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Honda FCEV hydrogen Concept teased for Los Angeles Auto Show
Mon, 11 Nov 2013Honda FCEV hydrogen Concept teased for Los Angeles Auto Show Car makers are all starting to vie for a piece of the hydrogen-powered market for road cars that is starting to develop, and Honda is now joining the fray with the Honda FCEV Concept. The Toyota FCV has already been revealed as debuting at the Tokyo Motor Show and now Honda are in on the act with their own FCEV heading for a debut at Los Angeles later this month. Honda say the FCEV Concept previews a 2015 production model for the US and Japan – and other markets later – and comes more than a decade after Honda first started leasing hydrogen fuel cell cars to a handful of fleet users.
American muscle and hot rods at SEMA 2013: in pictures
Mon, 11 Nov 2013As they say in the States, "there aint no replacement for displacement" – a theory all of the vehicles in our SEMA 2013 American muscle and hot rods gallery subscribe to. Some tuners at SEMA use turbocharging and supercharging to achieve massive horsepower levels from modified cars, but not most of the companies behind the tweaks on these American muscle cars and hot rods – green these vehicles most definitely aren’t, mean they most certainly are. Please click on the image above to read more on American muscle cars and hot rods at SEMA 2013…
Jaguar Land Rover reveals huge profits growth
Mon, 11 Nov 2013Jaguar Land Rover has reported half-year profits have broken the £1 billion barrier, with profit before tax of £1.083 billion marking a massive 42% year-on-year increase. Profits in the last three months alone were £668 million, said the firm. MORE new British jobs for Jaguar Land Rover Range Rover: why it is already battling Bentley The strong results are thanks to continued sales growth for the two British luxury car brands: sales over the past three months increases 21% to 102,644 cars – beating even the half-year sales rise of 16% to just over 197,000 vehicles.
Auctioned Chevy Trax provides Man Utd charity boost
Mon, 11 Nov 2013A CHEVROLET Trax that had been autographed by the 2012/13 Premier League-winning Manchester United team has helped raise more than £17,500 for charity. The car, bearing signatures from players including Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand, sold via an eBay auction for £14,301 as part of a wider auction of Manchester United memorabilia donated by Chevrolet. The money will go to the Manchester United Foundation to support its Ability Counts football programme, which offers disabled people the opportunity to play or coach with Manchester United and has more than 150 players aged from eight to 40 years old.
Citroen DS X7 SUV going in to production in 2014
Mon, 11 Nov 2013The Citroen DS Wild Rubis (pictured) is going in to production as the Citroen DS X7 At the Shanghai Motor Show earlier this year, Citroen debuted the DS Wild Rubis Concept as a full-sized SUV concept which looked like it was heading for production. And now Citroen has confirmed it is. The new Citroen DS X7 will go in to production in China late in 2014 and be sold under the Changan-PSA joint venture with underpinnings based on the Citroen DS5.
'Concept Cars by Bertone' 2014 Degler Calendar out now
Mon, 11 Nov 2013‘Concept Cars by Bertone' is the theme of the 2014 Degler Calendar by automotive photographer Pitor Degler Jablonski, which showcases some of the most important and unique prototypes designed by the coachbuilder. Through his photography Jablonski celebrates car design icons such as Nuccio Bertone's own racecar, advanced concepts such as the Stratos Zero and Marcello Gandini's Lamborghinis as well as the recent designs of Mike Robinson, Bertone's current brand and design director. The 12 cars featuring in the 2014 Degler Calendar will be: 1947 Fiat Barchetta 1955 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1967 Lamborghini Marzal 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo 1969 Autobianchi Runabout 1970 Lancia Stratos Zero 1976 Alfa Romeo Navajo 1984 Chevrolet Ramarro 1999 Alfa Romeo Bella 2003 Bertone Birusa 2007 Fiat Barchetta 2010 Alfa Romeo Pandion Every year the calendar will carry different themes like carrozeria classics, rally cars or dream cars.
