Autoesque

Last month saw the release of the Fiesta Centura special edition to mark Ford of Britain’s centenary. Now the commercial vehicle side of the business has joined in the celebrations, by producing another limited run of the Transit SportVan. It’s the seventh interpretation of the SportVan theme since the original blue and white version debuted in 2007. This time around, the colour scheme is Moondust Silver metallic paintwork with a contrasting graphite finish for the bonnet stripes and 18” alloy wheels. Based on the short wheelbase, low roof Transit 260 with the 138 bhp (102 kW / 140 PS) 2.2 litre TDCi diesel engine, the SportVan certainly isn’t short of specification. The exterior gets a body kit, front fog lights, extended wheel arches and twin exhausts. On the inside, there’s Bluetooth, cruise control, electric windows, powered and heated door mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, a Sony DAB radio with CD player, air conditioning, tinted glass, automatic headlights and a leather ste...

Images showing the 2012 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade were leaked back in August, but now details of the revised model have been officially revealed. As expected, the main changes focus on the suspension and the styling. 2012 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade. Scroll down for more images. The bodywork has been completely redesigned, and it now features a more angular front end and a different tail section. Adding to the updated looks are new 12-spoke cast aluminium wheels, which not only look better, but are also more rigid. Buyers will have a choice of Pearl Sunbeam White (tri-colour), Victory Red or Graphite Black paint schemes. In an effort to differentiate the Fireblade from its competitors, the rear suspension now has a double-tube damper, the first time such a device has been used on a production bike. The claimed benefits of such a set-up are improved traction and better handling responses. Up front, 43 mm inverted forks use Showa’s ‘Big Piston’ technology that’s reckoned to incr...

Seemingly the arrival of the Toyota iQ-based Cygnet hasn’t harmed the reputation of Aston Martin too much, because the firm has just retained the title of the UK’s coolest brand. That’s according to the 2011/12 CoolBrands survey, which gauges the opinions of an ‘Expert Council’ of various glitterati, as well as over 2,000 members of the public. Harley-Davidson was declared the coolest motorcycle brand, and it also achieved an impressive third spot in the overall results. The only other automotive brands that made it into the top twenty were Ferrari, which also appeared last year, and new entry Maserati. Mini, however, dropped out. 2011/12 CoolBrands Survey - Top 20 Brands Position Brand Category 1 Aston Martin Automotive - Cars 2 Apple Technology - General 3 Harley-Davidson Automotive - Motorbikes 4 Rolex Fashion - Accessories, Jewellery, Watches 5 Bang and Olufsen Technology - General 6 BlackBerry Technology - Telecommunications 7 G...

Škoda has unveiled its new Citigo city car. Based on the Volkswagen Up! , it’s due to go on sale in the Czech Republic by the end of this year. Market launches across the rest of Europe will follow in mid-2012. Both three- and five-door versions will be produced and, although the Citigo is only 3.56 metres (11’ 8”) long, a generous 2.42 metre (7’ 11”) wheelbase means that there should be room inside for four adults. Luggage capacity is 251 litres, but this increases to a sizeable 951 litres with the rear seats folded down. Unsurprisingly, the Citigo uses the same 1.0 litre, three-cylinder petrol engine as the Up!, and it’ll be available in two states of tune. With 59 bhp (44 kW / 60 PS), it averages 62.8 mpg (4.5 l/100km) and produces 105 g/km of CO2. Go for the ‘Green Tec’ version though, and those figures improve to a more impressive 67.3 mpg (4.2 l/100km) and 97 g/km. For those wanting a little extra power, the 73 bhp (55 kW / 75 PS) motor manages 60.1 mpg (4.7 l/100km...

Fiat North America has got together with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation to produce the 500 Pink Ribbon limited edition. Just 250 examples will be available from October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Fiat is donating $1,000 to BCRF for each one sold, and it has promised a minimum contribution of $50,000 in the unlikely event that the sales target isn’t achieved. Based on the 500 Lounge, the Pink Ribbon comes in Argento or Bianco (silver or white) paintwork with a dark pink side stripe that features the ‘500’ logo and a light pink ribbon motif. On the inside, the seats are covered in Nero black leather with contrasting pink stitching, as is the steering wheel. As a finishing touch, the floor mats have a pink ribbon embroidered into them. Myra J. Biblowit, BCRF President, said: “At The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, we are constantly looking for ways to further breast cancer awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and beyond. “The partnership w...

The hot ST should hopefully be arriving in showrooms soon but, until that happens, the quickest Fiesta available will be the just-announced Metal special edition. Based on the existing three-door Zetec S, it comes complete with Ford’s Tuning Pack that lifts the 1.6 litre Duratec engine’s power by 13 bhp (8 kW / 14 PS) to 132 bhp (96 kW / 134 PS). Although top speed is virtually unchanged at 121 mph (195 km/h), the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration time is slashed from 9.9 to 8.7 seconds. To go with the extra performance, the looks have been spruced up too. There are 17” black alloy wheels, twin chrome exhausts and a silver finish at the front for the aerofoil, grille surround and fog light bezels. Paintwork choice comprises Frozen White, Midnight Sky Metallic or Panther Black Metallic. The interior hasn’t been ignored, either. It gets Ebony Black leather sports seats, Piano Black trim, stainless steel door scuff plates and unique floor mats. Only 1,000 examples of the Ford F...

The MV Agusta Brutale line-up has a new addition in the form of the R 1090. It uses the same 1,078 cc, 142 bhp (106 kW / 144 PS) four-cylinder engine as seen previously in the 1090RR version, albeit with revised ECU mapping. However, the R 1090 is almost 15% cheaper. The good news is that it’s hard to tell where the cost-saving has had a real impact. Compared to the 1090RR, the wheel design is different, the brakes are slightly lower spec and the suspension has been tweaked. Nevertheless, the R 1090 features Marzocchi 50mm upside-down front forks at the front and a Sachs damper at the rear. Pricing for the MV Agusta Brutale R 1090 has been set at €13,990 in continental Europe, and £11,999 in the UK. Sales are due to begin by the end of this month, and buyers will have a choice of black, red or white colour schemes. Related posts: MV Agusta F3 Serie Oro Benelli TNT Century Racer Moto Guzzi Corsa special

Honda is set to debut a family of three new models at November’s Milan motorcycle show, one of which is the just-revealed Integra maxi scooter. All will be powered by a brand new parallel twin-cylinder, 700 cc engine that has been engineered to produce plenty of low- and mid-range torque. High fuel efficiency was also a key goal, and Honda reckons that economy should better 76 mpg (3.7 l/100km). It should be environmentally friendly too as, thanks to fuel injection and an optimised catalytic converter, emissions are estimated to be half that of the current Euro 3 standard. Available with the new motor will be either a traditional six-speed gearbox or a dual clutch transmission. The latter is derived from that already used in the VFR1200F, but it’s smaller and lighter. Related posts: BMW maxi scooters coming Honda Vision 110 scooter

The provisional dates for the 2012 British Touring Car Championship have been announced. As per this season, there will be ten events, each comprising three races. Brands Hatch will get to host both the opening and closing meetings. 2012 British Touring Car Championship - Provisional Calendar Date Circuit Location 1 April Brands Hatch (Indy circuit) Nr. Dartford, Kent 29 April Thruxton Nr. Andover, Hampshire 10 June Oulton Park (Island circuit) Nr. Tarporley, Cheshire 24 June Croft Nr. Darlington, North Yorkshire 12 August Snetterton (300 circuit) Nr. Attleborough, Norfolk 26 August Knockhill Nr. Dunfermline, Fife 23 September Rockingham Nr. Corby, Northamptonshire 7 October Silverstone Nr. Towcester, Northamptonshire 21 October Brands Hatch (GP circuit) Nr. Dartford, Kent Dates shown are the Sunday of each race weekend. Donington Park will also be staging an event, but the date is still to be confirmed. Several t...

Ford has revealed the E-Bike Concept, an electrically-assisted bicycle that (for the time being at least) it has no plans to put into production. The E-Bike project is meant to demonstrate how Ford’s current design language could be applied to two-wheelers. On the face of it, perhaps rather a pointless exercise, but the result nevertheless incorporates some very neat technology. Unusually for this type of bike, the 350W electric motor sits within the front wheel hub, effectively giving the E-Bike on-demand all-wheel drive. Power comes from a 340Wh lithium-ion battery that’s concealed in the lightweight carbon and aluminium frame, and the predicted range is around 50 miles (85 km) with a flat-to-full recharge time of between three and four hours. To comply with European regulations, the assisted top speed is limited to 15 mph (25 km/h). The rider can choose from Economy, Comfort or Sport support modes, and sensors automatically activate the electric motor when they detect that ...

A modern interpretation of the Jensen Interceptor is set to be launched in 2014. Healey Sports Cars Switzerland Limited - which owns the assets, designs, intellectual property and rights for the Jensen and Interceptor brands - has appointed Coventry-based CPP to develop and manufacture the new model. The design process has already begun and, as the renderings show, the 21st century Interceptor should retain the looks of the original, albeit in a sleeker form. A four-seat grand tourer, it will have a hand-made aluminium body that sits atop an aluminium chassis. The first public unveiling of the finished car is scheduled for late 2012. There’s no word on engines yet but, seeing as the Interceptor traditionally had a Chrysler V8, perhaps the 6.4 litre Hemi V8 from the current Chrysler 300 SRT8 would be a suitable choice? CPP co-owner and founder Brendan O'Toole said: “The Jensen design team has respected and honoured the great heritage and attributes of the original Int...

9 November 2011 Update: For details of the production BMW C 600 Sport and C 650 GT, please click here . The BMW Motorrad range is set to expand with the arrival of a pair of maxi scooters. Scheduled for launch by the end of this year, both will feature two-cylinder petrol engines. At some point in the future, an electrically-powered version is also going to be offered. Previewing this zero emissions model is the Concept e, which has been on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Technically, the Concept e seems to be similar to the E-Scooter that BMW first revealed back in July. Each has a range of around 60 miles (100 km), with a battery recharge time from flat of less than three hours. The styling has moved on though, with the Concept e featuring acrylic glass side panels, rear-view video cameras and a slimmer seat unit that doesn’t look as if it would be much good at carrying a pillion passenger. Arguably, the E-Scooter appeared to be a more practical proposition, an...

The Ford Fiesta maybe one of the best (and best-selling) cars in its class, but the range lacks a proper performance variant. However, that situation looks set to change with the arrival of the Fiesta ST, which has been unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Although it carries a ‘Concept’ suffix, and Ford is cagily referring to it as ‘its vision for a future high-performance Fiesta,’ the ST appears to be virtually production-ready. Like the just-announced Focus ST , power would come from an EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine. For the Fiesta intended capacity is 1.6 litres, and its target outputs are 177 bhp (132 kW / 180 PS) and 240 Nm (177 lb/ft) of torque. With a six-speed manual transmission, Ford is hoping for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of less than seven seconds, a top speed of over 136 mph (220 km/h) and CO2 emissions below 140 g/km. Thanks to that huge trapezoidal front grille, it certainly won’t be difficult to distinguish the ST from more humble versions of the ...

Subaru has unveiled its Impreza-based XV crossover at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Looking like a jacked-up hatchback with extra plastic cladding, it’s set to compete in an increasingly crowded market segment alongside rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai, Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage. Power comes from the new generation boxer petrol engine, which is available in 1.6 or 2.0 litre capacities and features an automatic stop / start system as standard. However, the big seller in Europe is expected to be the 2.0 litre boxer diesel. A new continuously variable transmission called Lineartronic will also be offered. It’s claimed to reduce fuel consumption, although no figures have been released that would verify that. Similarly, pricing for the Subaru XV has yet to be confirmed. Related posts: Mazda CX-5 revealed 2011 Subaru WRX STI

Yamaha has given its YZF-R1 a mild update for 2012. The key change is the arrival of traction control, which tweaks the fuel injection, throttle opening and ignition timing to prevent the rear wheel spinning. Six modes mean the interference level can be set according to the rider’s ability / confidence / bravery. However, anti-lock brakes still aren’t available, not even as an option. For some customers, that omission will be enough to put them off the YZF-R1, especially as it’s a feature that’s now offered on many competitor bikes. Bodywork differences for 2012 are limited to a redesigned front portion of the fairing, for improved aerodynamics. The nose is slightly higher as a result, and the opportunity has been taken to restyle the lights to give them a slightly more aggressive look. The colour schemes have been refreshed too, with UK buyers now getting a choice of Yamaha Blue, Competition White or Matt Grey. Also available will be a WGP 50th Anniversary edition t...

Lotus had to withdraw the previous Exige from Europe, the United States and Canada because of emissions from (and ultimately availability of) its four-cylinder Toyota engine. That move left a glaring gap in the firm’s model range, one which would have gone unfilled until the new generation of Lotus models started to arrive in 2013. So, understandably, Lotus has resurrected the Exige, but in a rather surprising way. Instead of trying to find another suitable four-cylinder motor, the chassis has been reworked to accommodate the 3.5 litre supercharged V6 from the Evora S . It pumps out 345 bhp (257 kW / 350 PS) and, although no performance figures have been released, the 1,080 kg (2,380 lbs) weight of the new generation Exige S means it will be very quick. Lotus DPM (Dynamic Performance Management) comes as standard, and offers ‘Sport’, ‘Touring’ and ‘DPM Off’ driving modes. Buyers who go for the optional Race Pack will be able to enjoy a fourth ‘Race’ DPM setting, plus Laun...