Land Rover is not only working on a smaller Defender, but it is also dusting off the Freelander badge for something altogether more targeted. This time, the name returns on an all-new, rugged SUV built specifically for China, and if these spy shot-based renderings are on the money, it will not be shy about looking the part.

The project is being handled by the Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture, better known as CJLR. Underneath, the new Freelander will sit on Chery’s existing T1X platform, which already underpins various Jaecoo, Omoda, and Chery SUVs. In plain terms, that means lower development costs and a much quicker route to market. Reinventing the wheel is expensive. Borrowing one from the parts bin is not.

Read: The Freelander’s Back As Its Own Brand And It’s Launching Soon

Interestingly, Land Rover won’t simply revive the Freelander name for a single model. Instead, it is spinning the name into its own sub-brand, with the potential to spawn several models over time. The first of these SUVs has been spied testing under heavy camouflage, leading to these detailed renderings from Nikita Chuyko for Kolesa.

Does It Pass The Land Rover Test?

Based on recent spy shots, the first Freelander looks reassuringly boxy, exactly what you would expect from something wearing a Land Rover badge. Up front, it appears to feature slim headlights with simple DRLs, flanked by blacked-out split grilles and capped off with a hood that carries a noticeable bulge.

Similarities could also be shared with the larger Defender, particularly with the smooth profile of the side doors and the blacked-out roof and pillars. Like the previous Freelander, this new model features angled C-pillars painted in the same shade as the lower body.

The rear styling may prove more divisive. The renderings show small taillights mounted just above the bumper, which gives the back end a slightly awkward stance. Here’s hoping the lights of the eventual production model are positioned a little higher on the fascia. If not, it risks drifting into the same visual territory that has drawn mixed reactions for the current Hyundai Santa Fe.

Technical details about the new Freelander have not been confirmed, but it’s expected to be offered in both battery-electric and EREV guises. Production will be handled by the CJLR plant in Changshu.

Spy Shots: Chery-JLR Freelander SUV for China

Freelander is a new brand under Chery-JLR. The Chinese name is 神行者 (Shén Xíngzhě). Freelander will manufacture various SUVs based on Chery platforms.

The spy shots show a boxy off-road-style SUV during winter tests in Northern… pic.twitter.com/IduwHRG5vw

— Tycho de Feijter (@TychodeFeijter) February 1, 2026

Once thought to be permanently axed in favor of the Puma subcompact crossover, it appears the Ford Fiesta is poised for an electrified resurrection. The Blue Oval has turned to its strategic partnership with Renault Group to develop two affordable electric cars for Europe based on the French automaker’s AmpR Small platform.

Future Cars: Mercedes’ Smallest SUV Points To A Different Kind Of Compact Future

While the Fiesta EV has yet to be officially confirmed, intel suggests it’s all systems go. So we’ve pulled together everything we know so far, along with what to reasonably expect, including an exclusive illustration previewing how Ford’s smallest electric hatch might look in production form.

Fresh Look, Familiar Proportions

The basis for my render is the Renault R5, which is evident in its bite-size dimensions, short overhangs, and upright windscreen. Upfront, it adopts a clean, closed-off nose typical of most EVs with a smooth panel framed by a gloss-black moustache motif. Slim headlights with tri-DRLs sit high on the fascia, while subtle air intakes below aid cooling without adding visual clutter.

Read: Ford Quietly Ends Focus Production After 27 Years Without Even Saying Goodbye

In profile, it’s defined by a gently rising beltline, blacked-out a-pillars, and curvaceous surfacing inspired by Ford’s radical ‘Start’ that debuted in 2010. Out back, it appears wider due to a contrasting horizontal line that connects the taillights and the lower bumper, which sports a centrally located vertical fog lamp.

A Smart Interior

Inside, the Fiesta is expected to be a tech-laden affair, owing much of its electronic hardware to its French-supplied architecture. Sure, it’ll feature Ford-specific fonts and graphics, but underneath the dual 10-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen, it’s a Google-based Renault operating system with over-the-air update capabilities.

