Chinese car giant BYD surprised many last year with details of a small hatchback model that was spotted testing in China and was destined to compete in Japan’s unique Kei car market. It was later  unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show as the 2026 BYD Racco, which translates from Japanese to BYD “Sea Otter”.

Now, more details have come to light about the 20-kWh battery-pack-equipped Racco, which Best Car Channel Japan shared on YouTube and reshared by Sakura Yae on X.

In a new video of the almost 3.4 metre long city car from Japan, details around the sliding door, the rear folding and sliding seats as well as the car packing an umbrella in the rear were shared.

The rear doors of the car slide along the length of the car, making it easier for passengers to get in and out. That’s electrically operated as well, and is usually a feature seen in more premium peoplemovers/MPV.

In the rear, there is also adjustable seating, which allows for more cargo space in the boot or more legroom for passengers.

These seats can also be folded and stacked, allowing the Racco to be more flexible in the back for those moving or transporting items.

BYD has also made it easier for families to include an umbrella holder in the rear, with the umbrella coming in as standard. This is also something found in more premium models, priced much higher than what the Racco is expected to be priced at.

This model is designed specifically for the Japanese market, where competition in this popular segment is quite high. BYD is really amping up the focus on this smaller EV for the Japanese market to begin with, but derivatives of this could make it to other markets globally down the track.

On BYD Racco’s Japan website, the company shares what this model could bring to families wanting a cleaner electric commuting car: “Daily shopping, commuting, picking up and dropping off children, and even on holidays. Cleaner. Smarter. More environmentally friendly. The future isn’t just about big cars. A small EV revolution begins.”

The design aspects of the car are also shared: “Our goal was to “provide the best minicar in the EV category to everyone.” To achieve this, the first thing we did was to develop an EV-exclusive Super Tall x Sliding Door package.”

The ease of getting in and out is important for smaller Kei cars, so the sliding door will be a unique addition that may encourage buyers in that segment to test-drive the Racco.

Last month, at a car show in Tokyo, BYD revealed that the Racco will come equipped with two battery packs. The smaller 20 kWh pack delivers around 200 km of range, and the larger 30 kWh pack delivers around 300 km of range.

That’s plenty of range for most city drives, and the car is expected to have both AC and DC charging capabilities for top-ups. 

Earlier reports hinted at DC charging speeds of up to 100 kW on these small battery packs, but that is likely to be confirmed when full specs are released in the coming months.

Given that many of the Kei car models in Japan are powered by an engine with up to 660 cc of capacity, an electric offering by BYD could really help put BYD on Japanese consumers’ shortlist in the years to come, as the brand looks at big expansion plans in what appears to be one of the toughest markets globally for foreign brands.

Detailed specifications and pricing will be announced in the coming months, marking BYD’s first major step toward models designed and engineered for specific global markets.

BYD Racco EV Static Review on Best Car Channel YouTube

Last year, McLaren announced ‘Project: Endurance’, a customer partnership programme, as part of which anyone with sufficiently deep pockets can own a 2027 McLaren Le Mans Hypercar.

McLaren is entering the World Endurance Championship with an LMDh-spec machine based on a Dallara chassis. It will be powered by a twin-turbo V6 hybrid restricted to 671 hp as per the regulations.

According to Which Car, the track toy sold to customers won’t be the same as the Le Mans racecar. It will be powered by the same 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. However, it won’t get hybrid assistance. With a peak output of 720 hp from the ICE alone, the customer car will have 49 hp more.

Project: Endurance is a 2-year track car programme that encompasses some of the world’s best racetracks. McLaren will provide support at track events each season, enabling customers to enjoy a track session on an arrive-and-drive basis. Each owner will receive driver coaching from a race professional, with an individual pit crew and race engineers.

McLaren says customers will also have full behind-the-scenes access to the upcoming McLaren Racing LMDh programme, key team personnel and drivers. Moreover, the customers will be at the very centre of the development programme for the McLaren Le Mans Hypercar.

Source: Which Car

Toyota on Tuesday confirmed a bit of a shocker, pun intended.

The automaker confirmed details for its 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid crossover, due next year, which adds a bigger hybrid battery to its hybrid powertrain that can power the crossover up to 39 miles on electric power alone. The crossover will make 302 combined horsepower and drive all four wheels, and speed up to 60 mph in less than six seconds—the second-fastest Toyota in the lineup.

With the 2021 RAV4 Prime, Toyota offers an ultra fuel-efficient vehicle with unexpected performance potential. (Eds note: It wouldn’t be the first time, the performer in the Lexus lineup for years was the LS hybrid sedan.)

Like the RAV4 Hybrid, the RAV4 Prime is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-4 that makes 176 horsepower and 168 pound-feet alone. In back, electric motors drive the back axle and wheels when there’s less grip up front, or in sporty driving to help mitigate understeer. Toyota didn’t specify the size of the batteries nor the power output of the electric motors. Interior space isn’t compromised, according to Toyota, since the lithium-ion battery pack mounts under the floor, which also provides a lower center of gravity.

Reflecting the character of the RAV4 Prime, Toyota will make available the plug-in hybrid in sportier SE and XSE grades—the latter adding a two-tone black roof, 19-inch wheels, and Supersonic Red color. Inside, the XSE adds synthetic leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charger, and paddle-shifters. The paddle-shifters not only virtually downshift, but also control energy recuperation for the battery pack.

The SE offers an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, the XSE ups that to a 9.0-inch touchscreen. When equipped, the RAV4 Prime can use navigation data to be more efficient.

The XSE adds optional JBL audio, heated and cooled front seats, panoramic moonroof, heated steering wheel, a surround-view camera system, and hands-free power tailgate.

Toyota didn’t say how much the 2021 RAV4 Prime would cost when it goes on sale in the summer.