Dacia’s upcoming electric city car has been spied undergoing testing.
Model arrives later this year and will cost less than €18,000.
EV is based on the Renault Twingo E-Tech, but features unique styling.
Last month, Dacia unveiled their 2030 roadmap, which called for a “confident and decisive entry into electric mobility.” This will see them launch four new EVs by the end of the decade.
The first arrives later this year and will be an A‑segment electric hatchback based on Renault’s RGEV Small / AmpR Small platform. The model has been developed in less than 16 months and will cost less than €18,000 ($21,203 / £15,677).
That’s impressively cheap and spy photographers recently caught a prototype undergoing testing in Europe. Camouflage hides a number of details, but it’s pretty clear this is a reworked version of the Renault Twingo E-Tech.
Despite this, the Dacia has a unique front end with far more traditional headlights. We can also see a different front bumper that appears to have a wide lower intake as well as rugged body cladding.
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The profile appears to carryover largely untouched, while the rear end features new taillights that are mounted higher up than on the Twingo E-Tech. We can also see a unique bumper as well as what appears to be a more conventional liftgate.
The single interior image doesn’t reveal much, but we can get a glimpse of a floating infotainment system as well as a Dacia-branded steering wheel. However, the model could echo the Twingo and adopt a 7-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a 10-inch central display.
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We can also expect sliding rear seats that adjust up to 6.7 inches (170 mm). This enables owners to balance passenger space and cargo capacity. When luggage is what matters, there’s up to 12.7 cubic feet (360 liters) at your disposal. If that’s not enough room, the rear seats can be folded down to provide over 35.3 cubic feet (1,000 liters) of space.
The powertrain will likely carryover as well and this means we can expect an electric motor developing 80 hp (60 kW / 82 PS) and 129 lb-ft (175 Nm) of torque. This enables the Twingo to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in a leisurely 12.1 seconds, before topping out at a mere 81 mph (130 km/h).
To help keep costs down, the Twingo uses a small 27.5 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack. It provides a WLTP range of up to 163 miles (263 km), which isn’t much but likely fine for a city car.
Audi’s AUDI brand is preparing to launch several new models.
E7X debuts at Auto China and will be followed by new car in 2027.
Three to four more are planned thanks to expanded SAIC partnership.
Audi’s AUDI brand has been struggling as of late, but the company still has faith in the Chinese offshoot. That’s clear today as the automaker is deepening their collaboration with SAIC and preparing to launch an assortment of new models.
The brand, as you may recall, was launched with the E5 Sportback in 2025. The E7X crossover will debut at Auto China later this month, while a third model is scheduled to arrive in 2027. Little is known about the latter, but officials have previously suggested it could be a sporty limousine.
More vehicles will follow as the latest agreement between Audi and SAIC “focuses on the full value chain for AUDI’s future models, encompassing R&D, with a dedicated AUDI Innovation & Technology Center to be established in Shanghai.” The latter will be led by Audi and tasked with the “development of China-specific, intelligent electrification technologies and whole-vehicle development across the entire value chain of intelligent connected vehicles.”
The companies did not share many specifics, but said customers can look forward to “AI-powered, immersive smart cabins” as well as advanced driver assistance systems designed specifically for Chinese consumers.
That still leaves plenty of open questions, but the partnership will spawn four new AUDI models in the coming years. However, it’s not clear if that number includes the car coming in 2027. Regardless, upcoming models will be based on the next-generation Advanced Digitized Platform. The luxury brand added the vehicles will “extend and complement Audi’s existing portfolio.”
Audi Chairman Gernot Döllner said, “Audi’s ambition is to remain a strong player in China through the ICV era. Our partnership with SAIC and our NEV brand AUDI has been instrumental, allowing us to connect with new customer groups and expand our product offerings to meet their evolving needs. Following the successful launch of AUDI and its first model, we are ready to take the next step: establishing a dedicated Innovation and Technology Center in cooperation with our long-trusted partner SAIC to drive Vorsprung in China.”
The aerodynamic crossover would have offered over 350 miles of electric range.
A range-extended version was planned with a potential range of 550 miles.
Ford confirmed the prototype is now used to “inform” its next-generation EVs.
When automakers kill a project, it rarely sees the light of day. However, there have been a few exceptions as Volkswagen showed a near-production prototype of the second-generation Phaeton in 2022. A handful of ill-fated Saabs also appeared after their demise including a 9-3 prototype and a Subaru Tribeca-based 9-6X.
We can add one more to that list as Ford’s Doug Field has quietly been showing the company’s axed three-row EV on LinkedIn. The surprising discovery was first noticed by Ford Authority and a Blue Oval spokesperson told The Drive it’s the “3-row SUV we cancelled in 2024.” They added the model is “now a research vehicle that is informing our next generation of electric vehicles” and we’ll see “its significant influence” on future EVs.
The model is apparently a “development prototype” and it looks like nothing else in the Ford lineup. As you can see, the crossover has an extremely aerodynamic design with a rounded front end and a rakish windscreen that flows into a long, sloping roof.
Designers also gave the crossover streamlined bodywork and minimalist door handles that appear to echo those found on the Mustang Mach-E. They’re joined by aerodynamically optimized wheels and a nearly vertical rear end.
