Every Friday, I collect the automotive news that makes you feel better about your own car problems and keeps you in the know about cool car sh!t that's happening around the world. If Audi's making gorgeous F1 cars while people can't afford their car payments, your automotive anxiety is completely justified. Think of this as proof that everyone in the car world is just as confused as you are right now.

Audi's F1 Livery is Stunning

Audi finally unveiled what their 2026 Formula 1 car will look like, and it's beautiful. Titanium, carbon black, and Audi red in a minimalist design that actually stands out instead of looking like a NASCAR stock car covered in sponsor stickers (although, we’ll see how it turns out when they have sponsors). The German manufacturer is taking over the Sauber team and entering F1 for the first time since before World War II.

CEO Gernot Döllner said "We are not entering Formula 1 just to be there. We want to win." Bold statement from a company that hasn't raced in the top series in 80+ years. To their credit, they have been very competitive in sports car racing for decades, but at least the car looks incredible while they figure out how to actually compete in F1.

If You're Behind on Car Payments, You're Not Alone

The share of subprime borrowers at least 60 days behind on their auto loans hit 6.65% in October, the highest level on record according to Fitch Ratings data going back to the early 1990s. That's a record. The highest it's ever been. Meanwhile, prime borrowers with stronger credit histories held steady at 0.37% delinquency...so this is hitting people who could least afford problems in the first place.

Two subprime lenders, PrimaLend and Tricolor, have already filed for bankruptcy. Repo businesses are saying the volume is probably close to Great Recession levels. If you're struggling with your car payment right now, you're not alone. You're not failing. The system is failing you. Cars cost too much, interest rates are too high, and everything else costs more too. Your anxiety about this is completely valid.

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Mazda Is Finally Making a Real EV

Remember the MX-30? Mazda's "electric vehicle" that had 100 miles of range and sold like 300 units before they killed it? Yeah, Mazda wants you to forget that too.

They're now testing their first dedicated electric vehicle, a midsize crossover that looks like a smaller CX-90, near their R&D center in California. Unlike the MX-30 disaster, this one's built on a dedicated EV platform called Skyactiv EV Scalable Architecture, with production starting in 2027 and sales kicking off in 2028.

Mazda has been one of the biggest laggards in the EV shift among Japanese automakers, focusing on plug-in hybrids instead. But their CTO drove a prototype and said "It has very good driving dynamics" and "We're confident that our EV products will be real Mazda products." Which is exactly what you'd want to hear after the MX-30 fiasco. I'm here for it. Honestly, I’m here for Mazda always, but that’s a story for another day.

Tesla Recalled 10,000+ Powerwalls After Fires

Tesla is recalling over 10,000 Powerwall 2 home battery units in the US after 22 reports of overheating, including six reports of smoking and five reports of fire. No injuries reported, but property damage happened.

Here's the concerning part... a source close to the situation says Tesla has been dealing with this issue in the US for two years. The first fire reportedly occurred in 2023. They even built special thermal response trailers to drive around the country addressing overheating units. Tesla is remotely discharging the affected units until they can physically replace them.

This follows a recall in Australia earlier this year for the same units. These Powerwalls were also sold in Canada and Europe. Tesla is going to Tesla and apparently waiting years to recall products that catch fire is just part of the brand experience now.

Subaru's Giving The BRZ an STi Makeover (But Not For You)

Subaru just launched the BRZ STI Sport Type RA in Japan, and it's exactly what you'd want in a special edition sports coupe. It gets a race-derived version of the 2.4-liter engine adapted from the BRZ CNF race car, BBS wheels in matte bronze or gray, ZF dampers, Brembo brakes with gold calipers, and a massive carbon fiber rear wing.

Pricing starts at about $32,100 without the wing…$35,400 with it. Production is limited to 300 units, and you have to win a lottery to buy one. Oh, and it's Japan-only. Because of course it is.

At least we can look at the photos and imagine what could have been if Subaru actually brought cool limited editions to the US market.

Keep driving (even when the payments are late),

- Nick

Founder, PURSUIT OF SOMETHING

Currently relating hard to that subprime borrower data...

About Pursuit of Something: I'm Nick, and I'm building a community for everyone who's ever had a complex emotional relationship with a machine that doesn't care about them. Through YouTube videos, this newsletter, and way too much time in my garage, I document the beautiful chaos of automotive ownership.