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Which Vehicle Has The Saddest Rear Wiper You’ve Ever Seen?

  • Several big SUVs have the tiniest rear wipers imaginable and look very strange.
  • Offenders include the Jeep Wagoneer, Honda Prologue, and Ford Bronco Sport.

Some things in car design make you stop and ask, “Wait, seriously?” Rear wipers don’t usually make the list, but once you notice one that looks wildly out of proportion, it’s hard to unsee. Take this Honda Prologue, for example. At first glance, everything seems fine, until your eyes land on the rear window and spot what might be one of the smallest rear wipers we’ve seen.

It’s so tiny it barely qualifies as functional. And that got us thinking, what other vehicles are out there sporting hilariously undersized rear wipers?

Read: These Concept Cars Were So Bad You’re Glad They Never Made It

As it turns out, the Prologue seen in this photo shared by a Redditor is far from the only car that has a wiper so small it can only clean the tiniest section of the rear window. Unsurprisingly, the Chevrolet Blazer EV, which shares its underpinnings with the Honda, appears to be equipped with exactly the same wiper as the Prologue.

The reasoning behind these comically small wipers is relatively straightforward. Both the Prologue and Blazer EV feature tall beltlines and narrow rear windows. Fitting a longer, centrally mounted wiper would mean it would smack into the spoiler hanging over the top of the glass. So instead, manufacturers opt for a short blade mounted low, which can clear only a small portion of the glass without interference.

 Which Vehicle Has The Saddest Rear Wiper You’ve Ever Seen?

But Honda and Chevy aren’t the only ones skimping on rear wiper real estate. Look at the rear of a new Jeep Grand Cherokee L, or a Wagoneer, and you’ll find that they, too, have very small rear wipers, despite having relatively large rear windows. It’s a similar story with the Ford Bronco Sport. In all of these cases, the rear wiper looks far too small for the vehicle and is only capable of cleaning a tiny part of the window.

There’s got to be a better way to handle this. And thankfully, some automakers seem to agree. As it turns out, there is. Both the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage have rear wiper blades that actually mount to the top of the rear window and are hidden beneath the rear spoiler. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in execution and aesthetics.

So, what other cars have you seen that take the idea of a rear wiper and shrink it down to toy-like proportions? Because once you start noticing them, you’ll see them everywhere.

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that wiper so comically small
byu/Synfinium inHonda

Lead photo Reddit/u Synfinium

Ford Built An Insane Mustang Mach-E Coupe, But You Can’t Buy It

  • Ford has teased the new Super Mustang Mach-E, set to compete at Pikes Peak Hill Climb.
  • The one-off prototype will be driven by Romain Dumas, who raced last year’s SuperTruck.
  • It produces 6,125 lbs of downforce and bears little resemblance to the production model.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb kicks off on June 22 and Ford is hoping to have an ace up their sleeve. Two of them actually, as Romain Dumas will be piloting an insane Mustang Mach-E.

Simply known as the Super Mustang Mach-E, the one-off model shares little in common with the electric pony car that populates dealer lots. The changes are immediately apparent as this is a low-slung coupe, instead of a lifted hatchback masquerading as a crossover.

More: Ford Shows Mustang Mach-E NASCAR Prototype And Teases Electric Pikes Peak Racer

More notably, the car has some extreme aerodynamic modifications. Key among them is a huge front splitter and a massive diffuser. They’re joined by canards and a Texas-sized rear wing. Thanks to all the changes, the model generates 6,125 lbs (2,778 kg) of downforce. That’s more than 2023’s SuperVan 4.2 and last year’s F-150 Lightning SuperTruck.

Aerodynamics aside, the Super Mustang Mach-E has a tiny grille and custom bodywork. They’re joined by a stylish rear end with muscular haunches and flowing curves. The model also appears significantly shorter than the road-going EV, although Ford is keeping specifications under wraps at the moment.

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While there’s no word on powertrain details, the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck gives us some idea about what to expect. It featured three STARD UHP six-phase motors that produced a combined output in excess of 1,600 hp (1,193 kW / 1,622 PS). The truck was also equipped with a custom suspension and ultra-high performance Li-Polymer NMC cells.

We can expect to learn more in the coming weeks, but Fords have been competing at Pikes Peak since 1916. That year, a Model T reached the summit in 28 minutes and 03 seconds. That compares to 8:53.553 for the SuperTruck and 8:47.682 for the SuperVan 4.2.

 Ford Built An Insane Mustang Mach-E Coupe, But You Can’t Buy It

Guess How Much It Costs To Fix This Tesla?

  • Tesla’s repair quote for a minor Model Y incident could leave drivers with a hefty bill.
  • Insurance claims may raise premiums, making out-of-pocket repairs a better option.
  • DIY repairs or independent shops may offer cheaper alternatives to Tesla’s pricing.

We can all agree that this Tesla Model Y has certainly seen better days. After the driver hit a bright yellow bollard in a parking lot, the passenger-side rear door has been dented and scratched. The plastic fender? Completely ripped off. Oh, and there are some scratches on the rear quarter panel too.

But in the grand scheme of things, it’s not catastrophic damage, just a bit of a rough day for the car. So, naturally, Tesla quoted a repair bill of $11,671, which has understandably left the owner with a few more scratches, this time, on his head.

Read: Tesla’s Cybertruck Costs 30% Less To Insure Than A Model 3

It’s no secret that car repairs have gotten a lot more expensive in 2025 compared to a decade ago, even more so when it comes to EVs. This helps explain why insurance companies are quick to total cars over what seems like minimal damage. Still, the quoted price for this repair is nothing short of insane.

Roughly half of the quoted repair is for labor, totaling $5,486 for a claimed 60.7 hours of labor, working out to be $91 an hour. Now, if you’re the owner of this Model Y, you’re probably doing the math in your head and thinking that it doesn’t look like this car needs 60 hours of labor. But the service center begs to differ.

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sgrinavi/Reddit

When presented with a repair bill like this, many car owners would simply let their insurer pay for the repairs, and get on with their lives. However, doing so could cost in the long run. Writing on Reddit, the owner of the car says that if he makes an at-fault claim with his insurance, his premium will increase by $1,000 per year for the next five years. And on top of that, they’ll lose their good driver discount. Oh, and don’t forget that $1,000 deductible they’d need to cough up.

In an ideal world for the owner, the insurer would decide Tesla repair costs are too high and decide to total the car. But, that doesn’t appear likely. As such, the best option is likely for the owner to go to an independent repair shop who can replace the door, fender, and perhaps the quarter panel, likely for far less than Tesla would charge the insurer.

Or, for all the DIYers out there, there’s always the option of fixing it themselves. Used Model Y rear doors can be found for just a few hundred dollars, and a new fender shouldn’t break the bank either. Maybe it’s time to roll up your sleeves.

Guess how much to repair this @ Tesla
byu/sgrinavi inTeslaModelY

Porsche Orders UK Dealers To Stop Selling Some Taycans

  • Porsche UK has instructed dealers not to sell some Taycans until a software update is available.
  • Pre-facelift cars suffer from a battery monitoring fault which can’t be fixed until late June.
  • Some existing owners have been visiting dealers every 60 days to have their cars checked over.

Porsche dealers in the UK have been told to hold off from selling some used Taycans while the company works out a software patch for a battery monitoring problem. And for those unlucky enough to already own certain Taycan models, they are being forced to visit their dealer every 60 days to have their cars checked until the update is ready. Porsche told us the new software is currently being tested and should be ready within a few weeks.

