11/01/2026

theSunday Special XVI ON SUNDAY JAN 11, 2026 Big ambition Xpeng’s 2026 P7+ SUV set for major upgrade, dual powertrain options

Toyota GR86 goes off the beaten track

XPENG has confirmed that its 2026 P7+ will arrive with a significant update, bringing a full redesign, 104 individual upgrades and, for the first time, a choice of fully electric and range-extender pow ertrains. The model is positioned as a global product and is slated to be launched across 36 countries, underlining Xpeng’s ambitions beyond its home market. In battery electric form, the new P7+ is claimed to deliver up to 725km of driving range on the CLTC cycle. It will be underpinned by an 800V electrical architecture and support 5C fast charging, placing it firmly among the latest generation of high-voltage electric vehicles designed for quicker charging and improved efficiency. Alongside the BEV, Xpeng will also introduce an EREV version, which pairs electric driving with a petrol engine act ing purely as a range extender. This variant is rated for a 430km pure electric range, a figure Xpeng says makes it

the longest-range pure electric range extender sedan in the world. When the range extender is taken into account, the total driving range stretches to a claimed 1,550km on the CLTC cycle. Based on previously declared specifi cations, the EREV P7+ measures 5,071mm in length, 1,937mm in width and 1,512mm in height, riding on a 3,000mm wheelbase. Compared to the existing fully electric version, the body is 15mm longer, while the curb weight is listed at 2,160kg. Power for the EREV comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine pro ducing 110kW, which functions solely as a generator, working in tandem with an electric motor rated at 180kW. Energy is stored in a lithium iron phosphate battery, and the setup allows for a top speed of 200kph. With its extended range figures, updated technology and wider global rollout, the 2026 Xpeng P7+ marks a clear step forward for the brand as it looks to appeal to both pure EV buy ers and those seeking added flexibility from a range extender setup.

turbo setup boosts output by around 50hp over the standard 232 hp figure. Buyers can still choose between a manual or auto matic gearbox, keeping the driving experi ence flexible. Importantly, this is more than just a showpiece. Kuhl Racing plans to sell the GR86 Outroad as a full conversion package for existing GR86 owners. Customers can also opt for individual components, allow ing them to tailor their own build by select ing specific suspension parts, bodywork, wheels, brakes or performance upgrades depending on how extreme they want their car to be. Pricing has already been confirmed for the Japanese market. The full GR86 Outroad conversion is priced at ¥4.15 mil lion (around RM133,000), provided the owner already has a GR86. For buyers who prefer to upgrade in stages, the body kit on its own costs ¥1.77 million (around RM56,800), while the wheels add ¥440,000 (around RM14,100). Those opting for the turbocharger pack age will need to set aside a further ¥1.25 million (around RM40,200). Kuhl Racing is set to officially unveil the GR86 Outroad at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon, ahead of sales beginning in Japan later this year.

SPORTS cars are usually happiest on smooth tarmac, not gravel and mud, but a small group of manufacturers and tuners have been quietly challenging that idea. Kuhl Racing has taken Toyota’s GR86 and reworked it into a lifted, rally-inspired machine known as the GR86 Outroad. At the heart of the transformation is a significant increase in ride height. Kuhl Racing has developed a bespoke suspen sion setup that lifts the GR86 by around 76mm, instantly giving the compact coupe a far more purposeful stance. The visual changes are hard to miss. The Outroad looks far more aggressive than the standard GR86, thanks to chunky fender flares that allow for wider wheels and more rugged tyres. Revised front and rear bumpers improve approach and departure angles, while skid plates, protective cladding and auxiliary lights push the car firmly into rally territory. Roof rails finish the look and hint at a life style well beyond weekend track days. Mechanically, the Outroad starts with the GR86’s familiar 2.4-litre flat-four engine, but Kuhl Racing offers an optional turbo charger package for those chasing extra performance. With supporting upgrades such as improved cooling and ECU tuning, the

Mansory turns up the heat on Audi RS6 Avant

but this latest version pushes the limits further, particularly under the bonnet. Visually, the RS6 Avant receives a full exterior makeover. The front end features a redesigned apron with additional side blades, complemented by revised fender trim, extended side skirts, carbon fibre mirror caps and a vented bonnet. Around the back, a large rear wing, an added tailgate spoiler and an aggressive diffuser with a centrally mounted brake light give the estate car a far more dra matic stance. Forged alloy wheels fill the arches and complete the package. The exterior is finished in glossy black, contrasted by forged carbon elements and

MANSORY has long been a name that splits opinion in the tuning scene, with its love for exposed carbon fibre, loud col ours and eye-watering power figures often proving too much for some. Every now and then, though, the German tuner delivers something that feels almost measured by its own stan dards, and its latest take on the Audi RS6 Avant falls into that category. The super wagon is still unmistakably a Mansory creation, but this time it stops short of tipping into excess. That alone sets it apart from some of the company’s more controversial builds. Mansory is no stranger to the RS6 platform, having worked on the model several times before,

shy of the 1,000hp mark. The gains come courtesy of deeper engine modifications and upgraded tur bochargers, putting this estate firmly into hypercar territory in terms of output. Mansory has yet to release official per formance figures, but with the standard RS6 already capable of sprinting from 0 100kph in a little over three seconds, any improvements are likely to be noticeable, even if not dramatically quicker on paper. For once, Mansory has delivered a car that balances its trademark drama with a surprising level of restraint, while still ensuring the RS6 Avant remains one of the most outrageous performance wag ons on the road.

teal accents that are inside the cabin. The interior is dominated by a mint coloured theme that spreads across the seats, door cards, centre console, dash board, steering wheel, seatbelts, car pets and floor mats. White piping pro vides some visual balance, while small red details add contrast. Where this RS6 really makes its statement is in performance. Mansory’s heavily reworked twin-tur bocharged 4.0-litre V8 now produces 1,085hp and 1,251 Nm of torque. That represents a huge leap over the standard RS6’s 621hp and 850Nm, and even eclipses Mansory’s earlier RS6 builds that stopped just