Latest news with #luxurySUV
Motor 1
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Bentley's New Bentayga Will Have 'More Power' Than the W-12
Bentley already offers a smattering of engine options for the Bentayga SUVs, ranging from the base V-6 hybrid to the powerful V-8 Speed. But now, the British luxury car maker has another Bentayga on the horizon—and it promises to be even more potent than the previous W-12 model. Bentley is keeping most of the juicy details a secret, but the company does promise a V-8 engine with "more power" than the previous 12-cylinder Speed model, a standard sports exhaust, and even a new Sport calibration with a drift mode. That's right, a Bentley that drifts . The company also says that this new Bentayga will be "faster and more agile" than any Bentley SUV before it, as well as the "most emotional and engaging Bentayga to date." For reference, the Bentayga W-12 made 600 horsepower and could race to 60 miles per hour in 4.0 seconds flat before it was discontinued last year. Of course, we've already seen Bentley's new V-8 hybrid powertrain in the metal, which makes nearly 740 horsepower and returns up to 50 miles of electric range (WLTP). Last May, the company said that this new hybrid powertrain would 'define the future of Bentley"—so we assume this is what will be underhood of the upcoming Bentayga. But we won't know for sure until the new Bentayga debuts. Bentley will show its powerful new SUV on Monday, June 2, at 7:00 AM ET (12:30 BST). Mark your calendars. The Latest From Bentley Bentley's New Hybrids Have Less Power—But Still a Lot of It Bentley Made the Bentayga Even Fancier With the Atelier Edition Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Land Rover Defender updated - here's what's different
Land Rover's Defender has been on sale in Britain for five years, so a significant mid-life facelift is overdue. This is especially the case with the luxury 4X4 becoming JLR's (formerly Jaguar Land Rover) best-selling product of all. Last year, it delivered 115,400 Defenders globally, dwarfing the sales figures for the Range Rover (77,000) and Range Rover Sport (79,800). With it selling Defenders as quickly as it can make them, JLR appears to have taken a 'less is more' approach to its '26MY' (model year) tweaks, which is far from the wholesale update most cars receive midway through their lifecycle. In fact, it's difficult to see what's changed at all... Here's what's different and how it will impact prices. It's fair to say that Land Rover has taken a subtle approach to upgrading its volume-selling product. Defender has been treated to a series of very minor styling tweaks and cabin updates. From the outside, there's no change to the familiar boxy silhouette that has proven a big hit with customers who've been snapping them up in record numbers since 2020. A new headlight design, fog lights as standard and smoke-tinted rear light clusters - combined with a gloss black grille bar - are the only minimal changes to the exterior. Instead, it's inside where arguably the biggest upgrade comes. The cabin is now dominated by a larger 13.1-inch touchscreen - an increase in display size over the outgoing 11.4-inch unit. Sitting above the gear selector and temperature control panel in the centre console, it uses the PiviPro system and should make the screen easier to tinker with on the move. There are other necessary update to the cabin, including the addition of an infrared camera behind the steering column, which powers the driver attention monitoring system. This triggers audio and visual alerts to the person behind the wheel when the camera detects their eyes are away from the road for dangerous periods of time as a part of a mandated safety requirement for new models under the European Union's latest GSR2 legislation. While the EU rules do not currently apply for UK-sold models, minsters recently suggested they will be adopted in Britain soon. A host of new paint options have also been launched and Defender - for the first time - will also benefit from adaptive off-road cruise control, though as an optional extra that customers will need to spec. There is a price increase for 2025 While Land Rover hasn't revealed information about powertrain options, it is likely to retain the combination of diesel, plug-in hybrid and supercharged V8 petrol engines. Customers will continue to be able to get their hands on the shorter Defender90 three-door, the five-door 110 and seven or eight-seat Defender 130. Prices for the updated Defender start from £57,135 thanks to the arrival of a new entry Defender90 S. However, pricing has increased over 25MY vehicle, with a like-for-like X-Dynamic SE rising by almost £2,000 from £59,790 to £61,740. Defender will continue to be produced exclusively at its Nitra plant in Slovakia, meaning it won't benefit from the trade agreement between the US and UK over reduced tariffs on imported vehicles. This is Money has asked JLR if it intends to increase the cost of Defender for the US market in preparation for the 27.5 per cent levies on EU-made vehicles scheduled for introduction on 9 July, but it refrained from commenting on the tariff impact on pricing. Shortly after the tariffs - which then included the UK - were originally announced on President Donald Trump's self-proclaimed Liberation Day back in April, JLR chose to pause shipments of cars to America.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Land Rover Defender updated to bolster JLR's best-selling car - but can you spot what's changed?
