Motor shows

Mercedes-Benz has revealed a new, third-generation version of its luxurious seven-seat SUV flagship, the GLS at this year’s New York motor show.

Toyota has chosen the New York motor show to reveal an all-new fourth-generation version of its full-size, seven-seat Kluger SUV.The new Kluger (badged Highlander in the USA) is longer (+60mm) than the model it replaces, and sports a more aggressive, angular look in line with Toyota’s more adventurous design philosophy.Extra body length contributes to increased interior space with Toyota claiming an additional 30mm of slide capacity for the second row of seats.The latest Toyota to be underpinned by the brand’s TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, the new Kluger retains the outgoing model’s 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive models.Although local on-sale timing is yet to be confirmed, Toyota Australia says the new Kluger will feature a full suite of ‘Active Sense’ driver-assistance tech including a pre-collision system (with pedestrian detection), all-speed active cruise, lane trace assist, lane departure alert (with steering assist), auto high-beam (with road sign assist), and a reversing camera.Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert will be available depending on model grade.Along with its Prado stablemate, the Kluger helps Toyota dominate the Australian large SUV segment, the model passing 170,000 sales since its launch here in 2003, including a record 14,743 registrations in 2018.Current Kluger pricing ranges from $44,850 for the GX 4x2 to $69,246 for the top-spec Grande 4x4.

Shown in concept form at last year’s Paris motor show, Porsche has revealed the production version of its farewell to the 991-series 911, the Speedster.Powered by a 374kW naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six borrowed from the current 911 GT3 and GT3 RS, the Speedster is available with a six-speed ‘GT Sport’ manual transmission only and is claimed to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8sec.Developed by the Porsche Motorsport department on a chassis derived from the 911 GT3, just 1948 examples will be built in recognition of the year Porsche first received its operating licence.Like previous Porsche Speedsters, this latest version features a low-cut windscreen and side glass with a lightweight, manually-operated fabric top.Other light-weighting measures include the use of carbon-fibre for the (front) boot lid, front guards and signature ‘streamliners’ smoothing airflow over the rear (carbon) decklid.Standard ‘Porsche Composite’ brakes are 50 per cent lighter than the standard cast-iron rotor system, air-conditioning is deleted (but can be added as a no-cost option), and the six-speed gearbox is 4.1kg than the seven-speed found in other 911 Carrera models (and 18kg lighter than a ‘PDK’ dual-clutch auto). Overall weight is 1465kg.According to Porsche Cars Australia, local pricing and launch timing will be confirmed in May. For reference, the 997-series Speedster of 2010 weighed in at $519,800, plus on-road costs.

Genesis has offered the first look at its future design direction, unveiling the sleek Mint Concept on the eve of the New York Motor Show.

Nissan has unveiled a 50th anniversary edition 370Z sports coupe at the New York motor show.The edition is in celebration of the first ‘Z’ car, the Datsun 240Z (known in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z) which was first released in 1969 as a halo car in Nissan’s range.The limited edition 370Z which is set to arrive in the second half of 2019 in Australia has a heavy US-market tilt as it wears a homage livery to the Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) 240Z which helped solidify the Z car’s image in the US.For the US market, the 50th Anniversary Edition will be available across all four trim levels, although confirmation on whether it will be available on both of Australia’s base and Nismo trims is yet to be confirmed.Aside from the livery, the 50th Anniversary Edition will include identifying badges, bi-xenon headlights, LED DRLs, bespoke 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels forged by RAYS, leather seat trim with with 50th Anniversary logos and red highlights, dark chrome kick plates as well as synthetic suede door inserts and steering wheel.There are no power tweaks for the 3.7-litre V6 which continues to produce 250kW/366Nm, or the transmission which continues to be available as either an auto-rev matching six-speed manual or auto rev-matching seven-speed auto. The 50th Anniversary Edition will come with Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres as standard.

Nissan has debuted the updated GT-R Nismo at the New York motor show, with some mild tweaks that increase the performance car’s credentials.

Nissan has unveiled the 50th Anniversary Edition GT-R in New York, set to arrive in Australia in the second half of 2019.The special edition celebrates 50 years since the launch of the first GT-R, the 1969 PGC-10 sedan and subsequent KPGC-10 coupe (now affectionately known by its Japanese nickname Hakosuka).The 50th Anniversary GT-R will be available in three colour schemes designed to reference liveries worn by the GT-R in the Japan GP series – the race series the original car was built for.The hero colour for the car is the fan favourite 'Bayside Blue' which last appeared on the R34 GT-R between 1998 and 2002. The colour is complimented by white racing stripes.Aside from the colour schemes, the 50th Anniversary Edition GT-R scores as standard a new grey interior colour scheme with a unique steering wheel and Alcantara trim throughout. There are also 50th Anniversary Edition-specific wheels.For the 2020 model year, Nissan has re-worked the GT-R’s engine performance slightly. The 3.8-litre V6 (VR38DETT) still produces 421kW/633Nm but has tweaked turbos and exhaust manifolds to provide sharper engine response.The six-speed dual-clutch transmission has also been re-worked for “more aggressive downshifts” which “results in reduced understeer”. Nissan has also given the GT-R a new titanium exhaust muffler with burnished blue tips.While Nissan has confirmed the GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition will arrive in Australia in the second half of 2019, you’ll need to stay tuned closer to its release window for local pricing information.

Audi has unveiled what it calls a "mobility concept for the megacities of the future" the AI:ME concept hatchback.

Volkswagen is set to throw the covers off the latest car in its range of electrified ‘I.D.’ branded concepts at the Shanghai motor show.

Japanese luxury marque Infiniti has revealed yet another concept in its line of ‘Inspiration’ vehicles designed to preview future electric models in the brand’s range.