Acura is celebrating its 40th anniversary at Monterey Car Week with a sharp two-seat sports car named the Nexera Vision. The bad news arrives fast, as the concept isn’t headed for a showroom. Instead, it previews where the brand’s design is going, and its influence will surface on future products including the upcoming RDX Hybrid SUV.

The concept plants itself with an aggressive stance, a long hood falling away toward a low, sharp nose. Its bodywork wears a Matte Titanium finish that puts the clean surfacing along the profile on full display, and that surfacing owes its tension to a generous dash-to-axle ratio,

More: Acura Plans A Bigger SUV Than The MDX And Is Calling It The XL

The exterior’s headline act is the new phantom lighting signature, with LED headlights and taillights that stay hidden until they’re switched on. The V-shaped units draw from the Acura emblem and will reach production vehicles soon, beginning with the next-gen RDX Hybrid. Acura fans have already seen these lights on the recent Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype, which previews the production RDX.

Acura

The rest of the exterior keeps pace with large dual-hinge butterfly doors, an aerodynamic greenhouse, air channels on the nose, an active rear spoiler and a forged carbon bodykit. The six-spoke 22-inch center-lock wheels use a 3D directional design and pair a matte anodized finish with forged carbon inserts and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes.

More: Acura’s 1980s Retro Dealership Is A Better Ad Than Anything It’s Running Now

The interior was designed to be futuristic, minimalist, and sustainable. Rather than lean on screens, Acura went with a curved digital instrument cluster behind the yoke-shaped steering wheel. The goal was to eliminate distractions, evoking memories of the Honda S2000.

To reach the lowest possible seating position, the bucket seats are fixed to the floor, so the driver moves the steering wheel and pedal box instead. The cabin runs a black-and-white theme with pink accents. On materials, Acura used CircuLeather upholstery that claims a lower carbon footprint, plus Alcantara made from post-consumer recycled polyester, recycled aluminum, and forged carbon details.

The concept came out of the Acura Design California studio in Los Angeles. Yasutake Tsuchida, Acura Creative Director and Vice President of Auto Design, who oversaw the project, said:

“Our goal with this new design direction is to define Acura performance through disciplined proportions, sculpted form and the seamless integration of advanced technology, creating an expression that is both progressive and authentic to the brand.”

More: Acura Is Going All-In On Hybrids, Honda Is Keeping Gas Cars Affordable

Tsuchida added that the Nexera Vision “sets the course for the next generation of Acura design, and we are committed to evolving that direction with clarity, consistency and purpose across future Acura products.”

Acura shared nothing about what powers the concept. The packaging, though, hints at a fully electric powertrain.

More: Honda Took A $16 Billion Bath On EVs, So Now Wants More EVs On A Platform That Can Switch Sides

The Acura Nexera Vision makes its public debut at The Quail on August 14, then appears at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Concept Lawn on August 16.

Acura

The company doesn’t mention plans to turn the concept into a production car, though it says that elements of its exterior and interior will reach the future Acura lineup soon. A warm public reaction could still push it toward development.

The Nexera Vision continues a line of two-door sports car concepts from Acura, including the HSC (Honda Sports Concept) from 2004, the Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept from 2007, and the NSX Concept from 2012, which evolved into the hybrid production supercar of the same name.

Acura

Kia has revealed pricing for the 2027 EV3, the cheapest EV it sells in the US. The starting figure lands under $30k, and the SUV carries design and tech cues from the flagship three-row EV9.

The entry-level Kia EV3 Light starts at $29,890, roughly $10k less than the discontinued Niro EV ($39,600). It also slips under rivals including the Volvo EX30 ($40,345), the Chevrolet Equinox EV ($34,995), the Hyundai Kona Electric ($32,975), and the Nissan Leaf ($29,990).

More: Kia’s Affordable Niro Gets An Upscale Makeover For 2027 And Drops The EV

At the top of the range, the flagship EV3 GT reaches $45,890. That figure overlaps entry-level RWD versions of larger electric crossovers such as the Tesla Model Y ($39,990) and the Ford Mustang Mach-E ($37,795).

The EV3 Lineup

Kia EV3 GT Line

The EV3 range runs through Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line and GT trims. The cheapest Light comes only with a single electric motor making 201 hp (204 PS / 150 kW) and a 58.3 kWh battery good for 221 miles (356 km) of EPA range. Standard kit includes dual 12.3-inch screens, a six-speaker stereo, 17-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, and an ADAS suite.

More: 2027 Kia Seltos Has A Higher Price To Match Its More Upscale Design

The mid-spec Wind and Land step up to the larger 81.4 kWh battery, which pushes range to 321 miles (517 km), and both can be optioned with the dual-motor AWD setup producing 261 hp (265 PS / 195 kW). On equipment, the Wind adds a battery heater, SynTex upholstery, heated seats and a 10-way power driver’s seat, while the Land adds 19-inch wheels, ventilated seats, taller roof rails, a power sunroof, a smart tailgate and more.

Kia EV3 GT Line

The higher-spec GT-Line and GT come in AWD only, with the GT lifting output to 288 hp (292 PS / 215 kW) alongside a sportier suspension and steering tune. Both use the 81.4 kWh battery for 280 miles (451 km) of EPA range. The EV3 handles 350kW DC fast charging through its NACS port, so a 10-80% top-up takes around 31 minutes.

More: Kia’s Next Sportage Is Getting A Rugged Redesign

The GT-Line and GT models are visually distinguished by different bumpers, though only the more powerful GT gets the machined 19-inch wheels with Neon Green brake calipers. Both include Harman Kardon audio, V2L capability, a heat pump, and power-folding mirrors, with the GT adding a 12-inch head-up display and sport seats with suede inserts.

Finally, also offers the Nightfall Package, which brings black 19-inch alloys, matching exterior accents, bridge-type roof rails, and a dark gray interior. Below are the prices for every EV3 trim in the US, excluding a $1,495 destination fee.

2027 Kia EV3 US Pricing

Jaguar has released the first official images of the Type 01 interior, ahead of the model’s debut on October 6. The four-seater cabin of this electric GT runs on straight lines, concealed compartments, and retro-inspired shapes and colorways, along with “hidden-until-needed technology” that carries over the same minimalist and divisive design language Jaguar used on the exterior. Love it or hate it, the cabin commits to the same idea.

More: Jaguar’s 1,000-HP Answer To Bentley Looks Nothing Like The Jaguar You Knew

The production interior traces directly back to the Type 00 concept, with the wilder details reined in for the real world. Jaguar held onto the central spine, which cuts the cabin into two halves and locks capacity at four occupants. The automaker describes an interior that “shrinks around the driver with a low seating position that cossets and inspires confidence,” which is a lot of words for a snug cockpit.

The Screens, Or Lack Of Them

The driver faces a large digital instrument cluster that stands in for the traditional infotainment screen missing from the center stack, and it covers everything from speed to navigation. Jaguar has skipped a separate display for the front passenger as well. Backing up the cluster is a mirror-replacing screen called the “ClearSight Rear View Display,” set at the base of the windscreen, plus a small smartphone-style touchscreen that pokes out of the center console. That touchscreen holds the climate and media controls, and what look like haptic buttons sit on either side of the two-spoke steering wheel’s central hub, home to the new Jaguar logo.

