Rugged trucks are big business and Ford offers an assortment of off-road focused models including the F-150 Tremor and F-150 Raptor. Besides dedicated trims, customers can get an FX4 off-road package.

Despite the popularity of these models, Ford hasn’t seen it fit to offer a rugged F-150 Lightning. It’s a strange oversight considering General Motors offers the Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss, the GMC Sierra EV AT4, and GMC Hummer EV Pickup.

More: Ford Delays Second-Gen F-150 Lightning And E-Transit To 2028

Ford is now gearing up to respond, but fans shouldn’t get too excited as it looks like the company is raiding the parts bin to cobble together a soft-roader. The changes are so small they’re easy to overlook, but the prototype appears to be riding on black 18-inch wheels sourced from the old F-150 Rattler. They’re wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler Territory all-terrain tires, which are a tad meatier than the all-season rubber typically found on higher-end versions of the truck.

We can also see side steps, covered badging, and some light camouflage. The latter could potentially be hiding a hood graphic as well as bedside decals.

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Additional changes are limited, but we can see a brand-new grille with a prominent blue line. This echoes the F-150 Tremor, which has an orange grille accent. Spy photographers also noted the bright blue exterior appears to be new to the F-150 Lightning lineup.

Spy photographers didn’t get a good look inside, but the seats were covered. This could indicate they’ll have special embroidery, but that remains to be seen.

We’ll learn full details soon enough, but the current truck offers 98, 123, and 131 kWh battery packs. They’re paired to dual-motor all-wheel drive systems developing between 452 hp (337 kW / 458 PS) and 580 hp (433 kW / 588 PS).

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The Ford Bronco Raptor is one of the coolest off-roaders on the market and it’s powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with 418 hp (312 kW / 424 PS) and 440 lb-ft (596 Nm) of torque. While those are respectable numbers, they pale in comparison to the Jeep Wrangler 392, which has a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 pumping out 470 hp (350 kW / 476 PS) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm).

However, Ford could use the nuclear option and create an ungodly $300,000 off-road beast that draws inspiration from Dakar Rally racers. While the idea sounds crazy, the Mustang GTD appears to be a success and the automaker could replicate that idea in different ways.

More: Ford Boss Hints At New Raptor Supercar

Ford CEO Jim Farley disclosed the idea to Bloomberg’s Hot Pursuit! podcast as he said there’s “no Porsche of off-road and I’m shocked people don’t think about that.” While Porsche and their 911 Dakar may beg to differ, the executive said he’s very interested in that idea.

Farley went on to claim no one’s done an off-road supercar, despite the existence of the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato. However, he dismissed it as saying the car wouldn’t last on the Baja 500.

The executive went on to mention a 1,000 hp (746 kW / 1,014 PS) supercar that would be partially electric. Farley suggested the model would be fully adjustable and this would apply to suspension travel, damping, and ride height. He went on to specify it’s “not a pickup truck” and would be able to race off-road.

The Blue Oval boss went on to suggest it would be a high-speed supercar for gravel, sand, and dirt but not rock crawling. Farley said he’s talking to his team about such a vehicle and isn’t sure if it should be a two- or four-seater.

While nothing has been decided, the executive said he’s “thinking really deeply about it” and “that usually turns into something.” He went on to suggest there’s too much sameness with modern supercars and this could be a way to shake things up.

Not A Brand For Posers

Besides talking about a possible off-road supercar, Farley said Ford’s a “weird brand” as they have no problem selling affordable vehicles as well as 5,000 F-150 Raptor R’s at $120,000. In the case of the ultra-expensive Mustang GTD, he suggested the brand can do this because they have “motorsports history” and that gives them permission to do things other automakers can’t.

Speaking of the GTD, the executive said they “don’t want posers” or people who will just keep it in their car collection. More refreshingly, he said ‘Let’s not screw the people that bought these expensive cars’ by building too many or allowing flippers to take over the market. As he explained, if people love the car and don’t end up losing money on it, they’ll likely be willing to buy the next special vehicle from Ford. We’ve already seen this play out as there have been repeat Ford GT buyers as well as GT buyers who have purchased a Mustang GTD.

According to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index Automobile Study, Americans are becoming less satisfied with their vehicles. The overall satisfaction index dropped one point this year to 79.

Mainstream brands held steady at 79, while luxury brands slipped a point as they fell to 80. The biggest drop came from smaller brands, which are grouped into an “others” category, as they plunged 9% to 74.

More: New Car Owners Overwhelmed By Modern Technology

Jumping into specifics, Subaru was deemed the most satisfying brand with a score of 85. It was followed by Mazda and Toyota in second with 82, while Buick, GMC, and Honda tied for third at 81.

Stellantis had a dismal showing as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram all fell. In fact, all four brands found themselves at the bottom of the list with Chrysler and Ram tied for dead last at 69.

2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index For Mainstream Brands

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Interestingly, satisfaction with most vehicle related components and experiences was largely unchanged. However, there were drops related to technology and safety. The latest study also introduced two new categories – expected future resale or trade-in value and driving distance on a full charge or full tank of gas – and consumers weren’t exactly thrilled with either, especially for EVs.

