New Technologies

New Technologies

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 not clear whether...

It"s not clear whether Volvo is here to stay because Ford wants it to, or because it can"t find a buyer with $ 6 billion

It"s official! Audi...

It"s official! Audi has pulled the wraps from the all-new A8 in Detroit, following the the dramatic media debut for the car in Miami, Florida last month.

It"s official: this...

It"s official: this year’s Auto Express- backed Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will go down to the wire at Thruxton, Hants, in October.

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 started with a kiss...

It started with a kiss and ended with a crash... but not mine! The kiss was the "X" from the new Jaguar XK and the crash came courtesy of an over-reactive Aston Martin DBS, which pitched poor James Bond 007 into a massive barrel roll. What am I talking about? My year of course. "Tis the festive season with plenty of time to reminisce - and then look forward to what might be. But nothing could have been better than heading down to South Africa in January to try out Jag"s smooth new cat - which would, of course, go on to become Auto Express"s Car of the Year.

It started with a single...

It started with a single CeeтЂ™d тЂ“ and now Kia is flourishing after baring its new Soul!

It"s the new Vauxhall...

It"s the new Vauxhall thatтЂ™s set to take a starring role in the family car class in just 12 months time!

ItтЂ™s not only Audi...

ItтЂ™s not only Audi thatтЂ™s looking to make the news with a drop-top stunner. MINIтЂ™s new Convertible has also broken cover тЂ“ and given the success of the previous model, itтЂ™s no surprise bosses have high hopes for the stylish machine.

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-new Audi...

ITтЂ™s the all-new Audi that claims to pick up where the original Mini left off! This is the E1 тЂ“ an ultra-efficient city car from the German firm and a model which is being hailed as a spiritual successor to Alec IssigonisтЂ™ masterpiece.

ITтЂ™s the big cat thatтЂ™s...

ITтЂ™s the big cat thatтЂ™s got bosses full of pride! Jaguar insiders have been talking about the new XJ for months тЂ“ and, with these pictures, we can finally see why theyтЂ™ve been so excited.

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 car that...

itтЂ™s the car that proves BMW is heading back to the future!

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.

ItтЂ™s undoubtedly one...

ItтЂ™s undoubtedly one of the biggest stars of the 2008 British Motor Show тЂ“ and it has made a spectacular touch down on UK soil!

It turns out that new...

It turns out that new chief Carlos Ghosn was less than pleased when he viewed the rather bland pre-production Twingo II - which this week"s mag has sensationally scooped thanks to colleagues in France. And with none of the flair of the Zoé concept-influenced car we revealed in issue 885, an unhappy Ghosn has ordered a redesign before the model makes an appearance in showrooms in 2007.

It was all white on...

It was all white on the night for Jaguar тЂ“ the Big Cat took the wraps off three stunning high perfomance R models at Detroit, all carrying the same eye-catching paintwork.

It was business as usual...

It was business as usual for Sebastien Loeb as he raced his Citroen C4 WRC to victory on the Monte Carlo Rally.

It was meant to be the...

It was meant to be the big surprise of next week’s Tokyo Motor Show – but we can now reveal Nissan"s big secret!

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 one of the prettiest...

It was one of the prettiest cars on the road but that hasnтЂ™t stopped MerТcedes updating its SLK. And these official pictures show what the new model looks like. With a host of cosmetic changes inside and out, extra kit and a more powerful V6, the revised two-seater is taking the fight to the Porsche BoxТster and Audi TT Roadster.

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”.

I was expecting a less-than-warm...

