G. David Felt

3 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Exterior was Gemini Nano Banana 2, but then it hallucinated on the third picture and used up my free tokens. ChatGPT did the interior.

Should post them in our AI auto thread.

18 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I think that interior is a little too close to the original HI6, but it's a step in the right direction

Which AI Engine did you use to generate the images?

Best Rebadge of a Tesla Ever!

23 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I really like this!  It would be on my shopping list if it was out now. 

My daughter likes it too and is hoping it is an option in 1 1/2 years when her current Lease is up to replace the Subaru Solterra that she likes but is not willing to hold onto after the lease is up.

24 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

 

This actually does not bother me as I no longer like working on auto's, would rather just have a repair place take care of it or best, hold the dealership accountable.

Not good for the world economy as China has grown without importing.

China’s growth is coming at the rest of the world’s expense

Interesting read

The bright spot for EVs nobody is talking about

What is the Kia EV5 WKNDR?

• A concept that offers modern explorers freedom to transition seamlessly from city to nature
• It has increased ground clearance, extended wheel arches, protective body cladding and all-terrain tires signal off-road intent
• An interior that serves as flexible basecamp, bridging gap between urban convenience and outdoor exploration

This was a challenge to the Kia Design China team to take the EV5 that has just been released and come up with a trim / option package that would give the customers something they currently do not have. A catalyst for adventure from the design team is what created this working concept, taking ease of city use, but then transforming into an off-road weekend adventure mobile.

This stays true to the Kia design language of "Opposites United" in offering a robust but elegant, EV experience that takes one from urban sophistication to rugged adventure, from structured life to ultimate freedom. This is what the EV5 WKNDR delivers in spades. Kia wanted to deliver on some key questions in explaining this possible trim level for the EV5.

What are the concept’s key exterior features?

The exterior of the EV5 WKNDR projects a confident stance, built for adventure. Designed to communicate capability and readiness from every angle, it balances a sense of power with visual lightness.

• Increased ground clearance, extended wheel arches, protective body cladding and all-terrain tires signal its off-road intent.
• Front and rear retractable tow hooks aid in recovery on rough terrain. A panoramic roof rack accommodates traction boards and camping gear, while a side-window pegboard allows for easy tool attachment.
• A model-specific dashing light signature defines the front end alongside a reinterpreted Tiger Nose framed by a functional hood board featuring a built-in action camera to capture adventures from the driver’s perspective. The rear echoes the front, featuring a geometric bumper and gunmetal trim for a robust, capable stance.

What are the concept’s key interior features?

The interior of the EV5 WKNDR acts as a flexible, multi-scenario basecamp thanks to thoughtfully crafted space that bridges the gap between urban convenience and outdoor exploration.

• A slidable display with a modern, flat-art HMI creates a clean, intuitive digital interface.
• The center console is a hub of creativity and practicality, featuring a rotatable armrest with a built-in walkie-talkie cradle for off-grid communication and an anti-insect camping lamp that provides light, scent and sound.
• The modular seats are ventilated, rotatable, and foldable, transforming into footrests or creating extended storage. A detachable jump seat can be taken outside to serve as instant, portable camping seating.
• A rail system in the trunk allows for flexible storage, and the trunk cover itself doubles as a portable table.

What role does CMF play in the Kia EV5 WKNDR?

The EV5 WKNDR’s CMF strategy draws direct inspiration from the outdoors, using sustainable materials designed for durability.

• The exterior color ‘Birch’ mimics the grey-white tones of birch tree bark, adept at concealing off-road marks. The interior ‘Spruce Blue’ evokes the serenity of a dawn forest, accented by ‘Citrus Green’ from outdoor safety gear for visual vitality.
• The cabin uses bio-based PU material derived from corn, offering Nappa leather-like tactility with reduced emissions. 3D knit fabric provides lightweight, breathable and elastic surfaces, combining ruggedness with sustainable functionality.

What are the digital features of the Kia EV5 WKNDR?

The digital interface of the EV5 WKNDR serves as a reliable co-pilot, designed to be helpful, not distracting, while making adventure planning simple and social.

• Key data like battery level, range, and next-turn navigation are presented in a clear, glanceable format.
• The system facilitates group travel, shared routes and camping checklist management, turning a solo trip into a shared social memory.

What is the functionality of the EV5 WKNDR’s trailer?

The concept of spontaneous escape expands exponentially with a detachable trailer system.

