Tesla has fought, and consistently won, court battles over its semi-autonomous Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised). That record changed recently when a Florida jury decided that the EV maker was partially to blame for a crash that ended in a fatality. Now, Elon Musk’s company is pushing for a new trial, arguing the verdict could stifle development of safety technologies.

A Fatal Florida Crash

The case stems from the death of 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon, who was killed in 2019 when a 2019 Model S slammed into a parked Chevrolet Tahoe in Miami-Dade county. Her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, suffered serious injuries.

More: Over 10,000 Owners Sue Tesla Over This Widespread Complaint

The driver, George McGee, admitted he dropped his phone, took his eyes off the road, and believed the car would brake on its own. At the same time, he conceded that he was negligent and placed too much trust in the car.

Jury Finds Tesla Partly Liable

Despite that, a jury found Tesla 33 percent liable, awarding $42.5 million in compensatory damages and a staggering $200 million in punitive damages. Jurors were reportedly swayed by the plaintiffs’ argument that Tesla overstated the capabilities of Autopilot, even as the company repeatedly warned drivers to stay alert and keep their hands on the wheel. According to CarComplaints, Tesla admits that the whole thing was a tragedy but says it was entirely the fault of McGee’s “extraordinary recklessness.”

Tesla Pushes Back

In its filing, the company said “No other car in existence would have stopped when the driver was telling it to ‘go.’” Tesla argued that McGee was “reckless in the extreme by ignoring or overriding every safety feature in his car,” including by pressing the accelerator pedal, which overrides the system’s cruise control and braking functions. There’s no question that this is a sticky situation, but Tesla makes a few interesting points.

“For as long as there have been cars, there have been reckless, self-absorbed drivers like McGee,” Tesla said. “Those drivers should face every legal consequence for their wrongful conduct. Holding Tesla liable for providing drivers with advanced safety features just because a reckless driver overrode them cannot be reconciled with Florida law. That rule would impede the development of safety features, deter progress, and cost lives both now and in the long run.”

The Bigger Question

Ultimately, all of this seems to stem from the nomenclature and advertising of Autopilot. Were it called something else and marketed differently, it would seem more difficult to blame Tesla at all. The automaker is asking the judge to either order a new trial or reduce the damages, a move that will weigh driver responsibility against driver-assistance technology. The outcome could make a huge impact in the future of automakers and their relationship with autonomy.

The Jeep Wrangler hangs its reputation on its ability to go just about anywhere. Of course, that reputation is also why it’s a popular choice for those buying Power Wheels electric cars for kids. Put an adult in the Barbie Jammin’ Jeep Wrangler from Power Wheels and it turns out that there are plenty of places the vehicle can’t go. In the case of this story, rush hour traffic, to be specific.

More: This Not-So-Serious Fake G-Class Sold For Seriously Real Money

On September 5, Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers found a man piloting a Barbie Jeep down Fifteenth Ave near Nicholson Street. They stopped him, and he revealed that he wanted a Slurpee but “got lazy,” so he borrowed his roommate’s kid’s Barbie Jeep to make the trip.

As pointed out by Road&Track that brought the story to our attention, the man, 40-year-old Kasper Lincoln, reportedly showed signs of impairment and had a suspended driver’s license.

Over the Limit at 5 MPH

According to CBC News, officers administered two breath tests and confirmed that he was over the legal limit at the time. Let me remind you, it was morning, specifically, 9 a.m. The string of excellent decisions here is uncanny. For example, the Barbie Jeep in question is capable of no more than 5 mph (8 km/h). Only kids aged 3 to 7 are supposed to pilot it, and at most, it should carry no more than 130 pounds.

@cbcbritishcolumbia A Prince George, B.C., man was pulled over by police after driving a child-size pink toy Barbie Jeep along one of the city's main roads. CBC's Andrew Kurjata has more on the joy ride that made the rounds online. #princegeorge #barbiejeep #dui #britishcolumbia #cbcnews ♬ original sound – CBC British Columbia

Lincoln, who was wearing a shirt that reportedly read “Let’s Do It The Dumbest Way Possible.” Likely exceeded the weight limit and likely reduced both the intended speed and range of the toy. As such, it’s questionable whether or not he would’ve even made it to his destination and back without having to drag the toy along at some point.

He told the news station that he had no idea what he was doing was illegal and that he used the sidewalk for most of the trip before getting stopped. At this point, his driver’s license is now suspended for a further 90 days beyond the initial suspension he was already under. He’s also got a court date for December, where he’ll face a charge of prohibited driving. 

H/T to Road&Track

Volkswagen has been busy showing off shiny new EVs like the upcoming ID. Cross in concept form and confirming an all-electric Polo, but behind the scenes the story isn’t quite so polished. VW will reportedly delay the launch of at least two upcoming models, citing production snags, softening demand, and mounting cost pressures.

First Victims: ID. Roc and ID. Golf

The first model expected to be hit by the delay is believed to be the ID. Roc. Although VW hasn’t officially confirmed it yet, the SUV is set to debut as the first vehicle on the new SSP platform and was originally due in fall 2029. Unnamed inside sources told Germany’s Handelsblatt that its launch has slipped to summer 2030. The ID. Golf is also reportedly being pushed back to around 2030, despite earlier plans for a release later this decade.

Read: Next VW Golf EV Will Ride On Rivian’s Electric Architecture

Money, or a lack thereof, is thought to be one of the major reasons behind the schedule change. VW is currently preparing an important roundtable meeting of its Supervisory Board to determine the capacity utilization of all of its global factories and to financially plan for the next five years. The company cut costs by €15 billion ($17.5 billion) last year and is planning even more cuts this year.

According to Handelsblatt, VW is eager to pour billions into new platforms and plant retooling, but it needs to tread carefully with the funds available. One plan had been to move production of the combustion-powered Golf from Wolfsburg, Germany, to a facility in Mexico by 2027, clearing space for SSP-based EVs like the ID. Roc. That shift, however, may also face delays.

Overinvested In EV Dreams

As a result, Wolfsburg may not see EV production until 2028 at the earliest. Similarly, Volkswagen could push back plans to shift ID.3 and Cupra Born production from Zwickau to Wolfsburg, originally targeted for 2027.

According to a company insider, electric car sales haven’t been as strong as VW had hoped. “While unit sales are increasing, our original investments were geared toward significantly higher volumes. We are completely overinvested,” the insider told the German publication.

Update: GM has unveiled the production version of the China-exclusive Buick Electra L7 sedan, releasing full powertrain specs. This story has been updated with new details and images.

While Buick’s presence in the US is now all about crossovers and SUVs, the brand is taking a different approach in China, where the traditional sedan still has a place. The all-new Electra L7 joins Buick’s portfolio in the world’s largest automotive market, bringing modern styling, a high-tech interior, and electrified powertrains.

More: Buick’s Electric Crossover Just Got A Lot Better In China

Electra is Buick’s sub-brand for new energy vehicles. It was formally announced in April 2025, with three concepts: a sedan, an SUV, and a minivan. The Electra L7 is the production version of the sedan, which evolves from the 2024 Electra L concept shown the previous year.

