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Adding to the ongoing recall crisis of 2026, Volkswagen Group of America has issued a formal safety recall for 7,425 of its popular 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5 crossovers. When a high-volume seller like the Q5 is involved, even a small defect percentage demands immediate attention, and this particular issue centers on a critical safety component: the front seat belt assemblies. What's WrongAccording to the defect report recently filed with the NHTSA (26V266), the seat-belt pretensioners for both the driver and front passenger seats may fail to maintain proper tension during an accident. The components, sourced from tier-one supplier Safety Autoparts Mexico, suffer from a manufacturing variance that allows for "gas blow by" at the sealing piston upon activation. In practice, if you are involved in a crash, the pretensioner's locking mechanism may suffer a thermally induced failure. This means the seat belt could allow excessive slack rather than locking - "tensioning" - the occupant firmly against the seat, substantially increasing the risk of injury when you need restraint the most. Audi The InvestigationAudi first caught wind of the irregularity during routine testing back in November 2025. What followed was a rigorous, months-long investigation involving extensive testing to isolate the root cause. Fortunately, Audi's proactive internal monitoring caught the issue before the public did; the automaker reports that there are currently no known crashes, injuries, or warranty claims associated with this defect in the wild. The supplier officially implemented a new, alternative ball-lock design on February 24, 2026, to correct the issue on the assembly line. The recall population specifically targets vehicles produced between July 10 and December 14, 2025. The breakdown of affected models is as follows: 2025 Audi Q5: 5,344 units2025 Audi Q5 Sportback: 769 units2025 Audi SQ5: 1,041 units2025 Audi SQ5 Sportback: 271 units Audi What To Do About ItTo remedy the situation, Audi dealers will replace one or both front seat belt assemblies entirely free of charge. Because all affected vehicles remain well within their New Vehicle Limited Warranty, no reimbursement program for prior out-of-pocket repairs is necessary. Dealer notifications are officially rolling out on May 1, 2026. Owners of the affected luxury crossovers can expect to receive their formal notification letters via mail on or before June 23, 2026. As always, owners can proactively check their VIN against the NHTSA database to confirm if their daily driver requires a trip to the service bay. View the full article

John Deere just offered $99 million and amendments to its repair policy to settle a right-to-repair lawsuit, but won't admit any wrongdoing, possibly due to a secondary ongoing lawsuit.View the full article

TSR is showing off new paint at the Southern Nationals. Here's a look at how the team is preparing for this new event at SGMP. View the full article

A lot of people adore the adorable Suzuki Samurai for its pint-sized off-road prowess. But what if you stick a different Suzuki engine into it? What happens when you stick a Suzuki Hayabusa engine into a Samurai?View the full article

