Today’s Drive Notes: McLaren flirts with an SUV, Nissan rethinks GT‑R, robotaxis hit highways, and a cheeky Peugeot throwback

I started this morning with a double espresso and a very red headline: McLaren—yes, that McLaren—reportedly sketching out its first SUV. By lunch, Audi had teased a concept meant to telegraph its F1 intent, Nissan was openly weighing which powertrain road to take for the next GT‑R, and Waymo got the green light to let its robotaxis onto highways. In between, I spent time in the refreshed Mustang Mach‑E, caught up on a pricier-but-smarter Kia Stonic, and dug into a new Chinese small SUV aiming squarely at the Kona and MG ZS. Oh, and a wild concept channelled the immortal Peugeot 205 GTi and sent me straight back to a childhood poster wall. Not a bad Thursday.

Supercar brands, new lanes: McLaren’s SUV whisper, Nissan’s GT‑R crossroads, Audi’s F1 concept

McLaren reportedly lines up an SUV for 2028

From the same universe that brought us the 720S and silly-good steering feel comes... ride height. According to reporting out of Car and Driver, McLaren is plotting several new models, including its first SUV targeted for 2028. It’s the last of the purist supercar houses to bow to practicality after Ferrari’s Purosangue, Lamborghini’s Urus, and Aston’s DBX. The calculus is obvious: an SUV brings fresh customers and steady cash flow—money that keeps the light, mid-engined toys alive.

Will it feel like a McLaren? That’s the existential bit. If they nail the steering and body control the way they do on their coupes, I can live with a taller silhouette and a family-friendly boot. If it ends up indistinguishable from an Urus on a fast B-road, what’s the point?

Nissan “exploring different routes” for R36 GT‑R

Autocar reports Nissan is evaluating multiple propulsion paths as it rethinks its broader EV strategy—hybrid, electrified, maybe even a more radical approach for the GT‑R’s next chapter. It tracks with what I’ve heard in paddocks and parking lots: GT‑R loyalists want the car to evolve without losing its punch-in-the-chest identity. The current global pivot from full-tilt EV hype to a more nuanced, multi-fuel future gives Nissan some breathing room to pick a powertrain that suits the badge rather than the news cycle.

Audi signals F1 intent with a concept

Carscoops highlighted a striking Audi concept that’s meant to nod at the brand’s forthcoming F1 program. It’s a mood board on wheels—sleek aero, stark lighting signatures, and the sort of detail work that makes you lean in. Concepts are theatre, yes, but the timing matters. Audi wants us thinking about its competitive DNA just as the sport’s next era (with fresh power unit rules) comes into focus. Consider this their scouting report—drawn in carbon and ambition.

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 has been cleared to run highway sections in its service zones. That’s a big usability unlock. City-only autonomy is neat for late-night burrito runs. Highway capability is what turns it into a credible airport shuttle. I rode in one of Waymo’s cars earlier this year on surface streets; it was confident but conservative, occasionally a beat too polite at merges. How it handles the cut-and-thrust of on-ramps will be the real test. Still, this is the step that starts to stitch the map together.

Dear BMW: make the i4 Coupe already

Carscoops ran a plea I’ve muttered for ages: give us a proper two-door i4. The current i4 is essentially an electric 4 Series Gran Coupe—brilliant daily, but a true coupe would bring that lower roofline, longer door, and a hint of rebelliousness that EVs too often iron out. Park an i4 “Coupe” next to a Mercedes EQE and watch shoppers with a pulse drift to the BMW side of the lot. Not everything needs to be a crossover.

2026 Ford Mustang Mach‑E: smoother around the edges

CarExpert’s review of the 2026 Mach‑E mirrors what I noticed during a week living with one: it’s a calmer, more cohesive cruiser now. The throttle mapping feels more progressive than early builds I drove, the cabin hush is better at freeway speeds, and one-pedal driving remains polished enough that you forget the friction brakes exist. The infotainment still has the odd thinky moment when you’re juggling navigation and audio—nothing tragic, just the occasional beat before it catches up. Range prediction was reassuringly honest in my mixed suburban-and-freeway loop, which is the sort of trust you only win by being truthful at 5% and 55% alike.

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

2026 Kia Stonic: extra kit, pricier sticker

CarExpert says the refreshed Stonic lands with more tech and safety features, alongside the inevitable nudge up the price ladder. I spent a few days in a Stonic earlier this year and it’s an easy thing to like: light steering for tight city work, a boot that swallows a weekend’s worth of life, and cabin ergonomics that don’t try to out-clever your fingers. My wish list? More torque for hilly commutes and a slightly quieter rear axle over coarse-chip roads. If the 2026 update meaningfully lifts cabin tech and driver assists, that’ll sweeten the ask at the dealer.

GAC Emzoom: China’s latest Kona/MG ZS foil

Also via CarExpert, GAC’s new Emzoom lines up right at the Kona/MG ZS heartland. The styling—judging by early imagery and specs talk—leans bold, and if GAC follows the usual playbook we’ll see generous equipment for the size class. The MG ZS carved out a customer base by offering a lot of kit for the money; Kona counters with polish and brand trust. GAC will need both value and refinement to land cleanly in crowded showrooms.

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 also spotlighted a delicious little concept that riffs on the legendary 205 GTi. Boxy stance, tight overhangs, and the sort of cheeky detailing—think subtle pinstripes and squared-off wheel arches—that makes your inner 17-year-old grin. I drove a 205 GTi on wet roads in France years ago; it was a lesson in throttle patience and lift-off rotation. If this new concept captures even a fraction of that joy with modern reliability and crash protection, sign me up for a Saturday blast across the hills.

What stood out today

• McLaren’s SUV chatter isn’t sacrilege; it’s survival—done right, it funds the good stuff.
• Nissan is wisely keeping the GT‑R’s options open; dogma is the enemy of icons.
• Waymo’s highway move is the practical tipping point for driverless usefulness.
• EVs don’t need to be sensible-shoe hatchbacks; an i4 Coupe could be the poster car kids actually 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 still occasionally lags under load.
• 2026 Kia Stonic: more safety and infotainment on board; expect a higher entry point.
• 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 the family-friendly McLaren and a pint-sized Peugeot tribute is the heart of why we love cars—freedom, flavor, and a bit of theater for the daily grind. See you on the commute, or better yet, the long way home.

FAQ

• Is McLaren really making an SUV? Reports indicate McLaren is planning its first SUV for around 2028, alongside several new models. The brand hasn’t released full details yet.
• What’s happening with the next Nissan GT‑R? Nissan says it’s exploring different powertrain routes for the R36 amid a broader EV strategy rethink, aiming to evolve the GT‑R without losing its character.
• Can Waymo robotaxis use highways now? Yes, Waymo has been cleared to operate on highways within approved service areas, expanding their usefulness for longer trips like airport runs.
• What’s new on the 2026 Kia Stonic? The Stonic gains additional tech and safety features, accompanied by higher pricing versus before.
• Is there a new Peugeot 205 GTi? Not exactly—a modern concept channels the 205 GTi’s spirit with retro design cues, serving as a showcase rather than a production announcement (for now).