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Car and Driver
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
The Reason You Will Be Seeing Fewer 2026 Nissan Leaf EVs on the Road
Nissan appears to be facing rare earth material shortages that could affect production of the new Leaf. Chinese restrictions on rare earth exports are causing bottlenecks in the global EV industry. There's also been a delay in plans for production of two new EVs at Nissan's Mississippi-based factory. Just as Nissan was about to turn over a new Leaf, literally, it appears as though the company's plans have run into some headwinds. According to a report from Reuters in Tokyo, a shortage of parts caused by Chinese restrictions on rare earth imports has caused production plans to be scaled back. The all-new Leaf was set to launch for the 2026 model year as a larger vehicle than the original hatchback. Now a small crossover, it was claimed to have decent range of up to 303 miles in the S+ trim, and a starting price in the mid-$30,000 range. Just as with the original, the 2026 Leaf was aimed at offering EV mobility at a relatively accessible price. The elimination of the federal EV rebate program will certainly have a cooling effect on U.S. sales of the little electric Nissan. Globally, though, it's the rare earth shortages that will affect production in the markets of Japan and Europe. Already, Nissan has begun voluntary retirement talks with workers at a plant in the U.K. where the Leaf is to be produced. Nissan Currently, Nissan is conducting an ambitious plan to reduce its workforce by 15 percent, while shuttering seven plants. The company's financial situation is pretty shaky, and slowing EV sales aren't going to help. Meanwhile, there's also a 10-month delay for two planned EV models that were to have been built at Nissan's plant in Canton, Mississippi. While the health of Nissan's dealer network in the United States is probably more dependent on sales of mainstream combustion-powered crossovers like the Rogue and Pathfinder, the renewed Leaf should have provided sales growth for the brand. The original had a few missteps at launch, but ultimately delivered on its mission for practical EV transportation. This new model would have built on that reputation, and offered the kind of space and pricing many EV shoppers are looking for. Even if the new Leaf proves to be better than ever, it faces a tough growing season ahead. Car and Driver reached out to Nissan and will update the story if we receive a response. Laura Sky Brown Digital Director Laura Sky Brown has been involved in automotive media for a very long time, and she sees it as her calling to guard the legacy and help ensure the continued high quality of Car and Driver. She was one of the first staffers at Automobile Magazine in the '80s and has worked for many other car magazines and websites as a writer, editor, and copy editor ever since. It has been her privilege to edit many of the greats of automotive journalism over the years, including the ones who currently write for C/D.
Motor 1
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Porsche Should Just Cancel the Electric 718
The 718 is one of the last truly great sports cars. It receives near-universal praise by adhering to a simple formula: An engine in the middle and a manual transmission, packaged into a sleek, well-built layout. This collection of attributes is exceedingly rare in 2025. The 718 is also old. It runs on a version of the 981-generation Cayman and Boxster platform, which debuted way back in 2012. That's most evident in the interior, which hasn't changed much in over a decade. Upgrades are needed, no doubt. But going electric is not the answer. The 718 is the purest form of driving fun from Porsche, and to turn it into an EV would strip away much of what makes it so special. I see so little hope for this car that I believe it should just be shelved. Here's why. Who Are the Customers? Do They Even Exist? An early electric 718 Boxster prototype, spotted in 2022. Photo by: Automedia It was back in 2022 when Porsche announced that the 718 would be going electric. That feels like a lifetime ago, at the tail-end of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent world shutdowns, production pauses, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuations in demand for EVs and gas-powered cars alike. With tariffs in the mix and the impending doom of the federal tax credit, the dust is far from settled. But one thing is clear: The mass adoption of EVs isn't happening as quickly as Porsche expected. Five years ago, much of the world suspected we'd all be driving electric cars by 2030, mostly due to government mandates. Clearly, that's not going to happen. From the get-go, the announcement of an electric 718 felt like something Porsche had to do, not something people clamored for. It was either go electric or let the car die. Now, in 2025, it feels like the German automaker is developing a car for a customer base that never materialized. The only time you'll hear, 'I'm hyped to take delivery of my electric 718!' will be from a customer desperate to stay on the list for a GT3 allocation. There will be outliers, sure, but the Venn diagram for those who think just as highly of the EV as the outgoing gas-powered car will likely be two entirely separate circles. The current 718 is already a niche vehicle for Porsche. It's the company's second-lowest seller—only the all-electric Taycan sold fewer units last year. Switching the little two-seater to EV power will bury it into an even deeper niche—one that might not even exist. Proof of that is evident elsewhere in Porsche's lineup. The Macan was supposed to go all-electric last year, but continued demand for the gas-powered version has forced the company to build both variants alongside each other. Guess which model sees more sales? Porsche Is Struggling to Make the Electric 718 Viable A rendering of what we think the Porsche 718 Cayman EV will look like. Photo by: Motor1 Several manufacturers have attempted to emulate the soul of gas-powered cars