As the NHRA celebrates its 75th anniversary this season, fans can expect to see plenty of familiar and even nostalgic elements – the return of legends, the celebration of the people and moments that made NHRA history, and even official uniforms that harken back to the “glory days” of the sport. But the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour will also see some new scenery as an unprecedented four new venues join the national event tour. It’s the first time a new track has joined the lineup since the inaugural New England Nationals at Epping, New Hampshire’s New England Dragway in 2013. And excluding the formative years of the NHRA professional series, it’s the first time four new venues join the tour in one season. Two of these new tracks are owned and operated by longtime track operators with extensive experience outside of hosting NHRA national events, while the other two are led by comparatively green owners. In the days leading into the 2026 season, Drag Illustrated spoke with these new NHRA national event track owners to get their perspectives on all the things that come with hosting an NHRA national event for the first time. Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from a roundtable interview that originally appeared in DI #199, the Interview Issue, in March/April 2026. Stay tuned for interviews from Maryland International Raceway’s Royce Miller, U.S. 131 Motorsports Park’s Jason Peterson, and Rockingham Dragway’s Dan VanHorn. Raul Torres is the first of these four owners on the schedule, as his South Georgia Motorsports Park will host the NHRA Southern Nationals May 1-3. Located in Adel, Georgia, SGMP isn’t new to NHRA sanctioning and was actually slated to hold the now-scrapped Peach State NHRA Showcase of Speed event last fall. Torres and wife Jennifer purchased the facility from Ozzy and Maria Moya in 2023. SGMP is known primarily as the home of Donald Long’s iconic radial races, Lights Out in February and No Mercy in October. A Division 2 double divisional at SGMP was also scheduled for early April. How long has hosting an NHRA national event been on your wish list? Raul Torres: From the very get-go. I set my goals and my expectations very high in anything I’ve ever done. Just getting three quarters of the way into some of our goals would be extremely successful. But this one was like the epitome of all my goals. I think we host one of, if not the, most successful and popular small-tire radial series in the country with the Radial Outlaws and No Mercy and Lights Out. We have a huge race in the no-time world with Michael Hill’s Year End Finale. So I wanted two big races, which is a no-prep race, which I’m still working on, and an NHRA national event. With the NHRA national event being the biggest race in the country, that was my ultimate goal. To think we’re shy of three years of ownership and achieving that goal within those three years, I would’ve never believed that were the case back in March of 2023 when we were in conversations with Ozzy and Maria about buying the property and the business. What are the opportunities that come with hosting one? What are the challenges? RT: The challenges are the infrastructure of the property. It’s 22 years old. Their goal may or may not have been a national event when it was built. There are things that I would do differently as far as the ingress and egress of the property. The tower and the lack of buildings are our other biggest challenges. It’s a bare-bones facility right now, so we’ve had to make numerous improvements in order to host a national event. The opportunities are endless. Once you get a national event, that opens the doors to these national accounts and bigger companies because we would get a lot of exposure, and in turn, they would get a lot of exposure. Just being on national television for four hours in May, that in itself is a huge value to the property and the name. That is a big opportunity. The government, both local and state, have started to work with us, and it’s been a challenge at times to reach out to some of these elected officials and get them to work with us. We were bringing good revenue to the local economy, but now the whole state is benefiting from it. Now North Florida’s benefiting from it because people are flying into Tallahassee and they’re flying into Jacksonville. Now we can reach out to our neighboring state and they’d be willing to work with us because we’re bringing local economic benefits to them as well. What have you done already to prepare and what’s left to do? RT: There’s been five major improvement projects. Our biggest task at hand was raising the wall 6,600 feet. We had to raise it 10 to 12 inches of height for the Top Fuel and Funny Cars. That in itself was a couple months’ worth of work and it’s very expensive. With material costs going through the roof everywhere you turn, whether it’s aluminum or concrete or metal, everything’s not what it was 10-15 years ago. It’s building the mold, pouring concrete day after day after day, and it’s an outdoor project, so you have the weather and the cold to work with. Aside from that, we had to move the scoreboards away from the race surface. Our scoreboards on both sides were up against the wall. Well, they needed moved at least 25 feet, and it’s just not picking up a sign and moving it over. We’ve got the entire timing system that’s connected to those scoreboards. With Compulink and these computer systems, they’re just microscopic wires. They’re little telephone wires basically, and there’s dozens of them for every last connection. We’re on eggshells for four weeks while these scoreboards were disconnected, moved over 25 feet, and reconnected. Fortunately, that was one of the first tasks we took on, and we’re back up and running, and we’ve had real flawless events knowing that our timing system is 100 percent. Our first turnoff was an opening in the wall for racers that run eighth mile. Considering these nitro guys go 300-plus mph, NHRA requires that it’s a complete wall all the way down to the finish line, which is 4,400 feet of concrete wall. We had to put a metal gate where it’s available for first responders to come out into an accident scene, but it’s closed while we’re racing and there isn’t an angle where a car could impact it head-on. We had to bring in over 2,000 new bleachers, which we’re completing here in the next month or so. That’s our final phase, and then we had to redo our top end containment. We’re adding walls to the side of our sand traps and then putting tires in a top end containment on the top end after the walls at our sand traps. What do you hope this event accomplishes for your track, your fans, racers, community? RT: Aside from the economic impact that makes a huge difference to our local economy in Adel, Cecil, and Valdosta, we’ve sold just in Lowndes County alone over 750 rooms. The fact that we’re able to give back to our community by bringing these guests in from all over the world, but then also bring this type of excitement to our local fan base and bring this type of race to their backyard, you can’t put a dollar amount on it. It’s extremely gratifying to hear the conversations or hear our fans calling me on a daily basis asking for tickets and their excitement about their race coming. Just the joy that we’re able to bring to these families that have never been able to go to either Gainesville or Atlanta when it held the Southern Nationals, that in itself is the biggest benefit I take from all this – bringing so much joy to our local fan base and racers here at South Georgia. This story was originally published on May 1, 2026. The post SGMP’s Raul Torres Talks Preparation Ahead of NHRA Southern Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

