CAR ADVICE

Carlos Ghosn, the former CEO of Nissan, who was in Japan awaiting trial on multiple charges for misusing corporate funds and hiding his pay has dramatically fled the country for Lebanon.

Volkswagen is developing robots that can find and charge electric vehicles in need of a range boost. The idea behind the robots is simple: vehicles low on charge can park in a regular multi-storey carpark, and wirelessly communicate with the charging infrastructure. An autonomous robot will then deliver a small charger to the vehicle, wirelessly open the car's charge port, and connect up the charger.

Electric ute- and SUV-maker Rivian has teased a feature that allows its vehicles to spin on the spot. With an electric motor on each wheel, the Rivian R1T and R1S are capable of spinning the wheels on their right-hand side in the opposite direction to those on the left-hand side. In essence, that means the R1T and R1S will be able to rotate on the spot – essentially, the car can perform a 360-degree turn without moving forwards or backwards, like it's on an automotive lazy Susan.

As the popularity of flagship performance cars grows, so too does the range of options available. It goes without saying that for BMW, getting M badges on more cars makes sense. The one gap in the line-up so far has been a fully fledged M warrior for the X3 range – one of the most popular models BMW sells, and still growing its share.

The most common causes of fatal car accidents in Australia, according to the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE), are speed, alcohol, fatigue, and distraction. A significant 42 per cent of fatal crashes between the years 2013 and 2018 occurred at speeds above 100km/h, but booze is likewise a major factor in many fatal crashes, and inattention has become a common cause since the advent of mobile phones.

Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid range is about to expand. The Japanese automaker was the first to introduce a plug-in hybrid SUV, the Outlander PHEV. Soon, the Outlander will be joined by a new, smaller PHEV SUV. Mitsubishi Europe CEO Bernard Loire told Automotive News Europe the new SUV will arrive in the second half of 2020 alongside a redesigned Outlander. The new Outlander (above), set to use a platform shared with alliance partners Renault and Nissan, will again feature a PHEV variant.

Ford could be readying an extended, canopy-style windscreen, according to a new patent application discovered by forum users. The patent filing, posted on Mach E Club, shows a windscreen extending almost the length of a car's roof. It appears to be reinforced with a set of roof rails – although Ford offers a number of possible ways to strengthen the glass – called a 'roof bow'.

The eye-catching Kia Imagine concept revealed at the Geneva motor show will be put into production in 2021 or 2022, according to a new report from Automotive News Europe. Speaking with the industry journal, Kia COO Emilio Herrera said "the plan is for [the Imagine] to become a mass-produced vehicle in one or two years and to have a dedicated electric platform".

Mercedes-AMG appears to be readying a plug-in hybrid GT four-door range-topper, potentially packing around 600kW. Although fleeting, the end of a video on Mercedes-AMG's social media channels shows a GT four-door's rear end covered with camouflage. As it takes off into the distance, the car doesn't make an angry V8 sound – instead, there's the distinct hum of an electric motor, before the camera cuts to a graphic reading "THE FUTURE OF PERFORMANCE".

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? Who doesn't love the A110? F1 is rebounding Which sedan takes the cake?

Although the 2020 Ford Transit Custom Sport looks like it was made in jest, Ford is the one that’s laughing. If a van is the ‘face’ of your business, then why not make it at least a little exciting? For a $3500 premium, you can give the $44,990 Transit Custom short wheelbase (SWB) with automatic transmission the flick in exchange for the $48,490 Transit Custom Sport. You can pay another $5000 for the same spec with a long-wheelbase (LWB) chassis and body.

A sketch giving us a good look at the next-generation Volkswagen Caddy has been revealed. While the car's overall shape and styling should stay true to this sketch, there are some elements with concept car stamped over them, such as the large alloy wheels, exceptionally low-profile tyres, hidden door handles, and wing mirror location. The bumper designs and aggressive side sill could go into production, although they will likely be reserved for an off-road themed variant.

The 2020 Kia Seltos has scored top marks in the final crash test of 2019 from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) . The Seltos, which goes head-to-head with the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-3 in the compact SUV segment, has a five-star rating across its entire line-up.

Mazda says it's chosen a 'responsibly' sized battery pack for its first electric vehicle, the MX-30 SUV, arguing even an electric vehicle with small batteries is barely better for the environment than a diesel hatchback.

The 2020 Porsche 911 has been snapped wearing a new, not-quite-motorsports aero bodykit. It's not quite clear what this 992-generation 911 represents, because it wears elements that could have been borrowed from a number of different models. The wheels have more than a hint of 911 GT3 to their design, while the front bar has echoes of the previous-generation 911 Turbo about it.

