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Land Rover Builds Toughest Defender for Dakar Rally

Land Rover has pulled the covers off a hardcore new version of the Defender, engineered specifically to take on the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship and the famously punishing Dakar Rally. The model, officially named the Defender Dakar D7X-R, will compete in the “Stock” category and will be led by 14-time Dakar champion Stéphane Peterhansel, who takes on driving duties for the team.

Although the D7X-R is based on the already formidable Defender Octa, the rally variant has been pushed even further within the limits allowed by competition regulations. The body structure has been reinforced, cooling has been improved to cope with the extreme desert heat, and additional underbody protection has been fitted to cope with continuous impact and rough terrain.

The exterior leaves no doubt about its purpose. The car wears pronounced fender extensions, heavily cut bumpers and a vented bonnet, along with a larger air intake and twin snorkels designed for deep sand and dust. A full LED light bar on the roof is fitted for night stages, and the usual tailgate-mounted spare wheel has been deleted to shave weight. It also adopts a striking “Geopalette” livery inspired by desert landscapes.

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BMW Prepares to Bid Farewell to the Z4 With a Final Edition Ahead of 2026 Production End

BMW is closing the chapter on one of its most recognisable modern roadsters with the introduction of the Z4 Final Edition. This limited-run version marks the last opportunity for customers to order a new Z4 before production ends in March 2026. Since its debut in 2002, the Z4 has built a strong following through its mix of distinctive styling, open-top driving and sharp handling. The Final Edition is designed as a closing tribute to the model, offering exclusive exterior and interior details that set it apart from the standard range.

The Final Edition will be available for order only for a short period beginning in late January 2026, giving interested buyers a narrow window to secure one of the last examples.

A key feature of the Final Edition is its exclusive Frozen Matt Black paintwork, a finish offered only on this farewell model. Paired with the standard M High-gloss Shadowline trim, the colour highlights the Z4’s lines and gives the car a more assertive presence. Buyers can still choose from the regular Z4 colour palette at no extra cost. The edition also includes High-gloss Red M Sport brakes, which provide both strong stopping power and a visual flourish behind the wheels.

Inside, the Final Edition is defined by red contrast stitching running across the dashboard, centre console, door panels and the M Sport seats trimmed in Vernasca leather and Alcantara. The M Alcantara steering wheel carries matching stitching, reinforcing the roadster’s sport-focused character. Specially engraved door sill plates complete the interior adjustments unique to this edition.

The Final Edition treatment is offered across the full Z4 line-up. It is available for the 197hp sDrive20i, the 258hp sDrive30i, and the flagship 340hp Z4 M40i. The package is priced at €4,200 (around RM20,012) for models that already include the M Sport package as standard. For the sDrive20i, which does not come with the M Sport package, the total cost rises to €7,400 (around RM35,259), as the M Sport kit is added to the vehicle along with the Final Edition features.

The Z4’s place in BMW’s history goes back to 2002, when the first-generation model was introduced as the successor to the Z3. With a long bonnet, short tail and low seating position ahead of the rear axle, it delivered the classic roadster experience with impressive chassis rigidity and 50:50 weight distribution. The range-topping Z4 M Roadster used the same 340hp straight-six engine as the contemporary M3 and could reach 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds.

The second-generation Z4 arrived in 2008, introducing a major change with its retractable aluminium hardtop, which transformed the car from roadster to coupé at the press of a button. The folding roof broadened the model’s usability while maintaining the proportions and driving character that defined the nameplate. This generation also brought the Z4 into the era of BMW’s iDrive system and offered improved cabin space.

The current and third-generation Z4 made its global debut in 2018 at Pebble Beach. It returned to a fabric soft-top roof, paired with a more focused interior design and updated driver assistance and connectivity features. Its flagship variant, the Z4 M40i, is powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six with M TwinPower Turbo technology. Since 2024, BMW has also offered a manual transmission option in the Pure Impulse Edition. The Final Edition now acts as the final chapter for this generation and the Z4 line as a whole.

