MotoShift

Audi has completely reimagined the RS5 as a brutal-yet-efficient 639 hp plug-in hybrid, pairing a 2.9‑litre twin‑turbo V6 with an electric motor and Quattro AWD in both sedan and estate forms. It’s no longer just a pure petrol coupe or Sportback.

Now a plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) performance car, available as a sedan and an Avant (estate). System output: 639 hp and 825 Nm, sent to all four wheels via a new‑gen Quattro system. Still uses the 2.9‑litre twin‑turbo EA839 V6 (shared with Porsche), but turned up to 510 hp on its own. Paired with a 130 kW gearbox‑mounted electric motor inside an 8‑speed torque‑converter auto. Combined output is 189 hp more than the old RS5 and a massive 272 hp more than the new S5. Power goes through a new version of Quattro with an electro‑mechanical rear diff for sharper torque distribution.

Uses a 25.9 kWh battery (22 kWh usable) mounted in the boot floor for better weight distribution. Audi claims over 80 km of pure‑EV range when fully charged. AC charging up to 11 kW, with Audi engineers saying it “still feels like an RS” even when you’re driving it in full electric mode.

Debuts a fresh iteration of Quattro AWD with a limited‑slip centre differential. Can send up to 85% of torque to the rear or up to 70% to the front, depending on conditions. ‘Pre‑load’ function keeps the diff partially locked all the time for quicker response when you get on the throttle. Expect a big jump in traction, corner exit punch and confidence on mixed‑grip surfaces versus the old RS5.

Thanks to Audi’s model consolidation, this new RS5 effectively replaces both the RS4 Avant and the old RS5 Sportback/coupe globally. That means: one RS model, two body styles – RS5 sedan and RS5 Avant.

Enthusiast question: do you like this new direction for the RS5 – PHEV, 80 km EV range and 639 hp – or would you still prefer a lighter, simpler pure‑ICE RS?

[Audi RS5, RS5 Sedan, RS5 Avant, RS5 PHEV]

#AudiRS5 #RS5Avant #RS5Sedan

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

3 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 12

MotoShift

Toyota is reportedly developing a twin‑turbo 6.0‑litre V‑12 hybrid for the upcoming Century Coupe, potentially turning it into one of the wildest luxury Toyotas ever with around 800 hp and all‑wheel drive.

Combined output is rumoured to be around 800 hp, with an automatic gearbox and AWD. This would sit above the V8s and V6 hybrids Toyota has been showing recently and take direct aim at ultra‑luxury brands.

The engine is said to be a twin‑turbocharged 6.0‑litre V‑12, developed specifically for the Century brand. Reportedly still under development, with the Century Coupe’s market debut unlikely before 2027.

[Toyota Century, Century Coupe, Century Japan]

#ToyotaCentury #CenturyCoupe

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 12

MotoShift

Ducati has unveiled the Formula 73, a numbered limited‑edition café racer that pays homage to the legendary 750 Super Sport Desmo from 1973, with only 873 units to be sold worldwide.

New Ducati Formula 73 – modern café racer with full retro soul

-> Ducati has revealed the Formula 73, a special, limited‑edition motorcycle that celebrates the iconic 750 Super Sport Desmo and the brand’s rich racing heritage.
-> Limited to just 873 individually numbered units globally, each bike comes with a certificate of authenticity – proper collector territory.

Design & styling – pure 70s race nostalgia

-> Wears a stunning silver and aqua green livery inspired by the original 750 Super Sport Desmo, complete with a gold stripe on the tank referencing the 750 Imola racer.
-> Classic café‑racer silhouette with a sculpted tank, single seat, bar‑end mirrors and wire‑spoke wheels for an old‑school race‑bike stance.
-> Subtle Formula 73 branding and numbered plaque remind you this is not a regular production Ducati.

Engine & performance

-> Underneath the retro bodywork, this is a modern Ducati at heart.
-> Powered by an 803 cc Desmodue L‑twin, air‑cooled engine putting out 73 hp and around 65.2 Nm of torque.
-> 6‑speed gearbox with a hydraulically actuated slipper clutch and Ducati Quick Shift up/down for smoother, sportier shifts.
​ -> Tuned for a blend of usable mid‑range and character rather than outright superbike power, perfect for café‑racer style rides.

