Autotuning

ABD spokesman Mark McArthur-Christie...

ABD spokesman Mark McArthur-Christie told Auto Express: "This situation of councils telling us not to use our cars, but allowing their workers to drive and have free parking, is going on across the country. Not all of their employees will be essential vehicle users. It"s rank hypocrisy."

A four-seater MPV sounds...

A four-seater MPV sounds like a contradiction in terms тЂ“ but thatтЂ™s exactly what Citroen is planning with its C4 Picasso Lounge.

An anti-fraud team has...

An anti-fraud team has closed an online shop selling replacement licences, MoTs and tax discs - but not before Auto Express had a look. It attracted punters with an address similar to the official DVLA one; the offending site was at www.dvla-gov.org.uk while the genuine location is www.dvla.gov.uk. The letter A, which officially stands for Agency, stood for Acquisitions in the fake firm.

And popular-selling...

And popular-selling black cars and vans have a 12 per cent higher chance.

A new factory will be...

A new factory will be purpose-built in Oxfordshire, primarily to supч­port the manufacturer"s works racing efforts, including the Formula One team. But the arrival of the brand here means that Honda fans could also be given access to Mugen"s road car tuning products.

A new Spiderman-inspired...

A new Spiderman-inspired weapon is being used to close the web on car criminals.

As winter approaches...

As winter approaches, itтЂ™s time to start thinking about some indoor automotive fun for the big kids in your family. And what could be better when money is tight than this keenly priced Carrera Go slot car set?

A teaser video of an...

A teaser video of an unmistakable Land Rover, spinning through the levels of a multi-story car park were all that journalists got to see of the firm"s new baby. But judging by the tight cornering, and the close-up shots of the car speeding past parked MINIs - there"s no doubt the firm"s got a compact mud-plugger in mind. Flyers showing the newcomer speeding off into the sunset were also dished out. What Land Rover will say is that the car will be a subcompact version of the Freelander - shorter, but the same length. The firm insisted it wouldn"t be "a cheap, entry-level model", but an all-singing and dancing off-roader, with all the kit you"d expect from the firm.

Auto Express has got...

Auto Express has got its hands on the clearest images yet of the eagerly anticipated Renault Clio III.

Auto Express has obtained...

Auto Express has obtained exclusive insider details on Ford"s barnstorming Focus RS hatchback!

Bosses say owners of...

Bosses say owners of the outgoing car rated its styling so much that the firm has opted for an evolution?ary look on the second generation, which hits dealers on 1 September.

Bosses won"t confirm...

Bosses won"t confirm anything, but unofficially there"s almost guaranteed to be a more powerful variant - although it may not wear the Works badge or even be developed by John Cooper Garages.

By far the most extreme...

By far the most extreme model on display was the Suzuki Swift X Sport. It"s a three-door Swift with special gullwing doors, a six-point roll cage and a huge rally-inspired rear wing, as well as a range of carbon fibre body parts and three-tone paintwork.

Called the F600 Testarossa...

Called the F600 Testarossa, the model will be the first Ferrari to wear the badge since the flat-12-engined 512TR. The name Testarossa means red head, and refers to the fact that the cars bearing the title have all had the top of their engines painted "rossa".

Called the Sport Package...

Called the Sport Package, itтЂ™s a set of aftermarket styling enhancements and suspension tweaks designed to give the Korean makerтЂ™s new Ford Focus rival the hot hatch treatment.

Can you combine the...

Can you combine the best bits of petrol and diesel engines

Car cloning is being...

Car cloning is being blamed for the rise in stolen vehicles which are never recovered by police. While thefts have fallen, the percentage of cars that vanish has grown. Seven years ago, police recovered 70 per cent of stolen motors, against 50 per cent last year. ”Some are exported, but a majority are given new identities and resold in the UK,” said Roger Powell, of vehicle history specialist mycarcheck.com.

Car supermarket chain...

Car supermarket chain Motorpoint is growing. It has acquired five-acre Mega Car site close to A1 at Peter­borough, Northants, to go with outlets in Derby, Burnley, Lancs, Glasgow and Newport in South Wales.

Children have a knack...

