Road Tests

The Fiat 500 has only...

The Fiat 500 has only been on sale officially for a fortnight, but already it’s selling like hot cakes. And it’s not only the Italian maker that’s cashing in on the supermini’s popularity – some shrewd buyers are putting their orders up for auction!

The Finn made a storming...

The Finn made a storming start to become the first man to pass Lewis Hamilton in a grand prix. He then made up time on early race leader Felipe Massa and overtook him at the second pitstops. Afterwards, Raikkonen admitted he had been having trouble adjusting following his move from McLaren at the end of last season.

The firm"s top brass...

The firm"s top brass were said to be hopping mad when Solido, the toy manufacturer commissioned to make collectors" models of the new car, jumped the gun. Its staff unveiled the miniature clay models of its 2005 range at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in Germany.

The Focus is taking...

The Focus is taking a leaf out of the FiestaтЂ™s book! For the first time, Ford is introducing a sporty Zetec S variant of its best-selling family hatch тЂ“ a badge normally associated with its smaller brother.

The French revolution...

The French revolution starts here! Auto Express has the pictures that prove Renault is ready to reclaim its reputation as the world’s most daring designer of family cars.

The gadget in our picture...

The gadget in our picture may look unassuming, but it could sound the death knell for national road pricing plans. That’s because it’s a sat-nav jammer, and could render the most suitable technology for a pay-as-you-drive charging scheme useless.

The German company"s...

The German company"s engineers thought that they had sneakily avoided detection by disguising the car - codenamed Tupi but expected to be called the Fox - with the badges and painted-on rear light clusters of its French rival.

The Government has hinted...

The Government has hinted that it will scrap the planned Vehicle Excise Duty increases for 2009. Treasury insiders leaked news that the tax increases, originally scheduled for April next year, will be delayed until 2010 or later тЂ“ or even completely changed тЂ“ in an effort by politicians to help out the poor UK economy.

The growth in delivery...

The growth in delivery vans with untrained drivers creates more pollution and accidents, and injuries are more serious

The ice-man Kimi Raikkonen...

The ice-man Kimi Raikkonen kept his cool to triumph in the heat of Malaysia. The reigning champion put the disappointment of Australia behind him and guided his Ferrari to an emphatic win.

The IQ has been remodelled...

The IQ has been remodelled for Americans! ToyotaтЂ™s Scion sub-brand, aimed at тЂ�young urban trendsettersтЂ™, has got its hands on the revolutionary city car and given it an ultra-aggressive makeover. Called the Scion IQ Concept, it takes what you previously thought feasible with a car less than 10-feet long and rips up the rulebook completely.

The IS takes on the...

The IS takes on the styling themes from the recently revealed GS, with heavily sculpted features and a muscular stance. It retains the feel of a sports saloon thanks to a long nose and short rear overhang. The Lexus grille is smaller than on the current model, but its shape is echoed in the creases running up the bonnet and it"s framed by a pair of piercing headlights.

The K5.91MD Plus packs...

The K5.91MD Plus packs a punch, delivering a 135-bar jet of water that should be more than enough to shift the most stubborn mud and road dirt from the bodywork of your vehicle.

The latest Budget means...

The latest Budget means that motorists are facing an extra чЈ1,000 in taxes. While Chancellor Alistair Darling delayed increasing the price of fuel, he did signal that the taxation system would change to punish the most polluting motors.

The latest version debuts...

The latest version debuts at next week"s Geneva Motor Show, and will be at dealers by the end of the year. Blue oval bosses expect the cars to disappear so quickly they"ll leave tyre marks!

The lid has been lifted...

The lid has been lifted on Audi’s new drop-top. Meet the A3 Cabriolet, which gets an electric roof and looks that will turn heads wherever it goes.

The lid has been lifted...

The lid has been lifted on HondaтЂ™s green future! The Japanese firm

The mag"s exclusive...

