Car News

Dhivya Suryadevara has been named Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for General Motors (GM), becoming the first woman in the role since the company's foundation in 1908. Suryadevara has been vice president of corporate finance at GM for the past 11 months, having first joined the US giant in 2005, and replaces Chuck Stevens in the role of CFO. She played a strong hand in the sale of Opel, investment in Lyft and the acquisition of self-driving company Cruise Automation in her previous position.

Ford Australia has confirmed 2018.5 Escape pricing and specifications, announcing the addition of range-wide standard autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and a new ST-Line grade from September. Every new Escape will include AEB as standard, having previously bundled it in the $1300 Driver Assist Technologies pack on Trend and Titanium models, and not offered it on the base Ambiente.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has recalled the 2017 E-Class Cabriolet, over concerns the front door seals may not stop heavy rain entering the door cavity. According to the company, the weak seals could let water into the door control unit, damaging the auto-reversing power window assembly, along with creating a risk of short circuit and fire. A total of 18 cars are included in the campaign, which involves vehicles built between August 1, 2017 and October 31, 2017. A VIN list is attached here.

The idea of being a test driver for someone like Bugatti sounds glamorous, but it's also a risky game. The test-driver in question here, Loris Bicocchi, was involved in developing the Veyron, having previously had a hand in the final Lamborghini Countach, Pagani Zonda, Bugatti EB110 and Koenigsegg CCX. In other words, he's no dummy behind the wheel, which makes his story of binning a Veyron at speeds nudging 400km/h all the more incredible.

Lanzante Motorsport has teased the McLaren P1 GT Longtail, ahead of a possible launch at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. If the Lanzante name is familiar, it's because the company took the track-only McLaren P1 GTR – itself, a racing version of a road car – and made it road legal. The company has history with the McLaren P1, then.