CAR ADVICE

A sketch previewing the updated electric-only Smart ForTwo has been unveiled ahead of the car's debut at 2019 Frankfurt motor show, which kicks off in the middle of September. To mark the transition to an all-electric lineup the Smart ForTwo and ForFour models will be given a facelift. While the sketch indicates the updated ForTwo will have a wider body and more aggressive stance, spy photos show the car's body panels will be untouched.

The new Ford Focus ST hot hatch will start from $44,690 plus on-road costs when it arrives in January 2020 – and a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission will be a no-cost option. The first ever automatic Ford Focus ST is expected to more than double sales of the blue oval’s high-performance hatchback, given the broader customer appeal of self-shifting gearboxes. Indeed, the iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI is now exclusively automatic.

Photographers have snapped a development prototype believed to be an early mule for the next-generation Volkswagen T7 during testing in Europe. The German automotive giant has only just started releasing the various members of the updated T6.1 family, which includes the Caravelle, Multivan and Transporter, but the next iteration is on its way already.

Parents with a penchant for popping out children are spoiled for choice in the Australian car market. There are mid-sized crossovers with part-time pews in the boot, ute-based off-roaders with seven seats, and purpose-built SUVs like the Holden Acadia competing for a slice of a pie once dominated by cars like the Toyota Tarago (god rest its soul) and the Honda Odyssey.

Pricing and details of the new generation Ford Fiesta ST hot hatch have been leaked ahead of its Australian showroom arrival at the start of next year. A confidential bulletin sent to Ford dealers – the details of which subsequently appeared online – has confirmed the Ford Fiesta ST will switch from being a three-door to a five-door for the first time locally, and the price will rise to $31,990 plus on-road costs.

It was a last-minute thing – driving the latest Mini John Cooper Works on a 1000km round-trip from BMW’s press car centre in Munich to the famed Nürburgring for a glimpse of the next Works GP prototype for the first time. Notwithstanding the fact that I’d just spent the last 24 hours in the air en route from Australia and was now looking at a 550km drive, I was wide awake and looking forward to letting the Mini off its leash for what I was hoping would be no more than a three-hour blast.

If the high-speed blatt from Munich to the Nurburgring in the latest Mini John Cooper Works hatch in time to watch the 24-hour race wasn’t high enough on my bucket list, then a chance invite from our good friend Ron Simons of RSRNurburg to head over to Spa Francorchamps for one of its premium track days was surely the golden ticket.

Australian authorities are poised to introduce new regulations that would force electric and hybrid cars to emit a sound at low speeds to alert vision impaired and distracted pedestrians. During a meeting of all state and federal transport ministers in Adelaide earlier this month, it was proposed that “all electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and hybrid vehicles install an Acoustic Alerting System”, and that a regulation impact statement be ready in “early 2020”.

Do you ever sit at home watching a car race wishing you could get paid to hammer a race car around a racetrack and be paid for it? Well, now's your chance. Adrenaline Fastrack V8 Race Experience is looking for a new instructor to join the company capable of offering hot laps and instruction behind the wheel for people wanting V8 race car thrills. This paid role will net the successful applicant a 12 month contract, a wage of $500 per day worked and a guaranteed 70 work days per year.

Sports wagon lovers, rejoice! No, BMW still hasn’t developed an M3 Touring but BMW tuner Alpina has once again stepped up to help fill the void. Auto Express reports Alpina will debut its enhanced version of the new G21-generation 3 Series Touring, the B3 Touring, at next month’s Frankfurt motor show following a teaser image (above) published this week. The regular 3 Series Touring debuted only a few months ago in June.

If you’re wanting an SUV packed with features and style, the Renault Koleos Intens could be what you’re looking for. In a hotly contested medium-sized SUV segment, not only can it get a little crowded as there is so much choice, but it’s hard to stand out if you’re not one who likes to blend in.

Hyundai has given its hot-selling Kona crossover some welcome safety upgrades, making most features from the old $1500 SmartSense options pack on base Go and Active grades standard, in exchange for either a $500 price bump or an infotainment downgrade.

Plenty has happened in the world of car news over the last 24 hours. If you haven't had time to read all the news on CarAdvice.com, catch up on your way home with Car News Daily, as Mandy Turner reads each news story word-for-word. Today's download includes: MORE: All CarAdvice podcasts

Mercedes-Benz has recalled the 2019 GLE, CLA, C-Class, E-Class and S-Class over concerns about the brake assist software. According to the company, an issue with the active brake assist software could make one of the radar sensor control units fail. If the radar sensor unit fails, braking assist mightn't activate in a collision, increasing the risk of injury to occupants and other road users. A total of 675 cars have been included in the campaign – a VIN list is attached here.

The facelifted Subaru Impreza hatch and sedan have been unveiled in Japan. It's a fairly subtle update with the front bumper being smoothed out and featuring fewer styling details, while the grille also looks to be a little shorter than before. The fog light pods and lower air intake have been unified into one wide blacked-out section. On higher grade models the bottom corners are dressed up with chrome highlights.

