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Next-Gen Opel Astra to Use New STLA Platform

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Opel has confirmed that the next-generation Astra will be built at its Rüsselsheim facility, underpinned by Stellantis’ new STLA ONE platform. The move is part of a broader push that will see at least four new models launched by 2030, backed by an investment of over €1 billion into German operations. The Astra won’t be alone in this transition. The upcoming Corsa—Germany’s best-selling small car for over five years—will also shift to the STLA ONE architecture, signalling a unified and future-ready approach across Opel’s core lineup. The brand’s legacy in the C-segment remains strong, with around 25 million Kadett and Astra units sold over the past nine decades. Looking ahead, Opel is also working on a new C-segment SUV in collaboration with Leapmotor. Scheduled for production in Zaragoza from 2028, this model will be designed in Rüsselsheim but developed with global engineering teams, highlighting Stellantis’ increasingly international footprint. Meanwhile, constru...
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BYD Dolphin G DM-i Targets Europe with 646-Mile Range

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BYD has pulled the wraps off the Dolphin G DM-i, its first model engineered specifically for Europe—and it’s aimed straight at the heart of the B-segment. This plug-in hybrid promises impressive efficiency, offering up to 65 miles of pure-electric driving and a claimed 646-mile combined range. At its core is BYD’s Super Hybrid system, pairing a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 163 PS electric motor. The result is a compact hatchback that blends everyday usability with long-distance capability, posting a headline fuel efficiency figure of 201.7 mpg (WLTP weighted). The Dolphin G DM-i also packs practicality. A 2610 mm wheelbase frees up cabin space, while a 425-litre boot outclasses many rivals—even those from a segment above. Buyers can choose from four trims: Active, Boost, Comfort, and Sport. The entry-level Active gets a 7.42 kWh battery, delivering up to 24.8 miles of electric range. Step up to the higher trims, and an 18.3 kWh unit boosts that figure to 65 miles...
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BMW iX3 Prototype Covers 800 km Without Charging

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BMW has showcased the efficiency of its upcoming Neue Klasse platform, with an iX3 50L xDrive prototype completing the demanding Qinghai Lake loop in China without a single recharge. The EV covered over 800 km, finishing the run with 2% battery remaining—hinting at a real-world range of up to 840 km. The route wasn’t easy. Starting from Xining at 2,200 metres above sea level, the SUV climbed to nearly 4,000 metres before descending back, tackling an altitude swing of almost 2,000 metres. Add to that temperatures ranging from 1°C to 21°C, plus heavy snow and rain, and it becomes clear this was no ordinary efficiency run. The entire drive was completed in Efficient mode. Powering the prototype is BMW’s sixth-gen 108.7 kWh battery using newly developed cylindrical cells, paired with a drivetrain that cuts energy losses by up to 40%. The brand’s Energy Master management system and “Heart of Joy” control unit also play a key role, enabling energy recuperation in up to 9...
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Why Every Rider Should Understand the Role of Motorcycle Screens

There's a certain freedom that comes with riding a motorcycle. The open road, the wind in your face, the sense of being completely connected to your surroundings — it's unlike anything else on wheels. But as romantic as that wind-in-the-face feeling sounds, the reality of riding at highway speeds without proper wind protection can be exhausting, uncomfortable, and even dangerous. That's where motorcycle screens come into the picture, and understanding their role can genuinely change the way you experience every ride. What Exactly Are Motorcycle Screens? At their most basic, motorcycle screens — sometimes called windscreens or windshields — are protective panels typically mounted at the front of a motorcycle. They're designed to redirect airflow away from the rider, reducing wind blast, fatigue, and exposure to the elements. While they may look like a simple piece of shaped plastic or polycarbonate, the engineering and design behind them is surprising...
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Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe's Axial Flux Motor Enters Production

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Mercedes-Benz has kicked off large-scale production of its advanced axial flux electric motor at the Berlin-Marienfelde plant, with the tech making its global debut in the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. Spread across 30,000 square metres, the facility houses three production halls and seven assembly lines. Interestingly, 35 of the 98 manufacturing steps are entirely new, with over 30 patent applications filed as part of the programme. Unlike traditional radial motors, the axial flux design places the electromagnetic flow parallel to the rotation axis. With a compact disc-like layout—featuring two rotors surrounding a stator—it delivers significantly higher power density in a smaller package. The core technology has been developed by YASA, a UK-based firm fully acquired by Mercedes-Benz in 2021. In the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, three of these motors form high-performance electric drive units, enabling a blistering 0–100 km/h time of just 2.1 seconds and a top speed of 30...
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Mitsubishi Eclipse Returns as Electric Sportback SUV

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Mitsubishi Motors North America has unveiled the 2027 Eclipse Sportback, marking the return of a familiar nameplate—this time as a fully electric subcompact SUV. Built on the new Nissan Leaf platform under the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, the EV is set to hit the market by late summer or early autumn 2026. While it shares its underpinnings with the Leaf, the Eclipse Sportback stands apart with Mitsubishi’s signature styling. It features redesigned front and rear fascias, unique lighting elements, new alloy wheels, and the brand’s Triple Diamond identity, giving it a distinct road presence. Mitsubishi’s EV journey dates back decades, highlighted by the i-MiEV—widely regarded as the world’s first mass-produced electric car. With the Eclipse nameplate originally debuting in North America in 1990, its revival signals a blend of heritage and electrification. The Eclipse Sportback also plays a crucial role in Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 strategy, which focuses hea...
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BMW Highway Assistant Crosses 200 Million KM Milestone

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BMW ’s hands-free driving tech is gaining serious traction. The brand’s Highway Assistant has now clocked over 200 million kilometres of hands-free customer use across models like the 5 Series, 7 Series, iX, X5, X6, X7 and XM. The next evolution of the system will debut with the upcoming iX3, significantly expanding its reach in Europe from a single country to over 20. With BMW Maps navigation active, the system offers entry-to-exit motorway driving, taking over both steering and speed control at up to 130 km/h. It can even perform automated lane changes, confirmed simply by a glance. BMW has built in multiple layers of safety. The system uses cameras and high-resolution maps for lane detection, while a driver-monitoring camera ensures the driver remains attentive. A dedicated control chip continuously checks system performance in real time. A key highlight of the new-generation tech is BMW Symbiotic Drive. This allows the driver to intervene—whether accelerating, ...
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