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Smart #2 Teased: A New Chapter for the Iconic City Car

Smart is preparing to bring back one of its most recognisable models with a modern twist. The brand, now jointly owned by Geely and Mercedes-Benz, has confirmed plans to launch the new Smart #2 by the end of 2026 in China, with Europe also identified as a key market.

The upcoming model will be a two-door, two-seat hatchback designed specifically for urban mobility, positioning itself as the long-awaited successor to the legendary Smart ForTwo. Measuring close to the size of its predecessor, the third-generation ForTwo, the #2 is expected to retain compact proportions at around 2,695 mm in length, 1,663 mm in width, 1,555 mm in height, and with a wheelbase of 1,873 mm.

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Hyundai Motor Group Pushes Boundaries with Animal-Free Leather Innovation

Hyundai CRADLE, the global open innovation hub of Hyundai Motor Group, has embarked on a new partnership with biomaterials specialist UNCAGED Innovations to introduce a next-generation leather alternative for automotive interiors. The collaboration marks a significant step in the Group’s ongoing commitment to material innovation and environmental responsibility, further reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable mobility.

The joint effort is focused on co-developing bio-based leather substitutes designed to meet the high demands of the automotive industry. This breakthrough material offers a sustainable solution that not only rivals the feel and quality of traditional animal leather but also drastically reduces its environmental footprint. According to Hyundai, the new product consumes 95 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, requires 89 per cent less water, and uses 71 per cent less energy compared to conventional leather production, all while maintaining durability, texture, and a sense of luxury.

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Audi Concept Car Leak Hints at Bold New Design Language and Future EV Sports Car

Audi’s upcoming concept car, set for its public unveiling next week in Milan and at the Munich Motor Show, has surfaced online ahead of schedule after a leak revealed the model in full. The image, which briefly appeared as the cover photo on Audi Canada’s official Facebook page before being removed, was swiftly reposted on Instagram by automotive insider Wilco Blok, giving enthusiasts an early look at the coupe.

The still-unnamed concept adopts a sharp, blocky silhouette complemented by slim lighting elements at both ends. Its narrow headlights carry a resemblance to those on the E5 from Audi’s Chinese-market sub-brand, while the rear incorporates thin tail-lights and, uniquely, louvres in place of a conventional windscreen – a detail teased in a video released by Audi over the weekend.

The brand has been promoting the upcoming car under the slogan “Strive for clarity”, referencing some of its design icons including the original TT, the 1991 Avus Quattro concept, and the legendary Auto Union Type C and D Grand Prix racers of the 1930s. These nods to heritage appear intended to highlight the philosophy behind Audi’s next era of design, which will debut with this concept.

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Volvo XC70 Debuts as Brand’s First Long-Range Plug-in Hybrid with Over 200km EV Range

Volvo Cars has introduced the all-new XC70, its first long-range plug-in hybrid SUV, and the model arrives with a milestone: an all-electric driving range of more than 200km under the CLTC cycle. This marks the longest zero-emissions capability of any Volvo plug-in hybrid to date, signalling the brand’s next step towards a more sustainable product portfolio.

The XC70 is underpinned by Volvo’s new Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA) platform, engineered specifically for long-range plug-in hybrids. The model has been designed to meet growing customer demand for extended-range electrified vehicles, particularly in China where pre-orders have already begun. Volvo Cars has confirmed that Europe will follow later, bringing the SUV to a wider audience in due course.

Fast charging is one of the car’s defining features, allowing the battery to be replenished from 0 to 80 per cent in just 23 minutes. The SUV also supports bi-directional charging, meaning the onboard battery can serve as a portable power bank for devices and appliances, particularly useful for outdoor activities and camping. With its efficient hybrid system, the XC70 is capable of covering more than 1,200km when combining its electric drive with the combustion engine, offering both flexibility and peace of mind for longer journeys.

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Aston Martin Vantage S Joins Formula 1 as Official FIA Safety Car

Aston Martin is turning up the heat at the front of the Formula 1 grid with the introduction of its latest high-performance model, the Vantage S, as the new Official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1. Making its debut at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, the car represents the most performance-focused iteration of the Vantage to date.

Powered by a hand-built 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, the Vantage S delivers 680 PS and 800 Nm of torque, enough to propel it from 0 to 100kn/h in just 3.4 seconds before reaching a top speed of 325km/h.

To ensure it performs flawlessly when leading the world’s fastest racing cars, the car is fitted with additional aerodynamic upgrades including a full-width decklid spoiler and a centrally mounted rear lightbar, both engineered for greater stability and visibility in deployment conditions.

The car also benefits from design revisions intended to extract maximum performance from the V8 engine. New centrally-mounted bonnet blades improve hot air management from the ‘hot-V’ layout, while the enhanced aerodynamic balance gives FIA Safety Car driver Bernd Mayländer sharper turn-in and greater cornering stability – qualities that are essential when driving ahead of a full F1 grid.

