Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:31:50 +0000 Motor1.com Car News, Reviews, Owner Tips and Information | Motor1.com https://www.motor1.com/ https://www.motor1.com/news/811055/nismo-performance-centre-opens-australia/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Nismo Opens Its First Performance Center Outside Japan Australian Skyline GT-R and Nissan Z owners gain local access to Omori Factory-linked restorations and certified Nismo Meisters.
Nissan's hottest sub-brand just left Japan for the first time—and it's heading Down Under. Nismo has officially opened its first overseas Performance Center at Ferntree Gully Nissan in Melbourne, Australia, giving local Skyline GT-R and Z owners a direct line to the company's Omori Factory.
The center opened on October 4, 2026, with enthusiasts and GT-R fans turning out for the launch. It focuses first on the R32, R33, and R34 generations, with factory-grade restoration work now available locally instead of overseas.
The First Of Its Kind
Nissan Nismo Performance Center Grand Opening In Australia
Photo by: Nissan
Nissan grumbled for years about the gap between Australian demand for classic GT-Rs and the support available to keep them running. That gap is now Ferntree Gully's problem to solve.
Yutaka Sanada, global head of the Nismo brand, called it "an important milestone in our global expansion." It's the first time Nismo has planted a dedicated Performance Center flag outside its home country since the brand's founding.
Michael Banjanin, Dealer Principal at Ferntree Gully Nissan, described it as a homecoming for the local scene rather than a corporate ribbon-cutting. "It's a privilege to now give that community a dedicated home through Nismo," he said, pointing to the dealership's long history with Nissan's performance lineup.
Michael Hill, Director of Sales and Aftersales at Nissan Oceania, put it more bluntly: Nismo was never just about lap times. "It is about the passion, authenticity and connection that surround Nissan's most iconic vehicles," he said at the launch.
Nismo Restoration, Parts, And Technical Services
The real draw for owners is what the Omori Factory link actually means on the ground. Certified Nismo Meisters now work out of Ferntree Gully. They handle partial and full-vehicle restorations with parts and techniques sourced straight from Japan rather than aftermarket substitutes.
Genuine Nismo heritage components have long been hard to source in Australia. Owners were stuck importing parts piecemeal or settling for reproductions. The center now stocks authentic performance and heritage parts directly, closing a supply chain that frustrated restorers for years.
Scope extends beyond the R32 through R34 Skyline GT-Rs to Nissan Z models, covering maintenance, technical consultation, and full restoration programs under one roof. Owners get access to the same fabrication know-how Nismo uses on cars dating back to the brand's 1984 founding and its 1986 Omori Factory origins.
Nissan has flagged this Melbourne site as the first stage in a wider Australian rollout, with additional Nismo Performance Centers planned locally from 2027. The company has not confirmed which cities are in line or exactly when new sites will open.
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]]> feedback@motor1.com (Brian Potter) https://www.motor1.com/news/811055/nismo-performance-centre-opens-australia/ https://www.motor1.com/news/811042/saleen-s1-street-orders-open/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000 You Can Finally Buy Saleen's 450-Horsepower Sports Car Buyers can reserve the Saleen S1 Street with a refundable $1,000 deposit, while the pricier S1 Race targets track use only.
Nearly a decade after its debut, Saleen is finally letting customers put down a deposit on the S1 Street. The mid-engine sports car first appeared at the 2017 Los Angeles auto show, with rumors that it would go on sale shortly thereafter. But order books didn't officially open in the US until earlier this week.
Pricing starts at $160,000 for the road-legal car, and the deposit to reserve one is fully refundable. Buyers also get a few concrete performance claims to consider while they wait for an actual delivery date.
Orders Open At $160,000
Saleen S1 Street
Photo by: Saleen
The S1 Street has a published starting price of $160,000 before options. Securing a build slot takes a $1,000 deposit. Saleen says that money comes back in full if a buyer walks away.
There is also a track-only sibling called the S1 Race, and it costs considerably more to reserve and to own. That car starts at $250,000, with a $2,000 refundable deposit. Both cars reportedly weigh 2,685 pounds at curb weight, which is light for anything with a six-figure price tag. Saleen has not confirmed whether it is a dry or wet weight figure.
Saleen says both the S1 Street and the S1 Race will be built at its Corona, California facility. The company has floated a first-year production target of 1,500 cars. That is an ambitious number for a low-volume builder that has relied on outside investment to keep programs moving.
Performance And Specifications
Saleen states the road car hits 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and tops out at 171 mph. Output is rated at 450 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque, figures Saleen has repeated consistently since the original prototype's debut.
The S1 Race, by contrast, drops that sprint to 2.9 seconds and pushes top speed to 180 mph. Saleen hasn't detailed what mechanical changes differentiate the two cars beyond the obvious track preparation. The gap likely comes down to weight, aero, and tuning rather than a different engine tune altogether.
What Saleen hasn't said is just as important. There's no confirmed delivery window for the first customer S1 Streets, no powertrain architecture breakdown, and no word on whether the 1,500-unit target applies to the Street, the Race, or both combined.
The company is juggling other projects too, including a widebody Mustang it has been teasing while hunting for additional funding, a pattern familiar to anyone who followed Saleen's past crowd-sourced supercar design effort.
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Here's Your Chance to Own the Ultimate American Supercar
Source: Saleen
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Brian Potter) https://www.motor1.com/news/811042/saleen-s1-street-orders-open/ https://www.motor1.com/news/811050/suzuki-jimny-nomade-brings-back/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:41:15 +0000 Someone Is Turning The Suzuki Jimny Into A ’90s American SUV Square headlights, a new grille and bumper, and a one-inch drop give the Suzuki Jimny Nomade a loud 1990s American SUV vibe.
Suzuki's boxy little Jimny Nomade is about to get a lot boxier. C.L.Link, a Hiroshima-based tuner known for Jimny and Land Cruiser parts, has teamed up with automotive personality Ryo Ishikawa on a build that swaps the Nomade's round headlights for square ones and chases a distinctly American look from three decades back.
The companies unveiled the project on October 6, 2026, with a full reveal planned for early next year. Suzuki has not commented on the aftermarket build, which remains entirely unofficial.
A Familiar Face
1992-93 GMC Typhoon
The square-headlight conversion is the centerpiece, paired with a dedicated grille and a front bumper designed specifically for this kit. Together they erase the stock Nomade's rounded face in favor of something that could pass for a shrunken GMC Typhoon, the early 1990s performance SUV based on the GMC Jimmy.
After digging up an original GMC Typhoon press photo, C.L.Link's homage to the old-school American SUV is obvious, since its own Nomade press image mirrors the Typhoon shot's background and lighting almost exactly.
Out back, C.L.Link fits a body-color panel that smooths the rear end. There's a dedicated emblem too, plus smoked taillights and red reflector lenses. A C.L.Link Type 1 rear muffler finishes the exhaust note to match the visual overhaul up front.
Suspension drops by 1 inch, courtesy of Eibach coils matched with Bilstein shocks. The combination is meant to firm up the ride without wrecking the Jimny's famed off-road manners.
The wheels gets a refresh too, with C.L.Link's own Union Rim TX 16-inch wheels wrapped in Toyo Open Country H/T II tires sized 215/70R16.
C.L.Link built its name on parts for the Suzuki Jimny and Toyota Land Cruiser, and this project leans on that existing catalog rather than introducing an entirely new parts line. The 1990s theme isn't subtle. Square lights and a lowered stance were the look plenty of American trucks wore before round headlights and taller ride heights took over.
Tokyo Auto Salon 2027 Debut And Order Timing
The customized Nomade heads to Tokyo Auto Salon 2027, which runs from Friday, January 15 through Sunday, January 17, 2027 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. The show has long served as Japan's biggest stage for tuner builds, making it a fitting launchpad for a project this visually loud.