On the luxury side of the equation, Lexus was top dog with a score of 87. They were followed by Mercedes (82) as well as Cadillac and Tesla, which tied for third at 81. BMW finished last with a score of 75 and they dropped four points from 2024.

2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index For Luxury Brands

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Luxury buyers were less satisfied with a number of things including driving performance, exteriors, interiors, and technology. There were also drops in safety and dependability.

Aside from the mainstream versus luxury divide, people were less satisfied with hybrids and EVs. Hybrids fell two points to 80, while electric vehicles dropped four points to fall to 73. This stands in contrast to gas-powered models, which held steady with a satisfaction index of 80.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index noted that with 22% of borrowers opting for 84-month loans, there will likely be an increased emphasis on reliability and dependability as consumers are holding onto their vehicles for longer. Ram spotted this shift awhile ago and they recently launched a new 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.

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Long-wheelbase vehicles are popular in China and Tesla has finally hopped on the bandwagon with the Model Y L. It’s a six-seat crossover geared towards growing families.

Jumping right into the numbers, the electric crossover measures 195.9 inches (4,976 mm) long, 83.8 inches (2,129 mm) wide, and 65.7 inches (1,668 mm) tall. This means the Model Y L is 7 inches (179 mm) longer than the regular model and is 1.7 inches (44 mm) taller.

More: 2025 Tesla Model Y Debuts With Cybercab Looks And Turn Signal Stalks

Despite being significantly larger, the vehicle is instantly recognizable as a Model Y. However, the long-wheelbase variant is distinguished by a revised greenhouse, longer rear doors, and unique 19-inch wheels. It also has a more pronounced rear spoiler.

The updates continue inside as the 15.4-inch infotainment system has been replaced by a larger 16-inch display. More notably, there are second-row captain’s chairs that have heating and ventilation as well as power-folding armrests and a power-folding seat function.

The heated third-row seat looks a little tight, but it folds flat at the push of a button. We can also see rear air vents and cup holders.

If cargo is more important than people, you’ll find 89.7 cubic feet (2,539 liters) of storage space. That’s 14.2 cubic feet (401 liters) more than the regular Model Y.

Other notable highlights include a panoramic glass roof and acoustic glass to keep the cabin hushed. They’re joined by an 18-speaker audio system and an 8-inch rear display.

Tesla only revealed a handful of powertrain details, but confirmed the Model Y L has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system and a CLTC range of 467 miles (751 km). The crossover can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds slower than its smaller sibling.

Given the larger dimensions, it’s not surprising to learn the crossover gains 212 lbs (96 kg) of weight to tip the scales at 4,603 lbs (2,088 kg). To cope with the increased mass, the Model Y L has an “upgraded suspension” that “allows for smooth and precise vehicle control in corners and on various terrains.”

The long versions starts at ¥339,000 ($47,199), which is only ¥25,500 ($3,550) more than the all-wheel drive Model Y. Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Prevention come standard, while two driver assistance packages give you more advanced options.

Electric vehicles are often billed as an eco-friendly solution to the world’s problems, but it appears they’re hiding a dirty secret. In this case, it’s high levels of particulates near EV charging stations.

The surprising finding was discovered by researchers from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, who took readings at 50 DC fast charging stations and compared them to other sites. They were interested in potentially dangerous air particles known as PM2.5, which are about 30 times smaller than a human hair.

More: EVs Pollute 30% Less Than ICE Over Lifetime, But Only After 56K Miles

In Los Angeles, the study found the urban background PM2.5 concentration is 7 to 8 micrograms per cubic meter and that increases to around 10 to 11 on freeways or at busy intersections. Gas stations clocked in at around 12 micrograms per cubic meter, while fast chargers averaged 15 and peaked as high as 200.

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Researchers noted the highest levels were found at the chargers’ power cabinets, but concentrations dropped “quite a bit” just a few meters away. They added that “a few hundred meters away, there’s no noticeable difference compared to background levels of pollution.”

Dr. Yuan Yao said, “Our findings suggest that these tiny particles likely come from particle resuspension around the DCFC’s power cabinets.” She went on to explain the cabinets convert electricity from the grid into the direct current needed to charge electric vehicles, and they also contain fans to prevent them from overheating. It’s believed these fans are stirring up dust and particles, making air around charging stations ‘dirty.’

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Dr. Michael Jerrett explained the dangers as he said, “These particles are so small, they can travel deep into your lungs and even enter your bloodstream – potentially leading to serious problems like heart or lung disease.” Unsurprisingly, those with pre-existing conditions or heightened sensitivity are at higher risk of suffering health issues related to fine particle exposure.

Despite the risks, UCLA environmental health professor Yifang Zhu said “EVs remain a vast improvement over combustion vehicles, and our own studies show that transportation electrification cleans the air for everyone.” She went on to suggest the charger emissions could be addressed by adding air filters to the power cabinets.

