+++ BMW has released the first images of a new model set to be revealed at the upcoming Villa d’Este Concours, seemingly fusing last year’s Skytop concept with the famed ‘Clownshoe’ Z3 M Coupé. Images posted to social media show the silhouette of a model with the same rear lights as the Skytop, a rakish open-top GT unveiled at last year’s Villa d’Este Concours, but a reworked tail section. Rather than a long deck housing a convertible roof panel, it appears to be a shooting brake with a rakish glasshouse and a prominent ducktail-style roof spoiler. Its form appears to reference the Z3 M as well as the Z4-based Touring Coupé concept that BMW revealed at Villa d’Este in 2023. The Touring Coupé never made it to production but the Skytop, on the other hand, is being readied for a limited run of 50 road-going cars. Testing of these cars (based on the CLAR platform that underpins every BMW from the 3 Series upwards and packing a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8) recently ramped up ahead of this year’s Villa d’Este Concours, which opens on 23 May. Discussing the impact of Villa d’Este, BMW M chief Frank van Meel last year told: “It is a little bit like a test balloon: you show the cars and, if there’s enough demand, it can be built. “I think the demand is quite high, so the probability is big”. We will see over the next few weeks if that interest translates into purchasing orders. “The probability is there. It shows that we always want to try new things and see if there is a demand. Even though we’re a big company, it’s not the main purpose to build a small series. But if you listen to your customers and they say every now and then to do something like this and we do it, I think it’s a nice gesture, to show that we aren’t only into, let’s say, the cars we build everyday, but we can also do something special if demand is there”. BMW design director Adrian van Hooydonk added that “there’s no need to turn the Skytop into a big series production car” and that it is “maybe an instant classic”. +++
+++ BYD is priming a range of new plug-in hybrids with some 200 km of electric-only range and the ability to rapid-charge at speeds of more than 150kW. Due within “the next 1 to 2 years”, this new generation of PHEVs from the Chinese giant (badged DM-i) will have substantially greater capacity to operate as EVs than their rivals. At present, the longest electric range of any PHEV on the Dutch market is 141 kms, offered by the Volkswagen Golf eHybrid, while the best from BYD is 125 km, offered by the Seal U, which can be charged at only 18 kW. “Our target is really to have people in daily use using the EV mode, but then if they want long distance, given a chance to charge, they have the freedom to go to anything”, said BYD’s executive vice-president, Stella Li. The current DM-i system combines BYD’s Blade Battery technology with its Xiaoyun petrol engine, which was designed specifically for PHEV use and is claimed to have world-leading thermal efficiency. BYD’s special advisor for Europe, Alfredo Altavilla, explained that the development is coming as “PHEV has become the new battleground” for manufacturers, “because everybody is shooting for a revision of the so-called green deal that will open up markets also beyond 2035”. Altavilla believes the company is best positioned to capitalise on the widespread relaxation of EV legislation because “we truly don’t see anybody having technology close to the DM-i”. “If you have just 35-45 km of range as an EV, you’re fundamentally an internal combustion engine with a plug”, he said. “That’s the reason why a lot of manufacturers are now trying to come closer to our plug-in hybrid technology with the range-extender”. Those manufacturers include Audi, Leapmotor and Volkswagen. Increasingly popular in China, range-extender (REx) cars are essentially EVs with an on-board energy generator in the form of a small petrol combustion engine. Leapmotor’s overseas boss recently told that REx cars are a “good interim solution” for Europe and better than PHEVs because, as the propulsion is always handled by an electric motor, “the engine is always operating in the most efficient way”. Altavilla countered that PHEVs are “definitely superior” than REx cars because “you can have 3 different ways of using the car; it’s your decision, depending on how much power you need from the engine, whereas the REx is always behaving in one way”. +++
+++ HONDA generated a lot of news yesterday as the company sliced down its sales and investment targets. CEO Toshihiro Mibe also signaled how Honda plans to deal with President Donald Trump’s tariff blitz. He said Honda wants to wait several months (or maybe even until the U.S. midterm elections) to see how U.S. tariff policies shake out before resorting to a “drastic” rework of its North American factory footprint. In California, Honda and its joint venture partner Sony are getting targeted by the state’s new car dealers association for a legal fight over direct-to-consumer sales. The likely battle is similar to dealers’ opposition to Volkswagen Group’s startup Scout Motors selling vehicles directly to buyers. The Honda-Sony JV has begun taking deposits from California residents for the Afeela 1, the first EV from the brand expected to arrive in early 2026. +++
