Jaguar XFR-S arrives ahead of LA debut

The Jaguar XFR-S – Jaguar’s most powerful saloon car to date – has leaked out ahead of its debut tonight at the Los Angeles Auto Show. We’re hoping that Jaguar has managed to bestow extra power on the very appealing XFR without wrecking the stuff that makes Jaguar saloons so appealing – the dynamic/ride balance – which, if they have, will make the XFR-S a more appealing bonkers sports saloon than the German offerings. The promise is all there with a new butch front end, a more aggressive body kit, chunks of carbon fibre, a huge rear wing for extra downforce, a new diffuser at the back, stiffer springs, a new rear subframe with stiffer bushes, a tweaked active diff and a tweak of the stability control for more fun.

Toyota Auris revised and Icon Plus trim added – price from £14,495

The 2014 Toyota Auris (pictured) gets a bit of a makeover Toyota has decided it’s time to make a few tweaks to the Auris – nearly 2 years on from its debut –  so both the Hatch and Estate are getting changes, the hybrid version gets more trim options and there’s a new trim level – Auris Icon Plus. The Auris Icon Plus comes with a new set of 16″ alloys, privacy glass, folding electric door mirrors and the option of a new Tungsten Blue Metallic. Inside, the Icon Plus gets heated front sports seats, the new Toyota Touch 2 with SatNav and cruise control (but only on the petrol and hybrid versions.

Fiesta grabs Women's World Car of the Year prize

THE FORD FIESTA 1.0 Ecoboost has been crowned the Women’s World Car of the Year 2013. A panel of 18 women judged the car on factors such as colour, sex appeal and ease of driving. Beating off competition from Audi and Range Rover, the Fiesta was praised by the all-women panel and the awards chairman Sandy Myhre said: ‘It was clear from the outset the Fiesta struck a chord with our panel of women as it has features which clearly chime with the needs of female drivers.’ Barb Samardzich, chief operating officer, Ford of Europe, said: ‘The success of the new Fiesta, both in terms of this award and impressive sales, has been achieved with a car which is sharp looking, better connected and even more fuel efficient and fun-to-drive.’