Kia’s EV strategy is hitting top gear with a comprehensive range of electrified offerings that, on the surface, is making a certain American rival look a bit, err, underwhelming. Although a non-starter for US consumption, next on the Korean automaker’s product blitz is its smallest electric yet, the EV2 compact crossover.

Positioned as an entry-level EV focused on urban usability and efficiency, it was previewed in concept guise earlier this year. Despite its affordable billing, the EV2 is also tipped to feature in high-performance GT format, offering tantalizing performance within a pint-sized footprint.

If the idea of a pint-sized EV hot hatch sounds intriguing, here’s a closer look at what to expect from the EV2 in GT form.

Daring Design

The transition from concept to production sees the EV2 retaining most of the show car’s key design highlights, which blends city-friendly dimensions with SUV toughness. 

At the front, vertically split headlamps frame a technical fascia with hook-like DRL elements that sweep back across the front fenders. For the GT variant, visual oomph is dialed up with a large EV9-inspired lower intake featuring color-coded elements separated by black inlays for a contemporary, geometric aesthetic. 

Large diamond-cut wheels and neon green brake calipers hint at its sporting pretense. Other visual highlights include pumped haunches, squared-off wheel arches, chunky lower cladding, and a relatively upright silhouette. The rear has a wide, clamshell-style tailgate and angular LED taillights that intersect the rear fender trim. 

Interior Smarts

Kia gave us an idea of what the EV2 will look like with this concept earlier this year.

While the production interior remains under wraps, the concept shown earlier offers some clues. The standard car will feature over-the-air (OTA) software updates, as well as the usual smartphone connectivity, wireless charging, and a suite of ADAS safety features.

In GT trim, expect some standout details like sport bucket seats, neon green stitching, and exclusive color schemes to set it apart from the standard models.

E-GMP Architecture

Underpinning the EV2 is Hyundai Group’s E-GMP 400-volt architecture, which offers competitive fast-charging capabilities and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, like its bigger EV siblings. The platform layout places the battery pack under the floor and uses a long wheelbase, maximizing interior space. It also equips the EV2 with a multi-link rear suspension and sports-tuned handling.

Ohm Oomph

Exact powertrain figures for the EV2 have yet to be released, but reports indicate the base EV2 will use a 150–200 horsepower single front-mounted electric motor, with a 0–62 mph time in the mid-7-second range. 

In comparison, the GT could leverage an all-wheel-drive, dual-motor setup in the 250–300 hp ballpark, possibly dropping acceleration times to the 5 second range. It might also utilize the EV3’s larger 55kWh lithium-ion NMC battery, offering a driving range of around 270 miles (435 km). Dedicated sports steering and brakes will round out the performance equation.

Amped Aspirations

Key rivals would include the Alpine A290 and the closely related Renault 5. Others include the upcoming Volkswagen ID.2 GTI, Mini Cooper JCW, Fiat 500e Abarth and a rumored ‘N’ version of Hyundai’s Inster.

As for the reveal timeline, Kia has confirmed that the production EV2 will debut globally in early 2026, while the GT performance variant is expected to follow soon after. Production of the EV2 is set to take place in Slovakia for the European market, aligning with its Euro-centric focus. 

Would you love to see Kia bring a small performance EV to the US market? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Lexus is taking a more adaptable path for the second half of the decade, building on its well-established hybrid lineup while steadily advancing into full electrification. The company has eased back from its earlier plan to go EV-only by 2035, yet several battery-powered models are still on the way, including a sports car, a sedan, and a three-row SUV.

This approach gives Lexus more flexibility to meet different customer needs and market conditions while still pursuing its long-term electrification goals. Here’s a closer look at the upcoming models, from performance-focused coupes to family-ready SUVs, and how each fits into the brand’s evolving strategy.

Sports Coupe Inspired by LFA Spirit

One of the upcoming models appears to draw heavily from the 2021 Lexus Electrified Sport Concept, envisioned as a way to carry the spirit of the V10-powered LFA supercar into the zero-emissions era. According to Auto News, the as-yet-unnamed coupe could arrive in late 2026, coinciding with the expected retirement of the V8-powered LC 500.

More: Lexus Just Killed Its Hybrid Coupe For Guilt Free V8 Thrills

Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda is said to be directly involved in the electric sports coupe’s development, aiming to ensure it delivers genuine driving excitement even without a combustion engine. The concept featured solid-state batteries capable of 430 miles (700 km) of range and electric motors that could launch it from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in the low two-second range. Whether the production version will match these figures remains to be seen.

Earlier this year, Japanese media reported that Lexus might be working on a hybrid sports car that could be twinned with the next-gen Toyota GR Supra, although the absence of any official confirmation keeps the speculation alive.

Hybrids and Sedans Continue

While Lexus has significantly toned-down earlier plans for becoming an EV-only brand by 2035, this doesn’t affect the development of future EVs. The difference is that nameplates like the ES sedan will offer both hybrid and electric powertrain options, covering a wider spectrum of the market.

