Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

Toyota Turbo Trail Cruiser: A Retro FJ60 With Twin-Turbo Fury

The so-called “baby” Land Cruiser FJ may be stealing the buzz right now, but Toyota’s got something at this year’s SEMA Show that’ll make even die-hard purists sit up straight. Meet the Turbo Trail Cruiser, a restomod concept that takes the squared-off goodness of the 1980s FJ60 and injects it with 21st-century muscle.

At first glance, you’d swear this was just a pristine survivor from the Reagan era—same boxy stance, same halogen eyes, same utilitarian charm. But beneath that vintage sheetmetal lurks something far more sinister: Toyota’s modern 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 i-Force engine, the same heart that powers today’s Tundra.

And no, it’s not electrified—because it doesn’t need to be. With 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, this old-school Land Cruiser packs nearly double the grunt of the original inline-six. It’s refinement and raw power rolled into one turbocharged throwback.

Engineering the Impossible

You can’t just drop a modern twin-turbo V6 into a 40-year-old SUV and call it a day. The crew at Toyota Motorsports Garage went deep into the weeds to make this swap look and feel OEM-perfect.

They designed custom engine mounts, a redesigned oil pan, a dedicated heat exchanger, and a special wiring harness—all so the new mill could fit without hacking up the firewall or altering the FJ’s character. An adapter plate connects the V6 to the original five-speed manual, because purists know: three pedals or bust.

Out back, a bespoke exhaust system delivers a deep, aggressive growl that perfectly matches the truck’s newfound attitude.

Rough-Road Refinement

Underneath, Toyota kept the original ladder-frame chassis, but gave it a subtle 1.5-inch suspension lift and a front shackle reversal to improve articulation. It rides on 35-inch tires mounted on polished beadlock wheels, making it look ready for Moab without losing that showroom-fresh 1980s aesthetic.

And while the hardware has gone through a serious evolution, the bodywork remains gloriously untouched. The chrome trim, the halogen headlights, the upright glass—all preserved in their original analog glory.

Inside, Toyota kept things equally restrained. There’s a JBL audio system and a central touchscreen discreetly integrated into the dash, but otherwise, the cabin still screams old-school adventure wagon.

A Hot Rod With Toyota DNA

Marty Schwerter, Director of Operations at Toyota’s Motorsports Garage, sums it up perfectly:

“The Turbo Trail Cruiser is about showing what happens when Toyota’s modern performance technology is integrated into one of our most iconic classics. It’s a hot-rod approach with Toyota DNA—power, drivability, and reliability in a package that still feels true to the original Land Cruiser.”

That’s exactly what this build delivers: a tasteful fusion of nostalgia and innovation. It’s not trying to reinvent the Land Cruiser—it’s reminding us why we fell in love with it in the first place, only now it’s faster, smoother, and meaner than ever.

The Turbo Trail Cruiser will join more than two dozen other Toyota concepts at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas—including the track-inspired Camry GT-S and the electrified Corolla Cross Hybrid Nasu—but don’t be surprised if this one steals the spotlight.

After all, it’s not every day you see an FJ60 that can outmuscle a Tundra and still look ready to conquer the Outback.

Source: Toyota

NEW CARS

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has never been one to rest on its laurels. Three decades after setting the benchmark for American SUVs, the 2026 model storms in with something entirely new under the hood — a Hurricane.

Yes, that’s the name of Jeep’s all-new 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo, a four-cylinder engine with enough tech and torque to make you rethink everything you thought you knew about small displacement. It’s the headline act of the 2026 Grand Cherokee lineup, a year that also brings updated design touches, a new 12.3-inch infotainment system, and a simplified trim structure designed to make choosing your adventure-ready family hauler a little easier.

A Turbocharged Storm in a Grand Shell

On paper, the Hurricane 4 Turbo looks like the kind of overachiever that belongs under a sports sedan’s hood, not a 4,800-pound SUV. The 2.0-liter inline-four churns out 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, translating to an impressive 162 horsepower per liter—a segment record. That’s enough to tow 6,200 pounds and travel an estimated 529 miles on a single tank, all on regular gas.

The secret sauce is Stellantis’ first high-volume application of Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) technology, a race-inspired combustion trick that ignites fuel in a pre-chamber above each cylinder for a faster, cleaner, and more complete burn. The result? More power, fewer emissions, and a broader torque curve — 90 percent of peak torque is available between 2,600 and 5,600 rpm.

Add in a variable-geometry turbocharger, and the Hurricane 4 promises both snappy low-end response and effortless highway passing power. “We’ve created a force to exceed the high expectations that Grand Cherokee owners have for power and refinement,” said Micky Bly, Stellantis’ head of propulsion engineering.

New Face, Smarter Cabin

Beyond the engine, the Grand Cherokee gets a subtle refresh to keep things looking and feeling contemporary. The iconic seven-slot grille gets a sharper edge, flanked by new headlight designs and updated lower fascia treatments. Out back, the rear bumper and trim have been re-sculpted, while new finishes and three fresh paint shades — Steel Blue, Copper Shino, and Fathom Blue — bring a touch of sophistication to Jeep’s adventure-ready posture.

Inside, the cabin steps up its tech game. The new 12.3-inch infotainment system dominates the dashboard, joined by an available 10.25-inch passenger display and the always-welcome McIntosh 19-speaker premium audio system. Materials and finishes have been elevated across the board, particularly in the upper trims, while features like Active Driving Assist, Night Vision, and a 360-degree camera move the Grand Cherokee closer to luxury SUV territory than ever before.

Simplified Trims, Smarter Choices

Jeep has restructured the lineup for 2026 around three primary trims: Laredo, Limited, and Summit. The idea is simplicity — fewer overlapping configurations, clearer value steps, and more standard equipment where it matters.

The entry-level Laredo Altitude now includes the 12.3-inch infotainment system, premium audio, and Jeep’s Selec-Terrain 4×4 system, a first for the base model. Standard safety tech is expanded, with Traffic Sign Recognition and Intersection Collision Assist now included.

Step up to the Limited, and you’ll find leatherette seating, Silver Silk exterior accents, and a nine-speaker Alpine audio setup. For those wanting a bit more flair, the Limited Reserve and Limited Altitude packages pile on 20-inch wheels, dual-pane sunroofs, ventilated Nappa leather seats, and a digital rearview mirror.

At the top sits the Summit, which leans heavily into premium territory with Palermo leather upholstery, massaging seats, a suede headliner, and the Quadra-Trac II 4×4 system paired with adaptive air suspension. Add in the McIntosh sound system, and you’ve got arguably the most luxurious Jeep this side of a Grand Wagoneer.

L, PHEV, and Trailhawk: Something for Everyone

Jeep hasn’t forgotten families or eco-minded adventurers. The three-row Grand Cherokee L returns with best-in-class second-row legroom and expanded third-row amenities, while the Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid continues to offer a compelling mix of torque and efficiency. The Trailhawk 4xe, in particular, remains the lineup’s off-road king, boasting 470 lb-ft of torque, a best-in-class departure angle, and a 470-mile driving range.

Built in Detroit, Coming Soon

Production of the 2026 Grand Cherokee will continue at Stellantis’ Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson and Mack plants, solidifying its Motor City roots. It’s one of four new Jeep models launching in the second half of 2025, alongside the revamped Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer, and all-electric Recon.

Final Thoughts

The Grand Cherokee has always walked a fine line between ruggedness and refinement. With the introduction of the Hurricane 4 Turbo, Jeep isn’t just threading that needle — it’s redefining what efficiency and power can look like in a midsize SUV.

If the numbers hold true, this isn’t just another engine swap. It’s a statement: Jeep’s most awarded SUV just found a new way to earn that title — with brains, brawn, and a little boost.

Source: Jeep

NEW CARS

Bentley Teases Its First EV — and a New Limited-Production Model — in Upcoming Live Briefing

Bentley is about to lift the silk on its all-electric future. The British luxury automaker has announced a live-streamed presentation straight from its historic Crewe factory — soon to be the production home of Bentley’s first battery-electric vehicle (BEV).

Set for Wednesday, November 5 at 16:30 GMT, the event will feature Chairman and CEO Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser alongside members of the Bentley board. The timing is deliberate: exactly five years since the brand’s original Beyond100 strategy announcement, which charted Bentley’s course toward full electrification and carbon neutrality by 2030.

This new briefing promises more than just PowerPoint slides and corporate platitudes. Expect fresh details on Bentley’s first fully electrified model, described as the world’s first true “Luxury Urban SUV.” That label alone hints at something smaller and more city-focused than the Bentayga, yet every bit as opulent and unmistakably Bentley.

Adding extra intrigue, the Crewe crew also plans to reveal a limited-production new model arriving later this year — though whether that’s a swan song for the W12 or a collector’s edition bridging the combustion and electric eras remains to be seen.

The live event will stream via the Bentley Newsroom, and registered viewers will get access to a live Q&A session following the presentation. If Bentley’s track record of lavish unveilings is any indication, expect the virtual stage to gleam with British polish, electric ambition, and maybe a few surprise nods to the brand’s storied past.

Mark your calendars. The age of silent, effortless Bentley luxury is about to begin — with plenty of voltage and, no doubt, plenty of leather.

Source: Bentley