Good day and thank you for joining us at The Downshift, or TDS for short.
Concise, quick, and packed, TDS compiles the latest automotive news from around the world and organizes them in one place. Stories are encapsulated in a single sentence with a link for those seeking further details.
The first cup of coffee is finished and it’s definitely time for a refill, so let’s dive in.
🚘 What I’m driving: Currently, there’s a 2026 Dodge Durango Hellcat in my garage, and it brings joy every single time the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 roars to life. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a Durango Hellcat, and I nearly forgot how brilliantly the aged Durango and supercharged V8 combine as a duo.
𐄷 Mazda Global Sales and Marketing General Manager Manabu Osuga stated, “While I can’t disclose precisely when the new MX-5 will be released, I can confirm that we are actively working on it,” adding that “I can assure you we are committed to a (design for) a vehicle that will weigh under one tonne … implementing our ‘gram strategy’ as we did with the current lineup;” Osuga commented, “I won’t say there’s no chance (that we’ll consider electrification in the future). However, at this point, that technology is rather heavy, and if we incorporate it into the MX-5, our fans won’t be satisfied,” also stating, “in the future, when the technology is viable, we will reconsider. But right now, the internal combustion engine is the way forward.”
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann has no plans for a sedan or compact SUV, yet mentioned that the brand lacks a 2+2 model in its offerings.
🖤 Mercedes-Benz AMG confirmed the reintroduction of the Black Series with a new GT3 road car set to arrive alongside the forthcoming GT3 race car, both part of a collaborative development initiative.
🔋 Images purportedly of the upcoming electric BMW M3 were leaked on Bimmerpost.
🤝 Porsche and Audi CEOs Michael Leiters and Gernot Döllner are looking to strengthen collaboration between the two sibling brands to lower expenses and complexity in product development and manufacturing through shared platforms and components for the next gas-powered Macan and the new Porsche three-row SUV.
🔋 Subaru teased a 420-horsepower electric SUV that is set to make its debut next week at the 2026 New York auto show.
🤖 General Motors is now trialing its eyes-off hands-off driver-assistance technology on public roads as the company gears up to launch the tech in 2028.
🏭 Toyota is investing roughly $1 billion in its assembly facilities in Kentucky and Indiana to enhance production of its three-row gas-powered Grand Highlander and three new electric SUVs.
👀 Subaru hinted at a raised BRZ that could potentially feature all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine.
🕵️♀️ The SEC has concluded its four-year investigation into Faraday Future, despite recommending enforcement action last year.
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