Autoesque

Chevrolet has revealed its SS race car which is set to compete in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

The new XFR-S is the fastest, most powerful saloon ever created by Jaguar, thanks to a 5.0 litre supercharged V8 engine that develops 542 bhp (405 kW / 550 PS).

Car manufacturers using fashion designers to create special editions is not unusual, but rarely is the end result as bonkers as the Smart forjeremy. Dreamt up by Jeremy Scott and based on the fortwo electric drive , a pair of illuminated fibreglass wings sprouting from the rear pillars give it a look that is certainly, well, different…

Subaru has confirmed that its brand new 2014 Forester will be available in the UK, with sales due to begin next summer.

Morgan has unveiled its new 3 Wheeler Gulf Edition, which features the iconic pale blue and orange colour scheme along with some very distinctive orange-wall tyres.

The one statistic that most potential buyers of electric vehicles want to know is range, so Chevrolet’s caginess on the subject when it comes to the new Spark EV seems a little odd. Indeed, all we are being told for now is that the supermini ‘is expected to have among the best EV battery range in its segment’.

Dodge has launched the 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona, which is set to make its debut at the upcoming Los Angeles International Auto Show.

The FIM has updated next year’s MotoGP World Championship race calendar.

Honda has revealed its new Brio Amaze, a saloon version of the Brio hatchback that was launched in March 2011.

Honda has unveiled its new NSS300 Forza mid-size scooter, which will soon be going on sale in Europe. Although primarily designed for commuting, Honda reckons it could be versatile enough for leisure use and even some touring as well.

The Isuzu Motorsports International Off-Road Race Team has announced its return to the Dakar Rally in 2013. The gruelling event, which begins on the 5th of January, runs for fifteen days and covers over 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometres) between Lima, Peru and Chile.

BMW will be celebrating ninety years of motorcycle production in 2013, so it has decided to mark the occasion with a trio of special editions. Appropriately (and very logically) named ‘90 Jahre BMW Motorrad’, they are based on the R 1200 R, R 1200 GS Adventure and R 1200 RT.

WK might not be a well known motorcycle brand, but it’s a significant one. That’s because earlier this year the 650i was introduced, making WK the first Chinese manufacturer to offer a large-capacity bike in the UK. And now the range is expanding further, with the launch of the new 650TR and 800 Cruiser.

Kawasaki has revealed a new Z1000 Special Edition model that’ll be seen in the UK for the first time at the upcoming Motorcycle Live show.

In a 2012 World Touring Car Championship that was dominated by Chevrolet, the Team Aon Ford Focus race cars didn’t perform brilliantly in their debut season. Indeed, drivers James Nash and Tom Chilton only managed to finish the year in 20th and 22nd places respectively.

The new 2013 Gold Wing F6B is a stripped-down, supposedly cooler version of Honda’s gigantic touring bike.

SsangYong has gone niche hunting with its latest model, the all-wheel drive Korando CSX light commercial vehicle.

Husqvarna has unveiled its Concept Baja at the EICMA show in Milan. A modern interpretation of off-road motorcycles from the 1960s and 1970s, it represents a possible future addition to the firm’s range.

The new Honda CB500X, CB500F and CBR500R could prove to be popular first big bikes, as they have all been designed to comply with European A2 licence requirements.

It might be a surprise to learn that the Suzuki Jimny is still available to buy new. But the aging mini-SUV, which was first produced in 1998, keeps on going and as a fifteenth birthday present it’s getting a facelift.

Kawasaki has given its W800 Special Edition model a refreshed colour scheme for 2013.

Honda has revealed the Micro Commuter Prototype, a diminutive electric vehicle that could provide some direct competition for the Renault Twizy.

BMW has given its F 800 ST mid-range sports touring bike some major updates for 2013, including more power, redesigned bodywork and a new ‘GT’ suffix.

Italian manufacturer CRP has revealed its Energica electric street bike. Although still in prototype form, the production version isn’t expected to differ too much.

It has been a difficult week for Suzuki. First of all, the company’s United States subsidiary filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, before declaring that sales of Suzuki cars would cease in America.

Caterham has launched the new Seven Supersport R, which combines a 535 kg (1,179 lbs) kerb weight and a 180 bhp (134 kW / 182 PS) 2.0 litre Ford Duratec engine. Unsurprisingly, the result is very rapid acceleration, with the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) sprint taking just 4.8 seconds.

Husqvarna has announced prices for its 2013 model year Nuda 900 and Nuda 900R.

There’s no doubt that the new Insignia VXR SuperSport is a performance bargain. A 2.8 litre V6 turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, no speed limiter and a reduced price tag of £29,995 see to that.

The diminutive Honda N-ONE has gone on sale in Japan. The latest addition to the N Series range of mini-vehicles, its cabin is reckoned to be large enough to accommodate four adults despite the compact exterior dimensions.

Maserati has unveiled its all-new 2013 Quattroporte four-door saloon. While the styling might be striking, the elongated form, bulging rear flanks and fussy details lack some of the finesse of the current model. Perhaps it’s a design that works better in the metal?

Volkswagen has given its Amarok pick-up a series of updates for 2013, with a particular focus on the powertrains. At the same time, production of vehicles destined for European markets is being shifted from Argentina to Germany, a move that should help reduce factory order lead times.

Seat has unveiled the latest version of its Ibiza Cupra, which is due to arrive in UK dealers this January with a price tag of £18,825.

After a successful debut on the Charger, Dodge is extending the availability of its Blacktop package to the 2013 Avenger, Challenger R/T and Charger R/T models.

Five months after it was first revealed at the Leipzig International Auto Show, the Volkswagen Beetle Fender Edition has arrived in the United States.

With its new A6 Saloon, A6 Avant and A7 Sportback Black Edition models, Audi has joined the myriad manufacturers that have resorted to using the ‘Black’ tag.

It’s incredible to think that five years have passed since the current GT-R first appeared. Perhaps mindful of the onset of automotive middle-age, Nissan has decided to give its all-wheel drive performance car a series of detailed updates for 2013.

Just a few days after it revealed a trio of updated Brutale 1090 models, MV Agusta has launched the 2013 Brutale 800.

Ahead of its debut at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show, Subaru has revealed the brand new 2014 Forester crossover.

Mini has decided to give its chunky five-door Countryman some minor tweaks for 2013. The changes are concentrated on the interior, with the aim being to give a more premium feel while enhancing practicality.

For many people, knowing which tyres to buy for their vehicle is a complete mystery. They’re all black and round, so how different can a never-heard-of budget brand be compared to more expensive offerings? Well now the European Union has introduced something that should help consumers make a more informed choice. From today, the 1st of November, tyres sold within the EU must display a label or sticker that rates performance based on three criteria: grip in the wet, fuel efficiency and external rolling noise.