VW really pulled out the stops for this year’s IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, revealing not one but three new electric cars. We’ve already had a look at the ID. Polo (neé ID.2) and ID. Polo GTI, but the third EV is an even bigger deal. It’s the ID. Cross Concept and it previews next year’s production SUV, one with massive sales potential.

Also: VW Revives Polo Name For EV Era And Teases First Ever Electric GTI

The Cross name tells us this subcompact utility is an electric equivalent to the existing T-Cross combustion crossover, though the name is about all they have in common. The ID. Cross is one of a family of upcoming small EVs built around a new front-wheel-drive version of the MEB platform.

Other models in the family include the ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI, both expected to hit showrooms in 2026, as well as a production version of the ID. Every1 concept shown earlier this year, which could wear the ID. Up name when it launches in 2027.

Design and Dimensions

Though it rides on virtually the same 2,601 mm (102.4 inches) wheelbase as the ID. Polo (the hatch’s WB is 1mm shorter), the 4,161 mm (163.8 inches) long ID. Cross is 108 mm (4.3 inches) longer and most obviously 58 mm (2.3 inches) taller. There’s 490 liters (17.3 cu.ft) of luggage space in the rear, plus a 25-liter (0.9 cu-ft) frunk, something no other ID EV, including the ID. Polo, has offered.

The handsome, but conservatively designed Polo also misses out on some of the Cross’s bolder and more modern design details. These include a front fascia shaped by the interplay of LED lighting elements that VW describes as “friendly,” along with three illuminated rectangles embedded in a black C-pillar, an intentional nod to both the ID. Buzz and the original Bus that inspired it.

Black plastic trims exaggerate the size of the gently flared arches, which are cut high into the bodywork, while the 21-inch wheels are wrapped in special Continental tires that carry the alloy rim’s pattern into the sidewall. It’s a clever visual flourish, though one that’s impractical, hard to see in the real world, and sure to make tire shops roll their eyes.

Relaxing Interior with Some Physical Buttons

Inside, there are clear echoes of the ID2.all concept that previewed the ID. Polo back in 2023 (VW hasn’t released ID. Polo interior pics yet). An 11-inch digital instrument cluster lies beyond a chunky, square-shaped two-spoke steering wheel and a larger, 13-inch tablet touchscreen is mounted on the top of the dashboard’s center.

Thankfully, VW has listened to criticism of its earlier cars, and a bank of hard buttons is located below, meaning you don’t have to go stabbing at virtual buttons to change the cabin temperature. There’s also a small iDrive-style rotary controller on the console.

Related: VW ID. Cross Promises Big Looks At A Small Price

And if you don’t want to be overwhelmed by digital information, you simply flip your smartphone so it lies face-down on the wireless charging pad. Do that that and the displays switch to ‘calm status,’ only showing essential info.

That’s not the only way the ID. Cross’s designers have tried to create a relaxing environment. Ambient lighting, fabric-covered surfaces and the Vanilla Chai (read: beige) coloring used throughout the concept’s interior are designed to calm passengers by taking cues from Parisian haute couture and high-end furniture.

For fully horizontal relaxation time, the front and rear seats fold completely flat, meaning you could sleep in the back like you would in a classic VW Bus, albeit with a fair bit less wriggle room. To ensure maximum comfort the seat backrests are finished in a material Volkswagen likens to a comfortable yoga mat.

Powertrain and Range

The German automaker has already confirmed the availability of two battery options for the Polo, but is staying tightlipped about the Cross’s battery hardware, other than revealing it can deliver a 261-mile (420 km) WLTP electric range. A single motor mounted in the nose sends 208 hp (211 PS / 155 kW) to the front wheels, slightly less than the 223 hp (226 PS / 166 kW) mustered by the ID. Polo GTI, VW’s first ever GTI EV.

Related: Sales Collapse Forces VW To Slash Production Of Its Model Y Rival

Officially, the ID. Cross is just a concept, but next summer’s production SUV is going to be virtually identical. In fact, VW even makes a point of mentioning that the interior door handles, which you pull upwards, are production ready. And that should worry rival carmakers because we think VW has nailed this EV’s design in a way it totally failed to do with the ID.4 and ID.7.

US sales are yet to be confirmed, but the ID. Cross will cost from around £25k/€28k when it launches late in 2026 against electric crossovers like the Kia EV2, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Ford Puma Gen-E and Volvo EX30.

VW

US immigration authorities have detained at least 450 people in a raid at Hyundai’s new EV plant in Georgia. Atlanta’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed that it had apprehended hundreds of “unlawful aliens,” but South Korea has expressed concern over reports that 30 of the detained were its country’s nationals.

ATFA Atlanta said it had joined forces with various federal organizations including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to perform the operation on September 4. The search warrant executed cited allegations of “unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes,” the Department of Homeland Security said.

Related: A Simple Traffic Stop Can Now End With Deportation In Florida

“Today @ATFAtlanta joined HSI, FBI, DEA, ICE, GSP and other agencies in a major immigration enforcement operation at the Hyundai mega site battery plant in Bryan County, GA, leading to the apprehension of [around] 450 unlawful aliens, emphasizing our commitment to community safety,” ATFA Atlanta wrote on X.

A High-Profile Target

The raid took place at the $7.6 billion, 3,000-acre EV site opened by Hyundai close to Savannah last year. Agents were focused on the construction zone for the new battery plant that’s scheduled to open in 2026, and Hyundai claims the operation didn’t impact the neighboring EV plant, which currently produces the Ioniq 5 and 9.

Though US authorities haven’t released names or details of the 450 people it detained at the site, Korean media reports that 30 are Korean nationals, something that has alarmed the country’s lawmakers.

Diplomatic Tension

“The economic activities of Korean investment companies and the rights and interests of Korean citizens must not be unfairly infringed upon during US law enforcement operations,” a spokesperson for the country’s foreign ministry said in a statement. South Korea sent diplomats to the site, BBC News reports.

President Trump pledged to deport undocumented migrants in the run-up to his 2024 election victory, but he has also said he welcomed foreign companies to set up manufacturing businesses inside the US, as Hyundai has done.

