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Škoda Peaq Spied: The Brand’s Biggest, Boldest EV Yet Is Almost Ready

Škoda is about to do something it’s never done before: launch a true flagship. And not just any flagship—a three-row, fully electric SUV designed to drag the Czech brand into a new, more premium orbit.

Meet the Peaq, a seven-seat electric SUV that’s been caught testing in Arctic-grade winter conditions just months ahead of its official debut. If the name sounds aspirational, that’s the point. This is Škoda aiming for the top of its own food chain.

Born from 2022’s Vision 7S concept, the production Peaq is shaping up to be the electric equivalent of the Kodiaq—only bigger, bolder, and far more ambitious. It will sit above the Enyaq in both size and price, lining up against a growing class of three-row EVs like the Peugeot e-5008 and Mercedes-Benz GLB, while undercutting pricier options such as the Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90.

A Concept That Actually Made It to Production

Spy shots from Sweden reveal a vehicle that looks surprisingly faithful to the Vision 7S. Sure, the surfaces have been smoothed and the edges softened, but the Peaq’s proportions—tall, long, and wide—remain unmistakably flagship-grade.

Škoda’s clever camouflage tells an even better story. Instead of the usual black-and-white swirl, the Peaq is wearing body-colored panels shaped to mimic the smaller Enyaq, hiding what’s underneath. But look closer and you can still see the truth: slim LED daytime running lights, a tall upright nose, and a wide lower grille that echoes the concept car’s rugged, tech-forward face.

Around the sides, the camouflage continues along the sills and C-pillar, trying to hide a design that appears to keep the Vision 7S’s distinctive rear side window treatment. Translation: this thing will look more futuristic and more assertive than any Škoda before it.

Built on VW’s EV Backbone

Underneath, the Peaq rides on Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform—the same architecture that underpins the Enyaq, Elroq, and dozens of VW Group EVs. That means big battery options, long range, and enough floor-mounted lithium-ion cells to keep seven passengers comfortable on a road trip.

Expect a flat floor, generous legroom, and a cabin engineered around Škoda’s traditional strengths: space, clever storage, and family-friendly usability—just with a lot more screens and a lot less gasoline.

A New Price Bracket for Škoda

Here’s where things get really interesting.

The Enyaq currently starts just under £40,000, but the Peaq will go higher—possibly much higher. Škoda’s leadership has already confirmed it will be the brand’s most expensive model ever, pushing into territory the company has never occupied.

But Škoda insists it won’t abandon its value-for-money roots. The idea isn’t to be cheap—it’s to be the best deal in the segment. That means undercutting luxury rivals like the Volvo EX90 while offering more space and practicality than similarly priced competitors.

In other words, Škoda wants to be the brand that makes premium-sized electric SUVs feel attainable.

Why the Peaq Matters

The three-row EV segment is still thin. Most electric SUVs top out at five seats, and families who need more space are still being forced into gasoline or hybrid alternatives. Škoda sees that gap—and it’s going straight for it.

Internally, the Peaq is more than just another model. It’s a statement that Škoda is ready to grow up, charge more money, and still convince buyers they’re getting a smarter deal than anyone else offers.

If the production car delivers on what the spy shots suggest—and if Škoda keeps the price in check—the Peaq could become one of the most important electric SUVs in Europe when it lands later this year.

And for a brand built on quietly clever cars, this might be its loudest move yet.

Source: Škoda; Photos: Autocar

News

Mercedes Plans a Product Tsunami, and It’s Bigger Than the EV Push

If you thought the freshly updated S-Class was Mercedes-Benz’s big swing for 2026, think again. That was just the opening act. According to internal planning documents first surfaced by Motor1, the three-pointed star is about to unleash a full-scale product blitz: seven new or heavily updated models in the next three months alone, at least 16 by the end of the year, and nearly that many again lined up for 2027. This isn’t a refresh cycle—it’s a market invasion.

And here’s the twist: despite all the corporate talk about electrification, most of these new Mercs will still burn gasoline.

