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The newly revealed LF-ZC concept previews a luxury electric hatchback/coupe that will go on sale in 2026. All-wheel drive and steer-by-wire will be standard. Next-gen Prismatic battery packs promise serious range.Lexus has already launched its first EV, the underwhelming RZ. But now the Japanese brand is showing a much more promising electric future with the LF-ZC concept, freshly unveiled at the Tokyo auto show. The company promises that a production version of this car will be hitting the streets in 2026.Presented by Lexus chief branding officer Simon Humphries as “a fusion of physical and digital technology,” the LF-ZC is a strikingly styled concept that will sit on an all-new electric architecture. The company has also shown a concept version of an even larger and grander sister model, the LF-ZL SUV, that will share the same platform. Details, Specs on Lexus VehiclesProvocative SimplicityThe LF-ZC’s design is based around a new philosophy that Lexus describes as “provocative simplicity.” From the front it certainly looks like a Lexus, with a new take on the brand’s elongated-check-mark headlight design and triangular black shapes in the bumper that are reminiscent of the apertures of the LFA supercar. From the side it becomes much more elaborate, with concave and convex shapes incorporated into fenders and doors. The roofline is low and coupe-like, falling gently toward the back of the car. Lexus has not released any performance numbers or claims but says that the LF-ZC is 187.0 inches long, 1.6 inches longer than the previous Lexus IS sedan. A height of 54.8 inches makes it impressively low by EV standards. The targeted drag coefficient of 0.20, if realized, is impressively sleek too. On the InsideThe concept’s interior seems to be further from production reality, unless Lexus is intending to follow Tesla with a cut-down yoke in place of a conventional steering wheel. Although not clear in the images, Lexus promises that controls have been concentrated into two touch-sensitive digital pads, with vehicle functions including drive mode selection done by the one on the left and infotainment by another on the right. LexusLexus says that both the LF-ZC and the larger LF-ZL will use a next-generation prismatic battery pack that will allow it to “achieve approximately twice the range of conventional EVs, alleviating range anxiety concerns.” That’s a big claim, and one we’d expect to come with an EPA rating of over 500 miles. E-Sports and AIThey will also come with the new Arene OS, which offers a high level of adaptability and even the possibility of mixing up the real and virtual worlds. Lexus’s promise that “customers will be able to engage in e-sports using steer-by-wire technology inside the vehicle” sounds close to terrifying. Arene will also bring an AI-enabled virtual function called Butler that will use self-learning functions to help customize vehicle settings for owners, and the LF-ZC will also be able to project information onto its windshield. The LF-ZL is bigger and larger than the ZC at a substantial 208.7 inches long and sitting on a huge 131.9-inch wheelbase. The images released show the combination of conventional front doors with sliding rears. It would sit at the top of the range. The clock is already ticking on Lexus’s race for electrification; the brand has committed to be EV only by 2035. In Europe, the company recently trademarked four names—LF-ZC, LF-ZL, LF-ZV, and LF-ZA—suggesting that this story is only half told at this point. We look forward to bringing you more. Senior European CorrespondentOur man on the other side of the pond, Mike Duff lives in Britain but reports from across Europe, sometimes beyond. He has previously held staff roles on UK titles including CAR, Autocar and evo, but his own automotive tastes tend towards the Germanic, owning both a troublesome 987-generation Porsche Cayman S and a Mercedes 190E 2.5-16. More

This lightweight two-seat EV has just been revealed at the Tokyo auto show.The small and sleek car shows the versatility of Toyota’s next electric architecture.It could be the one to deliver on Akio Toyoda’s promise for “three brothers” in its sports-car family, alongside the GR86 and Supra.Toyota dropped teaser images about an electric sports-car concept last week, and now the FT-Se has been fully unveiled at the Tokyo auto show. Having seen it up close, we can report both that it looks great, but also that—although there is no confirmation of any intent—aside from some outlandish details, it looks to be ready for production.While Toyota hasn’t released technical details, the fact that the FT-Se was unveiled alongside the FT-3e crossover concept indicates the adaptability of the company’s next-generation