Jaguar Diesel XF

The big cat is finally out of the bag! Jaguar has released the first pictures and full details of its new XF Diesel S, an oilburning flagship that combines class-leading performance with impressive fuel economy.

Due on sale in March, the newcomer is fitted with a new 3.0-litre V6 engine with 273bhp and a staggering 600nm of torque. Capable of a top speed of 155mph, and a 0-60mph sprint of 5.9 seconds the newcomer also promises to return 42mpg.
Meanwhile, CO2 emissions are 179g/km – that’s 10 percent less than the acclaimed 2.7-litre unit that this new engine replaces.

Power is transmitted to the road via the rear wheels, through an updated six speed automatic gearbox. Drivers can either select a fully automatic mode, or swap ratios via steering wheel mounted paddles.
To complete the package, XF Diesel S also gets 20 inch wheels, an aerodynamic boot lid spoiler and discreet ‘S’ badging.
Inside, the S gets sports seats, and a number of specification upgrades to the car’s satellite navigation and air-conditioning systems.

However, the new Diesel S is not the only XF to benefit from the company’s latest diesel technology.

Jaguar has announced that is also plans to add an entry level 3.0-litre V6 model to the line-up to replace the basic 2.7-litre V6.

Volkswagen Fox - Review

Styling/Image
The Fox is a VW launched in the South American market back in 2003. It's been reworked for European showrooms, with a four-car line-up; 54bhp 1.2-litre and 74bhp 1.4-litre engines are offered in standard or better-equipped Urban trim. There is just a single three-door bodystyle, but even this appears dated. The Fox is bland and plain compared to the cute Lupo it replaces.

Interior/Practicality
Don’t expect to find a miniature Golf cabin inside. Both the design and quality are from Volkswagens of old. Fit and finish is fine, yet it’s hard not to feel a bit short changed by the aging design. We’ve got no complaints with the practicality, though. Fold the rear seats and the Fox’s luggage area is huge.

Engine/Performance
Both 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol engines are available to Fox buyers. The 1.4-litre engine, which is manufactured in Brazil, is a version of the unit seen in the Polo, so refinement is reasonable. And with a decent slug of torque, the Fox is quick in-gear. However, to make the most of the VW’s bargain prices, opt for the cheaper 1.2.


Driving experience
The Fox is a comfortable city car. With a ride that’s soft rather than sporty, it’s more than capable of tackling speed bumps. The four-cylinder engines are relatively quiet, helping to make the Fox a good long-distance cruiser. Head down a more challenging road and the soggy handling won’t inspire handling, but the steering is reasonably well weighted. Decent brakes and a slick gearbox make the VW easy to drive.

Costs
Getting a VW badge on your bonnet doesn’t get any cheaper than this. Rival city cars offer more kit for the money, but few can match the Fox’s carrying capacity in the sub £7,500 category. Avoid costly options to make the most of the Volkswagen’s value.

Environment/Safety
The Fox’s size means it carries more weight than your average city car and needs larger engines as a result. Fuel economy is relatively poor, resulting in high CO2 emissions.

• Rating:
• On the road price: £7,168 - £7,981
• For : Desirable badge, chunky shape, practical cabin, big boot
• Against : Lacklustre dynamics, dated interior design, cheap cabin plastics, poor standard equipment levels

Zenvo ST-1

GREAT Danes are know for their presence and power – and this one is no exception. Known as the Zenvo ST-1, it’s Denmark’s first foray into the supercar arena.

The aggresive body is hand-built from carbon fibre wrapped around a light steel frame – but its performance should be even more eye-popping. Powered by a 7.0-litre V8 fitted with both a turbo and supercharger, its makers claim it will produce a staggering 1,104bhp.


The ST-1 will achieve a 0-60mph sprint time of three seconds and rocket all the way to 120mph in just under nine seconds. But it might not quite be the Bugatti beater, as despite a huge power-to-weight ratio of 1,055bhp per ton, top speed is limited electronically to 233mph.

Just as impressive is the fact that the car was conceived less than five years ago. Zenvo Automotive was formed in 2004, with the aim of creating a hand-made and high-performance yet useable supercar – so the ST-1 should make as much sense on the street as it does on the track. The Nissan GT-R-meets-Audi R8 styling is sure to win the car a place on many bedroom walls, but prospective buyers will have to be quick. Production is scheduled to start later in 2009, but just 15 models will be made for specially approved buyers. Prices have not yet been announced.

