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Jaguar F-Type Tour de France Concept (2014)

By James Clark First Official Pictures 21 July 2014 10:30 Jaguar’s new Special Vehicle Operations team has built an F-Type R Coupe to act as a support car for Team Sky on stage 20 of the 2014 Tour De France. The injured Chris Froome, who crashed out of the Tour earlier this month, is hoping to be onboard this weekend as he cheers on the rest of his Sky teammates. By a mile.

Traffic delays 'to last weeks'

DRIVERS at the beginning of the summer holiday getaway are being warned of weeks of delays on the roads. The first major jams will be on Friday July 25, and the five Saturdays that follow, starting July 26 and ending August 23, are expected to be the most congested days of the summer. From traffic information company Inrix, the warnings included forecasts that hour-long journeys on Friday could take up to 90 minutes.

Silverstone Classic 2014 preview

By James Clark Motor Shows 21 July 2014 07:00 Along with Goodwood’s Revival and the Donington Historic Festival, the Silverstone Classic is one of the largest and most popular historic racing events on the global calendar. The 2014 Silverstone Classic promises to be as spectacular as ever, so CAR has helpfully highlighted the races, cars and drivers you should keep an eye on. The Group C prototype race will be one of the most popular of the weekend, with the 80s icons making their only UK appearance of 2014.

First Sight: Smart Fortwo and Forfour

"Dress-down Wednesday," remarked a colleague as Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche walked on stage wearing jeans and no tie. While it was a hot day in Berlin, Zetsche's excuse for his informal attire was the occasion – the new Smart is here. Its prospective owners, he explained – young, urban consumers with an active lifestyle, not the typical members of corporate Germany – adhere to a different, if similarly rigid etiquette.

Government driving down electric avenue

THE GOVERNMENT is to lead by example by buying more than 150 electric and plug-in hybrid cars for its fleets. All fleet managers will have funding allocated with a view to buying ultra-low-emission vehicles (ULEVs) to replace older vehicles as part of the their normal working life cycle. According to Westminster sources, a long-term plan is in place to make such cars and vans entirely commonplace.

Holidaymakers to drive over 1,000 miles

BRITISH families will rack up a total of 15.7 billion miles in their own cars during holidays this year. Research from Kwik-Fit suggests that motorists using their vehicle for trips will drive an average of 1,082 miles each. The vast majority of these trips will be within the UK, with 13.2 million cars being used for domestic holidays.

Lexus sales rising strongly in Europe – up 33 per cent in Western Europe

The new Lexus IS (pictured) is leading Lexus’s sales growth in europe There’s lots to like about the Lexus range (even if we would like to see proper gearboxes proliferate), and it seems buyers across Europe are getting more and more enamoured of Toyota’s luxury brand. Lexus are reporting soaring sales in Europe so far in 2014, with sales up by 25.4 per cent over the same period in 2013 (and by 33 per cent in Western Europe) and the Lexus IS leading the way. Lexus IS sales were up to 6,923, followed by the Lexus RX SUV and the compact Lexus CT, with even the massively expensive Lexus LS chipping in 265 sales in the first six months of the year.

75% of BMW 2 Series Active Tourer buyers will be new to BMW

75% of BMW 2 Series Active Tourer buyers will be new to BMW The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer – BMW’s front wheel drive small family mover – went on sale in the UK in May and looks set to take on the Mercedes B Class and bring new buyers to the BMW brand. BMW say they are expecting around three quarters of all buyers of the new 2 Series Active Tourer will be new to the brand, which is a big opportunity for BMW. BMW purists may bemoan the front wheel drive setup as a betrayal of all BMW stands for (although you will be able to get xDrive 4WD versions), but for BMW it’s a very pragmatic way to go.

Mercedes GLA 200CDI AMG Line

By Ben Barry Motor Industry 21 July 2014 09:21 This is the Mercedes GLA, essentially Merc’s Golf rival – the A-class – with its wellies on. The compact crossover is the baby of the Mercedes SUV family, and gives Stuttgart an answer to cars such as the Range Rover Evoque and Audi Q3. The GLA comes with a selection of four-cylinder petrol and diesel models; we’re testing the entry-level 200 CDI in top-spec AMG Line trim, yours for £28,030.

Power outputs released for the 2015 Ford Mustang

By Motor Industry 21 July 2014 13:50 Ford has released power outputs, but not performance figures, for its all-new Mustang that goes on sale in right-hand drive in the UK this summer 2015. Two engines will be offered: A 429bhp 5.0-litre V8 or a more European-friendly (slightly) 306bhp 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. US buyers also get the option of a 296bhp 3.7-litre V6, but it’s not coming here and there’s no diesel for us limeys, or anyone else.

Porsche opens new Weissach design studio

Porsche has officially opened its new design center. Located at its Weissach development center, the facility includes interior and exterior design departments, plus a dedicated area for concept car construction. According to Porsche chairman, Matthias Müller, the architecture of the new studio has been designed to allow the firm's "creative developers to work hand-in-hand even more methodically than before." The new design center is one of three new buildings opened at the site, which have been built as part of a $200million investment at Weissach.

German Grand Prix (2014): RESULT

German Grand Prix (2014): RESULT The plan by Mercedes to get a one-two on the grid at the German Grand Prix went awry when Hamilton crashed out in qualifying, but Nico Rosberg starts his – and Mercedes – home Grand Prix in pole position, even if poor Lewis Hamilton languishes at the back of the grid after his brake failure in qualifying. So the 2014 German Grand Prix should be about Hamilton’s quest to reach the Williams cars in second and third, and Rosberg’s disappearance in to the distance. Which it is, but with knobs on.

China to boost electric cars with 30% Government EV fleet

The BYD E6 EV (pictured) will benefit from China’s push on EVs The UK government has just announced its commitment to use electric cars for its own vehicles in an effort to boost the take-up of EVs, but China is going even further. China has ordered government officials to start buying electric cars (that means BEVs, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell cars) in a big way, with instructions that 30 per cent of government cars must fall in to the ‘New Energy’ category by 2017, and an even higher percentage going forward. The aim is to cut pollution, and China expects to have 5 million New Energy cars on the road by 2020 and it is urging it government agencies and some city governments to start buying New Energy vehicles from Chinese makers like BYD and SDAIC, but also instructing them to build more charging stations and supporting infrastructure.

Bentley Mulsanne Speed heading for 2014 Paris Motor Show – and maybe a Bentley Mulsanne Coupe

It looks like the Bentley Mulsanne Speed is on the way, and maybe a Mulsanne Coupe too? Even the very top end car makers are finding that buyers are willing to pay more for more driver-focused versions of the their cars, with even Rolls Royce churning out the Wraith- a Ghost Coupe –  to tempt buyers. And now it looks like Bentley are going to extend their Speed versions from the Continental range to the Mulsanne.

German Grand Prix Qualifying (2014): Rosberg on pole for Mercedes – Hamilton crashes out

Rosberg takes pole in the 2014 German Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton managed to close the gap to Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg at the British Grand Prix two weeks ago after Rosberg’s car fell foul to mechanical failure, but it was Lewis’s turn to catch the Mercedes mechanical gremlins today as brake failure in qualifying saw him crash out. Hamilton suffered brake failure ten minutes after qualifying began and crashed heavily at speed in to the stadium section, going out of qualifying and causing a red flag for the session. Lewis was checked over after the heavy crash and is fine, but the pole position subsequently gathered in by team mate Rosberg won’t have been any consolation, Just fou7r points behind Rosberg in the driver’s championship battle after the British Grand Prix, Hamilton now faces a big uphill struggle to minimize Rosberg’s advantage in tomorrow’s race, but at least Hamilton’s first flying lap before the crash has sealed him 15th spot for the race.

BTCC stars set for 2014 Goodwood Revival action

The St Mary's Trophy is always one of the most competitive races at the Revival. By James Clark Motor Shows 18 July 2014 12:34 Goodwood today confirmed the race line-up for the 2014 Revival's St Mary's Trophy, the popular touring car event on the historic Sussex race track. It’s always interesting to see modern drivers make the switch into more antique machinery, but that is exactly what happens every year at the popular Goodwood Revival historic meeting - and in 2014 we'll see a raft of BTCC stars past and present.

UK Government to add electric cars to its fleet – but don’t think the PM will be driving a Tesla Model S

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – the sort of car the Government will acquire The roll-out of electric cars has not been an exactly overwhelming success, with even the Government’s £5,000 bribe to get you to go electric failing to kick start electric car sales in a meaningful way. So the Lib Dem bit of the coalition has decided that the Government should lead by example and have declared that the Government Car Service – which supplies cars for ministers and ‘government’ use – will start to acquire electric cars from this Autumn and, as part of the £5 million scheme, the wider public sector will be involved with council, police and NHS fleets looking seriously at EVs. But this scheme is aimed at the sorts of government cars that do the daily grind; ferrying junior ministers, getting staff to meetings and making deliveries in commercial vehicles.

2014 FIAT Panda Cross goes on sale in the autumn priced from £15,945

The appealing little Fiat Panda Cross goes on sale in the autumn There really isn’t a lot of choice in the car market if you want a rugged little 4×4, and the only real choice is from Fiat. So it’s a good job the new Fiat Panda Cross is such an appealing little car. Based on the Panda 4×4, the Panda Cross gets some chunky bumpers so you know it means business, big tyres so you know it can actually do of-road stuff and uncreased ground clearance and underbody protection so you don’t wreck your new Panda Cross the first time it finds a small rock.

1.7 million drivers consider insurance fraud

1.7 MILLION drivers in the UK would consider making a fraudulent insurance claim after an accident. Even if they were not hurt or not badly injured, these drivers believe it is acceptable to claim compensation. Research by Gocompare shows 6% of UK drivers would consider making a false claim, while 3% would do whatever they could to claim money from an insurer.

Smart: the best concepts and special editions

By James Clark Motoring Issues 18 July 2014 11:24 As Smart lifts the lid on the new ForTwo and ForFour this week, CAR magazine looks back on wonderful, wacky and downright woeful Smart special editions and concepts that have been created since the diminutive City Coupe first arrived on the scene in 1998. The Crossblade was a 2002 special edition based on the cabrio version of the city car. Its Brabus-tuned motor put out 70bhp and the car weighed just 740kg.

