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Good morning and welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for its abbreviation.
Concise, engaging, and packed with information, TDS compiles the most recent automotive news from across the globe into one convenient location. Each story is condensed into a single, occasionally extended, sentence along with a link for readers seeking additional details.
We’ve made it through the first week following the holiday break, and it was indeed a week filled with news as automakers sprang back into action. We value your ongoing feedback and tips. Feel free to reach out anytime at [email protected].
The first cup of coffee has been consumed, and a second is definitely required, so let’s dive in.
🚘 What I’m driving: Continuing my experience with the 2026 Polestar 4 as I head into the weekend. I must say I really appreciate its design both inside and out, but I’ve now firmly decided that I’m not a fan of mainstream vehicles lacking a true rear window and only relying on a digital rearview mirror camera feed. The angles and perspectives are just off in parking lots and it’s simply not ideal in the dark.
😔 Earlier in the week, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda’s racing persona Morizo announced that a mid-engine two-seater would debut on Friday at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, which it did; however, the car many anticipated to utilize the Toyota GR MR2 trademark turned out to be a modified Daihatsu Kei truck, which is likely to disappoint enthusiasts, although they can take comfort in the fact that a Celica is forthcoming and the trademark is expected to be utilized eventually.
🔥 Toyota further teased U.S.-based fans with the introduction of a GR Yaris Morizo RR, which can be aptly described as the 911 GT3 RS of hot hatchbacks for the Japanese brand.
💥 Honda presented a Civic Type R HRC Concept at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon alongside a Prelude HRC Concept; the former likely features similar enhancements to the Acura Integra Type S with HRC modifications from over a year ago.
😢 Subaru hinted at the return of the STI nameplate on the WRX over the holidays but subsequently revealed a prototype labeled a concept; the WRX STI Sport# prototype is a Japanese-market WRX S4 STI that replaces the current CVT with a manual transmission.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 The chairman of the Audi National Dealer Council noted that the upcoming three-row Q9 flagship SUV debuting this year will feature six captain’s chairs and referred to it as “that soccer mom vehicle that we’ve been unable to offer.”
💰 The 2027 Kia Telluride will retail for $40,735, including a $1,545 destination fee when it arrives in dealerships later this year.
💸 GM announced it will write off $7.1 billion as a loss while it adjusts its EV production strategies due to market conditions.
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