Autoblog News
Hosted by Chris Shunk, Dan Roth and Zach Bowman, the Autoblog Podcast is the long-running no-holds-barred audio-only counterpart to Autoblog.com. On the show we drop the pretense of being professional automotive journalists so we can passionately talk about cars like the real automotive enthusiasts that we are. Special guests including other Autoblog.com staff and titans of the auto industry are also common, and every week we answer your questions.
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This Is Your First Look at the Volkswagen Golf 9
<p>During a works council meeting yesterday, trade union IG Metall revealed the first official teaser image of the next-generation Volkswagen Golf, which will be underpinned by VW's SSP architecture. Athough at first glance there appears to be little to glean from the solitary photograph, the silhouette is a clear evolution of that of the current eighth-generation hatchback, while also taking inspiration from the ID. GTI concept. Furthermore, the image's file name includes the words "ID. Golf," confirming that VW is abandoning alphanumeric names for its EVs in favor of nomenclature that is both more traditional and more memorable. Indeed...
Hyundai Is Killing the Ioniq 6 in the U.S. — Except for One Version
<p>Despite the popularity of Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 crossover and Ioniq 9 three-row SUV in the United States, not all Ioniq-badged EVs are doing great here.</p><p>Yes, we’re looking at you, Ioniq 6 sedan. The quirky Tesla Model 3 rival has failed to convince U.S. buyers, and that is the main reason why Hyundai has decided to retire it from the market, only three years after its debut.</p><p>Edmunds learned that the facelifted 2026 Ioniq 6 is not coming stateside, though with a big exception: the Ioniq 6 N performance version will be available, albeit “in limited quantities.”</p><p>"Going fo...
Lotus Built a 5,800-Pound Plug-In Hybrid SUV
<h2>The Opposite of Simplify and Add Lightness</h2><p>Lotus: The purveyor of lightweight sports cars and roadsters that offer a distilled driving experience. It's an automaker that prides itself on shedding every ounce possible to give the ultimate in driving engagement. Sadly, that's not the case anymore.</p><p>Today, Lotus has the Emeya electric four-door GT that weighs more than an Audi RS 7, and, of all things, a battery-powered crossover in the form of the Eletre. Neither of those cars follows Lotus founder Colin Chapman's ethos of 'simplify and add lightness,' as both weigh well over 5,000...
Tesla Sued Again Over Model S Doors That May Not Open After Power Loss
<h2>Tesla’s Futuristic Door Handles Are Back in Court</h2><p>Tesla’s ongoing legal headaches surrounding its unconventional door designs aren’t going away anytime soon. Reports about trapped occupants and controversial electronic door systems have circulated for years, and another lawsuit is now adding fuel to that fire.</p><p>A new class action lawsuit filed in California federal court alleges that the 2023-present Tesla Model S contains a critical safety defect involving its electrically actuated door handles. Plaintiff Robert L. Hyde claims the car becomes “not reasonably escapable” if a crash or fire causes the vehicle’s low-voltag...
Waymo Robotaxis Caught Breaking Laws Again—Are Self-Driving Cars Ready for the Real World?
<h2>Waymo’s Expansion Hits Another Controversy</h2><p>Autonomous taxis have been one of the most polarizing developments in the automotive world, and Waymo sits right at the center of the debate. The Alphabet-owned company has been rapidly expanding its robotaxi service across major U.S. cities, with plans to bring the technology to even more markets as it pushes the idea that your second car might eventually be replaced by an app summon. </p><p>But just as the technology continues its rollout, a troubling new safety concern has surfaced, prompting regulators to pay close attention.</p><p>Ac...
Scout Hasn’t Sold a Single Vehicle Yet — and It’s Already Facing Lawsuits
<h2>Scout's Birthing Pains</h2><p>Scout hasn't sold a single vehicle yet, but it's already faced several legal issues. It's mainly because of the brand's plan to take the direct sales route, and dealers aren't happy. Since Scout is under the Volkswagen Auto Group, dealer groups say sales have to be routed through them, as it is part of VW.</p><p>There have been suits in Colorado, Florida, and South Carolina, repeatedly filing cases against Volkswagen of America. That's on top of the other financial and legal obligations the company has. To say Scout isn't having an easy...
Ford's Large SUVs Had Best February Sales in 26 Years
<p>Ford Motor Company reported its February 2026 U.S. sales this week, with the company reporting an overall decline of 5.5% relative to February 2025. Including Lincoln, Ford sold 149,962 vehicles in February, down from 158,675 a year ago. The disappearance of models like the Ford Edge crossover and F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck didn’t help Ford’s cause, but the manufacturer did see a significant increase in demand for its large SUVs. In fact, Ford models in this category registered their best February sales in 26 years.</p><h2>Large Ford SUVs Thrive</h2> 2026 Ford Explorer ST<p>Ford</p> <p>While Ford’s smal...
New Electric BMW 3 Series Debuts This Month with Big Power
<p>The second car built on the innovative Neue Klasse architecture has been teased, and BMW has confirmed that the new i3, or electric 3 Series, will debut on March 18. In a post shared to Instagram, the German automaker has confirmed that the new i3 will have an illuminated front-end, with LEDs framing the face of the electric sedan. While the first Neue Klasse product, the BMW iX3, has narrow, vertically-aligned 'kidneys', the i3 will have horizontal kidneys between its headlights, helping set the sedan apart from its similarly underpinned crossover. But as BMW's contemporary cars show, looks matter little. What...
Dodge Could Sell a Hellcat and a 900-HP Electric Charger Side by Side
<p>Can a gas-powered Charger Hellcat muscle car coexist with a 900-hp Charger Banshee EV in Dodge's lineup? Recent reports and remarks from Dodge's CEO seem to suggest they can, even though both of these models were written off entirely not that long ago.</p><p>We recently learned from a new report that the glorious Hellcat V8 may eventually find its way into the engine bay of the eighth-generation Charger, as Dodge has apparently green-lighted the Charger Hellcat for the 2028 model year. While the insider information hasn't been confirmed yet by Dodge, previous comments from top-level Stellantis executives point...
Honda Prelude Sales Are Neck and Neck With Subaru BRZ
<p>Honda reported its U.S. February sales results this week, with the brand posting a modest 0.6% year-to-date increase over 2025, excluding Acura. The company sold 97,226 vehicles in February and has accumulated 186,801 sales for the year so far. Models like the CR-V, Civic, and Accord continued to lead the way for Honda, while on the other side of the spectrum, the still-fresh Prelude coupe moved just 299 units in February. While that represents a fraction of Honda’s total sales, the Prelude is actually on track to meet its annual sales target. It’s also keeping pace with one of its closest—and mu...