The mag"s exclusive spy shots give the clearest glimpse yet of the replacement for the 360 Modena. And under the plastic disguise are striking headlamps and a daring new look similar to that of its big brother, the 612. Seen in the mag outside the Maranello factory in Italy, the newcomer has kept the overall shape of its predecessor, but is likely to have more dramatic detailing.

The mag"s images show...

The mag"s images show the Fox"s wheels fitted with hi-tech equipment to measure the exact speed and rolling resistance of each tyre. And that signals VW"s intent to inject some of the excitement of the legendary Golf GTI into the bargain city car. The move follows news of the hot Polo GTI - revealed in last week"s issue - which will go on sale in UK showrooms early next year.

The main teams from...

The main teams from the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) descended on Milton Keynes, Bucks, for a demonstration event, wowing a crowd of more than 10,000 fans.

The most eagerly anticipated...

The most eagerly anticipated fast Ford for years made its global debut at the British Motor Show today. The Focus RS is powered by a 296bhp version of the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine from the Focus ST, making the new RS the most powerful model Ford of Europe has ever produced. No official performance figures are available yet, but Ford RS boss Jost Capito estimated a 0-60mph time of less than six seconds. Top speed is likely to exceed 150mph.

The most radical will...

The most radical will be a crossover vehicle, combining estate car and SUV styling with people carrier practicality. We"ve learned that it will be along the lines of the Freestyle, a new model for the US, which made its debut at this month"s Detroit Motor Show.

The move is being considered...

The move is being considered by the Government as part of tough new measures to improve registration plate security. Auto Express has seen high-level consultation documents, which include several proposals designed to crack down on car crime. Other ideas include electronic tagging and special tamper-proof materials.

The new 4x4 will debut...

The new 4x4 will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and hits British showrooms shortly afterwards - where it"s tipped to cost around н‚бЈ3,000 more than its predecessor. It will go head-to-head with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

The new Cadillac CTS...

The new Cadillac CTS Coupé was one of the biggest surprises of the recent Detroit Motor Show for two reasons. Not only was the unveiling totally unexpected, but the stylish US machine was fitted with a six-cylinder 2.9-litre turbodiesel engine delivering 247bhp.

The new Chrysler 300C...

The new Chrysler 300C V6 CRD is one of those cars. If you don"t get it, that"s fine by me and okay with the US company, too. Chrysler is the first to acknowledge its increasingly quirky cars are not for everyone. If you"re stubbornly resisting the joys of diesel motoring, if you don"t have a large garage to accommodate this beast and if you don"t like unapologetically big, bold cars with attitude, this vehicle is definitely not for you.

The newcomer is set...

The newcomer is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March, and will be looking to continue the Polo"s well established role as the supermini with the image all other car manufacturers aspire to. The excellent residual values, superb build quality and smart, chunky styling make the current model a hit and maintain the solid reputation the Polo has enjoyed for nearly a decade.

The new dashboard will...

The new dashboard will be thicker and wider than the current one, and features a selection of wood, plastic or body-coloured inserts depending on the trim level. It will get air vents in pods at each end, as on the original Mini, plus additional vents mounted in the middle of the dash.

The news coincides with...

The news coincides with the release of official "teaser" pictures of the disguised five-door from Mercedes, seen here. The AMG version will rival Audi"s S3 - itself not due until 2005 - and is likely to get a high-powered version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that will also be used in other A-Class models. However, sprightly performance and frugal economy will also be offered by a new 141bhp 2.0-litre diesel unit.

The news should bring...

The news should bring festive cheer to Lexus bosses, who"ve lost out on the massive UK oil-burning market - particularly company car sales of models such as the IS. This newcomer will go head-to-head with high quality rivals such as the Audi A4 TDi and BMW 330d.

The news that Volvo...

The news that Volvo is recalling nearly half a million cars (35,000 in Britain) due to a fire risk from short-circuited radiator fan motors is just the latest safety scare. Last year, it called back 360,000 US models for engine speed control faults. But the Swedish firm is by no means an exception. In 2002, Ford recalled 600,000 mainly US Focuses over a fire safety issue and, two years ago, 360,000 models were affected by potentially faulty rear-door latches. Last year, Toyota recalled one million cars for steering problems; in the States, it called back more vehicles than it had sold. In Japan, the company became the subject of a criminal investigation over allegations that it delayed a safety recall for eight years following a steering defect on its best-selling Hilux model.

