Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

2026 Dodge Durango B5 Blue — Because Muscle Never Fades

Dodge is once again dipping its brush into the bucket of nostalgia — and this time, it’s splashing some serious color on the family hauler. The iconic B5 Blue, a hue that defined Mopar muscle through the late ’60s and early ’70s, is roaring back for the 2026 Dodge Durango lineup. It’s the first time in eight years the shade has graced Dodge’s three-row bruiser, and it’s making a statement: family duty doesn’t mean giving up muscle car attitude.

A Heritage Shade for the Family Muscle SUV

The return of B5 Blue isn’t just about paint; it’s about identity. Dodge is leaning hard into its heritage of “High Impact” colors — loud, proud, and impossible to miss. Back in the day, B5 Blue turned heads on icons like the Charger R/T, Coronet, and Plymouth Road Runner. Now, it’s back to do the same on a machine that can tow a boat, haul seven passengers, and still run a quarter mile with a snarl.

“Adding B5 to Durango, the only three-row muscle SUV, powered by a HEMI® V-8 engine in every model, best-in-class towing at every trim, and the ability to seat up to seven, is the perfect blend of bold attitude, family muscle, and unmistakable Dodge DNA,” said Dodge CEO Matt McAlear.

For 2026, the entire Durango range goes all-HEMI, all the time — no turbo-fours or electrified pretenders here. Just raw V-8 grunt, classic Dodge swagger, and a fresh coat of retro firepower.

Customization Gone Wild

If you’re building a Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak, you can now spec it in B5 Blue, joining the newly introduced Green Machine as one of the most eye-catching shades in Dodge’s arsenal. The Jailbreak program, which already offers more than 7 million customization combinations, just got a little more tempting. Think of it as factory chaos with a warranty.

A Color with Pedigree

B5 Blue was one of Dodge’s original “High Impact” paints, alongside other memorable hues like Plum Crazy, Go Mango, and Hellraisin — colors that practically shout horsepower before the engine even starts. First seen on Mopar legends over half a century ago, B5 Blue became synonymous with high performance and American street dominance.

It resurfaced briefly in 2009 with the Dodge Challenger SRT8, and now, it’s back where it belongs — on something loud, fast, and unapologetically Dodge.

Ordering and Pricing

Dealers open the order books for the 2026 Dodge Durango in B5 Blue on November 4, 2025. The color option adds $595 to the MSRP — a small price to pay for a slice of vintage attitude.

Starting August 13, 2025, every 2026 Durango rolls off the line with a HEMI V-8 under the hood, a best-in-class towing capacity, and enough road presence to make other SUVs look like rental cars.

With B5 Blue back in the palette, the Durango continues to blur the line between muscle car and family SUV. It’s a reminder that Dodge isn’t just selling vehicles — it’s selling vibe. And in a world of hybrids and grayscale crossovers, that flash of B5 Blue might just be the boldest color on the road.

Source: Dodge

NEW CARS

2025 Toyota Hilux: The Legend Reloaded (At Last)

The wait is (almost) over for Toyota’s next Hilux — and frankly, it’s about time. After months of grainy spy shots, forum debates, and more leaks than a worn-out radiator hose, Toyota has finally confirmed that the all-new Hilux will make its official debut in Thailand on November 10. To mark the occasion, the automaker dropped a short teaser video, giving us our first official look at the next generation of its iconic midsize pickup.

Sharper Looks, Familiar Bones

Let’s start with what we can see. The 2025 Hilux steps into the spotlight with a leaner, meaner face. Slimmer LED headlights flank a more sculpted hood, while chunkier bumper intakes give the front end a purposeful, almost Tacoma-like stance. A big, bold TOYOTA badge sprawls across the grille — subtlety clearly wasn’t invited to this design meeting.

From the side, the new Hilux keeps its well-known proportions. The dual-cab silhouette, signature sports bar, and muscled fenders remain intact, but the details have evolved. At the rear, the taillights now adopt angular LED graphics that modernize the truck’s backside, complete with a tailgate that features a neat integrated lip spoiler. The teaser truck rides on seven-double-spoke black alloys, because no modern pickup is complete without a set of dark wheels to emphasize its toughness.

Inside Scoop: SUV Vibes Incoming

Toyota hasn’t shown the interior yet, but leaked images have already given away the game. Expect a digital instrument cluster, a freestanding infotainment display, and an angular dashboard design that moves the Hilux closer to SUV territory in both look and feel. Toyota is also said to be improving material quality, which should make life inside feel a little less “contractor at dawn” and a little more “executive off-roader.”

Under the Skin: Old-School Strength with New Tricks

Despite the new face, the next-gen Hilux isn’t jumping to Toyota’s shiny TNGA-F platform — the same architecture that underpins the new Tacoma and Land Cruiser. Instead, it sticks with an updated version of the existing IMV ladder-frame chassis, a tried-and-true setup that’s helped the Hilux earn its bulletproof reputation across deserts, jungles, and job sites worldwide.

Toyota promises reworked suspension tuning and a beefed-up suite of driver aids to help bring the truck up to modern expectations. Translation: it should feel a bit less agricultural and a bit more composed on paved roads.

Powertrain: Diesel Still Rules (for Now)

Under the hood, the familiar 2.8-liter turbodiesel remains the workhorse of choice, now paired with a mild-hybrid system. Output holds steady at around 201 horsepower (204 PS) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque, channeled through an automatic transmission to either two or four wheels.

Don’t expect to see the smaller 2.4-liter diesel or the 2.7-liter gasoline engine hang around much longer — recent filings suggest both are headed for retirement. Down the road, Toyota is expected to roll out hybrid and fully electric variants, ensuring the Hilux can keep its reputation for torque while appealing to the increasingly electrified pickup crowd.

