# Today’s Drive Notes: McLaren toys with an SUV, Nissan GT-R weighs its next heart, robotaxis hit highways, and a cheeky Peugeot throwback > Today’s Drive Notes: McLaren toys with an SUV, Nissan GT-R weighs its next heart, robotaxis hit highways, and a cheeky Peugeot throwback I kicked off the day with a too-strong espresso and a headline that made my left eye twitch:... > Published 2025-11-13 by Thomas Nismenth. 8 min read (1650 words). > Blog: News at AutoWin (https://www.autowin.com). ## Details - Canonical URL: https://www.autowin.com/en/blogs/news/nissan-gt-r-explores-new-powertrain-directions-daily-car-news-2025-11-13 - Author: Thomas Nismenth - Published: 2025-11-13 - Updated: 2026-01-23 - Reading time: 8 minutes - Word count: 1650 - Topics: Audi, Automotive, Car News, Daily, F1, GT-R, Kia Stonic, McLaren, News, Nissan, powertrain, robotaxis, SUV, Waymo - Featured image: https://www.autowin.it/cdn/shop/articles/daily-car-news-2025-11-13.png?v=1763015826&width=1200 ## Summary Today’s Drive Notes: McLaren toys with an SUV, Nissan GT-R weighs its next heart, robotaxis hit highways, and a cheeky Peugeot throwbackI kicked off the day with a too-strong espresso and a headline that made my left eye twitch: McLaren might build an SUV. By lunch, Audi had teased a concept timed to its F1 ambitions, Waymo got the nod to let robotaxis run on highways, and the Nissan GT-R started flirting with new powertrains for its next chapter. In the middle of it all I revisited the updated Mustang Mach‑E, checked out a pricier‑but‑smarter Kia Stonic, and peered at a new Chinese small S... ## Full Article Today’s Drive Notes: McLaren toys with an SUV, Nissan GT-R weighs its next heart, robotaxis hit highways, and a cheeky Peugeot throwbackI kicked off the day with a too-strong espresso and a headline that made my left eye twitch: McLaren might build an SUV. By lunch, Audi had teased a concept timed to its F1 ambitions, Waymo got the nod to let robotaxis run on highways, and the Nissan GT-R started flirting with new powertrains for its next chapter. In the middle of it all I revisited the updated Mustang Mach‑E, checked out a pricier‑but‑smarter Kia Stonic, and peered at a new Chinese small SUV squaring up to the Kona and MG ZS. Then a concept riffed on the Peugeot 205 GTi and sent me straight back to teenage poster walls. Not a bad Thursday, honestly.Supercar brands, new lanes: McLaren’s SUV whisper, Nissan GT-R crossroads, Audi’s F1 conceptMcLaren reportedly lines up an SUV for 2028From the same people who gave us the 720S and that butter‑smooth hydraulic steering comes... ground clearance. Car and Driver says McLaren is sketching out its first SUV for 2028. It would join Ferrari’s Purosangue, Lamborghini’s Urus, and Aston’s DBX in the “we fund our supercars with this” club. The business case is clear; the soul bit is trickier. If it steers and rides like a McLaren should—talkative front axle, tight body control—I can live with the taller stance and the dog‑friendly boot. If it just feels Urus‑adjacent on a fast B‑road, what’s the point? Nissan GT-R at a crossroads: powertrains and personalityAutocar’s line is that Nissan is “exploring different routes” for the R36 as the company rethinks its wider EV timeline. That matches what I hear from GT‑R diehards in paddocks and coffee meets: they don’t care if it’s hybridized or even partially electrified, so long as it still lands a punch. The current R35 is 565 hp in standard trim (600 hp in NISMO) and still hammers out 0–60 mph in around 3 seconds when the weather’s kind. The trick for the next one? Keep the brutal launch and the iron‑fist grip, add a layer of efficiency without turning Godzilla into a house cat. Nissan GT-R: which powertrain actually fits? Powertrain path Why it works for GT-R Potential trade-offs Twin‑turbo V6 with hybrid assist (P2/P3) Keeps the GT‑R’s turbo punch and adds electric torque fill for savage launches Weight creep; cooling complexity on track days E‑axle up front + ICE rear (through‑the‑road AWD) Wild vectoring, stealth EV creep in town, huge traction Battery size vs. weight balance; packaging the front motor cleanly Full BEV halo Instant torque and silent speed; future‑proofing for cities Mass, thermal fade after repeated launches, less aural drama High‑efficiency ICE with mild‑hybrid Simpler, lighter than a full hybrid; keeps character Smaller gains in efficiency/performance vs. rivals’ tech Did you know? The “Godzilla” nickname for the Nissan GT-R stuck after Aussie media used it in the R32 Group A days—because it stomped everything.Living with a Nissan GT-R todayI borrowed an R35 for a long weekend not long ago—rain, night drives, the lot. You sit high for a supercar, the seats are friendlier than they look, and the dual‑clutch can still thump a shift hard enough to make your passenger give you the