Electric Cars

A recent class-action lawsuit has cast a spotlight on Hyundai's handling of a significant recall involving over 500,000 Palisade SUVs. This legal challenge, initiated in February 2026, scrutinizes the company's response to an identified defect in the third-row side curtain airbags of 2020-2025 models. Plaintiffs contend that Hyundai failed to implement an effective repair and neglected to adequately inform buyers about the defect's potential risks, continuing to market and sell the vehicles without a clear resolution. This situation underscores the critical importance of transparent and timely manufacturer actions following safety recalls, especially for a flagship family vehicle.

The Hyundai Palisade, a prominent three-row SUV within the automaker's U.S. lineup, recorded impressive sales figures of 123,929 units last year, highlighting its popularity among consumers. However, this success is now shadowed by renewed scrutiny. The current lawsuit, filed on February 5, 2026, alleges that Hyundai was aware of the airbag issue after federal tests in April 2025 indicated that the airbags did not meet critical safety benchmarks, specifically concerning passenger ejection prevention during a side-impact collision. Despite these findings, and a subsequent recall in January 2026 affecting more than half a million vehicles manufactured between April 2019 and June 2025, the lawsuit claims Hyundai's actions were insufficient.

Central to the plaintiffs' argument is the accusation that Hyundai continued to sell and lease Palisades even after confirming the airbag defect, without providing a definitive solution or fully disclosing the inherent dangers to new purchasers. This has led to considerable frustration among existing owners, who feel that a vehicle marketed for its safety and family-friendly features has fallen short on its promises. The legal proceedings aim to achieve class-action status, seeking recompense for individuals who either overpaid for their vehicles or would have opted for a different SUV had they been aware of the safety concerns.

This is not the first instance of legal challenges for the Palisade. Previous lawsuits have addressed other component issues, such as brake system malfunctions and engine failures. While these earlier cases do not necessarily imply a systemic safety issue across all Palisade models, they do illustrate the increasing legal pressures that can arise when a high-volume model experiences recurring technical difficulties. The company's management of this ongoing lawsuit will be crucial, as it could significantly influence consumer trust and the brand's reputation, particularly given the Palisade's vital role in Hyundai's global sales strategy.

As the legal process unfolds, the claims put forth by the plaintiffs will undergo rigorous examination. The ultimate decisions rendered by the courts will undoubtedly set a precedent for how automotive manufacturers are expected to address safety recalls and uphold their commitments to vehicle safety and consumer transparency. Hyundai's ability to effectively resolve these issues and restore public confidence will be a defining factor in safeguarding the future standing of the Palisade and the brand as a whole.

Ferrari appears to be on the verge of introducing an exceptionally performance-oriented variant of its 296 model, tentatively identified as the 296 Challenge Stradale. Recent sightings of a heavily camouflaged prototype undergoing road tests strongly suggest that this new iteration will blur the lines between a street-legal vehicle and a track-ready race car. This development will undoubtedly excite automotive enthusiasts, particularly those who appreciate the raw power and precision of traditional internal combustion engines.

While the highly anticipated electric Luce model from Ferrari is still under wraps, the emergence of this extreme 296 version caters to those who cherish conventional engine performance. The test vehicle, clad in camouflage and sporting a license plate, has been observed on public roads. This indicates that despite its race-car aesthetic, it is intended for street use, distinguishing it from the track-exclusive 296 Challenge unveiled in late 2023.

Careful examination of the prototype reveals several key differences from the standard 296 Challenge. Notably, the test car seems to retain a more conventional interior rather than the stripped-down cabin typical of a dedicated race car. It also features different wheels and is not equipped with racing slick tires. Observers have identified front parking sensors and the absence of quick-release hood latches, further supporting its road-legal intentions. A distinctive new front bumper, not seen on the GTB, Speciale, or Challenge models, has been added. The rear design, with its dual exhaust outlets and transparent mesh, more closely aligns with the race car’s aggressive styling than the street-legal 296 variants. Despite heavy concealment, the car's substantial rear wing, seemingly borrowed directly from the race model, remains a prominent and unmistakable feature.

These indications strongly point towards the development of a 296 Challenge Stradale, positioned to surpass even last year’s Speciale in terms of enthusiast focus. A significant aspect of this new model could be its powertrain. Following the precedent of the race car, this road-legal iteration might forgo hybrid elements in favor of a pure V6 engine configuration, aiming to minimize weight. The 296 Challenge boasts a dry weight of merely 2,932 pounds (1,330 kilograms), while the 296 Speciale weighs 3,108 pounds (1,410 kilograms) before fluids. A street-legal Challenge variant would likely fall somewhere between these figures, as achieving the race car's exact weight would be challenging due to the stringent safety and regulatory requirements for production vehicles.

In its racing specification, the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine delivers an impressive 690 horsepower and 546 pound-feet (740 Newton-meters) of torque. The recently introduced Speciale also produces 690 horsepower, with a slight increase in torque to 557 lb-ft (755 Nm). If the vehicle spotted is indeed the 296 Challenge Stradale, its price is anticipated to exceed $500,000, given that the base 296 Speciale starts at $475,364 in the United States. While Ferrari has not disclosed the production numbers for the Speciale, it is reasonable to expect the Challenge Stradale to be even more exclusive. This rarity, combined with its enhanced performance, is set to make it an exceptionally valuable and coveted acquisition for collectors.

Enthusiasts may not have to wait long for an official reveal, as Ferrari has plans for four additional new model launches by 2026, alongside the upcoming Luce EV. Some speculate that the world premiere of this new 296 variant could occur during the Finali Mondiali event in mid-November, with deliveries commencing next year. It is encouraging to observe Ferrari's ongoing dedication to the combustion engine, even as it ventures into electric vehicle territory. Should the 296 Challenge Stradale truly offer a pure V6 experience without electrification, it is expected to be snapped up quickly by discerning collectors, as the opportunity to own a six-cylinder Ferrari devoid of hybrid components may become increasingly rare.