Autoblog News

Taking a brand-new performance vehicle for a spin is usually the best part of the car-buying experience, completely free of charge. Dealerships actively encourage shoppers to get behind the wheel to seal the deal, assuming their corporate insurance policies will cover any minor parking lot scrapes. However, a customer in British Columbia just learned the hard way that when things go awry, you might be forced to swap insurance details and foot the bill yourself.

The costly ordeal began when customer Kirby Sewell ordered a new Chevrolet Corvette from Gardner Chevrolet-Buick-GMC. When the highly anticipated sports car finally arrived at the dealership in 2024, it was unfortunately missing several specific performance enhancements he had originally requested. Understandably hesitant, Sewell decided to take the vehicle for a solo test drive to determine if he still wanted to finalize the purchase despite the missing factory options.

Chevrolet

According to a recent report from Automotive News, Sewell parked the Corvette next to a concrete barrier at a local Flying J truck stop to inspect and take pictures of the exterior. When a large semi-truck suddenly needed to squeeze past the parked sports car, Sewell panicked. In a frantic attempt to quickly move the vehicle out of the semi’s path, he scraped and significantly damaged the entire passenger side of the car against the rigid concrete barrier.

Following the costly mishap, Sewell attempted to argue in court that taking the test drive effectively made him a de facto employee of the dealership. He claimed this legislative loophole meant the dealer’s policy should cover the damage. While liability can admittedly get murky when a mechanic crashes cars, the judge vehemently rejected Sewell’s creative defense. The court ruled that his employment argument defied common sense, leaving him entirely liable for the damages.

Chevrolet

The dealership was ultimately forced to pay roughly $7,000 to repair the damaged fiberglass and paint, eventually selling the repaired sports car to another buyer for a reduced price of $82,000. To recoup their losses on the diminished value, the dealer took Sewell to court. The Supreme Court of British Columbia upheld the initial ruling, officially ordering the customer to pay the dealership a staggering $12,250 for the damages caused during the brief joyride.

The ultimate takeaway for consumers is to treat any dealership inventory with the utmost respect. Unlike a notoriously reckless Corvette driver who happily bought a replacement after totaling his car, Sewell walked away empty-handed and thousands of dollars poorer. As the presiding judge eloquently wrote, motor vehicle legislation is strictly intended to protect innocent third parties, not to protect a negligent driver from their own mistakes behind the wheel.

Chevrolet

For its 90th anniversary, Dodge is going to reveal a new Mopar package for the 2027 Dodge Charger at SEMA 2026. This will be the fourth time that the American automaker has done this to a Dodge Charger since 2011, and it will be available for the two-door’s select trims.

In total, Dodge says that there will be 270 units of this package, 90 of which will be on vehicles offered in three exterior colors: Bludicrous, Diamond Black, and White Knuckle, which are hues that also give a nod to Mopar’s 90-year heritage. That leaves the remaining 180 units available for would-be buyers of the 2027 Dodge Charger, which can be purchased on top of a brand-new Charger for $10,995.

The official U.S. MSRP has already been unveiled ahead of time: $10,995, which leaves customers some time to decide and travel to Vegas for the SEMA show, where it will be first showcased. Either that or you can wait for in-the-metal photos and decide from there. Stellantis and Dodge haven’t sent out detailed photos just yet, but we have a group shot of the three cars in the three Mopar colors that are set aside for the commemorative units.

For customers who want the package on any of the Dodge Chargers and their various trims, don’t fret because Dodge is making this Mopar package available for select trims. The two-door Dodge Charger R/T and Dodge Charger Scat Pack plus models will be eligible to spec out with this limited-edition package.

As for the contents, the Mopar ’27 package includes the following:

• Direct Connection carbon-fiber front splitter  

Dodge

For the Mopar ’27 models, the production run will start with the Charger R/T variant. The R/T delivers 420 horsepower from the twin-turbo Sixpack engine. It has all-wheel drive and on-demand rear-wheel drive. Acceleration is said to be 4.6 seconds from 0 to 60 miles per hour, and Dodge claims that it can run a quarter mile in just 12.9 seconds.

The Scat Pack Plus turns things up a notch, with leather performance seats, 20 inch by 11 inch wheels, the Carbon and Suede Package, and the Blacktop Package. For collectors and enthusiasts, this is the configuration to get if you want the best version of the Mopar Package. Power is up from the R/T, now at 550 horsepower from the 3.0-liter twin-turbo Sixpack motor that’s been upgraded with forged internals, twin Garret turbos, and a charge air cooler from the factory. The same all-wheel drive and on-demand rear-wheel drive are still available, but 0 to 60 times are now 3.9 seconds, and the quarter-mile time goes down to 12.2 seconds.

