StreetNewsReporter

It’s never been easier to LS or LT swap something, and there are a ton of companies making parts. Engine mounts, gotta be 100 companies making them. Headers, probably 100 as well. Brackets, transmission mounts, accessory drives? Yep, they gottem. But one of the most annoying things about performing a swap is hunting to find the combinations that will fit in your ride. It can be overwhelming, because the only way to find out what works is to ask a jillion folks who’ve already done it to see what combos they’ve done. OR, you can buy a complete system which saves you time, money, and headache. That’s where Holley comes in. If you own a GM Car or Truck and want to stuff an LS or LT in it where a small block or big block existed before, then Holley’s probably got a kit for it. We’re talking about a ton of 1960’s to 1990’s GM vehicles. Trucks, cars, you name it. Here’s some info below. Video Description: Holley Swap Essentials is the most complete, verified-fit LS and LT engine swap system for classic GM cars and trucks. Designed for 60s–90s platforms like A-Body, G-Body, F-Body, C10, S10, and GMT400, these kits eliminate guesswork with perfectly matched components built to work together. Choose from five kit levels. From basic engine and transmission mounts to a complete system with oil pan, Hooker Blackheart headers, full exhaust, and front accessory drive with A/C and power steering. Every package is engineered for proper fitment, driveline angles, and maximum clearance. Stop mixing parts and start your swap with confidence. Holley Swap Essentials saves time, reduces frustration, and delivers professional results for any budget. Learn more at Holley.com and your favorite performance retailer. Learn more: https://www.holley.com/products/engin… The post Holley Swap Essentials: Holley’s Complete LS & LT Swap Kits for GM Cars & Trucks Make Installs A Sure Thing appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

2026 AMA Supercross Championship Round 13 – Nashville, Tennessee Hunter Lawrence tightened his grip on the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship in Nashville, winning the 450SX main event on a night that significantly altered the complexion of the title race, while Cole Davies delivered another authoritative 250SX East victory to further strengthen his own championship position. […] The post Hunter Lawrence takes control in Nashville as Cole Davies extends East lead appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

(Photos by Kim Fuller & Ken Hughes) • Leah Pruett closed out Pomona Winternationals qualifying with a strong run, but her first No. 1 qualifier since 2023 and 16th in her career was clinched on the strength of Friday’s 3.724 at 329.75-mph in her Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters-backed Top Fuel Dragster. Since there are only 15 Top Fuelers, he’ll get a first-round bye on Sunday to open eliminations, Pruett has a great opportunity to pick up her first victory of the season. “We’re thrilled with where our performance is at and the confidence and momentum is building with this team,” Pruett said. “Yeah, I’m happy. I have my own work to do, but man, we’re moving and grooving and looking forward to eliminations.”

