Update: We’ve added a speculative illustration of what a next-generation Toyota Venza (or Harrier) based on the new RAV4 might look like, created by our friend Theophilus Chin.

Toyota’s compact SUV lineup is getting a fresh shake-up, with the new RAV4 taking center stage since its debut earlier this month. But the Japanese automaker isn’t about to let the RAV4 have all the glory in this fiercely competitive segment.

More: The 2026 Toyota RAV4’s Evolution Is More Than Meets The Eye

Word on the street is that a new generation of the Venza is gearing up for a 2027 release, aiming to position itself as a sleeker, coupe-SUV alternative to Toyota’s best-selling, more mainstream RAV4.

A Quick Recap on the Venza

The second generation of the Venza debuted in 2020, making its return to Toyota’s North American lineup after a brief hiatus. This SUV is essentially a rebadged version of Japan’s fourth-gen Harrier, with styling that’s more in line with a Lexus than a Toyota. While based on the RAV4 Hybrid, the Venza straddled the line between the compact and midsize SUV classes.

But in 2024, Toyota pulled the plug on the Venza in America, and the Crown Signia stepped in as an indirect replacement. However, the Japanese-spec Harrier soldiered on and received updates for 2025, including a new Nightshade Edition.

A New Generation in the Works

Illustrations of the next-Gen Toyota Harrier/Venza by Theottle

According to a new report from Japanese outlet Best Car, Toyota is working on a new Harrier, which could pave the way for the Venza’s revival in the States. The next-gen Harrier is expected to sport a sleeker design, drifting away from the boxy, rugged RAV4 look and leaning into something more refined.

New details suggest that the next Harrier will ride on a longer wheelbase at about 2,770 mm (109.1 inches), which is roughly 80 mm (3.1 inches) longer than the current version. Expect that extra space to translate into a more refined, car-like roof height of 1,550 mm (61 inches), improving its overall proportions. Toyota’s design team is also reportedly eyeing a more dramatic, sloping roofline, signaling a dive into coupe-SUV territory.

With an overall length of around 4,750 mm (187 inches), the new Harrier will be closer in size to premium coupe-SUVs like the BMW X4, Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, and Audi Q5 Sportback.

More: Toyota’s New JDM Crown Estate Gets A Pull-Out Deck Chair And 302 HP

Inside, it is safe to assume that the new Harrier/Venza will be more premium than the RAV4, at least in terms of design and perceived quality. Tech upgrades could include a 12.9-inch infotainment display and the latest connectivity features along with more extensive over-the-air updates.

Carry-Over Underpinnings

In typical Toyota fashion, the next generation of the Venza is expected to retain the TNGA-K platform of its predecessor, albeit with a few upgrades. This platform also underpins a slew of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, including the RAV4, Crown Sport, Highlander, Grand Highlander, Lexus NX, RX, and TX.

In Japan, the Harrier will reportedly adopt a new turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. This engine is designed to deliver improved efficiency and performance, with an added emphasis on electrification.

More: New RAV4 GR Sport Has More Power Than A GR Corolla

While it’s unclear whether Toyota will bring this turbocharged engine to North America, the Venza is likely to remain a hybrid-only affair, much like the current RAV4 hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, which offer up to 236 hp (239 PS) in front-wheel drive and 320 hp (324 PS) in all-wheel drive configurations.

Originally, Toyota planned to release this new Venza/Harrier generation in 2026, but delays caused by the company’s involvement in a safety scandal in Japan have pushed the timeline back. The SUV is now expected to arrive in 2027, when the current generation will already be seven years old.

Toyota

Update: Nissan has confirmed specs for the next-gen Leaf, including a single-motor setup with up to 214 horsepower. That matches the current Leaf SV Plus, which also delivers 214 hp from a 62 kWh battery pack. On paper, then, there’s no clear performance jump in the upcoming model. Details on the base version are still under wraps, but for reference, the current Leaf S puts out 147 hp with its smaller 40 kWh battery.

