Car News

It looks like Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) will take a lead role in developing the pickup/ute platform used across the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance on the next-generation Triton (L200), Navara and Alaskan. We already know this ute trio will share a common architecture in (potentially) different states of tune, wearing different designs and with different cabins, but we now know MMC expects to be the Alliance member chosen to run the project.

A prototype believed to be a more extreme 'Black Series' version of the Mercedes-AMG GT has been spied again, this time during performance testing at the Nurburgring race track in Germany. Compared to the prototype snapped in September, this vehicle is sporting a more aggressive aerodynamic setup, including a more pronounced front bumper and splitter with incorporated flics, and a larger rear wing.

Subaru will make its first assault on the plug-in hybrid market next year with the XV Hybrid, and new government documents from the USA indicate it should offer over 40 kilometres of all-electric range. The filing, sourced from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), rates the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid's all-electric range at 25.65 miles (41.28km) – 'Crosstrek' is the XV's name in the US.

Bosch and Daimler are joining forces for level four and five automated vehicle trials in San Jose, California, set to start in the second half of 2019. The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding with the city, flagging an on-demand ride-hailing service set to be offered to a "selected user community" in the San Carlos/Stevens Creek corridor.

Toyota Australia is throwing its considerable weight behind a factory rally operation, set to run two Yaris AP4 cars in the Australian Rally Championship (ARC). The new team will debut at Rally Australia in Coffs Harbour this weekend, with Harry Bates behind the wheel and John McCarthy in the co-driver's hot seat. A second factory-backed car will join the team, driven by Lewis Bates, next year.