2015 Subaru WRX revealed ahead of LA Auto Show
Mon, 11 Nov 2013Subaru's 2015 WRX model is slated to make its world debut at the LA Auto Show, but we're getting an advanced look a the enthusiast favorite thanks to a brief teaser video and what may be a leaked image of the sedan making the rounds on the Web. The Japanese automaker has kept the new WRX pretty tightly under wraps. Besides the WRX concept we saw at the New York auto show , Subaru has released little more than a seven-second teaser video.
Electric Kia Soul EV review: in pictures
Mon, 11 Nov 2013Electric cars haven’t been embraced with the enthusiasm that the manufacturers hoped for. Early adopters loved them, but then it all seemed to fizzle out. The limited range between recharging can’t be overlooked.
2014 Nissan Qashqai close to being driverless
Mon, 11 Nov 2013Nissan has revealed that the new 2014 Qashqai is just one step away from becoming a self-driving car. Packed with technology, the Qashqai can already do an awful lot with little driver input, including park, read road signs and avoid collisions. New 2014 Nissan Qashqai revealed in pictures Nissan teases all-new 2014 Qashqai crossover The only missing link is the computer software to make it drive itself – and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has said that this could be in place as early as 2020.
2014 VW Golf R priced from £29,900
Mon, 11 Nov 2013Volkswagen has announced the UK pricing for the new Golf R. Arriving in showrooms in March 2014, the R becomes the new range-topping Golf, above the GTI. It comes in three- and five-door variants, and is priced from £29,900.
Anxious parents back tougher learner driver rules
Mon, 11 Nov 2013PARENTS of young people are anxious about their offspring driving - with nearly three quarters in favour of probationary licences being given to new drivers. In a survey conducted ahead of the Government Green Paper on improving young drivers' safety, 82% of those questioned said the thought of their child driving on British roads made them feel anxious. A total of 60% said that was because of their lack of experience.
Concils 'confident' over winter salt stockpiles
Mon, 11 Nov 2013COUNCILS are confident they can cope with bad-weather conditions on the roads this winter. A survey shows that local authorities in England and Wales have stockpiled more salt for this winter than last. A total of 1.3 million tonnes was stockpiled for winter 2012/13 and the Local Government Association (LGA) shows that 95% of councils are either maintaining or increasing stock levels this winter.
Motorbikes 'surprise' car drivers
Mon, 11 Nov 2013MOST CAR drivers are "caught by surprise" by the sudden appearance of motorbikes, according to a survey of more than 21,000 AA members. But as many as 40% of drivers reckon motorcyclists are inconsiderate, with London bikers appearing to be the least courteous. The AA/Populus survey showed that 57% of car drivers were often surprised when a motorcycle appeared from nowhere.
Driverless 'pods' to hit Milton Keynes
Mon, 11 Nov 2013DRIVERLESS cars will transport people through the streets of a British town in a £1.5 million project aimed at boosting green technology. From 2015 an initial batch of 20 driver-operated "pods", which will be able to carry two people, will be run on designated pathways separated from pedestrians in Milton Keynes. But by mid-2017 it is planned that 100 fully autonomous vehicles will run on pathways alongside people, using sensors to avoid collisions with obstacles.
Jaguar SUV/Crossover (C-X17) gets Liquid Metal paint job for Dubai Motor Show
Sun, 10 Nov 2013The Jaguar SUV/Crossover (C-X17) gets Liquid Metal paint job for Dubai Motor Show The Jaguar C-X17 Concept arrived at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September as Jaguar’s first nod towards a sports SUV – although Jaguar consider the C-X17 a Sport Crossover, not an SUV – and, although dubbed a concept, it’s a firm marker for a Jaguar Crossover arriving in the next couple of years. That perception is given more credence by the arrival of the C-X17 at the Dubai Motor Show all spruced up with a new paint job - a lustrous Liquid Aluminium liquid metal finish. It’s a similar route to garner column inches Jaguar took with the C-X16 Concept (which turned in to the Jaguar F-Type) with extra coverage garnered after the reveal at Frankfurt in 2011 with a new white paint job - Neutron White – for the Los Angeles Auto Show a couple of months later.
