• This Lamborghini Urus Prototype Is Wearing The Weirdest Camouflage We've Ever Seen

    We’ve seen manufacturers use all sorts of creative and sometimes even weird ways to disguise upcoming production vehicles during their development. Some like to slap on a large amount of fake body panels, while others like to keep it simple with a colorful wrap. On the other hand, Lamborghini is experimenting with something we’ve never seen before. What you see in the attached video below is not a new version Stupid and even stupider'S dog carbut a new electrified version of the company's best-selling product, the Urus.

    The Italian company sold 6,087 Uruses in 2023, making it the biggest contributor to Lamborghini’s record-breaking year. The super-SUV will receive a plug-in hybrid version in late 2024, and the company is currently putting the finishing touches on that model. While the odd-looking disguise makes the plug-in Urus look like a cartoonish version of the high-performance family car, its true form will be sharp enough to match the increased output under the hood.

    While the company hasn’t confirmed what will power the Urus PHEV, logic dictates that it will receive an electrified version of the Volkswagen Group’s 4.0-liter V8. In the Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, that engine is paired with an electric motor for a total system output of 729 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. We suspect Lamborghini might have the upper hand given its position in the hierarchy, meaning the spark-powered Urus could be more powerful.

    If you want the new Urus with a pure combustion V8, you’re already too late. Lamborghini is currently busy producing the last ICE model, as the entire production run has already sold out ahead of schedule. However, if you want to order a plug-in Urus, you don’t have to wait too long – its official debut is planned for later this year. By the middle of the decade, Lambo wants its entire model range to be electrified.

  • Remember the Kia Borrego? It Might Finally Be Dead


    The death of Kia's body-on-frame SUV appears to be near.

  • New Genesis GV70 Gets Super Big Screen

    The GV70 has been around since late 2020, so Genesis figured it was time for a mid-cycle refresh. After more than 200,000 units sold, the luxury crossover gets a mild exterior makeover and a major update inside.

    The 2025 GV70 replaces its split-screen display with the same 27.0-inch OLED display we saw last year in the G80, GV80, and GV80 Coupe. There are other changes besides the extra-large screen, though. The climate control panel has a new look and the shortcut buttons for media settings have been relocated. They used to be below the smaller HVAC display, but now they’re above it. The previous Genesis had silver-colored buttons, while the new ones are gloss black and flanked by a pair of silver knobs that the old model didn’t have.

    2025 Genesis GV70
    2023 Genesis GV70 Electrified Review

    The two-tone steering wheel gets a new winged Genesis logo while the center air vents are now housed in an oval cutout with gloss black trim. Hyundai’s luxury brand says it has tweaked the ambient lighting and made further changes to the GV70 Sport. More exciting trim levels get a flat-bottom steering wheel and contrasting orange stitching.

    On the outside, the GV70 is largely unchanged. The large, imposing grille gets a new pattern for the standard and Sport models. Genesis has added a pseudo skid plate to accentuate the vehicle’s appearance and has designed new 19-inch alloy wheels. The slightly revised headlights and taillights continue the “Two Line” motif. Rounding out the exterior changes is a reshaped exhaust.

    As you’d expect from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis products–today’s reveal is all about design changes, which are likely also planned for the GV70 Electrified. Well, minus the new exhaust setup, of course. We’ll have to wait a little longer for the technical specifications.

  • Kia's $30,000 Electric SUV Coming to the US

    Will the Kia EV3 come to the US or not? That was one of the (many) questions we had about the tiny EV when it was first revealed as a concept back in October. But we have good news, folks: The Kia EV3 is coming to the US soon.

    The company confirmed to Motor1 that its new entry-level electric car is coming to the U.S. soon. Kia won't say when its new electric car will go on sale or how much it will cost, but we have an idea.

    Kia EV3 Car

    Rumors suggest the new EV3 could arrive in the US as early as 2025, possibly even 2026. That’s when Rivian plans to release the R3. Given that the EV3 is smaller than the Seltos, it will almost certainly cost less than $35,000. Some reports suggest it could be closer to $30,000. The EV3 is 169.3 inches long—3.3 inches shorter than the Seltos.

    There’s not much to report from a technical standpoint, but Kia confirmed that the EV3 will use the same E-GMP platform as the EV6 and EV9, and its battery pack will have a gross capacity of 58.0 kilowatt-hours or 81.4 kilowatt-hours. That’s enough for up to 350 miles of range on Europe’s generous WLTP cycle; it should be good for 350 miles in the US. The estimated DC fast-charging rate is 128 kilowatts.

