- Today in Cars
- Posts
- The Camaro Returns!, $500 RC Nissan, ZR1X vs Bugatti
The Camaro Returns!, $500 RC Nissan, ZR1X vs Bugatti
PLUS: Porsche's Hidden Stripes, BMW Saves Manuals, Scout Delayed

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.
2026-04-10
🚙
Releases & Reviews
Sources say the seventh-generation pony car has been greenlit, though its body style and powertrain remain under wraps. Making the business case for an affordable two- or four-door muscle car is the biggest challenge GM faces in reviving its Mustang rival.
The turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder makes 190 hp (142 kW) and pairs with an eight-speed automatic, pushing the 3,330-pound (1,508 kg) hatchback to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds. Its chopped roofline gives off strong VW Golf GTI vibes, though the chassis doesn't quite match the sporty promise.
📈
Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Production of the ID.4 at VW's Chattanooga plant will wind down in the coming weeks, with the factory pivoting to higher-volume gas-powered crossovers. The move adds to a growing list of EVs killed or pulled from the US market, including Honda's entire Ohio EV program.
Reuters reports Tesla is contacting suppliers about an all-new affordable electric SUV—not based on the Model 3 or Model Y platform. The originally proposed $25,000 "Model 2" was scrapped in 2024 as Musk pivoted toward self-driving, but slumping robotaxi ambitions appear to have revived the project.
🛞
Car Culture
In this episode of Jay Leno's Garage, the legendary collector makes the case for Chevrolet's range-topping supercar, explaining why he willingly paid full MSRP and how it stacks up against European exotics costing several times more.
A quarter-century of ownership distilled into a love letter to the final-year Firebird. The author traces his obsession back to seeing Smokey and the Bandit in 1977 and explains why two-and-a-half decades later, parting with his TA has never crossed his mind.
🔧
Miscellaneous
Cleon Wenger's fully modular system controls the steering, throttle, and brakes entirely via radio transmitter—and the whole setup cost just $500 in off-the-shelf parts. His full-size RC car antics have since gone viral on TikTok.
The retail giant is months away from opening its first gas station that isn't attached to a warehouse store, featuring 40 pumps of discounted fuel. Membership card still required—but Costco's been perfecting the formula since launching fuel sales in 1995.
🏁
Quick Links
The Korean automaker announced plans at its CEO Investor Day to target 1.02 million annual US sales by 2030, with the truck offering hybrid and range-extended powertrains alongside an expanded lineup of eight hybrid models.
The robotaxi operator is launching a pilot program alongside Google's Waze, sharing pothole location data collected by its autonomous fleet to help municipalities prioritize road repairs.
The patent describes an exterior film using electronic paper or paramagnetic coating technology that changes color when voltage is applied, potentially indicating drive mode or charge status.
Guangzhou Automobile Group plans to begin assembly later this year with a mix of gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles, though production will initially be limited to the Mexican market.
Doug DeMuro explores why the V12-powered grand tourer remains overlooked in the collector market despite its stunning Ian Callum-designed bodywork and James Bond pedigree.
A proposed settlement would require the agricultural equipment giant to pay $99 million after farmers alleged it violated antitrust laws by restricting access to vital repair tools and diagnostic software.
BMW M division VP Sylvia Neubauer has "promised a solution" to keep manual transmissions alive in performance models, with engineers actively working to meet emissions standards without ditching the third pedal.
The VW-backed revival now reportedly faces delays pushing the Traveler SUV to 2028 and the Terra pickup to 2030—roughly six years after the concepts first debuted amid ongoing technical challenges.
Unlike typical concept cars, Rolls-Royce's "EX" vehicles are fully finished and drivable, built with production materials like leather and wood—and three striking examples from the Goodwood era are celebrating milestones this year.
The China-market Atlas scored a turbocharged version of VW's beloved narrow-angle six-cylinder—an engine known for its distinctive exhaust note and eagerness to take boost—that was never offered to North American or European buyers.


Reply