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Leapmotor Will Soon Start Building EVs In Spain

  • The Chinese brand will start building the B10 in Spain, likely in Zaragoza.
  • Leapmotor’s global exports surged almost 400 percent last year.
  • Stellantis and Leapmotor are also eager to deepen the EV collaboration.

After a misstep last year in building its T03 electric city car in Poland, Leapmotor is on track to start building EVs elsewhere in Europe, this time in Spain. This will be a hugely important part of the company’s global expansion, particularly in Western markets, which has intensified since Stellantis took a major stake in it.

Leapmotor is expected to use the current Zaragoza plant operated by Stellantis, starting with the all-electric B10 from October according to the latest reports. This model is already available in Europe, but is currently being imported from China. The smaller B05 hatchback could also be built in Spain from as early as 2027.

Read: Stellantis Turns To A German Tuner For Its Chinese EV

Last year proved to be a pivotal one for the brand. Its global exports surged almost 400 percent, reaching 67,052 units, up from 13,726 in 2024. The Chinese brand’s expansion into Europe also saw local revenue jump 479 percent in 2025 compared to the year prior, hitting 5.6 billion yuan or $810 million.

Perhaps most impressive is the fact that Leapmotor posted a 538 million yuan ($78 million) net profit last year, making it just the second Chinese EV startup to post a full-year profit.

Closer Ties With Stellantis

 Leapmotor Will Soon Start Building EVs In Spain
Leapmotor B05

With Leapmotor now stronger than ever, it has acknowledged it is “actively exploring” cooperation on cars and components with Stellantis, and is already having in-depth discussions on many important projects, Auto News reports.

Speaking on an earnings call, Leapmotor chief financial officer Li Tengfei said that a closer partnership with Stellantis will enable it to better navigate European regulations and tariff exemptions. As Bloomberg notes, establishing closer ties with Stellantis would also provide Leapmotor with more overseas opportunities, while enabling Stellantis to realize significant savings in developing new EVs by leveraging Leap’s existing EV technology.

Such a move would follow in the footsteps of VW, which is making EVs underpinned by Xpeng’s advanced EV platform. Similarly, Audi has partnered with SAIC.

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This Air-Cooled Battery Changes What Fast Charging Means For Electric Bikes

  • The Verge’s motorcycle has an 18 kWh capacity and supports fast charging.
  • A recent test shows the Donut Lab battery sitting at over 100 kW while charging.
  • Crucially, the motorcycle’s battery is air-cooled, rather than being liquid-cooled.

Electric motorcycles haven’t gained widespread acceptance to the same extent as electric cars. However, with solid-state battery packs now just around the corner, the motorbike industry is on the precipice of a revolution, one which could be led by Verge Motorcycles and Finnish firm Donut Lab.

Verge unveiled its new TS Pro electric two-wheeler earlier this year, promising up to 186 miles (299 km) of range in as little as 10 minutes when plugged into a 200 kW NACS charger. Eager to show the world just how quickly the bike can charge, Donut Lab conducted a live test at a public charging station as part of the company’s ongoing series to address the critics.

Read: Donut Lab’s Solid-State Battery Lost Just 2.3% Charge In 10 Days As Critics Watch

The model from Verge Motorcycles in this test is a previous-generation model that’s been upgraded with the latest Donut Lab battery pack. It has a capacity of 18 kWh, and the test showed peak charging rates of over 100 kW, allowing it to charge from 10-70 percent in a touch over 9 minutes, and then 10-80 percent in 12 minutes.

According to Donut Lab, the battery pack charges three times faster than Verge’s previous-generation pack. On the surface, having a battery pack that charges at a touch over 100 kW may not seem very impressive, particularly compared to some 1,500 kW charging systems being deployed by Chinese brands like BYD, Geely, and Zeekr.

An Air-Cooled Battery

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However, it’s important to note that electric cars capable of extraordinarily fast charging use liquid cooling systems to prevent the battery pack from overheating. By comparison, Verge’s battery is air-cooled, which is why the charging rates aren’t as high. Donut Lab also says its battery will charge more quickly once Verge fully optimizes it.

“This is the first test we have published to a wider audience that demonstrates the performance and behaviour of multiple battery cells in a real vehicle environment,” Donut Lab chief technology officer Ville Piippo said. “The high energy density of our battery technology enables flexible battery pack design and superior performance even in more challenging applications, such as motorcycles, where space is limited and system simplicity is key.”

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VinFast Sold Less Than 1,500 Cars In The US, So Naturally It’s Building A Factory

  • VinFast plans to recommence construction of its US plant later this year.
  • The North Carolina site could start producing electric SUVs as early as 2028.
  • VinFast more than doubled its global sales last year, delivering 196,919 cars.

The American EV market may be faltering, but that hasn’t quelled the ambitions of Vietnamese car manufacturer VinFast. In fact, it’s been revealed that work will resume at its planned North Carolina production facility later this year, after being suspended more than 18 months ago.

VinFast first announced its plans for a US production site in March 2022 and said it could start production as early as mid-2024. Before long, that date was pushed back to 2025, and then VinFast decided to pause work on the plant entirely. It seemed almost inevitable that the firm would pull out of the US entirely, having registered fewer than 1,500 cars locally last year.

Read: VinFast Hits Brakes On US Production, Now Slated To Begin In 2028

Evidently, VinFast isn’t giving up just yet. Its most recent financial earnings report reveals that construction at the North Carolina site will resume later this year and that it still plans to start production in 2028. VinFast is also planning to open factories in India and Indonesia.

Although the company’s presence in America is tiny, it has been growing elsewhere. In the fourth quarter of 2025, VinFast sold 86,557 cars, a 127 percent quarterly jump and a 63 percent increase year-over-year, Bloomberg reports. The company ended last year having sold 196,919 vehicles, more than double its 2024 figure.

Revenues Rise But Problems Remain

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Thanks to the surge in sales, revenue rose 138.9 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter to 39.4 trillion dong ($1.5 billion), although it reported a Q4 net loss of 35.2 trillion dong ($1.3 billion), a 15 percent increase.

VinFast says it “continues to evaluate opportunities to expand into additional countries and regions across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa,” adding its “expansion strategy is aligned with Vingroup’s broader global development approach, leveraging the Vingroup ecosystem, partnerships and capital resources to support VinFast’s international growth.”

If the company wants to be successful in the US, it’ll need to start building some more compelling cars. The VF 8 and VF 9, available locally, have been criticized since launching. Late last year, VF 8 owners sued VinFast, alleging that DC charging speeds top out at under 2 kW, despite them being promoted as supporting charge rates of 6.6 kW or higher, meaning it can take more than 24 hours for the battery to be fully charged.

