Verne and Pony.ai have started testing fully autonomous robotaxis on public roads in Zagreb, marking a significant milestone for driverless transportation in Europe. The approximately 22-kilometer route between Buzin and Zagreb Airport is being used for testing without a safety operator behind the wheel, while Verne personnel monitor the vehicles remotely.
The move represents the next phase of Verne’s robotaxi project, which began in Zagreb in April with a human safety operator present in every vehicle. That requirement has now been removed from the test vehicles, allowing the cars to navigate and make driving decisions without a person capable of taking control from the driver’s seat.
For now, however, this is still a testing program rather than a commercial robotaxi service. Passengers cannot yet book these driverless rides through the Verne or Uber apps.
Zagreb Robotaxis Enter a New Phase
The latest tests are taking place on the route between Buzin and Zagreb Airport, covering approximately 22 kilometers. The vehicles operate autonomously, while Verne’s personnel supervise their movement remotely.
According to Verne and Pony.ai, the Zagreb project represents the first test of fully autonomous vehicles on public roads in Europe. The companies describe the removal of the safety operator as an important step toward a future in which robotaxis can operate without a human driver inside the vehicle.
The distinction is important. Autonomous driving technology has been tested in various forms for years, but removing the human safety driver introduces another level of operational and regulatory complexity. The vehicle must not only control steering, acceleration and braking, but also respond appropriately to traffic, road conditions and unexpected situations without immediate intervention from someone sitting behind the wheel.
Commercial Robotaxi Rides Are Still to Come
Although Verne’s vehicles have already been operating in Zagreb, the latest driverless runs remain strictly for testing purposes. The company has not yet commercialized the fully autonomous service, meaning members of the public cannot currently request these rides through the Verne or Uber applications.
Testing is expected to expand gradually over the coming months, eventually covering the area where Verne’s robotaxi service already operates.
The companies have not indicated that the removal of the safety operator means commercial availability is imminent. Instead, the latest development should be viewed as another stage in the process of validating the technology and preparing the service for broader use.
How Verne, Pony.ai and Uber Fit Into the Project
The Zagreb robotaxi project brings together three companies with different responsibilities.
Verne is responsible for organizing and operating the robotaxi service in Zagreb.
Pony.ai provides the autonomous driving technology.
Uber is the future distribution platform, with the robotaxi service expected to become available to users through its app.
The partnership gives Verne control over the local operation while allowing Pony.ai to deploy its autonomous driving technology in a European environment. For Uber, the project offers a potential way to integrate autonomous vehicles into its existing mobility platform.
Pony.ai also believes that the experience gained in Zagreb will support the company’s broader expansion into the European autonomous transportation market.
A More Practical Robotaxi Interior
Verne has also introduced changes to the vehicle’s interior as part of the latest phase of development.
The front passenger seat has been removed, creating additional space for luggage and allowing the installation of a large screen. Passengers will be able to control various functions of the vehicle through a touchscreen positioned between the rear seats.
That layout reflects a different approach to vehicle design. In a conventional car, the front cabin is built around a driver and a front passenger. In a robotaxi, the interior can instead prioritize rear-seat passengers, luggage capacity and access to digital controls.
The changes are particularly relevant for airport transportation, where passengers may be traveling with suitcases and may value a more spacious rear compartment.
More Than 200,000 Autonomous Kilometers in Zagreb
Verne says its vehicles have completed more than 200,000 autonomous kilometers since the service launched in April. The company reports that this distance was accumulated through several thousand rides with users.
The reported average passenger rating is 4.7 out of 5, while the service currently covers an area of more than 100 square kilometers.
Those figures provide an early indication of the project’s scale, although they should not be confused with proof that the system is ready for unrestricted commercial operation. Autonomous driving performance must also be assessed across different traffic conditions, weather, road layouts and operational scenarios.
Still, the accumulated mileage gives Verne and Pony.ai a substantial amount of real-world experience to draw on as testing expands.
How Zagreb Compares With Waymo and Tesla
Fully autonomous ride-hailing remains relatively uncommon worldwide. Waymo is one of the most established providers of commercial robotaxi rides, while Tesla has also begun offering robotaxi services in a limited number of locations.
Tesla’s initiative remains in its early stages and is geographically restricted, while Waymo has developed a more established commercial operation in selected markets.
Verne’s Zagreb project is different in that it is still progressing through the testing phase. Nevertheless, the removal of the safety operator places the project among the more notable European efforts to move autonomous transportation beyond supervised driving.
What Comes Next for Verne’s Robotaxis?
The next step will be to expand testing gradually across the area where Verne already operates. The company’s objective is to demonstrate that its vehicles can safely and reliably perform autonomous journeys without a human safety operator inside the cabin.
The transition is significant because it changes the operational model of the service. Instead of relying on a driver who can intervene immediately, Verne must depend on the vehicle’s autonomous driving system, remote monitoring and the procedures supporting the entire operation.
For passengers, the eventual promise is straightforward: a robotaxi that can be requested through an app, travel independently and provide a comfortable journey without a driver in the front seat.
For now, Zagreb remains a testing ground. But with Verne, Pony.ai and Uber working together, the city is becoming an important European location for the development of driverless mobility.
The removal of the safety operator is not the final destination—it is a major step toward it.
Volvo Cars and Geely Auto have finalized a commercial partnership that will make Volvo Cars the exclusive distributor of Lynk & Co vehicles in Europe from January 2027. The agreement will bring Lynk & Co into Volvo’s established retail and service network, creating a broader sales and servicing opportunity for Volvo retailers while supporting Lynk & Co’s European expansion.
Volvo Cars and Geely Auto have completed the agreement for their previously announced commercial partnership involving Lynk & Co in Europe. Under the new arrangement, Volvo Cars will take responsibility for the brand’s commercial operations across the region, marking a significant change in how Lynk & Co will approach the European market.
The partnership is designed to combine Volvo Cars’ established commercial infrastructure with Lynk & Co’s distinctive product portfolio. Rather than building an entirely separate retail and service operation, Lynk & Co will gain access to Volvo Cars’ existing retailers and service network, creating a more scalable route to market.
Volvo Cars to Handle Lynk & Co Sales and Service in Europe
Beginning in January 2027, Volvo Cars will serve as the exclusive distributor of Lynk & Co vehicles in Europe. Its responsibilities will include the brand’s commercial operations, supported by Volvo Cars’ established network of retailers and service points.
For Volvo’s retail partners, the agreement is intended to create additional opportunities in both vehicle sales and aftersales servicing. Lynk & Co’s products will complement Volvo Cars’ lineup while maintaining a clear distinction between the two brands.
The strategy could allow Volvo retailers to reach a broader range of customers without diluting Volvo’s own brand identity. At the same time, Lynk & Co will benefit from a more extensive commercial footprint and improved customer access across Europe.
“This agreement enables Volvo Cars and our retail partners to reach more customers with a broader and differentiated portfolio of cars and through increased sales and service opportunities,” says Erik Severinson, Chief Commercial Officer at Volvo Cars.
Lynk & Co to Retain Its Brand Identity and Product Development
Although Volvo Cars will oversee Lynk & Co’s commercial operations in Europe, Lynk & Co will remain responsible for designing, developing, and certifying its global product portfolio as part of the Geely Auto Group.
That distinction is important. The partnership does not mean Lynk & Co is being absorbed into Volvo Cars. Instead, it establishes a new commercial structure while allowing Lynk & Co to preserve its core brand values of being trendy, vibrant, and personal.
Lynk & Co’s product development and global portfolio will continue under Geely Auto, while Volvo Cars will focus on bringing those vehicles to European customers through its established distribution infrastructure.
“This partnership brings together Volvo Cars’ established commercial infrastructure and Lynk & Co’s distinctive brand and product proposition. We will work closely with Volvo Cars to turn this partnership into sustainable long-term growth,” says Mo Wang, CEO of Lynk & Co International.
Martin Persson to Lead Lynk & Co Business at Volvo Cars
The Lynk & Co business within Volvo Cars will be led by Martin Persson, who will report directly to Chief Commercial Officer Erik Severinson.
His appointment places the new European commercial operation within Volvo Cars’ existing organizational structure and underlines the company’s intention to manage Lynk & Co as a dedicated brand with its own market positioning.
The partnership also builds on an existing relationship between the two companies. Volvo Cars and Lynk & Co are already represented through selected shared retail locations in Europe, meaning the agreement expands on an established collaboration rather than creating an entirely new connection.
A More Scalable European Strategy for Lynk & Co
For Lynk & Co, the agreement represents a strategic shift toward a more scalable retail model in Europe. By leveraging Volvo Cars’ European dealers and service points, the brand aims to accelerate its market expansion while improving access to customers.
The arrangement could also make it easier for Lynk & Co to expand its presence without having to develop a separate network of retail and aftersales facilities across every market.
For Volvo Cars, the partnership offers a complementary brand and additional commercial opportunities. For Lynk & Co, it provides access to an established European infrastructure while preserving control over its product identity and development.
The agreement therefore creates a structure in which both brands can pursue growth while maintaining clear differentiation. Its success will ultimately depend on how effectively Volvo Cars and Lynk & Co integrate their commercial operations, support retailers, and communicate the differences between their respective product offerings.
The Volvo Cars–Lynk & Co partnership will take effect in January 2027, with Volvo Cars assuming exclusive distribution responsibility for Lynk & Co vehicles in Europe.
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is not simply a more powerful version of the CLE Coupé. It is a comprehensive, hand-built transformation designed around one overriding objective: maximum driving dynamics. With a 646-hp V8 biturbo engine, rear-wheel drive, a significantly widened body, adjustable racing suspension and more than 250 kilograms of downforce at top speed, this road-legal coupé is engineered to feel as convincing on a winding country road as it is on a closed circuit.
Limited to just 30 examples worldwide, the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is the second model in Mercedes-Benz’s exclusive Mythos Series. Every car is comprehensively rebuilt at Mercedes-AMG’s headquarters in Affalterbach, and the entire production run was sold out before the model’s world premiere.
A CLE Reimagined as a Complete Performance System
The project began with an idea inside AMG’s engineering department rather than a conventional product-development brief. A small team initially built a prototype to answer a straightforward question: how far could the CLE be pushed toward maximum driving performance?
The answer was not a collection of optional upgrades. AMG engineers reworked the vehicle as an integrated performance system, combining a more powerful engine, a bespoke chassis, extensive lightweight construction, a wider bodyshell and purpose-developed aerodynamics.
The current Mercedes-AMG CLE Coupé provides the technical foundation, but the Spezialanfertigung is extensively modified. Approximately 170 kilograms have been removed compared with the donor vehicle, while the bodyshell itself has been reinforced and widened. The result is effectively a new performance machine, rebuilt to Affalterbach manufactory standards.
That extensive reconstruction explains the model’s name. “Spezialanfertigung” translates roughly as “special manufacture,” and in this case the designation describes far more than a cosmetic special edition.
646-HP V8 Biturbo with a Flat-Plane Crankshaft
At the center of the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is an extensively enhanced version of AMG’s M177 EVO 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine. The model’s name reflects its output: 646 hp (475 kW), with 850 Nm of torque available across a broad engine-speed range from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm.
The engine uses a flat-plane crankshaft, which reduces rotating mass and improves its ability to build revs. AMG has also developed dedicated engine mapping to sharpen throttle response and make the power delivery more immediate.
This is not a power increase designed merely to inflate a specification sheet. The engine has been integrated into a wider package intended to deliver a more responsive and engaging driving experience, particularly when the driver is working through corners and modulating the throttle.
Three Cooling Circuits for Extreme Loads
The V8’s thermal-management system has been enhanced to cope with the demands of intensive racetrack use and high ambient temperatures. It employs three separate cooling circuits:
A high-temperature circuit for the engine.
A low-temperature circuit for charge-air cooling.
A second low-temperature circuit for transmission oil and the 48-volt components.
The system is designed to maintain thermal stability under sustained loads, helping the engine and drivetrain deliver consistent performance rather than merely a brief peak output.
Titanium Exhaust and Akrapovič Collaboration
The V8’s character is reinforced by a bespoke high-performance exhaust system with increased flow capacity and a deliberately emotional sound signature. The cold-end design was developed in cooperation with Akrapovič, while extensive use of titanium contributes to the vehicle’s weight reduction.
The result is intended to preserve the unmistakable AMG V8 soundtrack while supporting the car’s broader lightweight and performance objectives.
Rear-Wheel Drive Replaces AMG 4MATIC+
One of the most consequential changes is hidden beneath the bodywork. The donor vehicle’s AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system has been removed entirely.
The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung sends its power exclusively to the rear wheels. That decision reduces weight, but more importantly, it fundamentally changes the car’s dynamic character. The driver becomes more directly involved in managing the relationship between engine torque, rear-axle traction and cornering attitude.
An electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential varies its locking action to optimize torque distribution between the driven wheels. This improves traction, stability and overall dynamic performance, while also allowing controlled drifting under suitable conditions.
It is a deliberately less forgiving configuration than all-wheel drive, but that is precisely the point. The Spezialanfertigung is designed to provide a more direct connection between the driver and the car.
AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G and 310 km/h Top Speed
Power is transmitted through AMG’s SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G nine-speed automatic transmission. The torque-converter gearbox combines rapid gear changes with a more relaxed shifting character when the selected drive program calls for it.
Depending on the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT setting, the transmission can deliver sharp, sporty shifts or exceptionally smooth gear changes. It can also execute multiple downshifts in quick succession, allowing the engine to reach its most effective rev range almost immediately.
The Launch Control system has been specifically adapted to the rear-wheel-drive layout. Mercedes-AMG quotes a 0–200 km/h acceleration time of 11.4 seconds, while top speed is limited to 310 km/h.
Those figures are impressive, but the more revealing detail is the drivetrain layout: this is a car designed to make its performance accessible through driver inputs rather than relying exclusively on maximum traction.
A Racing-Inspired Chassis Developed with KW Automotive
The suspension is one of the defining features of the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung. Mercedes-AMG worked with KW automotive to develop a steel coilover suspension system that can be precisely tuned for different driving styles, circuits and road conditions.
At its core is four-way adjustable damper technology, with independently configurable:
Low-speed rebound.
Low-speed compression.
High-speed rebound.
High-speed compression.
The low-speed settings influence body movements during braking, acceleration and turn-in. Their performance-focused calibration is intended to deliver sharper handling, improved driver feedback and greater stability.
The high-speed settings address rapid wheel movements caused by bumps, kerbs and surface irregularities. This allows the dampers to maintain control without compromising the car’s ability to absorb demanding road inputs.
The objective is not simply a stiff ride. It is a chassis that can be tuned to provide direct feedback, strong body control, traction and confidence when the car is operating close to its limits.
Ceramic Brakes Designed for Racetrack Abuse
The braking system has been engineered for sustained high loads. The AMG Ceramic High-Performance Composite Braking System includes a dedicated brake-cooling concept developed specifically for the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung.
Large air intakes in the front bumper and airflow-guiding elements improve heat dissipation. At the front axle, 420 x 40 mm internally ventilated and perforated ceramic discs are paired with six-piston fixed calipers. The rear axle uses 360 x 32 mm ceramic discs with single-piston floating calipers.
The front discs feature long-fiber technology designed to transfer heat more rapidly from the friction surface into the cooling channels. This helps reduce brake-pad temperatures during demanding braking.
Ceramic construction also reduces weight and unsprung mass compared with a conventional braking system. That benefits more than stopping performance: lower unsprung mass can improve wheel control, turn-in response and the suspension’s ability to follow the road.
The gold-painted calipers provide a visual reminder that this is a braking system designed for extreme performance.
A Body 60 Millimeters Wider at Both Axles
The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung’s proportions are not merely dramatic for the sake of appearance. Its bodywork has been extensively modified to support the car’s performance objectives.
The bodyshell has been reinforced and widened, increasing vehicle width by 60 millimeters at both the front and rear. The wider stance improves stability and cornering potential while creating the space required for exceptionally wide wheels and tires.
Carbon fiber is used extensively throughout the exterior, including:
Widened front fenders with integrated air outlets.
A redesigned front apron with large cooling intakes.
Side sill panels.
A bonnet with a central cold-air intake.
The roof.
The rear apron and diffuser.
A reinforced boot lid.
A manually adjustable rear wing.
The rear side windows and rear window are made from polycarbonate, while a lighter 12-volt starter battery contributes to the overall weight reduction.
The body structure also includes additional reinforcements and an integrated roll-over bar. These measures increase torsional rigidity, providing the foundation for precise suspension tuning and consistent driver feedback under high loads.
20-Inch Wheels with Tires Developed from AMG ONE Technology
They are fitted with exceptionally wide tires measuring 305/30 ZR20 at the front and 335/30 ZR20 at the rear. The tires are based on a further development of technology originally created for the Mercedes-AMG ONE.
Their design remains exclusive to the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, reinforcing the car’s position as a limited-production performance flagship rather than a conventional CLE variant.
The suspension also lowers the car by 22 millimeters at the front axle and 16 millimeters at the rear, giving it a lower center of gravity and a more purposeful stance.
A Two-Tone Finish for a One-Off Presence
The exterior design is finished in a distinctive two-tone combination. The front section is painted Mojave Silver Magno, while the bodywork from the B-pillar rearwards is finished in Obsidian Black Magno.
AMG crests on the driver’s and passenger’s doors emphasize the car’s bespoke character. The enormous grille, wide fenders and extensive exposed carbon-fiber elements give the CLE a far more aggressive presence than the standard coupé.
Yet the design is not simply about visual drama. Every major exterior modification serves a technical purpose, from cooling and wheelhouse ventilation to aerodynamic balance and downforce.
Aerodynamics: More Than 250 Kilograms of Downforce
The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung’s aerodynamic package includes a front diffuser, fender louvers, underbody modifications and a manually adjustable rear wing.
The front diffuser can be adjusted between two positions using three fasteners:
Street: intended for road use.
