Road Tests

Road Tests

The existing models...

The existing models have been praised for their modern design, and the saloon version continues the trend; the extended rear end is well integrated, with a distinctive upward kick leading to the bootlid.

The eyes of the motoring...

The eyes of the motoring world might be focused on Detroit over the second weekend of 2009, but in Japan, car manufacturers and tuners alike gather at the huge Makuhari Messe complex just outside Tokyo to celebrate the very best that the local customisers have to offer.

The family resemblance...

The family resemblance is clear from the newcomer"s beefy bodykit, with a huge air dam in the bumper, along with widened wheelarches, 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels and a roof spoiler. The looks are inspired by the Fiesta Rallye Concept, which was first seen at the 2002 British Motor Show.

The FIA has confirmed...

The FIA has confirmed that the Formula One Championship will stage a night race for the first time in its history next season (2008).

The Fiat 500 has only...

The Fiat 500 has only been on sale officially for a fortnight, but already it’s selling like hot cakes. And it’s not only the Italian maker that’s cashing in on the supermini’s popularity – some shrewd buyers are putting their orders up for auction!

The Fiesta has been...

The Fiesta has been given some real Verve! A week after Auto Express revealed the first official images of the new Ford supermini, the car giant has released these detailed photographs of the model both inside and out.

The firm"s top brass...

The firm"s top brass were said to be hopping mad when Solido, the toy manufacturer commissioned to make collectors" models of the new car, jumped the gun. Its staff unveiled the miniature clay models of its 2005 range at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in Germany.

The firm will officially...

The firm will officially announce the Eco band figure at next month"s Geneva Motor Show, when the Charade gets it worldwide debut.

The Focus RS is back!...

The Focus RS is back! Bosses at the blue oval have finally given the hot hatch the greenlight for production and they’ve even released this teaser image to give us a taste of what’s to come.

The French firm formally...

The French firm formally declared hostilities when it issued a hugely provocative statement alleging that a petrol-electric hybrid power unit such as that in the Toyota Prius is "much more costly and no greener" than a diesel engine in a Renault Mégane. What"s more, it claims its car costs up to чЈ5,050 less than the Japanese offering.

The French firm has...

The French firm has tweaked its compact MPV, yet it chose not to display it at the Docklands event. So we"ll show you official pictures here instead.

The front end has a...

The front end has a fake S-Class grille and headlamp lenses, while the wheels bear Lexus badges. But make no mistake, this is the car we first told the world about more than two years ago.

The Government is quick...

The Government is quick to criticise independent firms for scamming innocent punters with premium rate phone lines. But latest figures show the Department for Transport and its agencies are also cashing in on calls.

The growth in delivery...

The growth in delivery vans with untrained drivers creates more pollution and accidents, and injuries are more serious

The heat is on in the...

The heat is on in the compact hatch sector тЂ“ Auto Express has learned that Ford is readying a dramatic new Focus to go head-to-head with VauxhallтЂ™s forthcoming Astra.

The hot version of the...

The hot version of the Mondeo takes cues from the car James Bond drove in Casino Royale

The latest version debuts...

The latest version debuts at next week"s Geneva Motor Show, and will be at dealers by the end of the year. Blue oval bosses expect the cars to disappear so quickly they"ll leave tyre marks!

The lid has been lifted...

The lid has been lifted on HondaтЂ™s green future! The Japanese firm

The lid has been lifted...

The lid has been lifted on the world’s fastest cabriolet. The Lexus LF-A Roadster combines 200mph performance and wind-in-the-hair motoring.

The Lion king is ready...

The Lion king is ready to return... meet the stunning replacement for the Peugeot 607.

The ‘teasing’...

The ‘teasing’ is over – Kia has spilled the beans on its new three-door hatch.

The mag"s picture ends...

The mag"s picture ends speculation about the future of the car in Europe. There was some internal debate at the blue oval about whether or not the Focus saloon would make it to showrooms anywhere on the Continent, after slow sales of the current model. Bosses displayed a concept version at last month"s Beijing Motor Show - see image - to illustrate the importance of the newcomer to the rapidly expanding Chinese market. But with testing of the saloon now in progress in Europe, it looks as though all systems are go.

