Volkswagen failed to report at least one death and three injuries to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, according to an investigation by Bloomberg and investment advisor Stout Risius Ross.

The team last month reported discrepancies with VW’s required death and injury filings to the federal agency, hinting at potential violation of reporting regulations.

The four examples were discovered by looking at 13 random civil lawsuits filed against the German automaker in the past 11 years, however the actual number of unreported incidents could be much higher. The company told the NHTSA of just 34 deaths and injuries per million vehicles on the road, far below the industry average of 306 deaths per million vehicles.

An outside firm has been commissioned to conduct a safety audit, which will include NHTSA reporting compliance. The company promises to share the conclusions with government agencies.

Automakers are under increasing pressure from the NHTSA in the wake of General Motors’ ignition-switch scandal. Ferrari was hit with a $3.5 million fine a year ago for failing to comply with reporting requirements, while Honda agreed to pay $70 million to settle similar allegations.

VW could face fines if the NHTSA determines that the company did not submit necessary notifications of serious accidents. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is also currently under investigation for such behavior.

The NHTSA considers death and injury statistics in its defect investigations, helping the agency determine if an issue is minor or potentially life threatening.

General Motors has detailed pricing and launch plans for the upcoming Cadillac CT6 flagship.

The company will begin building the sedan in January, shipping the first units to showrooms for delivery by March. It will be built at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, which currently serves as a primary production facility for the Chevrolet Volt and Cadillac ELR.

Pricing starts at $54,490 (including $995 freight) for the base trim, outfitted with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 265 horsepower. Stepping up to the 335-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 with all-wheel drive brings the price to $56,490.

The top package is powered by an 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, providing 400 horsepower and as many lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. The all-new engine carries a $8,900 premium, bringing the retail price up to $65,390.

GM is hoping the CT6′s rigid, lightweight chassis, active rear steering and available magnetic suspension will help the sedan compete with established German and Japanese luxury rivals. Other advanced features include a rear camera mirror and 34-speaker Bose ‘Panaray’ audio system.

The company promises to eventually add a plug-in hybrid powertrain, however pricing and a launch window remain unclear.

Live images by Brian Williams.

Kia will unveil an Optima convertible concept at this week’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Kia will officially drop the sheet on its Optima drop top on Tuesday.

Based on the all-new 2016 Optima, the convertible sedan got its inspiration from Florida’s A1A Highway. To signify that beachfront inspiration, Kia calls the concept the A1A Optima.

In addition to having its roof lopped off, the A1A Optima also had its windshield shortened to give the car a sportier look. Kia strategically reinforced the Optima’s chassis with steel tubes to improve the structural rigidity of the topless sedan.

The A1A Optima rides on a suspension that has been lower noticeably over the standard Optima sedan. The concept rides on a set of 20-inch custom wheels, completing its beach-ready look.

The A1A Optima is strictly a four-seater with a center console taking up the middle seat in the back. Living up to its show car billing, rear seats are accessed via a set of rear-hinged doors.

The Optima’s 245 horsepower 2.0L turbo-four hasn’t been modified, but Kia has added a sports exhaust system for a throatier exhaust note.

Although Nissan proved with its Murano Crosscabriolet that whimsical convertibles can sneak through to production, we doubt there will be an Optima roadster in Kia showrooms any time soon.

Volvo has hinted that it’s strongly considering launching a performance-focused, range-topping version of the XC90 crossover tuned by Polestar.

“SUVs are hip. People really like them as urban cruisers,” pointed out Polestar CEO Niels Möller. “So why not have an XC car that can go on the track as well?”

If launched, Volvo’s first-ever track-oriented XC90 will use a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine fitted with both a turbocharger and a supercharger. Tuned to deliver at least 350 horsepower, the four-banger will gradually replace the turbocharged straight-six that’s currently found under the hood of the Polestar-massaged S60 and V60.

The XC90 Polestar will come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. It’s too early to provide performance specifications because the project is still at the embryonic stage of development, but it’s safe to assume the SUV will be fast enough to require upgraded brakes on both axles and a stiffer suspension setup.

If given the green light for production, the hot-rodded XC90 will allow Volvo to compete head-to-head against Mercedes-AMG and BMW’s M division. It will also help Polestar — which was purchased by Volvo last summer — reach its goal of selling 1,500 cars next year, a 50-percent increase over this year.

Note: Volvo XC90 R-Design pictured.

A new report coming out of England finds Volkswagen will introduce the new eighth-generation Golf at a major auto show next year.

The eighth-gen model will usher in the next evolution of Volkswagen’s modular MQB platform. More of an evolution than a revolution, the hatchback will look sleeker and more modern than the current seventh-gen Golf but it will still be instantly recognizable as a member of the Volkswagen lineup.

Bigger changes will be found under the skin. British magazine Autocar reports the Golf will launch with a brand new, 48-volt mild hybrid drivetrain made up of a gasoline-burning 1.0-liter three-cylinder that will be fitted with both a turbo and an electric supercharger, and an combined starter motor/generator. On paper, the system promises to be both efficient and cost-efficient because it doesn’t use a lithium-ion battery pack or an electric motor.

Volkswagen estimates the Golf hybrid will be capable of hitting 50 mpg in a mixed European cycle; more precise figures will be published closer to its launch date. If everything goes according to plan, the drivetrain will gradually trickle down to other models in the company’s lineup.

If the rumor turns out to be true, look for the eight-generation Volkswagen Golf to go on sale in time for the 2018 model year. The family-friendly Sportwagen will benefit from roughly the same updates shortly after, and we hear that the Cabrio nameplate will return to the United States before the end of the year.

Note: Volkswagen e-Golf pictured