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The CLA's More Practical SiblingThe Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake was a bit of a surprise product when it was first unveiled in 2015. While it's unfortunate that it wasn't sold in the U.S., it still proved successful enough to merit successive generations. It's even available in AMG form for a bit more pep for the daily drive.Now that the third-generation CLA is out, it was inevitable that Mercedes-Benz continued the Shooting Brake body style for its smallest offering. That one was already shown, though only as an EV at first. But, finally, nearly a year after it was first shown, Mercedes-Benz is finally revealing the specs of the hybrid model. Mercedes-Benz About TimeThe EV powertrain of the new CLA has made a strong first impression. But let's be real here, more people will still gravitate towards the fuel-fed version. In this case, though, it's hybrid power we're talking about, as Mercedes-Benz now adds some degree of electrification to all of its vehicles.Mercedes-Benz is offering three hybrid powertrain options for the small wagon, along with two drivetrain configurations. It starts with the CLA 180 Shooting Brake, followed by the CLA 200 Shooting Brake, CLA 200 4Matic Shooting Brake, CLA 220 Shooting Brake, and CLA 220 4Matic Shooting Brake. These are the same as the CLA sedan. Mercedes-Benz Many Trims, Same EngineWith that, you won't be left hanging with the number of powertrain choices available - at least for the European market. But while there are different designations for the car, all use the same engine. It's a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder turbo across the range.The differences lie in power outputs. The 180 makes a modest 134 hp and 148 lb-ft, while the 200 puts out 160 hp and 184 lb-ft. As for the 220, it's good for 187 hp and 221 lb-ft. For those curious about acceleration times, the lowest version hits 62 mph in a leisurely 8.9 seconds, while the 200 does the same task in 8.1 seconds. Opt for the 220 4Matic, and it's down to 7.2 seconds. Mercedes-Benz Familiar FeaturesOf course, the equipment found in the sedan are also fitted or available in the Shooting Brake. It has the AI-powered MB.OS connected to the Mercedes‑Benz Intelligent Cloud, along with the optional MB.Drive Assist that allows for semi-autonomous driving capabilities. Another option is the Superscreen triple screen layout inside. Two design lines are also offered, namely Progressive and AMG Line. The prior is essentially the standard model, while the latter gets a sportier exterior and interior, plus more color and wheel choices. It's also worth pointing out the exterior differences between hybrid and EV models. Electric versions have a sealed-off grille and the charging port door on the right-hand side. For the hybrids, it's an open grille and the fuel door is on the left-hand side.Like the past Shooting Brake CLAs, this one isn't likely to reach U.S shores. Blame it on America's appetite for crossovers, but the reality is, more buyers will likely buy a GLA over a CLA Shooting Brake if the latter was sold stateside. Mercedes-Benz

For the most part, GMC products are slightly fancier versions of Chevrolet vehicles, sharing the same tech and powertrains, but for 2027, could that be about to change? According to Car and Driver, General Motors submitted new Vehicle Identification Number Standards documents to the federal government, and these included mention of four engine options for the Yukon for the 2027 model year, up from the three offered in Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs. As before, GM's L84 5.3-liter V8, L87 6.2-liter V8, and LZ0 3.0-liter turbodiesel straight-six were listed, but the Yukon's filing also included the LT4 supercharged 6.2-liter V8. That's the engine found under the hood of the Cadillac Escalade-V, where it produces 682 horsepower.Supercharged V8 Would Make the Yukon Very Special Cadillac/Dave Burnett, Puppyknuckles The documentation also revealed the trim names for the 2027 Yukon: Elevation, Denali, and AT4. Those are the same trims listed with the 2026 model, which would appear to indicate that the supercharged V8 would appear as an option (or newly standard equipment) in the luxury-focused Denali or off-road-capable AT4 top trims, rather than a separate, performance-focused trim like the long-gone Typhoon. Without a specific new variant, it would appear that the supercharged Yukon might forgo upgraded suspension, sportier styling, and special wheels, possibly allowing it to undercut the Cadillac Escalade-V's $170,895 sticker price while delivering the same 682 horses and 653 lb-ft of torque. The LT4 engine would no doubt still be an expensive addition, and if styling were to be subtle, GMC