Land Rover has ramped up the tease on its upcoming 2020 Defender, despite leaked images already revealing the car's front end earlier this week. The image released by Land Rover is clearly designed to burnish the Defender's off-road credentials, showing a single-bar grille and 'DEFENDER' lettering across the front of the bonnet covered in mud. How very rugged.

Mandy Turner, Mike Costello, and Kez Casey are live from Motorsport Safety and Rescue as our ute mega test continues! After the recent launch, Kez reviews the 2020 BMW X4 M locally. We speak with the General Manager Corporate Communications for Volkswagen Australia, Paul Pottinger about the brand's SUV rollout, ID models, and the Skoda Kodiaq RS. Lastly, Mandy takes a ride with Paul Maric around Toorak in the 2019 Rolls Royce Wraith Black Badge.

Porsche has revealed its latest racer, the car that forced it to drop its highly-successful LMP1 World Endurance Championship program. And it's electric. The 99X Electric will make its competitive debut in the 2019/20 Formula E Championship, but will first officially hit the track at the Spanish pre-season test in October. As with the wider Formula E grid, the 99X will output 250kW from its electric motor and have a 52kWh battery pack.

An interior design document has potentially revealed the interior of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. Instagram user thejeep_guy posted an interior design document (below) on his feed. The slightly torn piece of paper contains a small rendered image of the Grand Cherokee's interior in the top left corner. It's not clear how far into the development process this rendering was produced.

McLaren has this week given its latest creation, known simply as the GT, its Australian debut in Sydney. Promising class-leading performance, comfort and space, the new GT is positioned in the marque’s Sports Series line-up and priced at $399,995 before on-road costs – slightly higher above its 570S sibling ($395,000) but below the existing 570GT ($415,000).

The next-generation Porsche 911 Turbo has been spied undergoing testing outside the company's development headquarters. This latest prototype is wearing even less camouflage than the convertible spotted last month, with just a bit of disguise tape around the tail-lights, badges and rear diffuser. At the front the 911 Turbo has a slightly deeper chin spoiler, and a mildly reworked set of air intakes, behind which sit an impressive array of intercoolers.

Toyota and Suzuki have announced a new capital alliance, which they say cements "the long-term partnership between the two companies for promoting collaboration in new fields, including the field of autonomous driving". As part of the new agreement, Toyota will buy 24 million newly allocated shares in Suzuki valued at roughly ¥96 billion ($1.34 billion). Once the transaction is completed Toyota will control 4.94 per cent of Suzuki's common stock.

For something unique, BMW took Australian media to the outback for an unorthodox approach to testing an SUV: Rally driving. Get your own rhythm and timing right, and the X3 M will scythe through a twisty rally course, throttle pinned, all 375kW relentlessly on tap – mid-era ’80s Group B rally monster power – with all four wheels constantly rotating faster than the ground beneath them.

Australians know first-hand that sales of sedans are declining dramatically. We have three closed car factories – Ford, Holden and Toyota – to prove it. But what many may not realise is that the shift away from conventional vehicles to SUVs is also happening in the luxury class. German mainstays such as the Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5-Series and Audi A6 sedans are also finding the going tough – globally and locally.

If you’re of the opinion coupe-roofed SUVs are a motoring faux pas, the notion of a high-performance variant might seem nonsensical. But that’s okay – you’re absolutely spoilt for choice for utterly sensible mid-sized SUVs fit for shuffling loved ones A to B. But if your inner fringe dweller aches for red-hot M4 Coupe experience shoehorned a more commodious body shell, the 2019 BMW X4 M Competition is one almighty step closer to your ideal, red-misted and slightly twisted dream.

When I think BMW X3 M Competition, I think: bulldust. And the latter is the most evil shit in the universe. You know that B-grade sci-fi movie where astronauts collect a space rock covered in alien microbes that mutate, escape the air-locked quarantine, infest everyone on board the spaceship, and everyone involved is destined to a most terrifying fate? Well, alien microbes have nothing on Aussie Outback bulldust.

Plenty has happened in the world of car news over the last 24 hours. If you haven't had time to read all the news on CarAdvice.com, catch up on your way home with Car News Daily, as Mandy Turner reads each news story word-for-word. Today's download includes: Listen to the CarAdvice podcasts: iTunes | Pocket Casts (Android, iOS, web) | RadioPublic | Omny | Stitcher |TuneIn

Skoda has officially launched its latest infotainment software with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, debuting in the all-new Kamiq crossover and related Scala hatchback. Dubbed 'Wireless Smart Link', the feature "makes for even more convenient use of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto" by allowing compatible smartphones to use the mirroring features through a bluetooth connection, rather than a USB cable.

Mitsubishi Australia has recalled the 2017-18 Pajero, over concerns about the welding strength on the front right-hand lower control arm. According to the company, 'inadequate welding strength' on the lower control arm could make it fail at one of the weld joints. If the lower control arm fails, the steering mightn't operate correctly, increasing the risk of injury or accident for both the driver and other road users. A total of 6384 vehicles are affected – a VIN list is attached here.

Volkswagen has announced the eight-generation Golf will be "celebrating its world premiere in autumn 2019". It's unclear if the automaker's linchpin will make its debut at the Frankfurt motor show, which kicks off in the middle of September.

Porsche has revealed the updated Macan Turbo, complete with a new engine with more power and performance than before. Scheduled to arrive in Australia in October, the new Macan Turbo is powered by a new 2.9-litre bi-turbo V6 shared with the larger Cayenne SUV and Panamera sedan, which develops 324kW and 550Nm – up 30kW on its predecessor – with peak torque available from 1800 to 5600rpm.

Mercedes-AMG's latest compact performance car has broken cover, complete with seven seats. The new GLB35 will be arriving in Australia in the second quarter of 2019, ready to take on... well, we're not exactly sure. By now, the AMG 35 formula is pretty clear. It's been applied to the A-Class hatchback and sedan, and the CLA, and it'll eventually be applied to the as-yet unreleased GLA, too.

The Genesis Essentia and Mint concepts seem to be destined for production, but some key details still need to be worked out. Manfred Fitzgerald, head of the Genesis brand, told Motor Trend at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance both Essentia and Mint concepts are "grinding" their way towards production.

The updated Volvo V90 wagon has been spied at a car park in the European Alps, and the changes seem to be fairly minor as there's only a little bit of disguise at both ends. Up front the lower section of the bumper has a straighter design, and there's a bit of black tape hiding some minor revisions for the fog light area and fake air intake. The grille slats also seem to have a more concave design, similar to the units found on the facelifted XC90 crossover.

It's not often you get a chance to test cars back-to-back on the snow and the race track, but in places like Queenstown, New Zealand, you're as close to snow-capped mountain peaks as you are to the local circuit. When colleague Scott Collie came back from the BMW Alpine Experience having not actually experienced much in the way of alpine driving, I wasn't sure what to expect from the Volkswagen 4Motion 'Get A Grip' showcase, given the itinerary is entirely dependent on the weather.

Toyota could be in the midst of creating a new ‘normal’, and so far in Australia it’s doing it alone. The popularity of hybrid models amongst its ranges is soaring, and it's thanks to the expansion of hybrid options for mainstream models like the new RAV4, along with the Camry and Corolla. It’s a move no other brand emulates yet.

Ferdinand Piech, the man who shaped the modern Volkswagen Group during his tenure as CEO and chairman, has died. In a statement to the press his wife, Ursula Piech, confirmed the former Volkswagen boss died "suddenly and unexpectedly" on Sunday, European time. According to Bild and Handelsblatt, Piech and his wife were dining at a restaurant in Bavaria when he collapsed. He was rushed to hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Plenty has happened in the world of car news over the last 24 hours. If you haven't had time to read all the news on CarAdvice.com, catch up on your way home with Car News Daily, as James Wong reads each news story word-for-word. Today's download includes: Listen to the CarAdvice podcasts: iTunes | Pocket Casts (Android, iOS, web) | RadioPublic | Omny | Stitcher | TuneIn

BMW will use the Frankfurt motor show to unveil a stealthy special-edition X6, finished in a colour called 'Vantablack'. According to the company, the show car is the 'first and only vehicle in the world' to feature the finish, dubbed the 'world's blackest black' by its British creators. The paint was initially developed to coat space-bound componentry, and can be applied in seriously extreme temperatures.

The road toll around Australia is up significantly in 2019. A whopping 635 people died on our roads to the end of June, up 13.8 per cent on the same point in 2018. Along with distraction, one of the biggest contributors to our road toll is drunk driving. According to the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) research, a quarter of road deaths in Queensland involved motorists with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above the legal limit of 0.05.

The upcoming Kia XCeed Plug-in has been spied during development testing in Europe, ahead of a likely launch in 2020. It appears Kia Europe is really pushing ahead with its electrification rollout, having already released all variants of the electrified Niro crossover and 48V mild-hybrid versions of the Sportage SUV, while a plug-in hybrid version of the Ceed Sportswagon is due to hit European showrooms before the end of the year.

The first-ever Aston Martin crossover, the upcoming DBX, is shaping as a make-or-break vehicle for the British brand. Speaking with The Detroit Bureau, the brand's boss said the DBX "will probably become the most important car in our history, because it will become the car that transforms us as we try to address all parts of the high-luxury market".

Mitsubishi has added autonomous emergency braking to its entire automatic Outlander range, as part of a minor refresh for 2020. The potentially life-saving technology is now standard on the entry-level ES 2.4L, meaning only the five-speed manual price-leader is without what Mitsubishi has dubbed 'forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection'.