Chassis, brakes & electronics

-> Steel trellis frame, 41 mm USD Kayaba fork and Kayaba rear shock with 150 mm travel at both ends.
​ -> 330 mm front disc with radial 4‑piston caliper and 245 mm rear disc, both backed by Bosch Cornering ABS.
​-> Gets modern rider aids: riding modes, power modes, Ducati Traction Control, Bosch Cornering ABS and standard quickshifter.

Features & equipment

-> 4.3‑inch colour TFT display with full LED lighting and DRL.
​ -> Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres on 17‑inch wire‑spoke wheels (120/70 front, 180/55 rear).
​ -> Single‑seat setup, 808 mm seat height, 183 kg wet (without fuel), 14.5‑litre tank.
​ -> Ready for Ducati Multimedia System, heated grips, navigation and anti‑theft accessories.

This one is clearly aimed at enthusiasts who see a bike as a piece of rolling art and heritage.

[Ducati Formula 73, Formula 73, Formula 73 Ducati]

#DucatiFormula73 #Ducati #Formula73

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 13

MotoShift

1 week ago | [YT] | 13

MotoShift

Shelby is back with a 2026 GT350 that lets you do something the new Dark Horse SC won’t: drop the top and row your own gears.

-> Shelby American takes a regular Mustang GT and turns it into a track-focused GT350, offered as both coupe and convertible.

-> It sits alongside Ford’s factory Dark Horse SC as a tuner-built alternative with classic Shelby branding and hardware.

-> Standard GT350 uses the 5.0-litre Coyote V8 with 480 hp, available with a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic – something the DCT-only Dark Horse SC doesn’t offer.

-> Optional 3.0-litre Whipple supercharger bumps output to a wild 810 hp, outgunning even the old GT500 and lining up closely with the new Dark Horse SC in outright shove.

-> Aero: aluminium hood with heat extractor, unique front bumper with larger intakes, blacked-out grille, rear spoiler and available racing stripes.

-> Chassis: track-tuned suspension, upgraded cooling, performance exhaust and lightweight 20-inch forged wheels.

-> Interior: leather upholstery with quilted inserts, Shelby badging, numbered plaque, special shift knob on manuals and an optional roll bar for the convertible.

-> Starting prices crest $121,000 for the mightiest GT350 builds, depending on spec and supercharger.

[2026 GT350 Convertible, Shelby GT350 Convertible, 2026 Shelby GT350 Convertible]

#GT350Convertible #ShelbyGT350 #ShelbyGT350Convertible

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3

1 month ago | [YT] | 11

MotoShift

Ford has unveiled the 2026 Mustang Dark Horse SC, a supercharged V8 monster that effectively takes over from the old Shelby GT500.

-> New top-dog street-legal Mustang (below the GTD) that sits above the standard Dark Horse and steps into the role the GT500 used to play.

-> SC literally stands for supercharged, and this is a track-focused coupe built to bridge the gap between Dark Horse and the crazy GTD.

-> Packs the 5.2-litre “Predator” supercharged V8 from the last GT500 / current GTD, not the regular 5.0 Coyote.

-> Power figures aren’t out yet, but Ford says it’s the most powerful Dark Horse and will sit closer to the GTD’s 815 hp than the regular Dark Horse’s 500 hp – expect comfortably 700+ hp territory.

-> Uses a Tremec 7-speed dual-clutch auto (an evolved version of the GT500 DCT) with a carbon-fibre driveshaft and cooled rear diff.

-> Aggressive aero with a huge vented hood, reworked front bumper, splitter, side skirts, underbody tricks and a big rear wing; Track Pack spec generates about 620 lb of downforce at 180 mph (more than a GT500 with its Track Pack).

-> Massive Brembo brakes, optional carbon-ceramic stoppers, sticky Michelin tyres and available carbon-fibre wheels complete the track-ready hardware.

-> Slots between 500 hp Dark Horse and 815 hp GTD as the “attainable” top-performance Mustang for serious track-day buyers.

-> Pricing and exact power are TBA, but sales start around March with deliveries from summer 2026 in the US.

[2026 Mustang Dark Horse SC, Mustang Dark Horse SC, 2026 Mustang]

#2026MustangDarkHorseSC #MustangDarkHorseSC

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4 5

1 month ago | [YT] | 11

MotoShift

At the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026, Nissan unveiled a refreshed version of the Fairlady Z (Nissan Z) and, most notably, a manual transmission option for the Nissan Z Nismo. The updated Nissan Z, scheduled for release in Japan in the summer of 2026.

