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via Spied: 2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coming For Porsche Blood

AMG GT XX Concept Comes To Life

The last time we spied Mercedes-AMG's replacement for the GT 4-Door, it was clear that the finished product hiding under all the bulbous camouflage would be pretty sleek, but it's turning out to be even more stylish than expected. These new images captured by our spies on the Old Continent show a vastly updated prototype that, despite still wearing some false body panelling, appears to be on the verge of completing its development, and although the rear end is especially deceitful in its current form, we can already tell that the AMG GT XX concept revealed last month will heavily influence the design of the production AMG GT 4-Door. Besides the styling, that also means an all-electric powertrain.

Aerodynamics Dictate Design

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At the front of the car, the fascia is particularly smooth, and the airdam looks deep, with a pronounced splitter likely helping to provide downforce over the front axle. Down the profile, flush-fitting door handles are recessed into the body, and a new design of multi-spoke wheels has appeared. Each of the 46 spokes has 17 ridges (yes, I counted), and we can only assume that these must help with smoothing airflow over the wheelhouse in the same way that the dimples on a golf ball help it maintain speed through the air. Out back, a swooping rear end culminates in a tail that we suspect will be a little narrower and smoother in final form (though the track will still be very wide), while a deployable spoiler with a raised edge will keep the car stable at high speeds, and possibly provide a tiny amount of aerodynamic braking. The GT XX concept is claimed to have a drag coefficient of just 0.198, and these elements will help Mercedes achieve similar figures in production.

This prototype is equipped with production-ready headlights and taillights, the former of which will integrate, like the new CLA and other incoming Mercs, a large three-pointed star in their daytime running light graphics in a cluster shape that has come to be recognizable as a Mercedes design. At the rear, the triangular motor appears once more, but within round taillight elements. Although only one is evident here, we expect each side to have a cluster of three round taillights, and we suspect that the turn signal indicators seen being activated on this mule are only temporary placeholders; we can't see Mercedes spending unnecessary money on a separate lighting unit when modern LEDs can change colors so effectively.

Interior Looks Relatively Conventional

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While the GT XX concept has a yoke-style steering wheel and a very futuristic dash and center console, this prototype appears to have a more conventional design, though much of the cabin is still draped in canvas. Interestingly, the round steering wheel depicted here still has the separated spokes that some upcoming Mercs like the 2026 C-Class will ditch, but again, this could yet change for production. The AMG GT 4-Door EV is expected to reach the market next year to do battle with the likes of the Lucid Air Sapphire and the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, so we can expect far more than the current GT 63 S E Performance plug-in hybrid, which offers 831 horsepower and 1,033 lb-ft of torque.

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via Lamborghini Achieves Major Sales Record With Hybrid-Only Lineup

Lamborghini CEO upbeat about company’s performance in 2025

Lamborghini released its sales and financial results for the first half of the year, and while the Italian marque sold a record number of cars over this period, its operating profit declined slightly. In what has been a difficult year for many automakers, in part due to political instability, Lamborghini still managed to avoid a major drop in operating income. The record sales growth has been attributed largely to the brand’s hybrid-only lineup.

New Milestone For First-Half Deliveries

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Lamborghini delivered 5,681 cars in the first half of the year, a 2% increase over 2024 and the brand’s best ever start to a year. The EMEA region (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) led the way with 2,708 cars sold, followed by the Americas on 1,732 units and the APAC (Asia-Pacific) region on 1,241 units.

“The results from the first six months of 2025 are solid despite global economic and political instability, confirming that the decision to hybridize the entire range was the right one,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. 

Winkelmann highlighted the success of the Revuelto and Urus SE, while anticipating the launch of the Temerario, a 907-horsepower plug-in hybrid supercar that may spawn an even more thrilling rear-wheel-drive version. Given the success of its hybrids, Lamborghini’s CEO recently made the admission that the brand’s first planned EV, the Lanzador, may itself transition into a plug-in hybrid before its launch.

Profits Decline Slightly

Lamborghini’s operating profit for the first half stands at €431 million (around $497 million), down from €458 million over the same period in 2024. Lamborghini says this was mostly because of unfavorable exchange rates seen in the latest quarter. The company’s operating profit margin dropped to 26.6%, down from 28.3%. Interestingly, Lamborghini made no direct reference to U.S. tariffs in its report, despite these costs resulting in a massive loss for its parent company, the VW Group, so far this year.

