Hennessey unveiled the new Hennessey Blackbird, a hypercar distinguished by its naturally aspirated V8 engine, rear-wheel drive, manual transmission, and lack of dashboard screens. This model is intended to replace the Hennessey Venom F5, which was equipped with a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V8 capable of exceeding 2,000 hp in the Evolution version.
Instead of focusing solely on raw power, Hennessey opted to prioritize the driving experience. The Blackbird, named after the SR-71 Blackbird fighter jet, utilizes an atmospheric V8 engine developed by Ilmor Engineering. This engine, based on the Chevrolet V8, has 6.2 liters and is expected to produce between 800 hp and 850 hp, with a rotational capacity exceeding 9,000 rpm.
The vehicle's specifications include 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 2.5 seconds and a top speed above 350 km/h. The company emphasizes weight reduction, aiming to keep the car under 1,360 kg, using a monocoque and carbon fiber panels. The chassis will be equipped with adaptive dampers, traction control, and ABS brakes, without other electronic aids.
The design reflects aeronautical inspiration, featuring active vertical stabilizers that rise at 114 km/h and four exhaust outlets styled after the Bell X-1. Internally, the goal was to create an analog and classic atmosphere, eliminating screens in favor of a large central tachometer, exposed manual gearbox, and physical ignition key. Connectivity is managed by the Hennessey Holster, a smartphone holder serving as the multimedia center.
Blackbird production is extremely limited, with only 71 units planned for 2029 and 2030, and each will cost US$ 2.5 million before options. Hennessey reported that more than two-thirds of this batch have already been reserved.
In the Brazilian market, July recorded the sale of 265,148 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, representing a 2.1% increase compared to the previous month. Although monthly volume grew, the sales pace slowed down, partly because July had two more business days than June.
The Fiat Strada led the ranking with 14,912 units sold, followed by the Volkswagen Polo (10,340) and Volkswagen Tera (10,165). Chevrolet Onix and Fiat Argo completed the top five. However, the scenario changes drastically when considering only retail sales, as fleet operators and rental companies account for almost half of the total market.
The top five were significantly dependent on fleet or rental sales: 74.4% of Strada registrations, 66.1% of the Polo, 56% of the Tera, 61.1% of the Onix, and 75.5% of the Argo went to this sector. In the second half of the top 10, there were three electric vehicles: BYD Dolphin Mini, Dolphin, and Geely EX2, which sell predominantly in retail.
Among urban SUVs, Chinese models gained prominence; the GWM Haval H6 entered the retail top 10 with over 5,500 units, the BYD Song Pro reached 4,158, and the Jaecoo 7 had 3,061 registrations. Together, these Chinese brands accounted for about 23% of the Brazilian market in July, their highest monthly share to date.
In compact SUVs, the Volkswagen T-Cross maintained the lead with 7,070 units, followed by the Hyundai Creta (5,880), Chevrolet Tracker (5,582), and Toyota Yaris Cross (5,036). Toyota's launch is already positioned ahead of established models such as the Fiat Fastback, Jeep Compass, Honda HR-V, Volkswagen Nivus, and Corolla Cross.
In mid-size pickup trucks, there was a fierce competition, with the Ford Ranger finishing July with 3,402 units, surpassing the Toyota Hilux, which registered 3,369. In mid-size sedans, the Corolla also achieved a narrow victory, with 1,666 units against 1,605 from the BYD King.
Ram introduced the new 1500 Big Horn in Brazil, which now serves as the entry-level version of the 1500 line. With a price of R$ 449,990, it is positioned below the Laramie, which starts at R$ 584,990, placing the 1500 in a price range previously dominated by more expensive mid-size pickup versions.
Despite being R$ 135,000 more affordable than the Laramie, the Big Horn maintains the 3.0-liter Hurricane biturbo inline six-cylinder engine, generating 426 hp and 64.8 kgfm. It comes equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4x4 traction. Weighing 2,663 kg, the vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and reach 180 km/h, which Ram claims is the most powerful and fastest performance among full-size pickups available in the country.
This combination of price and performance suggests that Ram seeks to compete not only with the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado but also with the Ford Ranger Raptor. Although both have sporty and high-performance proposals, the Ranger focuses on off-road use, while the Ram has a profile more geared towards road and utility.