• The trailer acts as a customizable mobile basecamp, enabling scenarios like a drone-assisted climbing expedition, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen for sunset gatherings, or a cozy stargazing retreat under the open sky.

How does the EV5 WKNDR reflect Kia’s brand values?

The EV5 WKNDR represents a new chapter for Kia, showcasing an ability to create vehicles that are deeply relevant locally while possessing a spirit with worldwide appeal. The concept enables users to live their lives to the fullest, pursuing the desire for spontaneous freedom and reconnection with nature, which resonates on a global scale.  

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@oldshurst442 I agree with the points you make on engine oil. The story is an interesting one as it also does hit on side notes of the shift to smaller engines. I would agree that the better the oil one uses, the longer the engine will last.

Both my past SS and current Escalade, from the first oil change I have always used Mobil 1 synthetic and never had a problem or the Tick Tick Tick noise that is very common in my generation of Escalades, but that Tick goes away and is never heard when you use Mobile 1, but comes back right away with regular oil.

I grew up in a household where maintenance was impressed on me from my dad and the importance of using quality parts even if they are not OEM. This has always allowed me to have auto's that easily outlast my time with them, 10 to 20 years for me.

R.I.P. I really liked this actor and especially in the Mortal Kombat series of Movies.

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, actor in ‘Mortal Kombat’ and ‘The Man in the High Castle,’ dies at 75

With all the chat here on this socalled good looking guy, I decided to look it up, I barely remember this as it was in and out of the news.

Luigi Mangione is the individual accused of shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024. Thompson was shot from behind as he was leaving an investor conference in Manhattan. Mangione faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder in state court and federal murder charges, which could potentially lead to the death penalty if convicted.

Live updates: Luigi Mangione faces court year after CEO killing – NBC New York

Seems the meeting was canceled about 45 minutes after the folks inside learned that the CEO was murdered.

FACT CHECK: Did UnitedHealthcare Continue It’s Meeting After Learning Their CEO Was Killed?

UnitedHealth Cancels Investor Day After CEO Is Fatally Shot | Kiplinger

While there are many stories about the CEO being a good guy like this:
UnitedHealthcare CEO killing: Investor day attendees shocked after Brian Thompson death | Fortune

While in the same neighborhood, the wife and son lived separate from the Husband and father and there does seem to be questionable things about the CEO life.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Was Separated from Wife at Time of Killing: Report

Interesting read on this murderer.

The Decline, Fall, and Unexpected Veneration of Luigi Mangione

Interesting observation is that this seems to be a partial matte paint job and I have plenty of coworkers who thought the matte paint jobs were cool and only after they bought the auto and read on it, discovered that you cannot run a matte paint job through a touch or touchless auto wash. They have to be hand washed. Paint jobs are terrible when you do not like to do things like hand wash your auto and cannot just run it through a auto wash. One coworker found a place that does hand wash detail jobs for matte paint and so he has resolved himself to pay $200 a month to have his matte painted auto washed and vacuumed. Crazy.

13 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

18 minutes to 80% is pretty good.  That would be what(?) 280 miles?  That would be sufficient to go back home wherever home would be anywhere in the continental united states OF America, ummm...almost.   obviously I'm being sarcastic about the going home anywhere in the us with a gasoline tank of 280 miles.  But I AM being serious in saying that 18 minutes for 280 miles is not detrimental for anybody wanting to buy an EV and using said EV for road trips.  Even if that means traveling from the mid-west to Death Valley...  I'm sure right now in trump's/maga's vision of utopia where charging stations for EVs are wanting to be limited and existing charging stations to be exterminated.  (dramatic statements all around for sure...but just doing it to prove a point that range anxiety was a hoax as far back as even 6 years ago...) 

Agree, as I posted in the Random about the new Rivian Fast Charging station, range concerns are overblown imho. Most times when my wife drives down south or up north to deal with Family, if she forgets to charge at home, she will just do 80% as it is more than enough to get back home. She did one time just a charge to 50%, 9 min and then came home.

The wife has gone from worrying about range anxiety to it is not an issue for her anymore.

She drove the Escalade for the first time in a little over a year and found it so noisy and weird that it just did not move like her EV. Clearly will be an EV driver only.

7 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

 10%-100% giving you almost 320 miles and out of curiosity, how long did it take to charge up? 

 

18 minutes to 80% and 35 total minutes to get the 100%, we were in a Walmart doing shopping, so the extra time did not bother us, that last 20% is the longest time to get charged.

