Motoring News
20 December 2012Guest column: The connected car
Booz analysts on what it takes to compete in the emerging connected car market
read moreBase insurance on risk
Telegraph View: Making men and women pay the same premiums is senseless
read moreFiat 500X confirmed
News
20 Dec, 2012
Fiat has announced that the 500X and a small Jeep crossovers will be built at its factory in Italy
read moreCholmondeley Pageant of Power 2013
The next Cholmondeley Pageant of Power to take place on June 14-16, 2013.
read moreFiat boss seeks to mend Italian relations
An announcement to invest more than €1bn follows months of acrimonious exchanges between the carmaker, Italian unions and the business establishment
read moreBMW 2-series Coupé spied for the first time
Replacement for the BMW 1-series Coupé has been spotted testing in Germany
This is the first outing for the forthcoming BMW 2-series Coupé, the car which will replace the 1-series Coupé in 2014. It will sit within the BMW range in the same manner as the recently announced 4-series, which replaces the 3-series Coupé and cabrio.The new car is based on the current 1-series, so should benefit from that car’s increased interior space, along with wider tracks front and rear, but has a longer rear overhang. Underneath the disguise the car appears to have adopted styling halfway between that of the 1-series and the 4-series. The double kidney grille and the lights are not as narrow and slender as the 4, but the car’s overall proportions give a lower, sleeker effect than a 1-series’ proportions.There will be a high-performance 2-series that will replace the 1M Coupé, which has been more of a sales success than BMW originally expected - the well-received M135i has influenced the brand's attitude towards more small M cars.And the car could form the basis of an M2, with the possibility of it being based on the 1-series saloon currently under development. BMW has yet to decide if that car will be front or re
read moreBMW's 2-series Coupé spied for the first time
Replacement for 1-series Coupé spotted testing in Germany
This is the first outing for BMW’s forthcoming 2-series Coupé, the car which will replace the 1-series Coupé in 2014. It will sit within the BMW range in the same manner as the recently announced 4-series, which replaces the 3-series Coupé and cabrio.The new car is based on the current 1-series, so should benefit from that car’s increased interior space, along with wider tracks front and rear, but has a longer rear overhang. Underneath the disguise the car appears to have adopted styling halfway between that of the 1-series and the 4-series. The double kidney grille and the lights are not as narrow and slender as the 4, but the car’s overall proportions give a lower, sleeker effect than a 1-series’ proportions.There will be a high-performance 2-series that will replace the 1M Coupé, which has been more of a sales success than BMW originally expected - the well-received M135i has influenced the brand's attitude towards more small M cars.And the car could form the basis of an M2, with the possibility of it being based on the 1-series saloon currently under development. BMW has yet to decide if that car will be front or rear-wheel drive.
read moreInfiniti plans V6 saloon
News
20 Dec, 2012
A new range-topping 550bhp Infiniti V6 is set to take on the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG
read moreFiat 500 SUV and baby Jeep get green light
£800m investment at Fiat's Melfi plant will see new models arrive in early 2014
Fiat’s new 500X SUV and a new baby Jeep SUV will start production in early 2014 as part of a £810m investment at the Melfi factory, the company announced today.The move marks the first big boost in Fiat’s plan to move away from building mass-market cars in Western Europe and towards upmarket models with higher profit margins.The first model off the line will be the new Jeep. Only available with all-wheel drive, it will be sold worldwide, with Melfi the only production source. After the 500X, a third model will be added in 2015 to replace the ageing Punto, though it will not be a conventional supermini and is intended to command a more premium price. All three models are based on Fiat’s new ‘Small Wide’ platform, which currently underpins the 500L MPV.The complete re-building of the Melfi facility (which will see 500 new welding robots, a new paint shop, new panel stamping facilities and new assembly area) will eventually allow up to 1600 vehicles to be built on a three-shift pattern. Fiat says that the new production lines will be flexible enough to build four models, so another 500L-based model looks to be on schedule for 2016.Fiat says that it will introduce 19 ‘made-in-Italy’ models by 2106. Aside from the four compact models at Melfi, there will also be nine new Alfa Romeos and six Maseratis. Fiat’s budget models - the Panda and smaller 500 models - will eventually be made outside Western Europe where build costs are lower. The 500L is alr
read moreUK car industry defies European slump
Increase in sales and strong exports show it's not all doom and gloom, despite the UK's double-dip recession.
read moreA Mercedes AMG Christmas treat
Videos
20 Dec, 2012
The perfect festive treat from the team at Mercedes AMG
read moreEU backs down over threat to classic cars
European Commission backs down over plans banning modified classic cars from roads.
read moreGoodwood Revival revs up for Ford GT40 race
A race dedicated to the Ford GT40 will be one of the highlights at next year's Goodwood Revival.
read moreBMW M135i and the fastest Christmas carol in the world
Videos
20 Dec, 2012
BMW takes a novel approach to a Christmas classic, using four carol singers and an M135i
read moreThe Road to Dakar preview
Injured service personnel are about to undertake motorsport's toughest challenge, the Dakar rally.
