2026 Model Year Cars Already Look Outdated

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Table of Contents

• 2026 Model Year Cars Already Look Outdated

• The Lamborghini Temerario Can Hit 60 MPH in First …

• How a Winter Drive in the Subaru Forester Helped M …

• The Best Trackers To Protect Your Car: AirTag vs. …

• Spy Shots and Renderings of the Week

• Quo Vadis, Carplay Ultra?

• The finish line 🏁

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2026 Model Year Cars Already Look Outdated

By: Alex Oagana

Most car nerds have very specific reasons for liking a certain car model or a carmaker in general, but I think it’s safe to say design is among the first reasons for someone to jump in (or out of) the “I like this because” boat.

Carmakers obviously know that good design can make or break entire lineups, which is why most of them have been investing a lot of moolah in their styling departments over the years. Some of the most prosperous ones have only been successful because they not only blindly followed design trends, which, like all things, come and go, but also established styles of their own, to be followed by others.

Speaking of trends and considering that modern car design is so homogenized because of tons of regulations, the way some of today’s cars look is also down to things like “planned obsolescence” and a continuous cycle of reinvention. It’s almost like modern designers are all conspiring to make a car’s previous generation look more dated than it really is, just so that the new one is more in line with fighting marketing words like “revolutionizing design language” or “bold aesthetics.”

The truth is trends have been governing automotive design for over a century, but their cycles have been shortening nowadays, almost at the same rate at the general public’s attention span. Show someone who lives and breathes cars a photo of a BMW headlight or the part of a Mercedes-Benz dashboard from at least a decade ago andthey will instantly recognize the carmaker and the timeline in which that specific model was manufactured.

Nowadays, partly because of their shortened cycles and the lack of originality brought by increased regulations, almost anyone can pinpoint the exact moment a car has been manufactured after only a short glance. In other words, design trends have become timeline anchors, which may look cutting-edge today but will be completely outdated by next year.

1. Pop-out Door Handles

Originally, flush door handles that stay hidden when not used were marketed as an innovation that improves the drag coefficient of a car by making the doors smoother. In theory, that made perfect sense, especially on electric cars that need to be as slippery as possible to maximize their range.

Not long after, they became all the rage in every carmaker’s stable, no matter if the cars that sported them were electric or not. They simply “look too cool” no to feature them on everything from a luxury sedan to a subcompact crossover. Pop-out door handles transformed from an engineering choice to a design feature.

Note: There’s lots more coming up, for the full article please continue on our site. 

The Lamborghini Temerario Can Hit 60 MPH in First Gear. That Is So Freaking Cool!

By: Sergiu Tudose

When it comes to supercars, there are certain performance statistics that just can't be overlooked. I’m talking horsepower and torque, 0-60, the quarter-mile, trap speed, and the top speed. But what if there was this other stat that felt more like a cheat code than anything else? And what if nobody was paying attention? 

Straight up, can you remember the last time you saw someone talk about gearing while reviewing a performance car? What about first gear, specifically? That’s a very different conversation compared to the one we usually have when it comes to this topic. 

The Lamborghini Temerario can hit 60 mph (97 kph) at the top of first gear, and I just think that’s the bee’s knees! It’s not just quick. Plenty of cars are quick. It’s the fact that it’s pulling so hard, for so long, and in one uninterrupted single-gear surge. It’s not “normal acceleration” - even though you can still technically hit 60 mph quicker if you drove a Plaid or a Rimac or even a ZR1X. I think it’s almost like the Lambo’s drivetrain is having a laugh. 

Now, you might say this isn’t that big of a deal, because what even is a shift, anyway? It’s a fraction of a second. But while modern dual-clutch gearboxes are amazing, the way the Temerario goes about it is just such a nice mechanical flex. A lot of supercars will shift into second at around 56 mph or 58 mph, but the “baby Lambo” gives you 60 mph properly, before going up a gear. 

Before we dive even deeper into that, let’s look at a reference point – believe it or not, you’re not going to find many. Yet allow me to introduce to you the Camaro ZL1 (with the six-speed manual gearbox). Chevrolet even made a point in saying that it could hit 60 mph in first gear. But when it comes to other modern supercars, such bragging rights are very uncommon. It’s not that they can’t do it; it’s that they usually either don’t want to, don’t need to, or both. 

Shorter gears tend to make cars feel more crisp at normal speeds. They allow the engine to snap into the meat of the powerband and boost the overall sensation of responsiveness. So, while supercars have been getting quicker and quicker over time, most of them will still look to shift once before 60 mph to deliver this type of experience – the one most people are looking for in today’s day and age. 

