Huawei just delivered its largest electric SUV yet, the Aito M9. This exquisite electric-driven SUV isn’t here to play small, setting its sights on on behemoths like Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover in China. The Aito brand is the love child of Huawei and Seres. In this matrimony of automotive brains and brawn, Seres has taken up the mantle of manufacturing. Huawei, the tech juggernaut, graces these machines with electric motors, chips, sensors, and more. Two flavors of Aito M9 are available. The BEV variant boasts two e-motors, delivering a robust 530 hp. On the other hand, the EREV… More…
Author: arenaevcom
Chery Omoda 5 EV unveiled, to run on a 61 kWh battery pack
Chery first announced its Omoda 5 SUV at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier this year and now, during the Geneva/Qatar Motor Show, the company is pulling the wraps off of the EV variant. For those of you who don’t know, Chery plans to deliver EV and ICE configurations to the European market as well. Chery Omoda 5 EV The Omoda 5 EV will arrive with a 61 kWh battery pack, capable of doing 450 km on a charge. Power figures weren’t confirmed, but the SUV can hit 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. The vehicle also supports 110 kW DC fast charging, which can charge the battery from 0 to 80% in just… More…
Hyundai officially launches Ioniq 5 Disney100 Platinum Edition
Have you ever wished for a car infused with your favorite fairy tales? Well, your wish is Hyundai’s command. Meet the limited edition Hyundai Ioniq 5 Disney100 Platinum Edition. After debuting as a concept at the New York Auto Show, Hyundai actually decided to make the Disney-themed Ioniq 5. The enchanting vehicle is set to waltz onto screens nationwide during an episode of “Dancing with the Stars.” And with its Gravity Gold Matte exterior and wheel design reminiscent of Mickey Mouse, it’s like seeing your favorite childhood memories come to life on four wheels. To make sure you know… More…
BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce pledge allegiance to Tesla’s NACS standard
The BMW Group – umbrella to the BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce brands – has decided to jump on the NACS bandwagon in North America. Beginning in 2025, the automaker group will integrate Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) into their EVs for the North American market. And if you were wondering, yes, this does mean BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce EV owners can soon enjoy access to select Tesla Supercharger stations. The aim is clear – enhance the charging experience for their users. With the growing fleet of electric BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce models in the US, Sebastian Mackensen, the… More…
BMW teases the i5 Touring as the i5 goes on sale
Following its recent debut in the South Korean market, the new electric BMW i5 is gearing up for its launch in Europe. And the German maker added a dash of extra excitement by teasing its upcoming BMW i5 Touring poised to make its grand debut in spring 2024. The actual launch is scheduled for 21 October 2023 and will cover all of BMW’s European markets. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Americans can catch their first glimpse of the car on the roads by 28 October 2023. The rest of the global market will follow suit on 25 November 2023. The eighth generation of BMW’s illustrious 5… More…
Stellantis in final stages of licensing Leapmotor’s EREV platform, rumor says
Back in August, Chinese EV maker Leapmotor announced that it’s entered an agreement with VW through which the German car maker will license the Leap 3.0 EV platform for its Jetta joint-venture (with FAW) sub-brand in China. And now it looks like we might be on the verge of another such big announcement for Leapmotor. According to a new rumor out of China, which supposedly comes from not one, not two, but three “sources familiar with the matter”, Stellantis is very close to sealing an investment agreement with Leapmotor, through which the global giant would invest in the Chinese automaker…. More…
Li Auto ventures into the BEV world with the Mega MPV