More: Jaguar’s 1,000 HP Type 01 Is Chasing Bentley Money And Influencers On Monaco’s Streets

Screens aren’t the only thing Jaguar kept to a minimum, at least by today’s standards. Physical buttons are nearly absent, with only the window switches visible in these photos.

Hidden Compartments And Surprise Touches

Jaguar said the vehicle has “concealed compartments, hidden-until-needed technologies and unexpected moments of color,” which hints that occupants might be met with a few surprises. The large center console should hide storage cubbies as well. Shots from other angles show a floating center tunnel, a panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting strips along the doors. The production model does without a rear windscreen, following the example of the Avatr 12 and Polestar 4.

A ’70s Palette Reworked

Jaguar

The color palette draws from “travertine stone and the rich textures of artisan textiles,” giving off ’70s concept car vibes. Cream and brown upholstery meets brass accents on the central spine, while the door cards carry embedded Jaguar leapers. Linear graphics visually merge the hood and the dashboard for a retro-futuristic feel, with the same motif echoed on the steering wheel.

Thomas Holden, Jaguar’s Chief Interior Designer, said:

“Our holistic design philosophy translates the vehicle’s exterior presence into a distinctive interior architecture. In contrast to the horizontal interior design norm, we emphasise its dramatic longitudinal nature through the central spine – an architectural statement that creates four individual spaces. With authentic materials, technology on demand and reductive flowing surfaces, Type 01 presents unmistakable drama and theatre that will define the modern luxury automotive interior of the future.”.

The Hardware Underneath

Jaguar / Instagram

The production GT rides on a brand-new EV-dedicated Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA). The company is targeting a range beyond 400 miles (644 km) on the EPA cycle, or 700 km (435 miles) on the WLTP cycle, from a 120 kWh battery pack, and output north of 986 hp (735 kW / 1,000 PS) from an AWD tri-motor setup. Jaguar has also confirmed 959 lb-ft of torque.

More: Jaguar Benchmarked Its Electric GT Against One Classic Above All Others

The Jaguar Type 01 prototype will appear at Pebble Beach Concours on August 16 wearing a new camouflage wrap. The full reveal of the production EV is set for October 6 in New York.

Volkswagen’s commercial division is bringing two premieres worth a look to the Caravan Salon 2026 in Germany. The headliner is the ID. California Cruise concept, which previews an entire family of electric campers. Next to it sits a California Beach kitted out with inflatable kitchen and bed modules, the idea being that one vehicle can handle the daily commute and the weekend escape without asking you to pick a side.

Starting with the ID. California Cruise, the company has yet to publish photos but confirmed it will be based on the ID. Buzz platform. The concept is expected to go a step further than the already available Good Night kit, which adds a folding bed, window blinds, and a 48-hour climate control mode for €2,600 ($3,000).

More: VW’s $3K ID.Buzz Camping Kit Adds A Bed And Runs The A/C For Two Full Days

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

VW says the ID. California Cruise “lays the foundation for a new family of electric campervans set to arrive step by step through 2028”. The company had confirmed a California version of the ID. Buzz back in 2023, though the project stalled over worries about market demand. The rest of the details will land during Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, which runs from August 28 through September 6, 2026.

Blow-Up Camping

Alongside the electric concept, VW has revealed a pair of inflatable interior modules for the T7-based California Beach in partnership with startup Stuff Bubble. Instead of leaning on heavy, permanently mounted wooden cabinets and metal framing that eat into everyday usability, the two companies looked to kitesurfing, paragliding, and inflatable tent structures for the ultra-lightweight modular system.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

The inflatable kitchen measures 120 x 44 x 47.5 cm (47.2 x 17.3 x 18.7 in) and clips straight into the existing luggage shelf mounting rails of the California Beach. It weighs under 10 kg (22 lbs) and includes an integrated closed water circuit. A split design lets you use it inside the vehicle or pull it out and set it up at a campsite or a lakefront pitch.

More: VW Wants $72K For A Camper That Comes Without The Camper

The inflatable bed system features a breathable multi-layer construction measuring 200 x 134 cm (78.7 x 52.8 inches). It can be configured as a single bed weighing 6 kg (13.2 lbs) or a double bed weighing 12 kg (26.5 lbs). Combined with the upper pop-up roof bed, the van to sleep up to four adults.

One-Person Setup, Zero Dead Weight

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

VW claims that the kitchen and the bed can be installed and removed by a single person in a matter of minutes. The setup converts the van into a fully functional camper without forcing owners to haul around permanent additional weight during routine city driving. Furthermore, the modules can also be adapted to fit the rest of the Multivan T7 lineup, which recently gained subtle styling upgrades and new screens.

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The inflatable modules will be showcased at the Caravan Salon in a California Beach. There, the automaker plans to gather customer feedback “to help shape future development” meaning we could be seeing the accessories enter production in the near future.

Stefan Mecha, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said that the new product “appeals to customers who do not want a permanently fitted interior but still want to enjoy the comforts of camping on spontaneous getaways, festival weekends or outdoor adventures.”

A few days back, Smart teased its Fortwo successor with artistic murals splashed across big cities worldwide, all building toward a global premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October. So much for the slow tease. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology just published regulatory filings that lay the whole EV bare, months early and free of charge.

The Smart #2 signals the brand’s return to the city car segment after a short hiatus. The new model was developed under the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, and it will be sold exclusively in fully electric form.

More: The World’s Biggest EV Market Just Went Into Reverse After Years Of Growth

The styling of the production car stays very close to the Concept #2 that debuted in April 2026, penned by Mercedes designers. The tweaks are focused on the smaller wheels with regular tires, the simplified grille and bumpers, a new shut line on the hood, the toned-down LED graphics on the headlights and taillights, the license holder on the tailgate, and conventional door handles. The result is instantly recognizable, if slightly more aggressive than earlier iterations.

Buyers will be able to personalize their cars with various options, including bi-tone paint schemes, a concept-style grille cover that resembles a suitcase, aero add-ons along the lower bodywork, and a choice of wheel designs.

More: Smart Thinks Its E-Class-Sized Sedan Looks Like A Shark, And Stands By It

Dimensions shift slightly across trim levels, with length landing between 2,751 and 2,764 mm (108.3-108.8 in). That makes the #2 some 56-69 mm longer than its predecessor, while the wheelbase stays nearly identical at 1,875 mm (73.8 in). The company says the new generation will match the 6.95 m (22.8 foot) turning circle of the EQ Fortwo.

Powertrain And Range

The Smart #2 rides on a bespoke Electric Compact Architecture (ECA) engineered by Geely, with an independent suspension setup. Power comes from a rear-mounted electric motor rated at 80 hp (60 kW / 82 PS), good for an electronically limited top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph). The Chinese-spec version has a curb weight of 1,130 kg (2,491 lbs) and a gross weight of 1,315 kg (2,899 lbs).

