Salon Privé has released teaser footage showing what to expect at this years Luxury Supercar Show. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, ten supercars cars old and new were rolled out - from the Ferrari 330GTC to the Lamborghini Countach. With events at the show ranging from a classic car auction to the Concours d’Elégance - the current Hypercar Collection 'top 3’ were also on display – namely the McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder. Salon Privé runs from 3-5 September at Oxfordshire's Blenheim Palace.
BMW has facelifted its new 3 Series Saloon and Touring models. Revised headlights now include optional LED units while under the bonnet the majority of engines are completely new. The 340i saloon features a new 3.0 litre six-cylinder engine producing 320 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque, while the new 330d Touring has a 0-62mph time of 5.6 seconds and returns 55mpg on the combined cycle. The new BMW 3 Series goes on sale in July with prices yet to be announced.
Google has confirmed a select few of its prototype self-driving vehicles will leave the test track and hit the roads of California. Safety drivers will be on board despite Google running rigourous tests at its proving ground with each prototype’s speed capped at a neighbourhood-friendly 25mph. The next step aims to see how the community perceives and interacts with the vehicles, as well as testing how the self-driving car deals with unforeseen circumstances such as where to stop if there is a problem with its exact destination.
Audi has revealed its TT clubsport turbo concept, which is set for a Worthersee festival debut. Austria's annual meeting for Volkswagen Group enthusiasts will get the first glimpse of the 'colossal' 600PS machine, which is powered by 2.5-litre engine and a 'close to production ready' electrically powered biturbo compressor - which revs up to maximum rpm rapidly, without delay. With 650Nm of torque on tap, 0 to 62 takes just 3.6 seconds and top speed comes in at of 192 mph.
Peugeot has revealed its Vision Gran Turismo, designed exclusively for the Sony PlayStation game GranTurismo6. Featuring a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio – meaning its weight of 875kg results in 875bhp – the Hypercar also launches from 0 to 62 in just 1.73 seconds. A 3.2-litre V6 turbo engine sits just behind the driver and lays the power down via a six-speed manual transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. The Peugeot Vision Gran Turismo will be released as a part of a free update for the Sony PlayStation game in the very near future.
BMW has released further details of its next generation 7 Series. The new Saloon features extensive use of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic borrowed from BMW's i division, increasing rigidity and strength while weighing in 130kg lighter than the outgoing model. New engines and a new eight-speed Steptronic gearbox also feature on the new range-topping 7 Series which also debuts a new remote control parking option and an infotainment system controlled by hand gestures. Pricing and further specification have yet to be announced.
Fiat's new 500X has scored a 4 out of 5 Euro NCAP Safety Rating. In the side barrier test the 500X scored maximum points, with good protection of all body regions - while in the full-width barrier test, protection of all critical body areas fared well however protection for the rear passenger dummy 's chest was noted as adequate. The bonnet provided a good protection to the head of a struck pedestrian, but poor results were recorded along the edge of the windscreen and pillars.
As the Formula 1 teams head back to Europe, Red Bull took time out to entertain fans in Austria. A crowd of 60,000 turned out to watch Daniel Ricciardo put his RB8 through its paces in a specially-constructed arena in front of the historic Vienna Rathaus. Marking the return of the Austrian Grand Prix to the F1 calendar, he gave fans a doughnut master-class, while junior GP2 driver Pierre Gasly shredded the tyres of a borrowed NASCAR racer. Ricciardo and Red Bull will be back on the starting grid at the Spanish Grand Prix on May 10.
McLaren has launched the second model in its new Sports Series - the 540C Coupe. Priced from £126,000 OTR, it's powered by a 3.8-litre V8, delivering 540PS for a 0 to 62 time of 3.5 seconds, and a top speed of 199 mph. Running on 19-inch wheels up front and 20's at the rear, and featuring a host of F1 derived components, the McLaren 540C Coupe is available for pre-order now.
Audi has unveiled the third iteration of its prologue design concept - the allroad - at the Shanghai Auto show. The Estate variant features a raised body and a more rugged stance, with 22-inch wheels and flared arches. The hybrid show car is powered by a 4.0-litre TFSI V8 and an electric motor for a total system output of 734 bhp and 900 Nm of torque, which helps launch the allroad to 62mph in 3.5 seconds while returning up to 117mpg.
