Car News

Lexus is planning big things for its next-generation CT small car, with a new report claiming the brand will offer an electric variant to take on the likes of the Tesla Model 3. Auto Express quotes the company's European boss, Pascal Ruch, confirming a successor to its ageing Prius-based model, adding Lexus wants to offer "something different" to differentiate the CT from the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and BMW 1 Series.

China is planning to repeal its foreign ownership restrictions on car manufacturers, with the cap to be fully removed by 2022. The country's state planner has informed the BBC and other news outlets it will remove foreign ownership caps on makers of fully-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles this year. Commercial vehicle manufacturers will be freed from restrictions in 2020, while general automakers can be fully owned by an overseas entity from 2022.

The next-generation Ford Focus ST has been spied this week in and around the famed Nurburgring in Germany, giving us a first look at the upcoming hot hatch. Following the reveal of the all-new Focus range last week, this prototype is wearing a subtle body kit under the swirly black-and-white wrap, along with 19-inch alloy wheels borrowed from the current-gen Focus ST.

The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury has been teased again this week, ahead of its reveal at the Beijing motor show. Following the teaser video posted on social media earlier this week, the German marque has released a designer sketch of the new concept's cabin, showing a simple, yet elegant cockpit with a futuristic design and a large dual-screen instrument cluster and infotainment system.

Have you ever found yourself obsessing over making a miniature version of something? Even as an adult, I never quite grew out of the remote-control-car phase, and still have a collection of RC cars, boats and helicopters that probably cost the same as a "sane person's" daily driver.