Automotive design

Much of the focus in the EV world has been on striving for affordability, but there’s one electric car that’s going the opposite direction. The Cadillac Celestiq is built to be a head-turner, and it may serve as the EV to get for those who don’t mind spending … a lot. The Celestiq will be unique for more reasons than just its price tag. Unlike other electric cars, the Celestiq will be built by hand to order — and Cadillac says there’s no limit to the kinds of customizations that customers will be able to make. In…

The Electra is making a comeback. Buick has announced that it’s bringing back the classic Electra — but unlike the gas-powered Electra last seen in 1990, the new car is set to be Buick’s first electric offering. The first of the new Electra models is set to be the 2025 Electra E5 SUV, a car that’s powered by General Motors’ Ultium platform, and should be another long-range electric car that doesn’t break the bank — at least compared to the competition. The car has been announced, but there’s still a lot we don’t know…

Mercedes-Benz this week unveiled a new electric concept car that looks back as well as forward. It’s called the Vision One-Eleven, and it’s a reminder that car designers have a long history of predicting the future. The Vision One-Eleven is inspired by the C111 series of experimental vehicles that first appeared in 1969. With their aerodynamic styling, roof-hinged gullwing doors, and distinctive orange paint, the C111 cars became fixtures of auto show stands and car-magazine features throughout the 1970s. They were…

EVs of all shapes and sizes are finally coming, but not in equal measure. While we now have a solid array of midsize crossovers (like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6), sedans and SUVs aren’t quite there yet. Sure, we have expensive sedans and SUVs, like the Rivian R1S and the Lucid Air, but if you’re looking for a car for your small family and don’t want, or can’t afford, to spend a ton of cash, your options are limited. But that’s changing — and there’s a new car that, at least right now, makes a serious case for…

Stephen Edelstein/Digital Trends Finally, we’re at a point where carmakers other than Tesla are moving on from their first generation of electric cars, and releasing their second and even third models. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and its sister the Kia EV6 both made headlines for being stellar alternatives to the Tesla Model 3 or Model Y, thanks to their innovative designs and high-tech features. But with more models finally coming out, carmakers have a choice: Should they just build smaller and larger versions of the EVs…

2024 BMW i5 The new 2024 BMW 5 Series is two cars in one. On one hand, there’s the eighth-generation gasoline-powered sedan that will represent the bulk of sales in most markets. On the other hand, for the first time in the nameplate’s long history, there’s an electric version called i5. BMW developed the i5 and the 5 Series concurrently, and the two cars look pretty much alike with the exception of small, powertrain-specific details such as emblems. Both sedans remain instantly recognizable as members of the…

Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends Audi was very early to the full-size EV SUV game when it launched the original e-tron back in 2018. But EVs have come a long way in just five years, and the e-tron was looking a bit long in the tooth (and short in range). It’s fine timing, then, for Audi to refresh its offering with the 2024 Q8 e-tron, an EV powertrain version of its Q8 two-row luxury SUV. Though the new model is on the same overall platform as the original, and shares many aspects with the gas-powered Q8, Audi was…

Lucid Air Grand Touring MSRP $154,000.00 “No car does more to dispel EV range anxiety than the Lucid Air.” Pros Unbeatable 512-mile range Premium materials inside and out Fast and manueverable Smart blend of analog and digital controls Cons Expensive…

The EV world is seriously heating up. Great EVs are getting cheaper, and cheap EVs are getting better — and while we still have a long way before they’re truly affordable for everyone, that reality seems to be at least in sight. But not everyone wants a great car at a reasonable price. Some simply want a luxurious driving experience and are willing to pay for it. If that’s you, I think I’ve found the car for you — the Mercedes-AMG EQE. Christian de Looper / Digital Trends To be very clear, the Mercedes-AMG EQE is not…

Mercedes-Benz is preparing for an electric future with its EQ models, a line of EVs with futuristic aerodynamic styling and all of the latest infotainment tech. With several EQ models already in production, Mercedes is shifting focus to more traditional luxury. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV is the first all-electric vehicle from Maybach, the ultra-luxury subbrand of Mercedes. It takes the EQS SUV launched in 2022 and bathes it in opulence, adding more chrome on the outside and more creature comforts on the inside.…