If it weren’t for teaser shots about hotly anticipated models from different brands, car corners of the internet wouldn’t have much to talk about on some days. Fortunately, the news keeps rolling from Toyota, who’ve released a telling photo of the upcoming 4Runner – along with a suggested release date.

A former rallying icon has confirmed its intention to return to the sport of rallying after a three-decade absence. Lancia — creator of the Stratos, Delta Integrale, and 037 — has said it’s actively trying to re-enter motorsport. But the Italian automaker also has to make the finances work before it’s willing to move forward with the program.

Chevrolet is readying deliveries of the Silverado EV RST, and the truck’s already impressive specs just got a boost. The automaker now states a range of 440 miles for the luxurious electric pickup, increasing the originally advertised 400-mile range. That makes it almost as robust as the more stripped-down 4WT (Work Truck) trim, which boasts a 450-mile driving range.

The Biden administration has decided against purchasing oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve after promising to refill the nation’s emergency energy supply after it reached a 40-year low. This news does not bode well as we head into the summer months when fuel prices tend to be higher.

America’s oil reserve is currently authorized to hold more than 720 million barrels of emergency crude oil that can be released under certain conditions. While the exacting thresholds are fairly vague, emergency drawdowns have occurred in the past due to oil supply disruptions stemming from trade embargoes, natural disasters, and warfare. The Biden administration argued that both the COVID-19 pandemic and Russo-Ukrainian War qualified.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall at Fisker’s headquarters right about now. The struggling electric automaker is facing bankruptcy, accounting issues, and shaky reviews, but its troubles are far from over. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently said it opened a preliminary investigation into the company’s Ocean SUV after receiving reports that the latch handles prevented opening the EV’s doors.

It’s become a fool’s errand to blithely quote gain/loss percentages in terms of car sales in America, given the wild supply chain swings and other market forces over the last few years. Yelling that the Corolla was up 65 percent in March helps no one in a vacuum, though if any of our readers are in a vacuum at the present moment we encourage them to seek assistance from the Bridge or Main Engineering.

As more electric vehicles hit the roads, states are grappling with the change in tax revenues they’re seeing as a result. EV buyers don’t pay gas taxes, slashing millions out of state highway budgets and making it hard to afford planned improvements. New Jersey is taking action on the issue with a controversial measure to charge EV owners an annual road tax, which will increase over the next four years to $290 in 2028.

Audi’s all-electric e-tron subbrand continues suffering from battery issues, with the company recently issuing a recall for the GT sedan and its zestier RS variant. The issue is that the high-voltage batteries equipped to the models might short circuit, posing a fire risk to owners and whatever they’ve parked their EV next to. The recall report stipulates that Porsche warned Audi of the possibility of “thermal events” after realizing that some Taycan models were suffering from battery defects.

After showcasing the model’s new clothes almost one year ago, Buick has set pricing for its Envision crossover, one of four similarly-named – and similarly styled – vehicles in its lineup.

Fisker’s on the ropes, but hits keep on coming. The upstart automaker recently warned that it could face bankruptcy and said that its negotiations with another automaker for a potential investment had fallen through. Business Insider recently reported on leaked documents that show Fisker’s troubles are deepening, as the EV maker has seen tens of thousands of order cancellations since its troubles became glaringly public.

Disappointing EV demand can be blamed on several factors, ranging from the toxic political situation in the U.S. to concerns about driving range and charging. One factor that is coming into clear focus is pricing, as Ford recently found out with the Mustang Mach-E. In response to flagging demand, the automaker cut prices on the electric SUV and has seen an uptick in sales as a result, showing that cost remains a significant hurdle for many prospective buyers.

Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) tech might be under scrutiny from several angles, but the automaker is pushing forward with a plan to bring the system out of beta and into the mainstream. The latest FSD release, version 12, included a name change for the feature, from Full Self-Driving Beta to Full Self-Driving (Supervised), but Tesla’s lack of a public relations department means we don’t have much to go on outside of the name.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that traffic deaths declined by 3.6 percent in 2023. While this is good news, the United States continues seeing per capita vehicle fatalities at the highest rate witnessed since the mid 2000s.

In 2023, the NHTSA reported 40,990. This is in contrast with the 42,514 on-road deaths cited for 2022. However, the U.S. witnessed a fairly staggering decline in vehicular safety starting around 2015 and we’re still seeing metrics that would be considered high from before that period.

After more than 15 years, the R35 Nissan GT-R is reaching the end of the road, but there’s good news for fans of the iconic sports car. At this year’s New York auto show, an official from the automaker told Motor Authority that the GT-R and Z names would be sticking around but also noted that it could be some time before they are reborn.

