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Volvo Cars Just Got Safer

Volvo Cars is taking another step toward making its vehicles smarter and safer with a new software update that expands its Connected Safety technology with four new hazard alerts. At the same time, owners of the Volvo EX90 and ES90 will gain support for Spatial Audio with Apple CarPlay, bringing Dolby Atmos-powered sound to the cabin.

The latest update highlights Volvo’s increasingly software-defined approach to vehicle development. Rather than relying exclusively on hardware installed when a vehicle leaves the factory, the automaker is using software updates to introduce new safety capabilities and improve the ownership experience over time.

For drivers, that means their Volvo can become more capable without requiring a trip to a dealership for a major hardware upgrade.

Volvo Adds Four New Connected Safety Alerts

Volvo Cars first introduced its Connected Safety technology in 2016. The system uses information shared between connected vehicles to provide drivers with real-time warnings about hazards they may encounter farther along their route.

The latest software update expands that capability with four new alerts: Large Animal Alert, Vulnerable Road User Alert, Roadwork Alert and Accident Ahead Alert.

The objective is straightforward: give drivers additional time to recognize a potential hazard, adjust their speed and prepare for changing road conditions.

Large Animal Alert

Large animals can represent a serious hazard, particularly on rural roads and in areas where wildlife frequently crosses roadways.

The new Large Animal Alert can warn drivers when a large animal is detected on or near the road ahead. By providing an earlier warning, the system gives drivers more time to reduce their speed and prepare for a potential animal crossing.

Vulnerable Road User Alert

The Vulnerable Road User Alert is designed to warn drivers about pedestrians and cyclists detected on or near highways.

These road users can be particularly difficult to spot in advance, especially during darkness, bad weather or other low-visibility conditions. An early warning can help drivers become more attentive and adapt their driving before reaching the affected area.

Roadwork Alert

Road construction and maintenance can introduce sudden changes to normal traffic patterns.

The new Roadwork Alert can notify connected Volvo drivers when roadwork is detected ahead. This additional information can give drivers more time to anticipate lane changes, reduced speeds or other temporary alterations to the road.

Accident Ahead Alert

The Accident Ahead Alert provides warnings about crashes farther along the route.

Volvo says the system can use real-time information from connected Volvo vehicles or traffic management centres to warn drivers of accidents ahead. Instead of discovering a crash only when approaching the scene, drivers can receive advance information and adjust their driving accordingly.

Connected Cars Become Part of a Shared Safety Network

The significance of Volvo’s Connected Safety technology goes beyond the individual vehicle.

More than 1 million Volvo cars now have connected safety technology activated, effectively creating a network in which vehicles can contribute information that may help protect other road users.

When a connected Volvo detects or encounters certain hazards, relevant information can be shared with other connected vehicles. This transforms individual cars into data-gathering points within a broader road-safety ecosystem.

Volvo also participates in the European Data for Road Safety ecosystem. Through this network, safety-related information can be shared with vehicles from other manufacturers and national traffic management centres.

That approach could become increasingly important as connected vehicles become more common. The larger the network, the greater the potential amount of real-time information available to drivers.

Designed for Difficult Driving Conditions

The new Connected Safety alerts are particularly relevant in situations where drivers have limited visibility or little time to react.

Winding roads, heavy rain, darkness and other challenging conditions can make hazards harder to identify. Receiving information before a driver physically reaches a hazard could provide valuable additional reaction time.

The four new warnings complement Volvo’s existing Slippery Road Alert and Hazard Light Alert systems.

Together, these technologies are part of Volvo’s broader strategy of using connected vehicle data to anticipate potential dangers rather than relying solely on passive protection after an incident occurs.

“Built on decades of our real-world safety insight, these innovations represent another step towards our vision of zero collisions,” said Åsa Haglund, head of Volvo Cars Safety Centre.

“Every time a Volvo car shares safety intelligence, it helps other drivers prepare earlier to avoid accidents and feel safer.”

