New Technologies

New Technologies

It"s clear there has...

It"s clear there has been no greater challenge in the firm"s recent history. Engineers not only had to improve on one of the most successful convertibles of all-time, but to relaunch the company"s highest-profile model, too. The slightest mistake could prove disastrous.

It"s here at last тЂ“...

It"s here at last тЂ“ FordтЂ™s new 4x4 has broken cover. These are the first official pictures of the Focus-based off-roader, the Kuga, which is set to go on sale early next year.

It"s impossible to do...

It"s impossible to do routine maintenance on modern cars. You need a чЈ10,000 diagnostics machine and a double first in automotive engineering just to be able to change the brake pads nowadays. You may think I’m exaggerating, but I’m not. Only last month, I tried to help some guy whose BMW X5’s battery was flat. Unfortunately, this wasn’t possible, as I’m neither a black belt in origami, nor a clairvoyant. The first skill is necessary to remove the super-fiddly battery cover on our long-term Volvo C30, while I’m sure only God knows where the 12-volt pack is on the Beemer. I read the car’s manual twice and was still clueless.

It"s impossible to name...

It"s impossible to name them all here, but a handful are, I predict, stars of tomorrow. Greg Shilton looks like a cross between Albert Einstein and pop singer Jarvis Cocker - so you wouldn"t expect him to have invented a futuristic, semi-autonomous commuter vehicle system. It effectively puts motorway drivers in long, computer-controlled trains of cars travelling inches apart, leaving spaces for vehicles joining from slip roads.

It sounds like science...

It sounds like science fiction, but computer software giant Microsoft has taken out a patent on the idea. What"s more, inventors reckon this new method of directing drivers would cause less of a distraction, therefore making it safer.

It"s set to be one of...

It"s set to be one of the most striking models in its class - and is almost ready to take on small 4x4s such as Ford’s forthcoming Kuga, the Nissan Qashqai and VW’s Tiguan.

It"s set to be the fastest...

It"s set to be the fastest supermini hot hatch in its class, because the pocket rocket boasts 200bhp from a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine.

It"s the amazing new...

It"s the amazing new Bentley that sets fresh standards for performance and driveability тЂ“ and it will spawn a family of models, including a coupé and convertible, too! This is the Mulsanne, a luxurious limousine with a 6.75-litre V8 that produces 510bhp and 1,020Nm of torque, plus boasts a hand-finished chassis and state-of-the-art air suspension. And Bentley is planning fresh replacements for both the Brooklands coupé and Azure convertible based on the newcomer, which made its public debut at Frankfurt. The company is certainly confident the Mulsanne will reset the luxury car benchmark for years to come. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, BentleyтЂ™s Dr Ulrich Eichhorn said: тЂњWith this car, we assessed the performance, craftsmanship and refinement of the Arnage тЂ“ and enhanced it in every way. We have produced a car of the highest possible quality.тЂќPowered by a 6.75-litre twin-turbo V8, the Mulsanne offers a number of firsts for the luxury sector, such as cam-phasing, which adjusts engine performance and fuel efficiency. Variable displacement technology is also featured, which shuts down cylinders to save fuel at cruising speed. Inside, thereтЂ™s a 2,200-watt Naim audio system with 20 speakers тЂ“ all connected to a 40GB hard drive boasting the latest navigation technology and Internet connection.Buyers keen on the cabrio and coupé are likely to have to wait at least a couple of years for their introduction, however.

It"s the most stylish...

It"s the most stylish Subaru ever! And this striking Impreza coupé will go into production in 2010.

It"s the new estate...

It"s the new estate - and the magazine"s spies have already caught the prototype on test. As with the outgoing Passat, the next-generation carrier will offer all the benefits of a traditional estate, as designers have worked hard to achieve the right mix of style and practicality.

ITтЂ™S a five star-first...

ITтЂ™S a five star-first in crash тЂЁtests for Hyundai. The Korean makerтЂ™s i30 has earned Euro NCAPтЂ™s top score for adult occupant protection тЂ“ but only after its second attempt!