The next Mondeo will...

The next Mondeo will take cues from the SAV 5 concept displayed at the Geneva Motor Show. The MPV is said to be the first in a series to reveal Ford"s fresh family face.

The number’s up...

The number’s up on illegal registration plates! New rules introduced at the beginning of the month aim to crack down on dodgy styles and fonts. And unless your car now carries special identifying marks, it won’t pass the annual MoT test.

The pace of a Caterham...

The pace of a Caterham has always been enough to shock, but now it will be really electric!

The photographs show...

The photographs show how the firm has gone back to the old-style round headlights, replacing the much-maligned "fried-egg" lamps fitted on the current model. But in true 911 tradition, the styling changes aren"t massive. As well as the new nose, the newcomer gets more bulbous rear wings to cover the wider track, dual arm door mirrors and a more aerodynamic pop-up spoiler.

The politicians and...

The politicians and transport authorities are horribly letting down those at risk of being side-swiped

The powerhouse Vauxhall...

The powerhouse Vauxhall VXR8 is about to get even faster тЂ“ and this time, it has the storming V10-engined Audi RS6 firmly in its sights.

The price is right!...

The price is right! And so is everything else with Jaguar’s make-or-break XF premium saloon – if its predicted best-in-class residuals hold true.

The Qashqai has gone...

The Qashqai has gone under the knife тЂ“ and Auto Express has the first pictures.

There was nowhere to...

There was nowhere to hide for car makers in March when we published our 2008 Driver Power satisfaction survey results in Issue 1,004.

There was plenty of...

There was plenty of Turkish delight for Jenson Button last weekend, as the Brawn GP ace notched up his sixth win of the season. The Briton now has an impressive 26 point advantage at the top of the title table.

These are the first...

These are the first official images of the all-new Ford Ka тЂ“ and itтЂ™s set to shake up the booming city car sector when it hits showrooms in January.

These extraordinary...

These extraordinary pictures from the Berkshire-based Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) prove that the weight of the variable message signs brings the entire gantry collapsing on to the road when a support leg is struck by a car.

These new findings are...

These new findings are shocking...a change in the law is certainly worth considering - Chris Wakley, Tyre Industry Council

The sensational pictures...

The sensational pictures in this week"s mag show how the conservative look of the current Golf is enhanced by several dramatic styling cues. Aggression is key to the new front end, with headlights angled in towards a GTI-style honeycomb grille. In profile, the VW"s waistline will become more pronounced, while the rear styling is inspired by the Concept A sports SUV, which debuted at March"s Geneva Motor Show. The aim is to create a similar unmistakable shape to that of the original MkI Golf of the Seventies, while also incorporating a more upmarket Audi-style look.

These official images...

These official images of Peugeot"s new 308 have been leaked ahead of its planned public unveiling. Following months of scoop shots, the five-door"s shape comes as no surprise. What is striking, though, is just how bold the showroom-ready hatchback"s finer details are.

The shake-up will mean...

The shake-up will mean more vehicles available at lower prices.

THE show must go on!...

THE show must go on! After a lacklustre stand at the LA Motor Show in November, GM is back on form for Detroit. The struggling firm is aiming high with three models making their expo debuts Stateside and one world-exclusive unveiling.

The showroom-ready 1-Series...

The showroom-ready 1-Series is one of the year"s most eagerly anticipated new models. Flagship versions will be aimed at the Audi A3 and forthcoming Mercedes B-Class, while entry-level cars will offer an alternative to family favourites such as the VW Golf, Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus.

The standard car will...

The standard car will be called the CZ3, but confusingly the hot hatch wears a CZT badge - the final letter standing for Turbo. It boasts a 150bhp 1.5-litre engine and is based on the CZ Tarmac concept that appeared at the Geneva Motor Show last March.

The styling might be...

