Cupra is at it again, reminding us why its versions of big-name Volkswagens are almost always superior to the real thing. This time, the Spanish brand has teased an updated Born, its sportier take on the VW ID.3, and we’ll get to see the full makeover on March 5.

The biggest change is visual, and it seems like it’ll be hard to miss. The updated Born adopts Cupra’s latest design DNA, complete with triangular Matrix LED headlights and a matching triangular lighting graphic at the rear. There’s also an illuminated rear badge because lit logos are the car design world’s new LED light bar.

Related: VW Found A Way To Slip A Chinese Cupra EV Past EU Tariffs

We’ve spied disguised prototypes of the facelift Born testing a couple of times, and those images suggest redesigned bumpers and a taller lower grille augmented by vertical outer vents that make the EV look tougher and wider.

Tech Upgrade

The Born’s cabin already makes the ID.3s look cheap and dull (though VW did improve the materials a couple of years ago), and Cupra says we should expect even better quality and more technology in the refreshed car. But it’s not like the brand has a ton to do in this area, having already upgraded the Born to VW’s much-improved 12.9-inch touchscreen in 2024.

Few Below-Surface Changes

Under the skin, things are more mysterious, and we’re guessing that’s because it’s all carried across from the current hatch. Cupra hasn’t confirmed any technical changes, and the current Born is already competitive for electric range and performance in its class. So this update could be more about feel and flair than extra kilowatts. Still, a little surprise boost wouldn’t hurt.

As of today, Cupra skips the low-tune motor options offered in entry-level VW ID.3s and jumps straight to a 228 hp (231 PS / 170 kW) single-motor setup with a choice of 59 or 79 kWh batteries, giving up to 354 miles (570 km ) between fills. Hot hatch fans can upgrade to Cupra’s version of the ID.3 GTX, the Born VZ, which comes with a 322 hp (326 PS / 240 kW) motor, again driving the rear wheels only.

Stellantis has confirmed a new performance version of the Opel and Vauxhall Corsa subcompact hatchback. It will wear the GSE badge, effectively reviving the spirit of the long-retired Vauxhall Corsa VXR and its Opel Corsa OPC twin, only this time with electrons instead of petrol.

So far, the company has released a single teaser image of the upcoming hot hatch, zoomed tightly on the front wheel. The car wears a camouflage wrap featuring Corsa and GSE lettering, along with black, yellow, and white graphics. The 18-inch alloy wheels have a distinctive three-spoke design, with yellow brake calipers visible behind them.

More: The First Electric GTI Isn’t From VW

The body panels appear largely unchanged from the current-generation Corsa introduced in 2019 and updated in 2023. The GSE does gain additional cladding around the wheel arches, echoing the treatment seen on the new Peugeot E-208 GTI.

Expect redesigned bumpers and a few sharper details borrowed from the unhinged Opel Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept. Whether it also gains a slimmer Vizor grille with updated LEDs is still anyone’s guess, but it would hardly be a surprise.

Shared Underpinnings

Stellantis is keeping the hard numbers quiet for now, yet the safe money says the Corsa GSE will share its hardware with the Mokka GSE subcompact SUV. That puts it in the same technical family as the Abarth 600e, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, Peugeot E-208 GTI, and Lancia Ypsilon HF.

More: One Lancia Ypsilon HF Is Fast The Other Just Pretends

Like those cars, it is expected to use a front-mounted electric motor producing 278 hp (207 kW or 280 PS) and 345 Nm (254.5 lb-ft) of torque. A Torsen limited-slip differential, uprated brakes, and a firmer suspension setup complete the package. Power will likely come from the familiar 54 kWh lithium-ion battery, good for an estimated 200-230 miles (322-370 km) of range.

According to Eurig Druce, Managing Director of Vauxhall and the Stellantis UK Group:

“The Corsa GSE will combine small and agile practicality with thrilling, pure electric, motorsport-inspired power and dynamics. Vauxhall has a proud heritage of hot hatches, and we’re excited to now offer customers those same thrills but combined with the electrifying performance and zero emissions in use of these new GSE models.”

