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BYD has revealed an updated version of its popular Han sedan in China, focusing on improved technology and a slight reduction in its starting price. Originally launched in 2020 and receiving a facelift in 2022, this marks the second significant update for the electrified model.

The most notable exterior change is that the BYD Han DM-i (plug-in hybrid) now shares the same design as its all-electric counterpart, streamlining the look across the lineup. New additions include a Fashion Grey colour option and a Black Sports package. Additionally, a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor is present, hinting at enhanced Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

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Toyota is preparing to reduce its electric vehicle (EV) production goals for next year, revising its original target of producing 1.5 million EVs by 2026 to 1 million. A Toyota spokesperson clarified that this figure isn’t a strict target but rather a guideline aimed at improving the company’s infrastructure and supply chain for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

However, Toyota isn’t alone in reassessing its EV ambitions. Other major automakers like Volvo, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, and Ford have also scaled back their EV production plans.

Recently, Volvo revealed it would no longer aim to be fully electric by 2030. Instead, it plans to retain some hybrid models, targeting 90-100% of its sales to be from fully electric or plug-in hybrids by 2030. Similarly, Porsche announced in July that its goal of achieving 80% EV sales by 2030 depends on market demand and technological advances.

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The latest Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster, dubbed the F5-M, now boasts a gated six-speed manual transmission, a feature that required notable interior changes and aerodynamic updates. To accommodate the new gearbox, Hennessey modified the centre console, replacing the previous vertical air vents with horizontal ones and redesigning the air conditioning controls.

Additionally, the F5-M includes new jet-fighter-inspired toggle switches for the windows, positioned just behind the billet aluminium shift gate and carbon-fibre shifter.

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The 2025 Bentley Flying Spur boasts an impressive new hybrid V8, surpassing the outgoing W-12 engine in power and performance. This hybrid setup, which first appeared in the 2025 Continental GT Speed, is now available in the Flying Spur, marking it as Bentley’s most powerful sedan to date.

Under the hood, the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 hybrid produces 771hp and 1,000Nm of torque, reflecting a 19% horsepower increase and 11% torque improvement over the previous W-12 engine. With these enhancements, the Flying Spur can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.3 seconds, a half-second improvement over its predecessor.

The hybrid system also includes a 25.9-kilowatt-hour battery, providing an additional 187hp and 450Nm of torque. This setup offers 75km of electric driving range (based on the EU cycle), with speeds reaching up to 140km/h. Combined with the V8 engine, the total driving range extends to 828km.

Drivers can optimise performance with four battery-specific modes: Pure EV, Electric Boost, Regenerative Braking, and Charge. In Charge mode, the gas engine not only powers the wheels but also helps recharge the battery. Alternatively, using a Level 2 charger, the battery recharges in two hours and 45 minutes at an 11-kilowatt rate.

Bentley’s Active Chassis system comes standard, featuring an adaptive suspension, all-wheel steering, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, and updated ESC software. The car’s balanced weight distribution—48.3% front and 51.7% rear—further enhances handling.

Visually, the 2025 Flying Spur retains Bentley’s signature style, with subtle updates like a Speed-specific grille and a redesigned front bumper. Buyers can opt for a Styling Specification aero package in carbon fibre or new body-coloured paint, with 101 exterior colours to choose from.

Inside, the Flying Spur sees significant tech upgrades, including a new digital instrument cluster and centre touchscreen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Bentley also introduces the My Bentley App Studio, allowing for third-party app integration for entertainment, navigation, and more.

For audiophiles, the standard 10-speaker, 650-watt system can be upgraded to a 16-speaker, 1,500-watt Bang & Olufsen system or a 19-speaker, 2,200-watt system with Active Bass Transducers in the front seats. Additionally, laminated glass makes the Flying Spur nine decibels quieter than the previous model.

Cars today are loaded with advanced technology and safety features, but more isn’t always better for buyers. J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study revealed that while some owners appreciate the cutting-edge features in their vehicles, others find them frustrating and difficult to use.

J.D. Power ranks these features using a “problems per 100 vehicles” (PP100) scale. Gesture controls, in particular, received a high 43.4 PP100, with 21% of owners criticising the feature’s lack of functionality, according to a new performance measure introduced in this year’s study. Hands-free driving assistance systems also garnered low scores for usefulness, with even advanced versions struggling to win over drivers.

