+++ CADILLAC ’s latest concept car, the Elevated Velocity, serves as a rolling testbed of possibilities for the automaker’s future. And even more so than last year’s Opulent Velocity, it’s one of the wildest vehicles we’ve ever seen from the American luxury brand. The sleek, high-riding electric SUV is a sequel to the Opulent Velocity concept, which debuted last August, building on the ideas introduced in that vehicle.
Cadillac believes there might be a future where autonomy and hands-on high-performance driving can coexist in a single vehicle, and the Elevated Velocity images those possibilities wrapped in a V-Series off-road aesthetic. The automaker made no mention of the powertrain, except that it’s electric. Cadillac wouldn’t even provide the approach, departure, and breakover angles because it’s not the type of concept, but it does have an active air suspension. Cadillac is exploring what luxury could look like for the brand as emerging technologies create new opportunities for cutting-edge features and amenities, which means you will find a lot of the car’s innovations in the cabin. Cadillac adorned the interior with various shades of red, including leather and boucle fabric. It lacks traditional screens as the automaker explores new ways to display information, like the screen in the steering wheel. It’s an evolution of the wheel from the Opulent Velocity, and something the luxury brand is actively working on with its engineering partners to develop for future models, such as incorporating the airbags. Other technologies featured in the concept are a bit more far-fetched and fanciful, like the use of infrared light to promote rejuvenation or the ability for the SUV to keep itself clean through a dust-phobic vibration. The car also has a cabin filtration system, air purification, and the ability to compensate for dry air, extreme temperature shifts, and altitude changes. There’s even a locked compartment and a hand-crafted polo set. The outside might be too extreme for a real production vehicle, but Cadillac is exploring new styling possibilities with the design, and we could see some elements on future models, which wouldn’t be a bad thing. The Elevated Velocity has the same infinity taillight accent as the Opulent Velocity, and the taillight strikes that poke out from the back look like inverted fins, which is a nice touch. It has gullwing doors for optimal ingress and egress. The illuminated wheels, 24 inches in diameter on this concept, are close to becoming a reality, according to Cadillac. “It’s a question of probably when, not if”, said GM executive chief engineer Brandon Vivian. “The technology exists today. It’s about durability in use case, and that’s what we’re exploring with this concept”. Much of the new technology and design revolves around autonomous driving, what passengers experience during that time, and high-performance enjoyment. Elevate mode puts the computer in charge of driving, with the pedals and steering wheel retracting. Velocity mode is the opposite, giving the driver complete control. E-Velocity mode, designed for intense on-road driving, is an evolution of Cadillac’s V-Mode from its V-Series vehicles. Terra mode configures the SUV for high-performance off-road driving. While Cadillac does have a fully running concept, it’s still just a testbed for the automaker. It’s something the brand is interested in exploring if buyers believe that’s the direction it should take. It still believes the future is electric, and this is what it could look like for the company. Cadillac will display the Elevated Velocity concept during Monterey Car Week. +++
+++ The DS Nº7 (the replacement for the ‘7’) will arrive next year, with the new SUV set to be sold exclusively with an electric powertrain as it moves onto a new platform, putting it in the sights of the incoming BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. Arriving 8 years after the current model first went on sale, it will be the latest addition to a new-look DS line-up headed by the new Nº8 flagship. The DS range is being heavily refreshed as part of a plan to rejuvenate the French brand following a difficult period post-Covid. This downturn culminated in European sales dipping 22% last year. The first pictures of the DS Nº7 testing on public roads come as the ‘9’ have been pulled from the range. In a bid to give the Nº7 prominence in the new electric SUV segment in which it will now compete, it has been heavily redesigned and, as suggested by road-going test mules, made larger than the car it replaces. The design of the Nº7 will be influenced by last year’s segment-straddling Nº8, which ushered in a new design language for DS. This means it will carry some elements from the Nº8, including a flat front fascia, raised nose and wraparound light bar. The biggest changes, however, will be underneath, with the second-generation SUV moving to the STLA Medium platform. This will enable the car to be offered with 2 battery choices and 3 powertrains: the 73.7 kWh pack in the 262 hp front-wheel-drive model has a 570 km range; a 97.2 kWh unit in the 290 hp front-drive version extends the range to 750 km; and the top-rung twin-motor option has 354 hp and the bigger battery for a range of 650 km. Combustion power is not part of the Nº7’s launch plan, but given the new platform can accommodate an engine, it is potentially not off the table. DS future products boss Cyprien Laurentie previously told it was “a possibility” that the Nº8, which uses the same STLA Medium platform as the 7, could be offered with an ICE powertrain in the future. The Nº8 is the only car based on the architecture to be offered exclusively with electric power. The Nº7 is expected to be revealed next year, suggested new DS boss Xavier Peugeot. Without confirming the Nº7 by name, he told last month: “There will be a third major reveal next year, after the Nº8 and the Nº4”. Speaking about what a new addition to the line-up would mean for the struggling firm, he added: “After 3 to 4 years without any major product launches, it is important for us to initialise this new step in a positive way”. The addition of the 7 could also help to bolster DS’s falling sales. Such has been its troubles that parent Stellantis questioned selling the car maker last year. However, Peugeot told that volumes weren’t what DS was focused on: “I have to say, I don’t think we, a premium brand, should be managed with volumes only. Of course, it’s important but not the only metric”. He added: “The premium market is 25% of the sales volumes, but it makes up 40% of the profits. So you understand it’s also relevant for a group like ours to have a premium brand like DS automobile. +++