Energy is stored in a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, with cells produced by CATL and assembly handled by Geely. Smart has confirmed a targeted WLTP range of 300 km (186 miles) and a CLTC range of 400 km, well beyond what the discontinued EQ Fortwo managed. The #2 also supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality and DC fast-charging, taking the battery from 10 to 80 percent in under 20 minutes.

More: You Can Buy A Used Mansory Smart With Less Power Than A Base Corolla For Just $80,000

We have yet to see the interior of the production version, but the automaker teased the cabin with the concept that featured upmarket materials and high-tech features. The city car is expected to have a floating infotainment screen, a digital instrument cluster, and circular climate vents. Whether the road-going model keeps the concept’s bench seat is still an open question.

Production of the Smart #2 will take place in China. The EV will roll out across various global markets, Europe included, following its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October. Pricing will be announced closer to launch and will likely vary by region thanks to import tariffs.

MIIT

BMW is preparing a mid-lifecycle update for the 5-Series, and fresh spy shots have caught the Touring variant in the final stages of development. The refresh brings Neue Klasse tech and styling cues to the executive model, though the wagon’s changes look more restrained than what we’ve seen on the new i3, iX3, and X5.

The current generation of the 5-Series arrived in 2023, with the Touring joining in early 2024. The first prototypes of the facelifted version were spotted in March 2025. More recent sightings in December 2025 hinted that BMW reworked the design partway through, adding a more conventional kidney grille.

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

This latest prototype, caught in Germany, wears a similar look, but a closer inspection suggests the grille could be a camouflage add-on rather than the real production piece. The reshaped headlights are visible too, playing up the shark-nose effect alongside a sportier front bumper.

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The profile is largely carried over from the current model, although BMW might add new colors and wheel designs. At the back, the highlight is the new LED graphics on the taillights, which retain the same outer shape. The camouflage wrap prevents us from seeing more details, but we also expect redesigned trim on the bumper.

More: BMW Is Taking The Next i5 In A Direction The 5-Series Won’t Follow

The bigger shifts happen inside, where the cabin borrows tech from the Neue Klasse i3, iX3, and X5. The current digital cockpit makes way for the new Panoramic iDrive, paired with a large infotainment touchscreen, an optional passenger display, and a 3D head-up display.

Under the skin, the 5-Series will likely remain available with mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric powertrain options, retaining the CLAR underpinnings. The flagship M5 is also scheduled to receive the mid-cycle update and will likely be the only variant available in Touring bodystyle in the US market.

More: 2027 M5 Gets A New Face And A Bavarian Butt Lift

BMW remains tight-lipped on the mid-lifecycle update of the 5. However, the latest reports suggest that production might commence at the Dingolfing plant in Germany in mid-2027. A public debut is expected early next year, with a potential arrival to the US market as a 2028 model. The main rivals of the BMW 5-Series are the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Audi A6.

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Ford has taken the wraps off the name and starting price for its new electric midsize truck. The Fathom will be the first vehicle riding on Ford’s flexible Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) architecture, and it targets mainstream buyers with an aggressive $28,350 sticker for the standard-range model. Factor in the $1,595 destination charge and you’re at $29,945. That lands $3,545 above the Slate Auto, which opens at $24,950 for a bare-bones truck with crank windows and no speakers, before a $1,450 destination fee brings its total to $26,400.

That $28,350 keeps Ford’s sub-$30k promise honest, at least until you get to taxes, title, registration, and fees. Pre-orders open in early 2027, with the first deliveries later that year.

More: Ford Killed Off Its Affordable Cars To Become the ‘Porsche Of Off-Road’

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As for the name, Ford skipped a numerical badge like the F-150 and spent nine months hunting for the right word. Fathom started as the span of outstretched arms, then became a nautical verb for measuring water depth, and eventually a metaphor for deep comprehension. For Ford, that makes it a fitting stand-in for the work of understanding the customer.

Ford says the new model will have “more passenger volume than a Toyota RAV4,” seating five adults on top of a frunk and a bed. It also comes with a large touchscreen, bidirectional charging, a digital key, and Apple Maps, and every truck is BlueCruise-capable for hands-free highway driving.

More: Ford’s $30K Electric Truck Will Run Apple Maps, Not Google

The company also put out an animated teaser video built around all the memories a truck can help create. The scenarios run the gamut. including surfing, playing music, mountain biking, camping, getting married, starting a business, moving into a new home, road trips, and more.

What We Know So Far

The Fathom is the brainchild of Ford’s California-based skunkworks team, formed in 2022 to work outside the usual corporate bureaucracy and build an affordable yet profitable EV.

It’s the first production model to ride on the new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform. According to Ford, large aluminum unicastings trim 27% of weight versus rival setups while cutting parts by 20%, fasteners by 25%, and factory workstations by 40%. The truck also uses a 48-volt electrical architecture, with a wiring harness that comes in 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) shorter and 10 kg (22 lbs) lighter than the ones in Ford’s first-generation EVs.

More: Ford’s New $30K EV Truck Barely Clears An Expedition’s Shoulder

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Power comes from lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery cells built at Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, Michigan, using technology licensed from China’s CATL. Entry-level models get a basic pack, while extended-range variants are expected to manage 300 miles (483 km) despite using one-third fewer cells than the automaker’s first-gen EVs.

Designers and engineers leaned hard on aerodynamics, dropping the roof height as far as they could to stretch range.

Production rests on a $2 billion investment in the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky, which ditches the traditional linear assembly line for a parallel “tree-shaped” layout. Expect more Fathom details over the coming months as pre-orders in early 2027 draw closer.

Ford

Dongfeng Nissan has unveiled the NX7, a model that will grow the automaker’ new energy vehicle lineup in China. The electrified SUV will slot in below the larger NX8, borrowing a lightly reworked design language along with the brand’s newest tech.

The Nissan NX7 retains the sleek curves of the NX8 but some of its features have been evolved. The centerpiece is a fresh take on split LED headlights, positioned on either side of a grille-less nose that carries an illuminated Nissan badge. Up top, the daytime running lights drop the full-width LED bar seen on earlier models, and the lower clusters wear a plainer shape.

More: Nissan’s 2027 Rogue Is Gunning For The RAV4, And Its Hybrid Works Nothing Like Toyota’s

Other highlights includes a sculpted hood, semi-enclosed door handles, and the lack of plastic cladding around the wheel arches. The rear end loos familiar with slim full-width LED taillights but the NX7 has a distinct C-pillar with dark trim connecting the rear quarter windows with the rear glass.

A roof-mounted LiDAR unit and additional sensors point to a fairly sophisticated ADAS setup. On size, the NX7 likely lands somewhere between the 183-inch (4,648 mm) Rogue / X-Trail and the 191.7-inch (4,870 mm) NX8.

Dongfeng Nissan / Weibo

Dongfeng Nissan didn’t get into specifics, but the NX7 will likely ride on its local Tianyan NEV architecture which already underpins the N6 and N7 sedans and the NX8 SUV. The latter is available with electric and range-extender powertrains with a FWD layout and CATL-sourced lithium-iron phosphate batteries.

