Daily Drive: Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost goes full hooligan, MG’s Model Y rival leaks, Ram’s midsize ute confirmed, and more

I took the long way to the office—detoured past a favorite roundabout—because today’s news had that itch-under-your-skin energy. The Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost with anti-lag. A leaked MG gunning for Model Y shoppers. Ram finally fessing up to a midsize ute. Oh, and a rumor about a mid-engined Hyundai that sounds like a dare. Coffee helped, but honestly, the Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost bit is what snapped me fully awake.

2026 Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost: anti-lag, attitude, and a factory nod to sideways

File this under “approved mischief.” Ford’s skunkworks-by-way-of-RTR treatment lands on the four-cylinder Mustang, and it’s not just a spoiler package with a sticker tax. The star here is an anti-lag setup—think Ford GT know-how—meant to keep the party going when you breathe off the throttle and pitch it into the next corner. Road & Track flagged the tech, and both Car and Driver and Motor1 are already calling it drift bait with a warranty.

I’ve hustled the current S650 EcoBoost up a choppy canyon—stock car, nothing wild—and it’s better than the purists think. The chassis has that right-now turn-in, the brake-by-wire is sorted, and the electronic drift brake is more than a party trick. Add anti-lag, sort the dampers, and give it a bit of RTR seasoning? Suddenly the “not the V8” Mustang is your after-hours dance partner. Especially when the road is tight, greasy, and confidence is half the lap time.

Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost highlights

• Anti-lag keeps the turbo spooled between throttle lifts for crisper response mid-slide.
• Chassis and software tuned for breakaway that’s progressive, not panicky.
• Fresh visuals inside and out, per early photo sets reported by Car and Driver.
• Built on S650 goodness: sweet steering, solid brakes, and that clever electronic drift brake.

How the anti-lag on the Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost feels on real roads

On a linked set of esses, turbo cars can go flat for a beat—lift, rotate, wait… and wait. With anti-lag, that pause mostly disappears. Transitions get neater, you can steer with your right foot, and it’s easier to catch slides early. It won’t turn an EcoBoost into a V8 (sound still matters, I get it), but it will make you grin when the road gets technical. For numbers people: the standard EcoBoost is around 315 hp and roughly 350 lb-ft, 0–60 mph in the mid-5s if you’re tidy. This doesn’t rewrite the spec sheet; it sharpens the edges you actually feel.

Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost: daily life take

Monday to Friday, it’s the same usable Mustang—big trunk, comfy seats, quiet enough to hear your kids arguing about which playlist is worse. On the weekend? It’ll egg you on at an autocross or a dusk run up your local pass. Expect 30-ish mpg on the highway if you behave. You’ll spend your savings on rear tires, granted, but that’s just the price of happiness.

MG’s Tesla Model Y rival leaked after Euro crash testing

MG’s been gathering steam across Europe and Australia, and now we’ve got leaked shots—reportedly post-Euro NCAP testing via CarExpert—of a Model Y contender. Timing like that usually means showroom cars aren’t far behind. The shape hits the family-EV brief square on: Costco run, school chaos, and the occasional Alpine weekend if you pack soft bags.

The homework list is predictable but brutal: hit 300+ miles WLTP (or close), charge hard on a 350-kW station, keep pricing cheeky, and don’t kneecap rear headroom for aero. I’ll be watching the cargo floor height; too-tall floors make you feel like you’re packing a suitcase onto a bar counter.

Hyundai’s mid-mounted ICE sports car project sounds deliciously reckless

According to CarExpert, Hyundai is developing a mid-mounted internal-combustion powertrain for a future sports car. In 2025, that reads like a prank—and I’m here for it. The N division has never been shy, and a mid-engine layout promises the kind of balance the front-drive-based Ns can’t quite replicate.

Picture something Cayman-sized but with daily-driver manners: light steering at low speed, clear sightlines, and seats that don’t turn your spine into origami. Maybe a hybrid assist, maybe a high-revving four. If it keeps the playful N attitude—just add lift-off rotation and a cheeky tail—sign me up for a rain-soaked commute followed by a Sunday hill climb.

Trucks and utes: Ram confirms Ranger rival for 2028, Navara details leak ahead of November reveal

Two juicy bites for the truck crowd. First, Ram is officially back in the midsize mud pit with a Ford Ranger rival due in 2028 (per CarExpert). That puts Stellantis into a brawl with Ranger, Tacoma, Colorado, the lot. The big unknowns—powertrains and electrification—will decide whether it’s a straight Tacoma fighter or something more global with diesel in the mix.

