Latest news with #performancecars
Motor Trend
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
SRT Is Back, But Is It Enough to Rev Stellantis Into the Near Future?
You can argue the North American brands under Stellantis have been defanged in recent years. Under former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares' leadership, Ram trucks lost their V-8s, Jeep lost volume models and failed to launch promised new ones in a timely manner, Chrysler subsists today on minivans alone, and Dodge slow-walked the rollout of its new muscle cars. Stellantis revives its Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division under new CEO Antonio Filosa and Tim Kuniskis, aiming to boost North American performance cars. SRT will unify Dodge, Ram, Jeep, and Chrysler's high-performance efforts, promising a wave of powerful vehicles. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article. Read Next The New Order Now there's a new sheriff in town, as Antonio Filosa, a man more sympathetic to North American demands, is the new CEO. And Stellantis brought back retired Tim Kuniskis, a man with petrol and adrenaline comingled in his veins and who had apparently ridden off into the sunset not long ago, in June 2024. With the personnel moves came a series of quick announcements: Hellcat godfather and Ram CEO Kuniskis was promoted to spread his enthusiasm and supercharge all American products; he is now head of American brands and North America marketing and retail strategy for Stellantis while retaining his role as Ram CEO. Under his guidance, the 2026 Ram 1500 can now be ordered with the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 as an option, but the bigger-picture news is that Stellantis is bringing back the Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division to unify high-performance efforts at Dodge, Ram, Jeep, and Chrysler. Kuniskis will run this, too. SRT's revival is guaranteed to crank the driveshafts of performance junkies and Mopar faithful alike. It means factory-built horsepower and street- and track-engineering prowess. Bringing back SRT is designed to jumpstart the revitalization of the North American products and restore Stellantis' vitality in the region where sales, market share, and profits have fallen, trust has been lost, and morale has eroded. 'We're getting the band back together,' Kuniskis said of resurrecting the vaunted SRT division, which was dissolved in 2021 and its engineers scattered. 'SRT is another box we needed to check as we head into a product launch cadence enabling more performance than we've ever seen before.' SRT will also oversee Direct Connection—Dodge's performance parts and tuning division—which means its tuner catalog and racing involvement are poised to expand. Also under the SRT umbrella are the North American motorsports programs, which include Dodge's NHRA drag racing team and Ram's return to the NASCAR Truck Series in 2026. Ram has already shown a Ram 1500 concept race truck with an engine revving to more than 9,000 rpm. SRT Evolution SRT has been a prominent in-house skunkworks of sorts since 1989, existing under a number of different names. It began with the Specialty Vehicle Engineering (SVE) team that brought the original Dodge Viper to life and helped create the Plymouth Prowler, two reasons why SRT has always been synonymous with the boldest, most memorable Mopar vehicles in recent years. Chrysler formed the Performance Vehicle Operations high-performance division in 2004. From the ashes of PVO came the SRT division, which was elevated to official brand status in 2011. Design chief Ralph Gilles at the time added SRT CEO to his duties, an extra task he relished for four years. SRT was relegated back to a development team in 2014. Then it was quietly phased out as Stellantis consolidated brand operations, dissolving SRT in 2021 but redistributing its engineers and mandates to the parent company's individual brands to continue their work there. Fruits of their labor included the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and 2021 Ram 1500 TRX. SRT is Back, Baby SRT's return signals a bold recommitment to enthusiast culture at a time when electrification, regulatory pressures, and platform sharing have clouded the future of internal combustion performance. Expect to see a product wave of performance vehicles with an assortment of drivetrains to rival or surpass the Hellcat era in scale and scope. The history of SRT and Hellcat has always been 'go big or go home,' the more outrageous the better. This should result in off-road monsters for Jeep and Ram, dragstrip-bruising muscle sedans and coupes for Dodge, and gentrified premium power for Chrysler. There are many vehicles the revived SRT can tap for inspiration. It could begin with the Viper, a wild V-10-powered sports car first shown as a