Originally from Redlands, California, Pruett has two previous Winternationals wins in 2017 and 2021. J.R. Todd put himself in a great spot to win the 1,000th Funny Car race in NHRA history, powering to the No. 1 spot for the first time in five years with a run of 3.896 at 335.32 in his DHL Toyota GR Supra-bodied funny car. He’ll open eliminations against Blake Alexander, looking for his first win of the season, but the past champion was thrilled with Saturday’s success, finishing with his 15th No. 1 qualifier and first since the 2021 campaign. “It just shows that the performance of our DHL hot rod, that it’s coming around thanks to Dickie (Venables) and Todd (Smith),” Todd said. “It was awesome to see that 3.89 come up on the scoreboard when I went by, but I’m just happy for the guys; they put in so much hard work back there in the pit area. “I saw the 1,000th Funny Car winner trophy on the wall up there in Q3. That’d be an awesome accomplishment. There’s been a lot of great Funny Car drivers and it was pretty awesome to see Shawn [Langdon, Top Fuel teammate] get the [1,000th Top Fuel win] last year in Charlotte. So, if we could pull that off and put that trophy next to his at the shop, I think that would make Connie [Kalitta, team owner] really happy. I love coming here. There’s a lot of history at this place and hopefully we can add some more history tomorrow.” NHRA Phoenix winner Ron Capps qualified second after a run of 3.919 at 330.88 and Jordan Vandergriff took third with a 3.925 at 329.99. In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson took the No. 1 spot for the second time this season and the 142nd time in his career, improving on Friday’s run with a stellar pass of 6.516 at 209.69 in his Hendrick Cars-backed Camaro. He set the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip track record for elapsed time (6.476) at this event one year ago. Anderson will open eliminations against Kenny Delco, looking for his first victory of the season and his 17th career win in Pomona. In Legacy Nitro Funny Car at the Winternationals, Sunday will bring the second round of eliminations, with Geoff Monise, driving the Quarter Pounder Firebird taking a first round victory over Eily Stafford in Don Nelson’s California Hustler Firebird. Final Eliminations for the 66th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals begin at 10 a.m. PT on Sunday at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. Television coverage on Sunday, April 12, 2026, includes a qualifying show from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET on FS1 and eliminations from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. ET on FS1. CHECK OUT OUR FIRST GALLERY FROM THE POMONA WINTERNATIONALS! The post Pruett, Todd and Anderson Qualify No. 1 At In-N-Out Burger Pomona Winternationals! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Six-time Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson is one of the most decorated drivers in the history of the sport, and in qualifying for the 66th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, he notched another triumph with the 142nd pole of his career. Anderson added the No. 1 qualifier award to the pile there at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, inching ever closer to Funny Car legend John Force’s record of 167. For now, the most winning driver in the history of Pro Stock is dialed into what it’s going to take to turn that No. 1 in to his 113th win. “We made some great runs this weekend with my HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, and the only run we didn’t do well was that last one – I was on a good pass, it felt great, but it seemed like I drove over a banana peel and the car turned 90 degrees when I got it into high gear,” shared Anderson. “There’s no sense in risking anything, so I shut it off. Hopefully, tomorrow will be all-HendrickCars.com, all-KB Titan Racing.” Anderson knows the potential of the historic Southern California dragstrip. He set the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip track record for elapsed time (6.476) at this event one year ago, and he did it on the pass that came with the final-round win light. As the defending event titlist, the six-time world champ is eager to defend the title and add a 17th Pomona win to his resume. He currently stands as the second-most winning professional driver of all time at this facility, and one more triumph would tie him with Funny Car legend John Force for most overall. “That’s pretty damn cool,” said Anderson. “Anytime you can match John Force, that’s beyond crazy and one hell of an honor. I’m going to keep digging, keep trying, and see if I can get one up on him.” Anderson is off to a strong start with three incredible runs that kept him ahead of the field. In the first session, he flew to a 6.583, 209.52 that was good for the No. 1 spot. He continued to clock low elapsed time of the session through each of the next two rounds, recording a 6.544, 209.39 followed by a 6.516, 209.69 in the third qualifier. He’s set to square off with veteran racer Kenny Delco in the first round. “I love racing here, and as long as the weather holds out, I have a great shot at getting that NHRA 75th anniversary Diamond Wally tomorrow,” said Anderson. Eliminations at the 66th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals are scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. This story was originally published on April 12, 2026. The post Greg Anderson Secures 142nd No. 1 Qualifier with NHRA Winternationals Pole first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Top Fuel’s Doug Kalitta continued to rule the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip, winning the bonus race for a second straight time after beating Maddi Gordon on the final round as part of the 66th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals. Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, while Leah Pruett (Top Fuel), J.R. Todd (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) all qualified No. 1 at the third of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Kalitta has simply been dominant in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge the past two years, winning for the seventh time since the start of 2025, with Saturday’s coming after going 3.747-seconds at 333.66 mph in his Mac Tools dragster to hold off the rookie sensation Gordon. Saturday success has proven beneficial for the Kalitta Motorsports team, as the reigning world champion entered the weekend as the points leader. Already the winningest Top Fuel driver at Pomona, he’ll look to win at the historic track for the eighth time on Sunday. “I think the fans like racing on Saturday. I think it’s cool just to be able to just try to outrun the people you raced the previous race, and winning these things on Saturday is huge momentum for everybody on our team,” Kalitta said. “Every time we go up there, regardless of what we’re doing with somebody in the other lane, I’m always just trying to get the win light to come on in our lane. “The car got to about half track, and it was really cool because you can tell that the tires aren’t slipping and it’s hooked up one-to-one. I knew I had a good shot at getting the win. Tomorrow, it’s just one round at a time. Everybody’s tough, first round to fourth round, if you can make it that far.” Leah Pruett closed out qualifying with a strong run, but her first No. 1 qualifier since 2023 and 16th in her career was clinched on the strength of Friday’s 3.724 at 329.75-mph in her 12,000-horsepower Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters dragster. She’ll get a first-round bye on Sunday to open eliminations and a race after advancing to the final round, Pruett has a great opportunity to pick up her first victory of the season. “We’re thrilled with where our performance is at and the confidence and momentum is building with this team,” Pruett said. “Yeah, I’m happy. I have my own work to do, but man, we’re moving and grooving and looking forward to eliminations tomorrow.” Josh Hart, who won in Gainesville, qualified second with a run of 3.733 at 336.15, and Phoenix winner Shawn Langdon took third after going 3.745 at 338.51. Four-time Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan continued his own success in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, knocking off Paul Lee in the final round on Saturday with a run of 3.940 at 329.58 in his 12,000-horsepower Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Dodge SRT Hellcat. It’s the first bonus race win of the season for Hagan, who won the overall Mission #2Fast2Tasty trophy last year in Funny Car. He made a pair of solid runs on Saturday, which could again bode well for a Sunday victory. “It’s a race inside of a race, and I hope I used up all my adrenaline for today,” Hagan said. “It’s cool, what Mission does and to be able to win some money for the crew guys and scoop up the points, it’s exciting. We’ve got a great race car this year, and I’m excited to see what we can do with it. This is one of the little accolades that we get to put up on the shelf, but I think there’s a lot more. “I’ve been dreaming about getting three trophies: the Mission Challenge, the event trophy and that 1,000th trophy Funny Car trophy, so there’s a lot to be had. That’s wishful thinking, though, because these Funny Cars are super humbling.” J.R. Todd put himself in a great spot to win the 1,000th Funny Car race in NHRA history, powering to the No. 1 spot for the first time in five years with a run of 3.896 at 335.32 in his 12,000-horsepower DHL Toyota GR Supra. He’ll open eliminations against Blake Alexander, looking for his first win of the season, but the past champion was thrilled with Saturday’s success, finishing with his 15th No. 1 qualifier and first since the 2021 campaign. “It just shows that the performance of our DHL hot rod, that it’s coming around thanks to Dickie [Venables] and Todd [Smith],” Todd said. “It was awesome to see that 3.89 come up on the scoreboard when I went by, but I’m just happy for the guys; they put in so much hard work back there in the pit area. “I saw the 1,000th Funny Car winner trophy on the wall up there in Q3. That’d be an awesome accomplishment. There’s been a lot of great Funny Car drivers and it was pretty awesome to see Shawn [Langdon, Top Fuel teammate] get the [1,000th Top Fuel win] last year in Charlotte. So, if we could pull that off and put that trophy next to his at the shop, I think that would make Connie [Kalitta, team owner] really happy. I love coming here. There’s a lot of history at this place and hopefully we can add some more history tomorrow.” Phoenix winner Ron Capps qualified second after a run of 3.919 at 330.88 and Jordan Vandergriff took third with a 3.925 at 329.99. In Pro Stock, Dallas Glenn remained undefeated in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in 2026, defeating Aaron Stanfield in the final round of the bonus race with a strong run of 6.525 at 208.55 in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro. Glenn, the reigning world champion, won the specialty event in Phoenix and had no issues on Saturday in Pomona, cruising to two impressive performances to get another bonus victory. A year after winning the world title, Glenn continues to perform at an incredible level, as he also looks to win his second straight race. “The Mission Challenge brings that race day mentality and gets you ready for Sunday,” Glenn said. “You go out there and get two win lights and that just builds the confidence to know that you can take out anybody when everything’s right. I feel like I’ve got a lot of confidence in the car and I feel like I’m driving good, where I don’t have to think about anything, and you can just go out there and do it, everything clicks and the car runs well.” Greg Anderson took the No. 1 spot for the second time this season and the 142nd time in his career, improving on Friday’s run with a stellar pass of 6.516 at 209.69 in his HendrickCars.com Camaro. Anderson will open eliminations against Kenny Delco, looking for his first victory of the season and his 17th career win in Pomona. Eliminations for the 66th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals begin at 10 a.m. PT on Sunday at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. This story was originally published on April 12, 2026. The post Kalitta, Hagan, and Glenn Win Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in Pomona first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Thirty-four years ago today, Mick Doohan won the Australian Grand Prix at Eastern Creek, while Daryl Beattie stepped in for Wayne Gardner and scored the first premier-class podium of his career. The post On This Day | Eastern Creek 1992: Doohan wins, Beattie breaks through appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

