Autoesque

Kawasaki is recalling the 2011 Ninja ZX-10R due to a potential problem with the bike’s wiring harness. A company statement reads: “As a precautionary measure, Kawasaki have initiated a recall on all units of 2011 Ninja ZX-10R (ABS and non-ABS) for an inspection of the machine's wiring harness. “It has been observed that on some machines, the main harness can rub against the rear of the frame and, in extreme circumstances, cause damage to the loom. “Whilst no machines in the UK have been reported with any wiring harness damage, Kawasaki Motors UK has initiated a recall and is sending letters to the registered owners of all 2011 Ninja ZX-10R units purchased from Kawasaki road bike dealers. “The dealer inspection will take a maximum of twenty minutes and the harness will either be re-routed, repaired or replaced as necessary. All new and demo machines currently in dealer stock will also be inspected.” This latest ZX-10R recall follows one at the end of last year, which ...

Ahead of an official unveiling at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault has released the first image of its facelifted Twingo. The external changes, which herald Renault’s new brand identity, are concentrated on the front of the car. There’s a larger, more prominent Renault badge and a pair of large circular fog lights that seem to have been strongly influenced by those on the Nissan Juke. Overall, it’s a good look that certainly fixes one of the current Twingo’s problems - namely a fairly nondescript, somewhat anonymous appearance. Related post: Twingo Gordini 100

Hertfordshire-based TH Motorsport has announced that it’ll be entering the 2012 British Touring Car Championship with a Škoda Octavia vRS. The team’s aim is to get the car, which will be built to Next Generation Touring Car regulations, completed by the end of this year. Matt Hamilton has been confirmed as the race driver for 2012, and he’ll also be involved in developing the Škoda. Trevor Humphrey, Team Principal of TH Motorsport, said: “We were very disappointed to have to leave the BTCC in 2010, and it was always my intention to return as soon as possible. I considered purchasing an S2000 car to run this year, but for a smaller team like us, it was a ‘no brainer’ to be patient, and go the NGTC route. In the long run, the NGTC car will be much more cost effective to run, and with a structured development programme, I know that we can be competitive.” And it may take a little while for the full-NGTC cars to make an impression on the BTCC, especially during the current transitio...

Honda has unveiled a new CR-V SUV. It may still have the ‘Concept’ tag, but this is essentially the vehicle that’ll go on sale in North America by the end of this year, with a European launch set to follow in autumn 2012. The styling is described by Honda as being distinctive, bold and more aggressive than today’s CR-V. Judging from the one image that has been released, it certainly looks a lot better, thankfully losing the fussy details and slightly odd proportions of the current version. The 2012 Honda CR-V Concept... ... and the 2011 model that it'll be replacing. There’s no word on technical specs yet, except that the engines will be more efficient and offer improved fuel economy. The new CR-V Concept gets its public debut at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim, California, which takes place during September 2011.

After filing for bankruptcy for the fourth time in its history last month, electric car manufacturer Think Global AS has been bought by Russian investor Boris Zingarevich. Think North America and Think UK, which remained solvent throughout, have also been acquired as part of the transaction. The new Norwegian-registered company has been named Electric Mobility Solutions AS, although vehicles will continue to be marketed under the Think brand. Production is scheduled to restart during the first quarter of 2012, and a new sales and service network is due to be announced soon. And sorting out the distribution channels is important, because previously the vehicles were only available in Norway, the United States, Austria and the Netherlands. Undoubtedly having such a limited market presence contributed to a measly and financially unsustainable 1,043 unit sales in 2010. The Think City N van was launched in January 2011. Importantly, the deal includes a memorandum of understandin...

North America is to get a diesel-powered Chevrolet Cruze, but not until 2013. There’s no word yet on which engine will be used, but a likely candidate would have to be the 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbo diesel that’s already employed in the European-spec Cruze, as well as Holden’s version. Developing 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) and 360 Nm (265 lb/ft) of torque, it gets the six-speed manual Cruze from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 8.5 seconds and up to a maximum of 127 mph (204 km/h). Alternatively (and probably of more interest to prospective North American consumers) there’s also a six-speed automatic transmission available. It slows the acceleration time by 0.9 of a second, but actually allows the top speed to rise by 2 mph. Whatever the power source that Chevrolet decides on, the big issue will be customer acceptance. The North American markets are notoriously resistant to diesel cars, despite an ability to deliver fuel economy that’s around twenty to thirty percent better than...