More: Nissan Brings Back The Primera, But It’s A Chinese EV Now

Pricing stays under wraps, though it will land below the NX8 and its ¥149,900 ($22,200) starting figure. The automaker also hasn’t confirmed whether the NX7 stays exclusive to China or eventually follows other locally built models abroad.

The Dongfeng Nissan NX7 (above) compared to the slightly larger NX8 (below).

Genesis will pull the covers off a new flagship this month, a large SUV built around a fully electric powertrain. The GV90 slots above both the GV80 SUV and the G90 sedan in the lineup, making it the brand’s new range-topper. Officials have now confirmed it brings a party trick borrowed from rarefied company, rear-hinged coach doors, the same suicide-door arrangement you’ll find on the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and the Ferrari Purosangue.

Review: Genesis’s New GV60 Magma Keeps The N Car Madness Without The Boy-Racer Baggage

The Genesis Neolun Concept from 2024 gave us a solid preview of what to expect, but wild concept features don’t always survive the trip to production. This one does. A Genesis executive has confirmed the GV90 keeps the rear-hinged coach doors, backing up what earlier spy shots suggested.

A Selling Point Borrowed From Rolls-Royce

Genesis Europe Managing Director Peter Kronschnabl, who spent 30 years at BMW before joining the Hyundai Group brand in 2025, spoke to Car Magazine about the feature. He pointed out that the only other brand fitting coach doors is Rolls-Royce, and said the setup will work as a unique selling proposition for the GV90’s segment.

Kronschnabl said the new SUV will “show what the brand can do when it comes to luxury,” describing it as “another dimension of premium.” Read into that what you will, but the Korean brand looks ready to push past the G90 sedan on quality, comfort, technology, and personalization.

SH Proshots

Over the past couple of years, our spy photographers have caught several camouflaged GV90 prototypes out testing. Some wore automatic suicide doors and a pillarless design, while others rolled on conventional doors, which raises the question of whether the coach setup stays locked to high-spec trims.

More: Genesis Keeps Teasing A G90 Convertible It Still Won’t Promise To Build

The Genesis GV90 will ride on the group’s new eM architecture, an evolution of the E-GMP platform that currently underpins the similarly-sized Hyundai Ioniq 9 and the Kia EV9. It will most likely be powered by dual electric motors, fed by a large 110 kWh battery pack. There is also a chance that a range-extender version might follow further down the line, as Genesis has confirmed work on hybrid and EREV powertrains for its future lineup.

2024 Genesis Neolun Concept

The flagship SUV will debut in August 2026. When it hits the roads, the Genesis GV90 will rival the upcoming Range Rover Electric and BMW iX7, as well as the existing Mercedes-Benz EQS and Cadillac Escalade IQ. In markets outside the US, it will also compete with premium electrified SUVs from China such as the Zeekr 9X, the Aito M9, the Li Auto L9, and more.

More: Genesis Is Chasing A V8 Halo And A Baby EV At The Same Time

Kronschnabl has confirmed the GV90 will be sold in the UK, though he admitted the numbers will be small. The Korean brand keeps expanding across the Old Continent but is struggling to gain a foothold, scoring just 2,500 sales in 2025. The target is 12,500 vehicles a year in Europe by 2030, a fraction of the 82,331 it sold in the US in 2025.

Genesis

Kia keeps rewriting its own US sales record, and July gave it another line in the book. Last month stood as the brand’s best July ever, with several models posting record numbers for the month, the Carnival family hauler among them.

The Korean automaker moved 75,857 vehicles in July, a 7 percent gain over the same month last year. Through the first seven months of 2026, the running total reaches 506,584 units, up 4 percent, which puts Kia on course for a fourth straight annual sales record in the US.

Record-Setters Across The Lineup

According to Kia, the Sportage, Carnival, Telluride, Seltos, and K4 all logged best-ever July sales. The Sportage led the pack with 16,083 sales (+11.7%), trailed by the K4/Forte at 12,094 (+8%), the Telluride at 11,816 (+13%), the Sorento at 9,038 (+13.5%), and the Seltos at 8,807 (+79.1%).

More: Kia’s Next Sportage Is Getting A Rugged Redesign

The one that caught our eye, though, is the Carnival minivan. Its 7,279 deliveries marked a hefty 22.8% climb over last year and landed within striking distance of its all-time monthly best of 7,362 units, set in November 2025. A recent study found millennials are fueling a minivan comeback, sold on the practicality and value SUVs can’t match, and Kia’s numbers appear to reflect the trend.

Kia introduced the current Carnival in 2020, and it reached the US for the 2022 model year. A mid-cycle refresh arrived in late 2023 for the 2025 model year, bringing a sharper face and a hybrid powertrain option. Pricing now runs from $37,490 to $53,590, with buyers choosing between a 3.5-liter V6 and a turbocharged 1.6-liter hybrid.

EV Sales Down, Hybrids On The Rise

Strong as the month was overall, Kia’s electric lineup told a rougher story. EV6 deliveries nearly halved to 674 units (-48%) in July, dragging its year-to-date figure to 4,717 (-34%). The three-row EV9 dipped more gently to 1,650 units (-5%), though its year-to-date total still runs ahead of last year at 8,685 (+30%).

Hybrids went the other direction, and hard. Total hybrid sales jumped 108 percent year-over-year. The Sportage Hybrid posted the steepest growth among electrified models at 76%, while the Sorento Hybrid and Carnival Hybrid each managed a 16 percent gain over last July.

More: 2027 Kia Seltos Has A Higher Price To Match Its More Upscale Design

Kia plans to keep the momentum going with the new Seltos and the entry-level EV3 electric crossover, due later this year.

Kia US Sales 2026

While America still waits on electric cars that manage to be stylish and affordable at the same time, Renault is busy treating Europe to a cute frog-eyed hatchback. The resurrected Renault Twingo E-Tech has just made the trip across the English Channel, though British buyers won’t be taking one for a spin quite yet.

Renault has shipped a convoy of more than 100 Twingos from France to the UK for one specific reason. The EVs will act as display models in showrooms nationwide ahead of the official market launch in late 2026. So why are they staying put?

More: Renault’s R4 Concept Just Became A Beach Buggy That Moonlights As A Pickup

The answer comes down to their configuration. This batch is left-hand drive and hasn’t been approved for UK roads, so the cars will stay locked to the showroom floor rather than heading out for test drives.

Renault

The 100 Renaults arrived on dedicated single-make car haulers, all wearing the Absolute Green presentation color. They also sit on 16-inch steelies in black, though those will probably be hidden under hubcaps once they reach their destinations. For reference, the flagship Twingo trim gets diamond-cut Reverso alloys measuring 18 inches.

Standard equipment includes full-LED lights, independent sliding rear seats, a 10-inch infotainment display, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, manual A/C and rear parking sensors.

