$1M AMG V-8, Hybrid-only CR-V, Clarkson's Ferrari 355
PLUS: Mustang vs Corvette, Doug's R2, Last manual truck
Releases & Reviews
Mercedes-AMG CLE646 First Drive: 646-HP V-8 Spezialanfertigung
AMG removes the CLE53's all-wheel drive, rear seats and mild-hybrid six to build a rear-drive coupe with a flat-plane-crank 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 making 646 hp and 626 lb-ft. Only 30 will be built, at nearly $1 million each. MotorTrend says it follows the template of the old Black Series cars.
Next-Gen 2028 Honda CR-V Follows the Toyota RAV4 as a Hybrid-Only SUV
The seventh-generation CR-V arrives next year on a new platform with Honda's fifth-generation two-motor hybrid system. Honda targets an efficiency gain of over 10% on the current hybrid, which is rated at up to 38 mpg combined. Over half of CR-Vs sold are already hybrids.
Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Scout Motors: We Aren’t Delayed or in Trouble. Stop Saying So.
Scout is welding and painting validation builds of the Traveler SUV and Terra truck at its $2 billion South Carolina plant. Executives dispute German reports of a delay and say production starts in 2027. About 85% of its roughly 210,000 preorders are for the range-extender version.
GM Leaves the New York Stock Exchange for “Tech-Heavy” NASDAQ
GM moves its listing on November 16 after 115 years on the New York Stock Exchange. A spokesman cites lower fees and expects the shares to join the NASDAQ 100 index, widening the investor base. He says GM remains an automotive company.
Car Culture
Jeremy Clarkson’s Ferrari 355 Is Headed to Auction
Clarkson took delivery of the 1996 355 GTS new, with the gated six-speed manual and optional sport seats. He gave it away in a Sunday Times contest after about 6,000 miles. Iconic Auctioneers estimates £200,000 to £250,000 (about $266K to $332K) at its November 14 sale.
Does Size Matter? 7.4L V8-swap E30 v BMW M2 DRAG RACE
Carwow races a stock 480-hp M2 against a Red Bull drift E30 with a 630-hp Chevy LS V-8. The M2 runs the quarter mile in 12 seconds to the E30's 12.4. The drift car wins both rolling races, and its owner says the smoking engine needs a rebuild.
Miscellaneous
Colorado Forced to Refund $1.1M in Speeding Tickets Thanks to Silly ‘Administrative Error’
The state is voiding about 27,000 camera-issued tickets from a three-mile construction zone on Interstate 25 near Pueblo. The mobile cameras moved with the work zone, and the legal description on file was never updated. Refunds for paid tickets will arrive by mail automatically.
Someone Put A Widebody Kit On A Bugatti EB110 And It Actually Works
Jonsibal drew the kit as a render in 2020, and Phiaro Bespoke of Irvine, California, built it for SEMA's Toyo Treadpass display. It adds about eight inches of width and bolts to the factory mounting points, leaving the original panels intact. Bugatti built 139 EB110s.
Quick Links
Tested: The V-12 Mercedes-Maybach S680 Is Too Much, Which Is Just Right
Car and Driver records 60 mph in 4.5 seconds from the 621-hp twin-turbo sedan and calls it a bargain against Rolls-Royce and Bentley at about $292,000 as tested.
The Rivian R2 Is Going to Be a Smash Hit
Doug DeMuro calls the production R2 probably the best all-around EV on sale, citing a starting price of about $55,000 and a Performance model with over 650 horsepower for roughly $60K.
Ford Expedition Tremor Project Overland First Look: Gearing Up For Adventure
Fox Factory Vehicles built the one-off for Ford with a two-inch lift, 34-inch all-terrain tires, a winch and a rooftop tent, and it goes on display at the L.A. auto show November 20–29.
2026 Porsche Cayenne Electric Pros and Cons Review: Porsche Soul, Right Down to the Price
The Drive praises the 435-hp base model's steering, ride and 322-mile rated range, and calls its as-tested price of about $143,000 far too expensive.
Want A New Pickup With A Manual? There's Still Only One Choice
Toyota offers the six-speed manual at no cost on three non-hybrid Tacoma trims with four-wheel drive, and only 1 to 2% of buyers choose it.
U-DRAGS RACE: 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC vs. 2027 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport
Edmunds runs the 795-hp Dark Horse SC to a 32.5-second win over the 535-hp Grand Sport, which launches ahead and posts the higher cornering grip.
Honda Just Teased a New Hybrid SUV Called the Avancier
The teased SUV is reported to be a three-row model above the CR-V with Honda's next-generation hybrid system, debuting December 1 in Thailand, and U.S. availability is unannounced.