GM, Enlighten, BMW, Hyundai, Xpeng

At its newly opened UK design studio, General Motors has unveiled an innovative concept vehicle. The design team had complete creative freedom to explore future-forward ideas for the brand. The body is made from lightweight composite materials, with several components 3D-printed to reduce weight and simplify construction. 

Active aerodynamic elements—including flaps, fins, and fans—are designed to automatically adapt to driving conditions, minimizing drag or maximizing downforce as needed. Inside, the car does away with traditional displays, instead using a central head-up display that projects all essential information directly onto the windshield. GM has not yet released technical specs for the powertrain. 

The European Enlighten research initiative, coordinated by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, is developing a cutting-edge electric powertrain operating at 1,200 volts. The goal is to create more powerful, efficient, and sustainable systems that remain backward-compatible with existing 500- and 1,000-volt charging infrastructures. 

The Enlighten consortium—made up of research institutes, industrial partners, and universities—is designing an advanced electrical system architecture as the foundation for an innovative powertrain. Tailored for C-segment (compact class) vehicles, the system will be demonstrated up to Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL5). Key components include a dual high-voltage battery system with dynamic voltage switching during operation, an integrated motor-inverter drivetrain, a high-efficiency DC/DC converter, an onboard AC/DC charging unit, and a powerful Power Distribution Unit (PDU). Cutting-edge gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology will help reduce energy losses and maximize efficiency. 

South Korean automotive supplier Hyundai Mobis has introduced a new battery system featuring integrated fire suppression. Designed to improve EV safety, the system automatically releases an extinguishing agent within five minutes of detecting a thermal event, preventing heat from spreading to neighboring cells. 

Known as the Battery System Assembly (BSA), the solution merges hardware and software to detect and neutralize threats early. Sensors constantly monitor the battery’s temperature, voltage, and pressure. If anomalies are detected, the system activates the fire-suppression mechanism. The eco-friendly extinguishing agent used is five times more powerful than a standard 3.3-kilogram household fire extinguisher.

At its Xpeng Brand Night event in Hong Kong, Chinese EV manufacturer Xpeng unveiled its new AI strategy, branded as the “AI Tech Tree.” The initiative aims to tightly integrate artificial intelligence, energy solutions, and embodied intelligence across the company’s ecosystem. 

The company is developing both cloud-based and in-vehicle AI models, supported by custom chips and a tailored system architecture. Xpeng claims to be the first automaker in China to mass-produce vehicles with comprehensive AI model integration. A major highlight was the Aeroht Land Aircraft Carrier—a modular flying car set to go into production in 2026, with unique vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. 

Xpeng also introduced “Iron,” a humanoid robot featuring 60 joints, advanced processing capabilities, and a 720° AI vision system, designed for use in retail and factory environments. 

Additionally, the company showcased its X9 minivan, a smart electric vehicle equipped with a fully integrated AI driver-assistance system. It features an 800-volt charging architecture capable of delivering up to 405 kilometers (252 miles) of range in just 10 minutes. The battery can charge from 0 to 80% in about 12 minutes. 

The compact electric Kia EV3 has been named World Car of the Year 2025. The announcement was made during a live ceremony at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), following a vote by 96 respected automotive journalists from 30 countries.