The Volkswagen ID. Polo is getting closer to its debut and is being unwrapped like a present, revealing more of its sculpted bodywork. Our spy photographers caught two examples of the upcoming “people’s EV” which traded the funky wrap seen in the official teasers for a stealthier look.

The pair of subcompact hatchbacks was spotted during a charging stop in the snowy landscape of Northern Europe, allowing us a closer look. One of them rides on familiar 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels just like earlier prototypes, but the other rides on something more interesting.

More: Volkswagen Gives First Official Look At Golf MK9

We’re talking about a different wheel design with a black finish and copper accents, looking like they were plucked straight from a Cupra showroom, and more specifically the closely-related Cupra Raval. Still, they brandish VW logos, so make of that what you will.

SH Proshots

The rest of the 4,053 mm (159.5 inches) long bodywork appears to be shared between the two prototypes. Note that the GTI version will be distinguished by a redesigned bodykit including bumper extensions, different wheels, and a roof spoiler.

More: VW Promised A €25k ID. Polo, But You Might Wait A While To See It

Plastic tape is covering part of the grille and the LED headlights. At the back, VW used vinyl to mask the full-width LED taillights, making them look similar to the current ICE-powered Polo.

Overall, the ID. Polo looks quite sporty, thanks to the pronounced fenders, the sculpted lines of the profile, the robust proportions and the deep bumpers. As with the ID.2all concept, the production version was signed off by Andreas Mindt who was recently promoted to Head of Design for the entire VW Group.

SH Proshots

Our spy photographers didn’t need to hunt photos of the interior, as Volkswagen has already unveiled it. In fact, a camouflaged prototype of the ID. Polo was exhibited at the Car Design Festival 2026 last weekend, greeting guests with open doors.

The minimalist dashboard features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with vintage graphics, and a 12.9-inch infotainment display.

What is more interesting is the dedicated row of physical switches underneath, and the volume knob on the center console, complementing an array of clicky buttons on the two-spoke steering wheel. The cabin is upholstered in modern recycled fabrics, covering large areas on the dashboard and door cards.

Philipp Rupprecht / Car Design Event 2026

The ID. Polo is sharing the MEB+ platform with the Cupra Raval, the VW ID. Cross, and the Skoda Epiq. It is expected to be available with various electric powertrain options producing 114 hp, 133 hp, and 208 hp.

More: Cupra’s Smallest EV Just Drove Around Naked Hoping Nobody Would Notice

As for the GTI-branded hot hatch, this will make 223 horsepower and will be positioned at the top of the range. At launch, the hatchback will be fitted with a 52 kWh battery pack, but a smaller 37 kWh unit will follow later for entry-level variants.

Porsche is marking 75 years in Australia with a quartet of bespoke models inspired by some of the country’s most recognizable landscapes. Consider it both a birthday celebration and a (costly) reminder that Porsche’s customization department can turn just about any idea into paint, leather, and expensive options.

Debuting at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this weekend, the collection spans the Panamera, Taycan, Macan, and Cayenne, highlighting the customization possibilities offered by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur and the Sonderwunsch program.

More: When Porsche’s New EV Concept Gets Dirty, It Needs A Deckhand, Not A Detailer

Interestingly, these are far from being strictly one-off specials. Customers can actually recreate the same specifications through Porsche’s official configurator, assuming they are willing to spend enough time clicking through options and, of course, paying for them.

Go North With The Panamera

The first model is based on the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, finished with a livery inspired by the rainforests of Queensland and the Northern Territory. The exterior wears Emerald Green Metallic paint, paired with Neodyme 21-inch wheels and bright Acid Green accents on the brake calipers and hybrid emblems.

More: Porsche’s Panamera Is Crushing The Taycan EV, Now The 2028MY Wants To Squeeze Harder

Inside, the Club leather upholstery comes in Espresso with Night Green stitching, Neodyme accents, and Eucalyptus wood trim. The sedan also receives illuminated scuff plates with “Go North” lettering, a matching key, and 75th anniversary floor mats. For added practicality, it is also fitted with the optional Porsche Performance roof box, just in case the rainforest theme inspires an actual road trip.

Go East With The Taycan

The second model is based on the electric Taycan 4S Cross Turismo. Drawing inspiration from the surf culture of Australia’s Pacific coast, places like Noosa, Byron Bay, Newcastle, and Sydney, it wears an Ipanema Blue Metallic finish. The high gloss black 21-inch alloy wheels feature Crayon aero blades meant to evoke coral formations, while the Glacier Iceblue daytime running lights mirror the irises of the Pacific Blue Eye fish.

More: Porsche’s Most Extreme Taycan Yet Exists For A Very Personal Reason

The beach theme continues inside the cabin, where a mix of Black and Crayon leather echoes what Porsche describes as “the warm sands and shade of Australia’s eastern beaches.” References to the sea show up in the Dark Night Blue leather seat inserts and the Speed Blue stitching. The EV is also fitted with a panoramic roof featuring Variable Light Control, aluminum roof rails, a bespoke key, and illuminated scuff plates.

Go West With The Cayenne

The first SUV of the group is based on the V8-powered Cayenne S and draws inspiration from the vast open spaces of Western Australia’s Outback, terrain that dates back around 4.4 billion years. The exterior is finished in Ipanema Brown Metallic, paired with white decals and silk gloss black 22-inch alloy wheels.

More: Porsche’s Mega SUV Drops EV Plan For V8 Power And An Audi Link

The model is fitted with the optional Off-Road package, which adds rock rails, skid plates, extra underbody protection, and even a compass mounted on the dashboard, presumably for when the road disappears altogether. It also gets aluminum roof rails carrying a roof box.

Inside, Black leather is paired with Bordeaux Red inserts meant to echo indigenous rock formations. Like the other special editions, it also receives unique floor mats, keys, and illuminated scuff plates.

Go South With The Macan

The final car in the set is the fully electric Macan 4S, styled as a tribute to the southern coastlines of Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. Its Gold Bronze Metallic paint is meant to mirror the cliffs along the Great Ocean Road, while the 22-inch RS Spyder wheels, finished in Vesuvius Grey, nod to the region’s rugged stone formations.

More: A 92-Year-Old Bought His First Porsche, Now He’s Already Planning His Second

The electric SUV also gets the Off-Road Design package, which brings Vesuvius Grey skid plates into the mix. Glacier Blue accents appear in the Matrix LED headlights and along the taillight strip. Inside, the cabin references South Australia’s volcanic landscapes with Black and Chalk Beige leather, punctuated by orange highlights across the seat centers, seatbelts, door cards, and dashboard.

