Mercedes announced it’s opening orders for the updated EQA and EQB in Europe and the cars are expected at dealers in early 2024. The EQA 250 is €48,992, the 250+ goes up to €50,420. Then there’s the 300 4MATIC at €51,735 and 350 4MATIC tops the range with its €54,638 price. Trim levels are the baseline Progressive, featuring ARTICO man-made leather, leather steering wheel, and 18-inch alloy wheels. A move up to the Electric Art opens up nicer 18-inch alloys, nicer interior materials, and a multifunction sports wheel in nappa leather. The AMG Line adds AMG styling, sports seats, AMG… More…

The Kia EV9 is about to become available to the general public and as of yet, most people haven’t been able to see it in person. That included us but we had the chance to meet up with the flagship SUV here on the Old Continent and snap a few images and gather some early impressions. We got a look at the higher-end GT line model which comes in a satin Blue paint job with black matte accents. It’s a mature but sporty look that goes nicely with the full-sized SUV. The satin finish has a really cool look to it, but it does take a lot of extra effort keeping clean. Opt out of the GT and you… More…

The updated Tesla Model 3, also known as ‘Highland’ has started shipping to buyers in Europe. A lucky few from Germany and the Netherlands have gone on X (formerly Twitter) to boast of their just-arrived Model 3’s. If you go on Tesla’s German configurator you’ll get a 2 to 6-week estimate for the Model 3 Highland. Meanwhile, potential buyers in the States get the old model with a November shipping estimate. It’s unclear when the new Model 3 will become available to US buyers. The car is also on sale in China and there have been reports of a fleet of new Model 3s being readied for… More…

Stellantis hosted a “Commercial Vehicles Ambition Day” today in Amsterdam, where it announced an impressive fleet of 12 second-generation electric vans. As part of its Pro One commercial vehicles program, these bring comprehensive upgrades, including better efficiency, longer range and newer tech. Europe gets updated Citroen e-Berlingo, Fiat Doblo, and Opel/Vauxhall Combo, while North American will see the arrival of the Ram ProMaster EV by the end of 2023. And for those longing for a bit more muscle, the Ram 1500 REV electric truck is set to make its debut by the end of… More…

The world has been waiting for this electric car showdown for a while now. Lucid Motors, in a demonstration of automotive prowess, finally showcased the capabilities of its Lucid Air Sapphire. Set against the backdrop of the picturesque Sonoma Raceway in California, the EV faced its much-discussed rival: the Tesla Model S Plaid. Driven by Ben Collins, known to many as the enigmatic “Stig” from the popular British show, “Top Gear”, the Lucid Air Sapphire achieved a speed of 249 km/h and completed the quarter-mile run in a mere 8.989 seconds. A new shade of speed. Witness @BenCollinsStig… More…

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is finally taking action and launches an investigation regarding Tesla’s exaggerated range estimates on its EVs, following a report from late August. The probing was confirmed by a Tesla document filed at the FCC, stating that DOJ is requesting information from the company regarding “personal benefits, related parties, vehicle range and personnel decisions”. This isn’t the first time Tesla has been accused of presenting overly optimistic range estimates and the automaker even set up a “Diversion Team” to deal with all the complaints. That’s because… More…

BYD gave us a look inside the top trim of the upcoming BYD Song L. Gracing the interior of the Song L 4WD version are seats covered with perforated Alcantara leather, exuding a touch of luxury and comfort. The same material has made its way to partially drape the center panel. The vehicle boasts a substantial panoramic roof and a 15.6-inch rotating screen. A sleek three-spoke steering wheel sits in front of the driver, while rear passengers get dynaudio speakers and a touchscreen of their own. he center tunnel includes features like dual wireless charging pads, a couple of cup… More…

Korean tech giant Samsung SDI announced a seven-year contract to deliver electric vehicle batteries to Hyundai Motor, starting in 2026. Not only does this spell a significant stride for both companies, but it also serves as their first-ever collaboration in the realm of EV batteries. Samsung SDI has a notable list of clients, including General Motors, Stellantis, and BMW. Hyundai will get prismatic batteries, fabricated at Samsung’s facility in Hungary for its EVs destined for European customers from 2026 to 2032. The exact financial contours of the agreement remain under wraps…. More…

As October 24 approaches, electric vehicle enthusiasts and industry insiders are looking forward to the official unveiling of the XPeng X9 MPV. A glance at the recently revealed render images and the whispers of its debut at XPeng’s upcoming Technology Day have kept the grapevine busy. Rewinding back to February, we were treated to the first sneak peek of this new electric MPV. Fast forward to May, and the cat was out of the bag – XPeng’s CEO, He Xiaopeng, confirmed the vehicle’s development. Aiming to stake its claim in China’s growing MPV market, he unveiled its name – the X9. By… More…

Mazda, a brand synonymous with the exhilarating “Zoom-Zoom” slogan, has long tantalized automotive enthusiasts with its unique approach to driving dynamics, style, and attainable luxury. However, when it comes to the electric vehicle evolution, it seems like they’ve been taking the scenic route. While rival brands are ramping up battery factories and pushing ambitious EV lineups, Mazda seems to be, well, strolling in the park. Will we see an electric Miata For the Mazda aficionados who have been eagerly waiting for the brand to make a significant electric move, there’s a glimmer of… More…

