Alex Zanardi, the Bravest Man in Motorsport, Is No More

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By: Alex Oagana

The very top echelon of sports in general is filled with athletes who inspire, and there are plenty of people among them whose simple presence in a room makes everyone feel instantly smaller, but at the same time larger for having the privilege of breathing the same air as a literal world champion.

Just think about that word for a minute. Derived from the Late Latin word “campio,” which originated from the Latin “campus,” a “champion” originally referred to a warrior or a professional fighter who took the field in combat, but then it gradually evolved over time to represent a defender of a cause, and later the winner of a contest. By pure and probably divine coincidence, part of the etymology of the word “champion” is somewhat similar to that of the name “Alexander,” whose original definition implied a “protector of mankind” or “warrior defender.”

Alex Zanardi was both a champion and a warrior, he was everything one might expect from a top tier athlete and more, and the world is a lesser place after his passing in May 2026. Born in October 1966 in Bologna, Italy, Alessandro Leone Zanardi grew up in the same corner of the world that gave us names like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ducati. His father was a plumber, so it’s no wonder that Alex’s first ever kart was built with wheels from a garbage can and some pipes “borrowed” from his dad’s work. This kind of detail sounds almost like a myth, but since it’s true it only goes to show you everything you need to know about the man he was set to become.

From a young age, Alex Zanardi proved that he was resourceful and incapable of allowing the absence of something fundamental to become an excuse for not competing. His racing career alone would have been enough to secure him a place in the history books. He won the CART Indycar Championship two times in a row, winning 7 out of 19 races and getting an amazing 15 podiums in the 1998 championship. Celebrating his wins with an obligatory donut made him one of the most beloved figures of the series and also earned him the nickname “The Donut King” in the U.S.

That said, statistics are almost beside the point in Alex’s case. What the numbers fail to capture was the manner in which he raced, as if he was destined to win every competition he ever took part in, no matter the odds. Fans still refer to his amazing last-lap pass on Bryan Herta in the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca in 1996 as “The Pass.” That almost impossible maneuver, in which he drifted through the dirt after overcooking the corner entry, while maintaining control and still emerging ahead, has since been banned but not before becoming legendary.

Following that extraordinary IndyCar career and a couple of stints in Formula 1, Zanardi’s life would change in September 2001, just four days after that dreadful event in New York. He had just returned full time to CART, and a race held at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz in Germany was the place when he was involved in a horrific crash so violent that even his survival was considered remarkable. Alex lost three quarters of his blood and both his legs in the horrible accident, but he not only survived, but got back into racing less than two years later, proving once again the kind of resilience in the face of adversity he was capable of.

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

By: Sergiu Tudose

Over time, I’ve learned not to discriminate anymore while behind the wheel. There’s really no point in doing so. I also don’t want to hear any gender-related arguments, because I personally know plenty of women who drive just as well as men do. So, let’s not open that Pandora’s box.

You see, it doesn’t matter who you are, what you do for a living, whether you’re absent-minded or simply uninterested in what’s going on around you. If you have a passion for what you do, you will automatically (and I do mean AUTOMATICALLY) be good at that thing.

Let me say this again. The key word is passion. Not a hobby, not affinity, but passion.

Just because you like singing doesn’t mean you’ll blow everyone away during karaoke night. But if music truly is your passion in life, then chances are you’ll figure out what steps to take in order to put yourself in a situation where you can achieve the most success. Max out your chances of making it big.

The same is true while behind the wheel of a car. If you have a passion for driving and cars in general (ideally a mix of both), what will happen is you will go on to learn more about cars, understand them better, and then before you know it you will have figured out how to anticipate certain movements in traffic before they even happen... and voila. Man, woman, dog, cat, it doesn’t matter what you are. Ok, maybe not a cat – you can’t reach the pedals. But a dog? I saw Scooby Doo driving, it’s legit!

Back to being serious. When it becomes a reflex for you to analyze your own position in traffic, plus the position of other drivers, what’s going on in the intersection, on the sidewalk, behind you and so on (all at the same time), you will gain a substantial advantage over every single other driver.

Now, this doesn’t mean that someone who isn’t passionate about cars can’t be a good, attentive, or defensive-minded driver. It’s just that there’s still no substitute for talent. And talent is born out of passion. Just ask any professional athlete.

What’s interesting is that science partially supports this notion, too. At least the mechanism behind what we call "talent".

