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2014 World Car Awards shortlist announced

The shortlist of finalists for the 2014 World Car Awards (WCAs) has been announced, revealing the cars that will compete for the 2014 World Car of the Year, as well as the World Luxury Car, the World Performance Car, the World Green Car and the World Car Design 2014 awards. MSN Cars’ very own Peter Burgess is amongst the 69 global motoring journalists who have whittled down the contenders in each of the categories – there are supposed to be 10 of each, but some tied results at this stage mean some of the awards have slightly more finalists this year. The next stage reduces the field down to three cars vying for each award.

New Audi S1: 231hp, sub-£25k price

Pictures and full details of the Audi S1 have been released ahead of the car’s public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. If the bright yellow colour of the car pictured doesn’t grab you, the stats probably will – this pocket rocket has four-wheel drive, a 0-62mph time of just 5.8 seconds and prices starting from less than £25,000 (just). Audi Audi S1: what's new?

Diddy stars in new Fiat 500L spot

The dream of the '90s is apparently alive at Fiat. Not Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein's crust punx, granola and symmetrical all-wheel drive u/dystopia, but the other side of the era; the flashy party-people late end of the decade that brought Sean Combs to global prominence. In Italian marque's new ad, the rapping, acting, designing businessman appears as the Mr.

Ferrari California T (2014) first official pictures

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 12 February 2014 13:30 Any new Ferrari is a big deal in the car world, but this new Ferrari California T is extra-special. Not only have the Italians finally morphed the ugly duckling of the range into something rather sleeker, it's boosted by turbochargers. That's the reason for the 'T' suffix on the California T's name, and makes this the first forced-induction Ferrari since the iconic F40 supercar.

José Mourinho to get first F-Type Coupe

José Mourinho will be the first customer to drive away in a Jaguar F-Type Coupe after its UK launch tomorrow, as the company announces the Chelsea FC manager as its new brand ambassador. The official UK launch of the Jaguar F-Type Coupe will take place tomorrow evening at Eastwinter Garden in London’s Canary Wharf. Jaguar F-type R Coupe prototype review (2014 onwards) 21 reasons why the Jaguar F-Type Coupe will blow your mind The event, hosted by Jaguar Land Rover managing director Jeremy Hicks, will be open to prospective customers, brand ambassadors and the British media.

F1 photos raise £20,000

A SERIES of photographs taken by Formula One drivers and team members has raised more than £20,000 at a charity auction. The sale included an image taken by Michael Schumacher of a boat on a lake that fetched £2500. An identical amount was paid by Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone for one of his own pictures.

Toyota recalls more than 30,000 Prius hybrids in UK

Toyota Toyota is recalling 1.9 million Prius models worldwide as it seeks to correct a software fault in the control system for the hybrid drive system. That’s more than half the total number of Prius cars produced since the hybrid was introduced in 1997. The recall affects the current, third-generation Prius, which has been in production since March 2009.

Commuting 'makes workers miserable'

COMMUTER MISERY is most profound in people who have to travel for an hour to an hour and a half, a new report suggests. Those who have to travel to get to work have lower life satisfaction, a lower sense that their daily activities are worthwhile, are less happy and have higher anxiety than non-commuters, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. And the worst length of time to travel is between 61 and 90 minutes, according to the latest ONS report on commuting and personal well-being.

SEAT hints at new Nurburgring lap record

Repeated references to the Nurburgring during the press conference at the launch of the new SEAT Leon Cupra strongly suggest that the 280hp hot hatch has broken the front-wheel drive lap record. SEAT is waiting until the 2014 Geneva Motor Show before saying any more, but has already hinted that its new Leon Cupra is significantly faster than the current Renaultsport Megane record holder. On Bing: see pictures of the new SEAT Leon Cupra at the Nurburgring SEAT Leon Cupra and Cupra 280 review (2014 onwards) To set a new front-wheel drive production car record on the Nordschleife, the SEAT Leon Cupra would have to lap the 13-mile circuit – actually a public toll road that now plays a vital part in new car development – in less than 8 minutes and 7.97 seconds.

Illegal school parking 'should be fined'

DRIVERS who park illegally when dropping off or collecting their children from school should be fined. A large number of drivers (86%) say they agree with trials by councils to catch school run drivers who park on zig-zag lines at pedestrian crossings, even if they stop for only a few seconds. Several local councils, including Enfield in north London and York boroughs, are now using CCTV cameras to capture illegal parking.

