Audi’s AUDI, which, ironically, is not an Audi, has always struck us as a bit ridiculous, and that seems to be a theme for the model. Not only does it sport a name that sounds like it was picked by the least imaginative people on Earth, but it also comes with a ridiculously small frunk.

How small? Roughly the size of a shoe box judging by an image that has surfaced on social media. While there’s no immediate word on its dimensions or capacity, opening the hood reveals a large expanse of black plastic. In the center is a small opening, which appears to be carpeted and barely useful.

More: Audi’s AUDI Launches 770 HP Wagon Most Of The World Will Never See

While some frunk is better than no frunk at all, the AUDI E5 Sportback’s compartment is far from impressive. This helps to explain the strong reaction on social media.

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/9z4tnurafd

— 풀백수시고(풀소유) (@newdtfullowning) May 7, 2025

Set to be launched in China this summer, the E5 Sportback is a glorified wagon that lacks a four-ring logo. The model also features a “reinterpretation of the familiar Singleframe” grille with a Light Frame surround. The latter consists of more than 1,000 individual lights and they’re joined by Matrix LED headlights. Other notable highlights include digital side mirrors and frameless doors.

In terms of size, the model measures 192.2 inches (4,881 mm) long, 77.1 inches (1,959 mm) wide, and 58.2 inches (1,478 mm) tall. This means the E5 is 4.3 inches (109 mm) shorter than the redesigned A6.

The company hasn’t said much about the interior, but it’s dominated by a 59-inch pillar-to-pillar display. Two screens showing footage from the digital side mirrors act as bookends and the display-focused setup gives the car a high-tech persona.

The rest of the cabin sports a minimalist design largely devoid of switchgear. However, there’s a 50 watt wireless smartphone charger, a Bose audio system, and an electrochromic sunroof. Buyers will also find an AI assistant, chestnut wood trim, and a fragrance diffuser.

The car rides on the Advanced Digitized Platform and will offer rear- and all-wheel drive. These will have outputs ranging from 295 hp (220 kW / 299 PS) to 776 hp (579 kW / 787 PS). The latter variant will rocket from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in a mere 3.4 seconds.

AUDI has been coy on additional details, but the E5 will be offered with up to a 100 kWh battery pack. This will provide a range of up to 478 miles (770 km). When the battery is low, an ultra-fast charger can deliver 230 miles (370 km) of range in as little as ten minutes.

The E5 Sportback also promises to have advanced driver assistance systems that will make commutes a breeze. Besides the roof-mounted LiDAR sensor, there are three long-range millimeter-wave radars, twelve ultrasonic sensors, eleven cameras, and several multi-modal sensing units.

Lead image X@newdtfullowning

The BMW X7 has been a popular addition to the lineup and finished 2024 as the brand’s fifth best-selling vehicle in America. While sales were up 12.5% last year, the crossover is getting old as it originally debuted in 2018.

BMW is getting ready to address this as spy photographers have snapped the first pictures of the second-generation X7. Caught undergoing testing in Europe, the model sports an evolutionary design that eschews the Neue Klasse look. This is a surprising development as the redesigned X5 has already been spotted with the retro-futuristic aesthetic.

More: 2025 BMW Alpina XB7 Manufaktur Adds An Extra Layer Of Exclusiveness

While changes are possible, the prototype sports an evolutionary front fascia with a familiar grille that is flanked by split lighting units. They’re joined by a new front bumper, which sports a pronounced horizontal element as well as a wide lower intake.

Moving further back, we can see an evolutionary but streamlined design. As part of this effort, there’s more curvaceous bodywork and new Ford Mustang Mach-E style door pulls. They’re joined by an upward sweeping beltline, sizable wheels, and a beefy braking system with blue calipers up front.

SHProshots

The rear end is heavily disguised, but the license plate recess has been moved from the liftgate to the bumper. Elsewhere, there’s a four-tailpipe exhaust system and what appears to be a longer spoiler.

Since the crossover is still a ways out, little is known about it. However, it’s expected to ride on the newer CLAR-WE platform and be offered with an assortment of gasoline and diesel engines. More interestingly, we can expect a fully electric iX7 variant. This promises to provide a powertrain for everyone as well as give the upcoming Genesis GV90 some electrifying competition.

The Jeep Wagoneer S fire sale has entered a new phase of desperation as we’ve found multiple dealers offering 2025 models for nearly $25,000 below MSRP. This comes three months after the automaker introduced a cheaper Limited trim as part of its effort to boost sales.

While the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Limited starts at $66,995 before a $1,795 destination fee, it appears dealers are waving the white flag. This includes Jimmy Britt Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, which has one of their EVs listed for $43,104 despite carrying an MSRP of $67,590.

More: 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Gets New Base Trim, But It Locks Performance Behind A Paywall

That’s a savings of $24,486, which is insane when you consider the 2025 Compass starts at $26,900. However, it’s important to note that price has every discount and incentive applied. This includes $7,665 from the dealer themselves, as well as the $7,500 federal tax credit, and an extra $5,821 off as part of Stellantis’ employee pricing for all program.

Down in Florida, there’s a similar deal at Taverna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat. Their $67,590 Wagoneer S has been discounted to $43,138. However, they’ve striked out that price, so you could potentially get the crossover for even less.

