Bentley's First EV! McLaren's New Logo? A Miata Corvette?! THIS CAR POD! EP130
Doug DeMuro · 2026-09-25
💡 Quick Take
1. Bentley Torqual EV: Buy if you want a luxury electric SUV with a 300-plus mile range and rapid performance.
2. Subaru WRX Performance Model (TS/Wing): Wait for a proper STI upgrade if you are craving substantially more horsepower.
3. Nissan Rogue Hybrid: Buy this upcoming series hybrid if you need a practical, highly efficient compact commuter SUV.
4. Aston Martin Valhalla Spider: Buy if you can secure one of the limited production run and want a high-end plug-in hybrid supercar.
5. Mitsuoka LA1 (Miata C1 Corvette): Wait and see if this retro-styled conversion actually reaches full production before putting down money.
6. Porsche Electric Manual Transmission: Wait for production implementation to see if simulated gear shifting feels authentic compared to a real manual.
7. Used Porsche 911 Twin Turbo: Don't buy at inflated collector pricing if it stretches your budget past reasonable everyday driving limits.
📊 Detailed Explanation
Bentley is entering the electric vehicle market with the Torqual, a midsize luxury SUV positioned below the Bentayga. It features Bentley's newly redesigned logo, boasts around 300 miles of US-cycle range, and pushes out massive torque with sub-three-second 0-60 capabilities in the S trim. The speaker believes that luxury buyers will appreciate the seamless power delivery and silence of electric motors, making this an exciting step for the brand as it transitions away from older W12 engines.
Subaru has teased a performance-focused WRX and BRZ model—likely a TS variant featuring a massive wing and sharper suspension tuning—to be revealed at Boxerfest in York, Pennsylvania. However, the speaker expresses disappointment that Subaru continues to skip out on building a true high-horsepower STI variant or bringing overseas wagon options to the US market, meaning enthusiasts looking for raw power gains will likely want to pass.
Nissan is rolling out a redesigned Rogue Hybrid utilizing an e-power series hybrid system where an electric motor drives the wheels while a gas engine acts as a generator. With hybrid compact SUVs enjoying massive consumer demand and long waitlists, this model is expected to dominate the segment by offering stellar fuel economy for everyday buyers who prioritize practical, high-mileage family transportation.
Aston Martin is reportedly readying a Spider variant of the Valhalla supercar featuring a removable hard top and the same twin-turbo V8 hybrid setup as the coupe. While the car delivers extreme performance and stunning design, the speaker notes that its million-dollar-plus price tag and lack of cabin storage make it a hardcore toy strictly meant for collectors and enthusiasts with well-appointed garages.
Mitsuoka has revealed the LA1, a quirky coachbuilt creation that transforms a modern Mazda Miata into a retro-styled vehicle resembling a C1 Corvette. While previous Mitsuoka models like the RAV4-based Buddy have generated amusement, the speaker remains skeptical about whether these niche, heavily modified conversions will translate into practical market success outside of novelty collectors.
Porsche has patented an automated manual transmission system designed to replicate the feel of a traditional stick shift in future electrified vehicles, following similar developments from Ferrari. While purists are often skeptical of simulated manual systems, the speaker notes that if any automaker can engineer software and tactile feedback to make it feel genuine, it is Porsche.
Reflecting on personal garage downsizing, the speaker discusses selling a cherished Porsche 911 Twin Turbo, noting that while the car is an absolute joy to drive and look at, current market valuations nearing $267,000 make it difficult to justify keeping as a casual family cruiser. For buyers shopping in that elite tier, the speaker advises carefully weighing the immense cost against actual utility.
🎯 Automotive Expert Opinion
The automotive landscape is undergoing a profound structural shift, perfectly captured by legacy luxury houses like Bentley pivoting directly to high-end battery-electric architectures while heritage sports car brands scramble to patent simulated mechanical engagement for electrified powertrains. The decision by Bentley to bypass plug-in hybrid compromises in favor of a dedicated luxury EV SUV demonstrates a clear-eyed understanding of top-tier consumer preferences: effortless, silent torque delivery trumps nostalgic internal combustion plumbing when operating at the absolute pinnacle of the market.
At the volume end of the spectrum, Nissan’s introduction of the Rogue Hybrid is a textbook example of correctly reading the macroeconomic tea leaves. While enthusiasts constantly clamor for manual transmissions and high-output turbocharged rally cars—exemplified by Subaru's frustrating reluctance to deliver a modern WRX STI—the actual financial engine of the global automotive industry relies on hyper-efficient, high-demand family crossovers. Missing out on enthusiast niches hurts purists, but capturing mainstream hybrid volume is what keeps automakers solvent in an increasingly stringent regulatory environment.
Niche coachbuilding projects like Mitsuoka’s Miata-based C1 Corvette interpretation highlight the wonderful absurdity that still exists within car culture. While these low-volume aesthetic mashups rarely make commercial sense on a global scale, they inject much-needed personality into an otherwise homogenized sea of crossover appliances. They serve as a reminder that automotive passion extends far beyond zero-to-sixty times and lap records, celebrating instead the pure joy of whimsical design and bespoke craftsmanship.
Ultimately, whether evaluating million-dollar hybrid supercars, simulated manual transmissions, or practical family hybrids, the underlying theme is adaptation. Automakers are forced to navigate shifting consumer demands, tighter emissions standards, and rapidly evolving technologies. Buyers must look past marketing hype and badge prestige to evaluate whether a vehicle genuinely delivers on its core promise—whether that promise is uncompromising electric luxury, utilitarian fuel savings, or pure weekend driving thrills.
Kanal: Doug DeMuro