Autoblog News

New images captured by the Autoblog spy photographers at the Nürburgring confirm that Toyota is working on a more hardcore, racier version of its GR GT supercar. The upgrades make the more aggressive model look a lot like the GR GT3 that will compete in motorsport, but it's a road-going creation that is expected to have the Porsche 911 GT3 RS firmly in its sights. Toyota hinted at producing a more extreme model earlier this month, with the "regular" GR GT not having any active aerodynamic bodywork or adaptive suspension, and this could be the version that makes those i...

Back to the RingXiaomi was spotted testing what appears to be a more track-ready version of the all-electric SU7 at the Nürburgring in Germany. That is notable because the SU7 Ultra with the Track Package is already one of the fastest production EVs around the circuit, beating the far more expensive Rimac Nevera by 0.341 seconds with a time of 7:04.957. As such, this camouflaged prototype could achieve an even faster lap time.The Ringprototypes account on Instagram calls the EV the “Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Extreme,” assumed to be a sportier version due to changes to th...

The debate over robotaxi safety is one for the ages, with viral videos of autonomous blunders fueling public skepticism and stories of autopilot highway mishaps, but the latest study from the IIHS paints a surprisingly clear picture: Waymo driverless vehicles are significantly safer than the average human behind the wheel. In a comprehensive new study, researchers found that Waymo cars deployed across major American cities experienced 68 percent fewer police reportable crashes per vehicle mile traveled compared to human drivers in those exact same locations.What This Tells Us Waymo This is not a...

A V12 for a New AgeThe Lamborghini Revuelto marks a new chapter in the Italian marque’s history, succeeding the Aventador in 2023 as the brand’s first series-production plug-in hybrid. It was also Lambo's first road-going model to surpass 1,000 horsepower, putting it in contention with rivals such as the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and the comparatively bargain supercar, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X.Before it roars down the road with its head-turning, wedge-shaped body and V12 soundtrack, the Revuelto’s life begins at Lamborghini’s headquarters and factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy. A video from FRAME...

Last But Not LeastBugatti's quad-turbocharged W16 engine is the stuff of engineering and performance dreams. While it may not have been the most expressive engine, it certainly bested all when it came to sheer power and speed. Over the years, it has found a home in three distinct Bugatti models, the Veyron, Chiron, and Mistral, with power figures breaching well past 1,000 hp for all models.After countless years in production, the W16's swansong was announced as the Mistral, with the hypercar maker set to move on with new engine technology. Since then, the...

Spy photographers have caught the next iteration of the BMW X2 undergoing hot-weather testing in Spain, and while the extensive camouflage disguises its new looks, the final production bodywork is evident, revealing several changes. The X2 has become more important to BMW in recent years, with its increased size and swoopy roofline causing the X4 to go away (though an electric version of the larger coupe crossover will still happen), and the version seen here with four exhaust tips is getting a new name. Formerly known as the X2 M35i xDrive, the new model is expected to arrive...

Latest Bag of TricksTesla has rolled out its 2026 Summer Update, bringing features such as more adaptive Automatic Navigation, Caraoke with scoring, and a new welcome animation. One standout addition is an updated set of traction-control modes, including Stuck Assist, designed to help owners get out of a sticky situation.Stuck Assist is intended for use when a vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, or sand. The release notes don’t explain how the mode works, but the owner’s manuals for the now-discontinued Model S and Model X say it allows the wheels to spin...

A Seat For A "Hyper-Muscle" Car Earlier this year, Dodge previewed the Copperhead SRT, a new "Hyper-Muscle" car, and "not" a Corvette rival, according to the brand. While everyone's certain it will be the halo car in the lineup, it's not clear what it will and will not do for Dodge in the future, especially in racing.For starters, the "hyper-muscle" car moniker seems to imply that it's not going to be a full-blown sports car like the C8 Corvette, but a mix of the two. Perhaps something that is more Mustang-like in its ethos? <...

Nissan's VC-Turbo WoesToyota and GM might be under scrutiny these days with their engine problems, but not too long ago, Nissan was right there in the hot seat. We’re talking about its Variable Compression Turbo (VC-Turbo) engine. It received praise when it arrived, even picked up some industry awards.But that didn’t last. Owners started reporting engines failing way too early, stalling out, and all sorts of bearing drama. Things got messy enough that Nissan had to launch a massive recall, covering hundreds of thousands of Nissan and Infiniti models with the 1.5-lit...

Dealer PartnersThere are a lot of moving parts and aspects to the sale of a car, but the most crucial is the marketplace that deals with the actual sale. Dealerships act as the automaker's place of business for all of its sales and transactions; these deals are handled by individuals hired by the brand to represent them and face clients. Needless to say, how dealerships erm... deal with clients is an important aspect that could make or break a brand's image and directly affect the success of its sales. So it's in the automaker's...

