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A Nissan dealer in Arizona will offer a NISMO-inspired Sentra. Features sports suspension, a cat-back exhaust, and new wheels. The dealer is also building two unique Pathfinders for SEMA. Nissan introduced the redesigned Sentra last year and it’s a big step forward as the car embraces new technology and a more upscale design. However, it’s not very exciting as the model has a continuously variable transmission and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine developing 149 hp (111 kW / 151 PS). Review: 2026 Nissan Sentra Feels Too Nice For Its Price, But One Familiar Flaw Remains Pinnacle Nissan of Scottsdale, Arizona is planning to change that by spicing things up with a new NISMO-inspired variant known as the Sentra SE RS (Special Edition Rally Sport). Created in-house, the dealer special is “designed to celebrate Nissan performance culture, promote genuine NISMO parts, and revive the spirit of the early-2000s tuner era in an affordable, showroom-ready package.” The turn-key model features a number of dealer-installed components including a cat-back exhaust, a coil-over performance suspension, and lightweight wheels. They’ll be joined by exterior graphics and special interior accents. There’s no word on pricing, but the Sentra SE RS will go on sale at the dealership next month. To help promote the model, Pinnacle Nissan announced they’re working on a turbocharged 2026 Sentra with a manual transmission for the SEMA Show. Two New Pathfinder Projects The Sentra SE RS program is being led by Nick “NISMO Nick” Scherr, who is probably best-known for creating last year’s Xterra-based Project X. He and the dealership are following that up with two new builds for 2026 and they’ll debut at SEMA alongside the aforementioned Sentra. Details are limited at this point, but the first is known as the Pathfinder Remix and it’s based on the old body-on-frame SUV. It will be modernized and equipped with a V8 engine. The second build is called the Trackfinder and, as the name suggests, it’s a performance variant. Drawing inspiration from NISMO vehicles, this Pathfinder will be “lowered, aggressive, and unapologetically bold.” We can also expect “extensive chassis and aero enhancements” as well as a supercharged engine. Those interested in following along with the builds can check out Nick’s YouTube channel.

One-off Macan Turbo Concept Lago debuts at German boat show. Cabin features wood floor mats and marine-style fabric seats. New 790 Spectre uses a Macan EV powertrain and makes 536 hp. Porsche and boats have been flirting for a while. The German sports car brand already helped create a rapid electric speedboat with Austrian builder Frauscher. Now the partnership is back with a smaller boat called the 790 Spectre and a one-off, marine-inspired Macan concept to keep it company. No, the Macan Turbo Concept Lago can’t jump from the road to water like a Gibbs Aquada or Amphicar 770. But it borrows some neat nautical design and trim ideas in the same way that the Frauscher’s boats have cribbed the Macan’s motors and battery pack. And it has some of the most stylish floor mats we’ve ever seen. Related: Alfa’s Yacht-Winged Giulia Quadrifoglio Special Is Fast, Wild, And Already Sold Out Porsche raided its Exclusive Manufaktur personalisation catalog and roped in experts from its Sonderwunsch “special wish” department to give the concept a distinctly salty vibe. Darkteal Metallic paint, which originates from Porsche’s Paint to Sample programme, covers the outside while neat graphics tie the car to the matching boat. Even the keys wear the same color. Swab the Floor Mats, Matey Open the doors and the nautical theme gets stronger. Real wood inspired by boat decks lines the front and rear luggage compartments and the floor mats look ready for bare feet. A compass replaces the usual dashboard stopwatch and the seat centers use marine grade fabric trimmed with Crayon leather. Green contrast stitching finishes the look and proves Porsche’s trim specialists can customise almost anything. Frauscher 790 Spectre The Concept Lago is just a one-off, unlike the new Frauscher 790 Spectre it’s designed to promote. Engineers built the 7,970 mm (313.8 inches) sports boat around the same 100 kWh battery and dual electric motor setup used in the Macan Turbo, though Porsche quotes 630 hp (639 PS / 470 kW) for the SUV and 536 hp (544 PS / 400 kW) for its sea-going counterpart. The hull is new and lighter than before and the cockpit borrows plenty of Porsche style touches, including the steering wheel and elements of the seat design. Buyers can personalise the boat with special paint and materials to mirror their car. Orders for the 790 Spectre are open now, but the price is going to make a $112,700 Macan Turbo Electric look downright affordable. While neither Porsche or Frauscher has indicated an exact sticker, the fact that the earlier 850 Fantom Air cost around $600k tells us this one is for wealthy Porsche and boat lovers only. Porsche

