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The 2021 Maserati Quattroporte has been spied in testing in light camouflage, hinting at what could be a hybrid version for the ageing model. Two weeks ago Maserati debuted a hybrid version of its smaller Ghibli sedan, paving the way for an electrified version of the Quattroporte. As Maserati is owned by the Fiat-Chrysler group (FCA), it's possible the Quattroporte could borrow some or all of its battery technology from the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid – a people mover sold in the US.

Can the latest Focus hero defeat Hyundai's brilliant hot hatch? NOTE: We're aware of the '553Nm' slip. As epic as that would be, the i30 N of course offers 353Nm of torque.

The highly anticipated and controversially-styled Tesla Cybertruck may be able to change colour when heat is applied to the body. According to a story published on electric-car website Electrek, the technique known as 'tempering' could potentially allow owners to choose from a limited range of colours, thanks to the body of the Cybertruck being made of stainless steel. When heat is applied to some types of steel, the colour will change through a chemical reaction, the report says.

The Renault Clio has always been a bit of an unorthodox gem. Regardless of the generation or model year, it remained a fun, small, inner-city hatchback brimming with French flair and intrigue. The new, fifth-generation Renault Clio promised all of those things. Sadly, Australians will not get the opportunity to drive it locally, as it was recently axed by Renault Australia as buyers continue to shift away from conventional cars and towards SUVs.

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 photos, articles, videos or 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? We might spend our time lusting over some America-only cars, but it turns out some Americans think the grass is greener in Australia.

It’s easy to write off the 2020 Toyota LandCruiser 200 as being overpriced and old. But, it’s also enduringly popular with Australian buyers. Overpriced, especially when you’ve got this specification – $123,590 worth of 2020 Toyota LandCruiser Sahara – in your healthily budgeted crosshairs. My anecdotal fact of the day: the number of Sahara badges I see cruising around town suggests that this big-dollar specification is a popular choice with Australian buyers.

The updated 2021 Kia Stinger has been spied on South Korean roads without a hint of camouflage, suggesting a debut could be just weeks away. These latest images come to us via enthusiast site The Korean Car Blog. As earlier photos have revealed, the refreshed performance liftback sedan will pick up a number of subtle styling tweaks on the outside, while – although difficult to discern here – some minor changes are anticipated for the cabin.

Medium SUVs are the go-to for many young families. This is particularly so when couples introduce a new member to their tribe or, alternatively, when a family of three decides to welcome a fourth, furrier member into the pack, too. The latter aligns somewhat to my situation, but in a different order. Our chocolate-coloured heeler, Murphy, was the first addition, with our son coming a few years later.

BMW will debut a remote engine start function on its upcoming 4 Series, 5 Series, and M5 Competition vehicles. The technology will allow operators to start the car's engine remotely – using a smartphone app – for up to 15 minutes before driving. During this time the interior can be heated or cooled and the seat warmers can be activated.

UPDATE: Kia has handed down a set of new teaser images for the 2021 Kia Sonet, revealing a clearer look – albeit still in stylised sketch form – at its exterior design and new-generation interior themes. We've added those images to the body of this story. July 24: A first official preview for the upcoming 2021 Kia Sonet has been handed down, but we likely won't see it in Australia.

Side profile images of the upcoming reborn Hummer have been revealed by General Motors in the US overnight. And before anyone is wondering why GM is reviving a brand that symbolised gas guzzlers and excess, it's worth noting these will be fully electric vehicles. In a video posted to the GMC website, the silhouettes of a twin cab pick-up and an SUV wagon can be seen. A clay sculpting of the car, and a body shell, are also shown at various points during the video.

A high-performance version of the Toyota Supra could eventually become available with the option of a manual transmission, according to respected Japanese publication Mag X. The Toyota Supra GRMN is expected to be powered by the 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine from the upcoming BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe, which is said to be available with a high-performance eight-speed auto, or a six-speed manual gearbox.

Jaguar Land Rover has announced former Renault boss Thierry Bolloré will serve as its new Chief Executive Officer. While at Renault, Mr Bolloré was reportedly considered a close ally of now-fugitive Carlos Ghosn – who headed Nissan-Renault and helped bring Mitsubishi into the alliance – and stepped down as CEO in October 2019 amid controversy. Mr Bolloré spent less than 10 months in the Renault role and will now embark on a new challenge to reverse Jaguar Land Rover's recent profit slump.

A patent application released in the US points to a potential new engine development by Toyota, leading to a raft of speculation from American publications. The application, uncovered TheFastLaneTruck.com, was initially filed in December 2019. However, with reports Toyota will drop its V8 range, which powers a selection of SUVs and pick-ups in the US, the timing points to an engine that might fit those applications.

Chinese automaker LDV has made a lot of effort to gain a foothold in the booming ute segment in Australia. From the launch of its original T60 in 2017, which, while acceptable, was found wanting in some areas, to the ute we have here, the 2020 LDV T60 Trailrider 2, which represents a marked step up for the workhorse. Best of the breed? Let’s find out.

