Global News Archives

McLaren JC96 – Japan-Only Tribute to a 1996 Racing Triumph

McLaren has pulled the covers off the JC96, a special edition of the 750S built to honour the brand’s success in the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship almost three decades ago. Back in 1996, the team secured the Drivers’ Championship with the iconic McLaren F1 GTR, and this latest creation serves as a nod to that victory.

Just 61 units will be produced, and they will all remain exclusive to the Japanese market. Each example carries a distinctive ‘Tiger Stripe’ livery inspired by the racing F1 GTR, matched with ultra-lightweight 15-spoke forged alloys and bespoke cabin touches that echo the motorsport connection.

The exterior is dressed with unique detailing across the splitter, rear wing and door mirror caps, while the colour palette includes Memphis Red, Titanium Silver, Ice White and Graphite Grey. Those seeking something more unusual can explore McLaren’s bespoke paint programme. Finishing touches come in the form of gloss black roof and diffuser elements, striking gold brake callipers with red McLaren logos, and further subtle accents across the body.

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Toyota GR Yaris Gets New Aero Performance Package Inspired by Motorsport

Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) has announced that the GR Yaris will soon be offered with a new “Aero Performance Package”, set to arrive at Toyota dealerships in Japan from 1 October 2025. The package, which has been developed with direct input from motorsport, brings a suite of aero upgrades aimed at enhancing cooling, stability, and balance at high speeds.

The GR Yaris has always had its DNA rooted in rallying, and this package takes that link a step further. Engineers fine-tuned the components through extensive testing in the Super Taikyu Series and Japanese Rally Championship, with feedback from professional drivers shaping the final setup. Available exclusively on the RZ “High Performance” and RC trims, the package combines six carefully designed parts to push the car’s aerodynamics and handling even further.

Among the highlights is a ducted aluminium bonnet, modelled after the carbon-fibre version fitted to the GRMN Yaris. Developed and tested in rally competition, it improves cooling by drawing hot air out of the engine bay. To keep the car planted at speed, a new front lip spoiler has been added to cut front lift and sharpen overall balance — a component included after race driver feedback suggested the aero setup needed an extra layer of stability.

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GWM Ora Cat Breaks Cover as Brand’s First New Model Since 2022

After a long, quiet time, Great Wall Motor’s electric sub-brand Ora is back with something new. The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has revealed details of the brand’s latest SUV, the Ora Cat – the first all-new model to wear the Ora badge since 2022.

Ora, established in 2018 under Great Wall Motor, quickly made a name for itself with quirky, affordable EVs. But a string of missteps left the brand struggling. The launch of the Black Cat and White Cat proved unprofitable, while ventures like the Ole Sharing service drained resources. Things didn’t improve in 2022 when Ora introduced the Ballet Cat, styled like a modern Beetle, and the Lightning Cat (also called Ora 07), which borrowed its look from the Porsche Panamera. Both landed in small, niche markets and did little to help sales.

Since then, Ora has been unusually quiet. Between January and August 2025, sales dwindled to just 14,781 units in China, according to China EV DataTracker. The slump pushed Great Wall Motor to rethink its strategy. This summer, the company announced plans to reignite the brand with four new models. The Ora Cat is the first step in that comeback.

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XPENG AEROHT’s Flying Car Gets Green Light in UAE

XPENG AEROHT has taken a big step forward in making flying cars a reality. The Chinese company’s “Land Aircraft Carrier” has just been granted a special flight permit in Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost emirate of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to Xinhua, the permit was handed over to XPENG AEROHT’s founder, Zhao Deli, marking a milestone for the firm’s ambitions outside China. The UAE’s innovation-friendly approach was seen as the perfect testing ground for this technology, giving the company the chance to showcase what its futuristic vehicle can really do.

At the same event, the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with XPENG AEROHT. The agreement will see both parties working together on flight testing certification, real-world application scenarios, and exploring how flying cars could be used across different sectors. Among the areas being considered are government transport, tourism, and even emergency rescue – all of which could benefit from a vehicle that combines the practicality of a car with the agility of an aircraft.

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2026 Nissan Z Debuts with Heritage Edition Honouring the 300ZX

Nissan has introduced the 2026 Z at the 38th annual ZCON, unveiling a new Heritage Edition that pays tribute to the fourth-generation Z32 from the 1990s for the U.S. market.

Available exclusively on the Z Performance grade, the Heritage Edition costs $2,940 (around RM12,411), bringing the total MSRP to $55,910 (around RM236,023). It features bronze 19-inch RAYS wheels, a carbon-fibre rear spoiler with a retro “Twin Turbo” badge, bronze body graphics, unique door kick plates, exclusive floor mats, and a nostalgic Midnight Purple paint finish.

The 2026 Z lineup consists of three grades: Sport, Performance, and NISMO, with prices starting from $42,970 (around RM181,419). Sport and Performance models also gain a new Boulder Grey paint option with a contrasting black roof.

Design cues across the seventh-generation Z continue to echo its heritage. The raised hood bulge recalls the original Z, while crescent-shaped LED running lights mimic the 240ZG. At the rear, elongated-oval tail lights and a blacked-out centre section nod to the Z32.

Inside, triple dashboard gauges display turbo boost, turbine speed, and battery voltage, paired with a clean, functional layout inspired by past Z models.

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Toyota Revives AE86 4A-GE Engine Parts Under GR Heritage Project

Toyota Gazoo Racing is giving AE86 fans something to celebrate. Under its GR Heritage Parts Project, the brand will once again reproduce key components of the legendary 4A-GE engine found in the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno.