 VinFast Sold Less Than 1,500 Cars In The US, So Naturally It’s Building A Factory

Canada Could Give China’s Biggest Carmaker A Backdoor Into The US Market

  • BYD could enter Canada solo, avoiding joint venture deals entirely.
  • Canada may serve as a North American base for production and exports.
  • Tariff quota begins at 49,000 units and rises steadily over five years.

BYD is taking on the world, and thanks to a new trade deal between Canada and China, it could start building vehicles in the Great White North. The company’s executive vice president has even admitted an openness to acquire an existing car manufacturer as it looks to further broaden its reach.

Earlier this year, Canada announced it would slash tariffs on Chinese EVs from 100 percent to 6.1 percent, but only for the first 49,000 vehicles per year. This quota will grow to around 70,000 vehicles annually over five years, reopening the door for BYD to enter the Canadian market.

Read: Jim Farley Tests Chinese Pickups, And He Has Something To Say

The Chinese juggernaut was eager to enter Canada a couple of years ago, but shelved its plans in late 2024 when the 100 percent tariffs were announced by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Now, BYD executive vice president Stella Li said at an event in Brazil that a Canadian launch is back on the cards and that the firm is even considering a manufacturing facility there.

Exactly how BYD would establish itself locally remains undecided. Ottawa has been pushing Chinese automakers toward joint ventures with domestic partners, but Li was blunt on that point, saying she does not believe “a JV will work” for the company.

Can Anything Stop BYD’s Growth?

 Canada Could Give China’s Biggest Carmaker A Backdoor Into The US Market

Canada could provide BYD with a foothold in North America, meaning building models for the local market and having the option of exporting them. Fellow Chinese brands Geely and Chery are also reportedly making moves to enter Canada, although they’ve yet to commit to building cars in the country.

BYD’s growth strategy could involve acquiring an existing automaker. Speaking with Bloomberg, Li suggested the company is interested in taking over a legacy car brand, noting that “We’re open to every opportunity we have,” and that BYD is currently evaluating potential assets.

Acquiring an established automaker could also give BYD an indirect route into the United States. It is a well-worn strategy, and one that has worked before. Geely took control of Volvo and used it to expand its global footprint, while SAIC revived MG into a thriving EV-focused brand. BYD could be looking at a similar playbook.

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This Classic Alfa Hits 60 In 2.9 Seconds Without Making A Sound

  • A collector in California commissioned Totem Automobili to build this car.
  • Powering this special Alfa Romeo-based model is a 590 hp electric motor.
  • The cabin includes high-end leather and a slew of satin gold accents.

This is the latest Alfa Romeo-based restomod from Italian brand Totem Automobili, and while it’s not the first we’ve seen, there’s one major thing that sets it apart from others. You see, rather than a 2.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing up to 739 hp, this car is equipped with an all-electric powertrain.

Totem refers to this car as the GT Electric ‘Zeal 01’ and says it was commissioned by a client from California. Visually, it looks just as incredible as the ICE-powered GT Super models the small firm is also building. If Alfa Romeo itself were to build a new model inspired by its past, it’d be wise to look at this car for inspiration.

Read: This Alfa Romeo Restomod Laughs In The Face Of The Giulia QV

The exterior is painted in a special shade known as Accurro Pervinca and has loads of satin gold accents. These include the headlight surrounds, the triangular Scudetto grille, the wing mirrors, door surrounds, and even the metal windshield wipers. A set of gorgeous matching wheels has then been fitted.

A Masterpiece Of A Cabin

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Somehow, the cabin looks even better than the outside. Totem has crafted custom gauges for the car, complete with satin gold surrounds, as well as a three-spoke steering wheel trimmed in blue leather and complete with custom switchgear on the steering column. The column itself, as well as parts of the dashboard and door panels, are made from carbon fiber with a very distinctive weave.

The rest of the interior is a mix of blue and cream Nappa leather, including on the seats, dash, transmission tunnel, and doors. Totem has then added a special fabric to the center of the carbon-fiber-backed Sabelt seats and even crafted a leather headliner.

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While we think it’s a little sad that the car’s owner won’t be able to enjoy the specially developed twin-turbo V6 that Totem also sells, the electric powertrain isn’t exactly lacking in grunt. It features a 590 hp motor at the rear axle, allowing it to hit 60 miles (96 km/h) in 2.9 seconds and is also said to be good for up to 300 miles (482 km) on a charge. Finally, Brembo brakes and an electronically controlled suspension should ensure the car handles as one would expect from such a build.

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Photos Totem Automobili

Mercedes’ Future EVs May Be More Chinese Than You Think

  • Mercedes explores deeper ties with Geely for future EV tech.
  • Talks focus on reducing costs and speeding development cycles.
  • New entry EV platform could debut around 2030 replacing MMA.

Mercedes-Benz has a pair of very interesting new EVs in its line-up, namely the latest-generation CLA and GLC, but that doesn’t mean it’s not thinking even further into the future. According to a new report, the brand may look to deepen ties with China’s second-largest car manufacturer for its next generation of EVs.

Unnamed sources claim that Mercedes has had early-stage discussions with Geely about its future EVs. It’s possible these vehicles will feature componentry from the Chinese brand, which would no doubt help cut engineering costs and shorten development times.

Read: 2026 Mercedes CLA To Get A 2.0L Turbo Engine Built By China’s Geely

While Geely declined to comment on the report, a Mercedes spokesperson acknowledged that the firm “is continually reviewing ways to make research and development faster, better and more efficient — both in China and globally.” Importantly, the same spokesperson told Bloomberg that there are no discussions about Mercedes and Geely sharing platforms.

Germany Joins With China

 Mercedes’ Future EVs May Be More Chinese Than You Think

This contrasts with what fellow German brand VW has done. It has partnered with Chinese brand Xpeng and is sharing architectures with the relatively young EV startup for some of its future EVs, including a new ID-badged sedan. Companies like Xpeng, as well as BYD, Geely, Chery, and others, have streaked ahead of many Western legacy automakers, developing more advanced batteries and electric motors.

Mercedes already has very strong ties with Geely and operates the Smart brand with its Chinese partner. Once exclusively a purveyor of small city cars, the Smart brand has been revitalized as an EV manufacturer with designs penned by Mercedes, while engineering and manufacturing are handled by Geely.

