The 2026 Interlagos Festival will feature the Ford Mustang GT Performance, alongside other models. During the event, Ford announced the arrival of this vehicle in the Brazilian market, which will compete with the Mustang Dark Horse, currently the only option available in the catalog.
The GT Performance version uses the same five-liter Coyote V8 engine found in the Dark Horse, but with a slightly reduced calibration, delivering 492 hp compared to the Dark Horse's 507 hp. The torque remains identical, reaching 57.8 kgfm, as does the ten-speed automatic transmission. This model also incorporates Brembo brakes both front and rear.
Although Ford has not provided all the details, it is speculated that, being the entry point for the model in Brazil, the GT Performance might have distinct adjustments to the suspension and steering, allowing the Dark Horse to maintain its focus on track use with firmer suspension and more direct steering. However, this remains only a hypothesis.
What is confirmed is the differentiated design of the GT Performance, which includes darkened trim on wheels, grille, headlights, emblems, and the rear wing. Furthermore, this version will debut the new Avalanche Gray color, with a solid finish. The Mustang GT Performance is expected to arrive at dealerships this year, at which time Ford should detail the differences between it and the Dark Horse and announce the price. Currently, the Mustang Dark Horse costs R$ 649,990.
Rockstar finally reveals GTA VI gameplay
The highly anticipated GTA VI was presented with more details. Rockstar Games released a more detailed preview, titled GTA VI: An Extended Look, initially on Netflix and later available on YouTube for non-subscribers. The content is considered very promising.
The clip is over 25 minutes long and consists purely of gameplay, without commentary or behind-the-scenes footage, including combat sequences and a lot of vehicle action, as well as story scenes without major spoilers.
A notable point occurs around 17:45 in the video: a short race demonstrating that the Vice City map now includes a real racetrack. Initially, it was speculated that the track would be a replica of the Sebring International Raceway road course in Florida, but it is now known that only the start/finish line and the opposite straight have any resemblance to the original track. Additionally, the vehicle behavior and interface information, such as lap times and a positioning map, suggest that GTA VI will have a dedicated racing mechanic, and not just improvised moments during missions.
This reinforces the theory that car physics in GTA VI will be more realistic, requiring the player to control acceleration and braking at the right moment to navigate corners, which appeals to players critical of the previous physics considered too 'arcadey'. Visually, the game presents a very attractive title and graphics that seem next-generation compared to GTA V, released in 2013. Despite the age of GTA V, GTA VI maintains the characteristic 'vibe' of the franchise in photographic treatment, camera movements, and dialogue.
New Lotus Esprit will have a hybrid V6 version
The rebirth of the Lotus Esprit, scheduled for 2028, marks the return of the British supercar after more than two decades of absence, with the last unit produced in 2024, concluding a trajectory of over 30 years.
The current scenario demands changes, and the Esprit, internally known as Type 135, will also be adapted. Previously, Lotus had confirmed that the propulsion system would use a V8 engine with hybrid technology. This adoption was guaranteed by the manufacturer as necessary to meet emission limits while ensuring the expected performance of a Lotus supercar.
Lotus plans for the Esprit to fill the gap between the Emira, its current entry-level sports car, and the electric hypercar Evija, justifying the choice of the hybrid V8. Simultaneously, the company reaffirms its commitment to an 'exciting and mechanical' dynamic for the Esprit, which implies considerations regarding weight. It is in this context that the V6, already used by the Emira, comes into play.
According to Autocar sources, Lotus decided to include a V6 engine variant in the Esprit specifically to make it more accessible and lighter, aiming for a weight of around 1,500 kg, bringing it closer to the original Lotus philosophy. Although the original Esprit used a V8, the new powertrain could reach about 1,000 hp, which many enthusiasts consider inadequate for a Lotus. In the Emira, the V6 generates approximately 540 hp assisted by an electric motor, which seems more consistent with the Lotus profile. The central issue was precisely seeking lightness and simplicity.
It is important to note that the name Esprit has not been fully confirmed. Sources linked to Lotus indicate it is the preferred name, but the manufacturer is still evaluating other options.
Porsche comments on factory 911 Slantnose: 'not impossible'
Among the icons of the classic 911 silhouette are the special editions that deviate from this format. A notable example is the Porsche 911 Slantnose, a unique specimen ordered over 40 years ago and remains one of the most emblematic one-offs in history. This car was custom-made for Mansour Ojjeh, owner of TAG, and was essentially a competition Porsche 935 adapted for road use, maintaining the body with flared fenders and, crucially, the lowered nose with retractable headlights.
At that time, the vehicle generated significant buzz, leading Porsche to produce, according to its own estimates, 948 units on order for high-net-worth clients. Moving to 2026, Porsche launched the 911 Flachbau, created through its exclusive Sonderwunsch program upon request from an anonymous client. Based on a 2018 911 GT2 RS, Porsche developed a modern version of the 80s classic, featuring an entirely new body and a low front end without retractable headlights due to current safety regulations.
This car was immediately acclaimed by the community, raising the question of whether such a design could become a factory option or, at least, a limited series outside the Sonderwunsch program. Alexander Fabig, Vice President of Products and Customization at Porsche, responded affirmatively, but with reservations.
In conversation with American journalists from The Drive, Fabig detailed that the concept of the Sonderwunsch program has always aimed to inspire the company's standard products. He cited several examples from the last 50 years where elements started as individual requests and subsequently migrated to the production line, moving from exclusive Manufaktur options to options and, finally, standard products. Fabig mentioned the X50 and X51 packages, which increased the power of the 993 generation Porsche 911 Turbo, and the 911 Turbo S itself, which began as a special order.
He also commented on custom colors: when a customer requests a color, they sign a term that allows Porsche to include it in the standard catalog within a year, diluting development costs. Therefore, Fabig concluded that it is quite likely that elements or reinterpretations of the Slantnose will appear as a factory option, although this is not a formal promise from Porsche. The mere fact that it was declared potentially viable, without question, is already considered relevant.