Elon Musk finally addressed what so many have been asking for. The Model YL, an elongated version of the Model Y, was launched in China recently, but until now, we haven’t heard about whether or not it would actually come to America. The long and the short of it is, very likely next year.

The Model Y is Tesla’s best-selling car. In fact, it’s one of the best-selling cars worldwide across all brands. It’s not surprising then that fans would want the new six-seater version wherever they can get it. That kind of automatic demand made bringing the car to the U.S. seem like a no-brainer, and it still is, unless Musk finally accomplishes what he’s been promising for several years.

More: Tesla’s Model Y L Gets Bigger And Pricier With New Six-Seat Layout

That promise is full-scale Level 5 autonomy to the point that it would negate the need for the Model YL. If that sounds a bit far-fetched, don’t feel bad. Musk has notoriously over-promised and under-delivered. Still, he finally addressed US production of the Model YL and brought up autonomy again.

In response to another person asking about the car on X he said “This variant of the Model Y doesn’t start production in the US until the end of next year. Might not ever, given the advent of self-driving in America.” No doubt, Tesla’s Robotaxi program is rolling out relatively fast, and faster than some cities say it legally can, but it’s far from a polished Level 5 system.

This variant of the Model Y doesn’t start production in the US until the end of next year.

Might not ever, given the advent of self-driving in America.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 20, 2025

Every Robotaxi shuttling passengers around has an actual Tesla employee inside acting as a safety officer. On top of that, it begs the question that Musk didn’t respond to in his comment section. “Wouldn’t people with a lot of kids still want a 3-row SUV even with self-driving?” That didn’t come from some Tesla hater, either, but from the person the richest man in the world responded to in the first place.

Nevertheless, Musk isn’t saying exactly how larger families are supposed to get around, even if Robotaxi takes off. For now, expect Model YL production to begin in the USA late in 2026, or maybe even in early 2027.

Credit: Tesla

Porsche has its Experience Centers, and now Chinese juggernaut BYD has opened a massive, all-terrain driving experience center in Zhengzhou that’s basically a dream theme park for any automotive enthusiast. Many of the brand’s most impressive models are available to test at the site, including the all-electric Yangwang U9.

Perhaps the highlight of the facility is a 1-mile (1.7-km) race track with nine corners and a 1,804-foot (550 m) straight, long enough to let BYD’s flagship models hit up to 136 mph (220 km/h). Situated near the track is a 15,300 square-meter ‘dynamic paddock’ where cars can complete slalom and moose tests, and showcase their automated parking functions.

Read: This YangWang Comes With Three Times The Power Of A Bugatti Veyron

BYD has also built a large low-friction area with 30,000 smooth basalt bricks that gets covered in water, aiming to replicate driving on snow and ice. It’s even gone ahead and built a huge 70-meter-long pool. The latter isn’t for swimming in, but has been designed to showcase the YangWang U8’s ability to float and move slowly across water thanks to its advanced electric powertrain. Yes, despite the brand’s status and painstaking attention to detail, this isn’t something you’ll find at a Porsche Experience Center.

You also won’t find anything like BYD’s Sand Incline at a Porsche facility either. This massive sand dune has been certified by Guinness World Records as the highest and largest dune climbing facility for car testing, constructed from 6,200 tons of sand mimicking the sand found in the Alxa Desert. It also serves as a proving ground for the U8. The facility also includes a separate off-roading area as well as a large camping and relaxation area for visitors.

Four different tickets are available for those who’d like to experience all that BYD has to offer. The cheapest ticket, priced at 899 yuan or $83, includes a passenger ride in the YangWang U9 as well as experiences in one vehicle from BYD’s Dynasty or Ocean series. A pricier 999 yuan ($139) ticket is also offered, adding experiences with two Denza and Fang Cheng Bao models, including a track drive of the Z9 GT.

Two other ticket options are available. The first costs 1,999 yuan or $280 and includes experiences in both the YangWang U8 and U9, as well as the Dynasty/Ocean series models and cars from Denza and Fang Cheng Bao. A VIP ticket is also available, costing 6,666 yuan or $927. It includes access to all models and areas of the facility, as well as a one-night stay in a nearby five-star hotel.

Xiaomi’s entry and subsequent expansion into the automotive world has been a revelation. Less than two years ago it wasn’t even building a single production car; now, it’s manufacturing the hugely popular SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV, both of which have received praise from both owners and reviewers. And come 2027, it won’t just be competing in China.

The company has been eyeing off an international expansion for quite some time, but has remained coy about which markets it would like to enter. However, while recently speaking on an earnings call, Xiaomi president Lu Weibing said the carmaker first plans to enter the European market by 2027 and go head- to-head with the likes of BYD and Tesla.

Read: Xiaomi’s Massive Waitlist Has CEO Suggesting Tesla to Frustrated Buyers

Xiaomi’s automotive push has been fueled by strong momentum at its home market. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, it delivered 81,302 vehicles, H1 total to 157,000. With production of the YU7 accelerating, deliveries are expected to increase, although some customers are already facing waits of more than a year.

Balancing Growth and Losses

Despite rapid sales, the technology giant’s automotive venture lost about 300 million yuan ($41 million) in the latest quarter. Still, co-founder Lei Jun recently said Xiaomi’s carmaking division will become profitable in the second half of 2025, reports Bloomberg.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Xiaomi is recruiting personnel to work at a new European research and development center. Noteworthy hires include Rudolf Dittrich, who has previously worked at BMW, as well as the Williams and Sauber Formula 1 teams, while former BMW employees include Dusan Sarac and engineer Jannis Hellwig.

What Europe Might See First

It remains to be seen which Xiaomi model will be the first to launch in the Old Continent, but the firm likely hopes to sell both the SU7 and YU7 in the region. It is also hard at work on a third model, currently known as the YU9. This will take the form of a large SUV and will be an EREV with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and two electric motors.

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Reports in 2024 and 2025 said China controls up to 90% of global drone markets. 

Media reports citing market research firm Drone Industry Insights said China controls nearly 90% of the global commercial drone market.

The U.S., reliant on Chinese-made parts, is “years behind building the manufacturing infrastructure that could come close to rivaling China’s,” Forbes reported.

MIT Technology Review reported that DJI, one China-based drone maker, has more than a 90% share of the global consumer market and that the supply chain there is “so competitive that the world can’t really use drones without it.”

The Atlantic Council think tank said China’s market dominance means Chinese-made drones operating in the U.S. can send sensitive information to China and gives China a military advantage.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, a former Wisconsin congressman, raised the issue Aug. 5.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

• The Telegraph: China dominates the drone industry. The West needs to change that fast
• Forbes: Silicon Valley’s Military Drone Companies Have A Serious ‘Made In China’ Problem
• LinkedIn: Drone Industry Insights post
• MIT Technology Review: Why China’s dominance in commercial drones has become a global security matter
• Atlantic Council: A global strategy to secure UAS supply chains
• U.S. Department of Transportation: Secretary Duffy Hosts Press Conference on Unleashing American Drone Dominance
• Special Competitive Studies Project: Commercial Drones
• The Hill: China’s dominant drone industry is a step ahead of Congress

Does China dominate global drone markets? is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

A few months after Audi unveiled the all-electric E5 Sportback in China under its new all-caps AUDI brand, pricing for the model has now been confirmed. As is often the case with new EVs in China, the E5 arrives at surprisingly low prices, even by the country’s competitive market standards.

The pitch is simple: blend German engineering and build quality with the advanced tech features that Chinese automakers have made their trademark.

Read: Audi Launches New AUDI Brand Without Four-Ring Logo In China

Four different versions of the E5 will be offered: the Pioneer, Pioneer Plus, Pioneer Quattro, and Flagship Quattro. Prices for the base Pioneer started at 235,900 yuan or $32,800. This version comes with a rear-mounted electric motor delivering 295 hp (220 kW) and is equipped with a 76 kWh battery pack. It has a claimed range of 384 miles (618 km) on the CLTC cycle.

Sitting above this model is the Pioneer Plus. It retains the rear-wheel drive layout, but power has been increased to 402 hp (300 kW). It also comes standard with a larger 100 kWh battery pack, bumping up the price to 269,900 yuan ($37,500), and growing the range to 480 miles (773 km).

Starting at the same price is the Pioneer Quattro. It has a smaller 83 kWh pack, but dual motors, delivering a combined 518 hp (386 kW) and covering 387 miles (623 km) on a charge.

The Flagship Quattro model is priced from 319,900 yuan ($44,500), which is still very reasonable. It has a 100 kWh battery, 402 miles (647 km) of range, and pumps out an impressive 776 hp (579 kw). That’s good enough to send it to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds.

All AUDI E5 Sportback models come standard with a LiDAR, three millimeter-wave radars, 11 cameras, and 12 ultrasonic radars for an advanced driver-assistance system.

Dominating the interior of the new EV is a huge 59-inch screen that stretches the entire width of the dashboard and includes displays for the digital wing mirrors. For an Audi, the cabin is quite minimalist, bathed in soft-touch leather and Alcantara, and complete with two wireless phone charges.

Deliveries of the E5 Sportback are scheduled to begin next month. For now, the model remains exclusive to China, though its combination of price, power, and technology could make it an appealing export candidate if demand proves strong.

Long-wheelbase vehicles are popular in China and Tesla has finally hopped on the bandwagon with the Model Y L. It’s a six-seat crossover geared towards growing families.

Jumping right into the numbers, the electric crossover measures 195.9 inches (4,976 mm) long, 83.8 inches (2,129 mm) wide, and 65.7 inches (1,668 mm) tall. This means the Model Y L is 7 inches (179 mm) longer than the regular model and is 1.7 inches (44 mm) taller.

More: 2025 Tesla Model Y Debuts With Cybercab Looks And Turn Signal Stalks

Despite being significantly larger, the vehicle is instantly recognizable as a Model Y. However, the long-wheelbase variant is distinguished by a revised greenhouse, longer rear doors, and unique 19-inch wheels. It also has a more pronounced rear spoiler.

The updates continue inside as the 15.4-inch infotainment system has been replaced by a larger 16-inch display. More notably, there are second-row captain’s chairs that have heating and ventilation as well as power-folding armrests and a power-folding seat function.

The heated third-row seat looks a little tight, but it folds flat at the push of a button. We can also see rear air vents and cup holders.

If cargo is more important than people, you’ll find 89.7 cubic feet (2,539 liters) of storage space. That’s 14.2 cubic feet (401 liters) more than the regular Model Y.

Other notable highlights include a panoramic glass roof and acoustic glass to keep the cabin hushed. They’re joined by an 18-speaker audio system and an 8-inch rear display.

Tesla only revealed a handful of powertrain details, but confirmed the Model Y L has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system and a CLTC range of 467 miles (751 km). The crossover can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds slower than its smaller sibling.

Given the larger dimensions, it’s not surprising to learn the crossover gains 212 lbs (96 kg) of weight to tip the scales at 4,603 lbs (2,088 kg). To cope with the increased mass, the Model Y L has an “upgraded suspension” that “allows for smooth and precise vehicle control in corners and on various terrains.”

The long versions starts at ¥339,000 ($47,199), which is only ¥25,500 ($3,550) more than the all-wheel drive Model Y. Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Prevention come standard, while two driver assistance packages give you more advanced options.

Hyundai’s electric ambitions in China aren’t slowing down. In fact, they’re only just getting started. Just months after the debut of the Elexio SUV through its partnership with BAIC, reports suggest the automaker is already preparing a new all-electric sedan for the Chinese market. The move appears aimed at drawing buyers away from established favorites like the Tesla Model 3, Xiaomi SU7, and BYD Qin Plus.

Design Direction

At this stage, official details are almost nonexistent. Hyundai hasn’t released any images or teasers, leaving the look of the sedan open to speculation. What seems likely, however, is that the design will chart its own path. The Elexio’s styling differs significantly from Hyundai’s global EV lineup, so the sedan may also adopt a distinct appearance, possibly with cues borrowed from its SUV sibling.

Read: Hyundai’s New Electric SUV Skips Physical Buttons Nearly Entirely For Massive Screen

If that’s the case, then the new electric sedan likely won’t share much in common with the Ioniq 6 and its streamlined shape, which has proven to be very controversial and likely continues to contribute to mediocre sales figures. Hyundai would be wise to adopt a more traditional three-box sedan shape, perhaps complete with similar headlights and taillights to the Elexio.

In all likelihood, the new sedan will utilize the same E-GMP architecture as the Elexio, as well as pretty much every other EV from Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia. This setup allows for single- and dual-motor options, as well as multiple battery configurations to target a wider audience.

The interior could also lean on the Elexio for inspiration, which ditches the “traditional” digital gauge cluster for a tiny screen positioned towards the base of the windscreen. It also features a widescreen display encompassing the central infotainment system and an area dedicated to the passenger.

According to Autohome, Hyundai plans to launch its Chinese-market electric sedan in the first half of 2026, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in September of the same year.

Since the late 1990s, Honda has worked side by side with Dongfeng in China, producing hundreds of thousands of internal combustion engines through a long-standing joint venture.

That partnership may soon look very different, as Dongfeng has decided to sell its 50 percent stake, a move that reflects the sharp decline of traditional engine sales in China and a growing push toward electric vehicles.

Read: Honda S7 Is A $36,000 Electric SUV That’s Not For US

Dongfeng officially listed its stake on the Guangdong United Assets and Equity Exchange earlier this week. While no reserve price has been set, the listing carries a deadline of September 12.

Details in the filing show the joint venture held assets worth 5.4 billion yuan ($752 million) last year, along with debts totaling 3.3 billion yuan ($459 million). The factory tied to the venture employs 827 workers.

Pressure on Legacy Partnerships

Japanese carmakers like Honda have been feeling the squeeze from homegrown Chinese brands, many of which have surged ahead in producing innovative and competitive EVs. Dongfeng has faced a similar struggle, lagging behind rapidly expanding rivals such as BYD.

The company’s annual sales tell the story clearly, falling from 3.8 million vehicles in 2016 to just 1.5 million last year across both its own brand and joint ventures with Honda and Nissan.

It’s unclear what the next step for Dongfeng Honda will be. Honda may opt to buy out Dongfeng and bring its Chinese engine operation completely in-house, or it may hope for another local brand to step in for a new joint venture. For now, Honda’s automobile production joint venture partnership with Dongfeng remains intact.

Earlier this year, Honda introduced a new EV designed specifically for the Chinese market in collaboration with Dongfeng. At the same time, it also launched the GAC Honda GT through its other joint venture with GAC Group, showing that while the old engine-focused model may be fading, the EV era is already shaping the company’s next chapter in China.