From Concept To Production

The model retains much of the design language introduced in the concept, though a few features have been streamlined for production. The lighting signature at both ends has been reworked, with more practical LED graphics. Furthermore, the sleek, flush door handles and traditional side mirrors replace some of the show car’s more experimental elements, bringing it closer to real-world usability.

Buick highlights its wing-shaped “Galaxy” headlights and turbine-style alloy wheels as standout features. The L7 wears a fastback silhouette focused on aerodynamics and measuring 5,032 mm (198.1 in) long, 1,952 mm (76.9 in) wide, and 1,500 mm (59.1 in) tall. A 3,000 mm (118.1 in) wheelbase gives it a spacious footprint, putting it slightly longer than the Tesla Model S and Mercedes-Benz EQE, though shorter than the BMW i5.

A Minimalist and Techy Interior

Inside, the L7 offers a minimalist but premium-looking cabin anchored by a floating island-style dashboard. It features two screens: a driver display and a tablet-style infotainment unit on the center console. Physical controls are limited to a few buttons on the lower console and steering wheel, which still retains multifunction stalks, including for the transmission control.

Luxury touches include Nappa leather upholstery and four-zone “suspension” seats, with the front passenger seat offering a dual 120-degree zero-gravity function. A 27-speaker Buick Sound system integrates headrest speakers and active noise cancellation.

The Electra L7 also gets a massive 50-inch augmented reality head-up display, and an array of AI-driven features. All of this runs on Qualcomm’s 8775 chip, which supports high-end infotainment and connectivity. Driver assistance tech will come from Chinese tech company Momenta, which has developed a suite of sophisticated ADAS capabilities using LiDAR.

Platform With Options

The sedan is just one of six new energy models Buick plans to launch in the next year, likely alongside production versions of Electra’s SUV and minivan concepts. All of them will be built on Buick’s Xiao Yao architecture, a flexible platform designed specifically for China. These underpinnings are compatible with fully electric, plug-in hybrid, and range-extender powertrains, in FWD, RWD, and AWD layouts.

More: Buick’s New Sedan Concept Rivals The S-Class In Size

At launch, the Electra L7 will feature a range-extender powertrain. It’s powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine from SAIC, producing 154 hp (115 kW / 156 PS) and 230 Nm of torque. The engine doesn’t drive the wheels directly; instead, it acts solely as a generator to recharge the 40.2 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack.

Propulsion comes from a 238 hp (252 kW / 343 PS) electric motor that Buick says delivers performance comparable to a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. In EREV form, the Electra L7 accelerates from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 5.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph).

More impressively, the Electra L7 delivers a combined range of 1,400 km (870 miles), including up to 302 km (188 miles) of EV-only driving under the (generous) CLTC cycle. Despite its performance, efficiency remains a highlight, with average fuel consumption rated at just 0.5 liters per 100 km (470 mpg).

In the near future, Buick plans to offer a fully electric version of the Electra L7. This variant will feature a CATL-supplied battery and a 900V electrical architecture, enabling support for ultra-fast charging. According to GM’s estimates, the system will be capable of adding up to 350 km (218 miles) of range in just 10 minutes, significantly reducing downtime during long trips.

Pricing and Availability

GM positions the new Buick Electra L7 as a “300,000-class” vehicle, suggesting a price near ¥300,000 ($41,800). Final pricing will be announced on September 28 when pre-sales open, with deliveries starting in Q4 2025.

As with other Electra-branded models, the L7 is likely to stay exclusive to China, so a US launch isn’t in the cards. Production will take place at the factory of the SAIC-GM joint venture in Wuhan.

Buick has sold over 10 million vehicles in China since 1998. Its local lineup offers a much wider choice of models compared to that in the US, including four SUVs, four sedans, one hatchback, and a range of minivans.

The way Tesla hires and fires its workers is under fresh legal scrutiny. A proposed class action lawsuit filed against Tesla in San Francisco alleges that the automaker has violated federal civil rights law by favoring visa holders over American workers to reduce labor costs. The suit also claims Tesla has fired US citizens at disproportionately higher rates compared to foreigners working at the company.

Alleged Hiring Bias

According to the complaint, Tesla hired roughly 1,355 skilled workers on H-1B visas in 2024 while laying off more than 6,000 U.S. workers, “the vast majority” of whom are believed to have been citizens. Although it remains unclear how the plaintiffs plan to prove the alleged discriminatory practices, they are seeking damages on behalf of American citizens who were rejected after applying for jobs at Tesla, as well as those who were terminated.

Read: Tesla Quietly Settles Unexpected Acceleration Lawsuit In Model Y Fatal Crash

Two plaintiffs are named in the lawsuit. The first, Scott Taub, says he had been dissuaded from applying for one job after being told it was only available for H-1B visa holders, and he did not receive an interview for a second job. The second plaintiff, human resources specialist Sofia Brander, said Tesla would not interview her for two jobs, even though she had twice been a contract employee.

Both Taub and Brander claim Tesla refused to hire them after learning that neither of them would need sponsorship for employment, suggesting that they were US citizens, reports Reuters.

Claims of ‘Wage Theft’

“While visa workers make up just a fraction of the United States labour market, Tesla prefers to hire these candidates over US citizens, as it can pay visa-dependent employees less than American employees performing the same work, a practice in the industry known as ‘wage theft’,” the lawsuit claims.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk himself once held an H-1B visa, and the complaint cites a December 27, 2024 post he made on X voicing support for the program.

“The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B,” Musk wrote.

Toyota has launched a curious new product aimed at “various mobility services.” The Toyota e-Palette is a fully electric shuttle designed to work with autonomous driving hardware and software, and it can double as a mobile shop or service hub. After years of concepts and prototypes, the quirky EV has officially gone on sale in Japan, though its asking price may drop a few jaws.

From Concept To Reality

The project began with the e-Palette concept, which made its debut at CES in 2018. It was followed by a redesigned version, created for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. Since then, Toyota has continued refining the design, culminating in the first commercially available e-Palette variant.

More: Toyota Launches Most Rugged GR Sport Land Cruiser Yet

Visually, it retains much of the original concept’s DNA. Its symmetrical, boxy silhouette, tiny wheels, and large glass panels give it a distinctly shuttle-like character. The “friendly” face is defined by round LED headlights, customizable digital signage, and a repositioned Toyota badge sitting above the bumper intake.

For production, Toyota added larger side windows and slim indicators on the windshield frame, while the rear end mirrors the front aside from red taillights and solid pillars.

Toyota

Fits Up To 17 People Inside

Unlike earlier prototypes that only offered passenger seating, the production e-Palette adds a central driving position with a yoke-style steering wheel and a steer-by-wire system. The cockpit features a central digital instrument cluster, an infotainment display on the right, another touchscreen on the left, and a fourth monitor for cabin monitoring. Essential functions are handled by physical buttons on twin control panels.

More: Toyota’s New Minivan Lets You Create A Lounge, Office Or Bedroom Inside

A low, height-adjustable floor, wide sliding doors, and a deployable ramp make access straightforward, particularly for wheelchair users and parents with strollers. Inside, four fixed seats line the rear, complemented by three side-hinged folding seats in the center. Toyota says the cabin can hold up to 17 people in total, including 12 standing, four seated, and the driver. That’s less shuttle, more party bus.

Buyers can also opt for a wheelchair lock system and a large overhead digital display, echoing public transit design. More importantly, the interior layout can be customized, transforming the EV into an entertainment pod or a pop-up store. Toyota imagines it shuttling commuters in the morning, transforming into a food truck at lunch, then acting as a sports viewing pod in the evening while charging.

Autonomous-Ready Shuttle

While earlier prototypes boasted full autonomy (with an operator for safety), the production e-Palette is currently limited to Level 2 driver assistance. However, Toyota stresses it is “capable of supporting automated driving” through optional third-party hardware and software upgrades called “Automated Driving Kit”.

More: Waymo Quietly Moves Ahead Of Tesla In The Race For Robotaxis

The automaker plans to conduct automated driving demonstrations with dealers and local governments in Japan. Their goal is to launch vehicles with Level 4 autonomous systems in the fiscal year 2027, which ends on March 30, 2028.

Fully Electric With A 160-Mile Range

The e-Palette measures 4,950 mm (194.9 in) in length, roughly the same as a Land Cruiser Prado. Where it differs is in width and height, stretching to 2,080 mm (81.9 in) wide and 2,650 mm (104.3 in) tall, giving it a much boxier footprint than the truck-based SUV. It also weighs in at a hefty 2,950 kg (6,504 lbs).

Power comes from a single electric motor delivering 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 266 Nm (196.2 lb-ft) of torque, with top speed capped at 80 km/h (50 mph). That’s a big step up from the 20 km/h (12 mph) top speed of the Olympic Games prototype.

A 72.82 kWh battery provides up to 250 km (160 miles) of range. Toyota claims the battery can charge to 80% in around 40 minutes with rapid charging, or 12 hours from a standard outlet. Furthermore, the shuttle can also serve as an emergency power source.

An Extra-Terrestrial Price

All of this sounds appealing until you get to the price. The Toyota e-Palette is listed in Japan at an eye-watering ¥29 million ($196,400) before options. This is almost double the price of the GR Supra Final Edition, surpassing even the ¥27 million ($182,800) price tag of the Century SUV flagship, making it the most expensive model in Toyota’s range.

Generous subsidies from Japan’s Ministry of the Environment can cut as much as ¥15,835,000 ($107,200) off the sticker, softening the blow. Toyota hasn’t revealed production numbers, but notes the e-Palette will be built to order, which partly explains the sky-high cost.

Initially, the model will be used in the Toyota Arena Tokyo and the surrounding areas, as well as in the futuristic Toyota Woven City in Japan. Below, you can check out videos of earlier e-Palette prototypes.

There are big shifts underway at Volkswagen. The brand is not only preparing a raft of new EVs like the ID. Cross and an all-electric Polo that have been previewed in near production form, but it’s also rethinking design to broaden appeal. That means moving back toward features that feel more familiar to shoppers, including something as simple as returning to traditional door handles instead of the flush pop-out ones so many EV makers favor.

Read: VW’s ID. Cross Might Finally Be What Budget Buyers Have Been Waiting For

At the IAA Mobility show in Munich, VW boss Thomas Schäfer sat down with Deutsche Welle and touched on several topics, including the slowdown in EV sales across major markets like Europe and the United States. Asked whether VW was making a conscious effort to make its EVs more approachable, Schäfer was quick to emphasize the value of familiarity.

Back To Basics

“People expect some sort of familiarity with the vehicle, with the brand, that they are buying into,” he said. “People buy brands so from that point of view, functions have to be easy. You know, like door handles for example. It’s all nice to have these flush door handles but they are terrible to operate, so we definitely have proper door handles on the cars and customers appreciate it. It’s the feedback we’re getting.”

More: Hate Retractable Door Handles? China Might Finally Make Them Go Away

And he’s not alone. As we recently reported, regulators in China are also eyeing flush and retractable handles, considering a ban after safety concerns and accident investigations. Given the size and influence of China’s auto market, such a move could ripple far beyond its borders, pushing other automakers to rethink their approach to what was once a trendy design cue.

While the ID. Every1 concept unveiled earlier this year featured flush door handles, both the ID. Cross and the ID. Polo previewed in Munich use more traditional ones. They may sacrifice some aerodynamic efficiency, but they’re far easier to operate in everyday life.

The Broader EV Transition

In the same interview, Schäfer also discussed VW’s wider transition to electric vehicles. He argued that electromobility is the superior option for buyers but questioned whether demand and infrastructure will grow fast enough for Volkswagen to stop selling ICE-powered models in the European Union by 2035.

“The end result is clear,” he said. “The question is can we make it fast enough for 2035? Is the uptake and the infrastructure growth for charging happening fast enough so that 2035 is a realistic goal? he said. “Whether it’s a couple of years later, it needs to be reviewed.”

Toyota has fallen behind many of its legacy rivals in Western EV markets, but in China, it has been unveiling far more compelling zero-emission models like the bZ5 and bZ3 sedan. Its latest is the bZ7, a sleek full-size flagship sedan developed with joint-venture partner GAC and sized to go up against the Tesla Model S.

More: The Tesla Model Y Has A New Rival From Toyota That’s Half The Price

Previewed earlier this year in pre-production form and now shown in its final guise, the bZ7 is a low-slung sedan set to launch in China before the end of 2025. While we wouldn’t go as far as to call it beautiful, or even particularly attractive, its proportions and shape are way more appealing than the original bZ4X, which has since received a simpler name.

Sharp Lines, Long Body

Dominating the front fascia are lobster claw-shaped headlights and a light bar, positioned above a small blacked-out lower grille section. A flowing roofline stretches to a compact rear decklid, where interconnected taillights emphasize the car’s width. Curved door skins, flush handles, and plenty of surface sculpting finish off the look.

According to fresh data, the bZ7 measures 5,130 mm (201.9 in) long, 1,965 mm (77.3 in) wide, and 1,506 mm (59.2 in) tall, with a wheelbase of 3,020 mm (118.9 in). Those dimensions put it right in the crosshairs of the Tesla Model S, BYD Han L, and BMW i5.

The Powertrain

When previewed back in April at the Shanghai Auto Show, we didn’t know what would power the model. However, information from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has revealed it will hit the market with a lithium-iron phosphate battery from CALB-Tech that powers a single electric motor with 278 hp. We’ll have to wait a little longer until we get the full technical details, including battery capacity and driving range.

A Tech Fest

The powertrain itself has been sourced from Huawei and combines the motor, MCU, and inverter into a single integrated unit. The bZ7 also uses Huawei’s HarmonyOS cockpit and infotainment system.

