Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

Nissan Juke EV: The Marmite Crossover Goes Electric

Nissan’s smallest crossover is about to plug in. The all-electric Nissan Juke EV has hit public roads for testing, marking the beginning of a new chapter for one of the most polarizing nameplates in the compact SUV world.

Known as the “Marmite car” of the Nissan lineup—either you love it or you really, really don’t—the Juke is going electric as part of the brand’s rapid EV expansion. It will be built in Sunderland, UK, alongside the new Leaf and Qashqai, and is expected to launch next year as Nissan’s challenger to the Ford Puma Gen-E and Kia EV3.

Electric DNA, Same Attitude

The upcoming Juke EV shares its CMF-BEV platform with the next-generation Leaf, and under the skin, it’s expected to use the same powertrain options. That means a single-motor setup producing up to 214 horsepower, and a range of more than 350 miles—figures that should make it one of the more capable city crossovers in the segment.

Despite the shared architecture, Nissan is adamant that the two cars will not overlap. Speaking to Autocar, Guillaume Cartier, Nissan’s Chief Performance Officer, said the Juke and Leaf appeal to “totally different profiles, with nothing in common.”

“One is SUV, the other is more coupé-sedan,” Cartier explained. “One is E-Power, the other is electric. Then you have Juke—and Juke is Marmite.”

That identity crisis—or rather, identity confidence—appears to be a deliberate play. Nissan wants the Juke EV to remain divisive, bold, and instantly recognizable, just as the original 2010 model once was when it kicked off the compact crossover craze.

Design: Still the Rebel

Spy shots of camouflaged prototypes testing in Spain show a silhouette that’s unmistakably Juke: raked roofline, exaggerated haunches, and visor-style side windows. While much of the design remains hidden, Nissan’s earlier teaser image hinted at sharp, futuristic lighting signatures and pronounced surfacing—details inspired by the Hyper Punk concept shown at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show.

In other words, don’t expect the Juke EV to blend in. Expect it to stand out.

Cartier even admits the Juke will continue to be “purposely divisive,” designed to provoke strong reactions. “You will have people who say ‘wow’ and people who say ‘no thank you, not for me,’” he said. “Based on that, I think this car will not be compared to anything else.”

Driving Character: More Bite Than Leaf

While it shares bones with the new Leaf, Nissan Europe’s R&D boss David Moss has suggested the Juke EV will feature a bespoke chassis setup to emphasize its “dynamic” character. Suspension tuning, steering weight, and ride height are all expected to differ from its platform mates, giving the electric Juke a slightly sportier flavor.

“As the size of the car grows, you change its ride and handling characteristics,” Moss noted. “If it sits in a different segment, you might change the suspension.”

That could hint at a car positioned more toward urban agility and driver involvement than outright comfort—something the current hybrid Juke already hints at but hasn’t fully realized.

Price and Production: Sunderland’s Electric Trio

The Juke EV will roll off the line in Sunderland, joining the Leaf and Qashqai as part of Nissan’s £1 billion EV Hub investment. The Japanese automaker is targeting a price close to the current ICE Juke, which starts around £21,000, though even Nissan admits that will be “a challenge” given battery costs.

The current petrol-powered Juke isn’t going anywhere just yet. Its life cycle will be extended, meaning both ICE and EV versions will be sold side by side for a period—mirroring Nissan’s gradual approach to electrification.

A Familiar Face with a Shocking Twist

The Juke EV is shaping up to be exactly what you’d expect from a car wearing the Juke badge: compact, controversial, and confidently weird. It won’t just be an electric crossover—it’ll be a statement piece in a world where many EVs look and feel the same.

Whether that’s enough to tempt buyers away from the likes of the Ford Puma Gen-E or Kia EV3 will depend on more than styling. But if Nissan’s gamble pays off, the Marmite crossover might just become the electric disruptor the segment didn’t know it needed.

Source: Autocar

NEW CARS

Lamborghini Temerario Super Trofeo: The V8-Powered Future of Sant’Agata’s One-Make Racer

Lamborghini’s racing arm, Squadra Corse, is moving fast—very fast. Barely weeks after unveiling the track-focused Temerario GT3, the Italians have pulled the covers off its one-make sibling, the Temerario Super Trofeo, slated to storm global circuits in 2027.

And while Lamborghini’s road cars are increasingly hybridized to meet tightening emissions standards, the race cars remain gloriously unfiltered. The Temerario Super Trofeo sticks to pure internal combustion—no electric motors, no batteries, just a twin-turbo V8 screaming behind the driver’s seat.

A New Era Without Losing the Old Fire

This new Super Trofeo replaces the Huracán-based model that’s been thrilling fans (and punishing tires) since 2014. Gone is the naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 that became a hallmark of Lamborghini’s racing soundtrack. In its place: a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, derived from the same powerplant found in the road-going Temerario, but tuned for competition and capped at 650 horsepower per class regulations—down from the engine’s road-legal 800-hp potential.

The exhaust, developed by Capristo, promises to turn every full-throttle burst into a thunderclap. Meanwhile, KW supplies the adjustable suspension hardware, ensuring the new car can carve through corners with precision and fury.

