Autoblog News

One of the best perks of EVs? Automakers can play Tetris with all the hardware underneath. Forget the old days of squeezing in a bulky engine and transmission – electric cars let you shuffle things around and make the most of every inch.

This flexibility is important for electric sports cars. Many people like the look of a low hood, but fitting motors, electronics, and cooling parts into a small front end can make it difficult to keep that classic shape.

Toyota thinks it has a fix. A recent Japanese patent application shows off a clever way to squeeze everything in and drop the nose for those sportier proportions.

Japan IPO

Patent JP 2026-171370 A, first spotted by CarMoses, isn’t about reinventing the electric powertrain. Instead, it’s all about where you stick the front drive units, electrical gear, and the air-conditioning condenser.

According to the patent, Toyota’s trick is to line up the electric motor, reduction gearbox, and driveshaft along a single axis. This makes the whole drive unit shorter and squatter, though it does get a bit wider. But here’s the payoff: a lower drive unit means more space to drop the front end.

Toyota doesn’t stop there. They tilt the air-conditioning condenser forward, making use of the space in front of the drive unit. Normally, this part chills the refrigerant and hangs out behind the grille, catching fresh air.

Instead of standing the condenser straight up, Toyota angles it so the top juts forward. That way, the condenser’s top edge can sit lower than the stack of electrical gear above the drive unit. The patent mentions things like a DC-DC converter and onboard charger, but there are other possible setups too.

Put it all together, and you get a front end that doesn’t need as much vertical space for hardware, but still lets the condenser breathe.

Japan IPO

The upshot? Designers get more room to sculpt a lower hood and give future electric coupes or performance cars the kind of sleek silhouette that turns heads.

Of course, the patent doesn’t name any specific model, and there’s no sign Toyota is actually building this into a real car yet. It’s just an engineering idea for now, but maybe something we can look forward to after the electric Lexus LFA arrives to the market.

Like most patents, this one might never see the light of day. Automakers love to lock down clever ideas just in case, even if they never make it to the showroom. So don’t hold your breath – but it’s fun to imagine what could be coming.

Japan IPO

Ford has identified a tailgate issue with certain full-size pickups, affecting every model from the best-selling F-150 through to the immensely capable F-450 Super Duty. Under certain conditions, a tailgate cable could fail when a load is applied to it. Since heavy equipment is often loaded into the back of these trucks, the issue could potentially result in an injury. While the fix is relatively simple, Ford’s planned remedy will only be available next year as the automaker struggles to get a number of recall-related problems fixed timeously. 

Ford

Ford has traced the issue to a left-side tailgate cable that could fail. If a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) or equivalent load is applied to affected tailgates, the cable on the right may not be able to support the load. If this happens, the tailgate can drop onto the rear bumper. Either the falling tailgate or the load could potentially injure customers.

“An incomplete crimp in the tailgate cable bolt end eyelet allows the cable to detach from the cable eyelet under heavy load. The incomplete crimping is due to a broken crimping die,” stated the recall report, which was published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The following models and model years are affected by this recall:

• 2026-2027 Ford F-150 (18,412 units)

In total, 30,123 pickups are involved in this recall.

As of October 19, 2026, there have been no warranty claims or field reports linked to this tailgate issue. Wisely, Ford has issued the recall before any customers are impacted.

Ford

Weeks ago, we highlighted that Ford is averaging over five months to fix recalled vehicles. This comes as the automaker has surpassed 80 recalls in 2026 alone. Unfortunately, it’s going to be another long wait for customers with defective tailgates.

Interim owner notification letters are only expected to be sent between December 14, 2026, and December 18, 2026. Between January 18 and 22, 2027, remedy owner notification letters will be sent out, which means that the tailgate issue is unlikely to be resolved for at least the next three months.

When a fix is eventually available, customers will have to take their trucks to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the tailgate cable on the left replaced. This will be completed at no charge. For now, owners of these trucks can contact Ford’s customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for more information. On December 7, 2026, the VINs of affected models will become searchable on the NHTSA’s website.

Anyone who owns a full-size Ford pickup should exercise caution when operating the tailgate or loading heavy items into the bed.

