New Technologies

New Technologies

It"s clear there has...

It"s clear there has been no greater challenge in the firm"s recent history. Engineers not only had to improve on one of the most successful convertibles of all-time, but to relaunch the company"s highest-profile model, too. The slightest mistake could prove disastrous.

It"s free of any disguise...

It"s free of any disguise at the front or sides, and our spyshots finally prove that the MINI has carried its early design ideas through to the showroom with van doors at the back, and a Mazda RX-8-style rear passenger door. The newcomer will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, before it goes on sale here early next year.

It"s not the first time...

It"s not the first time Auto Express readers will have seen the striking lines of the blue oval"s latest star, as we spied the machine back in issue 839. However, we can now show you why the ST - which debuts at next month"s Geneva Motor Show - promises to be one of the most exciting Fords of the decade. Look closely and you will see that the grille is narrower and taller than lesser Focus models, creating a more muscular appearance.

It sounds like a recipe...

It sounds like a recipe for disaster – driverless vehicles racing round an urban environment with other traffic on the road. And normally it would be if it wasn’t for the fact the unmanned cars had been developed by some of the world’s leading scientists and fitted with state-of-the art technology to prevent them crashing into anything.

It"s the brainchild...

It"s the brainchild of the Safer Motors team at the West Midlands force. The outfit came up with the idea to catch crooks who clone stolen cars before selling them to innocent motorists. However, it is likely to prove controversial - would you be happy to pose?

It"s the creation of...

It"s the creation of Dutch company Gatsometer, maker of the original Gatso camera. The system mirrors the Specs units seen on UK roads, using number plate recognition to work out a vehicle"s speed between two points.

It"s the French firm"s...

It"s the French firm"s latest show car, a striking two-seater with a targa roof that could be the baby brother to the C3 Pluriel. And as Citroen has such an excellent habit of turning its concepts into reality, it"s likely that this will be the next C2 supermini.

It"s the roadster revival...

It"s the roadster revival of the decade! Auto Express can exclusively take the wraps off the car that’s sure to get British fans hot under the collar: the new MG TF.

ItтЂ™s not only Audi...

ItтЂ™s not only Audi thatтЂ™s looking to make the news with a drop-top stunner. MINIтЂ™s new Convertible has also broken cover тЂ“ and given the success of the previous model, itтЂ™s no surprise bosses have high hopes for the stylish machine.

ItтЂ™s official, ex-Ferrari...

ItтЂ™s official, ex-Ferrari team boss Jean Todt is the FIAтЂ™s new president. Winning the Paris election by a comfortable margin, Todt received 135 votes compared to rival Ari VatanenтЂ™s 49.

ItтЂ™s set to be one...

ItтЂ™s set to be one of the fastest cars ever built, and positive proof that the future of the British motor industry has never been brighterтЂ¦

ItтЂ™s set to be one...

ItтЂ™s set to be one of the most eagerly anticipated models of 2009, and Auto Express has the best pictures yet.

ItтЂ™s the all-electric...

ItтЂ™s the all-electric supermini thatтЂ™s set to change the way we own and drive our cars. This is RenaultтЂ™s three-seat green machine, the Twingo ZE.

itтЂ™s the car that...

itтЂ™s the car that proves BMW is heading back to the future!

ItтЂ™s the new French...

ItтЂ™s the new French revolution! A hi-tech family of electric cars costing less than their petrol equivalents will drive Renault to the front of the race to become EuropeтЂ™s greenest auto maker, bosses have announced.

ItтЂ™s the VW show star...

ItтЂ™s the VW show star thatтЂ™s also the worldтЂ™s most fuel-efficient four-seater! These are the first images of the forward-thinking Up! Lite тЂ“ so called because of its amazingly low kerbweight.

ItтЂ™s three of a kind...

ItтЂ™s three of a kind for Range Rover with news of a new baby - due to make its debut next year.

IT was crunch time in...

