Tag Archives: China

NEW CARS

2026 Nissan Teana Brings Sharper Styling and New Powertrain to Chinese Market

While the Nissan Altima’s fate in North America remains up in the air, its Chinese-market twin, the Nissan Teana, is gearing up for a mid-cycle refresh that will keep it in showrooms for years to come. Built by Dongfeng Nissan, the updated Teana takes design inspiration from the brand’s newer electrified sedans, aiming to bring a more contemporary edge to the familiar midsize formula.

The first clear look at the facelifted model comes courtesy of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, whose regulatory filings reveal a bolder front fascia. Darker LED headlights now flank a wider grille with integrated daytime running lights and a new internal pattern, while the reshaped bumper gains a broader lower intake reminiscent of Nissan’s N6 and N7 sedans. The changes help align the Teana’s gasoline-powered styling with the company’s EV design language.

From the side, the silhouette is largely unchanged, though new alloy wheels and a two-tone paint option on select trims lend the sedan a fresher, more upscale presence. At the rear, a darkened full-width LED light bar with illuminated Nissan lettering mirrors the brand’s latest electrified models. The tailgate and bumper have been tidied up, and visible exhaust outlets are now gone entirely.

The facelift also brings a slight size increase, with overall length stretching by 14 mm (0.6 inches) to 4,920 mm (193.7 inches), while width, height, and the 2,825 mm (111.2-inch) wheelbase remain the same. Interior details are still under wraps, but a redesigned dashboard with a digital cockpit and updated tech features is expected.

Under the hood, the top-spec turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine returns with 240 hp (179 kW / 243 PS) sent to the front wheels via Nissan’s Xtronic CVT with eight simulated ratios. Interestingly, filings also reveal a new entry-level engine rated at 142 hp (106 kW / 144 PS), a step down from the current naturally aspirated 2.0-liter’s 154 hp (115 kW / 156 PS). The reasoning behind the drop in output hasn’t been clarified.

The refreshed Teana is set to reach Chinese dealers later this year, with pricing expected to remain close to the current ¥179,800–¥239,800 ($25,000–$33,400) range.

As for the Altima, which shares its bones with the Teana, the North American model last received a facelift in 2022. A second refresh could help extend its life under the current U.S. political climate, which has slowed the push toward electrification. However, lingering rumors suggest the Altima could be retired altogether. Whether Nissan opts to borrow design cues from the Chinese Teana or stick to a separate styling path remains to be seen.

Source: Nissan

NEW CARS

YangWang U8L Debuts in China with Supercar Power and First-Class Comfort

In a market increasingly dominated by ultra-luxurious electric SUVs and cutting-edge tech, Chinese automaker BYD has officially rolled out its most ambitious vehicle yet—the YangWang U8L, a stretched, tech-stuffed version of its U8 SUV. And while its ¥1,300,000 price tag (approximately $181,000) may raise eyebrows locally, it looks like a compelling value compared to European luxo-barges costing double that.

A Stretch in Size and Ambition

The U8L is more than just an elongated version of the standard U8—it’s BYD’s boldest attempt to challenge the likes of the Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes-Maybach GLS, and even the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, albeit with a high-tech twist. The new model adds 14.6 inches (372 mm) in length and stretches the wheelbase by 7.8 inches (200 mm), providing additional cabin space and a more stately road presence.

It’s clear the U8L was engineered not just to haul passengers, but to coddle them. The interior layout is strictly 2+2+2, with executive-style second-row seating as standard. Features like ventilation, heating, massage functions, and heated armrests are fitted front and rear. Tech also takes center stage, with three massive screens: a 23.6-inch digital cluster for the driver, a 12.8-inch central infotainment screen, and another 23.6-inch display dedicated to the front passenger.

A Powertrain That Reads Like a Hypercar

Under the hood—or more accurately, throughout the chassis—the U8L boasts a range-extended hybrid setup consisting of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, four electric motors, and a 49.05 kWh battery. Combined, they generate a staggering 1,180 horsepower and 944 lb-ft of torque, making this 3.5-ton SUV quicker than some supercars on paper.

To contextualize, that’s more power than the Bugatti Veyron—a car that once ruled the hypercar world with its 987 hp W16 engine. While the YangWang likely won’t hit 250 mph, it promises brutal acceleration and off-road chops in equal measure, thanks to its quad-motor setup, wade mode (yes, it can float and ford rivers), and BYD’s proprietary Disus-P hydraulic suspension system.

