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MOT test gets tougher for diesels

THE MOT TEST for cars with diesel engines is set to become much tougher from February 2014 due to new rules about exhaust filters. Diesel-engined cars fitted with an exhaust filter as standard when new will now be checked to make sure it is still present. Any car found to have had the filter removed will be automatically failed and required to have a new filter fitted.

Bridgestone reinvents the wheel

THE WHEEL is being reinvented with the development of an airless tyre for cars that could put an end to punctures and be kinder to the environment. Currently being developed by Bridgestone, the Air-Free Concept Tyre has an exterior tread that looks normal but inside there are plastic spokes that support the outer casing. This does away with the need to pump up the tyres, which means a puncture is no longer a problem as the tyre cannot deflate.

Hyundai Intrado Concept previewed ahead of Geneva 2014 debut

The Hyundai Intrado (pictured) will debut at Geneva 2014 The Hyundai Intrado Concept (pictured above) is being previewed ahead of a debut at next year’s Geneva Motor Show, and previews not just the new Intrado but Hyundai’s vision of its future. The Intrado (HED-9) looks to be a compact SUV/Crossover and features Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design, showcasing the design future of Hyundai now Peter Schreyer is pulling the design strings at Hyundai as well as Kia. Hyundai say the Intrado is built round a super-lightweight structure using advanced materials joined with a revolutionary technique which, say Hyundai, could change the way cars are constructed in the future.

New BMW M3 & M4 teased on video

New BMW M3 & M4 teased on video (M4 Concept pictured) The new BMW M3 and M4 – effectively an M3 Coupe – are due for a debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month, and BMW are starting the tease with a new video. The video shows nothing of real note, just the outline of the M3 and M4 picked out by moving lights. Which seems a bit daft when we already have a pretty good idea of what’s on offer.

Mountune will upgrade your Focus ST, Fiesta ST

UK-based Ford tuner Mountune set up shop in the U.S. just a couple months ago, and is already offering upgrades to the Ford Focus ST and the Ford Fiesta ST. Mountune is Ford's official partner in Europe, and their experience goes back 30 years Mountune comes from a slightly different branch of Ford tuning that North American buyers are used to -- their specialty has been tuning Ford's smaller cars in Europe rather than muscle cars, and they've worked on everything from Escorts to Focuses (though perhaps not the Escorts and Focuses that we're used to).

Fiat to spend big, dump the Punto & revive flagging fortunes by going upmarket

Fiat Punto to be axed as Fiat moves upmarket Fiat are having a very rocky ride as the Italian economy lurchges from one crisis to another. But Sergio Marchionne has a plan to put Fiat back on track. Spending of €9 billion over the next three years is planned to revive production in Italy, rationalise the Fiat range and continue to push upmarket with Maserati and Alfa Romeo.

Lexus teases new RC-F rival to BMW M4

Lexus has released the first tease of a new F-branded model – and it looks like the car in question is a hot version of last month’s new RC Coupe. The new RC-F will be officially revealed at the Detroit Motor Show next month, with the firm promising “performance synonymous with Lexus’s heritage of F-designated performance models”. Tokyo Motor Show 2013 best production cars – Lexus RC Coupe New Lexus RC Coupe for Tokyo Motor Show 2013 Over the regular RC Coupe, which we checked out in detail at the Tokyo Motor Show last month, the RC-F appears to get bespoke front wings with unique side gills: the multi-spoke alloys are also new.

SsangYong makes a pitch to grab UK Chevrolet dealers

The new SsangYong Korando (pictured) could be heading for Chevrolet showrooms GM’s decision to drop the Chevrolet brand from the UK and Europe in 2015 to focus on Opel and Vauxhall brands could leave standalone Chevrolet dealers with a problem. But Korean car maker SsangYong – now owned by India’s Mahindra – are jumping in quickly to propose an alternative for disenfranchised Chevrolet dealers in the UK looking for another brand to fill their showrooms and service bays. SsangYong say they have openings for new dealerships in England, Scotland and Wales and are looking for dealers principles with Chevrolet franchises to get in touch to see if a deal can be done.

Vettel F1 helmet sold for £72,000

A HELMET belonging to four times World Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel has been sold for a world record £72,000 in a charity auction. The safety gear, signed by Vettel himself, was a Red Bull-sponsored helmet by Arai designed around Germany's national colours. It was worn during the Nurburgring Grand Prix race weekend in Germany this year - where Vettel celebrated his first home victory.

Hangover affects driving ability 'as much as being drunk'

A HANGOVER following a night of heavy drinking can impair driving performance as much as driving under the influence of alcohol, according to new research. Scientists at universities in the UK and the Netherlands found that the effects of a night's heavy drinking last longer than a measurable blood alcohol concentration and that hangover immunity is largely a myth. In research conducted at the University of the West of England, participants who had been drinking the night before undertook a 20-minute simulation of driving in a mixed urban and rural setting.

Warning for 'morning after' drivers

MOTORIST DON'T KNOW when it is safe to drive the morning after drinking, according to an AA/Populus survey. As many as 56% of the 21,165 surveyed were unaware of the "morning-after" dangers, with those from north east and north west the biggest culprits, the poll found. In the survey, drivers were asked that if they started drinking at 9pm and drank a total of 12 units of alcohol over three hours when they thought they would legally be allowed to drive again.

Germany plans to charge foreigners to drive on the Autobahn

Germany plans to charge foreigners to drive on the Autobahn It seems Germany is planning to charge to use the Autobahn network – just as France does – but it plans to levy the charge just on foreign visitors. The plan is part of a deal by Angela Merkel’s Social Democrat party to form a new coalition and would see all non-German drivers paying a fixed toll to use the Autobahns. But the plan is coming under fire from neighbouring countries (Germany has borders with nine other countries) and even from its own version of the AA – the ADAC – who say the revenue likely to be raised – around £220 million – will do little to address the costs.

Hyundai to launch N high-performance brand in partnership with WRC team

Microsoft Hyundai today announced it will launch a new high-performance N brand to rival go-faster versions from German manufacturers. Future Hyundai N models will be low-volume sporting derivatives, inspired by the new i20 WRC rally car which will launch at the Monte Carlo race in January 2014. The N badge is designed to cement the link with Hyundai's Namyang R&D centre in Korea, which helped develop the i20 WRC in record time - the team was only founded 12 months ago.

Extra-long-wheelbase BMW 7-series rumored for 2016

BMW may be planning to field an extra-long-wheelbase 7-series after the current model is replaced for the 2016 model year, BimmerToday reports. The current-generation 7-series has been with us since 2008, though its replacement is almost around the corner, relatively speaking. And even though the current version does not offer an extra-long-wheelbase body style, one based on the all-new 2016 BMW 7 series may be in the works.

Hyundai announces Shell as partner for 2014 rally return

By Damion Smy First Official Pictures 10 December 2013 12:00 Hyundai has announced Shell as the major sponsor of its World Rally Championship and revealed its 2014 livery ahead of its first event – the Monte Carlo Rally – in January. The official name of the team is the Hyundai Shell World Rally Team. It also confirmed a new sub-brand to build road-going performance cars, called N, with further details to be announced.

Court battle over driver using Google Glass

A CALIFORNIA WOMAN has pleaded not guilty to what is believed to be the first traffic offence alleging a motorist was using Google's new computer-in-glasses invention. The device, known as Google Glass, features a thumbnail-size transparent display above the right eye. The technology will not be made widely available to the public until next year, but Cecilia Abadie was one of about 10,000 "explorers" who received the glasses earlier this year as part of a try-out.

Police BMW crashes into £200k Ferrari on London street

Surely the whole point of owning a bright yellow Ferrari 458 Spider supercar is to get yourself noticed. Well, it didn’t work in this instance. The owner of this £200,000, 198mph roadster will be on the receiving end of a substantial repair bill courtesy of Her Majesty’s Metropolitan police.

Fireworks man cleared over M5 crash

A FIREWORKS CONTRACTOR in charge of a display held on the night of a massive motorway crash in which seven people died and 51 were injured has been cleared of breaching health and safety laws. A judge directed a jury at Bristol Crown Court to find Geoffrey Counsell, 51, not guilty of a single charge of failing to ensure the safety of others contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act. The charge alleged that Mr Counsell, of Ashill in Somerset, failed to ensure he operated the firework display so as to ensure, as far as was reasonably practicable, that others who might be affected were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

Mayor warning over London cycling protests

SAFETY protests sparked by the deaths of six cyclists on the streets of the capital risk scaring people off switching from cars to bikes altogether, London mayor Boris Johnson will warn today. Mr Johnson will urge "more careful" language, suggesting pro-cycling campaigners could jeopardise the push to boost bike use by concentrating on recent fatalities when overall numbers were not up. Mr Johnson - addressing a safety summit bringing together cycle and haulage groups - will hail a £913 million investment in safety measures but urge people not to expect instant results.

Fans pay tribute to actor Walker

THOUSANDS OF FANS, friends and car enthusiasts descended on a Los Angeles suburb to pay tribute to Paul Walker at the site where the Fast & Furious actor died in a fireball car crash. The Santa Clarita memorial, planned through social media, was due to begin at noon, but mourners began arriving hours earlier to leave flowers, candles, stuffed animals and other tributes. Throughout the afternoon, thousands of people, including entire families, arrived.

One Lap of the Web: Automotive remakes, an amphibious Toyota FJ40 and a hyper-realistic CGI Stingray

-- Hollywood seems to be utterly out of ideas, which has lead to a slew of remakes and reboots and sequels. Why can't the auto industry get in on the rehashing action? Perhaps hoping to send a signal to carmaker bigwigs Hooniverse asks: what discontinued car could be reintroduced without any styling changes?

Startech unveils tuned Range Rover Sport

German tuner Startech has just unveiled their tuning program for the 2014 Range Rover Sport and picked the 2013 Essen Motor Show -- Europe's equivalent of SEMA -- as the debut venue. Startech has been in the Land Rover and Jaguar tuning business for over a decade, though their products are not that well known this side of the Atlantic. But the growing variety and popularity of Range Rover vehicles on this side of the pond just might change that.

