FAST NEWS - Hubshop's Weekly Roundup / Week #18

1. Performance & Product Launches and New Releases

• Porsche Cayenne Coupé Electric (1,156 hp): This is the star of the Beijing Auto Show. Unveiled on April 26, this powerhouse adopts a 911-inspired silhouette. With its cutting-edge powertrain, it becomes the most powerful electric SUV the brand has ever produced.
• Fiat Grizzly - The upcoming compact shows itself: A surprise this weekend: the spiritual successor to the Tipo was spotted without camouflage. Production is expected to begin soon at the Kenitra plant, marking a new step in Fiat's "essential" offensive.
• BMW 7 Series (2026): The luxury sedan shifts up a gear. BMW has unveiled the updated version of its limousine, incorporating AI technologies from the "Neue Klasse" and a completely redesigned driver interface for total immersion.

2. Global News & Automaker Market

• Beijing Auto Show 2026 (Auto China): The show has been in full swing since April 24. The key takeaway is the massive push by Chinese automakers: Leapmotor is showing factory-fitted aero kits, while Chery causes a stir with its new Arrizo S, whose design looks strikingly like an Audi A7.
• Korea-Germany battery alliance: On April 27, Mercedes-Benz sealed a strategic partnership with South Korean manufacturers to secure its supply of high-density cells. The deal restores confidence in the premium EV market.
• UK industry in limbo: On April 24, British automakers called for urgent clarification of the "Made in EU" rules, fearing customs barriers on battery components by the end of the year.
• The Clio VI is already experiencing its first problems. Some users report that the hybrid engine does not kick in, particularly in city driving. This pushes fuel consumption from the advertised 3.5L/100 km to 6L/100 km. One might think Renault was already aware of this issue. No statement from the manufacturer at this time.

3. Motorsport - Masterful Ogier and Miami Prep

• ⭐ WRC - Sébastien Ogier wins in the Canary Islands: A masterful win for the Frenchman on April 26! For the return of Rally Spain to the calendar (this time in the Canary Islands), Ogier held off pressure from young Oliver Solberg right to the end. This win completely reopens the manufacturers' championship for Toyota.
• F1 - Teams head to Miami: The paddock arrives in Florida for next Sunday's Grand Prix (May 3). The FIA has approved last-minute technical changes to hybrid energy deployment to encourage overtaking on the long straight at Hard Rock Stadium.
• Technical challenges in Miami: Mercedes and Ferrari engineers are concerned about the abrasiveness of the Florida asphalt, rated 2/5 but extremely sensitive to the heat spikes forecast for race weekend.

4. Upcoming Auto Events & Must-See Dates

• Beijing Auto Show closes (May 4): Just a few days left to discover BYD's futuristic concepts (Formula X) and the new 5-meter electric sedans from Volkswagen ID.
• Miami Grand Prix (May 1-3): The first American Grand Prix of the season. Note the Sprint format, which will force teams to find the right setup from Friday's first practice session.
• Rally Portugal (May 7-10): WRC teams are already preparing their suspension for Portugal's abrasive gravel, the next crucial round after the Spanish interlude.

5. Performance Pick of the Week

Sebastien Ogier's win in the Canary Islands! That said, Sebastien Ogier has expressed doubts about continuing his WRC career, notably because of the current regulations. Time will tell whether our French champion will still be competing in the coming years.

See you next week for the full Miami GP debrief!