2019 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year. Here are some of our favourite podcast clips from 2019. Two very different motorsports-inspired road cars go head-to-head. Get the full episode here

This year marks the Jaguar F-Type’s first, long overdue, proper facelift in the evergreen sports car’s seventh year in production. But hold your leaping cats, Jag fans, because this 2020 R P550 AWD Convertible isn’t part of the revised, MY21 facelifted stable, due mid-year.

Ford’s decision to christen its first all-electric crossover with the Mustang name provoked a, shall we say, passionate response. While controversial, the Mustang Mach-E’s alignment with Ford’s iconic Mustang has helped generate a lot of buzz. Should that translate to sales, Auto Express reports a smaller electric crossover may also adopt the Mustang name.

BMW Australia has recalled the 2013-19 X6, over concerns about the car's ISOFIX child seat mounts. According to the company, using the ISOFIX mounts and additional child seat supports on the car's floor can create fatigue fractures on the ISOFIX retaining brackets, causing them to crack around their welded points in the vehicle. If the retaining bracket breaks, the ISOFIX seat mightn't be secured properly, increasing the risk of injury to children in an accident.

2019 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year. Here are the most popular reviews of the year. A family favourite gets a major makeover The Cerato GT was a favourite for us this year The RAV4 was a popular car this year on CA The i30 N is still a hoot

The resurrection of a sports car, performance car or supercar nameplate will always stir the passions of enthusiasts, be it for good or bad. Such is the case with the 2019 BMW 8 Series range. Evoking memories of impossibly low and lean coupes positioned as undeniable flagships for the brand in the 1990s, the new 8 Series has shunned heartwarming retro pastiche and arrives as an evolution of the nameplate.

The traditional city car is potentially under threat of extinction from pint-sized SUVs. We pitch Hyundai’s new, Accent-replacing Venue against Kia’s established Rio to see whether the sports utility vehicle or hatchback is best equipped for a life of urban motoring.

With 2019 drawing a close, it’s time to look back at a year’s worth of news, reviews, comparisons and videos. Here are the top 5 most watched videos of the year. We put the top-of-the-line version of Australia’s third best-selling ute to the test and were impressed with its value-for-money, including its impressive array of safety kit. MORE: Mitsubishi Triton news, reviews, comparisons and videos

Mercedes-Benz Australia has recalled the 2019 V-Class, over concerns about the plastic flap on top of the front passenger airbag. According to the company, the plastic flap on top of the airbag could rip off when the front passenger airbag is activated. If the flap on top of the airbag tears off, the front passenger airbag mightn't properly restrain the passenger in an accident. There's also a risk the plastic flap will be propelled as a single piece, or in smaller splinters, into the cabin.

There’s a reason we spend so much time recommending Skodas to prospective buyers, and the 2019 Skoda Octavia 110TSI Sport sedan embodies many of them. It’s attractive, affordable, practical and, perhaps most importantly, a pretty enjoyable thing to drive for something that is so useful.

Peugeot is getting ready to release the 508 Sport Engineered to the public, the brand's boss has confirmed in an interview with Automotive News Europe – and there's going to be a wagon option. Revealed in concept form at the 2019 Geneva motor show, the Sport Engineered has a 150kW petrol engine and an 82kW electric motor on the front axle, with another 150kW electric motor on the rear axle providing all-wheel drive.

Kia Australia has recalled the 2020 Sorento, over concerns about its autonomous emergency braking system. According to the company, the AEB system might fail when approaching a stationary pedestrian or vehicle. If the system doesn't recognise stationary objects, there's a risk the automatic brake assist mightn't activate, increasing the risk of accident or injury to the driver and other road users. A total of 3315 cars are included in the recall – a VIN list is attached here.

Honda's boss has cast doubt on whether buyers really want electric vehicles, instead arguing hybrid vehicles are key to meeting government regulations. An interview in industry journal Automotive News Europe, Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo said "hybrid vehicles are the way to abide by different environmental regulations". "The objective is not electrification, per se, but improving fuel efficiency," Hachigo told ANE.

This story was first published in November 2017. As manufacturers look to establish new, clear identities among their competitors, car design has taken a few interesting turns. In some cases, that's a good thing – interesting LED signatures, for example – but there are some that don’t actually serve a purpose, and look terrible to boot. Here are our least favourite non-functional styling touches, and where to find them.

There's a new small SUV in town, with chiselled good looks and plenty of kit. Not everything about the Kia Seltos is perfect, though, as Kez Casey explains.

If General Motors had continued its deal with Groupe PSA, the Holden Commodore name might’ve ended up on a crossover. Auto Express reports a transition to a crossover body style is in the cards for the next-generation Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. With sales having fallen by half over the course of a decade, PSA is planning on making a radical change to Opel’s mid-sizer.

We all finally stopped accidentally writing the date as '2018' and then, just like that, 2019 has come to an end. As the door closes on 2019 (not to mention this decade), we thought you’d like to know what news articles captivated you the most this year. There’s some doom and gloom as we reported on the end of two icons. There’s also, however, a little bit of hope and anticipation for next year. Here's a look at the 5 most read articles this year.

It’s a bit of a mouthful, the 2020 Audi A3 40 TFSI Sedan S line plus – certainly at parties when someone asks you ‘what do you drive?’.

Just over two decades have passed since the Lada Niva exited the Australian market. In Russia, it’s still going strong. For 2020, the 42-year-old SUV has been treated to some modest changes. They don’t disguise the Niva’s age, the little SUV looking much as it did when it first rolled off the Togliatti production line in 1977. The only change to the exterior is the addition of fog lights to Urban models.

The Alfa Romeo Tonale compact crossover could be built on the same platform as the Peugeot 208, thanks to the recently-signed merger between Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot Citroen. According to Automotive News Europe, the first Fiat Chrysler model based on the CMP chassis used in the new-generation Peugeot 208 city hatchback could be a small Alfa Romeo crossover.

The Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI has been snapped testing in Europe. Don't be fooled by this particular Golf GTI's dowdy-looking front end, behind the clever camouflage is a more aggressive front bar with extra cooling for its more powerful engine. There are wider side sills and the rear is home to a racy-looking diffuser, along with larger exhaust pipes – that are actually exposed, not hidden behind a chrome insert on the bumper – hinting at the GTI's extra performance potential.

The Holden Equinox seems to be often forgotten in a heavily populated segment, so after spending six months with it, is it worth considering? After six months and over 6000km, we will be saying goodbye to ‘Pablo’, the 2019 Holden Equinox LTZ AWD from the CarAdvice long-term test fleet. Over this time, the medium SUV has clocked around 7000km on the highway, in the city, and on a road trip, while we tested the cabin practicality and infotainment.

2019 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year. Here are the cars (or parts of the automotive industry) that most disappointed our editorial team this year. Haval H2

Toyota has recalled the 2018 Camry and Camry Hybrid, and the 2019-20 Coaster bus, over concerns about the seatbelts. According to the company, one of the two locking mechanisms in the seatbelts mightn't lock as required. If one of the locking mechanisms doesn't function, passengers might not be properly restrained in an accident, increasing their risk of injury or death. A total of 1058 vehicles are recalled – 1044 Camrys, and 14 Coasters. A VIN list is attached here.

Mitsubishi Australia has recalled the 2010 and 2012 i-MiEV electric vehicle over concerns about a corroding vacuum pump. According to the company, the electric vacuum pump could corrode when exposed to snow, ice or salt spray, and diminish the car's braking power. If the pump corrodes, the brake warning light will illuminate and an audio warning will sound. There's a risk of injury or accident, as the car might have a longer stopping distance.

Ford Australia has recalled the 2014-2019 Mondeo, over concerns about the battery. According to the company, battery acid could leak around the negative battery terminal. If copper sulphate accumulates over time, there's a chance a "low-resistance conductive layer" could form under the battery monitoring sensor, which could make the surrounding area ignite – even if the car is parked. There's a risk of injury to anyone around the car if it catches fire.

This story was first published in January 2018. Fewer things grind my gears more than the absence of a little feature that ought to be standard in cars by now. Here's the enormity of my quibbling faultfinding, though: I'm not here right now to go on about utterly crucial systems like lane-keep assistance and autonomous emergency braking. Those should absolutely be standard by now, but that's not where I'm at today.

Through the vagaries of time – and our bookings calendar – I hadn’t driven the Volvo XC40, any Volvo XC40, prior to this one. That’s around two years of having not driven it since its global launch in 2017. Of course, I was well aware of the small SUV’s reputation after it picked up a slew of awards around the world, not to mention the generally glowing reviews on our very own CarAdvice.