Orders open alongside the Tokyo Auto Salon dates, which gives C.L.Link a hard deadline to finalize the parts package before customers can buy in. Whether orders go through dealers, direct sales, or a limited run hasn't been detailed yet.
The square-headlight look, once reveal day comes, will be the clearest signal yet of how far aftermarket shops are willing to push Suzuki's smallest SUV.
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Source: Response
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Brian Potter) https://www.motor1.com/news/811050/suzuki-jimny-nomade-brings-back/ https://www.motor1.com/news/811033/lewis-hamilton-ferrari-f40-restoration/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 09:52:32 +0000 Inside The Restoration Of Lewis Hamilton’s 43-Mile Ferrari F40 Ferrari’s Classiche team revives Lewis Hamilton’s 43-mile 1991 F40 after three decades of storage, uncovering an engine block stamped with his racing number.
Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari F40 spent more than 30 years stored in a private garage before he brought it back into the light. The previous owner drove it home after buying it new, parked it, and never really used it again.
Hamilton bought the car, a 1991-built F40 with just 69 kilometers (about 42.9 miles) on the odometer, and sent it to Ferrari's Classiche restoration program in Maranello. He documented the process in an eight-minute video he posted this week.
What Ferrari Found Inside Hamilton's F40
Lewis Hamilton Arrives At Monza In His New Ferrari F40
Photo by: Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari specialists carried out a full inspection and restoration before the car was started again under Hamilton's ownership. Hamilton has said the F40 needed surprisingly few new parts given how long it had been sitting.
Mechanics pulled the twin-turbo 2.9-liter V8 for a full mechanical check. That's when they found the detail that turned a routine restoration into a personal story. The engine block carries the stamp "Engine No. 44," the same number Hamilton has raced under since 2014.
The car went up on lifts for underbody work alongside the engine strip-down. That's standard procedure for a Classiche restoration, and still a lot of hands-on labor for a vehicle that had barely moved since new.
Hamilton did not try to preserve the grime that three decades of storage had left behind. He chose a full restoration instead, a choice that strips away the patina some collectors prize but brings the F40 closer to how it looked and ran leaving the factory in 1991.
From Garage Dust To Monza Grid
The video closes with the restored F40 being uncovered and started for the first time. Hamilton has long wanted an F40, and finally owning one adds weight to seeing it run under its own power again after roughly three decades of silence.
He has since displayed the car with a plate carrying "44" to match the engine stamp, including at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. "I'm unsure on how much to drive the F40, as its already low usage and now extensive restoration means it's likely one of the closest to factory examples surviving," Hamilton said.
That hesitation is the practical tension running through the whole story.
A 69-kilometer F40 with a fresh Classiche restoration is about as close to a time capsule as the model gets, and every mile driven now works against that rarity rather than adding to it.
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Lewis Hamilton Poses With Ferrari F40 on His First Day in Maranello
Source: Lewis Hamilton (YouTube)
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Brian Potter) https://www.motor1.com/news/811033/lewis-hamilton-ferrari-f40-restoration/ https://www.motor1.com/news/811030/audi-rs-5-asian-debut/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 09:15:37 +0000 Audi's New RS5 Avant Gets A Formula 1-Inspired Paint Job Singapore’s 2026 Grand Prix weekend showcases the Audi RS5 beside the R26 Formula 1 car, both finished in a shared night-race livery.
Audi has brought the new RS5 to Asia for the first time, and it is wearing a paint job that matches the race car parked next to it. The sedan and Avant appear in Singapore this week alongside the specially liveried R26 Formula 1 car.
Both machines share a color treatment tied to the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, running October 9 through 11. Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto will drive the R26s in Audi's first Formula 1 night race, with the RS5 on display for the full weekend.
Audi RS5 Makes Its Asian Premiere in Singapore
Audi RS5 Avant In R26 Formula 1 Car Special Livery Color
Photo by: Audi
The new RS5 arrives in Singapore as Audi Sport's first high-performance plug-in hybrid. It's built at the automaker's Neckarsulm plant in Germany. Audi began showing the 2027-model RS5 in early 2026, with media first drives and full technical details arriving in May.
European order books opened in markets such as France and Germany during the spring of 2026, with both sedan and Avant available as plug-in hybrids. Audi states the system output is 630 hp from a revised twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 and an electric motor, driving all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Singapore hosts one of the RS5's first public appearances in Asia. Local pricing and launch timing for the plug-in hybrid RS5 in Asia-Pacific markets haven't been detailed yet, though European pricing starts at the equivalent of just over $115,000 for the sedan. Audi has confirmed the new RS5 for the United States market, with sales expected to begin before the end of 2026.
Audi R26 and RS5 Share a Singapore-Inspired Design
Audi's one-off livery for the R26 race car blends a Singapore-specific take on Titanium Silver Grey with a traditional Peranakan pattern across the sidepods and rear wing. The same tile-inspired motif carries onto Hülkenberg and Bortoleto's race suits for the weekend.
Audi says the scheme is built around how Singapore's light changes after dark, with the pattern meant to shift in appearance under the floodlights at the Marina Bay street circuit. That same nighttime inspiration carries onto the RS5's matching paint treatment, which mixes the silver base with black contrast trim tied to the city skyline.
The R26 show car and the RS5 sit together at the Audi and adidas installation at Funan Mall through the Grand Prix weekend, giving fans a direct side-by-side look at the shared design language. Audi has paired the display with an adidas capsule collection and a contest offering a trip to Las Vegas.
The Singapore Grand Prix itself goes green on Sunday at 8:00 PM local time, 2:00 PM in Germany, and 8:00 AM Eastern time in the United States.
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Source: Audi
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Brian Potter) https://www.motor1.com/news/811030/audi-rs-5-asian-debut/ https://www.motor1.com/news/811015/porsche-boxster-cayman-gas-return-canceled/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:33:22 +0000 Porsche Boxster And Cayman With Gas Engines Are Not Coming Back After All Sad trombone: The next-generation 718 models will be only electric.
Just over a year ago, Porsche teased the return of the 718 models with gas engines, and now we’re sad to report that the ICE-powered Boxster and Cayman are officially dead for good. The Sportwagenschmiede ’35 strategy detailed today during the 2026 Capital Markets Day focuses only on the electric models, so naturally we had to ask Zuffenhausen about the missing piece of the product puzzle.
In a statement to Motor1, Porsche’s Head of Corporate Communications, Matthias Rauter, clarified that the combustion-engine 718 duo was never actually confirmed for a comeback. Hence, the cars aren’t technically canceled since they weren’t even approved to begin with. Technicalities aside, the hard fact is this: The Boxster and Cayman are not getting their beloved gas engines back.
The previous announcement said the new 718 would offer combustion engines alongside fully electric versions, but with a twist. The ICE was supposed to be reserved for the top versions, leading to speculation that the cars would get a flat-six engine and a price tag above the EVs. Well, it’s not happening anymore. Ok, at that point, Porsche did say “potential midterm drivetrain portfolio in the product roadmap” in one of the slides, so I guess it wasn’t a done deal after all.
2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Alpine And Caterham Are Following Porsche's Path
That's a shame, because a modern combustion-powered Boxster or Cayman could have been one of the most interesting cars in Porsche's lineup. Replacing the engine with a large battery is a huge philosophical shift for a car built around the joy of driving, and it’ll be interesting to see how many enthusiasts Porsche can convince to make the switch.
Porsche isn’t the only company replacing an ICE sports car with an electric one. Alpine is already teasing the next A110 as a performance EV, while Caterham is also working on its own electric coupe. That puts Porsche alongside two brands known for lightweight, driver-focused sports cars, highlighting just how quickly the segment is changing.
The big question is whether enthusiasts will embrace these EVs or keep mourning the engines they replace. If Porsche, Alpine, and Caterham can prove that an electric sports car can deliver the same sense of occasion as its gasoline-powered predecessor, the transition, largely driven by stricter emissions regulations, might not be quite as painful as it sounds.
