2012 Afx Fx-17y Offroad Motorcycle Helmet Hi-vis Yellow Multi Youth Sm/small on 2040-parts.com

A Right Old Estate of Affairs

A NEW study from car hire Europcar has revealed that, while a practical, versatile estate car might be just the ticket for a busy life, it’s not the car of choice to create a lasting impression on a first date. According to the firm’s survey, just one percent of respondents said they would choose an estate car when hiring for a special day, with women put off by the practicality of estates. Unsurprisingly, prestige vehicles topped the list for the car to make the best impression at 32%.

Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV (PHEV): Details ahead of Paris debut

Mitsubishi has revealed more details on the plug-in hybrid electric Outlander ahead of a debut at the Paris Motor Show. Mitsubishi has been threatening a hybrid version of the Outlander for a few years (we had the  PX-MiEV at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2009 and the PX-MiEV II at last year’s Tokyo Show), but the real production deal – the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – arrives at Paris. Now, with a public debut imminent, and full production and deliveries planned for 2013, Mitsubishi has revealed more details of their plug-in hybrid as they try to make their reputation for tough off-roaders and bonkers performance cars a bit more fluffy-bunny.

New Jaguar XE will get the V6 engine from the F-Type

The new Jaguar XE (pictured) will get the F-Type’s V6 We’re expecting the Jaguar XE – Jaguar’s new smaller saloon aimed at the BMW 3-Series – to arrive at the Paris Motor Show in September before going on sale in 2015 after Jaguar revealed the first official details on the XE at the Geneva Motor Show this month. Jaguar were a little vague on detail, although they did confirm the XE would come with aluminium underpinnings – a first for the sector and to be shared with the new Jaguar SUV when that arrives – and offer Jaguar’s new range of 4-cylinder diesel and petrol engines. But what Jaguar also said is that there will be a range-topping XE capable of 186 mph, which seemed a bit of a stretch for a 4-cylinder engine, however good.