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Saab 9-4X (2008) at Detroit

By Ben Oliver First Official Pictures 14 January 2008 16:51 Saab pulled the covers off its new 9-4X small SUV, which goes on sale early in 2009 to rival the BMW X3 and new Mercedes-Benz GLK. Although officially dubbed the 9-4X Biopower Concept, GM Europe’s advanced design chief Anthony Lo promised CAR Online: 'We’re not teasing you. This is pretty much the car you’re going to get.' Controversially, the new Saab won’t be built in Sweden, but in Mexico, where it will share a factory with the still-secret Cadillac BRX which it will closely resemble.

Lincoln MKT concept

By Liz Turner First Official Pictures 14 January 2008 17:27 Ford’s Geordie design boss, Peter Horbury is working hard to return long-neglected Lincoln from a brand driven by old ladies with poodles to the kind of luxury car presidents might ride (or get assassinated) in. The T in MKT stands for Touring, and he says: ‘When I think of touring, I imagine long journeys in extreme comfort.’ So passengers sit in seats inspired by the first-class cabin of an aircraft, surrounded by fine wood, leather and silk. It’s guilt-free luxury, though.

Fisker Karma (2008): first official pictures

By Liz Turner First Official Pictures 14 January 2008 18:53 If you can’t wait for a production Cadillac Provoq, and you’ve got a spare $80,000, the Fisker Karma may be for you. The voluptuous high-performance coupe is a plug-in hybrid designed by ex-Aston man and CEO of Fisker Automotive, Henrik Fisker. Its ‘Quantum Drive’ hybrid system, was developed by Quantam Technologies four years ago as a confidential project for the US military’s Delta Force.

Dodge Zeo, Ram (2008): first official pictures

By James Foxall First Official Pictures 14 January 2008 19:43 Dodge has got a long way to go if it’s to convince people it’s really concerned about the environment. The car the American firm was really trumpeting at Detroit was a concept muscle car called the Zeo. A lithium ion battery powered lightweight car that will do 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds and has an equivalent power output to 286bhp sounds impressive – until you see it’s only got a range of 250 miles.

Chrysler ecoVoyager concept (2008): first official pictures

By James Foxall First Official Pictures 14 January 2008 20:46 As the only Detroit-based car maker to become privately owned and retain its market share last year, Chrysler was hoping its cars would deflect attention from rumoured warring among its new management team. And the ecoVoyager concept was certainly eye-catching, if arguably for the wrong reasons. In fact, it rather reminds us of an automotive push-me, pull-you.

Chinese storm the US

By Liz Turner Motor Industry 14 January 2008 21:31 Two years ago, the Chinese manufacturer, Geely, parked a single saloon in the foyer of the Cobo Exhibition Centre for the auto show press day. This year five Chinese manufacturers are presenting their wares, and all have ambitions to start selling them here. Some are seeking co-operative deals with established companies, but none want the role taken by Chery, producing cars designed and engineered by Chrysler.

Mazda RX-8 facelift (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 13 January 2008 10:47 Mazda’s facelifted RX-8 arrived at the Detroit Motor Show, and it’s more of a mild nip and tuck than a drastic overhaul. Mazda hasn’t suddenly dropped in a V6 or anything like that – so far over 165,000 rotary-engined RX-8s have been sold and Mazda doesn’t want to mess with a recipe that works. That means it’s still a four-door, four seater with 'Freestyle' (suicide to you and me) doors, and a unchanged 1.3-litre turbine engine available in 189bhp and 228bhp states of tune.

Audi R8 V12 TDI (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 13 January 2008 11:00 An R8 with a twin-turbo, twin-intercooled 6.0-litre V12? Brilliant, and even better is the 493bhp. What’s perhaps not so good is the 737lb ft.

Volkswagen Passat CC (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 13 January 2008 11:16 Welcome to the world’s second four-door coupe, the Passat CC. Following the lead of the Mercedes CLS, Volkswagen has redrawn the Passat to give us this swoopy mini-me Phaeton lookalike saloon. It's an attempt to stretch the Passat further upmarket - away from its humdrum fleet roots and nearer the hallowed doorway to the compact premium market.

Ford Verve Sedan, F150 (2008): first official pictures

By Liz Turner Motor Shows 13 January 2008 18:48 The Mustang Bullitt GT is the cherry on top, not of a cake, but a pile of bread-and-butter products at Detroit that could save Ford. The Blue Oval has unveiled an all-new mighty F150, a four-door US version of the Fiesta-sized Verve concept seen at Frankfurt and a range of turbocharged direct-injection petrol engines, dubbed EcoBoost. Derrick Kuzak, group VP for global product development, told CAR Online that to truly reduce emissions you need a mass-production solution people can afford, and EcoBoost doesn’t need all the expensive and complex after-treatments for NOx and particulates needed by diesel to meet US regulations.

Corvette ZR1 (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Oliver First Official Pictures 13 January 2008 21:56 General Motors has unveiled its fastest, most powerful production model ever. Official figures have yet to be released but insiders say the Corvette ZR1 is likely to top 200mph and crack 60mph in a little over 3 seconds. Its new supercharged, 6.2-litre LS9 V8 makes 620bhp and 595lb ft of torque, which GM claims gives the ZR1 a better power-to-weight ratio than the Ferrari 599, Porsche 911 GT2 and Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.

Detroit Motor Show preview

By Tim Pollard Motor Shows 12 January 2008 22:51 The North American International Auto Show, otherwise known as the Detroit Motor Show, kicks off this weekend. CAR Online has decamped Stateside to report live from the show - and we'll be burning the midnight oil to bring you the unveils the minute the covers slide off the latest arrivals, photographs from the Cobo Arena and unparalleled analysis from our team of reporters, including Gavin Green, Phil McNamara and Ben Oliver. Come back to CAR Online over the next 48 hours for all the latest news and reviews, galleries and gossip.

Chevrolet Camaro preview

This is the first look at the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro undergoing testing at an undisclosed track. Anticipated for its official unveiling at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, this pre-production model holds true to the design cues of the Camaro concept car first seen at the Detroit Auto Show in 2006. While drawing heavily on the design features of its 1969 ancestor, the new car is a bold and angular interpretation with tight surfaces and a powerful stance.

Driven: Mitsubishi i

We first reviewed the diminutive Mitsubishi 'i' when it was unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Motor show and, while we were pleased with the overall design of the car, we were disappointed that Mitsubishi had chosen not to export the innovative vehicle to other markets. But with the popularity of this compact urban cruiser soaring in Japan and the recent availability of the vehicle in the UK, we now had a chance to give it a go on the often traffic crippled streets of central London. Congestion in urban milieus is not a new phenomenon, but even with London's congestion charging system extorting money from drivers it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

Aston Martin DBRS9 (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 11 January 2008 12:52 Two famous names will unite for the 2008 Le Mans 24hrs. Aston Martin will return to Le Sarthe to defend its GT1 crown and this time the cars – numbered 007 and 009 – will be in Gulf Oil colours. The evocative orange and eggshell blue DBRS9s will compete 40 years after a Gulf-liveried car first won Le Mans.

Lambo personalisation

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 11 January 2008 15:35 Lamborghini will expand its Ad Personam personalization range at the Detroit Motor Show. The Italian supercar maker claims to have drawn on inspiration from the fashion world in order to create the latest interior and exterior colours. The Gallardo Spyder (centre) is painted in Marrone Apus, a colour Lambo describes as ‘halfway between brown and black’, but there is a golden reflection due to a special pigment in the paint.

Tata Nano (2008): first official pictures

By John Sootheran First Official Pictures 10 January 2008 09:33 Shove over a bit Henry Ford, Ferry Porsche and Alec Issigonis, because as of this morning there's a new entrant for the People's Car Hall of Fame. The first day of the Indian Auto Expo 2008 in Delhi, saw Ratan N Tata (yes, the fella who's leading the bid for Jaguar and Land Rover) reveal his much vaunted 'one lakh' car (that's 100,000 rupees or a measly £1300). Despite being the Chairman and CEO of one of the world's biggest corporations, Ratan Tata admits to being a nervous presenter, so much so, that the initial information was presented by his hologram! When he did appear, it was behind the wheel of one of three 'one lakh' cars being driven onto the stage. The 3000-strong audience of press and VIPs went beserk amid scenes of euphoria last witnessed at the Clinton comeback in New Hampshire.

Saab 9-4X BioPower (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 10 January 2008 10:17 This is our first look at Saab's 9-4X - the car that kickstarts the brand's new model initiative. And although the 9-4X BioPower is labelled as a concept, the production car will look almost identical when it goes on sale in 2009. Sharing a platform with the new Cadillac crossover, and drawing on the Aero X concept for styling cues, the 9-4X looks impressive.

Audi TTS (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 10 January 2008 15:36 This is Audi’s new TTS - the most powerful TT to date. Quattro is standard, helping to put 268bhp and 258lb ft safely to the ground, as well as helping the coupe claw to 62mph in just 5.2 seconds. Using a tweaked version of the Audi S3 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, the TTS will run on to a limited top speed of 155mph, in coupe or cabrio form.