This is Not Your Typical Affordable Chinese CarFor years, coverage around Chinese automakers has centered on value. Brands built momentum by undercutting legacy players with aggressive pricing and solid tech. That narrative is now being challenged at the very top end. According to a report from CarNewsChina, BYD has sold its most expensive production vehicle ever at the Beijing Auto Show 2026. The Yangwang U9 Xtreme commanded a staggering $2.76 million per unit. The U9 Xtreme is a limited production model capped at 30 units globally. At least one unit was handed over on site by BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu, signaling confidence in both product and buyer demand. The transaction stands as the highest recorded at the event. It marks a decisive pivot from mass-market dominance to ultra-high-end ambition. The Yangwang U9 Is One of the Wildest Hypercars Ever BuiltThe U9 Xtreme backs up its price with serious hardware. It produces over 3,000 horsepower and runs on a 1200V architecture. It features BYD’s DiSus-X fully active suspension system, which allows the car to actively control body movement in real time. Reinforced carbon ceramic brakes handle the stopping duties. The package is engineered for extreme performance rather than grand touring comfort. On track, the numbers are just as aggressive. The U9 Xtreme recorded a 6:59.157 lap time at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. That places it at the top of the production EV leaderboard. It has also set records across major Chinese circuits including Zhuzhou and Shanghai. Combined with prior reports of extreme top speed capability, the car is positioned as one of the fastest electric machines ever built. That Was QuickThe pricing alone forces a rethink of what Chinese automakers represent. For decades, Japanese and Korean brands followed a path from budget offerings to premium credibility. Chinese brands appear to be compressing that timeline dramatically. Vehicles like the U9 Xtreme show that engineering depth and brand ambition are now aligned at the highest level. There is also growing global curiosity. Enthusiasts have already explored ways to import the U9 Xtreme into markets like the United States. That said, regulatory and geopolitical barriers remain significant. Until those conditions shift, this hypercar will remain a rare sight outside select regions. For now, it stands as a statement piece that China is no longer just competing on price. It is competing at the very top. BYD View the full article

Bushwakka's new and updated rooftop tents are the stuff we dream of adding to our side-by-sides. One even has a skylight for dark-sky perfection. If only they'd come to the United States. View the full article

New Drip of DetailsThe Mitsubishi Pajero is one of those SUVs that keeps pulling us back in. Official news is scarce, but every so often, a fresh batch of updates drops all at once. Some weeks, there’s nothing. Then suddenly, we get a few new pieces to the puzzle, like leaks and sightings, among others. The latest info comes from Japan, courtesy ofBest Car, so it’s smart to stay a bit skeptical. Even so, it matches what Mitsubishi has been hinting at. The new Pajero is expected to launch with three grades, ranging from basic and rugged to something more upscale. That’s a clear sign Mitsubishi wants the Pajero to be more than just a nostalgia play. The automaker’s aiming to make it fit a wide range of buyers right from the start. MitsubishiMotorsTV/YouTube Three Grades, Wider MarketIf the report holds true, the entry-level Pajero should stick to what the nameplate stands for, such as unpainted bumpers, rugged trim, and a focus on durability rather than posh. Meanwhile, the higher trims should offer body-colored bumpers and a more refined overall vibe. It’s a small difference, but it draws a clear line between buyers who want a rugged toy and those who want something a bit more luxurious. This lines up with earlier talk that Mitsubishi has been benchmarking the Pajero against the Toyota Land Cruiser. That’s a big target, and offering several trims helps close the gap. There’s also been some hints from Mitsubishi’s leadership about keeping features like manual transmissions on the table, but it’s still anyone’s guess if those will make it to showrooms. A Bit of CautionAs for the timing, we can safely say that the wait is almost over. Most reports now point to a debut sometime this year, with Mitsubishi confirming that a “cross-country SUV” will be released by the end of the year. However, it’s still safe to be cautious with expectations at this point. No detail is official just yet, and the source’s track record is unfortunately hit-or-miss. Mitsubishi’s goal is clear, though, but details like trim levels and features could change before the Pajero actually arrives. We’re expecting to get our hands on one before the official launch, so keep us in your tabs. From our perspective, launching the Pajero with three distinct versions makes total sense. The name still means something, and giving it a range of personalities, especially that off-road-ready version, should help it stand out in a packed SUV field. The real question is how bold Mitsubishi will go, especially with global heavyweights like the Toyota Land Cruiser in the mix. Mitsubishi View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

