What's Going on With Mercedes?

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By: Sergiu Tudose

Mercedes-Benz. One of the world’s biggest and most important automotive brands. They’ve been at it since 1923, rolling out hit after hit after hit. We’re talking nearly a full century of being controversy-free. But then Tesla came around, and COVID happened, and now it’s all gone to hell.

If this was an NBA franchise, everyone would need to be fired. From the president of basketball operations to the general manager, the head coach, coaching staff, trainers, you name it. Then you’d have to trade your star player for draft picks in an attempt to re-build. That’s the only way to wipe the slate clean.

I’m not sure Mercedes needs this thorough of a purge, but as far as I’m concerned, every single one of their decision-makers or employee that has ever said a positive thing about either the EQ brand or new models such as the CLA, C-Class Electric, GLC Electric and this latest AMG GT four-door EV – they need to look themselves in the mirror.

Let’s go back to the 70s. Let’s go back to the 80s, 90s. Even in the 2000s. I mean, maybe you could find one or two models that were controversial in styling, one or two across an entire lineup, but not an entire design philosophy that propagates across the range. That just never happened. Not until everybody started course-correcting and overreacting to electric vehicles, to basically Tesla’s success, trying to catch up.

Everybody just freaked out and began designing these silly-looking futuristic cars that have very little to do with the brand image, and very little continuity to what the brand was already doing – which is why it’s very hard to fall in love with a modern Mercedes or BMW or Audi.

Since we’re here to talk about Mercedes, let’s think for a second about older designs that were considered bold, because you had your usual C-Class, you had your E-Class, S-Class, and even the SUVs. Mercedes never took any huge gambles, huge chances. But when they did, it was something like the original CLS, which is still, I think, one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

It was that first-generation CLS that is directly responsible not only for the continuation of the CLS brand, like the second-gen model or the third gen, but also what we got when Mercedes designed the four-door AMG GT, the original one. Because they didn’t just take the regular coupe while adding two doors and a longer wheelbase. They couldn’t do that. They had to design a whole new car as far as the AMG GT four-door coupe was concerned.

But now we have a brand-new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe EV, and it does not pay tribute to anything. It does not pay tribute to the CLS, and it does not pay tribute to bold Mercedes designs of the past because it doesn’t have that grace to it.

The front end is somewhat derived from the new generation CLA, because it’s got the same design language (which everyone hates). Literally... everyone.

And Mercedes actually had the nerve to say that they’ve gotten nothing but positive feedback on the all-new AMG GT 4-door coupe from industry experts, including journalists. Now, I don’t know any automotive journalists who would approve of a weirdly shaped EV trying to do a vocal impersonation of a V8-powered AMG rocketship – I'm pretty sure they don't exist.

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

By: Alex Oagana

I’ve been following the automotive industry long enough to immediately realize when “ze Germans” are up to something, but I have to admit that when BMW dropped the news about a limited-edition M3 CS with a manual I was just as surprised as everyone, maybe even more.

You see, despite still trying to market itself as the “ultimate driving machine,” the truth is that BMW has been slowly killing off manuals across the lineup for years. I’m not even exaggerating. No matter where you are in the world, go to any official configurator and you will see that there are actually just three remaining BMW models that you can spec with a manual gearbox, the standard M2 and the RWD M3 and M4. Everything else, from the 1 Series to any non-M 3 Series, comes as standard without a clutch medal.

I’m not trying to single-out BMW for doing this, since they aren’t the only mainstream carmaker that no longer offer manual transmissions, and a manual for a daily driver is a terribly uncomfortable idea in the long run anyway. That said, the manual transmission has become such a rare occurrence in cars that it’s even rare in sport cars, especially those that flourish on the racetrack, like an M3 CS.

I can already hear all the naysayers reminding me that an automatic is faster, and of course it is. No matter how much of a good driver you think you are, you will never shift quicker than a computer. And let’s not forget that I’m all for automatic when it comes to daily drivers. But driving on a track isn’t always about shaving tenths on the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

Sometimes, some cars, on some circuits, are simply more rewarding if they give you more control. That mechanical connection you feel with a manual Mazda MX-5 will never be replicated by a presumably faster automatic version. The satisfaction of nailing an heel-and-toe downshift into a hairpin, or that glorious mechanical sound when you perfect hitting third gear without any extra noises cannot be replicated by Porsche PDK, for example, which is why the 992.2 GT3 continues to offer a manual transmission as a no-cost option.

Getting back to the new BMW M3 CS Handschalter, it’s easy to see why it simply screams “U.S. special edition,” because that is exactly what it is. “Handschalter” directly translates to “manual transmission,” and the Munich carmaker has had a long-standing tradition of offering a manual transmission option on its M cars for the North American market. That said, it has never offered a “CS” version with a more than two pedals, which is why the M3 CS Handschalter is truly special.

First, let’s dissect what the M3 CS G80 really is, without all the marketing fluff. In its standard form, it is the lightest, the most track-focused, most powerful, and arguably the most technically accomplished version of the G80 M3. As part of the M3 lineup, it features the M xDrive all-wheel-drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission to provide the best performance possible from its turbocharged inline-six.

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

By: Cristian Agatie

In April, Tesla announced that Dutch authorities (RDW) approved the use of FSD, thus becoming the first European country to allow FSD. The news was hailed by Tesla fans and especially those who bought an HW4 car and paid for FSD upfront. Many thought this would be the beginning of a quick rollout, with other countries falling like domino pieces at Elon Musk's feet. 

Things did not happen as Tesla fans expected, though, with other country regulators taking the time to analyze RDW's documentation. According to Reuters, some of them were spooked by the unusual approach Tesla took, encouraging owners to pressure local authorities to approve FSD as quickly as possible. Regulators in Nordic countries have also expressed concerns that FSD could not be safe on icy roads. 

Despite some reserves, some country regulators indicated that they would fast-track FSD approval based on RDW documentation. Belgium was among them, with the northern region of Flanders setting the tone. Sweden and Denmark weren't so far behind, with strong support for clearing FSD for customer use. However, Greek authorities were actually hoping to be the second EU country to approve FSD. 

Instead, the achievement was marked by Lithuania, a small Baltic country. On May 20, Lithuania's Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration announced that Tesla could launch FSD in the country based on the provisional type approval granted in the Netherlands by RDW. 

Beyond the competition among member states to approve Tesla Full Self-Driving, Lithuanian approval has a unique story. Surprisingly, it wasn't Tesla that pushed for approval, but the local Tesla community. One Tesla owner who goes by the handle u/andriuslink on Reddit was among those who submitted an official request through the government's portal, including documentation from the RDW approval. He also involved local journos to help push the initiative into the mainstream. 

On May 20, he received an email from the Lithuanian Safety Administration, confirming that they reviewed and approved FSD as an exception based on the Netherlands' RDW approval. The approval was actually granted on May 18, but the funny thing was that Tesla wasn't aware of it until May 20.

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

By: Florin Amariei

JD Power’s 2026 U.S. Aftermarket Service Index Study shows car owners now tend to be more careful with spending money, while also desiring rapid repairs. Despite this conflicting wish, the research also reveals that authorized dealerships continue to play an important role in vehicle owners’ lives. Someone, however, is on track to get more business than before unless, of course, something changes sooner rather than later.

For quite some time, dealerships have been under fire for employing all sorts of tricks to get both unsuspecting and experienced customers to spend just a bit more money than they would have wanted.

A few years ago, markups and talks about shortages were the norm. Salespeople exaggerated the reality by telling prospective buyers to “hurry up and buy” before someone else snatched the vehicle they wanted. Some brands were even forced to release public warnings to their dealers about greedy price increases.

Nowadays, the most annoying thing that buyers have to deal with is listening to salespeople pitch financing deals that are often presented as the only way to the lowest negotiated price. They would comfortably discount the vehicle because they knew that the APR would eventually complete the missing revenue.

At the same time, some dealerships are stuck in time and still insist on selling tacky add-ons or charging exorbitant fees.

A long-awaited intervention

Car sales have become so annoying and problematic that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was forced to step in. The institution came up with the CARS rule, which was fast-tracked to policy. Sadly, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) fought it all the way until it got the rule canceled in court based on a missed procedure.

This reality has inspired former dealership employees to launch businesses that put a barrier between the buyer and the salesperson. They negotiate everything for a fee and make sure that all the customer has to do is sign the papers, pay, and take delivery of the vehicle.

But, in some states, even this activity is hindered by carefully written laws. In North Carolina, for example, businesses that do this, such as Delivrd, are considered brokers and must apply for a license, despite the fact that all the owner is doing is talking on the phone with various salespeople about certain cars.