Not only has Toyota worked with Huawei, but the new EV will also feature Xiaomi’s smart ecosystem, connecting the car to personal devices and smart home products from the technology giant. As such, owners will be able to control Xiaomi devices like home A/C units from the car itself.

Read: Toyota’s Flagship EV Will Be Powered By Huawei And Xiaomi Tech

More details, including pricing, are expected to be announced shortly before the electric flagship’s debut in China’s competitive EV market toward the end of the year. Toyota hasn’t confirmed plans beyond China, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the bZ7 reached select markets where large sedans still have an audience.

Tesla has a habit of introducing entry-level versions with relatively affordable sticker prices only to drop them from its line-up without warning. That’s exactly what happened with the Cybertruck, as the company has scrapped the rear-wheel-drive model that once anchored the pickup’s range.

The change appeared on Tesla’s online configurator, where the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive model is now missing. Priced from $69,990, it used to be the most affordable Cybertruck one could buy. With its demise, the range now starts at the $79,990 All-Wheel Drive and tops out with the $114,990 Cyberbeast. It’s worth noting that when it was first unveiled in late 2019, Tesla said its electric pickup truck would start at just $39,900 – something that turned out to be wide off the mark…

Read: Family Says Cybertruck Became A Fiery Trap That Killed Driver

If we had to guess, we’d say that there simply wasn’t enough demand for Tesla to keep building the most basic version of the Cybertruck in it. Not only did it rely on a single electric motor, rather than the dual and tri-motor designs of the All-Wheel Drive and the Cyberbeast, but it also lacked any 120V/240V outlets and a powered tonneau cover.

The omissions didn’t stop there. The Rear-Wheel Drive came with a seven-speaker audio system instead of the 15-speaker setup in other versions, had textile rather than leather seats, and did without a rear touchscreen.

Anyone who had their heart set on buying the single-motor Cybertruck will now have to look at the used car market. Either that, or they will need to be drop an extra $10,000 to get behind the wheel of the All-Wheel Drive.

Interestingly, Tesla only introduced the Cybertruck Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive in April. While it didn’t sport the same off-roading abilities as the All-Wheel Drive and Cyberbeast, it did have the highest driving range of any variant, as it was capable of traveling up to 350 miles (563 km) on a single charge.

The downside was that its towing capacity was reduced from 11,000 lbs (4,989 kg) to 7,500 lbs (3,401 kg), while the payload was reduced from 2,500 lbs (1,133 kg) in the All-Wheel Drive to 2,006 lbs (910 kg). These factors might have played a role in buyers choosing to skip it the entry-level variant in favor of more upscale ones, which ultimately led to its cancellation.

A blend of punishing acceleration, all-wheel-drive confidence, sharp-suited styling, and everyday versatility has made the Audi RS6 super wagon a dream daily driver for enthusiasts for more than two decades. Audi originally intended to give buyers two flavors of the next RS6, one as a plug-in hybrid and the other as a fully electric e-tron. Yet a new report this week, citing unnamed company insiders, suggests those plans have changed, with the all-electric RS6 e-tron allegedly canceled.

Also: Audi Cancels Its RS6 Avant e-tron Because No One Wants Electric Performance Cars

Nothing is official, and Audi hasn’t confirmed the news. What muddies the waters is that RS6 e-tron prototypes are still being spotted on public roads, with our spies having photographed them on two separate occasions the past few days. This could mean the project is still alive, or that Audi is using the prototypes to test other systems before ultimately shelving the car.

Platform Divide

Though both combustion and electric models are (or at least were if the cancellation rumors are true) expected to wear RS6 badges and share a similar sporty wagon silhouette, their foundations are quite different. The ICE version rides on a conventional combustion platform, now for the first time on an RS6 paired with plug-in hybrid technology. The EV seen testing, meanwhile, is built on the VW Group’s PPE platform, which also underpins the A6 and S6 e-tron, Q6 e-tron, and Porsche Macan Electric.

Baldauf

Audi hasn’t dropped any tech-spec nuggets, but considering the S6 e-tron makes 543 hp (405 kW / 551 PS), an RS6 e-tron, if it remains in development, could land around 805 hp (600 kW / 816 PS). Even that figure, though, would look modest next to the extremes of today’s electric sedans, with the Xiaomi SU7 and Porsche Taycan delivering as much as 1,527 hp (1,139 kW / 1,548 PS). BMW doesn’t offer an electric M5 yet, and the i5 M60 tops out at 593 hp (442 kW / 601 PS).

We expect the gasoline-powered RS6 to generate less power than its electric brother, perhaps 750 hp (760 PS / 560 kW) or so, but it won’t necessarily have a performance disadvantage because it will weigh several hundred pounds less than the e-tron, which could tip the scales at around 2,500 kg (5,510 lbs) due to its hefty battery pack.

Electrifying Looks

Both prototypes seen here get wider fender flares than their regular A6/S6 brothers, and the fronts on each appear to have a vent ahead of the doors. But there are some major design differences that aren’t simply limited to the EV missing out on the ICE model’s huge twin oval tailpipes.

The EV has a split headlight treatment and blanked grille, whereas the combustion RS6 has a conventional grille and lights, but much bigger outer air intakes, which of course the e-tron doesn’t need. But at the back, the combustion car’s moustache-shaped taillights make it more distinctive.

Baldauf

Early expectations suggested the RS6 e-tron would arrive first, with the plug-in hybrid following in 2026, both offered in liftback sedan and wagon forms. With reports of cancellation now in play, however, that timeline is up in the air. Until Audi clarifies, the RS6 e-tron remains in limbo, caught between public road testing and rumors of an early exit.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include reports claiming the RS6 e-tron may be canceled, though Audi has not officially confirmed this.

SHProshots

The automotive industry never stops changing, but 2025 has been unlike most as Donald Trump’s policies have changed the way automakers are doing business. The elimination of federal tax credits for electric vehicles is a major move on its own. Paired with the removal of penalties for missing fuel economy targets under CAFE regulations, the result is a playing field with entirely new rules.

The immediate winners are the combustion-heavy brands that can now focus on selling trucks and SUVs without financial punishment. On the other side, Tesla, Rivian, and other EV specialists stand to lose billions, not because demand for their cars will collapse, but because a critical source of revenue has been pulled out from under them. At the center of the storm is an Environmental Protection Agency that appears to be working against the mission printed on its own website.

Cash Flow Reversal

Since 2022, GM has spent some $3.5 billion buying regulatory credits, says Bloomberg. Ford and Stellantis have spent billions as well. That cash went to brands like Tesla and Rivian, which had plenty of credits to sell since their cars emit zero emissions. With the end of EV tax credits and CAFE fines for breaking regulations, Ford, GM and Stellantis can pour the money they would’ve spent on credits back into their own piggy bank.

Read: Millions Hate This Fuel Saving Tech So EPA Wants To Get Rid Of It

Ford CEO Jim Farley said the policy shift has the “potential to unlock a multibillion-dollar opportunity,” noting that the Blue Oval is already retooling its Oakville, Ontario, plant to build Super Duty pickups instead of EVs.

