Concept cars are all fun and games, but the percentage that make it to market in original form is very low. That figure ticked up just a touch today, though, as it appears like Mazda is going to bring the Arata concept to production almost unchanged. The production version will be called the EZ-60, at least in China, though it will wear a different badge in other markets. Mazda is hoping this one lands better than the underwhelming MX-30.

You might recall we recently reported that the European version of this electric SUV might end up being called the CX-6e. That tracks, because Mazda just pulled a similar move with the Chinese-market EZ-6 sedan, a car co-developed with its Chinese partner Changan, that’s being rebranded as the 6e in Europe. Since it’s built in China, it won’t be sold in North America.

More: Everything We Know About The Mazda CX-6e Electric SUV

Mazda released a short teaser to hype the EZ-60. The video shows the SUV’s silhouette rendered in digital wind tunnel graphics. In short, this crossover looks identical in profile to the Arata concept from the 2024 Beijing Auto Show. That car was aimed at the Chinese market and more specifically, the Tesla Model Y. Mazda called its design theme “soulful + futuristic x modern.”

In its post about the teaser video, Mazda stated, “Control the wind to shape the invisible, drive the electricity to the future.” No doubt, any EV benefits from good aerodynamic design and minimal drag. Clearly, Mazda is emphasizing that with the EZ-60.

A closer look at the teaser shows a long, teardrop-style rear section that should help cut through the air more efficiently. It’s noticeably more stretched out than current Mazda SUVs like the CX-50, CX-70, or CX-90. Inside, the EZ-60 will likely borrow heavily from the EZ-6 sedan’s cabin layout, which could mean a clean, minimalist setup with a few upscale touches to give it some premium feel.

Shared DNA with Deepal

At this point, Mazda hasn’t released drivetrain specs, but we have a decent idea of what to expect when details do land. Like the EZ-6 / 6e sedan, the EZ-60 will ride on Changan’s EPA1 platform, the same architecture underpinning the Deepal (a.k.a. Shenlan) SL03 sedan and the S7 SUV. That likely means the EZ-60 will share more than just a few bolts with the Deepal S7. Expect similar powertrain options and tech, including both all-electric and range-extender variants.

Related: New Mazda EZ-6 Is China’s Electric Mazda6 Sedan

Assuming it follows the EZ-6 / 6e’s formula, the EZ-60 / CX-6e may come in a standard E-Skyactiv EV setup with 254 horsepower and a 68.8 kWh battery, good for an estimated 300 miles (480 km) of range. There could also be a long-range version offering 241 hp and an 80 kWh battery, stretching the range to about 342 miles (550 km). For buyers not ready to go full electric, a range-extender version is also likely, using a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired with a smaller battery pack to provide backup power when needed.

That’s the general roadmap for now. As soon as Mazda reveals more concrete details, we’ll keep you posted.

A suspicious fire that tore through a Tesla dealership in Rome early Monday morning has left behind a scorched mess of metal and plenty of questions. At least 17 fully electric vehicles were destroyed in the blaze, marking the latest in a string of troubling incidents involving Tesla facilities around the globe.

The incident arrives amid growing backlash against Elon Musk, raising suspicions that this wasn’t just some random electrical mishap. While the exact cause remains under investigation, authorities have not ruled out arson. Fortunately, no one was injured, as the dealership was closed at the time of the fire. Still, the loss is significant, not just in property, but in what it might signal.

More: Man Tries To Torch Tesla Superchargers But Ends Up Torching Himself

According to local media, emergency services were alerted around 4 a.m. on Monday, March 31. Police have since questioned the dealership’s owners and are combing through CCTV footage, Reuters reports.

The fire broke out at the Tesla store located at 48 Via Serracapriola in Rome. Drone footage shared by the YouTube channel Local Team shows the parking lot littered with charred vehicle shells. At least 16 Teslas appear to have suffered irreparable damage.

These cars were reportedly prepped and ready for delivery to customers. Furthermore, the shed covering them was also damaged by the intense heat, though the Tesla dealership’s main building seems to have escaped the worst of it.

A Brand Under Fire—Literally

The timing is hard to ignore. Just two days before the fire, the so-called “Tesla Takedown” movement organized protests outside more than 200 Tesla dealerships across Europe and North America. Most gatherings remained peaceful, but a handful of them escalated into vandalism—and now, possibly worse.

Earlier this month, suspicious fires destroyed multiple Tesla EVs across the USA, as well as in Italy, Germany, and France. In Ontario, Canada, more than 80 vehicles were vandalized at a single Tesla dealership—another flashpoint in what’s quickly becoming a global anti-Musk movement. If there’s no connection between these incidents, it would be one hell of a coincidence.

#Vigilidelfuoco di #Savona in azione stanotte per l'#incendio di 17 automobili nel deposito vetture del porto cittadino. Utilizzata dalle squadre schiuma antincendio per abbattere le fiamme#30marzo pic.twitter.com/KJgVbvL8vw

— Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) March 30, 2025

Lead image Google Maps

Another Tesla Cybertruck has been wrecked, and this time it’s not because it’s been attacked by vandals angry at the automaker’s CEO Elon Musk, or due to some alleged failure of the driver-assist systems. Instead, a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen was the culprit after its driver reportedly suffered a medical emergency, plowing into no fewer than seven vehicles. The Cybertruck took the worst of it, with its bed ripped clean off in the chaos.

Footage and images from the scene show a dark-colored Cybertruck brandishing promotional graphics for Keane Landscaping (they say there’s no such thing as bad publicity, right?) cut in half in the road outside the Dallas Cowboys HQ.

