CAR ADVICE

Volkswagen has announced drive-away pricing for the 2018 Golf R hatch and wagon, as it prepares to bring the MY19 range into showrooms. The drive-away Golf R range will kick off at $48,490 drive-away in Grid Edition Manual guise, jumping to $50,990 for the DSG. Volkswagen previously priced the two from $47,490 and $49,990 before on-road costs respectively.

Infiniti has revised its Q50 and Q60 ranges, cutting the number of variants on offer in half for a simpler line-up and, in most cases, lowering prices.

Volkswagen Australia has narrowed its ‘regular’ five-seat Tiguan range by retaining only the more expensive 132TSI Comfortline and 162TSI Highline all-wheel drive (AWD) variants, while adding a 162TSI Wolfsburg Edition range-topper.

Volkswagen Australia has released pricing and specifications for the upgraded 2019 Golf GTI, which will kick off from $45,490 plus on-road costs when it lands in October. As revealed in May, the 2019 model-year Golf GTI comes with the Performance specification as standard, meaning the 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine now makes 180kW of power (up from 169kW) and 370Nm of torque (up from 350Nm), mated exclusively to a seven-speed wet-clutch DSG transmission shared with the all-wheel drive Golf R.

Mercedes-AMG has recalled the C43, C63 and E63 over concerns about the front seat backrests.  According to the company, the laser welding between the backrest member and backrest fitting might not comply with manufacturer specifications. As a result, the welds might not withstand the required load values and the fitting could detach from the backrest, putting passengers at risk of injury. A total of 76 cars are affected by the recall – a VIN list is attached here.

BMW has announced a new plant in Hungary, able to produce around 150,000 cars per year, employ around 1000 people, and cost roughly €1 billion ($1.6 billion) to construct. It hasn't been announced when the plant will start operation, or which models it will produce. BMW says it is adding another European factory to its roster because sales on the continent accounted for almost 45 per cent of its volume in 2017.

Peugeot Australia has launched the 208 GTi Édition Définitive, complete with mechanical and cosmetic upgrades to send off production of the current-generation pint-sized hot hatch. Just 20 examples will make their way Down Under, priced from $33,990 drive-away – $4000 more than the new $29,990 drive-away price for the standard 208 GTi.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed the X350d ute will arrive in local showrooms in December, with pricing to kick off at $73,270 before on-road costs. That's a little more than the top-spec Amarok V6 Ultimate's current $68,490 ticket price, while the recently-launched Ford Ranger Raptor kicks off at $74,990. Two equipment lines will be offered – Progressive and Power – with specification levels largely mirroring that of the equivalent four-cylinder models.

Mazda has joined the likes of Holden and Ford, extending its three-year warranty to a five-year, unlimited-kilometre program. The longer term applies to all vehicles sold from August 1, and brings the company into line with Holden, Ford, Hyundai, Honda, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Renault, Skoda and Citroen. The industry is still led by Kia and its seven-year, unlimited-kilometre coverage period, however.

Rolling through a short tunnel on the stunning Purtschellerstrasse alpine road near Berchtesgaden in Germany, I'm about to nail the accelerator on the 2018 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, when I see a familiar DRL signature approach at speed in the rear-view mirror.

Driving any Aston Martin is a privilege, and this DBS Superleggera is no different. It’s stunningly fast, properly premium, different and classy. The fact that it can also be so easy to drive and benign is a sign of the times at the highest end of the buying scale. It will be rare Down Under too, and that in itself is priceless.

Uber has decided to close its self-driving truck department, and concentrate its autonomous vehicle efforts in passenger car sphere. "We recently took the important step of returning to public roads in Pittsburgh, and as we look to continue that momentum, we believe having our entire team’s energy and expertise focused on this effort is the best path forward,” Eric Meyhofer, head of Uber Advanced Technologies Group, said in an internal email sent to employees and seen by Techcrunch.

Earlier this week, Ford announced its European arm had made a pre-tax loss of US$73 million ($98 million) during the first half of 2018, a massive change from the US$88 million ($118 million) profit the company booked in the second half of 2017.

Ask any McLaren fan where heaven is, and most likely they’ll tell you it’s in Woking, England, the home of the McLaren Technology Centre. From classic to modern, road and race cars, this is where McLarens are born and bred. It’s all housed under one roof, and we were lucky enough to be given a tour of the facility, which is usually only open to loyal McLaren customers.

Skoda has unveiled the Karoq Scout, a more rugged version of its mid-sized SUV that should appeal more to those who regularly venture off the beaten track. While not an all-out off-roader, the Karoq Scout boasts numerous enhancements to give it a more capable look and feel, and comes as standard with all-wheel drive.

