Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

2027 Ferrari 499P Hits the Track

Ferrari has taken another significant step toward the future of its FIA World Endurance Championship programme, completing a crucial two-day development test with the 499P at Monza ahead of the 2027 season.

The Italian manufacturer brought its Le Mans-winning Hypercar to the 5.793-kilometre Autodromo Nazionale Monza, where factory drivers Antonio Fuoco, Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and Miguel Molina rotated behind the wheel as Ferrari continued the next phase of the 499P’s technical evolution.

The Monza test was not a simple shakedown. Instead, it represented the opening chapter of Ferrari’s 2027 development programme, with engineers evaluating a broad range of technical and aerodynamic solutions before final homologation in the coming months.

Ferrari 499P testing at Monza focuses on 2027 development

Ferrari confirmed that the programme centred on the evaluation, testing and validation of multiple technical configurations. The team is intentionally keeping several design options open as it works toward the final specification of the 2027 Ferrari 499P.

This gradual approach allows Ferrari to compare different aerodynamic packages and technical solutions under real track conditions, ensuring that the most promising concepts can be refined before homologation is locked in.

The Monza test therefore offers an early glimpse of the future Ferrari Hypercar that will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2027 onward.

Le Mans-winning Ferrari 499P enters a new chapter

Since making its FIA WEC debut at Sebring in 2023, the Ferrari 499P has established itself as one of endurance racing’s benchmark machines.

Its achievements include:

  • Seven overall victories
  • Three consecutive wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
  • Twenty-four podium finishes
  • Nine pole positions
  • FIA World Endurance Manufacturers’ Championship title in 2025
  • FIA World Endurance Drivers’ Championship title in 2025

Those results underline the extraordinary competitiveness of the 499P and explain why Ferrari is investing heavily in maintaining its advantage as the Hypercar category continues to evolve.

Ferrari’s world champions lead the Monza test

The second day of running featured reigning FIA WEC Drivers’ Champions Alessandro Pier Guidi and Antonio Giovinazzi, alongside Miguel Molina. The trio were instrumental in Ferrari’s 2025 Manufacturers’ Championship success and remain central figures in the factory endurance programme.

Their extensive experience with the 499P provided Ferrari engineers with valuable feedback during the assessment of new components and aerodynamic concepts.

Having championship-winning drivers involved at this stage is particularly important, as endurance racing development relies heavily on detailed driver feedback regarding balance, tyre behaviour, braking stability and aerodynamic efficiency.

Ferrari also prepares for the 2026 Monza 6 Hours

In addition to the future-focused development car, Ferrari also had its current 2026-specification 499P on track. That car completed a separate preparation programme ahead of the Monza 6 Hours, which is scheduled to conclude the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season in November following the recent FIA calendar update.

The dual-car operation allowed Ferrari to divide its efforts between immediate race preparation and longer-term 2027 development work.

Antonello Coletta: “The Monza tests concluded positively”

Ferrari’s Global Head of Endurance and Corse Clienti, Antonello Coletta, described the test as an important milestone in the project.

“The Monza tests concluded positively and allowed us to complete the programme we had planned. The two days were extremely valuable for beginning to verify the operation of all the new elements we are testing and for starting to understand the most promising directions to pursue, with the aim of finalising the solutions for next season as soon as possible.”

Coletta’s comments suggest that Ferrari has already identified several promising technical directions, although the final 2027 specification remains under evaluation.

What the Monza test reveals about Ferrari’s 2027 Hypercar strategy

While Ferrari has not disclosed specific technical details, the emphasis on aerodynamic and technical validation points to a comprehensive evolution rather than a minor update.

Modern Hypercar development focuses heavily on:

  • aerodynamic efficiency,
  • drag reduction,
  • cooling optimisation,
  • tyre management,
  • energy deployment,
  • and race-long consistency.

Monza, with its long straights and high-speed corners, is an ideal circuit for assessing aerodynamic efficiency and stability, making it a logical venue for such an important test.

Ferrari’s next FIA WEC races in 2026

Ferrari will return to FIA World Endurance Championship competition on 6 September for the Lone Star Le Mans in Austin, followed by the 6 Hours of Fuji on 27 September.