Related: Someone Egged A Cybertruck And Wiped Dog Poop On It

The front end of the truck appears untouched, but everything behind the rear seats is gone, including the bed, frame, and the suspension, motor, and wheels, which can all be seen lying several feet away. Of the eight vehicles involved in the smash, the Cybertruck definitely came off worst, but that doesn’t mean the other cars which, like the Tesla, were all parked and unoccupied, didn’t take some serious hits.

A Ford Mustang, F-series truck, Hyundai Santa Fe, Tesla sedan, and others received major panel damage, but spare a thought for the Mercedes G-wagon, which was given such a smack it was flipped onto its roof and can be seen being righted in CBS’s video.

Police say the accident in Frisco, Texas, was the result of the Mercedes G-Wagen driver suffering a medical episode while behind the wheel last Friday, driving at the intersection of Avenue of the Champions and Cowboys Way. The driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to news reports, and won’t be charged with any driving offenses.

Looking at the amount of damage caused, he must have really hoofed that right pedal, with disastrous, but thankfully not fatal consequences. We imagine that in the future, car safety systems might be able to spot and prevent accidents like this, but until that happens, you might want to stay clear of powerful trucks with super-fast acceleration and curb weights flirting with the 6,000-pound mark, especially if you’re on foot.

Image credit: Dianne Everett/CBS News

How many times have we seen Rivian owners grumble about spending a small – or sometimes large -fortune on seemingly minor repairs after a fender bender or mishap? Dominic Wilkerson uses his Rivian R1T like the off-road-ready truck that it is. As such, he’s had a mishap or two on the trails.

In one recent incident, he accidentally damaged his rear tail light and tailgate. Rather than take it to Rivian for an expensive repair, he decided to tackle the job himself. The result? The total cost came in under $1,000, and the truck looks almost as good as new.

More: Can You Believe This Rivian R1T Damage Repair Cost $21,000?

As Wilkerson points out, many Rivian owners (rightly) live in constant fear that any kind of damage, no matter how minor, will result in a total loss. And, honestly, those folks aren’t totally out of their minds. Rear-end damage to a Rivian can be both expensive and complicated to fix, as we’ve seen time and time again. But Wilkerson wasn’t about to roll over and accept that fate. He took matters into his own hands.

The Repair Process: Not As Hard As It Sounds

First, he needed a tail light, which he sourced from Rivian’s Seattle service center for $700. In the video below, he demonstrates exactly what it takes to replace the part. In short, it’s a simple procedure that most gearheads and shadetree mechanics can accomplish. The really tricky part of the entire process was fixing the dents he’d put in his tailgate.

As it turns out, though, he’s familiar with paintless dent repair. No, he didn’t tackle the job himself, but rather he sourced a high-quality PDR professional to do the work. For just $200, the technician managed to pull out the big dents in his tailgate and even straighten some imperfections in the middle of it.

While Wilkerson admits that it’s not technically perfect, it’s the kind of fix that most people wouldn’t notice from 10 feet away. His attitude about it now is that, while he might eventually get the rest fixed, part of him appreciates the “battle scars” that show his truck is actually used for what it was made for.

Why Not Use Insurance?

Now, some readers might be asking why Wilkerson didn’t just file an insurance claim. Well, he addressed that too. “By the time I go through the whole process, I’d be without my vehicle for weeks,” he explained. And that’s a very valid concern. Given the notoriously long repair wait times at Rivian service centers, it’s not surprising that many owners would rather avoid the hassle entirely.

Review: The 2025 Rivian R1S Is An Imperfect But Promising Look At The Future

On top of that, insurance companies are totaling more vehicles than ever before. A recent study says that there’s a 42 percent chance of damage leading to a total loss than there was just a few years ago. While Wilkerson’s incident might not have led to that outcome, doing it the way he did assured that it wasn’t even possible.

Damaged tail light and big dent fixed by DIY and PDR for under $1000
byu/Domphotog inRivian

Lead image Dominic Wilkerson

While the Tesla Cybertruck seems to be a regular target for ridicule, one example was recently able to tow out a Ford F-150 that got stuck in the snow somewhere in Canada. Although there’s a chance that the whole thing was staged, the clip does show that with a good set of rubber, the truck can put all of its electric power to good use.

Watch: Cybertruck Stuck On Ping Pong Mode In Flowing River

These videos, shared on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum, were filmed by a group of friends who were out enjoying some snow-filled fun in both the Tesla and a Ford F-150. For reasons that are still unclear, the driver of the F-150 seemed to intentionally reverse into a snowbank just off the side of the road—promptly getting stuck, of course. Classic move.

Now, we could all roll our eyes and assume this whole thing was set up—perhaps the F-150 was driven into the snow just for the Tesla to save the day. But regardless of the setup, the video shows one thing: the Cybertruck can actually get things done when it’s not stuck itself.

Driving on snow can be difficult for any road-going vehicle, but this Cybertruck appears to have been aided by the fact that it rocks a set of Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, providing it with better traction than the standard rubber. We’re not sure if it’s a dual-motor AWD version or a tri-motor Cyberbeast, but it apparently had more than enough power to pull out the Ford with ease.

Watch: The Cybertruck Might Be Defeated By Sand, But It Can Rock Crawl

Despite the occasional viral mishap, the Cybertruck’s electric motors and advanced electronics can be helpful in certain off-roading situations. For example, the Tesla has no trouble storming through some of the most difficult and famous rock-crawling areas in the United States, including ‘Hell’s Revenge’ and the ‘Hot Tub’ in Moab, Utah.  

Skoda introduced the Elroq last fall and now the company is gearing up to introduce the all-new RS variant. As part of this effort, they’ve released a revealing teaser video that gives us a glimpse of the electric crossover ahead of its debut on April 3.