In the meantime, researchers suggest that EV drivers remain inside their vehicle with the climate control system running, while it charges. As an alternative, they can leave the area to get to cleaner air.

H/T to Bloomberg

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Chevrolet has trotted out a handful of Corvette concepts over the past few months and that continues today with the new CX and CX.R Vision Gran Turismo. They’re futuristic supercars that were created by the Chevrolet Performance Studio in Warren, Michigan.

Interestingly, Chevrolet emphasized that while the CX and CX.R are not bound for production, “the pair will serve as inspiration to inform Corvette design language for years to come“.

Unveiled at The Quail, the CX embraces “quintessential Corvette hallmarks” while pushing the car into radical new territory. It features an evolutionary front fascia with aggressive intakes and slender lighting units. They’re joined by sleek bodywork and pronounced wheel arches, which stand out as the car is less than 41 inches (1041 mm) tall.

More: New Corvette Concept Pushes C9 Into Radical New Territory Without A V8

Aerodynamics played a big role in the design and there are a couple of active components including the front diffuser and rear wing. Chevrolet also took a cue from the McMurtry Spéirling as the concept has built-in fans that “draw air through the open-channel bodywork, generating massive downforce and adjusting the airflow over the rear diffuser to refine aerodynamic balance in real-time.”

The jet-like canopy opens forward to reveal a minimalist cabin with Inferno Red sports seats wrapped in premium silicone leather. We can also see milled aluminum components and forged carbon fiber accents.

On the technology front, the Corvette CX has a motorsport-inspired steering wheel with an integrated display. Chevrolet said it’s used to operate all major controls and keep the driver’s focus on the road ahead. Aiding in this is a ‘digital windscreen,’ which apparently acts as a massive heads-up display.

Since we’re in fantasy land, Chevrolet said the car features four electric motors that generate a combined output in excess of 2,000 hp (1,491 kW / 2,028 PS). They’re powered by a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery and give the concept four-wheel torque vectoring.

Corvette CX.R Vision Gran Turismo

The Corvette CX.R Vision Gran Turismo follows in the footsteps of the standard CX, but was designed for racing. As a result, it wears a black and yellow livery as well as a more extreme aero package.

The changes immediately stand out as we can see a larger front splitter, revised intakes, and sportier side skirts. They’re joined by a fixed rear wing and a ventilated engine cover.

Drivers will find a lightweight carbon fiber dashboard and purpose-built seats wrapped in suede. The cabin also has a revamped steering wheel and yellow accents.

Chevrolet envisions the race car would use a twin-turbo 2.0-liter V8 engine that runs on e-fuel and produces 900 hp (671 kW / 913 PS). It’s connected to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which sends power to the rear wheels.

The car has also been outfitted with three electric motors as there’s one for each front wheel as well as a third in the aforementioned gearbox. The company said this would provide “instant torque” as well as a combined output of 2,000 hp (1,491 kW / 2,028 PS).

Both cars will come to Gran Turismo 7 later this month as Chevrolet worked with Polyphony Digital to incorporate them into the iconic racing game.

New vehicles come with a bit of a learning curve and that’s especially true of EVs. This applies not only to owners, but also to people and companies that service them.

Unfortunately with anything ‘new,’ costs tend to be high – at least initially. That’s particularly true when it comes to electric vehicle repairs, but prices are starting to fall.

More: EV Crash Claims Jump 38%, And Repairs Are Pricier Than Ever

According to the German Insurance Association (GDV), comprehensive insurance claims for electric vehicles were 20-25% higher than those for comparable combustion models last year. However, the average claim has now dropped to 15-20% higher than ICE-powered models.

The Deputy General Director for the GDV said, “The more electric cars there are on the road, the less their claims differ from comparable cars with combustion engines.” Anja Käfer-Rohrbach went on to explain, “A broader model range reaches a larger customer base, and workshops, towing companies, fire departments, and appraisers now have more experience with damaged electric cars.”

She said these developments are helping to drive down repair costs as EVs are becoming the “new normal.” It’s also worth noting the latest study period was from 2021-2023, so EVs are far more common today.

On that note, the GDV said there were approximately 1.65 million electric vehicles registered in Germany at the beginning of the year. That’s a fivefold increase from 2021 and EVs currently account for 3.3% of all vehicles registered in the country.

While a number of companies are focused on robotaxis, Tensor has unveiled the first “fully autonomous L4 robocar that you can own.” That’s a bold claim from a company that can’t seem to cobble together a proper press kit, so forgive us if we’re a little hesitant to hand over the keys to our survival.

From the hodgepodge of information that the company released, we can see their robocar is actually a “luxury crossover SUV” that looks like a bloated Toyota Prius. It features an awkward-looking front end with sensors and SignalScreens. The latter are used to communicate with other road users via CarMoji.

