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Subaru’s 2025 Forester made waves at the Los Angeles Auto Show, revealing a significant update that drew attention, not just for its enhancements but for the controversy it sparked regarding its design resemblance to other well-known off-roaders. While not an entirely new model, the Forester boasts a revamped exterior, a fresh interior, and a promise of hybrid power in the 2026 model year.

The redesigned Forester, with its blockier and more macho appearance, raised eyebrows for its striking similarity to the Toyota RAV4, particularly in the side profile. However, the talk of the town revolves around the Forester’s front end, which echoes the design of Ford’s older fifth-generation Explorer, featuring a large, upright grille and wing-like headlights.

Inside, Subaru maintains its unique identity with an evolved interior design. The highlight is a portrait-layout touchscreen embedded into the dashboard, flanked by vertical heater vents. While analog dials make a return, the familiar rotary dials for climate controls have been replaced with controls embedded in the touchscreen bezel. The base model comes with a 7.0-inch screen, with an optional 11.6-inch display that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Despite its reskin status, the 2025 Forester retains the same 2.5-litre boxer engine and standard all-wheel-drive transmission. Power sees a minor dip to 180hp, while torque experiences a slight increase from 239Nm to 241Nm of torque. The new Forester features a 10% stiffer chassis structure, an electric power steering system from the WRX sports sedan, and updated safety features in the EyeSight driver assist package.

Excitingly, Subaru confirmed the arrival of a hybrid model in 2026, offering a potential alternative for eco-conscious consumers. While details about the hybrid powertrain are yet to be disclosed, Subaru enthusiasts eagerly await further information, expecting a blend of performance and efficiency.

While the 2025 Forester brings design controversies, especially in its resemblance to other SUVs, it ensures a familiar yet enhanced driving experience, maintaining Subaru’s commitment to safety and performance. The anticipation for the hybrid variant adds an extra layer of intrigue for consumers looking toward a greener future.

Alfa Romeo recently introduced the Tributo Italiano special series, a striking tribute to its Italian heritage, available across its entire lineup, including the Tonale, Giulia, and Stelvio models. Serving as the flagship trim, this series showcases meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to top-notch quality.

Stelvio

The key features of the Tributo Italiano series are consistent across the three models, featuring a captivating two-tone livery with a black roof, body-colour body kit, Italian flag accents on the mirror caps, and an elegant interior.

Giulia

Positioned at the pinnacle of their respective ranges, the Giulia, Stelvio, and Tonale Tributo Italiano models are exclusively offered in the three colors of the Italian flag—Alfa Red, Montreal Green, and Banchise White—paired with a sleek black roof. The Tonale variant also offers a retractable glass roof.

Tonale

The exterior enhancements include a front grille with a dark ‘V’ insert, alloy wheels with red Brembo brake calipers, and, for the first time on the Tonale, a lower bodykit, front and rear bumper side inserts, wheel arches, and side skirts in body color. The Tonale stands out further with matte Dark Miron accents, adaptive Full-LED Matrix headlights, and chrome-plated twin tailpipes on the Q4 Plug-In Hybrid version.

Inside, the sporty features continue with black perforated leather sports seats featuring red accents, embroidered front headrests with the special series logo, and red stitching on the dashboard, seats, and door panels. The Tonale Tributo Italiano also boasts a new carbon design dashboard fascia, ambient lighting, and aluminum kick plates.

Ensuring comfort, the models come equipped with dual-zone air conditioning, a heated steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles, ambient lighting, a sophisticated infotainment system, heated front seats, and a premium 14-speaker sound system by Harman Kardon. The Stelvio and Tonale include a handsfree electric tailgate as standard.

In terms of powertrain options, the Stelvio offers a choice between the 280hp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine or the 210hp 2.2-litre Turbo diesel, while the Giulia is available with the 280hp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine. The Tonale offers options such as the 160hp 1.5-litre hybrid engine or the innovative 280hp Q4 Plug-In Hybrid.

Technical specifications include active suspension with electronically controlled damping, ensuring a sporty driving experience. Safety features include Active Blind Spot Assist, Lane Support system, Drowsy Driver Detection, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition, and optional ADAS systems for Level 2 autonomous driving.

The Tributo Italiano special series encapsulates the essence of Alfa Romeo—performance, first-class driving dynamics, cutting-edge technology, and timeless aesthetic appeal.

Prices for Tonale Tributo Italiano start at £44,495 (RM258k) OTR for the MHEV, Giulia Tributo Italiano starts at £48,495 (RM281k) OTR for the 2.0-litre petrol and Stelvio Tributo Italiano is available from £54,095 (RM314k) OTR for the 2.2-litre diesel.

