Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

Faraday Future Launches Trial Production of the FX Super One MPV

In a twist that might raise eyebrows across the EV world—and perhaps draw a sigh from Henrik Fisker—Faraday Future is not only still alive but has just entered trial production with a new vehicle. Yes, that Faraday Future. The one that has spent the better part of a decade tangled in vaporware accusations, executive drama, and the production of a grand total of just 16 vehicles. Now, it claims it’s turning a new leaf with a luxury minivan: the FX Super One MPV.

Unveiled on July 17 in Los Angeles, the FX Super One MPV isn’t just another high-end people mover—it’s the centerpiece of Faraday Future’s ambitious pivot from ultra-luxury sedans to high-tech, full-size utility. Targeting heavyweights like the Cadillac Escalade, the FX Super One aims to disrupt the premium segment with bold tech, Chinese underpinnings, and a whole lot of AI.

From Supercars to Supervans

The FX Super One is essentially a reimagined version of the Wey Gaoshan minivan from Great Wall Motors. While that may not scream innovation on the surface, Faraday Future insists this isn’t a simple rebadge job. The company says it’s fusing the platform with what it’s calling the Super EAI F.A.C.E.—the Front AI Communication Ecosystem—which is marketing speak for a digital display embedded in the front of the vehicle. According to FF, this allows the van to communicate with pedestrians and other road users like never before.

Under the hood—well, metaphorically—the vehicle is said to be managed by something called EAI Embodied Intelligence AI Agent 6×4 Architecture, a next-gen system responsible for everything from infotainment and driver-assistance to facial recognition and natural language input. Faraday Future claims this will redefine how drivers interact with their vehicles. Skeptics might call it another collection of buzzwords, but the company insists it’s the real deal this time.

One Step at a Time

Before any of this futuristic AI wizardry reaches a dealership—or a customer—there’s a long road ahead. The current phase is trial production, which essentially means Faraday Future is building early units to test and refine assembly processes, not ramping up for showroom deliveries. The team will use this stage to optimize workflows and establish quality benchmarks, all of which precede fundamental tasks like crash testing and full engineering validation.

In short, this is still a concept with wheels. While optimism remains part of FF’s brand DNA, history reminds us to remain cautious. After all, trial production is not mass production, and promises are not deliveries.

The Verdict? Wait and See

It’s easy to be cynical about Faraday Future, especially given its turbulent past. From its lavish FF 91 super-luxury EV ambitions to near-collapse and boardroom reshuffles, the brand has become more infamous for what it hasn’t done than what it has. But here it is again—pushing the boundaries of optimism with the FX Super One MPV.

Whether this marks a true turning point or just another chapter in an ongoing saga is still uncertain. But one thing is clear: in an industry where even giants stumble, the survival—and audacity—of Faraday Future is something to watch.

And if you were waiting on the Tesla Roadster 2? You might still get it first.

Source: Faraday Future

NEW CARS

Daihatsu Rocky Limited Edition: A Budget SUV as Rare as a Bugatti

In the world of automotive exclusivity, rarity is typically reserved for hypercars and six-figure luxury machines. But Daihatsu is flipping that script at the 2025 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), offering something far more attainable—but just as exclusive. Enter the Daihatsu Rocky Limited Edition, a rugged-looking budget SUV produced in a minuscule run of just 10 units.

This special edition is based on last year’s Rocky Crossfield Concept, a show vehicle that teased a more adventurous future for the compact SUV. While the Crossfield’s off-road aspirations remain mostly aesthetic, Daihatsu has carried over some of its utilitarian flair—most notably the unpainted bumpers, bespoke grille with prominent Daihatsu lettering, and black 16-inch alloy wheels. The result? A Rocky that looks ready for more than just city streets.

The production model dials things back slightly from the concept. Gone are the roof rack and aggressive off-road tires, but the Energetic Orange paint job, complemented by black accents on the roof, wheel arches, and mirrors, helps the SUV stand out even without aftermarket upgrades (though buyers can easily add their own).

Inside, the Rocky Limited Edition sticks to a mostly stock layout, albeit with blacked-out trim elements on the steering wheel, climate vents, and gear selector. It’s based on the mid-range 1.2X CVT trim, which includes a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, fabric seats, and dual airbags. It’s practical, accessible, and modestly appointed—exactly what you’d expect from Daihatsu.