As a corporation, Mazda’s size and scope are but a fraction of behemoths like Toyota, Hyundai or Volkswagen, yet somehow the Japanese brand remains determined to tread its own distinct path. That’s perhaps most evident in the new 2020 Mazda 3 X20 Astina Skyactiv-X M Hybrid. This car is the second stage in Mazda’s plan for a range of more sustainable products by 2030, and follows the regular petrol and diesel engines in the brand’s passenger cars, which were part of stage one.

The local arm of Japanese luxury carmaker, Lexus, is riding the crest of a hybrid wave, with its range of electrified vehicles accounting for around 30 per cent of local sales. And while Lexus has confirmed its first all-electric vehicle, the crossover UX300e with 400km of range, will go on sale in China and Europe this year, it’s unlikely to make its way Down Under anytime soon.

The Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 has been unveiled in Italy, with the special hypercar designed purely as a machine for the track. Production of the Essenza SCV12 will be limited to just 40, and will feature Lamborghini's most powerful V12 engine to date.

Some Victorians are in the grips of another six weeks of stage-three lockdown, after a steep rise in Victoria's coronavirus cases prompted Premier Daniel Andrews to re-implement stay-at-home restrictions for residents of Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. With the rate of community transmission a major concern, the Premier also mandated that, from 11.59pm on Wednesday, July 22, anyone aged 12 or older and living in the lockdown areas wear a mask when leaving the house.

A fully-electric BMW 3 Series has been spied testing in Europe, with the model expected to join the electrified 4 Series from 2021. Curiously, the camouflaged test vehicle uses the long-wheel-base (LWB) body. The stretched version has only been available in China up until recently, with a right-hand-drive LWB 3 Series being announced for India in June 2020 to replace the axed 3 Series GT. What remains a mystery at this stage is what the new electric 3 Series will be named.

Gilles Vidal, the former head of design at Peugeot, is set to join Groupe Renault in November, after a career spent entirely with the PSA Group (Peugeot, Citroen, DS and now Opel). The 48-year-old Frenchman started his career at Citroen in 1996, and served as Peugeot Director of Design between January, 2010 and July, 2020. At Peugeot he styled a wide range of vehicles, including the latest 2008, 208 supermini, 3008, 5008 SUVs, 508 fastback and 508 estate.

Genesis has announced a new dedicated test drive centre for Sydney residents. The Genesis Test Drive Centre in Parramatta allows potential buyers to drive the brand's model range out on public roads – an experience not available at the brand's flagship Genesis Studio, located at Sydney's Pitt Street Mall. Previously, those wanting to test drive a Genesis would have to organise a time for a representative to bring a demonstration model to their home or workplace.

Russian authorities are considering making it compulsory for all new cars sold there to be equipped with alcohol breath test “interlock” devices – whether or not the buyer has a history of drink driving. In Australia, states and territories mandate the fitment of breath test “interlock” devices to cars owned by repeat drink driving offenders. The devices – which require drivers to exhale into a tube to prove they are not intoxicated – are fitted at the driver’s expense.

The Renault Trafic will finally adopt autonomous emergency braking two years from now – four years after the Toyota Hiace and Ford Transit – but the advanced tech may not elevate its crash rating from its current three-star score. Representatives for Renault Australia said the Trafic van was due to receive advanced safety aids in 2022.

The 2021 Holden Colorado ute won't be coming to Australian showrooms next year because the brand will be retired by the end of 2020, but here's how it was going to look. What was Holden's biggest-selling car since it ended Australian manufacturing in October 2017 has been discontinued locally, but will live on in left-hand-drive markets in South America.

Yamaha is now taking orders for prototype versions of its electric crate motor offering. The brand explains that it has created two motors. One is a 35kW output motor designed for motorcycles and light mobility equipment, and the other is a 150kW motor intended for electric car applications. Before you attempt to place an order, bear in mind that Yamaha's solution is geared to cater for other large manufactures and big businesses.

Mercedes-Benz is set to “jettison” at least seven models from its US range, according to industry journal Automotive News. Referencing comments allegedly made during a June dealer webinar hosted by Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Nicholas Speeks, the outlet did not reveal a timeline for the move, or specify which models would be cut.

Volkswagen has paid US$9.5 billion (AU$13.3B) in settlements to American owners caught in the Dieselgate scandal. The US Federal Trade Commission released details of the payout earlier this week, outlining the compensation package for buyers of diesel Volkswagen models who were misled by the car company. In 2015, Volkswagen Group admitted it had used software to cheat strict emissions tests across its range of diesel vehicles – including models from Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche.

Everyone needs to experience a naturally aspirated Ferrari V12 at least once in their life. We're probably getting to the tail end of its reign, however. Emissions rules are coming down harder than ever – most so in Europe, where Ferrari's headquarters are situated. If anyone can see that the end is nigh, it's likely a brand for whom this magical engine configuration has long been a halo.