Review: The Fun 2026 Renault 5 EV America Will Never Get To Buy

Renault

Beneath its stylish body, the Twingo E-Tech rides on the AmpR Small platform, shared with the R5 E-Tech and the Nissan Micra. A single electric motor produces 80 hp (60 kW / 82 PS) and 175 Nm (129 lb-ft) of torque, fed by a 27.5 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery good for a WLTP range of 163 miles (262 km). The little city car handles 50 kW DC fast charging, enough to go from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes.

Renault

Renault has yet to confirm UK pricing but promises a starting figure under £20,000 ($26,900). In France, the Twingo opens at €19,490 ($22,400) in base Evolution trim. Local incentives can knock that down to €15,870 ($18,200), making it one of the cheapest new cars on the French market.

Rivals of the Renault Twingo E-Tech include the Dacia Spring, the Leapmotor T03, and the upcoming production version of the VW ID.Every1 concept. Production of the entry-level Renault is handled in Slovenia.

Renault

Fully electric semi trucks can cut operating costs for fleet operators, but they routinely cost two to three times what a diesel equivalent does, and they come saddled with range limits and charging headaches. San Francisco startup Revoy has a clever way around that, turning existing diesel semis into hybrids with a swappable, plug-in electric dolly. The setup also buys more life out of the diesel trucks a fleet already owns, rather than making it replace them outright.

More: The Rental Giant That Dumped 30,000 EVs Is Now Betting On Self-Driving EVs

Revoy was founded in 2020 by CEO Peter Reinhardt and CTO Ian Rust. Rust, who previously worked at autonomous driving startup Cruise, said the idea grew out of collaborative robotics, closer in principle to an exoskeleton for humans than to a conventional EV drivetrain. “Instead of removing the driver, we’re using robotics to switch the fuel source,” he told Bloomberg.

What Actually Bolts On

The product is a self-powered unit that connects directly between the tractor’s fifth-wheel hitch and the cargo trailer. The electric add-on measures 13 feet (3.96 meters) long and tips the scales at 22,000 lbs (9,979 kg). Inside sits a 575 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery that feeds an electrically driven axle, which is where all the real work happens.

When the truck driver hits the throttle, the system reads the load demand and engages the electric motor to shoulder the heavy lifting, keeping the diesel engine from straining. Under braking, the motor flips to regenerative mode, topping up the battery while helping slow the truck. The dolly also runs active safety systems that guard against rollovers, flipping, and jackknifing, and it supports blind-spot detection and automatic reversing.

The Benefits In Fuel Economy And Emissions

With the add-on fitted, a standard semi hauling an 80,000 lbs (36,287 kg) gross vehicle weight can cover more than 200 to 250 miles (322 to 402 km) on electric power alone, which is enough to reshape how a lot of regional routes get run.

More: A Semi Truck Habit That’s Driving Everyone Crazy Could Soon Be Illegal

The company says average fuel economy on the diesel hybrid can climb from the usual 6 to 8 mpg (29.4 to 39.2 lt/100 km) to 20 to 35 mpg (6.7 to 11.8 lt/100 km), and touch 40 mpg (5.9 lt/100 km) on short-haul runs under 150 miles (241 km). Those are real savings at a moment when diesel prices have spiked because of the ongoing war with Iran.

Reinhardt says US retail diesel still sits about 40 percent above the pre-war level of roughly $3.80 per gallon, and fuel usually accounts for more than a fifth of a truck owner’s operating costs. At the same time, carbon emissions drop by as much as 85 percent.

Rather than parking a rig for hours to charge that enormous battery, Revoy built the dolly to be swapped. The company is putting together a network of highway hubs where a truck can trade a drained unit for a fresh one, with the whole exchange wrapping up in under five minutes.

According to Bloomberg, the 3 million registered heavy-duty freight trucks in the United States each cover roughly 60,000 miles (96,561 km) per year. That adds up to a $900 billion market that throws off around 300 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, or 6.7 percent of all US greenhouse emissions. An earlier report from FleetOwner pegged the potential savings at an average of $25,000 per truck each year in fuel costs, which is the kind of number that gets a fleet manager’s attention.

Dolly by Subscription

Instead of selling the hardware outright, Revoy hands the electric dolly to fleet operators as a service with a subscription fee. The company secured regulatory approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2023, then wrapped a yearlong pilot with freight company Ryder System Inc. in 2024. Its first commercial operation starts in 2026 in Oregon, deploying an initial fleet of four dollies built from Chinese components. That run will cover a 200-mile stretch near Portland using second-hand diesel trucks bought by Revoy’s partners, with the company training those partners’ drivers to operate the dollies.

More: Ford Wants To Build The US Army A Super Truck That Charges Drones

Revoy raised $27 million in its latest funding round, pushing total funding to $41 million, reports Bloomberg. With that money, the company is developing a cheaper second-generation dolly that pairs a smaller battery with the same 200-mile EV range. The plan is to scale production and have dozens of second-gen units running US shipping routes by late 2027. For now Revoy is focused on the US, though Rust hopes the technology can eventually reach other markets.

Hyundai unveiled a new concept car at the 2026 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show, pitching it as an upcoming three-row minivan with a fully electric powertrain. Instead of a clean-sheet design, though, the new model is a rebadged Kia Carens Clavis EV that already sits on sale in India.

The 4,550 mm (179.1 inches) long minivan reads instantly as a Kia, with the styling changes kept to a minimum. The only differences are the Hyundai emblems, the slim intakes on the front bumper, and the silver accents on the plastic cladding around the bodywork.

More: Hyundai’s New Kona Looks So Much Like An Ioniq You’d Think It Went Electric

Dig into the details, and the Hyundai-specific work is found in the lower section of the bumpers and side moldings, along with the alloy wheels. The rest of the bodywork carries over unchanged, right down to the LED graphics on the headlights and taillights.

Photos from the auto show suggest the interior is identical to the Kia’s, save for Hyundai’s signature four dots on the steering wheel and black upholstery on the seats. The digital cockpit runs dual 12.3-inch displays, and the cabin seats seven across three rows.

Hyundai Neira Prototype | Photos: Hyundai Motors Indonesia / X

Hyundai didn’t share any specifications, but the Kia Carens Clavis EV comes with two powertrain options. The base version pairs 133 hp (99 kW / 135 PS) with a 42 kWh battery, while the flagship trim steps up to 169 hp (126 kW / 171 PS) and a 51.4 kWh battery good for a maximum range of 490 km (305 miles).

More: Kia’s New ICE Minivan Looks Like A Crossover EV

It is worth noting that Kia also offers the Carens Clavis with non-electrified gasoline and diesel engines. Both displace 1.5 liters and can be paired with either manual or automatic transmissions. Whether the Hyundai Neira will borrow them is unclear, since the press release mentions it only as an EV.

Production of the Hyundai Neira is expected to take place at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (HMMI) plant in Cikarang. Indonesian pricing will be announced closer to the market launch, but the Kia Clavis EV is already on sale in India starting from 12.85 Lakh ($13,400).

Beyond the Neira, Hyundai Indonesia has also given its other budget three-row minivan, the Stargazer Cartenz, a new starting price of IDR 241,400,000 ($13,400).