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 E-Performance
The 718 Goes Electric, Other Models Keep The ICE
The plan is for 2028 to be the first full year of production for the electric Boxster and Cayman, which suggests the cars will finally be revealed next year. The 718 EV has been a long time coming, as it was originally announced in early 2022 with plans to have the car on sale around the middle of the decade.
That's not to say Porsche is abandoning combustion power altogether. Quite the opposite, actually. Its new strategy calls for continued investment in combustion engines and plug-in hybrids alongside battery technology. Porsche is also bringing a new combustion and plug-in-hybrid SUV to market to replace the original Macan in 2028. Meanwhile, the 911 remains firmly outside the company's plans for an all-electric transition.
Even better, a Mission S concept will debut on October 15 to preview a future hypercar serving as a halo model positioned above the 911.
2025 Audi Concept C
Photo by: Audi
Audi's Targa Sports Car Will Also Be EV-Only
Much like the next 718 lineup won't have an engine, Audi’s Concept C with a targa top will also be sold strictly as an EV. A year ago, Daniel Schuster, Spokesperson for Technical Development, told us that the electric sports car will not be engineered to accommodate a combustion engine. Also launching in 2027, the two-door roadster from Ingolstadt will sit on a platform “that will be shared within the [Volkswagen] Group,” which suggests it will be connected to the electric 718s to some degree.
Speaking of Audi, the new business strategy outlined today also calls for closer collaboration between the two brands, with Porsche and Audi working more closely on developing both combustion-engine and electric models. Doing so will not only speed up the engineering process but also lower costs without compromising the "unique character of each brand."
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]]> feedback@motor1.com (Adrian Padeanu) https://www.motor1.com/news/811015/porsche-boxster-cayman-gas-return-canceled/ https://www.motor1.com/news/811013/trump-red-diesel-highway-order/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:00:22 +0000 Trump Signs Tax-Free Red Diesel Order For Highway Use The executive order lets highway vehicles legally use dyed diesel without the 24.4 cent federal tax through 2026, with possible added state breaks.
President Trump signed an executive order on October 5, 2026, letting truckers, farmers, and other qualifying highway users fill up with dyed diesel, the red-tinted fuel normally reserved for off-road equipment, without immediately paying the federal highway tax on it for a limited period.
Federal energy data shows national on-highway averages up one-third from January levels. Trump's order defers that tax on qualifying dyed diesel used in highway vehicles between October 5 and December 31, 2026, and tells the Treasury Department to explore ways to cancel the deferred bill entirely.
Diesel prices have climbed sharply in 2026 as Iran- and Ukraine-related supply disruptions pushed retail costs higher.
Who Can Buy Tax-Deferred Dyed Diesel Now
Case IH Quadtrac tractor
Dyed diesel has long been sold without the highway tax for tractors, generators, and construction equipment that never touch public roads. The new order temporarily eases that off-road limitation. It defers the federal tax on dyed diesel used in highway vehicles during the specified 2026 window, with eligibility and documentation rules to be set by the Treasury and the IRS rather than as a blanket right for every driver through next year.
"For many years, farm vehicles, construction equipment and other off-road vehicles have used what's known as red-dyed diesel," Trump said at the signing. "You know what that is? I don't know what the hell it is, but whatever it is, it is supposed to be very good."
North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong pointed to the timing around harvest season. "Record-high diesel prices are squeezing our ag producers, and this is a meaningful and timely step we can take to provide temporary relief and help our farmers and ranchers through the harvest season," he said. American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall added that a federal tax waiver "would provide immediate cost relief for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural haulers that continue to rely on taxable clear diesel."
How Much A Fill-Up Could Actually Save
2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck towing a John Deere tractor
The federal highway excise tax on diesel runs 24.4 cents per gallon, and state taxes average 35.5 cents on top of that. Waiving just the federal piece can save an owner-operator around $50 to $60 on a large highway fill-up.
A typical long-haul tractor with a 250-gallon tank now costs in the ballpark of $1,300 to fill at early October prices. That's several hundred dollars more than at the start of the year, but nowhere near the $1,600 implied by some early estimates. The White House has touted savings of up to $100 per fill under the order on its own terms, a level that becomes realistic on very large fills when the full 24.4-cent federal tax break applies.
Several states have discussed additional steps on dyed diesel, often focused on off-road agricultural use or short-term emergency relief rather than broad highway tax holidays that match the federal move. Nebraska, for example, now lists a dyed diesel tax rate of 0.25 cents per gallon beginning October 1, 2026, while explaining that dyed fuel remains limited to exempt uses under state law.
Trump separately claimed the order "will also drive down the costs of all goods, including groceries," arguing that lower diesel costs can ease the overall cost of moving freight. The order instructs the IRS to spell out, within five days of signing, how it will avoid penalizing retailers and drivers who sell or use dyed diesel on highways during the deferral window. That guidance, along with any follow-on legislation on the deferred tax bill, will determine how quickly and widely pumps offer the red-tinted fuel for highway use.
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Source: Reuters
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Brian Potter) https://www.motor1.com/news/811013/trump-red-diesel-highway-order/ https://www.motor1.com/news/811005/porsche-confirms-new-mid-engine-supercar/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 07:19:44 +0000 It’s Happening: Porsche Is Developing A Mid-Engined Hypercar Coming October 15, the Mission S concept will preview the new halo model.
Update: Porsche has dropped a teaser video of the Mission S concept ahead of its October 15 reveal.
Back in March, Porsche gave us something to get excited about. The company said it was considering a new sports car positioned above the 911, opening the door to a successor for the 918 Spyder and potentially bringing Zuffenhausen back into the hypercar game. At the time, however, it was only an idea. Porsche was evaluating GT and hypercar concepts, and nothing was guaranteed to make it into production.
Fast-forward to October, and the story has become considerably more interesting. During its 2026 Capital Markets Day, Porsche confirmed that it is working on a “mid-engined super sports car platform that will enable a model line that sits above the iconic 911 sports car.” In other words, this isn't merely Zuffenhausen throwing another concept into a conference presentation.
The company is laying the groundwork for an entirely new family of flagship sports cars, with “model line” suggesting there could be more than just one vehicle. We can already imagine a coupe being joined by a roadster and other derivatives to achieve economies of scale, but it’s too early for Porsche to talk about all of them.
2023 Porsche Mission X concept
It Won't Be Another 911 Version, But A Standalone Model
Although technical specifications remain under wraps, we can deduce from the mid-engined layout that it won’t be a 911 on steroids. Instead, it’ll have a dedicated platform with a combustion engine, rather than the purely electric powertrain proposed by the 2023 Mission X concept pictured here. That’s a wise move, considering electric hypercars haven’t been selling all that well, as one-percenters still crave combustion engines; the bigger, the better.
Porsche’s new range-topper is shaping up to be a true 918 Spyder successor, and it's been a long time coming since production of the previous hypercar ended over a decade ago. We can all agree that's a long time for a company with this much racing and engineering pedigree to leave the very top of the segment alone.
Before the production model arrives, possibly years from now, Porsche will preview the hypercar with a Mission S concept on October 15. Hopefully, that’s when we’ll learn more about the powertrain, which is expected to be an in-house effort rather than a collaboration with Lamborghini or Audi. Some reports point to a flat-eight engine, but nothing is official until Porsche says so.
Porsche Mission X Concept
Porsche Is Focusing On More Profitable Models
Either way, the hypercar fits perfectly with the broader strategy Porsche announced today. The company wants to move further away from chasing volume and toward higher-margin, more exclusive products. The “Value over Volume” philosophy calls for moving further into higher-value segments while increasing personalization and the amount customers spend on individual options.
The D and E segments are where Porsche plans to get much busier. The company says it will significantly expand its presence in these higher-margin segments, with the share of D/E models in its overall portfolio targeted to increase by around 45 percent. That lines up nicely with what Porsche hinted at back in March, when it said it was considering expanding the lineup into higher-margin territory.
