Mercedes’ EQE was a flop, lasting just four model years in the US. Its battery tech was outdated, and the melted soap-bar styling certainly didn’t help. Now, as the EQE bows out, Mercedes is preparing its replacement, and these new revealing spy shots suggest the E-Class Electric has learned a valuable lesson. Turns out a battery-powered sedan can actually look like a regular sedan, and be all the better for it.

The latest prototype has ditched much of the heavy camouflage we saw when we last caught an E-Class Electric testing in January. We’ve got our first proper look at the production headlights, which reveals a pair of Mercedes’ star-shaped daytime running lights in each lamp cluster, ensuring nobody mistakes this thing for a BMW after dark.

Also: Blob Be Gone! The EQE Gives Way To A Proper Sedan

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And though we still can’t see it, we’re expecting Mercedes’ gigantic illuminated grille treatment, already rolled out on its latest electric GLC and C-Class, to feature out front when the EV goes on sale next year. Whether you think it looks reassuringly expensive or as tacky as Times Square squeezed between two headlights, it will certainly give the E-Class Electric some real presence, something the bland EQE always lacked even after its last-ditch facelift.

There’s a surprise at the other end, though. Earlier test cars wore placeholder taillights, and we expected the finished units to continue Mercedes’ current obsession with three-pointed stars. Instead, the production lamps appear to feature straight-line graphics and thankfully no stars at all.

Beneath the skin is Mercedes’ MB.EA architecture already in play with the C-Class Electric and its GLC SUV cousin. Based on what we know of those cars, the E-Class will feature an 800-volt electrical system, and charging speeds reaching 330 kW.

Out-Charges BMW And Audi

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That’s not quite a match for the 400 kW inhalation rate of BMW’s Neue Klasse iX3 and i3, but it easily trumps the 205 kW offered by the Benz’s direct rival, the BMW i5, and the 270 kW of Audi’s A6 e-tron. Both of those cars, though, also offer a wagon body style option the sedan-only E-Class won’t.

A dual-motor E400 version using the C400 4Matic’s setup could deliver 482 hp (489 PS / 360 kW) and a zero-to-62 mph (100 km/h) time of just over 4 seconds, although Mercedes hasn’t confirmed specifications yet. The C400 employs a 94 kWh gross battery to deliver 473 miles (762 km) of claimed WLTP range, and Mercedes might not feel the need to go bigger because the i5’s pack is only 84 kWh gross and promises 356 miles (573 miles).

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We can’t see inside the E-Class Electric in these pictures, but again, the existing EVs have set a precedent we expect Mercedes to keep following. If it does, the mid-size sedan will get a full-pillar-to-pillar digital dashboard in its most luxurious form, though buyers will almost certainly have to pay extra for the passenger screen one recent study told us hardly gets used.

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Another electric AMG is creeping closer to production, and this time it’s literally raised its game. Fresh spy shots of the upcoming AMG C-Class EV have caught its pop-up rear spoiler deployed, giving us another clue about the car Mercedes hopes will keep the electric BMW M3 honest.

The regular electric C-Class debuted in April, but AMG’s version is still undergoing development ahead of an expected 2027 launch. Curiously, this latest prototype is actually more disguised than the one we saw in June, with additional camouflage obscuring the taillights and lower doors, suggesting its an older test car. But at least it forgot to hide the interesting bit.

Related: 2027 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 EV Debuts With 3 Motors, 671 HP And A Vibrator

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Rising from the trunk lid is the active rear spoiler we’d previously suspected was lurking there. Sources say the AMG will use active aerodynamic hardware to genuinely key the fat tires into the road surface, so the wing isn’t simply an elaborate way of telling everyone you bought the expensive C-Class.

Elsewhere, this prototype wears different wheels from the last one we spied, while the production car is expected to get a more aggressive AMG body kit. Underneath, Mercedes is reportedly developing modified air suspension and rear-wheel steering, with AMG promising an “authentic experience” covering performance, handling and even sound.

Can fake sounds be authentic? The recently revealed electric CLA 45 uses synthesized combustion noises, simulated gearshifts and even active seat shakers to replace some of the sensations EVs normally delete. So we expect similar features in the electric AMG C-Class, and plenty of power to go with them.

778 HP Rumored

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Mercedes hasn’t confirmed the specs of the AMG C-Class, but between what we already know about the CLA 45 and the C400 4MATIC Electric, and rumors coming out of Affalterbach, a Yasa tri-motor setup producing around 778 hp (789 PS / 580 kW) seems likely.

The hot C-Class will need serious muscle simply to outrank the CLA 45, which already produces up to 671 hp (680 PS / 500 kW) from its own three-motor powertrain. The standard C400 4MATIC Electric, meanwhile, has two motors and makes a more modest 482 hp (490 PS / 360 kW). The C400 also supports DC charging at up to 330 kW and can travel up to 473 miles (762 km) on a charge, though the AMG C-Class won’t match those figures if it retains the C400’s 94 kWh battery.

Ultimately, though, AMG’s biggest challenge won’t be beating its little brother. BMW is preparing its first electric M3, meaning two of Germany’s defining performance sedans are heading into the battery era at roughly the same time.

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Land Rover’s baby Defender is back in front of our spy photographer’s lens, and you’d be forgiven for wondering what’s changed. The camouflage is still doing its job, the shape looks familiar, but there’s one very Defender-like detail we haven’t had such a good look at before. Yep, that’s a spare wheel hanging off the tailgate.

It might seem like a small detail, but the rear-mounted spare is a visual hallmark of both today’s Defender and the classic model that preceded it. Adding one to the compact SUV helps separate it from the endless stream of similarly sized premium crossovers, most of which have swapped spares for cans of tire foam in the pursuit of saving a few lbs – and a few g/km of CO2 as a result.