The model vaguely recalls the Honda 0 SUV, which was axed last month. However, Ford billed it as a seven-passenger “bullet train” that would have a range in excess of 350 miles (563 km). When the battery was low, a DC fast charger could provide up to 100 miles of range in as little as six minutes. There were also apparently plans for a range-extended variant that would have been able to travel 550 miles (885 km) without stopping.
Of course, none of that came to pass and the automaker has significantly dialed back its EV plans. However, Ford is still working on a range of affordable electric vehicles including a $30,000 pickup.
Lucid Motors has named Silvio Napoli as their new CEO.
Company also announced $750 million worth of investments.
Uber is increasing their Lucid order by at least 15,000 units.
Lucid Motors should be doing great as they finally added a much-needed crossover to their lineup in the form of the Gravity. The model was recently named World Luxury Car, but it hasn’t reversed the company’s fortunes.
Given this, the automaker has announced a series of developments including the appointment of a new CEO. Silvio Napoli has been tapped for the top spot and he’ll replace interim CEO Marc Winterhoff, who will be transitioning to COO.
While Napoli isn’t a household name, he was previously CEO of Switzerland’s Schindler Group, which makes elevators, escalators, and moving walks. That’s not exactly automotive experience, but Lucid praised his “deep operational expertise, financial discipline, and track record of leadership in innovation.”
In a Form 8-K filing, Lucid revealed Napoli will have a base salary of $1,500,000 and the potential to make $4,500,000 if certain performance targets are hit. He’s also getting up to $25,000 per month in temporary housing expenses for half a year as well as a “lump sum payment of $1,000,000 to cover any expenses in connection with moving to the US.”
Napoli will also get two company cars, security, as well as tax and financial planning support. If that wasn’t enough, the company also mentioned a “long-term incentive grant” with a target value of $9,500,000.
Bigger Uber Order And New Investments
Besides announcing a new CEO, Lucid revealed Uber is increasing their previously announced order of at least 20,000 Gravity SUVs to be used as robotaxis as part of a three-way tie up with Nuro. The service is scheduled to launch this year in the San Francisco Bay area and eventually spread to dozens of markets around the world.
The order has now been expanded to at least 35,000 vehicles and the ride-hailing giant has also promised to invest an additional $200 million into Lucid. This will raise their total investment into the firm to $500 million.
Uber isn’t the only one forking over the dough as the Ayar Third Investment Company is pumping $550 million into Lucid. They’re an affiliate of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which is a major backer of the automaker.
Winterhoff said “Today’s announcement demonstrates the growing strength of our relationship with Uber, our continued partnership with the PIF, and the benefits our software-defined EV platforms bring to next-generation mobility networks.” He added, “This is yet another milestone in our partnership with Uber and Nuro, and we look forward to building on our momentum together in the years to come.”
BMW is discontinuing sales of the iX in the United States.
The company is instead turning its attention to the new iX3.
iX will continue to be sold in other global markets for now.
BMW iX sales fell 50.7% in the United States during the first quarter as dealers only managed to move 1,788 units. It appears this was the last straw as the electric crossover is being dropped in America.
In a statement to BMW Blog, a spokesperson said “Our success in the U.S. is driven by a broad and flexible powertrain portfolio that allows us to navigate a dynamic environment, while continuing to evolve our lineup. As part of this progression, we are concluding U.S. allocation of the BMW iX as we prepare for the next-generation of our fully electric vehicles.”
The spokesperson went on to say, “We are proud of what we have accomplished with the BMW iX” as it was a “technological showcase” that pushed the “boundaries of design, manufacturing, sustainability, and circularity.” Despite the iX’s demise, the company said they’re fully committed to electrification in America and they’re turning their attention to Neue Klasse models.
The effort will begin with the iX3, which was introduced last fall. The crossover will come stateside during the middle of the year and the company has previously said the iX3 50 xDrive will start around $60,000.
It features a 112.2 kWh battery pack as well as a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in approximately 4.7 seconds and have an EPA-estimated range of 400 miles (644 km). When the battery is low, a 400 kW DC fast charger will be able to provide 175 miles (282 km) of range in as little as ten minutes.
Those numbers easily beat the iX, which was launched in 2021. As a refresher, the entry-level variant starts at $75,150 and has a 94.8 kWh battery pack as well as a combined output of 402 hp (300 kW / 408 PS) and 516 lb-ft (699 Nm).
This enables the iX xDrive45 to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.9 seconds, before topping out at 124 mph (200 km/h). The model also has a range of up to 312 miles (502 km) as well as a 175 kW DC fast charging capability that delivers a mere 78 miles (126 km) of range in ten minutes.
The Audi RS Q6 Sportback e-tron was spied testing at the Nürburgring.
The electric coupe gets a sharper face, fender vents, and a new diffuser.
It will likely use dual motors and all-wheel drive with around 600 hp.
It’s been nearly two years since spy photographers last spotted the Audi RS Q6 Sportback e-tron, but it’s back on the Nürburgring and gearing up for a possible debut later this year.
Designed to slot above the SQ6 Sportback, the high-performance variant features a unique front fascia with a more aggressive lower intake. It features angular accents, honeycomb mesh inserts, and triangular elements with horizontal bars. We can also see a special surround, which recalls the look of AUDI models in China and features vertical air curtains at the outside edges.