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

Material quality should improve, with soft-touch surfaces and recycled fabrics replacing the budget plastics of past Fiestas. The dedicated EV platform should also help liberate cabin space, with overall dimensions expected to closely shadow those of the Renault 5.

The electric French hatch measures 3,922 mm (154.4 inches) in length, 1,774 mm (69.8 inches) in width and 1,498 mm (59.0 inches) in height, with a wheelbase of 2,540 mm (100.0 inches). Sharing the same underpinnings, the Fiesta EV should sit in virtually the same size class, even if Ford gives it its own visual character.

Renault Platform

Based on the Renault group’s 400-volt AmpR-Small architecture, Ford Europe engineers will work their magic on ride and handling. It will likely have a multi-arm rear suspension and a low-mounted battery for comfort and taut body control.

Watts Over EcoBoost

Before the axe fell, the last Fiesta had a cracking wee 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine. Sadly, the three-pot thrum will be replaced by a front-drive, single-motor electric setup. It’s not all bad, though, with outputs projected to be in the 120-150 hp (88–110kW) range. We’d expect a spicier ‘ST’ variant to come later with up to 210 hp.

Also: Farley Says Ford Couldn’t Compete With Toyota And Hyundai, So It Stopped Trying

Expect 40 kWh and 52 kWh NMC battery options, with a range up to 248 miles (400km) on the WLTP cycle. Using the R5 as a reference, DC fast charging will max out at 101 kW, and it is expected to have vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-grid capabilities.

Rivals And Reveal

Competition will be fierce. Likely rivals include the Peugeot e-208, Opel Corsa-E, Cupra Raval, Kia EV2, Renault 5 E-Tech and Volkswagen ID.Polo. More about the Fiesta EV is expected to surface in the next 12 months, with a potential reveal likely to be late next year or early 2028.

Could it be offered outside Europe? It’s possible. But given the current tariff landscape, the Fiesta’s small footprint, and America’s cooling appetite for EVs following the end of the federal tax credit last year, a US launch feels highly unlikely.

Would you like to see the Fiesta reborn as an affordable EV? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Ford has lifted the lid a little further on its so-called “Universal Electric Vehicle” project, the one tasked with delivering a brand-new $30,000 electric midsize truck in 2027. The tech breakdown in the 14-minute teaser packs plenty of stuff, but it is the design sketches that really grab your attention, offering the first glimpse of what this thing might look like in the metal.

From those early drawings, which also align with the ghost images seen so far, the truck appears slippery and futuristic. Think of it as a softer, more rounded take on the larger Tesla Cybertruck, minus the origami and unpolished edges, not to mention with a far more reasonable entry price. Up front, there are slim vertical LEDs, an illuminated Ford badge, and horizontal intakes carved into the bumper.

More: The One Car Ford Refuses To Build Is One Dealers Want The Most

The windshield stretches deep into the hood and flows into an integrated roof spoiler at the rear. Despite the futuristic surfacing, this is still (likely) a Ranger-sized pickup with a traditional dual-cab layout. Practicality has not been shown the door.

Ford

Low Drag Is Key

Unsurprisingly, the aerodynamics team had a heavy hand in shaping this truck, with former F1 experts brought in to chase every last fraction of efficiency. The mission was simple: slash drag hard enough that smaller batteries could deliver the required range, keeping production costs in check.

More: Ford Says Every Millimeter Of Roof Saves $1.30 On Its New $30K EV Truck

The curved roof reportedly reduces the turbulence typically created by a pickup bed. The side mirrors are 20 percent smaller than standard items, adding 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of range, while specially designed underbody panels contribute another 4.5 miles (7.2 km).

In total, Ford estimates these measures deliver 50 miles (80 km) of additional range compared to a similarly sized truck with a more conventional shape. That is not a rounding error.

Lower Production Costs

Aerodynamics are only half the story. Ford has also focused heavily on reducing manufacturing complexity. The company will use large aluminum unicastings, broadly similar in principle to Tesla’s gigacasting method. Structural components drop from 146 pieces in today’s Ford Maverick to just two, and overall weight is said to be 27 percent lower than rival offerings.

