Reservations for Scout Motors' range-extended models are outpacing those for pure electric versions, Scout CEO Scott Keogh said in an interview with Bloomberg at CES 2025 in Las Vegas this week. The new Volkswagen Group brand plans to launch its Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck in 2027 with a powertrain called Harvester that adds a gasoline... 
Starting in February, Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles will be able to charge at 20,000 Tesla Supercharger stations in the U.S., the automaker announced Thursday. Supercharger access will be enabled via a software update installed by dealerships—not over-the-air. Customers will be contacted by Mercedes to schedule this. The update will... 
Volkswagen will rollout Tesla Supercharger access for its EV customers this summer, when adapters will be ready for current CCS-equipped vehicles. "We get access to the network in June/July, when we have an official VW adapter," VW spokesperson Mark Gillies told PCMag at CES 2025 this week, adding that the automaker is still lining up suppliers to... 
The NHTSA on Tuesday said it is opening an investigation into 2.6 million Tesla electric vehicles in the U.S. over reports of crashes involving the automaker's Actually Smart Summon remote-driving feature. Launched in September, Actually Smart Summon is the current version of the Smart Summon remote valet feature Tesla introduced in 2019. It's... 
Mazda on Monday announced a new Japanese battery plant that will assemble cylindrical cells into modules and battery packs for use in a planned electric vehicle based on a dedicated platform. Located in Iwakuni City, in Japan's Yamaguchi Prefecture, the plant targets 10 GWh of annual production, Mazda said. Cells will be supplied by Panasonic... 
Thinking of buying a new Tesla Model 3? If you’re based in Europe, you might want to hold off until the end of this year because Mazda’s new electric 6e looks like it might be worthy of your attention.
A European version of the Chinese EZ-6 that debuted last year, the 6e is a good looking sedan whose liftback rear end gives it a practical advantage over the Model 3. Moving on Mazda’s Kodo design language, the 6e features an LED framed grille whose lights flutter to indicate battery state while charging.
Related: New Mazda EZ-6 Is China’s Electric Mazda6 Sedan
Frameless door glass, a low roofline and an active rear spoiler give the 6e a sporty look, and the rear-wheel drive chassis layout means the driving experience might well live up to that promise.
Not that the 6e is exactly blisteringly fast in either of its available forms. Mazda will offer the EV with two batteries. The smallest a 68.8 kWh unit that delivers up to 300 miles (483 km) of electric range, can charge at 200 kW and go from 10-80 percent in 22 minutes, or add 145 miles (233) of range in 15 minutes. A bigger, 80 kWh battery stretches the range to 345 miles (555 km) but needs 45 minutes to top up from 10-80 percent.
Go for the smaller battery and your 6e comes with 255 hp (258 PS) and can get you from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.6 seconds. Choosing the bigger pack drops the output to 241 hp (244 PS) and adds two tenths to the 62 time. Both look like mild performers next to a Model 3, even the most basic of which clocks 62 mph in 5.8 seconds.
The cabin looks more inviting and less spartan than a Model 3’s, but places a similar focus on digital displays. A 10.2-inch unit handles instrument duties ahead of the driver along with a head-up display, and most vehicle functions are handled via a central 14.6-inch touchscreen.
The 6e goes on sale in mainland Europe in the second half of 2025, with UK sales starting early the following year.
The wait is finally over – Tesla has officially unveiled the redesigned Model Y “Juniper”. The world’s best-selling EV benefits from a host of upgrades, including refreshed styling and a more refined interior packed with technology. The improvements go beyond aesthetics, as the 2025 Model Y is quicker, quieter, and smoother, while boasting an extended range compared to its predecessor.
Styling-wise, the highlight of the facelifted model is the redesigned nose, featuring split headlights and a full-width LED bar inspired by the Cybercab. The bumper is similar to the Model 3 Highland but features slim intakes on the sides. Just like the Cybercab and Cybertruck, the Model Y doesn’t have a Tesla emblem on the hood.
More: Toyota, Stellantis, Ford, And Mazda May Pay Tesla $1 Billion To Avoid EU Emissions Fines
At the back, the dark-finished full-width lighting unit continues the sci-fi theme, introducing Tesla’s first “indirect reflective body panel taillight”. There is also a cleaner design for the tailgate that reaches lower on the rear bumper, where it is joined by a larger diffuser.