concept in 1989 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It went into production in 1992 and was discontinued in 2017 when it could not meet modern side-curtain airbag regulations. Before it died, Dodge added the much-revered Viper ACR track special. Even in the electric age, it would be cool to see a V-10-powered snake again, but we won't hold our breath on this one. At the other end of the spectrum was the 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4, a cute compact car with a turbocharged engine that offered excellent handling, cheap speed, and riotous (or heinous, depending on your point of view) torque steer. For curbside cool, there was the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8 wagon. Sure, it had siblings (the Charger SRT8 and Challenger SRT8) with the same 425-hp 6.1-liter Hemi V-8, but the Magnum roamed the streets in a menacing way unlike anything else on the market during its short life from 2006 to '08. Meanwhile, the 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 had the Viper's V-10 stuffed under its hood plus a manual transmission. This is the kind of crazy fun Kuniskis should try to bring back, even if the transmission goes automatic. The Ram 1500 TRX needs a successor. A more practical SRT was the hot-rodded 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, which took a relatively conventional SUV and dialed it into the realm of absurd during the SUV's third generation. Its successor? The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk with a fully independent suspension and a 707-hp 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V-8. The vehicle that cemented Kuniskis' reputation: the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. This dragstrip special boasted a Hellcat V-8 tuned to run on E85 ethanol fuel and a big supercharger for an unhinged but street-legal 1,025 hp and 945 lb-ft of torque. Our wish list for the new SRT? Today the only vehicle bearing the name is the aging Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. Fresh lineup additions could and should include a lowered Ram 1500 SRT street truck with a Hemi V-8 to take on the Ford F-150 Lobo. Ram so far is only bringing back the 5.7-liter and says it would be a lot of work to incorporate the 6.2-liter engine into the electrical architecture in today's trucks, but that doesn't sound like the kind of problem that stopped Kuniskis before. Dodge is also working on a powerful electric Charger Daytona Banshee, so we're surely not alone in hoping Gilles designs a new Magnum on the STLA Large platform, with a V-8. The Grand Cherokee seems ripe for a new performance variant, too. A V-8 won't fit, but you have to think engineers can squeeze more out of the excellent 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six. And thinking more about the Viper, at least in name: Maserati has some high-end sports car platforms. Maybe SRT might marry some of those mechanicals with some American muscle? The name alone would likely fuel big interest, and Stellantis as a whole could certainly use the win.
Motor 1
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The Best Sedans of 2025 (So Far)
There aren't nearly as many sedans in the US as there used to be. It's a sad reality, but SUVs have essentially cratered sales of the traditional four-door, with just a handful of survivors still hanging on for the long haul. That said, of those holdouts, there are some truly excellent options to choose from. Ranging from affordable compacts to high-performance EVs, companies like Audi, Hyundai, and Kia are committed to keeping the family four-door alive. This year, we've driven several great sedans. Though not nearly as robust as our list of Best Performance Cars or Best SUVs , our choice for the top sedans of 2025 (so far) includes a few excellent options to look out for the next time you're in the market. With that in mind, take a look. Audi RS E-Tron GT Performance Photo by: Audi 912 Horsepower Price: $168,295 Why We Love It: Yes, the Audi RS E-Tron GT still exists. Despite its Porsche platform sibling being the more commonly sold variant, Audi stuck to its guns and gave its electric sports sedan an upgrade for 2025. Now with 912 horsepower, a comprehensive suspension upgrade, and retuned steering, the E-Tron GT is worthy of being a great sedan. The RS E-Tron GT's Porsche-derived active suspension—similar to what's used on the current Panamera Turbo S—is its calling card. The upgraded suspension completely controls body motions, making the $168,295 Audi super-EV a willing dance partner around corners while having world-class ride quality. Read Our Review Audi S3 Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 328 Horsepower Price: $49,995 Why We Love It: It's unusual to call a mid-level Audi sports sedan a driver's car. Yet, the