Volkswagen’s retro-inspired ID. Buzz set out to revive the spirit of the Microbus for the electric age. It’s stylish, practical, and packed with personality. But one year after launch, the excitement has cooled. The automaker has paused production of the ID. Buzz at its Hanover, Germany, plant following weaker-than-expected demand.

Volkswagen

The original Microbus became a global icon because it was cool, practical, and affordable. The ID. Buzz is all of those things except the last one. In a market dominated by gas-powered family vans like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival – both of which cost about $20,000 less – the ID. Buzz’s pricing stands out for the wrong reasons. It starts at $59,995 for the Pro S, $63,495 for the Pro S Plus, and $65,495 for the 1st Edition – all-wheel drive adds another $4,500 to the top two trims. That’s a steep ask for a van with just around 230 miles of range. The high price has pushed many buyers toward used examples instead. Depreciation has hit hard, with one nearly-new ID. Buzz with just 398 miles selling earlier this year for $11,000 less than its original sticker price.

James Lipman

Volkswagen’s decision to pause ID. Buzz production from October 20 to 24 highlights a broader slowdown in global EV demand. According to Automotive News, the company is cutting capacity and staff in Germany amid rising costs and fierce competition from Chinese automakers.

"We expect intense competition in the markets to continue in the coming months and are working consistently with our sales partners to improve our market position," a VW spokesperson said.

Data from Automotive Sales Figures paint a similar picture: just 4,934 ID. Buzz units sold in North America so far in 2025, ranking second-last in the minivan segment, ahead only of the Chrysler Grand Caravan with eight units. For context, 75,876 Toyota Siennas and 51,205 Kia Carnivals sold in the same period. Global sales follow suit with VW selling around 30,000 ID. Buzz models last year, well below the Hanover plant’s 130,000-unit capacity.

James Lipman

Volkswagen says it will step up its marketing efforts and offer new incentives to boost interest in the ID. Buzz. But advertising can only go so far when the problem is price. The Buzz may be marketed as the people’s van, yet it's priced like a luxury car. It remains a stylish and thoughtful design, but charm alone can’t overcome financial reality. If Volkswagen wants the ID. Buzz to truly live up to its Microbus heritage, it needs to make it attainable for the same kind of everyday families who made the original a legend.

Just a few days after we reported on Porsche’s patent detailing the application of electrically-assisted twin turbos to combat flow stall, the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) has disclosed another Porsche patent, this time describing a unique W18 motor. Filed in April of 2024 and only just disclosed last week, this patent depicts a true W layout with three banks of cylinders each with their own heads. This layout is markedly different from the VW Group’s previous W8, W12, and W16 engines which are essentially two narrow angle V engines (VR4, VR6, or VR8) that share a single head across both banks, joined together for a total of four cylinder banks with only two heads. 

The patent details an engine comprised of three banks of 6 cylinders converging on a single crankshaft, with a 60-degree angle between each of the banks. While the attached drawings depict an 18-cylinder engine in this layout, Porsche has indicated that the design can be scaled down and adapted to have 3, 4, or 5 cylinders per bank, resulting in a 9-, 12- or 15-cylinder engine with a relatively short block. Additionally, while the 60-degree angle between banks has been chosen to offer optimal combustion and overall balance, according to Porsche's engineers, this too can be varied to suit the application and packaging limitations. 

Another feature that we could glean from the patent documentation is the attention paid to airflow management. Intake plenums are located above the cylinder banks, arranged such that air can be drawn directly down into the cylinders through extremely short and and straight intake tracts. Meanwhile, exhaust manifolds are positioned to keep the hot gases isolated from the intake plumbing, so that the engine can inhale cooler air, which is denser, resulting in a higher power output. 

While not included in the diagrams, the patent also hints at potential forced-induction options, with provisions that could support a turbocharger for each bank. Such a triple-turbo setup could offer massive peak power and, paired with Porsche’s T-Hybrid electric assisted turbocharger tech, deliver near instant boost response for a phenomenal driving experience. 

Porsche’s patent for a three-bank W engine showcases the brand’s engineering ambition, combining compact packaging with advanced airflow management and potential turbocharging for each cylinder bank. While it is unclear if this motor will ever make it to production, it is a strong statement of the brand’s commitment to progressing combustion technology with continuous innovation at a time when so many manufacturers are focusing on EVs

At a media event in New York, GM announced a new "eyes-off" driving feature and a new conversational AI assistant for its vehicles. It will be, according to the company's press release, "a new era of transportation."

General Motors wants you to text your pals, call an ex, or talk to an AI assistant you're forming a dangerously casual relationship with as a result of said ex - just please, do anything but pilot the 5,000-pound hunk of metal feet from other human beings. The feature, and "a new era of transportation," is coming soon - GM says 2028. It will debut on the Cadillac Escalade IQ, so really it'll be a 9,134-pound hunk of metal. There's a disclaimer in the press release reminding you to "Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Do not use a hand-held device."

GM's press materials also remind everyone that there hasn't been a single crash "attributed" to Super Cruise. The company says it has mapped 600,000 miles of road suitable for hands-free and soon eyes-free driving, with five million more mapped for fully driverless cars thanks to its subsidiary, Cruise. Cruise was bought piece-by-piece by GM, starting in 2016. After the company failed to get off the ground and a Cruise taxi dragged a woman through traffic in an accident, its CEO resigned. GM stepped in to pick up the pieces and to leverage Cruise's driverless tech for its own development.

Cadillac

Starting next year, GM vehicles will feature a new conversational AI assistant - meaning one you can talk to like it's a person - powered by Google's Gemini AI. More natural conversation is GM's big selling point here, with the brand stating you'll be able to speak to it "as naturally as you would to a fellow passenger."

Buyers need to pay special attention to what they opt in to: GM's statement also says that with your permission, "it will be fine-tuned with your vehicle’s intelligence and your personal preferences, all connected by OnStar." GM already faced backlash for its use of OnStar to collect and sell vehicle data to brokers for a profit. There are benefits for you, though, like "finding the perfect place for dinner en route."

Automakers refuse to acknowledge the human toll taken by AI datacenters. Make no mistake - your use of an AI assistant like ChatGPT causes serious, real-world problems for other human beings. People living near the data centers that will power AI features like GM's deal with polluted water, constant noise, insulting electricity costs, and a housing market so sky-high that most of them can't hope to move away. Like they did with NFTs, automakers have seen a hot new gimmick they can get consumers to buy into so they can charge more for their cars as the average transaction price of a new car is now over $50,000.

Kia has unveiled one of the strangest yet most entertaining EV accessories of the year, a gasoline-scented air freshener aimed at electric vehicle drivers who miss the smell of traditional motoring. The limited-edition item, shaped like a miniature jerrycan, was launched in Finland alongside the debut of Kia’s new EV4.

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Developed in collaboration with Finnish perfumer Max Perttula, the scent blends notes of motor oil, metal, birch tar, and even jasmine, a flower that naturally produces some of the same hydrocarbons found in gasoline. According to Perttula, the goal was to add “a touch of nostalgic fun to the EV transition” by recreating one of the most recognizable smells in car culture.

Kristen Brown

The campaign, created by Kia’s Finnish distributor Astara Auto, is more than a novelty. It recognizes that some drivers struggle to let go of the sensory cues tied to combustion, the sound of revving, the feel of vibration, and yes, even the smell of fuel. For Kia, it’s a clever way to bridge the emotional gap between old-school car enthusiasm and the new electric era.

That message fits neatly with Kia’s growing EV ambitions. Models like the EV4, EV6, and EV9 represent the brand’s shift from value-oriented mainstream vehicles to confident, design-led electric products. For example, the flagship SUV is now more accessible thanks to generous lease deals for the EV9, which combines low monthly payments with 0% financing, a move designed to boost EV adoption while incentives remain competitive.

Similarly, Kia is continuing to court traditional buyers through attractive ICE and hybrid options. The Sportage remains one of the most affordable leases in its class, helping bridge shoppers toward electrification at their own pace.

Kia’s gas-scented air freshener may be tongue-in-cheek, but it reflects a real trend. Automakers are realizing that the shift to electrification could be cultural to the driver. Drivers accustomed to decades of combustion experiences often find the EV transition emotionally sterile. By acknowledging that nostalgia, Kia humanizes its brand while showcasing creative marketing instincts.

It’s also a reminder that while Kia is expanding its electric lineup worldwide, it’s being selective about where certain models land. The automaker’s North American lineup will remain focused on the EV6 and EV9 for now, with smaller EVs reserved for global markets like Europe and Asia.

Kia’s gasoline-scented air freshener is less about the smell itself and more about the message, that change doesn’t have to erase what people love about cars. It’s a tongue-in-cheek way to say goodbye to combustion, and to remind drivers that the thrill of driving can survive, even if the fumes don’t.

Another day, yet another record. This time, it’s BYD—well, technically, Yangwang, the brand’s luxury division. The car in question is the uber-quick U9 Xtreme, which, although not official, already made headlines as the fastest EV on the planet, clocking 308 mph and snatching the top-speed title from Rimac’s Nevera R.

All this is made possible by the hypercar’s four electric motors, producing a staggering 3,000 horsepower backed by a whole lot of engineering wizardry.

In a statement by BYD, the company announced, “The Yangwang U9X has now conquered the Nürburgring Nordschleife in record time, completing the lap in 6:59.157, making it the fastest EV production vehicle around the track.” The lap, driven by German racer Moritz Kranz, was made official via a Nürburgring press release, followed by a YouTube upload.

This sub-7-minute milestone is five seconds faster than the previous holder, Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra. While that’s impressive, there's a certain American muscle car that might have something to say about it.

No matter how good EVs become, engineers keep proving time and again that there’s still a place for good ol’ combustion in high-performance cars. The Ford Mustang GTD clocked the Ring seven seconds faster than China's fastest EV, but it achieved this lap time despite a massive horsepower disadvantage—815 hp versus 3,000 hp, to be specific. That said, the Mustang itself is circa three seconds slower than the GT3 RS, an established track weapon that’s roughly 300 horsepower down on the GTD.

Ford

With a lap time of 6:29.09, the Mercedes-AMG One holds the current production car lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Yes, the GTD is 23 seconds slower than the multi-million-dollar hypercar, but remember: Blue Oval took an honest Mustang off the production line and gave it the whole nine yards.

Any attempt under the 7-minute mark, whether ICE or EV, is seriously commendable. Full points to BYD for upping the game, and to all the brilliant minds who refuse to let combustion fade quietly into history.

Modifying a Ford Mustang with a supercharger kit certainly improves acceleration, but according to a new recall, it may lead to acceleration when you don't want it. A new recall issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that the Ford Performance M-6066-M8800 Whipple aftermarket supercharger kit for 2024-2025 Mustang GT and Mustang Dark Horse vehicles has a fault that could disable functional safety features, potentially resulting in "unintended acceleration or unintended vehicle movement." Naturally, the supercharger itself is not at fault; the powertrain control module is to blame with a software error that may disable functional safety features.

Ford

According to the recall report, 1,048 supercharger upgrade kits are potentially affected by an updated powertrain control module that incorrectly disabled Level 2 functional safety features. More specifically, the software removes the safeguards that should come into effect if there is a throttle actuator fault (such as the throttle getting stuck open), and this could increase the risk of a crash. Although not necessarily the case with all affected vehicles, some owners may notice a Malfunction Indicator Lamp or wrench light in the cluster, providing some warning of the possible issue.

Related: Gone in 60 Seconds, Back in 25 Years: The Eleanor Mustang Reborn

The problem was first noted during sign-off testing on August 20, 2025, and three days later, Ford Performance Parts stopped the sale of these upgrade kits. Fortunately, Ford has not been made aware of any warranty claims, field reports, accidents, injuries, or fires relating to this issue, and there has been no need to recommend that owners stop driving their vehicles. Still, this is quite a worrying issue for a kit that boosts outputs to as high as 810 horsepower and 615 lb-ft of torque, not to mention something that costs $10,500 on the Ford Performance Parts website.

Ford

As always with a safety recall, Ford will address the issue at no cost to customers, and dealers have already been notified alongside owners, with a remedy notification expected to go out from October 27-31, roughly a week from now. Frustratingly for the automaker, and although this recall only affects a small number of buyers, this is yet another blemish on Ford's reliability record after some 625,000 cars were recalled for a fire risk last week and another 1.9 million vehicles were recalled the week before over failing rearview cameras. CEO Jim Farley said earlier this month that Ford's powertrain durability is now competitive with that of Toyota, but with various problems continuing to result in major recalls across the product lineup, it's hard to believe that things are improving at the Blue Oval. Maybe 2026 will be a better year for Ford's reliability reputation.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse for Elon Musk-led Tesla, the company announced a recall for nearly 13,000 vehicles in the United States. The announcement comes after Tesla discovered a battery defect that could completely cut drive power and leave drivers stranded without warning. This Tesla recall affects recently manufactured models covering model year 2025 Model 3 sedans and 2026 Model Y SUVs.

The problem lies in the battery pack contactor manufactured with a solenoid from InTiCa, a component that can fail and cause a sudden loss of drive power while the vehicle is in motion. While this could be a potentially life-threatening failure, Tesla says they haven't received reports of any crashes, injuries, or deaths related to the battery issue so far. 

Tesla

This NHTSA recall is calling in almost 8,000 Model Y SUVs and just over 5,000 Model 3 sedans that were manufactured between March and August of this year. The recall states that the offending solenoid may open due to a poor coil termination connection, resulting in a loss of power. Tesla notes that if this happens when the car is stationary, owners just won’t get going at all. The larger issue is if the battery contractor fails when the car is in motion, as all drive power will be cut. 

By early October, the company had already logged 36 warranty claims and 26 field reports related to this battery problem, prompting the recall. The safety recall comes at a challenging time for Tesla, which recently rolled out lower-priced Standard versions of these same models to attract budget-conscious buyers, while also being probed by the NHTSA for FSD-related concerns.

The fix for this electric vehicle recall is straightforward enough. Tesla will replace the faulty battery pack contactor free of charge at authorized service centers. Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted directly by Tesla with instructions on how to schedule their repair.

If you own a recent Model 3 or Model Y, it's worth checking Tesla's website to see if your vehicle made the list. At least Tesla's handling this battery recall the old-fashioned way with actual mechanical repairs rather than trying to push an over-the-air software update and calling it a day.

It's been a little more than a month since BMW unveiled the all-new Neue Klasse-based iX3 crossover, and despite the broader market's apparent aversion to the adoption of EVs, this one is proving so popular that BMW is struggling to meet demand. The Bavarian automaker isn't resting on its laurels, though, and our spy photographers have captured the next chapter in BMW's electric crossover's story, the high-performance iX3 M, near the Nürburgring. The prototype they've spotted is still covered in plenty of camouflage, but it's wearing production headlights and taillights, and behind the placeholder wheels, we can see big brakes with drilled discs, hinting at its sporty credentials. That said, there's still a lot being hidden from us, including what to expect in terms of output.

SH Proshots/Autoblog

Unusually for an all-electric vehicle (as confirmed by the closed-off upper front fascia and the lack of exhaust tips), this prototype has some strange cladding on the hood that appears to hide venting. Presumably, these will be fake outlets like the recesses on the hood of the current BMW M4. Further back, the mirror housings appear to be similar to those of the G90 M5 sedan, and that super sedan's rear fascia appears to have influenced the diffuser panel on this prototype with a recess in the middle, which exists to accommodate a tow hitch, underscoring the duality between practicality and performance that the upcoming crossover will personify. The side skirts also seem more textured, and the taillights we mentioned earlier appear to be slightly tinted to add a more aggressive look and feel to the rear end. Finally, the roof spoiler appears to be slightly chunkier than that of the regular iX3.

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SH Proshots/Autoblog

As noted on the Bimmerpost forum, BMW has already begun offering the new iX3 with M Performance cosmetic upgrades, but that's all the M Division is giving us for now, with no hint as to the launch date or performance metrics of this hotter M variant. The standard iX3's dual-motor powertrain produces 463 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque, enough to get from 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 130 mph. Presumably, that means the iX3 M will exceed 500 hp and get to 60 mph in the mid-to-high three-second range. With just two months to go until 2025 draws to a close, we don't expect a reveal until next year, likely toward the end of the first quarter. Should more information become available, we'll update you as soon as we get it.

With the average price of a new car in the United States topping close to $50,000 these days, vehicle ownership is a privilege that only a select few can achieve unless they take out a car loan, lease a vehicle, or go on the used market. No matter if they buy a new or used vehicle, owners are bombarded with fees and charges related to vehicle ownership that go way beyond the base price or a monthly car payment, whether it be insurance, tolls, registration, parking fees, or any routine maintenance and consumables like oil changes, tire rotations and replacement, wiper blades, and even car washes.

For many on-the-go people, car ownership can be a heavy, expensive burden if it isn't their primary mode of transportation, though many of these people may argue that they encounter situations where owning a car could streamline certain aspects of their day-to-day lives.

Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Turo, the online application known for turning car rental into an Airbnb-type experience, is introducing a new set of features that would allow users to explore and experience what it calls "an affordable, convenient, and low-commitment alternative to traditional car ownership" and the troubles associated with it.

The service now offers a seamless way for its customers to rent a variety of gas and electric vehicles, in all shapes and sizes, for a month or more, with the flexibility and convenience to extend or shorten bookings whenever needed. In addition, Turo's new feature will allow consumers to pay for their booked vehicles through monthly all-inclusive installments.

The company says that by providing this service, it is offering a low-commitment alternative to car ownership where motorists can access a multitude of cars without having to go to a dealership. Furthermore, they state that they're helping drive a consumer shift in which customers favor access over ownership.

Getty Images

Turo cites internal data from a recent survey they conducted, in which 57% of American car owners said that they're interested in accessing a vehicle for extended periods without the financial burden of ownership. Furthermore, they observed "triple-digit year-over-year growth" in trips that lasted three or more months, which they found to be their fastest-growing segment.

At the same time, new data on new-car financing trends released this month from the car-buying authorities at Edmunds show that the average new-vehicle down payment during Q3 2025 reached as low as $6,020; a figure that Edmunds' insights head Jessica Caldwell said represented a “stretched” sense of affordability among buyers in the new car market.

"A car should be a symbol of freedom, but it's become a source of financial stress for many. We're here to change that," Tim Rossanis, SVP of Turo US, said in a statement. "Turo gives car shoppers a new, more flexible way to access the exact car they need, for as long as they need it, without the headache of multi-year leases."

Although the flexibility of having a short-term rental become a long-term one is a scenario that is currently feasible from Turo, it will be interesting to see how this would fare against other similar services. These include Zipcar, which operates in many American cities and metropolitan areas, as well as the Stellantis-backed Free2move, which operates in Washington, DC and in 15 cities throughout Europe.

Compared to Zipcar and Free2move, Turo's platform is well-known for being a space where drivers can get behind the wheel of a wide variety of different cars, including luxury and sports cars. In their announcement, Rossanis noted that this new feature is "a win-win for all," emphasizing it as "a powerful new way" for Turo rental vehicle owners to grow their businesses.

Tesla, after much silence, has decided to give a morsel of an update on the long-awaited Roadster, the successor to the brand's original Lotus Elise-based sports car. Originally set for a 2020 release, Tesla says it will host the "most epic demo" showcasing the Roadster before the end of 2025. Musk's usual hyping aside, it's the first serious promise in years that the Roadster is still somehow headed for production.

Top Gear

Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen said this week on the Ride The Lightning podcast that the 2025 demo is still a go. The Roadster will also have additional paint options when and if it launches, and the designer insists that the Roadster's performance will be jaw-dropping, saying the brand has gotten the car to the "limits of physics." Tesla, per von Holzhausen, has "really gotten to a point where we are going to be achieving that standard that we set out." It seems part of the delay was related to mechanical hangups based on this comment alone.

Still, the designer seemed positive about the demo: "I’m excited to showcase the Roadster for a lot of different reasons. The wait will be worth it."

Tesla

The Roadster, to put it lightly, has been delayed. A lot. I struggle to recall another vehicle that another major automaker has taken deposits on that is five full years behind its promised release date. Predictably, some of Tesla's customers got fed up and demanded their deposits back. Recently, YouTuber Marques Brownlee went through some hoops to secure his $50,000 deposit back from Tesla. Initially, Tesla sent him the sum less $5k, but later paid up in full.

Other owners are, understandably, similarly displeased. "So Tesla has been sitting with my 50 grand for eight years and hasn’t done anything with it, obviously," Brownlee said at the time. However, he does appear to be holding on to his second Roadster - the tech giant held two deposits for a Roadster. One thing remains true: buyers effectively gave Tesla an interest-free loan, and one the automaker has shown a bit of resistance in making good on.

Hopefully, for the sake of those still holding out on getting a car in exchange for their hard-earned money, Tesla does, in fact, make good. Credit where it is due, Musk often makes good on his product announcements, even if there are a handful of asterisks.