Global News Archives

Great Wall Motor Unveils Ora 5 Compact Electric SUV in China

Great Wall Motor’s EV brand Ora has launched its first mass-production SUV, the Ora 5, in China. This new compact electric SUV introduces a fresh design and comes with advanced driving assistance features.

The Ora 5 keeps the brand’s familiar “cat family” styling but with a sharper look, big round headlights, and larger air vents on the front bumper. Buyers can choose from six colours inspired by famous landmarks, including Aurora Green, Senna Grey, Lake Sayram Blue, Cliff White, Sand Dune Beige, and Linzhi Red.

In size, the Ora 5 is larger than the Good Cat, measuring 4,471 mm long, up to 1,844 mm wide, and 1,641 mm tall, with a 2,720 mm wheelbase. It rides on 18-inch dual-tone wheels and has a clean rear design with horizontal taillights and badges showing “GWM,” “ORA 5,” and “Great Wall Motor.”

(more…)

Stellantis Experiments with EV Tech in Peugeot E-3008

Stellantis is pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle technology with a prototype Peugeot E-3008 that carries something quite different under its skin. In partnership with Saft, the battery subsidiary of TotalEnergies, the carmaker has fitted the SUV with a new system called IBIS, which is now undergoing proper road testing.

IBIS has been in the works for years, developed with support from French research institutions as well as engineering firms like E2-CAD and Sherpa Engineering. Back in 2022, the technology had its first outing in a stationary demonstrator, where it proved its technical viability and generated several patents.

Moving it into a fully operational car is seen as the next logical step in bringing the idea closer to production reality.

The clever bit about IBIS lies in how it simplifies the electric powertrain. Rather than using separate modules for the inverter and charger, these functions are integrated directly into the battery pack itself. By doing so, the battery can deliver power not only to the motor but also to the grid or to the car’s 12-volt and auxiliary systems, without relying on additional hardware.

(more…)

China Drafts National Standard for Car Door Handle Safety

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is drafting the country’s first mandatory standard for automobile door handles. The proposed regulation, Safety Technical Requirements for Automobile Door Handles, is open for public feedback and aims to address safety concerns linked to the growing use of concealed electric handles in modern vehicles.

With the rise of EVs, door handle designs have become more complex, often prioritising style and aerodynamics over ease of use. This has raised concerns about usability in emergencies, particularly when electrical systems fail. The new standard sets out requirements for handle design, placement, and performance to ensure that doors remain operable in all situations.

As reported by Autohome, development began in 2024 under MIIT’s guidance, with the National Technical Committee for Automotive Standardisation leading the process. Experts from more than 100 automakers, suppliers, and testing agencies were involved, examining over 230 vehicle models and carrying out extensive ergonomic research. Tests on more than 20 vehicles helped validate the requirements.

(more…)

McLaren Eyes Expansion Under New Ownership – And Hints At More Than Supercars

McLaren may have recently unveiled the Artura sports car and the track-focused W1 hypercar, but questions still linger about what the future holds for the legendary British brand. The company has just undergone a major shift in ownership, having been taken over by CYVN Holdings, an investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, and merged with UK-based EV startup Forseven.

What this means for McLaren long-term is still uncertain, but some clues have started to emerge. Speaking to Car Magazine in the UK, new CEO Nick Collins outlined parts of the plan, and it looks as though McLaren is preparing to stretch beyond its traditional playground of lightweight, two-seat supercars.

Collins stopped short of confirming whether an SUV is on the way, something McLaren has teased before, but he did reveal that the brand will move into what he called “adjacent segments.” Crucially, he confirmed a future model will arrive with more than two seats, which would mark a significant departure from McLaren’s history of strictly sticking to the supercar formula.

(more…)

Toyota Australia May Look to China for More EVs

Toyota Australia is thinking about bringing in more electric cars from China as it looks to grow its EV line-up.

Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s Sales and Marketing boss, said the company is watching what its partners in China are making. He explained that Toyota already has strong ties with factories there and sees no issue with selling Chinese-built cars in Australia, as long as they meet Toyota’s standards.

Right now, Toyota only has one electric car worldwide – the bZ4X SUV. An updated version will arrive later this year, and a Touring version with more space is coming in 2025.

In China, Toyota already sells more EVs, such as the bZ3 sedan, bZ5 SUV coupe, and bigger models like the bZ7 and bZ3X SUV. These are built with local partners FAW and GAC.

(more…)

Australia Kicks Off Vehicle-to-Grid Trials with Hyundai, Kia, BYD and Zeekr EVs

Australia’s two biggest electricity providers, Origin Energy and AGL, have both announced fresh trials of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology – a system that lets certain electric vehicles feed power back into the grid.

AGL’s programme is the bigger of the two, opening this week for expressions of interest from owners of select Hyundai, Kia, BYD and Zeekr models. The trial will run for 12 months and, unlike earlier small-scale tests, covers customers under all major National Electricity Market (NEM) distribution networks in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

Importantly, AGL has confirmed it is working directly with the carmakers to ensure that participation won’t affect the vehicle’s battery warranty.

Origin’s approach is a little different. According to Drive, instead of asking existing EV owners to join, the company is offering a subscription package tied to the BYD Atto 3. For under AUD800 (RM2,222) a month after tax savings, customers will get the car on a novated lease along with a StarCharge V2G Halo bi-directional wallbox.

(more…)

Bentley’s Flying Spur Gets First-Ever Ombré by Mulliner Paint Finish

Bentley has revealed something rather special for its Flying Spur — a brand-new Ombré by Mulliner paint finish. This striking look, which blends two colours across the length of the car, has until now only been seen on the Continental GT. It’s now made its way onto Bentley’s four-door grand tourer for the very first time.

