Sale of Ayrton Senna's Honda NSX for R$ 6.3 million and Kimi Antonelli wins F1

The Volkswagen Tukan, the automaker's long-awaited monocoque pickup truck, has finally received a launch date. Ricardo Ploguer, Vice President of Product Development for Volkswagen South America, announced at an event in Germany that the vehicle will be introduced in early 2027.

In Brazil, the Tukan will be offered in four configurations: two double-cab and two single-cab. When exhibited in Barretos (SP), the pickup was seen in the Extreme variant, featuring a double cab and premium trim, and the Robust variant, focused on work, characterized by unpainted bumpers and stamped steel wheels without hubcaps.

During the same event in Germany, VW also presented the Tukan Magnet, its more economical double-cab option. Compared to the Extreme, this Magnet version eliminates the glossy black paint on the grille and replaces the 17-inch wheels with a 16-inch set. The displayed model had body-colored mirrors, side steps, and front LED lighting, although it was not confirmed whether these items would be standard or optional.

The name for the intermediate single-cab version, which is above the Robust, has not yet been officially announced by Volkswagen, despite examples seen in tests bearing the 'Iron' emblem. So far, the press has only had access to the exterior of the Tukan, leaving the dashboard design a mystery. However, since the pickup uses the MQB-A0 platform, shared with the Taos, T-Cross, and Nivus, a similar internal architecture is expected.

Regarding mechanics, complete details are unavailable, but it is known that the VW Tukan will debut with a 12V mild-hybrid system for the more expensive versions, while the Tukan Robust should retain the 1.6 MSI engine from the Saveiro.

Possibility of Chinese electric vehicle in Brazil

Continuing the topic of the Volkswagen event in Germany, the manufacturer mentioned the possibility of forming a partnership with Chinese companies to introduce a more affordable electric model to the Brazilian market. The goal would be to compete directly with the BYD Dolphin Mini, one of the main drivers of entry-level electric vehicles in the country.

Other brands are already moving in this sector: it is speculated that Chevrolet will bring the Wuling Bingo Pro under the name Joy EV, and Stellantis is evaluating the Leapmotor A05 and B03X models to create its own entry-level electric vehicle in Brazil.

For Volkswagen, the chances of collaboration lie in its current partnerships in China, such as Saic, FAW, and JAC. Two of these companies have ties to Brazil: Saic assisted in the development of the VW Taos (derived from the Chinese VW Tharu) and supplied the platform used in the future Amarok; and FAW is involved in the project for the future hybrid VW Taos, scheduled for 2028 in Brazil. The connection with JAC is currently limited to China, but it is relevant because they are responsible for the entire line of electric vehicles built on the MEB platform sold by VW in China.

Although the project is still in the initial stages of development and the final solution is not defined, the plan is for it to be ready and available for sale within the next two years.

Nissan adapts V6 biturbo engine to classic Datsun 240Z

Nissan will present at SEMA in Las Vegas a reinterpretation of the first Z, the Datsun 240Z, originally launched in 1969. This project, named Datsun S30 Concept, was developed in collaboration with Formula Drift three-time champion Chris Forsberg, combining the classic sports car body with the mechanical package of the contemporary Nissan Z.

The original inline six-cylinder engine was replaced by the three-liter, twin-turbo V6 VR30DDTT from the modern Z. This engine was equipped with Garrett PMAX turbos, Nismo intake and intercooler, and mated to the new Z's six-speed manual transmission, which includes a dual-disc clutch and Nismo R200 locking differential. The exact power output of the unit was not disclosed, but the original Z engine reaches 400 hp (405 hp) in the standard version.

In addition to the engine, the S30 received suspension improvements, including adjustments, new anti-roll bars, and revised geometry, along with modified steering and Wilwood brakes with six-piston calipers in the front and four in the rear. The body maintained the original proportions but featured carbon fiber hood, fenders, bumpers, and tailgate, along with 17-inch Nismo forged wheels. The interior features OMP racing seats, analog instruments, and a sports steering wheel.

The Datsun S30 Concept will be displayed alongside two other Nissan projects for SEMA: a Z prepared for the SCCA Touring 2 category and a 300 hp Sentra Spec-V with a manual transmission and competition components.