ItтЂ™s official, ex-Ferrari...

ItтЂ™s official, ex-Ferrari team boss Jean Todt is the FIAтЂ™s new president. Winning the Paris election by a comfortable margin, Todt received 135 votes compared to rival Ari VatanenтЂ™s 49.

ItтЂ™s one of BritainтЂ™s...

ItтЂ™s one of BritainтЂ™s hottest hatches, and a fierce contender for Auto ExpressтЂ™s Performance Car of the Year award, as our line-up in the special supplement in the centre pages reveals.

ItтЂ™s the all-electric...

ItтЂ™s the all-electric supermini thatтЂ™s set to change the way we own and drive our cars. This is RenaultтЂ™s three-seat green machine, the Twingo ZE.

ItтЂ™s the British supercar...

ItтЂ™s the British supercar that some said would never see the light of day! But these world-exclusive images prove MGтЂ™s drop top SV-S WRC is more than a dream, as it gets set to raise the roof in the supercar class.

ItтЂ™s the shock of...

ItтЂ™s the shock of the week тЂ“ this is the first official picture of VauxhallтЂ™s new Astra! In a measure of the desperation that the company faces, this image of its new compact family car has just arrived at Auto Express without any warning at all, completely out of the blue!

ItтЂ™s three of a kind...

ItтЂ™s three of a kind for Range Rover with news of a new baby - due to make its debut next year.

IT was crunch time in...

IT was crunch time in Canada for Lewis Hamilton. The McLaren ace threw away his race and championship lead during an action-packed event that saw Polish star Robert Kubica score his first victory and leapfrog to the top of the title table.

It wasnтЂ™t long ago...

It wasnтЂ™t long ago that tuning engines was seen as a black art: the preserve of boy racers. Today itтЂ™s a different story. Chipping your motor is no longer simply about boosting power. Some kits claim they can significantly improve fuel economy, too!

It was victory number...

It was victory number two for Rubens Barrichello, as the Brawn GP ace stormed to victory in last weekendрЂ™s Italian grand prix. The Brazilian starрЂ™s pit stop strategy was perfect, allowing him to head team mate Jenson Button and FerrariрЂ™s Kimi Raikkonen at the flag.

I"ve been predicting...

I"ve been predicting it, and – surprise, surprise – my prophecy has been realised. It’s now official: the great pretender touted as the alternative to the car has finally priced itself out of the market. For money and other reasons, we the public have decided that nine times out of 10, we prefer car cabins to rail carriages. And that’s official, too. Rail watchdog Anthony Smith has been reported in recent days as saying that rail travel “is for the rich”. He’s so incensed that he claims consumer protection on rail fares is “weak” and passengers are often left “with no choice”.

Jaguar"s designers have...

Jaguar"s designers have evolved the existing XK"s shape into a more modern, sporty form. It"s clear that early proposals for a radical shape incorporating twin headlamps have been dropped in favour of a more conservative design. The result is a two-door instantly recognisable as a Jaguar, and which promises to be one of the most attractive and desirable cars in its class.

Jams, roadworks and...

Jams, roadworks and middle-lane hoggers are all, arguably, legitimate reasons for road-raging motorists to lose their rag. But itтЂ™s a sad day when they add children crossing a road to the list.

Japanese giant Subaru...

Japanese giant Subaru is about to get a whole lot more pulling power! This is the company’s new Exiga MPV, caught undergoing testing in California ahead of its unveiling in June.

Jenson Button has given...

Jenson Button has given a cautious ‘thumbs up’ to Honda’s new grand prix contender, but has demanded more consistency from his team.

Just as Auto Express...

Just as Auto Express was going to press -and after our cover was printed - we learned that the Midlands firm will increase its product portfolio in four key areas over the next four years, developing two new cars that will be called the Rover R2 and Rover R3.

Kia bared its soul at...

Kia bared its soul at the SEMA Show this year! The Korean firm’s Soul concept first appeared at the Detroit Motor Show in 2006, but the company brought a revised version of the compact MPV to SEMA.

Kimi Raikkonen became...

