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Mercedes-AMG Expands Electric Performance Lineup with New EV SUV Coupe

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Mercedes-AMG is strategically expanding its electric vehicle portfolio, with a strong focus on high-performance SUVs. The luxury performance brand, known for its powerful internal combustion engine vehicles, is transitioning into a new era of electrification. This strategic shift is highlighted by the upcoming release of a dedicated electric SUV coupe, a vehicle designed to combine the utility and commanding presence of an SUV with the sleek, aerodynamic lines of a coupe. This move follows the success of existing AMG electric models like the EQE and EQS sedans and SUVs, demonstrating a clear commitment to electrifying its acclaimed performance lineup. The new electric SUV coupe, anticipated to launch in late 2027, will be part of a broader push to introduce more electric models that showcase the brand's engineering prowess and performance capabilities in the EV segment.

The foundation of these new electric models, including the SUV coupe, is the innovative AMG.EA platform. This advanced architecture is engineered to support extreme power outputs and cutting-edge battery technology, ensuring that future AMG EVs deliver the exhilarating performance expected from the brand. With a tri-motor setup and an 800-volt system, these vehicles are poised to redefine electric performance, offering rapid acceleration and superior driving dynamics. The brand's CEO, Michael Schiebe, underscored the growing importance of SUVs within AMG's sales, affirming the company's decision to "double down on SUVs." This direction reflects a global market trend towards SUVs and represents a strategic alignment of AMG's product development with consumer demand and the future of automotive performance.

The Next Generation of AMG Electric SUVs

Mercedes-AMG is poised to launch a groundbreaking electric SUV coupe by the close of 2027, a significant step in the brand's electrification journey. This vehicle, anticipated to be a performance powerhouse, will feature a revolutionary tri-motor powertrain generating over 1000 horsepower, built upon the advanced AMG.EA platform. This platform incorporates an innovative round-cell battery pack and an 800-volt electrical system, enabling exceptional performance and rapid charging capabilities. This new SUV coupe will closely align with a more conventionally styled electric AMG SUV slated for an earlier release, demonstrating AMG's aggressive expansion into the electric performance utility segment.

The development of this electric SUV coupe is a testament to AMG's commitment to adapting its high-performance philosophy to the electric era. Confirmed by Mercedes-AMG CEO Michael Schiebe, the decision to prioritize SUVs reflects their growing market dominance, now accounting for over half of AMG's total sales. This strategic emphasis on electric SUVs underscores a global shift in consumer preferences and AMG's ambition to lead in the luxury electric performance vehicle sector. The vehicle's design is expected to boast a dramatically sloped roofline, differentiating it from its more traditional SUV sibling while maintaining the distinctive AMG aesthetic. Its capabilities, including a rumored average charging speed of 850 kilowatts, could add 248 miles of range in just five minutes, showcasing an impressive blend of performance and practicality.

Pioneering Performance with the AMG.EA Platform

The innovative AMG.EA platform is at the core of Mercedes-AMG's future electric performance vehicles, including the highly anticipated electric SUV coupe. This bespoke architecture is specifically designed to accommodate a unique round-cell battery pack and an advanced 800-volt electric system, setting new benchmarks for power delivery and efficiency. The platform's ability to support a tri-motor powertrain, featuring one motor on the front axle and two on the rear, ensures that these electric models will deliver the exhilarating acceleration and dynamic handling characteristic of the AMG brand, with outputs comfortably exceeding 1000 horsepower.

The reveal of the electric AMG four-door, which indirectly replaces the gas-powered AMG GT 4-Door, is imminent and serves as a prelude to the upcoming SUV models. This sedan, previewed by the GT XX concept, demonstrated impressive figures with 1341 horsepower, a top speed of 223 mph, and a rapid charging capability that adds substantial range in minutes. Mercedes has also teased the car's active aerodynamics, including an active rear diffuser designed to enhance stability at high speeds, signaling the blend of cutting-edge technology and performance in their new electric lineup. These advancements highlight AMG's dedication to pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle engineering, ensuring their electric offerings are not just powerful but also technologically sophisticated and dynamically superior.

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Kia Discontinues Niro PHEV in 2026 Amidst Shifting Market Demands

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In response to changing automotive industry dynamics, Kia has announced that the Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) will no longer be offered in the U.S. market starting with the 2026 model year. This strategic decision comes as the market shows a preference for traditional hybrid vehicles over their plug-in counterparts, despite a slower-than-anticipated adoption rate for fully electric vehicles. The Niro series, since its 2017 debut, has aimed to cater to a broad spectrum of eco-conscious drivers by providing hybrid, PHEV, and electric powertrain options.

The Niro Hybrid and Niro EV models are set to continue their presence in the 2026 lineup, ensuring that consumers still have access to electrified options within the Niro family. Furthermore, Kia recently unveiled an updated version of the Niro for the Korean market, and it is expected that this refreshed design will be introduced to American consumers in the 2027 model year. The specific powertrains that will accompany this aesthetic upgrade are yet to be confirmed, but it signals Kia's ongoing commitment to innovation and adaptation in the evolving automotive landscape.

The outgoing Niro PHEV was lauded for its efficiency and practicality, highlighted by its 180-horsepower front-wheel-drive system and an EPA-estimated electric range of 33 miles. Despite its strengths, the market's inclination towards other hybrid solutions has led to this adjustment in Kia's product offering. The remaining Niro Hybrid boasts a 139-horsepower gas-electric powertrain with an impressive 53 MPG combined, while the Niro EV features a 201-horsepower electric motor and a substantial 253-mile range, affirming Kia's dedication to sustainable mobility.

This strategic shift underscores the importance for manufacturers to remain agile and responsive to consumer preferences and technological advancements. By streamlining its offerings, Kia can focus on strengthening its most popular electrified models, ensuring continued relevance and competitiveness in an ever-changing global market. It’s a testament to the fact that progress often involves difficult choices, ultimately aimed at fostering a more sustainable and efficient future for transportation.

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GM and Allison Transmission Mend Partnership, Badges to Return on HD Trucks

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General Motors and Allison Transmission have successfully reconciled their differences, announcing the reintroduction of Allison branding on GM's heavy-duty pickup trucks. This development marks a significant turnaround from last year's contentious decision by GM to remove all Allison badging from new and unsold models, despite the underlying transmission hardware remaining unchanged. The renewed partnership ensures that the iconic Allison logo will once again adorn the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD lineups, symbolizing a restored collaboration between the two automotive powerhouses.

Reconciliation Seals Future for GM and Allison Truck Transmissions

In a noteworthy turn of events, General Motors has officially confirmed the restoration of its long-standing partnership with Allison Transmission. This reconciliation means that Allison badging, previously slated for removal, will return to GM's heavy-duty trucks, specifically the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD models. The announcement follows a period of tension, where GM had initially moved to cease using Allison branding on its new vehicles and even retrieve existing badges from unsold inventory. According to a spokesperson for General Motors, who communicated with Car and Driver, this decision signifies a smoothing over of past disagreements. While the hardware itself, featuring the 10L 1000 10-speed automatic transmission co-developed with Ford and verified by Allison, was never altered, the branding dispute had caused a stir in the industry. Although the exact number of HD trucks produced without the Allison badge remains undisclosed, there are no current plans to retrofit these vehicles with the re-instated branding. This renewed commitment underscores the enduring value of the Allison name in the heavy-duty truck segment.

This renewed collaboration between GM and Allison highlights the intricate dynamics of long-term business relationships. It serves as a reminder that even established partnerships can face unexpected challenges, but with mutual understanding and strategic adjustments, they can be successfully revived. For consumers, the return of Allison badging reinforces confidence in the proven reliability and performance associated with the brand in heavy-duty applications. This episode also sheds light on the significant impact of branding and perceived partnerships in the automotive industry, where a name can carry as much weight as the underlying technology itself. Ultimately, this resolution is a positive outcome for both companies and their loyal customer base.

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