BAIC confirms B30 hybrid for Brazil in 2027

BAIC, the Chinese manufacturer that began operations in Brazil in August with the Arcfox T1 and T5 electric vehicles, confirmed the launch of its first hybrid model in the country, the B30. This SUV, inspired by robust designs like Defender/Wrangler and focused on off-road use, is scheduled to arrive between March and April 2027.

Known as the BJ30 in other markets, the vehicle has a length of 4.73 meters, a wheelbase of 2.82 meters, and a ground clearance of 220 mm. Its powertrain combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with two electric motors, one on each axle, utilizing a two-speed DHT transmission. The manufacturer announces a total power of 409 hp from the three motors, but has not yet specified the effective combined power of the unit. According to factory data, it can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.

BAIC is also working with Bosch on developing a flex hybrid version for the Brazilian market, but this is only expected to launch in 2028. In the future, the brand plans to introduce the B60, a larger SUV that will use electric propulsion supplemented by a combustion engine acting as an autonomy extender. Sales prices have not yet been disclosed.

Alpine does not rule out combustion engine for new A110

It is common for manufacturers to announce new sports cars as fully electric, promising to replicate the experience of a combustion engine car. After public reaction, some companies reconsider, opting to keep the traditional engine. Alpine is the focus of this discussion.

The French company had previously indicated that the next generation of the A110 would be exclusively electric. However, it seems the company took into account enthusiast feedback, who considered it a waste to transform such a well-designed car, as seen at the Paris Motor Show, into a battery-only vehicle.

Philippe Krief, Global Head of Alpine, and Nicola Burnside, Brand Director in the UK, stated that the manufacturer has not ruled out the possibility of including a combustion engine in the structure of the new car, aiming to facilitate its commercialization in various global markets. In an interview with TopGear.com, Burnside clarified that the brand's new architecture, called APP (Alpine Performance Platform), was designed to offer flexibility. Although the brand is fully committed to the initial electric launch, believing it can elevate the status of the sports car, she emphasized that it is not closing any doors.

If the 100% electric path is followed, engineering guarantees the maintenance of the lightness and agility that defined the coupe. Burnside confirmed that the new electric A110 will have a maximum weight of 1,500 kg and will maintain the low driving position of the current model, thanks to an arrangement that distributes batteries between the front and rear around the driver, preventing the feeling of being on a heavy block. Additionally, the APP platform was designed to support various body types (such as convertibles and 2+2 versions) and unique engine configurations at the rear or dual.

The executive invited the most rigorous critics to test the battery model before passing judgment, summarizing the French manufacturer's goal for the future: 'My vision is that we become the electric brand of choice for petrolheads.'

The Ford Bronco EREV, a Chinese-origin plug-in hybrid SUV, is scheduled to be launched in the Brazilian market in 2027. According to Autos Segredos, the manufacturer had already been evaluating the introduction of the vehicle to the country before making the final decision.

It is important to note that the Bronco EREV has distinct characteristics from the current Bronco models (which use the Ranger pickup chassis) and the Bronco Sport (which shares a base with the Maverick pickup). This new model was developed separately in collaboration with the Chinese company JMC, being designed from the outset to incorporate electrified propulsion systems.

Its mechanical system combines a four-cylinder turbo engine producing 150 hp and 24.5 kgfm, along with two electric motors (one on each axle). The combustion engine functions only as a generator for the 43.7 kWh battery, while traction is provided by the electric motors, which generate 422 hp and 60 kgfm of torque. This configuration allows it to reach 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, and the combined range can reach 1,220 km under the Chinese CLTC standard.

With dimensions of 5.03 meters in length and a wheelbase close to three meters, the Bronco EREV is larger than the Bronco Sport. Although values have not yet been disclosed, its cost is expected to exceed the R$ 250,000 requested for the smaller model, given its unprecedented hybrid technology in the local market.

Modified Ferrari 499P goes to auction and could exceed R$ 40 million

A notable opportunity has arisen for Le Mans prototype enthusiasts: the auction house Christie will sell a Modified Ferrari 499P at its next event in Geneva, Switzerland. The required value to acquire this vehicle is around R$ 40 million.

The connection to Le Mans is substantial, as the Modified 499P is a variation of the prototype that won Ferrari at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking the tenth Italian victory in the race and the first since 1965. In addition to maintaining a very similar look to the racing car, it shares the same mechanical package: a three-liter twin-turbo V6 plus a 272 hp electric motor.