More: Opel Corsa Gains Sporty Bits, Lowered Suspension, And More Power By Irmscher

The Opel and Vauxhall Corsa GSE will arrive in Europe and the UK later this year, stepping in as the new flagship of the Corsa lineup above the GS Line. Alongside its Peugeot E-208 GTI and Lancia Ypsilon HF relatives, it will square up against the upcoming VW ID.Polo GTI and the rumored Hyundai Ioniq 3 N.

The Russian car industry looks very different from the one that existed before the invasion of Ukraine four years ago. As Western automakers made a swift exit after the war erupted, Chinese brands moved in just as quickly, expanding their presence and absorbing a sizable chunk of the market. A few domestic names are also resurfacing, including one of its most Volga.

Read: Tesla Never Made A Cybervan, So A Russian Startup Did It First

The Volga name rose to prominence in the 1950s as a series of executive cars built and sold in Russia by local firm GAZ until 2012, when production ended. Back in its heyday, the Volga wasn’t something you simply drove. It was what you were driven in if you held the right title in the Soviet hierarchy. That alone turned it into a cultural fixture.

Now, after more than a decade on ice, the name is finally set to return, having initially been slated for a revival in 2024.

Volga, now under the umbrella of China’s Changan, presented three different vehicles in May 2024, known as the K30, X5 Plus, and K40. The trio included two crossovers and a sedan, each based on existing Changan vehicles sold in China. The plan was to build them in China and ship them to Russia for final assembly, with market launch targeted for late 2024.

For whatever reason, that rollout never materialized. Now, however, the Chinese-owned Volga appears ready to try again, launching a new Russian-language website and releasing a pair of teasers previewing its first model.

The vehicle shown in the teaser resembles one of the crossovers presented in 2024, though with subtle visual changes. A side-profile sketch suggests a conventional SUV silhouette, complete with a large grille, squared wheel arches, and a rear design with taillights that faintly echo the Audi Q8. Reports indicate it will be joined by two additional models.

A separate teaser for the cabin was also released, showing a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster, and a large central infotainment screen. In general, it looks quite conventional, which in this context may be exactly the point.

Volga models previewed in 2024

Ford has lifted the lid a little further on its so-called “Universal Electric Vehicle” project, the one tasked with delivering a brand-new $30,000 electric midsize truck in 2027. The tech breakdown in the 14-minute teaser packs plenty of stuff, but it is the design sketches that really grab your attention, offering the first glimpse of what this thing might look like in the metal.

From those early drawings, which also align with the ghost images seen so far, the truck appears slippery and futuristic. Think of it as a softer, more rounded take on the larger Tesla Cybertruck, minus the origami and unpolished edges, not to mention with a far more reasonable entry price. Up front, there are slim vertical LEDs, an illuminated Ford badge, and horizontal intakes carved into the bumper.

More: The One Car Ford Refuses To Build Is One Dealers Want The Most

The windshield stretches deep into the hood and flows into an integrated roof spoiler at the rear. Despite the futuristic surfacing, this is still (likely) a Ranger-sized pickup with a traditional dual-cab layout. Practicality has not been shown the door.

Ford

Low Drag Is Key

Unsurprisingly, the aerodynamics team had a heavy hand in shaping this truck, with former F1 experts brought in to chase every last fraction of efficiency. The mission was simple: slash drag hard enough that smaller batteries could deliver the required range, keeping production costs in check.

More: Ford Says Every Millimeter Of Roof Saves $1.30 On Its New $30K EV Truck

The curved roof reportedly reduces the turbulence typically created by a pickup bed. The side mirrors are 20 percent smaller than standard items, adding 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of range, while specially designed underbody panels contribute another 4.5 miles (7.2 km).

In total, Ford estimates these measures deliver 50 miles (80 km) of additional range compared to a similarly sized truck with a more conventional shape. That is not a rounding error.

Lower Production Costs

Aerodynamics are only half the story. Ford has also focused heavily on reducing manufacturing complexity. The company will use large aluminum unicastings, broadly similar in principle to Tesla’s gigacasting method. Structural components drop from 146 pieces in today’s Ford Maverick to just two, and overall weight is said to be 27 percent lower than rival offerings.