Sure, other cars could do it. There are plenty of land missiles hitting 60 mph in the low 2-second range. The Revuelto, for example, has been trapped at 2.2 seconds, with the Ferrari 296 GTB not far behind. Meanwhile, the Corvette ZR1 has also entered the chat, and don’t even get me started on the upcoming ZR1X. 

But none of those numbers automatically tell you what gear these cars are in at 60 mph. You’d need “shift data” and a spreadsheet, or just a practical test that explicitly looks for this result. With the Temerario, Lamborghini built this uninterrupted first-gear thrust into the car’s identity. You don’t need a stopwatch to be blown away, although you will be... either way. 

For the full article, please continue reading on our site.

How a Winter Drive in the Subaru Forester Helped Me Better Understand the Brand

By: Naveed Hussain

The Forester is traditionally the toughest model Subaru produces. It's designed to tackle harsh winter conditions while offering favourable practicality and a fun driving experience.

I tested the SUV for a week, during snow and icy conditions, because the best way to assess the Forester's rugged capability and supposed effortless versatility is to expose it to the toughest season for cars: winter.

With temperatures as low as -4 degrees Celsius, I wanted to understand how the Forester's sure-footedness in the frost benefits the overall driving experience. It was a timely test as I had the Subaru during a snowstorm, so it was crucial that the Forester could competently drive on the slippery stuff as well as insulate me from the cold.

The Forester responds to driver input and road conditions predictably, managing every situation with quiet confidence. Driving it was a relatively ordinary task despite the snow. Part of the charm of driving the Forester is down to its favourable balance, which is due to the permanent symmetrical all-wheel drive system that positions the engine, transmission, and propshaft in a symmetrical straight line.

The all-wheel drive system is always engaged, so I never have to worry about switching it on when faced with tougher terrain or harsh conditions. Even in normal road conditions, like those I encountered towards the end of my week with the Forester, it helps fill me with assurance thanks to its unwavering grip, especially when pulling out of a junction.

The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder e-BOXER engine uses a battery-powered electric motor to produce 136 horsepower and 182 Nm of torque. 0-62 mph is achieved in 12.2 seconds. While these aren't particularly exciting numbers, the Forester does an excellent job of accelerating smoothly, and, despite it being a rather large car, it hides its weight well when pulling away. The initial burst of acceleration from zero to 30 mph feels remarkably quick for a car of its size, aided by the electric motor.

For the full article, please continue reading on our site.

The Best Trackers To Protect Your Car: AirTag vs. AirTag 2 vs. Galaxy SmartTag 2 vs. Tile Pro

By: Bogdan Popa

Like everything else, keeping tabs on our cars has evolved. Most of us used GPS trackers, which were typically more expensive and required professional installation, but the tech revolution that involved the auto space made things significantly easier. Bluetooth trackers are the next big thing on this front.

I'm certain you've heard of Apple's AirTag, pretty much the most famous tracker on the market. It's so famous that some people call every tracker on the market an "AirTag." It's like a Jeep. My mother always refers to SUVs as "Jeeps." The reason is the same in both cases. Jeeps have become a symbol of bigger vehicles, and AirTags lead the tracker market.

However, Apple did not invent this product category. The first time I used such a device was more than a decade ago. It was manufactured by Nokia, and its functionality was ridiculously limited. Because it was essentially only a Bluetooth tracker, it worked only in the typical Bluetooth range.

This means that you were supposed to be in a range of up to 10 to 15 meters to detect the tracker. Otherwise, it became useless because a Bluetooth connection with your smartphone could not be established.

Nokia's concept made sense inside your house, but made the little gadget useless if you attached it to your luggage or planted it in your car. Furthermore, it only worked with a Bluetooth connection and the master phone where it was configured.

AirTags upgraded this concept and pushed it to the next level. The biggest difference was how the device worked to transmit its location to the owner's phone. While the basic functionality was similar, with AirTags relying on Bluetooth to show their location in close proximity, these pucks are also enrolled in the Find My network.

In Apple's world, Find My is the network where all devices, including iPhones, iPads, AirPods, and so on, reveal their location (with the owner's consent). An iPhone uses its location to pin its location securely on the map, allowing the owner to see where it is, almost in real time.

Owners can use their Apple accounts to see the location of a device enrolled in the Find My network at any time. Case in point, a stolen iPhone. If someone steals your iPhone, you can log into your Apple account on a computer, connect to the Find My network, and see where the smartphone is located if it's still online. If it's not, it shows the last known location and updates the data once it gets back online.

AirTags are even better because they can't be turned off without removing the battery. However, the market has since evolved, and the AirTag is no longer the only option. Samsung and Tile also launched advanced products. Apple itself improved its original model and came up with an upgraded version of the AirTag.