Same Bones As The Range Rover GT

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Unofficially dubbed the Defender Sport, though its true name is still under wraps, the newcomer goes in completely the opposite styling direction to JLR’s upcoming electric Range Rover GT. The pair share EMA architecture and running gear, but whereas the GT adopts a dramatically low, fastback profile, this SUV embraces an upright roof, squared-off tail and chunky proportions to maximize practicality and Defender attitude.

More: The Electric Range Rover Costs $25,000 More Than The Gas One And Tows A Ton Less

The EMA platform was conceived around electric power, with an 800-volt electrical system and rapid charging. Previous prototypes have supported that story with blanked-off grilles and no visible exhausts, and this one appears to follow the same recipe.

Hybrid Option Added

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But times have changed, and so has JLR’s plan. It openly acknowledged that the rush toward EVs hasn’t happened as quickly as anticipated (especially in the crucial US market) and that hybrids have proved surprisingly popular. So it’s updated the EMA architecture to also work with hybrid (but not plug-in) powertrains.

Whatever powers it, the baby Defender should have some interesting company when it arrives, potentially in 2027. Mercedes is preparing its own smaller G-Class, giving buyers two compact interpretations of some seriously recognizable off-road machinery.

There’s another familiar name headed its way too. China’s Chery has revived the Freelander, although the new model isn’t a Land Rover despite borrowing a badge and design cues strongly associated with the British brand’s past. But you won’t get a rear-mounted spare on the Freelander…

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Kia is gearing up to introduce the new PV7 at the IAA Transportation show on September 14 and they recently released a handful of teaser images. Spy photographers are now filling in the blanks as they’ve spotted the commercial vehicle undergoing testing in Europe.

Set to become the second member of the Platform Beyond Vehicle lineup, the PV7 follows in the footsteps of the PV5 that was introduced last year. As a result, it features a stepped front end and an expansive windshield. They’re joined by black upper accents and lower black plastic body cladding.

More: Electric Kia PV7 Is Coming For The Ford Transit

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The model has a “one-box profile” and that’s putting it lightly as the van is essentially a box on wheels. The prototype seen by spy shooters features dual sliding doors with an odd window arrangement in the middle. They’re accompanied by a relatively flat roof that helps to maximize cargo capacity.

Around the back, there’s a vertical liftgate and a small rear bumper. They’re accompanied by vertical taillights as well as a recessed license plate area. The van also has thick rear pillars with black accents to create the illusion of a wraparound greenhouse.

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The PV7 was previewed by a concept in 2024 and will reportedly measure around 208.6 inches (5,300 mm) long. To put that into perspective, the PV5 Cargo Long is 184.8 inches (4,695 mm) long and has a 117.9-inch (2,995 mm) wheelbase.

The model will ride on the Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S), which is a fleet-focused version of the E-GMP architecture that underpins the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Genesis GV60, among others.

Powertrain details remain a mystery, but the PV5 offers a 43.3 kWh LFP battery pack as well as 51.5 and 71.2 kWh NCM batteries. They power electric motors with outputs of 120 hp (89.4  kW / 122 PS) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque as well as 161 hp (120 kW / 163 PS) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm).

Given the PV7’s size, we wouldn’t be surprised to find the 51.5 and 71.2 kWh batteries, and they could potentially be joined by an even larger pack. The 161 hp (120 kW / 163 PS) electric motor also seems like a safe bet and it could be joined by an even more powerful one as well. That being said, we’ll find out for sure later this month.

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Nissan launched the redesigned Micra last year and a report, in January, suggested it could be followed by an even smaller EV known as the Wave. Spy photographers have now snapped the model and it’s a lightly revised version of the Renault Twingo.

Dressed in heavy camouflage, the Wave has a revised front end that trades circular lighting units for squared off ones with an angular lower accent. The latter appear to be part of a C-shaped daytime running light signature.

More: New Nissan Wave Could Bring Back A Cult Era Of Retro JDM Cars

Elsewhere, we can see a wider central bar as well as a revamped intake with a cube-like design. They’re accompanied by a more traditional hood and a lower sensor pod that is covered by camo.

The profile appears to carryover virtually untouched, but we can expect restyled wheels that are unique to Nissan. They’ll likely have an aerodynamically optimized design to maximize range.

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Continuing around back, there’s a no-nonsense rear end that adopts more traditional taillights. The bumperettes have also been ditched, resulting in a cleaner, more modern design.

Spy photographers didn’t get much of a look inside, but we can see a curved upper dashboard as well as a freestanding infotainment system. This suggests the cabin will follow in the footsteps of the Twingo, which has a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch infotainment system.

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Motivation will likely be provided by a familiar 27.5 kWh battery pack, which feeds an electric motor developing 80 hp (60 kW / 82 PS) and 129 lb-ft (175 Nm) of torque. This enables the Twingo to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 12.1 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 81 mph (130 km/h).

While the electric city car won’t be winning any races, it should have a WLTP range of up to 163 miles (263 km). The model should also cost around €19,500 ($22,595) like its Renault counterpart.

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Jaguar Land Rover will soon launch a fifth member for the Range Rover family, badged the GT, blurring the lines between a sedan and a traditional SUV. Roughly a month after the company first teased it, the new model has been snapped testing at the Nürburgring alongside two important rivals.

Several heavily camouflaged prototypes of this new model were spied in motion throughout the first half of this year. During this time, it was reported that the mystery new model would serve as a successor to the current Velar. That ended up not being the case, as in July, the new GT was confirmed as a new addition to the Range Rover portfolio, rather than as a replacement for an existing model.

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Read: Range Rover’s New GT Is The Sedan-Like Crossover Gaydon Knows Will Split Buyers

Several key elements of the GT’s design are similar to those of other Range Rover products, such as the Velar and Evoque, but its roofline is much sleeker and sits lower than both models. There’s no telling how this shape will affect rear headroom, but the slippery profile should boost efficiency and the car’s driving range.

