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500 firebreather ready for the off

Abarth, the firm that...

Abarth, the firm that found fame tuning Fiats for racing, was officially relaunched last night as a car company in its own right at its spiritual home in Turin. The event saw the production edition of the brand’s first new road model in 25 years take a bow, as the wraps were pulled from the 150bhp 1.4-litre Abarth Grande Punto.

A CAR carrying Toyota...

A CAR carrying Toyota personnel was attacked by a gun-toting thug in Brazil. Afterwards, security at the track was beefed up – leading to a fight between Renault boss Flavio Briatore’s personal bodyguard and a trackside bouncer.

A former student of...

A former student of the RCA in London, Wouda spent six years in the Czech republic designing for Skoda. Between 2000 and 2006 he worked on projects such as the Roomster and the forthcoming Yeti, before moving to Germany to head up exterior design at the Volkswagen Design Center in Potsdam, near Berlin. Wouda is head of exterior design and team leader for the VW Concept BlueSport project.

After 23 cars self-combusted...

After 23 cars self-combusted, the French manufacturer was forced to recall and fix 28,000 vehicles built before May 2003. The fires, which all happened in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, only related to 1.6 or 2.0-litre petrol versions. All the cars went up in flames while the engine was turned off.

After making a flying...

After making a flying start to his new career at Ferrari by winning on his debut in Australia, the Finn has lost ground in recent races.

After years at the NEC...

After years at the NEC in Birmingham, the organisers – the motor manufacturers’ SMMT group – has brought the event back to London at the state-of-the-art ExCeL centre in Docklands.

Alistair Darling will...

Alistair Darling will raise an extra ВЈ1,200million from his new tax рЂ“ not that heрЂ™s honest enough to put it like that in his vacant manner

All share the same restyle...

All share the same restyle at the front as the mainstream hatches. How-ever, the changes go more than skin deep. When the cars seen here arrive later this year, economy-minded drivers will be able to opt for a diesel version of the coupнѓ©-cabriolet for the first time.

ALMOST 1,400 jobs could...

ALMOST 1,400 jobs could be lost at VauxhallтЂ™s two UK plants,

Although he"s in the...

Although he"s in the lead of this year"s British Touring Car series chase, Neal has never won a race at the fastest track on the schedule. He wants to put that right this year, and in the process move his bid for back-to-back championships up a gear.

Although I’m a...

Although I’m a city boy at heart, these days I live out in the sticks. I moved partly because my London garage couldn’t cope with the strain I put on it. Today, I have a stately three-vehicle lock-up to keep my toys in. It houses my recently restored Volvo P1800, Lambretta GP200 and a kit car, which is my new winter project. Sadly, living out in the country does take its toll on my somewhat fragile motors. Farmers are constantly pulling mud out of fields and on to the roads, the miserable summer has dirtied up the lanes and the birds round here are like flying cattle, leaving a mark that only a chisel can remove.

Although the car isn"t...

Although the car isn"t due in the UK until autumn, we brought you an initial glimpse of it in our issue 786 spy shots. And now the model has been officially launched in its native country, we"ve got the first pictures. The Gen.2 is a big step forward for Proton, with a fresh look that blends the best bits of many of today"s most popular vehicles. While the headlights are similar to those on BMW"s 6-Series, the most distinctive features are at the rear, where sweeping tail-lamps emphasise the sloping roofline.

A month ago, I asked...

A month ago, I asked if the world could only have one car, which should it be? My answer to that was the Kia Cee’d, as it’s well built, cheap and can do pretty much everything. Thankfully, we have lots of choice. And while there are plenty of different classes of vehicle available, I’m reluctant to nominate one model that I consider to be better than the rest over the last 12 months.

And believe it or not...

And believe it or not, the pretty two-seater shares its underpinnings with the Fiat Panda.

And engineers at the...

And engineers at the firm have paid particular attention to the handling to ensure the newcomer is as rewarding to drive as its key German rivals.

And he had another VIP...

And he had another VIP limo ride booked so that he could exit Television Centre quickly, comfortably and without having to brave the early morning chill. Furthermore, I couldn"t resist pulling my return rail ticket out of my pocket and explaining that I - one of those evil, planet-destroying motorists - had chosen to travel by train that day.

And in many respects...

And in many respects, the Cadillac CTS answers that question. It looks the part, and if you"re the sort of motorist who likes attracting attention to yourself, you"ll turn more heads in this model than all its similarly priced German and British rivals put together.

And the Porsche Cayenne...

And the Porsche Cayenne had better watch out, because the snappily named Spyker C12 Peking to Paris is set to become a production reality. As our exclusive picture shows, the off-road model retains the firm"s distinctive gaping grille. Also note the double air intakes on each flank, confirming the rear-engine format. Discreet back doors provide access to the second row of chairs, making this a proper four-seater. The C12 bears a strong resemblance to the C8 Spyder, which marked the 100-year-old company"s car-building comeback in 2000.

