03 Nissan Altima Cowl Vent Panel on 2040-parts.com

Rolls-Royce Ghost V-Specification gets 593 bhp

Rolls-Royce Ghost V-Specification (pictured) gets 593 bhp The Rolls Royce Ghost has been around for some time, and we’re expecting a reveal as early as the Geneva Motor Show in March. But ahead of a facelift for the Ghost we’re getting another limited edition Ghost to bolster sales – the Rolls-Royce Ghost V-Specification. The Ghost V-Specification is effectively the Ghost with the powerplant from the new Rolls Royce Wraith (itself the ‘Ghost Coupe’) which means power jumps from 563bhp in the standard Gost to 596bhp in the V-Spec.

Porsche shows Cayenne can do off-road – just like the new Range Rover Sport

Porsche shows the new Cayenne S Diesel can do off-road The Porsche Cayenne has come in for some stick since it first arrived a decade ago as the first SUV from Porsche. The world declared the Cayenne too ugly to look at – well, that was the opinion of a certain Mr Clarkson – but anyone who’s lived with a Cayenne will know just how focused it is; it feels like a high-riding M5 to drive and, despite the misconception that sporty SUVs don’t do off-road, it’s remarkably capable when the going gets tough. We’re sure it’s just a coincidence that the 2013 Porsche Performance Drive – from Chisinau to Bratislava – is taking place just after the new Range Rover Sport arrived as a truly capable sporty SUV – with its Land Rover off-road credentials still intact – but the event has given Porsche the chance to show the new Cayenne S Diesel can also do off-road with aplomb.

EyesOn design awards 2012 winners announced at NAIAS

The Detroit-based EyesOn Design competition winners have just been announced at their traditional time, late on the second press day of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The jury, which this year included Ralph Giles (Chrysler), Derek Jenkins (Mazda), Lorenzo Ramaciotti (Fiat/Chrysler), Peter Schreyer (Kia) and Franz Von Holzhausen (Tesla) had a much greater array of products to choose from than in recent years; this is a somewhat rejuvenated Detroit auto show. From the cars on display at the show, the judges shortlisted the Ford Fusion, BMW 3-Series and Cadillac ATS for the best production car award.