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its latest rival to the BMW X6, the GLE Coupe, ahead of its debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September. Based on the wagon-bodied GLE just released in Australia, the GLE Coupe blends familiar underpinnings and engines with a sloping roofline and shorter wheelbase for an overall 'sportier' drive.

The SC-1 Sociable Cart has been unveiled with self-driving vehicle smarts from Yamaha and imaging technology from Sony. There's seating for up to five people within the SC-1 Sociable Cart, which is 3135mm long, 1306mm wide and 1830mm tall. Powered by a DC motor, the SC-1 has a top speed of 19km/h. The vehicle features exterior cameras, LiDAR, and ultrasonic sensors, as well as double wishbone suspension up front, four-wheel disc brakes, and a lithium-polymer battery pack.

The Volkswagen Passat GTE has been given an EV range boost thanks to a larger capacity lithium-ion battery pack. The Passat GTE's battery capacity has been boosted from 9.9kWh to 13kWh. Electric-only driving range under the WLTP standard is now rated at 56 kilometres for the sedan, and 54km in the wagon.

There's a new Touareg in town, so we thought it would be worth sizing up the new VW with the number-one best-selling large SUV in Australia, the Toyota LandCruiser Prado. While it’s around $6000 more expensive off the bat, not excluding the significant 10-grand bump in options, the Touareg does pack a lot of punch for the money. Beyond the level of inclusions, it is very well made and refined, with a flash interior, great ride, and smooth and eager driveline giving it a premium overall feel.

If you haven’t been in a big city like Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne lately, you might not have realised how popular electric scooters have gotten. Now Hyundai is looking to get a piece of the action. The company first presented an electric scooter prototype at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The foldable scooter wore the Ioniq nameplate like their hybrid/electric hatchback and was designed to be stowed and charged in the driver’s side door pocket of the Ioniq hatch.

The Hyundai Kona has proven a smash hit since arriving in Australia during October 2017, capitalising on the market’s ravenous appetite for small and funky-looking crossovers designed for city living. At the time of writing, almost 23,000 have been sold locally. With the Accent on the way out, it will become Hyundai’s third most-popular model – behind the more sensible i30 and larger Tucson – in no time.

Plenty has happened in the world of car news over the last 24 hours. If you haven't had time to read all the news on CarAdvice.com, catch up on your way home with Car News Daily, as Scott Collie reads each news story word-for-word. Today's download includes: Listen to the CarAdvice podcasts: iTunes | Pocket Casts (Android, iOS, web) | RadioPublic | Omny |Stitcher|TuneIn

BMW Australia has released pricing and specifications for the new-generation X6 'Sports Activity Coupe', with first deliveries to commence before the end of the year. Three models will be available from launch, one diesel and two petrol, commanding between $4000 and $9000 more than the equivalent X5.

The next-generation Land Rover Defender has been snapped in all its glory on the set of the latest James Bond film. Posted on Instagram and published on Jalopnik, the pictures reveal what we were expecting: the new Defender will be a more modern take on the classic, boxy formula, heavily inspired by the DC100 concept.

Bollinger is set to reveal production versions of its boxy B1 SUV and B2 ute, this week posting a teaser video on YouTube. The prototype B1 SUV was described as "the world’s first all-electric, all-wheel drive, off-road utility truck", while the B2 dual-cab ute promised load-lugging credentials to match some of Australia's favourite dual-cab utes.

BMW has revealed the new X5 Protection VR6, an armoured version of its popular luxury SUV. According to the Bavarian marque, the X5 Protection VR6 "offers private individuals and persons at risk customised protection against violent attacks, kidnapping or organised crime". "This is often a decisive criterion, especially in regions like South America, Africa or Russia," BMW adds.

The upcoming Porsche Taycan has set another very specific record, laying down a new marker for four-door electric vehicles around the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Although there's not technically a heap of competition for the Taycan when it comes to its Nordschleife record – Tesla hasn't set an official time with the Model 3 Performance – the car's 7:42.00 time does represent the completion of an important goal for Porsche's engineering team.

We're a big fan of the Toyota 79 Series LandCruiser at CarAdvice; fan enough to buy one of our own for tootling around town and escaping into the bush whenever possible. The 79 Series' antiquated design and underpinnings are its biggest assets, an ideal platform and a great candidate for modification.

The next-generation Hyundai Tucson has been spied again, this time with less camouflage at the front. Compared to the vehicle spied last week, we have a much clearer look at the overall frontal design, which is very closely aligned with the Nexo fuel-cell crossover available overseas.

The Ford Bronco could be available with removable doors, as well as minimalist tubular doors. Patent filings uncovered by AutoGuide show Ford is working on ways of incorporating side airbags into tubular doors (above) with the inflation mechanism mounted well away from the doors themselves. Ford has also submitted a number of designs to improve side impact protection when the car's doors are removed completely.

