Launches to look forward to in 2026
Despite the sluggish trend in the local automotive industry in the second half of 2025, there’s a lot of excitement for what to expect from the auto brands in the next 12 months.
With their rivals slowly but surely gaining ground, the Japanese brands that have been dominating the local landscape for the longest time are hard-pressed to provide the market with options in a bid to keep or regain their market share.
Even the premium or performance brands should be joining the fray with new cars, as well as variations of existing models and facelifts.
Here are some of the potential new arrivals that we see happening in the coming months.
Toyota RAV4
Toyota has launched the all-new RAV4 in Japan, and hopefully we will follow suit in quick order. The new RAV4 will maintain its exterior size of 4600mm length x 1855mm width, while reportedly increasing cabin space and cargo capacity. Trim levels may include Adventure and GR variants. Interior features head up display and 360-degree exterior monitor. Powertrains will include hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.
Nissan
Nissan will expand its electrified lineup with the plug-in hybrid pickup Frontier Pro (aka Navara). Frontier Pro will deliver 800Nm torque and up to 135km of EV range. Power is courtesy of a 1.5-liter turbo four cylinder and a transmission-mounted electric motor. The sleek Nissan N7 sedan, co-developed with Dongfeng Motors, will offer up to 635 km. The 0.208 drag coefficient helps with the range. The front-wheel drive N7 is powered by a single electric motor with 160kW to 200kW power, and 305Nm torque
Two lithium Iron phosphate (LFP) battery options are available. Rated at 58kWh and 73kWh, both feature a 400-volt architecture.
BYD
The BYD Tang L is a large, 7-seater SUV available as a powerful all-electric (EV) or plug-in hybrid (DM-i/DM-p), known for its “Dragon Face” design, advanced tech like a rotating screen, and strong performance (EV 0-100km/h in 3.9s with 1,000+ HP), offering premium family transport with competitive range and modern features for its class. Could this be rebadged as Sealion 8 if ever it is brought here by BYD Philippines? We’re excited to know.
Isuzu
Isuzu has launched the new D-Max EV, an electric version of its best selling pickup. The D-Max EV features e-Axles giving full time 4WD traction. The 66.9 kWh lithium ion battery provides up to 263km range. D-Max EV maintains the 1000kg payload and 3500kg towing capacity of its diesel powered forebear
Audi Q5
Audi’s bestselling car will receive a redesign for the 2026 model year, adopting Audi’s new Premium Platform Combustion architecture and coming standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine. This powertrain produces 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is linked to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. The interior of the Q5 is ripe with technology and luxury, providing a 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.5-inch touchscreen, quilted leather seats, and an optional 10.9 inch screen for the front passenger. Second-row legroom and headroom is also particularly generous, making the Q5 an ideal family SUV.
Audi Q3
The brand’s smaller alternative to the Q5 also steps into its third generation, bringing numerous notable changes that contribute significantly to the car’s technology-centric ethos. The interior of the Q3 contains a large curved panoramic display that contains an 11.9-inch instrument cluster with a 12.8 inch-touchscreen that also incorporates AI technology. It also includes a new headlight system that utilises micro-LED technology, wherein 25,600 bulbs create light patterns that help significantly in poor visibility conditions. The Q3 produces 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, which is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Increased rear cargo room also builds onto the Q3’s practicality, going from 24 to 29 cubic feet.
Porsche 911 Turbo S
Despite being fairly conservative in design, the 911 Turbo S is Porsche’s fastest production 911 ever, touting a twin-turbocharged 3.6 L flat-six engine with hybrid assistance producing up to 701 hp (711 PS) and around 800 Nm of torque. This is paired to an 8-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive. The 911 Turbo S accelerates from 0–100 km/h in a mind-boggling 2.5 seconds, with the ability to reach top speeds of about 322 km/h (200 mph). The Turbo S also benefits from active aerodynamics, rear-wheel steering, Porsche Active Suspension Management, and carbon-ceramic brake.
Porsche Cayenne Electric
The newest addition to Porsche’s electric lineup comes in the form of the full-size Cayenne SUV. It will be the fastest charging Porsche EV with 400-kW capability, with double sided cooling for its battery pack that expands the charging curve and increases the peak rate from 320-kW on the Taycan to 400 on the Cayenne. This enables it to charge from 10-80% in a reported 16 minutes. It also brings with it the newest generation of Porsche infotainment, along with optional power opening and closing doors, power second-row seats, a glass roof with variable light control, an augmented-reality head-up display, and a hands-free driving mode that will work on limited-access highways. The Cayenne Turbo will also go from 0-100 km/h in 2.4 seconds with launch control, while preserving Porsche driving dynamics in classic Cayenne fashion. Lastly, it will inherit the Active Ride system from the Panamera and Taycan that makes handling rough Philippine roads more optimal.
Lamborghini Temerario
The Temerario is Lamborghini’s V8 powered plug-in hybrid successor to the iconic Huracan, making 907 horsepower (94 shy of the brand’s halo model, the Revuelto) and doing 0-100 km/h in 2.7 seconds. It is equipped with a 4.0L twin turbo flat-plane crank V8 engine paired with 3 electric motors intended to maximize performance. Interior space is increased in the Temerario over the Huracan’s, with headroom going up by 1.3 inches and legroom going up by 1.8. The cabin also features three user-configurable screens that provide essential in-car data that is reportedly the most advanced out of any model in Lamborghini’s lineup.