At the time, a new gran tourer was among the possibilities being evaluated, potentially giving Porsche another way to stretch its sports-car DNA into a more luxurious, long-distance format, different than the Panamera. Now, the company has confirmed the broader D/E expansion strategy, although it hasn't yet said whether that GT idea has survived the planning process.
New Porsche Models Are Coming
By 2030, Porsche wants to launch a new car every year, including the electric 718 Boxster and Cayman in 2027 and a replacement for the gasoline Macan in 2028 with combustion engines and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The three-row SUV positioned above the Cayenne is still under consideration, but it hasn’t been signed off yet.
By covering all the relevant segments, Porsche's future looks healthy from a business perspective and exciting from a consumer standpoint. After a period in which it seemed to be betting heavily on an all-electric future, this new strategy feels considerably more flexible. Plenty of questions remain, but if Porsche executes this plan, the next few years should be very interesting.
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]]> feedback@motor1.com (Adrian Padeanu) https://www.motor1.com/news/811005/porsche-confirms-new-mid-engine-supercar/ https://www.motor1.com/news/811004/2027-mitsubishi-eclipse-sportback-vs/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:46:32 +0000 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback Costs $8,000 More Than Nissan Leaf On Shared EV Hardware Nissan Leaf S+, SV+, and Platinum+ undercut the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback on price or range, depending on trim and equipment choices.
Mitsubishi says the 2027 Eclipse Sportback goes on sale this month, and it has set its starting MSRP at $37,745. That's roughly $8,000 above the redesigned Nissan Leaf, a crossover-shaped EV built on much of the same underlying hardware.
Mitsubishi sells the Eclipse Sportback in a single, loaded trim. Nissan splits the Leaf into three. The gap between the cheapest Leaf and the Mitsubishi tells only part of the story.
2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback Pricing Versus The Nissan Leaf
2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback
Photo by: Mitsubishi
The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback starts at $37,745 before destination, according to Mitsubishi Motors North America. Add the reported $1,995 destination charge and the out-the-door figure climbs to $39,740.
Nissan's cheapest redesigned Leaf, the S+, starts at $29,990. The mid-grade SV+ runs $34,230, and the loaded Platinum+ tops out at $38,990, still a few hundred dollars under the Mitsubishi's sticker.
Mitsubishi's one-trim approach includes a $2,600 Technology Package as the only factory option. It bundles a 10-speaker Bose stereo, a hands-free power liftgate, roof rails, and a two-section electrochromic panoramic sunroof. Order it and the Eclipse Sportback edges past $42,000 before incentives.
Both EVs run a 75-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, so the price gap isn't about pack size. It comes down to how each company chose to spec and trim its one shared piece of hardware for the US market.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback Equipment And Nissan Leaf Trim Structure
2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback Charging
Photo by: Mitsubishi
Range is where the Eclipse Sportback actually loses ground, not just on price. Mitsubishi rates it at up to 282 miles, while the base Leaf S+ carries an EPA estimate of up to 303 miles, a 21-mile edge for the cheaper car.
The Leaf SV+ sits between them at an EPA-estimated 288 miles, and it carries a lower price than the Mitsubishi. Step up to the Platinum+, and the Leaf's range drops to 259 miles, undercutting the Mitsubishi by 23 miles despite costing roughly the same.
Range varies noticeably across the Leaf lineup depending on wheel size and equipment. The Eclipse Sportback's single trim level avoids that variation, with one hardware package and one quoted range figure.
Charging numbers favor Mitsubishi on paper. The Eclipse Sportback accepts up to 150 kilowatts of DC fast charging and claims a 10-percent to 80-percent top-up in around 35 minutes, using a NACS port for compatibility with Tesla's Supercharger network without an adapter.
Mitsubishi says the Eclipse Sportback's shared underpinnings with Nissan serve as a shortcut to market, part of a plan the automaker has described that calls for at least one new or refreshed model every year through fiscal 2030. Whether that one-trim strategy holds once Nissan's own trim ladder keeps undercutting it on price and range is the open question heading into the Eclipse Sportback's October launch.
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Source: Mitsubishi
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Brian Potter) https://www.motor1.com/news/811004/2027-mitsubishi-eclipse-sportback-vs/ https://www.motor1.com/news/811000/2027-alfa-romeo-giulia-stelvio/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:27:45 +0000 Alfa Romeo Giulia And Stelvio Refuse To Die, Get Another Update Instead Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
In an ironic twist of fate, two of the most exciting cars Stellantis has to offer are also among the oldest in its sprawling lineup. The Giulia and Stelvio are getting really old by modern automotive standards. The sedan arrived way back in 2015, followed by the SUV in 2016, meaning both are now into their second decade of existence. And yet, instead of being quietly ushered toward retirement, Alfa Romeo is giving them another update and keeping both around for a little while longer.
One notable addition is an interior camera for driver monitoring, and this isn't simply Alfa Romeo deciding its customers need another camera pointed at them. The system is tied to new European Union safety regulations that require driver-monitoring technology in new cars to help detect signs of distraction and fatigue.
Built into the A-pillar, the camera monitors the driver's condition and can issue warnings when it detects that their attention is drifting away from the road. It's another example of how increasingly difficult it is to buy a new car in Europe without some form of electronic babysitter. The Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) is mandatory in all cars sold in Europe, from the cheapest Dacia Sandero to the most expensive Rolls-Royce Phantom.
2027 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio (Europe)
Photo by: Alfa Romeo
The Alfa Romeo Duo Keeps Its Gas And Diesel Engines
More importantly, the two old-timers are sticking around with the same basic recipe that made them interesting in the first place. The European lineup continues with the 160-horsepower 2.2-liter turbodiesel with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic, as well as the 210-hp version with Q4 all-wheel drive. In the UK and some other markets, the 280-hp 2.0-liter gasoline engine remains available.
And then there's the fun stuff. The Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio are still alive and kicking, powered by the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 520 hp. The sedan sends that power to the rear wheels, while the SUV gets Q4 all-wheel drive. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio also gains standard 21-inch wheels, replacing the previous 20-inch setup.
The lineup for 2027 has been restructured around the Sprint, Veloce, and new Edizione Luna Rossa versions, topped as usual by the versions wearing the four-leaf clover. The latter also come with new black-and-white Alfa Romeo emblems at the front and rear, along with a new paint color called Anodized Blue.
Shopping for a Quadrifoglio includes a one-day driving course at the Alfa Romeo Driving Academy. It’s not exclusive to the range-topping Giulia and Stelvio; you can add it as an option when configuring a lower model.
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The Next-Gen Models Aren't Coming Anytime Soon
You’re in for a long wait if you would rather get a next-generation model. Both the Giulia and Stelvio won’t be renewed anytime soon, with Alfa Romeo releasing a statement earlier this year about how the replacements are not ready yet:
'Alfa Romeo is studying solutions to continue competing in the D-segment with new interpretations of the current range made up of the Giulia and Stelvio, staying true to its performance-oriented DNA while adapting to the evolution of the market. The brand will leverage flexible platforms to progressively introduce multi-energy solutions, including hybrid and electric powertrains. More details will be communicated at a later stage.'
From this, we can deduce that the once electric-only plan has been revised to include combustion engines, but the timing is still murky at this stage. Don’t hold your breath to see the all-new models before 2028 at the earliest.
In the meantime, Alfa Romeo appears determined to reheat the same old soup, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing since the Giulia and Stelvio remain among the best-driving cars in their respective segments. I’d argue their designs have aged rather gracefully, and I certainly wouldn’t mind that interior either, with a screen neatly integrated into the dashboard and plenty of physical controls still around. Many automakers that went screen-heavy and buttonless have pledged to go back to the old ways, but ironically, since Alfa Romeo never fully renewed these cars, it won't have that problem.
