Author: News Room

Allow us to introduce the Garage 54 crew. These folks are next-level ridiculous, responsible for making pistons out of plastic, using gas struts from office chairs for suspension components, and putting mechanical legs on a Lada. It’s been a minute since we checked in on their wacky antics, and what did we find? Chainsaws. Lots of them. These are Hüter BS-62 chainsaws, each with a 58cc two-stroke engine making 4.5 horsepower. Multiply that by 16 and you get a 928cc monstrosity that, in theory, should make a combined 72 horsepower. However, after watching the build, we have some concerns about parasitic power loss.…

The oil filter is your engine’s first and most important line of defense. Responsible for—you guessed it—filtering out harmful debris and particles, it plays a vital role in the health of any motor. It turns out what type of oil filter you use is just as important as using one.  The Total Seal Piston Rings YouTube channel put together a fun and scientific analysis comparing an all-metal “screen” wire mesh-type oil filter to a traditional paper-based filter. Using one of its bench-testing V-8s, it pre-mixed iron particles into the oil and ran the engine with both filters. The goal was…

Many consider the Lexus LFA the greatest-sounding car of all time. Its 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V-10 is paired to an exhaust made by Yamaha, specially tuned to evoke the sounds of V-10-powered Formula 1 cars. Changing it in any way would only make it worse, as this video comparison shows.  Supercar Ron on YouTube decided to modify his red LFA with a set of lovely BBS wheels and an unnamed aftermarket exhaust. While we don’t mind the wheels, it’s clear removing Yamaha’s expertly tuned pipes was a mistake. A dyno video published to TikTok with back-to-back clips of the stock…

BMW’s turbocharged four-cylinder engines of the mid-2010s have developed a reputation for unreliability. That reputation comes from a number of different problems, the biggest of which—brittle plastic timing chain guides—caused a failure on this particular engine. The I Do Cars YouTube channel managed to get its hands on a failed N26 four-cylinder for its latest teardown video, giving us an inside look at why so many of these engines fail. The leading theory is BMW’s 15,000-mile oil change interval suggestion, allowing varnish and sludge to build up inside the engine while ruining the plastics and rubber. This engine certainly supports…

Jacking up your car and placing it on jack stands is a time-consuming, menial task. Not everyone has the time or patience, so instead, there are car ramps. Car ramps are exactly what they sound like: Little ramps that you can drive your car onto, allowing for more access to things like the engine. But as this video shows, car ramps are pretty sketchy tools you should use with caution. This comparison test from the Project Farm YouTube channel brings together 11 different car ramps, ranging from $58 all the way to $160 for a pair, to see which performs…

Subaru is launching the limited-run WRX Todoroki in New Zealand.  It has a big rear wing, Recaro seats, Brembo brakes, and WR Blue exterior paint.  Subaru is only make 10 examples.  Subaru launched the current WRX with no intent to offer a high-performance STI model. The automaker has made vague statements about STI’s future, but that hasn’t stopped it from commandeering its design cues for lesser models. The automaker is launching a special WRX in New Zealand that gets a big wing, Recaro seats, and the iconic WR Blue exterior color … but no STI badge. It’s called the WRX…

You’ve seen the news and read the reports—electric vehicle enthusiasm is waning. That means companies are starting to roll back their EV plans as sales drop. What that means for consumers, though, is that you can get a pretty screaming deal on an EV lease right now. Companies like Fiat, Hyundai, Nissan, and VinFast are offering leases on new EVs for under $300, $200, and even under $100 per month, in some cases. Of course, many of them require money down, and some of these deals are only good until the end of the month, but the monthly payments are…

The designs look great. I’ll give them that. Franz von Holzhausen hasn’t lost his touch. But for anyone who was expecting Tesla to settle the countless questions about how it will safely incorporate artificial intelligence into autonomous driving, or implement a robotaxi service that seems to be on the level of Uber or Lyft, or get past the scores of regulatory hurdles that a network of robotic taxis would face, the We, Robot event came up short.  InsideEVs In case you didn’t stay up late for this one, I’ll direct you to the video broadcast of the event (do mind the 52-minute…

Porsche Taycan sales are down 50 percent globally through the first nine months of 2024. Overall global sales for the company are down 7 percent. The 718 Boxster and Cayman—slated to end production next year—are up 10 percent. Porsche announced third-quarter and year-to-date sales so far in 2024, and things aren’t looking good for the Taycan. The company’s flagship EV is down a whopping 50 percent globally—just 14,042 have been sold from January through September. It’s a contributing factor in Porsche posting an overall global sales drop of 7 percent. The decline isn’t solely related to electric power, however. The…

Brembo has acquired suspension manufacturer Öhlins Racing for $405 million. The deal still needs final regulatory approval, which should happen in 2025. If approved, the acquisition will be the largest in Brembo’s history. Brembo and Öhlins Racing just inked a major deal. The iconic brake manufacturer just acquired Öhlins from parent company Tenneco for $405 million, according to a press release from Brembo. Provided the acquisition meets all the regulatory approvals, it will be the largest purchase in Brembo’s history. It will also significantly expand Brembo’s offerings in the automotive performance market. Öhlins Racing is known for performance-focused suspension components…