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
Road Tests
The family resemblance...
The family resemblance is clear from the newcomer"s beefy bodykit, with a huge air dam in the bumper, along with widened wheelarches, 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels and a roof spoiler. The looks are inspired by the Fiesta Rallye Concept, which was first seen at the 2002 British Motor Show.
The fastest Ford hot...
The fastest Ford hot hatch ever is finally here!
The firm"s Sportback...
The firm"s Sportback previewed the next-generation Lancer at the Frankfurt expo earlier in the year, but this is the clearest indication yet of how the rally-bred model will really look.
The firm will officially...
The firm will officially announce the Eco band figure at next month"s Geneva Motor Show, when the Charade gets it worldwide debut.
The forthcoming Lancer...
The forthcoming Lancer Evo will be the automatic choice for keen drivers, after Mitsubishi revealed details of the car’s new semi-auto gearbox.
The French firm formally...
The French firm formally declared hostilities when it issued a hugely provocative statement alleging that a petrol-electric hybrid power unit such as that in the Toyota Prius is "much more costly and no greener" than a diesel engine in a Renault Mégane. What"s more, it claims its car costs up to ÷£5,050 less than the Japanese offering.
The front of the car...
The front of the car draws heavily on the Concept C coup탩-cabriolet, which will itself be joining the VW line-up before the end of 2005. It features angular headlamps with a central round pod, while the grille dips into the front bumper in the style of the new Golf.
The future looks bright...
The future looks bright for Jaguar and Land Rover – but what does it mean for you, the car buyer?
The glass could even...
The glass could even appear on Saab"s top-secret new premium hatchback. Due on sale in 2008, the Swedish model will be called the 9-2, and will take on the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series. A spokesperson for parent firm General Motors explained that the clear roof would "fit perfectly into the Saab brand"s sporty image and aircraft heritage".
The Grand Tour Concept...
The Grand Tour Concept previews the new Clio estate, and has the same 2.0-litre engine as is fitted to the Renaultsport Clio 197. The model"s three-door body features a 430-litre luggage space, which can be expanded to 1,275 litres by folding the rear seats.
The guest list read...
The guest list read like a Who’s Who of the motor industry as more than 200 top executives, designers and motor÷sport stars gathered for the 2006 Auto Express New Car Honours presentation.The glittering event, at London’s Hurlingham Club, celebrated our 15th honours night and brought together some of the best brains in the business.
The handbrake on any...
The handbrake on any car has only one job to do ò€“ stop it from moving when itò€™s stationary. But on Stuart Mainwaringò€™s Vauxhall Corsa VXR, it didnò€™t do that ò€“ with what could have been fatal consequences.
The heat is on at Renault...
The heat is on at Renault, thanks to the limited-run Mégane R26.R. Itò€™s a final fling for the hatch, which will be replaced next year by an all-new model ò€“ and this dramatic Renaultsport version is a fitting send-off.
The hot news is the...
The hot news is the all-new turbocharged engine for the Cooper S. The 1.6-litre motor replaces the old supercharged unit, promising more power and greater refinement
"The impact of traffic...
"The impact of traffic on drivers" report - co-authored by health psychologist David Moxon - identifies a new condition named Traffic Stress Syndrome (TSS), a form of psychological anxiety that manifests itself in certain drivers while stuck in traffic.
The K5.91MD Plus packs...
The K5.91MD Plus packs a punch, delivering a 135-bar jet of water that should be more than enough to shift the most stubborn mud and road dirt from the bodywork of your vehicle.
The Land Rover Freelander...
The Land Rover Freelander is under attack by a striking 4x4 from Mazda. This is the stunning new Kazamai, which is due to make its debut at the Moscow Motor Show in August.
The latest 911 Turbo...
The latest 911 Turbo has landedò€¦ And in true Porsche style the updated version is virtually indecipherable from its predecessor!
The latest advice from...
The latest advice from the DfT"s THINK! campaign states: "Speeding is not just inconsiderate, it contributes to the 36,000 serious injuries and 3,000 deaths that occur on Britain"s roads each year." Apart from these figures not being entirely accurate, it"s plain unfair only to mention speeding motorists as the cause. Yes, some drivers and their excessive speeds are to blame for a minority of those accidents. But if we"re going to have a statement from the authorities specifically pointing the finger at fast motorists, other contributing road users should also be named and shamed.
