Today in Cars: Mugen’s Prelude Tease, BMW’s Next 4, Bronco Goes Global, and EV Reality Checks

If the car world had a mood ring today, it’d be flickering between nostalgia and course-correction. There’s a racy Honda Prelude from Mugen whispering sweet nothings, BMW teeing up the next 4 Series (with a spicier M4 in the wings), Ford plotting Bronco’s world tour, and several EVs facing the sort of “hard chat” you have before changing tactics. Sprinkle in a $8,500 Nissan kei truck that feels like a time capsule, a dealer-built Sentra NISMO, and Australia saying goodbye to the Kia Niro. It’s a busy board.

The Enthusiast Corner: Pointy Noses and Sharp Elbows

Mugen massages the 2026 Honda Prelude

Mugen’s take on the returning Prelude is exactly the kind of wink we were hoping for: angrier stance, aero that looks hand-drawn on graph paper, and the promise of real hardware to back up the bodywork. No specs yet, but Mugen’s greatest hits usually include firmer springs, proper wheels, bitey pads/rotors, and an exhaust that turns commute drudgery into a low-key event. I ran my hand along a Mugen bumper once and it felt like a carbon-fiber handshake—expect the same vibe here. If Honda keeps the Prelude’s GT-lite balance, the Mugen version should be the “Sunday morning detour” special.

• Expect: aero kit, lightweight wheels, louder (but tasteful) exhaust
• Hope for: proper brake upgrade and suspension that works on real roads
• Watch out: Mugen bits aren’t cheap, and some pieces can be limited-run

Next BMW 4 Series confirmed; a hotter M4 likely

BMW has officially green-lit the next 4 Series, and there’s talk of an even spicier M4 variant following the CS/CSL breadcrumb trail. The current M4 already mixes everyday usability with “did that horizon move?” thrust; a hotter model suggests less mass, more grip, and a track-day personality baked right in. I’d love a slightly friendlier ride in its softest mode—the present car can feel taut on battered city slabs—but give me a steering wheel with a blue stripe at 12 o’clock and I’ll forgive almost anything.

• Trend: BMW keeps doing special M4s because people buy them—and they’re good
• Quirk: The iDrive learning curve remains a thing; set your shortcuts early

Nissan won’t build a Sentra NISMO, so a dealer will

When the factory says “no,” a creative dealer says “hold my torque wrench.” A Nissan store is cooking up a Sentra NISMO–style build with bolt-ons and attitude—think suspension tweaks, sticky rubber, and visual spice. I’m all for it, with one caveat: get the warranty details in writing. Also, a sharper chassis can expose the CVT’s limitations. Fun street car potential? Absolutely. Track toy? Manage expectations.

Big Trucks, Bigger Plans: SUV Strategy Shuffle

Bronco looks beyond America

Ford is reportedly moving to expand Bronco availability globally, and there’s chatter about another SUV joining the “Bronco” family. From my seat time in a Bronco on rutted trails, the formula works: approachable off-road tech, old-school charm, and a roofline that makes you want to eat dusty trail mix. The trick abroad will be sizing, emissions, and price. A smaller, urban-savvy Bronco-badged model wouldn’t surprise me—and it’d print money in the right markets.

Mercedes trims the price on the electric G

Mercedes believes a $10,000 incentive will help its roughly $165,000 electric G-Class (G580 with electric tech) find more driveways. I’ve driven heavy EV SUVs; the silence is surreal, but you feel the weight in quick transitions, and tires don’t come cheap. Still, the G’s charm has always been absurd capability wrapped in a square-jawed icon. A bit off the top might be enough to nudge fence-sitters.

VW pivots after the ID. Buzz stalls

The ID. Buzz hasn’t landed the way VW hoped, so attention is shifting to the T7 Multivan play. The Buzz had charisma for days—clever packaging, smile-per-mile styling—but asking premium money in a fickle EV market is tough. A T7 focus suggests customers want flexible people-movers with familiar drivetrains or smart hybrids. Less hype, more vans that just do the job.