It was a JR Motorsports 1-2 at Bristol Motor Speedway, and despite dominating the 2025 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) season, few expected Connor Zilisch to prevail on Saturday. That was because of Kyle Larson, who absolutely dominated the entire race until the very end. Zilisch was one of three drivers who stayed out during a late-race caution, with crew chief Rodney Childers opting ...Keep readingView the full article

The Australian-made Super H Super Mixer Kit is a simple two-stroke oil measuring system designed to make premix preparation cleaner, faster and mo The post Super H Super Mixer Kit aims to simplify two-stroke fuel mixing appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Harley-Davidson puts Bar & Shield back front and centre with new RIDE platform Harley-Davidson has launched RIDE, a new global brand platform the company is positioning as a reset ahead of a broader strategy rollout in May. The campaign puts the simple act of riding at the centre of the message, while also reintroducing the […] The post Harley-Davidson launches RIDE as global brand reset appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

On Lap 194 of the 300-lap NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, the caution flew for an engine failure back in the pack. Mason Maggio was limping his car around the apron in the No. 91 DGM Racing Chevrolet, white smoke billowing from underneath. He quickly turned behind the pit wall and came to a stop in the garage. Just as he did that, flames erupted from ...Keep readingView the full article

The Sierra Nevada storm originally reported by Autoblog on Friday has escalated significantly. What started as a Winter Storm Warning for Mono County and the Donner Pass area has expanded into warnings covering every major mountain corridor in California, from Lassen County south through Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks. Snowfall totals have been revised sharply upward. Wind forecasts have increased. And the worst of it is arriving now. What Has ChangedThe original forecast called for up to 28 inches above 7,000 feet near Lake Tahoe and up to 4 feet at the highest peaks, with crest winds of 70 to 80 mph. Those numbers have moved. NWS Sacramento issued a Winter Storm Warning at 10:34 AM Friday for the West Slope Northern Sierra and Western Plumas County, calling for 1 to 2 feet of snow above 4,500 feet and 3 to 4 feet at the highest peaks, with snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour from Saturday afternoon through Sunday. That Warning runs through 11 PM Sunday. NWS Reno upgraded the Lake Tahoe Basin to a full Winter Storm Warning, with 6 to 10 inches at lake level, 12 to 28 inches above 7,000 feet, and crest gusts now forecast at 90 mph Saturday afternoon with 20 to 35 mph sustained winds for communities around the lake. Mono County remains under a Warning with 70 to 80 mph crest gusts and up to 24 inches along the Sierra crest. And NWS Hanford reissued a Winter Storm Warning at 7:34 PM Friday covering Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks through Sunday night, with 10 to 30 inches of snow above 7,000 feet. NWS Hanford is describing conditions as potentially life-threatening. The net effect: the original story's top-end forecast of 4 feet has been revised by NWS Sacramento above 6,000 feet to 5 feet, and the wind ceiling has jumped from 80 to 90 mph at the crest. The Warning footprint has expanded from two zones to the full 300-mile length of the Sierra. Chain Controls Are Already ActiveAs of Saturday afternoon, Caltrans has chain screenings active on I-80 in both directions. Eastbound trucks are being screened at Applegate in Placer County. Westbound trucks are being screened at Overland Trail Road in Truckee and at Mogul, 5 miles west of Reno. Drivers must have maximum chains in their possession to proceed, and permit loads are prohibited. A high wind advisory is also in effect on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, where travel is not recommended for campers, trailers, or permit loads. These are the early stages. Snow levels are still dropping. By Saturday evening, they will fall to 6,000 to 7,000 feet, and by late Saturday into Sunday morning, they will crash to 4,000 to 4,500 feet. When that happens, the chain controls will tighten, and closures become likely. In February, a similar system shut down a 60-mile stretch of I-80 from Colfax to the Nevada state line and stranded hundreds of drivers for hours. The same scenario is on the table tonight. The HighwaysI-80 over Donner Pass. Already under chain screenings. With 12 to 28 inches forecast at pass elevation, 90 mph crest winds, and snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, a full closure Saturday night through Sunday is the most likely outcome. When I-80 closes over Donner Summit there is no practical detour across the Northern Sierra. Highway 50 to South Lake Tahoe. Echo Summit sits at 7,382 feet, squarely in the heavy snow zone. Highway 50 has the same closure risk as I-80 and fewer plowing resources. When both routes close simultaneously, as they did in February, there is no realistic alternative across the central Sierra. Highway 395 (Eastern Sierra). The Warning names 395 with gusts to 40 to 45 mph and 2 to 6 inches of snow. Higher terrain west of 395 faces 6 to 12 inches. Side roads to Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain will be treacherous at best. Highway 88 through Carson Pass (8,574 feet) and Highway 89. Both exposed to heavy snow and high winds with limited plowing resources. These are typically the first routes to close and the last to reopen. Yosemite corridors (CA-120, CA-140, CA-41). With 10 to 30 inches above 7,000 feet and NWS Hanford warning of visibility below a quarter mile, expect closures and severe restrictions across all Yosemite approach routes through Sunday evening. The Worst WindowSaturday night through Sunday morning. This is when the stronger second system arrives, snow levels crash to 4,000 to 4,500 feet, crest winds peak at 90 mph, and snowfall rates hit their maximum. If you are on a mountain highway during this window, you are likely to be stopped, stranded, or turned around. The heaviest accumulation runs from late Saturday morning through midday Sunday. Sunday afternoon onward the storm weakens, but do not assume roads reopen quickly. Clearing multiple feet of heavy, wet spring snow off a mountain highway takes hours even after the snow stops, and overnight refreezing Sunday into Monday morning will keep surfaces hazardous. What To Do Right NowIf you are on the California side of the Sierra and need to get to Nevada, or vice versa, your window has likely closed. Chain controls are active, conditions are deteriorating, and by tonight the passes will be in full storm mode. If you are already committed to a crossing, Caltrans will require chains on most vehicles above 4,000 to 5,000 feet, and AWD with snow tires may still need chains under R-2 and R-3 controls. Carry chains and know how to install them before you need to. Pack a blanket, flashlight, portable phone charger, water, food, a folding shovel, and cat litter or sand for traction. Fill your tank before entering the mountains. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle, run the engine for heat in 15-minute intervals, crack a window for ventilation, and wait for road crews. For a full breakdown on preparing your vehicle for winter conditions, Autoblog's winter car readiness checklist covers everything from tread depth to emergency kit essentials. Our guide to best practices for driving in snow, ice, and rain is worth reviewing before you attempt any Sierra crossing this weekend. And if this storm is a reminder that your vehicle is not set up for mountain driving, Autoblog's list of the best cars and SUVs for snow and winter driving can help you think about what matters when the roads turn ugly. The safest decision is to wait. Monday midday offers the earliest realistic window for a Sierra crossing once crews have had time to clear and treat the passes. Check Caltrans QuickMap or call 511 before committing to any mountain travel. Track ConditionsCheck Caltrans for current highway conditions, live traffic cameras, and chain controls. NWS Sacramento and NWS Reno forecast pages have the latest zone-level details. For Nevada road conditions, visit 511 Nevada. View the full article

In qualifying at Saturday, the No. 12 Team Penske Ford of Ryan Blaney secured pole position at Bristol Motor Speedway. With a fast lap of 15.101s, he earned his 13th career pole and second at Bristol. "Just kind of got free on Lap 1, and then it was like all right, gather yourself up in (Turns) 3 and 4 and try and get a second lap," said Blaney. "Luckily, the rear tires came in better the ...Keep readingView the full article

Cars That Don’t Sit Still AnymoreOver-the-air (OTA) updates have changed what it means to own a car. Instead of being stuck with whatever features your car had when you bought it, modern vehicles – especially EVs – can keep getting better long after you drive them home. That might mean sharper driver assistance, new apps, better efficiency, or just a smoother interface. Of course, it also means you’ll sometimes wait for downloads, run into the odd bug, and realize your car now acts more like a smartphone than a machine you fully control. EVs are built for this kind of thing. Their systems already run on software, from the battery to the way power reaches the wheels, and most use a central computer to make updates simple. However, another benefit is that OTA updates keep your car feeling up to date. Most people would guess Tesla leads the pack here. The American automaker was first to make big OTA updates a regular thing, and it’s a big part of its image. But if you look at the numbers, Tesla isn’t the most active anymore. Right now, BYD is out in front. Autoblog / LeRoy Marion BYD’s Quiet Lead in the Update RaceAccording to a report by Nikkei Asia, BYD pushed out around 200 OTA updates across its Ocean and Dynasty model lines in 2025, the highest among automakers in China – the world’s biggest auto market. For comparison, Tesla managed just 16 updates in the same period, while Toyota and Volkswagen trailed with eight and five. BYD can move this fast because it builds most of its own hardware, chips, and software. That means fewer outside suppliers to wait for, so updates come quicker and more often. Some of the latest updates have improved driver assistance, especially with new AI features that help the car see and respond more effectively in challenging situations. These aren’t just small fixes – they actually let the car handle more complex driving, showing that OTA updates now go way beyond just changing the radio or adding apps. Other Chinese brands like Aito and Leapmotor are also pushing out updates at a fast pace. It’s clear that how often you update your software is now a real way to compete. Jacob Oliva/Autoblog What This Means for Buyers and the IndustryFrequent updates are changing how cars age. Instead of waiting years for a major refresh, owners can get improvements continuously. That could keep a car feeling new for longer and might even help with resale value down the line. There’s also a business side to all this. Most updates are still free, especially in China, but carmakers are starting to look for ways to charge for software. Some are testing subscriptions for features like advanced driver assistance. Tesla, for example, now offers its Full Self-Driving system as a monthly subscription. But more updates don’t always mean a better experience. There’s a balance between real improvements and just too many changes. As cars rely more on software, things like reliability, security, and trust matter even more. BYD’s lead shows that the OTA race isn’t about who started it, but who can keep it going at scale. Right now, the edge goes to brands that treat software as the main product, not just another feature. BYD View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

With modern cars becoming increasingly appliance-like by incorporating planned obsolescence and all but ignoring the right-to-repair, classic cars are currently more desirable than ever. Whether as an expression of individuality or simply for the joy of driving something with personality, this is true across the spectrum of socioeconomics. British engineering firms Halcyon and Evice Technologies, both founded by the same trio of engineers, understand this well, offering a limited run of electric restomodded classic Rolls-Royce Corniche and Silver Shadow series cars. Each of these cars can be personalized to an extent only limited by the buyer’s imagination, taking over 12 months to complete. Electric drivetrain swaps are no longer a novel idea. Taking a classic and swapping out its old drivetrain for something newer and easier on maintenance is now commonplace. Halcyon has completely flipped the script by announcing its latest series of cars - the Great Eight Series. Halcyon The Halcyon Great Eight SeriesIn a defiant move away from their roots, Halcyon’s Great Eight Series offers 60 one-of-one commissions of Rolls-Royce Corniche and Silver Shadow series vehicles - including their Bentley equivalents, offered with the legendary Crewe-built 6.75-liter V8, brought up to today's engineering standards. It may be the ultimate expression of combustion luxury, incorporating modern components and technologies into a platform that offered traditional, plush comfort, a floaty ride, and a powertrain that only wafted its passengers down the road rather than ever pushing them back in their seats. Halcyon uses modern technology and engineering to simply enhance the car's existing character without disturbing its analog experience. Halcyon A Masterclass in Discrete ModernizationDescribed as designed to “endure for generations” by Halcyon themselves, the owner of a Halcyon is somebody who questions whether or not there really is a line between art and science; an “expression of automotive art” is what Halcyon proclaims. A Halcyon customer romanticizes and appreciates the old-world charm of open-pore wood, hand-stitched leather, and knurled metal switches. Electric vehicles tend to appeal more to the sort of buyer wearing wireless headphones as he walks into a multistorey carpark with a matcha iced coffee in his hand, to drive home in his Tesla. Halcyon This does not, however, mean that the Halcyon offering is missing out on modern conveniences - each of them, at the owner's request, is offered with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, modern climate control, a reversing camera, fully adjustable electric seats with integrated heating and cooling, amongst other conveniences. One could argue that those are expected conveniences in a car for which prices start at $571,000 - not including the donor car, which Halcyon could source for you at an additional cost. In a World of Modern Electric HomogeneityThis trend of the demand for combustion drivetrains leading businesses to revisit combustion motors is noticeable across the automotive industry. With China’s EV subsidies finally ending this year, and European and American subsidies having ended already, the EV market is witnessing a profound correction. Even classic car specialists realize that they need to offer both EVs as well as perfected iterations of combustion motors alongside one another to meet every type of market demand. Halcyon In today’s world of electric homogeneity, Halcyon’s Great Eight Series is a love letter to the motoring experience of days gone by; it is a preservation of automotive heritage in an era that is racing toward disposability, and if you already have a Rolls-Royce Corniche or Silver Shadow lying around, you could have one for $571,000. Plus Taxes. View the full article