I was expecting a less-than-warm reaction to my story from GM"s world HQ in Detroit. But it didn"t come, and neither was there any response from UK division Vauxhall, which has in the recent past sold some pretty unreliable cars. But I did get a call from a concerned senior Detroit auto guy who now finds himself working out of mainland Europe for "the General". He explained that things are changing - across the globe, the world"s number one motor corporation is slowly but surely improving quality. "Indeed, GM is producing great results in quality, and will not rest until it reaches world-class levels in all areas, both measured and perceived," he assured me. To back up his claims, he supplied me with a three-page list of notable and not-so-notable achievements his employer has made in this area. It said the quality gap between GM and the market leaders has shrunk by more than 50 per cent in the past four years, although it doesn"t state exactly how far it still lags behind the likes of Toyota, Mazda and Honda.

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.

John and Tina Dutton...

John and Tina Dutton, from Birmingham, pulled up at the booths on the M6 Toll in the West Midlands, and couldn"t believe what was queueing next to them. "From pictures I"d seen in Auto Express, I recognised it as the new Bentley," said John. "Tina handed me the camera while we were waiting in our line, and I took a photograph."

Join the drive for greener...

Join the drive for greener motoring with the latest offering from atlas giant Philip’s. Not only is it the most up-to-date map on the market, the maker says it’s also the first to have a special eco-friendly section.

Joint venture cars don"t...

Joint venture cars don"t give brand loyalty. After owning a C-Crosser, you"re as likely to buy a Mitsubishi as another Citroen

Juan did more real тЂracingтЂ™...

Juan did more real тЂracingтЂ™ in that 24 hours than heтЂ™d done in his entire grand prix career, and IтЂ™m delighted heтЂ™s turned his back on the often predictable world of F1 to get back to the basics

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.

Keep an тЂiтЂ™ on Hyundai...

Keep an тЂiтЂ™ on Hyundai at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The revamp of the Korean brandтЂ™s entire range will continue with a big brother for the i10, i20 and i30.

Kia has revealed even...

Kia has revealed even more of its sporty new three-door small family car – and the picture above shows the stunning rear of the Pro-cee’d for the first time.

Kia is bringing the...

Kia is bringing the beach to the 2009 North

Korean giant Hyundai...

Korean giant Hyundai has been ‘i’ing up the people carrier competition and produced its own eight-seat version.

Korean manufacturer...

Korean manufacturer Hyundai has revealed itтЂ™s all-star line-up for this yearтЂ™s Paris Motor Show and expect no fewer than five world premieres.

Legendary founder of...

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

Look out Land Rover...

Look out Land Rover – Volkswagen’s Freelander rival is nearly ready! These revealing official pictures show the Golf-based Tiguan on test in the harsh, arid landscape of Namibia in southern Africa, as engineers prepare to sign off the exciting new 4x4. Auto Express can lift the lid with full details on the clever technology under the skin of VW’s first-ever compact SUV.

Lotus Exige goes for...

Lotus Exige goes for Cup glory as new firebreather cranks up the power

Major road building...

Major road building projects in the UK ran massively over budget last year, according to the latest Government figures.

McLaren ace Lewis Hamilton...

McLaren ace Lewis Hamilton was back on top at last weekendрЂ™s Hungarian grand prix. The defending champion took a dominant race victory at the end of a chaotic event that left FerrariрЂ™s Felipe Massa recovering from a serious head injury.

Meanwhile, Renault"s...

Meanwhile, Renault"s Mнѓ©gane Coupнѓ© Cabriolet, which features a metal folding hard-top, also hit the big time. It"s the French firm"s sixth car to gain five stars.

Meet an exciting trio...

Meet an exciting trio of new Audis. These exclusive pictures, produced using accurate insider information, reveal for the first time that the firm is planning a new city runabout, a topless version of the R8 supercar and a Mercedes CLS rival.

Meet the Peugeot Prologue...

Meet the Peugeot Prologue тЂ“ but this is one car that needs little introduction!

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.

Michael Schumacher says...

Michael Schumacher says he has no desire to return to F1. The seven-time world champion, who won 91 races from 248 starts, hasn’t been to a grand prix since retiring at the end of 2006. “I’m living a good life, and not missing the driving at the moment. I’m spending more time at home and watching the races on television with my family and friends,” said the 38-year-old.

