Motoring News
24 January 2013Father dies as two cars carrying members of same family plunge into river
A father has died after two cars carrying four members of the same family crashed into a river in icy conditions.
read moreSeat Ibiza Cupra: first drive review
Freshly revised for 2013, the Seat Ibiza Cupra is improved in a number of key areas, but disconnected steering spoils the fun
The hottest of the current Seat Ibiza range, with the revisions brought as part of last year’s facelift applied. That means the new Seat Ibiza Cupra gets a new nose, rear lights and an interior spruce-up.Of more interest is this latest version of the Ibiza Cupra features a new engine management configuration, which helps boost performance. The net result is a 0-62 reduced by 0.1sec to 6.9sec and a top speed raised by 2mph to 142mph. Running costs are also reduced, with the official combined fuel consumption figure falling to 47.9mpg – a 4.2mpg improvement – while a 9g/km drop in CO2 shoves the hot hatch down a tax band.The Navigon-developed Seat Portable system is now standard. The detachable navigation system also integrated Bluetooth connectivity and a range of information display.
read moreWhat's the best small van?
Honest John helps a freelance gardener in need of a small van.
read moreKate Upton washes the Mercedes CLA in slow motion
Videos
24 Jan, 2013
Supermodel, Kate Upton, helps wash the brand-new Mercedes CLA
read moreMINI Clubman Bond Street revealed
News
24 Jan, 2013
New special-edition MINI Clubman Bond Street will debut at Geneva
read moreLewis Hamilton drives the Mercedes CLA
Videos
24 Jan, 2013
Lewis Hamilton visits company HQ to drive the new Mercedes CLA and discuss the upcoming F1 season
read moreThis ISN’T the new BMW M4…
…but crikey, we really wish it was. Stunning render of BMW’s halo coupe surfaces
read moreFirst drive review: Citroën DS3 Cabrio 1.6 THP 155 DSport
The stylish Citroën DS3 Cabrio takes on the Fiat 500C and Mini Convertible in a battle of the retractable soft-tops
The Citroën DS3 Cabrio is the new rival to cars such as the Mini Convertible and Fiat 500C in the convertible hatchback market.A soft-top DS3 makes sense: with us Brits being such an optimistic bunch in spite of the climatic mayhem that ruins most summers, the UK remains one of the biggest European markets for convertibles, and Citroën’s stylish DS range has been pretty successful here too.The DS3 Cabrio shares the 500C’s ‘sardine tin lid’ style roof opening, in which the canvas roof concertinas back onto the rear quarters of the car at the push of a button.Although such a set-up is stretching the strict definition of a ‘cabriolet’, it also has merit from a technical perspective. More of the hard-top’s structure remains than with a full convertible, so less chassis strengthening is required. The DS3 Cabrio has extra cross-bracing at the top of the boot space and weights within the rear overhang to counteract vibrations that are common in cabrio designs.Small styling tweaks differentiate the DS3 Cabrio from its hard-top sibling. There is a new spoiler along the width of the rear, aerodynamic deflectors on the quarter-light surrounds and a beguiling new three-dimensional LED rear light signature that was inspired by Citroën’s Revolte and Survolt concept cars. The snazzy lamps complement the DS’s prestige feel.As usual, a dizzying array of body colours, roof designs, wheel styles and other customisation options are ava
read moreRenault Scenic Cross – first spy pics
First images of Renault's forthcoming jacked-up Scenic
These are the first pictures of the Renault Scenic Cross, which has been spotted cold-weather testing.Based on the Scenic MPV, the Cross, as it has been christened, features increased ride height and suspension travel, modified bumpers and extended wheel-arches to give it the look of a pseudo soft-roader.Despite the rugged-looking body addenda, our spy photographer noted the model remained front-wheel drive. A trick traction control system, similar to that fitted to the new Fiat Panda Trekking, might be utilised to aid traction in slippery conditions.Given the light disguise applied to this test mule, a production version of the Scenic Cross is expected to be unveiled in the near future, with a Geneva motor show debut possible.Daljinder Nagra
read moreDriven: Porsche Boxster 2.7 PDK
Rear-wheel drive, mid-engined and perfectly balanced - but can the Porsche Boxster make you feel young?
read moreMcLaren P1 on track
Videos
24 Jan, 2013
McLaren has been track testing its new P1 supercar ahead of its production launch at Geneva
read moreKevin Ash: family man
Kevin Ash's wife, Caroline, and three daughters, Laurien, Kirsten and Ingrid, pay tribute.