A production version of the Toyota TJ Cruiser concept (pictured) will reportedly arrive in Japanese showrooms starting in 2020. Japanese dealer sources have told Best Car Toyota is planning to launch a model based on the TJ Cruiser concept from the 2017 Tokyo motor show. The new car is said to measure 4300mm long, 1775mm wide, 1620mm tall, and ride a 2750mm wheelbase. If true, the TJ Cruiser will be more compact than the C-HR, but have a longer wheelbase and taller body.

Karim Habib, the head of design for Infiniti, has left the company, and will be replaced by Taisuke Nakamura. Reuters has seen a press release announcing the changes ahead of its release. Nakamura will take up his position as Infiniti's design chief from September 1. Nakamura has been with Nissan since 1993, and has been Infiniti's program design director since 2018.

Lamborghini has teased a new concept vehicle it plans to reveal at the Frankfurt motor show last month, posting a single shadowy image to its social media profiles. Not much is known about the vehicle, though the Raging Bull does say in its social media captions that the new model will "open your eyes to the future".

Ask anyone that grew up in Australia from the late ’70s or early ’80s onwards if they remember the Toyota Tarago, and they’ll probably come back with a misty-eyed recollection of riding around in the back of a neighbour, friend or relative’s people mover, if not their mum or dad's. It may never have been the most popular car in Australia, yet at some point almost everyone has spent time in a Tarago. Now, though, it’s almost time to say goodbye.

Plenty has happened in the world of car news over the last 24 hours. If you haven't had time to read all the news on CarAdvice.com, catch up on your way home with Car News Daily, as Scott Collie reads each news story word-for-word. Today's download includes: Listen to the CarAdvice podcasts: iTunes | Pocket Casts (Android, iOS, web) | RadioPublic | Omny | Stitcher|TuneIn

The Lynk & Co 03 Cyan Concept has set a new lap record at the iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife for four-door and front-drive vehicles, also marking a first-time achievement for the new Chinese brand.

Honda engineers in the USA have developed a new kind of front passenger airbag, designed to be more effective in front-on accidents. Where conventional airbags use only one inflating component, the new Honda unit relies on four: a large central chamber, two chambers inflating outwards off the side, and a 'sail panel' linking the two outboard sections.

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? Buckle up! Which would you take? Brit takes on Brit Not happy, Jan MORE: Car News

The all-new 2019 Peugeot 508 line-up has arrived in Australia, offering just one trim level in two body styles. Pricing for the 508 GT Fastback starts at $53,990 plus on-road costs, while the 508 GT Sportswagon commands a $2000 premium at $55,990 before on-road costs.

Ferrari has recalled the 2016-18 GTC4 Lusso and Lusso T over concerns about cables in the driver's door, According to the company, the layout of a cable in the driver and passenger doors creates tension on the door lock, and could make the cable retainer break, preventing the doors from opening on the external handles. In an emergency, occupants may not be able to get out of the car, posing a hazard and increasing their risk of injury.

The 2020 Skoda Kodiaq RS is the fastest seven-seat SUV around the Nürburgring, which isn't really that relevant for the family commute. Its blend of practicality and value for money certainly is, though; and Trent Nikolic goes for a drive on the track to show you why.

The 2020 Skoda Kodiaq RS is currently the fastest seven-seat SUV around the Nürburgring, and for that reason we’re undertaking our first Australian drive on-track – makes sense when you’re marketing an SUV as a proper sports offering. However, only 10 years ago, you’d have questioned the idea of driving nearly any SUV on a racetrack, but such is the pace of technological progress and mechanical capability, it’s now commonplace to the point that Skoda has set a Green Hell lap record in one.

Maserati Australia has issued a recall for the 2016-19 model-year GranTurismo and GranCabrio over concerns the airbags may not deploy in the event of an accident. According to the Italian marque, "the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) airbag system may be defective and not activate" due to a manufacturing fault. If the condition occurs, Maserati says there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle's occupants.

Volkswagen Australia is putting a very special Golf GTI under the hammer in the name of charity. The vehicle, which has been wrapped in a design created by acclaimed street artist, Jason Woodside, will go live for auction on eBay from 8pm tonight (August 26) until September 5. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Cancer Council.

Maserati Australia has issued a recall for the 2016 to 2020 model-year Ghibli sedan and Levante SUV over concerns models fitted with LED headlights could have faulty parts. The Italian marque reports "due to a factory fault, the full LED headlights setting may not be assembled correctly". Should the condition occur, "the full LED headlights setting may beam excessively high light towards oncoming vehicles, increasing the risk of an accident for oncoming vehicles".

The Audi AI:Trail Quattro concept will be unveiled at this September's Frankfurt motor show. The Frankfurt show car is the final vehicle in the AI concept line, which includes the Elaine, Aicon and AI:Me. At the moment we know the AI:Trail Quattro will feature a pure electric drivetrain, all-wheel drive, and an off-road focus. The AI prefix suggests it will feature some sort of autonomous driving capability.