While Tesla claims that the exterior is “completely redesigned”, the profile appears to be largely carried over, setting aside the new front fenders and small changes on the sensors. The overall length has been increased by 41 mm (1.6 inches) to 4,792 mm (188.7 inches). Furthermore, the EV rides on a new set of 20-inch Helix 2.0 wheels, while some markets also get the aero-friendly 19-inch Crossflow wheels finished in black.
Refined Interior
Moving inside, Tesla has retained the familiar minimalist design of the cabin, while introducing numerous improvements. The infotainment display is slightly larger at 15.4 inches (up from 15 inches), while there is an extra 8-inch touchscreen for the rear passengers. The new seat design and upholstery is said to provide greater comfort and support, adding a ventilated function at the front and a power reclining rear bench that can fold flat.
More: Which EVs Qualify For Tax Credits In 2025? Here’s The Complete List
The dashboard, center console, and door cards have also been redesigned, with a new strip of ambient lighting, soft-touch finishes, and vegan suede inserts for the Launch Series. Unlike the Model 3 Highland, the steering wheel of the Model Y Juniper retains a traditional indicator stalk, although the gear selection has been integrated into the central display. Finally, there is a new audio system with hidden speakers which are said to provide better sound quality.
Tesla is proud of the NVH credentials of the new Model Y that have been significantly improved thanks to the sleeker bodywork with fewer panels, the acoustic glass, the new tires, and the retuned suspension. The revised chassis setup also includes a more responsive steering. Of course, the EV benefits from the latest version of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving capability, which remains available as an option.
Quicker And More Efficient
The 2025 Model Y will be initially available in two trims – the entry-level RWD and the Long Range AWD. Tesla hasn’t announced their battery capacity, but the WLTP range is estimated at 466 km (290 miles) and 551 km (342 miles) respectively. These figures are 11 km (7 miles) and 18 km (11 miles) more compared to the equivalent versions of the outgoing model, an increase that could be attributed to the improved aerodynamics. The maximum charging speed remains unchanged at 250 kW, adding up to 266 km (165 miles) in 15 minutes when plugged into a fast charger.
More: Tesla’s Global Sales Fall For The First Time In Over A Decade
While we don’t have information on the output of the electric motors, both trims are quicker than before – the RWD completes the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in 5.9 seconds (-1 second), while the Long Range AWD needs 4.3 seconds (-0.7 seconds). In both cases, the top speed is electronically limited at 201 km/h (125 miles), which is slower than before.
Pricing And Availability
The updated Model Y has appeared on Tesla websites from various Asia-Pacific regions, stating that deliveries will commence in April or May depending on the market.
In Australia, the RWD trim is priced at AU$ 63,400 (US$ 39,300), while the Long Range AWD costs AU$ 73,400 (US$ 45,500), marking increases of AU$ 7,500 (US$ 4,600) and AU$ 3,500 (US$ 2,200) respectively compared to the pre-facelifted versions.
US pricing and availability is expected to be announced shortly.
Mercedes drivers are about to get a whole lot more choice when it comes to juicing up their EVs. From February 2025, the number of charge points open to them will balloon when access to Tesla’s Supercharger network is granted.
The option to charge at 20,000 Superchargers across North America – while still retaining Mercedes’ no-hassle Plug & Charge functionality – brings the total number of Mercedes me Charge points to more than 110,000 across the region.
Related: Tesla Dragging Its Feet Over Rolling Out Supercharger Access To Other Brands
But while US Mercedes drivers will be able to plug in at Supercharger sites in only a few weeks’ time, those in Canada have to wait until “later” in 2025. And neither group of drivers can take advantage of the Tesla-Mercedes tie-up until they’ve purchased a certain piece of hardware from their dealers.
Existing Owners Need A $185 Adapter – And A Visit To The Dealer
Like many other automakers, Mercedes has promised to fit its new North American-market EVs with Tesla-style NACS (North American Charging Standard) sockets during 2025. But anyone who already owns an EQ-badged Benz, or buys one between now and the switchover, will need to pay $185 for a CCS to NACS adapter.
Granted, that’s not a huge amount for the convenience it offers, especially if you’re a Merc owner, but the likes of Ford and Hyundai, who will also adapt the same standard, are offering existing EV owners the adapter for free.
