For the 2026 Super GT season, Honda has revealed the Prelude-GT. While it resembles a Prelude, this car is a completely different beast.
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The newly revived Honda Prelude has been on the roads for just a month, yet Honda has already unveiled its racing version. The Prelude-GT is set to compete next year in Japan&rsquo;s Super GT series, taking on the top-level GT500 class. While it may look like the road-going Prelude, underneath it&rsquo;s an entirely different machine.
Built like all current GT500 cars, the Prelude-GT features a carbon-fiber monocoque and sporty carbon bodywork reminiscent of the road model. Following GT500 regulations, it uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing around 650 horsepower, delivered to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox&mdash;far beyond the 200-horsepower production version.
The Prelude-GT will compete against the Toyota GR Supra GT500 and the Nissan Z Nismo GT500. It replaces Honda&rsquo;s previous Super GT contender, the Civic Type R-GT, which struggled to be competitive with its four-door bodywork.
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The Civic Type R-GT achieved only one win in its two-year stint and has yet to surpass second place this year, with Toyota dominating the field. &ldquo;We see the potential to surpass the Civic Type R-GT by applying the knowledge gained over the past two years to develop a Prelude-based Super GT car,&rdquo; said Masahiro Saeki of Honda Racing. Next year, lifted aerodynamic restrictions should make the competition even more intense.
As Motorsport.com notes, it&rsquo;s rare for a constructor to replace a Super GT car so quickly&mdash;the old NSX-GT ran from 2017 to 2023&mdash;but in such a fiercely competitive series, Honda must act to keep pace with its rivals. Super GT remains one of the most prestigious racing championships in Japan.
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The Honda Prelude Hits the Track — and Packs Insane Power

Mercedes-Benz Vision V Concept Hints at the Future of Luxury Travel
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When was the last time you saw a concept van? Mercedes-Benz believes it's time to rethink what a van can be. Enter the Vision V concept&mdash;unveiled at Auto Shanghai&mdash;as a bold statement of ultra-luxurious mobility.
According to Mercedes, the Vision V represents &ldquo;the pinnacle of luxurious and elegant multipurpose vehicles (MPVs),&rdquo; designed to exceed even the highest expectations. And while it might not include a wine cooler, it does offer a unique combination of cutting-edge tech and refined comfort.
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At the heart of the lounge-like cabin is a retractable 65-inch 4K screen, paired with a 42-speaker Dolby Atmos surround system for cinema-level entertainment. &ldquo;Exciters&rdquo; built into the seats provide physical feedback to audio, creating an immersive experience that&rsquo;s more energetic than serene.
The interior is divided by a smart glass partition that can switch between transparent and opaque, offering privacy on demand. Electrically adjustable seats, custom fragrance options, and even an onboard chess set elevate the journey into something more than just transportation.
Up front, the Vision V features a production-ready design, highlighted by Mercedes&rsquo; wide Superscreen across the dashboard. Conventional controls like a steering wheel and pedals suggest this isn&rsquo;t some far-off autonomous dream&mdash;it&rsquo;s grounded in near-future reality.
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That&rsquo;s because the Vision V previews Mercedes' upcoming VAN.EA (Van Electric Architecture), set to launch in 2026. While details on the powertrain remain under wraps, the concept signals a fresh direction for premium electric vans in Europe.
The Vision V concept is currently on display at Auto Shanghai from April 23 to May 2.
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New Mercedes Van Looks Awesome