Land Rover's Defender has been on sale in Britain for five years, so a significant mid-life facelift is overdue. This is especially the case with the luxury 4X4 becoming JLR's (formerly Jaguar Land Rover) best-selling product of all. Last year, it delivered 115,400 Defenders globally, dwarfing the sales figures for the Range Rover (77,000) and Range Rover Sport (79,800). With it selling Defenders as quickly as it can make them, JLR appears to have taken a 'less is more' approach to its '26MY' (model year) tweaks, which is far from the wholesale update most cars receive midway through their lifecycle. In fact, it's difficult to see what's changed at all... Here's what's different and how it will impact prices. It's fair to say that Land Rover has taken a subtle approach to upgrading its volume-selling product. Defender has been treated to a series of very minor styling tweaks and cabin updates. From the outside, there's no change to the familiar boxy silhouette that has proven a big hit with customers who've been snapping them up in record numbers since 2020. A new headlight design, fog lights as standard and smoke-tinted rear light clusters - combined with a gloss black grille bar - are the only minimal changes to the exterior. Instead, it's inside where arguably the biggest upgrade comes. Side-by-side with a 2020 model (left), it's difficult to tell the new 26MY version (right) The cabin is now dominated by a larger 13.1-inch touchscreen - an increase in display size over the outgoing 11.4-inch unit. Sitting above the gear selector and temperature control panel in the centre console, it uses the PiviPro system and should make the screen easier to tinker with on the move. There are other necessary update to the cabin, including the addition of an infrared camera behind the steering column, which powers the driver attention monitoring system. This triggers audio and visual alerts to the person behind the wheel when the camera detects their eyes are away from the road for dangerous periods of time as a part of a mandated safety requirement for new models under the European Union's latest GSR2 legislation. While the EU rules do not currently apply for UK-sold models, minsters recently suggested they will be adopted in Britain soon. A host of new paint options have also been launched and Defender - for the first time - will also benefit from adaptive off-road cruise control, though as an optional extra that customers will need to spec. Mark Cameron, managing director of Defender, said: 'More than five years after its introduction, Defender has become an enduring success. 'With production at full capacity to meet demand, the latest changes are part of our continuous commitment to make adventures even more satisfying. 'Fresh design enhancements, new colours and an expanded range of accessories follow Defender's comprehensive upgrade last year, ensuring our iconic 4X4 is better than ever.' While Land Rover hasn't revealed information about powertrain options, it is likely to retain the combination of diesel, plug-in hybrid and supercharged V8 petrol engines. Customers will continue to be able to get their hands on the shorter Defender90 three-door, the five-door 110 and seven or eight-seat Defender 130. Prices for the updated Defender start from £57,135 thanks to the arrival of a new entry Defender90 S. However, pricing has increased over 25MY vehicle, with a like-for-like X-Dynamic SE rising by almost £2,000 from £59,790 to £61,740. Defender will continue to be produced exclusively at its Nitra plant in Slovakia, meaning it won't benefit from the trade agreement between the US and UK over reduced tariffs on imported vehicles. This is Money has asked JLR if it intends to increase the cost of Defender for the US market in preparation for the 27.5 per cent levies on EU-made vehicles scheduled for introduction on 9 July, but it refrained from commenting on the tariff impact on pricing. Shortly after the tariffs - which then included the UK - were originally announced on President Donald Trump's self-proclaimed Liberation Day back in April, JLR chose to pause shipments of cars to America. However, it restarted exports to the US at the beginning of this month. Announcing the company's highest full-year profits in a decade earlier in May, chief executive Adrian Mardell said he 'cannot discount' launching production operations in America, despite the UK-US trade deal.
Auto Express
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New Genesis GV70 Electrified 2025 review: a truly engaging electric SUV
Most rational minds will note the mediocre range figure and look towards more efficient German rivals, but this new Genesis Electrified GV70 has plenty to offer. A superb cabin, excellent tech and impressive straight-line speed are all strong points, but it's the new 'virtual gear shift' feature which completely steals the show, creating a more engaging, and distinctive, driving experience than in any rival EV. Advertisement - Article continues below For the first time in over two years, we can say there's a new Genesis on sale in the UK, because the quirky Korean luxury brand has given its Electrified GV70 a significant overhaul. Designed to sit in the market just below mid-sized all-electric German SUVs like the Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 e-tron, plus impressive newcomers like the Polestar 3, it has a tough crowd of competitors that, unfortunately, show the GV70 a new pair of heels when it comes to potential range figures. That's because despite having a new, larger battery pack (84kWh net) than before, the GV70 still doesn't quite crack the 300-mile mark. Its 298 miles is a figure many of its rivals will comfortably reach, even with entry-level battery packs. To help combat its relatively limited range, the GV70 does offer some very impressive charging stats thanks to its 800V electrical system. This will see a top-up time of just 19 minutes from 10-80 per cent, which is right up there with rivals from Audi and Porsche, and better than those of more expensive BMWs or Mercedes. The Genesis also fights back with a properly potent dual-motor layout that produces 483bhp, which will push it along from 0-62mph in just 4.4 seconds. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View Gv70 View Gv70 View Gv70 More impactful, though, are the changes that Genesis has made elsewhere, such as a fundamentally upgraded interior and a new technology package. The revised cabin is dominated by the huge OLED display that stretches across the dashboard. Unlike the layouts in an Audi or BMW, this isn't two separate displays that sit under one housing, rather one giant screen that's impressively clear and bright. As a result, users can more comprehensibly personalise the layout, such as having the main map view bleed seamlessly into the driver's eyeline. In order to fit the new screen, the dashboard has been entirely replaced, but the basic design language hasn't changed. A new lower console now integrates seamlessly with the dash, and houses a larger and easier-to-use climate control interface. There's still a wide selection of physical controls to supplement the touchscreens, and while the whole set-up can be a bit bewildering at first, with some time to acclimatise it does all come to hand. Given that this car isn't based on a specific EV architecture, it doesn't have some of the practical advantages seen in rivals like a flat floor in the cabin. And while there is some under-bonnet storage, it's a relatively pokey 29 litres. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Interior space is good enough considering the external dimensions. Head, leg and kneeroom in the second row is good for two, if a little pinched for three, and the main 503-litre luggage space is square and equipped with a solid parcel shelf and lots of handy tie-down points. Flip the second row of seats down and you'll have a nearly flat loadbay. On the road, the GV70 is actually quite nicely set up. The steering is well weighted and accurate, if lacking in any real feedback, and paired with a brake pedal that does a good, if not class-leading job of blending regenerative and friction braking. The throttle pedal also responds consistently and makes smooth driving easy, plus there's both 'Eco' and 'Sport' modes that either prioritise efficiency or give the powertrain some extra pep. Plus there's a 'Boost' button on the steering wheel, which will give the full 483bhp kick for a limited period of time, making the GV70 much faster than it really needs to be on a day-to-day basis. The only significant black mark in terms of on-the-road behaviour is poor ride quality on models running the larger 20-inch wheels; it's just too firm on particularly rough or undulating roads. However, it's clear this is to the benefit of the handling, which is tidy and well controlled – something that's difficult to achieve without an inherently firm set-up on big electric SUVs. However, while all of these dynamic attributes make up a quite satisfying driving experience, this mid-cycle update has also brought with it a fascinating new feature. Derived from the system Hyundai uses to transform the Ioniq 5 into the brilliant 5N, Genesis has integrated a 'virtual gear shift' or VGS mode that doesn't just mimic an internal combustion engine in terms of sound, but also maps the torque, and therefore feel, of a combustion engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below It might sound like a gimmick, yet it does a brilliant job of feeling just like a big, torque-rich V6 engine with an accompanying burble that's only audible from inside the cabin. One of the key elements helping to give a 'premium' feel in this class is the sound of a large multi-cylinder engine, so the ability to recreate one so faithfully gives this all-electric GV70 something that its four-cylinder combustion-engined counterparts – and many EV rivals – don't have: a feeling of gravitas. If you drive the Genesis hard and 'rev' the virtual engine to its extremes, it loses some of its authenticity due to an overly computerised sound at the top end, but at normal speeds the gentle flow of cycling through gears is hugely satisfying for anyone who misses the feel of ICE cars, but has chosen to switch to an EV. And if this