Autoesque

Toyota is celebrating ten years of smug Prius owners in the UK by launching a 10th Anniversary special edition. Based on the range-topping T Spirit version, the 10th Anniversary gets 17” smoked-finish alloy wheels, dark-tinted privacy glass and front, rear and side skirts. A sporty look, but still definitely not a sporty car. Paint choice is White Pearl or Astral Black, while the interior is finished in black leather upholstery embossed with the 10th Anniversary logo. The Prius 10th Anniversary will be limited to 1,000 examples, and is available to order from UK Toyota dealers now. Its on the road price has been confirmed at £26,150, including VAT at 20% (which seems to imply that deliveries won’t start until January 2011 at the earliest, as that’s when VAT increases from 17.5%). Based on today’s prices adjusted for 20% VAT, a Prius T Spirit specified with leather seats, privacy glass and metallic paint from the options list would cost around £26,230. So, by comparison, the s...

The UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has published an Electric Car Guide. Aimed at anyone thinking of going electric, it sets out to answer all the questions that potential customers are bound to have. One sure uncertainty will be the financial aspects of electric car ownership, and so the guide includes some theoretical running cost estimations. These compare a non-specific, typical, mid-size diesel car against a purely electric model. Although the electric car comes out with marginally better cost per mile figures after three years of ownership, the calculations suppose that a car powered by electricity will have a similar residual value to one run on diesel. The SMMT freely admits that that is a big assumption though, simply because nobody yet knows what the depreciation characteristics will be. Nevertheless, with the OLEV Plug-in Car Grant (which will cover up to 25% of a qualifying vehicle’s price, to a maximum of £5,000) due to be offered from January 2011...

Going against the grain of downsizing, Dodge has revealed that the Challenger SRT8 will be getting a bigger Hemi V8 for 2011. And, just so everyone knows, it’ll be known as the SRT8 392 - a reference to the engine’s capacity in cubic inches, which equates to 6.4 litres. The new engine boasts 470 bhp (350 kW / 476 PS) and 637 Nm (470 lb/ft) of torque which, compared to the 6.1 litre Hemi that it replaces, is a useful increase of 45 bhp (33 kW / 45 PS) and 67 Nm (50 lb/ft). The newer model will be identifiable by its modified front spoiler and larger splitter, while underneath the suspension has been tweaked to cope with the extra grunt. To celebrate the new arrival, the first 1,492 SRT8 392s off the line will be Inaugural Edition models which have 20” SRT wheels and ‘392 Hemi’ badges. Colour choice is Bright White Clear Coat with Viper Blue stripes or Deep Water Blue with Stone White stripes, both of which come with a Pearl White leather interior that features blue stitching. T...

2010 has been a successful season for racers campaigning the BMW S 1000 RR. For instance, Italian rider Ayrton Badovini completely dominated the 2010 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, winning nine out of the ten rounds. Meanwhile, in the UK Steve Brogan secured the Mirror.co.uk British Superbike EVO Championship and Jon Kirkham took the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship title. Drawing on the experience gained in competition, BMW has now developed a range of High Performance Race Parts for the S 1000 RR that’s aimed at race teams and track day fanatics alike. Included in the HP Race Power Kit are a replacement ECU and a titanium and carbon fibre Akrapovic exhaust system, which impressively weighs 6.8 kg less than the standard item. Those components raise power from 190 bhp (142 kW / 193 hp) to 197 bhp (147 kW / 199 PS), while torque increases from 112 Nm to 120 Nm. Not dramatic, but the important 5,000 to 9,000 rpm midrange is said to be significantly improved. After the...

Following the unveiling of the new North American specification Jetta a few months ago, Volkswagen has now taken the wraps off the European model. On the face of it, both versions appear almost identical. However, a big difference is that European cars will get a superior four-link rear suspension system similar to the Golf’s, instead of a simple torsion beam. What goes under the bonnet has been changed, too. For the time being, North American buyers have a choice of two petrol engines: a four cylinder 2.0 litre with only eight valves and a single overhead camshaft that produces a miserable 115 bhp (85 kW / 116 PS), or a 2.5 litre inline five with four valves per cylinder and double overhead camshafts which manages a more respectable 170 bhp (126 kW / 172 PS). By contrast, the European engine line-up will consist of much more efficient TSI petrol engines, plus a couple of TDI diesels: 1.2 TSI (103 bhp / 77 kW / 105 PS) 1.4 TSI (120 bhp / 90 kW / 122 PS) 1.4 TSI (158 bhp / 11...

With the Ninja 250R, Kawasaki has had the quarter-litre sports bike class pretty much to itself of late. But now that’s set to change. Honda has just announced the CBR250R, which is designed to plug the gap in its supersports range between the CBR125R and the CBR600RR. Due to make its debut at next month’s EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan, power for the CBR250R will come from a 249.4 cc PGM-FI fuel injected engine driving through a six-speed transmission. There’s no word on output yet, but it’ll need to be close to the 32 bhp (24 kW / 33 PS) of the Ninja 250R to be competitive. However, unlike the Kawasaki which features a parallel twin, the Honda is a single cylinder bike. Although it gets a counterbalancing shaft to help combat any inherent roughness, it might well be that some buyers just prefer a multi-cylinder set up. The styling of the CBR250R, particularly around the fairing, is reminiscent of the Honda VFR1200F. That’s either a good or bad thing, depending on whether o...

Following his victory at the Yeongam construction site, venue of the inaugural South Korean Formula 1 Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso is now set to win the 2010 drivers’ championship. That’s if the odds currently being offered by UK online bookmakers are anything to go by. They all seem to have the moaning Spaniard as favourite. Driver Betfred Paddy Power Ladbrokes 888 Sport Fernando Alonso 1/2 4/6 4/6 8/13 Mark Webber 9/4 2/1 2/1 15/8 Lewis Hamilton 12/1 10/1 8/1 10/1 Sebastian Vettel 16/1 11/1 12/1 12/1 Jenson Button 500/1 N/A 250/1 250/1 Indeed, Alonso could secure the title at the next round, which is in Brazil, if he wins that race and nearest challenger Mark Webber finishes fifth or lower. Otherwise, the fight will go to the season’s final event in Abu Dhabi. 2010 Championship standings after the South Korean Formula 1 Grand Prix: Pos. Driver Team Points 1 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 231 2 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault ...

Niche German sports car manufacturer Wiesmann has switched to V8 power for its MF4 and MF5 models. The move has come about because the BMW V10 engines which it previously used are no longer being built. But Wiesmann is sticking with BMW as supplier for the replacements, a pair of 4.4 litre V8s that both feature twin turbochargers and direct injection. The Roadster MF4 and GT MF4 get the engine currently seen in the BMW 550i. That means 401 bhp (300 kW / 407 PS) and peak torque of 600 Nm, which is enough to propel the Wiesmann from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.6 seconds. Top speed is just over 180 mph (290 km/h). For the MF5, Wiesmann has gone for the M Power version employed in the BMW X5 M and X6 M. Boasting a very healthy 547 bhp (408 kW / 555 PS) and 680 Nm maximum torque, performance is correspondingly impressive: 0 to 60 mph takes 3.9 seconds, while the top speed is 193 mph (310 km/h). Like the MF4, the MF5 is available in Roadster and GT guises. The Roadster MF3 meanwhile c...

The changes to the London Congestion Charge that Mayor Boris Johnson proposed back in May have been approved. Scheduled to come into force on 4th January 2011, the new rules mean: The Western Extension zone, introduced by former Mayor Ken Livingstone, is abolished. An increase of £2 on the daily Congestion Charge fees. Those who pay in advance or on the day of travel will have to part with £10, but leave it up until midnight the next day and it’s £12. The levy reduces to £9 per day if the vehicle has been registered under the new Congestion Charging Auto Pay scheme. As well as the slightly reduced cost, the other benefit is that drivers no longer need to worry about forgetting to pay, as the number of charging days a vehicle travels within the Congestion Charge area is totted up and the total amount owed is then taken automatically from a debit or credit card each month. Drivers can pre-register with Auto Pay from 22nd November 2010, but the slight drawback is that there’s an a...

Brammo has launched a new version of its Enertia electric motorcycle. Called Enertia Plus, it has double the range - up to 80 miles (128 kilometres) - compared to the standard model. That extra mileage comes courtesy of  a new 6.0 kWh battery pack, although the one downside is that the recharging time of eight hours is now twice as long as before. The 13 kW / 40 Nm motor, which gives a top speed of around 60 mph (100 km/h), remains unchanged. Available in True Blood Red, Eclipsed Black, Aluminium Silver and Peacekeeping Blue (think United Nations), the Brammo Enertia Plus is priced at $8,995 in the US. That’s around £5,740 / €6,470 at today’s exchange rates. But that’s not quite the whole story, as American buyers may also be eligible for Federal and State tax credit incentives. Deliveries of the Brammo Enertia Plus are due to start in 2011. In the meantime, this YouTube video shows it in action.