S-Class, Maybachs, and the Return of Opulence

At the top of the pyramid, Mercedes is doubling down on what it does best—rolling luxury. The recently revealed facelifted S-Class will quickly be followed by a refreshed Maybach S-Class, because if there’s one thing wealth still demands, it’s more chrome, more leather, and more ways to shut out the outside world.

The GLS is next in line for a refresh, and, naturally, a Maybach GLS will trail behind it like a private-jet lounge on wheels. And don’t be surprised if Mercedes uses this moment to drop one more halo model with an internal-combustion heartbeat—possibly the long-rumored G-Class Cabriolet or a fire-breathing AMG CLE packing a V-8.

Yes, a V-8. In 2026. From Mercedes. Let that sink in.

Electric Flagships, Minus the Weird Styling

On the EV side, the EQS sedan and EQS SUV are due for updates, and Mercedes may also be ready to unleash a fully electric AMG super-sedan to effectively replace the GT 4-Door Coupe. That suggests a future where AMG’s idea of performance no longer requires exhaust pipes—but it still needs eye-watering acceleration.

More importantly, Mercedes is finally killing off the “egg-shaped” EQ look. The next wave of EVs will be visually aligned with their gas-powered siblings, which means your electric C-Class won’t look like it escaped from a wind-tunnel experiment.

The Real Money: C-Class and GLC

In Mercedes-speak, the “Core” segment is where the profits live—and where the updates are coming fast. The C-Class sedan and wagon are both set for redesigns, and the GLC and GLC Coupe with combustion engines will get freshened up to match their already-revealed electric counterparts.

But the big news lands in 2026: the first C-Class without an engine at all. A fully electric C-Class could be the model that finally convinces European buyers that EVs can replace their beloved diesel sedans without feeling like a downgrade.

Interestingly, the EQE and EQE SUV are expected to bow out entirely, suggesting Mercedes is pruning the early-generation EVs that never quite found their footing.

Entry-Level Gets Serious

Mercedes knows it can’t survive on six-figure S-Classes alone. A new-generation GLA arrives later this year, followed closely by a fully electric version wearing the “EQ Technology” badge. This is where volume—and profits—are won and lost.

Then, in 2027, the A-Class as we know it is gone. Its replacement won’t be a traditional compact hatchback but something closer to a small MPV-SUV mashup, aimed squarely at buyers who want practicality, tech, and a premium badge without stepping up to a GLC.

Also coming: a smaller G-Class (because everything cool eventually gets shrunk) and a dedicated electric AMG SUV designed to take on BMW’s M and Neue Klasse EVs head-on.

Mercedes Is Quietly Walking Back the EV Hype

Perhaps the most telling part of all this isn’t what Mercedes is launching—it’s why. The company has openly acknowledged that the real-world transition to electric cars is happening more slowly than the boardroom projections suggested. So instead of killing off internal combustion, Mercedes is embracing it.

That’s why models like the GLC 53 with a six-cylinder exist—and why a C 53 is on the way. Mercedes has realized that buyers still want engines with character, not just kilowatts.

The Strategy in One Sentence

Mercedes is no longer betting everything on batteries. It’s building a lineup where electric and gasoline models coexist, look the same, and compete on equal footing—while using high-performance AMGs and luxury Maybachs to keep the brand aspirational.

For BMW, this means a brutal fight in the entry-level and midsize segments. For drivers, especially in Europe, it means something even better: more choice, more engines, and more reasons to keep loving cars in an era that keeps trying to make them appliances.

And if Mercedes really does deliver a V-8 CLE, an electric AMG super-sedan, and a fully electric C-Class all in the same product cycle, it might just pull off the rarest trick in modern auto history—being relevant to everyone at once.

Source: Motor1

Motorcycles

Honda’s Two-Wheel Comeback

If you’ve ever wondered what Honda would build if it were allowed to indulge every kind of rider at once, the answer just arrived in one tidy press release. American Honda is bringing back eight of its most beloved motorcycles and scooters for the 2026 and 2027 model years, and the lineup reads like a greatest-hits album of two-wheel culture: big-bore adventure bikes, tiny retro playthings, city-smart scooters, and even competition-bred trials machines.