might have trouble convincing buyers to pony up for the sleeper vibes. But that's enough speculation because GM responded to C&D after the initial report was published, saying that the LT4's listing was erroneous.The LT4 Supercharged V8 Is Not Coming to the Yukon After All GMC GM's comment was as follows: "General Motors regularly provides Vehicle Identification Numbering Standard updates. The latest included an inaccurate engine listing for the 2027 GMC Yukon. We will be correcting the filing." That firmly puts hopes of a supercharged Yukon to bed, but one can't help but wonder how such a mistake was made. Did GM mix up Escalade and Yukon engine offerings? If so, the former isn't offered with the latter's L84 5.3-liter V8, so it wasn't a case of directly copying one model's info over to the other. Is GMC perhaps planning to offer the Cadillac mill in a Yukon later down the line, perhaps late in 2027, and the addition via the VINS documentation was made early? That might explain how the LT4 found its way to the Yukon's listing, but it wouldn't explain why there wasn't a new trim accidentally listed, too, unless the engine is only intended to be an option. The simple truth is that GM isn't ready to cannibalize Cadillac sales with a new Yukon variant. Sadly, however the blunder occurred, it seems that the Yukon range won't be getting much more exciting anytime soon. Would there be a market for a performance-focused Yukon? Let us know below.

Promises vs RealityElon Musk has always pushed a vision of deep vertical integration between his companies. Tesla’s battery ambitions were central to that plan. Projects like Roadrunner and early gigafactory expansions in Fremont and beyond were positioned as breakthroughs in manufacturing. Musk repeatedly highlighted the dry electrode process as a key innovation. It was supposed to cut costs, simplify production, and unlock massive scale. The narrative was bold and compelling.The outcome has been far less convincing. Tesla’s 4680 battery program has faced delays and technical hurdles. The dry electrode process proved difficult to stabilize at scale. Production targets have slipped, and output remains well below original expectations. What was pitched as a rapid transformation has turned into a prolonged development cycle. This gap between promise and execution now shadows any new manufacturing claim Musk puts forward. Inside Tesla and SpaceX’s Terafab PlanMusk is now extending that same playbook into semiconductors. According to a report from Reuters, Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI are collaborating on Terafab, a proposed $20 to $25 billion chip complex at the North Campus of Giga Texas in Austin. The facility is designed to handle the entire semiconductor pipeline in one place. This includes chip design, lithography, fabrication, memory production, packaging, and testing. Tesla says it is targeting 2-nanometer process technology, which is at the leading edge of commercial production. For context, TSMC has only just begun ramping its own 2nm output after decades of investment.The scale targets are aggressive. Terafab aims to start at 100,000 wafer starts per month and eventually reach 1 million. That would be close to 70 percent of TSMC’s current global output from a single site. Musk claims the facility could produce 100 to 200 billion AI and memory chips annually. These would support Tesla’s Full Self-Driving systems, the Cybercab robotaxi program, and the Tesla Optimus humanoid robot. He also says Optimus robots will help build and operate the factory. Musk argues that suppliers like TSMC, Samsung Electronics, and Micron Technology cannot scale fast enough. He claims current global capacity would meet only about 2 percent of his future needs. Photo by Christophe Gateau/picture alliance via Getty Images The LowdownThere is a pattern here that is difficult to ignore. Musk consistently announces projects that promise industry-disrupting scale, like his moon project. Many of these ideas are technically sound in concept. The challenge lies in execution. The battery program is a clear example. It showed how difficult it is to translate ambition into consistent production. Terafab appears to follow the same trajectory, only with even higher stakes.The timing also raises questions. Tesla is already facing delays in its next-generation AI chips. The company is spending heavily across multiple fronts. Musk is also betting heavily on space-based computing. He says 80 percent of Terafab output will go to orbital AI satellites, with only 20 percent used on Earth. He argues that stronger solar energy and easier heat dissipation in space will lower costs within a few years. He even claims this is the start of a “galactic civilization.” At the same time, Tesla’s CFO admits the project cost is not yet included in its 2026 spending plan, which already exceeds $20 billion. This makes Terafab feel less like a calculated expansion and more like a defensive move to sustain equity momentum. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Core StrengthsSay what you want about Subaru, but the brand still enjoys a respectable reputation globally. It remains a force in the automotive space largely because it stays true to its core competencies and strengths. Instead of making hard pivots to keep up with the times, this brand chooses to be pragmatic and still offer rugged, dependable, and dynamic driving cars in our world of sustainability.It has to be commended that Subaru can still be one of the very few brands left that have cars for all types of owners. From the practical to the emotional, we see the BRZand the WRX as part of a dying breed of affordable performance. Each model honed through decades of racing experience on the road and off. In a shocking turn of events, the automaker has announced it'll be taking the BRZ rallying. rallyplus.net Coupe RallyingYou read that right, Subaru is going rally racing with its 2-door sports car. It was announced during the opening round of the Japanese Super Taikyu Series in Motegi, a premier touring car series held in Japan. The report comes fromRally Plus, along with photos of the BRZ rally car render Subaru showcased. It will be raced in the All Japan Rally Championship this year.The first question is: why would they race a rear-wheel-drive car? Well, probably keen to show off their expertise, the Subaru team will be converting the BRZ into an all-wheel-drive turbocharged race car. They even announced that the car will be piloted by Toshihiro Arai, suggesting the project is in an advanced stage.In true Subaru fashion, the engine will be a turbocharged boxer unit coupled with the legendary symmetrical AWD system beefed up for racing. It seems the ingredients for this project's success are all there. Based on the renders, we can see an aggressively wider fendered BRZ in motion, which also shows that the car has been lifted to Rally racing height. Ready for 2026 SeasonAlso stated in the report is Subaru's claim that more details on the car will be shared soon, but the car itself will be launched during the first half of this season's All Japan Rally Championship. Toshihiro Arai currently races for Subaru in the All Japan Rally, still using last year's WRX S4. It'll be interesting to see just how good the AWD BRZ rally car will be; furthermore, we're certain that fans the world over are crossing their fingers and toes that a special-edition road-going model will be introduced. Subaru BRZ X Concept ArtCole Attisha Using Midjourney 7.0 & Gemini 2.5 Flash Image View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article

The Door That Opened a LawsuitSUVs may be the go-to choice for most family needs, but minivans can also get the job done, especially with sliding doors that make getting in and out easier. However, according to a lawsuit filed last year by Rachel and Andrew Langerhans, that same feature in the 2022–2023 Kia Carnival may pose a safety risk because the doors can close with excessive force, a problem that could be especially dangerous for children.Kia filed a motion to dismiss the case and compel arbitration, but Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher denied both. Car Complaints reports that the lawsuit will proceed in a U.S. federal court after only one claim was dismissed. John Beltz Snyder Fine Print Strikes BackAndrew Langerhans was initially a plaintiff, but because he enrolled in Kia Connect, an in-vehicle technology system similar to Toyota’s Connected Services, he became subject to its terms and conditions. Those terms led him to voluntarily dismiss his claims and pursue them through arbitration. His wife, however, never used the system and therefore is not bound by the arbitration agreement.The lawsuit claims that the recall for affected Kia Carnival units, which included additional warning chimes and a software update that slowed the sliding door, was insufficient, with the plaintiffs arguing that the pinch sensors remain defective. Kia is also alleged to have known about the defect yet still sold the vehicles in the U.S. beginning with the 2022 model year, after the fourth-generation model debuted in 2020. John Beltz Snyder The Court Isn’t ConvincedThe Korean automaker argued that the recall changes were approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and said third-party engineering and biomechanical firms found no issue with the sliding doors. Still, the judge was not persuaded, ruling that a plaintiff does not need to suffer a physical injury to plausibly allege a defect.Accepting all factual allegations in the complaint as true and drawing all reasonable inferences in favor of the plaintiffs, the judge allowed the case to proceed. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland: Langerhans v. Kia Corporation, et al.The Carnival is among the few minivans available in the U.S., along with the Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica, and Honda Odyssey. John Beltz Snyder View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article