The mag"s pictures this...

The mag"s pictures this week show how the forthcoming Polo GTI will look. A Golf-style honeycomb grille and new front and rear bumpers help to distinguish the supermini, which will take styling cues from it bigger brother.

The mag"s shots clearly...

The mag"s shots clearly show the latest door layout, which will open up a whole new world in terms of practicality. Hyundai fans will also welcome the fresh look of the newcomer, which boasts much sharper styling than the existing car.

The market town of Pershore...

The market town of Pershore is hardly Ferrari’s base in Maranello, but it’s here in rural Worcestershire that Matt Neal’s championship-winning Team Dynamics outfit is gearing up for its latest BTCC title defence.

The mid-engined supercoupнѓ©...

The mid-engined supercoupнѓ© comes into view before diving into the pitlane. The test driver gets out and gives us the thumbs-up - finally, it"s our turn to take the wheel for a world exclusive first drive.

The model is certainly...

The model is certainly much more conventional than the hatchback, which has had a mixed reception across Europe. Inside, the 2 will share the 1"s dash and front cabin, but the rear seat will be modified to take only two people. The car will get a conventional boot, meaning luggage capacity will be considerably smaller than that of the 1-Series.

The model revealed inthe...

The model revealed inthe mag will be joined by a Roadster and a three-door hatch variant, but it"s the classic two-door bodystyle that will make up most of the sales. Although the hatchback Shooting Brake concept - unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show back in October - was first to showcase the TT"s new look, the mag"s pictures uncover the production version for the first time.

The most obvious changes...

The most obvious changes are at the front, where the previous car"s twin headlamps and subtle bumpers have been replaced by a more aggressive design. Headlights similar to those of the new 45 are used, and the ZR also gets MG"s trademark new grille. Separate cut-outs incorporating the indicators and foglamps have been added to the front bumper, while thicker side strips and new alloys add to the sporty appeal.

The most radical will...

The most radical will be a crossover vehicle, combining estate car and SUV styling with people carrier practicality. We"ve learned that it will be along the lines of the Freestyle, a new model for the US, which made its debut at this month"s Detroit Motor Show.

The muscular V8-engined...

The muscular V8-engined drop-top is codenamed Marilyn - a play on the coupнѓ©"s native Australian nickname of Munro. It has become a legend in its own right, though, as rumours of the cabrio"s existence have circulated for months around the industry. Vauxhall"s sister company Down Under, Holden, has finally come clean with the first pictures and details of the car.

The new 4x4 will debut...

The new 4x4 will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and hits British showrooms shortly afterwards - where it"s tipped to cost around н‚бЈ3,000 more than its predecessor. It will go head-to-head with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

The new Chrysler 300C...

The new Chrysler 300C V6 CRD is one of those cars. If you don"t get it, that"s fine by me and okay with the US company, too. Chrysler is the first to acknowledge its increasingly quirky cars are not for everyone. If you"re stubbornly resisting the joys of diesel motoring, if you don"t have a large garage to accommodate this beast and if you don"t like unapologetically big, bold cars with attitude, this vehicle is definitely not for you.

The newcomer is full...

The newcomer is full of technology aimed at making the driver"s life easier

The newcomer is set...

The newcomer is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March, and will be looking to continue the Polo"s well established role as the supermini with the image all other car manufacturers aspire to. The excellent residual values, superb build quality and smart, chunky styling make the current model a hit and maintain the solid reputation the Polo has enjoyed for nearly a decade.

The newcomer joins the...

The newcomer joins the ranks at an exciting time - the company has recently announced that the Arnage Drophead Coupнѓ© will go into production in 2006. And the Continental GT coupнѓ© has been a runaway success, with more than 6,500 sold worldwide last year - over 1,800 of them in the UK alone.

THE new E-Class is open...

THE new E-Class is open for business. These are the first official pictures of MercedesтЂ™ latest Cabriolet, and it comes with a few tricks up its sleeve.

The new flagship is...

The new flagship is based on the standard supercharged variant, but gets revised styling and more kit. It was designed by the same team responsible for the bright orange prototype which stunned crowds at the Detroit Motor Show in 2004. A bluff new bumper, rectangular tailpipes and a spoiler feature prominently, while a gaping grille sits above the pair of circular foglamps which flank the enlarged air intake in the front spoiler.

The new LP560-4 drops...

The new LP560-4 drops the Gallardo tag but adds a host of performance and mechanical upgrades as it gets ready to stretch ahead of supercar rivals from Porsche and Ferrari.

The new machine draws...

The new machine draws its styling inspiration from the Zoe concept, which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. It"s also tipped to be influenced by the Egeus (issue 870), which will be revealed at the Frankfurt exhibition next week.

The new oil-burner will...

The new oil-burner will employ a particulate filter to reduce emissions, and is expected to return CO2 figures of less than 140g/km.

The number’s up...

The number’s up on illegal registration plates! New rules introduced at the beginning of the month aim to crack down on dodgy styles and fonts. And unless your car now carries special identifying marks, it won’t pass the annual MoT test.

The only part of the...

The only part of the test car which remains disguised is the headlamps. Underneath the stickers, new lights and a reshaped bonnet - as we revealed in issue 840 - bring the Vectra"s shape up to date. Completing the sharper-looking nose is a new bumper, a sporty front airdam and foglamps. At the rear, the changes are more subtle, but include smoked tail-lamp lenses.

The outgoing model found...

The outgoing model found favour with private buyers who liked the feeling of quality at a competitive price - and VW is looking to build on that success. Engineers are concentrating on fit and finish, aiming to close the gap with the luxury executive Phaeton while also fending off op-position from both Mercedes and BMW in the premium estate sector.

The pace of a Caterham...

The pace of a Caterham has always been enough to shock, but now it will be really electric!

The party is just getting...

The party is just getting started at Kia, with an all-new model called the Carnival joining the line-up.

The Party is the latest...

The Party is the latest political organisation to board the anti-4x4 bandwagon. Sounding suspiciously like London mayor Ken Livingstone, the Lib Dems reportedly now insist on ""banning Chelsea tractors and taxing them off the roads". The additional fees that owners of such vehicles would pay have nothing to do with raking in yet more cash from motorists. No, they"re all about safety, and kids in particular, argued Lib Dem chairman, Matthew Taylor.

The photos in the mag...

The photos in the mag clearly illustrate how the newcomer not only gets a sleeker front end, complete with grooved bonnet, but also benefits from exclusive 20-inch alloys. At the rear are distinctive twin exhaust pipes in the centre of the back bumper. Extra chrome detailing on the tailgate and side windows further distinguishes it from lesser models.

The Polo is getting...

The Polo is getting a тЂfresherтЂ™ flavour! VWтЂ™s fifth-generation supermini will go on sale next year with a more upmarket look тЂ“ and a front end which has been given тЂthe Scirocco treatmentтЂ™.

The Polo just got a...

The Polo just got a whole lot more interesting! This fiery little number is one of two offerings from VW at this years GTI meeting in Worthersee, Austria тЂ“ where Audi and VW fans gather to celebrate their shared passion.

The pot of money was...

The pot of money was about to run dry, but the UK Scrappage Scheme has been such a resounding success, the Government has now agreed to give it a ТЈ100million boost!

There aren’t many...

There aren’t many budding young racing drivers who can honestly say they are following in the wheel tracks of grand prix top guns, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton. But that is exactly the position Duncan Tappy finds himself in.

The recycleyourcar.co.uk...

The recycleyourcar.co.uk website claims 50,000 old vehicles are torched annually - and with an average чЈ5,000 clean-up cost, that"s a big bill for taxpayers. A spokesman said: "It"s time to stop damaging our environment - and our wallets - in this way."

The replacement load-lugger...

The replacement load-lugger will appear at September"s Frankfurt Motor Show and go on sale soon after. It follows on from the Passat saloon - officially seen already, but set to make its public debut at March"s Geneva event.

