Analytics

Analytics

A bi-turbo V8 unit is...

A bi-turbo V8 unit is the hot tip, with power outputs possibly reaching a staggering 750bhp

A brilliant new device...

A brilliant new device which fires a microchip tracker into car tyres is set to spike fuel thieves.

According to the company...

According to the company, the Ondelios is an environmentally friendly crossover that can carry six passengers in sumptuous comfort. And, due to its advanced hybrid powertrain, those on board can travel with a clean, green conscience.

According to the most...

According to the most devious ecomentalists, much of the blame for global warning is down to the car, which is the work of the devil

A CO2 rating of 140g/km...

A CO2 rating of 140g/km puts the Mondeo ECOnetic in tax Band C тЂ“ the regular 2.0-litre TDCi is in Band F

A famous Big Cat is...

A famous Big Cat is about to roar into view again. This silver dream

After 23 cars self-combusted...

After 23 cars self-combusted, the French manufacturer was forced to recall and fix 28,000 vehicles built before May 2003. The fires, which all happened in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, only related to 1.6 or 2.0-litre petrol versions. All the cars went up in flames while the engine was turned off.

After driving 2,000...

After driving 2,000 miles from the top to the bottom of America last week, I am in a state of shock. Holidaying in Orlando, Los Angeles and the other unreal bits of the USA is one thing. But a drive along the Michigan/Ohio Rust Belt to the Deep South and beyond opens up a different America тЂ“ one IтЂ™m entirely not comfortable with.

Afterwards, he said...

Afterwards, he said he needed another five laps to make it on to the podium, and added that despite his performance, he hadnтЂ™t reconsidered his decision to call it a day after 16 years in F1

A head on collision...

A head on collision between two cars doing 40mph is still likely to be fatal, and speedo watching, brain dead driving makes this more likely on country lanes

Aimed at young drivers...

Aimed at young drivers who want to get to grips with the existing turbocharged variant"s class-leading handling, the car would appeal because it doesn"t come with the 212bhp ST"s insurance and running costs

Aiming to capitalise...

Aiming to capitalise on the previous version’s popularity, the car will give Peugeot’s new 207 SW some tough competition in the growing supermini estate market.

Although the Brit has...

Although the Brit has impressed in claiming back-to-back European F3 and GP2 titles, the 21-year-old now has the daunting prospect of partnering the double world champion in a team that expects to win grands prix.

Although the car isn"t...

Although the car isn"t due in the UK until autumn, we brought you an initial glimpse of it in our issue 786 spy shots. And now the model has been officially launched in its native country, we"ve got the first pictures. The Gen.2 is a big step forward for Proton, with a fresh look that blends the best bits of many of today"s most popular vehicles. While the headlights are similar to those on BMW"s 6-Series, the most distinctive features are at the rear, where sweeping tail-lamps emphasise the sloping roofline.

Although the current...

Although the current drop-top has been a huge hit - fending off competition from the Audi A4, Mercedes CLK and Saab 9-3 in the premium convertible sector - the mag"s exclusive shots show how BMW aims to raise the stakes by being the first to create a coupнѓ©-cabrio.

Although the Finn won...

Although the Finn won the season opener, in rounds two and three, he struggled to get the best out of his car in qualifying and was eclipsed by team-mate Felipe Massa.

A major undercover investigation...

A major undercover investigation by Auto Express has revealed the scale of the problem - and just how easy it is to do. Our man Mat Watson used a 1988 Renault 5 bought on the Continent to park illegally, travel in bus lanes and even dodge London"s congestion charge.

And - surprise, surprise...

And - surprise, surprise - I took the opposite view, believing that some motorways should be widened... especially if they were deliberately built too narrow in the first place, as the London orbital was. After all, around 99.9 per cent of Britain is not M-way!

And despite the black...

And despite the black coverings, the pictures reveal that the new compact executive hatch has the same proportions as the concept seen at the Detroit Motor Show. With a steeply raked rear window and chunky lines, the C30 brings the look of the late Eighties 480ES and original P1800ES bang up-to-date.

And engineers at the...

And engineers at the firm have paid particular attention to the handling to ensure the newcomer is as rewarding to drive as its key German rivals.

And if you think you"ve...

And if you think you"ve seen it all before, that"s because this Suzuki will also be sold in the UK wearing a Fiat badge. Auto Express has already tested the Italian firm"s almost identical version, the Sedici, in issue 886.

And its introduction...

And its introduction means the gloves are now off in the battle to be hot hatch king, as the car will go head-to-head with the forthcoming Ford Focus ST. Both are aimed at keen drivers, with VW desperate to address criticisms that the MkIV GTI was too soft for fans of the coveted original model.

And not only is Auto...

And not only is Auto Express able to bring you these first pictures of Toyota"s replacement for the Corolla, but we can also reveal its name.

And that"s why in this...

And that"s why in this magazine, national newspapers and on radio and TV for the last two decades, I"ve been patiently and passionately spelling out the same message to politicians - and others in power - that the ritual of putting the clocks back at the end of October means putting more road users and pedestrians in hospital beds and coffins.

And unlike the outgoing...

And unlike the outgoing load-lugger, which had very little in the way of styling flair, the newcomer is aimed at a much trendier market. Note the sleek lines, chunky wheelarches and classy full-length chrome roof rails. In profile, the model bears more than a passing resemblance to the Peugeot 307 SW.

And while the company...

And while the company is claiming the pricing and specifications listed are only indicative of what customers can expect, it looks pretty comprehensive to us. According to VW, the final specs won"t be confirmed until September"s Paris Motor Show. However, don"t expect them to change much from the figures on the Net - which means the three-door will cost from н‚бЈ19,995, while the five-door will carry a н‚бЈ500 premium.

An endless source of...

An endless source of cheap gags, the experienced caravanner tends to be one of the more competent towing drivers on the roads

A new medium-sized model...

A new medium-sized model - codenamed RD60 - had already made prototype stage in the hands of MG Rover. The work started in Longbridge will be continued to form the 45 replacement. Aimed at the Ford Focus and VW Golf, it will blend the styling cues of the three cars pictured on the right, and the result will be an MPV-like hatch that rivals the all-new Honda Civic for visual drama.

An Italian motor. Ferraris...

An Italian motor. Ferraris, Alfas, Maseratis тЂ“ you name it, I love it, as these cars are built with such passion and character. They might not have a reputation for dependability, but Italian vehicles are never boring and always put a smile on your face.

Answers below.

Anybody with an interest...

Anybody with an interest in cars past, present and future had good reason to celebrate during the first weekend of September. It emerged on the Saturday night that John Prescott, former Secretary of State for Terrible Transport Trauma, had finally been rumbled, ordered to hand back the keys to ‘his’ taxpayer-funded Jaguar, ‘his’ plush чЈ2million London home plus ‘his’ multi-million-pound country pile, Dorneywood near Burnham in Buckinghamshire.

Anyone who thinks Hamiton...

Anyone who thinks Hamiton deserved to be champion is deluding themself

As our images show...

As our images show, the designers have gone back to the drawing board with the exterior styling. There"s also a new platform, a revised range of engines and a spacious interior.

As Team GB flew home...

As Team GB flew home with an unprecedented haul of medals from the Beijing Olympics, another Brit was being crowned the best in the world. JaguarтЂ™s new XF beat off stiff opposition to be crowned Auto Express Car of the Year. The victory marked a reversal of fortune for the firm. When Auto Express launched in 1989, Jag was in the doldrums тЂ“ it had just been rescued by Ford and had an outdated range of cars. The prospect of the firm making a model good enough to take a Car of the Year title would have been laughable. Today, nearly 20 years on, Jag is back where it belongs тЂ“ at the top.

As these pictures show...

As these pictures show, the 75"s front has been completely redesigned to give it a bolder and more upmarket style. A spokesman for the Longbridge company admitted: "The grille is not dissimilar to the one on the new A6, but in our opinion the Rover"s is better looking. The shape blends well with the aggressive front, and gives the car a very characterful face."

As they reveal, the...

As they reveal, the new model borrows much of its design from its Discovery big brother, but mixes traditional styling cues from the original Freelander, resulting in a fresh, but instantly recognisable, look. That"s clear at the front, where the pronounced grille and bumper blends with Discovery-style projector headlights to give a strong face.

Aston Martin has revealed...

Aston Martin has revealed the drop-top version of its special edition V8 Vantage N400 – and it’s a stunner!

Aston Martin is hoping...

Aston Martin is hoping it’s third time lucky in its bid to claim GT class honours at this year’s 75th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours, which takes place on 16-17 June. And it has recruited former grand prix and enduro winner Johnny Herbert to help out.

Aston Martin"s ТЈ1.2m...

Aston Martin"s ТЈ1.2m supercar is clearly still camera shy...but that didn"t stop the firm giving Paris show visitors a surprise sneak preview of the model!

As you can see in the...

As you can see in the mag, designers will keep the transition from coupнѓ© to cabriolet simple, retaining the GT"s elegant lines and distinctive rear-end styling. Unlike some rivals, the Alfa won"t have a folding hard-top, as bosses have opted for a conventional electrically operated fabric hood. This will give the car a more compact mechanism, allowing the shape and impressive practicality of the hard-top two-door to be preserved.

At the front, there...

At the front, there are bold new headlamps either side of the fresh grille, while a bigger air intake in the bumper pushes the foglamps further apart. The revisions have been carried out across the entire range - including the C+C - but fans of the big-selling family model can relax, because its distinctive rump has survived the remodelling.

AUDI has announced its...

AUDI has announced its 10-strong DTM German touring car line-up

Auto Express can exclusively...

Auto Express can exclusively show the newcomer without any disguise, as test drivers from General Motors put it through its paces during a towing trial on the Continent. They were hoping the subtle design changes would go unnoticed... but our eagle-eyed spies still clocked the revised car.

Auto Express has learned...

Auto Express has learned that Toyota is considering naming an entire range after its hi-tech hybrid car - in the same way as it created the Lexus badge for its most expensive machines.

Auto Express has the...

Auto Express has the first official shots of the newcomer, and these also reveal how the ST-badged family flagship will look when it debuts at the Geneva Motor Show next March.

Axle fault forces Transit callback

Based on an extended...

Based on an extended Vauxhall Astra platform, the car will offer improved performance and a bigger interior. Aimed at offering a stylish alternative to German rivals, it"s charged with restoring the Italian firm"s respectability in the hotly contested small family hatch market.

Based on information...

Based on information from Auto Express sources in Germany, the mag"s images reveal exactly what we have to look forward to. Delivering all the thrills of the Golf GTI in a more performance oriented package, the Scirocco will be VW"s first fully fledged coupнѓ© since the Corrado was axed in 1996.

Based on the facelifted...

Based on the facelifted Impreza WRX STi - which we drive for the first time this week on Page 28 - the car should D-light owners with its engine tuned by Prodrive and an interior that offers greater luxury than ever before.

Based on the maker"s...

Based on the maker"s advanced VH (Vertical Horizontal) aluminium chassis, the newcomer shares its styling, as well as much of its engineering, with the DB9 Coupé. The stretched wheelbase accommodates an additional set of doors, incorporating the DB9"s hidden handles.

Based on the outgoing...

Based on the outgoing Toyota RAV4 platform, the off-roader will be bigger than its predecessor and offer a realistic budget alternative to models such as the new Land Rover Freelander and Vauxhall"s Frontera replacement.

Based on the Swedish...

Based on the Swedish firm"s new V70 estate, the all-wheel-drive load-lugger adds protective body mouldings and an increased ride height. Research by Volvo shows that more XC70s are used off-road than full-sized XC90 SUVs, so designers have concentrated on the car"s performance over rough terrain.

Beneath the Nissan Pivo2...

Beneath the Nissan Pivo2 show car’s swivelling cabin and shopping trolley wheels, the three-seater showcases Nissan’s latest battery technology – which will be ready for production in 2010.

Between the 11 - 14...

Between the 11 - 14 June thousands of Brits will head to North West France joining up with a 250,000-strong crowd of motorsport fans to watch the world-famous Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race. For many of those making the trip, the drive down to the circuit is one of the highlights of the weekend.

Bosses at Kia have confirmed...

Bosses at Kia have confirmed that the firm will build an eco-friendly version of the CeeтЂ™d тЂ“ but buyers will have to wait more than a year for the first models to arrive!

Bosses have yet to confirm...

Bosses have yet to confirm the name of the Mitsubishi Outlander-based four-wheel drive, but according to a spokesman for the French manufacturer it will get a double-zero tag, as predicted by Auto Express in Issue 872. He told us: "When we introduced this badge on the 1007, it was intended for specialist vehicles. This fits perfectly with that."

Both are versions of...

Both are versions of the forthcoming R-Class, but are actually different lengths. The bottom one is the standard car and has been seen before, but the top car is the all-new stretched wheelbase version. It will make its debut at next week"s Detroit Motor Show.

Both models are hugely...

Both models are hugely significant to their respective makers, and while VW already has its larger Touran in showrooms, Citroen won"t miss out on sales to buyers who need extra carrying ability - it"s planning a long-wheelbase version of the Picasso.

British star Lewis Hamilton...

British star Lewis Hamilton enjoyed the perfect start to 2008 as he finished on top Down Under.

But when his car broke...

But when his car broke down and the RAC couldn"t fix it, the trip turned into a nine-hour nightmare that finally ended at 5.30am. And to make matters worse, he had his wife and baby with him.

Called Auto-txt, the...

Called Auto-txt, the equipment identifies drivers via their telephones and detects instantly if their car is stolen. The latest Thatcham 5 device is alerted that something is wrong when a vehicle is started with its correct keys, but the owner"s Bluetooth-enabled mobile is not present.

Called the Concept C...

Called the Concept C at present, the sleek-looking machine comes complete with a powered folding hard-top and has been designed not only to offer stylish transport come rain or shine, but also to take on similar tin-top models such as the Peugeot 307 CC and forthcoming Vauxhall Astra CC.

Called the Fluence...

Called the Fluence, its design is a mix of a flowing front end, abrupt vertical rear and smooth flanks. While it boasts only three doors, the car has been created to point at the styling of the next-generation Laguna, which is expected to arrive in 2007.

Called the Unlimited...

Called the Unlimited, it comes with four doors and will be launched alongside the all-new two-door model early next year. With a wheelbase 26 inches longer than the regular Wrangler, the newcomer should be one of the most spacious offerings in its class. Rear doors that open through 90 degrees mean access to the back seats will be easy for children and adults.

Calling all Calibra...

Calling all Calibra fans. Vauxhall’s legendary coupé is back! When it first arrived in 1990, the original Calibra was the world’s most aerodynamic production coupé – and these pictures show how an equally slippery modern-day version is set to take the nation by storm!

Can"t quite stretch...

Can"t quite stretch to a Mercedes SL? Then how about this? The new Renault Twingo II Coupé-Cabriolet claims to be the hard-top convertible to satisfy the most budget-conscious sun-seeker.

Car-related controversies...

Car-related controversies such as the death of MG Rover pale into insignificance when compared to UK-wide electronic road tolls

Car giant Volkswagen...

Car giant Volkswagen is getting on its bike to produce this: its first-ever motorcycle.

Citroen had spectators...

Citroen had spectators falling over each other to look at the glamorous but green line-up on its motorshow stand - and this year it arrived with no less than five new UK show debuts!

CitroenтЂ™s new Fiesta...

CitroenтЂ™s new Fiesta challenger is shaping up nicely тЂ“ just тЂCтЂ™ for yourself! These are the first spy shots of the new C3, which will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

City Car

Classic cars don’t...

Classic cars don’t get any younger – but a group of enthusiasts hopes to change that. They’ve started an online petition to move the cut-off date for road tax exemption.

Confirmation that 2008...

Confirmation that 2008 was the year of the supermini arrived when we revealed exclusive first images of VolkswagenтЂ™s next Polo.

Consequently, I have...

Consequently, I have details of enough failures, delays, rip-offs, dangers and other scandals to fill a book. But since I only have limited space, I"ll concentrate solely on Thursday, 26 February. After a 45-minute, sub-zero, early morning walk from my house to the nearest railway station, my train arrived inevitably late, allowing me to step off the filthy and graffiti-stained platform on to a carriage in much the same state. There was barely room to stand, never mind sit, and bikes clogged up passenger floorspace, occupying much-needed room.

DAVID Coulthard accused...

DAVID Coulthard accused the race stewards of being heavy-handed, after being dropped to 13th on the starting grid for blocking Renault’s Heikki Kovalainen during qualifying.

Designed as a "world"...

Designed as a "world" car mainly for developing markets - and caught by our spy photographers in last week"s magazine - the newcomer will go on sale as the Logan. But it will wear two different manufacturers" badges, depending on where it"s being sold. In countries where Renault is already established, it will get the Dacia nameplate. However, in places such as Russia, where the French maker has no significant presence, the car will be badged Renault.

Despite the recent launch...

Despite the recent launch of the second-generation A-Class, the company hopes that the car seen in the mag will break new ground. It will be marketed as a luxury compact MPV, an upmarket alternative to small people carriers from volume manufacturers.

Diesel lovers get a...

Diesel lovers get a trio of options. The entry-level oil-burner will be a 1.4-litre delivering 89bhp, although buyers wanting more performance can plump for a 124bhp 2.0-litre D-4D unit

Does the motor car have...

Does the motor car have a future? I was musing on this as I prepared to make a trip to the dentist. And there’s nothing like a visit to the tooth extractor to concentrate the mind. Because you know it’s going to hurt – either in the mouth or in the wallet.

Drivers wanting to travel...

Drivers wanting to travel north along the coast from the fjord town of Haugesund to Trondheim should face a 400-mile journey. But anyone using the computer-based MapPoint system - developed by global PC giant Microsoft - will be diverted through seven other European countries, including a ferry ride and a trip through the Channel Tunnel!

Due on sale later this...

Due on sale later this year, the model codenamed J77 was spied at the French firm"s headquarters. Destined to sit between the manufacturer"s compact new Clio, due on sale in 2005, and the next Twingo, to be launched this year, it"s based on the Nissan Micra platform.

Due to debut at the...

Due to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the Spider will share its basic underpinnings with the Brera coupнѓ© that was premiered at last month"s Geneva exhibition.

Engineers at Volvo have...

Engineers at Volvo have come up with the idea of fitting a breathalyser into seatbelt buckles. The driver has to blow into it and can only start the car if their blood alcohol level is below the legal limit. What"s more, they must put the harness on or the ignition will fail.