Cars will also need a free software update at their dealers (what, no OTA fix?) to allow them to use the Supercharger network. But once that’s completed, the chargers will be included in the list of sites visible on the dash display and integrated into Mercedes’ “Navigation with Electric Intelligence” feature that directs drivers to the most appropriate charging location.
“Magic Port” Rapid Charging Is Scarce
Tesla has come under fire for being slow to roll out Supercharger access to other brands, having first announced the plan in 2023. The automaker gave those brands the opportunity to switch to its NACS port and said it would fit a “Magic Dock” to its chargers, enabling an electric vehicle from the likes of Ford, GM, or Hyundai to enjoy rapid charging alongside Tesla models.
More: Tesla Wants Automakers To Adopt Its New 48V Charge Connector The Way They Did With NACS
But by the end of 2024, only around 100 of Tesla’s circa 2,500 Supercharger stations in the US were outfitted with the Magic Dock, an investigation by Bloomberg Green discovered.
Audi, BMW, Fisker, Ford, Genesis, GM, Honda, Lucid, Mazda, Porsche, VW and others have committed to switch to the NACS port, while Hyundai’s facelifted Ioniq 5 already has one. Most brands are also working on, or have, such adapters.
Faraday Future’s new mainstream brand has teased two upcoming models and revealed its logo. Faraday X (FX) also made some pretty big promises, but we’re not holding our breath.
Starting with product, Faraday X confirmed plans for three models including an “AI-MPV” called the Super One. It’s billed as a “groundbreaking vehicle” that will “meet the dynamic and diverse needs of visionaries and their families.” The company also said it would deliver “twice the performance at half the price.”
More: Faraday Future Announces New Mainstream Brand To Offer Affordable EVs – If It Gets Funding
Faraday rambled on with that nonsense, so details are virtually non-existent. The blurry teaser image is about as helpful as it simply shows a generic minivan covered in camouflage.
That being said, Engadget was given a preview and they said the Super One comes with two rows of leather seats. Rear passengers are the priority as there are heated, massaging seats with integrated footrests. The model also has a small fridge, although it sounds like the van is far from finished.
Faraday X also teased their FX 6, which is slated to start between $30,000 and $50,000. It’s billed as an “extra-large luxury AIEV” and it appears to be a curvaceous crossover with a sloping roof. We can expect to learn more about it in March.
Both models are slated to be joined by an entry-level FX 5, which has a targeted price of between $20,000 and $30,000. The company didn’t say much about it, but has previously referred to it as a “large-space sporty AIEV.”
Faraday was coy on performance details, but said “FX models could potentially offer two types of powertrains” including range-extended and battery-electric options. The company also said one of the models could go into production by the end of the year, although that’s “subject to securing necessary funding and agreements.”
That, of course, is Faraday’s Achilles heel as the company limps from one crisis to the next. The company is also said to have sold a mere “15 or 16” FF 91s, so that’s not exactly a stellar track record.
The Volkswagen brand recorded global sales of 4.8 million vehicles in 2024, reflecting a 1.4% decline compared to the previous year. Among these, 383,100 were fully electric vehicles, representing a 2.7% year-on-year drop.
The Volkswagen brand recorded global sales of 4.8 million vehicles in 2024, reflecting a 1.4% decline compared to the previous year. While the overall dip was modest, it underscores the growing challenges posed by increasing competition and evolving market demands. Of these sales, 383,100 were fully electric vehicles (EVs), a 2.7% decrease year-on-year, an unwelcome result for a company striving to strengthen its EV presence.
China remained Volkswagen’s largest market in 2024, with 2.2 million deliveries accounting for nearly 46% of all sales. However, this marked an 8.3% decline from 2023 as local brands intensified their competitive edge. In Europe, Volkswagen retained its position as the market leader with 1.25 million units, despite a slight decrease of 1.7%.
More: Massive VW Data Leak Exposed 800,000 EV Owners’ Movements, From Homes To Brothels
North America was the third biggest region for VW with 592,300 deliveries and a robust 18.4 percent increase compared to last year. Volkswagen also enjoyed a good year in South America, where it posted a 21.1 percent increase with 479,400 deliveries. The vast majority of South American sales took place in Brazil, where the Polo hatchback sold a record 172,510 units.