The Competition Heats Up

When it lands, the new Hilux will be marching straight into a battlefield bristling with talent. The Ford Ranger continues to set the benchmark for ride comfort and tech, the Volkswagen Amarok offers Euro flair, and the Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, and Mitsubishi Triton each bring their own loyal followings. Add in newcomers like the Kia Tasman and a growing swarm of Chinese entries, and Toyota’s latest truck will need more than just its legendary name to stay on top.

Coming Soon

We’ll know all the details — pricing, trims, and just how “new” the new Hilux really is — when Toyota pulls the covers off on November 10 in Thailand, where production will continue. One thing’s for sure: after nearly a decade of service from the outgoing model, the world’s favorite pickup is finally getting the reboot it deserves.

Source: Toyota

NEW CARS

Citroën Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision: Micro Mobility Meets the Surf

On the windswept Atlantic coast, where surfboards outnumber sedans and salt air is the local perfume, Citroën is waxing up its adventurous side once again. The French automaker has teamed up with legendary surf brand Rip Curl for the international finals of the Rip Curl GromSearch, a global event spotlighting under-16 surfing prodigies. And this year, Citroën isn’t just sponsoring the event—it’s bringing a concept car that feels right at home on the sand: the Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision.

This pint-sized electric oddball is Citroën’s latest experiment in youth mobility—a colorful, playful, and surprisingly thoughtful mashup of urban EV and surfside lifestyle accessory. It’s equal parts toy and tool, designed for those who live to chase waves, not gas stations.

The Partnership Returns to Shore

The Citroën–Rip Curl connection isn’t new. The partnership dates back to 2016, when the two brands started co-badging special editions of the C4 Cactus and C3 Aircross—compact cars that embodied freedom, creativity, and French eccentricity. Those cars targeted drivers seeking a bit of adventure beyond the boulevard.

This time, though, the collaboration dives deeper. With the Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision, the two companies are tapping into shared values of sustainability, freedom, and fun—all wrapped in a 100-percent electric package that’s accessible from age 14.

“Together, we share the same vision focused on adventure, style, and freedom,” says Xavier Chardon, CEO of Citroën. “The Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision embodies that free spirit while reaffirming our commitment to accessible electric mobility.”

Rip Curl Europe’s president, Mathieu Lefin, echoes that sentiment: “It’s the dream car for young surfers—a project that showcases recycling processes for used wetsuits and our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the service of freedom and adventure.”

A Buggy with a Surfer’s Soul

Think of the Ami Buggy as a cross between a dune buggy and a rolling surf shack. Its purple bodywork, contrasted with a white sunroof and black canvas detailing, gives it a cheerful, sun-faded aesthetic. The white LED light bar perched atop the roof doesn’t just look cool—it’s functional for those early dawn patrol sessions. Inside, Citroën keeps things eco-friendly with seat cushions and mats made from recycled wetsuits, along with storage bins and waterproof compartments designed with sandy gear in mind.

The Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision is full of practical touches that speak the language of surfers. There’s a portable shower and changing mat, a roof rack and side mounts for surfboards, and even a banana pouch that attaches to the steering wheel for on-the-go storage. A waterproof bag for wet gear and a foldable passenger-side storage bin make sure no space goes to waste.

And because Citroën can’t resist a bit of whimsy, the accessories list includes a Citroën x Rip Curl surfboard, an Ami-shaped wax comb, and even a purple Bluetooth speaker that matches the car’s exterior hue.

Electric Freedom for the Next Generation

Underneath the surf-inspired shell, the Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision shares its bones with the regular Citroën Ami, the brand’s quirky two-seat urban EV. The Ami is classified as a quadricycle, meaning it can be driven by teenagers as young as 14 in many European countries—no license required. Its 8-hp electric motor and roughly 45 km/h (28 mph) top speed won’t break any records, but that’s not the point.

This is mobility reimagined: compact, electric, and accessible. During the GromSearch finals near Hossegor, Citroën will supply a fleet of Amis and Buggies for young surfers’ transfers, while also offering public test drives. It’s a clever move—introducing the next generation to electric mobility in a way that feels like freedom, not compromise.

Sustainability, with a Smile

In a world where sustainability messaging often feels clinical, the Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision manages to make eco-consciousness look fun. Floor mats from recycled wetsuits, modular components, and small-scale electric power all underscore a philosophy of light impact and creative reuse.

It’s less about zero emissions bragging rights and more about proving that environmental design can have personality—and purple paint.

A French Wave of Optimism

The Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision isn’t a production car (at least not yet), but Citroën’s track record suggests this concept is more than vaporware. The brand has already experimented with limited runs of the Ami Buggy in France, all of which sold out in minutes. If this Rip Curl edition ever hits the market, expect it to be equally collectible.

Ultimately, this concept feels like a distillation of what Citroën does best: reimagining mobility with charm and purpose. It’s an urban runabout that thinks it’s a beach cruiser, built for a generation that values freedom over horsepower.

So while the Hossegor waves may rise and fall, the spirit behind this little EV endures—a reminder that adventure doesn’t always require an engine roaring at full throttle. Sometimes, it just needs a surfboard, a smile, and a silent ride down to the beach.

The Citroën Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision is a micro-mobility concept with a macro sense of fun. It blends sustainability, design flair, and surfer-friendly functionality into a package that’s as accessible as it is aspirational. If Citroën’s goal was to capture the youthful energy of surfing in an EV, they’ve done it—with a wave and a wink.

Source: Stellantis