Atlanta ATF/Hyundai

Today, @ATFAtlanta joined HSI, FBI, DEA, ICE, GSP and other agencies in a major immigration enforcement operation at the Hyundai mega site battery plant in Bryan County, GA, leading to the apprehension of ~450 unlawful aliens, emphasizing our commitment to community safety. #ATF pic.twitter.com/su6raLrLu6

— ATF Atlanta (@ATFAtlanta) September 4, 2025

Update: With only a day to go before its official debut in Munich, the first exterior photos of Mercedes’ new GLC EV, a direct rival to the newly revealed BMW iX3, have surfaced online through outlets like KindelAuto and Reddit.

More: Mercedes Is Quietly Pulling The Plug On Two Of Its Newest EVs

Mercedes had suggested it would move away from the soap-bar styling of the EQ series, but in these images, the change seems mostly apparent at the front. An in your-face grille outlined in bright chrome takes center stage, filled with 942 pixel-like dots. Its overall design takes inspiration from classic Benzes such as the W108 and the Pullman. Taken on its own, it’s an intriguing modern reinterpretation, though it feels at odds with the rest of the car.

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In contrast, the rest of the GLC EV’s exterior feels more evolutionary than revolutionary. The silhouette is sleeker and somewhat more dynamic, yet it still carries echoes of the EQE SUV without the star-studded lighting elements. For now, the photos give only a partial sense of direction, so we’ll hold final judgment until clearer images arrive.

Original story continues below.

Mercedes has already teased the new electric GLC’s boldest exterior feature, its retro-futuristic light-up grille. Now it’s giving us a look at its wowest interior detail, a next-generation MBUX Hyperscreen display that stretches the full width of the car.

Related: Mercedes Is Replacing Its Most Disappointing EV With Something Way More Serious

At first look, the new baguette-shaped dashboard looks very similar to the setup in the electric CLA sedan that was revealed in March. But the CLA’s display is actually three (including an optional passenger display) cleverly concealed under a single pane of glass to make it look like one display, as was the original Hyperscreen that debuted on the 2021 EQS.

A True Single Display

The GLC’s, however, is a true single display, and at 39.1 inches it’s the biggest Mercedes has ever fitted to a production car.

Mercedes claims the high resolution and 1,000 LEDs that make up the display’s backlight technology deliver “exceptional clarity and vivid color,” but says drivers don’t need to worry about the Times Square of dashboards distracting them on the move. Intelligent zone dimming allows areas of the display to become less prominent while preserving important info. A bit like Saab used to, but one million times more high tech.

Two wireless smartphone charging pads are housed inside the uppper portion of the console, separated from the screen by a pair of central air vents. And directly below the chargers is a small strip of hard keys, plus a volume dial whose twin is located on the right-hand steering wheel spoke.

Lighting With Purpose

Ambient lighting is nothing new, but on the GLC it doesn’t only change according to the “mood” selected, but also shifts to notify the driver of changes to the system. Nudge the climate control’s digital temperature button and both the main ambient lighting and vent illumination briefly switch color to confirm the change.

The GLC with EQ Technology makes its full debut at the Munich auto show (IAA Mobility 2025) on September 7. The first of the new GLCs to launch is the GLC 400 4Matic with EQ Technology, which can add around 162 miles (260 km) of electric range in just 10 minutes thanks to its ability to charge at over 320 kW.

Mercedes

A new piece of research has sparked lively debate about how best to treat an EV battery, especially for those hoping to maximize its lifespan. With replacement costs still high, it’s no surprise that owners want clear answers on whether gentle driving or spirited use is better for long-term health.

Also: Breakthrough EV Battery Patent Could Charge In Minutes And Cross A Continent

EV batteries are still hugely expensive to replace, even if prices have fallen, so it’s only natural that anyone in for the ownership long-haul would want to look after theirs by driving and charging carefully. But a recent study published in the scientific journal Nature led some to believe that getting stuck into the right pedal on a regular basis and enjoying an EV’s performance could extend battery life.

The study, ‘Dynamic cycling enhances battery lifetime,’ compared the kind of discharge profiles achieved by a constant-current cycle in lab conditions with dynamic charging and discharging profiles from real-world EV use. It found that batteries subjected to the supposedly more gentle constant-current tests aged more rapidly than the more realistic ones.

Interpreting the Science

But before you head off to absolutely beast your EV down the highway, feeling like you’ve just been told a daily diet of Big Macs and beer will ensure you live to 120, it’s worth hearing what the battery diagnostic specialists from Aviloo have to say on the matter.

Aviloo’s own field tests of 402 identical EVs found that driving enthusiastically was a sure-fire way to shorten a battery’s lifespan, Auto Motor und Sport reports. The reason is that driving hard increases energy consumption and that means more charging cycles, more battery stresses and accelerated aging.

“If you drive efficiently, you save around ten percent of energy in the life cycle,” Aviloo’s Nikolaus Mayerhofer told AMS. “This means that 100,000 km (62,000 miles) with economical driving roughly corresponds to the battery load of 110,000 km (68,000 miles) with an aggressive driving style.”

Practical Advice for Owners

Aviloo isn’t suggesting the authors of the dynamic charging study got it wrong, only that other people misinterpreted their results. Its advice for anyone looking to maximize their EV’s battery life is unchanged: drive efficiently, and unless really necessary don’t fast-charge, charge over 80 percent or leave a car with a ton of juice in it for long periods.

But if that all sounds like too much work or just plain boring, all is not lost. In a recent German study a VW ID.3 lost only 8 miles (13 km) of range after four years and 107,000 miles (172,000 km), despite almost always being charged to full and often being left parked up fully charged.

Sales of Audi EVs jumped by 32 percent in the first six months of 2025, even as the brand’s overall sales slid 5.9 percent, and leading the charge was the Q4 e-tron. Now the compact electric SUV is about to get a facelift that could help it grab a few more sales, including from market leader Tesla, whose global sales fell 14 percent in Q2.

Our spy photo crew already snapped the updated slope-tail Sportback version of the updated Q4 back in April, but this time they’ve captured the more practical standard version. The pair is identical from the B-pillars forward, but the regular e-tron spied here has a flatter roof and more upright rear window to improve rear passenger and luggage space at the expense of some visual drama.