More: GM Doubling Down On Autonomous Driving Efforts

Moving further back, we can see streamlined bodywork, aerodynamic wheels, and digital side mirrors that help the model to have a drag coefficient of 0.253. The robocar also sports double-laminated glass as well as rear coach doors for easy entry and egress. Speaking of the doors, they have PalmRead technology that allows people to access the vehicle without keys or their phone.

In terms of size, the robocar measures 217.5 inches (5,525 mm) long, 89 inches (2,261 mm) wide, and 78.3 inches (1,989 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 124 inches (3,150 mm). This means the model is significantly larger than other electric crossover such as the Cadillac Vistiq and Tesla Model X.

A Transforming Cabin

The interior looks basic, but it’s notable for having retractable pedals and a retractable steering wheel. When the latter is tucked into the dash, a display slides over so it’s in front of the ‘driver.’

Speaking of screens, there’s a front passenger display as well as a dual-screen rear entertainment system. Tensor also said the model comes nicely equipped with a heated steering wheel as well as heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. Other highlights include suede and fabric upholstery, a 128-color ambient lighting system, and dual wireless smartphone chargers.

While the interior is pretty bland, the company claims the model is the “world’s first AI agentic car” and goes “far beyond a basic voice assistant.” In particular, they said an “AI agent continuously processes data from in-cabin cameras, microphones, and other sensors.” The company claims this will enable owners to say something along the lines of “Pick up Mom from her house and bring her here” or “Drop me off at the airport and then return home.”

Despite all the monitoring equipment, Tensor said they’re focused on privacy and all data is processed and stored locally. However, they noted “users can access their data via the end-to-end encrypted smartphone app” and, let’s face it, anything connected to the internet isn’t 100% safe. On the bright side, if you’re concerned about privacy and security, there are physical camera covers and microphone off switches.

Electric And Autonomous

Powertrain details are sparse as the company said the model is an EV with a 112 kWh battery pack. When the battery is low, it can go from a 20% to 80% charge in as little as 10 minutes. Tensor also mentioned the crossover has four-wheel steering and an air suspension.

The real star is the Level 4 autonomous driving technology that allows the vehicle to “operate entirely without driver input under defined conditions.” This is enabled by over 100 sensors including 37 cameras, 5 lidars, 11 radars, 22 microphones, 10 ultrasonic sensors, 3 IMUs, GNSS, 16 collision detectors, 8 water-level detectors, 4 tire-pressure sensors, and 1 smoke detector.

Of course, if you prefer to drive yourself, you can still take the wheel and operate it like any other car.

Since the robocar is designed for normal people who won’t spend time prepping it for every journey, Tensor had to develop a way to protect and clean the various sensors. As a result, there’s an intelligent cleaning system with dedicated wipers and nozzles as well as protective sensor covers that deploy when the vehicle is not in use. The car also has self-diagnosis to ensure everything is in working order.

The sensors feed data to an onboard supercomputer with 8,000 TOPs. There’s also a “dual-system AI” that “mirrors human cognition.” The company said, “System 1 delivers fast, reflexive responses through imitation learning from expert drivers, while System 2 uses a sophisticated multimodal Visual Language Model to reason through rare and complex edge cases.” The end result is supposedly confident navigation even in rain or fog.

Tensor went on to say their “advanced electrical and electronic architecture delivers full-stack redundancy – across power, communications, and control – ensuring fail-operational performance in any scenario.”

Could Arrive As Early As Next Year

While a number of questions remain, the company has partnered with VinFast, who will build the robocar at their Hai Phong factory in Vietnam. If everything goes according to plan, the first deliveries will occur in the second half of 2026 and the model will be offered in Europe, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.

Lastly, the company has partnered with Marsh to offer the “world’s first insurance policy for robocars.” This promises to deliver cheap rates as “data shows that L4 autonomous vehicles are safer, and your insurance premiums should reflect that.”

Chevrolet recently kicked off the teaser campaign for the 2027 Bolt and now spy photographers have caught the model completely undisguised. However, there isn’t much to get excited about as it’s essentially a facelifted version of the previous Bolt EUV.

The model is instantly recognizable, but adopts a new front fascia with an X-like accent. The intake has also been updated as it trades horizontal lines for a more stylish honeycomb mesh pattern. Furthermore, the lighting units receive subtle tweaks, while there’s a less pronounced nose with a small bowtie logo.

More: GM Brings Back America’s Cheapest EV With A Few New Tricks

The profile appears straight out of 2022, but we wouldn’t be surprised if there are small changes. This could include new wheels and lightly revised cladding.

The prototype was spied testing alongside the Bolt EUV and this allows for an easy rear end comparison. The liftgate and spoiler appear to carryover, but there are new taillights with a more eye-catching appearance. They’re joined by a classier bumper, which features additional paint and slimmer reflectors. We can also see a thin section that appears to have a black geometric pattern.

Chevrolet hasn’t said much about the model, which originally went out of production in December of 2023. However, they recently confirmed it will have a NACS charging port and “some other cool stuff.”

The Bolt will ride on the BEV2 platform and feature lithium iron phosphate batteries that are initially sourced from CATL. This has been billed as a “two-year stopgap” measure until US production ramps up.