Competing With The Germans

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As these images show, the new GT is being tested alongside the Audi Q6 e-tron and BMW iX3, so it’s pretty obvious which vehicles JLR is targeting with this model. Initially, the GT will be sold exclusively as an EV using an advanced 800-volt electric architecture that supports DC charging speeds of up to 350 kW.

Further details about the powertrain have yet to be confirmed, but it’s safe to assume it will be offered in single-motor, rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configurations. The flexibility of the GT’s Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) will allow for a hybrid version to be introduced in the future, broadening the GT’s appeal, particularly in markets where EVs are failing to break through at the pace many car manufacturers had anticipated.

It’s not just the exterior design of the GT that distinguishes it from other Range Rover models. The model’s interior takes inspiration from the all-electric Jaguar Type 01, rocking an intriguing two-spoke steering wheel, a narrow digital instrument cluster, and a large central infotainment display.

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When Acura revealed the Nexera Vision at Monterey Car Week, we were told not to start saving. The dramatic two-seater was primarily a design manifesto for future models, including the next RDX SUV. But it turns out some important people inside Acura would quite like to build it. 

The Nexera is a sporty coupe that features a long, but low hood, butterfly doors, 22-inch center-lock wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes and an active rear spoiler. Its V-shaped hidden lighting previews a signature destined for production models, beginning with the next-generation RDX Hybrid. Acura didn’t reveal what powers the concept, although its packaging – specifically that plunging hood – suggest electric not combustion engines.

Related: The S2000 Revival Honda Won’t Build, Rendered From Acura’s Newest Concept

Though Acura made no production promises, when Motor Trend asked Acura creative director Yasutake Tsuchida whether his vision eventually included producing a sports car like the Nexera, his answer couldn’t have been more encouraging. Or much shorter: “Yes.”

 American Honda president and CEO Eiji Fujimara proved a little more chatty.

“I would like to do this car,” Fujimara told Motor Trend. “I would like to do it with an engine, personally, but we will do what the customer wants, if that’s engine or hybrid or EV.”

NSX Flop Casts A Long Shadow

That’s still miles from production confirmation, obviously. Acura knows better than most that a gorgeous sports car doesn’t guarantee showroom success. The market for these kinds of cars is contracting and the second-generation NSX was technically fascinating but struggled to find enough buyers during its run.

Any Nexera would also arrive as part of a full Acura reboot. Fujimara says the next three to four years are “critical” as the company rebuilds the brand, cuts its hefty incentives and prepares for major changes around 2030.

“PHEVs Don’t Work”

Hybrids will play a bigger role, but not plug-ins, according to Gary Robinson, vice president of auto strategy, who told Motor Trend “PHEVs just don’t work in the market.”

EVs remain in the longer-term plan despite Honda’s recent retreat from them, which involved late-stage cancellations of two electric Hondas and the planned Acura RSX crossover. And it sounds like maybe we shouldn’t bury the Nexera in the concept-car graveyard just yet.

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Range Rover is preparing to push the envelope with an all-new addition to the lineup called the GT. It’s an all-electric, off-road tourer that brings a sedan top with SUV pretences, making it the automaker’s fifth model behind the Evoque, Sport, Velar and Range Rover. It won’t cause the sort of uproar that greeted JLR’s upcoming Jaguar Type 01, but nobody at Gaydon is expecting a unanimous verdict on this one either.

Future Cars: Our Mazdaspeed 6 Revival Ditches The Turbo Four For 536 HP Of Electric Power

Its near sedan-coupe format leans into the more opulent, soft-road side of the brand, yet isn’t a direct replacement for the Velar, as some reports had previously suggested. Curious? Read on as we table all there is to know in the lead-up to its official reveal.

Party Up Top, Business Below

We’ve seen JLR’s official camouflaged prototype images, and now we have stripped back the covers to reveal something that’s halfway between a crossover and a fastback sedan. Up front, it sports a broad, shallow interpretation of Range Rover’s familiar grille, flanked by ultra-slim LED headlamps, while vertical outer intakes enforce a performance-orientated stance.

Future Cars: Hyundai’s IONIQ V Has Lambo Looks And 225 HP, So We Imagined The N

In profile, it retains the lower visual bulk of other models in the lineup yet livens things up with a swept-back glasshouse, frameless windows, and a contrasting roof. Side surfacing is clean and simple with flush door handles and little in the way of excessive creases. At the rear, slim taillights merge with a gloss-black panel featuring spaced Range Rover lettering, and the dynamic look is finished off with a steeply raked tailgate.

A Minimalist Outlook

Range Rover has already provided a glimpse inside, revealing a minimalist 2+2 cabin with class-leading rear occupant space. The aesthetic is very much in the Polestar playbook, with horizontal lines and a heavy use of woven textures, which could upset those used to the usual swaths of leather, wood, and chrome. 

Front-seat occupants are greeted by a single central OLED touchscreen and a slim driver’s instrument cluster. Interestingly, its two-spoke steering wheel and stripped-back architecture echoes that of Jaguar’s all-new Type 01, although Range Rover takes a less radical approach. Expect expansive digital functionality with AI assistance, terrain-response off-road goodies, and augmented-reality navigation.

Electric Performance

Underpinned by the automaker’s new Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) platform, the GT will be an all-electric affair from launch, although, curiously, it could come in a hybrid format later.  

Future Cars: BMW’s i3 Sedan Divided The Internet, So We Drew The i4 Coupe Instead

Questions remain over powertrain specifications, yet we have a good idea of driving range based on shared prototype images, with 288 miles (463 km) at 80 per cent charge, which roughly translates to 360 miles to a full charge. Expect an 800-volt system with a 100-120 kWh battery and peak DC charging up to 350 kW.

Review: China’s $26,000 ‘Temu Range Rover’ Is A Bargain Until You Actually Live With It

Dual-motor, all-wheel drive is expected to be standard fare. Jaguar’s Type 01 could offer some pointers to performance potential, but don’t expect a tri-motor setup with that full 1000 hp. 

