Today’s Drive: Budget EV chess moves, a bonkers Range Rover, and a spicy MotoGP grid

Some mornings the industry wakes up and chooses chaos. Today’s brief has Stellantis whipping out big EV discounts, Citroën’s boss sketching a clearer path for the brand, a three-way dust-up looming in the sub-£30k electric SUV space, Overfinch quietly brewing the priciest Range Rover ever, and a MotoGP front row that should come with hazard lights. I brewed a strong coffee and dug in.

Stellantis’ big EV discount swing: what it means in the real world

Stellantis is replacing EV tax credits with straight-up price cuts, and the message is simple: act fast. That’s not marketing fluff—it’s classic “move the metal” strategy. I’ve watched enough quarter-end scrambles to know how quickly stock vanishes once the numbers dip on the windshield.

• What shoppers should do now: call ahead, ask for the exact VIN and build, and verify whether the discount stacks with dealer incentives.
• Finance fine print matters: low APR offers often don’t pair with the biggest cash rebates—pick your poison.
• PHEVs vs BEVs: plug-in hybrids can be the sweet spot for apartment dwellers and city commuters who can’t charge nightly.

Zooming out, this is Stellantis showing its hand: get EVs and PHEVs into driveways now, and let affordability pave the way for scale. It also tees up the next topic rather neatly…

Citroën’s compass, per Xavier Chardon

Autocar sat down with Citroën CEO Xavier Chardon, and timing couldn’t be better. Citroën’s always been the contrarian of the Stellantis family—comfortable, clever, just a touch irreverent. When I last hustled a French hatch over broken B-roads, it didn’t so much absorb the potholes as pat them on the head and move along. That comfort-first DNA is a real differentiator in the age of stiff-sprung EVs.

So hearing straight from the top about where Citroën is headed—value-forward, comfort-led, and defiantly simple—feels like a compass check. As price pressure ramps up (see: discounts above), brands with a clear identity tend to survive the storm. Citroën knows its lane. Now it needs volume.

Best sub-£30k electric SUV? Renault 4 vs Ford Puma vs Mini Aceman

Autocar framed the question perfectly: which of the incoming baby EV crossovers truly nails the under-£30k brief? Three names keep cropping up—Renault 4, Ford Puma, and Mini Aceman. Different badges, similar promise: usable range, sensible footprint, and just enough style to make the school run feel like a moment.

Here’s the practical bit. For the weekly slog—school, shop, sport—range is less critical than charging rhythm. If you can plug in at home or work, any of the trio should play nicely. I also look for honest storage (square boot openings trump swoopy ones) and simple infotainment. Quick reactions through the screen matter when you’re late for a five-a-side drop-off and the nav decides to “recalculate.”

Overfinch’s secret Range Rover: the most expensive one… ever

Carscoops calls it a secret project. Overfinch calls it Tuesday. The British outfit has a habit of taking Range Rovers and turning them into objects that feel more atelier than SUV. The new one? Poised to become the most expensive Range Rover in history. That’s not just exclusivity—it’s theater.

I remember sliding into an Overfinch build a few years back: the leather smelled like it went to finishing school, the steering wheel felt tailored, and the cabin had that hush you only get when someone spent time on the sound deadening—and the hinges. This new project sounds like more of that, turned up. Picture turning up at a Swiss chalet, handing over the keys, and watching the valet become suddenly very, very careful.

Motorsport corner

F1: Alpine’s 2026 driver call is “a few races away”

Alpine says it’s only a handful of races from making its 2026 driver decision. That’s not just calendar management—it’s leverage. Keep options open, watch the late-season form, then move. If you’re a driver’s manager, you’re not sleeping much right now.

MotoGP Indonesia: Bezzecchi bolts to pole, Marquez P9; Viñales withdraws

Marco Bezzecchi has stuck it on pole for the Indonesian GP, and that could make Turn 1 resemble a funnel in a monsoon. Marc Marquez starts only ninth, which means early elbows and maybe a few “after you, no after you” moments into the heavy braking zones. Meanwhile, Maverick Viñales has withdrawn amid injury issues—gutting for the team and it reshuffles the midfield calculus for race day. Expect a tactical first five laps, then a tire-war chess match until someone blinks.

Quick takeaways

• Stellantis discounts are a now-or-never vibe; check stackability and finance details before you sign.
• Citroën under Xavier Chardon doubles down on comfort and value—sensible in a discount-heavy market.
• Sub-£30k EV SUVs are about ease, not excess. Pick smart packaging and simple tech over flashy specs.
• Overfinch is preparing a Range Rover with a price tag that belongs in a gallery. Expect craftsmanship to match.
• MotoGP’s front row promises fireworks; Alpine’s F1 driver call keeps the silly season simmering.

Conclusion

From discounts that actually move the needle to boutique builds that ignore needles altogether, today charted two roads: democratize and dramatize. Somewhere between a sub-£30k EV and an Overfinch unicorn is where most of us live. And that’s fine—because the smart money buys what fits the driveway, not the headline.

FAQ

• Which sub-£30k electric SUVs should I watch?
  Renault 4, Ford Puma (electric), and Mini Aceman are lining up as the key contenders in that space.
• Are Stellantis’ EV discounts better than previous tax credits?
  They’re simpler at the point of sale. Whether they’re “better” depends on model, trim, and how incentives stack with financing.
• What’s special about Overfinch’s new Range Rover?
  It’s positioned to be the most expensive Range Rover to date, with bespoke craftsmanship and a heavy luxury focus.
• What did Citroën’s CEO signal about the brand?
  A continued push on comfort, value, and straightforward tech—very on-brand for Citroën.
• Who’s on MotoGP Indonesia pole and what’s the F1 update?
  Marco Bezzecchi took pole; Marc Marquez starts ninth. In F1, Alpine says its 2026 driver decision is only a few races away.