Speaking of which, the new generation of the Lexus ES that broke cover earlier this year in China and Europe is expected to reach US dealers in the second half of 2026.

More: Lexus Sedan’s Radical Redesign Could Finally Bring Back The IS Spirit

The smaller IS sedan will drop the V8 powertrain (IS 500) next year, though hybrid versions are expected to remain available in North America for a while longer. Most of the IS lineup will end production in Japan in November 2025, and with the current model already 12 years old, rumors suggest a new-generation IS could debut in 2026 with both hybrid and electric powertrain options. By contrast, the RC and RC F coupes are likely to be discontinued without replacements.

There is still no word on what lies ahead for the Lexus LS flagship sedan, which debuted in 2017 and received a mid-cycle update in 2020.

Facelifted SUVs And A Fully Electric TX

On the SUV front, Lexus is working on major updates. First of all, the smaller UX will reportedly be “re-engineered” for 2026, dropping the fully electric option that has been confirmed to bow out of production in November 2025.

Moving up the ladder, the NX and RX are expected to received mid-lifecycle updates in 2028, together with the rugged GX and LX models. More importantly, Lexus is reportedly working on a fully electric three-row SUV that’s rumored to debut in 2027.

The production version of the 2021 Lexus Electrified SUV concept could serve as a zero-emission alternative to the similarly-sized TX that is also up for a facelift in 2027.

More: Toyota And Lexus Are Ready To Flood America With New EVs

Last but not least, the Lexus RZ which is currently the sole electric offering in the automaker’s North American lineup has recently received a mid-lifecycle update in Europe. It is expected to hit US dealers before the end of the year, bringing simulated gear shifts and a steer-by-wire system, while a more potent F-Sport trim is set to follow in 2026.

With the release of its all-electric M3, BMW’s M division will embark on a brave new future and try to convince gearheads it’s possible to have a fun and engaging EV. While it’ll be some time before anyone gets behind the wheel of this promising new model, recent spy photos offer a surprisingly detailed glimpse at what’s to come. So far, things are looking encouraging.

Read: This BMW M3 May Be The Heaviest Yet But Also The Quickest Ever

Visually, the electric M3 will mark one of the first entries in BMW’s Neue Klasse lineup, bringing with it a noticeably different design language compared to today’s M3. One of the biggest changes is at the front. The oversized and much criticized kidney grilles from the six-cylinder version appear to be on the way out.

A New Take on the Front End

Based on prototype sightings, these renderings from Kolesa suggest the electric M3, possibly named the iM3, will feature sharp headlights integrated cleanly into slim, illuminated kidney grilles. It looks excellent, which isn’t a word we’re used to using when it comes to modern BMW designs. The publication has also imagined the new sports sedan with a large secondary lower grille finished in black, adding to the aggressive looks.

The same testers also hint that the side profile of the new model will differ significantly from the G80 M3, drawing more from the design of the latest 5-Series. This will include door handles that sit flush with the bodywork and simpler lines. Then there’s the rear.

The taillights of the new model should be similar to those from the recent Vision Driving Experience demonstrator, but if these renders prove accurate, they’ll be slightly smaller and slimmer. A sculpted bumper with a pronounced diffuser gives the rear a more commanding and purposeful appearance.

Powertrain Possibilities

BMW hasn’t shared official specs for the iM3 just yet, but all signs point to a quad-motor layout. While the theoretical output of this setup could reach a staggering 1,341 horsepower, equivalent to one Megawatt, the Germans are expected to dial it back to somewhere in the range of 700 to 800 horsepower for production. Even at those numbers, it would make this the most powerful M3 to date, and possibly the quickest as well.

Tata Motors might not be the first name that springs to mind when talking about global carmakers, but maybe it should. Despite flying under the radar for many, even car enthusiasts, the Mumbai-based company is keeping Jaguar and Land Rover alive in today’s turbulent automotive landscape shaped by tariffs, shifting regulations, and economic unpredictability.

Beyond its stewardship of British luxury brands, Tata builds a wide range of vehicles under its own badge. These include value-driven hatchbacks, compact SUVs, and increasingly, electric cars. Tata has been investing heavily in electrified mobility, offering affordable EVs starting at an impressively low $11,600.

Future Cars: Toyota’s Next Venza Could Be A Sexier RAV4 Coupe-SUV

Now, it has its sights set on taking on the compact SUV segment with a new offering designed to rival the popular Kia Seltos that’s expected to be available in both internal combustion and electric versions. Let’s take a closer look at what’s coming.

A Boxy Stance

Previewed in concept form at the 2023 Delhi Auto Expo, and more recently at this year’s Bharat Mobility Show, the final design largely mirrors the Sierra show car. Its boxy aesthetic sports notable Land Rover influences such as cue a floating roof design, flush door handles and upright stance. Why, you could almost call it a baby Defender and you wouldn’t be wide off the mark.

