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- Ioniq 5 N Lockout, James May’s 911, Jeep Sand Recall
Ioniq 5 N Lockout, James May’s 911, Jeep Sand Recall
PLUS: Electric M3 & X3 Spied, 657bhp Bentley, New RAV4 Hybrid
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2025-11-17
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Releases & Reviews
On The Straight Pipes, Yuri and Jacob showcase the Defender Octa’s 6D Dynamics hydraulic suspension, recalibrated traction control, and 33-inch tires, producing theatrical wheelies on launch and startling composure off-road. Added ride height, underbody armor, and stronger driveline components aim to preserve daily civility while expanding its envelope.
Tested over the Tail of the Dragon’s 11 miles (18 km) and 318 corners, the all-wheel-drive Charger Sixpack blends four-season traction with genuine muscle-car punch from its twin-turbo inline-six. Steering precision and body control impress, though weight and a subdued soundtrack remain trade-offs versus the old V8.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Replacing Brake Pads on a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Requires a Professional Mechanic’s Login (6 minute read)
A Hyundai Ioniq 5 N owner learned that a basic brake job requires Hyundai’s professional GDS login to command the electronic parking brake and service modes, effectively locking out do‑it‑yourself owners and some independents. Hyundai cites safety and software control, intensifying right-to-repair tensions around modern performance EVs.
One year into Rivian and Volkswagen’s $6 billion joint venture, leaders say a 1,500-strong team across the U.S., Canada, Sweden, Serbia, and Berlin is finalizing a zonal computing architecture for shared EV platforms. Prototypes for Volkswagen, Audi, and Scout begin winter testing before wider rollout.
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Car Culture
Authorities in Tennessee arrested Cody “WhistlinDiesel” Detwiler on charges of evading state sales tax tied to his Ferrari F8 Tributo, the car he later destroyed on video. Investigators cite the Montana-plated supercar as evidence, renewing debate over LLC plate loopholes and YouTube shock-content stunts.
After 15 years, James May is auctioning his 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera (997.2) on Collecting Cars, a sweet-spot generation prized for compact dimensions and direct-injection refinement. Celebrity provenance aside, its honest spec and long-term stewardship could nudge bidding without straying into museum-piece territory.
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Miscellaneous
A New York jury held BMW liable after a 2013 X5’s soft-close door injured its owner, awarding $1.9 million for deceptive omission. Appeals failed, underscoring how convenience features can create hidden hazards and potential disclosure obligations as more vehicles adopt motorized closures.
Jeep is recalling 112,859 plug-in hybrid SUVs for potential casting sand left in engines, risking oil starvation, failure, or fire; a remedy is still in development. Affected builds include 36,840 Grand Cherokee 4xe (2023–2025) and 76,019 Wrangler 4xe (2024–2025), with engine replacements possible.
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Quick Links
Under new owner Charge Holdings, TVR says the long‑stalled Griffith is moving to production with a Ford‑sourced V8 and is exploring a future battery‑electric model informed by its EV restomod experience.
Carwow pits BMW’s rear‑drive M2 CS against Porsche’s mid‑engine 718 Cayman GT4 RS in standing and rolling races, spotlighting traction strategy, PDK launch control, gearing, and braking performance that swing results across the quarter‑mile and beyond.
Reviewers find the refreshed G80’s serene ride and sumptuous cabin complemented by a unified curved display and cleaner infotainment, yet note uneven driver‑assist tuning and some cost‑cut touches keep it shy of class leaders.
The duPont Registry Group debuts a curated auction platform promising a 100% sell‑through guarantee, escrow‑backed protection, and tighter vetting to target the $110 billion luxury‑auto market with fewer no‑sales and greater buyer confidence.
The comparison test weighs packaging, third‑row comfort, charging speeds, software polish, and ride quality, concluding only one contender feels truly production‑ready while the others are hampered by unfinished driver‑assist behavior and inconsistent damping and infotainment stability.
Toyota shifts the RAV4 to a hybrid‑only lineup with a much‑improved infotainment system and safety tech, while early impressions note familiar driving manners, shallow rear‑door openings, and an interior design likely to divide opinions.
Spy footage from Tenerife shows BMW M’s first full electric models—M3 and X3 M—testing with aggressive brakes and a squat stance alongside the next 3 Series ICE, signaling imminent M‑division battery‑electric debuts.
On savagegeese, Jack and Mark examine Toyota and Lexus’ hybrids‑first playbook, software and infotainment strides, dealer‑network friction, and how conservative product cadence preserves reliability while complicating brand excitement in the early BEV era.
Boreham Motorworks’ naturally aspirated 2.1‑liter Ten‑K makes 325 hp (242 kW) at 10,000 rpm and weighs just 187 pounds (85 kg), using individual throttle bodies and billet internals for rally‑ready Escort Mk1 RS builds.
Beyond the headline power and weight cuts, Supersports adds overt aero, reworked suspension and braking hardware, and a more focused cabin, repositioning Bentley’s big coupe as a lighter, sharper range‑topping track‑capable flagship.
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