Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…

VW Will Completely Abandon The Manual Transmission By 2030

Say your tearful goodbyes, VW will kill the manual transmission come 2030. Thanks to VW’s massive electrification push the German carmaker is planning to sell only EVs across Europe, which quite simply means that stick shifts are going away too. Sad times, but at least we can, for now, indulge in some great manual cars such as the 2022 Golf GTI and Golf R.

Next-Gen Genesis G90 May Look Very Similar To This

Design artists from Kolesa have rendered what they think the next-gen G90 will look like. The illustration depicts a car that will look quite different from the outgoing model and features Genesis’ pronounced crest grille and Quad Lamp headlights. Other elements, most of which have been garnered from looking at spy shots, include a unique set of wheels, pop-out door handles, and pronounced turn signals on the front quarter panels.

2023 Range Rover Spotted In Hot SVR Guise Under Heavy Camouflage

The next-generation Range Rover is edging closer to production and for the very first time, has been spied in SVR guise. The images reveal a few tasty details, such as quad tailpipes (which hint at a V8), as well as the fact that this SVR appears to be a full-fat Range Rover.

QOTD: What’s The Most Annoying Design Trend Today?

Design isn’t the be-all and end-all of a good car — but it sure counts for a lot. However, it kinda feels like design and objective beauty are somewhat lacking when it comes to many modern designs, and that’s largely down to some rather annoying trends. Whether it’s those infuriating fake vents, gaping grills, or ride-ruining wheels, we ask: “What is the most annoying design trend today?”

Mazda Trademarks A Wankel Rotor-Shaped Logo, Is It For A New Sports Car Or Something Else?

We know Mazda has been revisiting their love affair with the rotary engine, once considered for the MX-30 Range Extender, then ultimately put on hold. But trademark filing shows that the Japanese automaker has a new logo that looks like it could hint at the return of the Wankel. Dare we say we may even see a new sports car on the horizon, or would that be too optimistic?

Hyundai Casper To Be Unveiled Before Year’s End As The Brand’s Smallest SUV

Brace yourselves for an even smaller SUV from Hyundai, as the Casper is set to be launched in India and Korea. The Casper will be significantly smaller than the Bayon, the Creta, the Venue, and the Kona, and will do battle with the likes of the Suzuki Ignis, Renault Kwid, and Tata Punch. It may even be offered to some European markets, as an entry-level SUV of sorts.

2024 Alpine A5: What We Know So Far About The French Electric Hot Hatch

Alpine will be reinventing itself as an EV-only car company. With three models on offer, one of the most anticipated is their take on the new retro Renault 5. Alpine will turn the supermini into a junior GTI. Our illustrations delve into just how a new Alpine A5 would look, as we recap everything we know about the upcoming model.

What Else Is Making The News

Max Verstappen “Wins” The Shortest “Race” In F1 History

Max Verstappen has won a controversial race at the Spa track in Belgium. After multiple delays, the race was started behind the safety car, where the pack completed the mandatory two laps that enabled points to be awarded. Although only half points were awarded as 75% of race distance wasn’t completed, many in the paddock weren’t happy with the procession, including Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

George Russel Gets First Podium 

Although not many were happy with the results, William’s George Russel, who qualified a sensational second in a car that arguably belonged much further down the grid, was overjoyed to clinch his first podium. Russel is tipped to replace Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes next year, having already replaced Lewis Hamilton at the Sakir Grand Prix in 2020 when Mercedes driver tested positive for Covid.