The Jaguar I-Pace was praised upon its release in 2018, even being named both the World Car of the Year and European Car of the Year in 2019. But that early momentum hasn’t aged well. Over the years, the I-Pace’s reputation has unraveled under the weight of battery-related problems, repeated recalls, and even a US buyback program.

Read: This Car Loses 73% Of Its Value After Just Five Years

Now, the I-Pace is back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Jaguar has issued yet another recall in the United States due to a serious battery defect, something that doesn’t bode well for its EV aspirations.

More Battery Trouble

This time, the culprit is thermal overload linked to a folded anode tab, which could cause a short circuit. Battery supplier LG has acknowledged there may be additional problems, though investigations are still ongoing.

Also: Jaguar I-Pace Owners Told To Park Outside After 3 Fires Involving Previously Recalled EVs

This latest recall impacts 2,278 I-Paces. Of these, 1,824 are 2020 models built from April 8, 2019, to January 8, 2020, while 454 are 2021 models assembled from March 9, 2020, to June 10, 2021.

According to Jaguar, none of the vehicles involved in this latest recall were taken off the road under prior recall campaigns, nor have their battery packs been replaced, as other I-Paces have.

What Owners Are Being Told

Jaguar is so concerned about the battery issue that it is urging owners to take immediate precautions. Vehicles should be parked outdoors and kept away from buildings. Additionally, owners are being told to charge their vehicles to no more than 90 percent and only when outside.

More: Jaguar I-Pace EV’s Tragic End, From World Car Of The Year To Scrapyard Junk

The issue appears to be persistent. Jaguar has revealed that several 2019 I-Pace models recalled in the past for fire risk were subjected to another recall in 2024. These cases prompted a deeper examination of the battery system, leading directly to the current action.

Impacted models will will receive updated software that limits the maximum state of charge to 90 percent while Jaguar continues work on a permanent fix. Dealers will be notified of the recall starting February 19, and owners should expect official communication from Jaguar no later than April 3.

Mazda has taken its time getting into the EV game, aside from the underwhelming and slow-selling MX-30. But now, it finally has a compelling electric sedan in the lineup in the form of the new 6e, which has just landed in the UK. There’s a bit of sticker shock, though, especially when you compare it to pricing in China, where it’s built and sold as the EZ-6 alongside the EZ-60 SUV.

A single electric powertrain setup will be offered for UK buyers, though shoppers can choose between two trim levels. The entry-level version, dubbed the Takumi, is priced at £38,995 (around $53,200 at today’s exchange rates), landing just shy of the €44,900 (US$53,400) starting price in Germany.

Read: Mazda’s Sportier 6e Sedan Launches With A Price Tag That Feels Like A Typo

On the surface,this pricing doesn’t seem too far off the mark. An entry-level Tesla Model 3 starts at £37,990 ($51,900) in the UK, and the Mazda wants to be positioned as a slightly more premium offering. Even so, the UK price tag looks far less compelling when held up against what customers in China are paying.

Twice The Price, Same Car

In the People’s Republic, where the 6e is built, the entry-level model starts at 159,800 yuan (£16,900 / $23,100), and the flagship model at 181,800 yuan (£19,300 / $26,300). By comparison, UK buyers are being asked to pay more than twice the price for the same vehicle. Specifically, 2.3 times more.

This discrepancy may come as a shock to many buyers, but it’s not without precedent, as it’s common for EVs built and sold in China to be far cheaper there than they are in overseas markets.

However, keep in mind that, that, unlike mainland Europe, the UK doesn’t impose specific tariffs on Chinese cars. There’s just the standard 10 percent import duty, plus a 20 percent VAT on all new vehicles, no matter where they’re made. That tax is included in the advertised price, unlike in the US.

Battery and Charging Basics

Both trim levels of the 6e sold in the UK come with a 78 kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery, offering a solid driving range of 348 miles (560 km) and the ability to charge from 10-80 percent in 24 minutes.

The 6e doesn’t promise to be a particularly spritely performer, however, as the rear-mounted electric motor is only good for 254 hp and 214 lb-ft (290 Nm) of torque, meaning the sedan needs 7.9 seconds to hit 62 mph (100 km/h).

The higher-end Takumi Plus starts at £39,995 ($54,600) and adds more upscale finishes, including tan Nappa leather, titanium-look accents, synthetic suede upholstery, and a panoramic glass roof.

Despite appearances, the Mazda6e isn’t a purely in-house creation from Hiroshima. It’s based on the Changan Deepal SL03 (also known as the L07), sharing its platform and much of its core engineering with the Chinese model.

Hyundai is recalling two of its newest electric models, the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9, in the United States due to a potential fire risk stemming from a battery defect. Both models are currently produced at the company’s plant in Georgia.

According to Hyundai, the issue involves the battery pack’s internal components and could increase the risk of electrical fire if not addressed. Specifically, a recall notice points to improperly tightened high-voltage busbars during assembly.

Read: Stop Sale Issued For Hyundai Ioniq 5 As Sonata Gas Tanks Risk Melting

If the retention bolts work loose over time, this could lead to electrical arcing within the battery pack, which in turn may trigger a fire. Hyundai also notes that these loose connections could disrupt voltage readings, pushing the vehicle into a fail-safe operating mode.

How Many Vehicles Are Affected?

The recall affects a very limited number of vehicles. Hyundai has identified 21 units of the Ioniq 5 from the 2025 to 2026 model years, built between January 24 and September 8, 2025. Additionally, just six Ioniq 9s produced from April 8 to September 12, 2025, are impacted.

The issue was first identified in November, when Mobis North America Electrified, Hyundai’s in-house battery supplier, discovered a battery system assembly unit that failed a quality test. The root cause was traced to under-torqued busbar bolts. By December, Hyundai had compiled a list of potentially affected VINs, and the recall decision followed in January.

Hyundai has confirmed that no related incidents have occurred in the field. So far, there have been no reports of crashes, fires, or injuries linked to the issue.

Starting April 6, Hyundai will notify both owners and dealers. The fix is straightforward. Dealers will inspect the busbar bolts in the battery system assembly and tighten them if necessary.

Honda, like many other automakers, is learning just how expensive missteps and overinvestment in the EV market can be. The Japanese company has already taken major write-offs tied to its electric vehicle efforts and now finds itself in damage control after multiple consecutive quarters of operating losses.

Read: Honda’s New Electric SUV Might Be Small But Its Global Ambitions Are Big

In the nine months ending December 31, Honda reported 267.1 billion yen (or $1.71 billion) in write-offs and expenses tied to its push into electric vehicles. While the financial impact hasn’t reached the same level as Ford’s EV setbacks, it remains a troubling sign for Honda’s strategy.

