After years of adding technology to make the venerable 5.7 liter HEMI V8 cleaner and more efficient, Ram is making an unusual move for 2027. The Ram 1500 HEMI will lose its 48 volt eTorque mild hybrid system and engine stop start (ESS) system, returning to a simpler time with less electronics. A limited number…
Category Archives: EV
The Ford Bronco EV You Can’t Have
The Ford Bronco has become one of the most recognizable names in the modern off road world, recently outselling the Jeep Wrangler it was designed to imitate. What most people don’t realize about Ford’s modern Bronco is a fully electric version not only exists, but can be had for as little as $32,000. Just not…
Rivian R3X Delayed
When electric automaker Rivian unveiled the next generation of it’s vehicles, the R2, R3, and R3X in March 2024, the company positioned the smaller models as the key to bringing Rivian technology to a much larger audience. The R3X was the performance focused model, combining a compact footprint with serious off road capability and rally…
Ford Confirms Sub-$30,000 Starting Price for Upcoming Fathom Electric Pickup
Ford has confirmed that its forthcoming midsize electric pickup will carry a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $28,350, excluding a $1,595 destination charge. The resulting entry price of $29,945 places the four-door truck just below the $30,000 threshold and positions it as an electric alternative to compact gasoline-powered pickups and crossovers, and as a…
Vantastic :: The Kia PV5 Electric Van Is Coming
The electric #vanlife has finally arrived in Canada, and Kia is leading the charge with one of the most interesting new commercial vehicles to hit the market in years. The all new Kia PV5 is scheduled to reach Canadian dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2026, bringing a purpose built electric cargo van designed from…
BMW and Toyota Are Testing 100% Renewable Gasoline
The North American automotive industry has largely framed the future of vehicle propulsion as a choice between gasoline and electricity. Sadly, diesel sales for light- and medium-duty vehicles took a nosedive as a result of the VW “dieselgate” scandal of 2015 and have never recovered. Now BMW and Toyota are exploring an entirely new path,…
2027 Toyota Tundra Gains Updated Styling, New Technology, and More Accessible Trailhunter Package
Toyota remains the king of long-distance, self-supported vehicle travel in the US and is updating the Tundra for the 2027 model year with revised exterior styling, a new generation of infotainment technology, and an expanded collection of driver-assistance features. The full-size pickup will also gain a Trailhunter package that brings factory-installed overlanding equipment to the…
Scout Motors Revives an American Classic with the Traveler Spirit of ’26 Concept
The Scout was venturing deep into forests, climbing over mountain passes, and adventuring to the far corners of the United States long before overlanding became mainstream. They were simple but dependable and used to ferry fishing boats, to reach remote trails, and to camp. And as outdoor recreation surged in the 1970s, the Scout became…
Jeep Recon EV Finally on Sale
After years of teasers, delays, shifting launch dates, and questions about whether it would ever reach production, the Jeep Recon has finally gone on sale in the United States. Jeep’s first purpose built electric off-road SUV is now available to order, marking a major milestone not only for the brand but also for the future…
EV Automaker Polestar Banned from US Market
EV manufacturer Polestar has been banned from future sales in the United States. Beginning with the 2027 model year, the Swedish electric vehicle manufacturer will no longer be allowed to sell new vehicles in the American market after the United Sates Department of Commerce denied the company authorization under the Connected Vehicle Rule. The decision…
Jaguar Land Rover Considers U.S.-Built Defender Based on Stellantis Platform
The global automotive industry is facing mounting pressure from several directions simultaneously. Manufacturers must contend with intense competition from both established brands and a growing number of Chinese automakers, many of which are entering international markets with competitively priced vehicles and rapidly advancing technology. At the same time, tariffs and shifting trade policies have increased…
Royal Enfield Electric Motorcycle Deliveries Begin
After 125 years of building beautiful, simple, and functional bikes, legendary motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield has officially entered the electric era. After years of anticipation, the company recently began customer deliveries of its first battery-powered motorcycle, the Flying Flea C6. The rollout began in Bengaluru, India, with a city-by-city expansion planned across India before the…
2027 Slate EV Truck Arrives With a Confirmed $24,950 Starting Price
The automotive industry has spent much of the last decade moving steadily upmarket. New vehicles have become larger, more complex, and significantly more expensive, leaving many buyers priced out of the new-truck market. Against that backdrop, startup automaker Slate has officially revealed pricing for its upcoming electric pickup, confirming that the 2027 Slate EV Truck…
GMC Unveils Hummer X Concept
The off-road SUV market has become one of the most fiercely contested segments in the automotive world, and General Motors appears ready to join the fight in a much bigger way. The recently revealed GMC Hummer X concept is clearly targeting directly at the two vehicles that currently dominate the segment: the Jeep Wrangler and…
Chinese Brands Continue Their Push Into Contested “Off-road” Territory
China’s modern automotive industry faces a challenge that has little to do with engineering and everything to do with perception. For decades, Chinese-made products were often associated with low-cost manufacturing, mass production, and inconsistent quality. During that same period, many Western companies shifted production to China in pursuit of lower costs, helping accelerate the development…
Volkswagen Expands the ID. Buzz Lineup for 2027 With New Tourer Camping-oriented Model
Volkswagen has announced the return of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz for the 2027 model year after a brief hiatus in 2026, introducing a revised trim structure and a new camping-focused Tourer variant aimed at buyers seeking a more versatile electric van experience. While the retro-inspired ID. Buzz has already attracted considerable attention for its design…
The Rigs of Overland Expo West 2026
I only had one day to cover Overland Expo West this year, so I had to make it count. Luckily, that day was Friday, historically a quieter time on the grounds of Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff, Arizona, so there was plenty of space and time to wander the parking lots, vendor area, and…
INEOS Fusilier Delayed Until 2028 as Brand Refines Its Compact 4WD Strategy
When INEOS Automotive unveiled the Fusilier in early 2024, the smaller electrified 4WD appeared poised to become a significant step forward for the young manufacturer. Positioned below the Grenadier and Quartermaster, the Fusilier promised to combine the rugged design language and utility-focused philosophy of the brand with a more compact platform and an electrified drivetrain….
Ford’s $30k EV Pickup :: Closer to Reality?
After a recent tour of Chinese EV production facilities, Ford CEO Jim Farley has not been shy about sharing his thoughts on their impact on the global automotive industry. Farley bluntly said Ford can not compete due to the Chinese vehicles’ superior cost advantage, technology, and government subsidies. Farley went on to warn that letting…
KTM Expands Its Electric Off-Road Lineup with the 2027 Freeride E
Last week, a short video circulated of two riders celebrating the completion of their overland builds by spinning up their electric dirt bikes on front-mounted trays bolted to their trucks. It was a slightly absurd moment, but also a revealing one. Electric bikes are increasingly finding their way onto overland vehicles, not as novelties, but…