Kimi Raikkonen became the first driver since Juan Manuel Fangio 51 years ago to win the world championship in his first season with Ferrari.

Legendary founder of...

Legendary founder of TVR, Trevor Wilkinson, has died at the age of 85.

Lewis Hamilton charged...

Lewis Hamilton charged to the top of the title table with a dominant win at Hockenheim, Germany. The McLaren ace shrugged off a safety car period and a pit stop error by his team to finish ahead of RenaultтЂ™s Nelson Piquet and Felipe MassaтЂ™s Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton might...

Lewis Hamilton might have done his fair share of headline grabbing this year, but it’s easy to overlook that the Brit was just the vanguard for a bumper crop of rookie talent.

Lexus has its sights...

Lexus has its sights set on joining the supercar elite! We have it on good authority that Toyota has finally succeeded in its bid to find a higher top speed for JapanтЂ™s most expensive, and fastest production car ever, the Lexus LF-A. Т

Lexus is getting sporty!...

Lexus is getting sporty! Having won widespread acclaim for its eco-friendly hybrids, Toyota’s luxury arm is out to tempt serious driving enthusiasts into its showrooms.

Look what Subaru has...

Look what Subaru has in store for the new year – it’s the next Forester. And with significantly larger dimensions than at present, the Japanese machine has the Honda CR-V and Suzuki RAV4 in its sights.

Make way for the world’s...

Make way for the world’s fastest drop-top. Bosses at the VW Group have given the green light to a Targa version of the Bugatti Veyron.

MansellL mania is back...

MansellL mania is back in Britain, and Auto Express has been given a taste of it... by ‘Our Nige’ himself! On 13 August, the ex-Formula One champion races at Silverstone for the first time since he clinched the British GP in his 1992 title-winning year. And as a warm-up, he took us for a spin in a special two-seater version of the Grand Prix Masters car he’ll be driving.

Mattel’s ?70k birthday special:

McLaren ace Lewis Hamilton...

McLaren ace Lewis Hamilton was streets ahead of his rivals as he took a dominant victory around the tight turns of Monaco. Despite treacherous wet conditions and two punctures, the British star drove brilliantly to cross the line first and regain his place at the top of the title table.

McLaren was the winner...

McLaren was the winner and loser at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. Although Lewis Hamilton dominated the event, leading every lap for the British squad, it scored NO points for the constructor’s championship after being found guilty of not acting in the best interests of the sport.

Meet the cut-price Citroen...

Meet the cut-price Citroen thatтЂ™s out to save the planet! The French manufacturer is fighting the influx of cheap superminis from Korea and China with a hi-tech but affordable production version of the C-Cactus. And our exclusive images show just how bosses are planning to turn concept into reality.

Meet the modern-day...

Meet the modern-day people’s car. Set to follow in the footsteps of the much loved Beetle, this is the most revolutionary new model in the history of Volkswagen: the stunning up!

Meet the sensational...

Meet the sensational new MINI Coupé! Exactly 50 years after the original Mini made its debut тЂ“ on 26 August 1959 тЂ“ the British firm is set to reveal its most forward-thinking model to date.

Meet the Toyota RAV4тЂ™s...

Meet the Toyota RAV4тЂ™s big brother. Called the Vanguard, itтЂ™s a larger and more luxurious alternative to the firmтЂ™s big-selling off-roader.

Mercedes is raising...

Mercedes is raising its profile in Detroit with this dramatic sculpture previewing the CLS Concept which is due later this year. And the futuristic design is no accident, not only does the sculpture preview the next CLS, it also gives the strongest hints yet on MercedesтЂ™ future styling plans.

Mikko Hirvonen bagged...

Mikko Hirvonen bagged the second championship win of his career when he came home nine seconds clear of team-mate Marcus Gronholm, with local hero Henning Solberg third in his privately entered Focus.

MINI might be celebrating...

MINI might be celebrating it"s 50th birthday, but its sights are set firmly on the future. The BMW-owned firm has announcement that it is looking for test-drivers to take on it"s new electric car, the MINI E.

Mitsubishi is putting...