An anonymous car collector from South Australia has paid $300,909 for an old, run-down 1973 Ford Falcon XA GT RPO 83 that had been left to rot in a chicken coop in rural Queensland for the past 32 years. The barn find – dubbed the “Chicken Coupe” because of where it had been stored for most of its life – was sold in a Graysonline auction on Wednesday night.

A teaser image for the all-new Mercedes-Benz T-Class has been revealed overnight, accompanying an announcement outlining the new model range. Due for release in 2022, the T-Class will be a people-mover based on Renault's next-generation Kangoo van platform (shown below in concept form), and will offer the option of a fully-electric powertrain. The Mercedes-Benz Citan – based on the current Renault Kangoo – has been available to European markets since 2012.

A prototype for what could be the production version of last year's Kia Imagine electric vehicle concept has appeared on German roads this week, flanked by a Tesla Model 3 and a Toyota Prius Prime. While the Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid EV (a petrol-electric hybrid with greater electric range), the unique design of the camouflaged car suggests a standalone electric model rather than a mere hybrid or PHEV offering.

The 2021 Renault Megane RS hot hatch is on track to arrive in Australian showrooms in the first half of next year – with a streamlined range that will adopt the most powerful engine from the flagship Trophy edition. The 2021 Renault Megane RS will be the brand's sole passenger car offering in Australia next year, as the French brand joins the growing list of manufacturers pivoting to SUVs and commercial vehicles – and all but vacating the passenger vehicle market.

An updated Porsche Panamera Turbo has been caught on camera at the Nurburgring undergoing some hot laps. In 2016 a Panamera Turbo broke the Nurburgring lap-record for a production four-door sedan (with a time of 07 minutes, 38 seconds). However, Porsche lost the bragging rights just three months later when an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio shaved off six seconds (with a time of 07 minutes, 32 seconds).

Mercedes-Benz Australia has issued a recall of 45 examples of its GLE wagon with Model Years from 2019 to 2020 (MY19-MY20) due to a faulty rear bumper bar crossmember. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says the faulty crossmember "might not meet the required specification." Mercedes-Benz says if vehicles are winched using the rear towing eye, the crossmember may crack or even detach from the vehicle.

Audi's new CEO believes Tesla has a major head-start on the rest of the automotive industry, admitting his company has some catching up to do in the electric car space. Markus Duesmann, who took the helm at Audi on April 1, 2020, said Elon Musk's company is "two years ahead" of Audi when it comes to the development of in-car software, autonomous capabilities and battery technology.

BMW has announced a new, bolder direction for the company, with policies designed to reduce environmental impacts from the manufacturing of new cars. At the forefront of the new climate-change strategy is a range of electric models, confirming for the first time a fully-electric 5 Series and X1 SUV are in development.

The Renault Alaskan ute has been on-again and off-again for Australia since it was unveiled globally four years ago. Now it’s officially off-again. The current generation Renault Alaskan sold in Europe is based on the existing Nissan Navara ute – which also spawned the ill-fated Mercedes X-Class due to be axed next year, half way through its planned model cycle.

Renault will attempt to reverse a five-year sales slide with a trio of new or updated SUVs due in Australian showrooms from 2021 – and a renewed focus on vans. The French brand will drop the Renault Clio hatchback and Renault Zoe electric car, leaving the Megane RS hot hatch as the sole passenger vehicle offering. It will also continue to sell a range of three vans, in small, medium and large sizes.

An innovative active suspension system – capable of adjusting wheel alignment while driving – has been developed by Victorian-based company Doftek. The active wheel alignment system (AWAS) is designed to be retrofitted to a car's existing suspension. The vehicle's standard suspension mounts and tie rods are replaced with electromechanical components that, via a control unit, can adjust the angle of the wheels (camber, toe-in, and caster) to suit road conditions and driver preferences.

One of Australia’s cheapest electric cars – the Renault Zoe – has had its plug pulled after just 63 were sold over the past three years. Indeed, over the same period Australians bought two-and-a-half times more Rolls-Royces (158), seven times as many Lamborghinis (457), and 12 times as many Ferraris (818) than Renault Zoe electric cars.

Mercedes Benz Australia has issued a recall on a total of 3115 cars, citing an incorrectly manufactured front seatbelt buckle housing. The affected models are the C-Class, CLS, E-Class, and GLC from 2018 and 2019. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says “a correctly-fastened seatbelt could be detected as not fastened. If this occurs, a seat belt warning light will remain illuminated and a warning will sound when the vehicle is driven.”

Renault says it is committed to Australia despite sales halving in just five years – after five years in a row in decline and its lowest market share in almost a decade. The French car maker will streamline its range, axing the Clio city hatchback and Zoe electric car – and keep the Megane RS hot hatch as the only passenger-car options – and instead focus on the fastest growing segments of the market: SUVs and vans.

