Such was the case on a recent spring day, when ŔÖ˛Ą´«Ă˝ was invited to test out the new MotoMaster Hydra Edge Plus tire. This new all-season replaces the Hydra Edge Tour in the MotoMaster lineup. We put it through its paces in some very wet conditions at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, located about 90 minutes northeast of Toronto.

Like all MotoMaster products, the Hydra Edge Plus is sold exclusively at Canadian Tire (CT) dealers across Canada. This tire, designed as a replacement for crossovers like the Toyota RAV4, began development in 2023 with CT partner Sailun.

The Hydra Edge Plus was benchmarked against other tier one competitors and was extensively tested in the same environments, using the same evaluation processes and same evaluators as those used by major tire manufacturers. Testing locations are in Germany, Sweden, and the United States.

We drove several Toyota RAV4s equipped with the Hydra Edge Plus and here’s what we learned.

Design

As the name suggests, the Hydra Edge Plus is designed to deliver top-notch wet handling, through Hydra Control Technology (HCT). One of the key goals with HCT is to reduce the risk of hydroplaning.

The design features four circumferential grooves to channel rain and slush. Traction is enhanced with the use of large voids located between the second and fourth rib, and a full void along the center rib.

The Multi-Pitch Tread Design, with staggered lugs, is designed to reduce road noise and improve ride comfort. On the performance side, the Hydra Edge Plus aims to deliver a sharper steering response, and high-speed stability via high-tension cap ply strength.

CT is tight-lipped about the rubber compound being used, but said it is, “next generation”.

Sizes and warranty

The Hydra Edge Plus all-season is available across Canada at Canadian Tire dealers in 32 sizes, ranging from 15 to 20 inches. Of those 32, 19 are 18 to 20 inches and are designed for larger rim diameters. It’s available with V, H, and T speed ratings. The Hydra Edge Plus carries a limited warranty of 120,000 kilometers.

Performance

Wet traction is the name of the game with the Hydra Edge Plus. According to CT, it carries a wet traction rating of 100, which is the highest score possible on their Road Rating system. CT didn’t provide data sets but it claims the Hydra Edge Plus is 13 percent better in wet braking than the Hydra Edge Tour and has earned the highest wet braking score in all-season testing.

The Hydra Edge Plus carries a dry traction rating of 100. Comfort / Road Noise is rated at 92.9, and Fuel Economy is 93.1. The overall Road Rating score is 98.6. 

Road and track evaluations

We tested the Hydra Edge Plus on several Toyota RAV4s on public roads and a closed course. The public roads were two-lane country variety mostly, with some brief highway in the mix. The close course was an autocross setup that tested wet braking, wet grip, and wet handling. All test sessions were conducted in wet conditions. Road driving occurred in heavy rain.

Pluses and Minuses

On road and during closed course testing, the Hydra Edge Plus displayed impressive wet performance. On the road, the tire delivered excellent wet grip from launch, at speed during lane changes and passing maneuvers, and under braking. General ride handling and comfort are also impressive, and there is only a moderate amount of tire noise.

On the autocross course, the Hydra Edge Plus is equally impressive. The soaked track proved to be no bother for the tire, which delivered excellent straight-line braking, good cornering grip, and handled the slalom course with ease. We ran the course multiple times, and while we weren’t measuring results, the Hydra Edge Plus performed well each time. It is an excellent tire for wet conditions.

There aren’t many negatives to report, but a couple things stand out. The first is we were unable to test the Hydra Edge Plus against competitor tires. This isn’t a knock against the Hydra Edge Plus, but it would have been useful to see how it stacks up against the competition. Also, we were unable to test the tire in dry conditions, so we can’t vouch for its dry-handling capabilities. CT says it performs well in the dry, so we’ll have to take that at face value.

Verdict

Overall, the MotoMaster Hydra Edge Plus all-season provides impressive wet weather performance. From grip level, to handling and braking, this tire delivers the goods. Braking distances are short, handling is confident, and the ride is comfortable and quiet.

