Hybrids Cars: News & Models

BYD has released official images and filed specifications for the Da Han, a 5,256 mm sedan that becomes the first D-segment car in its Dynasty line. The rear-drive version claims 1,008 km on the CLTC cycle from a 102.3 kWh LFP Blade pack. It debuts at the Chengdu Auto Show on 21 August. No price has been announced.

Li Auto signed a local-assembly agreement with Kazakh dealer group Allur to build its first production base outside China, at Kostanay. The move follows the L9's launch in Uzbekistan, where the brand has logged 5,056 deliveries and four stores since October 2025.

Proton's e.MAS sub-brand passed 31,504 electrified registrations as of 31 July, the fastest any brand has reached that mark in Malaysian history - 20 months after the e.MAS 7's December 2024 launch. e.MAS now holds 42.6% of Malaysia's EV market, led by the e.MAS 5 hatchback.

Brand CEO Gernot Döllner says the next Q8 had not been signed off when he took the job and the decision was reversed. The five-seat coupe format stays, with V6 and V8 petrol engines expected, including the 4.0 twin-turbo V8 from the new SQ9. No prototypes have been seen and the debut is expected around 2028.

General Motors and SAIC have run their joint venture out to 2047 and given it a new job: at least 30 new-energy models by 2030, built in China and shipped to the Middle East, Africa, South America, Mexico and Asia-Pacific. The Buick Electra E7 goes first, in October. Chevrolet, meanwhile, stops selling in China.

Korean sales of the eighth-generation Elantra, badged Avante at home, have opened at ₩23,980,000 ($17,300) for the 149 hp 2.0-litre petrol and ₩30,420,000 ($21,900) for the 157 hp hybrid. Both come with the Pleos Connect infotainment system and its Gleo AI voice assistant.

BAIC and Huawei's second HIMA model is taking Chinese preorders at ¥439,800 to ¥559,800 ($64,200 to $81,700). The angular SUV runs an 800V architecture with all-wheel drive, air suspension and rear-wheel steering as standard, in EREV form with up to 405 km of electric CLTC range or as an EV with 728 km.

The Dingcang Edition drops the U8L's third row for two armchairs that recline to 150 degrees, adds a 21.4-inch ceiling screen and two refrigerators, and costs ¥1,458,000 ($216,000). The range-extended powertrain is unchanged at 1,196 hp, with a slightly larger battery good for 230 km of electric CLTC range.

BYD has revealed the Sealion 08, a 5,115 mm flagship SUV for its Ocean sub-brand with a five- or six-seat cabin, a rear ceiling screen, and a built-in refrigerator. It comes as a DM-i plug-in hybrid or a battery-electric SUV with up to 796 hp. China sales are expected from August 2026.

Ford and Geely are forming a joint venture at Ford's Valencia, Spain plant, with Ford holding 66% and Geely 34%. One of the first projects could be a next-generation Ford Kuga, reportedly moving to Geely's GEA architecture around 2029.

Xpeng has revealed the G9L, a five-seat SUV between the G9 and the six-seat flagship GX on the same 800V platform. It comes as an EREV or a battery-electric SUV, from 286 hp up to 585 hp on the top all-wheel- drive EV. China sales open before the end of 2026.

A month after the global fifth-generation X5 launch, BMW revealed its long-wheelbase Chinese variant. The X5 L gets a dedicated G78 designator and a 130 mm longer wheelbase (3,165 mm), with nearly all the extra length going to rear-seat passengers.

Xiaomi opened pre-sales for its SkyNomad N70 and N90 EREV SUVs on July 30, at 259,900 yuan and 299,900 yuan respectively for the top Max trim, with a full launch set for September. Both share the same 310 kW motor pair and 76 kWh battery, but the smaller N70 posts a longer CLTC electric range than its flagship sibling - the detail behind Xiaomi's "longest range of any EREV" claim.

Audi has revealed the Q9, its first full-size flagship SUV at 5,309 mm long. Europe gets a 3.0 V6 turbodiesel mild hybrid (245 or 299 hp) and quattro; the US gets a 435 hp 2.9 twin-turbo petrol, plus a 591 hp V8 SQ9. Orders open from July 2026, from €108,400 (about $118,100) in Germany, or $87,700 in the US.

Lexus will update the LS flagship sedan for Japan on September 10, 2026, dropping the non-hybrid V6 in favor of a hybrid-only lineup and trimming the range to three grades. Australia gets the same update toward the end of 2026 and keeps selling the car into 2027. The US drops the LS after the 2026 model year, sending it off with a 250-unit Heritage Edition.

Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed the Discovery Sport will finish its production run in December 2026. Orders will close earlier in parts of Europe, where the model does not meet incoming EU safety rules. No direct successor is planned; JLR's electrification push centers on a new Freelander family developed with Chery.

Maruti Suzuki has launched a facelifted Brezza for India with a new 1.0-litre turbo Boosterjet mild-hybrid engine making 110 hp, alongside the carryover naturally aspirated and CNG versions. Prices run from about $7,700 to $14,200; the compact SUV remains exclusive to the Indian market.

Toyota has revealed a 2027 Tundra with refreshed styling and, for the first time on its full-size pickup, a Trailhunter off-road package built on the SR5 trim. Trailhunter pricing and specs are still to come, with the truck due on sale in the fall of 2026.

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed a smaller version of the G-Class will be built exclusively at its Kecskemet plant in Hungary, part of a 1 billion euro (about $1.09 billion) expansion that will make Kecskemet the automaker's largest European factory, with the compact G-Class due to start production in 2027 as an EV with a hybrid variant added later.

Acura is reportedly developing a three-row flagship crossover positioned above the MDX, expected around 2029 as the largest SUV in the brand's history. It carries the internal working name "Acura XL" and would be built at Honda's Alabama plant with a new hybrid powertrain aimed at large vehicles.