More: Next Ford And GM Pickups May Swap Mechanical Linkages For Lines Of Code

Fewer parts and fewer joints mean fewer robots on the line, which Ford claims results in “measurable gains” in both build quality and production efficiency.

it also appears that Ford engineers have borrowed lessons from reverse-engineering Chinese and Tesla EVs. The new truck’s wiring is 4,000 feet (1.2 km) shorter than that of the Mustang Mach-E crossover, trimming 22 pounds (10 kg). It will run prismatic lithium iron-phosphate (LFP) battery cells and a separate 48V system for auxiliary functions.

More: Ford Could Bring Back Sedans After Realizing It Can’t Afford Not To

The skunkworks team behind Ford’s next generation of EVs is led by former Tesla executive Alan Clarke, bringing 12 years of experience from the rival automaker.

As for the name, Ford is staying quiet. A recent patent filing hints at a possible return of the Ranchero badge, though nothing is confirmed. The affordable pickup is due in 2027 and will be followed by additional affordable EVs, with a sedan reportedly on the wish list.

Polestar may be wrestling with the sort of losses that keep finance teams awake at night, but it is not backing off. The Geely-owned brand has four new EVs lined up before 2028, each aimed at the market’s sweet spots. On the way are the 5 grand tourer, a more practical wagon take on the 4, a fully reworked 2 sedan, and an all-new 7 compact SUV. Busy times ahead.

The “Wagon” Polestar 4

Polestar’s current best seller is the 4, though its coupe-style roofline has always leaned more toward drama than practicality. That changes in the fourth quarter of 2026, when a new variant arrives with roof rails and a redesigned tail, complete with an actual rear window. Revolutionary, we know.

The aim is to attract a “wider customer base”, which is executive-speak for people who enjoy seeing out the back.

More: Polestar 4 Pricing Is Out And So Is The Rear Window

CEO Michael Lohscheller says the updated 4 “combines the space of an estate and the versatility of an SUV with the dynamic performance that is Polestar”. In plain terms, it keeps the same underpinnings as today’s car but swaps in a reshaped silhouette and a roomier cabin. Same bones, more boots-and-dogs potential.

The Next-Gen Polestar 2

Next up is a full new generation of the Polestar 2, due in early 2027. The current Tesla Model 3 rival has been around since 2019 and received a mid-lifecycle update in 2023, so a deeper rethink feels timely.

More: 2026 Polestar 2 Looks The Same But Hides Major Interior Upgrade

An official, albeit blurry, teaser suggests the 2 will trade its slightly crossover-ish stance for something lower and sleeker, complete with split LED headlights and a pared-back bumper design. Less high-riding fastback, more grounded sports saloon. Or at least that seems to be the direction of travel.

Europe-Built Compact SUV

Then there is the Polestar 7, landing in 2028 as a contender in Europe’s largest EV segment. And yes, Polestar’s naming scheme remains mildly baffling. It will be built in Slovakia and share its hardware with Volvo models. Lohscheller describes it as a “progressive performance-driven car” offered at “a very attractive price point”.

The Grand Tourer Is Here

At the top of the tree sits the Polestar 5 grand tourer, which only reinforces the point about that confusing nomenclature. Revealed in production form at the 2025 Munich Motor Show, it is scheduled to begin European deliveries in summer 2026. This is the halo car, the statement piece.

It rides on a lightweight bonded aluminum platform and, in Performance guise, packs a dual-motor setup producing up to 872 hp (650 kW / 884 PS). That is comfortably in the realm of serious performance, and proof that Polestar still wants to talk about speed as much as sustainability.

Optimism Despite Heavy Losses

All of this comes against a complicated financial backdrop. Last year, Polestar posted its best-ever retail sales, shifting 60,119 vehicles, up 34 percent, while also wrestling with deepening losses.

Even so, the mood at the top remains upbeat. Despite what Lohscheller calls a “challenging geopolitical and economic environment”, he remains optimistic about the future: “We are targeting the heart of the EV market, where customer demand and profit pools are high.” Confident words. Now comes the hard part.

Polestar

Ford swung and missed with the F-150 Lightning, but the company continues to pour billions into electric vehicles. We’re starting to see some of the fruits of their labor as they’ve revealed more details about their next-generation of electric vehicles based on the new Universal EV platform.

Set to be launched on a mid-size electric truck in 2027, Ford is promoting the project with a 14 minute video that provides a few glimpses of the vehicle as well as a lot of talk without saying much.