2019 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year. Here are the cars (or parts of the automotive industry) that most excited our editorial team this year. BMW 330i Touring

The hugely popular Ram 1500 pick-up is about to get a new rival from within. Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) is about to ramp up production of the new generation Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in right-hand drive – on an adjacent assembly line under the same Melbourne roof where the Ram 1500 is being converted 24 hours a day.

The 2020 McLaren Speedtail is ready for production, having topped 400km/h at the Kennedy Space Centre in its final test. The production-ready 'Hyper-GT' hit 403km/h with Kenny Brack, chief McLaren test driver, behind the wheel. It wasn't a one-and-done effort, either. McLaren says the Speedtail hit its top speed more than 30 times on the space shuttle landing runway in Florida.

The first 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 has landed in Australia, according to a post on Holden’s official Instagram page (pictured below). The new generation Corvette was photographed inside Holden’s engineering centre in Melbourne with test equipment and a Holden Acadia SUV in the background. It is the first sign of the iconic US sports car on Australian soil since Holden confirmed in July 2019 that it was headed Down Under.

The most expensive passenger car made in China is being redesigned. Carscoops has shared these renderings of the upcoming, second-generation L5, the flagship of China’s oldest car brand, Hongqi. Used as the official state car of China, the current Hongqi L5 was first introduced in 2014 and has a price tag north of A$1 million. Though primarily used for official duties, the L5 has been made available in small numbers to private buyers.

This story was first published in July 2019. Looking after your car properly doesn’t necessarily mean you need to know the purpose of every nut and bolt. What matters, though, is acknowledging the role that certain components play, and understanding they can only withstand a certain level of abuse.

It's no secret we enjoy featuring old American automobiles in this Design Review series - especially futuristic prototypes designed to impress and inspire. A good example is the Pontiac Club de Mer that was unveiled at the 1956 Motorama - an annual show held by General Motors. The goal of the prototype was to show that Pontiac could produce sporty vehicles, breaking away from its past and rushing headlong into a new era.

BMW is defending its controversial decision to use considerably larger versions of its classic double-kidney grille. Product boss Peter Henrich told Autocar the new design language has received “very positive” feedback and that he was “convinced” the new direction was wise. Under design director Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW grilles have increased in size, starting with the refreshed 7 Series and all-new X7.

It’s been over 12 months since I last jumped behind the wheel of the Mazda BT-50, and that time around it was to, uh, celebrate the fact the local division had treated its dual-cab ute to a new front bumper. For 2019, the changes are even smaller in scale, because there aren't any.

2019 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year. Here are the most popular reviews of the year. Who doesn't love a Cruiser? Dad and son are very familiar with the Everest Drifting fun for the whole damn family Stinger always gets people talking

Production of the 991-generation Porsche 911 has come to an end, more than 12 months after the reveal of its successor. A total of 233,540 have been built since the 991-generation was launched in 2011, making it the best-selling iteration in the 911's history. The 991 represented a technological step-change for Porsche's rear-engined icon. It was lighter than its predecessor – a first for the 911 – and had a longer wheelbase.

The Ram pick-up from the USA has passed a major milestone in Australia, with the 5000th example converted to right-hand drive locally in less than four years. Demand for the Ram 1500 – and its bigger Ram 2500 and 3500 siblings – is so strong the Melbourne facility that remanufactures the trucks to right-hand drive has been operating 24 hours a day since the 1500th example was made in middle of 2019 (pictured below).

While much of Australia is experiencing Level 2 water restrictions, there is a way to wash your car at home with a pressure cleaner while staying within the law. The current Level 2 water restrictions for washing cars requires the use of a bucket – even though many argue this wastes more water than a well-aimed hose with a nozzle – but there is a way to use a pressure cleaner at home while using less water than the average shower.

Details about the BMW iX3, the company's first all-electric crossover, have been revealed before sales begin in Europe and other global markets in 2020. The iX3 is the first vehicle in the BMW range to feature the company's fifth-generation eDrive technology, and has a 210kW/400Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. BMW says this is the first electric motor to be produced without the need for rear-earth metals.

The Qatar Investment Authority and Volkswagen have signed a deal which will see the German automaker test and operate a small fleet of self-driving people movers and buses in the kingdom's capital city. According to the automaker, there will be a fleet of 35 self-driving ID Buzz people movers operating on semi-fixed routes in the Westbay district of Doha. There will also be 10 autonomous Scania buses to transport larger groups of people.

Having debuted in its current generation in 2016, the BMW 7 Series has now reached its planned midlife update, or Life Cycle Impulse (no, really) in BMW-speak. While most brands offer a small change to lights or bumpers in a way that appeals to trainspotters mostly, BMW has been bolder. Much bolder. It's given the 2020 BMW 750i xDrive you see here an unmissable new face.

