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- BMW M Kills Manual, Eleanor Mustang, NY Bans Robotaxis
BMW M Kills Manual, Eleanor Mustang, NY Bans Robotaxis
PLUS: Doug's WRX STI, Spare Tires Extinct, Porsche GTS
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2026-02-20
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Releases & Reviews
The third-generation RS5 ditches the old twin-turbo V8 for a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 630 hp (470 kW) through a plug-in hybrid setup. European pricing starts around $125,000, with the sedan-like four-door hatchback arriving in U.S. showrooms later with a widebody design and aggressive new styling.
Great Wall Motors' boxy off-roader blends Wrangler-like proportions with a hybrid powertrain and a price tag that undercuts its American rivals, and it's already winning fans across Mexico and other global markets. After a few days driving through Mexico City, the Tank 300 impressed with its blend of rugged capability and surprisingly refined on-road manners.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
BMW M's CEO Frank van Meel confirmed an aggressive product blitz of 30 new models in 30 months, but delivered a blow to enthusiasts by declaring that the manual transmission's days are numbered. The shift toward electrification and tightening emissions regulations are making it increasingly difficult to justify the development costs of a three-pedal setup.
The California DMV threatened to suspend Tesla's dealer license over its misleading driver-assistance branding, forcing the company to rebrand "Autopilot" as "Traffic Aware Cruise Control" and append "(Supervised)" to all "Full Self-Driving" marketing materials. The ruling follows years of criticism that the names overpromised the systems' actual capabilities.
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Car Culture
Hagerty gets behind the wheel of the officially licensed Eleanor GT500, built by the same team that created the iconic movie car for the 2000 Nicolas Cage film. The build faithfully recreates the signature body kit, custom interior, and rumbling V8 soundtrack that made the original one of cinema's most recognizable cars.
In 1989, Mazda teamed up with Namco and Mitsubishi Precision to create a driving simulator featuring the new Eunos Roadster, which evolved into the hardware platform for the legendary Ridge Racer arcade cabinet. The original sim used a halved Miata cockpit with a full dashboard and three-spoke steering wheel, creating a bridge between the car world and gaming history.
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Miscellaneous
Governor Kathy Hochul withdrew her proposal to allow autonomous taxi companies to operate in New York cities after failing to secure support from state legislators. The decision is a significant blow to Waymo and other robotaxi firms that viewed New York—and especially Manhattan—as a massive untapped market.
Head of design Philipp Römers confirmed that future Polestar models will bring back physical buttons and knobs, reversing the brand's screen-heavy minimalist approach. The shift comes as new European regulations and persistent customer complaints push automakers to rethink the touchscreen-everything trend.
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Quick Links
Toyota's reimagined C-HR arrives as a battery-electric compact crossover with standard AWD and a focus on everyday usability over chasing range numbers.
The V8-powered Panamera GTS delivers the ideal blend of performance and luxury without the complexity of a hybrid battery pack.
Doug DeMuro explores a time-capsule Blob Eye STI, highlighting the quirks and raw rally-bred character that made this generation an instant JDM legend.
Florida-based Revology Cars takes the Singer approach to first-gen Mustangs, and their latest Boss 429 build shows what happens when obsessive attention to detail meets classic American muscle.
Germany's Der Spiegel reports that VW-backed Scout's production timeline has slipped to mid-2028 due to technical issues, though the company denies the delay.
Rising manufacturing costs, tighter vehicle packaging, and a general decline in tire-changing know-how are all contributing to the spare's slow disappearance from new cars.
Full-coverage auto insurance premiums have dropped roughly $6 per month since August 2025, offering some relief after years of steady increases.
ChargePoint data shows charging sessions surged 34% in 2025 while new port installations grew only 16%, signaling a widening infrastructure gap for EV owners.
Throttle House lines up the new gas-powered Dodge Charger against the BMW M4 Competition and Audi RS3 for a three-way drag race showdown.
A diagnostic routine that runs at startup can fracture gears inside the electronic throttle body, potentially locking 2024-2025 Rogues in place.
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