Related: Porsche Hit With Class Action Over Taycan Batteries That Could Catch Fire

The story was first reported by Britain’s Car Dealer magazine, whose team had heard from multiple Porsche dealers that they’d been ordered to remove used electric Taycan models from sale until further notice. At least one dealer suggested the edict blocked the sale of every Taycan built between 2019 and 2023. But when we called Porsche a spokesperson told us only a small number of older cars are affected.

“Enhanced battery monitoring software is anticipated to become available for first generation Taycan models towards the end of June,” Porsche said in a statement emailed to Carscoops. “With its imminent arrival, we’ve advised our retail partners not to sell a small, specific batch of first generation Taycan models until the software update is live.”

 Porsche Orders UK Dealers To Stop Selling Some Taycans
Porsche

Last fall Porsche issued a recall campaign for 2019-23 Taycans due to the risk of a short circuit within the cars’ battery modules that could lead to a “thermal event” and eventually a fire in a worst case scenario. Owners were advised not to charge their cars beyond 80 percent to minimise there risk of fire.

As for the owners forced to check-in with their Porsche dealership every 60 days, you just know that however inconvenient it is, there are certainly worse places to while away an afternoon.

 Porsche Orders UK Dealers To Stop Selling Some Taycans

Ford Slams Trump’s Tax Credit Cuts As Unfair, Threatening Battery Plant

  • The Trump administration’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ will end many clean energy tax credits.
  • The factory was established alongside a licensing deal with battery giant CATL.

Tariffs aren’t the only thing on automakers’ minds these days. Ford is now raising alarm bells, warning that if tax credits for local battery producers are axed, its EV battery plant in Michigan could be at risk. The facility, known as BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, is currently employing 1,700 workers, with plans to add another 800 by March 2027. The plant is a crucial piece of Ford’s strategy to ramp up electric vehicle production, but it’s all dependent on those tax credits staying in place.

At the recent Mackinac Policy Conference in Michigan, Ford executive chair Bill Ford voiced his concerns, noting that “it’s not fair to change policy after all the expenditures have been made.” He added that because “the production tax credits seems to be up for grabs,” the site could be “imperiled,” as reported by TTNews.

Read: Ford’s EV Sales Just Fell Off A Cliff And Discounts Didn’t Make A Dent

Recently passed by the House, the Trump administration’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ aims to eliminate most of the clean energy tax credits introduced under Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Many of these credits were designed to build a domestic EV supply chain and encourage consumers to purchase electric vehicles.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, billions of dollars in private investments were funneled into EV manufacturing in the U.S. The Electrification Coalition reports major investments in states like North Carolina ($25.4 billion), Georgia ($24.5 billion), and Tennessee ($12.4 billion), all designed to jumpstart the transition to electric mobility.

The New Bill’s Impact on EV and Battery Manufacturing

 Ford Slams Trump’s Tax Credit Cuts As Unfair, Threatening Battery Plant
Ford’s Michigan battery plant under construction

If the new bill passes, it will not only phase out the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, but it will also cut off the manufacturer credit for battery producers after 2031. The bill also comes with stricter rules that limit the use of Chinese components and materials in U.S. manufacturing.

“Politicians can agree or disagree about whether those things are desirable,” Ford said. “But don’t change the rules once you’ve already made the investment, because that to me is just a question of fairness. And that’s unfair.”

Ford’s Michigan battery plant is also tied to a licensing agreement with CATL, a Chinese battery maker. While Ford holds full control over the manufacturing process, production, and workforce, it’s tapping into CATL’s expertise to help with factory equipment installation and to provide critical battery technology know-how.

 Ford Slams Trump’s Tax Credit Cuts As Unfair, Threatening Battery Plant

Bentley Brings Back A 100-Year-Old Car, But Something’s Different

  • The Bentley Blower Jnr is an 85 percent scale replica of the original 1929 model.
  • It’s powered by a small electric motor producing 20 hp and a top speed of 45 mph.
  • Hedley Studios built the car with a steel frame, using aluminum and carbon fiber parts.

Bentley’s Blower is a legend, a symbol of automotive history, and now, almost 100 years after its original debut, it’s making a comeback. Well, sort of. Before you get too excited, let’s temper expectations, as this isn’t the full-throttle, 4.5-liter supercharged beast of yore.

Instead, the Blower Jnr is a more compact tribute to the original. And while it’s marketed by Bentley, it won’t actually be built by them. No, that honor goes to Hedley Studios, a British company better known for crafting miniature versions of classic cars.

Read: Bentley Sends Blower Jnr To Switzerland To Pick Up A Christmas Tree

Hedley Studios might not be a household name, but it’s not exactly new to this whole “tiny car” business. Formerly known as The Little Car Company, Hedley has built scaled-down versions of other iconic vehicles, like the Bugatti Baby II (a 75% scale Type 35) and the Ferrari Testa Rossa J (a 75% scale of the 250 Testa Rossa).

The Blower Jnr takes things a step further, with an 85% scale version of Bentley’s 1929 Blower, and unlike the company’s previous models, this one is fully road legal. Yes, you can legally drive it on the road, assuming you’re not expecting to tear through traffic at warp speed.

Whereas the original Blower had a 4.5-liter supercharged engine, the Blower Jnr rocks a 48-volt electric powertrain delivering a grand total of 20 hp. With this in mind, it’ll only hit 45 mph (72 km/h) in the UK and EU and has been limited to 25 mph (40 km/h) in the US. Hedley says the Blower Jnr can travel up to 65 miles (105 km) on a charge.

 Bentley Brings Back A 100-Year-Old Car, But Something’s Different

Production of the Blower Jnr is now underway, shortly after Bentley hosted a first-drive event for the car on the British island of Jersey, which just so happens to exclusively have 40 mph speed limits. The first deliveries will start later this year, and shoppers will be able to heavily customize their vehicle, ensuring it stands out from all others.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Blower Jnr is not its electric powertrain, but rather how well Hedley has replicated the design of the original. It features a painted steel frame, similar to the original, and also includes leaf springs and period-correct friction dampers. Additionally, the car has a hand-crafted aluminum hood. Other components are made from lightweight carbon fiber, but the car features an impregnated fabric similar to the original car from 1929.

Prices That Will Blow You Away

The price? Well, here’s where most of you will probably tap out. The Blower Jnr starts at around £90,000 or about $121,000 at current exchange rates. That’s high end sports car money for a scaled electric car that won’t go above 45 mph and lacks any modern tech features. Despite the hefty price tag, Hedley is expecting to sell all 349 units it plans to make.

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Toyota And Lexus Are Ready To Flood America With New EVs

  • Toyota and Lexus’ EV lineup in North America is set to expand over the next two years.
  • The automaker plans to offer seven new EVs in the US, including two locally built models.
  • Surplus EV production from American factories will be exported to growing global markets.

Toyota may be riding high with its hybrid-heavy lineup and ambitious plans to have 20% of US sales come from plug-in hybrids by 2030, but the company isn’t stopping there. It also has big plans to expand its electric vehicle offerings in the US. By mid-2027, Toyota and Lexus will introduce no fewer than seven new EVs across North America, including a range of models that could give it the edge against the competition.