Related: Ford Hits 80 Recalls In 2026 As F-150 Faces Another Safety Issue

Ford

Ford has now issued 84 recalls over the course of 2026 to lead all automakers. Stellantis is a distant second with 39 recalls, followed by Toyota (28), General Motors (25), and Hyundai Motor America (22).

Not every recall is serious, widespread, or has even been noticed by owners. Many have been proactive measures to address quality issues on older models before they inconvenience customers. Some recalls have been more concerning, though, such as the 4,653 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles that were handed a Do Not Drive warning in May. In these vehicles, a detached control arm could cause a loss of vehicle control.

On a positive note, Ford is well short of the 153 recalls it issued in 2025. If there’s one record it won’t want to break, it’s that one.

Related: Ford Tells Thousands Of Bronco Sport And Maverick Owners Not To Drive Over Crash Risk

The Aston Martin Valhalla is the brand’s first plug-in hybrid supercar, tapping into the segment Ferrari and Lamborghini compete in with the 849 Testarossa and Revuelto, respectively. Now, Aston Martin wants to further widen the Valhalla’s appeal with a new Spider version. But the Valhalla Spider isn’t just any other open-top alternative, as it manages to retain the performance of the coupe.

Unlike many models with coupe and open-top options, the Valhalla Spider retains the 217-mph top speed of the Valhalla Coupe, even with the roof removed. Spiders tend to have lower top speeds because of increased aerodynamic drag and additional weight, something that also affects Aston Martin’s flagship model, the Valkyrie. While the Valkyrie Coupe has a listed top speed of 220 mph, the Spider is rated at over 217 mph with the roof on and over 205 mph with the roof off.

Aston Martin

So despite the Valkyrie Spider making more horsepower from a naturally aspirated hybrid V12, the Valhalla Spider is the British marque’s fastest open-cockpit model ever. It retains the same powertrain setup as the coupe, which is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with three electric motors, producing a combined output of 1,064 horsepower.

The Valhalla Spider achieves this feat thanks to revised aerodynamics, including a rear snorkel that’s 35 mm (1.38 inches) taller and a wind deflector that redirects airflow above the occupants while supplying cooling air to the engine intake. The active aerodynamics and electronic stability control are also recalibrated for both open- and closed-roof driving. However, while the optional carbon-fiber hardtop preserves the full 217-mph top speed, the standard fabric roof limits it to 124 mph when fitted. In the U.S., the carbon-fiber hardtop reportedly comes standard instead.

Another new feature in the open-top version is the standard carbon-fiber Touring Seats, although customers can retain the coupe’s sportier seats at no extra cost.

Aston Martin

The press release didn’t disclose how many Aston Martin Valhalla Spiders will be produced or how much each will cost. However, reports say that the Spider will account for about 25% of the Valhalla’s 999-unit production run, which works out to roughly 250 examples. The coupe also starts at a little over $1 million in the U.S., so given that Spiders traditionally cost more, the new Valhalla variant is expected to carry a premium. For now, the new open-top version is scheduled to make its global debut at the 2026 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas this weekend, with deliveries starting in Q3 2027.

One alternative is the Ferrari 849 Testarossa, which is also available in coupe and open-top versions. Unlike the Valhalla, the Ferrari PHEV supercar doesn’t have a fixed production cap. The Lamborghini Revuelto is currently limited to coupe configurations, with the track-ready SV trim being the latest addition to the range.

Aston Martin

Up to 18 inches of snow is forecast over high terrain through Thursday under a new winter storm warning from the National Weather Service, with gusts to 35 mph and blowing snow that could significantly reduce visibility. The warning follows several winter alerts from the same forecast office since the weekend.

NWS Fairbanks has the winter storm warning in effect from 2 p.m. ET Tuesday to 8 p.m. ET Thursday for the south slopes of the Western Brooks Range and the Noatak Valley, including Red Dog Mine, Noatak and Walker Lake. Total accumulation ranges from 6 to 18 inches, with winds gusting as high as 35 mph and areas of blowing snow.