NASCAR has ejected four car chiefs and one engineer after NASCAR Cup Series inspection at Bristol Motor Speedway. Five cars failed pre-race inspection twice, resulting in the loss of a key team member for the remainder of the weekend, and the loss of pit stall selection no matter where they qualify on the grid. They will be given whatever five stalls are left after the rest of the field ...Keep readingView the full article

In the custom motorcycle world, origin stories usually follow a predictable arc: a dimly lit garage, a surplus of caffeine, and a donor bike that probably should have stayed in the scrap heap. For FCR Original, that story began in a countryside barn in western France, with a dirt floor and walls tha... View the full article

Alex Bowman got the ‘all clear’ from his doctors a week earlier than anticipated and he’s back in the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 with a goal to methodically make the most he can out of the remainder of the season. Bowman has missed the last four races due to a bout of vertigo and was cleared after passing his medical tests and then turning competitive laps in a street car around the Ten ...Keep readingView the full article

The Visual Identity GameCar design may not be as tangible as in-car technology, but it can still play a critical role in a vehicle’s success – and in some cases, it can even prove polarizing, as seen with the Tesla Cybertruck. For Maserati, that makes its upcoming concept car, set to debut at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, especially important, as it is expected to define the brand’s design direction for years to come. Gilles Vidal, Stellantis’ newly appointed head of design for Europe, told Auto Express that Maserati has a history of periodically reinventing its design cues, adding that the brand’s current design language is “kind of finished.” The report did not offer any hint as to what might come next, though it will likely mark a departure from the modern curvier styling seen on models like the Grecale and GranTurismo. Maserati Maserati’s Early Design IdentityBack in the 1950s and 1960s, Maserati models also featured curvier styling, which has been compared to the design language seen on cars from Ferrari and Rolls-Royce. One good example is the 3500 GT, whose flowing lines also recall classic Aston Martin DB models, giving it a more posh and luxurious appearance. Moving into the 1970s and 1980s, Vidal said the Italian marque adopted a “super-edgy” design approach, which, looking back at its portfolio, comes across as sporty and aggressive. Models like the Bora and Merak even featured wedge-shaped styling, similar to cars such as the DMC DeLorean and the Lancia Stratos. “So, what we are looking at is what’s the next thing for Maserati,” the design chief said. “If you wait a few months, you’ll see what we are thinking.” Maserati A New Chapter BeginsAnother point worth noting is that Maserati has been dealing with slow sales, posting a roughly 30 percent decline in volume in 2025 from the previous year. A design direction that resonates with more buyers could help the brand regain traction, alongside any other changes taking shape behind the scenes, especially as it scales back its EV plans, including the cancellation of the all-electric MC20 Folgore. The upcoming concept car suggests the company is showing signs of resilience, after rumors – since denied by Stellantis – that it was considering selling Maserati. The Paris Motor Show is set to take place in October, with Stellantis bringing several brands, including Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Lancia, among others. Maserati View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Not Totally All-NewPrior to the current model, the Nissan Z languished without a full redesign for an incredibly lengthy time. The 370Z was produced from 2008 to 2020, and some markets continued to sell it as late as 2021. Sure, it received a facelift in 2013, but there were few changes over 12 years. The Z finally got the redesign it so desperately needed in 2021 for the 2023 model year. There was new sheetmetal, an overhauled interior, more tech, a revamped chassis, and a serious boost in performance - literally and figuratively. Heck, it even came with a new chassis code. But despite all the changes, the basic structure was that of the old 370Z. Still, Nissan did enough to make it feel different from its predecessor. Nissan Fear Not, an All-New Z is ComingThe 370Z eventually felt like a model that Nissan simply forgot to stop making. Not wanting to repeat that, the company inferred that it's already thinking about the next generation of the Z-Car. Speaking to The Drive, Ponz Pandikuthira, senior vice president, chief product and planning officer for Nissan Americas, laid out what the company wants for the future Z. "A lot of it is going to be heritage-based. Go back to the authenticity of what Z was in the past. Create special editions that resonate with that heritage and keep that animated cycle plan," Pandikuthira told the publication. "You'll see a lot of that animation coming through special versions between now and say the next three years. And then we're actively talking about what that next generation will look like," added the executive. Nissan But First, the GT-RWith that, Nissan is taking the Z much more seriously this time around. It's likely that it will share the same architecture as the rebooted Nissan Skyline/Infiniti Q50, and that one is due in 2027. There's something that the future Z could build upon, so Nissan doesn't have to develop the sports car from scratch. However, before Nissan could go all-out on developing the new-generation Z, it was placing more of its resources into building the all-new GT-R. It is, after all, the brand's halo product, and it's expected to be revealed sometime in 2030. That means that the redesigned Z will likely come out after that. Still, it's great to see Nissan keeping interest in the Z alive. As Pandikuthira, "Don't just build it and then walk away." Nissan View the full article

A Shift Years in the MakingChinese cars have long faced skepticism over quality, often tied to perceptions of low-cost manufacturing. That stands in contrast to Japanese automakers, which are widely associated with craftsmanship – an identity brands like Lexus have long leveraged. But as technology and production methods continue to improve, Chinese cars are advancing quickly and beginning to put pressure on automakers around the world. With the U.S. remaining hostile to Chinese cars, most American consumers still cannot easily get behind the wheel of one. For now, the next best thing may be hearing from people who have spent time with them. Here is one example: a report from Japan’s Best Car Web highlighted the suspension quality of the BYD Sealion 7, and Takahiro Kitami of Sanko Work's had largely positive things to say about its hardware. When a Pro Takes a Closer LookKitami has worked on rally-prepped builds of vehicles like the Toyota Hiace (a commuter van) and the Nissan Leaf, with the latter, according to the report, even scoring a podium finish in the All-Japan Rally Championship, so it is fair to say he knows a thing or two about suspension tuning. He was impressed with the suspension setup in the BYD EV, which includes front double wishbones with aluminum arms, describing the overall approach as taking cues from Mercedes and BMW. The rear suspension, which uses a multi-link design, also received praise, with Kitami noting that it was well thought out. He also pointed to the use of pillowballs, which can improve handling at the expense of some of the comfort provided by conventional rubber bushings. The owner of the BYD Sealion 7 also noted that the dampers are developed in-house. BYD The Mechanics of a Better RideA well-engineered suspension is key to delivering a satisfying driving experience. It helps keep the tires in consistent contact with the road over bumps and through corners, improving both comfort and stability. Of course, better suspension hardware also adds cost, so automakers have to strike a balance between performance and affordability. As the report suggests, that appears to be the case with the Sealion 7, a midsize electric crossover positioned against rivals like the Tesla Model Y. Whether Kitami’s assessment holds up in the real world remains to be seen, especially considering the Sealion 7 was only introduced in 2024. Still, Canadians may soon get the chance to judge Chinese cars for themselves, as Canada has opened the door to them under lower tariffs and a limited first-year quota of 49,000 units, with BYD expected to enter the market, along with Geely and Chery. For Americans, meanwhile, a trip north may remain one of the few ways to experience one firsthand, as the U.S. has made clear that Chinese-made EVs will not be allowed to cross the border. BYD View the full article

Top Fuel’s Leah Pruett jumped to the top spot on the final pass of Friday at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, taking the provisional No. 1 spot for Tony Stewart Racing at the 66th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals. Jordan Vandergriff (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the third of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Pruett returned to the driver’s seat to start the season and has been outstanding thus far, including Friday’s top run of 3.724 at 329.75-mph in her 12,000-horsepower Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters dragster. It comes a race after Pruett advanced to the final round in Phoenix as she continues to build momentum early in the year. If Friday’s run holds at her home track, Pruett would pick up her 16th career No. 1 spot and first of the season during what she hopes is a big weekend in Pomona. “What we’re seeing today is the cohesiveness of our whole team, the collaboration that has happened over the last year and a half,” Pruett said. “Tony’s [Stewart] competitiveness last year shows how this team has gelled so well and worked really, really hard. “Temperatures will be cool tomorrow and my opinion is 3.72 is not going to hold, not by any means. But that doesn’t mean that we still can’t come out hopefully up on top, as we work our way into having a solid 3.66-.67 foundation. That’s where our focus is right now, and I think you see that in the overall qualifying position that we’ve been in.” Josh Hart, who won in Gainesville, is currently second with a run of 3.733 at 336.15, and Phoenix winner Shawn Langdon sits third after going 3.745 at 338.51. At the 1,000th Funny Car race in NHRA history, Jordan Vandergriff continues to impress early in his Funny Car career for John Force Racing, vaulting to the No. 1 spot with a strong pass of 3.951 at 327.90 in his 12,000-horsepower Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet SS. It’s just Vandergriff’s third career start in Funny Car and 15th in his career and he’s on track to earn his first career No. 1 qualifier. That would continue his rapid climb in the loaded Funny Car ranks, coming after a semifinal appearance at the season-opening Gatornationals. There’s added incentive for Vandergriff, too, racing at his home track as he eyes his first career No. 1 spot. “This is definitely a new experience for me,” Vandergriff said. “I’ve never been in this position before, but I’m happy to be here. Coming into this race, I just had a feeling we were going to do well. The first two races were so hot, but we knew what we had, especially in testing before the season started. So coming here, we knew that we had a good race car. That second run felt pretty perfect, and now we’re No. 1. I’m really proud of the team. “Racing at my home track is very motivating. I have my entire family here, and this is the home track for John Force Racing, too. Pomona has always meant something special. This is where drag racing was introduced to me, and now that I’m here on the same track, it’s pretty surreal.” Vandergriff’s JFR teammate, Alexis DeJoria, is second with a 3.989 at 328.30 and Phoenix winner Ron Capps is third after a pass of 4.007 at 314.17. Pro Stock’s Greg Anderson put on a show at a track where he’s won 16 times in his standout career, making the quickest run in both qualifying sessions on Friday, including a 6.544 at 209.39 to close out the day in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro that puts him in the provisional spot in Pomona. He’s the defending event winner at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals and Anderson always seems to run well at the historic facility. The six-time world champion hopes that continues this weekend, especially after stubbing his toe in Phoenix, losing in a first-round upset to Chris McGaha after qualifying No. 1. “We come here and we got a decent racetrack that we’re all used to. The grip numbers are back up where we’re used to, and you can run fast,” Anderson said. “Quite honestly, we all missed in the first session. We all should have run better, but that’s because we were too shy. After the first run, everybody learned, so everybody stepped up and it’ll continue to get better tomorrow. “The field is nowhere near set. It’s going to reset, probably from top to bottom again. This is a great Pro Stock track. You’re going to see this Pro Stock field probably end up being three-hundredths [of a second] from top to bottom, from No. 1 to No. 16.” Reigning world champion and Phoenix event winner Dallas Glenn is currently second with a 6.553 at 209.17 and Greg Stanfield sits third after his 6.568 at 209.07. Qualifying continues at 12:30 p.m. PT on Saturday at the 66th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. This story was originally published on April 11, 2026. The post Pruett, Vandergriff, and Anderson Take Provisional No. 1 Spots at Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Mahindra’s tough-as-nails UTV, the Roxor, is currently on offer with 0% finance options and cashback deals ranging between $3,000 and $5,000, depending on the selected variant. The Roxor is not shy of controversy; from its introduction in 2018 until it was brought back in November 2021 after the International Trade Commission’s ruling that its revised design no longer infringed on Jeep’s trade dress, the Roxor has been making headlines for being Mahindra’s problem child in America. Since then, however, it seems to have found its market with off-roaders and farmers as an incredibly capable, robust, and honest little workhorse, leaving Jeep little to worry about when it comes to the SUV market. Mahindra AG North America Jeep Or No JeepWhile there are a few people who suggest the Roxor is a blatant rip-off of WW2-era Willys Jeeps, the fact is that Willys licensed the design of the CJ3B to Mahindra in 1947. The lawsuit claims that Mahindra violates Jeep’s trade dress with its vertical front slats in the grill with the Roxor’s 2018 and 2019 model year designs. Having now cleared legal trouble with a revised design, the Roxor has been on sale for a little under five years and offers a value proposition that very few, if any, side-by-sides can compete with. Zac Palmer Is the Roxor Really Better Than Other Side-by-Sides?In a word? Yes, but only if we’re talking about rough, off-road, and farm use-cases. The Roxor will not win any races with 55 horsepower and a top speed limited to 45mph. That said, it is a tough, traditional, and capable workhorse. Rather than plastic, it comes with a boxed steel frame and steel body. It is rated to tow 3,500 lbs rather than the 2,500 lbs that a similarly priced Polaris or Honda offers. It has automobile-grade automatic and manual transmissions, and not a CVT, which means the drive belt doesn’t burn out like with its competitors. The Roxor’s 2.7-liter turbo-diesel engine is a low-stress and proven motor that makes peak torque of 144 lb-ft at low revs and has ploughed for years on India’s dusty and cratered rural roads. In fact, Mahindra even calls it “The World’s Toughest Side-by-Side”. The Roxor’s interior is exactly what you would expect: a flat steel dash with an array of analog gauges and a digital tachometer. In fact, until Mahindra introduced the All-Weather variant, it was impossible to get the Roxor with a roof from Mahindra. Upon reviewing customer feedback, the All-Weather variant now offers an enclosed cabin, AC, and heat. Really, everything you would need to get through a hard day’s work in comfort. The PricingHere’s the hard pill to swallow. With a starting price of $22,244, it is not exactly cheap. In fact, you might be able to get yourself a tidy Jeep Wrangler for that much money on the slightly used market. Mahindra continues to run promotional deals on the Roxor throughout the year, though, so you could still get yourself a good deal on a new Roxor, considering a similarly capable Honda or Polaris costs about the same. View the full article

