The sports version of the EZ-6 model, the Chinese twin of the Mazda 6e, has received black accents and red brake calipers.

Mazda's latest model has arrived and it has a very sporty appearance.

The 6e sedan already featured an elegant design and refined interior, but it lacked a sporty edge – something resembling the BMW M Sport package. Mazda listened to the fans' wishes and finally delivered what they asked for.

The Japanese automaker and its Chinese partner Changan have introduced the EZ-6 Sports Edition for the Chinese market.

EZ-6 is the name this model carries in Asia, while in Western markets it is known as the 6e.

Black exterior details, glossy black 19-inch alloy wheels, and red brake calipers visually distinguish the Sports Edition from the standard EZ-6 variants.

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The sporty spirit continues inside with the use of Alcantara and red stitching on the seats and upholstery.

Photo: Mazda

Mazda has also added red ambient lighting in the interior, along with a console design inspired by the sporty CX-60 version.

Standard features include a 14.6-inch multimedia screen, a 50-inch augmented reality HUD powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, and a Sony sound system with 14 speakers, according to Car News China.

This sports version debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show last month, but somehow flew under the radar.

Mazda and Changan have not revealed whether the model is more powerful than the standard version, but it is assumed to be a styling package only.

Photo: Mazda

It is also expected that Mazda will soon offer a similar sporty trim for the European version of the 6e – as reported by Car News China, the Sports Edition was jointly developed by Mazda and Changan in collaboration with Mazda Europe.

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One thing will certainly differentiate the Chinese and Western versions – the range of powertrains.

Photo: Mazda

Although both models are produced at the same Changan factory, the Chinese EZ-6 is offered with a range extender system featuring a 1.5-liter 70 kW gasoline engine (used only as a generator) and a 218 hp (160 kW) electric drive motor, or as a fully electric version with 258 hp (190 kW), while European 6e models are purely electric.

Photo: Mazda

The price of the "6" Sports Edition has not yet been announced, but the standard EZ-6 version in China costs between 18,500 and 24,000 euros.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been around for a long time – it debuted back in 1993 as a more luxurious and off-road-capable alternative to popular options like the Ford Explorer and Chevy Blazer.

Today, the Grand Cherokee is not typically compared to luxury brands like Mercedes and Audi, but occupies a much more significant segment, competing with high-volume sellers like the Toyota 4Runner and Ford Bronco. Introduced in 2021, the fifth generation is ready for some updates and improvements, and we've just received the first, albeit not very detailed, glimpse of what Jeep is preparing.

It seems Jeep has paid particular attention to the vehicle’s interior. There is more space, thanks to the removal of bulky climate control buttons. However, instead of following industry trends and shifting controls to the screen, the manufacturer has opted to elegantly place a row of buttons below the display – reports B92.

The new buttons surround a larger central screen, and the Grand Cherokee for 2026 retains its passenger-side screen, which also appears slightly larger, though only marginally. In any case, the dashboard design is somewhat different – the upper center section of the dashboard is also wider and shorter, giving it a more squared-off look.

Jeep shows only a small part of the new exterior design, but this is mostly standard practice for manufacturers when presenting a mid-cycle refresh. Narrower lighting elements, a slightly redesigned grille, and revised air intakes at the bottom of the bumper will breathe life into a design that nicely blends old and new. The wheels shown appear to be the same as on the previous model in the Summit trim package.

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Although there are plenty of changes for the new model year, the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee won’t look dramatically different. Like the current SUV, Stellantis plans to offer the 2026 model in both two-row and three-row configurations, with the latter being limited to the Grand Cherokee L models with extended wheelbase.

A plug-in hybrid model, the 4xe, will also be available. Interestingly, Jeep has actually lowered the suggested retail price for the Grand Cherokee for the 2025 model year, so a very modest price increase for the redesigned model should be expected. Powertrain details have not yet been announced, but no major surprises are expected – likely continued availability of all-wheel drive and the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine.

The premiere is scheduled for May 21, but the first details of the exterior and interior have already emerged.

Toyota has released the first official photos of the new generation RAV4 model, although its name has not yet been confirmed. The premiere is scheduled for May 21, but the first details of the exterior and interior have already surfaced.

The new RAV4 retains its recognizable shape but gets a more modern front inspired by the Prius and Camry models, according to CarScoops.

Reportedly, new LED daytime running lights and a wider grille give it a more dynamic appearance.

Changes on the sides and rear are less pronounced compared to the current model, including a full-width LED light strip at the back and contrasting protective elements.

The interior appears significantly more modern – featuring a digital instrument cluster, a large central screen, and a redesigned center console with a new gear lever.

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The interior design is more reminiscent of the new Prius than previous Toyota SUV models.

Although many expect a new mechanical platform, Toyota will retain the existing TNGA-K architecture with minor improvements.

The new RAV4 will most likely feature hybrid powertrains, similar to those in the Camry – a 2.5-liter gasoline engine combined with one or more electric motors, with an all-wheel-drive option.

A plug-in hybrid version is also planned, and there are discussions about a fully electric variant, although no official confirmation has been given.