More: Toyota And Lexus Will Launch 15 EVs By 2027 And That’s Just The Start

First, Toyota is adding a few more electric options to its own lineup. Expect the facelifted bZ4X crossover (now named the bZ), the bZ Woodland, the C-HR, and an upcoming three-row SUV. On the Lexus side, the RZ crossover will be joined by an electric version of the new-generation ES sedan introduced last month and a larger SUV to boot.

US-Made Electric SUVs Are Coming

While many of these models will be imported, the big news is that the upcoming three-row SUVs, one from Toyota and one from Lexus, will be manufactured right here in the United States. After a brief delay, production will start in 2026 at two factories in Georgetown, Kentucky, and Princeton, Indiana. These new electric SUVs will go head-to-head with the likes of the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9, which are also targeting the growing demand for larger electric vehicles.

Toyota isn’t diving into the EV market without a plan. According to Bloomberg, the company typically adds a new model to a factory only when it’s confident it can move 100,000-150,000 units annually. While US EV adoption is expected to grow at a slower rate than anticipated, Toyota has a strategy to keep production moving. Any excess EV output from its US factories will be sent to overseas markets where demand is ramping up faster.

 Toyota And Lexus Are Ready To Flood America With New EVs
2026 Toyota bZ
 Toyota And Lexus Are Ready To Flood America With New EVs
2026 Toyota bZ Woodland

Cooper Ericksen, Senior Vice President, Product, BEV and Mobility Planning and Strategy at Toyota Motor North America, explained: “We’ll sell a little bit more every year and grow with the market. But we have to think about how many Canada will use, how many the US will use, and we can then export to other global destinations.” Of course, the company hopes that its export plans won’t be affected by a potential escalation of the tariff war.

A Long-Term Commitment

Currently, electric vehicles account for just 8% of automotive sales in the US, but Toyota expects that number to double by 2030. Ericksen pointed out, “BEVs right now aren’t incremental volume for us. They’re cannibalizing our volume. But in the future, we think it’s a really important segment that we don’t want to give up to the competition.”

More: Toyota’s C-HR Returns To America But It’s Nothing Like You Remember

On the production side, Toyota is setting up a lithium-ion battery plant in North Carolina, which will power its US-made EVs and hybrids. Once fully operational, the plant will have a production capacity of over 30 gigawatt hours, enough to power 800,000 hybrids, 150,000 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and 300,000 battery electric vehicles annually.

Toyota has pledged to offer an electrified option across all of its models this year. Right now, about 80% of Toyota and Lexus models in the US are available with either hybrid or EV options. With these moves, Toyota is aiming to cement its position in the growing EV market, even if the journey to widespread adoption is a gradual one.

 Toyota And Lexus Are Ready To Flood America With New EVs
2026 Toyota C-HR

The Jeep Cherokee Is Back And It Looks Nothing Like Before

  • Jeep’s 2026 Cherokee will enter production later this year offering a hybrid option.
  • The front end features styling cues borrowed from the upcoming electric Recon 4xe.
  • Interior spy shots show a large digital instrument cluster and touch-sensitive controls.

Update: Jeep has finally given us a peek at the next-generation Cherokee SUV, just ahead of its confirmed launch later this year. And, in case you were holding your breath for a name change, don’t bother. Despite some rumors suggesting the brand might drop “Cherokee” in favor of a new nameplate as a mark of respect to the Cherokee Nation, the brand is sticking with the original. Looks like that debate is settled.

More: Forgotten Jeep Reimagined For 2027 And Now We Kind Of Want It Back

While the camouflaged prototypes gave us a solid idea, the official press photos reveal that the new Cherokee takes a more traditional Jeep approach, moving away from the swoopier design of its 2023 predecessor. Instead, it embraces a boxier look, with a front end that shares styling cues with the upcoming electric Recon 4xe, all while staying true to what Jeep fans expect.

“The all-new Jeep Cherokee headlines our efforts to deliver more product, innovation, choice and standard content to customers than ever before,” said Bob Broderdorf, Jeep CEO. “Jeep Cherokee will boast competitive pricing that strikes at the core of the largest vehicle segment and sits perfectly between Jeep Compass and Jeep Grand Cherokee to bolster our winning mainstream line up.”

In addition to confirming its name, Jeep revealed that the mid-size SUV will debut with a “new, efficient, and powerful hybrid propulsion option.” That said, we could see traditional internal combustion engines and, eventually, an all-electric variant joining the lineup, as the STLA-Large platform supports all types of powertrains.

For more on the new Cherokee, check out our original story below, where you can also get a glimpse of our exclusive interior shots.

John Halas contributed to this report.

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Jeep’s lineup has filled out over the past couple of years with the addition of the luxury Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer and all-electric Wagoneer S, which is soon to be joined by the also-electric Recon. But potentially more important than all of them is the 2026 Cherokee, and new spy pics reveal the face and interior for the first time.

Compared with previous prototypes, this one has stripped away much of the front-end disguise, giving us a look at a grille that’s like a mashup of several other Jeep grilles. The five visible vertical grille sections (two are still hidden) are taller than the ones on the Grand Cherokee and seem to stand more proud of the body. But they also don’t have the a piece of trim above them to display the model name like the Wagoneers do.

Related: Here’s What We Know About Jeep’s 2026 Cherokee

But even if it did have a bit of trim with the name on, what would it say? We’re calling this SUV the Cherokee because it’s effectively a replacement for the Cherokee that bowed out in 2023, and will nestle below the Grand Cherokee in the Jeep lineup. But some reports say Jeep will move away from the name it’s used for decades as a mark of respect Cherokee Nation.

Whatever it’s called, this new Cherokee’s dashboard design has more in common with the Wagoneer S EV than it does the existing Grand Cherokee. These first ever interior pics of the Ford Bronco Sport rival show a large digital instrument cluster and a central touchscreen that’s mounted at an angle, just above a bank of touch-sensitive buttons for the climate control.

 The Jeep Cherokee Is Back And It Looks Nothing Like Before

It’s good to see drivers won’t have to dive into the infotainment to change the temperature, and the switches do look great, but physical push-buttons would be even better. Further down the console is what looks like a rotary controller for the transmission and a toggle to move between the driver modes. The passenger side of this prototype is covered with cloth disguise but it’s possible Jeep could offer a third screen above the glovebox, as it does on the Wagoneer S.

Housed between the shock towers of Stellantis STLA Large platform you’ll find the Cherokee’s first ever hybrid powertrain options, and later, an all-electric variant. Leaked documents suggest production is scheduled to begin this fall for the 2026 model year and we’re sure to find out more – including the name – in the months leading up to that debut.

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Images: Baldauf

In Just 100 Seconds, You Can Have A Fully Charged EV

  • CATL wants to have 1,000 stations in 31 cities across China by the end of this year.
  • In just 100 seconds, EV drivers can swap batteries, beating traditional charging times.
  • Each of the new ‘Choco-SEB’ battery stations can handle up to 822 swaps per day.

Tesla might have been the first automaker to flirt with the concept of battery swapping stations for its EVs, but it’s China’s top car manufacturers that have fully embraced it, running miles ahead of the competition. Nio is currently leading the charge in battery swap tech, with thousands of stations scattered across China and even a few popping up in Europe. Soon, battery-swapping will become even more commonplace in China.

Just this week, Changan Automobile rolled out the first 1,000 units of its Oshan 520 sedan. Built with local taxi services in mind, these cars are significant for one reason: they’re the first to use CATL’s new Choco-SEB swappable battery packs.