More than $2 Billion in Refunds Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis will receive a tariff refund. Auto News reports that import tariff refunds for American automakers total around $2.3 billion. With this, we can expect these brands to have a bit more breathing room and a better financial outlook, given the current global landscape. The tariffs were deemed unconstitutional in February of this year, but the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. Government is set to return its collected tariffs to affected companies across the board, with the U.S. auto industry alone expected to receive up to $20 billion. In total, the U.S. Government is set to refund up to $170 Billion for the entire country. In a previous story, sources have stated that Trump Tariffs cost auto makers up to $35 billion since 2025. Ford Compounded Problems One of the biggest repayments in U.S. history is currently in the process of being reversed. Car brands that are in the U.S., such as Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, and more, have suffered losses due to this. Pair the tariffs with the rise in energy prices across the board, and profits tend to disappear overnight. Thankfully, the refund will alleviate some of the troubles associated with rising prices and inflation. The Ford Motor Company is set to receive $1.3 billion in refunds from the U.S. Government, while General Motors and Stellantis are expected to receive about $500 million each. It's not just a direct transfer, however. The Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool will be used by the U.S. Government to facilitate the refund process. Even with this tool in play, the refunds could be "get litigated for the next two years," as President Donald Trump stated after the tariffs were deemed "unconstitutional." Bill Pugliano/Getty Images Good News For Detroit General Motors has already raised its profit outlook for the year because of this development,Automotive News reported. Thanks to this, the company has potential upside in the near future. Meanwhile, Stellantis hasn't yet adjusted this year's financial forecasts, or possibly won't, citing that increased costs offset the tariff refund. Meanwhile, Ford and General Motors went on record stating that they don't know when the refunds will arrive. Perhaps within the next two years, maybe? The refund will cover payments made for importing parts that are not covered by the automotive tariff. There are other things, such as robotics and other manufacturing equipment, that the companies imported. According to the source, automakers still expect tariffs to burden their finances in 2026, still. For GM, it projects a burden of $2.5 to $ 3.5 billion; Ford expects $1 billion; and Stellantis expects $1.5 billion. Stellantis View the full article

This carbon-fiber flat track machine, built by Picasso, was created in Switzerland to race in the Flat Track World Championship, but now there's a street-legal model.View the full article

A Shift in Strategy from Volvo LeadershipLast week, I asked Victor Yang, Vice President of Geely Holding Group, whether the company sees an advantage in leveraging its U.S. manufacturing footprint through Volvo Cars and Polestar plants in South Carolina. While he said there are no plans at the moment, the tone from the top is starting to change. In an interview with Business Insider, Håkan Samuelsson of Volvo Cars said the door is open to building Geely-based EVs in the U.S., citing available plant capacity. “We could discuss building cars in the plant, as we have capacity,” he stressed it depends on navigating strict U.S. regulations on Chinese tech. The move comes as Chinese automakers gain ground globally with aggressive pricing and advanced tech, putting increasing pressure on Western brands to stay competitive. Geely U.S. Manufacturing as a Strategic LeverVolvo’s U.S. manufacturing base, particularly its South Carolina facility, has become a critical node in its global supply chain. The plant currently builds models like the EX90 and vehicles for Polestar, serving both domestic and export markets. Utilizing this facility for Geely-developed vehicles could offer a workaround to steep tariffs that exceed 100% on Chinese imports. Geely’s portfolio extends far beyond budget EVs. The company produces hybrids capable of nearly 59 mpg and priced at around $16,000 in China. That kind of value proposition is precisely what the U.S. market lacks today. Still, political resistance remains strong. Ford CEO Jim Farley has openly opposed the entry of Chinese vehicles, citing risks to domestic manufacturing. Meanwhile, proposed legislation could outright ban Chinese cars from U.S. roads. Even if production shifts stateside, regulatory scrutiny over software and supply chains will remain a significant barrier. Jacob Oliva/Autoblog Younger Buyers Are Open to Chinese BrandsConsumer sentiment may ultimately force a shift. A recent study found that 69% of Gen Z buyers are open to purchasing Chinese car brands, largely driven by affordability and perceived value. That is a critical data point as younger buyers begin shaping market demand. It feels less like a question of if and more of when. If Chinese-developed vehicles do arrive via localized production, pricing will be the defining factor. Tariffs, compliance costs, and political friction could erode their biggest advantage. The real test will be whether these cars can stay disruptive once they land on American soil. Geely View the full article