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We’ll learn more in the coming months, but the 2023 Bolt EUV had a 65 kWh battery pack that powered a front-mounted motor developing 200 hp (149 kW / 203 PS) and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm) of torque. This setup enabled the model to have an EPA-estimated range of 247 miles (398 km).

Chevrolet has said the Bolt will become their most affordable electric vehicle and this means it will slot beneath the popular Equinox EV. The crossover starts at $33,600 before a $1,395 destination fee.

Earlier this year, the Federal Highway Administration effectively paused the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. At the time, state transportation directors were told the Trump administration had “decided to review the policies underlying the implementation of the NEVI” program and its guidance would be updated to better align with their latest priorities.

Many people feared that would mean disastrous things for the $5 billion program, which was part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. However, the Trump administration is now reluctantly moving ahead with plans to support electric vehicle charging.

More: Trump Administration Hits Pause On EV Charger Funding

The Department of Transportation unveiled revised guidance for the program, which they claimed will “streamline applications, provide states with more flexibility, and slash red tape left by the Biden-Buttigieg Administration.” The Trump administration went on to claim their predecessors “wasted time, money, and public trust in implementing the program.”

Fewer requirements, more flexibility

Political mudslinging aside, the government said the changes minimize the content necessary in state plans, while also simplifying their approval process. States can also expect more flexibility to determine the appropriate distance between charging stations.

DOE DC fast charger map

While it’s hard to argue with those updates, the government also noted the changes eliminate “requirements for states to address consumer protections, emergency evacuation plans, environmental siting, resilience and terrain considerations.”

This sounds like a terrible idea as a lack of charging stations on emergency evacuation routes could be a matter of life or death. However, the government said states “should … address emergency and evacuation needs, snow removal and seasonal needs, and ways for EV charging to support those needs.”

A quick deadline ahead

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, “While I don’t agree with subsidizing green energy, we will respect Congress’ will and make sure this program uses federal resources efficiently.” He added, “Our revised NEVI guidance slashes red tape and makes it easier for states to efficiently build out this infrastructure.”

With the updated guidance released, the clock starts ticking as the government said states should submit their EV Infrastructure Deployment Plans within 30 days. That’s a quick turnaround and one that could prove bumpy.

Lucid will use Monterey Car Week to introduce a new concept that is based on the Gravity Grand Touring. The company isn’t saying much at this point, but implied it’s an off-road focus model designed for “electric exploration.”

While the automaker is staying tight-lipped, they released a handful of teaser images that appear to show chunky side skirts and gloss black wheels. We can also get a glimpse of a roof rack that features integrated auxiliary lights.

More: Lucid Gravity SUV Finally Goes Into Production

The mysterious concept will be unveiled on August 14, before making a public debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on the 17. Little else is known about the model at this point, but the Gravity Grand Touring starts at $94,900 and features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 828 hp (617 kW / 840 PS). It enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.4 seconds and travel up to 450 miles (724 km) on a single charge.

Besides eye-popping numbers, the crossover has LED lighting units, a frunk, and a power liftgate. They’re joined by staggered wheels that measure 20 inches front and 21 inches rear.

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The standard five-seat interior sports PurLuxe upholstery as well as heating and 12-way power adjustment up front. Buyers will also find a 34-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment system as well as a 12.6-inch lower display. Other niceties include a ten-speaker audio system, a wireless smartphone charger, and an ambient lighting system.

Besides showcasing the concept, Lucid will offer demonstration drives of the Air and Gravity to the public. Attendees can also visit their booth to learn more about the vehicles as well as enjoy wellness drinks, a “cryo-fueled refresh,” and a “scent journey inspired by California’s iconic terrains.”

When Chevrolet announced plans to phase out their sixth-generation muscle car, they were adamant it was “not the end of [the] Camaro’s story.” We’ve heard quite a few rumors since then and the latest is claiming the model could return in the fall of 2026 as a Ford Mustang Mach-E competitor.

This stands in stark contrast to a recent report indicating Chevrolet is working on a sporty sedan, which could debut in 2028 to challenge the Dodge Charger. It’s believed that model would effectively replace both the Camaro and Malibu, and feature a hybrid powertrain.

More: Chevy’s Biggest Surprise Might Wear A Classic Name And Look Nothing Like The Original

While everything should be taken with a grain of salt, MotorTrend is reporting the Camaro crossover will ride on the Ultium platform and likely raid the GM parts bin. As a result, the model could be offered with 85- and 102 kWh battery packs sourced from the Blazer EV.

The crossover could also use familiar electric motors as the rear-wheel drive variant may have one producing 365 hp (272 kW / 370 PS) and 325 lb-ft (440 Nm) of torque. The all-wheel drive model could also mimic the Blazer EV by offering 300 hp (224 kW / 304 PS) and 355 lb-ft (481 Nm).

An SS variant is also rumored and it would presumably share its powertrain with the Blazer EV SS. That means we could be looking at a combined output of 615 hp (459 kW / 623 PS) and 650 lb-ft (880 Nm) of torque.