While we didn't experience it in the dry, and are unsure about how it stacks up against competitors, we think the Hydra Edge Plus all-season would likely perform well in those conditions due to its rigorous development and third-party testing. Bottom line, with its excellent wet performance, wide size availability, strong warranty, and competitive pricing, the Hydra Edge Plus all-season is a tire worthy of consideration.

Photos by Lee Bailie

Then we read further and our excitement dimmed somewhat. In short, if the Camaro returns, there’s a chance it won’t be the one you remember. The last Camaro, pictured here, known as the Gen Six, was a rear-wheel drive, V8-powered performance monster. Anyone remember the 650-horsepower ZL1 1LE, which Chevy sent to the Nürburgring to set new lap records? We do.

But that was a long time ago. June 2017, to be precise. Roughly two years later GM killed development for a direct Gen Six successor, relegating the Camaro to lame duck status. Its production quietly ended in late 2023. Since then, it’s been mostly quiet on the Camaro front. A few years ago, there was some online chatter about the car returning as an EV, but that talk died quickly and hasn’t returned.

In fact, there’s been no Camaro news recently. Until now.

The latest report, sourced from Automotive News, has received wide pick-up. According to AN, the Camaro would return for the 2028 model year, and is tied to two other new GM products, a next-gen Cadillac CT5, and a new Buick sedan. All three will be built on a shared platform and assembled at GM’s Lansing, Michigan plant. The unnamed Buick is intriguing since the brand has sold nothing but SUVs in North America since the Regal sedan went out of production in 2020.

As for the new cars, they would likely share components, including powertrains. Various reports suggest the platform will be GM’s Alpha 2 with a rear-wheel drive configuration. A V8 engine for high-performance models is possible, but multiple engines appear likely based on reports we’ve seen. These cars also appear to be ICE only, with no electrification planned.

If these plans are true, then why are we feeling less than totally enthused?

Well, for starters, these reports are pure speculation. AN generally has excellent sources, and the one for this story – a major GM supplier – may have knowledge about future products that haven’t been announced. But GM has yet to confirm so it could all be a mirage.

Secondly, some reports, including one from GM Authority, an insider website that covers GM, says a new Camaro might not be the one people remember. Reading between the lines, could this mean a new Camaro be sold as a coupe and sedan, like the Dodge Charger? Maybe. But given how slow-selling most coupes tend to be, our bet is sedan-only. Which would be a shame, in our view, given Camaro’s proud history as a two-door.

But nostalgia doesn’t sell cars, and the last Camaro was proof of that. Sales for the Gen Six dipped to just over 31,000 units in the U.S. in 2023, the last full year it was on sale.

But, according to AN, GM’s plans for the new Camaro and CT5 appear to be modest, with just 60,000 – 75,000 to be built, combined, on an annual basis. Long gone are the heady days of the 1980s and 1990s when the Camaro regularly sold more than 100,000 units in the U.S.

Still, this is hopeful news, and we hope our fears of being underwhelmed by what might arrive are misplaced. Reports suggest production for the new Camaro will begin in Fall 2027, so we should know more about its return – if it returns – over the next year.

Photos courtesy of Chevrolet

Bugatti has revealed a one-off version of the W16 Mistral called “Caroline,” a custom-built roadster designed through the brand’s Sur Mesure personalization program. Created as a tribute to the owner’s daughter, the hypercar features a unique lavender-inspired paint finish, floral artwork, and detailed embroidery throughout the cabin, making it one of the most personal Bugatti builds to date.

The special-edition Mistral marks the final chapter of Bugatti’s legendary W16 engine era. Under the hood is the same 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 producing around 1,600 horsepower, making the car one of the most powerful and fastest open-top cars ever built. Production of the W16 Mistral is limited to just 99 units worldwide, all of which were reportedly sold before deliveries even began.

