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Omoda 3: China’s Budget SUV Challenger Set to Stir Up the European Market

A new contender is gearing up to challenge the European compact SUV segment. The Omoda 3, a long-awaited model from Chery’s sub-brand Omoda, is preparing for its European debut—and it’s arriving with a bold promise: cutting-edge design, impressive technology, and a price tag under €20,000.

This ambitious newcomer has its sights firmly set on bestsellers like the Dacia Duster and MG ZS, currently dominating the B-SUV class. But if the early signs are anything to go by, those established names may soon have serious competition.

A New Star with Premium Ambitions

First revealed to the world at the Shanghai Motor Show, the Omoda 3 quickly captured attention with its striking design, which some have compared to the Lamborghini Urus. This is no coincidence. The Omoda 3 features a wedge-shaped front fascia, aggressive slanted daytime running lights, and sharply cut body lines that echo supercar styling. Even the polygonal wing mirrors and wheel arches exude a sporty, futuristic vibe.

Measuring 4.2 meters in length, the Omoda 3 fits neatly into the B-segment alongside rivals like the Toyota Yaris Cross (4.18 m) and Škoda Kamiq (4.24 m). Optional 18-inch wheels and Matrix LED headlights—standard or optional depending on trim—add a premium flair, while colors like the signature Stellar Blue are expected to boost its curb appeal.

“Starship Cockpit” Interior and High-Tech Promise

Inside, the Omoda 3 leans heavily into modernity with a so-called “Starship Cockpit” layout. The cabin is dominated by two digital screens, a vertical central touchscreen, and a digital instrument panel with customizable themes. A sculpted center tunnel, reminiscent of high-end sports cars, houses the gear selector and gives the vehicle an unexpectedly luxurious feel for its segment.

Standard equipment is expected to be generous, aligning with Omoda’s broader goal of proving that affordability doesn’t mean compromising on quality or features.

Three Powertrains, One Ambitious Goal

What truly sets the Omoda 3 apart is its powertrain strategy. Buyers will be able to choose between:

  • A traditional petrol engine
  • A fully electric version
  • A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant—an unusual and potentially game-changing offering in this price-sensitive segment.

While plug-in hybrids are rare in this class due to cost, Omoda aims to make its version accessible, offering up to 100 km of electric-only range. If priced competitively, this could give the Omoda 3 a clear edge over its rivals, which typically skip the PHEV option altogether.

Price: The Ultimate Weapon

Affordability remains the centerpiece of the Omoda 3’s strategy. While the larger Omoda 5 starts at just over €27,000, the new model is widely expected to start below €20,000, placing it directly in line with the Dacia Duster and MG ZS—Europe’s top-selling budget SUVs.

This aggressive pricing, paired with sophisticated design and generous tech, could be enough to seriously shake the market.

European Arrival Pushed to 2026

Initially planned for a late 2025 launch in Europe, the Omoda 3’s arrival has now been delayed until 2026, according to sources close to the importer. While the wait may frustrate eager buyers, the extra time could give the brand room to fine-tune the offering and adapt it for stringent European regulations.

Conclusion: A Real Threat to the Status Quo

With the Omoda 3, Chery’s sub-brand is not just offering another cheap SUV—it’s making a clear bid for leadership in the entry-level crossover segment. Stylish, well-equipped, and attractively priced, the Omoda 3 could be the most serious threat yet to Europe’s budget SUV champions.

For Dacia and MG, it’s not just a new competitor—it’s a wake-up call.

Source: Omoda

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Omoda 3: China’s Budget SUV Challenger Set to Stir Up the European Market
EV

Peugeot Unleashes the e-208 GTi: A New Era of Electric Hot Hatches

This weekend, the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race is not only a celebration of motorsport history but also the stage for a major automotive comeback. Peugeot has chosen the iconic event to officially unveil the all-new e-208 GTi, its first high-performance electric vehicle and the long-awaited return of the legendary GTi badge.

A name once synonymous with hot hatch glory, especially with the classic 205 GTi, the GTi label is back—this time, fully electric. The new model is based on the Peugeot e-208, but heavily reworked by Peugeot Sport, signaling the brand’s renewed commitment to performance, even in the age of electrification.

A Competitive Comeback

The e-208 GTi enters a growing segment of electric hot hatches and takes direct aim at competitors like the Alpine A290 GT Performance. But with 278 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque, the Peugeot edges ahead in performance. Thanks to a front-mounted electric motor and mechanical limited-slip differential, it achieves 0–100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds, outpacing the Alpine’s 6.4-second sprint.

