Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

AMG’s Electric SUV Hits the ’Ring – 1,341 hp of Silent Thunder

Affalterbach’s next big thing is here — and it’s massive. Not in size (though it’s hardly a shrinking violet), but in ambition. Earlier this summer, Mercedes-AMG lit the fuse on its all-electric future with the GT XX four-door coupe concept — a bright orange bullet hiding a colossal 1,341 hp (1,360 PS / 1,000 kW) under its skin. Now, the same recipe is being baked into something taller, meaner, and arguably more market-friendly: an SUV.

And if you’re wondering how seriously AMG is taking it — the prototype is already tearing up the Nürburgring.

Spy Game on the Green Hell

Our spy shooters caught the camouflaged two-row EV pounding the 12.9 miles (20.8 km) of Germany’s most unforgiving asphalt. AMG’s engineers were in full stealth mode, sometimes sneaking in and out through obscure access points along the track — either to dodge lenses or to keep unflattering lap times from leaking. But this time, there was no hiding; the prototype took every one of the ’Ring’s dozens of bends head-on.

The shape? Less blocky SUV, more steroid-fed crossover — think Lamborghini Urus or Ferrari Purosangue rather than a Bentayga or Cullinan. It rides low, with flush door handles, frameless glass, and an air-suspended stance that drivers will be able to raise or drop at will.

Under the Skin: Shared DNA with the GT XX

You won’t see the final face yet — AMG’s keeping the front-end design under wraps — but don’t expect it to look like your neighbour’s electric GLC. The GT XX sedan concept reimagined AMG’s Panamericana grille with a glowing outer frame and unlit vertical bars, and there’s a good chance this SUV will borrow that signature.

Beneath the bodywork, the SUV shares the AMG.EA platform with the XX, as well as Yasa’s cutting-edge axial flux motor technology. Powertrain specs remain locked in AMG’s vault, but the smart money says there will be two- and three-motor variants. The top dog? Almost certainly the full 1,341 hp hit from the XX.

For context, that’s nearly double the output of Ferrari’s Purosangue and its 6.5-litre V12. Sure, the AMG won’t have the Maranello howl, but it won’t be a whisper, either. AMG is developing a synthesised soundtrack — potentially replicating the rumble of a V8 — and simulated gearshifts to make the experience more visceral.

Launch Date and the Bigger Picture

We’ll see the finished product in 2027, one year after the sedan version lands. And make no mistake — this isn’t just an SUV with a big battery. It’s AMG declaring war in the hyper-SUV segment, fusing EV tech with the kind of drama that petrolheads assumed would vanish in the electric age.

The only question is whether the world is ready for a 2.5-tonne missile that can outgun almost anything on the road, yet creep silently past your local café.

Source: Mercedes-AMG; Photo: SHProshots

NEW CARS

Nissan Expands Electrified Lineup in China with New Plug-In Hybrid Sedan N6

Nissan continues to broaden its portfolio of electrified vehicles in the Chinese market with the introduction of a new plug-in hybrid sedan, the N6, set for local production by its joint venture partner Dongfeng. While at first glance the N6 might be mistaken for the brand’s all-electric N7 sedan, the two models serve distinct roles in Nissan’s electrification strategy.

The N6 is slightly smaller than the N7 and, crucially, features a plug-in hybrid powertrain rather than a fully electric setup. The N7 has already gained strong traction in China, enough to justify an international rollout planned for next year, but the N6 aims to appeal to buyers looking for a balance between electrification and the flexibility of a gasoline engine.

Though Nissan has yet to officially reveal the N6, recent filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology have shed light on its design and specifications. Sharing much of the N7’s modern design language, the N6 offers subtle but notable differences. The front end features a reshaped lower section of the split LED headlights, more closely integrating with Nissan’s signature V-Motion grille. From the side, the sedan boasts a sharper greenhouse profile and refined body lines, retaining flush door handles — a sleek detail commonly found in contemporary EV and hybrid vehicles.

The rear of the N6 distinguishes itself with simpler full-width LED taillights and a more conventional rear bumper that discreetly hides the exhaust pipe, marking a clear departure from the fully electric N7’s design cues. Both models will likely feature illuminated Nissan badges on the front and rear, underscoring their modern, tech-forward appeal.