Below 800 feet the forecast is mostly rain, and some rain is possible near Red Dog Mine on Tuesday. Precipitation peaks Tuesday and Wednesday, the heaviest snow arrives Wednesday, and temperatures cool from Wednesday into Thursday. For anyone who has to travel, NWS Fairbanks recommends keeping an extra flashlight, food and water in the vehicle.

The new warning covers the same zone as one that expired at 8 p.m. ET Sunday, which forecast up to 20 inches on higher terrain with gusts to 55 mph. A second warning over the south slopes of the Central Brooks Range, including the Dalton Highway from Mile Post 165 to Mile Post 232, called for 8 to 16 inches in two waves and ran until 2 a.m. ET Tuesday. A winter weather advisory over the Dalton Highway summits, the Elliott and Steese highways and the Taylor Highway north of Mile Post 9 expired at 8 a.m. ET Tuesday, with NWS Fairbanks noting that most of the snow from that storm had passed and only isolated snow showers remained.

Related: Walmart Is Selling a Heavy-Duty Cordless Snow Blower That Can Throw Snow Up to 25 Feet for 42% Off

LED headlamps need roughly 75 percent less electricity than halogens for the same light output and do not get hot enough to melt snow and ice off the lens, according to The Drive, which reports the problem is worse where snow is wet and sticks readily. Heavy snow can also cover the radar units in the bumper or grille and the camera at the top of the windshield that automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist rely on, and Ford advises that driver-assist features may become unavailable in heavy snow. Clearing the headlight lenses, front bumper and camera area along with the glass, and repeating it on a longer drive, helps keep the lights and sensors clear.

Toyota is one of the first automakers announcing exhibits for this year’s SEMA Show, and instead of showing off a slammed Corolla, a 2JZ-swapped GR86, or anything else that might be fun on asphalt, the automaker is leaning into the other major component of aftermarket enthusiasm: off-roading, specifically on snow. Meet the Snowhunter quintet: Tundra, Tacoma, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, and Sequoia concepts that are all devoid of driven wheels, bolting tracked drive systems to their axles. The concepts are also upfitted with several accessories, and all share white paint and camouflage graphics, but it goes without saying that these vehicles are not street-legal and won’t be found on the forecourt of a Toyota dealership any time soon.

Toyota

Toyota’s CALTY Design Research department in Ann Arbor, Michigan, led the project, with Toyota and TRD lifting parts helping complete each. Rigid Industries also contributed to each vehicle with additional lighting, but Toyota hasn’t revealed which aftermarket entity it worked with on the tracks. Nevertheless, all the concepts look ready for brutal blizzards, starting with the Tundra Snowhunter Concept. This is designed as a mobile basecamp and features billet rear control arms from TRD, Predator Step running boards, and the aforementioned lighting. It also has a CALTY-designed TrailLift Pro Rack System Concept, which turns the truck bed into a flexible platform that can accommodate bicycles, kayaks, canoes, and more.

Next up is the Tacoma Snowhunter Concept, which gets a roof rack, a full-length bed rack with MOLLE panels, an awning, recovery equipment, and bed lighting. Extra storage is also unlocked, and this less extreme concept is designed to handle tight trails with agility, while the 4Runner Snowhunter Concept adds skid plates to protect the underbody, extra cargo carrying capacity, and upgrades like Toyota rock rails, a Prinsu roof rack with accessory panels, and a Thule Pulse 2 cargo box. The Prinsu and Thule upgrades also appear on the Land Cruiser Snowhunter and the Sequoia Snowhunter, with the former adding a Thule SnowPack ski rack and the latter a TRD front skid plate and cast aluminum running boards.

Toyota

Toyota’s Snowhunter concepts are too extreme to become production vehicles, and they’d cater to an extremely small niche if they did. But they do serve a purpose. The Snowhunter concepts’ snow tracks create a wow factor and grab our attention, and after the shock wears off, the other accessories and enhancements take the limelight, showcasing what a Tundra, Tacoma, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, or Sequoia could be with enough aftermarket upgrades, many of which are factory-approved. Builds like these help the pensive enthusiast envision what the most extreme version of their truck or SUV might be like, and that can be enough to warrant at least a visit to a TRD parts store. If that happens, the concepts accomplish their ultimate mission.