Mitsubishi has facelifted...

Mitsubishi has facelifted the Eclipse, and given it a gaping grille complete with a thick central bar. The result is a front end that closely resembles the Nissan supercar. Other improvements in-clude a deeper chin spoiler, plus revamped front and rear bumpers.

More than one-third...

More than one-third of motorists are dangerously negligent when it comes to maintaining their tyres, an Auto Express investigation has revealed.

Motorists could face...

Motorists could face fuel prices of more than ТЈ2 per litre and a ТЈ3,300 levy on new cars if new proposals are implemented by the Government.

Motorists in the south...

Motorists in the south of the England are paying through the nose for garage servicing, a shocking survey has revealed.

Music or performance...

Music or performance – that’s the choice from these two new special editions of the Peugeot 207.

NABA - Nigel, Alan...

NABA - Nigel, Alan, Bob and Allard - might sound like a naff, boy band version of a Swedish pop group. But they"re just ordinary family blokes trying to get on with their lives. They"re law-abiding citizens who work hard and pay their taxes. Oh, nearly forgot: they also have a weakness for taxed and insured motor cars. Shame on them.

Named after an Italian...

Named after an Italian musical term used to describe an elaborate, ornamental flourish; Kia"s latest car, the Cadenza is aiming high. Looking to compete with the Audi A6 and BMW 5-series, the newcomer represents the Korean firm"s first foray into the luxury saloon market.

Nearly 900 motorists...

Nearly 900 motorists at Asda"s Aintree store in Liverpool were recently charged double for fuel, due to a faulty credit card-operated pump. And now, the AA is demanding better service from filling stations.

Newly crowned world...

Newly crowned world champion Lewis HamiltonВ is set to become one of the greatest racing drivers of all-time, according to Damon Hill, the last Briton to wear the F1 crown.

New motorists receive...

New motorists receive no real training on how to park. So maybe we should teach it as part of the driving test.

Newsweek

Nissan is turning over...

Nissan is turning over a new leaf! The Japanese firm has unveiled its first specifically-designed electric car, the Leaf, which it claims is the world"s first affordable, zero-emission passenger vehicle.

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.

Now this is what you...

Now this is what you call a pocket rocket. The small but sizzling new 500 Abarth has hit the streets! And these are the first official shots of it in action.

Of the more than 100...

Of the more than 100 on-sale cars that I"ve driven in the last 12 months, which examples proved to be best in class? It"s something I am asked at the end of every year, and it"s a question that"s considerably easier to ask than answer. But here goes... Starting at the bottom of the ladder, it seems to me that the battle is between the Citroen C1/Peugeot 107/Toyota Aygo family, the Volkswagen Fox and trusty Kia Picanto for the title of top budget motor. But the VW just nicks it, because it"s a proper, spacious, if slightly crude, car for silly money - ВЈ6,590.

One-in-three foreign...

One-in-three foreign lorries is flouting UK traffic laws and putting other road users in danger, according to a new investigation.

One of Hummer"s top...

One of Hummer"s top brass has confessed she"s a big fan of getting such a car into showrooms. "I"d love one," said general manager Susan Docherty. "Hummer is not something somebody needs, it"s something people want. It"s a household"s third or even fourth vehicle. We have to be careful how we build on that, but I want a pick-up truck and something smaller than the H3."

One of the biggest stars...

One of the biggest stars of this year’s Tokyo Motor Show has been officially unveiled in the metal – the Nissan GT-R is go!

Only in Britain would...

Only in Britain would a high-profile, ruling politician dare to declare war on cars, drivers and passengers on the eve of the nation"s prestigious and vitally important Motor Show. When America"s big auto exhibition is staged in Detroit, successive mayors of that city - regardless of their political colours - virtually queue up at the door in the biting cold, desperate to show their enthusiastic support for motor industry products and jobs. And it"s a similar story in other big motor show cities, where politicians display solidarity with the vehicle makers which provide employment, the workers who proudly make ever-improving cars, plus the consumers who buy them.

