DS Automobiles has just unveiled their new flagship, the fully electric N°8 fastback crossover, and it’s clear they’re trying (perhaps a bit too hard) to grab attention. During the official presentation, the French automaker had the gall—er, the cheek—to throw a little jab at the competition, recreating a scene from the folk tale Cinderella to make their point. And what’s that point, you ask? Well, the DS N°8 wants to be the new luxury carriage for those who fancy a bit of magic in their drive; no pumpkins required.

More: DS No8 Breaks Cover As The New French Electric Flagship

The N°8 was revealed by none other than Olivier Francois, CEO of Fiat, Abarth, and DS Automobiles, who made a rather grandoise statement by calling the N°8 a “modern-day carriage.” This, of course, was meant to evoke the heritage of DS, a brand that’s barely old enough to legally drink in some countries. A bit of a stretch, sure, but it sets the stage for what was to follow.

In a rather Cinderella-esque moment at the end of the video, Francois parks the N°8 between an Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron and a BMW i4, both of which were conveniently de-badged, but we got the message loud and clear. To top it off, he delivered a final punchline:

“Well, I’m convinced that if Cinderella were written in 2025, she would undoubtedly ride in a N°8. And allow me to say, by next summer, when N°8 is launched, it might just be like the fairy tale: the 12 strokes of midnight may very well sound for the competition’s luxurious carriages.”

At this point, the Audi and BMW are transformed nto pumpkins, while the DS N°8 remains unscathed, because, of course, it’s the star of the show. For the uninitiated, Cinderella’s fairy godmother turned a pumpkin into a golden carriage to get her to the ball, only to have the magic wear off at midnight. You know, just in case you hadn’t picked up on the metaphor.

Now, setting aside the cheeky marketing, DS Automobiles has had a bit of a rough ride since its split from Citroen in 2014. Competing with more established brands in both sales and brand recognition has proven tricky.

Positioned as one of Stellantis’s premium brands alongside Lancia and Alfa Romeo but below Maserati, DS doesn’t have the decades of heritage that BMW or Mercedes-Benz can rely on. Instead, it shares its underpinnings with other Stellantis models, while attempting to carve out its own niche with quirky French styling, more upscale interiors, and a slightly more refined chassis setup. Think of DS like Genesis, but focused more on the lower segments—if that makes sense. And that’s the approach they’ve taken with the N°8, which is designed to challenge the sedans and coupe-SUVs in Europe’s premium midsize segment.

More: How Would You Save Stellantis?

Francois was quick to highlight that the 4.82-meter-long (189.8-inch) N°8 combines the elevated driving position of an SUV with the elegance and class of a grand sedan. It also boasts the longest range in its segment with up to 750 km (466 miles) on a single charge.

In the video, the CEO went on at length about the interior, claiming it offers “extreme comfort, beauty, silence, and refinement.” He also highlighted that the N°8’s seats provide a spa-like experience, complete with massaging, ventilating, and heating functions, plus, a neck warmer for good measure.

But, as with all things that sound too good to be true, it remains to be seen whether buyers will shell out for this French luxury crossover when they can just as easily reach for a more traditional choice from the likes of BMW, Audi, or Mercedes-Benz.

DS Automobiles

In a major setback for Europe’s push to cut reliance on Chinese battery suppliers, Swedish battery maker Northvolt filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US last month. The move is aimed at restructuring its debt and securing new funding. While the process is expected to be completed by early next year, the company has said it will be business as usual for the time being.

Behind the scenes, however, Handelsblatt is reporting that several automakers may have to delay future models due to problems at Northvolt. The upcoming all-electric Porsche 718 replacement is rumored to be one of the victims and it might miss its intended launch of late next year.

More: Porsche 718 Boxster EV Shows More Details As It Nears Production

When reached for comment, a spokesperson declined to confirm or deny the rumor. Instead, they told the publication they can’t comment on supplier issues.

