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- New Palisade Shocks, 1,817‐HP Hennessey, Car Design Lost
New Palisade Shocks, 1,817‐HP Hennessey, Car Design Lost
PLUS: Wilderness Outback, 80s G‐Class Tribute, Kia K4 Hatch
2025-04-17
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Releases & Reviews
[Doug DeMuro] The 2026 Palisade sports an all‑new exterior with Range Rover‑inspired rear styling, hidden tow hitch, and full‑width light bar. Its 2.5 L hybrid I4 makes 330 hp (246 kW) and 340 lb‑ft (461 Nm), targeting 34 mpg combined (6.9 L/100 km) and 620 miles (998 km) range. Interior tech includes UVC sanitizing tray and massage relaxation seats.
The 2026 Outback’s upright, boxier design features stacked headlights and a 2 inch taller roof for 35 cu ft (1 m³) of cargo space. Power comes from a 180 hp (134 kW) 2.5 L engine or a 260 hp (194 kW) 2.4 L turbo in Wilderness trim, which also features 9.5 in (241 mm) ground clearance and a steering‑wheel X‑Mode switch.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Hennessey’s Evolution package transforms any Venom F5 with Ilmor‑engineered 6.6 L twin‑turbo V8 making 2,031 hp (1,515 kW) and 1,445 lb‑ft (1,959 Nm) via oval pistons, titanium valves, billet rods, and Precision 76/80 turbos. Priced at $285,000, it also adds adaptive suspension tuned for six modes and advanced aero with F1‑inspired splitter and Gurney lip.
Insurify’s analysis of over 97 million quotes finds Tesla vehicles leading insurance cost hikes: Model Y up 29%, Model 3 24%, Model X 22% year‑over‑year. EVs and hybrids occupy all top ten spots, as pricey battery repairs and high‑tech sensor calibrations drive premiums alongside surging extreme‑weather claims.
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Car Culture
Legendary designer Luc Donckerwolke argues globalization has eroded distinct regional styling by forcing vehicles to satisfy worldwide production and homologation, neutralizing Italian sculpted forms, German engineering cues, and American additive clay techniques. He champions reductive design focused on core brand DNA to restore authentic automotive character.
Career HEB driver Homero Flores celebrated 4 million miles of accident‑free driving over a 33‑year tenure—averaging roughly 357 miles per day. He’s the third HEB team member to reach this milestone, joining peers Andres Corona (2014) and Danny Guerrero Jr. (2021), underscoring the division’s emphasis on safety and professionalism.
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Miscellaneous
Genesis’s X Gran Equator concept debuts at the 2025 New York Auto Show with a boxy, minimalist SUV design featuring split tailgate, two‑line light motif, and camera‑dial digital gauges. Its floating greenhouse and modular storage hint at future luxury off‑road direction, though Genesis remains silent on powertrain details.
BMW’s patent proposes adding a >20 kWh motorsport supercapacitor alongside batteries to intake 3,000 kW and recharge hybrid racecars in as little as one minute—or even 30 seconds—without degrading cell life. By harnessing kinetic energy beyond regen braking, it aims to enable rapid hot‑lap and endurance pit stops.
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Quick Links
Electronically controlled dampers tuned with acceleration sensors combine with an enhanced X-MODE off‑road mode and all-terrain tires to raise ground clearance to 9.5 inches, and the turbo 2.4‑liter boxer still makes 260 hp (194 kW)/277 lb‑ft (376 Nm).
U.S. Palisade offers a 3.5‑liter V‑6 with 287 hp (214 kW)/260 lb‑ft (353 Nm) plus 2.5‑liter hybrid producing 329 hp (245 kW)/339 lb‑ft (460 Nm); XRT Pro adds 1 inch of lift, Mud/Sand/Snow modes, all-terrain tires.
Kia’s new K4 hatchback is 11 inches shorter than the sedan yet offers 22.2 cu ft of cargo space (59.3 cu ft folded); powertrains include a 147 hp (110 kW) 2.0‑liter and an optional 190 hp (142 kW) 1.6‑liter turbo on GT-Line Turbo.
Mercedes-Benz will build 460 units of its “Stronger than the 1980s” G550, featuring MANUFAKTUR Agave Green, Cream, or Colorado Beige paint with Night Black Magno accents, amber headlight indicators, 18‑inch silver wheels, mirror projectors and a retro hood emblem.
Audi’s RS e-tron GT Performance pairs two PSM electric motors delivering up to 912 hp (680 kW) from a 105 kWh battery for a 0-60 mph time of 2.4 seconds, and features optional active hydraulic suspension that leans into corners.
VW’s 2026 Tiguan Turbo uses an EA888 evo5 engine with a larger turbo, 10.5:1 compression ratio, stronger connecting rods, variable valve lift to boost output to 268 hp (200 kW)/258 lb‑ft (350 Nm) through an eight-speed automatic and AWD.
Honda Canada confirmed its Alliston, Ontario, plant will run at full capacity with no production shifts planned, producing Civic sedans and CR‑Vs locally; 69% of Hondas sold in Canada are built there and 99% are North American‑sourced.
On DRIVETRIBE, hosts explore a 'massive hole' luxury car graveyard—an abandoned 400 ft deep former lead mine—salvaging Range Rover parts like fog lights, interior trim, and turbos to keep their project SUVs running.
Peter Vieira reflects on how auto shows have shifted from essential model debuts to nostalgia-fueled gatherings, recalling that while they once guided buying decisions, today’s events mainly offer public excitement and industry marketing fizz rather than major reveals.
An Italian Turin court has deemed admissible a class action over Takata‑airbag faults in Citroën and DS models (2009–2019) recalled across 24 countries, giving owners 150 days to join claims seeking up to €285 million (~$323 million) before a November 21 hearing.
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