Cars & motorsport
A Shared Attention to (Auto) Details, Part 6
Once again, Watchonista uncovers those small automotive design details that are guaranteed to surprise and delight, especially for watch lovers with an eye for detail.
By Nate Chapnick
Contributor
Watch enthusiasts revel in the intricacies, and so does Watchonista. The devil is in the details, and that’s precisely why Watchonista wants to highlight some of the brilliant design elements usually overlooked by mainstream automotive publications (as we have done in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5 of this series).
These hidden gems, obsessed over by automotive designers and engineers worldwide, deserve recognition. We hope you enjoy the latest crop of our favorite design and engineering details – elements that we think capture and celebrate the artistry of automotive innovation.
The Ram 1500 TRX SRT’s Bilstein Shocks
The 777-horsepower monster 1500 TRX SRT made by Ram is built to dominate the dunes and the dirt with its 35-inch tires, 14 inches of rear axle travel, and Bilstein’s Black Hawk e2 adaptive performance shocks.
These intelligent shocks use dual electronic proportional valves to continuously adjust compression and rebound forces on the fly, even anticipating flight to stiffen the suspension mid-air for a flawless, composed landing. Fed by nitrogen-charged remote reservoirs through heavy-duty stainless-steel braided hoses, the system flawlessly balances brutal off-road punishment with precise, independent control.
The 2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT starts at $99,995.
The Ford Expedition Tremor’s App with Location
With the new Expedition Tremor, Ford’s off-road-ready, seven-passenger SUV, you’ll never lose your bearings in the great outdoors (or the mall parking lot).
Thanks to a GPS-enabled app that tracks your vehicle’s exact coordinates, your next departure is entirely seamless; a simple swipe from your device perfectly acclimates your chariot for the trail ahead.
The 2027 Ford Expedition Tremor starts at $82,400.
The Subaru Uncharted’s LED Daytime Running Lights
Subaru’s newest EV is the Uncharted: a rugged, all-electric crossover with a 300-mile range.
This versatile new five-seater features striking six-star LED daytime running lights designed to symbolize one bulb for each star in the Pleiades constellation – the very inspiration for Subaru’s name and logo.
In typical Subaru fashion, there are even headlight washers to make sure you can see no matter how sloppy the trail becomes.
The 2026 Subaru Uncharted starts at $34,995.
The Nissan Z NISMO’s Manual Transmission
There is nothing quite like the mechanical perfection of a short-throw manual gearbox – it’s the automotive equivalent of a fine analog watch. Unfortunately, in an era dominated by self-driving EVs, manual transmissions are facing extinction, which makes Nissan’s latest move incredibly satisfying.
The 2026 Nissan Z NISMO pairs a driver-focused six-speed stick directly to its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. Every crisp shift rewards the driver, forging a pure, uninterrupted connection between human and machine.
The 2026 Nissan Z NISMO starts at $65,750.
The Lexus TZ’s Illuminated Branding
The new three-row all-electric TZ SUV from Lexus features a distinctive rear LED light signature.
The LEXUS name is illuminated in red lettering centered on the tailgate, seamlessly integrated into the narrow, full-width taillights, while the iconic “L” emblem up front is also brilliantly illuminated. This striking graphic layout emphasizes the TZ’s wide, planted stance while creating a modern, unmistakable nighttime signature.
The 2027 Lexus TZ is expected to hit showrooms in the fall.