Motor Sports

VIDEO: Skoda to star in Forest Rally Stage at Goodwood

Skoda will be running its Fabia S2000 Rally Car through the Forest Rally Stage at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The 2014 theme is "Addicted to winning -- The Unbeatable Champions of Motor Sport", which will celebrate legendary and triumphant drivers, riders, teams and manufacturers. As such, the forest stage, situated at the top of the hillclimb course, will play host to the multi-championship-winning Fabia, along with a host of other rally legends. The Goodwood Festival of Speed runs from 26-29 June.

Supercar, Coupe

VIDEO: Arash AF8 supercar revealed

Sportscar specialist Arash Motor Company, has released details of its latest model, the AF8. Powered by a 7-litre V8 engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the lightweight supercar produces 550bhp and 637Nm of torque, which will launch it from 0-60 in around 3.5 seconds on to a top speed in the region of 200 mph. A 'Hybrid' chassis construction features carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb along with high tensile-steel and Kevlar for extra strength. On the road prices for the Arash AF8 start from £165,000.

Events, 4x4, SUV

VIDEO: Land Rover strikes partnership with Virgin Galactic

Land Rover has confirmed a long-term partnership with Richard Branson's commercial spaceline, Virgin Galactic. The announcement was made alongside SpaceShipTwo, the world's first commercial passenger carrying spacecraft, together with Land Rover's newly-unveiled Discovery Vision Concept, on board the USS Intrepid in New York. A fleet of Land Rovers will be based at the Virgin Galactic test centre in California, providing a 'shuttle' service for future Astronauts.

Convertible, Coupe, Sports car

VIDEO: All-new Audi TT and TTS

Audi has confirmed that the all-new TT will be available from launch with a choice of three four-cylinder direct injection turbo engines with power outputs ranging from 184 to 310PS. There will be two versions: a TT and a TTS -- with the latter delivering a provisional 0-62 time of 4.7 seconds when fitted with the optional 6-speed S tronic transmission. Under the skin the revised quattro all-wheel drive system can now temporarily deactivate to improve efficiency, while in the cabin, the driver is greeted by an all-digital 'Audi virtual cockpit'.

Convertible, Sports car, Saloon

VIDEO: BMW reveals M4 Convertible

BMW has revealed the new M4 Convertible - the fifth-generation open-top car to bear the M badge. Powered by the same 431bhp six-cylinder engine as the M4 Coupe, it will get from 0 to 62mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission. Despite having more equipment, it's around 60kg lighter than the outgoing M3 Convertible and features a three-part metal roof that can open fully in just 20 seconds. Sales kick off in September with prices starting from just over £60,000 on the road.

Motorcycle

VIDEO: New Ducati Diavel hits showrooms

Ducati has announced details of its latest Diavel sport cruiser motorcycle. Along with styling tweaks for a muscular and assertive look, it features a new 162bhp Testastretta engine, ABS, Traction Control, Ducati Riding Modes and a new exhaust system. On sale now, priced from £14,000, the Diavel is finished in a Dark Stealth livery while the Carbon edition -- costing £3,000 more -- offers the choice of traditional Ducati Red over Matte Carbon.

Concept car, Saloon, Motorshow

VIDEO: 2014 Auto China Beijing preview

With Auto China 2014 opening its doors this week in Beijing, we take a look at a few of the show cars with star potential. Citroen will reveal its DS 5LS R Concept -- a luxury saloon fitted with lightweight carbon fibre components to maximise the performance from its 300bhp, 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine. Bentley will pull the covers off the Mulsanne-based Hybrid Concept. The luxury car maker's first ever hybrid uses copper as a styling element to highlight its electrical veins, which endow it with an emissions-free, electric-only driving range of up to 50km. Finally, Infiniti will premiere a short film of the Q50 Eau Rouge development prototype being put through its paces by Director of Performance and Formula 1 World Champion, Sebastian Vettel.

Events, Luxury, Motor Show, Hypercar

VIDEO: Top Marques Monaco gets underway

Luxury show Top Marques Monaco is set to return this week for its twelfth year. Predominantly a supercar show, it also features luxury goods from other sectors including high-end watches, state-of-the-art superboats and even a 24-carat gold lingerie set! VIP guests can drive some of the world's most exclusive Hypercars on the famous Monaco F1 street circuit, from the Spania GTA to the 700 horsepower Mazzanti Evantra. The sky's the limit at Top Marques Monaco and it's only a short hop from the UK if you grab a ride in the '007' branded Agusta Westland helicopter!

4x4, Concept, SUV, Technology

VIDEO: Land Rover invents invisible car

Land Rover's 'Transparent Bonnet' technology is to offer drivers a digital vision of the road ahead making the front of the car appear invisible. Cameras located in the front grille capture data which is fed to the Head-Up Display, effectively creating a 'see-through' view of the terrain through the bonnet and engine bay. Drivers climbing steep inclines or manoeuvring in tight spaces will see an augmented reality view showing the angle and position of the front wheels. The new technology will be showcased on the Discovery Vision Concept at the New York Auto Show.

Concept, Motor Show, Sports car, SUV

VIDEO: 2014 New York Auto Show preview

With the 2014 New York Auto Show just around the corner, we take a look at some key cars that will be making their debuts. Kia is set to unveil an all-new Sedona midsize MPV - with room for up to eight passengers while Nissan is teasing us ahead of the global premiere of the next generation Murano SUV. Mercedes will debut the V8 biturbo-powered S 63 AMG Coupe. With 585bhp on tap, it promises true supercar performance -- and while we're on the subject, McLaren's new 650S Coupe and Spider will make their North American debuts in the Big Apple. The New York Auto Show runs from 18-27 April.