Inside, the “Caroline” theme continues with violet accents, custom leather finishes, and embroidered floral details inspired by nature and high fashion. Bugatti says the project was designed to blend art, emotion, and performance into one final sendoff for the iconic W16 platform. As Bugatti moves toward a new generation of hypercars, this one-off Mistral stands out as a fitting farewell to one of the most famous engines in automotive history.

But what’s even more interesting about the Boulder is not the vehicle itself, but the intention Hyundai is signaling with its reveal. And that intention is to build a body-on-frame mid-size pick-up truck by 2030. And before you ask, yes, Hyundai plans to design, develop, and assemble this truck in the U.S. 

This means the Boulder is basically a design exercise. Hyundai says as much in its press release announcing the SUV, calling it an expression of its new “Art of Steel” design language. Hyundai says vehicles built from Art of Steel will be focused on high levels of off-roading and tow / hauling capability.

“Our body-on-frame Boulder Concept SUV is a four-wheeled love letter to the dynamic, off-road way of life that many customers have been asking us for in our future-focused research,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President, Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design Center, Hyundai Motor Company. “We are confident that something like this ultra-capable Hyundai SUV concept could more than fulfill the needs of this exclusive group of adventure seekers.”

While Hyundai is stressing the Boulder is still a concept, and isn’t necessarily reflective of a future production vehicle, Art of Steel could spin off an SUV – or multiple SUVs – that are inspired by it.

Specs for the Boulder Concept are thin, but it rides on 37-inch mud-terrain 37x12.50R18 LT tires, with a rear-mounted full-size spare. No powertrain info has been released.

Hyundai says its still early in developing this new body-on-frame platform, but the vehicles it produces will be clearly aimed at U.S. buyers.

“Developing a robust midsize pickup is a significant growth opportunity for Hyundai in the United States,” said Randy Parker, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America. “Body-on-frame trucks play a central role in this market, and we see a clear opportunity to bring customers a new alternative that reflects how they work, explore, and live. The Boulder Concept SUV signals our approach to this segment and how we are thoughtfully developing our midsize pickup with the needs and expectations of U.S. customers at the core.”

A mid-size pick-up is just one of 36 new vehicles Hyundai plans to roll out across North America by 2030. The Boulder Concept announcement can be found .

Photos courtesy of Hyundai of America  

And this time, there will be two Grand Sport trims: Grand Sport and Grand Sport X. Both will be powered by GM’s new sixth generation small block V8 engine, the LS6. This new, naturally aspirated V8 has the same bore size as the outgoing LT2 V8, but a longer stroke, and therefore a bigger displacement of 6.7 liters (409 cubic inches). 

Other highlights include a 13.0:1 compression ratio, 95-mm throttle body, and a tunnel ram intake with high velocity ports. All are designed for better responsiveness and more power, according to a Chevy press release. The LS6 is rated at 535 horsepower and 520 pounds-feet of torque.

The Corvette Grand Sport will be rear-wheel drive with standard magnetic ride control, touring suspension and Michelin Pilot Sport all-season 4 tires. A Z52 Sport Performance Package, which includes Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires, high-performance J56 iron brakes (borrowed from Corvette Z06) is also available.

For those wanting even more performance, the Z52 Track Performance Package adds carbon ceramic J57 brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, along with track-specific chassis tuning. Bodywork adds include carbon fiber splitter, dive planes, rockers and wing, and underbody strakes.

The Grand Sport X is all-wheel drive, and has a combined output of 721 horsepower, thanks to an electric motor and battery that power the front axle, while the LS6 V8 drives the rear axle. The e-motor and battery pack are from the Corvette ZR1X.

Standard GS X equipment includes magnetic ride control, carbon ceramic brakes, and Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 tires. Grippier rubber – Michelin Pilot 4S – are available with the Performance Package.

