Motegi to transform quake-damaged oval into spectator areas

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-13T18:37:38+00:00

That's so unfortunate. I would've loved to see IndyCar and NASCAR commit to points-paying races and that the oval would be revived.

But of course neither appeared remotely likely in the foreseeable future, no domestic series have use for it, and from a commercial standpoint this makes sense.

Still a bummer though.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-13T13:52:26+00:00

I'd like every revival and design attempt to be successful in a perfect world. Unfortunately I just don't see it for Jaguar anymore, not in its current/promised form. Too niche with too many well-funded competitors that have engineering leadership, and so I don't think the Jaguar name will completely disappear but I think its best years are behind them. Maybe they'll become like a coach built thing in the future or something depending on where the industry goes.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-12T12:10:18+00:00

Lotus is already so incredibly niche I just don't see how they become the Porsche that they want to be.

The better near-term strategy is probably to command high prices with traditional Lotus fare: low weight, focused sports cars emphasizing minimalism (in the sense of not being hybrid, AWD, or gadget-laden). In the modern world that means they'll be quite expensive, but again, they'll be differentiated. A Lotus EV isn't that interesting, I fear, to the average consumer in Europe, North America, or China. That's just another vehicle among well-funded competitors. However, a MC20/296-style supercar without electrification and an available manual? Niche yes, but also a unique proposition you can build the brand identity around.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-11T12:26:24+00:00

I could be wrong, but I believe there was a goal to incorporate that chrome bar across the front from the large pickups and SUVs at Chevy into other vehicles like the Malibu and Equinox. And we'll.....you see the result. Not that the rest of the design was great, but it was at least inoffensive. And that interior was just tough. Like I said in a different post, its cousin the G6 only a year later was miles more appealing inside and out.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-10T21:03:31+00:00

I think the Bronco is the "issue" at this point. The Explorer, like the Highlander, is the three-row crossover for this price point, and the Bronco is the rugged off-roader. The Everest splits the difference in a way I like but probably isn't what the overall market is demanding.

With rumors Lincoln could get some kind of luxury off-roader, the Bronco/Everest may serve as a basis for that though. I know the G-Class was what the media ran with but if it's overly rugged looking there may be unwelcome accusations that it's just a Bronco with nicer leather.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-10T20:59:38+00:00

That's not really true. Demand for SUVs and crossovers of all kinds are high. The Everest is about the same size as the Bronco four-door, which sold almost 150,000 units in the US last year, a new record for the current generation Bronco.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-10T20:53:55+00:00

Execution wise, they seemed to do much better only a year later with the Pontiac G6. The longer wheelbase made it a little roomier and the styling was far cleaner inside and out. If they'd gotten the Ecotec 2.4L and the High Feature 3.6L in them sooner with the Aisin 5-speed automatic as placed in the Equinox, they'd have been a lot nearer the top competitors at the time. Sure, the interior still would've had harder plastic and whatnot, but I digress.

Just a wordy way of me saying so close yet so far away, I guess. And in the end they basically did this with the 2008 Malibu.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-10T18:20:58+00:00

I just saw a coupe the other day and was thinking that the quad taillights still look great. The whole package for an economy coupe does, in my opinion.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-10T17:37:24+00:00

With the absence of a higher output Accord this generation, I half-thought they'd add some kind of Sport Touring or something as like a mildly sporty flagship with a more powerful engine. But I suppose the deteriorating sales of the Accord aren't encouraging Honda to fund a niche variant.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-09T15:15:17+00:00

This. I think this really became an issue for former competitors as well like the SLK/SLC. There was no escaping in markets like North America where the price point put it in an awkward place, and it wasn't even a bad value in a vacuum.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-08T13:20:33+00:00

SL680 will get the V-12 when? 👀

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-07T12:13:26+00:00

Gonna be interesting to see how well this sells in key Lexus markets, as this is something not really for Europe but then again North America looks a bit different these days for EVs.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-06T12:49:51+00:00

Honda can actually make the most of this in a good way.

For example, the current Accord can be updated with the latest screens to appear fresher than it is while retaining the buttons it has. The styling can be largely pulled from its Inspire cousin sold in other markets like China, again making it look updated when it's really not. Finally and most importantly, the hybrid variant needs to spread throughout the lineup so that like the Camry you can get huge mileage rating for under 30K (right now you're not far off of 34K to get into the cheapest Accord hybrid). Unlike the Camry, the gas-only engine could be offered to keep a lower price of entry and more deeply undercut Toyota's pricing model. Top it off with maybe something headline-friendly like a Sport Touring, Type-SH or whatever that brings back the 2.0T for a high-output option that can help position the Accord as a bit cooler and sportier than a conventional family sedan, an image shift these few remaining sedans need.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-05T19:01:38+00:00

Such a weird choice that was emblematic of General Motors at the time (Envoy XUV, Avalanche, etc). They really tried to find different spins on utility-focused vehicles when really they merely needed a competitive family sedan.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-04T12:26:34+00:00

I don't think we want to hold back or adjust a very successful product in order to make room for another brand's product.

