Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

2026 Volvo EX60: The Electric Volvo That Talks Back—and Actually Listens

Volvo has spent the better part of a decade turning its cars into rolling Android devices, but the upcoming EX60 marks a bigger leap than another screen upgrade or faster processor. This is the first Volvo you can talk to—naturally, conversationally, and without memorizing a single robotic command. And no, this isn’t just marketing fluff layered on top of a voice assistant. The EX60 debuts with Google’s new Gemini AI baked deeply into the car’s core, making it the most software-forward Volvo to date.

Set for a full reveal on January 21, the EX60 is a mid-size electric SUV that sits at the center of Volvo’s future lineup, both figuratively and literally. It’s not just a new model—it’s the first Volvo built around a newly named brain: HuginCore.

A Volvo That Thinks in Sentences, Not Commands

Gemini replaces the rigid “say-it-exactly-like-this” voice assistants we’ve all learned to tolerate. Instead, the EX60 encourages multi-turn, conversational interaction. You can ask it to dig through your email for a hotel reservation, figure out whether that impulsively purchased flat-pack cabinet will fit in the cargo area, or even brainstorm road-trip ideas—all without taking your eyes off the road.

That’s the key promise here: less screen-staring, more driving. Volvo says Gemini is deeply integrated into the vehicle, personalized to the driver, and capable of managing complex tasks hands-free. If it works as advertised, this could be one of the first infotainment systems that actually reduces distraction instead of simply relocating it.

Meet HuginCore, Volvo’s New Nervous System

The EX60 is also the first Volvo to formally introduce its core system architecture, called HuginCore—named after one of Odin’s mythological ravens. This isn’t a single computer or app, but the entire underlying structure: electrical architecture, core computing, zone controllers, and software stack. In other words, this is a fully software-defined car.

HuginCore allows Volvo to continuously improve the EX60 via over-the-air updates, reinforcing the company’s push toward long-term vehicle evolution rather than static, frozen-in-time hardware. Buy it today, and it’s already planning to be smarter tomorrow.

Silicon Valley Power, Scandinavian Restraint

Running all this AI requires serious computing muscle, and Volvo didn’t skimp. The EX60 uses Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, delivering the most processing power ever fitted to a Volvo interior. Connectivity comes via Qualcomm’s Auto Connectivity Platform, with four years of complimentary unlimited data to keep everything humming.

At the heart of the operation is NVIDIA’s DRIVE AGX Orin system-on-a-chip, running the safety-certified DriveOS. The result is a system capable of over 250 trillion operations per second, enabling ultra-fast responses across the infotainment system. Screens react instantly, maps load without lag, and voice recognition finally keeps up with human speech.

Safety That Learns, Not Just Reacts

Volvo’s safety reputation isn’t being sidelined in the rush toward AI—it’s being amplified. HuginCore continuously processes data from the EX60’s extensive sensor array, building a precise, real-time understanding of the world around the car.

This deeper awareness allows the EX60 to anticipate hazards earlier, support calmer driver responses, and enable more advanced driver-assistance features. The system doesn’t just rely on your car’s experiences, either. It learns from data gathered across Volvo’s global fleet, including accidents and near-misses, improving continuously as more miles are driven.

Future updates will push this even further. Volvo says Gemini will eventually be able to use the EX60’s cameras to “see” what the driver sees and answer questions about the surrounding environment—a feature that sounds like science fiction but is already on the roadmap.

Range Anxiety, Officially Cancelled

All that tech would be meaningless if the EX60 couldn’t go the distance, but Volvo claims this is its longest-range EV yet. In all-wheel-drive form, the EX60 is rated for up to 810 kilometers (503 miles) on a single charge. Fast charging is equally aggressive: up to 340 kilometers (211 miles) of range added in just ten minutes using a 400-kW DC fast charger.

Those numbers put the EX60 squarely in the top tier of electric SUVs—and comfortably ahead of several freshly launched rivals.

