Today in Cars: EV Discounts, Mercedes-AMG Diet Plans, and a Steering Wheel That Isn’t One

I kicked off the morning with coffee and spreadsheets, trying to decide if EV prices are actually dropping or just pretending to. By midday, Mercedes-AMG was quietly putting a few models on a diet to satisfy regulators, a 707-hp Jeep thought it deserved supercar cash, and Peugeot handed me a squared-off “wheel” that barely is one. So yes—another very normal Monday in car land.

EV Price Whiplash: Bargains, Blowouts, and a Cadillac That Thinks It’s a Rolls

CarExpert has the MG 4 EV circling the runout runway. It’s no longer the jaw-drop special it was in the fire-sale months, but if you want a tidy, rear-drive hatch that actually enjoys a commute, it still slaps. When I ran one through pocked suburban backroads, the chassis had that eager, “go on then” shimmy that turns milk-and-bread errands into mini track sessions. Prices are up a hair, sure, but it’s still one of the most honest gateway EVs on sale.

Black Friday dragged the Skoda Enyaq RS under the spotlight too. If “family EV” to you means “fun, but please don’t slop around like porridge,” this is the right one in the lineup. Bigger battery, proper shove, and an interior that nails “Scandi calm by way of Prague.” The discount has been called “huge,” which in dealer-speak means: wear comfortable shoes and negotiate like your internet just went out.

Then there’s Cadillac’s ultra-luxe EV, priced—per CarExpert—north of some Rolls-Royces. Let that sink in. It’s what you buy if you like first-class silence, concierge materials, and the smug knowledge that your car’s price could fund a decent house. Residuals? That’s a future-you problem.

EV Market Snapshot

Strategy Check: Subaru Hits Pause on Full EV, Doubles Down on Hybrids

Subaru reportedly easing off full EV spend in favor of hybrids makes… sense. Most owners I meet put foul-weather traction and reliability above kilowatt bragging rights. A stout hybrid suits the brand’s life: gravel trails, winter runs to the slopes, long holiday hauls with a surfboard poking through the ski hatch. If you live where chargers are as rare as sincere parking apologies, a hybrid feels like the adult decision.

Mercedes-AMG Strategy: Trimming Models to Meet Regulations

Mercedes-AMG, per multiple reports, is cutting back certain variants to satisfy tougher emissions and noise rules. You could see this one coming—regulators tighten, lineups focus. The AMG team will protect the crown jewels and quietly retire the slow sellers and powertrain duplicates. The enthusiast in me flinched; the pragmatist nodded. I had a recent go in an AMG with the latest mild-hybrid trickery and, honestly, the torque fill is witchcraft—smooth enough that your better half won’t notice it’s helping you beat the on-ramp.

Mercedes-AMG: What Stays, What Goes

• Likely safe: High-margin halo cars and core nameplates.
• On the bubble: Niche body styles, overlapping trims, and anything that’s a headache to certify across regions.
• The playbook: Fewer variants, more electrified punch (think EQ-boost this, e-turbo that) to keep the fireworks without the fines.

Mercedes-AMG Outlook: E Performance, Hybrids, and the Next Decade

The next wave is clear: smaller displacement, smarter boost, and electric assistance that adds real pace rather than dead weight. I’ve noticed on rough, fast backroads that the newer AMG setups keep traction tidy and throttle response sharp—less “drama for the neighbors,” more speed for you. Purists will grumble. Then they’ll try one and quietly go quicker.

Performance Sideshow: A 707-HP Jeep and Muscle-Car Reality Check

Carscoops flagged a Stradale Modena Jeep with 707 hp and a price that peeks over some Lamborghinis. I’ve hustled big-power SUVs down narrow B-roads and it’s hilarious until it’s not—mass is mass. Buy it for the grin factor, not the spreadsheet. Same outlet noted a 47-mile 2023 Challenger SRT Hellcat Jailbreak selling under sticker. That’s the market cooling off from the pandemic fever. Great time to buy; a bit salty if you paid “market adjustments” back then.

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 just nabbed the “cheapest dual-cab” title. For tradies and small businesses, a sharp drive-away number often decides whether you replace the old bus now or after another summer of squeaks. Last time I hauled tile packs in one, the rear settled nicely and the steering stopped fidgeting. Cabin plastics are more hose-down than haute couture, and that’s the point.

• Strengths: Value, payload-friendly chassis, easy-clean interior.
• Watch-fors: Busy ride when empty, wind noise at highway speeds, resale driven by local brand perception.

Maserati Grecale: The stylish middle child with a bark

I ran a Grecale for a week earlier this year and it’s not the numbers that stuck—it’s the theater. The starter’s flourish, steering that’s alert but not twitchy, and bodywork that looks like it was sketched at golden hour. The infotainment still stumbles in a menu or two, and the boot lip makes you lift the suitcase a smidge higher than you’d like. But if the school run is your daily catwalk, it’s the one people turn to watch.

Tech Corner: Peugeot’s Hypersquare Steering Is Weird—And That’s the Point

Autocar sampled Peugeot’s new Hypersquare steer-by-wire setup. I’m glad they did, because on paper it sounds like a gimmick. In practice? The lightbulb moment is parking. I tried a similar system on a closed course last year—tiny inputs, big lock, no windmilling. Hypersquare is chasing that: low-speed ease without deleting the high-speed calm.

• Parking: micro-movements turn into crisp angles—less shuffle, more control.
• Filtering: software soaks up kickback yet leaves just enough feel (the hard part).
• Learning curve: give it 10 minutes; your hands will catch on faster than your brain does.
• Future-facing: plays nicely with driver-assist and autonomy stacks.

PR Oops of the Day: Chery’s Off-Road Stunt Goes Sideways

CarExpert reports Chery issued an apology after an off-road demo went the wrong kind of viral. We’ve all seen this: optimistic line, not enough spotting, too many cameras. Buyers forgive mistakes. They do not forgive theatre without substance. If you’re selling capability, let the hardware do the talking—and maybe fit the right tires first.

Quick Taste: 2026 Honda Super-One

CarExpert had a quick steer of Honda’s 2026 Super-One. Early read? Light on its feet, playful, and brimming with the steering honesty Honda likes to boast about (and usually nails). I haven’t had a proper crack yet, but if it’s anything like the latest small Hondas I’ve driven, expect city agility, cabin cleverness, and fuel numbers that make your wallet exhale.

So, What’s the Vibe?

Deals are creeping back, luxury’s pricing itself into the stratosphere, and Mercedes-AMG is sensibly trimming to fight another decade. If you’re shopping, get your finance sorted, collect a couple of written quotes, and don’t sleep on hybrids if your charging map has more blank spots than pins. Oh, and try the weird square steering before judging it—today’s gimmick is tomorrow’s normal.

FAQ

• Are the current EV discounts worth jumping on? If the price undercuts recent averages and the spec suits you, yes. Secure finance first, then negotiate. Stock on the lot is your friend.
• Which Mercedes-AMG models are being cut? Reports say multiple variants are on the chopping block due to emissions/noise rules. Expect niche trims to go first while core, high-demand models stay.
• Is the LDV T60 Pro Max a good buy? For value-led buyers who need payload and simple usability, it’s compelling. Test it empty and loaded to judge ride quality, and check dealer support nearby.
• What is Peugeot’s Hypersquare steering? A steer-by-wire system with a squared control “wheel” designed for easy low-speed maneuvers and stable high-speed tracking. Feels odd for 10 minutes, then normal.
• Why are some modern muscle cars selling under sticker now? Supply caught up, demand cooled from the pandemic spike, and dealer markups faded. Better for buyers; tougher for flippers.