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2026-01-07

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Releases & Reviews

Tested: The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera S Is an Everyday Supercar (8 minute read)

The 992.2 Carrera S slots between the base 911 and hybrid GTS, delivering 473 hp (353 kW) and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm) from its twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six with surprising daily livability. While the new digital dash sacrifices some analog charm, the S offers a compelling balance of supercar performance and everyday comfort at a price north of $140,000.

2026 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle Review: Top of the Line, But Past Its Peak (6 minute read)

Chrysler's flagship minivan remains supremely capable for hauling families and cargo, with its cavernous interior and Stow 'n Go seating proving practical for DIY projects and road trips alike. However, the aging platform now shows its years against newer competitors, leaving the Pacifica in need of a significant refresh to maintain its position.

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Technology, Market Data & Analysis

The Chinese Are Coming and Plan To Build Cars in the US in the Next 2 to 3 Years: TDS (3 minute read)

Geely's Vice President reveals the Chinese automaker is actively exploring US manufacturing facilities within the next two to three years, potentially bypassing tariffs that have kept Chinese-built vehicles out of American showrooms. This marks a significant shift in strategy for Chinese automakers looking to compete directly in the world's second-largest car market.

VW's New Year's Resolution Is to Bring Back Physical Buttons (2 minute read)

Volkswagen is reversing course on its widely criticized touch-heavy interiors, debuting a new cockpit design with physical buttons on the refreshed ID. Polo in Europe. The welcome change could spread to US models including the ID.4, addressing one of the most common complaints from EV buyers about haptic and capacitive controls.

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Car Culture

A Newly-Published Work By J.R.R. Tolkien Reveals He Really Seemed To Have Hated Cars (5 minute read)

A previously hidden 60-year-old satirical work by the Lord of the Rings author, titled "The Bovadium Fragments," reveals Tolkien's deep disdain for automobiles through future academics analyzing manuscript fragments. The Autopian's Jason Torchinsky digs into this unexpected literary connection between Middle-earth and the automotive world.

Ring master: meet the man behind this stunning 1971 Aston Martin DBS restomod (6 minute read)

Wisconsin-based tuner Mike Ring of the Ring Brothers has created "Octavia," a bespoke 1971 Aston Martin DBS that blends British elegance with American muscle. Unveiled at the Quail during Monterey Car Week, the build showcases their signature approach of reimagining classics with modern performance while preserving the original car's character.

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Miscellaneous

Nissan Versa Canceled; The Sub-$20,000 Car Is Dead (2 minute read)

Nissan has discontinued its Versa sedan, killing the last new car in the US market with a starting price under $20,000. While the base Versa S was rarely stocked by dealers, its departure marks a significant milestone as new car affordability continues to erode for budget-conscious buyers.

Fiat Couldn't Even Sell A Single Car Per Day Last Quarter (8 minute read)

Stellantis Q4 sales figures reveal Fiat's dramatic collapse in the US market, with the brand selling fewer vehicles than there are days in the quarter. The Italian marque's struggles highlight the broader challenges facing Stellantis brands, though some stable points emerged elsewhere in the portfolio.

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Quick Links

Buying a Brand New 1989 Camaro in 2025: Fluffy's IROC-Z | Jay Leno's Garage (20 minute watch)

Jay Leno's Garage features comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias and his remarkable brand-new-in-wrapper 1989 Camaro IROC-Z with just 4 miles (6 km) on the odometer.

The NEO86 Takes the Toyota GR86 Back to the '80s (1 minute read)

Japanese tuner ResultJapan unveils a retro body kit at Tokyo Auto Salon that gives the modern GR86 pop-up headlights and AE86-inspired styling reminiscent of Initial D.

Long Island Man Buys Rolls-Royce Corniche for His Dad. It Turned Out To Be Tupac's (3 minute read)

A barn-find hunter accidentally purchased one of only 25 black-on-tan '90s Corniches ever made—and discovered it was previously owned by legendary rapper Tupac Shakur.

Hyundai Will Build an Army of Humanoid Robots to Staff its Georgia Factory [Updated] (3 minute read)

Boston Dynamics' walking humanoid robots will join Hyundai's assembly lines in Georgia, with the Korean automaker betting its acquisition can revolutionize car manufacturing.

The 2026 Volvo XC90 Is Old But Still Great (26 minute watch)

Doug DeMuro explores how the aging Swedish luxury SUV maintains its appeal through thoughtful design and premium features despite nearing a decade on the market.

This Microcar Set The Slowest Nürburgring Lap Time Ever (2 minute read)

French quadricycle maker Ligier officially recorded the slowest 'Ring lap ever—28 minutes and 25.8 seconds in a diesel JS50 producing a mighty 8 hp (6 kW).

Is Toyota About to Debut a New MR2 at the Tokyo Auto Salon? (3 minute read)

Toyota Gazoo Racing teased "a new mid-engine two-seater car" in a cryptic video, sending enthusiast speculation into overdrive about a potential MR2 revival.

Check out the halo on this robotaxi from Uber and Lucid (3 minute read)

Uber showcased its upcoming Lucid Gravity robotaxis at CES, featuring a floating sensor halo with solid-state lidar ahead of San Francisco service later this year.

Spot the difference: Sony's electric car gets a crossover version (2 minute read)

Sony Honda Mobility revealed a crossover variant of its Afeela EV at CES as production of the original sedan begins in Ohio ahead of California deliveries this year.

Most Cars Will Still Have Gas Engines By 2035: Bosch (2 minute read)

The German supplier predicts 70 percent of North American vehicles will still have combustion engines by 2035, though most will function as hybrids or range extenders.