What really steals the show here is the speed—these batteries can be swapped out in just 100 seconds at specialized stations that are about to become a common sight across China. Chongqing already boasts 34 Choco-SEB swap stations, and by 2025, CATL plans to have 1,000 of these stations spread across 31 cities.

Read: EV Battery Breakthrough Could Double Your Car’s Lifespan

CATL, which just so happens to be the world’s largest EV battery supplier, has inked deals with GAC, Chery, Nio, SAIC, FAW, BAIC, and others to build EVs with these new battery packs. This means vehicles from all those brands will be able to use CATL’s swap stations, which can handle 822 swaps each day each.

 In Just 100 Seconds, You Can Have A Fully Charged EV

As for the Oshan 520, it’s got a modest 56 kWh battery, offering a respectable range of up to 515 km (320 miles). At a starting price of 166,890 yuan (around $23,100 at current exchange rates), it’s relatively affordable for the average Chinese driver.

The real benefit, though, lies in the battery swap tech. Taxi drivers, for example, can skip the agonizing wait at a high-speed charger and swap batteries in just 100 second. That’s faster than it would take to fuel up a traditional gas-powered car. In a world where time equals money, this is a huge win.

A slew of other Chinese EVs have already been confirmed to support the Choco-SEB battery system. These include the new GAC Aion S, Hongqi E-QM5, SAIC Roewe D7, BAIC C66, Wuling Bingo, Wuling Starlight, SAIC Rising R7, SAIC Maxus Mifa 9, and the SAIC Maxus Dana. So, it looks like swapping batteries is going to be the norm, at least for China’s EVs, in the very near future.

 In Just 100 Seconds, You Can Have A Fully Charged EV

Kia’s EVs Keep Getting Smaller And They’re Not Stopping

  • Kia’s EV2 has been spied testing ahead of a debut in early 2026.
  • The B-segment electric SUV sticks close to EV2 concept’s design.
  • Kia is also considering an even smaller EV1 to replace the Picanto.

From the big EV9 SUV to the junior EV3 by way of the EV4 and EV6 sedans, Kia seems to have most electric bases covered. But there are still a few niches to fill and the EV2 will arrive inside a year to help plug one of those gaps.

As its name suggests, the EV2 slots below the relatively new EV3 and replicates most of its features, just on a smaller scale. Although both are B-segment SUVs, the EV3 handles the upper end of the size and price scale and the EV2 targets the lower.

Related: Kia EV2 Concept Previews Small Electric SUV For 2026 With Funky Styling

That means rather than duking it out with the Skoda Elroq and Volvo EX30 and starting at £33k/€36k, the EV2 will battle with the new Renault 4, Citroen e-C3 and Fiat Grande Panda and have to kick off around £27k/€30k. Hitting those price targets while still turning a profit means the EV2, like the EV3 and EV4, will probably make do with simpler 400-volt charging technology rather than the fast-fill 800-volt systems used in pricier Kias such as the EV6 and EV9.

Expect the hardware nestling in the cut-down E-GMP platform to consist of a couple of different single-motor setups driving the front wheels and hooked up to a small electric battery suitable for city work and giving a range of around 200 miles (320 km). The Renault 4, for instance, gives buyers the choice of 40 kWh or 52 kWh batteries whereas the Kia EV3 offers 58.3 and 81.4 kWh power packs.

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Credits: SHProshots

Kia hasn’t said much about the EV2’s technical spec, but it did give us some guidance as to what it would look like by unveiling the EV2 concept at Kia EV Day in Barcelona back in February (see gallery below).

New spy shots confirm the production car will stick pretty close to the concept’s overall design, though predictably the ‘real’ EV2 has ditched the show car’s rear-hinged rear doors and has a conventional B pillar instead.

Also: This $11K EV3 Clone Hit China Before Kia Could Launch The Real One

The EV2 goes on sale in Europe in 2026, but it might not be Kia’s smallest EV for long. Bosses have confirmed they’re considering building an even tinier EV1 to replace the Picanto and compete with VW’s ID1. Neither of those baby Kias will make it to US showrooms where the EV3, which lands soon, will remain the first rung on Kia’s electric SUV ladder.

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Credits: Kia

Watch This Tesla’s FSD Do What It Definitely Wasn’t Supposed To Do Without Crashing

  • Self-driving system navigates narrow mountain trail deep in rural China.
  • At one point, the Model Y accelerated to 28 km/h on the dirt cliffside road
  • Tesla likely never envisioned Full Self-Driving being used on trails like this.

Even with regulatory hurdles slowing things down, Tesla’s Full-Self Driving (Supervised) system continues to garner attention, especially when it’s doing things most people wouldn’t expect from an EV. While the company’s rollout in China hit a temporary pause in late March, a few new videos are making the rounds online, showing just how far Tesla’s driver assistance tech can stretch when given a tough challenge.

Two clips in particular stand out. In them, a Model Y is seen navigating a narrow, winding mountain trail, exactly the kind of terrain you’d normally reserve for a rugged 4×4, not a tech-heavy crossover on road tires. Yet here it is, confidently, or at least convincingly, working its way along dirt paths where it arguably has no business being.

Read: Tesla Forced To Halt FSD Trials In China Over New Rules

Originally posted to Chinese social media platform Douyin, the footage has since made its way to other platforms, giving a clearer look at how FSD (Supervised) handles unpaved, unpredictable conditions. The video includes both interior shots and wide angles from a 360-degree camera mounted at the back of the vehicle.

Tight Trails, Nervous Hands

With the FSD system enabled, the Tesla can be seen navigating its way along the dirt path with surprising accuracy. The central touchscreen shows that the camera-based system is able to see where the trail goes and keeps the Model Y well-positioned on the path, avoiding falling down the cliff or hitting any of the nearby trees. Admittedly, it seems like a very stressful experience for the guy behind the wheel, who can be seen positioning his hands just above the yoke, ready to take over at a moment’s notice.

FSD drives on a dirt road up a hillside.🔥

Credit: Douyin AE68 pic.twitter.com/3w0fuy8B7l

— Aaron Li (@boolusilan) May 19, 2025

The second clip from the same video is a little more precarious. As the Model Y continues to work its way up the dirt road, the FSD system fights to keep the car centered, hitting the brakes at random times. At one stage, it begins to quickly accelerate, hitting 28 km/h (17.3 mph) on the tiny path, jumping over bumps in the road, but, remarkably, not crashing spectacularly.

Several other Tesla owners in China have also put FSD through its paces in recent months. In early March, the owner of a white Model X tested out the system along several narrow mountain roads before heading onto city streets and large highways.

To be clear, this isn’t what FSD is built for. Tesla didn’t design the system to go off-roading, and it was never advertised as capable of handling terrain like this. Yet that hasn’t stopped owners from putting it to the test, and for now, the software seems to be holding up. That said, it does raise some obvious questions about liability, overconfidence, and what happens when things don’t go quite as smoothly.

$TSLA

This is by far the craziest FSD footage I’ve seen in China, including narrow and steep mountain roads, city streets so tight only one car can pass, highway toll booths, and rural areas. How amazing FSD does.

