Car News

Just a week after announcing limited-run 400 Sport versions of the XE and XF, Jaguar has unveiled the XJ50, a special edition to celebrate half a century of flagship sedans from the Big Cat. Power will come from a choice of 3.0-litre petrol or 3.0-litre diesel engines, making 250kW and 221kW respectively. The 0-100km/h sprint takes 5.9 seconds in the petrol, or 6.2 seconds in the diesel. Supercharged V8 power remains the preserve of the XJR575 for the moment.

Great Wall hasn't exactly hit its straps in Australia since it re-launching with factory distribution. The Steed ute range scored poorly in crash tests, and hasn't racked up sales to match its Chinese rival, the LDV T60 – a ute currently with more demand than supply. However, the next-generation ute premiering in 2019/20 as an intended Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger rival will be far, far more convincing based on discussions we've been having with company staffers in Beijing.

Ford North America has confirmed it's in the process of transitioning to a passenger car range comprising just the Mustang and Focus Active. The company used its most recent financial release to confirm the North American-specific news, consigning the Fusion, Taurus, Fiesta, C-Max and regular Focus models to an early grave. Production of the Taurus will end in March 2019, while the current-generation Fiesta will carry on until May of the same year.

Lexus has finally given its ES mid-size sedan a full reveal, ahead of a fourth-quarter arrival in Australia this year. Although the car will be offered with a V6 engine in global markets, the brand has made the decision to go hybrid-only when the car lobs Down Under.

The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class L sedan has been launched ahead of the 2018 Beijing motor show, and will be sold exclusively in China. The newly-unveiled sedan has a 2789mm wheelbase, 60mm longer than the recently launched fourth-generation hatch. The company says a "version of the sedan tailored to the needs of customers outside China" will be unveiled in the second half of 2018.