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Adrian Padeanu) https://www.motor1.com/news/811000/2027-alfa-romeo-giulia-stelvio/ https://www.motor1.com/news/810998/honda-dynamic-wireless-charging-road/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:08:34 +0000 Honda Builds Roads That Charge EVs While They Drive Honda’s dynamic wireless charging road readies for a late-2026 durability track, then a 984 foot E14 Tateyama Expressway trial.
Honda does not want electric vehicles to pull over and plug in. It wants the road to send power to the car while it keeps moving, and that idea is moving from a closed test track to Japan's public highways.
Honda, Taisei Corporation, and Taisei Rotec have built a system that wirelessly charges electric vehicles (EVs) while they drive. Logistics and commercial trucks are first in line for public-road trials in Japan's 2027 fiscal year, which starts April 1, 2027.
Honda's Dynamic Wireless Charging Road Moves Into Testing
Honda Wireless Power Transfer Road System
Photo by: Honda
The setup embeds transmitter coils in the pavement. They create a magnetic field that a receiver on the vehicle turns back into electricity. Honda builds the hardware on both sides and feeds it with direct current (DC).
Honda says these units are the first to put the inverter and coil in one package. That lowers the parts count and the amount of roadwork needed to install each unit. It also makes it easier to install them into existing roads instead of building new lanes from scratch.
Taisei supplies a fast-responding DC power system for the embedded coils. Taisei Rotec develops the construction methods to install the hardware in existing pavement without weakening the road surface.
Honda has worked on dynamic wireless power transfer since 2021 and, with its partners, has focused on this magnetic coupling road system since 2025. The company already runs Honda Charge in Japan as a separate EV charging network.
Honda also sees its upcoming electric SUV lineup as a future candidate for this charging road, once the system is proven on the commercial trucks that remain the first target.
Honda's Late-2026 Test Track Will Check Durability And Safety
Honda Wireless Power Transfer Road System - VA unit
Photo by: Honda
Before any public demo, the hardware has to prove it can survive heavy trucks. An earlier Taisei test road in Satte already showed the embedded units and pavement can carry vehicles weighing about 44,000 pounds, which matches the heavier trucks Honda wants to serve first.
A second test track at Taisei's T-FIELD/TAMURA site, planned from late 2026, turns that up. Real vehicles will put the system through 1 million wheel-load cycles at 11,000 pounds per wheel to simulate years of punishment in a shorter test.
Engineers will also measure electromagnetic-field leakage at that site. Any road that moves power into a vehicle has to pass that safety check before it opens to regular traffic.
Later trials will raise power output to as much as 150 kilowatts for large commercial vehicles. They will also check if the system can keep charging while a vehicle runs at highway speed, since power level and speed together decide whether this works for real-world trucks or only slow test vehicles.
If the durability and safety work clears, Honda and its partners plan to join the Tateyama Project, an East Nippon Expressway (NEXCO East) trial on 300 meters (about 984 feet) of the E14 Tateyama Expressway near the Kimitsu rest area in Chiba, starting in fiscal 2027. Road-installation cost and long-term maintenance still have to pencil out before anyone talks about wider use.
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Honda Wants A New Three-Row Flagship SUV Bigger Than The Pilot
Source: Honda
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Brian Potter) https://www.motor1.com/news/810998/honda-dynamic-wireless-charging-road/ https://www.motor1.com/news/810954/car-warranty-voided/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Mechanic Works On Car. Then He Realizes His Customer Voided The Warranty By Mistake: ‘Fastest Way To’ "Can you extract this bolt for me?"
New cars generally come with warranties. Ideally, you'll never have to use one. But there's a safe feeling knowing that unexpected issues may be fixed at no cost to you.
A dealership mechanic is warning people against making a common mistake that could void their vehicle's warranty. TikTok creator Mozalez Auto Repair (@mozalez_autorepair) recently posted a video about a customer who learned this the hard way.
“You know what’s the fastest way to void your warranty?” he asks. “It's not taking it to another shop. It’s putting your own dirty hands into the mix.”
He says his customer decided to start poking around under the hood. “How are you going to send me a picture and say, ‘Can you extract this bolt for me?’” he says. “And when I check it has to do with the timing that I just did three, four months ago? What do you do? No, I can’t fix the bolt. I’m so sorry. Nope.”
What Kind of DIY Repairs Can Void Your Vehicle’s Warranty?
The law protects car owners with warranties who use third-party mechanics for routine services. This stops manufacturers from dictating where customers get their maintenance done. So, no, you can’t have your warranty voided just because you changed your own oil.
When it comes to work on the car’s engine, transmission, emissions and other safety systems, the answer is slightly more complicated. These are jobs that can easily go wrong and therefore the manufacturer can, in some cases, void the warranty if those systems are touched by someone who isn't authorized by the company. A DIY mechanic messing around under the hood at home can absolutely fall into this category, particularly if they botch the job.
Of course, this isn’t automatic. Manufacturers still have to prove that an improper repair led to the damage they are deciding to not cover under the warranty. So they can’t just say, you had someone properly work on this a year ago, your warranty is therefore void.
How Does Car Warranty Policy Work in Practice?
In a Reddit thread posted to r/hyundai, a car owner said their warranty was potentially voided because they had an independent mechanic work on a piston issue. “Is this true? Where would I be able to read about this?” they wrote.
One person wrote, “I don’t know where you are, but if you are in the US, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (a 1975 federal law) protects consumers by making it illegal for manufacturers to deny coverage simply because a car wasn’t serviced at a dealership. Unless that third party work caused the issue.”
A second person said the work described in the original post wouldn’t constitute “service.” The person wrote, “If you replace the cylinders, then, yes, the warranty is voided. C’mon, guys, you should know this.”
Another person said, “For them to void your warranty, they have to prove the work did by the other person or yourself is directly responsible for the failure.”
Motor1 contacted Mozalez Auto Repair via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We'll be sure to update this if he replies.
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Nina Hernandez) https://www.motor1.com/news/810954/car-warranty-voided/ https://www.motor1.com/news/810988/jaguar-type-01-horsepower-details-specs/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:01:25 +0000 The Jaguar Type 01 Is Here. It's Jag's Most Powerful Road Car Ever The Type 01 combines dramatic styling with a high-performance electric powertrain and sophisticated chassis.
Jaguar spent years building some of the world’s most distinctive sports cars, but now the British brand is reinventing itself. The Type 01 debuts today as the first step toward a new era for the automaker.
The Type 01 is a four-seat grand tourer, Jaguar’s most powerful road car ever, and it’s electric. That makes it a very important car for the brand: a statement of intent that has to prove to fans it offers the same fun and engagement as Jaguar’s past models.
The Type 01 certainly appears to have been engineered with that goal in mind, rather than simply being another luxury EV, with a lot going on underneath its dramatic styling. Here’s a closer look at Jaguar’s ambitious new flagship.
Jaguar’s Most Powerful Road Car Ever
Jaguar Type 01
Photo by: Jaguar
The Type 01 has three electric motors, one on the front axle and two at the rear, creating the most powerful road car ever from the automaker. The combined output is 1,016 horsepower and 1,007 pound-feet of torque.
Jaguar claims the Type 01 can accelerate from zero to 62 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds and has a perfect 50:50 weight distribution.
The EV features an 850-volt architecture and an 118.0-kilowatt-hour battery. The automaker claims the Type 01 has 450 miles of range under European WLTP and up to 320 miles at sustained highway speeds.
Here’s what the full specs look like:
Output: 1,016 HP / 1,007 LB-FT 0-60 MPH: 3.2 Seconds Battery: 118.0 Kilowatt-Hours Range: 450 Miles (WLTP) Length: 206.4 Inches Height: 55.24 Inches
Jaguar outfits the EV with a double-wishbone front suspension and integral-link rear suspension with its Dynamic Air Suspension. The Jag has switchable-volume air springs and active dual-valve dampers.