The Honda Civic Type R is hardly what you'd call 'subtle', but an owner in the US has gone a step further to make its hot hatch stand out – and he's documented it on video. HondaPro Jason recently uploaded a new clip to his YouTube channel, showing off his Phoenix Yellow Type R 'FK8', which he claims to be the only one in the world.

Korea’s SsangYong will return to Australia this November with a more sophisticated corporate structure, and a far less 'stylistically challenged' product range aimed at the market’s growth areas. The most interesting member of its line-up, the Musso, will tap into Australia’s inexhaustible appetite for dual-cab utes. What it lacks in badge cred, SsangYong hopes to counteract with unarguable value for money.

Cost of living is still forefront of mind right now, but a new study has found Melbourne and Sydney residents are more concerned about congestion than ever before. A study of almost 1000 inner-city residents found traffic was fourth on the current list of concerns, but it was the biggest forward-looking concern among respondents.

A tweet from Elon Musk has suggested a KITT-style voice assistant could appear in future Teslas, supplementing the in-dash (or on-dash, in the case of the Model 3) touchscreens.

Nissan is continuing its N-Sport special editions with the new X-Trail N-Sport, which adds a whole lot of black on the outside and, well, not much else. The short version? Don’t buy a Nissan X-Trail N-Sport; save yourself the $2000 impost, buy the regular X-Trail ST-L, and you won’t be disappointed.

You would be foolish not to at least test drive the Nissan X-Trail if you’re in the market for a medium SUV, for what it lacks in its interior design and overall sophistication, it makes up for with a big focus on practicality, ride comfort and active safety features.

Chinese-backed, US-based electric vehicle start-up Faraday Future has released images of the first body-in-white example of its upcoming FF91 crossover. With deliveries on track to commence in December this year, the company says it has beaten its "timeline objectives" so far, and is working closely with "key suppliers" to continue beating or meeting its deadlines.

Ford Australia has detailed pricing and specifications for the updated 2019 Everest line-up, with prices to start from $49,190 before on-road costs when the new model goes on sale in September. Headlining the upgrades is the addition of autonomous emergency braking as standard equipment on Trend and Titanium grades, while the Sync 3 navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard across the range.

Seat has revealed the Leon ST Cupra Carbon Edition for the UK, sporting unique enhancements over the 'standard' hot wagon on which it's based. Limited to just 50 units in Britain, the Carbon Edition draws upon the 300PS (221kW) all-wheel drive Leon ST Cupra wagon – itself based on the hi-po Volkswagen Golf R – and adds niceties like carbon-fibre finishes for the side blades along with the front and rear bumpers.

Audi is preparing a supercar concept for the upcoming Monterey Car Week, with a pure-electric drivetrain and slick looks from one of the brand's North American design studios. Dubbed the PB 18 e-tron (PB for Pebble Beach, 18 to denote the year), the low-slung electric vehicle will make its debut at Laguna Seca on August 23, ahead of a showings at The Quail and Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in the subsequent days.

The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance has recorded growth across its three member brands in the first half of 2018, shifting a combined 5,538,530 vehicles to the end of June. On the Nissan side of things, global demand was up for the X-Trail, Note, Serena and Qashqai. Its strongest market was the USA, followed by China and Japan, with a global sales figure of 2.8 million.

We just can’t do it. It’s beyond us. They can post all the signs they want, we just aren’t interested, or even emotionally capable of complying. We will happily and eagerly comply with all sorts of other road rules – like not going through red lights, not driving at 160 through a school zone at 8.30am, and not stopping where rocks are falling. But will we pull over to the left unless we’re actually overtaking another vehicle? Will we shit.

I have a love-hate relationship with the old Volkswagen Kombi, mainly because I fell out of one when I was a child growing up in Germany. It was moving. Quickly. On an autobahn. I’ll spare you the grisly details, suffice to say I am extremely lucky to be sitting here writing this review of the 2018 Volkswagen Multivan Kombi 70. So what is it exactly? In short, it’s VW’s popular Multivan people mover with some extra bling and a characterful two-tone paint job.

The first details about the Porsche Taycan and its all-electric drivetrain have been revealed by the Zuffenhausen-based car maker. The Taycan will be powered by two permanently excited synchronous motors, one for each axle, and each featuring a permanently magnetised rotor which spins thanks to a stator's magnetic field.

These photos of two BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe prototypes seemingly confirm the styling details revealed earlier this year in a trademark filing. It also follows the template set out by the M8 Gran Coupe concept, which was unveiled at this year's Geneva motor show. The Gran Coupe is expected to round out the new 8 Series' body style offerings, which will also include a coupe and a yet-to-be-launched convertible.

The facelifted Suzuki Vitara has been given its first official outing in Europe, and it includes new safety features to go along with a mildly tweaked design. Up front, the updated Vitara features a new grille and a redesigned lower section of the front bumper. The graphics for the tail-lights have also been tweaked to incorporated LEDs, and the reversing lamp has been moved down to a central position in the rear bumper.

