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Jetta Refresh Announced

VOLKSWAGEN has announced a refreshed version of its Jetta compact saloon. Order books are open now ahead of first deliveries expected in December. The car boasts revamped styling front and rear, enhanced features and trims and greater efficiency.

2015 Volkswagen Jetta facelift price & specs – costs from £18,815

The facelifted VW Jetta is now on sale in the UK The Volkswagen Jetta – a VW Golf with a boot – is getting a bit of a facelift for 2015 (although you’d be hard-pushed to see the changes) and now, after its reveal at the New York Motor Show in April, it’s going on sale in the UK. Although the cosmetic changes to the Jetta are minor – the usual tweaks to the back and front, including a revised grill – VW claim the small changes it’s made result in a Jetta that’s ten per cent more aerodynamic (which makes you wonder why they didn’t do it earlier). The visual changes inside are just as minor, with a new steering wheel, new trims and new fabric options, with ambient lighting fitted to the Jetta GT.

New 2015 Volvo XC90 – first exterior photo

The new Volvo XC90 (pictured) arrives in 2 weeks The reveal of the new 2015 Volvo XC90 is only two weeks away – although probably overdue by many years – and Volvo continue to pique our interest with more information on the new XC90. Top of Volvo’s information list this time is their new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) which underpins the new mXC90, but in the process they have revealed the first exterior photo of the new XC90 (although the exterior has already been revealed), although it is only a front-end detail photo. What it does show is the XC90′s new headlights – complete with running lights Volvo has dubbed ‘Thor’s Hammer – which look similar to those found on a number of Volvo’s recent concepts, a much bigger grill than we’re used to seeing on a Volvo and a sculptured bonnet.

Met police comissioner nabs taxi 'thief'

BRITAIN'S most senior police officer broke off from a radio interview to make an arrest in north London. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe jumped into a police car to pursue a suspect after the driver complained his passengers refused to pay the fare and had stolen cash from him, the BBC reported. Sir Bernard, who was taking part in a pre-recorded interview with BBC London 94.9 Drivetime presenter Eddie Nestor near Bruce Grove station in Tottenham, north London on the issue of budget cuts, jumped into the car in pursuit and later arrested a suspect.

Footballers 'prefer Range Rovers'

RANGE ROVERS are a clear favourite among Premiership footballers, according to a firm specialising in high-value car finance. Oracle Finance has revealed that 28 Range Rovers and 24 Range Rover Sports on its books feature a footballer as the registered keeper, making the British band's motors by far the most popular. The second most popular individual model is the Bentley Continental GT, with 26 ongoing purchases funded by Oracle, but that only totals half the combined number of Range Rovers in the survey.

McLaren 650S Sprint revealed – debuts at Pebble Beach

The McLaren 650S Sprint arrives to hit the track The arrival of the McLaren 650S in February (and the end of the 12C, unless it’s being replaced by the McLaren 625C) meant, in all probability, that the various hardcore versions of the 12C would be replicated for the 650S. We’ve already has the new McLaren 650S GT3 at Goodwood this year, and now we get the car that fills the gap between the 650S and GT3 version for McLaren owners to take to the track – the McLaren 650S Sprint. The 650S Sprint – which we assume replaces the 12C Sprint – keeps the 650S’s 641bhp V8 but adds a hefty dose of track specific updates to make the Sprint more focused and with sharper responses.

Brief 2 – Cadillac: CDN–GM Interactive Design Competition

Car Design News and General Motors are once again holding an Interactive Design Competition. There are five briefs to choose from, set by GM's designers, and you're invited to submit your entry on the competition website: http://www.cardesigncontest.com/ Cadillac's brief offers an interesting challenge: looking to the horizon – while considering global luxury customers, competitors and trends – how would you design a Cadillac V-Series vehicle for an urban environment? The brief asks for your to design a B- or C-segment car that embodies Cadillac brand philosophy and vehicle attributes, and should give an evolutionary perspective on the firm's Art & Science design philosophy.

