This week's other motoring news in brief
CLC to be replaced
Pictured is the Mercedes replacement for the ageing CLC, a C-Class coupé that is set to enter showrooms early next year, alongside some minor facelifts to the overall range.
The most distinctive change to the car is at the rear where it takes on proportions and styling similar to that of BMW coupés.
In keeping with the general trend in the industry at present, engine sizes are set to be lower than the current range.
Kia reveals details of the new Sportage
Kia has announced details of its new Sportage which is due to go on sale here in the autumn.
The updated crossover SUV from the Korean brand will come with either a 1.7-litre 115bhp or 2-litre 136bhp diesel engine.
While Kia’s new Sorrento SUV fell foul of the emissions tax rules by just one gram – falling into band E while many of its rivals are band D – they have had more success with this model.
The 1.7-litre diesel falls into tax band B (€156 annual motor tax) while the 2-litre diesel is band C (€302 a year). Prices have yet to be confirmed.
Electric partnership
Toyota and Tesla will develop battery-powered test versions of the Japanese carmaker’s RAV4 and Lexus RX models in the first stage of a partnership in electric vehicles, according to people involved in the deal.
Tesla announced last week that it will deliver two prototypes vehicles to Toyota this month without identifying the models.
While Toyota also aims to test an electric version of the Corolla, the RAV4 and RX SUVs are better suited to the weight of Tesla’s battery pack, said the person.
Toyota’s President Akio Toyoda said last week that the partnership with Tesla, maker of the electric Roadster, is the first of several the Japanese company wants to pursue.
Toyota, the world’s largest seller of hybrids, bought a stake in Tesla earlier this year – Bloomberg service