All articles tagged with #automotive
Subaru’s DriverFocus distraction-mitigation camera, paired with EyeSight on some Outbacks, has sparked owner complaints about over-sensitivity, but Subaru says it can be disabled via the head unit; the issue echoes broader ADAS gripes as more cars adopt driver-monitoring tech, amid talk of a 2027 US mandate for impaired-driver monitoring.
Stellantis confirms a new Dodge Copperhead SRT as a standalone flagship to carry the Viper legacy, likely powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 and built on the STLA Large platform, with a launch expected before 2030 to rival the Ford Mustang GTD.
A rare Gunther Werks Speedster based on a Porsche 993, one of 25, named Blue Phoenix, with a 4.0L flat‑six producing 430 hp, carbon fiber body, and a reinforced chassis; weighing about 2,600 lb, it has just 108 miles and heads to Mecum’s Monterey auction, where it’s expected to fetch seven‑figure money.
Two 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupes in New Jersey present a price gap: a $43k GT53 with an inline-6 and 469 hp (21 mpg combined) versus a $69k GT63 with a V8 and 577 hp (590 lb-ft, 17 mpg), with the GT63 accelerating faster (0–60 in 3.3s vs 4.1s). While the GT63 is the more desirable and potentially better at holding value, the $26k premium invites weighing whether the extra performance justifies the cost.
Jalopnik profiles nine iconic hot rod styles—Street Rod, Rat Rod, Track Roadster, T-Bucket, Lowboy, Highboy, Gasser, Pro Street, and the Deuce (1932 Ford)—explaining how each differs in purpose and construction, from safety- and reliability-minded street rods and rusty-budget rat rods to aero-focused track roadsters, fenderless lowboys and highboys, high-traction gasers, and showy, drag-inspired Pro Street machines, with notes on origins and how definitions vary across groups like NSRA and magazines.
The 2004 Ram Rumble Bee was Dodge's factory street-truck version of the Ram 1500 (third-gen), packing a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 345 hp and 375 lb-ft in a bold Solar Yellow/black package with a hood scoop, 20-inch wheels, and Speed Bee graphics. Produced for 2004–2005 as a nod to Mopar muscle, it set the stage for the later Hellcat-powered Ram 1500 Rumble Bee.
Rivian confirms early R2s will ship without lidar and says the difference in autonomy compared with lidar-equipped models won’t be noticeable for several years; lidar’s main advantage is richer data for future generations, there’s no plan to retrofit, and point-to-point hands-free driving will be available on the lidar-less Launch Package.
Dodge confirmed a new halo sports car named Copperhead, likely built on the Charger platform with aggressive aerodynamics and vents, hinting at a V-8 powertrain and an SRT variant, as Stellantis outlines a plan for 100+ new or refreshed models.
Project Farm tested fuel-saving gadgets and found they don’t deliver real savings; gains came from performance mods that improve airflow (high-flow exhaust, cold-air intake) plus ECU tuning, and later from driving behavior (lower speeds, proper tire inflation). Baseline 17.06 mpg on a 319k-mile Suburban rose to 18.78 mpg with about $974 in mods, and peaked at 20.39 mpg with driving changes. At ~$4.50/gal, it would take tens of thousands of miles to recoup the investment, meaning the biggest payoffs come from careful driving and proper maintenance rather than gimmicks.
Brabus reveals its first standalone model, the Bodo, a full coachbuilt coupe based on the Aston Martin Vanquish, powered by the Vanquish's 5.2-liter twin‑turbo V12 for 986 hp and 885 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0–60 mph time under 3 seconds and a top speed of 224 mph; it features a dramatic carbon-fiber body with a long boattail, a quilted leather and carbon-fiber interior, and Brabus plans to build 10–15 Bodos per year with price undisclosed.
Stellantis will unveil its new strategic plan at Investor Day 2026 in Auburn Hills, Michigan, with CEO Antonio Filosa outlining the long‑term strategy. The event features two sessions—strategic pillars at 8:00 a.m. EDT and financial targets at 1:50 p.m. EDT—and presentation materials plus a replay will be posted on Stellantis’ investor site, with live webcast available.
Stellantis unveiled a €60 billion five-year plan led by CEO Antonio Filosa, aiming for €6 billion in annual cost savings and positive free cash flow by 2028. About €36 billion will fund brand initiatives to launch more than 60 new vehicles and refresh 50 models (EVs, hybrids and ICE), with €24 billion allocated to platforms and new technologies. The company will keep its 14 brands but fold DS into Citroën and Lancia into Fiat; Fiat is a global brand alongside Jeep, Ram Trucks and Peugeot. The plan, dubbed FASTLANE 2030, was unveiled at an investor day at Stellantis’ North American HQ near Detroit.
Ram unveils the 2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee range, led by the 777-horsepower Rumble SRT with a 3.4-second 0-60 and a 170 mph target, alongside the standard Rumble Bee (5.7L Hemi Eagle, 395 hp), the 392 (6.4L Apache, 470 hp), and the 392 Track Pack. All variants run an 8-speed auto with a Borg-Warner transfer case and front-axle disconnect; the SRT uses an 8HP95, while the others use an 8HP75, with optional asymmetrical LSD on the Track Pack. The lineup rides on wide 22x12 wheels with 325mm tires and Brembo brakes, features a shortened Quad Cab/short bed, and offers premium interior tech. Towing up to 8,890 lb and payload up to 1,160 lb. Pricing isn’t set, but SRT is expected near $102k; the SRT and 392 arrive in early-to-mid 2027, with the rest launching late 2026 as Ram aims to broaden street-truck appeal beyond a single halo model.
BMW unveils the 2027 M3 CS Handschalter, the lightest M3 yet at roughly 3,765 lb thanks to CFRP, titanium exhaust, forged wheels and carbon bucket seats, with carbon-ceramic brakes as an option. It uses the entry-level rear-drive M3 and a 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six delivering 473 hp and 406 lb-ft, exclusively paired with a six-speed manual. Weight savings come from CFRP and the optional brakes, while suspension tweaks bring it closer to CSL handling; 0–60 mph is 4.1 seconds and a 180 mph top speed with the Driver’s Package. Priced from $108,450 (destination included), it’s a limited U.S. and Canada edition with July production and fall deliveries. Color options include Black Sapphire, Isle of Man Green, and two $4,500 retro hues: Techno Violet and Imola Red. The model is pitched as the final manual, rear-drive M3 chapter, ahead of rumored electrified and AWD successors later this decade.
BMW is releasing the sixth‑generation M3 CS with a six‑speed manual and rear‑wheel drive for 2027, a North America–exclusive Handschalter that trims about 75 lb through CFRP seats, a titanium exhaust muffler, lighter wheels and other weight-saving parts. It uses the same 3.0 L inline‑six S58 as the standard M3 (473 hp) but without xDrive and with a manual gearbox instead of the automatic, and it’s priced around $107,100. This marks the end of manual M3 CS availability in this generation as BMW pivots toward electrification.