More: Next Ford And GM Pickups May Swap Mechanical Linkages For Lines Of Code

Fewer parts and fewer joints mean fewer robots on the line, which Ford claims results in “measurable gains” in both build quality and production efficiency.

it also appears that Ford engineers have borrowed lessons from reverse-engineering Chinese and Tesla EVs. The new truck’s wiring is 4,000 feet (1.2 km) shorter than that of the Mustang Mach-E crossover, trimming 22 pounds (10 kg). It will run prismatic lithium iron-phosphate (LFP) battery cells and a separate 48V system for auxiliary functions.

More: Ford Could Bring Back Sedans After Realizing It Can’t Afford Not To

The skunkworks team behind Ford’s next generation of EVs is led by former Tesla executive Alan Clarke, bringing 12 years of experience from the rival automaker.

As for the name, Ford is staying quiet. A recent patent filing hints at a possible return of the Ranchero badge, though nothing is confirmed. The affordable pickup is due in 2027 and will be followed by additional affordable EVs, with a sedan reportedly on the wish list.

Shortly after pulling the covers off the electric GLC EQ last year, Mercedes-Benz slipped out a shadowy teaser of the upcoming all-electric C-Class. It was the sort of image designed to spark arguments rather than answer questions. Now, a new batch of renderings based on that teaser gives us a clearer sense of where the compact executive EV could be headed.

Front and center sits the talking point. The C-Class EV’s grille looks set to grow rather than shrink, ignoring the recent retreat from oversized snouts at BMW and Audi. Instead, Mercedes appears ready to make it the visual anchor of the car, in much the same way Rolls-Royce leans on its Pantheon grille.

Read: Mercedes Previews C-Class EV With A Face That’s Bound To Start Fights

These renderings from Kolesa show how the grille should come standard with a thick silver or chrome-finished bezel, three horizontal slats, and hundreds of little LEDs.

Flanking it is a fresh headlight design, complete with the now-familiar star-shaped daytime running light signature seen on other new Mercedes models. All told, the lights, plus the grille, give the new sedan a very intriguing look, although we wouldn’t exactly call it elegant.

We have not had this officially confirmed, but some reports suggest the electric C-Class could adopt a liftback layout, much like the new Audi A5. If that proves accurate, expect a cleaner, more tapered rear than the combustion-powered version. The renderings show slim LED taillights set within a gloss-black panel that spans the full width of the car.

MB.EA Underpinnings And 800-Volt Charging

Just like the GLC EQ, the new C-Class EV will be based on the MB.EA architecture and come standard with a 94 kWh battery pack and an 800-volt electrical architecture, supporting 330 kW charging speeds. Mercedes has confirmed it will offer a driving range of up to 497 miles (800 km), easily eclipsing the 443 miles (713 km) offered up by the GLC EQ.

The first version could wear a C400 badge, pairing dual electric motors for a combined 483 hp. That should be enough for 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in under five seconds, which is brisk by any sensible definition.

Naturally, AMG versions are on the way too. One prototype has already been spotted testing on large 21-inch wheels with carbon-ceramic brakes.

Mercedes’ new C-Class teaser and camouflaged prototypes spotted by our spies.

As for the cabin, details remain under wraps. Mercedes could simply transplant the 39.1-inch seamless MBUX Hyperscreen from the GLC EQ, turning the dashboard into one continuous slab of illuminated glass. Alternatively, it may opt for the newer Superscreen layout featured in the latest CLA, pairing a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14-inch central infotainment display and a matching 14-inch passenger screen.

The new C-Class EQ is expected to debut before the end of this year, with a global launch slated for early 2027.

Illustrations Kolesa

The next chapter in BMW’s electric transition is beginning to come into focus as a new i3 edges closer to the market. It brings technology closely aligned with the second-generation iX3, now packaged in sedan form. With pre-series production now underway and official images of a camouflaged prototype already released, new renderings have begun to fill in the remaining blanks.

