1979 Ski Doo Blizzard 5500 Throttle Lever on 2040-parts.com

Top Marques 2014: preview guide to the playboys’ motor show

The self-billed “anti-austerity show” is back for another year, with Top Marques 2014 - otherwise known as “the most exclusive supercar show in the world” - returning to the decadent surroundings of Monaco. Nothing has changed for 2014, with the show retaining its glamorous mix of supercars, superboats, watches, handbags and the most expensive facial in the world. No, really, the Gold Mask Treatment - by Margy’s of Monte Carlo - could be yours for a cool $4,900.

Volkswagen XL Sport Concept gets Ducati power: Paris 2014

The Volkswagen XL Sport Concept (pictured) gets Ducati power The Volkswagen XL 1 may well be an impressive ‘Supercar’ (that’s super-economical, rather than plain ‘super’), but it’s a daft amount of money and, unless you’re trying to make a ‘Green’ statement, not for everyone. But this Volkswagen XL Sport Concept is a more appealing car – both visually and mechanically – as VW take the XL 1 and rework it in to a sports car with a little help from Ducati. Because under the skin of the XL Sport lies a 197bhp V2 that’s come from Ducati (just as we reported a year ago) and delivers 197bhp through a seven-speed dual-clutch ‘box, with a reduction gear between engine and gearbox to boost torque, revs to 1,000 rpm and can get to 62mph in 5.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 157mph.

Vote: Guess this car review, episode 3

Last week, we brought you a few mystery car reviews and asked you to guess which vehicle was being reviewed. The response was great, and we want to say congrats to @jasoncashatt, @ericvanderiet, @timothyhowes1 and @ljpancakepantry who all guessed correctly. The three reviews were of the Lexus LS430, Jeep Liberty Renegade and the venerable PT Cruiser, all from 2005.