China’s Hidden Door Handle Ban Could Have Wide-Reaching Implications for New Car Design

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February 3, 2026

2026 Tesla Model Y Standard — (Image: Tesla)

The Chinese government just moved to ban hidden, flush-sitting door handles from new cars as of 2027.

Car design over the past several years, particularly with EVs, has focused on the old-fashioned door handle as an area to improve in the latest models. The trend itself has been alive and well for a decade thanks to Tesla, but more automakers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and many others have taken to concealing door handles for the sake of style and aerodynamics. That may not be the case for much longer, though, thanks to China’s legislators banning hidden door handles from January 1, 2027 onward (per a Bloomberg report).

The country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published new rules this week, stating new cars sold in China must feature mechanical releases both inside and out for safety reasons. Cars that are already approved for sale in China and are set to launch within the next year have until January 2029 to get into compliance with China’s new law. Nevertheless, this rule shift could spark more wide-ranging change in car design, especially for global models — like the Tesla Model 3 and Y, for example — that are manufactured or sold within China.

Effectively, the rule brings in two major changes for automakers. The Tesla-style push-in, pull-out door handle you grab from one end are banned. Electrically powered door handles that pop out (like Mercedes’ EQ lineup or Hyundai’s Ioniq models) are also prohibited.

You might have noticed a pattern wherein the practice of fitting aerodynamic door handles mostly affects EVs, though some gas-powered or hybrid cars also engage in the practice, like the Infiniti QX80 or Honda Prelude. China’s new law also lays out details for semi-hidden door handles, where there is space below to place your fingers. Those designs must have a 2.4-inch by 0.8-inch space where a person can physically grab the handle to open the door. New cars from 2027 (or 2029) onward must display signage telling occupants how to use the mechanical door release.

Some high-profile accidents put hidden door handles under intense scrutiny.

Apart from potential annoyances like flush door handles refusing to pop out in cold and icy conditions or a dead battery meaning you can’t get into the car at all, China is pressing the safety issue in this new ban. In two cases, Xiaomi SU7 electric sedans crashed and caught fire, cutting power and preventing occupants from getting out or rescuers from being able to open the doors to save those inside.

Strictly speaking, of course, this law only impacts vehicles sold in the Chinese market. However, similar instances of hidden door handles creating a hindrance happen all over the world, including severe accidents. Moving forward, we could be looking at a situation where other governments enact similar restrictions on cars sold in their markets, or automakers completely changing their designs to eliminate concealed door handles altogether, going to a simpler mechanical setup that’s been used over the past several decades.

Volkswagen Recalls More Than 52,000 ID.4 Electric SUVs for Potential Fire Risk

By

Zach Butler

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February 2, 2026

The Volkswagen ID.4 may have defective battery modules that could catch fire.

Volkswagen issued a new recall campaign for its electric ID.4 SUV, saying that the high-voltage battery modules may overheat and catch fire. The automaker tells the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the issue is rare and only impacts a small proportion (approximately 1%) of impacted cars. Nevertheless, it is recalling 43,881 units in the U.S. and 8,526 in Canada, between model years 2023 and 2025.

According to what the company told the NHTSA on January 21, the modules within the battery pack could experience “a thermal propagation”. VW initially learned about incidents as early as 2024, though a root cause was unknown in that timeframe. On December 3, 2025, after supplier SK Battery America identified with damaged cell modules with “shifted electrodes” in a teardown analysis, Volkswagen made the decision to file an earlier recall (25V-836) with the NHTSA.

This latest campaign involves a second hardware issue, wherein the supplier found another problem stemming from production that could lead to a different kind of shifted electrode condition. SK’s December 2025 finding noted this new issue did not relate to the previous field reports, but ultimately could end in the same result: a battery fire.

As of January 14, Volkswagen’s Product Safety Committee decided to move ahead with a recall, despite not having a clear root cause for incidents outside the scope of the initial 2025 shifted electrode recall. Some of the automaker’s data, it tells the NHTSA, indicates the ID.4’s “self-discharge detection” (SDD) software could have triggered a warning in at least three known incidents related to batteries overheating and catching fire.

The affected vehicles under this new recall — more than 52,000 in total — were built between September 2, 2022 (for the 2023 model year) and April 10, 2025 (for the 2025 model year).

What’s the fix?