Entry is by way of scissor...

Entry is by way of scissor doors, which are hinged at the base of the A-pillar and open vertically at the touch of a button

Euro NCAP is whipping...

Euro NCAP is whipping motor manufacturers into shape!

Ever since taking ownership...

Ever since taking ownership of the prestigious marque, BMW has gone to great lengths to stress the link between new models such as the Phantom and Rolls-Royce"s rich history. And this latest model is no exception. The EX name is another nod to the company"s past, when unique experimental models bore the two letters. The last to do so was the 45EX in the Fifties.

Everyone has to stick...

Everyone has to stick to the rules of the road тЂ“ even Auto Express! But when our road tester Ross Pinnock was fined for obstructing a junction, even though the camera footage showed that he clearly wasnтЂ™t, we stepped in.

Everyone thought the...

Everyone thought the Ragster hinted at the next-generation Beetle, but Auto Express has learned the car, driven in issue 842, is on the verge of getting the go-ahead in limited numbers. And it could be on sale by summer 2006.

Evolution, not revolution...

Evolution, not revolution тЂ“ that has always been PorscheтЂ™s approach with its legendary 911.

Exclusive images - as...

Exclusive images - as opposed to the illustrations shown here on the website - in the current issue of the mag reveal the Vanquish Roadster for the first time - the next step in the British firm"s plan to become the world"s premier supercar manufacturer. The model will be unveiled in the metal at March"s Geneva Motor Show, making it the first of a new crop of V12 convertibles, ahead of drop-top versions of Lamborghini"s Murciнѓ©lago and the Pagani Zonda.

Exclusive pictures in...

Exclusive pictures in this week"s mag are based on information from within the company, and provide the first glimpse of a car that will aim to tempt image-conscious buyers away from established favourites, such as Audi"s A3 and the Volkswagen Golf. As Volvo"s first small hatchback since the conservative 440 was dropped back in 1997, the V30 would be joined by a sporty three-door variant, which is expected to be called the S30.

Exhibited at SEMA under...

Exhibited at SEMA under the R-GT banner, the Passat, Jetta and Touraeg all boasted a storming 550bhp twin-turbocharged 3.2-litre V6. The engines have been modified by approved tuner HPA Motorsports of Canada.

Fancy sliding around...

Fancy sliding around in a powerful, rear-wheel-drive car and drawing pictures with the black lines your tyres leave behind?

Fans of German super-saloons...

Fans of German super-saloons are about to be in seventh heaven! These

Fans of the new MINI...

Fans of the new MINI Cross-man SUV are getting ready to make a French connection! The eagerly awaited off-roaderтЂ™s public debut will be at the Paris Motor Show in October.

Feast your eyes on ChevyтЂ™s...

Feast your eyes on ChevyтЂ™s electric future!

Feast your eyes on the...

Feast your eyes on the ‘Super Corsa’. This is Vauxhall’s striking new baby – a sleeker and more practical sister car to the popular supermini, which will offer buyers real flexibility and style when it goes on sale next year.

Featuring a body that...

Featuring a body that hints at the forthcoming M1 performance model, the 1-Series caught in this week"s mag was being snapped in South Africa for its official brochure. The top-secret model was rolled out on a section of closed road. Unfortunately for BMW, our spies were on the scene to bring us the pictures first!

Fellow columnist Mike...

Fellow columnist Mike Rutherford"s list of facts the Government should tell us made for gripping reading. But I"d add another: MoT test statistics. These were state secrets 20 years ago, and since then the Government has claimed the information is simply too difficult to dig out. Now, however, there"s a chance that ordinary motorists might just be able to benefit from some of the basic information-gathering they have paid for many times over.

Ferrari has lifted the...

Ferrari has lifted the lid even further on its all-new supercar, the

Fiat is angling to become...

Fiat is angling to become the world’s greenest car manufacturer – and at the heart of its plan is its promising new Panda Aria.

Fiat"s cute 500 has...

Fiat"s cute 500 has turned over to the dark side! This is the 500 Abarth "esseesse", and it"s the meanest iteration of the 500 ever!

Fingers crossed, it’s...

Fingers crossed, it’s going to be a case of third time lucky for Team Great Britain in the globetrotting A1 Grand Prix World Cup of Motorsport. At the end of the two previous championships, the British entry was left in third place, as Germany took the honours in 2006/07 and France in 2005/06.

First, the AA Motoring...

First, the AA Motoring Trust, and it has suggested motorcyclists are getting a raw deal from road authorities who are not giving enough attention to road safety measures for riders.

Following on from our...

Following on from our official pictures last week, these images show Renault"s Laguna Coupé in action on the streets of Monaco after its unveiling at the 61st Cannes Film Festival in France.

Following on from the...

Following on from the computer-generated illustrations we published last week (Issue 955), Auto Express can now bring you the best pictures yet of the exciting trio that points the way to a head-turning Matiz replacement. Most eye-catching is the Beat – a three-door hot hatchback painted Vertigo Green and featuring aggressive LED tail-lights which take styling cues from the Ultra WTCC concept.

Following our set of...

Following our set of exclusive spyshots in Issue 931, Auto Express can now bring you the first official pictures of the new convertible, and reveal the full story behind the car which is set to go head-to-head with arch rival BMW"s forthcoming 3-Series CC.

Following the first...

Following the first official image printed in Issue 961, the latest pictures give a clear view of how the new city car aims to topple Fiat’s Panda and the Nissan Note. Essentially the same as Vauxhall’s Agila, the Splash is set apart by unique styling features at the front and rear. Both models are fairly conservative and will

Following the trend...

Following the trend set by the Focus, the Mondeo will have a comprehensive line-up with a version to suit all tastes, needs and budgets. Despite offering improved practicality, the estate gets a sleeker, more stylish design than the model it replaces, with a sloping roofline and expansive glass area.

For a brief moment in...

For a brief moment in 2005, the German-based outfit appeared to be on the verge of serious success

Ford, Britain"s market...

Ford, Britain"s market leader (in sales, at least), has already done that. And if you look at the sheer size of the GM empire, do you really see it having any loyalty to Vauxhall"s Luton and Ellesmere Port plants? Or the brand, come to that? And could the same rules apply one day in the future to blue oval-owned Jaguar and Land Rover? Only Bill Ford at world HQ in Dearborn, USA, knows for sure. But I know this: the Eastern bloc has taken over from Britain as the number one location in Europe for big, ambitious companies to set up shop if they"re looking for a friendly pro-car welcome, low-tax Governments and capable, willing workers.

Ford fans had plenty...

Ford fans had plenty to cheer at the start of 2008 when we revealed that the firm was gunning for BMW and Audi with its third-generation Focus.

FORD has some grand...

FORD has some grand news for C-MAX fans...Hot on the heels of the five-seater model (revealed in Issue 1,080), the blue oval is unveiling this larger version at рЂЁthe Frankfurt Motor Show.

Ford looks sure to rouse...

Ford looks sure to rouse interest from buyers who may not have otherwise considered an SUV

Ford took the wraps...

Ford took the wraps off the Ka at the Paris Motor Show in the most spectacular way possible тЂ“ by revealing a host of special edition models.

Ford will let the Ka...

Ford will let the Ka out of the bag at the Paris Motor Show!

Form an orderly Q! This...

Form an orderly Q! This is the Q3, the car thatтЂ™s set to become the latest addition to Audi off-roader line-up, and our exclusive images show precisely how the curvy and compact 4x4 is shaping up.

For many drivers, polishing...

For many drivers, polishing a car is an enjoyable task. But if you donтЂ™t have the inclination, there is a way to protect your bodywork with minimal effort.

Former champion Jason...

Former champion Jason Plato has vowed to pull out all the stops in a no-holds-barred bid to capture this year’s Auto Express-backed Dunlop British Touring Car Championship.

FORMER F1 star Johnny...

FORMER F1 star Johnny Herbert is to do battle with Nigel Mansell in the Grand Prix Masters this year.

Former Formula One world...

Former Formula One world champion McLaren Mercedes lives to fight another day! The Woking-based team narrowly escaped serious sanctions after the FIAтЂ™s World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) found it guilty of bringing the sport into disrepute.

Formula One drivers...

Formula One drivers could be going for gold next year! Under radical new proposals, the current scoring system is set to be overhauled, with the first three finishers of a grand prix being awarded Olympic style medals.

For the first time in...

For the first time in 15 years, the 2008 season will feature a grand prix field racing without traction control. The teams are already testing a common Engine Control Unit (ECU) which governing body the FIA hopes will allow it to ensure no squad is providing drivers with aids that prevent them spinning their wheels.

France is preparing...

France is preparing itself for a British invasion at the weekend. This coming Saturday sees the Le Mans 24 hours race get underway, and Aston Martin is out to score a victory on the 50th anniversary of its first win at the gruelling endurance event.

Fresh proposals for...

Fresh proposals for congestion charging could spark second-hand turmoil for owners of the most polluting cars, according to experts at the used price bible Glass’s Guide.

From the front, the...

From the front, the Tender - which we previewed back in issue 826 - looks like a standard MINI, but it"s actually 72cm longer. There is no roof, and the stylists have done away with the conventional doors, too. Instead, the model features a Jeep-style cut-out in either side.

German firms a no go for show?

Get a load of this!...

Get a load of this! Not content with the sales performance of its Prius hybrid, Toyota is planning to launch a special estate version of the petrol/electric family car. It’s part of a bid to turn the model into a marque in its own right.

Get ready for Formula...

Get ready for Formula One fever! Ferrari has kicked off the forthcoming season by being the first team to pull the wraps of its 2009 grand prix challenger.

Get ready for some inside...

Get ready for some inside information! Just hours after the first sumptuous exterior shots, weтЂ™ve found the first interior photo of FerrariтЂ™s new baby тЂ“ the 458 Italia.

Given that we can pay...

Given that we can pay anywhere between about ?7,000 and ?30,000 for a standard family vehicle (or up to ?850,000 for a Bugatti Veyron), that’s a fair slice of our income, savings or borrowings.

Glance at the rear and...

Glance at the rear and you"ll see that, along with the extra doors, the biggest styling change to the new model - which will be called the Sportback - is the addition of A8-style rear lights.

GM signs up to driverless deal

Hardliner Meredydd Hughes...

Hardliner Meredydd Hughes has preached about the alleged evils of speeding, but then breaks the limits he demands we stick to

Has it really been 35...

Has it really been 35 years...? Motoring journalist and screen writer Brock Yates wondered aloud. Yes, it has! On 15 November 1971, Yates and racing legend Dan Gurney climbed into a Ferrari Daytona and blasted, non-stop, from New York to Los Angeles in 35 hours and 54 minutes, averaging 80.8 miles per hour. They defeated seven other teams, including a huge Travco motorhome and a Cadillac driven by three men who had answered an advertisement in the local paper, placed by the elderly Caddy owner, who wanted someone to deliver the car to California. It was not to be driven at more than 70mph, the ad had stated - but it was.

Has MINI Worked another...

Has MINI Worked another marvel? Take a look at the first official pictures of the MINI Cooper S Works – in both hatchback and Clubman form for the first time.

Here are the pictures...

Here are the pictures that prove it! This striking-looking car is the Mixim, which previews a sporty elecчtric supermini of the future. Making its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in two weeks’ time, the Mixim displays a bold new design for Nissan, with dramatic angular styling, short overhangs and a chunky stance.

Here’s an estate...

Here’s an estate with loads of style – the new Audi A4 Avant! These are the first official pictures of the newcomer, which debuts at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Here’s a new car...

Here’s a new car with a difference – this Audi is a convertible off-roader!

Here"s a supercar that"s...

Here"s a supercar that"s rising up against the competition - it"s the Fenix! The work of Leicestershire-based sports car maker, Lee Noble, it"s the first model to come from his new company, Fenix Automotive.

Here"s Mercedes’...

Here"s Mercedes’ latest SL – the AMG Black Edition – spied testing in Germany. And instead of the standard car’s folding top, it has a fixed carbon fibre roof.

HereтЂ™s a new Golf...

HereтЂ™s a new Golf with every reason to be blue!

HereтЂ™s a smart idea...

HereтЂ™s a smart idea from Toyota. Called the iQ, itтЂ™s the worldтЂ™s smallest four-seater car. Tipped to go on sale in around two yearsтЂ™ time, itтЂ™s billed as a тЂpremiumтЂ™ city car, and debuts a range of miniaturised technologies.

HereтЂ™s the picture...

HereтЂ™s the picture that proves PeugeotтЂ™s all-new 408 is purring into production! The undisguised black Lion was caught out in the open by our spies, giving the best indication yet of how the firmтЂ™s Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia rival will look when it hits UK showrooms in 2010.

He"s well aware that...

He"s well aware that if he doesn"t stop getting nicked for speeding, he could soon face a driving ban which would rob him of his much loved Italian sports car. It"s put to him by a marvellously mischievous Jeremy Clarkson on TV that because he"s got such a shameful driving record, he simply can"t afford to receive any more endorsements and he might therefore like to consider blaming his wife for his driving-related crimes by conveniently "shovelling" some points on to her currently clean licence.

Home hope Lewis Hamilton...

Home hope Lewis Hamilton revved up for SundayтЂ™s British Grand Prix in perfect style by setting the fastest lap time in last weekтЂ™s pre-event F1 test at superfast Silverstone.

How about some vroom...

How about some vroom with a view? The new Vauxhall Astra"s interior has finally been revealed in its entirety, and as expected it"s aiming for the top of the class with mix of upmarket fabrics and ambitious design.

If the only qualifications...

If the only qualifications you needed to become a DSA ADI (Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor) were as you stated in your news story then everyone and anyone who satisfies the criteria mentioned in your article would qualify.

If you own a car, then...

If you own a car, then the outcome of the elections for London mayor will no doubtч have an impact on you wallet. So we take a look at the candidates and see how their transport policies could effect you.

If you’re thinking...

If you’re thinking about buying a new car, read the figures below very carefully! They show the best and worst depreciating vehicles of 2007.

I"ll explain; when Labour...

I"ll explain; when Labour spent the best part of two decades in opposition, it had ample time on its hands to work out how it could raise money when it came to power. On the basis that even the most law-abiding driver almost inevitably commits some sort of trivial offence on a regular basis, all the incoming administration needed to do was fine all 30-odd million of us, say, once a year. Lovely jubbly!

I"m not just jumping...

I"m not just jumping on the "bash Mercedes" bandwagon here. Years ago, I highlighted the problem of production being farmed out to countries such as Thailand and India - slightly dubious car building nations with vastly different and often inferior manufacturing habits. A senior director argued at the time that his company makes vehicles to the same exacting standards whether they"re built in the Third World or Germany. I"ve never believed that, and dealers and other insiders have confirmed my doubts.

In 1986, I travelled...

In 1986, I travelled on a train I didn"t like to a place I didn"t know for the opening of a car factory I just didn"t get. Nissan building a plant in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, made no sense to me back then. However, it has since proved itself to be one of the most efficient in Europe. Wind forward 21 years, and I"m in another unlikely place, witnessing the formal opening of another, even more impressive motor factory. It could and should have been in the UK. But since our leaders are so blatantly anti-car, Europe"s most impressive vehicle production facility is on Slovakian, not British, soil.

Inside, the 6.7-litre...

Inside, the 6.7-litre V8-powered car is decked out in top-quality leather, while suede upholstery on the lower door panels and transmission tunnel add to the luxury feel. Fortunately for the British market, Vauxhall has dropped the garish colour-coded trim of the Australian model seen at the 2002 British Motor Show. Instead, it has opted for all black, set off with stylish satin chrome accents, plus alloy pedals and door kickplates.

Inspired by the historic...

Inspired by the historic 1965 Shelby Cobra 427, Ford designers have worked closely with Carroll Shelby - mastermind behind the original - to create a modern tribute to the classic. But while the Ford GT - now a production reality - looks near-identical to its predecessor, the Shelby Cobra blends many individual design features in a new shape.

In the face of stiff...

In the face of stiff competition from Ford"s new Focus, the Vauxhall Astra and VW"s Golf, the 307 is struggling to find favour, despite a recent mid-life facelift. When the 308 is introduced in 2007, it will have one major advantage: style.

In the past few days...

In the past few days, I"ve had personal experience myself. Last week, when I politely asked a parking attendant if I was allowed to leave my vehicle in a certain spot, not only did she refuse to offer me a response, but she looked at me as though I was something she"d just stepped in.

Is it a saloon or a...

Is it a saloon or a hatchback? Simple: the new Skoda Superb is both!

Is this the unfairest...

Is this the unfairest motoring tax ever? Levies on owning and driving a car have existed for a century. But parking on private land has traditionally been entirely free.

Italian supercar maker...

Italian supercar maker Ferrari has given its stunning FXX a bit of a work out. As a result the Enzo based track car gets a power boost, together with tweaks to the bodywork and suspension.

It hasnтЂ™t even hit...

It hasnтЂ™t even hit the stands at Paris yet, but already the Lamborghini Estoque has leaked!

I told the VW executive...

I told the VW executive that the ВЈ4,000 Up! was so brilliant I would buy one. What the hell, IрЂ™ll take two... one for each foot!рЂЭ

ItрЂ™s not the Nano...

ItрЂ™s not the Nano which will revolutionise the new car industry in the UK. It will be rival firms brave enough to follow Tata"s fine example.

It’s all thanks...

It’s all thanks to a new service which allows customers to browse motors that have had the motoring organisation’s seal of approval.

It’s an obvious...

It’s an obvious question, but it’s one I’m embarrassed to answer: “What sumptuous machines have you got in your garage, Tiff?”. I know I’m expected to own either a Porsche or a Ferrari, or probably both. And I simply hate to disappoint, but the truth is it’s... well, a Honda quad bike and the flail mower I tow behind it! Of course there are a couple of cars in the drive – the well worn family Mercedes ML320 SUV with 105,000 miles on the clock and my latest long-term test machine, a manual BMW 550i. But that’s it. And it does make me feel a bit guilty. As a true petrolhead, I feel I really ought to have something really special. But what...?

It’s Vauxhall’s...

It’s Vauxhall’s super-Nova! Now that the Corsa has grown up into a heavyВweight supermini, there’s a gap at the bottom of the Vauxhall range for a cheap, cheerful city car – and here it is!

It’s working on...

It’s working on a raft of improvements, starting with the widening of the M25 from Dartford to the M20 in Kent. Bosses also intend to make real-time CCTV images available and send traffic data to digital radio users.