Here's what you need to understand about the BMW XM

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By: Sergiu Tudose

When it comes to cars, some are misunderstood because they’re simply ahead of their time, while others are just marketed poorly. The BMW XM belongs to a different category altogether. It’s an unapologetic design exercise courtesy of BMW M, and technically, you’re not meant to compare it with any other BMW SUV.

It would be like comparing the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe with an E-Class or a CLS. You can mix and match the performance if you opt for the right engine, but neither of the latter two would be proper Mercedes-AMG-designed products. They would just be Mercedes-AMG-augmented products.

Same with the XM. It's a proper BMW M-designed product, just like the original BMW M1 from the late 70s and early 80s.

At the same time, I’m not here to make any excuses. Especially for what is still a controversial SUV with an eye-watering price tag. I think the XM is polarizing, from a visual standpoint. Not to mention the fact that it starts from $160,000 in the United States, where you can only get the flagship Label version.

BMW decided for the 2026 model year that U.S. buyers shouldn't have to worry about the expansion of the XM lineup or think about some future version that might be more reasonably priced. The Bavarian carmaker eliminated every single variant except one, the Label. The only XM left standing was and is the pinnacle spec.

They could have easily decided to “soften” the XM in order to attract more buyers. Instead, they added a Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic paint, new BMW Individual leather options, a revised welcome-light animation, black-finished 23" wheels, and improved the charging capability for the PHEV system. That's called doubling down.

Its plug-in hybrid powertrain combines a twin-turbocharged V8 producing 577 horsepower with an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic gearbox, delivering a combined output of 738 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. You're looking at the most powerful SUV BMW has ever built, and the most powerful production BMW M vehicle - yes, it's got even more power than the latest M5.

I’m still confused. Who’s this for?

Look, that’s fair. Let me put it to you another way. BMW wasn't trying to build a better X6. Period. They've already done that with the X6 M, and if they wanted to max out that platform, they could always come out with some type of X6 M Competition Max Ultra Whatever-you-wanna-call-it. I mean, even now, the X5 M Competition, to me, is one of the most complete high-performance SUVs ever made.

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

By: Cristian Agatie

Rumors about a consolidation of Elon Musk's business empire have been floating around since the Q4 2025 earnings call in January. At the time, Elon Musk announced that Tesla invested $2 billion in xAI, despite a shareholder vote rejecting the proposal. SpaceX, another company that Musk founded, was preparing for an IPO at the same time.

Rumors proved true, with a merger between SpaceX and money-losing xAI announced less than a week after the earnings call. However, even before the merger became official, new rumors emerged, this time about a possible merger between Tesla and SpaceX. There's no smoke without a fire, and Musk basically admitted he is considering such a move during the Q2 2026 earnings call.

However, since this merger is between two publicly traded companies, it's not as straightforward to complete as the previous SpaceX-xAI merger. There's also the slight inconvenience that Tesla has a significant manufacturing and R&D footprint in China. This might be a liability for SpaceX, a company that relies on sensitive US defense contracts for most of its money. It's also a liability for Tesla, because China wouldn't want to mix things with a US defense contractor.

This might explain a Wall Street Journal report claiming that Tesla is weighing a spinoff or sale of its Chinese business. Such a move would clean Tesla of suspicions related to its Chinese ties, paving the way for a smooth merger with SpaceX. According to WSJ, Tesla has always designed its Chinese subsidiary to be easily separated from the US business to mitigate geopolitical tensions between China and the US.

Hours after the report was published, Tesla CEO Elon Musk dismissed it as "absurdly fake news." He clarified that the move "has never even come up in a discussion ever." Musk also pointed to one of his favorite themes, saying that people should assume news is fake until proven otherwise. Coming from someone who has consistently spread misinformation on his social media network X, this is amusing.

At the same time, it's impossible not to see that whatever Tesla builds in China, it's not having much impact on its new strategic pivoting. Tesla now sees artificial intelligence and robotics as its core business, and insists that it's no longer a carmaker. Why would it want to keep a mostly-automotive business in China, when it only wants to make robots and autonomous vehicles? Megapack stationary batteries are also not important for Tesla's new strategic shift.

All things considered, I think Tesla should spin off its entire automotive business, not just China operations. This makes sense as Elon Musk no longer sees automotive as Tesla's core business, and the company has basically given up on launching new EV models. This would allow Tesla to focus on its new lines of business, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous driving.

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

By: Aurel Niculescu

The Ingolstadt-based premium German automaker has revealed all the juicy details regarding the all-new, first-ever 2027 Audi Q7 and SQ9 full-size three-row crossover SUVs that are dedicated to America due to their dimensions and technical characteristics.

