Author: kirklandc008@gmail.com

Automakers keep shoving more tech into their cars, despite evidence that consumers are increasingly fed up with huge screens and glitchy software. In fact, the features that car owners appreciate the most happen to be the ones they barely notice, according to the latest tech survey from JD Power.The consumer research firm surveyed 68,084 owners of new 2026 model-year vehicles after 90 days of ownership. The survey touched on 40 automotive technologies covering comfort and convenience; connected vehicles; driver assist; electric vehicles; and smart vehicles.The features that scored the highest were the ones that were the most inconspicuous, like smart…

Can’t get enough automotive biopics? Well, here’s another, and this time it could be a five-pack. We’ve seen Ferrari and Lamborghini films on the big screen, but Italy’s car scene is big enough for more. If you’ve been waiting for a Maserati origin story, we have good news to share. A movie about the Maserati Brothers is coming, and the first trailer is here. Amid the cars and competition is plenty of riveting drama, along with some croquet. You know, exactly what every car fan wants to see. More Family Drama Than Any Fast & Furious Movie Maserati The Brothers…

Toyota is breaking its own rules and will build a new electric vehicle in China before Japan, using advanced tech. Why is Toyota building new EVs in China first? If you can’t beat them, join them. Right? Toyota is reportedly planning to build a new electric vehicle in China rather than in Japan, its home market where it has traditionally developed and produced vehicles. The new EV will be an SUV under the Lexus brand. According to Nikkei, production will begin at Lexus’ new manufacturing plant in Shanghai next fall. Toyota broke ground on the facility in June 2025, claiming…

Garmin watches aren’t the only ones with the power of illumination. Ringo Chiu/Shutterstock Gather close, curious passersby, and gaze upon my wrist orb! Behold the notifications it annoys me with, the nearly incessant reminders and DoorDash delivery updates. Gasp as I use it to ask Google things I should already know, like whether it’s possible the milk I left on the counter last night is still good. Do not accuse me of witchcraft when you see me take a phone call with it, in public, while using both hands to eat my lunch. But what is this…

The biggest car news and reviews, no BS Our free daily newsletter sends the stories that really matter directly to you, every weekday. The mighty M100SX is the biggest bulldog that Mack Trucks ever built. Only three examples were made in the 1960s, and just one still exists today. It was acquired by The Mahan Collection Foundation in New Jersey a couple of years ago, and I wrote a detailed story about the giant’s new shot at life after more than five decades. Now, the truck’s restoration is nearly complete, and it’s driving under its own power again thanks to…

Cole Trickle is putting on the Nomex and strapping into the bucket seat yet again. The rookie stock car driver, played by Tom Cruise in 1990’s Days of Thunder, will return to the silver screen once again – hopefully behind the wheel of a Chevy Camaro – although after nearly four decades, he’s not the upstart he used to be. Cruise will reprise his role in a sequel to the racing flick, which will also star Anne Hathaway upon its release in summer 2028, and fans of the original are very excited. But why did it take 36 years for…

UPDATE: 2026/08/31 11:05 EST BY BELINDA ANDERSON BMW’s Smallest Sports Car Is A Future Collectible We’ve added a section detailing one of BMW’s most iconic compact cars – production may have just ceased, but here’s why (and how) it’s likely to hold onto its value in years to come. Over the last two decades or so, the Teutonic Trio (Germany’s Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz) proved that a large vehicle does not need to dictate premium execution. Today, in 2026, a small BMW car represents more than a strategic entry point, but serves as a highly calculated means to capture buyers.…

BMW has filed a patent for a drift-initiation system that uses adaptive suspension to briefly bounce the rear axle, temporarily unloading the rear tires and making it easier to break traction with minimal throttle input. The system would engage only during hard cornering or at high steering angles, monitor vehicle speed, and can even store steering-angle thresholds to define when drifting is and isn’t permitted. It’s a genuinely clever piece of engineering — and it lands right in the middle of a debate that performance-car buyers have been having for years. The question isn’t really whether the technology works. It’s…

The biggest car news and reviews, no BS Our free daily newsletter sends the stories that really matter directly to you, every weekday. Welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, The Drive’s morning news roundup bringing you the biggest automotive headlines from around the world. The Downshift recaps news briefly, with links to full stories for those seeking more info. We hope you had a fine weekend, and here’s your bulletin for Monday, August 31, 2026. 🪪 According to a new report, Volkswagen of America is about to undergo a major personnel shift, with current Audi sales chief Marco Schubert expected to take…

Relocating to New Orleans is an exciting experience. Whether you’re moving for work, school, retirement, or simply looking for a change of scenery, you’ll soon discover that the Crescent City has its own rhythm. Historic neighborhoods, one-way streets, streetcars, festivals, and narrow roads all contribute to its unique charm—but they can also make your first few days behind the wheel a little overwhelming. Many newcomers choose to fly into New Orleans and have their vehicle transported professionally instead of driving hundreds or even thousands of miles. It saves time, reduces wear on your car, and lets you focus on…