A gloss black fascia incorporates neatly hidden front headlamps with DRLs that span the width of the front, while lower down, a trapezoidal intake handles cooling duties. Sheetmetal surfacing eschews unnecessary design flourishes and squarish wheel arches combined with chunky cladding cement its all-purpose intent.

Out back, the rear quarter windows wrap around the lower D-pillars before seamlessly intersecting the tailgate glass. Its clamshell hatch design sports a thin, full-width LED taillamp cluster with alloy-effect lower bumper inserts.

Tech-Forward Interior

Step inside, and the focus shifts to connectivity and comfort. The Sierra is expected to be a five-seater and come loaded with digital features including a full instrument cluster, large touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a panoramic sunroof to brighten things up.

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Other highlights likely to make the list include ventilated seats and a suite of Level 2 driver assistance systems, giving it a leg up in a segment where such features are starting to become standard.

Powertrains and Platform

Reports from abroad suggest the Sierra will be offered with two separate platforms: the ‘Atlas‘ for petrol and diesel models, and the ‘Acti.EV’ for the electric variant. However, current indications suggest Tata may focus on the Atlas platform, which supports a range of powertrain configurations and simplifies production.

As for what’s under the hood, we’re still waiting on final specs. Some sources suggest the EV version will offer a range of up to 310 miles (500 km), which would be impressive for a vehicle in this price bracket.

Internal combustion models will sport a petrol 168-hp 1.5-litre turbo four and a 2.0-litre diesel, with power sent to the pavement via a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. A seven-speed DCT is said to be in the works as well.

Rivals and Reveal

The Sierra won’t be heading overseas, at least not anytime soon. It’s designed to compete in the Indian market against well-established rivals like the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Maruti (Suzuki) Grand Vitara, Hyundai Alcaza, MG Astor, and Honda Elevate.

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The production model is expected to make its official debut later this year, with sales to follow shortly after. Pricing and full specifications are likely to be announced closer to launch.

Would Tata find success if it brought the Sierra or something like it to markets outside of India? It’s a question worth asking since there are compact SUV buyers looking for a stylish, yet affordable, option, something the segment is not exactly rife with.

Illustrations Josh Byrnes / Carscoops

The Lexus IS has been part of the automaker’s lineup since 1999, as a rival to the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class. With the current generation in its twilight years, fans of the nameplate are hoping for a new model that could revive the sporty spirit of the original. Independent digital artist Theophilus Chin came up with a new rendering, proposing a sexier future for the Japanese sedan.

The illustrations are based on the 2021 Lexus Electrified Sedan Concept, which sparked speculation about a fully electric successor to the IS. In order to bring the model to 2025 standards, Theottle updated the exterior design using features from the more recent Lexus ES that debuted earlier this year.

More: New Lexus Sedan Gunning For Mercedes And BMW In Europe

The speculative front end in these renderings is sharp and aggressive, with angular LED headlights and sporty, triangular intakes on the sculpted bumper. The small opening on the nose hints at a hybrid powertrain, an interesting shift away from the fully electric concept. But the real win here is the Spindle grille, which has been updated to look much more refined and palatable than previous iterations.

The profile of the car stays true to the radical lines of the concept, maintaining the roofline and proportions of the original. However, it introduces more conventional surfacing, with character lines borrowed from the larger ES. A new set of alloy wheels, standard mirrors, and regular door handles bring the design closer to reality, as if the car were nearing the end of its sketch phase.

Theottle

Lexus

The rear of the car is where things get more interesting. With a ducktail spoiler above a slim, full-width LED bar, this design is a sharp departure from the fastback tail of the ES, offering a more athletic and coupe-like rear end. The shoulders are more pronounced, and the rear windscreen is noticeably sportier. It still manages to look like it could make its way into production without losing that concept car flair.

Will The Production Model Look Anything Like The Renders?

As promising as these illustrations are, it’s worth noting that we can’t exactly count on the production model looking exactly like these renders. Production cars are subject to the harsh realities of packaging constraints, and things are bound to change as the design gets finalized.

Lexus has kept things under wraps for now, with camouflaged prototypes still a ways off. However, given that the current IS has been around since 2013, and has already seen two facelifts in 2017 and 2020, we can reasonably expect that a new version is on the horizon.

More: Another V8 Sports Car Is Facing The Chopping Block

Lexus recently released the Climax and Ultimate Editions of the IS 500 in Japan and the US, signaling that the naturally aspirated V8 engine’s days are numbered. But Toyota’s commitment to hybrids and multiple powertrains suggests that the next IS will offer hybrid options, and possibly even a fully electric variant.

Competition in this segment is only getting fiercer, especially with electric and range-extender sedans gaining ground in markets like China. The new IS will have to face off against the likes of the Audi A5, BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse 3-Series and i3, and even the ICE and electric versions of the next Mercedes C-Class.