The Type 01 has five drive modes: Jaguar, Dynamic, Efficient, Ice & Snow, and Curated. Dynamic sends up to 87 percent of the power to the rear axle, stiffens the active air springs, and sharpens the steering and accelerator.
Dynamic Cat
Photo by: Jaguar
Jaguar worked hard to create a dynamic and engaging vehicle. The Type 01 measures 17.2 feet long, with 17 percent of the car’s length sitting between the front axle and door. It’s a big car, but the center of gravity is 2.4 inches below the driver’s hip point, and the yaw center sits between the occupants.
Jaguar says this helps create the sense that the Type 01 “wraps around the driver,” and the all-wheel steering helps. At low speeds, the rear wheels can turn up to 6.0 degrees, giving the EV a 37.7-foot turning circle.
The 2026 Mazda Miata has a 30.1-foot turning circle, while the Ford Expedition has a 41.0-foot circle, for comparison.
The Type 01 also features active aerodynamics. At the front, active vanes open when the powertrain and brakes require cooling. An active, three-stage rear spoiler can generate up to 165.3 pounds of downforce at speeds above 96.3 mph, and when deployed, the car lowers by 0.59 inches.
Sleek And Stylish
Photo by: Jaguar
The Jaguar Type 01 looks a lot like the concept. It’s low and long, measuring just 55.24 inches high, or about the same as a modern Ford Mustang. It has flush door handles, which the automaker says can deploy with up to 0.16 inches of ice.
Up front, the Jaguar has HD LED projector headlights with auto-leveling. They are the thinnest units ever, at just 3.31 inches tall. Each headlight contains 20,000 LEDs. At the back, designers hid the full-width taillights in the rear bumper grating.
The car has massive 23-inch wheels, with optional 21-inch units and an aluminum finish around the base. Other details include the fender ingot with a laser-etched leaping cat emblem and the hidden ADAS hardware behind the Jaguar wordmark on the front.
Jag's Minimalist Interior
Photo by: Jaguar
Jaguar revealed the Type 01’s interior in August, but now we have more details. A large 24.0-inch OLED screen sits behind the steering wheel, while a central 7.0-inch vertical touchscreen controls key functions like media and HVAC.
The Type 01 lacks a traditional rearview mirror. Instead, the Jaguar has the ClearSight Rear View display embedded in the panoramic soundbar at the base of the windshield. The automaker positioned it at the same height as the exterior mirrors.
All four seats are heated and cooled, with front-seat passengers getting 12-way adjustable seats. The rears fold 50:50, expanding cargo capacity from more than 15.9 cubic feet in the rear hatch to 35.3 cu ft.
Availability And Price
Jaguar has not announced when the Type 01 will go on sale or how much it will cost. The car is expected to start in the low- to mid-$100,000 range.
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Source: Jaguar
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Anthony Alaniz) https://www.motor1.com/news/810988/jaguar-type-01-horsepower-details-specs/ https://www.motor1.com/news/810961/woman-mclaren-question/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Woman Test Drives McLaren. Then The Salesman Humbles Her For Asking A Routine Question “Even if I had McLaren money..."
Theoretically, anyone with a valid license can test drive any vehicle. In practice, however, some luxury dealers require proof that you have the means to afford the vehicle you want to take a spin. It may seem harsh, but it can save salespersons time and limit the mileage on the merchandise.
One woman recently test drove a McLaren. During the drive, she asked a question that the salesman said immediately signaled that she couldn't afford it.
TikTok creator Julia (@juliaagonzaa) posted a video from her test drive. She's behind the wheel of the McLaren and the salesman is in the passenger seat.
“What is the MPG on this?” she asks. The salesman promptly responds, “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it.”
The two clearly know each other, because they immediately start to laugh. “You just clocked me,” she says. The salesman replies, “That’s honestly what I say.”
In the on-screen text, Julia wrote, “Getting humbled while test driving a McLaren was not on my agenda today.” In the caption, she added, “I was NOT expecting that response.”
It's worth noting that Julia's wearing a McLaren shirt, so the bit may be more of a joke than a sincere interaction.
McLaren Salesman's Quip Lands Flat
In the comments section, viewers weighed in on the interaction between Julia and the McLaren salesman. Some clearly did not find the salesman’s joke as funny as she did.
“His response was unprofessional,” wrote one commenter.
“He’d never say that to a man,” a second person said.
A third person said, “Even if I had McLaren money, that man wouldn’t get any of my commission.”
Another person asked, “What if you just want to know how often you need to go get gas?” Someone else agreed, “It’s not a cost thing, it’s a ‘how far can I get’ question.”
How Much Does A McLaren Cost?
A brand-new McLaren starts at around $230,000. Some models run for twice that—or more. The ultra-luxe W1 starts at $2.1 million, per Car and Driver.
The other question, which the salesman referenced in the video, is whether a buyer can afford one. The cost, after all, isn't just the up-front price. Maintenance needs to be factored in.
A Reddit user posted a thread to r/mclaren to discuss the subject with other enthusiasts.
“It’s quite frustrating when I look at the price of a used McLaren 12c or 570s and think I could afford to buy this,” they wrote. “Only to watch hundreds of YouTube videos saying maintenance is a nightmare for these used cars. If I’m worried about $2K yearly service or $600-$800 oil changes, or $5K extended warranty cost, does this mean I actually can’t afford it? Or is it not that bad once you own the car? I tend to be more frugal and for some reason it doesn’t seem worth the headaches.”
Another user replied, “If you are worried about the service costs, you probably shouldn’t. Or do your own oil changes and stuff.”
A second person said, “I purchased a 675LT at 24 not knowing if I was ready. At the time, I made around $250K/year in a low-cost of living area and I was very close to not being able to afford it. Just last month I spent $25K getting it serviced and another year of the extended warranty. If you are not ready for this at any time, then you aren’t ready for that level of car. Keep working, you’ll get there.”
Motor1 contacted Julia via email for comment. We'll update this if she responds.
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Nina Hernandez) https://www.motor1.com/news/810961/woman-mclaren-question/ https://www.motor1.com/news/810830/cadillac-airbags-deployed/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 22:00:00 +0000 Man Closes The Door Of His New Cadillac. Then, Suddenly, All Of The Air Bags Deploy “They have been discontinued by GM."
A man closed the door to his Cadillac Escalade and nearly all the airbags deployed. Now he wants to know who covers it: warranty or insurance. Because he doesn't think it should come out of his pocket.
TikTok creator Gym Dad (@gymdad77) posted a video about the situation while standing outside of his Escalade.
“So I’ve got this 2016 Escalade,” he says to start the video. “It’s a great car. No issues. Never had one issue with the engine or the transmission.”
Then, one day, Gym Dad got home (presumably from the gym), shut the door, and realized that nearly all the airbags inside the vehicle had deployed.
What Happened After The Cadillac Airbags Deployed?
“All in the back they deployed,” Gym Dad says, panning the camera so that the audience can see. “And the good news is, USAA is denying it. They’re saying since there was no collision, it doesn’t fall under the collision or comprehensive coverage that I have. Well, I have full coverage on it.”
Apparently, Gym Dad’s insurance company believes it was due to a mechanical failure; the dealership where he purchased the car disagrees. And on top of all that?
“I can’t even replace those airbags,” Gym Dad says. “They have been discontinued by GM. I couldn’t even fix it if I wanted to.”
In the caption, Gym Dad wrote, “USAA is awful. Denying my claim saying mechanical failure when Serra Nashville is saying no mechanical failure.”
What Should He Do Now?
In the comments section of the video, viewers weighed in on what happened and what Gym Dad should do with the car.
“The car is totaled,” said one person.
A second person disagreed. “Just order used airbags from eBay,” they wrote. “The back roof ones are like $100 for the whole strip.” Someone else replied, “You need airbags and two modules.”
“Dude, I got a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado single cab and it did the same thing,” wrote a third person. “I cut them out and kept driving it.”