Kia Carens Clavis EV | Photos: Kia India

Mini is preparing to expand its lineup with a new, off-road-focused version of the Countryman. The compact SUV is currently going through the last stages of testing and validation on US soil ahead of its premiere which is scheduled for October 2026.

More: This Is One MINI We Can Get Into

After years of rumors and off-road packages from independent tuners, a rugged Countryman is finally happening. Mini released photos of a camouflaged prototype picking its way across gravel tracks and rocky terrain in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

Mini

The prototype sits higher than the standard Countryman and rides on black alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. Unlike the X-Raid build from Delta4x4 and Mini’s own Vagabund concepts from earlier this year, though, this one skips the wide fender extensions that would give it a meaner stance. The bumpers look untouched too.

Review: Mini’s Electric 2026 Countryman SE ALL4 Is The Most Fun You Can Have With A Bad Idea

Besides the new shoes, the highlight of the exterior is the large roof top tent communicating the adventurous character of the build. Mini has been offering similar tents as an option for its other models so the camping treatment doesn’t take us by surprise.

Mini

Mini has not yet disclosed if this rugged package will be offered with combustion or electric powertrains. However, we expect it to be paired with the AWD-capable variants. At the moment, the only trims available with the ALL4 badge are the Countryman S, the flagship JCW and the electric SE.

After its public reveal in October, the model will take on the 2026 Rebelle Rally. The grueling all-women navigation event runs more than 2,500 km (1,553 miles) across remote wilderness, with no modern GPS to lean on.

Jean-Philippe Parain, Head of Mini, said: “Mini has always been about turning every journey into an adventure. That spirit guided this project from the very beginning. We are incredibly excited to be just one step away from introducing this new, rugged addition to the Mini Countryman family. True to the Mini spirit, it combines capability with character and will open up even more opportunities for unforgettable adventures”.

Mini

BYD has officially launched the Racco EV in Japan, becoming the first automaker from outside Japan to build a kei car. It arrives with aggressive pricing, segment-leading range, a strong warranty, and a long list of standard tech and safety kit.

The car first surfaced back in December 2025 as a near-production prototype. Now the Chinese giant has priced the full lineup and confirmed specifications across every grade.

More: Chery Just Lined Up A Kei Car For Japan, And Suzuki Should Be Worried

The headline is that starting price: ¥2,145,000 ($13,100) before local subsidies. The recently facelifted Nissan Sakura EV and Mitsubishi eK X EV, by comparison, list at ¥2,448,600 and ¥2,446,400, or roughly $14,900 at today’s exchange rates.

Local Rivals Still Have An Advantage

The Chinese newcomer has the lower sticker price, but it’s at a disadvantage compared to its Japanese rivals. Under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) rules, subsidies come down to a scoring system that weighs local manufacturing, battery sourcing, domestic charging network investment, and disaster support capabilities.

More: Honda Refreshed The $11K Kei Car That Outsells Everything Else In Japan

That system lets zero-emission kei cars from local brands qualify for the maximum subsidy cap of ¥580,000 ($3,500), while Chinese imports like the BYD can only tap the basic ¥150,000 ($900) grant.

Because local municipal subsidies stack on top of the national one, a Tokyo resident can buy a Racco for as little as ¥1,545,000 ($9,400). That same buyer can pick up a Nissan Sakura EV or Mitsubishi eK X EV for ¥1,298,600 and ¥1,296,400 (around $7,900), leaving both cheaper on the road.

Here’s Where The BYD Racco Wins

It isn’t the cheapest electric kei car on the road once subsidies settle out, but the BYD Racco takes the upper hand on specifications and standard equipment, which makes for a compelling case.

More: It Takes A 1,600-Pound Battery To Move A BYD Sedan Longer Than An S-Class

The entry-level Racco 200 runs a 22.40 kWh battery pack good for a WLTC range of 210 km (130 miles), already ahead of its rivals. The Racco 300 Plus and 300 Premium step up to a 35.84 kWh battery, stretching range to 320 km (199 miles). The car also handles faster charging of up to 6 kW AC and 50 kW DC, with battery pre-heating for winter, plus V2H and V2L capability.

Every grade runs a front-mounted electric motor making 63 hp (47 kW / 64 PS) and 160 Nm (118 lb-ft) of torque, the ceiling for kei cars. BYD says a remarkable 90 percent of the Racco’s components, batteries and electric motors included, were built in-house.

The Racco is based on an adaptation of BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 utilizing Cell-to-Body (CTB) structural LFP Blade battery tech and the “X-PACK” module, which integrates the drive battery, control unit, DC/OBC, and climate control electronics into a single assembly for enhanced crash energy absorption. It also gets a custom suspension system specifically designed for Japanese roads, and four wheel disc brakes, which is uncommon for the segment.

More: Daihatsu’s $8,800 Taft Looks Tougher Than It Drives

In terms of styling, it adopts a familiar wagon stance and a boxy silhouette designed to offer the maximum interior space while complying with the strict footprint regulations for kei cars measuring 3,395 mm (133.7 inches) long. Among the elements that distinguish the BYD Racco from rivals are the modern LEDs, the practical sliding doors, and the slightly taller stance.

Class-Leading Space And Equipment

Inside, the base model comes standard with an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch infotainment display, while higher grades upgrade to a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen. Note that most kei cars come without a screen in their basic configuration. The entire lineup supports over-the-air (OTA) updates and comes with six airbags.

The flagship BYD Racco 300 Premium features umbrella holders, a Child Presence Detection system, hands-free sliding doors with light guide projection, Black and Beige synthetic leather upholstery, and a heated cup holder. As for practicality, BYD promises class-leading interior length, width, and height, alongside ample storage compartments. The cargo space of 280 lt (9.9 cubic feet) expands to 1,372 lt (48.5 cubic feet) when the seats are folded.

Available Now

The Racco is already up for order in Japan across BYD’s 70 dealerships, backed by an 8-year / 99,500-mile battery warranty that stretches to 10 years / 124,300 miles. Pricing opens at ¥2,145,000 ($13,100) for the base 200 and climbs to ¥2,497,000 ($15,200) for the flagship 300 Premium, before subsidies. BYD says a five-year plan with no money down on the cheapest Racco starts at ¥19,300 ($120) a month.

More: Japan’s Favorite $11,800 EV Just Got A Facelift Before BYD Comes For Its Crown

Beyond the electric kei cars, the Racco also squares up against ICE-powered kei wagons like the Honda N-Box, Suzuki Spacia, Daihatsu Tanto, Nissan Roox, Mitsubishi Delica Mini, and eK Space. Whether Japanese buyers go for the BYD’s value and high-tech features over the more established names is the open question.

BYD

Leapmotor has a new electric subcompact hatch, the A05, and it’s going straight after the BYD Dolphin. The Stellantis-backed Chinese brand isn’t keeping this one at home, either. Europe and other export markets will get it as the Leapmotor B03.

The A05 / B03 is the hatchback version of the A10 / B03X subcompact SUV, and it certainly looks like it. The two share the same design language, with similar LEDs, bumper graphics, and soft curves around the bodywork. The hatch sets itself apart with a more aerodynamic windshield, a lower stance, and none of the plastic cladding that covers its SUV sibling.

