Diesel Is Making a Comeback

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By: Sergiu Tudose

Even though the future was and still is supposed to be fully electric, diesel engines are making a comeback in this ever more complicated present. More so in Europe than anywhere else, but even generally speaking, diesels aren’t going anywhere. What? I don’t see you trading in your turbodiesel V8 truck for an F-150 Lightning either!

Where am I going with this? Well, two things. First, we have plenty of European carmakers choosing to either reintroduce diesels in their passenger cars, or to simply continue using them for the foreseeable future, and second, demand for EVs continues to be weaker than expected.

Stellantis was in the middle of this just recently, as they had to scale back their EV ambitions after disappointing sales, while also putting the diesel engine back in models such as the Peugeot 308, DS 4, or the Opel Astra. Meanwhile, some of Alfa Romeo’s offerings continue to be available with diesel options.

Also, the fact that Europe is letting off the gas, so to speak, about some of its zero-emissions deadlines, is directly contributing to internal combustion engines getting a second chance at life across the board. The same is true for the United States, a country fully retreating from EVs under President Donald Trump.

How did we get here, though? I think as enthusiastic as early adopters have been, the EV market just isn’t robust enough to completely dismantle the need for internal combustion engine cars. We’re literally several decades away from that happening, as opposed to merely a few years away like many of us thought (including myself) back in the early 2020s.

Stellantis themselves believed that fully electric cars would make up 100% of its European sales and 50% of its U.S. sales by 2030. Talk about being wrong...

As recently as 2015, diesel vehicles made up roughly 50% of new car sales across Europe. Then, the ‘Dieselgate’ scandal happened, and we were suddenly living in a world where carmakers were manipulating emissions tests.

That being said, we also live in a world where a manufacturer could differentiate itself from the rest simply by having a strong diesel engine lineup. With so many Chinese brands flooding Europe with their EVs and PHEVs, diesel is an area where one might seek to gain a competitive advantage. And after all, why shouldn’t carmakers look to do that? Especially with so many excellent diesel options available.

Today’s diesel engine is beast compared to 10 or 15 years ago. Remember when systems such as DPF and AdBlue used to represent legitimate concerns for people? Early particulate filters required sustained highway driving for proper regeneration, and if you used the car primarily for short city treks, you’d risk real clogging issues. AdBlue, meanwhile, added yet another unnecessary maintenance variable.

Modern diesels have improved significantly. Regeneration is now more adaptive and proactive, and engine management systems are better at initiating it at the proper time.

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

By: Mircea Panait

As the average transaction price of new automobiles continues hovering near record highs, the hunt for a true bargain has become a proper sport for cost-sensitive motorists.

Buyers are increasingly finding that affordable now starts north of $20,000 in the United States of America for the most basic of sedans, leaving a handful of contenders in the basement-priced category. Sport utility vehicle and truck prices are going up as well, and the Ford Maverick is a great example in this regard.

Produced in Mexico rather than the US of A, the Escape-derived trucklet used to retail at $19,995 at launch for the 2022 model year. At the time of writing, the most affordable specification of the bunch is a massive $28,145. And that's before freight and other taxes.

Whether you're a first-time buyer or simply looking for that new car smell and a factory warranty for your next daily, these 2026 models represent the absolute floor of the new car market.

The most affordable new sedans that you can buy in 2026:

The most affordable new sport utility vehicles that you can buy in 2026:

The most affordable new trucks that you can buy in 2026:

 Note: For more info on these cars, please continue reading on our site, regardless if you’re looking to buy something or not. You might learn a thing or two!

By: Cristian Agatie

Fresh from writing off billions in EV investments in 2025, including the cancellation of the F-150 Lightning pickup truck, Ford is betting its future on the upcoming Universal EV platform. The first vehicle planned is a coupe-utility truck that is promised to retail for $30,000 when it arrives in 2027.