A number of the vents likely channel air to the beefier front braking system, which appears to have significantly larger calipers. On the topic of air flow, the model has subtle front fender vents that are tall and skinny. We can also expect the crossover to ride on model-specific lightweight wheels.
The rear end largely carries over, but the RS Q6 has been equipped with a new bumper and sportier diffuser. The latter features a prominent central channel as well as protruding elements where a four-tailpipe exhaust system would typically reside. We can also see a familiar spoiler and rear light bar.
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There isn’t much to see inside, but the model should have an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch infotainment system, and a 10.9-inch front passenger display. They should be joined by sport seats, carbon fiber trim, and plenty of RS badging.
Powertrain details are more mysterious, but the model should echo the SQ6 which has a 100 kWh battery pack and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing up to 510 hp (380 kW / 517 PS) with launch control. However, the RS variant will be significantly more powerful and likely take a page from the Porsche Macan Turbo Electric.
The Audi’s PPE platform mate has a combined output of up to 630 hp (470 kW / 639 PS) and 833 lb-ft (1,129 Nm) of torque. This enables the Macan to rocket from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.1 seconds, run the quarter mile in 11.4 seconds, and eventually top out at 162 mph (261 km/h).
Mercedes continues to struggle as global sales fell 6% in Q1.
The company was hammered by a 27% decline in China.
Automaker boasts about EVs, but wants you to forget some.
We’re nearly a third of the way through April, but first quarter sales data continues to trickle out. Some of the latest numbers are from Mercedes and they’re painting a mixed picture.
Starting in the United States, Q1 passenger car retail sales fell approximately 3% to around 70,000 units. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get an accurate picture of things as the automaker no longer breaks sales down by model. Instead, the company now lumps vehicles together and cherry picks numbers that it likes.
With that massive and annoying caveat aside, Mercedes said they had a “strong performance despite significant market headwinds.” Maybach sales jumped 22%, while the G-Class saw a 16% increase. The SL received a 47% boost, while the GLC and GLE were up 17% and 19%, respectively.
Mercedes also claimed that “customer interest and excitement surrounding the CLA continues to build across the U.S. market.” However, the company declined to provide numbers, so they were presumably pretty bad. The automaker stopped short of confirming this, but implied the situation will improve as “wider availability” is expected in the second quarter as they originally prioritized European sales.
Mercedes US Retail Sales Q1
Q1 2026
Diff.
Mercedes USA Passenger Cars
70,000
-3%
Mercedes Vans USA
8,500
-6%
Total Sales
78,500
-3%
SWIPE
The firm didn’t even bother mentioning the EQE, EQE SUV, EQS, or EQS SUV. This implies sales were as hot as an Anchorage dumpster fire in January, but surely a yoke will turn things around.
On the van side of the equation, sales fell 6% to roughly 8,500 units. The automaker could barely feign interest, but said they remain “focused on delivering versatile, premium van solutions that support evolving business needs.”
That’s meaningless nonsense, but at least we can look forward to the new VLE and VLS. The latter is getting an ultra-luxurious Maybach variant that promises private jet levels of comfort.
Sales Down Globally As Well
Zooming out, global passenger car sales fell 6% in the first quarter to around 419,400 units. This came despite a 9% increase in EVs, which found around 44,300 takers.
Speaking of which, the automaker said the “new electric GLC has generated more orders in the first three months than any other electric vehicle in our history.” They added order books for the CLA, GLB, and GLC EVs are “filled well into the second half of the year.”
EVs weren’t the only bright spot as European orders for the facelifted S-Class were “above expectations.” The automaker is also expecting to receive a boost from the updated GLE and GLS.
Confusingly, the global release said American car sales climbed 20% to 81,100 units. The company noted these are rounded “preliminary figures,” but that’s significantly more than the 70,000 mentioned earlier. However, this appears to be a case of retail sales vs overall numbers.
[Update: Despite being labeled as “Mercedes-Benz Cars sales” in the international release, the US figure of 81,100 units is said to be total group sales. This implies it includes the 70,000 car and 8,500 van retail sales as well as an additional 2,600 fleet sales.]
This, combined with a lack of model level details, results in a confusing maze of piecemeal information that – at times – seems contradictory. Regardless, the brand is tanking hard in China as sales were down 27% to around 111,600 units.
When it comes to vans, global sales fell 3% to approximately 80,300 units. Sales of EVs spiked 29%, but Mercedes only sold 6,100.
Rolls-Royce’s new electric crossover will have a split-opening hood.
It features a central spine as well as two outer panels that lift up.
SUV will likely mix BMW Neue Klasse tech with Spectre developments.
Rolls-Royce is working on an electric crossover to battle the Bentley Barnato and spy photographers recently snapped a prototype undergoing testing in Munich. While that’s notable by itself, the model appears to have an old school split hood.
Thanks to a beefy camera lens, we can see the ‘hood’ will have a central spine with a retractable spirit of ecstasy hood ornament at the front. On either side are two movable panels, which apparently lift up similar to a trunk lid.
Rolls-Royce filed a patent for the idea in 2024 and it gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect. We can also see what appears to be a hinge at the front of the hood, although it looks like a drill attachment with a Phillips bit when you zoom in closer.
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Forgotten tools aside, the crossover has a fully enclosed grille with a top-mounted camera. It’s flanked by split lighting units including lower headlights with “RR” badging. The model also sports a wide lower intake with horizontal bars.