Hyundai has unveiled its all-new 2025 Ioniq 5 N electrified sports car at a pre-show event for AutoMobility LA, showcasing the N brand’s foray into electrification. The Ioniq 5 N is the first all-electric model for the Hyundai N brand, utilising the award-winning Hyundai E-GMP platform for high-performance electric vehicles.

Combining the Electrified-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) with N motorsport technologies, the Ioniq 5 N aims to deliver a thrilling driving experience. It adheres to the three N performance pillars: ‘Corner Rascal,’ ‘Racetrack Capability,’ and ‘Everyday Sportscar.’

The Corner Rascal capabilities of the Ioniq 5 N include structural enhancements to the body-in-white, reinforced motor and battery mounting, and front and rear subframe improvements for lateral rigidity. World Rally Championship-inspired integrated drive axles (IDA) are utilised, and the steering system is strengthened for improved rigidity.

A unique feature is the N Pedal, designed to address the challenges of electric powertrain weight. This intelligent software function provides instant turn-in behavior and enhanced throttle sensitivity, prioritising dynamic cornering over energy efficiency.

The Ioniq 5 N’s electric propulsion system has been improved, featuring an estimated 641hp with N Grin Boost engaged. The thermal management system is designed to resist heat-induced power degradation, and the N Brake Regen enhances braking performance for endurance on the track.

State-of-the-art technology, including N e-shift and N Active Sound+, delivers an engaging shift feeling and immersive driving experience. The exterior design includes performance-enhancing elements, such as contrasting black trim, a wing-type rear spoiler, and aerodynamically tuned features. The available colours are Performance Blue Matte, Abyss Black Pearl, Ecotronic Gray Matte (late availability), Atlas White, and Soultronic Orange Pearl.

Inside, the Ioniq 5 N features N-branded elements, a redesigned N steering wheel, optimised center console for track driving, and N bucket seats with reinforced bolsters. Sustainable materials, including recyclable components and eco-processed leather, contribute to the car’s environmentally conscious design. The interior comes in black with Performance Blue accents.

The Ioniq 5 N represents Hyundai’s commitment to providing electric performance vehicles, with future electrified N models anticipated to follow. The model aims to cater to performance enthusiasts seeking a blend of cutting-edge technology, exhilarating driving dynamics, and everyday usability.

Geely’s latest addition to its electric vehicle lineup, the Zeekr 007 electric mid-size sedan, has made an early appearance, sparking significant interest ahead of its official unveiling at the Guangzhou Auto Show. This sneak peek into the Zeekr 007 offers a comprehensive view of its unique and futuristic design elements.

The standout feature is undoubtedly the “ZEEKR STARGATE” interactive headlights, allowing users to project customised images or text—an innovative and personalised touch. The sedan’s exterior is characterised by a front bumper with a distinctive honeycomb pattern air intake and a sleek, aerodynamically enhanced bonnet.

One of the striking design choices is the absence of traditional door handles. Instead, the Zeekr 007 employs buttons on the B- and C-pillars for a modern and minimalist entry experience. The sedan rides on R20 wheels with 255/40 Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires, blending style with performance.

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There are fast cars and there are really fast cars. Ferrari has announced that its SF90 XX Stradale, a limited-series special based on the SF90 Stradale, has set a new lap record at Fiorano, Ferrari’s private test track. The car clocked a time of 1 minute and 17.309 seconds, making it the fastest lap by a homologated road car. Driven by Raffaele de Simone, Ferrari’s Head of Development Test Driving, the SF90 XX Stradale achieved this feat with lightweight carbon-fibre wheels and Michelin Cup2R tires. The time was 1.4 seconds faster than the original SF90 Stradale equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package and the same tires.

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In response to a persistent concern involving VANOS housing bolts, BMW has announced a recall affecting 155,627 vehicles. This issue harks back to a recall in January 2014, addressing problems with aluminium bolts in the variable valve timing system housing. While the initial recall provided new bolts and an extended warranty, recent developments have prompted BMW to revisit the matter.

Despite the corrective measures taken in 2014, some models that underwent the original recall have experienced a recurrence of problems related to loose or broken VANOS housing bolts. Since April 2023, BMW has been investigating the situation, noting an uptick in warranty claims and consumer complaints. Issues reported by affected models ranged from a no-start condition to emergency mode or stalling.

BMW of North America has processed 620 warranty claims from the extended warranty period but has opted to address the problem with new housing bolts without offering an additional extended warranty this time. The affected lineup includes models such as the Z4 sDrive30i roadster, 328i and 328xi in F30 sedan and F31 wagon configurations, 128i coupe and convertible, and X3 and X5 in xDrive28i and xDrive30i versions.

Owners of the affected models will benefit from a no-cost replacement of the housing bolts, with BMW dealers undertaking the necessary procedures. To ensure transparency and awareness, BMW will send interim and final notification letters to affected owners, outlining the safety risk and the steps involved in the remedy process.

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