Dimensionally, the N6 measures 4,831 mm in length, 1,885 mm wide, and 1,491 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,815 mm. This places it slightly smaller than the N7 — which boasts an additional 100 mm of wheelbase — but roughly in the same size category as the discontinued Nissan Maxima, a familiar nameplate for buyers seeking a midsize sedan.

While interior photos have yet to surface, the N6 is expected to share much of the N7’s minimalist and tech-rich cabin environment. That likely means a clean dashboard dominated by a 15.6-inch free-standing infotainment display, a large digital instrument cluster, wireless charging pads for smartphones, and a modern two-spoke steering wheel.

Under the hood, the N6 utilizes a 1.5-liter gasoline engine developed by Dongfeng, producing 95 hp (76 kW / 97 PS). This is paired with a single electric motor rated at 87 hp (65 kW / 88 PS), combining for a total system output of 208 hp (155 kW / 211 PS). In line with Nissan’s latest e-Power technology, it is expected that the electric motor drives the wheels directly, drawing energy from a lithium iron phosphate battery pack — though the exact battery capacity remains undisclosed.

The Nissan N6 is slated to debut in China later this year. With the N7 confirmed for international expansion (outside of North America), the N6 plug-in hybrid may also find its way to overseas markets. Regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and select European countries are potential candidates for the N6, aligning with Nissan’s global electrification ambitions.

Nissan’s dual approach with the N6 and N7 highlights the brand’s strategy to cater to diverse electrified vehicle preferences, balancing pure electric innovation with the pragmatic appeal of hybrid versatility.

Source: Nissan

NEW CARS

2026 Nissan Teana Brings Sharper Styling and New Powertrain to Chinese Market

While the Nissan Altima’s fate in North America remains up in the air, its Chinese-market twin, the Nissan Teana, is gearing up for a mid-cycle refresh that will keep it in showrooms for years to come. Built by Dongfeng Nissan, the updated Teana takes design inspiration from the brand’s newer electrified sedans, aiming to bring a more contemporary edge to the familiar midsize formula.

The first clear look at the facelifted model comes courtesy of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, whose regulatory filings reveal a bolder front fascia. Darker LED headlights now flank a wider grille with integrated daytime running lights and a new internal pattern, while the reshaped bumper gains a broader lower intake reminiscent of Nissan’s N6 and N7 sedans. The changes help align the Teana’s gasoline-powered styling with the company’s EV design language.

From the side, the silhouette is largely unchanged, though new alloy wheels and a two-tone paint option on select trims lend the sedan a fresher, more upscale presence. At the rear, a darkened full-width LED light bar with illuminated Nissan lettering mirrors the brand’s latest electrified models. The tailgate and bumper have been tidied up, and visible exhaust outlets are now gone entirely.

The facelift also brings a slight size increase, with overall length stretching by 14 mm (0.6 inches) to 4,920 mm (193.7 inches), while width, height, and the 2,825 mm (111.2-inch) wheelbase remain the same. Interior details are still under wraps, but a redesigned dashboard with a digital cockpit and updated tech features is expected.

Under the hood, the top-spec turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine returns with 240 hp (179 kW / 243 PS) sent to the front wheels via Nissan’s Xtronic CVT with eight simulated ratios. Interestingly, filings also reveal a new entry-level engine rated at 142 hp (106 kW / 144 PS), a step down from the current naturally aspirated 2.0-liter’s 154 hp (115 kW / 156 PS). The reasoning behind the drop in output hasn’t been clarified.

The refreshed Teana is set to reach Chinese dealers later this year, with pricing expected to remain close to the current ¥179,800–¥239,800 ($25,000–$33,400) range.

As for the Altima, which shares its bones with the Teana, the North American model last received a facelift in 2022. A second refresh could help extend its life under the current U.S. political climate, which has slowed the push toward electrification. However, lingering rumors suggest the Altima could be retired altogether. Whether Nissan opts to borrow design cues from the Chinese Teana or stick to a separate styling path remains to be seen.

Source: Nissan