Set to be unveiled at Milan Design Week, the Elroq RS has been given a sporty makeover as it features a high-gloss black Tech-Deck Face as well as a unique front bumper. The latter has a sportier central intake with painted triangular accents. They’re joined by horizontal black bars that flow into the vertical air curtains.

More: Skoda’s New Elroq EV Aims For The Mainstream Sweet Spot

Moving further back, we can see new front fender badging and aerodynamically optimized wheels with a Mamba Green accent. While the rear end appears to carryover, the blacked out bumper suggests it could be updated as well.

The styling changes continue inside as we can see a perforated flat-bottom steering wheel with vRS badging. Elsewhere, there are two-tone front seats with vRS embroidery on the headrests. We can also expect a familiar digital instrument cluster and a freestanding infotainment system with a 13-inch display.

Powertrain details remain elusive, but the current range-topper is the Elroq 85. It features an 82 kWh battery pack as well as a rear-mounted motor producing 282 hp (210 kW / 286 PS) and 402 lb-ft (545 Nm) of torque. This allows the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 6.6 seconds and have a WLTP range of 361 miles (581 km).

Update: US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he pardoned Trevor Milton. When asked why he did so, Trump told reporters at the White House, “I think he was exonerated. And then they brought him into New York, he had a rough, rough road, and … he was exonerated. It was a big celebration.”

“They say the thing that he did wrong was, he was one of the first people that supported a gentleman named Donald Trump for president,” Trump continued, according to CNBC. “He supported Trump. He liked Trump. I didn’t know him, but he liked him.”

“They persecuted him, they destroyed five years of his life. He… fought for five years of his life, and he did nothing wrong. And he’s a good person,” the President added.

Original story follows below.

In December 2023, Trevor Milton, the founder and former CEO of Nikola, was sentenced to four years in federal prison for engaging in securities and wire fraud. Fast forward to today, and he’s sent out a press release claiming he’s been pardoned by US President Donald Trump. Furthermore, Milton says he’s about to release a documentary that promises to dive deep into the controversies surrounding Nikola.

Trump had criticized hydrogen cars during his 2024 campaign, suggesting the vehicles were prone to exploding. Meanwhile, his advisor and head of the DOGE division, Elon Musk, was locked in an ongoing feud with Trevor Milton, trading barbed insults. A few years ago, Musk tweeted, “Fuel cells = fool sells,” calling the technology “staggeringly dumb” in reference to Nikola’s hydrogen-powered trucks.

Milton, who has been out on bail since his sentencing, has vigorously appealed the court’s decision to lock him up. Originally, he was slapped with a $1 million fine in addition to his prison sentence and three years of supervised release. On top of that, he was ordered to pay Nikola $167.7 million for making false and misleading statements.

Read: Nikola Goes Bankrupt As Startup Once Valued Higher Than Ford Runs Out Of Cash

The entrepreneur has long pleaded his innocence, and in a YouTube documentary to be released soon, he says he will now tell his side of the story.

“This pardon is not just about me—it’s about every American who has been railroaded by the government, and unfortunately, that’s a lot of people,” Milton said. “It is no wonder why trust and confidence in the Justice Department has eroded to nothing. I wish judges would stop believing whatever the prosecutors feed them so Americans could trust the justice system again. Until that happens, our justice system will continue to erode until there is nothing left.”

“The 90+% conviction rate in New York is appalling and is a result of prosecutors getting whatever they want and putting innocent people in prison,” he added. “I saw firsthand the tactics they use to achieve those guaranteed convictions. I am incredibly grateful to President Trump for his courage in standing up for what is right and for granting me this sacred pardon of innocence.”

The documentary, Conviction of Conspiracy: The Trevor Milton Saga, has been directed by British filmmaker Mark Soldinger. A preview for the film claims it will be “pulling back the curtain on the media firestorm, legal maneuvers, and unseen dynamics that shaped the outcome” of the case.

The film appears to have been produced by Milton himself, and a trailer was shared to his personal YouTube channel. Whether or not it will show an accurate representation of what happened remains to be seen, but it will be interesting to see behind the scenes of Nikola’s struggles.

Today I was issued a full and unconditional pardon by @realDonaldTrump himself. He called me personally to tell me.

This pardon is not just about me—it’s about every American who has been railroaded by the government, and unfortunately, that’s a lot of people. It is no wonder… pic.twitter.com/qpT0jjI6Fy

— Trevor Milton (@nikolatrevor) March 28, 2025

After committing a hefty $21 billion investment into its US operations, including the construction of a new $5.8 billion steel plant, Hyundai has officially kicked off production at its Metaplant in Georgia. The site, which began construction over two and a half years ago, will focus on producing a range of electric and hybrid vehicles, boosting Hyundai’s push into the EV market.

The Grand Opening of the site was attended by Hyundai leaders, as well as Governor Brian P. Kemp, US Representative Buddy Carter, and the president and chief executive of the Kia Corporation, Ho Sung Song. The Metaplant has already started building the electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 and, perhaps most importantly, is now also building the Hyundai Ioniq 9.

Read: New Hyundai Ioniq 9 Lands With Three-Rows And Massive 110.3 kWh Battery

Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 is its first three-row electric SUV and serves as its alternative to the Kia EV9. Presented last November, the Ioniq 9 is underpinned by the group’s E-GMP architecture and fitted as standard with a 110.3 kWh battery. The brand has yet to announce US pricing for the SUV, but we know it will be offered in several different guises.

The base model has a 214 hp and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) electric motor driving the rear wheels and a quoted range of 385 miles (620 km). Sitting above this version is the Long Range AWD, which adds a 94 hp motor up front. The flagship Ioniq 9 Performance has 214 hp motors at the front and rear, allowing it to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.2 seconds.