Undercut and DominateChinese automakers have become the ultimate disruptors in a very challenging industry. From humble beginnings, these brands have grown to become threats to the established brands all over the world. China has the unique manpower and scale to rapidly improve its vehicle offerings while keeping prices much lower than other brands; this strategy has led to huge market shares in different markets.While some nations like Canada have embraced the Chinese automakers, others are still on the fence about them. Apparently, the rapid rise of Chinese hybrid and plug-in hybrid sales in...

America's Best-Selling Midsize Luxury CrossoverBMW and Mercedes can boast about the sales of their X5 and GLE, but both are easily outsold by the Lexus RX. It's been the case for years, and it's probably no surprise given that Lexus was the first to ever offer a luxury midsize crossover in the market. The current generation shown in 2022 for the 2023 model year picked up where the previous generation left off, and did so with relatively little effort.More than sales, the RX is a hugely competent choice in its class. However, it's not getting...

The Software RebootReports of Honda and Nissan potentially merging date back to 2024, but the two Japanese marques struggled to reach an agreement, and the talks eventually collapsed. They even considered jointly developing vehicles and powertrains in the U.S. last year, combining their expertise to reduce costs and become more competitive. At the time, such cooperation was particularly crucial for Nissan given its financial struggles.Now, Japan's Jiji Press, citing informed sources, reports that Honda and Nissan are considering jointly developing an operating system for software-defined vehicles based on Nissan’s technology. The goal is...

Due for a RedesignAmong the subcompact Mercedes-Benz models, the GLA is one of the oldest models in that lineup. It made its world premiere in 2019 for the 2020 model year, and this year marks its sixth year in production.Its stablemates, the CLA and GLB, were given comprehensive full model changes within the last two years. So far, the CLA has been well received, while the GLB has been making a good impression over in Europe. It's now the turn of the GLA to keep that momentum going. The wait won't be that long, as...

Ford’s Factory Broncos Are Getting Seriously FunkyFord’s never been afraid to get weird with the Bronco. Remember the Stroppe Edition? That one was a nod to Baja racing glory and proof that Ford likes to toss out the rulebook when it comes to special editions. Now Ford’s cranking things up with the new Custom Garage program.Enter the Bronco Desert Rising Edition – the debut act for Ford’s Horizon Series. Instead of chasing racing stripes, this one takes its cues from Mother Nature. Ford’s own Bhavna Mistry says the team pulled inspir...

When a high-performance supercar shatters across a public road, the immediate assumption is tragedy. That was the terrifying visual on Australia’s Gold Coast when a violently destroyed Ferrari SF90 Spider hit our IG feeds. The exotic hybrid was rendered unrecognizable, ripped apart in a spectacular spray of twisted metal and exposed carbon fiber. First responders arriving at the scene likely expected the absolute worst outcome.Instead, bewildered bystanders found a modern engineering miracle. The driver, identified as property developer Sam Gordon, emerged from the smoking wreckage completely unscathed. He walked away from a horrific crash that wo...

The World's Ugliest Car Never Really DisappearedBeauty is a moving target in the car world. Ask ten gearheads to name the ugliest car ever, and you'll get ten different answers – though the Pontiac Aztek and SsangYong Rodius are always in the running. But nothing quite owns the title of awkward styling like the original Fiat Multipla.When Fiat dropped the Multipla in 1998, jaws hit the floor. The tall greenhouse, stubby nose, bulbous body, and that infamous second row of "eyebrow" headlights made it look like nothing else on the road. Over time, its weirdness tur...

Service After SalesIn a shocking move, the Department of Commerce has barred Polestar from selling cars in the U.S. starting with the 2027 model year. The decision was made under a rule targeting connected-vehicle manufacturers and technology tied to China or Russia, which the government fears could be used to collect data on U.S. drivers.However, a report from the Detroit Free Press details how Polestar intends to respond to the ban. Polestar Detroit, one of the automaker’s 32 U.S. dealerships, said it will continue supporting customers by honoring warranties, providing service an...

They won because they built cars buyers never had to think aboutToyota, Honda and Hyundai are winning because they never asked buyers to change. While much of the auto industry tried convincing drivers to adopt new habits, these three brands built cars that fit seamlessly into existing ones. Judging by hybrid sales, buyers have rewarded that strategy. According to CNBC analysis, Toyota, Honda and Hyundai now account for roughly 86 percent of the US hybrid market. When three brands control nearly nine out of every ten hybrid sales, that's no longer a trend. It's a shift in...

The EV That Put Chevy on the MapThe Chevrolet Equinox EV is one of the most popular electric vehicles in the U.S. It helped General Motors rank second in EV sales last year behind – well, Tesla, which likely won’t be beaten anytime soon. Still, that was an impressive feat amid growing competition. The reality, however, is that the Equinox EV is starting to lose ground to rivals such as the Toyota bZ and Hyundai Ioniq 5, both of which sold more units during the first half of this year.Nevertheless, Chevrolet isn’t quitti...