The upcoming Lamborghini Aventador SVJ will be the last of a dying breed, with the company's research and development chief indicating the company's next generation of vehicles will be assisted in some form – likely to be electrification. In a report by Top Gear, Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini R&D boss, is quoted saying that the SVJ is the "last time the V12 will be on its own".

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4-door (breathes deeply) is the second standalone model to be launched under Benz's performance arm, and now we have vision of some early examples roaring around the Nurburgring circuit in Germany. Powered by a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 making a stonking 470kW of power and 900Nm of torque, put to a rear-biased 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system via a nine-speed automatic transmission, the GT 4-door is a seriously powerful beast.

When we’re not creating it ourselves, the CarAdvice team spends a lot of time finding and consuming motoring content from all over the world. Here’s a handful of the articles, videos and social media posts that most caught our eye last week. Some of them are brand-new, others have been online for a while. Enjoy them – just not too much, okay?

Volkswagen Group Australia has initiated its recall for over 100,000 vehicles across various model lines fitted with faulty Takata airbags, as part of the Australian Government's mandatory safety recall that requires all defective inflators to be replaced by 31 December 2020. In a statement released this week, the company said: According to the statement, no vehicles imported by either brand into Australia are fitted with the more dangerous 'alpha' inflators.

New South Wales motorists will need to slow to 40km/h as they pass emergency services on the side of the road, as part of a road rule trial kicking off on September 1. Drivers moving in both directions on undivided roads are impacted by the rule, and face a $448 fine and three demerit points if they don't comply. Only once they're a 'safe distance' past the emergency vehicles can motorists accelerate back to the speed limit.

Bugatti has given us another peek at the hotted-up, Chiron-based Divo ahead of its full reveal at Monterey Car Week in California. The new Divo, which will be fully revealed on August 24, will be lighter and more handling-focused than the Chiron, with more downforce for "significantly better handling properties" and more g-forces at full noise. The standard car isn't exactly slow, so we're expecting the Divo will be an absolute animal.

Industry body, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), is calling on drivers to check if their vehicle is fitted with a potentially deadly Takata airbag inflator with a new scare campaign.

Mercedes-AMG is planning to reveal the A35 hatchback at the Paris motor show in October – according to a new report. Speaking with Indian Autos Blog at the launch of the updated AMG C63 range, Mercedes-AMG's senior manager for marketing and communications, Dominik Gruel, indicated the mid-tier performance version of the new A-Class hatch is on track for a Paris reveal. "Yeah, you will see," he said, when asked whether the entry-level AMG version would be attending the October event.

The new Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 might have been developed in tandem, but our audience has a clear preference for the rear-drive Toyota. A handy 63 per cent of voters favoured the Supra over the Z4, albeit in pre-production camouflage. Both will be offered with a choice of four- or six-cylinder petrol engines, and both will be rear-wheel drive, but Toyota and BMW are adamant each will have its own character when they launch.

Toyota will shortly announce the addition of a diesel particular filter (DPF) regeneration switch for the Landcruiser Prado and HiLux, as part of a rolling technical change on both models. CarAdvice can exclusively reveal the change, which comes after a surge in complaints about particulate filter issues from Prado and HiLux owners who primarily drive short distances. Toyota is yet to provide comment regarding the complaints, or provide a specific reason for the change.

We've been busy in the Northern Territory this week, testing the all-new Ford Ranger Raptor. While we were up there, we wanted to answer the questions you sent through via social media. If there's anything we missed that you're still interested in having answered, let us know in the comments below! MORE: 2019 Ford Ranger Raptor review MORE: Ford Ranger Raptor news, reviews, comparisons and videos

Micro Mobility Systems, a Zurich-based mobility manufacturer that specialises in scooters and bikes, has had its new Microlino sub-micro car homologated for European roads, with production to kick off "by the end of 2018".

With the recent addition of the Up! GTI, Volkswagen has hot hatch for essentially all tastes. But which one is quickest in a straight line? Along with the current Golf, Polo and Up! GTI, this video throws a bit of a curveball into the mix, in the form of a pre-facelift Golf GTI Clubsport S.

You’ve seen how our long-term 2018 Volkswagen Polo has handled the city, and no surprise, it performs as well as a small hatch should. But now it’s time to take ‘Ginger’ – as James Wong has affectionately named it – on a road trip. The itinerary is a 1500-kilometre round trip on the east coast between Melbourne and Moruya, NSW, to see my folks. Unlike the last trip I did in the 2018 BMW M140i, it’s just me and the Polo this time around.

  Ford is reportedly considering a new car-based ute, but instead of a rear-wheel drive platform that underpinned generations of Falcon utilities, this new one will be based on the front-wheel drive Focus. Automobile understands Ford is mulling plans to develop a vehicle to replace the Courier, which was last made in Brazil in 2013, based on the fourth-generation Fiesta.

