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BMW and Kith Create a One-Off V10 Manual X5

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BMW and Kith have transformed a 2000 BMW X5 into a one-off performance SUV with a 500-hp V10, a six-speed manual transmission, and all-wheel drive.

The BMW Kith X5 takes the first-generation E53 X5 in a direction BMW never offered from the factory. The one-off project combines a fully restored 2000 X5 with a 500-horsepower V10, a manual transmission, and the original all-wheel-drive system.

The vehicle belongs to Kith founder Ronnie Fieg, a longtime BMW enthusiast who worked with the automaker on previous special projects.

An E53 X5 with M5 power

The project started with a complete restoration of a 2000 BMW X5. The SUV was stripped down and rebuilt before receiving a V10 engine sourced from the BMW M5.

The engine is based on BMW’s 5.0-liter V10, but it is not completely stock. It uses forged pistons and custom tuning while maintaining a relatively understated appearance.

The one-off BMW Kith X5 combines the classic E53 design with a 5.0-liter V10 derived from the BMW M5.

The result is a machine BMW never officially produced.

The E53 X5 was already capable of being ordered with powerful V8 engines, but the V10 arrived in BMW’s passenger-car lineup only later with the M5 and M6.

That makes the combination particularly unusual.

Inspired by the legendary X5 Le Mans

The exterior changes are subtle but purposeful.

Kith redesigned the front end with inspiration from the famous BMW X5 Le Mans, the one-off prototype that used the V12 engine from the McLaren F1.

The X5’s revised front end and aerodynamic details pay tribute to BMW’s extreme X5 Le Mans prototype.

The Kith project adds a wider body, revised rear aerodynamic elements, and a slightly lower ride height.

Despite those changes, the overall design remains close to an OEM appearance.

That understated approach is intentional. The SUV does not look like an extreme aftermarket build until the details begin to reveal what has been changed underneath.

The best detail is inside

The cabin maintains a largely factory appearance, but one feature immediately gives away the transformation.

The instrument cluster includes a 9,000-rpm tachometer sourced from the M5, signaling that this is not a standard X5.

The most important modification, however, sits between the seats.

The interior retains an OEM-style appearance but adds an M5 tachometer and a three-pedal manual transmission.

Kith fitted a proper manual transmission, giving the V10 X5 a true three-pedal setup.

The combination of the V10, manual gearbox, and factory all-wheel drive creates a configuration that BMW never offered in a production E53.

It also keeps much of the project within the BMW parts catalog, despite the extensive work required to make everything function together.

A one-off X5 with collector potential

Only one BMW Kith X5 has been built.

That makes the project interesting not only as a performance experiment but also as an example of how the E53 X5 is becoming more attractive to enthusiasts and collectors.

The original X5 helped establish the formula for the modern performance-oriented SUV. More than two decades later, this one-off build takes that concept to an extreme BMW never attempted itself.

A 500-hp V10, manual transmission, and all-wheel drive make the BMW Kith X5 one of the most unusual interpretations of the E53 ever created.

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Tesla Cybercab Gets September 3 Austin Launch Date

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Tesla will officially launch its steering-wheel-free Cybercab in Austin on September 3, adding the two-seat robotaxi to an existing autonomous fleet.

Tesla has officially set September 3, 2026 as the launch date for the Cybercab in Austin, Texas.

The two-seat autonomous vehicle has no steering wheel or pedals and is designed specifically for Tesla’s robotaxi service. The launch will initially be limited to selected guests rather than opening the vehicle to everyone.

Tesla prepares a controlled Cybercab launch

The September 3 event will be a tightly controlled launch, with Tesla sending invitations to selected riders and guests.

Some invitees previously completed Robotaxi trips between August 17 and 23, while others received exclusive-access invitations directly from Tesla.

Tesla will officially launch the Cybercab in Austin on September 3, 2026.

Guests must be at least 21 years old and will need to present identification at the event.

That suggests Tesla is treating the September launch as a curated demonstration rather than a large public rollout.

The company already operates autonomous Model Y Robotaxis in limited areas of Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, meaning the Cybercab will be joining an existing service rather than creating Tesla’s robotaxi network from scratch.

Two seats, no steering wheel, no pedals

The Cybercab is fundamentally different from Tesla’s other vehicles.

The compact robotaxi has two seats and eliminates the traditional controls that would allow a human driver to take over.

The Cybercab uses a two-seat cabin with no steering wheel or conventional pedals.

That means every mile depends entirely on Tesla’s autonomous-driving software.

The vehicle uses Tesla’s AI4 computer platform for its Full Self-Driving system. Future AI4.5 and AI5 hardware is already part of Tesla’s longer-term roadmap, but the initial Cybercab production vehicles in Austin will use AI4.

The absence of manual controls also creates additional regulatory and safety considerations because passengers cannot simply take control if something goes wrong.

Cybercab enters an existing robotaxi network

Tesla first demonstrated the Cybercab concept publicly in October 2024, when attendees were able to experience autonomous rides on a closed course in California.

Since then, the company has continued testing the production vehicle.

Tesla has been testing Cybercab ahead of its Austin launch, including employee rides and additional autonomous-road testing.

Employee rides in Cybercab began in July 2026 as Tesla moved closer to commercial deployment.

The September 3 launch should therefore be viewed as another step in a gradual rollout rather than an immediate mass-market launch.

Tesla still faces questions surrounding regulations, safety validation, and how quickly customers will actually gain access to the new vehicle.

For now, the Tesla Cybercab is set to make its formal Austin debut on September 3. The launch will provide Tesla with another opportunity to demonstrate its driverless technology while bringing a purpose-built, steering-wheel-free robotaxi into its growing autonomous fleet.