While Mercedes says it’s not interested in platform sharing with Geely, a recent report from China claims that the German company could develop its next-gen EV platform using Geely’s GEEA electronic and electrical architecture as its base. This report from 36Kr claims that the new platform has been dubbed ‘Phoenix’ and will be used for entry-level EVs sold worldwide, potentially launching as soon as 2030 as a replacement for the current MMA architecture.

 Mercedes’ Future EVs May Be More Chinese Than You Think
Geely Galaxy M7

EV Sales Plunge 41% In The US As Post-Incentive Reset Takes Hold

  • EV registrations fell sharply in January as market momentum faded.
  • Cadillac ranked as the No. 2 EV brand behind Tesla with modest growth.
  • Gas and hybrid vehicles gained market share as EV demand softened.

Newly-released sales figures from the United States is starting to reveal just how much electric vehicle demand leaned on the federal EV tax credit that was discarded on September 30 last year. With that incentive now gone, the early numbers suggest the market is already feeling the adjustment, and it has not been a subtle one.

Data from S&P Global Mobility shared by Auto News show that 59,802 new EVs were registered in January, a massive 41 percent drop from a year earlier. Out of nearly 1.2 million vehicles registered that month, that leaves fully electric models with just a 5.1 percent share of the market, down from 8.3 percent a year earlier.

Meanwhile, gasoline vehicles quietly expanded their hold, rising 2.3 percentage points to claim 76.6 percent of registrations. Hybrids also edged upward, gaining 1 point to reach a 14.7 percent share.

Read: Global EV Sales Just Fell 11%, But Carmakers Found A Surprising Backup Plan

Tesla still sits comfortably at the top of the US EV market, which will surprise absolutely no one. In January alone, 32,123 new Teslas were registered. Even so, Tesla is not immune to the slowdown, with registrations down 26 percent from a year earlier. Despite that drop, its share of the EV market jumped 11 percent to 53.7 percent.

Cadillac ranked a distant second with 3,189 registrations, more than ten times behind Tesla. However, the brand was one of the few to post growth, with registrations rising 8.1 percent year over year. Its share of the EV market also increased by 2.3 percent to 5.3 percent.

 EV Sales Plunge 41% In The US As Post-Incentive Reset Takes Hold

Many other carmakers have also seen their EV sales fall off a cliff. For example, there were 3,027 new Hyundai EVs registered in January, down 23 percent from the year prior. This decline was led by the Ioniq 5, which saw its deliveries slide 22 percent to 2,101 vehicles.

Ford’s EV registrations also dropped 67 percent to 2,772, while Chevrolet’s fell 55 percent to 2,658. Toyota, however, reported a 25 percent increase, although its EV registrations totaled just 2,529, meaning it still trails many competitors.

According to iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer, “there’s going to be a shakeout to the new reality with no federal EV incentives, which was the carrot, and no greenhouse gas penalties, which was the stick.”

Auto News notes that EV registrations have declined year over year every month since the tax credit was scrapped on September 30. S&P Global Mobility analyst Tom Libby says the drop was “expected,” adding, “it’s a reset, and it’s going to be a very slow process moving forward.”

January 2026 EV Sales USA
BrandSalesDiff. vs Jan-25
Tesla32,123-26%
Cadillac3,189+8.1%
Hyundai3,027-23%
Ford2,772-67%
Chevrolet2,658-55%
Toyota2,529+25%
Rivian2,232-25%
Lucid1,633+97%
BMW1,501-60%
Kia1,462-58%
GMC1,156-31%
Lexus810+166%
Honda658-85%
Volvo599-32%
Subaru555-51%
Porsche495-60%
Volkswagen488-90%
Mercedes-Benz374-84%
Audi319-82%
Polestar299-34%
Nissan249-88%
Ram137
Jeep106-29%
Mini98-57%
Dodge80-65%
Genesis62-87%
Fisker41-70%
BrightDrop38-50%
VinFast37-76%
Rolls-Royce24-20%
Acura15-99%
Fiat15-91%
Maserati12+140%
Jaguar6-98%
Zeekr3
SWIPE

 S&P Global Mobility

Mercedes Planned An EV-Only Baby G, Now It’s Having Second Thoughts

  • Mercedes may sell the scaled-down G-Class as EV and hybrid.
  • The hybrid could borrow the CLA’s 1.5-liter engine setup.
  • The electric version may carry a sizable 85 kWh battery pack.

Given the cultural weight carried by the Mercedes G-Wagen, it’s a bit surprising the company has taken this long to pursue a smaller, more accessible version. Yet here it is at last. The so-called baby G is now deep into development, and these latest spy shots give us the clearest look yet at Mercedes’ downsized off-roader.

Read: Mercedes Baby G-Class Ditches Its EV-Only Plan

This prototype is sporting a distinctive new camouflage wrap that hides many of the more intricate details, but does nothing to shield the overall shape of the model from view. Look closely, and you’ll notice the wrap has hundreds of lower-case ‘g’ graphics, a playful nod to the model’s scaled-down identity.

Mercedes could easily have fallen into the trap of making the baby G-Class look a little too soft or restrained, perhaps little more than a lightly reworked GLB. Instead, the company appears to have taken the design of the full-size model, scaled it down, and applied a few subtler tweaks. Based on early impressions, the result looks very promising.

Classic But Modern Looks

 Mercedes Planned An EV-Only Baby G, Now It’s Having Second Thoughts
SH Proshots

The front has round headlights just like you’d expect, as well as a pronounced hood. The sides come complete with flared wheel arches, squared-off side windows, and prominent roof rails. Found at the rear will be small taillights positioned lower on the fascia, just like the normal G, in addition to a large spare wheel carrier.

Clearly, Mercedes has nailed the design. But what about what’s underneath? According to Mercedes CTO Markus Schäfer, the baby G is being engineered as a fully bespoke model rather than using an adapted version of an existing Mercedes platform. The company is developing new modules, suspension components, and wheel setups specifically for the vehicle, although it will not use a traditional ladder-frame chassis.

An Electrified Line-up

Originally, the project was intended to be purely electric. Now, however, Mercedes appears to be reconsidering that strategy. Recent reports suggest the company is evaluating the addition of a hybrid variant as well, a decision that makes practical sense given the current state of the EV market, particularly in North America.

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SH Proshots

If Mercedes follows through and offers a gas option, it could use the same hybrid powertrain found in the new CLA sedan. That system pairs a 1.5-liter engine developed through the Geely and Renault Horse Powertrain joint venture with electric assistance, producing 208 hp and 280 lb-ft (380 Nm). The German carmaker could recalibrate the setup for the baby G, squeezing out more power to better suit the SUV’s character.