“In the current macroeconomic and geopolitical context, the financial and business performance of the first half of 2025 demonstrates the resilience we have built over the years, and confirms once again the brand’s positioning among the leading players in the luxury sector,” said Paolo Poma, Managing Director and CFO of Lamborghini.

With Temerario deliveries starting early next year, we expect Lamborghini's record sales run to continue.

via Recent Survey Shows Car Buyers Want Simplicity To Save Money

New cars are more expensive than ever, but it’s hard to nail down one reason as the driving force behind that trend. New technologies and features are a significant factor behind price increases, as it’s ridiculously expensive to pack screens, cameras, and sensors into a car. A recent survey from AutoPacific found that buyers shopping for budget-friendly cars would rather have a more straightforward ride, reporting that they would gladly do without some of the features that come with more expensive vehicle purchases.

AutoPacific surveyed more than 14,000 potential new car buyers in the sub-$35,000 price range, asking about their interest in new features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather seats, and sunroofs. While many said they’d like to have smartphone connectivity and other features, they were far less interested in tech like head-up displays, configurable gauge clusters, and fancy lighting animations.

AutoPacific’s manager of product and consumer insights, Robby DeGraff, said, “Front-wheel drive, base stereos, cloth seats with various manual adjustments, and analog gauges are ‘in.’ So the array of standard equipment found on entry- and mid-level trims of todays popular vehicles within the $25,000 to $35,000 price range may need to be reexamined as consumers tighten their belts in the face of economic uncertainty.”

Budget buyers may care less about some features, but they agree with their more affluent counterparts in some areas. Everyone cares about safety equipment, like parking sensors and automatic emergency braking, though the budget buyers were less interested in semi-autonomous driving features and adaptive cruise control.

The number of new cars in the sub-$35,000 price range has dwindled, but there are still several great choices available. Nissan still sells the Versa for under $20,000 to start, and it’s hard to spec a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic past the $30,000 mark.

Related: Why Cheap New Cars Are Disappearing in 2025

via Not Even The Ferrari Purosangue Is Immune To Recalls For Bad Brakes

NHTSA Recall Impacts 2023-2025 Models

Ferrari may claim that its Purosangue isn't an SUV, calling it a 'Ferrari Utility Vehicle,' but no amount of fancy segment shifting can hide the fact that the vehicle is prone to the same issues as other vehicles, including recalls. The latest, submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, affects Purosangues built from 2023-2025, and it could lead to a loss of braking performance. Fortunately, the issue seems simple to resolve, but it'll be a while yet before it's resolved. Until then, owners should be a little more circumspect about when and where to deploy all 715 horsepower from the 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12.

What The Purosangue's Problem Is

The recall documents submitted with the NHTSA say that "the fuse box's power supply and the passenger-side footrest may contact each other, possibly resulting in a short circuit that activates the brake warning light and decreases the vehicle's braking ability." This indicates a flaw in the original design, but it appears that the issue hasn't been a problem for most buyers because Ferrari only learned about it earlier this month, when a customer in China experienced the symptoms described above.

On July 21, following an investigation by Ferrari, the automaker determined that the defect was not a one-off, and other vehicles may experience the same problem. Fortunately, the recall notice does not advise owners to stop driving, indicating that the issue is not common and that any potential reduction in braking performance will be minor.

A Simple Solution Coming In Two Months

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Ferrari's solution to the issue is the installation of a simple plastic spacer that will keep the fuse box's power supply and the passenger-side footrest separated. This should be a simple job, though it will obviously require a trip to the dealer, but it won't be completed any time soon; Ferrari intends to send notification letters to the 541 potentially affected owners by mail by September 21st. That's not a huge number, but the Purosangue is limited to 20% of Ferrari's annual production capacity, and according to data from JATO Dynamics last year, 3,000-odd units were sold between 2023 and August 2024, so this recall certainly affects a significant chunk of the Purosangue owners' club. On the plus side, at least this appears to be the only recall the Purosangue has suffered since its introduction.

Related: Ferrari 849 Testarossa: A Legendary Name Could Be Making a Comeback

via Study Says More U.S. Car Buyers Sacrifice 3 Features to Save Money

What features budget shoppers are and aren’t seeking

A survey from AutoPacific has found that car buyers seeking a new vehicle priced under $35,000 are more willing to sacrifice upgrades such as nicer upholstery, exterior styling enhancements, and immersive cabin technology to meet their budget. Still, the typical budget buyer wants certain modern features, such as wireless smartphone charging pads, active safety features, heated and ventilated front seats, driver profile settings, and outlets.