<h2 class="sub-article-heading compact-body-leading text-text-contrast-ink mt-spacing-md-sm">The twin-turbocharged off-roader is set to compete in Dakar and the FIA World Rally Raid Championship beginning in 2026.</h2>
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With 626 horsepower under the hood, the Land Rover Defender Octa boasts impressive speed. Whether it will be fast enough to clinch racing trophies remains to be seen, but Land Rover is determined to give it a shot. Starting in 2026, the off-road brand plans to participate in the FIA World Rally Raid Championship, including Dakar, with primarily stock Defender Octas.
By primarily stock, we mean that the race-ready Defender will utilize the same engine, transmission, and driveline as the production version. According to Land Rover, upcoming rule changes for 2026 will enhance the competitiveness of the Stock production-based category. This means the original body design will remain, so you won&rsquo;t see a radical dune-jumping SUV with a minimalistic shell vaguely resembling a Defender.
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&ldquo;Competing with the Defender in Dakar will present an incredibly thrilling challenge,&rdquo; stated JLR Motorsport Managing Director James Barclay. &ldquo;We envisioned the future of production-based vehicles in rally raids, so collaborating with ASO, FIA, and other manufacturers to develop new regulations for the &lsquo;Stock&rsquo; category has been very positive. We now have the ideal platform to authentically showcase the Defender&rsquo;s capabilities in the biggest challenge in off-road motorsport.&rdquo;
The Defender Octa is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 engine with mild-hybrid technology. It delivers a peak torque of 590 pound-feet, and when traction permits, Land Rover claims the Defender can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. Power is distributed to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
However, success in off-road racing requires more than just power. Compared to the standard Defender, the Octa is raised by 1.1 inches, has a wider stance of 2.7 inches, and features a reinforced chassis. Land Rover hasn&rsquo;t specified whether the suspension on the racing versions will remain standard, but the Stock category does allow for modifications. Thus, it&rsquo;s reasonable to expect that there will be some enhancements to handle rugged terrain.
Land Rover plans to compete with two vehicles in the FIA World Rally Raid Championship, increasing the number to three for Dakar. Development of the race-prepared Defender is currently underway, with a full launch scheduled for the second half of 2025.
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The Land Rover Defender Octa Is Entering the Racing Scene

<h2 class="sub-article-heading compact-body-leading text-text-contrast-ink mt-spacing-md-sm">Could the GR Yaris M Concept pave the way for the return of the MR2?</h2>
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The Yaris may be a simple and economical car at its core, but the GR Yaris is a completely different beast. With 300 horsepower and all-wheel drive, it can compete with the larger GR Corolla that features the same three-cylinder 1.6-liter engine. For the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota turned up the heat on this hot hatch by placing a larger powertrain behind the seats. Yes, this Yaris has a mid-engine layout.
Instead of the small "G16E-GTS" engine found in the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and Lexus LBX Morizo RR, Toyota has installed a new engine. The developing turbocharged "G20E" has four cylinders and a displacement of 2.0 liters. The Japanese brand describes it as an "underdeveloped" powertrain, suggesting it belongs to a new family of "game-changing" engines that Toyota is working on. It's unclear whether the GR Yaris M Concept has rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
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Logic suggests that it's unlikely Toyota will market a mid-engine GR Yaris. This layout would be more suitable for a dedicated sports car. After all, the Japanese manufacturer has been hinting at a potential return of the MR2. Additionally, the four-cylinder engine could find its way into other Gazoo Racing models, possibly in the revived Celica we've heard rumors about. Furthermore, Toyota has committed to keeping the Supra in its lineup after the current generation concludes.
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Toyota Developed a Mid-Engine Hot Hatch

