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- Honda Gets Serious, Lambo Glitch, Six-Figure Boom
Honda Gets Serious, Lambo Glitch, Six-Figure Boom
PLUS: Maverick wins, Tesla sales dip, Stellantis brand chaos
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2025-12-15
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Releases & Reviews
A street loop shows the Temerario’s 907 hp (677 kW) hybrid punch feels instantly accessible, with strong, consistent braking and a balanced chassis that flatters fast driving. But outside Corsa mode, an unexpected everyday drawback crops up that could matter more than lap times.
BMW’s smallest M car stays delightfully old-school with rear drive, an available six-speed manual, and a tire-smoking inline-six. Output rises from 453 to 473 hp (338 to 353 kW), while the eight-speed auto gains 37 lb-ft (50 Nm) to 406 lb-ft (551 Nm), sharpening straight-line urgency.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
At an “AI and Autonomy” event, Rivian revealed proprietary silicon aimed at closing the self-driving gap to Tesla. The in-house chip is rated at 1,600 trillion operations per second, and it’s tied to a roadmap of upcoming driver-assist features that Rivian says will eventually support Level 4 autonomy.
A Boston Consulting Group survey suggests $100,000-plus buyers aren’t blinking, even as average transaction prices hover near $50,000. BCG projects the six-figure segment growing 5% to 7% annually through 2035, led by $100,000–$170,000 models (6% to 8% growth) while $170,000–$500,000 cools to 3% to 5%.
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Car Culture
Hagerty’s Barn Find Hunter follows a son tasked with liquidating his late father’s entire car stash, turning a family legacy into a high-stakes inventory mission. The episode digs into what’s worth saving, what must be sold, and how hidden stories—plus overlooked details—shape the collection’s value.
Honda’s new Heritage Works program formalizes factory support for classics, starting with the original NSX and expanding as projects ramp up. It splits into Heritage Parts—“compatible” replacements and true reproductions for discontinued components—and a Restoration Service that can return cars to factory spec with OEM expertise.
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Miscellaneous
New York City's Congestion Pricing Is Increasing Foot Traffic And Helping Businesses (2 minute read)
New data from the NYC Economic Development Corporation suggests congestion pricing is doing the opposite of what critics feared. With a $9 daily fee in the zone, lower Manhattan saw fewer cars and a lift in foot traffic, which the report links to stronger business activity rather than a retail slowdown.
Bentley took a stock Flying Spur Speed to Sweden—about 100 miles (161 km) from the Arctic Circle—and chased a different kind of record. On Drivecenter Arena’s 2-mile (3 km) ice short track, it ran studded snow tires to post a 2:58 lap, a sideways flex for a sub-$300,000 sedan.
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Quick Links
Car and Driver’s instrumented test shows the Carrera T doubles down on heritage cues—left-side start button, rear-engine balance, and a six-speed manual—delivering a purist spec that feels like a greatest-hits 911 for modern roads.
For 2026, Integra A-Spec tweaks the cabin and tech to justify its premium over the closely related Civic Si, leaning into small usability and refinement wins rather than headline-grabbing power upgrades.
Genesis says the mid-engined Magma GT is just the start, with a roadmap that spans roadster and lightweight “club sport” trims plus GT3-spec road and GT3 R track versions aimed at Porsche-rival intensity.
MotorTrend crowns the compact Maverick its 2026 Truck of the Year by arguing clever packaging and livability matter more than bloat, praising an easy-reach bed and updates that make it tougher and smarter.
Jeep’s Whitecap special edition nods to the Wrangler’s first factory hardtop with a two-tone, snow-accented look on Rubicon X, Rubicon, and Sahara trims, slotting into the brand’s “12 Wranglers for 12 Months” run.
Motor1 argues spinning Gazoo Racing into a standalone badge risks repeating SRT’s Viper-era branding confusion unless Toyota invests heavily in distinct products, warning that one halo car can’t carry an entire performance sub-brand.
With 14 marques under one roof, Stellantis is reportedly reviewing which names still have a viable future—especially among underperformers in Europe—setting up a high-stakes reshuffle that could change what badges buyers see in showrooms.
In this 13 minute watch, Top Gear teams with Marques Brownlee to hand out TopGear.com US Car Awards, mixing tech-influencer takes with quick category winners meant to spark arguments about what’s truly best you can buy right now.
Autoblog breaks down why cold snaps sap battery output while raising starting loads, recommending you watch for slow cranking and dim lights and treat anything older than three years as a candidate for testing before temps drop below 32°F (0°C).
The Drive’s Downshift cites Tesla delivery data suggesting U.S. sales in November fell to their lowest level in nearly four years, a warning sign as rivals broaden EV lineups and price cuts lose their punch.
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