All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Porsche Unveils Striking Taycan and Cayenne Black Editions at Goodwood

Porsche has taken the wraps off its latest special series: the Black Edition versions of the all-electric Taycan and the ever-popular Cayenne. With their debut set for this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 10–13), the Black Edition models are more than just a visual upgrade — they represent a carefully curated blend of dynamic design, premium equipment, and, in the case of the Taycan, improved performance and range.

Bold by Design

As the name suggests, the Black Edition package emphasizes an assertive, refined aesthetic with high-gloss black accents dominating both the exterior and interior. On the Taycan, this includes the Sport Design package, model badging, and window trims, paired with exclusive black-painted exterior mirrors and a darkened rear light strip bearing an illuminated Porsche logo.

Inside, the theme continues with black-brushed aluminum door sills, a black interior accent package, and illuminated trim elements, creating a cabin ambiance that is both luxurious and stealthy.

The Cayenne Black Edition receives similar treatment, featuring a Sport Design front apron, gloss-black mirrors, badging, and trim elements. Its interior gains brushed-black aluminum details that elevate the SUV’s premium character without losing its athletic edge.

Enhanced Performance Meets Extended Range

While the Cayenne retains its multiple drivetrain configurations and powertrain options, the Taycan Black Edition makes a significant leap in practicality. Standard across the Taycan Black Edition range is the Performance Battery Plus, previously an optional extra. With an energy capacity of 105 kWh, the Taycan Black Edition sports sedan now offers up to 668 kilometers of WLTP range — a 12% increase compared to the base model.

Producing up to 435 PS, the Taycan Black Edition maintains Porsche’s benchmark for electric performance while further reducing range anxiety for long-distance driving.

Generously Equipped as Standard

Porsche didn’t stop at styling. Both Black Edition models come loaded with premium features, including:

  • Lane Change Assist
  • Surround View with Active Parking Assist
  • 21-inch alloy wheels with colored Porsche crest center caps
  • HD Matrix LED headlights (tinted on Cayenne)
  • BOSE® Surround Sound System with Dolby Atmos (plus Electric Sport Sound in the Taycan)
  • Comfort Seats with 14-way adjustment and headrest crest embossing
  • Black smooth leather upholstery
  • LED door projectors displaying the Porsche logo

Exclusive to the Taycan is a ‘Black Edition’ badge on the center console, a nod to its bespoke character.

Customization Without Compromise

Despite the name, black isn’t mandatory. Buyers can select from a wide range of exterior paint colors. For the Taycan, finishes like Jet Black Metallic, Volcano Gray Metallic, and Ice Gray Metallic are included at no extra cost. The Cayenne adds colors such as Quartzite Gray Metallic and Carrara White Metallic to its palette.

Customers can delve deeper into personalization via Porsche’s Paint to Sample program or select from themed categories like Legends, Dreams, and Contrasts. Interior customization is equally rich, with options like Slate Gray leather or two-tone designs, and the extended Black Edition package adds exclusive door decals, illuminated sill plates, and a personalized vehicle key with matching leather case.

From floor mats to luggage mats, even the vehicle documentation folder can be customized, thanks to Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, whose artisans bring bespoke details to life with meticulous craftsmanship.

Availability

The Taycan Black Edition will be available in both Sports Sedan and Sport Turismo body styles, while the Cayenne Black Edition comes in SUV and Coupé formats. Deliveries are scheduled to begin later in 2025, following their public premiere at Goodwood.

With the Black Edition, Porsche offers not just a car, but an experience — a seamless blend of performance, luxury, and individuality, underscored by the unmistakable allure of black.

Source: Porsche

Gallery:

Porsche Unveils Striking Taycan and Cayenne Black Editions at Goodwood
News

Jaguar Sales Collapse: A Crisis or a Calculated Pause?

Jaguar has made headlines for all the wrong reasons lately. The iconic British marque recently reported a near-total collapse in vehicle sales, with figures showing an almost 100 percent drop compared to the previous year. In April alone, European sales fell by 97.5 percent, followed by a 93.6 percent dip in May. Year-to-date, Jaguar is down 77.8 percent — a catastrophic figure by any industry standard.

At first glance, it’s a damning indictment of a once-revered luxury brand. But to stop at the numbers alone is to miss the broader, more nuanced story.

A Brand in Transition

Jaguar’s plummeting sales come in the wake of a controversial rebranding campaign and a complete overhaul of its visual identity — changes that have not sat well with many in the automotive community, particularly purists and long-time fans of the brand. The backlash has been intense, and for some, the news of Jaguar’s sales decline feels like poetic justice.