<h2 class="sub-article-heading compact-body-leading text-text-contrast-ink mt-spacing-md-sm">Raise a glass to a stylish icon.</h2>
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One of Volkswagen&rsquo;s most elegant modern models is now officially history. Following the discontinuation of the Arteon liftback in 2023, the wagon variant is also being retired. The more practical Shooting Brake, never offered in the U.S., was assembled at the Osnabr&uuml;ck factory, while the standard version was produced in Emden. Over eight years, VW manufactured nearly 190,000 Arteon units&mdash;five of those dedicated to the long-roof model.
VW spokesperson Andreas G. Schleith confirmed the unfortunate news on his LinkedIn account. Originally scheduled to bow out in 2026, the Arteon Shooting Brake&rsquo;s production has been cut short by a year. In 2024, Martin Hube, spokesperson for the Arteon, Passat, Touareg, and upcoming ID.2, had stated that the wagon would continue for two more years. However, Osnabr&uuml;ck has already ceased production of the stylish family car.
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Volkswagen will continue to build its only convertible at the same facility where the Arteon once stood. The final T-Roc Cabriolet is set to roll off the production line by mid-2027. As for the plant&rsquo;s future? That remains undecided, though VW is considering alternative uses for the site.
VW had once planned an even more upscale successor positioned above the Arteon. A working prototype of the second-generation Phaeton surfaced in mid-2022, revealing a potential flagship measuring around 208.6 inches (5.3 meters) in length&mdash;comparable to the latest BMW 7 Series. The automaker even intended to equip it with a W-12 engine. However, in the wake of Dieselgate, the project was ultimately shelved.
In addition to phasing out these models, VW has also bid farewell to its legendary VR-6 engine after nearly 34 years of production.
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Volkswagen Arteon Phased Out

<h2 class="sub-article-heading compact-body-leading text-text-contrast-ink mt-spacing-md-sm">The Pininfarina Gran Lusso concept was truly stunning. It&rsquo;s a shame that the production 8 Series never managed to match its looks.</h2>
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Before launching the second-generation 8 Series in 2018, BMW collaborated with Pininfarina to create a special concept car. The result of this partnership was the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe, an impressive one-off vehicle designed to preview the brand&rsquo;s future flagship model. While BMW never intended for the Gran Lusso Coupe to enter production, it shared many features with the production G81 8 Series that would be released five years later.
BMW gave Pininfarina "complete freedom" on the project, as stated by the brand&rsquo;s design director, Fabio Filippini, in 2013. "They really trust our ability to interpret their design identity and values," he said. The German automaker occasionally provided input to ensure the concept didn&rsquo;t stray from BMW's identity, but otherwise, the project was led by Pininfarina.
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The Gran Lusso was introduced with BMW's signature kidney grille, finished in matte aluminum, a shark-nose slant, and sleek design lines extending from the grille and logo. The coupe's front featured simple lines with a wide lower grille opening, subtly showcasing the Pininfarina branding and sleek LED headlights positioned above. A high beltline ran beneath a sleek, rearward-placed greenhouse, complemented by a unique Hofmeister kink and a bold V-12 badge on the C-pillar.
The coupe rode on 21-inch wheels with a two-tone finish, transforming 15 spokes into a stylish five-spoke design. The rear end, reminiscent of the 8 Series introduced a few years later, sported trapezoidal exhaust finishers and L-shaped LED taillights connected across the trunk.
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Inside, Pininfarina refined BMW&rsquo;s design language, angling the controls toward the driver. An oblong opening in the roof allowed extra light into the cabin, and BMW claimed the coupe&rsquo;s rear seats offered legroom &ldquo;comparable to a large luxury sedan.&rdquo;
Pininfarina outfitted the cabin with premium tobacco-brown leather from the Foglizzo leather factory, a headliner made from virgin wool, and deep-pile carpeting. The interior also featured 48,000-year-old Kauri wood, considered one of the rarest types of wood in the world. This unique wood, sourced from New Zealand, displays a distinctive grain that changes color from gold to red to brown, depending on the light and viewing angle.
Adrian van Hooydonk, then Senior Vice President of BMW Group Design, stated at the time of the car&rsquo;s debut that the concept embodied "the hallmark values of BMW."
While BMW never revealed the specifics of the twin-turbocharged V-12 engine powering the concept, it was likely paired with the eight-speed automatic transmission and the 6.0-liter V-12 engine from the 760i of that time, producing 535 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, powering the rear wheels only.
Since the Gran Lusso, other impressive concept cars like the Skytop, Touring Coupe, and Vision Neue Klasse have appeared. However, the Gran Lusso remains the last true example of clean, minimalist design within BMW&rsquo;s lineup. It joins the long list of beautiful BMWs that never made it to production.
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This Was BMW's Last Truly Beautiful Concept Car

