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Bentley Mulsanne Birkin celebrates legendary ‘Tiger Tim’

The 2014 Detroit Motor Show might make it seem like the Americans are getting all the exciting toys right now, but this new limited edition Bentley Mulsanne does its bit for those of us on the other side of the Atlantic pond. Called the Bentley Mulsanne Birkin Limited Edition, and based on Bentley’s range-topping model, it will only be sold in Europe, and is only available in extremely limited numbers. So summon the butler, by Jove.

Audi Allroad goes e-tron with Detroit concept

Audi introduced its Allroad shooting brake concept at the Detroit auto show on Monday. The plug-in hybrid brings a total output of 408 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque from three power sources, an engine and two electric motors. The transversely mounted 2.0-liter TFSI engine provides 292 hp with help from its turbocharger.

Nissan debuts Sport Sedan Concept at Detroit auto show

Nissan introduced the Sport Sedan Concept to go along with its IDx twins at the Detroit auto show on Monday. The company says the sleek four-door embodies the next-generation design cues, including the V-Motion front end, floating roof and boomerang headlights. “The Sport Sedan Concept shows a new, highly emotional and energetic design direction that takes Nissan's approach of applying sports-car principles to a sedan to the next level,” said Nissan vice president Shiro Nakamura.

Watch new Mercedes C-class, GLA45 AMG and S600: VIDEO

We got our first look at the new 2015 Mercedes C-class sedan last month in a series of photographs released by the German automaker. The new car does a great impression of a baby S-class with a strong front end, plenty of side-sculpting and a gentle slope to the rear, exemplified in the video above. We also get a peek at the new GLA45 AMG sport compact crossover and the S600 giant killer, all in motion.

Jaguar Land Rover reveals best ever sales

Jaguar Land Rover has announced it sold 425,006 vehicles in 2013 – a 19% rise on 2012, making it the firm’s best-ever year for global sales. Land Rover itself set another record, with 348,338 retail sales resulting in a 15% boost on 2012. For Jaguar, 76,668 sales made 2013 the division’s best year since 2005 – and was a 42% rise on 2012.

Kia GT4 Stinger concept gets serious about performance, style

The Detroit auto show reveal of the Kia GT4 Stinger concept confirms what we suspected all along: The the strategic shadows that hid much of the car in preview photos concealed a clean, 2+2 fastback coupe. Though Kia claims there's no plans to put the car production as-shown, it's a tantalizingly plausible glimpse of where the automaker could go. And we like it.

One lap of the web: A Lotus superbike, a track-only Z06 and a pair of M cars

Motorcycle News Lotus has licensed its name for this 200 HP superbike. Motorcycle News is reporting that Lotus, the beloved sportscar manufacturer that launched a thousand acronymic reliability jokes--"L.O.T.U.S, Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious"--has lent its name to a 200 HP, V-twin-powered superbike that is to be manufactured by a new company. While it does wear a lovely JPS-style livery, it's not clear where the lightness has been added or if it's been simplified.

Porsche unveils 2015 911 Targa

Porsche has given its latest 911 Targa a heavy dose of retro appeal through the adoption of a series of classic styling cues that hark back to that of the original model launched in 1965. Unveiled at the Detroit auto show, the new 911 Targa is based around the same aluminium bodyshell and four-wheel drive mechanical package as the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, alongside which it will be produced at Porsche's Zuffenhausen factory on the outskirts of Stuttgart, Germany. Among the traditional styling elements Porsche's design boss Michael Mauer has chosen to resurrect on the new car is a fixed B-pillar hoop, or Targa bar as it has come to be known over the years.

Toyota FT-1 concept (2014) first official pictures

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 13 January 2014 15:00 Toyota has stunned the 2014 Detroit motor show with this rakish racecar for the road. Called FT-1, it hints at a new flagship coupe model to sit above the much-loved GT86 in the current Toyota line-up. It’s now eleven years since the Toyota Supra went out of production: long enough for a reboot, we think.

The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 is finally here

Today at the Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler has official taken the covers off the new Chrysler 200 sedan. It's a complete redesign, not a facelift -- and it's here not a moment too soon. The first generation of the Sebring-derived 200 may have had some impressive ad campaigns to stoke its sales, but at the end of the day the car was never really a hot seller.

2015 Mercedes C-class reveal at the Detroit auto show

We got our first look at the new 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-class sedan last month in a series of photographs released by the German automaker. Now, amid the melee of the Detroit auto show, we finally get to see the fourth-generation C-class in person. As expected, the new car does a great impression of a baby S-class with a strong front end, plenty of side-sculpting and a gentle slope to the rear.

