UK car production tops 1.5 million

THE NUMBER of cars built in the UK topped 1.5 million last year, the highest for six years, amid what's being called "surging" demand at home and abroad. Production increased by 3.1% in 2013, with analysts predicting that output would reach record levels of around two million by 2017. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the UK was set to become the third largest car manufacturer in Europe after Germany and Spain.

German enthusiasts name TechArt GrandGT the 'Sports Car of the Year'

For the fourth year in a row, readers of German car magazine Auto Bild have selected the TechArt GrandGT as "Sports Car of the Year" in the sedan-tuning category. The GrandGT, from TechArt Automobilidesign GmbH, is based on the Porsche Panamera Turbo and packs 630 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The additional power comes from upgraded turbochargers, sport air filters and a tuned engine-management system.

2013 Land Rover Defender gets a bit more appealing

Land Rover has updated the Defender for 2013 with new colours, new premium seat design and upgraded in-car entertainment. The updates for the 2013 Land Rover defender may not be quite as radical, but in a car world that now expects a little more in the way of home comforts – even if you’re fording a stream or climbing a mountain – the new options are welcome. Land Rover has decided to offer a new range of contrast roof colours for the Defender, with the normal white option being extended to include Santorini Black, Indus Silver, Orkney Grey or Firenze Red and available on almost the whole of the Defender’s paint jobs.