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Today’s Issue WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026
Ford drops the naturally aspirated V6 and the 2.7-liter EcoBoost for a new 3.0-liter EcoBoost. The new engine keeps 325 horsepower and 400 lb-ft, and the Coyote V8 returns to the Platinum and King Ranch for the first time since 2023. BlueCruise gains hands-free towing on mapped routes.
The Grand Sport's 6.7-liter LS6 V8 makes 535 horsepower and 520 lb-ft through an eight-speed dual-clutch. MotorTrend recorded 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds and 1.23 g of lateral grip on optional Michelin Cup 2 R tires. MotorTrend praises the front-end grip and pricing and lists poor visibility as a drawback.
GM's redesigned infotainment interface arrives on its trucks first and integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto after the company had floated dropping them from all its vehicles. Phone projection runs in a large card window beside native apps such as trailering and vehicle status rather than filling the screen.
Automotive News reports the first JLR-Stellantis product will be a Defender pickup developed for the US and built at a Stellantis plant. Imported Defenders face a 15% tariff, and North America made up nearly 30% of JLR's sales last year. Car and Driver says the truck is years from production.
Doug DeMuro imported a 2000 E55 AMG wagon, a body style never sold in North America, from the Netherlands. The 5.5-liter V8 makes about 355 horsepower, and a black third-row seat was retrofitted for his third child's ride home from the hospital. DeMuro values these wagons at about $20,000.
The base Lancer pairs a 152-horsepower 2.0-liter engine shared with the Dodge Caliber with an Aisin five-speed manual. It listed for about $14,000 new, and used examples now sell for around $5,000 with 30 mpg highway. David Tracy credits the shifter for the appeal and calls the car underrated.
An Electronic Frontier Foundation review of Flock camera search logs found thousands of police lookups with reasons entered as "LOL," "LMAO," or random keystrokes. A Kentucky officer once ran over 2,000 searches on an ex-girlfriend. Jason Torchinsky argues Flock's fix, a drop-down of offense types, hides frivolous searches further.
Replacing tires does not change suspension geometry, so an alignment is warranted only with evidence such as uneven wear, a pull to one side, or an off-center steering wheel. Motor1 says shops recommend it because the car is already in the bay, and advises asking for alignment measurements before agreeing.
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