Children have a knack of tangling themselves up in headphone cables, especially when they’re in the back of the car. But these Ety8 earpieces use Bluetooth to wirelessly stream music from an iPod – doing away with the need for wires.

ч The Japanese company...

ч The Japanese company took the wraps off the sports concept at the Detroit Motor Show - and with four seats wrapped in a racy body, it could point the way forward for the firm"s coupé.

Citroen’s quirky...

Citroen’s quirky supermini cabrio has gone under the knife, and these are the first official pictures.

Desч­igned for smartphones...

Desч­igned for smartphones, BlackBerrys and PDAs, the TrafficTV software shows delays across the UK using TrafficMaster data.

Despite denying rumours...

Despite denying rumours that he is looking to join another team, Jenson Button has admitted he could quit F1 if his Honda outfit continues to struggle. To date, the beleaguered marque’s latest RA107 has earned only one point in nine races.

Despite widespread rumours...

Despite widespread rumours that the basic skeleton of the model shown here was a top-secret McLaren test car, the bare chassis is actually a technology mule for a group of University of Munich designers.

Drivers who have put...

Drivers who have put the wrong fuel into their vehicle face bills of up to чЈ5,000, an investigation by Auto Express has revealed.

Euro laws that would...

Euro laws that would see tyres labч­elled with eco ratings could cause more accidents, warns Continental.

Expected to be called...

Expected to be called the Focus S-MAX, the new people carrier is based on the maker"s C1 platform, which forms the basis of all Focus-derived models. And what"s more, it"s fast - very fast. It"s not known exactly what"s under the bonnet, but the MPV had more than enough power to keep ahead of the mag"s spy photographer - which explains why he could only get rear shots as the test drivers sped off.

Extra kit available for new Impreza

Extra kit available for new Impreza

Fancy a taste of expensive...

Fancy a taste of expensive Bordeaux? Well, you won"t have long to wait тЂ“ Bugatti will take the wraps off its much-rumoured four-seater hyper-car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. And here"s the first grainy teaser picture.

Feast your eyes on the...

Feast your eyes on the ultimate Caterham. This is the new Superlight R500 – and it can cover 0-60mph in only 2.9 seconds!

Featuring round headlights...

Featuring round headlights and soft, Fifties-style curves, the LC looks as if it"s driven straight out of a Noddy cartoon. And the cute packaging continues in-side, with bright red tartan-checked cloth seating and a retro-look dashboard.

Finally! Bugatti has...

Finally! Bugatti has officially revealed its long-awaited flagship saloon car, the 16 C Galibier.ч 

Following closely behind...

Following closely behind its competitors, Red Bull Racing has just unveiled its 2009 F1 car. Called the RB5 the all-new challenger has just been revealed at the Jerez circuit in Spain.

For the off-road fan...

For the off-road fan, there is the Desert Gator (far right) which loves to jump and ‘fly’. It has a tough plastic chassis and is well balanced – ideal for challenging surfaces. Eighties fav­our­ite the Vanessa’s Lunch Box van (left) has been updated, with an electronic speed controller for fine throttle adjustment and improved suspension.

For value for money...

For value for money, it’s hard to beat the new Citroen C5. The French firm has announced that prices will start at less than чЈ16,000.

From drawing board to...

From drawing board to prototype in well under two years тЂ“ the new Ka has been developed in super-quick time. However, itтЂ™s fair to say that Ford has had a bit of a helping hand in the project.

From this week the 3,000...

From this week the 3,000 cars on Westminster"s database which have at least three unpaid parking tickets against them and also have at least one ticket at the warrant stage, will be prioritised for clamping if they are spotted committing a further parking offence.

Given how harsh their...

Given how harsh their winters can be, drivers in Scandinavia demand cleaning products that cut through the dirt quickly and easily. And thatтЂ™s just what this new car cleaning brush does.

Goodbye Fiesta –...

Goodbye Fiesta – Hello Verve! These exclusive pictures show the face of Ford’s new small car. We revealed the fiesta.html" target="_self">first sketches of the B-Car Concept in this week’s magazine. However, the reality is even more stunning.

Government ministers...

Government ministers nearly trebled their parking fine bill last year тЂ“ leaving hard-pressed taxpayers to pick up the tab.

HAVING trouble deciding...