For the full article, please continue reading on our site.

Spy Shots and Renderings of the Week

By: Mircea Panait

Hyundai's best-selling model worldwide is getting extensively redesigned for model year 2027, beginning with its Palisade-inspired front end. The more upright aesthetic and the flatter roofline are shared with the incoming facelift of the Santa Fe, which is also flaunting vertical rear light clusters reminiscent of Range Rover taillights.

The latest prototype snapped by our carparazzi also shows a clamshell-style hood, although the most interesting detail is the performance-like low profile of the tires. Hearsay suggests a proper N version, though official confirmation from the largest automaker in South Korea has yet to arrive. In light of Euro 7 regulations, any potential N model is likely to benefit from a degree of electric assistance.

Longer and wider than its predecessor, the 2027 Hyundai Tucson will also impress with the Pleos Connect operating system. Building on Android Automotive, this system won't spell the end of physical controls. The switchover to Pleos Connect will also result in Level 2.5 semi-autonomous driving functions and the introduction of generative AI voice assistance.

—

The ailing Mitsubishi brand isn't going to impress as much with the interior of the next Pajero, which is expected to revive the Montero nameplate in countries where the former name is a vulgar slang term. Once believed to be twinned with the Nissan Patrol/Armada, the heavily anticipated body-on-frame sport utility vehicle actually uses L200/Triton underpinnings.

A boxy design with styling traits from the Mitsubishi Elevance concept, the all-new Pajero/Montero isn't merely a mid-size pickup truck with a swapped body. Because it's used for different purposes from the Triton for Australia and L200 for Europe, the SUV is certain to feature a slightly different frame and rear coil springs instead of leaf springs.

Yamaha Motor Performance Dampers should also be considered, along with a twin-turbo I4 diesel with plenty of low-down torque. Competing against the Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner, the returning Pajero/Montero is further anticipated to gain a plug-in hybrid gasoline option at some point by decade's end, and the consensus is that a four-pot gasser will have to make do.

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Early 2026 gave us multiple reports according to which BMW dealers call for a proper full-size utility vehicle, which may be called X9. The core of these reports is the chairman of the BMW National Dealer Forum, who recently stated the need for an imposing sport utility vehicle that can match the likes of the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator.

While Bimmerpost and other reliable sources don't have any info in this regard, pixel artist Theottle decided to take matters into his own hands by rendering the rumored model. An interesting mix between the X7's massive proportions and the iX3's front-end styling, the X9 rendering that caught our collective attention is not for everyone.

That can also be said about the X7, a family hauler that Munich's favorite son designed with a heavy emphasis on markets where such vehicles are in demand. And where there is healthy demand, automakers will upset loyalists in the name of higher profits.

—

AutoYa took a different approach when rendering the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 by using a design patent from General Motors instead of imagination. Evolutionary rather than revolutionary in design, the next half-ton pickup from the Chevrolet division. Boasting a split-light setup influenced by the Tahoe and Suburban, the next Silverado 1500 features ultra-slim DRLs tucked right under the hood line.

Its taller and flatter hood with prominent bulges gives the 'Rado a brawnier appearance, blurring the line between light- and heavy-duty pickup trucks. Marking a return to the heritage flat-top wheel arches, the 2027 model adopts a higher and flatter beltline to reduce the glass-to-metal ratio for a chunkier look.

Under the skin, the real thing will be a step forward from the current 5.3- and 6.2-liter small blocks due to larger-displacement units. The largest of the bunch will be called LS6 and displace 6.7 liters in the Corvette Grand Sport. Both it and the all-new Silverado 1500 are coming to dealers nationwide for model year 2027.

Quo Vadis, Carplay Ultra?

By: Bogdan Popa

Many people believe CarPlay Ultra is a flop, and you can't blame them. It was announced in 2022, confirmed in 2023, detailed in 2024, and released in 2025. Only one Aston Martin supports it, but Hyundai looks ready to make it more mainstream. The upcoming IONIQ 3 could run CarPlay Ultra and finally bring the system to the masses. 

There's a lot happening in the Android Auto space these days. First, Google just shipped version 16.2 for production devices, and you'll want it if you've been struggling with bugs in your cars. 

Second, the company has recently been spotted working on a feature that everybody thought was abandoned. Android Auto could soon get radio station and climate controls integration, as per code hiding in the latest update. This is big news, especially in cars where air conditioning controls are only available via the touch display. 

Finally, those running Google Maps on Android Auto are now battling a glitch that makes the vehicle icon go away. This problem has been haunting users occasionally for the past 12 months, and not even Google seems to be able to figure out what happens.

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