Volvo EX90, ES90 and EX60 Get the New Safety Features

The newly introduced Connected Safety capabilities will be available in the Volvo EX90, ES90 and EX60.

The move is particularly significant for Volvo’s newest generation of vehicles, which increasingly depend on software and connected services to deliver new functionality.

The Volvo EX90, the company’s flagship electric SUV, has been developed around a software-defined vehicle architecture. The ES90 brings similar technology to the electric sedan segment, while the EX60 represents another important step in Volvo’s next-generation electric vehicle strategy.

Rather than treating software as a fixed component, Volvo is positioning it as something that can continue to evolve throughout the vehicle’s life.

Volvo EX90 and ES90 Add Apple CarPlay Spatial Audio

Safety isn’t the only area receiving an upgrade.

As part of the same software update, Volvo EX90 and ES90 owners gain Spatial Audio support through Apple CarPlay. The feature uses Dolby Atmos technology to create a more immersive listening experience inside the vehicle.

The system is paired with Volvo’s available Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system, which incorporates 25 high-performance speakers.

Instead of traditional stereo playback, Spatial Audio can create a more three-dimensional soundstage, making music and vocals appear to originate from different positions around the cabin.

For drivers and passengers, the result is intended to feel closer to a live performance, with greater depth and separation between individual elements of a recording.

The technology isn’t limited to music. Volvo says Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos can enhance podcasts and other compatible audio content as well.

Software Updates Are Becoming a Bigger Part of the Volvo Experience

The latest update illustrates a broader shift taking place throughout the automotive industry.

Modern vehicles are increasingly being developed as software-defined products, with manufacturers able to introduce new functions and improvements after a vehicle has already been delivered to its owner.

Volvo says S&P Global Mobility recently recognised the company as the only legacy automaker to reach Level 5 capability in software-defined cars.

Whether the technology ultimately delivers on the industry’s ambitious software-defined vehicle promises will depend on how reliably manufacturers can deploy updates and how useful those updates remain to owners. However, Volvo’s latest release demonstrates the potential of the approach.

A vehicle purchased today can potentially gain new safety features, connectivity functions and entertainment capabilities years after it leaves the factory.

Volvo’s Vision for Zero Collisions

Volvo has built much of its brand identity around automotive safety, and Connected Safety represents a modern interpretation of that philosophy.

Traditional vehicle safety systems primarily focus on protecting occupants when a collision becomes unavoidable. Connected safety takes a more preventative approach by attempting to give drivers information about hazards before they reach them.

The new Large Animal Alert, Vulnerable Road User Alert, Roadwork Alert and Accident Ahead Alert all follow that principle.

By combining vehicle-to-vehicle information, connected services and data from traffic management centres, Volvo is attempting to create a road environment in which vehicles can communicate hazards to one another.

The potential benefit extends beyond Volvo owners. Through data-sharing ecosystems such as European Data for Road Safety, information generated by connected vehicles can potentially reach cars from other manufacturers and traffic authorities.

The Future of Automotive Safety Is Increasingly Connected

Volvo’s latest software update demonstrates how automotive safety is moving beyond airbags, crash structures and driver-assistance cameras.

Connected vehicles can potentially warn drivers about events that their own sensors have not yet encountered. That extra layer of information could become increasingly valuable as roads become more connected and vehicle software becomes more sophisticated.

At the same time, the addition of Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio to the EX90 and ES90 shows that software updates don’t have to focus exclusively on safety. The same underlying digital architecture can deliver improvements to entertainment and everyday usability.

For Volvo owners, that means the vehicle can continue to evolve after purchase.

And for Volvo Cars, it reinforces a strategy in which software, connectivity and shared vehicle intelligence are becoming just as important to the driving experience as the traditional mechanical components underneath the bodywork.