Unlike the Hypercar prototype, which reached 680 hp, this Modificata achieves 706 hp, without being subject to FIA restrictions. It also features a 'push to pass' button that temporarily boosts power to 767 hp. The Christie example is practically new, having only been used in shakedown tests after leaving the factory. Whoever buys it will gain access to Ferrari's Sport Prototipi Clienti program, which offers specialized technical support.

Model Updates and Industry Criticisms

Volkswagen launched the 2027 line of the Polo, with the main change concentrated in the Track version, which now includes standard rear parking sensors. Additionally, the entry-level version received a new optional package for R$ 2,660, which includes touch-activated electric windows on all four doors and electric mirrors that fold down when reversing.

There were no significant aesthetic or mechanical changes in other versions. The Track and Robust variants continue to use the 1.0 naturally aspirated three-cylinder, 12-valve engine, producing 77 hp and 9.6 kgfm of torque with gasoline, or 84 hp and 10.3 kgfm with ethanol, always coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. The Sense and Highline versions use the 1.0 turbo flex TSI engine, which delivers 109 hp with gasoline and 116 hp with ethanol, maintaining 16.8 kgfm of torque, and uses a six-speed automatic transmission.

The prices of all versions have been readjusted, with increases ranging between R$ 300 and R$ 2,000. Specifically, Track and Sense went from R$ 96,690 to R$ 97,990; Polo Robust rose from R$ 112,990 to R$ 114,990; and the Polo Highline increased from R$ 138,690 to R$ 138,990.

Meanwhile, Nissan expressed concern over the growing volume of vehicle production in Brazil originating from imported kits from China. Ricardo Gondo, President of Nissan Brazil, pointed out that a large part of the growth in national production in 2026 comes from CKD and SKD operations, which use partially or fully disassembled vehicles with little local manufacturing.

Gondo detailed that although Brazilian production grew by 8.7% between January and September 2026, this number drops to just 2.5% if vehicles assembled from imported kits are excluded. Anfavea data corroborates this, indicating that about 123,000 of the 173,000 extra units produced compared to 2025 are the result of CKD and SKD assemblies, representing more than 70% of the production increase. The problem lies in the fact that these operations require fewer national components, reducing the activity of the local auto parts industry, since the complete sets are imported.

Despite the criticism, Gondo mentioned that Nissan is studying production via CKD or SKD, depending on industrial policies and government incentives. He assured that the Kicks and Kait models will continue to be manufactured normally at the Resende, Rio de Janeiro unit. In contrast, the Nissan factory in Resende saw its production increase by 29.5% in the same period, reaching 65,640 vehicles, while exports grew by 145%, with a goal of reaching 90,000 units by the end of the year.

Honda Racing Launches Preparation Parts for Street Cars

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), Honda's competition arm, will begin marketing preparation parts intended for street cars. After announcing plans in 2024 and displaying a prepared Prelude at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year, Honda confirmed that it will present its first line of components at the SEMA Show in November, with sales starting in March 2027, initially in the United States (facilitating import to Brazil).

The HRC Performance Parts catalog will include parts for the Civic Type R, Acura Integra Type S, and the Passport and Pilot SUVs. For the two sports cars, HRC developed 19-inch forged aluminum wheels in collaboration with the Italian company 2elle-engineering, supplier of the wheels for the Acura ARX-06 endurance. Each wheel weighs only 9.4 kg, representing a reduction of approximately 10 kg of unsprung mass compared to the original, in addition to being half an inch wider and having been tested at the Nürburgring.

At SEMA, Honda will also display prototypes of future items, such as adjustable suspensions, camber plates, Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers, and short shifter levers, although these are still in the development phase. All parts will be sold through Honda and Acura dealerships, and through the online store in the US. Prices and the possibility of expanding the HRC Performance Parts line to other markets have not yet been announced.

Toyota Proposes Recognizing Combustion Vehicles as Zero Emission in Europe

Toyota presented a proposal to the European Union aiming for combustion engine cars to be classified as zero-emission vehicles, provided they are exclusively fueled with renewable fuels. This suggestion was made amid discussions to relax the CO2 emission targets set for 2035.

The idea is to create a new homologation category called VEEF (Vehicles running Exclusively on Eligible Fuels). This classification would allow vehicles using only biofuels and renewable synthetic fuels to be categorized as zero emission. However, this does not imply the absence of exhaust emissions; the proposal focuses on considering emissions throughout the entire fuel life cycle, including its production, and not just what is expelled.