More: Shrunken Land Rover Defender Is Coming For The Baby G-Class

As for the all-electric version, it could come fitted with an 85 kWh NMC battery providing 450 miles (724 km) of range and driving a pair of electric motors. Carscoops understands it could have a driving range of up to 450 miles (724 km), which would be very impressive considering the full-size electric G580 is only good for 280 miles (450 km).

When it finally reaches showrooms, the baby G-Class will not have the small off-roader space to itself. Rivals are already lining up, including a rumored compact version of the Land Rover Defender that aims to bring the same rugged image in a smaller package.

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SH Proshots

BMW Revises Production Plans For The iX3 Just Months After Launch

  • BMW has already secured more than 50,000 orders for the new iX3.
  • The all-electric SUV is currently being produced in Hungary.
  • Production is expected to expand to plants in China and Mexico.

It’s been just six months since BMW unveiled the second-generation iX3, and the electric SUV is already gathering significant momentum. The early response suggests the company’s new wave of EVs may be off to a strong start. Indeed, the German brand has already announced a second shift at the Debrecen plant where it’s manufactured.

During its most recent earnings report, BMW chief executive Oliver Zipse noted that production of the iX3 has been ramping up at the plant in Hungary and that European deliveries have just started. He revealed that “order books for the iX3 are full and reach well into this year,” noting it’s proving to be popular among private and fleet customers.

Read: BMW iX3 Starts Thousands Below Polestar And Audi Rivals Down Under

Zipse went on to reveal that more than 50,000 orders have been placed for the new iX3, a very impressive figure for what is the first in a new generation of EVs from BMW. At full capacity, the plant in Debrecen will be able to build up to 150,000 vehicles annually.

There’s More To Come

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Making the demand for the iX3 particularly impressive is the fact that only a single version has been released at this stage. This model, badged the iX3 50 xDrive, has a sizeable 108 kWh battery and a pair of electric motors combining to produce 463 hp and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque. It has a class-leading driving range of up to 500 miles (805 km) and supports charging speeds of up to 400 kW.

By the time the new iX3 range has matured, the 50 xDrive is expected to be positioned in the middle of the family. Sitting below it will be 40 and 40 xDrive versions, both of which are expected to use a smaller battery pack, while also costing quite a bit less.

Sitting towards the top of the range should be an M60 model, potentially delivering upwards of 600 hp from its upgraded motors. As reported by BMW Blog, this model could then be joined by a fully-fledged M variant in late 2027, rated at more than 800 hp.

Production of the iX3 will also spread. BMW is also expected to produce it in China and in Mexico, which should give it enough capacity to meet global demand for the EV.

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This 1,111-HP Lucid Air Lost More Than A Third Of A Typical Pennsylvania Home’s Price

  • The Air Dream Edition Performance carried a hefty $170,500 MSRP.
  • After 22,000 miles, the depreciation works out to nearly $5 per mile.
  • Despite that, the luxury EV still sprints to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds.

Luxury EVs have developed a nasty reputation for losing value at a frightening rate over the past few years, especially in the upper end of the market. However, you may be surprised to learn just how much this Lucid Air has depreciated since it was delivered in March of 2022.

The Air you’re looking at is the Dream Edition Performance, which was introduced as the flagship iteration of the all-electric sedan. With the exception of the almighty Sapphire, it’s the highest-powered version of the Air that’s been sold, thumping out a ridiculous 1,111 hp and 1,025 lb-ft of torque.

Read: Lucid Owner Gets A $50,000 Lesson On Depreciation

A look at the window sticker reveals the original owner paid $170,500 for the car. Given the performance it offers, the sleek exterior styling, and the upmarket interior, that’s not an unreasonable amount of money. But, after being driven 22,000 miles (35,000 km) over the past four years, the car’s value has plummeted, recently selling for $67,067 in Cars & Bids.

A Six Figure EV Bargain

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Cars & Bids

The result is a staggering $103,433 wiped off the price. Spread across the 22,000 miles it covered, that works out to just under $5 lost for every mile driven.

For a sense of scale, that drop would cover a substantial chunk of a home in some US states. Bankrate data puts the median house price at about $282,400 in Alabama, $255,300 in Arkansas, $285,600 in Illinois, $230,600 in Iowa, $301,000 in Pennsylvania, and $249,300 in Michigan, to name a few. In other words, the money lost on this one car equals well over a third of a typical home in those places.

While it’s hard not to feel bad for the original owner, it’s nice to see a car as good as the Air becoming more accessible. The listing reveals the performance sedan has been fastidiously maintained over the past four years, and has had several parts replaced and numerous recall campaigns completed.

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Cars & Bids

Off the line, the Air Dream Edition Performance can hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 2.5 seconds and storm down the quarter-mile in 9.9 seconds. Thanks to the sizeable 118 kWh battery pack, it can also travel up to 451 miles on a charge when equipped with the 21-inch wheels like this one.

Then there’s the cabin. While the Air may often be compared to the Tesla Model S, its interior is more luxurious and better equipped. Key features include Nappa full-grain leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front massage seats, a 34-inch infotainment and gauge cluster display, and a 21-speaker sound system. This Air also includes the Santa Monica interior trim, combining dark blue and light cream-colored leather.

Bad news for the first owner, great news for the next one. So the question is, would you buy a used Lucid Air knowing just how quickly these things depreciate?

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Cars & Bids

Avatr’s Electric Wagon Packs Supercar Power And A Backup Gas Engine

  • Avatr previews the 06T electric shooting brake for China market.
  • The wagon body looks better balanced than the sedan version.
  • Battery EV models offer up to 955 hp in the range topping trim.

Sleek estate cars have become somewhat of a rarity these days. Buyers keep drifting toward crossovers and SUVs, and manufacturers have largely followed the money. Traditional wagons, especially the low and sporty ones, now feel like a niche choice. China, however, still has a few brands willing to keep the format alive. Avatr is one of them.

The company has now previewed its newest addition, a wagon called the 06T. Similar in size and profile to the Zeekr 007 GT, Avatr’s new model will be sold both as a range-extender and as a fully-electric wagon. It also has a seductive Shooting Brake shape that should get many car enthusiasts excited.