VW Twin Up Hybrid Concept does 257mpg – debuts at LA & Tokyo
Sun, 10 Nov 2013Teh VW Up! is getting the hybrid powertrain from the XL ! The VW Twin Up is a concept Up!
Jaguar F-Type Coupe grabs a Super Bowl Spot
Sat, 09 Nov 2013The Jaguar F-Type Coupe grabs a Super Bowl Spot The Jaguar F-Type Coupe is heading for a reveal at the Los Angeles and Tokyo Motor Shows this month, and Jaguar are already thinking big as they start to plot how to get the new F-Type Coupe in front of potential buyers. So they’ve grabbed a 30 second advert slot in next year’s televised Super Bowl in the US, which is guaranteed to get the new F-Type Coupe front and centre in potential buyers’ minds in the States. Playing on the predilection for Hollywood to use British actors as the villain, Jaguar’s F-Type Coupe campaign will have a ‘British Villians’ theme and pose the question: “Have you ever noticed how in Hollywood movies, all the villains are played by Brits?” Featuring ‘Renowned British Actors’ (yes, your guess is as good as ours) and launching the hashtag #GoodToBeBad , the new advert is being filmed by Brit Director Tom Hopper in London.
Lexus RX 450h Advance added to RX range
Sat, 09 Nov 2013The Lexus RX 450h Advance (pictured) added to the RX range Lexus has added a new version of the hybrid RX 450h to their range of offerings in the UK – the Lexus RX 450h Advance – but they’re not exactly pushing the boat out to promote it. The details we got from Lexus tell us that the Advance is based on the RX Luxury, but with the addition of extra kit and just one photo (above). Those extras amount to a new front bumper that’s half regular R and half RX F-Sport for a slightly more butch look, LED headlights and Lexus’s I-AFS auto-adaptive system that makes the lights move according to steering input.
Meet the 214-mpg Volkswagen Twin-Up concept
Fri, 08 Nov 2013Ahead of a Tokyo motor show debut, VW is showing off the Twin-Up concept. Essentially an advanced version of the company's entry-level Up supermini, the Twin-Up runs a modified version of the plug-in diesel-electric hybrid driveline used in the high-tech XL1 for spectacular claimed combined consumption of 214 mpg on the Euro combined cycle along with a zero-emissions electric range of 31 miles. The Twin-Up name alludes to the new car's twin drive sources.
Chris Evans reveals CarFest 2014 dates
Fri, 08 Nov 2013Want to indulge your passion for cars and have a great family weekend – with all money raised going to charity? Then circle the 2014 CarFest dates in your diary – Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans has just announced the fast-growing event will take place in August, with tickets going on sale on next week. The Chris Evans car collection Chris Evans’ Ferraris at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed As usual, there will be two events, CarFest North and CarFest South.
Concept Car of the Week: Mitsubishi HSR (1987)
Fri, 08 Nov 2013In 1987, Mitsubishi initiated a range of concept cars called HSR (High Speed Research) with the intention of creating a futuristic vision for the brand combining advanced technology, efficient power and aerodynamic design. The first concept car was designed for safely cruising on the motorway at very high speed, thanks to cutting edge electronics. The car's internal computers measured speed, weather, driver input and grip, and adjusted the 4-wheel drive system and the 4-wheel steering automatically.
Volkswagen CC R-Line announced for the UK
Fri, 08 Nov 2013The Volkswagen CC R-Line (pictured) now on sale in the UK Earlier this year, Volkswagen decided they’d drop the price of the VW CC just a bit, so with an eye to a tick-box many UK buyers will like they’ve added the VW CC R-Line to the UK options to get some higher price sales in. Effectively an add-on option for the CC GT – which comes with a pretty decent spec anyway – the CC R-Line will get the usual subtle R-Line adornments to add a bit more butch to the appealing four-door coupe. That includes an R-Line grill with fog lights, new R-Line bumper, bigger sills, LED running lights, R-Line logos, 18″ Mallory Alloys and R-Line steering wheel, all of which adds a perfectly reasonable £650 to the price of the GT CC.