Second, the 2026 Nissan Navara leaks are circling ahead of a November unveil (also via CarExpert). Expect a body-on-frame workhorse with the refinement modern buyers demand. The last one was a trooper but felt narrow when you wedged in two child seats and a cooler. Rear suspension tune and towing stability will make or break it.

Midsize pickup landscape at a glance

Cost-cutting watch: Hyundai’s cheapest crossover drops LEDs and built-in nav

Carscoops notes Hyundai pulled LED headlights and onboard GPS from its most affordable crossover. It’s not an apocalypse—most of us run Apple CarPlay or Android Auto anyway—but halogens on unlit backroads feel like candlelight compared to a good factory LED set. Automakers are trimming base spec to keep stickers friendly. If you’re shopping the entry rung, test the headlights at dusk. Your eyes will know in five minutes.

Used car corner: Mercedes-AMG A45 (2013–2018) — tiny terrier with a snarl

Autocar gave the first-gen A45 another look, which jogged my memory. I ran one for six months and it never felt slow to wake up. The M133 2.0-liter made a then-bonkers 355 hp at launch and around 376–381 hp later on. 4Matic traction turned wet mornings into a point-and-shoot video game. Neck day, every day.

Why it’s fun

• Low-4s 0–60 mph launches if you’re not shy with the throttle.
• Grip for days; foul weather becomes your party trick.
• Still sounds special—pops, crackles, and that dense AMG thrum at idle.

What to watch when buying

• Ride quality is unfiltered. Try your worst local pavement before you commit.
• Front tire wear and alignment sensitivity—check for tramlining and odd shoulders.
• Boost delivery should be clean and consistent; scan for codes, avoid hesitations.
• Brakes take a pounding if tracked; budget for rotors and pads if there’s vibration.
• Infotainment is aging. CarPlay retrofits exist, but pick an installer with references.

As an all-weather commuter that turns ramps into rally stages, it still bangs. Leave room in the budget for tires and coffee—both disappear faster than you expect.

Motorsport espresso: Mercedes backs youth, MotoGP doles out pain

Autosport quotes Toto Wolff saying George Russell’s “under-rated” talent helped greenlight Kimi Antonelli—a quiet nod that the talent pipeline is working as intended. Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi’s nursing pain plus a double long-lap penalty after tangling with Marc Márquez in Indonesia. MotoGP: beautiful violence, ruthless math. Respect to anyone muscling a prototype bike while taped together.

Industry watch: Europe’s factories and Chinese brands find common ground

Autocar lays it out: European plants need capacity filled; Chinese automakers want local build to skip tariffs and win trust. The result is inevitable partnerships. Expect job retention in legacy sites, tighter battery supply chains, and faster model cycles for brands like SAIC’s MG. The only suspense is which city gets the first ribbon-cutting.

From the odd files: Grappler reels in a 142-mph Corvette Z06

Carscoops captured the new reality of traffic stops: a teenager, a Z06 at 142 mph, then a Grappler tether around the rear wheel. It’s impressive tech and a hard reset. On public roads, the fastest car is the one you can stop—preferably with time to spare. Track days exist for a reason; book one, save your license.

Conclusion

If there’s a through line today, it’s intent. The Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost isn’t pretending—it’s built to make the in-between moments sharper, the slides smoother, and the school run a bit more bearable. MG is circling the Model Y’s lunch table. Ram’s finally rejoining the midsize scrum. And Hyundai wants to remind us that internal combustion still has a few wild ideas left. Watch the headlight deletions if you’re shopping budget, and if you’re buying used, remember the A45 is a riot wrapped in a stiff shell. Now, who’s got a spare set of tires and a quiet industrial park?

FAQ

What is anti-lag on the Mustang and why should I care?

Anti-lag keeps the turbo spinning between throttle lifts, so response is immediate when you get back on it. On a tight road or mid-drift, that means better control and cleaner transitions.

When can I buy the Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost?

The 2026 Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost package has been revealed by RTR and covered by outlets like Road & Track. Exact on-sale timing and pricing typically follow shortly after; expect a premium over the standard EcoBoost.

Will MG’s Model Y rival be sold in Europe?

Leaked images reportedly followed European crash testing, which strongly hints at a European launch. Final specs and timing are still to come.

Is Ram’s midsize pickup really happening?

Yes. Ram has confirmed a Ford Ranger rival for 2028. Powertrains, electrification options, and market availability are still TBA.

Is the Mercedes-AMG A45 (2013–2018) a good used buy?

If you want all-weather speed and don’t mind a firm ride, it’s a gem. Check alignment, brake condition, and boost behavior, and set aside money for tires and maintenance.