Jaguar XKR-S GT revealed (+ video)

Jaguar has pulled a surprise with the reveal of a more focused, and expensive, XKR ahead of the New York Auto Show – the Jaguar XKR-S GT. The XKR-S GT doesn’t get extra power – the XKR-S already has 542bhp – but it does get lots of tweaks to make it more able to use the performance it has. That means a new bonnet with more vents to improve cooling, a new carbon fibre front splitter, new rear diffuser, an aluminium undertray at the front, a whopping great spoiler at the back and bits of carbon fibre floating around.

RCA's Dale Harrow: Car design more crucial than ever

As well as serving as head of the RCA's Vehicle Design Program, Dale Harrow is also a Financial Times columnist. His latest piece suggests the car is in the process of change, and at a rate beyond that undertaken in its first century of existence. Manufacturers have 'solved' the function of the car, and as reliability is no longer a concern for the consumer, design is now crucial.

Ford S-Max concept

Ford has released details of its S-Max concept ahead of its official debut at the Frankfurt motor show next month. Building on the success of the current-generation S-Max, the concept (surely more a pre-production show car than a true concept) continues the low, long and sporty twist on the SUV recipe that has made it such a hit in Europe. So it retains the monovolume outline with a soft transition from hood to windscreen and the tapered roofline.