More: $30K Ford Electric Truck Coming In 2027 Is Seriously Bad News For Slate

The end result feels like a waste of time, but there are a few interesting nuggets of information including that the model’s “aerodynamic efficiency is more than 15% better than any other pickup truck on the market today and will ultimately result in longer range and lower cost for our customers.”

We can see a rounded front end as well as a curved roof, which enables air to ‘skip’ over the bed. The model also has 20% smaller side mirrors that result in an extra 1.5 miles of range.

The video goes onto say the truck will have large aluminum unicastings that deliver a 27% advantage in casting weight compared to competitors. The model will also have two structural components compared to the Maverick’s 146.

Ford then talks about the truck’s cost-effective lithium iron phosphate battery pack and mentions an upgraded regenerative braking system, which reportedly saves $100 in battery costs.

Digging Deeper

Putting the video aside, Ford noted most automakers have tackled range anxiety by adding large battery packs. This adds range, but it introduces a host of new problems as batteries account for roughly 40% of an EV’s total cost as well as around 25% of their total weight. As a result, bigger batteries mean heavy and expensive vehicles.

To keep prices low, Ford is betting on a small battery and a focus on efficiency. The latter saw them keep a close watch on weight, drag, and rolling resistance.

Ford also introduced a bounties system when developing the truck, which focused on “evaluating tradeoffs.” While there are always competing goals in vehicle development, Ford connected changes to a “specific value tied to the range and battery cost.”

How Much Is 1 mm Worth?

As the automaker explained, their aerodynamic and interior teams could easily see that “adding even 1 mm to the roof height would mean $1.30 in additional battery cost or .055 miles of range. ”This process repeated itself over and over again in other areas, allowing Ford to create an efficient and affordable pickup.

The focus on efficiency didn’t stop there as the Blue Oval noted “power conversion within an electric vehicle platform can account for a surprising amount of wasted energy in a vehicle while charging or even taking energy from the 400V battery and converting it to 48V for the low-voltage devices.” To address this, the truck has a “fully electric vehicle charging ecosystem” that was designed in-house and uses their own software.

This promises to increase efficiency, reduce charging times, and maximize the lifespan of the battery. The company also revealed the model has a bi-directional charging capability and the company’s first 48-volt low-voltage system. Furthermore, the model’s wire harness is 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) shorter and 22 lbs (10 kg) lighter than on their first-generation of electric vehicles.

Mercedes held their capital markets day presentation yesterday and announced plans to stage seven world premieres in the next three months. That’s an impressive number, especially considering the company has already introduced the facelifted S-Class and GLC 53.

The automaker didn’t delve into many specifics, but confirmed the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class debuts in March. The company added the AMG GT 4-Door arrives later this year, while the SUV variant follows in 2027. That year will also see the unveiling of the G-Class Cabriolet.

More: New Mercedes G-Class Cabrio Teased As Testing Begins

While details are light, a slide suggested Mercedes will introduce 16 vehicles this year. Six of them will be fully electric, while the others will have internal combustion engines.

Many of these will be “Top-End” vehicles, which implies we can expect a number of new S-Class variants including the aforementioned Maybach. Some of the others are presumably AMG versions.

As for the Top-End EVs, spy photographers have snapped a facelifted EQS on multiple occasions. It’s expected to feature starry lighting units, a new 800 volt electrical architecture, and an upgraded powertrain. The latter could combine an improved battery with more efficient motors.

2026 will also see the introduction of five Core ICE-powered vehicles and three EVs. One of the latter appears to be the new GLC EQ L for China, which was mentioned in one of the presentations.

On the Entry side of things, there will be a new ICE and EV model. It will join the CLA and GLB, suggesting this could be the redesigned GLA.

2027 will see the introduction of 14 models, three of which will be fully electric. A vast majority of these will become part of the brand’s Core family, while some of the Top-End models could be the facelifted SL.

Mercedes also mentioned a new long-wheelbase GLE for China, which will presumably be based on the facelifted crossover. However, it’s unclear when either model will arrive.

Financials

Fun stuff aside, Mercedes announced adjusted earnings before interest and taxes fell from €13.7 ($16.3) billion in 2024 to €8.2 ($9.7) billion last year. The company blamed the drop on challenges in China, tariffs, and foreign exchange headwinds. On the bright side, the company reduced research and development costs related to future architectures and technologies.