Another person asked, “Isn’t there a recall for that exact issue?”
Is There An Airbag Recall From GM?
General Motors did recently announce recalls impacting certain Cadillac models with regard to an issue of airbag inflators that can potentially rupture during deployment. Another recall has to do with airbags failing to deploy at all.
That’s a bit different from Gym Dad’s report of spontaneous airbag deployment. However, one Escalade owner posted to Cadillac Forums in 2024 about a similar occurrence. There was no follow-up about what ultimately happened with the car.
Obviously it's not safe to drive without airbags. According to Byers Collision, it is possible to replace the airbags, but in some cases the cost of replacing the airbags will result in a total loss of the vehicle. It can also be illegal to reinstall airbags that have previously deployed.
It is possible for some more mechanically inclined drivers to replace their airbags themselves. This would require not only installing new airbags, but also replacing any sensors that were destroyed when they deployed.
Motor1 contacted Gym Dad via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We also contacted USAA via email for comment.
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Nina Hernandez) https://www.motor1.com/news/810830/cadillac-airbags-deployed/ https://www.motor1.com/news/810929/stolen-c7-corvette-grand-sport/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:08:13 +0000 Stolen Corvette C7 Grand Sport Recovered After Five Years Underwater An underwater search in Georgia, a visible Instagram handle, and an old theft report combined to confirm this Chevrolet Corvette C7 Grand Sport.
A Chevrolet Corvette C7 Grand Sport stolen from its owner in December 2020 has turned up at the bottom of a Georgia river, nearly six years after it vanished. Diver Jeremy Sides found the submerged sports car and posted the discovery to Instagram.
What happened next was pure internet detective work. Viewers spotted an old Instagram handle still stuck to the windshield, traced it back to the owner's December 11, 2020 theft report, and confirmed the car's identity within hours of the post going live.
Found In A Georgia River
Sides is president of Rapid Compassion Collective, a nonprofit that searches waterways for missing people and removes submerged vehicles and other large debris. He came across the Grand Sport during a routine dive and shared the find on his account, exploringwithnug, without initially knowing what he had stumbled onto.
The Grand Sport trim sits between the base Stingray and the track-focused Z06 in the C7 lineup, pairing wider bodywork and Brembo brakes with an LT1 V8 rated at 460 horsepower. This particular example disappeared the same month its owner reported it stolen on December 11, 2020.
Water intrusion does not forgive a modern performance car. The infotainment system, the Performance Data Recorder, and the drive-mode electronics are very likely compromised well beyond reasonable repair after years submerged in a river.
The LT1 engine itself is a 6.2-liter pushrod V8, and years underwater make internal corrosion highly likely. The reporting on the recovery has not detailed any teardown or salvage assessment for this specific powertrain.
The Instagram Clue
The Corvette's exterior held up better than anyone watching the video expected. The wrap stayed largely intact, the body panels showed no obvious damage, and the silhouette was unmistakably C7 despite the long time underwater.
Comments on the post reflected that surprise directly. "Dang, the wrap withstood the elements," one viewer wrote, while another added, "Not gonna lie, for being in water for 5 years, it looks decent." One commenter even floated swapping the drivetrain into a different project car entirely.
Two questions remain open. Nobody has been identified or arrested in connection with the original theft, and investigators still do not know how the Grand Sport ended up in a Georgia river in the first place. Current reporting does not analyze whether it was dumped in a hurry or placed there in a more deliberate attempt to hide it.
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Source: exploringwithnug via SupercarBlondie
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Brian Potter) https://www.motor1.com/news/810929/stolen-c7-corvette-grand-sport/ https://www.motor1.com/news/810970/street-fighter-ii-car-giveaway/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 19:00:00 +0000 The Street Fighter Car Is Real, And Someone Is Going To Win It The General, and partners, recreated the iconic Lexus LS400 from Street Fighter II—and one lucky fan will take it home with more than $25,000 in cash.
The Street Fighter series kicked off in 1987, but the arrival of Street Fighter II in 1991 was when the game really exploded in popularity. Quarters poured into arcade machines across the globe, and the video game franchise met fast fandom thanks to its entertaining gameplay and fascinating cast of characters.
One of those characters has been made real, and no, I'm not talking about the human ones (or human-esque ones). During one of the game's bonus stages, players were tasked with destroying a car that loosely resembled a Lexus LS400.
Thanks to Capcom, The General Insurance, and movie car builder Vehicle Effects, the Street Fighter Lexus is now real. Even better? You can enter to win it.
The Lexus Comes To Life
Photo by: The General Insurance
Vehicle Effects, the company best known for building the wild machines of the Fast and Furious cinematic universe, has crafted an amazing real-life version of a true video game icon.
Instead of just slapping a few badges on an old Lexus LS400, the car looks like it came straight from the game. The pixelated texture perfectly mimics the poor car that gets bashed to bits by the likes of Chun-Li, Blanka, Guile, and the rest.
On the inside, Vehicle Effects added new seats with "You" and "Win" on the front headrests. There's a coin slot inside that activates a seat warmer. And the crew even upgraded the speakers.
This is, after all, a running, driving car that will be given away to a lucky winner. You have until November 18th to enter the sweepstakes and take your shot at putting this iconic bit of video game history in your driveway.
The Street Fighter Movie
Capcom and The General Insurance teamed up with the builders and Paramount Pictures to create a unique marketing piece ahead of the film's release. Street Fighter hits theaters October 16th with a stacked cast taking on the roles of your favorite characters from the series.
The film takes place in 1993 and focuses on estranged friends Ryu and Ken. Andrew Koji's Ryu no longer wishes to fight, but he's dragged back into the world of combat, where we'll see the full suite of amazing fighters we've come to know over years of playing this series.
Hopefully, the Lexus makes a cameo in the film too. This time, though, with less smashing and more appreciation for the automaker's high watermark of design and engineering.
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Source: The General Insurance
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Jeff Glucker) https://www.motor1.com/news/810970/street-fighter-ii-car-giveaway/ https://www.motor1.com/news/810957/alpine-sports-car-concept-teaser/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:30:00 +0000 Alpine Teases A Mysterious New Sports Car With Hidden Headlights The PS1 is part of Alpine’s special projects and it debuts this week at the Paris Motor Show.
Alpine, Renault’s high-performance brand, will unveil a new concept car later this week at the Paris Motor Show. It’s called the PS1, short for “Projet Spécial 1,” and the lone teaser reveals the car’s pop-down headlights and lighting signature.
The short clip shows a section of the front fascia folding down to reveal five hidden lighting elements: four short rectangles and a longer one. A thin light below the hidden feature appears uncovered. In the video, there’s a momentary flash of light that brightens the vehicle. The car appears low and wide, with a prominent wing or spoiler.
Alpine says this concept is part of its “special projects pillar,” designed for exclusive, limited-run models like the A110 R Ultime, and personalization. These vehicles are supposed to feature the brand’s highest level of design and materials.
Alpine’s other two pillars are Everyday Extraordinary (A290 and A390) and Icons (A110). The automaker will reveal the PS1 at the Paris Motor Show on October 12.
What Else Will Alpine Reveal In Paris?
In addition to the PS1 launch, Alpine will also display its A110 Sculpture in public for the first time, which the automaker unveiled last month. The sculpture previews Alpine’s next-generation two-seat, fully electric sports car.
The automaker will also showcase its expanding customization options, which are available for the first time on the A290 and A390. Atelier Alpine offers a range of new colors, trims, and finishes.
Alpine is launching a new Collection trim for the A290 through the program. It pairs Blanc Nival with a black roof, 19-inch Snowflake wheels, and silver brake calipers. The Alpine A390 GTS gets Bleu Tempête Mat with a black roof and features new sport seats.
Alpine’s North American Expansion
It has been nearly four years since former Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi first suggested the brand might come to America. The automaker previously announced it would enter the United States by next year and was considering it less than a year ago, but new tariffs have disrupted that plan.