Volkswagen is telling dealers to diagnose customer concerns and make repairs, including replacing defective battery cell modules if needed, free of charge. Technicians will also install the latest self-discharge detection software on vehicles affected by the recall.

Vehicles within the recall population sitting in dealer inventory are under stop-sale, as they cannot be sold with a known safety defect under federal law, until the defect is remedied.

Owners can find out whether their car is impacted by going to the NHTSA’s recall website (number 26V-030), or plugging their VIN into Volkswagen’s own recall page (recall number 93EA).

This Bentley Bentayga X Concept Is Right At Home on the Ice

By

Zach Butler

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February 2, 2026

Bentley Bentayga X Concept — (Images: Bentley)

Bentley hit the FAT Ice Race in Austria with a new concept.

As an ultra-luxury brand, your average Bentley is far more at home in Beverly Hills than, say, hitting the trail or taking to some Austrian snow and ice. Nevertheless, that’s what we have here, as even the Bentayga jumps in on the red-hot craze that is today’s off-road SUV market. The new Bentley Bentaya X Concept, as its called, answers the question of what a more hardcore, dirt-worthy version of what is otherwise a $200,000-plus luxe SUV would look like.

At its core, you still get the power a Bentayga is known for. The X Concept is based on the Bentayga Speed, packing a cool 641 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 shared with the Lamborghini Urus S (though the Lambo is a bit more powerful these days). This concept also has a far wider stance, as Bentley increased the track by five whole inches, while raising the car by two inches so it has more than 12 inches of ground clearance and can wade through water up to 21.7 inches deep.

Apart from just having a wider track, the Bentayga X Concept also gets chunky all-terrain rubber, wrapped around 22-inch Brixton specialty wheels. The car also gets roof-top storage to keep the interior practicality intact, as well s a set of four spotlights. On the rack, there’s even an electric go-kart (used in the FAT karting league) to show the extra cargo capability. Up front, the more dirt (or ice)-worthy concept gets a couple of recovery points, while there’s also an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system.

Now, whether Bentley actually turns this into a trim level or special package remains to be seen. One of the reasons for this decal-adorned concept is to solicit some feedback, so the automaker may go this route if folks really want them to. As for how much it will cost, that’s also a question mark. But the standard Bentayga Speed is already in the upper-$200K range, so…it definitely won’t be “cheap”, by any stretch.

And since we’re having some fun with Bentley…

Volkswagen Isn’t Planning to Kill Its Iconic Turbocharged GTI or Golf R Anytime Soon: Report

By

Zach Butler

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February 2, 2026

2025 Volkswagen Golf R — (Images: Volkswagen)

The 2.0-liter EA888 has been the backbone of VW’s hot hatches for years, and the automaker is working on ways to keep it around.

It’s been a topsy-turvy decade, hasn’t it? While we started the 2020s under the impression that the internal combustion engine would be effectively dead for everyday cars and trucks within a decade, automakers are backing off that idea en masse as the tides — both consumer and political — continue to shift. To that end, there’s a recent report from AutoExpress that Volkswagen has no plan to kill off its definitive hot hatchbacks anytime soon. By extension, the turbocharged engine that powers them will also be sticking around, into 2030 and beyond.

Specifically, VW’s chassis and driving dynamics chief Sebastian Willmann straight-up said “no” when asked whether these current Mk8.5 versions of the Golf GTI and Golf R would be the last.

There are two words to blame for an outcome hot hatch enthusiasts have been dreading for decades: emissions regulation. It’s an existential fear they share with V8 fans, though the VW exec clearly thinks the company will be able to keep its EA888 engine compliant. New Euro 7 emissions standards go into effect for European-market vehicles in November 2026.

What does that mean for U.S. hot hatch lovers?

Last year, Volkswagen sold just 3,319 Golf Rs and 7,235 GTI hatchbacks. Those figures are down between 21% and 35% from the year before, respectively, so these models aren’t exactly what is keeping the company afloat in the U.S. Nevertheless, both cars are still iconic, and figuring out how to make them Euro 7 compliant should, by extension, keep them around our market for years and years to come. So, while they may not have manual transmission options anymore, you’ll still be able to get your beloved turbocharged hot hatch if you really want it.

Even though we’re seeing a bit of a pivot with VW’s current EV plans here in the States, the company will nevertheless keep moving forward with electric models. The ID.Buzz should return in 2027, while the ID.4 will supposedly get a new name to bring it into line with its more identifiable gas models (think something like a potential ID.Tiguan, and you’re thinking in the right direction).

