Chinese luxury brand Avatr used this week's IAA Mobility Show in Munich to unleash a lavish concept car. Called the Vision Xpectra, it's not destined for production but does help show off the prowess of Avatr's European design studio, while potentially providing some hints at the brand's future design direction.

The Vision Expectra is a four-door sedan with of epic proportions. It stretches 230 inches long (with a 135.8-inch wheelbase), 83.9 inches wide, and 55.3 inches tall, making it close in size to a Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase. It also has a suicide doors like the Rolls, but with no B-pillar to impede access to the cabin.

Avatr

Avatr's designers were able to get away with deleting the B-pillar, as well as using very thin front and rear roof pillars, because the Vision Expectra is a pure concept car that doesn't need to meet crash-safety standards. This also creates an almost purely glass roof, as seen on countless concept cars of old. The look is enhanced with prismatic glass that creates a glowing effect.

Inside is an element called "vortex" that houses an AI entity designed to interact with vehicle occupants, according to Avatr. A conventional screen is housed just below the vortex, and the center console can be configured for both touch and gesture controls.

In true luxury-car fashion, this massive car seats just four in order to maximize occupant space and comfort. A single center console flows from the front of the car to the back, containing control surfaces for occupants in both rows to use. Rear-seat passengers also get champagne flutes, while lamella sculptures on the doors blend with the dashboard.

Avatr

Avatr didn't discuss specs, as the Vision Expectra isn't intended as a production car. Launched in 2022, the brand currently sells a quartet all-electric and extended-range models, including the 06 sedan, 07 crossover, 11 fastback, and 12 liftback. Owned by Chinese automaker Changan and battery maker CATL, Avatr uses tech from Huawei, including its operating systems.

Volkswagen unveiled its future electric vehicle direction at IAA Mobility 2025, showcasing the ID. Cross Concept that will inspire upcoming models. CEO Thomas Schäfer announced the company's goal to lead high-volume EV manufacturing with cutting-edge technology by 2030, with the completely revamped 2026 ID.4 playing a central role in this strategy.

Volkswagen

The 2026 ID.4 will receive comprehensive exterior changes inspired by the recently revealed ID. Cross Concept. Design chief Andreas Mindt told Autocar that while technically a mid-life facelift, Volkswagen is treating this as an entirely new generation vehicle that will debut next year.

CEO Schäfer described the redesigned ID.4 as "really beautiful" and "a completely different car—a huge step up" that showcases the design language for next-generation VW EVs.

Volkswagen

The cabin receives equally dramatic changes, with styling cues drawn from the ID.2. Following industry trends, Volkswagen will reintroduce physical buttons and knobs, replacing the criticized haptic touch controls—a move that mirrors Audi's recent strategy.

Kai Grünitz, Volkswagen's Board Member for Technical Development, confirmed the interior will be completely new, addressing one of the current ID.4's main customer complaints.

Volkswagen

Industry sources suggest the new ID.4 is internally referred to as the "electric Tiguan," though Volkswagen hasn't officially confirmed a name change. Given Tiguan's success in VW's lineup, an electric variant seems logical, but the traditional Tiguan will continue with internal combustion engines for now.

The redesigned ID.4 is expected to launch in late 2026, as Volkswagen discontinues the poorly-selling ID.5 to focus resources on more promising models.

Volkswagen

BMW isn’t slowing down. By 2028, the Bavarian automaker says it will bring more than 40 new or heavily updated models to market, each designed with its own distinct look rather than a cookie-cutter family resemblance. The strategy rides on the launch of the Neue Klasse platform, the flexible architecture that will underpin BMW’s next wave of EVs and hybrids.

The blitz began last week in Munich with the debut of the Neue Klasse iX3, a 2026 SUV offering 400 miles of range and charging speeds that can add 186 miles in just 10 minutes. The iX3 is the first of BMW’s Neue Klasse models and gives a clear sense of what’s coming: clean, modern lines, leaner kidney grilles, and a sharper digital interface.

CEO Oliver Zipse has said the Neue Klasse is a rethink of how BMW builds cars, emphasizing software-driven features and modular flexibility. That vision aligns with his belief that EVs alone won’t solve the industry’s challenges. He recently warned that the EU’s 2035 combustion ban is a “big mistake”, even as BMW celebrates record sales of hybrids and EVs.

