Today’s Auto Brief: Rugged SUVs Roar Back, Ferrari First EV Gets Choosy, and NASCAR Tears Up Vegas

I ping-ponged between test loops and press briefings this morning, and the vibe was… split-screen. Old-school, ladder-frame SUVs are swaggering back into the spotlight, the Ferrari first EV will be invitation-only (of course it will), and Dieselgate still refuses to leave the chat. Meanwhile, NASCAR served a reminder that motorsport is still gloriously human when the helmet comes off.

China’s push gets louder: GWM calls out BYD, new diesel muscle for Tank 500, and Jaecoo 8 targets the Kodiaq

CarExpert says Great Wall Motors isn’t exactly sending BYD a fruit basket—calling the rival “too aggressive” on pricing and pace. Translation: the knife fight inside China is now happening on your street. Same desk, different headline: bigger diesel on the way for the Tank 500 off-roader and Cannon Alpha ute. When I took a similar setup down rutted fire roads last month, the low-rev shove made the difference between bracing for impact and just… gliding. Shoulders thanked me later.

Over at Autocar, the Jaecoo 8 (Chery’s outdoorsy, upscale sub-brand) is inbound for the UK to eye the Skoda Kodiaq. I’ve done the long school-run slog in a Kodiaq—quiet, unflappable, a boot that swallows the weekly shop plus a scooter and one rugby bag. If Jaecoo nails refinement and dealer backup, it could be the family wildcard you weren’t expecting.

• CarExpert: GWM boss bristles at BYD’s “aggressive” playbook
• CarExpert: Bigger new diesel slated for GWM Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha
• Autocar: Jaecoo 8 due in the UK next year as a Skoda Kodiaq rival

Rugged SUV snapshot: hype vs hardware

Ferrari first EV: velvet rope firmly intact

Per CarExpert, Ferrari will hand-pick who gets the keys to its inaugural electric model. Shocking? Not really. I’ve watched Maranello run allocations like an art gallery—repeat buyers and collectors tend to get the first brushstrokes. When I chatted with a few longtime owners this spring, they said it straight: relationship first, deposit second. And yes, that usually means early resale values stay tidy and waiting lists grow longer than a Saturday night in Modena.

• Early cars will almost certainly go to established Ferrari clients with history.
• Expect rollouts to favor markets with robust charging and service networks.
• New to the brand? Be patient—or be very, very persuasive.

How to get noticed for the Ferrari first EV (without being a billionaire)

• Start with a mainstream Ferrari model and actually drive it—service records matter.
• Show up: dealer events, track days, tours. Enthusiasm reads louder than emails.
• Be realistic on spec. Early allocations favor buyers who won’t delay production with wild requests.

Report: Audi eyes a G-Wagen rival (and yes, it needs real chops)

CarExpert reckons an Audi-badged riposte to the G-Class is in the oven. I’m here for it—so long as it’s more than a squared-off Q-something on tall tires. The G’s charm is its unapologetic uprightness; the ride can skitter, but you forgive it every time the road turns to rock. An Audi take would likely be quieter on the motorway—ideal for long Alpine weekends—and I’d bet a good espresso it’ll ace cabin polish. The trick will be real capability: axle clearance, underbody protection, and a traction system that works at 2 mph on shale, not just on a photo shoot.

Dieselgate drags on; Toyota Sienna recall flags a welding slip

CarExpert notes five automakers are headed to trial in the latest Dieselgate chapter. Every time you think the curtain’s down, another subpoena hits the stage. If you own an affected diesel, you already know the playbook: letters, software flashes, sometimes goodwill repair. Keep the paperwork—future you (or your buyer) will thank you.

On a different front, Carscoops reports a recall for the Toyota Sienna stemming from a welding hiccup. Minivans are family life on wheels—I recommend them often to friends drowning in strollers—so anything structural gets fast-tracked. If you’ve got a Sienna, expect a dealer note. Swing by on a weekday morning; the coffee is mediocre, the peace of mind is not.

• CarExpert: Dieselgate trial set for five automakers
• Carscoops: Sienna recall stems from a welding issue
• Owner tip: Keep a neat digital folder of service and recall invoices—gold at trade-in time.

Peugeot’s 208 goes radical for 2026

Autocar hints the next-gen 208 will “reinvent the wheel.” Peugeot loves a bold interior—hello, i-Cockpit—and I’m cautiously optimistic. I like a tiny wheel, but sightlines matter. Give me cleaner visibility, tactile climate controls that don’t vanish into submenus, and steering that relaxes just off-center. Get that right and you’ve got the perfect city slicer that’s still fun on a Sunday B-road. When I last drove a 208 on rain-slicked cobbles, it felt light on its toes; more of that, please.

Track talk: Hamlin hits 60 in Vegas, Byron clipped by pit-lane confusion

From Road & Track: Denny Hamlin scored an emotional 60th career win in Las Vegas. Legacy stuff. The radio thank-you to his dad was a lump-in-throat moment—one of those reminders that under the data, it’s still people turning laps. Elsewhere, William Byron tangled with Ty Dillon amid pit-entry confusion. On ovals, a split-second misread is the difference between “nice stage points” and “Monday debrief just got longer.”

• Road & Track: Hamlin’s 60th career win at Las Vegas, with a heartfelt cooldown
• Road & Track: Byron-Dillon contact sparked by pit timing miscommunication

What it all means (today, anyway) for the Ferrari first EV and the rest

• Boxy, body-on-frame SUVs are back on mood boards—and prototype mules.
• Ferrari first EV allocations will be scarce by design; start building your relationship now.
• Chinese brands are hitting harder and faster; legacy pricing power is under pressure.
• Compliance hangovers (Dieselgate, recalls) still shape 2025 ownership realities.
• Motorsport keeps reminding us why we care—beyond lap times and wind tunnels.

Quick hits

• If Jaecoo undercuts a like-for-like Kodiaq, expect school-run car parks to get curious.
• GWM’s bigger diesel should help with towing range—less white-knuckle fuel watching off-grid.
• Audi’s rumored 4x4 must earn scars, not just Likes. Recovery points > mood lighting.
• Ferrari first EV hopefuls: be early with paperwork, flexible on spec, and visible at events.

Conclusion: control is the theme—especially around the Ferrari first EV

Today felt like a study in control—of story, of price, of who gets in the door. The Ferrari first EV will be curated to the hilt. Audi wants to control the narrative around go-anywhere luxury. Chinese brands are steering momentum with speed and value. And on track, control is the line between a career-defining 60th and a bruised fender. Buckle up—the next few months will be busy, loud, and oddly nostalgic.

FAQ

When is the Jaecoo 8 arriving in the UK?

Autocar says next year, positioned right against the Skoda Kodiaq.

Who can buy the Ferrari first EV?

According to CarExpert, Ferrari will hand-pick early customers—typically existing clients with a solid purchase and ownership history.

Is Audi really making a G-Wagen rival?

CarExpert reports it’s in the works. No confirmed powertrain or launch timing yet, but expect serious attention on refinement.

What’s happening with Dieselgate now?

CarExpert notes five automakers face trial in a new development, proving the saga’s still not over.

Why is the Toyota Sienna being recalled?

Carscoops reports a welding issue triggered the recall. Watch for an official dealer notice and get the fix booked.