Mitsubishi is putting the sport back into the Shogun. And this official picture shows what buyers can look forward to when the latest model goes on sale in 2008.

Much is expected of...

Much is expected of the next-generation Z4, which faces stiff competition from the likes of the Porsche Boxster, forthcoming Audi TT Roadster and Nissan 350Z Roadster

My front tyre needed...

My front tyre needed pumping up. I knew this because it leaks slightly and, as I hadn"t ridden my motorbike for several weeks, the Michelin would be a couple of psi short of the perfect roundness. "No, sorry, pump broken," said the chap at my local garage. So I drove on. Ten miles up the road, it was the same story. "Sorry mate, we"re waiting for an engineer," said the man, before admitting that this BP garage had been waiting for an engineer for the past three months. I drove (slowly) on.

Nearly two out of three...

Nearly two out of three low-emission cars will be robbed of their green status under plans to boost safety standards. And among the demands set out by the new rules are that models get five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests.

New rules that make...

New rules that make it impossible to dodge parking tickets come into force today. The Traffic Management Act 2004 now gives UK councils the power to use CCTV cameras, as well as wardens, to spot and ticket illegally parked cars.

Newsweek

NEWSWEEK

Newsweek

Nissan"s Juke is out...

Nissan"s Juke is out of the box! Just last week the Japanese manufacturer released a first official teaser shot of its all-new baby Qashqai, and at the same time revealed its name - "Juke". And now, using that image as a guide, we have the most accurate pictures yet of the firm"s all-new crossover.

Nissan"s tough talking...

Nissan"s tough talking boss, Carlos Ghosn, has opened this year"s Los Angeles Motor Show with a grim assesment of the state the motor industry finds itself in...

No longer do you need...

No longer do you need to haul the heavy chairs in and out. In the second-generation Galaxy, they simply fold into the floor.

Not only did the test...

Not only did the test in Barcelona, Spain, see the racers running with a common Engine Control Unit for the first time, it also featured a host of new faces in new places.

Now firmly established...

Now firmly established as the world’s most popular historic race meeting, the spectacular annual Goodwood Revival not only recreates many of the sport’s most golden eras, but also offers exceptional wheel-to-wheel racing around a nostalgic circuit, virtually untouched by the modern world.

Now SEAT gives Leon FR a hiding

Number one - the diesel...

Number one - the diesel engine is dead. Thanks to high fuel costs, tough-to-meet emissions targets and growing competition for scarce fossil fuel resources, the engine once championed for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness is finished. Number two: you are what you eat. And in the case of the oil-burning powerplant, which chomps through a by-product of long-since-extinct dinosaurs… Well, you get the drift.

October saw Singapore...

October saw Singapore host Formula OneтЂ™s first night race.

Official bodies from...

Official bodies from all parts of the motoring industry have attacked the Government"s record on road safety after official figures.

Old favourites Jason...

Old favourites Jason Plato and Matt Neal may have shared the spoils, but there was much to admire as the new-look Dunlop British Touring Car Championship roared into action at Brands Hatch last weekend.

Oliver Marriage, road...

Oliver Marriage, road test editor - Aston Martin DBS

On April Fool"s Day...

On April Fool"s Day, the "Head of Mandate Avoidance", Dr Hans Uphoo-Gotit, revealed measures to combat imminent roadside cameras designed to catch drivers going too slowly. I could barely manage a smile, never mind a chuckle. It just wasn"t funny. While the Bavarian company has its strong points, comedy isn"t one of them.

One-time master of diesel...

One-time master of diesel Peugeot is cleaning up its act – with this new 308 Hybride HDi. The French firm will unveil the eco-friendly hatchback at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show. And with thrifty credentials such as a frugal 83mpg and CO2 emissions of only 90g/km, it’s sure to be a real draw.

One of the images of...

One of the images of the 2007 season that will be repeated over and over is Robert Kubica’s crash at the Canadian Grand Prix. The force with which the Polish star’s BMW-Sauber tumbled across the track before comчing to a rest was gut wrenching.

Only the Volvo C70 boasts...