Still, Richard Candler, Nissan’s vice president of global product strategy, described the updated EV’s motor as offering “a responsive, smooth and confident drive,” noting that every component has been optimized for efficiency.

Nissan is also targeting a range of 300 to 500 km (186 to 311 miles), with fast-charging capability that can add 250 km (155 miles) in just 14 minutes. According to Candler, this matches the average time that ICE-powered vehicle owners spend at gas stations.

Electric cars are evolving fast, and Nissan wants the next Leaf to prove it still has a place in the conversation. The company is preparing for the full debut of its next-generation EV later this month, teasing more of its design and offering a behind-the-scenes look at its development through a series of new videos.

Nissan gave us our first look at the third-generation Leaf back in March 2025, trading in the familiar hatchback shape of past models for a crossover profile, complete with a fastback-style rear. We now get a closer view of key design elements, including the LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, and an active grille shutter that adjusts for airflow.

More: Mitsubishi’s American EV Will Be A Nissan In Disguise

We can also see the NACS-compatible charging port, and the optional panoramic roof with an e-Dimming function. The later uses electrochromic technology and an infrared reflective coating, eliminating the need for a physical sunshade.

According to Nissan’s design director Nobutaka Tase, this Leaf will be the most aerodynamic production model the company has ever built, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.25 in Europe and 0.26 in the US and Japan. The slight difference comes down to region-specific tweaks like wheels and mirror designs, with the European version coming out just a bit more streamlined.

FWD-only EV With A Decent Range

Underneath, the Leaf shares the CMF-EV platform with the larger Ariya, which means a flat floor and a roomier cabin layout. However, unlike its bigger cousin, the Leaf will be exclusively available with a single electric motor moving the front wheels. This motor produces up to 214 hp (160 kW / 217 PS) and 355 Nm (261 lb-ft) of torque on “select variants” while being quieter and 10% smaller than before.

Nissan also highlighted the new multi-link rear suspension, the improved maneuverability, and a 66% increase in lateral rigidity compared to the previous generation. Furthermore, the A/C unit has been moved under the hood freeing up more space for the front passenger, and the liquid-cooled battery has a new thermal recovery system for improved efficiency.

More: Nissan’s New Hybrid System Promises EV-Like Benefits But At A Cost

Richard Candler, Nissan’s vice president of global product strategy, says the goal was to make the new Leaf a real contender for buyers used to gas-powered vehicles. That meant designing a sleeker body without giving up on practicality, and ensuring long-distance driving was part of the deal.

Target range spans from 300 to 500 kilometers (186 to 311 miles), although the final EPA and WLTP figures have yet to be announced. More importantly, the EV will be able to add 250 km (155 miles) of range in just 14 minutes when connected to an 150 kWh DC charger. Nissan says that this matches the average time that ICE-powered vehicle owners spend at gas stations, making the experience of owning an EV less of a burden.

The new Leaf is also equipped with a navigation-linked battery conditioning system, and comes with vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-load capability.

Overall, Nissan has sold nearly 700,000 examples of the Leaf since 2010, taking valuable insights from existing owners for the development of the new generation. We’ll have more details when the full reveal happens on June 18.

For those with deep pockets and a taste for exclusivity, McLaren is opening the gates – just a crack. Its long-awaited return to top-tier endurance racing at Le Mans in 2027 won’t be a solo affair.

Rather than keeping the upcoming LMDh Hypercar strictly in-house, McLaren’s automotive and racing arms are teaming up to produce a limited batch of customer-spec race cars. These will be developed alongside the official factory entry, offering a rare opportunity for privateers to get uncomfortably close to the brand’s next-generation endurance racer.

More: One Man Got A New Porsche Hypercar No One Else Ever Will

Dubbed “Project: Endurance”, the customer initiative offers more than just the keys to a race car. Participants get access to McLaren’s engineers, drivers, and development process, plus a two-year global track program tailored to show off what these cars can do. That includes coaching from pros, personalized pit crew support, and full race-day logistics so owners can focus on driving rather than managing tire pressures and box lunches.