Losses Pile Up

Honda has shelved several upcoming EV models and recently logged its fourth straight quarter of operating losses. For the first three quarters of its fiscal year, those losses total 166.4 billion yen, or $1.07 billion. Industry outlet Auto News projects that the full-year impact could reach 700 billion yen, around $4.48 billion, all stemming from its EV ventures.

Speaking about Honda’s most recent financial results, executive vice president Noriya Kaihara acknowledged the firm needs “to conduct a fundamental review of our strategies to rebuild our competitive strength.”

GM Partnership Unwinds

Things will soon become even more costly. Honda is ending its close cooperation with General Motors on EVs, due in part to slow sales of the Acura ZDX and Honda Prologue, both of which use GM’s Ultium EV platform. It’s understood that Honda reduced the number of vehicles it purchased from GM, and compensated the carmaker.

Redrawing The EV Map

As recently as 2024, Honda said it aimed to sell up to 2 million EVs annually by 2030. However, it greatly overestimated the global popularity of EVs, which has undoubtedly been affected in part by the change in administration in the US just over twelve months ago. According to Kaihara, the company now plans to “significantly revise our future EV strategy” and expects to unveil an updated roadmap in the near future.

That said, Honda recently told us during a roundtable that the new electric Acura RSX and Honda 0 Series SUV are still on track for a launch later this year.

Central to this realignment will be a renewed emphasis on hybrid models. Honda aims to double its hybrid sales to 2.2 million units in 2020, signaling a clear pivot away from its earlier EV-heavy approach.

Ferrari unveiled the interior of its first-ever EV this week, the Luce, created in collaboration with Jony Ive, former Apple design chief and the creative force behind the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. It’s a retro-themed bonanza with plenty of physical buttons, switches, and toggles, representing a radical departure from the screen-focused and minimalist designs of most electric cars.

Read: Ferrari’s Luce EV Has A Glass Key And Buttons That Click Like A Rifle Bolt

The approach may seem counterintuitive at first, especially given Ive’s legacy at Apple, where he helped usher in the age of touchscreens. But the British-American designer’s reasoning is rooted in practicality rather than nostalgia. As it turns out, he never believed touch interfaces belonged in cars in the first place.

Touch Isn’t Always The Answer

“The reason we developed touch [for the iPhone] was that we were developing an idea to solve a problem,” he told Autocar. “The big idea was to develop a general-purpose interface that could be a calculator, could be a typewriter, could be a camera, rather than having physical buttons. I never would have used touch in a car [for the main controls].”

“It is something I would never have dreamed of doing because it requires you to look [away from the road],” Ive added. “So that’s just the wrong technology to be the primary interface.”

This isn’t to say the Ferrari Luce is completely devoid of screens. The gauge cluster features OLED panels from Samsung, designed to mimic the look of classic analog dials. The needle, though, is a physical piece made from anodised aluminium and backlit by 15 LEDs. In the center of the dash sits a touchscreen, angled slightly toward the driver.

Feel Your Way Around

Yet nearly every essential function, including climate controls, drive settings, even audio, can be adjusted through metal toggles or rotary knobs. Ive notes that “every single switch feels different, so you don’t need to look.”

When asked what sets the Luce’s screen apart from others, Ive said, “So much of what we did was so that you could use it intuitively, enjoy it and use it safely.”

In addition to real switches beneath the center touchscreen, the Luce features tactical dials and buttons on the steering wheel and center console, and even an airplane-inspired panel in the headliner. It looks like a welcome reprieve for the haptic controls of many recent Ferrari models, like the SF90.

“I think what happened was touch was seen almost like fashion,” Ivy explained. “It was the most current technology, so [companies thought] ‘we need a bit of touch’, then the next year ‘we’re going to have an even bigger one’, and it will get bigger and bigger.”

He added, “I think the way that we design [car interiors] isn’t that we’re trying to solve problems [like we did with the iPhone].” That, in his view, is where much of modern automotive UX design goes astray.

Chinese juggernaut BYD has expanded rapidly across global markets in a remarkably short time, positioning itself as one of the world’s largest car manufacturers. Yet despite its international reach, it has so far been unable to enter the world’s second-largest new car market: the United States. The main obstacle has been import tariffs, but BYD is now pushing back.

Eager to establish a foothold in the US market with its passenger vehicles, four BYD subsidiaries based in the United States have filed suit against the federal government.

Read: China’s EV Boom Is Cooling, And The Big Names Are Feeling It

The case, brought before the US Court of International Trade, challenges tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The plaintiffs include BYD America LLC, BYD Coach & Bus LLC, BYD Energy LLC, and BYD Motors LLC.

The lawsuit names not only the federal government but also officials from the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, the Office of the US Trade Representative, and the Treasury Department.

It argues that these agencies exceeded the authority granted to them under the IEEPA statute and contends that the resulting tariff orders are legally invalid.

Tariffs Under Fire

In addition, the lawsuit specifically challenges nine executive orders and amendments issued since February 2025, including tariffs at the borders with Mexico and Canada, as well as tariffs targeting China and related to fentanyl.

The Chinese car manufacturer is seeking permanent injunctions against these measures and wants refunds for all IEEPA tariffs collected, in addition to interest and reasonable litigation costs.

While it may sound like a long shot for BYD to try and get these tariffs overthrown, its efforts aren’t without precedent. The lawsuit cites the case of New York-based wine importer V.O.S. Selections, which successfully sued the US government over tariffs, arguing that the US President lacks authority to impose them, even under the IEEPA framework.

Already On American Soil

Though it may surprise many American consumers, BYD already maintains a manufacturing presence in the United States. Its 550,000 square-foot facility in Lancaster, California, produces hundreds of electric buses and employs roughly 500 workers.

Getting the tariffs thrown out wouldn’t just help this complex, but also open the door for BYD to sell cars in the United States, perhaps importing them from factories in Canada and Mexico.

Could This Open the Floodgates?

Sun Xiaohong, secretary-general of the automotive branch of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, told Global Times that “BYD’s move follows a growing trend of companies using legal channels to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.”

While the case still faces legal hurdles, Sun told the outlet that it could set an important precedent for other Chinese companies looking to assert their rights through formal channels. He also argues that letting automakers like BYD in could benefit US buyers by adding more affordable EV options to a market that’s only getting more competitive.

Subaru is preparing to expand its EV lineup with something larger and more family-focused. Soon, the company’s range will welcome a three-row electric SUV designed to compete with newer offerings in the segment. Like the compact Solterra before it, this won’t be a ground-up Subaru product but a rebadged version of Toyota’s upcoming all-electric three-row Highlander.

We’ve known about Subaru’s plans to have its own version of the latest Toyota for several years now. In fact, Toyota and Subaru confirmed in 2023 that both brands would receive the new model, anticipating that production would start in 2025. While that date has come and gone, Subaru of Americas chief operating officer Jeff Walters recently confirmed it’s still happening.

