The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI and Jetta Sport are attempting to solidify their unique place in the compact car segment with new technology and sharpened driving dynamics. But is it enough to help it stand out against growing CUV and SUV demand?
Automakers
Hyundai May Build the N Vision 74, a Hydrogen-Powered Retro-Rocket, After All
They’ll build it. They’ll build it not. The fate of the retro-futuristic Hyundai N Vision 74 concept has been a source of constant debate since it was first unveiled in July 2022. The automaker subsequently insisted the show car was never going to see the light of day. Now, however, it’s starting to look like a production version really is in the works, at least based on what came out during the automaker’s latest Investor Day event.
Bentley To Launch 2025 Flying Spur Plug-In Hybrid Sedan
With Bentley’s June announcement of a hybrid 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed, it’s hardly surprising that the same system would find its way into the Flying Spur . And, as it turns out, the British luxury marque has confirmed the sedan will add a PHEV drivetrain for 2025.
Tesla Readying Debut of First Robotaxi
The day that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has talked about for years is about to arrive. Tesla’s reportedly set to debut its first purpose-built robotaxi in California next month. It arrives at a tenuous time for self-driving vehicles. Get more detail at Headlight.News.
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT Adds Off-Road Chops
Who says EV sales are slowing down? Certainly not Hyundai where demand is up by double-digits this year. It helps to keep expanding the line-up with new models like the upcoming EV9. But the Korean carmaker also is expanding the array of variants spun off of existing models. And, for 2025, that will include its first off-road-ready EV, the Ioniq 5 XRT.
First Drive: 2025 Volvo EX90 Twin Motor Performance
If you ask CEO Jim Rowan, the new Volvo EX90 “is a statement for where we are and where we’re going.” It’s not the first all-electric model from the Swedish automaker but it’s certainly the most powerful and lavishly equipped, serving as a counterpoint to the familiar XC90. To get a sense of what the new model is all about I spent a couple days driving the top-line Twin Motor Performance package around the Southern California coast. Here’s what I learned.
The Past Lane: A Revolutionary Small Car Turns 65
The Mini Cooper is a true icon of the automotive industry, sporting a powertrain that revolutionized car design and engineering. It’s about to celebrate its 65th anniversary and in this week’s Past Lane we look at how this improbable vehicle came to be.
Chrysler Descendant Wants to Keep Brands All in the Family
Since the formation of Stellantis a few years ago, speculation about what will happen with the low-selling, but still-iconic Chrysler brand has run rampant. Officials, led by CEO Carlos Tavares, assured there were plans for Chrysler. However, time has passed with just one product left, the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, and now someone wants to resurrect the brand: Walter P. Chrysler’s great-grandson. Find out more at Headlight.News.
From Plain Vanilla to Cutting Edge – Is Lexus Design Going Too Far?
It may be one of the best-selling luxury brands in the U.S. but Lexus has never been one seen as pushing the edge when it comes to styling. Not until recently, that is. But it’s upending its conservative approach with concepts like the LF-ZC and LF-ZL and could carry those edgy design themes into production. But is it going “too far”? That’s a question its global design chief is asking.
GM Facing Huge Liabilities as Court Okays Class Action Over Faulty Transmissions
If you had a faulty transmission on a General Motors vehicles built between the 2015 and 2019 model-years you could be covered by a new lawsuit certified by a federal court. The class-action could result in payouts to hundreds of thousands of owners across the U.S., as Headlight.News reports.
Mercedes-Benz Will Replace EQS With S-Class EV
The end is near for the Mercedes-Benz EQS electric sedan as the company confirms that the S-Class flagship sedan will have ICE and EV versions when the next generation model arrives.
Ford Joins Ranks of U.S. Companies Abandoning or Scaling Back Diversity Programs
Ford Motor Co. will pare back its diversity efforts, joining companies like Lowe’s, John Deere and Beam Suntory, the producers of Jim Beam liquor who have entirely abandoned so-called DEI programs. Ford’s move was hailed by conservatives, but denounced as “shortsighted” by human rights advocates. For his part, CEO Jim Farley said the automaker will still work to creative an “inclusive workplace.”