Will Power Embraces Daytona Sportscar GT3 Debut With Enthusiasm, High Hopes

For the second day in the row, the No.75 75 Express AMG of Kenny Habul/Maro Engel/Will Power/Chaz Mostert (1:47.612) set the best time of the day.. Image Credit: Chaz Mostert via FB/META (2026)

Will Power Embraces Daytona Sportscar GT3 Debut With Enthusiasm, High Hopes

For Will Power, the iconic banking of Daytona International Speedway has long represented unfinished business. The veteran IndyCar star, about to start in his first full campaign with Andretti Global, finally checked a major item off his personal bucket list this week, making his debut appearance at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 in the No. 75 75 Express Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Power, sharing driving duties with team owner Kenny Habul and a strong lineup, described the experience as everything he had anticipated - and more.

"I'm really enjoying it," Power said following a busy day of on-track running and fan engagement. "It's a very big event that I've wanted to do for a long time. So, really happy to be here, and doing it with Kenny Habul. We raced against each other years ago in Australia in Formula Ford and Formula Three, so we've talked about it actually for a while."

The Australian Indy500 Champion driver admitted that previous commitments and scheduling conflicts had repeatedly delayed his sports car debut at the "World Center of Racing." But after gaining valuable experience in an eight-hour race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway late last year, the timing finally aligned perfectly with Habul's program.

"I've always been a bit too late to the game of talking to teams," Power explained. "But I had that experience in Indy, so it was a lot easier to ask Kenny, 'Hey, can I run with you?' And he [Kenny Habul] immediately said, 'Yeah, absolutely'."

Will Power also praised the sprawling facility, noting its sheer scale and rich heritage in both NASCAR and sports car racing, "It's just an amazing facility. The first time I drove in here, it was just crazy how big it is. I feel Indy was big - this has got to be bigger. It's an iconic track with a lot of history."

The Mercedes-AMG GT3 machines carve through traffic on the legendary 3.56-mile road course during practice sessions at the Roar.

Competing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona will mark Will Power’s second GT3 appearance after taking part in last year’s Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS. Prior to that, his only other sports car experience came in the 2003 Bathurst 24 Hours at the wheel of a Porsche 996 GT3-RS. The Australian, who also won the Indianapolis 500 in 2018, has set his sights on a debut victory, which would also mark Mercedes-AMG’s first GTD Pro class win at Daytona since 2023. Image Credit: 75 Express (2025)

Adapting from the open-wheel precision of IndyCar to the closed-cockpit world of GT3 racing has come with its challenges, though Power downplayed the difficulty.

"The first couple laps in Indianapolis felt very strange ... the amount of roll and everything," Power recalled. "But they're not that hard to drive. They're probably very difficult to extract the time out of. You've got ABS and traction control, so it requires a specific driving style."

Will Power was quick to credit the seasoned GT3 competitors around him, calling them "top-level drivers" and valuable teammates from whom to learn.

Power topped at least one GTD Pro practice session during the Roar, a result he greeted with the same satisfaction that has defined his career, even while acknowledging the gamesmanship often at play with Balance of Performance.

"Always," Power said when asked if leading a session felt good. "When you're quick, it's a nice feeling."

The 24-hour endurance format itself has brought a refreshing change of pace.

"It's really nice to get practice without pressure," Power noted. "You've only got 30 minutes, and then you're gonna qualify something. So plenty of time to get comfortable and find the limits at a slow rate. The racing will be a little bit that way as well - it's obviously 24 hours, so it takes a lot of desperation out of it."

The No. 75 75 Express Mercedes-AMG GT3 in action, highlighting the car's aggressive stance as Power and his co-drivers prepare for the Rolex 24.

Away from the track, conversation inevitably turned to Power's high-profile switch to Andretti Global for the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season. He fielded numerous questions from fellow drivers about the team, the car, and the engine, responding with measured optimism.

"Everyone wants to know, 'What's it like, man? How's Andretti? What was the car like? What's the engine like?'" Power said with a grin. "I tell them it's a good team. These guys are gonna be tough. They've got all the ingredients to win a championship. No question. And they're very proactive ... they really want to win."

Looking ahead, Power expressed strong confidence in the program's potential. "I really believe this team will be the top team in the next three years."

For now, though, the focus remains squarely on Daytona. With the Rolex 24 At Daytona fast approaching, Will Power is savoring every lap in the Mercedes-AMG GT3, thrilled to finally compete on one of motorsport's most storied stages.