Read: Subaru’s New $35K SUV Breaks Years Of AWD Tradition

Speaking with Auto News, Walters said that Subaru’s version of the three-row EV is scheduled to arrive later this year. He added that the model is being targeted at two-car households with home charging capabilities. It will join the electric Solterra, as well as the similarly Toyota-derived Uncharted and Trailseeker, in Subaru’s growing U.S. EV portfolio.

2027 Toyota Highlander teaser.

Will Subaru Add Its Own Edge?

What we haven’t seen yet is how closely Subaru’s new entry will mirror Toyota’s new electric Highlander. Given past collaborations, it’s reasonable to expect minimal differentiation beyond some badging and minor design tweaks on the front and rear ends, along with unique side trimmings. Still, there’s a chance Subaru could roughen things up a bit, as it did with the Uncharted, which shares its bones with Toyota’s C-HR

Toyota’s new three-row electric SUV will look virtually identical to the bZ Large prototype previewed a few years ago, closely resembling the smaller Toyota bZ. This new model has been a long time coming and will give Toyota a legitimate rival to the electric Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9.

A Lexus Too?

There’s also a possibility Subaru won’t be the only one getting a version of Toyota’s latest EV. According to previous reports, Lexus is working on a premium variant as well. This model could go by the name TZ and serve as an electric counterpart to the gas-powered TX, further spreading Toyota’s electric SUV platform across its portfolio

Just a month after Chinese vacuum cleaner firm Dreame unveiled three high-performance EVs at the CES show in Las Vegas, it has previewed three additional models it plans to add to its fleet. These will be launched under the new Star Motor brand, existing alongside Dreame’s Nebula Next and Kosmera brands.

The first two models are the T08 and T08L. Both are striking off-roaders, with the T08L sharing much of its design with the T08 but is considered even more focused on off-road performance. There’s no denying the T08 models are striking, but their design isn’t unique. In fact, they almost look like direct copies of two other bold Chinese off-roaders.

Read: Chinese Brands Bring Not One, Not Two, But Three Bugatti-Style Super Sedans To CES

Those two models come from Dongfeng, where they are badged the M917 and M817. Dreame has quite clearly copied Dongfeng’s homework with the T08L, crafting bodywork that looks almost identical to the M917, as well as near-identical headlights. The T08 looks mostly the same but has slightly different headlights, apparently copied from the smaller M817.

The similarities between Star Motor’s T08 and Dongfeng’s M917 are particularly apparent from the sides. It has virtually identical squared-off fenders, the same exposed hinges on the front doors, and door panels that look exactly the same as the M917. The only unique element that Star Motor appears to have designed is a distinctive front bumper.

Star Motor hasn’t actually unveiled the T08 and T08L, and only previewed them with a couple of images at a recent company event. As such, we don’t know what kind of powertrains they will have, other than the fact that they will include rear-wheel steering that can turn the rear wheels by up to 24 degrees.

Rolls-Royce Fighter

Previewed alongside the T08 and T08L was the Star Motors D09 that looks to be positioned as the firm’s flagship luxury SUV, akin to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. It shares similarities with the Cullinan lookalike that Dreame previewed last year and could be the production version of that model.

The front of the D09 is dominated by a grille that makes even a Rolls-Royce grille seem small. It also has prominent LED daytime running lights up front, a LiDAR mounted on the roof, and a set of fancy-looking wheels.

Demand for electric cars in China may be cooling, and some of the country’s biggest automakers are starting to feel the chill. Several of the most prominent domestic brands, including BYD, Xpeng, and Xiaomi, reported noticeable drops in January sales.

Data shows that BYD sold 205,518 vehicles in China last month. The number sounds solid on its own, but it marks a sharp decline from the 300,538 vehicles the company moved in January 2025.

Read: A $9,500 Hatch Stole Tesla’s Best-Seller Crown In China

Both BYD’s electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids were affected. Of the 205,518 vehicles sold last month, 83,249 were EVs and 122,269 were PHEVs. A year earlier, those numbers stood at 125,377 and 171,069 respectively. Exports took a hit too, dropping to 100,482 units in January from 133,172 in December.

Is Government Policy Slowing Sales?

These figures suggest weakening demand in China and possibly overproduction for overseas markets, but a recent government policy change may go some way to explaining the drop. As of January 1, the country reinstated a 5 percent purchase tax for new energy vehicles, having previously exempted them from a 10 percent tax for more than a decade, CNBC reports.

“We see increasing pressure on China’s auto market in 2026, driven by a combination of policy and competitive factors,” Helen Liu, partner at Bain & Company, told CNBC. She added that recent tax changes may prompt some consumers to delay purchases, while automakers hold back on new model launches.

“We know [EV sales will] slow, we just don’t know by how much,” added Tu Le, founder of Sino Auto Insights. “We’ll know much better after the first quarter is over.”

Rough Starts And Reversals

Xiaomi also struggled out of the gate. It sold 39,000 cars in January, which was an improvement over the same time last year, but a steep drop from the more than 50,000 EVs delivered in December. Xpeng’s January was even rougher. Sales fell 34.1 percent year-on-year to 20,011 units, and the month-on-month drop was starker still at 46 percent compared to December 2025.

Li Auto’s performance dipped as well, with deliveries slipping to 27,668 units for the month.

Competitors Capitalize

However, it’s not all bad news. One of the few bright spots was Aito, a newer brand backed by Huawei’s operating system, which reported more than 40,000 deliveries in January, marking a gain of more than 80 percent compared to the same month last year.

Sales at Leapmotor rose to 32,059, while Nio also reported an increase to 27,182 units. Geely sold more than 270,000 cars in January, a 1 percent increase year-on-year. Interestingly, its EV sales fell by 15 percent, while its PHEV sales rose 37 percent.

That performance has pushed Geely into second place in the country’s EV market behind BYD, thanks in part to strong momentum from its Galaxy and Zeekr brands.

Will China Step In?

The slowdown has fueled speculation that Beijing may step in once again. If the slump continues into the first quarter, analysts believe the government could reinstate certain subsidies or incentives

Tesla has been hit with yet another lawsuit related to its electrically powered doors. Last week, the mother of a 20-year-old man who died following a collision in a 2021 Tesla Model Y filed a lawsuit against the automaker. The complaint was submitted to federal court in Massachusetts.

According to the filing, Samuel Tremblett was still alive after crashing his Model Y into a tree along Route 138 in Easton, a small town just south of Boston. He managed to dial 911 from inside the car, but a transcript of the call reveals he was unable to open the doors as fire began to engulf the car.