Curiously, Porsche Australia’s 75th anniversary collection arrives without a 911. Still, when the theme revolves around the four cardinal directions, the math rather limits your options.

Porsche Australia

For much of the past three years, it has often seemed as though BYD could do no wrong. The company steadily launched new models, expanded its lineup, and watched its sales climb at an impressive pace. However, the start of 2026 has been alarmingly slower, allowing fellow Chinese automaker Geely to pull ahead.

Through the first two months of this year, BYD has sold 400,241 vehicles, down 36 percent from the year prior. Of these, 190,190 vehicles were sold in February, a drop of 9.5 percent from the past month, due in large part to the Lunar New Year holiday, but it was also a 41 percent drop compared to the same month last year.

Apparently, shrinking tax breaks and a dip in buyer confidence are starting to cool the market. Plenty of shoppers are opting to wait it out, holding off to see what new models land and whether government trade in schemes become clearer before committing their cash.

Read: A Chinese Brand Just Knocked Ford Out Of The Global Top Six

While BYD is facing some struggles at home, it continues to gain popularity in foreign markets. In February alone, it exported 100,600 of its new energy vehicles, consisting of EVs and plug-in hybrids. Include January in those figures, and BYD has exported 201,082 vehicles.

Competitors Step Up

While BYD is facing growing pains, several other Chinese automakers are enjoying the opposite problem. Through the first two months of 2026, Stellantis partner Leapmotor’s sales have climbed 19 percent to 60,126 units. Xiaomi’s EV division is up 48 percent year over year to more than 59,000 units. Zeekr has posted an 84 percent surge across January and February, while Nio deliveries have jumped 77 percent, according to CNBC.

Geely is also having a particularly strong run. So far this year, it has delivered roughly 76,000 more vehicles than BYD. That is notable because it marks the first time Geely has outsold BYD for at least two consecutive months since 2022. While Geely currently leads within China, it trails slightly in overseas markets, exporting 181,891 vehicles so far this year.

According to Bloomberg, BYD chief executive Wang Chuanfu acknowledged the growing pressure back in December. He said rival automakers had begun closing the technological gap that once gave BYD a clear edge, something that now appears to be showing up in the sales figures.

The VW Group began selling its EA211 engine in 2011, offering it in both three- and four-cylinder forms across a wide range of models. Over the years, it has powered familiar names such as the VW Golf, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia, VW T-Roc, Audi Q2, and Seat Leon.

Now the company has updated and adapted this long-running engine for an entirely new role, serving as the range-extender in its first extended-range electric vehicle in China, the ID. Era 9X.

Read: VW Built A Bigger ID SUV Than The X7 And You Can’t Have It

VW presented its new flagship SUV, co-developed with SAIC, earlier this year. At the time, we knew it would use a range-extender powertrain, but few technical details were available. Earlier this month, VW confirmed that the ID. Era 9X uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged EA211 engine, although several notable revisions have been made to prepare it for this application.

What’s Different?

For example, the updated engine now includes a new variable-geometry turbocharger to seamlessly adjust airflow, depending on the driving conditions. VW has also improved thermal efficiency and reduced emissions, while also installing a water-cooled intercooler for cooler intake temperatures. The upgraded engine is being built in China.

EREVs are enjoying something of a resurgence at the moment, though VW was not always enthusiastic about the concept. Six years ago, VW China executives described EREVs as “very environmentally unfriendly.”

As reported by CarNewsChina, shortly after announcing production of the new EA211 range-extender, Li Auto’s social media director reminded VW of this statement, writing on social media, “Congratulations to Volkswagen for successfully mass-producing a technology that is ‘outdated, very environmentally unfriendly, and had little development potential’ in just 6 years!”

The tension dates to September 2020, when Volkswagen China CEO Stephan Wöllenstein criticized gasoline-powered range-extenders as environmentally unfriendly. Around the same time, the company’s China R&D chief, Wiedmann, described the technology as outdated with limited long-term potential.

The Juicy Details

The VW ID. Era 9X is slightly longer, a touch narrower, and has a marginally shorter wheelbase than a BMW X7. It is one of several China-only Volkswagen models that could likely find an audience elsewhere if it were ever sold internationally.

In addition to the EA211 range-extender, the base model features a rear-mounted electric motor producing 295 hp and a 51.1 kWh LFP battery. This setup delivers an all-electric driving range of up to 166 miles (267 km). A version with a larger 65.2 kWh battery and up to 211 miles (340 km) of electric range will also be offered, along with a rear-wheel-drive twin-motor variant producing 510 hp.

Mercedes-AMG has pulled the covers off the interior of its upcoming electric super-sedan. The next-generation AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is effectively the production version of last year’s AMG GT XX concept, aimed at the Porsche Taycan and the growing pack of high-performance EVs trying to redefine what a fast four-door should be.

Unlike the symmetrical hyperscreen layouts used across the regular EQ lineup and the latest S-Class, the AMG’s center console is angled toward the driver. A 14-inch infotainment display dominates the layout, leaning just enough in the driver’s direction to remind you this is supposed to be the sporty one. That screen works alongside a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, with an optional 14-inch display available for the passenger.

More: Mercedes Teases A Flood Of New Models Coming Soon

Mercedes says the operating logic is “balanced,” blending haptic buttons, touchscreen inputs, and voice control. In practice, though, it seems AMG didn’t fully buy into the recent return to physical controls that several rivals have started embracing. The most obvious casualty is the climate system, which remains buried inside the MBUX infotainment menus

AMG-specific touches include illuminated climate vents styled to resemble jet engines, a flat-bottom steering wheel with carbon accents and haptic feedback, optional AMG Performance seats, and a metal-like wing element stretching across the center console.

Also: Mercedes Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop With Massive Screens

You also get three chunky rotary controllers on the center tunnel. Apparently, even in the EV age, AMG still believes drivers should have something physical to fiddle with.

Those dials tie directly into the car’s driving dynamics. Response Control adjusts the behavior of the e-motors and accelerator pedal, Agility Control tweaks cornering characteristics, and Traction Control offers nine stages of intervention through the new AMG Race Engineer system. The driver can also jump straight to key functions using two steering wheel buttons that feature their own LCD displays.

