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Volkswagen Reverses Course, Brings Back Physical Buttons in New ID. Polo Interior
EV & Electric Cars, News

Volkswagen Reverses Course, Brings Back Physical Buttons in New ID. Polo Interior

Volkswagen is making a significant shift back to traditional controls with the new generation of cockpit design featured on its refreshed ID. Polo model, which trades digital buttons for physical switches and knobs.Key TakeawaysThe new ID. Polo features an abundance of physical buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard, a stark contrast to current VW models that rely heavily on capacitive touch controls.Volkswagen's move toward more tactile control options is expected to extend beyond Europe with plans for updates to North American models like the upcoming refreshed ID.4 SUV.The automaker’s decision comes as consumer feedback and usability concerns have pushed back against overly digital interfaces in cars, leading other manufacturers to reconsider their approaches too.For Volkswagen, th...
Sedans and Sports Cars Take a Bow: Vehicles That Won’t Survive 2026
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Sedans and Sports Cars Take a Bow: Vehicles That Won’t Survive 2026

Car enthusiasts, it's time to say goodbye. With the dawn of 2026 comes a wave of changes that will leave many beloved models behind in dealerships' back lots.Key TakeawaysAcura discontinues its TLX sedan, marking an end to true luxury sedans from the brand since 1986.The Audi A4 nameplate is going on hiatus as the A5 takes over with a new four-door liftback design.High-riding SUVs continue their dominance in American car culture, pushing traditional sedan models into retirement.Acura's TLX has been one of its star players since 2014. But now it's time to wave goodbye as the brand shifts focus towards SUV offerings like the RDX and MDX. It's a sad day for Acura fans who've grown fond of this sleek sedan.Over at Audi, the familiar A4 nameplate is fading away to make room for its successor, t...
Florida Teen Speeding in Mustang GT at 154 MPH Pulled Over by Police
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Florida Teen Speeding in Mustang GT at 154 MPH Pulled Over by Police

A Florida teen was recently arrested for driving his Ford Mustang GT at an astonishing speed of 154 miles per hour. The incident occurred around 1:30 am on Sunday, January 4th, when a trooper from the Florida Highway Patrol spotted him weaving through traffic.Key TakeawaysThe teen was caught driving at over 150 mph in wet conditions.FHP used their own Mustang GT to catch up with and pull the speeding car over.Cirilo Rayo-Callejas faces charges of reckless driving under Florida’s Super Speeder law for exceeding 100 mph.The FHP trooper initially clocked the teen's speed at around 95 miles per hour. But when they tried to pull him over, he sped up dramatically and reached speeds as high as 154 mph on Interstate 4 in Hillsborough County.Fortunately for everyone involved, the Florida Highway Pa...
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Kuhl Racing’s Custom Land Cruiser Debuts with Off-Road Upgrades

Kuhl Racing will unveil its Blocker Series Iron Build, a customized Toyota Land Cruiser designed for serious off-road enthusiasts at the Tokyo Auto Salon in 2026. The vehicle features a 7-inch suspension lift and massive 37-inch tires.Key TakeawaysA 7.0-inch suspension lift increases ground clearance to 15.7 inches for better off-road performance.The custom Land Cruiser sports 22-inch wheels and 37-inch Yokohama Geolander M/T G003 tires.Additional features include bumper protectors, pipe fenders, a skid plate, roof carrier, LED light bar, and rear wings for added protection and visibility.The fifth-generation Land Cruiser normally has 8.3 inches of ground clearance in its stock configuration but gains an extra seven inches thanks to Kuhl Racing’s custom suspension lift kit. This modificati...
Toyota GR Teases New Mid-Engined Sports Car for Tokyo Auto Salon
EV & Electric Cars, News, Supercars

Toyota GR Teases New Mid-Engined Sports Car for Tokyo Auto Salon

Toyota's Gazoo Racing division is generating buzz ahead of the January Tokyo Auto Salon with hints at a new mid-engined sports car. The brand's social media posts suggest an upcoming reveal that could be another step toward reviving the iconic MR2 model.Key TakeawaysThe teaser suggests Toyota may unveil a mid-engined two-seater at Tokyo Auto Salon, potentially hinting at an MR2 revival or concept car.If it's the real deal, this could be positioned between its GR 86 and higher-end offerings like the GR GT supercar.Tokyo Auto Salon has become a platform for Toyota to showcase enthusiast-focused vehicles, with past reveals including the GR GT3 concept in 2022.The new teaser from Gazoo Racing comes just weeks after renewed speculation around an MR2 revival. The company's chairman Akio Toyoda o...
2026 Subaru Solterra Gets Significant Boost in Range and Performance
News, SUV & Crossovers

