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- RAV4 explosion, Tiguan improved, Bugatti Bolide tested
RAV4 explosion, Tiguan improved, Bugatti Bolide tested
PLUS: Minivan wars, worst car features, 33yo Bentley costs
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2025-03-10
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Releases & Reviews
Volkswagen's next-gen Tiguan grows in size, ditching the cramped third row in favor of a more spacious five-seat layout. The updated 2.0-liter turbo engine now delivers 201 horsepower (150 kW), combining smooth torque with improved ride comfort. Inside, tech upgrades include fresh physical controls and a more refined cabin design.
Top Gear takes the £4 million (~$4.8 million) Bugatti Bolide for an extreme track session, revealing the razor-sharp handling and monstrous 1,600 horsepower (1,194 kW) W16 engine. Despite its race-car approach, it features AWD and advanced electronics to deliver astonishing grip. The visceral acceleration and braking set new hypercar benchmarks.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
A fatal explosion at a Toyota supplier in Japan prompted the automaker to halt RAV4 production at two plants. The temporary shutdown may affect up to 21 percent of U.S. RAV4 supplies, though Toyota has not confirmed long-term impacts. The suspension also disrupts output of the Harrier (Venza) crossover.
Volkswagen’s main shareholder, Porsche SE, projects a $21.7 billion after-tax loss tied to its impaired stake in Europe’s largest carmaker. The write-down stems from declining market values for both Volkswagen and Porsche AG shares. Despite the setback, Porsche SE still plans to issue a dividend for the previous year.
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Car Culture
A 1967 Lotus 49 once raced by the legendary Jim Clark earned Best in Show (Concours de Sport) at the 2025 Amelia event. The historic F1 icon, featuring the pioneering Ford Cosworth DFV V8, was meticulously restored to its original specification. Its victory highlights the car’s enduring motorsport legacy.
In this Hagerty video, a dedicated builder transforms a Nissan Silvia S14 into a desert-ready trophy truck, complete with long-travel suspension and turbocharged power. The project merges drift roots with off-road performance, requiring extensive fabrication. The result is a uniquely capable mashup that boldly redefines Silvia’s classic silhouette.
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Miscellaneous
Volvo’s leadership suggests that traditional wagon models are phasing out as the automaker pivots fully to EVs and streamlined platforms. Rising costs and consumer demand for crossovers push Volvo to consolidate its lineup. This decision marks the end of an iconic wagon heritage spanning several decades.
DRIVETRIBE investigates BMW’s notorious N47 diesel, infamous for timing chain failures that can cause catastrophic engine damage. Poor lubrication and fragile plastic chain guides frequently lead to costly repairs. Tips like shorter oil-change intervals and disabling stop-start aim to reduce the risk of sudden breakdowns in these high-volume models.
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Quick Links
Savagegeese compares cargo space, seat layouts, and powertrains, including the Sienna's 245 horsepower (183 kW) hybrid system, to see if it can beat the Odyssey’s 280 horsepower (209 kW) V6 or the Carnival’s advanced tech.
TheSmokingTire’s Matt Farah reveals he spent over $20,000 maintaining his classic Bentley over 4,800 miles (7,725 km), showing how daily-driving a vintage luxury car can outpace new lease costs.
Doug DeMuro spotlights the quirks that annoy him most, from ill-advised haptic controls and confusing lock/unlock chimes to awkward courtesy wipers and outdated manual shift levers that hamper modern convenience.
VW confirms a return to traditional physical knobs and switches in upcoming models like the ID 2all, following customer feedback that criticized the automaker’s recent reliance on haptic sliders and touchscreen controls.
Telo’s compact electric MT1 pickup prototype enters a critical development phase with over 5,000 preorders, featuring a modular bed-to-cabin design and gear tunnel that aims to rival larger EV trucks in urban spaces.
Maserati officially axed the planned 700-horsepower (522 kW) MC20 Folgore EV after years of development, citing low market demand and shifting its focus back to the twin-turbo V-6 supercar and future brand-wide electrification.
Autoblog highlights four modern standouts—the Mazda3 Hatchback, BMW Z4 manual, Mercedes-AMG SL, and Lexus LC—that blend distinctive design, performance, and rarity, positioning them as smart buys for future collectible status.
A slip off the front tire of his demo car nearly caused Lewis Hamilton an injury at Ferrari’s promotional Milan event, underscoring how a minor mishap could jeopardize his upcoming debut season with the Scuderia.
This rare 1984 Porsche 911 Turbo ‘slant-nose,’ producing around 300 horsepower (224 kW), was custom-built by Porsche’s Special Wishes department and offers an iconic slice of 1980s excess up for auction on Bring a Trailer.
Motor Authority showcases how vintage icons like a barn-find 1957 300 SL and the 2009 McLaren SLR Stirling Moss helped shape Mercedes-AMG’s modern performance legacy, highlighting milestone engineering from classic roadsters to hybrid supercars.
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