Peugeot is cooking up something special for the small hatchback segment in Europe. A new generation of the 208 will be introduced next year, armed with the latest technology Stellantis has to offer. The inherently fully electric supermini will be completely redesigned inside-out, as one of the first production models to ride on the new STLA One architecture.

Our spy photographers caught a camouflaged prototype of the Peugeot E-208 successor during development testing in Spain. This gives us our first look at its design ahead of its market launch which is expected in the second half of 2027.

More: Peugeot’s Pledge To Drop Gas By 2030 No Longer Holds, Confirms Seven New Models

Naturally, the exterior has been significantly toned down compared to the Peugeot Polygon design study from 2025. The production model trades the massive gullwing doors and futuristic greenhouse of the concept for a more conventional five-door hatchback silhouette, similar to its predecessor.

Fresh Styling Language For The Small Lion

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The front end adopts a split headlight arrangement and a fully covered grille. The model will most likely feature three horizontal lines of LEDs resembling the signature claws of the lion, although the camouflage wrap is hiding the middle section making it look like a Lancia Ypsilon.

More: Stellantis Swears Its Rebadges Won’t Be Lazy, But Only Four Brands Get 70% Of The Cash

The profile has a slightly boxier greenhouse inspired by the classic Peugeot 205, leading to a more upright tail with a shorter rear overhang. The boxy taillights also adopt the triple horizonal LED graphics while the roof spoiler extends to the sides of the rear windshield improving aerodynamics.

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The panel gaps of the rear doors hint at the presence of plastic cladding around the wheel arches, a feature that’s optional in the current generation of the 208 and E-208. The prototype has conventional door handles and rides on a set of black steel wheels, that will most likely be covered by aero-friendly hub caps in entry-level trims.

More: Peugeot’s Production 208 GTi Is Here, And It’s Electric

Our spies even got a glimpse inside the cabin, revealing a large digital instrument cluster in front of the driver, part of the new STLA Smart Cockpit alongside a new infotainment display. We can also see bits of the new steering wheel with a rectangular shape. The “Hypersquare”, as Peugeot calls it, debuted in earlier concept cars with four round holes and integrated controls. It will be combined with steer-by-wire technology, allowing more sophisticated autonomous capabilities.

The new E-208 will also be a software-defined-vehicle (SDV) thanks to the use of the STLA Brain, merging all electronics and software in a single unit for greater performance and efficiency.

New Platform

Peugeot has officially confirmed that the upcoming small hatchback will ride on the new STLA One architecture, sharing it with the next generation of the Opel Corsa Electric twin. At launch, it will be exclusively available with fully electric powertrain options, bringing an increased range and faster charging capabilities compared to the outgoing E-208.

More: Stellantis Confirms The Next Astra And Corsa Land Before 2030

The current Peugeot 208 will remain on sale alongside the new generation serving as an ICE-powered alternative with the existing gasoline and mild hybrid options. The model was introduced in 2019 and received a facelift in 2023, meaning it will be 8 years old in 2027. The automaker will also keep selling the E-208 GTi hot hatchback which was introduced earlier in 2026 as the performance flagship of the range.

Rivals And Siblings

When it hits the roads next year, the French supermini will face several European and Chinese rivals in the subcompact EV segment. Notable competitors include the Renault 5 E-Tech, Nissan Micra, Volkswagen ID. Polo, Cupra Raval, BYD Dolphin, Geely EX2, Aion UT and more.

As with its predecessor, the new Peugeot will share its underpinnings with a large number of small hatchbacks and SUVs from various Stellantis brands. Besides the closely-related Opel Corsa Electric that will be manufactured in the same factory in Spain, we expect the same technical base to be gradually applied across the successors of the Peugeot 2008, Opel Mokka, Jeep Avenger, Fiat 600, Alfa Romeo Junior, and Lancia Ypsilon over the next decade.

The E-208 will be one of the seven new models set to be launched by Peugeot until 2030. The company has announced two concept debuts for the Paris Motor Show next week, although information on their bodystyle and future role within the lineup remains limited.

The new Lancia Gamma is coming at the Paris Motor Show, and the highlight is the range-topping version that has been confirmed to adopt the HF Integrale moniker.