McLaren hasn’t announced pricing or exactly how many people will be allowed into this ultra-exclusive club. But a few images of the LMDh Hypercar have been released to at least show prospective buyers what their millions might be going toward.

No Street Pretenses Here

The race car is totally unrelated to the roadgoing McLaren W1 flagship hypercar. Instead, it’s a dedicated competition machine, built to LMDh class specs with a fully bespoke body and generous aerodynamic surfaces. Underneath, it rides on a carbon fiber monocoque supplied by Dallara and packs a hybrid drivetrain.

Power comes from a race-spec twin-turbo V6 paired with an electric motor, both sending grunt to the rear wheels. As per LMDh rules, total system output is capped at 671 horsepower (500 kW / 680 PS), though McLaren hasn’t released further details yet.

Nick Collins, CEO of McLaren Group Holdings, called the program a “bold, authentic Le Mans Hypercar customer ownership experience.” And while that’s about as corporate as it sounds, the core idea is clear: buy into Project: Endurance, and you’re not just getting a car. You’re getting a front-row seat to McLaren’s return to endurance racing, plus a full immersion in its development path.

Target: Motorsports‘ Triple Crown

The new McLaren will race at the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team has the ambitious goal of winning the Triple Crown of motorsport for the second time in its history. The feat includes winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix, and McLaren now wants to achieve it in a single season.

More: 12 Surprising Things About The New McLaren W1 Hypercar

The company will face serious competition at Le Mans from the LMDh entries of Genesis, Ford, Alpine, BMW, Cadillac, and Porsche, plus the LMH entries of Ferrari, Toyota, Peugeot, and Aston Martin.

In the 2025 race that took place last weekend, the Ferrari 499P striked its third consecutive win with private team AF Corse and ex-F1 driver Robert Kubica being part of the squad. Porsche followed in second place with the 963 Hybrid that recently got a road-going conversion exclusively for team owner Roger S. Penske.

McLaren

After years of shaking up the auto world, Luca de Meo is officially calling it quits at the Renault Group . The man credited with dragging the French automaker into the modern era is stepping down as CEO, opting to chase “new challenges outside the automotive sector.” His resignation takes effect on July 15, marking the end of a five-year run that many consider both ambitious and unexpectedly successful.

More: One Brand Raised Prices 48% And Still Sold More Cars

De Meo joined Renault at a critical time and quickly rolled out the sweeping “Renaulution” strategy in 2021. The plan brought a string of new EVs and hybrids to market, including the retro-styled Renault 5 hatchback, and signaled a major shift by reimagining Alpine as an EV-only performance brand. Meanwhile, the low-cost Dacia lineup expanded under his watch, reinforcing Renault’s reach in budget-conscious markets.

A Sudden Exit, But Not Without a Plan

The Board of Directors has thanked de Meo for his leadership and confirmed that the process of appointing a new CEO is already underway, guided by an existing succession plan. The identity of the next chief executive will be announced in due course, though no exact date has been given.

French newspaper Le Figaro reports that the 58-year-old executive will join the luxury group Kering, which owns fashion brands Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen. Kering shares have dipped 77% since the all-time-high of 2021, meaning that the new boss has to come up with a turnaround plan.

In a parting statement, de Meo reflected on his time at Renault. “There comes a time in one’s life when one knows the job is done,” he said. “At Renault Group, we have faced immense challenges in less than five years. We have achieved what many thought impossible. Today, the results speak for themselves: they are the best in our history.”

More: People Are Lining Up To Spend Over $175K On This Renault

He also expressed confidence in Renault’s future direction. “We have a strong team and an agile organization. We also have a strategic plan ready for the next generation of products,” he added. “That is why I have decided it is time for me to hand over the baton. I am leaving a transformed company, poised for the future, to apply my experience to other sectors and embark on new adventures.”

Before joining Renault, de Meo held key leadership roles at several major automakers, including CEO positions at Seat and Cupra within the Volkswagen Group, as well as Fiat, Abarth, and Alfa Romeo during his earlier tenure at FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles).

