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Temerario Driven, Door Handle Ban, V12 Datsun Swap
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2026-02-09
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Releases & Reviews
Lamborghini's Huracán successor debuts an all-new twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain, marking a clean-sheet departure from the naturally aspirated V10 era. Despite a more subdued initial appearance, the Temerario delivers a genuinely new driving experience that earns its "all-new" label — with wilder variants surely on the way.
Dodge's new-generation Charger trades the old Hemi V8 for a twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six making 550 hp (410 kW), taking a more refined approach to American muscle. The interior feels special and road presence is commanding, but touchy pedal feel and all-season tires leave testers wanting more from the chassis.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
After deadly incidents where flush and electric door handles failed during crashes, China will outlaw them starting in 2027 — and U.S. lawmakers are now considering similar regulations. The ban applies to any handle requiring electronic activation, forcing automakers to redesign for mechanical reliability over aerodynamic styling.
A recent Tesla marketing email suggests Full Self-Driving will no longer transfer to the next owner when a vehicle is sold, reversing a longstanding policy that boosted resale values. Starting February 14, FSD will only be available via subscription, raising questions about what owners actually "own" when they pay the full purchase price.
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Car Culture
Ford famously launched the Mustang at the 1964 World's Fair in Flushing Meadows, but the automotive spectacle went far beyond a single pony car — GM's Futurama II, Chrysler's turbine car rides, and dozens of concept vehicles all competed for attention. This deep dive explores how the fair became a turning point for how automakers marketed directly to the public.
A Datsun 280Z running a Mercedes-Benz M120 6.0-liter V12 — the same engine family behind the Pagani Zonda — just received equal-length headers that unleash a spine-tingling supercar soundtrack. Builder Michael Tung originally completed the swap six years ago for hill climbs, but this exhaust upgrade finally fulfills the engine's full sonic potential.
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Miscellaneous
Apple is reportedly working to add CarPlay support for third-party AI chatbots from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, letting drivers talk to ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini directly through their car's infotainment system. However, Siri's wake word and dedicated button will remain locked in — users will need to manually open their preferred chatbot app.
Thanks to the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act signed in 2025, buyers who finance a new vehicle assembled in the U.S. can now deduct loan interest on their taxes — a potentially significant savings as average new-car prices hover near $50,000. The deduction applies to vehicles purchased from 2025 onward, though eligibility requires the car to be for personal use with final assembly in the United States.
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Quick Links
Autotrader puts Ferrari's reborn Testarossa through its paces, finding a grand tourer that honors the original's spirit while delivering modern supercar performance.
Ford's compact pickup finally pairs its efficient hybrid powertrain with all-wheel drive, earning the 2026 Truck of the Year award in the process.
That secret is a proper manual transmission — a rarity in today's market that transforms the affordable Japanese hatchback into something genuinely fun to drive.
The original Mercedes-Benz A-Class is now old enough to import to the U.S. tariff-free, and a solid example has surfaced for sale stateside.
New and used vehicle affordability shrank throughout 2025 as prices climbed and automakers pivoted from EVs to hybrids in response to shifting demand.
Nissan's beloved off-roader is officially coming back — dealers have seen the new truck-based SUV, expected in showrooms by late 2028 as a 2029 model.
A turbocharged, all-wheel-drive rally homologation special that was never officially sold in the U.S. is now up for grabs with relatively low mileage.
DRIVETRIBE's Tiff Needell takes the mid-engine Lotus for a spirited drive and finds it delivers the pure, lightweight sports car experience the brand is known for.
Front-mounted radar sensors are becoming the new catalytic converters for thieves — easy to grab, resold for $100–$150 online, and costing owners thousands to replace.
The redesigned Nissan Leaf takes the crown, starting at $31,485 and proving that an affordable, stylish EV with solid range is possible even without the federal tax credit.
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