For enthusiasts of heritage performance with modern reliability, this 2017 BMW R nineT Racer—now offered on Bring a Trailer—represents a compelling, low-mileage example of BMW Motorrad’s factory-built café racer vision. Showing just 1,200 miles, the bike captures the spirit of 1970s endurance racing while delivering contemporary engineering precision. BMW conceived the R nineT Racer as a turnkey homage to icons like the BMW R90S, translating classic motorsport aesthetics into a road-ready package. This example is finished in Light White with […] The post FOR SALE: 2017 BMW R nineT Racer appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers. View the full article

Software Is Now the ProductPerformance still counts, but these days, what really sets a car apart is the software running underneath. That’s the thinking behind software-defined vehicles – cars that keep changing and adding features long after you’ve bought them. That’s exactly where Hyundai Motor Group is headed with Pleos Connect. Instead of treating cars as finished products, they’re building a platform that lets vehicles keep getting better over time. Pleos Connect rolls out first in the Hyundai Grandeur in Korea, then heads to models like the Ioniq 3 in Europe. After that, expect it to show up in more and more Hyundai vehicles. By 2030, Hyundai wants Pleos Connect in about 20 million vehicles – yes, including Kia and Genesis. It’s set to become the digital backbone for the whole group. Hyundai A New Take on the In-Car ExperienceAt first glance, Pleos Connect seems like just another infotainment system. But it’s really about making all the new tech in cars easier to use. The setup uses two main screens: a big central display split into sections for driving info, apps, and shortcuts, plus a slimmer screen right in front of the driver for immediate basic information. Thankfully, Hyundai didn’t ditch physical controls as promised. You still get real buttons on the steering wheel and under the main screen. The interface feels familiar if you use a smartphone. You get split screens and floating info cards, and you can arrange apps however you like. Navigation isn’t stuck in one view, either – you can run it next to your music or other apps, with things like ETA popping up where you need them. Behind the scenes, Pleos Connect is set up for regular updates. Features, services, and even performance can all get better over time – so your car doesn’t feel outdated after a few years. Hyundai What is Gleo AI?The big leap is the AI layer, called Gleo AI. It’s more than just a voice assistant as it can actually understand what you’re asking, not just follow basic commands – a common feature among modern cars. You don’t have to memorize exact phrases. Gleo AI can understand what you mean, whether you ask for a nearby restaurant or for directions. It handles more than one request at a time and can handle things like climate and navigation without you having to spell them out. There’s also an app store built in, so you can add things like streaming or web browsing. Hyundai plans to keep adding more apps – entertainment, games, and tools for the car itself – so your vehicle becomes just another part of your digital world. Hyundai View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

A 1965 MV Agusta 500 GP with ties to Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini just crossed the block at Bonhams for serious money. View the full article

The unveiling of the Harley-Davidson RMCR (Revolution Max Café Racer) at the 2026 Mama Tried Motorcycle Show in Milwaukee marks a pivotal moment for “The Motor Company.” It isn’t just a bike; it is a strategic maneuver designed to reclaim a segment Harley once famously lost. The Technical Profile: Heritage Meets High Performance The RMCR is built on the liquid-cooled Revolution Max 1250 platform. This engine, which also powers the Pan America 1250, serves as a stressed member of the […] The post Harley-Davidson Targets European Rivals with New Concept Debut appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers. View the full article