The most significant visual update is a revised front grille that replaces the previous boxy design with a sleeker, two-piece opening bisected by a body-colored bar, paying homage to early Z models. This new design contributes to a claimed 3.3% reduction in front lift and 1% decrease in drag. New bi-tone 19-inch wheels and a new paint color, Unryu Green, are also available.

All trims now feature new monotube shock absorbers with larger 45mm pistons for improved responsiveness and ride quality. Braking upgrades are also part of the refresh for both standard and Nismo models.

The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine remains, producing 400 hp in standard trims and 420 hp in the Nismo version. Engine mapping for manual transmission cars is also being adjusted for better responsiveness.

Nissan announced that the new Nismo Z will now have the option of a six-speed manual transmission. The Nismo manual transmission (MT) model was on display at the show and is expected to go on sale in Japan in summer 2026.

[Nissan Z, Updated Nissan Z, Nismo Z, TAS 2026, Tokyo Auto Salon 2026]

#NissanZ #NismoZ #TAS2026 #TokyoAutoSalon2026

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3

1 month ago | [YT] | 13

MotoShift

Toyota Gazoo Racing unveiled the GR Yaris Morizo RR special edition at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon. This limited-run hot hatch, developed with input from Toyota chairman and master driver Akio Toyoda (aka "Morizo"), features race-inspired enhancements and is limited to just 200 units worldwide.

The GR Yaris Morizo RR incorporates lessons learned from TGRR's participation in the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race. It is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine (related to the Lexus LBX Morizo RR unit) paired exclusively with an eight-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission. Power output is around 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

The suspension system has been specifically recalibrated for optimal tire contact on uneven surfaces, inspired by conditions at the Nürburgring. A new "Morizo" drive mode replaces the standard "Gravel" mode, providing a fixed 50:50 front/rear torque split for enhanced driver control. The car features a prominent carbon-fiber rear wing developed using race data, a redesigned front splitter, revised side skirts, and a carbon-fiber hood.

The car is offered in an exclusive "Gravel Khaki" color, with matte bronze alloy wheels and Morizo's signature yellow brake calipers and interior accents. It includes a smaller-diameter, suede-wrapped steering wheel with modified paddle shifters and switch placement based on the GR Yaris Rally2 car. Each car also has an exclusive serial-number plate.

Production is strictly limited to 200 units globally: 100 for the Japanese market and 100 for select European markets.

[GR Yaris Morizo RR, Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR, TAS 2026, Tokyo Auto Salon 2026]

#GRYarisMorizoRR #GRYaris #MorizoRR #TAS2026 #TokyoAutoSalon2026

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4

1 month ago | [YT] | 12

MotoShift

While this may look like a production-ready WRX STI sedan, subaru calls it a concept/prototype.

Details are slim, but we do know that this prototype is powered by the same 2.4-liter boxer engine found in the current WRX. That unit makes 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on the standard WRX. Subaru says the STI Sport is paired to a six-speed manual transmission, and of course, sends power to all four wheels.

We truly hope this comes into production soon.

[WRX STI sport, WRX STI sport concept, WRX STI, TAS 2026, Tokyo Auto Salon 2026]

#WRXSTIsedan #WRXSTI #TokyoAutoSalon2026 #TAS2026

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3

1 month ago | [YT] | 11

MotoShift

Honda unveiled the Civic Type R HRC Concept & the Prelude HRC Concept at Tokyo Auto Salon 2026.

Civic Type R HRC Concept : Based on Civic Type R, which was developed in the pursuit of “ultimate pure sports performance,” the Civic Type R HRC Concept is being developed by incorporating HRC technologies and the expertise of its racing drivers. This HRC-spec concept model offers a further refined “joy of driving” unique to Honda honed at the forefront of racing environments.

Prelude HRC Concept : Honda is currently developing “HRC Performance Parts” for the all-new Prelude, which went on sale in September 2025. HRC Performance Parts are being designed exclusively to enhance the driving performance of the vehicle by leveraging the technologies and expertise amassed through racing activities. The Prelude HRC Concept is a concept model equipped with HRC Performance Parts.

[Honda Civic Type R HRC Concept, Civic Type R HRC Concept, Prelude HRC Concept, Honda Prelude HRC Concept, Tokyo Auto Salon 2026, TAS 2026]

#PreludeHRCConcept #CivicTypeRHRCConcept #TokyoAutoSalon2026 #TAS2026

Skip the Carousel

1 2

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 11