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2025-07-09

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Releases & Reviews

2025 Toyota GR86 Hakone // Lean Mean Green Machine (13 minute watch)

Throttle House reviews the special edition GR86, which features a unique green paint and bronze wheels. While the 224 horsepower (167 kW), 2,800 pound (1270 kg) coupe remains a benchmark for affordable fun, the reviewers note its steering has become less engaging than previous versions.

The Pagani Huayra Codalunga Loses Its Roof and Adds a Manual (3 minute read)

Limited to just 10 units, this long-tail roadster pays homage to 1960s race cars. It features a Mercedes-AMG twin-turbo V-12 making 864 horsepower (644 kW) and 811 pound-feet (1100 Nm) of torque, now paired with either a seven-speed manual or sequential transmission.

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Technology, Market Data & Analysis

Porsche's sales fall globally in first half, China leads slump (1 minute read)

Porsche's global first-half sales dropped 6% to 146,391 vehicles, driven by a significant 28% decline in China due to market challenges. In contrast, North American sales grew 10%, credited to better product availability and price protection measures ahead of tariff increases.

Your Imported Dream Car Just Got More Expensive, And It’s Probably Going To Get Worse (15 minute read)

New U.S. tariff interpretations mean imported cars over 25 years old are now subject to a 10% reciprocal tariff, on top of the standard 2.5% duty. This analysis explains the confusing rules and warns that a potential 25% tariff on Japanese goods could soon escalate costs further.

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Car Culture

What to Watch at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and How to Watch it (5 minute read)

This guide highlights the must-see action at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, from new hypercar debuts to legendary race cars. The theme is “The Winning Formula,” featuring 28 championship-winning F1 cars and driving icons like Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, and Mario Andretti.

Blood Sports: 2005 Ford GT vs. 2005 Ferrari F430 (16 minute read)

MotorTrend revisits its iconic 2005 showdown between the 550 horsepower (410 kW) Ford GT and the Ferrari F430 on Ferrari's home turf. The GT excelled with its massive torque and comfortable ride, while the F430 delivered superior precision, handling, and a more special feel.

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Miscellaneous

Hertz AI Scanner Charges $350 for Tiny ‘Dings’ on Rental and This Is Going Off the Rails (5 minute read)

Hertz is facing criticism for using AI-powered scanners that automatically charge customers hundreds of dollars for minor, dime-sized dings considered normal wear and tear. Customers report that disputing the charges through the automated system to reach a human agent is nearly impossible.

Hyundai Might Ditch Buttons for a Massive Tesla-Style Screen. That's a Mistake (2 minute read)

Hyundai's new Pleos Connect system, set to debut in 2026, will consolidate most vehicle functions into a massive central touchscreen. Despite previous promises to retain physical controls, the new interface is expected to launch in the next-generation Elantra and Tucson with minimal buttons.

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Quick Links

This electric three-door EXP 15 with a dog bed is the future of Bentley – unless you hate it (6 minute read)

Bentley's EXP 15 concept explores a radical future with a high-riding silhouette, an asymmetrical three-door layout, and a three-seat interior that replaces the front passenger seat with a pampered pet bed.

2026 Rivian R1T Quad First Drive Review: When Too Much Is Just Enough (12 minute read)

The updated truck features new in-house motors producing a staggering 1,025 horsepower (765 kW) and 1,198 lb-ft (1624 Nm) of torque, enabling a 2.5-second 0–60 time and a new software-enabled "Kick Turn" off-road feature.

Zenvo's Quad-Turbo Supercar Is Nearly Here. This Is What It'll Look Like (2 minute read)

The road-going Tur variant of Zenvo's V12 hybrid hypercar boasts a quad-turbocharged 6.6-liter engine and three electric motors, combining for 1,850 horsepower (1379 kW) and a claimed top speed of 280 mph (451 km/h).

'Nobody Wants Manual Gearboxes Anymore:' Hyundai Thinks Manuals Could Go Extinct (3 minute read)

A Hyundai executive cited weakening demand, emissions regulations, and the complexity of modern driver aids as reasons for the manual's decline, pointing to the Elantra N's low 30 percent take rate as evidence.

Next-Gen BMW X5 Spied Hammering the Nürburgring With Full-Width Kidney Grille (2 minute read)

Prototypes of the upcoming model, spotted testing on the Nürburgring, feature a Neue Klasse-inspired nose and aggressively squat rear fenders, with only internal-combustion powertrains seen so far, suggesting the iX5 is further behind in development.

Ducati XDiavel Wants to Lure Harley Riders to Italian Superbikes (5 minute read)

Weighing 505 pounds (229 kg) dry, the sport cruiser combines a 168 horsepower (125 kW) V4 Granturismo engine with feet-forward controls, though its torque arrives at higher RPMs than on traditional American V-twins.

Buying My High School DREAM CAR (28 minute watch)

TheStraightPipes’ Yuri fulfills his high school dream by purchasing its spiritual successor: a 2006 Pontiac GTO with a 400 horsepower (298 kW), 400 lb-ft (542 Nm) LS2 V8 engine.

Wagon Party: 2025 BMW M5 Touring vs. Audi RS6 Avant Performance! (13 minute read)

While the Audi RS6 is lighter and stops shorter, the plug-in hybrid M5 Touring's 717 horsepower (535 kW) and superior driving dynamics on canyon roads earned it the win for being a better all-around high-performance luxury cruiser.