The Honda S2000 is making a comeback... but not as an all-new model to rival the BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster. To celebrate 20 years since the rev-happy roadster's launch, Honda Japan is preparing a custom one-off for the Tokyo Auto Salon. And no, it's not standard.

It might seem strange that Audi would update its MY19 S4 Avant so late in 2019. If for no other reason than an MY20 nameplate is being readied for a forthcoming facelift – new look, new infotainment, a new not-for-Oz diesel version – due around the middle of 2020, and a car that we checked out during the global A4 update back in July. Still, a smattering of upgrades for no added outlay right now aims to entice buyers into the current wagon while Australia waits for next year’s new-looker.

If any vehicle from another brand could convincingly wear a Jeep badge, it’s the redesigned Suzuki Jimny. It’s no surprise, then, Jeep is developing an A-segment SUV to slot under its Renegade and rival the rugged yet characterful Suzuki. Auto Express reports the American brand is launching an “ultra compact” SUV in 2022.

Every time you spot a Rolls-Royce on the road, you can be almost certain the configuration of that car will be unique. That's because when you buy a Rolls-Royce, you're not buying another car already in stock or a clone that rolls down the production line. Each Rolls-Royce is built to a specification and an order, which means you're unlikely to ever find two identical vehicles.

BMW is preparing a facelift for its the X2, and the crossover looks as though it will gain plug-in hybrid and pure electric variants. Spied on the back of a trailer, the updated X2 looks as though it will have a revised grille design and new headlight graphics. Circular fog lights were once a signature of BMW's range of X crossovers, but since the introduction of the current X3, X5 and X7 this feature has been steadily eliminated.

I love sports cars, but there’s something to be said for a large sedan that knows its place in the world. Cars like the Lexus ES300h. The latest model looks exciting, with a dramatic grille and sloping roof, but it’s a low-maintenance cruiser at heart. That makes an ES fettled by F Sport, the Lexus answer to BMW M or Audi RS, something of a contradiction. But don’t be fooled, this isn’t powered by the high-revving V8 engine from the LC500 and GS F.

If you've ever wondered just how involved a celebrity is with the formulation of their namesake scent or clothing line, today's unveiling might have you wondering the same of the designers at Porsche and Disney.

When it arrives in local showrooms in 2020, the Yaris GR will be the first Toyota hot hatch of any kind sold in Australia since the high-revving Celica-powered Corolla Sportivo bowed out in 2006.

The 2020 Toyota GR Yaris is unlike any other hot hatch on sale today – and not just because of the peculiar camouflage it’s draped in for this preview drive. The Toyota GR Yaris is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine matched to a six-speed manual and all-wheel drive. It’s Toyota’s first turbo all-wheel-drive performance car in 20 years, since the iconic Celica GT Four.

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: LISTEN: Car News Daily podcastLISTEN: Automotive Industry Insights podcastLISTEN: Reverse Gear podcastMORE: All CarAdvice podcasts

Nissan Australia will start selling the all-new (and slightly less polarising) Juke crossover locally from the middle of 2020, ending lingering doubts over whether it would make it here. When the second-generation Juke was revealed in September, Nissan Australia stopped short of confirming it would be available to us, only saying it was "very interested".

Renault has followed in the footsteps of Mazda, Toyota and Lexus in allowing owners of older vehicles to upgrade their cars with the latest smartphone mirroring software from Apple and Google. Starting today, owners of Koleos SUV models built before September 2017 will be able to pay $486.40 to have the car's hardware and software upgraded to support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Mazda charges $495 for the upgrade, while Toyota asks just $199 to upgrade eligible models.

Ford will only offer the Mondeo in base Ambiente trim from the start of 2020, before the mid-sized hatch and wagon are removed from the line-up in the second half of the year. The move reflects "changing customer preferences including an overall shift towards SUVs", said Ford Australia communications boss Matt Moran.

The Federal Court has fined Volkswagen a record $125 million – almost twice the $75 million it had agreed upon with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) – for making "false representations" about the diesel emissions of more than 57,000 cars. It is the highest penalty ever handed down by the Federal Court for breaching Australian consumer law.

The 2021 BMW M3 has been snapped in greater detail during testing, revealing its interior and more about its aggressive exterior makeover. Like the last car we spotted, this M3 isn't wearing any fake body panels. That means we can see it wears headlights similar to what we're expecting from the 4 Series, instead of the notched units that feature on the non-M 3 Series.

