Mercedes Petronas has released the second episode of the Petronas Road to 2026 technical content series, which explores the biggest technical shift in power unit design since the hybrid era began. As F1 prepares for its next major regulatory evolution, episode two dives into the transformative changes coming to the power unit.

This episode highlights the collaboration between the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and Petronas, as they work together to tackle the challenges surrounding the new generation of sustainable fuels and electrified power.

Senior figures from the team and Petronas offer their insights into the evolution of their technical collaboration and how they are engineering the next generation of power units for the 2026 F1 season.

The episode features exclusive insights from Hywel Thomas, managing director of Mercedes-AMG high-performance powertrains; Chandramalar Muthiah, head of trackside fluid technology solutions at Petronas; Andrea Dolfi, principal fluid engineer at Petronas; and Chan Ming-Yau, head of fuel technology at Petronas.

In related news, Mercedes-AMG has demonstrated the performance of the Concept AMG GT XX under long-distance, extreme conditions, breaking a total of 25 long-distance records

Yangwang, BYD’s sub-brand, has set a global electric vehicle (EV) top-speed record of 472.41km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany. The feat was achieved with Yangwang’s latest U9 Track Edition supercar on August 8, 2025.

The Yangwang U9 Track Edition is based on the same e4 platform and DiSus-X core architecture as the Yangwang U9 currently available in China, and retains its aerodynamic design. It also features a 1,200V ultra-high-voltage vehicle platform, combined with a thermal management system optimized for extreme conditions. Additionally, it offers an optional enhanced carbon-fiber front splitter.

The Track Edition’s e⁴ platform features a quad-motor system with 30,000rpm high-performance motors, each delivering 555kW of peak power. The combined output exceeds 3,000ps, enabling a power-to-weight ratio of 1,217ps per ton. The quad-motor independent torque-vectoring system continuously monitors road feedback, adjusting each wheel’s torque more than 100 times per second.

The DiSus-X intelligent body control system performs rapid, independent vertical adjustments to the suspension at each corner of the vehicle during aggressive acceleration and cornering, or on uneven surfaces. This not only suppresses pitch and roll but also actively optimizes the contact patch between the tires and the road, maximizing grip.

Building on data from extensive testing in Germany in 2024, Yangwang has collaborated with Giti Tire to develop a track-focused semi-slick tire. This high-performance tire features optimized compound materials and a bespoke tread design. An innovative knurling treatment at the wheel-rim interface, combined with high-viscosity lubricant, minimizes relative slippage between the tire and the rim during hard acceleration or braking. This reduces torque loss and tire wear, and improves predictability and stability during dynamic maneuvers.

The record was set by German professional driver Marc Basseng, who was behind the wheel for the previous global EV speed record in 2024. After completing the high-speed test for Yangwang, he said, “Last year, I thought I’d peaked. I never expected to break my own record so soon – but here we are, at the same track, with new technologies that have made it possible.”

In related news, Polestar’s large electric SUV, the Polestar 3, has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest journey traveled by an electric SUV on a single charge

To coincide with the Aurora’s appearance at Monterey Car Week in California (August 8-17), Zenvo Automotive has released the latest episode in its behind-the-scenes docuseries, which examines the development of the vehicle’s Mjølner powertrain.

In collaboration with Mahle Powertrain, the team leading the project outlines the process of developing, packaging and delivering a system capable of producing 1,250bhp, integrating with a hybrid system, and reaching 9,800rpm without compromising driveability.

The Mjølner powertrain combines the latest technologies, and draws on Mahle Powertrain’s experience. “We always knew that the Aurora project was going to be a push for what was possible through conventional and regular thinking,” explains Jens Sverdrup, chairman and CCO, Zenvo Automotive.

“Was an off-the-shelf system more straightforward? Of course. Was it ever an option? Absolutely not. Aurora is about delivering no compromises, and that means developing our own powertrain which delivers exactly what we wanted, exactly how we wanted it. Like the car itself, the Mjølner powertrain pushes the boundaries of what can be done from an engineering perspective. No compromise.”

The Zenvo Aurora program remains on track for its 2026 production goal, with development of the Mjølner powertrain “accelerating”, Zenvo says.

In related news, Ford has announced that it is investing approximately US$5bn across its Louisville Assembly Plant and the BlueOval Battery Park in Michigan to deliver a new pickup and produce advanced prismatic LFP batteries, and has launched its new Ford Universal EV platform and Ford Universal EV Production System. Read the full story here

The pursuit of higher power densities and greater efficiency within e-drives has driven motor speeds upward, creating new demands for dynamometers and their testing capabilities.

DEF showcased its latest test bench machines at Automotive Testing Expo Europe, designed to meet the highest research and testing requirements. These machines deliver speeds up to 35,000rpm and torque up to 2,000Nm, making them ideal for high-speed, high-density, high-performance dyno applications.

Watch the video to hear Hartong’s insights.

Add next year’s Automotive Testing Expo Europe dates to your diary now! June 23, 24 & 25, 2026.

AC Cars, Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer, has introduced the AC Cobra GT Coupe, marking the first production AC Cobra coupe in the company’s 123-year history. Inspired by the 1960s Le Mans racer, the AC A98 Coupe, AC says the new model is built on an enhanced version of the existing AC Cobra GT Roadster platform.

