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Toyota is preparing to reduce its electric vehicle (EV) production goals for next year, revising its original target of producing 1.5 million EVs by 2026 to 1 million. A Toyota spokesperson clarified that this figure isn’t a strict target but rather a guideline aimed at improving the company’s infrastructure and supply chain for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

However, Toyota isn’t alone in reassessing its EV ambitions. Other major automakers like Volvo, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, and Ford have also scaled back their EV production plans.

Recently, Volvo revealed it would no longer aim to be fully electric by 2030. Instead, it plans to retain some hybrid models, targeting 90-100% of its sales to be from fully electric or plug-in hybrids by 2030. Similarly, Porsche announced in July that its goal of achieving 80% EV sales by 2030 depends on market demand and technological advances.

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The latest Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster, dubbed the F5-M, now boasts a gated six-speed manual transmission, a feature that required notable interior changes and aerodynamic updates. To accommodate the new gearbox, Hennessey modified the centre console, replacing the previous vertical air vents with horizontal ones and redesigning the air conditioning controls.

Additionally, the F5-M includes new jet-fighter-inspired toggle switches for the windows, positioned just behind the billet aluminium shift gate and carbon-fibre shifter.

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The 2025 Bentley Flying Spur boasts an impressive new hybrid V8, surpassing the outgoing W-12 engine in power and performance. This hybrid setup, which first appeared in the 2025 Continental GT Speed, is now available in the Flying Spur, marking it as Bentley’s most powerful sedan to date.

Under the hood, the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 hybrid produces 771hp and 1,000Nm of torque, reflecting a 19% horsepower increase and 11% torque improvement over the previous W-12 engine. With these enhancements, the Flying Spur can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.3 seconds, a half-second improvement over its predecessor.

The hybrid system also includes a 25.9-kilowatt-hour battery, providing an additional 187hp and 450Nm of torque. This setup offers 75km of electric driving range (based on the EU cycle), with speeds reaching up to 140km/h. Combined with the V8 engine, the total driving range extends to 828km.

Drivers can optimise performance with four battery-specific modes: Pure EV, Electric Boost, Regenerative Braking, and Charge. In Charge mode, the gas engine not only powers the wheels but also helps recharge the battery. Alternatively, using a Level 2 charger, the battery recharges in two hours and 45 minutes at an 11-kilowatt rate.

Bentley’s Active Chassis system comes standard, featuring an adaptive suspension, all-wheel steering, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, and updated ESC software. The car’s balanced weight distribution—48.3% front and 51.7% rear—further enhances handling.

Visually, the 2025 Flying Spur retains Bentley’s signature style, with subtle updates like a Speed-specific grille and a redesigned front bumper. Buyers can opt for a Styling Specification aero package in carbon fibre or new body-coloured paint, with 101 exterior colours to choose from.

Inside, the Flying Spur sees significant tech upgrades, including a new digital instrument cluster and centre touchscreen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Bentley also introduces the My Bentley App Studio, allowing for third-party app integration for entertainment, navigation, and more.

For audiophiles, the standard 10-speaker, 650-watt system can be upgraded to a 16-speaker, 1,500-watt Bang & Olufsen system or a 19-speaker, 2,200-watt system with Active Bass Transducers in the front seats. Additionally, laminated glass makes the Flying Spur nine decibels quieter than the previous model.

Putrajaya is set to see the rollout of an autonomous electric bus service trial later this year, marking Malaysia’s second such initiative. As reported by NST, this trial, which leverages 5G technology, is part of a collaboration between Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), Ericsson, and local autonomous vehicle developer eMooVit Technology Sdn Bhd.

The partnership stems from a memorandum of understanding signed in May 2024, focusing on testing 5G-enabled technologies in autonomous buses. The trials included in-vehicle 5G public Wi-Fi, real-time remote monitoring, and journey data collection without passengers.

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Cars today are loaded with advanced technology and safety features, but more isn’t always better for buyers. J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study revealed that while some owners appreciate the cutting-edge features in their vehicles, others find them frustrating and difficult to use.

J.D. Power ranks these features using a “problems per 100 vehicles” (PP100) scale. Gesture controls, in particular, received a high 43.4 PP100, with 21% of owners criticising the feature’s lack of functionality, according to a new performance measure introduced in this year’s study. Hands-free driving assistance systems also garnered low scores for usefulness, with even advanced versions struggling to win over drivers.

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Hoonigan, the lifestyle and apparel brand established by the late rally icon Ken Block, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it works to reorganise and manage its heavy debt load. Now part of Wheel Pros, an aftermarket wheel company owned by Clearlake Capital, Hoonigan is looking to eliminate $1.2 billion in debt while raising up to $570 million in new capital to stabilise its financial situation.

Originally created as Ken Block’s personal lifestyle venture, Hoonigan gained widespread recognition through its popular YouTube channel, “The Hoonigans,” boasting over 5.73 million subscribers. After Block’s passing in 2023, the channel saw much of its original talent depart, contributing to significant changes in the brand’s direction.

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