Renault has added a five-year/200,000km warranty across its entire van range through to the end of August 2020 – and is aiming to make it a permanent offer beyond that deadline. The French car maker normally has three-year warranty coverage on its vans, versus five years on its SUVs – though some SUVs currently have seven-year coverage for a limited time.

Volkswagen’s Tiguan Allspace 110TSI is one of those surprise packages. Upon first glance, I instantly assumed that this base-model car would likely be fraught with danger. As in, missing key safety elements, sporting an underdone wheezy engine, et cetera. A simple strategy that car brands sometimes employ is to create an entry-model variant for the sole purpose of being able to communicate on the model name at an attractive, intriguing price.

There’s been a lot of chatter about Magna Car-something in the news recently, so we felt it prudent to make sure you had all the information you need, even in a handy printed form to keep in the car, about the only Magna that matters. It’s the one that came with a 5G manual, South Australia’s own Mitsubishi Magna.

Between recent spy photos and the appearance of last year's Engelberg concept, it's easy enough to guess at the look of Mitsubishi's 2021 Outlander family SUV. Boxy. That's the first word that will come to mind for most buyers, but with a muscular look that just about puts the technically more capable Triton ute and Pajero Sport off-roaders to shame.

No-one shopping the Mini range is under any illusions as to its size – it literally says it on the label. Still, in an era where SUVs seem to get bigger and bigger, and hatches are increasingly classed as ‘compact crossovers’, is the Mini too mini to hold its own? On exterior measurements alone, the Mini Cooper S measures 3.85m long, 1.73m wide and 1.41m tall. For comparison’s sake, that’s 9.5cm shorter, 3.2cm wider and 9.6cm lower than a Toyota Yaris. Teeny tiny to say the least.

A camouflaged version of a classic Volvo P1800 – with what could be an electric powertrain – has been caught on camera in Sweden. The vehicle was seen near Volvo's Hällered Proving Ground, and displays a number of differences to the iconic P1800 originally released in 1961. The camouflage hides wider wheel arches – likely to help accommodate the much larger and more modern wheels and tyres fitted to the car. There is also a distinct lack of visible exhaust pipes.

Details for the new 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA city SUV has been announced for Australia, completing the brand's revised compact model line-up – bringing with it a price rises of between $3500 and $15,000. The entry-level two-wheel-drive GLA200 is $55,100 plus on-road costs – nearly $10,000 more than the outgoing GLA180.

The Mitsubishi Pajero will reach the end of the production line in 2021 after a 39-year run and more than 3.3 million sales globally, the Japanese car maker has confirmed. After years of speculation – and several attempts to save the Mitsubishi Pajero from extinction – it will stop production in the first half of 2021.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe has been shown in its home market of South Korea with a comprehensive styling upgrade package. The Hyundai Santa Fe N-Line concept has not been confirmed for Australia, but local representatives said it is under study and has “not been ruled out”. The upgrades include a front and rear bodykit with sideskirts, to give the vehicle the perception of a lower stance. Massive 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin tyres also make room for uprated, performance brakes.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class will be the first production car with dedicated frontal airbags for back seat passengers. Mercedes-Benz revealed the innovation ahead of the S-Class sedan's global debut in September. While rear side and curtain airbags are already available on new cars, this is the first time an airbag has provided frontal protection to rear occupants on a production vehicle.

Images of the 2021 Peugeot 3008 have been leaked online ahead of the model's release later this year or early next. Shared by a member of Forum-Peugeot, the leaked pictures reveal a facelifted front-end with a jewelled grille and striking daytime-running lights (with integrated front indicator lamps) in horizontal strips in the front bumper bar. It's believed the DRLs on the 3008 are part of a new design language being rolled-out across the upcoming Peugeot model-range.

To gain performance kudos in the electric car ranks, it seems it‘s no longer sufficient to endow your top model with just one electric motor. To really stand out from the crowd, you need two or, as is the case with the new 2021 Audi E-Tron S Sportback driven here, three. That’s right, three electric motors: a larger one sitting up front and two smaller units nestled within a subframe at the rear, making the new Audi the first volume production electric car to feature such a layout.

The 2021 Kia Sorento seven-seater family SUV will go up in price by between $2160 and $3880 when it arrives in showrooms next month. The new generation Kia Sorento will continue to be available with a choice of 3.5-litre V6 petrol (200kW/332Nm) front-wheel-drive, or 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel (148kW/440Nm) all-wheel-drive; both matched to eight-speed automatic transmissions.

The first Ferrari Roma has landed in Australia with the Grand Tourer to be priced from $409,888 plus on-road costs. Ferrari says the Roma is targeted squarely at Porsche 911 and Aston Martin buyers. The Italian manufacturer expects 70 per cent of buyers to be first-time Ferrari customers.

The rear bumper of a Tesla Model 3 was torn off during a storm in Florida earlier this month, once again bringing the build quality of the US-made electric vehicles under scrutiny. Logan Derouanna, who owns the damaged vehicle, told carscoops.com he was decelerating while attempting to change lanes – in heavy rain – when he heard a “huge noise,” and eventually discovered the rear bumper had torn loose, possibly from a build-up of water.