An electric commuter...

An electric commuter car is on the way from Renault, and the company is working flat-out to have it ready for the London 2012 Olympics.

An endless source of...

An endless source of cheap gags, the experienced caravanner tends to be one of the more competent towing drivers on the roads

A new bull is charging...

A new bull is charging in тЂ“ and here are the pictures to prove it. This spectacular machine is LamborghiniтЂ™s тЂfamilyтЂ™ supercar, the four-seater Estoque. It opens a new door for the Italian company тЂ“ not least because it will be the first Lambo in history with a diesel engine!

A new medium-sized model...

A new medium-sized model - codenamed RD60 - had already made prototype stage in the hands of MG Rover. The work started in Longbridge will be continued to form the 45 replacement. Aimed at the Ford Focus and VW Golf, it will blend the styling cues of the three cars pictured on the right, and the result will be an MPV-like hatch that rivals the all-new Honda Civic for visual drama.

Angela Powell is a traffic...

Angela Powell is a traffic warden who proudly states that in her first 17 days of work, she handed out a massive 500 parking tickets

A pioneering new scheme...

A pioneering new scheme has been launched to help buyers slash the chances of spending their money on a cloned or clocked second-hand car. Data company mycarcheck.com has teamed up with servicing specialist Nationwide Auto-centres to provide the package.

A revised rear, together...

A revised rear, together with bolder body panel creases, helps to create a more upmarket feel

ASIMO"s appearance in...

ASIMO"s appearance in London, where he will make four performances a day for the duration of the event, marks the start of a programme of public demonstrations across Europe over the next year to show how Honda is tackling one of the great technological challenges of the age. The tour will include Honda"s major facilities in Europe as well as scientific and robotics events across the continent. To see ASIMO in action, click on the following link ASIMO

As I stared out through...

As I stared out through the broken windscreen of the car, the medic asked me to breathe in deeply. Trapped behind the wheel, and with possible spinal injuries, I couldnтЂ™t move. I heard the chilling cracks as the ultra-powerful тЂjaws of lifeтЂ™ tool cut through the vehicleтЂ™s pillars, one after another, until daylight flooded in as the roof came off.

A snapshot survey has...

A snapshot survey has shown hardly any fixed penalty notices have been issued to drivers across the country following the change in the rules more than four months ago.

A source close to the...

A source close to the police claimed: "Officers say they sometimes find the technology frustrating because of the number of false or useless positive "hits" it flags up. On occasions, this means the system simply gets turned off."

As our picture shows...

As our picture shows, the device uses a special kind of solid polyurethane foam moulded to fit snugly around the engine. The idea is that it prevents heat escaping overnight, so when you start the vehicle in the morning the unit is still warm, easing the ignition process and boosting fuel consumption by up to eight per cent.

As someone who has sold...

As someone who has sold cars old and new, I have always had a soft spot for those models that make the most of their heritage.

As Team GB flew home...

As Team GB flew home with an unprecedented haul of medals from the Beijing Olympics, another Brit was being crowned the best in the world. JaguarтЂ™s new XF beat off stiff opposition to be crowned Auto Express Car of the Year. The victory marked a reversal of fortune for the firm. When Auto Express launched in 1989, Jag was in the doldrums тЂ“ it had just been rescued by Ford and had an outdated range of cars. The prospect of the firm making a model good enough to take a Car of the Year title would have been laughable. Today, nearly 20 years on, Jag is back where it belongs тЂ“ at the top.

As Team GB flew home...

As Team GB flew home with an unprecedented haul of medals from the Beijing Olympics, another Brit was being crowned the best in the world. JaguarтЂ™s new XF beat off stiff opposition to be crowned Auto Express Car of the Year. The victory marked a reversal of fortune for the firm. When Auto Express launched in 1989, Jag was in the doldrums тЂ“ it had just been rescued by Ford and had an outdated range of cars. The prospect of the firm making a model good enough to take a Car of the Year title would have been laughable. Today, nearly 20 years on, Jag is back where it belongs тЂ“ at the top.

As this week"s mag"s...

As this week"s mag"s exclusive photographs show, Porsche is giving its Cayenne off-roader a mid-life facelift in a bid to boost the model"s appeal. Our spies caught the new-look SUV testing near the firm"s home town of Weissach, Germany.

A sticker in the windscreen...

A sticker in the windscreen told us all we needed to know. This is a 1.9-litre JTD version of Fiat"s top-secret SUV, which is set to hit British showrooms next year.

As well as premiering...

As well as premiering the new face of the family favourite saloon, the crossover people carrier seen here will soon become a production reality. We published spy shots of a prototype on test last week (issue 846), and the finished version will appear in UK dealers next year. It"ll be the first model to be based on the next-generation Mondeo platform.

As with its predecessor...

As with its predecessor, axed in 2003, it features a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout.

As you can see in the...