The lid has been lifted...
The lid has been lifted on MINIò€™s hottest rival yet! Citroen unveiled its all-new DS at the Geneva Motor Show in March ò€“ but until now has managed to keep the interior under wraps.
The lid has been lifted...
The lid has been lifted on Audiò€™s latest stunner! Feast your eyes on the A5 Cabriolet ò€“ a car that will replace the A4 drop-top next year. Auto Express has got hold of these great spy shots to show you how the sensational new convertible will look.
The Lion king is ready...
The Lion king is ready to return... meet the stunning replacement for the Peugeot 607.
The Mac is back. This...
The Mac is back. This is McLarenò€™s new baby supercar, which distils the excitement of the legendary original F1 road model into a smaller and less expensive package.
The magazine"s shots...
The magazine"s shots show the final prototypes being put through their paces near the Arctic Circle, and reveal what executive car buyers have got to look forward to. As you can see, the front end is more pointed that that of its big brother, and will feature the controversial new split-level corporate grille first seen on the W12 A8. Showroom versions will get a chrome finish to the new nose to go with Audi"s four ring badge, although this is missing on these test mules.
The mag"s spies caught...
The mag"s spies caught what appeared to be a road-ready version testing on the streets of Turin, and a Fiat spokesman told us: "The Simba will definitely go into production, and be barely distinguishable from the concept."
The mag"s spies have...
The mag"s spies have caught engineers testing prototypes of the performance range-topper. Although the disguised car is fitted with VXR mechanicals, the bodywork of the production model will be far more extreme. The mag"s images show that the finished product is a sight to behold. Adding a beefy bodykit to Vauxhall"s new supermini, designers have created a fitting understudy to the Astra VXR.
The maker is beating...
The maker is beating a path to the heart of the US car market with a raft of fresh metal at the expo - including a new model that"s coming to the UK in right-hand-drive form early next year.
The market town of Pershore...
The market town of Pershore is hardly Ferrari’s base in Maranello, but it’s here in rural Worcestershire that Matt Neal’s championship-winning Team Dynamics outfit is gearing up for its latest BTCC title defence.
The model has broken...
The model has broken all the moulds and become the undisputed star of the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. Capable of an astonishing 100mpg on a clear road, yet still returning 83mpg on the combined cycle, the two-seater is more environmentally friendly than any rival.
The modifications will...
The modifications will be on the flagship VXR version, and are likely to filter down to the rest of the range, although that"s yet to be confirmed.
The most obvious changes...
The most obvious changes are at the front, where the previous car"s twin headlamps and subtle bumpers have been replaced by a more aggressive design. Headlights similar to those of the new 45 are used, and the ZR also gets MG"s trademark new grille. Separate cut-outs incorporating the indicators and foglamps have been added to the front bumper, while thicker side strips and new alloys add to the sporty appeal.
The move comes after...
The move comes after the company announced plans to expand its European dealer network to more than 1,000 outlets by the end of this year. It"s in recognition of the fact that "Britishness" is often the key to the brand"s appeal.
The new 4x4 will debut...
The new 4x4 will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and hits British showrooms shortly afterwards - where it"s tipped to cost around í‚á£3,000 more than its predecessor. It will go head-to-head with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
The new Cadillac CTS...
The new Cadillac CTS Coupé was one of the biggest surprises of the recent Detroit Motor Show for two reasons. Not only was the unveiling totally unexpected, but the stylish US machine was fitted with a six-cylinder 2.9-litre turbodiesel engine delivering 247bhp.
The newcomer is full...
The newcomer is full of technology aimed at making the driver"s life easier
The newcomer joins the...
The newcomer joins the ranks at an exciting time - the company has recently announced that the Arnage Drophead Coup탩 will go into production in 2006. And the Continental GT coup탩 has been a runaway success, with more than 6,500 sold worldwide last year - over 1,800 of them in the UK alone.
The newcomer was commissioned...
The newcomer was commissioned by Japanese collector Yoshiyuki Hayashi, and is the work of craftsmen at Italian coachbuilder Zagato. Its experts took Hayashi"s standard 575M as a starting point, although there"s nothing normal about its unique aluminium bodywork.
The new flagship is...
The new flagship is based on the standard supercharged variant, but gets revised styling and more kit. It was designed by the same team responsible for the bright orange prototype which stunned crowds at the Detroit Motor Show in 2004. A bluff new bumper, rectangular tailpipes and a spoiler feature prominently, while a gaping grille sits above the pair of circular foglamps which flank the enlarged air intake in the front spoiler.
The new product is TRACKER...
The new product is TRACKER Response, a combination of GPS, VHF and GSM technologies to keep a real-time track of your car at all times. The owner can view this from the website, and this monitoring power enables Tracker to offer a few clever wrinkles too.
The new Volkswagen Scirocco...
The new Volkswagen Scirocco is about to go topless, Auto Express can exclusively reveal. The German manufacturer is plotting a coupé-cabriolet version of its two-door sports car to challenge the likes of the Porsche Boxster and Audi TT Roadster.
The pencil sketch in...
The pencil sketch in this week"s mag of an aggressive four-door family car was given exclusively to Auto Express during a visit to the company"s design HQ in South Korea. It reveals a D-segment hatchback, and we"ve learned there won"t be a long wait to see it in the metal - the car will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
The photos in the mag...
The photos in the mag clearly illustrate how the newcomer not only gets a sleeker front end, complete with grooved bonnet, but also benefits from exclusive 20-inch alloys. At the rear are distinctive twin exhaust pipes in the centre of the back bumper. Extra chrome detailing on the tailgate and side windows further distinguishes it from lesser models.
The price of some goods...
The price of some goods in electrical stores has fallen by 90 per cent. When can we expect to see similar cuts in car showrooms?
The RAC has issued a...
The RAC has issued a warning to motorists of the potential financial risks involved with DIY car maintenance over the recommended standard breakdown cover. With the current economic downturn, many financially hit motorists have taken vehicle maintenance and repairs into their own hands. According to a recent survey carried out by the RAC, a typical roadside breakdown event costs around Ò£195 compared to the fully comprehensive breakdown cover offered by RAC which starts from only Ò£71.25 for a year.
The Renault chief confirmed...
The Renault chief confirmed that the eagerly awaited newcomer would be in dealers by 2010, and added:
The Renault Mégane...
The Renault Mégane has leaked again! These grainy black and white images found their way onto the Internet today via the European patents office, giving us a complete look at the production-ready three-door hatchback.
There"s no doubt that...
There"s no doubt that with the new V8 Vantage"s arrival alongside Jaguar"s next XK, coup탩 fans have never had
The result is a two-pronged...
The result is a two-pronged attack to be led by a facelifted evolution of the current machine in mid-2006. That gives company technicians more than enough time to develop an all-new vehicle, codenamed W212, which is due for launch in 2009.
Thereò€™s a reason Audi...
Thereò€™s a reason Audi has a reputation for building great four-wheel-drive vehicles ò€“ and itò€™s not limited to stunners such as the R8 supercar.
There was nowhere to...
There was nowhere to hide for car makers in March when we published our 2008 Driver Power satisfaction survey results in Issue 1,004.
The S5 Cabriolet is...
The S5 Cabriolet is out in the open ò€“ and itò€™s shaping up as the only thing to be seen in next summer!
The same can be said...
The same can be said of Vauxhall"s Astra. It"s nothing like its predecessor, and I"d go as far as saying it"s as visually appealing as anything else out there - BMW and Audi hatches included. But not content with that, Vauxhall has introduced its Panoramic windscreen in time for Paris. I know some readers have concerns about possible insurance problems (see letter of the week, opposite), but for í‚á£1,000, the driver and front-seat passengers get a huge, unique, curvaceous and airy glass expanse from the edge of the bonnet over their heads and into the roof. In the nicest possible way, it"s abnormal.
The search for Britain’s...
The search for Britain’s best-looking new car has begun – and Auto Express needs your help!
The secret is out! These...
The secret is out! These are the first official images of Audi’s new A4, which will make its world debut in two weeks’ time at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The secretò€™s out...
The secretò€™s out. Auto Express can reveal Vauxhall plans for a practical new family car based on the technology that underpins the petrol-electric Ampera.
These exclusive top-secret...
These exclusive top-secret sketches are from the firm"s design team, and are part of the project to replace the ageing 9-5. According to sources, they are the last work of ex-styling chief Michael Mauer and were finished days before he defected to Porsche in April. The images reveal three versions of the new 9-5 - a saloon, estate and a four-door hatchback supercar.
These new findings are...
These new findings are shocking...a change in the law is certainly worth considering - Chris Wakley, Tyre Industry Council
The shake-up will mean...
The shake-up will mean more vehicles available at lower prices.
The shots reveal how...
The shots reveal how the German manufacturer has taken the roadster"s racy lines and made them even more dramatic. The biggest change sees the "fried egg" headlamps ditched.
The SLR Roadster is...
The SLR Roadster is saying goodbye in style! Mercedes is marking the end of the production run for its 200mph drop-top by auctioning off
The spy shots in the...
The spy shots in the latest issue show the new coup탩-cabriolet model on test - and they reveal just how well built and precise the folding metal hood is going to be.
The thing is, politicians...
The thing is, politicians have a civil obligation to explain themselves to the taxpayers who stump up their wages. Yet many of those in office choose to run away from journalists like me. The revolutionary London Congestion Charge system is another thorny issue that needs to be seriously questioned. It"s something that affects countless millions who visit the capital for work or pleasure purposes. Its main victims are the wealth-creating business people and their employees who have to travel into the congestion zone, but because they"re not residents they have no say in who"s voted into political office - and that can"t be right can it?
The Times newspaper...
The Times newspaper has finally woken up to this fact. The main story on its front page on 30 December 2003 was entitled "Speed camera curbs to halt driver backlash". And on 1 January 2004, the broadsheet came back for more, devoting over half its front page to cynical motoring fines. Stories about a murdered policeman, war on terror and other domestic and international events played second fiddle to the plight of UK car occupants, many of whom are now in danger of being priced out of their vehicles - not by manufacturers, but by politicians punch drunk on power and making money.
The US already has two...
The US already has two superior car shows - Detroit and Los Angeles. Add Chicago in the first week of February, as well as New York, and that"s four major car exhibitions before spring has properly sprung. Britain doesn"t even get one big show a year, so I suppose that"s why Land Rover decided it had little choice but to reveal the Disco on foreign soil. Much as I would have preferred the unveiling to be at Birmingham"s NEC, the firm with its roots in Solihull and its heart in nearby Gaydon did the right thing by choosing New York. Elsewhere, the car would have had to compete with more headline-grabbing launches.
The whole world knows...
The whole world knows what Jenson Button wants for Christmas: a decent racing car worthy of his talents. This time last year, the 27-year-old had good reason to feel festive. He was still savouring his maiden Formula One win and had ended what was hailed as a breakthrough season on a huge high.
The wraps are slowly...
The wraps are slowly being peeled back on Jaguar"s new Big Cat ò€“ the XJ. These teaser pictures were released at the Shanghai Motor Show, giving us our best look yet at the upcoming BMW 7-Series and Mercedes S-Class rival, which will go on sale before the end of the year.
The wraps have come...
The wraps have come off the most powerful Mercedes ever! This mean-looking car is the SL 65 AMG Black Series, which has a 670bhp engine ò€“ giving it even more punch than the SLR McLaren.
They"re not squeaky...
They"re not squeaky clean, but the new car and related industries deserve a score of nine-and-a-half out of 10 for transparency. No other business in the world openly offers potential customers a combination of: generous discounts on most vehicles being sold; a choice of official (franchised) and unofficial (non-franchised) outlets; precise details of typical running and servicing costs; even more exact data about carbon emissions; warranties lasting from three to seven years; and - most incred-ible of all - a virtual guarantee that every car will still be worth money when it"s decidedly second-hand.