Kia EV6 Drops Nearly $6K as EV Price War Heats UpWith new car prices now averaging around $47,000, it is becoming harder for buyers to find genuinely affordable options. That is why fresh discounts in the EV space are getting attention. According to ordering guides obtained by CarsDirect, the 2026 Kia EV6 is receiving a significant price cut of nearly $6,000. The entry-level EV6 Light is now expected to start at just under $38,000, with some reports pointing to a closer to $37,000 price depending on configuration. This aggressive repositioning puts the EV6 firmly into the conversation for value-focused EV buyers. It also undercuts the base Tesla Model Y, which starts at $39,990 in rear-wheel-drive form. For a segment that has long struggled to break below the $40,000 barrier, this is a notable shift. Kia appears to be targeting buyers who were previously priced out of the EV market. Kia Deeper Cuts Across the Lineup but Rivals Still Compete on PriceThe price adjustments extend across the EV6 lineup. The Light Long Range drops by $5,000 to around $41,200, while the Wind trim sees a $5,500 reduction to roughly $44,800. GT-Line variants receive the largest cuts, with up to $5,900 shaved off depending on drivetrain. The high-performance Mack-Daddy, EV6 GT, is notably absent for 2026, as Kia has delayed the model until further notice. Even with these reductions, competitors still apply pressure. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 starts at about $35,000 in base form, making it nearly $3,000 cheaper than the EV6. The Ford Mustang Mach-E Select also edges in slightly lower at $37,795. The bigger twist comes from incentives. The 2025 EV6 currently carries up to $10,000 in rebates, which could make the outgoing model a better real-world deal than the newer one. Kia The Real Story Behind EV Pricing Right NowA broader trend is forming behind these price moves. EV demand has cooled slightly in key markets, and manufacturers are responding with pricing strategies that do not rely entirely on government incentives. This is creating a more competitive landscape, with sticker prices starting to reflect actual market conditions rather than projected growth. At the same time, fuel price volatility continues to influence buyer behavior. When gasoline prices rise, EV ownership becomes easier to justify on a cost basis. On paper, the 2026 Kia EV6 offers a lower entry price, stronger positioning, and a direct challenge to Tesla’s volume leader. In practice, the outcome will depend on incentives, dealer pricing, and how quickly rivals respond. View the full article

The Ski-Doo Snow PASS program returns to fund trail maintenance, access, and local clubs across North America. View the full article

Nissan Backtracks On U.S. EV Push News of Nissan's EV push around the world is getting the industry buzzing. Despite struggles and restructuring, the Japanese brand was still able to launch new products, such as the improved Leafand a rumored Nismo version of the EV. Apart from that, the brand's also making a few moves around the performance car segment, fielding improvements to the Z and making a bit of noise for upcoming models like the next-generation GT-R and some murmurs about the Silvia. However, when it comes to pushing for EV manufacturing in the U.S., it looks like the Japanese automaker is scaling back. Nissan Motor Co. told its U.S. suppliers on April 30, 2026, that it's dropping its plans to build electric vehicles in Mississippi, Automotive News reports. Nissan Back to Gas The brand is going back to manufacturing good-old gasoline-powered trucks in its plant. The company plans to produce a range of truck-based models at its 4.7-million-square-foot assembly line in Canton, Mississippi. While it won't manufacture pure EVs in Mississippi anymore, Nissan is still planning to make electrified cars here, with the Xterra slated for U.S. production. The move comes in response to market and customer demands. While EVs are making headlines around the world, Nissan believes that market conditions, customer demand, and its strategic direction are more aligned with what the Xterra delivers: an affordable, electrified SUV. Apart from the planned revival of the Xterra, the Canton, Mississippi, plant also produces other Nissan models such as the Frontier pickup truck and the Altima sedan. Bloomberg/Getty Images $500,000 Plans Canceled Five years ago, in 2021, Nissan announced plans to invest in and retool its Canton plant to manufacture EVs. Batteries for Nissan and Infiniti vehicles were slated for manufacturing here. Nissan's goal was to sell 200,000 EVs in the U.S. by 2028; however, that may no longer be the case. The new direction will see the Canton, Mississippi, plant make a new body-on-frame platform, starting with the Xterra. Slated for debut in late 2028 for the U.S. market, the model will then be followed by a new three-row SUV, the New Nissan Frontier. The move isn't just strategic but also cost-effective for the brand, as both models will share the same underpinnings, along with at least five more models. Nissan's EV sales in the U.S. are less than optimal, prompting the brand to roll back several models and rethink its lineup. One casualty is the Nissan Ariya, which is set to be discontinued later this year. However, Nissan executives remain hopeful in the U.S., citing it as one of the keys to its recovery. The brand is targeting about 1,000,000 annual sales in North America by early 2031. Localized production is one key to helping the brand achieve its goals as we move into the latter half of this decade. Nissan Nissan's Not The Only One Other brands are also reeling back on their EV pushes. It's not just Nissan, but even some Chinese brands are dialing things back. Given that new Geely models are more efficient than ever, it stands to reason that there is at least some pushback from the market as the EV sector grows more aggressive by the day. On top of that, development for ICEs is still ongoing, albeit as assistants or partners to electric motors. Nissan will likely continue to push its electrified e-Power powertrains in the coming years, with perhaps less emphasis on EVs. Still, however, the brand was able to move forward with solid-state batteries recently, so we'll still see electric models from the brand in the future, don't worry. Autoya/YouTube View the full article