HAVING trouble deciding which recovery firm to join? Well, patrols at the AA and RAC will soon be matched on technical skills, as both have signed up to the same new professional qualification backed by the Institute of the Motor lndustry (IMI).

Here are the official...

Here are the official pictures of the car that Ford said it would never build. We predicted a Mondeo ST would make production in 2006, and here it is тЂ“ in all but name.

HERE are the pictures...

HERE are the pictures that prove VauxhallтЂ™s new Meriva is a real smasher!

Here"s a cab that you...

Here"s a cab that you may struggle to follow! Called the Geely TX4 it"s a racy version of the traditional black Taxi seen everyday on the streets of London.

Here"s an ingenious...

Here"s an ingenious new car that looks set to go to the top of its class! This is the latest picture of ToyotaтЂ™s production-ready iQ undergoing development testing.

HERE"S proof someone...

HERE"S proof someone has been toying with RenaultтЂ™s Twingo CC! These dinky pictures of a die-cast scale model have surfaced on the Internet ahead of schedule, showing exactly how the compact coupé-cabriolet will shape up.

HereтЂ™s ArgentinaтЂ™s...

HereтЂ™s ArgentinaтЂ™s answer to the Aston Martin DB9: the Denari Froilan. This front-engined GT was unveiled at the Buenos Aires Motor Show. In showroom spec it is likely to use a Chevrolet V8, which would need tuning to at least 500bhp to challenge the DB9.

Honda has announced...

Honda has announced a shift in it"s CR-V towards automatic diesels and a new, redesigned look.

Honda has released the...

Honda has released the first picture of the production version of the new Insight hybrid, which is billed as the most affordable car of its type.

How much more can the...

How much more can the Focus RS handle? After being given a 40hp upgrade in the Graham Goode Racing RS 340, the UK tuners have been at it again, boosting a standard RS from 301hp to 370hp.

In response to competition...

In response to competition from Bugatti"s Veyron, the German firm has created its ultimate driver"s model - the SLR 722 Edition. Paying homage to the classic Mercedes 300 SLR driven by Stirling Moss at the Mille Miglia race in 1955, the 722 tag refers to the number on the famous car.

Inspired by the firm"s...

Inspired by the firm"s recent work on concepts such as the 9-X, the new 9-5 will look far more aggressive than the current model. However, designers have worked hard to ensure it is still immediately identifiable as a Saab, to keep the company"s loyal buyers happy. Both saloon and estate versions are to be offered, with new-look headlamps and a revised interior.

In yet another pre-Paris...

In yet another pre-Paris Motor Show leak, these images of the Audi A1 Sportback concept surfaced online only hours before the car was due to be officially unveiled!

It has released this...

It has released this official sketch to reveal how the new model, due here in 2009, will look. As you can see, the newcomer will evolve SEAT"s current design themes, with a sleek nose, extended wheelarches, chunky shoulders and small glass areas.

It makes its debut at...

It makes its debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show this week, and Auto Express already has the inside line on NissanтЂ™s new Z-car.

It’s no bigger...

It’s no bigger than a mobile phone, so slips easily into your pocket and is very light. The 2.7-inch colour touchscreen is a little dull in bright sunlight, and can be difficult to read, while you have to be accurate with your finger inputs. But we like the Navteq navigation software, which finds your destination quickly.

It’s the performance...

It’s the performance car everyone’s been waiting for – the Nissan GT-R V-Spec has arrived in Europe.

ItрЂ™s the Superb, Skoda...

ItрЂ™s the Superb, Skoda fans have been longing for. This is the first official teaser shot of the Superb estate and following on from last yearрЂ™s innovative hatch/saloon model, Skoda says the estate is the logical continuation of the Czech firms flagship model.

It"s been a long time...

It"s been a long time coming, and now it"s here, few will disagree that Maserati"s long-awaited new Coupé has been well worth the wait. Take a look at the first pictures of Italy"s latest rival to the Porsche 911: the Maserati GranTurismo.

It"s the face of the...

It"s the face of the future from Mitsubishi!

ItтЂ™s the news that...

ItтЂ™s the news that all Evo X fans have been waiting for тЂ“ Mitsubishi will be turning the wick up on the latest incarnation of its four-wheel drive super saloon with a range topping FQ400 version.