Only last week (Newsweek...

Only last week (Newsweek, Issue 946), Auto Express brought you exclusive pictures of the German firm"s new MINI-rivalling A1 - and now the company has given the world its first official glimpse of the A5 coupé.

Only when we drove it...

Only when we drove it back-to-back against its rivals on UK roads did we realise what an astonishing achievement the new Cat really is.

On sale in September...

On sale in September, the faceчlifted coupé and convertible models will be available with the 286bhp straight-six unit for the first time, making the 6-Series the only car in its class to run on diesel power.

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 sources say the...

Our sources say the load-lugger should come to the UK towards the end of the year, and here"s what it will look like. However, a Rover-badged version is unlikely to share its sister car"s name - the TATA is called the Indigo Marina, and that would revive memories of the Morris Marina, a model MG Rover would probably rather forget!

Our spies captured this...

Our spies captured this red-hot evolution of the new DB9 which will hit our roads later this year.

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.

Our spy photographers...

Our spy photographers caught the baby Fiat testing in Italy, and the firm has clearly kept its word, because it retains the cute profile and compact dimensions of the 2005 Trepiuno concept. It debuted at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, and was inspired by Fiat’s legendary Nuova 500, which was a hit worldwide between 1957 and 1975.

Packing a 621bhp 6.0-litre...

Packing a 621bhp 6.0-litre W12 engine, the brutish two-seater coupe can accelerate to a top speed of 204mph. But itтЂ™s also green too, as itтЂ™s capable of running on renewable biofuel as well as petrol.

Park and hide on GT-R launch

Penned by Fiat Style...

Penned by Fiat Style Centre, the new car is a triumph of pure Italian design. Every line has been carefully crafted to emulate the legendary origчinal

Perhaps we should ignore...

Perhaps we should ignore car disposal schemes, hold on to our old bangers and just not drive them much!

Porsche certainly thinks...

Porsche certainly thinks so, as it"s lifted the lid this week on the new 911 Cabriolet. The model also promises to be as fast and fun as the Coupнѓ© when it arrives in April. The maker has modified the shape of the hood to keep the maximum speed the same as the tin-top"s.

Prepare to fall in love...

Prepare to fall in love with the Bug again! Auto Express has learned that Volkswagen is planning an all-new Beetle... and itтЂ™s dropping the present carтЂ™s cute curves for an altogether more sporty and striking look.

Price increase for Brit Motor Show

Prices for the aggressive-looking...

Prices for the aggressive-looking model have yet to be confirmed, but expect the Abarth version to undercut its direct rivals

Retro styling and retractable...

Retro styling and retractable roofs will be the order of the day for EuropeтЂ™s first major motor show of 2009! Auto Express has learned that the MINI and Fiat 500 will lock horns at Geneva in March with new topless variants.

RollsрЂ™s newcomer will...

RollsрЂ™s newcomer will set the standard for refinement in the luxury car class

Rubinho heading for Honda exit?

Said to mark the dawn...

Said to mark the dawn of a fresh era for the Luton firm, the new Mondeo rival will make its worldwide debut at the British Motor Show in July.

Say ciao to Alfa RomeoтЂ™s...

Say ciao to Alfa RomeoтЂ™s rival for the Volkswagen Golf! This is the first official image of the family star, which was at the centre of a last-minute name change.

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.

Scores of readers contact...

Scores of readers contact our Watchdog pages every week following disputes with agents, and the new legislation is aimed at protecting their rights - but Auto Express can reveal plans to introduce the rules are in chaos.

SEAT gave the all-new...

SEAT gave the all-new Ibiza its world debut at the Madrid Motor Show. Bosses took the wraps off the supermini at the Spanish brand’s home event, alongside a low emission version of the Alhambra MPV.