Initially, the Hyundai Motor Group planned to build 200,000 electric and hybrid vehicles at the Metaplant. However, as part of its increased commitment to the US market, it’s expanded annual production capacity up to 500,000 units.

“Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America not only represents the Group’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and commitment to innovation, but also our investment in relationships with our partners and communities right here in Georgia,” Hyundai Motor Group executive chair Euisun Chung said. “With the rich history of craftsmanship and manufacturing in this community, together with the talented workforce at HMGMA we are building the future of mobility with America, in America.”

Hyundai is preparing to unveil a new fully electric SUV, specifically designed for the Chinese market. This upcoming model, which remains unnamed for now, is a result of the Beijing Hyundai joint venture, and it recently made its first appearance in an official teaser ahead of its expected launch later this year.

The teaser reveals a camouflaged prototype of the SUV undergoing cold-weather testing. Despite the cover-up, we can catch a glimpse of distinct styling elements that set this SUV apart from the global Hyundai Ioniq 9, which is notably absent in China.

More: Chinese-Owned EV Brands Gain Momentum In Europe, Collectively Outsell Tesla

Even under camouflage wraps, the SUV’s design features some clear visual cues. The headlights are connected by a slender LED strip along the front. The rear sports a muscular shoulder line that flows into a more upright tail, complete with an integrated spoiler. Not to be overlooked are the full-width LED taillights, which stretch toward the sides, enhancing the SUV’s profile.

Hyundai recently opened an R&D center in Shanghai, dedicated to developing electric models specifically for the Chinese market.

Beijing Hyundai

While we’re still waiting for detailed specifications, it’s likely the new SUV will be built on Hyundai’s E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform), which is shared across their Ioniq and Kia EV lines. This platform supports both single and dual motor setups and can handle battery packs as large as 110.3 kWh, suggesting this SUV could offer impressive range and performance.

More: Any Idea What Hyundai Is Teasing Here?

Currently, Beijing Hyundai’s offerings are limited to internal combustion engine (ICE) models, including popular vehicles like the Sonata and Elantra sedans, the Tucson L and Santa Fe SUVs, and the Mufasa SUV. The only electric model available in China right now is the performance-oriented Ioniq 5 N, imported directly from Hyundai’s global lineup.

We’ll get more details about this new fully electric SUV on March 28. Whether that will be the official debut or just another teaser remains unclear, but for now, the teaser video below will have to do.

Over the past few years, Hyundai has created several high-performance electric concepts, proving to the world that it’s committed to building cars that are fun to drive and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It looks to have done this yet again with its latest project, known as the Insteroid.

This special one-off, teased with several images and a video, takes the regular all-electric Inster and completely transforms it by taking inspiration from video games. As you may have guessed, the car’s name is a portmanteau of ‘Inster’ and ‘Steroid’ and will be unveiled in the flesh in early April.

Read: New Hyundai Inster Is A Tiny Electric Crossover For The Masses

The car appears to share very little in common with the regular Inster. All-new bodywork has been crafted for the concept, including massive flared wheel arches at the front and rear, not dissimilar to those from the i20 N WRC car. The cabin appears to be completely stripped out, and we can see a roll cage in there. Elsewhere, Hyundai’s designers have crafted a set of aerodisc wheels and a towering rear wing.

Several teasers of the car shared on social media show it’ll come complete with a raft of bright orange accents and a ghost logo that looks like it’s been pulled straight from Pac-Man. One teaser shows some of the car’s interior instruments, including Boost buttons, driving mode settings, and a track mode. There also look to be orange seat belts.

According to Hyundai, the Insteroid is a “thrilling ‘glitch’ in the automotive matrix, seamlessly merging the boundary-pushing aesthetics of video games with real-world engineering to create a vehicle that feels like it’s morphed straight out of a digital speedway.”

The road-going Inster, which itself is based on the Casper, is sold with a single electric motor delivering 95 hp in base form of 113 hp in the flagship version. Here’s hoping Hyundai fits a more potent powertrain to the Insteroid, perhaps the same dual-motor setup as the Ioniq 5 N which is used by the RN24 rolling lab model presented last year.

As we enter the era of electric muscle cars, the question on everyone’s mind is: How do we compare them? In the latest U-Drag, we get as close to a direct comparison as you can ask for. The Ford Mustang Dark Horse squares off against the Dodge Charger Daytona in a battle of over 1,100 horsepower. Strap in, it’s about to get interesting.

The Stats: Not Always What They Seem

First, let’s talk about numbers because they can be deceptive or very telling. The Ford Mustang brings 500 horsepower (372 kW) and 418 lb-ft (566 Nm) of torque to the table from its naturally-aspirated, Gen-5 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine. It tips the scales at 4,016 pounds (1,821 kg) and, like any true muscle car, sends all that power to the rear wheels.

Read: Can A $147K Corvette Z06 Beat A $371K Maserati MC20?

On the other side, we have the Charger—a different beast altogether. It’s all-electric and all-wheel drive. It makes 670 horsepower (499 kW) and 627 lb-ft (849 Nm) of torque. That’s a lot more than the Ford but the Dodge also weighs 5,972 pounds (2,708 kg). That’s nearly 33% heavier than the Mustang, which raises an important question: Does all that extra weight come with its own set of challenges?

The Race: Power vs. Handling

In theory, all of that should add up to better acceleration from the Dodge, but better braking and handling from the Ford. On tarmac, the first part of that prediction sure enough proves true. The Dodge rockets away from the Ford and puts a car length or more on it before the braking zone. Then, the Mustang begins to gain ground as the two enter the corner, and that’s where things start to get interesting.