Related: Audi Q4 E-Tron Glow Up Takes Aim At Tesla’s Model Y

Both are in line to deliver the same low-key visual improvements whose main elements are teaks to the lights, bumpers and grille. Audi has stopped short of giving the Q4 duo the split headlight arrangement used on their Q6 e-tron big brother, but it has transplanted the multi-segment DRL technology used on that car, the new A5 sedan and the A6 e-tron.

A new lower grille with a hexagonal mesh pattern replaces the grille made up of horizontal bars on today’s Q4, but the hood’s lack of disguise reveals there are no expensive changes to the sheetmetal. The Q4 also doesn’t get the A6’s flush door handles (the Q6 doesn’t have them either, though it’s Porsche Macan Electric cousin does).

One update we noticed on the Sportback prototype which is duplicated here is a bigger ADAS sensor at the top of the windshield. Unlike some other electric SUVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Q4 doesn’t currently offer a hands-off cruise control feature, though there’s no guarantee it’ll get it with the facelift.

What is guaranteed when the revised EV debuts later this year is an update to the infotainment system, which already features the ChatGPT-powered AI assistant that’s also been rolled out to other VW Group EVs like the Volkswagen Golf and ID.7. We’re also expecting some improvements to the electric driving range. The single-motor Q4 was boosted to 282 hp (286 PS/210 kW) in late 2023 and the dual-motor models have been able to charge at 175 kW since the same update.

But the most recent Q4 news focused on the addition of an entry-level Q4 35 e-tron (not available in the US) whose small 55 kWh battery can send you 221 miles (355 km) between charges, and a 40 e-tron with a 63 kWh battery that’s good for 263 miles (424 km).

Baldauf

The Mercedes G-Wagen (aka G-Wagon or G-Class) is a real if-my-numbers-came-up kind of daily for many of us. But even folks with lottery win-sized bank balances haven’t taken a shine to the new electric version, and thus Mercedes is making moves to get them moving.

A bulletin sent to dealers instructed retailers to offer incentives of up to $9,500 in August on the G580 with EQ technology. That’s $2,000 more than the $7,500 that was already on the table last month, and more than BYD charges for an entire Seagull EV in China. There are also deals to be had on the monthly G580 lease costs themselves in the form of promotional lease rates that bring the APR down to 4.3 percent.

Related: BMW Is Planning A Rugged G-Class Rival That May Kill The XM

CarsDirect suggests Mercedes is pushing out the deals to make hay before EV tax credits disappear in September, hoping to attract customers keen to secure a saving before the credits window closes. Although the G580 EQ wouldn’t qualify for the federal rebate (or the Mercedes incentive), if you were buying it outright, due to the combination of its high purchase price and foreign origin, those obstructions are removed if you lease it.

An almost five-figure discount would be game-changing on an ordinary car, but in this case we are talking about a $162,650 SUV. And more specifically, one that costs $13,000 more than the gas-powered G550 many people would prefer to drive, but unfortunately doesn’t qualify for the incentives. The $187,250 G63 AMG, the one almost everyone would – finances allowing – pick first, doesn’t qualify either.

The G580 EQ looks just as cool as a combustion G-Class and can do showboating tank turns, but it’s seriously compromised as an EV by its mammoth 6,800 lbs (3,085 kg) bulk and brick-like shape. Despite a huge 116 kWh battery, the 579 hp (588 PS / 432 kW) EQ has an EPA-rated range of only 239 miles (385 km), though reports claim a new battery coming in 2026 could add at least 100 miles (160 km) to that number.

However, if you can live with that drawback, have deep pockets, and don’t want to wait a year, now is a good time to jump in. CarsDirect says you can get into a G580 EQ for 36 months and 36,000 miles (58,000 km) for $1,869 per month, which works out at a true $2,275 once you’ve accounted for the $14,613 due at signing.

The big news from Ford the past week was the announcement of the $30k electric pickup arriving in 2027, an EV that’s just the first of many coming in the next five years. But its engineers say the really big story is how they ripped up the rulebook on building EVs to come up with a production process that will leave rivals, and especially newcomers in the industry, floundering in its wake.

“I don’t think many legacy car manufacturers could pull off a project like this,” said Doug Field, Ford’s Chief EV, Digital and Design Officer. “And I don’t believe new electric vehicle startups will be able to keep up with our Ford engineers and manufacturing teams making this a reality.”

Related: Mustang Mach-E Appears Unable To Stop Before Violent Crash In Viral Clip

Ford’s Universal Electric Vehicle Platform was conceived by a small skunkworks team headed by former Tesla engineer Alan Clarke, who worked in near secrecy in California with a bunch of brains recruited from inside and outside of the automaker’s ranks.

The architecture the team created broke from Ford tradition in key ways. One is the use of unicasting, where large one-piece aluminum castings replace multiple welded panels on a current Ford vehicle. This technology – also being used or developed by other brands, including Tesla and Toyota – allowed the team to eliminate three-quarters of the parts, two-thirds of the welds, and half of the fasteners versus a traditional pickup. Another big leap that saves both time and weight is the removal of almost a mile (1.6 km) of wiring versus an older of Blue Oval’s EV.

Ford

But equally important is how these new-generation EVs will be produced inside Ford plants. Henry Ford is credited with revolutionizing the car industry by introducing a moving production line that ramped up efficiency and drove down cost. Now, though, the company is moving away from the idea of a single production line to what it calls a production tree.

Instead of vehicles moving down one track, they’ll start off on three parallel lines, one building the front, one the rear and the other the structural battery core. When each sub-section is complete the three lines converge and the EV is finished off, having spent far less time in build than a conventional car. Ford says these combined efficiencies – the platform and the production process – will help it compete with Chinese automakers.

“The Model T was affordable not because it was a thrifted version of other cars, but because brilliant minds took fundamentally new approaches to old problems,” said Doug Field. “That’s exactly what we set out to do in creating the Ford Universal Electric Vehicle Platform.”

Ford says the 2027 mid-size electric truck will be as quick as an Ecoboost Mustang and as roomy as a Toyota RAV4. It also promised a five-year cost of ownership that will be “lower than buying a three-year-old Tesla Model Y.” Images shown at the pickup’s announcement revealed the same platform could be used to create a diverse range of other vehicles from a two-door panel van to a three row SUV.