+++ The LEXUS ES is returning in 8th generation form as a rival to the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series and, like its German competition, it will not do away with petrol power entirely on the Dutch market. This means the new ES will be offered with a 204 hp hybrid powertrain as well as 2 battery-electric options : the front-driven ES 350e and the 4-wheel-drive ES 500e. The former packs a single 225 hp motor and a 77 kWh lithium ion battery, yielding a range of around 530 kms between charges and a 0-100 kph sprint time of 8.2 seconds. The 500e, meanwhile, has 344 hp and a 0-100 ph time of 5.7 seconds, but its range (which has yet to be revealed) will be reduced compared with that of the 350e. The new version of Lexus’s executive saloon was first revealed at the Shanghai motor show in China, where it is the number one imported vehicle. Lexus said this new generation of ES makes advances in “ride quality, comfort and quietness” over its predecessor and has been designed to offer “first-class comfort for everyone on board”. The minimalist cockpit marks a complete departure from that of the previous car and has been designed with a heavy influence from the Chinese market: physical controls are few and far between, and a large 12.3in touchscreen takes centre stage as the primary control interface. Hidden beneath the screen is a row of haptic switches which illuminate when the car is powered on. This Japanese entrant aims to gatecrash the German-controlled executive saloon market in a way the GS could never manage. The new ES is based on the same GA-K platform as the NX. Lexus says the structure’s rigidity has been increased throughout the chassis to boost refinement and responsiveness and resulting in an “agile, responsive feel that belies its size” – which is also increased over the previous car, by 165 mm in length, to take the ES to 5.14 meter overall. +++
+++ MERCEDES-AMG is ramping up testing of its answer to the Lotus Eletre and Porsche Cayenne Electric as it primes its saloon counterpart for a debut in the coming weeks. Currently known as the electric GT SUV (a name that could be carried into production), the super-SUV is set to reach Dutch forecourts in 2027. It’s the first SUV that AMG has developed independently of Mercedes-Benz. The EV will sit on the AMG.EA platform, which will be used first for the 4-door production version of the Vision AMG saloon concept in 2026. The platform will feature 800 Volt electricals and advanced axial-flux electric motors in both twin- and tri-motor powertrains, with outputs well over 1.000 hp expected to be offered. Developed by Yasa, the Oxfordshire-based firm owned by Mercedes-Benz, these motors each develop up to 500 hp and 800 Nm of torque and are seen by AMG as a key performance differentiator for its new SUV. Among the performance benchmarks for the GT SUV is the 912 hp Lotus Eletre R. The GT SUV will be heavily focused on road-going performance, but insiders have told it will offer variable ride height control to improve ground clearance in off-road use. As for its styling, prototypes have revealed that its bold-looking design will incorporate elements that provide clear visual connections with its saloon sibling. The front is also set to feature a new interpretation of AMG’s Panamericana grille, together with distinctive headlights that include the three-pointed star graphics. Flared wheel arches and wide rear haunches dominate the flanks, while retractable door handles (as seen on the EQE SUV and EQS SUV) increase aerodynamic efficiency. Although AMG’s existing combustion-engined GLE-based models come in both SUV and SUV-coupé bodystyles, the new electric model will be offered solely in SUV form, with a “relatively upright tailgate and angled rear window” providing “the best balance between form and load-carrying space”, insiders have told. Dimensionally, the GT SUV sits between the 4.863 mm-long EQE SUV and 5.125 mm-long EQS SUV. Inside, it adopts a unique design for the dashboard and displays, together with new software. “SUVs have been among our most popular models for many years”. AMG CEO Michael Schiebe previously told. “We are responding to this by offering customers a high-performance off-roader based on the AMG.EA platform. This high-performance architecture follows a clear philosophy: AMG first, EV second”. AMG is remaining tight-lipped about the battery technology. However, it will introduce a different chemistry combination to offer greater efficiency and a longer range than the existing nickel-manganese-cobalt battery used by existing electric AMG models. Extensive development is also being done on