fakery, brilliantly executed though it is, doesn't appeal, it can be easily switched off. So yes, on range, the Genesis doesn't quite match up to its high-end German rivals. And while the GV70 is no less expensive, its equipment and performance are both generally on a higher plane at this price point. In our modern world of EVs challenging the status quo, we doubt anyone would step inside an Electrified GV70 and not think it was a more convincing luxury SUV than anything with a German badge on the nose – with the possible exception of BMW's superb but more expensive iX. Model: Genesis Electrified GV70 Pure Base price: £65,915 Powertrain: 84kWh battery, 2x e-motor Transmission: Single-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Power/torque: 483bhp/700Nm 0-62mph: 4.4 seconds Top speed: 146mph Range/charging: 298 miles/240kW 10-80% in 19 mins Length/width/height: 4,715mm/1,910mm/1,630mm On sale: Now Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Email It's only a matter of time before Jaguar Land Rover builds a factory in the USA It's only a matter of time before Jaguar Land Rover builds a factory in the USA Mike Rutherford thinks Jaguar's 'Reimagine' strategy will result in the company exploring further opportunities in the USA Labour hints at major luxury car tax U-turn to boost EV sales Labour hints at major luxury car tax U-turn to boost EV sales Is pressure from retailers and car makers finally cutting through with ministers? Car Deal of the Day: Ford Explorer gives you practicality, style and EV power for £228 a month Car Deal of the Day: Ford Explorer gives you practicality, style and EV power for £228 a month Family-friendly SUV is arguably Ford's best electric car, and great value, too. It's our Deal of the Day for 24 May
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Test-Driving The 2025 BMW X5
The tried-and-true X5 has aimed itself more into comfort and tech in recent years, but depending on trim choice, you'll still have fun blasting it around town. Their xDrive40i provided a plush, zippy, infatuation-inducing week's test. Let's have a look. 2025 BMW X5 BMW BMW gave the X5 a refresh last year (2024), and the 2025 model carries that over with minimal changes. The big update is the introduction of BMW's new iDrive 8.5 system, which replaces the previous software and aims to make the touchscreen more intuitive and less menu-heavy. A few trims and packages have been reshuffled, but the song remains the same. The xDrive40i doesn't scream for attention, but it's still quite handsome. You get the familiar BMW kidney grille, slimmer LED headlights, finely sculpted body panels and a slightly squared-off rear. Standard wheels are 20-inch alloys, but BMW offers up to 22s. Nothing about the look is groundbreaking at this point, but it doesn't feel dated either. 2025 BMW X5 BMW Inside, it's clean and tech-heavy. The dashboard is dominated by a single curved display—one part 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, one part 14.9-inch touchscreen. There are very few physical buttons. Materials are upscale in the base version, with synthetic leather and brushed metal, and you can option in fancier wood trims and Merino leather. Cargo space is reasonable at 3.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and up to 72.3 with them folded. 2025 BMW X5 BMW Standard tech includes the aforementioned iDrive 8.5 system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation and over-the-air updates. Voice control is standard and works well, and there's a customizable digital gauge cluster. Optional features include a head-up display, gesture controls, a 360-degree camera and a Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins sound system. The base price for the 2025 BMW X5 xDrive40i is $68,600. That gets you all-wheel drive, the turbo inline-six, panoramic sunroof, navigation, and synthetic leather. A fully loaded version with the luxury seating package, premium sound, adaptive air suspension, and the full suite of driver aids can push the price close to $85,000. The xDrive40i uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid system, making 375 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with an 8-speed automatic. 0–60 mph takes just over 5 seconds, according to press materials. EPA mileage is 23 mpg city, 27 highway, 25 combined. That's better than most rivals with similar power and standard AWD. It's smooth and quick - that's the very first thing you feel. Away we go! The turbo inline-six punches well off the line and the mild-hybrid system smooths out the otherwise distracting stop-start mechanism. Steering is light but suitably accurate, and visibility is good for this type of ride. Seats are firm but never harsh, especially with the optional air suspension. It's not a sports car, but it doesn't feel like a couch either. You always know it's a BMW. It was a lot of fun to get in and out of over the week's test - the X5 almost felt like a dog. 'Let's go! Let's go!' Or maybe I was the dog. One thing I loved was the ability to lower the rear gate vertically at the push of a button once you have it open, assisting with anything you're trying to jam in there and you need all the room you can get. 2025 BMW X5 dash BMW The 2025 X5 xDrive40i earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ - their highest rating. It arrives with nearly all major safety features as standard but BMW offers additional driver-assist upgrades for those who want more automation. Driver aid safety features are generous - forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and (optionally) BMW's Highway Assistant, which allows hands-free driving at certain speeds. Conclusion: It blasts off and handles well but isn't as sharp as a Cayenne or as cushy as a Genesis GV80. Where it shines is in its modern tech, its sleek curved display and its BMW luxe flavor.