97% of UK Lexus sold in 2014 will be hybrids

Speaking during the European launch of the new Lexus GS300h – the new entry-level hybrid in the executive GS range – Lexus UK director, Richard Balshaw, revealed that 97% of all Lexus sold in the UK next year are likely to be hybrids. The GS300h’s deputy chief engineer, Yukihiro Kito, als confirmed to MSN Cars that the return of diesel-powered Lexus vehicles is unlikely to happen any time soon – if at all. On Bing: see pictures of Lexus hybrids Find out how much a used Lexus costs on Auto Trader According to Kito-san, diesel just does not make sense for Lexus given the markets the company is chiefly competitive in, which is to say the USA and Asia.

Lexus RC-F (2014) first teaser shot

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 09 December 2013 17:00 Lexus has confirmed a new F-model coupe will have wheels, a large vent inspired by the old IS-F super-saloon, and trademark ‘Ultra Blue’ paint. This is the joy of teaser shots – a supposedly exciting drip-feed of detail pictures that actually make a car’s final reveal a complete anti-climax. Take note, Mini Vision concept and Corvette Z06… Though Lexus won’t confirm as much (oh, the teases!), we’re expecting to see the hot new RC-F coupe launched at the Detroit motor show in January 2014.

Fiesta grabs Women's World Car of the Year prize

THE FORD FIESTA 1.0 Ecoboost has been crowned the Women’s World Car of the Year 2013. A panel of 18 women judged the car on factors such as colour, sex appeal and ease of driving. Beating off competition from Audi and Range Rover, the Fiesta was praised by the all-women panel and the awards chairman Sandy Myhre said: ‘It was clear from the outset the Fiesta struck a chord with our panel of women as it has features which clearly chime with the needs of female drivers.’ Barb Samardzich, chief operating officer, Ford of Europe, said: ‘The success of the new Fiesta, both in terms of this award and impressive sales, has been achieved with a car which is sharp looking, better connected and even more fuel efficient and fun-to-drive.’

Audi S3 Saloon goes on sale in the UK – price from £33,240

The Audi S3 Saloon (pictured) is now on sale in the UK If you want a relatively compact pocket rocket, Audi has you covered with the S3. So far, we’ve had the regular S3 and S3 Sportback (and the S3 Cabriolet is on the way), but if you prefer your S3 in a standard four-door saloon guise, you’re in luck – the Audi S3 Saloon has arrived in the UK. With the same 296bhp 2.0 litre TFSI engine as its S3 siblings, the S3 saloon offers strong performance – 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds – and an official combined economy of 40.9mpg (which means emissions of 159g/km (if you opt for the S Tronic gearbox).

McLaren 12C Concept showcases McLaren Special Operations (MSO) goodies

The McLaren 12C MSO Concept (pictured) highlights McLaren’s MSO upgrades Unless you’ve ever been and bought a supercar (or a high-end luxury car) new, you may not realise that the regular options list is just the starting point for individual customisation. In fact everyone, from Ferrari to Rolls Royce, will do pretty much whatever you want to your new car if your pockets are deep enough, and it’s a game – and a cash cow – McLaren are keen to make the most of. That’s why we had the extreme McLaren X-1 project a couple of years ago, but that went a lot further than most Mclaren buyers want to go with their new car.

Senna to be honoured by Gran Turismo

FORMULA 1 legend Ayrton Senna is to be honoured by PlayStation franchise phenomenon Gran Turismo to coincide with the 20th anniversary of his death. May 2014 will see the milestone marked by the inclusion of Senna and one of his cars within Gran Turismo 6, after special instruction from the game’s creator and enduring Senna fan, Kazunori Yamauchi. “There were two things that I learned from Ayrton Senna,” he said at the game’s international launch at the Ascari Race Resort in Spain.

SsangYong Korando gets a makeover for 2014

The 2014 SsangYong Korando (pictured) gets a facelift SsangYong have been on a bit of a mission to place the Korando as a perfect budget offering in the burgeoning Compact SUV market since it arrived in 2011. We’ve had the Korando SX arrive last year to tempt more buyers in, and a £1 million advertising campaign (focused on ‘economically challenged’ areas of the UK) to raise awareness, and now we get a facelift for 2014 to make the Korando more appealing. The facelift means a new grill, new headlights with LED driving lights, bigger air intake at the front, new lights at the back, new colours – Sunrise red, Cosmic blue and Carbonic grey - and some new wheels designs.

Brazil plant for Jaguar Land Rover

JAGUAR LAND ROVER (JLR) is to become the first UK car-maker to open a manufacturing facility in Brazil. JLR is investing £240 million in the initiative, which will see the development of a plant that will produce up to 24,000 vehicles a year. The factory, based in the city of Itatiaia, will initially employ 400 people, with the first vehicles due to come off the assembly line in 2016.