Perhaps Mario has been listening to too much Janis Joplin, as Japanese owners of Mario Kart 8 will shortly be able to download free DLC that adds the new Mercedes Benz GLA to the game.

Spotted by CVG, Mario and chums have done a little bit of mod work on the vehicle, however, filing off the roof to allow for proper kart racing antics. I imagine the in-game car will also be able to operate just fine on Mario Kart 8's antigravity tracks, unlike our comparatively boring real version.

The DLC is being timed to coincide with a new promotional campaign in Japan for the car, with the 30-second advert showing the GLA racing around the original Super Mario Bros. before transmogrifying into a scene where a real-life version of Mario exits the vehicle.

But will the car make its way to the US and Europe? "The announcement this time was made by Mercedes-Benz Japan regarding their collaboration in Japan with NCL," said Nintendo in a statement. "As for the information relating to the distribution of the GLA kart for MK8 outside Japan, we will be able to announce in the near future."

For more info on Mario Kart 8, check out GameSpot's review.