Hello, SpeedBiters! Here's what's on the menu today:

• Range Rover's sleek electric SUV spotted

• Tesla-swapped Ariel Atom track car

• Japan's EV sales plummet 33%

• Jeep Avenger may come to America

• Al-Attiyah’s Dakar charge falters

...and more!

INDUSTRY NEWS

The Acura is bringing back the RSX name after almost 20 years, but as a battery-electric crossover. Production of the RSX, on Honda's own EV platform, is set to begin later this year, with the new model featuring a sporty crossover design and the debut of Honda's new Asimo OS, and expected to slot beneath the current ZDX. [The Drive]

Range Rover's upcoming mid-size electric SUV was caught rocking a sleek new design as it prepares for its official debut. The vehicle will utilize the new EMA platform and is expected to replace the Range Rover Velar, with a launch anticipated in spring 2026. [Electrek]

A Slovenian firm has revealed a new in-wheel electric motor which it claims is the first to be compatible with high-performance brakes, showcasing it in a 1000bhp concept car. Elapse Propulsion Technologies’ thin Sonic 1 motor is designed for both electric and hybrid vehicles, allowing for significant power without compromising brake size, and is set to begin deliveries later this year. [Autocar]

Scout will likely source a critical component from Volkswagen Group for its Terra truck and Traveler SUV as production is set to begin in 2027. The revived brand will feature range-extended models with an engine designed to charge the battery, enhancing their overall range. [Motor1]

The Dacia Bigster is the largest SUV from the Romanian manufacturer to date and features the largest boot in its class at 667 litres, surpassing competitors like the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage. The Bigster offers a choice of two petrol engines and a hybrid system, with a starting price of £24,995, making it the most expensive model in Dacia's lineup. [Car Throttle]

DS design director Thierry Métroz has claimed that the brand is targeting Rolls-Royce and Bentley in an upmarket move. Métroz acknowledges that the shift from the premium segment into a luxury one could take over a decade, as it aims to become “the Louis Vuitton of the automotive industry”. [Autocar]

Toyota will abandon a new naming convention for its future electric vehicles following consumer feedback in Europe, returning to older nameplates instead. Having introduced the “beyond zero” branding of its bZ models with the bZ4X, Toyota will shift back to word-based names starting with the Urban Cruiser which borrows from a previous nameplate. [Autocar]

Jeep plans to launch a Renegade successor in 2027 and is considering bringing the Avenger, a smaller model currently sold in select international markets, to North America. The North American chief, Bob Broderdorf, expressed interest in the Avenger, highlighting its appeal for buyers seeking affordable crossover options. [Carscoops]

Japanese brands have seen huge declines in EV sales domestically, amid an overall 33% drop in battery-electric sales as buyers seem to prefer hybrids. Honda, Nissan, and Toyota all saw falls in EV sales, while foreign brands like BYD, Hyundai, and Tesla all saw gains in the sector. [Carscoops]

Chinese marque Dongfeng’s shared relationships with both Honda and Nissan raises questions about the two marques’ proposed merger. Dongfeng Honda manufactures vehicles like the China-only Honda Ye, while Dongfeng Nissan recently revealed the N7 electric sedan, highlighting the complexities of the relationship between the three brands and the future of their development in China. [InsideEVs]

MOTORSPORT

Jamie Chadwick has been named as the grand marshal of the 63rd running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona and will deliver the "drivers, start your engines" command for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener. While British driver Chadwick hasn’t raced in the series yet, she has been competing in Indy NXT and took a first win at Road America last year. [Sportscar365]

Nasser Al-Attiyah’s hopes of a sixth career victory in the Dakar Rally have been serious dented by a navigation error on Stage 10. Co-driver Edouard Boulanger took responsibility for the error which saw the duo record their worst stage finish of the event in 30th, and the Dacia team now sits 30 minutes behind the leading car in fourth place. [Motorsport​.com]