Information has leaked suggesting US electric vehicle start-up Rivian will begin deliveries of the R1T pick-up to customers from July 2021. The report emerged on the Rivian Owner's Forum, with a user posting a screenshot of what appears to be an email sent to customers advising them of the car maker's plans.

Given we drive a new car every week, the journalists at CarAdvice are very familiar with the particularly frustrating scenario of not being able to fit a car in your driveway, garage or tiny inner-city street. Regardless of whether you have off-street parking or not, being able to safely store a vehicle not only decreases your likelihood of being side-swiped, but also substantially improves your stress levels (it’s science). RELATED: Every SUV in Australia ranked by boot size

A German motorhome manufacturer has begun selling recreational vehicles big enough to carry a small car in its belly. The convenience of having two vehicles in one comes with a hefty price. In Europe, the cheapest offering starts at €320,000 ($AU525,000) and climbs beyond €335,000 ($AU550,000) with a few options added. And that’s the most basic model in the range, the Concorde Daily (based on the underpinnings of the Iveco Daily van).

Images have emerged online of a wrecked McLaren Senna LM, believed to be owned by former Formula One driver Adrian Sutil. The photos were posted on Instagram showing the bright orange McLaren and another damaged vehicle, however no injuries have been reported at this time – and it is unclear who was behind the wheel, or who caused the crash.

Human nature is a funny thing. As soon as we learn about something we can’t have, we want it. Within Australia’s new vehicle market there are currently close to 50 brands that sell cars, SUVs and utes at volume, then there’s van and light commercial brands, low-volume specialist sports car brands and left-hand drive converters on top. That seems like an awfully wide selection of makes and models to choose from.

The market for two-seat drop-top fun machines is a fickle one. It's a segment driven by fashion, and one that’s not universally popular (or suitable) around the world. If nothing else, BMW deserves a raucous high-five for bringing the current Z4 to life, even if the cooperation with Toyota for the reborn Supra was instrumental to this.

Queensland and Victoria will roll out mobile phone detection cameras this week – five months after NSW began using the technology to issue fines. It means the three Australian states with the biggest populations – and the most drivers – will have cameras to catch people using a mobile phone while behind the wheel. Authorities in other states are also expected to eventually roll out the technology, but are yet to announce their trials.

Side mirrors could soon be replaced by tiny cameras with high-resolution displays inside the cabin – to improve visibility and fuel economy. The first vehicle on sale in Australia available with cameras instead of side mirrors is the latest generation Mercedes-Benz Actros truck.

Audi is researching the possibility of using electric vehicles to supply power back into homes. The company says the increasing adoption of fully-electric passenger cars means they can be used as 'mobile storage energy units', capable of supplying the energy grid when there's increased demand.

The New Zealand government has approved the purchase of 43 Bushmaster armoured vehicles, set to be produced in Bendigo, Victoria, by Thales Australia, the Australian subsidiary of French defense technology conglomerate Thales Group. The contract is worth a reported $75 million. Thales Australia claims more than 50 Australian businesses will benefit from this decision, which comes as the NZ government plans to modernise its fleet of dated Army defence vehicles.

The last “original” Tesla Roadster to be built has come onto the market in Switzerland for more than AU$2 million. The 2012 car's Lotus-designed chassis is fitted with a 185kW electric motor that propels it from 0 to 100kmh in a claimed 4.0 seconds. When new, a battery range of 393km was estimated.

A stolen Porsche 911 GT3 was written off by a teenager in the UK earlier this week. According to a local report, the track-focused sports car belonged to a family member of the 17-year-old boy who crashed it. The driver, who was arrested at the scene, is now facing one charge of aggravated vehicle taking (among other driving offenses), according to South Wales Police. The car was found among trees in the small town of Tonyrefail, in the early hours of July 17.

What happens when a supercar manufacturer wants to make a Dune Buggy? You get this. An American supercar producer has released plans for a high-performance off-roader in the form of a classic Dune Buggy to compete in the iconic Dakar desert race. The kit car, to be known as the 008, has been designed to compete in the Dakar Rally, however the company says it has plans for a road-going model.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has partnered with the University of Cambridge to develop a new contactless touchscreen that combines artificial intelligence with eye trackers and gesture sensors to predict which on-screen control you're reaching for. To be clear, the screen still functions as touchscreen if pressed – it merely adds an invisible layer of mid-air interactivity to reduce distraction in drivers as they work to tap the correct areas of the display while remaining focused on the road.

Images have surfaced from a Brazilian patent office showing what appears to be a new Rolls Royce convertible. Revealed on the TaycanEV forum, the vehicle shows teak decking at the rear – reminiscent of luxury speedboats of the 1920s – and a detail seen on Phantom Drophead Coupe models. The extended teak decking hints at the Rolls Royce potentially being a new Boat Tail model, taking its influence from the 1924 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Boat Tail.

