Tesla could lose its right to sell directly to consumers in New York state.
Lawmakers want to recall five sales licenses previously granted to Tesla.
Disgust at Elon Musk, not Tesla, is behind the move by Sen. Patricia Fahy.
The state of New York is one of the most pro-electric areas in the US, but its residents could soon find it much harder to buy America’s most popular EVs. A new bill proposes ending Tesla’s license to sell directly in the state, which could mean the brand losing access to its existing showrooms.
New York has for over 10 years outlawed direct selling, demanding all automakers sell through franchised dealers. But when that law passed in 2014 it contained an exemption for Tesla, giving it the right to continue operating five retail outlets it was already selling from. Now lawmakers want to pull those five permits and offer them to other EV companies, and not for anything Tesla has done, but due to the actions of its CEO, Elon Musk.
New York State Sen. Patricia Fahy (Dem) described Musk to the New York Times as “part of an administration that is killing all the grant funding for electric vehicle infrastructure, killing wind energy, killing anything that might address climate change.”
“Why should we give [Tesla] a monopoly?” Fahy, the co-sponsor of the bill, asked.
Musk helped bankroll President Trump’s successful bid to return to the White House, and in Fahy’s eyes set back efforts to combat climate change. And the Telsa boss’s controversial job-slashing efficiency drive and push to access IRS information with DOGE has hardly endeared himself to New York’s lawmakers.
In addition to rescinding Tesla’s showroom licenses, and opposing the establishment of a new one at Colonie, Democrats want the state to audit a deal that allowed the automaker to run a plant near Buffalo on a $1 per year lease and receive almost $1 billion in benefits. They want the subsidies returned and for those managing the state and city pension funds to get rid of any investments in Tesla.
If Tesla is forced from its retail stores, buyers would have to travel out of state to get their new cars, though the brand would still maintain a NY presence in the form of showrooms that allow people to see and sit in the company’s EVs but not actually place an order. The five stores that Tesla currently has could be offered to rival brands including Lucid, Rivian and Scout.
Jeff Bezos-backed Slate revealed its $28k modular EV yesterday.
The bare-bones truck has manual windows and a 150-mile range.
An optional truck top turns the two-seat pickup into an five-seat SUV.
With so many modern cars feeling like clones of each other, featuring similar designs and often identical powertrains, it’s only normal that we’d get excited when something really different comes along. But in the case of Slate’s new EV, is that lust for the new is at risk of creating a real Emperor’s New Clothes situation?
If you haven’t seen our report on the Slate’s debut you should check out our original story at the link below this paragraph. But here’s the tldr: Slate is Michigan-based startup backed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos that wants to sell affordable electric utility vehicles.
They’ll cost from $27,500 ($20k after federal tax credits) and a modular design means you’ll be able to turn the two-seat truck into a two-row SUV or an SUV with a coupe back or open roof with an add-on pack.
Both of those are real selling points. Most of the few electric utilities around, like Rivian’s R1S and R1T and those coming soon from Scout, cost over $50k putting them out of the reach of many American buyers. It’s great to see an automaker building a simple, no-frills truck that doesn’t cost the earth and doesn’t take up two parking bays, and the ability to switch between pick-up and SUV configurations really adds to the practicality.
Small price, smaller equipment list
But a ton of compromises have been made to hit the sub-$30k price. Most obviously, the list of standard equipment makes a Dacia look like a Maybach. There’s no touchscreen – which is not necessarily a bad thing, because we’ve all got smartphones and it means you get physical rotary controls for the AC.
But there’s not even any kind of stereo/speakers fitted as standard to play music from your phone. They’re optional, along with the wrap you’ll need to apply to change the body color since there are no paint options because there’s no paint.
And the crank windows? The internet went wild over this, but it’s a classic case of “brown, manual, diesel wagon” syndrome, and the fun factor will quickly wear off the first time you need to yell to your kids that they forgot their lunch box at school drop-off, or ask someone for directions through the passenger window because you’ve got no phone signal for Google Maps and there’s no onboard nav.
The 1,000 lbs (545 kg) towing capacity is also terrible for a utility vehicle, the 5 ft (1.52 m) bed length’s 0.5 ft (150 mm) advantage over a Ford Maverick comes at the expense of rear seats, and the lack of an all-wheel drive variant hurts its appeal to those who live in rural areas or get harsh winters. And the smaller of the two available batteries only has a 52.7 kWh capacity and gives a range of just 150 miles (240 km).
Short battery range
That range might be fine for a truck that never strays far from its home city, but we know from Mazda’s MX-30 sales failure that people don’t like EVs that can’t go far on a charge. And though you can pay for a bigger 84.3 kWh pack that’ll give you 240 miles (386 km), that’s probably going to push you well north of $30k (before credits), and by the time you’ve added the SUV top, a wrap, Bluetooth speakers and other personalization options your bargain truck isn’t going to be quite as much of a bargain.
I really want to get behind the Slate. I hate that cars have become so heavy and overcomplicated and this feels like the wheeled equivalent of my Suri toothbrush, which doesn’t have any fancy functions you never need like stupid Bluetooth apps, but is well built and lasts for weeks on a charge. Slate’s focus on simplicity, only giving us the stuff we need and none of what we don’t is refreshing, and one other automakers constantly adding pointless gadgets to get our attention could learn from.
Will internet praise equal sales?
But as Toyota discovered with the GR86, there’s a big difference between getting a bunch of people excited about the idea of a simple, pure-of-spirit vehicle, and getting them to actually buy it. Once the Slate launch dust has settled and the novelty of the crank windows and very bare, very plasticky interior and configurable roof (where are you gonna store it?) has faded and the trucks are available to buy, will Americans open their wallets?
Or will they decide that it’s simply too compromised, too basic and there are better options for similar money.
