Autoesque

Honda has revealed that its new V4-powered Crosstourer will also be offered in SE guise for the UK. Distinguishing the SE from the standard version is a selection of useful Honda accessories, including three-step heated grips, a centre stand and a front cowl bar. It also comes with an ‘aluminium look’ (silver-coloured plastic, in other words) luggage set comprising a 32 litre top box (expandable to 39 litres), plus a pair of panniers that can hold 35 and 39 litres on the right- and left-hand sides respectively. The arrival of the SE and the availability of a dual-clutch transmission now mean that there will be four models in the Crosstourer line-up to choose from: · Crosstourer - £11,475 OTR · Crosstourer SE - £13,375 OTR · Crosstourer DCT - £12,325 OTR · Crosstourer DCT SE - £14,225 OTR Although the SE spec bikes attract a premium of £1,900, Honda calculates that buying all of the accessories separately would cost £700 more, which makes the package pretty good value. U...

Toyota is keeping things simple with its new 2+2 coupé, the GT86 . Just one trim level will be offered, and for now the only engine available is a 197 bhp (147 kW / 200 PS) 2.0 litre boxer unit that drives the rear wheels. The main thing that buyers are going to have to decide is whether to go for a manual or automatic six-speed transmission. The exterior specification includes a limited slip differential, bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, a rear spoiler, 17” alloy wheels and electric folding door mirrors. Moving inside the cabin, seven airbags, air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity and cruise control all come as standard. The seats are upholstered in black cloth, with leather and Alcantara trim available as an optional extra. Pricing for the GT86 has been set at £24,995, with the automatic version costing £1,500 more. That puts the Toyota on a par with competitors such as the £24,970 Volkswagen Scirocco GT 2.0 TSI, the £25,650 BMW 120i M Sport Coupé ...

Ford has announced a performance version of its Explorer SUV for North American markets. Rather unoriginally called the Explorer Sport, the new model has been designed to take on competitors such as the Range Rover Sport and Dodge Durango R/T. Power comes from a twin-turbo, 3.5 litre V6 EcoBoost gasoline engine that will develop at least 350 bhp (around 260 kW / 355 PS). Although no performance figures have been released, Ford has estimated that fuel economy will be slightly better than the Explorer Sport’s rivals, with up to 16 city / 22 highway miles per US gallon possible. Drive is to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission that can be controlled using paddle shifters, and a unique 3.16:1 final drive ratio is fitted for enhanced acceleration. Other mechanical upgrades include larger brakes, electric power-assisted steering and a strengthened chassis for more responsive handling. The neat-looking Explorer Sport is distinguished by its unique grille that fea...

Generally, manufacturers only resort to launching a special edition when sales of a particular model have begun to wane. After all, why would they need to bother otherwise? So it’s perhaps surprising that Škoda UK has had to apply the treatment to its popular Yeti compact SUV. But the good news for prospective customers is that, unlike many limited editions, the new Yeti Urban features additional specification that many of them will actually want. Even better news is that the extra kit, which Škoda says adds up to £2,450, effectively comes for free, as the Urban variants cost the same as the existing SE models on which they’re based. Exterior enhancements include 17” Matterhorn alloy wheels that have a chrome and black finish, wheel arch extensions, silver door mirror caps and roof rails, chrome side strips, roof stripes and dark-tinted rear glass. The paintwork choice comprises Black Magic pearl effect, Steel Grey metallic, Brilliant Silver metallic or Candy White. However,...

Inspired by the 1969 V7 Record that set several speed records for Moto Guzzi, the new Record kit has been designed to give current-generation V7 models a retro endurance racer look. Included is a lightweight fibreglass front fairing (which handily uses the existing headlight), plus a replacement single seat unit that features memory foam. The kit can be fitted to the V7 Café and V7 Racer without any modifications. It’s also suitable for the V7 Classic, V7 Special and V7 Stone, but a set of Moto Guzzi clip-on handlebars will be needed as well for those variants. Priced at £1,399.99 in the UK, the Record kit is available from dealers now. Related post: Moto Guzzi Corsa special

The green versions of Ford’s Fiesta and Fiesta Van have just become even greener. Thanks to several modifications, the new ECOnetic Technology models can boast a combined cycle fuel economy figure of 85.6 mpg (3.3 l/100km), while CO2 emissions have been cut from an already impressive 95 g/km to just 87 g/km. Those changes include improved combustion, reduced internal friction and recalibrated fuelling for the 93 bhp (70 kW / 95 PS) 1.6 litre Duratorq diesel engine. Auto start-stop is also fitted, as is a smart regenerative charging system, and the gearbox gets revised ratios. The alternator, cooling fan and air conditioning meanwhile have all been tweaked to use less energy, plus there’s an EcoMode driving style monitor which comes as standard. Consequently, the Fiesta is now more efficient than other eco-superminis such as the Škoda Fabia Greenline II (83.1 mpg / 3.4 l/100km and 89 g/km), the MultiJet diesel-powered Fiat Punto (80.7 mpg / 3.5 l/100km and 90 g/km) and the Volk...

Dodge has unveiled the special edition Challenger Rallye Redline. Based on the 2012 Challenger SXT Plus, it features bonnet scoops, a rear boot spoiler and new 20” Pitch Black wheels shod with P245/45R20 Firestone Firehawk all-season performance tyres. Paintwork choice is Pitch Black, Bright Silver Metallic, Tungsten Metallic or Bright White, all of which are complemented by the ‘Redline Red’ stripes that run the length of the car. For the interior, buyers can opt for either Dark Slate Gray or Radar Red leather upholstery. Despite the sporty appearance, the Challenger Rallye Redline doesn’t come with a Hemi V8. Instead, it makes do with the slightly more efficient 3.6 litre Pentastar V6 which produces 305 bhp (227 kW / 309 PS) and 363 Nm (268 lb/ft) of torque. Those outputs aren’t exactly lacking then, but to make sure acceleration is quicker than the standard version, Dodge has elected to fit the 3.06:1 rear axle ratio in place of the usual 2.65:1 item. The braking syste...

KTM has revealed a Track version of its 690 Duke. Limited to just 200 examples, the specification is as per the bikes that compete in the European Junior Cup race series, which means more power, less weight and lots of special components. Unfortunately, though, it also means that the 690 Duke Track isn’t street legal. Changes to the single-cylinder engine include a modified airbox, a bespoke fuel map and a replacement camshaft from the KTM PowerParts catalogue. The standard exhaust is ditched in favour of a titanium and carbon fibre system by Akrapovic, while drive to the gearbox is now delivered via a slipper clutch. As a result, output increases from the stock 67 bhp (50 kW / 68 PS) to 78 bhp (58 kW / 79 PS). Chassis upgrades focus on the fitment of fully adjustable WP suspension and circuit-optimised Brembo brakes. The anti-lock braking system meanwhile has been deleted, a move that has undoubtedly contributed to the bike’s overall 10 kg (22 lbs) weight reduction. Comp...

With the opening round of the 2012 DTM season due to take place at the Hockenheimring on the 29th of April, Audi Sport has revealed the teams and drivers that’ll be campaigning its all-new A5 DTM challenger. The eight-car line-up is: Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline · Mattias Edstrom (Sweden) - Red Bull Audi A5 DTM · Timo Scheider (Germany) - Auto Test Audi A5 DTM Audi Sport Team Abt · Rahel Frey (Switzerland) - E-Postbrief Audi A5 DTM · Adrien Tambay (France) - Audi Ultra Audi A5 DTM Audi Sport Team Phoenix · Mike Rockenfeller (Germany) - Schaeffler Audi A5 DTM · Miguel Molina (Spain) - Red Bull Audi A5 DTM Audi Sport Team Rosberg · Edoardo Mortara (France / Italy) - Playboy Audi A5 DTM · Filipe Albuquerque (Portugal) - TV Movie Audi A5 DTM Development work continues by Audi Sport in collaboration with the race teams, and official test sessions in Valencia and Hockenheim will doubtless play an important role in that process. Related posts: Homolog...

