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BMW Prepares to Bid Farewell to the Z4 With a Final Edition Ahead of 2026 Production End

BMW is closing the chapter on one of its most recognisable modern roadsters with the introduction of the Z4 Final Edition. This limited-run version marks the last opportunity for customers to order a new Z4 before production ends in March 2026. Since its debut in 2002, the Z4 has built a strong following through its mix of distinctive styling, open-top driving and sharp handling. The Final Edition is designed as a closing tribute to the model, offering exclusive exterior and interior details that set it apart from the standard range.

The Final Edition will be available for order only for a short period beginning in late January 2026, giving interested buyers a narrow window to secure one of the last examples.

A key feature of the Final Edition is its exclusive Frozen Matt Black paintwork, a finish offered only on this farewell model. Paired with the standard M High-gloss Shadowline trim, the colour highlights the Z4’s lines and gives the car a more assertive presence. Buyers can still choose from the regular Z4 colour palette at no extra cost. The edition also includes High-gloss Red M Sport brakes, which provide both strong stopping power and a visual flourish behind the wheels.

Inside, the Final Edition is defined by red contrast stitching running across the dashboard, centre console, door panels and the M Sport seats trimmed in Vernasca leather and Alcantara. The M Alcantara steering wheel carries matching stitching, reinforcing the roadster’s sport-focused character. Specially engraved door sill plates complete the interior adjustments unique to this edition.

The Final Edition treatment is offered across the full Z4 line-up. It is available for the 197hp sDrive20i, the 258hp sDrive30i, and the flagship 340hp Z4 M40i. The package is priced at €4,200 (around RM20,012) for models that already include the M Sport package as standard. For the sDrive20i, which does not come with the M Sport package, the total cost rises to €7,400 (around RM35,259), as the M Sport kit is added to the vehicle along with the Final Edition features.

The Z4’s place in BMW’s history goes back to 2002, when the first-generation model was introduced as the successor to the Z3. With a long bonnet, short tail and low seating position ahead of the rear axle, it delivered the classic roadster experience with impressive chassis rigidity and 50:50 weight distribution. The range-topping Z4 M Roadster used the same 340hp straight-six engine as the contemporary M3 and could reach 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds.

The second-generation Z4 arrived in 2008, introducing a major change with its retractable aluminium hardtop, which transformed the car from roadster to coupé at the press of a button. The folding roof broadened the model’s usability while maintaining the proportions and driving character that defined the nameplate. This generation also brought the Z4 into the era of BMW’s iDrive system and offered improved cabin space.

The current and third-generation Z4 made its global debut in 2018 at Pebble Beach. It returned to a fabric soft-top roof, paired with a more focused interior design and updated driver assistance and connectivity features. Its flagship variant, the Z4 M40i, is powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six with M TwinPower Turbo technology. Since 2024, BMW has also offered a manual transmission option in the Pure Impulse Edition. The Final Edition now acts as the final chapter for this generation and the Z4 line as a whole.

With production ending in 2026, the Z4 Final Edition stands as a last chance to own a version of BMW’s long-running roadster—one that highlights the model’s design heritage while marking the end of its story.

Porsche 911 GT3 Gets Track-Ready Upgrade with Manthey Kit

The Porsche 911 GT3 has long been a favourite among enthusiasts who push their cars to the limit on track days, and the new Manthey Kit takes its performance to a whole new level. Designed specifically for those with a passion for high-speed circuit driving, the package builds on the Weissach Package with upgraded aerodynamics, suspension, and braking components.

The result is a car capable of lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6:52.981 minutes—nearly three seconds quicker than its predecessor fitted with the same kit.

Developed in close collaboration between Porsche’s Weissach Development Centre and Manthey engineers in Meuspath, the Manthey Kit is available through Porsche Centres worldwide. Its focus is on maximising downforce, improving cornering speeds, and ensuring the car can handle the intense demands of track use.

The suspension has been specially adapted for circuit driving, with four-way adjustable coilovers allowing rebound and compression to be fine-tuned without tools. Spring rates on the front axle have been increased by 10 per cent over the previous generation, enhancing stability and mechanical grip, particularly over kerbs.

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Omoda 7 Raises the Bar for Intelligent Parking

The Omoda 7 arrives with a clear mission: to push smart mobility into its next chapter by offering one of the most capable and adaptable intelligent parking systems currently available. Its suite of features, driven by APA (Automatic Parking Assistance) and RPA (Remote Parking Assistance), is designed to tackle everything from tight parallel spaces to awkwardly angled slots and even narrow residential lanes.