Guys, while enjoying the video, you can also check out the… pic.twitter.com/O7TciAG9Qs

— 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑒𝑠 (@CharlesWBoy) February 28, 2025

This $11K EV3 Clone Hit China Before Kia Could Launch The Real One

  • Dongfeng’s Nano 06 is a new Chinese EV that borrows design cues from another model.
  • This compact SUV closely resembles the Kia EV3 but comes at a significantly lower price.
  • Key features include a roomy cabin with sofa-bed seating and a functional split tailgate.

Just when it looked like Chinese automakers had finally retired their industrial-strength photocopiers, along comes a new release to remind us that old habits die hard. The Dongfeng Nano 06 is a compact electric SUV with angular styling that looks suspiciously familiar.

And by familiar, we mean it bears more than a passing resemblance to the Kia EV3, a small electric crossover slated to launch in the US next year. While Kia is still mulling over whether to bring the EV3 to China, Dongfeng went ahead and jumped the line for them.

Also: The Tesla Model Y Has A New Rival From Toyota That’s Half The Price

The Nano 06 was first shown in April and has just hit the order books in China. To be fair, it’s not a carbon copy of the Kia, but the similarities are far from subtle either. The proportions, the shape of the greenhouse, the LED headlights, and even the plastic wheel arch cladding all echo the EV3’s design. Toss in the 17-inch alloy wheels that seem pulled straight from Kia’s sketchpad, and it becomes pretty clear this wasn’t just a coincidence.

To sidestep any legal drama, Dongfeng has given the Nano 06 a few distinguishing features. There are different bumpers, sculpted taillights, and a more conventional surface treatment along the sides. One genuinely original touch is the split tailgate, with the lower section doubling as a makeshift table or seat once parked.

Inside, the Nano 06 promises a fairly roomy five-seat cabin that can transform into a sofa-bed under the panoramic sunroof. The trunk features a three-layer setup with a total of 500 liters (17.7 cubic feet) of space, plus another 70 liters (2.5 cubic feet) tucked into the frunk.

The dashboard layout will feel familiar to anyone who’s peeked inside a modern Chinese EVs. It’s anchored by a 12.8-inch free-standing infotainment screen and an 8.8-inch digital cluster mounted behind a chunky two-spoke steering wheel.

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Dimensions That Go Head-to-Head

The Nano 06 measures 4,306 mm (169.5 inches) in length with a wheelbase of 2,715 mm (106.9 inches), making it just 6 mm longer than the Kia EV3 and giving it a slight edge with 35 mm more space between the axles. Despite its compact size, the Nano is being positioned as a family-oriented, adventure-friendly option, at least according to its lifestyle-heavy promotional shots.

More: Xiaomi’s First SUV Looks Like A Ferrari But It’s Priced Like A Tesla

Underpinning the Nano 06 is Dongfeng’s Quantum Architecture No. 3 platform. Power comes from a single electric motor producing 181 hp (135 kW / 184 PS) and 290 Nm (214 lb-ft) of torque. Buyers get two battery sizes to choose from: 44.94 kWh and 51.87 kWh. Those deliver an optimistic CLTC-rated range of 401 km (249 miles) and 471 km (293 miles) respectively. Fast-charging is no afterthought either, with the Nano able to grab 100 km (62 miles) of range in just 5 minutes if plugged into the right charger.

Pricing Is the Real Plot Twist

But the real attention-getter here is the price. The Dongfeng Nano 06 is listed between ¥79,900 ($11,100) and ¥109,900 ($15,300) in China. That’s more than three times cheaper than the Kia EV3, which starts at €35,990 ($40,700) in Germany.

Of course, the two aren’t competing in the same market, at least not yet, and if Kia does bring the EV3 to China, past pricing trends suggest it would land much lower. For context, the larger EV5 starts at just ¥149,000 ($20,700) in China.

Also: VW ID.7 Launches In China At Nearly Half The Price It Costs In Germany

In China, the Dongfeng Nano 06 will go up against direct rivals like the BYD Yuan Up, the Wuling Bingo Plus, and the Baojun Yep Plus small SUVs.

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Dongfeng

Cybertrucks Will Patrol Mexico’s Tourist Areas For FIFA World Cup

  • The Cybertrucks will be deployed across tourist hotspots during the World Cup.
  • These are believed to be the first Tesla Cybertruck police vehicles in the country.
  • Police in Texas announced earlier this year they will soon receive 10 Cybertrucks.

With just over a year until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, authorities in the Mexican state of Jalisco are already gearing up for the massive soccer event. They’ve recently added three specially outfitted Tesla Cybertruck patrol vehicles to their fleet, which will be deployed in high-traffic tourist areas during the tournament.

One of these Cybertrucks was recently taken out onto the local city streets and tailed by a pair of F-Series trucks that police are also using. The local mayor, Pablo Lemus Navarro, is keen to maximize safety during the World Cup, although the expensive purchases do seem to have upset some locals.

Read: Las Vegas Gets First Cybertruck Police Fleet In America

The Tesla truck rocks a matte black wrap complete with all the necessary police livery. Flashing red and blue lights have also been neatly incorporated into the front and rear bumpers, as well as the side skirts. Local police have yet to release any photos of the Cybertruck’s cabin, but it’s likely also been modified with all the necessary equipment needed to patrol the streets and target criminals.

These Cybertrucks form just a small part of a much larger fleet of new vehicles that the state is introducing.

Governor Navarro has big plans to improve security in the region ahead of the World Cup. “We also need to work a lot on the perception of security; we are going to deliver 678 patrol cars for the State Police, State Highway Police, and State Police, including some ‘Black Mambas,’ which are this kind of tanks,” he said.

Mexico isn’t alone in adopting the Cybertruck for law enforcement. Earlier this year, Las Vegas announced it would receive 10 of the trucks, thanks to an anonymous donor. Some of these will be put into service with SWAT teams, while others will simply patrol the streets. Who knows? Maybe other cities will soon follow suit.

The 2026 World Cup is set to run from June 11 to July 19 across 16 host cities in the US, Mexico, and Canada, featuring 48 teams. While Jalisco’s decision to roll out high-tech, bulletproof Cybertruck patrol vehicles might look impressive on paper, it also raises questions about whether this extravagant spending is really the most effective use of resources for an event of this scale.

@prensaxtremard El Gobierno de Jalisco presentó esta semana las nuevas patrullas Tesla Cybertruck, blindadas con acero grado balístico y equipadas con inteligencia artificial, cámaras 360°, conexión en tiempo real con centros de mando y acceso directo a bases de datos de órdenes de aprehensión. Estas unidades, capaces de resistir impactos de alto calibre, formarán parte del operativo especial de seguridad previo al Mundial 2026, que tendrá a Guadalajara como una de sus sedes. Además del uso de tecnología de punta, se anunció la instalación de 1,500 nuevas cámaras de videovigilancia en más de 300 puntos estratégicos del estado, incluyendo carreteras hacia Guanajuato, Colima y Michoacán. También se sumarán 678 nuevas patrullas. Para seguir informado, síguenos en #rotativodemexico 📰🌐 #Jalisco #Cybertruck #Tesla #Mundial2026 #Seguridad #Guadalajara #Tecnología #FIFA2026 ♬ sonido original – PRENSA XTREMA RD ✅️

Tesla Dumping Unsold Cybertrucks At Mall Parking Lot And The City’s Fed Up

  • Farmington Hills officials are fuming over a glut of unsold Cybertrucks being stored in the city.
  • Tesla has been parking the EVs at a shopping center earmarked for major redevelopment.
  • Officials say the electric vehicles violate zoning codes and are warning the property owner.

