2019 Lexus CT

Now more than seven years old, the Lexus CT has long since started showing its age. It鈥檚 been withdrawn from the US market, its place at the entry level of the company鈥檚 lineup effectively taken by the new UX crossover. But Lexus is reportedly preparing a replacement. Auto Express reports that the next-generation CT will be offered both as a hybrid and as a pure EV. That鈥檇 put it in direct contention with the Tesla Model 3. And it would help distinguish it from other luxury hatchbacks like the Mercedes A-Class and Audi A3. The new Lexus CT would start afresh, based on the same TNGA platform as the new Toyota Auris (known as the Corolla Hatchback in North America). But of course it would take a more premium approach than its Toyota counterpart - in addition to offering powertrains relying more heavily on electric propulsion. With models like the CT hatchback and the HS sedan that came before, Lexus has had difficulty in the past selling dedicated hybrids - especially in the US. Its primary focus has revolved instead around hybridized versions of conventional models like the ES, GS, and LS sedans, the UX, NX, and RX crossovers, and the LC coupe. With the new CT, Toyota鈥檚 luxury brand would seek to turn that around.

All models demonstrate Porsche's uncanny ability to produce communicative steering feedback through its electrically assisted setup. Likewise, the 911 Turbo and Turbo S have quick-twitch reflexes and tremendous cornering grip that don't compromise their ride quality. Porsche provides all Turbo variants with posh interior materials and countless personalization options. While the rear seats can hold two extra passengers, the space is more suited to briefcases and soft luggage. However, folding the back seats down unlocks up to nine cubic feet on the coupe and six cubes on the cabriolet. The Turbo's infotainment system offers a standard mobile hotspot and Apple CarPlay capability鈥擜ndroid Auto is not available. A Bose audio system is standard and a high-end Burmester unit is also available. While driver-assistance technology such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring are offered, there are few other high-tech options. We recommend the front-axle-lift system that raises the front of the vehicle by about 1.5 inches to avoid scraping its valuable chin.

BMW is all set to reveal the 2019 X1 in the coming months, however, the upcoming facelift for the X1 has got leaked on the internet ahead its official reveal. While the exterior design will be the same on the standard wheelbase version in all other markets including India, the leaked image shows the facelifted model's long- wheelbase version that's just meant for China. Talking about the expected features and design details on the upcoming BMW X1, the luxury vehicle takes forward the cues from the bigger X models. At the front, it gets a new single-frame grille that is a single-piece unit and tweaked headlamps with a squatter and sharper graphics. While the side air vents on the front have been revised, this time the model won鈥檛 get the front fog lamps as seen on the outgoing X1. Moving towards the rear, the new tail lamp clusters have been updated. At the inside, the next-gen BMW X1 will not get them 12.3-inch virtual instrument cluster as seen on the other BMW models. Instead, the spy shots reveal a new iDrive system. Though not confirmed yet, we can expect new variants as well as better upholstery options on the second- gen BMW X1. Other than this only minor material and color changes are expected. Earlier, the BMW X1 was available only in diesel version in the country, but recently the automaker launched the petrol version in a single sDrive20i xLine variant priced at Rs 37.5 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The next-gen BMW X1 is likely to go on sale in global markets in the upcoming months followed by an India launch later. When launched, the second- gen BMW X1 will continue to take against the likes of the Mercedes Benz GLA, Audi Q3, and the Volvo XC40.

Cars made outside the UK and imported here for sale will be subject to 10.6 per cent important tariffs under official no-deal trade rules. The UK's automotive manufacturing industry produces around 1.5 million cars each year, but 1.2 million of these are exported, meaning almost all of the 2.3 million cars we bought in 2018 were imported. Following the vote, Volkswagen was clear that additional costs caused by no-deal would be passed on to consumers. Ralf Brandstatter, chief operating officer of the VW brand, called the result 鈥渄isappointing鈥? adding: 鈥渋f tariffs should come then we probably would also have to think about pricing. The society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has previously estimated no-deal tariffs will add an average of 拢1,500 to the cost of a new car. With profit margins in the industry often as low as five per cent, the ability and willingness of Manufacturers and dealers to absorb additional costs are minimal. Confirmation of the 10.6 per cent tariff makes Porsche's decision in February to potentially impose an identical surcharge on new orders a wise move. As news of last night's defeat of May's deal, and official tariff guidance broke, the SMMT issued alarm bells warning of the consequences of no deal. Mike Hawes, CEO of the SMMT said the vote "leaves us perilously close to the 鈥榗liff edge'". Calling a no-deal scenario "catastrophic for the automotive industry", Hawes said the tariffs: do 鈥渘ot resolve the devastating effect a 鈥榥o deal鈥橞rexit would have on the automotive industry. No policy on tariffs can come close to compensating for the disruption, cost and job losses that would result from 鈥榥o deal鈥? Hawes called it 鈥渟taggering that we are in this position with only days until we are due to leave. Every day 鈥榥o deal鈥?remains a possibility is another day companies pay the price in expensive contingency measure. What do you think of foreign-made cars having a 10.6% tariff charge?