Built for the Track, Not the Street

Unlike the road-going Temerario, which uses an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, the Super Trofeo sends its power to the rear wheels through a 6-speed sequential gearbox—a mechanical, no-nonsense setup designed for the crucible of competition. Every gearshift will be an event, not a whisper.

The aerodynamic redesign is equally serious. Every panel has been reconsidered with one mission in mind: downforce. Expect an aggressive front splitter, reprofiled side intakes, and a massive rear wing—all tuned to keep the Temerario Super Trofeo glued to the tarmac under extreme G-loads. Drivers will also have access to a multi-level traction control system, offering fine-tuned adjustability for varying grip conditions.

Safety Meets Spectacle

Interior shots haven’t been released yet, but Lamborghini confirms that the cockpit meets the latest FIA safety standards, complete with an integrated roll cage and fire suppression system. This is, after all, a car designed for a one-make championship where amateurs and pros alike will push it to the edge.

The Legacy Continues

Since 2009, Lamborghini’s Super Trofeo series has become a proving ground for gentleman drivers and rising stars alike, evolving through the Gallardo and Huracán generations. The Temerario Super Trofeo is set to continue that legacy, bringing a fresh design language and a new powertrain philosophy without abandoning the visceral thrill that defines the brand’s racing DNA.

The car’s full competition debut is still a couple of seasons away, but one thing’s certain: when it hits the track in 2027, the noise—and the spectacle—will be anything but hybrid.

Source: Lamborghini

NEW CARS

2027 Kia Telluride: Bold Evolution, Unmistakable Presence

Kia has turned the page on one of its most iconic designs with the all-new 2027 Telluride, an SUV that promises to build on the success of a model that has defined family adventure for the past six years. Since its debut, the Telluride has been celebrated for marrying refined luxury with rugged capability—a rare balance that has made it a standout in the midsize SUV segment.

The challenge for Kia’s design team was clear: don’t reinvent, evolve. The goal was to preserve the Telluride’s signature identity while elevating sophistication, presence, and capability. The result is an SUV that is unmistakably Telluride but bolder, more refined, and unapologetically confident.

Bigger, Bolder, Still Boxy

Dimensions tell the story first. The second-generation Telluride stretches 2.3 inches longer overall, with a wheelbase nearly three inches extended and an additional inch in height. The proportions signal a vehicle that has grown into its ambitions without losing the boxy charm that made the original an icon.

Guided by Kia’s Opposites United design philosophy—where sharp angles meet flowing curves and rugged durability coexists with sophistication—the 2027 Telluride is a study in contrasts. “With Telluride, it was about capturing strength and luxury, tradition and modernness, into a single expression,” says Tom Kearns, VP and Senior Chief Designer at Kia Design Center America. The SUV succeeds, delivering a look that is simultaneously grounded and aspirational.

Exterior Design: Rugged Meets Refined

The Telluride’s exterior nods to the untamed landscapes of its namesake Colorado town. The front fascia is bold yet polished, with vertical LED headlamps flanking a high-gloss grille that announces presence without pretense. Triangular fender creases and upward-flowing character lines give the side profile a chiseled, athletic stance, while sculpted wheel well notches and floating wheel cladding add a distinctive, modern touch.

At the rear, a rising beltline and broad fenders convey stability and strength. The Telluride X-Pro trim, meanwhile, emphasizes adventure-ready capabilities with blacked-out accents, all-terrain tires, 9.1 inches of ground clearance, and practical touches like front and rear recovery hooks. Form clearly meets function here—Kia has made ruggedness an aesthetic choice.

Lighting: Signature and Function

Lighting remains a Telluride hallmark. Vertical LED strips front and rear maintain the model’s geometric identity while integrating Kia’s new Star Map lighting graphic. The X-Pro adds Ground Lighting that illuminates the surrounding area from mirrors and rear doors—an example of design enhancing utility. Even puddle lamps are branded, casting a subtle glow of “Telluride” onto the ground when doors open.

Interior: Sanctuary Meets Function

Step inside and the Telluride’s cabin feels expansive yet intimate. Horizontal lines and wraparound surfaces emphasize width and enclosure, while wood-like textures, metal accents, and thoughtfully lit consoles balance luxury and practicality. The rear passenger console doubles as a functional table, mesh headrests add style and comfort, and a reconfigurable cargo area includes a folding luggage table with integrated ruler markings—a nod to adventure-minded practicality.

With increased overall dimensions, second- and third-row access is improved, headroom is up, and interior comfort is enhanced without sacrificing the SUV’s bold exterior presence. Color, materials, and finishes follow a “Grandioso” philosophy, offering rich combinations such as Deep Navy/Tuscan Umber or Blackberry/Sand Beige for a daring, flagship-level ambiance. The X series adopts more grounded palettes, emphasizing durability without sacrificing refinement.

The Takeaway

The 2027 Kia Telluride is not a reinvention—it is a confident evolution. Bigger, more sophisticated, and more capable, it respects the legacy of its predecessor while embracing a modern design language that pairs toughness with elegance, utility with style. With its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this month, and showroom arrival slated for early 2026, the new Telluride looks ready to continue its reign as a benchmark for family-friendly SUVs with adventure built into their DNA.

Source: Kia