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The week’s top news stories, April 8

It's VFACTS week!


The automotive news wheel is always turning. If you’re not constantly checking CarAdvice – which you should be doing, by the way – it can be easy for some headlines to slip through the cracks.

To make sure you haven’t missed anything important, we’ve gathered what we reckon are the hottest news stories from this week, right here. Check them out, and let us know what caught your eye.


VFACTS: March 2018 new vehicle sales

Another month has flown by, which means it's time to take a look at which brands are selling strongly. March was a great month for Honda and Mitsubishi, but Holden's struggles continued in a big way – the Lion Brand sold just 5116 cars, sneaking into 10th place on the charts behind Subaru and Volkswagen.


2018 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport pricing and specs

Mitsubishi has tweaked the Pajero Sport lineup for 2018, adding a higher-spec GLS model to the five-seat range. There's also more standard safety kit across the range, and soft trim on the sides of the centre console. It's the little things, right?


Tesla Model 3: Q1 production figures revealed

We're officially a quarter of the way through 2018 and, well, Tesla is still missing targets. Elon Musk wanted to be making 2500 Model 3s per week by this point, but the brand built just 2020 last week, and has plans for only 2000 this week.


2019 Ford Focus teased ahead of April 10 reveal

It's almost here! The next-generation Ford Focus was teased this week, ahead of a full (long-awaited) reveal next week. We're expecting EcoBoost engines, European styling and more technology behind the wheel.


Australian Capital Territory proposes sweeping P-Plate changes

The ACT is looking to tighten up its P-Plate regulations. A sweeping proposal would see a curfew imposed, passenger regulations introduced and a tougher L-Plate process.


Volkswagen Amarok V6 gets a power boost

VW is preparing for the Mercedes-Benz X-Class with a more powerful Amarok. The range-topping dual-cab will make 190kW and 580Nm when it arrives later this year, thanks to a new Euro 6 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.

By way of comparison, the current V6 Ultimate makes 165kW and 550Nm, jumping to 180kW on over boost.


Tesla announces eight-year warranty for Model S and Model X

Tesla has announced an eight-year new car warranty for the Model S and X, along with eight years of roadside assistance. It's a bumper-to-bumper warranty, and sits atop the existing eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty on batteries and drive units.


Mercedes-AMG C63 successor to be hybrid

"I think the formula is perfect for now, but for sure we need to have a close look at viable alternatives, because we have to be creative and I’m chasing performance and that’s not strictly linked to the number of cylinders,” Tobias Moers said, speaking with CarAdvice at the New York motor show.

“If you apply proper intelligent hybridisation or electrification to a car which is capable of having an always-on strategy regarding the battery and the whole system, then it’s amazing what you can get out of them.

“Which means for sure the next-generation Mercedes-AMG C63 will be a hybrid – that’s now a given,” he said.

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