VW BRAND SALES GLOBAL
| Region | Sales | Change |
| Europe | 1,254,500 units | -1.7% |
| South America | 479,400 units | +21.1% |
| North America | 592,300 units | +18.4% |
| China | 2,198,900 units | -8.3% |
In Germany, Volkswagen continued to dominate, maintaining a 19.1% market share. According to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), the brand held five spots in the country’s top ten best-selling vehicles chart with the Golf, T-Roc, Tiguan, Passat, and Polo.
Globally, the Tiguan was Volkswagen’s best-selling model in 2024, followed by the smaller T-Roc that will enter a new generation in 2025. SUVs accounted for 47 percent of global VW deliveries in 2024, explaining why the automaker continues to expand its lineup of high-riding models.
More: VW Slashes Manager Bonuses By 10% For Two Years, Plans More Cuts Through 2030
As for electric vehicles, the 383,100 deliveries of 2024 were 2.7 percent fewer compared to the 393,700 of 2023. The stop sale order for the VW ID.4 last year is certainly one of the reasons for the decline, as it resulted in 55% fewer sales for the electric SUV in the US market.
Martin Sander, Volkswagen Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales, said: “Around the globe, 2024 was a difficult year with sluggish economic activity, political challenges and intense competition – particularly in China. Yet, we are beginning the new year with optimism. Not only do we have attractive products, but we are meeting the needs of a wide variety of customer groups with our extensive, diverse model range that covers all drive types.”
In the coming weeks we expect the 2024 sales numbers for the entire VW Group, which is expected to remain the second largest automaker in the world behind Toyota.
Most electric vehicles on the market have electric motors located between the wheels but a company named Donut Labs has just unveiled an in-wheel motor that could shake up future EVs. This intriguing motor, now in its second generation, can be used by any type of vehicle and can be produced in a variety of different sizes. Donut Labs also says its solution can significantly speed up the development cycle of electric vehicles.
The flagship motor presented at CES fits into a 21-inch loop and packs some serious punch, churning out up to 845 hp and 3,171 lb-ft (4,300 Nm). That’s not a typical torque figure, however, and is likely calculated at the wheels rather than at the crankshaft like an ICE. Nevertheless, the motor still packs a serious punch, which is made all the more impressive because it weighs just 40 kg (88 lbs).
Read: BMW Tests Revolutionary Electric Motors That Could Power Mysterious Coupe
Vehicles using these in-wheel motors would need one at each corner, and Donut could eliminate the need for traditional half-shafts, CV joints, and other components typically used by cars. While this all sounds rather wonderful, it’s worth noting that in-wheel motors add a significant amount of unsprung mass to a vehicle, and it’s no different here.
Four other in-wheel motors have also been presented by Donut Labs, each in different sizes. One is catered towards semi-trucks and delivers 268 hp and 2,212 lb-ft, another is a 12-inch unit for electric scooters with 20 hp, there’s a tiny 4.7-inch motor for drones with 4 hp, and a 17-inch motor designed for motorcycles and producing 201 hp.
Donut Labs believes the global electric transportation market could grow from $550 billion to $4.4 trillion by 2032, and its motors are already used by several vehicles. For example, its parent company – Verge Motorcycles – produces an electric motorcycle, and a Latvian company dubbed Oruga also manufactures EVs designed for off-roading with its motors. Australian firm Hyper Q Aerospace also uses these trick motors in its electric aircraft.
When combined with Donut’s in-house platform, the innovative new motors can apparently “reduce the resource requirements for vehicle development by up to 95% compared to the current level.”
Kia definitely isn’t getting cold feet about electric vehicles, and it’s not just SUVs the Korean automaker thinks need the EV treatment. These spy shots show the company’s PV5 van being developed to give models like the VW’s ID.Buzz Cargo a hard time.
Built around Kia’s e-CCPM (Electric Complete Chassis Platform Module) architecture, the PV5 is a production LCV version of an electric van concept shown 12 months ago. Like VW’s ID.Buzz, it’ll be available in both passenger van and commercial forms, but the PV5 will offer far more configurations than its VW rival.
Related: Everything We Know About The Kia PV5 Electric Van
And we don’t just mean in terms of motor and battery options, which Kia hasn’t revealed much about yet, incidentally. No, we’re talking about modular body sections that enable the PV5 to be configured with low- and high-roof body styles and potentially even as a truck.