Smart Glass Roof Party Trick

One of the more eye-catching tech features is the Sky Control panoramic glass roof, which can switch between transparent and opaque states. At night, it can also project AMG emblems or racing stripes across the glass, matched to the colors of the ambient lighting system.

More: Mercedes Design Boss Admits “Screens Aren’t Luxury” And The Software’s Not Great Either

Up front, practicality gets a small but noticeable boost with illuminated cup holders and dual wireless charging trays. In the back, Mercedes promises “generous legroom, pleasant headroom, and a naturally comfortable knee angle,” all aimed at making longer journeys a bit less taxing. The standard layout is a four-seater, although buyers will also be able to opt for a five-seat configuration.

Coming Soon

The full reveal of the new AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is expected this spring, with deliveries scheduled to begin later in the year. The high-performance EV will also become the first production model to ride on Mercedes-AMG’s dedicated AMG.EA platform, which is being developed specifically for future electric performance cars.

More: AMG Hyper EV Circles The Globe In Seven Days And Smashes 25 Records

The concept version arrived with some properly serious numbers. It used three axial-flux motors producing a combined 1,341 hp (1,000 kW / 1,360 PS), complete with synthetic V8 sound. The battery pack also featured Formula 1-derived cooling technology and ultra-fast charging capability, allowing it to add 249 miles (400 km) of range in just five minutes

Mercedes-AMG

The Mercedes A-Class looks to be sticking around for the foreseeable future, just not in its current guise. Despite initial speculation that the model was going to be culled, as Benz tries to consolidate its offerings, a replacement for the existing model may very well come to fruition, albeit as an EV.

Although plans haven’t yet been announced, in an interview with Design Director Robert Lesnik Auto Express gleaned info that the new hatchback will probably arrive towards the end of the decade as an EV.

Current expectations suggest the next-generation model could debut around 2029, after the existing A-Class completes an extended production run expected to last until 2028.

More: Mercedes CEO Suggests They May Drop Some Entry-Level Models

The current A-Class debuted all the way back in 2018, making the model well overdue for a refresh by the time the new generation rolls around.

EV Architecture

In order meet the needs of the next-generation A-Class, Mercedes intends to transfer the production of the current A-Class to the Hungary plant in the next year. Lesnik claimed the production line wouldn’t require a significant revision to meet the specific requirements of the new MMA (Modular Mercedes Architecture) platform. Mercedes focuses on expanding the versatility of the MMA platform to give next-gen EV technology, innovative design, and cost efficiency.

The MMA platform grants the company the flexibility to fit the same all-electric powertrain and hybrid unit as in the CLA model, underpinning the next-generation A-class. Mercedes developed this hybrid system to meet the stringent Euro 7 emissions standards to be implemented by 2027.

When Mercedes first outlined its compact MMA lineup in 2023, it planned four models including the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, GLA, and GLB. Lesnik indicated that an electric A-Class would effectively become a fifth model in that family.

A-Class, Not An EQA

Mercedes has decided its somewhat confusing decision to separate its EV models under their own “EQ” brand wasn’t the best way forward. Which is why the A-Class name is likely to remain in place of the EQA.

Lesnik also confirmed that the A-Class will remain stylish, with a “cab-back” approach, as opposed to the original upright shape adopted by the A-Class of the 90s. The design is also expected to avoid the streamlined styling seen on models like the EQE and EQS, instead following the CLA’s longer-hood proportions and more traditional hatchback profile.

BYD has a new flagship SUV, and it’s called the Great Tang. The name may sound a little unusual, but underneath sits the Chinese giant’s latest electric platform, built to take on high-end rivals like the Zeekr 9X and IM LS9, along with more familiar names from Europe and Asia such as the Volvo EX90 and Hyundai Ioniq 9.

More: BYD Says Its New Battery Can Recharge As Fast As Filling Up Your Gas Tank

First previewed by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology earlier this year and now revealed in full, the Great Tang is bigger than even the Denza B8. It stretches to 5,302 mm (208.7 inches) in length, measures 1,999 mm (78.7 inches) across, stands up to 1,800 mm (70.8 inches) tall, and rides on a generous 3,130 mm (123.2-inch) wheelbase. The SUV also forms part of BYD’s new premium Dynasty series of models.

Design-wise, it looks quite smart, particularly with the two-tone red-and-silver paint scheme it was presented with. The front end shares similarities with existing BYD models, complete with a flowing light bar, a black lower grille, and vertical headlamps neatly integrated into the fascia.

Class-Leading EV Tech

But the real story isn’t the styling. It’s the technology lurking underneath. The Great Tang rides on BYD’s new Super e platform and uses the company’s second-generation Blade battery. According to BYD, those cells can charge from 10 percent to 97 percent in just nine minutes, provided you plug into one of its new 1,500 kW charging stations. The SUV also runs a 1000-volt electrical architecture, which helps make those charging claims possible.

There’s still no word on the size of the SUV’s battery pack, but BYD has confirmed a few key drivetrain details. A single-motor version will be offered with either 402 hp or 496 hp. If that sounds a bit restrained for something this large, there is also a dual-motor setup delivering 784 hp.

Even so, the numbers that matter most for a family-sized electric barge are the range figures. Despite weighing as much as 2,970 kg (6,547 lbs), BYD claims the rear-motor version can travel up to 590 miles (950 km) on the CLTC cycle. Opt for the punchier dual-motor model and the figure drops slightly to around 528 miles (850 km) on a charge. Still, for something this big, that is not exactly a short leash.

A glance inside reveals a 2+2+3 seating layout and pretty much every luxury extra you’d expect in a flagship family hauler. The dashboard is dominated by a large central infotainment display, joined by separate screens for the driver and front passenger. You also get wireless phone chargers, a built-in fridge, and a fold-down screen in the ceiling to keep rear passengers entertained on longer trips.

In China, prices are expected to start just above 400,000 yuan, which works out to roughly $58,000.

Maserati finds itself in a tricky spot within the Stellantis empire after shifting just 7,900 cars in 2025. That is fewer than Ferrari managed, which is not the sort of comparison you want showing up in the sales charts.

Even so, despite several future product cancellations, Maserati is still pressing on. Our spy photographers have spotted lightly camouflaged prototypes of the GranTurismo Trofeo and GranCabrio Folgore out winter testing, hinting that a facelift is already in the works.

More: This Might Be The Biggest Discount Any Luxury EV Has Ever Seen

The prototypes reveal a revised front bumper with larger air intakes and a fresh grille design. The rest of the bodywork remains uncovered, but the GranCabrio Folgore also sports a camouflaged rear diffuser. Another small but interesting detail is the clear taillights on the GranTurismo Trofeo test car.