And maybe for less money if the EV tax credits advantage disappears (it’s already not available to all buyers). Those other options, like the $24k Ford Maverick with an aftermarket Leer truck cap for that SUV feel, aren’t stylish like Slate’s Truck, and they’re not electric, but they’re great products. And is anyone in America really crying out for an electric pickup right now, anyway?
Slate thinks it’ll sell 150,000 every year, and we hope it does, but how do you rate its chances? Is it a credible truck and really the game-changing bargain some people are making it out to be, or is it just massively over-hyped, still too expensive and about five years too early? Leave a comment and let us know.
Fresh spy shots have revealed more secrets about the all-new 2026 Jeep Cherokee.
Upper and lower grille treatments are similar but not identical to current Grand Cherokee’s.
Sloped digital touchscreen is mounted above a bank of touch-sensitive AC buttons.
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.
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.
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.
Honda has revealed two production versions of the GT concept for the Chinese market.
The GAC Honda GT and Dongfeng Honda GT get different lights but are built together.
GT interiors feature digital door mirrors and four additional displays to distract drivers.
If the letters GT still make you think of big-power luxury coupes like the Bentley Continental GT, Honda’s new model of the same name might not exactly light your fire. But if you love the idea of a sharp-looking affordable family EV with coupe aspirations and think too much screen is not enough, you’ll find plenty to like in the two Hondas revealed at this week’s Shanghai Auto Show.
The GAC Honda GT (seen here in red) and its Dongfeng Honda GT brother (blue) are fundamentally the same car. They’re built at the same factory in China for the Chinese market, but it’s easy to see how they could work in the US, too, if it wasn’t for the current tariff situation.
Both cars get an H logo (minus any backing badge) below their blacked-out hoods and the Honda name on the front doors. But while the Dongfeng goes for Lamborghini Revuelto-style Y-shaped DRLs and taillights, the GAC opts for two-deck front LEDs and keeps the rears on the level.
Camera-based door mirrors are also present, and the digital screens displaying those exterior images are just two of the six crammed into the hi-tech interior. The remaining four include a digital gauge pack mounted high on the dash, a traditional central touchscreen, a phone-shaped touchscreen below it – presumably for climate duties – and another screen on the passenger side of the car that’s much bigger and uglier than any other passenger displays we’ve seen.
The GTs are the second wave of Honda Ye EVs designed specifically for China. And while Honda hasn’t revealed any powertrain details, we can take a guess based on the first Ye cars, the S7 and P7 crossovers, which debuted in production form last year when the GT was still just a concept.
Those EVs make 268 hp (272 PS / 200 kW) in single-motor, RWD form, or 469 hp (476 PS / 350 kW) when equipped with dual motors and all-wheel drive. Some Chinese media reports claim the GTs will also get single and dual-motor variants, and the single-motor versions will have 50:50 weight distribution. Is the GT the kind of car you’d like to see Honda offer in Europe, Australia, and North America?
The Dongfeng Nissan N7 sedan appeared at Shanghai five months after its initial limited reveal.
Smooth but bland body design gives a Cd factor of 0.208, just behind also-dull-looking Mercedes EQS.
Buyers can choose from 58 and 73 kWh batteries, and power outputs range from 215 to 268 hp.
Nissan’s new Frontier Pro hybrid pickup was the highlight of the brand’s Shanghai Auto Show stand, but it wasn’t the only electrified Nissan vehicle on display. The Nissan N7 was there too, helping us to fill in the large blanks left when the first handful of pictures dropped a few months back.
Unlike the boxy, tough-looking Frontier, whose square jaw is modeled after Nissan’s 1980s D21 truck, the N7, developed with the brand’s Chinese joint venture with Dongfeng, focuses on being as aerodynamically efficient as possible to maximize electric range.
Aerodynamic Efficiency Meets Bland Design
A Cd factor of 0.208 makes it one of the most aerodynamic production cars today, beaten only by the Mercedes EQS (0.202). Unfortunately, as with the EQS, that pursuit of the slippery shape seems to have resulted in an incredibly bland design.
That much we knew from the initial soft launch last fall, but back then Nissan decided not to reveal any interior images, though we knew it was going to be a 50:50 toss-up between a large tablet touchscreen and a full-width, pillar-to-pillar screen-fest. It always is these days. Sure enough, the cabin pics released today show a large, 15.6-inch, 2.5k tablet touchscreen mounted to the right of another tablet display serving as a gauge cluster.
The cabin looks smart and calming, but that calmness might not last for owners because physical buttons are notably absent on any surface other than the two spokes of the steering wheel. Maybe the seats will help drop the blood pressure back down. Nissan says the front ‘zero pressure’ seats have an AI-based posture adjustment system that draws on data provided by 49 sensors, and have 12-point massage functionality. A fridge hidden under the armrest can cool drinks to -6 C (21°F) or heat them to 55 C (131°F).
The Powertrain: Nothing to Write Home About
And finally, we get to the powertrain spec, which, to be honest, like the exterior design, is not very interesting by EV standards. There’s no 800-volt charging tech, just old-school 400-V electrics for the 58 and 73 kWh batteries, and power options range from 215 hp (218 PS / 160 kW) to 268 hp (272 PS / 200 kW).
Nissan claims the bigger power pack can take you 395 miles (635 km) on a charge, but that’s according to China’s CLTC protocol – EPA numbers are always much lower. Not that the N7, which is built in China, for China, will be getting a US launch anytime soon.
BYD’s premium Denza brand has revealed the new Z at Shanghai.
The Porsche 911-sized electric coupe has steer-by-wire technology.
Fast-acting magnetized shocks can switch the damping force in 10 ms.
BYD’s Denza brand definitely has a thing about Porsche. We’ve already heard plenty about the Z9 GT, a Panamera-lookalike EV with a triple-motor drivetrain, and now there’s the Denza Z, an electric concept that seems to have Porsche’s 911 and upcoming 718 Cayman EV in its sights.