Rivals And Reveal

Positioning should put the GT into unexplored territory, facing everything from the Porsche Cayenne Electric, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo and Lotus Eletre, to potentially overlapping with the Jaguar Type 01.

Final testing is already underway, with production commencing later this year at JLR’s Halewood factory in Merseyside, England. An official reveal will take place in the coming months.

Curious to see what we’re missing after Polestar’s controversial American exit? Here’s the answer, and it arrived early. Polestar is about to widen its lineup with a 4 SUV that works some practicality into a range that has been short on it. The September 2 premiere was supposed to be our first look, but someone along the transport chain had other plans, or at least forgot to bring a cover, and the car’s design is now public property.

The single spy photo posted on Autospy was reportedly taken in South Korea, where the Polestar 4 SUV is built, so the leak happened more or less at the source. Three examples sit exposed on the deck of an open car transporter, and the angle gives an unobstructed view of the reworked tail that the brand had been rationing out in official teasers until now.

Review: We Drove The Polestar 4 And It Wants To Change Your Mind On EVs

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The Polestar 4 SUV cleans up the most argued-over trait of the existing fastback coupe, namely the complete absence of rear glass window. The sloped hatch gives way to a more conventional roofline and a squarer tailgate, with more rear headroom and cargo room promised as a result.

The SUV appears to retain the full-width LED taillights and rear bumper of the coupe, as with the pop-up door handles and the entire front end up to the B-pillars. Besides the different silhouette, the profile changes come down to reshaped rear side windows and a new wheel design.

Underneath the revised sheet metal, the Polestar 4 SUV shares its Geely-sourced Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) with its coupe sibling, although the company has confirmed it will adopt retuned chassis components.

Power And Range

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On the spec sheet, the entry-level RWD version makes 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS), while the dual-motor AWD powertrain is rated at 536 hp (400 kW / 544 PS). The 94 kWh battery is good for up to 630 km (392 miles) on the WLTP cycle, or 10 km (6 miles) more than the coupe manages.

More: America Won’t Get This Practical New Version Of The Polestar 4

Unlike the Polestar 4 Coupe that is also manufactured in China, the SUV will be exclusively produced in South Korea. The new model will be sold across most global markets with the exception of the United States after the forced exit of the Geely-owned brand once the 2027 model year opens. The rest of the details on this latest Tesla Model Y rival land September 2.

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Wagons don’t get much wilder than the Denza Z9 GT, which features a tri-motor powertrain developing 1,140 hp (850 kW / 1,156 PS) and 892 lb-ft (1,210 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to rocket from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 2.7 seconds and it can also crab walk as well as do ‘tank turns.’

Needless to say, it’s an insane car. However, new spy photos suggest Denza is kicking things up a notch with a far more extreme variant that could echo the upcoming Z Special Edition.

More: Denza’s 1,139 HP Wagon Will Now Drift Any Shape You Draw On The Screen

Recently spied in Europe, the camouflaged prototype sports an all-new front end with a massive, V-shaped central intake. It’s accompanied by sizable panels that channel air to vertical curtains. We can also see a prominent front splitter with vertical elements at the outside edges.

Aggressive aerodynamics continue further back as there are large fins behind the front wheels. Designers also gave the car sculpted side skirts, which feature a vertical support in the middle of the rear door. That would likely hamper entry and egress, but the backseat has apparently been removed and replaced by a roll cage. We can also see extended wheel arches as well as lightweight wheels that are backed up by a high-performance braking system.

The rear end is dominated by a massive wing and it’s accompanied by a small, mid-mounted spoiler. Designers also installed a supersized diffuser as well as vertical air channels at the corners.

Little else is known about the prototype at this point, but the Denza Z Special Edition has a track-grade thermal management system and a combined output in excess of 1,973 hp (1,471 kW / 2,000 PS). Denza has claimed this will enable the coupe to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in less than 1.7 seconds.

Even if the prototype isn’t that extreme, it could borrow from the tamer Z or Z Racing. The former has a tri-motor powertrain producing 1,582 hp (1,180 kW / 1,604 PS) and 914 lb-ft (1,240 Nm) of torque, which enables the model to run from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 2.25 seconds and hit a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h). The Z Racing is even quicker as it hits 62 mph (100 km/h) in 1.96 seconds and tops out at 217 mph (350 km/h).

It seems as though a new, all-electric crossover or SUV is unveiled every week, and although there are plenty of appealing ones on the market, they’re all a little too similar. BMW’s upcoming i3 Touring is shaping up to be the perfect antidote to them and may sway some buyers out of an iX3.

Moments after BMW unveiled the all-new i3 sedan earlier this year, it confirmed an estate version was just around the corner. While vehicles like this aren’t as popular as they once were, primarily because most shoppers would rather have a high-riding SUV, BMW has clearly decided there will be enough demand for an i3 Touring to justify its development.

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Recently, a lightly camouflaged prototype was snapped testing at the Nürburgring, and it looks like quite a tantalizing prospect. Painted in a lovely shade of silver and sporting camouflage only on the front, rear, and side mirrors, the car retains most of the same sleek styling as the sedan, albeit in a slightly lengthened form.

Dual-Motor Power

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It’s unclear which specific variant and trim level we’re looking at, but it’s likely a tester for the i3 Touring 50 xDrive, the only version BMW has confirmed at this stage. As such, it should sport a pair of electric motors with 463 hp, which is only 17 hp less than a standard BMW M3.

Read: BMW Just Started Building Its Model 3 Rival, And Munich Will Never Be The Same

Underpinning the i3 Touring is BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, shared with other new models like the second-gen iX3 and the new i3 sedan. It includes the brand’s sixth-generation motors and batteries, and in the 50 xDrive configuration, should sport a 108.7 kWh battery with cylindrical cells. For a vehicle of this size, this is a sizeable pack, and should help it achieve a WLTP driving range of around 550 miles (885 km), more than enough for long European road trips where this model should prove popular.