The minuscule Toyota iQ finally arrives in the United States this October, where it’ll be marketed under the Scion brand. Despite being only just over 120 inches (305 centimetres) long, it’s claimed that the iQ can accommodate four people with its ‘3+1’ seating. An offset layout means an adult can fit behind the front passenger, while the space behind the driver is suitable for a child. Quite how long either would want to sit there is another matter though, as the rear seat is a cramped place to be. However, there’s no denying that it adds some extra practicality to the iQ which is missing from its natural rival, the Smart fortwo. Power comes from a 1.3 litre, four cylinder engine connected to a continuously variable transmission. With 94 bhp (70 kW / 95 PS) and 120 Nm (89 lb/ft) of torque, the estimated combined EPA fuel economy rating is 37 miles per US gallon (44.4 mpg imperial / 6.4 l/100km). Scion hasn’t scrimped on the safety features for the iQ. For example, it comes w...

Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations has unveiled the new 2012 CVO Road Glide Custom. With a planned production run of just 2,100 units, the obvious distinguishing characteristic of the CVO bike is its paintjob. Buyers will have a choice of White Gold Pearl and Starfire Black, Maple Metallic and Vivid Black or Candy Cobalt and Twilight Blue, all of which come with the powertrain finished in black gloss powdercoat. But it’s not just the colour scheme that sets the CVO apart from a standard Road Glide. It gets Harley-Davidson’s most powerful V-twin engine, the Screamin' Eagle Twin Cam 110 motor that produces 165 Nm (122 lb/ft) of torque from its 1,803 cc (110 cubic inches). Also included is quite a sound system, based around a Harman/Kardon Advanced Audio radio with CD/AM/FM/WB playback. It’s linked to a fairing-mounted amplifier that gives 100 watts of power per channel, and there are two main speakers and two in-dash tweeters. Completing the package is an 8GB Apple iPod...

Harley-Davidson has given its new 2012 Dyna Switchback a split personality. It can be either a tourer or, with the saddlebags and quick-detach windshield removed, a cruiser. So, two bikes for the price of one, which seems like rather a good idea. As with all of the 2012 Touring and Softail ranges, plus most other Dyna models, the Switchback is powered by a new Twin Cam 103 V-twin engine. Replacing the Twin Cam 96, the larger 103 cubic inch (1,691 cc) fuel injected motor delivers 135 Nm (100 lb/ft) of torque, although the European EEC/95/1 testing method rates it at a slightly lower 126 Nm (92 lb/ft). Drive is via a six-speed Cruise Drive transmission. A big benefit of using the Dyna as the basis for a touring bike is that it’s going to be lighter, and the Switchback tips the scales at 326 kg (718 lbs). That’s still a lot of bulk, but not compared to the Road King which weighs 368 kg (812 lbs). Standard equipment on the Switchback includes black five-spoke aluminium wheels with ...

Nissan has decided to enhance the standard specification of its electric Leaf. All 2012 model year cars sold in the United States will come with a battery warmer, heated steering wheel and heated seats - features that should make ownership a more attractive proposition in cooler climates, although their use is also sure to drain the battery faster. To help get around that issue, SL variants are going to get the DC Fast Charge capability as standard. This allows recharging at 480 volts, which means fully depleted batteries can be 80% charged in under thirty minutes. The move coincides with Nissan’s plans to make the Leaf more widely available. From 25th July, customers living in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington DC who already have a reservation will be able to place an order. Then, in the autumn, orders will be accepted from residents of Connecticut, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New Yo...

The new 2012 Combo van might look rather familiar, as it’s essentially a rebadged Fiat Doblò. Not that that’s a bad choice of vehicle to use as a basis, though. The Turkish-built Doblò won the 2011 International Van of the Year award , and two wheelbases and two roof heights mean it’ll offer more versatility than the previous generation Combo. Vauxhall is only going to be offering UK buyers the panel van, which has up to either 3,800 or 4,600 litres of cargo space, depending on body size. Opel customers across the rest of Europe will also be able to choose a passenger carrying version, with a glazed body and five or seven seats. Available in Essentia, Enjoy or Cosmo specification, its spec sheet will include a few extra luxuries such as rear electric windows, remote central locking and front side airbags. Unsurprisingly, the engine line-up is pretty much the same as that found in the Fiat Doblò. The Vauxhall Combo will be exclusively diesel-powered, with a pick of 1.3 litre (...