In any case, Toyota aims to maintain its leadership in the increasingly competitive SUV segment, facing rivals such as the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage, among others.

Sales of the new Toyota RAV4 are expected to begin in the fall.

About 9% of all vehicles on the planet bear the Toyota badge.

Last year, Toyota sold 10,159,336 vehicles, including those under the Lexus brand. When adding the deliveries from its subsidiaries Daihatsu and Hino, the total rises to 10,821,480.

Although deliveries dropped by 3.7 percent compared to the previous year, Toyota remained the global leader – surpassing the Volkswagen Group for the fifth consecutive year, further cementing its dominance in the auto industry.

But have you ever wondered how many Toyota vehicles are currently being driven around the world? We now have an official estimate directly from the Japanese manufacturer: Around 150 million vehicles are in use!

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This announcement has a financial motivation. Namely, Toyota wants to generate more revenue from its existing fleet through enhanced support for spare parts and accessories.

The company also plans to boost profits through used car sales and to encourage owners to subscribe to so-called “connected services,” which is a fancy name for monthly subscriptions.

For example, in the U.S., "Drive Connect" costs $15 per month and gives users access to up-to-date maps, operator-assisted navigation, and a virtual assistant.

"Integrated Streaming", also $15 per month, enables music playback via Apple Music and Amazon Music.

"Wi-Fi Connect" through AT&T costs $25 per month.

Toyota is increasingly investing in insurance and financial services to strengthen its balance sheet. CFO Yoichi Miyazaki claims the company can achieve more operating income from those sources than from new car sales – although vehicle sales remain strong despite industry instability.

This estimate refers to Japan’s fiscal year 2026, which runs from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026.

And how does that figure of 150 million Toyota vehicles fit into the global picture? Research firm Hedges & Company estimates that there are currently about 1.64 billion vehicles in use worldwide.

If that number is accurate, it means about 9.15% of all vehicles in the world carry the Toyota badge.

According to the latest data from September 2023, Toyota has produced a total of 300 million vehicles in its 88-year history.

The first vehicle was the Model G1 truck, built in August 1935 by the Automotive Development Division of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works. Only 20 vehicles were made that year.

The first year Toyota produced more than one million vehicles was 1968, and in 2012 it surpassed the 10 million units mark for the first time in a single year.

As of September 2023, 180.52 million vehicles were produced in Japan, while 119.6 million were assembled abroad.

The most successful model remains the Corolla, with a total of 53.4 million units produced by the end of September 2023.

Toyota has unveiled the new generation of the Corolla Cross model, featuring a refreshed design, upgraded technology, and for the first time, the GR Sport equipment package.

This family SUV retains practicality and hybrid efficiency but adopts a more modern look adapted to European tastes.

The exterior stands out with a new honeycomb front grille, redesigned LED headlights and taillights, and optional adaptive high beams. The rear lights feature a fin-like aerodynamic shape, while the back sports an embossed Corolla Cross logo. New 18-inch alloy wheels are also available.

Photo: Toyota

The interior features a new gear lever, a larger central console with additional storage space, improved wireless smartphone charging (now aligned with Apple CarPlay speed), a standard 10.5-inch multimedia display Toyota Smart Connect, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel (standard in most markets). Higher trim levels offer ambient lighting, and heated steering wheel and seats.

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Toyota worked on reducing cabin noise using new damping materials on the roof and rear sections. In higher trim levels, there is also a triple-layer interior insulator to reduce engine noise.

The new Corolla Cross will be available in Hybrid 140 and Hybrid 200 versions. AWD-i models introduce the new Snow Extra driving mode for the first time, optimizing stability and control on snowy surfaces by using the rear motor to prevent slipping.

Photo: Toyota

For the first time, the Corolla Cross receives the sporty GR SPORT package. This trim level brings visual changes such as black 19-inch alloy wheels, a uniquely designed front grille, glossy black Toyota badges, and an optional two-tone Storm Grey body color. The interior features GR logos and red stitching on Alcantara seats.

The GR SPORT version also features modified suspension lowered by 10 mm, a retuned power steering system and gear lever for a more dynamic driving experience. The new Sport mode ensures quicker throttle response by increasing idle RPM and enhanced engine braking when the accelerator is released. GR SPORT also retains the Snow Extra mode for winter driving.

Photo: Toyota

Standard equipment includes the Toyota T-Mate package with the third generation of Toyota Safety Sense, which supports over-the-air updates and includes advanced driving and parking assistance systems.

The new Toyota Corolla Cross will arrive in European dealerships in summer 2025, while the GR SPORT version will be available in the fall.

After the presentation of the Fiat Grande Panda, and with the upcoming SUV Pandissima, we now have an announcement of another new model from the Italian brand.

Fiat Campagnola X could mark the return of the legendary off-roader, and according to Italian media, it is a "project that combines the adventurous DNA of the brand with next-generation technological innovation."

According to rumors, with a length of approximately 4 meters, the Fiat Campagnola X stands out as a perfectly compact vehicle, capable of combining high-level off-road performance with practicality suitable for urban use.