Preview: Porsche Panamera

After what has already been the most drawn-out model introduction ever (the initial Porsche sketches of the new model having been revealed in 2005), Porsche has finally released the first official rendering of its forthcoming Panamera sedan, set to be launched in 2009. Though the plan view doesn't show much of the new Porsche's design, the company says the features will 'include a wide and low body offering dynamic proportions and muscular design'. But while the grand tourer will have a 'compact overall look', the interior space is claimed to offer a brand-new experience of roominess, with two single seats and generous headroom at the rear allowing adults to sit in comfort.

Mazda Furai concept: first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 09 January 2008 09:37 The new Furai is designed to blend the boundaries between road cars and race cars, according to Mazda. The Japanese company claims that on any given weekend there are more Mazdas and Mazda-powered cars pounding the racetracks of the USA than of any other make. And to celebrate this, and 40 years of the rotary engine, Mazda has given us the Furai concept.

Skoda Superb (2008): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 09 January 2008 10:58 Skoda’s biggest car – the Superb – will be replaced in autumn 2008. The new Superb is unveiled today ahead of its show debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March – and it’s received a welcome dose of style over today’s taxi-special that majors on a vast, echoing interior over any recognisable form of chic. The new Superb is even bigger than the current model; this one is 4838mm long and 1783mm wide, but it’s slightly lower than before for a sleeker, lower look.

Mercedes CLC tease

By First Official Pictures 09 January 2008 11:19 Looking squat, mean and aggressive (the car, not the model), this is the new Mercedes CLC. And although the CLC is based on the current C-class-derived Sports Coupe, Merc hopes that the 1100 new or revised components will make the car a serious challenger to the BMW 1-series coupe. It certainly looks slicker than the current car, and with C-class inspired styling it looks smarter than today's stumpy model.

The £1300 car

By Tim Pollard Motoring Issues 09 January 2008 12:21 One of the most intriguing cars of the year will be unveiled later this week: the Tata one-lakh car that could redefine budget transport for the masses. The £1300 bargain will be launched at the New Delhi Auto Show amid an anticipated media storm. Tata hopes to mobilise India with the one-lakh car, named after the Indian shorthand for 100,000 rupees, the equivalent £1300.

Ford Explorer America concept (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 08 January 2008 10:41 At the forthcoming Detroit Motor Show Ford will show off a concept clearly aimed at the States: the aptly named Explorer America. But it won’t be the traditional yank tank as we know it… Gone is the body-on-frame chassis, replaced by a unibody construction. Off-road and towing ability is only described as ‘moderate’.

Jag-Alfa tie-up mooted in Tata deal (2008)

By Motor Industry 07 January 2008 15:32 If, as expected, Tata buys Jaguar-Land Rover in the coming weeks, there are some potentially intriguing industrial consequences. Like Jags being co-developed alongside Alfa Romeos. Just imagine the next 169 exec being based on the sublime new XF.

Show Review: 100% Design Tokyo

Tokyo held its design week late last year, overlapping with the tail-end of the auto show. Though thankfully easier to get to than that, what you get is a bit different to expectations. Japanese are noted for the effort they give presentation: it's in their dress, their language, in how they wrap gifts in stores and serve food in restaurants.

Aston Martin Vantage GT2 (2008): first official sketch

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 04 January 2008 15:53 Hot on the heels of the V12 Vantage RS comes Aston Martin’s new race car. Based on the V8 Vantage road car, the aptly named Vantage GT2 will compete in the GT2 race category. Aston Martin is thus (rightly) very proud to offer a race car in every GT category.

Tata is leading JLR bidder

By Ben Pulman Motor Industry 03 January 2008 13:16 Ford looks set to sell Jaguar/Land Rover (JLR) to Tata. In a statement to JLR workers today, Ford of Europe chairman Lewis Booth said: ‘Ford is committed to focused negotiations at a more detailed level with Tata Motors concerning the potential sale of the combined Jaguar Land Rover business.’ This is the first time that Ford has publicly revealed the identity of any bidder for JLR.   JLR has been up for sale since June 2007, and other potential bidders include rival Indian vehicle maker Mahindra Group and private finance group One Equity fronted by former Ford CEO Jac Nasser. Tata itself already owns a few famous names, including Tetley Tea and Corus (formerly British Steel).

Mercedes-Benz GLK concept: first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 03 January 2008 15:03 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the concept that isn’t really a concept. This is the Vision GLK Freedside study, or if you change the wheels and some trim details, the new GLK. To be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in mid-January, the (ahem) concept previews Merc’s BMW X3 competitor.