Now, Alpina is thinking about Canada. Earlier this year, Philippe Krief, Alpine’s current chief executive, said the brand plans to launch in Canada in 2029.
By then, Alpina will have launched its new architecture, the Alpine Performance Platform (APP), which will underpin the next-generation A110 successor. The platform will have dual rear electric motors and a targeted weight of around 3,300 pounds.
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Source: Alpine
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Anthony Alaniz) https://www.motor1.com/news/810957/alpine-sports-car-concept-teaser/ https://www.motor1.com/news/810956/mini-countryman-untamed-edition-reveal/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:02:40 +0000 Meet Mini's Most Rugged Countryman Yet The new Countryman Untamed Edition gets a suspension lift, all-terrain tires, and standard all-wheel drive.
Mini is taking the Countryman a little farther off the beaten path than usual.
Today, the automaker unveiled the 2027 Countryman Untamed Edition, a more rugged version of its pint-sized SUV, complete with a suspension lift, all-terrain tires, standard all-wheel drive, and a handful of outdoor-focused upgrades.
The Untamed Edition will come to the US in two forms: the gas-powered Countryman S ALL4 and the electric Countryman SE ALL4. Production starts in November 2026, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2027.
For the US, the Countryman S ALL4 Untamed Edition starts at $45,250 with the $1,350 destination charge included. Mini hasn't announced pricing for the electric SE ALL4 version yet.
More Ground Clearance = More Adventure
2027 Mini Countryman Untamed Edition
Photo by: Mini
The biggest changes are underneath the body. The Untamed Edition gets a 15.0-millimeter suspension lift, while its unique wheel-and-tire combination increases total ground clearance by up to 19.0 mm, depending on the powertrain.
The Countryman also gets special 19-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires. Mini has recalibrated the ABS, stability control, steering, and chassis to work with the revised suspension and tires, while the extra ride height improves the Countryman's approach and breakover angles.
Here's what the Untamed Edition gets to make it more capable off-road:
15-MM Suspension Lift Up To 19 MM More Ground Clearance 19-Inch Wheels Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires ALL4 All-Wheel Drive Revised ABS, DSC, And Steering Improved Approach And Breakover Angles 3,500-Pound Towing Capacity 661-Pound Maximum Roof Load (Stationary)
US-spec models also come standard with a factory trailer hitch capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds. The stationary roof-load limit is 661 pounds, which should come in handy if you're actually planning to use the rooftop tent Mini is selling for the Countryman.
A Rugged Makeover
Photo by: Mini
The Countryman Untamed Edition gets a collection of visual changes to set it apart from the regular model. The front grille gets new angular inserts and a Dark Steel surround, while the front and rear underbody protection elements and rear diffuser have been redesigned. Matte-black protective film covers portions of the wheel arches, side sills, and hood to help protect against stone chips.
There's also an Untamed logo with a mountain motif on the C-pillar.
Photo by: Mini 
Photo by: Mini Photos by: Mini
The 19-inch wheels are unique to the model, with five thick spokes inspired by classic off-road steel wheels. They're finished with Dark Steel details and paired with those chunky Pirelli all-terrain tires.
Mini will offer several colors specifically for the Untamed Edition, including Hideaway Grey, Nomad Blue, and Frozen Nomad Blue. The latter is the first matte exterior finish offered on a production Mini.
The Interior Gets An Outdoor Makeover, Too
Photo by: Mini
Inside, the Untamed Edition gets Vescin Nightshade Blue sport seats with perforated upholstery and knitted sections around the shoulders and headrests. The pattern is inspired by rock formations, while Cornflower Blue stitching and piping add some contrast.
The dashboard and door panels also feature knitted surfaces in a new Millennial Melange color scheme. Dark Steel replaces the usual Vibrant Silver trim, while additional blue accents are scattered throughout the cabin.
There's even a redesigned center-console storage box with elastic straps inspired by outdoor gear such as backpacks and climbing equipment. Rubber all-weather floor mats and a matching cargo-area mat add some extra practicality.
Naturally, Mini also has a collection of accessories designed for spending time outdoors.
The automaker partnered with Italian roof-tent specialist AutoHome on a dedicated rooftop tent for the Countryman. Integrated gas struts make it quick to open, while weather-resistant materials, panoramic openings, and a glass-fiber-reinforced construction should make it suitable for extended use.
Mini also teamed up with outdoor-equipment company Helinox on a matching collection of folding camping chairs and tables.
The Countryman Untamed Edition Is Coming To The US
The 2027 Countryman S ALL4 starts at $38,900 before options. Adding the required Iconic Trim with Comfort Package Plus for $3,400 and the Untamed Edition package for $1,600 brings the total to $43,900 before destination.
With the $1,350 destination charge included, the final MSRP is $45,250.
The electric Countryman SE ALL4 Untamed Edition is also coming to the US, although Mini will announce its price closer to launch. Production begins in November, with customer deliveries expected in early 2027.
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]]> feedback@motor1.com (Jeff Perez) https://www.motor1.com/news/810956/mini-countryman-untamed-edition-reveal/ https://www.motor1.com/news/810925/fan-making-cars-prequel-nascar/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:00 +0000 Someone Is Making The 'Cars' Prequel Pixar Never Did. And It Looks Legit Animator Ariya Alexander Berenji is making a Cars prequel from scratch, complete with new characters.
You've all seen the Cars movies, right? They follow the story of Lightning McQueen, his racing career, and his time in Radiator Springs. Now, someone is making a series about what happens before Lightning McQueen. And it actually looks awesome.
YouTuber Ariya Alexander Berenji is building a prequel nobody at Pixar asked for. And the fan film is already turning heads for one reason: the cars look flawless.
Berenji's project reimagines Strip Weathers, the character fans know as "The King," before he earned that nickname. The story is set in the 1980s with a cast of NASCAR-inspired vehicles rendered in detailed 3D.
Cars Prequel Centers On Strip Weathers
The film tracks a younger Strip Weathers, the character built on NASCAR legend Richard Petty, in the years before Radiator Springs and before Lightning McQueen ever showed up on his radar. Berenji's take puts him on dirt and asphalt alongside rivals who would later shape his legend.
Anchoring the story is Toni Jo Torque, an original character billed as "The Queen," a five-time champion who mentors both Weathers and a young Chick Hicks. She has no equivalent in the official films.
A place called Copper Canyon Speedway anchors the scenes, while a bowling alley and an ice cream parlor serve up a fictional treat called frozen coolant and help round out the world-building. They're period-appropriate touches for a decade the original Cars universe backstory never fully explored.
Berenji has said he wants to keep expanding the roster. "I'm hoping there's room for a David Pearson-based character as well," he said, pointing to one of stock car racing's most decorated drivers as a possible future addition to the cast.
NASCAR Icons Help Shape Designs
The clearest connection to real racing history shows up in the livery work. A character modeled on Dale Earnhardt carries the number three and a black paint scheme, a direct nod to the Intimidator's signature Chevrolet from his Richard Childress Racing years.
Young Chick Hicks gets the bigger visual swap. Instead of the green paint audiences remember from the first Cars film story, his prequel version wears a red-and-gold scheme lifted from Bill Elliott's Coors-sponsored No. 9 Ford Thunderbird, one of the most recognizable paint jobs of that NASCAR era.
The original feature trilogy ran from 2006 through sequels in 2011 and 2017, and Pixar still has no Cars 4 on its theatrical slate. But the universe has carried on through shorts and the Cars on the Road series on Disney+. A new Cars: Lightning Racers series from Disney Television Animation, made in association with Pixar, debuts on Disney Junior in 2027 before streaming on Disney+.
Berenji's film now sits alongside an expanding official canon instead of filling a dormant gap.
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Source: R-ya Productions via The Drive
]]> feedback@motor1.com (Brian Potter) https://www.motor1.com/news/810925/fan-making-cars-prequel-nascar/