Volkswagen Golf GT

It's one of the hottest new cars of 2009.Now in its sixth generation, the latest Volkswagen Golf is shorter and lower than its predecessor, but still instantly recognisable. It's stylish body looks modern and overall the design is less fussy than before. But with an unchanged wheelbase, cabin space is similar. The extra width helps rear passenger room but boot capacity is the same.

The dash design is similar to the current model's, but the central console is now angled more towards the driver, while the instrument binnacle features white backlit dials. Quality has taken a step forward too, as a result the Golf’s cabin is once again class leading but it’s the new levels of refinement that’s the most impressive.

Thanks to new sound insulation and a laminated windscreen the Golf’s ability to isolate road and wind noise is excellent, it’s noticeably more refined than its rivals in this segment, while the new common rail 2.0-litre TDI is impressively civilised too. The chassis is very capable as well; high grip levels, a revised stability control system and nicely weighted controls mean its great to drive. The GT model gets 15mm lower sports suspension, which adds a firm edge to the ride but this aside the damping is supple and composed.

And for the first time Volkswagen’s Adaptive Chassis Control active damper system is an option on the Golf, as is the automatic parking ParkAssist technology. With BlueMotion, GTI and more powerful diesel models coming next year, Golf should be big in 2009.

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

With its unique headlamps, new look badges and ultra luxury interior, this is the car Maserati says will finally break BMW and Mercedes grip on the supersaloon class.

These are the first pictures of the new Quattroporte Sport GT S, a BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG rival which will be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show this week.Offering a staggering 432bhp from its 4.7-litre V8 engine, the model also gets a quick shift gearbox, and revised suspension.

The car’s ride height has also been lowered, and there a new sports exhaust has been fitted that features a special set of valves that varies the system’s volume and pitch.

To help drivers immediately identify the newcomer, changes have also been made to the front grille – which is now the same design as that fitted to the recently launched Gran Turismo.

Door handles get a colour coded finish, while inside, driver and passengers are offered leather and alcantara trimmed bucket seats, plus composite detailing on the doors and dash.

Prices for the newcomer will be announced in the New Year.

Nissan GT-R - Review

The sheer scale of the GT-R gives it huge road presence. Even cars costing three times as much will struggle to match the outrageous styling of Nissan’s angular coupe. It’s not pretty, but with four dustbin-lid sized exhaust pipes, matching taillights and huge alloy wheels it looks like a high performance car should. Its evocative badge doesn’t hold the universal appeal of an Italian thoroughbred but to its core audience there’s nothing to rival the appeal of the GT-R logo.

Interior/Practicality

Given the performance available, the big Nissan is pretty practical. Adults won’t find the rear seats very comfortable, but they’re fine for children and extra luggage. There’s even a decent 315-litre boot. Technology lovers will cherish the multi-function display at the centre of the dashboard because it provides information on everything from cornering g-forces to turbo boost pressure! However, the switchgear and cabin plastics are better suited to a supermini than a supercar and the bluff dashboard looks basic. It comes with loads of standard kit but simply lacks the sense of occasion you expect from a 193mph coupe.

Engine/Performance

The GT-R is a genuine technological tour de force. Its 2.8-litre twin turbo V6 engine delivers 473bhp and it blasts from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds. Acceleration is brutal thanks to the GT-R’s excellent four-wheel drive transmission and six-speed twin clutch gearbox. The paddleshift set-up provides seamless power delivery and super-smooth gearchanges – it can even be used as a full auto. The advanced Electronic Stability Control system can be configured to suit road and track driving but turning it off completely removes the safety net provided by its incredibly flattering electronics.


Driving experience

On British roads the GT-R feels wide but once you get used to its huge dimensions and firm ride comfort the Nissan is an astonishingly capable road car, with massive reserves of grip in all conditions. The paddle-shift gearbox couldn’t be simpler to operate and with the power directed to the rear wheels most of the time, steering feel is incredible. The big coupe changes direction with razor-sharp reactions and switches on the centre console allow you to tweak the gearbox, ESP and damper settings. Hit the track and the turbine-like power delivery provides dizzying thrust at any speed while the superb brakes serve-up impressive stopping power.

