GT: Garage Talk, Santa Maria, CA (2026)

06/18/2026

Porsche just made its EV more dramatic, and I’m here for it.

The 2027 Taycan adds something electric cars technically do not need, and that may be exactly why it’s interesting.

Read more on GTGarageTalk.com.

06/16/2026

It is finally here, the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado! Evolutionary styling outside, and all-new designs inside. The Silverado isn't just getting bigger screens. It's finally getting some of the upgrades truck-owning families will actually notice.

Chevy's biggest move is the return of V8 leadership with all-new 5.7L and 6.6L V8 engines. While competitors continue to lean heavily into turbocharged six-cylinders, Chevrolet is doubling down on the engines many truck buyers still prefer for towing campers, boats, and family adventures. Ram even admits 40% of pickup truck buyers will leave a brand if a V8 is not offered.

The cabin also receives a major overhaul with a new digital cockpit, improved storage solutions, dual wireless charging, and Silverado's first-ever panoramic sunroof on High Country models. That's the kind of upgrade rear-seat passengers and road-tripping families will appreciate every day.

The one thing I'm curious about? Seat comfort. GM interiors have improved dramatically over the years, but long-distance comfort matters more to families than another screen. We'll reserve judgment until we can spend some time behind the wheel.

Key highlights:
• All-new 5.7L and 6.6L V8 engines
• Enhanced 2.7L TurboMax now paired with a 10-speed automatic
• Duramax 3.0L diesel returns
• New 16.3-inch center touchscreen
• New 12.2-inch digital instrument cluster
• Silverado High Country gets its first panoramic sunroof
• Dual wireless charging available
• Updated Multi-Flex center console
• Super Cruise with hands-free trailering capability
• New ZR2, Trail Boss and Custom Trail Boss off-road models
• More aggressive exterior styling throughout the lineup

For families who use their truck as both a daily driver and weekend adventure machine, the new Silverado appears focused on meaningful improvements rather than just adding more technology for technology's sake.

Would you choose the new V8 Silverado over a Ram Hurricane or Ford EcoBoost?

06/15/2026

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has always occupied a unique space in the SUV world. It has never been the biggest family hauler, nor the most luxurious, nor the most hardcore off-roader. Instead, it has traditionally been the SUV for buyers who wanted a little bit of everything.

That balance is exactly why the return of the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Overland matters. While so many three-row and midsize SUVs continue moving further toward pavement-only duty, Jeep is doubling down on the idea that a family SUV should still be capable of handling a camping trip, a boat launch, a snowy road, or an unpaved trail without breaking a sweat. The Trailhawk brings back the most capable version of the Grand Cherokee, while the Overland continues its role as the refined adventurer for buyers who want premium touches without giving up Jeep's legendary capability.

* 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk:
* New 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo Engine
* 324 Horsepower
* 332 lb-ft of Torque
* 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
* Quadra-Trac II 4x4 System
* Two-Speed Transfer Case
* Selec-Terrain with Rock Mode
* Quadra-Lift Air Suspension
* Electronic Rear Limited-Slip Differential
* 30.5-inch Goodyear Territory All-Terrain Tires
* TrailCam Off-Road Camera
* Six Steel Skid Plates
* Best-in-Class 11.4 Inches of Ground Clearance
* Best-in-Class Approach Angle: 36 Degrees
* Best-in-Class Departure Angle: 30.3 Degrees
* Best-in-Class Towing Capacity: 6,200 Pounds
* Nappa Leather Interior
* 12.3-inch Infotainment Screen
* Signature Red Tow Hooks
* Trail Rated Certification

* 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland:
* Premium Off-Road Focus
* Quadra-Trac II 4x4 System
* Two-Speed Transfer Case
* Class-Exclusive Quadra-Lift Air Suspension
* Semi-Active Damping
* Hill Descent Control
* 360-Degree Camera System with Washer
* 21-inch Machine-Faced Wheels
* Bright Tow Hooks
* Nappa Leather Seating
* Heated & Ventilated Front Seats
* Heated Rear Seats
* Dedicated Off-Road Pages
* Unique Overland Styling

Having owned a Cherokee Trailhawk for nearly a decade, I can appreciate what Jeep is trying to accomplish here. Most owners will never use all of the capability baked into these SUVs, but there's something reassuring about knowing it's there when life calls for it. Whether that's a road trip, a camping weekend, towing a trailer, or simply dealing with rough weather, the Grand Cherokee continues to be one of the few SUVs that genuinely tries to do it all.