There’s something delightful about digging your toes into the warm sand along a South Florida beach. It’s another matter entirely when it’s your coastal condo sinking into the sand. That’s what’s happening at the Porsche Design Tower in Miami, a luxurious 60-story condominium on Sunny Isles Beach, a community along the Atlantic just north of Miami, a new study revealing that its one of 35 high rises that have sunk as much as three inches into the sand at a time when the ocean is rising due to global warming. Opened in 2016, the Porsche tower is one of a growing number of auto-themed residences popping up around Miami – a number of which are now facing legal and financial problems. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Live What You DriveOver the past century, at least 700 branded real estate projects have popped up around the world, according to Business Insider, and nearly as many, about 650 in all, are now in various stages of construction. That includes a number of auto-themed condo projects that integrate automotive architecture into their design and amenities. The Porsche Design Tower is one of several with a “Deservator,” special elevators that let residents have their vehicles lifted directly up to their condos. Auto-themed projects have popped up in places like Germany, Spain and Dubai. The Gulf principality not only boasts the Bugatti Residences and the Bentley Residences but its newest project is Mercedes-Benz City , a $10 billion complex with 12 separate towers that just opened this year. That said, Miami has become the heart of the auto-residence trend, with condominium projects linked to brands including Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Pagani and Porsche. Moving into one of these isn’t cheap. The 390 residences in Mercedes-Benz Places in Miami are set to start at around $1.5 million. To buy into the 70-unit Pagani Residences in Miami’s North Bay Village starts at $3 million. And one unit at Miami’s Aston Martin Residences was priced at $59 million. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Trouble in ParadiseAutomakers like Mercedes and Porsche typically don’t have any real financial skin in the game. They look to these projects as a way to generate licensing revenue and build their brand imagery. That is, of course, assuming all goes well. But with a number of the ventures in and around Miami, things aren’t going quite as planned – and that means headaches for owners who’ve discovered not all is well in paradise. The latest problem involves the Porsche Design Tower, the first of the big auto-themed projects in Southern Florida, opening in 2016. It’s a 60-story on a barrier beach with 132 separate residences, and special elevators that let owners drive their vehicles right up to their condos. It’s also one of 35 buildings on Sunny Isles Beach that received some unwelcome news from a newly released study conducted by the University of Miami. "Almost all the buildings at the coast itself, they’re subsiding," Falk Amelung, the study’s senior author, a geophysicist at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, told the Miami Herald “It’s a lot.” There’s been growing concern about the construction quality – and safety – of Southern Florida housing projects ever since Champlain Tower South in Surfside, Florida collapsed on June 24, 2021, causing the death of 98 people. The good news, according to the university’s study, is that there’s no sign of structural damage at the Porsche complex. But it’s unclear whether the subsidence will continue. And it’s certainly not a great time for any oceanfront property to be sinking, not with global warming expected to raise the sea level along Miami by at least 21 to 54 inches by 2070, according to the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact. Legal Problems Add to Luxury Residence WoesFrom a financial standpoint, the Mercedes-Benz Places condo project is already under water. The much-delayed project has been under development since 2015, construction only getting under way five years later. A sales center finally opened last year, though the formal opening was again pushed back to late 2027. The project last week became the subject of a foreclosure lawsuit filed by the Cottonwood Group which alleges the developer, the JDS Development Group, owes nearly $100 million. Interest, meanwhile has been mounting at the rate of $53,621 a day, according to the Real Deal, a local real estate publication. The lawyers are keeping busy at another auto-themed condo development, the Aston Martin Residences in Miami. In January the condo association filed a lawsuit in Miami-Dade Circuit Court alleging developer German Coto, 10 other companies and seven individuals engaged in “self-dealing” contracts unlawfully using condo association funds. “I’ve never seen this level of arrogance by a developer, such brazen self-dealing,” David Haber, an attorney representing the condo association, told the Miami Herald, estimating the losses amounted to “millions and millions of dollars.” The Projects Keep ComingBarely a quarter-mile away from the Porsche Design Tower, the Bentley Residences has its own problems. Developers have even bigger aspirations for this 62-story tower. At a planned 216-units, it already made its mark by requiring the largest residential concrete pour in Florida history, a foundation using 20,000 cubic yards of concrete. As with Porsche, developers are providing condo owners with “deservators” so they don’t have to deal with other residents on regular elevators. But a variety of snags have pushed this project back until at least late 2027. Despite all the hassles developers and residents have faced, the auto-themed condo projects keep coming. The latest to get going: the Lamborghini Residences. The Italian automaker has lent its name to a 67-story tower in Miami’s Brickell financial district. Details, including the final design and the number of residences have yet to be released but, according to those who cover the Miami real estate market, residents will begin moving into the Lambo-themed condos sometime in 2029. View the full article

