Volkswagen is launching the special Amarok Unlimited series, which marks the end of the current generation of the pickup truck. This model was recently presented in Argentina and is now available in Brazil, being a limited edition with only 200 units available, although the price has not yet been disclosed.
Volks used the characteristic design of the Amarok, which maintained its appearance after 16 years of updates, to decorate the body. The exclusive paint is in Moonstone Gray, complemented by sill stripes with the inscription "V6 Unlimited," glossy black wheel arch moldings, and diamond-finished alloy wheels. The Saint Anthony on the bed also has a glossy black finish, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing look.
The interior features various resources, including leather-upholstered seats and steering wheel, two-zone digital air conditioning, 9-inch Composition Touch multimedia center, six airbags, ABS brakes with off-road function, automatic post-collision braking, and rear differential with mechanical lock. A numbered plaque on the dashboard confirms that it is a special edition.
The Amarok Unlimited will be equipped exclusively with the three-liter V6 turbodiesel engine, which delivers 258 hp (reaching peaks of 272 hp with the overboost system) and 59.1 kgfm of torque, coupled with the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, maintaining 4Motion all-wheel drive. The pickup is expected to arrive at dealerships in October, but before that, it will be displayed at the Circuito Sertanejo event in Jaguariúna (SP) next weekend.
Genesis Magma GT roars loudly at hillclimb event
The Genesis Magma GT, a supercar from the Genesis brand—which emerged as a luxury division of the South Korean manufacturer—proved to be a serious competitor in the supercar segment, rivaling models such as the Chevrolet Corvette, McLaren Artura, and Ferrari 296 GTB. Its performance was noted during the Tutto Bene Hillclimb, held near Lake Maggiore, Italy.
Besides having a sophisticated design that reflects the Genesis visual language, what caught attention was the powerful sound of the V8 engine. Even at moderate accelerations, the Magma GT emits a deep, loud, and bubbling roar. This 3.2-liter V8 engine is derived from the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine used in the Hyundai i20 N rally car. Hyundai already uses a hybrid version of this engine in its GMR-001 LMDh prototype, which participates in the Hypercars category at Le Mans; however, in the Magma GT, the system is purely combustion.
Although the Genesis Magma GT is still an official concept, the manufacturer keeps other technical specifications confidential. It is expected that this project will give rise to a family of vehicles, including roadster and track versions compatible with FIA GT3 regulations. The launch date for the final production version has not yet been defined, but the most optimistic estimates point to 2027, with 2028 considered more likely.
AI Cameras: A fine every 19 minutes
Two cameras equipped with artificial intelligence, installed at kilometers 17 and 18 of the Raposo Tavares Highway, at the entrance to the city of São Paulo, registered 2,316 fines in just one month, equivalent to one citation every 19 minutes, operating 24 hours a day. Of these infractions, none were for speeding; between August 3 and September 3, 1,386 infractions related to seatbelt use and 930 for using a cell phone or headphones were recorded.
The system works by analyzing internal images of vehicles to identify possible infractions, which are later checked by the Highway Military Police before the fine is issued. The technology also has OCR plate reading capability, although there is no confirmation that these devices are used to automatically locate stolen or stolen vehicles.
A debated point raised is the priority given to inspection automation. In this initial phase, the cameras cannot yet automatically detect stopped vehicles, pedestrians, or objects on the road—situations where AI detection followed by immediate intervention could prevent accidents. This raises the issue of the dehumanization of inspection, as the driver receives the fine weeks later, without the dangerous conduct being interrupted at the moment it occurs, unlike a police approach.
It is questioned whether these devices are effectively preventing accidents. After 2,316 monthly citations, it would be relevant to know how many accidents were avoided, how many risky situations were interrupted, and how many stolen vehicles were recovered with the help of these cameras, since the efficiency of the inspection must be measured by the safety provided, and not just by the volume of fines issued.
US Manufacturers Want to Ban Chinese Brands, But Trump Accepts Local Production
While traditional manufacturers in the United States seek to convince the American Congress to permanently restrict the entry of Chinese cars, President Donald Trump shows openness to Chinese brands, provided they establish local factories and hire American labor.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump mentioned that the problem would be the production of vehicles in Mexico for subsequent export to the US. He drew an analogy with Japanese manufacturers, who faced similar resistance decades ago but ended up investing in the country, employing thousands of Americans, and achieving leadership in certain sectors.
This stance diverges from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an association bringing together major American manufacturers such as Ford, GM, Stellantis, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Honda. At the beginning of the month, the group requested a definitive ban from Congress on the sale, import, and manufacturing of connected Chinese vehicles, hardware, and software, alleging that Chinese government subsidies and connectivity pose national security and economic risks.
Currently, Chinese cars already face barriers in the United States. In addition to tariffs exceeding 100% on Chinese electric vehicles, a regulation approved during Joe Biden's term limits automotive hardware and software linked to China, making the commercialization and production of connected Chinese cars difficult.
It is notable that, despite Trump accepting Chinese factories with American employment, members of his government and parliamentarians of his party have pressured Ford regarding its partnerships with Chinese companies such as CATL and Geely. It seems that the American conclusion converges with that of other countries: if a total ban is not feasible, the alternative is to force local production to foster jobs, investments, and technological development.
Route 66, one of the most iconic roads, can now be virtually traveled in its total length of 3,539 kilometers through mobile applications and computers. The idea came from Jake Boyles, developer of the Pit Stop application, which maps support points near American highway exits.
To celebrate the road's centenary, he created a specific version that covers the entire extent, including all existing restaurants, gas stations, and businesses. Although it may not be practical for the Brazilian public, the feature helps gauge the vastness of Route 66, which crosses the United States from coast to coast, passing through seven states.
The application catalogs not only commercial establishments but also notable tourist spots, such as the Santa Monica pier, the final point of the crossing in the Pacific, the famous corner in Winslow, Arizona, cited by the Eagles, and the meteor crater used by NASA in the Apollo mission training. In total, Boyles mapped about 2,400 dining locations, 1,300 motels, and 280 cities along the route. Inaugurated in 1926 and consecrated as the "Mother Road" by John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath, Route 66 symbolizes the culture of automobile travel. Despite losing relevance to the interstates in the 1950s and 1960s, culminating in its federal decommissioning in 1985, the road remains alive in the popular imagination.