Investors probably won’t like the news, nor will they be thrilled by the proposed dividend of €3.50 ($4.15) per share. That’s significantly less than last year’s payout of €4.30 ($5.10).

H/T to Motor1

Subaru is preparing to expand its EV lineup with something larger and more family-focused. Soon, the company’s range will welcome a three-row electric SUV designed to compete with newer offerings in the segment. Like the compact Solterra before it, this won’t be a ground-up Subaru product but a rebadged version of Toyota’s upcoming all-electric three-row Highlander.

We’ve known about Subaru’s plans to have its own version of the latest Toyota for several years now. In fact, Toyota and Subaru confirmed in 2023 that both brands would receive the new model, anticipating that production would start in 2025. While that date has come and gone, Subaru of Americas chief operating officer Jeff Walters recently confirmed it’s still happening.

Read: Subaru’s New $35K SUV Breaks Years Of AWD Tradition

Speaking with Auto News, Walters said that Subaru’s version of the three-row EV is scheduled to arrive later this year. He added that the model is being targeted at two-car households with home charging capabilities. It will join the electric Solterra, as well as the similarly Toyota-derived Uncharted and Trailseeker, in Subaru’s growing U.S. EV portfolio.

2027 Toyota Highlander teaser.

Will Subaru Add Its Own Edge?

What we haven’t seen yet is how closely Subaru’s new entry will mirror Toyota’s new electric Highlander. Given past collaborations, it’s reasonable to expect minimal differentiation beyond some badging and minor design tweaks on the front and rear ends, along with unique side trimmings. Still, there’s a chance Subaru could roughen things up a bit, as it did with the Uncharted, which shares its bones with Toyota’s C-HR

Toyota’s new three-row electric SUV will look virtually identical to the bZ Large prototype previewed a few years ago, closely resembling the smaller Toyota bZ. This new model has been a long time coming and will give Toyota a legitimate rival to the electric Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9.

A Lexus Too?

There’s also a possibility Subaru won’t be the only one getting a version of Toyota’s latest EV. According to previous reports, Lexus is working on a premium variant as well. This model could go by the name TZ and serve as an electric counterpart to the gas-powered TX, further spreading Toyota’s electric SUV platform across its portfolio

If you thought Ferrari’s first EV would feel like an iPad on wheels, think again. The new cabin designed by former Apple man Jonny Ive is a gorgeous fusion of digital tech, tactile physical controls, and some retro styling cues guaranteed to make even a trip to the corner store feel like a Mille Miglia run.

Meet the Ferrari Luce, a name that means light and quietly hints that electrons can still have a pulse. Before we even see the bodywork in May, the Italians have pulled back the curtain on the interior to prove to us that maybe an electric Ferrari isn’t the devil’s work after all.

Related: Ferrari Found A Way To Make Fake EV Noise Sound Honest

That design energy comes courtesy of LoveFrom, the creative outfit founded by Jony Ive and Marc Newson. Ive is famous for his work on touchscreen tech juggernauts like the iPhone and iPad, but for this project, he was adamant that the Luce needed plenty of real switches.

Toggles Are Back

So the Luce doubles down on physicality. Real buttons. Real toggles. Real rotary controls that click with satisfying precision. Ferrari says test drivers went through more than 20 rounds just to perfect the feel and sound of each switch. It is basically ASMR for your fingertips, especially the launch control switch, which is located above your head, aircraft-style.

Front and center is a steering wheel that looks like it time-traveled from the 1960s. Three slim spokes, exposed aluminum, and a layout inspired by classic Formula One cars. Nineteen CNC-machined parts make it lighter than a typical Ferrari wheel, yet it’s packed with finger controls so you can adjust things without playing touchscreen whack-a-mole.

Real Or Virtual?

Behind it sits a wild instrument binnacle developed with help from Samsung Display. Two wafer-thin OLED panels overlap to create deep, layered dials that look almost analog at a glance. There’s even a physical needle sweeping across digital graphics because apparently pixels alone weren’t dramatic enough.

According to Ferrari, the Luce’s digital displays were “inspired by both historic automotive cues and the purposeful, clear graphics found in aviation, particularly helicopters and aircraft.” The influence is easy to spot. The layout and typography are unmistakably automotive, a modern tribute to the Veglia and Jaeger instruments from classic Ferraris.