<h2 class="sub-article-heading compact-body-leading text-text-contrast-ink mt-spacing-md-sm">The rear-wheel-drive electric hot hatch is coming to production.</h2>
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Electric hot hatches are a rare breed. Models like the Abarth 500e, Cupra Born VZ, Mini John Cooper Works, and the lesser-known MG4 XPower come to mind. Renault, however, intends to overshadow them all &ndash; including its own Alpine A290 &ndash; with an outrageously powerful version of the reborn 5. Yes, the Renault 5 Turbo is back, and just like the Porsche Taycan, it carries "Turbo" in its name. Yes, it's a bit misleading.
Although it may appear to be a concept car, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E is more than just a showpiece. The diamond-logoed automaker plans to put the car into production. This compact, yet powerful hatchback will feature rear-wheel drive, just like its 1980s predecessor. Instead of the original mid-mounted four-cylinder engine, it will come with two rear-mounted electric motors. The turbocharged 1.4-liter engine in the original made about 160 horsepower, while the electric version now boasts more than three times that figure.
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Renault claims a combined output of over 500 horsepower, which is a huge 285 horsepower more than the aforementioned Alpine A290. The difference in power between the 5 Turbo 3E and the regular Renault 5 is even greater, at a staggering 350 horsepower. While torque figures are not disclosed, it's known that the electric hatch will sprint from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.5 seconds, making it 0.3 seconds quicker than the MG4 XPower, which has "only" 429 horsepower.
The aggressively muscular design removes the standard Renault 5's rear doors in favor of side air vents. Renault has added bulging fenders as a nod to the original R5 Turbo. We also see huge 20-inch wheels fitted to the small car's compact body. The two-tone alloy wheels are wrapped in 245/35 ZR20 tires at the front and beefy 275/35 ZR20 tires at the rear.
While this will be Renault's first electric hot hatch to hit the production line, there have been unique one-off models in the past. Some of you may remember the 2017 Zoe E-Sport with 460 horsepower and the 2022 R5 Turbo 3E with 375 horsepower. The road version will surpass both, likely with a hefty price tag and limited production numbers.
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The standard Renault 5 features a front-wheel-drive setup with a single motor, so it's clear that significant changes have been made under the hood. The high-performance dual-motor, rear-wheel-drive version uses a "carbon superstructure," described as "lightweight and incredibly stiff." The weight hasn't been revealed, but the previous concept, which also featured two rear motors, weighed 3,306 pounds (1,500 kilograms). The Alpine A290 is slightly lighter, tipping the scales at 3,260 pounds (1,479 kilograms).
The Renault 5/Turbo 3E shares similarities with the 1980s models. Back then, the regular version also had front-wheel drive and a front-mounted engine, while the Turbo homologation model moved the engine behind the seats, with power sent to the rear wheels.
While the market for such cars may be small, we're glad that it exists. The model is expected to hit the market in 2026. Renault, while you're at it, can we see another mid-engine Clio?
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The Honda Prelude Hits the Track — and Packs Insane Power

New Mercedes Van Looks Awesome

The Land Rover Defender Octa Is Entering the Racing Scene

Toyota Developed a Mid-Engine Hot Hatch

Volkswagen Arteon Phased Out

This Was BMW's Last Truly Beautiful Concept Car

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The Honda Prelude Hits the Track — and Packs Insane Power

New Mercedes Van Looks Awesome

The Land Rover Defender Octa Is Entering the Racing Scene

Toyota Developed a Mid-Engine Hot Hatch

Volkswagen Arteon Phased Out

This Was BMW's Last Truly Beautiful Concept Car

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