BMW South Africa has revealed the all-new 335i that’ll be competing in the Bridgestone Production Cars class of the 2012 WesBank Super Series championship. Developed with ADF Motorsport, it’s reckoned to be the first competition car anywhere in the world that is based on the recently-introduced sixth generation F30 3 Series. Under the bonnet, the TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder, 3.0 litre engine remains basically standard, although boost is turned down to 0.7 bar and a 40 mm restrictor is fitted to the turbo inlet to comply with championship regulations. Other changes include a replacement engine control unit which has both data logging and fault warning functions, while the stock exhaust system has been ditched in favour of one from Akrapovic. As a result, the 1,360 kg (2,998 lbs) race car produces about 402 bhp (300 kW / 407 PS) and 600 Nm (442 lb/ft) of peak torque, figures that are both up significantly on the road-going version’s 301 bhp (225 kW / 306 PS) and 400 Nm (295 l...

Bangkok, Thailand was the venue chosen for the unveiling of the 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer. A fitting location, seeing as the all-new SUV will be built by GM Thailand and the country has been selected as the model’s launch market, prior to sales beginning in other territories around the world. The Trailblazer is based on GM’s latest body-on-frame truck architecture, which essentially makes it the Chevrolet / Holden Colorado pick-up in five-door form. 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Scroll down for more images. Unsurprisingly, the initial engine line-up is shared with the Colorado, meaning there’s a choice of two Duramax four-cylinder turbo diesels. A 2.5 litre version develops 147 bhp (110 kW / 150 PS) and 350 Nm (258 lb/ft) of torque, and it comes with a five-speed manual gearbox. Alternatively, the slightly larger 2.8 litre motor produces 177 bhp (132 kW / 180 PS) and a healthy 440 Nm (324 lb/ft), although that peak torque figure rises to 470 Nm (346 lb/ft) when the optional s...

Dodge has launched the Durango Special Service SUV, which is aimed at law enforcement agencies, fire departments and other government fleet users. To ensure that it can cope with heavy duty use, the Durango features numerous upgraded components including the braking system, engine oil cooler, water pump, alternator and battery. There are a few changes to the interior too, but these are mainly to increase equipment carrying capacity. The third row of seats is deleted, for example, and extra storage compartments have been provided both underneath and to the sides of  the main cargo loadspace. One thing that’s identical to the regular Durango is the powertrain choice, meaning users will get to specify either the 290 bhp (216 kW / 294 PS) 3.6 litre Pentastar V6 or the 360 bhp (268 kW / 365 PS) 5.7 litre Hemi V8. Both options are available with rear- or all-wheel drive. Deliveries are due to start soon, and the Durango joins the Charger Pursuit saloon and Ram 1500 pick-up ...

The all-new Isuzu D-Max pick-up is due to arrive in UK dealers this June. Replacing the Rodeo, it has been developed in partnership with General Motors and so bears more than a passing resemblance to the recently-introduced Chevrolet and Holden Colorado models. Buyers will be able to choose from single-, double- and extended-cab options, the last of which features rear-opening half-doors that provide access to the space behind the front seats. Available with rear- or all-wheel drive, power comes from a 2.5 litre twin-turbo diesel engine that develops 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) and 400 Nm (295 lb/ft) of peak torque. Euro5 compliant, it comes connected to either a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. Load capacity is 1,000 kg. Standard equipment on all versions includes electric windows, air conditioning and numerous airbags, while the Eiger specification adds Bluetooth connectivity, body-coloured bumpers and 16” alloy wheels. The wheel size increases to...

Ducati has unveiled the Desmosedici GP12 that Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden will be racing in this year’s MotoGP series. With more than 230 horsepower (about 170 kW) available from its new 1,000 cc V4 engine and a dry weight of 157 kg (346 lbs), the GP12 is reckoned to be capable of over 205 mph (330 km/h). But whether the package is good enough to beat rivals Honda and Yamaha remains to be seen. Certainly, Ducati will be hoping for an improvement on the 7th and 8th places that Rossi and Hayden achieved in last season’s championship standings. Related posts: Honda RC213V unveiled 2012 MotoGP calendar Ducati unveils GP11