Weekly New Car Watch: Skoda's New Energy Model Exposed; Is the All-Electric Mercedes Also Going to Lap the Nürburgring?

The car market is currently in the "Golden September and Silver October" period, with not only strong sales in the end market but also a continuous stream of new models from car manufacturers.

Whether it's new car-making forces or traditional luxury brands, there are many significant new products that have already begun to reveal their potential. Let's take a closer look.

Mercedes-AMG GT SUV

Recently, the field of pure electric performance cars has been dominated by Chinese brands, whether it's the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, which set a new Nürburgring record, or the Yangwang U9, which broke the record for the highest top speed of a production car, making it seem like pure electric vehicles are all about domestic brands.

However, traditional luxury brands, such as Mercedes-Benz, will clearly not sit idly by.

The Mercedes-Benz all-electric AMG GT SUV features front and rear three motors, with the standard version offering 1000 horsepower and the high-performance version offering 1500 horsepower.

The vehicle is equipped with 22-inch alloy wheels at the front and rear, with front tire specifications of 285/40 ZR22 XL and rear tire specifications of 325/35 ZR22 XL, and features a carbon-ceramic brake system, making it a true performance beast.

The camouflaged version of this car has been spotted at the Nürburgring. Although it is an SUV, its overall stance is quite low, paired with high-spec wide tires at the front and rear, creating a very aggressive visual effect.

Currently, aside from the power data, no further information has been disclosed about the Mercedes-Benz all-electric AMG GT SUV, which is expected to be launched in 2026. As a beast with the three-pointed star emblem and 1500 horsepower, its price is expected to be quite "considerable."

Ideal L9 2026 Model

The popularity of the new energy 6-seater large SUV segment is largely driven by the Li Auto series models.

The large new energy vehicles like the Li Auto L9, with their spacious interiors, comfortable seating, and excellent intelligent experience, are far superior to traditional MPVs for family outings.

However, these large new energy SUVs also have their drawbacks, namely that their large body size leads to less agile handling, especially when turning around or making turns in narrow areas.

Many similar products address this issue with rear-wheel steering, but the Li Auto L9 has been absent. However, the 2026 model of the Li Auto L9 may fill this gap.

The rear-wheel steering system is likely the biggest highlight of the Ideal L9 2026 model, which will directly address the challenges of driving this type of vehicle on narrow roads.

In addition, the Ideal L9 2026 model may also be equipped with a larger battery pack, with a maximum capacity exceeding 60 kWh, and the CLTC pure electric range will be further enhanced.

In terms of intelligent driving, the 2026 Li Auto L9 is expected to come standard with LiDAR and an advanced intelligent driving assistance system (AD Max) across all models. The new car is also expected to be released next year.

Skoda VISION 7S

Skoda has been dormant in the domestic market for a long time and has made little progress in the new energy field. Now, this situation is about to be changed by its pure electric vehicles.

Previously, Škoda released a concept car named VISION 7S, positioned as a mid-size SUV.

Recently, the production version of this concept car also appeared at the Nürburgring and began road testing.

The overall posture is similar to the concept car design, including the front which still features the "7"-shaped headlight design with a matrix-style light strip in the middle.

The Skoda VISION 7S is expected to have a body length of around 4.9 meters and features a 6/7-seat layout.

This model will also be based on the Volkswagen MEB platform, offering both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive versions. The all-wheel drive version has a maximum power output of 250 kW, with a battery pack capacity estimated at 89 kWh, providing a range of around 600 kilometers.

Volvo EX60

In the new energy vehicle market, Volvo has quite a few hybrid products, but not many pure electric models. The Volvo EX60 will be Volvo's main force in the pure electric market.

The Volvo EX60 is a pure electric mid-size SUV built on the SPA3 pure electric platform with an 800V architecture.

One of the characteristics of the SPA3 pure electric platform is that it is a 100% fully developed electric architecture by Volvo, and the EX60 will be its first model. It can be imagined that many classic design elements of Volvo will be retained in this car, such as the "Thor's Hammer" front lights and the iconic vertical tail light design, among others.

Based on the SPA3 pure electric platform, the Volvo EX60 will also apply new technologies such as large die-casting technology, modular design, and a brand-new electronic and electrical architecture.

In some details, such as the adoption of Volvo's latest multi-adaptive seat belts.

It is reported that the system can flexibly adjust according to the occupant's body type and apply more precise safety limits in the event of an accident, which is a cleverly designed feature.

In terms of body size, this car will be similar to the current Volvo XC60, but it will have a range of about 700 kilometers. The new car is expected to be unveiled by the end of this year, and it's quite worth looking forward to.

All-new domestic Mercedes-Benz GLC EV

Previously at the Munich Auto Show, the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC EV made its debut, and there are many highlights worth mentioning.

For example, the front grille features 942 individually lit pixel elements, making it highly recognizable when illuminated at night.

For example, the car's interior cabin features a seamless MBUX super screen measuring 39.1 inches, composed of over 1,000 LED light beads. It supports matrix-style backlight zoning adjustment and can switch thematic interfaces according to different driving modes. This is also the largest in-car screen currently used by Mercedes-Benz.

In addition to its unique interior and exterior design, the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC EV also features an 800-volt electrical architecture, supporting ultra-fast charging at 330 kW. The 94 kWh battery pack can achieve a range of 713 kilometers under WLTP conditions.

The power system is equipped with the Mercedes eATS 2.0 electric drive system, featuring highlights such as a radial motor and a two-speed transmission. The standard version of the all-new Mercedes GLC EV has options for 272 horsepower and 489 horsepower, while the AMG performance version boasts 608 horsepower, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of under 4 seconds. Additionally, a 4.5-degree rear-wheel steering can be optionally equipped.

Overall, the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC EV product is highly anticipated.

The spy photos of the all-new domestic Mercedes-Benz GLC EV have been released, and it seems that the overall dimensions have been slightly elongated. With its already impressive product features, we look forward to the early launch of the all-new domestic Mercedes-Benz GLC EV.