Baldauf, SH Proshots

While we did not get to see the interior, Maserati likely has limited room in the budget for substantial updates. Any cabin revisions could therefore be confined to new trim options or minor specification tweaks.

These changes suggest the grand tourers may receive a similar treatment to the MCPURA, effectively a facelifted MC20 supercar with updated styling cues and carryover mechanical components.

Personalization Is The Key

The current GranTurismo and GranCabrio were introduced in 2022 and 2024, respectively. Production was recently moved from Turin to Maserati’s headquarters in Modena, alongside the MC20 lineup.

Sales have been modest, to say the least, with Maserati leaning heavily on custom colors and interior configurations curated through the BottegaFuoriserie personalization program to attract buyers. eedless to say, it’s not working out particularly well.

Last year, the Italian brand rolled out the Meccanica Lirica specials, complete with a reworked exhaust designed to give the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 Nettuno a more expressive voice. Not an easy assignment, considering it had to step in for the wonderfully noisy V8 from the previous generation. Whether that exhaust setup will appear on the facelifted models is still unclear, though it would hardly be a surprise.

More: Maserati Doesn’t Think You Need A V8 To Sound Glorious

Maserati has not set a debut date for the updated GranTurismo and GranCabrio twins, but chances are they will arrive for the 2027 model year, aiming to rejuvenate customer interest. As hinted at by the spy shots, the same improvements will be applied to the V6-powered (Modena, Trofeo) and fully electric (Folgore) variants.

Maserati has not announced a debut date for the updated GranTurismo and GranCabrio twins. A 2027 arrival seems possible as the brand looks for a gentle nudge in customer interest. Judging by the spy shots, the same updates should apply across the range, covering the V6-powered Modena and Trofeo versions as well as the fully electric Folgore variants.

SH Proshots

Lexus has finally taken one of its most familiar cars fully electric, and the pricing might surprise you. The redesigned MY26 ES lineup now includes hybrid and battery electric versions, with the entry-level EV being the most affordable in the range, sneaking below the $50k mark.

That makes the new ES one of the more accessible luxury EV sedans on the market, at least on paper. The base electric model starts at $48,795 for the front-wheel-drive ES 350e Premium trim, which gets you a meager 220 hp (223 PS / 165 kW) and a zero-to-60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.7 seconds. Go for the snazzier 350e Luxury trim, and the price jumps to $57,195.

More: Lexus Let The ES Go Bland, Modellista Tries To Bring It Back

For buyers who want a little more punch, Lexus is also offering the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive ES 500e. That version starts at $51,795 in Premium form and climbs to $60,195 for the Luxury trim, both models delivering 338 hp (343 PS / 252 kW) and a more appealing 5.4-second sprint time.

Short Range Or Shorter Range?

The decider for many potential buyers could be the difference in the distances the two can travel before needing to find a charger. Neither has impressively long legs, but the 350e’s estimated 300-mile (484 km) range looks a lot more useful than the 500e’s 250 miles (254 km).

Hybrid Costs Extra

If you’re really bothered by range anxiety, though, you might want to consider an ES that fuses electric power with a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder gas engine. A combined 243 hp (246 PS) hauls the ES 350h Premium to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds in $50,995 front-drive form, and 7.2 seconds in $1,400-pricier all-wheel-drive guise. There’s no Luxury upgrade available for the hybrids, but stepping up to Premium+ inflates the sticker by $4,800.

Radical Redesign

Compared with the old ES, the new one is more than 6 inches (150 mm) longer, rides on a new platform, and has a fresh, edgier look. Inside, a 14-inch touchscreen sits at the center of the dashboard and works alongside a digital gauge display, while new ambient lighting and bamboo-inspired trim aim to make the cabin feel more lounge than cockpit.

Previous ES models for the US were built at the Lexus plant in Kentucky, but the new-generation cars will all be imports from Japan, Toyota having opted to end production of the sedan in America.

Lexus ES pricing

*Prices include $1,295 destination and delivery charges.

Thought the Xiaomi SU7 looked a little too much like a Porsche Taycan? Apparently that was just the warm-up act. Fellow Chinese carmaker SAIC has now pushed the idea of “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” a step further, revealing an electric sedan and Shooting Brake that, from most angles, could easily have Porsche fans doing a double take.

Developed under the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) and led by Huawei, the SAIC Z7 was teased earlier this year and has finally been shown in full. Several key details remain under wraps, but pricing is expected to land between 250,000 and 350,000 yuan ($36,200 – $50,700).

That is slightly higher than some early estimates suggested, though still a long way from Taycan money. Porsche’s electric sedan currently starts at 918,000 yuan (equal to around $133,000 at current rates).

Read: China’s $28K Taycan Clone Is Coming Whether Porsche Likes It Or Not

Viewed from the front, both the sedan and Shooting Brake models look somewhat distinctive, with sharp LED headlights and a black lower grille. But cast your eyes beyond the front fenders, and the similarities to the Taycan are impossible to ignore. The shape of the doors, the roofline, the wing mirrors, and the door handles look like they’ve been ripped straight from a Porsche parts catalog.

The resemblance becomes even more obvious when you walk around to the rear. Much like the Taycan, the Z7 features a full-width LED light bar with an intricate lighting signature. The tailgate design also looks remarkably similar to Porsche’s electric sedan.

And then there is the Shooting Brake. Its overall shape and side profile track very closely with the Taycan Sport Turismo, to the point where the silhouette alone could cause a moment of confusion.

Perhaps in a direct shot at the Xiaomi SU7, the Z7 has also been showcased in a bright shade of pink with black wheels and matching pink outer rims. As fate would have it, the Xiaomi SU7 15th Anniversary Edition presented in early 2025 had an identical finish.

Only a handful of interior images have been released so far. They reveal a thin digital instrument cluster, a large central infotainment display, and an additional screen for the passenger. In other words, the sort of setup that has become standard fare across many modern Chinese EVs.

There are also two wireless charging pads and a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, rounding out a cabin that feels very much in line with current trends.

Technical specifications for the Z7 have not yet been confirmed. However, Chinese media reports suggest the EV could arrive with 80 kWh and 100 kWh battery packs, along with both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. More concrete details are expected to be released in the next few weeks.