The styling might be daring but we reckon the new S60 is a "safe" bet for Volvo тЂ“ that"s because it gets an amazing new safety system that prevents accidents!

The sun is shining on...

The sun is shining on Fiat! This is the Phylla concept, the Italian makerтЂ™s groundbreaking solar-powered green car. And beyond the quirky asymmetrical styling lie clues to the forthcoming Fiat Topolino тЂ“ which was exclusively revealed by Auto Express in Issue 1,013.

The team’s brand...

The team’s brand new racers dominated the opening 1,000km round of the European Le Mans Series at Monza in Italy. But on the other side of the Atlantic, Audi’s R10 TDI lost its 13-month unbeaten record.

The Times newspaper...

The Times newspaper has finally woken up to this fact. The main story on its front page on 30 December 2003 was entitled "Speed camera curbs to halt driver backlash". And on 1 January 2004, the broadsheet came back for more, devoting over half its front page to cynical motoring fines. Stories about a murdered policeman, war on terror and other domestic and international events played second fiddle to the plight of UK car occupants, many of whom are now in danger of being priced out of their vehicles - not by manufacturers, but by politicians punch drunk on power and making money.

The titanic battle for...

The titanic battle for this year’s FIA World Touring Car Championship served up even more door-to-door drama and action in the latest round at Oschersleben, Germany.

The twin headlamp surrounds...

The twin headlamp surrounds in the mag"s images are fake; the revised supermini is set to get conventional single-lens units. And as for those outrageous spotlights on the roof, they"re more to do with the extreme Scandinavian weather than the options list!

The ultimate Golf is...

The ultimate Golf is here! And this time, the flagship hot hatchback has more power and an all-new badge to boot.

The unloved Croma will...

The unloved Croma will also get a facelift to bring it into line with the firm"s stylish new models

The Volkswagen Golf...

The Volkswagen Golf is ready to join the hybrid club! The German company will unveil a new diesel-electric version of its best-selling hatchback at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.

The volume of ex-fleet...

The volume of ex-fleet vehicles left unsold at auction sites should force fleet companies to lower their reserve prices, according to SMA director Alistair Manson.

The waiting is over...

The waiting is over. The new mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive McLaren supercar is here тЂ“ and itтЂ™s a stunner!

The whole world knows...

The whole world knows what Jenson Button wants for Christmas: a decent racing car worthy of his talents. This time last year, the 27-year-old had good reason to feel festive. He was still savouring his maiden Formula One win and had ended what was hailed as a breakthrough season on a huge high.

THE wraps are off the...

THE wraps are off the hottest Astra ever! In a world exclusive, Auto Express can reveal the high-performance version of VauxhallтЂ™s new family car тЂ“ the eagerly anticipated Astra VXR.

They"re not squeaky...

They"re not squeaky clean, but the new car and related industries deserve a score of nine-and-a-half out of 10 for transparency. No other business in the world openly offers potential customers a combination of: generous discounts on most vehicles being sold; a choice of official (franchised) and unofficial (non-franchised) outlets; precise details of typical running and servicing costs; even more exact data about carbon emissions; warranties lasting from three to seven years; and - most incred-ible of all - a virtual guarantee that every car will still be worth money when it"s decidedly second-hand.

They’re expecting...

They’re expecting quads at Nissan! The Japanese brand is preparing to deliver four stunning concepts at this month’s Tokyo Motor Show.

They say Felipe Massa...

They say Felipe Massa is tipped to make way for the double world champion by taking up a lucrative offer from Toyota. Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen would then pair up in what the Italian squad’s president Luca di Montezemolo regards as his dream team.

TheyтЂ™re really getting...

TheyтЂ™re really getting the wind up at Mercedes тЂ“ and itтЂ™s got nothing to do with competitorsтЂ™ cars!

Things are really hotting...

Things are really hotting up at Renault. Following the launch of the three-door Mégane at the Paris Motor Show last week, Auto Express can reveal work has already begun in earnest on a flagship Renaultsport version to replace the outgoing R26.

This exciting new British...