Nissan and Mitsubishi have long existed side-by-side in the weird tri-automaker alliance that also includes the French company Renault. Even so, the two have never collaborated on a vehicle for the U.S. market, though that could be about to change. Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida announced that the pair would share vehicle tech and design knowledge to create a handful of new vehicles for American buyers.

Fresh off a new batch of awards last week in New York, Hyundai has announced the Ioniq 5 N eN1 Cup car – complete with slick tires, a redesigned body kit, and various lightweight measures.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had received 82 complaints about certain Ram trucks that allege a loss of power due to a failure of a vital transmission component. Though not at the recall stage yet, the NHTSA’s probe has wrapped in around 188,000 trucks from the 2022 model year.

It’s not uncommon to see a poorly modified vehicle having technical difficulties, but it’s extremely rare to see a factory-modified vehicle experiencing the same issues. That’s the problem that Ford is having with the Transit Trail van, which was recently recalled for having tires that are too big, causing rubbing.

Ford took a victory lap this week after realizing the Mustang is now the only traditional front-engine, rear-drive, V8-powered American sports coupe that’s still available after 60 years on the market. To commemorate the achievement, the brand debuted a special red and black logo it said was inspired by the badging and wheel center caps on the Mustang that debuted at the 1964 World’s Fair. This is apparently tied to a 60th Anniversary Appearance Package the brand will soon be offering and a digitized “special feature” that will be made available on April 17th.

Toyota has officially previewed the redesigned 4Runner for the first time via Instagram. But the photo in question doesn’t offer much information beyond the model wearing its name at the bottom of the rear hatch and getting some new taillights. There’s likewise a contrasting bumper, which may just end up being an option. However, Toyota offering up a teaser for the 2025 model year should also indicate that the much-anticipated SUV’s formal debut is likely right around the corner.

Among many other things, the Inflation Reduction Act changed the way EV tax credits work in the United States. With an eye on reducing America’s dependence on Chinese batteries and materials, the Act incentivizes automakers to source materials from free-trade-compliant countries and build EVs in North America. Now, China is expressing its unhappiness with the legislation by raising a dispute with the World Trade Organization.

Kia is recalling more than 400,000 Telluride SUVs for risk of rolling away in park. The ultra-popular family hauler’s driveshafts may not fully engage, causing damage and unintended rolling.

Every year, different groups of auto journalists and industry professionals come together to choose a “best of” list to recognize vehicles in various categories. One of the groups is the World Car of the Year (WCOTY) jury, which includes journalists and professionals from several countries. They recently revealed their 2024 picks at the New York auto show, and it’s clear that legacy auto brands are facing increasingly tough competition.

There are a handful of models that change so slowly that it’s almost imperceptible, leaving you with the impression that they might have never changed at all. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class could probably serve as the poster child for this phenomenon and has recently undergone another round of subtle tweaks for the 2025 model year. However, this is actually one of the more comprehensive updates the G-Wagen has seen between generations.

Mini has released the 2025 Mini Cooper Hardtop, specifically the performance variant that’s likely to appeal to enthusiasts that aren’t interested in the hardcore John Cooper Works version. The manufacturer is reviewing the model at the New York auto show this week and looks to have kept the car that’s slated for sale in North America quite close to its European counterpart — with a few exceptions.

The 2025 Volkswagen ID.7 will be here soon, and the automaker recently outlined specs for the upcoming electric sedan. VW will offer it in two configurations with up to 335 horsepower and said that pricing details will be available closer to the vehicle’s launch in the third quarter of this year.

Fisker has been on thin ice for a while now, but one of its most promising lifelines has fallen through. Reuters reported that Fisker was unable to reach an agreement with Nissan and other potential investors, including up to five large automakers.

While it’s true that electric vehicles don’t require the same level of routine maintenance that gas vehicles do, EVs have some downsides. A main point of complaint for owners has been tires, as a new J.D. Power study showed that many are surprised that their heavy, torque-rich EV burns through rubber faster than when they had a gas vehicle.

Though some automakers have abandoned cars in favor of trucks and SUVs, Kia remains steadfastly committed to the format. It recently announced the upcoming 2025 K4, and today, Kia detailed specs for the car.

NEW YORK -- Hyundai kicked off the 2024 New York International Auto Show by dropping the new Tucson and a refreshed Santa Cruz minitruck.

If you like yer British off-road weapon served with a size of boost, you’re in luck. Land Rover announced this morning they are stuffing a twin-turbo V8 up the nose of its blocky Defender.