There’s a new player shaking things up in the electric vehicle arena, and it’s none other than Li Auto. Known primarily for its EREV SUVs, the Beijing-based automotive start-up just unveiled the official images of its first all-electric model – the Mega MPV. Scheduled to have its grand debut in December 2023, this minivan is Li Auto’s maiden voyage into the battery-electric vehicle (BEV) waters. Now, if you’ve been tracking Li Auto, you know it isn’t exactly a newcomer to the automotive scene. It has firmly established its presence in China, averaging about 30,000 sales a month. Its… More…
Toyota’s new EV van concept is based on a modular, highly customizable platform
Ahead of this year’s Japan Mobility Show, Toyota introduced a new EV van concept called Kayoibako, centered around efficiency and maximizing space. Interestingly enough, most of what we see in the images seems quite feasible, so if the reception is good we might see something very similar on the road. Toyota Kayoibako concept The coolest thing about this van is that it’s based on a modular, highly customizable platform. This way Kayoibako can be ordered for different purposes and may end up on the shopping list of many enterprises, not just end users. Some of the images… More…
Citroen introduces all-new electric e-C3
It’s said that every so often, a product comes along that shakes up the status quo. Next year, Citroen seems poised to do just that with its unveiling of the e-C3. With its roots tracing back to the iconic 2CV, the e-C3 is setting its sights on becoming the next game-changer in affordable electric vehicles. Starting at a modest €23,300, the e-C3 places itself comfortably ahead of even the most affordable Chinese EV options in Europe. That’s aiming right at the Dacia Spring – which we reviewed right here – in fact and actually – the e-C3 seems to promise far better value. Got even a… More…
Chery’s first SUV from new EV family Exeed Exlantix ET goes into production
If you’ve been watching the electric SUV market, you’ll know China’s Li Auto L7. Now Chery Group has introduced the Exeed Exlantix ET – known domestically as the Sterra ET – which will bring the same hardware to international audiences, albeit with a different badge. Exeed isn’t exactly the new kid on the block. Launching as a premium brand under Chery in 2017, it showcased its potential at the Frankfurt exhibition. Interestingly, while Exeed’s sales within China haven’t quite hit home run status (with a modest 33,989 units in 2023 so far), their overseas sales are on the rise. In… More…
Nissan unveils Hyper Tourer concept EV
If you were eager to know what Nissan has been cooking up for the Japan Mobility Show, we’ve got the latest dish. Introducing the Nissan Hyper Tourer, an all-electric minivan concept that – according to Nissan – seeks to elevate the joy of traveling together. A blend of the latest tech and the timeless essence of omotenashi (or Japanese hospitality), the Hyper Tourer is for those who don’t just drive; they relish the experience, whether it’s a business trip or a weekend getaway. And, in the spirit of inclusivity, Nissan ensured the design appeals to folks who enjoy the good things in life… More…
Leapmotor C10 will be sold in China too, along with international markets
Last month at IAA Mobility in Munich, Germany, Leapmotor presented its C10, an SUV that was billed as the spearhead of the company’s international expansion. Thus, it was announced for overseas markets first, which is exactly the opposite of how most Chinese EV brands do things. We’re used to new models getting their unveiling in China first, and then, usually several months later, there’s an announcement about international (which generally means European) availability. Leapmotor, on the other hand, chose the reverse strategy, it seems, as the C10 has now been certified for sale in… More…
Toyota teases FT-3e and FT-Se EVs concepts
Toyota, a titan in the auto world, just dangled a bit of electric carrot in front of us. In preparation for the upcoming Japan Mobility Show 2023 in Tokyo, Toyota released teaser images of two electric concepts. The first one is Toyota FT-3e. Toyota describes it as “SUV-like” and it promises to “enrich customers’ daily lives with new driving experiences and personalized services powered by innovative technologies.” Clear as mud, right? Toyota seems to hint at cutting-edge personalization features and top-tier tech, but we’ll have to sit tight for the specifics – although it all smells of… More…
Tesla’s V4 Supercharger pictured with credit card reader and CCS1 adapter