IT was crunch time in Canada for Lewis Hamilton. The McLaren ace threw away his race and championship lead during an action-packed event that saw Polish star Robert Kubica score his first victory and leapfrog to the top of the title table.

It will offer unrivalled...

It will offer unrivalled peace of mind without breaking the bank. But why? Because while a typical two-year aftermarket warranty costs more than ?400, Kia’s confidence-boosting package won’t mean a hike in used prices.

It won"t be Aston"s...

It won"t be Aston"s only performance newcomer.

Jaguar gave the new...

Jaguar gave the new striking new XJ its debut in Frankfurt тЂ“

JCB DIESELMAX, the vehicle...

JCB DIESELMAX, the vehicle developed to take the land speed record for diesel-powered vehicles, has broken the 200mph barrier for the first time, in UK testing.

Just weeks after driving...

Just weeks after driving the latest MINI for the first time, Auto Express can reveal a range of striking new hot parts for the supermini from John Cooper Works.

Kia bared its soul at...

Kia bared its soul at the SEMA Show this year! The Korean firm’s Soul concept first appeared at the Detroit Motor Show in 2006, but the company brought a revised version of the compact MPV to SEMA.

Korean manufacturer...

Korean manufacturer Hyundai has revealed itтЂ™s all-star line-up for this yearтЂ™s Paris Motor Show and expect no fewer than five world premieres.

Last weekendрЂ™s Belgian...

Last weekendрЂ™s Belgian Grand Prix ended in high drama when Lewis Hamilton was stripped of victory, with the authorities handing the win to his championship rival, Felipe Massa.

Last week, our spies...

Last week, our spies spotted the all-new Q5 under a thin brown cover. This week, they have captured the world"s first images of the next A4, hidden by a similar material.

Lewis Hamilton isn’t...

Lewis Hamilton isn’t the only Brit to be leading a major motorsport series at the moment. But while the level-headed McLaren star is confounding all expectations in Formula One, the impressive form of Dan Wheldon on the other side of the Atlantic has come as no surprise.

Lewis Hamilton might...

Lewis Hamilton might have done his fair share of headline grabbing this year, but it’s easy to overlook that the Brit was just the vanguard for a bumper crop of rookie talent.

Lexus is getting sporty!...

Lexus is getting sporty! Having won widespread acclaim for its eco-friendly hybrids, Toyota’s luxury arm is out to tempt serious driving enthusiasts into its showrooms.

Likely to adopt the...

Likely to adopt the Azure name after the Pininfarina-styled 1995 model, the opulent four-seater is set to cost around н‚бЈ135,000 when it goes on sale next summer. It will build on the huge sales success of the GT coupнѓ© - last year, an incredible 1,841 GTs found new homes, with the Flying Spur expected to push the firm"s total sales over the 6,000 mark.

Looking every inch the...

Looking every inch the baby Astra with its distinctive C-pillar and tall roof-line, the supermini promises to rival Fiat"s Grande Punto in the style stakes. Its bold design is framed at the front by sporty lights and a wide grille, while those curves are mirrored by the tail-gate and a lower back bumper. Large, distinctive lamps finish off the rear.

Look out, drivers...

Look out, drivers... here comes the world’s toughest speed camera! This new device, which towers four metres above the road, is vandal proof thanks to strengthened glass, a fire-resistant body and a stiffened steel base.

Manheim Auctions has...

Manheim Auctions has signed to sell up to 60,000 cars over the next two years with the Retail Automotive Alliance – an organisation comprising 22 independent dealer groups. And one of its key initiatives will be new ‘ready to retail’ sales.

McLaren ace Lewis Hamilton...

McLaren ace Lewis Hamilton was streets ahead of his rivals as he took a dominant victory around the tight turns of Monaco. Despite treacherous wet conditions and two punctures, the British star drove brilliantly to cross the line first and regain his place at the top of the title table.

McLaren was the winner...

McLaren was the winner and loser at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. Although Lewis Hamilton dominated the event, leading every lap for the British squad, it scored NO points for the constructor’s championship after being found guilty of not acting in the best interests of the sport.

