid-free brake system in mass production is a much bigger leap, especially since brakes are so crucial for safety and driver trust. This could be one of those changes that quietly reshapes the industry over the next decade. Most drivers won’t notice if their car uses hydraulics or electronics to stop – just like nobody thinks about throttle cables or old-school handbrakes anymore. But underneath, it’s another step toward cars becoming software-driven machines instead of purely mechanical ones. If Sensify really works as smoothly as Brembo says, old-school hydraulic brakes might soon start to feel outdated. View the full article

Extreme sports legend Travis Pastrana is getting back behind the wheel of a NASCAR Craftsman Truck alter this month, joining forces with Kaulig Racing to pilot the No. 25 Ram 1500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “I love racing and competing at everything, and NASCAR is one of the biggest and most competitive stages on earth,” said Pastrana. “Having the opportunity to hop in the No. 25 Ram ...Keep readingView the full article

Husqvarna will end its in-house US SuperMotocross factory team after 2026, shifting to factory-supported independent teams as KTM Group continues to reshape its racing and brand strategy. The post Husqvarna pares back US factory racing as KTM Group resets appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

The racing at Watkins Glen International will look a bit different this weekend, as NASCAR introduces some new track limits. No longer will we see the entire field driving off into the Turn 1 runoff on starts/restarts, as NASCAR has made some significant changes there and to the exit of the Carousel. They're essentially building a new wall via tire packs to keep the racing line closer to the ...Keep readingView the full article