Autonomy and Innovation

Tech-wise, the U8L might be China’s most advanced SUV to date. It ships standard with DiPilot 600 autonomous driving tech, including three LiDAR sensors and Navigate on Autopilot capabilities on both highways and in city environments. Also onboard are carbon ceramic brakes, typically reserved for sports cars and hypercars—a statement that YangWang is not messing around.

Value or Vanity?

At nearly $181,000, the U8L sits in rarefied air for a Chinese domestic vehicle. Yet compared to a similarly specced European SUV that could run $300,000 or more, the YangWang feels like a value proposition—at least on paper. The challenge, however, is not just building a world-class luxury SUV but convincing consumers it deserves to sit alongside century-old luxury marques.

And that’s where the trouble begins. Despite the bravado, YangWang’s sales are down 500% compared to the first half of last year, according to CarNewsChina. Whether this is a temporary dip or a signal that the brand’s momentum is fading remains unclear. What is clear: BYD is betting big on buyers who want cutting-edge domestic luxury without the Western badge.

The YangWang U8L is perhaps the boldest example yet of how far Chinese automakers have come. It may not (yet) carry the pedigree of its Western rivals, but in terms of tech, power, and ambition, it’s more than worthy of global attention. Whether Chinese ultra-luxury buyers agree—that’s the billion-yuan question.

Source: BYD

News

Tesla Prepares Long-Range Model 3+ for China — Could a Global Launch Follow?

Tesla appears to be quietly working on a new variant of its popular compact sedan—the Model 3+, a version promising significantly greater range than current offerings. This new development comes via Chinese government filings, first reported by Car News China, and has since sparked widespread speculation about its potential rollout beyond China.

A New Long-Range Contender

According to documents from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Tesla Model 3+ will be a rear-wheel-drive model powered by a single rear-mounted motor, paired with a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion battery supplied by LG. This is a notable shift from the lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries used in the base Chinese-market Model 3, and could suggest Tesla is aiming for serious improvements in driving range.

Interestingly, the Model 3+ will reportedly use the same electric motor found in the standard Chinese Model 3. This unit delivers 260 horsepower, a modest figure when compared to the 295 hp motor in the U.S. base model. However, while the reduced power output might seem like a drawback, it could play a pivotal role in increasing the vehicle’s efficiency and, by extension, its range.

Battery Mystery: Familiar Capacity or Something New?

Details surrounding the Model 3+’s battery capacity remain unconfirmed. Industry insiders speculate it may borrow the 78.4 kWh pack from the existing Long Range AWD variant, or perhaps even the 79.7 kWh battery used in the U.S. Long Range RWD version.

If paired with the more efficient, lower-output motor, the Model 3+ could potentially set a new benchmark for Tesla’s longest-range electric vehicle. In China, where the optimistic CLTC testing cycle reigns, the current Long Range AWD Model 3 is rated for 753 kilometers. By contrast, the U.S. EPA cycle gives that same model 557 kilometers, albeit with significantly more power.

A Global Opportunity?

While the Model 3+ has so far only been mentioned in the context of the Chinese market, its use of NMC batteries—already present in U.S.-market Teslas—raises an intriguing possibility: Could the Model 3+ make its way west?

Unlike LFP batteries, which have faced tariff barriers and production constraints in the United States, NMC packs are already integrated into Tesla’s U.S. supply chain. This means the main obstacle to a North American release may be the motor, which, as of now, is built in China. Should Tesla choose to manufacture or source this lower-power motor outside China, a U.S. launch would likely face fewer regulatory or logistical hurdles.

But would it make sense? Possibly. According to Car News China, the reduced output motor consumes less energy, meaning the Model 3+ could surpass the range of the current U.S. RWD model, which is rated at 584 kilometers (363 miles). Should the new version exceed the 644-kilometer (400-mile) threshold, it would not only grab headlines—it would likely dominate its segment.

Tesla’s Model 3+ seems poised to push the boundaries of what a long-range EV can offer, especially in the compact sedan category. While official confirmation and full specs are still pending, the leaked documents paint a picture of a car engineered for maximum range with minimal compromise. If Tesla chooses to bring the Model 3+ to global markets, it could shake up the EV landscape—again.

Source: Car News China