McLaren P1 gets an Arctic shakedown (+video)

So McLaren are busy throwing the worst conditions they can at the P1 to make sure it can perform even in the harshest of conditions and be the best driver’s car in the world – even when there’s several feet of ice under its wheels. McLaren has had several XP prototypes of the P1 running round the world’s harshest climates – hot and cold – and have delivered a video of the P1 prototype playing on the ice in the north of Sweden – inside the Arctic Circle – to keep interest in the P1 bubbling along ahead of its dynamic debut in the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. Despite its enormous power – 903bhp from a combination of its turbo 3.8 litre V8 and electric motor – the P1 does look composed and capable, even with sub-zero temperatures and a surface that has zero grip.

Aston Martin DB Junior Convertible is a fully functioning, petrol-powered toy Aston (video)

The Aston martin DB Junior Convertible (pictured) – for the child who has everything If you’re an Aston Martin fan and you have children there’s now the perfect way to get them on-side with your love of Astons- buy them the Aston Martin DB Junior Convertible from Aston Heritage dealers Nicholas Mee & Co. For a not insignificant £16,500 (thankfully including VAT) Nicholas Mee will give you a fully functioning, petrol-powered toy Aston Martin Db Convertible with composite coachwork, leather or vinyl upholstery, a wood-rimmed steering wheel and hydraulic disc brakes. The Db Juniot measure 2500mm long and is 1030mm wide and gets its power from a 110cc four-stroke engine, complete with electric start, which can get the DB Junior to 46mph (although you can restrict it) and comes with proper grown-up car stuff like Brembo disc brakes, 3-speed semi-auto ‘box, indicators and lights.

Volkswagen CrossBlue SUV Concept: 2013 Detroit Auto Show

Volkswagen has revealed a new SUV concept – the VW Crossblue – at the Detroit Auto show, previewing a new 7-seat SUV for North America. But this particular VW SUV isn’t heading to a VW showroom near you, instead it’s designed to accommodate seven full-size Americans (well, six in the concept and seven in the production version) in an SUV that will be bigger than the Touareg, but less costly. Sitting on the (obviously very flexible, considering the size of the CrossBlue) MQB platform that underpins the Golf, the CrossBlue looks like it’s probably a stretched version of the next generation Tiguan, complete with VWs new SUV design language featuring a less flowing style with more angular lines and a blunt, statement nose.