While Porsche is staying tight-lipped, it appears the company is heavily dependent on Northvolt batteries and their high energy density. This is important for sports cars as they’ll enable weight savings through the use of smaller battery packs.

Interestingly, it appears the electric 718 is also facing other issues. In particular, an unknown “component in the drivetrain” is said to be causing problems and this, alone, could also result in a delay.

Porsche isn’t the only one that could be impacted as Audi also has a deal with Northvolt. Their batteries will be used to power models based on the PPE platform including the A6 e-tron.

However, Audi is also sourcing batteries from CATL and LG. This means the situation isn’t critical and the A6 e-tron wasn’t even slated to use Northvolt batteries until later. That’s fortunate as it means the company might be able to secure a new contract with another supplier, if needed.

A lot of the blame is being placed on Northvolt founder Peter Carlsson, who ‘stepped aside’ as CEO following the bankruptcy. Rumors suggest he brought the “worst parts of Tesla’s corporate culture” to his new job and this resulted in “unrealistic schedules” as well as “overambitious goals.” That led to problems and BMW pulling out of a multi-billion dollar contract.

It remains to be seen how everything will shake out, but European automakers are understandably nervous.

It’s Thanksgiving and that means it’s turkey time. However, we’re not talking about food as we’ve seen plenty of automotive turkeys this year.

One of the biggest might have been the EV push, which has backfired by virtually all accounts. While sales of electric vehicles are indeed climbing, it’s occurring much slower than many companies had anticipated. This has resulted in firms canceling or delaying future models as well as pushing back plans to go electric-only.

More: Stellantis Profits Crash In 2024, Some Brands Could Be Axed

If lackluster adoption wasn’t bad enough, President-elect Trump is expected to throw a wrench into the automotive industry. Besides talk of new tariffs, reports have suggested he wants to eliminate the EV tax credit. Even some Democrats have campaigned against electric vehicle mandates, suggesting the tide has turned against extensive government support.

Moving on, years of bad decisions have finally come back to haunt Stellantis. They’ve stopped the Jeep money printing machine, neglected several brands, and have flip-flopped about killing some off.

These issues are being compounded by union pressures on both sides of the Atlantic. The UAW has been particularly critical, going as far as launching ShitcanCarlos.com. They’ll get their wish soon enough as Carlos Tavares is slated to retire in 2026.

On the product side, Audi decided to launch a new brand named AUDI, while recalls seem like a daily occurrence for some brands. Subaru also appears intent on destroying its last redeeming qualities as the company confirmed plans to kill the Legacy after nearly four decades. The Outback is also set to transition from a cool wagon into an ugly SUV with all the character of an old refrigerator.

While those are just a few examples, who or what do you think was the biggest turkey this year?

Some five months after its online unveiling, the 2025 Audi e-tron GT range has launched in the US, and while it’s technically only a mid-life facelift, the car’s starting price has jumped significantly.

In certain markets, the new car will be sold in standard S e-tron GT, RS e-tron GT, and RS e-tron GT Performance guises, although the US will only get the entry-level model and the flagship. Prices for the standard model now start at $125,500, a hefty premium over the $106,500 commanded by the pre-facelift model, excluding a $1,295 destination and delivery fee.

Read: 2025 Audi RS e-tron GT Performance Has 912 HP, Hits 62 MPH In 2.5 Seconds

Fortunately, for the extra cash, you’re also getting a significant performance boost. The new S e-tron GT delivers 670 hp which is more than what the old flagship $147k RS e-tron GT offered. The new model also features an improved air suspension system that’s even more advanced than the old one, capable of actively managing body movements to keep the chassis level. The range of this new variant is also much higher than its predecessor, sitting at 300 miles (483 km) compared to 249 miles (400 km). This extra range has been achieved with the fitment of a bigger 105 kWh battery whereas the old car had a 93.4 kWh pack.

Straight-line performance has been approved, too, with just 3.3 seconds required for the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in the S e-tron GT, 0.6 seconds faster than the old model.