facelifted, retuned, and powered-up 2025 Audi S3 is part of a real renaissance. But its 328 horsepower and new torque vectoring rear differential don't tell the whole story. With different suspension ball joints, retuned steering calibration, and a subtle refocusing of Audi's driving philosophy, the S3 delivers quiet exceptionalism. It's closer to RS3-lite than A3-plus. Along with a high-quality interior and plenty of tech, its $49,995 starting price feels appropriate, and maybe even something of a bargain. Read Our Review BMW M5 Photo by: BMW 717 Horsepower Price: $120,675 Why We Love It: Few things on Earth go 190 miles per hour while maintaining a local gravitational field. One of those things is the 5,390-pound, 717-horsepower, plug-in hybrid 2025 BMW M5. Maligned for its weight—not least of which by us—it does still fulfill the historic role of an M5: Brutal speed in a well-cut suit. Under the hood sits a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 with hybrid assist and 25 miles of EV range, essentially lifted from the BMW XM. Complete with BMW's new design language and idiotic interior air vents, it is truly an M5 for the modern, hybridized world. Starting at $120,675, and with plenty of room to go up with options, it's no bargain. But it is a capable, fast, and luxurious super-sedan—if you can live with the complication and weight. Read Our Review Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 668 Horsepower Price: $96,990 Why We Love It: Did you expect the CT5-V Blackwing to not be on this list? It's one of the most beloved, most badass performance cars on the market today, and it gets even better for 2025 with a minor facelift, some extra interior tech, and a new Precision Package that adds stickier tires and a reworked suspension. Of course, the ubiquitous supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 remains. It still makes 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque, and it pairs with your choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic. Power travels to the rear wheels exclusively. You will have to pay a bit more for 2025, though; the CT5-V Blackwing starts at $96,990, and the Precision Pack starts at $114,995. Read Our Review Hyundai Elantra N Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 275 Horsepower Price: $35,595 Why We Love It: For under $40,000 to start, few performance cars do it better than the Hyundai Elantra N. The sports sedan gets a minor facelift for 2025 that fixes some of the former model's visual flaws, while adding some much-needed additional technology in the cabin. The Elantra N is still powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 275 horsepower—or up to 286 horsepower over short bursts with the special N Grin Shift mode engaged—paired to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. For 2025, the Elantra N starts at $35,595 for the manual and $36,600 for the automatic. Read Our Review Kia EV4 Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1 201 Horsepower Price: $39,000 (est.) Why We Love It: The EV4 is Kia's answer to the Tesla Model 3. Aimed directly at the affordable electric sedan space, it delivers a smooth, comfortable ride, adequate power, and competitive range. While its looks might not be for everyone, the EV4's button-rich interior is a lovely place to spend time, with nary a touch-capactive control to speak of. There's standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, of course, along with wireless phone charging and an optional eight-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo. When the EV4 goes on sale in the first quarter of 2026, it'll offer two battery pack sizes, with estimated ranges of 235 miles and 330 miles, respectively. No matter which battery you choose, it'll be paired to a single electric motor mounted up front, sending 201 horsepower and 208 pound-feet of torque to the wheels. We estimate a 0-60 time of around 7.5 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 105 mph. Read Our Review Kia K4 Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 147 / 190 Horsepower Price: $23,165 Why We Love It: The new K4 is Kia's replacement for the aging Forte, and it's a worthy successor that's larger and more feature-packed than its predecessor. The K4 is a car that feels great a soon as you step inside, with a pair of displays and rows of physical controls. It has a bold design that's a nice alternative to the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. The standard engine is a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but Kia also offers the model with its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, making 190 horsepower. The GT-Line Turbo is the sportier option, but it starts at $29,265 compared to the entry-level K4 LX with the larger engine that costs $23,165. Read Our Review Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Malay Mail