Chris Nikel Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat in Oklahoma has one of their Wagoneer S’ listed for $43,425. That’s $24,165 below sticker, meaning you could buy a $17,190 Nissan Versa with the savings and not have to deal with charging on long road trips.

While those are just a few examples, there are multiple other dealers to choose from. Of course, this isn’t too surprising as Jeep only sold 2,595 units during the first quarter. If that trend continues, the automaker is only looking at selling 10,380 for the entire year.

While those numbers sound terrible, Wagoneer S sales weren’t far behind those of the Mustang Mach-E. Ford only sold 2,927 in Q1, which was a 40.2% decline. That’s bad news for both companies, but buyers can likely expect motivated dealers.

Just days after Tesla rolled out its new Acceleration Boost for the so-called Model Y ‘Juniper’, it’s back again with more news in the form of the the Long Range Rear Wheel Drive trim. As the name suggests, it sheds a motor, gains some range, and, unsurprisingly, is $4,000 cheaper than the Long Range All-Wheel Drive variant.

This brings the new base price of the Model Y down to $33,990 if you qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit, or $44,990 without it. Including destination and order fees, the price rises to $46,630. That’s comparable to what you’d pay for a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6, but several thousand more than a Ford Mustang Mach-E. However, buyers do get an extra 30 miles of range, up from 327 miles to 357 miles, compared to the AWD variant.

Read: Tesla’s German Sales Halved While EV Market Explodes

There isn’t any free lunch here, so to speak, and the RWD proves slower than its counterpart. 0-60 comes in 5.4 seconds for the base Model Y LR AWD, compared to the 4.6 seconds of the LR AWD version (provided the owner hasn’t bought the Acceleration Boost). Tesla could potentially offer a similar performance upgrade for the base Model Y in the future.

There is other good news to consider, too. The new base Model Y comes with the same standard features as the AWD version. That includes 19-inch ‘Crossflow’ wheels, Stealth Grey paint, and a black interior. Buyers can add other features like different paint colors or a white interior, but both will cost extra cash.

For those still dreaming of a self-driving future, the Model Y Long Range RWD comes with the option to add Full Self-Driving (Supervised) for an additional $8,000. And if you’re wondering when you can expect your shiny new ride, Tesla’s estimates say first deliveries should be arriving in about three to five weeks, though, as always, that could change depending on how Tesla’s internal processes shake out.

For now, the Model Y AWD remains unchanged at a starting price of $48,990 without the federal tax incentive or deliver fees, so if you’re really hankering for a little more power and performance, you’ll need to dig a little deeper into your pockets.

What Else Is Coming?

In addition to the base trim of the facelifted Model Y, we’re also expecting Tesla to unveil its most affordable EV yet later this year. While it’s unclear whether it will launch in 2025 or 2026, as a recent report suggested, we may also see the debut of the most powerful version of the Model Y, the Performance variant, before the year’s end

Mitsubishi is stepping up its EV game with not one, but two new electric models on the horizon, both of which are slated to arrive in the second half of 2026, each targeting a different market, First up, there’s an electric crossover inspired by the upcoming Nissan Leaf, which will be offered in North America. Then, Mitsubishi is also teaming up with Foxconn to develop a separate EV aimed at the Australian market.

More: Nissan Is Considering A Rugged New Truck-Based SUV

The Leaf-based crossover is expected to hit dealers in the U.S. and Canada by summer 2026. As the official teaser suggests, it will closely resemble the new Nissan Leaf, adopting a similar crossover silhouette with a sloping roofline and an identical LED lighting signature. For now, it’s unclear if there will be any other noticeable differences between this Mitsubishi EV and its Nissan counterpart, aside from the Mitsubishi badges.

Key Features of the Leaf-Based EV

This new EV will sit on the CMF-EV platform, the same one found under the upcoming Nissan Leaf, and will feature a single electric motor. That means, like the slightly larger Nissan Ariya, there won’t be an all-wheel-drive option here. However, Mitsubishi has confirmed that the Leaf-based model will include a NACS charging port and is targeting a range of over 300 miles (482 km).

In return, Mitsubishi is helping Nissan with a plug-in hybrid version of the Nissan Rogue (X-Trail), which is expected to arrive in 2026 as a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. The Rogue plug-in hybrid will sit alongside gasoline and self-charging hybrid variants, with different styling cues to set them apart. Mitsubishi’s goal, of course, is to “strengthen its partnership with Nissan” through electrified vehicles.

Illustrations: Carscoops

In addition to expanding its EV lineup, Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 plan also includes a new approach to retail sales and an expanded dealer network in North America. This effort is designed to boost sales across the region.

New Foxtron-Developed EV for Australia

Mitsubishi has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Foxtron, an electric vehicle subsidiary of tech-giant Foxconn, confirming earlier reports about a potential collaboration. The result will be a new Mitsubishi EV that will be developed by Foxtron and manufactured by Yulon Motor in Taiwan.

More: Foxconn Will Build EVs In The US But You’ll Never See Its Name On Them

The yet-unnamed model will be introduced in Australia and New Zealand in the second half of 2026. Mitsubishi claims it will have “excellent driving performance as an EV”, adding that it will be equipped with “an advanced infotainment system”. While not confirmed, the new model could be a rebadged version of the Pininfarina-designed Foxtron Model B, first shown in 2022.