Chevrolet has finally spilled some beans on its 2024 Blazer EV. But, as with any dish served with a side of news, not all details are seasoned with straightforwardness. The automaker recently shared specifics on the 2024 Blazer EV 2LT and RS trims. In terms of power, both these dual electric motor (read: all-wheel drive) models will pack a punch with 288 horsepower and a torque of 333 lb-ft. On the dollar front, the all-wheel-drive versions of the 2LT and RS will bear price tags of $56,715 and $61,790, respectively. Now, if you’re wondering about the price for the front-drive 2LT – join… More…

As if the concept of an electric Land Cruiser wasn’t enough, Toyota’s unveiling of its electric truck concept, the EPU, has left the automotive community filled with speculation and debate. Billed as a midsize, its specifications lean closer to Ford’s increasingly popular Maverick. But is this newcomer a genuine rival or simply a teaser of what may lie ahead? At a glance, the Toyota EPU might appear like any other midsize pickup. But look a bit closer, and you’ll notice its more compact dimensions. Its measurements – 5,070 mm in length, 1,910 mm in width, and a height of 1,710 mm – are… More…

Down Under, something electrifying is brewing, and no, it’s not another Crocodile Dundee movie. Australian researchers are boasting of a major leap in the battery world, potentially changing the game for electric vehicles and smartphones alike. The name of the game changer? The lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery. Developed at Monash University in Melbourne, the newly minted Li-S battery design offers an impressive array of advantages over the traditional lithium-ion batteries we’ve all come to know (and sometimes, grudgingly, replace). Holding a whopping five times the energy while ringing in… More…

The famed Toyota Land Cruiser, a titan in the SUV landscape for decades, has taken a sharp turn into the future. Slated for a grand unveiling at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota has given us a sneak peek at the electrically invigorated Land Cruiser, named the Land Cruiser Se. This isn’t just an electric version of the old brute – it’s an entirely different beast. Gone are the rugged, utilitarian vibes that the Land Cruiser has always been known for. The new model looks to be part of the electric luxury SUV movement. Its sleek design emphasizes aerodynamic efficiency, stepping away… More…

AI and language models are all the craze lately, in large part due to ChatGPT’s public launch earlier this year. Now DS Automobiles, which is under Stellantis’ umbrella, beat everyone to the punch and announced the first ChatGPT integration in vehicles. It enables voice control and natural conversation with the chatbot. DS is making ChatGPT available for its entire range of cars DS 3, DS 4, DS 7 and DS 9 as long as they have the so-called DS IRIS SYSTEM package on board. After receiving the update, customers can say “OK IRIS” out loud or press the action button on the steering wheel… More…

Over the past few weeks and months, many car brands have announced plans to adopt Tesla’s NACS connector for the cars they will sell in North America in the future, and today we have Toyota and Lexus joining the bandwagon. As usual in these situations, this means two things. First, new Toyota and Lexus EVs sold in North America will be fitted with the NACS port as standard, from 2025. However, unlike other makers that went all-in, Toyota says only “certain” EVs will get NACS from 2025, and mentions the “all-new, three-row, battery-electric Toyota SUV that will be assembled at Toyota Motor… More…

Lucid Motors just unveiled the date for its next big thing – the Lucid Gravity SUV. Mark your calendars for November 16, which is when the all-electric luxury SUV is expected to make its grand debut at the LA Auto Show. The Lucid Air sedan got a lot of love since its market launch in late 2021, but the Gravity is set to takes things up another notch. For those hungry for a glimpse of this anticipated marvel, the teaser image, aptly titled “Gravity Makes Contact,” gives us a sneak peek of the vehicle’s rear. At first glance, the SUV bears a notable resemblance to the Lucid Air…. More…

Tesla announced it has officially started the sales of the updated Model 3 in China, retaining the pre-sale prices from last month. For those out of the loop – RMB 259,900 (€33,100) for the rear-wheel-drive version and RMB 295,900 (€37,700) for its dual-motor all-wheel-drive Long Range counterpart. The price tags are a notch higher than the sedan’s earlier basic version. Now, if you’re one of those keen beans ready to park this shiny new toy in your driveway, expect 6-9 weeks of waiting. Certainly not too bad, considering it’s very early days. The new Model 3 entry version promises… More…

By the time Jeep’s first electric vehicle, the Avenger went on sale it had already been decorated with the titles such as “European Car of the Year 2023” and “Women’s World Car of the Year”. But is there substance to these awards or is this just a case of Jeep leveraging a few PR connections. Our review aims to find out if the Avenger truly stands above its competition. The Jeep Avenger is a small SUV with FWD and a 54 kWh battery. It fits in the segment of the most popular vehicles on the planet right now, which means it will face some fierce competition both from its Stellantis… More…

Depending on where you stand regarding Tesla Cybertruck’s polarizing, aesthetics – the news out of Tesla’s recent Q3 2023 earnings call might either relieve or disappoint you. Elon Musk, the company’s ever-vocal CEO, described the next-generation vehicle as way more “conventional” compared to the Cybertruck. He was quick to point out that doesn’t equate to boring, though. Despite the evident enthusiasm around the electric truck, Musk decided to play a cautious hand. He emphasized the unique complexities of the Cybertruck, which have posed significant production challenges, suggesting a… More…