Autoesque

When it was first revealed at the New York International Auto Show back in March, Jaguar said production of its XKR-S GT would be limited to just 30 units with sales restricted to North America.

It seems most mainstream car brands are currently rushing to produce a compact SUV, with Suzuki set to become the latest member of an increasingly crowded segment.

Ford has announced its plan to tackle the 2014 Dakar Rally using a pair of Ranger pick-ups.

If the 276 bhp (206 kW / 280 PS) and 400 Nm (295 lb/ft) of torque produced by the Vauxhall Astra VXR isn’t enough, aftermarket ECU specialists Superchips could have the answer.

Suzuki has teamed up with Yoshimura to create a special edition GSX-R750 for the UK market.

The Volkswagen Jetta is a rare site on the UK’s roads, so exclusivity should be pretty much guaranteed with the new Limited Edition version.

Škoda has reduced the cost of its Fabia Reaction limited edition in the UK. Originally £13,405, the price has now been slashed to £9,690 - a hefty discount of almost 28% that’s being offered until stocks run out.

Unlike many limited editions, the new Renault Mégane Knight actually appears to be a tempting proposition.

It might have a daft name, but the new Yamaha D’elight could nevertheless appeal to those riders who want a neat and agile scooter for urban use.

Citroën has previewed the car that Sébastien Loeb will be driving in the 2014 World Touring Car Championship.

BMW Motorrad has announced that its factory participation in the FIM Superbike World Championship will cease from the end of the 2013 season.

Seat seems to be using decent design as a means to give its brand a better sense of identity. The new estate version of the Leon, which carries the name Sport Tourer, is further evidence of that strategy.

Renault has set a price for its new limited edition Mégane Renaultsport Red Bull Racing RB8.

There are two things wrong with the new Dacia Duster Black Edition: firstly, Dacia has resorted to including ‘black’ in its name, which is now getting really hackneyed and just shows a lack of imagination; secondly, the price is way too expensive.

Mini has unveiled three different concepts that should appeal to those who like the idea of spending the night with their car.

Nissan Qashqai registrations in the UK totalled 45,675 last year, a figure that made it the country’s most popular crossover. Suzuki will doubtless be hoping to emulate some of the Sunderland-built model’s success with its all-new SX4 S-Cross, which goes on sale in October.

BMW Motorrad has revealed plans to introduce a range of airbag-equipped rider clothing. Developed in conjunction with Dainese, the garments will be based on the Italian firm’s D-air protection system.

Audi has added to its A1 supermini line-up by introducing a new S line Style Edition trim grade.

Mountune’s latest modification kits for the Ford Fiesta ST and Focus ST have four major things in their favour: they’re factory-approved, the original manufacturer’s warranty is unaffected, 120 Ford dealers around the UK can fit them and they offer a useful boost in performance.

KTM has shown off its RC390 Cup, which will be used in the one-make ‘ADAC Junior Cup powered by KTM’ race series in 2014.

Following Nissan’s announcement last year that the Datsun brand would be resurrected, the marque’s first new model has now been unveiled.

Yamaha’s latest motorcycle has a very long name. Called the XV1900A Midnight Star Casual Full Dress, it’s basically a rebranded version of the Star Motorcycles Stratoliner Deluxe that was recently launched in North America.

Škoda has released the first images of its Rapid Spaceback ahead of a public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year.

Piaggio has given its Liberty scooter a major revamp, which has included changing the name. It’s now called the Liberty 3V in recognition of its new three-valve fuel-injected engine.

Following the unveiling of the all-new Mazda 3 hatchback last month, the first images of the four-door saloon version have been released.

Aprilia has revealed the latest version of its naked Tuono, which gains a few more horsepower, anti-lock brakes and a full suite of electronic chassis control devices.

BMW is expanding its six-cylinder touring bike range with the introduction of the K 1600 GT Sport.

A ‘black’ theme for a special edition isn’t especially original, but it’s exactly what Ram has used to create the new 1500 Black Express.

Ongoing financial woes and a generally uninspiring range of models mean Peugeot isn’t currently experiencing the best period in its long history. So the brand badly needs cars like the new high-performance RCZ R coupé to give it some zing.

Mazda has launched another special version of the MX-5. This one’s called the Sport Graphite and it’s based on the Roadster Coupé.

Suzuki has added a five-door version of the Swift Sport to its range.

Despite the joint sports car project with Renault sub-brand Alpine and talk of new crossover and subcompact models, Caterham hasn’t forgotten its iconic Seven.

MV Agusta has revealed the new limited edition Brutale Corsa.

Škoda has announced a series of changes to its Rapid compact five-door hatchback.

Triumph has collaborated with custom shop 8 Ball to build fifty special examples of its Sprint GT tourer.

Suzuki has decided to bring the 4x4 version of its Swift supermini to the UK.

Despite its humble city car origins, the new Volkswagen e-Up! isn’t going to be a particularly cheap route to electric-powered motoring.

Honda has added a new ES Plus trim grade to its Jazz supermini range.

Despite the recent launch of a much-needed diesel version, sales of the MG6 have been disappointing. Just 129 examples were registered in the UK during the first six months of 2013, a 76% reduction on the same period last year.

Following sixteen consecutive months of growth, UK car registrations during the first half of 2013 were up 10% on the same period last year.

Yamaha has launched the bobber-styled XV950 and XV950R across Europe. Essentially rebadged versions of the 2014 Bolt that’s sold in North America by sister brand Star Motorcycles, the new arrivals are competitors for bikes such as the Harley-Davidson Iron 883 and Kawasaki VN900 Custom.

Vauxhall / Opel has revealed its contender for the small (but growing) SUV-inspired estate car segment. Called the Insignia Country Tourer, it features all-wheel drive, a raised ride height, some extra body cladding and under-bumper bash plates.

Anybody in the UK who recently bought a Subaru XV is probably a bit peeved right now, because prices have just been cut by £2,300 across the range.

Suzuki has launched a fourth accessory set for its mid-size V-Strom 650 ABS. The new Voyager Pack, which joins the existing Adventure, Tourer and GT packages, is available now.

The reborn Datsun brand has released a preview sketch of its first new model, which will be unveiled in India on the 15th of July.