automotive9.59 min read
The Humbler: Pontiac’s GTO Super Bowl Ad That Was Silenced
15 hours ago•Source: The Autopian
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3.56 min•1 day ago
Kia Sets Sights on U.S. Midsize Pickup With Hybrid and Extended-Range EV by 2030
Kia announced plans to offer a U.S. midsize body-on-frame pickup by 2030 with conventional hybrid and extended-range EV powertrains; a teaser image hints at a double-cab design, though EV specifics aren’t confirmed in the latest statement. The plan supports CEO Ho Sung Song’s goal of roughly 90,000 yearly sales and 7% market share in the segment by 2034, and Kia’s broader aim to reach about 1 million EVs by 2030. The truck would be Kia’s first body-on-frame model in the U.S. since the Borrego and would compete with Tacoma, Colorado, and Ranger.
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Minivans Are Cool Again: A Practical Look at the Family Shuttle
Despite a shrinking US market, minivans remain the most practical family cars, offering AWD, hybrids, and clever seating in models like the VW ID Buzz, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Voyager/Pacifica, and Kia Carnival—proving every minivan is, in fact, cool.
Five Entry-Level Manual Cars You Can Buy New in 2026
A Cars.com list highlights five new manual-transmission cars to buy in 2026—VW Jetta GLI, Subaru WRX, Honda Civic Si, Toyota GR86, and Mazda MX-5 Miata—priced roughly from $31k to $35k, offering engaging performance and a hands-on driving experience as manuals become rarer.
Bond-Edition Toyota 2000GT Convertibles: Ultra-Rare Open-Top Japanese Supercars
The Toyota 2000GT, a 1960s Japanese supercar, had only 351 built and just two were converted into open-top convertibles for the James Bond film You Only Live Twice; these film props had no real tops and remain among the most coveted rare cars, with coupe versions fetching seven-figure prices.
GM Vortec Engines: Power, Longevity, and the AFM Drawback
GM's Vortec family evolved from the mid-1980s 4.3L V6 to late-90s V8s like 5.0/5.7 and 5.3/8.1, earning praise for durable design, high-flow heads, and solid fuel economy—popular in Silverado/Sierra pickups and large GM SUVs and built off the tried-and-true small-block 350 platform, with influence on swaps and a reputation for longevity. However, later tech like Active Fuel Management (launched in 2007) brought civil backlash due to lifter noise, increased oil consumption (notably in the 5.3L) and knock-sensor issues, prompting aftermarket AFM delete solutions and discussions about reliability, ultimately leading GM to move on to EcoTec3 engines.
Mini with M3 V8: a pocket rocket that roars on track
A custom Mini Cooper nicknamed Vini packs BMW's 4.0-liter S65 V8 from the M3, mated with a Subaru rear subframe to create a rear‑drive track-day hatch that puts out about 414 hp and 295 lb-ft. The build blends a stripped interior with a carbon dash and race hardware, turning a modest hatch into a high-worse-than-its-size machine showcased on The Late Brake Show and tied to Powerflex founder ownership, making it a standout example of big‑engine-in-a‑small-car engineering.
Infiniti QX65 Debuts Bold Sunfire Red and Surprise Headrest Speakers
Infiniti's 2027 QX65 arrives with a striking Sunfire Red paint and optional headrest speakers, pairing a 268-hp turbo inline-four with AWD and up to 6,000 lb tow, while offering luxe trims, a tech-forward interior with two 12.3-inch displays, and Klipsch audio options; built in Smyrna, Tennessee and priced to undercut rivals, the QX65 aims to woo buyers even as it stops short of reviving the FX.
Infiniti Unveils the 2027 QX65, a Sleek Two-Row Crossover with 6,000-Pound Tow
Infiniti has revealed the all-new 2027 QX65, a stylish two-row crossover powered by a 2.0L turbo VC-Turbo engine (268 hp, 286 lb-ft) with a nine-speed automatic and standard AWD. It arrives this summer in Luxe, Sport, and Autograph trims, features Google Built-In on 12.3-inch displays, wireless charging, and tri-zone climate, and seats 35.8 cubic feet behind the second row (67.7 cubic feet with seats folded) while towing up to 6,000 pounds. Pricing starts at $56,990 for the Luxe (dest included), with Sport at $57,235 and Autograph at $64,135.
Porsche's Sonderwunsch 911 S/T Salutes a Taboo Camel GT Legend
Porsche’s Sonderwunsch program custom-built a 2025 911 S/T inspired by a 1972 Camel GT Challenge racer (Equipe de Course Marc Dancose): Phoenix Red with Signal Yellow accents, Camel branding, and interior camel motifs; Manthey rear aero discs are included but not homologated for street use and must be removed for public-road driving; the livery uses flowing graphics rather than exact race stickers, and Porsche has not disclosed the customization cost.
Ford recalls 254k+ vehicles over rearview camera and ADAS glitches
Ford is recalling 254,640 Lincoln and Explorer models from 2022–2025 after the Image Processing Module A can reset, causing the rearview camera image and key ADAS features (pre-collision assist, lane-keeping, blind-spot monitoring) to fail and increasing crash risk. Owners will receive notices by March 30; updates can be sent OTA or installed at a dealer for free. Ford recall number is 26S21; VIN lookup available on NHTSA.gov starting March 25.
AMG confirms ultra-extreme Black Series GT for GT3 homologation
Mercedes‑AMG has confirmed a new Black Series GT, billed as the most extreme yet, to serve as the homologation car for the next‑gen GT3 racer. Built on the lineage of the teased Concept AMG GT Track Sport, the track-focused model has undergone testing on circuits including Bilster Berg, Portimao and Monteblanco, with Nürburgring on the proving list; AMG’s Michael Schiebe promises fireworks and a red-dominant Motorsport livery with yellow and green accents as the project advances.