Then there’s the range-topping RS e-tron GT Performance. It delivers an impressive 912 hp compared to the 637 hp of the old range-topper, allowing it to rocket to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 2.4 seconds. This makes it the quickest-accelerating production Audi ever. The carmaker hasn’t released a range figure for this model but says it will exceed that of both 2024 models.

Fittingly, the prices of the RS e-tron GT Performance are quite a bit higher than the outgoing model. It starts at $167,000 or $19,900 more than the 2024 RS e-tron GT. Both 2025 models are now available to order through US Audi retailers, and deliveries should start next year.

Left hand, meet right. That seems to be Audi’s grand strategy with the launch of the new “AUDI” brand in China, a move they hope will strike a chord with local buyers. Beyond the all-caps name (as if shouting it will somehow make it cooler), this new venture drops the traditional four rings logo to “signal both the connection to and differentiation from the sister brand”. To mark the launch, Audi has unveiled a concept model called the AUDI E, offering a glimpse of what we can expect from the marque in China.

Audi, the mother brand, claims this identity offers the best of both worlds: “unmistakable Audi DNA meets China innovations.” Translation: it’s an Audi, but not really… except it totally is. Still confused? Don’t worry, Audi helpfully clarifies: “AUDI is shaped 100-percent by the Audi DNA and embodies ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ in the era of electric intelligent connected vehicles”. Glad we got that sorted out.

More: Audi Group’s Profit Crash 91% In Q3

AUDI, the offspring brand, is a joint venture between Audi and domestic powerhouse SAIC, led by Fermín Soneira, formerly Audi’s Head of Product Line for Electric Models. The concept shown today previews three future production models expected to roll out starting in mid-2025.

AUDI E Concept

The AUDI E concept is described as a fully electric Sportback, and the “benchmark” for a new generation of vehicles. It measures 4,870 mm (191.7 inches) long, 1,990 mm (78.3 inches) wide, and 1,460 mm (57.5 inches) tall, with a wheelbase of 2,950 mm (116.1 inches). For reference, that’s roughly the same footprint of the ICE-powered Audi A5, though the design language is different, as it was specifically “tailored for Chinese customers”.

The absence of the four-ring logo is immediately noticeable as it has been replaced by illuminated AUDI lettering at both ends of the car, as well as the center caps on the wheels. Instead of a traditional grille and intakes, the E concept features black loops housing advanced LED lighting elements and sensors for the vehicle’s ADAS systems. The result is a face that’s familiar enough to register as Audi but deliberately styled to suggest it’s something… else.

The silhouette is defined by broad, muscular fenders, a flowing roofline, and Sportback proportions that walk the line between a coupe and a wagon. At the back, the slightly recessed rear windshield adds somewhat of an exotic coupe flair to the design.

Inside the Cabin

Moving to the interior, the AUDI E concept wraps its cabin in microfiber upholstery and illuminated wood accents. Dominating the dashboard is a massive, curved 4K touch-sensitive display that integrates the instrument cluster, infotainment system, and digital mirrors into a single, seamless screen stretching the entire width of the car. Below this display is the housing of the AI-backed AUDI Assistant, and a touch-sensitive bar called AUDI Control. The only other physical controls are the window switches and the buttons on the steering wheel.

Electric Powertrain

Underpinning the concept is a new “Advanced Digitized Platform”, jointly developed by Audi and SAIC. Power comes from dual electric motors, one on each axle, with a combined output of 764 hp (570 kW / 775 PS) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque. Those specs that are more fitting for an Audi RS model, enable a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in just 3.6 seconds. At the same time, AUDI promises “real Audi” levels of comfort and driving dynamics, together with sophisticated China-specific ADAS.

A battery pack with a capacity of 100 kWh is reportedly good for a CLTC range of 700 km (435 miles). The 800V architecture is compatible with “super-fast charging”, adding over 370 km (230 miles) of range in just 10 minutes.