Volvo Connected Safety Update: Key Takeaways

  • Volvo is introducing four new Connected Safety alerts.
  • Large Animal Alert warns about large animals on or near the road.
  • Vulnerable Road User Alert detects potential hazards involving pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Roadwork Alert warns drivers about road construction and maintenance.
  • Accident Ahead Alert provides advance warnings about crashes.
  • The new features are available for the Volvo EX90, ES90 and EX60.
  • More than 1 million Volvo cars have activated Connected Safety technology.
  • Volvo can share safety information through the European Data for Road Safety ecosystem.
  • Volvo EX90 and ES90 gain Apple CarPlay Spatial Audio support.
  • Dolby Atmos is supported through the Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system with 25 speakers.
  • The update demonstrates Volvo’s growing focus on software-defined vehicles and over-the-air improvements.

Source: Volvo

News

2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ ready for orders

Mercedes-AMG has opened orders for the all-new CLA 45 4MATIC+, bringing a new level of electric performance to the compact performance-car segment. With 680 horsepower, three axial-flux electric motors, an 800-volt electrical architecture and a claimed 0-100 km/h time of just 2.7 seconds, the new CLA 45 4MATIC+ is designed to combine supercar-like acceleration with the everyday usability of a premium compact sedan.

The latest AMG model also recently established a segment record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, underlining Mercedes-AMG’s focus on combining outright electric power with sophisticated chassis and aerodynamic technology.

At the heart of the new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ is a three-motor electric powertrain producing a system output of 500 kW, equivalent to 680 hp. Mercedes-AMG quotes maximum system torque of 1,759 Nm, while the independent electric motors give the all-wheel-drive system a level of torque-control flexibility that would be difficult to achieve with a conventional mechanical drivetrain.

The CLA 45 4MATIC+ is available to order through Mercedes-Benz sales partners and online.

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ combines 680 hp with three electric motors

The headline figures immediately establish the CLA 45 4MATIC+ as one of the most powerful compact performance EVs on the market.

Its powertrain uses three completely independent axial-flux electric motors. Unlike conventional radial-flux motors, axial-flux technology can deliver exceptionally high power density while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.

The three-motor arrangement is particularly important because it allows Mercedes-AMG to control the distribution of electric torque with considerable precision.

Torque can be varied between the front and rear axles, while the two rear motors can independently distribute torque between the left and right rear wheels. This creates what AMG calls a fully variable Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system.

The result is not simply more traction. The system is designed to actively influence the car’s handling characteristics depending on driving conditions, throttle input and the selected drive mode.

0-100 km/h in 2.7 seconds

With 500 kW and all-wheel drive, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 2.7 seconds.

That figure puts the compact AMG in territory traditionally occupied by much larger and significantly more expensive performance cars.

The instant torque delivery of electric motors is only part of the equation. The three-motor architecture allows the CLA 45 to continuously optimize torque distribution, helping maximize traction during hard acceleration and allowing the car to remain composed when the driver pushes beyond straight-line performance.

For AMG, however, acceleration is only one part of the equation. The CLA 45 4MATIC+ has been engineered around the goal of delivering genuine driver involvement rather than simply impressive acceleration numbers.

800-volt architecture targets both performance and charging speed

The new CLA 45 4MATIC+ also benefits from an 800-volt electrical architecture.

High-voltage electrical systems can support faster charging and help reduce the electrical losses associated with transferring large amounts of energy. In the CLA 45, the architecture works together with the high-power-density axial-flux motors to create an EV designed for both performance and long-distance usability.

Mercedes-AMG quotes a charging time of approximately 22 minutes for a 10-to-80-percent battery charge when using a suitable DC fast-charging station.

That is particularly significant for a performance vehicle that could otherwise demand frequent charging stops during long-distance driving.

More than 670 kilometers of range

Despite its performance focus, the new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ is not intended to be a short-range track special.

Mercedes-AMG quotes a range of more than 670 kilometers for the saloon, according to the applicable test procedure.

That combination of range and performance could make the CLA 45 an unusually versatile proposition. Drivers can exploit its 680-hp powertrain when conditions allow, while the aerodynamic systems and high-voltage architecture are designed to improve efficiency during normal driving.