Funny how that on the day BMW took the wraps of its M3 DTM Concept , Audi also decided to issue some preliminary details about its 2012 DTM challenger. Very coincidental, indeed… But it’s not as if Audi even has a car to show yet, because the new A5-based racer won’t have its public debut until September’s Frankfurt International Motor Show. So, all there is to look at for the time being are a few ‘concept study’ sketches. The A5 DTM, which has an internal codename of ‘R17’, replaces the four-door A4 that Audi currently uses in the championship. And like other DTM competitors, it won’t have much in common with its road-going equivalent. Its bodyshell, for example, will be built from carbon fibre with a hefty steel safety cage. Revised regulations for next season mean that driver safety standards are to be improved further, especially in the areas of side impact protection and fire suppression systems. Other changes include fewer permitted aerodynamic components on the car, alt...

Ahead of a keenly anticipated return to the DTM in 2012, BMW has unveiled its M3 DTM Concept Car. During a launch event held at the BMW Welt facility in Munich, it was announced that three teams - BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW Team RBM and BMW Team RMG - will be campaigning the cars next season. Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus were also confirmed as the first two drivers, although it has yet to be decided which teams they’ll be allocated to. Three-time World Touring Car Champion Priaulx said, “The DTM will be a big challenge for us all. Together with BMW, I have celebrated success in many different disciplines and behind the wheel of some fantastic racing cars in recent years. I am more than confident that this will also be the case in the DTM. The BMW M3 DTM looks fantastic. I can hardly wait to get to know the car better in the coming tests, to contribute to its development, and ultimately to sit in the cockpit for the first DTM race in 2012.” Powered by a V8 engine producing aro...

MV Agusta has revealed that its new 675 cc, three-cylinder F3 will cost €11,990 in Italy. That’s around £10,500 or US$17,000 at current exchange rates. Sales are due to begin before the end of 2012 but, in keeping with a now established MV Agusta custom, production of the standard spec bike is going to be preceded by a Serie Oro (Gold Series) version. Just 200 examples of the Serie Oro will be built and, although a price has yet to be revealed, rumours suggest it could be double that of the stock F3. As would be expected, the Serie Oro model has plenty of unique features that go some way to justifying the extra outlay. Technical improvements include a Brembo brake system with radial-mounted Monobloc calipers and racing discs. The suspension is upgraded to fully adjustable Öhlins upside-down forks and a TTX shock, plus a steering damper is fitted. To help those new components perform to their full potential, the frame is TIG welded for increased stiffness. However, the Ser...

The Toyota Hilux may currently account for almost a quarter of European pick-up sales, but new arrivals such as the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 are set to provide strong competition. So it might not be a coincidence that a facelifted Hilux has just been announced for 2012. The changes start on the outside, where all the panels forward of the A pillar have been redesigned. There are also new wheels, door mirrors and rear wings. Acknowledging that an increasing number of pick-up buyers want one as a ‘lifestyle’ vehicle, rather than just a workhorse, the inside has been suitably spruced up too. Featuring better quality materials, it gets a new upper dashboard that now houses the ‘Toyota Touch’ 6.1” touch screen multimedia system. As before, there’ll be a choice of Single, Extra or Double cab styles and two- or all-wheel drive. The 2012 Hilux will be available in four trim levels, the DLX, DLX+, SR and SR+. Under the bonnet, the 3.0 D-4D engine is carried over, although a die...

Volvo is set to explore range extender technology early next year using three new concepts. Recognising that the appeal of purely electric cars remains hampered by current battery capacities, the vehicles will all feature a three-cylinder petrol / ethanol engine in combination with an electric motor. The first is a series-connected C30 Range Extender, which features a 59 bhp (45 kW / 60 PS) engine that’s mounted under the boot floor. Ordinarily, it’s used to drive a 109 bhp (82 kW / 111 PS) electric motor via a 40 kW generator, although the generator can also be used to recharge the battery. Running in pure electric mode, the C30’s range is around 70 miles (110 km). Next up is another C30, although parallel connection means it functions more like a traditional hybrid. Thanks to a turbocharger, the combustion engine’s output is increased to 187 bhp (140 kW / 190 PS), and it directly drives the rear wheels via a six-speed auto transmission. Power can also be sent to the on-boar...