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Can't own a car in Singapore? You can in Johor, and keep it for good too
JOHOR BARU, July 11 — A new Johor-based business is giving Singaporeans the chance to own and store performance and luxury cars in Malaysia, minus the republic's sky-high costs and ownership restrictions. Carlogy Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which brands itself as a one-stop automotive lifestyle hub, is quickly becoming a hit among car enthusiasts from across the Causeway. While the service is open to Malaysians, co-founder Heeraj Sharma said the concept was inspired by increasing interest from his fellow Singaporeans. 'I looked into this and found out that foreign-ownership of vehicles in Malaysia was legal and it was possible for Singaporeans to buy, provided the cars are not driven into Singapore. 'So, this gave me an idea for offering such services as a business that can cater to both Singaporeans and even Malaysians. 'Since the business model is interest and lifestyle driven, Carlogy Malaysia aims to bridge the gap between Singapore and Malaysian car enthusiasts,' he told Malay Mail during a recent interview at the Carlogy hub in Skudai. Carlogy Malaysia co-owners Heeraj Sharma (right) and Regis Tia (left) aims to transform their company into a a one-stop automotive solution and a lifestyle space for Singaporean car enthusiasts. — Picture by Ben Tan The facility offers secure car storage, maintenance, and concierge services – along with a café – in a modern, industrial-style setting. The facility has 24/7 security and offers customers the option to monitor their vehicles remotely through real-time CCTV feeds. Customers can choose between standard or air-conditioned car storage, priced at RM700 and RM1,000 per month respectively. Carlogy currently serves over 80 customers, most of whom are Singaporeans, with some Malaysian clients as well. 'In Malaysia, registered cars on the other hand offer owners a permanent ownership of the vehicle and this attracts many Singaporean car enthusiasts to Carlogy Malaysia's unique services,' said Heeraj. 'There's no expiry date on car ownership here,' he added. The Carlogy Malaysia facility is located in Skudai, Johor Baru at the midway-point from the Woodlands Checkpoint and also the Second Link Crossing in Tuas. — Picture by Ben Tan Heeraj said that in Singapore, the government's vehicle Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system means residents never actually own their cars outright. The COE is a permit that grants the right to own and use a vehicle in Singapore for 10 years, and its price is determined through a competitive bidding process designed to control the number of vehicles on the road. Car ownership in Singapore is among the most expensive in the world, with the cost of a COE alone reaching over S$100,000 (RM332,423.90) for a standard car as of July 2025. 'In addition, you don't actually permanently own a car in Singapore as all registered vehicles come with a COE that will end after the usual 10-year tenure expires,' Heeraj said. He added that the cost of owning even a modest car in Singapore has become prohibitive, while in Malaysia, buying and maintaining a premium vehicle is far more accessible. Under current laws, foreigners are allowed to own Malaysian-registered cars as long as they do not drive them into Singapore. This is because Singapore's Land Transport Authority prohibits citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders from keeping or using foreign-registered vehicles within the republic. Heeraj said that Carlogy's Skudai location was chosen for its proximity to both the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, making it convenient for their largely Singaporean clientele. 'We want to show our customers that car ownership, especially luxury and performance marques, can still be affordable. 'Unlike in Singapore, recreational driving in Malaysia is also an exciting prospect as there are so many places that our customers can explore,' he said. Carlogy Malaysia said Johor and Malaysia has a good potential as it has many varied locations suited for recreational drives. — Picture courtesy of Heeraj Sharma The company has been receiving requests to source for specific marques, including Porsche and BMW. Heeraj's business partner Regis Tia, also from Singapore, said Carlogy began gaining traction after it launched its Instagram account a few months ago. 'We provide such a service to avoid our customers, who are mainly Singaporeans, from being ripped-off. 