Tesla’s Cybertruck is a big silver sales flop and that’s given the company several problems, including working out what to do with all the electric pickups it can’t sell. Some of those trucks ended up stored at a run-down mall in Farmington Hills outside of Detroit in Michigan. Unsurprisingly, local officials are not happy about it.

Dozens of Cybertrucks and some other Tesla models are currently occupying several rows of parking bays at the Hunter’s Square shopping center, Crain’s Detroit Business reports. The lot is home to a now-closed Bed, Bath and Beyond, an also-shuttered Torrid, and a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant that’s still open, and has plenty of space for the EVs. But using the land for vehicle storage is against city code.

Related: Cybertruck Owners Can’t Believe Tesla’s Trade-In Values

The shopping center landlord has already been informed of the violation, according to comments made by Charmaine Kettler-Schmult, director of planning and community development for Farmington Hills, Michigan to CDB. But she admitted to reporters that the enforcement process “takes time.”

The report notes Tesla recently opened a brand new showroom close to the Hunter’s Square shopping center in West Bloomfield, which could be the source of the idled Cybertrucks. Crain’s Detroit Business reached out to both the registered owner of that site and the landlord of Hunter’s Square, which is due to get a major overhaul, but neither responded.

 Tesla Dumping Unsold Cybertrucks At Mall Parking Lot And The City’s Fed Up
Credit: Instagram/@cheapyd

Tesla CEO Elon Musk once bragged of having 1 million reservations for the Cybertruck, but the much-delayed EV has failed to live up to sales expectations since its official debut in late 2023. Only 40,000 were sold last year, well short of the 250,000 Tesla predicted, according to Forbes. And recently the Cybertruck was outperformed by its more conventional-looking Ford F-150 Lightning rival.

More: What Happened To Musk’s 1 Million Cybertruck Reservations?

Tesla has made moves to open up the Cybetruck’s appeal, however. In April it finally unveiled a single-motor, rear-wheel drive, entry-level model for $69,990 and buyers of other grades have been offered discounts, lease deals and free supercharging.

Lead image: Instagram/@cheapyd

Hybrid Struggles Could Derail Alfa Romeo’s 2026 Launch Plans

  • Alfa Romeo had planned to begin production of the all-new Stelvio later this year.
  • it now faces delays due to hybrid development and internal combustion engine issues.
  • After the SUV, the Italian brand will release the successor to the Giulia sports sedan.

Alfa Romeo’s future plans may not be as smooth as the curves of their cars. While the Giulia and Stelvio as we know them are on their way out, their successors are already in the works. Originally, Alfa planned to go all-in on electric for the new models, but earlier this year, they backpedaled, announcing that hybrids would also be part of the package. Sounds like good news, right? Well, not so fast, as this shift in strategy might have led to delays for both models.

Also: New Alfa Romeo Stelvio Unmasked From Official Patents

The original plan was to debut the next-generation Stelvio this year, start production by the end of 2025, and then roll it out in 2026, with the Giulia following closely behind. However, according to reports from Italy, the decision to offer combustion engine variants has thrown a bit of a wrench into those plans.

The Delay Dilemma

While speaking with Al Volante, Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficili confirmed that work on the new Stelvio and Giulia is still moving forward. “As you know, we had gone in the direction of having only electric cars, but now we have to develop some thermal motors too. So, we are defining the timeline,” he said. When asked whether the two models would be ready for a 2026 launch, Ficili gave the most reliable answer a CEO could provide: “We will let you know.”

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Official patent drawings of the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

And Ficili isn’t the only one hinting at a potential delay. Mirko Marsella, the head of the metalworkers’ union at the Cassino plant (where these cars are being built), says the lines are all set for the new models, but the cars themselves are still a work in progress. In other words, they’re ready to assemble them, but the actual product is missing in action.

Hybrid Hiccups

As Al Volante reports, the big stumbling block seems to be the plug-in hybrid powertrains, which have reportedly given Stellantis engineers some trouble finding a workable solution within the STLA Large platform. While this platform is primed for the 3.0-liter Hurricane turbo engine, to be used in the ICE Dodge Charger, Alfa plans to use a 4-cylinder engine for its mainstream models, a configuration no other Stellantis brand has yet adopted for the STLA Large. This, of course, means a lot of development work that can’t be rushed.

Additionally, union representatives at the Cassino plant have confirmed they’ve been briefed on the situation, stating that, as of now, there is no pre-series model fitted with internal combustion engines.

Stellantis Shuffles Italian Plans

As Carbuzz pointed out, Stellantis has also acknowledged the delays, confirming to Gazzetta that its Italian plans are being revised due to a combination of market conditions, EU regulations, and, of course, tariffs. The company is evidently recalibrating in response to the shifting landscape.

We know that the two models will share the same STLA Large platform, also used by vehicles including the Dodge Charger and Jeep Wagoneer S. This platform is versatile enough to support both hybrid and electric models, though details on how much power the new Stelvio and Giulia will produce remain scarce. There have been whispers that high-performance Quadrifoglio models could generate nearly 1,000 horsepower in their electric form, but until we see the final specs, it’s anyone’s guess.

 Hybrid Struggles Could Derail Alfa Romeo’s 2026 Launch Plans

2026 / 2027 Alfa Romeo Stelvio illustration by Kolesa.

BMW’s Most Popular M Car Just Got More Powerful

  • BMW has replaced its best-selling i4 M50 with a more powerful M60.
  • An extra 56 hp cuts the zero to 62 mph time from 3.9 to 3.7 seconds.
  • Other BMWs, including the 2-series and X5M also get minor upgrades.

The BMW i4 M50 was M division’s first EV, but it wasn’t a very fast one. A zero to 62 mph (96 km/h) time of 3.9 seconds wasn’t exactly dog slow, but plenty of M cars and plenty of other automakers’ EVs could blow it into the weeds. This summer, M’s most popular car gets a power upgrade to help redress the balance a little.

Out goes the i4 M50 and in comes the i4 M60, which justifies its new number with a boost to its dual-motor drivetrain. Output jumps from 537 hp (544 PS / 400 kW) to 593 hp (601 PS / 442 kW) and drops the 62 mph lunge to 3.7 seconds. That’s still puts it behind other performance EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Tesla Model 3 Performance, and 0.2 seconds adrift of an M3 Competition xDrive, but it’s nevertheless a step in the right direction.

Related: The Most Driver-Focused M2 Drops The One Thing Real Drivers Care The Most

At the same time, and at the other end of the i4 spectrum, the eDrive35 and eDrive40 now come with silicon carbide semiconductor components that cut consumption by around 4.5 percent. That mod potentially improves the distance achieved on one charge by 14 miles, giving the 35 a still unimpressive range of 266 WLTP miles (428 km) and pushing the 40’s touring endurance to 317 miles (510 km).

BMW’s summer update also improves the standard equipment on the 1-series and 2-series Gran Coupé, adding heated front seats and an alarm, while the optional M Technology Package II available for the M135 xDrive hatch now includes M seat belts with M colors in the weave.

 BMW’s Most Popular M Car Just Got More Powerful

The 7-series and i7 gain laminated safety glass and individual sun/heat protection options for occupants, and the X5M Competition and its X6 sister debut an Ultimate Package. This brings a carbon engine cover and mirror caps, panoramic roof, ventilated massage seats, a Bowers & Wilkins stereo and a pointless (for most of us) increase in the speed limiter from 155 mph (250 km/h) to 180 mph (290 km/h).