All-new Ford F-150 revealed at 2014 Detroit Motor Show

Ford has revealed an all-new version of the States' bestselling vehicle, the F-150 pick-up – and in a world first, the US favourite boasts an all-aluminium body and lightweight, high-strength steel frame. The new Ford F-150 is more than 300kg lighter than the model it replaces and, thanks to four engine choices including an all-new downsized 2.7-litre EcoBoost turbo, is much more fuel efficient too. Given that Ford sold a staggering 763,402 F-150s in 2013 alone, these changes will have a very positive effect in terms of the new model's environmental impact.

Michelin Challenge Design 2014 winners revealed

The winners of the Michelin Challenge Design 2014 have just been revealed at a private event in Detroit's Renaissance Center following the first press day of the NAIAS. Chris Luchowiec of Poland was awarded first place for his ‘BOT' design, a completely autonomous transportation solution for relatively low populated areas. His concept is designed to address the issue of lone car commuters, traffic congestion and the generally poor experience of mass transit use.

'Concrete glimpse' of near-future Audi technology

THE “near future” of Audi design and powertrain engineering has been unveiled ahead of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The Allroad Shooting Brake show car will premiere an exciting new high-powered petrol-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain and a development of the firm’s current design language. It is expected that the Allroad Shooting Brake will form the basis for future Q-badged models as well as a potentially expended Allroad range.

Toyota FT-1 Concept revealed – it’s a new Toyota Supra (video)

Toyota FT-1Concept revealed – it’s a new Toyota Supra Toyota teased us with a concept photo back in December that looked like it was previewing a Supra for the 21st century, and it’s been revealed today at the Detroit Auto Show as the Toyota FT-1 Concept. The FT-1 Concept is the result of Toyota’s Calty design studio in California to create the ultimate sports car and, say Toyota, is a strikingly modern design that makes reference to past Toyotas like the  2000GT from the 1960s. Toyota aren’t making any claims for the FT-1′s powertrain yet (FT stands for ‘Future Toyota’ and the ’1′ the ultimate) and comes with a front engine/ rear wheel drive configuration, with a cockpit set back within the wheelbase and wraparound screen.

Bentley brings even faster Continental V8 S to Detroit

Bentley first showed the Continental V8 S at the Frankfurt Motor Show a few months ago, but the slightly more powerful V8 Continental makes its North American debut in Detroit. More horsepower is always welcome, and the handsome new grand tourer delivers precisely 21 more. While Bentley has been concentrating on W12-powered Speed models -- even suggesting that it might be an entertaining drive on a racetrack -- the V8 range has been bolstered by its own modest performance enhancements: 21 more horsepower and 15 more lb-ft of torque bring the 4.0-liter engine's figures up to 521 and 502, respectively.

Nissan IDx concepts bring back budget racers

Nissan channeled its inner Datsun for the Detroit auto show on Monday. The Japanese brand showed off its IDx Freeflow and IDx Nismo concepts, which we first saw in Tokyo. The brand cited the new ways people buy and customize cars as the reason for the classic yet eye-catching style.

Mini reveals John Cooper Works Concept at Detroit auto show

Today at the Detroit Auto Show Mini debuted the new 2014 John Cooper Works Concept. The JCW (as the cool people call it) is the performance version of the Mini, and the debut of the concept included a rock band and impressive amount of smoke courtesy of a fog machine. The JCW concept was decked out in traditional John Cooper Works style, and that meant an exclusive color scheme with red color accents over Bright Highways Grey paint, and 18-inch light alloy wheels.

Spies Given Green Light To Speed

IF YOU’RE familiar with James Bond’s antics you’ll know that he didn’t much care for rules and regulations. Now there’s one less bit of red tape for all fictional and real James Bonds, as spies are to be given a "licence to speed" for the first time, under changes to motoring laws. Currently, officers in MI5 and MI6 have to abide by the rules of the road even when national security is under threat.

Porsche 911 Targa revealed at 2014 Detroit Motor Show

Porsche has revealed an amazing retro-inspired new 911 Targa at the Detroit Motor Show – an open-top model that boasts a ‘wide bar’ look almost identical to the Targa style that went out of production two decades ago. First introduced back in the 1960s, Porsche’s return to the original Targa style has been combined with modern electrically-opening roof technology… and with models arriving in showrooms from this May, it’ll be an on-road retro reality before you know it.