People who are genuinely passionate about any activity tend to build what psychologists call automatic processing. That’s when the brain starts recognizing patterns faster due to overexposure. A driving enthusiast doesn’t just drive more often than most people; he or she also observes more. They store more contextual information over time, while also gaining a better understanding of driving dynamics.

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

By: Cristian Agatie

In January, Tesla proudly announced that it had started building select Model Y variants with the controversial 4680 cells. The announcement was surprising, considering that only two months earlier, during the 2025 shareholder meeting, Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed regret that Tesla had pursued the dry electrode process. 

The information put Tesla customers on the lookout, as many still remember the fiasco of the 2023 Model Y SR AWD equipped with 4680 cells. After an initial period of high demand from people who believed Tesla's propaganda, they started avoiding the Model Y SR AWD like the plague. 

At the time, this model disappointed mostly because of its underwhelming charging performance, with a 10%-80% charge taking over 40 minutes. The energy density was also lower than that of Panasonic 2170 cells, which is why the 4680 cells were used in a Standard Range model. After less than a year on the market, Tesla canceled it in September 2023. 

Now, the 4680 cells have crossed the Atlantic and are used at Giga Berlin on the Model Y LR RWD, which features a new "8L" battery pack. The new model has the same price as the one previously built with a 5M pack using LGES 2170 cells. However, despite the price, it has a lower range and horrible charging performance. 

Specifically, the EU-spec Model Y LR RWD is now listed with a WLTP range of 609 km (378 mi), down from 661 km (411 mi) previously. That's significant, and a consequence of a drop in usable capacity, from 77 kWh for the LG-based pack to 74 kWh. Plugged to a Tesla Supercharger, the 4680 Model Y needs over 35 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. That's less than the 40 minutes of the 2023 model, but still longer than most EVs on the market. 

The 4680 cells are about to prove a failure for the third time, casting a huge question mark on Tesla's ability to produce competitive battery cells. The first generation crippled the 2023 Model Y SR model, and the second generation, which Tesla fondly called "Cybercells," also caused the Cybertruck to flop. Now, in their third iteration, will likely affect Tesla's best-selling model, which might prove a bigger issue down the road.

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

By: Sergiu Tudose

It’s hard not to play favorites, sometimes. The Mazda CX-5 has been a breath of fresh air, for me, in a somewhat stale segment that for the longest time wouldn’t place much value on driving dynamics and interior build quality.

I need to take you back to the very beginning, to early 2012 when the first-generation Mazda CX-5 went into production offering a choice of gasoline or diesel powertrains, matched either to a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. It didn’t take long for it to win “Car of the Year” in Japan, and it’s easy to understand why.

Think back to the crossovers (non-premium) of the early 2010s. From the RAV4 to the CR-V, the Kias, the Hyundais, and so on. They were all fine, yes, but none of them truly stood out in any meaningful way. They all drove pretty much the same, and don’t let anyone tell you differently.

I know lots of people swear by the RAV4, but compared to the CX-5, the Toyota felt like it belonged to a different decade (which it did), and not in a good way. I’m talking about the third-generation RAV4, by the way. The fourth-gen model came out in December of 2012 and to be fair, it did improve on certain aspects, like perceived quality.

Speaking from experience, ideally you want to strike a balance between actual quality and perceived quality. It’s unrealistic to expect a 10/10 on both fronts, unless dealing with a Rolls-Royce or something along those lines. You also need to understand that non-premium car models can only go so far in terms of build quality, which is why it’s important to applaud them for when they do toe the line between non-premium and premium.

The Mazda CX-5 used to be the ultimate toeing the line crossover with regards to this topic. It was extremely well put together right off the bat. The upper dashboard was made from a soft-touch, spongy material, and it sort of mirrored what BMW was doing at the time. I remember reviewing the first-gen CX-5 and making an X3 comparison.

It did feel like a “discount X3” to me, and not just quality-wise, but also from a driving dynamics standpoint. It shared the same platform as the third-gen Mazda3 and Mazda6, both of which drove really well, too. The facelifted model, which came out in 2014, I think, was even better, feeling more refined.

Then the second-generation CX-5 came out in late 2016, and it was obvious Mazda had stepped up their game. The overall blend of materials was on par with anything VW was doing at the time, and I’m sure owners can attest to its tight fit and finish, clean design and near-premium feel. It was clear from the get-go that cost-cutting wasn’t a factor when it came to the second-gen CX-5.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for this all-new model. But let’s get into it in an organized manner, starting with the visuals.