As you can see in the mag, designers will keep the transition from coupнѓ© to cabriolet simple, retaining the GT"s elegant lines and distinctive rear-end styling. Unlike some rivals, the Alfa won"t have a folding hard-top, as bosses have opted for a conventional electrically operated fabric hood. This will give the car a more compact mechanism, allowing the shape and impressive practicality of the hard-top two-door to be preserved.

As you can see in the...

As you can see in the mag"s images, the two-seater"s classic shape has been preserved, but both the front and rear now have a more aggressive appearance, with styling cues borrowed from the larger RX-8.

Audi delivered the shocks...

Audi delivered the shocks at this yearтЂ™s Detroit Motor Show with a stunning new sports car aimed at the Porsche Cayman.

Auto Express broke the...

Auto Express broke the news of its replacement, the XF, in Issue 938 - but there"s still more than a year before the all-new model goes on sale. In the meantime, the S-Type range has been facelifted as top brass bid to keep it up to speed with the competition.

Auto Express can reveal...

Auto Express can reveal that company bosses are considering scrapping their current numerical badge system and re-introducing the marque"s legendary Italian names.

Auto Express has learned...

Auto Express has learned that Toyota is considering naming an entire range after its hi-tech hybrid car - in the same way as it created the Lexus badge for its most expensive machines.

Auto Express is the...

Auto Express is the first magazine in the world to print pictures of the compact executive load-lugger completely unmasked. Although the car had been widely expected to continue to develop the "flame surfacing" design philosophy of its stablemates, these shots reveal that the look of the newcomer is likely to be a lot less adventurous than had first been imagined.

Auto Express magazine...

Auto Express magazine has gained access to top-secret information from Citroen"s HQ, and in this week"s issue has published pictures to show what buyers have to look forward to.

Based on the facelifted...

Based on the facelifted Impreza WRX STi - which we drive for the first time this week on Page 28 - the car should D-light owners with its engine tuned by Prodrive and an interior that offers greater luxury than ever before.

Based on the revised...

Based on the revised three-door, due to arrive some time in 2007, the line-up is set to include a convertible and range-topping Speedster. But BMW"s designs also show four cars using a lengthened MINI platform, all in production trim.

Based on the same platform...

Based on the same platform as Nissan"s next-generation X-Trail, the Koleos has permanent electronically controlled four-wheel drive

Before each accident...

Before each accident we were stationary for some time, minding our own business and doing nothing wrong. The other drivers concerned seemingly made no attempt to brake or take evasive action. And I mention the following not to score points, but because it"s a fact: the guilty parties were both women. Being the sort of bloke he is, Brewer"s shunt was bigger, bolder, badder, braver and bloodier than the one I had. But I was blessed with the presence of a very bright witness who went beyond the call of duty by calming everyone down, organising the all-important exchange of names and addresses and - most gratifying of all - comforting the kids in my car.

Being a fully paid-up...

Being a fully paid-up member of the common sense party, it"s scary how I can mix and mingle with all sorts of people, and end up with a consensus regarding cars and their emissions. Most of us agree that even if the entire planet swapped from a vehicle putting out more than 200g/km of CO2 to one which emits less than 110g/km, such as a Toyota Prius, not a lot would change on the global weather front. Yet, if you listen to any politician - or worse still, the BBC News - us drivers are dooming the planet to be drowned and then fried! Now, don"t get me wrong. I think the industry should keep working on improving fuel efficiency, but I also reckon people need to try and keep things in perspective.

Bella bambino! MaseratiтЂ™s...

Bella bambino! MaseratiтЂ™s GranTurismo is getting a little brother тЂ“ and hereтЂ™s an exclusive preview of the striking new car.

Belt message still saving lives

Bigger than ever before...

Bigger than ever before, sportier and more luxurious тЂ“ thatтЂ™s BMWтЂ™s 7-Series replacement. But will it be better to look at when itтЂ™s revealed in 12 months time?

Biofuel is wreaking...

Biofuel is wreaking havoc with car engines. Due to Government rules, all diesel sold in the UK must be blended with the eco-friendly fuel.

BMW ace Andy Priaulx...

BMW ace Andy Priaulx has vowed to recapture his World Touring Car Championship title after losing top spot to SEAT star Yvan Muller.

Bosses at Mercedes are...

Bosses at Mercedes are committing the brand to a fuel cell future. AlongТside a raft of other eco-friendly plans revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, they claimed that a hydrogen-powered model would be in dealerships within the next seven years.

Britain"s bendiest roads...

Britain"s bendiest roads - where motorists can face the same gravitational forces as on a rollercoaster or race track - have officially been revealed. And a mile-long stretch of the B3081, between Cann Common in Dorset and Tollard Royal, Wilts, is named top of the apexes.

Britain"s favourite...

Britain"s favourite family car is getting an exciting mid-life makeover - and Auto Express can bring you the first spy pictures of the revised Ford testing out on the road.

British prices and specs...

