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Rivian R3X Has Intriguing Performance Potential

2025-01-27T16:44:23+00:00

Last March, Rivian revealed its new midsize platforms that would serve as the basis for the forthcoming R2 and R3 models that are expected to go on sale within the next couple of years.

Unlike the R1S (SUV) and R1T (truck) models, which both have starting prices above $70,000 USD, the R2 and R3 are smaller and will cost a lot less. Rivian says the R2 will be positioned as a midsize SUV, while the R3 is a midsize crossover. To separate the two further, Rivian plans to build a more performance and adventure-oriented version of the R3 known as the R3X. Rivian says it will have, “dynamic abilities both on and off-road”.

As of now, specifics about the R3X are slim, but Rivian said in a statement that a tri-motor setup (two rear motors, one front motor) will be available for R2 / R3 models, and it’s a good bet the R3X will be tri-motor. This is the quickest configuration, with 0-60 mph times under three seconds, according to Rivian.

Other tech highlights all R2 / R3 models will share include 300-plus miles of range, DC fast charging support for both NACS (standard) and CCS (with adapter), and self-driving capability that will leverage 11 cameras, five radars, and greater computational power.

As for when and how much, Rivian says R2 will arrive in the first half of 2026, with R3 and R3X to follow, likely as 2027 models. Pricing for R2 is expected to start at roughly $45,000 USD, with the R3 expected to be lower. Rivian didn’t mention pricing for R3 / R3X, but Car and Driver recently suggested the R3X could be about $10K USD more than the R3, which it pegged at $37,000 USD. If that holds, R3X could start at around $47,000 USD.

Future BMW EV Sports Cars

2025-01-27T17:16:43+00:00

The watchwords for BMW this year, and over the next few years, are Neue Klasse, which begins a new electrified era for the company. In English, it means “New Class” and the German automaker’s plans are big. Really big.

We say big not only because of the sheer number of EVs BMW has planned for the next few years, but because one of the first to arrive will be an all-new 3 Series (i3) EV. A pure electric M3 is expected to follow. The 3 Series and M3 are as core to BMW as it gets, with both models having served as sales and high-performance workhorses for decades. Simply put, they are brand identity cars.

But what will these cars look like? We’re not sure, yet, but Car and Driver recently ran a story on its website that included an illustration of what an M3 EV might look like. Finished in bright yellow, the rendering, complete with big wheels and a performance version of the Neue Klasse face, offers an intriguing performance vision for the future of the M brand. The attached photos from BMW give some indication of how the new i3 will appear.

As for performance, BMW has yet to say anything publicly about an electric M3. Car and Driver said BMW’s M division has been experimenting with “quad-motor” powertrains, as means of separating an M3 EV from M-related models such as the current i4 M50 EV. The site also notes that the i4 makes 282 or 335 horsepower in RWD from, 396 in AWD, and 536 for the M50.

The new i3 and iX3 SUV are expected to be shown in production form by the end of this year, so we probably won’t officially hear about an M3 EV until 2026. But if it’s anything like the i4 M50, it should be highly desirable among enthusiasts.

Cadillac Launches LYRIQ- V

2025-01-27T16:32:32+00:00

If you weren’t sure Cadillac’s vaunted V-Series high-performance sub brand would survive the marque’s shift to electrification, we have good news: it will.

Yes, V-Series will exist in EV form, and Cadillac has revealed the first model: the LYRIQ-V, which is not only the brand’s first pure electric V-Series car, but it is also the fastest Caddy ever.

Powered by dual electric motors and a 102-kWh lithium-ion battery, the LYRIQ-V produces 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft. (680 Nm) of torque with an estimated 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds when Velocity Max is engaged. Velocity Max works in conjunction with the car’s launch control. Cadillac estimates a range of 285 miles.

As one might expect, the LYRIQ-V comes loaded with performance goodies, both inside and out, that set it apart from garden variety LYRIQs.

On the tech front, V-Mode allows drivers to access performance settings via steering wheel button or in the Drive Mode app within the 33-inch LED infotainment touchscreen. The LYRIQ-V also has a Competitive Mode designed for increased agility, and a “multi-layered” sound experience. Cadillac didn’t confirm artificial exhaust sounds, but it’s a strong possibility.

Other features of note include standard Brembo performance front brake calipers, Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance tech, and 22-inch wheels wrapped in standard summer tires. The car will also feature grade-specific trim, including unique lower front fascia, side rocker panels, and available carbon fiber accents. The LYRIQ-V will also come with a Black Crystal Shield, choreographed lighting, and a standard black roof. Its exterior color, Magnus Metal Frost, is exclusive to the LYRIQ-V.

Cabin highlights include a panoramic fixed glass roof, 23-speaker AKG Studio Audio System with Dolby Atmos, 33-inch LED infotainment touchscreen, and a dual-plane Augmented Reality Head Up Display. Special V-Series sill plates, paperwood décor, and available Nappa leather seating are other notable features.

The LYRIQ-V is slated for the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand at launch, with other global markets to follow later. Base MSRP for the U.S. is $79,990. Cadillac didn’t provide an official on-sale date, but said production begins in early 2025 at GM’s Spring Hill plant in Tennessee.

Acura To Bring Back The RSX… Sort Of

2025-01-22T16:41:24+00:00

When the news dropped recently that Acura, Honda’s luxury and performance brand, was bringing the RSX back, it was exciting. After all, it’s a well-known nameplate from the early to mid-2000s as the Integra successor and was popular with tuners and non-tuners alike. When it went away in 2006 after a short one-generation, five-year model run, many hoped it would eventually return.

And finally, after almost 20 years since it left us, the RSX is back. Sort of.

In mid-January, Honda announced the RSX will return to the North American market later this year…. as an EV SUV. That’s right, the RSX is going crossover, and a fully electric one at that. Four doors instead of two, electric motors and a battery pack instead of a K20 paired with a six-speed manual. Another SUV, rather than a sleek and sexy coupe.

In its statement announcing the new RSX EV, Honda said it will be based on the Acura Performance EV Concept first shown at the Pebble Beach Concours last summer. It will also be the first EV developed on Honda’s new in-house EV platform and will run the company’s ASIMO OS operating system, which was revealed at CES in early January. On-road testing, in camouflaged form, has begun and the RSX will be assembled at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio beginning later this year. Additional details, including specs and final design, will presumably dribble out in the coming months.

I’ll go out on a limb here and say that this isn’t the news the enthusiast community was hoping to hear. Whatever the merits the RSX EV may have, tuner appeal likely won’t be among them. And while I am happy to see the Prelude return in coupe form, like it once was, the RSX announcement leaves me a bit cold.

And that’s because cars, especially coupes that had loads of tuner potential, and were popular choices for lapping days at your local track, are being killed off with no replacement. Except, when they are. And when that happens, it’s the name that returns, not the car you remember.

Manufacturers often renew trademarks for discontinued models, not only to keep them away from competitors, but also in case they decide to resurrect them one day. A perfect example of this occurred when Mitsubishi announced in 2017 that the Eclipse name would return, not as a coupe, but instead as the Eclipse Cross, a subcompact SUV. I doubt there was much rejoicing from tuners with that announcement.

And this isn’t a critique of the Eclipse Cross, or the new RSX, or even the current Integra, which bears little resemblance to its iconic ancestors from the 1980s and 90s in both style and substance. These vehicles all have their merits, and in the case of the Integra at least, it’s not an SUV.

No, my quarrel isn’t with these new vehicles per se. It’s the names. The RSX and Eclipse were sport compact cars, and for legions of fans that’s what they always will be. My suggestion to Honda and Mitsubishi and any other manufacturer thinking about bringing back an old name is don’t do it unless its like for like. Give your EV SUV a new name. And let us keep our memories of the old ones.

Ioniq 5 N Drift King Edition Makes Debut

2025-01-21T15:49:56+00:00

If you ever wondered about the drift potential of a 600+ horsepower EV, Hyundai’s high-performance N division has the answer with its Ioniq 5 N Drift King (DK) Editon, which was revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon. Developed in partnership with Keiichi Tsuchiya, aka the Drift King, a professional racing driver who has helped popularize drifting by using it in non-drifting forms of motorsport. His racing resume includes two class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and runner-up in the 2001 All Japan GT Championship. He also made a cameo appearance in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and served as stunt coordinator and stuntman for the film.

As for the Ioniq 5 N DK, it was designed to meet Tsuchiya’s exact specifications. It rides on 21-inch forged wheels, with stopping power coming from 6P Monoblock Brake System, and has lowering springs that have dropped the front and rear by 15 mm. Aero changes include the addition of loads of carbon fiber: front splitter, rear spoiler, side skirt, and rear diffuser. Total downforce has been increased by 205 pounds (93 kg) at speeds of 87 mph (140 km/h).

This is very exciting, but before you rush to your local Hyundai dealer, we have some bad news. The DK Edition will only be available in Japan and Korea. There are no plans to bring it to North America - at least, not yet.

Sixth Gen Honda Prelude Moves Closer To Production

2025-01-20T23:19:59+00:00

As Honda prepares to bring its iconic coupe back into production, some news about the sixth-gen Prelude is starting to dribble out.

While we eagerly await the reveal of more details, particularly horsepower and torque numbers, Honda has shared some specifics regarding the new Prelude, namely that it will have a hybrid-electric, two-motor powertrain. It will also mark the debut of Honda S+ Shift, a new drive mode that Honda says, “will deliver maximum levels of driver engagement, in keeping with the heritage of the Prelude line,” according to a company statement released last December. Honda also says S+ Shift will “further advance” Linear Shift Control, a feature found on other Honda hybrids that mimics the shifting of gears with its continuously variable transmission, which makes it feel like a conventional transmission.

The Prelude first debuted in 1978 and was in continuous production until 2001 when it left the market at the end of its fifth generation.

The new Honda Prelude, which we expect will be a 2026 model, is slated to go on sale across North America by the end of this year.

For more information visit Honda.com

TOM'S DREAM Restoration Service

2025-01-13T22:07:57+00:00

In 2025, the automotive world is embracing nostalgia, and it's not just a trend—it's a full-on movement. With classic cars from the “driver’s era” seeing massive appreciation, outpacing even the S&P 500 in value, restoring iconic JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars has become a growing passion project for many. For anyone unfamiliar with TOM'S Racing (Tachi Oiwa Motor Sport), the Japanese tuning company has long been a trailblazer in the world of high-performance aftermarket parts, particularly for Toyota and Lexus vehicles. But TOM'S Restoration Service is now pushing boundaries even further, and their latest release at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS) is making waves in the automotive community.

TOM'S has already made a name for themselves by offering everything from bespoke tuning parts to limited-edition Lexus models straight from the dealership. But now, they’ve taken a bold step forward: TOM'S Restoration Service has started producing a reproduction chassis for the iconic Toyota models like the AE86, alongside brand-new versions of legendary engines such as the 4A-GEU, 3S-GE, and 2JZ-GTE. Yes, you read that right—brand-new, factory-quality engines and chassis for your dream JDM build. This is not a rebranding of knockoff parts; these are the real deal, built to the same standards as the originals as close as possible, but with the benefit of modern technology and craftsmanship.

For many enthusiasts, this is a game-changer. If you've ever bought a “low-mileage” dream car or engine only to be greeted with hidden rust or unseen damage, you know the frustration all too well. The costs of repairing these cars can quickly outpace their value, especially when the vehicle is already decades old. That's where TOM'S Restoration Service comes in. By offering new, reproduction parts and clean white chassis, they’re giving enthusiasts the opportunity to build their dream car from the ground up—without the headaches of dealing with a worn-out, 20-something-year-old engine or frame. Whether you’re looking to build your dream AE86; or simply restore it to its former glory, TOM'S’ Restoration Service’s new offerings make it possible and easier than ever.

But with this new option to buy or build a car does raise an interesting question: Will the automotive community embrace these reproduction shells, or will they be seen as “replicas” to the hardcore automotive purists? After all, the car enthusiast world has always been divided on the topic of authenticity, with some undoubtedly rejecting the idea of replica parts and reproduction parts on their builds. Just like with wheels, some enthusiasts refuse to run anything that isn’t from the original designer, and would rather not drive their car than be seen on “reps”. The question remains: will TOM'S' offerings be accepted or rejected by the hardcore community? Will the AE86 reproduction shells become the newest “Rep TE37” of the Toyota community?

It’s a debate that will likely continue for years to come. But one thing is for certain: TOM'S is changing the way we think about building our dream cars—and that’s something worth supporting, to keep our seemingly changing, yet simultaneously flourishing hobby alive.

For more info visit TOM'S Restoration Service

For more on the larger discussion about replica parts in the aftermarket world, check out the full debate in The Battle of Authenticity

Industry News - ����ֱ�� is the Tuner's Source for Modified Car Culture since 1999