EV tech is trickling down to hybrid and combustion vehicles, and Im here for it

Date:
Sat, 18 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Description:
Software updates aren't just for EVs anymore, as combustion and hybrids are seeing OTA updates that can help support new features and even recalls.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Its pretty clear that EVs and software defined vehicles (SDVs) go hand-in-hand these days, and while Tesla paved the way with the Model 3 back in 2017, Rivian , Lucid , and Chinese manufacturers quickly followed. The legacy car manufacturers are taking a while longer to get on board, but are finally catching up. Companies like Hyundai Motor Group , General Motors , BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are starting to launch full SDVs. SDVs for the win (Image credit: Myriam Joire) SDVs are cars with functions and features that are primarily enabled through software and can improve over time via over-the-air (OTA) software updates. Im not just talking about updating navigation or infotainment, here. Thanks to their
zonal architecture, full SDVs use a holistic approach to software updates where every hardware module can be updated OTA, which enables diagnostics and even recalls without a dealer visit. The cynical view is that SDVs allow greedy car manufacturers to extract revenue from customers via needless subscriptions, but that's short-term thinking. When done right, there are
many benefits to SDVs. Companies like Rivian and Tesla issue free monthly OTA updates to fix bugs and add new features to their EVs, to the delight of
their customers, while only charging an optional subscription for higher data connectivity and ADAS tiers. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: SDVs
go beyond EVs Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Myriam Joire) (Image credit: Myriam Joire) What happens when you extend SDVs beyond EVs to hybrid and combustion vehicles? A few weeks back, I visited Mercedes factory near Tuscaloosa, AL, where the company manufactures most of its global SUVs, to get a first look
at the refreshed GLE and GLS SUVs. Beyond more powerful engines and the usual mid-cycle cosmetic upgrades inside and out, these SUVs are Mercedes first hybrid and combustion SDVs. Well, almost.

Unlike their predecessors, the 2027 GLE and GLS run the companys MB.OS across all four domains infotainment, automated driving, body & comfort, and
driving & charging just like Mercedes first full SDVs, the all-electric CLA and GLC . Previously, MB.OS was only implemented for navigation and infotainment, like in the current E-Class sedan and wagon. As such, those
cars werent SDVs. But theres a catch. You may like I've driven the Audi RS 5 and it mixes supercar pace with cutting-edge tech The five electric cars that stole the show at Goodwood this year Electrified vehicle sales are exploding but combustion engines arent finished yet

Mercedes notes, however, that while all of these vehicles leverage MB.OS principles and a domain-oriented software architecture, the underlying hardware, communication systems, software capabilities, and OTA deployment approaches vary by vehicle platform. As such, the refreshed GLE and GLS,
while only partial SDVs, are closer to full SDVs than any other hybrid or combustion car before them.

The 2027 GLE and GLS feature Mercedes pillar-to-pillar Superscreen as standard, which consists of three 12.3-inch displays (driver, center, and passenger) behind a single glass surface, and includes a selfie camera for video calls (when stopped) and for selfies, naturally. Video calls require apps like Zoom, which you can download from Mercedes own app store. A 3D instrument display and head-up display are available as an option. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Myriam Joire) (Image credit: Myriam Joire) Like the all-electric CLA and GLC, the refreshed GLE and GLS feature a generative AI-powered voice assistant which uses OpenAIs ChatGPT4o, Microsoft Bing Search, and Google Clouds Automotive AI Agent (for navigation) depending on context. The MBUX Virtual Assistant can handle a whole range of natural language requests, from adjusting the climate and music to navigation and even general knowledge queries.

Mercedes MB.Drive Assist Pro, the companys NVIDIA -powered point-to-point level 2+ advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), which launched on the all-electric CLA and GLC, is coming to the 2027 GLE and GLS, first in China, then in the US later this year. This ADAS is similar to Teslas ill-named full self-driving (FSD), but in addition to using ten cameras, it also uses five radar sensors and twelve ultrasonic sensors.

In all, the refreshed GLE and GLS show that drivetrain variations aside, its possible for all-electric, hybrid, and combustion vehicles to reach parity as SDVs when it comes to infotainment, navigation, comfort, and ADAS. Lets hope that Mercedes fully embraces this exciting new technology and follows in Rivian and Teslas footsteps by releasing free monthly OTA updates to fix bugs and add new features to these new SDVs. What to read next I've driven the new Xpeng G6 and it's now more of a Tesla rival than ever A new Android
Automotive experience is coming I've driven the Honda Super-N and I'm in
love with this seriously fun EV SDVs for all Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Myriam Joire) (Image credit: Myriam Joire) (Image credit: Myriam Joire) Whats even more important is that SDVs are starting to extend beyond EVs and luxury cars. Manufacturers like Hyundai Motor Group are launching more affordable hybrid and combustion vehicles that are SDVs. The zonal architecture used by SDVs makes cars inherently less expensive to manufacture since it requires fewer hardware modules and much simpler wiring harnesses (less copper means less cost and less weight).

The South Korean Grandeur sedan and Europe-bound IONIQ 3 SUV are Hyundais first proper SDVs. Both cars run the companys new Android Automotive-based Pleos Connect navigation and infotainment platform, and include Hyundais App Market and large language model (LLM)-powered Gleo AI voice assistant. Pleos Connect, the App Market, and Gleo AI will also be coming to Hyundai Motor Groups future Kia and Genesis cars.

...while I believe that the future is all-electric, hybrid and combustion vehicles will be sticking around a little while longer Right now, most of the affordable full SDVs being developed outside of China are EVs. Ford is
working on its Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) SDV platform which will initially underpin an all-electric small truck priced around $30,000. Volkswagens upcoming ID.1 city car, destined for Europe and priced below 20,000, is the companys first SDV. Its zonal architecture and software stack are a direct result of VWs partnership with Rivian.

Hopefully, these new EV-first platforms can also be adapted to manufacture more affordable hybrid and combustion SDVs. Because while I believe that the future is all-electric, hybrid and combustion vehicles will be sticking
around a little while longer, at least here in the US. And considering the cost and feature benefits of SDVs, it would be a shame if manufacturers didnt deploy this technology across all their upcoming vehicles. My takeaway
Between 2018 and 2024, I owned two Tesla Model 3 s, so I was able to enjoy
the benefits of SDVs firsthand. Theres something utterly wonderful about finding an OTA software update waiting in your car every month, ready to deliver new functionality for free. Rivian aside, I have missed this on every other EV Ive driven since, and because of this positive experience, I will forever associate SDVs with EVs.

But as Mercedes has shown with the refreshed GLE and GLS SUVs, the benefits
of SDVs also extend to hybrid and combustion vehicles. SDVs allow the company to provide a consistent and modern user experience across its entire lineup, regardless of drivetrain. Not to mention, SDVs reduce costs and complexity
for all manufacturers. As such, Im looking forward to SDVs becoming the norm for more cars going forward. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/ev-tech-is-tri ckling-down-to-hybrid-and-combustion-vehicles-and-im-here-for-it


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