Getting stopped while allegedly driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is going to result in some kind of punishment, so it’s not hard to see why some people – in their chemically messed-up heads – think making a run for it might be the better option. But as this wild rollover crash in Ohio proves, running only ever leads to an even bigger pile of problems.

The incident kicked off when Ohio State Highway Patrol cops were checking the speed of passing cars on I-75. The posted limit is 65 mph (105 km/h), so when a red GMC Envoy flew past at 85 mph (137 km/h) the officer hit the gas with the aim of getting the SUV to pull over.

Related: Wildest Traffic Stop Of The Year Ends With Rolls-Royce Driver Busted For DUI, Drugs, And A Monkey

But instead of complying and pulling to the shoulder, the Envoy accelerated away, leading the original Dodge Charger cruiser on a chase that’s soon joined by a second police vehicle. It doesn’t make any reckless moves to get around slower traffic and can even be seen using the turn signals when switching lane, so you can imagine cops thinking they’d be able to resolved things in a fairly lo key manner.

The cops then try to box the Envoy in but make a mess of it and the driver escapes, which is when things start to get a little wilder. With a cruiser in front and another behind, the Envoy’s driver begins swerving across multiple freeway lanes looking to get ahead of the lead cop car.

She manages to pull in front then veers to the right up a grassy embankment, possibly in a crazy attempt to pass a slower SUV, before the Envoy pitches sharply left, at 90 degrees to the direction of traffic and still moving seriously fast.

The Envoy flips up as it re-enters the freeway, tumbling two and a half times and nearly taking out the pursuing Charger before coming to rest on its roof. A passing nurse stopped and the GMC’s driver was found to have only suffered minor injuries.

The driver was reportedly found with alcohol both in her vehicle and in her system. She was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence, failing to comply, and losing control of her SUV. According to the video uploader, citing the police report, she was also later connected to a hit-and-run reported earlier that day and is unlikely to be getting back behind the wheel anytime soon.

Even in a market saturated with luxury SUVs, there’s something inherently fascinating about imagining one turned into a truck, especially when that SUV happens to be Japan’s most opulent ride.

The Century SUV, Toyota’s flagship luxury model, is often considered the Japanese answer to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. It’s built for comfort, silence, and understated extravagance. Toyota even went as far as creating a one-off convertible version, which begs the question: what other forms could the Century take on?

More: You’ll Swear This Is A Real Tundra Until You Look Closer

Digital artist Theophilus Chin (aka Theottle) has an idea. His latest renderings imagine the Century as a full-size pickup, borrowing cues from the brand’s heavy-hitter truck, the Tundra. The result? Something that looks like it just dropped its kids off at a private academy before heading to a mountain retreat.

The renderings are grounded in reality, using the Tundra as a base. For reference, the Tundra measures between 233.6 and 252.5 inches long (5,933–6,414 mm), depending on the body style. The standard Century SUV sits at a more modest 204.9 inches (5,205 mm). But a truck variant would likely stretch those numbers, with a longer wheelbase and a chunkier rear overhang to accommodate the bed.

Theottle kept the front end of the SUV intact, with the imposing grille and the characteristic bi-tone treatment for the bumper and wheel arches. However, the profile has been tweaked, making room for a spacious “Crew Max” cabin and a standard 5.5-foot rear bed.

Illustrations: Theottle

The greenhouse features thick chrome accents, matching the discreet roof rails and adding a bit of luxury into the mix. At the back, the imaginary Century truck retains the taillights of the SUV, a portion of which opens together with the tailgate. Finally, the truck rides on different wheels with smaller diameter alloys and taller tires.

Under the hood, the Century SUV runs a plug-in hybrid setup that delivers a combined 406 horsepower (303 kW / 412 PS). That comes courtesy of a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 paired with electric motors, an e-CVT transmission, and Toyota’s E-Four Advanced all-wheel drive system.

More: Toyota Confirms Production Century GRMN SUV

It is worth noting that the Century SUV is underpinned by the TNGA-K unibody architecture rather than the TNGA-F ladder-frame chassis found on the Tundra, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser. This makes it less suitable for a full-size truck if you really care about cargo-carrying and towing capabilities, but better in terms of handling and ride quality.

