Cadillac has built a competitive electric vehicle lineup, helping it claim the top spot in the U.S. luxury EV market last year. One of the most intriguing models in the brand’s EV range is the Optiq-V, a performance-oriented compact luxury crossover that can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds in Velocity Max mode.

Beyond performance, Cadillac is also offering Optiq-V buyers a limited styling package called the Magnus Launch Edition. According to GM Authority, it is now arriving at dealerships and is available for purchase. The package adds interior and exterior design elements and is produced in extremely limited numbers, offering a sense of exclusivity for buyers who manage to secure one.

Cadillac

The Magnus Launch Edition features a Magnus Metal Frost exterior finish, a color exclusive to the package. It is paired with blue brake calipers – with the front set wearing the V-Series logo – housed behind 21-inch alloy wheels finished in Satin Graphite. Enhancing its performance-inspired look further is a carbon fiber package that includes a genuine carbon fiber front splitter, mid-spoiler, and rear diffuser.

The blue motif continues inside with the Santorini Blue interior package set against a Noir (black) cabin.

Again, the Magnus Launch Edition is strictly a styling package, so it does not bring any changes to the electric powertrain. The Optiq-V is powered by a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing 519 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. It offers an EPA-rated range of 278 miles and can add up to 71 miles in about 10 minutes at a DC fast-charging station.

Cadillac

Given its exclusivity, it is not surprising that the Magnus Launch Edition carries a $10,990 premium. That is added on top of the Cadillac Optiq-V’s $67,300 starting price, excluding destination fees. By comparison, the non-V-Series model starts at $50,900, though the exclusive styling package is not available on those variants.

For those who miss out on one, Cadillac is also offering the Optiq Premium Sport and V-Series with the Onyx Package. It adds 21-inch gloss black wheels, Obsidian Chrome mirror caps, and perimeter lighting for the driver and front passenger that illuminates the ground to assist with entry and exit.

Production takes place at General Motors Ramos Arizpe Plant, where other all-electric models in the company’s portfolio, such as the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Blazer EV, are also built.

Cadillac

People have always looked for cheaper and cleaner alternatives to mainstream fuels like gas and diesel, and the automotive industry today offers probably the most diverse lineup of powertrain types that have ever been available at one point in time.

Besides the ubiquitous gas and diesel engines and their hybrid and plug-in hybrid derivatives, you’ve got biofuels such as bioethanol or biodiesel, cars that run on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), all-electric vehicles and even cars that use hydrogen fuel cells and synthetic fuels for propulsion. There also used to be steam-powered cars a century ago, but we’re long past that now.

At one point, gas produced by burning wood was another option, and it gained traction especially during World War II when fossil fuels were rationed. Known as “woodmobiles,” these vehicles were fitted with a wood gasification unit that turned wood, wood chips, sawdust, charcoal, coal and even rubber into gas that would then power a combustion engine.

As a reminder of those times and to prove that woodmobiles can still work today if need be, the owner of a Chevy Fleetside V8 'square body' from Finland converted it into a wood gas truck—and has covered over 60,000 miles on wood alone without any issues since.

From the video posted on the Jp Prat Projects channel on YouTube, we learn that the vehicle is “very environmentally friendly” when you factor the carbon footprint caused by the entire life cycle of the wood fuel. Of course, you wouldn’t think that by looking at the big chimney installed behind the cab between the gasifier and the filter.

Jp Prat Projects / YouTube

The gasifier transforms the wood into flammable gas composed of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, while the filter cleans the wood gas of tars as well as soot and ash particles. Before going into the filter, the gas is cooled by the additional radiator the size of a Rolls-Royce Pantheon Grille, and after it comes out of the filter, it goes through a mixer that feeds the right amount of air and wood gas into the engine.

Inside, the truck looks pretty much standard with the exception of a few additional gauges and buttons.

Jp Prat Projects / YouTube

The 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) V8 engine comes from a 1972 Chevy truck and has a compression ratio of 11:1. It has seen some changes, including a different camshaft that’s better suited for wood gas use, while the intake manifold comes from a 1986 Corvette.

Interestingly, it takes a while to start the vehicle up—5 to 10 minutes—and one of the required steps in the startup process is to light up the gas coming out of the chimney in order to observe the quality of the gas before directing it to the engine. Once the engine starts, it pulls the gas into itself automatically.