Only the Volvo C70 boasts a similar retractable set-up in the premium cabrio class. That means the new 3-Series Convertible will steal a march on its main rivals

Our exclusive photographs...

Our exclusive photographs record the first public steps of the legendary firm"s new cabriolet, the sensational V8 Roadster - set to make its official debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November.

Our images are the best...

Our images are the best yet of the car, which is set to make its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. And Peugeot buyers will be delighted to see that it looks just like a scaled-up version of the popular 207 supermini.

Our sensational spy...

Our sensational spy shot shows, for the very first time, the key feature that should keep the second-generation model ahead of its rivals - an electric pop-up boot spoiler.

Our spot check of more...

Our spot check of more than 80 sites across the UK (see box) revealed 39 per cent of stations had gauges that were damaged, out of order or giving wrong readings.

Peace of mind is invaluable...

Peace of mind is invaluable when you are buying any used car – but especially so when the model you’re considering has the kind of price tag which makes most showroom-fresh vehicles look cheap. That’s why Rolls-Royce has introduced its first-ever approved second-hand programme.

Presenter Jeremy Vine...

Presenter Jeremy Vine asked me on air if it"s ethically and morally acceptable for a motorist with nine points on their licence to allow a friend to take the rap for their latest speeding misdemeanour. As far as I"m concerned, ethics and morality are important, but not as much as the fact that drivers can and do go to jail for deception.

Project Bloodhound answers...

Project Bloodhound answers the question of what to do when you reckon a land speed record of 763mph isnтЂ™t quite enough. Brought to you by the team responsible for Thrust SCC, the car that broke the sound barrier back in 1997, Project Bloodhound is aiming to take Andy Green beyond 1000mph.

Rather than concentrating...

Rather than concentrating on how a vehicle protects its occupants in the event of a shunt, it gauges the amount of damage that one model will do to another in a car-to-car collision.

Renault could be forced...

Renault could be forced to pull out of F1 if found guilty of using McLaren technical data to its advantage.

Reports of the death...

Reports of the death of the Toll Tax have been greatly exaggerated - the threat of a new layer of motoring tax is alive and kicking

Richmond upon Thames...

Richmond upon Thames got the first strike in, but Gordon"s is second and miles ahead of David"s or Ken"s. What am I on about? So called "environmental taxes" on gas-guzzling vehicles, that"s what. Or, as the FT put it last week: "Brown to hit 4x4s", referring to the Chancellor"s pre-Budget report which increases the top rate of Vehicle Excise Duty for cars producing the most carbon dioxide in an attempt to reduce the effects of climate change.

Roundabout clutter is...

Roundabout clutter is being encouraged by cash-strapped councils who are desperate to raise extra revenue by way of sponsorship

Sat-nav could soon save...

Sat-nav could soon save your life – that’s according to Nissan. The Japanese car maker has just revealed its fourth-generation Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV). The firm has fitted the newcomer with a hi-tech development of its standard on-board navigation system. By communicating with similarly equipped vehicles, it can warn of other drivers who are about to pull out of unsighted roads. The company claims that serious accidents could be reduced by 60 per cent if the gadgets in the ASV make production.

Sat-nav manufacturer...

Sat-nav manufacturer TomчTom says its owners make 12 per cent fewer insurance claims for acciчdent damage to their cars

Say hello to the Ampera...

Say hello to the Ampera - an all new Vauxhall that"s set to lead the British firm"s charge into the electric car market.

Say hello to the new...

Say hello to the new and improved Vauxhall VXR8! The flagship of the Luton firm’s range has been given a power hike and a striking new paint finish in time for the summer.

Schumacher is better...

Schumacher is better placed than any other high-profile person on the planet to help cut deaths on the road across the world

Scientists have discovered...

Scientists have discovered a hi-tech scan can reveal if neck muscles really have been damaged in a collision. It will deter swindlers, cut premiums and help genuine victims get the best treatment.

Scrapped engines are...

Scrapped engines are being resold to the public, defeating the object of the GovernmentтЂ™s green initiative.

SEAT makes the switch to diesel

Set to be unveiled at...

Set to be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in January, it will take on established rivals such as the Land Rover Discovery.

Set to make its debut...

Set to make its debut at September"s Paris Motor Show, the newcomer has been styled as a load-lugger rather than a conventional five-door hatch. Styling cues have come from the Pikes Peak concept model, which was originally revealed at the 2003 Detroit expo.

Set to reach UK shores...

Set to reach UK shores in 2009, the compact family car was revealed by SAIC at the Shanghai Motor Show, and is the latest model to rise from the ashes of Rover.

Sharing some of its...

Sharing some of its engineering with Lamborghini"s Gallardo supercar, Auto Express has the first official pictures of the newcomer, which is due to hit British roads next summer.

Shocked isn"t the word!...

Shocked isn"t the word! The top 10 cars are produced by only four manufacturers: BMW, Lexus, Skoda and Honda. Clearly they know something the others don"t...

Silent-running electric...

Silent-running electric cars and hybrid vehicles are about to be wired for sound!

Six-times MotoGP world...

Six-times MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi will be sprinkling some much-needed spice on to next monthтЂ™s Wales Rally GB.

Small cars are big business...

Small cars are big business at Renault – and the Modus has been revised on a Grand scale! Take a look at the first official pictures of the all-new long-wheelbase version, which is set to join a refreshed line-up in February.

So, IтЂ™m not going...

So, IтЂ™m not going to be too bothered by bhp figures in the future. IтЂ™m just going to take a motor on its driving merits alone.

Some child car seats...

Some child car seats are so difficult to fit they could be dangerous, warns a new report. Testers at Which? were so confused by one model that they have advised parents not to buy it.

Sources within the Luton...

Sources within the Luton manufacturer have let slip that company bosses are closely watching the popularity of the GM Journey - which goes on sale in South America later this year. If that model proves to be a success, then the maker may offer something similar in UK showrooms.

So you reckon satellite...

So you reckon satellite navigation systems are only good for directing you from A to B? Well, think again! The humble sat-nav is fast becoming

Speaking at a conference...

Speaking at a conference to mark half a million MINIs being built at Cowley, boss Trevor Houghton-Berry said: "Additional models will be part of the second-generation production plan, and these could include a two-seater cabriolet, a retro-style Countryman estate and I would really love to build a MINI Moke."

Star of SEATрЂ™s show...

Star of SEATрЂ™s show stand was the SportCoupe, the stylish three-door

Statistics compiled...

Statistics compiled by indus?try data specialist Experian show second-hand cars in the sports, luxury and SUV classes were the only ones to report an increase in sales during 2006.

Still popular with buyers...

Still popular with buyers on a budget looking for unburstable reliability, the Micra was originally available with two engines, until a modern 1.4-litre unit was added in 2000. While the 1.3-litre model offers reasonable pace, it"s the 1.0-litre that"s responsible for the dismal Driver Power rating.

Subaru is looking to...

Subaru is looking to turn the Impreza back into a contender for class honours in the ultra-competitive high-performance family car market. These spy shots reveal a new Spec C version of the flagship STi.

Take a first look at...

Take a first look at Subaru’s new Impreza STi. The firm’s most famous car has always had a strong link between the rally stage and the road – and these pictures prove it.

Take a look at MitsubishiтЂ™s...

Take a look at MitsubishiтЂ™s outlandish electric concept! This futuristic SUV is set to be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month, and goes on sale next year.

Take a look at the Audi...

Take a look at the Audi Cross Coupé quattro, which was unveiled at last week"s Shanghai Motor Show in China. It"s officially billed as a design study, but the car closely previews the new Q5, a Land Rover Freelander-sized rival.

Take a look at the first...

Take a look at the first official pictures of Citroen’s stylish new C5!

Techno fans are in for...

Techno fans are in for a treat with the latest add-on for Apple’s iPhone – it starts your motor! What’s more, it also allows you to monitor the car’s condition, all from within a mile radius.

Tests have been going...

Tests have been going on for several weeks in Montpellier, France, and look set to spread across the country soon. And UK police forces, which have been watching the developments, could introduce the idea here.