At long last, and following in the footsteps of the recently-launched third-generation Audi Q7, the Ingolstadt-based premium German automaker has a direct response for the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Land Rover Range Rover, as well as the American foes: Cadillac Escalade, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and the Lincoln Navigator. So, how does the all-new, first-ever Audi Q9 fare against its rivals, including when taking into account the sporty SQ9 version?

First and foremost, it was high time Audi joined BMW and Mercedes-Benz at the top of the crossover SUV range with a proper three-row flagship. The mid-size Audi Q7 still feels cramped in the third row, and the Audi Q8, despite having a higher number, is actually a smaller model.

The company has ample experience with luxury crossover SUVs, as across the Volkswagen Group there are numerous highlights like the Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga, or Lamborghini Urus. Yet none of them presented as true full-size three-row flagships because they still needed to fit a variety of roads, from the humongous boulevards of America to the cramped routes of Rome.

But Audi finally understood that bigger is better, at least as far as North America is concerned. So, although the Audi Q9 is produced in Bratislava, Slovakia, the model’s dimensions are a dedication to the United States: It measures 209.0 inches (5.31 meters) long, 86.8 inches (2.21 meters) wide, and 71.4 inches (1.81) meters tall, with a wheelbase of 123.5 inches (3.14 meters), making it the most spacious Audi to date.

On the outside, the 2027 Audi Q7 and its larger sibling Q9 resemble each other, but nonetheless they’re not the same. Audi has used the same split-headlight setup for the front fascia, but there’s a different treatment for the extra-large singleframe grille. In fact, the SQ9 has a grille that’s more akin to the Q7 and SQ7 than the Q9. There’s also a different bumper, while the profile is mostly the same but elongated.

Around the back, all four Audis have mostly the same taillights, but again you’ll be able to set them apart because of the completely different bumper treatment. Inside, unfortunately, the differences fade away, and the Audi Q7 plus SQ7 along with the Q9 and SQ9 look almost identical, at least as far as the cockpit is concerned where it’s the exact same layout right down to the door cards. Although the CEO promises they’ll make strides inside, it feels like lazy design and cost cutting at its worst.

Of course, Audi won’t put up its models for an inside fight. The 2027 Audi Q7 kicks off at $70,900, and the all-new SQ7 starts from $98,700. Showing how much it depends on a potential comeback in America, Audi has already revealed the starting MSRPs (all sans destination) for the newly launched 2027 Audi Q9 and SQ9, which begin from $87,700 and $118k, respectively.

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

By: Vlad Radu

Though the brand was discontinued in 2010, Pontiac is still alive in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts thanks to the long list of epic cars it built throughout its history.

From full-size models that mixed elegance with performance, to epic muscle cars or America’s first mass-produced mid-engine sports car, the now-defunct GM division has given enthusiasts many memorable rides.

Apart from the iconic production models that thrilled many generations of piston heads, there were also a series of exciting Pontiac concepts. Of those, we’ll remember five classics that continue to be fascinating decades after their unveiling.

Pontiac Bonneville Special

In 1953, Chevrolet unveiled the Corvette, which became the both the brand and GM’s first true production sports car.

A year later, Pontiac followed up with its own take on a GM sports car in the shape of the gorgeous Bonneville Special.

Named after the Bonneville Salt Flats, the place where speed records were broken, the Special was based on the underpinnings of the Corvette, but was far less conservative.

Also designed by the famed Harley J. Earl, the concept received a more aggressive fiberglass body that featured a glass canopy with gullwing doors.

Unlike the original Corvette of 1952, the Bonneville Special was powered by an eight-cylinder, but not a V8. Instead, Pontiac went for a 268-ci (4.4-liter) straight-eight rated at 230 hp.

The concept received rave reviews and had all the right ingredients to make it into production but since GM wanted to focus on the Corvette as its sole sports car, the Special was never seriously considered for production.

Pontiac Firebird ONE

One of the most elegant and jaw dropping concept to ever feature Pontiac badges was actually not built or commissioned by Pontiac but had some ties to General Motors.

The car was built by GM illustrator Dave Crook, who received help from former GM stylist Harry Bradley, who at the time was the top Hot Wheels designer at Mattel.

Crook spent about four years building the car on the backbones of a fully stock, 1970 Firebird.

As you can see in the images above, the Firebird was completely transformed into a lavish grand tourer with intricate modifications, such as a long list of rebuilt body panels, a lowered roof line, and new windows.