Read: Avatr Just Extended The 06 In More Ways Than One

Measuring 4,940 mm (194.4 inches) long, 1,960 mm (77.1 inches) wide, and 1,475 mm (58 inches) tall, the 06T rides on a 2,940 mm (115.7-inch) wheelbase and shares its underpinnings with the existing 06 sedan. The sedan’s rear design has always looked a bit awkward, but stretching the roof into a wagon shape helps smooth out the proportions and gives the overall profile a more natural look.

The Juicy Details

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Pictured here in a new color known as Liujin Orange, the fully electric version uses an 89.33 kWh battery pack. Buyers will have two rear-wheel-drive EV options to choose from. The entry model uses a pair of 302 hp (225 kW) motors, while the more powerful version upgrades to two 337 hp (251 kW) units.

Sitting above these two variants in the range will be an all-wheel drive variant. In addition to having the two 337 hp motors at the rear, it also includes a 282 hp (210 kW) unit at the front, combining to produce 955 hp (712 kW). There’s no word on how quickly it’ll hit 60 mph (96 km/h), but we know all models will be capped at a 149 mph (240 km/h) top speed.

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Avatr will offer the three EV variants alongside an extended-range version of the 06T. This model uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine producing 154 hp (115 kW), which functions solely as a generator for the battery pack. Propulsion comes from two 248 hp (185 kW) electric motors mounted at the rear axle. Battery capacity has not yet been disclosed, and there is still no information on either the combined driving range or the all-electric range.

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EV Bets Already Cost Four Legacy Carmakers $70B, And The Tab Keeps Climbing

  • Honda recently posted $15.7 billion in expenses for its EV U-turn.
  • EV registrations in the US collapsed 48 percent in December.
  • Ditching the $7,500 federal EV tax credit has eroded EV demand.

The new year hasn’t been kind to traditional automakers, many of which now find themselves confronting an EV reality in the U.S. that looks very different from what they had been planning in boardrooms not long ago. A mix of policy changes and cooling demand is forcing several manufacturers to rethink electrification plans that, until recently, sat at the center of their long-term strategies.

Read: Honda Cancels 0 Sedan, 0 SUV, And Acura RSX EVs

Honda is the latest to change course. The company confirmed this week that it will scrap all three electric vehicles it had planned to build in America, citing weakening demand, especially in the US market. The move places it alongside Ford, GM, and Stellantis, all of which have recently scaled back their own EV programs.

Taken together, the retreat is proving expensive. Those four automakers alone have absorbed close to $70 billion in losses tied to their EV investments, reports Auto News. And that figure doesn’t even include other manufacturers, such as Porsche, which have also begun dialing back their electrification plans.

The drop in EV demand in the US can be largely traced to decisions made by the Trump administration. New government policies not only encourage manufacturers to prioritize combustion-powered models, but the removal of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit has also further weakened demand at a time when adoption was already slowing.

In fact, EV registrations fell 48 percent in December compared to last year, dropping to just 75,427 vehicles. As a result, EV market share slipped from 9.9 percent to 5.3 percent.

The EV Graveyard

 EV Bets Already Cost Four Legacy Carmakers $70B, And The Tab Keeps Climbing

Ford has already revealed that its retreat from EVs has cost roughly $21 billion. The company scrapped plans for a three-row electric SUV and ended production of the F-150 Lightning last year after it failed to meet sales expectations.

Stellantis recently said its EV pullback will cost about $26 billion, following the cancellation of several electric models. GM has also stepped back, halting production of the Chevrolet BrightDrop electric van in Canada and repurposing a Michigan plant for gas trucks after originally planning to build EVs there.

As noted by Auto News, Honda is booking 2.5 trillion yen or $15.7 billion in expenses and losses due to its EV U-turn. In addition to killing off the 0 Saloon and the 0 SUV, the car manufacturer has killed off the all-electric Acura RSX. That sleek coupe SUV was unveiled as a pre-production prototype last year and would have been the first to use Honda’s in-house global EV platform.

Honda is booking 2.5 trillion yen or $15.7 billion in expenses and losses tied to its EV U-turn. Alongside the cancellation of the 0 Saloon and the 0 SUV, the automaker has also killed the all-electric Acura RSX. The stylish coupe SUV debuted as a pre-production prototype last year and was set to become the first model built on Honda’s in-house global EV platform.

 EV Bets Already Cost Four Legacy Carmakers $70B, And The Tab Keeps Climbing
Acura RSX

Gravity Dragged This Lucid’s Value Down $46,000 In Just 3 Months

  • The Gravity Dream Edition packs 1,070 hp and 909 lb-ft.
  • Early resale prices show the luxury EV losing value quickly.
  • The base version starts under $80,000 with 560 hp.

If you were among those who rushed to buy a new Lucid Gravity, you may want to look away now. Early resale results can reveal a lot about how the market values a new model. A flagship Dream Edition with just 3,500 miles (5,632 km) has sold for $96,000, nearly $46,000 below its original MSRP, offering a clear snapshot of how buyers currently price the SUV on the used market.

There’s a lot to like about the Gravity, particularly the Dream Edition model. It features a 123 kWh battery pack, four electric motors, and a combined 1,070 hp and 909 lb-ft of torque. Does anyone need an SUV with this much power? No, but being able to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.1 seconds and storm down the quarter-mile in 10.6 seconds in a luxury SUV is still pretty cool.

Read: He Sold His $142K Lucid At A Huge Loss After Just 400 Miles Of EV Reality

The Dream Edition is also equipped with all the luxury features you could ever want, including the Comfort and Convenience Package, which adds soft-close doors and power rear window shades, alongside an AR HUG, dynamic ambient lighting, and Nappa leather upholstery and seats with heated, ventilated, and massaging functions.

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Cars & Bids

Perhaps the biggest downside of the Dream Edition is the cost. In the US, it has an MSRP of $141,550, including destination charges, which feels like a lot, particularly given that the entry-level Gravity Touring with 560 hp is available from just $79,900.

Sure, it has roughly half the power, but most of the same features. Additionally, the 828-hp Gravity Grand Touring starts at $94,900, and also seems like a relatively bargain compared to the Dream Edition.

As the Cars & Bids auction shows, depreciation has been significant. This particular example was registered in early December and driven just 3,500 miles, yet it lost $45,550 in value. That works out to roughly $13 lost for every mile driven.

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Cars & Bids

Ineos Hints Its Smallest SUV Yet Could Arrive Sooner Than Expected

  • Ineos admits it rushed early plans for the Fusilier SUV.
  • The Fusilier will rival baby Defender and G-Class models.
  • The company says the new model is not years away now.