BMW’s design boss Adrian van Hooydonk insists every model will have a unique design identity, even when they share the same platform. Unlike rivals whose EVs often look like variations of a single template, BMW wants variety—from compact sedans to flagship SUVs.

That means an iX3 won’t look like a 3 Series EV, and a future M car won’t blend into the background of SUVs. The goal is to keep each car aspirational in its own right.

BMW

BMW’s aggressive launch cadence comes at a time of strong sales, even as tariffs and slowing EV demand create uncertainty across Europe and China. In the U.S., the brand is reinforcing its luxury SUV lineup with new incentives, such as fresh lease deals on the 2026 BMW X7.

The combination of luxury-focused SUVs and future-looking Neue Klasse EVs shows BMW is betting on both sides of the market: pragmatic volume and future-proof innovation.

BMW’s plan to launch 40-plus new models in just three years is ambitious, but it underscores the brand’s refusal to play it safe.

By promising unique designs for each car, embracing both electrification and traditional powertrains, and pushing bold tech like the Neue Klasse iX3, Munich is signaling that the next chapter will be defined by variety and speed. For BMW, individuality—not uniformity—will drive the brand forward.

The days of Audi’s raucous five-cylinder engine are numbered. The RS3, the last car in Audi’s lineup to carry the unique 2.5-liter turbocharged unit, has about two years left before stricter European emissions rules force its retirement. For enthusiasts, it is a real gut punch, since the offbeat warble of Audi’s five-pot has been the brand’s performance soundtrack for decades and a defining part of its identity on both road and track.

Kyle Edward

Audi isn’t sending the RS3 out quietly. Reports suggest a track-focused RS3 GT is in the works, a run-out special that will wear more aggressive aero, bigger brakes, and a likely power bump beyond today’s 401-horsepower RS3 Performance.

It’s the kind of swan song designed to honor the engine’s legacy, much like Audi’s Concept C roadster previews how the brand plans to honor its design heritage while pivoting to EVs.

Blame Euro 7 regulations. The tighter emissions standards coming in 2027 make it nearly impossible for niche, high-output engines like the five-cylinder to survive. Audi’s pivot toward electrification is accelerating too, with Rivian’s software set to underpin new EVs across the brand from 2028.

The RS3’s retirement is as much about future-proofing as it is about compliance. As Audi leans into cars like the Concept C, there’s little space left for a five-cylinder holdout.

Even when the RS3 goes dark, the five-cylinder won’t vanish entirely. Volkswagen is preparing to recycle the powertrain for a future Golf R special edition, keeping the soundtrack alive just long enough to remind fans what they’ve lost.

And for shoppers still on the fence about performance Audis, there’s always the bread-and-butter lineup—the A3 and S3 remain the accessible entry point to Audi Sport’s DNA, even if they can’t replicate the RS3’s singular magic.

The RS3’s five-cylinder is a relic in the best sense: old school, emotional, and completely addictive. Its two-year countdown feels bittersweet, but Audi looks determined to give it a proper farewell.

When the RS3 finally bows out, the brand will already be deep into its Rivian-backed EV future, rolling out sleek concepts and experimenting with a fresh design language that leaves tradition behind. For now, though, the warbling five-cylinder still has another lap left, a chance to remind drivers why sound and character matter just as much as raw speed, precision, and numbers on a spec sheet. It is a proper goodbye to a legend.

The idea of a smaller Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been an open secret for the German marque. Often referred to as the "Baby G" or "Mini G," the model is expected to arrive within the next two years as the entry point into an expanding G-Class range. It aligns with Mercedes' intention to evolve "G" into a sub-brand of its own, in the same way that Range Rover has grown beyond a single model.

Speaking at the Munich motor show, Mercedes-Benz chairman Ola Källenius revealed that test prototypes will soon appear on public roads, and a preview image of the new SUV's rear end was shown during the presentation, Autocar reports.

Alongside this confirmation came news that Mercedes will also reintroduce the G-Class Cabriolet, underscoring the company's objective to expand the G portfolio. The Baby G will therefore not be a simple spin-off, but a key part of a larger strategy to reinforce the G-Class as one of Mercedes' most recognized product lines.