Jp Prat Projects / YouTube

For those of you who are interested in numbers, this Chevy woodmobile eats about 81 pounds of wood per 60 miles. Mind you, there’s a small inconvenience: given the size of the stove, you need to stop and feed wood into it every 43 miles or so.

The owner of the car says the video does not present some “crazy energy hack solution” as the vehicle was built purely for the enjoyment of tinkering, not to pitch wood as an alternative fuel. A new video will follow in a few months to document the wood-burning Chevy truck participation in a 1-mile speed event. That should be fun.

For those thinking of getting a Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss with a base four-cylinder engine, the moment has passed. According to GM Authority, the off-road-oriented version of the full-size pickup could no longer be offered with the 2.7-liter TurboMax four-cylinder engine.

The publication reports that about 200 units of the four-cylinder Silverado Trail Boss models remain. After that, that specific pickup version will no longer be available. With that, there's good news and bad news.

Chevrolet

Because the turbo-four option has been discontinued, the base price of the Silverado Trail Boss LT is expected to increase. Exact figures are unknown at the moment, but expect updates to the price lists down the line. Based on the configurator, the TurboMax-powered Silverado LT starts at $62,495.

That said, there was no mention of whether the standard Custom Trail Boss will drop the TurboMax engine. It appears it will remain an entry point for those looking for an off-road-oriented full-size pickup for less. But for those who like the niceties from the LT version, you're out of luck.

Chevrolet

Then again, if you're spending that much on a well-equipped and off-road-ready full-size pickup, you might as well go for the V8, right? Well, it seems that GM might have followed that logic. Once stocks run out, the base engine for the LT Trail Boss will be the 5.3-liter. It'll raise the price, for sure, but hey, standard V8, right?

Should Chevrolet stick to current pricing, that means the LT Trail Boss will now start at about $65,000. The 5.3-liter V8 is good for 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. While it has more horsepower over the TurboMax at 310hp, the V8 couldn't match the boosted four's torque, which is at 430 lb-ft.

Of course, there are other engine options available. One can order the 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. There's also the 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six diesel that makes 305 hp and 495 lb-ft.

Chevrolet

The current Silverado has been around since 2018 and received a facelift for the 2022 model year. That means it's been eight years since we last saw a fully-redesigned Silverado, and we're due for an all-new generation.

As we reported previously, the fifth-gen Silverado will start production by October this year. It'll be for the 2027 model year, and major changes are most definitely coming. The timing is just right, too, as the next-gen F-150 isn't due until 2029.

Chevrolet

UPDATE: A High Wind Warning is now active across parts of north-central Montana today, with gusts to 65 mph expected between 11 AM and 3 PM. Separately, NWS Missoula is tracking the same Wednesday–Friday system and warns of a 30-degree temperature plunge from Tuesday's highs, with snow levels crashing to 4,500 feet by Thursday morning — lower than originally outlined — and accumulations possible along mountain passes of the Continental Divide in western Montana. The Watch-to-Warning upgrade flagged below remains pending; check NWS Great Falls for the latest forecast.

A Winter Storm Warning for central and southwestern Montana is probably coming before the storm hits Wednesday evening, with forecasters in the National Weather Service office in Great Falls signaling a likely upgrade as the system approaches. The current Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for the high mountain zones, alongside a Winter Weather Advisory covering West Yellowstone and the tri-border area with Idaho and Wyoming.

The system is expected to bring up to 10 inches of heavy wet snow to higher elevations from the Little Belt Mountains through the Gallatin Range, along with wind gusts reaching 60 mph. Temperatures are forecast to drop sharply, running roughly 25 degrees below mid-April averages. The Watch runs from 6 PM MDT Wednesday through 6 PM MDT Thursday for the high mountain zones, with Judith Basin, Fergus County below 4,500 feet, and the Snowy and Judith Mountains added from midnight Wednesday.

The storm is expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon initially as rain, before rapidly transitioning to snow as colder air moves in during the evening hours. That shift is expected to create hazardous travel conditions overnight into Thursday, particularly as wet surfaces freeze and blowing snow reduces visibility.

Forecasters warn that visibility could drop below a quarter mile at times, with the combination of heavy snow and wind increasing the risk of downed trees and power lines. Isolated outages across central Montana are possible.

Interstate 90 over Bozeman Pass, at 5,712 feet, is expected to be one of the most heavily affected travel corridors. The route, a key east to west freight artery connecting the Pacific Northwest and the Midwest, could see rapidly deteriorating conditions Wednesday night into early Thursday.

US-191 between Bozeman and West Yellowstone is also expected to be impacted, affecting access to Yellowstone National Park, whose West Entrance sits inside the Advisory area. The park's roads opened for the spring season only days ago. Higher elevation passes across the region may require chain restrictions depending on conditions.

In addition to travel disruptions, the storm arrives during calving season in parts of central Montana, raising concerns for ranching operations in Judith Basin and Fergus counties.

Meanwhile, just across the state line in Wyoming's Bighorn Basin, dry and windy conditions associated with the same weather system have prompted a Fire Weather Watch, highlighting sharply contrasting impacts across the region.

The heaviest snowfall is expected late Wednesday night through Thursday, with conditions gradually easing by Friday. Updated advisories and warnings will be issued as the system approaches.

Officials are advising residents and travelers to monitor forecasts closely and avoid non essential travel during the peak period of the storm.

The recent spate of lawsuits involving Tesla door handles shows no signs of abating. In a new lawsuit, the automaker has been sued after an Uber driver crashed the Model Y crossover he was driving and became trapped inside. Although the plaintiff survived the crash and a passerby managed to free him from the burning vehicle by smashing a window, he suffered serious injuries. The incident again highlights the dangers of electronic door handles, which may not function properly or at all after an accident. 

Related: Tesla Sued After Model S Owner Claims Defective Door Handles Hurt EV Value

Tesla

The plaintiff in this case is Wondafrash Gebreyes Gebremedihen, who was driving a 2025 Model Y on the I-405 San Diego Freeway in California on September 26, 2025. The plaintiff drives for Uber and was alone when the crash occurred, with the vehicle traveling at a high speed when it hit a freeway entrance sign and eventually crashed into a concrete wall. The car burst into flames and the plaintiff was unable to exit the vehicle.

"After the collision, good Samaritans attempted to render aid to Plaintiff, but the driver-side door of the subject Tesla Model Y could not be opened from the outside of the vehicle, trapping Plaintiff inside the burning vehicle,” stated the lawsuit. “Another passerby was eventually able to smash open the driver-side window, and good Samaritans were able to extricate Plaintiff from the vehicle just prior to when the fire completely engulfed the vehicle."

T

Gebremedihen claims to have suffered “catastrophic, life-threatening injuries” due to the fact that the Tesla’s doors couldn’t be opened from the outside. According to court documents, the doors can’t be opened from the outside if the crash causes a loss of power, while a manual interior door handle release can’t be operated by an occupant that has become incapacitated due to the crash.

This lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California: Wondafrash Gebreyes Gebremedihen v. Tesla, Inc., et al.

Autoblog / LeRoy Marion

Thousands of modern vehicles are equipped with similar electric door handles to the Tesla Model Y. Most have manual releases for the front and rear doors, but these designs are not standardized, so many trapped occupants will not know how to exit the vehicle in an emergency.

China has already banned these electronic, flush-style door handles due to safety concerns, and we expect other regions to adopt a similar ruling. In January, a U.S. lawmaker proposed a new bill called the SAFE Exit Act. Endorsed by Consumer Reports, it would require all cars to have easily accessible and identifiable manual door releases.

Until these rules come into effect, occupants of Tesla models and other brands with similar door handle designs are vulnerable to being trapped in a vehicle in a crash. One owner of a Rivian R1S conducted his own test of his SUV’s door handles and concluded his kids would be “dead” in an emergency.

No design or aerodynamic advantage of an electronic door handle is worth more than someone’s life, and automakers must urgently address the issue before more lives are put at risk.

With the introduction of the RS 3 competition limited in March, Audi seems to be preparing to say goodbye to its five-cylinder engine, and not because there's no interest from customers, but because it falls foul of incoming Euro 7 emissions regulations that will take effect in November. But according to Autocar, the engineers in Ingolstadt may find a way to keep the iconic engine alive; Audi CEO Gernot Döllner told the publication that the EA855 engine's future is "still under discussion." He added that he's unsure if the automaker is "able to refinance the investment in EU7 regulations." In other words, it's going to be expensive to find a way to keep the engine alive, and Audi doesn't know if the juice would be worth the squeeze.

Audi

The publication reports that insiders say the five-pot turbo engine would need serious hardware upgrades, including a new particulate filter, more sensitive NOx sensors, revised fuel-injection mapping, and catalytic converters with higher cell densities. All of these are known to reduce power output, but when Audi Sport boss Rolf Michl was asked about the possibility of adding a hybrid element to the powertrain, he said Audi is open to "every possibility," adding that the automaker is still brainstorming its way through potential options. "I can tell you we are still thinking in different technological possibilities," he said, adding that the most important thing for a new RS 3 is "the maximum amount of emotional driving experience for the compact segment." Audi is aware that the appeal of a five-cylinder engine is tough to imitate, but the good news is that the engine will likely continue to be sold in the U.S., according to Autocar. However, we're not so sure that its future is secure anywhere.

Audi

It's been reported that the Golf R will get a five-cylinder special edition next year, and if that's true, it would show that the Volkswagen Group, of which Audi is a part, is aware that the five-pot raises the pulses of enthusiasts, but we wonder if such a special edition may only be under consideration because the EA855 is nearing the end of the line. After all, besides the RS 3, the engine is only still used in the Cupra Formentor VZ5 (not sold in North America). Moreover, while Audi USA doesn't separate sales figures for the A3, S3, and RS 3, the whole lot only achieved 8,315 sales in the U.S. last year, indicating that the business case for the five-cylinder can't be made on American demand alone. To summarize, the RS 3 engine is a treasure, but keeping it alive will be expensive, and if Audi decides it's worth the R&D to keep it going, potentially with a mild-hybrid setup, that will almost certainly affect the U.S.-spec model, too.

If you know Rick Hendrick, you probably know him as the guy who always lands the first Corvette off the line. He’s made a habit of showing up at auctions, bidding big, and driving away with VIN 001 every time a new generation rolls out.

But this latest buy is a different story. At the memorable Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction, Hendrick spent $1 million on something that’s about as far from a Corvette as you can get: the first 2026 GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle-Utility (ISV-U) offered to the public.

It’s still a one-off, still a headline purchase, and still for a good cause. Only this time, it’s not a showroom queen but a military-grade machine with a story that goes beyond the usual collector’s tale.

General Motors

The ISV-U is built by GM Defense for the US Army and its allies. Forget luxury SUV – this is an ultra-light tactical vehicle made for tough jobs. It’s all about durability, modular design, and getting through rough terrain, not comfort.

The one at Palm Beach wasn’t just any ISV-U. It wore a custom livery to honor the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and the 250th anniversary of the United States. Medal of Honor recipients like Kyle Carpenter and David Bellavia were there for the sale.

The full $1 million goes straight to the Foundation’s programs. That money helps Medal of Honor recipients and keeps their stories alive. So yes, it’s another headline purchase, but as always, that money goes to charity (and tax write-offs).

General Motors

Hendrick is more than just a collector. He runs Hendrick Automotive Group and Hendrick Motorsports, and he’s worked with GM for years. His company, Hendrick Technical Solutions, supplies parts for the ISV-U.

But most car fans know him for his collection. Hendrick has landed the first C7, C8 Stingray, and even high-performance models like the ZR1 and the ZR1X. These cars often go for millions of dollars, which only adds to his reputation as the guy for milestone VINs.

For someone who usually chases the next big Corvette, this ISV-U purchase is less about the vehicle and more about what it stands for. And of course, believing in what his own company helps build.

GM Defense

Driving a car is fun, let alone a track-focused exotic like the McLaren 600LT. However, performance doesn’t cancel poor judgment, as seen in this case, where a 600LT driver allegedly slammed into a light pole, ironically one that warns road users to slow down, before coming to rest against a wall.

According to CBC News, the driver was arrested for impaired driving, while the passenger was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The car also hit a bike rack, scattering some of the bikes around the area, but fortunately, no one was seriously injured. A resident told the news outlet that drivers often race on that street in Toronto, Canada, and even shared that a Chevrolet Corvette was once completely destroyed near the crash site.

The report did not disclose whether the driver was overspeeding. But one thing is certain: the McLaren 600LT can absolutely deliver when it comes to performance. Based on the entry-level 570S (predecessor to the Artura), the 600LT is a lighter, more track-focused version with added power. Its 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 is tuned to produce 592 horsepower, or 600 PS, which is where the 600LT name comes from.

The LT, meanwhile, is used on the British marque’s track-ready iterations, similar to Ferrari’s Speciale or Pista. It also typically means the model is limited, with the 600LT widely believed to have been produced in fewer than 1,500 units, including coupes and Spiders (convertibles). Unfortunately, one of them has now been involved in a serious crash and could be out of action for some time, given the high repair cost. The owner might even decide to sell it as a crash-damaged car, or worse, with a salvage title, but who knows.

McLaren

What we know for now is that the cause of the crash is still under investigation, with Const. Laura Brabant of Toronto police urging witnesses to contact authorities to help with the investigation.

Based on the U.S. used-car market, the 600LT can sell for around $200,000, depending on its condition. It doesn’t have a direct successor, but the closest in the LT lineage is the 765LT, which is built on the 720S and sits within the brand’s flagship Super Series.

McLaren

Electric vehicles were already experiencing a slowdown amid shifting policies, especially in the U.S., where the $7,500 tax credit ended last year. Now, there could be further disruption.

Stephan Keese, senior partner at Roland Berger North America, told Automotive News that the war in Iran could constrict the supply of helium, which is used in semiconductor manufacturing and is especially important for EV plans, as technologies like advanced driver-assistance systems and software-heavy architectures rely heavily on those components.

As a result, Keese argued that a potential helium shortage could force automakers to shift their focus back toward combustion vehicles and hybrids equipped with fewer advanced electronics. Automakers that are doubling down on EVs are likely to be the most affected, while those taking a multi-powertrain approach, such as Toyota, may have greater flexibility.

Ford

According to Keese, about 33% of the global helium supply comes from the Middle East, largely from Qatar. However, a helium production facility has reportedly been damaged in an attack, further constraining the supply chain.

Meanwhile, roughly 47% of global helium supply comes from North America, meaning regions such as East and Southeast Asia could potentially face shortages in the coming weeks.

The thing is, the automotive industry isn’t the only sector relying on semiconductors. They are widely used in smartphones and computers, and demand is rising further with artificial intelligence, which, according to S&P Global, could disrupt automotive production.

Another report from The Register states that an SAE Level 4 automated driving system is estimated to require more than 300 GB of RAM to ensure components such as lidar, sensors, and cameras operate well enough to keep passengers safe without driver intervention. By comparison, many passenger cars today use SAE Level 2 systems, including Ford's BlueCruise and Tesla's Full Self-Driving, which only use around 16 GB of memory.

Hyundai

While Keese argues that EVs could take a hit from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, combustion cars are also being affected, particularly by rising gas prices. Such a crisis has put hybrids in the spotlight for their more fuel-efficient powertrains.

The full impact of the global supply disruption remains to be seen, especially if the situation worsens. It also adds to existing challenges in the U.S. car market, where affordability has already become a concern, to the point that Ford is reportedly considering a return to sedans after previously stepping away from the segment to prioritize larger vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz

Pagani is known for creating the most exquisite super and hypercars, blending form and function. The Zonda was the car that launched Pagani to where it is now and held on for a long time through various iterations, but it eventually needed replacement.

Filling the shoes of something as loved and revered as the Zonda is not easy, and Pagani went all out when they introduced the successor, the Huayra, back in 2011.

Stephen Fogel

The name came from the Huayra-tata, the Andean God of Wind. Most people described it as a fusion of art and engineering. A key aspect of the Huayra's game-changing features includes active aerodynamics, a new chassis material mix of carbon fiber and titanium (carbotanium), and, for the first time, a twin-turbo V12.

Its engine came once again from longtime partner Mercedes-Benz, but it was just a 6.0-liter that pumped out 730 horsepower in base form and 737 lb-ft of torque. It was to be a true driver's car, and the powertrain was paired to a 7-speed sequential transmission. Inside, Pagani had a steampunked theme, with exposed mechanical linkages, milled aluminum, and leather.

It was initially offered as a Roadster back in 2011, a very rare breed with only 100 units ever produced. One of the few has just broken a new auction record at the recently concluded Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach event. With just 2,331 miles and finished in the iconic Gray Clement with exposed blue carbon fiber, this car went for a staggering $3,190,000. It's officially the most expensive car sold at a Palm Beach auction.

One reason this particular Pagani Huayra went for that price is the exclusivity and the rarity of the early Huayra specification. It has become highly sought after for collectors to go for the earlier Coupe model.

Pagani is known for extending the lifespan of a specific model, and it shows. Succeeding the Coupe was the roadster (lighter, removable roof), the track-focused Huayra BC, and the track-only Huayra R/R Evo. In 2022, a special-edition Codalunga was built with a more streamlined, elongated rear, harkening back to 1960s Le Mans racers. More recently, in celebration of Horacio Pagani's 70th birthday, they released the limited Huayra 70 Trionfo.

Pagani