Volvo and Polestar offer post-sale software upgrades

Volvo's performance arm, Polestar, will offer software upgrades for the T6 and 2.5T engines that will increase horsepower and torque. The upgrade should calm Volvo fans who missed out on the limited-edition Polestar C30. For the T6 engine in the 2010 Volvo XC60 and 2009-2010 XC70 Polestar will offer a bump in output from 281 hp to 311 hp.

New Ford Focus ST is Europe’s best selling hot hatch.

The new Ford Focus ST has become the best selling hot hatch in Europe in the last three months, outselling the Golf GTi and Renault Megane Sport. But the new Focus ST finally went on sale last summer, and started arriving in Ford’s UK showrooms in the Autumn, as the ST finally hit Europe’s roads. At a starting price of £21,995, a more aggressive look and decent performance – 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds – the new Focus ST is an appealing performance bargain, even if 250 horses through the front wheels is a big ask.

Lotus CEO Dany Bahar on the crisis at Lotus Cars

Lotus chief executive Dany Bahar has laid bare the business position at Lotus Cars since the takeover of parent company Proton by Malaysia's DRB-Hicom. Norfolk's sports car maker has been buffeted by rumours of financial crisis and looming collapse since development was frozen by the new owners (click here for our coverage of the crisis at Lotus. CAR scored an interview with Bahar at the Hethel headquarters yesterday afternoon. He was abroad at the time of last week's media maelstrom, when rumours and slurs flew around about the state of Lotus's finances.