AutoPacific’s study was sourced from surveying over 14,000 new vehicle intenders about their interest in more than 160 features and technologies. Non-budget shoppers in this study were labeled as willing to spend over $35,000. The survey found that head-up displays had some of the most significant differences in demand, with 23% of non-budget drivers prioritizing the features compared to 15% of budget shoppers. Leather upholstery, a panoramic or all-glass sunroof, and selectable vehicle drive modes each showed a 7% difference in demand among these buyers, with non-budget drivers expressing interest in these features at 18%, 27%, and 33%, respectively. Reconfigurable digital gauge clusters, interior/exterior welcome lighting, and premium audio systems were cited as having a 6% demand gap between budget and non-budget shoppers, with the latter group wanting the first two features at rates of 27% and branded audio at 21%. 

Conversely, budget and non-budget drivers had more overlap in desired features like memory for the driver’s seat position, all-wheel drive, a heated steering wheel, and wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. While demand for active and passive safety systems between these two groups is comparable, more significant differences exist in the types of features. For example, passive front and rear parking sensors were prioritized by budget and non-budget shoppers at 29% and 32%, respectively. However, budget drivers were 7% less interested in features like adaptive cruise control with active lane centering, with or without automatic stop capability.

Robby DeGraff, AutoPacific’s manager of product and consumer insights, said: “Base stereos, cloth seats with various manual adjustment, and analog gauges are ‘in’ for these more frugal shoppers, so the array of standard equipment found on entry- and mid-level trims of today’s popular vehicles within the $25,000 to $35,000 price range may need to be reexamined as consumers tighten their belts in the face of economic uncertainty.

Tesla ‘stripped-down’ strategy could appeal to budget buyers 

Tesla is an automaker that appears to be mirroring budget driver preferences by developing stripped-down versions of its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Alongside today’s release of its Q2 financial results, Tesla confirmed that it manufactured the first builds of one of these stripped-down models in June. In its release, Tesla stated: “We continue to expand our vehicle offering, including first builds of a more affordable model in June, with volume production planned for the second half of 2025.”

Final thoughts

Cox Automotive reports that the average transaction price of a new vehicle in June was $48,907, and budget buyers looking to spend $35,000 or less understand they’ll need to make some sacrifices. In turn, automakers can benefit from studying which features budget shoppers prioritize so they can rearrange their base offerings, as some less-desired features among this demographic are commonly found in entry-level grades, like head-up displays.

via This Is What GM Thinks The Next Chevrolet Corvette Could Become

Corvette Cosmetics Reimagined By California Design Team

A couple of months ago, General Motors revealed a Corvette concept created by its UK design team, reimagining the sports car as an electric hypercar, announcing that other GM design studios will do the same throughout this year. The latest concept is from the Pasadena, California team, which has given its concept an active rear spoiler and air brake, 21-inch front wheels with 22s at the rear, and a T-shaped chassis to accommodate a theoretical battery pack. From the back, the massive diffuser calls to mind cars like the Praga Bohema and Aston Martin Valkyrie, but the real party piece is the roof, which is actually a removable front-hinged canopy for track use. Obviously, occupants would need to wear helmets for this configuration.

Similar Size To C8, Similar Interior Styling

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GM says the concept is 182.5 inches long, just 0.2 inches longer than today's C8, but 7.2 inches shorter in height. A 109-inch wheelbase would make the concept 1.8 inches roomier, and looking inside, it seems that California's design team doesn't want to push the boundaries too far. A divider between the occupants, where the 2025 Corvette has its Great Wall of Buttons, provides a sense of familiarity, but instead of a traditional cluster, this 'Vette has critical driver info just below the hood line, like in the BMW Panoramic Vision system, but using augmented reality for the head-up display graphics rather than a physical display.

The infotainment system is out of reach of the passenger, with a small screen on the steering wheel, and the center console only offers wireless smartphone charging and a couple of buttons. One appears to be for hazards, while the other seems to be shaped like a rocket, a motif that reappears all over the current ZR1 in reference to the Gemini engine program, itself named after NASA's second successful human spaceflight project. Perhaps that's launch mode. The designers have also put some paddles behind the wheel, likely for adjusting energy recuperation levels. Bucket seats with harnesses are molded to the body - there's no space for sliding chairs in a hypercar like this.