Mercedes-Benz

Unlike other SUV spin-offs that share platforms with the original, the Baby G will ride on a bespoke architecture. Mercedes' head of technology, Markus Schäfer, described it as a "miniature ladder-frame chassis," which was created to preserve the G-Class character. He explained that while it does not match the full-scale ladder-frame of the existing G-Class, it adopts a similar suspension and wheels.

Schäfer added that nearly every part of the Baby G will be custom, including the upper body panels and even the door handles. The development process, he said, led to the conclusion that existing parts could not simply be reused, as the G-Class has unique requirements.

Mercedes design chief Gorden Wagener echoed this sentiment, noting that while the G-Class is an icon that cannot be radically changed, the smaller model will be given youthful details to make it "even more modern" than the current G580 with EQ Technology.

Mercedes-Benz

Now, the question is: what will power the so-called Baby G? Early reports claimed that it would be offered only as an EV, aligning with the direction of the new G580 with EQ Technology.

However, the electric G-Class has struggled in the marketplace, with executives acknowledging slow sales compared to combustion-powered models. This has led to speculation that the Baby G may incorporate internal combustion engines, possibly supported by hybrid technology to meet regulatory requirements.

Autocar has reported that Mercedes-Benz is still evaluating options. No official powertrain details have been released, but the Baby G is expected to strike a balance between the brand's electrification strategy and strong customer demand for traditional engines.

Mercedes-Benz

A parking gear is supposed to be the least dramatic part of a car. But Stellantis has discovered that, in some of its newest EVs, it isn’t doing its job. The automaker is recalling a small batch of Dodge Charger Daytona and Jeep Wagoneer S EVs after finding that they could roll away even when shifted into Park.

Stellantis

The recall covers just 75 vehicles—49 Chargers and 26 Wagoneer S EVs—built between late 2024 and early 2025. Stellantis traced the problem to an incorrectly installed “park pawl return spring” inside the electric drive module. If the spring fails to seat correctly, the car’s parking lock might not fully engage, leaving the vehicle at risk of rolling despite the gear selector showing Park.

It’s a small recall in terms of numbers, but Stellantis has learned the hard way that rollaway risks are no joke. The issue recalls memories of past Jeep rollaway cases that caused fatalities and tarnished the brand’s reputation.

Stellantis

The Charger Daytona and Wagoneer S recall adds to Stellantis’ already packed recall calendar. Just last week, the automaker announced it was pulling back over 219,000 Ram and Dodge vehicles due to failing backup cameras, and earlier this summer, it flagged another 121,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees for safety defects tied to faulty components. For customers, it’s a reminder that even high-end electric launches aren’t immune to teething problems.

Meanwhile, Stellantis is juggling recalls while trying to reshape its brand identity in Europe, where Chinese automakers are putting pressure on design and pricing. That’s why the appointment of new European design chief Gilles Vidal was touted as critical for the company’s future—modern styling and stronger products can’t come soon enough.

Stellantis will notify affected owners beginning September 25. Dealers will replace the electric drive module at no cost. Until then, owners are advised to use the parking brake as a backup measure when leaving their vehicle. It’s a straightforward fix for a problem that could otherwise have severe consequences.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Seventy-five cars may not sound like much, but when they’re halo models like the Charger Daytona and Wagoneer S, even a small recall becomes big news. Stellantis is addressing the issue quickly, but the wider pattern of recalls across its brands shows how precarious the transition to EVs remains.

For a company betting heavily on electrification and design reinvention, it’s another reminder that reputations are secured not just by bold launches, but by the smallest components doing their job.

After an 18-year production run that saw nearly 48,000 units sold globally, the final Nissan GT-R R35 rolled out of its production plant in Japan last month. It was emotional for enthusiasts, even for Nissan, which released a tribute video for the R35 as the company closes its chapter.

Despite that, Nissan is not letting go of the spirit that the GT-R represented. Instead, it is channeling some of that heritage into another sports car, the Z. For 2026, Nissan will offer a new Heritage Edition that connects the Z with elements long associated with Godzilla's legend.

Nissan

The most striking detail of the new Z Heritage Edition is its finish. Midnight Purple, a color made famous on the R34 GT-R and widely seen as one of the defining shades of the Godzilla lineage, returns here to mark the car's identity.

