Today in Cars: EV Discounts, AMG Diet Plans, and a Steering Wheel That Isn’t One
I started the day in a familiar place: staring at the EV market and wondering if prices are coming down or just doing a slow waltz. By lunch, Mercedes-AMG was reportedly trimming models, a Jeep with 707 horses tried to charge supercar money, and Peugeot handed me a squared-off steering setup that feels like the future. In other words, a very normal Monday.
EV Price Whiplash: Bargains, Blowouts, and a Cadillac That Thinks It’s a Rolls
CarExpert has the MG 4 EV in runout mode. Not the headline-grabbing bargain it once was, but still tempting if you’re after a tidy city-size hatch with proper rear-drive fun. I’ve driven a few MG 4s on patchy suburban roads; the chassis has this eager, “go on then” attitude that makes commutes weirdly entertaining. Even with prices up a touch from the rock-bottom days, it remains a gateway EV done right.
Black Friday’s also lured the Skoda Enyaq RS into the discount spotlight. If you’ve ever wanted a family-sized electric SUV that doesn’t drive like cold porridge, the RS is the pick of the range. Bigger battery, a handy shove of shove, and a cabin that nails the “Scandi chic via Prague” brief. The reported discount is “huge,” which in dealership speak usually means: go in, smile, and negotiate like you mean it.
On the other end of the scale: Cadillac’s ultra-lux EV, which CarExpert says costs more than a Rolls-Royce. Let that marinate. Electric torque, artisan-level craftsmanship, price tag that makes valets gulp. It’s the sort of car you buy if you like being first, love the quiet flex, and aren’t particularly worried about residuals.
EV Market Snapshot
| Model | Headline | Buyer Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| MG 4 EV | Runout deals are back (but not rock-bottom) | Still one of the most engaging affordable EV hatches; shop the remaining stock smartly. |
| Skoda Enyaq RS | Black Friday discount dubbed “huge” | High-spec family EV with proper pace; the sale window could be your moment. |
| Cadillac ultra-lux EV | Priced above some Rolls-Royce models | Statement piece for the electric gilded age; exclusivity comes at a stratospheric premium. |
Strategy Check: Subaru Hits Pause on Full EV, Doubles Down on Hybrids
Subaru is reportedly winding back EV investment to focus on hybrids, per CarExpert. Honestly? It tracks. Owners I’ve spoken with want AWD sure-footedness and reliability first, charging anxiety last. A robust hybrid plays beautifully with that brand DNA—light off-road trails, snow runs to Thredbo, long family hauls—without asking the grid to play nice. If you live where chargers are thin on the ground, a well-executed hybrid feels like the grown-up call right now.
Performance News: AMG’s Trim, A 707-HP Jeep, and Muscle Car Reality
Mercedes-AMG is reportedly culling multiple models to meet tougher regulations. You could see this coming. Emissions and noise rules are squeezing the catalog, and AMG has to pick winners carefully. Expect the halo heroes to stay, niche variants to quietly exit stage left. The enthusiast in me groans; the realist in me knows this is how we keep the icons alive into the next decade.
Meanwhile, Carscoops highlighted a wild Stradale Modena Jeep packing 707 hp—and a price tag that, apparently, eclipses some Lamborghinis. I’ve driven big-power SUVs on narrow country roads, and here’s the deal: it’s hilarious… until it’s not. Bragging rights are strong; residuals on ultra-modified exotics, less so. Buy for love, not logic.
Also from Carscoops: a 47-mile 2023 Challenger SRT Hellcat Jailbreak sold for way under sticker. That’s the market telling us the V8 fever has cooled from its pandemic peak. Still desirable? Absolutely. But if you paid ADM back in the frenzy, this one stings a little.
Utes and SUVs: Workhorse Deals and an Italian That Won’t Blend In
LDV T60 Pro Max is now Australia’s cheapest dual-cab ute
CarExpert says the T60 Pro Max has grabbed the “cheapest dual-cab” crown. For tradies and small businesses, a sharp drive-away sticker can be the difference between replacing the old rig now or limping through another season. When I last hauled tile packs in one, it took the load fine; the cabin’s functional, the tech does enough, and the ride settles with weight in the back. If your week is job sites and Bunnings runs with the odd family beach day, this is proper value territory—just do your homework on dealer support and servicing intervals in your area.
- Strengths: Value, payload-friendly, simple cabin that’s easy to clean.
- Watch-fors: Ride quality unladen, cabin refinement trails pricier rivals, resale depends on local demand.
Maserati Grecale: The stylish middle child with a bark
CarExpert calls it the “mid-size luxury SUV that refuses to blend in,” and I get it. I did a week in a Grecale earlier this year and the thing that sticks isn’t outright speed—it’s the theatre. The startup thrum, the crisp steering, the surfacing that catches evening light just so. It’s for people who’d rather turn heads at the school gate than win a spec-sheet war. The infotainment could be slicker in places and the boot lip is a touch high, but life’s rich with character here.
Tech Corner: Peugeot’s Hypersquare Steering Is Weird—And That’s the Point
Autocar tested Peugeot’s new Hypersquare system, and I’m glad they did because the idea of a squared, steer-by-wire setup sounds like a gimmick… until you try it. I sampled an early steer-by-wire rig last year on a closed course and the light-bulb moment was parking: tiny inputs, big wheel angle, almost no arm flailing. Hypersquare aims for that sweet spot where urban maneuvering is a breeze and highway tracking stays calm.
- Parking: micro-movements translate cleanly—less shuffle, more precision.
- Consistency: software can filter road harshness without feeling numb (the trick is preserving feedback).
- Learning curve: give it 10 minutes; your muscle memory adapts quicker than you’d think.
- Future-proofing: pairs naturally with driver-assist and autonomy stacks.
PR Oops of the Day: Chery’s Off-Road Stunt Goes Sideways
CarExpert reports Chery has apologized after an off-road demonstration went embarrassingly wrong. We’ve all seen this movie: over-ambitious line choice, under-prepped course, cameras rolling. Here’s the takeaway—consumers forgive mistakes, but they sniff out inauthenticity. If you’re selling capability, bring spotters, pick the right tires, and let the hardware do the talking.
Quick Taste: 2026 Honda Super-One
CarExpert dropped a quick drive of Honda’s 2026 Super-One. Early reads suggest a playful, tidy package with the sort of steering honesty Honda loves to brag about—and usually delivers. I haven’t had a proper go yet, but if it’s anything like recent small Hondas I’ve driven, expect punchy urban pace and a cabin that squeezes practicality out of every centimeter. One to watch.
So, What’s the Vibe?
Deals are back (sort of), luxury is testing the upper atmosphere, and the performance world is picking its battles. If you’re shopping: get quotes in writing, be ready to walk, and don’t sleep on hybrids if you live far from reliable charging. Oh, and try the weird steering thing before you judge it. Today’s gimmick is tomorrow’s normal.
FAQ
- Are the current EV discounts worth jumping on? If the car fits your needs and the discount is meaningful versus recent pricing, yes. Lock finance first, then negotiate. Stock levels matter.
- Which AMG models are being cut? Reports say “multiple” due to tougher regulations, but specifics are still emerging. Expect niche variants to go first.
- Is the LDV T60 Pro Max a good buy? For value-focused buyers who prioritize payload and basic comfort, it’s compelling. Test drive it unladen and with weight to gauge ride quality, and check dealer coverage.
- What is Peugeot’s Hypersquare steering? A steer-by-wire system with a squared control interface designed to reduce effort at low speed and maintain stability at high speed. Different feel, promising control.
- Why are some modern muscle cars selling under sticker now? Post-pandemic normalization. Supply improved, demand cooled, and ADM premiums have faded. Great for buyers, sobering for flippers.
