Axios

Americans are snapping up small cars again, not because they want to, but because it's what they can afford. Why it matters: Higher sticker prices, plus lofty borrowing rates, are making it harder for people to buy the new car of their dreams, so they often have to settle for a smaller vehicle or look for a bargain on a used car.

Small cars are hot again — because they're cheap

CarBuzz.com

Automakers are always looking for new and innovative ways to improve efficiency, something that is becoming harder and harder to achieve as cars get both larger and heavier. Honda's latest idea - discovered by CarBuzz in a filing at the United States Patent and Trademark Office - is one of the most novel we've ever come across, employing "spinners" attached to belts laid along a car's bodywork, air injectors, and suction fans to change the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle. Unlike the innovative McMurtry Speirling, which has a fan sucking the car to the ground, Honda's patent aims to manipulate the air that flows around and over the body of a car, not that under it. Let's take a closer look.

Honda's Conveyor Belt Body Panels Are Active Aero Gone Too Far

Legendary German car seat manufacturer Recaro Automotive has filed for bankruptcy, been deemed insolvent, and was approved for self-administration by its local district court, Autocar reports. The automotive seat manufacturing arm of Recaro (the airplane seats, child safety seats, and gaming seats businesses remain unaffected) has been around since 1906. The company changed hands in 2020, now controlled by investment firm Raven Acquisitions, and has taken just four years to completely eat itself from the inside.

It May Be Over For Recaro Automotive After 120 years

In the United States, Kia is known for its budget-friendly vehicles and practical family SUVs. In South Korea, however, the automaker offers an extensive lineup of cars, including an executive sedan called the K8. Due for a facelift, Kia has given us our first look at the refreshed luxury car with a teaser that showcases the new design.

Kia Shares A Glimpse Of Its Luxurious Mercedes Rival

As the automotive world moves ever closer to a carbon-neutral and emissions-free future, engines are decreasing in size to meet these demands that seem to grow perpetually larger. As a result, four-cylinder engines have become the most popular motor choice for virtually all mass-market automakers thanks to their fuel economy and modest power potential.

The 3-Cylinder That Won Engine Of The Year More Times Than Any Other

Porsche production manager Albrecht Reimold tells Automobilewoche that the 718 lineup, comprised of the Boxster and Cayman, will end production in 2025. Porsche has already been forced to retire the 718 twins in Europe due to more stringent cybersecurity regulations (and the Macan along with it). More stringent emissions requirements across the pond would have done the pair in at some point as it is. The 718’s electric replacement is underway, and while Reimold didn’t share further details on the upcoming models, it’s hard to imagine Porsche will leave much of a gap between the end of 718 production and the next model’s introduction.

Porsche Kills Its Best Car

When it comes to building engines, one philosophy is that the bigger, the better. Six cylinders? Why not eight? Ten? Twelve? Another philosophy is to work smarter, not harder. If you can get supercar specs out of six cylinders, why drag the car down with all that extra aluminum and cast iron? Track records are frequently made and broken on a difference of 100 pounds of curb weight, and with how much juice you can get out of turbochargers and electric motors these days, it's no wonder some of the quickest cars in the world have some of the leanest engines.

The Highest Horsepower V6 Engine Available In 2024

Tesla has confirmed that the Cybertruck range extender - due sometime shortly - will not have removable hardware. Cybertruck engineer Wes Morrill said via X that "any range extender offered by Tesla will be structurally mounted so it's safe in a crash," quashing any claims that the range extender pack would be detachable.

Tesla Cybertruck's 470-Mile Range Max Range Battery Costs More Than Just A Ton Of Money

The US Sun

EAGLE-EYED automotive writers have spotted a pending patent for folding third-row sets for one of America’s most popular truck brands. The brand has unveiled concept pickups with third rows – but a patent shows it’s serious. Americans have always been fond of pickup trucks as daily drivers, even if they’re not regularly hauling or towing […]

‘World’s first’ three-row pickup truck unveiled – but design has some insisting drivers should ‘just buy a minivan’

New York City, NY

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Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

Full-size luxury convertibles are scarce in today's automotive landscape, but Cadillac may be reviving the segment with the gorgeous Sollei, an all-electric concept that celebrates the automaker's legacy of high-end convertibles. Cadillac says the design pushes the envelope of "future bespoke commissions," which suggests the Sollei may make it to production - perhaps as a bespoke Spectre rival built in limited numbers. Sollei is a portmanteau of sun (Sol) and leisure (Lei), which is what this vehicle is all about.