Inspiration Seems To Come From Everywhere

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The shapes employed by this concept aren't unlike those of other hypercar designs. There's some definite Jaguar C-X75 in the short rear end, the wheels, and the rocker panels, some Koenigsegg in the glasshouse, and perhaps some Rimac Concept_One in the overall silhouette and two-tone design. The central support in the lower front fascia isn't unlike that of a LaFerrari, but zoom out, and the slanting front end reminds me of an actual stingray, while the headlight clusters look like they're borrowed from an Acura NSX.

We're not complaining about any of this - many of the shapes can still be traced to previous Corvettes, and the rules of aerodynamics dictate several others - but we'd have liked to see what the concept would look like without its canopy roof. Perhaps GM will provide more images before the next Corvette concept is unveiled.

via The Next Few Years Look Pretty Boring At Buick

Buick is a big deal in China, but the General Motors brand is nowhere near as popular in the U.S. as it once was. That said, the automaker has seen modest success in 2025, with an almost 20-percent increase in sales in the second quarter and almost 30 percent so far this year. To continue building on that success, Buick is expected to make some changes to its catalog in the coming years, including cutting one of its more popular models, according to Automotive News.

Buick currently imports the Envision from China, putting it in a challenging position with recent tariff changes, with up to a 45-percent charge on each SUV entering the country. Despite that, rumors suggest that Buick could update the Envision for 2026.

If Buick were to cut the Envision due to tariffs, it would slim its already tiny lineup to three models, leaving the Envista, Encore GX, and Enclave. The Enclave just received a complete redesign for the 2025 model year and is expected to receive a midcycle refresh for the 2028 model year. The Encore GX is expected to last until around 2029 before an update, and the Envista is relatively new, having only debuted for the 2024 model year in North America.

A new EV is expected from the brand by 2029, leaving it without a fresh model for several years. We don’t know much about the new model, but it’s expected to arrive as a subcompact crossover similar in size to the new Chevrolet Bolt. While the brand offers EVs in other markets, it hasn’t been as aggressive with electrification in the U.S., and its parent company, GM, has backed off its most forward-looking EV plans in favor of more affordable vehicles.

Part of GM’s transition involves moving pickup truck production to a factory previously dedicated to EVs, but the facility will continue building battery cells, and the automaker’s Spring Hill, TN factory is slated to begin battery production in late 2027.

via Stellantis expects first-half net loss of $2.7 billion as tariffs hit

New CEO Faces Huge Challenge

Stellantis on Monday said it expects a net loss of 2.3 billion euros (approximately $2.7 billion at current exchange rates) in the first half of the year as it begins to feel the impact of U.S. tariffs while attempting to reorganize itself for greater long-term profitability.

The report was unusual in that Stellantis released preliminary and unaudited financial information for the first half of the year, after suspending financial guidance for the full year April 30. The automaker said it took this action, considered extraordinary by financial experts, because of the divergence of analyst consensus forecast with its actual performance.

Stellantis' reported net revenue of 74.3 billion euros ($86.9 billion) in the first half contrasts with 85 billion euros ($99.4 billion) and a 5.6 billion euro ($6.5 billion) net profit for the same period in 2024. It underscores the challenges still faced by new CEO Antonio Filosa, who was appointed in May after leading Stellantis' Jeep brand.

Tariff Impact

Stellantis said four key factors impacted its financial performance in the first half of the year. One is the tariffs imposed by President Trump, which Stellantis estimates cost it 300 million euros ($351 million) due to lower shipments and production cuts. The automaker said its overall shipments fell to an estimated 1.4 million vehicles, down 6% from the same period in 2024.

In North America, Stellantis reported that vehicle shipments declined 25% year-over-year due to reduced manufacturing and lower shipments of imported vehicles as the tariffs took hold. Last year, Stellantis imported over 40% of the 1.2 million vehicles it sold in the United States, mostly from Canada and Mexico, according to Automotive News.

Other Factors

Stellantis also listed higher industrial costs, changes in foreign exchange rates, and roughly 3.3 billion euros ($3.8 billion) in pre-tax net costs associated with a product strategy shift that included canceling a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain project and recommitting to hybrids in Europe and conventional internal-combustion powertrains in the U.S.

Earlier this month, the automaker launched a hybrid version of the Fiat 500 in Europe, and it's announced the return of the Hemi V8 engine to the Ram 1500 pickup truck in the U.S. That's one of several moves by returned Ram boss Tim Kuniskis, along with a return to NASCAR racing and a possible passenger van, aimed at reviving the flagging brand.