read moreQuick news: Indian-built XF; Mitsubishi i-MiEV recall
Jaguar XF production starts in India, Mitsubishi recalls the i-MiEV and Alfa Romeo offers deposit contributions and five-year warranty
The Jaguar XF is now being built in India to increase competitiveness in the local market. Assembled from parts shipped from JLR’s Castle Bromwich plant, the XF is to be built alongside the Land Rover Freelander 2 at the company’s Pune facility. The first cars will be fitted with the 2.2-litre diesel engine, which is being offered in India for the first time.Mitsubishi is to recall 14,700 electric cars due to a fault with the brake booster pump. The recall affects the European market i-MiEV model and its sister cars the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero.Alfa Romeo is offering five-year warranties on MiTo and Giulietta models until the end of March. Buyers get a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty followed by a two-year, 100,000 mile warranty. PCP buyers of the
read moreMcLaren P1 confirmed for Geneva
News
24 Jan, 2013
The production version of the McLaren P1 will debut at Geneva in March
read moreGM and Peugeot Citroën to develop next Zafira together
Agreement between two firms includes Zafira, Meriva successor and 3008 replacement
More details of the alliance between General Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroën have emerged, including which of the two firms will be developing crucial future products such as the next Zafira.Answering questions at a meeting in Brussels, GM Europe boss Steve Girsky and PSA chairman Philippe Varin said that PSA would be responsible for providing a platform for “the C-segment MPV for Opel Vauxhall.” That car is the next Zafira.Peugeot is also planning a “C-segment crossover utility vehicle,” potentially as a replacement for the 3008, which is likely to be based on the new Zafira platform.GM will take charge of developing the successor to the Meriva, although it will be based on a PSA platform. It will also create a new B-segment MPV for Peugeot Citroën to sit below the 3008.Both firms will work jointly on a new generation of low-emission vehicles to occupy the B-segment, as well as a family of high-performance three-cylinder petrol engines based on PSA’s EB powerplants, currently used in the 208.
read moreCitroen DSX SUV by 2014
News
5 Feb, 2013
The all-new Chinese-built Citroen DSX will rival the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 when it arrives in 2014
read moreHappy birthday McLaren!
Happy birthday McLaren!
read moreVolvo S60 and XC60 facelifts spied
News
25 Jan, 2013
First look at the facelifted Volvo S60 and XC60 ahead of Geneva
read moreNissan Leaf Nismo production confirmed
Aesthetically modified Nissan Leaf EV gets the green light, but is unlikely to be sold in Europe
Nissan's performance arm Nismo has created a tuned version of the Leaf – but the model is unlikely to make it to Europe.Nismo previewed the Nissan Leaf Nismo at the recent Tokyo Auto Salon, and Nismo chief Shoichi Miyatani told Autocar that the model would be going into production in Japan this summer.The Nismo upgrades to the Leaf include an aerodynamic body kit with styling influenced by the electric Leaf RC racer, new alloys and interior tweaks, but no extra power or performance for the all-electric drivetrain.Miyatani said the firm would gauge reaction to the model in Japan before committing to a European launch, but added the small volumes would make it hard to justify.Miyatani also spoke of the future of the Leaf RC race car, which was first revealed at the New York motor show in 2011. The model had been destined for a one-make race series, but Miyatani admitted this was now unlikely.