Brabus has expanded its E V12 family to include the Cabriolet, and the result is the world’s fastest four-seat convertible. Based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the heart of the conversion is a biturbo 6.3 litre (384 cu. in.) V12 engine. With a reprogrammed engine control unit, four intercoolers and a stainless steel exhaust system, it produces 788 PS (588 kW / 800 PS) at 5,500 rpm. Peak torque meanwhile is a staggering 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb/ft), which is more than even the Bugatti Veyron manages. However, Brabus has decided to electronically limit it to ‘just’ 1,100 Nm (811 lb/ft) in the E V12, as that’s probably the limit of what the specially strengthened five-speed automatic transmission could reasonably be expected to handle. Unsurprisingly, such outputs result in brutal acceleration. The 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time is 3.7 seconds, 0-124 mph (200 km/h) is over in just 9.9 seconds, and 0-186 mph (300 km/h) takes 23.9 seconds. Depending on the final drive ratio, the claimed top sp...

There are probably lots of people who wouldn’t have a clue what a Perodua is. So it’s unsurprising that the Malaysian manufacturer’s sole UK model, the Myvi, is a rare thing despite being one of the cheapest cars on the market. Perhaps to give it a little more profile, Perodua has announced two limited editions, the Myvi Jet and Myvi Sport Silver. Changes from the standard specification versions are mostly cosmetic. The Jet gets 14” alloy wheels, remote central locking, side mouldings and chrome door handles. As its name suggests, it’s only available in black and costs £7,499 with manual transmission. On the other hand, the Sport Silver is based on the existing Sport model and, yes, it’s painted silver. Priced at £7,999, it comes with 15” 10-spoke alloys, body kit, chrome door handles, side mouldings and carbon fibre trim for the interior. Whether it’s worth paying the extra for the special editions is debateable, especially as the entry-level Sxi costs £6,999 after Perodua’s...

Aston Martin has confirmed that ‘a strictly limited number’ of its new V12 Zagato will be built. The decision comes after the car’s successful debut at the Villa D'Este Concours in May, where it won the design award for concepts and prototypes. This was then followed by an entry into the challenging Nürburgring 24 Hour race that took place at the end of June. Production is expected to begin during the summer of 2012, with the first deliveries due shortly afterwards. Aston Martin isn’t saying exactly how many examples will be made, but the order book is open now with cars being allocated on a first come, first served basis. The UK price has been set at £330,000, excluding taxes. Dr. Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin Chief Executive, said of the V12 Zagato: “Such style, exclusivity and fastidious craftsmanship ensures it will be one of the most highly coveted models in Aston Martin’s 98-year history. A fabulous celebration of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, which celebrates its 50th anniv...

Just ten months after it was first announced at last year’s Paris Motor Show, the Esseesse upgrade for the Abarth Punto Evo has gone on sale in the UK. The kit raises power from 162 bhp (121 kW / 165 PS) to 177 bhp (132 kW / 180 PS), although the effect of that extra horsepower doesn’t seem to be particularly dramatic. Compared to the standard Abarth Punto Evo, the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time falls from 7.9 to 7.5 seconds, while top speed increases by just 2 mph (3 km/h) to 134 mph (216 km/h). Available as a dealer-fit option on new or used Abarth Punto Evos (up to twelve months old with no more than 12,500 miles on the odometer), the Esseesse upgrade will cost around £3,000 (depending on labour rates). Although it certainly makes for an appealing hot hatch alternative, that’s still a lot to add to the £16,852 price tag of a regular Abarth Punto Evo, and it faces stiff competition. The Renault Clio Renaultsport 200, for example, is £17,930 and it’s quicker too: 0-62 mph (100 km/...

The current BMW 520d Saloon is already very frugal, achieving an average fuel consumption of 57.6 mpg (4.9 l/100km) while emitting 129 g/km of CO2. Those figures come courtesy of various fuel-saving technologies including a stop-start system, brake energy regeneration and electric power steering. But the competition has been catching up, and the latest Audi A6 Saloon 2.0 TDI for example exactly matches the 520d on economy and emissions. So, to get ahead of its rivals once more, BMW has announced the 520d EfficientDynamics Edition which will be available alongside the regular 520d when sales start this autumn. Outputs from its 1,995 cc engine are unchanged at 181 bhp (135 kW / 184 PS) and 380 Nm (280 lb/ft) of torque, however fuel economy increases to 62.8 mpg (4.5 l/100km) and CO2 levels fall to 119 g/km. Those improvements are thanks to the fitment of a longer final drive ratio and special ‘Streamline’ alloy wheels and, as might be expected given the technical changes, perfor...