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2027 Mitsubishi Pajero Returns With Body-on-Frame Platform

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Mitsubishi will unveil the fifth-generation Pajero on September 2, bringing back body-on-frame construction, S-AWC, and a tougher off-road focus.

Mitsubishi is bringing back the Pajero with a major change in philosophy. The fifth-generation SUV will make its global debut on September 2, 2026, and will return to a body-on-frame architecture aimed at giving it significantly stronger off-road credentials.

The new SUV will also use Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, while hybrid power remains one of the major unanswered questions ahead of its reveal.

The Pajero returns to a body-on-frame chassis

The biggest mechanical change is the move away from the unibody construction used by the previous-generation Pajero.

The new model will use a ladder-frame chassis, putting Mitsubishi back into the same fundamental territory as other traditional off-road SUVs.

The new Mitsubishi Pajero will return with body-on-frame construction for its fifth generation.

The September 2 event is now confirmed as the vehicle’s global premiere.

Mitsubishi has released several teaser images, but the company has not yet revealed the full dimensions, trim lineup, or interior.

The new architecture could allow the Pajero to compete more directly with rugged SUVs such as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

S-AWC brings proven Mitsubishi technology

The new Pajero will also feature Super All-Wheel Control, Mitsubishi’s integrated system for managing torque, braking, and vehicle stability across different surfaces.

S-AWC first appeared on the Lancer Evolution X and is now used on the Triton pickup, giving Mitsubishi an established system for the new SUV.

Super All-Wheel Control will give the new Pajero advanced torque and stability management for on- and off-road driving.

Regional reports have suggested that S-AWC could be paired with Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II system.

That combination could potentially provide multiple drive configurations and low-range capability, although Mitsubishi has not officially confirmed the pairing yet.

A more extreme Pajero Ralliart version has also been rumored, which would push the SUV further toward serious off-road competition.

Hybrid power remains the big unknown

Mitsubishi has hinted at electrified versions of the new Pajero, but the company has not yet disclosed the battery size, electric range, or specific engine combinations.

A key question is whether the SUV will use a hybrid system derived from the hardware and architecture shared with the Triton.

Hybrid power is expected to play a role in the new Pajero lineup, although Mitsubishi has not revealed the technical details.

For now, the powertrain lineup remains one of the biggest unknowns ahead of the September reveal.

Mitsubishi’s broader plans could also include a Montero-badged version for North America, although that possibility has not been finalized.

Pajero could become a wider SUV family

The return of the Pajero may represent more than the arrival of a single flagship SUV.

Mitsubishi is reportedly considering smaller Pajero variants with hybrid technology for the 2028-to-2030 period, potentially turning the nameplate into a broader family of SUVs.

That would give Mitsubishi a way to compete across multiple segments rather than relying on one large off-road model.

For now, attention is firmly on September 2, when the new Pajero will finally be revealed in full.

The 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero represents a major return to Mitsubishi’s off-road roots, combining body-on-frame construction with S-AWC and a potentially electrified powertrain strategy.

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Hamilton Questions Ferrari’s Team Orders After Zandvoort

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Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari should have used team orders at Zandvoort, arguing that Charles Leclerc cost him valuable time during the Dutch Grand Prix.

Hamilton wanted Ferrari to act

Hamilton moved up to fifth after overtaking Oscar Piastri on lap 35. He then found himself behind a slower Leclerc, which prevented him from maintaining his progress.

Lewis Hamilton became frustrated after getting stuck behind Charles Leclerc during the Dutch Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver eventually complained over the radio, sarcastically criticizing the amount of time being lost.

Leclerc remained ahead until he made his pit stop on lap 43, finally freeing Hamilton to continue his recovery.

Hamilton later compared Ferrari’s approach with Mercedes, which instructed George Russell to give second place to Kimi Antonelli with seven laps remaining.

Mercedes’ decision influenced Hamilton’s frustration

Mercedes made the decision because Antonelli had significantly fresher tires and could potentially challenge Lando Norris for the lead.

Although Norris ultimately won, both Mercedes drivers accepted the decision and finished second and third.

Hamilton pointed to Mercedes’ decision to swap Russell and Antonelli as an example of more effective team management.

Hamilton believes Ferrari could have acted similarly when Leclerc was slowing his progress.

He said he wants to win and finds it difficult when he sees another team making an immediate strategic decision while Ferrari does not react in the same way.

Hamilton also said he intends to discuss the matter with Ferrari when he returns to the team.

Lost time behind Leclerc hurt Hamilton’s podium hopes

Hamilton eventually had a chance to fight Russell for third place, but a late Virtual Safety Car made the opportunity even harder.

The British driver said he was getting close to the Mercedes when the VSC was deployed on lap 70.

Hamilton believes the time lost behind Leclerc ultimately reduced his chances of challenging Russell for the final podium position.

He also pointed to Ferrari’s lack of straight-line speed.

Hamilton estimated Ferrari was losing around four tenths of a second per lap on the straights compared with Mercedes and McLaren.

That made overtaking particularly difficult and increased the importance of avoiding traffic.

Hamilton wants more engine performance from Ferrari

Despite his criticism, Hamilton praised Ferrari for bringing an upgrade to Zandvoort.

The seven-time world champion believes the team is moving closer to Mercedes, but he also thinks Ferrari must address its power deficit.

Hamilton praised Ferrari’s latest upgrade but believes the team still needs more engine performance to challenge Mercedes.

According to Hamilton, Ferrari has spent much of the season giving away performance on the straights.

He believes finding additional engine power is essential if Ferrari wants to close the gap and fight Mercedes consistently.

For Lewis Hamilton Ferrari, Zandvoort therefore produced a mixed result. The fourth-place finish was solid, but Hamilton believes Ferrari’s handling of team orders and its remaining power deficit prevented an even stronger result.

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