Hybrid

Mercedes-AMG appears to be readying a plug-in hybrid GT four-door range-topper, potentially packing around 600kW. Although fleeting, the end of a video on Mercedes-AMG's social media channels shows a GT four-door's rear end covered with camouflage. As it takes off into the distance, the car doesn't make an angry V8 sound – instead, there's the distinct hum of an electric motor, before the camera cuts to a graphic reading "THE FUTURE OF PERFORMANCE".

Jeep has confirmed technical details for its first plug-in hybrid, the Renegade PHEV. It’ll be followed by a plug-in hybrid version of the Compass. Autocar reports the electrified Renegade will use a 99kW rear-mounted electric motor mated to the more powerful 134kW tune of FCA’s 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. In all-wheel drive mode, there’s a total system output of 176kW, good for a 0-100km/h time of around 7.0 seconds.

A Tesla Cybertruck might still be science fiction but Toyota says there is already strong customer demand in regional Australia for hybrid pick-ups and four-wheel drives. The Japanese car company embarked on a “hybrid cavalcade” tour of rural Australia to preach the benefits of electric-car tech and have potential buyers sample a range of vehicles, starting with Queensland and Victoria, with NSW and other states due to follow.

Darcy Foster • Named after company founder Battista Farina, the all-electric Battista is set to launch late in 2020 with a price tag of US$2 million dollars (~$3 million) with 150 units slated for production. Though its body is designed in Italy, the Battista shares its electric powertrain and between 30 and 40 per cent of its components with the Rimac C Two, which calls Croatia home.

Lexus has revealed the LS Inspiration Series, a celebration of its flagship sedan's 30th birthday, priced from $198,922 before on-road costs in Australia. Based on the existing LS limousine, the Inspiration Series can be separated from the regular line-up by its 20-inch alloy wheels and the availability of 'Khaki Metal' green paint for the exterior. Inside, the car is kitted out with chestnut-coloured semi-aniline leather trim and brown door fabric trim, along with laser-cut 'ornamentation'.