The Cobra GT Coupe combines the traditional AC Cobra design with a modern coupe profile, drawing on the company’s racing heritage. This new model features an aluminum chassis and an optimized carbon-fiber body, developed and assembled at AC Cars’ UK facility.

The introduction of the Cobra GT includes details about the Clubsport Edition, designed for track performance. Limited to 99 units, the Clubsport Edition features a 799bhp V8 powertrain and is set for delivery starting at the end of 2025.

Following the Clubsport Edition, a series production coupe will be available with a 450bhp (456ps) naturally aspirated V8 or a 720bhp (730ps) supercharged option.

David Conza, CEO of AC Cars, commented on the new model, “The reveal of the AC Cobra GT Coupe is a proud moment for us. Combining the timeless AC Cobra design with the latest construction techniques breaks new ground for AC Cars. The limited Clubsport Edition will provide an incredible, racing car-like experience on either the road or the track.”

The new coupe maintains the distinctive shoulder line of the modern AC Cobra GT Roadster and aims to honor the legacy of speed with a powertrain capable of up to 450bhp (456ps). The limited Clubsport Edition, with its 799bhp (810ps) engine, is envisioned to be a highly agile and powerful road-legal car.

The Cobra GT will have a wheelbase of 2570mm, and measure 4225mm in length and 1980mm in width. It aims for a near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution and a low center of gravity, according to AC. The kerb weight for the standard model will be confirmed ahead of production, while the Clubsport Edition targets a weight of under 1450kg.

Aston Martin has unveiled a powerful new V12 engine, continuing its legacy of luxury performance vehicles. This latest iteration, which follows 25 years of V12-equipped vehicles, aims to redefine the ultra-luxury paradigm.

With 835PS and 1000Nm of torque, Aston Martin says its engineers have meticulously redesigned every aspect of the engine, from the cylinder block to the fuel injectors, to improve combustion and enhance overall performance.

Key features of the new engine include a reinforced cylinder block, redesigned cylinder heads with reprofiled camshafts, and upgraded intake and exhaust ports. These enhancements, combined with new turbochargers for improved throttle response, aim to deliver increased power and responsiveness.

Aston Martin‘s chief technical officer, Roberto Fedeli said: “The V12 engine has long been a symbol of power and prestige, but it is also a statement of engineering passion and technical prowess.”

The V12 engine will be handcrafted and available exclusively in Aston Martin’s most prestigious models, produced in limited numbers each year.

It will debut in a flagship model later in 2024 and further technical details will be revealed closer to its launch date.

StoreDot, which develops extreme fast charging (XFC) battery technology for electric vehicles (EVs), and Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car brand, recently demonstrated a Polestar 5 equipped with StoreDot’s XFC cells, which achieved a particularly quick charging feat.

The 77kWh battery pack charged from 10% to 80% in under 10 minutes, powered by StoreDot’s XFC high-energy silicon-dominant battery cells.

Throughout the demonstration, the vehicle maintained a consistent charge rate exceeding 310kW, peaking at more than 370kW. StoreDot says the battery pack did not overheat, which reportedly ensures stable performance throughout the process.

The EV aims to address consumer charging anxiety with even faster charging speeds.

Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar, said, “By eliminating charging times that were previously an obstacle, StoreDot’s XFC battery cells combined with our product development and battery engineering have unlocked new frontiers for electric mobility. This technology will reshape consumer expectations and accelerate mass EV adoption by making EV ownership a seamless experience for the mass market.”

Using silicon-based anode technology, according to StoreDot, has advantages for both energy density and charging rates over conventional graphite anodes, which the company suggests are already approaching their theoretical performance limits

Dr Doron Myersdorf, CEO of StoreDot, said, “We’re happy to see that our partner is among the first EV car makers to acknowledge that XFC is now a necessary standard to make vast EV adoption a reality.

“With our extreme fast charging technology, you can add 200 miles in under 10 minutes. This breakthrough revolutionizes EV ownership experience by eradicating the barrier of range and charging anxiety once and for all. Drivers can now truly travel long distances with the same freedom and convenience as traditional petrol-powered vehicles.”

At the Global Automotive Components and Suppliers Expo 2023, held at the Messe Stuttgart (December 5-7), Gitis is displaying a novel sealing solution for fuel cell stacks, with the sealing element integrated into the stack.

One of the highlights of PMW Expo 2023 was AVL’s high-performance, hydrogen-fueled ICE, which took home the awards for Powertrain Technology and overall Motorsport Engineering Innovation of the Year.

The hydrogen-fueled, two-liter turbocharged ICE, capable of an impressive 205bhp/liter, was developed in conjunction with the Hungarian HUMDA Lab. The company is looking to banish the preconception that H2 ICE cannot have performance parity with gasoline fuel.

Using an engine testbed modified for hydrogen at AVL’s headquarters in Graz, Austria, the prototype engine achieved a peak power output of 410bhp (301.7kW) at 6,500 rpm, with 500Nm of torque at 3000-4000rpm, corresponding to a mean pressure (BMEP) of 32 bar.

With the 2023 Gen3 Supercars season now past its halfway point, teams have begun to send their respective engines off for partial rebuilds. This includes Brad Jones Racing (BJR) removing their vehicle’s engine and sending it off to KRE Race Engines in Redland Bay, Australia for a top end rebuild and a general check over.

In the most recent tech video released by BJR, team owner Brad Jones explains the engine rebuild process following 4,000-5,000km of running and the difference between the new and old powertrain’s flywheels.