'Basically Carlogy Malaysia provides car enthusiasts with a seamless experience from selection to purchase and driving,' he told Malay Mail. The 28-year-old said their services include washing, detailing, maintenance, spray painting, wrapping, tinting and paint protection film (PPF), along with a concierge service to send cars to specific areas within Johor Baru. Carlogy Malaysia co-owners Regis Tia (far left) and Heeraj Sharma (second from left) with two Carlogy Malaysia customers during a recent outing in Johor. — Picture courtesy of Heeraj Sharma 'Being car enthusiasts ourselves, we want to make it possible to ensure that our customers thoroughly enjoy the driving experience and leave the hassle of maintenance to us. Tia added that the timing is right for such a business, especially with ongoing development in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and the upcoming Rapid Transit System Link. To find out more, visit Carlogy Malaysia's Instagram page at @
Top Gear
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Here are 10 used performance cars for under £60k we found this week
Advertisement This Viper RT/10 is the same one we tested in our American icon shoot-out, and what a glorious example it is. Those three-spoke alloys, side-exit exhausts, targa roof and lack of any door handles immediately channel retro vibes. Then there's the engine co-developed with Lamborghini: an 8.0-litre V10 producing 400bhp. Get your shifts right on the six-speed manual, and you'll hit 62mph in four-and-a-bit seconds. Advertisement - Page continues below Convertible LC500s cost quite a bit more than this week's budget, so you'll have to settle for a coupe. No bother, because this Sport Plus model has all of 471bhp and 398lb ft. Admittedly, a 10-speed gearbox is a bit much, but we doubt you'll care with the astonishing V8 bellow this little Lex creates. You might like Aston Martin Vanquish (first generation) Speaking of fiddly gearboxes, the first-gen Vanquish was notorious for it. But again, it can be forgiven for that noise, those looks and the sheer amount of style oozing from this gentleman's express. If you can get over the slightly dated technology and appalling rear legroom, here's a mint example of the Bond-approved V12. Advertisement - Page continues below It feels wrong to do a performance car list without a Prancing Horse, and this Ferrari 360 Spider ticks the box. Its first owner specced it superbly, opting for bronzed alloys, a metallic blue body, part-cream interior and lots of optional carbon inserts. There's a Capristo exhaust installed too, which sings to the tune of 400 Italian horses. While the Ferrari's V8 sounds like an orchestrated melody, this supercharged Jag's is more comparable to a rock ballad. It's a pre-facelift SVR, so the key figures are as follows: 567bhp, 516lb ft, 0-62mph in 3.7s and 195mph all in. There's AWD too. TVR Tuscan Speed Six (second generation) Despite having two fewer cylinders (six) and far less power (400bhp) than the SVR, this Tuscan is just two-tenths slower to 62mph, and matches its top speed. Throw a five-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive into the mix, and you've got the right conditions for fear. Audi R8 V10 Spyder (first generation) Unavoidable, given that the R8 was known as the budget supercar for over a decade. Here's one with a rare 'Teak Brown Metallic' body over the brightest interior we've seen in some time. It's got the same 5.2-litre V10 as you'll find in a Lamborghini Gallardo, with a useful 518bhp sent to all four corners thanks to quattro. Advertisement - Page continues below There's no shortage of choices if a 911 is what you're after. We'd opt for a 997 Turbo, and while a full-fat 'S' is out of budget, a standard variant like this still offers an immense amount for the money. The flat-six is capable of a 0-62mph run in 3.6s, which is mighty impressive considering this car is 15 years old. As a technical achievement, the 12C was a spectacular entry from McLaren's road car division. It's the fastest car on this list by some distance, hitting 62mph in 3.1s and pressing on to 205mph. Here's the cheapest one we could find right now, and yes, it's a fair bit over budget. But the 12C is probably the best all-round used performance car you can buy for £60k. Advertisement - Page continues below Wildcard: Ferrari Testarossa Quite simply a Gulf-liveried Testarossa with a Jaguar V12, a lightweight spaceframe chassis and a five-speed transaxle gearbox. It's a proper racing car for the road, and one that could be yours for exactly £35k. See more on Used cars
Bloomberg
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Bentley's New V-8 SUV is the Best Bentayga Yet
Some people get hung up counting cylinders. They believe the more a car has, the better it is. I'm not one of those people. Instead, steering, braking and balance—the management of the marriage between power and torque—matter far more when it comes to driving enjoyment. Engine size doesn't necessarily indicate driving character. The magic is in the transitions.