In addition to that, there will be three additional factory-backed performance parts for the Dodge Charger for customers who want to further personalize their cars. These performance bits include a cat-back exhaust for the 3.0-liter inline six, a performance suspension spring kit, and 21 inch by 11 inch Brass Monkey wheels.

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) is going to compete at the 2027 Score World Desert Championship. The Honda Passport “Baja Spec” race truck will be unveiled on October 29, 2026, and if you want to see it in the metal, it’s going to be on display at the 2026 SEMA Show from November 3 to 6, 2026.

Who knew that the Passport could look so bad-ass? The teaser shows a side profile of the soon-to-be-unveiled race truck, and it looks like it will be absolutely ridiculous. The Honda Passport Baja Spec will have 1,300 under the hood, feature Honda’s latest and greatest technologies for going fast off-road, and it will also be driven by two-time Baja 1000 winner Bryce Menzies.

HRC

The Big H is no stranger to Baja racing. Honda is the winningest manufacturer in Baja-spec motorcycle history, with 22 victories in its trophy cabinet and numerous class wins. The Japanese brand has also taken its two-wheeled expertise to the four-wheeler classes, amassing 17 class victories since 2015, which include four wins at the Baja 1000 and five at the Baja 500. Now, the brand has already set its sights on the 2027 Score World Desert Championship, and it has the right Passport for the job, figuratively and literally.

All we see is a side-profile silhouette of the Honda Passport Trophy Truck, but we can already tell it’s going to be an absolute menace in person. In fact, so much was done that I guess corporate had to put the “Passport” nameplate on the side of the car, lest people forget the car that it is based on. However, as with most Trophy Trucks, it’s obvious that a lot of reengineering was done in order to get this up to a Baja Spec.

Honda

For now, this is just a sneak peek, but the reveal is shaping up to be one for the books, especially for Passport fans and owners. With 1,300 horses under the hood, massive tires, and bodywork that’s sure to make its mark on the desert dunes, Honda might have a very eventful season in front of it.

This truck takes all of the latest and greatest technologies from Honda’s motorsports efforts, ranging from Formula 1, IndyCar, and IMSA, in addition to its already storied history in the desert rally stage. HRC U.S., if you’re unaware, heads all of Honda’s racing efforts, and engineers cars to compete at the highest levels.

Again, the reveal is set for October 29, 2026, and it will be held at a private event in Downtown Los Angeles and hosted by the Menzies. Following that is a public unveiling at the HRC booth at SEMA 2026 from November 3 to 6, 2026.

Honda

Ford is following through on its promise to offer a sub-$30,000 electric pickup truck with the Fathom. It promises the utility of a truck running solely on electricity without breaking the bank amid a more challenging EV market in the U.S. But aside from affordability at the dealership, the Blue Oval brand wants the Fathom to help owners save on electricity bills through bidirectional charging.

What sets the Fathom’s bidirectional charging apart is that the EV truck comes with a built-in inverter, something the now-discontinued F-150 Lightning didn’t have, requiring an external inverter system instead. The inverter converts DC power from the high-voltage battery into AC power used in homes. Ford also expects about 50% cheaper home chargers and at least 60% cheaper home backup hardware compared to its first-generation systems, lowering the barrier to entry for bidirectional charging.

Ford

Ford hasn’t disclosed specific electricity bill savings for the Fathom yet. For reference, the F-150 Lightning required $5,205 in hardware costs for the Ford Charge Station Pro and Home Integration System, excluding installation. The automaker also hasn’t released the Fathom’s full specifications, though its bidirectional charging system is projected to deliver more than 10 kW of power.

Bidirectional charging can work in two primary ways: home power management and home backup power. Home power management allows the system to use energy from the truck during peak hours when electricity costs are higher, and recharge the truck when electricity costs are lower. Meanwhile, home backup power can automatically power homes during an outage, serving as a cleaner and quieter alternative to traditional gas or diesel generators.

Ford

But right now, Ford still has to work with utility companies to make bidirectional charging more accessible. The automaker formed a working group with five utilities in July 2026 to simplify the approval process, particularly by distinguishing between owners who use their trucks solely for isolated home backup power and those who operate bidirectional systems while connected to the grid. With more than 3,000 utilities operating across the U.S. and Canada, each with different requirements, widespread adoption could still face regulatory hurdles.

Still, the proposition of an affordable truck offering more affordable bidirectional charging could be something to look forward to. The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, which also has a starting price under $30,000, supports vehicle-to-home (V2H) bidirectional charging but requires a separate inverter at home. The Tesla Cybertruck is another EV with a built-in inverter, but it doesn’t offer the same affordability, with a starting price of $74,990.

Jim Farley/X

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.