The updated Tesla Model 3 Highland arrived in August 2023 with a range of welcome upgrades, along with one, or depending on who you ask two, changes that proved far more divisive.

More: Tesla’s Longest Range EV Is Here But Not For You

Aside from the removal of the gear selector stalk, one of the most debated changes was Tesla’s decision to eliminate the traditional turn signal stalk in favor of steering wheel buttons, mirroring the approach used in the Model S and Model X. After nearly two years of customer feedback, the company has chosen to bring the stalk back, at least in the Chinese market.

The official configurator in China now shows the turn signal stalk as standard equipment across all Model 3 trims. For existing owners who never warmed up to the steering wheel buttons, Tesla is also preparing a factory-backed solution that goes beyond aftermarket fixes.

Factory-Backed Retrofit

Beginning in mid-September, an accessory called the “Model 3 Steering Wheel Turn Signal Lever Modification” will be offered through Tesla’s online shop and app in China. Priced at ¥2,499 ($349), the upgrade must be installed at a Tesla Service Center, where technicians will fit the stalk using specialized tools.

Unsurprisingly, the stalk design looks nearly identical to the one on the Model Y Juniper, which is slimmer and more streamlined than the pre-facelift Model 3 version. The upgrade also involves fitting a new steering wheel without turn signal buttons, with Tesla offsetting costs by recycling the components returned by customers.

Tesla

Compatibility and Rollout

Initially, the accessory will only work on Model 3 Highland vehicles produced after February 7, 2025. Tesla has confirmed it will eventually expand compatibility to all Highland units. Considering the Model 3’s role as a global bestseller, it seems likely that similar offerings will eventually reach Europe and North America.

More: Tesla’s Screens Are About To Get Unreal Graphics

We don’t know whether the company plans to retrofit the Cybertruck, Model S and Model X with turn signal stalks in the future. For now, Tesla appears to be focusing on high-volume cars where customer sentiment has been strongest.

Aftermarket alternatives

During the two years without a factory option, third-party companies stepped in to fill the gap. Enhance Auto, for example, launched its own retrofit called S3XY Stalks, which gained traction among owners looking for a more traditional control setup.

Nissan’s growing partnership with Dongfeng is quickly reshaping its EV lineup in China. After the N7 sedan recently became the country’s top-selling foreign-brand electric car and its upcoming global rollout, the company already has the N6 plug-in hybrid sedan on the way. Now it seems the lineup will stretch even further with the addition of a new SUV.

More: Nissan’s Budget N7 Sedan That Quietly Outsold Every Foreign Rival In China

Camouflaged prototypes testing in China suggest a model that may stand apart from Nissan’s current SUV range. Instead of linking back to familiar nameplates, this appears to be the next member of the N series family developed alongside Dongfeng, joining the N6 and N7 sedans.

Early Glimpse in Spy Shots

The spy shots shared across Chinese social media, reveal two prototypes of a midsize electrified SUV. They show two prototypes of what looks like a midsize electrified SUV. The vehicles don’t have any emblems, and their bodywork is fully covered in a camouflage wrap.

Although the profile appears fairly conventional, the split LED headlights and closed-off grille resemble the styling of the Nissan N6 sedan. At the rear, temporary taillights are in place, likely to be replaced by a full-width LED light bar on the production model. Other details include flush door handles, frameless windows, a roof-mounted LiDAR unit, and side-mounted camera sensors.

According to user Sugar Design, the prototypes share some resemblance with the Dongfeng Yipai eπ 008 introduced in 2024, though the body panels and greenhouse differ. Given the close partnership between Dongfeng and Nissan, however, a mechanical connection between the two models remains a strong possibility.

Sugar Design / Weibo

Size and Powertrain Clues

The Dongfeng Yipai eπ 008 measures 5,002 mm (196.9 inches) long and has a wheelbase of 3,025 mm (119.1 inches), although the pictured prototypes appear to have less room between the axles. The camouflaged SUVs appear to have two rows of seats, instead of the three-row six-seater layout of the Dongfeng.

More: Nissan’s Most Crucial SUV Is Getting A Radical Redesign That Could Save Its Future

While we don’t know if the models will share their underpinnings and powertrain options, the Dongfeng is available in fully electric and range-extender forms. The BEV is fitted with an 82.3 kWh battery pack offering a range of up to 620 km (385 miles). The EREV version has a combined range of 1,220 km (758 miles) and a zero-emission range of 202 km (126 miles).

More: The Budget EV That Quietly Outsold Every Foreign Rival In China

The upcoming Nissan SUV may carry the N8 nameplate, though the company has also secured trademarks for N9 and N10 to cover larger models. With the prototypes already showing production-ready styling, a market launch in China could be only a few months away. In the meantime, additional details may surface through filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Whether this SUV stays exclusive to China or joins Nissan’s export lineup remains to be seen, but it marks another step in the brand’s steady expansion of the N series beyond sedans.

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The post San Antonio Bay Estuarine Waterkeeper Challenges  appeared first on Alternative Energy HQ.

