@cars

Koenigsegg just redefined what's possible in electric motor design by cramming 800 horsepower into a pizza-sized package that weighs only 86 pounds. The Dark Matter e-motor delivers more power than most supercars while being small enough to fit in a backpack, representing the most power-dense automotive electric motor ever created. The breakthrough lies in Koenigsegg's "Raxial Flux" design that combines two different magnetic field configurations into a single motor. While traditional electric motors use either radial or axial flux patterns, Dark Matter blends both technologies to achieve unprecedented power density of over 20 horsepower per kilogram. The motor spins to 8,500 RPM while producing 922 lb-ft of torque through innovative 6-phase power delivery that runs cooler and smoother than conventional 3-phase systems. Nearly the entire motor, including the rotor and stator structures, uses carbon fiber instead of traditional steel laminations. This is the first time carbon fiber has been used for core motor components, reducing weight while maintaining structural integrity under extreme forces. The result weighs less than most motorcycle engines while producing more power than a Lamborghini Huracán. The Dark Matter powers the front axle of Koenigsegg's $1.7 million Gemera hypercar, working alongside a 1,500-horsepower V8 engine to create a 2,300-horsepower hybrid system. However, the motor's compact dimensions and revolutionary design could potentially transform electric vehicle packaging across the industry, proving that massive power doesn't require massive size.

Chevrolet has finally addressed one of the C8 Corvette's most controversial interior features by eliminating the notorious "wall of buttons" in favor of a sleeker, more technologically advanced cockpit for the 2026 model year. The redesigned interior features a completely new three-screen layout: a larger 14-inch digital instrument cluster (up 2 inches), a more generous 12.7-inch central touchscreen (nearly 5 inches larger), and an all-new 6.6-inch display positioned to the left of the steering wheel for displaying performance data. While the exterior remains largely unchanged, the interior transformation brings climate controls to a row of physical buttons below the central screen, opens up the center console with ambient-lit cupholders, and adds practical features like a wireless charging pad and USB-C ports. The infotainment system now features Google Built-in with comprehensive voice controls, allowing drivers to adjust everything from navigation to cabin temperature without taking their hands off the wheel. Chevrolet has also introduced several bold new interior options, including an industry-first asymmetrical color scheme that features Jet Black on the driver's side and Adrenaline Red for the passenger area. Despite all these changes, the Corvette retains its driver-centric focus-just with significantly improved ergonomics and technology integration.

Manny Khoshbin recently revealed the extraordinary maintenance demands of his $4.7 million track-only Bugatti Bolide in a detailed YouTube video. Manny, who took delivery of America's second Bolide early this year, discovered that the car's specialized slick racing tires last just 37 miles before requiring replacement—at a staggering cost of $8,000 per set. The Bolide's extreme performance demands equally extreme care. Its slick tires must be mounted and unmounted three times to create a uniform traction pattern and require preheating to precisely 176°F before use (or 86°F for rain tires). Even when unused, these specialized tires have a limited shelf life—five years for slicks and just three years for rain tires. Fuel consumption is equally dramatic. The Bolide's monstrous quad-turbo W16 engine achieves approximately 3 miles per gallon when driven hard on track. With a 19-gallon tank designed for 110-octane racing fuel, the Bolide's range is limited to about 57 miles—meaning a full tank of fuel will outlast a set of tires. Check out the full video on YouTube for more interesting facts on the Bolide. It's definitely worth the watch👌🏻 📸: @mannykhoshbin | YT

Back in 1988, a modified Corvette called the Callaway "Sledgehammer" hit 254.76 mph, setting a street-legal car speed record that would stand unchallenged for nearly 22 years. It wasn't until 2010 that the Bugatti Veyron finally matched and then surpassed this legendary feat, proving just how ahead of its time the Sledgehammer truly was. John Lingenfelter drove the Sledgehammer at the Transportation Research Center's 7.5-mile oval on October 26, 1988. Reeves Callaway's team had completely reworked a C4 Corvette with an 880-hp twin-turbo 5.7-liter V8. They used a Cosworth crankshaft, forged pistons, and a dry-sump oil system that made 772 lb-ft of torque. The modifications were extensive but smart. They fitted special Goodyear tires rated for 300 mph, added Paul Deutschman's AeroBody kit, and reinforced the chassis. Even with all these changes, the car kept its six-speed manual and weighed only 3,664 pounds. It could still do 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. What makes this impressive is the scale difference. Bugatti spent over a billion dollars and had 50 engineers working on the Veyron. Callaway's small Connecticut shop basically matched that performance in 1988 for a fraction of the cost.

Apple's ambitious plan to take over car dashboards is collapsing as 10 of the original 14 automaker partners have abandoned CarPlay Ultra, leaving only Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, and Porsche still committed to the technology. Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, and Renault officially backed out despite being featured in Apple's splashy 2022 announcement, with a Renault executive bluntly telling Apple "Don't try to hijack our systems." The rebellion reveals a fundamental battle for control over the future of automotive revenue. CarPlay Ultra goes far beyond regular CarPlay by taking over the instrument cluster, climate controls, and core vehicle functions—essentially turning cars into "iPhones with wheels." Automakers realized this would strip away their ability to create unique user experiences and monetize their own software services. With the average American car now nearly 13 years old, automakers face a crisis as people keep vehicles longer and buy new ones less frequently. Their survival strategy depends on charging subscription fees for software features, but CarPlay Ultra would hand that revenue stream directly to Apple while reducing manufacturers to hardware suppliers. Only Aston Martin has actually implemented CarPlay Ultra in production, debuting it on the DBX SUV last month. The luxury brand is betting heavily on the technology, but early adoption by a low-volume manufacturer hardly proves mass market appeal. Modern cars collect immense amounts of information about driving habits, locations, and usage patterns—data that has significant monetary value. Automakers don't want to surrender this goldmine to Apple's ecosystem when they can sell it themselves.

Toyota has officially confirmed that the beloved Supra nameplate will return much sooner than the devastating 17-year hiatus between the fourth and fifth generations, as the current BMW-partnership-based GR Supra concludes its six-year run with the 2026 Final Edition. S peaking to MotorTrend, Toyota North America's Senior Vice President Cooper Ericksen stated "it would be logical that we would have a next-gen Supra," emphasizing that their goal is to create "a gap that is significantly less" than the last one. The current fifth-generation Supra ends production in 2026, marking the conclusion of Toyota's collaboration with BMW, which shared the Z4 platform and inline-six turbo engine. While the 429-horsepower Final Edition represents the ultimate expression of this partnership with only 300 units planned globally, Toyota is already laying groundwork for an all-new sixth-generation that will likely embrace hybrid or electric powertrains to meet environmental mandates.