Join Mandy Turner, Mike Costello, and Kez Casey on the final podcast for 2019. Mike chats about his time behind the wheel of the 2020 Alfa Romeo Guilia Veloce. Scott Collie joins in to discuss the top five most clicked news stories of 2019, and we talk about our favourite and most disappointing cars for the year. Lastly, Kez reviews the 2020 Toyota Supra GTS. The Automotive Industry Insights podcast will return on January 10, 2020, and we thank you for listening throughout 2019.

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Hyundai and Kia have issued a recall for the tow bar wiring harness sold through official dealers and fitted to the Sonata and Cerato. Due to incorrect wiring, the faulty tow bar wiring harness might not allow the trailer hazard lights to flash when the car is turned off. If the hazards aren't operating correctly, there's a risk other road users mightn't see a stopped or slowing car, increasing the risk of accident. The original recall advertisement is attached here.

Lexus may be on the cusp of introducing its first battery-electric vehicle, but that doesn’t mean it’s slowing development of internal combustion engines. The company revealed the twin-turbocharged V8 engine debuting in its Lexus LC race car will feature in “future road cars such as sports cars”. Next year represents the third time Toyota Gazoo Racing has competed at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring with a Lexus LC – and the 14th consecutive year the team has participated.

The Honda Augmented Driving Concept, as well as a number of new technologies, will be on display at the automaker's stand at CES 2020, which takes place in Las Vegas next January. The Augmented Driving Concept is a roadster that can be changed from autonomous to manual driving at the flick of a switch.

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: LISTEN: Car News Daily podcastLISTEN: Automotive Industry Insights podcastLISTEN: Reverse Gear podcastMORE: All CarAdvice podcasts

The new Kadjar is exactly what Renault needs in Australia now – at least, it is on paper. After all, compact and medium crossovers are among the best-selling vehicles in the country, and the Kadjar is something of a segment-straddling goldilocks. It shares its underpinnings with the Nissan Qashqai, among the strongest-selling compact crossovers in the world, but Renault has given it a larger body. It's knocking on the door of cars like the Hyundai Tucson for size, both inside and out.

The BMW 3 Series family currently comprises four engine and spec-level choices, kicking off with the 320i (there’s no 318i for now). Next step is the volume-selling 330i, then there’s the left-field 330e plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and finally the M340i xDrive flagship in lieu of the yet-to-be-released new M3 coming soon enough. We have five models of the BMW 3 Series family, and Mike Costello asks the question - which is the one you should buy?

The Jeep Wrangler's "poor" one-star ANCAP rating has been improved to a "marginal" three-star rating for 2020 with the addition of active safety technology – but the structural shortcomings that prevented it from getting a five-star rating remain.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has bought Bowler, the boffins behind some of the world's wildest Land Rover Defenders. Bowler has been around since 1965, and specialises in creating cars for the rough-and-tumble world of rally raid. Its cars are built in low volumes, powered by either V6 turbo-diesel or supercharged V6 petrol engines. It was the supplier for the one-make Defender Challenge that ran between 2014 and 2016, too. Land Rover has been working with the company since 2012.

Nissan has revealed a raft of small updates for its electric Leaf hatchback in Japan, but they haven't been confirmed for Australia. The 2020 Leaf, which lobs during February in Japan, will gain an updated ProPilot semi-autonomous driver assist suite to "reduce driver fatigue and stress".

Audi has recalled the 2019 A8 large sedan, over concerns one of the wheel options isn't strong enough. Cars fitted with the "Audi Sport 5 double-spoke V design, matte titanium look, machine-polished" wheels have been recalled, because the rims don't meet "strength specifications". "If an affected vehicle hits the kerb or crosses speed humps or uneven road conditions at high speed, the wheel spokes could potentially break," Audi says.

“Is this anybody’s first time on a racetrack?” Hyundai N Technician Geoff Fear asks from atop the pit wall of Wakefield Park Raceway. It’s a question I’ve only ever seen inspire sheepishness in participants of track days before, yet when a third of the crowd of 128 drivers gathered in front of Fear shoot a hand towards the sky, they do it with glee.

Fiat Chrysler (FCA) and the PSA Group have signed a definitive merger agreement. The two companies say they will, in time, generate two-thirds of its sales from just two platforms: one for compact cars, and one for compact and mid-size models. Each platform is expected to generate around three million sales per year globally.

What did the CarAdvice Melbourne team think of the Subaru Levorg? Find out here.