The Infiniti QX50 is still a while off for Australia – it's been delayed until mid-2019 at this stage – but the company has given some insight into how it came up with its cabin design. According to Nissan's luxury arm, designers were inspired by the "look and feel of luxury resort hotels", right down to the warmer colour tones, wood-inspired chocolate brown accents, and off-white surfaces designed to evoke sandy beaches.

The automotive news wheel is always turning. If you’re not constantly checking CarAdvice – which you should be doing, by the way – it can be easy for some headlines to slip through the cracks. To make sure you haven’t missed anything important, we’ve gathered what we reckon are the hottest news stories from this week, right here. Check them out, and let us know what caught your eye.

Ford has revealed the 2019 F-150 Limited for North America, which now comes with the same high-output 3.5-litre 'Ecoboost' twin-turbo V6 as the F-150 Raptor and GT supercar. Developing a meaty 335kW of power and 691Nm of torque, the new F-150 Limited is claimed to be the "most powerful light-duty pickup in America". To distinguish the new Limited from less powerful F-150 models, the flagship pickup sports a dual-exhaust system integrated into the rear bumper.

That’s a shame, particularly for anyone primarily concerned with moving people rather than just keeping up with the Joneses on the school run. It goes against the tide of popular opinion, but minivans like the 2018 Honda Odyssey are often better than the multitude of SUVs that fill Australian streets.

Aston Martin has confirmed production of its upcoming DBX SUV will start late next year, having completed the second phase of its new St. Athan, Wales, production facility. The factory, which is being created in three converted ex-Ministry of Defence hangars in South Wales, will bring 750 new jobs to the reason – 150 of which have already been hired as part of its preparation for production.

Chinese car maker Geely, which also owns Volvo and Lynk & Co, has unveiled a new modular platform for Polo-class cars. Geely says BMA took four years to develop, and involved around 100 modular platform experts from 20 countries. Most of the work was reportedly done in the company's research and development centre in Hangzhou Bay.

The head of SsangYong’s new Australian factory-backed subsidiary wants the brand to relaunch in November with a market-leading warranty. The challenge is getting the plan approved by head office in Korea. The goal is clearly to match rival Korean car-maker Kia with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty; a tactic that has become a powerful tool to smash any lingering misperceptions about the quality of that brand's vehicles.

How do you capture the essence of a city or town? What makes a particular place hum, sing and buzz? Is it the people? The culture? The architecture? Food? It is, of course, all of these things. And more. For us at CarAdvice, it is, unsurprisingly, also the cars.

Remember last year, when we covered the 12 unsold Lexus LFAs sitting in American dealerships? It turns out that story, or the overseas digging behind it, didn't cause ultra-wealthy Lexus fans (we know you're hiding somewhere) in North America to stampede their local showroom and lay down a deposit.

Premoso Pty Ltd has recalled the MY18 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, over concerns the rear-right and rear-centre seatbelt buckles. According to the company they may have been torqued incorrectly, which could undermine their effectiveness in a crash. Obviously, that puts occupants in those seats at greater risk of injury in an accident. Just six utes are affected by the recall – a VIN list is attached here.

Photographers have spotted the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GLE53 this week during development testing, giving us a closer look at the mid-tier performance version of the next-gen SUV. It appears the new GLE prototypes are dropping camouflage, with the black-and-white wrap now limited to the front and rear treatments, showing off more of the new model's sheetmetal.

Mike Duff • By what we can only imagine was a cosmically ordained coincidence, we drove the Toyota Yaris GRMN the same week that the Toyota Gazoo Racing team won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time. Given that GRMN stands for Gazoo Racing Masters of the Nürburgring – verbose branding that we’re assured will spread to other performance Toyota products – there’s obviously some connection between the mighty TS050 LMP1 car and this subcompact performance hatchback.

It’s a great Did You Know factoid that AMG wasn’t involved in the first express-spec E-Class. When Mercedes decided five years was long enough for the original (1985) M5 to have had its own way in the mid-range sports sedan arena – longer if you count the M535i – the Stuttgart brand sought the help of close-neighbour Porsche to create a muscled-up, V8-powered version of the W124 sedan.

The next-generation Audi RS6 looks set to be quite the performance weapon, according to a new report out of the UK. Autocar claims the new bahn-storming wagon will feature a version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 used in various Volkswagen Group models like the Porsche Panamera and Lamborghini Urus, with a power output eclipsing the 600hp (447kW) barrier.

  One of the biggest complaints most of you had – outside of engine performance – about the Ford Ranger Raptor launched in Darwin this week was the lack of towing capacity and payload. Why can't the Ranger Raptor tow or carry as much load as its counterparts? It mainly comes down to the suspension.