This exciting new British sports car proves that being green doesn’t have to be dull. Called the Climax, the ultra-lightweight two-seater is inspired by the Formula One racing cars of the Fifties and Sixties, and features a mid-mounted, flat-four-cylinder turbocharged engine that runs on E85 bioethanol.

This first official...

This first official picture shows the firm"s revised compact executive model, which will go on sale in the UK this autumn.

This is a Phantom with...

This is a Phantom with real menace! Take a look at the stunning new Rolls-Royce Coupé, a sleek two-door set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The marque’s answer to the awesome Bentley Brooklands is set to become one of the most desirable models on the planet.

This is not so much...

This is not so much a spy shot as a spy car, after the dream machine maker confirmed it would once again be supplying movie secret agent James Bond"s motor for his next big-screen adventure.

This is the fresh Mondeo...

This is the fresh Mondeo Estate and, thanks to our exclusive main picture, not only can we reveal it for the first time, but also the face of the new model. As you can see, the Mondeo is set to be one of the most distinctive cars in the family class. Its front end draws inspiration from the sporty S-MAX MPV - complete with the now trademark gaping lower air intake and large headlights.

This is the Furai, an...

This is the Furai, an amazing looking supercar that’s sure to draw massive crowds with its stunning lines and high-performance mid-mounted rotary engine.

This is the machine...

This is the machine the Italian outfit hopes will allow Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa to maintain the great German driver’s winning streak.

This is the new SW –...

This is the new SW – the sporty estate version of the firm’s forthcoming family hatchback. Making its debut at the forthcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, it will be revealed in the form of this concept, the Prologue.

This is the production...

This is the production version of the C30, which the firm hopes will give the BMW 1-Series, as well as the Golf, a fright in the tough premium hatchback market.

This is the replacement...

This is the replacement for the Corsa, Britain"s second-favourite new car for the past three years - and mag"s images show how close it is to production.

This latest special...

This latest special edition is based on the Impreza S204 revealed last year, but the RA-R is much more driver-focused

This very special JCB...

This very special JCB is destined for the Bonneville Salt Flats in the US, where it will attempt to break the world land speed record for diesel-engined cars this summer, hitting more than 300mph.

This week"s Auto Express...

This week"s Auto Express exclusively reveals Mercedes’ all-new CL, set to claim the title of the world’s most luxurious coupé.

This week, there’s...

This week, there’s breaking news of not just one reborn motoring legend, but two! While BMW’s plan to bring back Triumph is hot gossip in the UK, Japan is ready to see the return of one of its favourite past models: the Honda CR-X.

Tickets for next monthтЂ™s...

Tickets for next monthтЂ™s British Grand Prix are sold out, but Formula One fans will get another chance to see Lewis Hamilton in action, just one week later at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

тЂњMeticulous quality...

тЂњMeticulous quality control and attention to detail means it takes a month to painstakingly hand-build each RapideтЂќ

To be fair to the dead...

To be fair to the dead wood Conservatives, I"m writing this column before their gathering is even over. But are Britain"s 50 million car users anywhere near the top of their priority list, or are they just thinking about their next leader who, if he or she lasts as long as the last three, will be irrelevant? Unlike those 50 million motorists and their passengers, who have valuable voting cards up their sleeves!

Toyota has revealed...

Toyota has revealed that the traditional "boxes are proving difficult to match to the complex power cycles of new petrol/electric hybrid engines, and so are likely to be unsuitable for its hi-tech traction control systems, too. Cars such as the new Auris, which currently come in manual form, will eventually only be available as autos.

Traffic snarl-ups are...

Traffic snarl-ups are the bane of every driverтЂ™s life, so anything that helps avoid congestion has to be good news. Combining sat-navs with monitoring systems is increasingly common, but these are only as reliable as the jam spottersтЂ™ data.

Twenty points is a lot...

Twenty points is a lot, in a way, but itтЂ™s not impossible. I think we can do it

Two green machines debut...

Two green machines debut at this weekтЂ™s Detroit Motor Show тЂ“ and their rivalry looks set to be one of the biggest of the year!

