
Exclusive: next Mission: Impossible film to track down rare Mini pedal box
In his toughest mission yet, Tom Cruise will stop at nothing to find a scarce Mini component Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading
Here's TopGear.com's roving correspondent, Cory Spondent, with his mostly incorrect exclusives from the world of motoring
A ninth instalment of the Mission: Impossible series is officially in the works, TopGear.com can exclusively reveal, with Tom Cruise set to return as disavowed superagent Ethan Hunt in a deadly race against time to locate a rare Mini pedal box.
Advertisement - Page continues below
Following the events of The Final Reckoning , Hunt swaps his career of saving the world for the quiet life, in which he spends his weekends fixing up a classic Mini and generally behaving like a man in his 60s is expected to.
But when he can't get hold of an original pedal box to complete the job, he's left with no choice but to re-assemble his closest allies at the IMF and embark on a breathless worldwide search involving death-defying stunts, hand-to-hand combat and ludicrous prosthetics. You might like
'His mission, should he choose to accept it, is to track down the missing piece of his beloved project car,' said an insider. 'But at what cost?
'Forget that this is a world in which you can synthesise any human face with a briefcase, this is also a world in which you can't 3D print a clutch pedal. So neurgh.
Advertisement - Page continues below
'Having taken down shady terrorist networks and single-handedly prevented a global nuclear winter, finding a rare bit of an old car is truly Ethan Hunt's toughest mission yet.
'And if you thought the biplane chase was good, just wait until you see a static 1960s icon shot in IMAX.'
A treatment for Mission: Impossible 10 is also being discussed. Plot details are yet to be firmed up, but the entire movie will be based around the line 'This Land Rover will self-destruct in five seconds.'
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox.
Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
27 minutes ago
- BBC News
Federal judge says voiceover artists AI lawsuit can move forward
A federal judge in New York has allowed a lawsuit to move forward from two voice over artists alleging their voices were stolen by an AI voice judge dismissed artists Paul Skye Lehrman and Linnea Sage claims that their voices were subject to federal claims from the artists of breach of contract and deceptive business practices, as well as separate copyright claims alleging that the voices were improperly used as part of the AI's training data, will, however, move Lovo Inc. had asked for the case to be dismissed entirely. The company has not yet responded to the BBC's request for comment. The judge's decision comes after a flood of cases from artists against artificial intelligence companies alleging misuse of their work to train AI artists' attorney, Steve Cohen, has called the decision a "spectacular" victory for his clients, saying he was confident a future jury will "hold big tech accountable". Lawyers for Lovo had called the artists' allegations a "kitchen sink approach" saying the artists' claims failed to make an actionable claim against the artists, a couple living in New York City, filed a proposed class action lawsuit in 2024 after learning alleged clones of their voices were for sale via Lovo's text-to-speech platform couple claim they were separately approached by anonymous Lovo employees for voiceover work through the online freelance marketplace was paid $1200 (around £890). Sage received $800 (almost £600).In messages shared with the BBC, the anonymous client can be seen saying Lehrman and Sage's voices would be used for "academic research purposes only" and "test scripts for radio ads" anonymous messenger said the voiceovers would "not be disclosed externally and will only be consumed internally". Months later, while driving near their home in New York City, the couple listened to a podcast about the ongoing strikes in Hollywood and how artificial intelligence (AI) could affect the episode had a unique hook – an interview with an AI-powered chatbot, equipped with text-to-speech software. It was asked how it thought the use of AI would affect jobs in when it spoke, it sounded just like Mr Lehrman."We needed to pull the car over," Mr Lehrman told the BBC in an interview last year. "The irony that AI is coming for the entertainment industry, and here is my voice talking about the potential destruction of the industry, was really quite shocking."Upon returning home, the couple found voices with the names Kyle Snow and Sally Coleman available for use by paid Lovo later found Sage's alleged clone voicing a fundraising video for the platform –while Lehrman's had been used in an advertisement on the company's YouTube company eventually removed the voices, saying both voices were not popular on the case is now set to move ahead in the US District Court in Manhattan.


Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
I Drove the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport, Here's My Brutally Honest Review
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The family SUV goes off the beaten path Simply put: the 2026 CR-V TrailSport Hybrid is mostly the same CR-V you already know, but with a few meaningful upgrades that go beyond just paint and tires. By making a few cosmetic changes, along with a touch of off-road utility, the Honda CR-V TrailSport will delight those seeking more swagger, with minimal loss in terms of efficiency compared to their CR-V hybrid. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:10 Full screen The top 10 best value used cars in 2025 Watch More The 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport finally brings some adventure to the table Honda is finally giving the CR-V a taste of off-road flair with the new 2026 CR-V TrailSport, and frankly, it looks pretty cool. While this trim may not turn the CR-V into a rock-crawler overnight, Honda claims meaningful improvements in off-road capability for all AWD models, including this new hybrid-exclusive TrailSport variant. With an MSRP starting at $38,800 (before fees), the TrailSport slots between the Sport L and Sport Turing. Torque, technology, and trail cred At the heart of these upgrades is what Honda calls Real Time All-Wheel Drive with Intelligent Control. This system improves on past AWD setups by reacting quicker and shoving more torque to the wheels with grip. So, even if two wheels are in the air, the system can effectively brake the free-spinning ones and route torque to the grounded pair. It's smart, reactive, and makes the new CR-V far more trail-worthy on paper. Honda recently shifted from a 60/40 traction split (front/rear) to a 50/50 split, allowing more usable power to be directed to the rear wheels. Yes, the CR-V TrailSport is only available with the hybrid powertrain for now, but if buyers bite, a non-hybrid version could very well follow. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. TrailSport tires, looks, and trail hints Rolling on Continental CrossContact ATR all-terrain tires (235/60R18), the TrailSport should feel more at home off the pavement than any CR-V before it. I've tested similar tires on the Pilot TrailSport, and they handled soft sand, mud, and highway cruising with surprising ease. The TrailSport trim also gains a unique front fascia with a silver skid garnish, a black rear spoiler and door handles, Shark Gray 18-inch wheels, orange TrailSport badges, exclusive Ash Green Pearl paint, and blacked-out window trim for added edge. Orange is the new tough Inside, Honda leans into the TrailSport theme with bold orange contrast stitching on the seats, dashboard, and floor mats. The TrailSport logo is embroidered into the headrests, and even the seatbelts are orange, adding a subtle but fun visual pop. There's also amber ambient lighting throughout key touchpoints, including the footwells, center console, cupholders, and door pockets. The materials and seat upholstery are unique to the TrailSport trim, giving the cabin a more rugged, purpose-built feel without sacrificing Honda's typical refinement. Source: Honda Driving the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport I often say, 'New tires can wake up—or totally degrade—the performance of any vehicle,' and the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport is a textbook example of that statement. The result? Mostly good, with a touch of compromise. Let's start with the obvious: those Continental CrossContact ATR all-terrain tires are thicker, wider, and noticeably heavier than the standard rubber Honda typically fits to the CR-V. They feature an aggressive tread pattern built for dirt, mud, and snow, and they absolutely improve grip off-road. But they also come at a cost. Source: Honda On pavement, expect a small dip in performance. I'd bet money that MPG and 0–60 times are slightly worse. There's also more interior noise and reduced cornering grip, thanks to the added mass and squirmier tread. Unless you drive like an ape (which I do), it's not glaring, but it's there. Since Honda didn't revise the CR-V's suspension for this TrailSport, some body roll and lateral motion feel a bit more pronounced during quick transitions. That said, off-road performance is noticeably improved. Honda set up a small off-road-style course—nothing extreme, but enough to highlight the TrailSport's upgrades. It included loose dirt, a few small drops, and some off-camber sections. You could probably complete it in most crossovers, but it was just tricky enough to challenge traction and suspension. Thanks to the 50/50 power distribution system, beefier tires, and an overall rugged setup, the TrailSport handled it with confidence. Traction was clearly stronger on dirt surfaces, and during the roller test—where one or more wheels are left spinning freely—the TrailSport was quicker to route torque where it mattered and pull itself free. It's not a rock-crawler, but it's far more trail-capable than your typical family SUV. Back on the street, it's still the CR-V Hybrid we know—just maybe a hair slower, like it's lugging around a gym bag full of rocks. It kind of is, but let's be real: this was never meant to be a race car. If the extra road noise gets on your nerves, the 8-speaker audio system does a fine job of drowning it out. In short: it's still an easy-to-drive, sweet-tempered CR-V—just now, it's wearing a sleeveless shirt and showing off some muscle. Final thoughts I'm genuinely curious if the CR-V TrailSport is more than just a trim package. It clearly won't match the capability of the Passport TrailSport, but it may end up being the most fun-to-drive CR-V to date. If Honda can deliver on both looks and function, it might finally inject the CR-V lineup with a little adventure.


Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
America's Deadliest Roads Aren't Where Most Drivers Think
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The overlooked risk in collision data reporting Allstate recently released an updated report highlighting where America's best and worst drivers are by number of collisions using data related to claims in the U.S.'s 200 most-populated cities. The study displays some interesting trends, but these reports can cause drivers to overlook the dangers of rural roads. Statistics suggest that drivers are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents on rural roads than their urban counterparts. In 2023, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) published a report noting that although 20% of U.S. residents live in rural areas and 31% of miles traveled occur in these regions, 41% of crash deaths occur there. Rural counties contain a greater share of land area, with more miles of roads, increasing the opportunities for accidents. Emergency responses can also be longer in rural areas. In 2022, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was 1.5 times higher in rural areas than in urban areas, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:10 Full screen The top 10 best value used cars in 2025 Watch More A vehicle stationary on a rural roadside — Source: Getty Still curious to see which U.S. cities have the highest collision risks? Allstate ranked Boston, Massachusetts, as the city where drivers are most likely to experience a collision, followed by Washington D.C., Baltimore, Maryland, Worcester, Massachusetts, Springfield, Massachusetts, Glendale, California, Los Angeles, California, Oakland, California, Providence, Rhode Island, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While a handful of West Coast cities made this top 10 list, seven out of 10 were located in the Northeast. Brownsville, Texas, was rated as the safest place to drive, but this wasn't the only city in the Lone Star State with a favorable grade. Texas cities Laredo, McAllen, and Corpus Christi also made the top 20. Allstate has been conducting this study annually since 2005, and in the past decade, Texas cities like Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, and Dallas have advanced toward safety. Drivers in Pacific Northwest regions such as Washington, Oregon, and Alaska have seen some of the most significant collision reductions nationwide over the past 10 years. More specifically, Bellevue, Washington, has experienced the most improvement, moving up 133 spots since 2015. Other noteworthy cities include Anchorage, Alaska, and Portland, Oregon. Boston drivers in a school zone — Source: Getty Several Midwestern cities have fallen in Allstate's list over the past decade. St. Louis, Missouri, declined the most, dropping 90 spots to 175, while Des Moines, Iowa, fell 89 places to 108, and Kansas City, Missouri, moved back 84 spots to 101. Other Midwestern cities mirroring this trend are Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Omaha, Nebraska, and Indianapolis, Indiana. There's a long way between Boston, Massachusetts's spot at 200 and first place with Brownsville, Texas, and this gap is widening, with 75 of the riskiest cities recording a 25% increase in crash rates since 2015. In Boston, drivers are nearly three and a half times more likely to be involved in a collision than the national average. Final thoughts City crash data often grabs headlines, as more people live in urban areas than in rural ones, but this reporting can overshadow the risks associated with the latter. In addition to longer stretches of roadway and slower emergency response times, rural areas have drivers traveling at higher average speeds, and these motorists are less likely to wear seatbelts, according to FinanceBuzz. Single-vehicle crashes are also more common in rural regions, which can involve running off the road or rolling over, increasing fatality risks. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. About the Author Cody Carlson View Profile