+++ Remember when FORD used to sell regular cars on its homemarket? Technically, it still does, but the Mustang is a niche model, and the Taurus is restricted to just a handful of markets. Still, the Blue Oval plans to launch new products that aren’t trucks, SUVs or vans. That promise comes from William Clay Ford Jr., great-grandson of company founder Henry Ford, and the executive chairman since 2006. In an interview, “Bill” Ford admitted the company is seriously lacking in regular car offerings after discontinuing the Ka, Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo etc: “On the passenger car side, we realize we’re not as robust as we need to be”. He added there’s a plan to fix that gap in the line-up: “We’re working on our future strategy right now. But I think you’ll be surprised, pleasantly surprised, by what’s coming”. Rumours once swirled about a 4-door Mustang sedan, internally nicknamed “Mach 4”, but Ford never confirmed it. In Europe, however, dealers have already been told new cars are coming. With Ford backtracking on its plan to go electric-only on the continent by 2030, the new models will likely use combustion engines. It would be a logical move given how the Explorer and Capri EVs have struggled in sales. Speaking of VW-based products, more could be in the works. Martin Sanders, VW’s sales and marketing boss (and Ford of Europe’s chief until last year), hinted at further collaboration: “We do not want to rule out that there are future opportunities here to share technology again”. It’s unclear whether he was referring to more electric cars on VW’s MEB platform or gas-powered vehicles on the MQB architecture. Either way, Ford’s decision to bring back passenger cars marks a shift from CEO Jim Farley’s statement last year. At the time, he said Ford was “getting out of the boring-car business and into the iconic-vehicle business”. The “boring” list was made up of cars that Farley admitted were “loved by a lot of customers, but they could never justify more capital allocation, unlike commercial vehicles”. In short, Ford wasn’t making enough money on them, so it cut them to double down on high-margin trucks and other profitable segments. For the new models, the math will presumably work in Ford’s favour. Whether they’ll take a shortcut via the VW route remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: cars are coming back. +++
+++ GORDON MURRAY AUTOMOTIVE is getting into the business of ultra-low-volume specials. A growing trend in the ultra-exotic space, the S1 LM is the first product, alongside the Le Mans GTR, to emerge from the company’s “Special Vehicles” subsidiary, and just about the coolest thing to come from Monterey Car Week.
Based on the bones of the T.50, GMA describes the S1 LM as having “a hardcore track-first set-up” that “pays homage to the ageless beauty of Murray’s original Le Mans-winning design”. The S1 LM reimagines several of the Le Mans-winning F1 GTR’s design elements, like the roof-mounted intake and a centrally mounted quad exhaust, while adding items such as a split rear wing. From some angles, it looks identical to the car that took victory 30 years ago. The S1 LM is foremost a track car , according to GMA, with a new, stiffer suspension and a solidly mounted engine. The sizable splitter, paired with that wing and a large diffuser, promises real downforce. Like all GMA road cars, the S1 LM will have a naturally aspirated V12 and a 6-speed manual transmission. This one’s been punched up to 4.3 liters, with the company estimating a power output of over 690 horsepower. GMA plans to build just 5 examples of the S1 LM, with all five going to a single client “for an undisclosed price”. We wouldn’t be surprised to see if someone is trying to start their own miniature racing series with their friends. Hell, that’s what I’d do if I had that kind of money. Deliveries are set to begin in 2026. Of course, it won’t be the last few off from the brand. “The Gordon Murray Group has driving perfection, lightweight, engineering art, and exclusivity at the core of all it does”, CEO Phil Lee said in a statement. “GMSV allows us to explore these core trends, fuelled by the enthusiasm and imagination of our customers. We are already working on more models and look forward to partnering with the world’s most passionate driving enthusiasts to create more automotive works of art”. +++
+++ HYUNDAI ’s range might be heavy on SUVs and crossovers these days, but it hasn’t abandoned traditional cars. In Europe, the i30 is proof of that, offered in hatchback, fastback and wagon forms. This generation of the compact model has been around since 2016, and Hyundai seems determined to stretch its life a bit further with yet another facelift. What’s interesting is that the i30 has already been through 2 updates, a major one in 2020 and a lighter refresh in 2024. Now, spy photographers have caught what appears to be a third facelift in the works, this time for the wagon variant, known as the i30 Tourer. The camouflaged prototype was spotted right outside Hyundai’s European R&D center in Rüsselsheim, Germany. The bodywork of the prototype was under heavy camouflage, but it is clear that it is based on the Hyundai i30 Tourer with the optional N Line package. The full-LED headlights and taillights appear to be carried over from the first facelift, while the 18-inch alloy wheels are the same that appeared in the second facelift. The bumpers appear nearly identical to the current model, though subtle tweaks could be hiding beneath the coverings. While we didn’t get a clear view of the interior, an open door revealed that the dashboard is also camouflaged. This suggests that Hyundai might install a fresh digital cockpit, bringing the i30 in line with Hyundai’s more modern offerings. The prototype features a single tailpipe, even though the N Line trims usually have two. The powertrain line-up of the facelifted i30 family will be limited to 3 options. A mild-hybrid turbo 1.0-liter producing 115 hp and a mild-hybrid turbo 1.6-liter generates 150 hp of 204 hp. To meet stricter emission regulations, the i30 N was discontinued in Europe back in 2024, putting an end to the 276-hp turbo 2.0-liter engine’s career in the region. If Hyundai sticks to its timeline, the updated i30 could debut in 2026, marking ten years since this generation was first introduced. That would likely keep it in showrooms for another 2 or 3 years before the company decides its future. With any luck, there will be another generation to go head-to-head with the upcoming Volkswagen Golf. +++
+++ The last great INFINITI SUV was the original FX. Based on Nissan’s rear-drive platform, the FX was a crossover with coupe-like styling and excellent driving dynamics that was years ahead of its time. Since its 2003 launch, Infiniti hasn’t created anything as great or as important as the original FX. So, it’s trying to evoke its previous success with its newest concept.