We’ll have to wait and see what ultimately comes of the EA888 over the next year and beyond. Again, if it makes Euro 7 compliance, then we can count on it sticking around for years and years to come. What I’m wondering, as are many others, is whether we’ll see a continued evolution in power over the current models as a result, and whether efficiency will improve as well. Right now, the current Mk8.5 GTI manages 241 horsepower, while the Golf R pushes that all the way up to 328 horsepower, while also bringing in all-wheel drive.

There was an earlier report that the Golf R could get the same turbocharged five-cylinder as the Audi RS3, but it’s not 100% clear exactly what VW has up its sleeve for that model in 2027. It could be a special edition…it could also be a new Golf R, where the GTI keeps the EA888.

Toyota Again Teases What Looks Like a New (Electric?) Highlander SUV

By

Zach Butler

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February 2, 2026

Toyota has a new boxy SUV on the horizon, and now we have a clearer look at its interior.

While it just launched a new bZ (including a Woodland trim) and the C-HR is imminent, Toyota isn’t stopping with new vehicle launches to kick off 2026. In fact, it’s literal biggest launch of the year so far is close, with the company making yet another teaser after showing off a boxy silhouette a few days ago. At the time, we thought it may be an electric truck, but today’s interior image and short clip clearly put that out of contention. Oh well…wishful thinking, huh?

So, what exactly are we looking at here? For the moment, all Toyota is saying about it is that it’s big. “Big energy. Bigger versatility.” In addition to that cryptic statement, the company did divulge a time when it would reveal what it’s planning to the world: February 10. At least that’s something to go on.

The general consensus at the moment lands on this being a new variant of the Toyota Highlander, specifically. That makes a fair bit of sense, since the current model (not the Grand Highlander, mind you) has been kicking around since 2020. Apart from picking up the company’s now-widespread 2.4-liter turbo-four, it’s carried on pretty much unchanged. This time around, though, it seems like the car could gain an electric powertrain, in addition to what seems to be some bold new styling.

Essentially, if that comes to pass, we’re looking at a three-row SUV to rival the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9. It may or may not actually use the Highlander name, but the “energy” bit leads some credence to the EV theory. Its latest, much-improved bZ crossover shows the automaker is also giving some time and resources over to full electrification, even if it’s still banking on hybrids in the here and now to make its massive sales volume.

We’ll have to wait and see, as ever, for more details. In the meantime, though, at least now we know that we only have a little over a week to get actual confirmation of what it’s been teasing these past several days.

Ask Nathan: Does Saving Tesla Mean a Baby Cybertruck and Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 Family Hauling?

By

Nathan Adlen

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February 1, 2026

This Baby Cubertruck was rendered by me, and AI, just to give you an idea of what I’m on about. (Image: ND Adlen)

In this week’s Ask Nathan:

How about a Baby Cybertruck?
What’s it like to drive long distance in a Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600

The first question comes from a Tesla fan who is worried about the automaker.

Q: (RE: Is Tesla in big trouble?)

Hi Nathan and crew, I hop you’re all well.

I guess now that you live in California, you see Teslas all over the place. Here in New Mexico, they are less common. I love my Model Y and it’s been a great companion over the past three years. No big issues, and it’s never let me down. I’m not a crazy Tesla fan boy like some people, but I do love the brand.

Now I am getting worried about Tesla killing off two of their models (Model S and Model X) to focus more on robotics and stuff. There was no announcement about any replacements or new models, and that makes me nervous. Oh and I forgot to mention that Tesla’s profits are down too.

Can Tesla save itself as a car builder or are we about to see all of the Tesla cars vanish and be replaced by robots. I think the answer could be yes if they build something people actually want. How about a small or baby cybertruck? Something that doesn’t looks so ridiculous and is actually affordable? Maybe like Ford and Slate are doing?

– Best wishes. Kevin H.

A: It’s named Optimus, and this robot is one of the reasons two Teslas are vanishing.

Simply put: Mr. Musk is, once again, diversifying – and major changes are afoot. The Model S and Model X’s assembly plant in Freemont, CA will make way for Optimus production. Mr. Musk has stated that he wants to start selling these robots very soon, and in mass numbers. He has also cooled on the promise of a cheaper Tesla as well.

These signs are not exactly favorable for those who want to see a new Tesla vehicle – of any kind.

I like the idea of a baby Cybertruck – but that seems unlikely. Still, there have been a few articles and the Teslarati folks are talking about it, as if they have some sort of inside information. They say there’s a prototype based on the Model Y’s platform and that it, “sort of works.” I’m not holding my breath, but it would be great to see Tesla not abandoning their core, just to build robots and AI goodies.

— N

The last question comes from a fan who wants to know about the Mercedes Maybach GLS 600 I drove from the South Bay to the City by the Bay.

Q:(Via: Facebook) RE: Did you drive that Mercedes Maybach GLS 600

Any word on that Maybach GLS story?

— Gus

A: I took the Family in a Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 on a 1,000-mile odyssey… for Thanksgiving.

Landing a Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 for a weeklong family road trip is the kind of luck you don’t question – you just buckle in and let it spoil everyone rotten. My teens sprawled like royalty, my spouse disappeared into seats best described as “weaponized comfort,” and we knocked out over 1,000 miles in hushed, floating serenity.

There was only one intruder: the fuel bill. Premium gas in San Francisco is already painful. Feeding a twin-turbo Maybach there is less “transportation” and more “performance art.” I was worried about getting ostracized for driving something this decadent in the Bay Area, but it all worked out.

Not Your Average Family Hauler

Yes, it’s based on the regular GLS, but the Maybach version makes some… choices. Case in point: a massive rear-seat refrigerator designed to chill three bottles of champagne. Very classy. Also, it eats the cargo area alive. Add in the fact that there are only two giant, fully reclining rear thrones, and suddenly backpacks, snacks, and teenage “essentials” become negotiable items. Packing was… tense. NEVER tell your significant other, “maybe you don’t need a bag that size.”

Don’t forget the arm-rest section that can hold two champagne flutes. Ideal for my high-schooler. Then there’s the power-deploying step. It looks cool. It also repeatedly attacked my ankle. You can turn it off, but doing so apparently ruins the vibe, which upset certain passengers who shall remain unnamed.

Plush… Until It Isn’t

Under the hood is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with mild-hybrid assist, pumping out a beefy 550 hp. The 9-speed automatic transmission is remarkably smooth. In Comfort mode, the GLS 600 glides like physics signed a non-aggression pact. Lean into the throttle and this 6,000-plus-pound luxury bunker launches forward with alarming enthusiasm.

Fuel economy? Officially bad. Real-world? I saw about 19 mpg on the highway, which is impressive right up until you remember you’re buying premium fuel in San Francisco. I dropped as low as 14 mpg in the city. I’m not letting that nugget go, as I averaged nearly $5.00 per gallon. It has a 23-gallon tank. You do the math.

Magic Carpet, Confirmed

AIRMATIC suspension with E-ACTIVE Body Control turns terrible roads into a rumor. Body roll is basically canceled, noise disappears, and even the massive 23-inch wheels can’t ruin the mood. When pushed, it’s shockingly competent, which feels slightly illegal for something this comfortable. The exhaust note is outstanding, but only when you start it, and when you push it hard.

The Quiet Flex

Finished in two-tone Mojave Silver over Obsidian Black, the Maybach GLS doesn’t shout. People who know, know. Everyone else just thinks it’s a very nice SUV – until the rear doors open and the champagne fridge makes its presence known. My spose slapped the back of my head, and my kids groaned when I proudly proclaimed, “It’s good to be the king!” when we reached our final destination.

Pardon me for being enthusiastic.

– N

Lexus Confirms the LC 500 Coupe and Convertible Will Die This Year, Taking the Brand’s Last V8 With Them

By

Zach Butler

-

January 30, 2026

The LC is one of the best looking modern cars, but it’s days are officially numbered.

A dealer letter recently made the rounds signaling the end of Lexus LC production in the coming months. Now, the automaker confirmed that news, marking the end of the road for a car that’s sold more than 15,000 examples through December 2025.

That may not seem like a huge number — and it isn’t, in the grand scheme of Toyota’s carmaking business — but the Lexus LC instantly gained a reputation as one of the most stunning modern cars to hit the roads when it first went on sale back in 2018. A company spokesperson told Car and Driver and other outlets that, “The Lexus LC 500 will officially be discontinued after the 2026 model year. Lexus constantly evaluates its model mix and strategy to optimize product lineup options to meet our guests’ needs and align with consumer demand.”