This aluminium race-style...
This aluminium race-style trolley jack from tool giant Clarke will make light work of any under-car maintenance. The jack has been designed with sporting models in mind, as its saddle can drop lower than standard units to a mere 79mm – at full height it will reach 376mm. It weighs only 10.3kg, while the two-piece handle makes it easy to store and use – simply twist and pump to raise and lower the cup. There is also a rubber contact pad to protect the car.
This is the production...
This is the production version of the C30, which the firm hopes will give the BMW 1-Series, as well as the Golf, a fright in the tough premium hatchback market.
This is the stunning...
This is the stunning Continental GT Convertible, complete with trademark mesh grille and twin headlamps. The newcomer, to be badged GTC, shares its imposing styling with the coup탩, and the two have an identical profile below the waistline. As you"d expect, maintaining the GT"s smooth lines was at the top of Bentley"s priority list.
This is the SUV that’s...
This is the SUV that’s set to put Ford back on the off-roader map – the Explorer America. After the sale of Land Rover is completed, the blue oval will have a Discovery-sized hole in its UK line-up, but this model promises to fill the gap.
This new Chicane is...
This new Chicane is sure to have Maserati fans in a spin. The curvaceous concept hints at a replace-ment for the ageing Coupé model.
This week, there’s...
This week, there’s breaking news of not just one reborn motoring legend, but two! While BMW’s plan to bring back Triumph is hot gossip in the UK, Japan is ready to see the return of one of its favourite past models: the Honda CR-X.
Tickets for next monthò€™s...
Tickets for next monthò€™s British Grand Prix are sold out, but Formula One fans will get another chance to see Lewis Hamilton in action, just one week later at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
To be fair to the dead...
To be fair to the dead wood Conservatives, I"m writing this column before their gathering is even over. But are Britain"s 50 million car users anywhere near the top of their priority list, or are they just thinking about their next leader who, if he or she lasts as long as the last three, will be irrelevant? Unlike those 50 million motorists and their passengers, who have valuable voting cards up their sleeves!
True, on roads, tracks...
True, on roads, tracks, frozen lakes and in remote deserts I often test cars whose tanks have been filled by the manufacturers. But I also spend time driving around in a wide variety of gas-guzzling and frugal models which run on fuel I"ve paid for. It"s impossible to estimate how much I"ve personally spent over the decades. But the last thing I"m prepared to do is beat myself up over the fact. And although it"s entirely up to you, my humble advice is that you shouldn"t feel bad either.
Unlike the classic original...
Unlike the classic original, the newcomer will get a front-mounted V8. The unit is expected to be an all-aluminum 90-degree 4.2-litre unit with around 480bhp
Until recently, Nielsen...
Until recently, Nielsen was a brand name known only to the trade. But the Derbyshire company has just launched a whole host of retail products – seven in total – which help you restore your
Unveiled at the Seoul...
Unveiled at the Seoul Motor Show in the brand"s South Korean homeland, it"s badged Velostar, and boasts a bold front end with a deep front splitter, as well as large, upswept headlamps.
Unveiled at this week"s...
Unveiled at this week"s Los Angeles Motor Show in California, it reveals how VW"s designers have clearly been inspired by the company"s full-size SUV, with squared-off lines from the Touareg.
Up to eight million...
Up to eight million people could find their car insurance invalid if they fail to declare a previous conviction with their provider.
Vauxhall is back in...
Vauxhall is back in business. In an effort to rediscover its title-winning form, VX Racing has ditched its disappointing Astra Sport Hatch. An exciting new Vectra-based racer has been introduced for the 2007 Dunlop British Touring Car Championship, which roars into action with three rounds at Brands Hatch, Kent, on Sunday.
Volvo has just announced...
Volvo has just announced the prices for its facelifted C30 SportCoupe and C70 coupe/convertible after revealing both updated versions at last months Frankfurt Motor Show.
Want to save fuel and...
Want to save fuel and cut down your CO2 emissions? The DTI has just unveiled the ò€œAct On CO2ò€ initiative to encourage car buyers to purchase more fuel efficient motors. Auto Express has conducted its own research to find Britainò€™s 100 most economical motors.