Volkswagen has offered the first glimpse of the next-generation Golf but the same announcement in Wolfsburg also brought notable news about the Tiguan. The compact SUV is set for two major updates that will effectively extend its lifecycle until at least 2035.

During the first meeting of 2026, Works Council Chairwoman Daniela Cavallo revealed that Volkswagen is planning “two extensive product upgrades for the best-selling Tiguan for the years 2028 and 2031”.

Review: We Drove The 2025 VW Tiguan And It’s Not What You Expect, But It’s What You Need

Cavallo was referring to the European-market Tiguan, which was followed by the larger Tayron in October 2024. That model later evolved into the North American-market Tiguan, although without the third-row seating and hybrid options.

The Double Facelift Strategy

Most models receive a single mid-cycle refresh before slowly drifting toward retirement. The Tiguan, however, is getting special treatment. VW has already locked in two updates for the SUV, which rides on the MQB Evo architecture.

The first facelift, scheduled for 2028, will likely bring the interior tech up to speed with Volkswagen’s newer models. Expect a renewed focus on physical controls, paired with more capable software. If recent VW updates are anything to go by, exterior changes may stay fairly restrained, limited to revised bumpers and LED lighting signatures, plus a few new colors and wheel designs.

More: The Tiguan R Could Return Stronger Than Ever

The second facelift is planned four years later, or eight years after the current generation first arrived. That update should deliver more noticeable design revisions, keeping the Tiguan looking current in the crowded compact SUV segment and aligned with Volkswagen’s evolving design language.

Powertrains will also need attention. A stronger dose of electrification will likely be required to keep the lineup compliant with Europe’s steadily tightening emissions rules.

Increasing Life Expectancy

By launching a major refresh as late as 2031, Volkswagen is effectively guaranteeing the ICE-powered Tiguan a long life. The new plan pushes the SUV’s lifecycle to at least 2035, lining up with company plans to keep combustion engines on sale in Europe until the middle of the next decade.

More: VW Liked Its Design Boss So Much, He’s Now Leading Every Brand

A similar fate appears likely for the current ICE-powered Golf. Reports suggest it could remain on sale until around 2035, even after the fully electric ID. Golf arrives before 2030. So while the electric future is clearly coming, Volkswagen is not in a rush to turn off the lights on its combustion models.

Production remains split across two continents. The EU-spec Tiguan is built in Wolfsburg, Germany, alongside the Tayron, while the US-spec version rolls out of Volkswagen’s Puebla plant in Mexico. The company has not confirmed long-term plans for either model, but a pair of facelifts sounds far more plausible than funding entirely new generations.

What About The ID Tiguan?

Volkswagen has also confirmed two upcoming EVs built in Wolfsburg on the new SSP architecture. They are the ID. Golf and the ID. Roc, both expected to arrive toward the end of the decade. Before their arrival, the company plans substantial updates for the current MEB-based ID.3 and ID.4.

More: VW’s 1 Millionth EV Took 12 Years, Its 2 Millionth Took 10 Months

While nothing is official yet, the facelifted ID.4 is rumored to adopt the ID. Tiguan name as part of Volkswagen’s new naming strategy. The electric crossover is also expected to abandon its curvier styling in favor of a more traditional SUV design. Inside, look for a heavily revised cabin and mechanical upgrades aimed at improving power, range, and efficiency.

By keeping the Tiguan name alive across two different platforms, VW is hedging its bets. Whether buyers choose hybrid or fully electric, Wolfsburg seems keen to make sure there is still a Tiguan sitting in the driveway over the next decade.

If you want the wildest version of Kia’s EV6, you’d better be fine with someone else having already enjoyed its Porsche-eating performance before you take the keys. The high-performance EV6 GT has quietly disappeared from the American market, at least for now, leaving the rest of the lineup to carry the electric torch, and GT fans looking to the used market.

“Due to changing market conditions, the 2026 EV6 GT will be delayed until further notice,” Kia told Road & Track. “This delay does not impact the availability of other trims in the EV6 lineup, which are proudly assembled in our world-class facility in West Point, Georgia.”

Origin Matters

Unlike the regular EV6 models that are assembled in Georgia, the GT is built in Korea. That means it gets hit with the full tariff impact before it reaches a showroom, making it hard for Kia to trim down a price that looked salty at over $65,000 for the MY25 GT.

More: Kia Unveils Four New GT Models With Speed, Minus The Drama

It’s a shame because the EV6 GT isn’t just another electric crossover with a sporty badge slapped on it. With up to 641 hp (650 PS / 478 kW), neck-snapping acceleration and a torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system, it’s one of the most entertaining EVs currently on sale.

But 2026 is no time for Kia to make heart-led decisions, not when its recent EV sales have been such a car crash. Demand for the EV6 plummeted 53 percent in February, versus the same month last year, and the EV9 slid 40 percent. That downturn, and the ongoing tariff problems, explain why Kia has also put a hold on US launches for the EV4 hatchback and sedan, and the EV3 SUV.

Role Reversal

Strangely, over at Kia’s sister brand Hyundai, the exact opposite is happening. The regular Ioniq 6 sedan, which shares its 800-volt E-GMP platform and electric hardware with Kia’s EV, is being dropped for MY26, but the high-performance Ioniq 6N is still available. Sales of the plain Ioniq 6 fell 61 percent in January, while its chunkier Ioniq 5 brother only experienced a 6 percent decline.

Volkswagen’s future is starting to take shape in Wolfsburg, and yes, it still looks like a Golf. During a works council meeting on March 4, 2026, trade union IG Metall revealed the first official teaser of the next-generation VW Golf, a model that will carry the icon into the EV era.

The file name includes the ID. Golf moniker, effectively confirming earlier rumors that VW plans to combine traditional nameplates with the ID prefix for future EVs. The approach was kick-started by the smaller ID. Polo and is expected to spread across a wide range of models.

The Return Of The King

Everyone knows VW prefers to play it safe, particularly with one of its most important models. The Golf has evolved gradually over the decades, effectively turning into the Porsche 911 of mainstream hatchbacks.

More: VW Liked Its Design Boss So Much, He’s Now Leading Every Brand

Against that backdrop, the first teaser reveals a familiar shape with clear references to earlier generations of the Golf. The front end looks boxier than the current model, recalling the Golf III and the Corrado coupe from the ’90s.

The profile shows pronounced fenders reminiscent of the Golf VII, and it is expected to retain the signature C-pillar that has defined the nameplate since the beginning. Around the back, the tail blends cues from the Golf II and Golf VIII, topped by a large roof spoiler that extends the aerodynamic roofline.