Yuki Tsunoda faces a fourth new team-mate in two seasons, having beaten his three previous colleagues but still being overlooked for promotion to Red Bull. Tsunoda will be partnered by F1 rookie Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls in 2025, after defeating Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo, and Liam Lawson in all head-to-head comparisons, but lost out to Lawson in the chase for a seat on the senior team. [RacingNews365]

Toyota is hoping that 2024 championship runner-up Elfyn Evans will be buoyed by the addition of two-time champion Kalle Rovanpera in its 2025 World Rally Championship squad. Rovanpera will drive the full season, while eight-time champion Sebastien Ogier will run a partial campaign as Toyota aims to secure both drivers' and manufacturers' titles. [Motorsport​.com]

McLaren won’t be able to take up the services of its new sporting director, Will Courtenay, until 2026 after Red Bull decided to enforce the remainder of his contract. Red Bull had previously agreed to allow its own sporting director Jonathan Wheatley to leave his contract early to start as team principal at Sauber, but McLaren hasn’t been able to secure a similar agreement. [RacingNews365]

FIA single seater director Nikolas Tombazis has revealed where the money for driver fines are being allocated following questions from F1 drivers about the transparency of these funds. The fines collected are distributed across various initiatives, including safety and grassroots motorsport projects, rather than funding private events. [RacingNews365]

The Racing Bulls team has lost a major partner since 2023, as Polish petroleum company Orlen won’t sponsor it for 2025. Orlen, a leading sponsor of former driver Robert Kubica at Williams and then Alfa Romeo, plans to redirect its sponsorship budget towards initiatives aimed at developing young drivers. [RacingNews365]

Alessandro Alunni Bravi is to leave Sauber at the end of January, marking a further separation between Formula 1's current structure and its past under Bernie Ecclestone. Alunni Bravi's career has included roles as a lawyer and journalist, leading to his eventual position within Sauber, where he navigated the complexities of F1's evolving corporate landscape. [Autosport]

FUN STUFF

Kamm Manufaktur has introduced a new Targa variant of the 912c, expanding its lineup of modernized classic sports cars. This model features a lightweight design, a 2.0-litre air-cooled flat-four engine, and customizable options for enhanced driving dynamics. [PistonHeads​.com]

This Ariel Atom track car has undergone a powertrain swap to feature a Tesla motor from an older Model S P85, delivering about 540 horsepower. The vehicle's lightweight design and electric powertrain make it a unique option for enthusiasts looking for speed on the track. [Jalopnik]

Nigerian “Danfo” minibus drivers, nicknamed for the Yoruba word for “flying”, are among the most fearless in the world, with the claim that a Danfo driver can drive any vehicle anywhere thanks to their experiences in the crazy transport system of Lagos. Their habit of stripping naked in response to traffic police stops is part of the reason why the word Danfo has just been added to the Oxford English Dictionary. [The Autopian]

A comprehensively restored Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing will be auctioned at Mecum’s Kissimmee 2025 sale, with no reserve and an estimate as high as $2m. The car, one of just 70 produced for the 1957 model year, has been meticulously maintained after a 1999 restoration, showcasing its original design elements and a well-preserved interior. [Carscoops]

Manthey Racing has developed a tuning kit for the current Porsche 911 GT3 RS which will cost you as much as an entire base 911 Carrera. The kit, available through Porsche, will set you back $116,160 in the USA, but adds significant aerodynamic enhancements and performance tweaks to the already potent GT3 RS model. [Motor1]

The third car jointly created by BMW and Kith broke cover last month with a unique XM concept customized by Ronnie Fieg, limited to 47 units globally. The concept features distinctive design elements such as illuminated side accent strips and a lower stance compared to the special edition, and it is currently on display at BMW South Korea's Driving Center in Incheon. [BMW Blog]

A unique Toyota Sera presented at the Tokyo Auto Salon presents a wilder look at a Honda/Nissan collaboration, with the highly customized vehicle being powered by both a Nissan SR20 and a Honda K20A engine. The “Twin Dragon”, made by Circuit & Dreams CLR in Tochigi, is not currently road legal, but its creators hope to get it road-registered and dream of taking it up Pikes Peak. [Japanese Nostalgic Car]

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