Cadillac Sollei Is America's Answer To The Rolls-Royce Droptail

CBS News

Whether you're a busy professional seeking comfortable transportation, a parent seeking reliability and low cost in a family vehicle, or an outdoor enthusiast needing off-road capability, the used SUV market offers a spectrum of options for less than $35,000. The hard part is figuring out which SUV will be best for you. Edmunds' experts are here to help with what they consider are the five best-value used SUVs in this price range. Each has an appealing mix of functionality and style plus a proven ability to meet drivers' needs without breaking the bank. The following SUVs are organized by category;...

Here are the 5 best used SUVs for under $40,000, according to Edmunds

Hennessey Venom F5 sets new half-mile speed record at 221.92 mph on an unprepared surface. Record set during a standard engineering session, not a dedicated record attempt. Half-mile speed faster by 15 mph and 28 mph than Rimac Nevera and Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, respectively. Hennessey is on track to...

Hennessey Smashes Hypercar Speed Record On The Road To 300 MPH

Those taking delivery of the recently refreshed 2025 Rivian R1T and R1S may be disappointed to learn that their interactions with their new electric vehicles are about to get a little less physical, thanks to the discontinuation of the standard key fob. According to posts on Reddit and Rivian forums, buyers are being provided with card keys and assistance in setting up their smartphones as keys, but no physical key fobs were included. On realizing this, one owner reached out to a Rivian representative and was given the following response:

Rivian Owners Furious Their $70,000 EV Is Being Delivered Without The Most Basic Feature

MotorBiscuit


You can get into one of these for $5k, and they should shoot up in value--while being fun to drive.
The post A Forgotten American JDM-Killer Might Be the Ultimate Sports Car Investment appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

A Forgotten American JDM-Killer Might Be the Ultimate Sports Car Investment

SlashGear

Ford's ST badge is usually added after the vehicle's model name. Some past Ford ST models in the U.S. lineup have included the now-discontinued Focus ST and Fiesta ST, both of which had higher performance than their garden-variety siblings. The only ST models currently sold in America are two SUVs: the three-row Ford Explorer ST and the two-row Ford Edge ST.

What Does ST Stand For In Ford Cars?

The 2025 Jeep Compass arrives with minimal changes; a limited edition Joose exterior color is now available. Minor price increases, with the base trim $595 more expensive than before. Five trims are available for MY2025 - Sport, Latitude, Latitude Lux, Limited, and Trailhawk. Jeep has revealed model year updates for...

Jeep Smallest SUV Gets A Single Lonely Upgrade For 2025

When it comes to reviving iconic nameplates, Nissan fans would love to see the Silvia make a return. While sports cars aren't priorities for most automakers, Nissan's Vice President of Global Product Strategy, Ivan Espinosa, told Top Gear that there's a chance the sporty coupe could return. Asked whether there's...

Nissan Wants To Revive Its Most Iconic Junior Sports Car

The minivan segment may be smaller today than it was ten years ago, but that only makes it more competitive. On sale in the US right now, your choice of minivans comes down to the Chrysler Pacifica, the Toyota Sienna, Kia's Carnival MPV, and the Honda Odyssey. The latter has been rejuvenated for 2025 with updates to styling and interior, although the V6 powertrain carries over.

2025 Honda Odyssey Vs. Chrysler Pacifica

The Alfa Romeo Junior has had a rather tumultuous start to life. Launched as the Milano but produced far away from its namesake, all the way in Poland, Italian officials quickly took issue with the name. That part of the world considers its heritage and culture sacred, so the compact EV is now known as the Junior. Designed for European markets, it now has a small chance of being sold in the United States, reports Automotive News Europe (ANE). First, dealers need to see it in the metal.

Iconic Alfa Romeo Nameplate Coming To America

NewsBreak

Is America Falling Out Of Love With The Sports Car? Here's What The Numbers Say

When most people say, \"They just don't make them like they used to,\" you can write it off as nostalgia goggles. But, when it comes to...

When most people say, "They just don't make them like they used to," you can write it off as nostalgia goggles. But, when it comes to...

Is America Falling Out Of Love With The Sports Car? Here's What The Numbers Say

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