Car News

Toyota has unveiled a range of new TNGA-based powertrains, including a 2.0-litre Dynamic Force four-cylinder petrol, a revised hybrid system and a new torque-vectoring all-wheel drive setup. The new, excitingly-named Dynamic Force Engine has been designed to deliver an impressive 40 per cent thermal efficiency, all the while offering more torque at essentially any speed.

Australian pricing and specifications for the upgraded 2018 Mazda 3 range have been announced this week, with extra equipment and sharp drive-away deals on offer for lower-grade versions of the popular hatch and sedan. Headlining the changes is a host of extra equipment for the lower Neo, Maxx and Touring grades, with the former two now renamed Neo Sport and Maxx Sport.

The next-generation Toyota Corolla has been confirmed for reveal at the Geneva motor show on March 6, sharing the stage with a preview of the upcoming Supra sports car. Shown in a single shadowy teaser (above), the new Corolla hatchback – known as the Auris in Europe – appears to have inherited some of the more angular elements of the C-HR crossover, namely the headlight and tail-light signatures.

Independent crash-testing ANCAP has released its latest set of safety ratings this week, with the BMW X2, Jaguar E-Pace, Mercedes-Benz X-Class and Volkswagen Polo all receiving five-star safety ratings. Headlining ANCAP's release is the X-Class's standard inclusion of autonomous emergency braking – a first for the ute segment in Australia. Meanwhile, the littlest Volkswagen offered in Australia scored an impressive 96 per cent for adult occupant protection.

Daimler, parent company of Mercedes-Benz and Smart, has confirmed Li Shufu, founder and chairman of Geely, has aquired a 9.69 per cent stake in the German van, truck and luxury car maker. According to The Detroit News and other outlets, Li's stake in the German company cost around €7.3 billion ($11.5 billion). Li's 103 million shares make him the largest single shareholder in Daimler, ahead of Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund, which controls around 6.8 per cent of the company.