Model News

smart is preparing to reveal the #2, its first compact two-seat city EV in years and spiritual successor to the ForTwo, on a new Geely- developed ECA platform with the same 6.95-meter turning circle. World premiere is set for October at the Paris Motor Show, with European sales starting in spring 2027 from below 22,500 euros (about $24,300).

Toyota is weighing whether to restore physical fan-speed controls on the sixth-generation RAV4 after owner complaints about the touchscreen-only setup, chief engineer Yoshinori Futonagane says, with pushback coming even from Chinese customers Toyota assumed preferred touch controls.

Mercedes-Maybach revealed the GLS 680, replacing the GLS 600 with an updated 4.0-litre electrified V8 now rated at 603 hp and 850 Nm, up 53 hp and 89 Nm. The SUV gets a redesigned illuminated grille, an optional illuminated bonnet star, and an updated MBUX Superscreen cabin. Ordering is open in China now; US and European order books open at the end of July 2026, with pricing still unannounced.

DS Automobiles unveiled the N°7 Élysée, a long-wheelbase, armoured version of its electric SUV built for the President of France. It revives hydropneumatic suspension, tuned in France, on a car stretched by 250 mm and fitted out as a mobile office.

Chery Jaguar Land Rover has revealed the cabin of the Freelander 8, the first model from its new Freelander sub-brand. The six-seat SUV pairs a 46.3-inch panoramic display with a separate 15.6-inch central screen, an 800V architecture and Huawei's ADS 5.0 driver assistance.

Geely has launched the EX2, a compact electric hatchback known as the Xingyuan in China, in the UK. The entry Pro trim starts at GBP 20,990 with 249 km WLTP range, while the Max and Ultra step up to a larger battery and 344 km WLTP range.

DS Automobiles unveiled the N°7, its new premium SUV and DS 7 successor, on Stellantis's STLA Medium platform. It comes as a mild hybrid or in three electric E-TENSE tiers, topping out at 740 km WLTP range, with European prices from EUR 43,900 (about $47,600).

Nissan revealed the fourth-generation Elgrand and started sales in Japan, its first major redesign since 2010. The minivan runs Nissan's e-POWER hybrid system with e-4ORCE all-wheel drive, priced from ¥6,897,000 ($42,470).

Volkswagen revealed the production ID. Cross, a compact electric crossover that works as an EV alternative to the T-Cross. It shares its MEB+ platform, motors and cabin with the ID. Polo, and goes on sale in Europe from autumn 2026 at around €28,000.

The latest special edition in Jeep's Twelve 4 Twelve programme brings back a Wrangler trim name last used in 1995. Built on the off-road Willys base with a 1-inch lift, 35-inch tyres, and Southwest-inspired graphics, the Laredo starts at $53,240 for the two-door and $55,620 for the four-door.

Kia is recalling 462,869 Telluride SUVs from the 2020-2024 model years in the United States. A damaged or displaced front-seat adjuster switch can leave the seat's motor running and overheating, with 18 cases of localized fire or melting recorded since October 2024. It is the second recall over the same defect. Dealers will install a free electronic fuse; owner notifications start August 13, 2026.

American startup Slate added five Crayola-branded wraps for its electric pickup and SUV, sold as dealer-installed accessories rather than factory paint. The Blank Slate concept - an unpainted grey base built for post-purchase personalization - stays intact.

Mercedes-AMG's CLA 45 4MATIC+ drops its four-cylinder engine for a three-motor electric powertrain making 680 hp, with sedan and Shooting Brake body styles and up to 670 km of WLTP range.

Ram and Roush Performance built the Ram 1500 Direct Connection by Roush, an off-road package around the naturally aspirated 5.7-liter HEMI V8 rather than the turbocharged Hurricane inline-six used in the Ram RHO.

British tuner Urban Automotive debuted the Widetrack Avontur at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, converting a Land Rover Defender 110 Hard Top into a pickup with a hand-built carbon-fiber cargo bed, over 36 custom exterior parts and 23-inch wheels. It remains a prototype; Urban Automotive is taking orders but has not disclosed a price.

FAW-Volkswagen has disclosed the first technical details of the ID.Aura T6, a mid-size electric crossover on an 800V platform co-developed with Xpeng, launching in China before the end of 2026.

Slate's $24,950 electric pickup is real: a two-seater with 205 miles of range, unpainted body panels, hand-crank windows and no infotainment screen. The options catalogue is where the money goes, and a fully loaded build has been configured past $46,000. Here is the price ladder.

McLaren revealed the 788HS, the third and final HS-badged special of the 720S/750S generation. The 4.0L twin-turbo V8 makes 788 hp and 800 Nm, dry weight is down to 1,265 kg, and 0-100 km/h takes 2.8 seconds. Just 200 will be built - 100 Coupe, 100 Spider - before McLaren moves to a new supercar platform.

BYD's premium Denza brand unveiled the Z sports car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Coupe, Spider and track-focused Racing forms, all sharing a 1604 hp tri-motor powertrain. The Racing hits 100 km/h in 1.96 seconds on semi-slicks. UK prices start at £142,900 ($190,770) for the Coupe, rising to £172,900 ($230,820) for the Racing.

MG showed the MG GO! concept at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, a preview of the production MG2 electric hatchback due in Europe around the middle of 2027. It is expected to become MG's cheapest EV, positioned against the Renault 5 and Citroen e-C3.