To reduce costs, the Big Horn features simpler finishes and equipment lists than the Laramie, but still includes 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, a 12-inch multifunctional screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, inductive charging, electrically adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. In terms of safety, it features adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and six airbags.
There were strong rumors that BMW would enter the rugged SUV segment, with the G74 project being pointed out as a direct competitor to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and the Land Rover Defender. However, this plan has been canceled.
The idea emerged about three years ago after Bavarian automaker engineers were impressed by the capability of the Rivian R1T electric pickup during comparative tests. Initially conceived as a pure EV based on the Neue Klasse platform, the project evolved into the flexible CLAR architecture, receiving the codename G74. This change would allow for combustion, hybrid, and electric versions, with production planned for the Spartanburg, USA factory, in a three-row SUV with a rear spare tire, similar to the G-Class.
The main factor leading to the project's shelving was the extremely high development cost required to create a luxury 4x4 with extreme off-road capabilities, a niche market with limited sales volume. Additionally, BMW prefers to follow the recent strategy of portfolio simplification, concentrating efforts on segments where it already has a strong presence, avoiding risks of entering saturated markets.
The German brand never officially confirmed the project, which was widely speculated by the press. Although the original launch was scheduled for 2029, there remains a possibility that management in Munich could reconsider the decision if the market shows changes in the coming years. For now, the project's development has been suspended.
The production of the Land Rover Discovery Sport has officially ended in Europe after twelve years of existence. Launched in 2014 to expand the brand's portfolio, the Discovery Sport was conceived to succeed the Freelander, presenting itself as a more modern and sophisticated luxury SUV. It abandoned much of its traditional off-road characteristic, incorporating electrified propulsion systems and seven-seater versions, reinforcing its proposal to be a luxurious urban family vehicle capable of tackling trails, although rarely doing so.
Jaguar Land Rover confirmed that the manufacturing of the Discovery Sport will cease in Halewood, England, by the end of this year. Subsequently, production will be halted at the Pune factory, located in Western India. The model's withdrawal from the market will occur gradually, as stock runs out and dealerships stop accepting new orders.
This decision by the headquarters directly impacts the future of the Discovery Sport produced in Brazil. It was made public earlier this month that JLR's factory in Itatiaia (RJ) suspended its operations. With the end of international production, domestic assembly becomes unviable due to a lack of components. Although it still appears in the brand's configurator, it is no longer in official stock, indicating that the model has been discontinued.
In this context, the future of the Range Rover Evoque manufactured in Brazil also remains uncertain, as it shares a production line with the Discovery Sport. Recent rumors suggest that the plant may be taken over by the Chinese company Omoda & Jaecoo, which belongs to the Chery group.
Following speculation about the Ferrari Luce, which was considered a necessary step, special models for loyal customers emerged. The first was the 12Cilindri Manual, described as a manualized automated version. Now, a camouflaged prototype of the 12Cilindri has been revealed near the factory. This model features a more prominent rear spoiler than the basic version, reminiscent of the 250 GTO, which strongly suggests its identity.
Considering that Ferrari planned to create successors for the 812 Competizione, the F12tdf, the 599 GTO, and indirectly, the 250 GTO itself, this spoiler serves as an indication that it is the 12Cilindri GTO, regardless of how Ferrari names it. Additionally, the front has larger air intakes and the rear features a new diffuser, designed to manage the aerodynamics of the spoiler.
Under the hood, the 6.5-liter F140HD V12 engine is expected to maintain its base, but with adjustments to reach around 850 hp. This optimization should involve improvements to the reciprocating assembly, a new intake, a renewed exhaust system, and a new engine management map. It is worth noting that this engine already has titanium connecting rods, a balanced crankshaft, and DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating. The gearbox, brakes, and suspension should also receive subtle refinements to justify the GTO title or its position in the special lineage.
Shelby has launched the F-150 Super Snake Sport, a sports pickup equipped with a supercharged engine generating 821 hp. While the standard version uses the naturally aspirated five-liter Coyote V8 engine with dual overhead cams, the Sport version drastically elevates performance.