Dry as Death Valley though that statement may be, it is at least conclusive and doesn’t waffle on whether high-end, high-priced flagships like the LC were going to keep on kicking moving forward. The news follows the demise of the LS sedan, the car that kick-started the Lexus brand in the first place. It also leaves Toyota’s luxury marque decidedly SUV heavy, though it is still carrying on with the midsize ES and the smaller IS…at least for now.

With the LC 500 gone, the Lexus brand loses the last champion of its naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine. While that powertrain didn’t necessarily make the LC a neck-snapping sports car, it did heap character on top of the already handsome styling and luxurious interior. Lexus confirmed it will end LC production by August 2026.

Where do we go from here?

Despite the LC’s impending end, the Lexus brand as a whole still obviously has a full line of SUVs, not to mention a couple sedans still kicking around. The most direct answer for “what’s next”, however, seems to be the electric LFA (for better or worse, depending on who you ask). While some folks hoped that the LFA revival would feature a screaming gasoline engine, that feature was reserved for Toyota’s new flagship sports car, the GR GT.

In many cases, the death of a car doesn’t really hit most people, so much as pass them by. I mean, how much are you really going to miss the Nissan Versa? It’s a good little car, but…it’s not this. A drop-top with a V8 engine and looks to kill? Yeah, the Lexus LC is one of those cars I am actually going to miss.

Hyundai Recalls Nearly 570,000 Palisade SUVs For Faulty 3rd Row Airbags

By

Zach Butler

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January 30, 2026

**This new recall does not apply to the newly designed 2026 Hyundai Palisade.**

After recalling more than half a million Palisade SUVs for faulty seat belts last year, Hyundai is putting out another recall for defective airbags. In total, this latest campaign affects 568,576 examples between the 2020 and 2025 model years. However, for owners who just picked up a brand-new model, it’s important to note this only applies to the first-generation Palisade, not the new one.

According to a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Palisades built between April 10, 2019 and June 16, 2025 may have faulty third-row side curtain airbags. In this case, the agency actually notified Hyundai of a problem with routing Federal Vehicle Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) compliance testing. In its investigation on a 2025 Hyundai Palisade, the NHTSA noted the airbags did not comply with headform displacement requirements as they deploy. Federal safety standards place a limit on how far an occupant’s head can move in a crash (100 millimeters, or about 4 inches). In essence, there’s a limit in which the airbags are required to catch an occupant’s head, which the Palisade failed to meet.

2022-2023 Hyundai Palisade frontal overlap crash test — (Image: IIHS)

What’s the fix?

Hyundai says it’s still working on a fix for the problem, so no repair is available just yet.

Once a fix is available (the automaker is estimating around March 23-26), owners can take their Palisade to the dealer to have the problem fixed, free of charge. Most vehicles should still be under warranty, but Hyundai will also reimburse owners who paid out-of-pocket to have the issue repaired.

In the meantime, if you do own an affected Palisade, you can check the NHTSA’s recall website (campaign number 26V-034) or Hyundai’s own website (recall number 292) and plug in your VIN for more information.

The Chinese government just moved to ban hidden, flush-sitting door handles from new cars as of 2027.

Some high-profile accidents put hidden door handles under intense scrutiny.

The Volkswagen ID.4 may have defective battery modules that could catch fire.

What’s the fix?

Bentley hit the FAT Ice Race in Austria with a new concept.

The 2.0-liter EA888 has been the backbone of VW’s hot hatches for years, and the automaker is working on ways to keep it around.

What does that mean for U.S. hot hatch lovers?

Toyota has a new boxy SUV on the horizon, and now we have a clearer look at its interior.

In this week’s Ask Nathan:

Q: (RE: Is Tesla in big trouble?)

A: It’s named Optimus, and this robot is one of the reasons two Teslas are vanishing.

Q:(Via: Facebook) RE: Did you drive that Mercedes Maybach GLS 600

A: I took the Family in a Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 on a 1,000-mile odyssey… for Thanksgiving.

Not Your Average Family Hauler

Plush… Until It Isn’t

Magic Carpet, Confirmed

The Quiet Flex

The LC is one of the best looking modern cars, but it’s days are officially numbered.

Where do we go from here?

This new recall does not apply to the newly designed 2026 Hyundai Palisade.

What’s the fix?

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**This new recall does not apply to the newly designed 2026 Hyundai Palisade.**