Denza is calling the Z a concept, but you won’t convince us this stylish coupe’s story is going to fizzle out once the Shanghai Auto Show has wrapped. And if it reaches production with as much heat as the Z9 GT, Porsche better watch out.
Though the Z’s size (judging by the images) and presence of two rear seats call to mind the 911, the design seems to take its lead from various Lamborghini and Lotus cars. The concept has a deep lower bumper and splitter, a big rear diffuser and a gigantic rear wing, all of which could potentially appear on a range-topping performance model, though we’d expect most production trims to look rather less OTT.
Denza didn’t reveal much in the way of specs, but we do know that the Z has steer-by-wire tech that removes the mechanical link between the steering wheel and the front axle. We also know the lack of a mechanical link means the steering wheel can be folded away under the dashboard when not needed, which hardly sounds like something attractive to hardcore drivers, but will definitely appeal to anyone whose car doubles as a mobile office.
Images show a double-wishbone front suspension and magnetorheological shocks that can change damping force in 10 ms in response to changes in the road surface, but don’t give us any clue as to what kind of electric powertrain the Z is running. But it seems logical that the setup will borrow heavily from the Z9 GT, and we know the top-end versions of that fastback sedan have three motors and a combined output of 952 hp (965 PS / 710 kW).
BYD is introducing the Denza brand to the European market and believes it has a real shot at stealing sales from premium brands, including Mercedes, which founded the brand with BYD but later walked away. In a recent interview with Car Magazine, BYD boss Stella Li claimed Denza’s new vehicles were ‘ten times better’ than rival products.
Renault is getting ready to introduce an all-new Clio for 2026.
Its Peugeot 208 rival will also get an EV option for the first time.
Hybrid engines will also be available for sixth-generation car.
Superminis, subcompacts, call them what you will, those little hatchbacks that dominated the European landscape for decades are dying out. Ford killed off the Fiesta and VW axed the Polo, but Renault’s Clio is bucking that trend. It’s not going anywhere yet and is about to launch in sixth-generation form, bringing an EV option to the line for the first time.
The Clio’s been cast lately as the sort of frumpy sister to the new 5, a retro-electric reimagining of the 1970s and ’80s 5 supermini the Clio replaced in 1992. It’s the reborn Renault 5 that’s had all the media attention and been showered with awards, including the coveted European Car of the Year title, something the Clio hasn’t won since 2006.
But the sales figures tell a different story, reminding us just how important the Clio is to Renault. Because while the 5 EV has racked up a big bank of orders, the Clio was Europe’s second most popular car in 2024, moving ahead of the once-mighty Tesla Model Y and beaten to the top spot only by the Dacia Sandero (another Renault Group product).
So it makes sense that Renault would want to keep investing in its smallest car, and updating the design to fit in with the new family face already seen on models like the Rafale, Espace and Austral.
The R&D department certainly didn’t skimp on the camouflage before sending this prototype out on the road, but the extensive wrap can’t hide the fact that the Clio has had major surgery in the jump from Gen 5 to Gen 6. Compared with the current car, the new model has an entirely different nose, comprising a new hood and grille as well as new lights and bumpers.
Instead of the Renault diamond badge poking up into a cutout in the hood as on the current Clio, the revised car gets a straight-edged hood and a diamond badge positioned lower in the grille. The rear door handles are still mounted in the upper door frame to give the impression of there being only two doors, but the waistline doesn’t rise so dramatically as it reaches the C pillar.
Powertrain options will continue to include a mix of hybrid and PHEV engines, but the big news is that, for the first time ever, there will also be an all-electric variant. The single-motor setups will give buyers some of the EV technology they get in the 5 E-Tech, but in a more conservative-looking package. Battery options in the 5 range from 40-52 kWh and there are three motors available with 94 hp (70 kW / 95 PS), 121 hp (90 kW / 122 PS) or 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS).
Lexus has revealed a strong new look for its long-running ES sedan.
The four-door fastback takes cues from 2023’s LF-ZL SUV concept.
Two hybrids are outgunned by a pair of EVs that make up to 338 hp.
The 2025 Lexus ES is big on premium value and short on visual and behind-the-wheel excitement. But at this week’s Shanghai Auto Show Toyota’s luxury division set out to redress that balance with a new eighth-generation sedan that showcases a modern, angular design and the model’s first ever electric powertrains.
Drawing inspiration from both the brand’s current RZ electric SUV, its RX ICE counterpart and the 2023 LF-ZL concept, the ES gets a more exaggerated fastback shape than before that has more than a hint of Audi about it. But you’d never find the aggressive (or just overdone?) door coving on an Audi and the face is undeniably a Lexus one.
It’s not just the ES’s design that’s changed. So has the amount of road it occupies. A 116.1-inch (2,950 mm) wheelbase is 3.2-inches (80 mm) longer than the current sedan’s and the 202.4-inch (5,140 mm) overall length is also up by 6.5-inches (165 mm).
A subtle difference in the front-end styling depending on model tells you what powertrain is stashed under the hood. Hybrids get a cooling slot below the Lexus badge, while the EV variants have a smoother nose. In both versions the old, oversize bobbin-shaped grille is no more.
Minimalist interior
The interior receives an equally modern overhaul that’s light on physical buttons but big on screens: a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen are standard but some trims get a duplicate touchscreen on the passenger side. Also new is the ‘L-E-X-U-S’ lettering on the steering wheel, which replaces the traditional badge, and the contemporary bamboo wood trim.
Base hybrids for most markets get a 2.0-liter engine that sends 194 hp (197 PS) to the front wheels alone and needs a yawning 9.4 seconds to reach 62 mph (100 kmh). America will skip that and jump straight in with the 2.5-liter AWD ES 350h hybrid whose 244 hp (247 PS) drops the sprint time to a more respectable, if still hardly knockout 7.8 seconds. These are both inline fours, by the way. There are no sixes in the new lineup.
