Tag Archives: EVs

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

Porsche Prepares to Unveil the All-Electric Cayenne: The Next Chapter in the SUV’s Legacy

Porsche’s electric offensive isn’t slowing down. On November 19, the Stuttgart brand will officially pull the wraps off its second all-electric SUV — the Cayenne Electric — in a digital world premiere broadcast live at 15:00 CET across the Porsche Newsroom, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Three days later, the Cayenne Electric will make its public debut at the Icons of Porsche Festival in Dubai (November 22–23), one of the marque’s biggest global fan gatherings, where tens of thousands of enthusiasts are expected to experience the SUV in person for the first time.

A New Era for a Familiar Nameplate

When the original Cayenne launched back in 2002, it was nothing short of a revolution. Purists balked, but Porsche proved that a sports car company could build an SUV without sacrificing performance or prestige. Two decades later, the Cayenne has become a cornerstone of Porsche’s lineup — and now, it’s going fully electric.

The Cayenne Electric promises to fuse sports-car DNA with cutting-edge e-mobility, building on lessons learned from the Taycan and the recently launched Macan Electric. Porsche says the SUV will deliver “outstanding driving dynamics, excellent long-distance comfort, uncompromising off-road capability, and the efficiency of modern e-mobility.”

Built on Porsche’s Next-Gen EV Platform

Underpinning the Cayenne Electric is Porsche’s latest electric vehicle architecture, a platform designed to push boundaries in both performance and charging capability. Expect 800-volt electrical tech, rapid DC fast-charging, and the kind of power delivery that makes Porsche’s EVs feel instantly responsive and genuinely engaging behind the wheel.

Inside, Porsche promises a new standard of digital integration and comfort, likely featuring the latest iteration of its Porsche Driver Experience interface and a refined, tech-forward cabin that still feels unmistakably driver-centric.

Completing the Cayenne Family

The electric variant won’t replace the gasoline or plug-in hybrid models — at least not yet. Instead, it will complement the existing lineup, giving buyers a full spectrum of Cayenne choices: combustion, hybrid, and fully electric.

That strategy mirrors Porsche’s broader approach to electrification — offering flexibility while steadily moving toward a fully electric future.

From Stuttgart to Dubai: A Global Stage

The timing and location of the Cayenne Electric’s debut are no coincidence. The Icons of Porsche Festival in Dubai has become a hub for global fans, with last year’s event drawing over 28,000 attendees. By choosing the festival for the SUV’s first in-person appearance, Porsche is underscoring both the Cayenne’s international appeal and the growing importance of the Middle East as a luxury EV market.

Source: Porsche

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Bentley Hits the Brakes on Its EV-Only Future, but the Next Flying Spur Still Looks Electrifying

Like many automakers reassessing their electric dreams, Bentley is taking a step back from the fast lane of full electrification. The storied British marque has quietly eased off the throttle on its “all-EV by 2030” plan, now pushing that goalpost to 2035.

That’s not to say the Crewe-based brand is abandoning its vision of a silent, zero-emission future—just that it’s acknowledging reality. Market demand, regulatory limbo, and the expectations of Bentley’s well-heeled clientele have prompted a more measured approach. Between now and then, expect a mix of internal-combustion, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid offerings to carry the torch.

A Flying Spur for Every Powertrain

At the heart of Bentley’s recalibrated strategy sits the next-generation Flying Spur, which is shaping up to be one of the most versatile sedans in the brand’s history. While official details remain as tightly guarded as a royal’s address, whispers from Crewe suggest that the big Bentley will arrive with three flavors: a traditional twin-turbo V8, a PHEV setup, and a fully electric variant sitting atop the range.

The internal-combustion model isn’t going quietly. Expect a heavily revised 4.0-liter V8 pushing somewhere between 600 and 700 horsepower and up to 664 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in hybrid, meanwhile, will pair that same V8 with a rear-mounted electric motor and a 25.9-kWh battery, delivering an eye-opening 771 horsepower and 738 lb-ft through an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

For those who prefer the whisper of electrons, the EV version will reportedly share its bones with the upcoming Porsche Cayenne Electric. Expect up to 1,000 horsepower, a 113-kWh battery pack, and around 370 miles of range—plus wireless charging capability for the ultimate valet flex.

Design: Bold, Bright, and a Bit Brutal

Bentley previewed its next design chapter earlier this year with the EXP 15 fastback concept, a striking vision that hinted at where the brand is headed. The next Flying Spur will likely channel much of that concept’s DNA—but with the production realism Bentley buyers expect.

Gone are the soft ovals of old. In their place: slim vertical LED headlamps framing a rectangular, backlit version of the brand’s iconic upright grille. The long bonnet, sloping roofline, and muscular haunches remain, while frameless windows add a sleek, modern flourish. Don’t look for flush door handles, though—regulators apparently didn’t share Bentley’s enthusiasm for them.

Out back, a halo-style OLED taillight strip stretches across a smooth panel, anchored by a minimalist diffuser and subtle lip spoiler. The overall impression is clean, assertive, and unmistakably Bentley.

Inside: Tradition Meets Tomorrow

Bentley interiors have always blended opulence with craft, and the next Flying Spur looks set to take that ethos into the digital age. Drawing inspiration from the EXP 15, the cabin is expected to feature a wing-shaped dashboard, backlit wood veneer, and dual OLED displays—all tied together by Bentley’s signature knurled metal controls.

More futuristic touches could include an 87-inch augmented-reality head-up display, an AI-driven voice assistant, and even a retractable digital headliner for immersive ambient effects. Rear passengers, naturally, won’t be left out: expect reclining massage seats, fold-out tables, and modular display pods that redefine first-class travel on four wheels.

The Competition: Rarefied Air

The Flying Spur has always danced in rare company, and the next-gen version won’t be any different. Its primary sparring partners remain the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, though Bentley’s hybrid and EV strategy could also tempt buyers away from newer tech-driven luxury sedans like Huawei’s Maextro S800 in China.

The Road Ahead

Bentley’s decision to slow its EV rollout might look like hesitation, but it feels more like calibration. The company isn’t rejecting the electric age—it’s ensuring its values of craftsmanship, performance, and presence aren’t lost in translation.

Expect the next Flying Spur to break cover in late 2026 or early 2027, wearing the weight of Bentley’s heritage and the promise of its future. Until then, the message from Crewe is clear: luxury isn’t about rushing—it’s about arriving perfectly.

Source: Bentley