Nissan BladeGlider concept: in pictures
Fri, 08 Nov 2013Petrolheads! Nissan has launched a concept that shows cars of the future can be entertaining to drive – even if it’s an electric vehicle. It’s the lightweight, aircraft-inspired, Deltawing-shaped Nissan BladeGlider.
Nissan BladeGlider (2013) shown
Fri, 08 Nov 2013By Damion Smy First Official Pictures 08 November 2013 09:53 Is the Nissan Qashqai a little too practical for you? Nissan has the answer: the wacky-looking BladeGlider, inspired by its Zeod racer that began sportscar racing in 2012 as the Nissan DeltaWing. The BladeGlider is a Nissan showpiece for its future sportscars, which will see hybrid and EV tech end up in its flagship GT-R.
Super modified saloons at SEMA 2013: in pictures
Fri, 08 Nov 2013SEMA stands for Specialty Equipment Market Association, and every year it holds a big event in Las Vegas to showcase the very best in weird and wonderful modified car creations. But unlike certain other modified car shows we could mention, the emphasis is very much on premium quality and good taste. Let us guide you through some of the very best super saloons on show at the 2013 SEMA Car Show.
Modified supercars at SEMA 2013 in pictures
Fri, 08 Nov 2013The SEMA tuning and modified car show held in that centre of American excess, Las Vegas, is a melting pot for all things automotive. From trucks and busses to family saloons and hatchbacks, aftermarket tuning companies go to work making the wackiest modified versions of every type of vehicle around, showing off their wares at SEMA. Not even supercars are off limits.
New VW Golf R Mk 7 costs from £29,900 in the UK
Fri, 08 Nov 2013The new VW Golf R (pictured) costs from £29,900 The best of the MK 7 Golfs – the new Golf R – arrived back in August ahead of its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, with Volkswagen telling us it would go on sale in early 2014. But it’s actually on sale now, a few weeks early. At £29,900 (for the 3-door with 6-speed manual), the Golf R is a sensible price ( at least in comparison to VW’s truly silly price for the MK 6 Golf R Cabrio – which they subsequently dropped by more than £5k) and undercuts the similar Audi S3.
Mercedes Weighs Into Super Saloon Market With Potent AMG-Tuned S-Class
Fri, 08 Nov 2013WHEN eight cylinders just isn’t enough for your high performance luxury saloon, Mercedes has unveiled the solution to your problem: and S-Class boasting twelve cylinders, twin-turbocharging, 630 horsepower and a whopping 737lb ft of torque. As a flagship to trump even its own S 63 AMG model, the German firm claims its S 65 AMG monster is the most powerful vehicle in its market segment. Packing a 6.0-litre V12 petrol motor, this third generation of S 65 can deliver a zero to 62mph sprint time of 4.3 seconds and carry on to an electronically limited 155mph.
Nissan could leave UK if Britain leaves EU
Fri, 08 Nov 2013Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn has warned that Nissan could leave the UK if the public vote ‘yes’ in the EU referendum promised by the Conservatives should they win the 2015 General Election. Ghosn gave the warning to the BBC while he was in London to launch the new British built Nissan Qashqai. New 2014 Nissan Qashqai revealed in pictures UK to become second biggest car maker in EU “If anything has to change, we [would] need to reconsider our strategy and our investments for the future,” he told a reporter.
Driverless Car Project Launched In Land Of The Concrete Cows
Fri, 08 Nov 2013MILTON Keynes might already be famous for its concrete cows and numerous roundabouts, but soon it’ll also be known for its driverless cars. In a project aimed at boosting green technologies, a fleet of 20 driver-operated ‘pods’ will run on designated pathways separated from pedestrians. By mid-2017 it is planned that 100 fully autonomous vehicles will run on pathways alongside people, using sensors to avoid collisions with obstacles.