GM is also cutting back on EV production, opting to overhaul factories for gasoline-fueled models. Stellantis, meanwhile, has gone so far as to revive the thirsty Hemi V8 engine, something previously thought dead in the age of electrification. With all of these changes, death might now be coming for some EV brands.

Trouble Ahead For EV Startups

Not only does the end of tax credits make purchasing an EV less palatable for many, but it also means that brands which used to benefit from selling tax credits now need to readjust to the new reality. Smaller brands, though, might be in big trouble. For example, Slate’s trucklet looks almost pointless with a starting price near $30,000 as the EV tax credit was vital to its success.

Even larger brands like Tesla and Rivian have leaned on the pure profit they’ve gained by selling regulatory credits. That money likely won’t be coming back anytime soon and that’s because the EPA seems willing to do just about anything the Trump Administration deems reasonable.

A Mission Ignored

It states plainly that its mission is “to protect human health and the environment.” Love them or hate them, electric vehicles are probably better at that than combustion cars. In fact, the EPA itself has an entire page dedicated to debunking the myths so many like to perpetuate surrounding them.

Things like “EVs are worse for the climate than gas cars,” “EVs are unreliable,” and “EVs will collapse the power grid.” Furthermore, J.D. Power is one of many sources that indicate that when all costs are considered, EVs are cheaper to buy, maintain, and own long-term when compared to combustion cars.

No one argues that people should be forced into one type of car. Choice matters. The government shouldn’t force anyone into a specific car or truck. But supporting policies that improve human health and the environment is what the EPA literally says it’s supposed to do.

By supporting Trump’s rollback of strict fuel economy standards and regulations, the agency is doing the exact opposite of its own mission statement. It’s clearing the way for automakers to build more polluting vehicles, burn more fuel, and erase billions in total consumer savings. If the EPA won’t uphold its own mission, it seems that nobody will. 

Credit: Ford / GM / Slate / EPA

The presence of Chinese automakers added some international flavor to this week’s Munich Motor Show, but in reality the event was more about familiar German brands and their new, and in some cases unfamiliar, faces.

Related: Star-Stricken Mercedes GLC EV Has A Grille Big Enough To Swallow A BMW iX3

All of the big German automakers were on hand with fresh concept cars and production models that showcased new stylistic directions. It feels like we’re at one of those moments where car design is changing across the industry for premium European brands after a period during which the big players have struggled to reinvent themselves and work out how to differentiate EV and combustion cars, or whether to even differentiate them at all. But have the Germans really rediscovered their design mojo?

Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

Let’s start with BMW and the iX3, arguably the biggest story from the show because it’s about so much more than a new SUV. The iX3 is the first of the Neue Klasse cars and brings a fresh design language that will shape the brand’s entire lineup for the next decade, as well as a crucial new EV platform.

There was some murmuring here at Carscoops that the iX3’s profile deviated too far from Munich’s conventions, but overall this has to be viewed as a massive hit. BMW designs have mostly either been butt ugly or blandly handsome over the last 20 years, but finally here’s a fresh, modern-looking car with real presence, and one that brilliantly manages to riff on the classic face of old-timers without looking like a lazy retro rip-off.

Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

To our eyes, the iX3’s key rival, the electric Mercedes GLC, is far less successful. The body looks flabby and dull next to the BMW’s and while we’re all for the three-pointed star marque borrowing some classic inspiration to put new energy into its famous grille, the light-up nose on the GLC, which will find its way onto other future models as well, looks like an afterthought here.

Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

Audi’s Concept C looked far more confident. Previewing an electric TT successor that will share tech with the upcoming Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman EVs, it takes inspiration from both the TT and Auto Union’s 1930s Type C racers.

We’re reminded of the string of uber-strong Bauhaus-infused concept cars Audi delivered in the late 1990s and early 2000s, many of which made production, as well as Jaguar’s Type 00 concept, though we think Audi did a better job.

Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

Volkswagen’s ID. Polo and Polo GTI, the near-production versions of the car we previously knew as the ID.2, looked less radical in comparison, but they still represent a shift in the automaker’s design that hearkens back to the solid shapes and surfaces that made some of the brand’s biggest sellers so enduring.

Think about how fresh the Mk4 Golf still looks almost 30 years after we first met it, or the Mk1 does more than 50 years after it debuted. That’s the kind of self-assured, non-faddy style the ID. Polo embraces, but at the same time the ID. Cross showed VW could also have some fun with the same design language.

Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

And now it’s time for our question of the day: do you think the German automakers have got their design act together, or do some of them need to get back to the drawing board? And in the battle of the grilles, who did it best – BMW, Audi or Mercedes? Leave a comment below and let us know your opinions and the reasoning behind them.

Audi/BMW/Mercedes

When firefighter Max Walsh saw smoke rising in the distance, he figured he was sprinting toward yet another car fire. As a firefighter, he’d seen plenty of them, but this time, he was actually headed into a nightmare. The Tesla Model Y engulfed in flames after a crash didn’t have damage to its door latch, but it wouldn’t open anyway. The dead electrical system meant that even the conscious passenger in the front seat couldn’t unlock the doors.

The quirks of Tesla’s flush handles, and the risks when they fail, have been examined in detail by Bloomberg journalist Dana Hull, who reported extensively on how the design can turn dangerous when the car loses power.

Tesla didn’t pioneer flush, power-operated door handles, but it certainly helped them push into the mainstream. EV automakers often tout that they look better and reduce drag and the design has spread across the market from the Ford Mustang Mach-E to the new Nissan Leaf and the Kia EV6. The tricky bit is that when the low-voltage battery dies, whether it’s because of a crash, a fire, or something else, the electric door poppers die too.

Read: How To Get Out Of A Tesla If It Loses Power And You Become Trapped Inside

Carscoops has brought you countless examples of this issue across several different brands. Something kills the power to the car in question, and it leaves occupants, owners, and sometimes rescue workers scrambling to get the doors open. In multiple crashes, from a deadly Cybertruck fire in California to a Model S blaze in Wisconsin, victims have allegedly been unable to escape. Again, the real kicker is that Tesla isn’t alone in this issue.

Not Just A Tesla Problem

Ford recently recalled the Mustang Mach-E for handle-related defects, and we’ve reported several cases of owners getting locked out, or in some cases locked in, because of dead batteries. Fisker faced a similar issue with the Ocean before going belly up. A woman in a Rivian R1S called 911 and was ‘stuck’ in her SUV for 45 minutes when it bricked on the side of the road while smoke wafted into the cabin. In fact, the issue dates back over a decade.

In 2015, 72-year-old James Rogers and his pup, Leia, both passed away while in a Chevrolet Corvette. According to reports from the time, it was Rogers’ dream car. Once again, the battery died. Those who found Rogers and Leia tried to get in but couldn’t. When they finally did, both had succumbed to the heat inside the car. Making things even more tragic is the fact that the man evidently didn’t realize that the manual release for the door handle was inches away…

Manual Releases Are A Perfect Solution

In most of these cases with coherent occupants, the reality is that, just like in the case of Mr. Rogers, safety is usually one very close manual door handle pull away. There are still big issues to overcome, though. First, so many individuals have no idea where the manual door release is or how to access it. But knowledge isn’t the only concern. What happens when the occupant is incapacitated, say after a crash, as was the case when Walsh arrived at the burning Model Y?