Toyota

Bugatti’s lineage may span over a century, but over the last 20 years, it’s been known as the purveyor of some of the most extreme hypercars the world has ever seen. From the Veyron to the Tourbillon, its cars will happily blow past 250 mph while offering a dash of luxury, all while being undaunted to drive at saner speeds.

More recently, the French automaker has been churning out exquisite one-offs for its very special (and ultra-wealthy) clients. Some fine examples include the Brouillard that just went home to its owner, the stunning Destrier, and the wonderful F.K.P Hommage. Also, it’s just started to explore more ideas and options for the Tourbillon.

Bugatti

Mate Rimac, the current CEO of Bugatti, says it now has the freedom to do even more extreme projects. That’s mainly because the Rimac Group has bought the brand in its entirety from the Volkswagen Auto Group, with Porsche selling the last of its stake just a few months ago.

Rimac recently sat down with Top Gear and shared what he wants to happen to Bugatti in the coming years. Hint: There will be simpler cars and a whole lot of horsepower coming soon. “Now with the freedom, having the company independent from any car manufacturer, we can really think long-term and do bold things. And we will do lots of cool stuff,” said Rimac.

Bugatti

That’s not to say VW had a short leash on Bugatti, but being part of a conglomerate has limitations. Now that it’s on its own, the company can let its hair down even more. When asked if sticking with a manual in a Tourbillon was possible, Rimac simply said, “Absolutely. You bet.”

Now, this doesn’t mean the project manual Tourbillon is a go, but rather that Bugatti says it has the capacity to build it. That would mean dropping the electrification bits, which would also shave off about 600 lbs. It would also mean 986 hp, 16 cylinders, and three pedals, making it a recipe for a really wild ride.

Rimac didn’t go into greater detail, but at least we know the gears are moving with that idea. As it’s now a smaller, independent automaker, Bugatti isn’t bound by strict emission rules and regulations that have forced many automakers to electrify their performance vehicles.

Bugatti

The Tourbillon is an amazing feat of engineering, and you don’t have to like cars to appreciate the work and attention to detail that was put into building it. That said, Rimac would also like to go back to basics with the brand. “I think the Tourbillon as it is now made a lot of sense as a successor to the Chiron. It’s an incredible car. But I wonder myself, what’s next for Bugatti and what would be interesting to do? And I think light weight and simplification of stuff,” said the CEO.

Now, this doesn’t mean the company will stop making its luxury hypercars. However, Rimac has a different kind of Bugatti in mind to complement its leather-lined top-speed missiles. The man would like something in the lines of the Type 35, one of the most successful race cars of all time. “Instead of a sledgehammer as Bugattis were the last 20 years, could you do something that’s also more engaging, more back to the roots, more Type 35? There’s so many ideas,” said Rimac.

Again, he didn’t delve deeper into that idea; it would certainly be an interesting concept. A lightweight, eight-cylinder, open-top speedster with a manual and zero electrification would be the perfect contrast and complement to what Bugatti has been building for over 20 years.

Younger generations may find it hard to believe that Porsche was nearly bankrupt in the early-’90s. In the late-’80s recession, slumping sales, and internal mismanagement nearly brought the company to its knees. To save the company, it needed an overhaul, and it got help from Toyota to fix how it was run. It worked, but Porsche needed new products to actually make money again.

First, the Boxster brought more people into its showrooms. But the breakthrough came in 2002 with the Cayenne, Porsche’s first-ever SUV. It may have angered Porschephiles, but it printed money for the brand and became the company’s fastest-selling model. That was until the Macan arrived in 2014, and it quickly took that title from its big brother in practically no time.

It took the Macan just 12 years to hit a million cars. For comparison, the Cayenne took 18 years, while the 911, admittedly a specialty model, took over half a century to achieve that. The first-gen Macan had a long production run, and the last cars rolled off the assembly line just this year. Right now, the second-gen Macan is electric-only, and there has been a noticeable sales dip. Still, at least Porsche will make a second-gen combustion-powered Macan successor, possibly called the Octan, but we’ll have to wait for it a little longer.