The key challenge for AMG was therefore not simply extracting maximum power from the battery. It was creating an electric performance car capable of switching between efficiency and outright performance without compromising either objective.

Fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive

One of the most technically interesting elements of the CLA 45 4MATIC+ is its all-wheel-drive system.

Traditional all-wheel-drive systems often rely on a mechanical connection between axles or electronically controlled clutches to vary torque distribution. The AMG system takes a different approach by using three independent electric motors.

Torque can be distributed continuously between the front and rear axles. At the rear, the two motors can also vary torque individually between the wheels.

This torque-vectoring capability can help the CLA 45 rotate into corners, improve traction when exiting a bend and maintain stability when the driver approaches the car’s limits.

In other words, the electric powertrain becomes an integral part of the chassis rather than simply a source of propulsion.

AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension gets serious upgrades

The chassis of the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ has also received extensive development.

The car uses a steel-sprung AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension system with adaptive three-way adjustable damping. AMG says the wheel-guiding components, springs and dampers have been fundamentally revised.

The objective is to increase maximum lateral acceleration while maintaining predictable and approachable handling at the limit.

That distinction matters. A performance car that generates impressive numbers but becomes difficult to read near its limits can be frustrating for experienced drivers. AMG’s approach with the CLA 45 is instead aimed at creating a car that communicates what its tires and chassis are doing as the pace increases.

The adaptive damping system also allows the suspension characteristics to be adjusted according to the selected driving mode and road conditions, giving the CLA 45 a wider operating range than a purely track-focused setup.

Active rear spoiler adds another layer of aerodynamic control

Aerodynamics play a major role in the CLA 45 4MATIC+’s performance strategy.

The saloon features a segment-first active rear spoiler, while the Shooting Brake receives an active roof spoiler. Both systems are designed to adjust the car’s aerodynamic balance depending on the selected driving program or driver input.

At lower aerodynamic loads, the spoiler can adopt a position intended to reduce drag and maximize efficiency. When greater stability is required, it can change angle to generate additional downforce.

This is an increasingly important feature on high-performance EVs. Electric cars have to balance two competing demands: minimizing aerodynamic resistance to maximize range and generating aerodynamic stability at high speeds.

The active spoiler allows the CLA 45 to address both requirements rather than permanently optimizing the car for one or the other.

Active grille shutters improve aerodynamic efficiency

The CLA 45’s aerodynamic package also includes advanced active front grille shutters.

At high speeds, the shutters remain closed to reduce aerodynamic drag. They open when the vehicle requires additional cooling airflow.

It is a relatively simple concept, but one that becomes increasingly valuable as manufacturers attempt to maximize EV efficiency without compromising thermal management.

For the CLA 45, aerodynamic efficiency is therefore not merely a styling exercise. The active systems are integrated into the vehicle’s broader performance strategy, helping the car transition between maximum range and maximum high-speed stability.

Nürburgring development shows AMG’s priorities

The new CLA 45 4MATIC+ recently demonstrated its performance credentials by setting a segment record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The legendary 20.8-kilometer circuit is one of the toughest development environments in the automotive world, combining high-speed sections, elevation changes, heavy braking zones and challenging corners.

A Nürburgring record does not automatically make a car the best everyday performance vehicle, but it does provide an indication of how seriously AMG has approached the CLA 45’s chassis, powertrain and aerodynamic development.

The three-motor powertrain, torque vectoring, adaptive damping and active aerodynamics are clearly designed to work as one integrated system.

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ brings supercar acceleration to the compact class

The all-new Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ represents a significant evolution of AMG’s approach to electric performance.

Its 680-hp output and 2.7-second 0-100 km/h acceleration time are the numbers that will attract the most attention, but the more important story lies beneath them.

Three axial-flux motors provide independent control of the front and rear axles and individual rear wheels. An 800-volt architecture supports rapid charging. Adaptive three-way damping gives the chassis a broader range of capabilities, while active aerodynamic elements allow the car to prioritize either efficiency or stability.