    Kia EV3 Interior
    Kia EV3 Interior

    Inside, the EV3 has two 12.3-inch touchscreens and an optional head-up display. It also comes with a variety of driver-assist safety technologies like lane-keeping assist, highway assist, automatic emergency braking, and more. It even has V2L charging capability; you can plug a hair dryer or coffee maker into the car and it will start.

    The EV3 also introduces a new one-pedal drive system called i-Pedal 3.0. This system features adjustable regen, which can be accessed via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

    Other than that, we’ll have to wait until the production EV3 arrives in the US to find out more. Stay tuned for more.

    Kia EV3 Car

  • The BMW 5 Series Is Really Good

    In a world full of complexity, the new BMW 5 Series remains simple. Unlike the electric i5 and the overly heavy M5, both of which are complex in their own ways, the base BMW 530i doesn’t have to try hard to be a great luxury sedan—it just is.

    For $58,895, you get a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with mild hybrid assistance, a luxurious, feature-laden cabin, a fun driving experience, and some tech you might not find elsewhere in this segment.

    Brief Specifications 2024 BMW 530i
    Machine 2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder Mild-Hybrid Turbo
    Output 255 Horsepower / 295 Pound-Feet
    Speed ​​0-60 mph 5.8 Seconds
    Heavy 4,090 pounds
    Base Price / As Tested Rp. 58,895/Rp. 68,445

    The base engine produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. That's seven more horsepower and 37 more pound-feet of torque than last year, and improvements to the combustion process result in higher efficiency; the 530i gets 30 miles per gallon.

    The 530i’s 2.0-liter engine makes ample power and does so smoothly. The base 5 Series takes 5.8 seconds to reach 60 mph (identical to the electric i5). The mild-hybrid system provides a nice jolt from the line before tapering off in the mid-range of the tachometer, and while the 530i isn’t a speed demon, the 48-volt hybrid system produces enough torque to pass easily at speed. The eight-speed automatic, meanwhile, is smooth.

    The 530i isn’t afraid to take a few turns, either. Instead of the overly complicated (but impressive) anti-roll suspension tech of the i5 or M5, the base 5er keeps it simple with double-wishbone front and five-link rear, with this car’s optional M Sport suspension ($3,000) adding adjustable dampers depending on the driving mode.

    The chassis is responsive and the steering is excellent. Even with a fair amount of revving, the body movements are predictable. Compared with the xDrive models, the rear-wheel-drive car moves around a bit more in Sport mode (which automatically turns off traction control). The variable-ratio steering also doesn’t feel overly fiddly or jerky, as in some other BMWs. It’s well-weighted and lets you know exactly what the big sedan is doing.

    Pros: Comfortable Ride, Comfortable Interior, Quiet, Very Efficient

    Visually, the BMW 5 Series probably won’t win any awards for its looks. There are too many creases up front, the wheel choices are a bit sketchy, and the rear looks over-designed. And if you add the M Sport package (as on this car), the front bumper becomes even more pronounced with chunky black plastic. It’s not a look most people will like.

    Most buyers, however, will fall in love with the 5 Series once they get behind the road. It’s as quiet as a bank vault; the four-cylinder barely makes a rumble, and the sound deadening produces few annoying thuds. The standard Veganza leather seats are plush; I can’t imagine why you’d want to upgrade to Merino leather ($2,450). And there’s more than enough room for two adults in the second row, with room for four more pieces of luggage in the trunk, thanks to its 18.4 cubic feet of cargo space.

    BMW offers its hands-free Driving Assistance Professional technology on the base model, but it costs $2,500 more. Even without it, the 530i comes standard with Active Driving Assistant with lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. And it has standard adaptive cruise control—which works well on the highway, applying throttle and braking inputs without issue—but adaptive cruise with stop-and-go costs $650 more, for some reason.

    At least you get BMW’s iDrive 8.5 infotainment system at no extra cost, which includes a 14.9-inch center touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. That setup has crisp graphics, a clean home screen, and very smooth scrolling. It’s only when you really start digging into the options that things get more complicated—but most of what you need is within a click or two. And BMW’s built-in “Hey, BMW” voice assistant makes it easy to turn up the temperature or adjust basic settings (when you want to listen).

    Cons: The look is inconsistent, not sporty, and some options are expensive.

    If you want more, there are plenty of upgrades available on the base 5er. This particular tester had the $3,000 M Sport package with a beefed-up suspension, 21-inch wheels, and plenty of M badging. It also included the $2,550 Premium package, which added remote start, a heated steering wheel, and Parking Assistant Plus—complete with remote parking.