Meet Hyundai’s...

Meet Hyundai’s new Puma! This stunning sports car is set to follow in the wheel tracks of the much loved Ford coupé, offering buyers a mix of style and fun in an affordable package.

Meet the convertible...

Meet the convertible MINI with massive performance! These are the first official shots of MINIтЂ™s flagship John Cooper Works drop-top ahead of its world debut at the Geneva Show.

Meet the cut-price Citroen...

Meet the cut-price Citroen thatтЂ™s out to save the planet! The French manufacturer is fighting the influx of cheap superminis from Korea and China with a hi-tech but affordable production version of the C-Cactus. And our exclusive images show just how bosses are planning to turn concept into reality.

Meet the most desirable...

Meet the most desirable family car ever! This striking machine is about to rewrite the hatchback rulebook, with a stunning combination of head-turning looks, driver appeal and up-to-the-minute technology. Say hello to FordтЂ™s next-generation Focus.

Mega Mercedes crystal amazing!

Mercedes has pulled...

Mercedes has pulled the wraps from the latest E-Class.

Mercedes has turned...

Mercedes has turned up the heat on its E-Class тЂ“ and the new E63 AMG has the BMW M5, Audi RS6 and Jaguar XFR in sight.

MGF designer is back

Mike blasts past, inches...

Mike blasts past, inches from my fingers, the wind hits the board with such force, I crash on the pitwall, bruising my ribs.

MINI is about to make...

MINI is about to make it big in the US – and Auto Express has the details.

Motorists really will...

Motorists really will have nowhere to hide, as it"s fitted with four lenses - three digital still cameras, plus a video capture system. These enable it to patrol up to four lanes of traffic at a time - current camera systems can only monitor part of a wide carriageway.

Much is expected of...

Much is expected of the next-generation Z4, which faces stiff competition from the likes of the Porsche Boxster, forthcoming Audi TT Roadster and Nissan 350Z Roadster

My Oxford English Dictionary...

My Oxford English Dictionary tells me a hybrid is the ‘offspring of two plants or animals’. If only the automotive world was so simple. Hybrids were a major theme of last month’s Frankfurt Motor Show – you couldn’t move for concepts of them. Mercedes had 15 and I spent the day tripping over gorgeous, pouting TV presenters introducing “der neue Mercedes hybrid Coelacanth”, or the “Ford hybrid Sideboard”. At least that’s what they sounded like. But what is a hybrid?

Nakajima secures Williams GP seat

Naturally, I went shopping...

Naturally, I went shopping when I was in the world"s consumer capital last week. But, by steering clear of US-made goods, I saved more money than usual. And I reckon I got better products than ever: Asian-made Gap jeans, a Japanese-built Yamaha guitar, Korean boots, Mexican beer. I flew home with a non-US airline, too.

News of Honda’s...

News of Honda’s latest arrival should be music to the ears of Jazz fans. It has turned its supermini into a baby SUV!

Newsweek

NEWSWEEK

Newsweek

Newsweek Focus 4x4

Now, during the first...

Now, during the first half of 2006, his corporation has had to choose between axing nearly 1,000 British Vauxhall workers or a similar number of German Opel employees... and it"s the Brits rather than the Germans who"ve been dumped. How come these Ellesmere Port jobs are the ones to be sacrificed? Especially after Lutz told me that the UK has the edge over Germany as a manufacturing country.

Now firmly established...

Now firmly established as the world’s most popular historic race meeting, the spectacular annual Goodwood Revival not only recreates many of the sport’s most golden eras, but also offers exceptional wheel-to-wheel racing around a nostalgic circuit, virtually untouched by the modern world.

Now, I’ve never...

Now, I’ve never been one to shy away from poking a bit of fun at our friends across the pond. But you have to admit, one thing that the Americans do well is showbusiness. Whether it’s in Hollywood for the Oscars, the University of Phoenix Stadium for the Super Bowl or, in my case, the Daytona International Speedway – the self-proclaimed World Center of Racing – for the 50th Daytona 500, when they do it they do it with polished razzmatazz. It’s exactly what Formula One, for all its millions and zillions of pounds and grossly overblown egos, somehow fails to achieve!

Now this guy, in his...

Now this guy, in his mid-fifties, could buy virtually any car he wanted, but he was hankering after a top of the line Lexus. And then I bumped into a 40 year-old LA-based colleague who was raving about the 335bhp GS450h which he"d just bought for ,000 (чЈ29,000). "That hybrid system pumps out more power than I can ever use, it does 23mpg and is less polluting than a Toyota Camry," he blurted. A power freak with a conscience? Now that started me thinking.

Now this is what you...

Now this is what you call a pocket rocket. The small but sizzling new 500 Abarth has hit the streets! And these are the first official shots of it in action.

Number one - the diesel...

Number one - the diesel engine is dead. Thanks to high fuel costs, tough-to-meet emissions targets and growing competition for scarce fossil fuel resources, the engine once championed for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness is finished. Number two: you are what you eat. And in the case of the oil-burning powerplant, which chomps through a by-product of long-since-extinct dinosaurs… Well, you get the drift.

Old favourites Jason...

Old favourites Jason Plato and Matt Neal may have shared the spoils, but there was much to admire as the new-look Dunlop British Touring Car Championship roared into action at Brands Hatch last weekend.

On April Fool"s Day...

On April Fool"s Day, the "Head of Mandate Avoidance", Dr Hans Uphoo-Gotit, revealed measures to combat imminent roadside cameras designed to catch drivers going too slowly. I could barely manage a smile, never mind a chuckle. It just wasn"t funny. While the Bavarian company has its strong points, comedy isn"t one of them.

One firm has revealed...

One firm has revealed it can build a handset that will make car keys a thing of the past.

One of the biggest stars...

One of the biggest stars of this year’s Tokyo Motor Show has been officially unveiled in the metal – the Nissan GT-R is go!

One of the most-loved...

One of the most-loved Ford sports cars in history is making a comeback: itтЂ™s the return of the Puma! Hot on the heels of the hugely successful Fiesta, Auto Express can bring you news that a stunning coupé version is in the pipeline.

One of the most revered...

One of the most revered names in sports car history, the Porsche Spyder, is back! And our exclusive illustrations show for the first time how the sub-Boxster two-seater will shape up when it arrives in 2013.

Only when we drove it...

Only when we drove it back-to-back against its rivals on UK roads did we realise what an astonishing achievement the new Cat really is.

On the surface, the...

On the surface, the festival may come across as a stuffy, strictly corporate occasion for toffs, celebs and the very wealthy. In truth, it"s anything but - it"s classy but classless. I first met Lord March at the inaugural FoS. He"s a clever, eloquent, handsome man who"s got it all - including a title - but is seemingly happy and down to earth enough to be referred to merely as Charlie, the bloke who organises the annual Festival of Speed (and September"s Goodwood Revival meeting for classics).

Our exclusive photographs...

Our exclusive photographs record the first public steps of the legendary firm"s new cabriolet, the sensational V8 Roadster - set to make its official debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November.

Our exclusive pictures...

Our exclusive pictures reveal that away from the motor show crowds, the ST"s muscular lines come alive in the summer sun. Designers have done a great job in evolving the latest Focus"s conservative shape into a striking hot hatch. Inside, the makeover is just as dramatic. The colour of the bodywork is carried over to the seats, while chrome trim adds visual impact to the well built cabin. On top of the dash, three extra gauges hint at what"s under the bonnet.

Our German sister magazine...

Our German sister magazine, Auto Bild, carried out the trials on a saloon, and then compared it to a five-year-old Volkswagen Golf MkIV. The results showed the VW to be a safer vehicle in nearly every respect, with more severe damage to the head, chest and feet of the dummy in the Dacia. However, the test has caused controversy.

Our sources say the...

