ev.news Briefly: Bentley, ID.Polo, EV Prices & More
Sep 26, 01:14 AM
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➤ BENTLEY UNVEILS TORCAL EV WITH UP TO 888 PS
➤ VOLKSWAGEN ID. POLO WINS 2027 GERMAN COTY AWARD
➤ AVERAGE NEW-EV TRANSACTION PRICE FALLS TO $54,813
➤ REPORTED ELECTRIC BOXSTER PROTOTYPE USES TESLA SUPERCHARGER
➤ TESLA LEADS REPORTED 2,500-TRUCK ZET SCALE ORDER
➤ BYD SEAL EXCELLENCE LEASE WAS AVAILABLE AT £297 PER MONTH
➤ UK BEV MODEL CHOICE DOUBLES TO 171
➤ ZEEKR 9X MAY ARRIVE IN Q1
➤ ABT MULTIVAN AND CALIFORNIA SET FOR OCTOBER GERMAN LAUNCH
➤ WEAKEST CELLS REDUCE EV BATTERY PACK LIFESPAN
BENTLEY UNVEILS TORCAL EV WITH UP TO 876 HP
Bentley has unveiled its first EV, the Crewe-built Torcal SUV, with a 113 kWh net 800V battery, up to 375 miles of WLTP range and 400 kW peak DC charging; the standard model produces 810 hp, while the Torcal S makes 876 hp and reaches 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Bentley quotes conflicting 10–80% charging times of 16 minutes and “just under 20 minutes”, while pricing, deliveries and EPA range remain unannounced.
Bentley has unveiled its first EV, the Crewe-built Torcal SUV, with a 113 kWh net 800V battery, up to 375 miles of WLTP range and 400 kW peak DC charging; the standard model produces 810 hp, while the Torcal S makes 876 hp and reaches 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Bentley quotes conflicting 10–80% charging times of 16 minutes and “just under 20 minutes”, while pricing, deliveries and EPA range remain unannounced.
VOLKSWAGEN ID. POLO WINS 2027 GERMAN COTY AWARD
Volkswagen’s €24,995 ID. Polo has won the Budget category of the German Car of the Year 2027 awards, beating seven rivals including the second-placed Renault Twingo and scoring higher in four of five main judging criteria. It joins the Kia PV5, Mercedes-Benz GLC EV, Xpeng X9 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 N in an all-electric five-car final for the overall title.
Volkswagen’s €24,995 ID. Polo has won the Budget category of the German Car of the Year 2027 awards, beating seven rivals including the second-placed Renault Twingo and scoring higher in four of five main judging criteria. It joins the Kia PV5, Mercedes-Benz GLC EV, Xpeng X9 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 N in an all-electric five-car final for the overall title.
AVERAGE NEW-EV TRANSACTION PRICE FALLS TO $54,813
The average US new-EV transaction price fell 2.7% year on year to $54,813 in August, narrowing its premium over the wider new-car average of $50,089 even as EV incentives declined from 14.6% to 12% of transaction prices. Tesla averaged $52,616, and the figures suggest underlying EV prices are falling rather than manufacturers simply relying on increasingly large discounts.
The average US new-EV transaction price fell 2.7% year on year to $54,813 in August, narrowing its premium over the wider new-car average of $50,089 even as EV incentives declined from 14.6% to 12% of transaction prices. Tesla averaged $52,616, and the figures suggest underlying EV prices are falling rather than manufacturers simply relying on increasingly large discounts.
PORSCHE BOXSTER EV PROTOTYPE CHARGES DIRECTLY AT TESLA SUPERCHARGER
A forthcoming electric Porsche Boxster prototype has been photographed plugged directly into a Tesla Supercharger in California using a centrally mounted NACS inlet, suggesting Porsche may be testing a single port for both AC and DC charging rather than the dual-port arrangement used on its current EVs. The production configuration and launch timing remain unknown, but the sighting adds further evidence that development continues after CEO Michael Leiters confirmed in August that Porsche still intends to build the electric sports car.
A forthcoming electric Porsche Boxster prototype has been photographed plugged directly into a Tesla Supercharger in California using a centrally mounted NACS inlet, suggesting Porsche may be testing a single port for both AC and DC charging rather than the dual-port arrangement used on its current EVs. The production configuration and launch timing remain unknown, but the sighting adds further evidence that development continues after CEO Michael Leiters confirmed in August that Porsche still intends to build the electric sports car.
TESLA LEADS REPORTED 2,500-TRUCK ZET SCALE ORDER
Tesla has been named primary supplier for a reported 2,500-truck battery-electric Class 8 order organised through ZET SCALE, although the number of Tesla Semis within the order is undisclosed because Kenworth, Volvo and RIDE are also suppliers. The programme aims to aggregate fleet demand, reduce residual-value risk through leasing and eventually arrange more than 10,000 trucks, while Tesla has separately opened its 50,000-unit-a-year Nevada Semi plant and IMC Logistics has ordered 50 Semis.
Tesla has been named primary supplier for a reported 2,500-truck battery-electric Class 8 order organised through ZET SCALE, although the number of Tesla Semis within the order is undisclosed because Kenworth, Volvo and RIDE are also suppliers. The programme aims to aggregate fleet demand, reduce residual-value risk through leasing and eventually arrange more than 10,000 trucks, while Tesla has separately opened its 50,000-unit-a-year Nevada Semi plant and IMC Logistics has ordered 50 Semis.
CARWOW’S MAT WATSON SAYS BUY A BYD OVER A TESLA
Carwow’s Mat Watson argues that a top-spec dual-motor BYD Seal Excellence is particularly compelling on its current £297-a-month lease, compared with £405 for the more comparable Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD, while offering 530 hp and a 3.9-second 0–60 mph time. The comparison reverses for cash buyers, where Carwow prefers the cheaper Model 3 for its range, space and technology, making the Seal’s advantage primarily a consequence of its unusually aggressive lease pricing.
Carwow’s Mat Watson argues that a top-spec dual-motor BYD Seal Excellence is particularly compelling on its current £297-a-month lease, compared with £405 for the more comparable Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD, while offering 530 hp and a 3.9-second 0–60 mph time. The comparison reverses for cash buyers, where Carwow prefers the cheaper Model 3 for its range, space and technology, making the Seal’s advantage primarily a consequence of its unusually aggressive lease pricing.
UK BEV MODEL CHOICE DOUBLES TO 171
UK buyers can now choose from 171 battery-electric models, twice as many as in 2023, after 85 new BEVs arrived in three years — roughly one every fortnight — while typical electric range has risen beyond 300 miles. SMMT figures show BEVs, plug-in hybrids and hybrids together now represent 76% of roughly 385 new-car models, suggesting vehicle choice itself is becoming a substantially smaller barrier to EV adoption.
UK buyers can now choose from 171 battery-electric models, twice as many as in 2023, after 85 new BEVs arrived in three years — roughly one every fortnight — while typical electric range has risen beyond 300 miles. SMMT figures show BEVs, plug-in hybrids and hybrids together now represent 76% of roughly 385 new-car models, suggesting vehicle choice itself is becoming a substantially smaller barrier to EV adoption.
ZEEKR 9X MAY REACH AUSTRALIA IN Q1 2027
Zeekr is aiming to bring its flagship 9X SUV to Australia potentially as early as Q1 2027, following the 7GT wagon and ahead of the smaller 8X, which is currently expected in the second half of 2027. Zeekr Australia has not confirmed either the 9X’s timing or pricing, although managing director Frank Li says the company is trying to secure the Q1 launch.
Zeekr is aiming to bring its flagship 9X SUV to Australia potentially as early as Q1 2027, following the 7GT wagon and ahead of the smaller 8X, which is currently expected in the second half of 2027. Zeekr Australia has not confirmed either the 9X’s timing or pricing, although managing director Frank Li says the company is trying to secure the Q1 launch.
WEAKEST CELLS CAN CUT EV BATTERY PACK LIFE BY 22.8%
Research using more than three years of real-world EV data found that a small number of faster-degrading cells can force an entire battery pack into retirement early, reducing estimated pack lifespan by 17.7% in passenger cars and 22.8% in buses. The study found cell-to-cell differences became substantially more pronounced beyond about 105,000 miles in passenger cars, suggesting tighter manufacturing consistency, better balancing and thermal management could extend usable battery life.
Research using more than three years of real-world EV data found that a small number of faster-degrading cells can force an entire battery pack into retirement early, reducing estimated pack lifespan by 17.7% in passenger cars and 22.8% in buses. The study found cell-to-cell differences became substantially more pronounced beyond about 105,000 miles in passenger cars, suggesting tighter manufacturing consistency, better balancing and thermal management could extend usable battery life.