When it revealed the concept, Kia said the body units were attached by mechanical couplings and electromagnetic fixture points, allowing owners to customize the PV5s, though looking at these spy shots suggests it might not be a DIY swap and the versatility is experienced at the point of ordering.
Only the brief glimpse of painted metal below the roof behind the sliding door helped us tell this LCV apart from the passenger-carrying minivan we saw last September, and which had a glass panel in the same location. That and the simple steel wheels that replace the alloys seen on the previous prototype.
Both versions feature the same dropped waistline at the front door to improve visibility, have tough, black plastic wheel-arch spats, and are bundled up in a mountain of camo that keeps much of the design details a secret. But we can see the DRLs tracking the line of the frunk and real headlights stashed in the bumper below.
A couple of frames even give us a taste of the inside of the PV5, one showing a large grab handle on the A-pillar and a huge rectangular touchscreen that’s much taller than the ones Kia uses on its current EVs, including the range-topping EV9 SUV.
The PV5 launches later this year and will be joined by a smaller PV1 and PV7. We’re also hoping the off-road PV5 Kia showed at SEMA also makes it to production. Would you take one over a VW ID.Buzz Cargo?
Note: the gallery below also contains shots of the concept and also a Carscoops rendering of how the PV5 could look.
It’s becoming harder and harder to resist leasing a new EV in the US, thanks to a growing number of competitive deals offered by automakers. The latest deal comes from VW and it’s for the outgoing 2024 ID.4. While this isn’t the current model year, the ID.4 has plenty going for it and can be quite the bargain.
Buyers can lease the ID.4 for just $149 per month for 24 months, with $999 due at signing. Factor in that $999, and leasing an ID.4 for the equivalent of just $190 per month is possible. It’s generally not advisable to put cash down on a lease because GAP insurance will only cover the remaining balance and not the downpayment if the car is totaled or stolen. Admittedly, the $999 downpayment for the ID.4 is relatively small, particularly compared to a recent leasing deal for the Nissan Ariya that had an exorbitant $3,329 downpayment.
Read: Colorado Shoppers Can Drive Away In A New Fiat 500e For Just $62 Per Month
The cheapest ID.4 to lease is the base Standard trim, carrying an MSRP of $39,735 and capped at 10,000 miles per year. To put this leasing deal into perspective, the entry-level Tesla Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive can be leased for $199 per month for 36 months with a $2,999 downpayment, equating to $282 per month.
Other compelling deals are on offer, Cars Direct notes. For example, the ID.4 Pro is being offered with $13,350 in lease cash and the lease rate has been cut from 4.4% to 0%. The good news doesn’t stop there for shoppers.
All 2024 ID.4 models have 0% APR for 72 months. Previously, the APR had only been 0% for the Standard and S RWD models. Thanks to this cut from the old 6.9% APR / 72-month financing deal on the ID.4 S Plus to this new 0% APR could represent a saving of up to $12,300.
VW has also announced it’s offering a $10,500 customer bonus for those who lease or purchase a new and unused 2024 ID.4. All current deals are valid until March 3, 2025. If you’d like to get behind the wheel of the electric SUV without breaking the bank, head to the VW website and type your postcode into the ‘Your Local Offers’ section to see which deals you may be eligible for.
Technology is great when it works, but when it fails the results don’t only leave us frustrated. Sometimes tech breakdowns can induce sheer terror, as one Ford Mustang Mach-E owner discovered when a battery failure left his child trapped inside the EV.
In a post on Reddit, user @r3d_ra1n explained how all seemed well when his wife parked the 2021 Mach-E up with the battery showing a 25 percent charge. She exited the EV and closed her door before moving around to the other side of the Mustang to open another door to get her infant son, which is when the panic set in.
Related: Ford’s Electric Mustang Mach-E Outsold The Gas Mustang For The First Time Ever
The Mach-E doesn’t have conventional door handles, just a touch-sensitive switch on the pillar, and on this occasion, neither the owner’s wife’s keyfob nor the Ford app on phones belonging to the wife or the poster would unlock and open the door. Not ideal when a helpless baby is inside and it’s a toasty 80 degrees (27 C) outside.