New CEO Filosa faces a similar task across the entire Stellantis constellation of brands. He replaces Carlos Tavares, who was ousted late last year amid poor financial performance. Stellantis' first-half 2025 net revenue was in fact up from the second half of 2024, but the results show the automaker still has a long way to go.

via The Cheapest Land Rover Defender 90 Now Costs Six Figures

Small Engines No Longer Available In Small Defender

The Defender may be Land Rover's best-selling model, but JLR is slimming the lineup and minimizing choice. First reported by CarBuzz, JLR has quietly removed the $56,900 Defender 90 P300 S trim from its U.S. configurator, leaving only the supercharged V8 option available for the shortest-wheelbase Defender, which starts at $114,400 - almost double what the Defender 90 started at previously. As a result, the cheapest Defender you can buy is now the medium-length Defender 110, which is $2,700 pricier than it was for 2025. All pricing excludes a $1,850 destination charge.

Defender Price Structure Looks Very Different

As a reminder, the Defender 90 P300 S was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 296 horsepower, and that engine is still available in the 110, while the 130's base engine is a 3.0-liter six-cylinder producing the same peak figure, and the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 delivers 518 hp in any of the three Defenders.

With six trims still available for the 110 and another four for the 130, plus the hardcore OCTA, it makes sense to slim the lineup. Although the four-cylinder Defender 90 was a handy off-roader in its own right, it's not practical for much else. Most buyers chose it for its style, while those with family requirements went for the larger models anyway. If looks and presence are all that matter, a two-door V8 fits the bill.

Preparation For An EV?

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Specific sales for the V8 version of the Defender 90 are not released by JLR, but we suspect they were in the minority for the body style, especially with that six-figure starting price, and with JLR preparing several electric vehicles for the second half of the decade, one can't help but wonder if the Defender 90 may be phased out altogether. An all-electric "baby" Defender was confirmed in 2023 and is expected to be given the name Defender 'Sport,' which indicates that it may replace the Discovery Sport, itself a replacement for the Freelander.

Expected in 2027, this will do battle with a new "baby" G-Class, though the Mercedes is expected to offer combustion alongside an electric powertrain. But things may still change for JLR. A new report from the U.K.'s The Guardian says a trio of JLR EVs have been delayed as the company waits "for demand to pick up."

via State-by-State EV Savings: Slash Driving Costs by Up to 80%

Electric vehicles can slash your driving “fuel” bill — but exactly how much you save depends on where you live, or rather where you charge. Here’s a state-by-state look at per-mile EV costs using the latest electricity rates and gas prices.

How Electricity Rates Shape EV Cost

Your EV’s operating cost comes down to two numbers: your local residential electricity rate and your vehicle’s efficiency. According to the latest (2023) data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Louisiana averaged 13.46 ¢/kWh, Washington 13.03 ¢/kWh, Vermont 23.20 ¢/kWh, California 31.77 ¢/kWh, and Hawaii led the nation with 42.44 ¢/kWh (April 2025). Pairing these rates with an average EV efficiency of 3 mi/kWh yields per-mile “fuel” costs ranging from just 4.49 ¢ in Louisiana to 14.15 ¢ in Hawaii.

Meanwhile, AAA reports the national average for regular gasoline at $3.155/gal (July 18, 2025), which translates to about 10.52 ¢/mile at 30 mpg.

EV operating cost hinges on your local electricity rate and your car’s efficiency. With a representative 3 mi/kWh, charging in early 2025 cost roughly 4.49 ¢/mi in Louisiana (13.46 ¢/kWh), 4.34 ¢/mi in Washington (13.03 ¢/kWh), 7.73 ¢/mi in Vermont (23.20 ¢/kWh), 10.59 ¢/mi in California (31.77 ¢/kWh), and 14.15 ¢/mi in Hawaii (42.44 ¢/kWh) according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Meanwhile, at $3.16/gal for gas (≈ 10.5 ¢/mi at 30 mpg), fuel runs about 10.5 ¢/mi per AAA’s national average.

Beyond the Charger

California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project offers $2,000–4,500 rebates; Vermont provides up to $5,000 in state incentives plus utility rebates (e.g., Green Mountain Power’s $3,200 cap) but still charges 6% sales tax; Washington utilities’ off-peak TOU plans save about 20–30% on charging; and Entergy in Louisiana rebates $250–350 for home charger installs through its eTech Program.

