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- Montero Returns, Alpina Goes Solo, BYD Dethrones Tesla
Montero Returns, Alpina Goes Solo, BYD Dethrones Tesla
PLUS: STI Teaser, Porsche 918 Doubles, "My Winter Car"
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2026-01-05
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Releases & Reviews
The $227,350 Maybach SL distinguishes itself from its AMG sibling with more than just its seemingly endless double-M logos—it offers a genuinely more refined grand touring experience with a twin-turbo V-8 producing 577 hp (430 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque.
Doug DeMuro breaks down his most anticipated vehicles for 2026, ranging from attainable sports cars to exotic hypercars, analyzing what makes each model significant in today's rapidly evolving automotive landscape.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
With Tesla deliveries down 9 percent to 1.64 million vehicles, BYD has claimed the EV crown after selling over 2 million battery-powered vehicles in 2025—part of their total 4.6 million global sales, up 7.7 percent year-over-year.
As of January 1, 2026, BMW has acquired full rights to the Alpina trademark, transforming the 60-year collaboration into an official standalone brand that will continue offering bespoke vehicles with extensive customization options.
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Car Culture
500HP Thai Longboats: 100MPH & NO BRAKES Down Tight Canals | Capturing Car Culture (36 minute watch)
Hagerty explores Thailand's incredible longboat racing scene where competitors pilot 500 hp (373 kW) V8-powered boats at 100 mph (161 km/h) through narrow canals with no brakes—an utterly unique automotive subculture you've never seen before.
This archive test reveals the 928S as a car that transforms above 90 mph (145 km/h), making seasoned drivers feel like gods while acknowledging its heavy, truculent nature in everyday driving—a grand tourer in the truest sense.
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Miscellaneous
The 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX returns with 777 hp (580 kW) from its supercharged V-8, dethroning Ford's 720-hp Raptor R as the most powerful half-ton truck—arriving in late 2026 starting at $102,590.
A new teaser video tracing Mitsubishi's Ralliart rally heritage ends with a shadowy SUV matching previously spied camouflaged prototypes, suggesting the beloved Montero nameplate is finally making its comeback.
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Quick Links
Subaru Japan's teaser videos hint at an STI return, but American fans shouldn't get too excited—it's likely just Japan receiving the car U.S. enthusiasts already have access to.
After decades of exclusivity, Ram finally combines its legendary Power Wagon off-road capability with Cummins diesel power, though you'll have to sacrifice the winch.
Volkswagen has paused U.S. ID Buzz production for the entire 2026 model year due to excess 2025 inventory, but promises the retro-styled EV van will return for 2027.
Top Gear's comprehensive roundup includes the 1,064-hp Aston Martin Valhalla hybrid supercar, a larger Alpine A110 successor, and the production-ready Porsche Mission X.
The Lucid Air's breathtaking design, astonishing interior space, and thoughtful one-pedal driving experience make it one of those rare EVs that inspires drivers to adapt.
My Winter Car has finally arrived in early access, continuing the brutally realistic tradition of building project cars in Finland while trying not to die in the process.
A Weissach-packaged 918 Spyder sold for $3.1M on Bring a Trailer after its matte black Martini livery wrap was removed, nearly doubling its $1.7M sale price from 2021.
Ford finally delivers what customers demanded from day one: the fuel-efficient Maverick Hybrid with all-wheel drive capability.
From a classic 1951 Mercury Coupe hot rod to a rebodied 2005 Corvette with Italian styling, Barrett-Jackson's no-reserve Scottsdale auction showcases stunning one-off builds.
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