Today in Cars: Tesla’s Big Goodbye, Grenadier Grows Up (Sort Of), and Rolls-Royce Plots a Silent Cullinan

I spent most of this morning bouncing between phone calls and coffee, the good kind that makes you a little too honest about steering feel. It’s one of those days where the industry mood swings between old-guard iconography and new-world weirdness. Tesla says farewell to the cars that made it famous. A boxy Brit-by-way-of-Austria gets a little friendlier to your wrists. Rolls-Royce readies a battery-electric temple on wheels. In Australia, Genesis lays more bricks for its boutique empire while Cupra crosses a neat milestone. And somewhere in Louisiana, someone’s still arguing about four-wheel drive on Facebook.

Tesla ends Model S and Model X, doubles down on robots

Per multiple reports today, Tesla has stopped production of the Model S and Model X and is reallocating resources—yes, including to its robotics ambitions. Motor1 and CarExpert were aligned on the basics: the halo sedan and SUV that put Tesla on the map are done. If you’ve ever hustled an early P85D on a cold morning (I did, and the rear tires protested like opera singers), you know how much those cars defined the EV era. But the brand’s attention now tilts to mass-market volume, autonomy, and the Optimus-shaped future.

• Why it matters: S and X were brand anchors; their exit tightens Tesla’s lineup around higher-volume models and tech bets.
• Owner reality: Parts and service shouldn’t vanish overnight, but long-term software feature focus will live elsewhere.
• My two cents: The S felt like a moonshot you could daily. Ending it is as symbolic as it is strategic.

Rolls-Royce preps an electric Cullinan with a bolder face

Autocar flagged that Rolls-Royce is priming an all-electric Cullinan, reportedly with a dramatic new look. Picture the quietest five-star hotel you’ve ever tiptoed through, now on 23-inch wheels. I’ve driven the V12 Cullinan across cobbled city streets where it turned potholes into rumors; an electric version makes decadent sense—silence layered on silence. The design tweak talk suggests they won’t just swap a grille for a panel; they’ll make a statement.

• What to expect: A distinct EV identity, likely even more isolated ride, and a price tag that makes accountants sweat.
• Use case: Alpine ski weekends without waking the chalet at 5 a.m.

Porsche nabs McLaren’s design boss

CarExpert notes Porsche has poached a new design chief from McLaren. That’s a notable cross-pollination. McLaren design has lately leaned toward pure, purposeful surfacing; Porsche balances lineage with evolution. The next-gen 911s, electric Macans, and whatever surprise halo comes after could carry a slightly sharper edge as a result.

Ineos Grenadier update: calmer hands, same wild heart

For 2026, the Ineos Grenadier gets revised steering and a new Black Edition. That’s the headline from CarExpert, with Carscoops cheekily adding: it’s still a savage. As someone who’s dragged a current Grenadier over washboard fire roads, I welcome any steering refinement. The truck’s charm is its unapologetic, body-on-frame bluntness; dialing in more precision won’t dilute that if they keep the damping honest.

• New bits: Retuned steering for better on-road manners; special Black Edition appearance package.
• Still a Grenadier: Ladder frame, serious off-road chops, you’ll still smell the outdoors after a weekend.
• Daily living: If you parallel park often, the steering tweak might save your shoulders.

Hyundai Kona skips the facelift, eyes 2028 for the next generation

According to CarExpert, the Kona will bypass a mid-cycle refresh and jump straight to an all-new model slated around 2028. It’s a pragmatic move: the small SUV space moves fast, and battery/tech cadence can outdate a facelift before it hits showrooms. I’ve always liked the Kona as a city car you don’t have to apologize for—the EV version in particular makes LA traffic feel gentler. A clean-sheet redo could sharpen efficiency and cabin tech without the compromise of carryover hard points.

Australia watch: Genesis grows, Cupra hits five figures

Genesis is expanding its Australian retail footprint just as its Magma performance sub-brand warms up for local showrooms. That’s good timing; the brand’s experience-focused studios fit the buyer vibe down under. Meanwhile, Cupra has delivered its 10,000th vehicle in Australia—no small feat for a newcomer. I keep bumping into Formentor owners who say the same thing: it feels special without being precious.

Jaguar’s pivot: last gas car built, possible China tie-up in the UK

Carscoops relayed two intertwined realities: Jaguar has assembled its final internal-combustion car, and there’s chatter it could build vehicles for a Chinese brand in the UK. Contract manufacturing is a lifeline move many legacy names have flirted with; if it keeps factories humming while Jaguar preps its electric revival, it’s a rational bridge.

Roadside curios: a six-figure “Thriftmaster” and a 4WD kerfuffle

Carscoops also brought two gems. First, a “Thriftmaster” restomod truck with a price tag that reads like a mortgage. I’ve driven a few high-end vintage pickups; when they’re done right—modern brakes, proper heat, sorted NVH—they can be dream cars that actually start on cold mornings. Second, a Louisiana town reportedly threatened ticketing drivers without 4WD during rough conditions, then mocked the backlash online. Note to municipalities: public-service announcements work better than dunk contests.

Today’s moves at a glance

Quick hits and notes

• Design desk drama is underrated. Porsche tapping McLaren talent could subtly shift the brand’s surfacing over the next cycle.
• If you’ve been eyeing a Grenadier but feared the gym membership it implied, the steering update may tip you over the edge.
• Jaguar’s “last gas” moment is poignant. The next chapter needs products that feel as inevitable as the original XJ.
• That Thriftmaster? If you must ask, you probably don’t want to know. But it’ll look brilliant outside the wine bar.

Conclusion

Today felt like a re-shelving of the automotive library. Some volumes end—Tesla’s S and X—while others are being rewritten, like Rolls-Royce’s Cullinan and Jaguar’s strategy. The Grenadier edges toward civility without losing its wilderness pass. And in Australia, the boutique players keep stirring the pot. If you’re shopping, the signal is clear: the next two to three years will be about sharper focus—fewer half-steps, more clean slates.

FAQ

• Is Tesla really discontinuing the Model S and Model X?
  Yes. Multiple outlets report production is ending as Tesla pivots resources toward higher-volume models and robotics.
• What’s new on the 2026 Ineos Grenadier?
  Retuned steering for improved on-road behavior and a new Black Edition. The core off-road hardware remains intact.
• Will there be an electric Rolls-Royce Cullinan?
  That’s the trajectory. Reports indicate an EV Cullinan with a more dramatic design is being readied.
• Is the Hyundai Kona getting a facelift?
  No. Reports suggest Hyundai will skip a mid-cycle update and go straight to a new generation around 2028.
• What’s happening with Jaguar’s lineup?
  Jaguar has reportedly built its last internal-combustion car and may pursue contract manufacturing in the UK while it transitions to EVs.