The rest of the design is far more conventional and closely echoes the current Cullinan. As a result, there’s a strong shoulder line and slab-sided bodywork. They’re joined by a familiar greenhouse, a relatively flat roof, and a thick rear pillar.
The déjà vu design continues out back, but the EV has a unique bumper that lacks exhaust cut outs. The bumper also houses the license plate recess, which is a change as it’s mounted to the liftgate on the Cullinan.
These similarities originally had us believing the model was the second-generation Cullinan. However, there’s been some speculation that the two crossovers could co-exist alongside each other – at least initially.
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While there are more questions than answers at this point, the model will undoubtedly follow in the footsteps of the Spectre. The coupe sports a 102 kWh battery pack as well as a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 577 hp (430kW / 584 PS) and 664 lb-ft (900Nm) of torque.
This enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.4 seconds and have a WLTP range of 329 miles (530 km). There could also be a more powerful Black Badge variant with 650 hp (485 kW / 659 PS) and 793 lb-ft (1,075 Nm) of torque.
That being said, the crossover could benefit from newer technologies like the facelifted 7-Series. BMW recently announced the flagship sedan is getting their Gen6 eDrive technology and this will include a cylindrical cell lithium-ion battery with a 20% higher energy density. We can also expect the model to incorporate some other Neue Klasse advancements.
The Mercedes C-Class with EQ Technology is losing its disguise.
New photos give us our best look at the EV’s streamlined bodywork.
Should offer a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 483 hp.
Spy photographers have snapped the Mercedes C-Class EQ on multiple occasions and the automaker officially previewed the model last fall. It now appears to be getting closer to its debut as lightly camouflaged prototypes have been spied undergoing testing in Germany.
While the front end is still heavily disguised, a previous teaser image has revealed the model will follow in the footsteps of the GLC EQ and adopt an illuminated, fully enclosed grille. It will also sport a light up surround as well as nearby star-infused headlights.
More notably, we can see our first glimpse at the production hood. It features soft curves and a protruding middle section.
Moving further back, there’s streamlined bodywork and a rakish windscreen that flows into a sloping roof. The overall design recalls the EQE and EQS, but the C-Class EQ has a sportier and less exaggerated greenhouse. We can also see the model will be offered with both traditional and flush-mounted door handles as well as an assortment of different wheels.
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Two of the prototypes appear to be equipped with an AMG or Night Package. They have an assortment of changes including sportier wheels, black window trim, black side skirts, and black mirror caps.
Out back, there are muscular rear haunches and a trunk with an integrated spoiler. They’re joined by a rounded bumper as well as taillights with circular accents featuring star graphics.
Spy photographers didn’t get a good look inside, but previous images have suggested the cabin will echo its crossover counterpart. This suggests the sedan could be offered with three different screen setups, including a relatively basic version with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch infotainment system.
The middle option would be an MBUX Superscreen, which throws a 14-inch front passenger display into the mix. However, the real show stopper should be a 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen that spans the width of the dashboard.
Powertrains And Range
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Powertrain details are more mysterious, but the GLC EQ gives us a pretty good idea about what to expect. It has a 94 kWh battery pack, which feeds a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 483 hp (360 kW / 490 PS) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. This enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.3 seconds, hit a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h), and have a WLTP range of 418 miles (673 km).
However, we can expect additional variants including models with rear-wheel drive. The company has previously said one version will offer 497 miles (800 km) of range, which would fall well short of the BMW i3’s 559 miles (900 km).
There’s no word on when the C-Class EQ will be unveiled, but the photos suggest a debut could be right around the corner and the automaker has previously said 16 new models are coming this year – including six EVs.
Volkswagen is considering a next-generation Touareg.
If approved, the redesigned SUV would be fully electric.
Porsche Cayenne Electric could offer hints at what to expect.
Volkswagen recently stopped accepting orders for the Touareg as the company prepares to sunset the model. However, the automaker is reportedly considering an electric successor that would enable them to hold onto well-heeled customers.
In an interview with Autocar, Volkswagen’s sales and marketing boss said ,”We are the brand for the people,” but the Touareg has “its place and this is why we are looking into opportunities for a next-generation. ”
Martin Sander went on to acknowledge low sales, but noted there’s a certain type of customer that wants “great design and space, and a very high level of quality and sophistication but, for whatever reason, do not want to be associated with a premium brand.”
In essence, it’s for people that want the luxury and style of an Audi, but with a Volkswagen badge. Sander went on to describe Touareg customers as “very down-to-earth people who are affluent,” but “low-key” and don’t want to show off. He went on to note many are business owners and it might send the wrong signal if they show up to a customer’s home in a vehicle like a Porsche Macan.
Little is known about the next-generation Touareg but, if approved, Sander said it would be fully electric and a large SUV. This suggests the model could be based on either the PPE or SSP platform. The former underpins the electric version of the Porsche Cayenne and that model has typically been closely related to the Touareg.
If history repeats itself, the ID. Touareg could follow in the footsteps of the entry-level Cayenne Electric and have a roughly 113 kWh battery pack, a 390 kW DC fast charging capability, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of around 435 hp (324 kW / 441 PS). Of course, the Volkswagen could be less advanced to help keep prices down.