In February this year, a report claimed that Scout would only launch in 2028, something the Volkswagen-backed automaker denied in a forum post, though it did concede that delays related to setting up a new factory and launching multiple powertrains were certainly possible. Now, a new report from AutoForecast Solutions, first noted by Automotive News, suggests that customer vehicles may not start to reach driveways in late 2027 or early 2028 as planned, but that the Traveler SUV will only enter production in September 2028, while the Terra pickup is only expected to launch in March 2030. Scout, however, denies this. Let's look at the full picture. Why Analysts Believe Scout Is Behind Schedule Scout Motors Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions, told AutoNews that the delayed forecasts were based on a weekly update Scout provides customers, adding that he and his colleagues also came to their conclusions with the help of various industry sources. It's also worth noting that when Scout was formed in 2022, the outlook for all-electric vehicles was far rosier than it is now, and extended range electric vehicles (EREVs) were seen almost as a side project. That outlook has changed, and nearly 90 percent of Scout reservation holders have opted for the latter. As a result, Scout has undoubtedly been forced to readjust its expectations, pivoting to meet customer demand. This is one of the biggest factors influencing analysts' expectations that Scout's SUV and truck will launch later. Related: Scout Hasn’t Started Selling Yet and It’s Already $1 Billion Over Budget "A lot of the more recent changes have been in the reengineering of the vehicle to get the EREV out first," Fiorani said. "When the vehicle was originally announced, it was going to be fully electric, and the market has shifted since then. It makes a lot more sense to target the EREV, especially when you’re looking at trucks." So what does Scout have to say about all this? Scout's Response to Delay Claims Scout Motors View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article A Scout spokesperson told Motor1 that the report was unfounded, adding that it still expects to produce its first pre-production vehicles before 2026 comes to an end: "Scout Motors has not spoken with AutoForecast Solutions, and we do not have anything additional to share regarding timing beyond what we've already announced. As we've previously shared, initial production is targeted to begin in 2027. We will start producing initial validation vehicles this year. That effort will continue and mature into 2027. We expect customers will begin taking delivery of new Scout vehicles in 2028." Whether Scout will meet its own expectations or not remains to be seen, but the pressure is on in a big way. The Ford F-150 Lightning is being turned into an EREV, and it's quite possible that one of Ford's five new affordable vehicles planned to arrive by 2030 will be a range-extended SUV, too. Moreover, Kia just announced plans to take advantage of the "untapped" EREV midsize pickup market with a truck of its own, following news that Hyundai will produce an SUV and pickup with styling inspired by the imposing Boulder concept. Scout was going to be one of the first to play in this space, and now it seems it may be just another competitor, depending on whose comments you believe. Will Scout customers start receiving their orders next year? We'll keep an eye on developments. View the full article

Dreams on Four WheelsSome are not as interested in concept cars, preferring to wait for the actual road-going model before paying them much attention. Others find them fascinating because they offer a glimpse of what the brand’s future may look like. For automakers, meanwhile, concept cars provide room to experiment with different ideas, some of which can eventually influence their production lineup. Rolls-Royce, the British luxury marque known for its bespoke approach to individualization, is no stranger to concept cars, even referring to them as Experimental, or EX, models. Now, the company is celebrating the anniversaries of three EX cars introduced since the Goodwood era began in 2003 under BMW ownership. These concepts helped pave the way for some of the brand’s hallmark innovations, including the Starlight Headliner and its first all-electric production model, the Spectre. Rolls-Royce The EX FilesThe first was the 101EX, a full four-seat coupe introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. Built on the same aluminum spaceframe as the Phantom VII, though slightly shorter, the 101EX featured a lower roofline and a reworked Pantheon grille. Notably, the first Goodwood-era EX car also introduced the Starlight Headliner, which is now seen across nearly all Rolls-Royce models. Next up is the 102EX, known as Rolls-Royce’s first battery-electric vehicle and dubbed the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE). It was unveiled in 2011— a year before the now-outgoing Tesla Model S was sold — and allowed the automaker to gather data on alternative powertrains. Those learnings ultimately contributed to the development of the Spectre, which is now among the most expensive EVs on the market, excluding electric hypercars like the Rimac Nevera. Rolls-Royce Three Bold ExperimentsThe third EX car is the 103EX, instantly recognizable for its sci-fi-esque design, highlighted by large, sculpted wheel arches and a glass Spirit of Ecstasy, another first for Rolls-Royce. Perhaps its biggest talking point, however, was the interior, known as the “Grand Sanctuary.” It featured contemporary materials, a sofa made to appear as though it were floating through the use of lighting, and a digital assistant called Eleanor – named after Eleanor Thornton, who is believed to have inspired the Spirit of Ecstasy – designed to work with features such as fully autonomous driving. The 101EX, 102EX, and 103EX mark their 20th, 15th, and 10th anniversaries, respectively. Together, they offer a glimpse of what future Rolls-Royce models could look like – models that may not be exclusively all-electric after the company walked back its 2030 EV-only target and committed to continue building V12s. Rolls-Royce 103EX Rolls-Royce View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article