Also: New Lawsuit Might Force Ford To Change Mustang Mach-E Door Handles

The front passenger, Susmita Maddi, was pinned by the airbags that had gone off. “It’s the most horrible thing, to see a human burning,” Walsh told Bloomberg. “If I was able to open the doors, I could have gotten them both out before the fire department even got there.” Maddi made it out alive but not without first suffering life-changing injuries. She inhaled fumes that did permanent damage to her lungs, but worse yet, she received third-degree burns to her face.

“Sometimes it is very depressing to see my face,” she says. “Who is this? I wouldn’t recognize myself. Is this what I am now? It took many months and many nights of crying to come to this stage.” She’s suing Tesla and claiming that the doors pose an unreasonable safety risk. “Buying a Tesla was the worst decision of our life,” Maddi says.

A Push For Change

Right now, China is reportedly considering a ban on flush door handles. The nation says that they’re unsafe and could soon require automakers to have at least partially exposed exterior handles and manual releases inside the car. Again, it’s not a perfect solution, but it could influence cars everywhere since several automakers consider China to be one of their biggest available markets.

QOTD: Should Governments Mandate Turn Signal Stalks And Intuitive Manual Door Handles?

Design can be deadly, as is clearly the case here. No doubt, even mechanical door latches can fail, but electric ones can add a layer of complexity when every second counts. Whether or not China‘s potential intervention ends up happening is yet to be seen. For now, anyone with electric door poppers should make themselves well aware of the manual release and how to use it in an emergency. It could very well make the difference between life and death.

BMW’s Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) updates often slip in with quiet exterior tweaks, the kind you might miss if you blink. This time, though, the brand seems to be shifting gears with the X1. Instead of modest changes, the entry-level SUV, or SAV in BMW terminology, is headed for a radical redesign that also transforms the interior.

With influences from BMW’s Neue Klasse design language making their way in, it raises the question: is this really a facelift, or does it mark the start of a fresh generation, like what we saw with the 1-Series?

More: The iX3 Is BMW’s Neue Klasse Future Now With A Surprising Price Tag

Recent sightings of heavily camouflaged prototypes have already hinted at the direction, and now we have a clearer picture. Using those spy shots as a base, digital artist Nikita Chuiko from Kolesa has created new renderings of the next X1. These visuals provide us with a fairly accurate preview.

A Sharper Face

The refreshed SUV will carry BMW’s new front-end identity, featuring a slimmer kidney grille and sharper LED headlights that echo the look of the new iX3. The bumper, hood, and fenders will be redesigned too, softening some of the current model’s aggressive lines, especially those emphasized in the M Sport trim.

The sheet metal on the profile won’t be identical, with the X1 gaining pop-out door handles, sleeker surfacing and more aerodynamic mirrors. The greenhouse should be carried over, but there could be a few changes on the D-pillar that remained covered in the prototypes. Finally, BMW designers will add new options for the alloy wheels, contributing to a more modern stance.

Changes At The Rear

The tail will also mark a stylistical departure from the current X1. The L-shaped taillights will give way to elongated units separated by the BMW emblem and the license plate will be positioned lower on the tailgate, unlike the iX3 where it is mounted on the bumper.

Inside the Neue Klasse

The X1’s interior won’t miss out on the Neue Klasse treatment either and will gain the new Panoramic iDrive cockpit with a slim display covering the base of the windshield. There will also be a larger infotainment touchscreen with a trapezoidal shape, although we don’t know whether it will match the 17.9-inch diameter of the iX3’s. The new layout will most likely be combined with a four-spoke steering wheel and new options for the upholstery.

Under The Hood

The X1 already covers a wide spectrum of powertrains, from mild hybrids to plug-in hybrid and the fully electric iX1. These options are expected to remain, but with incremental improvements in efficiency and performance.

The fully electric iX1 is currently available in FWD and AWD forms with a range between 415-475 km (257-295 miles), but BMW might want to improve those figures amid the fierce competition from newer rivals. This could be achieved with new battery packs, more efficient electric motors, and better aerodynamics.

When Will It Arrive?

The third generation of the BMW X1 was introduced in mid-2022, meaning it is already three years old. According to earlier reports, the mid-lifecycle update would debut in 2027. However, given the prototype activity and BMW’s ambitious product strategy, a 2026 debut seems increasingly likely.

More: BMW’s New i3 Sedan Is Coming For Tesla’s Blood

Munich has confirmed the launch of 40 new or updated models with Neue Klasse styling and technology by 2027. BMW AG’s Chairman of the Board of Management Oliver Zipse has stated that every model that will arrive from 2026 onward will be new. It remains to be seen whether the next iteration of the X1 will be labeled as an extensive facelift or a new generation.

BMW

Renault’s recent run of nostalgia-driven EVs, the retro-inspired 4 and 5, has struck a chord with buyers. The downside is that their popularity has left the Megane E-Tech feeling a little overlooked, prompting Renault to rethink how it can make the car stand out again.

Related: Renault’s Megane EV Will Get A Refresh Following Its Nissan Cousin

The French automaker’s plan to boost the Megane’s appeal involves leveraging another classic Renault skill: building hot hatches. Speaking to the media at the Munich Motor Show, CEO Fabrice Cambolive revealed the Megane will soon get a sporty makeover that will ensure it turns more heads while also lasting longer between charges.

Going Down The Sporty Road

“What we are looking for is a hot hatch, that is the direction we want to go in,” Auto Express reports Cambolive telling journalists. “We want a sporty hatch.”

Though he declined to discuss any technical improvements coming to the upgraded Megane we expect to see next spring, Cambolive confirmed that a bigger battery is part of the package. The biggest battery currently available in the E-Tech is a 60 kWh unit that gives an unimpressive 285 miles (459 km) of range. However, the larger Scenic has an 87 kWh pack which lasts 382 miles (615 km) between fills and the Megane’s new Nissan Leaf cousin has a 75 kWh battery good for 303 miles (488 km).

All three cars use the same 215 hp (218 PS) single front-mounted motor that’s also utilized by the Renault 5-based Alpine A290, but it’s unclear if the sportier Megane would also get more power to become a real hot hatch.

VW’s equivalent ID.3 GTX has a single motor that puts out up to 322 hp (326 PS / 240 kW) and gets to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.7 seconds, 1.8 seconds faster than the Megane. We do know, however, that the made-over French model will at least look like a hot hatch.

“If you put a new battery in a car, which is expensive, and you don’t change the car, then it’s really hard to seduce people to pay more for it,” Renault’s chief design officer Laurens van den Acker, told reporters. “So we need to do justice to the changes under the skin by showing something on the skin.”

Is Renaultsport Making A Comeback?