Lexus must be feeling artistic as the company has introduced two separate one-off vehicles in the past week. One embraces style, while the other is focused on music.
Without further ado, the automaker teamed up with Alex Alpert to unveil a unique IS 350 at EXPO Chicago. It embraces the artist’s “signature line-art style” and features black lines that largely accent the shapes of Lexus’ entry-level sedan, giving it the look of something sketched before it was built.
The F Sport variant has black wheels, matching mirror caps, and dark window trim. It should also have a familiar 3.5-liter V6 developing 311 hp (232 kW / 315 PS) and 280 lb-ft (379 Nm) of torque. This enables the sedan to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.9 seconds before hitting a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h).
Besides the art car, Alpert will paint custom IS 350 hoods at NYCxDesign and Art Basel. They’ll feature a “series of symbolic illustrations that connect to Lexus brand values and Japanese heritage, including motifs representing Lexus’ elite and precise craftsmanship, hospitality, engineering precision, performance, and smooth driving.”
RZ Blue In Green
The second model is an RZ that celebrates what would have been the 100th birthday of musician Miles Davis. It was created in collaboration with Laufey and was inspired by her “reimagined interpretation of Davis’ iconic composition Blue In Green.”
As part of the makeover, the electric crossover features a unique paint job that “shifts from deep blue to green as light moves across its surface.” The model also sports a custom illuminated “L” badge as well as brass-colored brake calipers that are a nod to Davis’ trumpet.
The brass theme continues inside, where it’s joined by red and black upholstery. Other highlights include written lyrics in the cargo area as well as a unique startup sequence that plays the first notes of Davis’ Blue In Green.
Bentley’s smaller SUV, likely called Barnato, is set for a 2027 launch.
Pricing is expected to start at the lower end of Bentley’s range.
The new model rides on Porsche and Audi’s shared PPE EV platform.
Bentley’s “urban SUV” has been spied on multiple occasions, but the automaker hasn’t said much about it. That’s slowly starting to change as the company gears up for a debut later this year.
In an interview with Road & Track, Bentley Americas CEO Mike Rocco revealed a teaser campaign is in the works and the crossover will eventually arrive in the United States in the third quarter of 2027. That’s a ways off and the automaker is still fine-tuning pricing.
While nothing is set in stone, Rocco implied the model, which is expected to be called the Barnato, will likely be priced on the “lower end” of its lineup. Bentley doesn’t exactly advertise pricing, but the Bentayga starts around $210,000 and the new model will likely play in the same neighborhood.
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Regardless of the final number, Bentley seems pretty confident in the crossover despite lackluster EV sales. As Rocco explained, “A lot of work, a lot of research has gone into this vehicle.” This includes consumer clinics, where 80% of people who saw the model said they would buy it.
The executive also suggested the crossover won’t necessarily be defined by its powertrain. Instead, people will embrace the fact that it’s a new Bentley SUV, which is street-focused.
We’ll learn more about the vehicle later this year, but the Barnato will ride on the PPE platform that underpins the Audi A6 and Q6 e-trons as well as the Porsche Macan and Cayenne Electric. The latter features a 113 kWh battery pack, a 390 kW DC fast charging capability, and outputs of 435 hp (324 kW / 441 PS), 657 hp (490 kW / 666 PS), and 1,139 hp (849 kW / 1,155 PS).
Speaking of the Cayenne Electric, pricing starts at $109,000 and climbs to $163,000 for the Turbo variant. This means that roughly $50,000 could separate it from the Barnato.
Some automakers ignored hybrids to bet big on EVs.
That bet went bad and could get worse as gas prices soar.
Toyota and Hyundai stand to benefit from diverse lineup.
A few years ago, automakers faced a tough choice. They could eschew hybrids and plug-in hybrids to go all-in on EVs, or adopt a more balanced, but expensive approach that saw them invest in multiple technologies.
A number of companies went the electric route and that ended up costing them greatly as adoption was slower than they anticipated. If that wasn’t bad enough, the United States eliminated the federal tax credit and governments rolled back overly ambitious green agendas.
This has pushed automakers to cancel EVs and abandon plans to go electric-only. Companies have posted huge losses and now they’re suddenly playing catch-up with rivals that took a more nuanced approach.
Expensive Gas Is Going To Make Things Even Worse
Since some companies were betting on a quick transition to EVs, a number of them don’t have many hybrids or plug-in hybrids to offer customers. That’s bad news in an era where the national average price of a gallon of gasoline is above $4 and climbs to nearly $6 in some states.
The only hybrid GM has in America is the $108,600 Corvette E-Ray and that’s a huge problem. Consumers in the market for a compact crossover might look at an Equinox, which returns up to 26 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. That’s not terrible, but the Toyota RAV4 gets 47 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 43 mpg combined. This is a huge difference, especially in an era of sky high gas prices.
Hyundai and Kia also offer hybrid competitors in the form of the Tucson and Sportage. The former offers up to 38 mpg across the board, while the latter returns up to 41 mpg city, 44 mpg highway, and 42 mpg combined. It’s also worth noting all three competitors offer plug-in hybrid variants, while GM doesn’t offer a single one in the United States.
General Motors isn’t the only automaker that bet big on EVs and lived to regret it. Ford has a limited hybrid lineup that consists of the Maverick and F-150. The Escape, which offered hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, was recently killed off, while the Explorer Hybrid is limited to police and the Pope.