Toyota already offers a high level of customization for the Century SUV, including the option for full bespoke builds. So while a production Century truck isn’t on the roadmap, it could technically happen as a special commission. It wouldn’t be cheap, but for the right customer, someone looking for Maybach-level comfort in a body-on-frame illusion, it might just hit the sweet spot between eccentricity and luxury.

San Francisco’s latest traffic experiment is anything but subtle, and it’s already making an impact. In March, over a dozen fixed-speed cameras in locations across San Francisco were switched on, and the impacts are already being felt.

Read: SF Launches California’s First Fixed Speed Cameras, Fines Scaled By Income

In April alone, these new cameras flagged 31,000 drivers for breaking the speed limits. While the cameras have sparked some frustration among locals, they’re still in warning mode for now. But once the citations start rolling in, expect the volume on the public debate to rise.

One Street, Lots of Speed

The cameras are being rolled out at 33 sites across San Francisco, though only 21 were operational as of this week. Even so, the active units were busy, churning out an average of 1,000 warnings per day last month. And drivers seem especially heavy-footed on one stretch of road in particular.

Fulton Street, specifically the section between Arguello Boulevard and 2nd Avenue, accounted for 44 percent of all daily violations recorded in the city. In response to the high volume of speeders, city officials are planning to install more prominent speed limit signs along this corridor. Additional pavement markings are also in the works, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).

Fines Aplenty

The single highest speed recorded through April was 65 mph (105 km/h) in a 30 mph (48 km/h) zone. Of the warnings issued, 77 percent were for going 11 to 15 mph over the limit (18 to 24 km/h), 19 percent were for driving 16 to 20 mph over (26 to 32 km/h), and 4 percent of drivers were warned for exceeding the speed limit by 21 mph or more (34+ km/h).

The cameras also found that most speeding violations happened between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., right in the middle of the morning commute.

Warnings will only be issued until early August. After that, drivers caught speeding will start receiving fines in the mail. The penalty for going 11 to 15 mph over the limit (18 to 24 km/h) is $50. That jumps to $100 for speeds between 16 and 25 mph over (26 to 40 km/h).

Drivers clocked at 26 mph or more above the limit (42+ km/h) face a $200 fine, and anyone pushing past 100 mph (161 km/h) through city streets can expect a $500 ticket. If it’s any consolation, low-income drivers will be eligible for a 50 percent discount.

“Stealth is a good word for it.” That statement comes from Morris Smith III, a Ford dealer in Kansas and he’s not talking about a new paint color or trim. He’s talking about the way not just the Blue Oval, but automakers in general are raking in more cash while telling the public that prices are staying the same.

For folks deep in the car business, this is nothing new. But everyday buyers might not realize that MSRP is only the opening act of a much wider and more complicated play. The real cost comes from a mix of sneaky add-ons, reduced perks, and behind-the-scenes adjustments that don’t show up on the sticker.

Read: Mercedes Has A Tariff Plan For Trump That’s Brilliantly Fair If You’re Already On Top

We’ve ripped greedy dealers before for blatant markups, but that’s not what we see now. No matter how this debacle ends, and end it will at some point, Donald Trump’s tariff war is going to affect car prices one way or another.

Despite that, several automakers, including Ford, Stellantis, Hyundai,and others, have committed to keeping prices stable for at least a little while. According to statistics and some dealers, though, that’s only half the story.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Speaking to Bloomberg, Smith III laid out the setting: “On the consumer side, they’re seeing several thousand dollars of actual-experience price increase, whereas the factory is saying, ‘No man, we didn’t raise prices at all’.”

What he’s talking about are the other ways that manufacturers and dealers can make a profit without adding to the MSRP. For example, they can reduce incentives. They can increase the delivery and destination charges. They can even add a little to the price of cars on dealer lots, knowing that it’ll help them break even as costs increase throughout the year. Data shows that all of this is happening right now as we speak.