ThereтЂ™s more than...

ThereтЂ™s more than a hint of cubism about the latest Picasso!

There was a Red Bull...

There was a Red Bull stampede at last weekendрЂ™s Abu Dhabi grand prix, with the squad taking an impressive one-two result. Sebastian Vettel headed team mate Mark Webber, while newly crowned world champion Jenson Button claimed the final podium spot.

There was nowhere to...

There was nowhere to hide for car makers in March when we published our 2008 Driver Power satisfaction survey results in Issue 1,004.

There was nowhere to...

There was nowhere to hide for car makers in March when we published our 2008 Driver Power satisfaction survey results in Issue 1,004.

The same can be said...

The same can be said of Vauxhall"s Astra. It"s nothing like its predecessor, and I"d go as far as saying it"s as visually appealing as anything else out there - BMW and Audi hatches included. But not content with that, Vauxhall has introduced its Panoramic windscreen in time for Paris. I know some readers have concerns about possible insurance problems (see letter of the week, opposite), but for н‚бЈ1,000, the driver and front-seat passengers get a huge, unique, curvaceous and airy glass expanse from the edge of the bonnet over their heads and into the roof. In the nicest possible way, it"s abnormal.

These are the first...

These are the first pictures of the Peugeot 207 RCup, which is going to be launched as the 207 GTi in only 12 months" time. It"s the first car from the firm to reveal just how serious it is about recreating its classic 205 GTi.

These are the first...

These are the first official images of the all-new Ford Ka тЂ“ and itтЂ™s set to shake up the booming city car sector when it hits showrooms in January.

The SEAT steamroller...

The SEAT steamroller was unstoppable as the BTCC circus hit Fife, with the Spanish team scoring a clean sweep of victories at the twisting Knockhill circuit.

These days, it"s not...

These days, it"s not only Detroit which causes waves in the world of motoring- Delhi does, too!

The shooting brake will...

The shooting brake will be revealed at this yearтЂ™s Paris Motor Show with a nose inspired by the new E-Class тЂ“ confirming the look of the saloon first seen in our spy shots in Issue 1,026. At first glance, the newcomer looks like a supercar estate. But closer inspection reveals there are no rear doors тЂ“ making this the firmтЂ™s first luxury three-door load-lugger! While bosses have yet to back this model officially, insiders say a three-door coupé version has been given the go-ahead.Т

The shots, smuggled...

The shots, smuggled to the mag by our international network of spy photographers, clearly show the firm"s new family face. Inspiration for the front end is from the FTX Truck concept shown at the Detroit Motor Show in January.

The Spirit of Ecstasy...

The Spirit of Ecstasy has landed again - and this time it"s in Seventh Heaven! These are the first official sketches of the new RR4 - the "baby" Rolls-Royce based on BMW"s 7-Series and set to touch down in 2010.

The stars came out to...

The stars came out to unveil the new Focus at Detroit тЂ“ with executive chairman Bill Ford pulling the covers off the new compact family car! He was joined by Ford CEO Alan Mulally who told the assembled crowd at the Cobo arena that the new Focus had been "designed and engineered to meet the needs of millions of buyers around the world".

The stylish Mazda 3...

The stylish Mazda 3 has finally broken cover at the Bologna Motor Show. Sporting a radical, stylish makeover, the five-door hatch clearly intends to meet its straight-laced Golf rival head on.

The third row of seats...

The third row of seats will fold into the load bay, as with the current model, and the second row will also disappear into the floor too, giving van-like carrying capabilities. Each of the rear seats will be an individual unit, meaning they can be removed or folded away as necessary. On top of that, the middle row of seats will be identical in concept to the Flexspace arrangement in the Meriva, so if only two chairs are being used, they can be moved forward, backwards and side to side.

The three-door Alfa...

The three-door Alfa hatchback will share its underpinnings with Fiat"s Grande Punto. And engineers are currently testing a prototype fitted with a 197bhp petrol engine and limited-slip differential, which could form the basis of a hot GTA variant. The newcomer, known internally as the Racer, looks set to revive the brand"s Junior tag from the Sixties and Seventies. However, Alfa bosses reчmain undecided on whether to replace the existing numeric naming system across the rest of the line-up.