Our sources say the load-lugger should come to the UK towards the end of the year, and here"s what it will look like. However, a Rover-badged version is unlikely to share its sister car"s name - the TATA is called the Indigo Marina, and that would revive memories of the Morris Marina, a model MG Rover would probably rather forget!

Our spies have already...

Our spies have already caught an early prototype out on test, and the two versions of the new city star, which share the same platform, are tipped to debut at next year"s Frankfurt Motor Show. The pair, seen in this week"s mag, will be built alongside a Toyota-badged version of the car, which will use the same underpinnings and go on sale next to the Yaris.

Our spies have lifted...

Our spies have lifted the lid on the next-generation BMW Z4 тЂ“ and the big news is that itтЂ™s getting a folding metal roof for the first time!

Our spy photographers...

Our spy photographers caught the sporty version of the Italian city car being put through its paces on the Nürburgring circuit in Germany.

Packing a 621bhp 6.0-litre...

Packing a 621bhp 6.0-litre W12 engine, the brutish two-seater coupe can accelerate to a top speed of 204mph. But itтЂ™s also green too, as itтЂ™s capable of running on renewable biofuel as well as petrol.

Peugeot fans will have...

Peugeot fans will have a perfectly clear reason to visit the firm"s stand at this year"s Frankfurt Motor Show - they"ll be able to catch sight of the new transparent-topped Flux.

Porsche has hit back...

Porsche has hit back against the London congestion charge price hike. The German sports car manufacturer is poised to take legal action over plans to increase the congestion charge to чЈ25 a day for ‘gas-guzzlers’.

Power comes from a new...

Power comes from a new electric motor integrated into the rear axle with 168bhp and 250Nm of torque.

Raikkonen was pleased...

Raikkonen was pleased with his progress and denied that filling SchumacherрЂ™s seat was adding to the strain

Rather than concentrating...

Rather than concentrating on how a vehicle protects its occupants in the event of a shunt, it gauges the amount of damage that one model will do to another in a car-to-car collision.

Retaining the original"s...

Retaining the original"s snail-shell shape, the all-new design is instantly recognisable. However, just like the new MINI, this time round the 2CV will be aimed at the premium end of the market rather than budget buyers.

Roundabout clutter is...

Roundabout clutter is being encouraged by cash-strapped councils who are desperate to raise extra revenue by way of sponsorship

Sales of Ford diesels...

Sales of Ford diesels rose 24 per cent in 2006, taking total engine production at the Dagenham site in Essex to one million - largely due to the new 1.4 and 1.6-litre TDCi units. At present, the plant makes Ford"s entire range of four-cylinder diesels, plus Land Rover"s 2.7 TDV6 and 3.6-litre TDV8.

Sat-nav could soon save...

Sat-nav could soon save your life – that’s according to Nissan. The Japanese car maker has just revealed its fourth-generation Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV). The firm has fitted the newcomer with a hi-tech development of its standard on-board navigation system. By communicating with similarly equipped vehicles, it can warn of other drivers who are about to pull out of unsighted roads. The company claims that serious accidents could be reduced by 60 per cent if the gadgets in the ASV make production.

SEAT has unveiled its...

SEAT has unveiled its most potent model to date - the awesome new Leon Cupra R.

Second-hand vehicle...

Second-hand vehicle supчermarket Motorpoint is pioneering the move with an innovative new tracking scheme called Pinpoint.

Seen here braving the...

Seen here braving the winter chill, company engineers put the new models through their paces during cold weather testing. As Jaguar has done with its new XK, Audi is developing both hard and soft-top models side-by-side. The advantage of this approach is that the chassis will be engineered from the beginning to be a convertible, and as such will make the Roadster more rigid and better to drive.

Seen in the mag side...

Seen in the mag side by side with a camera car - ironically an ageing XM from arch rival Citroen - the Laguna Sport Tourer is in production trim and ready for showrooms worldwide. Most of the design changes have been made at the front, where the car"s nose has been sharpened up. Fresh headlamps and a new grille are fitted with chrome detailing to create an upmarket finish, while silver trim is clearly visible all round this high-spec model.

Selling your car just...

Selling your car just got easier, thanks to a new scheme from British Car Auctions (BCA). Sure Sell is a pilot programme aimed at private motorists who want to take the hassle out of shifting their motor.

Set to debut at this...

Set to debut at this month"s British Motor Show, the XKR will be offered in both coupé and cabriolet bodystyles. Available to order now, prices start from ?67,495 for the hard-top - ?8,500 more than the existing car.

Shrouded in a zebra-like...

Shrouded in a zebra-like camouflage, HondaтЂ™s new V10 supercar finally broke cover this week. And itтЂ™s the latest step in a project to replace the NSX.

Size certainly doesnтЂ™t...

Size certainly doesnтЂ™t matter to Toyota. Its show stand was packed with small additions to the range, including the tiny iQ, sporting an all new range-topping, two-toned leather interior.

Smaller, lighter and...

Smaller, lighter and promising a bigger punch per pound than any rival, this is the Renaultsport version of the new Clio, which is set to blow the performance car market apart next year.

Snapped by one of our...

Snapped by one of our spies on the back of a General Motors transporter, the disguised V8-powered load-lugger gives a glimpse of the racy makeover that’s on the way for Holden’s practical Commodore Sportwagon. As the tailgate badge states, this model is in SS trim, so the purposeful styling will be backed up by its driving potential. Large 10-spoke alloys give the estate an aggressive look, even with its garish black and white camouflage.

Sources have admitted...

Sources have admitted the car will be a "crossover" SUV, rather than a hardcore mud-plugger. In keeping with Audi"s image, it will be a luxury 4x4 aimed at the forthcoming Range Rover Sport and BMW"s X5. Due to be introduced in 12 months" time, the Q7 will be the first in a range of off-roaders from the firm to wear the Q badge beyond 2006.

Sources within the Luton...

Sources within the Luton manufacturer have let slip that company bosses are closely watching the popularity of the GM Journey - which goes on sale in South America later this year. If that model proves to be a success, then the maker may offer something similar in UK showrooms.

So you reckon satellite...

So you reckon satellite navigation systems are only good for directing you from A to B? Well, think again! The humble sat-nav is fast becoming

Speaking at the launch...

Speaking at the launch of the facelifted Forester, Peter Kinnaird - boss of Subaru"s UK importer - said: "At the moment, our cars are real bargains, but that can"t go on forever. In the future, prices will have to go up."

Strike up the band тЂ“...

Strike up the band тЂ“ the new Jazz is here! Honda claims its next supermini, due on sale in October, is superior to the outgoing model in every area.

Stylish Fiat 500 watch clocks in

Sub-zero conditions...

Sub-zero conditions are making things difficult for motorists across

"Success will come to...

"Success will come to the teams with the best ideas, not only the teams with the most moneyтЂќ Max Mosley

Sure Sell is a sure...

Sure Sell is a sure thing! After a successful pilot scheme, British Car Auctions’ latest used initiative has been given the green light. Sure Sell is aimed at private motorists looking for a quick and easy

Take a look at AudiтЂ™s...

Take a look at AudiтЂ™s pocket rocket! This stunning machine is the S1 тЂ“ a super hatch flagship that will sit at the very top of the German firmтЂ™s all-new small car range.

Take a look at the brand...

Take a look at the brand new car that’s yours for the price of a television!

Take a look at the latest...

Take a look at the latest instalment in RoverтЂ™s return. Auto Express has learned that Nanjing Automobile тЂ“ the Chinese company who owns the MG brand тЂ“ will launch a new Ford Focus-sized hatchback in the UK as soon as 2010.

Take a look at the smallest...

Take a look at the smallest, most beautifully formed Audi ever. Auto Express has learned that the German firm is planning a new city car тЂ“ and it will be based on VWтЂ™s ultra-economical micro-machine, the up!

Take a peek at the new-look...