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

By: Mircea Panait

Ferrari has never been particularly good at keeping secrets when a limited-production halo model is under development. The automaker can wrap a prototype in sufficient camo to disguise a small apartment building, yet enthusiasts inevitably figure out what's underneath before the company rubber-stamps the final design.

That is exactly what's happening with the open-top variant of the F80, a mid-engine bruiser that remains heavily disguised as of this moment. Building on the coupe's dramatic silhouette, the 2027 Ferrari F80 Aperta features altered buttresses and one reassuringly simple hardtop roof panel. With a bit of luck, prospective customers may also be offered a manually removable canvas-top option.

Regarding timing, it's worth remembering the F80 coupe rolled out in 2024 as the successor of the LaFerrari. Its name celebrates 80 things of all things Ferrari, with 2027 marking eight decades since the 125 S rolled out the Maranello factory gates. That being said, what better way of rejoicing than debuting a hypercar with millions of miles of sky above the driver's head?

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autoevolution's carparzzi had a blast in Maranello this past week, also capturing a 12Cilindri prototype with choice aerodynamic enhancements. The standard model already occupies a unique position within Ferrari's lineup, and the recently introduced faux manual system elevated the 12Cilindri to a thoroughly special grand tourer. Not long now, a performance-oriented specification will join the party.

The focused model spotted testing wears meaningful aerodynamic updates, developed with an emphasis on increased front and rear downforce. Prominent drive planes are complemented by a ducktail-style decklid spoiler. Partially hidden exhaust outlets likely signal redesigned finishers and titanium all the way to keep the curb weight in check.

Based on recently filed trademarks, Ferrari may name this fellow 12Cilindri GTO or 12Cilindri MM. In this particular state, the GTO moniker seems underwhelming, especially when you remember the look of the 812 Competizione and the F12tdf predating it. Whatever it may be called, there is no denying this ain't your usual V12-powered gran turismo.

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BMW's electric Neue Klasse revolution is finally shedding its roof. Spy photographers caught the first prototype of the upcoming i4 Convertible, a model that its maker has codenamed NA3. Twinned with the i3 sedan and wagon on a BEV-centric platform, the 2+2 cruiser is projected to arrive in showrooms worldwide at some point in the second half of 2028.

Filling a void in the market for premium electric cabriolets, the i4 Convertible presents a fair bit of structural challenges. In a battery-electric vehicle, chopping the roof off in favor of a soft-top mechanism requires major changes to the front pillars, sills, and floor structure to boot. Weirdly enough, BMW didn't bother camouflaging the material of the folding roof.

Benefiting from a more vertical front end with slimmer lighting signatures, the first-ever i4 with a canvas top is certain to share plenty of interior and powertrain componentry with the i3 twins. Preliminary info suggests one rear-drive option and three all-wheel-drive versions, of which the M60 xDrive is understood to be the spiciest planned by the Bavarian automaker.

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While official camouflage still hides the i4 Convertible's finest of details, pixel artist Sugar Design has masterfully stripped away the wraps in a series of renderings. The unofficial design study combines the styling cues established by the i3 with the novelties introduced by the aforementioned prototype, giving us our best look yet of the heavily anticipated model.

Uncluttered body surfacing extends along the profile, with the fabric roofline flowing smoothly into the short decklid of the i4 Convertible. At the rear, horizontal taillights echo the signatures of the i3 model family. Sugar Design also gave it BMW Panoramic Vision, specifically a high-definition projection system across the base of the windshield.

Body panels and interior evolve during development, but nevertheless, these renderings perform an important function. Not only do they bridge the gap between spy photography and the real thing, but such CGIs help buyers visualize the car they might be saving money to purchase one day.

By: Bogdan Popa

This has been a rough week in the Android Auto user base, and it’s all because of the app’s questionable reliability. I mean, a bug-ridden experience has always been part of the Android Auto fun, but Gemini not even being able to make phone calls is something else.

The new AI-powered assistant is still in its early days in the Android Auto world, but users are already getting tired of it. It’s worse than Cortana, someone says, and unless you’re 12, you probably heard of Microsoft’s Cortana.

Gemini is struggling even with the most basic functionality, is annoyingly chatty, and above all, sometimes leads to crashes in the middle of the drive.

That’s why installing the all-new Android Auto 17.4 should be a priority. The update is now rolling out through the Google Play Store, but you can use our guide to install it manually and skip the wait.

You’ll also want to install the latest Google Maps update. The search behemoth has resolved the traffic info glitch, which caused the colored lines to no longer appear on the map. This is a server-side patch, but make sure you’re also running the newest app build.

Congratulations for reaching the finish line!

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