Tyre chiefs back Auto Express call

Tyre chiefs back Auto Express call

Under the bonnet is...

Under the bonnet is the same 1.6-litre engine as in the 207 GT. But Peuч­geot has boosted power from 150bhp to 175bhp

Using the underpinnings...

Using the underpinnings of the recently launched ForFour, the newcomer will feature jacked-up suspension, chunkier styling, flared wheelarches and larger rims. Tracing its heritage back to the TRIDION4 concept car unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2001, the ForMore follows Smart"s favoured design technique - bolting interchangeable plastic panels to a steel frame.

Vauxhall is back in...

Vauxhall is back in business. In an effort to rediscover its title-winning form, VX Racing has ditched its disap­pointing Astra Sport Hatch. An exciting new Vectra-based racer has been introduced for the 2007 Dunlop Brit­ish Touring Car Championship, which roars into action with three rounds at Brands Hatch, Kent, on Sunday.

Vauxhall is flexing...

Vauxhall is flexing its creative muscles with the next Zafira – and here’s the proof! Sister company Opel unч­veiled this stunning concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And, according to the maker, it gives strong hints as to how the next generation of the big-selling MPV will look.

Vauxhall is hoping to...

Vauxhall is hoping to create a stir with its new чЈ7,500 city car. At that price, the Agila will go head-to-head with Fiat’s accomplished Panda. But the maker believes it can rival similar-sized but more expensive models, such as the Renault Modus and Nissan Note, too.

Volvo has just announced...

Volvo has just announced the prices for its facelifted C30 SportCoupe and C70 coupe/convertible after revealing both updated versions at last months Frankfurt Motor Show.

Want to save fuel and...

Want to save fuel and cut down your CO2 emissions? The DTI has just unveiled the “Act On CO2” initiative to encourage car buyers to purchase more fuel efficient motors. Auto Express has conducted its own research to find Britain’s 100 most economical motors.

Want to save fuel and...

Want to save fuel and cut down your CO2 emissions? The DTI has just unveiled the “Act On CO2” initiative to encourage car buyers to purchase more fuel efficient motors. Auto Express has conducted its own research to find Britain’s 100 most economical motors.

Watch out Volkswagen!...

Watch out Volkswagen! This is the car that Renault bosses are promising will end the Golf GTIтЂ™s dominance of the competitive hot hatch market.

We can exclusively reveal...

We can exclusively reveal the model, which is based on the Focus, will be badged the X-MAX.

Welcome back MG! It...

Welcome back MG! It might be billed as a concept, but the MG6 will be on sale in China later this year, and to a dealer near you in 2010.

We"ll be revealing the...

We"ll be revealing the some of the class results online over the next week, starting with the best supermini. If you can"t wait or need the full facts, seek out this week"s issue on the bookstalls.

Well executed and beautifully...

Well executed and beautifully detailed, the soft-top offers everything you need and nothing you don"t.

We regularly warn motorists...

We regularly warn motorists to tread carefully when it comes to modifying their car. But thereтЂ™s a chance youтЂ™ve already altered your vehicle without realising it.

We"ve discovered that...

We"ve discovered that the firm will replace the range with a sharply styled saloon and liftback, a Vauxhall Signum-style estate-cum-hatch, an all-road MAV (or multi activity vehicle) and a modern interpretation of the Galaxy people carrier, tipped to be christened the E-MAX.

We"ve heard of black...

We"ve heard of black ice before, but never pink! French scientists have developed an intelligent varnish that changes colour when the temperature drops below one degree Celsius.

What a waste of money!...

What a waste of money! That’s what I thought when the Highways Agency proudly announced it had started work on the UK’s first motorway High Vehicle Occupancy (HOV) lane. It’s spending ВЈ3.95million of taxpayers’ cash on the harebrained scheme in West Yorkshire. When the road opens next spring, it will link the southbound M606 near Bradford to the eastbound M62 towards Leeds, to bypass the busy Chain Bar Junction. But only motorists carrying passengers will be able to use it. And their reward for being socially responsible, environment-saving, congestion-busting drivers? Eight minutes’ reduction in their journey time.

