Autoesque

A team of 23 trainees from the Škoda Auto Vocational School has designed and built a pick-up version of the latest Fabia supermini. Called Funstar, it's due to appear in public for the first time at May's Wörthersee GTI Treffen.

This weekend’s 6 Heures de Spa-Francorchamps will see the debut of the 2015 Audi R18 e-tron quattro in low-drag guise.

Chevrolet has announced a Midnight Edition package for its full-size Impala. Inspired by the Blackout concept that was seen at last year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas, deliveries are due to begin this summer.

Ford has confirmed some performance and economy figures for the new Mustang, which will be available across Europe in Fastback and Convertible body styles.

Chevrolet is adding the C7.R Edition to its 2016 Corvette line-up. The new model, which can be based on either the Z06 or Z06 Convertible, is inspired by the C7.R race car.

Mazda has announced that buyers of the new fourth-generation MX-5 roadster will have nine different variants to choose from.

BMW has collaborated with a couple of Japanese motorcycle customisers to reimagine its K 1600 GTL . Such a huge touring bike may seem like a strange candidate for that kind of treatment, but the results – created under the project Ignite Straight Six banner – are dramatic.

Rolls-Royce has launched another limited edition created by its Bespoke department. The Limelight Collection, which can be based on either the Phantom or Phantom Extended Wheelbase, “has been conceived for that select group of people who spend their lives in the public eye and on the world stage”.

Cadillac has announced that its upcoming CT6 flagship will be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Buick has unveiled an all-new second-generation Verano at the Auto Shanghai motor show. A mid-size saloon, it’s set to join the rather similar Excelle GT in the brand’s Chinese range.

Don’t be fooled by the ‘concept’ tag. The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé is almost production ready and it’s set to become a direct rival for the BMW X4 .

Qoros says the 2 Concept offers “a look into the possibilities for the brand’s future”. Revealed at the Auto Shanghai motor show, it's a B-segment SUV that would primarily target younger buyers.

Following the arrival earlier this month of the 570S Coupé , McLaren has revealed the second member of its Sports Series range. The new 540C Coupé, which has a £126,000 price tag, is intended to further expand the brand's appeal.

Woolf Barnato unquestionably played a key role in Bentley’s early history. He became majority shareholder and chairman in the 1920s and, as one of the original Bentley Boys, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1928, 1929 and 1930.

A surfeit of power plus all-wheel drive equals supercar performance for the Peugeot 308 R HYbrid five-door hatchback. Revealed in concept form, it also boasts impressive green credentials thanks to the use of plug-in hybrid technology.

Apart from its new-style Cadillac grille, the 2016 ELR looks virtually identical to the current model. However, beneath the skin there have been some important mechanical upgrades.

Although Volkswagen is calling the new Transporter a sixth-generation model, it does appear to be a reworked version of the current T5. That said, several of the changes are significant.

Following last year’s launch of the very retro 500 1957 Edition , Fiat has created a cabriolet version for North America.

Volvo is describing the XC90 Excellence as a “new flagship car”. With just four seats instead of the usual seven, it’s clearly aimed at those wealthy people who prefer to employ the services of a chauffeur.

Opel has collaborated with Irmscher to create a Tourer Pack for the latest Vivaro. Intended to give some extra luxury and refinement, it's available on the panel van, double cab and nine-seat combi versions.

Chevrolet has introduced a Custom Sport package for the Silverado HD 2500 and 3500 pick-ups. Designed to give a “sophisticated monochromatic look”, it can be combined with the existing LT and LTZ trim grades.

Last year's D-Max Blade special edition was clearly a great success for Isuzu, because it's now returning as a permanent member of the range. The 2015 version is basically the same as the original, but there have been a few minor changes.

China is currently the largest single market for Citroën, accounting for a quarter of the brand's global sales. Given such a statistic, it's hardly surprising that the French firm has created something special for this month's Auto Shanghai motor show.

Ten years ago this month MG Rover collapsed with massive debts. A period of administration followed, then most of the remaining assets were eventually sold to the Nanjing Automobile Group.

734,588 new cars were registered in the UK during the first quarter, according to stats just released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

The ninth-generation Malibu ticks some very important boxes. For instance, it’s larger, lighter and more efficient than before thanks mainly to the use of an all-new platform architecture.

McLaren says the new 570S Coupé is intended to deliver every-day usability and practicality. So, in other words, it’s destined to become a direct rival to Porsche’s 911.

Cadillac's CT6 luxury saloon – which has just been unveiled at the New York International Auto Show – is an all-new flagship model for the brand.

European manufacturers have dominated this year's World Car Awards , which were decided by a jury of 75 international motoring journalists.

Triumph's Speed Triple model line turns 21 this year, so a couple of special editions have been launched to celebrate its coming of age. Called the Speed 94 and Speed 94 R, they're based on the current Speed Triple and Speed Triple R respectively.