Under the hood is a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine, good for 87 hp and 113 Nm of torque, mated to a CVT driving the front wheels. There are no performance upgrades here, and that’s by design. The 1.2X CVT accounts for about 66% of Rocky sales in Indonesia, making it a natural choice for a special-edition platform.

Of course, driving enthusiasts might lament the absence of the 1.0-liter turbocharged engine or the AWD system found in Japan’s version of the Rocky. There’s also a range-extender hybrid variant sold locally, but the Limited Edition is all about form over function—visual exclusivity wrapped around a familiar powertrain.

What makes this Rocky special isn’t what’s under the hood, but what’s on the build plaque. With only 10 units available, and sales restricted solely to the duration of GIIAS (July 24 to August 3), this is arguably the rarest Daihatsu you can buy. Priced at 248.75 million Indonesian Rupiah (about $15,100), it costs just $260 more than the regular model—an astonishingly small premium for such exclusivity.

Daihatsu may not be trying to impress collectors with horsepower or luxury, but with the Rocky Limited Edition, it’s managed to stir the same emotional appeal that comes with owning something rare. Whether parked in a driveway in Jakarta or cruising through suburban Sumatra, it’s a vehicle that’ll turn heads—not because it’s fast or fancy, but because you’ll almost never see another one.

Source: Daihatsu

NEW CARS

Porsche 911 Turbo S Goes Hybrid: A New Era for the 992.2

More than a year after Porsche launched the first wave of its 992.2-generation 911 models, the story of its iconic rear-engined sports car is far from over. The refreshed Carrera, Targa, GTS, and GT3 have already made their public debuts—but the next chapter is about to begin. During Porsche’s half-year earnings call, CEO Oliver Blume confirmed that the 911 Turbo S will be unveiled later this year, and yes, it’s going hybrid.

The shift to electrification has been hinted at for a while. Back in October 2024, then-CFO Lutz Meschke spilled the beans: the 992.2 Turbo S would feature a hybrid powertrain. Now, with Blume reiterating the news, it’s official. The new Turbo S will debut Porsche’s first hybridized 911 Turbo, powered in part by technology from V4Smart—the rebranded V4Drive GmbH—following Porsche’s acquisition of the company from the Varta AG Group.

This isn’t just a branding exercise. The 992.2 GTS already uses cylindrical V4Smart cells in its T-Hybrid system, and the upcoming Turbo S is expected to utilize a similar setup. The GTS features a modest 1.9-kWh battery pack, assembled in Ellwangen and Nördlingen, where Porsche plans to grow its EV-related workforce to 375 employees by year’s end. That expansion signals bigger ambitions—both literally and figuratively—for hybrid power in Porsche’s flagship lineup.

What remains under wraps are the exact specs, but we can safely assume the new Turbo S will be even quicker than its predecessor. The 992.1 Turbo S already packed a serious punch: 640 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six. The hybridized version could push those numbers further, although it will likely come with a weight penalty. The GTS gained 103 pounds in U.S. spec due to its hybrid hardware, and the Turbo S may see a similar increase unless Porsche engineers pull off some clever weight-saving tricks.

Performance, of course, remains the brand’s north star. Blume confirmed Porsche is working on “new derivatives” of the 911 and is investing heavily to make them “a bit quicker” than anything in the 992.1 family. That likely includes the long-rumored GT2 RS, which has traditionally capped the 911 range late in its lifecycle. Rumors suggest this ultimate track weapon may also go hybrid—but for now, that remains speculative.

Meanwhile, Porsche’s two-door sports car portfolio is undergoing a major transformation. Production of the mid-engine 718 Cayman and Boxster will end in October, making way for their electric successors. Interestingly, Porsche has reversed its rollout schedule: the electric Cayenne will debut first, hitting showrooms in 2026, with the 718 EVs to follow.

This shift marks the end of an era. Unlike the Macan, which is getting a gas-powered next-gen model in 2028, there’s no indication that internal combustion will return to the Boxster and Cayman lineup. The move to electric-only sports cars is a bold one, especially considering that engine character—even in the four-cylinder era—has been central to the 718’s charm. With electrification, the manual gearbox will also disappear, a sobering thought for purists.

Still, Porsche seems committed to balancing performance with progress. As the 911 Turbo S prepares to enter the hybrid age, it signals a pivotal moment—not just for Porsche, but for the entire sports car world.

Source: Porsche