The BMW X1 seems to answer a question: do SUV buyers prioritise driving dynamics over interior space? Ever since the larger, second-generation X1 was released locally in 2015, its full-year sales results have out-performed the peak of BMW’s original compact SUV that was more engaging to drive.

Skoda will swap the 1.5-litre engine in the base Karoq for a less efficient 1.4-litre unit in 2020 – and it says Australia's emissions regulations are to blame. The only Karoq on offer in Australia is currently the 110TSI, which is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine making 110kW and 250Nm. It's mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

ANCAP has awarded the Tesla Model X, Audi A7 and Q8, and the MG HS five stars in its latest round of crash tests, but the Hyundai Venue city SUV fell short. The independent safety body called the all-electric Tesla Model X the "standout performer" among the five cars tested, record-equalling scores for adult occupant protection and safety assist. Meanwhile, the Audi A7 and Q8 demonstrated "good performance in all assessment areas".

There's a new small SUV in town, with chiselled good looks and plenty of kit. Not everything about the Kia Seltos is perfect, though, as Kez Casey explains.

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: LISTEN: Car News Daily podcastLISTEN: Automotive Industry Insights podcastLISTEN: Reverse Gear podcastMORE: All CarAdvice podcasts

Jeep has confirmed technical details for its first plug-in hybrid, the Renegade PHEV. It’ll be followed by a plug-in hybrid version of the Compass. Autocar reports the electrified Renegade will use a 99kW rear-mounted electric motor mated to the more powerful 134kW tune of FCA’s 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. In all-wheel drive mode, there’s a total system output of 176kW, good for a 0-100km/h time of around 7.0 seconds.

Subaru Australia will launch electrified versions of the XV and Forester in March 2020. Priced from $35,580 before on-road costs, the XV Hybrid e-Boxer AWD will undercut the just-released Toyota C-HR Hybrid by $860 when it launches in March. Meanwhile, the Forester Hybrid will be offered in two trims: L AWD and S AWD, priced from $39,990 and $45,990 before on-road costs respectively.

The world-first mobile phone detection cameras recently launched in New South Wales caught more than 3300 people using their phones while driving in their first week of operation – but the drivers caught will only be warned, not fined. A total of 3303 drivers were caught using fixed and trailer-mounted phone-detection cameras in New South Wales between December 1 and December 7.

The BMW Z4 M40i will get a power boost for 2020, and a significant performance improvement to go with it. The range-topping BMW Z4 currently shares its turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine with the Toyota Supra, along with its claimed 250kW and 500Nm outputs. But Z4 M40i buyers from early in 2020 will get an uprated version of the same engine making 285kW and 500Nm – identical to what's on offer in the M340i xDrive and X3 M40i with which the roadster shares its engine.

Hyundai Australia has recalled more than 106,000 examples of the 2007-12 i30, over concerns the airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners could inadvertently fire. According to the company, "improper programming" of the airbag control unit (ACU) could make the driver and passenger airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners deploy when there's been no accident. If the airbag fires randomly, there's an increased risk of accident for both the driver and other road users.

The next-generation Cadillac Escalade will have a curved OLED display measuring 38 inches diagonally. OLED technology is typically found on smaller consumer devices, such as smartphones and smartwatches. Without the need for a backlight, OLED screens have perfect blacks, and can be more easily made into interesting shapes.

The time has come to say farewell to 'Smurfette', our little blue Citroen C4 Cactus. What did James and the team think of this compact French offering? Find out.

If you want an AWD Toyota RAV4 and you don’t want hybrid technology, you’ve got one model to choose from, and this is it – the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Edge. While we know that demand thus far has overwhelmingly been in favour of the hybrid, a conventional AWD system and a solid petrol engine might just be enough to tip some buyers over the edge.

Porsche has revealed the powered-up 2020 Macan GTS, ahead of its arrival in Australia during the first quarter of 2020. Power in the new Macan GTS comes from a 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 engine making 280kW and 520Nm, up 15kW and 20Nm on the car it replaces. The 100km/h sprint takes 4.7 seconds with the Sport Chrono package fitted, an improvement of 0.3 seconds, and you'll be doing 261km/h flat out.

In 1998, the year when Ferry Porsche passed away, his eponymous company celebrated its 50th anniversary. By then, Porsche AG had fully recovered from its earlier financial crisis, mostly thanks to the successful restructuring plan of CEO, Wendelin Wiedeking. CATCH UP: Classic Marques: The Story of Porsche - Part 1CATCH UP: Classic Marques: The Story of Porsche - Part 2

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: LISTEN: Car News Daily podcastLISTEN: Automotive Industry Insights podcastLISTEN: Reverse Gear podcastMORE: All CarAdvice podcasts

It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here! After ordering our Tesla Model 3 back in June when Australian order books opened, we waited patiently until our estimated delivery date of August came around. August came and went, so did September, October and virtually all of November. Yep that should give you a small window into the painful process of ordering a Tesla Model 3.

Toyota Australia has all but ruled out a HiLux GR – or an even tougher version of the flagship Rugged X – to compete with the Ford Ranger Raptor, but it is warming customers to the idea of a diesel hybrid future. Toyota Australia vice president, sales and marketing, Sean Hanley, said that while customers might be interested in a high-performance HiLux, there are no plans for such a vehicle.

The Takata airbag crisis has taken its most serious turn yet, with to up 78,000 cars to be put off the road and bought back by manufacturers at an estimated cost of up to $200 million. Popular cars made by Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Toyota – sold from 1996 to 2000 – are believed to be equipped with another type of Takata airbag inflator which can also become unstable over time and spray shrapnel when deployed in a crash.

Japanese car giant Toyota says Australia is “perfectly placed” to adopt hydrogen cars, but the lack of refuelling points is holding back the technology. Toyota and Hyundai already produce showroom-ready hydrogen cars but can’t sell them to the public in Australia because there is nowhere to refuel them.

Watch out West Australians, the chances of getting pinged at one of the state’s 1800 speed camera locations just increased exponentially. From the start of 2020, the West Australian Government will scrap the regular updates it provides to the public on exactly where the police have installed mobile speed cameras on any given day. It was a helpful service, allowing alert motorists to navigate the state’s road network without fear of getting busted by a camera.

Here we have the 2020 MINI Clubman and Countryman John Cooper Works, which has received a significant boost for the 2020 model line-up incorporating the usual trim, styling and interior updates, as well as a 55kW and 100Nm boost to the 2.0-litre engine. More power is always good, right? Scott Collie was at the Australian Launch to find out.

Absurd: (adjective) wildly unreasonable or illogical. That’s the first word that pops into my head when I stomp on the accelerator of the all-new 2020 Audi RS Q8 – the rush of speed combined with the sound of hell itself – an absurdity in today’s automotive world. Y’see, SUVs of this size, this heft, just aren’t supposed to drive like this, react like that, propel you like the wind in full battle cry towards a horizon that comes at you faster than you can blink, or can think.

Audi will become the second car company in Australia to buy back vehicles fitted with potentially deadly Takata airbags – and customers won't be allowed to keep their cars because Audi does not plan to develop airbag replacements for vehicles so old. Audi has calculated that it is cheaper to buy back the vehicles rather than engineer and test replacement airbags.

The mighty Toyota Tundra V8 pick-up from the US is unlikely to make it to Australia with this generation’s model – or the next – even though the company refuses to formally rule it out. The Toyota Tundra is a rival to the Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado in North America – where it is made – but is built in left-hand drive only.

We said it in 2017, and in 2018, and we can safely say it again: last year was a big one for new model reveals, and 2019 has so far proven to be just as big. With new-car sales numbers looking likely to fall short of a record effort in 2019, the 60-or-so brands operating in Australia will be hoping their latest offerings – those launched so far this year, and those still to come in 2020 – inspire more interest among local buyers.

Toyota Australia insists it has solved the diesel particulate filter dramas that saw thousands of HiLux utes blow thick clouds of white smoke in traffic – but it has urged more customers to come forward if their vehicles are still experiencing symptoms. Toyota diesel particulate filter (DPF) faults affect approximately 250,000 examples of the HiLux ute and Prado and Fortuner four-wheel drives equipped with a 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine manufactured from 2015 to 2018.

The next-generation Mini Clubman could grow up, literally, to become the brand's second crossover model. Oliver Heilmer, Mini's head of design, hinted as much in an interview with Autocar. The move to a range with two crossover models is being driven by the US market, where the current Countryman's slow sales are being blamed on its small size.

Despite being an all-wheel-drive SUV, and having that alluring ‘4x4 Lock’ button near the gearstick, buyers of this Kia Sorento will more than likely spend 99 (or more) per cent of their time in the city. That's certainly been the case for our long-term Sorento, which has been getting shared around the CarAdvice office on a variety of urban assaults. The vehicle in question is the range-topping 2019 Kia Sorento GT-Line diesel, which has an asking price of $58,990 plus on-road costs.