Read: New i3 And 3-Series Reveal BMW’s Most Striking Split Yet

Much of the i3’s design will be inspired by the Vision Neue Klasse concept unveiled in 2023. However, whereas the subsequent Vision Neue Klasse X ended up looking almost identical to the new iX3, it appears BMW has calmed some of the sedan concept’s most dramatic elements, and the production model should look better.

While the concept featured large illuminated kidney grilles flowing into the LED headlights, recent spy shots and renderings indicate the production model might adopt smaller and slimmer units, better suited to a sedan of this size.

More: The 2027 BMW M5 Facelift Might Skip The Drama, But Not The Debate

These renderings by Nikita Chuyko for Kolesa also show the new electric sedan with a sharper lower front bumper and gloss-black accents. Along the sides, it departs noticeably from the current 3-Series, with split shoulder lines and flush door handles that give the bodywork a cleaner, more contemporary look.

Some uncertainty still surrounds the taillight design. Recent prototypes indicate they will be much smaller than those on the Vision Neue Klasse concept and, in these renderings, they resemble scaled-down versions of the old 2-Series Gran Coupe units.

What About The Interior?

Inside, the change may feel even more dramatic than the exterior. Anyone climbing out of a current 3-Series should brace for a clear break from the more traditional cockpit BMW has refined over the years. If you are coming from the iX3, however, none of this will feel particularly shocking. The i3, along with the next combustion-powered 3-Series, will mirror BMW’s first production Neue Klasse model, down to a dashboard layout.

Also: BMW iX3 Has A 360 Camera, But You’ll Pay Monthly To Use It

Front and center will be BMW’s new ‘Panoramic iDrive’ concept, paired with the brand’s latest software. The conventional instrument cluster is gone, replaced by key information projected across the base of the windscreen, while a large touchscreen sits on the center console.

Shared Underpinnings

Beneath the surface, the i3 rides on the same Neue Klasse EV platform as the new iX3. For anyone concerned that it might fully replace the 3-Series, there is no need. The combustion-powered 3-Series is being updated separately, continuing on a revised version of BMW’s CLAR architecture.

The i3 is expected to launch with BMW’s sixth-generation electric motors and battery technology, along with an 800-volt electrical system shared with the iX3. Early reports suggest one of the first variants will be the i3 50 xDrive, potentially producing around 463 hp, placing it within reach of today’s BMW M3. A less powerful rear-wheel drive model is also planned, along with a flagship electric iM3 featuring four motors.

That high-performance version has been tipped to deliver as much as 1,000 hp, and could even feature a synthesized V10-style soundtrack.

The Toyota Corolla, the best-selling nameplate in automotive history, is gearing up for a major evolution for its 13th generation. This next iteration of the compact is expected to merge a more futuristic design with a broad range of powertrain options, including hybrid and, for the first time, fully electric. If all goes according to plan, this will be the most ambitious overhaul in the model’s six-decade run.

More: You Won’t Be Seeing These Stretched 2026 Corollas Over Here

Toyota offered a taste of that future with the radical concept unveiled at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. While visually striking, the concept’s design leaned heavily into the avant-garde, raising doubts about how much of it would survive into production.

Is This What It’ll Really Look Like?

In response, digital artist Theophilus Chin stepped in with speculative renderings that balance the bold with the believable. His vision softens the extremes, wrapping forward-thinking design in a more grounded four-door sedan shape.

Theottle

The illustrations are actually based on the Lexus IS, implementing elements from the Toyota Crown Sedan before adding the signature styling features of the Corolla concept.

At the front, the design retains the hammerhead-style headlights introduced on the concept, now joined by additional daytime running lights integrated into the bumper. Below that sits a slim air intake, nestled under a full-width LED bar.

More: We Think We Know What Toyota Teased, And It Could Carry A Familiar Name

According to Toyota’s own designers, combustion-powered variants would require certain functional tweaks. This likely explains some of the more pragmatic adjustments in Chin’s version.