But critics may be overlooking a crucial detail: Jaguar planned this.
The company halted production of all vehicles at the end of 2024 — a pause that extended into early 2025 in some markets — as part of a deliberate pivot toward becoming an all-electric manufacturer.

This bold strategic shift means Jaguar currently has no new cars to sell, explaining much of the sales collapse. While the timing and execution of this transition may be up for debate, the drop in deliveries wasn’t entirely unexpected. In fact, it arguably makes more sense to suffer a sales slump during a production hiatus than during the twilight years of a tired model lineup.

Trouble or Temporary Turbulence?

Still, the optics are difficult to ignore. Jaguar’s absence from the market has raised eyebrows, and even industry insiders question whether the brand can regain its footing. Transitioning to EVs is one thing — disappearing from showrooms altogether is another.

Yet, signs of life persist. Despite having no cars to offer, Jaguar saw a 110 percent increase in website traffic during November and December, suggesting consumer curiosity remains. Market research also revealed a 20 percent rise in those who now see Jaguar as a brand “worth paying more for,” while 23 percent more people reported being aware of the brand compared to a year earlier.

These figures hint at a potential image renaissance, at least in the digital space — a crucial battleground for EV-era brands.

What Comes Next?

The true test for Jaguar will come not in web clicks or brand sentiment, but in metal — or in this case, batteries and kilowatts. The success of Jaguar’s electric relaunch will hinge on compelling product, competitive pricing, and a return to the innovation and elegance that once defined the marque.

For now, the sales charts may look dire, but they are not necessarily a death knell. If anything, they are the growing pains of a legacy brand attempting to reinvent itself in one of the most volatile eras in automotive history.

Still, time is not on Jaguar’s side. In a market that waits for no one, even a planned pause can start to feel like a prolonged disappearance. Unless production ramps up soon — and the new models deliver on their promise — Jaguar risks being remembered not as a brand that boldly embraced the future, but one that vanished chasing it.

Source: Reuters

News

Lucid Air Sets New World Record with 1,205 km Drive on a Single Charge

In a stunning demonstration of electric endurance, Lucid Group has redefined what’s possible in EV range. The California-based manufacturer, known for its cutting-edge electric vehicles, has officially set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® title for the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge, clocking an extraordinary 1,205 kilometers (~749 miles).

The record-breaking trip was completed last weekend in a Lucid Air Grand Touring, which traveled from St. Moritz, Switzerland to Munich, Germany. The route included a mix of challenging alpine roads, high-speed highways, and typical secondary roads—highlighting the car’s versatility as much as its raw range capability.

This feat surpasses the previous record of 1,045 kilometers set in June 2025 by a commanding 160 kilometers.

“This range record represents a significant milestone – it’s yet another clear demonstration of the technological edge that defines Lucid,” said Eric Bach, Senior Vice President of Product and Chief Engineer at Lucid.

At the core of this achievement lies Lucid’s proprietary electric powertrain technology. The Air Grand Touring variant delivers an astonishing 831 PS (611 kW), a WLTP-rated range of up to 960 km, and world-class efficiency at just 13.5 kWh per 100 km. Beyond efficiency, the sedan boasts serious performance—capable of hitting 270 km/h and regaining up to 400 kilometers of range in just 16 minutes thanks to its ultra-fast charging capability.

But it’s not just about performance and range. Inside, the Air Grand Touring offers a spacious, luxurious interior tailored for long-distance comfort, seating five in an environment crafted from high-grade materials.

This milestone also marks the second successful collaboration between Lucid and Umit Sabanci, a London-based entrepreneur passionate about electric endurance records. Sabanci previously set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® title in 2024 for the most countries visited on a single charge, crossing nine borders in—once again—a Lucid Air Grand Touring.

“When I completed the nine-country journey in 2024, it was just the beginning,” said Sabanci. “This new achievement takes that journey even further. I’m proud to be part of a movement that proves electric mobility isn’t just the future; it’s already redefining what’s possible today.”

With this latest accolade, Lucid cements its leadership in long-range EV technology, pushing the envelope of what drivers can expect from electric vehicles in real-world conditions.

Lucid Air Grand Touring Key Specs:

  • Power Output: 611 kW / 831 PS
  • Top Speed: 270 km/h
  • WLTP Range: 817 – 960 km
  • Efficiency: 16.0 – 13.5 kWh/100 km
  • 0 g CO₂/km emissions

As range anxiety continues to diminish, Lucid’s achievement not only underscores the capabilities of its flagship sedan but also reinforces the message that electric driving is no longer a compromise—it’s a leap forward.

Source: Lucid Motors