Skoda launch EIGHT Black Edition models – CitiGo, Fabia, Roomster, Rapid, Octavia, Superb & Yeti

The Skoda Octavia Black Edition – just one of 8 new Skoda Black Edition Skoda’s marketing department has had a bit of a brainstorm and decided what the UK needs – really, really needs – is a Black Edition of every car in the Skoda range with extra equipment and styling tweaks. So that’s what they’ve done. So we get the option  of a ‘Black Edition’ of every car in Skoda’s UK range suddenly with an extra option to punt and all with prices that offer great value compared to speccing a regular model up to the same level.

Kitten hitch-hiker

COUNCIL STAFF staff are appealing for the owners of a black kitten to come forward - after it hitched a lift on one of their vans. The kitten was found cowering under the wheel-arch of the vehicle by horticultural workers at South Somerset District Council. It is believed to have boarded the van at the authority's Lufton Depot in Yeovil and clung on until arriving in Bruton - around 20 miles away.

Concept Car of the Week: Renault Altica (2006)

Back in 2006 Renault was still well into its design-leadership stride, if perhaps not for much longer. The Altica concept, shown at that year's Geneva motor show, showcased all the French brand had to offer at that time – a brilliantly brave, architectural interior, a style that could only be associated with its country of origin and an interior that thoroughly questioned and readdressed layout, control and format. It also served to preview the renaissance of the Shooting Brake that the industry is still experiencing.

Go-ahead for £1bn Wales motorway

A £1 BILLION new motorway in south Wales has been given the go-ahead by the Welsh Government. Ministers say a preferred "black route" between Junctions 23 and 29 of the M4, including a new crossing of the Usk south of Newport, will boost the economy as well as ease congestion. But opponents say improving existing roads around Newport would be cheaper as well as kinder to the environment.

New 2015 Mazda2 arrives

This is the new 2015 Mazda2 (Demio) The new Mazda2 was all but revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March in the guise of the Mazda Hazumi Concept, but now the real new Mazda2 has arrived, or at least it has in Japan. But Mazda are captioning the photos – which are clearly of the Demio – as the Mazda2, so we can be pretty sure not much is going to change when the Demio gets the Mazda2 badge in the UK and Europe. That means the same Kodo design language Mazda has introduced across its range recently with a shield grill flowing in to the headlights, big wheel arches and horizontal lights at the back – all very much like the Hazumi.

Mazda2 (2015)

The Mazda2 city car is the fourth production car to be designed using the firm's Kodo form language. As with the CX-5, Mazda3 and Mazda6, it also gets the full set of Skyactiv chassis, engine and transmission technologies that are designed to help distinguish Mazda's products in the crowded mainstream segments in which it competes. There's strong continuity between models - the new 2 features the now-familiar long hood, overhanging nose, bulging front fenders and upkicked beltline used on the larger cars.

CDN-GM Interactive Design Competition 2014 now open!

Car Design News and General Motors are pleased to announce the 2014 edition of the CDN-GM Interactive Design Competition is now open for entry. This is the fourth running of the contest that challenges the design students of North America to create GM's future, with the guidance of professional designers and fellow students. Up for grabs are six, three-month paid internships that offer the chance to work alongside GM's design teams at the world-famous Tech Center in Warren, MI.

Honda's Asimo robot is ready to work in your home

TECHNOLOGY giant Honda has shown that a robotic personal assistant that can help you in and out of the home is no longer solely the subject of science fiction, with the debut of its latest ASIMO robot. The humanoid machine has been upgraded so that it can now run, hop and even pick up and interact with objects in the world around it. Honda has been working on robotics since the 1980s, and this latest incarnation of ASIMO is the most advanced the company has ever produced, with improvements made to movement and reactions.

Skoda Fabia (2015): first sketch and details

By James Clark First Official Pictures 17 July 2014 13:46 Skoda has fired the starting pistol on its new Fabia supermini’s launch, and the big news is that this car will blood the platform for the next-generation VW Polo, Audi A1 and Seat Ibiza. The Fabia will also use the latest group three- and four-cylinder engines and boast an all-new interior, which is ripe for personalisation, Mini-style. Nope: the sketch shows Skoda won’t be taking any chances with its new Fabia.

New 2015 Skoda Fabia revealed – well, sort of

The design sketch of the 2015 Skoda Fabia We’re not entirely sure we can consider the design sketch of the new Skoda Fabia (above) as a reveal of Skoda’s supermini, but it is a clue to what we can expect when the new Fabia arrives in the coming weeks. Skoda tell us that the new Fabia will be taking its design cues from the Vision C Concept we saw at Geneva – and the new Octavia –  and that is a new direction for Skoda  with added width and a flatter body creating, say Skoda, more harmonious proportions. Of course, the design sketch of the new Fabia has the usual artistic license to make it more dynamic than the reality will be, with the end product when it arrives likely to look much like a smaller version of Skoda’s latest efforts.