Fire up the Quattro: Ashes to Ashes Audi up for auction

This isn’t a replica, this is the actual Audi Quattro as driven by DCI Gene Hunt in the TV series Ashes to Ashes. It’s a 1993 Audi Quattro UR 2.1-litre Turbo that’s covered 106,204 miles. And it’s currently for sale as part of a no-reserve auction on eBay, meaning you could potentially pick up this legendary Quattro for a bit of a steal.

2015 Honda Civic Type R previewed ahead of Geneva

The 2015 Honda Civic Type R Concept (pictured) previewed ahead of a Geneva debut The next Honda Civic Type R isn’t due to arrive until 2015, but Honda are taking a Type R Concept to the Geneva Motor Show next month and are previewing that with a design sketch of the new Type R (above). The Type R at Geneva will be a concept – and as such subject to some slightly OTT elements – but if the production Type R is anywhere near as dramatic as this concept it will look more like a track car set loose on the streets than a road car. A comically big back wing blends in to the Type R’s rear lights, the Type R’s wide track is incorporated with huge wheelarches, there’s a big diffuser in the back bumper and two sets of twin exhaust tail pipes.

McLaren 650S to make Geneva debut

McLaren Automotive The McLaren 650S will be the star of the British brand’s display at the 2014 Geneva motor show, it has been confirmed. At this stage McLaren has revealed little other than the name, and a close-up shot of the car’s badge. It says, however, that the 650S “takes learnings from both the 12C as well as the sell-out McLaren P1 and will be positioned between the two on McLaren Automotive’s supercar grid”.

Sharapova Porsche vs. Beckham Range Rover

Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham was the first person that came to mind after we heard on Monday that Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova was getting her own version of the Porsche Panamera GTS. Beckham was appointed creative design executive for Range Rover in 2012 and helped with the Evoque Special Edition with Victoria Beckham. (Sharapova is also a former Landy shill.

This is the new Audi S1

Audi has turned its limited-production Audi A1 Quattro into a full series-production model with the three-door S1 and five-door S1 Sportback. Designed to take on the likes of the new Mini Cooper S, the new entry-level Audi S models make their world debut at the Geneva show early next month. Audi says the S1 and S1 Sportback won't be sold in the U.S.

2015 Mercedes S-class Coupe: The flagship has landed

Mercedes-Benz's long history building dramatic flagship coupes started with the 1952 300 S, considered a “car for the world's elite.” The 220 S Coupe followed in 1956, and the elegant W111/W112 coupes ran from '61 to '71. Over the years, the 280 SE 3.5 Coupe, SEC coupe, S600 Coupe and CL class all added to Mercedes' reputation for building gorgeous, sought-after coupes. Now comes the new S-class Coupe, making its public debut at the Geneva motor show March 4 and arriving in U.S.

One Lap of the Web: We invented the Miata!

-- Sochi or bust! Is there anything more Russian than driving a Lada Niva to the Winter Olympics? (Flagrant corruption, perhaps.) Documentary producer Vlad Ketkovich calls the venerable Niva "the closest thing to an automotive version of the Russian soul," and we'd wager that the Niva belongs in quintessential Russian-ness next to the Bolshoi Ballet and the movie "Russian Ark." (Or "Ninth Company," if your attention span has been blown to bits.) -- A gorgeous Alfa Romeo ventures into the woods by itself.

Mercedes S-class coupe (2014) first official pictures

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 11 February 2014 10:00 Let’s concentrate on the bits of the new Mercedes S-class coupe which aren’t shared with its four-door saloon sister. Naturally, the replacement for the CL uses the same engines as the saloon, and carries over the same stunning dashboard inside. Yet there are more differences than just the door count here… Of most interest to keen drivers is the revised Magic Body Control suspension.

Mazda Honours MX-5 With Anniversary Website

IT’S SEEN off numerous competitors over the past quarter of a century to become the go-to affordable sporting roadster, and now Mazda has launched a special website to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the company's legendary MX-5 sports car. The website offers a glimpse at the history and future of the most popular roadster of all time, including messages from the engineers behind its development. Originally designed in the 1980s, the first MX-5 was unveiled to the world in February 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show.