In the past, electric vehicles really struggled toward the top-end of the speedometer. Now, things are different and the Charger uses its brute force to roll away from the corner and keep its lead. In race two, things are mostly the same but the ending is a bit different. Once again, the Charger leads off the line and into the corner.

There, the Mustang begins to pull ahead as it corners harder and exits a bit quicker. In fact, it does so well that it has at least a car-length lead on the Dodge as the two head for home. Sadly for Ford, the Mustang just doesn’t have enough power to get away though.

Close, But Not Quite Enough

The Dodge slowly but surely reels in the pony car and takes this victory 2-0. It’s a tight race, but when it’s all said and done, the Dodge Charger Daytona claims the win. The Mustang, for all its handling prowess, simply doesn’t have the power to hold off its electrified rival. Still, let’s not forget: the Mustang might have lost the race, but it sounds way more exciting doing it, no matter how hard Dodge tries to fake it with its synthetic Fratzonic engine noises.

Credit: Edmunds

Earlier this week, Mark Rober sparked off a giant online battle by testing autonomous driving tech. In a long video, titled Can You Fool A Self Driving Car?, he set lidar against optical systems like the ones Tesla uses. The result? Instant backlash, praise, confusion—basically, the whole internet lost its mind. Now, someone else has re-run the same test, and, unsurprisingly, the results are both familiar and a little bit different.

In short, lidar tends to see more clearly, and more accurately, in certain situations compared to optical systems. That shouldn’t be much of a surprise, as after all, it’s a high-definition radar system that can sense objects in complete darkness.

Nevertheless, when Rober’s video highlighted Tesla’s failure to detect a wall that looked like a real road, fans of the brand came out with their pitchforks, so to speak. To their credit, Rober’s test didn’t use Full Self-Driving (Supervised) but rather Autopilot.

More: Tesla Autopilot Smashes Through Fake Road Wall While LiDar Lexus Stops Like A Pro

That’s where Kyle Paul, a Tesla owner himself, comes into play. He decided to rerun the same test with the same general parameters, but this time using FSD rather than Autopilot. He printed out his own wall that looked just like the real road it sat on and drove his Model Y up to it multiple times.

In every test, the Tesla failed to see the wall until he was literally inches away from it. As Rober suggested in an interview, it’s plausible that the ultrasonic parking sensors noticed the wall rather than the autonomous driving tech.

That said, Paul then switched things up by bringing in a Cybertruck to run the same test. Interestingly, it passed the test with flying colors by stopping on its own every time it began to approach the wall. What’s the difference? Other than the obvious fact that FSD is more advanced than Autopilot, the Cybertruck was on Tesla’s latest FSD hardware called HW4. The Model Y, a 2022 year model edition, wasn’t as it was running HW3.

The Missing Pieces

Notably, some in the comment section pointed out the tests that Paul didn’t do. For instance, he didn’t test FSD with a mannequin or in the rain—two factors that could offer a more realistic sense of how the system performs in everyday conditions.

Nevertheless, this should at least help calm the noise around Rober’s video. There’s clearly some truth to the criticisms, and those who continue to challenge Tesla’s approach to autonomous driving aren’t entirely off the mark.

Sceenshot Kyle Paul

Tesla has made it clear that it’s taking a firm stance against vandalism at its facilities across the United States and it’s rolling out a new strategy: activating Sentry Mode on all cars at its showrooms. This move comes as incidents of targeted attacks on Tesla vehicles have been escalating, both in the States and internationally. With this added layer of surveillance, the company hopes to catch troublemakers in the act.

More: US Attorney General Goes After Tesla Attackers, 3 People Face Up To 20 Years In Prison

Just yesterday, a well-known Tesla investor and supporter suggested that the company should step up security by employing 24-hour security guards at all of its showrooms and service centers across the U.S. and Canada—at least until things calm down. Elon Musk quickly responded, announcing that Tesla had “ramped up security” and enabled Sentry Mode on all vehicles at its locations.

The Benefits of Sentry Mode

While he avoided elaborating on what additional security measures Tesla is taking, activating Sentry Mode seems like a smart move. This system uses the exterior cameras found on all Tesla models to continuously record what’s happening around the vehicle. It’s proven hugely beneficial for owners of the years, catching vandals and thieves in plain view. Anyone heading to a Tesla site with the intention of damaging cars could be unknowingly filmed in the act.

However, in true Musk fashion, the public announcement may have been a double-edged sword. Now that vandals know what Tesla is up to, they might take precautions, like covering their faces to avoid being identified. Perhaps it would’ve been more effective to keep this security change under wraps until the system caught a few culprits.

Tesla has ramped up security and activated Sentry Mode on all vehicles at stores https://t.co/3HwUgE8ZoF

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 20, 2025

While Sentry Mode can certainly be a deterrent, it’s not without its flaws. One of the primary concerns is the system’s impact on battery life. Tesla has never officially released figures on how much battery is consumed by Sentry Mode, but independent tests suggest it could drain between 10-15% of the battery each day. This means that Tesla will need to ensure that the vehicles in their care are regularly charged, especially if the goal is to keep the security system running round-the-clock.

Read: Tesla Working To Stop Sentry Mode Depleting EVs’ Batteries

Fortunately, Tesla recently introduced an update that reportedly reduces the battery drain by about 40%, which could help alleviate some of the strain on its service centers to keep cars charged.

The announcement of this new measure follows an incident in Hamilton, Ontario, where over 80 Tesla vehicles were damaged at a dealership. Reports say that the cars were scratched and had their tires punctured, further highlighting the increasing need for security at Tesla locations.