Electric, but not electrifying
Want more hustle? It doesn’t sound like you’ll find it in the least expensive of the two available EV options. That delivers 221 hp (224 PS / 165 kW) to the front wheels and the ES 350e to 62 mph in 8.9 seconds, Lexus claiming 300 miles (483 km) on the optimistic Chinese CLTC cycle. Stepping up to the dual-motor ES 500e cuts the range to 379 miles (610 km) but boosts output to 338 hp (343 PS / 252 kW) and gets the hottest ES to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds.
The ES goes on sale in 2026, meaning it’ll probably end up as a MY27, and we’ll have to wait until much closer to that date to find out how much it’ll cost in North America. What do you think of the ES’s new, angular look, and are those powertrains too weedy? Leave a comment and let us know.
Canada’s Exro will supply game-changing tech to EV startup Slate, Driving.ca reports.
Exro’s equipment removes need for on-board charger, allows AC fast-charging at home.
Slate is developing EV SUVs and trucks with $25k start price that should debut in late ’26.
Slate Auto thinks it can triumph where Lordstown, Fisker, Byton and others have failed. The new US-based startup is working on a family of EVs that will reportedly start at just $25k and could be on sale before the end of 2026. And beyond that incredible price, one of the features that could make people take note is a clever piece of tech from Canada that promises to transform the driving and ownership experience.
The tech comes from Exro, which has developed its own Coil Driver inverter. The technology has several advantages, one of which is that it removes the need for a traditional on-board charger that’s necessary when converting AC power from your house to DC for charging an EV.
Ditching the converter makes the EV lighter and also cheaper to build – a big priority when you’re targeting a $25k retail price. But it also allows for faster AC charging, giving the possibility of sucking in 19 kW, with up to 80 kW possible in the future, according to Driving.ca, which broke the story. That doesn’t just mean easier charging at home, but would make it much easier for the global charging network to expand, because it removes some of the need to build expensive DC charging stations.
Another plus point to Exro’s tech is its coil-switching system. This effectively creates multiple virtual power and torque profiles in one motor, each configured to best suit what the driver and vehicle needs at that moment. The result is more bottom end torque and more top end power than with a conventional motor, plus greater efficiency.
Michigan-based Slate Auto is believed to be backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and has plans to bring electric power to the masses with simple, low-cost EVs. So far courtesy of an unconventional marketing campaign we’ve seen a small gray pickup and two different two-door SUVs, one with an upright rear window and the other with a hatchback-style slope to its tail.
Little else is known right now, but that’s set to change on April 24 when Slate will reveal more details, hopefully including whether Trump’s tariffs on auto goods entering the US from Canada will throw a spanner in plans to use Exro’s smart technology. Although Exro has facilities in both Canada and the US, it looks like the manufacturing base is north of the border.
Mercedes has revealed a luxury concept van, the electric Vision V.
The limo-van previews the next V-class, rides on VAN.EA architecture.
“Private Lounge interior” features 65-inch screen and 42 speakers.
Minivans, in case you hadn’t noticed, have got crazily luxurious in the last few years, with examples like the Lexus LM and Volvo EM90 providing the kind of passenger experience even conventional luxury sedans struggle to match. Now Mercedes has raised the bar even higher with the Vision V.
Officially the Vision V is just a concept, but much of what we see here will find its way onto the upcoming V-class van due in 2026, including the Mercedes-Benz Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) platform, the design and even the lavish interior. Mercedes says the concept gives us our first taste of a top-end model that will rival the Lexus LM.
The dashboard features a full-width panel incorporating three different digital screens, but the real tech showcase is in the back, where passengers are treated to a 65-inch cinema screen that rises from the floor when people climb aboard. The 4k display is backed up by 42 speakers and the seven projectors can even use the windows as extra projection surfaces for an immersive 360-degree viewing experience.
Two futuristic lounge chairs in crystal white Nappa leather and silk can be fully reclined for power naps between those multi-billion-dollar deals, and if you want to relax with something more cerebral than the on-board video games setup, a fold-out table converts into a chess board.
VW ID.Buzz aside, vans rarely look stylish, but the Vision V certainly manages to pull it off. The curved in the rear window line gives an almost coupe-like vibe and the front and rear ends are dominated by cleverly deployed LED lighting elements.
The front grille, for instance, which looks like the result of a 500-a-day ab-crunch routine, is made up not of chrome strips, but LED bars. As passengers approach, the grille puts on a light show to greet them that finishes with the illumination of the Mercedes star on the domed hood. And the entire rear of the car is encircled by a segmented LED ribbon which is made of over 450 three-dimensional illuminated louvres that serve as as both taillights and brake lights.
Mercedes hasn’t detailed the concept’s powertrain, but we already know that that VAN.EA platform features 800-volt electrics for fast charging, can accommodate both single- and dual-motor configurations, and will offer a driving range of up to 311 miles (500 km).
Tesla has reportedly dropped plans for American imports of critical parts from China.
The components are required for Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi and Semi truck models.
Tesla was willing to absorb a 34% tariff, but the new 145% rate forced shipments to be halted.
Tesla has a lot riding on its Cybercab robotaxi, but the program has hit a major snag, and CEO Elon Musk’s sometimes best buddy, President Trump is to blame. The automaker has been forced to drop its plans to ship essential Cybercab components from China as a result of Trump slapping enormous tariffs on Chinese imports, a report claims.
The automaker expected to start sending parts to the US from China in the next few months, necessary to begin trial production of both the Cybercab and the Semi truck, the latter of which has so far only been produced in tiny quantities. The plan was to scale up to full production of both models in 2026.
