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The Epicland X9, the first model from the brand jointly developed by Dongfeng Motor and Huawei. Credit: Epicland. The Epicland X9 starts at a limited-time discounted price of 279,800 yuan ($41,460), with key rivals including the Aito M9 and Li Auto’s Li L9. The launch of the large 3-row, 6-seat SUV marks Huawei’s rapid automotive expansion beyond HIMA. Epicland launched its first model, the Epicland X9, on Thursday, marking the arrival of the first vehicle from the joint brand created by Dongfeng Motor and Huawei. The extended-range electric SUV (sport utility vehicle) carries limited-time discounted prices of 279,800 yuan ($41,460)…

Brabus Rocket is a series of modified vehicles developed by Brabus, and by modified vehicles, we mean all sorts of Mercedes-Benz models turned into supercar-spec weapons. Typically, Rocket cars are sedans, but the Brabus 900 Rocket Edition is… a little bigger. This monster is based on an AMG spec G-Wagen – specifically the W465 generation G 63. And now, an SUV initially designed for off-roading is a 900-horsepower, open-roof rocket for the road. Yes, Brabus yanked the roof for an even more absurd version: the Rocket 900 Edition Cabrio. And it’s even more outlandish than you know. The Biggest Tri-Spoke…

The wagon-versus-SUV debate refuses to die — and honestly, that’s a good thing. As SUVs continue to dominate showrooms and driveways, a quietly passionate contingent of drivers keeps making the case for the humble station wagon. So which side has the stronger argument? We dug into the numbers to find out, using real-world examples like the Volvo V60 versus the Volvo XC60, a Volkswagen Golf Wagon versus the Volkswagen Tiguan, and the Subaru Outback versus the Subaru Ascent. Shoppers in this universe tend to fall into one of two categories. The first is the wagon enthusiast, who likely wants little…

Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, N.C., is promoting its selection of used SUVs and crossovers for drivers seeking practical options for daily use. The dealership says these vehicles offer passenger space, flexible cargo areas and features suited to commuting, family travel and regular driving around the city. Used SUVs and crossovers can provide maneuverability for urban driving in compact models, while midsize options offer added room for passengers, groceries and equipment. Shoppers can compare different body styles and configurations to find vehicles that match their routines and preferences. Available features may include smartphone connectivity, touchscreen infotainment systems, driver‑assistance technologies, multiple…

Ford has filed for a new patent showing a multi-use tailgate on the front end of a truck, with the possibility of putting a whole television inside the tailgate. It seems likely to apply to the upcoming Fathom. Ford has been preparing its Fathom electric truck for a few years now, even establishing a “skunkworks” development center to revolutionize its manufacturing methods. (We took a tour of the design studio this May, but didn’t get to see the truck… yet). The truck is a make or break moment for the company, as the US auto industry tries (well… sort of) to find…

Google is reportedly nearing the launch of its long awaited Gemini 4 model, after dawdling behind rival developers on flagship AI releases. Speaking with The Information during his first media appearance as the leader of Google’s DeepMind division, Koray Kavukcuoglu said that Gemini 4 is currently in its refinement stage, and that the company is aiming to launch the model “much earlier” than the end of the year.“Our intention is to, like — as soon as possible — to release an early post-training output because we see the results and we are excited,” Kavukcuoglu told the publication, adding that Google…

The Drive 🤝 your inbox. Every weekday The Daily Brief wraps up the biggest stories and our exclusive reporting on the auto industry and car culture. Good morning and welcome to The Downshift, a daily sweep of today’s top headlines from the auto industry and car culture, curated by The Drive’s editorial team. Each story gets a short summary and a link to the original source if you want to dive deeper. Here’s what’s cooking on Wednesday, September 23, 2026: 🚙 Right now, Honda’s largest SUV is the Pilot. But, in this market, there’s always a reason to go bigger,…

Nikon’s Z5 II is already one of the least expensive full-frame cameras available, but if you can do without an electronic viewfinder, there’s now an even cheaper option. The company just announced the 24-megapixel Z5 IIC mirrorless camera without an EVF, but nearly all the other features of the Z5 II including RAW internal video. It’s available at a very reasonable price, which is great news considering the steep inflation across the camera world of late.  Electronic viewfinders are expensive components and removing it allowed Nikon to not only lower the price but make the Z5 IIC lighter and smaller (the…

The Changan Nevo Q06 mid-size SUV is available in battery-electric and extended-range versions. Credit: Changan Nevo The Nevo Q06 offers 5 BEV variants and 1 EREV variant, with Changan’s in-house SDA Pilot driver-assistance system as standard. The all-electric variants offer up to 700 kilometers of range and come equipped with LiDAR. Changan Automobile (SZSE: 000625) launched the Q06 mid-size SUV (sport utility vehicle) under its Nevo brand on Wednesday, targeting one of China’s most crowded vehicle segments. The model comes in 6 variants, comprising 5 battery electric vehicle (BEV) versions and 1 extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version. The Q06 lineup…

While car designers and companies do their best to create original, distinct vehicle designs, they all are working with similar buyers and technology. As such, every era of car design has some commonality across brands. The 1950s had fins and chrome. The 1980s had sharp edges and digital gauges. In the last decade, we’ve seen the mass adoption of piano black interior trim and big, bold flashy grilles, often with chrome. Nissan is apparently done with that, and it’s starting to drop those trimmings on its latest vehicles. Customers Said That It’s Time For A Change, And Nissan Agreed Automotive…