More: The GTI Turns 50, And VW Is Teasing The Wild Cars It Never Built

Overall, the ID. Golf looks far more like a traditional hatchback than the ID.3 it is meant to replace. The current Golf VIII is not disappearing just yet, either. It will continue alongside the EV as an ICE-powered alternative.

Inside, the Golf is expected to place greater emphasis on physical controls, paired with vintage-style graphics for the digital cockpit and sustainable materials for the upholstery. The odds are it will also be more spacious and practical than its predecessors.

New Underpinnings

The ninth-generation Golf will ride on the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), using zonal architecture and software developed in partnership with Rivian. It will feature an 800-volt system and cell-to-pack battery technology, most likely with both single and dual-motor setups. Alongside the standard ID. Golf, hotter hatch variants wearing the GTI and R badges are expected.

Other VW Group models set to use the same underpinnings include the upcoming ID. Roc, ID. Tiguan, and ID. Touareg SUVs, along with the next Skoda Octavia.

When Will It Arrive?

According to the Volkswagen Works Council newspaper, the fully electric hatchback is meant to carry the Golf’s long-running success story into the next decade as the company moves toward 2030.

More: VW Is Coming For Ford Maverick, Just Not On This Continent

VW has not confirmed a precise launch date. Earlier reports pointed to possible delays until 2030, blamed on production hurdles, shifting EV demand, and the ever-present issue of cost. However, some sources claim the new Golf will arrive sooner, with a debut in 2028, while other reports place it a year later, in 2029.

One thing that is confirmed is a reshuffle in production. Assembly of the current ICE-powered Golf VIII will move to Puebla, Mexico in 2027. That change frees up Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant in Germany to build the electric ID. Golf, which was the key takeaway from the recent announcement by the IG Metall union. To prepare for it, the facility is undergoing what VW describes as extensive renovations for state-of-the-art production processes.

BMW has confirmed the debut date for its next big electric car, and this time we mean really big. The new i3 sedan will officially break cover on March 18, bringing battery and bold new styling power to the brand’s best known model line.

Yes, BMW already sells the i4, but that car is technically an electric version of the 4 Series Gran Coupe and uses yesterday’s tech. And though BMW technically already sells an electric 3-Series in China, the upcoming i3 will be the first one built from the ground up as an EV and sold globally.

Related: New i3 And 3-Series Spy Shots Reveal BMW’s Most Striking Split Yet

Don’t worry though, it’ll be followed by a combustion 3-Series that gets an almost identical Neue Klasse visual makeover, but is based on an updated version of the CLAR platform found under today’s ICE-powered model.

Sharper, But Heavier

The teaser image posted on Instagram doesn’t give much away besides the debut date and a clearer idea of it’s new LED face, though BMW did promise the car will be “sharper, smarter and more thrilling than ever.” Based on prototypes and earlier concepts, plus its iX3 SUV sister that debuted last fall, we’ve got a pretty good idea of what that means.

The new i3 is part of BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture, a clean sheet EV platform designed to underpin dozens of upcoming electric models. It also brings a new design language that mixes retro BMW cues with futuristic minimalism.

Kidneys Reimagined

Up front you’ll find a glowing reinterpretation of BMW’s famous kidney grille, though it’s more of a light graphic than an actual grille. Thin diagonal LED signatures will also become a hallmark of the Neue Klasse lineup, a bit like how Peugeot made LED claw marks its motif.

Photos BMW, Baldauf

Inside, the i3 will introduce BMW’s new Panoramic iDrive interface. Instead of a traditional instrument cluster, information is projected across the base of the windshield, though you also get a central touchscreen. BMW says the goal is to keep important data closer to the driver’s natural line of sight while reducing clutter inside the cabin.

500 Miles In One Go

BMW

Under the skin things are even more cutting edge, with the latest iX3 again giving us some big clues as to what to expect in terms of spec. BMW’s new 800 volt electrical architecture supports charging speeds up to roughly 400 kW, meaning it’ll be able to add more than 230 miles (370 km) in just 10 minutes on a fast charger, and some versions will offer around 500 miles (806 km) of WLTP range.

The launch model’s powertrain will likely mirror the iX3 SUV’s with a dual-motor setup producing roughly 469 hp (476 PS / 350 kW), though more versions will follow, including milder, more affordable single-motor models, hotter M-lite performance variants and, eventually, an all electric M3.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BMW (@bmw)

The Cupra Born has always been the cooler, more rebellious cousin in Volkswagen’s electric hatchback family. Now the Spanish brand has given it a facelift that sharpens the looks, upgrades the cabin and adds a bit more range, while quietly fixing one of the few annoying features from the original ID.3 twin.

The makeover starts on the outside, where the Born now adopts Cupra’s latest design language. The nose gets a more aggressive shark-like shape and new triangular Matrix LED headlights that echo the styling of newer models like the Tavascan and Formentor.

Related: Cupra’s Smallest EV Just Drove Around Naked Hoping Nobody Would Notice

Taillights now include an illuminated Cupra logo integrated into a full light bar and new wheels arrive in 19 and 20-inch sizes wrapped in wider 235 mm tires. Cupra says the extra rubber helps improve grip and handling, which was already great, though it did come at the expense of a firm-ish ride.

Real Buttons

But inside is where one of the most welcome changes happens. The previous car’s frustrating haptic steering wheel controls have been replaced with actual physical buttons. It’s a shame Cupra didn’t replace the nasty touch-slider temperature controls on the main screen while they were at it, but that’s the drawback of sharing tech between multiple brands.

That 12.9-inch touchscreen introduced in a 2024 update is carried over, but gains a new Android based operating system. The digital gauge cluster has grown, though, from a tiny 5.3 inch display to a much more usable 10.25 inch screen.

Material quality, which was always better in the Born than in the VW ID.3, has also been further improved with redesigned door panels, softer surfaces and recycled textiles made from marine plastics. Rear passengers now get air vents as well, which might not sound exciting but is something the previous model lacked.

Less Power, More Miles

Under the skin the Born still rides on Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric platform, but the powertrain lineup has been tweaked, and now comes with a one-pedal driving mode. The entry-level Born Plus uses a 58 kWh battery and a 187 hp (190 PS / 140 kW) motor, down from 201 hp (204 PS / 150 kW) before. The payoff is in range, which increases from 264 miles (425 km) to 280 miles (450 km).

