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Martin Schulz, newly appointed president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, outlined the brand's product offensive in his first media engagement. The company will selectively introduce models from a global lineup of 40 new products over the next two to three years, beginning with the all-electric C178 CLA. Future arrivals are expected to include the GLC EQ, W520 C-Class EV, EQS and GLE facelifts, and an entry-level G-Class. Schulz emphasized agile product planning to respond to Malaysia's dynamic market environment.

The first major update to the current-generation Land Rover Defender since its 2019 debut has been spied testing, featuring evolutionary exterior revisions and a groundbreaking interior configuration. The iconic boxy silhouette is retained with a redesigned front bumper incorporating larger fog lamps and a wider lower air intake, while a new integrated roof spoiler improves aerodynamic efficiency. The most significant innovation is the introduction of a 2+2 four-seat independent configuration, previously exclusive to the Defender 130, now expected to be available on the Defender 110. Powertrain updates are anticipated alongside these enhancements. The updated Defender is expected to debut in late 2026 or early 2027, strengthening its position in the premium off-road segment.

Audi has confirmed the Q9 flagship three-row SUV will premiere in Q3, revealing its interior ahead of launch. Built on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) shared with the A5, A6, and Q5, the Q9 positions above the Q7 as an indirect replacement for the A8, targeting the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. The cabin features the MMI panoramic display with a curved "digital stage" widescreen incorporating instrument and infotainment displays, plus a passenger screen, alongside automatic doors—a first for Audi. Exterior cues include a taller, more upright glasshouse with thick D-pillars, and A6-derived dual-tier OLED taillights with an illuminated four-ring badge. Quad exhaust exits suggest an SQ9 variant. The interior adopts a column-mounted gear selector and multi-function stalk integrating lighting and wiper controls.

The Cadillac XT5 plug-in hybrid has appeared in MIIT homologation filings as an addition to the current ICE lineup. The PHEV variant features a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired with front and rear electric motors, retaining the signature shield grille and split-headlamp design while adding a roof-mounted LiDAR module indicating advanced driver assistance capabilities. Exterior details include active grille shutters, fender-mounted sensors, conventional door handles, multi-spoke wheels, and a concealed exhaust system. Dimensions are 4,888/1,957/1,685(1,688)mm with a 2,863mm wheelbase. The XT5 PHEV expands Cadillac's electrified portfolio in the mid-size luxury SUV segment, where the current ICE range is priced between RMB 379,900 and RMB 459,900.

Horse Powertrain, the Geely-Renault joint venture, unveiled its X-Range ultra-compact 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine family at Auto China Beijing. Designed to convert battery electric vehicles into hybrid, plug-in hybrid or range-extender configurations, the lineup includes the F15 direct-drive system with integrated single-speed transmission and flexible motor layouts (P1+P3 or P2), and the C15 flat-mounted rear-drive variant optimized for NVH and floor space utilization. Available in 95 PS naturally-aspirated and 163 PS turbo forms with over 200 kW of electric output, the powertrains offer automakers adaptable electrification transition solutions amid shifting global EV strategies.

The Fangchengbao Formula S GT shooting brake has been spotted in production form for the first time, revealing a low-slung, widebody estate profile with a streamlined front fascia featuring large air ducts, subtly bulged hood lines, and a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor. Unveiled at Auto China 2026 alongside the standard sedan and extended-wheelbase SL variants, the Formula S GT was previously only shown in renderings. All three models exceed five meters in length with a three-meter wheelbase, targeting a Q3 2026 Chinese market launch. The sighting confirms Fangchengbao's entry into the premium shooting brake segment, expanding the Formula series lineup with a focus on aerodynamic efficiency and advanced driver assistance hardware.