Security experts at...

Security experts at Thatcham - the insurance industry"s independent testing organisation in Berkshire - judging the 2005 British Insurance Car Security Awards found 82 models met the tough criteria for entry. That"s one third more than last year.

Seen in the mag in top-of-the-range...

Seen in the mag in top-of-the-range WRX STi guise, the heavily revised machine is more striking than ever. Not since the much-criticised bug-eye model of 2000 has Subaru chosen such a radical face for its rally-bred thriller. There"s no doubt that the latest Scooby will divide opinion among performance car enthusiasts across the globe.

Seen in the mag side...

Seen in the mag side by side with a camera car - ironically an ageing XM from arch rival Citroen - the Laguna Sport Tourer is in production trim and ready for showrooms worldwide. Most of the design changes have been made at the front, where the car"s nose has been sharpened up. Fresh headlamps and a new grille are fitted with chrome detailing to create an upmarket finish, while silver trim is clearly visible all round this high-spec model.

Set to debut at this...

Set to debut at this month"s British Motor Show, the XKR will be offered in both coupé and cabriolet bodystyles. Available to order now, prices start from ?67,495 for the hard-top - ?8,500 more than the existing car.

Set to go on sale next...

Set to go on sale next year, the Korean manufacturer is keen to distance the newcomer from the other 4x4 models in its range, as currently there is some overlap between the smaller Tucson and flagship Terracan.

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.

Seven of the 13 new...

Seven of the 13 new models put to the wall in Phase 16 of the assessments were described as "poor", "quite poor", "fair" or "mixed" for child safety. Many were superminis, but surprisingly, one of the worst performers was Honda"s FR-V. While the compact MPV earned four out of five stars overall and was praised for its strong body and generous safety kit, the report claimed the protection offered to children was "quite poor".

Silent-running electric...

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

Silverstone may have...

Silverstone may have staged its most successful British Grand Prix in ages, and tickets are already selling fast for the 2008 event. But a serious question mark still hangs over the future of Formula One in the UK, according to the sport’s supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Six years ago, ministers...

Six years ago, ministers pledged to cut vehicle offences by 30 per cent by 2004. To achieve that, they launched the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team (VCRAT), in a bid to boost public awareness about security, tighten registration procedures and crack down on thieves.

Skoda RoomsterрЂ™s sliding...

Skoda RoomsterрЂ™s sliding rear seats are unlikely to appear, but load-lugging Fabia will still score on flexibility

Smaller, lighter and...

Smaller, lighter and promising a bigger punch per pound than any rival, this is the Renaultsport version of the new Clio, which is set to blow the performance car market apart next year.

Snapped by one of our...

Snapped by one of our spies on the back of a General Motors transporter, the disguised V8-powered load-lugger gives a glimpse of the racy makeover that’s on the way for Holden’s practical Commodore Sportwagon. As the tailgate badge states, this model is in SS trim, so the purposeful styling will be backed up by its driving potential. Large 10-spoke alloys give the estate an aggressive look, even with its garish black and white camouflage.

Some of the finer details...

Some of the finer details have been covered up, but the mag"s pictures show the newcomer almost completely undisguised. And don"t be fooled by the VW alloy wheels and the wacky badging - they are simply part of the attempt to hide the car"s true identity.

Some pick-ups provide...

Some pick-ups provide far less protection in an accident than the average supermini, new crash tests show.

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.

Spied this week at a...

Spied this week at a dealer launch in France, Renault"s next-generation Clio is out to give the number one-selling Corsa a tough fight - and it"s laying its hopes on a bold new face. With huge headlights and a smaller grille, the new three-door Clio is a stronger design than the current car. That visual strength is continued at the rear, with a chunky C-pillar and elliptical tail-lights. The whole effect is much sportier than the five-door, which will look more like a baby Scenic.

Spotted by an eagle-eyed...

Spotted by an eagle-eyed reader on a ferry in Germany, this lightly disguised prototype reveals the newcomer will get the distinctive-looking headlamps of the recently facelifted saloon, although the tail-lights are a different shape. The firm"s distinctive family face is in evidence, too, as the extended radiator grille is also present - but this time it"s surrounded by extra chrome trim.

Staying on the right...

Staying on the right side of the law this summer could be harder than you think. If youтЂ™re driving to Europe, EU rules say your car needs to be equipped with a set of headlight adaptors тЂ“ but fitting them correctly is notoriously difficult.

Subaru is boasting a...

Subaru is boasting a second world debut at the New York motor show! A day after the Japanese brand showed off its new Legacy, it has strengthened the range with this, the Outback.

Sure Sell is a sure...

Sure Sell is a sure thing! After a successful pilot scheme, British Car Auctions’ latest used initiative has been given the green light. Sure Sell is aimed at private motorists looking for a quick and easy

Take a look at the firm"s...

Take a look at the firm"s long awaited Circuit Car in this week"s issue, which wears the famous Eleven badge on its Genчeva Motor Show debut.

Take a look at the hottest hybrid ever!

Take a look at the smallest...

Take a look at the smallest, most beautifully formed Audi ever. Auto Express has learned that the German firm is planning a new city car тЂ“ and it will be based on VWтЂ™s ultra-economical micro-machine, the up!

Team DynamicsрЂ™ James...

Team DynamicsрЂ™ James Thompson and Airwaves BMWрЂ™s Robert Collard were winners in this weekendрЂ™s HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship races at Donington Park, Leicestershire. But Vauxhall star Matt Neal still maintains his place at the top of the title standings.

TEAM RAC has ditched...

TEAM RAC has ditched its elderly MGs for BMWs. The front-running BTCC outfit has purchased a brace of BMW 320si E90 models as used successfully by Andy Priaulx to win the 2006 World Touring Car Championship.

Technical details are...

Technical details are still scarce, but the so-called "lifestyle estate" is expected to be larger than the existing V50. This will help the Volvo to fit more comfortably into conventional class sizes, unlike the current model

Thanks to exclusive...

Thanks to exclusive insider information, we can bring you the first images in this week"s mag of the newcomer, and the lowdown on the features which Ford hopes will keep the Fiesta at the top of the sales charts.

That’s according...

That’s according to British Car Auctions (BCA), which shifted more than 150 Fords in a recent sale at its Nottingham site – with demand strongest for the S-MAX and Galaxy people carriers.

That’s because...

That’s because the materials now used to build them are intended to bounce back into shape after an impact – and this can conceal the true effects of a collision. As a result, owners could be driving round in potentially unsafe vehicles desperately in need of a serious repair.

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 one of the major...

That"s one of the major findings of the third annual Auto Express Driver Power report. Our survey revealed that 59 per cent of motorists were looking into the purchase of a device to alert them to roadside cameras.

The 1,000bhp club has...

The 1,000bhp club has a new member – and it’s British! With 1,500bhp, the Keating TKR delivers even more power than the Bugatti Veyron supercar.

The 39-year-old Scot...

The 39-year-old Scot was killed when the helicopter he was piloting crashed close to his home in Lanarkshire, Scotland. His five-year-old son Johnny and two family friends also lost their lives in the accident, which is still being investigated.

The 50 biggest leasing...

The 50 biggest leasing companies in the country took part in the study, which also crowned Honda the most reliable motor manufacturer. It’s the third consecutive year the Japanese brand has managed to take top honours in the survey, which was commissioned by Fleet News.

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 ARRIVAL of a replacement...

THE ARRIVAL of a replacement model is often bad news for owners of the old car, as values usually take a tumble. However, Land Rover’s new Freelander is more costly than the outgoing model – and this could be good news if you’re trying to sell a late-plate version of the old car. The new machine is already making second-hand examples of the Freelander look cheap.