Jeep has marked the introduction of its 2011 Wrangler by announcing a special Wrangler Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition. As the name implies, this limited edition has been created following a marketing tie-up between Jeep and Call of Duty creators Activision Publishing, Inc. The Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition is based on the 2011 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Changes from standard are mainly to the exterior, which is finished in black with Call of Duty: Black Ops graphics on the roof and front wings. High-gloss Mineral Gray wheels come shod in 32-inch off-road tyres, while the Mopar catalogue has been raided for the tail light guards and fuel-filler door. Pricing in the US has been confirmed at $30,625 for the two-door model and $33,500 for the four-door, including $750 destination. The Wrangler Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition will be available in showrooms from next month. And that coincides nicely with the release of the game of the same name, which is released worldwide on 9th Nov...

The Nissan GT-R, first unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show back in October 2007, has received a comprehensive range of updates that cover the engine, chassis and bodywork. In Japan, the GT-R will be now sold in six flavours: as well as the standard car (available in either Pure Edition, Black Edition or Premium Edition specifications) and the SpecV model, there are now Club Track and EGOIST versions too. Base models see output from the V6 twin turbo engine increased to 523 bhp (390 kW / 530 PS), up from the 485 bhp (362 kW / 492 PS) of the 2010 GT-R. Peak torque also climbs to 612 Nm, an improvement of 24 Nm, and is available from 3,200 to 5,000 rpm. To achieve those enhancements the turbo boost pressure, valve timing and air mixture ratio have all been modified. Additionally, the diameter of the air inlet pipe has been increased, and an enlarged exhaust is now fitted to reduce back pressure. Nissan is saying that fuel economy is improved too and, to help this, the 2011 GT-R comes ...

There’s no doubting the abilities of the BMW R 1200 GS , especially in its latest guise. Its twin cylinder boxer engine was recently updated, and double overhead camshafts now allow it to produce a very healthy 108 bhp (81 kW / 110 PS) and 120 Nm of torque. Indeed, the GS continues to be the best selling bike in the UK adventure sport category. It comes in a nice range of colours, too: Alpine White, Ostra Grey Matt Metallic, Magma Red and Sapphire Black Metallic. All of which makes the R 1200 GS Triple Black special edition seem a bit pointless and not particularly special, unless you’re a big fan of black. Based on a Sapphire Black GS, the one significant difference is that the standard cast alloy wheels have been swapped for the (normally optional) black-rimmed wire-spoke items, as usually seen on the R 1200 GS Adventure. Apart from that, all of the other changes are colour related. The front forks and engine are painted black, the swing arm, rear frame and valve covers are ...

Ahead of its debut at next month's Los Angeles Auto Show, Saab has released details of the 9-4X crossover. It’s an important model for the rejuvenated Swedish manufacturer as it should help to broaden the brand’s appeal, particularly in the crucial North American markets. The 9-4X is a legacy of Saab’s past under General Motors ownership, though. Not only does it share a platform with the Cadillac SRX, but it will also be built alongside that vehicle by GM in Mexico. But the 9-4X’s looks don’t betray those connections, and it features typical Saab styling cues including the wraparound effect windscreen, gently tapering roofline, ‘hockey stick’ waistline and deep front grille. Wheels are 18” six-spoke alloys on entry-level versions, while Aero variants get 20” nine-spoke ‘turbine’ items. On the inside there’s a driver-focussed dashboard, which Saab predictably maintains is reminiscent of an aircraft cockpit. The cabin is reckoned to be large enough for five adults, and the dr...

Pick-up trucks have never had the same sort of appeal in Europe as they do in other territories. Families seem to prefer the extra practicality of an SUV, while business users invariably choose vans to keep their stuff dry and secure. There’s also the problem of image, which isn’t great. Maybe it’s the sort of people that drive pick-ups, or perhaps it’s the vehicles themselves - certainly the current Ford Ranger has virtually zero street cred. However, that’s something that could change with the 2011 model, which has just been unveiled at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. As part of the ‘One Ford’ initiative, the new Ranger will become Ford’s global compact pick-up, to be sold in 180 markets. Somewhat bizarrely though, that doesn’t include North America. Ford is saying that’s because the Ranger will be too close in size to its full-size F-150 , although there must be plenty of people in the United States and Canada who don’t necessarily need or want such a large v...