2026 NEW MODEL ARRIVALS AT MDL
Published on 08th December 2025 at 08:47
A New Year at Motor Distributers Limited on Dublin’s Naas Road and they are
already of their starting blocks in readiness for a hectic 2026 marathon. They have
just informed me that they will be releasing some 24 passenger car arrivals over the
coming year - fifteen from Mercedes-Benz, seven from BYD and two from XPENG.
Mercedes-Benz
Early arrivals for Mercedes-Benz will be the latest version of its popular four-
door CLA Coupé, and Shooting Brake variant, both arriving here in the second
quarter in internal combustion engine (ICE) and, for the first time, battery electric
vehicle (BEV) versions.
Q2 will also see the introduction of the luxury SUV GLC, in BEV drivetrain.
Expected in late Spring/early Summer is the 7-seater GLB, in both BEV and ICE
versions.
Rounding out Mercedes-Benz Q2 arrivals will be the all-electric AMG GT 4-door
Coupé – a performance unit that blends sports car styling with executive car
practicality.
In Q3, Mercedes-Benz will unveil the updated S-Class saloon, with the S-Class
Maybach following as the ultra-luxury expression of the model line.
Q3 will also see the updated 2026 version of the popular C-Class, in both saloon and
estate variants, closely followed by C-Class saloon BEV versions in early Q4.
Late 2026 will see the arrival of the all-electric Mercedes-Benz GLA, their
subcompact luxury SUV.
Rounding out the year will be the AMG GT BEV, an all-electric 2-door luxury sports
coupé that brings AMG performance into the electric era.
BYD
New terms – new Technology – Welcome to DM-i
Electric-First Operation:
The car is driven primarily by its electric motor. Why? Electric motors are efficient at
low speeds, and they generate their maximum torque (which gives you all that fun
get-up-and-go) from a dead stop.
The DM-i system basically is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) system but
with a twist. Regular PHEVs help you make short trips on electricity only before the
gasoline engine comes into play. The DM-i technology has been designed by BYD
with electric drive as the norm with the gasoline engine reserved for situations where
it has to recharge the battery.
Here’s how:
1 .Electric-First Operation:
The car is driven primarily by its electric motor. Why? Electric motors are efficient at
low speeds, and they generate their maximum torque (which gives you all that fun
get-up-and-go) from a dead stop.
2. Intelligent Engine Use:
Once the battery starts running low, the gasoline engine kicks in. It acts as a
generator, sending power to the electric motor or charging the battery.
3. Regenerative Braking:
The DM-i system uses regenerative braking to capture energy that would otherwise
be lost during braking and deceleration and store it back in the battery. This is
similar to most hybrids and electronic vehicles.
BYD will welcome 2026 with the Q1 arrival of the SEAL 6 with DMi technology,
(explained above), in both touring and saloon versions. A super-hybrid saloon, the
SEAL 6 builds on the popularity of the BYD SEAL saloon model, with a roomier
cabin, and the brand’s signature ‘Ocean Aesthetics’ design. The touring version
features significant cargo space with the rear seats folded, offering strong practicality
for families and those with active lifestyles.
Early 2026 will also see the introduction of the BYD SEALION 5 with DMi
technology, a compact super-hybrid SUV, featuring Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability.
Completing the early-year line-up is the BYD ATTO 2 with DMi technology, a
compact super-hybrid SUV, designed for city driving, offering agile handling, a tight
turning radius, and low fuel consumption.
Expected here later in the Summer will be the BYD DOLPHIN G, a new ‘Grand’ trim
level for the popular EV hatchback.
Q3 will see the arrival of a refreshed all-electric BYD ATTO 3, followed in Q4 by the
new ATTO 3 super hybrid variant. Expanding the line-up, both additions give drivers
more choice within BYD’s popular range.
XPENG
Arriving here early in the first quarter will be the all-new version of the all-electric,
‘ultra-smart’ 4-door, XPENG G6 Coupé SUV.
Q2 will see the arrival of XPENG’s second model in Ireland, the large 7-seater all-
electric X9, key features of which are its spacious cabin, enhanced comfort features
and advanced touring AI system.
Photo Captions:
1) CLA Coupé – One of 15 new model arrivals from Mercedes-Benz in 2026
2) BYD ATTO 2 with DMi technology – a compact super-hybrid SUV and early year
arrival from the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) manufacturer
3) XPENG X9 – the large 7-seater all-electric vehicle will be the second model from
XPENG to arrive in Ireland