WATCH out Ferrari ò€“...
WATCH out Ferrari ò€“ Pagani is developing a replacement for the Zonda! Caught testing in Italy, our spy photographers shot this prototype putting its new engine, advanced aerodynamics and totally fresh chassis through their paces.
Welcome to the baby...
Welcome to the baby hot hatch revolution! While performance fans have had a feast of high-powered superminis in recent months, we can reveal the new kids on the block that are ready to rip up the rule book.
We"ve already seen official...
We"ve already seen official shots of the front end, but this is our first chance to take a look at the rear and interior. The firm"s latest model, which debuted at the recent Los Angeles Motor Show, is only 5.5cm shorter than the Lexus RX off-roader. But the sleek design is more like a coupé, and stylists have used the marque"s RX-8 as inspiration.
We"ve already spotted...
We"ve already spotted heavily camouflaged prototypes undergoing testing, but these scoop shots reveal the finished car.
We"ve been tracking...
We"ve been tracking the development of the next-generation Corsa for months, but only now has the five-door variant come out into the open. As well as being big on style, the car is larger in every dimension than the current supermini. It seems this latest model will be a sizeable Astra understudy.
We"ve lifted the lid...
We"ve lifted the lid on the Lion that looks set to roar straight to the top of the coupé-cabriolet class! This week"s mag has the first clear pictures of Peugeot’s new 207 CC, which won’t be officially unveiled until the Paris Motor Show in September.
What"s the point of...
What"s the point of a test if everyone gets top marks? Itò€™s meaningless. Like every student leaving school with straight ò€˜Aò€™s. Or all cars achieving the highest score in crash tests.
What were we supposed...
What were we supposed to do? Grab shovels and dig our way through, searching for bus stops where we"d wait in sub-zero temperatures for public service vehicles with no seatbelts? Or would it have been more acceptable to pay a dollar a minute to ride around in filthy yellow cabs for a week? Alternatively, I could have opted for a simple two-wheel-drive car. But in such tricky conditions, I feared I"d end up down a ditch or in the path of an oncoming truck, so I opted for a 4x4.
When I was about 10...
When I was about 10 years old, I worked out that cars don’t fall over and that bikes do, so anything on two wheels must be avoided. By 20, my idealistic youth was behind me, I cleared my head and gave up being a Communist. At 30, an air hostess poured so much wine into my glass with such grace during a scary 10-hour flight that I proposed to her on the spot. She stupidly accepted, and my status as an eligible bachelor was over.
When we contacted the...
When we contacted the Midlands 4x4 marque, a spokesman told us: "No decision has been made yet." However, our sources insist the Disco will appear first at the New York Motor Show in early April. As Americans don"t buy diesels, this will be a petrol model - leaving the way clear for the oil-burner to take the stage for the first time at the British exhibition a month later.
When we told you about...
When we told you about the new McLaren-powered Viper in Issue 914, we didn’t have any pictures of the Dodge-y motor. But now we do!
Whether you’re...
Whether you’re travelling in the car, out on your mountain bike, or even at sea, this is what you’ll need to find your way. It’s the Crossover GPS sat-nav system from Magellan.
While contacts close...
While contacts close to the firm have been hinting about the possibility of an all-new model for some time, designers in Italy have grabbed the bull by the horns to recreate an icon to sit at the top of the legendary supercar maker"s line-up.
While diligent owners...
While diligent owners will be unaffected by the move, anyone buying used will be more exposed to the risk of potentially dangerous vehicles
While it"s not brave...
While it"s not brave enough to publicly admit it, Labour is clearly anti-car, and so are the Lib Dems. Fair enough. At least those of us who sit down and work these things out for ourselves (rather than read the nauseous party manifesto propaganda) know where we stand with these two motorist-bashing political outfits. The Conservatives are slightly different; traditionally, they have tended to be more sympathetic towards the existence of cars and the 50 million people who drive or get driven in them.
While the Galaxy has...
While the Galaxy has been a fixture in Ford"s line-up since 1995, the S-MAX is a "first" for the blue oval. It slots into the range beneath its big brother and above the Mondeo estate, providing family buyers with a sporty alternative to a traditional people carrier.