Tariffs Throw a Wrench in the Works
Trump’s announcement of a 34 percent tariff wasn’t great news, but Reuterssources say Tesla was prepared to absorb the financial pain. But when Trump’s tit-for-tat tariffs battle escalated to the point where import duty on Chinese imports had reached 145 percent, Tesla slammed on the brakes.
Exactly how long Tesla will keep its foot on the brakes is unclear, since no one, perhaps not even Donald Trump himself, knows the duration of the massive tariffs. But the US President revealed earlier this week that he was considering making changes to the 25 percent tariff on imported auto parts built in Canada, Mexico, and other regions, and has recently announced an exemption on electronic devices such as iPhones which are made in China.
Reuters says Tesla has, for the past couple of years, been increasing the amount of parts it gets from within US borders because it sensed that tariffs might one day come into effect. How quickly Tesla can switch suppliers and get Cybercab and Semi components from America isn’t clear – we’ve asked the question, but don’t expect Tesla to reply.
Tesla unveiled its long-awaited Cybercab last fall, a Honda CRX-shaped pod with scissor doors and no steering wheel, and is currently working on getting approvals to begin testing and operating driverless cars in the US and beyond.
Kia has revealed the EV9 Nightfall Edition alongside the EV4 at the New York Auto Show.
The Nightfall gets gloss-black exterior trim, 20-inch alloy wheels and black leather seats.
An electronic boost increases the 379-hp drivetrain’s torque output from 443 to 516 lb ft.
Special editions aren’t usually very special at all once you’ve scraped beneath the surface. Just think of all the pointless Corvette, Mini and MX-5 specials we’ve been subject to over the years. But the Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition is one we’re happy to give house room to because, while it’s not radically different, it really should be a little better to drive than the stock electric SUV it’s based on.
Revealed today at the New York Auto Show alongside the EV4 and K4 hatch, the Nightfall Edition is on the face of it your usual special lashed together by the marketing department to give a model some added appeal once the initial rush of excitement has faded, and tide it over till facelift time.
It’s based on the six- and seven-seat mid-range EV9 Land but adds gloss-black exterior detailing on the front grille, skid plates (gloss-black skids plates? yep, highly practical), mirrors, roof rails and mirror caps. There’s also a bespoke paint color available, Roadrider Brown, though we’ve no idea what it looks like because for reasons best known to Kia it issued pictures of a Glacial Pearl White version.
A new design of 20-inch wheels round out the exterior upgrades, but the tweaks continue inside, where the Land’s rather drab gray and black cabin gets a sporty makeover courtesy of an all-black color scheme. Both the headliner and the seats – which feature a much smarter, performance-themed stitching pattern – are black.
It’s Boosted
And that’s where most special editions end, but the Nightfall Edition keeps going. Because the 379 hp (384 PS / 283 kW) dual-motor electric drivetrain inherits the Boost mode normally reserved for the GT-Line EV9 (or available as a $900 Feature-on-Demand on Land models).
That mod bumps peak torque from 443 lb ft (600 Nm) to 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) and drops the zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) time from 5.7 seconds to 5.0 seconds according to Kia’s spec for the Land with and without the FoD. But Kia claims the Nightfall Edition can do the job in 4.5 seconds. Cars always feel faster at night, right?
We like the look and spec of the Nightfall though it’s hard to make a value call on it until Kia tells us how much more it costs than the $69,900 Land. But the Premium can’t be too high because the GT-Line is $73,900.
Subaru’s Trailseeker EV has made its world debut at the New York Auto Show.
The 375-hp SUV shares its design and powertrain with the smaller Solterra.
Two motors provide AWD traction and an electric range of more than 260 miles.
Subaru’s smaller lineup means it doesn’t have as many debuts in a year as rival automakers, but today the Japanese automaker hit us with three big ones, including the facelifted Solterra and its new big brother, the Trailseeker, with the Outback to follow.
Unveiled at the New York Auto Show, the Trailseeker is like a Solterra for people who want more space and more power. And like the smaller SUV, the Trailseeker has a Toyota twin, though one we’re yet to see.
Subaru’s supplied media images, which look badly Photoshopped at best and an AI nightmare at worst, show the Trailseeker looking more like a wagon than an SUV, but it features the same angular design language as the Solterra. The scant spec details reveal the Trailseeker is around an inch (25 mm) taller and six inches longer (150 mm) than the smaller Solterra.
Fastest Accelerating Production Subaru Ever
Where the new Solterra tops out at 338 hp (343 PS / 252 kW), the Trailseeker’s dual-motor setup delivers approximately 375 hp (380 PS / 280 kW). According to Subaru, that’s enough to launch it from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in around 4.4 seconds. For anyone keeping score, that’s more than a full second quicker than both the previous WRX STI and the current WRX TR, which takes 5.6 seconds to hit the same mark. In other words, it’s the fastest accelerating Subaru this side of the pond.
A 74.7 kWh battery slung under the floor (but still allowing the same 8.3 inches/211 mm of ground clearance as the Solterra) delivers “more than” 260 miles (418 km) of range on a single charge, which is dealt with by a NACS port.
A 3,500 lbs (1,590 kg) towing capacity is claimed, and the X-Mode drive mode system includes Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings, plus Grip Control and Downhill Assist Control to keep you out of trouble.
The Trailseeker’s cabin, like its exterior design, borrows heavily from the Solterra and features a 14-inch touchscreen display, the largest ever fitted to a Subaru. Two wireless smartphone charging pads are standard.
As you might have gathered, Subaru has left a lot of gaping holes in its spec sheet, including charging speeds, approach and departure angles, and prices. But no doubt we’ll be able to fill in some of those gaps in the coming weeks and months, by which time we might have a look at Toyota’s own version of the Trailseeker.
Hyundai engineers have been snapped testing an EV version of the Staria MPV.
The electric minivan could have an 84 kWh battery and a 205+ mile electric range.
The Staria debuted in 2021 and is currently available with ICE and hybrid power.
With its sci-fi-look face, Hyundai’s Staria looked like a minivan from 10 years in the future when it debuted in 2021. The only think missing from the picture was an electric drivetrain, but these spy shots shows that won’t be the case in the near future.
Our photo team snapped a prototype Staria EV wearing German license plates and testing on European roads. The test van was dressed in double disguise consisting of an eye-scrambling wrap across the bodywork and Hyundai’s usual collection of black nylon panels at the front and back ends.
With so much of the Staria covered up it’s hard to work out how the EV will look. Or it would be if we hadn’t already seen the whole car without a stitch of disguise, as it was spied in a Koean parking garage at the beginning of the year.
Those pictures show Hyundai‘s new EV will ditch the current Staria’s giant black grille for more painted plastic, but leave an ugly rectangular cooling slot in the center and two more rectangular vents below. I don’t know about you, but I think the 2021 model with its jumbo grille is a far better looking machine.
We’re still to learn about the exact battery and powertrain setup, but we do have some clues about what to expec, courtesy of the Staria-based ST1 box van and chassis cab and its badge-engineered brother, the Iveco Moody. The Moody comes with a single electric motor delivering 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque and a choice of 63 kWh or 76 kWh batteries, the latter delivering a WLTP range of 320 km (199 miles).
We’d be surprised if the Staria didn’t improve on both the battery capacity and range with the help of the Ioniq’s 84 kWh pack, while retaining the V2L capability and 800-volt technology for fast charging. The Moody can add 62 miles (100 km) of range in just 10 minutes when hooked up to a 350 kW charger.
The Staria EV should be revealed later this year, but until then buyers will have to content themselves with a choice among a 3.5-liter V6, a 1.6-liter hybrid or a 2.2-liter diesel powertrain.
BMW has given us a taste of what our ears can expect from BMW’s Neue Klasse EVs.
HypersonX soundscape changes as the driver switches from Personal to Sport modes.
The brand says sounds contain fewer notes than previous EVs, but more depth and range.
The first of BMW’s Neue Klasse EVs drops this fall, and it’s not only the exterior styling, dashboard layout and electric platform that’s new. So is the soundtrack for this new generation of electric vehicles, and BMW has given us a glimpse of what kind of noises to expect when we eventually slide behind the wheel of the 2026 iX3 and 2027 i330 sedan.
This isn’t the first time BMW has created unique soundtracks for its EVs. It famously commissioned Hans Zimmer to come up with signature sounds for the i4 and i7. But the automaker claims the new HypersonX soundscape developed by BMW’s own Sound Design Studio is even more complex and nuanced.
Neue Klasse cars benefit from a new audio control unit that brings a greater dynamic range, BMW claiming that although the new soundscape uses fewer notes than older systems, it delivers more color and depth to give a more natural feel.
43 Layers of Motion
HypersonX has 43 different sound signals and driving sounds for the cars’ Personal Mode and Sport Mode settings and when the driver accelerates the car shifts through three-dimensional sound layers to create a sensation of speed.
The team didn’t only spend time working out how to make the EVs feel exciting at full throttle, but also how they sound when you first open the door and any time you’re inside. BMW says it drew inspiration from art, science, light and nature, and even used sounds created using a choir made of development team members.
“The unique sound spectrum of HypersonX plays a major role in giving a Neue Klasse model its own, highly distinctive character acoustically,” says Renzo Vitale, Creative Director of Sound Design BMW Group.
“Through our focus on precision, warmth, and lightness, we can create a direct emotional connection between the driver and their vehicle.”
The first production BMW to benefit from HypersonX is the iX3 SUV, the electric brother to the recently-facelifted X3, which is scheduled to make its debut this September.
This years’s new Skoda’s seven-seat electric SUV has been spied testing.
EV alternative to ICE-powered Kodiaq is based on the Vision 7S concept.
Range of other MEB EVs drops below 140 miles when towing, tests show.
Skoda began teasing its new three-row electric SUV last month, which means a debut is probably imminent. But while the marketing team is stirring up some excitement, the Czech company’s engineers are making sure future owners don’t get a dose of the wrong kind of excitement when towing a large trailer.
SUVs are popular for their high driving position and generous interior space, but many owners buy traditional ICE-powered utilities because even those without body-on-frame construction can make for useful towing vehicles. And if automakers want to present EVs as serious alternatives to combustion vehicles, they need to be be able to haul trailers, boats and caravans, too.
The Towing Potential of EVs
In some ways, EVs make great tow vehicles. They’ve got tons of low end torque, the power delivery is smooth, and brake regeneration can prevent the conventional brakes from ever becoming overloaded. But because they are heavy, their towing capacity is usually lower than that of an equivalent ICE machine.
This new Skoda SUV, a production version of 2022’s Vision 7S concept which could be called the Space, is an electric alternative to the seven-seat combustion-powered Kodiaq. The Kodiaq is built on VW’s MQB Evo platform and in all-wheel drive vRS guise has a maximum towing capacity of 2,500 kg (5,510 lbs). But its electric counterpart rides on the MEB platform, the same one used by the Skoda Enyaq and VW ID.Buzz, and neither of those EVs can legally haul as big a load.
ICE Beats EV For Towing
The dual-motor Enyaq tops out at 1,200 kg (2,650 lbs) for a braked trailer, and Europe’s dual-motor Buzz can tow 1,800 kg (3,970 lbs) when fitted with the smaller 79 kWh battery, or only 1,600 kg (3,530 lbs) with the 86 kWh pack. But one of the Skoda’s key rivals could be Kia’s EV9, and that is rated at an impressive 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs).
In reality, if Skoda’s big EV can pull 1800 kg, that might be enough for many buyers not looking to drag huge boats, caravans and car trailers around. However, they’ll have to accept a sizeable drop in driving range when they’re hooked-up.