Ownership Costs

On the face of it the GT-R isn’t cheap, but look at the performance available and it’s actually a bit of a bargain. Future costs will be in the supercar category thanks to expensive tyres, sky-high fuel consumption and pricey insurance. But then, you don’t expect family car bills when you buy one of these cars do you?

Safety/Environment

Final CO2 emissions are yet to be confirmed but it’s fair to say the Nissan’s green credentials are poor thanks to its terrible fuel economy. A host of electronic driver aids are designed to keep you on the straight and narrow, and you get six airbags. The GT-R hasn’t been through the Euro NCAP crash test programme, but with such a super stiff chassis the big coupe should be a strong performer if it does all go wrong.

Mercedes SLR Stirling Moss

If you thought the standard SLR was extreme, then take a look at this! Called the SLR Stirling Moss, Mercedes has pulled out all the stops to make sure this is the firm’s wildest road car ever. There’s no roof or windscreen, while under the stretched bonnet lies the same 641bhp supercharged V8 from the outgoing SLR and SLR Roadster.

Designed to evoke memories of Sir Stirlings famous 300SLR, with which he won the Milli Miglia, this car gets retro styling and two-seater speedster layout.Two air scoops, moulded into the bodywork above the headrests, double up as roll hoops in the event of a crash, while a central bar splits the cabin into two distinct cockpits.

The bodywork is crafted from lightweight carbon fibre and is entirely redesigned from the ‘standard’ SLR. Enormous side vents and the swooping nose give a bullet-like profile, while the SLR’s trademark side-exit quad exhausts give the driver and passenger front row seats to the throaty V8 soundtrack.

The interior is sparse and functional, in keeping with the speedster’s racing car roots, and each machine is fitted with a metal plate around the automatic shift lever engraved with Moss’ signature.But while the looks are retro, the performance is cutting edge. Using the same 5.4-litre V8 from the SLR, it’s capable of hitting 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 217mph.

To boost the aerodynamics, there’s a flat underbody and large rear diffuser – both for maximum downforce at the rear axle. There’s also a self-raising airbrake positioned on the boot lip, which adds extra stopping power under heavy braking.

Only 75 cars will be made between June and December 2009, starting as soon as the final SLR roadster has roared off the production line. Costing a phenomenal £591,000 each, the exclusive SLR Stirling Moss will only be made available to hand-picked clients who have shown loyalty to the SLR brand.

Review - Vauxhall Insignia

Styling/Image

With its flowing lines and eye-catching details, the Insignia is a huge styling step forward over the Vectra it replaces. Both the hatchback and saloon share the same low-slung roofline, while Sports Tourer adds a practical estate rear end. It lacks the on road presence of a Ford Mondeo, but there’s no denying the Luton model is much more desirable than its predecessor. Buyers can choose from Exclusiv, S, SE, SRi and Elite versions. Alloy wheels are standard on all cars apart from sales rep special S.

Interior/Practicality

Climb aboard the Insignia and it’s immediately clear that Vauxhall is targeting premium rivals. The fit and finish are excellent, as is the quality of the materials. Our only cause for complaint is that accommodation in the rear is slightly cramped, with taller passengers struggling for headroom. All versions get air-con, cruise control and automatic lights. Satellite navigation comes as standard on Nav variants of each trim level. Keen drivers can pick the SRi, which gets sports suspension, heavily bolstered seats and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Engine/Performance

Pick of the engine line-up is the torquey 2.0-litre diesel engine. Available with either 128 or 158bhp, the oil-burner is a little unrefined on start up but serves-up strong mid-range urge and should deliver nearly 50mpg. Petrol fans have a choice of three units. Entry-level cars get a 138bhp 1.8-litre petrol that struggles with the Insignia’s 1,428kg kerbweight. Buyers wanting more performance have the choice of two turbocharged powerplants – a 217bhp 2.0-litre or automatic only 256bhp 2.8-litre V6. Both are available with a grippy four-wheel drive transmission, which helps the bigger motor slingshot from standstill to 62mph in just 6.7 seconds.

Driving experience

Few cars in the class are as refined as the Insignia. On the move, wind, road and engine noise are kept to a minimum, making the car an excellent long distance cruiser. But that’s not to say that driving fans will be disappointed. While it lacks the ultimate dynamic poise and polish of the Ford Mondeo, the Vauxhall displays reassuring composure in corners. SRi, SE and Elite versions are available with FlexRide adaptive damping as an extra cost option.