The tiny beacons are...

The tiny beacons are sunk into the "Stop" line across the carriageway, and also between the lanes of traffic. They can be seen more than half-a-mile away on a clear night, will give extra guidance in fog and even help mot-orists when high-sided vehicles waiting at the junction obscure the traffic signals. Clever use of separate wiring means the studs will also continue working if the lights themselves fail.

The Toyota Avensis Verso...

The Toyota Avensis Verso has been named as the country’s most dependable used car. The British-built MPV beat a host of rivals to clinch the top spot, finishing ahead of highly regarded models such as the Honda Jazz in a survey by leading personal warranty provider, Warranty Direct.

The VIN (Vehicle Identification...

The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) codes were supposed to give offiчcers vehicle information instantly. Each plate is unique and contains a hisчtory of the car, including model and bodystyle, and when and where it was built.

The volume of ex-fleet...

The volume of ex-fleet vehicles left unsold at auction sites should force fleet companies to lower their reserve prices, according to SMA director Alistair Manson.

The waiting is over...

The waiting is over. The new mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive McLaren supercar is here тЂ“ and itтЂ™s a stunner!

The wraps have come...

The wraps have come off Vauxhall’s facelifted Zafira – and Auto Express can bring you the first official pictures.

Things are hotting up...

Things are hotting up at Chevrolet! This is the Aveo RS тЂ“ a striking supermini concept car that will make its debut at the Detroit Motor Show next week.

This is ‘one’...

This is ‘one’ BMW you’ll certainly be seen in – it’s the new 1-Series Conчvertible! Following on from the Coupé version, these are the first official pictures of the striking drop-top, which will further extend the model range when it goes on sale here in the spring.

This is the car which...

This is the car which will put MG back on the map – in Birmingham. It’s called the Roewe 550, but Auto Express can exclusively reveal that an MG-badged version is on its way, and is likely to be made at Longbridge.

This is the fresh Mondeo...

This is the fresh Mondeo Estate and, thanks to our exclusive main picture, not only can we reveal it for the first time, but also the face of the new model. As you can see, the Mondeo is set to be one of the most distinctive cars in the family class. Its front end draws inspiration from the sporty S-MAX MPV - complete with the now trademark gaping lower air intake and large headlights.

This is the third evolution...

This is the third evolution of the popular hatch, and in terms of sales it will be the most important model in the line-up. Every part of the car has been revised, and it"s clear to see from the mag"s pictures that inspiration has come from the Mнѓ©gane, Modus and Vel Satis. The most striking design feature is at the back, with a vertical crease running down the centre of the tailgate.

This official sketch...

This official sketch is of its latest petrol/electric prototype, the Small Hybrid Sports Concept. Designed to take on the Toyota FT-HS, unveiled at last month"s Detroit expo, the sports model signals the brand"s intent to bring a hot hybrid to market.

This shadowy picture...

This shadowy picture is all there is to see at the moment, but not for long - the car will be at next week"s Geneva Motor Show. Birdcage was originally used to describe the intricate tubular chassis design of Maserati"s race cars. Officially the rebirth of the name remains a secret, but the news was revealed to us ahead of the supercoupнѓ©"s official unveiling.

This Sunday, the World...

This Sunday, the World Touring Car Championship is in action around the picturesque French town of Pau. James Thompson was the star last time out in Valencia, becoming only the second driver to win twice on the same weekend in WTCC history. The series is being lead by BMW duo Andy Priaulx and Jörg Müller.

Throwing litter out...

Throwing litter out of your car window is a shameful and anti-social habit. But itтЂ™s clearly addictive. More than 1.3 million bits of rubbish are dropped on BritainтЂ™s motorways every weekend. ThatтЂ™s over 67 million items a year, according to the Highways Agency.

Tight European emissions...

Tight European emissions laws mean UK buyers won"t be offered the WRX model when the hatch arrives here later this year. But Auto Express has inside information about a storming new STi variant.