While the deal sounds nearly finalized, both Mitsubishi and Foxtron have stated they will continue discussions before sealing the deal. Beyond the Foxtron-developed EV for Oceania, Mitsubishi’s broader strategy includes its own developed models for ASEAN, Renault-based models for Europe, and Nissan-based models for North America.

Foxtron

Tesla’s European sales are, to put it lightly, in freefall. After months of steadily declining numbers, April was a particularly disastrous month for the electric vehicle maker. Key markets like Spain, Germany, Belgium, France, and the UK all saw significant drops, leaving Tesla wondering if it can get back on track anytime soon.

Germany, in particular, seems to be where Tesla’s problems are most evident. In April, the company sold just 885 vehicles in the country, down a staggering 45.9% compared to the same month last year. So far this year, Tesla has sold 5,820 vehicles in Germany, marking a 60.4% drop from 2024. Keep in mind, this is the country that houses Tesla’s only European factory, so things are clearly not going according to plan.

Read: Tesla Sales Crash Over 80% In Sweden And That’s Just The Beginning

It’s clear that public sentiment surrounding Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, plays a significant role in the company’s declining sales. This year, he’s spent a lot of time aligning himself with controversial figures like Donald Trump and making his presence felt in U.S. politics. Additionally, his public support for a far-right political party in Germany ahead of its recent federal elections has certainly contributed to some of the backlash.

Tesla has also been shifting the European supply of the best-selling Model Y to the recently updated ‘Juniper’ model. However, as local deliveries of this new model have already started, sales should be stronger than they are proving to be.

As Tesla struggled in Germany, some of its competition thrived. BYD, still a relatively new player in the country, sold 1,566 vehicles last month, a 755.7% jump over April 2024. Year-to-date sales are also up 384.5% to 2,791 units. MG sales were also up 34% in April. Polestar also reported a 47.1% increase in sales, with 303 units sold last month.

It’s not much better in the UK, where Tesla sales absolutely cratered in April. With only 512 units sold, the company saw a 62% drop compared to the year before. This is bad, even by bad-news standards.

Tesla’s struggles extend across several other European countries as well. In Spain, sales dropped 36%. In Belgium, it was 55%. France saw a 59% decline, Denmark 67%, and in Sweden, a jaw-dropping 81% drop in April. To put it bluntly, Tesla’s grip on the European market is slipping faster than the price of an electric car at a dealership going out of business.

Germany April 2025 Sales

At this point, it feels like Hyundai releases a new electric model every few weeks. But don’t worry, this one’s actually a little different. Meet the fully electric Elexio, a new SUV developed specifically for the Chinese market. It’s the latest creation from Beijing Hyundai, the joint venture with BAIC Motor, and it promises to deliver the latest tech and over 700 km (435 miles) of range on a single charge.

The SUV, which ditches the familiar Ioniq branding for a fresh name, made its debut at a special event in Shanghai. Hyundai plans to reveal the technical specifications at a later date. While the vehicle’s dimensions haven’t been disclosed yet, it seems to have a more compact footprint compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 9 available in other markets including North America.

More: Genesis Declares Full-Size War On BMW And Cadillac With EV Muscle

Interestingly, the Elexio adopts a new design language that sets it apart from the Ioniq lineup. The front end features a grille-less look with sporty bumper intakes, complemented by a full-width LED bar below the horizontally mounted headlights. The profile stands out with sculpted fenders and a dark-finished D-pillar, which is visually connected to the rear spoiler. At the rear, the Elexio boasts high-mounted full-width LEDs, bold lettering, and some graphic elements on the bumper.

While Hyundai didn’t show any photos of the interior, they teased an “intelligent interface” with no physical buttons, alongside a new digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system will run on the Qualcomm SA8295 chip, delivering the latest connectivity features.

Inside, the design is said to focus on simplicity, with plenty of storage compartments. As for safety, the Elexio will be equipped with a range of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), offering Level 2+ autonomous driving capabilities.

Powertrain and Range

The new SUV rides on the E-GMP architecture, which already underpins numerous electric models from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. While the company didn’t share any details about the number of electric motors or their output, we do know that the platform is compatible with single- and dual-motor setups.

More: Hyundai Plans To ‘Sell Like Hell’ And Tariffs Can’t Stop It

A battery of yet-to-be-revealed capacity is expected to provide over 700 km (435 miles) of range under normal conditions, though this figure is likely based on the Chinese CTLC testing protocols. The battery will also feature rapid charging, able to go from 30-80% in just 27 minutes. It’s housed in a reinforced structure that meets the crash safety standards.

Manufacturing and Future Plans

The new Elexio will be manufactured in China by Beijing Hyundai, with a local market launch expected in the coming months. Whether it will be offered outside China has not yet been confirmed.

Earlier this year, Hyundai announced a $1.1 billion investment in its joint venture with BAIC. This move aims to deliver electrified products tailored to the needs of Chinese customers while boosting exports. With declining sales in China due to intense local competition, Hyundai is hoping vehicles like the Elexio will help restore its foothold in the world’s largest automotive market.

While the VW Group produces many vehicles in the United States, every single Audi sold locally is built in either Europe or Mexico and exported to the US, meaning they are subject to President Trump’s 25 percent auto tariffs. The premium brand is working hard to avoid these tariffs and could build several of its vehicles locally.

A recent report out of Germany suggests that Audi may build the existing Q4 e-tron crossover, or its successor, at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This would be a logical option as the Q4 e-tron shares the same MEB platform as the VW ID.4, which is currently built in Tennessee.