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Geely Galaxy Reveals Starshine 6 Plug-in Hybrid Sedan

Geely has pulled the covers off the Starshine 6, the latest addition to its Galaxy sub-brand, releasing the first official images ahead of its market debut. The sedan will sit just below the Galaxy A7 in the line-up, which was launched earlier this year with a price bracket of 81,800 to 117,800 yuan (around RM53,000 to RM77,000).

Visually, the Starshine 6 follows Geely’s familiar “Galaxy Ripple” design philosophy. The front end carries a large polygonal grille with vertically arranged chrome strips, framed by a secondary lower grille and sharp, angular headlamps. The overall impression has drawn comparisons to styling cues often seen on German marques.

At the rear, the car adopts a layered full-width taillight signature, complemented by a subtle roof spoiler and a dual-tone bumper finished in either silver or black. Customers will have a choice of 16-inch or 17-inch wheels, along with options such as a sunroof. Unlike many of today’s EV-inspired models, Geely has opted for traditional door handles instead of the increasingly popular flush-fit design.

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RML GT Hypercar: 920hp Road and Track Weapon Based on the 911 Turbo S

RML Group, a British engineering and motorsport company founded in 1984, has officially introduced its long-anticipated GT Hypercar, a machine that draws from both motorsport heritage and modern engineering to deliver extreme performance alongside everyday usability. Developed under the internal codename P39, the hypercar takes the Porsche 992.1-generation 911 Turbo S as its base, but is transformed into something far beyond the standard car.

At the heart of the project is a carbon fibre body paired with a race-bred chassis and a bespoke powertrain created in collaboration with Litchfield Motors. This combination places the GT Hypercar firmly in the territory of track-focused exotics, while maintaining a level of refinement suitable for daily use.

Performance is at the forefront of its character. The car features three selectable modes: Wet, where the engine delivers 600hp; Normal, with output raised to 750hp; and Sport/Sport+, which unleashes the full force of 920hp and 955Nm of torque. Such power, combined with advanced aerodynamics, places the GT Hypercar on par with some of the fastest cars ever built.

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Rolls-Royce Unveils Spectre Inspired by Primavera – A Bespoke Ode to Spring

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled a new Bespoke collection, the Spectre Inspired by Primavera, a poetic celebration of spring reimagined through the marque’s ultra-luxury electric coupé. Taking its name from the Italian word for spring, the series captures the delicacy, optimism and vitality of the season in a range of highly personalised commissions.

The collection is offered in three unique interpretations – Evanescent, Reverie and Blossom – each reflecting a different facet of spring’s character. Commissioning is open until early next year, with the first deliveries scheduled to coincide with the season itself in 2026.

At the heart of the design is the cherry blossom, a symbol of renewal and transience, which has been translated into both exterior and interior details. Each motif began as a hand-sketched drawing by a Rolls-Royce Bespoke designer before being digitised and applied to the coachwork, cabin trim and other fine details. On the outside, the cars are defined by a hand-painted Coachline depicting a blossoming branch, complemented by a new 23-inch alloy wheel design inspired by the shape of a flower in bloom.

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BYD Uses Thai Hub to Sidestep EU Tariffs

China’s BYD has marked another milestone in its global expansion, with the first shipment of Thai-assembled Dolphin electric vehicles bound for Europe. Over 900 units have been dispatched to Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom, signalling a new chapter in the company’s international strategy.

The consignment set sail aboard BYD’s own carrier vessel, the BYD Zhengzhou, which for the first time has operated a route from Thailand to Europe. The vehicles were produced at the company’s Rayong plant, a facility that went into operation in July 2024 and stands as BYD’s first wholly owned passenger car manufacturing site outside of China.

Built with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles, the Rayong factory serves both the domestic Thai market and export destinations. Within just a year of starting operations, the plant had already achieved 90,000 deliveries by July this year, underscoring its role as a crucial hub for BYD’s regional and global supply network.

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Yangwang U9 Breaks Global EV Speed Record With 472.41km/h Run

BYD has once again pushed the boundaries of electric performance, with its Yangwang U9 engineering prototype clocking an astonishing 472.41km/h, setting a new world record for an electric vehicle.

The achievement not only cements the U9 as China’s fastest car but also elevates it into the exclusive realm of the world’s top hypercars. This latest milestone follows its earlier success last November, when the U9 became the fastest car in China by registering 391.94km/h during a speed trial. The new figure represents a staggering 20.53% leap in performance.

At its peak velocity, the Yangwang U9 is now just a breath away from the world’s most celebrated combustion-engine hypercars. To put it into perspective, the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut has a maximum speed of 531km/h, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ touches 490km/h, and the SSC Tuatara is recognised at 474.8km/h. The U9, an electric contender, is edging dangerously close to these long-revered giants of speed.