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Lots of new metal, lots of pricing, lots of electric power.

The automotive news wheel is always turning. If you’re not constantly checking CarAdvice – which you should be doing, by the way – it can be easy for some headlines to slip through the cracks.

To make sure you haven’t missed anything important, we’ve gathered what we reckon are the hottest news stories from this week, right here. Check them out, and let us know what caught your eye.


VFACTS: August 2018 new vehicle sales

New vehicle sales in Australia dropped 1.5 per cent on the same month in 2017, with new registrations totalling 95,221 units. Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria all recorded increases, while the rest of the nation – led by a 9.7 per cent drop for the Northern Territory – was down.

Get the full breakdown here


Ford Endura ST-Line confirmed for Australia

Ford Australia has confirmed the upcoming Endura SUV will offer an ST-Line variant in Australia, with the range scheduled to land Down Under during the fourth quarter of this year.

Looks good, right?


2019 Skoda Octavia RS pricing and specs

Skoda Australia has revealed pricing and specs for the 2019 Octavia RS, now available exclusively with a dual-clutch transmission and the more powerful 180kW engine tune.

The car will be offered in RS 2.0 TSI and RS 245 grades as a sedan or wagon, sending 180kW and 370Nm to the front wheels through a seven-speed DSG.

An electrically-controlled limited-slip differential is standard across the range, too


Apple reports first self-driving crash

An Apple self-driving prototype has been rear-ended on a Silicon Valley expressway, revealing the technology company is still working on autonomous vehicles.

Take it back to the Genius Bar, folks


2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC revealed: 300kW EV debuts in Stockholm

The all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQC has been unveiled today at a special event in Sweden, two years after it first appeared as a concept at the Paris motor show.

As expected, and certainly as hinted by a flood of spy photos and official teaser images, the EQC has more than a little GLC about its styling.

Nonetheless, the brand is talking up what it calls ‘electro-look’ styling


2019 Toyota Corolla Sports Touring revealed

The next-generation Toyota Corolla wagon has been revealed ahead of an in-the-flesh debut at the Paris motor show in early October.

The new wagon rides on a 2700mm wheelbase, up 60mm from the hatch. Toyota says this increase gives the Corolla wagon “best-in-class” rear seat legroom. The company claims the wagon’s boot has a VDA load space rating of 598 litres, presumably with the rear seats up.

Should Toyota bring it here?


2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class pricing and specs

Mercedes-Benz Australia has released pricing and specifications for the upgraded 2019 E-Class range, bolstered by new powertrain options and added technology.

Key changes for the new model year include the standard fitment of the Driver Assistance Package Plus across the range, adding features like enhanced traffic sign assist for the adaptive cruise control system.

The updated E-Class range is on sale now


2019 Subaru Forester pricing and specs

Subaru Australia has announced pricing and specifications for the all-new 2019 Forester line-up, which kicks off from $33,490 before on-road costs.

The fifth-generation Forester is headlined by a heavily-revised engine and transmission, enhanced driver assistance technologies, new infotainment systems, more interior space, and – of course – a new look inside and out.

There’s no turbo tearaway for now


2019 Mazda CX-9 pricing and specs

Mazda Australia has detailed the revised CX-9 range, headlined by the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the first time, along with a new range-topping variant.

There’s a new LE flagship


2019 BMW X2 M35i revealed

BMW has unveiled the range-topping X2 M35i, the first M Performance version of its small crossover series, scheduled to land in Australia in the first half of next year.

Four-cylinder, all-wheel drive M SUV. Hmmm


2019 BMW xDrive 45e iPerformance revealed

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the brand new, fourth-generation BMW X5 has been revealed. Its name? The BMW X5 xDrive45e iPerformance.

The successor to BMW’s X5 xDrive40e pairs a 210kW 3.0-litre petrol-fired inline-six with an 82kW motor, with onboard electric power stored in a lithium-ion battery pack.

System output is 290kW/600Nm