EV platform. Toyota has confirmed that both cars will share major components. Toyota has previously said it is working on a new ultra-compact battery architecture, with cells under 100 mm (3.9 inches) in height. The FT-Se’s low, sleek lines suggest that it is designed to accommodate these. Mike Duff|Car and DriverThe FT-Se is a two-seater that is clearly in the tradition of the lightweight MR2 that was sold across three generations between the 1980s and the early 2000s. We don’t have dimensions, but it is low and visually wide, with wheels pushed out to the far corners of its bodywork. The front bumper incorporates sizable apertures for an EV, with more space beneath the rear spoiler with full-width strakes beneath this, which have us thinking of the rear grilles of the Ferrari 512. There is no doubt that something very like the FT-Se could fit easily into Toyota’s portfolio of performance models. The company’s previous boss, Akio Toyoda, spoke of his desire for “three brothers,” and we see the FT-Se as having strong potential to become the third of these alongside the Supra and GR86, completing that triumvirate. As befits a sporty Toyota model the FT-Se is shown wearing the GR branding of Toyota’s Gazoo Racing performance division.We haven’t been able to see inside the GT-Se yet, but Toyota promises both a new, lower instrument panel and knee pads to protect a driver from high g-forces while driving. Toyota has previously admitted to having built an EV sports-car prototype incorporating a virtual stick shift, and the production version of the GT-Se would seem to be an obvious candidate to give this its debut. (Hyundai has a similar system in the Ioniq 5 N, although that oneuses paddles for its simulated manual ratios rather than an H-gate.)Presuming the FT-Se does make it to production, it will likely find itself in a well-stocked pond. Porsche is working on an electric next-gen Cayman, Lotus has confirmed it will have an EV replacement for the retired Elise, and Renault subsidiary Alpine is separately working on another lightweight sports-EV. More Tokyo ConceptsSenior European CorrespondentOur man on the other side of the pond, Mike Duff lives in Britain but reports from across Europe, sometimes beyond. He has previously held staff roles on UK titles including CAR, Autocar and evo, but his own automotive tastes tend towards the Germanic, owning both a troublesome 987-generation Porsche Cayman S and a Mercedes 190E 2.5-16. More

Mazda has unveiled the Iconic SP ahead of the Tokyo auto show, providing more details on the streamlined sports car first seen virtually last year as the “Vision Study Model.”The Iconic SP is powered by electric motors, with a twin-rotor rotary engine acting as a generator to recharge the battery as needed.The concept is about 10 inches longer than the current Miata and features a simplistic interior with a small screen and few physical switches.A year ago, Mazda teased a slinky sports car concept called the “Vision Study Model” that we theorized was an early look at an electric MX-5 Miata. Now Mazda has brought back the concept for a proper reveal ahead of the 2023 Tokyo auto show. Dubbed the Iconic SP, the sports car is actually significantly larger than Mazda’s famous roadster and is powered by a hybrid rotary-engined setup.Mazda Iconic SP Details Mazda didn’t reveal a ton of details about the Iconic SP, but the automaker did publish dimensions. The concept measures 164.6 inches long, 72.8 inches wide, and 45.3 inches tall, with a nearly 102-inch wheelbase. This makes it about 10 inches longer than a Miata, four inches wider, three inches shorter, and with an 11-inch lengthier wheelbase. At 3197 pounds, it is also about 850 pounds portlier than a Miata.Under the hood lives a hybrid system pairing an unspecified number of electric motors with a twin-rotor rotary engine. Mazda says the rotary engine is used for power generation, implying that it is simply a range extender that charges the battery and doesn’t directly drive the wheels. Mazda uses a similar setup in the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, revealed earlier this year for global markets with a single-rotor engine serving as a battery generator. Mazda says the Iconic SP’s engine runs on a carbon-neutral fuel, but it can also “burn various fuels such as hydrogen.” The powertrain pumps out 365 horsepower, which should make the slinky sports car fairly quick. The concept also allegedly acts as a power supply, allowing you to run appliances while spending time outdoors or in the event of an outage.Mazda says the concept is designed for customers who “desire a car that simply embodies the joy of driving” and touts a low center of gravity and a 50:50 weight distribution. The sleek hood sits low between the