Ineos says development of the smaller Fusilier is back underway, nearly two years after the project was paused as enthusiasm for EVs began to cool. Exactly when it might appear in showrooms is still unclear, but the program itself is no longer sitting on the sidelines.

The company first pulled the wraps off the Fusilier in early 2024, outlining plans for a new bespoke skateboard platform underneath. Both a fully electric version and a range-extender variant were on the table from the start. In the bigger picture, the model is expected to become a key gateway into the Ineos lineup, positioned as a smaller, more attainable alternative to the Grenadier.

Read: New Ineos Fusilier EV Is A Smaller SUV With Optional Range-Extender

“The concept of the Fuselier – something that’s a bit smaller than the Grenadier – is still a vision that is alive and well in the company, and we’re actively pursuing what that vehicle would look like, or a vehicle like that would look like going forward,” the region director for Ineos in Australia, New Zealand, and APAC, Justin Hocevar told Car Expert. “That’s what we’ll be talking about in the not-too-distant future. In terms of announcing the timeline, I don’t think it’s years away.”

What’s Changed?

 Ineos Hints Its Smallest SUV Yet Could Arrive Sooner Than Expected

According to Hocevar, Ineos was “charging into” the Fusilier project too quickly, and had to pause it to ensure a range-extender powertrain could work with it.

“The project morphed over time, and part of the pause on that project had a lot to do with our desire to have an alternative new-energy powertrain in that vehicle – hybridization or a range-extender solution,” he said.

Hocevar stopped short of putting a firm date on the Fusilier’s arrival. Still, his suggestion that the wait is not “years away” hints that the project is moving along at a healthy pace, which should reassure anyone keeping an eye on Ineos’ next move.

Whenever it finally lands in showrooms, the compact off-roader will enter a growing niche. Mercedes-Benz is preparing a smaller G-Class and Land Rover has a baby Defender in the pipeline. Ineos appears ready to take a slightly different approach, leaning toward a more traditional, less tech-heavy interpretation of the segment.

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Stellantis Turns To A German Tuner For Its Chinese EV

  • Stellantis deepens ties with German tuner Irmscher again.
  • Leapmotor B10 Dynamic will be limited to just 500 units.
  • Lower suspension and new wheels sharpen the EV’s stance.

Stellantis has already made its position clear when it comes to competing with China’s fast-moving EV industry. Rather than trying to match those manufacturers head on, the group chose a different path, investing in Leapmotor and taking responsibility for selling the brand’s cars across Western markets.

Now it is strengthening another partnership as well. The automaker has deepened its relationship with German tuning house Irmscher, suggesting Stellantis sees more value in outside expertise than in building a dedicated in-house performance division like many rival brands have done.

This second collaboration between Leapmotor and Irmscher is for the new B10, sitting below the slightly larger C10 in the company’s range. Known as the B10 Dynamic, the finished vehicle will be capped at just 500 units and has undergone a series of updates. Could you call it desirable? Probably not, but it does make the B10 that little more interesting.

Read: Stellantis’ Leapmotor Found An Unlikely Ally In Germany’s Tuning Scene

Immediately making this B10 differ from a regular one is that it sits 1.1 inches (30 mm) lower, presumably due to the fitment of lowering springs. A new set of 19-inch wheels has then been installed, perfectly fitting within the arches. According to Imrscher, chassis changes mean the B10 offers better steering feel and reduced body movement, improving handling.

A True Tuner Special

 Stellantis Turns To A German Tuner For Its Chinese EV

Further adding to the sporty vibe of the B10 are black graphics positioned along the doors and running across the rear quarter panels. These graphics, combined with the black wing mirrors, the wheels, black bumpers, and black rocker panels, may look a little too wannabe-racer for some. For others, they may be just about right.

Stellantis has only released photos of the B10 Dynamic’s exterior, but says the interior has been tweaked too, now including Irmscher embroidery and decorative stitching. There’s also an aluminum plaque in the cabin, denoting each car as one of 500.

Each example being built is based on the B10 Pro Max. This version has a 67.1 kWh battery pack and a 218 hp motor driving the rear wheels. Irmscher hasn’t touched the powertrain, so those figures remain the same. As for the price? It’s a rather hefty €38,500 ($44,300).

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China’s Dreame Built Its Own Purosangue, And It Packs 1,876 HP

  • Dreame revealed the Nebula Next 01X EV crossover concept.
  • It closely follows the design language of the earlier 01 coupe.
  • With 1,876 hp, the EV claims 0-60 mph in just 1.8 seconds.

Dreame, best known for robotic vacuums and home gadgets, is now chasing something far larger than dust. The Chinese tech company has revealed another addition to its planned automotive lineup, a crossover concept called the Nebula Next 01X. The tall, coupe-like EV made its public debut this week at the China Home Appliances and Consumer Electronics Expo.

The tech firm has not put a single production car into showrooms yet, but its automotive ambitions are already split across three separate brands: Nebula Next, Kosmera, and Star Motor. The 01X builds directly on the Nebula Next 01 coupe revealed back in January.

Read: Chinese Vacuum Brand Drops A 1,876 hp Taycan-Trampling Reality At CES

That car sat low and sleek, but much of its styling DNA has simply been lifted and stretched upward here, turning the concept into something that lands closer to the Ferrari Purosangue end of the crossover spectrum.

Tech To Match The Looks

 China’s Dreame Built Its Own Purosangue, And It Packs 1,876 HP
Autohome

Dreame’s Star Motor brand has already shown a willingness to borrow heavily from existing cars. With the 01X, the company seems to be borrowing from itself instead. The crossover closely mirrors the earlier 01 Coupe. It wears the same vivid green paint, and the lower sections of the body are trimmed in carbon fiber. The Ferrari-inspired LED headlights appear unchanged, and the rear end follows almost exactly the same design theme.

For as wild as the shape of the SUV is, it’s perhaps what’s found under the skin that’s most interesting. Dreame claims to have developed the first volume-production-ready solid-state battery pack, aiming to start a small number of deliveries this year before ramping up production in 2027.

 China’s Dreame Built Its Own Purosangue, And It Packs 1,876 HP

According to Dreame, the 01X’s battery pack is a 60Ah unit with an energy density of 450 Wh/kg. Thanks to battery packs delivering a stupendous 1,876 hp, the vehicle can apparently hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 1.8 seconds.

Whether or not the 01X ever lands in the hands of buyers remains to be seen. While we’ve seen plenty of established companies venture in the world of EVs successfully, such as Xiaomi, as well as numerous startups like Nio do the same, we’ve seen even more companies try and fail to do so.