The design upgrades are expected to focus on more aggressive bumpers and possibly bigger wheels, though the mid-spec Megane E-Tech techno esprit Alpine and iconic esprit Alpine already feature 20-inch wheels that do a great job of filling the arches and don’t shortchange on grip. Spy shots published earlier this summer also suggest the mid-life refresh will bring slimmer LED lights.

Cambolive hinted to Autocar that he was looking at reviving the Renaultsport badge applied to a succession of acclaimed hot hatches for over 20 years before it was retired in 2023, but didn’t elaborate on whether the Megane hot hatch plan was related to that rebirth.

“We are exploring some [options],” the CEO said. “We will come to you with some proposals in the next 12 months.”

Renault

Thanks to recent BMW concepts, as well as a series of detailed renderings, we have a good idea of what the next-generation 3-Series will look like. Arriving in both combustion form as the 3-Series and as a fully electric i3, the compact luxury sports sedan will be the latest to carry the brand’s Neue Klasse design language, launching with a more thoroughly updated and modernized look.

Read: The One Badge BMW Didn’t Want Us To See On The Electric M3

BMW has recently begun testing the new model with various powertrains near its base in Munich, Germany, and this particular prototype is interesting. Whereas others snapped testing in recent months have had plenty of faux body panels to throw off our prying eyes, this is the first we’ve seen with production-ready headlights.

A Sharper Face

As we expected, they are very similar in shape and size to the original Vision Neue Klasse concept and suit the new-age sedan nicely. They’re edgier than the ones used in the current 3-Series and flow neatly into a set of much smaller, narrow-style kidney grilles. The result in a classier front end, addressing one of the most controversial elements of the existing model.

Of course, it’s not just the face of the 3-Series that is due for a major overhaul. All of the exterior panels will be changed, too, with some parts, such as the door and rear quarter panels reminiscent of those on the current 5-Series. The taillights also appear neatly integrated into the tail of the four-door sedan, although it’s difficult to know if the ones on this prototype are the final production units.

Two Architectures, One Lineup

Interestingly, the new 3-Series and the all-electric i3 are expected to use different platforms. Whereas the EV will use the Neue Klasse architecture seen in the iX3 SUV, the combustion model will stick with the CLAR platform.

ICE models will be offered with several different 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.0-liter inline-sixes, depending on the market. Meanwhile, the next M3 will use a version of current model’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo six, albeit with the addition of a mild-hybrid system.

More: The iX3 Is BMW’s Neue Klasse Future Now With A Surprising Price Tag

BMW has not announced when the new 3-Series will hit the market, but we expect to see it unveiled sometime next year alongside the new i3, before it is introduced as a 2027 model. Until then, the camouflaged prototypes will continue roaming the streets around Munich, offering occasional glimpses of what’s to come.

SH Proshots

In a surprising turn of events, Ram has killed the 1500 REV. The electric truck debuted at the 2023 New York Auto Show and was originally slated to be launched in late 2024.

It was eventually delayed, but the brand was adamant the truck was still coming. Just a few months ago, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis told us electrification is happening despite the Hemi’s return. The executive also noted the company had the ‘luxury of timing’ and the benefit of being late to the EV game. This enabled them to delay their offering after seeing weak demand for the Chevrolet Silverado EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Tesla Cybertruck.

First Look: The Ram 1500 REV Is A Classy, Conservative, 500 Mile Electric Juggernaut

In today’s announcement, Ram hammered home the latter point as they highlighted slowing demand for full-size battery electric trucks in North America. The company said this forced them to reassess their product strategy and decide to “discontinue development of a full-size BEV pickup.”

Michael Gauthier / Carscoops

The move is surprising as work on the truck appears to have been largely completed. As we’ve previously reported, it was originally slated to be offered with 168 and 229 kWh battery packs. These promised to deliver ranges of up to 500 miles (805 km) on a single charge. The truck was also supposed to have a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing 654 hp (448 kW / 663 PS) and 620 lb-ft (840 Nm) of torque, which would allow for a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time of 4.4 seconds.

The REV Isn’t Really Dead, But It’s A Ramcharger Now

Despite the shocking death in the third act, the 1500 REV isn’t really dead. Quite the opposite as Ram has decided to rename the Ramcharger as the REV.

As a result, the ‘new’ 1500 REV will be a range-extended electric vehicle. Its “projected availability” is now 2026 and Ram has, once again, updated the truck’s performance specs.

They’ve lowered the output of the dual-motor all-wheel drive system for a second time and they’re now saying it produces 647 hp (482 kW / 656 PS). That’s down from the original estimate of 663 hp (494 kW / 672 PS), and also a drop from February’s revision of 654 hp (488 kW / 663 PS). The torque rating has also fallen from 615 lb-ft (833 Nm) to 610 lb-ft (826 Nm).

The claimed range of 690 miles (1,110 km) remains as does the updated 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time of 4.5 seconds. Of course, with multiple revisions, a name change, and the elimination of the electric variant, nothing is written in stone.

Update: Stellantis has clarified that CEO Antonio Filosa’s remarks were focused on Leapmotor’s sales performance in Germany in August and not the entire year. He was specifically referring to the Leapmotor T03, which ranked as the country’s best-selling Chinese electric vehicle that month, while Leapmotor overall claimed the top spot as Germany’s best-selling Chinese battery-electric brand, again for August.

“Antonio Filosa’s statement about Leapmotor’s sales of battery electric vehicle (BEV) in Germany in the month of August 2025 are accurate and confirmed by the national industry’s database (KBA),” the Stellantis spokesperson told us.

“In August 2025, in Germany, Leapmotor was the best-selling Chinese BEV brand and Leapmotor T03 was the best-selling Chinese BEV” he explained. The spokesperson also added,, “All other assessments from the competition cannot be linked to what was stated yesterday by our CEO”.

Original story continues below.

It seems a brewing rivalry has spilled into the press. Chinese automaker BYD has pushed back against comments attributed to Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa, reportedly made on Thursday in reference to Leapmotor, though the original source of his remarks is still unclear. We’ve reached out to both sides for clarification.

A Question of Interpretation

According to BYD, Filosa was quoted as saying that “in Germany Leapmotor sold more than BYD.” While Stellantis does not own Leapmotor outright, it holds a minority stake and controls exports outside China through Leapmotor International, a joint venture in which Stellantis has a 51 percent share.

The Chinese automaker disputes the claim, citing its own sales data that show it still has a clear lead. Along the way, BYD also couldn’t resist pointing out how its numbers stack up against Stellantis’ own brands.

According to BYD, they sold 8,610 vehicles in Germany between January and August 2025, which is a far cry from the 3,536 sales of Leapmotor over the same period. These numbers can be broken down to 5,852 BEVs and 2,757 PHEVs for BYD, versus 3,088 BEVs and 448 PHEVs for Leapmotor.

More: Europe’s EV Buyers Are Dumping Tesla And China Couldn’t Be Happier=

We checked the official registration data from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), which confirm a similar picture. Between January and August 2025, BYD recorded 8,563 new registrations, compared with 3,531 for Leapmotor. In August alone, the gap narrowed, though BYD still came out ahead with 1,114 units versus Leapmotor’s 826.