The system supports custom parking paths, memory reverse, and remote straight-in or straight-out manoeuvres, allowing the car to operate confidently even in tricky environments. It has also been calibrated for more than 1,000 real-world scenarios across different markets, giving it an edge in both efficiency and versatility.

The model made its first major appearance at the Omoda I Jaecoo International User Summit in October 2025, held under the theme “Co-Create Co-Define,” which reflects the brand’s ambition to set new benchmarks rather than follow them.

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Toyota Yaris Cross Nightshade Arrives in Thailand with Sportier Look and Upgraded Features

Toyota Motor Thailand has rolled out a new special edition of its popular compact SUV, introducing the Yaris Cross Nightshade to buyers seeking a sportier take on the model. The latest version stands out with a darker, more assertive exterior treatment available in two colours—Cement Grey Metallic, which is new to the range, and Platinum White Pearl—both paired with a contrasting black roof.

The cabin keeps to the same theme with a fully black interior that aims to elevate the SUV’s premium and athletic character while maintaining the convenience and technology features that have made the model one of Toyota’s strongest performers in the market.

Power comes from the familiar 1.5-litre hybrid engine paired with a lithium-ion battery and an e-CVT automatic transmission, supported by POWER, NORMAL, and ECO modes. Toyota says the setup continues to offer brisk acceleration, good refinement, and impressive efficiency, rated at up to 26.3 km/L based on Eco Sticker figures.

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SAIC Moves Its All-Solid-State Battery Programme Into Full-Line Commissioning

SAIC Motor has confirmed that its partner Qingtao Power has completed full-line commissioning at its all-solid-state battery production facility in Anting. According to reporting from IT-Home, the company expects sample cells to be produced before the end of the year, followed by prototype vehicle testing in 2025. If development continues on schedule, SAIC aims to begin commercial mass delivery of the technology in 2027.

SAIC has already outlined its technical benchmarks for the new chemistry. The solid-state cells are targeted to achieve a gravimetric energy density of more than 400 Wh/kg, a volumetric energy density above 820 Wh/L, and single-cell capacities exceeding 75 Ah. These figures were shared earlier through SAIC’s corporate briefings and technology summaries and have been consistently cited in industry coverage.

The company has also released preliminary safety data. Test cells reportedly passed nail-penetration trials and remained stable during exposure to a 200°C thermal chamber without fire or explosion. SAIC states that the chemistry maintains over 90 per cent capacity at low temperatures. These results reflect laboratory and validation testing tied to the firm’s established development roadmap.

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Rolls-Royce Introduces the Black Badge Ghost Gamer, a Bespoke Salute to Early Arcade Culture

Rolls-Royce has revealed the Black Badge Ghost Gamer, a one-off commission created for a client with a strong attachment to the world of early video games. Drawing from the simple shapes and colour palettes of the 8-bit era, the car integrates a long list of carefully executed references — from a hand-painted ‘Cheeky Alien’ Coachline graphic to ‘Player One’ seat embroidery, a ‘Pixel Blaster’ Starlight Headliner, a ‘Laser Base’ Illuminated Fascia and small hidden details inspired by classic joystick-era gaming. The result is a Bespoke Ghost designed to function not only as a luxury car but as an object that rewards discovery, much like a game itself.

A New Direction for Collectable-Inspired Commissions

The Black Badge Ghost Gamer is the first Rolls-Royce commission to take direct inspiration from arcade gaming. Interest in early video-game memorabilia has risen sharply in recent years, not just as an investment space but also as a cultural archive for collectors who grew up with 1970s and 1980s arcade machines and consoles. Rolls-Royce notes that several of its clients are deeply involved in this area, making a commission tied to retro gaming both timely and relevant.

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Toyota Pushes Ahead With Mid-Engined Development Despite Early Setbacks

Toyota is moving forward with its mid-engined sports car programme, even after early reports suggested the development team had run into major challenges with its GR Yaris M Concept test car. Instead of slowing down, engineers refined the prototype and recently secured a third-place finish in their class in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series, signalling that progress remains steady.

This project has been under development for some time and is widely believed to be the foundation for a new-generation MR2. Until the production model is ready, Toyota is using a heavily modified GR Yaris to test its mid-engine layout, convinced that the setup has the potential to outperform what the current Yaris platform can achieve.

Toyota notes that the GR Yaris’s front-engine, all-wheel-drive configuration places heavy strain on the front tyres, wearing them out roughly three times faster than the rears. Moving the engine to the back while keeping power sent to all four wheels is expected to sharpen handling and help reduce understeer—an advantage that aligns with the goals for a focused sports car.