The Bigger Picture

The Volvo EX60 isn’t just another electric SUV with a bigger battery and a flashier screen. It’s a clear statement of intent: Volvo sees the future of cars as adaptive, conversational, and constantly improving. If Gemini delivers on its promise and HuginCore proves as seamless as Volvo suggests, the EX60 could redefine what “intuitive” actually means in a modern vehicle.

We’ll find out soon enough. Volvo talks back now—and expectations are listening.

Source: Volvo

NEW CARS

GM Doubles Down in China with the New Wuling Xingguang 560

While Western automakers continue to trip over themselves in China, General Motors is quietly doing something radical: selling cars people actually want. Last year, GM and its joint ventures moved nearly 1.9 million vehicles in the world’s largest auto market, a 2.3-percent gain over 2024. That growth wasn’t fueled by nostalgia or brand heritage but by New Energy Vehicles—most notably the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV, which alone found more than 435,000 buyers.

Now GM is looking to keep that momentum rolling with a new, do-it-all family hauler wearing a familiar Wuling badge. Meet the Xingguang 560, a midsize crossover designed to cast the widest possible net by offering gas, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric powertrains. It’s a very China-specific solution—and that’s exactly why it might work.

Familiar Shape, Modern Details

Wuling hasn’t exactly been chatty about the Xingguang 560, but the design tells most of the story. Up front, there’s a slim grille flanked by swept-back headlights with X-shaped daytime running lights—a theme that repeats itself at the rear with matching taillights. The face changes depending on what’s under the hood: electrified versions get a sealed front end, while the ICE model keeps things open for cooling.

Along the sides, the 560 sticks to crossover convention with black plastic body cladding and an available contrasting roof. Stylish wheels and a roof-mounted spoiler add just enough flair, while the rear pillar and window treatment are unmistakably reminiscent of the Subaru Forester. Coincidence? Maybe. Effective? Definitely.

Bigger Than You’d Expect

Dimensionally, the Xingguang 560 is right in the heart of the midsize segment—and then some. It stretches 186.8 inches long, spans 72.8 inches in width, and stands 69.1 inches tall. The wheelbase measures a generous 110.6 inches. Stack it up against a Chevrolet Equinox and the Wuling comes out 3.6 inches longer with 3.1 extra inches between the axles.

That extra length pays dividends inside, at least on paper. Wuling claims up to 68.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded flat, along with more than 25 storage compartments scattered throughout the cabin. One of those is even hidden beneath the rear seats—a neat trick for stashing valuables or just hiding clutter from judgmental passengers.

Minimalist, But Not Bare

Inside, the Xingguang 560 follows the modern minimalist playbook. A digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch infotainment screen dominate the dashboard, joined by a two-spoke steering wheel and distinctive air vents that break up the otherwise clean layout. The center console appears to house a dual wireless smartphone charger, which feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity in 2026.

Wuling hasn’t released material details or trim breakdowns yet, but the overall vibe suggests function over flash—exactly what buyers in this segment tend to prioritize.

Powertrains for Everyone

Where the Xingguang 560 really earns its keep is under the skin. The base internal-combustion version uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder making 174 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission, the latter likely accounting for the bulk of sales.

Step up to the plug-in hybrid and range anxiety becomes a nonissue. Wuling claims a combined WLTC range of up to 684 miles, with reports suggesting an electric-only range of about 78 miles. That’s enough to handle most daily driving without burning a drop of fuel, while still offering long-distance flexibility.

Then there’s the fully electric version, which features a 60-kWh battery pack and a single motor producing 134 horsepower. Its claimed CLTC range tops out at 311 miles, a solid figure for a family-oriented crossover aimed squarely at value-conscious buyers.

The Price Is the Point

And speaking of value, this is where the Xingguang 560 really twists the knife. Introductory pricing in China starts at just $8,581 and tops out at $13,746. Even after the launch window closes, prices are expected to remain between roughly $9,155 and $14,751. That’s compact-car money for a midsize crossover with available electrification.