Sales of Lucid’s Air sedan are growing, and its new, high-riding Gravity brother has met with rave reviews, so why are sales of the SUV so awful?

That’s a question you might ask after learning that a pathetic nine examples of the theoretically more on-trend EV in Lucid’s lineup were registered in the first six months of 2025. The figures, first reported by Auto News, come from S&P Global Mobility, whose data set also confirmed the Air logged 4,780 registrations in the same period.

Related: Lucid Prepares An SUV That’s Built For More Than The Highway

Lucid sedan sales were up 52 percent year-on-year, but far more people want to buy SUVs than traditional-shaped four-door cars these days, so the nine-unit Gravity tally was disappointing to say the least.

“The Gravity nails its mission,” wrote Car and Driver after testing the $96,550 utility, praising its speed, range, and cargo space. But since the ultimate mission of any automaker is to sell cars, S&P GM’s numbers suggested it hadn’t nailed, but failed, its mission.

Lucid Pushes Back

Unlike U.S. President Donald Trump did upon hearing less than favorable job statistics, Lucid didn’t have a meltdown and demand the head of S&P GM’s adder-upper. But it did claim to Auto News reporters that the nine-cars figure was wildly inaccurate. The real numbers are in the “multiple hundreds,” it said in an email to the website.

Lucid explained the huge disparity between the two numbers as resulting from a lag between the date on which vehicles are sold and the date on which they’re registered.

The Gravity entered production in December 2024, but 2025’s first quarter production was ringfenced for showroom models and demo drives. Customers didn’t begin to get their own SUVs until spring, and even then, the production ramp-up was happening slower than anticipated, interim CEO Marc Winterhoff told AN in June. The loss-making company also trimmed its 2025 production forecast.

More Trims, More Volume to Come

Currently, the Gravity is only available in GT trim with 828 hp (840 PS / 617 kW) and a 450-mile (724 km) EPA range, but a year from now, with SUV production in full swing, the numbers will look very different, and registrations should relegate the Air sedan to a side-man.

Less than a month from now, Mercedes CEO will reveal the company’s new GLC EV at the Munich IAA and tell the world how this fast, long-range SUV with the retro-futuristic illuminated Benz grille will drive the three-pointed star into the 2030s. But separately, Ola Källenius is calling for an urgent rethink on EU legislation that will force buyers and carmakers to go electric by the middle of that decade.

Related: EU May Quietly Ban Gas Rentals Starting In 2030

“We need to do a reality check,” Källenius told Germany’s Handelsblatt newspaper, referring to the EU rules that will effectively outlaw combustion-powered cars from 2035. “Otherwise, we’ll be driving full speed into the wall.”

Concerns over market readiness

Källenius is concerned that the European car market could collapse if lawmakers force EVs on buyers who aren’t ready for them. He believes customers will rush to buy the last remaining petrol and diesel cars in the years running up to the 2035 cut-off, and claims there are better ways to clean up the continent’s air without threatening entire nations’ economies.

“Of course, we have to decarbonize,” Källenius said, “but it has to be done in a technology-neutral way. We mustn’t lose sight of our economy. I wouldn’t set a specific date for the phase-out of combustion engine technology. An absolute target at a fixed time with draconian penalties won’t help.”

Incentives over bans

Instead, the 56-year-old German suggests more needs to be done to persuade buyers to make the shift of their own accord.

“Look at China. There, there’s no end date on this issue, no ban on any technology,” he told Handelsblatt. “Instead, low prices at charging stations and tax breaks provide strong incentives to buy all-electric cars. At the same time, however, unlike in Europe, various hybrid versions and combustion engines are permitted.”

Industry pushback grows

Källenius is pushing for a 2035 rethink not only as CEO of Mercedes, but in his new role as president of the European Automobile Industry Association (ACEA). And he’s not the only senior industry figure calling for the combustion ban to be overturned. Last year, BMW CEO Oliver Zipse declared the 2035 cutoff “unrealistic,” warning that it could increase European automaker reliance on Chinese batteries. 

Elon Musk’s long to-do list contains plenty of projects deemed more important than the long-awaited Roadster, which still has no firm ETA. But a British startup hopes to capitalize on that delay by launching its own Roadster EV, and it’s already snagged some high-level car industry execs to help make it happen.

Related: Former Tesla Execs Debut New Electric Roadster Named To Taunt Elon Musk

Former McLaren CEO, Mike Flewitt, ex-Lotus Europe CEO Dan Balmer, and Michael van der Sande, whose resume includes stints at Lucid Europe, JLR’s special projects division, and as head of Alpine, have all joined the advisory board of Longbow. The company was co-founded by engineer Daniel Davey, who brings experience from Lucid and Tesla.

Two cars, one platform

Longbow is working on two similar cars built around the company’s own aluminium EV architecture, the first of which is scheduled to start production in the UK in 2027. Called the Speedster, it’s a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive EV with no windshield, a target curb weight of an incredible 1,973 lbs (895 kg), and a promised zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 3.5 seconds.

Launching after the $110,000 Speedster is the related Roadster – and yes, that name is a deliberate dig at Tesla, whose own Roadster was originally mooted to carry a $250,000 price tag.

Costing just $84,000 if things go to plan, the removable-roof fastback is a tenth slower to 60 mph than the Speedster due to a 220 lbs (100 kg) weight penalty. Though even with the extra ballast, it still weighs less than a 15-year-old Lotus Elise, and half as much as most modern EVs.

“You have plans and you have ideas, but what you need to be able to do is sense check each of those with people who’ve done it before,” Davey told Autocar, explaining his rationale for bringing Flewitt, van der Sande, and Balmer on board.

Flewitt, who resisted calls for McLaren to produce an SUV and resigned abruptly in 2021, told the magazine he saw qualities in the Longbow cars that are no longer evident at other carmakers.

Veteran insight

“You look at [the Longbow] product, it’s a compact sports car; it’s built around driver engagement;  it’s a good size; It emphasises lightweight,” Flewitt said.

“These are all the characteristics which, frankly, I feel are starting to be lost in the industry. And to see somebody coming in with leading edge technology, but with those attributes at the forefront, is quite novel, and it really stood out to me.”