This isn’t a tentative refresh—it’s a full-scale reminder of why Honda still sits at the center of the motorcycling universe. From globe-trotting adventurers to first-time riders commuting across town, there’s something here for nearly every two-wheel identity.

The Africa Twin Still Rules the Map

At the top of the food chain is the 2026 Africa Twin, a machine that’s become shorthand for “ride to the end of the earth and back.” Honda continues to offer it in four configurations: standard or Adventure Sports ES, each available with either a traditional manual gearbox or Honda’s trick DCT dual-clutch automatic.

This is the bike for riders who don’t just want to leave town—they want to leave the pavement, the schedule, and maybe even the continent. With MSRPs starting at $15,199 and topping out at $18,599, the Africa Twin remains one of the more attainable entries into the serious adventure-touring club, especially given Honda’s legendary reputation for durability.

In other words, it’s still the motorcycle equivalent of a well-sorted overland rig—quietly confident, ruthlessly capable, and always ready to go farther than you probably should.

MiniMOTO: Small Bikes, Big Personality

On the opposite end of the displacement spectrum, Honda continues to double down on fun.

The Trail125, Dax 125, and Monkey are the brand’s love letter to its 1960s and ’70s golden age, when small bikes made big cultural waves. But these aren’t museum pieces—they’re fuel-injected, ABS-equipped, modern machines that just happen to look like something your coolest uncle rode back in the day.

  • The Trail125 ($4,199) is the two-wheeled equivalent of a hiking boot: simple, rugged, and endlessly charming.
  • The Dax 125 ($4,199) leans into playful retro style with its T-shaped frame and friendly ergonomics.
  • The Monkey ($4,399) is still the class clown of the lineup, blending chrome, plush suspension, and surprising real-world usability.

These bikes aren’t about speed—they’re about smiles per mile, and Honda knows it.

Navi and PCX: Urban Mobility, Honda Style

Then there’s the Navi, which has quietly become one of the best-selling motorcycles in America by doing one simple thing incredibly well: being easy. With a scooter-like automatic transmission, a 109cc engine, and pricing that starts at just $2,199, it’s the gateway drug to motorcycling.

The PCX ($4,349) plays a more refined role. With traction control, LED lighting, under-seat storage, and a USB-C port, it’s basically a two-wheeled commuter pod—efficient, stylish, and far more engaging than sitting in traffic inside a car.

If your daily grind involves crowded streets and tight parking, these two make a compelling case for ditching four wheels.

The ADV160: A Scooter With a Passport

For riders who want their practicality with a side of adventure, the 2027 ADV160 might be the most intriguing machine here. Think of it as a ruggedized PCX: longer-travel suspension, more ground clearance, and styling that looks ready to escape the city.

At $4,499, it’s a relatively affordable way to get a scooter that won’t panic when the pavement ends.

Montesa Cota: Trials Royalty

Finally, Honda hasn’t forgotten the hardcore crowd. The Montesa Cota 4RT 260R ($9,849) and 301RR ($12,949) are purpose-built trials machines, developed with input from multi-time world champion Toni Bou. These bikes exist for one reason: to conquer terrain so technical most riders wouldn’t even try to walk across it.

They’re niche, sure—but they also reinforce Honda’s claim to being serious about every corner of motorcycling.

A Lineup That Actually Makes Sense

What’s striking about Honda’s 2026–2027 lineup isn’t just the breadth—it’s the coherence. Every bike here serves a distinct purpose, yet all of them reflect the same philosophy: make riding accessible, reliable, and genuinely fun.

From the globe-spanning Africa Twin to the pocket-sized Monkey, Honda isn’t just selling machines. It’s selling ways to ride—and reasons to keep riding.

And in an industry increasingly obsessed with chasing trends, that kind of clarity feels refreshingly old-school. Just like a Honda should.

Source: Honda

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