The updated Suzuki Vitara Series II has leaked online ahead of its official reveal, giving us a first look at the updated crossover before it goes on sale locally in the first quarter of next year. Published on a government website, this is the first time we've seen the final design of the updated Vitara, with all previous images being of camouflaged prototypes doing rounds in Europe.

The facelifted SsangYong Turismo — last sold in Australia as the SsangYong Stavic — has been revealed in the UK. The people mover's front end styling has been reworked, with the car gaining slimmer headlights, restyled bumpers, and a corporate grille that ties it stylistically to more modern SsangYong models, such as the Korando, Rexton and Tivoli.

Toyota is about to announce the addition of a split tailgate with top-hinged glass as a no-cost option for the updated Landcruiser Prado, CarAdvice can exclusively reveal. Unlike previous Prado generations where the flat, split tailgate has been limited to top-spec Altitude models, the model-year update will make it available on the GXL, VX and Kakadu. The spare wheel is relocated under the car, the secondary fuel tank removed and a top-hinged tailgate added.

HSV has announced it's bringing the Colorado SportsCat warranty into line with that of the wider Holden range, offering five-year unlimited-kilometre coverage for its jacked-up dual-cab. The extended coverage period applies to all cars sold after July 1, 2018, replacing the existing three-year offering, and placing it on a level playing field with the just-launched Ford Ranger Raptor. Five years of roadside assist is also part of the deal, as with the broader Holden range.

Joining Mandy Turner this week are Kez Casey and James Wong. In car news, former FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne has passed away, the Bugatti Chiron has been recalled for an airbag fix, and Vikram Pawah has been announced as the new BMW Group Australia CEO. Also, the 2019 Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan have been revealed. Paul Maric talks 2019 Ford Ranger Raptor after the off-road launch in Darwin. We speak to Glenn Dollman, director of motor events calendar app MotorCal.

Hyundai Australia has confirmed it will offer the i30 Fastback N next year, shortly after the company's global division issued some teaser images of its newest N model in action. Scheduled to be unveiled later this year, the i30 Fastback N is based on the i30 Fastback offered in Europe, combining the five-door coupe body with the performance-focused underpinnings of the i30 N hatchback.

BMW has seen huge success with its 'art cars' over the years, have let legends like Andy Warhol, Frank Stella and Ken Done loose with the crayons on its some of its most famous racers. Now, Lexus wants a slice of the action.

A camouflaged version of the upcoming Lamborghini Aventador SVJ has lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6:44:97. This beats the previous record set in a Porsche 911 GT2 RS by over two seconds. Driven by Marco Mapelli, the new lap record for a production car was verified by Remak, with timing done on Vbox-Racelogic equipment.

Korea’s third brand, SsangYong, has confirmed it’ll start selling cars again in Australia from this November, after a two-year absence. It'll be armed with three SUVs and a dual-cab ute, and about 20 dealers from the start. The range will comprise the Tivoli small crossover to rival to the Hyundai Kona, its larger XLV spinoff to fight the Nissan Qashqai, the new-generation Rexton 4x4 competitor to the Ford Everest or Isuzu MU-X, and its coil-sprung Musso dual-cab pickup spinoff.

Mitsubishi has confirmed another new addition to its ranks, as the newest member of the Renault Nissan Alliance (now the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance) works to sharpen its global operations. This time it's in design, with Milan-born designer Alessandro Dambrosio to lead the caltrop brand's three design studios: Okazaki and Tokyo in Japan, and Frankfurt, Germany.

Mercedes-Benz has released pricing and spec information for the third-generation CLS, which has already touched down in CLS450 4Matic form this week. The range will start, however, with the CLS350, priced from $136,900 before on-road costs. Power comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo engine making 220kW and 400Nm, put to the rear wheels through a nine-speed automatic gearbox. An extra 150Nm is available from the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system when the driver buries the throttle.

There’s an argument to be made that Mercedes-Benz ‘invented’ the idea of a four-door coupe with the original CLS back in 2004. That first-generation CLS certainly cut a striking pose, with a swooping roofline that belied its four-door credentials.

Another day, another Honda Civic Type R lap record. This time, the front-drive turbo tearaway has toppled its predecessor's mark around Estoril in Portugal. Having started at Magny Cours in France, the Civic caravan rolled on to Silverstone (the GP circuit) and Spa, beating records held by its predecessor in the process.

Honda UK has released details of the revised Civic i-DTEC diesel, which is now available with a new nine-speed automatic transmission. All grades of the Civic diesel in the UK will be offered with the new self-shifter as an option, which has a low first-gear ratio for a "smooth and powerful launch", while the high top-gear ratio "ensures low engine speed while cruising" for improved fuel consumption and refinement.

