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- Final Focus ST, Crosstrek Hybrid Judged, Aston DBX S Roars
Final Focus ST, Crosstrek Hybrid Judged, Aston DBX S Roars
Every $25k car, Baby Defender spied, Lucid 0-60 record
2025-10-01
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Releases & Reviews
Subtle but smart updates push the DBX S closer to greatness: weight drops by up to 104 lb (47 kg) thanks to options like a carbon-fiber roof that alone saves 40 lb (18 kg). With added power, a fiercer V8 soundtrack, and crisper steering, it feels livelier without losing utility.
Subaru’s third attempt at a Crosstrek hybrid finally brings real pace: a 2.5-liter boxer-four and two-motor system deliver 194 hp (145 kW). Early drive impressions point to stronger low-end pull and better drivability versus past efforts, while keeping the familiar packaging buyers expect.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Washington is set to take 5% stakes in Lithium Americas and its Thacker Pass joint venture with GM, according to a source, while renegotiating terms of a federal loan. The headline sent LAC up 34% after hours and underscores U.S. efforts to secure critical EV materials.
An early passenger ride previews the Cayenne Turbo Electric, promising well over 1,000 hp (≥ 746 kW) and a leap in chassis sophistication. The fourth-gen “E4” will coexist with the gasoline model for years, reflecting Porsche’s more measured EV rollout while pushing performance boundaries.
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Car Culture
Public-road footage captures the Venom F5 Revolution Evo unleashing 2,031 hp (1,514 kW) from pure internal combustion, with aero and setup tuned for track aggression. Shot by Top Gear, the 4K piece spotlights outrageous throttle response and a feral soundtrack that borders on race-car intensity.
Built for Japan’s 2026 Super GT GT500, the Prelude-GT drops hybrid hardware for a rear-drive, 2.0-liter turbo four rated at 650 bhp (485 kW). Massive bodywork and a towering wing preview a wild silhouette—now fans are dreaming of a road-legal riff on the theme.
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Miscellaneous
A settlement over EA888 2.0-liter turbo-fours addresses alleged premature turbo failures across numerous 2008–2024 Audi and VW models. While Volkswagen denies wrongdoing, owners may receive reimbursements for past repairs and extended warranty coverage—useful news for Golf GTI, A4, and Q5 drivers tracking reliability costs.
Europe’s Focus ST bows out as the last example leaves Ford’s Saarlouis line on September 26, with overall Focus production ending in November. The farewell follows the Fiesta ST’s demise and signals shrinking space for traditional hot hatches amid cost pressures and changing regulations.
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Quick Links
Old school charm meets modern reliability as the 5.0 liter V8 delivers 472 hp (352 kW) and 395 lb-ft (536 Nm), with playful balance but a dated 8 speed automatic, notes Throttle House.
Trail focused tweaks add confidence—chunky all terrain tires, tougher bumpers, and a mild suspension retune—while highway manners stay calm, though added noise and middling economy remain compromises, reports TheStraightPipes.
Schumacher honed chassis tuning and an ultra stiff carbon monocoque show how Ferrari pivoted from sculptural beauty to ruthless aero efficiency, making the Enzo feel sharper the faster it goes.
Camouflaged mules near Gaydon reveal a boxy, shrunken Defender running with a Discovery, hinting at a compact off roader or Disco successor even as JLR wrestles with a crippling cyberattack.
Consolidating turn signals, lights, and wipers into one stalk feels tidy after a short learning curve, yet reach discrepancies and accidental presses raise usability and safety questions in Audi’s 2026 Q3.
Base models like Trax, Corolla, and Soul still squeak under $25,000, but destination fees and must have options often tip out the door costs higher, shrinking true budget choices in 2025.
A dealer installed Track Tire package unlocks savage launches, pushing the three motor Sapphire’s 1,234 hp (921 kW) to a 1.881 second 0–60 and MotorTrend’s top spot, though the $8,250 add on stings.
Body on frame toughness, low range traction, and smart storage make Toyota’s Land Cruiser a stellar remote camping mule, but tight interior dimensions complicate sleeping inside, favoring rooftop tents or ground shelters.
Sharper styling, richer tech, and a stronger tune for the sole four cylinder pair with standard all wheel drive, aiming for an entry price under $45,000 to keep Audi’s Q3 competitive.
Ford engineers validated the refreshed Expedition’s four zone flood lighting with a simple benchmark—bright enough to comfortably play cards around the SUV—improving tailgating and campsite utility beyond typical accessory solutions.
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