Toyota has good news for owners of the iconic A80 Supra, who will be able to replace the aging dashboards of their beloved sports cars with brand-new ones as part of its GR Heritage Parts Project.Gazoo Racing announced that it plans to reproduce and reissue the A80 Supra’s instrument panel, which is expected to become available to buyers in Japan this fall. Together with the already available GR Heritage Parts A80 Supra instrument cluster panel, the instrument panel forms the A80 Supra’s dashboard, extending all the way from the area above the steering wheel to the far edge of the area in front of the passenger seat.The New Dash Gets the Same Embossed Grain Finish as the Original Toyota Toyota says the instrument panel “faithfully recreates the texture of the original while incorporating modern materials to address durability concerns.” More specifically, the embossed grain finish of the dashboard’s surface has been reproduced down to the grain orientation, while the part has also been modernized for durability.As cars get older, dashboards are increasingly harder to find because they are particularly subject to harsh conditions, often being exposed to sunlight through windshields for prolonged periods. As they’re generally made of plastic, this can cause their surfaces to shrink, crack or split with age. Toyota Reproducing the A80 Supra’s dashboard is definitely great news for owners, as it will allow them to rejuvenate their cars by fitting a brand-new dash that looks exactly like the original when it came out of the factory.Like other GR Heritage Parts, the A80 Supra instrument panel will be available across Japan through GR Garage locations, Toyota dealerships, and JMS outlets, which plan to offer installation services. For now, there’s no word on Gazoo Racing making a left-hand-drive version of the A80 Supra’s instrument panel, but we can only hope that will happen eventually.The GR Heritage Parts Helps Enthusiasts Keep Their Classic Toyotas Running Toyota The GR Heritage Parts project is an initiative to reproduce discontinued service parts and reissue them as new, genuine parts to help customers keep their older Toyota classics on the road. The parts retain the original design while incorporating the latest technologies, manufacturing methods, and materials. Currently, more than 300 parts for eight vehicle models are being reproduced and reissued as part of the project.Up until now, the GR Heritage Parts project has prioritized the reproduction and reissue of essential parts needed for a vehicle’s essential functions—driving, turning and stopping—to enable owners to keep their beloved cars on the road. Toyota However, following many requests from customers, Gazoo Racing has started to expand the GR Heritage Parts project into interior and exterior parts as well. Going forward, more parts will be made available to meet customer demand.Toyota will display an A80 Supra restored using already available GR Heritage Parts at Automobile Council 2026, which will be held at the Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall (in Chiba Prefecture) from April 10 to April 12. Also at the show will be a Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE86) restored at GR Garage Mito Keyakidai using already-available and set-for-release GR Heritage Parts, as well as a Lexus LFA.The cars will be joined by a wide range of GR Heritage Parts, including cylinder head and cylinder block for the 4A-GE engine (AE86), scheduled for release in June, and the same engine’s oil pan baffle plate, which will debut later. Toyota

The Porsche 911 Dakar made us all smile when it arrived, blending sports car performance with the ability and the desire to go off-road. It paid tribute to Porsche's rally heritage, tipping its hat to the 953 and 959, and all 2,500 units quickly sold out, but if you missed out the first time around, the 992.2 facelift will provide another opportunity to experience rear-engine rallying. New spy shots from the Autoblog photographers capture the revised 911 Dakar for the first time, showing that the limited-edition nameplate wasn't a one-and-done, and given the changes that the regular 911 lineup has undergone since the first Dakar arrived in 2022, the unique off-roader should be even more exciting this time around.2027 Porsche 911 Dakar