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The Lexus ES is returning in eighth-generation form as a rival to the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series – but, unlike its German competition, it could do away with petrol power entirely in the UK.

In Western Europe, the ES will be offered with a 199bhp hybrid powertrain as well as two battery-electric options.

However, Autocar understands that the brand's British arm is currently evaluating whether to offer exclusively the electric powertrains, given the greater proportion of EV sales in the UK compared with those in Europe.

A final decision has yet to be made, but it is highly likely the hybrid will not come to the UK.

That decision, if taken, would leave the front-driven ES 350e and four-wheel-drive ES 500e as the only versions bound for UK showrooms. The former packs a single 221bhp motor and a 77kWh lithium ion battery, yielding a range of around 329 miles between charges and a 0-62mph sprint time of 8.2sec. The 500e, meanwhile, has 338bhp and a 0-62mph time of 5.7sec, but its range – which has yet to be revealed – will be reduced compared with that of the 350e.

The new version of Lexus's executive saloon was first revealed at the Shanghai motor show in China, where it is the number one imported vehicle.

Lexus said this new generation of ES makes advances in "ride quality, comfort and quietness" over its predecessor and has been designed to offer "first-class comfort for everyone on board".

The minimalist cockpit marks a complete departure from that of the previous car and has been designed with a heavy influence from the Chinese market: physical controls are few and far between, and a large 12.3in touchscreen takes centre stage as the primary control interface. Hidden beneath the screen is a row of haptic switches which illuminate when the car is powered on.

The new ES is based on the same GA-K platform as the NX SUV. Lexus says the structure's rigidity has been increased throughout the chassis to boost refinement and responsiveness and resulting in an "agile, responsive feel that belies its size" - which is also increased over the previous car, by 165mm in length, to take the ES to 5.14m overall.

Vauxhall has previewed its the upcoming Mokka GSe with a rally inspired concept.

The Mokka GSe Rally prototype is based on the current crossover and features Bilstein rally suspension, a racing gearbox, and a lightweight chassis.

According to Vauxhall, the concept is also the world's first rally car currently being developed according to the FIA's new eRally5 regulations, meaning it could potentially be used in global rally series from next year.

Underneath, it draws power from the same 54kWh battery as the standard Mokka, and adopts the same 278bhp, 254lb ft single-motor setup from its Abarth 600e Stellantis sibling. 

While no further technical specs have been given, in the 600e, the same powertrain yield 0-62mph times of 5.9sec. It also, like the 600e, gets limited-slop differential.

Visually, underneath the GSe Rally’s striking design, it showcases a car that is clearly differentiated in styling terms to the standard Mokka with a front and rear diffs, flared wheel arches and larger alloys.

These production-ready features - largely unusual for a concept – point to what we can expect from the upcoming Mokka GSe, a car which was recently teased by Vauxhall/Opel CEO Florian Huettl and which is expected to be revealed in the coming months. 

The video also announced the sub brand would ditch models with combustion engines such as the previous Astra GSe

In addition to the Mokka GSe, Huettl hinted that there will be further news on more electric Vauxhalls. He said: “[GSe] is also a promise that [Vauxhall’s] electric future will not be driven by compromise. There is more to come in 2025 – we are just getting started.”

Toyota has lifted the covers off the sixth-generation RAV4, with the family SUV bringing a striking new look and a generational upgrade in on-board tech.

The car’s dramatic styling is said to reference the off-road credentials of earlier RAV4s, with a boxier – almost Land Cruiser-like – silhouette and chunkier wheel arches. The new hammerhead lights front and rear bring its looks into line with those of the latest Prius and C-HR.

Inside, the RAV4 gets a new 12.9in infotainment touchscreen that is the first to run on Toyota’s new Arene operating system. Like Google’s Android or Apple’s iOS, it is a standard platform that will be rolled out across all future Toyotas, to enable quicker and easier development of new features.

This, Toyota said, will allow it to develop new and more powerful safety and entertainment systems and introduce new functions through over-the-air updates rather than requiring prospective buyers to wait for a new model generation.

At the RAV4’s launch, for example, the Arene platform will arrive with new safety features, such as a rear-approach monitor devised to help drivers merge onto motorways. In the longer term, the brand has mooted functionality such as downloadable performance packs that replicate the performance and feel of different Toyotas: drivers could, for example, choose a GR86-inspired chassis set-up for a spirited drive, before switching to more Lexus-like damping for the journey home.

The new RAV4 will be offered exclusively with plug-in hybrid powertrains in the UK. Exact specifications have yet to be confirmed, but in Europe there will be a choice of 264bhp front-wheel-drive and 300bhp four-wheel-drive powertrains.

The most powerful PHEV is capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in 5.8sec, and it can drive under electric power alone for up to 62 miles. Its 22.7kWh battery can be topped up at up to 50kW on a DC connection, taking 30 minutes to go from 10-80%, or at 11kW on AC.

In Europe there will also be a choice of 181bhp and 188bhp regular hybrids, with front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive respectively.

Also on offer will be a GR Sport variant with a focus on handling and featuring lightweight 20in alloy wheels, a 20mm-wider track, different dampers and stiffer springs. Inside, the GR Sport will get bucket-like sports seats, aluminium pedals and an abundance of GR badging.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed but is expected to represent a small step up from the current RAV4 PHEV’s starting price of £44,120. Deliveries are set to begin next spring, but an exact date has yet to be fixed.