Take a peek at the new-look Fords which will ring the changes for the blue oval in 2010. These are the first official pictures of the facelifted S-MAX and Galaxy тЂ“ both of which are set to go on sale in March.

Take the Honda Civic...

Take the Honda Civic as an example. Although the striking new model arrived on forecourts earlier this month, it has yet to hit values of its predecessor, the MkV. As such, used buyers are being advised to wait a few months before striking a deal. Jeff Paterson, senior cars editor at trade bible Glass"s Guide, told Auto Express: "Honda is one of the few brands whose outgoing models experience a price rise when a replacement appears." However, the effect typically lasts only a few months, so buying a used Civic MkV should make perfect sense by late spring.

TEAM RAC has ditched...

TEAM RAC has ditched its elderly MGs for BMWs. The front-running BTCC outfit has purchased a brace of BMW 320si E90 models as used successfully by Andy Priaulx to win the 2006 World Touring Car Championship.

Technical details are...

Technical details are still scarce, but the so-called "lifestyle estate" is expected to be larger than the existing V50. This will help the Volvo to fit more comfortably into conventional class sizes, unlike the current model

That leaves the way...

That leaves the way clear for the all-new Ka revealed here to take over the helm in what is one of Ford"s most lucrative markets. The Ka currently accounts for more than 30 per cent of city car sales in the UK, and while rumours were circulating round Europe that the blue oval wouldn"t replace the model, insiders have confirmed that the market is too important to ignore. That means a new model will be with us by 2007, and the company will be looking to continue the current machine"s im-pressive sales success.

That’s according...

That’s according to British Car Auctions (BCA), which shifted more than 150 Fords in a recent sale at its Nottingham site – with demand strongest for the S-MAX and Galaxy people carriers.

That’s the shock...

That’s the shock finding of research by tyre specialist Kwik-Fit. It discovered that each time a wheel crashes into the broken tarmac blighting the UK’s highways, drivers have to pay an average ?95 – nearly twice as much as it would cost to fill the hole.

That was the claim which...

That was the claim which had the company’s rivals quaking at the beginning of the Eighties. Not only was it a bold statement to make, it was also true. Back then, VWs were blessed with reliability second only to Mercedes.

The 19-year-old marked...

The 19-year-old marked himself out as a man to watch by winning last year’s Renault Clio Cup. Onslow-Cole will line up alongside Colin Turkington in the two-pronged BMW attack.

The 2008 British Motor...

The 2008 British Motor Show has been given a major boost after Lotus confirmed that it will launch an all-new model at the event.

The 2+2 cabrio will...

The 2+2 cabrio will use the same mighty 5.0-litre V10 as found in the standard M6 and the M5. This all-alloy engine develops 507bhp and 521Nm of torque, driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed sequential gearbox.

The 39-year-old single...

The 39-year-old single mum was caught on camera doing 51mph in a 40 zone. That"s the sort of misdemeanour most of us have been guilty of at some point. Difference is we didn"t go to jail for exceeding the speed limit by 20-something per cent. Joy did - and here"s how.

The all-new Astra is...

The all-new Astra is ready to take a starring role in VauxhallтЂ™s range! In Issue 1,059, Auto Express revealed leaked pictures of the Ford Focus rival тЂ“ now, weтЂ™ve bagged the first official images, plus all the crucial details on the best-selling British-built hatch.

THE Audi A2 is making...

THE Audi A2 is making a comeback. Auto Express has learned the German firm plans to resurrect its trailblazing small people carrier. And it will take pride of place as one of the most desirable models in an exciting new compact car range.

The Auto 1 vote was...

The Auto 1 vote was published in issue 833 and on the website. With the count complete, Citroen"s bosses were delighted with the result.

The Beachcomber is actually...

The Beachcomber is actually shorter than a Golf hatchback and only ten centimetres longer than a Clubman

The Big Mouth meets...

The Big Mouth meets the Big Mac! In an amazing world exclusive, Auto Express was on hand to witness US TV chat show host and car collector, Jay Leno, hit the road in the machine every supercar fan is desperate to climb aboard: the McLaren MP4-12C.

The bold scorчpion...

The bold scorчpion badge of the famous tuning arm will appear first on a racy version of the new 500 city car. A company spokesman has revealed the wraps will be taken off this model at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.

The British MoT is one...

The British MoT is one of EuropeрЂ™s strictest testing regimes, so if youрЂ™re looking at a foreign-plated car, the chances of it being sub-standard are much higher

The California dreaming...

The California dreaming is over тЂ“ Ferrari has finally pulled the wraps of its stunning new supercar!

The Capri is back тЂ“...

The Capri is back тЂ“ as a hatch! These are the best pictures yet of the compact family car that looks set to be the must-have model of 2010 тЂ“ itтЂ™s a new three- door version of the Ford Focus.

The car makes its public...

The car makes its public debut at the Paris Motor Show this week, and heralds the dawn of a new era for the hard-pressed firm

The car seen here is...

The car seen here is the Note, which has gone into production in its native Japan. A virtually identical UK car - which will be badged Tone - is to be built at Nissan"s factory in Sunderland from later this year.

The city car, which...

The city car, which was launched to rapturous acclaim earlier this year, had been expected to weigh in with a five-figure tag when sales kick off in January. However, the entry-level 1.2-litre Pop model will start from чЈ7,900 – a price that undercuts all but the most basic Pandas.

The company I"m talking...

The company I"m talking about is back-from-the-dead Nissan. It already has a well established six-model off-road range, which includes the best-in-class X-Trail, giant Pathfinder and Patrol, ageing and very ordinary Terrano II, luxuriously agile Murano, and, as of this month, the new Navara pick-up. That means the Japanese firm currently boasts nearly as many products as Land Rover (Freelander, Defender, Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport) and Jeep (Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee) combined.

The competition car"s...

The competition car"s more aggresчsive styling gives a clear indication of how a sporty Fabia vRS will look when it goes on sale next year.

The controversial move...

The controversial move is the brainchild of Mark Cornwall, marketing director of Car Parts Direct of Derby. He admitted the shock offer is a brazen publicity bid, and hopes it will help him sell hundreds of thousands of detectors. Cornwall told us: "There"s no catch to the offer. It just shows how much confidence we have in the product."

The curtain raiser for...

The curtain raiser for 2007’s NASCAR season – Sunday’s Daytona 500 – welcomed two significant new faces: ex-F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya and, far more controversially, Toyota.

The deal stops them...

The deal stops them selling models less than three years old that have been imported from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). But the body representing the UK’s non-franchised dealers is unhappy about it.

The decision confirms...

The decision confirms comments made by Impreza chief engineer, Hiroshi Mori, who told Auto Express that the next-generation car "might take a new design direction, and could be smaller". So why have designers turned their back on saloons? The new car will be smaller, lighter and cheaper to produce than the four-door, and should have better handling, thanks to its short wheelbase and stiffer body.

The demo came as the...

The demo came as the cost of a litre of unleaded soared to at least 82.9p across the UK. The nationwide average was 83p, but the pump price had reached 90p in some places, including Canterbury, Kent. Super unleaded was even higher, topping н‚бЈ1 at many forecourts.

The dramatic move will...

The dramatic move will delight fans of the brand, which has missed the last two UK events. It"s also a boost to organisers, after Ford revealed it had no plans for a big unveiling that would pull in the crowds.

The eagerly anticipated...

The eagerly anticipated VW was originally due to arrive in showrooms here next year, but the project was delayed until 2009 when new boss Martin Winterkorn took control of the company and demanded a thorough review of all future model plans.

The Eagle has landed...

The Eagle has landed тЂ“ at last! After months of spy shots, Auto Express can finally bring you the first official picture of Lotus" new sports car, known as Project Eagle. The latest incarnation of the Elise, it"s a 2+2 that"s aimed squarely at Porsche"s Cayman with a price tag of around ТЈ45,000 and power from a 276bhp 3.5-litre V6 engine.