Prototype Still Has a Long Way to Go SH Proshots/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article This 911 Dakar development mule appears to be some way off from being production-ready, as the only telltale signs that it's the off-roading special edition are its raised ride height and chunky tires. The plastic wheel arch cladding of the 992.1 Dakar is not yet fitted to this prototype, nor are the more rugged front spoiler and side rocker panels. This pre-production vehicle has a towing eye sticking out of the front end, but it's not the fixed piece that production models will wear, and those large yellow lighting units are temporary items used to help engineers navigate Sweden's winter wonderland. Similarly, the rear of the prototype isn't yet as off-road-ready as the 992.1 Dakar, using a standard 911 bumper. The previous Dakar had its exhaust tips spaced further apart, which is how the 992.1 911 GTS (upon which the Dakar was based) had its tips aligned. Because the facelifted GTS puts them closer together, the facelifted Dakar will apparently do the same. Finally, it's worth noting that this prototype has a deployable rear spoiler, while the last Dakar had a fixed aerodynamic aid. We expect test mules to embrace these missing elements as development continues.New T-Hybrid Powertrain Will Provide Outstanding Performance SH Proshots/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The 992.1 GTS had a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six producing 473 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, and the Dakar shared this setup. For the 992.2 update, the GTS introduced a new T-Hybrid powertrain, comprising a 3.6-liter single-turbo engine with electric assistance that makes 478 hp most of the time and up to 532 hp for 10-second bursts. Assuming Porsche follows the same recipe as before (and why wouldn't it?), the new 911 Dakar will also make up to 532 ponies and 449 lb-ft for short periods. As our first sighting of the updated model, it will probably be a few months before Porsche finishes its development program, though, with a launch only likely to take place in the second half of this year for the 2027 model year. The previous 911 Dakar started at $223,450 before dealer markups, so this one will probably cost around $250k before options. We'll bring you more information as it comes to light.

There’s not much missing from the modern Chevrolet Corvette C8. From the base model to the hybrid E-Ray and the record-breaking ZR1X, it delivers stupendous performance for the money. Throw in exotic-car looks and supreme grip and handling, and there’s not much to complain about—except if you want a manual. The Corvette C8 has only ever been offered with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, but rumors of a Tremec manual have floated around for some time. Tony Roma, Chief Corvette Engineer, has quickly shut down those rumors at this year’s 12 Hours of Sebring.No Manual Corvette Is Coming Chevrolet Corvette ZR1XChevrolet At SEMA last year, transmission specialist Tremec revealed a six-speed manual transmission that can be equipped to the Corvette C8. Tremec already manufactures the eight-speed DCT in the C8, so this only raised hopes that a manual Corvette could become a reality.“Tremec showed something at SEMA last year that I wish they wouldn’t have shown. It’s not real,” said Roma at a Q&A session held at the Sebring International Raceway. “We don’t have any plans to talk about a manual transmission. I love manual transmissions. All I can say is our eight-speed DCT is tremendous. The car is faster and essentially better with the transmission we make.” View this post on Instagram Roma was answering questions alongside Josh Holder, Vehicle Corvette Chief Engineer, who was completely transparent about why the C8 has no manual. “We are in a for-profit business. We make Corvettes so all you guys can enjoy the affordability and attainability of America’s supercar," said Holder. "But one of the things that makes that true is making good business decisions. And, at the end of the seventh generation lifecycle, the penetration rate of manuals was super low. The market was voting with their wallets and we didn’t get enough votes.”It couldn’t be any clearer than that, so if you want a manual Corvette, it’ll have to be one of the previous-generation models.Corvette C8 Sales Still Strong Chevrolet Corvette ZR1Clive Sutton Despite not having the option of a manual gearbox, sales of the C8-generation Corvette have consistently been higher than the C7, which was available with a seven-speed manual. Chevy has regularly sold over 30,000 Corvette C8s annually over the last few years, something the C7 last achieved back in 2015. The C8 typically outsells rivals like the <a href="http...

Fire up the QuattroAudi would be a totally different company today if it weren't for the Quattro. While its motorsports legacy is always brought up, the car also showed that putting all-wheel drive in regular road cars is a viable option. If you look at the market today. A good chunk of premium and luxury sedans today offer all-wheel drive.Jörg Bensinger's curiosity led to the eventual creation of the Quattro. Noticing how well the Volkswagen Iltis performed in the snow, the chassis engineer reckoned it might offer several advantages for passenger cars. Boy, what he said was right, and it changed the automotive landscape forever. Restomodding a RarityOne thing you should know about the Ur-Quattro is that it's relatively rare. Just 11,452 were ever built, and the thought of hacking one up for a restomod sounds, frankly, a bit sacriligious.Still, that didn't stop the folks from Audacious Automotive from doing just that. Its plan is to give it a wide body that would make an IMSA race car proud, and stick a mighty V8 under the hood. Yes, we can see you wince a little, but we reckon this has all the potential to be an epic build. Audacious Automotive Work in ProgressThe build isn't done yet, but progress is coming along rather nicely. So far, the body has been dipped and stripped, and those wide front fenders have been test-fitted. The rear quarter panels have received that wide-body treatment, and it wouldn't look out of place on a World Rally stage.But the heart of it all is a B7 RS4-derived 4.2-liter V8. Sure, the engine from the original Audi V8, the more power is always merrier. While the straight-five from an RS3 would bring this restomod closer to its roots, Audacious Automotive founder Mac Zaglewski told Autocar his reasons for going with V8 power.For starters, going for the five-cylinder meant it would come with a Haldex all-wheel drive system, which the Ur-Quattro did not have. A Haldex system would've changed the car's driving characteristics, too, and limited it to automatic-only. Audacious Automotive Heaps More PowerThe original Quattro had a 2.1-liter, five-cylinder turbo engine that was good for 197 hp, although U.S. versions were kneecapped to just 160 hp. Later Euro-spec models got the upgraded 20-valve engines, bumping power up to 220 hp.In contrast, the B7 RS4's 4.2-liter V8 had 414 hp, more than double that of the old five-cylinder turbo. But that engine will be tuned even further because, well, why not? Zaglewski and his team are targeting somewhere in the region of 600 hp, and that's thanks in part to a supercharger. The best part? It'll be mated to a manual transmission. It'll come straight from the RS4 donor car, and it's another reason the firm opted for the V8.Obviously, the build won't please everyone, but we can't deny that it's a cool one. Audacious Automotive Audacious Automotive View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article

Novitec’s Latest Tuning EffortAfter releasing an upgrade package for the Ferrari Daytona SP3, German tuner Novitec has now turned its attention to another Italian marque, Lamborghini, with a new set of upgrades for the Revuelto. The enhancements sharpen the plug-in hybrid supercar’s styling and aerodynamics, increase its horsepower output, and, more importantly, deliver Novitec’s signature exhaust note.The new Novitec Lamborghini Revuelto show car is finished in purple, a nod to the Diablo SE 30, which wore a similar hue to celebrate Lamborghini’s 30th anniversary in 1993. The bodywork components are made from exposed carbon and finished in a high-gloss clearcoat, though customers can choose to have them painted in either the vehicle’s body color or a contrasting shade.Power Gains With a SoundtrackThe fully thermally insulated high-performance exhaust system is paired with special metal catalysts that increase output by 33 horsepower. As a result, the 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12, working alongside three electric motors, now produces a combined 1,048 horsepower. That widens the gap to its Ferrari rival, the V8 tri-motor SF90 Stradale, which makes 986 horsepower.In addition, the custom exhaust system is available with an active sound management system that varies its loudness with integrated butterfly valves.The front lip increases downforce at the front axle, improving stability. At the rear, Novitec offers a retractable wing positioned above the quad exhaust outlets, with the two center pipes measuring 110 millimeters (4.33 inches) in diameter, while the outer pair is 10 mm (0.39 inches) smaller. Other notable upgrades include six-spoke NL5 wheels with a center-lock design, high-performance tires, and sport springs that lower the vehicle by 25 mm (0.98 inches).Novitec, in partnership with American wheel manufacturer Vossen, also developed carbon aerodynamic-enhancement components in the wind tunnel. Novitec Built for Those Who Don’t Ask the PricePricing has not been disclosed, though interested buyers are encouraged to contact the company directly. As for the vehicle itself, it starts at just over $600,000, with reports indicating that order books are already filled through late 2026.What the tuner did mention, however, is that an upgrade package for the Temerario is coming “very soon.” As the Huracán’s successor, the Temerario marks a major shift for Lamborghini by replacing the brand’s long-running V10 formula with a twin-turbo plug-in V8. Novitec View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article