Grand Sport colors include the return of Admiral Blue Metallic from the C4 generation, and Pitch Gray Metallic, a new exterior finish. These colors will be offered across the Corvette lineup for 2027.

The LS6 will be the standard engine across the 2027 Corvette lineup. Pricing hasn’t been released, but production is scheduled to begin this summer at GM’s Bowling Green, Kentucky assembly plant. Click for more info about the 2027 Corvette Grand Sport and Grand Sport X.

Photos courtesy of Chevrolet

In addition to the coupé-like QX65 SUV, which will debut at the New York International Auto Show next week, recent reports in Car and Driver and Automotive News suggest Infiniti is developing two high performance QX80 variants.

According to Car and Driver, the first of these, a 600-hp “Red Sport variant”, will arrive in Spring 2027, and an even more powerful model will land in 2028.

In a sense, this news isn’t surprising, as Infiniti has been teasing a big-horsepower, track-oriented QX80 since last summer. At Pebble Beach last August, the automaker revealed QX80 Terrain Spec and QX80 Trac Spec concepts. The latter boasts a 3.5-liter V6 with a new turbocharger and exhaust system capable of generating 650+ horsepower and 750+ pounds-feet of torque. More info can be found.

Two months later, an even more powerful QX80 R-Spec was revealed at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The R-Spec features a high-performance version of Nissan’s legendary VR38DETT engine, that powered the GT-R sports car for years. Unlike the GT-R, however, the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 in the R-Spec has been tuned to produce 1,000 horsepower.

The performance gains were achieved with mods including custom turbochargers, intercoolers, exhaust manifolds, and an upgraded fuel system, according to an Infiniti statement. Other R-Spec details include carbon ceramic brakes, custom coilover suspension, and bronze 24-inch wheels. The wheels are 12 inches wide so they can accommodate 315-width rubber for better grip. More info and full specs can be found .

So, the obvious question is will Infiniti sell a 1,000-horsepower QX80? Seems doubtful due to limited sales potential and rising cost of gas. But, based on what Infiniti told Automotive News, a higher performance QX80 is in the works.

The Red Sport version will deliver, “an additional level of performance,” according to Infiniti product marketing director, Brian Maragno, who spoke to AN. He also told the outlet that Red Sport won’t be the pinnacle of QX80 performance, but said it will have larger brakes, bigger red brake calipers, red “S” badging and could ride on 24-inch wheels.

So, 1,000 hp yes? Not exactly, or so it would seem. AN reported the top-level variant, above Red Sport, will have 680 horsepower with a more aggressive, track-oriented design, such as wider fenders. This model will arrive in 2028.

Whatever final form they take, these QX80s figure to be quite rare, with only a few hundred finding homes in the U.S. That said, U.S. sales for the QX80 were up 31 percent in 2025, so there should be some interest.

These new QX80s, combined with the QX65, plus a new sports sedan and hybrid SUV, suggest Infiniti’s dark days might be coming to an end.

Photos courtesy of Infiniti USA

The updated Nissan Z NISMO is bringing back something enthusiasts have been asking for a proper manual transmission. After returning a few years ago as a track-focused performance model, the NISMO variant now adds a newly developed six-speed gearbox designed specifically for the car, offering a more engaging driving experience without changing its overall power output.

Beyond the addition of the third pedal, Nissan has upgraded key performance components by borrowing tech from the legendary Nissan GT-R. This includes improved front braking hardware designed for better cooling and reduced weight, along with suspension and steering tweaks to sharpen handling. While the power figures remain the same, the driving feel has been refined to better suit enthusiasts who want more control behind the wheel.

The rest of the Nissan Z lineup also sees a mild refresh, including subtle exterior updates, improved airflow, and a few modern interior touches. A new color option joins the palette as well, giving the Z a fresh look heading into the new model year. The updated lineup is expected to make its public debut at the New York Auto Show, with more details, including pricing, coming soon.