Trapped And Unable To Escape

“I’m stuck in a car crash,” Tremblett said on the call, no doubt in a frenzied state. “I can’t get out, please help me. I can’t breathe…It’s on fire…I’m going to die.”

Read: Families Claim Tesla Door Handles Trapped Teens In Burning Cybertruck

Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene, but they couldn’t extinguish the blaze fast enough to save the young man. According to local media, fire responders heard four explosions from the Model Y within the first 10 minutes at the scene. It took four hours before the inferno was put out.

The lawsuit states that Tremblett suffered “catastrophic thermal” injuries as well as smoke inhalation. His body was found in the back seat of the Model Y. According to the complaint, he was unable to open the doors after the crash and succumbed to the fire before help could reach him.

How Tesla Doors May Fail

The lawsuit claims that the electronic exterior door handles on the Tesla Model Y may fail to open during a crash, making it impossible to access the vehicle from outside. In addition, the suite says that the interior mechanical door release is not clearly marked and may be difficult to locate.

This is especially problematic in the rear, where the emergency release is hidden beneath a plastic panel in the door pocket. It’s a simple cable, and many Model Y owners and/or passengers may not even realize it’s there.

The lawsuit cites 17 incidents, going back to 2016, in which Tesla reportedly received complaints of both adults and children becoming trapped inside vehicles during thermal runaway events.

Growing Regulatory Pressure

A recent report from Bloomberg says that at least 15 people in the US have been killed in crashes involving Tesla vehicles where the doors couldn’t be opened. Concerns over the operation of these electronic door handles have recently prompted a ban in China, and it’s possible that other countries could follow suit.

In the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced in September that it is investigating potential defects in some Model Y vehicles. These cases involve incidents where the external door handles allegedly failed following collisions.

Meanwhile, a US lawmaker has proposed legislation that would require manual door releases in new vehicles and provide first responders with reliable access when power is lost.

Waymo chief safety officer Mauricio Peña fronted US lawmakers at a tense Senate hearing last week, where the self-driving tech company was accused of getting “in bed with China,” as it rolls out more of its robotaxis. The hearing also offered a reminder that beneath the polished image of AI, there’s still a reliance on human labor, often lower paid, sourced from abroad, and largely out of sight.

For years, the Google Alphabet-owned company has relied on the Jaguar I-Pace for its fleet, but Waymo is now preparing to roll out a next-generation, minivan-style robotaxi developed in partnership with Zeekr, a subsidiary of China’s Geely Group.

During the hearing, Peña told lawmakers that the United States is “locked in a race with Chinese companies for the future of autonomous vehicles.”

Read: Waymo’s Ready For One Of Europe’s Busiest Cities, But Is The City Ready?

He also warned that without a clear national framework, the industry could end up facing a fragmented patchwork of state regulations that slows investment and limits progress.

Lawmaker Questions Zeekr Partnership

Sen. Bernie Moreno from Ohio didn’t let the irony of Waymo using a Chinese vehicle for its fleet go unnoticed. “You said in your testimony that we’re locked in a race with China, but it seems like you’re getting in bed with China,” he retorted during the hearing.

“Giving a natural market to a Chinese company to ship us cars is making us better and creating more jobs for Americans? That’s completely ridiculous,” Moreno added.

According to Business Insider, Moreno went on to suggest that Waymo could be sidestepping US laws designed to curb Chinese involvement in sensitive vehicle technologies. He speculated that the company might be using a “backdoor” to avoid complying with the federal connected vehicle rule, which was finalized last year but has not yet been fully implemented.

Peña rejected that characterization. He maintained that the Zeekr vehicles have “no connectivity” and that all of the autonomous systems are installed in the United States. He also argued that leveraging a global supply chain gives Waymo the flexibility to grow faster and build in operational safeguards.

Overseas Operators Raise Flags

Still, the issue of oversight didn’t stop at the hardware. During the hearing, Waymo revealed that in addition to using remote operators in the US, it also has some working overseas.

When asked for a breakdown of operator locations, Peña said he didn’t have exact figures but confirmed that while some are based in the US, others are much farther away, including in the Philippines, Futurism reports.

“They provide guidance,” he argued. “They do not remotely drive the vehicles. Waymo asks for guidance in certain situations and gets an input, but the Waymo vehicle is always in charge of the dynamic driving tasks, so that is just one additional input.”

According to Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, “having people overseas influencing American vehicles is a safety issue,” adding that these are the jobs that Americans should have. He called the use of remote human operators outside the US “completely unacceptable,” according to Business Insider.

In a statement to Carscoops, Waymo emphasized that no remote employees drive the vehicles.

“Waymo’s fleet response teams are located in the U.S. and abroad. As we scale globally – including to London and Tokyo – we need some Fleet Response functions outside of the U.S. It is very important to note, however, their role is never to drive the vehicle remotely. Our technology, the Waymo Driver, is in control of the dynamic driving task, even when it is receiving guidance from remote assistance”, the spokesperson said.

Tesla Joins the Conversation

The vice president of vehicle engineering at Tesla, Lars Moravy, was also in attendance at the Senate hearing. He said that the US needs to “modernize regulations that inhibit the industry’s ability to innovate,” or risk losing the autonomous vehicle race.

“Federal regulations for vehicles have not kept up with the pace of the rapid evolution of technology,” Moravy said. He added that many safety standards still in place were designed decades ago and no longer account for today’s technical realities.

Update: We’ve added quotes from Mauricio Peña and a statement from Waymo.

Mercedes-AMG isn’t just refining its performance playbook, it’s rewriting it with a two-pronged strategy. On one end, the brand is leaning back into larger displacement engines, bringing more inline-six and V8 models into the fold. At the same time, it’s investing heavily in electrification, with three bespoke EVs slated for release in the coming years.

The first of these will be the all-electric AMG GT four-door, previewed last year by the radical AMG GT XX concept. That model will be followed by a high-powered electric SUV that’s expected to produce more than 1,000 hp. A coupe version of this SUV is already in the pipeline as well, and Mercedes-AMG has said it should break cover by late 2027.

Read: First Look At Mercedes-AMG’s 1,000 HP Electric SUV Flagship

Mercedes-AMG chief executive Michael Schiebe confirmed the news during a recent interview with Autocar. While he didn’t share specific technical details about the coupe SUV, it’s a fair assumption that it will closely mirror the standard SUV beneath the surface, just with a more streamlined roofline.

More Dramatic Looks?

SHProshots

Interestingly, recent spy shots of the regular all-electric SUV from AMG show that it already has quite a low-slung shape, not too dissimilar to a Lamborghini Urus, rather than a more upright SUV like a Bentley Bentayga.

If AMG makes it even more coupe-like, it could end up looking just as dramatic in profile as the Ferrari Purosangue, not that you’d hear us complaining if that is the case.