Start-Up Buzz

Ferrari messed up with the SF90, putting a nasty touch-sensitive start button on the steering wheel that killed much of the buzz you normally get from firing up a Maranello car. But it has redressed the balance with the Luce’s startup ritual. First, you insert a chunky glass key into a dock on the console. Its color shifts, then the drive selector wakes up in a coordinated light show.

We’ll have to wait until May to see the Luce’s exterior, though it’s likely we’ll learn more about the powertrain and chassis package between now and then.

Many of us thought we’d find it hard to get excited about an electric Ferrari, no matter how quickly it laps Fiorano, but if the rest of the car is as thoughtful and original as this cockpit there’s going to be plenty to love, even if it doesn’t have gas in its veins.

This year’s new Skoda Epiq still wearing a psychedelic disguise, but underneath the swirls and squiggles is a very clear message. This is the electric SUV for people who like their cars small on the outside, big on the inside and don’t want to pay a premium for swapping a combustion powertrain for an electric one.

Think of the Epiq as the baby brother to the Elroq and Enyaq, and the electric cousin of the Kamiq. At just under 4,200 mm (165 inches) long and riding on a 2,601 mm (102 inches) wheelbase, it’s squarely in city-friendly crossover territory.

Related: Skoda’s Affordable EV Looks Like It Wanted To Be A Jeep

However, Skoda claims packaging magic gives it one of the biggest boots in its class, at a surprising 475 liters (16.8 cu-ft). Fold the seats and you get 1,344 liters (47.5 cu-ft), which is properly useful family car stuff.

What’s Underneath?

Under the skin, the Epiq is Skoda’s first model on the new MEB Plus platform, a cost focused evolution of the VW Group’s electric toolkit. Unlike larger rear drive MEB cars, this one is front wheel drive, which helps free up cabin and cargo space.

It’s also closely related to the upcoming VW ID. Polo and the Cupra Raval, all part of the group’s affordable urban EV push along with the ID. Cross SUV.

Tortoise Or Hare?

The not very epic entry-level Epiq 35 makes 85 kW, or about 114 hp (116 PS), from a single front motor that gets it to 62 mph (100 kmh) in 11.2 seconds, and uses a 38.5 kWh LFP battery for up to 196 miles (315 km) of range. But a maximum 50 kW charge speed means fills will be slow, so this one is best suited to urban sorties from the house, not road trips.

The Epiq 40 bumps power to 133 hp (135 PS / 99 kW) and drops to 62 mph sprint to 9.8 seconds, with similar battery capacity but slightly faster 90 kW DC charging. At the top sits the Epiq 55 with 208 hp (211 PS / 155 kW) and a larger 55 kWh NMC battery good for up to 267 miles (430 km) of range.

Charging peaks at up to 133 kW on the bigger battery, meaning a 10 to 80 percent top up can take just over 20 minutes, and the 62 mph time is a spritely 7.4 seconds. That makes this little Skoda more road trip capable than you might expect from something that looks ready to spend its life dodging delivery vans and cyclists.

Big Screen, Eco Materials

Inside, Skoda promises its usual Simply Clever touches, a 13 inch central screen, a small digital driver display and lots of recycled materials. It hasn’t released any interior images of the finished car yet, but the cabin pics of the Epiq concept shown in the gallery below are surely at least 85 percent on the money.

We’ll get the real images in the coming weeks, along with prices, which are expected to start at $26,000 (£25k for the UK), matching those of the combustion Kamiq. That looks like good value next to Kia’s EV3, though the base EV3 is much more powerful and longer-legged. Renault’s 4 E-Tech also poses a strong threat thanks to its even lower entry price, better range and acceleration and more interesting design.

Epiq concept (Skoda)

The next chapter of Toyota’s SUV lineup is about to begin and it’s all-electric. Meet the all-new 2027 Highlander. As we suspected, the latest teaser confirms that Toyota will indeed use the Highlander name for its new three-row SUV.

While the full reveal lands on Tuesday, there’s already plenty to unpack from what we’ve seen so far. Here’s what we know, and what we’re watching for. Full launch coverage will follow as soon as the wraps come off.