Dreame has big ambitions, but creating one-off concepts is much easier than building mass-market production models, so it still has a long way to come.

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Photos Autohome

These Used EVs Are Selling Faster Than Gas Cars In Today’s Market

  • New study shows used EVs are selling quicker than used ICE models.
  • In February, the average used car took 53 days to sell in the US.
  • The Tesla Model X was the quickest-selling used car last month.

We all know that new car prices have surged over the past six years, but they’re not alone. The used market has followed the same trajectory. Prices have risen sharply, and vehicles are now lingering on dealer lots longer than before, partly because many owners are not shopping for cars and are holding on to their current ones. Even so, one automaker seems largely unaffected by the slowdown

Fresh data from iSeeCars sheds some light on the trend. It examined more than 960,000 transactions involving used vehicles between one and five years old during February. Across that sample, the typical used car sat on the market for 53 days before finding a buyer. A year earlier the average was just 37.7 days in the US, which means selling times have stretched by roughly 40 percent in only twelve months.

Read: Tesla’s Sales Collapsed By Nearly 90% In The Land Of EVs

Used electric models, interestingly, are moving a bit faster than their gasoline counterparts. In February, the typical used EV took 47.4 days to sell. That figure has increased from last year’s 41.8-day average, but the 13.4 percent rise is modest compared with the broader used market.

 These Used EVs Are Selling Faster Than Gas Cars In Today’s Market
iSeeCars
 These Used EVs Are Selling Faster Than Gas Cars In Today’s Market

Tesla Bucks The Trend

However, there’s a little more to these figures than may first meet the eye. Because Teslas still account for the vast majority of EV sales, their typically quick resale times drag down the overall market average. Remove Tesla from the equation and the picture changes. Without those models included, the typical used EV took 57.3 days to sell in February, a 15.1 percent increase from the 49.8-day average recorded at the same time last year.

So which models disappear from listings the fastest? Comfortably leading the pack is the Tesla Model X, needing an average of just 22.6 days to sell. Surprisingly, it was followed by the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, at an average of 26.9 days, and then the Tesla Cybertruck, at 27.4 days.

Fastest-Selling Used Cars In February 2026
RankModelDays on MarketCompared to Average
1Tesla Model X22.60.43x
2Mercedes-Benz EQS (SUV)26.90.51x
3Tesla Cybertruck27.40.52x
4Mazda MX-5 Miata RF29.30.55x
5Toyota GR Supra30.00.57x
6Genesis G9030.40.57x
7Rivian R1S30.80.58x
8Toyota GR Corolla31.10.59x
9Hyundai Kona Electric31.40.59x
10Volkswagen Golf R31.80.60x
11Lexus GX 55032.40.61x
12Lexus RX 500h33.00.62x
13Tesla Model 333.10.62x
14Nissan LEAF33.80.64x
15Honda Civic Hybrid34.80.66x
16Tesla Model Y34.90.66x
17Toyota GR8635.10.66x
18BMW M235.40.67x
19BMW X5 M35.50.67x
20Cadillac Escalade-V35.60.67x
Overall Average53.0
SWIPE

Other strong performers uncovered by the iSeeCars study included the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF at 29.3 days, the Toyota GR Supra at 30 days, the Genesis G90 at 30.4 days, the Rivian R1S at 30.8 days, and the Toyota GR Corolla at 31.1 days. Several of these cars lean toward the enthusiast end of the spectrum, which likely helps keep demand strong.

Tesla’s higher-volume models appear a little further down the rankings. The Model 3 lands in 13th place with an average of 33.1 days on the market, while the Model Y sits in 16th at 34.9 days. However, it’s worth noting that far more Model 3s and Model Ys are sold monthly than the likes of the GR Supra, G90, R1S, and MX-5 Miata, so they help to sway the overall market.

The opposite end of the list looks very different. Some vehicles sit for months before finding a buyer. The Volvo XC60 is the slowest mover in the study, lingering for an average of 170.2 days. The BMW i5 is not far behind at 153 days, followed by the Dodge Hornet at 123.7 days and the Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid at 118 days.

Slowest-Selling Used Cars In February 2026
RankModelDays on MarketCompared to Average
1Volvo XC60 (hybrid)170.23.21x
2BMW i5 (electric)153.02.89x
3Dodge Hornet (hybrid)123.72.33x
4Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid118.02.23x
5GMC Sierra EV116.12.19x
6Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid112.32.12x
7Volvo XC90 (hybrid)108.72.05x
8Nissan Z107.92.04x
9Genesis GV60101.61.92x
10Land Rover Discovery101.51.92x
11Dodge Charger (electric)96.71.82x
12Chevrolet Blazer EV96.31.82x
13Cadillac Escalade IQ93.81.77x
14Cadillac XT691.61.73x
15BMW 8 Series91.41.72x
16Lincoln Corsair (hybrid)90.61.71x
17Chevrolet Silverado EV87.71.65x
18Cadillac LYRIQ87.41.65x
19GMC HUMMER EV (SUV)87.21.65x
20Dodge Hornet87.21.65x
Overall Average53.0
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New Video Shows Tesla Nearly Going Off Overpass With Mom And Baby Inside

  • Texas lawsuit says Tesla FSD steered a Cybertruck into barrier.
  • Driver says the system aimed straight at a concrete divider.
  • The crash allegedly caused spinal injuries and wrist damage.

Update: There’s now video of the Houston Cybertruck crash. Footage shared by Hilliard Law, which represents the woman in the lawsuit, shows the electric truck, reportedly operating in self-driving mode, failing to follow a right-hand curve and continuing straight toward an overpass barrier. The driver attempts to intervene, but it is already too late, and the impact is severe. She is now suing Tesla for $1 million, alleging the system did not perform as promised.

'TERRIFYING': Dashcam video shows the moment a Tesla Cybertruck, allegedly operating in self-driving mode, nearly sent a Houston mom and her infant off a bridge before violently crashing into an overpass barrier.

The woman claims she suffered multiple injuries from the incident… pic.twitter.com/DgcnHp2FtZ

— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 17, 2026

Tesla’s Full-Self Driving (Supervised) system has placed advanced semi-autonomous capability in the hands of thousands of owners across the United States. The technology remains one of the most closely watched developments in the industry. Yet despite its promise, the system is still far from flawless, and according to a recent lawsuit filed against Tesla, it can also be dangerous.