Few modern motorcycles capture the spirit of bespoke craftsmanship quite like this 2020 CCM Spitfire Bobber. Hand-built in Bolton by CCM Motorcycles, this limited-production machine represents a rare intersection of artisanal engineering and contemporary performance. This particular example—number 246 of just 500 units—embodies the exclusivity that has made the Spitfire range a standout in the custom-inspired segment. At its core lies a 600cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine, delivering approximately 55bhp through a six-speed manual gearbox and chain final drive. While modest […] The post Bike of the Day: 2020 CCM Spitfire Bobber appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers. View the full article

German Police just conducted large-scale raids on the Hells Angels, which involved 1,200 officers and 50 premises, resulting in $3 million seized.View the full article

When Customization Goes All the WayBugatti’s Sur Mesure division takes customization to a level that goes far beyond the usual. This is the team behind the Hermès Chiron and the lavender W16 Mistral. If an owner has a specific vision, no matter how detailed or unusual, Sur Mesure is set up to make it happen. Its newest project, however, sticks to that approach but shifts from fashion to something more natural. Meet the W16 Mistral “Fly Bug” – the fourth in a series of insect-inspired builds, each one reimagining a different creature through Bugatti’s design language. It joins the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse “Hellbug,” the Chiron “Hellbee,” and the Divo “Lady Bug,” all commissioned by the same undisclosed, deep-pocketed client. Inspired by the DragonflyThe “Fly Bug” isn’t just named after a dragonfly. Its design is built around the way a dragonfly looks and moves. The first thing you notice is the custom “Dragonfly Blue” paint. It shifts from blue to turquoise depending on the light, echoing the look of real insect wings. This isn’t just a paint color – it’s a layered finish that changes as you move around the car. The wheels are finished to match, which is more complicated than it sounds because of the different materials. Bugatti also carried over a pattern from earlier cars in the series. An ellipse motif runs along the body, starting out subtle and getting denser toward the back, then fading into the air intakes. Inside, the theme carries over. The cabin uses a custom mix of leather layered over Alcantara, set in a geometric pattern that matches the outside. The effect is three-dimensional, and the pattern runs across the door panels and armrests. Bugatti hadn’t tried that said technique before because shaping these materials over curves is a real challenge. Plus, look closer at the gear selector, and you’ll spot the “Dancing Elephant,” a reference to Rembrandt Bugatti’s sculptures. There’s also a new technical detail outside. For the first time, Bugatti integrated the Macaron emblem into a painted graphic. Getting the size and placement right while keeping the badge’s details sharp required more precision than usual paintwork. Bugatti Same Hardcore Hardware UnderneathUnderneath all the design work, the Mistral is unchanged. It still runs Bugatti’s 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 with 1,600 metric horsepower, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch and all-wheel drive. In standard form, it’s already hit 282.05 mph. Bugatti is building just 99 Mistrals, each starting at about €5 million ($5.8 million) before any custom work. Builds like the “Fly Bug” cost much more, but Bugatti doesn’t share final prices for Sur Mesure projects. Bugatti View the 14 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Chip Foose needs no introduction, but if you don’t recognize Seth Hammond’s name then just look up Bonneville Records and you’ll find him. Seth is a hard core racer, hot rodder, and collector so it’s no wonder that he and Chip are friends. Check out this fun video from Barona, a dragstrip down near San Diego, because this place looks like the set of Lost in Space from the 1960s. It’s a fun little race track that we’ve had some fun at and that still puts on great events. Check it out. Video Description: This past weekend I had the chance to get out of the shop and spend some time doing something at Barona Dragstrip! My good friend Seth Hammond and I headed down to RPM Barona Drags, and it turned out to be an amazing day. With Seth behind the wheel racing, and me pushing him around in the Depot Hack, we really had a great team. The racing started out great with Seth winning the first round. Elimination round after elimination round he kept winning, and eventually we took home first place! I want to give a big thank you to RPM Barona