And if you were thinking of adding a fancy BMW Individual paint job to your new car, you can now do it inside the regular configurator rather than jumping across to the BMW Individual Visualiser.

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BMW

New Kia EV9 Gets Surprise Price Cuts And It’s Not The Only Upgrade

  • Kia has announced pricing for the 2026 EV9 continues to start at $54,900.
  • While the cost of entry remains unchanged, several trims are up to $2,000 cheaper.
  • The 2026MY sees small range improvements and a new Nightfall Edition package.

The Kia EV9 is entering its third model year with a handful of minor updates. However, there are some notable developments including price cuts, increased ranges, and a new Nightfall Edition package.

Starting with the latter, the EV9 Nightfall is based on the upscale Land trim and costs an additional $1,500. It features gloss black skid plates, fascia accents, and side sills. They’re joined by gloss black mirrors and roof rails. Customers will also find black badging, black 20-inch wheels, and an available Roadrider Brown paint job that is exclusive to the model.

More: Kia’s EV9 Nightfall Is The Rare Special Edition That Actually Goes Faster

Inside, there’s a black on black interior with a unique upholstery pattern. A six-seat configuration comes standard, but a seven-seat setup is available as a no cost option. Customers will also find a standard Boost function that increases the torque output from 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) to 516 lb-ft (699 Nm).

The other big news for 2026 is increased ranges. The Light Long Range climbs from 304 miles to 305 miles, while the Wind and Land go from 280 miles to 283 miles. Lastly, the GT-Line gets a noticeable bump from 270 miles to 280 miles.

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Kia held the line on pricing as the base EV9 continues to start at $54,900 before a $1,495 destination fee. However, the EV9 Light Long Range drops from $59,900 to $57,900. That isn’t the only price cut as the EV9 Land falls from $69,900 to $68,900. Likewise, the EV9 GT-Line sees its price reduced from $73,900 to $71,900.

As a refresher, the EV9 offers 76.1 and 99.8 kWh battery packs as well as an assortment of powertrains. The latter have outputs of 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS), 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS), and 379 hp (283 kW / 384 PS). This results in 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) times of between five seconds and 8.8 seconds.

2026 KIA EV9 PRICING
TrimMSRP*
EV9 Light SR $54,900
EV9 Light LR $57,900
EV9 Wind $63,900
EV9 Land $68,900
EV9 GT-Line $71,900
*Prices exclude a $1,495 destination fee
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For $250, Make Your Tesla Feel More Like A Launch Series

  • Tesla adds faux suede dashboard upgrade to Model 3 and Model Y via online store.
  • Previously exclusive to Model Y Launch Series, the trim is now available for all buyers.
  • It costs $250 in US and $345 in Canada with installation included at service centers.

Tesla’s interiors have always marched to the beat of their own drum – spartan, screen-centric, and unapologetically minimal. If you were holding out for plush armrests and quilted leather seats, well, you were looking at the wrong brand. That said, a little upgrade has quietly slipped onto the scene, and it might just take the edge off that utilitarian vibe.

While the Model 3 and Model Y remain solid choices in the EV market, they’ve never been praised for luxurious cabins. Tesla has always leaned hard into simplicity, choosing clean lines and uncluttered surfaces over traditional comfort cues. But now, there’s a small step toward softness: a new interior option that adds a touch of upscale texture.

Read: Tesla Just Made The New Model Y Leases More Affordable Than Ever

Recently added to the Tesla Shop is a piece of 100% vegan suede finished in black that can be added to the dashboard of the two models. This trim sits behind the steering column and the central infotainment screen, promising to add a nice area of soft-touch material and a slightly more premium feel.

The Tesla Model Y Launch Series actually launched with this same piece of vegan suede trim, but it’s only now available across the rest of the 2024+ Model 3 and 2025+ Model Y line-up. It costs $250 in the US and $345 in Canada and can be added to newly-ordered vehicles and fitted at a Tesla Service Center. Current owners can also order the trim and have it installed at a service center, with fitting costs included in the price.

Typically, this part of the dashboard is wrapped in a standard textile, functional, but far from upscale. The new material is a simple tweak, but for a brand that rarely goes in for interior frills, it stands out. Sort of.

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Leasing Deals Too

This month, Tesla has also launched some tempting new US leasing deals for the updated Model Y. It’s now possible to lease a Long Range RWD for $491 a month on a 36-month, 10,000-mile-per-year lease before taxes and fees. Importantly, this deal doesn’t require a down payment. State EV incentives can reduce the lease to under $400, depending on where you live.

For those who’d prefer to finance a new Model Y, Tesla has you covered, too. The Long Range All-Wheel Drive is available with an APR of 1.99%, but does require a down payment of 15% in addition to applicable taxes and fees.

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Alpine Wants To Break Into America With This Wild Fastback, If Trump Allows It

  • The new five-door A390 EV is the most practical member of the Alpine lineup yet.
  • Production in France, sales begin Q4 2025 with UK pricing from around $81,300.
  • Three-motor setup delivers up to 463 hp and all-wheel drive with torque vectoring.

The Renault Group’s sporty Alpine brand wants you to think of your future driveway as a “Dream Garage,” and it’s building a fully electric lineup to make that happen. A year after pulling the wraps off the A290 hot hatch, the French automaker has returned with the production-ready A390, a sport fastback aimed at merging performance with everyday usability.

It borrows design cues from the lightweight A110 coupe but stretches the formula into a more practical five-door format with a larger footprint.

More: Alpine’s New 911 Rival Is Hiding Under This Little Known French Racecar

The Alpine A390 stays largely true to the A390_β concept shown in October 2024, keeping its low-slung, aerodynamic silhouette and sharp bodywork. Some of the wilder design elements have been toned down for production, but the finished model still delivers a sportier presence than your average crossover or SUV. Two trims will be available at launch, GT and GTS, each set apart by unique wheels and badging.

Blending Classic Cues with New Practicality

Exterior highlights include a dramatically sloped roofline, fragmented triangle accents on the front bumper, and full-width LED light bars front and rear. Subtle nods to the A110 appear in the character lines along the sides. Wheel sizes vary between 20 and 21 inches, paired with 6 inches (152 mm) of ground clearance and discreet lower cladding that nods to ruggedness without fully committing to it.

Inside, the show car’s futuristic cabin gives way to a more down-to-earth five-seater layout. The dashboard is closely related to that of the Renault Megane E-Tech, featuring a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-inch central touchscreen.

While the general layout might feel familiar, Alpine-specific elements like the steering wheel, center console, and trim materials help the A390 stake out a more premium position.Standout features include the Nappa leather Sabelt bucket seats found in the flagship GTS trim, a 13-speaker Devialet audio system pumping out 850 watts, and a 532-liter (18.8-cubic-foot) cargo area that adds real-world practicality.

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Despite its sporty stance, the A390 is quite practical in size. It measures 4,615 mm (181.7 inches) long, 1,885 mm (74.2 inches) wide, and 1,532 mm (60.3 inches) tall, with a 2,708 mm (106.6-inch) wheelbase. That makes it 136 mm (5.4 inches) shorter and 92 mm (3.6 inches) lower than a Tesla Model Y, helping it land somewhere between a hot hatch and a compact SUV.