Further adding to the practicality of the new i3 Touring will be its support for DC charging speeds of up to 400 kW, meaning the battery can be charged from 10-80 percent in roughly 21 minutes. AC charging will also be rated at 22 kW, allowing for relatively quick charging at home, too.

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A few days back, Smart teased its Fortwo successor with artistic murals splashed across big cities worldwide, all building toward a global premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October. So much for the slow tease. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology just published regulatory filings that lay the whole EV bare, months early and free of charge.

The Smart #2 signals the brand’s return to the city car segment after a short hiatus. The new model was developed under the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, and it will be sold exclusively in fully electric form.

More: The World’s Biggest EV Market Just Went Into Reverse After Years Of Growth

The styling of the production car stays very close to the Concept #2 that debuted in April 2026, penned by Mercedes designers. The tweaks are focused on the smaller wheels with regular tires, the simplified grille and bumpers, a new shut line on the hood, the toned-down LED graphics on the headlights and taillights, the license holder on the tailgate, and conventional door handles. The result is instantly recognizable, if slightly more aggressive than earlier iterations.

Buyers will be able to personalize their cars with various options, including bi-tone paint schemes, a concept-style grille cover that resembles a suitcase, aero add-ons along the lower bodywork, and a choice of wheel designs.

More: Smart Thinks Its E-Class-Sized Sedan Looks Like A Shark, And Stands By It

Dimensions shift slightly across trim levels, with length landing between 2,751 and 2,764 mm (108.3-108.8 in). That makes the #2 some 56-69 mm longer than its predecessor, while the wheelbase stays nearly identical at 1,875 mm (73.8 in). The company says the new generation will match the 6.95 m (22.8 foot) turning circle of the EQ Fortwo.

Powertrain And Range

The Smart #2 rides on a bespoke Electric Compact Architecture (ECA) engineered by Geely, with an independent suspension setup. Power comes from a rear-mounted electric motor rated at 80 hp (60 kW / 82 PS), good for an electronically limited top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph). The Chinese-spec version has a curb weight of 1,130 kg (2,491 lbs) and a gross weight of 1,315 kg (2,899 lbs).

Energy is stored in a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, with cells produced by CATL and assembly handled by Geely. Smart has confirmed a targeted WLTP range of 300 km (186 miles) and a CLTC range of 400 km, well beyond what the discontinued EQ Fortwo managed. The #2 also supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality and DC fast-charging, taking the battery from 10 to 80 percent in under 20 minutes.

More: You Can Buy A Used Mansory Smart With Less Power Than A Base Corolla For Just $80,000

We have yet to see the interior of the production version, but the automaker teased the cabin with the concept that featured upmarket materials and high-tech features. The city car is expected to have a floating infotainment screen, a digital instrument cluster, and circular climate vents. Whether the road-going model keeps the concept’s bench seat is still an open question.

Production of the Smart #2 will take place in China. The EV will roll out across various global markets, Europe included, following its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October. Pricing will be announced closer to launch and will likely vary by region thanks to import tariffs.

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BMW is preparing a mid-lifecycle update for the 5-Series, and fresh spy shots have caught the Touring variant in the final stages of development. The refresh brings Neue Klasse tech and styling cues to the executive model, though the wagon’s changes look more restrained than what we’ve seen on the new i3, iX3, and X5.

The current generation of the 5-Series arrived in 2023, with the Touring joining in early 2024. The first prototypes of the facelifted version were spotted in March 2025. More recent sightings in December 2025 hinted that BMW reworked the design partway through, adding a more conventional kidney grille.

More: BMW’s Neue Klasse Plan Starts To Blur As You Look At The 2027 5-Series

This latest prototype, caught in Germany, wears a similar look, but a closer inspection suggests the grille could be a camouflage add-on rather than the real production piece. The reshaped headlights are visible too, playing up the shark-nose effect alongside a sportier front bumper.

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The profile is largely carried over from the current model, although BMW might add new colors and wheel designs. At the back, the highlight is the new LED graphics on the taillights, which retain the same outer shape. The camouflage wrap prevents us from seeing more details, but we also expect redesigned trim on the bumper.

More: BMW Is Taking The Next i5 In A Direction The 5-Series Won’t Follow

The bigger shifts happen inside, where the cabin borrows tech from the Neue Klasse i3, iX3, and X5. The current digital cockpit makes way for the new Panoramic iDrive, paired with a large infotainment touchscreen, an optional passenger display, and a 3D head-up display.

Under the skin, the 5-Series will likely remain available with mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric powertrain options, retaining the CLAR underpinnings. The flagship M5 is also scheduled to receive the mid-cycle update and will likely be the only variant available in Touring bodystyle in the US market.

More: 2027 M5 Gets A New Face And A Bavarian Butt Lift

BMW remains tight-lipped on the mid-lifecycle update of the 5. However, the latest reports suggest that production might commence at the Dingolfing plant in Germany in mid-2027. A public debut is expected early next year, with a potential arrival to the US market as a 2028 model. The main rivals of the BMW 5-Series are the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Audi A6.

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BMW unveiled the M Concept Neue Klasse in June and it’s quickly inching closer to production. That’s clear from the latest spy photos, which show the high-performance EV undergoing testing at the Nürburgring.

Dressed in familiar black and white camouflage, the model follows in the footsteps of the standard i3. Despite the similarities, we can see the M variant will adopt a unique front bumper with a pronounced air intake. The latter features a triangular center support as well as horizontal fins.

More: BMW’s New Electric M3 Proves The Concept Wasn’t Kidding

We can also see a pronounced front lip and familiar headlights. Bulky cladding at the outside edges suggests the production model could mimic the concept and sport stacked fog lights instead of the typical air curtains. Elsewhere, there’s a ventilated hood and a double bubble roof.

