Deep in the news blurbs, headlines, PR releases and more is a whole seething mass of information that should inspire a collective *yawn* from BangShifters far and wide. Instead of blending in the mediocre and the boring over the week, we smash up the best bits of the pile on a griddle, season the hell out of it, and serve it to hot and kinda fresh. Here’s this week’s Scrapple…enjoy!

1. Freightliner is now legal for autonomous driving in Nevada. Just keep red Valiants away.

Freightliner has received the blessing and license plates to run two autonomous semi trucks in the state of Nevada. The Freighliner Inspiration Trucks are highly modified Cascadias with an all-new nose that can read the road using Freightliner’s “Highway Pilot” system of stereo cameras, radar, lane-keep assist and collision prevention to keep the truck going. Daimler is banking on the system, which they expect will be in wide use by 2025.

2. The return of the Chrysler SRT-8? 

Noticeably absent from the madness going on in the FCA camp has been the SRT-8 variation of the updated Chrysler 300C. Considering that the underpinnings are the same as the Charger, there was actual palpable disappointment when “Hellcat Chrysler” did not become a thing. The Charger fit the muscle sedan form nicely, and the Challenger…well, that just made sense. But packing even the SRT 392 motor into the 300C seems like a no-brainer, but currently, the only way to get a brand new Chrysler SRT is to live in Australia or the Middle East. But recently badged SRT Chryslers have been seen roaming around the Detroit area. Here’s hoping that Chrysler brings some muscle back into the big bad sedan.

3. Jalopnik’s press-fleet Ford F-150 had a special message ready…

This one was just too good to pass up. Jalopnik‘s Jason Torchinsky got the keys to a brand new Ford F-150 EcoBoost and was heading out for his first drive when the fuel economy meter proceeded to deliver a not-so-subtle welcome. Was it on purpose? Doubtful…maybe. It’s unlikely that a Ford tech knew that Torch doesn’t exactly like the idea of full-size trucks and sent a clear message, right?

Click here to see the full and uncensored reaction.

4. Oregon just might allow you to fuel your car yourself. In other news, a cold front is moving in over Hell…

Image: skepticcheck.com

Two states don’t trust the operator of the vehicle to put fuel into the vehicle: Oregon and New Jersey. I’ve never been to New Jersey, but I have been through Oregon, and in 2005 I came the closest I have ever come to going to jail when I proceeded to pump my own fuel after the idiot-boy attendant attempted to fill my Dodge Diplomat full of diesel. There was a nice, long talk with an Oregon Highway Patrol officer that evening. But for a big section of the state, that looks to be changing: HB 3011 was recently passed unanimously in the Oregon House of Representatives and is currently waiting to be reviewed by the Oregon Senate. In short terms, if the county population is less than 40,000 individuals, self-service gas would be legal. This means that some dork with an ironic beard will sigh as he fills your car up in Portland, but once you’re in Eastern Oregon or any of the counties that fall under the population grouping-roughly half of the state’s counties-you can pump the fuel yourself.

5. TopGear’s potential new hosts were revealed…maybe…

As Netflix and ITV court Clarkson, May, Hammond and former executive Andy Wilman, the BBC has the unenviable job of continuing on TopGear, no matter what the rabid scourge of the Internet thinks…and boy, do they think it. Recently, three names have floated to the surface as potential replacements for the guys: Jodie Kidd (pictured), Philip Glenister, and Guy Martin.

Kidd has been a common occurrence on TopGear. She not only appeared as a “star in the reasonably priced car”, but she was called in during the UK vs. Australia special to assist with the double-decker car event. Granted, hosting the show might take away from her modeling career, but whatever. Guy Martin is a motorcycle racer and television presenter who is young and energetic. Doesn’t hurt that he owns a ballistic little Volvo Amazon, either. Philip Glenister is the third candidate, and while he has done a random car show or two, it’s not quite known why he is being picked.

Will they work out? We will see. The last time a name popped up to replace the old guard, Sue Perkins received death threats.