Total Cost Comparison

1. Check your rate on your electric bill.
2. Know your EV’s efficiency (most average roughly 3 mi/kWh).
3. Compute EV cost per mile: Rate ÷ Efficiency.
4. Compare to gas: (Gas price ÷ Vehicle mpg).

In low-rate states, EV “fuel” runs 70–80% cheaper than gasoline. Even in California or Hawaii, incentives and off-peak plans keep EV costs on par, or slightly below, gas.

Verdict: Plug In and Pocket the Difference

Don’t settle for $0.10–$0.14 per mile at the pump when you could be paying as little as $0.03 per mile on electricity. Crunch your own numbers now at the DOE’s AFDC Vehicle Cost Calculator —enter your ZIP, your EV’s efficiency and annual mileage, and watch your projected savings stack up. Whether you live where power is cheap or costly, this quick tool shows exactly how much you’ll pocket by making the switch.

Charge smarter, drive farther, and keep hundreds more dollars in your wallet each year.

via Tesla’s Model 3+ Is the Range King We Didn’t Expect

Tesla Has Improved the Model 3, But There's Room for Growth

Last year, Tesla unveiled a major update for the Model 3, the first redesign since its launch. The update first appeared in China before a roll-out to North America, featuring aerodynamic improvements, sleek styling tweaks (such as revised taillights and smoother front fascia), and a quieter cabin thanks to acoustic laminated glass and refined wheel/tire combination.

The refreshed Model 3 Long Range RWD offers 363 miles under EPA, marking a 10% improvement in efficiency and range over previous versions. Despite these substantial upgrades, the Model 3's range still leaves room for growth, especially with newer rivals in the market.

Tesla might be working on that, though, as a new "Model 3＋" has emerged, spotted in China's regulatory filings by CarNewsChina.

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A Better Battery Comes the "+"

The Model 3＋ is a single‑motor, rear‑wheel‑drive variant, combining the efficiency of an RWD drivetrain with the energy density of an LG‑supplied ternary NMC battery, previously reserved for AWD trims. The result is a setup that aims to deliver the longest range yet on a Model 3. The base RWD in China (62.5 kWh LFP) achieves 394 miles CLTC, while the Long Range AWD (78.4 kWh NMC) hits 468 miles.

By merging RWD efficiency with NMC's higher performance, analysts estimate the Model 3＋ could stretch beyond 497 miles under CLTC. There's also a power bump: filings from China's MIIT indicate a 302-hp RWD motor, up from the 260-hp motor in the existing base RWD variant.

According to reports, Tesla plans to price it around 270,000 Chinese yuan, or around $37,600 at the current exchange rates, slotting it neatly between the base RWD and Long Range AWD trims, with a launch expected in early September.

Of note, the CLTC cycle here tends to be more forgiving than the EPA ratings in the US, so real‑world performance will likely fall short of the CLTC figures.

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The Battery Tech That Can Improve American Teslas

The emergence of the Model 3＋ suggests a compelling opportunity for Tesla's American lineup. The automaker already offers a Long Range RWD with a 79.7 kWh NMC battery and 363 EPA‑mile range. Adopting the Model 3＋'s battery‑plus‑RWD setup domestically could edge the EPA range closer to 400 miles, especially if further efficiency optimizations are applied.

Technical feasibility seems strong: the motor appears globally sourced (not China‑specific), and NMC packs are already built at Tesla's US plants. Key considerations will include cost, manufacturing complexity, and consumer appetite for another trim option. If the range boost is substantial – say, a 30–40‑mile gain over current Long Range models – it could become a high‑value, efficiency‑focused variant rather than just another price tier.

via Hyundai Kills Problematic Dual-Clutch Autos For Two Models

Modern torque-converter automatics are replacing once-lauded DCTs

Hyundai just announced updates for its entire range, as most models begin the switch to the 2026 model year. While many of these changes involved a shuffling of trims and new features, one particular update jumped out at us. The Korean marque will be replacing the dual-clutch automatic transmission in variants of the Santa Fe and Santa Cruz equipped with it. In the DCT’s place will be a conventional torque converter automatic. This seems to be yet another case of DCTs losing favor, due to reliability concerns and a few undesirable drivability characteristics. Let’s take a closer look.

A Needlessly Complex Transmission For Everyday Family Cars

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For turbocharged models (all non-hybrid Santa Fe and Santa Cruz derivatives), Hyundai has until now been using an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic. Naturally-aspirated Santa Cruz pickups stuck with a conventional eight-speed auto.