To be unveiled at next...

To be unveiled at next month"s Frankfurt Motor Show, the duo will arrive in 2007, aimed at bringing younger buyers to the brand. The Compass Rallye (top) is about the size of a Toyota RAV4, and sits above the Wrangler in the range. A five-door five-seater, it gets a traditional Jeep grille with a raised, butch MPV-style body and extended wheelarches. Design cues include rear door handles hidden in the door pillar.

True, Geneva has an...

True, Geneva has an adequate, although soulless, concrete exhibition centre in a field which sits miles from the city centre. But Switzerland has a reputation for being environmentally-holier-than-thou and, with that in mind, prides itself on not being a ghastly, polluting, car-producing nation. That in turn means it contributes nothing to global motor manufacturing. So why do the world"s vehicle makers reward this all-take-no-give country with an important show of its own? It makes about as much sense as staging a gardening expo in a land that doesn"t have any grass.

True, on roads, tracks...

True, on roads, tracks, frozen lakes and in remote deserts I often test cars whose tanks have been filled by the manufacturers. But I also spend time driving around in a wide variety of gas-guzzling and frugal models which run on fuel I"ve paid for. It"s impossible to estimate how much I"ve personally spent over the decades. But the last thing I"m prepared to do is beat myself up over the fact. And although it"s entirely up to you, my humble advice is that you shouldn"t feel bad either.

Twin-spoke alloys and...

Twin-spoke alloys and quadruple exhausts identify the hot new model, which insiders say could use the same 343bhp 3.2-litre straight-six engine as the current M3. It would give the much smaller Z4 Coupнѓ© stunning perform-ance and a five-second 0-60mph time.

Two of the most important...

Two of the most important new cars ever are about to тЂbubbleтЂ™ to the surface тЂ“ and in a world exclusive head-to-head, Auto Express has brought them together for the first time!

Unveiled at this week"s...

Unveiled at this week"s Los Angeles Motor Show in California, it reveals how VW"s designers have clearly been inspired by the company"s full-size SUV, with squared-off lines from the Touareg.

Vauxhall is flexing...

Vauxhall is flexing its muscles with the all-new Meriva. These are the first official pictures of the supermini-MPV тЂ“ and the big news is that it will get Rolls-Royce-style rear-hinged back doors.

Vauxhall is flexing...

Vauxhall is flexing its creative muscles with the next Zafira – and here’s the proof! Sister company Opel unчveiled this stunning concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And, according to the maker, it gives strong hints as to how the next generation of the big-selling MPV will look.

Vauxhall"s corporate...

Vauxhall"s corporate face will continue to feature heavily, and the car draws inspiration from the latest Astra. It gets a new bonnet to house a three-slot grille, while the angular lights appear to flow into the front wing.

VauxhallтЂ™s family...

VauxhallтЂ™s family car is taking a walk on the wild side! After endless spy shots and numerous rumours the white-hot Insignia VXR is here. And we have the first official pictures of the model thatтЂ™s leaving more premium rivals shaking in their boots.

Vive la difference!...

Vive la difference! Crowds flocked to CitroenтЂ™s stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show to see one of its most exciting concepts ever тЂ“ the Revolte.

Want to know what Renault’s...

Want to know what Renault’s first SUV will look like? Well, it will be virtually identical to this newly un-чveiled off-roader. It’s the Samsung QM5, which goes sale in Europe next year as the Renault Koleos.

We can reveal these...

We can reveal these exclusive pictures of the French firm’s next-generation supermini – and, as can be seen, they leave little to the imagination!

We film as much of each...

We film as much of each show as we can before a series starts, but of course new stories crop up all the time and we need to do justice to them before they become out of date.

We first told you about...

We first told you about the V-XS in issue 799. It"s the brainchild of tuning specialist S-Sport, and tips the scales at only 900kg. This gives the car a power-to-weight ratio of 365bhp per tonne - more than a Ferrari 360M.

We have accessed all...

We have accessed all areas of the first two models to roll off the production line, leaving no stone unturned to deliver the definitive inside line on both the three and five-door versions.

