Latest news with #conceptcar
Auto Car
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Radical Cupra concept to showcase future of brand's design – and it has a yoke wheel
Close Cupra will showcase its future design language with a new concept car at the 2025 Munich motor show. To be unveiled on 8 September, the show car is expected to focus heavily on the future of Cupra's interior design. The preview picture released by the brand shows a radical new cabin similar to that of the DarkRebel concept shown in 2023. It includes a yoke-like wheel, chunky central spine similar to the electric Tavascan, and what appear to be racing seats. The brand said the concept will blend 'human and machine, where the driving experience and emotions reach their fullest expression', emphasising a focus on interior design. Cupra has revealed little else about the concept, but it is also expected to show the next step in the Spanish firm's exterior design language. The concept follows a major range-wide redesign last year in which the entire line-up was refreshed to bring parity between the new electric cars and older combustion models. The revamp mainly focused on the front end and included a prominent beak, a broader grille and triangular LED lights The show car will be revealed alongside a camouflaged production version of the new Raval – Cupra's Volkswagen ID 2 twin. The Raval will arrive in 2026 as the brand's new entry-level model and a rival to the Renault 5. It is expected to be priced at around £25,000.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Bentley's dog-friendly concept previews new electric urban SUV
Bentley is heading to an electric future, and this concept gives us our biggest clues yet what it will look like. The Bentley EXP 15 is a futuristic three-seat grand tourer concept that looks to the future while tipping its hat to the past. This is not a car you'll see on the road any time soon – or ever, in fact. Like all EXP models (EXP standing for Experimental Prototype) this one is a statement of intent, not a showroom model. But it's a bold and brilliant one, offering a taste of where Bentley is headed as it embarks on its journey into electrification with its all-electric urban SUV due to be unveiled next year. Inspired by the legendary 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting Coupe – better known as the 'Blue Train' – the EXP 15's proportions are unmistakably grand. There's a long 'endless' bonnet, a rearward-set cabin and a proud upright grille. It's every inch the grand tourer of Bentley lore, albeit wrapped in some very 21st-century tech and style. Just like the original Blue Train car that famously raced across France faster than the train it was named after, the EXP 15 has performance in its DNA – even if we don't yet know the numbers. It's imagined as a fully electric, all-wheel-drive machine, capable of covering big miles in silence and style, with a long range and fast charging. What you can see, though, is dramatic. The front grille remains large and iconic – despite not needing to feed air to a combustion engine – and now acts as a digital canvas lit up with intricate LED detailing. Slim lights frame it like jewellery, while a new 'prestigious shield' tailgate design and muscular rear haunches make for a powerful stance. Active aerodynamics, including deployable spoilers and a rear diffuser, show Bentley is serious about EV efficiency. Perhaps the most intriguing part of EXP 15 is the inside. Bentley's interior designers have let their imaginations off the leash and the result is a remarkable fusion of old-school craftsmanship and the very latest tech. The three-seat layout places the driver and a rear seat behind one another on one side, while the passenger gets a throne-like perch with a canopy that can wrap around them for privacy. Naturally, that seat swivels outwards to aid graceful exits. Then there's the tech. A huge dashboard spans the cabin, capable of switching from digital interface to beautiful wood veneer at the touch of a button. Nestled within is the so-called 'mechanical marvel' – a delightful centrepiece of moving illuminated fingers that's part art installation, part instrument cluster. It's Bentley's way of blending the physical and digital, and it works a treat. Even the boot gets in on the act – lift the rear hatch and you'll find not just storage but picnic seating, an ambient lamp and a fridge for chilled drinks. It's glamping, Bentley-style. Material choices are equally imaginative. A 100% wool textile by Fox Brothers – the firm behind thorn-proof cloth for centuries – features in a damson ombre finish, paired with 3D-printed titanium trim. A fine silk jacquard from Gainsborough Textiles – another British heritage brand – lines parts of the interior, while a new aluminium-based paint finish called pallas gold adds a liquid metal sheen to the bodywork. Cleverly, it's thin enough to let radar signals pass through it, making it future proof for autonomy, too. Bentley design boss Robin Page said 'the beauty of a concept car is not just to position our new design language, but to test where the market's going. It's clear that SUVs are a growing segment and we understand the GT market – through four generations of the Continental GT – but the trickiest segment is the sedan because it's changing. Some customers want a classic 'three-box' sedan shape, others a 'one-box' design, and others again something more elevated. So this was a chance for us to talk to people and get a feeling.' The exterior follows five design principles that will inform Bentley's future production cars: Upright Elegance, Iconic Grille, Endless Bonnet Line, Resting Beast stance, and Prestigious Shield. There's even a nod to thoroughbred horses in the car's silhouette – gently upright and poised like a champion ready to gallop. Inside, the guiding themes are just as poetic: Wing Gesture design for the dashboard; Bold Gravitas for generous surfaces and real materials; Cocooning Haven for comfort and privacy; Iconic Details like knurled switches and diamond patterns; and Magical Fusion – the blend of digital and mechanical that makes this interior so special. As ever with Bentley, it's not just about looking good – it's about feeling good. EXP 15 is designed to be thoughtful, intuitive and luxurious in equal measure. Whether it's adjusting to your mood, accommodating your pet or serving up a fridge-chilled drink from the boot, this concept has all bases covered. So no, you won't be able to buy the EXP 15 – but you will see bits of it again, especially in next year's Luxury Urban SUV, which will be the first reimagined production Bentley for the electric age.