Unlike the iconic Delta HF Integrale rally-bred hot hatch from the ’90s, the new Gamma HF Integrale will feature a fully electric powertrain. Dual electric motors produce combined 370 hp (276 kW / 375 PS), offering AWD capabilities. The range in this configuration is estimated at 675 km (419 miles) between charges.

More: The Lancia Gamma Returns As A Fastback Crossover, Not A Sedan

The automaker promised that the performance flagship of the fastback crossover will inherit “the character and sporting spirit that have always been part of Lancia’s identity”. This doesn’t say much but we hope that the model will at least get a sharper chassis setup.

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Lancia has only shared photos of the regular Gamma, but a prototype of the HF Integrale has been spotted testing in Italy without any sign camouflage. The 4.67 m (183.9 in) long crossover was painted in a Nero Vulcano shade, and rode on black alloy wheels featuring white outer rings.

More: This Lancia Was Built For Italian Politicians, Now It Sleeps Two In A Field

The bumpers appear to be unchanged from the rest of the lineup, but the side skirts gain HF Integrale badges. The black color of the prototype’s bodywork didn’t allow us to see whether the glossy black cladding will gain a body-colored finish, potentially contributing to a sportier stance.

Interestingly, this is the first time Lancia uses the HF Integrale moniker in a production model since the ’90s. The company recently revived the name on the Ypsilon Rally2 rally car, but the fully electric hot hatch version of the roadgoing Ypsilon is simply called HF, joined by a lesser HF Line which is essentially an appearance package.

Other Versions

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The Gamma lineup at the Paris Motor Show will also include the LX trim, shown in hybrid and fully electric forms. Bear in mind that the entry-level hybrid 1.2-liter engine produces 143 hp (107 kW / 145 PS). As for the zero emission variants with a single-motor configuration, they get 227 hp (169 kW / 230 PS) with a 540 km (335-mile) range, or 242 hp (180 kW / 245 PS) with a 740 km (460-mile) range.

More: Has Stellantis Cancelled The Return Of Lancia’s Delta?

The Lancia Gamma is manufactured at the Stellantis plant in Melfi, Italy, next to the mechanically-related DS No8. The fastback crossover will soon go on sale in European markets, as the second model in Lancia’s new era after the Ypsilon. The Italian brand had originally planned a revival of the Delta for 2028, but the hatchback has since disappeared from the revised product plan.

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Mercedes-AMG is almost ready to expand its lineup with its first dedicated electric SUV. Shortly after the automaker shared official teasers, our spy photographers caught a prototype wearing significantly less camouflage.

The SUV, codenamed X591, is the high-riding sibling of the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. Even under the remaining camo, the aggressive styling is evident, with an aerodynamic roofline and muscular shoulders making it look like a hybrid between a coupe-SUV and sporty estate.

More: The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Will Demolish An M4, But You Can’t Buy One

The latest prototype gives us an unobstructed view of its greenhouse. The AMG will also stand out thanks to its unique lighting signature with Y-shaped LEDs up front, an oversized front grille, and round taillights. The latter are probably becoming a trademark AMG choice for its latest standalone models.

Another cool detail is the black alloy wheels featuring five double spokes in front of massive brake discs with yellow brake calipers. Inside, we expect a screen-heavy setup similar to the coupe, paired with more space for passengers and their luggage.

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The fully electric model rides on the dedicated AMG.EA platform using an 800-volt system. It will use the advanced Yasa-developed axial-flux electric motors and F1-inspired battery technology with direct liquid cell cooling.

More: 1,153 HP Not Enough? Mercedes-AMG Is Working On An Even Hotter GT 4-Door

Judging from the AMG 4-Door Coupe, the flagship tri-motor setup could produce up to 1,153 hp (860 kW / 1,169 PS) and 2,000 Nm (1,475 lb-ft) of torque, allowing a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in around 2.5 seconds. AMG could also offer a dual-motor variant with 805 hp (600 kW / 816 PS) and 1,800 Nm (1,328 lb-ft) of torque.

Despite being an EV, the new model will sound and feel like an ICE-powered AMG thanks to the AMGFORCE S+ system. This includes fake but highly detailed V8 sounds emitted from internal and external speakers, and simulated gearshifts.