More: Europe’s Small Hatches Stuck With Mild Hybrids, BYD Brings 621 Miles And A Plug

Stellantis says the A05 / B03 measures 4,175 mm (164.4 inches) long, 1,790 mm (70.5 inches) wide, and 1,560 mm (61.4 inches) tall, with a 2,605 mm (102.6 inches) wheelbase. That slots it between the smaller VW ID. Polo and the larger ID.3 Neo on length, though the wheelbase lines up closely with the Polo’s.

One standout for the class is the optional roof-mounted LiDAR sensor. Leapmotor claims the A05 is the only hatchback in the segment to offer LiDAR-backed, parking-space-to-parking-space navigation-assisted driving (NAP), plus memory parking and highway pilot assist.

More: Europe Spent Years Locking Chinese Carmakers Out, Now It’s Handing Them Factories

Inside, the dashboard looks to be lifted from the A10 / B03x SUV. The kit list runs to an 8.88-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch floating infotainment touchscreen running Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8295 processor. There’s also a two-spoke steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, customizable ambient lighting, and a two-tone theme.

Like its crossover sibling, the hatch comes with a choice of two outputs, 94 hp (70 kW / 95 PS) and 121 hp (90 kW / 123 PS), and two battery sizes, 40 kWh and 53 kWh. Leapmotor puts CLTC range at 405 km (252 miles) and 510 km (317 miles) respectively, 5 km (3 miles) more than the A10 / B03x manages.

Pricing and Availability

Leapmotor hasn’t released pricing for the A05 yet, though Chinese buyers can lock in a reservation for a deposit of just ¥99 yuan ($15). Local media peg the starting price at around ¥50,000 yuan ($7,400), undercutting the A10 crossover, which currently runs between ¥65,800 and ¥86,800 ($9,700-12,800).

After its official Chinese launch later this summer, the B03-badged global model should widen Leapmotor’s overseas reach through its joint-venture distribution network with Stellantis. Going by the European pricing of the B03x crossover, the EU-spec B03 hatch will likely start under €24,900 ($28,400), close to the VW ID. Polo and Renault 5 E-Tech.

Leapmotor

Hyundai pulled the wraps off the second-generation Kona in December 2022, but rather than settle for a mid-cycle nip and tuck, the automaker is preparing a more thorough redesign for 2027. After earlier runs of camouflaged prototypes, the new Kona has now turned up completely undisguised in Korea, and the exposed sheetmetal reveals a taller, more upright stance than the car it replaces.

The styling is only part of the story here, as reports suggest Hyundai wants to fold the Kona and Creta lines into a single global model, a logical move given their size and where each sits in the market. There’s also talk that the SUV’s underpinnings could be shared with the next Chevrolet Tracker, the product of an agreement struck with General Motors.

More: Redesigned Hyundai Tucson Spied Alongside The Current Model

The photos making the rounds on social media, including a set posted by @EWVexillary, point to a Kona that borrows the rugged cues from the Crater concept. At the same time, the cleaner surfacing pulls it visually closer to the Ioniq EV family, splitting the difference between off-road attitude and electric-era modernity.

Mature Styling

The front end keeps the split-headlight arrangement of the previous generations, though the main units are much smaller now and the full-LED bar runs thicker than before. Below sits a sculpted bumper with smaller intakes and what looks like a covered grille.

More: Hyundai’s Popular Three-Row SUV Is Going Under The Knife

The profile is defined by what’s gone, namely the unpainted plastic cladding, which lends the car a more modern stance. A subtle two-tone treatment reinforces the effect, pairing gray pillars against matte silver bodywork. The flanks trade the diagonal creases of the outgoing model for cleaner surfacing, and the greenhouse is entirely new, its straight belt line running back to a more upright tail.

Dimensions haven’t been confirmed, but the SUV could grow, following the lead of the mechanically related Kia Seltos, which stretches to 4,430 mm (174.4 inches) long. By comparison, the current Hyundai Creta measures 4,330 mm (170.5 in), and the Kona is slightly longer at 4,350 mm (171.3 in).

Hyundai Kona 2027
Tamamen sızdı .

Segment büyüdü stil Ioniq ‘leşti.
Pleos gelecek https://t.co/tXX8fNP2po pic.twitter.com/TNuBdBLW6e

— Elvis Will Vexillary 🔋 (@EWVexillary) July 21, 2026

A further increase in size could help the Kona cement its position between the subcompact and compact SUV segments in Europe, bridging the gap between the smaller Bayon and the larger Tucson. Rivals will include the likes of the VW T-Roc, the Toyota C-HR, the Honda HR-V, and the Mazda CX-30.

New Tech Inside

Inside, the crossover will most likely gain a digital cockpit with larger screens, following the lead of the Ioniq 3. Those run on the new Hyundai Pleos Connect infotainment, built on Google’s Android. Hyundai isn’t ditching buttons either, keeping physical controls for the functions that matter. Practicality should improve too, with a slightly larger footprint freeing up more room for passengers and their bags.

More: Hyundai Strips The New Ioniq 3 Down To Its Cleaner, Cheaper Self

Depending on the market, the powertrain range may include a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter, a turbocharged 1.6-liter, and a self-charging hybrid 1.6-liter in FWD and AWD forms. Hyundai might also keep the fully electric variant around and potentially add a range-extender setup.

The unified third-generation Kona and Creta is expected to make its formal global debut within the next few months, likely as a 2027 model.

Baldauf

The Kia Vision Meta Turismo Concept is a sleek electric sports sedan that has us hungry for a proper successor to the sadly gone Stinger. A new video walking through the concept’s design story hints that Kia might have a second bodystyle in mind.

The official footage, shot inside the design studio, shows a pair of scale models sitting next to hand-drawn sketches. They look like early variations on the Meta Turismo theme, each with a different silhouette.

More: Kia’s Affordable Niro Gets An Upscale Makeover For 2027 And Drops The EV

Next to the coupe-style sedan sits a model with a reworked roofline that reads as a futuristic shooting brake. The long-roof version differs from the final concept in a few other details beyond its distinctive greenhouse, though it uses the same wheels and overall dimensions.

Kia Worldwide / YouTube

The Meta Turismo Shooting Brake hasn’t progressed to a full-size prototype and may never leave the early ideation stage. Its appearance in the video, and in the opening image, still confirms that Kia’s designers didn’t restrict their grand touring vision to a single bodystyle.

More: Kia Is Killing Its Flagship Luxury Sedan After Sales Cratered 87%

If it gets the green light for production, such a model would offer extra headroom and superior cargo capacity while retaining the striking visual impact of a low-slung GT. It would also mark Kia’s return in the estate segment after the discontinuation of the Kia Ceed SW, and the closely related ProCeed in some markets, including Europe.

A Sports Sedan For Gamers

In the design story, Kia’s creative team shed light on the core philosophy behind the Meta Turismo project. The initial briefing tasked designers with envisioning a performance sedan tailored specifically for the “gamer generation”. According to Kia, the target group is drivers who move seamlessly between digital and physical environments.