With production ending in 2026, the Z4 Final Edition stands as a last chance to own a version of BMW’s long-running roadster—one that highlights the model’s design heritage while marking the end of its story.

Porsche 911 GT3 Gets Track-Ready Upgrade with Manthey Kit

The Porsche 911 GT3 has long been a favourite among enthusiasts who push their cars to the limit on track days, and the new Manthey Kit takes its performance to a whole new level. Designed specifically for those with a passion for high-speed circuit driving, the package builds on the Weissach Package with upgraded aerodynamics, suspension, and braking components.

The result is a car capable of lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6:52.981 minutes—nearly three seconds quicker than its predecessor fitted with the same kit.

Developed in close collaboration between Porsche’s Weissach Development Centre and Manthey engineers in Meuspath, the Manthey Kit is available through Porsche Centres worldwide. Its focus is on maximising downforce, improving cornering speeds, and ensuring the car can handle the intense demands of track use.

The suspension has been specially adapted for circuit driving, with four-way adjustable coilovers allowing rebound and compression to be fine-tuned without tools. Spring rates on the front axle have been increased by 10 per cent over the previous generation, enhancing stability and mechanical grip, particularly over kerbs.

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Omoda 7 Raises the Bar for Intelligent Parking

The Omoda 7 arrives with a clear mission: to push smart mobility into its next chapter by offering one of the most capable and adaptable intelligent parking systems currently available. Its suite of features, driven by APA (Automatic Parking Assistance) and RPA (Remote Parking Assistance), is designed to tackle everything from tight parallel spaces to awkwardly angled slots and even narrow residential lanes.

The system supports custom parking paths, memory reverse, and remote straight-in or straight-out manoeuvres, allowing the car to operate confidently even in tricky environments. It has also been calibrated for more than 1,000 real-world scenarios across different markets, giving it an edge in both efficiency and versatility.

The model made its first major appearance at the Omoda I Jaecoo International User Summit in October 2025, held under the theme “Co-Create Co-Define,” which reflects the brand’s ambition to set new benchmarks rather than follow them.

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Toyota Yaris Cross Nightshade Arrives in Thailand with Sportier Look and Upgraded Features

Toyota Motor Thailand has rolled out a new special edition of its popular compact SUV, introducing the Yaris Cross Nightshade to buyers seeking a sportier take on the model. The latest version stands out with a darker, more assertive exterior treatment available in two colours—Cement Grey Metallic, which is new to the range, and Platinum White Pearl—both paired with a contrasting black roof.

The cabin keeps to the same theme with a fully black interior that aims to elevate the SUV’s premium and athletic character while maintaining the convenience and technology features that have made the model one of Toyota’s strongest performers in the market.

Power comes from the familiar 1.5-litre hybrid engine paired with a lithium-ion battery and an e-CVT automatic transmission, supported by POWER, NORMAL, and ECO modes. Toyota says the setup continues to offer brisk acceleration, good refinement, and impressive efficiency, rated at up to 26.3 km/L based on Eco Sticker figures.

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SAIC Moves Its All-Solid-State Battery Programme Into Full-Line Commissioning

SAIC Motor has confirmed that its partner Qingtao Power has completed full-line commissioning at its all-solid-state battery production facility in Anting. According to reporting from IT-Home, the company expects sample cells to be produced before the end of the year, followed by prototype vehicle testing in 2025. If development continues on schedule, SAIC aims to begin commercial mass delivery of the technology in 2027.

SAIC has already outlined its technical benchmarks for the new chemistry. The solid-state cells are targeted to achieve a gravimetric energy density of more than 400 Wh/kg, a volumetric energy density above 820 Wh/L, and single-cell capacities exceeding 75 Ah. These figures were shared earlier through SAIC’s corporate briefings and technology summaries and have been consistently cited in industry coverage.

The company has also released preliminary safety data. Test cells reportedly passed nail-penetration trials and remained stable during exposure to a 200°C thermal chamber without fire or explosion. SAIC states that the chemistry maintains over 90 per cent capacity at low temperatures. These results reflect laboratory and validation testing tied to the firm’s established development roadmap.

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