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Audi Unveils Q6 e-tron Offroad Concept: A Revolutionary Electric Off-Roader

Audi has introduced the Q6 e-tron offroad concept, a groundbreaking prototype designed to push the boundaries of electric off-road vehicles. Featuring twin electric motors delivering a combined output of 509hp, the concept boasts remarkable capabilities, including the ability to conquer gradients of up to 100% thanks to newly developed portal axles.

The Q6 e-tron offroad concept stands out with its bold design. An increased ride height of 160 mm and a wider track of 250 mm give it a striking and commanding presence.

Advanced Portal Axle Design

Traditional portal axles typically boost torque at the wheels by 20–30%, but Audi’s innovative design achieves a 50% increase, resulting in combined torque at all wheels peaking at 13,400Nm for short bursts. This innovation enhances climbing power while maintaining a top speed of 175km/h, ideal for off-road performance.

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Honda Has Not Given Up On Developing An Electric Type R

Honda has been exploring the concept of an electric Type R since 2020, but the wait for a high-performance EV bearing the iconic red badge is far from over. Toshihiro Akiwa, head of Honda’s Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Development Center, recently revealed the significant challenges in creating an electric car that matches the visceral thrill of the brand’s petrol-powered Type R models.

Speaking on the complexities, Akiwa explained, “A battery and motor have different characteristics, so we can’t come up with something exactly the same as before. As an EV, how can we provide the joy of driving? We haven’t given up, of course, but it’s not just about power. It’s about the sound, vibration, acceleration, and the human experience. These are the joys of driving.”

This admission highlights the difficulty of replicating the unique sensory experiences that define Honda’s Type R legacy in an electric vehicle. Despite these hurdles, Honda remains committed to launching an electric sports car by the end of the decade.

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Mitsubishi Motors Weighing Decision to Opt Out of Nissan-Honda Merger Talks

Mitsubishi Motors, a junior partner of Nissan Motor, is reportedly considering staying out of the planned merger between Nissan and Honda Motor, according to sources cited by Reuters.

While Mitsubishi Motors plans to maintain its cooperative relationship with both automakers, the company aims to remain listed as an independent entity, three insiders revealed under the condition of anonymity.

The potential decision has impacted Mitsubishi Motors’ shares, which fell 3.9% by midday after an initial slump of over 6% during early trading on Friday. Shares of Nissan dropped by 0.7%, while Honda’s shares slipped 0.1%.

The merger between Nissan and Honda, announced last year, is projected to create the world’s third-largest auto group, boasting an annual output of 7.4 million vehicles. Mitsubishi Motors, in which Nissan holds a 24% stake, anticipated deciding by this month whether to join the tie-up.

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Smart Confirms Plug-in Hybrid Version of #5 SUV Amid Market Changes

The new Smart #5 SUV is set to be sold with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain alongside previously revealed pure-electric variants in response to growing concerns around sales in some global markets.

The move, confirmed by Chinese-based Smart officials after photos of test mules were posted on social media, represents a major step-change for the Geely- and Mercedes-Benz-owned company, which previously committed to exclusively selling new-generation Smart models with electric power.

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Citroën Considers Reviving the Iconic 2CV with an Electric Twist

Citroën is reportedly in the early stages of developing a modern successor to its legendary 2CV, more than three decades after the original ceased production. Preliminary design work on the revival of the no-frills classic, credited with mobilizing post-war France, is underway. While Citroën had previously denied plans to reintroduce the 2CV, this latest move reflects a shift in strategy, spurred by the success of retro-inspired models like the Renault 5.

The Renault 5, launched with a starting price of £22,995 (around RM132,000), has been a runaway success in France, selling 9,973 units last month—1,721 more than Citroën’s new ë-C3. Its popularity has also boosted Renault’s share of the French electric car market from 16.3% to 23.2% in just one month.

Unlike the Renault 5, which imagines an evolution of its classic design, the revived 2CV is expected to closely mirror its original counterpart’s aesthetic. Citroën has already shown its appetite for retro design with the new Ami, unveiled at the 2024 Paris Motor Show. The Ami borrows design cues from the classic 2CV, such as distinctive round headlights, wing indentations, and Citroën’s historic logo.

According to Autocar, Citroën’s design chief, Pierre Leclercq, hinted at the possibility of more retro-inspired models at this year’s Brussels Motor Show. While stopping short of confirming the new 2CV, he acknowledged that the philosophy behind such models remains significant. “We’re not closing the door [on retro designs], but I think the philosophy is important,” he said.

