A new report indicates the shooting brake variant of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class will be shown to the public for the first time at the Paris Motor Show that will open its doors next October.

Entering the final stages of development, the CLA Shooting Brake will be to the CLA sedan what the CLS Shooting Brake is to the regular CLS. The low-slung station wagon will mix a generous cargo capacity and a sporty silhouette in a front-wheel drive package that will be considerably more affordable than the larger, rear-wheel drive CLS Shooting Brake.

Visually, the Shooting Brake will be identical to the four-door CLA from the front bumper to the B-pillar. Beyond that, it will gain a swooping roof line and a large hatch to facilitate the task of loading the trunk, but the wagon will use the same tail lamps as its sedan counterpart.

Official technical details have not been published yet but the wagon will undoubtedly be offered with the same four-cylinder gasoline- and diesel-burning engines that are found under the hood of the CLA sedan. A potent 360-horsepower AMG-tuned variant with permanent all-wheel drive and an aggressive body kit will slot at the very top of the lineup later in the production run.

The CLA Shooting Brake will round out Mercedes’ entry-level A lineup. The Stuttgart-based automaker will not launch a two-door coupe or a convertible version of either the A or the CLA because it believes the market for such cars is small and steadily declining.

Mercedes has confirmed the CLA Shooting Brake will go on sale across Europe in early 2015. Although Stuttgart-based automaker has not officially commented on the matter, rumors circulating around the auto industry indicate the sleek wagon will not be offered in the United States.

Mitsubishi has announced that 2015 will be the final model year for its dated but fine-driving Lancer Evolution X in the United States.

Already discontinued in many other markets, the Evolution soldiers on in the states with a carry-over powertrain consisting of a 291-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, all-wheel-drive and a choice of five-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch transmissions.

The MR trim level gains a host of new standard kit for 2015, including a nine-speaker, 710-watt Rockford Fosgate premium sound system, a proximity key, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto on/off headlights, additional sound insulation, color-keyed heat extractor vents and chrome trim for the grille.

A new Premium Package for the GSR brings the content from last year’s Sight and Sound Package (Rockford Fosgate audio, HID headlights, proximity key) in addition to leather seating, a power glass sunroof, heated front seats and extra sound insulation.

All Evos benefit from heated side mirrors with built-in turn signals.

At this time, Mitsubishi has no official plans for a successor to the Evolution. Rumors have suggested the brand, which is currently moving in a more eco-friendly direction, could launch a performance-focused hybrid as a follow-up, but they have not been confirmed.

General Motors has reportedly identified hundreds of defective ignition-switch kits produced by supplier Delphi.

The parts were built in Mexico and destined for some of the millions of vehicles included in GM’s ignition-switch recall. More than 500 kits are said to have included components with broken tabs, though the problem was spotted before any were installed in customer vehicles.

The tabs may have affected the anti-theft systems, but would not have been considered a safety issue, GM spokesman Alan Adler told The Detroit News.

The automaker has been under pressure to hasten production of replacement parts for the recalled vehicles, most of which remain unfixed. The best-case timeline suggests all of the replacement parts will not be installed until October.

Delphi is said to be implementing a visual-inspection process on its production line to catch any additional problems before the parts are sent to dealers for installation in recalled vehicles.

Following a leak late last month, Cadillac has published a full set of details about the updated 2015 ATS sedan.

As expected, the four-door ATS adopts much of its coupe sibling’s front-end treatment. It gains a fresh two-bar grille and the new wreathless Cadillac badge, first seen on the ATS Coupe, that will eventually spread throughout the luxury brand’s entire lineup.

The other styling tweak of note is a revised lower front fascia. It sports a single elongated air intake capped by a thin chrome strip, along with new detailing at the bottom of the bumper.

Although the interior is largely carried over from 2014, the ATS can be ordered with new tech features such as a Text Message Alert function that reads incoming texts out loud, a Teen Driver function and Siri Eyes Free compatibility. Additionally, Cadillac’s DockSpot wireless phone charger is available at an extra cost.

Mechanically, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and the 3.6-liter V6 carry on unchanged but the 2.0-liter turbo four sees its torque output increased by 14 percent to 295 lb-ft. All engines come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, and drivers who prefer to shift their own gears can order the 2.0-liter with a six-speed manual.