AAA was alerted but failed to open the car by applying a jump pack to the 12-volt battery in the frunk, which was unlocked via the emergency access door below the headlight. Ford Roadside Assistance was also called out, but before that second crew arrived – which was 90 minutes after the baby first became trapped – the owner had taken matters into his own hands and smashed a window to gain access.
With the window busted the owner was able to open the door using the internal emergency release. That manual release is intended to prevent occupants getting trapped inside but it’s obviously no good if the occupant is a lone baby, so it’s worrying that Ford didn’t think to fit an emergency key slot on the outside of the car, as most other automakers do. The 2021 Mach-E came with the same key fob as other Fords and included a physical emergency key hidden inside, but the blank is uncut because there’s no lock.
In a first update to his Reddit post the owner says the car was towed to a dealer, who noted various failure codes but put the problem down to a faulty 12-volt battery, which is a consumable item and therefore not covered by the car’s warranty. But having then gained a ton of attention on social media he says was contacted by Ford HQ who told him they were working on his case.
H/t to Road & Track
BYD’s ongoing troubles in Brazil show no signs of abating after a labor inspector revealed the carmaker brought in hundreds of Chinese workers to build a factory using irregular visas. This news comes shortly after an investigation led by labor authorities indicated workers were living in “slavery-like conditions,” promoting fierce rebukes from BYD and Jinjiang, the contractor at the center of the stir.
According to Liane Durao, a labor inspector for Brazil’s Ministry of Labor, the 163 workers hired by Jinjiang for the local BYD factory and rescued from living in indecent conditions, are leaving or have already left Brazil. She added that BYD would be fined for each employee found to have worked in the “irregular” arrangement, but didn’t say what the fines would amount to.
Read: Brazil Halts BYD Visas Over Alleged Slave-Like Conditions At Construction Site
Speaking with Reuters, Durao said that BYD has agreed to change the conditions of its employees working on building the factory. Approximately 500 workers were brought from China to Brazil. According to a source close to BYD, the carmaker was under the impression that work visas had been issued properly and that all employees had come to work voluntarily.
Soon after the scandal broke, BYD said it severed ties with Jinjiang. Representatives of the carmaker recently met with local labor authorities and contractors to speak about how to protect the rights of workers at the plant.
Labor inspectors found that 163 staff were housed in tightly packed dorms, did not have mattresses, and had to share just one toilet between 31 workers. They also had limited access to cooking facilities, and pots of prepared food were left in the open without refrigeration.
When asked about the situation in Brazil, China‘s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the government requires Chinese-funded enterprises to operate in accordance with local laws and regulations.
BYD and Jinjiang denied the accusations and published a video that showed construction workers stating they “cherish” the work and wanted to stay at the site. No less than $620 million has been invested in the Brazilian factory. It will have the capacity to build 150,000 vehicles annually and is supposed to be up and running this year.
The Hyundai Staria family will soon welcome a new all-electric member. Hyundai already offers passenger and panel-van versions of the model, in ICE and a hybrid form, but now it’s the time to add an all-electric derivative into the mix.
This particular prototype was snapped at a parking lot in South Korea without an inch of camouflage, providing us with an unimpeded look at its design. Unsurprisingly, it looks mostly identical to existing models in the Staria range but does have a distinctive front end.
Read: 2024 Hyundai Staria Gains Hybrid Option With 242 HP
The Staria Electric does not need a front grille that stretches across almost its entire width. Instead, the EV gets a tiny grille in the middle of the bumper that’s no bigger than a license plate. Positioned next to this grille is the charging port while located towards the base of the bumper are two additional – and equally small – air vents. The main headlamps used by the Staria Hybrid appear identical to those found on the hybrid model, meaning they’re a little larger than the ICE models.
These photos from Clien also show the prototype’s two-tone paint scheme, with a silver lower half and a black upper half and top. The all-electric Hyundai ST1 and the related Iveco eMoovy LCVs, both based on the Staria, that were unveiled last year may provide us with some insight about the upcoming Staria Electric.
More: Hyundai Staria-Load Premium Is For The Tradesman Who Wants Creature Comforts
No technical details about the electric minivan have been confirmed at this stage, but it could feature a single electric motor putting out 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, just like the ST1 and eMoovy. Moreover, the LCVs’ 800V architecture supports ultra-fast charging and V2L functions. Chances are it will also be equipped with Hyundai’s fourth-generation battery pack. This is an 84 kWh unit that debuted in the Ioniq 5 N and has subsequently been added to the facelifted Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.