Costs

Take a look at the price lists and you’ll see that the Vauxhall actually undercuts many of its rivals, particularly if you plump for the sat-nav equipped models. The Insignia even manages to outperform mainstream competition when it comes to residuals, retaining around 35 percent of its value after three years. Cost conscious buyers should stick to the oil-burners, which will return up to 50mpg at the pumps and emit 154g/km of CO2.

Environment/Safety

The Insignia has already been tested by EuroNCAP and emerged with a solid five star rating. All models get six airbags and electronic stability control. Dig a little deeper in your pockets and you can specify adaptive headlamps, lane departure warning and an innovative speed limit recognition system. Eco-friendly motorists should avoid the thirsty 2.8-litre V6 models, which manages only 25mpg and churns out 272g/km.

Our Choice: Insignia Exclusiv 2.0 CDTi. On the road price: £15,601 - £27,497

Kia concept Car....

This is the first teaser shot of Kia’s all-new concept. Set to make its debut at the North American Motor Show in January, the concept will be an evolution of the Soul due out next March.



The new concept will be built on the same platform as the 2009 Soul, demonstrating improved packaging and flexability.
Full details about the Kia concept will be revealed after the launch, due to take place on January 11.

Mercedes BlueZero

It looks like blue will be the colour of this year's Mercedes show stand at the Detroit Motor Show. The German giant is set to reveal three variants of its new BlueZero concept, revealed here for the very first time. Based on the same platform that underpins the new B-Class, all three promise ultra-green credentials thanks to a heady mix of cutting edge technology, and advanced design.The most ambitious of the three is the all-electric BlueZero E-Cell, which is powered by lithium-ion batteries and a 100kw electric motor that boasts an impressive 320Nm of torque.

Merc claims that only two hours of charge will power the BlueZero E-Cell for around 100km (62 miles). That’s might not sound like much but as the car is being aimed solely at city drivers, it should fit the bill for eco-conscious types with short commutes.

For drivers with longer distance journeys, Mercedes has developed two, longer-legged alternatives in the form of the BlueZero E-Cell Plus and the B-Class F-Cell.

The E-Cell Plus uses the same set-up as the E-Cell, but it also features an internal combustion engine – a three-cylinder turbochrged unit borrowed from child company, Smart – which acts as a generator, charging the batteries on the move and stretching the range of the eco-Merc out to a respectable 600km (373 miles).

The third and final BlueZone variant – the F-Cell – gets a hydrogen fuel cell. Mercedes claims that the F-Cell will emit no emissions whatsoever and kick out around 134bhp and 320NM of torque – roughly the equivalent of a modern turbodiesel powerplant.

But it’s not all about showcasing the latest eco-friendly powertrains. The exterior of the BlueZone is a big hint to what the next generation of B-Class will look like when it arrives in 2010. The flat nose, swooping and sculpted sides and peculiar headlamps could all make their way onto the new B-Class when it arrives in showrooms, and you can bet that there will be at least one alternatively-fuelled B-Class on sale in 2009.

Audi R8 V10 Unleashed........

Car Giants Audi has 10 new reasons to celebrate, and here’s the reason why – it’s the R8 V10 supercar!Making its debut at next month’s Detroit Motor Show, the fastest R8 yet shares its 5.2-litre V10 engine with the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 and the wild R8 LMS GT3 racer. It produces 528bhp, and takes the flagship from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and on to a 196mph top speed.

Audi’s magnetic ride dampers come as standard and, as with the V8, you can choose a six-speed manual gearbox or an R tronic semi-auto. With the latter, the car returns 20.6mpg – only 0.1mpg less than the R8 V8. While it is similar to the V8 on the outside, the V10 has headlights which use LEDs for main and dipped beams – a world first – plus trademark daytime running lights. The front bumper also features fewer slats to improve air flow, and high-gloss black paint for the air intakes.

At the side are bigger slats, and the V10 will get 19-inch alloys as standard. Ceramic brakes are optional. The biggest changes are at the back, where there’s a new rear diffuser to generate more downforce, more gloss black paint and twin oval tailpipes to replace the V8 car’s quad chrome exhausts.The LED headlamps are a first in the world.

Inside are heated Nappa leather seats and a Bang and Olufsen stereo. The R8 V10 is set to cost £99,575 in manual trim and £104,665 with the R Tronic gearbox.