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The profile carries over virtually untouched, but the model rides on lightweight wheels that are backed up by a high-performance braking system with bronze calipers. The ride height has also been reduced and this is undoubtedly the result of a sport-tuned suspension.

Moving around back, the trunk has been equipped with a relatively subtle spoiler. They’re accompanied by a unique bumper and a sizable diffuser. The latter features air channels on the sides and center as well as small slots between it and the bumper. Speaking of the latter, the bumper appears to have four square reflectors like the concept.

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Spy photographers didn’t get a good look inside, but the cabin should closely echo the i3. This means we can expect Panoramic iDrive as well as a 17.9-inch infotainment system. We also wouldn’t be surprised to find an M steering wheel, sport seats, and special touches.

The model will slot above the i3 50 xDrive, which has a dual motor all-wheel drive system producing 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque. They’re powered by a 108.7 kWh battery pack, which delivers an EPA-estimated range of 440 miles (708 km). The model also has an 800-volt architecture, which allows for an impressive 400 kW DC fast charging capability.

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The M3 EV will improve on those numbers thanks to a quad motor powertrain that “elevates driving experience and racetrack capability to a new level.” BMW has been coy on numbers, but rumors have suggested anywhere from around 691 hp (515 kW / 700 PS) to 986 hp (735 kW / 1,000 PS). For comparison, the Mercedes-AMG C-Class Electric is expected to have approximately 789 hp (588 kW / 800 PS).

While the final numbers are a mystery, BMW has already suggested the car won’t be called the i3 M. Instead, the model will simply be known as the ‘Electric M3’ or ‘M3 EV’ as the company wants customers to know this is a ‘real’ M3 and not just an electric pretender.

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Mini is preparing to expand its lineup with a new, off-road-focused version of the Countryman. The compact SUV is currently going through the last stages of testing and validation on US soil ahead of its premiere which is scheduled for October 2026.

More: This Is One MINI We Can Get Into

After years of rumors and off-road packages from independent tuners, a rugged Countryman is finally happening. Mini released photos of a camouflaged prototype picking its way across gravel tracks and rocky terrain in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

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The prototype sits higher than the standard Countryman and rides on black alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. Unlike the X-Raid build from Delta4x4 and Mini’s own Vagabund concepts from earlier this year, though, this one skips the wide fender extensions that would give it a meaner stance. The bumpers look untouched too.

Review: Mini’s Electric 2026 Countryman SE ALL4 Is The Most Fun You Can Have With A Bad Idea

Besides the new shoes, the highlight of the exterior is the large roof top tent communicating the adventurous character of the build. Mini has been offering similar tents as an option for its other models so the camping treatment doesn’t take us by surprise.

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Mini has not yet disclosed if this rugged package will be offered with combustion or electric powertrains. However, we expect it to be paired with the AWD-capable variants. At the moment, the only trims available with the ALL4 badge are the Countryman S, the flagship JCW and the electric SE.

After its public reveal in October, the model will take on the 2026 Rebelle Rally. The grueling all-women navigation event runs more than 2,500 km (1,553 miles) across remote wilderness, with no modern GPS to lean on.

Jean-Philippe Parain, Head of Mini, said: “Mini has always been about turning every journey into an adventure. That spirit guided this project from the very beginning. We are incredibly excited to be just one step away from introducing this new, rugged addition to the Mini Countryman family. True to the Mini spirit, it combines capability with character and will open up even more opportunities for unforgettable adventures”.

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Electric convertibles are still about as common as affordable apartments in Monaco, but BMW wants to change that. These fresh spy shots give us our first look at the new i4 Convertible, a two-door, soft-top relative of the recently revealed i3 sedan that’s headed for showrooms around 2028.

Known internally as NA3, the i4 Convertible will be sold alongside a visually similar combustion drop-top 4-series, featuring a classic-style folding cloth soft top. BMW moved away from the retractable hardtop trend in 2020 to cut weight and improve trunk room, and a soft top makes even more sense when you’re already hauling a large battery around underneath the floor.

Related: BMW’s Electric i3 Wagon Just Got Caught, And Its Roofline Hides A Trick

The prototype spotted on test in Germany is still covered in BMW’s usual wrap, which looks like the result of a seismograph trying to scribe the earth’s movements after it was T-boned by another planet. But we can see that it retains almost all of the Neue Klasse design cues already seen on the i3 sedan launched earlier this year.

Shorter Wheelbase, Bigger Questions

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What it doesn’t retain, judging by these pictures, is the sedan’s 2,898 mm (114.1 inches) wheelbase. The current 3-series sedan and 4-series coupe and convertible ride on identical wheelbases, but this i4 has noticeably less metal between the axles than the i3 sedan, making us wonder if it really is a genuine four-seater, or whether BMW has shrunk it to a 2+2 to help mask the gap in its lineup that axing the Z4 has left.

The i4 also won’t be as structurally stiff as the sedan. Convertibles normally compensate with extra reinforcement underneath. Trouble is, that’s precisely where an EV carries its battery. Keeping the body stiff without turning the i4 into a Bavarian cruise ship could be one of BMW’s trickier engineering challenges.

More Than 400 Range Miles Possible

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Powertrain details haven’t surfaced yet, but the i3 provides a useful preview. Its 50 xDrive pairs two electric motors for 463 hp (469 PS / 345 kW) and uses a 108.7 kWh battery, 800-volt architecture, and charging at up to 400 kW for 440 EPA range miles (708 km) and 559 miles (900 km) on the WLTP Euro cycle.