The suit, filed in Harris County Court in Houston, Texas, alleges that Tesla Cybertruck owner Justine Saint Amour was using the FSD system in August last year while traveling along the 69 Eastex Freeway. As the electric pickup approached a Y-shaped junction near the Houston Metro 256 Eastex Park & Ride, the vehicle’s onboard systems should have followed the right-hand curve of the freeway.

FSD Navigation Error Alleged

Instead, the lawsuit claims the Tesla attempted to continue straight ahead toward a concrete barrier. The driver reportedly took control just before impact but was unable to avoid the obstacle, with the Cybertruck striking the barrier head-on. A 1-year-old child was also in the back seat at the time but was not injured.

Read: Tesla On FSD Suddenly Swerves And Crashes Into A Tree, Claims Driver

The impact reportedly left the woman with two herniated discs in her lower back, a herniated disc in her neck, sprained wrist tendons, and neuropathy. Chron reports that dashcam footage captured the crash, showing the Cybertruck attempting to negotiate the curve at the interchange but ultimately hitting the barriers.

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Camera Only System Criticized

An image taken after the crash shows that the front of the blacked-out Cybertruck took a serious hit, and that the front bumper shattered, leaving pieces of bodywork strewn across the road.

The lawsuit further alleges that Tesla’s decision to rely exclusively on a camera-based system for its self-driving technology, rather than incorporating radar or LiDAR sensors, contributed to the crash. It also claims Elon Musk is “an aggressive and irresponsible salesman” with a history of “making dangerous design choices.”

“Tesla’s decisions made Justine’s accident inevitable,” Saint Amour’s lawyer, Bob Hilliard, told Chron. “This company wants drivers to believe and trust their life on a lie: that the vehicle can self-drive and that it can do so safely. It can’t, and it doesn’t.”

The lawsuit accuses Tesla of negligence and seeks more than $1 million in damages.

 New Video Shows Tesla Nearly Going Off Overpass With Mom And Baby Inside
Hilliard Law Firm

MG 4X Packs 317 Miles Into A Surprisingly Small Semi-Solid-State Battery

  • MG unveils the MG4X electric SUV with semi-solid-state tech.
  • New battery chemistry targets better range and heat stability.
  • Shares E3 electronic architecture with the MG4 hatchback.

The new MG 4 lineup is expanding with a slightly larger addition called the MG 4X. Positioned as a higher-riding SUV counterpart to the hatchback, the model brings one particularly notable feature with it. Like its smaller sibling, the MG4X uses an advanced semi-solid-state battery pack.

Sitting between the axles is a 53.95 kWh battery that contains only 5 percent liquid electrolyte, which is why MG classifies it as semi-solid-state. The chemistry is intended to improve thermal stability and cope better with both very cold and very hot conditions. Even with a battery that is not especially large by modern EV standards, MG says the setup is good for a driving range of 317 miles (510 km).

Read: New MG4 Electric Hatch Draws Inspiration From Cyberster

For now, MG is keeping the performance figures to itself. Power output remains undisclosed, and there is still no word on the electric motor or motors that will power the SUV. What has been confirmed is the underlying tech. The MG4X runs on the same E3 electronic architecture as the latest MG4 hatchback, and it is clearly aimed at competitors like the BYD Atto 2.

A BYD Rival

 MG 4X Packs 317 Miles Into A Surprisingly Small Semi-Solid-State Battery

It is 4,395 mm (173 inches) long, 1,842 mm (72.5 inches) wide, 1,551 mm (61 inches) tall, and sits on a 2,750 mm (108.2-inch) wheelbase. It also has a curb weight of just 1,485 kg (3,273 lbs). Visually, it resembles the hatchback but has its own unique style.

The front end is quite imposing, complete with large air intakes and a lower grille, as well as triangular headlights with a thin light bar. Early images of the SUV also show it rocking black wing mirrors, a large panoramic glass roof, and sharp taillights, appearing to be similar in shape to the current MG S5, which sits right above it in MG’s range.

We don’t yet know what the cabin of the MG 4X will be like, but it’s safe to assume it will share parts with the hatchback. This could include the same central infotainment display, co-developed with smartphone manufacturer Oppo. It may also feature a handful of proper physical buttons on the steering wheel and console, ensuring that it’s not too minimalist.

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A New Range Rover Velar Is Coming, But It Doesn’t Look Like An SUV Anymore

  • The next-gen Range Rover Velar will be sold only as an EV.
  • The new model will ride on JLR’s EMA electric platform.
  • Land Rover is reshaping the Velar into a high-riding sedan.

An all-new Range Rover Velar is just around the corner, and it will be very different from the model we know today in more ways than one. The next generation will switch to EV-only power, marking a seismic change for the nameplate. It will also look quite different. Land Rover will move away from the traditional SUV silhouette of the current version and adopt a lower-slung shape that resembles a high-riding sedan.

Read: New Velar Starts Looking More Like A Range Rover Sedan

Hot on the heels of a camouflaged prototype of the new Velar testing in the European snow, a pair of fresh renderings previewing the model has surfaced. We will have to wait and see whether the second-generation Velar looks like this when it reaches production, but if it does, it will certainly stand apart.

 A New Range Rover Velar Is Coming, But It Doesn’t Look Like An SUV Anymore
Illustrations Nikita Chuyko/Kolesa

These images, created by Nikita Chuyko for Kolesa, suggest the next Velar will retain a few recognizable cues from today’s model, though they have been reshaped into something closer to the Volvo ES90’s fastback-like profile. Up front, it still looks unmistakably Range Rover, with slim LED headlights and a relatively small upper grille defining the face

Future Cars: Ford Killed Fiesta For A Crossover, Now It Might Return Like This

The body itself sits noticeably lower. That would be controversial on something like a Land Rover Defender, but it is unlikely to trouble most Velar buyers. Realistically, few owners ever take their vehicles off-road, so the move toward a sleeker, road-focused profile may make sense.

 A New Range Rover Velar Is Coming, But It Doesn’t Look Like An SUV Anymore
Illustrations Nikita Chuyko/Kolesa

No doubt the most curious element of the redesigned Velar will be its rear. As spy shots have shown, there’s a short and stubby decklid, as well as a steeply raked rear window, which looks a little odd. Also visible in these renders are slim LED taillights and a blacked-out lower bumper.

The Juicy Details

Underpinning the new Velar will be the new Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA), as it will be sold exclusively as an EV. It could debut with the same 117 kWh battery pack planned for the full-size Range Rover Electric, although a slightly smaller pack remains possible. Either way, engineers will face pressure to ensure it delivers enough range and performance to replace the outgoing combustion-powered version.

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