Convertible, Saloon

VIDEO: Audi S3 Cabriolet joins the range

Order books have opened for the first ever Audi S3 Cabriolet, fresh from its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The flagship soft-top is powered by a 2.0 turbocharged TFSI engine pumping out 300PS for a 0-62 time of 5.4 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. As with every S model the Cabriolet includes quattro permanent all-wheel drive and S tronic transmission as standard. UK order books open in April with first deliveries expected in July. Pricing has yet to be announced.

 

Convertible, Sports car

VIDEO: Porsche adds flagship Boxster GTS

Porsche has unveiled a high performance GTS version of the Boxster. Fitted with the Porsche Sport Chrono package and Active Suspension Management as standard, the GTS also features a new front spoiler, a re-styled lower apron and black 20-inch Carrera S alloys. An uprated 3.4-litre engine adds an extra 15bhp and, when teamed with Launch Control, this propels the 2-seater from 0-62 in 4.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 174 mph.  Prices for the Boxster GTS start at £52,879 on the road.

4x4, SUV

VIDEO: New Jeep Renegade revealed

Jeep has revealed the all-new Renegade -- its first entry in the small SUV segment. The new model is said to combine Jeep's heritage with fresh new styling and features designed to appeal to a youthful and adventurous audience.  Drive comes from a choice of 16 powertrain combinations including the world's first nine-speed automatic transmission in the segment.  For off-road fans, the Trailhawk model features 'Jeep Active Drive Low', which includes a 20:1 crawl ratio and a Selec-Terrain system. Prices for the new Jeep Renegade have yet to be announced.

Coupe, Sports car, Quirky

VIDEO: Corvettes plunge into Museum sink hole

An 40-foot wide sink hole caused a major collapse at the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky. CCTV cameras captured the drama as iconic, irreplaceable models simply disappeared down the hole when it opened up at 5.39 am. Cars, including a 2009 ZR1 Blue Devil and a black 1962 classic, plunged some 30 feet, with a Ruby Red 40th Anniversary edition seemingly coming off worst. Morale was at least lifted when the ZR1 fired up first time, and now the damaged 'Vettes are all on their way to GM Design in Warren, Michigan for repair and restoration.

Celebrities, Quirky, Hatchback

VIDEO: VV Brown personalises her own Vauxhall ADAM

Musician VV Brown has teamed up with Vauxhall to personalise her very own ADAM -- which will make a cameo appearance in her latest video. The matte black hatchback, which features a geometric print across the roof and bonnet, was inspired by VV's new album: She explains: "There was a million different ways that I could customise the car and create an identity and I think that's what's exciting about this project". The one-off ADAM also has a touch-screen infotainment system so VV can sing along to her new tune!

Electric car, Hatchback

VIDEO: Order books open for Volkswagen electric e-Golf

Order books have opened for Volkswagen's all-electric e-Golf. VW says the battery-powered hatch drives and handles as well as the petrol version -- yet costs less than 4 and a half pence per mile to run. The electric motor delivers 115 PS for a 0-62 time of 10.4 seconds and a range of 80-120 miles. The e-Golf features aerodynamic alloy wheels and full LED headlights for the first time on a Volkswagen. UK prices start at £25,845 OTR - including the £5,000 Government grant.

Concept, Hatchback

VIDEO: MINI Clubman Concept breaks cover

MINI has unveiled the Clubman Concept at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Longer and wider than the current model, it features four regular doors and five fully-fledged seats. Aerodynamic wheel arches and a double roof spoiler accentuate a sporty look, while the characteristic split rear doors now feature integrated lights. On the inside, the leather-covered instrument panel appears to 'hover', while the display in the centre console adapts according to the content selected, or the situation on the road ahead.

Hatchback, Events

VIDEO: Peugeot 308 wins COTY 2014

The Peugeot 308 has been crowned 2014 'Car of the Year', on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show. A panel of journalists representing 22 European countries, began with a choice of 30 new models, which they whittled down to seven finalists in December. The Peugeot 308 finally came out on top, scoring 307 points which put it well clear of two all-electric runners-up -- the BMW i3, which came in second with 223 points, and the Tesla Model S which finished third with a tally of 216.

Concept, Hot Hatch, Motor Show

VIDEO: Honda Civic Type R Concept

Honda says the Civic Type R Concept points to the styling direction of the production version that will debut in Europe next year. The 'racing car for the road' signals the most extreme Civic Type R yet, with a sleek, aerodynamic profile and 20-inch wheels reflecting a car designed for high performance. Full technical details have yet to be confirmed but power will come courtesy of a two-litre, direct injection, four-cylinder VTEC Turbo engine from the Earth Dreams Technology range -- pumping out at least 280PS!

Luxury, Motor Show, Supercar

VIDEO: Lamborghini Huracan debuts in Geneva

The heir to the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Huracan LP 610-4, made its Show debut in Geneva. Powered by a 610 bhp, 5.2-litre normally-aspirated V10 engine, it can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 202 mph. As is the tradition with Lamborghini, the Huracan derives its name from the world of bullfighting and features typically dramatic styling. It is to be produced at the Sant'Agata plant on a newly-equipped production line. Delivery to the first customers is planned for spring 2014.