Volvo V40 Cross Country (2012) first official pictures

Volvo is beefing up the V40 hatch with the new V40 Cross Country - a rough 'n' ready soft-roader to be shown at the 2012 Paris motor show. Ring any bells? Cast your mind back to 1997 and the release of the V70 Cross Country, to which the V40 Cross Country owes its existence. Volvo V40 Cross Country: 'all-road' performance The V40 Cross Country comes in front- or all-wheel drive formats, topped by the 2.5-litre T5 that’ll churn out 250bhp and pass 0-60mph in six seconds. A 40mm ride height increase is likely to limit on-road performance, but should come in handy should you need to traverse any troublesome countryside on the school run.

Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid revealed

The Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid - V8 performance and 31mpg We brought you details on the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid back in February, but Porsche has just issued a press release confirming the details. Porsche are claiming their heritage is the Hybrid car. Ferry Porsche developed a Hybrid car in 1900, linking a 15bhp four cylinder engine to an 80 volt dynamo.

U.S. offers advance peek at 'cash for guzzlers' rules

Dealers participating in the "cash for guzzlers" program must visit www.cars.gov to find a list of facilities that may qualify for scrapping vehicles and then make sure the company can crush or shred trade-ins, according to preliminary rules on the Web site. The government posted the rules today for the program, designed to lift U.S. light-vehicle sales from 27-year lows.