The number of attacks on Tesla cars and company facilities across the United States shows no sign of slowing down. In the span of just 24 hours, the EV brand has been targeted in cities like Las Vegas, Kansas City, San Diego, and more. These incidents come at a time when Tesla’s stock price is in freefall, and Elon Musk continues to stir controversy and make headlines.

One of the most significant attacks happened in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Tuesday. According to local police officials, a still-unidentified individual threw several Molotov cocktails and fired shots into a line of Teslas parked at one of the company’s collision centers.

Read: Tesla Owners Brace For Soaring Insurance Costs And Even Bans As EV Attacks Escalate

Authorities say the attack took place around 2:45 a.m., with the suspect wearing all-black attire. By the time police arrived, two Teslas were fully engulfed in flames. Security footage from the scene captured the vehicles burning. In addition to the arson, the suspect spray-painted the word ‘resist’ on the facility’s front doors, leading authorities to label the attack as “targeted” and possibly driven by a “political agenda”.

This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong.

Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks. https://t.co/Fh1rcfsJPh

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 18, 2025

Elon Musk quickly addressed the violence on X (formerly Twitter), condemning the attack in no uncertain terms: “This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong. Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks.”

Kansas Attacks

Meanwhile, in Kansas City, Missouri, two Cybertrucks were set ablaze at a local Tesla dealership on Monday. A local police officer first noted one of the Cybertrucks on fire, and while local fire crews responded to the scene, they weren’t quick enough to avoid a second Cybertruck catching fire. Both EVs suffered extensive damage and are likely not repairable

Local authorities, including the Bomb and Arson Unit, were quickly joined by the FBI and ATF to investigate the incident, reports KMBC.

Vandals Strike Illinois And California

The vandalism isn’t confined to arson. In Buffalo Grove, Illinois, a Tesla dealership was targeted earlier this week, though no vehicles were harmed. Instead, a vandal painted disparaging remarks about President Trump and Elon Musk on the windows. They added that “Trans rights are human rights.” In this case, police have arrested a woman in connection with the vandalism, and she is facing criminal damage to property and trespassing charges, ABC7 reports.

The attacks don’t stop there. Further west, in Encinitas, California, a Tesla location was defaced with swastikas and profanity sprayed on both cars and dealership windows. The police have yet to make any arrests or identify suspects in this case.

Screenshot via Las Vegas Review-Journal

Franz Von Holzhausen and Lars Moravy are among Tesla’s top brass—Von Holzhausen is the senior design exec, and Moravy serves as the VP of engineering. In other words, these two are practically walking encyclopedias of Tesla’s product plans. And now, they’ve decided to spill a bit more of the proverbial tea in a fresh interview with teardown expert Sandy Munro.

More: Tesla Plans Smaller Model Y That’s At Least 20% Cheaper To Produce

In this conversation, the pair delves into the challenges of developing and producing ambitious vehicles like the CyberCab and Robovan. Speaking of the small people mover, expect the CyberCab to continue its march toward a 2026 release date. Both Von Holzhausen and Moravy agreed that Tesla would manage to begin testing for Level 5 autonomy later this year too. Sure, those rideshare cars will use a real human backup working remotely but let’s see how it goes before we critique it.

CyberCab’s Surprising Range and Production Details

Moravy shared that the CyberCab will likely be powered by a battery pack smaller than 50 kWh, and still manage to deliver around 300 miles of “real-world” range. That would be impressive as most cars with that type of range currently have much larger battery packs. For instance, the Model 3 Long Range RWD uses a 79.7 kWh battery and has 363 miles of range.

The production side of things isn’t being left behind either. Moravy mentioned that Tesla will continue to lean heavily on its signature casting process too. The CyberCab will feature a large casting at both the front and rear, as well as door shell castings to help tie everything together. That aids in Tesla’s goal to cut costs and reduce complexity. Another move toward that goal is that the team isn’t going to paint the castings. They say they have corrosion under control so there’s no need.

Robovan Is Not Quite Ready for Prime Time

Switching gears to the Robovan, Von Holzhausen gave Sandy Munro a glimpse into the vehicle’s interior, though it seems Tesla’s still working through the details. The team has tried different configurations, but the one shown in the video features a 14-seat layout, which is a bit… ambitious. It’s easier to pick up on additional details in the light of day too. For instance, the seats look very wide compared to an everyday car.

Read: Elon Musk Sued For Allegedly Using AI Image From Blade Runner 2049

While it’s safe to say the final design could shift quite a bit before the Robovan hits the streets (whenever that may be), this video provides an interesting peek into Tesla’s ongoing projects. And while Elon Musk is off doing, well, whatever it is he does remotely, Von Holzhausen and Moravy are still hard at work shaping the future of the brand.

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying the Cybertruck has carved out its niche. It might split opinions even harder than its sharp angles and stainless steel skin, but that hasn’t stopped buyers from snapping them up, making it the best-selling vehicle priced over $100,000 in the first half of 2024. Naturally, those sales have fueled a growing market for accessories, with independent companies eager to cash in.

More: Cybertruck Gets Magnetic Wraps That Let You Change Color In Minutes For $2K

One of the more interesting offerings comes from Space Camper, whose latest product, the Cap, turns the back of Tesla’s electric pickup into either a mobile living space or a practical, enclosed cargo area.

The Cap essentially reimagines the Cybertruck’s profile, flattening the roofline to give it the silhouette of an SUV or a panel van. It also adds five inches (13 cm) of height, resulting in an interior space that stands 40 inches (101 cm) tall from the bed floor. By default, it comes in gloss black, but for anyone who’s particular about color coordination, it can be wrapped in any shade you prefer.

Functional Features & Camper Potential

When paired with optional accessories like spanner bars, mole panels, and roof bars, the Cap takes the Cybertruck’s utility up a notch. It’s especially well-suited for camper conversions as it’s compatible with most roof tents and awnings, offering buyers a solid foundation to build their dream overlanding setup.