read moreVolkswagen Golf R Cabriolet confirmed for UK
News
20 Dec, 2012
VW has confirmed that the flagship Golf R Cabrio will go on sale in 2013
read moreDetails of the 2013 Kuga revealed
Full details of the 2013 Kuga revealed
read moreTop 12 cars of 2012: Porsche Boxster
It didn't take us long to fall in love with Porsche's entry-level roadster
It only took a warm summer’s evening, an unbroken stretch of British B-road and some quality time alone for me to fall in love with the new Porsche Boxster.I’d already driven the car in the south of France, but that was a PDK-equipped model with the steering wheel on the wrong side and a photographer in it; I’d gathered enough to know that it was very good indeed, but it hadn’t worked its way under my skin.A month or so later and Porsche had the car in the UK, with a manual stick shift and an empty passenger’s seat adjacent to it. It was only the standard 2.7-litre model (we’d road test the pokier S) but its brilliant blue paintjob matched the sky overhead and it wasn’t lumbered with too much optional extra chicanery. ‘Pure’ would be one word for it, and that’s exactly what it felt like on my two-hour route to the south coast.We’ve spent thousands of words since then dissecting the root causes of this vague conviction, but recalling that day, I remember only the gushing, gravelly yowl of the six-pot, the perfection of a fully exploitable 263bhp and the sinewy, scintillating quality of the handling.Oh, and the expression on my face: a slowly evolving smile that finished, at 6700rpm, as an open-mouthed, gleeful gasp.The minimum standard for any car capable of putting wind in its driver’s wig is invigoration, but on that particular afternoon the Boxster, in a country mostly buil
read moreLeaked: Renault's Captur adopts Clio design
Crossover much more conventional than concept namesake
Renault’s forthcoming small crossover will abandon the dramatic styling of its concept car namesake for a more conventional, Clio-based design. The Captur, as it will be badged and seen here in these leaked Renault line drawings, adopts the look of a tall mini-MPV.However, there is the possibility of a second small crossover, with three doors and coupé styling, and Renault insiders have hinted at the potential for this model to be built. Both cars are part of Renault's solution for its lack of success in the SUV and crossover market - its only recent offering, the Korean-built Koleos, has not been a hit in Europe. The car in the drawings is based on the Juke, with which it shares Renault Nissan’s B platform, so overall length is just over four metres.The Captur will be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March, and will go on sale in the summer.
read moreVolkswagen Beetle Fender edition announced
A limited edition Volkswagen Beetle Fender will reach showrooms early next month
Volkswagen has announced the limited edition Beetle Fender, which comes equipped with an audio system developed by the eponymous guitar manufacturer.The Beetle Fender is available in pearlescent black, and is fitted with a rear spoiler, 18in alloy wheels and Fender badging. The dashboard carries a ‘sunburst’ wood inlay in reference to the iconic finish of Fender’s Stratocaster guitars.Fender’s 400-watt audio system features a boot-mounted subwoofer and illuminated front speaker mated to a colour touch screen. Other standard-fit equipment includes two-zone climate control, bi-xenon headlights and part-leather trim.The limited edition Fender is available exclusively with a 2.0-litre TDI engine producing 138bhp, and the choice of a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox.The Beetle Fender is priced at £23,015, with DSG models attracting a £1595 premium. Order books open on January 2.
read moreTesla's electric saloon to cost from £59,000 in Europe
UK prices won't be revealed until late next year
Prices for the Tesla Model S will start at €72,600 (£59,000) in Europe, although pricing for UK-bound right-hand drive cars will not be confirmed until late 2013.The car costs more in Europe than it does in the US – around €18,000 (£13,600) more for the 60KwH model. Tesla says this is due to additional transport costs and import duties, and the fact that US prices take into account a $7500 tax credit.The European range will not feature the US market entry-level 40KwH car, starting instead with the 60KwH Model S. An 85KwH model increases the price to €83,150 (£62,800), while the Model S Performance ups the price to €97,750 (£73,900) The limited edition Performance Model S weighs in at €101,400 (£76,600).Production of right-hand-drive cars begins towards the end of 2013, with final pricing confirmed “four to five months before the start of deliveries.” Anyone reserving a car before the end of December gets a £1300 discount on the final price, although you’ll need to find a £4000 deposit for the Model S and £30,000 to secure a Performance model.
read moreTG Awards Bargain of the Year: Dacia Duster
"What the Dacia does so well is engender a sense of well-being. That you spent wisely, frugally. That you embrace rationality..."
read moreInfiniti planning "high tech performance flagship"
Infiniti's new range topper will be powered by a 550bhp V6
Infiniti is working on a new flagship model that will sit above today’s V8-powered M56 as part of what the firm describes as a “massive product offensive.”The new car will be powered by a forced induction V6 producing in excess of 550bhp. The engine could be as small as three litres – Infiniti boss Johan de Nysschen, explaining the firm’s recent decision to change the way it badges its cars, said the car would have to be called M30 “following our current naming logic.” He described the new model as a “high-tech performance flagship.”With all of Infiniti’s cars to be badged as Q, and all the SUVs badged as QX, the new car could be badged as a range-topping version of the forthcoming Q70, the replacement for the current M. Dan Stevens
read moreDriven: Volvo V40 D2 SE
Is Volvo's new V40 good enough to take on the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf? Erin Baker decides.
read moreEU insurance gender equality rules: Q&A
Motor insurance, life insurance and retirement products such as annuities will all be affected by the changes.
read moreEU insurance gender equality rules: Q&A
Motor insurance, life insurance and retirement products such as annuities will all be affected by the changes.
read moreThe 10 cheapest new cars on sale
The cheapest new car in Britain costs just £5,995, but would it be your pick?
read morePH Blog: back in the saddle
Life without a licence is tiresome - time to beg a favour or two
read moreLotus adds Evora 'Sports Racer' models
New package sets Evora's sights on the premium end of the market
read moreSpotted: Lancia Stratos Prototype
This stunning Stratos is a bit pricey, but you won't find another like it.
read moreInfiniti confirms 550hp saloon flagship
Company president says that a fast Q70 (aka M-Series) is coming
read morePH buying guide: Porsche 911 Turbo (996)
Hot hatch money for a 190mph's worth of 911 Turbo? Catch it while you can...
read more
Subscribe to this Motoring News feed!
