Toyota Teases New US SUV Launch; Likely Fifth-Generation Highlander EV to Rival Kia EV9
2026/01/28
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Paul Tan
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GAC-Huawei Joint Venture Qijing Teases First Shooting Brake Coupe; April Debut Confirmed
Qijing has unveiled teaser images of its first shooting brake coupe, developed jointly by GAC and Huawei. The vehicle features Huawei's Qiankun ADS Level 3 conditional autonomous driving architecture with roof-mounted LiDAR, a low-slung aerodynamic silhouette, and semi-flush door handles. Equipped with an exclusive marque identity, the smart EV shooting brake is scheduled for debut in April with market launch following in June, targeting the premium intelligent coupe segment.
BMW Explores Larger Flagship SUV Above X7 to Challenge Cadillac Escalade in Full-Size Segment
BMW is evaluating a larger flagship SUV above the X7 to compete against American full-size rivals like the Cadillac Escalade. With the current X7 measuring 5,151 mm long with a 3,105 mm wheelbase, it trails the Escalade ESV by 615 mm in length and offers less than half the cargo capacity. The National Dealer Forum suggests utilizing the Alpina brand or iX9 trademark to penetrate the F-segment luxury SUV market.
Mercedes-AMG CLE Mythos Series Variant Teased Featuring Flat-Plane Crank V8 and Widebody Design
Mercedes-AMG has revealed development images of the CLE coupé Mythos series variant, featuring a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 flat-plane crank engine projected to deliver over 650 PS and 800 Nm. The "extreme new model" incorporates carbon-ceramic brakes, extended track width, aggressive aerodynamics including rear wing and dive planes, and substantial chassis revisions, representing a significant performance elevation above the current CLE53.
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Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance Debuts at Rallye Monte-Carlo with Ogier Limited Edition and Hydrogen Concept
The Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance debuted at the 2026 Rallye Monte-Carlo featuring six motorsport-derived aerodynamic components for enhanced high-speed stability and cooling. The launch included the limited-production Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition (200 units globally) and MORIZO RR special edition, alongside the GR Yaris Rally2 H2 hydrogen combustion concept, reinforcing Toyota Gazoo Racing's commitment to transferring racing technology to production vehicles.
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Mercedes-Benz CLE Facelift Spy Shots Reveal Starlight Headlamps and New 4.0T V8 for AMG Variant
Spy shots reveal the facelifted Mercedes-Benz CLE featuring updated starlight headlamps and revised front fascia while retaining its sleek fastback silhouette and full-width taillights. The cabin maintains the dual-screen configuration with enhanced MBUX infotainment. The flagship AMG CLE 63 will debut a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 flat-plane crank engine, while standard models are expected to carry over current powertrains.
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BAIC BJ40 Family Debuts New Range Extender and Fuel Models in Jiaxing, Launches "China Grand Loop" Initiative
BAIC Off-road launched the BJ40 Range Extender Chitu Standard Edition and BJ40 Fuel Giant Screen Edition in Jiaxing, with global pre-sales of the Yueye Flying Edition. Featuring factory customization, BorgWarner TOD intelligent 4WD, dual 15.6-inch floating screens, 835mm wading depth, and 2.5-ton towing capacity, the lineup starts at 150,000 RMB. The event also inaugurated the "China Grand Loop" project and "Wilderness Column" official owner club.