Ford Focus RS500 (2010) first official pictures

This is the new Ford Focus RS500, a special limited edition version of the Blue Oval’s mad Focus RS hot hatch with 15% more power. For a start there’s that extra power. Thanks to a larger air-to-air intercooler, a bigger air filter and a wider diameter exhaust downpipe (plus a new ECU to take advantage of the mechanical changes) peak power is up from 301bhp to 345lb ft at 6000rpm, while torque climbs from 325lb ft to 339lb ft. The result is a 5.6sec 0-62mph time (down three-tenths) while the top speed climbs two notches to 165mph.

VW XL1 (2013) 314mpg eco-car heads for production

VW supremo Ferdinand Piech has kept his promise of putting the XL1 super-eco car into production. VW has confirmed the 313mpg XL1 will be built in limited numbers, around 50 of which are earmarked for UK sale. It's an expensive way to save money on fuel though: projected prices for the XL1 run into six figures.

Audi Q3 Vail Concept previews Audi Q3 RS +video

Audi Q3 Vail Concept The Audi Q3 Vail Concept – revealed at the Detroit Auto Show – gets a winter theme and previews the RS-engined hot Q3 Audi are planning. The Interwebs decided this last few days that the Audi Q3 Vail would be a two-door coupe version of the Q3 – a mini X6, for want of a better comparison. But it’s not.