Debuting at The Quail in Monterey, the QX65 Monograph previews a spiritual successor to the original FX. In profile, especially, you can see it: The QX65 has the same distinctive roofline as the FX. But, being based on the transverse-engine QX60 3-row crossover, the ’65 doesn’t have quite the same cab-rearward proportions. There are lots of modern design touches, too. The huge grille with vertical slats is similar to that of the recently updated QX60 and new QX80, and there are full-width lighting elements the front and rear. Infiniti is also jumping on the trend of using the DRLs as the car’s “eyes” while hiding the actual headlights in a smoked element lower down on the front fascia. It sits on 22-inch wheels and the matte purple-ish paint is called “Twilight”. While the QX60 is a 3-row crossover, the QX65’s sloping roof means it has just 2 rows of seating, making it a competitor to the likes of the Audi Q8, BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE coupe. Infiniti hasn’t said whether it’s putting the QX65 into production, but this does not look like some concept-car fantasy. In fact, the company says “stay tuned to see the extraordinary made real in the coming months”. +++
+++ LAMBORGHINI has revealed its next low-volume hypercar, the Fenomeno. Limited to just 29 units, it joins a pantheon of greats in the brand’s ‘few-of’ series that also includes icons such as the Reventon, Centenario and Sian. No price has been announced, but expect it to be into 7 figures.
The wraps came off the new Lamborghini Fenomeno in the glamorous setting of Monterey Car Week in California. As is often the case with these limited-run models, it’s promised to be a “manifesto of Lamborghini design”, while building on the latest V12 hybrid powertrain from the Revuelto. The headline powertrain news is a 65 hp lift in power over the Revuelto, with the Fenomeno’s 1.065 hp power figure making it the most powerful Lamborghini yet. This is generated from the same 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine supported by 3 electric motors, with its extra grunt coming from a new lithium ion battery pack that’s unique to this latest creation. One of those motors is a new axial-flux unit from British manufacturer YASA, and it’s mounted above the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The other two power the front wheels, making the car all-wheel drive. But these motors don’t just add more power to the overall powertrain, they also act as the car’s reverse gear and provide full torque-vectoring for the front wheels. Lamborghini quotes a 0-100 kph time of 2.4 seconds, a 0-200 kph time of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of over 350 kph. However, like many of Lamborghini’s few-of models, the Fenomeno is also an opportunity for the company’s designers to push Lamborghini’s design language to the limit. Unlike the low-volume Countach model from 2021, this isn’t a retro-rehash but an exploration of new design elements. The biggest change over the Revuelto it’s based on is the silhouette, which features a 67mm-longer tail and an integrated duck-tail spoiler.
The flying buttress-style rear haunches on the Revuelto are gone, and instead the Fenomeno has a smoother rear end punctured by air intakes. Towards its nose and along the side, Lamborghini’s designers have created a two-layer look, with the lower elements in exposed carbon fibre. There are some nods to previous Lamborghini models, such as the wheelarch extensions, which mimic the shape of those on the Countach Quattrovalvole from the eighties.
As well as this new bodywork, the Italian brand has also fitted unique daytime running lights and rear lights that feature a vertical lighting pattern in contrast to the usual horizontal one. Like all Lamborghinis, though, the Fenomeno will be very customisable, meaning that many of the design elements seen on the show car can be emphasised or hidden away depending on their colour and material. Customers can have the exposed carbon-fibre elements finished in a body colour, for example, or the wheels painted to show off the spokes, rather than the turbines at the wheels’ edge as on the show car.
The Fenomeno’s cabin is heavily derived from the Reveulto’s, with a similar dash layout and digital interfaces. But there are a few unique touches, such as the carbon fibre-backed bucket seats and carbon-fibre door cards – all of which can be specified exactly to the customer’s taste, whether that be luxurious, retro or motorsport-inspired. +++