Inside, you can fit a mattress, wall-mounted storage, LED lights, and even a projector if you’re aiming for a cozy, all-in-one mobile home vibe. And yes, there’s even an optional shower kit if you want to round out the creature comforts.

More: Oh Boy, Mansory Tuned The Cybertruck And Named It The Elongation

Despite its added bulk, the Cap keeps things relatively lightweight at 170 lbs (77 kg) without extras. According to the company, the aerodynamic profile reduces the Cybertruck’s range by around 4-9%, though as always, actual mileage will vary depending on how heavy your right foot is. The roof supports up to 270 lbs (122 kg) while driving, and 650 lbs (295 kg) when parked.

Pricing & Delivery Details

Space Camper plans to begin deliveries of the Cap in June 2025. Pricing starts at $6,385, albeit without the optional extras highlighted in the video. Beyond a roof tent and awning of their choice, camping enthusiasts will need to budget an additional $180 for ventilation fans, $450 for the custom mattress, $450 for bed lights, $830 for wall storage, $900 for the projector kit, and $1,245 for the shower kit.

For buyers planning to use their Cybertruck more like a work van, functional add-ons like spanner bars and mole panels are $175 each, while a set of roof-mounted crossbars costs $270.

Space Camper isn’t stopping at the Cap. The company has also developed the Wedge, a more involved camper conversion first teased through a series of renderings back in 2022. Priced at $24,000, production has been delayed due to funding issues, though Space Camper claims the final design is ready and aims to kick off manufacturing this summer.

Other Alternatives

There are also a few other options for Cybertruck owners eyeing a camper conversion. Another American company, Cybertruck Co, currently offers a similar setup priced between $9,700 and $11,700. For those who prefer something simpler—or cheaper—Tesla itself sells a branded Cyber Tent accessory for $2,975. However, compared to the aftermarket choices, Tesla’s tent seems to fall short on ease of use.

Even with reports of cooling demand, Tesla still managed to move 38,965 Cybertrucks in 2024, ensuring there’s a solid customer base for third-party accessories. As more customization options hit the market, Cybertruck owners have increasing flexibility to tailor their electric trucks for work, adventure, or a bit of both.

There’s no shortage of chatter about the expanding future of Toyota’s GR lineup, which is expected to include an array of high-performance sports cars ranging from a new Celica and MR2 to the next Supra and even a GR supercar. While many of these machines will be powered by traditional gasoline engines and hybrids, an independent digital artist has introduced a completely electric twist to the mix.

Enter the Toyota bZ86, a fictional creation by digital artist Theophilus Chin. The idea behind the this coupe study is to retain the sporty proportions of Toyota’s current GR86, but with an entirely new, electrified twist.

More: These Are All The Future Sports Cars Coming From Toyota GR

Despite borrowing the GR86’s general shape, the bZ86 adopts a completely different design language. In keeping with its electric nature, Chin took inspiration from the recently revealed Toyota CH-R+ crossover and the facelifted bZ4x, resulting in a sleek, futuristic look.

At the front, the electric sports car features a hammerhead-like nose, flanked by sharp headlights and wide bumper intakes. The side profile is aggressively sculpted, with a bi-tone finish on the roofline and side skirts adding a touch of flair. And, of course, the oversized charging port on the front fenders leaves no doubt—this coupe needs to be plugged-in.

Illustrations: Theottle

A Familiar Rear with a Fresh Twist

The rear of the bZ86 borrows heavily from the CH-R+ crossover, with its full-width LED taillights and sloping rear glass. While the plastic cladding on the rear bumper may not be to everyone’s taste, it’s balanced out by the addition of a sporty diffuser. That said, the placement of the license plate holder could use a little more subtlety.

More: Mazda Inline-Six Rumor For New GR Supra And RX-7 Sounds Too Wild To Be True

Since this is purely a digital concept, there are no hard specs to go on. However, the dual-motor setup from the C-HR+, which puts out a combined 338 horsepower (252 kW / 343 PS), could easily serve as the basis for an electric equivalent of the GR86. Pair that with the crossover’s 77 kWh battery pack, and you could expect a range north of 326 miles (525 km) in a more aerodynamic coupe form.

Despite the cool factor of the project, Toyota Gazoo Racing has no plans of introducing an electric sportscar – at least in the near future. The truth is that most buyers will be better off with the upcoming gas-guzzling Celica, MR2, GR86, and GR Supra, temporarily leaving the concept of electric mobility to the hands of family-focused SUVs.

While the bZ86 is an undeniably cool proposal, Toyota Gazoo Racing has no plans to bring an electric sports car to life—at least not anytime in the near future. For now, most enthusiasts will have to do with gasoline-powered options, such as the upcoming Celica, MR2, GR86, and GR Supra, leaving the world of electric mobility to Toyota’s family-friendly SUVs.

One of the best things about owning a V8-powered muscle car is the usually intoxicating exhaust sound. The old Dodge Challenger had a particularly incredible roar on a cold start, and Dodge looks to have tried to replicate the experience with the new all-electric Charger Daytona. Has it done a good job? We’ll let you be the judge of that.

After perusing the net, we’ve found a few videos that nicely capture the “cold start” (more like power-up) of the Charger EV, which can be switched on remotely with the key fob. It uses the controversial Fratzonic ‘exhaust’ to try and replicate the sound of a V8 muscle car.