heat management, especially around liquid cooling, to support much faster charging rates. For reference, today’s EQE 53 4Matic+ uses a 90.6 kWh (usable) pack that has a claimed maximum range of 515 km and can support a charging speed of 170 kW; good for a top up of 180 km of range in just 15 minutes. Additional new software developments and inverter technology developed in partnership with Mercedes’ High Performance Powertrain division in Brixworth are also on the way. The new AMG SUV is underpinned by double-wishbone and multi-link suspension featuring the company’s newly introduced Active Ride Control system; a set-up also being readied for its new electric saloon. Already incorporated on the current SL, GT and the latest evolution of the 45-year-old G-Class, Active Ride Control features hydraulic pumps for each wheel to help reduce body roll while providing constant self-levelling properties. Without traditional roll bars connecting the two opposing wheels front and rear, it can also isolate the compression and rebound characteristics at each wheel in a bid to improve the ride over AMG’s earlier suspension developments. Additionally, this set-up will support an automatic reduction in ride height at higher speeds for added aerodynamic efficiency. Production of the new SUV will take place alongside the upcoming saloon at Mercedes’ Sindelfingen facility in Germany. +++
+++ OPEL has previewed its the upcoming Mokka GSe with a rally inspired concept. The Mokka GSe Rally prototype is based on the current crossover and features Bilstein rally suspension, a racing gearbox and a lightweight chassis. According to Opel, the concept is also the world’s first rally car currently being developed according to the FIA’s new eRally5 regulations, meaning it could potentially be used in global rally series from next year. Underneath, it draws power from the same 54 kWh battery as the standard Mokka, and adopts the same 280 hp, 340 Nm single-motor setup from its Abarth 600e Stellantis sibling. While no further technical specs have been given, in the 600e, the same powertrain yield 0-100 kph times of 5.9 seconds. It also, like the 600e, gets limited-slop differential. Visually, underneath the GSe Rally’s striking design, it showcases a car that is clearly differentiated in styling terms to the standard Mokka with a front and rear diffs, flared wheel arches and larger alloys. These production-ready features (largely unusual for a concept) point to what we can expect from the upcoming Mokka GSe, a car which was recently teased by Opel CEO Florian Huettl and which is expected to be revealed in the coming months. The video also announced the sub brand would ditch models with combustion engines such as the previous Astra GSe. In addition to the Mokka GSe, Huettl hinted that there will be further news on more electric Opels. He said: “GSe is also a promise that Opel’s electric future will not be driven by compromise. There is more to come in 2025. We are just getting started”. +++
+++ Electric vehicle startup SLATE AUTO , in a world accustomed to failed EV startups, is shaping up to be the real deal. The company said in this story by Laurence Iliff that it plans to launch a sub-$30,000 mini-pickup / SUV out of a brownfield site in the Midwest, drawing 100.000 customer reservations and $700 million in financing. The startup opened reservations with a small $50 refundable deposit when it revealed its two-door pickup April 24. Slate, which is targeting late-2026 production, has been operating in “stealth mode” since 2022. One key investor is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The Troy based company has raised $700 million and the latest funding round closed in late 2024. Slate said its biggest backers include investment funds Bezos Expeditions, General Catalyst and TWG Global. General Catalyst is invested in a variety of brands, including Airbnb and Snapchat, its website says. TWG Global has investments in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cadillac Formula 1 Team as part of its portfolio, it said. Slate CEO Chris Barman is a former engineering vice president at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, now Stellantis. Other top executives have industry experience, including at EV maker Rivian, according to LinkedIn. Amazon was an early backer of Rivian and still owns a minority stake. +++
+++ VOLKSWAGEN GROUP boss Oliver Blume has issued a frank warning to shareholders that the company must take urgent steps to become more cost-efficient and agile. Speaking at the company’s AGM in Wolfsburg, Blume acknowledged early progress in the company’s restructuring strategy but stressed that inefficiencies continue to hamper its financial performance. In the first quarter of 2025, the Volkswagen Group reported an operating profit of €2.9 billion; a significant decline from the €4.6 billion achieved in the same period of 2024. This represents a year-on-year decrease of approximately 37%. +++