In line with that approach, several of the concept’s more dramatic features have been reined in. The low-slung hood and ultra-modern glasshouse have been scaled back to better suit a road-going car. Wheel sizes are more modest, and the flush door handles have given way to conventional ones. Even so, the side profile keeps its complexity, with angular character lines.

The biggest change is at the rear, where the concept’s futuristic tail has been swapped for a more conventional sedan layout, likely to align with mainstream Corolla tastes. Even so, the clean roofline, slim full-width LED taillights, subtle spoiler, and sharp surface work give it a more contemporary look than the current generation of the sedan

Did The Concept Take It Too Far?

Toyota Corolla Concept

The original concept was developed by Toyota’s European design center in France, signalling a radical shift for the popular nameplate. However, while the prospect of big changes sounds exciting, history suggests automakers tend to proceed cautiously with high-volume, globally popular models.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Toyota tempers the wildest aspects of the concept for the production version. Still, there’s always the chance they’ll take a bigger leap than expected.

What remains unknown is whether the new generation will follow the current model’s multi-body format. At present, the Corolla is sold globally as a sedan, hatchback, and estate, offering broad appeal across markets and use cases.

Toyota Corolla Concept

Besides the futuristic exterior, the concept came with a completely reimagined interior combining the latest technology with more premium materials and added space. Toyota’s messaging suggests they’re looking to elevate the segment, but production models are likely to tone things down for cost, practicality, and manufacturing scale.

Under The Skin

Toyota has not yet released technical specifications for the next-generation Corolla, but it did confirm the model will continue under its “multi-pathway” strategy, supporting multiple types of propulsion.

More: MR2 Is That You? GR Boss Confirms New Mid-Engine Sports Car

The lineup will offer both hybrid and fully electric powertrains to suit a wide range of global markets. Likely options for the hybrid system include new 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engines currently in development, aimed at delivering more power with improved efficiency.

Designers have also stated that interior space will remain consistent across all variants, regardless of the drivetrain.

Given the driver-oriented nature of the current TNGA platform and Toyota’s steady evolution in chassis tuning, the next Corolla could offer a more rewarding experience behind the wheel. Comfort and usability remain priorities, but added sharpness wouldn’t come as a surprise.

A performance version from Gazoo Racing is also a strong possibility, serving as a spiritual successor to the rally-ready GR Corolla.

When Are We Going To See It?

The current 12th-generation Toyota Corolla debuted in 2018, with a mild mid-cycle update arriving in 2022. That timeline suggests the next generation could appear in 2026 or 2027, though Toyota has not yet confirmed a launch date.

Mercedes-Benz took a swing with the EQE sedan, but like the larger and more expensive EQS, it missed the mark. The model will quietly exit stage left before it reaches a second generation, clearing the way for a more conventional electric replacement built on familiar ground, the next-gen E-Class

Read: The EQE Gives Way To A Proper Sedan, The E-Class EQ

Badged as the E-Class with EQ Technology, the new electric sedan was recently spotted undergoing testing under heavy camouflage in Europe. The spy shots don’t offer much clarity on what the final design will look like, but it’s reasonable to expect some styling cues from the electric GLC, reshaped into a more conventional three-box sedan profile

Grille Wars Aren’t Over Yet

That’s where these renderings by Nikita Chuyko at Kolesa come in, offering a preview of what the finished car might look like. As with the GLC EV, it features a massive illuminated grille that dominates the front end. While BMW has started backing away from oversized grilles, Mercedes is going all-in with them.

For what it’s worth, the silver finish of the grille shown does nicely complement the car’s silver paint finish, so it doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb. Whether that same grille design will flatter a darker paint job is still an open question.

The E-Class EQ is also likely to get its own lighting treatment. Unlike the oddly sculpted headlights on the gas-powered version, this electric variant may adopt a cleaner look, potentially highlighted by star-shaped LED daytime running lights.

Also: BMW’s Neue Klasse Plan Starts To Blur As You Look At The 2027 5-Series

It’s a similar story at the back. Although the rear fascia shares a lot in common with the gas-powered E-Class, it could have distinctive taillights with new light signatures.