Drags for having us at the event, and a big thanks to Seth Hammond for joining me on this awesome day! I have some more drag racing events lined up for later this year, so let me know if you guys want to see more of this. Maybe I’ll even get behind the wheel and race myself! #chipfoose #foose #foosedesign #rpmbaronadrags #dragracing The post Chip Foose And Seth Hammond Win At Barona’s RPM Drags In An Epic Vintage Hot Rod appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Car Launches in a NutshellCar launches are as straightforward as it gets. The usual program flow starts with speeches from executives, a breakdown of highlights, and eventually, the reveal. From time to time, there are a few gimmicks, but it's really nothing out of the ordinary. We've covered loads of these over the years, and we already know what to expect. But for those who attended the Volkswagen ID. Polo's launch in Germany recently, we can say that those who were there witnessed something that has never happened during a world premiere. Nicola Hume/Instagram There Was Tiramisu InvolvedMotoring presenter Nicola Hume posted a bizarre incident on her Instagram during the ID. Polo launch event. It involved a man covered in tiramisu sitting in the small electric hatchback, making some form of content. It's probably one of the strangest sentences we've ever put together, and we're pretty sure that something like this has never happened before. At the end of the reel, Hume simply said, "I don't get it." Well, Nicola, neither do we. We probably won't have tiramisu for a while, either. If you're up for it, you can watch the entire thing unfold below. So Many QuestionsNow, we weren't there to see 'Tiramisu Man' prep himself for this, er, stunt, not that we'd actually want to witness such an event. Even so, there are so many questions racing through our minds right now, such as "what is the relevance of tiramisu and the ID. Polo," "did VW actually sign up for...this?" and, probably the most important question of all, "Why?" So far, VW hasn't commented on the matter, and it's still unclear if the company was actually in on the recent, er, performance art exhibition. We also can't help but feel that the interior has been ruined as well. Mind you, the cake-covered person sat in the base ID. Polo, meaning cloth seats. Whoever had to clean and detail the hapless little hatchback after the event probably wasn't very happy afterward. Volkswagen Anyway, Here are Some ID. Polo HighlightsThere are other interesting things about the ID. Polo, of course. For starters, it's the first of the new-generation VW EVs to follow a more familiar naming convention. Its interior design also reflects the company's new direction, with a simpler, easier-to-use interface and a look that's both familiar and forward-looking. It looks refreshingly normal. In Germany, the ID. Polo is available in three trims: Trend, Life, and Style. There are also three powertrain options and two battery sizes. Entry and mid-level models come with a 37 kWh battery, while the top-spec Style gets a 52 kWh pack. Range is rated at 204 miles and 282 miles, respectively. As for power, it's 114 hp, 133 hp, and 204 hp. There's no chance of it coming to the U.S, although the ID. Polo is a preview of things to come for future VW models. We can expect some elements of this small EV hatchback to be applied to the upcoming MK9 Golf, and so far, we like what we're seeing. Hopefully, there won't be any tiramisu-related incidents during that model's world premiere. Volkswagen View the full article

Drag and Drive trailers are one of the more talked about aspects of drag and drive races, and for good reason. Being organized and having the tools and parts you need can be the difference between finishing or not, and winning or losing your class. There are a bunch of ways to do a drag and drive trailer effectively, but some folks have different preferences. I’ve seen a bunch of different drag and drive trailer variations, and the possibilities are endless. In the video below, our friend Bill Armstrong is going to let us in on the secrets to his drag and drive trailer. Bill has done a bunch of drag and drives over the years, in his 8 second stick shift Ford Fairlane. This is one mean machine but it takes more work than a lot of combos, so Bill knows what being organized means. Check out the video and let us know what you think and if you have other suggestions or questions. The post Bill Armstrong, Mr. Bangshift Billy Himself, Is Sharing All His Drag & Drive Trailer Secrets! Check Out How He Does It! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

A new twist on drag-and-drive is coming to Summit Motorsports Park. Here's what you can expect at the Turn & Burn event.View the full article