Mustang Motorsport and Crossover Car Conversions have issued a recall for the 2005-06 Ford GT and 2005-14 Ford Mustang as part of the ongoing Takata airbag campaign. Like other notices relating to Takata airbags, the inflator propellant could degrade over time due to high temperatures and humidity. If the condition occurs, the airbag inflator could rupture when deployed in an accident, shooting metal fragments into the cabin – posing a risk of injury, even death, to the vehicle's occupants.

Porsche has recalled 17 examples of the current-generation '971' Panamera, over concerns about the rear anti-roll bar. According to the company, the connecting links on the rear anti-roll bar can't be guaranteed over the service life of the car because of a manufacturing defect. If the links are badly damaged and become detached, there's a risk surrounding suspension parts might be damaged, creating a risk of diminished handling capabilities.

Bugatti has added a new Sky View option to the Chiron, letting a bit of extra light into the lives of its pampered customers. The option, which is available to order now, consists of two laminated glass panels over the front seats. Measuring 65cm long and 44cm wide, the panels are fixed presumably because sunroofs at 400km/h seem like a recipe for disaster.

Even though the range-topping Ranger Raptor, the team responsible for developing the model locally says driver safety is top of its priorities list. After exclusively revealing it won't offer autonomous emergency braking on the Ranger Raptor last week, Ford has confirmed it's working on the technology, but faced technical challenges too steep to climb by the model's launch.

Renault Australia has launched the Koleos S-Edition in Australia, adding extra equipment and a unique specification for $44,990 drive-away. Based on the Intens (from $44,990 plus on-roads), the S-Edition uniquely gets a front-wheel drivetrain and boasts extra kit like 19-inch alloys, and metallic black mirror caps.

After months of teasers using the BP23 Hyper-GT moniker, McLaren has finally picked a name for its upcoming three-seat flagship. Dubbed 'Speedtail', the car has been designed as the "ultimate road-going McLaren", with a central driving position and 106-car build run to pay homage to the legendary McLaren F1.

If you've been following our coverage of the Ford Ranger Raptor, you may notice a familiar theme – it does jumps. But, don't expect to be covered by the warranty if you break it. Speaking to CarAdvice at the launch of the 2019 Ford Ranger Raptor in Darwin this week, chief engineer for the Ford Ranger Raptor, Damien Ross, said that the company is using this opportunity to demonstrate – not encourage – 'stunt driving'.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan has been revealed this week, ahead of an Australian launch in the second quarter of next year. Scheduled to launch in Europe "at the end of 2018", the global version of the A-Class Sedan – not to be confused with the A-Class L sedan revealed in April for the Chinese market – gets a completely new booty with added luggage capacity over its hatchback counterpart.

Suzuki Australia will add the mild-hybrid Swift SHVS offered overseas to its local range, with the electrically-augmented BoosterJet powertrain set to touch down in 2019.  Speaking with CarAdvice in Melbourne yesterday, Michael Pachota, Suzuki Australia general manager for automotive, said the brand would be welcoming a hybrid option on a "very strong nameplate" next year, and the technology would carry a "very, very, very minor" price bump. Yep, that's very three times.

Sergio Marchionne, head of Fiat since 2004 and Chrysler from 2009, has passed away at the age of 66 after complications arising from surgery. Known for his straight-talking style, workaholic lifestyle, and love of black wooly sweaters, Marchionne was not a noted "car guy", but his legacy includes turning around not one, but two automakers. He is survived by his partner Manuela Battezzato, and his sons Alessio and Tyler.

With the hype behind the Ranger Raptor, Ford is considering the option of offering an extra off-road version of the related Everest SUV with similar attributes. Speaking to CarAdvice at the launch of the Ranger Raptor in Darwin this week, Ford's vice president of product development for Asia Pacific, Trevor Worthington, said that it can't be ruled out at this stage.

Lamborghini has previewed its upcoming Aventador SVJ again this week, releasing a new video clip online. While the video itself doesn't feature any commentary regarding details of the upcoming supercar flagship, the caption does highlight that the new model is "designed to have the best weight to power ratio" – or power-to-weight ratio.

The Lynk & Co 03 has been all but officially revealed, though that hasn't stopped the Chinese manufacturer from releasing yet another teaser this week. Like the camouflaged photos published earlier this week, the latest set of designer sketches don't offer too many surprises in terms of the car's looks.

“I believe this is the best vehicle we have ever made.” So said Michael Blischke, Ford’s director of global platforms at the launch of the all-new fourth-generation Ford Focus in France last week. It’s a bold claim, but shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, what senior executive is going to say something like ‘this car is okay’? What’s not in question are the Focus’s credentials as a best-selling hatchback in a class seemingly overpopulated with models from just about every carmaker.

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Chrysler (FCA) until last weekend, has passed away after complications arising from surgery. “Unfortunately, what we feared has come to pass. Sergio Marchionne, man and friend, is gone," John Elkann, head of Exor, the holding company for the Agnelli and Elkann families, and largest shareholder in FCA, said in a statement released in the last hour.