[Quotes Resource: IMSA Transcript]

... notes from The EDJE

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Amid EV Market Caution Agentic AI In Vehicles Are The Next Frontier

The relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and automobiles has been evolving for decades, transitioning from basic automation to today’s advanced self-driving technologies. This evolution has entered a new phase with the advent of AI agents that not only assist with driving but also transform how drivers and passengers interact with their vehicles. Image Credit: Google AI Alliance | Mercedes-Benz via AI Quantum (2025)

Amid EV Market Caution Agentic AI In Vehicles Are The Next Frontier

By Edmund Jenks - EVHNews - January 04, 2026

As CES 2026 kicks off in Las Vegas, the automotive spotlight shifts decisively toward "agentic AI" - systems that don't merely respond to commands but proactively make decisions, plan actions, and execute tasks on behalf of drivers. Electric Vehicle & Hybrid News (EVHNews) observes this trend with measured interest: while pure EV hardware hype has cooled amid retreating demand and uneven sales growth, AI's explosive advancement offers a compelling software layer that could breathe new life into vehicles, whether electric, hybrid, or otherwise.

What Is Agentic AI in Vehicles?

Agentic AI represents an evolution beyond traditional assistive or generative AI. These systems possess "agency" defined through the ability to autonomously perceive environments, reason about goals, adapt to changes, and act independently with minimal human oversight. In vehicles, this means shifting from rule-based automation (e.g., fixed cruise control) to intelligent agents that anticipate needs, optimize outcomes, and interact with the world in real time.

Examples include:

- Proactively rerouting to avoid traffic or low-clearance bridges while prioritizing EV charging stops.

- Managing energy efficiency by adjusting speed, climate, and route based on battery levels, weather, and driver habits.

- Enhancing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) by predicting risks from sensors, LiDAR, and V2X communications, then adapting behavior dynamically—far beyond predefined rules.

- Acting as in-car concierges: scheduling maintenance, booking service appointments, or even negotiating vehicle purchases via interconnected agents.

Companies like Cerence are showcasing hybrid agentic platforms at CES 2026, integrating large language models (LLMs) for natural conversations, edge AI for offline reliability, and domain-specific agents for ownership and dealership experiences. Similarly, frameworks from HERE Technologies emphasize location-aware agentic systems turning raw data into proactive decisions.

Predictive maintenance utilizes historical and real-time data from vehicle systems to predict when components are
likely to fail. Key techniques include vibration analysis, oil condition monitoring, thermography, and ultrasonic testing, often integrated with telematics and IoT devices. Machine learning algorithms process this data to identify patterns indicative of impending issues, such as abnormal engine vibrations or irregular temperature fluctuations.
Image Credit: analyticsvidhya.com via Wilmar, Inc. (2024)

Real-World Applications and Examples

Agentic AI is already manifesting in prototypes and production features:

- **Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD)** → Continuously learns from fleet data to make second-by-second decisions in unpredictable urban environments.

- **BMW's predictive maintenance** → Monitors systems to forecast issues and schedule service autonomously.

- **Cerence xUI and mobile work agents** → Enable voice-first access to productivity tools while driving safely.

- Broader uses span manufacturing (optimizing assembly lines) to sales (virtual agents curating options and scheduling test drives).

LG Electronics (LG) will unveil an immersive experiential space at CES 2026 that brings the company's future mobility vision to life through Affectionate Intelligence. The exhibit invites visitors to experience firsthand how AI can reshape the driver, front-passenger and rear seating areas, reimagining the whole cabin as a more intuitive and human-centered space designed to enhance every ride. Image Credit: LG Electronics (2025)

At CES 2026, expect demonstrations from Synopsys, LG, and others highlighting agentic AI in software-defined vehicles (SDVs), where over-the-air updates evolve cars post-purchase.

AMD next-gen automotive cockpit demonstration at CES 2026, showcasing AI integration.

LG's AI-powered in-vehicle solutions displayed at CES 2026.

Sony-Honda Afeela prototype interior with advanced AI interface.

Skeptical Outlook: Promise vs. EV Market Realities

EVHNews remains cautiously optimistic. Agentic AI's growth trajectory contrasts sharply with the EV sector's 2025 retreat - U.S. sales peaked before incentive expirations, leading manufacturers like GM and Ford to pivot toward hybrids and profitable ICE vehicles. 

While agentic systems promise enhanced safety, efficiency, and recurring revenue through subscriptions, questions persist: How much control will drivers relinquish? Privacy concerns loom large with constant data flows, and real-world autonomy must navigate regulatory hurdles and ethical dilemmas.

Yet, in an era of "EV realism," agentic AI could prove salvific - making vehicles smarter and more appealing without relying solely on electrification hype. It bridges hybrids and EVs alike, potentially sustaining mobility innovation where battery demand falters.

