8.3L Duramax, Clarkson sells Lancia, $50K Roadster deposit
PLUS: Range Rovers lose power, Rogue vs RAV4, Kia's SUV killer
Releases & Reviews
The Mercedes-AMG GT63 Pro Is AMG’s 911 GT3
The Pro raises the twin-turbo V8 to just over 600 horsepower and adds carbon-ceramic brakes and a rear wing. It starts just over $200,000 and keeps the regular GT63's suspension and rear seats. Doug DeMuro finds it softer and more usable than a GT3 and scores the two equally.
Subaru Teases Special Limited-Edition Versions of the 2027 BRZ and WRX
The single teaser image points to versions of the existing tS trims, with a carbon-fiber rear wing on the WRX. Car and Driver does not expect added power. The full reveal is set for Subaru's Boxerfest in York, Pennsylvania, on September 27.
Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Make Way for Mongoose: GM’s New Duramax Turbodiesel Displaces a Whopping 8.3 Liters
Every Duramax V8 since the engine's 2001 debut has displaced 6.6 liters, so the Mongoose is the largest consumer version yet. GM has released no output figures. The current Duramax makes 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft, and Hagerty expects the Mongoose to top 1,000 lb-ft.
Toyota’s Getting Into Gas-Extended EVs, and Not Just Dipping Its Toes: TDS
Nikkei Asia reports that Toyota will build 200,000 extended-range EVs next year, starting in China, and double that in 2028. There is no word yet on other markets. The same roundup reports that Mercedes may close two German plants if it cannot cut costs.
Car Culture
You Can Be The Next Owner Of Jeremy Clarkson’s Last ‘Grand Tour’ Car
The car is a Lancia Montecarlo Spider that Clarkson drove across Zimbabwe and into Botswana, then bought after filming. The listing says the reason for the sale will become clear in the next season of Clarkson's Farm. It sells with no reserve on November 14 in Birmingham, England.
Here’s What A Jeep Wrangler JK Rubicon Looks Like After 16 Years And 200,000 Miles
The 2010 Rubicon, with locking Dana 44 axles, came in on trade for a 2025 Ford Bronco. A brake caliper that swings with the wheel kept it off public roads. David Tracy finds the body, paint, and 3.8-liter V6 in good shape for the mileage.
Miscellaneous
Tesla Roadster’s $50,000 Deposit List Reopens Ahead of October 1 Reveal
Buyers pay $5,000 by credit card up front and wire the remaining $45,000 within 10 days. Car and Driver notes that refunds of past Roadster deposits have not always come easily. Elon Musk's earlier claims include a 0-60 time under two seconds and SpaceX-inspired thrusters.
Monaco’s Forgotten Supercar Heads to Auction After 35 Years
Monte Carlo Automotive built five Centenaires, the first production road cars on a carbon-fiber monocoque, years before the McLaren F1. Each uses the Countach's 455-horsepower, 5.2-liter V12 with a six-speed manual. The first example goes to Broad Arrow's Belgian sale on October 9, estimated at about $1.1M to $1.4M.
Quick Links
2027 GMC Sierra 1500 Starting Prices Spike with New Generation
The base Pro crew cab starts at about $51K, up nearly $2,000, and GMC has dropped the long-running SLE and SLT trims.
Nissan Takes on the RAV4: 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid First Look
Edmunds calls Nissan's e-Power hybrid a worthy rival to the RAV4 from behind the wheel and expects a starting price of about $37,000, a few thousand dollars above the Toyota.
Some Range Rovers And Jaguars Could Suddenly Lose Power
A failing DC-to-DC converter can stop the 12-volt system from charging and cut engine power on nearly 24,000 vehicles, and dealers will fix it with a free software update.
2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz Yearlong Review: Has VW Created Another Automotive Icon?
MotorTrend finds that strangers at car shows readily connect its long-term Buzz to the original Type 2, and that interest drops once they learn the price and that it is electric only.
A Minivan That Also Isn’t One: 1995 Honda Odyssey EX Tested
Honda called the Accord-based van with swing-out rear doors a “Premium Family Mover,” and Car and Driver's test found a 140-horsepower four-cylinder that needed 10.7 seconds to reach 60 mph.
The Kia PV5 proves SUVs are POINTLESS!
The top PV5 makes 160 horsepower and reached 60 mph in 9.2 seconds, and Carwow recommends buying one rather than leasing until lease rates drop.
Why Do Turbo Cars Make That Famous Whoosh? Here's What's Happening
When the throttle closes on a still-spinning turbo, a blow-off valve vents the pressurized intake air to prevent compressor surge, and that release makes the whoosh.