British prices and specs have yet to be announced, but the Mitsubishi is likely to be available from around чЈ30,000

British star Lewis Hamilton...

British star Lewis Hamilton enjoyed the perfect start to 2008 as he finished on top Down Under.

British Vauxhall workers...

British Vauxhall workers could be waving goodbye to the electric Ampera тЂ“ before production has even started.

Building on the success...

Building on the success of the last- generation S4, the new RS recreates the legend of past models and is powered by a hi-tech evolution of Audi"s 4.2-litre petrol V8. New pistons, cylinder heads and a special crank-shaft boost performance massively.

But despite its action...

But despite its action adventure appearance, the jaw-dropper, known as Nero, has nothing to do with the silver screen. Penned at Audi"s design centre in California, these official pictures reveal the firm"s vision of the future.

But I"ve never been...

But I"ve never been quite so shocked or scared as I was recently when, after a quiet Friday night and eight hours" sleep, I set off for Heathrow Airport at 6am. I gave myself plenty of time for an 11.30am flight - but I nearly didn"t make it. As I drove from residential streets towards the motorways I intended to use, I stopped for a red light. A second or two after the lights turned green in my favour, I pulled away... then had to take life-saving action to avoid being hit by a large, potentially lethal vehicle.

But now Volvo has gone...

But now Volvo has gone and thrown a nail file in the works by staging a cheap, badly managed and cheesy publicity stunt at the Geneva Motor Show. This, the Ford-owned, Swedish firm did by not only erecting barriers, but doing so proudly, publicly and provocatively. In establishing an "all-woman" team to develop, over several years, a vehicle called Your Concept Car or YCC, Volvo females blatantly banned Volvo males. Aren"t there equality laws to prevent this sort of workplace prejudice and exclusion?

Cadillac has given its...

Cadillac has given its CTS the boot! The Sports Wagon version of its BMW 5-Series rival was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours DтЂ™Elegance motor show in California. And as our pictures show, it keeps the bold looks of the striking saloon we drove last week.

Called the Fluence...

Called the Fluence, its design is a mix of a flowing front end, abrupt vertical rear and smooth flanks. While it boasts only three doors, the car has been created to point at the styling of the next-generation Laguna, which is expected to arrive in 2007.

Calling all fast Ford...

Calling all fast Ford fans тЂ“ get ready for the ultimate Fiesta. Following our sensational pictures of the ST in Issue 994, Auto Express can now give you the best look yet at an even hotter version тЂ“ the RS.

Car giant Volkswagen...

Car giant Volkswagen is getting on its bike to produce this: its first-ever motorcycle.

Citroen ace Sebastien...

Citroen ace Sebastien Loeb secured his fourth consecutive world rally title after finishing third on Wales Rally GB this weekend.

Citroen is plugging...

Citroen is plugging into hybrid technology for its new C-Crosser, and it hopes the car will have such low CO2 emissions, it will change the public view of off-roaders.

Classic cars don’t...

Classic cars don’t get any younger – but a group of enthusiasts hopes to change that. They’ve started an online petition to move the cut-off date for road tax exemption.

Codenamed MCC and MCS...

Codenamed MCC and MCS, both cars employ the Enzo"s carbon fibre chassis and 6.0-litre V12 powerplant. Aimed at gentleman racers as well as supercar collectors, the vehicles will go on sale at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The race-prepared MCC was officially unveiled to journalists this week, but the road-going MCS was caught on camera by the mag"s spy photographers at Ferrari"s test track.

Could EastEnders characters...

Could EastEnders characters soon be taking advanced driving

Could this be the car...

Could this be the car to reverse Subaru"s declining fortunes in the UK? With like for like sales down almost 60 percent in March, the Japanese firm is certainly hoping so...

Could this be the car...

Could this be the car that finally cements AudiтЂ™s reputation as the worldтЂ™s greatest sports car manufacturer?

Councillors in Inverness...

Councillors in Inverness have voted to limit the use of Gaelic and English signs for safety reasons, even though supporters of the language - which is spoken by less than 10 per cent of locals - are keen to raise its profile.

Crack sportscar squad...

Crack sportscar squad Aston Martin is hoping to make history again at the 24 hour race in Le Mans this year.

Created by Nissan’s...

Created by Nissan’s North American division, the Forum is intended to appeal to both drivers and passengers. While its shape isn’t particularly revolutionary, the futuristic MPV body is wrapped around a huge cabin.

DAVID Coulthard accused...

DAVID Coulthard accused the race stewards of being heavy-handed, after being dropped to 13th on the starting grid for blocking Renault’s Heikki Kovalainen during qualifying.

Deep, comfortable seats...

Deep, comfortable seats and class-leading materials will mean it"s a quality place in which to spend time

Design bosses at the...