According to the Kelley Blue Book, the average sale price for cars increased 2.5 percent in April. That’s the largest single monthly increase in five years. Incentives fell to just 6.7 percent from a recent high of 10 percent. Then, to top it all off, zero-percent interest deals fell to their lowest rate since 2019. Sure, the MSRP might technically be the same, but all of these factors have buyers paying more right now, not months from now

Price Increases Are Inevitable

No matter how you slice it, even Ford, Subaru, Hyundai, and the rest will have to set higher prices to handle tariffs. There’s no way around it for the time being. “There’s nothing they can do to prevent this from having an impact,” said Kelley Blue Book editor Sean Tucker.

“There’s not a single cliff, but the date they run out of those pre-tariff cars, that’s when you’re going to see the most dramatic change. Dealers set final prices, and they’re dealing with the knowledge that for every car they sell, it’s going to cost them more to replace it than it used to,” he continued.

According to AutoNews, several brands are committed to increasing prices. Mercedes will likely jack up prices on 2026 models by 3 to 5 percent. BMW will add an average of 1.9 percent to its 2026 cars. Volvo will add 4 percent. Subaru has already increased prices by 4.2 percent since November.

Other Methods To Watch For

Fewer incentives, larger delivery charges, and higher interest aren’t the only tools to recoup tariff charges as automakers have additional methods they can leverage. For instance, be on the lookout for models that suddenly lose features they used to have as standard.

That’s another way for automakers to save money while they charge clients the same MSRP as before. Technically, the car won’t get more expensive – it just won’t be as well-equipped.

On top of that, they don’t have to recoup costs on each and every model. They could instead make more expensive models even pricier to offset the losses incurred by low-cost cars . For example, while the next Ford Escape might be barely more expensive than the last, the next F-150 might cost considerably more to make up the difference.

To conclude, one thing is abundantly clear: don’t listen to the marketing blurbs or execs’ announcements. Cars simply are not going to get more affordable in the foreseeable future.  

Few things say “classic American design” quite like a shiny Airstream trailer gliding down a two-lane highway. The Airstream ranks right up there with the Coke bottle as an icon of 20th-century Americana. Nearly 90 years after the first gleaming silver trailer rolled out, the Airstream company has partnered with another legend of American design to create a special run of limited-edition caravans.

Frank Lloyd Wright may have passed away in 1959, but his ideas about design, specifically how buildings should exist in harmony with their surroundings, still shape the way we think about architecture today. Decades later, his legacy continues to influence a wide range of creative industries, and that now includes high-end camping trailers.

Related: Airstream Basecamp 20Xe Goes Off-Grid With 3-Inch Lift And Big Battery

Airstream’s founder Wally Byam, who passed away three years later, pioneered the travel trailer, giving people the means to explore the American outdoors, making the Lloyd Wright Foundation and the modern Airstream company a solid fit for a collab – and a cooler-sounding one than 2021’s Pottery Barn Airstream.

Inspired by Taliesin West

Lloyd Wright’s best known works include Fallingwater in Pennsylvania and New York’s Guggenheim museum, but it’s his own personal summer residence and studio, Taliesin West, built in Scottsdale, AZ, in the late 1930s, that provides the major inspiration for the Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian Limited Edition Travel Trailer.

An opening rear hatch is not a new feature on an Airstream trailer, but what’s new is that the primary sleeping area is moved to the back meaning you can lie in bed with the hatch open to take in the scenery – and grab that perfect #trailerlife Instagram shot. The king-sized bed folds away when not needed, transforming into a pair of bench seats, or twin beds if you don’t want to get cozy with your fellow camper.

At the other end of the trailer, the front living space comprises a dining table and separate desk that fold into a wall cabinet, creating room for a pull-out sofa that doubles as a secondary sleeping area. And the whole interior should feel lighter than the average Airstream because of  the extra windows – including two portholes in recognition of Lloyd Wright’s love for the shape.