On the Z, it sets the stage for bronze 19-inch Rays wheels, side stripes in a 1990s-style font, and small wreath decals near the rear pillar badges. The package also includes a carbon fiber rear spoiler with a "Twin Turbo" badge, subtle touches that tie the car to the Z32-generation 300ZX.

Inside, changes are limited to illuminated "Z" logos on custom door sills and branded floor mats, though the core mechanical package remains focused on driving. The Heritage Edition is only available with the Performance trim, featuring sport-tuned suspension, a limited-slip differential, and the option of a six-speed manual transmission.

Nissan has yet to announce the pricing of the 2026 Z Heritage Edition. It's expected to carry a premium upon arrival, likely positioned above the standard Z Performance, which currently starts at $52,970, and below the Nismo model, priced over $65,000. Nissan plans to produce about 500 units of the special model.

Nissan

The 2026 Heritage Edition is not the first of its kind for the Z. Just last year, Nissan released a variant paying tribute to the original 1970s Z, with cues drawn from the car that started the line. The 2026 Heritage Edition, however, points to a different era.

With the design language and cultural weight of the 1990s 300ZX, plus Godzilla's Midnight Purple that recalls the R34 GT-R, Nissan is linking two of its most influential performance models. In the absence of a new GT-R, the Z carries some of the weight of the company's performance story into the next chapter. Fortunately, a manual-equipped Z Nismo is on the horizon, which should keep enthusiasts very happy in America.

Nissan

Once a staple in Honda's lineup throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Prelude was known for its balanced dynamics and understated styling before bowing out in the early 2000s. Its comeback finally went official last week, both in Japan and the US, when the new coupe was unveiled as a production hybrid sports coupe.

Reactions have been mixed so far, but in Japan, it appears that local enthusiasts couldn't get enough of the returning nameplate. According to Japanese outlets, including Creative Trend, the entire initial allocation of 2,000 units for the first batch has already sold out – a strong debut for Honda's revived coupe.

Honda

Getting an order for a Prelude in Japan was not as straightforward as walking into a dealership. Unlike other new Hondas that allow reservations weeks before launch, the Prelude required customers – who had to go through hoops just to earn the right to buy one – to place orders only on the announcement day, with dealers processing requests on a first-come, first-served basis.

Orders were limited by dealership allocations and had to be submitted weekly to Honda. That said, delivery schedules also vary. The earliest units are reportedly reaching customers by late September 2025; however, some combinations of body and interior colors may take longer. A buyer lucky enough to secure one of the first confirmed orders may see their Prelude by the end of this month, but those in later slots may have to wait until March next year.

Honda's sales target of about 300 units per month means that the initial production run will stretch across six to seven months. Second-batch orders are expected to open between autumn and winter of this year, though Honda has not confirmed how many units will be available in that round.

While Japan leads the launch, there are already slight differences between the domestic and export markets. The US-spec Prelude will offer the option of Boost Blue Pearl, a color not available in Japan. The latter, meanwhile, receives a Honda ON Limited Edition finished in a two-tone paint scheme, scheduled for delivery later in October or November.

Pricing in Japan starts at 6,179,800 yen (approximately $42,000), as predicted by the leaks– a bit steep, considering it's pricier than the FL5 Civic Type R. However, US pricing and allocation details have yet to be announced, so there's still hope on that end.

We expect Honda to open orders later this year. With demand already proving stronger than expected in Japan, attention now shifts to how Honda will handle its return to the American market.

If you are a car enthusiast who grew up during the early emergence of digital and social media, there is a good chance you'd recognize the late Ken Block. He was a legendary driver who inspired a legion of young and young-at-heart automotive enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you first encountered him on YouTube or through a legendary 2009 appearance with James May on Top Gear, the seasoned rally driver was the first American to drive in the World Rally Championship.

But to most enthusiasts, he is most known through his legendary Gymkhana series of videos. In this series of ten videos, he performed jaw-dropping vehicular acrobatics and feats of car control to hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

RM Sotheby's

Offered through RM Sotheby's Sealed Drop platform is Block's 1978 Porsche 911 SC 'Safari', which he drove in the 2022 East African Safari Classic Rally. This specific Porsche was prepared by Tuthill, a British Porsche specialist known for preparing classic 911s for historic motorsport events and restoring vintage models for enthusiasts.