More interestingly, the report suggests the Camaro ZL1 could return with a tri-motor powertrain sourced from the GMC Hummer EV lineup. This could result in a mind-blowing crossover as the professional grade model offers outputs of 830 hp (619 kW / 842 PS) and 1,160 hp (865 kW / 1,176 PS).

Mercedes teased the redesigned GLA nearly two years ago and now spy photographers have snapped the first pictures of the entry-level crossover. Spotted in the distance, the model will usher in some big changes including a fully electric variant.

Dressed in heavy camouflage, the prototype appears to sport a fully enclosed grille that is flanked by angular headlights. We can also get a glimpse of slender air intakes and a more expressive front bumper.

More: New Mercedes GLB Spied With A Wild Tail Light Design

Continuing further back, the model has pronounced fender flares and streamlined bodywork that’s edgy and taut. Designers also gave the crossover flush-mounted door handles, an angular beltline, and a more dramatic greenhouse.

The rear end has been completely revamped and looks far more interesting. It has a sculpted liftgate with an angular rear window and a wraparound spoiler. They’re accompanied by bold taillights that incorporate a star motif. The bumper looks a little plain by comparison, but it sports a new license plate recess as well as a lack of exhaust cut outs.

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The interior appears to be camouflaged, but it will likely follow in the footsteps of the CLA. This means we can expect a minimalist design focused on screens. The latter should include a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a 14-inch front passenger display. They’ll run the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System and have artificial intelligence from both Microsoft and Google.

Powertrains should also echo the CLA and this means we can expect an EV with a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 349 hp (260 kW / 354 PS) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque. It should also have an 85 kWh battery pack and a DC fast charging capability of up to 320 kW.

The MMA-based crossover should also have a hybrid powertrain that consists of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, a 1.3 kWh battery, and an electric motor that is integrated into an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. A plug-in hybrid variant is also expected, meaning customers won’t have any shortage of options.

In 2024, Jeep launched the Wrangler 392 Final Edition as a last Hemi hurrah. Unfortunately for buyers, it wasn’t so final as the model returned for 2025 due to “popular demand.”

Fast forward to today and Jeep is changing their tune entirely. Speaking at a media event in Detroit, CEO Bob Broderdorf confirmed the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 isn’t going anywhere.

More: It’s Got A Hemi! 5.7-liter V8 Returns In 2026 Ram 1500

That’s great news for Wrangler fans as the almighty V8 pumps out 470 hp (350 kW / 476 PS) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque. This enables the SUV to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.5 seconds and run the quarter mile in 13 seconds flat.

While it’s nice to see the engine sticking around, Broderdorf confirmed additional V8 models are on the horizon. With the return of SRT, this has us hopeful for a new Grand Cherokee SRT8 or Trackhawk. It’s also not hard to imagine the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 returning to the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L.

Only time will tell what happens, but Broderdorf said other powertrains are in the works. We got a glimpse of one earlier today as the teaser image for the 2026 Grand Wagoneer suggested it will have a range-extended powertrain. The company has also previously confirmed plans for a hybrid Cherokee and a plug-in hybrid Gladiator 4xe.

Broderdorf said powertrains are the “heart and soul” of vehicles, so the new options should get customers excited. He also believes they’ll open up new opportunities for the brand as well as usher in new buyers. We’ve already seen this play out as the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe quickly established themselves as some of the most popular plug-in hybrids in America.

Wrangler And Gladiator Will Get More Options

Besides talking about powertrains, Broderdorf told us the Wrangler and Gladiator will offer more personalization and customization in the future. We can also expect additional options including larger tire sizes.

The exact specifics remain to be seen, but the executive suggested buyers will be able to order uniquely colored components such as fender flares. This will enable Jeep to tap even deeper into the highly profitable market for customization.

During a media briefing in Detroit, Jeep officials revealed four new models are coming in the next four months. This includes the redesigned Cherokee, the facelifted Grand Cherokee, and the all-new Recon. While we’ve already seen those vehicles before, Jeep has now released the first picture of the 2026 Grand Wagoneer.

Set to arrive this fall, the full-size SUV adopts an all-new front fascia that draws inspiration from the Wagoneer S. It features a minimalist seven-slot grille with an integrated LED light bar. They’re flanked by slimmer headlights that have horizontal daytime running lights.

More: Jeep Launches A $76,535 SUV For Value-Conscious Consumers

The changes continue below with an edgier bumper, which has a larger air intake with linear accents. They’re accompanied by new lights that give off a bit of a Volvo vibe.

Eagle-eyed observers will also notice a charging port on the front fender, indicating this is likely the Grand Wagoneer 4xe. The range-extended variant was announced over a year ago and it’s expected to use the same powertrain as the Ram 1500 Ramcharger.

This means we can look forward to a 3.6-liter V6 engine, a dual-motor all-wheel drive system, and a roughly 92 kWh battery pack. This setup gives the truck 663 hp (494 kW / 672 PS) and 615 lb-ft (833 Nm) of torque as well as a range of up to 690 miles (1,110 km).