Design bosses at the Ford-owned company promise that the next generation of Jaguars will shock the motoring world. They are pledging to leave the conservative attributes of current models behind, while remaining true to Jaguar"s heritage. The new design direction will be introduced with the forthcoming XK coupнѓ© - due on sale in the spring - and continue with the revised X-Type, revealed here for the first time.

Designed to silence...

Designed to silence critics of the original - who said the 2001 model lacked visual drama and road presence - the facelifted C5 sports a challenging look. It"s sure to meet with a wave of approval from die-hard Citroen fans.

Designed with the technical...

Designed with the technical support of Italian styling expert Zagato, the model is a road-ready supercar that even Aston"s most famous driver, 007 James Bond, would die another day to get his hands on! We beat him to it to sample the thriller capable of nearly 200mph.

. Designers were aiming...

. Designers were aiming for a more masculine look, with new headlamps added along with extra air intakes in the sides, and a sharper appearance at the rear

Despite a raft of innovations...

Despite a raft of innovations, the new model will seat only five, unlike its Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90 rivals. But it"s 15cm longer than the outgoing car, so interior space will be boosted. High-quality cabin materials will address a major criticism of the current model. And much work has been done to make the M-Class a true off-roader.

Does the motor car have...

Does the motor car have a future? I was musing on this as I prepared to make a trip to the dentist. And there’s nothing like a visit to the tooth extractor to concentrate the mind. Because you know it’s going to hurt – either in the mouth or in the wallet.

Dozy MoT testers are...

Dozy MoT testers are failing roadworthy cars for crazy reasons тЂ“ like having furry dice hanging in them! Yet they are passing vehicles with dangerous faults such as batteries leaking acid.

Due on sale later this...

Due on sale later this year, the model codenamed J77 was spied at the French firm"s headquarters. Destined to sit between the manufacturer"s compact new Clio, due on sale in 2005, and the next Twingo, to be launched this year, it"s based on the Nissan Micra platform.

Due to debut at the...

Due to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the Spider will share its basic underpinnings with the Brera coupнѓ© that was premiered at last month"s Geneva exhibition.

Due to hit the UK early...

Due to hit the UK early next year, the Antara"s design borrows heavily from the concept car which wowed crowds at last year"s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Earls Court and the...

Earls Court and the NEC will be transformed into a motoring enthusiast’s heaven for a few days in November, where Jeremy Clarkson and a couple of his rather well-known celebrity friends, host the most spectacular, daring and inventive event in the motoring calendar!

Early signs are that...

Early signs are that the brand new C4 Picasso MPV will buck the trend for fast-depreciating Citroens, while Chrysler’s big 300C executive saloon is hot property on second-hand forecourts across the UK.

Entry is by way of scissor...

Entry is by way of scissor doors, which are hinged at the base of the A-pillar and open vertically at the touch of a button

Euro NCAP is whipping...

Euro NCAP is whipping motor manufacturers into shape!

European Grand Prix...

European Grand Prix winner Fernчando Alonso has said the 2007 chamчpionship is still too close to call, even though he has closed to within two points of leader Lewis Hamilton.

Even if a motorist behaves...

Even if a motorist behaves perfectly legally and responsibly on the road, but is found to have purchased the vehicle through ill-gotten gains - drug dealing, people trafficking, that sort of thing - by all means let the authorities take away the wheels. Come to that, the yacht, the house in Marbella and the gold medallions, too.

Ever since taking ownership...

Ever since taking ownership of the prestigious marque, BMW has gone to great lengths to stress the link between new models such as the Phantom and Rolls-Royce"s rich history. And this latest model is no exception. The EX name is another nod to the company"s past, when unique experimental models bore the two letters. The last to do so was the 45EX in the Fifties.

Everyone has to stick...

Everyone has to stick to the rules of the road тЂ“ even Auto Express! But when our road tester Ross Pinnock was fined for obstructing a junction, even though the camera footage showed that he clearly wasnтЂ™t, we stepped in.

Every year, the third...

Every year, the third Thursday of November is a very special day for the inhabitants of the little French town of Beaujeu, just north of Lyon. At one minute past midnight, the Nouveau Beaujolais wine is released and the locals can start celebrating their year of labour by drinking the results of their endeavours. It’s a very French thing, but for the last 35 years it’s also been a very British thing. Not, I hasten to add, because we tend to have a rather average appreciation of what is or isn’t a good wine, but simply because back in 1972 Sunday Times journalist Alan Hall decided that it would make a good story to find out who could get a bottle of said plonk into his office the quickest.

EXCLUSIVE: Renault is...

EXCLUSIVE: Renault is planning a radical new Clio! And our French sister magazine, Auto Plus, has blown its cover with these exclusive pictures.

Externally, there"s...

Externally, there"s a subtle but significant makeover. The trademark large headlamps are reshaped and mounted to the front of the car, rather than on the bonnet. Meanwhile, the grille is redesigned and more upright, leaving a shorter bonnet opening. This simpler design will help improve the MINI"s Euro NCAP pedestrian crash test rating.