The process is as meticulous as you’d expect from Crewe’s Dream Factory. Two highly skilled paint technicians spend almost 60 hours hand-painting each car, carefully layering and blending the shades so that the fade remains perfectly balanced on both sides.

For the Flying Spur debut, the front of the car wears a bright Topaz Blue that gradually transitions to a deeper Windsor Blue at the rear. The fade sweeps seamlessly across the doors, sills, and roofline, showing off the artistry of Bentley’s Paint Shop team.

(more…)

Geely Reveals 5th-Gen Emgrand with Bigger Body, More Power and Fresh Design

Geely has pulled the covers off its 5th-generation Emgrand, showing off official images of the brand’s latest petrol-powered sedan. The new model grows in size, gains a more powerful engine, and adopts a sharper design language compared to the current version.

Dimension-wise, the Emgrand now measures 4,815mm long, 1,885mm wide, and 1,480mm tall, riding on a 2,755mm wheelbase. That makes it significantly larger than the 4th-gen model, which stood at 4,638/1,820/1,460mm with a 2,650mm wheelbase. This increase in footprint not only makes the sedan more imposing on the road, but also promises better cabin space for passengers.

At the front, the new Emgrand carries a polygonal waterfall grille featuring 12 vertical trim strips, now arranged in a less dense layout for a more refined appearance. The headlamps have also been redesigned, with a wider illumination range of more than 170 metres, improving night-time visibility.

(more…)

YANGWANG U9X Becomes the World’s Fastest Production Car at 496km/h

BYD’s luxury sub-brand, YANGWANG, has officially rewritten the record books after its latest hypercar, the U9 Xtreme, clocked a staggering 496.22km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg circuit in Germany. The run, which took place on 14 September 2025, not only smashed the previous EV record but also overtook the fastest petrol-powered car on record, making it the quickest production vehicle in the world.

The U9 Xtreme, or U9X as it is now officially called, began life as the U9 Track/Special Edition before being refined into a road-going production model. It builds on the foundations of the regular U9 already sold in China, but with significant upgrades that push the limits of what an electric hypercar can do.

Among the highlights is a new 1200V ultra-high-voltage system (up from the U9’s 800V setup), a lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery capable of delivering an extraordinary 30C discharge rate, and four ultra-high-speed motors that spin up to 30,000rpm, generating more than 3,000PS in total. The package is completed with track-focused semi-slick tyres and a recalibrated DiSus-X suspension system, tuned specifically for the brutal forces of high-speed circuit driving.

(more…)

Toyota Research Institute Finds Behavioural Science Can Boost EV Charging Habits

The Toyota Research Institute (TRI) has revealed new research showing how behavioural science can play a major role in improving electric vehicle (EV) charging habits, ultimately cutting carbon emissions more effectively. The studies, carried out in both the United States and Japan, tested a prototype app called ChargeMinder, designed by TRI’s Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence division.

Instead of relying purely on technology, the research highlighted how subtle behavioural nudges can change the way people interact with their vehicles. In the U.S., plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivers increased their charging frequency by around 10% thanks to targeted interventions.

Meanwhile, in Japan, both PHEV and battery electric vehicle (BEV) users shifted a significant portion of their charging to hours with the highest renewable energy supply — nearly 59% more than before — which translated to about 30 minutes of extra daytime charging per vehicle each day.

Beyond the environmental benefits, the experiments also improved driver satisfaction. In the U.S., PHEV owners reported a 16-point increase in satisfaction levels, with every participant ending up fully satisfied with their vehicles.

(more…)

Piston.my

Global News

Great Wall Motor Unveils Ora 5 Compact Electric SUV in China

Stellantis Experiments with EV Tech in Peugeot E-3008

China Drafts National Standard for Car Door Handle Safety

McLaren Eyes Expansion Under New Ownership – And Hints At More Than Supercars

Toyota Australia May Look to China for More EVs

Australia Kicks Off Vehicle-to-Grid Trials with Hyundai, Kia, BYD and Zeekr EVs

Bentley’s Flying Spur Gets First-Ever Ombré by Mulliner Paint Finish

Geely Reveals 5th-Gen Emgrand with Bigger Body, More Power and Fresh Design

YANGWANG U9X Becomes the World’s Fastest Production Car at 496km/h

Toyota Research Institute Finds Behavioural Science Can Boost EV Charging Habits

Chery Readies a New Addition to the Tiggo Line-Up with the Tiggo 5 Pro in China

Subaru Forester e-Boxer Wins 2024 Japan Car of the Year

Toyota Introduces the GR GT: A New Flagship Born from Its Racing Programme

Is Toyota Inching Towards a Return to Formula One?

Alfa Romeo Marks the Quadrifoglio Legacy with Exclusive Giulia and Stelvio Collezione Models

Nissan Unveils New N6 PHEV Sedan in China, Eyes Broader Overseas Launch

Bugatti Completes Production of the Bolide as the W-16 Era Nears Its End

Audi Introduces New V6 Diesel with Expanded Electrification for Q5 and A6

Nissan Launches China-Built Frontier Pro Pickup

Leapmotor Launches B05 EV Hatchback in China – 215hp, 605km of Range

Archive

Leapmotor Shows New A10 Electric SUV Before Official Launch

Chery Teases All-New Tiggo 8 SUV Ahead of Q4 Launch in China

Proton e.MAS 5: Bookings Open Now! Estimated Price RM60k–RM80k

Alfa Romeo Marks the Quadrifoglio Legacy with Exclusive Giulia and Stelvio Collezione Models

BHPetrol Invigorates Bandar Tun Razak Station With New Image & Facilities

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube