By SEMA News Editors
First Look at New Range Rover EV
SEMA News sources recently captured the first shots of the first medium-sized, all-electric Range Rover, set to hit the market in 2025.
Believed to be the successor to the Range Rover Velar, the vehicle is redesigned as a sleek, luxurious electric SUV to rival the new Porsche Macan EV, according to insiders, boasting significantly improved endurance, performance and practicality.
This new Range Rover will use Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) electrified modular architecture (EMA), which will also power its upcoming lineup of EVs. It will be the first of several electric Land Rover models to roll off the production line in Halewood, United Kingdom, the company said, with EV successors to the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport following shortly after. The transformation of the factory into an EV production facility is underway, and production of the electric Velar is expected to start before 2025.
Initially designed to accommodate hybrid powertrains, the EMA has now been confirmed for exclusive use in electric vehicles, including the Velar, Evoque and Discovery Sport successors.
While specific technical details remain confidential, the EMA platform is expected to be focused on road performance than the MLA structure, which will underpin electric variants of the full-sized Range Rover and Discovery, sources said.
Toyota Caught Benchmarking Tesla Cybertruck
SEMA News sources recently caught Toyota benchmarking the newest electric pickup truck on the market, the Tesla Cybertruck.
The Cybertruck's distinctive design makes it easily recognizable on the road. It was spotted leaving a Toyota facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and returning hours later.
Interestingly, the Cybertruck being benchmarked by Toyota wears Texas plates, even though the benchmarking activities are happening in Michigan. Both Tesla and Toyota have manufacturing plants in Texas. Tesla's Gigafactory Texas in Austin produces the Model Y and Cybertruck, while Toyota's plant assembles the full-size Tundra pickup and Sequoia SUV.
The Texas plates suggest one of two possibilities: either Toyota purchased the Cybertruck and registered it in Texas, or Tesla loaned the vehicle to Toyota for benchmarking purposes.
Aston Martin DBS Breaks Cover
Aston Martin is preparing to transform the V12-powered DBS into a true supercar, more clearly differentiated from the DB12 and Vantage.
New images of the supercar--which could revive the Vanquish name--show that it is based on the DB12 but has undergone a major visual overhaul to hint at the extra power. According to SEMA News sources, there are new hood vents to keep the 12-cylinder engine cool, a wider grille and a new splitter that hints at improved downforce. The rear is fitted with a larger diffuser to improve aerodynamics and the two-outlet exhaust system has been replaced with four tailpipes, hinting at the extra cylinders.
A similar arrangement was already in place on the DBS 770, where the output of the V12 was increased to 759 hp, but it remains to be seen whether Aston will increase the displacement beyond the 5.2-L engine of the previous model, according to insiders.
Any increase in performance will likely be enhanced by a suspension that builds on the setup of the DBS 770 Ultimate, with reinforced dampers and an increase in stiffness at both ends to improve cornering behavior.
2025 GMC Terrain Drops Heavy Camo, Reveals All-New Interior
SEMA News sources recently managed to capture the upcoming 2025 GMC Terrain undergoing testing on public roads and were able to also expose the all-new interior.
Notable exterior changes include a refreshed front fascia with updated lighting with a new iteration of GMC’s signature C-shaped headlamps, featuring a single lighting cluster positioned around the upper corners of the fascia. Additionally, the grille has been redesigned, maintaining GMC's characteristic broad design, with a rectangular section likely designated for the GMC badge.
Inside, the 2025 GMC Terrain's interior design will draw inspiration from the cockpit layout of the 2024 GMC Acadia, according to the images. Central to this design is a vertically oriented, portrait-style infotainment screen serving as the focal point. Positioned at the bottom of the screen will be an integrated volume knob, accompanied by a row of switches and hard buttons for controlling the vehicle's HVAC system.
Below the screen, drivers will find an inductive phone charging pad for convenient device charging. Situated beneath the charging pad will be a floating center console, offering additional storage options.
An official debut is expected later this year.