That’s how much...

That’s how much dealers knock off the value of a typical three-year-old motor if it doesn’t have an MoT, according to research carried out by second-hand price guide CAP Black Book.

That’s the claim...

That’s the claim from bosses at mycarcheck.com. The vehicle data company believes that the loophole means motorists aren’t always informed if a car has been stolen and subsequently retrieved.

That’s the verdict...

That’s the verdict from trade bible Glass’s Guide. Values for drop-tops failed to reach their usual summer peak this year, and the experts at Glass’s warn the seasonal drop in the winter could see prices plummet.

That"s because the man...

That"s because the man pictured on the right - Bob Busbridge from Morden, Surrey - has a tiny kit car company based in a workshop in his back garden. Why is this a problem for Dodge bosses? Because his AC Cobra lookalike is called the Viper.

That"s the result from...

That"s the result from Driver Power 2006, Auto Express"s biggest and best-ever reliability and satisfaction survey, which you can read in the special pull-out report in the centre of this week"s issue.

The 2007 motorsport...

The 2007 motorsport season was a cracker, but 2008 promises to be just as good – and not only for Formula One fans. However, F1 bosses are hoping that the first night-time grand prix will bring the sport to a whole new audience.

The 2008 British Motor...

The 2008 British Motor Show has been given a major boost after Lotus confirmed that it will launch an all-new model at the event.

The 2+2 cabrio will...

The 2+2 cabrio will use the same mighty 5.0-litre V10 as found in the standard M6 and the M5. This all-alloy engine develops 507bhp and 521Nm of torque, driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed sequential gearbox.

The 39-year-old single...

The 39-year-old single mum was caught on camera doing 51mph in a 40 zone. That"s the sort of misdemeanour most of us have been guilty of at some point. Difference is we didn"t go to jail for exceeding the speed limit by 20-something per cent. Joy did - and here"s how.

The adventure never...

The adventure never ends with MINI, and itтЂ™s about to take a surprise turn... Auto Express can exclusively reveal that the firm plans to introduce greater economy and efficiency to its JCW hot hatch by swapping its turbo petrol engine for a diesel!

The allegation is that...

The allegation is that administrator PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) "discriminated" against Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) when it accepted the measly н‚бЈ50million rival offer for the collapsed MG Rover/Powertrain empire from Nanjing. Fed-up corporate fixer and entrepreneur David James is, understandably, causing further ripples by claiming his bid was н‚бЈ15million higher than Nanjing"s. The UK unions don"t believe at this early stage that the Nanjing bid is best for British employees, either, and that could lead to industrial action, which is the last thing that"s needed.

The Astra has landed!...

The Astra has landed! And as the launch of Focus and Megane rival approaches, a more detailed set of images and information has emerged.

THE Audi A2 is making...

THE Audi A2 is making a comeback. Auto Express has learned the German firm plans to resurrect its trailblazing small people carrier. And it will take pride of place as one of the most desirable models in an exciting new compact car range.

The award-winning British...

The award-winning British International Motor Show returns to ExCeL London this summer, once again bringing glamour, excitement and innovation to the capital.

The baby Lexus has landed!...

The baby Lexus has landed! Lexus is readying a BMW 1-series for Frankfurt, and this is the first photo to emerge, after last week"s rear shot, of the front end.ч

The battle to keep car...

The battle to keep car crime at bay continues unabated. What with transponders, immobilisers, alarms and other anti-theft systems, vehicles today are virtually impossible to steal without the keys – or the use of a flat-bed truck!

The Beachcomber is actually...

The Beachcomber is actually shorter than a Golf hatchback and only ten centimetres longer than a Clubman

The blue-and-white sprite...

The blue-and-white sprite returns! Just weeks after Renault revealed it was rejuvenating the Gordini brand, bosses have taken the wraps off the first model to wear the famous colours.

The BMW M3 saloon is...

The BMW M3 saloon is back! Hot on the heels of the coupé comes the four-door version of the fastest 3-Series. These are the first official pictures of the hot new M3 saloon, which is scheduled to go on sale in the UK in the spring.