To achieve this superior power, Shelby implemented a kit called 'Stage 2', which includes a carbon fiber intake, flow rework, higher-flow injectors, high-performance spark plugs, and an aluminum radiator. Visually, the compressor and intake manifold are painted in Ford Racing Blue. The sound is provided by a Borla exhaust tuned by Shelby itself.
The pickup maintains the classic single-cab, two-door design, focused on asphalt performance. In terms of handling, it features KING coilover shocks, rear sway bars for control during hard acceleration, and perforated and drilled Baer brake discs. Ground contact is ensured by Michelin tires on 22-inch wheels.
Aesthetically, the package includes an exclusive hood with a dual ram-air intake, a custom front bumper, functional fender vents, and a complete aerodynamic kit. Color options include Agate Black, Argon Blue, Carbonized Gray Metallic, Iconic Silver, and Oxford White, all combinable with double stripes in the six available shades. A novelty for the 2026 line allows the customer to choose whether the Shelby lettering on the front grille will be painted in the body color or the stripe color.
The interior is equipped with premium leather seats featuring snake embroidery on the backrests, carbon fiber trim, aluminum sport pedals, and custom floor mats. Being produced in a limited batch, each unit receives a numbered plate on the dashboard and official collector's documentation. Technically classified as a new car, it is eligible for independent import, with a starting price from US$ 115,795, which could exceed R$ 1.2 million after import costs.
The Ferrari F50, which was labeled a 'ugly duckling' for being less celebrated than the F40 and the Enzo, is gaining increasing value at auctions. Its previous rejection was mistaken, as it is a street car equipped with a structural Formula 1 V12 engine and a manual gearbox.
A notable example of the model, chassis 104220, which belonged to Mike Tyson, is once again available for auction by RM Sotheby's, with an estimated selling price between US$ 7,000,000 and US$ 9,000,000. This car was manufactured in 1995 and acquired by Tyson that same year in Beverly Hills, sporting the classic Rosso Corsa paint and black interior.
Tyson kept the vehicle for one year before selling it back to the dealership. Since then, the car has had nine owners but has accumulated just under 10,000 km. In 2022, the F50 underwent a major overhaul at Ferrari in Fort Lauderdale, and it was recently inspected at Ferrari in Newport Beach to be offered at auction as part of his last owner's estate. The lot includes all original documentation from that time and a pair of boxing gloves signed by Tyson.
IndyCar announced the development of its new chassis, the IR-28, after 16 years of perfecting the DW12 engine. This project, currently in development by Dallara, aims to reduce weight, improve aerodynamics to facilitate overtaking, and integrate the aeroscreen more seamlessly into Formula models.
The first representations of the IR-28 show a cleaner and more aggressive profile, moving away from the 'cut lid' appearance of the current aeroscreen, and resembling Formula cars more closely, while maintaining the characteristic simplicity of Indy. The cockpit has been redesigned to better accommodate taller drivers, optimizing comfort and ventilation.
Although details about the powertrain and aerodynamics are still pending, Indy informed that wings and underbody have been designed to reduce aerodynamic drag, allowing vehicles to operate closer in corners, which promises more intense braking races. For weight reduction, the supercapacitor was replaced by a standard battery and a lighter Xtrac transmission was adopted, resulting in a 45 kg reduction in the mechanical assembly.
The engines remain the same—a 2.4-liter twin-turbo V6 supplied by Chevrolet and Honda—but they have been adjusted with continuous development advancements, generating an unspecified power increase. Additionally, the suspension will receive a new set that will allow for more adjustments in spring, damper, and inertia without increasing team costs. Initial tests with the prototype will begin this week, with the debut scheduled only for the 2028 season.
Volkswagen initially showed the Tukan, its new compact pickup truck, only in the double-cab configuration, focusing on color, name, and shape, which was seen as a response to the market's preference for SUVs with less practical cargo beds. Recently, however, the simple cabin version was revealed, which had previously circulated only camouflaged or as a test vehicle.
The Tukan CS holds strategic importance equivalent to its more sophisticated version, as it is expected to succeed the Saveiro and surpass the Strada, which dominates both the segment and the market. The key mechanical distinction lies in the rear suspension, which will use a robust solid axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs, following the same engineering as Fiat, which should ensure a load capacity close to 700 kg.