The dashboard of the facelifted Kia Mohave has been teased ahead of its release later this year. Much of the interior is all new, including the dashboard, door panels, steering wheel, and centre tunnel. While the dashboard still features analogue dials, the upper section has a stitched leather treatment, strong horizontal design theme, and a high-mounted infotainment system.

While the top-selling BMW X5 remains more popular in diesel-powered xDrive30d form here in Australia, a worldwide move away from this fuel type has driven demand for petrol alternatives such as the xDrive40i. At a list price of $115,990, it commands a $3000 premium over the aforementioned 30d, and is around $4000 pricier than the newly launched Mercedes-Benz GLE450 petrol – its most obvious competitor.

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. A classic Aston Martin with some serious film provenance was sold by RM Sotheby's this weekend.

This is what the 2021 Formula 1 cars will look like. Well, imagine it being a little bit bigger and you’ll have it. Formula 1 and their governing body, FIA, have been testing these 50 per cent scale models in a wind tunnel to test the effectiveness of planned design changes. The 2021 regulations have to be finalised by an October deadline.

When we last met the Lexus NX300 Luxury, 12 months ago in all-wheel-drive form, the mid-sized Japanese SUV sat just behind premium rivals from Germany in the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC in sales popularity with Aussie buyers. A year later, in a downturn of interest for the brand’s biggest seller bar any model range, Lexus has just introduced a suite of rolling improvements in order to polish up the NX's lustre.

Ferrari watches. Porsche cologne. Aston Martin briefcases. There’s plenty of exotic-branded merchandise out there, and now McLaren GT owners can purchase a four-piece luggage set bearing the British marque’s name. The Italian leather luggage has been designed exclusively for the new GT by McLaren Special Operations (MSO). The baggage set debuted on the Concept Car Lawn at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance alongside a bespoke version of the company's new grand tourer.

The next-generation Nissan Juke has been previewed once again, this time with a set of official camouflaged images from the Japanese manufacturer. Scheduled to be revealed next month – likely at the Frankfurt motor show – the new Juke gets a coupe-aping silhouette like the outgoing model, and will offer alloy wheels up to 19 inches in diameter, reiterating its more athletic pitch.

There were chuckles going around the CarAdvice office in early May when the 2019 Suzuki Jimny was awarded 2019 World Urban Car of the Year. Let’s be clear. We love the Jimny. We love its unashamed retro styling, its unapologetic off-road focus and capability, and its sharp pricing. We love that cars like this exist at all. But Urban Car of the Year? Cue chuckles.

Volkswagen has confirmed it will unveil its redesigned at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show, which takes place in September. While the automaker hasn't officially revealed the logo, we've already seen it undisguised on a number of eighth-generation Golf prototypes (above). Compared to the current logo (below), the refreshed design has slimmer lettering and a thinner surrounding circle.

It's a tough job, but somebody... okay, there's nothing tough about spending a day with four generations of the legendary GT-R. The toughest part of Curt's day, in the end, was having to hand them back – and not having access to the even older and equally iconic KPGC10 'Hakosuka' and C110 'Kenmeri' models! MORE: GT-R 50th Anniversary full reviewMORE: GT-R news, reviews, videos and comparisonsMORE: Everything Nissan

Plenty has happened in the world of car news over the last 24 hours. If you haven't had time to read all the news on CarAdvice.com, catch up on your way home with Car News Daily, as Mandy Turner reads each news story word-for-word. Today's download includes: Listen to the CarAdvice podcasts: iTunes | Pocket Casts (Android, iOS, web) | RadioPublic | Omny | Stitcher |TuneIn

Haval will launch a trio of next-generation crossovers at the 2020 Beijing motor show, and they're all set for Australia. A new H2 compact crossover to go head-to-head with the Mazda CX-3, mid-sized H6 to rival the Toyota RAV4, and body-on-frame H9 to battle the Isuzu MU-X will be revealed, the company has confirmed.

Cupra, the new standalone performance brand from Spanish Volkswagen Group subsidiary Seat, has previewed its all-electric concept once again ahead of its debut at the Frankfurt motor show next month. Said to create "a true sense of performance pedigree in a purposeful design", Cupra claims its EV concept offers a glimpse at "what the future of personal mobility can be".

It’s a tough job, but somebody… okay, there’s nothing tough about spending a day with four generations of the legendary GT-R. The toughest part of Curt’s day, in the end, was having to hand them back – and not having access to the even older and equally iconic KPGC10 ‘Hakosuka’ and C110 ‘Kenmeri’ models!

Earlier this week Porsche released a teaser photo of the upcoming Taycan’s dashboard that revealed what the top half would look like. Now, the photographers have panned out and shown us the entire thing. Said to be inspired by the original 1963 911’s dashboard, the Taycan’s interior is a mix of both retro minimalism and high technology.

Join us for our first episode of Automotive Industry Insights with Mandy Turner, Paul Maric, and Josh Dowling, live from the Melbourne 4x4 Proving Ground for our massive 2019 dual-cab ute comparison! We get to know the new CarAdvice and Drive CEO, Alex Parsons. Kez Casey compares the 2019 Abarth 124 Spider and Mazda MX-5 Roadster. We chat to Gavin about his 2017 BMW X5 40e owner review. Lastly, Sam Purcell puts the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Isuzu MU-X back-to-back, on- and off-road.

The Opel Corsa-e Rally has been revealed ahead of its in-the-flesh debut at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show in September. Said to be the first electric rally car from a major manufacturer, the Corsa-e Rally features the same 100kW/260Nm electric motor and 50kWh battery as the road-legal production car. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a Torsen differential.

Nissan Australia has released pricing and specifications for the mildly tweaked 2020 GT-R range, including the 50th Anniversary Edition, on sale now. Based on the Premium Luxury grade, the 50th Anniversary (pictured) commands a $9,500 premium ($209,300 plus on-road costs) over the model on which it's based, and adds the requisite exterior badging as well as 50th Anniversary logos inside on the seats, centre console, tachometer and sill plates.

Lexus executives have confirmed the brand is preparing to launch its first electric car. The EV will be a tall and boxy hatch suited to crowded urban environments, and its design will be previewed by a concept car set to debut at the 2019 Tokyo motor show in October. Some of the car's styling elements will be taken from the 2015 LF-SA concept (below), but updated into a more production-ready form.

While industry rumours are often met with a dead bat, Volkswagen has issued a firm denial it is interested in purchasing a shareholding in Tesla. Sources have told Manager Magazin the Volkswagen Group's CEO Herbert Diess is interested in acquiring a stake in Tesla in order to gain access to its software and battery design expertise. Although Diess is said to meet regularly with Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, the American automaker has rebuffed requests from Volkswagen for an alliance.

Volkswagen is getting a lot of buzz for its electric ID. Buggy concept, a modern interpretation of the original dune buggy. With its retro-chic styling and an electric powertrain with outputs of 150kW and 309Nm sending drive to the rear wheels, the ID. Buggy is part of VW’s push into an electric mobility future. A concept only at this stage, Volkswagen has however stated it is actively seeking partners to build the ID. Buggy, with German company e.Go the leading contender to turn the cool concept into a production vehicle. We can only hope…

Assessing whether the Nissan R35 GT-R is good or not was somewhat complicated when it first arrived to take on any car, any time and anywhere. Its many diehard supporters’ first and last line of defense to most criticism was that their beloved Godzilla could giant-kill the world’s best on a relative budget. Detractors charge that GT-R’s near pathological approach to red-misted performance left it sold short and somewhat built to cost in other areas. Both offered solid arguments.

Nissan’s sixth-generation Zed sports car, the 370Z, has been largely painted with the same descriptive brush since it arrived globally at the 2008 LA motor show and, locally, in April the following year. But what was once “raw and noisy” and “a retro throwback” with generally kind sentiment 10 long years ago has remained in times since, if increasingly tinged with critical negativity.

Nissan has revealed pricing for the 370Z 50th Anniversary revealed in New York, along with details about the 2020 model range for its sports car stalwart. Well into its 11th year of service, the 370Z sits alongside the Leaf and GT-R as one of the only non-SUV offerings in Nissan's crossover-intensive local range.

Plenty has happened in the world of car news over the last 24 hours. If you haven't had time to read all the news on CarAdvice.com, catch up on your way home with Car News Daily, as Mandy Turner reads each news story word-for-word. Today's download includes: Listen to the CarAdvice podcasts: iTunes | Pocket Casts (Android, iOS, web) | RadioPublic | Omny | Stitcher |TuneIn

Ford Australia has confirmed the Ranger FX4 special edition will return as part of the MY20 range when the updated line-up arrives in December. Slotting between the XLT 4x4 and Wildtrak 4x4 variants, the FX4 will be initially limited to 1000 units, and receives a range of cosmetic and trim upgrades inside and out – though pricing is yet to be confirmed.

Porsche has highlighted the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid and its 'very special set of skills' with an unconventional lap record. Forget about the Nurburgring, the range-topping hybrid crossover has set a new production car marker around the partially-unsurfaced Gotland Ring in Sweden. Clocked (by hand) at 3:51, the Turbo S E-Hybrid was driven by Tim Schrick, a racer and television presenter.

Skoda Australia has finally released pricing and specifications for the new Kodiaq RS, set to arrive in showrooms before the end of the year. Priced from $65,990 before on-road costs, the RS commands a $13,500 premium over the starting price of the Kodiaq 132TSI Sportline, though offsets this somewhat with enhanced equipment levels, and of course what's under the bonnet,

The Hyundai 45 concept gives us a hint as to what future electric vehicles from the brand will look like. It’s set to be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show on September 10, but Hyundai has released a single teaser photo ahead of the concept’s debut. The concept’s name commemorates the 45th anniversary of the first car to wear the Hyundai badge, the 1975 Pony. Before the Pony, the Hyundai Motor Company built Ford Cortinas under licence.

