Ferrari recalls nearly every U.S. model since 2005, R.I.P. Grease’s Sandy, Dodge EV muscle car imminent
Ferrari recalls nearly every U.S. model since 2005 for potential brake failure
Intake: Almost every Ferrari sold in the U.S.A. since 2005 is being recalled over a brake-fluid reservoir cap that may not vent correctly. A faulty cap can lead to a vacuum forming in the reservoir, which could cause fluid to leak. In the worst-case scenario, that leak could result in brake failure. The good news: Ferrari believes only one percent of the cars are affected. The fix is very straightforward, to: A new reservoir cap will be installed and a software update will deliver a stern warning in the instrument cluster should fluids get low. In the meantime, Ferrari says that any driver seeing a low brake-fluid warning should stop driving immediately and have their car towed to a dealer.
Exhaust: The recall impacts modern-classic models such as the 612 Scaglietti and F430 right up to 2022 cars which may not even have been delivered yet. Some of Ferrari’s limited-edition specials such as the F12tdf, LaFerrari, and F60 America are also affected by the potential failure of this simple component. The recall was submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on July 26 and all dealers and customers will be notified on September 24. You can read the full list of implicated vehicles here.—Nik Berg
Honda’s tweaked CRF lineup continues to serve trail riders on a budget
Intake: Not everyone is looking to go racing in the off-road motorcycle market. Honda knows this, and so it has renewed its CRF trail family of bikes for continued production. A nice blend of old-school simplicity and modern features make the CRF50F, CRF110F, CRF125F, and CRF250F each a trusty go-to choice for many riders. All but the minute 50F feature electronic fuel-injection and electric start for ease of use and dependable running. Maintenance is also kept low thanks to the simplicity of air-cooled engines: Routine services center on changing air filter and oil, allowing a single owner to maintain a family’s worth of bikes.
Exhaust: It only takes a minute of looking into purchasing an off road vehicle to see how advanced and expensive off-road motorcycles have become. The CRF trail bikes are perfect for those who want to escape to the trails and enjoy the outdoors without worrying about a high-strung race bike. These Hondas are also affordable and welcoming to newer riders, making the lineup a go-to choice for newer riders or those seeking fun with the whole family. We would love to see a 400cc model fill the gap between the 250F and XR650L, but that might just be us being greedy. —Kyle Smith
Grease star Olivia Newton-John succumbs to cancer
Intake: She was a four-time Grammy Award winner whose music had such wide-ranging appeal that she landed songs on the
pop, country, adult contemporary, and dance charts. But to those of us who love cool cars, she’ll always be Sandy. Olivia Newton-John, the multi-talented Australian singer who starred alongside John Travolta in Grease, died on August 8 at age 73 after years of treatment for cancer. In the 1978 film that vaulted her to superstardom, our favorite Sandy went to a drive-in movie in Danny’s 1949 Dodge Wayfarer, rode in the Pink Ladies’ 1948 Studebaker Commander Regal, and flew away in the fantasy version of Kenickie’s 1948 Ford De Luxe convertible. And in real life, Newton-John’s first car after moving to America was a 1975 VW Super Beetle convertible that sold for $68,750 at Julien’s Auctions three years ago. News of her death spread quickly, as mourning fans flooded social media with messages of admiration. Travolta was one of them. “My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better,” he wrote. “Your impact was incredible. I love you so much.”
Exhaust: Travolta might as well have been speaking for everyone who adored Newton-John’s music and her breakthrough performance in Grease. She had a magnetic personality, the voice of an angel, and at age 29 had us all believing she was a high school senior. “Grease changed my life in the most amazing way, and I’ve had such an amazing life,” she said in 2015. “When things go wrong, you’ve got to believe you will get through them and focus on the positive things in your life.” She was one of those positive things for the rest of us. Enjoy your ride in the clouds, Sandy. —Jeff Peek
High off Urus sales, Lamborghini courts Pikes Peak
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Intake: “Performance reaches a new dimension,” promises Lamborghini in a short video that previews an updated Urus SUV charging up Pikes Peak in Colorado. There’s only a fleeting glimpse of the camouflaged car in the clip, and no indication of exactly how this “new dimension” will be reached by the Italian company’s best-selling model. Auto spies have previously spotted both a bewinged Urus Evo and a plug-in hybrid undergoing testing, but which one hurtled up the fourteener hasn’t been revealed just yet.
Exhaust: The updated Urus will be the first of three models launched before the end of 2022, a trio that will include the rally-inspired Huracán Sterrato. The subtext of this Instagram post, however, is the success of the Urus SUV (it accounted for 61 percent of brand sales in the first half of 2021) and the importance of the American market to Sant’Agata (it sells more cars in the U.S. than anywhere else). —NB
Bentley Mulliner Batur teased ahead of Monterey Car Week
Intake: Coachbuilder extraordinaire Bentley Mulliner is set to reinvent Bentley vehicles as we know them. The vehicle is question is the Batur, and it possesses a new design direction for the brand as it pursues an all-electric future. All we have right now is a singular teaser picture of its grille, sporting Bentley’s signature texture with a black foreground and a red background. Bentley will stop all the teasing on Sunday, August 21, upon the model’s formal introduction at Monterey Car Week.
Exhaust: Consider us more than a little excited to see the Batur in the flesh, as previous Mulliner exercises in recent memory (namely the radically gorgeous and speedy Bacalar) have done an impressive job elevating the brand. Considering the earth moving torque and silent operation of modern EV powertrains are perfectly paired with a top-tier luxury car, Bentley’s future seems more than just secure. The move away from internal combustion feels like a natural move, one that need a design language to go with it. With that in mind, bring on the Batur. —Sajeev Mehta
Dodge’s electric muscle car will likely debut next week
Intake: Dodge shared plans to unveil three future vehicles later this month, with a “Current Muscle” vehicle coming on August 15, a “Gateway Muscle” vehicle the following day, and a “Future Muscle” vehicle bowing on the 17th. The debuts will be hosted at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, for select members of the media.
Exhaust: The “Current Muscle” car may very well be the next-gen Challenger, and the “Future Muscle” might be the electric muscle sedan that’s been teased above. As for the “Gateway Muscle” offering, speculation from Mopar Insiders suggests that it is the Alfa Romeo Tonale–based Dodge Hornet. The compact crossover has already been spotted testing in the United States and will pack a plug-in-hybrid powertrain like the Tonale’s, which has a total of 275 hp. We’re not sure that’s exactly a “gateway” to muscle cars, but we’re excited to see what Dodge has planned to replace its popular Hellcat-powered offerings. —Brandan Gillogly