It was hard to miss...

It was hard to miss Fiat"s star of the show - the 500. For a start, there was a hansel and grettle style trail of ladies, styled to within an inch of their lives and sporting white jumpsuits,, to show the way. I just followed these and was confronted with a giant version of the popular new supermini. To give you an idea of the scale...the model"s wheels disappeared to reveal real-life 500s inside, which visitors can ride through the supersized version and out towards the gobsmacked crowd.

Just look what BMW has...

Just look what BMW has under wraps for the Frankfurt Motor Show!

Kids usually can’t...

Kids usually can’t wait for long car journeys to end. But with this new luxury reclining child seat, they may want to lounge around all day. Maker Aprica says its new Euroturn chair is the perfect solution to help children relax in the back.

Launched in Norway in...

Launched in Norway in November 1999, the original TH!NK project was bought by Ford. While the car was never officially sold in the UK, several were leased for trials

Lexus has unveiled its...

Lexus has unveiled its smallest ever petrol electic powered hybrid car. Lining up alongside the powerful GS450h, and luxury LS600h comes the new HS250h.

Luxury brand Infiniti...

Luxury brand Infiniti is going the extra mile to future-proof its line-up. Speaking at the Tokyo Motor Show, Carlos Ghosn, president of owner Nissan, announced that the company will be launching a new small car to challenge the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series тЂ“ and itтЂ™s going to be electric!

Malaysian manufacturer...

Malaysian manufacturer Proton has stuck the boot in! The company has revealed an all-new saloon version of its Gen-2 family hatch.

Maserati has added even...

Maserati has added even more style to its Quattroporte. These pictures show designers have taken some tips from the GranTurismo coupé to give the saloon a mid-life facelift.

Mazda showed it"s dark...

Mazda showed it"s dark side at the 2009 LA Motor Show, with this high performance concept car, based on the Mazda 2...

Mercedes mini ML is...

Mercedes mini ML is go! Auto Express has the first official pictures of the all new GLK, which is revealed tomorrow at the Beijing Motor Show.

MercedesтЂ™ all-new...

MercedesтЂ™ all-new four-door coupe has been caught out in the open! WeтЂ™ve already seen a heavily camouflaged prototype of MercтЂ™s curvaceous saloon earlier in the year, but this is the first time the flagship AMG variant has been spotted by our team of spies.

Mika Hakkinen is the...

Mika Hakkinen is the latest star to confirm his participation; the 1998 and 1999 Formula One world champion will be driving a mouthwatering array of Mercedes racing cars from past and present generations.

New mapping software...

New mapping software is set to make finding your way around unfamiliar areas easier.

New proposals by the...

New proposals by the European Parliament would force firms to set aside 20 per cent of advertising space for green statistics, warning of the car’s potential damage to the planet. This could include fuel consumption and CO2 figures.

Next month"s Paris Motor...

Next month"s Paris Motor Show will see the debut of the three-door Colt, the CZ3, which will form the basis of all sporty versions. It will be joined on the stage by Europe"s hottest variant, the 1.5-litre turbo CZT. With 150bhp, this newcomer is no slouch... but it won"t be able to keep pace with the car pictured here: Japan"s new Colt Evo.

Now, the Finnish ace...

Now, the Finnish ace is looking for some mechanical changes to help improve his chances in the Saturday sessions. “We were unable to get as much out of the car as we would have liked,” he revealed. “We picked up a lot of points, but could have done even better.

ONE of the most famous...

ONE of the most famous names in Italian performance car history is set to return, Auto Express can reveal.

ONLINE forecourts are...

ONLINE forecourts are a popular way to buy a new car, yet 80 per cent of drivers say you still can’t beat a dealer visit. The RAC Foundation found that shoppers wanted to “touch and feel” vehicles before they handed over any money.

Our incredible pictures...

Our incredible pictures show how quickly the end came for MG Rover in April, when the manufacturer closed its doors for the last time.

Our picture shows how...

Our picture shows how the undisguised V10 hybrid prototype coupнѓ© will look. If the company, based in Daventry, Northants, can secure funding, the 2+2 will go on sale next year costing around н‚бЈ35,000. A spokeswoman said: "We are in discussions with interested parties at the moment." The 2.1-litre petrol powerplant was designed in-house, and works in tandem with an electric motor to provide 188bhp. The engine has already undergone independent testing at Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire, where insiders tell us it exceeded Connaught"s expectations.