The 2019 Great Wall Motors (GWM) Steed is Australia’s cheapest dual-cab ute, with an outrageously low current drive-away price of $19,990. You’d be doing well to get a five-year-old Toyota HiLux for that. Of course, this Chinese commercial brand doesn’t have the proverbial runs on the board to justify higher prices. Nor is its product as sophisticated, safe or powerful as the newer T60 from Shanghai-based rival LDV. So, the sharpest price is the best weapon GWM has to wield at this stage.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has issued a recall for the new-generation 2019 GLE SUV over concerns the air-conditioner could leak condensation into the vehicle's cabin. "The air conditioning systems drain hoses may not have been installed correctly, and may result in condensation leaking into the vehicle's interior," the company says.

Ferrari Australasia has issued a recall for select MY17-18 vehicles across the 488, GTC4 Lusso and 812 Superfast model lines over concerns of a fuel leak that could pose a fire risk. According to the Prancing Horse, affected models could have a manufacturing defect that causes an 'abnormality' in "the fuel vapour separator component located between the evaporative emissions canister and the fuel tank".

The new Audi RS Q8 has been photographed on and around the Nurburgring Nordschleife. While earlier prototypes were cloaked by swirly disguise tape, this latest vehicle went out in public with an Audi Sport-inspired livery package. The red and black scheme does very little to hide the car's styling upgrades. Indeed some of the flourishes only make the changes stand out more than they normally would.

The product line of the Mercedes-Benz van division, including the X-Class ute, is currently under review due to changing market conditions. Marcus Breitschwerdt, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, told Reuters management was busy "reviewing and realigning our strategic orientation" with a downturn in diesel sales hitting the division hard. Speaking at the launch of the EQV electric people mover, Breitschwerdt said sales of the Nissan Navara-based X-Class were not up to the company's expectations.

The Bentley Bentayga facelift has been photographed undergoing hot weather in the mountains of southern Europe. At the front the Bentayga has a bumper with reshaped fog light pods and lower air intake. The crossover will retain its four headlight setup, but the main units seem to be more ovoid than the current set. The vent behind the front wheel arch seems to set higher in the front quarter panel than before.

Nissan has sold more than 320,000 Leafs (Leaves?) globally since the first generation launched in 2010, so it's not a stretch to call the Japanese company one of the innovators in electric vehicle development. Certainly as we know it in 2019 anyway. Chief among the most impressive numbers related to the second-generation variant now on sale in Australia are the 40kW/h battery, a claimed 270km driving range, and the price – $49,990 before on-road costs.

The latest electric vehicle to join CarAdvice's long-term test program is the new-generation Nissan Leaf. Based in our Sydney office, the Leaf will be driven around the inner 'burbs and on some long commutes out to The Blue Mountains. How will it hack the daily drive? That's what we aim to find out.

Oh, so Fisker’s upcoming electric SUV is going to have a trick roof? Well, two can play at that game! In a tweet to a reservation-holder, American electric vehicle startup, Rivian, revealed it’ll be offering no less than four different roof options on its upcoming R1S SUV.

Plenty has happened in the world of car news over the last 24 hours. If you haven't had time to read all the news on CarAdvice.com, catch up on your way home with Car News Daily, as Mandy Turner reads each news story word-for-word. Today's download includes: Listen to the CarAdvice podcasts: iTunes | Pocket Casts (Android, iOS, web) | RadioPublic | Omny | Stitcher |TuneIn

Audi's new-generation RS6 Avant continues a wonderful tradition of monstrously powerful and meanly proportioned wagons.

The production version of the Volkswagen ID. Crozz has been snapped again this week, with reports suggesting it will bear the ID.4X name when it goes on sale globally late in 2020 or early in 2021. First spotted nearly a month ago, the Volkswagen ID.4X is an all-electric crossover that's roughly between the Tiguan and Tiguan Allspace in terms of physical dimensions, based on the German brand's scalable MEB architecture for electric vehicles.

Volkswagen has followed through on its promise to offer an Amarok V6 with three pedals, today revealing the manual Core V6 4x4. The company first confirmed its plans for an 'enthusiast' Amarok (interior pictured below, exterior images to come) with a manual and differential lock in June 2018, having consulted with a range of owner's clubs. Power comes from a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine making 165kW (180kW on over boost) and 500Nm, put to the road through a six-speed manual transmission.

The next-generation Hyundai i10 city hatch has been spied undergoing testing in southern Europe. Although the car is well concealed underneath disguise tape and covers for the doors, hatch, and front fascia, we can see the prototype is upright and slab-sided than the exaggerated sketch released by Hyundai earlier this month.