Earlier this week, information out of China revealed that the new YangWang U9 Track Edition will be capable of producing a combined 2,977 hp. If true, that would eclipse the new Rimac Nevera R by 870 horsepower, but Mate Rimac has thrown cold water on the idea that the U9 will have this much power, suggesting it could have been “wrongly advertised” or “interpreted.”

Read: This YangWang Comes With Three Times The Power Of A Bugatti Veyron

In a comment on the Apex Automotor Facebook group, Rimac pointed out that “most Chinese EVs use LFP cells, I doubt that any of them can deliver 20+C discharge rates (even for 1 second) that would be needed to deliver 2+ Megawatts of power.”

Battery limitations

Rimac went on to add that the Nevera R packs “the latest and greatest in performance battery cell technology,” and it is limited to roughly 1.5 megawatts of power, or exactly 2,107 hp. He explained that while the battery can provide more power, the motors and inverters are at their limits. In his view, the system will “probably do 2 MW for a couple of seconds,” but not without beefing up the rest of the powertrain.

Then there’s the matter of tires. The Nevera R is “already above the traction limit of the highest performance road tires on the market until 100 mph,” Rimac added, meaning that if the YangWang U9 Track Edition had almost 1,000 hp more, “it would probably not be able to put the power down until 150+ mph.”

He also stressed that peak power is just a number and that it’s more important “how that power is delivered and sustained.”

Official specifications

Data released by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) claims that each of the four electric motors of the BYD YangWang U9 Track Edition delivers 744 hp or 555 kW, resulting in a combined 2,977 hp. That said, there’s no confirmation that all four motors can operate at peak output simultaneously in real-world driving.

Tesla has just launched a new version of the Model 3 in China, and it has the longest driving range of any vehicle in the automaker’s lineup. The new model, previously referred to as the Model 3+, is now simply branded the Model 3 Long Range, offering an impressive CLTC range of up to 830 km or 516 miles.

Read: New Model 3+ Isn’t What You Think It Its. It’s Better

As you probably could have guessed, this isn’t a special version of the Model 3 built from the ground up. However, it is the first version in China to come standard with a 78.4 kWh NMC battery from LG, paired to an electric motor with 302 hp (225 kW). The regular Model 3 has a less powerful 260 hp (194 kW) motor.

Understanding the CLTC figures

It’s important to note that the CLTC, or China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle, is usually more generous than the WLTP cycle. This is because it’s designed to mimic driving in congested Chinese cities, meaning it includes more frequent stops and moments of deceleration where an EV can use regenerative braking.

We don’t know yet if Tesla has any plans to sell this Model 3 version elsewhere, but if it does, the range figure will inevitably drop.

Performance and pricing

It’s not just the driving range of the Model 3 Long Range that’s impressive. It can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in a very respectable 5.2 seconds. It’s also been priced very competitively, starting at 269,500 yuan or roughly $37,500.

That’s roughly 14 percent more than the base Model 3 in China, which offers a 634 km (394 miles) range on the CLTC cycle. If only we could get a Model 3 with this much range, and for this price, here in the US.

Tesla likely launched this new version in China because that’s where it’s facing the fiercest competition. Last year, Xiaomi introduced its SU7, and in range-focused Pro guise, it has a CLTC range of 830 km (516 miles) too, but it does rely on a much larger 94.3 kWh battery pack.

Xiaomi’s latest high-performance electric sedan has been busy making history and smoke. The SU7 Ultra is now the fastest production EV to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife, and while that achievement alone would be enough to cement its credentials, it turns out the car can dance as well as it can sprint.

In a display that might surprise those who associate all-wheel drive with understeer, a specially prepared SU7 Ultra takes center stage in a Ken Block–style Gymkhana video that could win over even the most skeptical EV enthusiasts.

Filmed on the Chinese island of Qionghai, the clip shows a bright yellow SU7 Ultra performing loads of impressive powerslides. Aiding in the car’s drifting prowess is the fitment of a hydraulic handbrake, allowing the driver to quickly lock up the rear wheels and kick out the EV’s tail.

Read: Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra Software Upgrade Was A 650-HP Downgrade

Just like the finest of Ken Block’s Gymkhana videos, the SU7 Ultra is filmed sliding mere inches away from curbs and clipping obstacles with pinpoint precision. Behind the wheel of the EV was Formula Drift competitor Ye Zhicheng, and the production quality is just as good as anything we’ve seen from the team over at Hoonigan, who produced Block’s most famous videos.

Perhaps the most impressive stunt comes roughly halfway through the video, where the SU7 Ultra performs a figure-of-8 drift between two moving limousines. As the car pumps out a remarkable 1,526 hp, it should come as no surprise that it generates more than enough tire smoke to make the Block family proud.

Towards the end of the video, the SU7 Ultra joins up with an engine-swapped Toyota 86 to drift up a mountain road. Before long, the 86 is shown overheating, but the Xiaomi is able to continue. Xiaomi itself was so impressed with the video that company boss Lei Jun reportedly shared it on social media.