Longbow

Despite getting a facelift earlier this year, the formerly dominant Model Y has seen demand sagging, but Tesla has some tricks up its sleeve to help grab buyers’ attention. One is a Performance variant, something absent from the electric crossover’s lineup since the spring. Another is a basic entry-level trim. And then there’s this: the long-wheelbase Model Y L.

The L is already on sale in China and is due to make its European debut later this year. It gains around 6 inches (150 mm) of wheelbase over the 113.8 inches (2,890 mm) on the current Model Y that is used to add a third row of seats, most likely in a 2+2+2 configuration.

Related: This Could Be The Fastest Model Y Ever But Tesla Won’t Tell You

Although both US and European Model Ys were previously available with the option of a third row, it was pretty cramped as the wheelbase was the same and the feature wasn’t offered on the facelifted ‘Juniper’. Bringing a third row back, only this time with extra legroom, should improve the take-up rate and is vital in Europe, because the Model X was recently discontinued in the region.

The overall shape of the L is very similar to the stock Model Y’s, but the L’s stretch is evident in the shape of the rear door. On the SWB variant the wheelarch cuts a big chunk out of the door, but on the L the shutline is almost in front of the wheel. From the B pillar forward, however, the two Model Ys will be identical, both featuring the new LED light bar and slim headlights that arrived with the February facelift.

There’s another little L giveaway, though, one that you’ll spot even if you don’t get a look at the longer profile. And it’s a detail that looks like it ought to be fitted to the range-topping Model Y Performance that’s also due to launch later this year. Instead of a flat spoiler jutting out from below the rear window on the hatch, the L gets a ducktail spoiler worthy of an entry in a BMW tuner’s catalog.

Perhaps the L’s subtly different shape demands more stability at high speeds, not that it’s any speedier than the regular Model Y. In fact, due to a slight increase in curb weight it should, in theory, be fractionally slower than the dual-motor, AWD short-wheelbase model, which Tesla says can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.8 seconds.

SHProshots

Ford promised a Model T moment this week, and the news it just dropped is undeniably huge. The headline is that a new $30,000 compact electric truck is in development and will arrive in 2027. But the story is much bigger and involves an entire family of affordable EVs that will follow in the truck’s wake.

More: Ford Delays Big EV Truck Again But Something Smaller Is Coming And It Could Be Named Ranchero

But let’s deal with the pickup first. Ford says it’s a four-door midsize electric truck, meaning it will fit in the range below the existing F-150 Lightning. It’ll start production in Ford’s Louisville plant in Kentucky two years from now, and will cost $30,000 – and that’s an MSRP, not a with-tax-credits price, because credits are being axed this September. Ford says the price matches what the Model T cost a century ago, adjusted for inflation.

Quick Like a Mustang, Roomy Like a RAV4

If this is already starting to sound like bad news for startup Slate Auto and its back-to-basics Slate electric truck, things only get worse. Instead of around 8 seconds to 60 mph (97 km/h), Ford says its electric pickup – which could be badged Ranchero – will be as quick as an Ecoboost Mustang, suggesting 5-second-grade performance. It even claims the truck will have “more downforce” than the Mustang.

And Ford also promises the four-door cabin will have as much interior space as a Toyota RAV4 SUV, says it has a frunk to give a car-like cargo bay, and a lockable bed that can swallow surfboards and other outsize gear. 

A Platform with Range

The EV rides on a brand new flexible electric platform that will spawn a huge family of other EVs, some very different from the truck, judging by Ford’s presentation. One gif showing the different types of vehicles the platform could accommodate showed everything from two-seat vans to three-row SUVs.

Compared with a conventional platform, the new architecture has 20 percent fewer parts, 25 percent fewer fasteners, requires 40 percent fewer plant workstations, and reduces build time by 15 percent, Ford claims. It also suggests the resulting vehicle will cost less over five years of ownership than a Tesla Model Y does over three.

“The numbers tell the story” Farley said. “Take for instance the wiring harness in the new midsize truck; it will be more than 4,000 feet (1.3 kilometers) shorter and 10 kilograms lighter than the one used in our first-gen electric SUV.”

Ford plans to cut costs further by equipping the truck with lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. These packs are designed to be lighter and more compact, and they will double as part of the vehicle’s structure, forming the floor as well as the battery housing.

“We took inspiration from the Model T – the universal car that changed the world,” said Doug Field, Ford chief EV, digital and design officer. “We assembled a really brilliant collection of minds across Ford and unleashed them to find new solutions to old problems. We applied first‑principles engineering, pushing to the limits of physics to make it fun to drive and compete on affordability. Our new zonal electric architecture unlocks capabilities the industry has never seen. This isn’t a stripped‑down, old‑school vehicle.”

An Assembly Line Reinvented

The company will overhaul its manufacturing process with the Universal EV production system, replacing the traditional straight-line assembly with a branching “assembly tree.” In this setup, the front, rear, and structural battery pack are built on separate lines at the same time before being joined in final assembly.

Large single-piece aluminum castings reduce the number of parts, while pre-organized kits provide workers with all tools and components in the correct position, improving speed and ergonomics. According to Ford, the design “dramatically improves ergonomics for employees by reducing twisting, reaching and bending, allowing them to focus on the job at hand” .

Ford says the approach will make assembly of the midsize electric truck up to 40 percent faster than current Louisville-built vehicles, with part of that time reinvested in insourcing and automation to raise quality and lower costs. The net result is a 15 percent overall speed increase.

End Of The Road for Escape, Corsair

The arrival of Ford’s new generation of EVs at Louisville means the end of the road for the company’s Escape compact SUV as well as the Lincoln Corsair, both of which are currently assembled at the Kentucky plant.

Compared with their predecessors from a decade ago, today’s EVs go further, charge faster and have far more charging stations to choose from, but some would-be buyers still cite range anxiety as a reason for not going electric. And the results of a new study investigating the real range of EVs currently on sale suggests those fears are entirely justifiable.

The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) picked five EVs from a mix of brands as part of its government-funded four-year test designed to arm the nation’s car buyers with honest data. After subjecting each of the electric cars to a real-world driving route it found one of models delivered 23 percent less range than its maker claims.

