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- Ram HD tamed, Toyota runs dry, Cammisa’s Sierra revelation
Ram HD tamed, Toyota runs dry, Cammisa’s Sierra revelation
PLUS: BYD vs Tesla, Hyundai won't raise, Civic Hybrid is best
2025-04-04
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Releases & Reviews
Subaru's new 2.5-liter flat-four hybrid system pairs with dual electric motors for a combined 194 horsepower (145 kW). Thanks to 35 mpg (7 L/100km) combined, standard AWD, and 8.7 inches (22 cm) of ground clearance, it blends everyday efficiency with genuine off-road skill—though some testers find highway passing merely adequate.
Boasting updated styling, Ram’s latest HD trucks now offer a 6.7-liter Cummins diesel rated at 430 horsepower (321 kW) and 1,075 lb-ft (1,457 Nm) of torque. Adaptive cruise and a refined eight-speed auto make trailering up to 19,000 pounds (8,618 kg) easy. Off-road trims like the Power Wagon boost capability.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Stellantis is pausing production at some Mexican and Canadian plants after new tariffs took effect, resulting in 900 temporary layoffs at five U.S. parts facilities. A 25% import tax, on top of supply chain pressures, forced the automaker to shift output schedules. Union officials criticize the move as unnecessary.
Skyrocketing demand for Toyota’s hybrid lineup has led to months-long wait times worldwide. Supply chain bottlenecks, including shortages of critical parts like magnets and inverters, are stalling deliveries across key markets. Despite the challenges, Toyota’s hybrid focus is paying off, with rising sales even where EVs dominate.
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Car Culture
BMW’s original E30 M3 combined road manners with track domination, becoming the most successful touring car in history. Its 2.3-liter four-cylinder delivered modest power by modern standards, but superb balance and steering captured enthusiasts’ hearts. Many still consider it the brand’s high-water mark for pure driver engagement.
In this Hagerty video, Jason Cammisa delves into Ford’s underappreciated Merkur XR4Ti and the legendary Sierra RS Cosworth. He explains how a bungled U.S. launch doomed the turbocharged Merkur, while Europe’s Cosworth version became a Group A icon. It’s a fascinating look at two 1980s Ford performance heroes.
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Miscellaneous
The last manual-transmission VW GTI quietly turned up at a Montana dealership, with no formal send-off from Volkswagen. A devoted enthusiast tracked it down and bought it, recognizing its significance in hot-hatch history. Though basic black, it marks the end of three-pedal GTIs in the U.S.
Once hailed as a revolutionary transport idea, the self-balancing Segway never displaced bicycles or cars. Its slow 10 mph (16 km/h) top speed, hefty weight, and awkward styling kept sales low—only 140,000 units in two decades. Production ended in 2020, closing the chapter on a once-hyped urban mobility icon.
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Quick Links
Ford’s new “From America for America” plan grants employee pricing to all U.S. shoppers and thousands in discounts, leveraging its domestic production advantage to spur sales despite Trump-era tariff hikes on imports.
Genesis unveiled one-off Gran Coupe and Convertible concepts based on the flagship G90 sedan, showcasing dramatic two-door styling, upscale cabins, and potential future halo models that could rival ultra-luxury grand tourers.
BYD's first-quarter sales soared 60%, with pure EV deliveries up 39%, fueling the automaker’s expansion beyond China into Europe and Latin America, as it seeks to challenge Tesla with new battery and ADAS tech.
Hyundai debuts a sleeker Ioniq 6 refresh with thin LED lights, reworked bumpers, and an upcoming N model likely sharing the Ioniq 5 N’s 641 horsepower (478 kW) dual-motor setup for heightened EV performance.
Hyundai’s second-gen Nexo aims for over 430 miles (692 km) of hydrogen range with a 201 horsepower (150 kW) front-drive system and a restyled, more aerodynamic body, as it readies global sales for 2026.
Aston Martin’s Valhalla packs a 1,065 horsepower (794 kW) hybrid V8, limited to 999 units at about $1.1 million, aiming to rival pricier hypercars like McLaren’s W1 with track-focused handling and advanced tech.
Hyundai vows to keep prices stable amid tariff pressures but ends its three-year free maintenance program, urging dealers to offer pre-paid plans instead, as it aims to remain competitive in the critical U.S. market.
Honda’s Civic Hatchback Hybrid combines a 2.0-liter, 200 horsepower (149 kW) hybrid powertrain and spacious versatility, delivering an EPA-rated 48 mpg (5 L/100km) while offering lively acceleration, refined cabin materials, and everyday practicality.
Arguing that automakers could project turn signals and braking distances onto the pavement, this piece claims puddle lights have untapped safety potential beyond the decorative logos found under side mirrors.
On TheSmokingTirePodcast, Jerry Seinfeld discusses comedic minimalism, his passion for Porsches, and the philosophy behind collecting iconic models, revealing personal favorites and stories from decades of automotive enthusiasm.
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