For this to happen, the fuels must meet the sustainability criteria defined by European legislation. Toyota is already testing this viability, participating in a pilot project in Spain with BMW, Bosch, and Repsol, using about 20 Toyota, Lexus, BMW, and Mini vehicles fueled with the renewable gasoline Nexa 95, derived from organic waste. These cars are conventional models, without mechanical modifications.

Bosch developed the Digital Fuel Twin system to monitor the exclusive use of renewable fuel, cross-referencing data from vehicles, gas stations, and refueling transactions. Furthermore, Toyota advocates for reducing the European 2035 target from 100% to 90% cut in average CO2 emissions of new cars, proposing that the remaining 10% be compensated by the use of low-carbon steel and renewable fuels. For 2030, the company suggests that meeting the targets be evaluated over a five-year period (2028 to 2032), allowing for annual compensation.

According to Toyota, electric vehicles should represent about 45% of European sales in 2030, a level lower than the more than 55% estimated to meet current targets. For this reason, the company also requests periodic revisions of the targets if infrastructure and demand do not evolve as planned. Currently, the recognition of VEEF vehicles remains a proposal from Toyota, not a rule approved by the European Union.

McLaren has announced the sale of five historic Formula 1 cars, spanning more than three decades of its history. These vehicles will be individually marketed by Tom Hartley Jnr. and include a 2023 MCL37A, which the team itself describes as the most modern F1 available to private collectors.

Among the items for sale are two 1991 MP4/6A chassis, #04 and #07, both equipped with a naturally aspirated Honda V12 engine. These cars were driven by Gerhard Berger in Grand Prix races and later tested by Ayrton Senna in 1992. Chassis #04 finished second in Imola, and #07 came second in Silverstone without suffering any race accidents.

The auction also includes the 2012 MP4/27A #01, driven by Jenson Button and tested by Lewis Hamilton, and the 2021 MCL35M #01, piloted solely by Lando Norris. The latter reached the podium in Imola, Monaco, and Monza, where McLaren achieved its first victory since 2012, and participated in Monaco with the special Gulf livery.

The most recent car is the MCL37A #03, driven by Norris to finish second in Singapore and Japan in 2023. After the competitions, it remained in McLaren's testing program, being driven by Oscar Piastri, Pato O’Ward, Mick Schumacher, Valtteri Bottas, and Martin Brundle. Brad Pitt also drove the car at the Circuit of the Americas during preparation for the F1 film.

Zak Brown justified the decision to sell, stating that it would be a waste to keep such cars merely stored, preferring that collectors use them again on the tracks. In parallel, BYD plans to launch the hybrid BYD Dolphin GT in Brazil in 2027, a hatchback positioned between the Dolphin Mini and the Dolphin, aiming to compete with more traditional models like the VW Polo and Chevrolet Onix.

The Dolphin GT, sold in Europe as the Dolphin G, is expected to use the same mechanical package as the Atto 2: a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine with a 16-valve head and direct injection, combined with an electric motor. This setup generates 177 hp in the entry-level GL version and 197 hp in the GS variant, maintaining 30.6 kgfm of torque. The transmission is an e-CVT with a single mechanical gear. Although the Dolphin GT does not share a platform with the electric vehicles already sold in the country, it adopts a more conventional profile.

It is estimated that the BYD Dolphin GT could reach Brazil costing around R$ 130,000, initially imported from China, although the manufacturer is preparing for production at the Camaçari (BA) plant.

In another piece of news, Jeep launched the 2027 line of the Compass, introducing a 48V mild hybrid system (MHEV) in the Night Eagle and Série S versions. This powertrain uses the 1.3L 16v T270 turbo engine, complemented by a small 16 hp and 6.6 kgfm electric motor. Despite the electrical addition, the total power remains at 176 hp and 27.5 kgfm of torque. The change impacts fuel consumption, resulting in savings of up to 11% with gasoline.

Regarding McLaren, the decision to sell the cars was motivated by Zak Brown's view that it is better for them to return to the tracks rather than just remain as decoration. Finally, Subaru will discontinue its boxer engine in Europe starting next year, with plans to sell only electric models in the Old Continent from 2028 due to increasing environmental regulations.