Related: After 100K Miles, VW’s EV Barely Lost Range Thanks To One Trick

That car, the BYD Atto 3, only achieved 229 miles (369 km) before needing a recharge, representing a 69-mile (111 km) shortfall on the Chinese automaker’s 298-mile (480 km) official figure. Tesla’s Model 3 didn’t tell quite so big a lie, but it also failed to live up to its official range figures by a fairly large margin considering the tests weren’t carried out in the Arctic. The 274 miles (441 km) it achieved was 14 percent lower than Tesla’s 319-mile (513 km) claim.

Inconsistent Accuracy

But the big takeaway from the investigation isn’t that all EV range claims are wildly inaccurate. All five cars delivered fewer miles than advertized, and the BYD was wildly off. But one of the cars very nearly matched its official range, falling just 5 percent short, and it’s this difference across the brands, and cross models within the same brand, that’s the real problem for consumers.

If they knew that every car over-promised by 20 percent, it would be easier to make buying decisions than it is when you’ve no idea which brands to believe. It’s for this reason that these kind of independent tests are so useful for buyers looking at spending tens of thousands of dollars on a new car.

Standout Performer

The AAA’s test champ was the Smart #3, whose 268-mile (432 km) true range was only 14 miles (23 km) out. Kia’s EV6 and the Tesla Model Y also performed relatively well, each returning 8 percent less range than claimed.

AAA

Remember a couple of years back when Hyundai and Kia owners were scared to take their cars out of the garage due to the skyrocketing theft rates? Those owners sleep easier these days thanks to beefed up onboard security, and the insurance industry has a new least-favorite car. It’s the Camaro ZL1, which is a staggering 39 times more likely than the average car in the US to be stolen, according to a new study.

Related: How Hyundai And Kia Sparked America’s Largest Drop In Car Thefts In 40 Years

The supercharged Chevy muscle car tops the list of cars with the highest theft rates by a wide margin. It’s so bad it makes even the second-place Acura TLX – 21 times more likely to get stolen – seem as safe as houses in comparison.

And the ZL1 wasn’t the only Camaro on the list from the Highway Loss Data Institute. The regular Camaro placed third with a 13x theft rate, the study’s authors noting that models built after the arrival of a push-button starter in 2016 are particularly prone to disappearing.

Why Muscle Cars Attract Thieves

“Muscle cars have often topped this list, as thieves are attracted to vehicles with high horsepower,” said Matt Moore, chief insurance operations officer at HLDI. “That also helps explain why the more expensive, more powerful ZL1 is stolen so much more often than the standard Camaro.”

But if the hp count provided the motive, thieves’ ability to clone Camaro keys provided the means. GMC’s Sierra 2500 crew cab is the worst offending truck on the list (10x the average rate) and piles further shame on GM’s anti-theft tech, and after another appearance by an Acura TLX (2WD, 8x), it’s back to The General again for the GMC Sierra 3500 (7.4x) and Chevy Silverado 3500 (6.4x).

GM’s Dominance In The Rankings

GM dominates the top 20, in fact, with nine vehicles on the board, including the Cadillac Escalade (20th place, 2.6x). Stellantis has five, but European premium brands do relatively well, BMW, Mercedes and Land Rover only meriting one black mark each for the X7, S-Class and Range Rover.

Individual Hyundai and Kia models don’t figure anywhere on the list of 20 now that the Korean automakers have added electronic immobilizers. The theft claims were 52 percent lower for cars with the upgrade, though around 40 percent of owners still haven’t had the fix and the brands’ vehicles are still five times more likely to get stolen than the average car.

No One Wants To Steal EVs

At the other end of the scale, Teslas dominated the list of 20 cars with the lowest claim frequencies, with the Model 3 coming out top due to a claim frequency 1/100th of the average. And they weren’t the only electrified vehicles in attendance. In total there were eight EVs on the table and four hybrids, proving that thieves prefer traditional ICE-powered cars.

VEHICLES WITH HIGHEST THEFT CLAIMS

IIHS/HLDI

VEHICLES WITH HIGHEST THEFT CLAIMS

H/T to Road & Track

Mercedes-AMG teased its new electric GT earlier this summer with a four-door coupe concept that hid a 1,341 hp (1,360 PS / 1,000 kW) surprise under its bright orange skin. But its SUV take on the same recipe you see in these new scoop shots is sure to be an even bigger hit for the Affalterbach crew.

Related: You Won’t Recognize AMG’s Cars Two Years From Now

Development work on the unnamed, but very sporty utility has switched to the Nurburgring and our spy photo team was on hand to capture the electric SUV pounding the pavement of the 12.9-mile (20.8 km) track.

Testing on the Edge

Interestingly, the photo guys say AMG’s engineers sometimes enter and exit the circuit by some of the other barriers located around the long track, perhaps to avoid the gaze of cameras, or maybe to prevent anyone publishing unrepresentative lap times. But in this case, the two-row EV took in every one of the Ring’s dozens of curves.

Though still heavily disguised, the prototype gives away a shape that’s more crossover than traditional upright SUV. Think Lamborghini Urus or Ferrari Purosangue, rather than Rolls-Royce Cullinan or Bentley Bentayga. It has flush door handles, frameless door glass and a low ride height, though we expect drivers will be able to alter the amount of ground clearance by using a drive mode selector to tweak the air suspension settings.

SHProshots

Not visible in these images is the front end design, and though teaser images of the new GLC EV’s illuminated grille revealed last week clued us in to how Mercedes-branded cars will look in future, it’s likely AMG’s SUV will have a different styling.

The GT XX sedan concept had a new take on AMG’s Panamericana grille, where the outer frame was lit up, but the vertical grille bars and Mercedes star were not.

Performance and Launch

We do know the production version of the XX shares its AMG.EA platform with the SUV, as well as its Yasa axial flux motor tech. The SUV’s exact spec is still firmly under wraps, but we understand it could be offered in both two and three-motor configurations, and going by the XX’s numbers, the hottest could deliver 1,341 hp.

That compares with 715 hp (725 PS) for the 6.5-liter V12 Purosangue, and while there’ll be no comparison when it comes to noise, the AMG won’t be completely silent. It will have a synthesised soundtrack that could replicate the tune of an AMG V8 using speakers in its headlights, and you can expect simulated shifting, too. The SUV should debut in 2027, a year behind the sedan.