read moreMcLaren reveals official P1 development pics
Images of the disguised P1 production car released by McLaren ahead of the Geneva motor show in March
McLaren has offered the first glimpse at the production-ready McLaren P1 – but the model remains completely shod in camouflage ahead of its reveal at the Geneva motor show in March.The firm has given nothing specific away on the P1, apart from the sole announcement that “a remarkable vehicle is emerging” from its development.The images do confirm that earlier spy pictures were correct in revealing the design of the production car will stay true to the dramatically sculpted concept first shown at the Paris motor show last autumn.Design sources have previously stated that the concept is “more than 95 per cent” representative of the production car.McLaren’s legendary attention to detail is evident in the XP-codenamed prototypes, now they can be viewed up close and in detail: the camouflage features the outlines of famous race-tracks from around the world that hold significance to McLaren.Sources have revealed that power will come from a modified version of the 12C’s twin-turbo V8 mated to an F1-style KERS hybrid boost system, with a total power output of about 720bhp. The power-to-weight ratio will be more than 60
read moreNew Mini Clubman special edition
Mini Clubman Bond Street gets unique detailing and improved standard equipment
This is the Mini Clubman Bond Street, the latest Mini special edition, which is due to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March.Based on the Clubman estate, the Bond Street edition is available with four engine options: 120bhp Cooper and 181bhp Cooper S petrols, and 110bhp Cooper D and 141bhp Cooper SD diesels.The Bond Street edition is finished in Midnight Black metallic paint with champagne-coloured detailing on the C-pillars, wing mirrors and roof. It sits on black 17-inch alloys with champagne rims and is adorned with 'Bond Street' logos on the door sills and by the indicator repeaters.The interior is upholstered in Carbon Black leather and features champagne inserts on the dashboard.Standard equipment includes climate control, an on-board computer with Bluetooth connectivity, automatic wipers and headlights and the Chrome Line interior package.Production of the Mini Clubman Bond Street commences in March and the model will be available for a limited period only. Prices start at £20,275 for the Cooper Clubman Bond Street, rising to £24,045 for the Cooper SD.Matthew Burrow
read moreBMW and Toyota confirm co-developed sports car plans
A proposal for a co-developed BMW/Toyota sports car is set to be completed by the end of 2013
BMW and Toyota have signed a binding agreement to co-develop a new sports car. The agreement is a joint venture first outlined in a memorandum of understanding in June 2012, which also includes fuel-cell development, research into lightweight technology, and lithium-air battery technology.The two firms have agreed to “define a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports vehicle” by the end of 2013.No further details on the sports car have been revealed by either party, but Toyota is known to be keen to launch a successor to the Celica as a bigger brother to last year's GT86. And by the time the co-developed model would make it to market, a replacement for BMW’s Z4 would be due. The recent mid-life changes to the Z4 were understood to be minor due to falling sales in the segment making little business case for substantial investment in the current model.The sports car will make use of the lightweight technology development also outlined in today’s agreement. The research will look at vehicle bodies made of “cutting-edge materials such as reinforced composites”. The technology is also earmarked for other BMW and Toyota vehicles in addition to the co-developed sports car.read more
Toyota Verso Icon 7-seat 2.0 D-4D - first drive review
Facelifted Verso MPV gains appeal with a new look and successful Europe-specific revisions
A mid-life facelift of the Verso – the mid-sized, seven-seat MPV Toyota launched in 2009. A styling brush-up brings the model in line with the latest family face – a tweaked nose, sleeker door mirrors, new wheels and integral rear diffuser are the standout alterations – while the interior receives the customary trim material and fabric bump for better perceived quality.The subtle – though highly successful – redesign means the Verso is 20mm longer than its predecessor, but the 2780mm wheelbase (and platform) are unchanged. Adjustments underneath are intended to make the car quieter and more comfortable, with improved sound damping between the engine bay and cabin, and a reduction in wind noise (hence the smaller mirrors, too).Dynamically, the MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension setup has been treated to revised damper settings, and the steering control software rejigged for a more linear response. More definitively, there are now more weld points at the back and extra reinforcement in the front suspension mountings to enhance rigidity.The engine lineup is kept simple: two Valvematic petrols (a 130bhp 1.6 and 145bhp 1.8) are carried over from previous car, as is the 122bhp 2.0-litre D-4D, although the latter has undergone tweaks. They include the introduction of a new variable nozzle turbocharger which helps to deliver an improved 228lb ft of torque 200rpm earlier, as well as various detailed improvements intend
read moreHyundai compensation payment hits profit
South Korean carmaker’s shares fall as fourth-quarter results slip and won strengthens, threatening its competition in relation to Japanese rivals
read moreJLR profit warning dents Tata Motors
Shares of the Indian automaker tumble after an unexpected profit warning from UK luxury marque Jaguar Land Rover, its main profit driver
read moreAlpine returns to the Monte
Renault boss leads Alpine charge to celebrate 40 years since historic Monte win
read moreYou Know You Want To: Nissan 350Z
Big miles but less than four grand for a 350Z? That's got to be worth a look!
read moreMucking about in the snow: part two
When Lotus says 'come and play in the snow at Hethel', it's an invitation you can't refuse!
read moreBMW and Toyota buddy up
Collaboration announced twixt BMW and Toyota on fuel cells and new sports car projects
read morePistonHeads Sunday Service: 17/02/13
Join us at Silverstone for the first Sunday Service of the year.
read moreTime For Tea? McLaren P1 vid
McLaren teases P1 hypercar with track footage and scenes of men with laptops looking serious
read more
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