News Roundup: Jun 1, 2026
- Adam Bernard
- Jun 8
- 6 min read
Check out the video: https://youtu.be/_sU81lo-rug
Ferrari Sees the Light
Ferrari’s new Luce is the brand’s first electric car, and it arrives as a highly ambitious, highly controversial flagship that blends dramatic design, extreme performance, and experimental user experience. Styled inside and out by LoveFrom, the Jony Ive– and Marc Newson–led design firm, the Luce features an unusually cab-forward shape, a black passenger capsule wrapped in colored bodywork, aerodynamic front wing elements, hidden round taillamps, and oversized turbine-style wheels, all riding on a new aluminum structure said to be 35% stiffer than the Purosangue. Beneath the sculpted body are four in-house motors producing 1,020 horsepower, an 800-volt electrical architecture, 350-kW charging, rear-wheel steering, carbon-ceramic brakes, and advanced active suspension, enabling a claimed 0–60 mph time of under 2.5 seconds despite a roughly 5,000-pound curb weight. Inside, Ferrari emphasizes craftsmanship with leather, glass, and aluminum, along with an unusual swivel center display and paddle controls that manage torque delivery and regenerative braking rather than gear changes. Yet despite its technical ambition, the Luce raises questions about efficiency and positioning, with a large 122-kWh battery, a relatively modest estimated real-world range, and a $640,000 price tag that places it well above most other high-end electric grand tourers.
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WHY IT MATTERS: This is both Ferrari’s first project with a design firm with no automotive background, as well as their first EV—just as other automakers are delaying or cancelling outright their EV projects.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Several interesting technical innovations are overshadowed by a design that is both brilliant and un-Ferrari-like.
AMG Goes Electric
The new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door EV marks the debut of AMG’s dedicated high-performance AMG.EA platform, replacing the current V8 hybrid liftback with a lower, more expensive, and significantly more advanced electric performance sedan inspired by the AMG GT XX concept. Visually, it leans into AMG drama with a large grille, star-shaped lighting signatures front and rear, and available active aerodynamics, while underneath it uses a tri-motor setup with up to 1,153 horsepower and Yasa-developed axial-flux motors to deliver astonishing performance, including a claimed 0–60 mph time as quick as 2.1 seconds. Its 800-volt architecture and new directly cooled battery promise serious charging and track capability, with up to 600-kW charging, strong range estimates, and a sophisticated thermal management system designed to withstand repeated hard use. Chassis technology is equally ambitious, with active ride control, rear-wheel steering, and carbon-ceramic brakes, while the interior takes a more digital, theatrical approach through multiple screens, illuminated trim, an optional passenger display, and a panoramic roof that can create branded light shows. Mercedes also adds simulated V8 sound, haptic feedback, and virtual shift points to heighten driver engagement, though physical controls are largely reduced to a small set of performance-focused knobs.
WHY IT MATTERS: Seven years after Porsche reveals the Taycan, AMG finally takes a step into high-performance EVs, with a more serious effort than previous AMG-badged EVs. It launches a brand new architecture and Mercedes’ own axial flux motors, as well as numerous innovations at less than one third the price of the Ferrari Luce.
THE BOTTOM LINE: A somewhat controversial and awkward exterior design—and a depressingly screen-heavy interior—are offset by numerous performance-oriented technical
innovations.
BMW Reboots Alpina
The BMW Vision Alpina previews the revival of Alpina as a more luxurious, low-volume BMW sub-brand positioned closer to Mercedes-Maybach than to BMW M, signaling a shift from high-performance tuner heritage toward refined grand touring elegance. Founded in 1965 and acquired by BMW in 2022, Alpina is expected to relaunch with highly specialized derivatives of the 7 Series and X7 before potentially moving into more distinct models such as this large GT concept, which echoes the 8 Series in its proportions. The car combines classic luxury cues with contemporary BMW design themes, including a shark-nose front end, a shield-like grille, vertical lighting elements, hidden door handles, and subtle aerodynamic winglets integrated into the beltline. Unlike many upcoming premium concepts, it remains V8-powered with quad exhaust outlets and a new Comfort+ mode, reinforcing the idea that Alpina will prioritize effortless performance and refinement over the sharper, more aggressive character of M cars. Inside, the Vision Alpina appears closely related to the 7 Series but elevates the ambience through open-pore wood, machined metal inspired by high-end watchmaking, and indulgent touches such as a rear-console decanter and crystal glasses, underscoring Alpina’s new role as BMW’s expression of bespoke luxury
WHY IT MATTERS: Alpina is intended to bridge the gap between Rolls-Royce and BMW with more luxurious and comfort-oriented variants of existing BMW models. These are likely, like Bentley’s Mulliner models, to be higher margin than other BMWs and boost the company’s financials.
THE BOTTOM LINE: A stunning coupe that, alas, may never be built—and we’ll have to wait until next year to see exactly how Alpinas differ from more mundane BMWs and whether the price is worth it.
Lancia’s Second EV
The new Lancia Gamma is the second model in the brand’s revival plan, reintroducing a historic nameplate as a stylish crossover coupe that blends Stellantis underpinnings with distinctly Italian design flourishes. Built on the STLA Medium platform shared with vehicles such as the Peugeot 3008, Jeep Compass, and Citroën C5 Aircross, the Gamma will offer a range of powertrains beginning with a 143-horsepower mild-hybrid turbo three-cylinder and extending to multiple electric versions with up to 370 horsepower and competitive projected range. Its design draws from the smaller Ypsilon with split lighting, a clamshell hood, and active front shutters, while details such as flush front handles, concealed rear handles, and gloss-black trim around the wheel arches, rocker panels, and C-pillars subtly reference the original fastback Gamma sedan. Built in Italy alongside the DS No8, the Gamma aims to position Lancia as a more design-led and premium-minded brand within the Stellantis portfolio. Inside, it appears clean and screen-focused, pairing a 10.25-inch instrument display with a wide 16-inch central touchscreen and minimal physical switchgear, while preserving a touch of Lancia character through the signature “tavolino” center-console coffee-table motif.
WHY IT MATTERS: Many had expected Lancia to not survive the FCA-PSA merger, and it’s not clear if the Ypsilon is the lifeline that some expected. The Gamma plays in a high-volume segment but has a huge list of equally competent competitors.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Can Stellantis have too many compact SUVs? The Lancia has competitive specs but is the brand strong enough to survive?
VW’s Chinese Family Grows
The VW ID. UNYX 07 is the latest addition to Volkswagen’s expanding China-focused EV lineup, combining familiar MEB-based packaging with a new electronic architecture co-developed with Xpeng to deliver more advanced software, central computing, and reduced hardware complexity. Positioned between the Jetta and ID.7 in size, the car adopts a cab-forward fastback profile and becomes the first Volkswagen to use this new China-specific hardware, which reportedly cuts the number of electronic control units by 30 percent. Power comes from a single rear-wheel-drive motor producing 228 horsepower, paired with a 60-kWh LFP battery that delivers a claimed 347 miles on the CLTC cycle, roughly equivalent to about 260 miles by EPA standards. Inside, the UNYX 07 continues the industry trend toward a screen-dominant cabin with few physical controls, but it distinguishes itself with a large 27-inch augmented-reality head-up display, 12-way adjustable sport seats, and features such as an in-car fragrance system and vision-based highway navigation, with lidar support expected later. Most strikingly, it packages this technology-rich formula at a very aggressive starting price of around $19,000, underscoring the intensity of China’s EV market.
WHY IT MATTERS: VW, unlike some automakers, remains committed to China and is forging strong partnerships with Chinese partners and developing numerous China-specific EV models.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The 07 is as competitive as anything offered by a Chinese automaker (although the EV range seems rather low), with the bonus of a known brand attached to it.
Skoda’s Affordable EV
The Skoda Epiq is the final member of Volkswagen Group’s new affordable MEB+ trio, joining the VW ID Polo and Cupra Raval as a smaller electric model aimed at delivering practical EV value with a distinctly Skoda character. Sharing its core powertrains with its sibling models, the Epiq offers up to 208 horsepower and a projected range of as much as 272 miles on the WLTP cycle, or roughly 235 miles by EPA standards, though unlike its VW and Cupra counterparts it does not yet have a more performance-oriented version. Design-wise, it serves as a clear showcase for Skoda’s new Modern Solid language first seen on the Elroq, featuring simplified surfaces, T-shaped front and rear lighting signatures, and wheels up to 20 inches in diameter. Inside, Skoda appears to be taking a more balanced approach than many rivals by pairing a large central touchscreen with physical dashboard buttons and steering-wheel scroll controls for easier day-to-day use. The cabin also emphasizes sustainability, offering textile upholstery in Loft Grey or Loft Mint made from recycled polyester fibers and artificial leather, marking the first use of animal-free leather in a Skoda.
WHY IT MATTERS: VW has been working on an affordable EV family for quite a while, and the Epiq completes the initial trio of entries, and should help bring entry-level buyers into the EV ownerships sphere.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Between the Raval, Epiq, and ID Polo, VW Group has created a group of differentiated and competitive entry-level EVs that bode well for their future products.
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