With more than 670 kilometers of claimed range for the saloon and a 10-to-80-percent DC fast-charging time of around 22 minutes, the CLA 45 is also attempting to eliminate one of the traditional compromises associated with high-performance electric cars.

Mercedes-AMG has therefore taken a different route with the new CLA 45 4MATIC+: rather than building an EV that is simply extremely fast in a straight line, it has developed a compact performance car in which the electric powertrain, chassis and aerodynamics are all designed to work together.

If the Nürburgring performance is any indication, the new CLA 45 4MATIC+ could become one of the most technically sophisticated electric AMG models yet—and a serious benchmark for the next generation of compact performance EVs.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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Which SUVs Are Being Discontinued in 2027?

The SUV boom shows no sign of slowing down. What was once a niche body style has become the dominant force in the European new-car market, reshaping manufacturers’ product strategies and pushing traditional vehicle segments further into the background.

But even in the world’s most popular automotive segment, success is never guaranteed.

Several familiar SUVs are approaching the end of their road, with some models scheduled to disappear from production as early as the end of 2026, while others are expected to remain in showrooms only until 2027. Falling sales, increasingly demanding safety regulations, electrification strategies and changing consumer preferences are all playing a role.

The SUV market may be booming, but there is simply not enough room for every model.

SUVs now dominate the European car market

The numbers tell the story better than almost anything else.

SUVs accounted for roughly 40 percent of new-car sales in Europe in 2020. Today, their share has climbed to around 60 percent, making the SUV by far the most important vehicle category for many manufacturers.

The trend covers virtually every segment, from small urban crossovers and compact family SUVs to large luxury models and electric SUVs.

With almost every major manufacturer now offering multiple SUVs, competition has become extremely intense. A model can have a respected name, a long history and a loyal customer base, yet still be eliminated if sales volumes no longer justify keeping it in production.

That is exactly what is happening to several recognizable SUVs.

Land Rover Discovery Sport: a victim of falling sales and tougher regulations

One of the names expected to disappear is the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

The Discovery Sport has occupied an important position in the Land Rover lineup for years. Positioned as a more accessible alternative to the brand’s larger and more expensive SUVs, it was designed to attract buyers who wanted the Land Rover image without stepping into the highest price brackets.

However, the model is now facing two major problems: declining demand and increasingly strict European regulations.

The European Union’s GSR2 safety regulations have introduced significantly tougher requirements for new vehicles. Meeting those requirements can be particularly challenging for older vehicle architectures, and updating an existing model to comply with every new regulation can become difficult to justify financially.

For the Discovery Sport, the result appears to be the end of the road.

The decision is also part of a broader transformation at Jaguar Land Rover, which is repositioning Jaguar, Range Rover, Defender and Discovery more distinctly as individual brands.

The Discovery Sport’s departure therefore represents more than the end of a single model. It is another sign that JLR is simplifying and reshaping its product strategy for a rapidly changing automotive market.

Ford Kuga: a successful SUV that still couldn’t escape the axe

The Ford Kuga is another established SUV approaching the end of its current production run.

After three generations, the Kuga is expected to cease production at the end of 2026. That decision will have a direct impact on Ford’s Almussafes factory in Spain, where the Kuga has been produced.

On paper, the Kuga might seem like an unlikely candidate for cancellation.

The compact SUV has been one of Ford’s most successful models in Europe and has enjoyed particularly strong demand for its plug-in hybrid versions. In fact, the Kuga has repeatedly ranked among Europe’s best-selling plug-in hybrid models.

Within Ford’s European lineup, only the Puma has sold more units in recent years.

Yet the automotive industry is not driven by sales figures alone. Production costs, factory capacity, electrification plans and future product strategies can be just as important.

There may, however, be life after the Kuga.

Reports suggest that Ford could eventually revive the Kuga name on a new electrified SUV based on technology from Geely, potentially using the Starray EM-i platform. If that happens, the Kuga could return in a very different form, reflecting the growing cooperation and technological links between global automakers.