The first three production models under the AUDI brand are expected to compete in the mid-size and full-size segments, with the first sales planned for 2025. The irony here is that regular Audi already has a growing lineup of EVs available in China, including models like the Q4 e-tron (in partnership with FAW), Q5 e-tron (SAIC), Q6 e-tron (SAIC), and the e-tron GT. So what’s the need for a whole new brand? The official line is that AUDI is a way to deliver a more “localized” product with SAIC’s influence, while still benefiting from Audi’s tech and branding cachet.

Whether the market will see it that way—or just see it as Audi in a different wrapper—remains to be seen.

Audi will close its production facility in Brussels, Belgium, in February next year, but there remains a glimmer of hope it could be saved with new investment.

The Forest plant has been under threat for several months and will be the first factory closed by the VW Group in Europe. It handles production of the Q8 e-tron and employs roughly 3,000 staff, but will close its doors on February 28. The VW Group has previously confirmed there’s been a slowdown in demand for the Q8 e-tron models built in Brussels and that it has no plans of building any other vehicles at the site.

Read: Audi Wants To Kill The Q8 E-Tron, May Shut Brussels Plant

The decision was made during a works council meeting with unions earlier in the week. Production of the Q8 e-tron will continue right up until the closure, and workers will be required to return from Christmas holidays to complete two final months of work over two shifts.

Audi has been looking for ways to make the plant viable. It has spoken with 26 potential investors who’ve shown interest in the plant, but according to the carmaker, none of them have presented a sustainable business plan.

Speaking with The Brussel Times about attempts to save the plant, Audi Brussels spokesperson Peter D’hoore said that no viable alternative had been found to keep the site alive.

“More than twenty alternative business models were analyzed as part of the information and consultation process, for example in the areas of electromobility and battery technology, but also lifecycle sustainability and new business models along the value chain,” D’hoore confirmed. He added that as of Tuesday this week, Audi had been in talks with a new investor.

This new investor is from the commercial vehicle sector, although details about negotiations with Audi are being kept under lock and key. As it stands, management at the plant will finalize information and the consultation process with workers at a works council meeting scheduled for November 12.

The Audi A2 is back, not in the form of a production vehicle, but as a one-off EV conversion from the automaker’s apprentice programme. The A2 e-tron reimagines the brand’s innovative modern classic with new styling cues and a fully electric powertrain, in time for the 25th anniversary of the original.

The model was presented on Audi AG’s social media channels, without any information on the EV underpinnings. The proportions and greenhouse are carried over from the original A2, combined with a few redesigned bits for a modern look.

More: Audi Q6 And SQ6 Sportback E-Trons Bow With Sleek Styling And Up To 510 HP

At the front, the A2 e-Tron is distinguished by the slimmer LED headlights, an illuminated Audi badge on the covered grille, and a cleaner bumper design. The profile has been enhanced with the omission of door handles, mirror-replacing cameras, wide fender extensions, and a new set of aero-optimized alloy wheels.

The tail has also been updated with modern graphics for the taillights, a cleaner design for the tailgate, and a transparent rear spoiler with an integrated brake light. Photos of the interior reveal that the A2 e-tron has been retrofitted with Audi Sport bucket seats, a pair screens for the rearview cameras, and a new flat-bottom steering wheel.

The automaker congratulated the trainees, students, and supervisors involved with the conversion. Audi’s apprentices have been responsible for cool projects in recent years, including the RS6 GTO in 2020, and the reborn NSU Prinz electromod in 2023.

Never Reached Its True Sales Potential

The Audi A2 appeared in late 1999, although its design – signed off by Luc Donckerwolke – is based on the 1997 Audi Al2 Concept. The 3,826 mm (150.6 inches) long subcompact hatchback with the MPV-like shape was focused on efficiency, featuring an aerodynamic shape (0.25-0.29 cd), frugal powertrains, and extensive use of aluminum in its construction.

While the model was generally praised in reviews, its steep pricing and quirky design resulted in slow demand. When production ended in 2005, only 176,377 units of the A2 had rolled off the assembly line, making it a sales flop.