Read: Audi Stops All US Vehicle Exports Over Tariffs

At the same time, it could alter production plans for the Q8 e-tron. This model was originally going to be built in Mexico, but it may now be manufactured in Columbia, South Carolina, which will be home to Scout and handle production of both the EV and EREV versions of the Terra and Traveler. While VW has been eager to distance itself from Scout to allow the new brand to sell direct-to-consumers, it clearly has enough influence over it to also have the site build an unrelated model from Audi.

According to a report from Automobilwoche, the VW Group is also eyeing a third potential location for building the Q6 e-tron, though details are scarce for now.

When asked about these plans, an Audi spokesperson didn’t exactly confirm anything but did admit that the U.S. market is one of their top priorities, sitting alongside Europe and China as a core pillar of their global strategy.

“We want to increase our presence in the U.S.,” they told Auto News. “We are currently examining various scenarios. We are confident that we will be able to decide on the specific details in consultation with the Group before the end of this year.”

Either way, the wheels are in motion for Audi to make a more significant push in the States, as it’s imperative for the company to do whatever it takes to dodge those tariffs, whether by relocating production, shifting models, or just flexing the power of the VW Group.

Rivian has revised its 2025 delivery forecast, blaming a shifting global trade environment that has been heavily influenced by Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. President. In a similar vein, Lucid is acknowledging rising costs due to tariffs but is holding firm on its production targets, expecting to produce 20,000 vehicles this year.

Read: Rivian’s Secret Stockpile Could Be Its Key To Defeating Tariffs

During the announcement of its first-quarter 2025 financial results, Rivian revealed a notable increase in gross profit, at $206 million to be exact. This marks the company’s second consecutive quarter of profitability, a significant milestone for the fledgling American EV manufacturer. It also makes Rivian eligible for a $1 billion investment from the Volkswagen Group, part of a broader partnership between the two companies.

Rivian’s First-Quarter Progress

The EV startup manufactured 14,611 vehicles in the first quarter, delivering 8,640 of them to customers. The company continues to make strides with its small R2 model, now building validation prototypes while expanding its manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois.

The carmaker pointed out that while all its vehicles are manufactured in the U.S. and most of its materials either come from the US or are USMCA-compliant, the effects of tariffs, “evolving trade regulations,” and other policy changes have forced it to revise its delivery forecast.

Rivian now expects to deliver between 40,000 and 46,000 vehicles this year, down from an earlier projection of 46,000 to 51,000 vehicles. This adjustment means a potential reduction of up to 5,000 vehicles, equating to a 10% drop at the higher end of the original forecast and a 13% decline at the lower end.

On top of that, Rivian estimates that tariffs could add thousands of dollars to the cost of each vehicle. However, the company does appear to have one ace up its sleeve: a stockpile of batteries, which, according to reports, it’s been quietly accumulating since before the election. This stash could serve as a buffer against the pricing pressures triggered by Trump’s auto tariffs.

“This quarter we hit our second consecutive gross profit and our highest gross profit to date at $206 million,” added company founder and chief executive RJ Scaringe. “We have continued to make significant progress on R2, including vehicle validation builds underway and our Normal, Illinois manufacturing facility expansion on track.”

Despite Slow Start, Lucid Aims High

Meanwhile, Lucid wrapped up Q1 by building 2,212 vehicles, excluding 600 currently being shipped to Saudi Arabia. The company also delivered 3,109 vehicles during the quarter, posting $235 million in revenue. Despite the ongoing challenges, Lucid ended the quarter with a healthy liquidity position of $5.76 billion and is still on track to build approximately 20,000 vehicles this year.

We were all expecting Ferrari to pull the curtain back on its first EV, tentatively called the Elettrica, in October. But, as it turns out, the Italian automaker has decided to tease us with only a glimpse of the car’s “technological heart” during the fall, with the actual vehicle set to make its debut next spring.

Ferrari made this announcement during the release of its first-quarter financial report this week. CEO Benedetto Vigna offered little detail about the “technological heart” of the Elettrica, but it’s a safe bet he’s referring to the all-electric powertrain that will power the car.

Read: Ferrari’s First EV Spied Up Close While Charging

While we don’t yet know how many motors the EV will pack or the exact size of its battery, we do know that the battery modules, inverters, and electric motors will all be developed and built in Maranello. Sure, Ferrari could have opted to source these components from a third-party supplier, but instead, they’ve chosen to keep it all in-house, a move that speaks to the brand’s commitment to maintaining control over its technology.

Customer Deliveries: A Long Wait Ahead

In addition to announcing that the first part of the Elettrica’s unveiling has been scheduled for October before a launch next spring, Vigna confirmed that customer deliveries will start in October 2026, according to an Auto News report.

Several prototypes of Ferrari’s highly anticipated EV have been spotted in recent months, sporting a mix of parts from existing models. It’s still unclear how closely these test mules will resemble the final production version, but one thing is certain: the Elettrica won’t be your typical sports car. Instead, expect something more in line with the Purosangue SUV, just slightly smaller.

In its Q1 report, Ferrari says that it shipped a total of 3,593 new cars this year, 33 more than it shipped in Q1 2024. Revenue also increased by 13% to €1.79 billion (~$2 billion), and net profit jumped by 17% to €412 million (~$467 million).

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If you’re in the market for a used car, you’ll generally find the best deal on the private market, but that route isn’t for everyone. Many people prefer the convenience of buying through a dealer or directly from the automaker. For those looking to minimize the stress of buying a used car, Tesla’s used inventory might seem like an attractive option, though it’s not without its issues.

Read: Used EV Prices Plummet 32% As Tesla Price Cuts Impact Industry

The main drawback? You won’t even see the car until you’ve paid a non-refundable $500 deposit, plus anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars in transport fees. And by “see the car,” we mean no photos of the actual vehicle – nothing. Just trust the process, apparently.

Yes, we know Tesla isn’t viewed in the best light at the moment, but that doesn’t change the fact that it continues to build some of the finest EVs on the market. It also has some reasonably priced used examples it’s looking to offload, and plenty of them come with very generous warranties.

Five of the most tempting we’ve come across include three first-gen Model Ys and two first-gen Model 3s. The cheapest of the bunch is a 2020 Model 3 Standard Range Plus Rear-Wheel Drive with an asking price of $19,000. While the car has been driven 62,092 miles (99,927 km), a look through AutoTrader shows that similar Model 3s with around the same mileage generally have asking prices between $18,000 and $22,000, so this example is reasonably well-priced.

Perhaps of most interest to a potential buyer is that it will include a 1-year / 10,000-mile limited warranty from Tesla itself. Additionally, the balance of the original battery and drive unit warranty is fully transferable and lasts until September 2028 or 160,000 miles. Several used Model 3s and Ys have also been advertised with an additional basic vehicle limited warranty that extends until up to 2026 with 50,000 or even 80,000 miles.

Another 2021 Model 3 Standard Range Plus Rear-Wheel Drive has been listed for $19,800, but it has a battery and drive unit warranty lasting until October 2029 / 160,000 miles. However, the listing notes it is ‘repaired,’ without specifying what repairs have been made to it.

The three Model Ys in Tesla’s used inventory have also been listed as repaired vehicles. They all include the 1-year / 10,000-mile limited warranty and have battery and drive unit warranties that extend until August 2028 and December 2028.

Drag coefficients (Cd) might not get the same attention as horsepower or range numbers, but they’re critical to the efficiency of EVs. A low Cd can drastically improve a car’s range and even allow manufacturers to use smaller, lighter batteries. That’s why automakers like Avatr, Volvo, Lightyear, and Audi love to tout their impressively low Cds. But one of them may not be as honest as it seems, and a popular Chinese blogger figured it out on his own.

Zurich Bei Le Ye is a popular auto blogger in China with over a million followers, and he personally owns an Avatr 12. According to the automaker, the electric sedan boasts a Cd of just 0.208, but Ye wanted to verify that claim. To do so, he took his own car to a wind tunnel and conducted the same test Avatr would have performed before releasing their figure. However, things didn’t go as expected. Ye’s test resulted in a Cd of just 0.281, barely better than Volvo’s EX90 SUV.

More: Aptera’s Quirky EV Has Aero Perfected By Pininfarina And 400 Miles Of Range

No Funny Business Here, Just Bad Results

It’s not as though there’s something strange going on with the test data either. The car had a Cd of over 0.28 across all speeds from 80 km/h to 140 km/h (49-86 mph). The test happened at the Tianjin China Automotive Technology and Research Centre (CATARC), which has been around since 1985. Testers followed CSAE 146-2020 standards, and were professional technicians, so they knew what they were doing. Essentially, this car just ended up with a result that is some 30 percent higher than Avatr quotes.

According to Car News China, “The blogger also claimed that the testing facility did not provide a formal report after the test day, suggesting potential intervention by the brand. A video detailing the test was reportedly taken down.” Avatr, for its part, insists the video is incorrect and has offered a reward of 5 million yuan (roughly $695,000 at current exchange rates) for anyone with information on what it calls a “black PR” campaign.

Test result pic.twitter.com/1rdQPLDok1

— Ray (@ray4tesla) May 5, 2025

The blogger argues that Avatr should produce its original test results in full and demonstrate the 12 accomplishing the feat in public. The entire incident has called into question other astonishing claims of low Cds by other Chinese automakers like Xpeng, which says it makes the world’s most aerodynamic vehicle.

While China’s automotive industry has made impressive strides in recent years, it’s still in the process of building its reputation, and some marketing claims certainly deserve closer scrutiny. As one commenter on X put it, “Shocking but not shocking.” The industry has made great progress, but there’s still work to be done before it earns the same level of respect and trust as many legacy brands.

Ford’s Bronco family is about to get a whole lot bigger, and it looks like China will be the first to see the new addition. A camouflaged SUV sporting Bronco badges and styling has been spotted in China, giving us an early glimpse of an upcoming high-riding model from Ford. This SUV is clearly a departure from the US-spec Bronco Sport and will join the mid-size five-door Bronco already on sale in China.

More: Chinese Galaxy Battleship Floats Two Hours Straight While Pretending It’s A Defender

This mysterious SUV was included in Ford’s latest product plan for China, which was announced just last month. While the official announcement kept things vague, spy shots from Autohome have given us a few juicy details about what could be the third member of Ford’s ever-expanding Bronco family.