front fenders thanks to the compact rotary engine, and the bodywork is incredibly smooth, like a piece of seaglass that has been polished by waves for eons. A version of Mazda’s smiling grille sits below what appear to be pop-up LED headlights.The cabin is simplistic, with a small screen to the right of the steering wheel and a series of sliders on the center console. A small digital gauge lives behind the steering wheel—displaying a track map of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit and a g-force meter—and the interior surfaces appear to be upholstered with a luxurious-looking suede. The concept is painted a vivid shade called Viola Red, matching the red stitching inside.It’s unclear exactly what the Iconic SP represents. Although the concept is bigger than the Miata and features a radically different powertrain than the MX-5’s 2.0-liter inline-four, Mazda’s Tokyo auto show exhibit will feature a variety of Miata models. Mazda has already said that the Miata would become electrified to some degree for its next generation, so it’s possible that the rotary-hybrid setup here could become reality. Either way, it is a reassuring look into a future where Mazda will remain committed to small, light sports cars. More on the MiataThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

The 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 plug-in hybrid crests the 500-hp threshold with an upgraded 3.0-liter inline-six and a new 134-hp electric motor. Peak output of 536 hp and 553 pound-feet of torque is enough to send the GLE53 PHEV to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds.The 31.2-kWh battery can charge at up 60 kW on a DC fast-charger, but Mercedes hasn’t yet released the plug-in GLE53’s electric-only driving range.There are changes afoot in Affalterbach, Germany. First, Mercedes-AMG ditched the C63 sports sedan’s roaring V-8 in favor of a four-cylinder plug-in-hybrid setup. Now, the Germans have set about hybridizing the rest of the lineup, and the latest to get the electrified treatment is the GLE SUV. The 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 Hybrid, revealed yesterday, packs a 536-horsepower plug-in-hybrid powertrain and will reach the United States in late 2025.Meet the AMG GLE53 Hybrid Available in both traditional SUV and sloped-roof “Coupe” body styles, the GLE53 PHEV pairs the turbocharged inline-six from the standard GLE53 with an electric motor for a peak output of 536 hp and 553 pound-feet of torque; 443 of those ponies come via the 3.0-liter engine, which ekes out an extra 14 hp over the standard GLE53 thanks to revised software and an extra heat exchanger. The permanently excited synchronous electric motor contributes 134 horses and 354 pound-feet, receiving its electrons from a battery with an estimated usable capacity of 27.5 kWh. Mercedes-BenzWith the plug-in-hybrid powertrain motivating all four wheels, Mercedes claims the portly GLE53 will scoot to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The GLE53 Hybrid can drive on electric power alone up to 87 mph, with an 11-kW AC and 60-kW DC on-board charger replenishing the battery. Mercedes has yet to divulge an estimated electric-only driving range. Mercedes-BenzThe air suspension has been revised for the plug-in-hybrid model, which also adds new bump stops in the front struts and new dampers at the rear. Like the standard GLE53, the front brake rotors measure 15.7 inches, but they are now paired with six-piston fixed calipers versus the two-piston units on the nonhybrid model. The rear discs are also beefed up to 14.6 inches from the 13.6-inch units on the normal GLE53, but they still work in conjunction with single-piston floating calipers. Mercedes also says the all-wheel-drive system and steering have been retuned.Spotting the PHEV GLE53 The 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 Hybrid has a few subtle visual tweaks, with an extra opening in the front end to usher air to the new heat exchanger and new badges on the fenders and tailgate highlighting the SUV’s hybrid status. The infotainment screens also gain new hybrid-specific displays, such as a charging-status indicator and a gauge for the battery temperature. Mercedes hasn’t released pricing for the plug-in-hybrid GLE53, which should come closer to the SUV’s 2025 on-sale date, but we expect the PHEV model to cost more than the existing $87,900 GLE53. Mercedes wouldn’t clarify whether the plug-in hybrid would be sold alongside the current gas-only GLE53, stating that details on the 2026 AMG GLE lineup are “subject to future announcement.” More Hybrid AMGsThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

Ferrari just pulled back the sheet on the newest one-off from its Special Projects outfit.Dubbed the SP-8, the special-edition roadster features a twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V-8 pulled from the F8 Spider. Ferrari will put the SP-8 on display at the Mugello Circuit and then at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello before being delivered to the owner in Taiwan in March 2024. Reflect for a moment on the idea that the Ferrari F8 Spider is an exciting and special car with its own merits. Now consider how much more special it could be as a one-of-one special-edition roadster designed and built by Ferrari’s Special Projects program. Ponder no more, as one incredibly wealthy (we’re assuming on that part) Ferrari customer worked with the brand to create the one-off SP-8 roadster.A More Special F8 SpiderThe new special-edition Ferrari derives its look, performance, and name from the F8 Spider. Ferrari neglected to give performance specifics for the SP-8, but the twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V-8 mounted behind the seats produces 710 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque in the F8. Those are the same figures as the performance-oriented 488 Pista, and the engine is claimed to propel the car to repeatable sub-3.0-second times to 60 mph.FerrariWhile the F8 is a droptop convertible, the special edition bids a heartfelt arrivederci to the roof, instead opting for a roadster format. According to Ferrari, losing the roof required a combination of simulations, wind-tunnel testing, and track testing to bring the standard for comfort to the same level as the F8.The styling for the SP-8 is clearly descended from the F8, though the one-0ff adds its own personality throughout. The front end is redone, with a longer, more assertive splitter. The front half of the car is finished in an unpainted glossy iridescent Blue Sandstone carbon fiber, while the rear bodywork is finished in a matte Argento Micalizzato gray paint. Ferrari says the exclusive five-spoke wheels represent a modern take on the brand’s classic prototypes as well as harking back to the alloy wheels on the F40. FerrariSP-8 Is PricelessAs is generally the case with Ferrari Special Projects cars, the manufacturer neglected to give out price details. Whatever the figure is, it’s sure to be much higher than the roughly $330,000 starting price of the F8 Spider. The car will be put on display at the Mugello Circuit from October 24 until the end of this year’s Finali Mondiali Ferrari on October 29, 2023. It will then be displayed at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello from November 16 until March 2024 before the owner takes delivery of the car in Taiwan. More on the F8 and Ferrari Special ProjectsThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

The UAW has expanded its ongoing strike to two large assembly plants that build some of General Motors’ and Stellantis’ most profitable vehicles. Workers walked out of the Arlington, Texas, plant that builds GM’s full-size SUVs including the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade; this follows an expansion of the strike to Stellantis’ Sterling Heights, Michigan, facility that builds the Ram 1500 full-size pickup truck.The UAW said that 5000 workers from the GM Arlington plant are now on strike, along with 6800 workers from the Stellantis Sterling Heights plant. The union says that GM’s current offer does not adequately reward workers for their contributions to the company’s profits, while claiming that Stellantis’ offer lags behind GM and Ford and is the “worst proposal on the table” in terms of wage progression and other financial concerns.StellantisIn a statement, General Motors responded by saying that, “The current offer is the most significant that GM has ever proposed to the UAW.” Stellantis, meanwhile, has reacted by pulling out of several major auto shows and events, including the upcoming Los Angeles auto show, SEMA aftermarket show, and CES technology show. The automaker cited growing costs due to the strike as the reason for these cancellations.This is a developing story and we will continue to update.More on the StrikeSenior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