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The high-riding model is expected to inherit the 106 kWh battery from the 4-Door Coupe, supporting ultra-fast DC charging speeds of up to 600 kW. This will allow it to replenish around 460 km (286 miles) of range in 10 minutes of charging.

More: AMG GT Black Series Looks Like It’s Smashed The Ring Record Before It’s Even Hit The Track

Finally, it will come equipped with the latest chassis tech, including an AMG Active Ride Control air suspension with semi-active roll stabilization, and a rear-axle steering system, which is visible on the spy shots.

The official debut of the new AMG model is scheduled for October 17. The event will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, coinciding with the 140th anniversary of Karl Benz patenting the first automobile.

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Land Rover is working on a smaller version of its massively popular Defender, a compact SUV that could be called Defender Sport. But a smaller Defender means a smaller trunk, and it looks like Land Rover has come up with a new solution to expand storage options.

New spy shots taken close to JLR’s Nurburgring base show the baby Defender with a strange-looking rectangular box bolted to the outside of the side-hinged rear door. It’s the wrong shape to be hiding a conventional spare wheel, something we saw on a different prototype earlier this month. And the fact that’s not covered in camouflage suggests Land Rover wants us to notice it and ask questions.

Related: Land Rover Defender Reports For Duty As JLR Bids For UK and NATO Defense Contracts

We’re sure that the box we can see in these pics is only there to hide what’s underneath, and won’t actually be available on the Defender Sport when it goes on sale next year. But if that’s the case, what is underneath? One possibility is that there’s a dedicated box for a charging cable, like the Design box Mercedes offers for its slow-selling electric G-Class (below).

Cable storage is a bit of a problem on most EVs, especially ones without a frunk, and particularly if you carry a lot of other kit around in your trunk. The Mercedes Design box solves this problem, allowing you to easily access the cable from a box on the rear door that looks like a mini spare wheel, so fits with the rugged SUV design aesthetic.

But it’s possible Land Rover might choose a different look for its box, maybe one that replicates the look of the side panel boxes on the big Defender. And on cars without the rear-mounted spare wheel, which is heavy and saps range on an EV, Land Rover could potentially use that same box for a tire repair kit to at least continue the wheel theme.

Hybrid And Electric

Not all Defenders will even need a charging cable box, because although the EMA platform the baby Defender shares with the new Range Rover GT coupe was designed originally for EVs and features 800-volt electrics for speedy charging, it has since been modified to accept hybrid power. But unlike some premium SUV brands, this one won’t offer plug-in powertrains, focusing instead on conventional full hybrid tech.

That shift from electric to petrol-electric was essential for the SUV to succeed in the US, which is likely to be its biggest market. It’s a market where EV sales have sunk like a stone, but hybrid demand is on the rise. In Europe, on the other hand, where electric sales are hitting new heights, and one in every four new cars is electric, the EV version will be extremely popular.

But the Defender Sport won’t have the market all to itself. Because Mercedes is working on a shrunken G-Class in the same mould as Land Rover’s compact Defender. Like the baby Defender, the pocket G will be offered with both hybrid and electric powertrains. This time next year could have a real boxing match on our hands.

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No matter how good the 2028 M3 EV is, it’s going to be missing some of the current (and next) gas car’s calling cards, including the signature quad tailpipe setup. But one thing that won’t change is the M3’s ability to lay down a couple of big curling lines of rubber on a corner exit.

We know this because our spy photo guys were positioned at just the right spot to see an electric M3 prototype push a little harder than normal while hot-lapping at the Nurburgring. Why was the driver pushing harder? The yellow sedan closing in from behind might have something to do with it.

Related: The BMW M3 Is Going Electric, But Not Every M3

It’s a Chinese Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, which you might recall was for a while the fastest production EV at the Ring. The 1,526 hp (1,547 PS / 1,138 kW) sedan recorded 7:04.96 in 2025, but has since been relegated down the league table by the Yangwang U9 Extreme (6:59.157) and Manthey-kitted Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (6:55.53).

We don’t yet know how much power the electric M3 will make, though the base version probably isn’t going to match the SU7’s output, or the 1,341 hp (1,360 PS / 1,000 kW) of the 2025 Vision Driving Experience concept. BMW M boss Frank van Meel has even been quoted by Evo as saying it “makes no sense to drive with 1000 horsepower…because it’s not controllable.”