However, DCTs are more complicated than regular autos, featuring two separate clutches and associated components. This makes them more costly to produce and maintain, and less suitable for use in cheaper everyday cars. There are also reliability concerns, as Ford found out with its older PowerShift transmissions.

Hyundai has already had to recall Santa Fe models for DCT-related issues, despite the model still being relatively new. In these crossovers, the Transmission Control Unit software logic could mistakenly engage the clutches. These could damage the transmission, cause a rollaway, or result in a noise from the DCT.

A separate recall involving Santa Cruz and Santa Fe models with the DCT was filed, too. This one related to rough shifts, a lack of power, and hesitation, which could result in the transmission needing to be replaced.

Evidently, Hyundai decided that these transmissions are more trouble than they’re worth, which is why a normal eight-speeder is being used instead.

“For 2026, Santa Fe moves to a torque converter transmission. It became available in our development cycle, and we determined it provided ideal overall drivability for the Santa Fe driver moving forward," the spokesperson said to Car and Driver, seemingly not wanting to mention any of the DCT’s obvious defects.

In our own review of the Santa Fe, we found that the DCT was jerky when switching from first to second gear.

DCTs May Have Had Their Heyday

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Since its use in the Volkswagen Golf R32 in the 2000s, the dual-clutch auto found its way into many performance cars. The transmission has often been praised for its ultra-fast shifts, which create a more engaging driving experience. They also improved fuel efficiency, especially at a time when torque-converter transmissions were not as refined or efficient as they are now.

This has changed, however. Since the Golf R32 launched, torque-converter automatics have improved dramatically. Eight-speed transmissions are now commonplace, as are designs with up to 10 speeds. But beyond the number of gears, these transmissions now shift a lot quicker than before, to the point where the main advantage of a DCT has been eroded.

Conventional automatics are also smoother, especially at low speeds or in stop-and-go traffic, when DCTs can be jerky.

BMW, a brand that relied on DCTs for several M cars, has replaced them with its eight-speed torque converter, even in focused products like the M3. Reliable brands like Mazda and Toyota haven’t considered DCTs, even in performance models. Of course, many supercar manufacturers still use DCTs successfully, such as Ferrari with the SF90 Stradale.

While Ford persisted with its troublesome PowerShift for far too long, it’s good to see Hyundai has made this change early in the life cycles of the current Santa Fe and Santa Cruz.

via How Slate Plans to Build a $25,000 Electric Truck Without the Gimmicks

In an interview with Sherwood News, Slate Auto CEO Chris Barman explained exactly how her company plans to do what Tesla never could: deliver a brand-new electric truck for just $25,000 — no gimmicks, no tax credits, and no wild price hikes. It’s called the Blank Slate, and it’s as bare-bones as the name suggests.

Forget giant touchscreens, self-driving gimmicks, or luxury-baiting light shows. The Slate truck is a two-seat EV with manual windows, no stereo, and the kind of bolt-it-yourself attitude that would make IKEA blush. It’s designed to compete not with other new trucks, but with the used car market — and at a time when the average used car costs over $27,000, that target suddenly sounds pretty ambitious.

Building Backwards To Drive Forward

Slate’s strategy, according to Barman, was to reverse-engineer affordability. “What are the only essentials that need to go in a vehicle?” she asked. So they cut the touchscreen, replaced powered equipment with manual parts, and focused on making everything user-replaceable. There’s no paint — it’s composite plastic. No infotainment — just bring your phone. Even the key is deliberately simple, though they still added remote access for safety-conscious buyers.

This isn’t some vaporware promise. Slate says the vehicle will meet top safety standards, offer a proper warranty, and still come in cheaper than most secondhand SUVs. You get air conditioning, a steel frame, and customisation options via accessories and wrap kits — including a hot pink one, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Barman claims they’ve pulled this off by slashing parts complexity — only 600 parts versus the industry norm of 2,500 — and by cutting out the expensive bits of traditional carmaking like paint shops and stamping equipment. All this lets them use smaller factories, fewer employees, and cheaper supplier tooling. It’s a totally different playbook from legacy brands or flashy EV startups.

Is $25k Still Possible?

Now, here’s the twist. Although Slate initially touted a sub-$20,000 figure with incentives, the actual price has crept up. According to the company’s website and recent reports, the Blank Slate is now expected to cost “in the mid-twenties”, without incentives — a roughly 20% hike attributed to the looming phase-out of federal EV tax credits under new policy shifts. The reality is that $25k is now the floor — not the post-incentive dream.