Everything we've read about Ford's Universal EV platform makes me suspect Jim Farley did more than just read about Tesla's Gen-3 platform. It made me think Ford might have licensed Tesla's tech.

Ford's Universal EV (UEV) platform follows the same recipe as Tesla's next-generation platform, which makes me think Ford might have licensed Tesla's tech. This includes the use of megacastings (Ford calls them unicastings) for the front and rear sections, as well as the structural battery pack. The UEV platform allows Ford to cut the number of parts by 20% compared to a typical vehicle, and the number of fasteners by 25%.

It gets even more interesting when you think that Tesla also developed the Unboxed Vehicle manufacturing process to build the Gen-3 EVs. Well, Ford also copied this, naming it the Universal EV Production System.

According to Ford's presentation materials, the Universal EV production system divides a vehicle into three sections. These are the front section, rear section, and the structural battery pack, respectively. Each is built on a separate production line, speeding up assembly. The lines, which Ford calls "trees," converge on the final assembly line, where the three sections are bonded together. 

In addition to designing an efficient modular platform and a cost-effective manufacturing process, Ford's "skunkworks" team also developed a new zonal architecture, consolidating the number of controllers across various sections of the car. The upcoming midsize truck will have only five electronic control units (ECUs), a significant optimization compared to the Ford F-150 Lightning, which had about 70. 

Ford made no secret that the pickup truck would use aerodynamics to compensate for its smaller battery pack. We also know that the EUV platform will use a 400-volt electrical system with an LFP battery pack because Ford told us so. The Blue Oval also confirmed that the UEV platform will adopt a 48-volt low-voltage system, as we suspected in August 2025, when Ford talked about wiring harness optimizations.

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

By: Bogdan Popa

Google's foray into the automotive space includes several big products, but three are known to spearhead this push. Android Auto, Android Automotive, and Google Maps are on everybody's lips these days, albeit for different reasons.

Google Maps is the world's number one mobile navigation app. While it has evolved to become a fully featured mapping platform, with a big focus on world exploration, business information, and user reviews, Google Maps also includes a navigation component.

Meanwhile, Android Auto and Android Automotive are two different beasts. I've seen many people mistaking one for the other, which isn't surprising, as the nomenclature certainly isn't the best. I'm surprised Google hasn't decided to do something about it, especially as Android Automotive is gaining more traction.

While both platforms are part of Google's automotive ambitions, they have different roles. That's why we're here, so stick around as we dissect each product.

Android Auto

Let's start with the one that everybody knows and possibly uses already. Android Auto is one of the most popular mobile phone projection systems – that's right, a mobile phone projection system, and that's right, one of the most popular; there are mainly two such solutions (Android Auto and CarPlay), but some carmakers, such as those in China, also came up with similar concepts.

Let's start with the mobile projection system thing. By definition, a system in charge of mobile projection renders content from a smartphone on another screen. That's precisely the purpose of Android Auto, as your mobile phone is in charge of everything you see on the display on your dashboard.

To put this into a simpler perspective, your Android smartphone becomes a small computer, and your vehicle's screen becomes a monitor. You get a portable computer with the purpose of running Android in your car.

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

By: Mircea Panait

While it's hard to notice at this point in time, the Hyundai Motor Company is edging closer to a major lineup-wide stylistic transition for model year 2027. Best substantiated by the all-new Tucson, the Art of Steel design language can trace its roots back to a coil of steel noticed in the Hyundai Design Center by Simon Loasby and SangYup Lee.

The natural tension, strength, and inherent artistry of that simple coil of steel resulted in a design language that puts an emphasis on structural beauty and solid aesthetic. Given the decidedly upright look of the next Tucson, it goes without saying that South Korea's largest automaker has also catered to increasing customer demand for more rugged crossovers.

Speaking of rugged, our carparazzi have recently spied the first-ever Tucson XRT Pro. This trim level was introduced by the larger Palisade, and given time, its go-anywhere styling motifs and hardware updates will also carry over to the next iteration of the Santa Fe.