Our spies have lifted...

Our spies have lifted the lid on Mercedes-McLarenтЂ™s most sensational cabrio to date. The SLR is fast approaching the end of its seven-year lifespan and the Anglo-German partnership has no intention of letting the controversial supercar drive off quietly into the sunset.

Our spies snapped this...

Our spies snapped this disguised prototype on test this week in Germany. And that"s somewhat bizarre, as the machine shown is a Nissan Sentra - which is already on sale in the US.

Performing a vehicle...

Performing a vehicle history check is one of the first precautions to take when buying any used car – and the cost of making one just got even lower. Motorists can now carry out a Car Data Check for only чЈ5, thanks to the RAC.

Renault has offically...

Renault has offically taken the wraps off its entry-level hot hatch! Called the Renaultsport Twingo 133, the racey looking model will start from ВЈ11,500 and go on sale this September, with orders being taken from July.

Since 1 January 2003...

Since 1 January 2003, all plate suppliers should check every customer"s personal ID and ensure they own the vehicle they"re buying for. The rules were introduced to make it harder for crooks to create new identities for stolen cars - known as cloning. But shockingly, seven out of the eight Internet-based firms we contacted and ordered number plates from sold us a set without asking to see any of the relevant documentation.

Skoda is about to go...

Skoda is about to go head-to-head with parent company VW. The Czech brand will expand its range to include a pair of practical new models.

Special signs will tell...

Special signs will tell motorists to treat it as an additional lane in heavy traffic. A Highways Agency spokesman said: "If the flow is congested, overhead signs will impose 50mph limits and open the hard shoulder."

SRT, which stands for...

SRT, which stands for Street and Racing Technology, is Chrysler"s in-house tuning arm and until now, its

Technicians at Fiat...

Technicians at Fiat are employing world-leading robotic technology to perfect the company"s cabin designs, and believe this sophisticated "exoskeleton" (see image) will allow them to explore the interiors of vehicles which exist only in virtual reality. In order to work the arm, a volunteer sits in a simulator which generates a 3D illusion of the inside of the new car.

Thanks to the MP3 revolution...

Thanks to the MP3 revolution, many motorч­ists are now used to listening to whatever music they fancy, wherever and whenever they want. But what about portable speakers which can be fitted in the car?

That"s the view of transport...

That"s the view of transport experts who say there"s a "recipe for disaster" looming should the Euro-style road signs be adopted, as suggested, in the next five years. The UK Metric Association (UKMA) is pushing for the abolition of imperial miles and yards on Britain"s 1.5 million road signs in a new report, claiming there would be many benefits in converting to metres and kilometres. The group has listed examples such as the easier calculation of fuel economy and uniformity with other EU nations as key reasons for undertaking the чЈ80m scheme.

The 500 is heading off...

The 500 is heading off the beaten track! Fiat is planning a 4x4 version of its retro city car, based on the upcoming estate, Auto Express has learned.

The all-new Renaultsport...

The all-new Renaultsport Mégane dCi 175 marks the company"s entry into the popular hot hatch oil-burner market.

The American tuning...

The American tuning firm Saleen has unveiled a new supercar, aimed at the likes of the Porsche 911 and Audi R8.

The bold styling is...

The bold styling is a statement of SuzukiтЂ™s intention to move upmarket

The car, unveiled at...

The car, unveiled at last week"s New York Motor Show, is billed as a concept. However, brand owner Nissan says it will be in production within 12 months. And bosses are expected to rubber-stamp a deal which will see the US marque come here, with the M45 a key model.

The city council says...

The city council says recording every incident which results in a fixed penalty will dramatically reduce the 20,000 disputed tickets a year. A spokeswoman for the authority said: "The cameras will provide a photographic record of every car issued a ticket to give evidence in a dispute."

The Corsa is getting...

The Corsa is getting cleaner! This new hybrid version of the top-seller is the most economical Vauxhall superч­mini ever built – and it’s coming to a showroom near you next year.

The curved styling is...