2026 Subaru Solterra Gets Significant Boost in Range and Performance

The 2026 <a href="https://autoglobalnews.com/toyota-c-hr-and-subaru-uncharted-electric-duo-with-distinctive-flair/" style="color:#1a73e8;text-decoration:underline;" title="Toyota C-HR and Subaru Uncharted: Electric Duo with Distinct">Subaru Solterra, an electric compact SUV co-developed with Toyota, sees a significant upgrade for the new model year. With improved range and performance, it's now more competitive but still falls short of being a standout.Key TakeawaysThe Solterra's range has increased by about 25 percent to between 278 and 288 miles depending on the trim level.A new XT model with a powerful 338-horsepower output is now available, boosting acceleration times.Faster charging speeds have been implemented as part of an array of upgrades for the 2026 Solterra.The Subar...
California DMV Error Affects Thousands of Immigrants’ Licenses
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California DMV Error Affects Thousands of Immigrants’ Licenses

A software glitch from over a decade ago is causing trouble for thousands of California immigrants. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has identified an issue that's forcing about 325,000 residents to get new Real IDs.Key TakeawaysThe DMV error affects lawful immigrant drivers with incorrect license expiration dates.About 1.5% of California's Real ID holders are impacted by this issue.Around 98.5% of all Real ID holders aren't affected and don't need to take action.The problem stems from a software bug that was introduced in 2006, which incorrectly set expiration dates for driver's licenses based on visa authorization periods. This means many immigrants have been driving with IDs that expire before their work permits do.California’s DMV is now reaching out to those who are affected and...
Honda Unveils Civic e:HEV RS and Type R HRC Concepts at Tokyo Auto Salon
EV & Electric Cars, News

Honda Unveils Civic e:HEV RS and Type R HRC Concepts at Tokyo Auto Salon

Honda is set to showcase a range of high-performance concepts, including the new Civic e:HEV RS Prototype with Prelude's S+ Shift technology and an enhanced Civic Type R HRC model. These reveals are part of Honda’s lineup for the upcoming 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon.Key TakeawaysHonda introduces a sportier version of its hybrid Civic with S+ Shift technology from Prelude.The Civic Type R HRC concept aims to push the limits of pure sports performance further.A Prelude HRC Concept is also on display, promising enhanced driving joy without powertrain changes.At this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, Honda will unveil a new prototype for its popular e:HEV Civic. The model features S+ Shift technology from the recently launched Prelude, which allows drivers to shift through simulated gears using paddle shifts...
BMW Recalls X3 SUVs Over Steering Wheel Glitch
News, SUV & Crossovers

BMW Recalls X3 SUVs Over Steering Wheel Glitch

<a href="https://autoglobalnews.com/amg-s-gle-53-gets-a-refresh-for-my27-but-is-it-enough-to-beat-bmw/" style="color:#1a73e8;text-decoration:underline;" title="AMG’s GLE 53 Gets a Refresh for MY27, But Is It Enough">BMW is recalling nearly 37,000 of its latest X3 models due to a software glitch that can cause the steering wheel to move on its own when parked. The recall affects vehicles from model years 2025 and 2026.Key TakeawaysBWM is recalling nearly 37,000 X3 SUVs due to a steering wheel software glitch.The issue can cause the steering wheel to turn on its own when parked but not moving.A free over-the-air (OTA) update or dealer visit will fix the problem.Modern cars are packed with technology, and sometimes bugs slip through. This time, BMW's X3 is dealing with a glitch tha...
Volvo EX30 Owners Warned Over Battery Fire Risk
EV & Electric Cars, News, SUV & Crossovers

Volvo EX30 Owners Warned Over Battery Fire Risk

Volvo has issued a warning to some owners of its smallest all-electric car, the Volvo EX30. The company is asking affected drivers to limit their charging levels to avoid potential battery-related fires.Key TakeawaysThe issue affects certain 2024-2026 model year EX30 Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance cars only.Volkswagen ID.3, Smart #1, and Tesla Model Y are direct competitors to the Volvo EX30 in terms of size and price range.No injuries have been reported despite less than 0.02% of affected vehicles showing issues so far.Volvo identified a potential problem with high-voltage battery cells made by one supplier for certain model year cars, which could lead to overheating and fire risks under rare circumstances when charged to full capacity.The automaker is implementing...