Welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, The Drive’s morning news roundup bringing you the biggest automotive headlines from around the world.

The Downshift recaps news briefly, with links to full stories for those seeking more info. Congrats, it’s Friday! Here’s your bulletin for June 12, 2026.

Ford has no plans to introduce an even more hardcore Ranger Raptor R or Bronco Raptor R, with Ford Racing production vehicle chief engineer Carl Widmann saying that, “If anything, the Ranger Raptor might even already have too much power.” The Ranger Raptor’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 makes 405 horsepower. [Road & Track]

Ford will recall more than half a million Expedition SUVs, model years 2018 through 2024, for center console chrome plating that may bubble and peel over time, creating sharp edges that can cut occupants. [Reuters]

Meanwhile, Honda will recall over 1 million tire repair kits sold with their vehicles due to a faulty sealant bottle that could allow pressure to build to the point where the bottle’s cap becomes a projectile. The kits in question are offered with hybrid versions of the Accord and CR-V. [Reuters]

Back to Ford, who has been able to successfully upsell Edge and Escape customers—two vehicles that are no longer in production—to the larger Explorer. The Explorer is Ford’s most-improved model in terms of sales this year, up 18 percent. [Automotive News]

Nissan has detailed the nostalgic touches it’s bringing to the 2027 Z, expanding the S30-inspired split grille design across the lineup and adding a new wheel design that references the machined rims on the Z31, as well as a new green exterior color and a tan interior option. [Nissan]

Volkswagen is reportedly planning to cut 19,000 jobs in Germany by the end of the year; for reference, Volkswagen Group employs nearly 300,000 people in the country, and is targeting to shed at least 28,000 jobs by the end of this decade. [Quartz]

Fernando Alonso told media that weekend will mark “probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1,” given that the track will not be on next year’s calendar. The 44-year-old veteran is likely gearing up for retirement from the sport, though he hasn’t made an official announcement yet. [Motorsport]

The #15 BMW hypercar will start pole at the 94th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans tomorrow, followed by the #12 Cadillac and #35 Alpine. [Motorsport]

Weekend races to watch:

• 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans: Saturday at 10 a.m. on HBO Max
• NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Pocono: Saturday at 4 p.m. on The CW
• Formula 1 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix: Sunday at 9 a.m. on Apple TV
• GT World Challenge America at Road Atlanta: Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on YouTube
• NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono: Sunday at 3 p.m. on Prime Video

Got a tip or feedback for TDS? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com

• The funky, retro-looking Renault 4 electric crossover is getting a new feature that harks back to the original.
• The addition is part of a minor technical upgrade that comes just one year after the car went on sale in Europe.
• New stuff includes a water-to-water heat exchanger that can significantly reduce charging times in freezing weather.

The Renault 4 is one of the happiest EVs out there, with its unashamedly retro looks that hark back to the original do-it-all hatchback of the 1960s. And now, the French automaker is giving the Renault 4 EV a new feature that makes it even cooler–literally and figuratively.

Just like its predecessor, the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric can now be specced with a retractable fabric roof that transforms the battery-powered hatchback into a cut-price convertible at the push of a button. Renault has even launched a special trim called Plein Sud, which means “due south,” that is obviously inspired by the historic Renault 4’s Plein Air variant that was offered in Europe in the late 1960s.

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Source: Renault

That said, the Plein Air didn’t have doors, a roof, or a tailgate, while the electric Plein Sud has to settle for a more toned-down approach. (Blame those pesky safety regulations, I guess.) If buying a special edition car just for a soft top isn’t your cup of tea, then you should know that Renault also offers the retractable roof on the regular versions of the R4 EV, too, except for the entry-level trim.

The roof’s opening is 36 inches (92 centimeters) long and 31 in (80 cm) wide, and it increases the headroom for the driver and front passenger. However, because the mechanism itself takes up extra space compared to the fixed-roof car, rear passengers get roughly 1.5 in (4 cm) less headroom.

Renault says the roof can be partially or completely opened, and that the load-bearing parts are made of plastic to save weight.

Besides the new soft top, every new Renault 4 sold in Europe gets a revised driver monitoring system that detects fatigue and distraction, and will brake to a standstill if needed. A new water-to-water heat exchanger is also part of the pack, which is said to significantly reduce charging times at freezing temperatures.