Tesla has been taking its time with the rollout of its V4 Superchargers, but things are now beginning to ramp up. There are multiple reports by observant users on Reddit, posting pictures of new V4 Supercharger sites being constructed around the US and in Europe and Asia. The image below, courtesy of Reddit user RealPokePOP is the most revealing so far. It shows that the V4 charger has a payment terminal and a CCS1 adapter, which Tesla calls the Magic Dock. The two open the V4 Superchargers to non-Tesla owners. The CCS1 (Combined Charging System) adapter allows other EVs to charge at up… More…
Stella Terra SUV goes on sun-powered safari across Morocco
The desire for vehicles fully independent of the charging infrastructure is nothing new, even if commercialization is impossible at this point. However, that doesn’t stop projects like the Stella Terra from popping up and do a publicity stunt or two., The khaki SUV is created by the young minds at Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE), and it claims to be the “world’s first off-road solar-powered vehicle”. It’s the potential game-changer for places where the definition of a road is stretched and where electrical grids exhibit a whimsical nature. Think about it: an SUV that can bring… More…
Ford offers up to €14,000 discounts for F-150 Lightning
Ford brought some great news for potential buyers of its F-150 Lightning: a whopping €14,000 incentive. That’s right, the electric behemoth of a truck just got a lot more affordable. If you’re in the camp of “I’ve been considering this, but…” – now might be the time to strike. On the 2023 F-150 Lightning Platinum trim, there’s a €7,000 retail purchase incentive. And if you’re thinking of leasing instead of buying, there’s an equal amount available in Red Carpet Lease customer cash. But if Platinum is a bit too rich for your wallet, don’t worry. The Lariat offers a €7,000 incentive… More…
Updated Tesla Model Y deliveries start – MIIT filing reveals optional radar
Tesla’s refreshed Model Y deliveries already began and an MIIT filing in China has revealed an interesting detail. MIIT catalog image of the refreshed Model Y The MIIT catalog features two Model Y entries, distinguishable by their model numbers, TSL6480BEVAR3 and TSL6480BEVAR4. While their visuals and model numbers might vary, the provided specifications for both are identical. Here’s where it gets interesting: potential buyers can choose to outfit their Model Y with radar and opt for front fog lights. The inclusion of radar is probably the most important difference here, after the… More…
Volvo’s EM90 electric van leaks ahead of the announcement
Volvo briefly teased its first all-electric MPV, the EM90, and we expect the vehicle to launch sometime in 2024. The Chinese MIIT, however, couldn’t wait any longer and revealed some key specs as well as the design of the vehicle. The EM90 is an interesting one as this is the first time the company ventures into the MPV segment. And as previously speculated, the EM90 is based on Geely’s SEA platform, which is used for the making of numerous Zeekr models, including the Zeekr 009. This SEA platform also underpins the Polestar 4, Zeekr 001 and Zeekr X as well. Unsurprisingly, the… More…
First electric Mini Cooper rolls off production line in China
The very first units of the all-new electric Mini Cooper drove off the assembly line at Spotlight Automotive’s manufacturing facility on October 14. Located in the bustling city of Zhangjiagang in China’s Jiangsu Province, this facility isn’t just another car factory. It’s the result of an ambitious collaboration between Great Wall Motor (GWM) and BMW, conceived back in 2019. This joint venture was started with a whopping RMB 1.7 billion (equivalent to a staggering €216.84 million). Interestingly, while the companies are jointly developing and producing the cars, they have agreed to sell… More…
Chery’s third attempt to enter the US car market
Once, twice, but three times? Chery Automobile, the prodigious state-owned Chinese carmaker, is preparing for its third foray into the US market. Previous expeditions in 2005 and 2020 didn’t quite make the mark, but with a newly acquired taste of success in Mexico, the company is feeling optimistic. “The US market is vital for us,” declared Brian Wu, Chery Mexico’s executive vice president. If enthusiasm were a currency, Wu would undoubtedly be rolling in it. With the company’s Mexican adventure in 2022 turning fruitful, their ambitions have taken an electric turn. Literally. Chery’s… More…