Germany's Autobahn Cracks After Heat Wave Hits Europe
Temperatures of up to 39C (102F) caused the material to expand and crack open roads in various parts of the country, leading to hours-long traffic jams. With summer breaks beginning in many German states on Friday, repair works over the weekend are set to impact traffic flows further.
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Motor Trend
35 minutes ago
- Motor Trend
Polestar Says New 7 Is Coming in 2028, Following the 5 and 6
Polestar's all-electric family of cars and SUVs continues to expand beyond the Polestar 2, with the new Polestar 3 midsize SUV and slightly smaller, more coupe-like Polestar 4 recently joining the fold. Soon, the Polestar 5 "four-door GT" will arrive, and now comes news from Polestar that it has yet another model on the way, though it's a little farther out: The new Polestar 7, due by 2028. Polestar plans to release the Polestar 7, a compact electric SUV, by 2028, featuring shared components with Volvo's EVs. It will be more upright and SUV-like than the Polestar 4, likely resembling a smaller Polestar 3. Production will be in Slovakia to avoid tariffs. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next Don't read too much into Polestar's numerical naming scheme—it doesn't ladder up in the way other brands such as Audi go about it. In other words, the Polestar 7 isn't bigger or more luxurious than, say, the 5. It's pretty much just the order in which each model debuts, hence why the oldest (the Polestar 2) has the smallest number, and the newest (the Polestar 4) has the highest. The upcoming 5 is the next in line, with the 6 roadster presumably following that and beating this new 7 to market between now and 2028. Polestar's first standalone model was the Polestar 1, a high-priced, small volume plug-in hybrid performance coupe that was not replaced. So, what exactly is the Polestar 7? The automaker says it's a new compact electric SUV that will share components with Volvo's EVs. Per Polestar's announcement, the "Polestar 7 will utilize a technology base from Volvo Cars, benefiting from group component sharing, cell-to-body technology with next-generation battery density and performance, as well as the next generation of in-house developed e-motors. Adaptations will be made to create the driving experience and performance characteristics that Polestar is known for." Our best guess? That means it'll be Polestar's version of the upcoming Volvo EX60, its all-electric equivalent to the XC60 compact SUV. (Volvo's larger XC90 gained an electric analogue recently, the EX90; both are pictured below.) This suggests it'll be a two-row, all-electric SUV that's smaller than the midsize Polestar 3 (pictured above), and more affordable. Confusingly, the Polestar 4 also is a compact SUV—but one with a low, swoopy roofline and a streamlined, four-door coupe style shape. Luckily Polestar has handed out the moody photo at the top of this page depicting the 7 underneath a teasing sheet. Even viewed from dead-on, it seems pretty clear that the 7 is more upright, boxier, and SUV-like than the Polestar 4. We're guessing something like a shrunken Polestar 3 with unique lighting. We'll find out more in the coming years as the Polestar 7's on-sale date draws closer. For now, we know that the 7 will be built in Europe, specifically in Kosice, Slovakia. This should help ensure the 7 avoids the kind of tariffs that upended the recent launch of Volvo's EX30, which is being built in China but will see more capacity spring up in Belgium this year to help extricate that SUV from more severe import duties.
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
One in 10 cars sold in UK made in China
One in 10 cars sold in the UK in June were made in China, according to the latest industry figures. New Chinese brands such as BYD, Jaecoo and Omoda are growing rapidly in the UK. There has been a particular surge over the past few months, at a time when most other G7 countries have levied significant extra tariffs against their imports. Around 18,944 cars made by Chinese-owned brands, including MG and Polestar, were sold in June, which is 10% of overall UK sales, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). That is up from 6% in the same month a year ago. Across the first half of this year, more than 8% - or 1 in 12 - cars sold were Chinese, up from 5% in 2023 and 2024. This was mainly but not exclusively electric vehicles. By comparison a study by Jato Analytics for the first five months of the year put Chinese brands at 4.3% of the market across the EU, and just 1.6% in Germany and 2.7% in France. Spain was higher though at 9.2%. Its analyst Felipe Munoz said: "The fact that the UK has not imposed tariffs is a big opportunity for the Chinese, along with the popularity of electric cars. "MG is also playing like a local brand, and unlike France and Germany, the UK doesn't have a big local industry to protect." However, some industry grandees have warned that the UK industry will struggle to compete, and Britain might have to introduce quotas. Chinese firms and their franchises have been buying up car showrooms. "Chinese manufacturers are producing cars which are better, cheaper and more innovative in every sector of the market," said John Neill, former SMMT President and ex-chief executive of Unipart. "If they are going to sell here we are going to have to get the Chinese to manufacture here." The government has so far faced little pressure from existing suppliers on copying the tariffs imposed by the EU, US, and Canada on electric cars. The majority of EU member states backed big taxes being imposed on imports of EVs from China, which can be as high as around 45%, and Canada announced its imposition of a 100% tax on Chinese made EVs. The EU and China are in negotiations to replace the tariff with a minimum price system. Some Chinese manufacturers are also in the process of opening factories in the EU which could export across Europe including the UK tariff-free. The SMMT said that one in four buyers of new cars in the UK are now purchasing electric cars - although the transition to electric has been driven by "unsustainable" discounting by manufacturers, says Mike Hawes, the SMMT's chief executive. "As we have seen in other countries, government incentives can supercharge the market transition," he said. The race to better 'the electric vehicle experience' China's electric cars are becoming slicker and cheaper - but is there a deeper cost?
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Hyundai's IONIQ 6 N set for global debut
Hyundai Motor Company is set to debut its next-generation electric sports sedan, IONIQ 6 N, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, im the UK, on 10 July 2025. According to the company, the IONIQ 6 N builds upon the success of the IONIQ 5 N with the introduction of advanced 'N e-shift technology', available in every drive mode. The IONIQ 6 N features a 'fully redesigned' suspension geometry that takes advantage of its low ride height. It includes a lowered roll centre and 'enlarged' caster trail for enhanced steering feedback. The new electronically controlled stroke sensing (ECS) dampers are engineered to balance comfort and response. The enhanced N Drift Optimizer offers a wider range of customisation options for drift control, tailored to the driver's skill level. Body features such as flared fenders, lightweight wheels, and a swan-neck rear spoiler highlight the vehicle's dynamic capabilities. The IONIQ 6 N's public unveiling at the festival will be part of a larger presentation lineup of the Hyundai N brand's performance vehicles in a booth. N Management Group head and vice president Joon Park said: 'The IONIQ 6 N has been developed to provide the most engaging driving experience possible in an EV. Hyundai N will once again disrupt the EV segment, not with headline grabbing numbers, but by demonstrating how fun an electric car driving experience can be.' "Hyundai's IONIQ 6 N set for global debut" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
