Tag Archives: vehicles

NEW CARS

Zeekr 7GT: Sleek Chinese EV Estate Eyes Europe with Aggressive Pricing

Zeekr, the Geely-owned electric brand, is making its European ambitions clear with the launch of the 7GT, a sleek, high-tech estate designed to challenge established EVs like the Volkswagen ID.7 and Hyundai Ioniq 6. Officially unveiled today at the Brussels Motor Show, the 7GT will eventually make its way to the UK later this year.

Originally revealed in China last year as the 007 GT, the 7GT wears its European intentions on its sleeve. Measuring 4,817 mm long, 2,070 mm wide, and 1,456 mm tall, it offers a commanding presence on the road. Yet Zeekr undercuts its rivals aggressively: prices start at €45,990 (£40,000) and peak at €57,490 (£50,000), a fraction of the cost of comparable German and Korean EV estates.

The car is built in Hangzhou, China, but designed in Europe with European roads in mind, says Zeekr, highlighting the brand’s focus on styling and driving dynamics. Underpinning the 7GT is Geely’s PMA2+ platform, and buyers can choose from three configurations: Core rear-wheel drive, Long Range rear-wheel drive, and Privilege all-wheel drive.

Power comes from either a 75-kWh or 100-kWh battery pack, delivering a claimed range of up to 413 miles on the WLTP cycle. An 800-volt electrical architecture allows blistering charging speeds, with a compatible charger topping the battery from 10% to 80% in just 13 minutes. The range-topping AWD model produces 637 bhp, hitting 62 mph in a mere 3.3 seconds, though top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph.

Inside, the 7GT blends technology with minimalism. A 16-inch infotainment screen dominates the center stack, flanked by a 13-inch digital instrument cluster and a sprawling 35-inch head-up display. Despite its sleek profile, the estate offers 456 liters of luggage space—enough for weekend getaways or the occasional IKEA run.

While exact UK arrival dates are pending, Zeekr expects the 7GT to land in late summer, marking the next step in its European offensive. With competitive pricing, cutting-edge tech, and European-focused engineering, the 7GT could be a compelling alternative for buyers looking beyond traditional EV brands.

Source: Zeekr

NEW CARS

Kia Expands Its EV Lineup with Three New GT Performance Models

Kia is pushing its electric vehicle strategy into more performance-oriented territory, unveiling GT versions of the EV3 crossover, EV4 hatch and fastback, and EV5 SUV at the Brussels Motor Show. These newcomers join the existing EV6 and EV9 GT models, expanding Kia’s roster of high-performance electrics.

The trio shares a philosophy articulated by Alex Papapetropolous, Kia Europe’s planning boss, who told Autocar, “We don’t treat GT like a one-off, like some competitors. GT models are about more than just extra power. We have hardware to deliver everyday emotion – and we want to deliver that in a sophisticated way.”

The EV3 and EV4 GTs are built on the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform and share a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup that pairs a 194-hp front motor with a 94-hp rear unit, producing a combined 288 horsepower. Both draw energy from an 81.2-kWh battery, the same as the Long Range versions of their standard siblings. Official range figures haven’t been released, but performance is respectable: the EV3 GT hits 62 mph in 5.7 seconds, while the more aerodynamic EV4 GT clips that by a tenth of a second.

Kia has gone beyond raw numbers with these models. Bespoke chassis tuning, electronically controlled suspension with unique GT settings, cornering stability enhancements, and 20-inch performance tires are all part of the package. A dedicated GT drive mode further sharpens throttle response, steering, and suspension behavior for what Kia describes as a “more focused and immersive driving character.”

Inside, the EV3 GT features bucket-style seats inspired by the EV9 GT and neon-accented trim. The EV4 GT, offered in both hatch and fastback forms, adds a three-spoke steering wheel and other sporty interior touches. Both models also feature Kia’s virtual gearshift system, which uses active sound design to enhance the driving experience—a feature familiar from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and the forthcoming Genesis GV60 Magma.

Kia GT Performance EV Lineup

The EV5 GT, meanwhile, steps up with a slightly more powerful powertrain: a 208-hp front motor combines with a rear motor for a total output of 302 horsepower, enabling a 0-62 mph sprint in 6.2 seconds. While Kia hasn’t disclosed battery size or full performance specs, the standard EV5’s 88.1-kWh pack is a likely candidate. The SUV also benefits from electronically controlled suspension with a “road preview system” that adjusts automatically to upcoming bumps and curves, along with performance tires and bespoke sport interior elements.

Production of all three GT models is slated for the second quarter of 2026, though pricing and UK availability have not yet been announced.

With these additions, Kia is signaling that GT is no longer just a halo badge—it’s an ethos across its EV lineup, combining everyday usability with genuine driving excitement.

Source: Autocar

NEW CARS

Hyundai Staria Electric Aims to Make Minivans Cool Again

Hyundai has never been shy about turning the volume knob past 11, and the Staria proves it. Now the brand is plugging in its most spaceship-like MPV yet, aiming squarely at rivals like the Kia PV5 and Ford E-Tourneo Custom with a fully electric Staria that’s officially headed for Europe—and potentially the UK.

First launched in 2021, the Staria looked less like a minivan and more like something that had slipped through a wormhole from the year 2045. Underneath its monolithic skin sits the same platform as the Santa Fe, and until now European buyers have only had diesel power to work with. That changes with the debut of the Staria Electric, revealed at the Brussels motor show and approved for right-hand-drive markets.

At 5255mm long and nearly two metres tall, the Staria Electric isn’t just big—it’s unapologetically enormous. A 2375mm wheelbase supports either seven or nine seats, making this the largest electric vehicle Hyundai currently offers. The company sees its appeal extending from large families to airport shuttle fleets to anyone whose idea of an “active lifestyle” involves hauling half their life at once.

Power comes from an 84kWh lithium-ion battery feeding a 216bhp motor driving the front wheels. Hyundai hasn’t published a 0–62mph time, but given the output and size, expect something around the eight-second mark. Top speed is a claimed 114mph, and towing capacity tops out at a respectable two tonnes—figures that keep it competitive with both ICE and electric people-movers.

The real eyebrow-raiser is underneath. Despite being based on an internal-combustion platform, the Staria Electric uses 800-volt electrical architecture—the same tech found in Hyundai’s dedicated EVs. That enables rapid charging from 10 to 80 percent in just 20 minutes, implying average charging speeds north of 180kW. For a vehicle this size, that’s genuinely impressive.

Visually, the electric version doesn’t stray far from the facelifted ICE model. You still get the unmistakable wraparound LED light bar, twin sliding doors, massive glasshouse, and a cavernous interior with a flat floor and cathedral-like headroom. Hyundai says suspension tweaks and additional sound insulation have been added to better suit the quieter EV powertrain.

Inside, the dashboard mirrors other modern Hyundais, with twin 12.3-inch screens and a welcome number of physical buttons for key functions. The column-mounted gear selector frees up space in the centre console, reinforcing the Staria’s lounge-on-wheels vibe.

Hyundai plans to offer the seven-seat Luxury version and the four-row Wagon variant in Europe during the first half of the year. UK availability hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the intent is clearly there.

If minivans are due for an electric reinvention, the Staria Electric makes a compelling case—big, bold, fast-charging, and utterly unconcerned with blending in. Whether British buyers are ready for something this unapologetically futuristic is the only remaining question.

Source: Hyundai