Many owners of MEB-platform EVs, including the VW ID.4 and Buzz, have documented their experience with towing in online forums, and according to their results, it’s not unusual to see a 50-60 percent reduction in range when pulling even an 820 kg (1,800 lb) trailer.
A 150-Mile Range?
Skoda claims a maximum range of 334 WLTP miles (537 km) for the AWD Enyaq in optimum weather conditions and when not towing, and the bigger seven-seater in these spy pics could be good for 370 miles (596 km) if it matches the claims for the 7S concept, which had an 89 kWh battery. But you could still be looking at a tow range of less than 150 miles (240 km) unless you keep the speed way down.
Sure, ICE-powered SUVs also take a big mpg and range hit when towing (though usually less than 50 percent), but they don’t have to worry about where to charge, or deal with the fact that unlike petrol stations, charging ones are generally not set up to deal with vehicles towing something behind them. So, would you buy an EV if you knew you wanted to tow things?
Tesla has launched an entry-level Cybertruck Long Range for $69,990 plus destination.
Single-motor, RWD LR undercuts AWD by $10,000, improves range by up to 37 miles.
Downsides include 6.2-sec 0-60 mph time, inferior tow rating and much less standard kit.
Almost 18 months after the Cybertruck finally went on sale in December of 2023, Tesla has finally gotten around to launching a more affordable entry-level model. But the downgraded spec of the Cybertruck Long Range makes you wonder whether you might want to give it a miss.
Not Quite a Bargain, But Better Than Nothing
A simple, single-motor, rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck was always part of the plan. And while the 2025 Long Range’s price of $69,990 plus $2,245 destination and order fees (but before the $7,500 tax credit) is far from the $39,990 that Elon Musk promised this specific trim would cost back in 2019, it still represents a $10,000 savings compared to the existing bi-motor AWD model. It also comes in at $30,000 less than the absurdly expensive Cyberbeast.
And there are other upsides apart from that price. Losing the front motor and driveshafts helps cut the curb weight (Tesla doesn’t specify by how much), enabling the Long Range to secure a 350-mile (563 km) EPA driving range. That’s for an LR with no tonneau cover – order the optional $750 soft tonneau and the electric range climbs to 362 miles (583 km), well above the 325 miles (523 km) claimed for the AWD.
The Catch: A Lot of Equipment Compromises
But from there on things don’t look so good for the Long Range’s chances of snaring buyers. To get that price down Tesla has de-contented the Cybertruck so hard that you’ll be reminded every time you jump in it that you were too tight-fisted to go for the AWD.
Out go the vegan leather seats in favor of simple cloth versions that are still heated, but no longer ventilated, and you’re downgraded to puny 18-inch wheels unless you splash for the optional 20s fitted as standard on the AWD. But the $3,500 cost of doing that really eats into the price differential. Other kit to go includes the height-adjustable air suspension, which is replaced by simple steel springs, and the hi-fi’s speaker count is halved to seven.
Slower and Less Capable
And even if you’re the kind of driver that never gets into the right pedal hard enough to notice or care that the zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) time has grown from 4.1 to 6.2 seconds, you probably are going to care that the tow rating has been decimated. AWD Cybertrucks can haul 11,000 lbs (4,990 kg) but the Long Range is only good for 7,500 lbs (3,402 kg), and there’s a 265 lb (120 kg) payload reduction to factor in, too.
Throw in the loss of the bed’s electrical outlets and the fact that you have to pay extra for a soft tonneau when the AWD gets a retractable one as standard, and the Long Range’s appeal really does start to wane. Tesla would argue that what matters here is that the LR is competitive with mid-ranking Ford F-150 Lightnings, which accelerate slightly faster but don’t go as far on a charge. What do you think? Was the entry-level Cybertruck worth the wait?
Cybertruck Long Range now available
– $62,490 (incl. Federal Tax Credit) – 362 mi of range (est.) w/ Soft Tonneau – 6' x 4' bed – 7,500 lbs towing capacity pic.twitter.com/ZP5S5uxHiY
MG has dropped teaser images of a new Cyber X SUV ahead of the Shanghai Auto Show
Compact, rugged design features a squared nose, upright tail, and full-width LED light bars.
EV power is likely but unconfirmed; SAIC’s new E3 platform also takes hybrid powertrains.
MG’s Cyberster electric sports car helped make a splash for the brand, but it’s never going to sell in the millions. But here’s another Cyber-branded MG that might. It’s the Cyber X, and MG has just dropped teaser images of the boxy SUV ahead of its global reveal at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 23.
A series of silhouetted and darkened pictures show the second car from MG’s Cyber family from the side, the front- and rear-three-quarter angles. The X’s fashionably square nose and upright tail say this is a car designed for a younger crowd than the one usually seen in MG showrooms.
A full-width LED light bar stretches across the Cyber X’s face, with an illuminated MG octagon mounted just below it and flanked by two smaller LEDs. The fenders are flared above the wheels, door handles are sunk flush with the door skin, and a pair of roof rails underlines the go-anywhere vibe. At the rear, the waistline rises to meet the chunky D-pillar, and there’s another full-width LED bar and illuminated MG badge rounding out the show at the tail.
We’ll have to wait until the day of the show to make a final assessment on the design, but from what we can see here, the mix of tech and tough will find the Cyber X plenty of admirers. It’s eerily reminiscent of the new Smart #5, which could be handy because the newly-launched Geely SUV is likely to be one of the X’s key rivals.
Tech details are practically non-existent at this stage, but Chinese reports say that the X will be one of the first cars to benefit from SAIC’s new E3 platform, which features cell-to-body construction where the battery pack is made part of the car’s structure in an effort to cut weight.