It’s not the design of the SUV-coupe that will be the key selling point. As with the standard SUV, as well as the GT four-door, AMG’s third dedicated EV will be based on the bespoke AMG. EA architecture using trip Yasa axial flux motors.

Insane Levels Of Power

Both two- and three-motor versions are expected, with the range-topping potentially producing as much as 1,341 hp, or one Megawatt of power. This will allow it to leave more traditional combustion-powered super SUVs for dead, and could make it one of the quickest on the market.

Whether either of the two SUVs or the GT four-door can match the driving enjoyment of AMG’s more traditional V8s remains to be seen. In an effort to make them a little more exciting, AMG will add fake ICE soundtracks to its electric models, as well as simulated shifts like those pioneered by Hyundai’s N division.

Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door EV

Electric car startups are everywhere these days, but most struggle to move beyond the hype. Zeekr is one of the rare exceptions. In just five years, Geely Group’s premium EV-focused brand has already rolled out a handful of genuinely impressive models and is making real progress with its battery tech.

Review: The 2026 Ioniq 9 Calligraphy’s Biggest Threat Is Another Hyundai

Initially, Zeekr’s models were sold only in China, but the company has since expanded quickly abroad. First came the smaller X, a compact SUV that shares its tech with the Volvo EX30 and Smart #1. Most recently, Zeekr launched the 7X in Australia. It’s been pitched as a Tesla Model Y rival, but can it really measure up to the world’s most popular EV?

QUICK FACTS

After spending time living with the flagship 7X Performance AWD, we came away convinced. It doesn’t just keep up with Tesla’s best, it beats it in several areas, and in some cases, rivals EVs that cost two or even three times more. In short, it’s well worth your attention.

How Much Does It Cost?

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

Three different versions of the 7X are available. The range starts at AU$57,900 (equal to US$40,400 at current exchange rates) for the RWD, undercutting a Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive by AU$1,000 (US$700). Sitting in the middle of the 7X family is the Long Range RWD, priced at AU$63,900 (US$44,500), or AU$5,000 (US$3,500) less than the Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive.

Perched at the top of the line-up is the Performance AWD, starting at AU$72,900 (US$50,800), making it comparatively cheap compared to the AU$89,400 (US$62,300) Model Y Performance All-Wheel Drive.

So, what do you get for your money? The 7X Performance AWD uses a 100 kWh NMC battery and has electric motors at the front and rear, combining to produce a monstrous 475 kW (637 hp) and 710 Nm (524 lb-ft) of torque. Thanks to its advanced 800-volt architecture, it supports DC charging at up to 420 kW and AC charging at 22 kW.

What’s It Like Inside?

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

It’s also a certifiable tech-fest, and this is no more obvious than in the cabin. Unlike Tesla and some competitors like Xpeng, Zeekr hasn’t adopted the same ultra-minimalistic approach that appeals to some but, to us, is usually an exercise in penny-pinching.

After pressing a button on the B-pillar to open the driver’s door, I was immediately struck by the remarkable fit and finish of the 7X’s cabin. Not only does it feel more premium and way more interesting than a Model Y, but it also feels of a higher standard than cars from legacy rivals like Kia’s EV5, and even BMW and Audi. In fact, the 7X’s cabin feels almost as plush as the Lotus Eletre I tested last year, which also comes from Geely but costs three times as much.

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

A 16-inch infotainment display sits in the center of the dashboard and is brilliant. It’s among the snappiest I’ve ever used, thanks to the high-end Qualcomm processor, and is an absolute joy to use.

Review: New Zeekr X Got Me Questioning My Feelings For Volvo

Like so many other EVs, it has a smartphone-inspired setup with a swipe-down menu for shortcuts and notifications, as well as an in-depth settings menu. You don’t have to wait even a split second for the screen to load after sitting inside, and if your phone’s connected, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto will load instantaneously.

All the climate control settings are on the screen, and while auto scribes like ourselves often complain about this, it didn’t bother me in the 7X, as it’s easy to use, even on the move. However, I found it could take up to 5 minutes for the AC to start blasting really cold air on hot days.

What Else Makes The Cabin Stand Out?

The 13-inch digital instrument cluster and 36-inch head-up display are also superb, although the cluster offers very little scope for customization, which is a shame.

Zeekr’s designers and engineers were incredibly thoughtful when crafting the 7X’s cabin. There are beautiful knurled metal switches below the screen, metal speaker grilles on the pillars and door panels, and beautiful soft-touch materials across virtually every square-inch of the cabin, even along the lower parts of the door panels.

Elsewhere, there are hidden pockets on the door’s armrests, two 50-watt cooled wireless charging pads, and a gargantuan center console storage area. There are plenty of luxurious features too, including heated and ventilated seats, as well as massage functions for the front pews, which are among the best I’ve ever used. In the rear, there are even electronic sunshades that deploy at the press of a button, and hidden storage draws under the seats.

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

The 7X Long Range RWD and Performance AWD also include a 21-speaker audio system that’s incredibly adjustable and of great quality, although it didn’t sound quite as crisp as I would have liked. Zeekr has also added a panoramic glass roof, and unlike some rivals, it includes a folding shade. There’s even an interior camera on the B-pillar, which displays a live video to the infotainment screen, allowing drivers to keep a watchful eye on their kids at any time.

What About The Trick Doors?

Then there are the doors. As mentioned, they’re electric. From inside, you touch a button, and they will open, using sensors to determine if there’s an object nearby, automatically adjusting how far they’ll open. When entering, the doors can be pulled shut manually or by pressing the same button. The driver can even close the doors by stepping on the brake, just like a Rolls-Royce.

For the most part, these doors work well, although there were occasions when they didn’t open as wide as they could have, even if there was nothing blocking them. Fortunately, the electric functions can be disabled, and they can be used like manual doors.

The 7X also has adaptive Magic Carpet air suspension with Zeekr’s Continuous Damping Control system and five different ride heights, including one where it looks slammed to the ground, and one where it sits high enough for off-roading.

Visibility is good, though the rear window view is very limited. Given how much tech is found inside the 7X, it’s perhaps surprising that there isn’t a digital rearview mirror, similar to what sister brand Polestar uses. Storage space is great with 539 liters (19 cubic-feet) of cargo space, and 1,978 liters (69.8 cubic-feet) with the rear seats folded down. There’s also a 42-liter (1.4 cubic foot) frunk.

How Does It Drive?

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

With a serious amount of power, it’s no surprise that the 7X Performance AWD feels absolutely ferocious in a straight line. Zeekr says it needs just 3.8 seconds to hit 100 km/h, (62 mph) and that’s a figure we were able to match. There’s no need to worry about the acceleration being capped as the battery drains either, as it’ll still run sub-4.0 second times even below 30 percent state of charge.