The Bigger Picture

The Xingguang 560 isn’t headed for U.S. shores, and that’s fine. Its real significance lies in what it represents: GM’s willingness to let its Chinese joint ventures design and price products specifically for local tastes, rather than forcing global models into a market that’s moved on.

While other Western brands are still searching for relevance in China, GM is selling nearly two million vehicles a year—and doing it with affordable EVs, clever hybrids, and crossovers like this one. The Xingguang 560 may not be exciting in the traditional Car and Driver sense, but as a case study in how to win China, it’s about as compelling as it gets.

Source: General Motors

NEW CARS

Argo Sasquatch XTX Is a $250K Amphibious Pickup Built for the End of the Road

For more than 60 years, Argo has been doing the kind of work most automakers only pretend to understand: building machines meant to go through the terrain, not just over it. Now the Ontario-based company has rolled out a new flagship that takes that mission to its logical extreme. It’s called the Sasquatch XTX, and it’s less off-road vehicle than it is a blunt-force instrument for geography.

At first glance, the Sasquatch XTX looks familiar. Its upright, industrial proportions immediately recall the Russian-built Sherp, the cult-favorite amphibious crawler that seems equally at home in swamps, tundra, and YouTube thumbnails. But Argo didn’t simply copy the formula. Instead of the Sherp’s compact, almost cartoonish footprint, the Sasquatch stretches the idea into something resembling a pickup truck for the apocalypse.

Pricing hasn’t been officially published by Argo, but don’t expect bargain-basement numbers. Third-party listings suggest a starting point around $190,000, before delivery and dealer fees that can add another $3,500. Start ticking options, and it’s easy to crest $250,000. This isn’t a toy for weekend trail rides; it’s equipment.

The Sasquatch is built around a high-strength crew cab with multiple access points, including a front-mounted door complete with a fold-out ladder, plus more conventional side doors. It’s a clever solution for a vehicle that’s just as likely to be perched on uneven terrain as it is parked on flat ground.

Inside, expectations should be calibrated accordingly. The cabin is spartan but functional, with two front seats and a pair of fold-down seats in the rear. Creature comforts are present, if minimal: air conditioning, heating, Bluetooth audio, and a roof hatch. The real headline feature remains outside—those enormous 71-inch tires, which allow the Sasquatch XTX to float and propel itself through water without breaking a sweat.

Where the Argo really differentiates itself is in usability. The pickup-style rear cargo area provides meaningful storage space, a big advantage over the Sherp’s tightly packaged layout. Then there’s the Argo Terrain Control system, which sounds like marketing fluff until you realize what it actually does. With the push of a button—Water, Mud, Snow, or Trail—the vehicle automatically adjusts tire pressure to suit the surface beneath it. The Sasquatch can even pivot in place, executing a 180-degree turn without moving forward or backward, a party trick that’s as practical in tight spaces as it is intimidating to watch.

Power comes from a Hyundai-sourced 1.8-liter turbo-diesel engine, paired with an automatic transmission. Argo hasn’t released output figures, but performance here is measured in inevitability rather than speed. On land, the Sasquatch tops out at about 25 mph; in the water, it’ll churn along at roughly 4 mph. The point isn’t getting there fast—it’s getting there at all.

That capability makes the Sasquatch XTX more than a high-dollar indulgence for extreme off-roaders. It’s already been put to work as a rescue vehicle, with one example delivered to GlobalMedic, an Ontario-based disaster relief organization. As founder Rahul Singh noted, there are situations where snowmobiles simply won’t cut it—especially when injured or vulnerable people need to be extracted safely.

Argo says interest in the Sasquatch XTX is coming in from Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond, suggesting this Canadian-built behemoth has global ambitions. And while its price tag and performance figures may seem absurd by conventional automotive standards, the Sasquatch exists in a different category altogether. This isn’t about lap times or luxury—it’s about going where roads, reason, and common sense have all given up.

Source: Argo