News

A long-time enthusiast finally got the keys to their F30-generation 320d—the car that proved turbodiesel four-cylinders could be genuinely engaging. Beyond the nostalgia of a Top Gear-era dream, this is about discovering what modern efficiency-focused BMWs can actually do when pushed. Track day reality check included.

KTM refreshed the 390 Duke for 2026 with upgraded WP FCR4 calipers and larger 320mm front rotor—a pragmatic fix for a bike that's been the entry point for a generation of Indian riders. New colors are nice. The brake upgrade actually matters on a single-cylinder commuter that punches above its weight class.

Honda rolled out track-focused HRC variants of the Prelude, Type R, and CR-V at Tokyo Auto Salon—proof that someone in Suzuka still remembers what drivers actually want. The Civic hybrid got a simulated manual transmission treatment, a middle finger to the CVT apologists. These are concepts for now, but the fact they exist means Honda's performance division still has a pulse.

General Motors just took a $6 billion hit after canceling contracts and scaling back its domestic EV roadmap—a stark reminder that the EV pivot isn't working out like the press releases promised. This isn't accounting fiction; it's real money spent on tooling, supplier commitments, and platforms that won't see production. The bean counters finally caught up with the hype.

Nissan's resurrecting the Xterra nameplate with a new generation that trades the original's crude charm for competence—hybrid powertrain, modern chassis architecture, and the kind of pragmatic design that doesn't need Instagram validation. The real question isn't whether it's capable; it's whether nostalgia can carry a $40k+ SUV in a market already drowning in competent competitors.

Alfa's dropping a special edition Giulia Quadrifoglio, but don't mistake this for a swan song. The 505-hp 2.9L twin-turbo V6 sedan is already rare enough on European roads; this variant will be scarcer still. Values on clean examples have been climbing steadily as enthusiasts finally recognize what Alfa engineered here.

Honda's dusting off the Prelude nameplate with a Type R variant at Tokyo Auto Salon 2026, previewing what could be a front-wheel-drive performance coupe built on lessons learned from the FK8 Civic Type R platform. The concept hints at turbocharged four-cylinder power and independent suspension tuning, though Honda's keeping actual specs locked until production plans solidify.

Mazda's new electric crossover undercuts Tesla Model Y and BMW iX3 on price, but the specs tell a different story: 300-mile range and sub-8-second acceleration that feels lifted from 2019 gas cars. This is what happens when a maker checks the EV box without committing to the transition.

Renault's new Twingo E-Tech launched at Brussels (January 2026) aims to democratize EVs with a €30k entry point—roughly $381 million IDR equivalent. Built on the CMF-BEV platform with a modest 52kWh battery, it's positioned as the pragmatist's alternative to German compliance cars and Chinese price dumping.

A 2003 540i M-Sport with the six-speed manual is hitting the market—the transmission alone makes it worth attention, even if the mileage stings. These E39s have quietly appreciated as people realized BMW made something genuinely competent before the bean counters took over. At this price point with decent condition, it's less about overpaying and more about whether you're buying into a car that rewards drivers.

Honda's teasing a new Civic Type R concept with Prelude S+ Shift tech, reigniting talk of a proper comeback to the UK market. The dual-clutch transmission paired with a hot hatch suggests Honda's finally ready to challenge the Golf R's dominance again. Last time the Type R mattered in Europe was the FK8—this could be the one that actually gets there.

KTM's refreshing the 390 Duke with WP FCR4 calipers and a new blue colorway for 2026—modest updates that actually matter on a bike this price-conscious. The 390's been the thinking person's entry point for years; better braking hardware keeps it relevant against the bean counters' constant cost-cutting.

The first-gen DS 3 (2010-2019) was French quirk done right—affordable, styled with actual opinions, built on the PF1 platform. Now it's DS's forgotten child, sales in freefall, and the bean counters want nostalgia to fix what mediocrity broke. Sporty simplicity sounds nice. Whether they'll actually deliver it is another question.

Ram is packaging driver recruitment as entertainment, turning the search for its next NASCAR talent into a structured competition format. It's automotive casting call dressed up as genuine talent scouting—the kind of move that works on casuals but signals the series itself needs the PR bump more than it needs the driver.

Three-way comparison of the segment's actual contenders—KTM's RC 160, Yamaha's perennially solid R15, and Hero's genuinely underrated Karizma XMR 210. The spreadsheet specs matter less than real-world ergonomics and what you're actually getting for the money in a market where 160cc and 210cc bikes occupy completely different headspace.

Toyota dropped the TDS—a mid-engine, two-seat concept that signals the company might actually care about driving again. Mid-mounted engine architecture, lightweight chassis philosophy, pure driver-focused layout. This isn't another EV marketing exercise; it's Toyota remembering why the S800 and 2000GT mattered.

Car and Driver ran their longest-range battery-electric cars through real-world testing. The gap between EPA estimates and actual highway miles keeps widening—mostly because cold weather, highway speeds, and real driving conditions don't care about your window sticker. Knowing which EVs actually deliver matters when you're counting on that battery.

Kia dropped the E-GMP-based EV2 at Brussels—their sixth electric crossover and the smallest yet. It's positioned against the Renault 4 and peers, but in a segment where affordability matters more than driving dynamics, it's basically a spreadsheet made of steel and electrons.

Bottegafuoriserie's first commission is a yacht-inspired Quadrifoglio that sold out before most people knew it existed. The 592-hp 2.9L twin-turbo V6 gets carbon aero and a one-off livery pulled from Luna Rossa racing aesthetics. This is what happens when exclusivity and Italian bespoke actually mean something.

BHPian logs a Bangalore-Vizag-Bhubaneswar round trip with granular route breakdown and actual fog/visibility data. Lexus IS as daily long-distance machine. Route intel matters when you're spending 12+ hours on NH42 and CE roads.