Porsche has officially unveiled the 2019 Macan at an event in Shanghai, bringing it up to date with a tweaked look and more technology. Changes to the car's exterior really are subtle up front, headlined by tweaked headlights and revised air intakes. There's also a range of new colours: Miami Blue, Crayon and Dolomite Silver Metallic adding more choice to the palette for buyers keen to stand out.

Ford's head of product development for Asia Pacific has explained that there isn't a market for a diesel or petrol V6 in the Ranger Raptor, which is why it wasn't considered as part of the product plan. The massive hype behind the Ranger Raptor took a slight hit when Ford announced a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel instead of a petrol V6 like the one found in the F-150 Raptor, or a more powerful V6 diesel engine.

Suzuki Australia has confirmed it will bring the updated 'Series II' Vitara SUV early next year, despite the refreshed model not having been revealed yet. Michael Pachota, general manager for Suzuki's local division, said the new model is on its way and should arrive in Australian showrooms during the first quarter of 2019.

Porsche has teased the facelifted 2019 Macan one more time, ahead of its full reveal in Shanghai, China tomorrow. Spy photos have already given us a clear picture of the front end, but this new teaser reveals the tail-lights will get a linked signature in keeping with the Panamera and Cayenne. No surprises there, although Porsche did a good job of concealing it on its development mules.

Citroen Australia has big plans for its local range in 2019, in line with the company's 100th anniversary celebrations, though it means we may have to wait a little longer for some new models. Speaking with CarAdvice, Peugeot Citroen Australia's PR and corporate affairs manager, Tyson Bowen, said the local division is planning to "relaunch" the brand Down Under.

The new Suzuki Jimny sent our commenters into a spin when it was confirmed for Australia on July 10. Turns out that online excitement is translating into deposits, with almost 40 pre-orders for the compact off-roader already in the bank.

The new-generation Audi Q3 has been revealed with official details, shortly after leaked images of the all-new SUV surfaced online this morning. Measuring 4485mm long, 1856mm wide and 1585mm tall, the new Q3 is 97mm longer, 25mm wider, yet 5mm flatter than the model it replaces. The 2680mm wheelbase, meanwhile, is a 77mm increase compared to its predecessor.

The upcoming Senate Inquiry into electric vehicles will meet today meet with the Electric Vehicle Council in Melbourne, ahead of formal written submissions closing on July 27. Led by South Australian Senator, Tim Storer, the inquiry will investigate the "economic, environmental and social benefits" of widespread electric vehicle adoption Down Under, using a Bloomberg report claiming 50 per cent of global new car sales will be electric as part of his inspiration.

Just one day ahead of its scheduled official reveal, images of the 2019 Audi Q3 have snuck online, revealing what to expect from the second generation small premium SUV. As hinted at in an earlier teaser video the new Q3 adopts a look not too far removed from that of the flagship Q8, speedily bringing the Q3’s look up to speed. No hard task given the outgoing model first entered production in 2011.

Car manufacturers aren't the only ones working on autonomous technology apace. Along with Google and Uber, traditional automotive suppliers are beavering away on their own technology, extending the reach of the systems they already offer. Bosch is one of those suppliers. Speaking with the CarAdvice podcast at an event in Melbourne, Stephen Woods, Bosch Australia regional president for chassis systems control, highlighted the company's safety-first approach to the rollout of autonomy.

Mercedes-AMG's has confirmed initial Australian specifications for the updated C63 S family, scheduled to arrive Down Under in December. Key highlights for the 2019 model-year C63 sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible include a new nine-speed multi-clutch automatic transmission (formerly seven), a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, nappa-look faux-leather dashboard trim, and LED headlights with adaptive high-beam function.

The face-lifted 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S? It’s excellent…if you like this sort of thing. Too flippant of me? Alright then. AMG’s top-selling C63 range maintains all of the much-loved fire-and-brimstone goodness of the existing formula and improves it in areas important to the fans, to the converted and to the buyers. The same meat-eating German muscle, if better cooked for improved flavour.

Just 11 months after purchasing Opel and Vauxhall from General Motors, the PSA Group has halted the flow of red ink from the lightning bolt and griffin brands. According to French car maker, Opel/Vauxhall made a profit of €502 million ($794 million) during the first half of 2018. Its operating margin was 5.0 per cent, a significant improvement from the -2.5 per cent margin during the first five months under PSA's wing.

The facelifted Lexus RC has been spied undergoing testing in Germany in both F-Sport and F GT guise. Up front on the volume-selling RC F-Sport we can see a new fascia incorporating a redesigned spindle grille, and a new set of headlights.