Very cool, January 9th 2026 the reveal will take place in Europe for Kia EV2
|Kia EV2 Teased, to Debut at Brussels Motor Show 2026 - Korean Car Blog

Road trip over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, had to do a single charge up at a ChargePoint station, went from 10% to 100% battery charge for $29.02 giving me a range of almost 320 miles. Overall was pretty cheap I felt for fueling.

Self-driving continues to impress me, with the smart driving assist, it was pretty cool to just tap the turn signal, and the car does the rest for changing lanes. Continue to be impressed with Kia Software.

Currently at 28,081 miles for 5 months shy of 2 years ownership.

Tonight Lexus reveals their all-new sports lineup of autos at 9pm

Save the Date: Live Stream of All-New Sports Models World Premiere on December 5 - Lexus USA Newsroom

1 minute ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I have always liked these, but they are impossible for me to get in and out of. 

 

Yes, as much as I like sports cars like this, they do not fit this, German!  

Thanksgiving gifts can come in many formats, BMW announced over the U.S. Thanksgiving week Holiday the limited production edition of the Z4 M40i roadster. This rare auto will come with the following:

• Exclusive BMW Individual Frozen Black metallic paint.
• Vernasca/Alcantara interior with distinctive red contrast stitching.
• Available with a 6-speed manual or 8-speed Steptronic transmission.
• MSRP of $77,500 plus $1,175 destination and handling.

The BMW Z4 roadster has been thrilling enthusiasts since 2002 that has delivered on a unique combination of purist driving, sporty dynamics, and classic proportions. BMW has decided to end production by building a limited run of the final year 2026 Z4 that will have an exclusive to the Z4 paint job, unique interior accents and commemorative badging.

The BMW Z4 Final Edition will be produced from February to April of 2026 in a single, well-equipped configuration. Customers will only have the one decision to make, 6-speed manual or 8-speed steptronic transmission and the MSRP is already set along with destination fee.

BMW Z4 Final Edition Specification:

BMW has chosen to give the final edition a unique yet unmistakable personality. This starts with the Frozen Black Metallic paint and a contrasting standard Shadowline package that adds high gloss black trim to the mirror caps, kidney grill, lower air intake, air breathers, and exhaust. This also includes a Moonlight Black Soft top and red calipers as a standard M Sport brake.

Every Z4 will be fitted with 19-inch M Dual-Spoke 800M wheels up front and 20-inch wheels in the rear.

Depending on the transmission, each auto will have enhanced suspension that includes electronic control and variable custom software.

The Z4 has gone through many interpretations since it first came to market in 2002 and in 2026 we have the final features of this limited production model.

Z4 Final Edition Features and Equipment

BMW Individual Frozen Black Metallic Paint
Vernasca/Alcantara Leather Interior with Red Contrast Stitching
Black High-Gloss Interior Trim
M Seat Belts
19/20” M Dual-Spoke Bicolor 800M Wheels with Staggered Performance Tires
M Sport Brakes with Red Calipers

Shadowline Package

• Mirror Caps in Black
• Adaptive Full LED Lights
• Extended Shadowline Trim

Driving Assistance Package

• Park Distance Control
• Active Blind Spot Detection
• Speed Limit Info
• Lane Keeping Assistant
• Forward Collision Mitigation

Premium Package

• Ambient Lighting
• Parking Assistant
• Head-Up Display
• Active Park Distance Control with Side Protection

Harman Kardon Surround Sound System
Moonlight Black Soft top

Dealerships are taking orders now.

View full article

3 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Great range, hate the face though. Still too jellybean

Will give them props for moving forward with 800V system and faster charging compared to the old stuff on the lots right now.

My Bitch of the day, trucks like this need to be impounded for being illegal. The tires outside the wheel well, no mud flaps and way too high to be safe to other autos on the road. Sadly due to most states having this as such a low penalty, police ignore it when they should not as those tires especially during fall / winter throw so many rocks and other debris that it can crack and cause all kinds of problems for drivers. On top of this, I have seen these truck owners replace the fog lights with normal driving LED lights to light the road since the normal headlights are too high now and then they end up blinding people.

Totally agree with this article, I do not think the modern small turbo motors will last the way V8 and V6 engines have in the past. Yes, I know not all V6 and V8s have lasted, but I feel the points in this article are pretty spot on.