The ‘Performance’ name could easily lead you to think this is a focused, razor-sharp model like a BMW M or an Audi RS, but that’s not the case. Let me explain.

SUVs, particularly heavy electric ones that place too much emphasis on dynamic handling, often have compromised levels of comfort. Some owners may be willing to live with this for an occasional blast along a mountain road, but for the vast, vast majority of driving scenarios, luxury EVs like the 7X need to feel polished and comfortable. That’s exactly the feeling Zeekr has achieved.

If you throw the 7X aggressively into turns, it offers immense levels of grip, but can feel a little unsettled. Additionally, the front seats offer very little bolstering, so you can slide around while behind the wheel. However, drive it at 80 percent of its capabilities, or below, and it feels just about perfect.

First is the ride. The adaptive suspension offers Comfort, Standard, and Sport options. The first is very supple, but perhaps is a little too floaty. For most of my time with the 7X, I drove it with the ride in Standard mode, finding it remained soft over speed bumps, without bouncing around unnecessarily. Even in the stiffer Sport mode, it feels softer than some other heavy electric SUVs, like the Kia EV5.  

The steering also offers Comfort, Standard, and Sport settings. Regardless of which is selected, the steering remains sharp, even though it lacks communication like virtually all electronic steering systems on the market. Much to my surprise, I left it in Comfort most of the time, enjoying how light and direct the steering was.

Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops

Zeekr has also done a superb job of calibrating the brakes, and they feel completely natural, as if there isn’t any regen going on, even though there is. Of course, there is also a one-pedal driving mode, perfect for use in town. However, the one-pedal mode isn’t nearly as strong as some rivals, so unless you lift off the throttle far in advance before a stop, you’ll still need to gently apply the brakes. That’s no drama, as even when driven spiritedly, the big orange calipers feel up to the task.

Review: The Kia EV5 Makes More Sense Than A Tesla Model Y

Whereas the RWD and Long Range RWD models have 19-inch wheels, the Performance AWD sits on larger 21-inch forged units wrapped in Continental EcoContact7 tires. Grip is good, although there’s quite a bit of tire noise at highway speeds. We suspect the 19-inch wheels are quieter.

Is Zeekr’s ADAS As Polished As The Rest?

Zeekr’s ADAS system is also a good one. It’s enabled just like Autopilot on a Tesla, offering good radar cruise control functionality, as well as active lane centering. During multiple long highway stints, it always kept me in the center of my lane and even includes an automatic lane-change function that worked faultlessly.

However, there was also one time when the entire ADAS system was disabled as I hit a bump while crossing onto a bridge. But, for the most part, it works well.

Interestingly, Australian models use a Mobileye software stack for their ADAS, where in other markets there’s an Nvidia system instead. This system is also included in the recently updated 7X launched in China, which features a 900-volt platform, and it is expected to come to Australia next year. According to some reports, the Nvidia system is even better, but we will have to wait and see.

How Far Can It Go?

Zeekr says the 7X Performance AWD can travel up to 543 km (337 miles) on a single charge and quotes power consumption of 19.9 kWh/100 km. During my time with it, I averaged 21.8 kWh/100 km with an even mix of urban and highway driving.

That’s not great, but it is better than the 22.4 kWh/100 km I averaged in the Audi SQ6 e-tron, even though it has 95 kW (127 hp) less grunt than the Zeekr. Those seeking better efficiency would be wise to opt for either the RWD or Long Range RWD models with driving ranges of 480 km (298 miles) and 615 km (382 miles).

What’s The Verdict?

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

The Zeekr 7X is superb in almost all areas. Its cabin is a key highlight: not only does it feel way more premium than a Tesla, but it also feels nicer than the excellent BYD Sealion 7, and many other German EVs, for that matter. Vehicles like the 7X have shattered the illusion that you need to buy something from a premium legacy brand, and to pay a hefty price, to get a high-quality vehicle.

While I haven’t had the chance to drive the RWD and Long Range RWD versions, I suspect that these will suit most buyers more than the Performance AWD. Regardless, all three have been competitively priced, offer amazing features, and once again prove that when it comes to EVs, the Chinese do it better than most.

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

A big reveal is just around the corner for Toyota, and it’s shaping up to be one of the brand’s most important new models of the year. Teased earlier this week and set to debut on February 10, the automaker is about to introduce a new three-row SUV, and there’s a strong chance it will be fully electric.

We’ve speculated that this new model could step in as a successor to the aging Highlander SUV, though it’s unclear whether Toyota will stick with that name, adapt it to something like “bZ Highlander,” or go in a different direction altogether.

Read: Toyota Teaser Confirms Three-Row SUV That May Replace The Highlander

This model has been a long time coming. Toyota first offered a glimpse of its planned seven-seat SUV back in late 2021, referring to it then as the bZ Large Concept. The latest teasers strongly suggest the production version is finally here, giving us a much clearer idea of what to expect.

Design Echoes the bZ Family

Illustrations Nikita Chuyko/Kolesa

As shown in these renderings, created by Nikita Chuyko for Kolesa and based on the original concept, the new SUV appears to follow the same design language as Toyota’s existing bZ models. The front end features headlights reminiscent of the original bZ, formerly known as the bZ4X, along with a blacked-out lower grille and prominent vertical air curtains.

The side profile isn’t particularly striking, but these renders do show the new SUV with very thin A-, B-, and C-pillars, just like the original concept. This should greatly improve visibility and help give the cabin a light, airy feel.

It has also been designed with both pop-out and traditional door handles. If Toyota is thinking ahead, it’ll stick with them, especially since China has now banned retractable versions and other countries could soon follow.

Illustrations Nikita Chuyko/Kolesa

These renderings also depict the new model with standard wing mirrors and rear-facing cameras in place of the mirrors. Given that no other Toyota has digital wing mirrors, we’d be surprised if this one does, but it’s not beyond the realm of possibility.

At the back, the design includes a full-width LED light bar connecting two taillight units, echoing styling trends across the industry.

Inside the Three-Row Cabin

After previewing the exterior, Toyota followed up with an interior teaser confirming the vehicle’s three-row layout. In the version shown, it appears to adopt either a 2+2+3 or 2+2+2 configuration with second-row captain’s chairs. Still, Toyota may offer an option with a bench seat in the second row, potentially increasing total capacity by one.

Front and center on the dash is a wide, horizontally oriented touchscreen perched above a row of physical buttons, possibly for climate control, volume, and other secondary functions. The driver has a separate, large digital gauge cluster. Second-row passengers, meanwhile, have access to their own climate controls housed within a dedicated center console.

Other visible elements include ambient lighting integrated into the door panels and a panoramic glass roof that appears to extend at least to the second row.