Mercedes has pulled the covers off its new GLC Coupe concept SUV, at the Shanghai Auto Show. The 'close-to-production' vehicle provides a glimpse of forthcoming off-road models from Mercedes, with the sporty show car bringing the idea of the GLE Coupe into a more compact segment. Running on 21-inch wheels, the concept is powered by a 367bhp, V6 borrowed from Mercedes-AMG, with 520 Nm of torque mated to a 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system.
BMW has revealed a new plug-in hybrid version of the X5. The xDrive40e combines the versatility of the large SUV, with BMW's eDrive technology for greater efficiency. A 2.0-litre petrol engine is paired with an electric motor for a total system output of 313bhp. 0-62 takes 6.8 seconds and the top speed is limited to 130mph, while fuel economy is as high as 85.6 mpg and CO2 emissions are as low as 77 g/km. The plug-in hybrid BMW X5 is set to go on sale in the Autumn. Prices have yet to be announced.
Order books have opened for a trio of Volkswagen Golf Estates. The Golf R and GTD Estates and the Golf Alltrack have like-for-like trims with their hatchback counterparts but bootspace is increased from 380 litres to up to 1,620 litres with the rear seats folded flat. On the road prices start at £26,790 for the Golf Alltrack, while the Golf GTD Estate comes in at £28,285,and the range-topping Golf R Estate starts from £33,585.
Porsche has given a world debut to its 2015 Boxster Spyder at the New York Auto Show. The new range-topping Boxster retains the independent character of the previous Spyder with the fabric roof still opened and closed by hand, and the 3.8-litre flat six mated only to a manual transmission. The lightest and most powerful Boxster yet takes around 4.5 seconds to sprint to 62 and has a top speed of 180 mph. The new Porsche Boxster Spyder will go on sale in July with prices starting at £60,459 OTR.
After 10,000 km of testing, Skoda's new Fabia R5 Rally car has been officially approved for competition. The new hot hatch, seen here in the hands of Skoda Motorsport driver Jan Kopecky, is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine mated to a five-speed sequential gearbox. The FIA's green light means the new four-wheel drive R5 can now continue the Czech manufacturer’s 114-year involvement in motorsport.
Citroen has confirmed its new Aircross concept will debut at the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show. The C4 Cactus-based concept features ‘Alloy Bumps’ on its 22-inch wheels protecting the car from side impact, while new chrome ‘Air Signs’ surround the rear window for improved aerodynamics. The hybrid Aircross is powered by an electric motor with 200Nm of torque and a 1.6-litre petrol engine, for a combined power output of 313bhp. Returning 166mpg, 0 to 62 takes just 4.5 seconds.
Toyota pulled the covers off the first ever Hybrid version of the RAV4, at the 2015 New York Auto Show. The Hybrid's powertrain combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, plus an additional motor powering the rear axle to deliver electronic all-wheel drive. The unveiling of the hybrid coincides with a revamp of the entire RAV4 range, which includes exterior styling tweaks, an improved cabin and additional technology and safety features. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is set to arrive in the UK early next year.
Lexus has unveiled its all-new RX at the 2015 New York Auto Show. The SUV's new front end features a spindle grille design with a chrome-finished border, LED headlamps and redesigned fog lights. Blacked-out C-pillars create a floating roof effect, while new 20-inch alloy wheels can be customised. The hybrid powertrain features an a total system output around 300bhp while a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine version will also be available when the new RX goes on sale in later 2015.
A new flagship Range Rover - the SVAutobiography - will debut at the 2015 New York Auto Show. Built at Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations department, the new SUV features unique exterior design enhancements, an exclusive premium leather interior with plenty of luxurious touches. Available in standard and long wheelbase derivatives, the option of a 550PS 5.0-litre supercharged V8 is also available for the first time. Priced from £148,900 OTR the new Range Rover SVAutobiography goes on sale this summer.
McLaren has revealed its new 570S Coupe. The first model in a new 'Sports Series' family shares its DNA with the McLaren Super Series and Ultimate Series that sit above it in the range hierarchy. The light-weight 570S is billed as the most usable McLaren to date and is named after its 570PS 3.8-litre V8, which launches the new car to 62 in 3.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 204mph. The McLaren 570S goes on sale next month with pricing expected to be around the £145,000 mark.