Regarding engines, it will inherit options from the T-Cross, sharing the modular MQB platform, ranging from 1.0 TSI up to the new 1.5 TSI mild hybrid, the latter intended for the higher-end double-cab versions. Although the Tarok concept was seen at the Auto Show in 2018, the official launch of the pickup is scheduled for the first half of 2027, representing a long wait.
Volkswagen presented the hybrid version of the T-Roc in Europe, an SUV derived from the Golf Mk7, equipped with a 1.5 turbo TSI Evo2 engine, two electric motors, and a 1.6 kWh battery. Although this powertrain seems distant for the Brazilian public, this unprecedented engine in the country will serve as the basis for the national T-Roc. Furthermore, the 1.5 engine will be adapted to run on gasoline and alcohol, anticipating mild and fully hybrid versions.
A crucial point is that the Brazilian T-Roc will have different dimensions from the European model. Sources indicate that the national version will use the MQB Evo platform but will feature a larger overall length and wheelbase. While it measures 4.37 meters in length and 2.63 m in wheelbase in Europe, in Brazil these measurements should be between 4.40 and 4.50 meters in length, and 2.65 to 2.70 m in wheelbase. This change mirrors what happened with the T-Cross in 2019, when the European project was adapted to the Brazilian market.
The information is confirmed by photos of prototypes testing in Brazil, where larger swings and a distinct design on the front bumper, with new air intakes for the cooling system, are noticeable. The T-Roc is expected to debut in Brazil in 2027, and it is speculated that it might replace the Nivus, although the coexistence of the models is also a possibility.
Audi revealed its largest SUV, the Q9, in the United States, a market where such vehicles have greater penetration. The Q9 will be produced in Bratislava, Slovakia, and will also be sold in Europe. Its arrival in Brazil has not yet been confirmed, but it is considered likely.
Audi's numbering follows a size progression, and the Q9, being the first with the number 9, reached a new dimensional level: 5.31 meters in length, 2.21 m in width, 1.81 m in height, and 3.14 meters in wheelbase. To realize the Q9, Audi abandoned the MLB platform used by the Q8 and adopted the PPC architecture, developed in collaboration with Porsche.
The four-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, similar to the one used in the Cayenne Coupe, is supplied by Porsche. In the launch sports variant, the SQ9, it generates 599 hp and 81.6 kgfm of torque. However, American consumers will also have the option of the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, which produces 435 hp. The transmission is always an eight-speed automatic, coupled with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which directs most of the power to the rear axle and includes an electronic locking differential.
For the European market, the Q9 will also be available with a three-liter turbodiesel V6 engine, capable of delivering 245 hp or 299 hp, depending on the version, assisted by a mild hybrid system that provides an additional 24 hp when necessary. Plug-in hybrid versions will be introduced next year. Although there is no official forecast for Brazil, Audi generally launches new products quickly in the local market.
After an advertising incident with the new electric Charger, Dodge is focused on damage control and decided to revive past icons with a modern look, including the Copperhead concept, which is expected to become a production model.
More recently, the company announced a probable modern reinterpretation of the Plymouth Superbird and Dodge Charger Daytona combination, characterized by an aerodynamic nose and a raised rear wing. The images released so far are only conceptual projections, but the outlook is promising.
A more concrete announcement was made recently: Dodge released a teaser video focused on classic muscle car enthusiasts, highlighting yellow and black colors, dragstrip lights, and bees. This signals the return of the Super Bee. The original Super Bee was launched in 1968, based on the Coronet, and was known for offering the option of 426 Hemi V8 (seven liters) and Six Pack 440 (7.2 liters) engines.
The nomenclature was also briefly used in 2023 on the Charger sedan, with a special Super Bee edition limited to 1,000 units, launched in the Last Call farewell series. Even without official images or emblems in the teaser, the message is clear. An important date was marked: August 7, 2026, coinciding with the Roadkill Nights event, Dodge's annual drag racing festival organized in partnership with Motor Trend magazine, which often serves as a stage for concept and model debuts.