The 2020 Toyota HiLux, Australia’s annual best-selling car for four years straight, is about as ubiquitous as it gets on our roads.

Tesla has moved to sue high profile EV competitor Rivian Automotive, accusing the start-up of stealing trade secrets through ex-employees. The lawsuit, filed with the Superior Court of California in the County of Santa Clara, says that the dispute stems from "Rivian’s efforts to misappropriate Tesla’s trade secret, confidential, and proprietary information by recruiting Tesla employees and encouraging them to take such information as they leave Tesla."

I’m near flat in second, feathering the throttle to keep the engine spinning above 5000rpm. The 130-degree left-hander that seemed to wind like an infinite corkscrew now opens into a string of neatly cambered right-left esses. Into third, the pace builds and I make the most of the dashed lane markings and clear sightline. I’m having a blast, reliving cheeky hill runs from my less-responsibility-filled years, and for its part, the 2020 Subaru WRX STI spec.R is a time machine.

Some Victorians are in the grips of another six weeks of stage-three lockdown, after a steep rise in Victoria's coronavirus cases prompted Premier Daniel Andrews to re-implement stay-at-home restrictions for residents of Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. With the rate of community transmission a major concern, the Premier also mandated that, from 11.59pm on Wednesday, July 22, anyone aged 12 or older and living in the lockdown areas wear a mask when leaving the house.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is yet to arrive in showrooms globally, but already it's spawning spin-off versions – like these renderings that reimagine the electric crossover as a Dakar Rally racer. Digital designer Mo Aoun created a few different versions of the Mustang Mach-E, all boasting off-road-ready body kit with performance credentials.

A 1979 Pontiac Trans Am, signed by Burt Reynolds, has been listed by US “prize package” company dreamgiveaway.com. The iconic black and gold car was made famous in the 1977 film Smokey And The Bandit, in which Reynolds starred alongside Sally Field, Jackie Gleason and Jerry Reed. The film was also the directorial debut of stuntman Hal Needham.

A 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi has been listed for sale in the UK for £295,000 (approximately AU$526,013). The 22-year-old car, which was imported new from Japan the year that it was made, is one of just 424 ever built (400 were made for the local Japanese market, and the rest were exported by Subaru). According to documentation, this particular rare Subaru 22B has been driven just 434km, resaving it in as-new condition.

A first official preview for the upcoming 2021 Kia Sonet has been handed down, but we likely won't see it in Australia. From the outset, the Sonet has been intended as an India-only offering, revealed as a concept at February's Delhi motor show. In India, the compact Sonet will square off against the Nissan Magnite, revealed in concept form last week. Above: the Sonet in concept form, pictured below in yellow: the Stonic

The 2020 Toyota HiLux, Australia’s annual best-selling car for four years straight, is about as ubiquitous as it gets on our roads. And while other models and segments see shrinking numbers, the HiLux looks poised to continue its dominance for years to come. Who knows, it might become the automotive equivalent of the Queensland Maroon’s historic eight-in-a-row.

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 photos, articles, videos or 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?

Images of a new variant of the Volkswagen Tiguan have surfaced online, revealing a third body style option to join the range in Volkswagen’s Chinese line-up. The new Tiguan X shows off a sleeker coupe-SUV profile to slot in alongside the more practical five-seat Tiguan and seven-seat Tiguan Allspace models.

The old saying goes ‘necessity is the mother of invention’, basically a tenet that implies that if you find a need a for something that doesn’t already exist, then you will conceive it yourself.

Any tech-obsessed Android user will know that unless you're using Google's own Pixel devices, updates to the operating system are often months late – and you'll be lucky to see any at all after a few years, with most brands preferring you upgrade to a new device instead. Volvo – or rather its electric offshoot Polestar – is adamant, however, that its new Android-based infotainment system will "stay as cutting-edge in the future as it is today".

Another day, another 'black pack'. BMW's done it often enough, having revealed 1 Series Shadow Edition, M2 Black Shadow Edition and M5 Nighthawk editions in years past. It's hard to argue with the look, though – particularly in the case of this latest addition: the BMW X7 Dark Shadow Edition. Never has so massive an ostensible family mover looked so stealth, with all chrome trim finished now in gloss and matte black.

The Australian car industry has introduced new voluntary CO2 emissions standards for the next decade – to 2030 – as Federal regulations continue to lag 11 years behind world’s best practice. However, the car industry promises the scheme won’t lead to higher prices to discourage the sale of our most popular vehicles – such as utes, SUVs and four-wheel-drives – which typically have higher CO2 emissions.

Offices belonging to Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) have been searched by authorities in Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, in relation to an emissions probe by Germany authorities. According to a report by news outlet Reuters, the raids were initiated by German prosecutors looking into potentially illegal engine management software used by Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Jeep models. The software is suspected of defeating emissions detection devices.