The programme, which brings discontinued parts back to life as brand-new genuine items, already covers over 200 parts across eight models. Now, the spotlight turns to the AE86 with the reissue of a cylinder head sub-assembly and a cylinder block sub-assembly – both updated using modern techniques while keeping their original design and specifications.

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Lamborghini Tests AI That Can Read Your Mood While Driving

Lamborghini is working on new AI technology that can understand not just how you drive, but also how you feel behind the wheel.

According to The Drive, Chief Technical Officer Rouven Mohr explained that Lamborghini already uses machine learning to adjust things like torque depending on the road and driving style. The next step, he said, is to make cars that can sense a driver’s mood and change their behaviour to match.

For example, if the system feels you’re in the mood for fun, it could make the car more playful and exciting. If you’d rather keep things calm, it would tone things down. The AI could also adjust safety systems, giving skilled drivers more freedom, but stepping in more quickly if mistakes happen.

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Mercedes-Benz Confirms Its Legendary V12 Will Live On Into the 2030s

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that its famous V12 engine will continue into the 2030s, despite earlier plans to go fully electric by the end of this decade. The news was revealed at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, giving fans of big engines something to celebrate.

According to reports, CEO Thomas Schäfer didn’t share exact details but said Mercedes has a plan to make the V12 meet strict Euro 7 emissions rules. However, he admitted the engine won’t be sold everywhere.

With Europe banning combustion engines by 2035, the V12 will likely be kept for markets like China and the Middle East, where demand for powerful engines is still strong.

Right now, the Maybach S 680 is the only Mercedes that uses a V12, running a 6.0-litre twin-turbo unit. Mercedes also builds V12s for Pagani hypercars, keeping the engine alive in the world of extreme performance.

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Ferrari Revives the Testarossa Name with All-New 849 Hybrid Hypercar

The Testarossa name is back, and it’s making a return in the most dramatic way possible. Nearly three decades after the last 512M rolled off the production line in the mid-1990s, Ferrari has unveiled the brand-new 849 Testarossa—a hybrid hypercar that reimagines one of the marque’s most legendary models for the modern era.

First introduced in 1984 as the successor to the Berlinetta Boxer, the original Testarossa became a global sensation. Its name itself, drawn from Ferrari’s 1950s Testa Rossa race cars, cemented its place in the brand’s rich history.

With more than a decade of production and a cult following that continues today, the Testarossa remains one of the most iconic Ferraris ever built. Now, the Prancing Horse is writing a new chapter for the badge with a car that blends electrification and raw combustion power like never before.

At the core of the new 849 is an upgraded version of Ferrari’s F154 twin-turbo V8. Strengthened internals and larger turbos allow the petrol engine to produce 818hp on its own. But that’s only part of the story. Three electric motors—two mounted at the front and one at the rear—add another 216hp, creating a combined system output of 1,036hp.

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New Lexus IS Makes Its Global Debut – Sharper, Sportier, and Smarter

Lexus has officially unveiled the new IS, which made its world premiere on September 9 and is set to hit showrooms in early 2026 across various markets. This marks the next chapter for a model that has defined the compact FR sports sedan segment for over 25 years.

First introduced in 1999, the IS was built around one idea – driving enjoyment. Across three generations, it has earned a reputation for sharp handling, bold styling, and the unmistakable “Lexus Driving Signature.” With more than 1.3 million units sold in 40 countries since launch, it remains one of the brand’s most important nameplates, and Lexus is making sure the new model stays true to its roots while adding plenty of fresh touches.

The 2026 IS will be available in two variants: the IS 300h and IS 350. Development centred on the theme of “refinement in performance and design,” which essentially means Lexus wanted to sharpen its handling while keeping the design aggressive and sporty.

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Global News

McLaren JC96 – Japan-Only Tribute to a 1996 Racing Triumph

Toyota GR Yaris Gets New Aero Performance Package Inspired by Motorsport

GWM Ora Cat Breaks Cover as Brand’s First New Model Since 2022

XPENG AEROHT’s Flying Car Gets Green Light in UAE

2026 Nissan Z Debuts with Heritage Edition Honouring the 300ZX

Toyota Revives AE86 4A-GE Engine Parts Under GR Heritage Project

Lamborghini Tests AI That Can Read Your Mood While Driving

Mercedes-Benz Confirms Its Legendary V12 Will Live On Into the 2030s

Ferrari Revives the Testarossa Name with All-New 849 Hybrid Hypercar

New Lexus IS Makes Its Global Debut – Sharper, Sportier, and Smarter

BMW Revives a Legend with the M2 Turbo Design Edition

Volvo’s New EX60 to Debut World-First Multi-Adaptive Safety Belt Recognised by TIME Magazine

Volkswagen to Integrate Xpeng’s XNGP Autonomous Driving System into China EVs by 2026

Kia Launches the New Carnival HEV 7-Seater in Thailand

BYD Extends Its Lead Over Tesla in Global EV Sales Through Q3 2025

Rolls-Royce Showcases Its Most Complex Woodwork for Phantom’s 100th Anniversary

BYD Expands Global Reach With Fleet of Eight Car Carriers

Inflated Pre-Sale Numbers in China’s Auto Market Raise Industry Concerns

CATL to Begin Mass Production of Sodium-Ion Batteries in 2026

Porsche Previews the Cayenne Electric Interior Ahead of Global Debut

Archive

Omoda 7 Raises the Bar for Intelligent Parking

New XPENG G6 Ultra Smart Coupe SUV Launched in Malaysia

GWM Rolls Out New Haval Big Dog Plus with Fresh Styling and PHEV Options

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Honda Malaysia Launches Limited CR-V Dual-Tone Edition to Mark 25 Years

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