side‑eye. On rough roads, the damping felt more grown‑up than the early cars I drove a decade ago. It remains the sort of car that makes a motorway feel short and a tunnel feel like a stage.Audi signals F1 intent with a conceptCarscoops spotted a sharp Audi concept that’s basically a rolling press release for its F1 program. Thin lamps, angry aero, and the sort of surfacing that begs a studio light. Concepts are theatre, sure, but timing is everything—this one lands just as the next power unit era comes into focus. It says: remember we know how to win things.EVs and autonomy: highways, coupes-that-aren’t, and a calmer Mach‑EWaymo robotaxis can now take the highwayPer Carscoops, Waymo’s driverless fleet can now run highway sections in approved zones. That changes the use case from “late‑night burrito” to “credible airport run.” I rode in one earlier this year in city traffic; it was brisk enough but a tad too polite, especially at merges. Highways are a different sport—predictable, yes, but the on‑ramps can be a mosh pit. This is the step that stitches the map together.Dear BMW: make the i4 Coupe alreadyCarscoops also floated the idea I’ve been muttering for ages: a proper two‑door i4. The current i4 is a brilliant daily (it’s essentially a 4 Series Gran Coupe on electrons), but a slimmer roof and longer doors would inject a little rebel energy. Park that next to a Mercedes EQE and watch the pulse‑rate shoppers drift BMW‑ward. Not every EV needs a tailgate.2026 Ford Mustang Mach‑E: smoother around the edgesI had a refreshed Mach‑E for a week and noticed right away how the throttle mapping has matured—no more lurchy tip‑in, just clean pull. Cabin hush is better at 70 mph, and one‑pedal driving remains sorted enough that you forget the friction brakes until a hard stop. The infotainment still throws the odd wobble when you’re juggling nav and Spotify; nothing tragic, just a beat before it catches up. Range prediction was refreshingly honest on my mixed suburban/freeway loop, with 5% feeling as trustworthy as 55%. Side tip: If you plan to road‑trip a Mach‑E, precondition the battery before fast charging. It can save you a coffee stop’s worth of time on a cold day.Small SUV skirmish: Kia Stonic adds tech (and cost), GAC Emzoom arrives hungry2026 Kia Stonic: extra kit, pricier stickerCarExpert says the Stonic has more driver aids and infotainment polish for 2026, and—inevitably—a higher sticker. I ran one around town for a few days earlier this year. Light steering makes parking a doddle, the boot swallows a busy weekend, and the cabin doesn’t force you through sub‑menus to change the fan speed. My wish list? More torque for hilly commutes and less rear‑axle chatter on coarse‑chip roads. If the update lifts refinement and safety tech meaningfully, the extra outlay will sting less.GAC Emzoom: China’s latest Kona/MG ZS foilAlso via CarExpert, GAC’s Emzoom is aiming right at the Kona/MG ZS sweet spot. Styling looks bold on early imagery and, if GAC follows the usual playbook, expect generous kit for the money. MG ZS wins hearts with spec‑per‑dollar; Kona counters with polish and brand trust. GAC needs to deliver both value and manners. Quick compare: small SUVs gunning for the same driveway Model Origin Segment Notable Tech/Angle Positioning Kia Stonic (2026) Korea Light/Small SUV More driver-assist and infotainment; incremental refinement Value-led with a dash of style GAC Emzoom China Small SUV Feature-heavy spec targeting mainstream rivals Aggressive value challenger Hyundai Kona Korea Small SUV Well-rounded chassis, broad powertrain spread Polished mainstream benchmark MG ZS China Small SUV Strong spec-per-dollar, simple usability Budget-friendly crowd-pleaser If you commute mostly in the city: Stonic’s light controls and size make parking a non-event. If you want max features for the outlay: Emzoom and ZS are the value magnets to watch. If you prioritize ride polish and dealer network: Kona remains the safe, satisfying pick.Hot-hatch nostalgia, bottled: a concept channelling the Peugeot 205 GTiCarExpert pulled the covers off a delectable concept riffing on the 205 GTi. Boxy stance, tight overhangs, and cheeky cues—pinstripes, squared arches—that trigger muscle memory. I drove a 205 GTi on wet French B‑roads years back; it taught me throttle patience and lift‑off rotation the honest way. If this new thing captures even half that fizz with modern safety and reliability, I’m cl... ## Related Store Context - [AutoWin Blog & News](https://www.autowin.com/blogs/news): Automotive news and fitment guides - [AutoWin Store Index](https://www.autowin.com/llms.txt): Full product catalog for AI agents - [Agent Instructions](https://www.autowin.com/agents.md): Commerce protocol and Shop skill - Reviews verified on [AutiVex](https://autivex.com/business/autowin-com): AutoWin customer ratings