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

By: Mircea Panait

Ferrari's controversial electric vehicle is coming in hot. Scheduled to debut on May 25 in Rome, the Luce is undergoing final testing just outside the Italian automaker's Maranello headquarters. Camouflaged with ridiculous-looking faux body panels, the prototype mimics the boxy shape of the Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase Breadvan.

In stark contrast to the one-off racecar from the 1960s, the Ferrari Luce abandons traditional supercar and gran turismo styling in favor of a fastback-like crossover thingy with four doors. The proportions are locked in, and the setup on the front bumper's air intakes definitely harks back to the F40 we all know and love. From the looks of it, round taillights are on the menu as well.

Gifted with an interior penned by former Apple designer Jony Ive, the most polarizing Fezza since the Purosangue sport utility vehicle uses an 880-volt electrical architecture that includes SK On nickel-manganese-cobalt battery cells and four electric drive units. Total output is estimated at 1,113 mechanical horsepower, and Ferrari also claims a 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) time of 2.5 seconds.

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Much easier on the eyes than Ferrari's very first electric vehicle, the BMW Speedtop is a limited-run special edition with 8 Series underpinnings and the kind of shooting brake styling that would impress even the Breadvan. A production-intent prototype has recently been caught lapping the Nurburgring, and the good news is that BMW has barely changed anything from last year's Speedtop concept.

First shown at the 2025 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the Speedtop builds on the Skytop concept with ultra-elegant proportions and three doors instead of two. The shark-nose front end carries over completely from the Speedtop concept, including the distinct horizontal strakes and illuminated grille.

Further equipped with delicate winglet-style door handles that are seamlessly integrated into the beltline for a clean profile, the rear-biased special edition combines Floating Sunstone Maroon and Floating Sundown Silver paint. Under the hood, you will find an M-developed V8, most likely the non-electrified S63 of the M8 Competition to the detriment of the hybridized S68 of the M5 and XM Label.

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2026 is the year Mercedes and the AMG division go back to V8s. The flat-plane crankshaft M177 Evo of the facelifted S-Class will power a variety of regular and performance models, including an extreme take on the GT Coupe that should revive the Black Series moniker. The CLE 63 is also due, and the Mythos version should be the spiciest of the bunch.

Currently referred to as CLE 63 Mythos, the V8-powered coupe is believed to be a low-volume special edition that appears way more aggressive than any M4 from the current generation. Hearsay suggests close to 650 ponies on tap, yet the centerpiece here is the generously sized rear wing. Larger front bumper intakes and a deeper chin spoiler are featured as well.

Gills on the front fenders, fat wheel arches, more pronounced side skirts, and ultra-sticky rubber also need highlighting. The mad professors in Affalterbach further widened the front and rear tracks, resulting in choice suspension and chassis upgrades. Unfortunately, production could be capped at 30 units globally.

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Moving away from the aging Saveiro, the Volkswagen Tukan is a completely new pickup truck for the German automaker. Intended for South American and only a handful of other markets, the compact-sized workhorse has been masterfully rendered by Brazil's very own Kleber Silva in yellow as a double cab.

Pretty fateful to Volkswagen Brasil's camouflaged prototypes, the rendered pickup ticks all the right boxes for markets where small trucks reign supreme. From a technical standpoint, what matters the most is that Volkswagen Brasil used the MQB A0 platform and a rigid rear axle with leaf springs and drum brakes.

Previewed in 2018 by the Tarok concept, the Tukan gives off Tiguan and T-Roc influences up front. A unibody that sits below the Amarok in the Wolfsburg-based automaker's commercial vehicle lineup, the Tukan is rumored to feature up to three engine options. The most powerful of the lot is anticipated to be the 1.5-liter TSI four-pot turbo with mild-hybrid assistance.

By: Bogdan Popa

The Android Auto craze continues after last week's announcement, as Google continues to fuel the excitement by dropping more tidbits. YouTube will land on Android Auto later this year, and Google has confirmed that only Android 17 users will get this feature. 

The app will only be available while parked, with an audio-only mode to be automatically enabled when you start driving. This is the behavior already available on Android Automotive, and Google promises it'll expand to Android Auto later this year. 

Meanwhile, the first Android Auto 17 version started rolling out, paving the way for the introduction of these major updates. 

The Kia Boys don't care about Android Auto, but they do care about unpatched Kias and Hyundais. That's why they continue to do their thing, mainly because owners don't look interested in securing their cars.  

A 14-year-old boy stole a 50-year-old man's car, running away from the cops and causing a major disruption in his neighborhood. He was released to his parents shortly after being caught by the police.

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