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Articles by Byron Hurd
GM Is Committed To Keeping The C9 Corvette Affordable, Chief Engineer Says Original
What’s in store for the C9 Corvette? Chevy is still putting the finishing touches on the C8 lineup, but now that we have the full lineup in showrooms, we can’t help but wonder what’s coming next. So when we had the opportunity to interview Corvette chief engineer Tony Roma, we jumped at the chance to ask about the future of the program, and he was surprisingly candid about what the company thinks the C9 should and shouldn’t be. “The C9 needs to be a Corvette at its core,” Roma told us.
Corvette Boss: OK for Grand Sport X to Beat Z06 0-60 Because It Appeals to ‘Different Buyer’ Original
The Corvette family keeps expanding with each successive generation. This year, Chevy brought back the Grand Sport and introduced the hybrid, all-wheel-drive Grand Sport X—a 721-horsepower monster that made the E-Ray it replaced seem chill by comparison. But the comparisons don’t end there. With an official 0-60 time of just 2.4 seconds, the new Grand Sport X accelerates more quickly than the vaunted Z06. That development has prompted some fans to ask for an all-wheel-drive Z06.
This Factory-Stretched 240 Wagon Is One of the Rarest Volvos Original
Back before we had gargantuan three-row SUVs to haul stuff around in, station wagons were often configured as utility vehicles. Prime example: the Ecto-1. Before it was re-tasked as an otherworldly urban assault vehicle, it served New York City as an ambulance. And while the Ghostbusters’ ride was effectively coach-built by Miller-Meteor using GM engines and underpinnings, other niche models, like this Volvo 245 Transfer, came that way straight from the factory.
VW Will Remotely Cap ID 4 Charging at 80% Amid Battery Fire Recall Original
Volkswagen is going to push an over-the-air-update to a huge chunk of ID 4 EVs in an effort to prevent battery fires. The company still isn’t quite sure what is causing the fires that prompted a recall of its compact electric car, but apparently they’re less likely to happen if owners cap their charge level at 80%.
The 2026 Toyota Camry Made Me Miss Honest-to-Goodness Sedans All Over Again Original
I’m what you might call an “elder” millennial. I was born in the first half of the 1980s, so I remember a lot that younger members of my nominal generation might not, like Betamax, rotary phones, and the heyday of the four-door sedan. The 2026 Toyota Camry I just drove had me thinking about how we got here—and how much I sometimes miss the “good” old days. The demise of the sedan seems strange to me, at least on the surface. Sure, automotive trends come and go, especially among family trucksters.
Is This the Best Hot Wheels Easter Egg Ever?
If you’re a Hot Wheels nerd (and if you’re reading this, the odds are better than average), you already know just how detailed the castings can be on Mattel’s miniature cars and trucks. Well, the 2026 Hot Wheels Audi 90 Quattro takes that one step further with an easter egg that only the most dedicated (or perhaps just destructive) fans will ever spot.
Is This the Best Hot Wheels Easter Egg Ever?
If you’re a Hot Wheels nerd (and if you’re reading this, the odds are better than average), you already know just how detailed the castings can be on Mattel’s miniature cars and trucks. Well, the 2026 Hot Wheels Audi 90 Quattro takes that one step further with an easter egg that only the most dedicated (or perhaps just destructive) fans will ever spot.
Is This the Best Hot Wheels Easter Egg Ever?
I’ve Become Obsessed With Model Trains, And It’s Already More Expensive Than Some Car Repairs Are Like any lifelong railfan, I’ve been addicted to trains since I was a kid. I can prattle on all day about my favorite Chicago Metra locomotive, or …
$1 Gas Gridlocks Georgia Town After Gas Station Price War Goes Nuclear
What would you be willing to endure to fill up with gas for just $0.97 per gallon? Throngs of drivers showed up as rival gas stations in Powder Springs, Georgia, aggressively undercut each other’s prices for regular gas last week, eventually prompting police to shut the whole thing down. And you thought the Costco line was brutal. Rival Amoco and Sunoco stations on Marietta Street were responsible for the kerfuffle last week.
Price War Brings Throngs to Rival Georgia Gas Stations in Search of $1 Gas
What would you be willing to endure to fill up with gas for just $0.97 per gallon? Throngs of drivers showed up to rival gas stations in Powder Springs, Georgia, as they aggressively undercut each other’s prices for regular gas last week, eventually prompting police to shut the whole thing down. And you thought the Costco line was brutal. Rival Amoco and Sunoco stations on Marietta Street were responsible for the kerfuffle last week.
Price War Brings Throngs to Rival Georgia Gas Stations in Search of $1 Gas
Now Protests by young people in northern cities ended in riots as farmers and truckers in the south, angered by high gas prices, stopped commercial traffic. Italy was rocked over the weekend by two separate waves of protests, as students in the north and farmers and truckers in the south demanded …
$1 Gas Gridlocks Georgia Town After Gas Station Price War Goes Nuclear
Volkswagen 3 hours ago The VW Bus, Now Electrified, Keeps on Truckin’ The New York Times - Jim Motavalli • 3h A restored version of Volkswagen’s Flower Power-era Microbus, kitted out by Kindred Motorworks, is aiming for the affluent, while VW’s own E.V. is slow to get moving, much like its forebear.
Tesla Roadster coming in 2028: 0-60 in 0.81, active aero, attitude control thrusters, scissor doors
Key Takeaways Tesla Roadster's dramatic reveal. The car showcased its active aero and attitude control thrusters at SpaceX's facility. Record-breaking acceleration. Demonstrated a 0-60 mph time of just 0.81 seconds using compressed air thrusters. Innovative design features. Includes scissor doors, a deployable spoiler, and a coupe body despite the ‘Roadster' name. Uncertain future promises. Questions remain if this unveiling will lead to actual production or more delays.
Finally: The Tesla Roadster Is About To Be Revealed Original
We’re counting down to what should be the official reveal of the new Tesla Roadster 2. Thursday night at 8:55 eastern, Tesla will show the world what it has been working on (or not?) for the better part of a decade. Yep, it has really been that long. Nine years ago, Elon Musk announced that Tesla was building a second-generation Roadster.
Pastor Wages Holy War Against Cadillac Dealership
Imagine waking up one morning to find an empty spot in your driveway where you normally park your dream car. You call the police, of course, but their brief investigation concludes when the bank reveals that the car wasn’t stolen, but instead repossessed. Your payments are current and your insurance is good. What gives? Turns out, the car was never really yours in the first place.
Pastor Wages Holy War Against Cadillac Dealership
Imagine waking up one morning to find an empty spot in your driveway where you normally park your dream car. You call the police, of course, but their brief investigation concludes when the bank reveals that the car wasn’t stolen, but instead repossessed. Your payments are current and your insurance is good. What gives? Turns out, the car was never really yours in the first place.
Ford Built a Mustang With a Pickup Bed. Where Do I Send My Deposit?
Free Republic Browse · Search General/Chat Topics · Post Article Skip to comments. Ford Built a Mustang With a Pickup Bed. Where Do I Send My Deposit? The Drive ^ | October 09, 2026 | Byron Hurd Posted on by Red Badger Ford has a Mustang ute sitting in its Experimental Vehicle Building. I'd much rather see it in my driveway.
This Blown Toyota V6 May Hold the Secret to the Tundra’s Engine Failures Original
Toyota’s V6 recall situation just seems to keep getting murkier. Eric, the on-screen dismantler behind the “I Do Cars” YouTube channel, has been tearing down examples of Toyota’s troublesome V35A V6 for a year now. This is the third engine he’s broken down for a video, and the second engine that was a replacement for an already-failed V6—and it may finally give us some insight into how these engines are actually failing.
So That’s Why Jeep Didn’t Put a V8 in the Two-Door Wrangler Original
When Jeep ditched the CJ model in favor of “Wrangler” back in the late ’80s, it was the end of an era for more than just a nameplate. With its pivot, Jeep also ditched the long-wheelbase CJ-7’s AMC-sourced V8, leaving the 4.0-liter inline-six as the range-topping engine in the Wrangler. Consequently, Jeep has never sold a factory two-door Wrangler with more than six cylinders.
Ford Built a Mustang With a Pickup Bed. Where Do I Send My Deposit?
Despite being a die-hard DIY type with more ongoing projects than a film studio, I’m not what you’d call a “truck guy.” I appreciate them for their capabilities, but I’ve never really felt compelled to carve out driveway space for one. I’m a bit too high on horsepower and handling chops to get excited about big, practical pickups. But a ute, like this one-off Ford Mustang with a factory-engineered bed? In the immortal words of the sultan of Hatay, I even like the color.
Ford Built a Mustang With a Pickup Bed. Where Do I Send My Deposit?
Despite being a die-hard DIY type with more ongoing projects than a film studio, I’m not what you’d call a “truck guy.” I appreciate them for their capabilities, but I’ve never really felt compelled to carve out driveway space for one. I’m a bit too high on horsepower and handling chops to get excited about big, practical pickups. But a ute, like this one-off Ford Mustang with a factory-engineered bed? In the immortal words of the sultan of Hatay, I even like the color.
Wrench Left in Mustang’s Engine Bay Causes 200-MPH Drag Racing Crash
In this business, debris can be deadly. Whether it’s a chunk of detritus kicked up by the wheels of a passing semi truck or actual pieces of the road surface being thrown at you by mother nature, encountering a flying object at highway speeds is something a decent driver wouldn’t wish on his or her worst enemy. Now, imagine what it’s like to experience something like that while flying down the lanes at more than 200 MPH.
Wrench Left in Mustang’s Engine Bay Causes 200-MPH Drag Racing Crash
In this business, debris can be deadly. Whether it’s a chunk of detritus kicked up by the wheels of a passing semi truck or actual pieces of the road surface being thrown at you by mother nature, encountering a flying object at highway speeds is something a decent driver wouldn’t wish on his or her worst enemy. Now, imagine what it’s like to experience something like that while flying down the lanes at more than 200 MPH.
Self-Driving Taxis Are Spying on You Original
Whether they like it or not, taxi and ride-hail drivers are responsible for more than just getting you to your destination. They often have to deal with problematic (or even unruly) riders, and have to keep their eyes open for signs of danger or illicit activity. Robotaxi operators are expected to monitor for the same things, lest their vehicles end up being used as getaway cars or vessels for human trafficking. Their solution? Cameras and microphones—with a little dollop of automation, of course.
GM’s V8 SUVs Get the Same Gas Mileage They Did In 2009
If you’re convinced that cars stopped getting better years ago and instead have simply become larger and less interesting, we’re about to throw you some supporting evidence for your next bar-stool (or, let’s face it, social media) argument: Despite 17 years of progress, GM’s most efficient gasoline-powered, full-size SUVs get the exact same fuel economy they did for the 2010 model year: 17 mpg.
GM’s V8 SUVs Get the Same Gas Mileage They Did In 2009
If you’re convinced that cars stopped getting better years ago and instead have simply become larger and less interesting, we’re about to throw you some supporting evidence for your next bar-stool (or, let’s face it, social media) argument: Despite 17 years of progress, GM’s most efficient gasoline-powered, full-size SUVs get the exact same fuel economy they did for the 2010 model year: 17 mpg.
Ford Maverick Owners Say Their Trucks Keep Turning On at Random Original
Most of us have had a car that refused to start at one point or another, but have you ever owned a car that wouldn’t stay off? A thread in a (private) Ford Maverick group on Facebook from late September prompted a series of responses from owners claiming that their trucks have turned themselves on seemingly at random. One purported owner claimed that they found the truck running in their garage one morning—not the first time somebody has claimed that, as it turns out. That’s… not great.
4 Cameras, 10 Days, 100,000 Violations. CA’s Speed Camera Test Is Going Great Original
Does it feel like everybody speeds these days? Depending on where you live, that observation may be accurate. A speed camera pilot program set to be implemented in Malibu this fall has been delayed after a 10-day trial conducted in September resulted in approximately 100,000 recorded speeding infractions.
4 Cameras, 10 Days, 100,000 Violations. CA’s Speed Camera Test Is Going Great
Officials were so overwhelmed by violations during a speed camera trial that they postponed the program's soft roll-out. Does it feel like everybody …
UCLA Study Says the ‘Kia Boys’ Could Still Be Stealing Cars in 16 Years Original
Did you think the “Kia Boys” mess was long gone? Think again. According to a recently published study from UCLA, thieves will be targeting Hyundai and Kia models (vulnerable or otherwise) for at least another decade and a half. Cool.
Here’s How California Closed the Montana License Plate Loophole Original
It’s official: California has closed the Montana license plate loophole. After more than seven months of legislative shuffling, CA State Bill 1406 (“Sales and Use Tax Law: vehicles: shell companies”) became law on Sept. 30, 2026, making it much harder to get away with the shell-company shenanigans rich Californians have exploited for decades.
High Diesel Prices Bankrupted 16 Trucking Companies in Just 30 Days Original
Statistically speaking, you probably don’t drive a diesel. Oil burners represent a tiny chunk of light-duty vehicle sales, even when you factor in heavy-duty pickups and the like. But in the freight world, if you’re hauling heavy loads, chances are you’re fueling up with diesel—or maybe you were, if you drove for one of the 16 trucking companies that went bankrupt last quarter.
Ford Finally Addressed a Costly Design Flaw on the 2027 Super Duty
The Drive 🤝 your inbox. Every weekday The Daily Brief wraps up the biggest stories and our exclusive reporting on the auto industry and car culture. Have you ever been faced with a situation where a simple $2.00 part could have saved you from an expensive headache? If you own a recent Ford Super Duty that you park outside, you may be two steps ahead of me here. For those not familiar, the hood cowling design on recent Super Duties channels water to a hole directly over the truck’s fuse box.
Ford Finally Addressed a Costly Design Flaw on the 2027 Super Duty
4 hours ago An SUV is the ultimate multi-tasker. Choosing one with AWD makes it even better at handling everything from snowy roads to weekend camping trips. SUVs have taken the automotive world by storm, and it is easy to see why. They are immensely popular due to their practicality, multi-purpose nature, and …
Ford Finally Addressed a Costly Design Flaw on the 2027 Super Duty
The Drive 🤝 your inbox. Every weekday The Daily Brief wraps up the biggest stories and our exclusive reporting on the auto industry and car culture. Have you ever been faced with a situation where a simple $2.00 part could have saved you from an expensive headache? If you own a recent Ford Super Duty that you park outside, you may be two steps ahead of me here. For those not familiar, the hood cowling design on recent Super Duties channels water to a hole directly over the truck’s fuse box.
Ford Gave Up More Than 150,000 Sales To Build Its New Budget EV
Ford discontinued the Escape and its more-expensive Lincoln sibling, the Corsair, last year to free up space at its Louisville plant. This was done to make room for the new $30,000 Fathom electric pickup truck. We’re still months away from seeing the fruits of Ford’s new electric platform, though in the meantime, Ford dealers are seeing fewer customers walk through the doors—a lot of whom would have driven away in one of the company’s compact crossovers. Just how many?
Ford Gave Up More Than 150,000 Sales To Build Its New Budget EV
Ford discontinued the Escape and its more-expensive Lincoln sibling, the Corsair, last year to free up space at its Louisville plant. This was done to make room for the new $30,000 Fathom electric pickup truck. We’re still months away from seeing the fruits of Ford’s new electric platform, though in the meantime, Ford dealers are seeing fewer customers walk through the doors—a lot of whom would have driven away in one of the company’s compact crossovers. Just how many?
Stellantis Is Betting Its US Comeback on Ram as Jeep Flounders Original
The past decade has been transformative for the former Chrysler corporation, to put things mildly. Whether we’re talking about the FCA years or the Stellantis years, things have been tumultuous, to put it lightly. The steady decline in U.S. production of smaller cars helped transform it into a truck and SUV company, and with it, elevating Jeep to the point where it was pushing more volume than any other brand under the corporate umbrella.
Is America Over the Prius?
What happens when you mix sky-high fuel prices with a rollback of EV incentives? A boom in hybrid sales, as it turns out. A year after Congress officially ended America’s electric vehicle subsidies, we’ve seen an unsurprising decline in EV sales. But as the stagnant and unfavorable geopolitical climate continues to put pressure on global fuel prices, Many (though clearly not all) buyers are turning to hybrids for their new-car purchases, and companies like Toyota are reaping the benefits.
Is America Over the Prius?
What happens when you mix sky-high fuel prices with a rollback of EV incentives? A boom in hybrid sales, as it turns out. A year after Congress officially ended America’s electric vehicle subsidies, we’ve seen an unsurprising decline in EV sales. But as the stagnant and unfavorable geopolitical climate continues to put pressure on global fuel prices, Many (though clearly not all) buyers are turning to hybrids for their new-car purchases, and companies like Toyota are reaping the benefits.
There’s Still Hope for the Old-Fashioned Hand Brake
Ten years (and about a half-dozen daily drivers) ago, I purchased a brand-new Ford Fiesta ST. Back then, when you bought one of Ford’s fun cars, the company threw in a complimentary day of driver “education” at what we colloquially call Utah Motorsports Park. If you bought a either the Focus or Fiesta ST, that program took the form of ST Octane Academy. The Academy was a day-long school that mixed time on track with classroom sessions and a massive autocross/gymkhana course.
There’s Still Hope for the Old-Fashioned Hand Brake
Ten years (and about a half-dozen daily drivers) ago, I purchased a brand-new Ford Fiesta ST. Back then, when you bought one of Ford’s fun cars, the company threw in a complimentary day of driver “education” at what we colloquially call Utah Motorsports Park. If you bought a either the Focus or Fiesta ST, that program took the form of ST Octane Academy. The Academy was a day-long school that mixed time on track with classroom sessions and a massive autocross/gymkhana course.
We Drifted the 2026 Ford Mustang RTR. Its Old-School Handbrake Is the Star
The 2026 Ford Mustang RTR is a lot of things. It’s turbocharged, loaded with performance-package goodies, and tuned to let you have as much fun as possible before its electronic babysitters kick in. But despite its badge and all that implies, the Mustang RTR is not actually a drift car. But it could be. First, let’s go over the recipe Ford cooked up. At a brief glance at the spec sheet, you might mistake the RTR for just a visual punch-up package, but don’t let the 315-horsepower output fool you.
We Drifted the 2026 Ford Mustang RTR. Its Old-School Handbrake Is the Star
The 2026 Ford Mustang RTR is a lot of things. It’s turbocharged, loaded with performance-package goodies, and tuned to let you have as much fun as possible before its electronic babysitters kick in. But despite its badge and all that implies, the Mustang RTR is not actually a drift car. But it could be. First, let’s go over the recipe Ford cooked up. At a brief glance at the spec sheet, you might mistake the RTR for just a visual punch-up package, but don’t let the 315-horsepower output fool you.
This Kit Can Convert Your Dual-Clutch Gearbox to a Rev-Matching Stickshift Original
Do you own a fun car with a dual-clutch automatic transmission and sometimes wish you would have gotten a stick? These days, it may not even be your fault. Plenty of fun cars are sold exclusively with paddle-shifted automatics, and they’re probably faster (and safer) in the hands of mortal drivers as a result. But driving enjoyment doesn’t always come from being quick, and the art of operating a manual is something many enthusiasts still embrace.
2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Puts Bronco Sport Sasquatch On Notice
The 2027 Jeep Cherokee has finally earned its “Trail-Rated” badge with the introduction of a Trailhawk. Once upon a time, Jeeps held virtually indefensible positions at the top of their respective segments when it came to off-road capability. These days, the 4×4-adjacent space is much more crowded, and simply wearing a Jeep badge isn’t a guarantee of automatic victory anymore.
2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Puts Bronco Sport Sasquatch On Notice
The 2027 Jeep Cherokee has finally earned its “Trail-Rated” badge with the introduction of a Trailhawk. Once upon a time, Jeeps held virtually indefensible positions at the top of their respective segments when it came to off-road capability. These days, the 4×4-adjacent space is much more crowded, and simply wearing a Jeep badge isn’t a guarantee of automatic victory anymore.
Texas Declares Statewide Disaster to Combat Record Diesel Prices
Texas is taking drastic measures to ease pain at the pump for its commercial trucking industry. On Monday, Governor Abbott issued a statewide disaster proclamation and announced that the state would temporarily waive restrictions on using dyed diesel fuel on the highway, giving agricultural operators a little extra headroom against high diesel prices. According to AAA’s gas price tracker, the average price of diesel in Texas is hovering around $6.43 per gallon.
Texas Declares Statewide Disaster to Combat Record Diesel Prices
Texas is taking drastic measures to ease pain at the pump for its commercial trucking industry. On Monday, Governor Abbott issued a statewide disaster proclamation and announced that the state would temporarily waive restrictions on using dyed diesel fuel on the highway, giving agricultural operators a little extra headroom against high diesel prices. According to AAA’s gas price tracker, the average price of diesel in Texas is hovering around $6.43 per gallon.
There’s a Surprising Twist in CAFE’s Emissions Rollback
This week, the Trump administration announced sweeping changes to America’s emissions regulations. Judging by how it’s being received, you might imagine it paves the way for gas guzzlers to further strengthen their grasp on the U.S. automotive market.
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