Mazda has reportedly delayed their EVs developed in-house. Instead of arriving in 2027, they could be pushed back to 2029. The company will reportedly focus on hybrids in the meantime. It appears you can add Mazda to the growing list of automakers that have delayed electric vehicles in the wake of lower than expected demand. According to reports out of Japan, the company’s first dedicated EV has been pushed back until at least 2029. Details are still murky, but Autonews cites Nikkei and Nikkan Jidosha as saying that production has been delayed by at least two years. Instead, the company will reportedly turn its attention to more popular hybrids. More: Mazda’s New EV Caught Testing In America While a spokesperson said Mazda hasn’t officially announced anything, they didn’t exactly deny the reports either. Quite the opposite, as in a statement to Autonews, they said, “We continue to advance the technological development of our proprietary BEVs based on our multi-solution strategy, and will determine the timing of their introduction while carefully assessing regulatory trends in each country and changes in customer needs.” This suggests launch plans are still up in the air and could slip beyond 2027. Test Mule Raises Questions Baldauf This is an interesting development as spy photographers snapped a mule undergoing testing in California late last year. The model wore a heavily modified CX-70 or CX-90 body and featured a fully enclosed grille as well as blocked off air curtains. The vehicle was said to be roughly the same size as the CX-50, but narrower than the body suggested. Little is known about the EV at this point, but it’s slated to ride on the Skyactiv EV Scalable Architecture. The platform was originally announced in 2021 and was supposed to be introduced last year. That obviously didn’t happen and it appears plans to introduce several vehicles on the architecture between 2025 and 2030 are also in jeopardy. These were set to include “various vehicle sizes and body types.” However, the situation has changed significantly in the past few years. In the United States alone, the Trump administration has enacted steep new tariffs and eliminated the clean vehicle tax credit. The latter has caused a significant drop in EV sales and a rethink by many automakers. Nevertheless, Mazda isn’t giving up on electric vehicles as the company recently introduced the CX-6e in Europe. It’s a Chinese collaboration with joint-venture partner Changan, and the model has a lot in common with the Deepal S07.

The K4 Hatchback launches in U.S. without manual transmission. Kia says a manual is possible if U.S. buyers show enough interest. For now, Sportswagon is Europe-only despite being built in Mexico. The Kia K4 Hatchback is finally here, and it’s rolling out to dealers as you read this. When it gets there, it won’t offer all-wheel drive, it won’t come in all the same trims as the sedan, and it won’t have a manual transmission. That last detail could change, though, if enough buyers speak up. More: Kia’s K4 Just Struck A Killer Blow To The VW Golf During a press event we attended in Los Angeles, a Kia spokesperson addressed the possibility of a manual for the newly launched North American-market K4 Hatchback. “We don’t have any plans for a manual transmission right now, but the platform is perfectly capable of accepting one,” the official told us. “We do offer a manual in other markets. If we find that there’s demand in our market for a manual transmission and it makes business sense, it’s technically possible.” Stephen Rivers / Carscoops The comments suggest that while Kia is launching the K4 Hatchback in the States as an automatic-only offering for now, the company hasn’t ruled out giving enthusiasts the option of a stick shift if there’s sufficient interest. This aligns with Kia’s strategy in other regions, where manual-equipped K4 models are already offered, giving buyers a more engaging driving experience. What About That New K4 Wagon? We also brought up the K4 Sportswagon, which was recently unveiled overseas offering several engine options and even the choice of a manual gearbox on select models. A Kia representative confirmed to Carscoops that the model, built in Mexico, will remain exclusive to Europe for the foreseeable future, where demand for wagons remains strong. This means North American buyers will not have access to a wagon variant anytime soon, leaving the hatchback as the primary alternative to the sedan for those wanting a more practical, versatile K4. That’s a bummer, but perhaps it could also end up on U.S. soil if market demand and trade policy shifts under USMCA align. For now, buyers will need to choose from three available trims on the Hatchback, which all come with an automatic. The door remains open on a manual gearbox in the future, but, for now, not on the Sportswagon. Kia’s spokesperson emphasized that the car’s architecture can accommodate both if demand rises. Whether or not they come to the U.S. now hangs on how the market receives the K4 Hatchback. Stephen Rivers / Carscoops