Voyah, one of Dongfeng’s many brands, already has several impressive models in its range, but its latest might be its most ambitious yet. Currently known by the codename Taishan, the luxury SUV is positioned as a potential rival to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Early previews show a test car under heavy camouflage, concealing most of its defining design features.

More: China’s Voyah Dreamer Took The Hilarious BMW Grille Meme Seriously

The company released images of a camouflaged Taishan parked directly beside a Cullinan. Voyah’s CEO, Lu Fang, explained that the prototype was undergoing “intensive summer testing” and confirmed it will feature “Huawei’s latest ADS Ultra four-lidar intelligent driving solution.”

High-profile promotion

In a bid to drum up attention for the new model, Voyah recently adorned one of its many prototypes with a dark brown, Louis Vuitton-themed camouflage wrap and parked it outside LV’s ‘The Louis’ exhibition building in central Shanghai, designed to mimic the look of a large ship. Voyah will be targeting high-income earners with its new SUV, eager to prove it can match the very best from Europe.

Read: Voyah Free 318 Range-Extender Promises A Record 198-Mile EV Range

The SUV’s front end remains entirely covered, keeping key styling elements out of sight, but some details are visible: smooth door surfaces, silver window surrounds, and flush-mounted door handles. A fixed LiDAR unit is mounted just above the windshield.

It’s reported that the SUV will be above 5.3 meters long with a 3.1-meter wheelbase, allowing Voyah to install six seats in a 2+2+2 arrangement. Given that the brand wants to rival Rolls-Royce, as well as the Li Auto L9, we expect to find a cabin clad in plush materials and plenty of screens.

Powertrain possibilities

Local media speculate that both plug-in hybrid and battery-electric options are likely. The plug-in hybrid will probably be similar to the one in the new Passion L luxury sedan from Voyah, which combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and dual electric motors, delivering a combined 657 hp.

Photos Weibo

Two decades ago, the Bugatti Veyron rewrote the rule book for supercars, hitting the market with four-figure horsepower that was previously inconceivable for a production car. Fast forward 20 years, and we’re in the midst of an EV horsepower war, currently led by the Rimac Nevera R and its 2,107 hp and the Lotus Evija with its 1,972 hp. But, 2,000-odd horsepower isn’t enough for BYD, so it’s gearing up to release a hypercar with a combined 2,977 hp.

Read: You’ll Need Deep Pockets For China’s Biggest YangWang With Power To Shame A Veyron

This new model, badged as the Track Edition of the YangWang U9, has been uncovered in photos from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and laughs in the face of high-powered European EVs.

A Road Car with Racing Numbers

The U9 Track Edition will be powered by four electric motors, each with 744 hp or 555 kW. The combined output is rated at a ridiculous 2,976 hp, or 2,200 kW, which works out to be a grand total of 3,019 PS. That’s an insane figure for a road car, let alone one that can be legally driven on public roads.

Importantly, there’s no confirmation from BYD that all four electric motors will always operate at their peak, or if power will be limited to make the hypercar easier to drive.

The Other Changes

The U9 Track Edition retains most of the same exterior components as the “regular” model, but has some small upgrades. The changes start at the front end, where YangWang’s designers have crafted a new splitter to increase downforce over the front wheels.

There is also a lightweight carbon fiber roof, and new 20-inch wheels with 325-section front and rear tires. The rear half looks mostly the same as the standard model, complete with a swan neck-style rear wing and a large diffuser.

MIIT documents list the U9 Track Edition’s top speed at 217 mph (350 km/h), but it should be capable of more than that. The standard model has already been tested to 244 mph (391.91 km/h), and it makes do with ‘only’ 1,287 hp.

Electric cars tend to follow the familiar auto industry rhythm, each generation sticking around for six to ten years. But in China, where the EV market is evolving at breakneck speed, that timeline gets compressed. Just three years after the MG4 first hit the streets, it’s already getting a second-generation update. And this isn’t just a mild refresh.

The latest version brings a full redesign, a new platform, an overhauled interior, and most importantly, a semi-solid-state battery offering. Perhaps even more surprising of all, it starts at just 73,800 yuan, or just under $10,300.

Read: MG Storms Goodwood With Two New EVs And A Sexy Roadster

It’s been almost five months since the first photos of the new MG4 surfaced, but only now have sales started and technical specifications been confirmed. The biggest headline is the battery. Among the available options is a semi-solid-state unit developed by QingTao Energy, which marks the first time a mass-produced EV features a battery pack of this kind.

A New Type of Battery Tech

While not a true solid-state battery, which uses no liquid electrolyte, the unit powering the second-gen MG4 contains just 5 percent liquid electrolyte, less than the semi-solid-state batteries found in the Nio ET5 and IM L6 Max Lightyear. Its energy density isn’t particularly impressive at 180 Wh/kg, but the 70 kWh pack is reportedly enough to give the electric hatchback a range of up to 334 miles (537 km).