All 2015 ATS models pack a new electronic power steering system that promises to improve feedback at high speeds without sacrificing low-speed maneuverability.

The 2015 Cadillac ATS is scheduled to reach showrooms before the end of the year. Pricing information will be published in the weeks leading up to its on-sale date.

General Motors’ Germany-based Opel division has unveiled the facelifted Corsa hatchback. The company’s next sub-compact is scheduled to greet the public for the first time at the Paris Motor Show that will open its doors to the public next October.

Offered either as a five-door or a three-door hatchback, the Corsa has been Opel’s bread-and-butter model since the first generation appeared in 1982. As expected, the revamped Corsa retains the current model’s silhouette but it features updated front and rear fascias inspired by the MINI-fighting Adam city car.

Inside, the Corsa boasts a more upmarket look thanks to a curved dashboard and available metal accents. Opel has fitted the hatchback with a host of new tech features including Apple’s Siri Eyes Free, a seven-inch touch screen that runs the infotainment system and Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming.

The Corsa gains new engines that comply with the strict Euro 6 emissions norms set to come into effect across the Old Continent next September. The headline-grabber is a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder mill available with either 90 or 115 horsepower. Regardless of power output, the three-pot spins the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

Buyers after more grunt will be able to choose from one of three gas-burning four-bangers and a 1.3-liter turbodiesel. A performance-focused OPC-badged model aimed at the Volkswagen Polo GTI will round out the lineup later in the production run.

The facelifted Opel Corsa will go on sale across Europe shortly after debuting in the French capital. As always, the Corsa will wear a Vauxhall badge in the United Kingdom.

Subaru has joined the list of major automakers affected by defective airbag inflators supplied by Takata.

The Japanese company is reportedly preparing to issue a recall for several older models, including the 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback and Baja, along with the 2004 Impreza.

Built with an improper mix of chemicals, the inflators have exploded in several accidents involving vehicles from other manufacturers. The capsules reportedly ruptured and sent shrapnel flying through the cabin.

Despite several reported injuries in vehicles from other automakers, a Subaru spokesman told Reuters the company is not aware of any crashes or injuries in its decade-old models listed in the recall.

The problem is believed to be exacerbated by humid environments, leading several automakers to issue regional recalls in Florida and other sweltering states, however Subaru is recalling vehicles across the entire country.

The issue has led to millions of vehicles recalled by seven other companies, including BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota. Subaru’s campaign is comparatively small, adding around 8,500 vehicles.

The Tokyo-chic but slow-selling Nissan Cube may not be long for this world.

Nissan has released model year changes for its 2015 U.S. lineup, but the announcement contains no mention of the Cube, suggesting that the quirky hatchback may have reached the end of the road in the states.

In response to an inquiry from Motor Trend, Nissan stated that it can only confirm that the Cube will be available through model year 2014.

Originally introduced in Japan in 1998, the Cube made it to the U.S. in its third generation back in 2009, distinguished by unusual details such as asymmetrical rear windows and a shag-carpet dashboard pad.

Never a volume seller, demand for the Cube topped out in 2010, when 22,968 units left dealer lots. Sales fell off sharply from there, and just 5,461 examples found new homes in 2013.

In comparison, the rival Kia Soul tallied 118,079 sales last year.

BMW is allegedly preparing to introduce its next-generation X3 crossover in 2017, complete with a plug-in hybrid edition and an X3 M for the following model year.

The standard X3 models are expected to maintain a choice between four- and six-cylinder engines, each tweaked to produce an extra 15 horsepower, while a new X3 M40i is said to produce 360 horsepower via a twin-turbocharged inline six, according to German outlet Autobild.

The hybrid model will allegedly pair a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with a 95-horsepower electric motor, combining for up to 300 ponies and 700 lb-ft of twist. Electric-only range is said to be around 31 miles, with a fuel-efficiency rating around 62 mpg US.

The company is expected to build a true X3 M edition, allegedly powered by the same 425-horsepower engine found under the hood of the current-generation M3 and M4. The package is not expected to arrive until sometime in 2018, reportedly alongside a refreshed X4.

All of the X3 and X4 variants are said to be underpinned by a new modular platform, which is said to offer improved interior space and more comfortable seats.

The company has not yet officially confirmed any details from the report.