- Today in Cars
- Posts
- Ram Roll-away, Land Cruiser Returns, Should Porsche Cancel EV?
Ram Roll-away, Land Cruiser Returns, Should Porsche Cancel EV?
PLUS: Hammond's back, LFA service secrets, Hemi demand soars
2025-07-08
🚙
Releases & Reviews
MotorTrend begins a year-long test of the new Land Cruiser, which now features a 326 hp (243 kW) hybrid I-4 powertrain delivering an impressive 23 mpg (10 L/100km) combined. Their fully-optioned model costs $70,559 and will be tested extensively over the next 12 months.
Porsche is celebrating the Porsche Club of America's 70th anniversary with a limited-edition 911 Club Coupe based on the Carrera T. Limited to just 70 units for PCA members, it features a 388 horsepower (289 kW) engine, exclusive Sholar Blue paint, and a unique tartan interior option.
📈
Technology, Market Data & Analysis
The NHTSA is investigating nearly 1.2 million Ram trucks from model years 2013-2018 for a rollaway risk, even after a previous recall fix. The issue involves a potentially faulty brake transmission shift interlock on column-shifter models, which has already led to seven reported injuries.
The promising sub-$20,000 price for the Slate electric truck is no longer possible after the elimination of the federal EV tax credit. The startup now estimates a starting price in the "mid-twenties," positioning it against competitors like the Ford Maverick rather than as a market-disrupting bargain.
🛞
Car Culture
On Jay Leno's Garage, the host revisits three iconic SEMA builds created with GM's help, including his 1955 Buick and a '32 Ford with an LS7. The highlight is his 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado, now a rear-wheel-drive beast with a 1,000 horsepower (746 kW) twin-turbo V8.
McLaren P1 designer Frank Stephenson gives his take on the Lotus Evija, praising its bold, futuristic design and highly efficient aerodynamics featuring dramatic Venturi tunnels. While he finds the wheel design uninspired, Stephenson ultimately gives the innovative EV hypercar a "HOT" verdict for its execution.
🔧
Miscellaneous
A harrowing crash between a Porsche GT3 RS and a BMW M2 during a Nürburgring tourist session resulted in a massive fireball, but both drivers survived. Dashcam and CCTV footage sparked a debate over fault, highlighting the dangers of large speed differentials on the public track day.
This opinion piece argues that Porsche should cancel the all-electric 718, citing a lack of customer demand and significant development delays. The author contends that without the soul of its gas engine and with an expected high price, the EV will alienate enthusiasts.
🏁
Quick Links
Top Gear follows a Lexus technician through the surprisingly complex recommissioning of an LFA, revealing its unique double oil change procedure, hidden details, and the precision required to maintain this V10 supercar.
Richard Hammond returns to the Shelsley Walsh hillclimb to test an electric Porsche Cayenne prototype, towing a Land Rover and ultimately letting a pro driver set a new SUV record of 31.28 seconds.
Doug DeMuro reviews this subtle plug-in hybrid, highlighting its potent 455 horsepower (339 kW) twin-charged engine, Öhlins adjustable dampers, and surprising 36-mile (58 km) electric range, making it a powerful but understated performance SUV.
Demonstrating strong enthusiast appeal, Ram secured over 10,000 preorders for its 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 within 24 hours of its return, despite it being less powerful at 395 horsepower (295 kW) than the available Hurricane engine options.
Despite a significant price increase, this review finds the base 191 horsepower (142 kW) Maverick Hybrid remains a practical and cheerful truck, achieving an impressive 44 mpg (5 L/100km) in real-world testing, though its value proposition is now challenged.
The ultra-luxury EV features new ZF-developed Smart Chassis Sensors integrated directly into its ball joints, providing more detailed data for faster adjustments to the air suspension and adaptive headlights than traditional height sensors.
The upcoming Polestar 7 compact premium SUV, scheduled for a 2028 release, will be produced at a new Volvo factory in Košice, Slovakia, and will share its platform and technology with the future Volvo EX60.
In this classic head-to-head, the 2006 Evo IX MR's new 286-horsepower (213 kW) MIVEC engine faced the STI's revised center differential, with the Subaru ultimately winning for its more engaging and playful driving dynamics.
Kicking off a yearlong review, the Civic Hybrid excelled on a 3,000-mile (4,827 km) road trip with impressive driver-assist features and 38 mpg (6 L/100km) average fuel economy, though its small fuel tank was a noticeable limitation.
Reply