The bold scorчpion...

The bold scorчpion badge of the famous tuning arm will appear first on a racy version of the new 500 city car. A company spokesman has revealed the wraps will be taken off this model at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.

The Capri is back тЂ“...

The Capri is back тЂ“ as a hatch! These are the best pictures yet of the compact family car that looks set to be the must-have model of 2010 тЂ“ itтЂ™s a new three- door version of the Ford Focus.

The car is being designed...

The car is being designed and engineered at Volkswagen"s headquarters in Wolfsburg. But, unlike its predecessor, the newcomer will be an exclusively VW affair. The agreement that gave birth to the original, which shared its parts and engines with a pair of near-identical rivals, including Ford"s Galaxy, has ended. Volkswagen currently has no plans to share the engineering with anyone else - even its sister company, SEAT, which was the other Sharan partner.

The car is one of a...

The car is one of a trio of new models revealed by our spy photographers this week. Also laid bare are a more practical Astra load-lugger, as well as an Opel version of the next Zafira which raises questions about the mini-MPV"s roof - it"s nearly all glass!

The car seen here is...

The car seen here is the Antara GTC - it stands for Gran Turismo Crossover - which made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The stunning concept features prominent wheelarches, stylish LED headlamps and sporty air vents behind the front wheels.

The car was given a...

The car was given a makeover two years ago, but the changes were confined to the engines, suspension and interior, making the S-Type better to drive than it had been at launch. Now, the Coventry firm has given its mid-size exec a fresher exterior, plus further cabin revisions. And, as we revealed last year, there will be a diesel for the first time.

The cats are being let...

The cats are being let out of the bag! Auto Express has learned that Jaguar has trademarked a host of new names for some exciting upcoming models тЂ“ and one of them looks set for the E-TypeтЂ™s spiritual successor.

The Civic has finally...

The Civic has finally been set three! Ahead of its official unveiling at the British Motor Show later this month, Honda has released the first pictures of its sporty compact family hatchback.

The cost of rubber has...

The cost of rubber has nearly doubled in the past 12 months, shredding many tyre makers" yearly profits. The rises are expected to bite consumers later this year, and are being blamed on a combination of factors, including a poor rubber harvest in Asia plus an increase in the cost of oil-derived chemicals used in the production process. Additional demand from emerging markets, such as China, is also making a substantial difference.

The CU doesn"t mess...

The CU doesn"t mess around, mince its words or mind who it upsets. The organisation speaks to literally millions of people and asks them about recent problems they"ve been having with their cars. This year it"s 1997-2004 models that are under the microscope. Just like Driver Power, it names and shames the guilty vehicles, the companies who make them and, by implication at least, the regions of the world whose local firms are responsible for the least reliable motors.

The curtain raiser for...

The curtain raiser for 2007’s NASCAR season – Sunday’s Daytona 500 – welcomed two significant new faces: ex-F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya and, far more controversially, Toyota.

The die is already cast...

The die is already cast for the first half of next season, and thereтЂ™s no reason why it should be any different here to last year

The DIY Garage is the...

The DIY Garage is the brainchild of Stan Clements, and as co-owner of the business he has plans to franchise the concept - so expect the garages to become a common sight, with outlets set to open across the UK next year.

The duel for this year’s...

The duel for this year’s Dunlop British Touring Car Championship has intensified after Fabrizio Giovanardi cut Jason Plato’s series lead following three rounds at Snetterton.

The end of the road...

The end of the road is in sight for horror lorry spray – thanks to a revolutionary new type of mudflap.

The Englishman arrived...

The Englishman arrived at Donington Park fearing the worst: he had just been overhauled by his arch-rival, Fabrizio Giovanardi, in this year’s British Touring Car Championship title race. And to make matters worse, he was sure his SEAT would struggle to match the speed of the in-form Vauxhalls at the Derbyshire circuit.

The Euro 2008 football...

The Euro 2008 football championship kicked off without any of the home nations involved, but British stars were scoring on the automotive front in June.