While the GTI badges...
While the GTI badges are missing in the mag"s shots, there"s no doubt what this car is. The undisguised model is almost identical to 2003"s Frankfurt Motor Show concept.
While the newcomer has...
While the newcomer has still to be officially christened, it"s known inside BMW as the RFK - short for "raum funktionales konzept", or functional space concept. It will be the first MPV to wear the blue propeller badge and, as our images show, it uses a number of the company"s traditional styling cues. Note the "flame-sided" panels, and headlights in the mould of the smaller 1-Series.
Whilst it may not look...
Whilst it may not look as startling as expected, the body is a useful 25 per cent stiffer yet weighs no more than the outgoing model. This, combined with a 35mm increase in wheelbase, revised suspension and BMW"s obsession with 50/50 weight distribution, bodes well for the ride and handling. Standard-fit run-flat tyres could work against it, however.
White the 206 is still...
White the 206 is still popular at showrooms, it is starting to look dated - so the French firm has taken all of Peugeot"s familiar cues and moulded them into a dramatic new small car. And that, coupled with the practicality and versatility buyers now demand, should be enough to ensure the 207 stands a good chance of repeating its predecessor"s sales success.
Will this be the model...
Will this be the model that sees Kia discover a field of new buyers? Check out the first official pictures of the new Borrego SUV, which has just been unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in the USA.
Winner BMW 3-Series
Winner BMW 3-Series
Winner Honda Civic
Winner Honda Civic
With a muscular look...
With a muscular look that"s lifted straight from Porsches of old, the new machine drops the controversial "fried egg" headlights in favour of a traditional oval lamp, which harks back to the original model from the late Sixties.
With better sound insulation...
With better sound insulation at high speeds thanks to the metal roof and glass rear screen, the Roadster Coupe is likely to be more comfortable than the regular drop-top on a roof-up motorway journey
With both the manufacturers’...
With both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ titles going right down to the wire at Thruxton on Sunday, the rival camps have boosted their firepower by adding extra cars to their line-ups.
WITH car prices in the...
WITH car prices in the doldrums at the moment, youò€™d think there would never be a better time to head down to your local auction house and bag a bargain.
With its sharp Giugiaro-designed...
With its sharp Giugiaro-designed body, a cutting-edge new platform and a range of revamped engines, this is an Alfa that won"t rely on style alone in order to attract buyers. The 156 replacement carries over many of its predecessor"s styling cues, but adds even more distinctive details.
With storm clouds gathering...
With storm clouds gathering over the global car industry, petrolheads needed some exciting news to lift their spirits at the start of December.
With striking side skirts...
With striking side skirts and wild wings, it"s the missing link in the firm"s eagerly awaited small family car range. Nissan top brass have long hinted that there was a third model on the way, to sit alongside the Qashqai soft-roader and Tone compact-MPV, both of which are earmarked to start production in 2006. And the Sport Concept is it - the road-going version will replace the three-door variant of the current Almera from late next year.
With three races gone...
With three races gone, there are now three drivers at the head of the championship, and five within seven points of each other.
World champ Fernando...
World champ Fernando Alonso could be on the verge of quitting McLaren. The 26-year-old Spaniard is said to feel disillusioned that the squad isn’t giving him more support in his battle with rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton for the 2007 drivers’ title.
Yet these companies...
Yet these companies achieved no such thing at the Swiss expo; both brands had an unusually quiet Geneva. Unlike the Brits, or to be more precise Aston Martin and stablemate Jaguar, which are currently the only double-act on the planet capable of giving the Italians a proper run for their money. Sure, Porsche has a go and to a lesser extent so does Mercedes, BMW and Lamborghini. But currently, these are all stand-alone companies which don"t have partners capable of building supercars of their own. That may change if Merc"s other half, Chrysler, sells the ME Four-Twelve and Lambo"s sidekick Audi produces the long-awaited Le Mans quattro coup탩. For now, though, there are only two supercar families: Ferrari/Maserati and Aston Martin/Jaguar.