Design Details and Familiar Features

The camouflaged prototype boasts a boxy, rugged design reminiscent of the growing number of SUVs from China. The headlights carry a Bronco Sport influence, though they forgo the signature round LED graphics. From the side, round fender flares, pop-out door handles, and an upright windshield with black pillars add to the vehicle’s bold look.

At the rear, a full-size spare tire and vertically stacked taillights bring to mind the Land Rover Defender, while the clear finish gives it a contemporary touch.

Moving inside, the Bronco identity shines through, highlighted by the emblem on the flat-bottom steering wheel. Though parts of the interior remain concealed, we can still make out a high-mounted center console featuring ample storage and a free-standing infotainment screen seamlessly integrated into the dashboard.

Size and Unibody Architecture

Spy Shots Autohome

While the exact dimensions and positioning of this model remain unclear, it appears to be larger than the US-spec Ford Bronco Sport, which measures 4,387 mm (172.7 inches) long. This could be Ford’s response to the perceived preference of Chinese customers for bigger and roomier vehicles. For context, the five-door Bronco stretches to 4,800-4,825 mm (189-190 inches) in length.

A look underneath suggests that the SUV is based on a unibody architecture. This is probably the biggest point of differentiation from the regular Bronco that rides on a ladder-frame chassis sourced from the Ranger pickup. It remains to be seen whether this Chinese model will share its unibody foundation with the Bronco Sport, Escape/Kuga, and Focus, or if Ford has something entirely different in mind for its new Bronco variant.

More: A New Ford Sedan Has Been Spied In America

Elements such as the covered grille, the aero-friendly alloy wheels, and the dual ports on the rear fenders suggest that the SUV is fitted with an electrified powertrain, which would be a first for a Bronco-badged product. The setup could either be a plug-in hybrid or a range-extender, as both of them require the presence of a fuel port and a charging port.

A few details, like the covered grille, aero-friendly alloy wheels, and dual ports on the rear fenders, hint that this SUV might come with an electrified powertrain, which if true, would be a first for anything wearing the Bronco badge. This could mean a plug-in hybrid or a range-extender setup, as both would require both a fuel port and a charging port.

This new Bronco model is expected to be built in China, likely through one of Ford’s joint ventures with Changan or Jiangling Motors. Expect more details later this year, when the vehicle’s specs and images will likely be revealed through China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, ahead of its official market launch.

Chevrolet’s EV lineup is expanding at full throttle, and after introducing electric versions of the Blazer, Equinox, and Silverado, the brand is adding another familiar name to its global roster, and this time, it’s the Captiva. However, before you get too excited, know that this is another one of those “for South America only” deals, so don’t expect it to land on U.S. shores anytime soon, if ever.

The Captiva name was first used in the mid-2000s for a compact SUV sold in certain markets like Europe, Australia, New Zealand, as well as parts of South East Asia, where it was also branded as the Daewoo Winstorm. After the original model was axed, GM revived the Captiva with a new version based on the Baojun 530, a Chinese model. Now, the Captiva has gone full electric, and it’s based on another Chinese offering.

Read: GM’s New Wuling Sunshine Is The Swiss Army Knife Of Chinese EVs

The model in question is the Wuling Starlight S (also known as the Xing Guang S), which is currently sold in China. Recent social media posts from General Motors in Brazil reveal that much of the Wuling’s design has been carried over to the Chevy, though it’s been tweaked just enough to better fit the Bowtie badge.

At the front, the Captiva EV sports narrow LEDs and turn signals, with the main headlamps placed lower down on the fascia. Despite being an electric vehicle, it still has a large black grille, a departure from the grille-free designs we’re used to seeing in more modern EVs. The rear end, however, is almost identical to the Wuling model, with the same taillights, tailgate, and black bumper.

The Captiva EV will be sold in markets like Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, regions where its compact size and affordability are expected to hit the mark. Needless to say, the US remains firmly out of the picture.

Technical specifications for the new model have yet to be announced. However, we know that the all-electric version of the Starlight S has a claimed driving range of up to 317 miles (510 km) and can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.7 seconds. Similar specs can be expected for the Captiva EV, including the ability for the battery to be charged from 30-80% in 20 minutes.

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Have you ever upgraded your phone or computer to the latest operating system and instantly regretted the decision, wishing you could just go back to the earlier version? That’s a scenario familiar to Chinese owners of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra who discovered an update cost them around 650 hp.

The Ultra is the halo car in Xiaomi’s phenomenally successful SU7 lineup, a rival to the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT that costs a quarter as much and has laid waste to the German car at various racetracks thanks to its incredible 1,526 hp (1,548 PS / 1,138 kW) triple-motor drivetrain.

Related: First Fatal Xiaomi SU7 Crash Sparks Questions About Self-Driving Tech And Locked Doors

But owners were furious to learn that version 1.7.0 of its software reduced power to around 888 hp (900 PS / 662 kW) unless they could prove they were worthy of the true maximum. To unlock it, drivers had to complete a qualifying lap time on a Xiaomi-approved track that would be logged and verified by the SU7’s onboard Qualifying Mode laptime assessment feature, Car News China reports.

The update also made drivers wait an agonizing 60 seconds before the launch control function was ready to showcase the Ultra’s possible 1.89-second zero to 62 mph (96 km/h) times, ruling the tech out for impromptu stoplight races.

Xiaomi claimed the version 1.7.0 update’s power restrictions were designed with safety in mind, claiming the maximum performance potential was only created with track use in mind and by drivers who could handle all those Watts. But while some owners appreciated the sentiment, many took to online forums to complain that they now owned EVs with far less performance than they’d paid for, and which Xiaomi had advertised.

Following the backlash, Xiaomi pulled a U-turn, scrapping the performance limitations and promising to be more up-front about future software updates.

“We appreciate the passionate feedback from our community and will ensure better transparency moving forward,” Car News China reports a company representative saying.

Do you think Xiaomi was right to demand drivers prove their skills before being allowed the SU7’s full power?

It’s easy to hate on the redesigned Mercedes CLA as it doesn’t look particularly good and its interior is a soulless compartment filled with screens. On top of that, the electric variants have terrible names including CLA 250+ with EQ Technology and CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology.

It appears that’s just scratching the surface as a new report says the EV doesn’t support 400V DC fast charging. According to Wards Auto, the model lacks a 400V-to-800V DC/DC converter and this significantly limits where the car can be recharged. Non-compatible stations are said to include “50 kW public chargers and a large portion of Tesla’s current Supercharger network.”

More: Starry But Soulless 2026 Mercedes CLA Leans On AI And Electric Power

It sounds like the restriction is a result of Mercedes’ push for a 320 kW DC fast charging capability, which enables the car to go from a 10-80% charge in as little as 22 minutes. As the publication explained, “Because CCS cables are limited to 500 amps, 800 volts is necessary to exceed a 200 kW charging speed.”

However, other automakers – such as Hyundai and Kia – use a DC-to-DC voltage booster to allow for fast charging as well as broad support. This isn’t a great look for a luxury brand as it comes off as a penny pinching move that harms consumers by limiting their access to charging stations.

Mercedes reportedly declined to say why they didn’t include a voltage booster in the CLA and it will likely catch some owners off guard. We looked at webpages and configurators for the car in multiple countries and found no mention of the restriction. However, Wards Auto said there is a disclaimer noting “charging at 400V charging stations is not possible, and for this reason, they are not shown in the navigation system.”

It’s unclear if this issue is limited to the launch model, but the publication pointed to speculation suggesting the Norwegian-spec car will come with a DC/DC booster. This implies a market specific approach, although customers might want to hold off for the time being.

Update: Turns out, you don’t have to crawl through the Cadillac Celestiq like some kind of luxury burglar to jump-start the 12V battery, as originally reported. Thanks to the manual, we now know there’s an easier way to do it. We’ve updated the article to reflect this new, less claustrophobic method.

Automotive design has come a long way, but sometimes it feels like we’re taking a few awkward steps backward. A prime example? The Cadillac Celestiq. This $340,000 (starting price) all-electric, hand-built super sedan is Cadillac’s big play to remind everyone that it’s “the standard of the world.”

If the method for accessing the battery is the new benchmark, though, we might all want to collectively hit the rewind button. The good news it’s that it isn’t as bad as was first reported.

More: Cadillac Projects EVs Will Make Up 35% Of Its Sales This Year

Originally, it seemed like a dead 12V battery would trap owners in a strange, high-end version of a luxury escape room. According to GM Authority, if the car lost power, you’d have to access the cabin through the trunk like a burglar on a mission, and then dig your way to the manual release system. Only after all that could you finally jump-start the 12V battery back to life.

Apparently, that’s not the case after all. While Cadillac hasn’t responded to our email from earlier today when we asked them about the procedure, Carbuzz reported (and we’ve also confirmed via the owner’s manual that you can see below), that Celestiq owners have a simpler option.

The automaker provides jump leads that can relay power directly to the 12V battery in the trunk. It’s still not exactly a walk in the park, as owners will need to remove an interior panel to access the leads, but it’s certainly a far cry from crawling through a $340,000 car like it’s a secret agent mission.

First, owners will need to access the trunk by opening it with the physical key and remove the load floor. After that, they’ll take out the storage bin underneath and look for the jumper leads on the left side of the trunk. Once they’ve located the leads, they can jump-start the 12V battery, get into the car, pop the front trunk, and either charge the battery directly or replace it if necessary.

The Celestiq is built-to-order, and maybe buyers with deep enough pockets can request something radical like… a mechanical frunk latch that is unlockable via a key? If the trunk can have it, why not the frunk too? Sure, most owners will probably call Cadillac to come deal with it, but at this price point, convenience should be a feature, not an upgrade.

We’re also waiting for Cadillac’s response and will update the article if we hear back from them.

It hasn’t even been two years since the Ford Fiesta was unceremoniously retired, and yet, it may already be staging a comeback. This time around, though, the Fiesta could look very different. Instead of a traditional internal combustion comeback, the new version might arrive as part of Ford’s growing collaboration with Volkswagen, a partnership that has already produced models like the Explorer EV and Capri based on VW’s platforms.

VW’s head of sales and marketing, Martin Sander, says that the carmaker’s tie-up with Ford on EVs has already proven to be “very, very, very successful,” and is open to sharing technologies in a similar way in the future. Sander formerly worked at Ford in Europe and, as the Explorer EV and Capri use the same platform as the VW ID.4 and ID.5, Ford could conceivably develop new EVs with the same MEB Entry architecture as the ID.1 and ID.2.

Read: Ford Is Killing The Focus ST But Something Wilder Is Coming

Ford itself has not commented on the possibility of building a new entry-level electric hatchback, but Auto Express speculates that such a project is conceivable. Ford says it’s “confident in its ability to compete in the right segments,” so if it sees potential with an electric hatch, it may be wise to pursue it.

