Morning Drive: Ford Everest Tremor V6, Seatbelt Recalls, and a $600k Skyline

I fired up the inbox before coffee and—boom—quite a spread. A serious Suzuki seatbelt recall. Polestar tightening its belt but keeping the lights on. And the headliner for most of us in the school-run-and-camping crowd: the Ford Everest Tremor finally getting the kind of V6 muscle you feel in your spine. Toss in a $600k Skyline, a dieselgate aftershock, robotaxis going full statue during a blackout, and a festive Scottish M3 road trip to keep the soul warm. The car world never does “quiet Tuesday,” does it?

Safety First: Suzuki Fronx Recall After Seatbelt Failure

This one matters. Suzuki has triggered an official recall for the Fronx after a reported seatbelt failure. Nobody needs that sort of drama in the school pickup lane. I’ve seen enough recalls to know the good ones are boring: book it, fix it, forget it.

• Issue: Reported seatbelt failure that prompted an urgent investigation.
• Action: Check your VIN, schedule a dealer visit, get the remedy fitted.
• Owner tip: If multiple drivers use the car, tell everyone to be extra mindful about belt routing until it’s fixed.

EV Reality Check: Polestar Shutters UK R&D, Secures $900M Lifeline

Polestar’s week is equal parts pruning and perseverance. The brand is closing its final UK R&D outpost while banking roughly $900 million to steady the ship. I’ve always liked the way a Polestar 2 breathes over crusty B-roads—taut, never brittle, and a cabin that whispers “we measured that” in Swedish. The challenge isn’t building a good EV; it’s surviving the EV market’s awkward teenage years. For owners, expect stronger software support and maybe a slower drip of new metal.

• Funding: Approximately $900M secured.
• Operational shift: Last UK R&D site closed—leaner, more focused development.
• Outlook: Fewer variants, deeper over-the-air updates.

Ford Everest Tremor V6: The Big-Torque Family Bruiser Arrives

The Ford Everest Tremor has been loitering at the gym, apparently sneaking sessions with the Ranger Raptor. Result? A V6 petrol with a quoted 260 kW—about 349 hp—and the sort of throttle response that makes on-ramps and steep tow routes feel a size smaller. I spent a dusty afternoon in a Ranger Raptor recently and came back grinning; if the Everest Tremor inherits even most of that composure, it’ll turn corrugations into background noise and make school speed humps feel optional. Not that they are. You get the idea.

• Powertrain: V6 petrol, 260 kW (approx. 349 hp), paired to a 10-speed auto.
• Chassis: Off-road tune with Raptor-flavored hardware and calibration.
• Vibe: Family SUV meets weekend trail rig—no apology necessary.

Ford Everest Tremor: Family Life & Towing

I’ve packed an SUV to the roof more times than I’ll admit. If Ford keeps the cabin smarts—deep center bin, proper door cubbies—the Everest Tremor will be a road-trip ace. The diesel still makes a strong case if your life is mostly caravans and horse floats; torque is a beautiful thing at 80 km/h on a grade. But for folks who want some weekend snarl, the V6 is the one you’ll test-drive twice. Maybe three times, if the dealer looks the other way.

• Cabin practicality: Expect clever storage and genuinely usable third-row access.
• Towing manners: Diesel remains king for heavy trailers; V6 suits lighter rigs and mixed family use.
• Noise, vibes, harshness: The Raptor connection usually means plush off-road ride; fingers crossed it survives school-run reality.

Ford Everest Tremor: How It Stacks Up (On Paper)

If towing defines your week, the diesel keeps its crown. If your weekends involve gravel switchbacks, surfboards, and a smirk every time a tunnel appears, the Ford Everest Tremor V6 is calling.

Ford Everest Tremor: Quick Buying Pointers

• Wheels/tyres: Don’t over-rim it—smaller wheels, taller sidewalls ride better off-road and in cities with cratered bitumen.
• Options: Look for all-terrain packs, underbody protection, and a full-size spare if you’re actually leaving the pavement.
• Tech: Confirm camera views and trailer assist features; they’re worth their weight the first time you reverse uphill in the rain.