Hybrid Sales Are Skyrocketing
While the war in Iran is barely more than a month old, hybrid sales are booming. Kia recently revealed sales of hybrids soared 73% to set a new quarterly record.
Last month was also Hyundai’s best ever March for hybrid sales. The company noted hybrids saw a huge jump in the first quarter as the Elantra Hybrid was up 141%, while the Sonata Hybrid soared 107%. The Santa Fe Hybrid also got a 47% boost as consumers embraced efficiency.
While Toyota sales fell 6.9% in the first quarter, high gas prices could help to reverse that trend as the company offers a dizzying array of hybrids. Seventeen, to be exact, according to our last count. This includes the Camry, Corolla, Crown, Corolla Cross, and Prius, as well as the Crown Signia, Highlander, Grand Highlander, Land Cruiser, RAV4, 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and Sienna. Two of those, the Prius and RAV4, are also offered as plug-in hybrids.
That’s a huge lineup, especially compared to Ford, GM, and Stellantis. The latter recently killed off plug-in hybrids and only offers the new Cherokee Hybrid in America. However, range-extended variants of the Ram 1500 and Grand Wagoneer are coming.
While EVs do offer some cover to these companies during periods of high gas prices, consumers have been clear: most want hybrids, not fully electric vehicles.
The facelifted Mercedes EQS will offer steer-by-wire technology.
It will come with a new and more compact yoke steering wheel.
Updated EV will have revised styling and improved infotainment.
The Mercedes EQS has been an unmitigated disaster as consumers ignored the anonymous, electric blob. The underwhelming reaction pushed the automaker to rush out an emergency facelift in 2024, which featured a more traditional grille, a hood ornament, interior tweaks, and a beefier battery pack.
The company is now preparing a second facelift and Mercedes has confirmed the model will embrace steer-by-wire technology as well as a yoke steering wheel. They’re a bit late to the game, but said the change will usher in a variety of benefits.
While the automaker didn’t go into many specifics, they said the changes reduce steering effort and mean drivers no longer need to adjust their grip on the wheel while turning. In effect, small movements can make a big difference when driving.
Mercedes went on to say road vibrations transmitted through the steering wheel are eliminated as there’s no longer a mechanical linkage. The automaker also promised the “precise, intuitive steering feel” will be maintained despite being digital.
The steer-by-wire system will be optional, but Mercedes said it has already logged over a million kilometers (621,371 miles) worth of testing. They added the technology has redundancies built in to ensure safety including two signal paths, so “steering capability is always guaranteed.”
A New Steering Wheel
Models equipped with steer-by-wire technology will have a new, yoke-style steering wheel. It features a rectangular design with four spokes as well as curves at the top and bottom.
Mercedes said the yoke gives drivers more space, while also aiding entry and egress. Drivers can also see the digital instrument cluster more easily as the steering wheel rim no longer blocks part of the view. Those are tangible benefits, but the company noted the new designed required the development of a unique airbag.
Other Changes
The interior pictures suggest the cabin will largely carryover, but a closer inspection reveals an updated infotainment system with new graphics and a revised layout. It presumably runs the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System that debuted on the CLA and is slowly spreading across the company’s lineup.
Mercedes also gave us a peek at the updated exterior, which sports star-infused headlights. We can also expect a revised grille and updated bumpers.
More importantly, the EQS could adopt a new 800 volt electrical architecture to significantly reduce recharging times. We also wouldn’t be surprised to find a new battery pack with an improved cell chemistry as well as more efficient motors that were developed in-house. These changes should deliver a significant improvement in range, although that wasn’t much of a problem as the current model can travel up to 390 miles (628 km) between stops.
Kia posted its best-ever first quarter sales in America.
Customers snapped up 207,015 vehicles for a 4.1% increase.
Result is due to strong sales of Sportage, Telluride and K4.
General Motors had a terrible first quarter, but Kia was triumphant as sales climbed 4.1% to reach a new record of 207,015 vehicles. The company said the result underscores their “steady growth despite uncertain market conditions.”
The redesigned Telluride is proving to be a key asset as it helped Q1 sales climb 16.9% to 35,928 units. The company went on to note that’s the “highest quarterly result in the vehicle’s history.”
Other big gainers were the K5 and Seltos, which were up 19.4% and 29.2%, respectively. The Sportage climbed 8.2%, while the Carnival bucked minivan stereotypes to post a 27.8% increase in the first quarter. It’s also worth noting the K4 was the brand’s second best-selling vehicle and sales were up 0.6%.
EVs Struggle, While Hybrids Soar
It wasn’t all good news as EVs continue to struggle following the elimination of the federal tax credit. EV6 sales fell 45.8% in the first quarter, while the EV9 was down 27.1%. On the bright side, sales of the three-row crossover did climb 7.1% in March. However, that only equates to an additional 83 vehicles.
While consumers turned their backs on EVs, they embraced hybrids. Sales skyrocketed 73% to achieve a new quarterly record. Kia can also expect a boost from the 2027 Seltos, which recently debuted with a new hybridized 1.6-liter engine.
Putting electrification aside, the Sorento is having a difficult time as the model was off 14.4% in the quarter. Sales also took a hit from the discontinuation of the Soul, although some dealers still have inventory in stock.
