<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>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/09e8fd9f-50a7-4f5b-8445-29bf5ce75b18" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<p data-start="70" data-end="481">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.</p>
<p data-start="483" data-end="942">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.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/62e1049f-c266-4db9-b0dc-1a9534f51d4f" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<p>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.</p>
<pre style="text-align: center;"><sub>Source: https://www.motor1.com</sub></pre>

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>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/b27fd3ab-e877-4700-931c-8353f915d76c" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<p data-start="129" data-end="569">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.</p>
<p data-start="571" data-end="998">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.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/97fd7abb-f470-4a29-ae80-f2e9de863945" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<p data-start="1000" data-end="1291">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.</p>
<p data-start="1293" data-end="1704">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.</p>
<p data-start="1706" data-end="1839">In addition to phasing out these models, VW has also bid farewell to its legendary VR-6 engine after nearly 34 years of production.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/617d74fc-7fff-4aaf-983c-8cecd4e930b0" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<pre style="text-align: center;"><sub>Source: https://www.motor1.com</sub></pre>

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>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/2475b3c1-8398-4f2a-801f-596d01dfa17d" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<p data-start="180" data-end="630">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.</p>
<p data-start="632" data-end="999">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.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/9c00825e-cb32-4f78-9642-bdc00b9158ec" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<p data-start="1001" data-end="1478">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.</p>
<p data-start="1480" data-end="1759">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.</p>
<div id="video-ads-745639" class="video-ads" data-m1-ad-label="Advertisement">
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<div class="editor-tv-wrapper editor-tv-active"><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/e2be7971-2c2c-4a72-bf28-e280c7d607e1" alt="" width="900" height="506"></div>
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<p data-start="1761" data-end="2010">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;</p>
<p data-start="2012" data-end="2446">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.</p>
<p data-start="2448" data-end="2610">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."</p>
<p data-start="2612" data-end="2913">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.</p>
<p data-start="2915" data-end="3214">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.</p>
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<div class="editor-tv-wrapper editor-tv-active"><em><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/f57c6c37-26e9-4d97-b552-4c812ef42257" alt="" width="900" height="506"></em></div>
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<pre style="text-align: center;"><sub>Source: https://www.motor1.com</sub>&nbsp;</pre>
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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>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/b5d5738f-f30d-40dc-9196-923716373aca" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<p data-start="66" data-end="484">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.</p>
<p data-start="486" data-end="1011">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.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/31435751-5a6e-4f5f-90a9-f6692b2ee328" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<p data-start="1013" data-end="1484">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.</p>
<p data-start="1486" data-end="1844">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.</p>
<p data-start="1846" data-end="2188">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.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/3aeebb7b-76f6-486c-b883-63a1267b9c9b" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<p data-start="2190" data-end="2704">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).</p>
<p data-start="2706" data-end="2963">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.</p>
<p data-start="2965" data-end="3150" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">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?</p>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/85cb8a60-755e-4edc-b26a-52c687f72704" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<pre style="text-align: center;"><sub>Source: https://www.motor1.com</sub></pre>

The Renault 5 Turbo Makes a Comeback with Insane Power

<h2 class="sub-article-heading compact-body-leading text-text-contrast-ink mt-spacing-md-sm">It's an entirely new model that costs as much as a supercar.</h2>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/e442976a-cba3-45f7-9682-39ddf896300d" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<p data-start="125" data-end="564">Ford ended production of the Escort in the early 2000s to make way for the Focus. The iconic nameplate made a surprise return last decade as a sedan sold and built in China. However, it was short-lived, as the model was retired last year. Now, the Escort is back again, but this time, it&rsquo;s far more exciting. However, Ford is only partially involved. You&rsquo;ve heard of restomods, but this isn&rsquo;t one. Instead, the Escort RS is a &ldquo;continumod.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="566" data-end="920">With Ford's blessing, British company Boreham Motorworks is bringing back the high-performance Escort with its &ldquo;continumod&rdquo; approach. This marketing term refers to a &ldquo;blueprint-accurate, period-correct vehicle built from scratch.&rdquo; In simpler terms, the cars are built from the ground up rather than restoring existing vehicles like traditional restomods.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/960363a1-99c4-43c0-ad4b-b12a1c3515f2" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<p data-start="922" data-end="1146">Since Boreham Motorworks is a licensed Ford partner, the Escort RS is technically a continuation model, with chassis numbers provided by Ford. It continues a legacy that started over 50 years ago with the 1970 Escort RS1600.</p>
<p data-start="1148" data-end="1504">The new Escort RS honors the original by maintaining the clean lines of its predecessor while modernizing the mechanics inside the retro body. The original engine has been replaced with a larger 2.1-liter unit producing 296 horsepower. It revs up to an impressive 10,000 rpm and delivers power to the wheels through a five-speed dogleg manual transmission.</p>
<p data-start="1506" data-end="1936">Alternatively, the base version features a 1.8-liter engine producing 182 hp, transmitting power to the wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, synchronized with Ford Bullet's straight-cut gears. While that may not seem like a lot of power by today&rsquo;s standards, Boreham Motorworks targets a weight of just 1,763 pounds (800 kg). For context, even the lightest ND Miata, the Japan-special 990S, is 420 pounds (191 kg) heavier.</p>
<p data-start="1938" data-end="2361" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">Both engines are fuel-injected, with the more powerful engine also featuring electronic throttle control. Like the old days, there are no modern safety systems &ndash; no ABS, power steering, traction control, or brake servo. However, it comes with disc brakes on all four corners. The four-spoke 15-inch wheels fit the steel bulging arches perfectly, just like the rest of the body. Optional magnesium wheels are also available.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/228d9a4e-97b9-43e6-a5f7-b509dc7e3191" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/86aa2f3a-e1f9-4723-a080-04f53a1f2200" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<p><img src="https://media.wixolio.com/media/file/7b8b3ba3-2a38-4645-ae76-51ed96deeed6" alt="" width="900" height="506"></p>
<pre style="text-align: center;"><sub>Source: https://www.motor1.com</sub></pre>

News

Toyota Developed a Mid-Engine Hot Hatch

Volkswagen Arteon Phased Out

This Was BMW's Last Truly Beautiful Concept Car

The Renault 5 Turbo Makes a Comeback with Insane Power

The Ford Escort RS Makes Its Comeback