Still, for a brand-new electric truck, that’s remarkably cheap. Especially when the competition is focused on six-figure crossovers and mega-luxury statements. While everyone else is chasing Tesla’s performance and Cadillac’s opulence, Slate is doing something logical: making a car people can actually afford.

The truck’s production will happen in a converted factory in Warsaw, Indiana, using battery modules from Georgia, with a total buildout cost far below what other carmakers would need. And yes — Slate says it’ll be profitable on every vehicle it sells, even the most basic spec.

That kind of fiscal restraint, combined with the sheer simplicity of the product, might just be Slate’s biggest advantage. Jeff Bezos is backing the company, and over 100,000 customers have already configured trucks using Slate’s online tool.

Not For Everyone, But Maybe That’s The Point

Who wants a truck like this? Barman says it’s everyone from young trade workers and budget-conscious families, to DIY fans and even retired seniors who find today’s EVs too complicated. It’s not going to compete with a Cybertruck, and it’s not supposed to. It’s the anti-Cybertruck: cheap, plain, and actually useful.

Slate isn’t promising full autonomy or top-speed records. It’s promising that you can change the colour of your truck for $500 and fix a dent with your own hands. If that sounds like a step backward, maybe it’s because everyone else has been sprinting in the wrong direction.

Whether it holds the $25,000 line remains to be seen. But for now, Slate’s pitch is clear: no screens, no fluff — just an EV people can actually buy.

via Rivian’s Impressive Infotainment Update Isn’t The One Drivers Really Want

Rivian makes getting to your destination as seamless as possible

Rivian has introduced a new navigation system for its R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV. The latest system will rely on Google Maps instead of the older Mapbox-based maps setup. Integrated into the Rivian infotainment system, the new navigation will allow drivers to more seamlessly get to their next destination. The latest setup works a bit differently to Google’s other automotive integrations, such as Google Built-In and Android Auto. Rather, this change combines the best of Google Maps with Rivian’s own user experience.

A Bevy Of New Features

Using Rivian Navigation with Google Maps, drivers will be able to tap into top features like traffic updates, satellite imagery, estimated arrival times, and smart routing. Being an EV company, Rivian has made sure the latest system supports functionality that is specifically relevant to EV owners, from charger stop selection to range on arrival estimates and charging scores.

Fresh routes and traffic will not only help drivers find the fastest route, but by consistently surveying traffic patterns, it will reroute you if a better route becomes available. Another new function is the ability to tap on points of interest on the map, quickly learning more about specific places, such as operating hours and reviews.

Real-time information communicates any road disruptions, and satellite imagery provides a clear view of your position in a specific city or suburb.

Related: 2025 Rivian R1T and R1S First Drive: Under-the-skin changes reap rewards

EV-Friendly Features Accessible On App And In Vehicle

Whether you’re using the Rivian Mobile app or are sitting in the driver’s seat interacting with the large display, several new or updated EV features are available.

The estimated range on arrival better allows you to plan journeys, and will even factor in the use of specialized accessories or trailers. EV drivers know that not all charging points or stations are reliable, so Rivian owners can now use a charging score to determine if a certain charging point has a high score, based on reliability. This can save you time, as the chances of stopping at a non-functional charging station are lower.

From green parks to deep blue lakes, the design language of the map has also been updated, making it more pleasant to use and look at.

“Rivian as a brand at its core, is meant to inspire customers to go explore the world and get to places they never thought they would,” said Wassym Bensaid, Chief Software Officer at Rivian. “The core enabler for that is a great navigation application.”

Better Maps, But Still No Apple CarPlay Or Android Auto

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As much as the new Google Maps collaboration is welcomed, Rivian still doesn’t offer full Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in its vehicles; it does offer access to Apple Music and now the maps feature is better, but the full functionality of the smartphone-mirroring technologies is still missing, even as Apple CarPlay evolves.

These features are now offered on the vast majority of new vehicles in the U.S. and are in high demand from the average car buyer, so it’s a pity they still aren’t available. A petition even exists for Rivian to introduce these smartphone-mirroring functions into new Rivians.

The automaker wants to maintain control over its software, which is part of the reason for the omission. A few tech gurus have found a workaround to get Apple CarPlay/Android Auto to work in Rivians, but it would be far more convenient if these features were installed from the factory.

At least Rivian owners are more likely to get to their next destination without any hiccups.