Chinese Carmakers Have Started a Fast-Charging War

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By: Cristian Agatie

Chinese companies have become very good at a certain type of war called "race to the bottom." Once someone gains a market advantage, the rest try their best to copy whatever made it possible, improve it, and then offer it at a lower price point. And then, the process starts again and again, until there's literally no financial gain possible.

We've seen it with almost every product that has come from China, from finger fidgets to mobile phones and now automobiles. However, this cutthroat competition is not limited to prices. It's also helping improve technologies and polish products, which makes me believe it's happening by design.

Chinese carmakers are already grappling with brutal competition that makes even heavyweights like BYD feel uncomfortable. That's why exports have become a pressure-release valve, easing conditions for Chinese companies. They make it harder for everyone else, though, and that will become more obvious in the years ahead. 

The latest trend has pushed the Chinese civil war into fast-charging territory. We already know that Chinese EVs charge much faster than anything we in the West are used to. Over the past few years, several Chinese carmakers have launched EVs that can charge fully in less than 20 minutes. And this "less" has become increasingly significant. 

The fast-charging war has been fun to watch for the past year, as it was waged in China. However, BYD announced plans to expand its 1,500 kW "Flash Charging" network to Europe. But do we really need (or want) Megawatt-power chargers? And where are Tesla and other Western carmakers in this picture?

For the full article, please continue reading on our site.

By: Sergiu Tudose

If I had a crystal ball, I would tell you that the all-new Striker might just be the car that defines Dacia’s next two decades, like the original Logan did back in 2004 when it first came out. This is a nexus moment for the Romanian brand, and the industry should take notice.

I’m not even sure Renault themselves knew what “they had” with the Logan when they first got started on the project. It was a car that looked anything but revolutionary. A simple three-box sedan with rudimentary engineering and a price that could appeal to the masses in emerging markets. Yet, the result of their efforts was far more significant than simply selling a cheap family car.

The Logan became the blueprint for building a relatively modern car to a strict cost target, while still offering enough practicality, reliability, and enough modern-day amenities to satisfy most buyers – such as airbags, ABS, air conditioning, power windows, and power steering. That’s not nothing in a car that cost less than €10,000.

Anyway, the “Logan blueprint” went on to reshape both the brand and perception about the brand. Before then, Dacia was largely perceived as a relic of another era. You had the likes of the Solenza and SupeRNova (yes, capital R and N) that if positioned in any other market, would have gotten laughed out of the dealership. Then, almost overnight, Dacia began exporting cars across Europe as Renault’s burgeoning cash cow.

I remember people who were trying to point out that the Logan was nothing more than an upgraded Solenza during that first initial sales surge, but they obviously didn’t know what they were talking about. The Logan rode on a completley different platform, and while it too came with a 1.4-liter gasoline engine, it was different than the one found in the Solenza and SupeRNova, for that matter.

Then there was the ride, overall comfort, and practicality. The Logan was in a whole different league compared to any of its predecessors, and some would argue (me included) that it stood shoulder to shoulder with the Renault Clio Symbol – even surpassing the latter in some departments.

I’m not some Logan fanboy here. In fact, I wasn’t all that thrilled will the subsequent generations post-original. But here’s the thing. The car I was driving before I began my career as an automotive journalist? A brand-new 2024 Dacia Logan 1.4 MPi Laureate (the second-to-highest spec).

I quickly realized its shortcomings after I began driving better cars, but for about a year and change, I thought that Dacia was pretty darn solid as a daily driver, both in town and on the highway. And I never had a single mechanical or electrical issue with it. That car remained in my family for the next 10 or so years and proved extremely reliable.

In any case, the Logan's success didn't just come down to its affordability. This car happened to arrive at a moment when the market wanted exactly what it had to offer.

The Striker has the potential to tap into the same Aether. What do people want today? Crossovers, and not necessarily SUVs, but rather vehicles that combine a modern design with practicality and plenty of ground clearance. For most families, the traditional sedan no longer fills that role. It’s why Peugeot pivoted so quickly from the 508 to the 408 in terms of marketing efforts.