Luxury Design Comes at a Price

Though the special limited edition trailers are slightly more attainable than the multi-million-dollar homes Lloyd Wright designed, like any Airstream product they don’t come cheap. One of the 200 build slots will set you back $184,900. For that, you get a piece of rolling architecture that pays tribute to two titans of American design, and possibly a few jealous looks from the rest of the campground.

Luxury comes cheap, said no one ever, especially when you’re trying to keep one of the world’s most exclusive hypercars running. Owning a Bugatti out of warranty means even the smallest issues can come with a shockingly high price tag.

Just ask a former Veyron owner who got an eye-watering quote to fix a single switch, only to sort it out for next to nothing with a little help from a well-connected friend.

More: ‘I Accidentally Put DEF in My Diesel Tank’ Says GM Owner Who Dodged A $15,000 Disaster

The Bugatti owner in question is Carl Hartley, who runs Tom Hartley Cars, a UK-based supercar dealership. In a recent interview with entrepreneur Rob Moore, Hartley was asked which car he’s owned had the most punishing upkeep costs.

Hartley didn’t hesitate. “Bugatti,” he replied, explaining that if you’re lucky, yearly ownership runs around £100,000 ($135,500), with each service ringing in at about £30,000 ($40,600).

A Minor Problem With a Major Price

Photos Bugatti

Hartley went on to describe his experience with the Veyron. He recounted an issue with his Veyron involving a toggle switch used to adjust the side mirrors. After four years, the switch developed a bit of play, Not exactly catastrophic, but annoying enough to warrant attention.

When he reached out to Bugatti for a replacement, they came back with a jaw-dropping quote of £9,500 ($12,900) plus VAT (tax), which adds 20 percent in the UK, bringing the total to around £11,400, or roughly $15,500 at current exchange rates. Why so much? Because fixing it apparently required replacing the entire door card, the motor, and the entire mirror assembly.

More: Bugatti Bolide Tires Last Only 37 Miles And Cost More Than Your Used Car

Unwilling to fork over that kind of money for what felt like a minor annoyance, Hartley called up a friend with Formula 1 mechanical experience. After a bit of digging, they tracked down the culprit, a tiny part that, unsurprisingly to anyone familiar with how the auto industry works, is also used in various Volkswagen Group models, including the Transporter light commercial van.

The bad news? It only comes in packs of five. The good news? The whole set costs a laughable £0.89 ($1.20), which is less than the price of a pack of gums these days.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rob Moore (@robmooreprogressive)

var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:[]};
adpushup.que.push(function() {
if (adpushup.config.platform !== “DESKTOP”){
adpushup.triggerAd(“b25ecba7-3bbb-4ea7-a3a8-dbea91695c07”);
} else {
adpushup.triggerAd(“e46c436a-adeb-4b5e-a2c7-56bc36561c10”);
}
});

Better still, the repair took all of 20 minutes, and Hartley’s friend didn’t even charge him. When asked for advice, Hartley suggested that other Bugatti owners might want to consider reputable independent service centers, which can often carry out repairs at a fraction of what official dealers charge.

More: A Set Of Bugatti Chiron Super Sport Front Body Panels Listed For An Absurd $400,000

Of course, not every repair is as simple or inexpensive. Toggle switches might be shared with humble commercial vans, but larger components come with price tags that could make your accountant faint.

When “Routine” Repairs Aren’t

As we covered in a previous story, another Veyron owner was quoted €17,904 ($20,500) for a replacement fuel tank. That figure doesn’t include installation, which added another €20,000 ($22,800). By contrast, a boost pressure sensor, shared with the VW Golf GTI, cost just €16.50 ($19), though installation still required €1,600 ($1,800) in labor.

The takeaway? If you’re maintaining a supercar, especially one with a badge like Bugatti, it pays to shop around. Literally. While some owners prefer the convenience of sticking with official dealerships, others might find that a second opinion can save thousands.

Either way, it helps to know that not every Bugatti part comes dipped in gold. Some just happen to moonlight in vans.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Carl Hartley (@carlhartley1)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Carl Hartley (@carlhartley1)