The E3 architecture is capable of handling both electric and hybrid powertrains, though right now we don’t know whether the X will offer both or only one of those options. A closed grille suggests we’re looking at an EV. Car News China claims the X will feature semi-solid-state batteries, advanced drive assist features, and sophisticated phone-to-car integration.
We’ll be seeing more than the Cyber X from MG during this year and next. The automaker is preparing to roll out more than half a dozen new cars, including a second-generation MG4, a revised Cyberster, and four EVs, including a pair of sedans and a pair of SUVs. Not all are guaranteed to come to Europe, but our hunch is the Cyber X will find it worth the trip.
BYD’s cocksure VP claims Denza premium brand’s cars are ‘ten times better’ than rival products.
Stella Li says Denza easily outpoints established competition on technology, comfort and value.
Denza coming to Europe this year with Panamera-shaped Z9 GT shooting brake and D9 minivan.
Launching a new brand into an established market is a brave move with no guarantee of success. But if she has any doubts about Denza’s chances in Europe, BYD boss Stella Li isn’t letting on, claiming in a recent interview Denza’s new vehicles were ‘ten times better’ than than those they aim to outpace, and which include the likes of Mercedes, Audi, BMW, and possibly even Porsche.
BYD’s gains in Europe with its own EVs and PHEVs gives Li reason to be confident. But Denza is shooting for a totally different, more image and status-conscious audience. A premium brand designed to slot between everyman BYD and pricey YangWang, Denza will take on established European names like Mercedes, which could be embarrassing for Benz because Denza started off as a BYD-Daimler co-op before BYD carried on alone.
The Z9 GT is odds-on the first Denza to hit European roads later this year and will offer a more coupe-like alternative to cars like the Audi A6 and A6 e-tron Avant, and BMW 5-series and i5 Touring. A sporty shooting brake whose Porsche Panamera-like profile is the work of former Alfa Romeo and Lamborghini designer Wolfgang Egger, the Z9 is a triple-motor EV with 952 hp (965 PS / 710 kW). An 858 hp (870 PS / 640 kW) 2.0-liter PHEV is also available.
‘This car is really ten times better than the competition,’ Li told Car Magazine at the Denza brand launch at Milan Design Week. ‘We have a lot of unique features the other legacy brands do not have.’
Those features are not limited to aggressive pricing, though you can be sure Denza’s cars will offer more standard equipment at a much lower cost than than their rivals to help hook buyers in. Technology is a big focus: the Z9 will crab-walk and slow-motion drift into parking spaces and round tight turns, tricks you won’t find on premium Western cars (check out the video below).
‘We are confident that buyers will find distinctive, unique appeal in the car’s mix of sophisticated, elegant design, strong performance and astounding technology,’ Li said, adding that Denza’s superior customer service will be key to it carving market share.
European pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet, but in China, the Z9 GT starts at 334,800 yuan and tops out at 414,800 yuan (around $45,800 to $56,800). That’s a serious value play when you consider the Panamera Sport Turismo and Taycan Cross Turismo start at 1,008,000 yuan ($138,000) and can balloon past 1,500,000 yuan ($205,000) depending on options.
Mazda has revealed images of its EX-60 SUV in China ahead of this month’s Shanghai Show debut.
EV will be rebranded CX-6e for sale abroad; Euro sales not confirmed but surely inevitable by 2026.
EZ-60 and 6e/EZ-6e sedan ride on Changan platforms but electric tech lags behind Korean rivals’.
Mazda’s first crack at building an electric SUV, the quirky and range-challenged MX-30, was too weird for its own good, but the EZ-60 revealed this week in China plays it straight and that looks like a smart strategy.
Images released ahead of a full debut at the Shanghai Auto Show later this month show a bigger SUV with conventional doors, but just enough of a sporty Mazda vibe to tempt a few prospective Tesla Model Y buyers to switch sides.
The EZ-60 is a production version of last year’s Arata concept, and will be renamed CX-6e for sale outside China, reflecting its position in the lineup as an electric alternative to the combustion CX-60. The final design stays close to the concept’s and features a much more assertive face than its Tesla rival, frameless door glass, camera-based mirrors, a coupe-like rear with a sloping roofline and dramatically angled D-pillar.
Mazda hasn’t confirmed it’ll come to Europe but a debut there is all but inevitable given the region is one of the strongest markets for EVs and Mazda has already committed to launching its 6e sedan (known as the EZ-60 in China) in Europe later this year. We’d be amazed if it isn’t on sale in Europe in 2026.
Shared Platform, Familiar Hardware
Both sedan and SUV are built around architecture from Chinese automaker Changan, whose Deepal S07 is already engaged in a battle with the Model Y, and coming to Europe before the end of 2025. We’ll have to wait until the EZ-60’s full reveal on April 23 to find out the exact specs, but we’re expecting substantial similarities to the 6e when it comes to battery and motor details.
For reference, the European-market 6e sedan has a choice of 68.6 and 80 kWh batteries and comes with a choice of two different motors. Both are single-motor setups driving the rear wheels, one serving up 241 hp (244 PS) and the other, 255 hp (258 PS). Electric range varies from 300 -345 miles (483-555 km), though the heavier and less aerodynamically efficient SUV probably won’t be quite so long-legged.
Charging and Range-Extender Tech
Deepal’s platform isn’t as advanced as Hyundai-Kia’s and can only charge at 200 kW, although that puts it on par with many European carmakers. But the architecture is versatile enough that the S07 is also offered with a 1.5-liter range-extender combustion engine in China, though Mazda won’t be borrowing that tech because it already offers the CX-60 as a PHEV.
Unfortunately for American buyers, the CX-6e won’t be crossing the Pacific. Since it’ll be built in China, it faces steep import barriers and little incentive under current US EV tax credit rules. For now, it looks like this one’s staying in markets where Mazda’s EV strategy is already gaining traction.
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