The curved styling is also important, as the firm"s design boss Patrick Le Quнѓ©ment explained that future Renault cars are likely to have similar flowing lines and simple interiors. Although it doesn"t look as though the Wind will be blowing into a showroom soon, Le Quнѓ©ment told Auto Express: "I love this type of car and have proposed building one before. But even though it"s a realistic proposition, the Wind isn"t the start of a production model."

The Datsun 240Z is back!...

The Datsun 240Z is back! This is the car that could point the way to a resurrection of NissanтЂ™s legendary brand, 22 years after the last Datsun-badged model rolled off the production line.

The design team has...

The design team has played safe with the new model, shrinking the familiar Range Rover shape into a more aggressive form. The family resemblance is reflected in the name - the car has now been confirmed as the Range Rover Sport.

The exclusive information...

The exclusive information from our Italian sources is that the next hatchback will bear the badge, previously seen on three-door models, as Fiat believes it has a strong image with buyers. Set to debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, the newcomer will go on sale in the UK in five-door form in early 2007, with a three-door, also called Bravo, to follow.

The Ferrari star suffered...

The Ferrari star suffered a small water leak to his engine as he raced to an apparently untroubled win at the season opener in Australia.

The first half of the...

The first half of the ring-bound A4 offering is a road atlas with a scale of three-and-a-half miles per inch. Maps are bright and easy to read, but the low-grade paper tears easily. The level of data is adequate and includes tourist attractions – however, these seem to have been added only where there is room.

The first motorway car...

The first motorway car share lane is now open. The route in West Yorkshire can be used by cars, vans and taxis containing more than one occupant. Motorcycles, buses and coaches are also permitted in it, but heavy goods vehicles are banned.

The Frenchman won last...

The Frenchman won last weekend’s Rally Portugal, but with arch-rival Marcus Gronholm finishing second, the Citroen star was still two points adrift of the series lead. However, the Finn and his fellow Focus WRC runners were given a five-minute time penalty for infringing the regulations, when an official post-rally technical check discovered that the leading Fords were running illegal rear side windows. The decision dropped Gronholm from second to fourth position and, as a consequence, allowed Loeb to move into the lead of the championship by one point.

The Japanese maker took...

The Japanese maker took the unusual step of issuing the teaser picture of the long-awaited roadster ahead of its unveiling at next month"s Geneva Motor Show.

The Korean-built four-door...

The Korean-built four-door aims to fill the gap left by the disappearance of the Ford Scorpio and Vaux­hall Omega. It will take its power from a choice of 2.0-litre six-cylinder engines, with the petrol car deliver­ing 140bhp and the diesel 150bhp. These will be mated to six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes.

The launch is 12 months...

The launch is 12 months earlier than originally planned, and it"s been brought forward because the nerves are jangling at Audi - the move is aimed squarely at upstaging the forthcoming all-new 3-Series. "Beating BMW on volume, image and customer satisfaction are all part of our mission statement," Rose added.

The London event"s organisers...

The London event"s organisers have asked 40 of the biggest names in motoring - including DaimlerChrysler"s Dieter Zetsche, GM boss Rick Wagoner and Ford chief Bill Ford - to attend a glitzy drinks reception at 10 Downing Street with PM Tony Blair. The date is set for Tuesday 18 July, which just happens to be press day at the UK car expo. It"s hoped the chance to do something usually reserved for visiting heads of state will encourage global chief executives to come to the event.

The maddest, baddest...

The maddest, baddest Corsa ever? Having only just launched the standard car, Vauxhall is already busy putting the finishing touches to this bruiser of a flagship - which aims to leave the competition standing!

The mag"s exclusive...

The mag"s exclusive pictures reveal that bosses have decided only the lightest of facelifts is necessary to keep the flagship 7-Series competitive.

The mag"s pictures give...

The mag"s pictures give the best clue yet of what buyers have got to look forward to. Pictured in three and five-door form, the cornerstone of the French company"s new small car offensive will take styling cues from the 307 hatchback, as well as the forthcoming 1007 city model. The trademark headlights and grille from the larger 407 will also feature. Longer and wider than the current 206, the 207 will offer a more spacious cabin.

The mag"s spies caught...

The mag"s spies caught the barely disguised load-lugger undergoing final testing, and fans of the practical old model can breathe a sigh of relief.

The most significant...

The most significant changes to the range involve the XC70 soft-roader. It gets a revised mesh grille similar to that of its bigger off-road brother, the XC90. Platinum-grey lower-body trim at the front and rear is new, as are the alloys.

The next-generation...

The next-generation Volkswagen Touareg has been spotted hot-weather testing in America. Despite being heavily disguised the prototype SUV seems to have a longer chassis than the current model, which will provide a more spacious interior and a third row of seats. Weight reductions due to lighter construction materials will keep the next-gen Touareg economical and agile.

The Nomad, which uses...

The Nomad, which uses the Pontiac Solstice platform, is said to be a very real production possibility. And if it gets the go-ahead Stateside, then a Saab version, based on the 9X concept first seen at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show, will follow for Europe.

The original Talex was...

The original Talex was a regular star performer in Auto Express speed trap locator tests, before the firm hit trouble in 2007.

The pair have re-signed...

The pair have re-signed for 2008 after being heaped with praise by team boss Nick Fry for the way they have coped with the awful RA107 car. But once again, they had a disappointing race. Button crashed early on and Barrichello finished 11th.

The production-ready...

The production-ready model was shown at the firm’s research centre in South Korea, ahead of its public debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January. As well as Mercedes CLS-style headlamps, the newcomer wears a Bentley-inspired winged badge on the bonnet.

"There is a genuine...

"There is a genuine prospect that retail demand will ease back," warns the trade bible, with a variety of factors expected to result in deserted second-hand car displays. The onset of fine weather, financial fall-out from booking summer holidays and the forthcoming football jamboree in Germany are all distractions for motorists.

There"s heavy cladding...

There"s heavy cladding at the rear to hide its identity, but the bonnet reveals this is no ordinary prototype. With a sporty bulge and an air intake similar to that of the Cooper S hatch, there"s a rather special powerplant under the hood.

The results were announced...

The results were announced at the British Insurance Car Security Awards. Models such as the Citroen C3 and Audi A3 achieved five-star ratings for their resistance to break-ins and thefts, and were praised by Home Office Minister Hazel Blears for their "significant impact on cutting car crime". But a spokesman for the Association of British Insurers, which commissioned the research used to compile the new ratings, said it was "up to individual insurance companies" to offer discounts to owners of the award-winning models.

The Rolls Royce Ghost...

The Rolls Royce Ghost is almost finished тЂ“ and we"ve caught it tooling around southern Germany practically undisguised!

The shots reveal the...

The shots reveal the new-look nose, which is inspired by the 9X concept first shown at the German exhibition four years ago. The angular lines are far more aggressive than the current model"s, but designers have not gone overboard with the revisions, in order to avoid alienating conservative buyers.

The sporty VW Scirocco...

The sporty VW Scirocco has finally broken cover. These leaked pictures reveal the look of the German firm"s new showroom-ready coupe days before its official Geneva Motor Show debut.

The technology is ready...

The technology is ready for cars which drive themselves, but there"s just one thing keeping them in neutral - lawyers!

The top-of-the-range...

The top-of-the-range engine was introduced to the family car line-up in 1994, and Volvo teamed up with Tom Walkinshaw Racing to enter an estate version in the British Touring Car Championship. It didn’t win, but it sure raised awareness of the pace of the turbo flagship.

The unit, our the Best...

The unit, our the Best Buy in our issue 871 test, has received a number of updates, including improved crocodile clips.

The updated version...

The updated version of the Japч­anese firm"s Ford C-MAX rival will arrive first. Bringing the MPV into line with the new Auris hatch, the Corolla Verso"s makeover includes a fresh headlamp design and a new look for the front bumper.

The winds of change...

The winds of change are blowing at Mazda! This sketch shows the Japanese maker"s all-new SUV, set to be unveiled at this year"s Moscow Motor Show in August.

The wraps have come...

The wraps have come off the ultimate Aston Martin. This stunning machine is an all-new supercar from the famous British firm that will go on sale late next year, taking the company into uncharted territory carrying a ВЈ1.2million price tag and power from a 7.0-litre V12 engine.

They once battled it...

They once battled it out over the ownership of MG Rover, but Chinese car giants Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation (SAIC) and Nanjing Automotive Corporation have now joined forces.

Things are hotting up...

Things are hotting up in Spain! Our secret snappers have caught the first undisguised examples of the scorching new SEAT Ibiza FR out testing.

This is Ford"s new oil-burning...

This is Ford"s new oil-burning Mondeo ST TDCi - but bizarrely, considering its core market, its diesel engine will not comply with Euro IV emissions rules until 2005, leaving company drivers facing a three per cent tax penalty.

This is the Corvette...

This is the Corvette ZR1, and its supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine delivers an incredible 611bhp and 807Nm of torque.

This is the first official...

This is the first official picture of Kia"s new production-ready cee"d SW, the model that takes centre stage on the Korean firm"s Geneva Motor Show stand next month.

This is the GS Zagato...

This is the GS Zagato, created by the renowned coachbuilder based in Milan. Inspired by the Maserati A6G Zagato of the Fifties, it boasts swooping aluminium bodywork, but has a practical hatch at the rear.

This is the Mercedes...

This is the Mercedes that we reckon should be called the C-Glass! ItтЂ™s the replacement for the current CLK тЂ“ and, as our spy shot shows, it has a special targa top with full-length opening sunroof.

TOLLS cause traffic...

TOLLS cause traffic jams and pollution, says the Road Haulage Association (RHA). It’s welcomed Scottish Government plans to scrap the Tay and Forth Bridge (image) levies. RHA boss Phil Flanders believes it will “improve congestion and cut emissions”.

To prove there really...

To prove there really is no such thing as a January sale for drivers, a number of roadside price hikes have been sneaked through this month.

Toyota is blurring the...

Toyota is blurring the lines between fantasy and reality! The Japanese firm has unveiled a race-prepared version of its stunning FT-86 concept, first shown at the Tokyo Motor Show last year. And it"s set to take a starring role in the cult video game - Gran Turismo 5.

Two stunning new MINIs...

Two stunning new MINIs have been given the green light for production тЂ“ before theyтЂ™ve even appeared in public!

Union leaders at Amicus...

Union leaders at Amicus accused new owner Nanjing of giving the roadster a "kit car" assembly at the revived Midlands plant.

Various designs are...

Various designs are available, from robust rubber units to those with stylish drilled aluminum finishes. Specialist firm Ledco has just introduced its latest version – so we put it in the spotlight.

Volkswagen"s Tiguan...

Volkswagen"s Tiguan has been awarded five stars for safety. The off-roader – on sale here in February – achieved a four-star rating for child protection and two-star pedestrian protection rating.

Volvo has updated its...

Volvo has updated its groundbreaking C70.

В SAABрЂ™s 9-3X made...

В SAABрЂ™s 9-3X made its public debut at the Geneva motor show in March 2009, and joins the 9-3 line-up alongside the saloon, Sport Wagon and convertible versions.

Want proof that American...

Want proof that American luxury cars can be small too? Well "C" for yourself! This is the Lincoln C concept, a surprise show star at Detroit from a company that"s traditionally been associated with enormous limousines.

Warnings that motorists...

Warnings that motorists should keep their car keys out of view are not being heeded as TRACKER reports that so far in 2004, a massive 80% of the stolen vehicles the company has retrieved have been stolen with the keys. Car-jackings on the other hand, appear to be on the decrease. Car-jacking incidents peaked at 3.3% in 2001 and have fallen year on year ever since.

Wax on, wax off –...

Wax on, wax off – but not straight away! When you polish your car, you want it to last weeks, so endurance is always key to any product we test.

We"ve teamed up with...

We"ve teamed up with Mazda to create a very special version of the world"s best-selling roadster, and it could be yours...

With its distinctive...

With its distinctive windscreen surround, it shares many visual similarities with the convertible 100EX concept shown at the expo last year. However, every panel is new, and the wheelbase is reduced, too, making the striking car 225mm shorter than a Phantom saloon.

With this clever roof-mounted...

With this clever roof-mounted bag you will never have to worry about being able to squeeze the last suitcase into your packed boot.

With two world and two...

With two world and two European premieres Chevrolet pulled out all the stops for the 2008 Paris Motorshow.