Fabrixio Giovanardi...

Fabrixio Giovanardi is not an official world champion, but he can rightly claim to be the most successful touring car driver on the planet. Since ending a promising single-seater career and switching to tin-tops nearly two decades ago, he has racked up eight premier league super touring car titles. This year, he added the Dunlop British Touring Car Cham?pion?ship crown to those already won in Europe (three), Italy (three) and Spain.

Fancy a trip to the...

Fancy a trip to the ultimate Fiat dealership? It’s located on top of the famous Lingotto test track in Turin, and the best bit about the glass-roofed sales floor is that all you need to visit it is a computer with Internet access.

Fancy sliding around...

Fancy sliding around in a powerful, rear-wheel-drive car and drawing pictures with the black lines your tyres leave behind?

Feast your eyes on BMWтЂ™s...

Feast your eyes on BMWтЂ™s all-new sports car: the Z4. Due to go on sale at the end of next year, the Porsche Boxster rival is being given a fresh look, with a bulging bonnet hump, larger twin kidney grilles and wide stance.

Feast your eyes on Rolls-RoyceтЂ™s...

Feast your eyes on Rolls-RoyceтЂ™s new baby! These are the first official pictures of a smaller, more compact version of the Phantom thatтЂ™s set to go on sale in 2010, gunning for top-end versions of MercedesтЂ™ S-Class and the Bentley Continental Flying Spur.

Feast your eyes on the...

Feast your eyes on the ‘Super Corsa’. This is Vauxhall’s striking new baby – a sleeker and more practical sister car to the popular supermini, which will offer buyers real flexibility and style when it goes on sale next year.

Feast your eyes тЂ“...

Feast your eyes тЂ“ Aston Martin"s new One-77 has been laid bare! These amazing pictures, which have been leaked onto the internet from an official Aston document, shed more light on the ТЈ1.2m flagship supercar and give us our first glimpse at its interior.

Featuring the same 3.2-litre...

Featuring the same 3.2-litre straight-six engine as the M3 and Z4 M Roadster, carbon composite brake discs from the M3 CSL and an electronic differential influenced by the company"s F1 involvement, it"s one of the fastest and most driver-focused BMWs ever.

Ferrari has lifted the...

Ferrari has lifted the lid even further on its all-new supercar, the

First up is the all-new...

First up is the all-new composite-bodied Marcos TSO. The road car has been penned by former TVR designer Damian McTaggart, while the chassis has been developed in partnership with motorsport and engineering firm Prodrive. Two versions of the built-to-order machine will be available, both using the General Motors 5.7-litre V8 engine found in the Chevrolet Corvette.

Following on from our...

Following on from our official pictures last week, these images show Renault"s Laguna Coupé in action on the streets of Monaco after its unveiling at the 61st Cannes Film Festival in France.

Following on from the...

Following on from the spy shots we revealed in issue 867, this week"s Auto Express magazine exclusively brings you images of the car which is set to give BMW"s M6 and the Mercedes SL55 AMG a real fright.

Following the sensational...

Following the sensational spyshots of develчopment mules we brought you in Issue 901, we have the clearest pictures yet of how the blue oval"s most exciting entrant into the off-roader market will look.

Ford is going mean and...

Ford is going mean and green with the Focus RS. Our exclusive pictures show the blue ovalтЂ™s hottest-ever hatch is set to get stunning looks to match its scorching performance when it arrives early in 2009.

Ford is turning desirability...

Ford is turning desirability up to the max! These are the first official images of FordтЂ™s new C-MAX тЂ“ the most stylish family car ever to wear the blue oval badge. And Auto Express has all the details ahead of its world premiere in Frankfurt next week.

For example, the first...

For example, the first claim is that "the average annual distance travelled by residents in Great Britain rose by five per cent to 6,800 miles in 2004". But after carefully studying the full report for several hours, the facts weren"t so depressing. The truth is we each did an average of 6,762 miles last year (that"s motorists and non-motorists). So we travelled less in 2004 than at the end of the last century and the start of this one.

Four decades after it...

Four decades after it redefined the movie car chase, Ford’s Mustang Bullitt is back – sportier and more powerful than ever.

From the front, the...

From the front, the Tender - which we previewed back in issue 826 - looks like a standard MINI, but it"s actually 72cm longer. There is no roof, and the stylists have done away with the conventional doors, too. Instead, the model features a Jeep-style cut-out in either side.

Get ready for Formula...

Get ready for Formula One fever! Ferrari has kicked off the forthcoming season by being the first team to pull the wraps of its 2009 grand prix challenger.

Glut of switches proves a turn-off

Goodwood certainly has...

Goodwood certainly has it all, from the chain-driven clatter of Edwardian racers to the shrill shriek of the latest Formula One technology

Guesses about the production...

Guesses about the production mule’s real identity were varied, with suggestions ranging from a small Bugatti to a Bentley-badged rival to the Ferrari F430. A new Audi A7 coupé was hinted at, and there was even mention of a possible Volkswagen supercar!