The Sun
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
New Jaguar car that lead disastrous ‘woke rebrand' seen for the first time… with fans divided over whether they like it
JAGUAR'S controversial new concept car has finally been revealed in person for the first time - sparking intense debate between fans. Onlookers got to see the Jag which has been at the forefront of its "woke" rebrand. 5 5 5 5 Jaguar unveiled its new Type 00 concept car for the first time on Friday morning at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The car will never go on sale in its existing form. Instead, it is a concept car exhibited to showcase Jaguar's new "exuberant modernism." The car stunned Goodwood's guests with its spotless, striking blue exterior which drew large crowds from across the festival. The colour was a significant departure from the pink colour dressing the 00 when it was first announced late last year. When the 30-second ad was first unveiled, flashing up a number of slogans, including "live vivid", "delete ordinary" and "copy nothing", fans on social media were not happy. Musk simply asked Jaguar on X: ''Do you sell cars?' This weekend, fans had the chance to comment on the car's new design after physically seeing it. Jaguar boss doubles down & DEFENDS new 'woke Tesla' pink EV in controversial rebrand Speaking to The Times, many fans were left unimpressed by Jaguar's new concept car and new brand direction. "The back's horrendous," said one fan. Another assessed: 'They've wrecked the brand. " The logo is awful, it looks like it was designed by a child. One fan even said the new ad campaign had led him to sell his F-Pace. Others did enjoy some of the features of the new car, saying they thought it was cool and futuristic. In November, the controversial ad excluded any images of its sleek sports cars as it touted its transition to a fully electric, ultra-luxury company. The scrapping of the well-known big cat badge in favour of a geometric 'J' design also drew fierce criticism. At the time of release, one Facebook user commented: "If I wasn't sure before, now I'm convinced Jaguar have completely lost the plot. This woke nonsense won't gain anything." Another said: "As someone who worked for this iconic brand up until production cessation in June it really does sadden me to see the direction the company has decided to take." 5
Auto Blog
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Honda Super EV concept is the small EV more automakers should be building
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 'Fun-To-Drive' City Car Makes Public Debut At the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Honda is reminding driving enthusiasts that fun cars can come in all sizes. While the Japanese automaker is primarily celebrating the 60th anniversary of its first F1 win, it's also debuting the Super EV concept, a tiny hatchback that promises 'fresh, 'fun-to-drive' electric performance alongside trademark Honda usability,' according to a press release on Honda's Goodwood activities. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:10 Full screen When will Toyota build an EV with its simulated manual transmission? Watch More Honda hasn't provided any additional details since announcing the Super EV concept last month, but upon first inspection, it certainly looks intriguing. With its upright profile and box fender flares, it looks like a sportier version of the Honda e (which was discontinued in 2023, having never made it to the United States), or a modern reinterpretation of the Honda City Turbo hatch from the 1980s. And its small size would make it a good competitor to the electric Mini Cooper and Fiat 500e. Is There Room For It In Honda's EV Lineup? When it announced this concept car, Honda said it was part of a 'wider global program,' hinting that any future production version might not be as market-limited as the Honda e. But right now, Honda's EV efforts for the U.S. are focused on the roll out of its first '0 Series' models, including an SUV and sedan previewed earlier this year at CES, plus a crossover reviving the Acura RSX name using the same hardware, and the Afeela 1, the first product of the Sony Honda Mobility joint venture. But with Honda already having reportedly cancelled a three-row flagship electric SUV for the U.S. amid uncertainty about EV sales, it's unclear if the automaker would take the risk—which is exactly what it would be—of bringing a small EV to the U.S. The cancelled SUV was better suited to American tastes, and had a ready market to compete in, with the Kia EV9 selling reasonably well. A production version of the Super EV, in contrast, would be a niche model in the U.S. About the Author Stephen Edelstein View Profile
Auto Car
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Meet Honda's BABY hot hatch!
Honda has shown a new concept car hinting at a city-focused EV at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Named the Super EV Concept, it is an A-segment hatchback to rival the Hyundai Inster, Fiat 500e and upcoming Renault Twingo, with styling that draws on the previous Honda E supermini. Technical details remain thin on the ground, but Honda said it is intended to show how a small, affordable EV can be fun to drive. It has already been tested in the UK as part of a broader international roll-out. Honda has also used the event to showcase the radical 0 Series SUV concept in Europe for the first time, as well as the Civic Type R Ultimate Edition. The new Prelude coupé is running up the Goodwood hillclimb. Any production version of the Super EV would likely represent the entry point to Honda's future EV line-up, sitting opposite the upmarket 0 Series range. The Japanese brand plans to launch seven new EVs in the coming years, with these using a new platform, new batteries and new motor technologies, in an effective reset of its approach to electrification compared with the old E and current e:Ny1. 'As society is starting to move from the early stage to the widespread adoption stage, the time has come to invest in our EV strategy,' Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe told Autocar last year. However, Honda is also going big on hybridisation, with 13 new models due globally by 2030 in a bid to bridge the gap to mass-adoption of battery-electric cars. These will use what the brand has claimed to be the most efficient combustion-engined powertrains yet.
