VW to intro Passat BlueMotion Concept at Detroit auto show

While performance heads are anxiously awaiting the North American debut of the hot-heat Mk VII Golf R at the Detroit auto show, Volkswagen's Passat BlueMotion Concept offers never-before technology in the Yank/Canuck family sedan segment: a four-pot motor with cylinder deactivation. Based on the EA211 1.4L turbo motor we sampled last year in the Euro-market Audi A3 sedan, the Passat BlueMotion Concept's engine is capable of shutting down the middle two cylinders during cruise, and features the Jetta Hybrid's gearbox, a twin-clutch unit capable of decoupling from the engine during off-throttle coasting. In the Passat's application, the 1.4 puts out 150 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque; VW suggests its highway fuel economy will stand at 42 mpg.

Jaguar XJ: 4WD XJ planned

Jaguar XJ to get 4WD option It looks as if Autocar have been having a cosy little fireside chat with Jaguar about works in progress and future directions. Some of which is new, some of which isn’t. And some of which – heaven forfend – may be made up.

New Citroen DS3 Cabrio costs from £15,045

Citroen has revealed the new DS3 Cabrio will cost from £15,045 and come in three trim specs - DSign, DStyle & DSport. The Citroen DS3 is already one of our favourite cars, and Citroen has made sure the DS3 Cabrio still looks good with the roof up – and kept costs in check – by using a similar ‘landaulette’ style roof to the Fiat 500C, where the cabrio but is more like a long, canvas sunroof that site on the boot when open. The new DS3 Cabrio will come in Citroen’s main DS3 trim levels - DSign, DStyle & DSport – with the DS3 VTi 82 Cabrio DSign costing £15.045, the DStyle VTi 120 Cabrio £17,425 and the DSport THP 155 Cabrio £19,675.