All four GM brands posted declines, with Buick falling the hardest.
Chevy’s EV lineup had a brutal quarter, with one model dropping 83%.
GMC was the only brand that came through largely unscathed.
Buick was on a roll as the affordable Envista was bringing new customers into showrooms, while the redesigned Enclave proved popular. Then, seemingly overnight, the brand decided to roll over and play dead.
The automaker hasn’t issued a proper press release in nearly two years and many people associated with their marketing efforts fled for greener pastures at Stellantis. If that wasn’t bad enough, GM basically abandoned Buick’s electrification plans in the United States.
Thanks to these and other issues, sales are tanking – hard. In the first quarter, deliveries plunged 32.6% to a mere 41,654 units. The big loser was the Chinese-built Envision, which received a $3,000 price hike for 2026 as the model is getting hammered by tariffs.
The decline doesn’t appear to be an availability issue as dealers have more than 9,000 Envisions in stock. That’s roughly six months of supply, suggesting demand is lacking.
If losers love company, Buick had a lot to celebrate as the Encore GX was off by 36%, while the Envista was down 9.7%. Even the Enclave struggled as sales dropped 3.3%.
Cadillac’s Big Bet On EVs Is Having Mixed Results
When the electric vehicle tax credit was eliminated last year, sales plummeted. That continues and has put Cadillac in a tough spot as they have an EV-laden lineup.
Lyriq sales fell 21.6%, while the Escalade IQ dropped 26.8%. However, the Optiq soared 65.9% thanks to significant powertrain updates as well as the addition of the Optiq-V. The three-row Vistiq also seems to be doing okay as the company moved 1,902 units in the first quarter.
On the gas side of the equation, the outgoing CT4 saw sales surge 27.4%, but that only equates to an additional 333 vehicles. Elsewhere in the lineup, the CT5 was down 13.3% while the Escalade was off 28.5%. The XT4, XT5, and XT6 are all dead or almost dead, so we’ll skip them like buyers did.
Given all of this, it’s hardly surprising that overall Cadillac sales dropped 25.5%.
Chevrolet Had A Rough Quarter
Over in bowtie land, it’s an EV bloodbath. The Blazer EV plummeted 82.6% to a mere 1,077 units. The Equinox EV was off 7.2%, while the Silverado EV fell 41%.
Even the resurrected Bolt seems like a failure as the company only moved 791 units. That’s less than 270 per month and it seems like the model’s death and rebirth was a giant waste of time, effort, and resources.
The only bright spot was the deceased Brightdrop vans, which saw sales soar 81%. However, this was likely driven by a fire sale with six figure discounts.
Putting EVs aside, overall sales fell 8.1% as numerous models struggled including the Blazer (-26.3%), Colorado (-16.5%), Corvette (-8.2%), Equinox (-13.5%), Trailblazer (-6.3%), Tahoe (-10.0%), and Suburban (-14.0%). Traverse sales climbed 33.6% and the Silverado 1500 was up 7.9%, but they couldn’t offset the overall decline.
GMC Did Okay
GMC had the best performance as sales were only down 0.2%. The Acadia tied last year’s result as the company once again sold 13,257 crossovers. The Colorado was up 21.2%, while the Terrain soared 35.2%. Even the Sierra EV saw a slight 3.1% improvement, but that only equates to an additional 39 pickups as sales were terrible to begin with.
Speaking of EVs, the Hummer lineup plunged 52.5% despite a handful of updates for the 2026 model year. Sierra 1500, 2500, and 3500 sales also fell as did those for the Yukon.
A Bad Quarter Overall
Zooming out even further, GM’s total sales fell 9.7% to 626,429 units. The automaker tried to put a positive spin on things as they said “momentum in March helped results partially recover from a slower January and February, when winter storms impacted the market.” GM added they’re leading in U.S. sales and gained an additional 50,000 Super Cruise subscribers.
Kia has introduced the PV5 WAV New York Taxi concept.
The electric van features a rear-mounted wheelchair ramp.
It appears to be a revised version of Korea’s PV5 WAV Taxi.
Hyundai didn’t have the only surprise at the New York Auto Show as Kia used the event to unveil the PV5 WAV New York Taxi and Rideshare concept. It was introduced alongside the redesigned Seltos as well as the new EV3.
Created in collaboration with BraunAbility, the concept is a wheelchair accessible vehicle that is fully compliant with the Americans with Disability Act. It’s designed to demonstrate the electric van’s potential as a wheelchair-accessible taxi and rideshare vehicle.
The companies said little about the “production-ready” concept and have only released one low-resolution image as of this writing. That doesn’t exactly scream commitment, but we can see the concept features a classic yellow and black livery with numerous wheelchair graphics.
More importantly, the PV5’s liftgate opens to reveal a wheelchair ramp that deploys from the back of the vehicle. Kia also mentioned the model has “integrated tiedowns and occupant restraints” as well as a low step height that is “well-suited to everyday taxi operations and entry for wheelchair users.”
The companies said the concept was “created with real-world production feasibility in mind” and will be evaluated in New York, which is one of the largest taxi and rideshare markets in the world. As part of this process, they’ll “engage government agencies, fleet operators, disability advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders to gather additional input and refine the vehicle based on their feedback.”