SsangYong Australia has issued a recall of 108 examples of its Chairman sedan with made from 2001 to 2007 (MY01-MY07) due to a potentially serious steering fault. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says "a crack developing in the steering lock housing can cause the steering wheel to lock into the straight ahead position when the key is turned".

The fully-electric 2021 Skoda Enyaq iV has been teased this week, ahead of its official unveiling in September 2020. Based on the Volkswagen Group's electric MEB platform, the Enyaq will be the brand's first production car to be based on the architecture. The Enyaq iV is the road-going version of the Vision iV concept car, first shown in March 2019. Above: Skoda's Vision iV concept car

A 1985 MG Metro 6R4 Group B rally car driven by Jimmy McRae – father of legendary rally driver Colin McRae – has surfaced at an auction house in Tasmania. Originally built as a demonstration vehicle for media events, the Rothmans MG Metro 6R4 is an icon of 1980s Group B rallying, complete with its mid-mounted V6 engine fitted behind the front seats, and powering all four wheels.

An immaculate first-generation BMW M3 in original condition has sold for $US250,000 ($AU350,000) on the popular US website Bring A Trailer. That price is more than double the cost of a brand-new current generation BMW M3 in Australia. The 1988 BMW M3 – a performance model originally developed for motor racing – had just 8000 miles (12,800km) on the odometer and a perfect service record. The advertisement for the car shows near-perfect red paint and an original tan interior.

Electric car specialist Tesla is reportedly working on significant upgrades to its two oldest models – the Model S sedan and Model X SUV. Tesla has been discreetly working on a secret project named Palladium, according to sources obtained by online news forum Electrek.

While the concept of high-performance wagons has reached near extinction thanks to the rampant excitement for SUVs, Audi continues to deliver to an intoxicating formula that has set the standard for decades – enter the 2020 Audi RS6 Avant.

You could be forgiven for thinking that the previous model was an understated bahnstormer – a sleeper for the executive who wanted to fly under the radar. Thanks largely to beefier styling, the 2020 Audi RS7 Sportback is now anything but a stealth bomber.

Hyundai has released a blacked-out 'Night Edition' of its popular Kona crossover SUV in the United States, with the brand's Australian arm revealing it's considering similar special editions locally. The limited-run model lands in US showrooms from September 2020 and brings mostly aesthetic updates, with Hyundai jumping on the bandwagon of manufacturers offering top-selling models with sportier, all-black trim packs.

The new 2021 Land Rover Defender has been spied under further development at the Nurburgring, this time with a V8 engine under the bonnet. The Defender 110 V8, in a high specification, has ‘prototype vehicle’ stickers on the front and back. Those inside are wearing protective gear, and are also protected additionally by an internal roll cage.

Australian pricing has been announced for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE450 Coupe, 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 Coupe, and 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE63S Coupe. Mercedes has dropped the diesel engine for 2021, with the previous GLE350d replaced by the hybrid petrol GLE450 model. Pricing has also seen a notable increase across the line-up. Whereas the previous GLE350d started the GLE Coupe range at $125,970, the new GLE450 now kicks-off at $137,000 plus on-road costs.

It has been a relatively quiet year for Mitsubishi Australia, but the company has today confirmed that changes to two of its most important model lines are on the horizon. The 2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, an anticipated facelift first spied in January, will make its Australian debut in the fourth quarter of 2020.

The Southern Brown Bandicoot and other potentially endangered species could stand in the way of the sale of the Holden test track in Lang Lang. Environmentalists have mounted a campaign to have the land preserved to protect its unique native wildlife and habitat. Holden’s parent company General Motors has owned the 877-hectare/2167-acre facility near the town of Lang Lang – about 90km south-east of Melbourne – since 1957.

The phenomenal global growth in SUV sales has passed another significant milestone – thanks to a supercar company many through would never build such a vehicle. Iconic Italian car maker Lamborghini has built its 10,000th Urus SUV. The landmark vehicle was ordered by a Russian customer and painted Nero Noctis matte black. It is fitted with the optional carbon fibre package and has a two-tone interior in black and orange.

A variant of the new Mercedes AMG GT Black Series – dubbed the ‘P One Edition’ – will be exclusively available to buyers of the delayed AMG Project One hybrid hypercar. The ‘P One Edition’ of the Mercedes AMG GT features a colour scheme that closely mirrors the company's Formula One livery. Inside it features turquoise highlights reminiscent of the team’s title sponsor Petronas.

Formed in 1987 as a partnership between Holden and motorsport legend Tom Walkinshaw, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) was tasked with enhancing the factory Holden models to create high-performance vehicles for both domestic and export markets. It is a name that became synonymous with Australian motoring passion, and though the reign has been relatively short, HSV has contributed a storied history of iconic road cars and motorsport successes to Australian automotive culture.

It’s been barely a week since Jeep unveiled a 6.4-litre V8-powered Gladiator concept, but in an effort to balance the karmic ledger, the brand has this week revealed a much greener plug-in hybrid version of the Compass small SUV. The new Compass 4xe as it will be known, and the smaller-still Renegade 4xe will be offered in EMEA regions (covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa) and form part of what Jeep is calling its “green evolution”.

In many ways, a seven-seater 4WD wagon can scrub up to be the perfect choice of family prime mover. These days, they're pretty safe and easy to drive, have their fair share of tech, and offer the allure of adventure on weekends and holidays beyond the constraints of bitumen. A consistently high performer in this regard is Mitsubishi's Pajero Sport. And we've got the more pragmatic seven-seater option here: the GLS.

Photos of what we're told is an all-new replacement for the Mercedes-Benz EQC have surfaced, despite the current model having only debuted in 2018. It is clear from these photos that the new model, whether a direct replacement for the EQC or a different EQ model all together, is at least around the same size as the EQC we already know. Its shape is clearly new, however, with a distinctly different roof line, a lower bonnet, and new character lines through the body.

The 2021 Mini Countryman John Cooper Works has been announced for Australia, bringing a fresh look and new tech. The sporty Mini SUV now comes with LED headlight and rear tail-lights – complete with its signature Union Jack design – as standard across the Countryman range. Daytime running lights, indicators, and fog lights are also LED.

After nearly 10 years out of production, Perth-based four-wheel drive manufacturer OKA is making a comeback. While it’s not a household name by any stretch, OKA is well known by some in Australian 4WD circles. In particular, it’s a popular, if hard-to-find choice for those wanting to build a big and capable off-road motorhome for long-distance and remote-area touring.

An old, banged up, barely drivable Ford Falcon found in a chicken coop in regional Queensland could fetch as much as $200,000 in an online auction that starts this Friday. The 1973 Ford Falcon – dubbed the “Chicken Coupe” due to where it was stored for the last 32 years of its life – is being sold “as is, in ‘barn find’ condition, complete with flat tyres, cobwebs, dust and rat droppings,” says auctioneer Grays Online.

The updated 2021 Honda CR-V has been announced, giving buyers a choice of seven rather than eight variants – and prices have increased by between $2200 and $3200 depending on the model. The entry-level 2.0-litre CR-V Vi now starting from $30,490 plus on-road costs, compared with the previous price of $28,290 plus on-road costs.

The Skoda Slavia concept car has been unveiled, and it was built entirely by students. Apprentices at the Skoda Academy – the car company's vocational school – designed and built the convertible concept car themselves, with guidance from instructors as well as experts from Skoda. This is the seventh concept car to be produced by Skoda Academy students, as an annual celebration of the Czech brand's formation. This year Skoda celebrates its 125th birthday.

Founder and CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, is set to receive a bonus package worth almost US$2.1 billion (AU$2.94 billion) due to the car company's recent performance, according to news agency Reuters. With Tesla successfully reaching a number of milestones in recent months – most notably overtaking Toyota to become the world's most valuable automaker – Musk will have the option of buying 1.69 million shares of Tesla at US$350.02 each.

A teaser sketch for the new-generation 2021 Hyundai Tucson has surfaced on an enthusiast forum, and while the company has yet to issue any word on its authenticity, it bears all the hallmarks of an official preview. As with the below photo published in March, the sketch reveals a minimalist interior design with a centre console that extends out of the dashtop and wraps down into the lower cubby space. Above: the new Tucson's cabin, as published by The Korean Car Blog.

The 2021 Toyota HiLux is just weeks away from showrooms after one of the first shipments was spotted on a dock in Adelaide. Deliveries at other Australian ports are expected to follow in the coming days and weeks The photo shows a 2021 Toyota HiLux SR5 double cab with the new 'tub delete' option, alongside an SR model grade, distinguished by the grey rather than chrome grille surround, and steel wheels rather than alloys.

Mercedes-Benz says it will proceed with its plan to offer fixed prices across its entire line-up in Australia from 2022, unless the Federal Government introduces laws to stop it. The German car maker has already begun started offering fixed prices on the Mercedes EQC electric SUV since December 2019. Now the company plans to ramp-up its fixed pricing model with subsequent electric cars, before the entire Mercedes range will be non-negotiable from 2022.

Legendary supercar creator, Gordon Murray – the man behind the iconic McLaren F1 – has revealed the inner workings of what could end up being one of the last great V12 engines of all time. Details of the powerplant have finally been outlined, giving an insight into what could be one of the last non-turbo V12s to be created from scratch. Technical specifications show the all-aluminium 3.9-litre V12 produces 487kW of power and 467Nm of torque, with a redline of 12,100rpm.

Is the 2020 Audi R8 the most accessible supercar? If it’s not, it must be damn close. Perhaps only the Porsche 911 Turbo or Turbo S (which was the previous standard-setter for usability) still pips it at the line. Whichever you prefer though, there’s no doubt the Audi R8 is a mighty supercar that is staggeringly fast, but one you can also live with day-to-day if your pockets are deep enough.