If you’re not ready to embrace electrification, there should be a familiar twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six. It currently develops 540 hp (403 kW / 548 PS) and 521 lb-ft (706 Nm) of torque.

While the Grand Wagoneer got off to a less than stellar start, Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf sounded upbeat on the future of their full-size SUVs. He also revealed the standard Wagoneer will follow shortly after the flagship and implied there could be greater differentiation between the two models. That remains to be seen, but it would be nice if the Grand Wagoneer didn’t look virtually identical to the mainstream variant.

Following months of rumors, General Motors and Hyundai have officially announced plans for five co-developed vehicles. However, many of them are destined for Central and South America.

The companies were tight-lipped on specifics, but confirm plans for a compact car, a compact crossover, and a compact truck. There will also be a mid-size pickup, whose development will be led by GM. Hyundai will take the lead for the remaining vehicles and all of them will have the “flexibility to use either internal combustion or hybrid propulsion systems.”

More: GM And Hyundai Want To Make Cars Together, Sign Agreement To Explore Opportunities

The only model for North America is an electric commercial van. Rumors have suggested GM could get a version of the Hyundai ST1 or Kia PV5 to serve as a successor to the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana.

If everything goes according to plan, the companies could sell more than 800,000 co-developed vehicles annually. The automakers added that while the vehicles will have a lot in common, each version will have “unique interiors and exteriors consistent with their respective brands.”

Design and development is already underway, and models built for Central and South America will be launched in 2028. The commercial van could arrive as early as 2028 and will be built in America.

Aside from new models, the companies are planning “joint sourcing initiatives in North and South America for materials, transport, and logistics.” They’re also eyeing other areas of collaboration including on raw materials, components, low-carbon emissions steel, and “complex systems.”

Hyundai CEO José Muñoz said the “strategic collaboration with GM will help us continue to deliver value and choice to our customers across multiple vehicle segments and markets. Our combined scale in North and South America helps us to more efficiently provide our customers more of what they want – beautifully designed, high-quality, safety focused vehicles with technology they appreciate.”

Those sentiments were echoed by GM senior vice president Shilpan Amin, who said “By partnering together, GM and Hyundai will bring more choice to our customers faster, and at lower cost. These first co-developed vehicles clearly demonstrate how GM and Hyundai will leverage our complementary strengths and combined scale.”

In a glorified blog post, Amin said the commercial van will be a “smaller sibling” to the Chevrolet BrightDrop EVs. He added the partnership makes a lot of sense as the companies can reduce costs, streamline manufacturing, and launch new vehicles faster by teaming up.

Amin went on to say the collaboration will enable GM to broaden their lineup. This is a not so subtle hint that going alone on an electric commercial van wouldn’t make much sense, especially after BrightDrop’s dismal failure.

Of course, GM is no stranger to van collaborations as the company used to offer the Chevrolet City Express. It was a rebadged Nissan NV200, which saw lackluster demand and was discontinued in 2018.

The Lucid Air Grand Touring recently traveled 748.8 miles (1,205 km) to set a new Guinness World Records title for the “longest journey by an electric car on a single charge.” Now, less than a month later, Chevrolet has blown past that by traveling a whopping 1,059.2 miles (1,704.6 km) on a single charge.

The feat was set using a 2026 Silverado EV Max Range Work Truck, which has an EPA-estimated range of up to 493 miles (793 km). However, this wasn’t a one and done thing as the company acknowledged the team drove the truck on public roads in “one-hour shifts.”

More: Chevy’s Electric Truck Just Got A Major Off-Road Boost

That isn’t the only caveat as “drivers were advised to maintain an average speed of 20-25 mph and to minimize any hard braking or quick accelerating.” The spare tire was also removed to lighten the vehicle, while the wheel alignment was optimized and an accessory tonneau cover was added for smoother airflow. The team also kept the climate control system off, which isn’t exactly a realistic thing to ask owners to do in summer.

This means that while the distance is impressive, it’s not as fantastic as it sounds. It also seems far less remarkable than the Air’s record, which saw the car travel between St. Moritz and Munich using a mix of alpine passes, highways, and secondary roads.

Chevrolet Equinox EV Hits New Sales Record

In other news, GM said they hit a new record for electric vehicle sales in July. Americans bought more than 19,000 GM EVs last month and that’s up 115% from a year ago.

The affordable Equinox EV was responsible for nearly half of all sales as consumers snapped up more than 8,500 units. While the automaker didn’t release hard numbers, they said the crossover had the best ever monthly sales for a non-Tesla EV in the United States.

GM went on to say “Industry-wide EV demand is surging, boosted in part by the upcoming expiration of the U.S. federal consumer tax credit program.” Of course, once the credit expires, EV sales could dry up like a Texas creek in July.

This month marks the third anniversary of the first GV90 spy photos, but the wait is almost over. That’s clear from the latest batch of pictures, which reveal a modestly camouflaged prototype with coach doors.