Retro check-in: Car and Driver revisits 2003 full-size SUVs

Car and Driver dusted off a 2003 comparison of full-size SUVs, and it’s a fun mirror to hold up to today. Back then it was V8s and ladder frames as far as the eye could see; now we’ve got active dampers, ten-speed autos, and electrified everything. The throughline? Families still need space, tow ratings still matter, and big trucks still sell—electrons or not.

Tesla Cybertruck’s home-turf wobble

According to fresh registration data reported today, Cybertruck deliveries have dipped noticeably in the U.S. It’s a fascinating test of how far bold design and stainless spectacle can carry a niche product when the early adopters have already adopted. I’ve found the truck’s turning circle hilariously useful, but the ownership proposition—charging, insurance, repair complexity—can spook the curious. Expect Tesla to tweak the levers it can: production mix, regional pushes, and financing.

Small but Mighty (and a Bit Cheeky)

$8,500 Nissan kei truck: the ’90s called and it’s… adorable

For about $8,500, Nissan will sell you a pint-sized kei truck that looks ready to haul bonsai trees and good vibes. Vinyl seats, simple gauges, and the kind of honesty that modern cars sometimes bury under screens. I love these: perfect for tight cities, garden centers, or a surf shack’s daily run. Don’t expect cross-country comfort; do expect smiles and parking spots nobody else can use.

Market Moves and Local Notes

Kia Niro bows out in Australia as a facelift appears elsewhere

Kia’s practical hybrid/EV crossover is being axed in Australia just as a refreshed version surfaces globally. It reads like a strategic shuffle—freeing space for newer nameplates and tightening the lineup where demand is thin. The Niro always sipped fuel with monk-like restraint, but its value story got squeezed by fresher rivals. If you spot a runout deal, it could be a smart, sensible buy.

Bridge “takeover” bust: Ford Falcons, fines, and a reminder

Authorities cracked down on a New Year’s Eve bridge takeover involving a group of Ford Falcons. It’s the annual reminder: public roads aren’t your private skidpan. If you want to hoon—and I get the itch—pay the track fee. Your car will thank you, your record will stay clean, and we keep the hobby on the right side of the headlines.

What stood out today

• Heritage hits different: Prelude by Mugen, Bronco’s expansion, VW leaning on Multivan sanity.
• EVs are maturing: price tweaks, product pivots, and a reality check for niche hype.
• Dealer ingenuity: if OEMs won’t build it, someone with a lift and a parts catalog will.

Conclusion

Today’s sheet music is clear: the market’s rewarding cars that feel authentic—be it a back-to-basics kei truck, a Bronco with boots on, or a Mugen-licked Prelude wearing its heart on its sleeve. Meanwhile, EVs are exiting the honeymoon phase and tuning their value pitch. If it fits your life and makes you grin on a Tuesday morning, that’s the car to buy. Everything else is noise.

FAQ

Will the Mugen Honda Prelude be a full factory model or aftermarket kit?

Mugen typically offers factory-approved aftermarket parts and packages. Expect a catalog of upgrades rather than a separate Honda-built trim.

Is a hotter BMW M4 officially confirmed?

BMW has confirmed the next 4 Series; a spicier M4 is strongly hinted. Details and specs are still under wraps.

Why is the Tesla Cybertruck’s sales slide significant?

It suggests early adopters were saturated quickly and mainstream buyers may need sharper pricing, availability, or clearer value.

Is the Mercedes electric G-Class worth it with the new incentive?

If you love the G’s vibe and want silent torque, the $10K sweetener helps. Just budget for weighty tires and premium ownership costs.

Should Australians still consider a Kia Niro now that it’s axed locally?

Yes, if pricing is right. It’s efficient and easy to live with. Just weigh parts/support and future resale since it’s leaving the market.