Step up to the larger 79 kWh battery in the Endurance and you’ll get around 372 miles of range (600 km) – up from 366 miles (590 km) – along with faster 185 kW charging and a power boost to 228 hp (231 PS / 170 kW). That grows to 322 hp (326 PS / 240 kW) in the VZ hot hatch, and since you get to keep all of the Endurance’s 372 range miles while gaining nearly 100 horses, it looks like the pick of the lineup.

The new-look Born hits European dealers this summer, but it better enjoy the spotlight while it can, because this year Cupra launches its little brother, the all-new Raval.

Cupra

Lotus has been quite open about plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid version of the Eletre in China. What slipped under the radar until now is the name change. Meet the Lotus For Me. Yes, that really is the official name for the Chinese market. Thankfully, the rest of the world will not have to explain it at dinner parties.

The automaker calls the PHEV a “hyper-SUV,” built around its new X-Hybrid architecture. The setup uses a 900-volt electrical system paired with a 70 kWh battery pack and two electric motors. Combined output lands at 939 hp, which is slightly more than the flagship all-electric Eletre R. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is also part of the powertrain, stepping in when the battery needs backup.

Read: Lotus Might Slash Eletre’s Price In Half In Canada

Off the line, the For Me reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.3 seconds. It continues to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 10.5 seconds and clears the quarter-mile in 11.16 seconds.

Electric Range And Charging Capability

More surprising are the range claims. Lotus says the SUV can travel 260 miles (418 km) on electricity alone and more than 870 miles (1,400 km) when the hybrid system is working together. WLTP-rated fuel consumption is quoted at just 0.07 l/100 km under ideal test conditions, which is impressive on paper and, as usual, a bit harder to match outside a laboratory.

The battery pack supports 6C charging rates, which means it can jump from 30-80 percent in just eight minutes.

What Else Is New?

Visually, there is almost nothing separating the new For Me from the regular Eletre. Aside from fresh badges, functional exhaust pipes, and a few extra cooling vents up front, the design remains largely unchanged.

Under the skin, the same 48-volt active anti-roll bars as the Eletre have been retained, as has the trick dual-chamber air suspension and dual-valve adaptive dampers. Despite the fitment of a new plug-in hybrid system, the For Me weighs roughly the same as the Eletre, varying between 2,575 kg (5,676 lbs) and 2,626 kg (5,789 lbs), depending on the specification.

Lotus says the For Me will go on sale in China later this month. Europe is next in line in mid-2026, followed by North America, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and other markets before the end of the year.

What Is Lotus Tuned Specification?

Its debut also coincides with Lotus introducing a new internal standard called Lotus Tuned Specification (LTS). According to the company, LTS is a proprietary engineering and dynamic tuning framework that brings several core systems under one coordinated development process. Lotus engineers worked alongside key suppliers to co-develop components such as the brakes, active stabilizer bars, and suspension hardware.

Many questioned Ford’s decision to launch the all-electric Mustang Mach-E in 2020, and the debate has not entirely faded. Despite early opposition, it has established itself as a solid option for buyers shopping for an electric SUV.

It has never managed to dethrone the Tesla Model Y, but for a stretch before federal tax credits expired last year, there were months when it actually outsold the gas Mustang. That has since flipped back the other way, though that is a different conversation altogether.

Read: This Mustang Mach-E Proves Electric Batteries Last Far Longer Than You Think

Of all the tens of thousands of Americans who own a Mustang Mach-E, few have put it to work like David Blenke. After purchasing a Premium model with the extended-range battery pack at the end of June 2022 and launching a private car service with it, he has driven more than 316,000 miles (508,500 km). Over the course of those miles, he has also carried more than 7,000 passengers.

He operates in the Santa Cruz, California area and bought the car at the height of the chip shortage. At one point, he faced a nine-month wait before locating an available example in Monterey.

How Much Battery Capacity Remains?

Ford itself celebrated Blenke’s Mustang Mach-E soldiering past 250,000 miles (403,000 km) in July last year, and this week, he spoke with Forbes. Not only has he continued to rack up the miles in his Mach-E at a remarkable pace, but during the interview, he revealed the battery has only degraded 8 percent after all those miles.

According to Blenke, the Mach-E still delivers nearly 300 miles (482 km) of range. Battery degradation remains a common concern among EV buyers, but his experience with the Mustang Mach-E suggests outcomes can vary widely.

For a bit of perspective, data from EV analytics firm Recurrent suggests that most electric vehicles with more than 250,000 miles hang on to roughly 80 percent of their original battery capacity. If Blenke’s figure is accurate, that puts his reported 92 percent battery health notably higher than average.

What About Maintenance?

Under his ownership, Blenke says he has gone through six sets of tires, seven cabin filters, and more than twenty routine 10,000-mile checkups. Incredibly, he says the car has not needed any repairs and still uses the original brakes. Most of the time, he drives the car in Whisper mode, which is the most efficient.

No doubt, Blenke’s charging habits help keep the battery pack in good health. He says he charges to 90 percent every night and tries to avoid letting the battery slip below 20 percent. Most charging is done with a Level 2 charger at home and Electrify America’s public network while working. He also carries an adapter that allows access to Tesla’s Supercharger network when necessary.

The last decade has seen the automotive industry tipped on its head, and it hasn’t completely righted itself even now. Ford’s CEO Jim Farley says that shift is part of what led the brand to take missteps as he now sees them around the F-150 Lightning.

Now that the brand is pivoting to an extended range version of the truck, he’s spilling details on how the first Lightning got off to a hot start and then burned out fast.

After losing billions on its first-generation electric vehicles, Ford has scrapped its next-gen electric truck, canceled multiple three-row EV crossovers, and pulled the plug on a next-generation van. All of those choices have come down to what Farley says was an initial mis-reading of the market.

More: Ford’s $30K Pickup Wants To Beat Cybertruck At Its Own Game

In a recent interview with CarAndDriver, he admits about the F-150 Lighting, “I totally would’ve done it differently. I mean, look, we didn’t know what we didn’t know… COVID totally was a false signal. Post-COVID, and during the chip crisis that was a result of it, there was such high demand for all vehicles. If you could build a vehicle, you were going to sell it basically at 30 or 40 percent higher prices than before COVID.”

