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Vauxhall Astra GTC unveiled

The Vauxhall Astra GTC Concept - Paris debut Vauxhall teased the next edition of the new Astra – the three-door Astra – last month ahead of a reveal at the Paris Motor Show in a few weeks. But with just over three weeks to go to Paris we now get much more detail on the Vauxhall Astra GTC Concept. And it looks to us as if Vauxhall are going to stick with the GTC moniker for the production car, so this Concept may well be very close to the final production car.

Mercedes’ AMG division unveils new twin-turbo V8

Those obsessed with torque bemoaned Mercedes’ high-revving 6.2-litre V8 when it was launched in 2005, but just as the world has come to accept the naturally aspirated engine, the company has now unveiled a new twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8. Up to 563bhp – which is the same as the SLS AMG – and 663lb ft, which is much more than the 479lb ft the modern-day Gullwing supercar manages. The engine is an all-new 5.5-litre V8 (5461cc to be exact) with direct-injection technology, an aluminium crankcase and two turbochargers.

Volkwagen BlueSport Concept debuts with a diesel at the Detroit auto show

Volkswagen's long-rumored mid-engine roadster finally made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show. The Concept BlueSport slots its efficient 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel four-cylinder midship in the compact chassis, demonstrating the sporty possibilities of the engine. With 177 hp and a healthy 258 lb-ft of torque, the diesel powerplant propels the 2,640-pound roadster to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds.