Audi Q9 Revealed, Super Bee Back, BMW Puts Ads in Cars
PLUS: 705-HP F-150, $800K Supra, Pagani Ride-Along
Releases & Reviews
I Saw The New Audi Q9 Up Close. It's A Brilliant Full-Size Flagship SUV
Audi's largest-ever model rides on a wheelbase longer than a Chevy Tahoe's, seats six or seven, and packs a 429-hp (320-kW) twin-turbo V6, with the $119,395 SQ9 jumping to 591 hp (441 kW) for a 3.8-second 0-60. Pricing starts at $89,095 when deliveries begin in late 2026.
Dodge's Most Powerful Charger Yet Might Wear Super Bee Stripes
A 15-second teaser of bees swarming a drag-strip Christmas tree set to Wiz Khalifa's "Black and Yellow" points to an August 7 reveal ahead of Roadkill Nights in Pontiac, Michigan. Expect the twin-turbo inline-six to climb from 550 hp (410 kW) toward 600 hp (448 kW) at a price near $70,000.
Technology, Market Data & Analysis
BMW Is Showing Commercials On Their Car's Dash Screens And They Want You To Think It's A Treat
BMW owners are seeing a Spider-Man: Brand New Day promotion appear on their center screens at startup, part of an official campaign running through August 10 in more than 70 countries. BMW frames the opt-in "festive animation" as a gift, but critics see paid advertising invading cars costing over $60,000.
Apple Maps Will Power Ford's Universal EV Platform
Ford will embed Apple's MapKit for Automotive directly into its upcoming EVs, bringing native turn-by-turn navigation, intelligent EV routing, and battery preconditioning to the vehicle's displays. The integration also supports development of next-generation BlueCruise hands-free driving, aimed at Ford's upcoming $30,000 midsize EV.
Car Culture
America Made An Epic V8 Wagon For The Masses But It Was Sabotaged By Beancounters
The Dodge Magnum R/T paired a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and Mercedes-sourced five-speed automatic with rear-wheel drive, wagon practicality, and genuine style, but DaimlerChrysler's "Material Cost Management" penny-pinching saddled it with a garbage-grade interior. Killed in 2008, this forgotten gem now sells for around $5,000.
Obsessively Maintained 1990 Ferrari Testarossa For Sale on BaT
Kept in one family since new, this 3,700-mile (5,953-km) example was warmed up monthly for 45 minutes, and its owner learned to perform his own engine-out services — completing three over two decades. The 4.9-liter flat-12 makes 380 hp (283 kW), and the auction ends July 29.
Miscellaneous
Feds Bulk-Order 250 Cadillac Escalades So the Secret Service Can Ride in Style
President Trump confirmed the order, worth over $22.5 million at roughly $90,000 per truck before upfitting. The fleet will likely ride on GM's HD pickup frames with armor, following the militarized Escalade concept the Secret Service teased last year — armored versions can easily top $300,000 each.
Ford Wants to Build the U.S. Army's Next Tactical Truck
The Pentagon awarded Ford a contract to develop three F-Series Super Duty-based prototypes, putting it in competition with GM Defense and BC Customs. The Army wants roughly 600 trucks capable of crossing difficult terrain while doubling as mobile power sources for drones and command-and-control systems.
Quick Links
2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class EV First Drive: Conservative Looks, Cutting-Edge Everything Else
Built on Mercedes' new MB.EA electric platform, the dual-motor C400 4Matic hits 60 mph in about four seconds and dances through slaloms with 4.5-degree rear-axle steering — arriving before the mild-hybrid version.
This Is The Greatest Supra Ever But Don't Call It A Supra
One of just 35 factory-built TRD 3000GTs — the only US-origin example, now making 500 hp (373 kW) — heads to auction with a $500,000–$800,000 estimate that would shatter the Mk4 Supra record.
2026 Roush Nitemare First Test: The 705-HP Ford F-150 That Drives Like a Muscle Car
Roush's supercharged 5.0-liter V8 makes 705 hp (526 kW) and 635 lb-ft (861 Nm), launching the lowered F-150 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds — dead even with a Mustang Dark Horse.
2026 Honda CR-V EX-L vs. 2026 Mazda CX-5 Premium Plus Comparison Test
The CR-V takes the crown on smarter ergonomics, more cargo space, and a lower price, though the redesigned CX-5 counters with a quieter highway ride, softer suspension, and sharper styling.
BMW Expands Engine Fire Recall to Over 318,000 Vehicles
A starter that can overheat and ignite prompts BMW's third attempt at fixing the issue, covering ten 2021–2026 models — including 270 Toyota Supras — with a redesigned starter installed free of charge.
Riding With Pagani's Test Driver in a Utopia Roadster Ruined Me for Life
A passenger lap with Pagani development driver Matteo in the $4 million, 864-hp (645-kW) twin-turbo V12 hypercar — dog-leg seven-speed manual and all — left the author declaring nothing else will ever compare.
My Supposedly Reliable Toyota Broke On Me Again And Now I Hate This Car So Much I Want To Set It On Fire
A 2012 Scion iQ with a whining CVT, creeping rust, and a mystery stall that only appears after 30 minutes of driving has struck again — right as its exasperated owner tried to sell it.