Motorsport Meets Couch: Hyundai i30 N TCR Hits Gran Turismo 7

Hyundai N turns 10 and drops the i30 N TCR into Gran Turismo 7. Nice touch. The first i30 N road car felt like the moment Hyundai kicked the hot-hatch door clean off its hinges—playful rotation, gummy midrange, grin guaranteed. If you’re dabbling in sim time, try TC at 1, stability on a friendly setting, and focus on brake release. It genuinely transfers to real circuits. Ask my front tires after a wet Bedford day.

Collector Corner: The $600K “Not-So-Regular” R34 GT-R

Stopped me mid-scroll: a Tommykaira-massaged R34 GT-R trading north of $600k, wearing a near-stock suit. That’s the charm—OEM stealth, cult-spec underneath. If you’ve ever driven one hard, you get it. The steering is telepathy, and when the twins spool, your horizon does a magic trick. Rational? Absolutely not. Irresistible? Also yes.

• Spec: Tommykaira-tuned R34 GT-R, period-correct and subtle.
• Reported price: Over $600,000.
• Why it matters: Top-tier tuner provenance keeps rewriting auction records.

Regulation, Money, and Other Grown-Up Stuff

Mercedes’ Dieselgate Aftershock: Another $150 Million

Dieselgate’s tail keeps wagging. Mercedes is staring at another ~ $150M hit. The money hurts, but the reputational tax lingers longer. Diesel loyalists love the range and torque; the rest of the world now squints at every brochure figure like it’s written in pencil.

Robotaxis vs. Blackouts: Not a Great Night Out

During a citywide blackout, several robotaxis reportedly just… froze. Lane-blocking statues. I’ve pestered AV engineers about this exact thing: What happens when the network hiccups and the lights go out? Redundancy and fail-safes are everything. Not just sensors and AI—resilience. Park safe. Phone home. Hand it back to a human if all else fails. That playbook needs to be bulletproof.

California’s Gas Price Risk: A Self-Inflicted Squeeze

California’s unique fuel blend and shrinking refinery count make prices twitchy. If your commute is long and your spreadsheet whispers “EV,” it might be time. If not, go full loyalty-program goblin and time your fill-ups. It’s boring, and it works.

Road-Trip Therapy: An M3 and Scotland’s Festive Best

Autocar’s winter wander in a BMW M3 chasing Scotland’s best festive food hit me right in the feels. Cold start chatter, damp tarmac, Michelin rubber hunting for truth, that front end nibbling into single-track corners—you start planning lunch around road quality. Get there early. Have a pie. Loop the good bit again. Life’s short.

Quick Hits

• Suzuki Fronx: Recall in motion—book your fix and keep belts tidy in the meantime.
• Polestar: $900M secured; fewer variants, more software smarts.
• Ford Everest Tremor: V6 power at 260 kW—finally, the stance matches the shove.
• Tommykaira R34 GT-R: Stealth millions. Try not to check your garage’s appreciation potential afterward.
• Robotaxis: Blackouts exposed the soft spots—resilience is the next frontier.

Conclusion

From safety recalls to six-figure Skylines, it’s a day of sensible choices and deliciously irrational ones. If you’re shopping in the real world, keep an eye on the Ford Everest Tremor—on paper, the V6 is the right kind of overkill for family life that isn’t just cul-de-sacs and carparks. And if you’re EV-curious, watch how Polestar plays the long game. In the meantime, take the scenic route. It’s why we put up with the rest of it.

FAQ

Is my Suzuki Fronx affected by the seatbelt recall?

Check your VIN with your dealer or the brand’s recall portal. If your car is included, the remedy is free and should be a quick visit.

What engine does the Ford Everest Tremor use?

A V6 petrol rated at 260 kW (about 349 hp), likely paired to a 10-speed automatic. Market-specific torque and final hardware may vary.

Should I pick the Ford Everest Tremor V6 or the diesel?

If you tow heavy and often, the diesel’s low-down torque is hard to beat. If you split time between city, highway, and light off-road—and want sharper throttle and sound—the V6 Tremor is the fun choice.

What does Polestar’s UK R&D closure mean for owners?

It’s a cost-cutting move, not an exit. Expect ongoing software updates and support, with a more focused lineup over time.

Why did robotaxis struggle during a blackout?

Power and connectivity losses can disrupt mapping, V2X, and decision redundancy. Until fail-safes improve, edge cases like blackouts remain tough.