The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship is headed to Indiana. Top-seeded Indiana won its first ever football championship on Monday, outlasting the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in a game that started murky but ended in a thriller. Things started relatively slow for both sides, as Indiana took just a 10-0 lead into halftime with Miami’s offense getting nothing going on the ground or over the top. But, as usual in low-scoring college first halves, the script flipped in the final two quarters. Miami woke up to put the pressure on the Hoosiers, but Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza stepped up and Hurricanes QB1 Carson Beck couldn’t. Beck had the chance to deliver a game-winning drive, but forced a deep pass that was picked off. Indiana held on 27-21, winning the program’s first ever football title in its debut appearance while Miami’s wait since 2001 persists, despite being at home in Hard Rock Stadium. Let’s analyze the game further with winners and losers: MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL COVERAGE College Football Dec 18, 2025 Who has the most College Football Playoff appearances, championships? NCAA Football Dec 9, 2024 These schools have the most Heisman Trophy winners in college football history College Football Dec 6, 2025 Indiana had the most losses in college football history. Now it's a championship contender. WINNER: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana The Heisman winner and potential No. 1 pick had all the eyes on him tonight. It wasn’t a perfect performance, but he displayed the grit and poise needed at the next level. Mendoza threw for 186 yards on 16 of 27 completions, while also rushing for the key 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. He’ll still need to polish his game more to truly thrive in the NFL, especially if the Las Vegas Raiders believe he’s the QB1 that can elevate their trajectory. But for now, he can bask in the moment. LOSER: Carson Beck, Miami On the other hand, it was a slightly different story for Miami’s QB1. Carson Beck, 23, could’ve had his moment to change the narrative on his college career — and boost his potential draft odds in the process. He overcame a slow start and displayed much better command in the second half, finishing with 232 passing yards and a touchdown on 19 of 32 completions. But the lone pick might just summarize his five-year collegiate run best — a competitive college option but not at the level required to win the majors. WINNER: Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami Most eyes were on Mendoza’s legitimacy to go No. 1, but Miami had an opportunity to show off some of its skill players as well. Malachi Toney, a rising 18-year-old wideout, seized his moments and will be one to watch for the future. Junior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. also stood out, and he could even be NFL ready if he declared. Fletcher Jr. reflected Miami’s stagnant offense in the first half but helped open it up in the second, ending the game with 112 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. He enjoyed a career-best 57-yard run, also the second-longest touchdown in a BCS final. LOSER: Third-down efficiency Indiana’s defense ranked among the top in several defensive statistics this season, and getting off the field on third downs was a major reason why. The Hoosiers at one point limited Miami to being 0-for-6 on third downs. Miami finished with a 3-for-11 rate, while Indiana went 6-for-15. Miami’s defense delivered an underrated performance, but Mendoza helped chip at the margins where Beck couldn’t. Had the Hurricanes improved their rate in the first half, apart from the doinked field-goal try, this could’ve been a different ball game. WINNER: Curt Cignetti, Indiana In an era where there’s a power vacuum at the college football summit, Indiana might have something brewing. The Hoosiers are far from a football powerhouse, but they’ve flipped from being terrible to national champs in two years under Curt Cignetti. The 64-year-old is revered by his players and has built a sturdy culture beyond Mendoza,…