Toyota is expected to sell this new model in several different markets, with a particular focus on the US, where it will be sold alongside the current ICE Grand Highlander.

While official confirmation is still pending, this vehicle is believed to be the electric three-row SUV that Toyota has already announced for production at its Kentucky facility, powered by batteries sourced from North Carolina. As for timing, it’s rumored to launch sometime later this year.

Illustrations Carscoops / Thanos Pappas

Karma Automotive, which emerged from the remnants of Fisker Automotive, recently ended production of its range-extender Revero and is now turning its attention to a far more ambitious project. In late 2023, the American brand previewed the Kaveya, a hypercar-rivaling electric coupe, and to bring it to life, it’s teaming up with a local solid-state battery manufacturer.

That partner is Factorial, a solid-state battery company with close ties to several global OEMs, including Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia, and Stellantis. Its technology will form the foundation of Karma’s upcoming electric platform, which will debut in the Kaveya.

Read: Karma Is Moving On Up, Sets Sights On McLaren And Ferrari

Technical specifications for the battery pack are not yet known, but Factorial’s proprietary FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) solid-state design is engineered for compatibility with current lithium-ion manufacturing lines.

Up to 80 percent of the same production equipment can be reused, which could dramatically cut costs and speed up deployment. For a low-volume manufacturer like Karma, that’s a critical advantage.

Waiting Until the Tech Could Catch Up

Karma president and chief executive Marques McCammon says Karma delayed the launch of the Kaveya last year as it “did not yet see a clear path to fully delivering the uncompromising driving experience that should be expected from an American ultra-luxury vehicle company.”

Thanks to its partnership with Factorial, the company’s solid-state battery will offer better efficiency and a longer driving range compared with traditional lithium-ion batteries. When the Kaveya was first previewed, it was going to use a 120 kWh pack with over 250 miles (402 km) of range. In all likelihood, the new solid-state pack will be smaller and offer more range.

“Launching our first U.S. passenger-vehicle program with Karma is a meaningful milestone for Factorial,” said CEO Siyu Huang. “FEST was built to scale, and this milestone not only highlights the energy and performance solid-state technology can deliver but also underscores the global leadership of U.S. technology innovators. High-performance luxury vehicles require cutting-edge innovation, and this collaboration showcases what’s possible when performance leads.”

Hypercar Performance

Karma has already outlined some of the performance targets for the Kaveya. Dual electric motors will combine for a total output of 1,180 hp and 1,270 lb-ft (1,720 Nm) of torque. That should be enough to get the car from zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) in under 3 seconds, with a projected top speed north of 180 mph (290 km/h)

Could the second-generation Tesla Roadster finally be on the verge of actually hitting the market? Well, if history is any guide, don’t hold your breath. It’s been more than eight years since it first showed up as a concept, but two recent trademark applications suggest things might actually be moving, and that the car could, just maybe, be inching closer to something.

Earlier this week, Tesla submitted two trademark filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, as first spotted by Business Insider. The first features three sharp lines that outline the sleek silhouette of the two-door, all-electric supercar. It could be used in marketing or possibly even serve as the foundation for a new badge.

Read: Tesla Chief Swears We’ll See A Demo Of The Roadster This Year

The second application depicts the ‘Roadster’ name in all-caps. It uses a custom font that’s slanted and has a sci-fi vibe, perfect for a vehicle like this.

Since its initial reveal in November 2017, details on the production Roadster have been scarce. Tesla originally promised a massive 200 kWh battery pack, claiming over 620 miles (1,000 km) of range per charge. Performance targets were just as ambitious, including a 0–60 mph (96 km/h) time of 1.9 seconds and a top speed north of 250 mph (402 km/h).

The electric car industry has advanced significantly since the Roadster was first previewed, so we expect it to reach the market with different performance and range figures. A 200 kWh pack, which would be extraordinarily heavy, seems unlikely, particularly given how much more energy-dense and efficient battery packs are now.

Last October, Tesla chief designer Franz von Holzhausen said Tesla would demo the new car before the end of 2025. That deadline came and went without anyone outside of the company seeing the new car in the flesh. He also said production would start within two years, but as with every promise made about the Roadster over the past decade, we’re taking that with a grain of salt.

Not long after updating the 2026 A5 and Q5 models for the US market, Audi has applied a similar round of changes to its electric offerings, the A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron. Set to arrive in the second quarter as 2027 models, both come equipped with upgraded tech and features.

One of the most noticeable changes lies directly in front of the driver. Audi’s latest steering wheels come fitted with piano-black haptic-style buttons that work either by touch or swipe. They’re difficult to use and should probably be replaced altogether.

Read: Audi’s 2026 A5 And Q5 Fix One Of Its Most Annoying Interior Decisions

Audi hasn’t walked away from the design entirely, but at least it has scaled things back in the 2027MYs. Some of the more finicky haptic controls have been replaced with physical scroll wheels. The one on the right adjusts volume, while the left now controls gauge cluster menus and settings.

2027 Audi A6 e-tron

What Else is New?

As with the updated A5 and Q5, the electric A6 and Q6 models can be optioned with a dashcam through the Premium trim package, while the Premium Plus models include one as standard. The 4K dashcam is mounted at the base of the rear-view mirror and can be configured to automatically save recordings when triggered.

Audi has also added a new Technology package that includes an augmented-reality head-up display and a dedicated display for the front passenger. The infotainment system gets a few upgrades of its own. Navigation has been made more intuitive, and smartphone integration is smoother than before.

Similarly, the virtual cockpit has been tweaked with different displays and now has fewer icons. Regardless of the viewing mode selected, dedicated time and outside temperature displays will appear in the upper-right corner. Of more importance is the fact that a driver’s smartphone navigation, media, and telephone functions can be displayed directly onto the gauge cluster.

2027 Audi A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron

For the 2027 A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron models, Audi has also improved its voice control function, meaning it can now be used to operate things like the adaptive cruise control and air suspension. The central and passenger displays can now also be paired with controllers, making them even better for in-car gaming.

Driving Improvements

In terms of driving, Audi has improved the regenerative braking function to include a one-pedal mode. The S6 Sportback e-tron has also been updated to include a new Dynamic Plus driving mode that allows for controlled oversteer.

Three versions of the 2027 Audi A6 will be available. The standard 375 hp e-tron starts at $66,700, followed by the 456 hp e-tron quattro at $68,700. At the top sits the 543 hp S6 Sportback e-tron, priced at $79,600.

The Q6 e-tron comes in four versions. The base e-tron SUV quattro and e-tron Sportback quattro each produce 456 hp, with pricing starting at $64,500 and $68,300, respectively. Above those sit the SQ6 e-tron SUV at $73,200 and the SQ6 Sportback at $75,600.