Jaguar reveals first ‘new’ lightweight E-Type

CLASSIC car fans and speculators alike will be rejoicing as Jaguar has revealed the prototype of its ‘new' lightweight E-Type. Six further examples will be built by Jaguar Heritage and sold as period competition vehicles, using previously unused chassis numbers to give them true authenticity. In 1963 Jaguar started the 'Special GT E-type' programme to build 18 lightweight racers, but only 12 were ever made.

Jaguar reveals 'brand-new' Lightweight E-Type

This is a brand-new Lightweight Jaguar E-Type, exactly as it would have been if it had left the Browns Lane factory gates in Coventry way back in 1963. It’s not a restoration, either, but a totally fresh, zero miles car that will make its world debut later this week at the Pebble Beach Councours d’Elegance 2014. Back in May, Jaguar announced that it would finally build the remaining six "missing" Lightweight E-Types (originally developed for racing) that it never got round to in the 60s – now they’re here.

Jaguar Lightweight E-type – the 1960s icon reimagined for 2014

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 12 August 2014 00:01 Jaguar has come good on its promise to finish off the six unused E-type chassis numbers to make half a dozen very special sports cars. The new Jaguar Lightweight E-type, unveiled today in Pebble Beach, Monterey, is the result: a stunning retro classic reimagined in painstaking period detail for 2014. Built by Jaguar Land Rover’s new Special Operations division at a new facility in old Browns Lane, the Lightweight E-type is also a shot across the bows of specialists such as Eagle, who have been making hay creating modern-day E’s.

New Lightweight Jaguar E-Type revealed – the Jaguar E-Type is reborn (video)

The Lightweight Jaguar E-Type is reborn Back in May we revealed Jaguar Land Rover’s new Heritage part of JLR’s Special Operations Division were planning to create six new Lightweight E-Types, the ‘Missing 6′ from the original production run in 1963. And now we get to see the first prototype. The new Lightweight E-Types will complete the planned run of 18 cars from 1963 – the Special GT E Project – using the remaining, unused, chassis numbers from the original run, effectively making these new E-Types able to compete in historic racing events.

Mercedes' Wolff says Hamilton Rosberg rivalry won't boil over

MERCEDES motorsport boss Toto Wolff is confident the simmering rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will not boil over and has revealed the pair may be allowed to duel for the Formula One title. German Rosberg leads the drivers' standings on 202 points, with Briton Hamilton 11 points behind and their nearest rival Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) a further 60 points adrift. Mercedes have won nine of the 11 grands prix this season and it appears Rosberg and Hamilton, whose relationship has been frosty of late, are in pole position for the title.

2015 Kia Sorento revealed ahead of Paris Motor Show debut

Kia Kia has released pictures of its third-generation Sorento SUV ahead of its European unveiling at the Paris Motor Show 2014. The 2015 Kia Sorento is a seven-seat bigger brother to the Sportage, which itself received a mid-life update earlier this year. In typical Kia fashion, the front of the 2015 Sorento is dominated by its “tiger nose” grille, as well as long swept-back headlights – similar to those on the Cee'd hatchback.

New 2015 Hyundai i20 PROPERLY revealed – debuts at Paris Motor Show

The new 2015 Hyundai i20 revealed The Hyundai i20 is a decent, if slightly uninspiring, car, but it has shown Hyundai know how to put a car together to target a market dominated by the Ford Fiesta, and the new i20 – which will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show in October – should see the i20 edging closer to the Fiesta in appeal. Now, following a tease reveal of the new Hyundai i20 using design sketches last week, we get the reveal of the all new, second generation i20 ahead of its public debut. Using Hyundai’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0′ design language, the new i20 gets looks that are clearly inspired by the new i10 for a more modern look, with a new take on the Hyundai grill and black-c-pillars for a floating roof, making the new i20 look more contemporary, if a little bland.

Safety fears over Beatles crossing

Tourists flocking to one of Britain's favourite musical landmarks to recreate the Beatles' Abbey Road crossing could see the addition of a "lollipop lady" to their holiday snaps. Westminster Council has raised safety fears over the "thousands and thousands" of people who visit the zebra crossing, in St John's Wood, north London, made famous by the band in 1969. In some cases, fans are putting themselves at risk of frustrated drivers who often struggle to make it over the crossing because of the constant stream of pedestrians attempting to recreate the image.

Hyundai i20 (2014): first pictures of grown-up new supermini

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 11 August 2014 07:30 Here is the new 2014 Hyundai i20 supermini, unveiled this morning ahead of a Paris motor show debut in October. Designed in Europe and built in Turkey, this is a Europe-focused supermini and benefits from a new, pumped-up platform designed to close the gap between the i20 and class leaders such as the Ford Fiesta and VW Polo. Hyundai is claiming one of the most spacious cabins in the B-segment, thanks to a wheelbase stretched by 45mm – a couple of inches longer than before.

Michelin Challenge Design 2015: Jury meeting and entry review

Michelin Challenge Design has held its annual jury meeting and review of entries. The event took place at the Canepa Motorsports Museum in Scotts Valley, California on 14-15 July. The museum is home to a large number of significant racing cars, including a rare 1976 Tyrrell P34 six-wheel Formula 1 car, a 1969 Porsche 917K and the 1985 Rothmans Porsche 962C.

Kia Sorento

Kia has released pictures of the exterior of its new Sorento, ahead of the car's debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. It's the third generation of the Korean firm's mid-size SUV, and first impressions are that it conforms to the inexorable trend towards crossover aesthetics shown by both the Sorento itself - which has transitioned from utility-focused body-on-frame SUV to its latest car-like form - and its rivals. The Sorento gains 95mm in length, taking it to 4,780mm, with 80mm of that increase being the wheelbase, which now measures 2,780mm.

Plea for 'no drink if driving' this summer

AN APPEAL has been made to drivers in the UK not to touch a drop of alcohol if they are going to drive. The call comes as data from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) shows that one in fifteen drivers breath-tested were over the legal limit. Road safety charity Brake has made the plea after figures released by ACPO shows that its national anti-drink-drive campaign in June carried out 63,688 breath tests and 4108 proved positive for excess alcohol or refused a breath test.

Ford sales show move away from diesel

NEW CAR buyers are moving back towards petrol engines after years of diesel domination, if Ford’s latest sales figures are any guide. The company has revealed that its multi-award-winning 1.0-litre Ecoboost turbocharged petrol engine now powers one in every five cars sold in Europe, totalling 120,000 vehicles from January to the end of June. That figure is an increase from 104,000 1.0-litre Ecoboost-powered cars sold in the same period in 2013.

Kia Sorento (2014): Kia goes super-sized with new SUV

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 11 August 2014 16:54 The new 2014 Kia Sorento has been unveiled ahead of its debuts in Korea and Paris this autumn. It’s the third-generation of Sorento, and doesn’t deviate far from the format of the previous two crossovers. The new Kia Sorento is quite distinct from the Sportage, with a more American/Asian design vibe; it was designed in the Namyang studio in Korea.

McLaren 650S Sprint (2014): the gentleman racer’s Macca

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 11 August 2014 17:59 Visitors to the upmarket Pebble Beach festival this week will witness the world debut of a very special McLaren track-day special: the new 650S Sprint coupe. The clue’s in the name: the Sprint is a track-only version of the 650S, designed for wealthier fans to go on track days and race at junior levels. It slots beneath the full-blown 650S GT3 racer – this is more a My First Track Day Special for wealthy owners after an amateur race-day weapon.

Pebble Beach Debut For New Range Rover Sport SVR

LAND Rover is taking the performance SUV fight to Porsche as the Brit luxury car maker has unveiled a 550 horsepower version of its popular Range Rover Sport. The car, which is being launched at the prestigious Pebble Beach concourse event, is the fastest, most powerful Land Rover ever produced and the first to wear the SVR designation being adopted by future Land Rover and Jaguar high-performance models. The Range Rover Sport SVR accelerates from 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and boasts a top speed electronically limited to 162mph plus a Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time of 8 minutes 14 seconds – one of the fastest times ever recorded by a production SUV.

Brief 1 – Buick: CDN–GM Interactive Design Competition

This year's Car Design News and General Motors Interactive Design Competition is now up and running. Simply choose one of the five briefs set by GM's designers and submit your entry on the competition website, http://www.cardesigncontest.com/ If you think you could design a 6-8-seat vehicle that promotes togetherness, then the brief set by Buick could be the one for you. It asks you to come up with a cutting edge, unique and innovative vehicle that embodies your vision of a modern Buick.

New Range Rover Sport SVR revealed – 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds for £93,450

The new Range Rover Sport SVR (pictured) is officially revealed Land Rover has been trailing the new Range Rover SVR with camouflaged prototypes making regular appearances ahead of an official debut at Pebble Beach this month. But now the Range Rover Sport SVR has been officially revealed. Conceived and developed by Jaguar Land Rover’s new Special Operations Division, the Sport SVR has been honed at the Nurburgring (which won’t please James May) to take on monster on-road SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and yet still offer most of the Land Rover off-road magic.

Hyundai i20

Hyundai's second-generation i20, designed at Hyundai Motor's Design Center Europe in Rüsselsheim, Germany, is the first to feature the firm's new small-car platform. Hyundai claims this allows sufficient flexibility to make the (as-yet unrevealed) interior the most spacious in its class. As for the exterior, the distinction between what is a Kia and what's a Hyundai becomes ever-more blurred.

New 2015 Kia Sorento revealed

The new Kia Sorento, revealed ahead of its debut in Paris We got a tease for the 2015 Kia Sorento last month with Kia revealing the new Sorento gets a slightly more sporting look with a lower roofline, higher beltline, sculptured body surfaces and a new ‘Tiger Nose’ grill. Now, with the new Sorento due to debut in South Korea later this month – and in Europe at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October – Kia has revealed the first photos of the new Sorento. The new Sorento looks a decent effort, and the styling is certainly more appealing, despite elements carried over from the current Sorento, but there’s certainly influences from Kia’s Cross GT Concept.

Range Rover Sport SVR (2014) unveiled: the world’s fastest SUV?

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 11 August 2014 00:01 What happens when you bestow a sports car engine and chassis tweaks upon a hulking big SUV? This: the new 2014 Range Rover Sport SVR, unveiled today and due to cost a heady £93,450. It is claimed to be the world’s fastest 4x4, thanks to a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 nabbed from the Jaguar XKR-S and boosted to 543bhp and 502lb ft of torque.

Hyundai Unveils New i20 Ahead Of Paris Motor Show Debut

KOREAN car maker Hyundai has taken the wraps off the latest generation of its i20 compact hatchback. The car, which will receive its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, has been designed and developed in Europe. According to its maker, three key attributes underline how it meets the needs of European consumers: class-leading interior space, a host of high-technology and comfort-enhancing features, and distinctive, refined design.

Q by Aston Martin at Pebble Beach 2014

Q by Aston Martin Vanquish Volante at Pebble Beach 2014 Q by Aston Martin is Aston Martin’s customisation programme for their cars, offering bespoke titivation to make cars even more individual than they already are. And a chunk more expensive too. And to illustrate just some of the customisation options possible for their cars, Aston Martin has decided to take four new ‘Q’ cars to this months event at Pebble Beach and will be displaying them at the Aston Martin estate – high above Carmel – alongside the new V12 Vantage S Roadster and DP-100 Vision Gran Turismo car.