For the full article, please continue reading on our site.

By: Cristian Agatie

It's rare for a new car model to be so eagerly anticipated as the Rivian R2. The adventure-oriented crossover was formally unveiled in 2024, although at the time it was merely a concept. Rivian showcased a mule based on the R1 platform and discussed miracle technologies that did not yet exist. However, two years later, the R2 development is now complete, and deliveries are set to debut by the end of May.

The Rivian R2 hasn't changed much in terms of design, which is remarkable for any car. The fact that Rivian designed it as a mini-R1S undoubtedly helped. However, it should be noted that the R2 has nothing to do with the R1S, and not even with the refreshed R1S. Yes, they share some bits of the zonal architecture Rivian introduced with the 2025 R1S, but the R2 is fundamentally different.

Rivian designed it to be easy and cheap to manufacture, so that the promised starting price of $45,000 would not be a burden. The EV startup is still struggling to become profitable, and the R2 is supposed to be the car that lifts it above the water, not drown it. This is why everything is simplified for mass manufacturing and costs, without affecting the premium feel and build quality that Rivian EV customers appreciated.

The Rivian R2's body structure uses single-piece castings to replace hundreds of welded and bonded parts. Rivian had a great teacher in Tesla, which designed the Model Y pretty much in the same way. This is why the R2 also features a structural battery pack filled with cylindrical cells measuring 46 mm in diameter, just like the Tesla Model Y. However, similarities end here, as the Rivian R2 and the Tesla Model Y are fundamentally different. Here is how they compare.

For the full article, please continue reading on our site.

By: Aurel Niculescu

This month, we saw two big minivans get ready for spring - the second refresh of the Chrysler Pacifica and the all-new Mercedes-Benz VLE. But can you say that two is enough if one swallow does not make a summer? I’m not so sure.

Last year, curiously, the once-sprawling but now rather derelict minivan sector again showed signs of improvement. The Chrysler Pacifica, available with a naturally aspirated V6 or a plug-in hybrid powertrain, again ranked as America’s favorite MPV. It racked up 110,006 deliveries in the United States, up a meager two percent compared to 2024.

Still, it was more than enough to tower above the second-placed, hybrid-only Toyota Sienna, which moved 101,486 units. That’s where things become interesting: without any major overhaul (only subtle model year improvements) and even though the fourth generation has been around since 2020, the minivan model jumped a staggering 35.2 percent from 2024.

The Honda Odyssey reached 88,462 deliveries, and the Kia Carnival also improved from 49,726 units in 2024 to no less than 71,917 examples last year. Quite obviously, these figures clearly show an improving demand for the family-oriented body style, once the crack of all jokes about soccer mums and hockey dads. But the automakers are taking note and acting accordingly, nevertheless.

We don’t have the figures for the first two months of the year from Stellantis for the Chrysler Pacifica or from Toyota for the Sienna, but the Honda Odyssey sold a little less than before, and the Kia Carnival even overtook it by a few hundred sales! That means Chrysler has chosen an auspicious time to improve the Pacifica, and there’s even a new player coming later this year: the all-new, first-ever Mercedes-Benz VLE.

First off, let’s talk about the few details pertaining to the Chrysler minivan – the ones that are missing. So far, even though the American brand has already opened the order books for the 2027 model year, they haven’t shown us the interior or the rear of the second refresh. Maybe that’s because there are no (important) changes to speak of or because they’re hiding a surprise.

But there’s plenty to talk about the front, which gets a complete makeover that gives it futuristic vibes. It’s going to be divisive, especially for fans of the sweeping models that came before, the Pacifica had the initial facelift, and the Voyager was looking like the pre-2021 model. By the way, the Voyager is now gone, replaced by the new Pacifica LX, which “retains its familiar exterior design while offering a budget-friendly entry point.”

For the full article, please continue reading on our site.

By: Mircea Panait

The insanely quick 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S will soon receive a sibling that could be called Touring. First spied last year, the forthcoming model continues winter testing in Sweden with taped-off side air intakes. Another Touring-specific feature is the automatically extended spoiler, which sits flush with the rear deck.

Spied in both coupe and cabrio flavors, the 911 Turbo Touring is equipped with oval exhaust outlets that appear to be lifted straight off the 911 Turbo S with the optional SportDesign rear fascia. The center-lock wheels are borrowed from the 911 Turbo S as well, and the same can be said about the carbon-ceramic brakes.

What hides under the sheet metal, however, remains to be seen. Initial reports suggested rear-wheel drive in combination with a manual transmission. Be that as it may, the manual is not happening if Porsche uses the electrified powertrain of the 911 Turbo S.

Rear-wheel drive is a possibility, though, and the best example in this regard is the 911 Carrera GTS. Also worth noting, the limited-run 911 Sport Classic combines the powertrain of the 992.1-series 911 Turbo with rear-wheel drive and the Carrera manual transaxle.

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Also spotted near the Arctic Circle, the Volkswagen ID. Polo will debut in April 2026 as the B-segment brother of the Volkswagen ID.3 compact hatchback. The carparazzi spotted three prototypes on this occasion, including a white-painted GTI whose lower grille and roof-mounted spoiler are noticeably sportier than what you get on the R-Line specification.

Strictly front-wheel drive as opposed to rear- or all-wheel drive for MEB electric vehicles, the ID. Polo was designed with European markets in mind. Not meant for North America, the MEB+ subcompact model introduces a significant interior design reset based on customer feedback. The new design philosophy moves away from the ID.3's touch-only interfaces.

As part of this correction, the Wolfsburg-based automaker has reinstated physical controls for the HVAC system and on the steering wheel. A rotary controller on the center console and four window switches on the driver's door complete the picture.

When it comes to motor and battery choices, prospective customers are presented with four and two, respectively. The best numbers advertised to date are 450 kilometers (280 miles) under the WLTP testing standard and 166 kilowatts (223 horsepower) for the GTI.

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In stark contrast to the ID. Polo, the next internal combustion BMW 3 Series will embrace a tech-forward cockpit with pillar-to-pillar HD projections. Masterfully rendered by pixel artist Sugar Chow using styling cues from validation prototypes, the 2027 model adopts Neue Klasse traits from the second-generation iX3.

To be joined by the full-electric i3, the internal combustion 2027 BMW 3 Series will not be to everyone's liking. Beyond the somewhat distracting interior, the Neue Klasse design language is a significant departure from the crease-heavy look of the current gen.

Monolithic surfaces and retro-futuristic proportions are present, and the Bavarian manufacturer also made a case for touch-sensitive flush door handles. The shark-nose profile is reminiscent of the bite-the-back-of-your-hand pretty E30 from the 1980s, while a horizontal black-painted band merges the kidneys and the headlights.

An internal combustion M3 is also planned, albeit devoid of a manual option. The reason behind this deletion is electrification, with BMW expected to employ a next-generation motor generator in order to satisfy Euro 7 regulations. Including the electric side of the powertrain, we may be in for 500-something horsepower by default.

By: Bogdan Popa

It's dash cam review week, so if you're in the market for a new eyewitness, you've got to try the Viofo A329S. This is a premium dash cam promising a premium set of features, and there's no doubt it fully delivers on its promise. It's not exactly affordable, that's for sure, but it comes with not one, not two, not three, but even more cameras and a ton of accessories if money isn't an issue.

Otherwise, Google Maps received the most attention this week.

Google announced what it described as the biggest Google Maps update in a decade, with the introduction of immersive navigation and Ask Maps. Immersive navigation is a refresh that includes a redesigned UI with incredible details like lanes, terrain, 3D buildings, and crosswalks. 

Ask Maps uses Gemini power to let you talk to Google Maps using a more natural conversation and discover places, get recommendations, and set up navigation more efficiently. 

For police across the States, it was the "bring your Waze to work" week. Several officers took to social media to share their thoughts about Waze police reports. Some say they delete police reports from the map, others tell drivers to report them. In the end, it just looks like police are using Waze, too.

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