Porsche

We know that the future gas-fed Macan/Octan will share more bones with the Audi Q5. Porsche isn’t making much of an effort to hide it, either, as the test mules have literally been wearing the Q5’s body. But underneath the Audi skin (for now) is the promise that it’ll still drive as a Porsche should.

However, a new report from Germany recently piqued our interest. A report from Auto Motor und Sport has mentioned that the compact luxury crossover might be offered with V8 engine. That was from spies scouting around the Nürburgring, observing that the test mule didn’t sound like a V6 at all. A spy video backs that claim, and you can hear it for yourself below.

For our ears at least, the soundtrack is unmistakably V8. If the burble at low speeds isn’t enough to convince you, the sound it makes at full throttle should remove any remaining doubts. Now, there are two scenarios we can think of here: the first is that Porsche might actually stick a V8 in its compact crossover.

The other theory? This could be a test bed for V8 power in smaller applications of Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion architecture, which will also be shared with more Porsche models. Either way, it’s an interesting development, and it could be a first for Stuttgart’s compact crossover.

As for the engine, it’s likely to be the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that’s seeing service in the Cayenne and Panamera. It could have more power, or it could be detuned since the Macan/Octan is a smaller vehicle. But if Porsche puts a V8 in it, we might see at least 468 hp and 442 lb-ft, like in the current Cayenne S. Optimistically, output could reach 591 hp and 590 lb-ft, matching the all-new Audi SQ7. Still, we’ll have to wait a while for the full picture, as the compact Porsche crossover is expected to premiere in the first half of 2027.

Porsche

SH Proshots/Autoblog

Mazda and Seiko are two very important Japanese companies; both exhibit true heritage and precision when it comes to car making and watchmaking. Between the two of them is an expansive back catalog that features some of the most iconic Japanese creations of all time.

So it wouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that these 2 companies would work together to create more icons, but this time in the form of a timekeeper. The latest collaboration model has just been launched in Japan, leaving the rest of the world in envy.

Mazda Collection

Mazda just dropped its newest collaboration timepiece with Seiko (BF9504), a chronograph that embodies what Mazda calls the “aesthetics of subtraction and condensed elegance.” Mazda says the BF9504 draws on its award-winning design language while keeping the functionality of a chronograph. Both brands wanted a minimalist design, free of unnecessary colors and decorations on the dial, while the red stopwatch second hand and crown serve as an accent.

One thing that makes this collaboration stand out from the others is that it’s the first to use curved Hardlex glass. The curved glass gives the design a 3D impression, and the glass itself has been further strengthened to resist scratches. The 3D glass also offers a unique viewing experience depending on the angle, which the designers were also aiming for.

The dial itself was inspired by Mazda’s clusters and meters, boasting excellent legibility. Its design contrasts black metal with red accents, and the font is called Mazda Type, an original to the brand. Another key detail is embedded on the watch: “ESTD 1920 HIROSHIMA, JAPAN.” This small detail shows just how long the Mazda story has been and how far it’s come.

Mazda Collection

The complete package includes two interchangeable straps in leather or steel. Even the watchbox is special, featuring a tri-color design that echoes the watch it houses. For the very lucky who can purchase the watch in Japan, it’ll cost 69,300 Japanese yen ($439 converted), and it will be available for order through dealers starting October 29.

As a fun fact, this model is the third collaboration between Mazda and Seiko; the first was in 2001, a vintage rotary-themed model. The most recent was a watch commemorating Mazda’s race team, the Mazda Spirit Racing model, which was sold last year.

Mazda Collection

Over the course of this year, sales of the Jeep Compass have spiraled, and some blame its higher pricing, so one might expect Stellantis to give the 2027 model a price cut, but alas, the base MSRP has risen. Instead of a $29,550 sticker price as we saw in 2026 (excluding $1,995 for destination), the Compass now starts at $31,985 for 2027 (again, excluding $1,995 for destination), which means that before any options or other fees, the Compass costs at least $33,980. The justification for this $2,435 price increase? More standard features and color choices with which to battle the Toyota RAV4 (MY2026: $31,900 plus $1,595 for destination), another compact crossover seeing a sales decline.