The revised end-of-season schedule will then feature:

  • 6 Hours of Barcelona – 18 October 2026
  • 6 Hours of Monza – 8 November 2026

Both events will be contested over a six-hour distance.

Ferrari 499P Monza test signals confidence for 2027

The significance of Ferrari’s Monza test extends beyond a routine development session. It demonstrates that the Maranello manufacturer is already laying the groundwork for the next phase of its Hypercar programme while continuing to fight for success in the current FIA WEC season.

With three consecutive Le Mans victories already secured, Ferrari enters the 2027 development cycle from a position of strength. The challenge now is to ensure that the 499P’s successor remains the benchmark in endurance racing’s fiercely competitive Hypercar era.

For Ferrari fans and endurance racing enthusiasts alike, the Monza test offered a tantalising taste of the future—and an early indication that the Prancing Horse intends to remain a dominant force at Le Mans and in the FIA World Endurance Championship for years to come.

Source: Ferrari

NEW CARS

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLA Gets MBUX Superscreen and Generative AI Voice Assistant

The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLA arrives with a lower, sportier stance, an illuminated iconic grille, up to 657 km of WLTP range, 800-volt fast charging and a completely redesigned AI-powered interior.

Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the all-new GLA, and the compact luxury SUV enters its next generation with a clear mission: redefine urban mobility through electric power, intelligent technology and premium comfort. With a striking new design, a larger digital cockpit and a range of up to 657 kilometres (WLTP), the new GLA is positioned as one of the most advanced compact premium SUVs on the market.

The launch range consists of three fully electric models, while high-tech electrified combustion variants with 48-volt hybrid technology will join the lineup in early 2027. Mercedes says the new GLA is designed to feel more intuitive, more spacious and more exciting in everyday use.

A More Athletic Mercedes-Benz GLA Design

The new GLA immediately stands out with a 20 mm lower roofline, a 61 mm longer wheelbase and a wider rear track, giving it a noticeably more dynamic stance than its predecessor. Flush-mounted wheels, muscular shoulders and cleaner body surfacing reinforce the SUV’s sporty character.

For the first time in the compact Mercedes lineup, the electric GLA adopts the brand’s illuminated iconic grille. The panel features a smoked-glass effect, up to 608 illuminated light points and optional animated lighting sequences synchronized with the vehicle’s soundscape.

Mercedes also expands personalization significantly with four trim lines:

  • Style Line
  • PROGRESSIVE Line
  • AMG Line
  • AMG Line Plus

A new Night Edition adds dark exterior accents, black 20-inch wheels and exclusive interior finishes.

Premium Cabin With MBUX Superscreen and Panoramic Roof

Inside, the GLA receives a complete redesign focused on space, light and digital sophistication. The centerpiece is the optional MBUX Superscreen, which stretches across the dashboard and combines:

  • a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster,
  • a 14-inch central touchscreen, and
  • an optional 14-inch passenger display.

The minimalist architecture is complemented by floating door panels, a raised center console, wireless smartphone charging and customizable ambient lighting with 64 colors.

A standard panoramic glass roof enhances the feeling of openness, while the optional SKY CONTROL roof can switch between transparent and opaque in milliseconds and even projects a starry-sky effect using 172 integrated illuminated stars.

AI-Powered MBUX Virtual Assistant

One of the biggest technology stories is the new MBUX Virtual Assistant powered by generative AI. Mercedes combines technologies from ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Bing to create a conversational assistant capable of handling multi-step requests, remembering context and delivering personalized answers.

Drivers can ask about:

  • charging stations,
  • parking availability,
  • restaurants and points of interest,
  • weather and road conditions,
  • currency conversions,
  • stock prices,
  • and even ski slope conditions.

The system is integrated with Google Maps and Mercedes-Benz Navigation with Electric Intelligence, allowing route planning that dynamically adapts to traffic, charging availability and driving style.

Up to 657 km of Electric Range

The all-electric GLA is built around an 800-volt architecture, enabling DC charging at up to 320 kW. Mercedes claims the SUV can recover up to 270 km of WLTP range in just 10 minutes at compatible fast chargers.