A cargo container ship exiting the Port of Baltimore collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning. You’ve undoubtedly seen the footage by now, as well as the rampant speculation about what happened. As of now, nobody seems to know the full details of the incident but the ramifications should be relatively easy to predict. As a major shipping corridor for the United States, losing access means supply chain bottlenecks.

United Auto Workers union president Shawn Fain has not been shy about his desire to organize non-union auto factories in the United States, and a new report suggests he’s making headway. Automotive News reported that Volkswagen’s Chattanooga assembly plant will hold its third union election in mid-April, setting the stage for what could be another dramatic win for the popular leader.

Tesla has long faced questions about the driver monitoring systems it employs to keep people in line when using its advanced assistance systems. Despite that, CEO Elon Musk has mandated that all new Tesla models come with a Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta demo, seemingly ignoring the scrutiny in favor of selling more services to customers.

In recent years, auto shows haven’t been the exciting showcases of new vehicles they once were, but this year’s New York International Auto Show has already seen a few compelling concept vehicles. Genesis took the opportunity to show off a pair of SUV concepts, including a sleek electric model and a performance SUV from a new sub-brand called Magma.

The Porsche 718 is now dead in Europe after it failed to meet the European Union’s so-called “cybersecurity” regulations. The Cayman and Boxster be joining the gasoline-powered Macan SUV in the afterlife, which encountered its own regional demise for similar reasons. While all models will reportedly return as electric vehicles, we know things will never be the same.

The last decade hasn’t been the kindest to Nissan. Its former CEO had to flee Japan and is currently hiding in Lebanon, and several high-value employees left shortly after. Now, the company has reportedly backed out of a tentative deal to invest in Fisker and is eying the possibility that China could eat everyone’s lunch with affordable EVs. CEO Makoto Uchida recently outlined the automaker’s comeback roadmap, called “The Arc,” which he said would involve launching dozens of new models and enhancing the brand’s competitiveness in the EV space.

Bentley's former CEO Adrian Hallmark has broken with the company after making remarks that sales were down due to wealthy people buying fewer luxury products over concerns that it might upset poorer people living in those markets. That’s paraphrasing and his words were chosen much more carefully. However subsequent clarification from Bentley suggested that some markets were “experiencing continued economic and political difficulty” that would dissuade “showing displays of wealth.” It didn’t play well in the media and Hallmark has reportedly left the brand and since taken up with Aston Martin.

The Bahraini fund called Mumtalakat was already McLaren’s largest shareholder, but now, it has taken over full ownership of the storied British sports car brand and racing teams. McLaren has had some rocky years financially, so the move will help shore up its base and prepare it for success moving forward.

Millions of vehicle owners have been shocked when opening their most recent auto insurance bills. Rates are up across the board, hitting $2,543 in 2024, which represents a 26 percent increase from 2023. CNBC and Bankrate reported on the rate increase, noting that some states and drivers have it much worse than others.

For ages, Jeep has been using the fan-directed Easter Jeep Safari in Moab as an opportunity to show off working concepts to brand faithful. This year is no different, with four machines appearing on the slickrock.

Earlier this week, Donald Trump suggested that he would impose a 100 percent tariff on select automobiles manufactured in Mexico — sending the industry into a minor tizzy.

Having done some digging into the matter, Trump only appears to be targeting Chinese vehicles being manufactured south of the border. The statement was made during the “Buckeye Values PAC” rally in Dayton, Ohio, and comes after Chinese automaker BYD announced plans to build a production facility in Mexico. While most of the resulting vehicles are assumed to be electric, BYD has stated its intention is not to sell them within the United States.

A significant percentage of new car buyers want Apple CarPlay in their next vehicle, but that popularity has the government on high alert. As part of its recent antitrust lawsuit against the tech giant, the U.S. Department of Justice listed CarPlay, saying that it stifled the development of technologies that could work with a phone while residing in the vehicle’s interface.

General Motors desperately needed its next-generation EVs to make a good impression. The company is fighting Ford and others in a race to match and outperform Tesla, but it hasn’t had the best luck along the way. After announcing that Ultium-based EVs would not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, GM issued a stop sale for the Chevy Blazer EV over software issues. The issues were bad enough for the automaker to offer an olive branch to early owners in the form of a financial reimbursement.

Leaning into the connection between its name and slang for sneakers, Nissan unveiled the 2025 Kicks in Brooklyn at the opening rounds of this year’s NCAA tourney at Barclays Center.

The world does not need another way for Tesla superfans to show their love for the company. Beyond the endless legions of people (or bots) willing to spring into action online anytime someone speaks ill of the company, it has released novelty products, like liquor, to adoring fans. The company is now offering another way to show Tesla love. Head designer Franz von Holzhausen recently tweeted images of the CyberHammer, an actual sledgehammer available through Tesla’s referral program as a reward.

Concept vehicles don’t often make it to production unchanged, but the new Infiniti QX80 looks an awful lot like the QX Monograph concept the automaker showed late last year. The new SUV was recently revealed with boxier styling, more interior space, and an updated interior design with more tech and high-end materials.

Kia is revamping its entry-level car. The 2025 Kia K4 will be revealed later this month at the New York auto show as a replacement for the long-running Forte. We won’t have full specs on the car until next week, but its styling and design mark a significant step forward for what will likely still be Kia’s most affordable model.

A new study is claiming that automakers lose an average of $6,000 for every $50,000 electric vehicle they sell. Boston Consulting Group, an American-based global management consulting firm that issued the report, said the figure accounts for customer tax credits — painting a rather bleak picture for the future of EVs.

New standards are coming for tailpipe emissions in the next few years. An announcement from the Biden administration this week unveiled the rules, which look to remove more than seven billion tons of carbon and other pollutants from our air.

Back in the early 1990s, when I was in high school, a friend’s dad owned an off-road parts distribution company, and we had a ton of fun with his Chevy big block-swapped Jeep CJ. I specifically remember shredding the driveshaft on at least three Tennessee backwoods trails. Modified Jeeps are nothing new, but the automaker is jumping into the fray with a send-off model to honor the rowdy V8 it offered for the SUV’s last few model years.

People who buy cars from brands like Bentley aren’t generally concerned with things like recessions and the opinions of the masses, but the automaker thinks its customers are buying fewer expensive cars because they feel bad about showing off. Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark said the company’s disappointing profit numbers from 2023 reflect its buyers’ “emotional sensitivity.”

Stellantis has agreed to adhere to California emission policies, including requirements to make two-thirds of new cars to zero-emission or electric by 2030. This means the automaker — which oversees Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and several brands that are not sold in the United States — will be required to cut emissions through the 2026 model year and adhere to California’s requirement to have a majority electrified fleet within the next several years. There are also provisions for the company to spend millions of dollars on charging stations and community outreach programs designed to encourage EV sales.

Despite all the innovation in the electric vehicle world, battery packs haven’t deviated from the two primary shapes they’ve always taken. Automakers generally employ either a rectangular or cylindrical battery pack, which limits their ability to position them in some places on the vehicle. General Motors might be looking to buck that trend, as a recently discovered patent application shows the automaker is looking at less traditional shapes for its next-generation battery packs.

Cleveland, Ohio, has approved new zoning and transportation policies that are angling to transform it into the next “fifteen-minute city,” The City Planning Commission voted to move forward with changes to building codes in several pilot neighborhoods it wants to make more pedestrian friendly. However, such policies have become contentious with European examples further down the path of progress seeing relatively consistent opposition due to the fact that the ultimate goal is to eliminate the automobile.

Almost all of us have made a boneheaded purchase or three in our lives. But few are notable as the debacle at Hertz, a company which most gearheads know decided to buy tens of thousands of electric vehicles only to bin them at severely subvented prices. Now, the CEO is stepping down from his role.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety occasionally updates its testing methods to keep pace with a rapidly evolving automotive industry, but there’s one thing that hasn’t changed with the new tests: Crash speeds. In a recent YouTube video, the IIHS detailed why it hasn’t increased crash-test speeds above 40 mph despite the fact that most highway drivers routinely hit much higher speeds.

Tesla presented the “new” Roadster back in 2017, but the car isn’t expected to officially launch until next year. CEO Elon Musk has made some big promises about the car, including that it could break the one-second 0-60 mph time barrier. We’re now hearing more grandiose claims about the car, with Musk saying that it would feature rocket technology thanks to a partnership with his other company, SpaceX.

A few weeks ago, Ford announced that it had created an internal skunkworks team to focus on affordable EVs and a new platform to underpin them. Bloomberg recently reported more deeply on the project, noting that The Blue Oval may be planning up to three new electric models on the new architecture, including a compact SUV and a small pickup truck.

Lithium Americas has broken ground on its Thacker Pass mining operations, potentially opening the door to what some are calling the largest lithium deposit in the entire world. However, it’s estimated to be another three years before refinement takes place and the materials can be adapted for use in battery powered products — including all-electric vehicles.