This battery will not be standard, and the pricing for it has not been announced. What we do know is that the cheaper versions will be offered with 42.8 kWh and 53.9 kWh battery packs, offering 271 miles (437 km) and 329 miles (530 km) of range, respectively.

The base 73,800 yuan ($10,300) version is known as the Comfort, while sitting above it in the range is the Ease, priced from 81,800 yuan, or around $11,400. The flagship version of the 42.8 kWh-equipped model is known as the Freedom, starting at 90,800 yuan or $12,600. The 53.9 kWh Smart version starts at 105,800 yuan or $14,700.

The updated MG4 has grown slightly in size compared to its predecessor. It now measures 4,395 mm (173.1 inches) in length, 1,842 mm (72.5 inches) in width, and 1,551 mm (61.1 inches) in height, with a wheelbase stretching to 2,750 mm (108.3 inches).

Better Looks, Better Cabin

Visually, the new MG4 adopts a far softer and more curvaceous design than the model it replaces. The cabin also looks impressively well-equipped and includes a 15.6-inch infotainment display, a small digital instrument cluster, a wireless phone charger, and a floating transmission tunnel. In typical EV fashion, it’s quite minimalist, but appears quite premium, particularly given the car’s price tag.

Elsewhere, the MG4 includes heated and ventilated front seats, a large panoramic glass roof with an electric sunshade, and rear seat backs that can recline up to 27 degrees. Synthetic leather is also found throughout, and there’s even a heated steering wheel.

While pre-sales of the new MG4 have just opened, MG hasn’t said when the first customer deliveries will begin. The timeline for international launches is not yet known, but we expect the small MG to arrive eventually in key markets like Europe and Australia.

New details and images have surfaced of Xpeng’s innovative P7 sports sedan, and as earlier glimpses suggested, it stands apart from anything else currently on the EV market. While sedans aren’t selling in the numbers they once did, models like the Xiaomi SU7 and the new Xpeng P7 prove there’s still strong interest in cars like these.

Read: Xpeng’s New Sports Sedan Packs More Power Than Expected

The exterior design of the new P7 is radical, to say the least. Its exterior design feels like a deliberate departure, with cues that seem to echo elements of the Tesla Cybertruck. The front fascia features a sharp full-width LED light bar, flanked by vertical daytime running lights for a dramatic first impression. Around back, the theme continues with a matching light bar, vertically stacked taillights, and a swooping rear glass that replaces the usual trunk lid structure.

Tech and Driver-Focused Dash

Perhaps of more interest than the exterior of the P7 is the interior, showcased in these new photos for the first time. The sedan comes with the same massive 87-inch augmented reality head-up display that Xiaomi recently premiered on the G7 SUV. There’s also a particularly sporty-looking three-spoke steering wheel with AMG-style dials to change certain modes and functions on the fly.

Adding to the high-tech atmosphere, the ambient lighting setup has been given special attention, while the central infotainment screen is mounted on a tilting panel that angles toward the driver. A slim digital gauge cluster sits just behind the wheel, and the bucket-style sport seats come with active side bolsters that inflate to keep the driver firmly in place during tight corners, a feature found in some high-end German performance models.

Performance Specs and Range Options

The P7 will be available with two battery options: a 74.9 kWh pack and a larger 92.92 kWh version. The standard configuration uses a single rear-mounted electric motor delivering 362 hp (270 kW). For those wanting more grip and performance, an all-wheel-drive setup adds a 224 hp (167 kW) front motor, bringing total output to 586 hp (437 kW).

Xpeng is targeting competitive range figures across the lineup. The base model promises up to 436 miles (702 km) on a single charge. Opting for the long-range rear-wheel-drive version increases that to 509 miles (820 km), while the dual-motor AWD variant lands at a still-impressive 466 miles (750 km).

Although specific charging times haven’t been confirmed, Xpeng says the P7 will support the same 5C fast-charging standard as the G7 SUV. That means just 10 minutes of charging could provide up to 271 miles (436 km) of added range, assuming similar conditions and infrastructure.

As for dimensions, the sedan measures 197.5 inches (5,017 mm) long, 77.6 inches (1,970 mm) wide, and 56.2 inches (1,427 mm) tall, with a 118.4-inch (3,008 mm) wheelbase, meaning it has a similar footprint to the Tesla Model S.

Also: EVs Are So Cheap In China Now Even Xi’s Worried

Pricing hasn’t been revealed yet, but based on current trends among Chinese EV makers, it’s safe to assume that the P7 will be priced aggressively, likely enough to make Western buyers take a second look at what they’re getting for the money, even as the approach sparks growing concerns within China about how sustainable it really is.

China’s government is done with watching the country’s car industry going at war with itself. Officials are concerned that the ongoing EV price war threatens the nation’s economic growth and is demanding automakers take action. And if they don’t take action, the government has plans to do it for them.