Electric powertrain lineup

ModelPowerBatteryDrivetrain
GLA 200 electric165 kW58 kWh LFPFront-wheel drive
GLA 250+ electric200 kW85 kWh NMCFront-wheel drive
GLA 350 4MATIC electric260 kW85 kWh NMCAll-wheel drive

The flagship GLA 350 4MATIC electric accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, while the GLA 250+ electric offers the longest range at up to 657 km (WLTP).

An additional electric version with a 71 kWh battery is scheduled for early 2027.

Hybrid GLA Models Arrive in 2027

Mercedes will also introduce a new generation of 48-volt electrified combustion models featuring a newly developed 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an integrated electric motor and an eight-speed electrified dual-clutch transmission (8F-eDCT).

Key hybrid features include:

  • electric driving in urban conditions,
  • electric coasting above 100 km/h,
  • energy recuperation in all eight gears,
  • and an additional 22 kW electric boost.

Front-wheel-drive and 4MATIC variants will be available.

Off-Road Capability Remains Part of the GLA DNA

Although aimed primarily at urban customers, the new GLA retains genuine SUV functionality. 4MATIC models receive a dedicated TERRAIN driving mode for gravel, sand and dirt roads.

The optional Transparent Bonnet function creates a virtual view beneath the front of the vehicle, helping drivers place the wheels accurately when navigating rough terrain.

More Space, More Practicality

The longer wheelbase benefits passengers directly:

  • +7 mm front legroom
  • +38 mm rear legroom
  • +23 mm front headroom
  • +24 mm rear headroom

Boot capacity rises to 410 litres, expanding to 1,400 litres with the rear seats folded. The electric GLA also adds a 107-litre front trunk (frunk).

The rear seats split 40:20:40, and electric 4MATIC models can tow up to 2,000 kg, an impressive figure for a battery-electric SUV in this class.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The GLA comes standard in Europe with an extensive sensor suite consisting of eight cameras, five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors. Available systems include:

  • MB.DRIVE ASSIST PLUS with steering and distance assistance,
  • automatic lane change assist,
  • enhanced parking assist,
  • 360-degree camera with 3D surround view,
  • reverse maneuvering assist,
  • and over-the-air software update capability.

Mercedes says the central computing platform can process up to 254 tera operations per second, providing significant headroom for future functions.

Sustainability: A Smaller Carbon Footprint

Mercedes claims the new electric GLA reduces its overall carbon footprint by around 40 percent compared with the current combustion-engine GLA. The improvements come from:

  • lower-emission battery production,
  • increased use of renewable-energy aluminum,
  • more recycled materials,
  • and carpets made from 100 percent recycled Econyl yarn.

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLA Pricing in Germany

For the German market, Mercedes-Benz has announced the following launch prices:

  • GLA 200 electric: €48,599.60 incl. VAT
  • GLA 250+ electric: €54,978 incl. VAT
  • GLA 350 4MATIC electric: €58,107.70 incl. VAT

Orders open ahead of the market launch scheduled for November 2026.

First Impression: The Most Compelling GLA Yet

The outgoing GLA has been one of Mercedes-Benz’s strongest-selling compact models, and the new generation appears to raise the bar substantially. It combines a more expressive design, a genuinely premium cabin, cutting-edge AI functionality and electric range figures that challenge larger and more expensive SUVs.

In a segment where rivals increasingly focus on electrification and digital experiences, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLA feels less like a routine model update and more like a comprehensive rethink of what a compact luxury SUV should be. If Mercedes delivers on its promises of range, usability and intuitive technology, the new GLA could become one of the standout premium EVs of 2027.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

NEW CARS

Bentley Unveils One-Off Purple Continental GTC to Celebrate 80 Years of Crewe Craftsmanship

Bentley marks 80 years at Crewe with a stunning parade of historic Bentleys, a bespoke Mulliner-built Continental GTC, and a glimpse at the brand’s electric future.

If there’s a place that qualifies as sacred ground for Bentley enthusiasts, it’s Pyms Lane in Crewe, England. This year, that historic factory turned into a rolling museum as Bentley Motors celebrated 80 years of craftsmanship in Crewe with a spectacular gathering of 107 customer-owned Bentleys spanning every major era of the marque’s history.

The anniversary event, which also coincided with the Bentley Drivers Club’s 90th birthday, wasn’t just another heritage celebration. It was a reminder that Bentley’s identity has always been built on a rare combination of hand craftsmanship, engineering innovation, and obsessive attention to detail—and that the company intends to carry those values into the electric age.