While little is known about the concept, the PV5 offers Passenger, Cargo, and Chassis Cab configurations as well as 43.3, 51.5, and 71.2 kWh battery packs. The model rides on the fleet-focused E-GMP.S platform and sports a front-mounted motor developing 161 hp (120 kW / 163 PS) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque.
Despite the lack of details, Kia offers a PV5 WAV Taxi in Korea. It starts at $33,768 (₩ 51,100,000) and offers a range of up to 214 miles (345 km). However, that model has a side-mounted wheelchair ramp.
BMW’s iX3 took home two trophies at the 2026 World Car Awards.
Lucid’s Gravity SUV beat the Cadillac Vistiq for a major global title.
Gas-powered cars didn’t win a single category at this year’s event.
Electric vehicles have dominated the World Car Awards as they’ve won every single category this year. This is hardly surprising as many of the finalists were EVs, but it likely won’t alleviate criticism.
Top honors went to the BMW iX3 which was named 2026 World Car of the Year as well as World Electric Vehicle. In the former category, it beat out the redesigned Hyundai Palisade and Nissan Leaf. The Leaf was also up for being named World Electric Vehicle, but it and the Mercedes CLA lost to the German crossover.
Speaking of luxury brands, the Lucid Gravity was named World Luxury Car. The electric crossover, which offers up to 450 miles (724 km) of range, bested the Cadillac Vistiq and Volvo ES90.
That brings us to the most controversial award, which is World Performance Car. Here, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N beat the BMW M2 CS and Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray.
While a 641 hp (478 kW / 650 PS) Hyundai is certainly impressive, is it really more of a performance car than a 523 hp (390 kW / 530 PS) coupe that accelerates from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.7 seconds and laps the Nordschleife in 7:25.534? The E-Ray, on the other hand, has all-wheel drive, an EV-only mode, and a combined output of 655 hp (488 kW / 664 PS).
Since you’re probably still stewing over that, we’ll finish up with the two categories little care about. World Urban Car went to the Nio Firefly, which beat out the Hyundai Venue as well as the Baojun Yep Plus / Chevrolet Spark EUV.
There’s also World Car Design of the Year, which was apparently decided by Mr. Magoo. The Mazda 6e / EZ-6 took home the prize as it won over the Kia PV5 and Volvo ES90. None of them are particularly pretty, but the 6e isn’t too shabby and the finalists were chosen by a design panel of people you’ve probably never heard of before.
BMW has quietly introduced the entry-level iX3 40.
It features a smaller battery and rear-mounted motor.
Crossover has 316 hp and a WLTP range of 395 miles.
When BMW introduced the iX3 last fall, it was launched with a 108.7 kWh battery pack and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque. The company promised further variants would follow including an entry-level model.
The automaker is now delivering on that by introducing the iX3 40. The crossover features a smaller 82.6 kWh battery as well as a rear-mounted motor developing 316 hp (235 kW / 320 PS) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. This enables the entry-level EV to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h).
Buyers can expect a WLTP range of up to 395 miles (636 km), which falls well below the iX3 50’s rating of up to 500 miles (805 km). On the bright side, a 300 kW DC fast charger can provide up to 186 miles (299 km) of range in as little as 10 minutes. The model also has a bidirectional charging capability and can go from a 10-80% charge in as few as 21 minutes.
The iX3 40 will arrive in the United Kingdom this summer, where pricing starts at £53,250 (approximately $70,450 at current exchange rates). That’s £5,505 (around $7,280) less than the iX3 50, which represents a considerable savings.
The automaker was coy on equipment details, but said “as with its exterior and interior design, standard specification for the new iX3 40 is identical to that of the iX3 50 xDrive.” However, that might not be the same for all markets and we wouldn’t be surprised if some regions got smaller wheels or other minor changes.
Opel confirmed the GSE will be its most powerful production Corsa to date.
Nürburgring testing focused on chassis tuning, steering, and ESC calibration.
Hatch is expected to borrow its 278-hp electric powertrain from the Mokka GSE.
Opel announced plans for a Corsa GSE earlier this year and the automaker recently took the hot hatch to the Nürburgring for testing. Unsurprisingly, the brand’s answer to the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI was spotted not only by spy photographers, but also by the company’s own cameras.
We’ll get to the details in a moment, but Opel said testing was primarily focused on fine-tuning the chassis. They went on to say the upcoming model will “be the most powerful series Corsa ever built” and have “specific throttle, steering, and ESC tuning.”
While the company is keeping details under wraps, we can see a lightly revised front end with triangular air curtain accents. They’re joined by extended fender flares and aerodynamically optimized wheels, which are backed up by yellow brake calipers with GSE badging.
The changes largely fly under the radar, but the production model could be hiding a few tricks up its sleeve. That remains to be seen, but we can expect to learn more as we approach the car’s unveiling at the Paris Motor Show in October.
Opel
One thing that isn’t much of a mystery is the powertrain as the hatchback is expected to borrow heavily from the Mokka GSE. This means we can likely expect a 54 kWh battery that powers a front-mounted motor developing 278 hp (207 kW / 281 PS) and 254 lb-ft (345 Nm) of torque. It enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h).
The upgrades should extend beyond the powertrain as the Corsa GSE will likely be equipped with a limited-slip differential, unique axles, and a sport-tuned suspension with special shock absorbers.
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