06/11/2026

The performance SUV for families is alive and well.

While everyone talks about sports cars and performance sedans, vehicles like the Ford Explorer ST quietly fill a unique niche. They haul kids, groceries, sports equipment, and luggage during the week, then deliver 385 horsepower and genuine driving fun when the road opens up. That combination has made the Explorer ST a hit, growing from 16% of Explorer sales when it launched to nearly 22% of the lineup today.

Now Ford is doubling down with the new 2027 Explorer ST Sinister Package. The blacked-out appearance package was inspired directly by the enthusiast community, many of whom were already modifying their STs with black wheels, dark trim, and custom accents. More importantly, Ford is bringing back the Explorer ST Experience, a complimentary performance driving school for new ST owners. That's a pretty unique proposition in the family SUV segment. Buy the family hauler, then learn how to safely explore its capabilities with professional instructors.

• 3.0L Twin-Turbocharged EcoBoost V6
o 385 Horsepower
• Performance-Oriented Explorer ST Platform
• New Sinister Package
o Fully Blacked-Out Exterior Appearance
o Exclusive Amber LED Daytime Running Lamps
o 21-Inch Gloss Black Aluminum Wheels
o Black Accented ST Sinister Badging
• Complimentary Explorer ST Experience Driving School
o Available to 2026 and 2027 Explorer ST Owners
o One-Day Professional Driving Instruction Program
o Launching Fall 2026
• ST Models Accounted for Nearly 22% of Explorer Sales in 2025
• Orders Open Now
• Arriving at Dealers Later This Year

Ford says this package was built by the community, for the community. Looking at the popularity of performance SUVs and the return of the ST driving school, it's hard to argue with that approach

06/05/2026

The Audi R8 may be gone, but Audi isn’t giving up on halo performance cars.

The all-new Audi Nuvolari is the brand’s most powerful and fastest production vehicle ever, packing a Formula 1-inspired hybrid powertrain with 1,001 horsepower, a screaming 10,000-rpm twin-turbo V8, three electric motors, and a claimed top speed exceeding 217 mph.

For enthusiasts, this is important because it marks Audi’s return to the supercar conversation. Since the R8’s departure, Audi’s performance lineup has largely been defined by RS sedans and SUVs. The Nuvolari changes that, becoming a technological flagship designed to showcase what Audi’s future performance cars could look like.

It also highlights an industry-wide shift. Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, and now Audi are all embracing electrification, not to replace performance, but to enhance it. Audi says Formula 1 directly influenced the Nuvolari’s development, from its active aerodynamics and predictive all-wheel drive system to its hybrid powertrain and energy recovery systems.

The question now becomes whether buyers will embrace a hybrid Audi supercar the same way they embraced the R8.

Key highlights:

* Audi’s first high-performance hybrid supercar
* Most powerful production Audi ever
* 1,001 horsepower (736 kW)
* 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8
* 800 horsepower
* 10,000-rpm redline
* Three electric motors
* 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds
* 0-124 mph (200 km/h) in 6.8 seconds
* Top speed over 217 mph (350 km/h)
* Formula 1-inspired hybrid technology
* Active aerodynamics with DRS-style rear wing
* New quattro Predictive Ride AWD system
* Carbon-fiber body and Audi Space Frame construction
* More than 400 kg (882 lbs.) of downforce in high-downforce mode
* Limited to 499 units worldwide
* Deliveries begin in the first half of 2027

Would you rather have this hybrid Audi supercar or the outgoing V10-powered R8?

06/04/2026

About last night..

We were in Washington along the banks of the Cle Elum River as Ford Motor Company officially unveiled the 2027 Bronco Filson. This is a collaboration the brands claim is “unfailing goods, built wild.”

These brands have been working towards this moment since before the current 6th gen Bronco was unveiled to the world. The end result is the most luxurious and one of the most adventurous and capable Broncos, ever.

• 3.0L Twin Turbo EcoBoost V6
• Standard Sasquatch Package with 35” Tires and Fox Shocks
• Ford Performance Roof Bracing
• Heated and Ventilated Quilted Leather Front Seats
• Heated Outboard Rear Seats
• Filson Designed Removable Storage Bags
• So Much More

Deliveries will begin this fall. Full power and pricing will be revealed closer to the vehicle launch.