For now, however, the current Kuga’s story appears to be coming to an end.

Volkswagen Tiguan and the uncertain future of the ID.5

Volkswagen is also reconsidering its SUV strategy as it accelerates its transition toward electric vehicles.

The future of the next-generation Tiguan has reportedly been the subject of debate, with two potential directions under consideration.

One possibility is to retain the Tiguan name and introduce an updated model. Another, increasingly likely, option would be to align the vehicle more closely with Volkswagen’s electric naming strategy.

That could result in the model becoming the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan from 2027.

The potential change illustrates just how quickly Volkswagen’s model naming strategy is evolving. The company is attempting to balance familiar names that carry decades of brand recognition with the new ID. identity associated with its electric vehicles.

At the same time, another Volkswagen SUV appears to have a less certain future.

Volkswagen ID.5 could disappear in 2027

The Volkswagen ID.5 was designed to combine the practicality of an SUV with the sleeker profile of a coupe-style crossover.

It was an important part of Volkswagen’s strategy to expand its electric SUV family, but sales have not reached the levels the company originally hoped for.

Even though the ID.5 has experienced sales growth during the last two years, its overall numbers have remained insufficient to secure a long-term future.

Current expectations point toward production ending around the middle of 2027.

That would leave Volkswagen with one fewer electric SUV in a segment that has become increasingly crowded. Ironically, the same market trend that created the opportunity for the ID.5 is also making it harder for models like it to survive.

Tesla Model X: the electric SUV pioneer nearing the end

Perhaps the most recognizable name on this list is the Tesla Model X.

When Tesla introduced the Model X, it was unlike almost anything else on the market. Its large electric SUV body, impressive performance and distinctive falcon-wing doors helped establish it as one of the company’s technological showcases.

But the Model X never achieved the commercial success of the Model S or, particularly, the Model Y.

The Model Y became one of the most important electric vehicles in the world, while the Model X remained an expensive, relatively niche product.

Its unconventional doors were one of its biggest talking points, but they also contributed to production complexity and early delivery delays. Over time, Tesla made several updates to the Model X, but never gave it the kind of comprehensive redesign that many other manufacturers would have used to extend a vehicle’s life.

That appears to have finally caught up with the Model X.

Tesla has confirmed the end of production, bringing the story of one of the most distinctive electric SUVs to a close.

Why are popular SUVs disappearing?

The cancellation of these SUVs may appear surprising given the continuing growth of the segment, but there is a straightforward explanation.

Manufacturers are no longer competing simply on the number of SUVs they can offer. They are trying to determine which SUVs are profitable, future-proof and compatible with increasingly strict regulations.

Several factors are accelerating the process:

  • Tougher European safety regulations
  • Rapid electrification of vehicle lineups
  • Increasing development and production costs
  • Stronger competition within the SUV segment
  • Changing consumer preferences
  • Pressure to reduce the number of overlapping models
  • The need to use factories and platforms more efficiently

A manufacturer can therefore decide to eliminate an SUV even when the vehicle remains popular.

The key question is no longer simply, “Does it sell?”

It is, “Does it sell enough to justify its place in the future lineup?”

The SUV boom will not save every SUV

The disappearance of the Discovery Sport, Kuga, ID.5 and Model X demonstrates an important reality of today’s automotive industry.

SUVs are more popular than ever, but that popularity has created an extremely competitive environment. Manufacturers are filling their lineups with crossovers and SUVs, and consumers have more choices than ever before.

As a result, weaker-performing models are increasingly vulnerable.

The next few years could bring even more cancellations as automakers reorganize their lineups around electric platforms, stricter regulations and fewer but more strategically important models.

Some familiar names will undoubtedly return in new forms. Others will disappear permanently.

For drivers, that means the SUV market of 2027 could look surprisingly different from the one we know today.

The SUV may have won the battle for consumer popularity—but that does not mean every SUV will survive the industry’s next transformation.

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