Your weekly car news in brief: Polestar launches new SUV and first all-electric Range Rover is revealed
Car changing is a big deal
Looking for the latest car news all in one place? Here are the top stories from the week of 31st August 2026.
Week in and week out, there’s always some exciting news coming out of the automotive world. Sometimes, it can be hard to keep up with everything at once, but we’ve made things a whole lot easier for you.
Here are the top new car stories in bite-sized chunks for you to get stuck into, from a new SUV Polestar to an electric Range Rover.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
- Polestar launches new 4 SUV
- New Range Rover Electric revealed
- Volvo EX30 can now power your devices
- Cupra Raval earns five-star Euro NCAP safety rating
- Lepas L8 plug-in hybrid opens for UK orders
Polestar launches new 4 SUV
Polestar has launched the new Polestar 4 SUV, which it says will bring extra practicality and versatility to its electric performance car.
The SUV builds on the design and technology of the Polestar 4 coupé, but gets a more upright rear end, full-length roof rails and increased luggage space. It offers up to 1,680 litres of storage, while rear-seat passengers benefit from an extra 2.5cm of headroom and a larger panoramic glass roof.
You can choose from two powertrains. Polestar says its 544hp dual-motor version can accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and offers up to 373 miles of range, while its 272hp rear-wheel-drive model can travel up to 391 miles on a single charge.
Both versions use a 100kWh battery, with DC charging of up to 200kW.
Production of the Polestar 4 SUV has now started in Busan, South Korea, with the first cars heading to customers.
New Range Rover Electric revealed
After years of development and a few setbacks, the new Range Rover Electric has finally been revealed.
The first all-electric Range Rover produces 550hp and can accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds. It uses a 119kWh battery, giving it an official range of up to 372 miles, according to Land Rover.
The British manufacturer added that the SUV supports 350kW DC fast charging, with a 10-80% charge taking just 22 minutes. Prices start from £154,070.
The 372-mile range is particularly impressive given the Range Rover’s size and performance. It falls a few miles short of the Volvo EX90 and almost 30 miles behind the Mercedes EQS SUV, while offering around seven miles more range than the BMW BMW iX M70.
The Volvo EX30 can now power your devices
Volvo has rolled out a new software update that allows the EX30 to act as a mobile power bank, letting owners use the car’s battery to power external devices such as coffee machines, fridges and tools.
The free over-the-air update is being introduced to new and existing EX30s globally over the coming weeks. It also adds Plug & Charge in selected European markets, including the UK, allowing you to start charging at compatible public chargers without needing an app or charging card.
Volvo says the system can deliver up to 3kW of power and will automatically stop supplying energy when the EX30’s battery drops below 20%.
Cupra Raval earns five-star Euro NCAP safety rating
The Cupra Raval has earned a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating under the organisation’s tougher new 2026 assessment protocol.
With a range of up to 276 miles, this electric hatchback scored particularly well for occupant protection and post-crash safety, achieving 91% and 95% respectively. It also scored 72% for safe driving and 77% for crash avoidance.
The updated Euro NCAP tests place greater emphasis on real-world safety, including driver assistance systems, collision avoidance, occupant protection and what happens after a crash.
The Raval’s five-star rating is achieved with the optional Safety Pack, while the Raval Plus, Endurance and VZ versions come with the required safety equipment as standard in most European markets.
Lepas L8 plug-in hybrid opens for UK orders
The new Lepas L8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is now available to order in the UK. Lepas is a new car brand under Chinese automotive giant Chery, which also owns brands including Omoda and Jaecoo.
Prices start from £34,900 for the L8 PHEV Essence, rising to £37,900 for the range-topping Elevate. Both versions are available with 1.9% APR finance, with monthly payments starting from £398.99.
Lepas say you can also claim a £500 test-drive voucher when you test drive, order and register a new L8 PHEV before 30 September 2026.
The L8 PHEV uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, an electric motor and an 18.4kWh battery. Lepas says it can travel up to 56 miles on electric power alone, while its claimed combined range is up to 745 miles.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
Want to see the latest car content first? here to follow us on Reddit, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos.