- Today in Cars
- Posts
- Stellantis Crisis, Dream Barn Finds, Insane Flying Car
Stellantis Crisis, Dream Barn Finds, Insane Flying Car
PLUS: GT-R Hits $1M, 1,400HP V6, Porsche Dakar Rally

Smart starts here.
You don't have to read everything — just the right thing. 1440's daily newsletter distills the day's biggest stories from 100+ sources into one quick, 5-minute read. It's the fastest way to stay sharp, sound informed, and actually understand what's happening in the world. Join 4.5 million readers who start their day the smart way.
2026-02-23
🚙
Releases & Reviews
Xpeng's new EV van, features a six-rotor drone aircraft that stows in the cargo area and is capable of autonomous takeoff and landing. The vehicle-aircraft combo aims to solve gridlock in congested Chinese cities, though significant regulatory hurdles remain before it can take flight commercially.
The updated Grenadier retains its BMW-sourced 3.0-liter turbo-six making 282 hp (210 kW) but adds revised suspension tuning and a refined interior that elevates it beyond utilitarian roots. With three locking differentials, a solid front and rear axle setup, and legitimate trail capability, it emerges as the most compelling new off-roader since Rivian.
📈
Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Tesla launched its most affordable Cybertruck yet—a Dual Motor AWD trim starting at $62,235—while simultaneously slashing the Cyberbeast's price below $100,000. CEO Elon Musk hinted the low pricing may not last, raising questions about whether this is a clearance strategy to move inventory.
The Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler parent company absorbed a staggering $26.5 billion write-down on its EV investments, dwarfing losses at GM ($7.6 billion) and Ford ($19.5 billion). The crisis extends beyond electrification missteps, with aging lineups, dealer frustrations, and leadership turnover compounding the automaker's struggles.
🛞
Car Culture
From priceless sports cars to humble sedans, Hagerty's community imagines the ultimate barn-find fantasies—those electrifying moments of spotting a glimmer of chrome beneath a rotting tarp. The piece captures the universal car enthusiast's dream of rescuing a forgotten treasure from obscurity.
To celebrate the Golf GTI's 50th anniversary, Volkswagen resurfaced three wild concepts including the W12-650, which packed a 641 hp (478 kW) mid-mounted W12 engine into a Golf body. The nostalgia trip serves as a bittersweet reminder of VW's creative peak, contrasting sharply with today's crossover-heavy lineup.
🔧
Miscellaneous
The Japanese-market RAV4 PHEV gains an "HV power supply" mode enabling vehicle-to-home charging, capable of powering a typical household for up to 6.5 days at 400W consumption via a 100V outlet. While this V2H feature isn't yet available on the U.S. model, it showcases Toyota's expanding vision for plug-in hybrids beyond just driving.
Apple is rolling out video playback functionality through CarPlay, with developers now gaining access to the feature ahead of the next iOS update. Users will be able to stream content through a CarPlay version of Apple TV and other apps, making EV charging waits and school pickup lines more tolerable.
🏁
Quick Links
Both SUVs received generational redesigns for 2026, but the new Passport's more powerful engine, refined ride, and larger cargo area give it the edge over the scrappier Outback Wilderness.
TheStraightPipes test the pinnacle Range Rover, evaluating whether its luxury appointments and commanding road presence justify its six-figure price tag.
A 1996 NISMO 400R—one of just 44 known to exist—packs a 400 hp (298 kW) inline-six built by Group A racing specialists and is expected to break seven figures at auction.
The twin-turbo "Danny LVito" build produces 1,403 hp (1,047 kW) and 1,125 lb-ft (1,526 Nm) from a factory GM block and crankshaft, proving there's life beyond the small-block V8.
A husband-and-wife team completed the grueling Rally dos Sertões with their son, driving over 2,200 miles (3,540 km) of Brazilian wilderness in the first Porsche to ever enter the event.
Two separate recalls target 2023–2025 Rogues over issues with the 1.5-liter three-cylinder VC Turbo engine, including faulty throttle chamber assemblies and engine control module software glitches.
Top Gear pits two of Britain's finest sports car makers against each other to determine whether the country's lightweight performance tradition still thrives in the modern era.
The Supreme Court struck down many of Trump's IEEPA-based tariffs in a 6-3 decision, but auto tariffs enacted under a different legal authority remain unaffected.
A nostalgic look at the Fox-body Ford LTD, one of those ubiquitous '80s sedans that has virtually vanished from American roads despite once being everywhere.
Doug DeMuro reflects on a decade of automotive content creation, revisiting the cars, moments, and milestones that defined his journey from enthusiast blogger to one of YouTube's biggest car channels.


Reply