A big year for the industry
2025 was home to some intriguing, world-changing stories. From new tariffs to huge new car announcements, the headlines that dominated weren’t always the most popular. We’ve consolidated a year’s worth of our most popular posts into one place. Each is loosely summarized below, but follow the link to go deeper and gain a greater understanding of what made each of these so popular among your fellow readers.
Blue traffic lights aren’t green for a reason
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/Getty Images
It turns out those little boxes above the traffic lights in some states and cities are for the boys and girls in blue. They’re called “confirmation lights,” and are used by law enforcement nd first responders. But be careful, their job is to help law enforcement spot red-light runners more easily and more safely. You’ll find them in parts of Florida, including Gainesville, Orlando, Fort Myers, and Collier County, as well as in states like Colorado, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Kansas.
Read On: Noticed Blue Lights Above Traffic Signals? There’s a Reason
China bans retractable door handles
Premium automakers, especially those deep in the EV space, have developed a notable affection for retractable door handles, famously found on all Tesla models. They look clean, reduce drag, and fit the futuristic image many electric cars aim for. But while the design wins style points, safety concerns have piled up. Over in China, the government finally decided it was going to step in, banning the electric-only mechanisms that regulators say can trap occupants.
Read On: China Is Banning Tesla-Style Retractable Door Handles Over Safety Concerns
Honda’s strange V3 engine
Honda
Honda’s new three-cylinder engine has a clever new kind of forced induction, allowing for more power via a new electronically controlled compressor. Rather than relying on mechanical parameters to spin a turbine (as a supercharger or turbocharger does), the compressor now uses the bike’s ECU to make the call. Built for use on one of the brand’s latest motorcycles, the three-cylinder engine is so efficient that the 900cc unit will reportedly produce as much power as a conventional naturally aspirated 1.2-liter engine.
Read On: Honda’s New V3 Engine Ditches Turbos and Superchargers for Something Smarter
The Honda Prelude continues to generate buzz
At the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, we saw a wide variety of automotive spectacles, from brand-new EVs to hypercar classics. But one of our favorite cars to make an appearance was a name we haven’t heard in decades: the Honda Prelude. Honda brought its new coupe to the FoS and drew quite a crowd in doing so. It was our first look at the Prelude, and the impressions made then still resonate with us now. The Prelude’s specs were under wraps then, as was the hybrid sports coupe’s pricing.
Read On: Seeing the New Honda Prelude Up Close Reveals Its Retro Magic