Watch: Dodge Charger Daytona EV Smokes 797HP Challenger Hellcat Redeye To 60 MPH

Hyundai arguably pioneered the use of fake ICE sounds in high-performance EVs with its widely-praised Ioniq 5 N. Dodge aimed to replicate this with the Fratzonic system, but it hasn’t received the same kind of praise Hyundai’s system has. This is probably because whereas the Ioniq 5 has no ICE predecessor, the Charger Daytona has to somehow fill in the shoes of one of the most beloved muscle cars, which, in recent years, has been sold with burbly V8 engines producing up to 1,025 hp.

Given Dodge’s history of building incredible muscle cars, releasing an EV was always going to cause controversy, and trying to make it sound like a V8 has naturally drawn comparisons with real eight-cylinder behemoths.

Obviously, the Charger Daytona’s “cold start” feature doesn’t sound as good as a V8, certainly not on video. Personally, I don’t think it sounds terrible, and it’s a little more interesting and engaging than having no sound at all. Dodge may not have failed to replicate the thrills of the old Challenger with its new-generation muscle car, but at least it tried to make something appealing for enthusiasts. After all, most EVs on the market feel like refrigerators on wheels and don’t even have the tiniest bit of emotion.

@appleautos This things actually super loud. #dodge #charger #hellcat #hellcatcharger #hellcatchallenger #hellcatredeye #demon #dodgedemon #challengerhellcat #chargerhellcat #supercharged #coldstart #loud #ev #newcar #carguy #cartok #carsoftiktok ♬ original sound – Apple Autos

Last year, YouTuber WhistlinDiesel made headlines after snapping the frame of his Tesla Cybertruck during one of his infamous durability tests. Fast forward to today, and another YouTuber, also a Cybertruck owner, decided to take it upon himself to see if Tesla’s electric truck is really as sturdy as it claims.

Unlike traditional pickup trucks that rely on solid steel frames, the Cybertruck is built with cast aluminum. Tesla received plenty of praise for pioneering the use of gigacasting technology in the automotive industry, but the choice to use a cast aluminum frame is starting to raise some concerns with each new test.

More: Eagle Cap Camper Snaps Ram 3500 Dually In Half, Mopar Refuses $17,000 Repair Bill

According to Tesla, the Cybertruck has a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 lbs (4,990 kg). To test how strong the frame really is, YouTuber JerryRigEverything attached a crane scale to measure the amount of force the hitch was subjected to. The force came from a massive excavator pushing down on the hitch.

Towing Capacity vs Tongue Weight

Something we need to stress (pun intended) here is that this test measures tongue weight, not tow capacity. Tongue weight refers to the downward force exerted by the trailer on the hitch, while towing tests evaluate how much weight the vehicle can pull in a horizontal direction. These are distinct stress tests, so comparing the two directly can be misleading. As many manufacturers point out, for ball-mounted hitches, the tongue weight is typically 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight.

Back to the test, after sustained pressure, the hitch started to crack and, at just over 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg), it snapped completely. As if that weren’t bad enough, aluminum lacks a fatigue limit, meaning it becomes progressively weaker each time it’s stressed. Steel, on the other hand, doesn’t have this issue. This means that, at least in theory, Cybertrucks constantly towing heavy loads could potentially see their frames weaken over time—hardly ideal for a vehicle marketed as tough and durable.

Watch: Whistlin Diesel Snaps Tesla Cybertruck Frame In Viral “Durability” Test

Of course, as mentioned before, the weight in this test was applied downward, while most of the force from towing would be applied outward. This means the Cybertruck shouldn’t have any major issues if it keeps its trailer load under capacity.

JerryRigEverything suggested that hitting a large pothole at, say, 80 mph (129 km/h) with an 11,000 lb load could potentially generate enough force to damage the Cybertruck’s frame. However, this is purely theoretical, and we have to assume Tesla accounted for such scenarios when developing the vehicle and determining its capacities

Nevertheless, for comparison, the team also tested an old Ram 2500, which survived a 10,500 lbs (4,763 kg) tongue weight load without so much as a hiccup. So yeah, Tesla might have a bit of work to do when it comes to making the Cybertruck a true workhorse.

The Tesla Cybertruck that was detonated outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1 briefly appeared for auction yesterday before being quickly removed. It’s perhaps the last car we would have expected to see listed for sale, and it’s unclear why the auction was pulled—other than, well, the apparent fact that selling the Cybertruck would have been rather morbid.

At approximately 8:39 a.m. on January 1, U.S. Army Special Forces soldier Matthew Alan Livelsberger pulled up outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas. He had rented the truck on Turo and filled it with fireworks, camping fuel, and gas tanks. While sitting in the driver’s seat, Livelsberger shot himself, moments before the explosion. Seven people were injured, but fortunately, no innocent bystanders were killed.

Read: Musk Says Media Coverage Of Cybertruck Explosion “Sabotages” Tesla’s Image, Threatens Lawsuits

Local emergency responders and Elon Musk quickly praised the strength of the Cybertruck, noting that the stainless steel body helped contain the explosion. Shortly after the incident, Musk claimed that Tesla would “buff out the scratches and get it back on the road,” adding that the powertrain remained fully operational despite the explosion.

As reported by Jalopnik, auction photos shared on IAA show that the Cybertruck remains in the same grim condition it was in after investigators tore it apart in the wake of the accident. Initially, much of the roof, the doors, and the pillars remained in place, but they were later removed. A look inside the cabin reveals that most of it has been badly charred, and there’s simply no way of repairing this thing without replacing virtually every single part.

There’s no word on whether Tesla itself was involved in the auction being canceled, but we’d be surprised if the brand decided to rebuild the vehicle. After all, Tesla already has enough on its plate with slowing sales and a tanking stock price. However, history has shown that Musk thrives on publicity—whether good or bad—and rebuilding the vehicle used in a targeted attack could be one way to capture the public’s imagination.

IAA