Looking at the numbers, the ID.2 could be a near-ideal blueprint for a new Fiesta. The ID.2all Concept is only 0.7 inches (or 18 mm) longer than the outgoing Fiesta, and it shares the same five-door layout. In terms of size and purpose, it’s almost a one-to-one match.

Of course, Ford would have to convince VW to let it use its underpinnings, even though a new Fiesta would likely snatch sales away from the ID.2, as well as the related Cupra Raval and Skoda Epiq. Unless VW thinks it will get something from the deal, it’s hard to see why it would be open to it. Admittedly, if a new Fiesta were sold in markets where the ID.2 won’t be, that would take away the threat of it stealing sales.

Meanwhile, Ford isn’t sitting still. A skunkworks team inside the company is reportedly working on a new budget-friendly EV aimed squarely at emerging rivals like BYD. This upcoming model could start at around $25,000 and may feature a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which offers cost advantages and improved durability compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Regardless of the Fiesta’s return, Ford appears to be quietly assembling the pieces for a more affordable EV future, and it may not be long before we see what that actually looks like.

Last September, Volvo rowed back from its previous pledge to go all-electric by 2030, and now, eight months later, that looks like a very smart move. The Geely-owned automaker just announced its latest sales figures, and they show registrations of fully electric Volvo vehicles fell by almost one-third.

Volvo’s EV sales fell 32 percent in April versus the same period last year. The company sold 17,090 EVs in April 2024, compared to the 11,697 EVs sold in the month just gone. PHEV sales actually grew fractionally (by 2 percent) to 14,688, but MHEV and ICE registrations also dropped 5 percent to 34,315.

Related: Trump’s Tariffs Drive Volvo To Build A New Model In The US

That means Volvo’s combined electric sales were down 16 percent, and total sales for all power types for April stood at 65,838, or 11 percent lower than they were for the corresponding period last year. And April’s terrible performance really dragged down the overall Q1 EV sales figures, which showed a 6 percent sales decline and are down 7 percent Jan-April.

The lacklustre demand for EVs comes despite the EX30 being rolled out to the US and sales of the big EX90 also now having begun. But Volvo is one of the automakers affected by President Trump’s tariffs, albeit not as badly affected as Audi or Porsche. Although it does build the EX90 at its South Carolina plant in the US, other models like the XC90, XC60, XC40, and EX30 are all made overseas and subject to import levies.

Volvo sales April 2025

Volvo is looking to address that issue and is planning to build a second model – probably the XC60 or XC90 – at the same site. Volvo recently dropped the S90 from the US market due to tariffs, though the newly facelifted sedan will still be offered in Asia.

The man tasked with managing the turnaround is Hakan Samuelsson, who returned to the CEO role on April 1 on a two-year contract while the company looks for a permanent new boss. He replaces Jim Rowan, who took over from Samulesson in 2022 but was shown the door this spring after three years in the big chair.

In a world racing toward the future on silent electric motors, the idea of electrifying a post-war Land Rover might sound like forcing a flip phone to run TikTok. Still, that’s exactly what UK-based company Inverted is doing, taking the legendary Land Rover Series I, II, and III and giving them a fully electric drivetrain while staying largely true to their iconic design.

Inverted already offers EV conversions for Range Rover Classic models and is using this expertise with old Land Rovers. The original Series I, Series II, and Series III models were built between 1948 and 1985 with 4-, 6-, and 8-cylinder petrol and diesel engine options. The EV specialist ditches these engines and slots in a 62 kWh battery pack that’s been split across the front and rear to optimize weight distribution.

Read: Electric Toyota FJ40 – Your Grandpa’s Off-Roader Gets A Tesla Heart

That battery sends power to a single electric motor producing 160 horsepower and a hefty 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque. Thanks to that torque, these once-slow utility vehicles can now hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in a surprisingly brisk 8 seconds.

Even more interesting is that Inverted keeps the original transfer box, which still offers high and low range gearing and works seamlessly with the electric setup. A locking differential is also included, maintaining off-road capability.

Short Range That (Sort of) Fits the Mission

Inverted says its electric Land Rover models can travel up to 120 miles (193 km) on a full charge. That’s peanuts compared to most EVs on the market, but it’s worth remembering that very few owners of old Land Rovers like these use them as a daily driver. One hundred twenty miles is probably more than enough for the occasional trip through town.

The battery pack supports 6.6 kW Type 2 charging and 60 kW DC fast charging, allowing it to be charged from 20-80% in 38 minutes. Eco, Traffic, and Off-Road driving modes have also been incorporated, and new electric power steering has been added.

“Series Land Rovers are beautiful, iconic machines,” Inverted founder Harry Millington said. “But let’s face it, not everyone wants to wrestle with a choke on a cold morning or breathe in exhaust fumes that waft through the car. Our electrified versions preserve everything people love about these classics while making them more fun, more reliable, and infinitely more usable.”

Just don’t expect this upgraded nostalgia to come cheap. Inverted’s conversions start at £150,000 (roughly $199,000), though that price does include the donor vehicle. For collectors or enthusiasts who want a cleaner, quieter, and more practical take on the classic Land Rover, it’s a steep price, but also a unique way to bridge past and future without losing the charm of either.