Today in Cars: EV Pivots, 50-Year Icons, and a Sneaky Hellcat in Disguise

I love a news day that swings from boardroom strategy to driveway oddities. This one brings both: Ford is reshaping its EV strategy, Volkswagen is doubling down on small cars (electric and petrol), Smart taps the brakes on an Aussie launch, BMW’s 3 Series blows out 50 candles, and someone built a Challenger that looks like a classic Charger with a supercar party trick. Oh, and Portugal’s back on the F1 map. Let’s dive in.

EV Strategy Whiplash: Ford Rethinks Trucks, VW Scales Small, Smart Slows a Launch

Ford F-150 Lightning: Out with the EV-only, in with mixed power

According to today’s reporting, Ford is ending the current F-150 Lightning program and moving to a replacement that will include a petrol engine option. It’s the clearest sign yet that Dearborn is chasing breadth—not purity—in its truck lineup. The move tracks with other behind-the-scenes EV cuts at Ford that surfaced recently, pointing to a near-term focus on hybrids and plug-ins where they make the most sense for towing, cold weather, and long-distance use.

• What owners will actually feel: easier road-trip logistics and consistent towing performance, plus the option to go full-electric later if infrastructure catches up.
• What I’m watching: battery costs vs. hybrid take-rates. On my last towing loop with a Lightning, range fell fast with a car on the trailer; a smart hybrid truck could be a sweet spot.

Volkswagen’s 2026 wave + the ID. Polo: small is big again

Volkswagen is lining up a raft of new models for 2026, and one of the headline acts is the ID. Polo—an electric city car positioned to slot under the ID.3. Here’s the twist: VW isn’t killing the petrol Polo just yet. For markets that still want simple, cheap, and familiar, the ICE Polo soldiers on alongside the EV. It’s a pragmatic, two-lane strategy that feels very Volkswagen: give Europe its compact EV, keep price-sensitive buyers in the tent with petrol.

• City-car promise: compact footprint, low running costs, and (fingers crossed) the sort of visibility and turning circle that made old Polos brilliant in tight streets.
• Reality check: entry EVs live or die by charging speed and interior quality. If VW nails both, the ID. Polo could be the new default learner’s car, rideshare special, and city runabout.

Smart’s Tesla Model Y rival delayed for Australia

Smart’s larger electric SUV—its rival to the Tesla Model Y—has been pushed back for Australia. It’s a reminder that global rollouts are messy when supply chains and certification queues get long. For Aussie families eyeing a compact EV SUV with some flair, the wait just stretched.

BMW 3 Series Turns 50: The Benchmark Still Has Bite

Half a century of the 3 Series. From E21 to today’s tech-heavy sedan, it’s the car that taught generations to love a perfect steering rack and a straight-six soundtrack. I hopped back into a recent M340i xDrive a few weeks ago and remembered why this thing endures: it shrinks around you, it’s happy in commuter traffic, and when the road opens up, it still finds that magic balance of grip and give.

• Why it still matters: it’s the reference point—if a rival is “as good as a 3,” it’s a win.
• Quirk alert: the latest infotainment stack is mighty but takes patience; I still miss physical climate knobs on winter mornings.
• Life stuff: skis will fit via the pass-through; the trunk opening isn’t wagon-big, but it’s honest.

Fifty years on, the 3 Series remains a sweet spot: fast enough, refined enough, practical enough. Still the do-it-all German.

Small-Car Reality Check: Renault Clio Keeps It Simple

Autocar’s latest take on the Renault Clio aligns with my own recent run in an E-Tech hybrid: it’s a classic supermini done right. Light controls, tidy size, and enough hybrid assist to make urban stop-start driving a non-event. The cabin’s lifted a notch with better materials where your elbows land, and the seats are properly shaped for longer hauls than its footprint suggests.

• Best for: city duty, first cars, and commuters dodging London or Paris congestion charges.
• Minor gripes: the infotainment can lag when you’re hopping between maps and media; rear headroom is just okay for adults.
• Economy play: the hybrid shines in town more than on the motorway, where it feels merely adequate.

Market Moves: Nissan Thins the Altima Lineup, Prices Rise

Nissan is trimming the Altima range for 2026 and nudging prices upward. On paper, it streamlines stocking and simplifies decisions; in practice, it risks pushing value hunters to showroom-hop. If you’re shopping midsize sedans, keep an eye on transaction prices and incentives—Camry and Accord dealers won’t waste a moment to make a deal if the Altima’s window sticker climbs.

• What to do: cross-shop trims and watch for bundled safety and driver-assist features; sometimes a “base” Camry or Accord still comes loaded.
• Ownership tip: budget for high-quality all-seasons; the biggest day-to-day improvement I felt on an Altima long-term tester came from ditching the factory eco tires.

Garage Candy: A Challenger Wearing Classic Charger Clothes

That “vintage” Charger you double-tapped? It’s a Dodge Challenger underneath—dressed in red carbon bodywork to mimic the late-’60s silhouette. The execution is shockingly convincing in photos, and the powertrain’s no slouch either (think Hellcat theatrics). It’s the modern restomod trend turned inside out: factory bones, cosplay body, supercar-level fit and finish. Half art piece, half tire shredder.

Plate of the Day: Florida Frame Fiasco

Only in Florida: the same outfit that sells a license plate frame can apparently write you up for it. It’s a tidy reminder to check local rules on covered letters or obscured state names. Cheeky accessory today, roadside chat tomorrow.

Motorsport Corner: Portugal’s Back, and You Can Still Vote

The Portuguese Grand Prix will return to the F1 calendar from 2027 onward. Portimão’s undulations and that blind right-hander onto the front straight make for proper theater—drivers love it, fans can see multiple corners from one seat, and the onboards look like a roller coaster. Meanwhile, fan voting for the Autosport Awards has been extended until 5 January. If you’ve been agonizing over your Driver of the Year pick, you’ve just been gifted a holiday grace period.

Conclusion

The industry’s middle lane is getting crowded: hybrids and pragmatic EVs are carrying the day while icons like the 3 Series keep the enthusiast flame bright. The lesson? Flexibility wins. Whether it’s Ford hedging with petrol, VW running EVs alongside ICE, or Smart recalibrating timelines, the smart plays are the nuanced ones. And if all else fails, build a carbon-bodied faux-Charger and call it a day.

FAQs

• Is the Ford F-150 Lightning being discontinued? Yes, the current Lightning program is ending, with a replacement on the way that will include a petrol option alongside electrification.
• Is Volkswagen killing the petrol Polo? Not yet. VW is developing the ID. Polo as a small EV while continuing the petrol Polo in certain markets.
• When will Smart’s Tesla Model Y rival arrive in Australia? The launch has been delayed; expect a later-than-initially-planned arrival as rollout priorities shift.
• Is the BMW 3 Series still the benchmark? It remains a standout for balanced dynamics and everyday usability—especially in six-cylinder form.
• What’s happening to the Nissan Altima lineup? Trims are being reduced for 2026, with prices moving upward—so it pays to cross-shop and negotiate.