New Technologies

New Technologies

It"s BMW’s take...

It"s BMW’s take on the world’s ultimate hybrid – and we have the first official pictures.

It"s clear from the...

It"s clear from the mag"s exclusive shots that the drop-top Focus will retain the standard version"s all-new front-end design, but feature many bespoke panels at the rear. As with the hatch, the nose takes inspiration from the Mondeo family car and C-MAX MPV - as well as the Mazda 3, which shares the new Focus"s platform.

It"s funny how some...

It"s funny how some ailments are always blamed on the same thing, no matter what might have been their real cause. Apparently, I have "tennis elbow" despite not having played a game, set or even a match since I left school. Yes, I"ve got the right symptoms - it hurts like mad when you stick a finger into the top of my forearm or take a jab at my elbow - but tennis is not the reason.

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! Auto...

It"s official! Auto Express can reveal the first pictures of three micro machines that are set to turn the city car market on its head next year. Due to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the Peugeot 107, Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo are three exciting new models built under the same roof in the Czech Republic as part of a plan to corner the small car market in Europe and the Far East.

It"s official –...

It"s official – BMW is working on a top-secret new eco-friendly model which could mark the rebirth of the famous Isetta badge.

It"s official... Subaru...

It"s official... Subaru has confirmed that it will pull out of the World Rally Championship with immediate effect.

It"s official тЂ“ BMWтЂ™s...

It"s official тЂ“ BMWтЂ™s five has arrived! Previously we brought you a sneak preview of the exciting new 5-Series. But now, the covers are off.

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 the 4x4 MINI that...

It"s the 4x4 MINI that wasn"t supposed to be revealed until next month! Following the arrival of three leaked pictures yesterday, MINI has decided to release official details and pictures of the newcomer- now known to be called the MINI Countryman.

It"s the brainchild...

It"s the brainchild of the Safer Motors team at the West Midlands force. The outfit came up with the idea to catch crooks who clone stolen cars before selling them to innocent motorists. However, it is likely to prove controversial - would you be happy to pose?

It"s the French firm"s...

It"s the French firm"s latest show car, a striking two-seater with a targa roof that could be the baby brother to the C3 Pluriel. And as Citroen has such an excellent habit of turning its concepts into reality, it"s likely that this will be the next C2 supermini.

It"s the spark we have...

It"s the spark we have been waiting for from BMW тЂ“ the electric MINI

ItтЂ™s set to be one...

ItтЂ™s set to be one of the fastest cars ever built, and positive proof that the future of the British motor industry has never been brighterтЂ¦

ItтЂ™s set to be one...

ItтЂ™s set to be one of the most eagerly anticipated models of 2009, and Auto Express has the best pictures yet.

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 VW show star...

ItтЂ™s the VW show star thatтЂ™s also the worldтЂ™s most fuel-efficient four-seater! These are the first images of the forward-thinking Up! Lite тЂ“ so called because of its amazingly low kerbweight.

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 a record-breaking...

It was a record-breaking Swedish Rally for Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala, as the 22-year-old Ford Focus driver became the youngest ever to win a world championship event.

It was golden moment...

It was golden moment for Sebastien Loeb last weekend weekend, as the Frenchman notched up the 50th WRC victory of his career.

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 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.

It was supposed to be...

It was supposed to be a secret until next week"s Geneva Motor Show, but Vauxhall’s Meriva concept has been leaked!

James Disdale

Japanese maker Mazda...

Japanese maker Mazda has peeled the wraps off its forthcoming city car, the Kiyora, which debuts at the Paris Motor Show.

Jenson Button has given...

Jenson Button has given a cautious ‘thumbs up’ to Honda’s new grand prix contender, but has demanded more consistency from his team.

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.

Kimi Raikkonen became...

Kimi Raikkonen became the first driver since Juan Manuel Fangio 51 years ago to win the world championship in his first season with Ferrari.

Lamborghini has taken...

Lamborghini has taken the wraps off the Estoque saloon at the Paris Motor Show - unveiling details of one of the most exciting four door saloons ever!

“Many buyers want...

“Many buyers want the world to know they are driving a convertible,” explained Jeff Paterson, senior car editor at Glass’s Guide. “And CC models simply don’t say to other people ‘I own a cabriolet’.

Legendary founder of...

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

Life is seldom fair...

Life is seldom fair, but British rallyчing has good reason to grumble. Since the World Rally Championчship for Drivers was introduced in 1979, there have been 16 title holders. And of those, the only two Brits – Colin McRae and Richard Burns – are no longer with us.

Look carefully and you"ll...

Look carefully and you"ll see the Mitsubishi three-pointed star on the bonnet and hatchback. But this isn"t a Japanese 4x4, either - the model actually hails from Italy, where stylists at Italdesign Giugiaro in Turin worked on the project.

Look out, drivers...

Look out, drivers... here comes the world’s toughest speed camera! This new device, which towers four metres above the road, is vandal proof thanks to strengthened glass, a fire-resistant body and a stiffened steel base.

Look out Ford тЂ“ because...

Look out Ford тЂ“ because the Mondeo is about to get some stiff new competition from Vauxhall!

Love or hate mobiles...

Love or hate mobiles, they and their hands-free kits are a virtually inevitable part of driving today, and I"d recommend that every motorist carries one. Businessmen such as John Caudwell of Phones 4U, the 21st wealthiest person in Britain with н‚бЈ1,280m, and Charles Dunstone of the Carphone Warehouse (92nd richest with н‚бЈ427m) probably share my view. Well, they would, wouldn"t they? Carphone Warehouse is so profitable that it still has enough in the kitty to make Dunstone"s colleagues such as David Ross, Guy Johnson and Martin Dawes multi-millionaires as well.

Mainstream models will...

Mainstream models will continue to have three numbers on badging. The first indicates which family the vehicle belongs to, the last is the generation of the car, and there"s a 0 in between.

Make way for the new...

Make way for the new Mondeo! Insiders have revealed the replacement for FordтЂ™s big-selling family favourite will be more upmarket, stylish and efficient than ever, with a range of hi-tech turbo engines. And our exclusive pictures preview how it will shape up.

Many advanced features...

Many advanced features such as radar-based cruise control and TV receivers are an increasingly common sight on used luxury models, but according to experts at Glass’s Guide, they are worth only a fraction of their price new.

Martin Rowlands, chairman...

Martin Rowlands, chairman of the National Tyre Distributors" Association (NTDA), said: "I am absolutely astonished. People aren"t having their wheels fitted properly, and that"s appalling." He is calling for improvements after we revealed that 85 per cent of technicians we visited didn"t tighten wheel nuts correctly. Rowlands warned the results could have frightening consequences. "People shouldn"t be in our profession if they can"t understand that this is a safety issue," he added.

Meet the cut-price Citroen...

Meet the cut-price Citroen thatтЂ™s out to save the planet! The French manufacturer is fighting the influx of cheap superminis from Korea and China with a hi-tech but affordable production version of the C-Cactus. And our exclusive images show just how bosses are planning to turn concept into reality.

Mega Mercedes crystal amazing!

MINI is about to make...

MINI is about to make it big in the US – and Auto Express has the details.

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.

Motorway service stations...

Motorway service stations are notoriously pricey. But over the August Bank Holiday, are drivers less likely to pull in for a refuel and a rest?

Much is expected of...

Much is expected of the next-generation Z4, which faces stiff competition from the likes of the Porsche Boxster, forthcoming Audi TT Roadster and Nissan 350Z Roadster

Music or performance...

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

My best micro hatch...

My best micro hatch is the Kia Picanto, not the Toyota Aygo/Citroen C1/Peugeot 107 family, which could have won had it not been for overpricing. Next up is the Renault Clio (small hatch), Honda Civic (mid-size) and Ford Focus ST (hot). Car about town is the Mini One. The Lexus RX400h (hybrid), Chrysler 300C (saloon), Audi A6 (estate) and Mazda 5 (six-seater) are all best in class. In the 4x4 sector, the Nissan X-Trail (SUV), Land Rover Discovery (off-roader) and Jeep Wrangler (icon) clean up.

Nanjing will offer 3...

Nanjing will offer 3, 5 and 7-Series models based on the previous ZR, ZS and ZT ranges respectively, as well as a version of the sporty TF roadster.

Naturally, I went shopping...

Naturally, I went shopping when I was in the world"s consumer capital last week. But, by steering clear of US-made goods, I saved more money than usual. And I reckon I got better products than ever: Asian-made Gap jeans, a Japanese-built Yamaha guitar, Korean boots, Mexican beer. I flew home with a non-US airline, too.

Nearly 1,200 new drivers...

Nearly 1,200 new drivers lose their licence every month, DVLA figures have revealed.

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.

New car buyers’...

New car buyers’ enthusiasm for niche models, such as supermini-MPVs, coupé-cabrios and off-road estates, isn’t being mirrored on the used marчket – and that’s causing big problems in the trade, Auto Express can reveal.

New diesel SUV is the ace of base

New rules are expected...

New rules are expected later this year which could force car manufacturers to provide better protection against vehicle crime.

News Cover story MX-5 joins the fold

Newsweek

NEWSWEEK

Newsweek

Nissan has revealed...

Nissan has revealed official details of its European-specification GT-R models рЂ“ and it"s good news for UK customers. The supercar, which arrives here next April, has benefitted from a host of improvements over US and Japanese editions.

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 Juke is out...

Nissan"s Juke is out of the box! Just last week the Japanese manufacturer released a first official teaser shot of its all-new baby Qashqai, and at the same time revealed its name - "Juke". And now, using that image as a guide, we have the most accurate pictures yet of the firm"s all-new crossover.

Not even a downpour...

Not even a downpour could dampen Fabrizio GiovanardiтЂ™s charge for a second consecutive BTCC crown. The Vauxhall driver scored a victory and a podium place over the course of three races at Silverstone on Sunday.

Now here’s a multi-tool...

Now here’s a multi-tool that really stands out from the crowd. Most of the pocket companions on the market look the same, but the Leatherman Skeletool is a real breath of fresh air.

One of the most-loved...

One of the most-loved Ford sports cars in history is making a comeback: itтЂ™s the return of the Puma! Hot on the heels of the hugely successful Fiesta, Auto Express can bring you news that a stunning coupé version is in the pipeline.

One of the most revered...

One of the most revered names in sports car history, the Porsche Spyder, is back! And our exclusive illustrations show for the first time how the sub-Boxster two-seater will shape up when it arrives in 2013.

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.

Our German sources have...

Our German sources have revealed all the details on the car

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!

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

Performance Car of the Year

Peugeot MPV gets power hike

PODCASTS, the bite-size...

PODCASTS, the bite-size downloads on everything from comedy to news, are now targeting motorists. Renault is using them to promote its new Mégane at www.renault.co.uk, with site subscribers getting the chance to win a city break in Europe.

Police are ensuring...

Police are ensuring they dispose of their cars with reasonable mileages. Most are less than three years old and have some manufacturer warranty left

Porsche has announced...

Porsche has announced a limited edition version of its acclaimed Cayman S mid-engined coupe. Going on sale in November, the “Porsche Design Edition 1”ч will be a special series of just 777 cars worldwide, dominated by an all-black design motif running through the car, and each identified by a badge on the lid of the glove box. Cosmetically the influence of the Porsche Design Studio has resulted in a lot of dark materials: there"s black leather and Alcantara upholstery, a black centre console, fascia console, and door trims, while the three-spoke sports steering wheel, the gear lever, the handbrake grip, and the roof lining are clothed in non-slip black Alcantara. The Porsche logo crest is embossed on the seat headrests, and the instrument dial layout echoes that of Porsche Design timepieces.

Prepare for the birth...

Prepare for the birth of the baby Lexus! ToyotaтЂ™s luxury arm is adding a compact hatch to its range тЂ“ and the car will make its debut in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Prepare to get "X-cited"...

Prepare to get "X-cited" - Ford"s all-new 4x4 has broken cover, and here it is! Called the X-MAX, it goes on sale early next year, and thanks to these pictures, we can show you how the eagerly-awaited SUV will look.

Put your foot down in...

Put your foot down in this new MINI. The stylish shoe is the result of a joint venture between the firm and Japanese sports shoe maker Onitsuka Tiger. The trainer arrives in MINI showrooms in November and is available in three colours, including British Racing Green and Chocolate Brown.

Rumours are rife that...

Rumours are rife that TVR bosses are poised to launch an audacious bid to take what"s left of MG from the gloom of the administrator and restart production. But that"s not all; the plan would see the firm quitting its seaside factory in Blackpool, Lancashire, and moving lock, stock and barrel to the mothballed Longbridge site in Birmingham.

Sat-nav could soon save...

Sat-nav could soon save your life – that’s according to Nissan. The Japanese car maker has just revealed its fourth-generation Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV). The firm has fitted the newcomer with a hi-tech development of its standard on-board navigation system. By communicating with similarly equipped vehicles, it can warn of other drivers who are about to pull out of unsighted roads. The company claims that serious accidents could be reduced by 60 per cent if the gadgets in the ASV make production.

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 it ainтЂ™t so! After...

Say it ainтЂ™t so! After 25 years of cut-price thrills, Peugeot is sending the GTi badge to the breakers. The once-potent symbol of hot-hatch performance will see out its days on the boot of the current 207 GTi, before being consigned to the spares bin for the foreseeable future.

SEAT has unveiled its...

SEAT has unveiled its most potent model to date - the awesome new Leon Cupra R.

Seen here badged as...

Seen here badged as the MX-Flexa, the new model has been described by Mazda"s marketing chief, Stephen Odell, as "an incredibly important concept". It"s midway in size between the firm"s current people carriers, the Premacy and the MPV, which suggests it could replace both of these by the end of 2005. It has been designed to set out what Mazda considers the key elements in the MPV segment.

Seen here braving the...

Seen here braving the winter chill, company engineers put the new models through their paces during cold weather testing. As Jaguar has done with its new XK, Audi is developing both hard and soft-top models side-by-side. The advantage of this approach is that the chassis will be engineered from the beginning to be a convertible, and as such will make the Roadster more rigid and better to drive.

Set to be unveiled at...

Set to be unveiled at next month"s Geneva Motor Show, the 107 makes its debut alongside the Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo. And the mag"s images are the most interesting yet, as they clearly illustrate how the new range of city cars has been designed without a conventional rear wing or C-pillar. Instead, there"s simply a panel gap where the back door meets the tailgate and light clusters.

Set to be unveiled at...

Set to be unveiled at next month"s Frankfurt Motor Show, it will arrive here in the spring priced from around н‚бЈ11,000. That"s an increase of н‚бЈ1,000, but Kia is hoping a range of improvements will make the fresh model even better value.

Set to take on small...

Set to take on small SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4 and Land Rover Freelander, it"s one of two new 4x4s from parent firm General Motors. The car was unveiled at the Seoul Motor Show in South Korea last week.

Silverstone expects...

Silverstone expects, but can Lewis Hamilton deliver? With the British Grand Prix days away, thatтЂ™s the question on the lips of thousands of Formula One fans. So who better to ask than Damon Hill тЂ“ BritainтЂ™s last world champion and the man the 23-year-old McLaren star is trying to emulate?

Sleek lines and an all-new...

Sleek lines and an all-new style – SEAT’s new Ibiza supermini has just been revealed.

Small is beautiful -...

Small is beautiful - and Auto Express has full details of the car Ford says proves it. It"s the next-generation Ka that"s set to debut in 12 months" time.

So, in the true spirit...

So, in the true spirit of the Olympics, the German needs to represent his country at the 2008 Games in China. He would have to compete against F1 rivals, as well as drivers from the World Rally Championship, NASCAR, American CART/IndyCar racing, plus lesser-known men from the world of touring and sports cars, karting and ice racing.

So what are the causes...

So what are the causes of most shunts? I have no doubt that many of them are due to drivers struggling with on-board heating knobs, sat-nav settings, entertainment systems, complicated switchgear, cigarette lighters and electronic seat adjustments. And I believe these controls are in part made difficult to use because of where they"re located.

Spied months ago by...

Spied months ago by Auto Express (Issue 901), the Touareg features a reshaped grille and bumper to go with its curvy lights. At the back, restyled lamps, a new spoiler and remodelled bumper complete the makeover.

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.

Spotted undisguised...

Spotted undisguised on test, in pictures inside this week"s Auto Express you can clearly see the front of the facelifted MPV, which gets major changes to the bumper design. Its lower section incorporates repositioned foglights linked by a silver moulding spanning the width of the grille.

Spy shots first published...

Spy shots first published by Auto Express in Issue 827 revealed the look of the car, but this is the first time the Japanese firm has publicly revealed its face. The car - badged the Future Truck Concept - was unveiled at this week"s Tokyo commercial vehicle motor show.

Stone me! The gritters...

Stone me! The gritters are out - and this time it’s because the weather is too hot. Sweltering temperatures have increased the risk of melting tarmac. Now, hot-under-the-collar bosses at County Durham and Cumbria councils have ordered workers to spray surfaces with crushed rock dust, instead of the usual ice-busting salt. It should keep the bitumen in place on the road and off tyres.

Stop staring at me...

Stop staring at me... the words on the side of this special MINI could not be clearer. But how can we resist? It"s the world premiere of the all-new Clubman! Auto Express was there to grab the first pictures of the eagerly awaited newcomer, which goes on sale here before the end of the year.

Strike up the band тЂ“...

Strike up the band тЂ“ the new Jazz is here! Honda claims its next supermini, due on sale in October, is superior to the outgoing model in every area.

Stylish Fiat 500 watch clocks in

Sub-zero conditions...

Sub-zero conditions are making things difficult for motorists across

Suzuki is going to make...

Suzuki is going to make you a star – and this is it. Called the A-Star, the city car replaces the ageing Alto and will be unveiled at India’s New Delhi Motor Show in January.

Take a look at AudiтЂ™s...

Take a look at AudiтЂ™s pocket rocket! This stunning machine is the S1 тЂ“ a super hatch flagship that will sit at the very top of the German firmтЂ™s all-new small car range.

Take a look at MitsubishiтЂ™s...

Take a look at MitsubishiтЂ™s outlandish electric concept! This futuristic SUV is set to be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month, and goes on sale next year.

Take a look at Renault"s...

Take a look at Renault"s new family favourite. This is the facelifted Clio, which has been revealed here for the first time in sporty new GT guise.

Take a look at the best...

Take a look at the best pictures yet of AudiтЂ™s Q5 compact SUV. The German firmтЂ™s engineers are putting the finishing touches to the model ahead of its unveiling at next yearтЂ™s Geneva Motor Show.

Taking styling cues...

Taking styling cues from the Elixir concept, which debuted at last year"s Frankfurt Motor Show, the new model - codenamed D25 - is instantly recognisable as a Peugeot thanks to the 407"s rakish nose, huge grille and air intakes ahead of the front wheels. In profile, the aggressive stance is emphasised by a steeply raked windscreen and sloping rear window.

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.

Technology designed...

Technology designed to prevent cars breaking the speed limit is to go on trial in the UK.

Tests have been going...

Tests have been going on for several weeks in Montpellier, France, and look set to spread across the country soon. And UK police forces, which have been watching the developments, could introduce the idea here.

Thanks to a longer wheelbase...

Thanks to a longer wheelbase and wider track, the newcomer is now a genuine five-seater. What"s more, its interior is more versatile; not only do the rear chairs slide, as before, but the seatbacks now fold, too, creating a flat load space. Carrying capacity is further boosted by a larger, more practical boot.

Thanks to exclusive...

Thanks to exclusive inside information, we can show you exactly how the replacements for both the Rover 75 and 45 (page 8 of this week"s issue) will look when they hit showrooms in the UK within the next two years - resurrecting Britain"s most important car company.

That’s because...

That’s because it has begun providing motorists with an auction-size choice of models at private sale figures. On its relaunched website, prospective buyers can now view hundreds of three to five-year-old ex-fleet motors, all advertised at no-haggle prices. Comprehensive listings include up to 70 individual photos, and you need only pay a ?100 deposit to secure the vehicle of your choice.

That’s the shock...

That’s the shock finding of research by tyre specialist Kwik-Fit. It discovered that each time a wheel crashes into the broken tarmac blighting the UK’s highways, drivers have to pay an average ?95 – nearly twice as much as it would cost to fill the hole.

The 147 has been a distinctive...

The 147 has been a distinctive choice ever since it was first launched back in 2001, but as the mag"s exclusive spy shots reveal, the revised model will get an added dose of style when it goes on sale in UK showrooms in the spring.

THE 2007 season is rapidly...

THE 2007 season is rapidly turning into one of the most bad-tempered in the history of Formula One. It’s not only on track that the competition is fierce; it’s off track, too, where an ever-increasing number of rows are souring the action.

The 22-year-old McLaren...

The 22-year-old McLaren driver continued his 100 per cent podium finishing record to come second to race winner, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.

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 allegation is that...

The allegation is that administrator PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) "discriminated" against Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) when it accepted the measly н‚бЈ50million rival offer for the collapsed MG Rover/Powertrain empire from Nanjing. Fed-up corporate fixer and entrepreneur David James is, understandably, causing further ripples by claiming his bid was н‚бЈ15million higher than Nanjing"s. The UK unions don"t believe at this early stage that the Nanjing bid is best for British employees, either, and that could lead to industrial action, which is the last thing that"s needed.

The Beyond 2010 report...

The Beyond 2010 report doesnтЂ™t contain the usual anti-car hysteria. But a blanket 20mph speed limit in тЂallтЂ™ built-up areas isnтЂ™t right

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 boffins have been...

The boffins have been working on speech-recognition systems which allow motorists to tell their vehicle what to do and regulate controls simply by speaking.

The bold scorчpion...

The bold scorчpion badge of the famous tuning arm will appear first on a racy version of the new 500 city car. A company spokesman has revealed the wraps will be taken off this model at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.

The British MoT is one...

The British MoT is one of EuropeрЂ™s strictest testing regimes, so if youрЂ™re looking at a foreign-plated car, the chances of it being sub-standard are much higher

The Capri is back тЂ“...

The Capri is back тЂ“ as a hatch! These are the best pictures yet of the compact family car that looks set to be the must-have model of 2010 тЂ“ itтЂ™s a new three- door version of the Ford Focus.

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 car was not the...

The car was not the star at the last big, international exhibition of 2006. Instead, the Los Angeles Auto Show has been dominated by celebrities, politics, money, factory closures, vanishing motor industry jobs, alternative fuels and, inevitably, the environment. Disputes, denials and even the tragic death of a leading motor industry figure also grabbed more attention and headlines than the vast majority of cars on display in LA.

The cats are being let...

The cats are being let out of the bag! Auto Express has learned that Jaguar has trademarked a host of new names for some exciting upcoming models тЂ“ and one of them looks set for the E-TypeтЂ™s spiritual successor.

The company"s engineers...

The company"s engineers have tried their usual trick of attempting to disguise the prototype with a Mercedes-style grille and headlamp cover, but it"s not difficult to see through the camouflage. That"s because, from the A-pillar forwards, the new convertible is identical to its coupнѓ© sibling, and therefore has the same visual impact.

The completely redesigned...

The completely redesigned off-roader will hit the UK next spring with its sights firmly set on the best-selling Land Rover Discovery.

The concept not only...

The concept not only gives a good indication of what the XC60 will look like, but it also offers a hint of the lines of future Volvo models,

The controversial move...

The controversial move is the brainchild of Mark Cornwall, marketing director of Car Parts Direct of Derby. He admitted the shock offer is a brazen publicity bid, and hopes it will help him sell hundreds of thousands of detectors. Cornwall told us: "There"s no catch to the offer. It just shows how much confidence we have in the product."