Motoring News

Iain Banks defends his science fiction novels in update to fans
Novelist Iain Banks has posted an update to his fans, saying he has revived his love of fast cars and is considering chemotherapy following his cancer diagnosis.    read more

Ford of Europe boss issues rallying call
News 21 May, 2013 Stephen Odell issues ‘wide-ranging call to enable car manufacturers to flourish’

Peking to Paris classic car rally 2013: The latest
Follow Michelle Jana Chan as she competes in a gruelling cross-continental classic car rally.    

Lexus IS300h F Sport first drive review
Hybrid version of third-gen Lexus IS has predictable strengths, but it’s too devoted to calmness and efficiency to really enjoy driving The car that completes the gradual hybridisation of the Lexus range. The new IS executive saloon becomes the final piece of the jigsaw. There now isn’t a model from the Japanese luxury brand that doesn’t come with at least the option of petrol-electric power. The firm’s flirtation with diesel is over. A few petrol-only models remain, but they’re dwindling in number. And so – fourteen years and three generations into the life of the car that really launched Lexus as a fully-fledged European premium automotive brand - ‘Hybrid Synergy Drive’ becomes the weapon that Toyota wields for a renewed assault on the BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class.It’s a bid that should attract plenty of attention – albeit, says Lexus, perhaps only five thousand UK sales in a full year. Having added 75mm to the overall length of the IS saloon, and taken the usual painstaking approach to redesigning it from top to bottom, Lexus has developed an all-new hybrid powertrain for the IS saloon, which mates a 2.5-litre four-cylinder 178bhp Atkinson cycle petrol engine with a 141bhp electric motor, both feeding the rear wheels.The IS300h’s petrol engine, like all of Toyota and Lexus’ hybrid motors, runs on the Atkinson combustion cycle for a high expansion ratio and increased efficiency. Fitted with a new fuel injection system with injectors positioned both

New BMW 5-series revealed
BMW's facelifted executive car promises lower emissions when it reaches showrooms in September.    

First drive: the new Lexus IS300h
Finally a decent alternative to a 3-Series or A4? Paul Horrell finds out…

Aston Martin DB4GT fetches world record price
A unique Aston Martin DB4GT has sold for £3,249,500 at auction.    read more

Aston Martin CC100 in pictures
Images of the stunning Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept.    read more

Autocar magazine 22 May preview
Aston Martin CC100 revealed; new Mercedes S-class launched; Porsche 918 Spyder tested; Kia Cee'd buying guide; full Nissan Juke Nismo road test This week's Autocar magazine stars three key cars — the shock new Aston Martin CC10 concept, the new Mercedes S-class and the Porsche 918 Spyder hypercar.The CC100 takes top billing, with our four-page story and interview with chief designer Marek Reichman outlining exactly how it will influence future Aston Martin design. Steve Cropley also reports live on the impact it made at the Nürburgring 24 Hours race.The Mercedes S-class stands out for being the new technical flagship of the Mercedes range; and with the firm's long-standing commitment to drip-feed that technology back down to all the cars it builds, it makes the new car especially relevant. Hilton Holloway reports live from the launch, and outlines all the technology that makes the S-class special.Greg Kable, meanwhile,

Aston Martin CC100 - From concept to reality
See how the CC100 Speedster went from concept to reality to mark 100 years of Aston Martin.    

New Renault Mégane Renaultsport RB8 revealed
Special version of the Mégane Renaultsport celebrates third F1 constructor title A new version of the Renault Mégane Renaultsport has been revealed, called the Red Bull Racing RB8.To celebrate its third constructor's world title in Formula 1, Renault and Red Bull have created the new model to become a flagship for the range.The RB8 comes with a range of additional equipment including Red Bull Racing branding, Recaro seats, R-Link multimedia and a TomTom Live navigation system, Bridgestone Potenza tyres and the latest version of the on-board RS Monitor.Red Bull branding continues inside, with bespoke aluminium kickplates and carpets.An exclusive Twilight Blue finish with Platinum Grey detail will also be available on the hot hatch. The RB8 will use the same 2.0-litre turbocharged 261bhp engine with stop-start as the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Cup.Als with the Cup, the RB8 features stiffer springs, dampers, anti-roll bar, limited-slip differential and grooved discs with Brembo callipers.

New Mercedes-Benz S-class promo video
The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is bigger and more high-tech than ever.    

It’s the new BMW M5!*
*Sort of. Super-saloon gets facelift and Competition Pack with extra poweeerrr

Three former Saab executives arrested
Former executives arrested on accounting fraud charges It's been reported that three former executives of Saab have been arrested on accounting fraud charges.Swedish prosecutor Olof Sahlgren said that the three former executives are suspected of "aggravated attempts to avoid tax controls" by allegedly falsifying parts of Saab's accounts between 2010 and 2011. The crime carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison.The three executives have not been identified, but allegedly worked for Saab while it was under the ownership of Spyker. The Dutch car maker bought Saab from General Motors.Hong Kong-owned company National Electric Vehicle Sweden subsequently bought the car maker after it filed for bankruptcy in December 2011, and has on-going plans to make electric cars under the Saab brand.

