--- title: "Audi Is Planning a Mercedes G-Class Rival: TDS" date: "2025-10-13" modified: "2025-10-13" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/audi-is-planning-a-mercedes-g-class-rival-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Audi Is Planning a Mercedes G-Class Rival: TDS ![Mercedes-Benz G-Class]() Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. Light, tight, and right, *TDS* gathers the latest automotive news from around the globe and places it in one spot. Stories are summarized in a single, sometimes long, sentence and are accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. 🚨 A quick programming note: The team is off today for the holiday and there will be no *The Drive Daily* email newsletter this afternoon. We'll return to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow. The first cup of coffee is gone and I'm ready for the second, so let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: Spent the weekend in Aspen with the fam in the 2025 Subuaru Outback and returned back home last night to the 2026 Ram 1500 with the Hemi V8. πŸš™ Audi's [design boss hinted]() that an unveiling of a Mercedes G-Class competitor might still be on the horizon by saying "stay tuned," followed by, "don't give up on that dream," regarding a low-volume range-topping model, which would likely be based on the body-on-frame Scout underpinnings. πŸ›ž Michelin [unveiled a new Pilot Sport Endurance racing tire]() that will debut for the 2026 season, while details are limited the manufacturer promised to improve sustainability and provide better track performance with the new rubber. 🧲 GM's [rare-earth investment bet has paid off]() as China introduces new draconian restrictions on the materials used for all forms of automotive parts. πŸ’Έ The [Volkswagen Tiguan has received yet another price]() increase with the introduction of the 2026 model year, and the new range-topping SEL R-Line Turbo will cost $44,560. πŸͺ« President Trump's crackdown on EVs has now [started to hit home in the U.S.'s battery belt]() leading to possibly tens of thousands of new jobs evaporating in Republican-dominated states like Georgia and Kentucky. πŸš— Toyota teased a [Corolla concept](), [Century Coupe concept](), and [six-wheel Lexus LS minivan concept]() ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. 🏁 Weekend Race Results: - IMSA Petit Le Mans - Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, and Frederik Vesti took the win in the Cadillac V-Series.R for Whelen Cadillac Racing. - NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 - Denny Hamlin won for Joe Gibbs Racing. - NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 302 - Aric Almirola won from Joe Gibbs Racing. *Have feedback on the formatting of TDS? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()