2027 Audi Q6 e-tron

GM’s BrightDrop electric vans may not be done just yet. After nearly four months of uncertainty, an unexpected lifeline may be taking shape. GM had announced it would end production of the vans at its Ontario plant in Canada, effectively shutting down one of its more high-profile EV ventures. Now, a European engineering firm has reportedly shown interest in buying the facility and restarting production.

The company in question is Dumarey Group, a Belgium-based engineering and manufacturing firm. In 2020, Dumarey acquired GM’s propulsion engineering center in Turin, Italy, and now appears poised to deepen its relationship with the American automaker.

Read: GM And Stellantis Got The Cash, Now Canada Wants A Refund

According to a recent report, the group aims to build BrightDrop vans in Canada, then ship them across the Atlantic to European markets.

Limited details about the potential deal are known, but GM Authority reports the firm’s chief executive and founder, Guido Dumarey, plans to tour the Ingersoll plant soon.

A Fragile Hope for CAMI Employees

This could be great news for workers at the plant, many of whom have been facing an uncertain future since GM announced it would stop production. However, a significant number of the laid-off employees remain on GM’s callback list in case production resumes on a new vehicle at the CAMI facility. That means Dumarey would likely need to negotiate with GM to bring those workers on board.

Speaking with CTV News, Brendan Sweeney, managing director of a London-based non-profit agency, said Dumarey could be a good fit. However, he suspects it may only need a few hundred workers to handle production, meaning it’s unlikely the plant will return to the 3,000-strong workforce it had when it was building the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain.

“[Dumarey are] diversified,” Sweeney said. “They engage with a number of different technologies, including fuel cells, which is a really interesting play for Canada that, you know, might get a bit more gain more steam.”

The CAMI assembly plant began producing BrightDrop electric vans in 2022. Despite GM’s hopes, the program struggled to maintain momentum. Even after BrightDrop was folded into Chevrolet to bolster visibility and sales, the vans failed to establish a solid foothold in the EV delivery space.

BMW learned a hard lesson in 2022 when it tried to charge a subscription fee for heated seats, prompting swift and widespread backlash. While the company walked that decision back within a year, it’s still firmly committed to the broader idea of subscription-based features.

In the case of the all-new iX3, BMW will ask its customers to subscribe to features such as the 360-degree camera and the Driving Assistant Pro package, which includes hands-free driving on highways and semi-autonomous features for urban settings, much like Tesla’s approach with its own systems nowadays.

Read: BMW iX3 M Coming As A Quad Motor Performance EV

This comes even as BMW concedes that offering heated seats as a subscription option was a mistake, and the fact that all new iX3s will have the hardware for advanced-driving assistance systems and the 360-degree camera.

Other features, such as real-time traffic updates and adaptive suspension, are also sold as subscriptions depending on the market. In Australia, adaptive suspension can be activated after purchase for A$29 (US$20) per month, with a one-month free trial to get drivers acquainted.

Why BMW Still Believes in Subscriptions

“The criticism we got was from the seat heating, so this was probably not the best way to start with it,” BMW head of product communications Alexandra Landers told Australia’s Drive. “However, we decided for the technology, everything is on board, but for the additional other systems, we also have costs for running. You have cloud use, and that is cost.”

“If you use it, we have to pay for it. It’s not everything important [to every customer], but the technology is important [to have in all vehicles], and we still believe in the option offer structure that you do not have to decide from the start if you want this ADAS [safety] system.”

Landers added that having subscriptions can be useful for owners who may change their mind about having a certain feature during their ownership. “For example, if they’re sitting in a traffic jam, and think ‘Oh, maybe I should have bought [ADAS] two years ago’. And then they can, you know, add it online.”

BMW will tie downloadable over-the-air software updates to its subscriptions. For example, as ADAS systems are improved, updates could be introduced to paying subscribers.

Some features, however, will reach certain regions before others. BMW confirmed that semi-autonomous driving functions will first roll out in Germany before expanding to other markets.

Performance Stays Unlocked

That said, BMW has ruled out certain types of paid upgrades entirely. Customers won’t be able to unlock more power or battery range through remote updates, as the automaker believes base vehicles should deliver full performance from the start.

“Because this is the thing we say, you buy a car with maximum power, and we are not a tuner. You just felt that 345 kilowatt (463hp), so why restrict it and then have [customers] pay [more] for it? That didn’t make sense for us as an offer strategy.”

Will Buyers Push Back?

It remains to be seen how customers will respond to the subscription offerings for the latest BMW models, particularly the new iX3. While locking the advanced semi-autonomous driving system behind a paywall isn’t unique in the industry, as Tesla does with its supervised Full-Self Driving suite, requiring a subscription for features like a 360-degree camera, is bound to be controversial.

A dissatisfied Rolls-Royce buyer in Texas has filed a lawsuit against the automaker, claiming her 2025 Spectre Black Badge failed just four months after delivery due to an serious battery defect. With the brand planning additional EVs, including an electric sedan and SUV, the legal dispute is a headache it’d rather not have to deal with.

Read: Spectre Black Badge Is The Most Powerful Rolls-Royce Ever Created

The complaint, filed against Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America and authorized dealer Avondale Dealership, alleges that plaintiff Marci M. Donovitz paid $546,385 for a bespoke Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge in early 2025. She took delivery on June 23, 2025.

Buyer Says Car Failed in Four Months

Things soon turned sour. According to the filing, the vehicle “experienced a sudden and serious malfunction” in October, just months after delivery. The plaintiff claims the EV would “soon become inoperable” and sent it to the dealer for inspection.

The dealership reportedly informed her by text that parts had been ordered, but were on backorder with no estimated delivery date.

Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge

After 40 days with no progress, Donovitz retained legal counsel and sent a letter to Rolls-Royce requesting that it repurchase the vehicle and issue a refund. The company declined. As of February, the lawsuit states, the Spectre remains in the possession of Avondale Dealership and has not been repaired. The filing refers to the luxury EV as a “lemon.”

Also: California Court Strips Lemon Law Protections For Used Cars Under Warranty

It further claims the vehicle suffers from a “serious battery defect rendering it unsafe and undrivable.” It’s also claimed that Rolls-Royce and the dealer have failed to diagnose or repair the vehicle within a reasonable timeframe, and they’ve retained the car even as it depreciates.

Resale Value in Question

The complaint additionally alleges that Rolls-Royce was aware of reliability concerns and declining secondary-market performance related to the Spectre but failed to disclose this information to the plaintiff at or before the time of sale.

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Donovitz is seeking economic damages, including a full repurchase or rescission of the sale, damages for loss of use and enjoyment, diminished value, incidental and consequential losses, pre- and post-judgment interest, and attorney’s fees and legal costs associated with pursuing the case.