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- Telluride Upgraded, FBI Seizes $13M Benz, Buttons Back!
Telluride Upgraded, FBI Seizes $13M Benz, Buttons Back!
PLUS: Last W16 Bolide, 1,926hp Aspark, Lambo Off-Road Plans
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2025-11-28
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Releases & Reviews
Kia's redesigned three-row SUV finally addresses its biggest weakness with a new hybrid powertrain option, while adding thoughtful interior storage solutions and a rugged X-Pro trim level. The updates push the Telluride further into premium territory with fresh color options and technology enhancements that strengthen its position among family SUVs.
The refined 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six diesel delivers improved power and a throaty exhaust note that rivals semi-truck engine brakes, though it still falls short of Ford's Power Stroke High Output with its 500 horsepower (373 kW) and 1,200 pound-feet (1,627 Nm) of torque. The diesel Ram generates impressive 18-wheeler character while towing, making it a capable heavy-duty contender despite not claiming top power specs.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Euro NCAP wants to see less intrusive ADAS systems and more physical buttons in cars (2 minute read)
Euro NCAP announced major changes to its safety testing procedures, including evaluation of driver assistance systems in real-world conditions and scoring vehicles on the availability of physical buttons for commonly used functions. This represents the biggest shakeup since the overall rating system launched in 2009, addressing widespread driver frustrations with overly intrusive technology and touchscreen-only interfaces.
Audi is eliminating touch sliders from the steering wheels of five models in response to customer complaints, marking a broader shift back to physical buttons and switches for frequently used functions. The change comes as the brand's Concept C preview reveals a more ergonomic interior layout that prioritizes proper controls over the touchscreen-heavy designs that have plagued recent models.
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Car Culture
This historic 1972 machine marks the birth of BMW Motorsport GmbH, formed when Sales and Marketing boss Bob Lutz recruited former Porsche driver Jochen Neerpasch from Ford to lead a factory racing effort. The formation brought Martin Braungart from the dominant Cologne Capri program, establishing the foundation for BMW's legendary M division that would no longer rely on privateers like Alpina and Schnitzer.
A pristine 1995 NSX-R in Championship White with only 12,000 miles (19,312 km) hit $388,000 on Bring a Trailer after just 10 bids, far exceeding its original $92,000 equivalent sale price in Japan. The auction closes November 25, with this rare Japanese-market model representing the ultimate version of Honda's iconic supercar that once challenged Ferrari at a fraction of the cost.
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Miscellaneous
Federal agents confiscated a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster worth $13 million as part of Operation Giant Slalom, an investigation into former Olympian and current top-10 fugitive Ryan Wedding. The extremely rare homologation special, originally built to enable Mercedes and AMG's Le Mans racing program, had been squirreled away by a collector before the dramatic government seizure.
Porsche's upcoming electric SUV is generating unprecedented early interest, with extensive customization options available through the brand's commission-based Sonderwunsch program. The Cayenne Electric will slot alongside gasoline and hybrid variants when it reaches U.S. dealers in late summer 2026, with pricing ranging from $111,350 to $165,350.
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Quick Links
This is the final Bugatti Bolide, which means it's the final 8.0-litre W16 powerhaus (2 minute read)
The track-focused hypercar marks the end of Bugatti's legendary quad-turbocharged W16 engine era, with only 40 units produced and pushing boundaries in extreme automotive engineering.
The Defender Dakar D7X-R builds on the OCTA's 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with a wider track, increased ride height, and a massive 145-gallon (549 L) fuel tank for January's Dakar Rally.
Production of BMW's two-seat roadster ends in March 2026 with a subdued send-off featuring Frozen Matt Black paint and red interior stitching rather than performance upgrades.
The compact luxury crossover surprises with satisfying steering feel and sharp corner-carving dynamics, though its adaptive suspension can feel harsh on rough pavement despite its engaging character.
The updated 3.0-liter TDI eliminates turbo lag through advanced engineering and can run on renewable fuel made from cooking oil, despite diesel's European market share plummeting to just eight percent.
Product Line Director Paolo Racchetti confirms the off-road Sterrato concept will return on the Temerario and possibly the Revuelto, with enhanced capabilities focused on fun-to-drive characteristics at any speed.
The revived Cherokee debuts as Jeep's first-ever hybrid while the CX-50 brings sporty road manners, creating an unlikely cross-shopping scenario as both brands transcend their traditional off-road and on-road identities.
Doug DeMuro explores the 1972 Citroën DS's revolutionary hydropneumatic suspension, unconventional controls, and avant-garde design that made it one of history's most innovative and eccentric automobiles.
F80 project manager Matteo Turconi defended Ferrari's decision to use a turbocharged hybrid V6 over a V12, explaining the downsized configuration's advantages during a Museo Enzo Ferrari panel discussion.
The Japanese hyper-EV returns as a convertible with four motors producing 1,926 horsepower (1,436 kW) and delivering blistering acceleration of 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 1.78 seconds.
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