Race: intended exclusively for racetrack operation.
In the Race position, the diffuser creates an inverted-wing profile beneath the front end. It accelerates airflow under the car and generates a Venturi effect, increasing front-axle downforce.
The benefits are intended to be felt through the steering wheel. Increased front-end load improves high-speed stability, turn-in response and steering precision when the car is subjected to high lateral forces.
The center section of the carbon-fiber rear wing can also be manually adjusted to increase rear-axle downforce and achieve the desired aerodynamic balance on a circuit.
Fender Louvers and Underbody Airflow
Open louvers in the widened front fenders improve wheelhouse ventilation while contributing to downforce. An airflow channel next to the headlights directs air through the wheel arches and out through the louvers.
Additional flics mounted on the sides of the front apron optimize airflow, increasing front-axle downforce while also supporting brake cooling.
The aerodynamic work continues beneath the vehicle. The front underbody remains almost fully enclosed, while longitudinal fins in the flat floor locally accelerate airflow and contribute to additional downforce.
Mercedes-AMG states that the complete system generates well over 250 kilograms of downforce at top speed.
That figure is particularly significant because it comes from an integrated package rather than a single large wing. The diffuser, underbody, wheelhouse ventilation and rear wing are designed to work together, balancing aerodynamic load across both axles.
Nine-Stage AMG TRACTION CONTROL
For closed-circuit driving with ESP switched off, the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung features AMG TRACTION CONTROL, allowing the driver to select the level of rear-wheel slip support.
The system offers nine stages of adjustment, enabling the driver to tailor the car’s behavior to tire temperature, track conditions and personal preference.
At one end of the spectrum, the system can provide greater assistance in managing the engine’s considerable output. At the other, it allows experienced drivers to operate closer to the handling limit with reduced electronic intervention.
This is a feature that reinforces the car’s central philosophy: the driver should be able to determine how the car responds, rather than simply selecting a generic “Sport” or “Track” mode.
A Lightweight Interior with a Clear Purpose
The interior follows the same uncompromising approach as the exterior. AMG has removed the rear seats and acoustic insulation materials, reduced comfort equipment and simplified the sound system to save weight.
Several drive modes and assistance systems have also been deleted, allowing the number of controls on the AMG Performance steering wheel to be reduced.
The steering wheel itself is covered in DINAMICA microfiber and features a motorsport-inspired flattened shape designed to provide grip and control.
Ultra-lightweight racing bucket seats with pronounced lateral support are fitted as standard. A roll-over bar increases torsional rigidity, while lightweight carbon-fiber door panels complete the interior package.
The optional Performance Package adds six-point harnesses for the driver and passenger, further emphasizing the car’s circuit-focused character.
Hand-Built in Affalterbach
Every Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is hand-built in Affalterbach, based on a CLE 53 platform. The process continues AMG’s long tradition of exclusive manufactory craftsmanship, a tradition associated with iconic models such as the AMG 300 CE 6.0 “The Hammer.”
The extensive reconstruction is central to the car’s identity. This is not a vehicle that simply receives a power upgrade and a set of cosmetic changes on an assembly line. It is comprehensively rebuilt to meet the demands of its unique performance specification.
The Second Mercedes-Benz Mythos Series Model
The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is the second model in the Mercedes-Benz Mythos Series, a collection dedicated to exceptionally rare collector vehicles produced in strictly limited numbers.
It follows the Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed, which is limited to 250 examples worldwide and features an open two-seat configuration without a roof or windscreen.
The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung takes a different approach. It remains a road-legal coupé, but its engineering is directed toward uncompromising racetrack performance.
The result is a vehicle that combines a distinctive appearance, extreme performance and an unusually direct driving experience. With only 30 examples planned and the entire production run already sold out before its world premiere, it is also destined to become one of the rarest modern AMG models.
Verdict: A Road-Legal AMG Built Around the Driver
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is best understood as a purpose-built performance machine wearing the shape of a luxury coupé.
Its 646-hp V8, rear-wheel-drive layout, four-way adjustable suspension, ceramic brakes, carbon-fiber bodywork and sophisticated aerodynamic package are not isolated upgrades. They are parts of a single concept designed to make the car more precise, more responsive and more involving.
At a time when high-performance cars increasingly rely on all-wheel drive, complex electronic systems and additional weight to deliver speed, the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung takes a more focused approach. It removes weight, narrows the gap between driver and machine, and gives the rear axle a central role in the driving experience.
The result is an exceptionally rare AMG that promises to be as memorable for its engineering philosophy as it is for its performance figures.