With current CEO Rupert Stadler stuck behind bars, Audi is hoping to replace him with a man poached its Bavarian rival. According to Automobilwoche and Automotive News, the Volkswagen Group is hoping to install Markus Duesmann (above), previously BMW's head of purchasing, as Audi's new CEO from January 1, 2019.

The next-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA has been snapped by spy photographers during performance testing at the famed Nurburgring circuit in Germany. While there's a full-body wrap concealing the new model's design details, we can see that the new CLA will essentially be a 'mini-me' version of the new CLS, as is pretty much the case with the current one. Up front is Mercedes-Benz's 'predator' face, which the company says it is using on 'progressive' models – like the all-new A-Class and CLS.

80, 90, 100km/h...and brace! My stomach churns as we become airborne and then crash back down to earth. We've just cleared a jump in the all-new 2019 Ford Ranger Raptor! What you're looking at here is Ford's first ever Ford Ranger Raptor and the smaller sibling of the epic left-hand-drive-only Ford F-150 Raptor.

The Hyundai N performance sub-brand has only been around for a short time, but the Korean manufacturer is already planning a standalone halo model to "bring more emotion" – according to a new report. Speaking with the UK's Auto Express, Hyundai's vice president for high-performance and motorsport, Thomas Schemera, indicated the N division is entering a new chapter.

The rumours were true! It looks like Lexus is getting a hotter version of the LC500 ready for launch, and it's been snapped testing on the public road in Germany. Meet the LC F. The first hint this isn't your average LC500 is the front end, where the regular nose has been tricked out with bigger air intakes and a more aggressive splitter, along with vents on the front edge of the wheel arch.

People often say “don’t forget where you came from”. Although we’re focused on every new car, every last detail here at CarAdvice, we have an extensive back-catalogue of news stories, lifestyle yarns and reviews. Here’s a look at what happened on the week of July 24 in years past. A year ago Jurgen Eberle, one of the Mercedes-Benz vehicle development engineers, decided to make a series of modifications to his E-Class All-Terrain, in a fashion similar to the existing G500 4x4² off-roader.

The Subaru WRX STI Type RA-R has been unveiled for the Japanese market, sporting a more powerful engine, less weight, and unique equipment when compared to the 'standard' car. It's pretty much Japan's version of the WRX STI Type RA revealed for the US market for the US, commemorating the STI's 30th anniversary.

The SUV craze has diminished the public's appetite for wagons, but a few holdouts still offer properly hot load-luggers. BMW has axed the M3 Estate, but Audi has carried on its tradition for practical performance with the latest RS4. Power comes from a twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 pumping out 331kW and 600Nm, hooked up to a quattro all-wheel drive system. It'll hit 100km/h in a claimed 4.1 seconds, and keeps pulling through to 280km/h with the right options boxes ticked. Not slow by any measure.

BMW Group has announced Vikram Pawah will take over from Marc Werner as Australia/New Zealand CEO on August 1. He'll be moving on from his role as BMW India's president, having joined the BMW Group in January 2017. His career in the auto industry spans more than 25 years. “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Vikram to his expanded role," said Hildegard Wortmann, senior vice president of BMW Group, Asia Pacific.

Tesla will add a Track Mode to the Model 3 Performance, with a looser stability control tune and more immediate power delivery for a bit of tail-out fun. The feature, which is still being tested, was revealed by YouTuber Marques Brownlee during a brief preview drive of the car, and has since been confirmed in a statement provided to Motor Authority.

Mercedes-Benz has teased the 2019 A-Class Sedan, confirming its credentials as a seriously slippery customer. According to the company, its upcoming three-box A-Class will be the most aerodynamically efficient car in the world with a 0.22 coefficient of drag (Cd), down on the (already-impressive) 0.25Cd offered by the hatchback. Mercedes-Benz is crediting an extensive period of development using computer-aided simulations, and plenty of time in the Sindelfingen wind tunnel.

The facelifted Ford Mondeo has been spied again, this time in wagon form during hot weather testing in Southern Europe. Expected to be officially revealed later this year or early next, the Mondeo's mid-life facelift will likely combine a subtle exterior refresh with a technology upgrade to keep it competitive against the likes of the Mazda 6 and Volkswagen Passat.

Toyota USA has detailed the 2019 86 line-up, headlined by a new TRD Special Edition that brings a unique look and model-specific upgrades to the company's little sports car. Dubbed the "ultimate performance" 86, the TRD Special Edition gets numerous cosmetic and mechanical upgrades, including Brembo brakes, a TRD exhaust system, Sachs dampers, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.

Nissan Australia has announced a trio of new N-Sport special editions for the 370Z, Pathfinder and X-Trail model lines. The new sport-themed specials follow last year's Navara N-Sport – which sold all 500 units – and Nissan hopes these new editions will "capture the attention of 370Z and SUV buyers". Here's a look at each N-Sport edition ahead of their on-sale dates on August 1.