Inside, the futuristic interface includes a removable retro gaming console mounted on the side of the dashboard. There are four individual seats, with the driver’s chair styled differently from the passengers’, plus organic and sustainable materials including silk and wood. The team also noted that a cab-forward architecture let them maximize cabin space without wrecking the proportions.

Will It Reach Production?

The Vision Meta Turismo concept broke cover in December 2025, then appeared publicly at Milan Design Week and the Busan International Mobility Show in spring 2026. Pitched as the spiritual heir to the Stinger, it swaps that car’s twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 for a fully electric powertrain.

More: Kia Admits The Tasman’s Looks Need Fixing, But Not With A Facelift

While Kia has yet to confirm production intent, Global Design Chief Karim Habib and Europe Design Boss Oliver Samson have previously revealed that engineering feasibility work is already underway. The primary hurdle remains establishing a viable business case for a new halo car. Here’s hoping Kia finds one, and brings the more practical sibling along for the ride too.

Kia

The fully electric VW ID. Buzz hasn’t found the audience VW hoped for in North America, and that has the company weighing some drastic options. One was a range-extender powertrain, an idea that died on packaging grounds. Meanwhile, VW is developing a new multi-energy architecture for its future LCV lineup, meant to reduce complexity and cut costs.

The ID. Buzz news comes from Stefan Mecha, CEO of VW Commercial Vehicles. Speaking to Australian outlet Go Auto, he conceded that a combustion-engined variant had been on the table: “I would not be telling the truth if I said we have not looked at this. Is this a feasible exercise? Probably not… I think from this end, the ID. Buzz is an electric vehicle and it will stay an electric vehicle.”

More: VW’s 2026 ID. Buzz Adds 335 HP And Real Buttons, America Gets Neither

The van’s short overhangs and EV-only bones left nowhere to put a range extender. The MEB architecture was built for battery electric vehicles and nothing else, so shoehorning in a combustion engine would have meant an expensive redesign.

VW moved 60,700 ID. Buzz vans in 2025, double its 2024 tally. North America accounted for just 6,140 of them, which is why the brand skipped the 2026 model year entirely to clear leftover stock. The EV returns to the US for 2027 with minor updates and a camping-friendly trim joining the lineup.

One Platform To Rule Them All

In the same interview, Mecha laid out a structural overhaul aimed at what he calls “costly platform fragmentation” across the LCV portfolio.

More: 140,000 Jobs Are At Now Risk At VW

The company currently relies on four separate platforms right now. The Caddy and Multivan T7 sit on MQB, the ID. Buzz uses MEB, the Transporter T7 shares its underpinnings with the Ford Transit Custom, and the Crafter has a larger bespoke chassis of its own.

To streamline manufacturing and R&D, Volkswagen will retool its Hanover plant and develop a new common architecture for the next decade dubbed the Space platform. This is expected to underpin the next-generation Caddy, Multivan, and Transporter lineups, and supply components for the next Crafter.

Drawing conclusions this early would be premature, but the ID. Buzz faces an uncertain future given the scale of the cuts announced across the VW Group range.

More: VW Group Is Killing Half Its Cars By 2030, And Some Big Names Are At Risk

Mecha said commercial buyers are moving to fully electric vans more slowly than expected, leaving VWCV on the hook for hefty carbon emissions penalties under European fleet rules. The Space platform was conceived as an EV architecture, but it’s being adapted to take hybrid powertrains as well.

More Electric Vans

Before the new platform arrives, VW is working on expanding its electric LCV lineup next to the ID. Buzz and the e-Transporter. One is a successor to the e-Crafter that was sold between 2018 and 2022. The updated model will likely offer a significantly longer range, improving the usability of the large van to rival the Ford e-Transit and Renault Master E-Tech.

More: VW Revives A Decades-Old Name For The Multivan, But Not Everywhere

The automaker is also considering a zero-emission variant of the Caddy. The current generation of the compact van debuted in 2020 and received a facelift in mid-2026, offering diesel and PHEV powertrain options.

It remains to be seen whether the e-Caddy will utilize an electrified version of the MQB architecture, as seen in the discontinued e-Golf, or jump into the MEB platform.

Update: Toyota Motor Europe has asked Carscoops to remove the image, noting that it was shared from a personal Facebook account. The photo has been taken down, and Toyota has not commented on the prototype itself.

A Toyota executive may have handed us our first look at the next branch of the Land Cruiser family, after the baby FJ Cruiser built for Asian markets. The camouflaged prototype standing next to the current Land Cruiser GR Sport could be the first Land Cruiser to pair an electric powertrain with a unibody chassis, and it most likely got photographed during benchmarking and development testing.

The mystery SUV appeared in a photo shared on Facebook by a Toyota Europe executive. The caption referenced the Land Cruiser and the Tahara plant, leaving little doubt about what we’re looking at.

More: New Toyota Land Cruiser Pickup May Break With A Long-Standing Tradition

The shot was taken at the Tahara manufacturing facility in Japan, which is home to production for the Land Cruiser 250 Series, the closely related Lexus GX, and the Toyota 4Runner.

The unnamed prototype is wrapped in camouflage, with cutouts for the headlights and cooling intakes. The team members posing in front of it block much of the view, but a couple of interesting details still come through.

The position of the horizontally arranged headlights and the lower bumper area are consistent with the Land Cruiser Se concept from 2023, but the prototype has a new opening on the nose. Ground clearance also looks slightly lower than on the Land Cruiser Series 300, though the overall height won’t come across as much different.

More: Toyota Brings Back The 1980s Land Cruiser 70

The 2023 Land Cruiser Se concept measured 5,150 mm (202.8 inches) long with a 3,050 mm (120.1 inches) wheelbase. That makes it 35 mm (1.4 inches) longer than the 300 Series, with an extra 200 mm (7.9 inches) between the axles. Whether the production version keeps that footprint remains to be seen.

Unibody Underpinnings

2023 Toyota Land Cruiser Se

Overall, the mysterious SUV could be similar in size to the Toyota Grand Highlander. It also rides on multi-spoke alloy wheels similar to those found on the luxurious Century SUV. The thread tying those models together is their unibody architecture (TNGA-K).

More: Toyota’s $28,500 Land Cruiser FJ Matches A RAV4 On Price, Not On Size

That same construction is expected to headline the fully electric Land Cruiser, which could use the e-TNGA platform or an evolved version of it. Switching to a unibody chassis will likely make this the best-handling Land Cruiser yet, though it will inevitably cost something in off-road capability against the ladder-frame stablemates like the FJ, 70 Series, 250 Series, and 300 Series.

On the powertrain side, and as Australia’s Drive reports, a battery-electric setup will likely outperform the current ICE and hybrid Land Cruisers. There have also been reports of a possible range-extender option, and the cooling intake on the front bumper makes that scenario sound credible.

The most potent Land Cruiser to date is the self-charging hybrid variant of the Series 300, with a combined output of 457 hp (341 kW / 464 PS) and 790 Nm (583 lb-ft) of torque from a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 and a single electric motor.

Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport Hybrid