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Lexus Unveils 2025 IS F Sport Mode Black IV Special Edition in Japan

Lexus has introduced a new special edition for its IS sedan in Japan, alongside updates for the 2025 model year lineup. The IS300 and IS300h models now come with the F Sport Mode Black IV package, which offers aesthetic enhancements and additional features aimed at elevating the sedan’s sporty appeal.

The F Sport Mode Black IV stands out with its new set of black forged alloy wheels, designed by BBS, and black mirror caps featuring a smoked finish for the chrome accents. These details differentiate the latest edition from its predecessor, the F Sport Black III, which also incorporated black exterior elements.

Inside, the F Sport Mode Black IV offers premium upgrades, including Ashwood inserts on the door panels and steering wheel. The steering wheel and gear shift knob feature dimpled leather, while the heated and ventilated sports seats are upholstered in luxurious Ultrasuede material. The 8-inch digital instrument cluster now comes with updated opening graphics, and the Panoramic View Monitor has been added as standard equipment, enhancing both convenience and driver visibility.

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Land Rover Defender’s Electric Evolution: Delayed But Inevitable

Internal combustion engines (ICEs) have outlasted many predictions of their demise, with vehicles like the Land Rover Defender remaining a stronghold of traditional powertrains. Despite JLR’s commitment to electrification, the Defender’s current generation, built on the D7x platform, wasn’t designed to go fully electric. Here’s why and what to expect moving forward:

Why the Current Defender Can’t Go Electric

Platform Limitations:

The D7x platform, introduced with the L663 Defender, was optimised for off-road capability and durability, but it lacks the design flexibility needed for a fully electric drivetrain.
Lennard Hoornik, JLR’s Chief Commercial Officer, acknowledged the difficulty of integrating the required battery and motor systems due to axle packaging constraints and the platform’s focus on rugged utility.

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Honda-Nissan-Mitsubishi Merger: Potential Collaborations on Future Vehicles

The possibility of Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi merging into a unified auto group has stirred excitement, as it could create the world’s third-largest automaker. Beyond strategic advantages like resource sharing and market reach, the merger presents an intriguing opportunity for collaborative vehicle development. Here’s a look at potential outcomes from such a partnership:

A Full-Size Honda SUV Based on the Nissan Armada

The Concept:
The Nissan Armada, also known as the Patrol globally, sits on a rugged body-on-frame chassis and boasts impressive size and power, with its twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 delivering 425hp and 699Nm of torque.

Potential for Honda:

Honda could use the Armada’s platform to create its first full-size SUV, offering a counterpart to American family hauliers like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition.
A refined version of the Armada chassis could support a new Honda model, possibly named “Crossroad,” harkening back to Honda’s past forays into rugged SUVs.
For powertrains, Honda could either adopt the Armada’s V6 or develop a hybridized version of its legendary J35 V6 for enhanced performance and efficiency.

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Nissan to Downsize Shonan Plant Amid Domestic Restructuring Efforts

Nissan Motor Co. has announced plans to scale back operations at its subsidiary’s Shonan Plant in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, as part of broader domestic restructuring efforts. The move is expected to lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs and marks the first detailed restructuring initiative within Japan following the company’s global downsizing announcement last year.

Production Changes at Shonan Plant

The Shonan Plant, operated by Nissan’s subsidiary Nissan Shatai Co., focuses on manufacturing commercial vehicles such as the AD van and NV200 Vanette. Key updates include:

Cessation of AD Van Production: Nissan plans to halt production of the AD van by November, citing declining sales and intensified competition from Toyota.
Review of NV200 Vanette Production: The automaker is also considering scaling down production of the NV200 Vanette as part of its restructuring strategy.
Impact on Plant Capacity: The Shonan Plant has an annual production capacity of 150,000 units, but the downsizing measures are expected to significantly reduce this figure.

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Mazda6 Bows Out After Over Two Decades in Australia

Mazda Australia has announced the end of the road for the Mazda6, marking the conclusion of a remarkable journey that spanned over two decades. Production of the mid-sized sedan and wagon has officially ceased as Mazda shifts its focus toward hybrid SUVs, including the CX-60 and CX-80, as part of its evolving multi-solution strategy.

A Legacy of Success

Since its launch in 2002, Mazda has sold nearly 150,000 units of the Mazda6 in Australia, with its most successful year in 2005, registering close to 15,000 sales. The model earned multiple awards and competed with notable rivals like the Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord, Nissan Maxima, and Toyota Camry.

A Competitive Segment

In 2024, the Mazda6 secured third place in the Medium Passenger Cars under $60K segment, with 1354 units sold nationwide. The Toyota Camry dominated with 15,401 sales, followed by the BYD Seal (6393 units). Other competitors included the Skoda Octavia (846), Hyundai Sonata (506), Honda Accord (137), and Volkswagen Passat (103).

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