06/04/2026

Ford Motor Company didn’t need to update the Bronco.

Sales remain strong enough that Ford executives have openly suggested a traditional mid-cycle refresh isn’t necessary. Yet here we are with one of the most interesting Bronco variants we’ve seen since the SUV returned.

The new Bronco Filson isn’t another Eddie Bauer Edition. Those SUVs mostly sold an image. This one appears to be selling a purpose.

Built in partnership with the legendary outdoor outfitter, the Bronco Filson combines serious off-road hardware with features aimed at people who actually use their vehicles for camping trips, fishing weekends, hunting camps, national park road trips, and backcountry adventures. Think less mall crawler and more premium overlanding rig.

What’s especially interesting is what sits underneath. The Bronco Filson gets the same 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 found in the Bronco Raptor, along with the Sasquatch Package, FOX shocks, front and rear lockers, 35-inch tires, and seven G.O.A.T. Modes. In many ways, this feels like a Raptor Lite, trading extreme desert-running capability for comfort, utility, and long-distance adventure travel.

Bronco Filson Highlights:
* First-ever Ford Bronco Filson Edition
* 3.0L EcoBoost V6
* Bronco Raptor-derived powertrain
* Sasquatch Package Standard
* FOX Internal Bypass Shocks
* Front & Rear Electronic Locking Differentials
* 35-inch Rugged-Terrain Tires
* Seven G.O.A.T. Modes
* Normal
* Eco
* Sport
* Slippery
* Baja
* Off-Road
* Rock Crawl
* Quietest Bronco Cabin Yet
* Nearly 20% Less Wind Noise Than 2021 Bronco
* Ventilated Front Seats
* Heated Rear Seats
* Digital Rearview Mirror
* Power Running Boards
* Filson-inspired Removable Storage Bags
* 12-inch SYNC 4 Infotainment System
* Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
* 360-Degree Camera System
* Standard 5G Connectivity
* Bronco Filson Exclusive First Edition Available

The Bronco has always been about adventure. The Filson may be the first one designed around what adventure actually looks like for most owners.

06/02/2026

The Toyota USA GR Corolla has already earned a reputation as one of the most entertaining performance cars on sale today. Now Toyota is taking things even further with the debut of the 2026 GRMN Corolla, a track-focused evolution developed through endurance racing, Nürburgring testing, and Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda’s personal insistence that a GRMN model must be capable of handling one of the world’s toughest race tracks.

For enthusiasts, this is a big deal. The GRMN badge has historically been reserved for the most extreme versions of Toyota performance cars, and this marks the first time North America will get a GRMN Corolla. Toyota didn’t chase bigger horsepower numbers. Instead, engineers focused on improving torque, grip, aerodynamics, suspension tuning, and reducing weight. The result is a purpose-built driver’s car that sacrifices practicality, including the rear seat, in pursuit of lap times and driver engagement.

2026 Toyota GRMN Corolla Highlights:

* First-ever GRMN Corolla for North America
* Developed through Super Taikyu racing and Nürburgring testing
* 1.6L Turbocharged 3-Cylinder Engine
* 300 Horsepower
* 302 lb-ft of Torque
* GR-FOUR All-Wheel Drive
* 6-Speed Manual Transmission Only
* Close-Ratio Gearbox
* Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Tires
* Exclusive AWD Control Calibration
* Exclusive Steering Calibration
* Intercooler Spray System
* Additional Sub-Radiator
* Carbon Fiber Hood
* Carbon Fiber Front Fenders
* Carbon Fiber Front Side Spoilers
* Adjustable Carbon Fiber Rear Wing
* Matte Bronze Forged Wheels
* Two-Seat Configuration
* 66 Pounds Lighter Than Standard GR Corolla
* GRMN Semi-Bucket Seats
* Morizo Signature Dashboard
* Production Planned Primarily For:
* North America
* Japan
* Australia

Toyota could have simply added more power and called it a day. Instead, they went full Nürburgring special. No rear seat, carbon fiber body panels, track tires, adjustable aero, and a manual transmission. In an era where many performance cars are getting heavier and more digital, the GRMN Corolla feels like a love letter to driving enthusiasts.

