Retro Speedway Logo Patch on 2040-parts.com

New Skoda Octavia vRS hatch & estate revealed

The 2013 Skoda Octavia vRS has been revealed (vRS hatch pictured) The Skoda Octavia vRS – the latest version of Skoda’s quick and appealing take on the VW Golf GTI – has been unveiled ahead of its debut at the Goodwood FoS in July, and it looks a cracker. Available as either a hatchback or estate – and as a diesel or a petrol – the Octavia vRS manages to repackage the Golf GTI and Golf GTD in to one Skoda, offering good performance (the vRS is a bit slower than the GTI to 62mph at 6.8 seconds but has a 2mph higher top speed), good looks and the promise of prices starting not much above £20k. The petrol vRS gets the Golf GTI’s 217bhp 2.0 litre TSI and the diesel vRS the 181bhp 2.0 litre TFI from the Golf GTD, both with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard and a six-speed DSG as option, sports suspension, XDS differential, quicker steering and multi-link rear suspension.

BMW 1-Series Performance Accessories Concept (2012) at Frankfurt

BMW 1-Series Performance Accessories Concept at Frankfurt 2011 It’s only been a few months since BMW revealed the 2012 1-Series and already they’re working on adding a sensible dose of ‘M’ goodness to the new compact, with the BMW 1-Series Performance Accessories Concept heading to Frankfurt to show off their efforts. The concept gets a set of chunky 19″ alloys, uprated suspension and brakes, an integrated rear diffuser and titivated exhaust tips.. There’s also an extensive body kit, carbon fibre door mirrors and a thumping great stripe right up the middle.

Mini Countryman updated – details of the 2013 facelift

Mini has given the Countryman baby SUV a mid-life facelift two years after launch. Key changes include a smarter interior, a range of new colours and cleaner engines. So what's new on the 2013 Mini Countryman?