1981 Yamaha Xj550 Maxim Left/sprocket Side Engine Cover/oem on 2040-parts.com

Kia Soul Facelift: New York catch-up

A nipped and tucked 2012 Kia Soul As the car world seems to become more corporate and bland with every year that passes, truly ‘Marmite’ cars get fewer and fewer. But one car that is still a ‘love it or hate it’ choice is the Postman-Pat Kia Soul. And it’s had a bit of a nip and tuck for he 2012MY and been rolled out at the New York Motor Show.

Rolls Royce Wraith: First tease photo of Ghost Coupe

The first tease photo of the Rolls Royce Wraith – a coupe version of the Ghost – has been revealed ahead of a Geneva Motor Show debut. It’s only been a few days since Rolls Royce told us that the Ghost Coupe will be the Rolls Royce Wraith, and we were expecting a few teaser photos surface in the next couple of months as the Wraith gets close to a reveal at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. But it looks like we might have to hunker down for an endless series of teases for the Wraith between now and March as the first teaser photo for the Wraith – a shadowy view of it in profile – has already been released.

Kia preparing a range of sporting models

Kia is quietly readying a string of sportier models to pep up its humdrum image, CAR has learned. The burgeoning sports car plan is likely to sire everything from hot hatches to standalone sports cars. On our trip to Korea this week, sources at Kia HQ confirmed a range of performance models, designed to mix some excitement into a brand that now commands respect from mainstream buyers after its crawl upmarket to the volume market alongside Europe's mass-market brands.