This prototype’s wheels and brake calipers tell us it’s an i4 50 xDrive, but a cheaper i4 40 could borrow the iX3 40’s 316 hp (235 kW / 320 PS) rear motor and smaller 82.6 kWh battery pack. BMW might not even be able to fit the 50’s full 108.7 kWh battery given how much shorter the wheelbase seems.

iDrive Goes Panoramic

Inside, expect BMW’s Panoramic iDrive setup, combining a display stretching across the base of the windshield with a huge 17.9-inch touchscreen, plus an available 3D head-up display. This infotainment setup made its debut on the iX3, but is now being rolled out to BMW’s other new and facelifted models, including the i3 sedan (shown in image above).

And the convertible won’t be lonely. A fixed-roof i4 Coupe is also coming, as well as visually similar combustion-powered i4s in both open and closed-roof forms. BMW is also developing electric M4 Coupe and Convertible models with styling influenced by the M Concept Neue Klasse. Six-cylinder M4s will survive alongside them too.

That means BMW’s future 4-series lineup should have something for almost everyone. And if you want electric power, sunshine and (just about) four seats, this i4 might have remarkably little competition.

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Hyundai pulled the wraps off the second-generation Kona in December 2022, but rather than settle for a mid-cycle nip and tuck, the automaker is preparing a more thorough redesign for 2027. After earlier runs of camouflaged prototypes, the new Kona has now turned up completely undisguised in Korea, and the exposed sheetmetal reveals a taller, more upright stance than the car it replaces.

The styling is only part of the story here, as reports suggest Hyundai wants to fold the Kona and Creta lines into a single global model, a logical move given their size and where each sits in the market. There’s also talk that the SUV’s underpinnings could be shared with the next Chevrolet Tracker, the product of an agreement struck with General Motors.

More: Redesigned Hyundai Tucson Spied Alongside The Current Model

The photos making the rounds on social media, including a set posted by @EWVexillary, point to a Kona that borrows the rugged cues from the Crater concept. At the same time, the cleaner surfacing pulls it visually closer to the Ioniq EV family, splitting the difference between off-road attitude and electric-era modernity.

Mature Styling

The front end keeps the split-headlight arrangement of the previous generations, though the main units are much smaller now and the full-LED bar runs thicker than before. Below sits a sculpted bumper with smaller intakes and what looks like a covered grille.

More: Hyundai’s Popular Three-Row SUV Is Going Under The Knife

The profile is defined by what’s gone, namely the unpainted plastic cladding, which lends the car a more modern stance. A subtle two-tone treatment reinforces the effect, pairing gray pillars against matte silver bodywork. The flanks trade the diagonal creases of the outgoing model for cleaner surfacing, and the greenhouse is entirely new, its straight belt line running back to a more upright tail.

Dimensions haven’t been confirmed, but the SUV could grow, following the lead of the mechanically related Kia Seltos, which stretches to 4,430 mm (174.4 inches) long. By comparison, the current Hyundai Creta measures 4,330 mm (170.5 in), and the Kona is slightly longer at 4,350 mm (171.3 in).

Hyundai Kona 2027
Tamamen sızdı .

Segment büyüdü stil Ioniq ‘leşti.
Pleos gelecek https://t.co/tXX8fNP2po pic.twitter.com/TNuBdBLW6e

— Elvis Will Vexillary 🔋 (@EWVexillary) July 21, 2026

A further increase in size could help the Kona cement its position between the subcompact and compact SUV segments in Europe, bridging the gap between the smaller Bayon and the larger Tucson. Rivals will include the likes of the VW T-Roc, the Toyota C-HR, the Honda HR-V, and the Mazda CX-30.

New Tech Inside

Inside, the crossover will most likely gain a digital cockpit with larger screens, following the lead of the Ioniq 3. Those run on the new Hyundai Pleos Connect infotainment, built on Google’s Android. Hyundai isn’t ditching buttons either, keeping physical controls for the functions that matter. Practicality should improve too, with a slightly larger footprint freeing up more room for passengers and their bags.

More: Hyundai Strips The New Ioniq 3 Down To Its Cleaner, Cheaper Self

Depending on the market, the powertrain range may include a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter, a turbocharged 1.6-liter, and a self-charging hybrid 1.6-liter in FWD and AWD forms. Hyundai might also keep the fully electric variant around and potentially add a range-extender setup.

The unified third-generation Kona and Creta is expected to make its formal global debut within the next few months, likely as a 2027 model.

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Mercedes has been gradually peeling back the layers on its next-generation GLA, and now it’s put a date on the full unveiling. . The company has confirmed the small crossover will break cover on July 29, releasing a teaser of the sheet-draped car to mark the occasion. The lineup follows the same multi-fuel approach as the new GLB: combustion versions keep the GLA name, while an electric model called the GLA Electric takes over from the outgoing EQA.

These latest spy shots, meanwhile, finally give us a much clearer look at its shape. While the front and rear remain disguised, the sides have largely stepped out of witness protection.

Related: Mercedes EV Sales Jumped 28% While The Rest Of The Brand Shrank

Compared with the heavily camouflaged prototypes we spotted earlier this year, this latest tester reveals its doors, glasshouse, and much of its body surfacing. The result is a cleaner and more sophisticated design that looks noticeably more aerodynamic than today’s GLA.

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The newly exposed profile confirms several styling details we could previously only guess at. Flush-mounted door handles are present, helping to reduce drag, while a rising window line injects a little visual drama into an otherwise smooth-sided body. Combined with the gently sloping roofline, the overall effect is once again more sleek crossover than upright SUV. If it’s boxy you want, you need the new GLB that’s already on sale.

The GLA’s nose remains hidden behind camouflage, but Mercedes has already shown us the direction it’s heading. Expect a scaled-down interpretation of the retro-futuristic grille treatment introduced on the larger GLC EQ.

Stars-Shaped DRLs

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The rear end is similarly concealed, though there are still clues hiding beneath the camouflage. Look closely and you can just make out the signature star-shaped lighting graphics that Mercedes has been rolling out across its latest EVs. Expect those illuminated three-pointed stars to feature prominently at both ends of the production GLA.

Up To Three Screens Available

Unfortunately, these photos don’t provide a fresh look inside, but that’s not a huge problem because we’ve already seen the goodies in a previous spy shot haul (below). Like the CLA and GLB, the GLA EQ should offer an optional MBUX Superscreen setup combining a 10.25-inch digital cluster with dual 14-inch displays stretching across the dashboard.

Underneath, the newcomer shares its platform and powertrains with its compact Mercedes brothers. That likely means a rear-drive version producing 268 hp (272 PS / 200 kW) and an all-wheel-drive model generating 349 hp (354 PS / 260 kW). Both should draw energy from an 85 kWh battery and benefit from an 800-volt electrical architecture capable of ultra-fast charging.

And for anyone worried the GLA EQ might be too sensible, don’t forget we’ve already caught an electric AMG version testing. If it borrows the hardware from the upcoming AMG CLA, this compact crossover could eventually pack as much as 671 hp (680 PS /500 kW).

Of course not everyone wants an EV, so Mercedes has ICE fans covered too, or it will have. The EV arrives this fall but combustion versions of the new GLA fitted with 1.5-litre hybrid engines will follow in spring 2027.

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Update: Toyota Motor Europe has asked Carscoops to remove the image, noting that it was shared from a personal Facebook account. The photo has been taken down, and Toyota has not commented on the prototype itself.

A Toyota executive may have handed us our first look at the next branch of the Land Cruiser family, after the baby FJ Cruiser built for Asian markets. The camouflaged prototype standing next to the current Land Cruiser GR Sport could be the first Land Cruiser to pair an electric powertrain with a unibody chassis, and it most likely got photographed during benchmarking and development testing.

The mystery SUV appeared in a photo shared on Facebook by a Toyota Europe executive. The caption referenced the Land Cruiser and the Tahara plant, leaving little doubt about what we’re looking at.

More: New Toyota Land Cruiser Pickup May Break With A Long-Standing Tradition

The shot was taken at the Tahara manufacturing facility in Japan, which is home to production for the Land Cruiser 250 Series, the closely related Lexus GX, and the Toyota 4Runner.

The unnamed prototype is wrapped in camouflage, with cutouts for the headlights and cooling intakes. The team members posing in front of it block much of the view, but a couple of interesting details still come through.

The position of the horizontally arranged headlights and the lower bumper area are consistent with the Land Cruiser Se concept from 2023, but the prototype has a new opening on the nose. Ground clearance also looks slightly lower than on the Land Cruiser Series 300, though the overall height won’t come across as much different.

More: Toyota Brings Back The 1980s Land Cruiser 70

The 2023 Land Cruiser Se concept measured 5,150 mm (202.8 inches) long with a 3,050 mm (120.1 inches) wheelbase. That makes it 35 mm (1.4 inches) longer than the 300 Series, with an extra 200 mm (7.9 inches) between the axles. Whether the production version keeps that footprint remains to be seen.

Unibody Underpinnings

2023 Toyota Land Cruiser Se

Overall, the mysterious SUV could be similar in size to the Toyota Grand Highlander. It also rides on multi-spoke alloy wheels similar to those found on the luxurious Century SUV. The thread tying those models together is their unibody architecture (TNGA-K).

More: Toyota’s $28,500 Land Cruiser FJ Matches A RAV4 On Price, Not On Size

That same construction is expected to headline the fully electric Land Cruiser, which could use the e-TNGA platform or an evolved version of it. Switching to a unibody chassis will likely make this the best-handling Land Cruiser yet, though it will inevitably cost something in off-road capability against the ladder-frame stablemates like the FJ, 70 Series, 250 Series, and 300 Series.

On the powertrain side, and as Australia’s Drive reports, a battery-electric setup will likely outperform the current ICE and hybrid Land Cruisers. There have also been reports of a possible range-extender option, and the cooling intake on the front bumper makes that scenario sound credible.

The most potent Land Cruiser to date is the self-charging hybrid variant of the Series 300, with a combined output of 457 hp (341 kW / 464 PS) and 790 Nm (583 lb-ft) of torque from a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 and a single electric motor.

Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport Hybrid

Subaru has officially confirmed that production of its all-new 2027 Getaway has been pushed back, weeks after Toyota acknowledged a similar setback for its closely related electric SUV. While the automaker hasn’t revealed how long the holdup will last, it says the extra time is needed to complete final adjustments before launch. Until now, Subaru had continued to publicly point to a fall 2026 arrival without acknowledging any changes.

More: Subaru’s New Getaway Is Basically A Faster, More Powerful Highlander

In a statement provided to Carscoops, Subaru confirmed the delay, saying, “The start of production for the Getaway is expected to be delayed to allow sufficient time for final adjustments before launch.” The statement is telling because it mirrors Toyota’s explanation almost word-for-word. Earlier this month, Toyota said production of its upcoming battery-electric Highlander had slipped for the same reason, more time to sort out the details before the line starts moving.

That isn’t especially surprising. The Getaway and Toyota’s three-row electric SUV are essentially the same vehicle under the skin, with both expected to roll off the line together at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky. Given their shared platform and manufacturing plans, questions quickly arose about whether Toyota’s setback would also hit Subaru’s model. Until now, though, Subaru had said nothing that broke from its original timeline.

The company hasn’t said when production will now begin or whether the slip will affect customer deliveries. It also declined to elaborate on what those “final adjustments” involve, leaving open the possibility that the changes could range from software refinement to manufacturing readiness or validation testing. Production could still begin this year.

Toyota specifically said the Highlander was facing at least an eight-week delay. For buyers, the wait probably won’t change much in the near term. The Getaway remains one of Subaru’s most important upcoming EVs, expanding the brand beyond the Solterra with a larger, three-row electric SUV aimed squarely at growing family demand. A few extra months on the clock is a fair trade if it means the Getaway arrives sorted rather than half-baked.