Autoesque

Joining the Clubvan Concept on the Mini stand at the Geneva Motor Show will be the new John Cooper Works Countryman. Mini John Cooper Works Countryman. Scroll down for more images. Under its bonnet sits a reworked 1.6 litre direct injection, twin-scroll turbo petrol engine which produces 214 bhp (160 kW / 218 PS). Peak torque is 280 Nm (207 lb/ft), although that figure rises to 300 Nm (221 lb/ft) on overboost. With the manual gearbox, those outputs are enough for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h). The all-wheel drive JCW Countryman isn’t the most efficient member of the Mini range though, as combined fuel consumption is 39.2 mpg (7.2 l/100km) and CO2 emissions are 167 g/km. The good news for those who can’t be bothered changing gears themselves is that the Countryman is the first JCW model that’ll be available with an optional six-speed automatic transmission. This doesn’t affect the acceleration time and the top speed falls by

Honda has confirmed that its CRF250L will be available in Europe from summer 2012. First revealed at last November’s Tokyo Motor Show, the dual-purpose bike has been designed for both everyday street use and off-road riding. Power comes from a 249 cc single-cylinder engine that sits inside an oval pipe steel frame. The same liquid-cooled, fuel-injected motor is also used in the CBR250R , where it develops 26 bhp (19 kW / 26 PS) and 22.9 Nm (16.8 lb/ft) of torque. Exact outputs for the European-spec CRF250L have yet to be revealed, though, as has pricing. Related posts: Honda’s three electric bikes Honda unveils NSF250R Honda CBR250R first look

Kia continues its gradual move upmarket. The Korean firm has just revealed the brand new K9, its first ever rear-wheel drive saloon that - in size at least - will be a rival for the likes of the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. That name might have unfortunate connotations for English speakers, but it’s going to be changed for export territories. The K9 completes the domestic market ‘K’ series line-up, which currently consists of the K5 (known as the Optima elsewhere) and K7 (Cadenza). Although from some angles the styling seems to have been rather ‘influenced’ by the 7 Series, the K9 is undoubtedly a handsome car. Indeed, mask the grille and badges and it could easily be mistaken for a European model. Kia has yet to release any technical details for its new flagship, and for now even the engine and transmission specifications remain a mystery. Related posts: 2013 Kia Cee’d first view Electric Kia Ray launched 2012 Kia Rio first view

Research organisation Superbrands has published its list of the UK’s strongest consumer brands for 2012. As in previous years, the results have been based on the views of business professionals, marketing experts and more than 2,000 consumers. During the voting process, participants judged the short-listed brands against three criteria: distinction, quality and reliability. They were also asked to remember that the definition of a Superbrand is one that ‘…has established the finest reputation in its field. It offers customers significant emotional and / or tangible advantages over its competitors, which customers want and recognise.’ For 2012, watchmaker Rolex topped the survey, although the automotive sector was well represented with Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar and Michelin all making the top twenty. Mercedes-Benz: Top automotive Superbrand 2012. Superbrands: Top Twenty Consumer Brands 2012 Rank Brand Index Category 1 Rolex 100.00 Watches and Accessorie

The contrast between Peugeot and sister brand Citroën couldn’t be greater. While the former has a range that’s generally lacklustre and devoid of image, the latter offers a line-up of interesting and increasingly desirable cars. Citroën’s appeal has undoubtedly been boosted by the launch of the DS sub-brand, which now looks set to expand with the arrival of the DS4 Racing. To be unveiled in concept form at the Geneva Motor Show, the new derivative promises extra performance over the standard version, and it should be a convincing rival to hot hatches such as the Renault Mégane Coupé Renaultsport 265 and Volkswagen Golf R. Despite only having a 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol engine, Citroën has managed to extract an impressive 256 bhp (190 kW / 260 PS) from it. Unfortunately no acceleration or top speed figures have been released yet, but it’s claimed that carbon dioxide emissions will be a relatively low 155 g/km. Complementing the power lift is an upgraded braking system

It’d be easy to take a cynical view of the Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept that Land Rover will be unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show. But this potential addition to the Evoque range - the official line is that it’s being shown to gauge public reaction - has two important factors in its favour. Firstly, it looks really neat, at least with the roof retracted. Perhaps tellingly, Land Rover is yet to release any images with the hood up, and that can sometimes be a more valid measure of how well a cabriolet design works. Based on the three-door Evoque, the Convertible version retains a four-seat layout and it features a drop-down tailgate. Secondly, it should be a sales dream. Even if Land Rover’s claim that a drop-top Evoque would be the ‘world’s first premium convertible SUV’ might be disputed by Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet owners, it could nevertheless exploit the Evoque’s desirability and attract new customers to the brand. Related posts: 2012 NACTOY winners 2012 E

Aston Martin Racing has announced that it’ll be entering a V8 Vantage in the GTE Pro category of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship. Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE. Scroll down for more images and a video. Painted in Gulf blue and orange, the car’s driver line-up has been confirmed as Adrian Fernandez, Stefan Mücke and Darren Turner. The plan is to contest all eight rounds of the WEC, which commences with the 12 Hours of Sebring on the 17th of March. For the third race - June’s Le Mans 24 Hours - a second Vantage is going to be run, but its drivers have yet to be named. In preparation for the season’s premier event the team also intends to compete in the Long Beach and Laguna Seca rounds of the American Le Mans Series. The V8 Vantage GTE is a development of the Vantage GT2. Although the engine can trace its origins back to the one used in the road-going V8 Vantage, the usual gearbox is replaced with a six-speed, semi-automatic, sequential transmission that has its own oi

Next month’s Geneva Motor Show will see BMW unveil the latest addition to its new ‘M Performance’ line-up. Although not quite as hardcore as full-on M cars like the M3 and M5, the M Performance models are nevertheless designed to offer sharper handling, sportier styling and a powerful engine. The M550d xDrive, X5 M50d and the X6 M50d have already been announced as the first of the breed, but now it’s the turn of the F21 three-door 1 Series to get the M Performance treatment. Powering the Concept M135i is a six cylinder petrol engine with Twin Power Turbo technology. For now, all BMW is saying is that it generates ‘more than 300 horsepower’, which makes it sound as if it could be very similar to the three-litre, 335 bhp (250 kW / 340 PS) motor that’s currently used in the 1 Series M Coupé . As well as upgraded suspension, the Concept M135i also features 18” double-spoke alloy wheels, a sports braking system and bespoke aprons front and rear. The visual effect is completed by

Bentley has announced that it’ll be unveiling the Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification at the Geneva Motor Show. A sportier version of the marque’s flagship saloon, it features both technical and cosmetic upgrades. The 6,752 cc twin-turbo V8 engine is unchanged but, with 505 bhp (377 kW / 512 PS) and a massive 1,020 Nm (752 lb/ft) of torque, the Mulsanne does not lack for performance. Acceleration from standstill to 62 mph (100 km/h) takes just 5.3 seconds, while the top speed is 184 mph (296 km/h). For enhanced handling, the Mulliner Driving Specification’s Drive Dynamics Control uniquely features a Sport setting. It’s claimed that this will deliver greater steering accuracy, better body control and higher levels of grip without compromising the ride quality. The exterior is characterised by the two-piece, 21-inch lightweight alloy wheels, which come shod in 265/40 ZR21 tyres and are complemented by polished stainless steel vents in the front wings. On the inside, the

In preparation for the 2012 Super GT championship, R&D Sport has completed the first test of its new Subaru BRZ GT300. The inaugural run took place at the Fuji Speedway circuit in chilly conditions, with the boxer-engined race car sporting a traditional Subaru WR Blue livery. Shinji Motojima, R&D Sport Team Director, commented: “The development and engineering capabilities of Subaru / STI have created a wonderful car. “We have to make full use of it to get good results, which will undoubtedly put us under more pressure than last year. The regulation has changed a little for this year to allow for a larger restrictor diameter. So, I expect races with faster top speeds. “This year’s challenge for the 2 litre turbo BRZ is how competitive it can be against cars with larger displacements on a straight. However, we have the advantage in cornering and braking performance, so we need different strategies depending on the circuits. We’ll compete this season while solving p

Lancia has confirmed that the convertible version of its Flavia (née Chrysler 200) is to be offered in Europe. The Flavia Cabrio is being positioned firmly as an elegant and refined car, not a sporty one. Just one trim level will be available, but the specification is comprehensive and includes an automatic soft top, 18” alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, climate control, cruise control and leather upholstery. Similarly, there won’t be any choice when it comes to engines, as the only option is going to be a 172 bhp (128 kW / 175 PS) 2.4 litre petrol. Reflecting the Flavia’s American roots, it’ll come connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, with no manual alternative. Buyers in the larger European markets can order the Flavia Cabrio from March onwards, although there’s no word yet on whether it’ll be sold in the UK or Ireland in Chrysler form. Related posts: Chrysler Ypsilon Black&Red Chryslers become Lancias No UK return for Lancia

Images have surfaced that are reckoned to show the 2013 Volvo V40 in production form. Set to replace the current S40 and V50, the new five-door will be a C-segment rival for models such as the Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall / Opel Astra. Its design is typically Volvo, repeating many of the styling cues first seen on the S60 and V60. The V40 is due to make its first public appearance at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. Related posts: Volvo reveals the S60 TTA Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Volvo Range Extenders

Honda Racing has revealed its challenger for the 2012 British Touring Car Championship. Built to Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) spec, the new Civic made its public debut at a Brands Hatch test session. Lead driver (and current BTCC Drivers’ Champion) Matt Neal was in a positive mood, saying, “It will be interesting to see how the car performs, but I’m optimistic that we’ll walk away from today confident we have a championship winning car.” His team-mate, Gordon Shedden, added, “The feedback on the new Civic NGTC car so far is incredibly promising and I’ve been itching to get into the car since the end of the 2011 season.” Another test is planned at Donington Park on the 23rd of February, ahead of the championship’s opening round at Brands Hatch on the 1st of April. Related posts: MG returns to the BTCC 2012 BTCC calendar Škoda entry in 2012 BTCC

New for 2012, the TTA - Racing Elite League series is the result of a takeover of the Swedish Racing League by the Swedish Touring Car Association, which itself was formed by a number of ex-Swedish Touring Car Championship teams. The TTA formula is based on space-frame cars with carbon fibre bodies that approximately resemble their production counterparts. Power comes from a V6 engine plus an F1-style kinetic energy recovery system, and drive is to the rear wheels. Appropriately given the championship’s location, Volvo has confirmed that it’ll be participating in partnership with its usual touring car collaborator, Polestar. It’s a long term commitment too, as the firm has said it shall remain involved until 2015 at least. Four S60 cars in total will be entered, two each for the Volvo Polestar Performance and Volvo Polestar Racing teams. Thed Björk, Robert Dahlgren and Fredrik Ekblom have been named as drivers, with the fourth yet to be selected. Volvo S60 TTA - Technic

Back in 2009, Abarth announced the exclusive and very expensive 695 Tributo Ferrari . Now it’s the turn of Fiat’s other premier sporting brand, Maserati, to be used as the basis for the latest in a long line of Fiat and Abarth 500 special editions. Available only as a convertible, the Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati has been created as a chic and sophisticated grand touring car - albeit a very small one. The exterior is distinguished by elegant three-layer Pontevecchio Bordeaux paintwork, which has been chosen from Maserati’s colour chart. It’s complemented by 17” Neptun design alloy wheels, a grey fabric roof and xenon headlights. On the inside, there’s sand beige Poltrona Frau leather upholstery, special Jaeger instruments, matt-finish carbon dashboard trim, an upgraded audio system and aluminium pedals. Power comes from a 1.4 litre turbocharged engine which, as with the 695 Tributo Ferrari, has been tuned to produce 177 bhp (132 kW / 180 PS). It comes coupled to a five-spe

The most surprising thing about the Mini Clubvan Concept is that it hasn’t been done before. Mini Clubvan Concept. Scroll down for more images. After all, it’s a pretty simple recipe: take a Mini Clubman, replace the rear side glass with opaque polycarbonate, tint the rear-door glass, rip out the rear seats to create a flat-floored cargo area and then install an aluminium and stainless steel mesh bulkhead to protect the front seat occupants from whatever is being carried in the back. The Clubvan even retains the rear-hinged ‘Clubdoor’ on the right-hand side although, judging from the images, it appears to be virtually useless for accessing the load space. It’ll be equally astonishing if the Clubvan doesn’t become a production model. There are probably plenty of businesses that don’t need to transport much stuff about, yet want a stylish vehicle that can function as a promotional tool as well as a van. In other words, a niche that Mini could be well placed to exploit. The M