Stellantis

The 2027 Jeep Compass now gets adaptive cruise control as standard on all trims, while the mid-range Limited, Limited Altitude, and Trailhawk add a wireless charging pad and second-row USB ports. Optionally, the Premium Lighting Group gives these trims LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, while the Driver Assist Package adds a 360-degree camera and a garage door opener. Stellantis boasts that the 2027 Compass has a smaller price variance between the base Latitude trim and the slightly better-equipped Latitude Altitude ($32,980 plus destination), now down to $995. In other words, the Latitude Altitude has not had as severe a price increase; for the 2026 model year, these trims were separated by a $2,115 price gap, with the Altitude adding blacked-out exterior and interior elements, painted wheels, and contrast stitching. Unfortunately, the automaker has not provided a full breakdown of pricing for each trim, but besides the 85th Anniversary Edition, all 2026 trims carry over, including the Limited ($33,500+), the Trailhawk ($34,000+), and the Limited Altitude ($36,000+).

Stellantis

The color palette is unusually large for this segment, with Joose, Diamond Black, Bright White, Sting Gray, Red Hot, Hydro Blue, and Fathom Blue already available. But for 2027, Jeep is adding four new hues: Ghost, Copper Shino, ’41, and Goldilocks (availability TBC). As before, the Mexico-made Compass is powered by one engine across all trims, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot making 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, capable of a 2,000-pound towing capacity as standard. Orders are currently open, but Stellantis has yet to announce when deliveries will begin. Late in 2027 (the 20th anniversary of the now-aging Compass), a new model will begin production in Belvidere, Illinois, arriving for the 2028 model year. We’re probably dreaming, but perhaps domestic production will bring the price down again.

Stellantis

Toyota has initiated a new recall, and it’s a serious one. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 228,367 Toyota Sienna Hybrid 7-seat minivans are being recalled due to a dangerous defect in the second row, where seat backs “may fail to remain secured in the event of a crash.” As a family vehicle that transports kids, this is particularly worrisome, and the recall (26V690) covers vehicles produced from September 16, 2021, to July 20, 2026. That means it affects model years 2022-2026, but only a very specific few that were built with seatbelt pretensioners from a certain supplier.

Toyota

The NHTSA recall report explains the issue in detail and says that the vehicles in question have an integrated seatbelt with a pretensioner that quickly retracts during high-speed frontal crashes, securing the passenger. The seatbelt systems feature an outboard recliner that uses interlocking teeth to secure the belt, and when the pretensioner deploys, it creates oscillation between the cam and pawls within this recliner mechanism. In certain scenarios – with variables including the type of crash, the seat back’s position, and pretensioner deployment times – this oscillation can allow the cam to rotate. If this happens, the recliner mechanism disengages from the locked position, and that can have obvious negative consequences. But despite this issue appearing across multiple model years, it was only discovered last year. Fortunately, it was discovered by Toyota, not an extremely unlucky buyer.

Related: The Best Minivans for 2027: Four Contenders, One Clear Winner

Over the course of January to November 2025, Toyota says it was conducting sled testing using a modified seatbelt and second-row seat assembly with an eye to finding improvements for future seats when certain tests revealed the disengagement of the rear seatback’s outboard recliner mechanism. This led to an investigation that ran from December 2025 to August of this year. More sled testing was conducted, during which Toyota found that internal friction affected the recliner. Yet more testing was undertaken, and the automaker began field recoveries to assess how Sienna second-row seat assemblies being used every day were performing. Over September and October, Toyota conducted crash tests to validate the results of sled testing, and that’s when it discovered the issue and began the process of initiating a voluntary recall.

Kristen Brown/Autoblog

Dealers have already been informed of the impending Toyota Sienna recall, but owners will only be notified of a remedy in December. When the remedy is ready, Toyota Siennas must be brought to dealers for assessment, and most vehicles will need nothing more than an updated SRS ECU software file to better control the pretensioner. However, roughly 200 2022-2025 Sienna Hybrid minivans will need their two second-row seatbacks replaced with new components featuring a different recliner mechanism. Whichever group owners fall into, a dealer visit is necessary, and the fix will be applied at no cost.