Another key difference we noticed on the prototype, and one reflected in these renderings as well, is the addition of a fourth side window that stretches behind the rear door frame. That said, Mercedes could also take a page from the Maybach S-Class, which uses a three-window layout with the final pane extending deep into the C-pillar.

What About Power?

Carscoops understands Mercedes-Benz’s new electric sedan will use the same MB.EA platform as the GLC EV. That likely means it’ll share the same powertrain and battery options too. The only variant of the GLC with EQ Technology currently on sale, the GLC 400 4Matic, features a 94 kWh battery and twin motors delivering 483 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque.

The sizeable battery is enough to give the SUV up to 444 miles (715 km) of driving range on the WLTP cycle. Given the slightly sleeker shape and lower profile of the E-Class EQ, it may boast an even more impressive driving range. An advanced 800-volt electrical architecture will also support charging speeds of up to 330 kW.

SHproshots

Kia’s 80th anniversary Meta Turismo GT concept wasn’t just a nostalgic design exercise; it was an absolute mic-drop moment. With its futuristic, yet 1960s concept-inspired lines and EV underpinnings, it offers a tantalizing glimpse at where Kia’s performance ambitions could be heading. 

See: The Future Eclipse You Really Want But Mitsubishi Won’t Touch

That got us thinking. Now that the Stinger has officially bowed out, and with Kia in need of a new halo model, what would a production-ready Meta Turismo actually look like? Here’s our take imagined as what could be called the EV8 GT.

Opposites Unite

Soft forms clashing with angular geometry: that’s how Kia describes its ‘Opposites Unite’ design language. In this imagined production model, the concept evolves into something more grounded yet still sharp, mixing vintage concept wedge proportions from the 1960s with flashes of Lamborghini aggression.

Also: A Z-Powered Coupe Could Be The Comeback Infiniti Needs

Up front, the Meta concept’s face has been reworked to better align with Kia’s current design language, featuring a low-set tiger nose and an active lattice grille. Carbon fibre is used generously across the front splitter, side skirts, and hood strakes, which flow cleanly into the wing mirrors.

Viewed from the side, our EV8 GT study is defined by a fastback roofline and cab-forward stance. While the angular side surfacing remains the same, we’ve added flush door handles and traditional pillars. Around the back, the rear is more restrained with halo-effect LED light bar, and a functional diffuser.  

The Inside Take

The Vision Meta Turismo concept’s interior.

The cabin of the Meta Turismo concept is decidedly dramatic, but for production, it would be dialed back without losing its focus on the driver. Key elements like an augmented reality head-up display and smart glass would remain, while the overall layout would feel more grounded.

We’re also anticipating deeper AI integration, including conversational voice interfaces and tools like ChatGPT.

Stinging Performance

Hyundai Motor Group’s tried-and-true E-GMP architecture would be the obvious choice as a platform, as it offers 800-volt capability and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functionality. Handling-wise, the GT sports adaptive damping, torque vectoring, and rear-biased all-wheel drive to balance ride comfort with canyon-carving prowess.  

Kia’s dual-motor setups are capable of 650 horsepower (478 kW) and 568 lb-ft of torque. We expect the EV8 GT to surpass this, with a 0-60 mph performance closing in on the 3-second mark. Like Hyundai Group’s other performance EVs, there will be simulated gear shifting and synthetic noise generation to accompany its rapid pace. 

See: The Two-Door Land Cruiser FJ Toyota Should’ve Built But Didn’t

In a perfect world, solid-state batteries would make an appearance, yet commercial reality for this chemistry still appears a long way off. A safer bet would be a 100 kWh Li-Ion Phosphate (LFP) battery pack good for an WLTP range of over 435 miles (700 km).

Amped Alternatives

If Kia greenlights the EV8 GT, it won’t be entering a quiet market. Potential rivals includethe Polestar 5, Tesla Model S, Xiaomi SU7, Huawei’s Luxeed S7, Lucid Air, and Audi A6 e-Tron.

Now it’s your turn. Should the Meta Turismo concept evolve into Kia’s next Stinger? Share your thoughts in the comments below.