Trades Brute Force For Agility

Instead, the regular M3 EV is expected to generate far less power. The Hyundai Ioniq N makes 641 hp (650 PS), and no one who has driven one ever got out suggesting it could do with a bit more oomph. BMW will probably feel the need to move the needle, perhaps closer to 790 hp (800 PS). But still keep way below the four-figure outputs of EVs like the SU7 Ultra.

In a way, and I know this sounds perverse when we’re talking about a heavy EV, it’s like BMW is remembering what made the original M3 so much fun, and acknowledging that most EVs have got it wrong. The E30 wasn’t outrageously quick, even when new, but it was agile and felt real-world fast. And BMW’s M team wants the gas-free M3 to be, too.

So it’ll have four electric motors, allowing it to run in either rear- or all-wheel drive mode, and it’ll feature agility-boosting torque vectoring capabilities. Which should mean that even if you have to pull your M3 over to let one of those power-powered Chinese EVs past, you’ll probably be the one wearing the bigger grin.

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More than two years have passed since we last spied a Boxster Electric prototype testing. It’s almost like Porsche forgot about it. And there must be some suits at Stuttgart who would rather forget about it, because the world in which the EV sports car is about to debut is very different to the one Porsche imagined when it green lighted the project more than five years ago.

We’ll get to that problem in a minute, but for now let’s take a look at these fresh spy shots because they show the Boxster EV with almost non camo for the first time ever. Sure, it’s still got some misleading stickers around the front and rear lights and rear quarters, but we can see the true shapes of those lights and the heavy disguise has gone from the bumpers.

Related: Porsche’s Next Supercar Could Be An Audi That’s Really A Lamborghini

That means we can see this Boxster has the same vertical, active cooling slats in its front grille that Porsche has already deployed in the 911 GTS and Turbo. Lesser models, and their Cayman EV counterparts, are likely to have a simpler grille design, as the base 911 Carrera and Carrera S have. Shots from the rear showing a diffuser panel and lack of exhaust tailpipes confirm Porshe is sticking to its EV plan for the two-seater – for now, at least.

Besides the grille, there’s another indicator that we’re looking at a hotter version of the Boxster Electric. Previous spy shots showed a digital gauge cluster and conventional internal door handles. But this car has fabric, loop-style handles of the kind usually reserved for cars like the 911 GT3 or the old Cayman GT4 and its Boxster Spyder brother.

Choose One Or Two Motors

Intel from sources close to Porsche suggests base cars will get a single motor driving the rear wheels, but the big news is the rumored availability of dual-motor powertrains in more expensive versions that will give the Boxster and Cayman their first all-wheel drive options.

If Porsche’s GT4 e-Performance racer concept is any guide, expect up to 604 hp (612 PS / 450 kW) for the hottest AWD cars and the option of a virtual paddle-shift transmission, a feature recently added to the Taycan lineup. A T-shaped battery mounted in the transmission tunnel and behind the seats keeps the floorpan low and replicates the weight distribution of a typical mid-engined, ICE-powered car.

EV First, Gas Later

The Boxster and Cayman Electric go in sale in 2027, but a couple of years after that, they’ll be joined by combustion versions, potentially limited to the top of the lineup. That was never part of the plan, but Porsche’s hand has been forced by a dramatic slowdown in EV sales.

The Boxster and Cayman Electric were conceived in the late 2010s, a period when Porsche’s Taycan was still enjoying its honeymoon glow and the car industry was projecting electric cars would soon relegate old-fashioned combustion vehicles to a sideshow act. Now, in 2026, it’s true that EV sales are riding high, though not universally.

Taycan To Tap-Out?

One in four mass-market cars sold in Europe is now electric and the numbers are growing. But luxury buyers and American drivers aren’t buying EVs. They want gas cars. The Taycan is tanking and could reportedly die soon, but since it was too late to scrap the Boxster and Cayman Electric, which have the added complication of sharing their platform and hardware with Audi’s upcoming TT replacement, Porsche opted to re-engineer them for combustion power instead.

Would you buy an electric Boxster or is Porsche setting itself up for a massive fall? Leave a comment and let us know.

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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.

Acura

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.

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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Autospy

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

Autospy

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.

Polestar

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.

Baldauf

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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