Daily Auto Brief: Swan songs, baby Broncos, budget EVs, and a robotaxi that missed the memo

I spent the morning ping-ponging between a coffee-stained notebook and a dozen press emails, and the day’s story arc writes itself: the old guard is bowing out with style, the new guard is shrinking (and plugging in), and one autonomous shuttle tried to improvise its way into a police drama. Here’s what matters—and why it’ll matter to you at a dealership, on your commute, or when you’re trying to squeeze a third row into school-run chaos.

Volkswagen Touareg Wolfsburg Edition: Australia’s sporty send-off

Volkswagen is giving the Touareg a proper curtain call in Australia with the 2026 Wolfsburg Edition. Think of it as the crisply tailored tux at the end of a long-running show: more visual punch, likely bigger wheels, and the sort of spec sheet that reads like a highlights reel. I’ve always liked how the current Touareg glides over coarse-chip country highways—quiet, composed, almost smug—and a dressier final edition feels like the right goodbye. Pricing is set for Australia, and supply will be finite, so the window to snag one won’t stay open long.

Ford Bronco family grows: a smaller, plug-in hybrid trail buddy

Ford’s not done with the Bronco idea; in fact, it’s going smaller and plug-in. A compact PHEV model is reportedly in the wings, which is exactly the kind of thing that makes sense if your commute ends at a gravel trailhead. Picture Bronco attitude scaled to city parking spaces, weekday EV running, and weekend dirt-readiness. I’ve taken the big Bronco into the scrub; it’s a hoot but a handful in urban car parks. A baby Bronco with a plug solves half that equation in one go.

EV reshuffles you’ll actually notice

Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2026): Small battery, gone

Hyundai has trimmed the Ioniq 5 lineup, axing the smaller battery for 2026. It’s the kind of rational move you feel on the forecourt: fewer choices, clearer value, longer range as the default. When I tried the base pack earlier this year, it was fine for city loops but felt like you were playing range chess on a blustery motorway. The reshuffle should make the buying decision simpler—and the road trips calmer.

Kia EV2 teased: The affordable EV play arrives in January

Kia has teased the EV2 ahead of a January reveal, and the silhouette screams “subcompact city special.” If Kia nails the cabin storage and keeps the charging curve friendly, this could be the kind of car that makes you stop comparing lease rates and start comparing coffee spots you can now reach on cheap electrons.

UK sweetener: Renault 5 and 4 among EVs eligible for a £3750 discount

Across the pond, the UK has flagged a £3750 discount for a handful of EVs, including the charming Renault 5 and the reborn 4. Incentives don’t make dull cars interesting, but they do make interesting cars irresistible. The 5 is exactly the kind of design-led runabout that gets people whispering “maybe an EV would work for us” over Sunday lunch.

Premium SUV shuffle: space, style, and seven seats

Mercedes GLC EQ grows a third row

Mercedes’ electric GLC (GLC EQ) isn’t stopping at two rows anymore. A third row is coming, which turns it into a genuine school-run contender. Will the way-back be adult-friendly? Don’t count on it, but that’s not the point—occasional seven-seat flexibility sells cars. If you’ve lived with an EQB, you know the pitch: five seats most days, seven in a pinch, a flat floor that swallows sports kits. Expect similar logic here with a more refined ride and quieter cabin.

• Seven-seat flexibility for growing families
• Electric refinement without the bulk of a full-size SUV
• Likely improved cargo solutions over two-row versions

Performance corner: Lexus tease, Bugatti finale, Dodge turns the page

Lexus supercar teased; Toyota GR GT in the wings

Lexus is teasing a supercar that will debut alongside Toyota’s GR GT this week. Lexus doesn’t do “meh” flagships, so expect drama—styling that pins you back and tech that reads like a parts-bin greatest hits. I still remember the first time I heard an LFA sing at 9000 rpm; this one may not try to replicate that soundtrack, but the intent feels similarly ambitious.

Bugatti builds the last of a 40-car run

Only 40 of these particular Bugattis exist, and the final car is complete. Limited-run Bugattis are rolling sculpture—you don’t so much drive them as time-travel between concours lawns. The capstone build is said to be breathtaking, which is normally code for “we ran out of superlatives three cars ago.”

Dodge Charger R/T orders open: 420 hp, price bump

Dodge has opened orders for the new Charger R/T, now rated at 420 hp and carrying roughly a $10,000 premium over the old Hemi model. I’ve driven enough new-age muscle to know this trade: more tech, cleaner power, leaner packaging. The number on the window sticker stings, but the shove in your spine will do its best to help you forget.

Tease season: BMW has a Christmas Eve surprise

BMW is teasing a mystery model for December 24. A coupe silhouette? A concept? Something M-flavored? The brand loves a festive curveball. I’ll say this: whenever Munich goes cryptic, they usually turn up with a design detail that looks odd at first and normal three years later.

Autonomy and design drama: the messy middle of progress

A robotaxi drove passengers toward a police standoff

One of Google’s autonomous robotaxis reportedly steered passengers into the teeth of an active police standoff. Nobody wants an algorithm making confident choices in the worst possible direction. I’ve ridden in plenty of these pods on geofenced routes, and they’re brilliant right up until edge-case chaos arrives. The lesson is simple: better live data, stricter geofencing, and more conservative decision trees in dynamic incidents.

Jaguar parts ways with designer of controversial concept

Jaguar has reportedly sacked the designer behind a recent, much-debated concept. It happens. Design revolutions always wobble at first, but the next step is what counts: double down with conviction or pivot with grace. As someone who’s loved Jags from XK120 to XFR, I’m rooting for a bold, timeless lane—fewer gimmicks, more feline stance and long-bonnet magic.

Market pulse: Australia’s November sales slip

VFACTS numbers for November 2025 show Australian new-car sales down, with several big brands sagging. You could feel it at dealerships last month—more “Can we sharpen the pencil?” conversations, fewer impulse deliveries. Expect year-end stock-clearing theatrics and some rare-spec cars surfacing as fleets reshuffle orders. If you’re shopping, this is when patience can translate to a better driveway.

Conclusion

The mood today is transitional—farewells for the faithful (Touareg), hellos for the pragmatic (baby Bronco PHEV, Kia EV2), and a few dramatic pauses (Lexus, BMW) to keep the calendar humming. If you like your cars sensible, the EV news is getting friendlier. If you like them loud, Dodge still speaks your language. And if you like them to drive themselves—well, let’s keep a human in the loop a little longer.

FAQ

• When will the Kia EV2 be revealed? Kia has teased the EV2 ahead of a full reveal in January.
• What’s special about the VW Touareg Wolfsburg Edition? It’s a sporty, limited send-off for Australia with dressier styling and a curated spec—think final-edition polish.
• Is Ford really making a smaller Bronco? Yes, a compact plug-in hybrid Bronco is reportedly coming, aimed at urban buyers who still want trail credibility.
• Which EVs get the UK’s £3750 discount? Among the eligible models are the Renault 5 and 4, part of a small group qualifying for the incentive.
• Can the electric Mercedes GLC (GLC EQ) seat seven? Yes, a new third-row option is on the way, making occasional seven-seat duty possible.