As CES unfolds, agentic AI underscores a pivotal shift: the future of driving isn't just electric - it's decisively intelligent. Monitor EVHNews.com for updates from the show floor.

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CES 2026: Automotive Trends Lean Toward AI Amid EV Market Realities

Cerence made its pitch for the future of in-car AI at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich this last September: ditch reactive assistants, embrace agentic co-pilots. The company’s latest updates to Cerence xUI™ promise to transform chatty infotainment systems into proactive AI partners that understand context, anticipate needs, and make driving (and even working) smarter and safer. Image Credit: Cerence via TechEdge ai (2025)

CES 2026: Automotive Trends Lean Toward AI Amid EV Market Realities

By Edmund Jenks - EVHNews - January 02, 2026

As the calendar flips to 2026, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is once again upon us, promising a spectacle of innovation. However, for those tracking the electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid sectors, the event's pivot toward robots and "living with AI" might feel like a detour from the hardware-heavy showcases of yesteryears. Electric Vehicle & Hybrid News (EVHNews), ever the observer of market ebbs and flows, notes that while futuristic EVs will still make appearances, the real buzz this year centers on the software ecosystems powering them ... a timely shift given the evident retreat in EV demand, contrasted by the surging growth in AI applications.

Here's a grounded look at what to anticipate in the automotive space at CES 2026, where hype meets hard economic truths.

Will SONY-Honda reveal onboard electronics seen in the Afeela 1 to the Honda 0 SUV introduces in 2025 as well? Lookin' forward for the CES 2026 experience. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - EVHNews (2025)

SONY-Honda Returns with Incremental Updates

Last year's CES introduced the Afeela 1, the inaugural EV from the Sony-Honda Mobility (SHM) partnership, complete with a static demo of its infotainment setup. For 2026, SHM is set to unveil a "pre-production" iteration of the Afeela 1, accompanied by a fresh concept vehicle. EVHNews questions the tangible differences here; the 2025 model already appeared polished and production-adjacent, suggesting this label might be more marketing flair than meaningful progress.

Production is slated to commence sometime in 2026, with initial availability limited to California - a cautious rollout that aligns with the broader EV market's cooling enthusiasm. As consumer interest wanes amid economic pressures and uneven infrastructure, such measured steps reflect a sector recalibrating after overpromising.

Software-Defined Vehicles: The Very Quiet Revolution

If there's a unifying thread at CES 2026, it's the maturation of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), a concept that's evolved from buzzword to necessity. Automakers are increasingly prioritizing post-purchase evolution over static hardware, emphasizing operating systems, over-the-air (OTA) updates, and adaptable software architectures.

Firms like P3 will spotlight Android Automotive-based platforms, enabling ongoing feature rollouts, app integrations, and services. For drivers, this promises enhanced infotainment and longevity; for manufacturers, it's a pathway to recurring revenue. EVHNews appreciates the pragmatism here, especially as EV sales stutter - U.S. figures peaked in late 2025 before plummeting post-incentive expiration, prompting giants like GM and Ford to slash EV investments in favor of hybrids and traditional powertrains that sustain profitability.

Yet, the spotlight intensifies on "agentic AI," where systems proactively decide for users - handling route optimization, energy efficiency, and adaptive driver aids. This isn't mere voice assistance; it's AI anticipating needs in real-time. While EVHNews harbors skepticism about EVs' faltering demand, we sees undeniable momentum in AI's expansion, potentially revitalizing vehicles as smart companions. Still, concerns linger: How much autonomy will drivers cede, and at what cost to privacy in an era of data-driven decisions?

Tempered Expectations: From Flash to Functionality

CES 2025 brimmed with ambitious EV declarations, but 2026 appears poised for a sobering dose of reality. Analysts describe the auto industry as entering "EV realism," where electrification remains aspirational but timelines stretch amid fragmented demand and ideological fatigue. EVHNews concurs, pointing to the retreat in market fervor - sales dips have forced a refocus on hybrids, trucks, and SUVs that actually drive volume, rather than chasing unattainable all-EV utopias.

Consequently, the automotive narrative at CES may underwhelm in spectacle, favoring supplier innovations in chips, sensors, robotics, and manufacturing tech. This subdued tone isn't a setback, per EVHNews; it's a maturation. As AI surges forward, integrating seamlessly into hybrid and EV platforms alike, it could bridge the gap left by retreating EV hype, fostering sustainable growth in a more balanced mobility landscape.

For EV and hybrid enthusiasts, CES 2026 underscores a pivotal truth: The future isn't just electric ...it's intelligent, adaptable, and attuned to market realities. Stay tuned to EVHNews.com for on-the-ground insights as the show unfolds.

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