Ford Escape/Kuga

When we spoke with J Mays about the Vertrek concept car at the 2011 NAIAS in Detroit, he told us "this is about 85 per-cent as the production car will look". On viewing these pictures of the new generation Ford Kuga/Escape, it's clear Ford's chief designer was true to his word. It's significant for being the first true product of the company's ‘One Ford' strategy, which harmonizes the American, European and Asian operations, developing singular products for the global market.

2013 Audi S3 – Paris debut

Audi has revealed the new S3 with a 296bhp 2.0 litre direct injection engine which will debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The new Audi S3 – which will bow in at next week’s 2012 Paris Motor Sow – will join the new 5-door A3 Sportback on Audi’s stand at Paris and lay down a firm marker for Audi’s share of the market. The new S3 gets a new 2.0 litre direct injection engine - part of Audi’s EA888 engine range – to go with its new underpinning using the same MQB platform as the latest A3 range, making the new S3 both lighter and more powerful.

Rolls Royce Wraith Drophead OFFICIALLY confirmed

A Drophead version of the Rolls Royce Wraith (pictured) officially confirmed for 2016 The Rolls Royce Wraith – a Ghost Coupe in all but name – arrived in 2013 as an almost properly sporting Rolls Royce, one designed for driving rather than being driven in. But the arrival of the Wraith did beg the question ‘How long will it be before there’s a Wraith Convertible?‘, and we thought that question was answered when Rolls Royce boss, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, said in November last year that a drophead Wraith would make it in to production. But it seems the boss saying something doesn’t necessarily make it official, so Rolls Royce has now officially confirmed today that a new Rolls Royce model – offering effortless, open-top touring – is under development and will arrive in 2016.