Kia Niro Concept points to a Kia Nissan Juke rival

The Kia Niro Concept (pictured) debuts at Frankfurt as a pointer to a new compact SUV Earlier this month we had a teaser from Kia for a new compact urban SUV heading for a debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and here its is – the Kia Niro Concept. Kia has obviously been careful with its concept naming this time after the storm in a teacup response to the Kia Provo last year, with a name that shouts ‘Famous Actor’ rather than ‘Famous Terrorist’. Sensible move.

Jaguar XFR Review: On the Road

The Jaguar XFR has quite astonishing - and controllable - performance You start to wonder if Jaguar has screwed up and put the normally aspirated version of the potent V8 in the XFR. This can’t be an M5 competitor – it’s just too civilised. The ride is cosseting and compliant, but with an underlying – and reassuring – firmness.

Renault Twin’Run gets 316bhp & pays homage to the Renault 5 Turbo

The Twin’Run is an extreme version of the next Twingo and manages to pay homage to the old Renault 5, with a thumping great V6 bolted in the middle and pumping out 316bhp and 280lb/ft of torque, enough to get to 62mph in 4.5 seconds and on to 155mph. The Nissan-sourced V6 gets mated to a SADEV six-speed sequential gearbox and comes with a limited slip diff to stop the tyres burning off when the going gets brisk. As well as endowing the Twin’Run with lots of power, Renault has also kept weight down to 950kg by using a tubular chassis, glass-polyester composite for the bodywork, lumps of carbon fibre and not a hugely laden interior.