Infiniti confirmed a revised full-size QX80 SUV will arrive in 2024. A new model called the QX65 will be a mid-size crossover coupe.There are also hints of a future electric SUV with the Vision QXe concept.Things have been quiet at Infiniti, but the Japanese luxury brand has been working in the background on both concepts and dealer-ready new models. On the eve of the Tokyo auto show, Infiniti showcased its plans for both future electric models and two new gas-powered SUVs. The QX65—shown in concept form—will be a new nameplate for Infiniti. The QX65 is a mid-size crossover with a sloped “coupe” rear end poised to compete with other two-row luxury SUVs, including those from Lexus and Genesis. It will likely share components with the three-row QX60 mid-size luxury SUV.For those needing three rows, the full-size QX80 gets a redesign, with the goal of taking on the big dogs of glamorous fleet transport such as the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. The QX80’s exterior should look much like the QX Monograph concept unveiled during 2023 Monterey Car Week, with an imposing slab-sided body and a vertical waterfall-style grille.Interior materials should also get an upgrade, and Infiniti promises comfort and tech for all three rows. While electrification is still to come, we do expect the outgoing QX80’s 5.6-liter V-8 to be replaced with something smaller, more powerful, and more fuel efficient in the new model—possibly a twin-turbo V-6.An electric SUV is on the way, too, and is previewed by the QXe concept shown in Infiniti’s teaser photo of these four new models, alongside the Qe electric sedan concept. But we don’t have any details on that model yet, and it will likely come later than these two new gas-powered models once it reaches production.More on Infiniti ModelsSenior Editor, FeaturesLike a sleeper agent activated late in the game, Elana Scherr didn’t know her calling at a young age. Like many girls, she planned to be a vet-astronaut-artist, and came closest to that last one by attending UCLA art school. She painted images of cars, but did not own one. Elana reluctantly got a driver’s license at age 21 and discovered that she not only loved cars and wanted to drive them, but that other people loved cars and wanted to read about them, which meant somebody had to write about them. Since receiving activation codes, Elana has written for numerous car magazines and websites, covering classics, car culture, technology, motorsports, and new-car reviews.     More

Infiniti has been slow to bring an electric car to market. The fastback Vision Qe sedan is a concept for Infiniti’s first EV. Infiniti designers say the concept should inspire thoughts of extraordinary, sophisticated, and dynamism.In an interesting marketing choice, Infiniti, which has so far stayed out of the EV market, plans to make its first electric vehicle a smooth sedan, rather than the more expected mid-size SUV that most of its competitors have chosen. Time will tell if that’s the right decision, but in the meantime, Infiniti showcased the concept for the electron-eating four-door ahead of the 2023 Tokyo auto show. The Vision Qe concept is a large fastback sedan with the smooth profile of a river rock. It’s so sleek it appears almost half-carved. Senior vice president for global design, Alfonso Albaisa, says that the Vision Qe is inspired by the Japanese expression, “Sho,” which invokes the powerful, but graceful, flight of an elegant bird. Certainly the design suggests movement, with swept-back body lines and a tapering rear. The concept is finished in a dark metallic blue, flecked with gold and gold accents pepper the design from wheels to lit-up trim. Light plays a major part in the Vision Qe, with glowing details all across its barely upturned spoiler in the rear and tracing the shape of its widespread snowplow of a front fascia. Infiniti says the massive wheels with their interlaced wire pattern represent the wound coils of an electric motor, and they too are finished in a light gold. The concept is striking, but seems unlikely to make it to production unchanged, which might mean that Infiniti’s first EV is just a plain ‘ol four-door at a time when customers are shying away from sedans. The production version of this concept is likely to be built at Nissan’s factory in Canton, Mississippi, alongside a Nissan version that we’ve speculated could adopt the name Maxima. The two companies previously said that they would start production of two new EV models at this facility in 2025, meaning they could arrive for the 2026 model year. We don’t know what the Infiniti will be called, but it may bring back a name from a past sedan such as Q70.More on Future EVsSenior Editor, FeaturesLike a sleeper agent activated late in the game, Elana Scherr didn’t know her calling at a young age. Like many girls, she planned to be a vet-astronaut-artist, and came closest to that last one by attending UCLA art school. She painted images of cars, but did not own one. Elana reluctantly got a driver’s license at age 21 and discovered that she not only loved cars and wanted to drive them, but that other people loved cars and wanted to read about them, which meant somebody had to write about them. Since receiving activation codes, Elana has written for numerous car magazines and websites, covering classics, car culture, technology, motorsports, and new-car reviews.     More