Callaway supercharges 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban

The debut of a number of new vehicles from Chevrolet has not gone unnoticed by companies specializing in building go-faster versions of cars and trucks from the Bowtie brand, and the most the most recent vehicles to receive a boost in performance will be the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and the Chevrolet Suburban. Callaway Performance may be associated mostly with building supercharged versions of the Corvette, but they're also lent their tuning expertise to Chevrolet trucks, and they've already got some things in store for the brand's largest SUVs. Callaway has announced that they'll give the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 found in both SUVs a supercharged boost, courtesy of an Eaton TVS Roots-style supercharger.

Beetle Drive Picks Up Speed

DO you feel that your Beetle is a little slow? Volkswagen might have the answer, although you’ll need to take some brave pills if you want to take advantage of its latest offering. As part of the German manufacturer’s plans to enter the motorsport scene in the U.S.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe: pictures and full details

Ever wished your luxury car was a little less, saloon-y? Well, good news! Mercedes-Benz has released photos of its S-Class Coupe, which will be revealed in full at the Geneva Motor Show next month, before going on sale later this year.

2014 Skoda Octavia Scout revealed ahead of Geneva Motor Show debut

The 2014 Skoda Octavia Scout (pictured) debuts at Geneva A more rugged, pseudo off-road estate car is a sensible compromise for buyers looking for a bit more ruggedness than a regular estate car offers, but without going to a full-blow SUV or Crossover. So it makes a lot of sense for Skoda to go the ‘Allroad’ route with the Octavia Combi (estate) and give it a touch more rufty tufty and a new name – the Skoda Octavia Scout. The 2014 Octavia Scout has been revealed ahead of a debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month and comes with all the butch add-ons you’d expect.

Pay Attention At The Front

THE IAM has revealed a worrying statistic as part of a survey regarding distracted driving. Of almost 1,500 drivers polled, only sixty per cent of drivers were said to concentrate when behind the wheel. The survey by IAM/Vision Critical did, however, also have some good news.

Smoking in cars to be banned

MPs in the House of Commons have voted in favour of amendment to the Children and Families Bill, thereby recommending a ban on smoking in cars when there are children present in England. The vote does not force the government to bring such a change into law, but has passed with a substantial majority and the recommendation is seen to have substantial public support. Labour calls for ban on in-car smoking with children Smoking in cars ‘breaks toxic limit’ During voting last night, 376 MPs supported the amendment, with 107 in opposition – giving the proposed ban a substantial 269-vote majority.

The Jaguar F-Type Shooting Brake that the British manufacturer should build

This is one man’s vision of what a Jaguar F-Type Shooting Brake could (and should) look like. Theophilus Chin likes to be known as an ‘automotive manipulator’ and has put his passion for cars and his computer skills to good use, creating this stunning Jaguar F-Type Shooting Brake concept. MSN Cars has already driven the ‘regular’ F-Type Coupe.

Smoking in cars containing children to be banned

SMOKING IN CARS in the presence of children is to be outlawed in England by the end of the year, Downing Street has signalled, after MPs voted overwhelmingly to make it a criminal offence. A No 10 source said Parliament had made its view clear and ministers are now looking at the practicalities of implementing the ban, with a view to getting it place before 2015. The Commons voted by 376 to 107 last night - a majority of 269 - to give the Health Secretary the power to impose a ban in England.

BMW's MPA line bridges the gap to M

Soon, bridging the gap between your father's 328i M-Sport and the M3 of your dreams will be simple, all thanks to BMW MPA. The admitedly uninspiring "MPA" moniker doesn't refer to an accounting certification available at your local community college, but rather, M Performance Automobiles. It serves as a step between the M-Sport appearance package already available on nearly every BMW model and the fire-breathing M cars at the top.

Audi S1 Sportback (2014) first official pictures

By Damion Smy First Official Pictures 11 February 2014 23:02 This is the new 2014 Audi S1 that’s set to cause some serious embarrassment on our roads. Why? The smallest car in the Audi range has been fitted with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four with 228bhp and a 0-62mph time of 5.9sec.

Honda Boosts Civic Tourer Appeal

HONDA’S new Civic Tourer’s arrival in the showrooms is just around the corner, and already the Japanese car maker is making its compact family wagon more affordable. Prospective buyers are to be tempted by a range of attractive finance offers – including low monthly payments and zero percent APR – and Honda’s new optional fixed-price five-year aftercare package. In addition to the competitive monthly payment plans, Honda’s new fixed-price comprehensive aftercare package includes five years’ servicing, five years’ warranty and five years’ roadside assist.