2010’s more conventional Polo-based Audi A1 supermini served as an indirect replacement for the A2. The 2011 Audi A2 Concept and the more recent 2019 Audi AI:ME Concept were closer to the original model in styling, but didn’t result in a production vehicle.

While the ICE-powered A1 and Q2 will soon be dropped from the lineup, Audi is reportedly working on a new entry-level EV, which is expected to debut in 2027. The model will most likely use an odd number for its name, with the A2 moniker deemed possible.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Audi Tradition (@auditradition)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Audi Careers (@audi.careers)

Audi’s electric vehicle lineup is expanding as the company has introduced the new Q6 Sportback e-tron and SQ6 Sportback e-tron. They’re stylish crossover coupes that will debut at the Paris Motor Show and will arrive in the United States next spring or summer.

The models follow in the footsteps of the Q6 and SQ6 e-tron, but follow a tried and true formula pioneered by the Q4 and Q8 Sportback e-trons. As a result, they have a rakish windscreen that flows into a sportier roof. They’re joined by a compact greenhouse and an angular rear window.

More: Audi Q6 E-Tron Starts Under $64k, Offers Up To 321 Miles Of Range

Besides looking more dynamic, the crossover coupes have a lower drag coefficient of 0.26. This bests the regular model by 0.02 and it enables the Sportback to have a range of up to 408 miles (656 km).

While the crossover coupe shares its length and wheelbase with the regular model, the Sportback variant sits up to 1.5 inches (37 mm) lower.

Q6 Sportback e-tron

Moving inside, there’s a high-tech interior with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch infotainment system running Android Automotive OS. Besides the standard displays, customers can get an augmented reality head-up display and a 10.9-inch front passenger display.

If that’s not fancy enough, the voice assistant has been ‘supercharged’ by ChatGPT and this enables it to recognize over 800 commands. Customers can also opt for a 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, which has four-speakers integrated into the front headrests.

Designers focused on sustainability and customers will find an assortment of eco-friendly materials that incorporate recycled elements. The roof lining, pillars, and sun visors are covered in Draft, which is a “fabric made with 100 percent recycled polyester.” Customers can also get other fabrics made from recycled materials such as Elastic Melange.

While Sportback variants aren’t known for their practicality, the latest crossover coupe has a 2.2 cubic foot (64 liter) frunk and a cargo compartment that holds 18 cubic feet (511 liters) of luggage. The latter area can be expanded to 48.5 cubic feet (1,373 liters) by folding the rear seats down.

SQ6 Sportback e-tron

All models ride on the Premium Platform Electric and the entry-level Q6 Sportback e-tron has an 83 kWh battery pack as well as a rear-mounted motor producing up to 288 hp (215 kW / 292 PS). This enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in seven seconds flat and travel up to 339 miles (545 km) on a single charge.

Customers seeking more range and power can upgrade to the Q6 Sportback e-tron performance. It has a larger 100 kWh battery and a beefier motor developing up to 322 hp (240 kW / 326 PS). This cuts the dash to 62 mph (100 km/h) to 6.6 seconds, while also increasing the range up to 408 miles (656 km).

If you want all-weather traction, look no further than the 383 hp (285 kW / 388 PS) Q6 Sportback e-tron quattro. This dual-motor variant runs from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds and can travel up to 395 miles (636 km) between charging stops.

That brings us to the 510 hp (380 kW / 517 PS) SQ6 Sportback e-tron, which can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 4.3 seconds. The all-wheel drive crossover has a range of 377 miles (607 km) and a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h), which is 12 mph (20 km/h) faster than the mainstream versions.

When the battery is low, customers can make use of the 225 kW, 260 kW, and 270 kW DC fast charging capability. They enable the battery to go from a 10% to 80% charge in as little as 22 minutes.

German pricing starts at €65,900 while UK customers will need to shell out £62,475. U.S. pricing will be announced closer to launch, but expect a healthy premium over the Q6 e-tron, which begins at $63,800.