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

By: Mircea Panait

As far as global sales are concerned, Aston Martin had a pretty rough 2025. The first quarter of 2026 was rough as well, yet gross margin improved from 28 to 35 percent. Currently in a high-volume delivery phase for the Valhalla hypercar, the British automaker is also evolving its front-engine GT and SUV lineup.

Following the debut of the DBX S, Vantage S, and DB12 S, the Vanquish will receive a selection of performance-oriented updates for 2027. Caught lapping the Nurburgring with double the exhaust outlets of the standard model, the Vanquish S lifted its 21-inch forged alloy wheels from the V8-powered Vantage S.

The rear end, however, presents the most interesting development because a large section of the tailgate has been swapped for a fine mesh that hides two massive exhaust outlets. Two additional pipes can be seen in the diffuser area. Further benefitting from aero upgrades, the Vanquish S could very well belt out 850 metric horsepower instead of 835 for the Vanquish.

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Over at BMW, the X4 ended production last fall over a few choice reasons. From the overlap with the front-biased X2 to portfolio streaming and the switch to Neue Klasse underpinnings, it simply didn't make financial sense for BMW to come up with a new generation of the coupe-SUV brother of the X3.

NA7 is what BMW calls the succeeding iX4, which is due in the second half of 2026 in 40 xDrive and 50 xDrive specifications. To be produced at the Debrecen plant in Hungary, the iX4 will also be offered in M60 xDrive flavor. As opposed to its roomier sibling, the iX4 should be rocking the M Sport Package by default.

Based on the color of this prototype's brake calipers, the Bavarian automaker is presently testing the M60 xDrive. Very similar in styling to the iX3, the cooler alternative may also surprise us with better driving range estimates due to its sloping roofline and sleeker rear end. In the EPA's combined testing cycle, the iX3 tops 434 miles (698 kilometers) on a full charge.

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A digital illustration by virtual artist Kleber Silva caught our attention this past week, for said rendering is a realistic take on the next generation of the best-selling motor vehicle line of all time. A little over 55 million examples of the breed were delivered since 1966, thus besting the Ford F-Series and the Volkswagen Golf.

Silva's design is derived from the Corolla Concept, which Toyota revealed at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. A futuristic-looking sedan that borrows heavily from the manufacturer's electric vehicle lineup and the Prius for good measure, the angular concept is certain to be softened for the thirteenth generation of the Corolla.

Further certain to mark a significant leap in connected and autonomous driving technologies, the 2028 Toyota Corolla is rumored to receive a new hybrid option built around a 1.5-liter engine specifically designed for electrification. Similar to the Lexus ES, full-electric powertrain options may also be in store for certain markets.

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Nissan, however, isn't going down this route with the V38-generation Skyline. Teased in April together with the all-new Xterra, the next iteration of the Skyline will be sold in the United States under a different name and with a different badge. Rumor has it that Infiniti may also sell a JDM-style conversion for the Q50's replacement.

Penned by Nikita Chuyko, this rendering of the next Skyline builds on the Japanese automaker's teaser pics with a claw-inspired lighting signature for the headlights and circular taillights. Out back, you will also notice NISMO-style round exhaust outlets.

Although the Infiniti-branded model is coming with a manual option, that may not be the case with the JDM-only Skyline. Instead, the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 of the outgoing V37 is likely to be joined by a nine-speed automatic.

By: Bogdan Popa

GTA 6 is coming, and while the wait is becoming harder for us, developers are also feeling the pressure of the approaching launch day. It looks like some devs are working until 3 AM specifically to get GTA 6 ready, as Rockstar truly doesn’t want to risk another delay. 

The good news is that GTA 6 is also coming to PC. This was almost a no-brainer, but with Take-Two focusing so much on the PS5 launch this year, some people were concerned that a PC version might be skipped. It won't, but its ETA is still unknown. 

Meanwhile, the usual stuff is happening in the navigation app space. Google Maps is sending drivers the wrong way on a one-way street because why not, while a French app believes it has what it takes to challenge the big names in this world. 

If you're an Android Auto user, you'd better check for updates because a new stable version is out. Android Auto 16.8 is now available for download, and while you won't find any front-facing changes, it's hiding big things, including widgets.

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