What causes more injury...

What causes more injury to a pedestrian who leaps into the road - a double-decker bus or a Suzuki Jimny 4x4?

When I cornered Kazunori...

When I cornered Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator of the Gran Turismo video game, into co-driving with me in his first-ever "real world" race - a one-hour Mazda MX-5 endurance event - he ummed and aahed for a day or so before giving me a definite "Yeah, why not?!" I guess no one had really asked him before, because he is, in reality, a very good driver. But if I thought that my propositioning was anything special, it pales into insignificance when compared to what Yamauchi has been through.

When we contacted the...

When we contacted the Midlands 4x4 marque, a spokesman told us: "No decision has been made yet." However, our sources insist the Disco will appear first at the New York Motor Show in early April. As Americans don"t buy diesels, this will be a petrol model - leaving the way clear for the oil-burner to take the stage for the first time at the British exhibition a month later.

Which second-hand cars...

Which second-hand cars offer the best value on forecourts? Well, when judged by the saving they offer compared to list price, here are the top 10, according to the experts at trade bible Glass’s Guide.

While contacts close...

While contacts close to the firm have been hinting about the possibility of an all-new model for some time, designers in Italy have grabbed the bull by the horns to recreate an icon to sit at the top of the legendary supercar maker"s line-up.

While the Japanese company...

While the Japanese company has released these first official pictures and details of the facelifted 350Z, Auto Express can also exclusively reveal plans to produce a smaller version.

Winner BMW 3-Series

Winner BMW 3-Series

Winner Honda Civic Type R

Winner Honda Civic Type R

With agile handling...

With agile handling and a fine ride, the B-MAX will be great to drive, as well as flexible

With a muscular look...

With a muscular look that"s lifted straight from Porsches of old, the new machine drops the controversial "fried egg" headlights in favour of a traditional oval lamp, which harks back to the original model from the late Sixties.

With an incredible 217bhp...

With an incredible 217bhp on tap, it"s no surprise blue oval drivers are doing lots of high-speed testing, and our snapper took these pictures as the Focus ST did a hot lap of Germany"s Nнѓбјrburgring.

With a striking front...

With a striking front end and a bold shape, the latest addition to MINI"s line-up - expected to be called the Traveller - is nearly ready for the showroom. Bursting with eye-catching features and offering class-leading versatility, the new machine will become one of the must-have cars of 2007.

With every generation...

With every generation of new car comes a big leap in technology. It was only a few years ago when we saw power-steering for the first time, then ABS arrived, along with electric windows and central locking. Today, all that is fitted as standard plus a lot more besides, and hi-tech gizmos keep on coming with every new motor.

With looks inspired...

With looks inspired by the Brera coupé, the two-door convertible is the long-awaited successor to the current drop-top, which dates back to 1996.

With more scoops, vents...

With more scoops, vents and spoilers than any of its competitors, the hot hatch is a truly extreme supermini

With rivals such as...

With rivals such as the Peugeot 206 CC and Vauxhall"s Tigra now well established, Renault is keen to join the class. Sister firm Nissan is already a step ahead, and will launch the Micra C+C drop-top at this September"s Frankfurt Motor Show.

With storm clouds gathering...

With storm clouds gathering over the global car industry, petrolheads needed some exciting news to lift their spirits at the start of December.

With the excellent i30...

With the excellent i30, Hyundai has already written the first chapter in its new history – but that hasn’t stopped the firm from launching a Genesis!

With the replacement...

With the replacement for the ageing C70 unveiled at this week"s Frankfurt Motor Show, it makes the current S80 the oldest model in the line-up. The car seen in the mag should offer improved handling, while retaining the outgoing machine"s trademark refinement.

Young gun Lewis Hamilton...

Young gun Lewis Hamilton successfully completed his first full Formula One test for McLaren last week at Silverstone – and moved another step closer to securing a seat alongside Fernando Alonso on next year’s grand prix grid.