Detail

A camouflaged Proton S70 facelift has been spotted testing on Malaysian public roads, representing a Proton-led local mid-cycle update. The rear taillights are slimmer with segmented LEDs similar to those on the latest Saga, though oriented in the opposite direction. The current S70 MC1 is based on the Geely Emgrand, which received a 2025 facelift while the Chinese counterpart has progressed to its fifth generation. A naturally aspirated variant is expected to replace the B-segment Persona in Proton's local lineup.

Toyota Motor Thailand Lexus Group Vice President Suppakorn Rattavara unveiled the all-new eighth-generation Lexus ES on August 13 at The Mall Bangkapi, Bangkok. The model is Lexus's second BEV and first BEV sedan, embodying the "Experience Elegant and Electrified Sedan" philosophy. It offers a 2.5-litre hybrid and pure electric powertrain options reflecting the brand's Multi-Pathway strategy. The exterior features the new Spindle Body design with Twin L Signature Lamps and Slim Light Bar taillights, while the interior follows a Clean Tech and Elegant concept. Features include Hidden Switches, Electro-Shiftmatic system, new-generation multimedia with Mark Levinson audio and Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, maintaining the Lexus Driving Signature character.

On August 18, 2026, ARCFOX officially announced that its mid-large SUV Alpha T7 will make its public debut at the 2026 Chengdu Auto Show opening on August 21, and open pre-orders on August 26, targeting the 200,000-yuan young sports SUV market. It offers 1.5L extended-range and battery-electric variants, is fully equipped with Huawei Qiankun intelligent driving system, and features a 3040mm wheelbase, 17.3-inch 3K central control screen and 1.1m panoramic PHUD in the cabin.

On August 18, 2026, Volkswagen Anhui's 100,000th vehicle, the all-electric mid-large SUV ID.UNYX 08, rolled off the production line in Hefei. Priced from 229,900 to 289,900 yuan, it is equipped with Snapdragon SA8295P cockpit chip and dual AI Turing chips with 1500TOPS total computing power. A new variant is expected to be unveiled at the Chengdu Auto Show opening on August 21.

In August 2026, BYD's Fangchengbao announced that three new models, the flagship large SUV Titanium 9, the mid-large S Series sedan lineup and the SHARK pickup, will make their debuts at the Chengdu Auto Show opening on August 21. The Titanium 9 is equipped with the 6th-gen DM-i PHEV system with over 2300km combined range, the S Series has a pre-sale price range of 250,000-300,000 yuan and will start delivery in early September, while the DMO-platform-based SHARK pickup will be officially launched in the Chinese market.

Five years on, the W206 Mercedes-Benz C-Class receives a mid-cycle facelift, keeping pace with the all-electric version revealed in April. The exterior redesign is the most contentious change: a massive six-point grille dominates the front end, now illuminated for the first time with a heated chrome star pattern. The headlights also feature a large illuminated star, with optional Digital Light units offering expanded high-resolution illumination. The rear sees minimal changes save for additional stars in the taillights. Surprisingly, the interior remains largely unchanged, retaining a 12.3-inch instrument display and 11.9-inch portrait infotainment screen now running the updated MB.OS with AI-enhanced MBUX Virtual Assistant using ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini. The steering wheel's much-criticized capacitive touch controls have been improved with physical rocker and roller switches. Powertrains receive the revised M254 Evo 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engines, dropping the 1.5L option and gaining an electric auxiliary compressor to reduce turbo lag, paired with the second-generation ISG 2.0 mild-hybrid system. Model naming has been adjusted: the C200 produces 177PS/270Nm, the C250 delivers 218PS/320Nm, and the C300 continues with 258PS/400Nm, all paired with a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic.