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Euronews
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Euronews
The best new EVs coming to Europe in 2025
For anyone who thought the electric car boom was a bubble, you only need to look at recent EV sales to see that going electric is now well and truly a mainstream option. Nearly 3 million new electric cars were registered in Europe in 2024, according to EV Volumes. And with more brands branching out into the EV market in the works, consumers are becoming spoiled for choice when it comes to models. Here's our pick of the most eagerly awaited electric cars coming to Europe this year. Ford's top-selling compact crossover is now fully electric, joining the Explorer, Capri, and Mustang Mach-E in the Blue Oval's growing EV stable. As lively as ever, the Gen-E sprints from 0–100 km/h in 8 seconds, offers a practical 376 km range, and packs a cavernous 523-litre boot along with a 43-litre front boot into city-friendly dimensions. Inside, a 12.8-inch digital cluster, 12.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Alexa integration keep you connected on the move while 135 km of range in just 10 minutes makes charging easy. The Puma is back - now electric - and ready to repeat its success. What to know: Battery: ~50 kWh (43 kWh usable) | Range: 376 km (WLTP) Charge: 10–80 per cent in 23 mins | Space: 523L boot Price: ~€33,000 (est) | Date: On sale now (select markets) Rivals: Kia EV3, VW ID.3, Volvo EX30 Hyundai's new flagship SUV brings seating for up to seven with a 620 km range to the family EV segment. Built on the E-GMP platform with 800 V architecture, it charges from 10–80 per cent in just 24 minutes. The cabin focuses on calm and connectivity, with twin 12.3-inch displays, BOSE audio, swivel seating, and a panoramic roof. With three rows and a premium finish, the IONIQ 9 is built for long journeys and big families. What to know: Battery: 110.3 kWh | Range: Up to 620 km (WLTP) Charge: 10–80 per cent in 24 mins | Capacity: 620L boot Price: €73,000–€75,000 (est) | Date: On sale now in Korea; EU in summer 2025 Rivals: Kia EV9, Volvo EX90, Tesla Model X Kia's sleekest EV yet ditches SUV bulk for saloon-hatch elegance. Closely based on the EV3 there will be two battery options and up to 630 km range. It combines aerodynamic efficiency (Cd 0.23) with 150 kW performance and fast charging. Inside, a 30-inch display turns it into a rolling entertainment suite - complete with YouTube, Netflix, and even karaoke. Add in Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capability and a low-slung stance, and the EV4 could be the surprise star of 2025. What to know: Battery: 58.3 or 81.4 kWh | Range: Up to 630 km (WLTP) Charge: Fast charge in 31 mins | Capacity: Up to 490L Price: €40,000–€45,000 (est) | Date: EU launch 2025 Rivals: VW ID.3, Renault Mégane E-Tech, Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal With its 4.9-metre length and nearly 1.9-metre width, the new Mazda 6e will be one of the largest electric saloons on the European market - bigger than a Tesla Model 3 and edging out the Hyundai Ioniq 6 in both length and width. It's sized to rival premium models like the Mercedes EQE. Inside, Mazda is promising a premium cabin experience, complete with a panoramic roof and a 14.6-inch gesture-controlled central screen. Range figures are competitive too: 499 km for the Standard model and up to 555 km for the Long Range version. The first shipment is already en route from China, with left-hand-drive markets getting the car this summer. Drivers in the UK and Ireland will likely have to wait until early 2026 to see it in showrooms. What to know: Battery: 80 kWh or 68.8 kWh | Range: Up to 552 km (WLTP) Charge: 10–80 per cent in 22–45 mins | Capacity: TBA Price: ~€43,000 (est) | Date: Summer 2025 Rivals: Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 The electric CLA is Mercedes' most efficient car to date, with up to 792 km range and 800 V charging that adds 325 km in 10 minutes. The tech is equally cutting-edge: a floating MBUX Superscreen, an AI-enhanced assistant powered by Microsoft and Google, and recycled materials throughout. It's luxury redefined for the sustainable, software-driven era. What to know: Battery: 85 kWh | Range: Up to 792 km (WLTP) Charge: 325 km in 10 mins | Capacity: 395L boot Price: €52,000–€58,000 (est) | Date: Late 2025/early 2026 Rivals: BMW i4, Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 Opel's newest EV is big on space and low on fuss. With up to 400 km range, clever interior packaging, and features like Intelli-Seats, roof load support, and a smartphone docking station, the Frontera is as practical as it is affordable. With a starting price under €30,000, this might just be Opel's most compelling EV to date - though any newcomer in the crowded small SUV segment will need to work hard to stand out among some seriously tough competition. What to know: Battery: 44 kWh (usable) | Range: Up to 400 km (WLTP) Charge: 10–80 per cent in 26 mins | Capacity: Up to 1,600L Price: From €28,990 | Date: Orders open now (Germany) Rivals: MG ZS EV, Jeep Avenger, Renault 4 E-Tech, Citroën e-C4 A retro reboot with real substance, the Renault 4 E-Tech is taller, tougher, and more practical than its sibling, the Renault 5. It offers a generous 420-litre boot, flat-folding rear seats, and a choice of two battery options: a punchy 52 kWh for longer trips or a lighter 40 kWh LFP ideal for city driving. Inside, the OpenR Link system with Google integration and Renault's voice-activated avatar, Reno, makes its tech feel seamless. French-built, family-friendly, and full of charm - this is a stylish all-rounder at a competitive price, with just enough personality to keep things fun. What to know: Battery: Up to 52 kWh | Range: Up to 400 km (WLTP) Charge: 15–80 per cent in ~35 mins | Capacity: 420L boot Price: ~€30,000 (est) | Date: Launching 2025 Rivals: Ford Puma Gen-E, Fiat 600e, Citroën ë-C3 Aircross Toyota joins the small electric SUV race with the Urban Cruiser EV - an urban-friendly crossover that blends everyday practicality with a hint of adventure. Expected to offer up to 402 km of range, it will launch with two battery options: a 49 kWh unit delivering around 299 km and a 61 kWh version. Front-wheel drive will be standard, but four-wheel drive will be an option in some markets. Inside, features like sliding rear seats, 12-colour ambient lighting, and a high-spec infotainment system add comfort and flair. If Toyota gets the pricing right, the Urban Cruiser could be a strong contender in the crowded compact EV segment. What to know: Battery: 49 kWh, 61 kWh | Range: Up to 400 km (est) Charge: Charging specs To be announced | Capacity: Boot space To be announced Price: ~€35,000 (est) | Date: EU rollout late summer 2025 Rivals: Jeep Avenger, Peugeot e-2008, Renault 4 E-Tech, MG ZS EV The European Commission is planning to present a strategy on quantum earlier than expected in June this year in a bid to boost uptake of the technology considered capable of leading to breakthroughs in medicines and finance. The Commission began consulting on a plan early last month and originally intended to launch the strategy in the third quarter of the year. The proposal will aim to reinforce Europe's tech sovereignty and economic security in quantum technologies, including computing and communication. It is expected to call for member state cooperation to fully implement the European Declaration on Quantum Technologies, which was signed last spring. It will also call for alignment of major research and development programmes and pool resources to avoid fragmentation and duplication, and collectively build pan-European quantum infrastructures, such as for quantum chip manufacturing and specialised platforms for computing and ensure a stable supply of critical components. 'The EU is strong in early-stage research but often struggles with scaling up, commercialisation and global outreach,' the Commission said when garnering feedback. In addition, it said that the EU lacks industrial capacity in key areas, such as the production of quantum processors and other hardware components. 'This technological dependence raises sovereignty concerns, particularly regarding supply chain vulnerabilities. Without a robust industrial base, the EU risks remaining dependent on non-EU providers for critical components.' In her confirmation hearing, the EU's Tech Commissioner, Henna Virkkunen, pledged to introduce a new strategy to boost the technology. Her mission letter, drafted by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said that the EU should intensify efforts and investment 'concerning the next wave of 'frontier technologies', including quantum computing.' The Draghi report on competitiveness, which came out late last year, also said that quantum computing will have a foundational role in next-generation digital frameworks, with major economic and security implications. It could contribute up to €850 billion to the EU economy in the next 15-30 years, his report claimed.
Irish Examiner
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Cupra Born VZ review: electric hot hatch outshines VW ID.3 with speed, style and serious range
Volkswagen is not generally known as a company that tends to take a rash punt on something – unless it's trying to trick us all with an emissions scandal, of course. Generally, though, it is a staid outfit where every decision is carefully measured and thought through. That being so, the creation of a new marque from scratch built on the foundations of one of VW's subsidiaries – SEAT – has been something of an ongoing curiosity. The new Cupra marque – despite the fact it has been with us since 2018 and was SEAT's performance sub-brand forever – still elicits frowns and much head-scratching from the motoring public who don't really know (or understand) what it is all about. Coming to a decision to make Cupra an actual nameplate in its own right could be considered a massive gamble in VW terms, but one would have to presume that a corporation of its size and clout considered all the implications before doing so. Those who reached the conclusion that Cupra was a wise road to travel may have kept to themselves the answers to numerous questions – not least wither SEAT? It has also been decided that they are preparing the brand for a push to establish a greater VW Group foothold in markets unused to having anything other than Volkswagen or Audi products available to them. One such market, of course, would be America. Some years ago, we actually tried to persuade several members of the management board at Skoda that they were mad not to put their toe in US waters and particularly so with their hugely successful SUV range. Needless to say, our thoughts on the matter were dismissed out of hand. What we did not know was that they were planning such a move, but it would not be with the Skoda nameplate – it would be with Cupra and in March last year they announced they would do so by the end of this decade. Of course, what nobody factored into the equation was Donald 'Tariff' Trump. His seemingly endless thirst for a deal has wracked world markets and upset pretty much everyone. It also unsettled those in Martorell, near Barcelona, who had been charged with readying Cupra for an assault on America. Cupra's stylish interior Their plans might have had to be put on hold for a while as everyone trading with America tries to ensure they're not tariffed out of business. You can be sure, however, that this dumb-ass idea to try and make America great again, will not put a stop to their intentions in the long-run. From something of a standing start, Cupra has made steady ground across Europe as a sort of sub-premium car maker with ambitious plans. They have thus far come up with an impressive range of models and like Skoda (within the parameters they were allowed) have made a bunch of cars that – embarrassingly – often put their Wolfsburg equivalents well in the shade. Read More Essential electric vehicle tips for Irish road trips and motorway driving One such has been the Cupra Born, the company's first EV which shares a lot with the VW ID.3, except it is a much better car. It is better looking, far more premium-minded and still reasonably priced. We've driven a few of them since they arrived in 2021 and recently we got our hands on another. We were, once again, impressed. This time around we had the VZ version of the car, which is the EV hot hatch model – and quite the thing it is. Like its lesser siblings, it shares a lot with the ID.3, but in this case it is specifically twinned with the ID.3 GTX. Interestingly, we will not be seeing that VW here for some time, so for the powers-that-be in Wolfsburg to allow the Cupra Born VZ to steal some of their thunder, is a measure of just how important the new brand is for the group right at this very moment and into the future. Now, while the Born has been critical in growing sales for the new marque – along with the excellent Formentor, which we will be trying again soon. Across Europe it sold over 45,000 units last year and, it is obviously hoped that by sprucing it up, it will sell many more this year. The VZ handle stands for 'Veloz' (speed in Spanish) and while the transition to hot hatch has not seen much development on the exterior look (some new colours and new 20' alloys), under the skin there is 40% more power and 75% more torque, as well as better range and charging times thanks to a new 79 kWh battery. The new Cupra Born But that's not all because the suspension has been tweaked, the anti-roll bars have been upgraded and the brakes and steering also given a going over. The interior has also been upgraded, with all manner of lighting systems and an excellent pair of Sabelt bucket seats for the driver and passenger. The Born was always a nice car to drive or be driven in. Now, though, it has a new edge and the increase in grunt now sees 322 bhp being delivered, as well as a 0-100 km/h time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed just shy of 200 km/h. The range too has improved to a fraction under 600 km, which is pretty impressive for a small EV and even moreso when you factor in the power increases. It is a rear-wheel-drive car, so with that extra power it might be a tricky wet weather companion, but upgraded steering and a host of electronic aids eliminate most of those downsides. The traction control system is excellent and while the ESC might be a bit intrusive for some, it keeps things sensible. This is something unusual for an electric in that it likes to be hustled; many of them are simply quick, but don't particularly like corners. This one does both satisfactorily and while the ride is a little on the stiff side, that's for a good reason. Cornering and grip levels are top drawer. One issue that rear its head was the relatively spongy brakes. While these have been upgraded, they are still too slow to react for my liking and you really had to jump on them to get a satisfactory response. Overall, though, this was a car that impressed greatly and, to be honest, one which came very close to securing a valued (and rare) 5-star review. It did everything really well and was comfortable and practical while doing so. The only thing that took the shine off somewhat was that issue with the brakes which were really not up to the standards set everywhere else in the Born design and took the gloss off an otherwise outstanding vehicle. But we set a high bar here at Examiner Motoring and the Born just didn't clear it satisfactorily, which is something of a blot on a pretty much blemish-free car from the marque. And remember too that if you're unfamiliar with all things Cupra, you'll soon be wondering why that was ever the case. And, if you're American, you can look forward to something new, fresh and exciting coming your way soon.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volkswagen has a plan to turn things around
There's no denying that Volkswagen has been on a downward trend over the past few years, and now the automaker themselves recognizes that fact. With that recognition comes pieces put in place to fix the problem. Volkswagen has a plan to catch up to competitors, and it all starts in Wolfsburg, competitors and electrification have put Volkswagen between a rock and a hard place. In order to catch up to the competition, Volkswagen has a strategy they're calling Triple A, which stands for Accelerate, Attack, and Achieve. In order to catch up to the competition, Volkswagen plans to put nine new models on the road by 2027. So far, VW has confirmed two smaller, more affordable models will join the ID. family, namely the ID.2, expected to arrive in 2026, and the ID.1, expected in 2027. Volkswagen plans to unveil the new ID.1 at the beginning of March. The upcoming model will feature an all-electric powertrain and start at around €20,000, or roughly $20,900 USD. Employees at the Wolfsburg plant will see the upcoming model before the general public. 'An affordable, high-quality, and profitable electric Volkswagen from Europe for Europe – that's the Champions League of automotive engineering!' said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of VW Passenger Cars. The Wolfsburg plant will remain the main stage for Volkswagen's electrification plans. In order to make way for new technology to produce electric models, Volkswagen is moving production of the Golf to Mexico. The upcoming all-electric Golf, however, will be built in Wolfsburg with help from Rivian. It's expected to return towards the end of the decade, marking the model's comeback after VW ended production of the original e-Golf back in December it currently stands, Volkswagen certainly isn't in a bad spot. The German automaker has the ID. family in their pocket, which has been one of the automaker's best-selling models. Since the ID. brand hit the market in 2019, more than 1.35 million models have left dealer lots under new ownership, just over a quarter of which were the ID.3. Last year, the VW ID.3 sold 383,100 EVs globally. Currently, Volkswagen only offers the ID.4 and ID. Buzz in the United States. Given how much Americans love their larger vehicles, it's not a bad offering by any means. Unfortunately, the ID. Buzz was met with a lukewarm reception, largely due to its price. On the bright side, Volkswagen is expected to bring the ID.8, an all-electric three-row SUV, to the United States in the next few years. Volkswagen also offers more all-electric models in Europe and other markets, including China. In 2024, just over 149,000 VW ID.3 models were sold, while the ID. Buzz sold just under 30,000 units. The VW ID.4, the standard SUV version, and ID.5, the coupe model, saw the best sales of VW's ID. family, coming in at 182,000 the introduction of two smaller, more affordable all-electric models, Volkswagen is set to make inroads with a new demographic of consumers. On top of that, a larger all-electric three-row SUV will give American drivers another model to choose from. Volkswagen is currently in phase one of its Triple-A strategy. With plenty of all-new EVs on the horizon, the German automaker is positioning itself to battle with Chinese automakers on a global scale in the near future. While Volkswagen still has some catching up to do, the fact that it has not only avoided closing plants but is also setting them up for the future is a positive indicator. On the other hand, by the time its new EVs launch, the competition will be even fiercer. There's not much left to do but wait and see what the German automaker has in store.