Among the rally-ready preparations are a rebuilt 3-liter high-compression flat-six 911 SC engine making 280 bhp connected to a safari-specification gearbox with a limited-slip differential, as well as safari-spec oil coolers and a competition-spec exhaust.

RM Sotheby's

Alongside the uprated engine, this 911 features a distinctive Hoonigan Racing livery and a myriad of rally-spec parts. These include an adjustable safari-spec suspension to help absorb the terrain, featuring stronger rear arms, a steering rack designed for safari rallies, and bespoke billet front suspension uprights. It is also fitted with a full weld-in roll cage, full underbody protection with front ‘roo’ bars, Perspex side windows, twin spare wheels, and a safari roof vent.

Additionally, the fully stripped-out interior has been prepared for rallying with a pair of Sparco Pro 2000 bucket seats, six-point harnesses, a Stilo intercom, two Monit G-Series trip computers, a hydraulic jack for mid-event wheel replacements, and a fully plumbed-in fire suppression system alongside two handheld fire extinguishers.

RM Sotheby's

Per the auctioneers, Block and his longtime co-driver Alessandro Gelsomino were on pace to win the event, winning eight stages in the whole rally. However, they suffered six punctures and a time penalty that would make them finish in 19th place overall. Following the rally, the 911 was transported back to England and stored at Tuthill’s facility in Oxfordshire, only to be shown at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it was driven as a tribute to Ken.

Per RM Sotheby's, the Block 911 Safari is estimated to fetch between $450,000 and $650,000 USD and is currently road-registered in the UK. It would be misleading for me to claim that Ken Block hasn’t influenced me in any way. Initially, Block branded his Gymkhana videos as "infomercials" for DC Shoes, a sneaker brand he co-founded. I still remember buying a pair of DC high-tops in middle school at Zumiez, thanks to this association. To this day, many social-media savvy fashion enthusiasts who embrace the popular "Y2K" and "swag-era aesthetic" remain unaware of this connection.

Nonetheless, this car has a place in my theoretical "unlimited money" fantasy garage, but I feel this car and all the other cars Block has touched throughout the years deserve to be in nothing less than a museum.

For years, Tesla has set the pace in public charging with its Supercharger network. The system is not only the most widespread in the United States, but also among the most reliable. At present, the latest V4 Superchargers support up to 325 kW of charging power, enough to give compatible models hundreds of miles of range in well under half an hour.

For non-Tesla drivers, the expansion of NACS access is a welcome step, but the performance ceiling has remained in the same ballpark. Mercedes-Benz is now preparing to raise that ceiling.

Beginning in 2026, the German company will integrate a new generation of chargers into its growing US network, capable of delivering up to 600 kW per vehicle – nearly double Tesla's peak rate.

Jay L Clendenin/Getty Images

The upcoming chargers are built around Alpitronic's HYC1000 fast-charging system, a modular setup that breaks away from the conventional design of embedding the power unit in each column. Instead, an external cabinet supplies up to 1,000 kW at 800 amps, which can then be distributed intelligently across multiple stalls. This makes it possible to scale installations according to site needs, from a few chargers to large hubs.

In practice, a single charging point can deliver as much as 600 kW at 800 volts. Under ideal conditions, that would allow the new Mercedes-Benz CLA to recover about 202 miles of range in ten minutes. For the US market, both CCS and NACS connectors will be offered, ensuring compatibility across different brands.

Mercedes-Benz is also co-developing a dedicated high-performance charger with Alpitronic, drawing on lessons from its one-megawatt Concept AMG GT XX project.

Mercedes-Benz

This is not the first time Alpitronic's hardware has been deployed. In Europe, Ionity – a joint venture between multiple brands, including Mercedes-Benz, and a sister company to North America's Ionna – has already begun introducing the HYC1000 system. Early demonstrations suggest that a potent EV could add roughly 186 miles of range in just eight minutes. While most vehicles today cannot accept anywhere near 600 kW, the technology positions charging sites for the next generation of EVs.

Current American models such as the Porsche Taycan, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Ford F-150 Lightning top out at significantly lower figures, but as battery chemistries evolve, higher intake rates are expected.

For now, the Mercedes-Benz network will still serve all brands, but owners of the three-pointed star badge will benefit from exclusive integration with MB.CHARGE and navigation tools that can reserve stalls in advance.