Shared Underpinnings With Unique Parts

The A390 rides on the AmpR Medium platform, also used by the Renault Megane E-Tech, Scenic E-Tech, and Nissan Ariya. But Alpine didn’t just copy and paste. The chassis has been tuned with specific hardware and custom software designed to squeeze out more dynamic potential.

The big party trick? A tri-motor all-wheel-drive setup, with one motor at the front and two at the rear, working alongside Alpine’s Active Torque Vectoring system. This aims to make the A390 feel more agile than its size suggests, minimizing the usual weight-induced dullness that plagues many EVs in this category.

Performance and Synthetic Sounds

Power figures are strong across both trims. The GT offers 396 hp, while the GTS bumps that to 463 hp. Torque numbers are equally robust at 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) and 808 Nm (596 lb-ft), respectively. The quicker GTS trim does 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 3.9 seconds and tops out at 220 km/h (137 mph). Both versions use an 89 kWh lithium-ion battery good for 520 to 555 km (323 to 345 miles) of WLTP range, and support up to 190 kW DC fast charging.

More: Apine A110 Enters Last Year Of Production With R 70 Special Edition

There’s even an “overtake” function that temporarily boosts power for 10 seconds, though you’ll need a 30-second cooldown between uses. Think of it like a video game power-up with a refresh timer. Drivers can also choose between two Alpine Drive Sound profiles, “Daily” and “Sport,” that provide synthetic engine noise tuned to match your mood or throttle input.

SPECS
A390 GTA390 GTS
Powertrainthree electric motorsthree electric motors
Output396 hp (295 kW / 401 PS)463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS)
Torque650 Nm (479.4 lb-ft)808 Nm (596 lb-ft)
0-62 mph (0-100 km/h)4.8″3.9″
Top Speed200 km/h (124 mph)220 km/h (137 mph)
Battery89 kWh89 kWh
Range520-555 km (323-345 miles)520-555 km (323-345 miles)
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In terms of the chassis setup, the A390 features a dedicated suspension with hydraulic stops, similar to the ones in the discontinued Renault Megane RS hot hatch. Alpine engineers opted for a “very short steering ratio”, and put a lot of emphasis on the braking feel. Handling is further enhanced by the bespoke Michelin tires, designed specifically for the A390.

When Can I Buy It?

Orders for the A390 will open in mainland Europe and the UK in the fourth quarter of 2025. Final pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but early estimates place the GT around £60,000 ($81,300) and the GTS at roughly £70,000 ($94,800). That puts it in the same neighborhood as the Porsche Macan EV, which starts at £68,500 ($92,800) in the UK.

For comparison, the Porsche Macan EV – a key rival – starts at £68,500 ($92,800) in the UK. The new Alpine will go up against a crowded field that includes the Audi Q4 Sportback, BMW iX2, Cupra Tavascan, Maserati Grecale Folgore, BMW i4 M50, DS No8, and Tesla Model Y.

The French brand was supposed to expand in the US market in 2027, but this plan has been put on hold due to the tariffs imposed on imported vehicles. These would certainly affect the A390 which is a product of France – the EV is manufactured at the Dieppe factory, the powertrains are made in the Cleon plant, while the battery packs are produced in Dunkirk and assembled in Douai.

US Launch on Hold Pending Tariff Mood

 Alpine Wants To Break Into America With This Wild Fastback, If Trump Allows It

Alpine had planned to enter the US market in 2027, but those ambitions are now on pause thanks to tariffs on imported vehicles. The A390, being a thoroughly French creation, would be hit hard. It’s built in Dieppe, with powertrains coming from the Cleon facility, and battery packs produced in Dunkirk before final assembly in Douai.

Still, it’s not a closed door just yet. Much depends on how negotiations between Europe and the Trump administration unfold in the coming months, so there’s still a strong chance the A390 could find its way to North American driveways in a couple of years.

Electric A110 Teaser

The presentation of the A390 included a cheeky teaser of the next generation A110 sports car which is expected to debut next year. The model will be fitted with a fully electric powertrain, but appears to retain the sexy proportions of its mid-engined predecessor. We can also see the angular LED graphics of the signature split headlights and the toned rear fenders hiding under the veil.

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Alpine

Stellantis’ Rugged SUV Could Rival Dacia’s Budget Off-Roader

  • Opel introduced the Frontera Gravel, an SUV with unique off-road modifications.
  • This one-off model could inspire a new adventurous trim for the Frontera SUV.
  • Despite its rugged appearance, the study retains the production model’s FWD setup.

While most SUV owners wouldn’t dare leave the pavement, the desire to look like they might has never been stronger. To keep up with the trend, Stellantis’ Opel division has unveiled the Frontera Gravel concept, a rugged-looking spin on its family-friendly SUV that hints at a more adventurous trim level down the line.

Developed at Opel’s Russelsheim design center, the one-off concept was created with input from the “enthusiast community” and assembled in collaboration with motorsport tuning specialists BlackFish and XS.

More: Stellantis Turns Its Cheapest SUV Into A Tree House With A View

The Frontera Gravel immediately sets itself apart with a lineup of off-road-inspired accessories: a Thule Canyon XT roof rack, additional LED lights on the hood and roof, a front-mounted winch, a side storage box, and even snow tracks attached to the D-pillars. It also rides on 16-inch Borbet CWE wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, helping it at least look the part, even if it never leaves the campsite parking lot.

The body is finished in a matte Desert Stone wrap, contrasted by a black hood and roof. Orange accents show up on the skid plates, mirror caps, roof rack, and badging, while custom stickers complete the package. Inside, the microfibre seats get matching orange detailing, and a black headliner adds to the rugged vibe.

Electric, Front-Wheel Drive, and… Soft-Road Capable?

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Opel

Opel confirmed that the Frontera Gravel is based on the production Frontera Electric, which comes only with front-wheel drive. While not exactly off-road royalty, Opel insists the concept can handle “soft-roading adventures” thanks to its low center of gravity and healthy torque output.

The most powerful version of the Frontera Electric packs a single 154 hp (156 PS / 115 kW) motor and a 54 kWh battery, delivering a range of up to 400 km (249 miles). It’s not exactly overland-ready, but it should be enough for a spirited weekend getaway, assuming your idea of rugged terrain includes gravel trails and not much else.

All-Wheel Drive Remains Off the Table

Unfortunately, Opel doesn’t seem to be interested in an AWD Frontera, something that could happen with the addition of an electrified rear axle to the mild-hybrid version. This solution has already been applied to the Jeep Avenger 4Xe and the Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida Q4, and will soon find its way into the upcoming Fiat Grande Panda 4×4.

More: Stellantis Turns Small SUV Into An Electric Rally Weapon

The Frontera Gravel will make its public debut on May 30 at the XS Carnight event in Wörthersee, Austria. Although it’s officially a concept, a production version seems like a real possibility. Opel could use it to compete with similarly rugged trims like the upcoming Dakar-inspired Dacia Duster variant.

Rebecca Reinermann, Opel and Vauxhall’s Vice President of Marketing, stated: “The new Opel Frontera is already standout. It is rugged, practical, and perfect for families and everyday adventures. But with the Frontera GRAVEL show car, we’ve pushed the limits, imagining a tougher, more daring, trailblazing version. This concept is built to fire up our fanbase and test the demand for a bolder, more rugged Frontera in the future. It’s all about freedom, adventure, excitement and pushing boundaries.”

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Opel Frontera Electric
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