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New Lexus RC F to rival BMW M4

Lexus has confirmed the first details of a new RC F high performance model, which will debut at the Detroit Motor Show 2014 next week. Driven by what’s said to be the most powerful 5.0-litre V8 ever offered by Lexus, the RC F is set to top the new RC coupe range that was unveiled at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show last November. A spiritual successor to the old Lexus IS F, the RC F will become the first rival to challenge the new BMW M4 later this year.

Mercedes AMG has best year ever

With car sales plummeting in 2008 (and likely to be worse in 2009) there aren’t many bright spots around. But performance saloons are certainly one of them. As we reported back in December, BMW’s M Division had a cracking year, with sales of nearly 27,000 for the year.

Bentley confirms luxury SUV for 2016

Citing “extremely positive customer response” to the idea, Bentley has officially given its super-luxury SUV the go-ahead. Since the VW board already greenlit the project back in February, the only thing holding the vehicle back is the time it will take Bentley to set up production lines -- and perhaps to work out the design. The announcement confirms that Bentley is joining Porsche and Maserati, and possibly Lamborghini, in jumping into the high-end SUV game.