Well executed and beautifully...

Well executed and beautifully detailed, the soft-top offers everything you need and nothing you don"t.

Well, yet again my eyes...

Well, yet again my eyes have been opened and my jaw is still scraping the floor over what is actually available. Right now, if you put your mind to it. I"m currently filming Wheeler Dealers for Discovery Real Time, and on this, the fourth series, our budget has been raised to four grand, which covers purchasing the motor and then any spares or repairs, too.

We regularly warn motorists...

We regularly warn motorists to tread carefully when it comes to modifying their car. But thereтЂ™s a chance youтЂ™ve already altered your vehicle without realising it.

Westminster Coun?cil...

Westminster Coun?cil in London is paving the way, and other local authorities across the country are watching with interest.

WeтЂ™ve shown there...

WeтЂ™ve shown there are some amazing bargains out there if you have the cash to splash on a new motor. But donтЂ™t worry if you havenтЂ™t тЂ“ as you can still save money. WeтЂ™ve used our own motoring know-how, and the best industry advice, to shave hundreds of pounds off the average annual motoring budget. And all with the minimum of effort! HereтЂ™s how...

We"ve already seen official...

We"ve already seen official shots of the front end, but this is our first chance to take a look at the rear and interior. The firm"s latest model, which debuted at the recent Los Angeles Motor Show, is only 5.5cm shorter than the Lexus RX off-roader. But the sleek design is more like a coupé, and stylists have used the marque"s RX-8 as inspiration.

We"ve already spotted...

We"ve already spotted heavily camouflaged prototypes undergoing testing, but these scoop shots reveal the finished car.

We"ve brought together...

We"ve brought together our current class favourite, the VW Golf, as well as Ford"s Focus, the stylish Renault Mнѓ©gane and Peugeot"s spacious 307.

We"ve discovered that...

We"ve discovered that the firm will replace the range with a sharply styled saloon and liftback, a Vauxhall Signum-style estate-cum-hatch, an all-road MAV (or multi activity vehicle) and a modern interpretation of the Galaxy people carrier, tipped to be christened the E-MAX.

We"ve joined forces...

We"ve joined forces with the RAC Foundation to launch National Motorway Month, a new initiative aimed at highlighting the problems of the network and how they could be solved.

We"ve lifted the lid...

We"ve lifted the lid on ItalyтЂ™s hottest secret... Alfa RomeoтЂ™s stunning new MiTo supermini is set to be given a sleek soft-top with the development of a cabriolet version, which is due to go on sale in under 18 months.

We"ve lifted the lid...

We"ve lifted the lid on the Lion that looks set to roar straight to the top of the coupé-cabriolet class! This week"s mag has the first clear pictures of Peugeot’s new 207 CC, which won’t be officially unveiled until the Paris Motor Show in September.

We were first to bring...

We were first to bring you spyshots of the V8 Roadster in Issue 905, and the man at the wheel was none other than company boss Ulrich Bez. Aston has now invited us to photograph the V8 Vantage Roadster - in all its showroom-ready glory.

What follows is my last...

What follows is my last word on the British International Motor Show, 2006. Or my last 587 words, to be precise. On the three days and one evening I attended the expo in London"s Docklands, I saw nothing but satisfied British and international journalists, cautiously optimistic motor industry personnel and, most important of all, happy punters.

When it comes to cars...

When it comes to cars, he"s experienced, astute, a great judge of how much - or little - it"s worth and what its other strengths or weaknesses are. A plate of chicken tikka and half a lager is the customary fee he charges for these automotive consultancy sessions in the Star of Bengal. He"s inexpensive, unlike the Smart ForFour 1.5 Passion, which is grossly overpriced. The old man and I guessed that it"s a н‚бЈ7,000-н‚бЈ8,000 car - not that either of us would be keen to hand over that sort of money when there are others that are better, more desirable and less costly. But the Smart division of Mercedes insists on putting a н‚бЈ12,370 price tag on it. Crazy.

When it comes to touring...