Its robust design is inspired by the aesthetics of true off-road vehicles, featuring square lines, steel bumpers, and visible underbody protection. Distinctive elements include pronounced wheel arches, full LED headlights with a "U"-shaped light signature, and a removable roof.

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Check out the unofficial renders showing what this model could look like.

Technically, the vehicle promises advanced solutions. It may adopt a ladder frame chassis or a high-rigidity platform, combined with all-wheel drive.

Key features include locking differentials and drive modes dedicated to specific terrains, making it an ideal companion for tackling rough terrain.

The engine lineup could include hybrid or fully electric options, with dual motors to ensure optimal control in every situation.

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Targeting the Suzuki Jimny

The interior of the Fiat Campagnola X is designed to combine functionality and durability.

Waterproof materials, intuitive physical controls, and a 10-inch central screen with the Uconnect system ensure practicality and ease of use, while the interior space is optimized to offer maximum versatility, with numerous storage compartments and a modular trunk.

The new Fiat Campagnola X is positioned in a strategic market segment, offering itself as a more affordable alternative to models like the Jeep Wrangler or Suzuki Jimny. There are no concrete details yet about when the Campagnola X will reach the market, but it is expected to come with a highly competitive price.

Tesla car sales in Europe dropped significantly in April this year.

In Sweden, the drop reached as much as 81 percent, the lowest level in the past two and a half years, Reuters reports, citing new vehicle registration data.

At the same time, Europeans are increasingly buying Chinese electric cars and are widely expressing dissatisfaction with the political views of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Reuters adds.

Sales of this manufacturer’s vehicles have been declining for the fourth consecutive month across most of Europe.

In the first quarter, overall sales of fully electric vehicles in Europe rose by 28 percent, while Tesla sales fell by 37.2 percent.

In the Netherlands, sales dropped by 73.8 percent to the lowest level since 2022, while in Portugal a 33 percent decline was recorded.

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Sales in Denmark decreased by 67.2 percent, while France saw a 59.4 percent drop.

These figures support and reinforce speculation that the launch of the revamped Model Y in some countries might revive Tesla car sales in Europe, Reuters adds.

The European Commission has proposed important changes to the rules on periodic vehicle technical inspections, to take into account the growing number of electric cars, advanced driver assistance systems, and to reduce fraud related to odometer readings.

The new rules are expected to reduce harmful emissions, odometer fraud, and improve road safety.

The Commission has proposed a revision of three directives: on periodic vehicle technical inspections; on vehicle registration documents; and on roadside inspections of commercial vehicles.

The Commission proposes introducing mandatory annual technical inspections for cars and vans older than 10 years, instead of the current requirement of every two years. This obligation already exists in most Member States, but in 11 Member States, cars and vans over 10 years old are only inspected every two years.

In some Member States, mandatory annual inspections are carried out already after three or four years of the vehicle's age.

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In order to reduce fraud related to the odometer readings, Member States will be required, according to the proposal, to establish national databases of odometer readings.

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Readings must be recorded at every vehicle servicing or repair, even for simple operations like bulb or tire replacement. Such databases already exist in Belgium (Car-Pass) and the Netherlands (Nationale Auto Pas, NAP), and they should now become mandatory in all Member States.

If a used car is sold to another Member State, the Member State from which it was exported will have to share the vehicle’s odometer history with the Member State where it is re-registered.

According to the current directive on periodic technical inspections, the mileage must be recorded at each inspection, and odometer manipulation is considered a criminal offense. However, the problem is that inspections are carried out only once a year, often every two years, and for new vehicles only after three or four years. A significant part of odometer fraud already occurs before the first inspection, as greater financial gains can be achieved by tampering with the odometer of relatively new vehicles.

Combating mileage fraud is important from a consumer protection perspective as well as for fair market competition in the vehicle trade. The proposal should contribute to reducing unauthorized interventions on odometers in both domestic and cross-border used car sales, which would especially benefit consumers in countries with a large number of used cars.

It is proposed to test emissions using advanced methods for ultrafine particles and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The current recommended threshold of 250,000 particles/cm³ would become the pass threshold for technical inspections.

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Advanced Driver Assistance Functions on the Test

It is proposed that periodic technical inspections be adapted to examine electric vehicles and to include checks of advanced driver assistance features.

The proposal also includes digitizing technical inspection reports and introducing digital vehicle registration certificates, as well as interconnecting national vehicle registers and expanding the set of harmonized vehicle data in those registers, for example data about the country of first registration, registration status, and information on significant vehicle modifications.

Electronic vehicle roadworthiness certificates should become mandatory and gradually replace the paper versions.

The possibility of conducting a technical inspection in a different Member State where the vehicle is not registered is also foreseen. The certificate from such an inspection would be valid for up to six months, after which the next inspection must be carried out in the country where the vehicle is registered.

The proposals will now be considered by the European Parliament and the Council as part of the regular legislative procedure. It is now up to the legislative bodies—the Council and Parliament—to decide on the proposals. Once an agreement is reached, the Commission will prepare the necessary delegated and implementing acts for certain aspects of the new rules’ implementation.