Ford Wants To Develop Its Own Battery Chemistries For Hybrids, Electric Cars, But Why?

When it announced a range increase for its 2017 Focus Electric earlier this month, Ford executives also revealed an intriguing snippet about the company's battery plans.

The company is conducting its own research into fundamental battery chemistries, and could develop its own cells for use in future electrified vehicles.

The question then becomes: Why?

DON'T MISS: Updated 2017 Ford Focus Electric: 100-Mile Range, DC Fast Charging

Other makers of electrified vehicles, including General Motors, VW, and BMW, have outsourced cell development to suppliers, albeit working closely with them. Today's Focus Electric uses LG Chem cells similar to those in the Chevy Volt.

The term "electrified" vehicles include not only battery-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, but also conventional hybrids and even 48-Volt "hybrids"--effectively powerful start-stop systems with more features.

Ford will invest $4.5 billion into electrification R&D, and add 13 new "EV" vehicle nameplates while expanding its electrified offerings into Taiwan, South Korea, and China.

2016 Ford Focus Electric2016 Ford Focus Electric
Of those 13, analysts suggest, one might be a new battery-electric model, two to four might be plug-in hybrids, and the balance could be split among conventional hybrids and cars with 48-Volt systems.

The news that Ford is developing its own cell chemistries was detailed in a blog post by Navigant Research after Ford's announcement.

Navigant noted that researchers at the University of Michigan Battery Lab, which was partially funded by Ford, are now producing prototype cells using chemistries developed by Ford.

ALSO SEE: Why The 2010 Toyota Prius Doesn't Have A Lithium-Ion Battery

The company also refurbished its historic 1923 Ford Engineering Laboratory to be the home of its consolidated and expanded electrified powertrain development efforts.

“Batteries are the life force of any electric vehicle," said Kevin Layden, director of Ford Electrification Programs, "and we have been committed to growing our leadership in battery research and development for more than 15 years."

Ford doesn't expect to undertake full-scale cell manufacturing itself; it will use suppliers for that task.

2012 Ford Focus Electric launch, New York City, January 2011 - battery pack in load bay2012 Ford Focus Electric launch, New York City, January 2011 - battery pack in load bay
But, Layden said, the company believes that owning the intellectual property of cell chemistries will be critical to future success.

There are arguments both ways on that score.

Electric-car startup Tesla Motors has worked closely with Panasonic on unique versions of that company's 18650 small commodity cell for its Model S, but the modifications appear to be more to packaging and mechanical elements than the chemistry itself.

On the other hand, Toyota notably failed to produce its own lithium-ion cell for the 2010 Prius hybrid, as managing officer Koei Saga admitted that year.

The third-generation Prius was intended to launch with a lithium-ion chemistry based on a nickel electrode.

The 2010 Toyota PriusThe 2010 Toyota Prius
While the company's choice had a low materials costs, its production process was extremely complicated--raising the overall cost to the point that the cells couldn't be produced economically.

For the first-generation Leaf, Nissan set up a joint venture with computer giant NEC to create energy cells for its high-volume electric car.

That company, Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC), has produced all the cells for the 200,000 or so Nissan Leafs made over five years.

Nissan had long and deep experience in lithium-ion cells, having worked on them in-house since 1992 and produced a number of prototype electric cars since then.

But industry rumors suggest that new-generation lithium-ion cells from Korean supplier LG Chem turn out to be cheaper and more energy-dense than comparable cells from AESC.

Nissan lithium-ion cell fabrication & battery pack assembly at Nissan plant in Smyrna, TennesseeNissan lithium-ion cell fabrication & battery pack assembly at Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tennessee
Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has hinted that the company may switch suppliers for the second-generation Leaf, expected as a 2017 or 2018 model.

The lines among fundamental cell chemistry, cell fabrication, and battery-pack production can blur, and most automakers now have large battery labs testing dozens of automotive cells for future electrified vehicles.

Still, Ford would be unusual if it developed its own core battery chemistries.

And it poses a question: What does Ford believe it can bring to the table that various billion-dollar battery companies can't?

2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid: On Sale Late Summer, Now

The Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid crossover has been on sale in Europe and Japan for some time now, but its U.S. launch has been repeatedly delayed.

In fact, it's been pushed back so far that the Outlander underwent a fairly extensive mid-cycle refresh in the meantime.

And now it appears Mitsubishi will once again delay the plug-in hybrid's U.S. launch, by a few months at least.

DON'T MISS: 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid: Spring 2016 On-Sale Date, More Details Revealed

The Outlander Plug-In Hybrid will arrive here in "late summer" as a 2017 model, according to Alex Fedorak of Mitsubishi public relations in response to a query from Green Car Reports.

That's a bit later than the Spring 2016 on-sale date discussed by Mitsubishi back in June.

It means the plug-in hybrid model will be able to take advantage of updates made to the rest of the range for the 2016 model year, including, increased noise insulation, an updated interior, and revised styling.

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander (left) and 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander (right)2015 Mitsubishi Outlander (left) and 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander (right)
No major changes are expected for the powertrain, which includes a 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine and two electric motors.

One motor works with the internal-combustion engine to drive the front wheels, while the other drives the rear wheels, creating a "through the road" all-wheel-drive system.

ALSO SEE: Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid: Major Refinements Planned

The 12-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack currently provides enough capacity for 32.5 miles of electric range--at least as measured on the optimistic European testing cycle.

Mitsubishi has also hinted that it will make some tweaks to the powertrain's control system to improve performance and increase range.

Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid quick drive (European model)Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid quick drive (European model)
Originally previewed as a concept at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show and slated for U.S. introduction in 2013, the Outlander Plug-In Hybrid would have been the first plug-in hybrid utility vehicle sold here.

But now Mitsubishi will have been beaten by several luxury plug-in hybrid SUVs that launched as 2016 models.

MORE: Mitsubishi Gives Up On Sedans, To Make Only SUVs Henceforth

Those include the BMW X5 xDrive 40e, Mercedes-Benz GLE 550e, and Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine. An Audi Q7 plug-in hybrid may have also launched by the time the Outlander is introduced.