    The total cost of the BMW 530i is still quite affordable at $68,445. The Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are both priced similarly with options. The only competitor that’s cheaper to start and more affordable with options is the Genesis G80—but it lacks a few features.

    The BMW 530i does a great job of not overcomplicating things. No, it won’t wow you with its performance or wow you with its luxury, but it has a good engine, a compliant suspension, a beautiful interior, and excellent handling on the road. What more could you ask for from an entry-level luxury sedan?

  • Ferrari Tests Tesla Model S Plaid at Its Maranello Factory

    Oh, Ferrari, what are you doing? A new video from outside the Prancing Horse’s Maranello factory shows employees at the Italian supercar manufacturer testing a Tesla Model S Plaid. We weren’t sure Ferrari had any plans to enter the electric sedan segment, so we were surprised to see the American luxury four-door in and around Ferrari’s inner sanctum.

    While Ferrari has embraced electrification in the form of hybrid cars, which accounted for nearly half of the brand's sales last year, its first all-electric model won't arrive until 2025.

    Maybe Ferrari is just getting a taste of what’s already on the market. Or maybe the company’s engineers are comparing Tesla to an upcoming PHEV system that will propel the car to 60 mph in two seconds before firing up the gas engine. We don’t know, but we hope Ferrari doesn’t pick up Tesla’s bad habits.

    We know the automaker will launch three new cars in 2024, one of which could feature a twin-turbocharged V6 plug-in hybrid. The successor to the LaFerrari will reportedly use an engine derived from the 296 GTB. We’ll also see the debut of the 812 Superfast replacement, but it likely won’t be electrified and will stick with a naturally aspirated V12. The camouflage-covered prototypes you see throughout the video are likely a hint of what’s to come.

    Ferrari may be focused on hybrids right now, but like the rest of the industry, it’s also looking into battery-powered vehicles. The Model S isn’t Tesla’s most popular model, but with over 1,000 horsepower in its most advanced configuration, any electric car from Ferrari would have to outperform the American four-door sedan from California.

  • BMW May Be Making an Electric M3 Wagon

    BMW recently gave the M3 Touring a facelift with sharper headlights and a bit more power. Plans are already underway for a CS special edition due in 2025 with plenty of standard carbon fiber parts and other engine upgrades. Looking further ahead, rumors suggest the M division is also working on a long-roofed M3 without a combustion engine.

    A well-known BMW insider who understands the Munich agenda and has a track record of doing things right claims that an electric M3 Touring is being planned. Posting on Bimmer Post forum, the source alleges that the Bavarian high-performance electric car has been approved for production. Rather than being based on the CLAR platform like current luxury cars, it will be underpinned by the Neue Klasse architecture developed specifically for electric vehicles.

    

<p>2025 BMW M3 Touring with inline six-cylinder engine</p>
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    2025 BMW M3 Touring with inline six-cylinder engine

    However, that won’t be happening anytime soon. BMW has already announced that it will launch a Neue Klasse-based 3 Series in 2026, with an electric M3 expected in 2027. Logically, the wagon will follow the sedan, so it likely won’t go on sale before 2028. The same insider claims that the sedan has also been given the green light, along with a next-generation gas-powered M3. Interestingly, there’s no word yet on a similar replacement for the current combustion-powered M3 Touring.

    If you want to stay up to date with BMW’s internal codenames, the gas-powered M3 is called the “G84” while the electric model is called the “ZA0.” The zero-emissions M3 Touring is said to be known as the “ZA1.” According to the same trusted source, the German luxury brand is also planning fully electric M versions of the Neue Klasse-based X3 and X4. Those are apparently being called the “ZA5” and “ZA7.”

    As for what the actual names of these cars will be, BMW has decided not to combine the “i” with the “M,” so don’t expect an iM3 or something similar. Oddly enough, the two letters have been combined for M Performance electric cars like the i4 M50, i5 M60, and i7 M70.

    

<p>The 2022 BMW Vision Neue Klasse previews the 2026 3 Series electric sedan and its M3 variant.</p>
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    The 2022 BMW Vision Neue Klasse previews the 2026 3 Series electric sedan and its M3 variant.

    said BMW M boss, Frank van Meel Engineering Archives Engineers have been working on a dual-motor setup with rear-wheel drive and a more powerful four-motor layout with all-wheel drive for some time now. The M3 reportedly uses the former setup, which produces around 700 horsepower. The same story will be true for the M variants of the X3 and the electric X4, as they will all be mechanically linked.

    It’s too early to tell if the electric M3 Touring will be sold in the United States, where high-performance sports cars are currently a bit of a forbidden fruit. Given the half-full situation, America will get the larger M5 Touring, which is scheduled to debut before the end of the year.

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