in their EVs, whether through faux exhaust noises or synthetic gearboxes , to garner sales. Some (like Hyundai) do it better than others (like Dodge). Removing the engine from a mid-engine car highlights a broader issue with the car's handling attributes. Mid-engine cars have their engine in the middle to optimize weight distribution and improve handling. As such, mid-engine cars feel a certain way to drive versus, say, a front- or rear-engine car. Replicating that feeling in an EV is tough, considering most use floor-mounted batteries, which place the bulk of the car's weight at the bottom of the chassis. That's great for outright handling prowess, but it means EVs are harder to differentiate from behind the wheel. Porsche has been mum on powertrain specs for the electric 718, with rumors suggesting it could borrow the Macan EV's battery floor-style architecture. Another rumor claimed the car could run its battery pack in a mid-engine format to keep weight in a similar place, similar to the Pininfarina Battista . Either way, rumors suggest Porsche isn't having an easy time developing the 718 EV. A December report from Automobilwoche , the German arm of Automotive News Europe, claimed development of the electric 718 was 'well behind schedule,' with Porsche 'constantly requesting adjustments' from its battery supplier, Valmet Automotive. Another report from the same publication claims the car will now debut in 2027—roughly two years later than planned. Can the Electric 718 Be Successful? A 718 Cayman EV prototype, spotted in 2025. Photo by: KGP Photography Let's get this straight: While Porsche should simply cancel the electric 718, it won't. Development is already too far along, and corporations this large move at a snail's pace. Important decisions like this are made years in advance. The gas-powered car is reportedly set to end production within the month . There's no going back now. I'm no development executive, but I have driven a bunch of cars—including a few truly fun EVs. In my mind, two things might make the 718 work: 1. Fake Gear Shifts and Engine Sounds These are the gimmicks I'll defend with my life. Sure, it's an inauthentic experience. And it sounds like a joke on paper. But after driving the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N —the car that shepherded this tech to production—it's clear this is the path forward to convincing enthusiasts. Make the car drive like a gas car, and people who enjoy driving will flock to it. It's the sole reason why I'd take the Hyundai over any EV from Porsche right now. 2. Don't Make It Stupidly Expensive When cars go from gas-powered to electric, the price tag always seems to jump. It makes sense, considering the new platform and all the new tech that needs to be developed. Right now, the 718 Cayman starts at $74,795. If Porsche could somehow keep the EV under 80 grand, the company might not fully alienate its buyer base. Sadly, I don't see either of these things happening for the electric 718. Development driver Lars Kern outright confirmed to Australian media in 2024 that Porsche wouldn't explore adding simulated gear shifts, saying, 'The electric engine is better than an ICE [internal combustion engine], so we figured there's no reason to simulate what has been in the past.' As for pricing, we simply have to look at the Macan. The gas-powered model starts at a reasonable $64,895. The cheapest EV, meanwhile, carries an MSRP of $77,295. Going electric nets you 94 extra horsepower, but you lose all-wheel drive. If you want all four wheels driven in the EV, you'll be paying at least $80,795. By this same logic, we should expect the electric 718 to start in the high $80,000 range, pushing it further out of reach. Photo by: DW Burnett / Motor1 I'm sure the electric 718 will be incredible to drive. The Taycan is one of the best EVs to wheel, after all, so a smaller, two-seat equivalent should be even more fun. But without the fake gear shifts or a reasonable price tag, I'm not sure why anyone would buy it over, say, a Lotus Emira or a Chevy Corvette. Or even just a used 718. More on This World-Class Sports Car Porsche 718 Posts Big Sales Gain Despite Imminent Demise It's Insane That the Porsche 718 Spyder RS Exists: Video Review Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Malay Mail
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Good-bye ‘ice cream truck' vibes, Proton e.MAS 7 gets galactic sound upgrade on July 21
KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 — One of the most requested feature for the Proton 7 is the ability to turn off or change the 'Ice Cream Truck' sound. In case you don't know, this is a pedestrian safety-related feature which emits sound when an EV is moving at low speeds (usually 30km/h and below). For a lot of people (us included), the default sound can get a bit annoying especially when you're creeping through a traffic light stop. The folks at Pro-Net have been listening to customer feedback and they have promised to offer a 'fix' in an upcoming OTA software update. As announced yesterday, Proton 7 owners can look forward to new enhancements for their EVs in the coming weeks which also includes the ability to change the default low-speed pedestrian warning sound. Three new pedestrian warning sounds for Proton 7 With the upcoming update, the Proton 7 will soon be getting a total of three new audio options — Classical, Space Walk and Galactic Note. Interestingly, the original 'Ice Cream Truck' is gone and the three sounds are new options. Classic sounds like a spaceship with an ascending tone. Meanwhile, Space Walk and Galactic Note are two variations of ambient and atmospheric type of music, which sounds like booting up an old Microsoft Windows operating system. At least that's what we hear from the demo clip when we tap under settings. You can listen for yourself in the video below: These pedestrian warning sound settings can be found under the Vehicle settings > Sound Settings, and then scroll all the way down until AVAS. Although there's an option to turn AVAS off, it doesn't stay off completely