New Chrysler 200 unveiled at 2014 Detroit Motor Show

Huge crowds gathered around the Chrysler stand at the 2014 Detroit Motor Show, eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the much-anticipated 2015 Chrysler 200. It's a hugely significant car for the Chrysler brand as it represents a serious assault on the highly competitive midsize sedan segment, the biggest market in the United States. In 2013, the midsize sedan segment accounted for 17% of all US sales, with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata just three of the Chrysler 200's chief rivals.

Pothole disaster imminent, say campaigners

THE UK’S recent tempestuous weather is set to create the worst pothole catastrophe the country has ever seen, according to campaigners. Freezing conditions are being forecast for the end of January, and road condition campaign website potholes.co.uk is predicting a ‘perfect storm’ of potholes if the forecasts prove correct. With the Met Office confirming that southern England received double the average amount of rainfall during December, persistent heavy rain and floods have created the basis for a disastrous season of crumbling roads.

VW Beetle Dune concept (2014) first official pictures

By Damion Smy First Official Pictures 13 January 2014 18:31 Heard of sandboarding? The VW Beetle Dune has been revealed at the 2014 Detroit motor show in what VW says is a ‘concept with near-production car design’ (wink, wink) designed for those into this new sport. The Dune was the name given to the rugged-looking version of the Polo, sold in the UK between 2004-2008, and this Beetle follows the same formula.

Spies given licence to speed

Secret agents are to be given the right to speed when behind the wheel, under changes of the law expected to be announced today. Currently, MI5 and MI6 officers have to stick to the rules of the road, even when national security is under threat. On Bing: see pictures of James Bond Find out how much a used Aston Martin costs on Auto Trader However, new plans to be announced by transport minister Robert Goodwill will give spies the same exemptions as emergency services.

Corvette Stingray wins North American Car of the Year

The 2014 Detroit Motor Show has got off to a cracking start for General Motors, with the company winning TWO top North American awards. With the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray scooping the North American Car of the Year award, and the Chevrolet Silverado bringing home the Truck of the Year honour, it’s the first time GM has swept the board since 2007. New 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray in pictures at Detroit Motor Show The best new cars coming in 2014: Chevrolet C7 Corvette Stingray The awards – which are based on the thoughts of a panel of automotive critics – are amongst the most respected in the industry and are said to have a direct influence on a car’s fortunes.

VW Beetle Dune concept 2014 revealed in full

As promised last week, Volkswagen has unwrapped a rugged new Beetle Dune concept at the 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The 2014 VW Beetle Dune concept is a follow up to the 2000 VW Beetle Dune Concept. But where Volkswagen describes the earlier car as “science fiction”, this new version is said to be looking “much more realistically towards a production vehicle”… Please click the image above to read more about the VW Beetle Dune concept from the Detroit Motor Show 2014

Kia unveils GT4 Stinger at 2014 Detroit Motor Show

When you hear the brand ‘Kia’, what do you think of? Top Gear’s Reasonably Priced Car and seven-year warranties, perhaps? If so, you might be surprised to hear that Kia’s unveiled a rear-wheel drive 315hp coupe that the brand says “pushes the boundaries of performance” and “places man and machine in harmony on the road or track”.

Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge concept (2014) first official pictures

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 13 January 2014 17:41 Infiniti wants to be taken seriously as a performance car maker – and drizzle some of its championship-winning Red Bull F1 sponsorship garnish over its road car programme. It’s led to this: the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge concept. It’s a supersaloon version of the Q50, named of after the ballsiest corner at the Spa-Francorchamps F1 circuit, and pointing to a new AMG and BMW M-car rival from Nissan’s luxury arm.

Porsche 911 Targa 4 (2014) first official pictures

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 13 January 2014 18:00 Upping the repertoire of current 991-generation 911 models to 16 (so far) this is the new Porsche 911 Targa. The new Targa is inspired by the ’60s classic, as you’ll spot by its all-new roof arrangement (no glorified sunroof Targas any more). The contrast-coloured roof-hoop returns, as does the dome-shaped wraparound rear window.

Mercedes-Benz S 600 V12 revealed at Detroit Motor Show

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is unofficially known as the best car in the world… and the firm has now revealed the model that could make that title official – the new V12-engined long-wheelbase S 600 range-topper. Boasting a 530hp 6.0-litre biturbo V12, the new S 600 can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.6 seconds… but, thanks to ECO stop/start, it can also average over 25mpg, a 21% improvement on the old car. Just as importantly, it also promises an unparalleled luxury car experience.