Faster Gumpert Apollo model to debut in Geneva

They may not be lookers, but there is no denying the performance credentials of Roland Gumpert's Apollo sports cars. With the base 650-hp engine package, the brainchild of the former director of Audi Sport is capable of reaching 60 mph in less than three seconds with a top speed or more than 200 mph. But now Gumpert is planning to reveal a faster chapter in the line at next month's Geneva motor show with the Apollo Speed.

Aston Martin Rapide S arrives with 550 horses

Aston Martin is replacing the four-door Rapide with the Rapide S, which gets minor styling tweaks and extra power. Just as they did with the new DB9, Aston Martin has made the new Rapide S a more aggressive car, with small styling tweaks like a new grill and a small spoiler at the back, some minor trim tweaks with the addition of Piano Black trim and a new duotone black and red leather trim, and an optional carbon fibre pack for exterior highlights. Under the skin, the Rapide S is still based on Aston’s VH platform, but it does get the latest Gen 4 tweaks including new adaptive dampers with Normal, Sport and Track modes, tweaked dynamic stability control (DSC) and the latest AM11 engine dropped by 19mm for a lower centre of gravity.

Citroen’s new stop-start system revealed

By Tim Pollard Motoring Issues 08 October 2008 13:12 Citroen has shown off its next-generation stop-start system on a C3 Picasso. The company launched its first-gen system four years ago on the C2 and C3, for which it claims fuel savings of up to 27 percent, but it’ll soon be superseded by a new, cheaper system. The second-generation Stop & Start will be launched in 2010 on PSA’s small petrol and – for the first time – diesel models.