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- 911 Turbo S Tested, 5-Min Battery, Miata Goes Hybrid
911 Turbo S Tested, 5-Min Battery, Miata Goes Hybrid
PLUS: CX-5 First Drive, Last VW Manual, Lincoln Off-Roader
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2026-02-25
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Releases & Reviews
Porsche's new hybrid Turbo S pairs a twin-turbo 3.6-liter flat-six with an electric motor for a combined 729 hp (544 kW) and 649 lb-ft (880 Nm), matching the legendary 918 Spyder's acceleration numbers at a fraction of the price. The engineering is impeccable, though the nearly unusable speed and $246,800 starting price raise the question of where road car performance ends and hypercar territory begins.
Jeep's fully redesigned Cherokee returns on Stellantis' STLA Large platform with a standard full-time AWD hybrid powertrain across all four trims, priced from roughly $37,000 to $45,000. Bigger inside and out than its predecessor, the new Cherokee is surprisingly refined to drive and competitively positioned against the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Finnish startup Donut Lab's solid-state battery cells have been independently verified by VTT Technical Research Centre, confirming charge times that could add 186 miles (299 km) of range in just 10 minutes. The breakthrough technology also promises lighter, more energy-dense packs that could fundamentally reshape EV adoption if it scales to automotive production.
New car registrations across Europe fell year-on-year in January for the first time since June, with Norway plunging 76% and major markets including Germany, France, and Belgium all declining. The data comes as European automakers navigate competition from cheaper Chinese EVs and an uncertain trade environment following the U.S. Supreme Court's recent tariff ruling.
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Car Culture
Two decades after the H2 scandalized America with its massive footprint, modern trucks and SUVs have quietly grown to match or exceed it—making the once-outrageous Hummer blend right into traffic. The piece offers a sobering look at how dramatically vehicle sizes have crept upward across the industry.
With just 8 hp (6 kW), a 28 mph (45 km/h) top speed, and a 5.5-kWh battery good for 47 miles (76 km), the Citroën Ami is more high school metal shop project than automobile—and that's precisely what makes it charming. The experience is relevant stateside because Fiat's identical Topolino variant is headed to the U.S. later this year.
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Miscellaneous
Mazda's next-generation MX-5 Miata is expected to adopt a hybrid powertrain to meet tightening emissions regulations, though the automaker is also exploring synthetic fuels as a way to preserve the car's lightweight, driver-focused character. Key details including the engine configuration and launch timing are still being finalized, with a debut likely in the next two years.
Volvo will replace the battery packs in 40,323 EX30 EVs after identifying an issue that could cause the high-voltage battery to overheat and potentially ignite. Owners are being contacted directly, and the recall underscores the ongoing challenges automakers face with EV battery reliability and safety.
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Quick Links
The all-new CX-5 rides on its first new platform since 2013, gaining 4.5 inches in length and a much-improved interior, but its divisive new touchscreen-based infotainment system abandons Mazda's beloved rotary controller.
Ford plans to skip the typical mid-cycle refresh entirely, instead making incremental yearly updates until an all-new Bronco arrives near the end of the decade.
Nissan is shifting the Z to a made-to-order model with dealers expected to receive just two to three cars per year, alongside a manual-equipped Nismo variant and new Shinkai Green paint.
A Bimmerpost insider claims the electric iX4 M will follow the standard iX4 into production roughly a year after the regular model's November launch.
The luxury brand is reportedly developing a body-on-frame SUV on the Bronco's platform to compete directly with the Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Savagegeese reviews the 2026 Jetta GLI, marking a bittersweet farewell to the last manual transmission offering in Volkswagen's U.S. lineup.
Toyota's all-new electric C-HR is already hitting dealer lots with generous rebates and financing incentives designed to jump-start sales of the compact EV crossover.
A deep dive into decades of Mustang GT pricing reveals how much V-8 performance has cost Americans in real dollars, from the affordable '60s originals to today's $44,000+ models.
The limited-edition 430 Scuderia Spider 16M—built to celebrate Ferrari's 16th Constructors' Championship—continues its march past the $1 million mark at auction.
A privately imported and federalized V-12 grand tourer that was famously tested by Car and Driver in 1982 is up for grabs on BaT with extensive recent maintenance.
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