It is possible the remarks were lost in translation, or that Filosa simply misspoke in Leapmotor’s favor. He may also have been referring to narrower metrics that have not yet surfaced. While overall sales figures for August are available, the detailed breakdown between BEVs and PHEVs has not been published. A clearer picture should emerge once both companies respond to requests for clarification.

BYD Compares Itself to Alfa Romeo and Jeep

While January–August sales alone would have been enough to counter the CEO’s alleged remarks, BYD went further, highlighting its performance against Stellantis-owned Alfa Romeo and Jeep.

The Chinese automaker bragged about outselling Alfa Romeo in Germany so far in 2025, a curious flex given the two brands operate in completely different segments and court completely different buyers. More specifically, the Italian marque reportedly sold 5,226 units, 5,222 according to KBA, including just 140 BEVs (Junior Elettrica) and 34 PHEVs (Tonale PHEV).

In the same vein, BYD said it sold more EVs and PHEVs than Jeep, 350 BEVs and 569 PHEVs, and claims it is closing in on overall volume, only 278 units behind. KBA data indicate that Jeep sold 8,884 units in Germany between January and August 2025, which is 321 more than BYD, a small gap that may reflect different cuts of the data or timing.

A Significantly Wider Range Of Products

A quick look at their local websites proves that BYD has a significantly larger lineup in Germany compared to Leapmotor. BYD currently offers the Dolphin Surf, Dolphin, Atto 2, Atto 3, Sealion 7, Seal, Seal U, and Tang EVs, plus the Seal U DM-i and Seal 6 DM-i PHEVs in the German market.

On the other hand, Leapmotor is currently limited to the T03 urban EV, the B10 electric crossover, and the C10 SUV in electric and range-extender versions. The range will expand soon with the the new B05 electric hatchback that debuted in Munich.

It will be interesting to see whether the marketing war between the two Chinese brands will continue with more statements in the future, and how both of them will evolve in terms of sales in export markets. On the global stage, however, the contest is lopsided: in the first half of 2025 BYD sold 2,145,954 vehicles, nearly ten times Leapmotor’s 221,664.

When it comes to lap records at the Nürburgring, few manufacturers approach the challenge with Porsche’s level of obsession. The German automaker not only owns the outright record of 5:19.546 with the blisteringly quick 919 Hybrid Evo, but it also holds three of the eight fastest production car laps ever run on the circuit. So when Xiaomi came along earlier this year and swiped the EV record, it was only going to be a matter of time before Porsche fired back.

Read: Xiaomi Shatters Its Nurburgring Record Again And Immediately Launches Limited Edition

This is our first look at what seems to be that response to the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, which set a lap time of 7:04.957, edging out the Taycan Turbo GT’s 7:07.55. Reportedly dubbed the Taycan Turbo GT4 RS, this hyper EV was originally thought to be a project from Manthey Racing, but now, it’s believed to be a fully-fledged Porsche model.

Aggressive New Aero

The differences between these two prototypes, and the existing Taycan Turbo GT, are stark. Porsche has fitted a new front end with a larger splitter, canards, and 911 GT3 RS-inspired louvers on the front quarter panels.

There’s also new underbody aero, dedicated aero discs on the rear wheels, and a large fixed rear wing. Additionally, the arches have been flared, and there’s a new rear diffuser. Look closely, and you’ll notice the prototypes also have just a single seat for the driver and a full roll cage.

Our spy photographers report that both cars recently hit the ‘Ring for flying laps, with one piloted by Porsche factory driver Lars Kern. At one stage during the lap, the blue car’s rear diffuser was badly damaged, and while the purple car lapped faster on the same day, it’s understood the balance was not optimal. As such, it’s likely that Porsche will quickly head back to the circuit to go record chasing once again.

Baldauf

Aiming for Xiaomi

What remains uncertain is whether Porsche is only targeting the road-going SU7 Ultra or also setting its sights on the more extreme SU7 Ultra Prototype. That car recently lapped the track in 6:22.091, the second-fastest time ever for an EV, only behind the VW ID.R.

The aero appendages of the Taycan Turbo GT4 RS aren’t quite as dramatic as those of the SU7 Ultra, but they’re much more significant than those of the SU7 road car.

In addition to the new aero, Porsche engineers are believed to be pushing the Taycan’s powertrain past the 1,019 horsepower of the regular Taycan Turbo GT, or the 1,092 horses it can deliver with launch control engaged. If true, it should give the Taycan Turbo GT4 RS the firepower it needs to reclaim Nürburgring bragging rights.

Baldauf

Stellantis is in the verge of a major shakeup of its motorsport activities, with Citroen Racing taking the place of Maserati MSG in Formula E. The French marque may be most closely associated with rallying success, but it has been tapped as the more suitable contender for the all-electric championship.

Citroen will compete in FIA’s Formula E championship starting from the coming season. Its return to motor racing as a factory team is described as an “electric, innovative and passionate adventure that embodies our values and our vision for the mobility of tomorrow”.

More: This Mid-Engine Beast Is No Regular Citroen Hatch

A teaser video on social media gives us a glimpse of the brand’s electric single seater that will be unveiled on October 20. The cover photo on Facebook with the Citroen Racing Formula E Team logo makes us wonder if the new era will mark the end of the brand’s rallying days. A potential exit could coincide with the return of Stellantis stablemate Lancia in rallying, as the new Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale could replace the C3 Rally2 that has been around since 2018.

Citroen is known for winning eight Manufacturer’s titles and nine consecutive Driver’s titles in WRC, during the dominant period of Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena between 2004 and 2012. It also has four Rally Dakar wins with the ZX Rally Raid back in the ’90s.

Outside rallying, it won three consecutive FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) driver’s and manufacturer’s titles between 2014 and 2016 with a racing version of the C-Elysée sedan.

Replacing Maserati

Citroen Racing will replace Maserati MSG that entered Formula E in 2023, taking the torch from Venturi Racing. The team is fresh out of a collapsed takeover earlier this year, and despite striking a total of three wins (one on every season), has reportedly struggled with financial backing.

Another reason for the demise of Maserati from Formula E is the brand’s new strategy in terms of electrification, with less emphasis on the Folgore-branded EVs and the cancellation of the electric MC20 supercar.

More: Nissan’s Next Electric Halo Could Be Born On A Formula E Racetrack

As with Maserati MSG, Citroen Racing will borrow the technical bits from another Stellantis brand that competes in Formula E, DS Automobiles, which has won multiple wins and championship titles over the past decade. DS is currently operated by Penske, but it is not clear whether it will remain on the championship for the upcoming Gen4 single-seater era.

As reported by The Race, Opel could also apply for a Formula E license in the future, something that sounds fitting for its recently renewed GSE performance division.

Citroen Racing will join a grid of 10 Formula E teams for the upcoming season. Rivals include Nissan, Ford, Jaguar TCS, Tag Heuer Porsche, DS Penske, Envision, Lola Yamaha Abt, Mahindra, and Andretti.