Downsized, Efficient, But Fragile — Why Today’s Engines May Not Last - Autoblog

Where a couple auto companies have delivered EVs that have surpassed the current industry leader, Mercedes has struggled from the beginning. Their 400V EV start to equal Tesla has not delivered what they thought would be a gold standard for the luxury maker. This has left Mercedes with ending the current EV product line and rebooting their EV dreams that is now a true 800V electrical system, all new EV Platform and a considerable lower starting point for price along with going back to their heritage of current ICE named autos taking a page from Genesis that started with keeping their EVs, ICE and Hybrids all under the same luxury name.

Welcome to the all new 2026 CLA EV.

• Up to 374 miles of range
• Starting price of $47,250
• 800-volt electrical architecture
• 320 kW fast charging
  • 100 miles in 5 minutes
  • 202 miles in 10 minutes

The 2026 CLA EV comes in two trim levels and starts with a bevy of standard features.

Standard Features:

• Next Generation MBUX Infotainment: Powered by MB.OS
• MBUX Profile Identification via Facial Recognition
• Heated Power Front Seats with Four-Way Power Lumbar Support and Memory
• Digital Extras3:
  • Distance Assist DISTRONIC
  • MBUX Navigation with Electric Intelligence (7 yrs)
  • Wireless Smartphone Integration
• Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof
• High Performance LED Headlights
• Blind Spot Assist Plus with Exit Warning
• Lane Keeping Function
• PRE-SAFE
• PRE-SAFE Sound

Exclusive Trim:

• All Standard Features
• Flush-Fitting Power Door Handles
• KEYLESS-GO
• Digital Extra: MB.DRIVE PARKING ASSIST3
• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
• 64-Color Ambient Lighting
• Wireless Smartphone Charging in Front Console
• Rear Seat Armrest w/ Cupholders

Pinnacle Trim:

• All Standard and Exclusive Trim Features
• MBUX Superscreen
• Digital Extras3:
• MB.DRIVE PARKING ASSIST 360
• Digital Vehicle Key
• MBUX Entertainment Package (1 yr)
• LED Intelligent Light System
• Head-Up Display
• HANDS-FREE ACCESS
• KEYLESS-GO Convenience Package
• Power Closing Trunk
• Illuminated Door Sills

Technical Specifications:

The CLA features what Mercedes calls a sporty fastback silhouette that can be enhanced with various options such as flush-mount power door handles or traditional ones. various LED lighting elements. The customer can personalize the exterior with eight exterior colors, optional night package and a variety of 17, 18 and 19 inch wheel designs. There is also the available AMG Line and AMG Line Plus with Night Package, more details to come as release date gets closer.

The CLA Interior also has the same personalization available, via MB-Tex/Microfiber to leather upholsteries, an extensive choice of available open-pore wood, aluminum and natural fiber trim finishes. MBUX Superscreen and an optional Burmester 3D surround sound system with 16 speakers and 850 watts with Dolby Atmos Technology that allows for personalization of sound per profile.

Does this reboot of the Mercedes EV product line deliver over their first attempt?

Further Details will become available at Mercedes December press release of the 2026 CLA that will update this early Mercedes Sneak Peek.

View full article

Scary read as the end of the Feds could happen based on what is going on.

'Big Short' investor breaks decade-long silence with bad news for Trump

Need to impeach now these idiots.

Prosecuting Congress for Stating the Law: An Impeachable Offense | Opinion

OUCH, feel for those looking for work.

Poor hiring data points to US economic weakness

15 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

 

Canada's waterbomber fleet

These guys

Manitoba's fleet is 40 years old

While Quebec's youngest fleet is also at 40 years old while its oldest is 53 years old.  

 

Spain, Greece and France also have the same age range as Quebec's.  The older version which is the CL-215,  is 50 years plus in service for all that use it. They are still flying.  The next gen CL 415 is 30-40 years in service for all fleet users. 

Canadair/Bombardier has sold the license to Viking and they are currently working on updating the airplane. It is called the CL 515.   European users are desperately wanting to replace their fleets.  Deliveries of the new CL 515 is said to be in early 2026. 

With the water bombers, its not just cycles that put pressure on the sheet metal for metal fatigue. Its the weight of the water itself taking off from a lake. But mostly, when the water gets released.  HUGE amounts of pressure stresses  the structure when the water is released and all that weight that is released instantly and is no more.  

True, but in far more socialist countries, I suspect they have far better maintenance than in a capitalist society where profits are key over all else. Yes we have seen plenty of old planes all the way back to WWI that are still flying, but they have been taken care of far better than I think many for profit companies do on maintenance. Just like Ford with the Pinto, was cheaper to take the legal hit over that bomb mobile than to fix the problem from the start.