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Nissan Unveils the All-New Navara for 2026 Debut in Australia

Nissan Australia has pulled the covers off the next-generation Navara, marking a major update to one of the brand’s most recognisable nameplates. Set to reach showrooms in Australia and New Zealand by the end of the first quarter of 2026, the new model continues the legacy of a pickup that has earned the trust of around half a million buyers since the very first Navara appeared in 1986.

Nissan says the latest generation carries forward the spirit of its predecessors with a tougher design, a new turbodiesel engine and driving dynamics specifically tuned for the demanding roads of Oceania.

The exterior takes clear cues from Nissan’s long pickup heritage. A prominent V-motion grille sets the tone at the front, matched by a set of C-shaped headlamps that blend cleanly into the bodywork for a modern and assertive look. Three distinct intake openings framed in orange sit below, a deliberate nod to the original Navara and a reminder of the model’s workhorse roots.

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Porsche Introduces the 2026 Cayenne Electric — the Brand’s Most Powerful Production Model Yet

Porsche is preparing to expand its electric portfolio with the arrival of the 2026 Cayenne Electric, the company’s second fully electric SUV. Alongside its debut, Porsche confirms that this new model is now the most powerful production vehicle it has ever built.

Two variants will be offered at launch: the standard Cayenne Electric and the Cayenne Turbo Electric. Porsche continues to use the “Turbo” label for its high-performance EVs, a naming approach that may raise eyebrows but remains well established within the brand’s identity.

The standard Cayenne Electric produces 402hp during normal driving, with output rising to 435hp and 834Nm of torque in Launch Control mode. Power comes from a dual-motor setup that provides all-wheel drive as standard.

The Cayenne Turbo Electric raises performance to extreme levels. It delivers 844hp in regular driving, while Launch Control mode unleashes 1,139hp and 1,500Nm of torque. Porsche states that this enables a 0–100km/h time of 2.4 seconds.

Stopping performance is equally serious. The Cayenne Electric can regenerate up to 600kW during braking, with Porsche noting that nearly 97 per cent of braking situations can be handled solely by the motors. Ceramic Composite brakes remain an option for those who want a stronger performance emphasis on the Turbo variant.

Porsche aims to deliver a familiar driving feel despite the shift to full electrification. Both variants come equipped with Porsche Active Suspension Management as standard. The Turbo version adds Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, and both models can be optioned with rear-axle steering and the Active Ride suspension system used in the Taycan and Panamera. Active Ride is designed to counter body movement during acceleration, braking, and cornering, creating a more composed and predictable response.

Powering the Cayenne Electric is a 113 kWh battery pack supported by an 800-volt architecture, enabling charging speeds of up to 400 kW. Under ideal conditions, Porsche claims the battery can charge from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 16 minutes. The European WLTP cycle suggests the SUV can achieve up to 644km. An optional inductive charging system is also available, allowing wireless charging at up to 11 kW by parking the vehicle over a floor-mounted pad.

The exterior styling draws heavily from the electric Macan, with rounded rear surfaces and softer front-end contours. The Cayenne Electric retains recognisable Porsche elements, but certain angles give the impression of a more generic modern SUV compared with the sharper definition of the internal combustion Cayenne.

Inside, the Cayenne Electric aligns more closely with Porsche’s traditional design cues. Despite the increased digital presence, the layout remains driver-focused. A 14.3-inch OLED instrument cluster sits ahead of the driver, while a curved central OLED panel combines infotainment and climate controls.

A 14.9-inch passenger display is available as an option. Porsche keeps the air-conditioning and audio volume controls in analogue form, while most other functions move to digital interfaces.

The 2026 Cayenne Electric marks a new chapter for Porsche’s SUV line-up, blending extreme performance with new EV technology while retaining much of the brand’s established driving character.

Leapmotor Shows New A10 Electric SUV Before Official Launch

Leapmotor in China has shown its new A10 electric SUV before the car’s full launch on November 21. This small SUV is meant to compete with the BYD Atto 2. In China, the A10 is expected to cost between 80,000 and 100,000 yuan (around RM52,000 – RM65,000).

Leapmotor worked faster on new models thanks to its partnership with Stellantis. At the Guangzhou Auto Show 2025 on November 21, the company will show two new cars: the Lafa 5 electric hatchback and this new A10 SUV. Until now, the A10 had only been shown in teaser images, but on November 18 the company released clear photos.

The A10 sits between Leapmotor’s cheaper T03 city car and the Lafa 5. It is a small electric crossover that follows the brand’s usual design style. It has a closed front, a trapezoid-shaped air intake, and oval headlights. There is also a LiDAR sensor on the roof, dark D-pillars, and door handles that sit flush with the body.

The charging port is on the front left side. Grey plastic around the wheel arches and bumpers gives it a tougher look. At the back, it has rectangular taillights and cameras for blind-spot monitoring.

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