Three former Saab executives arrested - updated
Former executives suspected of accounting fraud charges It's been reported that three former executives of Saab have been released, having been arrested earlier today on accounting fraud charges.Swedish prosecutor Olof Sahlgren said that the three former executives are suspected of "aggravated attempts to avoid tax controls" by allegedly falsifying parts of Saab's accounts between 2010 and 2011. The crime carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison.The three executives, named as Jan Ake Jonsson, Kristina Geers and Karl G Lindström allegedly worked for Saab while it was under the ownership of Spyker. The Dutch car maker bought Saab from General Motors.Hong Kong-owned company National Electric Vehicle Sweden subsequently bought the car maker after it filed for bankruptcy in December 2011, and has on-going plans to make electric cars under the Saab brand.

Ford to launch more than 15 new vehicles within five years
A host of new Ford models expected as vice president announces focus on manufacturing Ford will launch more than 15 new vehicles in Europe within the next five years, with most of them being powered by British-built engines.That was the pledge made by executive vice president of Ford Stephen Odell to the Future of Manufacturing summit, held at Cranfield University.He also said that engines built by Ford in the UK could potentially power one third of all Fords globally.Speaking at the summit Odell issued a call to create better market conditions that would enable manufacturers to flourish.To help face the challenges of the modern marketplace Ford will invest in new technologies to drive product appeal and seek out better-qualified engineers for its operations.Odell spoke about the skills deficit in the UK and emphasised the importance of a workforce with the right skills and qualifications in the industry. He called on the motor trade to “do more in the interests of schoolchildren” to help encourage more careers in engineering and science.Despite tough economic conditions Odell concluded his speech by saying he was confident that European and UK manufacturing could survive under the right business conditions. Odell continued: “We expect Europe’s volume car makers, preferably encouraged

Renaultsport Megane Red Bull Racing RB8
News 21 May, 2013 Renault and Red Bull celebrate a third F1 constructor's title with special edition Renaultsport Megane RB8

Aston Martin makes history with Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S
Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S racer becomes first to compete in international racing An Aston Martin Rapide S Hybrid has become the first race car to complete emissions-free laps of an international motor race.The car, using a Hybrid Hydrogen system, also became the first car of its kind to compete in an international race during the Nürburgring 24 Hours.Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez led the Rapide S driver line-up. He said the target of achieving a complete lap of the 12.8mile Nürburgring course was “very ambitious”.The car was the sole entry within the special E1-XP2 race classification. The Rapide S used was fitted with a hydrogen fuel supply system, tank and proprietary engine management system. Proving the durability of the concept, the system ran faultlessly throughout the race.Fuel refills took just 30 seconds with the hydrogen being stored at 350 bars of pressure.During the event the Aston Martin reached a top speed of around 160mph, running on nothing but pure hydrogen. 

Infiniti plans luxury Nissan Leaf rival
Leaf-based Infiniti will showcase 'neater' induction-based charging technology The launch of a luxury Infiniti electric car based on the Nissan Leaf hinges on a standard process of induction charging being introduced around the world.The new Infiniti will have a completely different exterior and interior from the Nissan hatchback and it will be used to showcase induction technology, which does away with charging cables.“The whole concept of not having to couple up cables to a plug socket, dragging them on the ground and on you as you go, is in keeping with luxury motoring,” said Infiniti boss Andy Palmer.“It is this technology we want to shine a light on, so while there is no world standard on methods, the roll-out will be dependent on region.”Infiniti is currently pushing for car makers to develop induction technology on an open source basis, rather than individually investing in their own systems.

Aston Martin's CC100 Speedster Concept
Aston Martin's new concept car celebrates 100 years of the marque - and hints at future design direction for the British sports car company.    

Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept
Aston Martin's new concept car celebrates 100 years of the marque - and hints at future design direction for the British sports car company.    read more

New Land Rover Freelander to join extended Discovery family
Next generation of the popular Land Rover SUV will lose Freelander name The all-new Land Rover Freelander replacement will become a member of an extended Discovery family, according to company sources. The new car, based on a stretched Evoque platform, is expected late next year.The Freelander badge, first seen in 1997, will be dropped. The name was discontinued in the US market in 2006 when the second-generation model was launched. The Freelander and Discovery are known as LR2 and LR4 in the US.Land Rover’s decision to create a family of Discovery models is based on a number of considerations. Perhaps most importantly, Land Rover suffers from a profusion of confusing brands. Although the company is called Land Rover, Range Rover is also its own well established brand. And the company sells three families of vehicles under the Freelander, Discovery and Defender nameplates, which are arguably distinct sub-brands in their own right.At Land Rover’s recent 65th anniversary celebrations, global brand director John Edwards made a point of telling journalists that the company was based on “three iconic brands: Range Rover, Discovery and Defender”.The three nameplates will lead to three disti

Ford Focus ST-3 Estate: PH Fleet
After a shaky start, the Focus begins to win us over

Renault Megane RB8
Renault piggybacks on Red Bull success with special edition Megane 265

N24 reflections: PH Blog
Scrof reflects on a mad weekend of noise, rain and sausage

Dealers confirmed for BMW i3 and i8
Ready to go electric? BMW is, as dealers gear up for the new i range

Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R: Spotted
Box-fresh, delivery mileage R34 or a nearly-new R35? It's a £50K dilemma for any Skyline fanatic...

BMW 1200GS: Review
PH2 was impressed with the GS in the wilds of South Africa - can it cope with East Anglia?

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