Author: kirklandc008@gmail.com

Automotive history is littered with failures that were often predicted early on. For example, Volkswagen going ahead and trying to sell a sedan with a six-figure price tag, Chrysler trying to sell a last-generation Mercedes SL with a horrific body for the price of a current-generation Mercedes SL, Nissan pioneering the convertible crossover segment with the Murano Cabriolet, and the Tesla Cybertruck. But there are also a lot of cars out there that succeeded and proved the doubters and critics wrong. Porsche Cayenne 2016 Porsche Cayenne ENGINE 3.6L V6 Gas TRANSMISSION 6-Speed Manual HORSEPOWER 290 hp TORQUE 273 lb-ft @…

Stellantis and fast-moving firm Leapmotor joined forces three years ago – what’s next? European manufacturers have faced significant disruption and challenges in recent years, but the rapid expansion of Chinese firms into the region presents the biggest existential threat to their survival yet. How can legacy car firms, already struggling with the cost of electrification and ever-shifting legislation, combat aggressive rivals who are out to rapidly grow market share through being leaner, faster and, most crucially, able to sell vehicles far more cheaply? Tough ask. But what if, instead of trying to take on and fight the Chinese invaders, you…

I love testing new apps on my iPhone. Every year, new apps get installed and removed, with very few sticking around for the long haul. Despite my habit of testing and switching apps regularly, some have stuck around, which is a testament to their quality.  These are also the most used apps on my iPhone and the first ones I install whenever I set up a new iPhone from scratch. Here are 5 iPhone apps I cannot live without in 2026.  Arc Search: browse smarter, not harder Arc Search is a mobile browser that has completely changed how I search…

Sorry Anker: JMGO now makes my favorite flagship portable projector.The N3 Ultimate is an excellent portable 4K projector that defeats moderate ambient light at severe placement angles and can rival more expensive home theater installations at night. After a few weeks of testing, I think the raw adaptability exhibited by the JMGO’s N3 Ultimate justifies its current $2,399 price ($500 off its $2,999 list).Modern all-in-one projectors built around Google TV are already super accommodating when it comes to placement. Set one down on a living room table or campsite rock and it will begin searching for a screen or blank…

Simulated sequential ‘boxes, pioneered by Hyundai, are the hottest new trend in high-performance EVs The sign of any great new technology is how quickly it smoothly slips into your life. When was the last time you actively thought about making a contactless card payment? The speed at which I defaulted to using the faux gears of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s N e-Shift system after making first acquaintance with it – even keeping it murmuring away in the background, mimicking a dual-clutch automatic ‘box on more arduous drives – was telling. N division had knocked it out the park. Its…

If you’re dead-set on a luxury vehicle, you’d better be prepared to pony up. Many of us have fallen victim to the casual look-around on the internet, scouring for deals on new luxury models and hoping there’s something out there that’s actually affordable. Of course, everyone’s financial situation is different, but most folks can’t afford to drop $50k or so on some sort of mid-size luxury sedan, especially not in this economy. However, if you’re open to buying used, your list of luxury model choices begins to open up substantially. Take the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, for instance. It’s a mid-size…

I’ve spent countless hours here at Electrek doing detailed hands-on testing of hundreds of electric bikes. Through thousands of miles of riding, I’ve been fortunate to learn these e-bikes inside and out, top to bottom and front to back. That long-term experience with real-world e-bike testing has helped me find the best electric bicycles on the market for just about any budget. Below are some of the top e-bikes I’ve hand-tested for every price range, current as of June 2026. With summer ready to hit us full force, it’s time to get back in the saddle! Check out the awesome…

It’ll be available for PC and mobile, and maybe Nintendo Switch down the line. Hidden Folks BV A sequel to the 2017 interactive hidden object game Hidden Folks is coming to PC and mobile in 2027. The developers released the trailer for Hidden Folks 2 during Summer Game Fest’s Wholesome Direct showcase, revealing it’ll bring back the illustrated black-and-white art style and silly sounds that defined the first. “True to the original, the game is all about exploring the little stories scattered throughout each landscape, without time limits or any pressure to score points,” the team…

Sport bikes pretty much took over the motorcycle industry back in the 90s. Manufacturers were building one impressive bike after another, either in a quest to have the fastest production motorcycle on the books or the quickest bike around a track. While fast, these bikes gradually became less practical. Smaller displacement sport bikes got more and more track-oriented, while the bigger bikes got heavier and heavier. Standard bikes had most certainly lost their appeal, with the UJM years now very much in the rearview mirror. There was a need for a more comfortable motorcycle that offered dynamic handling. Enter the…

Some automotive features have revolutionized the car world. From safety devices such as airbags and seatbelts, to increasingly sophisticated infotainment technology, there is no shortage of highly innovative features that have now become commonplace. In some cases, however, automakers introduce a new gadget with the best of intentions, but it later turns out to be a bit of a gimmick. One example of a vehicle with a feature that missed the mark is the GMC Hummer EV and its “Crab Walk” mode. Marketed as a way to improve the vehicle’s range of movement in narrow spaces or when venturing off…