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A boxy crossover through and through, the Santa Fe will get even boxier for model year 2027 due to vertical taillights and side-mounted running lights with a vertical orientation. Following in the footsteps of the redesigned Tucson, the larger sibling is also getting the Pleos Connect infotainment system that replaces the Hyundai Connected Car Navigation Cockpit.

Built on Android Automotive, the new system has many strong points over the Hyundai Connected Car Navigation Cockpit. The one that stands out for me is over-the-air software update capability for critical vehicle systems, including the engine control unit. This functionality alone should make software-related safety recalls much easier for the South Korean colossus.

Because of its longer wheelbase, the refreshed Santa Fe may also surprise us with an extended-range electric powertrain. Think of it as having all the benefits of internal combustion without any electric vehicle drawbacks. In addition to a couple of electric drive units, the extended-range electric powertrain is believed to rely on the 2.5-liter Theta III turbo inline-four engine as the sole driver of a high-output generator that recharges the high-voltage battery.

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The more upright Santa Fe and Tucson will be joined by an edgier and longer Elantra. Equipped with striking headlight, indicator, and taillight signatures, the 2027 model is a dramatic evolution of the compact sedan we all know and love. Its rectangular LED modules beautify a sculpted grille section, with said combo giving off Hyundai N Vision 74 concept vibes.

Look-at-me touches further include a continuous LED strip that connects the daytime running lights, giving the Elantra a wider stance than ever before. This bold stylistic philosophy carries over to the equally striking full-width rear light bar, which is connected to T-shaped taillights. Aggressive fender lines and muscular rear haunches only add to the visual drama.

Under the skin, the 2027 Hyundai Elantra isn't going to differ too much from the current generation. Prospective customers should look forward to the very same naturally aspirated and turbocharged powertrains. The Elantra N is reportedly going hybrid for extra oomph and efficiency, albeit the level of electrical assistance is not clear at the present moment.

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The pixel artist known as LARSONdesign is the gentleman who came up with our favorite render of the week. Inspired by the recently unveiled 2027 Audi RS 5 and spy photos of camouflaged 2027 Audi RS 6 prototypes, the German-based automotive illustrator worked its magic to deliver the first-ever RS 6 with a plug-in hybrid twist.

A far more aggressive car than the already aggressive S5, the 2027 Audi RS 6 should be a similarly plasticky disappointment inside. Add to that a fair bit of virtualized induction and exhaust sounds, and you will understand why certain peeps aren't particularly excited about the RS 4 Avant-replacing RS 5 Avant and Sedan.

There is, however, something to be excited about the next RS 6. Beyond the over-700-horsepower maximum output rating, Audi Sport hasn't made the mistake of downsizing to a six-cylinder lump for this application. Mercedes did exactly that with the AMG division's E 53 HYBRID, but fortunately enough, the Stuttgart-based automaker's new flat-plane crankshaft V8 makes the revival of the E 63 all that more realistic.

By: Bogdan Popa

Google released a new Android Auto version, bringing the app to version 16.3. This update includes hints that YouTube is still coming, so one day, you'll be able to watch videos behind the wheel.

This day is much closer for Apple users. The latest iPhone update includes support for video apps, so developers can start coding and get their apps ready for CarPlay. The grand debut is expected in the spring when iOS 26.4 is ready for production iPhones.

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When it's not breaking its smartwatches and trying to convince people to pay for useless subscriptions, Garmin does great things. This is the case with its new GPS navigators for motorcycles, which have everything a rider needs for on-road or off-road journeys. The zumo XT3 is fitted with an arsenal of new-gen features, including a live lean angle gauge. Fabulous. 

It's 2026, and we still don't know how to use navigation apps correctly. An Amazon driver received the lesson of his life when he trusted his sat-nav blindly and ended up stuck on a road that disappears under the sea. The man decided to leave his van behind and run for his life, so now he knows that taking everything the likes of Google Maps say for granted is not a good idea.

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