Related: The Company That Started The EV Price War Now Says It’s Gone Too Far

President Xi Jinping gave a couple of speeches recently in which he warned off the dangers of “involution,” where businesses invest ever larger sums of money and get less back. He was referring to the boom in multiple sectors, including AI and computing power, The Guardian reports, but one of the big villains Xi had in mind is the car industry.

Deep Discounts, Rising Concerns

Some car brands in China have cut prices to levels that look simply outrageous in the West. BYD’s Seagull subcompact EV costs as little as ¥55,800 ($7,800) in China, but the same car sold in Europe, where it’s called the Dolphin Surf, costs the equivalent of $26,000. Even allowing for the tariffs placed on Chinese cars being imported to Europe that’s a huge difference.

Though BYD seems profitable, as is Li Auto and Seres, most of the circa-50 Chinese EV brands are not making money and many are expected to disappear over the next few years. Electric car discounts across the industry averaged almost 17 percent in April, compared with just 8 percent during 2024.

The government has proposed an amendment to its pricing laws which could limit automakers’ abilities to set unnaturally low prices.

Factory Floors Sitting Idle

BYD was one of several automakers hauled over the coals last month in front of Chinese officials where they were cautioned about producing too many cars, according to The Guardian. Over-investment has led to overcapacity in the industry, with some automakers’ plants only running at 2 percent utilization or less, Bloomberg reported in June.

One option to prevent oversupply in the Chinese market without choking production is to to export more cars, something that is already happening. Chinese automakers currently sell 5.1 percent of the new vehicles registered in Europe.

Lead image BYD/Wikimedia Commons

As electric vehicles gain traction around the world, Chinese automakers are pushing harder than ever to stand out – and not just with their designs and tech, but also by trying to prove their safety credentials in dramatic fashion.

One recent example comes from Li Auto, which introduced the i8, a three-row electric SUV packed with promising specs. Yet it wasn’t the vehicle’s feature list that stole the spotlight during its unveiling. It was a video of the i8 crashing head-on into a heavy truck.

More: See What Happens When Two Cars Hit A Chinese EV At 60KM/H In Triple Crash Test

The footage showed a direct collision between the Li Auto and a Chenglong truck. The electric SUV, weighing between 2,580 and 2,610 kg (5,690–5,750 pounds), hit the truck at a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph). The truck, with a significantly greater mass of 8 tons (16,000 pounds), was traveling at 40 km/h (25 mph) at the time of impact.

A Closer Look at the Collision

Despite the imbalance in weight and size, the i8’s structural integrity held up well. . The short front overhang absorbed much of the force, and the pillars remained intact with no visible deformation. In the aftermath, the doors automatically unlocked and the handles extended outward, allowing testers to easily access the interior.

Furthermore, all nine airbags deployed, and the emergency call system was activated. Impressively, the floor-mounted battery pack didn’t produce any fire or smoke, even after sustaining deep scratches from a metal pole prior to impact.

Truck Frame Behavior Raises Questions

What caught many viewers off guard was the impact on the much larger truck. The force of the collision caused its cabin to tilt dramatically forward, nearly detaching from the chassis, with all wheels momentarily lifting off the ground. That unexpected outcome prompted a swift response from Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, parent company of the Chenglong brand. On August 1, the company issued a public statement expressing concern about the test.

According to a report by QQ News, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor accused Li Auto of “serious infringement.” The company questioned the credibility of the video, claiming it painted a misleading picture and did not reflect real-world driving conditions. Internal analysis, they said, showed that the test setup differed significantly from what would typically occur on the road.

Li Auto

Li Auto Defends Itself

Li Auto responded on August 3rd through an official Weibo post, stating that the crash test was conducted by China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI), a third-party state-owned company.

The automaker clarified that the video “was not intended to evaluate the product quality of any other brand, and the test results should not be interpreted as indicative of the quality of other brands’ products”.

Instead, they said the truck used in the test was purchased in the secondhand market and served only as a “mobile barrier.” The company noted, “It was unintentional that the testing process caused the Dongfeng Chenglong brand to be embroiled in public controversy.”

More: CATL’s New EV Chassis Can Withstand 75 MPH Impact Without Catching Fire Or Exploding

In a follow-up, Li Auto added, “As a benchmark brand in China’s trucking industry, Dongfeng Chenglong’s quality and safety have always been trusted by truck drivers. To this end, we would like to clarify that there is no direct competition between Li Auto and Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor.”

Independent Testing Body Confirms Details

The China Automotive Engineering Research Institute has confirmed Li Auto’s claims in a separate statement. They described the crash test as a “non-standard vehicle-to-vehicle collision test” that simulated a traffic accident scenario, adding that it “does not involve the safety performance evaluation of other brands of vehicles”.

The institute further explained that the only criteria used when selecting the truck was its curb weight. No performance modifications were made beyond repainting it from red to white, adding autonomous driving gear, and loading it to reach the 8-ton target weight.

Do you think Li Auto’s crash test was a genuine show of EV strength or a carefully staged stunt at a rival’s expense? Share your take in the comments below.

Li Auto