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: 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 concept

McLaren reportedly lines up an SUV for 2028

From 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 personality

Autocar’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?

Living with a Nissan GT-R today

I 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 concept

Carscoops 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‑E

Waymo robotaxis can now take the highway

Per 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 already

Carscoops 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 edges

I 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%.

Small SUV skirmish: Kia Stonic adds tech (and cost), GAC Emzoom arrives hungry

2026 Kia Stonic: extra kit, pricier sticker

CarExpert 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 foil

Also 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

• 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 GTi

CarExpert 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 clearing Saturday mornings.

Nissan GT-R quick takeaways

• Hybrid assist feels like the sweet spot: instant torque without losing the GT‑R’s ICE character.
• Battery mass is the enemy; cooling will make or break track performance.
• Whatever Nissan chooses, the GT‑R has to feel relentless and a little unhinged—that’s the charm.

What stood out today

• McLaren’s SUV chatter isn’t sacrilege; it’s survival—done right, it funds the good stuff.
• The Nissan GT-R is wisely keeping its options open; dogma kills icons faster than emissions regs.
• Waymo’s highway move is the practical tipping point for driverless usefulness.
• EVs don’t need to be sensible shoes; a two‑door i4 could be the poster car kids remember.
• Small SUVs remain the auto industry’s Swiss Army knife—everyone wants your driveway, and they’re getting better at earning it.

Feature highlights from today’s metal and maybes

• 2026 Ford Mustang Mach‑E: calmer ride, tidy one‑pedal tuning, infotainment occasionally laggy under load.
• 2026 Kia Stonic: more safety and infotainment; slightly stiffer asking price.
• GAC Emzoom: bold design, spec‑heavy pitch aimed at Kona/MG ZS shoppers.
• Peugeot 205 GTi‑inspired concept: compact proportions, retro cues, modernized hot‑hatch attitude.

Closing lap

Today felt like a hinge moment: old‑guard performance names plotting sustainable ways to keep the flame, autonomy stepping onto faster tarmac, and everyday crossovers sharpening their pitch. Somewhere between a family‑friendly McLaren and a pint‑sized Peugeot tribute sits the Nissan GT-R—staring down its next heartbeat. Whatever form it takes, here’s hoping it still makes tunnels echo and your pulse do the tango. See you on the commute—or better yet, the long way home.

FAQ

• Is McLaren really making an SUV? Reports point to a McLaren SUV around 2028, with details still under wraps.
• What’s happening with the next Nissan GT‑R? Nissan is evaluating multiple powertrains—hybrid and electrified options included—to evolve the GT‑R without losing its brutal character.
• Can Waymo robotaxis use highways now? Yes, in approved service areas. The highway capability makes airport runs and cross‑town trips far more viable.
• What’s new on the 2026 Kia Stonic? More driver‑assist tech and infotainment improvements, alongside a nudge up in price.
• Is there a new Peugeot 205 GTi? Not a production car—yet. A modern concept channels the 205 GTi’s spirit with retro design cues.