Although we have no images of the interior, we expect it to be largely carried over from the rest of the lineup. If it takes after the 2024 Staria Hybrid, available features should include a digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment display, likely with version-specific graphics, automatic climate control, heated and ventilated seats, and an array of ADAS systems.
Hyundai is believed to be designing the Staria Electric with European markets in mind, but will also sell it in countries including Australia and Thailand. Production will reportedly start in mid-2026, with customer deliveries commencing later that year.
Tesla is deep into developing the thoroughly updated Model Y, and this new version of the world’s best-selling EV is shaping to be a significant upgrade over the current model. Several prototypes have been spotted in recent months, and earlier this week, a bright red model was filmed up close in Palo Alto, California. This prototype is particularly interesting because it could be the new Performance variant.
Several spy videos shared to X show the new Model Y under wraps with a Tesla engineer behind the wheel. As with other recent sightings, the car has no camouflage across the sides and instead, only some black covering up the front and rear fascias. Much like the refreshed Model 3, the new Model Y will be differentiated from the model it replaces with these new fascias rather than different door skins.
Read: Tesla Model Y Juniper Caught With Split Headlights And Rear Light Bar
Although the front of the car is hidden by black cladding, some small but intriguing details are visible. For example, the front bumper looks different than any of the regular prototypes we’ve seen testing in the past. It appears to have sharper air vents on the sides, similar in shape to those found on the new Model 3 Performance. The rear fascia may also be hiding a small enlarged lip spoiler, adding to the SUV’s edgier look.
Tesla has also equipped this Model Y tester with some rudimentary aero covers. It’s hard to say exactly why it’s done this, as other prototypes have had their wheels exposed, and in all likelihood, the wheel options for the new Model Y will be identical to the Model 3. Indeed, these rims look like the same 19-inch ‘Nova’ wheels offered on the sedan, prompting Drive Tesla Canada to suggest the marque may be hiding them to shield the enlarged brakes and calipers of the Model Y Performance.
Check this out, Tesla Model Y (Juniper) Performance 🔥🔥🔥#Tesla #Juniper #ModelY #Performance pic.twitter.com/n29ZHduddK
— Yann Masoch (@yannmasoch) January 8, 2025
Although it’s unclear whether this prototype is the new Performance version of the the Model Y Juniper, one thing is certain: Tesla will introduce a new flagship variant of the SUV. The rollout strategy for the updated Model Y will likely mirror that of the revamped Model 3, where the standard version debuted first, followed by the Performance model a few months later. While nothing has been officially confirmed, this staggered timeline seems logical, giving Tesla time to perfect the Performance specs.
In terms of grunt, the new EV should rock the same powertrain as its lower sibling, meaning it should also deliver 510 hp and 546 lb-ft (740 Nm).
As promised, here is the mobile video of the ultra red Model Y Juniper that I saw yesterday.
The video is not the best because my window has washer fluid on it and I closed it while trying to open it all the way. The video was shot in 4k 60fps but X max upload size is 1080p. But… pic.twitter.com/eoGd4E6PT5— Yann Masoch (@yannmasoch) January 8, 2025
Over 29,000 acres in the greater Los Angeles area are on fire right now. The fires emerged after the Santa Ana winds swept into the Los Angeles area Tuesday. The largest is the Palisades fire, which is quickly burning through the Pacific Palisades and Malibu communities. It's one of four ongoing critical fires — only one of which is partially contained. Ahead of the windy week, a Red Flag Warning was issued for an increased fire risk due to the strong winds, low humidity and higher temperature. Today, we dig into the Santa Ana winds: What they are and how they combined with other factors to create conditions for the most destructive fire in Los Angeles' history.
Questions, story ideas or want us to dig more into the science underpinning natural disasters? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we'd love to hear from you!
The Great Lakes don't readily evoke images of surfing and surfboard-making, but a surfer in Wisconsin is on an eco-friendly mission to change that.
Planet Money buys a "biodiversity credit" and travels to the Andean cloud forest in Colombia — to see how these credits work, and if they can really help save threatened species.
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