Deals Everywhere, Raptors Multiply, and VW’s Range-Extender Reality: Today’s Auto Brief

I spent the morning ping-ponging between dealer emails and a muddy test loop, and the vibe right now is unmistakable: 2026 wants your business. Discounts are back, off-road toys are getting wilder, and Volkswagen just did something very un-Volkswagen with a range-extender electric SUV. Meanwhile, the UK is trying to reboot its battery future, and Australia’s iconic Summernats got a stern visit from the boys and girls in blue.

The Year of the Deal: What’s Hot, What’s Discounted

Autocar is calling 2026 the “year of the deal,” and I believe it. Incentives, price corrections, and stock that needs to move—especially on EVs—are colliding in the showroom to create old-school haggle energy. A couple of standouts today:

• GWM (Australia): After a record year, GWM is rolling out range-wide deals. That’s the sort of victory lap you can actually drive home—useful too if you want budget-friendly utes and SUVs without the usual wait times.
• MG 4 (Australia): Prices have been slashed by thousands following a sales slump. I’ve spent time in the MG 4 before—keen steering and tidy packaging—and at lower prices it suddenly looks like a very sensible commuter with just the right dose of fun.
• Mercedes EQS (Global): Not a “deal,” but a clear repositioning play. Mercedes is prepping a second facelift for its slow-selling luxury EV sedan, which tells you two things: one, the three-pointed star isn’t giving up on flagship EVs; and two, design and UX matter as much as range at this end of the market.

Volkswagen’s ID.Era 9X: The Range-Extender Returns

Volkswagen’s ID.Era 9X is its first range-extender electric SUV—yes, a battery-driven vehicle with an onboard generator to charge it as you go. If that rings BMW i3 REx bells, you’re not wrong. When I ran an i3 REx across country years ago, the real trick wasn’t speed, it was serenity—the generator hums away and anxiety fades, especially far from chargers.

The pitch here is pragmatic: keep the smooth, silent EV drive most of the time, and carry a safety net for long trips. For regional drivers—think rural Australia or big-sky US states—that’s a compelling alternative while charging infrastructure catches up. It’s not the sexiest solution on paper, but in the real world, it could be the difference between planning your life around chargers and just getting on with your weekend.

Raptors, Rock Crawlers, and Big-Tire Energy

Two pieces today for the dirt-in-your-teeth crowd:

• More Ford Raptor models are coming: Ford knows the badge sells, and there’s room between the high-speed desert toys and rock-crawling bruisers for even more flavors. I’ve taken current Raptors over nasty washboards—long-travel dampers can make corrugations feel like carpet. More variants? I’m listening.
• AEV built its first Ford truck—and it’s massive: The aftermarket authority finally turned its wrenches on a Ford, complete with 40-inch tires. I’ve wheeled AEV rigs before; they don’t just bolt on bling. Approach angles, recovery points, underbody protection—AEV tends to overbuild the bits that matter.

Expect the Raptor news to set dealer phones ringing, while the AEV Ford is the halo piece that makes your inner 10-year-old do laps around the sandbox.

Luxury Lane: Audi’s Big Ask and Lexus’ Small Nose

• Audi’s SUV for American families: US dealers reportedly previewed a flagship SUV they think soccer moms (and dads) actually want. Translation: roomy, plush, easy to live with, and not allergic to cupholders. If it nails the everyday stuff—visibility, second-row space, stress-free infotainment—it’ll sell before anyone asks about 0–60.
• Lexus LC, Toms Edition vibes: Toms is playing with a Corolla-esque nose treatment for the LC. The LC’s a rolling sculpture; when I parked one at a dinner spot last year, the valet left it up front just to look at it. Will a retro-ish nose work? It’ll divide opinions—which, frankly, is half the fun of tuner culture.

Big Picture: Britain’s £1bn Battery Hope

Autocar pulls back the curtain on the UK’s push to land roughly £1 billion for battery production. If it comes together, it’s not just jobs; it’s supply chain sovereignty and a stake in the next decade of electrification. Pair that with Volkswagen’s range-extender strategy and Mercedes’ persistence with the EQS, and you see the market hedging: go full BEV where it flies, create bridge tech where it doesn’t, and build the industrial backbone so Europe isn’t left importing its future.

Culture Check: Summernats Under the Spotlight

In Australia, police cracked down on hoon behavior at Summernats. I’ve been to plenty of events where the line between celebration and chaos gets thin by sundown. The majority show up for burnout artistry and mechanical madness in good spirits. The crackdown is a reminder: keep it on the pad, not the public road, and we get to keep the party going next year.

Quick Hits and Owner-Style Takeaways

• Shopping soon? Leverage is yours—ask about leftover stock, demo discounts, and EV incentives.
• Range anxiety? A range-extender EV like VW’s ID.Era 9X could be a sweet spot if chargers are sparse where you live.
• Truck life? Watch for Raptor announcements and keep an eye on AEV’s Ford build for what’s possible off the shelf (or close to it).
• Luxury EV skeptic? Wait for the updated EQS; sometimes the second facelift is the charm.

Conclusion

Today’s market feels refreshingly buyer-friendly: deals on the forecourt, more choice for off-roaders, and sensible electrification for those outside the metro bubble. Keep your options open, ask for the number you want, and don’t be afraid of bridge tech if it fits your life better than a spec sheet hero.

FAQ

Is 2026 a good time to buy a new car?

Yes, signs point to it. With incentives returning and inventories looking healthier, buyers have leverage—especially on EVs and outgoing model-year stock.

What exactly is a range-extender EV?

It’s an electric vehicle with a small onboard generator that charges the battery on the move. You still drive electrically, but you’ve got a safety net for longer trips.

Are more Ford Raptor models really coming?

Yes. Ford is expanding the Raptor family, which likely means more variants and niches within the high-performance off-road lineup.

Why is Mercedes facelifting the EQS again?

To boost appeal and sales. Expect tweaks to styling, interior, and user experience aimed at broadening the luxury EV’s audience.

What happened at Summernats?

Police cracked down on hoon behavior, emphasizing safety and keeping the event on the right side of the line between spectacle and disorder.