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Citroen C4 (2011): first official pictures

This is the new Citroen C4, the French car company's latest rival for the ever-present VW Golf, Vauxhall Astra and forthcoming Mk3 Ford Focus. Citroen hopes to challenge the trio with a mix of class-leading interior space and a gadget-laden cabin, and the new C4 will be unveiled at the Paris motor show this September, before UK sales start in early 2011. Yup, and there’s some Megane Coupe in there too.

Ford B-Max concept (2011) at 2011 Geneva motor show

If ever a concept car was just a thinly disguised production car, this is it – this is the Ford B-Max, just unveiled on the eve of the 2011 Geneva motor show. That’s right, and when the B-Max goes on sale in early 2012 it’ll finally be time to bid goodbye to the bland Fusion. On the outside the styling is the latest iteration of Ford’s ‘kinetic design’ DNA, and mixes S-Max, C-Max, Focus and Fiesta elements to create a decent looking little MPV.

Catalytic converter thefts double in three years

Associated Press Thefts of catalytic converters from cars have more than doubled in less than three years, according to an investigation by the BBC. Data compiled from 40 police regions across the UK reveal that in 2012 a total of 8,947 catalytic converters thefts were reported, compared to 3,957 similar cases recorded in 2010. On Bing: see pictures of catalytic convertersStreet sweepers to mine UK roads for precious metals A car’s catalytic converter reduces its harmful exhaust gas emissions by initiating a chemical process to neutralise many toxic substances emitted from the engine.