More: You’re Looking At What Could Be Toyota’s Highlander Replacement

The new video goes a bit further than the previous two. While we don’t get a full look at the vehicle in question, we get something far more concrete: badges. During a short 11-second clip, we see the Highlander wordmark along with two other logos.

The first is Toyota’s BEV badge, indicating that what we’re looking at is an EV. Second, it’s the brand’s AWD logo, so we can expect that it’ll be a dual-motor SUV. In previous teasers, we saw the general shape of the rear of the Highlander and then a shot from the third row looking forward. Both pointed to what we’ve learned today about what Toyota decided to name this SUV.

In the past, we’d seen a concept named the bZ5x. Based on new renderings of what we think the Highlander will look like, the two seem to be one and the same. To that end, it’s worth noting the abandonment of the bZ and BZ nomenclature.

That’s a trend we’ve seen from other brands lately as well, including Volkswagen, which is bringing back familiar names like Polo and Tiguan for its upcoming EVs.

https://youtube.com/shorts/2LiZOxN-DQE?feature=share

After a less-than-stellar launch of the bZ4X, Toyota revamped the branding to just BZ. It then reused that same name on the upcoming BZ Woodland. Why it ditched the BZ name in favor of Highlander alone probably just comes down to branding and the pull of name recognition.

In the end, it’s a lot easier to sell people on something they’re already familiar with, like the Highlander name, than to build interest around a brand-new one, even if the product itself has little, if anything, to do with the original.

More: Toyota Teaser Confirms Three-Row SUV That May Replace The Highlander

You can be sure that we’ll dig around on that front, though, because as you’re reading this, we’re preparing to see the new Highlander up close and in person at the launch site.

It’ll get unveiled tomorrow at 9:30 p.m. EST. When it does, we’ll have full coverage with photos, video, and hopefully some insider tidbits on one of Toyota’s biggest new SUVs in years. 

BMW unveiled the iX3 last fall and now the company is previewing the upcoming long-wheelbase variant. The electric crossover is being developed “in China, for China, and with China.”

Set to battle the Mercedes GLC L with EQ Technology, the iX3 Long Wheelbase will debut at the Beijing Auto Show in April and be launched in the second half of the year. When it arrives, the iX3 will become the first long-wheelbase model based on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform.

More: Mercedes Gave China’s Electric GLC A Little Extra, And It Shows

Looking instantly recognizable, the crossover has a wheelbase that has been stretched 4.3 inches (108 mm). Doing the math, the model will have a 118.3 inch (3,005 mm) wheelbase, which is 1.2 inches (30 mm) longer than the X5.

That’s pretty big and BMW said the iX3 Long Wheelbase will deliver “significantly enhanced rear-seat comfort and overall spaciousness.”

China-Specific Technology

Catering to the Chinese market requires more than just stretching the wheelbase and BMW is more than happy to oblige. In this case, they’ve developed a “Chinese derivative” of Operating System X, which “incorporates approximately 70 percent locally developed software engineering.”

Customers will also find a navigation system developed in collaboration with Amap as well as an Intelligent Personal Assistant that uses large language models from Alibaba and DeepSeek.

BMW is also working on China-specific driver assistance systems with Momenta. These will be “tailored to local traffic conditions and usage scenarios” in order to deliver “highly capable driver-assistance functions optimized for complex urban environments, highways, and long-distance travel in China.”

More Than 559 Miles Of Range

The automaker is keeping powertrain details under wraps, but said the iX3 Long Wheelbase will have an 800-volt electrical architecture, cylindrical battery cells, and sixth-generation eDrive technology. That’s vague, but BMW promised a 400 kW DC fast charging capability as well as a CLTC combined range in excess of 559 miles (900 km).

When the battery is low, it can get more than 249 miles (400 km) of range in as little as 10 minutes. If you’re not in a rush, a 21 minute charge can take the battery from 10-80%.

We’ll learn more in the coming months, but the European iX3 was launched in 50 xDrive guise. It features a 108.7 kWh battery pack as well as a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h).

It remains to be seen if the long-wheelbase variant will echo that, but BMW said the crossover will have a China-specific chassis and suspension setup. It aims to provide a “refined balance between comfort and stability across a wide range of driving scenarios.”

While China is the main focus for the iX3 Long Wheelbase, the model will also be offered in select markets around the world. These will include India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.