When it comes to touring cars, no one can touch BMW’s track record. For more than three decades, the Bavarian team has been shredding its tin-top rivals and stockpiling all the major national and international titles, culminating in Andy Priaulx’s back-to-back World Touring Car Championship crowns in 2005 and 2006.

Whether we’re...

Whether we’re car drivers, bikers or bus and coach users, we each have our corners to fight and are all entitled to our say. And the same is true of truck operators. As with the rest of us, they pay a high price to put their vehicles on the road and keep them running. And judging by the amount of complaints I have heard over the years from the lorry boys and girls – about everything from low profit margins to unfair competition created by foreign-registered vehicles – I always thought they were genuinely hard-up.

While contacts close...

While contacts close to the firm have been hinting about the possibility of an all-new model for some time, designers in Italy have grabbed the bull by the horns to recreate an icon to sit at the top of the legendary supercar maker"s line-up.

While diligent owners...

While diligent owners will be unaffected by the move, anyone buying used will be more exposed to the risk of potentially dangerous vehicles

While some models featured...

While some models featured on the calendar look familiar, others are entirely new - including February"s sensational view of a striking yellow sportster labelled Esprit. Other notable designs include the Lamborghini-like supercar shown on the June page, and the long-nosed retro two-door for August. So can we expect these mouth-watering new cars to appear later this year? Or ever? A Lotus spokesman told Auto Express: "For this calendar, we decided to publish a number of design sketches for models of the past and the present.

While the influence...

While the influence of the legendary model is obvious in the car"s bulbous styling, the chopped-down roof, flatter bumpers and planed-off wheelarches are clear signals that VW is aiming for a more macho image with the next Bug. The newcomer has been designed from the ground up as a road- ready production car - as was the Concept 1, which went on to become the current Beetle after its show debut 10 years ago. Based on the Cabriolet, the Ragster (the name is a fusion of rag-top and speedster) features a strengthened body with high-tensile aluminium beams to add greater rigidity.

While there have been...

While there have been attempts to bring two-cylinder motors into production - such as the French Aixam range - the 500 will be the only twin to be offered as a mainstream model

Whilst it may not look...

Whilst it may not look as startling as expected, the body is a useful 25 per cent stiffer yet weighs no more than the outgoing model. This, combined with a 35mm increase in wheelbase, revised suspension and BMW"s obsession with 50/50 weight distribution, bodes well for the ride and handling. Standard-fit run-flat tyres could work against it, however.

Who said cars had to...

Who said cars had to fall into only one category? Nissan bucked the trend first with its quirky Qashqai hatchback-SUV crossover, and now Peugeot are taking mixed DNA a step further with the 3008 тЂ“ using elements from an SUV, hatchback and MPV. And Auto Express has the first official pictures of the French Frankenstein.

Who said Swedish cars...

Who said Swedish cars lack a ‘wild’ side? Volvo has revealed this wacky selection of body stickers for its C30. And while they look like another manufacturer’s April Fool’s joke, the company is offering these designs to customers in its home market.

Will raising the driving...

Will raising the driving age to 18 reduce road deaths? IтЂ™m not sure. Most people of this age will simply ride motorbikes instead

Will this be the model...

Will this be the model that sees Kia discover a field of new buyers? Check out the first official pictures of the new Borrego SUV, which has just been unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in the USA.

Winner BMW 3-Series

With a convertible based...

With a convertible based on the 100EX concept already confirmed, the compact Rolls will bring the firm"s stable of models to three. Although sources remain tight-lipped over the name of the newcomer, it"s likely to continue the trend of reviving badges from the company"s past. Ghost and Wraith, which appeared on pre-World War II cars, are still trademarked by Rolls" parent company BMW, and Auto Express has learned they"re at the top of the list to reappear.

With a deep front splitter...

With a deep front splitter, low side skirts and high rear wing, it"s more aggressive looking than ever - and the style is backed up by the dynamics. Using the same 3.6-litre flat six-cylinder unit as the outgoing model, engineers have increased airflow through the engine and upped power from 381bhp to 415bhp at 7,600rpm.