Caught undergoing testing in Europe, the brand’s flagship crossover follows in the footsteps of the Neolun concept and features a triangular grille with split lighting units. They’re joined by a sizable lower intake, which is divided into two different sections each sporting a unique diamond mesh pattern.

More: Genesis’ New Flagship Looks Like A Giant Minivan

The profile closely echoes the original concept, but the road-going model sports traditional mirrors and flush-mounted door handles. The latter are placed front to back, just like a Rolls-Royce.

Other notable highlights include a pronounced shoulder line, bright window trim, and a rear-mounted charging port. It’s also worth mentioning the visible part of the third-quarter glass is significantly smaller than the window itself.

shproshots

Out back, there’s a large liftgate with a rectangular window. They’re accompanied by split taillights and a bumper with a large recess.

While the exterior looks a little dull, the interior aims to be a luxurious oasis. Previous spy photos have shown an elegant second-row with captain’s chairs separated by a large center console. The latter appears to house a wireless smartphone charger as well as an integrated tablet.

Baldauf

We can also expect a minimalist cockpit that eschews a traditional instrument cluster. Instead, there will be a large center-mounted display that mimics Tesla’s setup.

Genesis has been tight-lipped about the crossover, but it’s rumored to ride on the new eM platform. It’s expected to be an evolution of the existing E-GMP architecture, and this means the GV90 should be more advanced than the similar Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9.

The latter features a 110.3 kWh battery pack as well as a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing up to 422 hp (315 kW / 429 PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque. With that powertrain, the model has a range of 311 miles (501 km).

shproshots

Audi is gearing up to preview the TT successor at the Munich Motor Show, but Volkswagen was working on an electric sports car concept of their own years ago. It drew inspiration from the 1970’s SP2 and would have been a member of the ID. family.

Quietly revealed by Volkswagen’s Stepan Rehak as part of a Blast from the Past series, the sketch was created in 2017 and features a retro-futuristic design that “pays tribute to Giugiaro’s iconic style: clean surfaces, strong proportions, and bold graphics.” It was envisioned to ride on the MEB platform and would have undoubtedly been an eye-catching addition to the lineup.

More: VW Shows Near-Production Prototype Of The Axed Second-Gen Phaeton

While Rehak didn’t say much about the car, it features an SP2-inspired front end with a small Volkswagen emblem that is flanked by slender headlights. The model also sports angular bodywork, which is contrasted by circular wheel arches.

Other notable highlights include aerodynamically optimized wheels and a sporty greenhouse. They’re accompanied by flush-mounted door handles, minimalist mirrors, and a wraparound rear light bar.

The SP2 isn’t widely known, but the sports car was created by Volkswagen do Brasil and launched in 1972. It featured a 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine that reportedly developed 64 hp (48 kW / 65 PS) and 89 lb-ft (121 Nm) of torque. It was paired to a four-speed manual, which allegedly resulted in a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 15 seconds flat.

Image credits: VW & Stepan Rehak | H/T to Motor1

Maserati’s lineup is a bit of a mess as the brand discontinued key models such as the Ghibli, Levante, and Quattroporte. This has left them with the overpriced Grecale and an assortment of sports cars.

That wasn’t supposed to be the case as Maserati was working on a new Quattroporte. However, development was reportedly halted in 2023. The model was then postponed, before Stellantis scrapped a huge investment in the firm, putting its future in further doubt.

More: Stellantis Pulls The Plug On Maserati’s Future After Cancelling $1.6B Investment

Hope might not be lost as a new report suggests Maserati could raid the Alfa Romeo parts bin and cobble something together. In particular, the redesigned Giulia and Stelvio could serve as the basis for the next-generation Quattroporte and Levante.

Speaking with Autocar, Alfa Romeo and Maserati CEO Santo Ficili said they’re pushing for “synergies” between the two brands and this could make their vehicles more closely related. This suggests the upcoming Quattroporte and Levante could be based on the STLA Large platform, which also underpins an assortment of other models including the Dodge Charger and Jeep Wagoneer S.

While the next Quattroporte was originally slated to be electric-only, Maserati now appears to believe that would be a mistake. As Ficili explained, “We need to talk with our customers, because they are a bit confused at this time” with so many options including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery electric vehicles.

He went on to say going electric-only is a “question of timing,” but they’re not ready yet. As a result, he said “we need to consider MHEV and PHEV engines, depending on the development of the technology we want to follow.”

This could make the Giulia and Stelvio a prime base for future models as they’re slated to be offered with gas, plug-in hybrid, and electric options. The benefits wouldn’t end there as relying on Alfa Romeo and the STLA Large platform would speed development, while also cutting costs.

However, there are risks to this strategy as Alfa Romeo and Maserati models could become too similar. Alfa is no stranger to this as the Tonale is virtually identical to the Dodge Hornet.

That being said, Ficili acknowledged the need to keep Alfa Romeo and Maserati “separated.” However, he believes they can share a lot including “platforms, electronic architectures, software and probably powertrains.”