The drivetrain shares components with its Stellantis cousin, the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, while sporting engineering enhancements such as hydraulic shock absorbers, a rear stabilizer, and recalibrated steering for sharper handling. Peugeot has also lowered the chassis by 30 mm and widened the track to ensure more confident road-holding at speed.

Design Inspired by a Legend

Visually, the e-208 GTi pays homage to its 1980s predecessor. A completely redesigned front grille, dual spoilers, and new diffuser give the car a more aggressive stance. Unique 18-inch alloy wheels, styled after the 205 GTi’s originals and paired with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, complete the athletic look.

The interior maintains the sporty theme, with bucket seats trimmed in red and black, Alcantara upholstery, and distinctive GTi branding throughout. Even the floor mats feature red piping, a nostalgic nod to the original hot hatch hero.

Racing Pedigree and Technical Refinements

While the e-208 GTi uses the same 54 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery found in the standard e-208, it benefits from race-derived software tweaks. These changes, influenced by Peugeot’s 9X8 hybrid endurance racer, improve thermal management under high loads and optimize energy recovery—ensuring the GTi’s performance doesn’t come at the cost of efficiency or reliability.

A Signal of Things to Come?

This electrified rebirth of the GTi may just be the beginning. Although Peugeot currently has no concrete plans to launch petrol-powered GTi models, CEO Alain Favey hinted at future possibilities: “We are starting with the e-208 and we are definitely listening to what our customers have to say. We do not exclude the possibility of other versions of the 208 GTi under the GTi badge, but there is absolutely nothing planned in that sense today.”

For now, the e-208 GTi stands as a bold statement of Peugeot’s electric future—combining nostalgic flair with cutting-edge engineering. As it roars into view at Le Mans, the legend of the GTi begins a thrilling new chapter.

Source: Stellantis

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Peugeot Unleashes the e-208 GTi: A New Era of Electric Hot Hatches
EV

Xiaomi YU7 has arrived

Following the success of the SU7, Xiaomi has launched its second production car, the YU7. It is a high-performance electric SUV that offers better aerodynamics and premium comfort.

The YU7 is 4,999 mm long, 1,996 mm wide and 1,600 mm high, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm. It weighs 2,405 kg and comes with two batteries, 96.3 kWh (NMC) and 101.7 kWh (NMC). Customers will be able to choose between three body colors: Emerald Green, Titanium Silver and Lava Orange.

Xiaomi will offer this model in three versions: YU7, YU7 Pro and YU7 Max. The YU7 is powered by a single-motor with 315 hp (235 kW) and 528 Nm of torque. It reaches 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 240 km/h. It uses a 96.3 kWh battery, which gives it a range of 835 kilometers per CLTC cycle. The YU7 Pro is powered by two electric motors with a total power of 496 hp and 690 Nm, and has all-wheel drive. It reaches 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and offers a range of 760 kilometers.

The YU7 Max is the most powerful version, powered by two electric motors with 690 hp and 866 Nm of torque, and offers all-wheel drive. It reaches 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 253 km/h. It is equipped with a 101.7 kWh battery that offers a range of 770 kilometers on a single charge.

The car has the largest one-piece hood among production models, and the company says that special attention was paid to airflow when designing the body, which included a series of ventilation ducts, active grilles and optimized discs. All this resulted in an outstanding drag coefficient of only 0.245.

The cabin is made of premium materials, purple and brown leather, and provides plenty of space for passengers. The driver’s seat has an electronic footrest, which increases comfort on long trips. There is also a Panoramic Head-Up Display (PHUD) instead of a traditional dashboard, a center console with an infotainment screen, slightly smaller than the one in the SU7, with Xiaomi’s HyperOS operating system that offers easy integration with other Xiaomi devices.

In front of the driver is an elegant and functional steering wheel, covered in Alcantara and carbon fiber, which has physical buttons for easy access to key functions. There is also a red “Boost Mode” button for rapid power delivery, i.e. even better performance, and there is a button to activate advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Additional equipment includes wireless chargers, electronic door handles, and a discreet LiDAR sensor mounted on the roof that clearly signals that the YU7 will offer advanced autonomous driving capabilities.

Source: Xiaomi

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Xiaomi YU7 has arrived