Has it really been 35...

Has it really been 35 years...? Motoring journalist and screen writer Brock Yates wondered aloud. Yes, it has! On 15 November 1971, Yates and racing legend Dan Gurney climbed into a Ferrari Daytona and blasted, non-stop, from New York to Los Angeles in 35 hours and 54 minutes, averaging 80.8 miles per hour. They defeated seven other teams, including a huge Travco motorhome and a Cadillac driven by three men who had answered an advertisement in the local paper, placed by the elderly Caddy owner, who wanted someone to deliver the car to California. It was not to be driven at more than 70mph, the ad had stated - but it was.

Help could be at hand...

Help could be at hand from the RattleBuster CD, claimed to be the ultimate anti-vibration device. It’s certainly inexpensive, and you can play it while stationary – so it isn’t a threat to yourself or other road users. But does it work?

Here are the latest...

Here are the latest additions to this year"s F1 grid - the Mercedes AMG SL63 and C63.

Here are the pictures...

Here are the pictures to prove that plans for the Lexus LF-A are still on track. Our spies caught the stunning supercar undergoing final testing before making its public debut later this month at the German Nurburgring 24 hour endurance race.

Here are the pictures...

Here are the pictures that prove VauxhallтЂ™s Insignia is loading up on style. Following on from the unveil of the hatchback and saloon at the British Motor Show in July, the wraps are off the estate.

Here’s a supercar...

Here’s a supercar that will ease your conscience. Called the Karma, the eco-friendly machine was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show by US maker Fisker Automotive.

Here’s a Suzuki...

Here’s a Suzuki with a difference! Unveiled at last week’s LA show and inspired by California’s famous surfing culture, it’s called the Makai.

Here"s a challenger...

Here"s a challenger to the sports car elite. It’s Dodge’s new 6.1-litre muscle machine – and it will start rolling off the production line this spring.

Here"s a supercar that"s...

Here"s a supercar that"s rising up against the competition - it"s the Fenix! The work of Leicestershire-based sports car maker, Lee Noble, it"s the first model to come from his new company, Fenix Automotive.

Here"s proof that Citroen’s...

Here"s proof that Citroen’s creativity is showing no signs of drying up. The C-Cactus is an eco-friendly car that, just like its prickly desert-living namesake, is very low on consumption.

Here"s proof that the...

Here"s proof that the Tesla Roadster really can go the distance! To silence any doubts about the electric sports car"s range, a team of employees from the California-based firm drove from Los Angeles to the Detroit Motor Show тЂ“ a road trip of 3,600 miles.

Here"s proof that VW...

Here"s proof that VW has seen the Lite! YouтЂ™re looking at the worldтЂ™s most fuel-efficient four-seater тЂ“ a forward-thinking concept as revolutionary as the original Beetle. Called the Up! Lite because of its amazingly low kerbweight, it wowed visitors at this weekтЂ™s LA Motor Show.

HereтЂ™s proof that...

HereтЂ™s proof that AudiтЂ™s TT has some serious competition! Following our spy shots in Issue 972, these are the first official pictures of PeugeotтЂ™s new coupé тЂ“ the 308 RC Z.Т

Hi-tech boxes go past million mark

High-quality insulation...

High-quality insulation will mean that, with the roof up, the SLK will offer the refinement of a coupé.

Hold on to your helmets...

Hold on to your helmets... Mansell is back on track at Silverstone! ‘Our Nige’ will be turning back the clock and reviving memories of his glory years as the Grand Prix Masters makes its UK debut next month.

How"s this for a new...

How"s this for a new "Lotus" costing чЈ7,500? Developed with the help of handling experts at the Norfolk sports car firm, it"s the new Proton Satria.

I couldn"t help drawing...

I couldn"t help drawing some comparisons with MG Rover when I attended a bullish Kia press conference at Hwasung, South Korea, earlier this month. This is a hungry firm which is keener on world domination than any other company I know now or have encountered in the past. Kia"s sales and financial figures, ambitions and sheer audacity are inspiring if you"re already one of the firm"s insiders, hugely exciting if you"re able to jump on the bandwagon (former MG Rover employees and dealers take note), intriguing for the competition and almost amusing to a neutral onlooker such as me.

I enjoy an occasional...

I enjoy an occasional early morning ritual of reading newspapers, post and E-mail while negotiating a giant, freshly cooked breakfast at the Village Market Pump and Grille located in "my" quiet, car-mad corner of the US. The modest little eatery conveniently sits a few minutes" drive away from my humble States-based office and studio, which is also home for my faithful and astonishingly fault-free 10-year-old 4.0-litre Jeep Cherokee. Crude but strangely appealing, the US box on wheels is still very efficient and reliable - despite the fact that I abuse it terribly and often park it up, exposed to the elements, for months on end.

If I ever write a book...

If I ever write a book about Longbridge and the firm that lived and died at that Midlands car factory-cum-morgue, it will be called: MG Rover: Murder or Suicide? As the corpse remains warm and the post-mortem is still ongoing, it"s far too early to know the answer. But my provisional conclusion is that the irresponsible parents known as the Phoenix Four were responsible for malnourishing the factory so badly, it had to be put on a life-support machine. And that"s when the equally cruel Whitehall Two allowed the MG Rover company to be subjected to involuntary, state-sponsored, unjustifiable homicide.

I find that even if...

I find that even if I"m using motorways, my speed during the week is typically around 30mph, rising to about 50mph in the middle of the day. But my 420-mile round trip to Derbyshire and Staffordshire over a recent weekend enabled me to average 68mph without even trying. For someone who can loosely describe himself as a self-employed, professional driver, covering nearly 70 miles each and every hour is nothing short of a massive and hugely beneficial leap in productivity.

If there’s one...

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from living in this country of contradiction, it’s that events aren’t always what they seem. Here’s an example: ask any journalist in Japan how he or she views Nissan’s sales performance this past year, or the manufacturer’s future potential, and nearly all will agree that, like Sylvester Stallone in Rocky, the car maker has been slapped silly, and is down for the count with little chance of getting back on its feet.

If you have a garage...

If you have a garage, it’s obviously the safest place to store your car. But just because your vehicle is out of sight doesn’t mean it’s out of a thief’s mind. The locks on up-and-over doors are notoriously weak, and won’t prove much of a barrier to a determined criminal.

If you join a supercar...

If you join a supercar club, for a third the cost of buying an Aston Martin, Porsche or Lambo, you can "own" a dozen

if your local parking...

if your local parking regulations are causing confusion, is it okay to take the law into your own hands?

I get in a trance-like...

I get in a trance-like state when racing a real car. I want to understand what makes me feel like that and feed it back into Gran Turismo 5

I have never had such...

I have never had such a bad day, but been so delighted after. I am very proud to win the BTCC.

I know in Britain you...

I know in Britain you have all kinds of shows where the public are the stars, from living together in a house and home improvement advice through to antique buying and selling at auction. Here, we have equally popular reality programmes, including one which not only attracts millions of viewers, but actually skews the second-hand car market single-handedly.

I"m not going to name...

I"m not going to name any of the warring activists in this column, because that would only give them the free - and often dangerously misleading - publicity they seek for themselves as they pathetically jump on to the anti-4x4 bandwagon.

In 1997, the message...

In 1997, the message from the newly elected Government, which had Gordon Brown as its high-profile and extremely powerful Chancellor, was: “Things can only get better.” Fast forward 10 years, and the non-driving Mr Brown is, without the permission of a single voter, doing Prime Minister impersonations and even assuming the lofty job title, too. He’s replaced the above slogan with a new one that goes: “I have heard the need for change. Now let the work of change begin.”

In a shock move, SEAT...

In a shock move, SEAT has announced it will abandon the BTCC at the end of the year. After winning the title in 2006 and the Team prize in 2007, the Spanish squad has decided to call time on the British tin-top series, ending five years of involvement.

Insiders at the VW-owned...

Insiders at the VW-owned company have been forced to admit that they are working on a 4x4 version of the Altea, after our spies snapped shots (inside this week"s mag) of a top-secret prototype.

Inside, the 6.7-litre...

Inside, the 6.7-litre V8-powered car is decked out in top-quality leather, while suede upholstery on the lower door panels and transmission tunnel add to the luxury feel. Fortunately for the British market, Vauxhall has dropped the garish colour-coded trim of the Australian model seen at the 2002 British Motor Show. Instead, it has opted for all black, set off with stylish satin chrome accents, plus alloy pedals and door kickplates.

In the current mag we...

In the current mag we have the best pictures yet of the German firm"s new compact SUV, which will take on the British rival when it goes on sale next year.

I’m not quite...

I’m not quite sure why the 7th of the 7th, 2007 was any more of a special date than 5/5/05 or 6/6/06, but we were told we would all remember where we were on that date more than any other – and for a change, that might be right! My only other memory of seven being a lucky number came from growing up watching my heroes, such as Stirling Moss. For a reason I have long forgotten, Moss always preferred to race with that number. Good luck perhaps?

IsnтЂ™t naive youth...

IsnтЂ™t naive youth a wonderful thing? It enabled me foolishly to believe those who told me I lived in the greatest democracy in the world. But if anyone tried to run a similar lie by me today, IтЂ™d remind them of a few facts that prove our democratic process has fallen apart and needs fixing. For starters, we have a system that allows this and previous governments to seize total power, even when they secure a mandate from, say, one-third of the people. On top of that, the current Government is somehow led by a man who never even put himself up for election as Prime Minister тЂ“ so itтЂ™s clear that Britain is, in some respects, about as democratic as Zimbabwe.