Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

2027 Changan E06 – A Serious New Player in the Compact EV Game

Changan isn’t a household name in the UK—at least not yet. But the newly revealed E06, arriving in early 2027, suggests the Chinese giant is gearing up for a proper European push. And based on what we know so far, this compact electric crossover is positioned to make life uncomfortable for the BYD Atto 3, Citroën ë-C3 Aircross, and the upcoming Kia EV4.

A Compact Footprint With Big Ambitions

Measuring 4.44 metres long and 1.86 metres wide, the E06 slots neatly into one of the fastest-growing segments in the EV world. Its proportions feel familiar—European even—which is no accident. Changan claims the E06 was developed specifically with European tastes in mind. That’s a bold claim, but the initial ingredients are promising.

Performance and Range

Under the clean-sheet bodywork sits a 268bhp front-mounted motor—a healthy output for a crossover of this size. Power comes from a 61.7kWh LFP battery, known for durability and thermal stability. Official range sits at 280 miles, positioning the E06 right in the sweet spot for suburban commuters and small families.

Charging speeds also hit respectable numbers. The E06 supports 162kW DC fast-charging, enough for meaningful top-ups during short motorway stops, and up to 11kW AC for home or workplace charging.

Inside: Tech-Heavy, Buttons Not Included

The cabin leans heavily into modern minimalism. A 15.6-inch central touchscreen handles infotainment duties, and a 10.2-inch digital cluster sits ahead of the driver. The lack of physical buttons is the one decision likely to spark debate—especially when climate controls are relegated to the touchscreen. For an audience increasingly frustrated with touch-only interfaces, this could be a sticking point.

On the flip side, Changan promises serious practicality. Rear passengers get an impressive 800mm of knee room, and the boot swallows 545 litres—numbers that challenge some mid-size SUVs, let alone compact crossovers.

Pricing and Positioning

Official pricing is still under wraps, but with the E06 set to be the smallest model in Changan’s UK lineup—slotting beneath the Deepal S05 and £39,990 Deepal S07—expect a starting point around £30,000. That would put it toe-to-toe with mainstream competitors while offering notably more power and space.

Warranty Confidence

Changan backs the E06 with a seven-year/100,000-mile vehicle warranty and an eight-year/124,000-mile battery warranty. Those numbers match or exceed what established players are offering, reflecting the brand’s confidence as it steps into a new market.

If Changan can deliver strong real-world efficiency, dial in the ride and handling for UK roads, and price the E06 competitively, the established players in the compact EV crossover segment will need to pay close attention. The E06 might just be the car that brings Changan into the British mainstream—not with a shout, but with a well-calculated, quietly confident stride.

Source: Autocar

NEW CARS

2028 Range Rover Evoque: The Smallest Range Rover Goes Big on Electricity

The Range Rover Evoque has always been the fashionable city-dweller of the Range Rover family—compact, premium, and unmistakably stylish. Now, as Jaguar Land Rover reshapes its entire lineup for the electric era, the brand’s best-seller is preparing for its most significant transformation yet. Due late in the decade, the third-generation Evoque will emerge as an EV-first model riding on a brand-new architecture, signaling the final puzzle piece in the revamped Range Rover portfolio.

Electric First, and Finally Ready for the Future

When it lands—expected around late 2027, with customer deliveries beginning in 2028—the new Evoque will debut JLR’s Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA), the same 800-volt platform set to underpin the next-gen Velar and the upcoming “Defender Sport.”

EMA is more than just an EV platform; it’s a full-scale rethink. Designed from day one around battery packs and electric motors, the architecture promises faster charging, greater efficiency, and the kind of longevity JLR needs if the Evoque is going to stay relevant well into the 2030s.

The current Evoque, now a decade old, has relied on an evolving mix of mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines, plus a plug-in hybrid. But with electric rivals like Mercedes-Benz’s upcoming GLA EV moving the goalposts toward 450 miles of range, the new Evoque has no choice but to compete head-to-head.

Official specs remain locked down, but EMA’s 800-volt capability should allow ultra-rapid charging—likely restoring large chunks of range in minutes, not hours. The motors will be built in-house, while batteries will come from Tata Group’s new Agratas plant in Somerset, scheduled to begin production in 2027.

A Split Strategy? EV-first Doesn’t Rule Out Other Powertrains

Despite the EV push, JLR is leaving the door cracked open for additional propulsion. The brand has openly acknowledged the unexpectedly strong global demand for plug-in hybrids, and EMA can accommodate a range-extender setup with a small petrol engine. The UK government’s decision to allow hybrid sales until 2035 rather than 2030 only strengthens that case.

Still, it’s possible JLR will pursue a dual-path strategy:

  • Third-gen Evoque = EV-only, and
  • Second-gen Evoque = refreshed and sold alongside it as the combustion option

This mirrors moves from Porsche (Cayenne EV + ICE Cayenne) and Mercedes (GLC + GLC EQ). It would mark a strategic shift from how JLR is approaching the Range Rover Electric and Range Rover Sport Electric—but it may be the pragmatic path in a volatile market.

Design: Evolution Outside, Revolution Underneath

JLR knows better than to radically mess with the Evoque’s iconic silhouette. So while the chassis underneath will be completely re-engineered, the exterior design will likely continue with its signature compact, coupe-like form. Think more refinement, not reinvention, much like the shift from the first-generation Evoque to the second in 2018.

But EMA’s flat-floor layout creates possibilities that previous Evoques couldn’t offer. Expect:

  • More rear legroom
  • A slightly larger cargo area (already generous at 591 liters today)
  • A more open, uncluttered cabin with fewer physical controls and a focus on screen-based simplicity

Inside, premium materials should remain a core theme, but with a design approach that feels cleaner, more modern, and more digitally forward.

The platform will also enable more advanced driver-assistance technologies and deeper cloud-based connectivity—areas where German rivals have set high standards that JLR now intends to match.

Why the Evoque Matters More Than Ever

In the UK, the Evoque isn’t just another model; it’s the model. It accounts for roughly 40 percent of all Range Rover sales this decade, a staggering figure for what is essentially the entry point to the brand. With such weight on its shoulders, the electrified Evoque must do more than simply exist in EV form—it must lead.

And that’s exactly why JLR is taking its time. The brand’s EV rollout is already stacked:

  • Range Rover Electric in early 2026
  • Next-gen Velar soon after
  • Range Rover Sport EV at the start of 2027

By the time the Evoque arrives, JLR’s electric strategy should be fully matured—and expectations will be sky-high.

The next-generation Range Rover Evoque is shaping up to be a pivotal model for JLR, a compact SUV that blends familiar design with a deeply modern EV core. If it can deliver competitive range, faster charging, and a cabin experience worthy of the Range Rover badge, the Evoque could once again set the benchmark for small luxury SUVs—this time in the electric era.

Source: Autocar; Photo: Autocar

NEW CARS

2026 Nissan Teana (China) — A Tech-Forward Family Sedan Gets the Huawei Treatment

Nissan used the stage of the Guangzhou Motor Show on November 21 to send a clear message: in China’s tech-obsessed sedan segment, it’s ready to compete on the home team’s turf. The company announced that the newly updated Teana—built by joint venture partner Dongfeng Nissan (DFN)—will debut with Huawei’s latest in-car interface, HarmonySpace 5.0, standard across every trim. Pricing lands between 139,900 and 167,900 RMB, positioning the Teana as a tech-loaded, value-focused midsize contender.

Design: Clean Lines, High Tech Glow

Nissan didn’t reinvent the silhouette, but the new Teana leans into a sleeker, more mature presence. A long, flowing roofline and subtle surfacing give the car a premium stance, further sharpened by the new “star ring” LED signature that wraps from the grille into the headlamp housings. The twin-projector LED units—which Nissan claims can throw light an impressive 230 meters—are among the longest-reaching in the segment.

Two exclusive colors, Sandstone Gray and Phantom Purple, add some luxury flair without shouting for attention. Think restrained premium, not boy-racer flash.

Cabin: Soft-Touch Everywhere and a Smartphone on Wheels

Step inside and Nissan’s priorities become obvious: comfort, quiet, and digital polish. According to the company, roughly 90 percent of the cabin surfaces are soft-touch, and the lighting system offers 256 ambient hues, enough for every mood from “Zen commute” to “Cyberpunk night drive.”

But the real headline is the new HarmonySpace 5.0 cockpit, anchored by a massive 15.6-inch Huawei display. The interface behaves like a tablet—fast, bright, and fluid—with full-cabin voice control, OTA updates, and a learning-based AI assistant. Nissan isn’t being shy: this is a car meant to feel like your living room and your phone fused into one rolling device.

Powertrain: The VC-Turbo Still Impresses

Under the hood, Nissan sticks with its standout engineering party trick: the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo, with its variable compression technology. Output remains healthy at 243 horsepower and 371 Nm of torque, giving the Teana plenty of muscle for a family sedan. Power delivery is smooth and confident, which pairs well with the car’s mission of effortless commuting rather than sport-sedan theatrics.

The model also comes with Level 2 driver assistance, further rounding out its suite of premium features.

Comfort: Massages, Memory, and a Footrest—Yes, Really

Nissan is leaning hard into comfort, perhaps harder than any mainstream midsize sedan in China right now. Both rows offer generous space, but the front seats steal the spotlight with spinal support, ventilation, memory functions, and even massage capability. A fully adjustable footrest adds a near-lounge-like experience—something once reserved for far pricier executive sedans.

Audio: HUAWEI SOUND Turns the Teana Into a Mini Theater

Every grade of the Teana comes standard with a 15-speaker audio system co-developed with HUAWEI SOUND, while the top-spec variant bumps that count to 17. Expect strong bass, smooth mids, and crisp treble, helped by the cabin’s dual-layer soundproof glass on all doors. Nissan claims highway cruising approaches “theater-like” quietness—and in China’s competitive market, that’s not just marketing fluff; it’s a necessity.

The Takeaway

The new Teana may not chase sportiness, but it doesn’t need to. Its mission is clearer and more modern: deliver premium comfort, cutting-edge tech, and whisper-quiet cruising at an accessible price. With Huawei’s HarmonySpace 5.0 onboard and a plush interior that punches above its class, Nissan is positioning the Teana as a tech-centric alternative to the usual Japanese and joint-venture crowd.

For buyers in China who want a smartphone-like sedan that pampers, the Teana is suddenly a serious contender—maybe even the class’s new benchmark.

Source: Nissan