Model News

Mercedes-AMG revealed the GT 53 4-door, the long-range entry to its electric GT family. Two motors make 536 hp, and the 106 kWh pack claims up to 503 miles (809 km) WLTP - achieved by mechanically decoupling the front motor under light load. From EUR 115,430. Figures are preliminary, not yet homologated.

MG opened pre-sales on its 07 fastback with five electric trims from ¥125,900 to ¥165,900 ($18,600 to $24,500) and reported 21,000 reservations in 20 hours. The semi-solid-state battery went into the three cheapest cars; the 845 km versions use a conventional CATL pack. It is the first MG sold with lidar.

smart relaunched the second-generation #1 in China on August 6, moving the whole range onto an 800V silicon-carbide platform for the first time. The 61.52 kWh LFP battery gives 535 km CLTC range, with 10-80% DC charging in 12 minutes, from ¥149,900 ($22,080).

Brand CEO Gernot Döllner says the next Q8 had not been signed off when he took the job and the decision was reversed. The five-seat coupe format stays, with V6 and V8 petrol engines expected, including the 4.0 twin-turbo V8 from the new SQ9. No prototypes have been seen and the debut is expected around 2028.

Korean sales of the eighth-generation Elantra, badged Avante at home, have opened at ₩23,980,000 ($17,300) for the 149 hp 2.0-litre petrol and ₩30,420,000 ($21,900) for the 157 hp hybrid. Both come with the Pleos Connect infotainment system and its Gleo AI voice assistant.

Dongfeng Nissan has published the first official images of the NX7, a compact SUV that sits below the NX8 in the China-developed N-series. A roof-mounted lidar and semi-flush door handles are visible; dimensions, interior and powertrain are not disclosed. Chinese sales are planned before the end of 2026.

BAIC and Huawei's second HIMA model is taking Chinese preorders at ¥439,800 to ¥559,800 ($64,200 to $81,700). The angular SUV runs an 800V architecture with all-wheel drive, air suspension and rear-wheel steering as standard, in EREV form with up to 405 km of electric CLTC range or as an EV with 728 km.

The 2027 C-HR arrives in the United States as an electric car only, with dual motors, all-wheel drive and 338 hp in both trims. A 74.7 kWh battery gives up to 287 miles, the charge port is NACS, and the SE opens at $37,080. Sales start in September.

The Dingcang Edition drops the U8L's third row for two armchairs that recline to 150 degrees, adds a 21.4-inch ceiling screen and two refrigerators, and costs ¥1,458,000 ($216,000). The range-extended powertrain is unchanged at 1,196 hp, with a slightly larger battery good for 230 km of electric CLTC range.

BYD has revealed the Sealion 08, a 5,115 mm flagship SUV for its Ocean sub-brand with a five- or six-seat cabin, a rear ceiling screen, and a built-in refrigerator. It comes as a DM-i plug-in hybrid or a battery-electric SUV with up to 796 hp. China sales are expected from August 2026.

Jetta, the FAW-Volkswagen budget brand for China, has revealed the M6, its first electric vehicle. The sedan is close in size to a Volkswagen Passat, front-wheel drive with 154 hp or 197 hp motor options, and is due in China before the end of 2026.

Xpeng has revealed the G9L, a five-seat SUV between the G9 and the six-seat flagship GX on the same 800V platform. It comes as an EREV or a battery-electric SUV, from 286 hp up to 585 hp on the top all-wheel- drive EV. China sales open before the end of 2026.

A month after the global fifth-generation X5 launch, BMW revealed its long-wheelbase Chinese variant. The X5 L gets a dedicated G78 designator and a 130 mm longer wheelbase (3,165 mm), with nearly all the extra length going to rear-seat passengers.

Ferrari has sold out its full 2026 production run of the Luce, about 500 cars, in under two months since the May reveal and before the first customer deliveries. China provided most of the demand; CEO Benedetto Vigna says the order book is now filled into 2027.

Leapmotor is preparing a low-cost electric hatchback for two markets - the A05 in China and the more compact B03 for Europe. The Chinese version offers two front-drive powertrains with up to 510 km of CLTC range; European specs haven't been disclosed.

FAW-Volkswagen has completed certification of the ID.Aura T6, the first model in its new China-only ID.Aura family, clearing the way for a full reveal and a market launch before the end of 2026. The driver-assistance lidar confirmed at the car's reveal will be a paid option rather than standard equipment.

Xiaomi opened pre-sales for its SkyNomad N70 and N90 EREV SUVs on July 30, at 259,900 yuan and 299,900 yuan respectively for the top Max trim, with a full launch set for September. Both share the same 310 kW motor pair and 76 kWh battery, but the smaller N70 posts a longer CLTC electric range than its flagship sibling - the detail behind Xiaomi's "longest range of any EREV" claim.

Audi has revealed the Q9, its first full-size flagship SUV at 5,309 mm long. Europe gets a 3.0 V6 turbodiesel mild hybrid (245 or 299 hp) and quattro; the US gets a 435 hp 2.9 twin-turbo petrol, plus a 591 hp V8 SQ9. Orders open from July 2026, from €108,400 (about $118,100) in Germany, or $87,700 in the US.

Lexus will update the LS flagship sedan for Japan on September 10, 2026, dropping the non-hybrid V6 in favor of a hybrid-only lineup and trimming the range to three grades. Australia gets the same update toward the end of 2026 and keeps selling the car into 2027. The US drops the LS after the 2026 model year, sending it off with a 250-unit Heritage Edition.

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the third-generation GLA, launching as a full EV before hybrids follow. Three variants span 224 to 354 hp, up to 657 km WLTP range, and charging up to 320 kW. The compact SUV grows 155 mm to 4,565 mm long, and orders are open in Europe now.