and it will turn back on when you restart the vehicle. However, if you've selected an audio profile, it will be saved for your next trip. Proton 7 owners to get new features including CarPlay starting July 21, 2025 These new features and enhancements are included as part of Flyme Auto Software Update which will be rolled out to Proton 7 EVs in stages starting from July 21. Besides the AVAS options, the OTA update will also enable support for wireless and wired Apple CarPlay, and the ability to allow drivers to retain their last-used settings. The new update also adds support for more third party apps including Zoom for Cars, and Vivaldi Browser. For Android users, you'll need to wait a bit longer for Android Auto support. According to the timeline, Wired and Wireless Android Auto support is expected to be released in Q4 2025. In case you missed it, Proton has introduced 'new variants' for the Proton 7. This includes a new Obsidian Black option with Indigo Blue interior for both Prime and Premium variants, and a limited-quantity Alabaster White interior option which is offered only for the Premium variant in either Quartz Rose and Turquoise Green exteriors. — SoyaCincau
Forbes
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
These Are The Plug-In Hybrids The EPA Says Can Go The Distance On Battery Power
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e beats all plug-in hybrids with a battery-only range of 54 miles, ... More after which it's only limited by the amount of gas in the tank. While the majority of U.S. motorists are still hesitant to make the switch to a full electric car for a variety of reasons, those who still want to minimize both their fuel consumption and carbon footprint would find a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) to be an amenable compromise. Like standard hybrids, PHEVs augment a gasoline engine with one or more electric motors to produce energetic acceleration on a fuel-frugal basis, but go a step further by packing a larger battery that allows them to operate for extended periods solely (and silently) on electricity. Once the battery charge is depleted to a certain point, the vehicle continues to operate as a conventional hybrid under a combination of gas and electric power. In both modes energy that would otherwise be lost from deceleration and stopping are recovered and sent back to the battery via a process called regenerative braking. PHEVs eliminate many of the negatives associated with full-electric cars, especially what's come to be known as range anxiety. That's because regardless of the battery's state of charge, a PHEV's ultimate operating range is limited only by the amount of fuel remaining in the tank. That makes them more viable than EVs for taking extended road trips, with gas stations being far more plentiful (and in good working order) across the nation than public EV charging stations. Plus, a PHEV owner needn't have a 240-volt (Level 2, in EV lingo) electrical service installed in the garage, as most are able to charge-up overnight using a standard 110-volt (Level 1) outlet. The best PHEV cars and SUVs afford enough charge to cover an average driver's daily commute just on battery power, which according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, is 31.8 miles round trip. That means those with modest daily needs may only rarely have to visit a gas station for a fill-up. The range-topper for 2025 is the Mercedes-Benz GLC350e all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid SUV with a 54-mile electric-only range. According to the EPA that translates into the electric equivalent of 64 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving. In hybrid mode it gets a still-decent 25 mpg, though it requires premium-grade fuel. The PHEV faring the best in terms of kilowatt and gas consumption is the Toyota Prius Plug-In that's EPA-rated at a whopping 127 MPGe on battery power for its 45-mile electric-only range, and 52 MPG while driving in hybrid mode. We've compiled a list below of the 25 PHEVs that are EPA-rated to be driven for an average of the first 32 miles on a charge, which as noted above, is sufficient for an average motorist's daily commute. We're also noting the estimated 'MPGe' fuel economy equivalent for each model while running on battery power, and the combined city/highway mileage when running in gas/electric hybrid mode. Of course, the only way for a PHEV to reach its full potential is to be tethered to the grid when not in use. Studies have shown that somewhere between 30% and 50% of PHEV owners neglect to charge their vehicles regularly. This can be attributed to a number of factors that include having to rely on street parking, limited access to public charging, a lack of understanding regarding the technology or just plain laziness. To paraphrase the 1960's counter-culturalist Timothy Leary, 'Plug in, turn on, drive off.' Plug-In Hybrids With The Longest Battery-Only Range These are the 25 PHEVs from the 2025 model year that are EPA-rated to tackle the average daily commute – and much more with the class leaders – solely on battery power and with zero tailpipe emissions. We're noting both their equivalent miles per gallon while running on electricity (MPGe) and their conventional fuel economy ratings while running on hybrid power; those with an asterisk (*) require premium-grade fuel. Source: EPA.
The Independent
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Watch: Tesla drives itself from factory to new owner in world's first autonomous delivery
Tesla says it has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in autonomous driving: a car that delivers itself with no human involvement whatsoever. In footage posted to social media by Elon Musk 's electric vehicle company, a brand-new Tesla made a fully autonomous journey from the Gigafactory Texas manufacturing plant to its new owner's home — roughly a 30-minute drive — without any human intervention. The route reportedly included parking lots and highways to city streets, all navigated solely by Tesla's Full Self- Driving (FSD) system.
