Today in Cars: China’s EV tide, GT3 glory, Patrol Y63 hits Oz, and a Jeep recall wake‑up

I spent the morning with cold coffee and a hotter news feed than usual. The through-line? The industry’s split personality is showing: electric upstarts are sprinting while old-school heroes refuse to go quietly. Here’s what mattered—and why it might change your next driveway decision.

China flips the script: EVs dominate the top 10, and Denza eyes Porsche territory

CarExpert reports that pure petrol cars have been pushed out of China’s top 10 best-sellers as EV market share hits a record. If you’ve driven in Shanghai traffic lately, this won’t surprise you; the sea of plug-ins is real. What matters for the rest of us is the flywheel effect: once enough EVs take the top spots, pricing, charging, and expectations shift faster than policy ever could.

Denza’s first sports car: an electric 911 rival in the paperwork

In the same breath, filings point to Denza—BYD’s premium arm—prepping its first sports car, positioned as an electric Porsche 911 rival. That’s a bold claim, but the timing is perfect. China’s EV makers have nailed sedans and SUVs; a proper driver’s car is the next flex. If Denza brings BYD’s battery tech with a low-slung body and real steering feel, Stuttgart should at least glance in the mirror.

• Why it matters: China’s top 10 going mostly EV creates cover for niche sports EVs to exist.
• What I’ll be looking for: curb weight, tire sizes (front/rear stagger tells you intent), and whether they calibrate regen to feel like trail-braking, not a light switch.

Porsche 911 GT3 Touring: Britain’s Best Driver’s Car 2026—still the benchmark

Autocar crowned the 911 GT3 Touring as Britain’s Best Driver’s Car for 2026. Having had a recent afternoon with a Touring on a bumpy B-road, I get it. The way it keys into narrow tarmac—natural aspiration singing, steering that talks in complete sentences, and a ride that’s firm but not frantic—remains deeply special. The Touring’s party trick isn’t lap times; it’s the way it makes 40 mph feel like a proper occasion.

Two notes from the driver’s seat: the clutch take-up is friendlier than you’d expect in traffic, and the infotainment still makes me miss a simple volume knob when wearing gloves. Small price to pay for the way it arcs through a third-gear sweeper.

Icon vs upstart vs oddball: where they stand today

2027 Nissan Patrol Y63: right-hand-drive prototype caught testing in Australia

CarExpert snapped the next-gen Patrol, right-hand drive and wearing its testing camo in Australia—a good sign for markets that love the big Nissan. The outgoing V8 Y62 is beloved for its lazy torque and long-haul comfort. The new one? Expect a tug-of-war between efficiency and tradition. I’ll be watching for:

• Powertrain direction: downsized turbo or hybrid assistance wouldn’t shock me.
• Ride and seats: if it can float over corrugations while keeping third-row adults happy, it’s winning.
• 4x4 hardware: proper low range, sensible approach/departure, and underbody protection that doesn’t fold at the first rock garden.

When I last hustled a Patrol across washboard gravel, it felt like a desert couch—fast and weirdly soothing. If the Y63 preserves that vibe while sipping a little less fuel, it’ll be a hit from Perth to the Pilbara.

Recall radar: over a million Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators for fire risk

Per CarExpert, Jeep has recalled more than a million Wranglers and Gladiators for a fire risk, with the Australian impact still unclear. If you own one, prioritize a VIN check with your dealer. Recalls aren’t drama if you move quickly; they’re peace of mind engineered back into the truck. Pro tip from the trenches: don’t ignore “pending” status—get on the list, then set a reminder to re-check weekly.

Aftermarket candy: ABT dresses the Cupra Formentor and Leon

ABT has cooked up custom body kits for the Cupra Formentor and Leon, though Australia timing is a question mark. I’m a sucker for tasteful aero when it actually calms high-speed float. On the Formentor, a subtle front splitter and side skirts can trim the visual heft; just mind the driveway angles—aggressive lips and steep parking garages don’t mix. If the kits come with ABT’s usual quality, expect OE-like fitment and that “should’ve looked like this from the factory” vibe.

Tech and policy check: Victoria’s AI road cameras under fire

Victoria’s AI-powered road cameras are under scrutiny after a damning audit, says CarExpert. I’ve tested a few AI-assisted enforcement corridors recently, and the takeaway is consistent: the tech can be scarily accurate, right up until it isn’t. AI should assist, not adjudicate. Transparent processes, appeal paths, and independent oversight keep faith in the system—without that, even good tech earns bad headlines.

Garage oddities: a scorched McLaren 765LT Spider and the art of risk

Carscoops flagged a 1-of-765 McLaren 765LT Spider that perished in a Michigan fire—and now sits as a salvage opportunity for the brave (or the optimistic). I’ve crawled over a few burned supercars at auctions; carbon tubs are astonishingly resilient in some cases and heartbreakingly done in others. The rule of thumb is simple:

• Heat path: if the fire traced through the engine bay into the cabin, assume wiring hell.
• Structural check: look for resin blistering and delamination, not just surface char.
• Parts math: long-tail carbon, roof mechanisms, and bespoke aero add zeros fast.

Bargain? Maybe. Project? Definitely. Personally, I’d rather spend track money on tires and tuition than on boxes of harness connectors.

Big-picture backdrop: a fragmenting car world and Fiat’s cautious comeback

Autocar also pointed to two macro threads worth keeping in the back pocket. First, a fragmenting global landscape is splintering vehicle strategies—different charging standards, tariffs, and safety regimes are pushing carmakers to tailor more, share less, and price with sharper pencils. Second, Fiat’s resurgence shows that brand equity plus the right product cadence can still turn a ship; charming, efficient city cars in the right markets remain potent.

What stood out today

• China’s EV wave isn’t hype; it’s market reality now shaping sports cars like Denza’s incoming coupe.
• Porsche still writes the handling handbook—the GT3 Touring keeps the crown.
• Nissan’s Patrol Y63 is getting real for RHD markets, with Australia as a proving ground.
• Jeep owners: do the recall dance early, not late.
• ABT’s Cupra kits could be the tasteful spice hot hatches and crossovers crave.

Conclusion

It’s a strange, thrilling moment. One feed tile says the analog GT3 is king. The next says China’s EVs run the table. Both can be true. For drivers, the win is choice—feel-first icons and torque-rich newcomers, side by side. Just keep a tire gauge handy, and maybe a VIN checker on speed dial.

FAQ

What does China’s record EV market share mean for buyers outside China?

Lower EV costs and faster tech cycles tend to ripple outward. Expect more competitive pricing, better range options, and a wider spread of EV body styles over the next product cycles.

When will the 2027 Nissan Patrol Y63 arrive?

Right-hand-drive prototypes are testing in Australia now. That’s a strong signal it’s nearing launch prep, but exact on-sale timing and specs will vary by market.

How do I know if my Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator is affected by the recall?

Contact your local dealer with your VIN for confirmation and next steps. Even if your market’s impact is “unclear,” getting on record speeds up parts and appointments.

Is the Denza electric sports car a real 911 rival?

On paper, it aims there. The proof will be chassis tuning, steering feel, and weight management. If those land, it could be a genuine foil—especially for daily-driving duties.

Will ABT’s Cupra Formentor and Leon kits come to Australia?

Availability is unconfirmed. If they do land, expect OE-like fit and subtle aero that sharpens the look without trashing everyday usability—assuming you mind steep ramps.