Despite that big boom in profit, the reality was that production costs were too high to remain sustainable, says Farley. “I guess it didn’t take us long to learn that our internal-combustion-engine prejudice was so high that we hadn’t designed the [electric] cars right. We had a Mustang [Mach-E], we had an E-Transit, we had a Lightning, and people loved these products. The problem was they were never going to pay the cost we put into the vehicle.”

Tesla’s Big Assists

How did Farley come to this realization? As it turns out, Tesla had a hand in it.

“When we ripped apart a Tesla with Doug Field [Ford’s chief officer for EVs, digital, and design, formerly of Apple and Tesla], I was just absolutely flabbergasted,” Farley told the magazine.

“The Mach-E’s wiring harness was 70 pounds heavier and 1.6 kilometers longer. We didn’t know what was going on in [Tesla engineers’ ] minds. But now we understand. They had no prejudice. We had prejudice. We’d gone to our supply-chain person and said, ‘Buy another wiring harness.’ [Tesla] said, ‘Let’s design the vehicle for the lowest, smallest battery.’ Totally different approach.”

Read: Gas Mustang Sales Are Suddenly Surging While Its Electric Twin Is Collapsing

That shift might have played a role in Ford moving to a 48v architecture for its upcoming EV pickup. Tesla famously sent an instruction manual on building such a vehicle to Ford and other competitors. Not only does it help the brand save money on material costs, but it should also help the final product weigh less and have a longer range as a result.

While the first-gen Lightning might be something Ford wishes it could redo, it’s clear that the brand is going into the second generation with an all-new vision.

Electric pickups aren’t exactly inexpensive at this stage in history. Now, Rivian, the first automaker to bring an electric truck to market, is trying to lower the barrier to entry. It’s doing so by extending a short-term deal on its 2026 R1 lineup. Buyers can now get monthly payments starting at $749 for 36 months, along with a $3,000 lease bonus on certain configurations.

Naturally, as with most lease deals splashed across a homepage, the headline number only tells part of the story. To secure that $749 per month figure, you need to opt for the Dual Standard versions of the 2026 R1T pickup or R1S SUV, which start at $72,990 and $76,990, respectively.

The Bit They Do Not Put In The Big Font

Then there is the small issue of $5,644 due at signing, and that is assuming you qualify for Rivian’s $3,000 lease contribution. Miss out on that incentive and the down payment climbs to $8,644.

More: That Rivian Bumper Tap Didn’t Look Like An $11,000 Mistake, But Here We Are

Run the numbers and the effective monthly cost lands closer to $906, or $989 if you do not get the $3,000 contribution. In other words, still competitive for a six-figure-adjacent electric truck or SUV, but far from the tidier $749 the banner suggests.

As we have said before, down payments on leases are best avoided. If something unfortunate happens five minutes after you leave the lot, that upfront cash is effectively gone, even if insurance covers the vehicle itself.

Wait, There’s More

Also keep in mind that none of those numbers include the usual extras due at signing, including tax, title, license, registration, and lessor documentation fees. As ever, the asterisk is doing a fair bit of work.

Just as importantly, these trims represent the most affordable way into Rivian’s electric adventure lineup. If you cannot find a base model, the price only moves in one direction. Furthermore, there’s a deadline looming. To qualify, customers must have their lease approved by March 19 and take delivery by March 31. That leaves a fairly tight window to spec it, sign it, and actually get the keys.

This Deal Doesn’t Apply To More Expensive Models

Don’t expect this payment plan to help out on the more luxurious and desirable R1 vehicles. For example, the Dual Large battery versions start around $1,019–$1,029 per month with a hefty downpayment, while stepping into Dual Max models pushes payments past $1,200 monthly. The performance-oriented trims climb even higher.

More: CHP Mocks EV Drivers After Rivian Stalls In Snow

Rivian lists the Tri-motor versions starting around $1,419–$1,469 per month, again with a downpayment, and it doesn’t stop there. The flagship Quad-motor models approach $1,900 per month, depending on whether you choose the truck or SUV. For buyers considering financing instead of leasing, Rivian is also offering APR rates as low as 1.99 percent for 60 months on some configurations.

All of this is no doubt one more example of an electric automaker doing what it can to make payments manageable in a market with cooling demand. That said, interested buyers need to sign up before March 19th if they want to take advantage of the deal.

Automakers usually hide their future cars under enough camouflage to confuse a satellite. But the upcoming Cupra Raval has just been spotted testing completely undisguised, logos and all, as if someone forgot the secrecy memo.

From the outside, it’s exactly the feisty little hatch Cupra hinted at with its earlier teasers, only much more visible. The proportions are tight and athletic, and the design’s mix of chunky wheelarch trims and slim, tapering glass areas cleverly combines sporty hatch and crossover themes, rather than choosing one path over the other.

MEB Remastered

The Raval measures just over 4,000 mm (157.5 inches) long, which places it squarely in the subcompact class, along with its close cousins, the VW ID. Polo and Skoda Epiq, all of which ride on VW’s new front-wheel drive MEB+ platform. They’ll all be built in Spain, though Cupra reportedly led the chassis tuning development for the entire project.

That probably explains why the Raval is pitched as the spicy member of the family. Engineers lowered the suspension about 15 mm, stiffened the setup, and added progressive steering.

More: Cupra’s New EV Troublemaker Looks Like It Has Circular Saw Blades For Wheels

Power should start with a single, front-mounted electric motor producing around 208 hp (211 PS / 155 kW) and mated to a 55 kWh battery, a setup that costs extra in the ID. Polo and Epiq. Their base models come with 114 hp (116 PS / 85 kW), or an optional 133 hp (135 PS / 99 kW) motor, both with a 38.5 kWh pack.

Based on what we know of the 208 hp Epiq, the entry-level Cupra with the same output should get to 62 mph (100 kmh) in around 7.2 seconds, and though Skoda claims 267 miles (430 km), the Spanish firm has previously promised 278 miles (450 km) of range on the WLTP cycle.

The Hot One

If you really want a Cupra that lives up to the brand’s sporty promise though, you’re going to want the VZ. It’s Cupra’s equivalent to the ID. Polo GTI and gets a 233 hp (226 PS / 166 kW) motor and electronic differential along with wider track widths and sportier chassis hardware. The range drops slightly to 249 miles (400 km), but the extra punch should make up for it.

More: Cupra Already Makes The Best VW ID.3, Now It’s Teasing A Better One

Cupra plans to launch the Raval in 2026 with prices expected to start around €26,000 ($30,000). Based on these undisguised prototypes, the production version looks ready, so the reveal must be imminent.

Baldauf