Happy Friday! Welcome to this week’s edition of the Official DoubleClutch.ca News Rundown, where we recap the top automotive headlines from the week that was in one convenient package. Let’s go.

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLB: This is it

Mercedes-Benz pulled the wraps off the updated 2027 GLB this week. It retains the endearingly plucky styling of its predecessor, but introduces a raft of styling, tech, and powertrain updates inside and out. The biggest update for the 2027 model year is the naming convention. Going forward, the fully electric variants of the GLB will be known as, well, the GLB — “EQB” is no more, though it picks up a clunky “with EQ Technology” qualifier. We’re not sure which is better.

At launch, the 2027 EQB will be electric-only. The base GLB 250+ with EQ Technology — yes, that really is the full name — comes with a single rear-mounted electric motor. It puts out 268 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, it’s good for up to 630 kilometres of range based on Europe’s notoriously optimistic WLTP testing, and Mercedes quotes a zero-to-100 km/h sprint in the mid-seven-second range.

Slotting above the 250+ is the GLB 350. It gains a second electric motor on the front axle, giving it all-wheel-drive and a bump to 349 hp and 380 lb-ft of twist. Mercedes quotes a mid-five-second 0-100 km/h sprint and up to 615 km of range, again based on the WLTP cycle. Both electric GLBs use the same 85 kWh battery pack, and both are capable of fast-charging up to 320 kW.

If full-electrification isn’t your thing, a GLB hybrid will eventually follow, using a similar powertrain setup as the upcoming CLA 220 hybrid. There, a 1.5-litre turbo-four works with a 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor built into its eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to put out 188 hp. The rest of the updates to the 2027 GLB are par for the course — styling inside and out is freshened up, there’s more tech on board including an AI assistant that can apparently have a conversation with you, and you can spec a screen setup that sweeps across the whole dash.

2027 Kia Seltos: This is it

Speaking of small crossovers, Kia also pulled the wraps off its redesigned Seltos subcompact crossover. The second-generation model bears some resemblance to its predecessor, but gains heavily reworked front and rear fascias, new wheels, chunkier lines and body cladding, and a new interior.

There’s a new platform underneath it all, resulting in a pinch more interior space and improved road manners. Powertrain options are carried over from previous years; a normally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder still serves as the base engine, good for 147 horsepower and paired to a CVT. The up-level 1.6L turbo-four carries over as well, still puting out 190 hp and still working with an eight-speed automatic. Kia is also reportedly working on bringing a hybrid Seltos to North America as well, but haven’t announced specific details just yet.

Inside, the Seltos receives Kia’s latest infotainment setup — two 12.3-inch screens, plus a five-inch display in between for climate controls, all living under one panel — as well as the brand’s new “lounge seating” arrangement, and an AI-powered voice assistant. Pricing is still a secret, but Kia says we can expect the 2027 Seltos in dealers later next year.

Hang on, is a new Toyota MR2 actually happening?!

Toyota’s GR GT announcement last week was a mic drop, but it would appear they’re preparing for another one: the purveyors of only the beigest and milquetoast of commuter cars and crossovers may actually follow through with a successor to their legendary MR2.

I normally avoid reporting on this sort of scuttlebutt, because frankly, the automotive rumourmill is unreliable and serves little purpose beyond sensationalizing for clicks. But there’s a strong collection of hints that indicate a successor is in the works. Most obvious is the Toyota FT-Se concept from 2023, pictured above, which coincided with Toyota renewing its trademark on the “MR2” name in the U.S. around the same time. But that’s not unusual; automakers renew trademarks on old nameplates all the time so they don’t lose the rights.

But we already knew that. Now, two new trademark filings popped up according to The Drive. Toyota recently applied to trademark “GR MR2” in Japan and “GR MR-S” in Australia. Curiously, this comes after Toyota announced it considers its GR division its own sub-brand, coinciding with the fact that the FT-Se is fully GR-branded.

Not only that, Toyota revealed the GR Yaris M, pictured above, earlier this year. It’s test mule with — drumroll, please — a 2.0-litre turbo-four behind the rear seats. We see what you’re doing, Toyota.

Bonus: Genesis G90 Wingback concept in photos

Genesis went nuts at the L.A. Auto Show a few weeks ago with a raft of performance-oriented Magma models. Buried in that was the Genesis G90 Wingback concept — a downright sexy wagon variant of its G90 sedan, spiced up with bulging fenders, a widened stance, and muscular lines. It looks awfully production-ready, though Genesis hasn’t announced what’s under the hood or whether they’ll build it.

But, they did just drop a bunch of photos of their extremely pretty Audi RS 6 Avant fighter. Do it, Genesis.