SHProshots

China’s government is done with watching the country’s car industry going at war with itself. Officials are concerned that the ongoing EV price war threatens the nation’s economic growth and is demanding automakers take action. And if they don’t take action, the government has plans to do it for them.

Related: The Company That Started The EV Price War Now Says It’s Gone Too Far

President Xi Jinping gave a couple of speeches recently in which he warned off the dangers of “involution,” where businesses invest ever larger sums of money and get less back. He was referring to the boom in multiple sectors, including AI and computing power, The Guardian reports, but one of the big villains Xi had in mind is the car industry.

Deep Discounts, Rising Concerns

Some car brands in China have cut prices to levels that look simply outrageous in the West. BYD’s Seagull subcompact EV costs as little as ¥55,800 ($7,800) in China, but the same car sold in Europe, where it’s called the Dolphin Surf, costs the equivalent of $26,000. Even allowing for the tariffs placed on Chinese cars being imported to Europe that’s a huge difference.

Though BYD seems profitable, as is Li Auto and Seres, most of the circa-50 Chinese EV brands are not making money and many are expected to disappear over the next few years. Electric car discounts across the industry averaged almost 17 percent in April, compared with just 8 percent during 2024.

The government has proposed an amendment to its pricing laws which could limit automakers’ abilities to set unnaturally low prices.

Factory Floors Sitting Idle

BYD was one of several automakers hauled over the coals last month in front of Chinese officials where they were cautioned about producing too many cars, according to The Guardian. Over-investment has led to overcapacity in the industry, with some automakers’ plants only running at 2 percent utilization or less, Bloomberg reported in June.

One option to prevent oversupply in the Chinese market without choking production is to to export more cars, something that is already happening. Chinese automakers currently sell 5.1 percent of the new vehicles registered in Europe.

Lead image BYD/Wikimedia Commons

Mercedes is breathing new life into what was once its cars’ most distinctive feature. The brand has dropped the first undisguised teaser image of its new GLC compact electric SUV, revealing its retro-futuristic illuminated grille.

More: Mercedes Is Replacing Its Most Disappointing EV With Something Way More Serious

Though EVs don’t have the same cooling requirements as combustion cars, the replacement for the EQC will have the most eye-catching grille of any Mercedes car when it is unveiled at the Munich IAA next month. The wide-set frame bucks current automotive fashion by going big on chrome, and also features a smoked glass-effect lattice structure between the bars.

A Familiar Shape Reinvented

But GLC buyers will have to pay extra to maximize the grille’s look-at-me potential. An optional illumination package adds 942 light-up dots, which are animated to bring the car to life as the driver approaches, and also illuminates the iconic three-pointed star and surrounding panel. 

Mercedes has taken flak for the boring soap-bar design of its slow-selling EQE and EQS electric cars, and the new grille design will help ensure the GLC is more memorable. But it sounds like the BMW iX3 and Porsche Macan Electric rival won’t be the only model to get this new lit front-end.

A Brand-Wide Shift in Design

According to Mercedes design chief Gordon Wagener, the grille marks more than just a facelift. “Our new iconic grille is not just a new front for the GLC, it redefines the face of our brand,” said Mercedes design boss, Gordon Wagener. “It is the perfect fusion of lasting design codes reinterpreted for the future, making our cars instantly recognizable.”

The change is part of a broader strategy. Autocar reports Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius as saying the brand’s reimagined grille would help Mercedes stand out “in current times, with 100-plus Chinese firms.”

Charging Ahead with GLC 400 4Matic

The first of the new GLCs to launch is the GLC 400 4Matic with EQ technology. Though exact specs are still under wraps we know it can add around 162 miles (260 km) of electric range in just 10 minutes thanks to its ability to charge at over 320 kW. Like all new GLCs it features 800-volt tech, and unlike the launch versions of the new CLA EV, will also be able to charge at 400-volt stations from the get-go.

Mercedes

Much has changed for Porsche since its 2022 stock market debut, and we’re not just talking about the share price, which has fallen to less than half of its peak value. Sales are down, too, and so is faith in the electric-focused future model plan Porsche had put in motion before the IPO. Now the company’s boss admits it was wrong to turn away from combustion power, and he’s taking steps to rectify the mistake.

Related: Porsche Could Announce A New Macan ICE As Soon As March

Maybe mistake is too harsh a word. Porsche created its EV-heavy product strategy, which included phasing out the combustion 718 twins and Macan in favor of electric versions, when all the market signals pointed to sustained growth in EV sales and the brand was flying high in China. It didn’t read the signals wrong, the signals themselves proved to be wrong.

After Sales Slump, Strategy Shift

“We continue to face significant challenges around the world,” CEO Oliver Blume conceded as Porsche announced half-year figures showing total sales were down 6 percent and profit had slumped by a scary 67 percent. “This is not a storm that will pass. The world is changing dramatically, and above all, differently than expected just a few years ago,” he added.

That’s not to say Porsche’s EVs have gone down like lead balloons. Taycan sales were strong until recently, and the new Macan Electric has been a big hit. More than a third of all Porsches sold in Europe are now fully electric, and half of buyers choosing a Macan, Porsche’s best selling model, go for the EV.

That gives the brand a bigger slice of the electric segment than some of its rivals, but the slower than expected growth in the EV market – particularly in the US, where growth appears to be stalling – means that segment is smaller than predicted.

Macan’s ICE Successor Coming By 2028

Part of Blume’s plan to steady the ship is to put more energy into traditional combustion models. “A more balanced drivetrain portfolio from 2028 onward will enhance market positioning and underpin sustainable long-term growth,” said Blume.

It’s not abandoning EVs by any means, but the Macan Electric is getting a previously unplanned ICE counterpart after all. When asked by an investor during the H1 2025 Earnings Call about the ICE Macan’s successor, Blume revealed that it will be introduced no later than 2028.

“It won’t be later than 2028. We’re developing a compact SUV with both ICE and hybrid versions,” said Blume. “And that’s what we said by the end of the decade, a global rollout in all markets. We are speeding up the process with very short development times and making a very, very typical Porsche for this segment and also differentiated from the BEV Macan. So we think, especially for the SUVs now, we’ll have a very flexible product lineup between Macan and Cayenne across all drivetrain options.”

One thing Blume didn’t clarify is whether the new combustion-powered compact SUV will retain the Macan name or debut under a new nameplate, potentially setting it apart from its electric sibling. That decision could signal how closely Porsche intends to align the two models, or how much distance it wants between them.

Furthermore, the Cayenne (pictured below) will be offered with a choice of electric and combustion engines and the electric K1 super-SUV due at the end of the decade could now also get an ICE option, Automobilwoche reports.

The 718 Boxster and Cayman – believed to be delayed until 2027 due to the collapse of battery supplier Northvolt – would seem even more deserving of an ICE option, but it’s unclear if that will happen.

Global Hurdles Beyond Powertrains

Making more combustion cars won’t help fix the sales disaster in China, where deliveries have fallen by 28 percent this year and are unlikely to fully recover, or deal with President Trump’s new 15 percent tariffs on Porsche cars coming to the US from Europe. Job cuts and price increases are helping to minimise the financial sting from those problems being felt at the Stuttgart HQ.

Apart from slightly higher prices, though, as far as Porsche buyers are concerned this upheaval, and the greater choice of powertrains and cars it will bring, can only be seen as good news.

Motorcycle brands are struggling with a 15 percent fall in global demand, and Harley is faring worse than most. CEO Jochen Zeitz just revealed an 18 percent drop in registrations for 2025, along with news of a bargain-priced Hoglet that might just turn that slide around.

Related: Harley Rider Hits Deer At Speed And Somehow Never Falls Off

It’s no secret that Harley has been working on more affordable models for a while – the cheapest of its current bikes in the US costs around $10,000, making it irrelevant to many younger buyers. The brand will reveal the first of its budget machines later this year, ahead of sales starting in 2026, Zeit confirmed on a recent earnings call, adding that it was targeting a price “below $6,000.”

A Familiar Name, Revived

Called the Sprint – a name used on budget Harleys designed to combat Honda’s offensive in the 1960s – the new bike is due to be presented to dealers in October, and will be joined next year by a companion cruiser-style model presumably built around the same basic components.

No technical details were revealed, but in keeping with its price and aim of attracting new riders, it will have a much smaller capacity than the brand’s current 975-cc and up machines.

“Inspired by our heritage and the spirit of the iconic Harley Davidson Sprint motorcycle, this new bike embodies boldness, irreverence and fun, capturing the rebellious energy that defines the Harley-Davidson experience,” Zeitz said.

“We believe this motorcycle will not only be highly accessible, but also profitable, marking a significant step forward in driving Harley-Davidson’s future profitable growth and opening up a new path in motorcycle segment for the company in future years for its key markets.”

Harley hasn’t revealed where the bike will be manufactured or by whom. It has already found huge success marketing a circa-$3,000, single-cylinder bike, the X440, in India, but this is engineered and built by local company Hero Motorcorp and is not available in Europe or the US.

LiveWire Looks to Go Smaller

Zeit also confirmed that Harley’s struggling LiveWire electric sub-brand will also target younger, cost-conscious buyers by putting into production a pair of mini motos it showed in concept form earlier this year. The bikes, one intended for trails, the other for road use, can reach 30 mph (50 km) in 3 seconds, top out at 53 mph (85 km/h), and have a 100-mile (160 km) range.

The move comes at a critical time for LiveWire, which sold just 88 electric bikes in the first half of 2025, a steep 68 percent decline. The brand posted a $38.4 million loss over the same period, underscoring the urgency of finding a more viable product-market fit.

LiveWire

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Update: With the Munich IAA show drawing closer, Skoda has released another shadowy teaser of its upcoming Vision O Wagon, this time offering a glimpse of the interior. The latest images reveal little more than the panoramic roof and a few 3D-printed details.

Skoda says the interior concept is designed to balance simplicity with practicality, combining clean lines and airy 3D-printed headrests with plant-based, compostable materials that help reduce the car’s environmental footprint.

“The interior design concept of the Vision O showcases our commitment to combining simplicity and sustainability with enhanced comfort,” said Oliver Stefani, Head of Skoda Design. “The combination of clean lines and intuitive functionality reflect our efforts to create a harmonious and functional interior. It features materials and design elements that are not only aesthetically an evolution of our Modern Solid design language but also emphasize environmental responsibility.”

The original story continues below.

It’s a great time to be a Skoda salesman. The Czech company’s registrations were up 13.6 percent in the first six months of 2025 due in no small part to the success of its electric SUVs, the Elroq and Enyaq. They’ll be joined this year by the smaller Epiq, but today Skoda reminded us that its big-selling sedans and wagons are also getting the EV treatment.

VW’s non-nonsense Czech brand is teasing the Vision O concept it will reveal in full at the Munich IAA in September. The ‘O’ tells us it previews the next-generation Octavia compact, which is due on sale before the end of the decade and features an EV drivetrain for the first time.

Related: Your Insane Appetite For SUVs Is Killing Skoda’s Dreams Of Fun Sports Cars, But There’s Hope

A single silhouetted image shows the unmistakable profile of a wagon, and one that looks sportier than anything Skoda has produced up until now. The windshield is swept back into a low roofline that drops slightly at the rear, where it’s met by a rear hatch angled to earn style and aero efficiency points, rather than luggage-carrying ones.

There’s a definite Audi feel to the design, which calls to mind the A6 e-tron Avant from sister company Audi, though the front and rear LED signature makes clear this is Skoda’s work. Skoda says the concept will show how the brand is developing its Modern Solid design language for the next generation of its cars.

Under the skin, the next Octavia isn’t twinned with the bigger A6 e-tron, which uses VW’s PPE platform, but the smaller VW ID.Golf that’s due to hit showrooms by 2029, around the same time as the Skoda. The Golf and Octavia EVs will ride on the Group’s SSP platform, and each gets 800-volt charging tech, but a longer wheelbase and overall length mean the Skoda will offer more interior and luggage space, and should cost slightly less. Owners have long argued that the Octavia is the best Golf.

Single and dual-motor powertrains will be on the menu when the production car hits the street in three to four years, but don’t expect it to render the current combustion Octavia obsolete immediately. The popularity of hybrid powertrains in Europe means the two models will likely overlap for some time.

The gallery below contains renderings Skoda released in 2023 when it first revealed plans for an electric Octavia.

Skoda