10,000-RPM Audi Quattro, 3 Series driven, $220M GM fine
PLUS: Citroën 2CV returns, R2 outsells R1, Escape comeback?
Releases & Reviews
2027 BMW 3 Series and i3 First Drive: A Big Gamble With Two Completely Different Cars
The gas 3 Series continues on the CLAR platform as a 255-horsepower 330 or a 437-horsepower M350. The i3 50 xDrive is a separate car on its own chassis, with 463 horsepower and a zonal computer BMW says cuts control latency from 20 milliseconds to 1. MotorTrend drove both in France.
Honda Is Going to Make the Civic Type R HRC—and Sell It in America!
The concept from the Tokyo Auto Salon appears at this week's SEMA Show as Honda confirms development for the U.S. The first HRC parts, including forged wheels, short-throw shifters and exhausts, arrive in March 2027. MotorTrend expects cooling and aero upgrades in line with the Integra Type S HRC prototype.
Technology, Market Data & Analysis
GM Allegedly Sold Your Driving Data. Now The Company Must Pay $220 Million
The settlement with 36 states covers the Smart Driver program, which enrolled millions of drivers from 2014 to 2024 and passed braking and speeding data to insurers. Investigators say dealers enrolled buyers without consent while earning signup bonuses. GM must now obtain express consent before sharing driver data.
Used EVs Are Selling Faster Than Gas Cars or Hybrids
An iSeeCars study of over 1.5 million late-model used cars finds EVs averaged about 42 days on the market in September, 13 days quicker than gas cars. Used EV prices rose nearly 10% over the year to about $32,500 while gas-car prices stayed flat.
Car Culture
A British Marque Is Building a New Audi Quattro with a 10,000-RPM V-8
Audacious Automotive builds the IV on B7 RS4 underpinnings with that car's 4.2-liter V-8, supercharged to 592 horsepower or 740 in Stage Two form, and keeps the six-speed manual. The company claims 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds and 200 mph. Production is capped at 50 cars from about $469K.
One Of Chrysler’s Most Complicated Engines Had 30 Cylinders, 5 Blocks, 5 Carburetors, And Was Shaped Like A Star
To power the M4A4 Sherman tank on a wartime deadline, Chrysler engineers bolted five production flathead straight-sixes around a shared crankcase. The 20.5-liter A57 made 445 horsepower and weighed about 5,400 pounds. The Autopian reports it became one of the Sherman's most reliable engines by 1944.
Miscellaneous
McLaren's Next Supercar Officially Has A Name: McL 820
McLaren teased the name on a kiwi statue in London before confirming it, with the car due in 2027 as the 750S ends production. The 820 denotes metric horsepower, about 809 hp against the 750S's 740. Power comes from one of two hybrid powertrains McLaren is developing in-house.
SWEET SPOT?! 2027 Corvette Grand Sport Review
The Grand Sport pairs the new 6.7-liter LS6 V8, rated at 535 horsepower and 520 lb-ft, with the Z06's wide body. Pricing starts at about $88,500, and The Straight Pipes' Jakub tests a car optioned to about $133K, weighing it against the Stingray, the Z06 and the Mustang Dark Horse.
Quick Links
Citroën’s Adorable 2CV Is Coming Back as an EV
The 2CV Concept targets a price of about 15,000 euros (about $17K), a weight under 2,200 pounds and production by 2028, with bench seats front and rear and a fabric roof.
Nissan Goes Rogue with a Quiet and Efficient Series Hybrid
The series hybrid's turbocharged three-cylinder only generates electricity for two motors making 225 horsepower combined, and Autoweek reports an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined from about $37,000.
Ford Killed the Escape. Now It Looks Like the Popular SUV Might Come Back.
Ford's website says the Escape is "taking a breather" rather than discontinued, and Ford Authority reports an electric version on the new Universal EV platform could enter production in 2029, which Ford calls speculation.
Rivian R2 Sales Are So Strong It’s Outselling Both R1 Models Combined
Rivian says the R2, so far sold only in its top Performance trim, lifted third-quarter deliveries nearly 50% year over year to about 19,200 and raised full-year guidance to as many as 70,000 vehicles.
Report: GM Finally Takes Its SUVs Hybrid
Reuters reports the hybrids will come to the three-row Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia as GM's U.S. market share slipped to about 17% while Toyota and Honda gained.
FIA President Owns 160 American V8 Cars, Says European Cars Are ‘Like Matchboxes’
Mohammed Ben Sulayem told The Drive he enjoys his self-built restomods more than a hypercar collection that includes a Mercedes-AMG One and a Ferrari F40, and would keep a Cadillac if limited to one car.
2027 Chevy Bolt | Cheapest EV In USA?
Savagegeese drives the LFP-battery Bolt, which starts under $30K with 210 horsepower and an EPA-rated 262 miles of range, and compares it with the Nissan Leaf, Toyota bZ and Rivian R2.