A Bentley Timeline on Wheels

The centerpiece of the celebration was a chronological display of Bentleys lining Pyms Lane, beginning with EXP3, the first Bentley ever delivered to a customer, and ending with a 2025 Flying Spur Speed. Between those bookends sat virtually every significant chapter in Bentley history: W.O. Bentley-era cars, Derby-built grand tourers, iconic Blowers, modern Continental GTs, Bentaygas, and the latest Crewe-built performance luxury models.

Owners traveled from around the world to return their cars to the factory where generations of Bentleys have been handcrafted since 1946. Seeing those cars parked nose-to-tail outside the very buildings where many of them were born created the sort of scene that no concours lawn could replicate.

For Bentley, the display underscored a remarkable continuity. While the company’s technology has evolved dramatically over eight decades, the idea that a Bentley should feel made by people, not merely manufactured by machines remains central to the brand.

The One-Off Bentley Continental GTC in Purple Supernova Ombre

Bentley rarely misses an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of Mulliner, its bespoke commissioning division, and this anniversary produced one of the more dramatic examples in recent memory.

To commemorate the milestone, Bentley created a unique Continental GTC finished in an exclusive Supernova Purple Ombre paint developed specifically for the occasion. The color transitions from bright Supernova Purple to a darker Supernova Purple Dark, creating a seamless gradient effect across the bodywork. A bespoke “80” side graphic with a reverse ombré treatment reinforces the anniversary theme.

Inside, the celebration continues with embroidered “80” headrests and a custom airbrushed fascia graphic depicting Bentley’s iconic Design Studio building and eight decades of car production in Crewe. The result is less a special edition than a rolling showcase of what Bentley’s paint, trim, and craftsmanship teams can accomplish when given complete creative freedom.

Bentley’s Dream Factory: Heritage Meets High Technology

Bentley now refers to its Crewe headquarters as the Dream Factory, a name that sounds marketing-heavy until you consider what happens there. Design, research and development, manufacturing, and commercial operations are all housed on a single integrated campus, allowing Bentley to maintain unusually close links between designers, engineers, and craftspeople.

The site itself predates Bentley’s car production. Originally built in 1938 to manufacture Rolls-Royce Merlin aircraft engines, it later became Bentley’s manufacturing home and has been continuously modernized ever since. The current transformation is the most ambitious yet: a digitally connected, flexible manufacturing facility designed to build both today’s combustion-powered Bentleys and tomorrow’s electric models.

Recent additions include a new Design Studio, Engineering Technical Centre, Excellence Centre for Quality and Launch, Integrated Logistics Centre, and a state-of-the-art Paint Shop. Bentley says work is also underway to convert the oldest building on site into the assembly facility for the company’s first fully electric car, scheduled to debut in September.

Bentley’s Electric Future Starts at Crewe

The anniversary celebration was as much about the future as the past. Andreas Lehe, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing, emphasized that the company is investing heavily in advanced technologies and sustainable production while preserving the skills that have defined Bentley for generations.

That future becomes more tangible with the forthcoming launch of Bentley’s first electric vehicle, internally linked to the next-generation model program known as Torcal. For a brand whose reputation was built on large-displacement engines and effortless grand touring, the transition to EVs represents a profound change. Bentley’s challenge will be to ensure that silence and electric torque still deliver the sense of occasion customers expect from a Crewe-built luxury car.

Why This Anniversary Matters

Luxury brands celebrate anniversaries constantly, but Bentley’s 80 years in Crewe carries unusual weight. Since the first Bentley rolled off the Pyms Lane line in 1946, the factory has become inseparable from the brand’s identity. The people who stitch the leather, veneer the wood, paint the bodywork, and assemble the cars are not an accessory to the product; they are a defining feature of it.

The sight of more than a century of Bentley history gathered outside the factory gates served as a vivid reminder that heritage is most convincing when it is still alive. And with a one-off purple Continental GTC on display and an electric Bentley waiting in the wings, Crewe appears determined to prove that craftsmanship can survive even the industry’s biggest technological upheaval.

For Bentley, the message is clear: the next chapter of British luxury motoring will still be written in Crewe.

Source: Bentley