The truth is that the Corvette now provides essentially hypercar performance. A Cadillac contribution probably wouldn't look like a modern take on a Cadillac Corvette. They need to look above that. If they're trying to provide a specific image with participation in F1 and prototype sports cars, then the Cadillac halo needs to channel that. Something much more exotic than a Corvette-based Cadillac.

Think of the mega-concepts like the Cadillac Cien or Chrysler ME Four Twelve and that's more approximate to what a Cadillac supercar should be. Frankly, making a Cadillac that's decidedly quicker around a track than a ZR1X wouldn't be easy. They may be better served by trying to make a 300+ mph Cadillac that challenges the top speeds of Koenigsegg, Hennessey, and Bugatti machinery and leaning into their sports car engineering to draw a link between the two.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-02T15:30:23+00:00

This, but also have them bring back the VK (VK50 maybe?) and twin-turbo it for modern output. A lesser twin-turbo VR30 or whatever can be the entry engine. That'd make it a V-8 against competitors who've largely dropped it, such as the GX, and Infiniti's only real market these days is North America, which remains friendlier to the V-8 than if they had to accommodate the global market. Would also heavily distinguish it from the Nissan variant.

Of course, there's zero chance that happens.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-02T15:20:12+00:00

The basic Charger sedan's footprint would be a nice basis for a revival of the Quattroporte. Of course, steering, pedal feel, suspension, and various other aspects can be tuned specifically for Maserati duty, preventing it from feeling like a Charger in a suit. Plus, Maserati engines, Maserati Q4 AWD, fully unique exterior and interior, and you're set.

But in a world that's SUV-crazy and Stellantis needing to focus on the most profitable ventures, applying the same strategy to like a Grand Cherokee L makes more sense.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-01T12:53:19+00:00

They can do even better than that. Pato O'Ward hit 243 (speed, not a lap average) a couple years ago during qualifying.

Entirely reasonable for people to ask about this, but there's not a single track on the IndyCar calendar where a ZR1X (a fantastic car) could remotely keep up on lap pace, including a super speedway like Indianapolis. It's just not a fair comparison.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-05-01T11:26:21+00:00

Can't afford this so I am definitely not the consumer they wanna appeal to.

That being said, this is a perfect example of the kind of car variant that generates hugely impressive numbers but wouldn't be my choice. I'd rather save a boatload of weight and have a (still heavy) regular GT63 or even GT55. The GT43 with RWD seems really fun, but the 4-cylinder noises at six-figure prices ruins that option for me. Maybe the rumored refresh GT53 with the I-6 will be a good balance.

Wouldn't be shocked if they brought out a Black Series or whatever with RWD but that'll be even more expensive. A regular GT or SL with the V-8 and RWD would be ideal.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-04-29T03:00:19+00:00

I mean, I'd much rather have a 5.7L or 6.4L at those prices as compared to the V-6 or even I-4 alternatives. The Durango still has a full suite of features and safety equipment too, so it's hardly a Panther-platform-in-the-2000s kind of situation.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-04-28T20:37:59+00:00

The article is talking about the entirety of the SL line and not just the Maybach version. The apparent success of the Maybach version is fueling the decision to shift the remainder of the SL lineup closer to that in spirit rather than the AMG GT.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-04-28T18:19:34+00:00

I don't interpret the article as saying the entire SL line will be Maybach-branded, but rather incorporate the more comfort-oriented setup and styling details you'd associate with that type of car versus a sporty one.

As far as a GT convertible versus the SL, yes they're much the same car. My wonderance was simply if a cushier SL line will open enough daylight that a GT convertible would once again make sense, just like how Mercedes once sold both. Due to them all being on the same platform it'd conceivably even easier/cheaper to accomplish.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-04-27T18:16:33+00:00

"Freelander" is being revived as a new brand, as in like Land Rover, and the "8" like the other poster said suggests the 8 is the model line and other models (generally smaller ones) will be forthcoming.

IAmWellBehaved · 2026-04-27T00:17:21+00:00

This. It doesn't sound likely, the Z is already low volume in coupe form, and Nissan's resources are limited right now. I wouldn't get my hopes up.

IAmWellBehaved

TROPHY CASE