Story and photos by Andreas Conradt, Automedia
One More Time: Second Facelift for the VW ID.3
Following the Dieselgate scandal, Volkswagen pivoted to a full-electric product strategy that gave us the MEB series of battery-electric vehicles. The first member of the family was the ID.3, which rolled out in September 2019 and received a minor facelift in March 2023.
Later this year, a second refresh is on the menu. And on this occasion, the changes will be greater in every respect, say sources. Despite being masterfully camouflaged, the Volkswagen Group couldn't hide the Pure Positive design language that the Volkswagen brand will debut in 2026 with the ID. Polo hatchback and the T-Cross-equivalent ID. Cross.
The most obvious ID. Polo-like influence is in the headlight design, and on closer inspection, the signature lighting appears to be influenced by the subcompact model as well. Volkswagen masked the front bumper very well on this white-painted prototype, which makes it difficult to properly see any differences from the outgoing '26 model.
Unfortunately, the sides and rear end pretty much carry over. Knowing the Volkswagen Group, more production-intent parts will come into view later in the testing and validation process. Inside, the C-segment hatchback is certain to follow in the footsteps of the ID. Polo with more physical controls on the dashboard and steering wheel alike.
In the lesser model, the 12.9-in. central infotainment screen is joined by a dedicated HVAC strip of physical buttons, a central rotary controller and proper thumbwheels on the steering wheel. Being a modern electric car, the ID. Polo has a completely digital instrument cluster. It's an appropriately sized unit with a 10.25-in. diagonal.
New battery cells and a more affordable lithium-iron-phosphate option are further expected, helping the Wolfsburg-based automaker lower the starting price of one of the most popular battery-electric vehicles in Europe. Considering the Chinese budget-friendly EV offensive, it's high time for Western automakers to make efforts in this regard.
There is also talk about a potential renaming to ID. Golf, which certainly makes plenty of sense. On the other hand, there are conflicting reports according to which the Golf Mk9 is coming, with all-electric muscle later this decade on the Scalable Systems Platform.
Supposing there is a case to be made for the switch from ID.3 to ID. Golf, it would be only natural for the ID.4 to become the ID. Tiguan with its forthcoming makeover. In any case, both the facelifted ID.3 and ID.4 will disappoint in the areas where all MEB vehicles disappoint, namely the 400-volt electrical architecture and the lower-cost rear drum brakes.
To keep things nice and simple in terms of production complexity, the ID.3 is believed to retain its RWD-only powertrain options. As of January 2026, the ID.3 for the German market is available with APP 310 and APP 550 electric drive units that generate anything from 168 to 322 mechanical horsepower. Driving range, meanwhile, tops 376 miles in WLTP testing.
With Modified Faces: Modified Mercedes-AMG and -Maybach SLs
While Mercedes-AMG is not yet working on the successor of the GT, the company seems to plan launching facelifts for all iterations of the current GT's stablemate, the SL. Our man near the Arctic Circle caught one prototype each of the AMG-labelled SL 63 and the Maybach derivative called the SL 680.
So far, modifications seem to be limited to the front fascia, but we expect the rear to receive a makeover, too--and of course a fresh look for the interior. Quite eye-catching is that huge iteration of the DRLs in a three-pointed-star design. Together with the tweaked design will come tech updates for driver assistance systems, as well as connectivity and entertainment.
What's unclear so far is whether AMG will squeeze a few more horses out of the 4.0L V8. With 585 hp up to 616 hp it isn't exactly weak today, but with so much electric competition producing up to 1,000 hp--a few more ponies would definitely be appreciated by customers.
Crewe's Idea of a City Car: the '27 Bentley Urban SUV
Bentley will enter the electric era in 2026 with the unveiling of its first fully electric SUV, a compact luxury model aimed primarily at wealthy urban buyers. The British manufacturer is promoting the newcomer as "The World's First Luxury Urban SUV," and plans to begin series production in 2027 at its Crewe plant. A prototype with a lot less camouflage than before has been snapped by our spy photographer in the northern part of Sweden.
The new model represents a clear shift for Bentley, a brand long associated with large saloons and grand tourers. At less than 16 ft. and 4 in. in length, the new SUV is noticeably smaller than the company's traditional offerings. According to Bentley, the size is intentional: the vehicle is designed for navigating dense city streets while still offering enough battery capacity for comfortable trips into the countryside.
Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser says the car will feature a battery of "impressive size" and offer charging speeds "as good as anything on the market." However, he downplays the idea of long-distance EV travel for Bentley customers. "Bentley owners don't drive 1,000 km (621 miles) in a day," he says. "That's something for truck drivers. Bentley owners take the plane."
The SUV will use the Porsche/Audi EV platform already employed in the Porsche Macan and Audi A6 and Q6 e-tron. In its current form, the platform supports up to 630 hp and an 800V, 95 kWh battery capable of charging from 10% to 80% in 21 minutes, with a range of around 382 miles. Walliser suggests Bentley's version may surpass these figures, noting plans to "push the boundaries of charging speed, energy density, overall design and motor efficiency."
While the model will broaden Bentley's lineup, the company is not expecting a surge in volume. "Bentley is not a mass-market business," Walliser says, adding that the goal remains "a high margin per car."
A final name has yet to be chosen. Bentley recently registered the trademarks Mayon and Barnato, either of which could be used.
Industry observers expect the SUV to launch first in China, where demand for premium electric vehicles is growing rapidly and SUVs remain highly popular, even in major cities. If so, Bentley's chosen slogan--"The World's First Luxury Urban SUV"--may resonate strongly with the brand's target buyers.
