Car News

Lexus has defied the downwards trend in the luxury market throughout 2019, and it's crediting its range of hybrid vehicles for the results. Toyota's luxury arm was up 5.9 per cent in May and has exactly matched 2018 sales year-to-date. That's in stark contrast with BMW (down 3.8 per cent year-to-date), Audi (down 29 per cent), and Mercedes-Benz cars (down 14 per cent).

BMW has revealed a new range of M Performance Parts for the all-new 3 Series Touring and 8 Series Gran Coupe, following a slew of performance-themed accessories for the company’s latest releases. The 8 Series Gran Coupe is available with a carbon-fibre front grille and side mirrors, along with the side gills. Buyers of the 3 Series Touring, meanwhile, can opt for carbon-fibre mirrors and a rear diffuser insert – which is also available in gloss black.

Mercedes-Benz – the biggest contributor to federal Luxury Car Tax last year – has joined the campaign against stamp duty increases, as fears grow across the industry other states may follow the precedents set by Queensland and Victoria.

Lexus prototypes fitted with Australian-first connected technology have started testing on Melbourne roads, as part of a trial with Telstra and VicRoads. The RX450h test cars are part of a two-year, $3.5 million trial funded by a $9 million grant from the Traffic Accident Commission (TAC).

A new variant of the Ford GT has been teased ahead of its debut at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The most obvious change we can see from the shadowy preview image is the addition of a large rear wing, and a roof-mounted air intake. More than this we don't know, as Ford has yet to provide any details about the car.