06/01/2026

Toyota USA isn’t reinventing the GR86 for 2027, and honestly, that’s probably the smartest thing they could have done.

The GR86 has become one of the last affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports cars on the market, and Toyota is taking a “refine, don’t redesign” approach for 2027. The updates focus on improving the driving experience with revised throttle calibration, smoother shift feel between fourth and fifth gears, expanded safety technology, and new interior treatments. It’s exactly the kind of incremental improvement enthusiasts tend to appreciate.

Perhaps the biggest visual change is the new Thunder exterior color, a solid gray that changes character depending on lighting conditions and does a great job highlighting the GR86’s sculpted bodywork. Inside, Premium models can now be ordered with a new Cockpit Red interior featuring Ultrasuede® and leather accents, while Toyota continues to offer the naturally aspirated formula enthusiasts love: a 228-horsepower boxer engine, rear-wheel drive, and an available six-speed manual transmission.

For those wanting even more capability, the available Performance Package returns with Brembo® brakes and SACHS® dampers. Toyota also continues its motorsports connection by including a complimentary one-year NASA membership and High Performance Driving Event for GR86 buyers. In an era where sports cars are getting heavier, more expensive, and increasingly automated, the GR86 remains refreshingly simple.

2027 Toyota GR86 Highlights:

* Updated throttle calibration for smoother, more linear response
* Improved 5th-to-4th shift feel
* New Thunder exterior color
* New Cockpit Red interior option on Premium grades
* 2.4L Naturally Aspirated Boxer 4-cylinder Engine
* 228 Horsepower
* 184 lb-ft of Torque
* Available 6-speed Manual or 6-speed Automatic Transmission
* Rear-wheel Drive
* Standard Torsen® Limited-slip Differential
* Available Performance Package:
* Brembo® Brakes
* SACHS® Dampers
* Expanded Active Safety Technology
* Improved stereo camera detection range
* Added monocular camera for intersection detection
* Available GR86 and GR86 Premium Grades
* Complimentary 1-year NASA Membership
* Includes one High Performance Driving Event (HPDE)
* Expected in dealerships Summer 2026

05/29/2026

GMC may have missed its moment with this one.

GM just revealed the GMC HUMMER X concepts, a midsize EV pickup and SUV that reimagine the HUMMER idea in a much more daily livable package. These are not production vehicles, but they do raise a big question: Would GMC have had a stronger EV sales case if something like this had arrived before the big EV sales bubble started to cool?

The current HUMMER EV is wild, powerful, and attention-grabbing, but it is also massive, expensive, and not exactly easy to live with every day. These concepts feel different. They still bring the off-road attitude, big tires, serious clearance, and rugged styling, but in a size that would make more sense for families who need something adventurous without committing to a full-size electric beast.

A midsize HUMMER EV SUV or pickup could have given GMC a more approachable halo vehicle, something that still felt special but worked better in driveways, parking lots, school pickup lines, and weekend trips.

Here are the specs GM provided:
GMC HUMMER X SUV Concept
• Wheelbase: 116 inches
• Length: 188.3 inches
• Height: 72.9 inches
• Width: 80 inches
• Approach angle: 44 degrees
• Departure angle: 46 degrees
• Breakover angle: 30.9 degrees
• Ground clearance: 13.2 inches
• Flex Fab percentage: 57%
• Tires: Goodyear 315/75R18, 37-inch outer diameter
• Wheels: 18-inch aluminum wheels with accent inserts

GMC HUMMER X Truck Concept
• Wheelbase: 130.7 inches
• Length: 207.3 inches
• Height: 73.0 inches
• Width: 80 inches
• Approach angle: 41.5 degrees
• Departure angle: 29.7 degrees
• Breakover angle: 24.9 degrees
• Ground clearance: 12.5 inches
• Flex Fab percentage: 57%
• Tires: Goodyear 305/55R22, 35-inch outer diameter
• Wheels: 22-inch aluminum wheels with accent inserts

GM says the HUMMER X concepts are built around reconfigurability, capability, community, and sustainability, with ideas like modular construction, recyclable materials, adaptable displays, underbody protection, Multimatic shocks, and even a connected “HUMMER HUB” with drone scouting.

Would a smaller, more usable HUMMER EV have made more sense than the huge one GMC actually built?

GT: Garage Talk

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