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- M5 update, $30k Dodge sportscar, Ferrari 308 changed everything
M5 update, $30k Dodge sportscar, Ferrari 308 changed everything
PLUS: Rivian R3X, American Range Rover, GMC grilles fall off
2025-02-14
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Releases & Reviews
Doug DeMuro highlights how the 308 made mid-engine V8 Ferraris mainstream, starting a lineage that continues today. With around 210–250 horsepower (~157–186 kW) and a removable targa roof, it offered exotic style in a more attainable package. This iconic sports car paved the way for modern Ferrari design.
Chevy’s full-size SUV gains styling tweaks, an updated 17.7-inch screen, and air-adaptive suspension. Its 6.2-liter V8 delivers 420 horsepower (~313 kW) for confident cruising, but real-world fuel economy hovers near 16.7 mpg (~14.1 L/100km). With roomy seven-passenger seating, the RST trim prioritizes comfort and tech at an $87,000 price point.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Ford’s CEO warns that ending electric vehicle tax credits could threaten thousands of manufacturing jobs tied to the automaker’s U.S. battery plants. He cites billions invested in EV production, highlighting that reduced incentives may dampen consumer adoption. Without federal support, Ford sees higher costs for both builders and buyers.
Nissan and Honda halted plans for a potential $60 billion merger that would’ve formed the world’s fourth-largest automaker. Disagreements over leadership and corporate structure reportedly derailed the deal. Both companies now face intensifying pressure from EV-focused rivals while seeking new partnerships for cost sharing and technology development.
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Car Culture
Spy shots reveal the upcoming M5 adopting a shorter grille and updated headlights, echoing BMW’s Neue Klasse design cues. Inside, it’s expected to feature a pillar-to-pillar Panoramic iDrive display running Operating System X. The current plug-in hybrid delivers 717 horsepower (~536 kW), unchanged for this evolutionary refresh.
Jason Cammisa on Hagerty unravels how the Saab 9000, Lancia Thema, and Alfa Romeo 164 were built on a shared platform. Each offered top-tier front-wheel drive performance, even sporting Ferrari or Buso V6 engines. This collaboration brought surprising variety under one clever engineering blueprint.
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Miscellaneous
Dodge’s CEO hints at a lightweight, entry-level performance model under $30,000, acknowledging a market for simpler, affordable weekend cars. While short on specifics, the brand aims to avoid direct Mustang or Camaro rivalry. This concept may rekindle Dodge’s adventurous spirit beyond its high-power muscle lineup.
Featuring a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower (~280 kW), the 2025 G80 Sport Prestige blends brisk acceleration with a plush ride. Genesis refines the sedan’s styling, adding a 27-inch screen and matte carbon-fiber interior accents. Fuel economy lags at 18 mpg (~13.1 L/100km).
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Quick Links
At the September Goodwood Revival, Alfa Romeo will celebrate its 100-year racing legacy with historic models including the 158 Alfetta, TZ2 GT, and Tipo 33, offering fans a nostalgic yet dynamic experience.
Pagani is set to make a 'dynamic debut' at the ICE St. Moritz Concours, showcasing the new Utopia Roadster with 852 horsepower (636 kW) and unique design cues that blend its storied past with futuristic details, alongside classic models.
Kia’s February EV Day event in Tarragona will unveil production versions of the angular EV4 sedan, a diminutive EV2 hatchback that shares underpinnings with the Hyundai Inster, and the versatile PV5 commercial van.
Edmunds Cars pits the 2024 Corvette Z06’s 670 horsepower (500 kW) and 460 lb-ft (624 Nm) against the Maserati MC20 Cielo’s 621 horsepower (463 kW) and 538 lb-ft (730 Nm) in a drag race that underscores Corvette’s performance.
Car and Driver’s tests reveal that the 2025 BMW M5, now at 717 horsepower (535 kW) and weighing 5251 lb (2381 kg), suffers slower acceleration and braking due to its additional weight, though it still delivers balanced handling.
The Fast Lane Car reviews the 2025 GMC Yukon AT4 Ultimate, a new off-road SUV priced at $102,000 that pairs robust 6.2L V8 performance with upscale features like massaging seats and advanced tech, embodying America’s own Range Rover.
Scott Birdsall transformed a 1953 Ford Vanette—originally a nuclear fallout response rig with lead-lined walls—into an epic off-road camper powered by a 5.9-liter Cummins diesel, featuring upgraded axles, Ford Super Duty leaf springs, Bilstein shocks, and a cozy, cabin-like interior.
GMC Recalls 70,000 Sierra 1500 Pickup Trucks Because Pieces of Grille Might Fall Off (2 minute read)
GMC has recalled over 70,000 2022 Sierra 1500 pickups equipped with a chrome grille, as an upper trim piece may detach during driving—affecting roughly 3% of vehicles—with dealers halted on sales until a fix is finalized.
Facing slumping EV sales and market uncertainty, Porsche plans to reduce its workforce by about 1,900 jobs across German facilities through buyouts and early retirements, following earlier cuts that failed to meet its downsizing targets.
Raiti's Rides dives into the all-new 2027 Rivian R3X, a rally-inspired hot hatch built on a new compact platform that delivers 850 horsepower (635 kW) and over 1,000 lb-ft of torque (1,356 Nm), featuring innovative design elements and versatile configurations.
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