Los Angeles motor show

Volkswagen’s massive rollout of electric cars continues apace with the Volkswagen ID Space Vizzion concept unveiled at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show today. It is the seventh pure electric concept car unveiled by the German giant in the past three years – and while Australia is not likely to get this one, we will get a vehicle that looks like it.

Mini will finally unveil the third-generation John Cooper Works GP at the Los Angeles motor show, packing a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine making at least 225kW. When it launches, the GP promises to be the fastest-ever road-going Mini. It's the latest in a line of pared-back, track-ready special editions, with production limited to just 3000 units. According to Mini, the previous-generation JCW GP lapped the Nurburgring in 8:23.00, but the new model has already dipped below eight minutes.

The new 2020 BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupe has been unveiled today, joining its Coupe and Convertible siblings to round out the new M8 family. You'll remember you got your first look at this hero last year, in concept form. Timed to land alongside the M8 Competition Coupe, the M8 Gran Coupe Competition will touch down in Australia early next year.

Nissan has revealed the refreshed 2019 Maxima at the Los Angeles motor show this week, headlined by an updated design inside and out, along with the availability of the company's Safety Shield 360 tech suite. As revealed in the single frontal image a few weeks ago, the updated Maxima gets new jewel-like LED headlights and a revised LED daytime-running light signature, a deeper version of the V-motion front grille, revised tail-lights, and new bumpers.

The Gladiator, Jeep's long-awaited Wrangler-based ute, has finally made its debut at the 2018 Los Angeles motor show. Riding on a 3500mm wheelbase, the Gladiator is 493mm longer between the axles than a five-door Wrangler. Its frame is also 787mm longer than the largest Wrangler. In other words, it's going to be big. The Gladiator's tray bed is about 1500mm long, with inbuilt tie-downs and an under-floor spare wheel mount capable of holding rolling stock up to 35 inches in diameter.