Still, the Mitsubishi will be the only plug-in hybrid utility vehicle without a luxury badge, so it will likely be priced lower than the others when it finally goes on sale here next year.

2016 Nissan Leaf: First Drive Of 107-Mile Electric Car

Electric-car buyers have eagerly waited for the 2016 Nissan Leaf, whose SV and SL models now offer a higher range, rated by the EPA at 107 miles.

That's up from the 84 miles of last year's Leaf, and so we eagerly accepted a short-term loan of a new 2016 Leaf SL to test the car ourselves.

The bottom line: The range is real, within the usual electric-car limits of speed and temperature, and the rest of the Leaf is all but unchanged.

DON'T MISS: 2016 Nissan Leaf Offers 107-Mile Range With 30-kWh Battery; Leaf S Unchanged

That latter piece is worth underscoring, because in its sixth model year, the current Leaf has a number of features that feel relatively crude.

Over a 10-day period, we were able to test the longer-range Leaf, the new 2016 Toyota Prius hybrid, and the 2016 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid.

In comparison to the other two, which are brand-new vehicles, the Leaf's interior in particular is simply outdated.

2016 Nissan Leaf SL fast-charging at NRG evGo Freedom Station, Hudson Valley, NY, Dec 20152016 Nissan Leaf SL fast-charging at NRG evGo Freedom Station, Hudson Valley, NY, Dec 2015
But first, about that range. We put 192 miles on our Leaf SL in a day and a half, with about two-thirds highway speeds and one-third around-town errands and stop-and-go traffic.

We recharged its 30-kilowatt-hour battery twice. The first charge took place overnight, on our home 240-Volt Level 2 charging station--as most Leafs are likely charged.

Then we used an NRG evGo DC fast-charging site, which cost $10.95 to raise battery capacity from 12 to 86 percent--or roughly 20 kWh--over 30 minutes.

ALSO SEE: 2016 Nissan Leaf: How Does It Compare To 2012 Model On Price, Equipment, Range?

Given temperatures of 30 to 45 degrees over our two days, we expected some impact on battery range--exacerbated by a highway run at 70 mph.

Our first leg, an even mix of highway and local speeds, delivered 58 miles from 66 percent of battery capacity (from 99 to 33 percent).

Lithium-ion battery pack of 2011 Nissan Leaf, showing cells assembled into modulesLithium-ion battery pack of 2011 Nissan Leaf, showing cells assembled into modules
After an overnight cold soak, our Leaf gave us a "Low Outside Temperature" warning. In the event, we got 79 miles from 88 percent of battery capacity (from 100 to 12 percent).

The last leg involved 54.5 miles, which used 58 percent of the battery--and we delivered it for recharging at our local garage with 28 percent left, indicating 33 miles of range.

The range indicator, largely called the "Guess-O-Meter" by Leaf owners, varied greatly, at one point showing us a range of 133 miles after a few miles of downhill driving.

Overall, we achieved 3.4 miles per kilowatt-hour across our three recharges. Those numbers appear roughly proportional to ranges in older Leafs with the lower-range battery.

MORE: 2016 Nissan Leaf Range: 107 Or 155 Miles? Why Test Cycles Can Be Deceptive

As for the rest of our test, the 2016 Leaf has a new central display screen and some changes to the various NissanConnect screens

But it's been a long time since we've spent time with an earlier Leaf, so we're not capable of providing any useful feedback there. Contact your local Leaf owner for that.

What struck us, though, after time in the latest Prius and Volt, was how primitive the Leaf's interior is for a 2016 car.

2016 Nissan Leaf2016 Nissan Leaf
The bottom line on the window sticker was $39,390--perhaps $10,000 higher than our Prius and less than $1,000 cheaper than our loaded Volt test car.

The all-black interior of the test car, largely composed of hard plastic surfaces, looks old and utilitarian. And we were shocked that the steering wheel only tilted; it didn't telescope.

Some of the minor switches and controls looked and felt more suited to a $15,000 economy car than an advanced-technology halo vehicle for the brand.

CHECK OUT: 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV: Production Car Spied Before 2016 CES Reveal

The low-resolution monochrome readouts in the instrument cluster looked downright primitive, and required using a perimeter button to page through.

And we've never liked pendant parking brakes (the pedal hanging under the left side of the dashboard).

The second-generation Leaf that will launch for 2017 or 2018 will likely address most of these issues, as well as offering versions with ranges of 150 to 200 miles.

But it's a sign of how fast the design of plug-in and hybrid cars has advanced that only six years after its launch, the world's best-selling electric car now feels outdated.

To reassure readers, it was far from all bad.

The Leaf continues to be smooth and comfortable, with continuous acceleration and the calm, quiet travel of any all-electric vehicle. In that respect, it beat the Volt and Prius.

We liked the blue accent stitching on the black "leather-appointed" seats, which were comfortable and quite upright (which we happen to prefer).

The car is easy to drive, and we found it surprisingly simple to "grow" multiple leafy trees in the dash display, indicating we were driving efficiently (we didn't particularly try).

2016 Nissan Leaf2016 Nissan Leaf
Some minor controls are fussy, however (radio volume was a particular sore point), and we found the heated steering wheel inconsistent--some times it would be toasty, others it would just switch itself off.

Between the heated driver's seat and steering wheel and a fleece jacket, we actually didn't use the cabin heat--but less-Spartan souls may not have the same experience.

Overall, the longer-range 2016 Leaf was exactly what we expected it to be: a battery with 27 percent more range in an otherwise unchanged and aging Leaf.

Drivers of existing Leafs will likely find the longer range useful, for commutes, more distance between fast charging sites (where they exist), and overall confidence.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV spy shots2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV spy shots
But with the 200-mile 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV being revealed in production form next week, a new Leaf is becoming a necessity for Nissan to stay in its current top spot.

Granted the Bolt EV is a subcompact, while the Leaf is compact to mid-size in capacity, but still ... electric range likely trumps interior volume in this case.

We look forward to the next Leaf. Meanwhile, the current one retains all the virtues and vices of last year's car--but offers a quarter more range for roughly the same price.

That's a good thing.

Our 2016 Nissan Leaf SL carried a base price of $36,790 and a mandatory destination charge of $850.

2016 Nissan Leaf SL, Hudson Valley, NY, Dec 20152016 Nissan Leaf SL, Hudson Valley, NY, Dec 2015
Among standard features are CHAdeMO DC fast-charging port, a 6.6-kilowatt onboard charger, 17-inch alloy wheels, those leather seats, a six-way adjustable driver's seat, LED low-beam headlights with automatic on/off, a small photovoltaic panel in the roof spoiler to power a ventilation fan, and heated power outside mirrors.

It had only two options: mats for the floor and cargo area, at $180, and a $1,570 premium package that upgraded the car to a Bose seven-speaker audio sytem and added Nissan's clever and useful Around-View Monitor.

The total sticker price was $39,300.

Environmental Justice Groups: Not So Fast, Musk--VW Diesels Must Be Fixed!

2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI
U.S. regulatory agencies still haven't approved a plan to modify the 482,000 Volkswagen 2.0-liter TDI diesel cars equipped with "defeat device" software used to circumvent emissions laws.

It will likely cost VW billions of dollars to update the delinquent cars, and it may not be practically possible for certain models.

That prompted 45 environmental leaders and Silicon Valley executives, including Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, to suggest that VW shouldn't bother.

DON'T MISS: Ignore VW Diesels, Make Company Sell Electric Cars: Tesla CEO Musk, 44 Others

In a letter addressed to Mary Nichols, head of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), they advocated forcing Volkswagen to build zero-emission vehicles instead.

CARB has to sign off on any proposed recall program for the VW diesels, as does the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

But forcing VW to build more electric cars won't really address the issue of its emissions cheating, says the environmental justice community in a letter of its own.

2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI
Signed by 15 leaders of environmental, conservation, and health groups, the rebuttal to the don't-repair-them letter insists that Volkswagen must recall all affected diesel cars and counteract the excess pollution they have caused, plain and simple.

The original letter suggested releasing VW from its obligation to fix non-compliant diesels, and instead directing it to "greatly accelerate its rollout" of zero-emission cars.

While it supports CARB's work to "transition California's transportation system to a zero-emission vehicle future," the signers from environmental justice groups feel the Silicon Valley proposal fails to address the damage already done by the VW diesels.

ALSO SEE: How Will VW Fix My Diesel Car, And When? A List Of All Models

That proposal "does not address the real health impacts" caused by the non-compliant diesels, the group says.

It also "offers no remedy to the purchasers of the defective VW diesel vehicles," who often bought their cars because of a perceived environmental benefit, the letter notes.

Rather than forgive Volkswagen's transgressions, the signers call for a full investigation, and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.

2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI
Vigorous prosecution is essential to "deterring this kind of intentional and egregious violation of laws that protect public health," the letter says.

Yet there are still ways to use punitive measures against VW to promote electric cars, the proposal suggests.

It calls for using penalties collected by CARB to fund programs that help increase the deployment of zero-emission vehicles in lower-income communities.

MORE: VW Gets More Time To Figure Out TDI Diesel Emission Update

Volkswagen should also be forced to pay for pollution-mitigation measures equal to "several times" the total amount of excess emissions produced by its diesel vehicles.

And to ensure that these measures have a meaningful impact, VW should also foot the bill for more extensive near-road air quality monitoring, says the group.

CARB received a proposal from Volkswagen for modifying the 482,000 2.0-liter TDI cars in late November, but recently decided to extend its deadline to reject or approve that proposal.

No details of the proposal have been made public, but VW can't proceed with a recall unless CARB approves it.

[hat tips: Bruce Mirken, Felix Kramer]

McLaren 675LT Doing a Burnout Is an Ultra-Rare Sight

Here's a little riddle for you: which supercars are more difficult to spot while doing a burnout than Porsches? The answer has to be McLaren. With their open rear diffs, Woking machines are just not made for such tire-melting shenanigans. And yet here we are, giving you a McLaren 675LT burnout.

Now that the P1 production has ended, the 675 Longtail sits at the top of the McLaren line-up. The British automaker has only blessed us with 500 of these creatures (with an extra 500 units for the Spider, of course), so seeing one pulling such stunts makes for a memorable occasion.

The 675LT in the clip below uses its 666 imperial horses to burn rubber in the pits of the United Arab Emirates' Yas Marina track. Sure, this isn't the smoke-everywhere type of burnout, but we have to admit the resulting "11" is a sweet sight.

We expect the owner to have used the Track Mode, which is the most wheelspin-tolerant of the three available modes. As we said, McLarens come with open rear diffs, relying on ESC-based individual wheel braking to keep things in check.

While the scheme works brilliantly in terms of lap times, it also means the British vehicles are not exactly burnout and drift friendly.

Then again, seeing this burnout sheds a new light on McLaren Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin's words, which you can find below.

"We've improved roll stiffness, damping and pitching and it is a slightly edgier, more raw and slightly more harsh car - and that's intended. But the beauty of the ProActive Chassis Control system, when coupled with our groundbreaking carbon fibre MonoCell chassis, is that ride comfort and refinement have not been unduly sacrificed. It is perfectly suited for a drive from London to Spa-Francorchamps and back for a trackday," Goodwin said, describing the driving dynamics of the 675LT.

2016 Nissan Leaf, 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In, CA 'Green Stickers' Gone: Today's Car News

Today, we drive the 107-mile 2016 Nissan Leaf electric car, the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid U.S. launch is delayed, and California runs out of carpool-lane "green stickers" for plug-in hybrids. All this and more on Green Car Reports.

California runs out of carpool-lane "green stickers" for plug-in hybrids.

Environmental groups respond to Silicon Valley executives' proposal that Volkswagen be forced to build more electric cars, rather than fix its "cheater" diesels. The affected cars must be addressed, they say.

The 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid will now go on sale in late summer 2016, the company says.

Ford wants to develop its own battery chemistries for hybrid and electric cars, but why?

We drive the 107-mile 2016 Nissan Leaf.

Honda adds 127,000 vehicles to its Takata airbag recall, bringing the total to 3.4 million vehicles in the U.S.

Finally, one company hopes to sell classic Ford Mustangs rebuilt with modern EcoBoost engines.

Barrett-Jackson to Sell Three Rare Porsche Convertibles

The famed Barrett-Jackson auction house will host its 45th Anniversary Scottsdale Auction in January 2016.

During the event held from January 23-31, 2016, the company will put under the hammer five Porsche models that will attract collectors. Three of those are convertible Porsche models from three different eras, and each of them is expected to fetch an impressive sum. The auction will feature the first Porsche 918 Spyder offered by Barrett-Jackson, a Porsche 911 Speedster, a Porsche 356SC Cabriolet, and two other vintage Porsche cars - a 930 Porsche Turbo and a Porsche 356 Super 90 Cabriolet.

The Barrett-Jackson officials insisted on the fact that Porsche cars are becoming particularly “hot collectibles” and this trend has been maintained in the past 18 months. The specialized auction company prides itself on having a whole array of Porsche cars available at their 45th Anniversary auction in Scottsdale, and each car is special in its own way.

So, let’s get on with showcasing the three Porsche convertibles that will go under the hammer in January.

Out of respect for the elders, we’ll start with LOT #1385, a 1965 Porsche 356SC Cabriolet. The starting prices aren't available online without a bidder’s account, but we know the car bears no reserve price. The vehicle is painted in a classic “Champagne Yellow” and features a green interior. Moreover, it underwent a comprehensive restoration process by a specialized Porsche-centered facility.

The second Porsche convertible for sale at Barrett-Jackson’s 2016 Scottsdale Auction is a black-on-black 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster. The vehicle is in pristine condition, just like its older sibling, and it also doesn’t bear a reserve price. This car is one of only 814 made for the United States market and features its own Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche to ensure the future owner of its provenance. Only 2,200 Porsche 911 Speedsters of this generation were built, and this car should fetch more than a typical example thanks to its 12,627 miles.

The newest Porsche for sale at next year’s Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction is a 918 Spyder with the Weissach package. The e-hybrid sports car only features 595 miles from new and is a one-owner car. It’s in like-new condition thanks to a careful owner, who will also provide the car’s complete books, extra key, dedicated battery charging station, and even the factory car cover.

Dakar 2016: El Nino Puts the First Stage at Risk

Less than a week before the start of the 2016 Dakar Rally, bad news looms over the competition. And if Dakar moved from Africa because of armed threats and war, the South American ground also has something to make this grueling rally even harder, but this time it's El Nino.

The El Nino phenomenon threatens the first stage of the 2016 Dakar. Heavy rains are falling in the Rosario area, the place where the competition is supposed to start.

On January 2, the Prolog held near the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires will establish the starting order for the bikes. The riders will race north towards Rosario and then spend their first night in the bivouac, preparing for Stage 1 that starts at Villa Carlos Paz.

The city of Rosario is on the banks of the Parana river, and meteorologists say that the water has already risen to alert levels. In Argentina, the floods have already caused three deaths and led to the evacuation of more than 20,000 people in certain areas.

Bolivia is also in trouble because of El Nino

The inclement weather may affect the Dakar rally to a level that is yet impossible to predict. The area where the route is supposed to cross the border to Bolivia is also confronting severe meteorological phenomena. The Dakar organizers are keeping an eye on the forecasts and are constantly evaluating the chances the teams have of meeting the timetables and the established locations.

This year, the forecast for El Nino was gloomy, as the phenomenon was said to be more violent than before. Chile was crossed off the Dakar hosts lists because of massive floods and mudslides in the northern regions of the country.

Peru was then chosen as a replacement, with the capital Lima intended as the starting point of the race. Still, the negative forecast caused the Peruvian authorities to withdraw from the Dakar, opting for being able to provide a quick response in helping the population if needed.

Stay tuned for more updates on the 2016 Dakar these days.

Watching a Tesla Model X Towing a Boat Is Oddly Satisfying

While we can't put our finger on what exactly makes watching a Tesla Model X towing a boat a satisfying experience, we can't deny this effect. Now that Model X deliveries have commenced, we've come across the pair of Model X workhorse clips below and wanted to share these with you.

Perhaps the interesting aspect is that people didn't kick off the Youtube offensive by making 0-to-60 videos. While the appreciate the Ludicrous sprinting abilities of the Model S, we've probably seen one too many acceleration clips involving the electric sedan. So yes, it's pleasing to see Tesla's SUV being put to work, even if just for a few moments.

Since Tesla has only accepted orders for the $132,000 (starting price) range-topping P90D Signature Series, this is the kind of Model X we're looking at here.

The SUV, which tips the scales at 5,441 lbs (that's 2,468 kg for all you Tesla fans across the pond), comes with a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg).

While the range sits at 250 miles (402.5 km), the Ludicrous mode 0 to 60 mph sprint takes 3.2 seconds (3.8 seconds without the L mode). This is achieved with a dual-motor scheme, as a 503 hp motor powers the rear axle and a 259 hp motor feeds the rear wheels.

In mid-2016, we'll get a P90D Founder Edition, a version that is set to offer a range of 257 miles (414 km).

Still, the line-up starts with the $80,000 (once again, this is the MSRP) 70D, which offers a range of 220 miles, covers the 0 to 60 run in 6 seconds and has a top speed of 140 mph. Deliveries for this will start late next year.

However, you should brace yourselves, as we feel the Model X acceleration videos are set to land soon. And you should also be prepared for the wave of street racing action that will most likely follow.

Ducati Starts the Multistrada 1200 Enduro Video Odyssey

Ducati has posted the first episode in a video odyssey comprised of six parts that describe the features and functionality of the company's all-new enduro-adventure bike, the Multistrada 1200 Enduro.

The Italian maker decided to take a bold step this year with the new Multistrada version, and added true off-road features and parts that changed the vibe and behavior of the machine to a great extent.

Even though the Multistrada 1200 was marketed as an adventure bike, adv riders would not be fooled. Ducati knew that certain changes had to be implemented in order to deliver a bike that rightfully slots in the same category with the BMW R1200GS, KTM 1190 Adventure, Triumph Tiger Explorer, Yamaha XZT1200Z, and more.

The name fo the series is "The Wild Side of Ducati," and each episode will detail different aspects that make the Enduro version of the Multistrada 1200 a dream bike. Episode 1 is "Enjoying off-road adventures" and presents the generic attributes of this motorcycle.

Electronics ahoy, again

Now, certain adventure enthusiasts will say that this machine has too many electronic systems that can potentially break down and cause a lot of troubles. This might be true, but before we pass judgment, we'll have to wait until a number big enough of the Multistrada 1200 Enduro make it out in the wild and is put through its paces.

As far as electronic systems go, the Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro is on par with the competition. The flagship enduro-travel bikes from KTM, Yamaha or BMW, are loaded with tons of complex electronics that seem to hold on pretty decently even under abuse.

New episodes will be posted online every two weeks, so stay put as we'll be hunting them and bring them to you. We can almost vouch that these videos will cause a lot of unrest to people considering getting a new enduro-travel bike in the spring...

And make sure you check our Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro live photos from EICMA 2015.

2016 Peugeot New Cars

Details of the new and updated Peugeot models launching in Australia in 2016.

Peugeot 308 GTi – Q1

The hottest Peugeot 308 to date, the 2016 Peugeot 308 GTi, will launch locally in the first quarter of the year.

There will be two versions of the French hot hatch sold in Australia, but both will come powered by a pumped-up 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, and the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox only.

The range will open with the Peugeot 308 GTi 250 (that number is a reference to the metric horsepower output – we’ll call it 184kW and 330Nm) at $44,990, while the more powerful 308 GTi 270 (200kW/330Nm) is a $49,990 proposition.

The 308 GTi 270 is set apart from its sibling by the addition of a Torsen limited-slip front differential, along with larger 380/268mm brake discs, 38mm/41mm four-piston callipers, 19-inch ‘Carbone’ wheels and 235/35 Michelin Super Sport.

The 250 gets 18-inch ‘Diamant’ wheels and 225/40 Michelin Pilot Sport 3 rubber.

Read our review of the Peugeot 308 GTi.

2016 Nissan New Cars

Nissan Australia’s communications team says there are “no new or updated models currently scheduled for release” in 2016.

That doesn’t mean that the new year is going to be barren for the Japanese manufacturer, however, and could indeed be quite the opposite if things go its way.

While the timing is still to be finalised, the long-awaited Nismo sub-division appears likely to launch in Australia during 2016. Nissan Australia has already confirmed it plans to offer the GT-R Nismo, 370Z Nismo and Juke Nismo RS to local customers, but which model we get first and when is anyone’s guess.

CarAdvice’s spy photographers also snapped lightly camouflaged images of a facelifted version of the Pathfinder SUV in December, suggesting an update is just around the corner. The local team says it doesn’t have any information about this update, though it too would appear a chance to reach our shores before the end of the year.

2016 Porsche New Cars

Details of the new and updated Porsche models launching in Australia in 2016.

Macan GTS – January

Deliveries of the Macan GTS will commence early in the year, with the sporty, gap-filling model in the brand’s smallest SUV line offering buyers a more aggressive look to the rest of the range.

There’s plenty of black highlights on the outside, including quad exhausts, and it’s not just appearance that differs for the GTS – the car features a modified chassis with lowered suspension, and the GTS’s 21-inch wheels help fill the arches. Inside, there’s a new media system with Apple CarPlay, too.

Under the bonnet is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol with 265kW and 500Nm, which is 11kW and 40Nm more than the entry-level petrol S.

Priced at $109,500 plus on-road costs it’s $22,800 more than the Macan S petrol and $12,900 less than the flagship Macan Turbo.

Read our review here.

911 Carrera – March

The all-turbocharged updated 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S will arrive in Australia sporting a revised look and new gear in March.

That’s right – this isn’t the 911 Turbo, but it is the 911 turbo. The move to forced-induction engines is driven by emissions regulations, with the brilliant 3.6-litre flat six replaced by a 3.0-litre turbo flat-six, with 272kW of power for the Carrera and 309kW for the Carrera S – up 15kW and 60Nm over the old versions.

Fuel consumption savings are also promised, with the PDK-equipped Carrera now listing 7.4 L/100km on the NEDC test cycle and the Carrera S listing 7.7L/100km. Those figures represent 0.8L/100km and 1.0L/100km improvements respectively.

Apple CarPlay will be offered standard, as will front parking sensors and a reverse-view camera.

As has been the case for eons, the 911 Carrera will be offered with a manual gearbox (seven-speed) or Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch seven-speeder. And it will be offered as a Coupe or Cabriolet.

Read our review of the 2016 Porsche 911 Carrera here.

2016 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S pricing (plus on-road costs):
911 Carrera coupe manual – $217,800
911 Carrera coupe PDK – $223,750
911 Carrera S coupe manual – $252,800
911 Carrera S coupe PDK – $258,750
911 Carrera Cabriolet manual – $239,300
911 Carrera Cabriolet PDK – $245,250
911 Carrera S Cabriolet manual – $274,300
911 Carrera S Cabriolet PDK – $280,250

911 Carrera 4 and 911 Carrera 4S – Q2

The 911 range expands to include all-wheel drive in the second quarter of the year when the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4Smodels arrive.

These all-wheel-drive models bring the same turbocharged six-cylinder engines as are also fitted to the regular Carrera and Carrera S models, but they’re faster due to the additional traction on offer (0-100km/h for the Carrera 4 is 4.1 seconds – 0.1sec faster than the rear-drive; 4S is 3.8sec, also 0.1sec quicker).

The Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models adopt wider wheel arches, and can be had as a coupe or Convertible.

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S pricing (plus on-road costs):
911 Carrera 4 Coupe – $233,900
911 Carrera 4S Coupe – $269,000
911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet – $255,400
911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet – $290,500

911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S – Q2

Porsche’s other ‘regular’ 911 variant, the Targa, will join the 4 and 4S models before the middle of 2016.

The shell-back convertible model features a semi-hardtop lid, with the rear glass section lifting up to stow the roof behind the rear seats. It takes 19 seconds to do its thing, and yeah, it’s a bit complicated, but it harks back to the Targa model of old.

The Targa is only available with all-wheel-drive, and also debuts the new turbo engines offered in the other 911 models.

Porsche 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S pricing (plus on-road costs):
911 Targa 4 – $255,400
911 Targa 4S – $290,500

911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S – early Q3

Originally we thought the new Porsche 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S would arrive in May, but that (er) may be pushed out to early in the third quarter of 2016.

The new Turbo (read: not the regular turbo) model is more powerful than before, with the 3.8-litre bi-turbo six-cylinder engine now pushing out 397kW, while the Turbo S churns out 427kW. That’s 15kW up on both models.

And so the 911 Turbo S Coupe sprints to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, down 0.2sec, while its top speed of 330km/h is 12 km/h higher than before. The 911 Turbo now reaches the 100km/h mark in 3.0sec (down 0.2sec) and its top speed is now 320km/h – five clicks faster.

Because going fast is just as fun topless, the Turbo and Turbo S models are again offered with coupe and Convertible body styles.

Porsche 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S pricing (plus on-road costs):
911 Turbo – $384,900
911 Turbo Cabriolet – $406,400
911 Turbo S – $456,500
911 Turbo S Cabriolet – $478,000

718 Boxster and 718 Cayman – Q4

The new-generation Porsche Boxster and Porsche Cayman will see numbers added to their names in 2016 following an expected debut at the 2016 Paris motor show. But the changes will be much more than just a name…

Following the lead of the larger 911, both the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman will embrace turbocharging technology with the introduction of the 2016 update.

The 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman will trade their 2.7-litre flat six engines for equally powerful 2.0-litre flat four-cylinder turbos, doing away with the current divide that positions the Cayman above the Boxster in the power stakes.

Reflecting this – and again mirroring the 911 range structure – the 718 Cayman coupe will now assume the entry-level position beneath the 718 Boxster roadster in terms of pricing.

It’s been speculated that the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman’s new 2.0-litre turbo engine will produce roughly 178kW, which would be down from the current 2.7-litre engine’s 195kW output in the Boxster and 202kW in the Cayman.

The turbo motor will no doubt improve dramatically on the 280Nm and 290Nm currently produced by the Boxster and Cayman respectively, however. That extra torque should see both cars improve on their 0-100km/h times, currently pegged at 5.4 seconds for the hardtop and 5.5sec for the soft-top.

Stay tuned for more on the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman in 2016.

2016 Mitsubishi New Cars

Details of the new and updated Mitsubishi models launching in Australia in 2016.

Mirage update – Q1

Updated versions of the Mitsubishi Mirage hatch and sedan will arrive, potentially a few weeks apart, in the first quarter of 2016.

Mitsubishi smallest model, and one of the cheapest on the market, will get some minor stylistic enhancements broadly in line with the updated MY17 US-market model revealed last month.

There will also be some improvements to the cabin, with revised materials and trims. There is also a strong chance that Apple CarPlay/Android Auto will be offered on upper-level versions, as they will on the new rival Holden Spark due around the same time.

The 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine is expected to carry over.

The current Mirage is still soldiering on as the top-seller in its segment, with 3616 finding home this year — almost double the tally of its closest saes rival, the two-door Fiat 500.

However, Mirage sales are also down 41.3 per cent, which is greater even that the micro car segment’s overall drop of 31.3 per cent. Buyers, it seems, are moving into light cars (up 3.9 per cent) or buying used.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV — mid-2016

The updated, market-unique plug-in hybrid version of Mitsubishi’s trusty Outlander medium SUV will lob around July 2016.

There’s been some minor delay in getting the car here. The vehicle is so popular in markets like the Netherlands, the UK and Russia, that Australia simply has to wait its turn.

As you can read from our international review here, the MY16/17 Outlander PHEV brings to the table revised styling, a more premium cabin design, extra sound-deadening, a stiffer chassis and refined suspension.

The signature drivetrain — a  2.0-litre petrol linked to the front wheels, able to serve as a generator, matched to a battery that can be charged externally, and electric motors.

Responsiveness improves courtesy of a re-calibration of the way the PHEV integrates, while claimed combined-cycle fuel use over 100km is now 1.8L/100km.

With current PHEV range is priced between $47,490 and $52,490 plus on-road costs. Expect Mitsubishi to carry this over more or less unchanged.

Extras

In addition to this, you might expect some running changes to ageing models such as the Lancer as the year progresses. This model just received MY16 updates, but MY16.5 is not unheard of.

Furthermore, MMAL is still weighing up whether it will launch the ASX update recently premiered in the US here, or push for one with different styling. It remains up in the air, as it did in November, though expect some activity around ASX later in the year.

2016 Mini New Cars

Details of the new and updated Mini vehicles launching in Australia in 2016.

Mini Convertible – April

The third-generation Mini Convertible becomes the BMW-owned British brand’s biggest and most mature fabric-top model ever, measuring 98mm longer and 44mm wider than its predecessor, and sitting on a wheelbase that’s 28mm longer than before.

The new model also boasts more cabin space, as well as new front seats with extra adjustability, improved ingress and egress, a longer seat base for rear passengers, and roughly 25 per cent more boot space at 215 litres.

There are no surprises under the bonnet, where the new Mini Convertible inherits its turbocharged petrol engines from the hatches: the 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder Cooper, and the 141kW/280Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder Cooper S. Both will be available with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

Other technologies from the third-gen Mini family find their way into the Convertible, such as LED headlights with high beam assist, head-up display, adaptive cruise control, reverse-view camera, collision and pedestrian warning with auto brake function, and road sign detection.

It also benefits from the new Mini Connected infotainment system with intelligent emergency call, in-car entertainment and social media app integration, and an internet-linked rain warning function that alerts drivers of incoming weather if the roof is open.

Expect circa-$40,000 pricing for the Cooper and a circa-$50,000 tag for the Cooper S.

The Toyota 86 GRMN Is Going into Production

When it was first released, the Toyota GT86 was considered the true successor of the iconic AE86, also known as “Hachiroku.” Now, the Japanese company has announced that a special edition called 86 GRMN will hit the market, but before you head to the closest dealership, find out that it will only be available in Japan.

Last year at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Gazoo Racing Masters of Nurburgring unveiled the 86 GRMN concept, which has possessed the fans' imagination ever since.

This particular edition is, in fact, a hardcore version of the original GT86, with improved performances and a more aggressive look. The power of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine has been increased to 216 bhp and 160 lb-ft of torque and is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

The car also has some aerodynamic upgrades, such as a front splitter and a massive rear wing. You would think that all these extras also make the car heavier, but in fact, the GRMN is 100lbs lighter because of a carbon fiber hood and plexiglass windows.

The suspension has also been improved, and 17-inch wheels with fatter rear tires have been installed. To handle all the extra power, the 86 GRMN has ventilated brake discs with six-pot front and four-pot rear calipers.

Only 100 examples of the Toyota 86 GRMN will be made, and each one will have the starting price of $53,800. It will be shown to the public in January 2016, at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

The original Toyota GT86 is sold worldwide under three different brands and it often gets confusing for people who are not interested in the automotive industry. The car is known under the name of Toyota 86 in Asia, South Africa, South America and Australia, as GT86 in Europe, and as FT86 in Nicaragua and Jamaica.

The vehicle is also known as the Subaru BRZ worldwide and as Scion FR-S in the US and Canada.

2016 MG New Cars

Details of the new and updated MG models launching in Australia in 2016.

Historic British brand MG, in Chinese hands since 2006, is planning a comeback in the Australian market.

The brand most recently tried its luck in our hugely competitive market through a local distributor operation, also Chinese-owned, but the brand failed to make any real headway.

This time, MG owner SAIC – China’s largest carmaker and a manufacturing partner to General Motors and Volkswagen – is taking direct control of the brand’s Australian sales.

What’s coming?

MG 3 – April

The first cab off the rank will be the light MG 3 hatch, revealed at the 2013 Shanghai auto show.

In its current form, the MG 3 is powered by a 77kW 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, matched to a five-speed manual.

The MG 3 will launch here in April, but it remains to be seen if an update to the nearly three year-old car will appear first. MG Australia CEO, Jason Pecotic, has told CarAdvice however that the existing MG 3 is still defined as a current model.

Read more about the MG 3

MG 6 – September

The MG 6 will get another go at the Australian market in September, after failing to take off under previous distributor Longwell.

A facelifted version of the MG 6 debuted earlier this year in overseas markets, but it remains to be seen if the local relaunch will begin with this updated model or the roughly 600 unsold vehicles left over from the previous Australian effort.

Australian models in the previous range were powered by a 118kW/215Nm 1.8-litre SOHC petrol engine. The revised range again features a 1.8-litre petrol engine, along with a 1.9-litre diesel, but the latter is not expected here because it is a manual-only model.

The new MG operation in Australia has confirmed that the MG 6 will launch with an automatic transmission only.

Read more about the MG 6

MG CS/GS/GTS

Revealed as a concept way back in 2013, the MG CS SUV is expected to make its production debut in 2016.

Little about the final version of the CS has been revealed, although MG said in 2013 that it will “expand the global reach of the MG brand”.

Although the CS concept is unquestionably the freshest-looking model from MG in years, it will enter a hugely competitive market in Australia.

Local timing is still to be confirmed, but MG Australia chief Jason Pecotic has told CarAdvice that a late 2016 debut is the target.

2016 McLaren New Cars

Details of the new and updated McLaren models launching in Australia in 2016.

McLaren 570S – early 2016

The McLaren 570S will make its Australian debut in the early part of 2016, with a $408,000 drive-away price tag.

For the money, buyers will be treated to a 420kW/600Nm 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 matched to a seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox – a combination that promises a 0-100km/h time of 3.2 seconds.

The best part to that list, of course, is that the 570S coupe’s acceleration makes it a match for the legendary McLaren F1.

Read more about the McLaren 570S

McLaren 540C – early 2016

Arriving below the 570S, the debut of the $350,000 540C shaves around $110,000 off the price of entry into the McLaren range.

The 540C gets the same engine that drives the 570S, with outputs detuned to 397kW and 540Nm.

The new entry model’s performance is still impressive, however, with a 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds making it only slightly short of the 570S’s time.

Read more about the McLaren 540C

2016 Mercedes-Benz New Cars

Details of the new and updated Mercedes-Benz models launching in Australia in 2016.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class – January

The facelifted Mercedes-Benz A-Class range will arrive in Australia in the first month of 2016, bringing with it revised pricing, new equipment and a new halo model in the form of the Mercedes-AMG A45.

The model range again consists of the base model petrol A180, the petrol A200 and diesel A200d, the warm A250 Sport (now with all-wheel drive) and the aforementioned all-paw AMG model, which is the world’s fastest four-cylinder car.

We already know the full pricing and specifications for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class range, and we’ve driven theA250 Sport and Mercedes-AMG A45, too.

Mercedes-AMG GLA45 – Q1

The updated powertrain from the A45 will be added to the renamed Mercedes-AMG GLA45.

That updated four-cylinder turbo petrol engine has 280kW of power and 475Nm of torque – increases of 15kW and 25Nm over the old Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG.

Expect a couple of new gadgets, too.

Mercedes-AMG CLA45 – Q1

The updated powertrain from the A45 will be added to the renamed Mercedes-AMG CLA45.

That updated four-cylinder turbo petrol engine has 280kW of power and 475Nm of torque – increases of 15kW and 25Nm over the old Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG.

Expect a couple of new gadgets, too. A facelifted version of the CLA may arrive Down Under by years’ end, too.

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class – April

The replacement for the Mercedes-Benz GL is the Mercedes-Benz GLS. The S is supposed to represent its apparent alignment with the S-Class, in that this is most luxurious SUV from the Stuttgart maker.

The heavily facelifted model will see slightly higher prices than the GL, but also more standard kit to offset – and even improve, according to the company – the value-for-money proposition of the seven-seat SUV range.

Along with the revised styling there have been refinements to the cabin that include a revised instrument cluster, new three-spoke steering wheel, floating tablet-style 8.0-inch infotainment screen, and a redesigned centre console with Mercedes’ new touchpad controller.

The line-up includes the diesel-powered GLS350d (replacing GL 350 Bluetec), along with the petrol V6 GLS400 and V8 GLS500.

We know the full pricing and specifications for the Mercedes-Benz GLS range – read it here. Stay tuned for our review of the new model early in the second quarter of 2016.

Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid models – Q2

Not one, not two, but three plug-in hybrid models from Mercedes-Benz will launch at once in the second quarter of 2016: the S-Class Plug-In Hybrid, the C-Class Plug-In Hybrid and the GLE-Class Plug-In Hybrid.

The S500e plug-in model uses a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine as one half of its powertrain, with combined outputs of 325kW and 650Nm torque – a not-so-direct equation of adding the petrol’s 245kW/480Nm with the electric motor’s 85kW/340Nm.

It can charge in as little as two hours on a fast-charger or four at home, and it has 33km of claimed range. Fuel use is claimed at just 2.8 litres per 100km.

This is the same powertrain used in the GLE500e model, which claims fuel use of 3.3L/100km.

The C350e plug-in’s petrol unit is the brand’s familiar 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four. This tag-teams with a 60kW/340Nm electric motor. Combined, the pair makes up to 205kW/600Nm in total system output.

Stay tuned for full pricing and specifications of the plug-in models as news comes to hand.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Q2

The all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe will hit showrooms in the second quarter of 2016, with the German brand’s sporty rival to the likes of the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5 expected to size up slightly better than the model it replaces.

That’s in part down to the fact the new C Coupe is larger – and more luxurious – than before, spanning 95mm longer and 40mm wider than the car it replaces, and back-seat space should be improved due to a wheelbase stretch of 80mm.

Petrol and diesel engines will be offered, including the base model C200 petrol (with 135kW/300Nm), the base model C250d (with 150kW and 500Nm) the C300 petrol (with 180kW/380Nm) and the flagship Mercedes-AMG C63 AMG S with a 375kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.

The tweaked Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG Coupe will also arrive before the end of the year.

Pricing and full specifications have not yet been revealed, though the company has confirmed it will offer the cars “heavily specified”, with a price range similar to the existing C-Class Coupe line-up (starting about $60K, ranging up to $160K for the AMG).

Read our review of the C-Class Coupe here.

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class – Q3

The updated Mercedes-Benz SL-Class was unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show, bringing a new look, new tech and some interior revisions.

The updated SL – which is a facelift for the version of the brand’s most expensive convertible that went on sale in 2012 – brings a new-look bonnet with ‘powerdomes’, and a new bumper to give the car a cosmetic point of difference over its predecessor. There’s also a diamond grille and standard LED headlights with auto high-beam.

Mercedes’ latest active and preventative safety tech is fitted, including autonomous braking, radar cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane assist and parking assist. There’s also integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and support for various streaming apps.

The new SL features “Active Body Control”, which can tilt the body of the in corners.

New drivetrains will be offered, including the SL400 3.0-litre turbo V6 pumping out 270kW/500Nm and the 4.7-litre V8 in the SL500 now makes 335kW/ 700Nm. Both have new nine-speed automatic transmissions.

The Mercedes-AMG models include the SL63 with a 430kW/900Nm 5.5-litre biturbo V8, and the SL65 with a 6.0-litre bi-turbo with 463kW/1000Nm.

Expect pricing and specifications for the new SL-Class to be announced closer to the car’s launch in the third quarter of 2016.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet – Q3

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet is the brand’s first open-topped luxury four-seater since 1971, completing the S-Class range by sitting alongside the S-Class sedan and the S-Class Coupe.

The ‘entry’ S-Class cabriolet is the S500 variant powered by a 4.7-litre V8 with 335kW/700Nm (from 1800rpm), sending torque to the rear wheels via a nine-speed auto. All versions get Airmatic air suspension.

The S63 4Matic version has a 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 with 430kW and a staggering 900Nm of torque, which is sent to all four wheels (the 4Matic system is rear-biased). The claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of the behemoth is just 3.9 seconds.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but expect it to carry a premium over the Coupe model which is priced at $318,610 for the S500 and $398,610 for the AMG S63.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class – Q4

Set for its international debut at the 2016 Detroit auto show, the all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class brings with it plenty of new technology and a completely revised look inside and out.

We’ve seen the interior, which looks very similar to the S-Class – in that it is hugely luxurious – and the focus of the cabin is clearly the huge infotainment and instrument display made up of two 12.3-inch screens.

Mercedes-Benz has also claimed a first for the automotive industry, adding a pair of touchpads to the steering wheel controls that allow certain on-screen functions to be controlled and menus to be navigated through by swiping as one would on a laptop touchpad or a smartphone screen.

The new model will also debut a new level of autonomous driving technology with its Active Lane Change Assist function, which uses a series of radars and a stereo camera to support the driver to complete lane changes.

Expect a range of petrol and diesel engines, as well as a plug-in hybrid model and the unquestionable Mercedes-AMG E63 model to follow, though likely in 2017.

Stay tuned for full pricing and specifications ahead of the car’s debut in Australia in the last few months of the year.

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe – Q4

Nothing is confirmed just yet, but there’s every chance that the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe will arrive on sale here late in 2016. The picture above is the GLC Coupe Concept.

The first-ever example of the GLC with a sloping roofline will complement the more practicality-focused GLC-Class SUV in a similar way to the GLE Coupe and its GLE sibling.

Expect similar engine offerings – petrol, diesel, and a high-output AMG V8 – to the regular GLC range, and a slightly less practical boot.