The awesome Honda Mugen...

The awesome Honda Mugen Dominator is a supercharged version of the two-door Japan-spec Civic. Developing a massive 300bhp, it hints at what we can expect from the European Type R version, which will debut at March"s Geneva Motor Show, before going on sale early next year. Developed by tuning arm Mugen primarily for the Japanese market, the two-door has been confirmed for production. While none of the specialist Hondas will be officially brought to the UK, private importers are sure to be keen to ship examples to Britain for Japanese performance car enthusiasts.

The big cat is set to...

The big cat is set to make its loudest roar yet, Auto Express can reveal! This is the XFR тЂ“ a high-performance flagship version of JaguarтЂ™s brilliant new executive saloon.

The big giveaway is...

The big giveaway is the one thing they couldn"t hide - the exhaust. The unique oval shape made by the twin pipes means this can only be the Roewe 450, the Chinese version of the Rover 45. So what"s so special about this picture? It was taken in the UK, and signals the Chinese have arrived!

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 Boxster has got...

The Boxster has got a fight on its hands! Ahead of its debut in Detroit this week, these are the first official images of VWтЂ™s baby sports car designed to offer a cut-price alternative to PorscheтЂ™s finest - and a more upmarket option to the MX-5.

The car is based on...

The car is based on the C2 GT, but while that model is н‚бЈ10,485 in showrooms, all the extras on this red racer mean it"s worth more than double that. "It"s a complete one-off with a tuned engine, lowered suspension and special bodykit," said a Citroen spokesman.

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 coupé is...

The coupé is called the DB-One, and is the work of independent Spanish stylist Ruben Vela. It shows how the firm"s new owners could evolve the current line-up - and Aston fans will be pleased to see several of the British brand"s trademark styling cues on the sleek two-door.

The coupé made...

The coupé made its debut at this week’s Geneva Motor Show, and is the work of coachbuilder Zagato, from Milan. The car started life as a Bentley Continental GT Speed, but you’re unlikely to confuse it with the standard model, thanks to a wide range of unique styling changes.

The coupнѓ© is one of three new Focus models - including ST and RS variants - our spies have exclusively snapped in the last week. Professor Peach refers to the engine under the bonnet of the prototype. Engineers often develop codenames to disguise the true identity of the cars being tested.

THE covers are nearly...

THE covers are nearly off the Micra! Our team of eagle-eyed spy photographers captured these revealing pictures of NissanтЂ™s all-new supermini

The current Murano is...

The current Murano is still looking fresh, but that hasn’t stopped Nissan from building an all-new model.

The deal stops them...

The deal stops them selling models less than three years old that have been imported from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). But the body representing the UK’s non-franchised dealers is unhappy about it.

The decision confirms...

The decision confirms comments made by Impreza chief engineer, Hiroshi Mori, who told Auto Express that the next-generation car "might take a new design direction, and could be smaller". So why have designers turned their back on saloons? The new car will be smaller, lighter and cheaper to produce than the four-door, and should have better handling, thanks to its short wheelbase and stiffer body.

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 Eagle has landed тЂ“ at

The edgy styling won"t...

The edgy styling won"t suit everyone, but it means the five-door model certainly stands out.

The Eos - named after...

The Eos - named after a Greek goddess - will debut at next month"s Frankfurt Motor Show, before going on sale early next year. Not only do the mag"s pictures reveal the newcomer"s sharp design, but the panoramic glass roof is visible for the first time, too.

The Evo X will be unveiled...

The Evo X will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and is set to arrive at dealers in the UK by March of next year

The exclusive shots...

The exclusive shots in this week"s mag clearly show that the daring machine will keep the bold face and sliding doors first exhibited by the concept at the Paris Motor Show in 2002. Aimed at rivals such as the forthcoming Renault MODUS and the acclaimed Honda Jazz, the road-going Sнѓ©same is expected to debut at this year"s Paris Motor Show in September.