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Hoonigan, the lifestyle and apparel brand established by the late rally icon Ken Block, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it works to reorganise and manage its heavy debt load. Now part of Wheel Pros, an aftermarket wheel company owned by Clearlake Capital, Hoonigan is looking to eliminate $1.2 billion in debt while raising up to $570 million in new capital to stabilise its financial situation.

Originally created as Ken Block’s personal lifestyle venture, Hoonigan gained widespread recognition through its popular YouTube channel, “The Hoonigans,” boasting over 5.73 million subscribers. After Block’s passing in 2023, the channel saw much of its original talent depart, contributing to significant changes in the brand’s direction.

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Japan is intensifying its efforts to bolster electric vehicle (EV) battery production with an investment of $2.4 billion in subsidies to strengthen the nation’s battery supply chain. The government has earmarked support for 12 projects focusing on storage batteries and related components, aiming to expand Japan’s annual battery production capacity by 50% to 120 gigawatt-hours (GWh), up from the current 80 GWh.

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ken Saito, emphasised that this initiative is designed to improve Japan’s battery industry’s global competitiveness. Major automotive and battery manufacturers, including Toyota, Nissan, Panasonic, Subaru, and Mazda, are involved in these efforts, which reflect Japan’s strategic push to increase domestic battery production.

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Porsche has collaborated with Porsche Asia Pacific to create an exceptional Taycan Turbo S Celestial Jade through its Sonderwunsch programme. This one-of-a-kind fully electric sports car features a remarkable pigmented paint that shifts colours based on light and viewing angles.

Inspired by the intricate patterns of jade, a precious gemstone revered in Asia, this design pays tribute to Southeast Asia’s rich traditions and innovative spirit.

The Taycan Turbo S Celestial Jade made its global debut on 5 September in Singapore, followed by a regional tour across Southeast Asia before being auctioned for charity in 2025. This special edition is based on the upgraded 2024 Taycan Turbo S, featuring enhanced power and performance. The Turbo S delivers up to 952PS with Launch Control, sprinting from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.4 seconds.

For the first time, Porsche has combined two Chromaflair effect paints in a single vehicle, an intricate process that took a year to develop and 80 hours to complete by hand. The unique paints—Urban Bamboo, a vibrant green with yellow and gold tones, and Shifting Carbon, a dark grey with black and blue hues—symbolise jade’s timeless elegance and carbon’s strength and innovation. This colour scheme represents happiness, longevity, and Porsche’s pioneering spirit, making the Taycan Turbo S Celestial Jade a striking blend of tradition and modernity.

BMW M is once again demonstrating its long-standing commitment to MotoGP with the introduction of the BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car. This latest safety car will make its debut at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini in Misano on Saturday, 7th September. The car was unveiled at a special event in Milan by Sylvia Neubauer, Vice President of Customer, Brand, and Sales at BMW M GmbH, alongside Massimiliano Di Silvestre, CEO of BMW Italia.

The BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car is based on the electrified BMW M5, featuring the M Hybrid system that combines a high-revving V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology and an electric motor to produce a powerful 727hp. Its debut follows the success of the BMW XM Label Red Safety Car and underscores BMW M’s focus on cutting-edge hybrid technology.

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At Volvo Cars’ Capital Markets Day in Gothenburg, Sweden, the company introduced a revolutionary approach to technology that will define its future—centred around the concept of continuously improving its vehicles over time. This shift in strategy will focus on engineering a single technological foundation, ensuring that Volvo’s cars get better with each update.

The Volvo Cars Superset Tech Stack

At the core of this strategy is the Volvo Cars Superset tech stack. This comprehensive system of modules, software, and hardware will serve as the foundational base for all future electric vehicles, starting with the EX90. The tech stack is like a set of configurable building blocks, allowing Volvo to adapt and enhance various models from a single base. This shift will enable continuous improvements across the entire product lineup, enhancing cars already in the hands of customers and speeding up the development of new vehicles.

2023 Volvo EX90 EV

According to Anders Bell, Volvo Cars’ Chief Engineering & Technology Officer, the Superset tech stack will dramatically improve quality, accelerate speed-to-market, and allow the brand to focus all engineering efforts in one direction, rather than spreading resources across multiple projects.

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