Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Think a sports car makes you more attractive? Think again

It’s a favourite stereotype: a man driving a flashy sports car is more attractive to women – or at least, so he might think. Now a survey by Motors.co.uk suggests that exactly the opposite could be true. While the same research reckons 48% of men subscribe to the stereotyped view, in actual fact women are more likely to find a man driving an eco car more alluring.

Jaguar XF-R unveiled at Detroit auto show 2009

By Tim Pollard Motor Shows 10 January 2009 22:52 Jaguar's XFR is shown today at the Detroit auto show 2009 – and the XFR at a stroke becomes the fastest saloon the Midlands manufacturer has ever made for the roads. Jag has taken the XF saloon and fettled it with the new direct-injection 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine that supersedes the familiar 4.2, but breathed upon by a new supercharger to crank out a wholesome 503bhp.The R model is extremely rapid, thanks to a classic Ayers Rock torque curve that peaks at 461lb ft from just 2000rpm and doesn't go away until 5000rpm. There's brawn wherever you need it, and the XFR scuttles to 60mph in a scant 4.7sec.

Audi ascending

Ford has owned the International Consumer Electronics show the last few years, but now a host of other automakers are making their presence felt at the techno party. Case in point: Audi AG CEO Rupert Stadler's appearance as a keynote speaker Thursday morning at the Las Vegas Hilton. Actor James Cromwell, from I, Robot movie fame, introduced Stadler, who rolled onto stage in an e-tron Spyder concept car.